adosa-darsi

He always accepted the good qualities of Vaisnavas and never found fault in them. He engaged his heart and soul only to satisfy the Vaisnavas.

PURPORT

It is a qualification of a Vaisnava that he is adosa-darsi: he never sees others' faults. Of course, every human being has both good qualities and faults. Therefore it is said, saj-jana gunam icchanti dosam icchanti
pamarah: everyone has a combination of faults and glories. But a Vaisnava, a sober man, accepts only a man's glories and not his faults, for flies seek sores whereas honeybees seek honey. Haridasa Pandita never found fault with a Vaisnava but considered only his good qualities.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 8.62

"So long as one is engaged in devotional service, he is immune to the reactions of his past sinful activities, but if he chooses to give up this devotional service, then he has to undergo all these reactions." - Srila Prabhupada letter, 12 Nov 1971

Jugglery of names only...

Those who are captivated by the illusory advancement of material civilization (following the way of phantasmagoria) are certainly madmen. The whole material creation is a jugglery of names only; in fact, it is nothing but a bewildering creation of matter like earth, water and fire. The buildings, furniture, cars, bungalows, mills, factories, industries, peace, war or even the highest perfection of material science, namely atomic energy and electronics, are all simply bewildering names of material elements with their concomitant reactions of the three modes. Since the devotee of the Lord knows them perfectly well, he is not interested in creating unwanted things for a situation which is not at all reality, but simply names of no more significance than the babble of sea waves.

Srimad Bhagavatam 2.2.3 purport

Our Main Business

Our purpose is not to construct big, big buildings, although that is sometimes required for spreading Krsna consciousness and for giving shelter to people. But our main business is to turn the faces of the bewildered conditioned souls toward Krsna. That is our main purpose. Therefore Bhaktivinoda Thakura and other Vaisnavas have warned us to be careful about constructing too many big temples, because our attention may be diverted toward material things. In other words, we may become forgetful of Krsna.

Of course, ultimately nothing is material. Thinking something is material is simply an illusion. Actually, there is nothing but spirit. How can there be anything material? The Supreme Lord is the Supreme Spirit, and since everything is coming from Him, what we call the material energy is also coming from Him and is thus ultimately spiritual.

But the difficulty is that in this material world, Krsna's inferior energy, there is the possibility of forgetting Krsna. People are engaged in so many activities -- we can see this very clearly in the Western countries -- and they are inventing so many modern facilities, but the result is that they are forgetting Krsna. That is material -- this forgetfulness of Krsna.

Journey of Self Discovery, Chapter 3.3
His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

There is a fight

Visnujana: How will it be possible, Prabhupada, for a man whose mind is clouded to constantly chant Hare Krsna? A man who's always thinking thoughts about family, friends, country, nation?

Prabhupada: Yes. Think of. At the same time, chant. Two things will go on, and this will conquer. (chuckling) As maya is forcing you to drag you from this Krsna consciousness, you also force maya by chanting Hare Krsna. There is fight. And maya will go away.



daivi hy esa gunamayi
mama maya duratyaya
mam eva ye prapadyante
mayam etam taranti te
 [Bg. 7.14]

This maya is very strong. She'll force you to entice you to other path. But if you do not stop, if you chant loudly...

Just like Haridasa Thakura was chanting, and maya could not victimize him. You know that? What was his stand? Simply chanting Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Maya could not entice. Maya failed. Maya became his disciple. He did not become
maya's disciple.

This is tug of war. So don't be afraid of maya. Simply enhance chanting and you'll be conqueror. That's all. Narayana-parah sarve na kutascana bibhyati [SB 6.17.28]. We are not afraid of maya because Krsna is there. Yes. Krsna says, kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati [Bg. 9.31]. You just declare, "My devotee will never be vanquished by maya." Maya cannot do anything. Simply you have to become strong. And what is that strength? Chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, loudly. Yes.

