I recall the Lord's Prayer from United Church of Canada, which Mr. Bedford rightly obliged us seven-year olds to memorize; "Our Father, Who art in heaven hallowed be Thy Name! Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done..." " Forgive us our sins, and help us to forgive others. Protect us from temptation..."
And from psalms; "Thou did annoint our heads, and set an overflowing cup before us, even in the presence of our enemies... But we shall fear no evil, for Thou art with us, and surely we shall receive Your mercy and dwell in the House of the Lord forever, Amiin."
Santa John the Baptist said that he the forerunner "...baptise with water, but the Blessed One who comes after me, baptises with fire !" New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
H.D.G. Astotarra-sata Sri Srila Prabhupada. "You must become fire to approach fire." and "The real thing is bhaktyā, real thing is your feeling."
It was for me some years later age15, that I first acquired Bhagavada Gita As It Is, wherein Srila Prabhupada described Godhead Sri Krishna and His eternal living Kingdom Vrndavana, as real and approachable, living Persons, with a Name, a Name that was all-hallowed and accessible and all-attractive and all-merciful, and our birth right as prodigal sons. This fulfilled properly the simple descriptions of Bible, and so much much more in such detail and beauty, as it should be. In this way, Krsna consciousness was the next natural step higher and closer to Godhead from the vague and somewhat impersonal roots given through the adi-guru, or first guru, Santa Issa, jagad-guru of the pascatya-desis, the white people the meateaters. Bible isa little like advanced geometry and mathematics compared to the advanced applied calculus of the Vedas, still exact same subject matter, same Spirit. Truth, Godhead is indeed One.
Through Santa Issa's disciplic succession, I imbided the notion of God and duty and justice and love, also of iron-fisted righteous war against the Phillistines, Pharoahs etc. and heard of Jesus's throwing out the cheaters changing money for a exorbitant fee at the temples. I learned that saints are often persecuted and abused, even tortured and killed by false authorities in the world. I learned that a few stand loyal over time, and that they are the real saints. I learned unfortunately some initial prejudicial ignorance, such as toward other practices and religions. But by reading Bible, I learned the feeling of being God's servant, the good feeling of that, of trying to be that, of humbleness before God's throne, and kindess to others. Prayer became a habit, not forced. A little wordly experience made it be known to me that Godhead is Unlimited, Just and Merciful, and not just for the Protestants !
Al-Hamduli'llah! Om namo Amida bhutsu. WaHay Guru. Mata-jati Parvati, Pita Mahadeva; as He says in gita "Yada yada hi dharmasya, glanir bhavati Bharata, abyutanam adharmasya, tadat manam srjam yaham !" "Oh son of Bharata, whenever and wherever there is a rise in irreligiosity/impiety and a decline in dharma, religiosity, I make My appearance... To reestablish true principles of dharma..."
But there is One Supreme Personality of Godhead ; "Govindam adi purusam, tam aham bhajami", said Lord Brahma Mahajana, this universe's Pure Devotee creator, " I worship Govinda, the first Being, the Primeval Lord", and same conclusion also, the greatest of Avataras and Devotees, Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu describes for our clear and conclusive knowledge; "Jivera svarupa haya nitya krsna dasa." "The soul has an eternal spiritual form of servant of Krsna."
"Abandon all varieties of religions and dharmas and simply surrender unto Me!" - Lord Sri Krsna, 18:66 BG As It Is. This verse convinced me, this was His clear instruction , and it was persponal, direct, and all-attractive. By directly and personally serving Srila Prabhupada, as servant of the servant of the servant of Sri Krsna, one fulfills this instruction. Sri Krsna is hard to serve, but it is comparatively easy to serve His servants.
Issa the Santa's clause ~(>.' ) instructs; "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy strength, and all thy might, and your neighbor treat as if it is thyself. " Years later, Srila Prabhupada gave a means to live that. Before, I did not see how it was practically possible; but it is, via a life committed to Harinama sankirtana in the real Iskcon society. Srila Prabhupada taught us "acintya bheda-abheda tattva", "Truth is Oneness and eternal seperation/difference, simultaneously", so yes !, my neighbor IS my Self !
Psalms; "They will glorify My Name and the Name of Mt. Zion, the singers and players of instruments, trumpet, drum, and lute. Know that these are in Me, and they are Mine !" so sayeth the Lord thy God. Harinama eva kevalam!" Make a joyful sound unto the Lord!" "In the begginning was the Name. That, I AM." OM. Jaya Harinama Sankirtana!
