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Comments Posted By nrsimhananda

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The filmmaker saw the essence of spiritual life: free will. He is a keen observer of the human spirit that yearns, even as a youngster, to find his own way. Parents (I speak from my own experience) would do well to heed and nuture that call for individuality throughout the maturation process. This “little student film” has many big things to say in a very understated manner. Domen Martincic is a budding talent. And Bhagavat Dharma p. and Mother Jambavati-priya dd have beautiful fruit growing on their family tree.
PS How is it that the grass is green and the trees are laden with snow? I thought that I was seeing some special effects!

Comment Posted By nrsimhananda On 14.05.2013 @ 03:14

HH Bhakti Vrajendranandana Swami Complications

Prayers for HH Bhakti Vrajendranandana Swami full recovery. I’ve had Singles three times. It is a nasty disease. I know one devotee who had it in the muscle sheath in his face; he was in agony. I had it in my back, but didn’t know what was causing the pain because the rash didn’t show up for two weeks. I couldn’t sleep. My health deteriorated. Only the vaccine relieved the symptoms. After the third time, I got a Shingles vaccine. It is 90% effective. I haven’t had the disease since. If the disease does return, it is reduced in its intensity if you’ve taken the vaccine. The vaccine is recommended for bodies over 55 years of age. Again, prayers for Maharaja. May the kind Lord Dhanvantari heal you quickly.

Comment Posted By nrsimhananda On 07.02.2013 @ 02:32

New Film does ISKCON great justice

The trailer looks very professional and profound; can’t wait to see the movie. Glad to see the media used to broadcast the message. Prabhupada said, “Make Krishna conscious films the most popular.” Congratulations!

Comment Posted By nrsimhananda On 06.05.2012 @ 08:04

Remembering Nitai Das

Thank you, Tukarama prabhu, for your eloquent eulogy. Though Nitai was my “junior,” I looked up to him as my “senior” because he was the emblem of enthusiasm for spreading Krishna consciousness in America. At Bhaktifest this year, I told him that Iskcon would expand like wildfire under his management; I had great hopes for his generation due to his determination and capability to share Srila Prabhupada’s gifts to young and old. Who can understand the mind of the Lord to have taken him from the preaching field? He was so confident, knowledgable, and “wildly” in love with guru and Gauranga. His spirit was active and alive; he was a sparkler amongst devotees. I was comforted knowing that he was leading the charge for the next generations. Now I feel the world vacant by his absence. I pray that I can honor him by doing something that is a speck as wonderful as what he accomplished in his short stay with us. Jaya Nitai das prabhu!

Comment Posted By nrsimhananda On 07.02.2012 @ 14:31

Hare Krishna YMCA prank

When I produced the first edition of “Hare Krishna in the Movies,” I appeared on-screen in an end comment in which I expressed the hope that KC and the devotees would be taken more seriously by Hollywood (and the entertainment industry) in the coming years. Those years have come and gone, and we continue to be not taken seriously in the mass media. In the second edition, I updated it with twice the number of film and television appearances, but only a handful took a deeper view. Now I am embarking on a project to bring Krishna consciousness to the screen ourselves. The Christians, Mormans, Muslims, Buddhists, New Agers - they all have done it successfully. Yadubara, Janardradhi, and myself have a business plan for making five feature films including a political thriller, comedy, drama, and classic remake. Anyone interested in investing can contact me: nrs@itvproductions.net. The “Hare Krishna in the Movies” (updated through 2008) can be obtained via www.itvproductions.net in the “Iskcon” category.

Comment Posted By nrsimhananda On 13.10.2011 @ 06:53

Gopiparanadhana Prabhu ACBSP left his body- updated 2 -pics from the cremation ceremony

Gopiparanadhan prabhu lived at the Pyramid House here in Topanga in 1980 working on translations. Ramesvara had moved him here out of the hectic pace of the city because Gopi liked the tranquility of the country/forest. He prospered in a peaceful atmosphere which he found in Goverdharn years later. He was like a lamp in a windless place - perfectly steady in his service. He spoke eloquently at our Sunday feasts, and he attracted many newcomers to become devotees. When he left here, we felt vacant in his absence though we understood that his service had called him away. Now we feel the same again only with much more intensity and finality. He remains an exemplary grhasta sadhu and has shown what was thought to be impossible for Westerners to achieve, to, indeed, be possible.

