Featured Video: Surveying the Arcana Field From All Angles of Vision – HH Krishna Kshetra Swami – 18.01.2025
HH Krishna Kshetra Swami presents on “Surveying the Arcana Field From All Angles of Vision,” emphasizing deity worship’s history, significance, and broader cultural context. He highlights key scholarly works on deity worship, pancharatra, and temple traditions, sharing insights on enriching appreciation for Vaishnava practices. The session encourages deeper study and exchange of ideas among devotees.
Why Jovanotti Loves Hare Krishna Chants
In the video, famous Italian singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer and DJ, Jovanotti reveals that his most-listened-to song of 2024, according to his music wrap, is a Hare Krishna chant. He explains that he used the chant in the mornings for balance and regularly returned to it, unlike most other music he listens to only once. This consistent listening made it his top track, despite his usual habit of exploring new music.
Unhappy to see the distress of other living beings and happy to see their happiness
Translation
If one is unhappy to see the distress of other living beings and happy to see their happiness, his religious principles are appreciated as imperishable by exalted persons who are considered pious and benevolent.
Purport
One generally follows different types of religious principles or performs various occupational duties according to the body given to him by the modes of material nature. In this verse, however, real religious principles are explained. Everyone should be unhappy to see others in distress and happy to see others happy. Ātmavat sarva-bhūteṣu: one should feel the happiness and distress of others as his own. It is on this basis that the Buddhist religious principle of nonviolence — ahiṁsaḥ parama-dharmaḥ — is established. We feel pain when someone disturbs us, and therefore we should not inflict pain upon other living beings. Lord Buddha’s mission was to stop unnecessary animal killing, and therefore he preached that the greatest religious principle is nonviolence.
One cannot continue killing animals and at the same time be a religious man. That is the greatest hypocrisy. Jesus Christ said, “Do not kill,” but hypocrites nevertheless maintain thousands of slaughterhouses while posing as Christians. Such hypocrisy is condemned in this verse. One should be happy to see others happy, and one should be unhappy to see others unhappy. This is the principle to be followed. Unfortunately, at the present moment so-called philanthropists and humanitarians advocate the happiness of humanity at the cost of the lives of poor animals. That is not recommended herein. This verse clearly says that one should be compassionate to all living entities. Regardless of whether human, animal, tree or plant, all living entities are sons of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (14.4):
sarva-yoniṣu kaunteya
mūrtayaḥ sambhavanti yāḥ
tāsāṁ brahma mahad yonir
ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā
“It should be understood that all species of life, O son of Kuntī, are made possible by birth in this material nature, and that I am the seed-giving father.” The different forms of these living entities are only their external dresses. Every living being is actually a spirit soul, a part and parcel of God. Therefore one should not favor only one kind of living being. A Vaiṣṇava sees all living entities as part and parcel of God. As the Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (5.18 and 18.54):
vidyā-vinaya-sampanne
brāhmaṇe gavi hastini
śuni caiva śvapāke ca
paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ
“The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brāhmaṇa, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].”
brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā
na śocati na kāṅkṣati
samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu
mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām
“One who is transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything; he is equally disposed to every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.” A Vaiṣṇava, therefore, is truly a perfect person because he laments to see others unhappy and feels joy at seeing others happy. A Vaiṣṇava is para-duḥkha-duḥkhī; he is always unhappy to see the conditioned souls in an unhappy state of materialism. Therefore a Vaiṣṇava is always busy preaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness throughout the world.
A spiritual gathering in Iskcon Visakhapatnam. Gratitude is expressed to a team led by Samba Prabhu for their service. The speaker extends good wishes for the upcoming inauguration of thd temple and concludes with chants of “Hare Krishna.” The atmosphere of the event is celebratory and devotional.
When the Lord Cheats: Bali’s Divine Test
HG Aniruddha Prabhu discusses Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.22.1-2, focusing on Bali Mahārāja’s unwavering devotion despite being “cheated” by Lord Vāmanadeva. Bali’s humility, surrender, and trust in the Lord’s divine plan are highlighted. The talk explores themes of pretense, divine reciprocation, and the devotee’s ability to see Krishna’s hand even in challenges, emphasizing truthfulness and introspection.
“Autocracy vs. Democracy”
In this lecture, HH Bhakti Marg Swami discusses themes from Srimad Bhagavatam (SB 1.10.1-6), contrasting autocracy with democracy through Maharaj Yudhishthira’s reign. He highlights Yudhishthira’s dharmic leadership, Krishna’s divine guidance, and the societal harmony achieved under a trained, righteous king. Swami emphasizes gratitude, simple living, moral leadership, and Krishna consciousness.
Arjuna, who is guided by the infallible Lord as friend and driver, thus satisfied the dear lady by such statements. Then he dressed in armor and armed himself with furious weapons, and getting into his chariot, he set out to follow Aśvatthāmā, the son of his martial teacher.
Bond of Love Interview Series: HG Sukhada dd/Sandra E
HG Sukhada Dasi, Sandra Elsey, attended Oakland University (a branch of Michigan State) receiving her Bachelor’s degree with honors in education. She taught in Michigan for three years, but always felt much was missing in the educational system.
In 1974 HG Sukhada Dasi joined ISKCON Detroit, eventually accepting first and second initiation from His Divine Grace Srila Pabhupada. She served enthusiastically in ISKCON Miami and ISKCON Hawaii distributing books at airports, events, and Waikiki Beach. She frequently gave classes in Krishna Consciousness at Miami and Hawaii universities from 1974-1989.
In 1989 the family moved to Alachua, Florida so their son, Ramananda Raya could attend the gurukula. As fate would have it the present gurukula teacher in Alachua became ill so HG Sukhada Dasi, substituted and began a life long career teaching in the gurukula. Krishna was what was missing in the educational system she had previously abandoned!! She helped to establish the New Raman Reti gurukula and in 1998 played a major part in writing the charter for the Alachua Learning Academy where she taught middle school for 14 years. HG Sukhada Dasi’s passion for teaching is reflected in her student-centered approach, capitalizing on the inherent ability of each student given the essential inspiration and nurturing.
After retiring from teaching HG Sukhada Dasi has been involved in Devotee Care, studying Prabhupada’s books and harinam! She feels taking care of the devotees is a great privilege and is happy to see so many devotees joining to assist in the Devotee Care Initiative.