First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is...

As a teen, I saw the military-industrial complex hex. I wanted to remove that mountain. I thought I realized then, the mountain was temporary, an illusion, the mountain was my own conditioning, if you must, that revolution begins inside. Then there was no mountain.

After decades of such meditation and chanting and sankirtana, to get the boulders out of my eyes, i realized that even when self-realized, the "mountains" still existed and caused sufferings to others! Expanding my awareness, I concluded that all these others are also "me's", and the mountains returned. Now we must tear them down for real.

Rasikananda Dasa with Sanaka Rsi.

By Locanananda Das
It was in 1975 that stories of child abuse in the Dallas gurukula began to circulate. The report was that some children had been forced to drink their own urine as a form of punishment and that other children were being disciplined by covering them with a potato sack and then beating them with sticks. It was said that when the stories reached Srila Prabhupada, he recommended that the perpetrators be killed for their actions. That the abuse came to Srila Prabhupada’s attention in 1975 was confirmed by Gopal Krishna Maharaja at the 1999 GBC meetings. He stated that while staying at the Krishna Balarama Mandira that year, Srila Prabhupada appeared very upset for several days after hearing about the mistreatment of his gurukula students. Srila Prabhupada expressed his anger and disgust towards the abusers, as remembered by another eyewitness:

Madhudvisa: I was re...

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Madhudvisa: Is there any way for a Christian to do without the help of a Spiritual Master. To reach the spiritual sky through believing the words of Jesus Christ and trying to follow his teachings?

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Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami and The Appearance of Sri Radha-Raman

The all merciful Lord Sri Gaur Hari, as He travelled from village to village throughout the south of India, continued to distribute love of Godhead wherever He went. Hearing the nectarean names of Hari from His lotus mouth, thousands and thousands men and women felt relief from the blazing fire of material existence. Various wretched, miserable and fallen souls lives were completely rejuvenated and thus they became virtuous and happy. While causing rains of love of God to fall anywhere and everywhere, without consideration of time or place, Sri Gaurasundor came to the ancient holy place of Sri Rangakshetra on an island in the middle of the Kaveri river.

The temple of Sri Ranga Kshetra was extremely large, the crest of the temple tower pierced the sky. Throughout the day and night hundreds and thousands of pilgrims were going and coming to take darsan of Lord Ranganath. The temple hall resounded with the sounds of hundreds a

It is said that because Krsna was constantly performing various types of sacrifices and was inviting the demigods from the higher planetary systems,the demigods were almost always absent from their consorts.Therefore the wives of the demigods, regretting the absence of their husbands, began to pray for the appearance of Lord Buddha, Krsna's ninth incarnation, who appears in the age of Kali. In other words, instead of being pleased that Lord Krsna had come, they began to pray for Lord Buddha, who is the ninth incarnation, because Lord Buddha stopped the ritualistic ceremonies and sacrifices recommended in the Vedas in order to discourage animal-killing.The demigods' wives thought that if Lord Buddha appeared, all kinds of sacrifices would be stopped, and thus their husbands would not be invited to such ceremonies and would not be separated from them.Sometimes it is inquired, "Why don't the demigods from higher planetary systems come to this earth planet nowadays?" The plain answer is th

During Nityananda Prabhu's tour of all the holy places of India forthe purpose of purifying them, by the will of providence, hehappened to meet Madhavendra Puripada somewhere in western India.When Nityananda Prabhu saw Madhavendra Puri Goswami he fainted awayin a swoon of ecstatic love and His transcendental body becamecompletely still. Similarly, when Madhavendra Puri gazed uponNityananda Prabhu, he completely forgot himself and fainted to theground.