How can one be so inwardly thoughtful like Santa Jesus and live a wise, renounced and humble devotional life? Among His Siksatsakam prayers, which Santa Srila Prabhupada gave to us, Santa Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; " Trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna, amanina manadena kirtaniya sada Hari!" That is also now understood after many years; I am lower than the grass, because the grass is cent per cent engaged in Krsna's service, but me, I am often unnaturally reticent. Similarly, the true Saints are unreserved in their devotion. Jaya Devotional Service!
Psalms: "And I saw there in that joyful heaven, sweet fragrant incense burned, a feast was set upon the tables, music resounded wonderfully, and many beautiful and righteous princesses resided there, the Wives of the Lord God." Jaya Vaikuntha!
Quran, page one and two surah Leila; "Those who fear me and follow my laws shall reside forever in wonderful gardens beneath which rivers flow" and later, next verses," But more than this, those who love Me, shall see Me face to face ! " Jaya Nitai Gauranga!
Here are videos which although not actually religious, are at least in a spirit of fun for the devotees this season! Hare Krishnas!
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A Very Merry Christmas to All the Devotees!
Thanks so much Bhaktin Nirmama and Rasa Manjari DD, for enjoying and complimenting the post. Merry Mary-Christ Mass to you and families .
Letter to: Gerald
ISKCON: Akash Ganga Bldg;
89 Bhulabhai Desai Road; Bombay-26 India
19th February, 1971
LT_710219_B1
My Dear Gerald,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your nice letter dated Lachine, 23rd December, 1970. I am travelling all over India just now on preaching tour and Samkirtan, so sometimes my mail is delayed.
I am very glad that you are inquisitive to know the science of Krishna consciousness and you are already practically experiencing the awakening of transcendentally blissful love of God Krishna by the simple chanting of His Holy Names. This awakening of pure love of God is the ultimate perfection of all bona fide religious principles including Christian, Judaic, Mohammedan, Hindu, etc.
Just as it is recorded that Lord Jesus Christ said that the first commandment is that one should love God with all his heart, and soul and mind. Similarly Krishna instructs that everyone should surrender unto Him in Love.
Just as it is recorded that Lord Jesus Christ said that the first commandment is that one should love God with all his heart, and soul and mind. Similarly Krishna instructs that everyone should surrender unto Him in Love.
Lord Jesus says that the first thing is to develop your love for God. Krishna is God. Krishna says to love Him only. So what is the difference between the original teachings of Lord Jesus Christ and Krishna?
Yes, it is a fact that no one can see Krishna without being a pure devotee of the Lord. Every living entity is the son of god, but not all of the sons are faithful to their Father.
(Images of Srila Prabhupada ’74-’75)
This is explained in Bhagavad Gita. So one who turns away from his father naturally cannot see his father; but the faithful son can see his father at any time. Under the circumstances, we can understand the word of John because amongst all the people of that place Jesus Christ was the only faithful son of God, Krishna.
Lord Jesus says (John 6:46), “Not that any man hath seen the father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.” So one who is a devotee of the Lord in pure love, who teaches others how to love God is the messenger of God and he can see God without any doubt.
Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita (11:54), “My dear Arjuna, only by undivided devotional service can I be understood as I am, standing before you; and I can thus be seen directly. Only in this way can you enter into the mysteries of my understanding.”
So the method of approaching God, bhaktiyoga or devotional service, and the supreme goal of life, pure love of Krishna, is the same message taught by Lord Jesus Christ as well as Krishna Himself. The matter is very simple: Lord Jesus is the faithful son of God and his Father God is Krishna, so there cannot be any disagreement between them. Therefore the Father and Son are one, in agreement.
Lord Jesus explains that he kept his disciples faithful to the Lord in His Holy Name. And the process of Lord Caitanya is the same—to keep one always in contact with the Supreme Personality of Godhead by constantly chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, the Holy Names of the Lord.
Please go on with your chanting regularly and attend the Temple classes as far as possible and be happy in Krishna Consciousness. This is the practical way to revive our dormant love of God. No other way is so effective in this age as the chanting of Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
That is now proven by the spread of this Movement all over the world in such short time. Do not be disappointed if sometimes your mind gives some agitation. Such agitation is only temporary and will be driven away by chanting. So chant loudly whenever there is some disturbance and hear the transcendental sound attentively.
Study our literatures with the help of other devotees and render some devotional service in th
From Ruminative Anna;
I love you guys :D
Just a little more time and we will enjoy love like never before!
Be blessed!!!
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