Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day

 Srila Prabhupada  Comments Off on Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day
Nov 172020
 

I am very grateful to Srila Prabhupada for having brought me into your association. You are his sincere followers, and many of you have been serving him for decades, from when you read or heard about him or met him in person.

Once, on his guru maharaja’s disappearance day, Srila Prabhupada said, “On the absolute platform, there is no difference between the appearance and the disappearance of the spiritual master. Both are beautiful, just like the sunrise and the sunset.” So although we feel separation, within that separation our remembrance of Srila Prabhupada is heightened, and thus we experience the beauty of his presence—in separation.

To straightaway speak about Srila Prabhupada’s departure feels abrupt to me, because it is a painful topic, but remembering Srila Prabhupada’s words that the disappearance is also beautiful, I wanted to share with you a lesson I learned from his departure.

A few days before he was to leave us, Srila Prabhupada expressed a desire to travel by bullock cart to different holy places in India. His Holiness Lokanath Swami had been traveling by bullock cart to different places of pilgrimage, and Srila Prabhupada was very enlivened when Lokanath Swami reported to him in Vrindavan. And Prabhupada said that he too would like to go on pilgrimage on a bullock cart. He asked Lokanath Swami to arrange it, and Lokanath Swami was enthusiastic, having been encouraged by Prabhupada in such a direct way. He immediately went to organize the cart and make all the arrangements. Govardhana-puja was to take place in a couple of days, and Prabhupada said that he would begin his pilgrimage by travelling on a bullock cart to Govardhana Hill to celebrate Govardhana-puja with the Vraja-vasis.

At that time, Srila Prabhupada was bedridden and, one could say, emaciated. He was unable to eat, and he was able only to sip a little liquid. He was gaunt and weak, with almost no energy. He would just lie on his bed, and sometimes, with great difficulty, he would speak softly, often so faintly that only those very near him could hear his words.

There were many devotees in the room when Srila Prabhupada had his exchange with Lokanath Swami. And immediately after the discussion ended and devotees went outside, they began to express two strong, heartfelt opinions about what Srila Prabhupada should do—and, more than that, how we as disciples should relate to him and serve him. Continue reading »

Giriraj Swami’s Vyasa-puja, September 8, Houston

 Indradymna Swami, Lectures, Srila Prabhupada, Vyasa-puja  Comments Off on Giriraj Swami’s Vyasa-puja, September 8, Houston
Sep 092018
 

“I can honestly say that I love you, Giriraj Swami Maharaja. The love that we share is the love of a time-tested friendship that goes deep and is more satisfying than any mundane one. It is a relationship based on serving together during the pioneer days of our spiritual master’s mission. It is said that things equal to the same thing are equal to each other. Because of our deepening love for our spiritual master and Krishna, our love for each other is solidified forever. My hope is that we will meet each other back in the spiritual world. Certainly the possibility is there, for in a letter to Tusta Krishna Das, Srila Prabhupada levitra wrote, ‘Siddhasvarupa will go, you will go, all others will go. We will have another ISKCON there. Only Mr. Nair will not go.’ ” — Indradyumna Swami

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Giriraj Swami
Giriraj Swami and Indradymna Swami
Godbrothers
Kesava Bharati Dasa Goswami
Indradyumna Swami
Partha Sarathi Dasa Goswami
Badahari Das
Cakri Das
Disciples and Friends
Anuradha Dasi
Balarama Das
Chaitanya Chandra Das
Danavari Dasi
Gauranga Chandra Das
Guru Bhakti Dasi
Indira Radha Dasi
Indulekha Dasi
Jagadisananda Das
Jaya Sri Radhe Dasi
Jivan-mukta Das
Kalpataru Dasi
Kandarpa Manjari dasi and Radhika
Karunavatara Das
Kishori Radha Dasi
Krishna Kirtan Das
Lalitadevi Dasi
Madana-mohana-mohini Dasi
Manasi Ganga Dasi
Nandini Dasi
Narayani Dasi
Nila Madhava Das
Nishana Baboolal
Nitai-lila Dasi
Nitya-manjari Dasi
Pandit Srivas Das
Premi Bhakta Das
Priti Radhika Dasi
Revati Dasi and Purushottama Kshetra Das
Saci Sundari Dasi
Sarvabhauma Das
Sita Dasi
Sukha-sagari Dasi
Sukumari Dasi
Sundari – Cicily Carter
Swarup Damodar Das
Vinod Bihari Das
Vrinda Priya Dasi
Vrindavan Natha Das
Youth in Bombay
Yasomati Dasi

Srila Prabhupada Has Given Us Everything We Need, January 26, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, England

 Caitanya-caritamrta, Srila Prabhupada, Yamuna devi  Comments Off on Srila Prabhupada Has Given Us Everything We Need, January 26, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, England
Jan 282014
 

prabdskGiriraj Swami read and spoke from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.166-168 on Sunday morning.