(Bhagavad-gita 3.6-10 lecture, Dec 23 1968)

Bad tendencies ... very quickly destroyed.

Krishna as the SuperSoul.

For him who constantly meditates upon My presence within all persons, the bad tendencies of rivalry, envy and abusiveness, along with false ego, are very quickly destroyed.

Srimad Bhagavatam, 11.29.15

IQ, EQ, SQ

Hare Krishna

(Albert Einstein had an I.Q. of 160)

IQ (Intelligence Quotient) tests are famous for assessing our logical, mathematical and linguistic skills. We all wish we were in that top bracket of Mensa elite who have an IQ in excess of 140 – unfortunately only 0.5% of the population make it! One who has developed intelligence has a great capacity to receive information, process it and analyse it. They are able to think in an abstract way, and also learn significant lessons from experience. However, research has shown that intelligence is not sufficient. The most intelligent people are not always the most successful and happy people in the world. Interestingly, they aren’t necessarily the people that change the world either (although some of them have).
Psychologists and neuroscientists are increasingly talking about the need for Emotional Quotient (EQ). According to them, EQ is a basic requirement for successful utilization of IQ. Those with high EQ’s are able to effectively handle their own emotions, and simultaneously interact and relate with others successfully. Animals and humans have a tendency to act irrationally when certain emotions arise in their consciousness. In times of stress, anger and anxiety, intelligence is difficult to access. Thus, EQ deals with the human side of life and how we effectively function in the environments surrounding us.
To some extent computers have the power of IQ. One could argue that animals have the power of IQ and EQ. So what sets humans apart? This is where the notion of SQ comes in – Spiritual Quotient. IQ and EQ help us in our present situations, but SQ is all about transformation. The spiritualist has the power to question on a deeper level – who am I, what are my needs, what goals should I be pursuing, and what will really make me happy. They may seem like simple questions, but if we analyse ourselves, how many times are we busily engaged in pursuing things without really questioning whether they are necessary, fulfilling and really adding value? Our lives are often centered around asking the question ‘how’, but SQ is all about asking the question ‘why’.

By Sutapa Das for sutapamonk.blogspot.com on 15 Jun 2012

Chant Hare Krsna in all Situations.

"The name of Lord Govinda should always be chanted in all situations, such as while waking up, before sleeping, while getting ready to go somewhere, and while going there, and even when one is embarrassed due to hiccups, hunger, stumbling, falling down, etc. In fact, one should chant loudly at all times and in all places the name of Lord Krishna, who is also known as Chakrayudha, wielder of the disc. In such chanting there is no consideration of cleanliness, for the Lord is the ultimate purifier."

Translated from the Vaisnava-kantha-bharaniya-nama-mahatmya, Sarasvati Bhavan, text No. 72, edited by Mangal Deva Shastri, printed at Eureka Printing Works, Benares City, 1937.

Quoted in Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu, Issue 278 June 15 2012.

Steady Krsna consciousness

Hare Krishna!

"A devotee is thoughtful and through intelligent contemplation avoids  becoming distracted from his spiritual advancement. By intelligence he is freed from doubts about Lord Krsna and confronts all problems in life with steady Krsna consciousness."


Srimad Bhagavatam, 11.11.29-32 purport
.

Bhaktivinoda Thakur My Austere Vow

Bhaktivinoda Thakur

My Austere Vow

My austere vow is constant devotion to the lotus feet of Sri Hari. In order to execute that vow, I have accepted the following qualities by my own endeavor:
a. I practice great humility in my dealings with everyone.
b. I try to keep simplicity and purity prominent in all of my practical arrangements.
c. I maintain extreme tolerance in all types of favorable or unfavorable circumstances.
d. I offer all respect unto others, regardless of who they are.
e. I feel genuine compassion for all living entities and act accordingly .