Sri Gaurcandra used to repeatedly remark that, in relishing themellows of love in devotion, there is no one to compare withMadhavendra Puri. When the disciples of Madhavendra Puri, headed byIsvara Puri, saw their spiritual master and the Prabhu fallen in afaint of ecstatic love, they began to cry. Gradually, Nityananda Prabhu andMadhavendra got back their external consciousness. When their eyesopened and they again got sight of one another, they put their armsaround each other's necks and cried tears of joy. Then they beganto roll in the s

Seeing his absorption in Gauranga prema, they knew he was "an embodiment of Gaura-shakti, the energy of Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu." (In the image: Shrinivasa Acharya

   After witnessing Lord Gauranga's sannyasa ceremony at Katva, Chaitanya Dasa and his pregnant wife visited Lord Chaitanya in Jagannatha Puri. "Soon your wife will give birth to a son named 'Shrinivasa' said Lord Chaitanya, "and through Shrinivasa all the bhakti shastras of Rupa and Sanatana will be distributed."

   When his father left this world Shrinivasa visited the remaining associates of Lord Gauranga in Katva, Navadwipa, Jagannatha Puri. They blessed Shrinivasa and gave him valuable instructions for spiritual advancement. Seeing his absorption in Gauranga prema, they knew he was "an embodiment of Gaura-shakti, the energy of Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu."

   He came to Vrindavana, toured the twelve forests, and took diksha from Gopala Bhatta Goswami. Shri Jiva Goswami taught him the complete philosophy of Gaudiya Vaishnavis

Sri Paramesvara dasa Thakura appeared in a family of physicians. His Sripat is at Atapur, which was on the Canpandanga branch of the Howrah-Amrah rail line. Rail service on this line has been discontinued. Direct bus service is available from Howrah station; it is about a 2 hour journey from there.

Atapur was previously known as Visakhala. Sri Sri Radha-Govinda are still residing at his Sripat. In front of the temple are two Bakul trees and in between them is Paramesvara Thakura's Samadhi mandira.

Sri Krsna das Kaviraj Gosvami has written: "Paramesvara das, said to be the fifth gopala of Krsna lila, completely surrendered to the lotus feet of Nityananda. Anyone who remembers his name, Paramesvara dasa, will get love of Krsna very easily." [C.C. Adi 11.29]

Sri Kavi Karnapura Gosvami has written: namnarjunah sakha prag yo dasah paramesvarah, "Paramesvara dasa Thakura was previously the cowherd friend of Sri Krsna named Arjuna."

Sri Vrindavana dasa Thakura has written:

nityananda jivan parames

Jayananda Dasa – A Modern Saint

0N JANUARY 16,1967, Srila Prabhupada flew from New York to inaugurate the first Hare Krsna temple in San Francisco. His arrival was covered by the Channel Four news and by both daily newspapers. While most of San Francisco may have ignored the story, a young man named Jim Kohr noticed it.

Despite having a degree in mechanical engineering from Ohio State University, he had been driving a taxi on the streets of San Francisco. Never quite able to fit into the corporate rat-race or the upperclass crowd, he was often unhappy and didn’t really know why. Though Jim was not a religious person, the article ignited a ray of hope in him. He resolved to check out the Indian Swami.

Unknowingly, Jim was taking his first step toward fulfilling his destiny. Though he would live for only another ten years, in that short time he would witness the culmination of lifetimes of spiritual effort. He would depart the world leaving behind many valuable lessons to inspire and instru

Lecture SB 02.03.20 - Los Angeles

Lectures by Date, 1972

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

720616SB-LOS ANGELES - June 16, 1972 - 43:08 Minutes

Pradyumna: Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. On page 155, text number 20. (leads chanting of verse) (Prabhupāda and devotees repeat)

bile batorukrama-vikramān ye

na śṛṇvataḥ karṇa-puṭe narasya

jihvāsatī dārdurikeva sūta

na copagāyaty urugāya-gāthāḥ

(SB 2.3.20)

Prabhupāda: (corrects pronunciation several times during chanting of verse: "Yes, like that.") This is a strong "ū." Jihvāsatī dārdurikeva sūta. When there is dīrgha, that should be stressed more. Jihvāsatī dārdurikeva sūta na copagāyaty urugāya-gāthāḥ. Repeat again. (Pradyumna continues leading chanting) Next, anyone. (devotees chant, with Prabhupāda correcting pronunciation) (lady devotee chants)

That's nice. Hmm. Then? Word meaning?

