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Comments Posted By Nama Prabhu das

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Are We Really Following Srila Prabhupada?

I am sure Yadavendra prabhu is a sincere devotee serving in Srila Prabhupada’s sankirtana army and doing the wonderful work of distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. However, when he says that we should stop writing “All glories to Srila Prabhupada!” on our letters because it reminds him of “Heil Hitler!” - I’m sorry - that is just plain crazy and to me it feels very offensive. Just the fact that it reminds him of “Heil Hitler” betrays some sort of offensive mentality. In over 40 years devotees have been glorifying Srila Prabhupada in letters, kirtans, prema dhvani prayers etc. by saying “All glories to Srila Prabhupada!” and all of sudden it reminds Yadavendra of Hitler!?!?! Hare Krishna!!

Hey, I’m not saying Yadavendra is a demon or something like that. We all have our unarthas and aparadhas and we are all here to learn. Believe me, I have done many offensive and sinful things. I am sure Yadavendra prabhu is a much better devotee than I am. But I just feel that someone should stand up and say something because it just doesn’t seem right.

It is wonderful that he is distributing books. And everyone knows that that was the closest thing to Srila Prabhupada’s heart. But even though he has quoted a few letters where Prabhupada uses words like “everyone” and “every devotee”, those of us who were around back then know that Srila Prabhupada encouraged many different services and was happy with them all. It was just because book distribution was so important that he stressed it so much and pushed us so hard. We needed it because it wasn’t easy. But he also wanted a glorious Krsna Balarama Mandir and he wanted Gurukulas and he wanted farm communities and he wanted beautiful Deity worship. He wanted so many things to happen for spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world.

As Paramahamsa Swami wrote to Jadurani on behalf of Srila Prabhupada:
“‘Prabhupada’s answer was “because I instruct one person one way, does that mean it is for everybody?” Painting for the books to make them nice and attractive is just as important as distributing them. Both things must go on along with all of our other activities. Because one thing is stressed that does not mean other important things should decrease. Everything must continue.’”

So everyone should be encouraged in their respective services as Srila Prabhupada always made us feel so appreciated and loved. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Comment Posted By Nama Prabhu das On 13.07.2012 @ 05:42

“Exploring the Bhagavad-gita” Wins Prestigious Choice Award

I am a little bit confused here. I didn’t see Lord Sri Krishna or Srila Prabhupada mentioned once in this article. What is the actual point of his book with his own translations and commentary? Perhaps you could give a sample from the book that shows how he has stayed faithful to Srila Prabhupada while attempting to make the Bhagavad-gita “more accessible and understandable to a wide variety of modern readers.” Thank you. Hare Krishna.

Comment Posted By Nama Prabhu das On 23.01.2012 @ 17:46

Chanting Hare Krishna….It Really Works

There is a wonderful new book just released by Torchlight Publishing and the BBT, “Chanting Hare Krishna” which is a compilation of quotes from Srila Prabhupada’s books, lectures, conversations and letters. Here is a quote from chapter 2:

What is the Test?

These are some of the practical examples. There are persons who criticize the chanting of Hare Krsna mantra. Because the glories of the holy name are described here, sometimes those who are not in the line, they think, “It is too much. It is too much.” So it is advised, no it is not too much. You can test it. Test it. What is that test? When you fall down from a high place. Suppose from the roof you may fall down, you may slip and fall down. By falling down you may break your bones. Or you may be bitten by some animal—cats, dogs, a snake. There are so many, domestic. Or you may be burned or you may be injured by others. Then during this time you can test, practical. What is that test? Try to chant Hare Krsna. If anyone does so, you’ll immediately feel that from the injuries you are not feeling pain. This is practical. Even a snake bite you may be saved. The author never says that you may be saved from death, but the suggestion is that you may not feel much pain. This is practical.
(Srîmad-Bhagavatam 6.2.15 / Vrndavana, September 18, 1975)

This book is available from Torchight Publishing if your temple store doesn’t already have it. Hare Krishna.

Comment Posted By Nama Prabhu das On 13.01.2012 @ 18:09

An Unexpected Guest

Thank you for the wonderful passages from Caitanya-caritamrta. Again, you are talking about a personal associate of Lord Caitanya, a pure devotee of the Lord. The poem is written for those of us who are struggling and aspiring to become pure devotees. Hare Krishna.

Comment Posted By Nama Prabhu das On 12.12.2011 @ 01:40

And when discussing the “externals” of Vaishnava appearance Srila Prabhupada had this to say;

Prabhupada: Why your dress is not as a sannyas?
Tusta Krsna: The robes make people uncomfortable, Prabhupada. They see you as different and can’t relate. They won’t relax enough to listen when I wear robes.
Prabhupada: But sannyasis must dress in saffron with robes and shaved head.
Tusta Krsna: I am following all the principles, but the dress is external and superficial. Why should we let it hamper the preaching?
Prabhupada: If the dress is superficial, why should you change your dress to please people who are so serious about the superficial? [Pause.] You understand my point? Superficial people become controlled by superficial and external things. Why do you dress to please superficial people? You should dress to please Krsna.
Tusta Krsna: So you would like me wear saffron and shave up?
Prabhupada: Yes, I want you to promise this. Only wear saffron and keep your head shaved. This is sannyäsé dress. You should promise.
Tusta Krsna: Yes, Prabhupada. I promise.