Comment Posted By nrsimhananda On 17.09.2011 @ 03:05

Yadhunath Das Comedy and A Fish out of Water

Some of the best preaching that I’ve seen/heard since I last talked to somebody. No, really, prabhus, this is funny stuff, and Caru’s proximity to the mic gives a clear signal that he enjoyed every joke, too, or was he just being polite? I disagree with the reviewers that Hindi subtitles would have made the jokes more understandable though Sanskrit with diacritics would have lent some authenticity. When my children grow up, I’d like them to take initiation from Yadunath. After all, a parent just wants his kids to be happy. I’m looking forward to Yadu’s appearance on what should be an upcoming talent competition - America’s Got Standup. I’m sure that he’ll take the house down and make it into one in which everybody can live. He can’t help but be more successful than we were with Iskcon. Hard to believe that he writes all of his own material; he must get the bulk of his inspiration from his guru. He did capture the essence of devotional service - it’s joyfully performed. And he did look like he was having a good time despite no shots of the audience. Was anyone else laughing or even there? Maybe this was the rehearsal? My favorite part was about his wife. Apparently, she was too shy to appear on stage with him or was busy in prayer: “Please, Krishna, make people laugh.” Like any good performer, he left me wanting more - but, apparently, he wasn’t able to give it. Anyway, he had me in stitches; thank God for the Bhaktivedanta Hospital. He delivers his lines like a seasoned sankirtan devotee. Check how much you’ve changed after the show. I would be available to write more material, but, on principle, I can’t. I only do spiritual. In conclusion, a big round of applause for the best male comedian in Iskcon - in fact, the only one. :) :) :)

Comment Posted By nrsimhananda On 13.10.2011 @ 07:56

A Greater Reward

Dear Indradumnya Swami,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I re-read your diary entry, “A Greater Reward,” and hasten to take the humble position. I wrote, “Re the idea that the man was somehow immediately reciprocated with by the SPG at customs, I find such speculation rather reckless. Ajnata sukriti results in spiritual reciprocation, not material (as in saving the man from incarceration (or, more likely, an expensive bribe)” However, you, in fact, were in agreement with the idea that there was no material reciprocation involved. You said to Uttama-sloka p.:

“Yes,” I said, “but he doesn’t understand the real benefit he has achieved.”
“What’s that?” said Uttama-sloka.

“By giving up his seat,” I said, “he performed devotional service. That little service will reap a far greater reward than all his money. It guarantees he’ll get another chance for devotional service in the future, that he’ll take a human birth again.”

“As you know,” I continued, “the greatest danger is to lose the chance to become a human being, because only in a human form can we revive our lost relationship with Krishna:

“nehabhikrama-naso ’sti pratyavayo na vidyate sv-alpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat

‘In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.’”

Internally, I had even questioned the idea that the man giving up his seat to Uttama-sloka prabhu was actually ajnata sukriti. However, you rightly state that the man performed service to a devotee. You never said that he rendered service to yourself. You looked upon Uttamasloka p. as a Vaisnava, and the service offered to him to help him in his service was certainly transcendental. I saw the situation from the standpoint that you were considering service to yourself as ajnata sukriti, but, in fact, you never expressed such an idea.

Therefore, I am certainly guilty of not reading carefully enough and considering your words “as it is.” I apologize for that. Anyway, I should have questioned you privately; I could have learned my lesson with much less embarrassment.

YS, Nrsimhananda das

PS I certainly could not have realized my mistake without the enlightened help of friendly counsel in the form of an insightful devotee who spoke with truthfulness and compassion. I thank him, too.

Comment Posted By nrsimhananda On 02.09.2011 @ 06:23

I have a different perspective on this anecdotal experience illustrating ajnata sukriti, and I’d like to know if anyone else had the same considerations after reading this story.