“We should not be swayed by romantic tales of instant enlightenment. It is stated by the previous acaryas—and here in the purport by Srila Prabhupada—that chanting the full Pancha-tattva mantra will free us from offenses and bless us to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra without offenses. And if we do that, all our spiritual desires and aspirations will be fulfilled—because everything is in the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. By offenseless chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra everything is revealed. One gets that mercy, that blessing, by serving the Pancha-tattva, which includes their devotees—gaura-bhakta vrinda. And in that effort we should not compromise.”

Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila 7.166-168

Srila Prabhupada’s Sublime Mercy, January 20, Carpinteria, California

 Bombay, Lectures, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad-Bhagavatam  1 Response »
Jan 202013
 

This is the audio from the teleconference class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.4.18.

“In a way, one could say that Srila Prabhupada was predicted by Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.11:

tad-vag-visargo janatagha-viplavo
yasmin prati-slokam abaddhavaty api
namany anantasya yaso ‘nkitani yat
srinvanti gayanti grinanti sadhavah

‘That literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung, and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.’

“The reason I say this verse anticipates, or predicts, Srila Prabhupada’s contribution, is that when Srimad-Bhagavatam was composed, practically the entire world was under the Vedic kings. At least up until the time of Maharaja Pariksit, the whole world was governed by Vedic principles. So, this ‘misdirected civilization’ developed subsequently. And now it is horrible, everywhere — godlessness. Srila Prabhupada was the first to translate the Vedic literature into English, and from English his disciples and followers have translated it into other languages, and so the world’s misdirected civilization now has access to this literature, which is meant to — and to some extent is — bringing about a revolution in people’s impious lives. Srila Prabhupada is such an extraordinary person. We cannot fathom how great he is or how significant his contribution is.”
Download MP3
[audio:https://www.girirajswami.com/media/2013/01.20.13_SB2.4.18_phone_conf_Carp.mp3 | titles=Srila Prabhupada’s Sublime Mercy]

The Saga of the Opening of the Juhu Temple, January 14, New Dwaraka, Los Angeles

 Bombay, Early Days, Lectures, Sadhu, Srila Prabhupada  Comments Off on The Saga of the Opening of the Juhu Temple, January 14, New Dwaraka, Los Angeles
Jan 182013
 

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Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.21 and narrated some fascinating stories related to the struggles and triumphs in developing the temple at Hare Krishna Land, Juhu Beach, Bombay.

“In the effort to get the land and build the temple for Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari, Srila Prabhupada vividly demonstrated the qualities of a sadhu, or saintly person, as described in Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.25.21):

titiksavah karunikah
suhrdah sarva-dehinam
ajata-satravah santah
sadhavah sadhu-bhusanah

‘The symptoms of a sadhu are that he is tolerant, merciful, and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.’ 

“It is a spiritual principle that you develop the qualities of the persons you serve. It is stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.16):

susrushoh sraddadhanasya
vasudeva-katha-rucih
syan mahat-sevaya viprah
punya-tirtha-nishevanat

‘O twice-born sages, by serving those devotees who are completely freed from all vice, great service is done. By such service, one gains affinity for hearing the messages of Vasudeva.’

“Srila Prabhupada had all saintly qualities — he was tolerant, merciful, friendly to all living entities, and peaceful. He exemplified these qualities. And he instructed us to develop them, to manifest them, too. It may take time;  it may not happen all of a sudden. But by serving a sadhu like Srila Prabhupada — and that possibility is always open to any of us at any time — we develop these qualities and  a taste for hearing about and rendering service to Sri Krishna.”

See the video here:
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We All Are Here Because of Srila Prabhupada, Radha Raman Vedic Temple, January 13, Placentia, California

 Early Days, Lectures, Srila Prabhupada  Comments Off on We All Are Here Because of Srila Prabhupada, Radha Raman Vedic Temple, January 13, Placentia, California
Jan 172013
 

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.4.18 on Sunday evening.