So this poem is not written for the liberated souls like you:-) It is written for us struggling devotees who do not always follow so strictly yet we want to please Srila Prabhupada. It is meant to encourage us to improve and not be complacent. It is very nice. Hare Krishna.

daso ‘smi,
nama prabhu das

Comment Posted By Nama Prabhu das On 05.12.2011 @ 19:40

Dear Puskaraksa prabhu,

“What if” we never left the spiritual world in the first place? Then we wouldn’t be having this discussion. But we have fallen and we are not pure devotees. So strictly following the instructions of the spiritual master is how me can make advancement in our devotional life. Perhaps for you this poem is not relavent because you are already beyond the “external signs” of a devotee. But as far as I understand, becoming sincere MEANS following the guidelines Srila Prabhupada gave us. Do you consider wearing tilak, and chanting japa external? Do you think it is all right to eat garlic and watch mundane movies and tv? Do you think reading non-devotional magazines is better than reading Bhagavad-gita? So just what is your point when you say:

What if we became resolute to be sincere and not just restrict our devotional life to the manifestation of some external signs, socially acceptable within a given community…?

This poem is a very nice reality check and wake-up call for those devotees who consider themselves followers of Srila Prabhupada but perhaps need a little encouragement to be more strict in their devotional practices.

Srila Prabhupada was asked this question in Australia:

Devotee: Srila Prabhupada, if Krsna is everywhere, why do we stress the importance of living a very strict life in the temple atmosphere?
Prabhupada: But have you got the eyes to see Krsna everywhere?
Devotee: No, Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: Then you must attention give to temple. When you have got the eyes to see Krsna everywhere, you may not require temple worship. But why do you try to imitate that? You have no eyes to see that. Yes.

And when Yamuna asked Srila Prabhupada about being strict he replied:

Prabhupada: What can be done? Let others do whatever they like. We can preach that “Do not do it,” but you cannot force, because the whole world has gone in these four principles of life, this eating, meat-eating, drinking, gambling. And so our regulation is very strict. You see? If we say that “You do whatever you like,” then many people may come and join. (laughter) But we are not going to say that.

continued…

Comment Posted By Nama Prabhu das On 05.12.2011 @ 19:36

Dear Prabhus,

Obeisances. Jaya Prabhupada!

Who actually wrote this poem? Laxmimoni dasi or Indradyumna Maharaja? It is a very powerful tool for self-reflection and honesty. It has affected me very deeply. Srila Prabhupada states in a purport in the Fourth Canto:

“Anyone can become successful in devotional service provided he displays no duplicity. It is explained here that one must be very frank and open-minded. To be situated in a lower status of life is not a disqualification for success in devotional service. The only qualification is that whether one is a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra, he must be open, frank and free from reservations. Then, by performing his particular occupational duty under the guidance of a proper spiritual master, he can achieve the highest success in life.”

I think this poem helps us in this respect. Thank you very much. Hare Krishna.

daso ’smi,
nama prabhu das

Comment Posted By Nama Prabhu das On 03.12.2011 @ 17:07

Japa & Kirtan Retreat at Varsana days 1-6

Dear Adi-purusha prabhu,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us the wonderful realizations and instructions from the Japa Retreat. We would love to hear the answer to this questions as it has been on the minds of many devotees for a long time:

“Why Srila Prabhupada did not make such Japa Retreats; are not his (simple) instructions enough for us?”

Looking forward to your reply. Hare Krishna.

daso ’smi,

nama prabhu das

Comment Posted By Nama Prabhu das On 19.11.2011 @ 17:32

Response to Priyavrata Prabhu’s open letter

Hari bol prabhus,

Just so it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle, Bhakti Vikasa Swami has personally responded to this issue. His comments are under the original article by Priyavrata prabhu. It is a very nice response. Hare Krishna.

Comment Posted By Nama Prabhu das On 25.10.2011 @ 19:07

The mahatmas are always ready to render such service to the Lord with great determination. In this regard His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvaté Thakura once made this comment in a lecture:

“The neophyte Vaishnava devotees’ ringing the bell even once during worship of the Deity of the Supreme Lord is a million times more valuable, spiritually and otherwise, than the charitable fruitive workers building many hospitals, feeding thousands of the poor, or building homes, or even the empirical philosophers’ Vedic studies, meditation, austerities, and penances.”

The mahatmas have shown the perfect path of charity: devotional service to the Lord. If anyone ignores this path and instead builds hospitals, his effort to help humanity is a mere pretense. Humanity can never reap any permanent advantage from such activities. Indeed, the number of patients only increases along with the number of hospitals. And as for feeding the poor, this will never eradicate poverty, but encourage it. Frankly speaking, we are not against opening hospitals or feeding the poor, or any other such humanitarian service. But what we have learned from our beloved spiritual master is that when devotional service to the Lord is neglected, every other activity is illusory and futile. Without genuine devotional service, even opening hospitals and feeding the poor in the name of Lord Krishna is futile. Spiritual groups that do not strictly follow in Lord Caitanya’s line cannot comprehend this because they do not wish to abide by the instructions of the mahatmas. They do not follow Lord Caitanya’s injunction to be “more humble than a blade of grass.” If they were that humble, they would give up their pride in being the doer of good deeds, the wisest person, the most devoted, and so on.
(Renunciation Through Wisdom - His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)

Comment Posted By Nama Prabhu das On 20.10.2011 @ 06:57