Qualities of Rukmini Devi

1. ruciraananaam - whose face is charming
2. hriyaa, vriiDaa - shy
3. satii - exalted, of saintly character
4. buddhi - possessing intelligence
5. lakSana - possessing auspicious bodily markings
6. audaarya - magnanimous
7. Siila - of proper behavior
8. sadRSiiM bhaaryaaM - an ideal wife
9. deviim - the divine goddess
10. asitaapaaNgii - dark-eyed
11. mohiniim - enchanting
12. mahatii - aristocratic
13. dhiiraa - sober-minded
14. kulavatii - of good family
15. lakSaNaabhijn~aa - an expert knower of bodily symptoms
16. aaraadhito - having rendered devotional service
17. mat-paraam, aatmaarpitaS - dedicated exclusively to Krishna
18. anavadyaaNgiim, Sobhaam - of flawless beauty
19. Sucismitaa - sweetly smiling
20. varaaroha - of lovely hips
21. bimba-phala-adhara - glowing bimba red lips
22. Syaamaa - firm breasts
23. calantiim kalahaMsa - walking with the motions of a royal swan
24. su madhyamam - shapely waist
25. govinda-hRtamaanasaa - whose mind is stolen by Krishna
26. gunASrayaam -

Srimati Sita Devi

Srimati Sita Devi is the daughter of the Earth goddess, Bhumi Devi, and central figure of the Ramayana. InMaharishi Valmiki's own words, Ramayana is known as the noble story of Sita "Sita-ayah Charitam Mahat".

Her glories are sun by the poet-saint Thyagaraja in his "Sri Janakatayane"

Oh daughter of Janaka, the blessed souls of refugees! Oh Consort of Sri Raghu Rama, bedecked with shining gem-ornaments! Pray, protect me always! You are the wind that destroys the clouds of demons like the hundres-headed Ravana; You are the indweller in the hearts of the devotees; Your Feet shine with the lustre of gems set in the crown of Indra.

King Janaka was the wise and benevolent King of Janakpuri and although a great saintly king he was childless. 'Rajarshi - a king who lives like a sage: that was how king Janaka of Videha dynasty was renowned. He ruled over the kingdom of Mithila. He looked upon his people with love and affection.

The Finding of Sita Devi in a casket in the Earth:

Jan

Sri Surjadas Sarekhela was a resident of Shaligram. He had five brothers - Damodar, Jagannath, Gauri das, Krsna das and Nrsimha Caitanya. His father's name was Sri Kamsari Misra. His mother's name, Sri Kamala devi. He received the title "Sarakhela" as he used to keep the accounts for the king of Gaur desh. His two daughters were named Sri Vasudha and Sri Jahnava, who was the youngest.

In Gaur-ganoddesh-dipika it is stated that they are the expansions of Baruni and Revati in Brindaban and Surjadas Sarakhela, whose body effulgence is like the sun, is an expansion of Kakudmir, the king of Raivat. The two Lords Gauranga and Nityananda were very affectionate to him. Seeing that his two daughters had reached the full bloom of their youth, he began to contemplate their marriage. Thinking in this way, he fell asleep and in his dream he saw that in a very happy mood he was presenting his two daughters to Nityananda Prabhu. Having seen such a wonderful dream, he began to float in an ocean of blis

There is no mention of Sri Madhu Pandit in Caitanya Caritamrta. Only it is mentioned in Bhakti Ratnakar that Sri Gopinathji manifested Himself before Him. [B. R. 2.473]

Oh Srinivas! What more can I say? The Lord reveals Himself to his pure devotee, who then preaches his glories to the world. Who can describe their incomprehensible activities by which the Lord becomes subservient to their love. Thus did Sri Brajendra Kumar reveal himself to Paramananda Bhattacarya and Sri Madhu Pandit, who is the abode of many wonderful qualities.

"Thus has Sri Gopinathji, who is an ocean of mercy, and who sports on the enchantingly beautiful banks of Bansibat, become manifested by the grace of Sri Madhu Pandit." [Sadhan Dipikayam]

Thus Sri Madhu Pandit became the servant of Sri Gopinath, whose bodily luster steals away the minds of everyone. Hundreds and thousands of people came running to see Him, famed as He is as sweetness personified. When the soothing sweetness and coolness of his charming form enter