“The man of the house was saying, ‘You can be Vaishnavas, and Vaishnavas are higher than brahmans, but you are not brahmans. To be a brahman you have to take birth in a brahman family.’ So my godbrother Achyutananda said to the man, ‘What is more powerful — one’s sinful actions and reactions or Lord Krishna’s holy name?’ The man had to admit that the holy name was more powerful. Then Achyutananda said, ‘That means that the holy name can eradicate all of a persons sinful reactions and thus that whatever body he has received according to his karma is changed.’

“The same fact is corroborated in the third canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, where it is stated that those who are engaged in chanting the holy name of the Lord are understood to have already taken bath in all the sacred rivers and performed all ritual ceremonies and that they are immediately eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices.

aho bata sva-paco ’to gariyan
yaj-jihvagre vartate nama tubhyam
tepus tapas te juhuvuh sasnur arya
brahmanucur nama grnanti ye te

‘Oh, how glorious are they whose tongues are chanting Your holy name! Even if born in the families of dog-eaters, such persons are worshipable. Persons who chant the holy name of Your Lordship must have executed all kinds of austerities and fire sacrifices and achieved all the good manners of the Aryans. To be chanting the holy name of Your Lordship, they must have bathed at holy places of pilgrimage, studied the Vedas, and fulfilled everything required.’ (SB 3.33.7)

yan-namadheya-sravananukirtanad
yat-prahvanad yat-smaranad api kvacit
svado ’pi sadyah savanaya kalpate
kutah punas te bhagavan nu darsanat

‘To say nothing of the spiritual advancement of persons who see the Supreme Person face to face, even a person born in a family of dog-eaters immediately becomes eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices if he once utters the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or chants about Him, hears about His pastimes, offers Him obeisances, or even remembers Him.’ (SB 3.33.6)

“Only a brahman can perform Vedic sacrifices, so when Srimad-Bhagavatam says that  he is immediately eligible, it means that he doesn’t have to wait to take birth again in a brahman family; he is already a brahman  — and a Vaishnava.”

Srila Prabhupada’s Departure — Drawing Out Love

 Lectures, Srila Prabhupada  Comments Off on Srila Prabhupada’s Departure — Drawing Out Love
Nov 172012
 

Rama Ekadasi, October 23, Juhu, Mumbai

 Bombay, Caitanya-caritamrta, Rama-ekadasi, Srila Prabhupada  Comments Off on Rama Ekadasi, October 23, Juhu, Mumbai
Oct 252011
 

Rama Ekadasi is the day when Srila Prabhupada finished his translation of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, at Hare Krishna Land, Juhu.

“Srila Prabhupada would take rest at ten at night and then wake up at midnight, after only two hours of rest. And then, while everyone else was sleeping, he would translate — for us, so that we would have these books to study and apply in our lives. It is a privilege and a blessing to read these books, and also our duty. The time and effort Srila Prabhupada put into writing these books for us will be for naught if we don’t care enough to reciprocate and make the effort to study his books. Srila Prabhupada said that we should not only distribute his books, but we should also read them. He said of his followers that sankirtana would keep them happy and that reading his books would keep them.”

Brijmohan Sethi Remembers His Father, Mr. P. L. Sethi, May 15, Los Angeles

 Bombay, Mr Sethi, Srila Prabhupada  1 Response »
Aug 292011
 

“Humility is the first step to becoming Krishna conscious. And we have the example of Giriraj Swami here. I remember an incident when there was some argument between Giriraj Swami and my father regarding the construction in Bombay. My father said, ‘Giriraj, you do not know anything about construction, you have no knowledge. I know what construction is.’ He was very angry, and he went and sat in his car. Then very nicely, in a soft voice, Giriraj Maharaj went to him and said, ‘You are just like my father, and if the child commits some mistake or does something wrong, the father has the right to scold him.’ See the humility. That is what Srila Prabhupada taught all his disciples and devotees.” –Brijmohan Sethi

Association and Guru-seva, May 27, Dallas

 Association, Bhaktivinod Thakur, Dallas, Lectures, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad-Bhagavatam  Comments Off on Association and Guru-seva, May 27, Dallas
May 282011
 

Giriraj Swami read and commented from Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.7.30.

“Sometimes, due to circumstances, a devotee may be living away from a temple and the association of a community of devotees. That is a difficult situation to be in. In that case, one should try to make the association with one’s family members as spiritual as possible.

We need to engage all our resources, and the way to do that is by preaching. So if by chance we live far from a temple, we should make our home like a temple. That means more than just having an altar with Deities or pictures; it means that the activities in our home should be the same as the activities in the temple. And we should preach — invite people to our homes and go out and have programs. We can start our own temple and make our own community of devotees.”

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