Rules and Regulations

Rules and Regulations

Most people are afraid to take to Krishna Consciousness in their youth because they are afraid that this process will curb their freedom and regulate their life.They want to live a free life of fun and enjoyment of senses.The freedom of a conditioned soul is compared to the freedom of football. What is football free for? Free to be kicked. Similarly, the so called freedom of a conditioned soul only has him kicked like a football by maya,the material energy.The rules and regulations which one follows on the path of Krishna Consciousness are like the string of a kite. The string of kite appears to be limiting the movement of the kite. Actually, it is because of the string that the kite is flying in a certain direction. If the string is cut, the kite will simply fall down. Similarly the rules and regulations, which one is expected to follow in this human form of life, are like the kite's string that helps us fly higher and higher, towards the spiritual sky. Otherwise, without these rules and regulations and discipline, one will simply fall down and be miserable.Therefore to impose rules and regulations on oneself, to be disciplined and self controlled, to have a direction in our life is very important.

-- HH Radhanath Swami

This routine program is the backbone of our Movement

Hare Krishna Devotee

 "This routine program is the backbone of our Movement, and we stand solid on such program such as chanting, speaking, arati, reading scriptures, prasadam, like that. These things are sufficient for us. Any sane man will be attracted to such program. And if we perform everything nicely and always seize every opportunity to preach about Krishna, that is our formula for success. Of course management must be there, but if preaching work is strong, management will automatically be strong. So in all cases, become a very good preacher, and this will please me very much."

-- Srila Prabhupada, Letter 08/12/1971

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

The Consciousness of a Lion...

Another fitting illustration is seen in the contrast between the mentality of a dog and that of a lion. If one throws a dog a bone, the dog will always run after the bone. If one throws a bone to a lion, however, the lion, lifting his head and licking his lips, will turn to check out who it was that threw the bone, considering the thrower to be a tastier prospect, a tastier entity than the thrown! It is better to have the consciousness of a lion than to have the consciousness of a dog. In other words, instead of becoming primarily concerned with or entangled by the external phenomenon itself, it is better to pursue the tastier entity, the higher taste, by looking to see who has placed the external phenomenon before us. And who will we see? We will see that supremely prankish cowherd boy, Vrajendranandana Shyama, who, by His inscrutable desire, has expanded innumerable cosmic arenas in which He may directly and indirectly enact His various sportive lilas. That is Krishna consciousness.

T h e H e a r t o f  T r a n s c e n d e n t a l B o o k D i s t r i b u t i o n, p24  (HG Aindra Prabhu)

Seven KC Tips

 7 KC tips  by  HH Sacinandana Swami
  
1. Become a japa scientist.
2. Connect yourself to Srila Prabhupada's book. They are not only
informational books, but transformational books.
 3. Listen to lectures.
 4. Do pilgrimages.
 5. Invest in education - you will be able to do much more for Krsna.
 6. Invest in Bhakti-sanga - read during the week and share your best
passages and realisations with others.
 7. Avoid all criticism - the person who suffers is the one who is
criticising. Speak in a positive way.

Video Lecture: Ethics in Leadership and Management, Radhanath Swami at Harvard University

Radhanath Swami Blues (Harmonica)

There is no peace or happiness in our worldly life

There is no peace or happiness in our worldly life. Circumstances create turmoil and annoyance. Be indifferent to bazaar gossip, stick firmly to your cherished goals, no lack or impediments of the world will ever stand in your way. We are put to test and trial in this world. Only those who attend the kirtana of the devotees can succeed. Chant the maha mantra* loudly and with attachment. This will drive away inertia, worldly evils and pests.

-Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur.

* Maha Mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

On Commitment

On Commitment
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." 

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe 1749-1832, German Poet, Dramatist, Novelist

Do this with great care

"This uncontrolled mind is the greatest enemy of the living entity. If one neglects it or gives it a chance, it will grow more and more powerful and will become victorious. Although it is not factual, it is very strong. It covers the constitutional position of the soul. O King, please try to conquer this mind by the weapon of service to the
lotus feet of the spiritual master and of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Do this with great care."

Srimad Bhagavatam, 5.11.17