What ever happened to the idea that one should be in a humble state of mind, should think himself lower than the grass on the street, should be more tolerant than a tree, and should be devoid of all sense of prestige and ready to offer all kinds of respects to others? (Śikṣāṣṭaka) Shouldn’t Uttama Sloka prabhu have immediately given up his seat to its rightful owner?

“I’m very sorry, sir. Please take your seat next to my guru. If I can be I any help to you, I’ll be in seat number such and such in economy glass.” Perhaps he could have thought how fortunate is that man who will be spending time in association with an advanced Vaisnava instead of relegating him to the back of the bus. In fact, I am surprised that Indradyumna Swami didn’t intercede and provide that instruction. “No, please, sit in your seat, sir. I will be very honored to be next to you.”

Though I understand Uttama’s desire to please his guru by his actions (and, thus, on the absolute platform, very commendable), I don’t understand why he was allowed to impose upon the gentleman.

Re the idea that the man was somehow immediately reciprocated with by the SPG at customs, I find such speculation rather reckless. Ajnata sukriti results in spiritual reciprocation, not material (as in saving the man from incarceration (or, more likely, an expensive bribe), and, anyway, who are we to know? What if the man had been killed by a rival on the way out of the airport; would the association of devotees then be deemed a “bad thing?” Guessing about the purpose of events in this material world is like gambling - sometimes you’re right but most of the time you lose.

I still give up my seat to women and children, the elderly and the infirmed. I was taught to be that way from my childhood. Though it’s a material consideration, a devotee wearing tilak and robes who willingly gives up his seat sets an exemplary action admired and respected by others. They generally look on the devotee very favorably in that circumstance. Thus, the guru is pleased by even the common courtesy of the disciple.

But, who am I to know? I am not finding any fault - especially with such exalted devotees as IDS and Uttamasloka. I just remember how I was trained as a young devotee - to be the servant of the servant of the…..

Comment Posted By nrsimhananda On 17.07.2011 @ 02:26

The Atheist and the Wind

Saved” does not mean that our material bodies are preserved. .If the plane crashed, we are also saved by chanting the names of the Lord.

“Only the material body of the indestructible, immeasurable and eternal living entity is subject to destruction; therefore, fight, O descendant of Bharata. BG2.18
Purport (excerpt)
The material body is perishable by nature. It may perish immediately, or it may do so after a hundred years. It is a question of time only. There is no chance of maintaining it indefinitely. But the spirit soul is so minute that it cannot even be seen by an enemy, to say nothing of being killed. As mentioned in the previous verse, it is so small that no one can have any idea how to measure its dimension. So from both viewpoints there is no cause of lamentation because the living entity can neither be killed as he is, nor can the material body, which cannot be saved for any length of time, be permanently protected.

At the same time, we learn to credit all “good” things that happen to the Lord’s mercy, and all “bad” things to our own karma. But how do we know what is “good”, i.e. in the best interest of the Lord (and, ultimately, therefore, ourselves)? The king had his finger cut off during a hunt and blamed his minister who was sent to jail. That same “misfortune” saved the king’s life from being offered to Goddess Kali and saved the life of the minister who had been absent during the King’s abduction.

When I am (very) occasionally asked to bless someone, I wish them courage, compassion, faith, etc - ineffable qualities. I don’t ask Krishna to give them wealth, power, longevity, etc; these, in my understanding, our material considerations.

As the winds heavily buffet each individual plane we alone are piloting, may I pray not for bodily welfare, but for surrender to the will of the Supreme. HH Indradumya Swami was present, along with me, at the Detroit airport in 1971 when Srila Prabhupada arrived to a throng of devotees in the arrival lounge. He walked silently to a dais and addressed the hushed assembly. The first words he uttered were, “You are not this body.” Then he paused. Everyone felt the shakti as a wave of realization inundated our hearts and minds. Devotees starting crying in ecstatic relief. Everyone who was there remembers that moment. I pray that we all never forget it.

Comment Posted By nrsimhananda On 03.07.2011 @ 16:49