Bhakti Vikasa Swami's Blog, page 30

Christian allies

The other day I was invited by some Christian monks to come to their very large monastery in the countryside near Melbourne, and they were so much appreciating our Krsna consciousness philosophy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and they read our Bhagavad-gita every night, and they are all very nice persons and have stopped eating meat. So practically they have become our allies, and with their co-operation there is immense work to be done.

From Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to Puri Maharaja – 8 Apr 1972

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Nonviolence in Christianity?

The first principle of spiritual life is non violence. They will say Killing in this matter means actually Murder, but accepting even this argument, it means that the society in which Christ was preaching were composed of Murderers, so what kind of men they were, and practically we see it is a fact that because they murdered Lord Jesus Christ. At any rate there is nothing in the world that can compare with our Movement of chanting and dancing.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Bhakta dasa – 3 August, 1973

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Conversion is not our purpose

The purpose of this Krsna consciousness movement is not to make Christians into Hindus or Hindus into Christians but to inform everyone that the duty of a human being is to understand his relationship with God.

Srila Prabhupada, Krsna Consciousness, the Matchless Gift, ch. 6.

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An anecdote told by Tejiyas Prabhu

One time our godbrother Ishan Prabhu was with us in Delhi, poor fellow he was in a knot as what to do. He would ask me. I had ideas of what to say to him. Srila Prabhupada was going to visit us in a couple weeks. I knew that he was very close with Srila Prabhupada who made efforts to personally guide him so I did advise Ishan but not as lucidly as I would have in other circumstances. Left that to our master.

Time came we three were together, me watching, Ishan Prabhu gave some recent information of his activities then posed his question

“Srila Prabhupada what should I do?”

The reply: “You have a brain use it.”

Ishan Prabhu  was in Mayapur making clay drums, then he returned to USA and developed the plasticized version which used to be current in ISKCON temples.

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What Srila Prabhupada wants

I want to see simply distribution of books in any language. That I want.

Room Conversation – July 27-28, 1977, Vrndavana

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Our main business

Our main business is to distribute my books and people will come gradually. Everything should be done for that purpose.

Srila Prabhupada; letter to Ramesvara, 7 November, 1976

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Spoken by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada

(Spoken shortly before his disappearance)

I have upset many persons’ minds. Many may have considered me their enemy because I was obliged to speak the plain truth of service and devotion toward the Absolute Godhead. I have given them all those troubles only so that they might turn their face toward the Personality of Godhead without any desire for gain and with unalloyed devotion. Surely some day they will be able to understand that.

All of you propagate the message of Rupa-Raghunatha with supreme enthusiasm. Our ultimate desire is to become dust at the lotus feet of the rupanugas. All should remain united in following the asraya-vigraha, for the sake of serving the advaya-jnana.  In this ephemeral sphere you should somehow or other live only for Hari-bhajana. In spite of all dangers, criticisms, and discomforts, do not give up Hari-bhajana. Do not be disappointed that most people in this world do not accept topics of unduplicitious Krsna-seva. Do not forsake your own bhajana of Krsna-katha-sravana-kirtana, which is your all in all. With humility like a straw and forbearance like a tree, you should always perform Hari-kirtana.

Let our bodies, which are like those of aged oxen, be offered into the sankirtana-yajna of Lord Caitanya and His associates. We do not aspire to be any kind of heroes of karma or dharma, but our constitutional position and all in all is to become dust at Sri Rupa-Raghunatha’s lotus feet in every birth. The bhaktivinoda-dhara will never stop. With all your energy, devote yourselves to fulfilling the desire of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. There are many among you who are well qualified and able workers. We have no other wish whatsoever. Our only motto is:

adadanas trnam dantair idam yace punah punah
srimad-rupa-padambhoja-dhulih syam janma-janmani

Taking a blade of grass between my teeth, I repeatedly fall and pray to become dust at Srimad Rupa’s lotus feet, birth after birth.

Certainly there are multiple inconveniences while we are in this mortal domain, but there is no need to be overwhelmed by them or to try to overcome them. Rather, even during the duration of our present life, we must become acquainted with what we shall gain after surpassing all those difficulties, and what shall be the mode of our permanent existence. In this world we are compelled to make decisions regarding objects that evoke our desire and revulsion, both those that we want and those we do not. Attachment and detachment in this damned existence increase according to the degree that we are separated from Sri Krsna’s lotus feet. When we are able to transcend the position of attachment and detachment in this world of death and are attracted by the holy name of Godhead, then only can we understand the taste of Krsna-seva-rasa.

At the present time, Krsna’s instructions seem highly startling and perplexing. Knowingly or unknowingly, everyone who is considered a human being is more or less struggling to eliminate those invading elements that baffle our perception of our eternal need. Our only requirement is to enter into the kingdom of our eternal necessity, by going beyond dualities. We have no love or hatred toward anyone in this world. All arrangements made herein are but temporary. Therefore that supreme goal is indispensably necessary for everyone in this world. All of you should work unitedly and harmoniously for the same objective of attaining eligibilty for seva to the original asraya-vigraha.

May the conceptions of the rupanugas flow in the world. Let us never feel the slightest dejection while engaged in the seven-tongued flame of sankirtana-yajna.  Only if we have undaunted and ever-increasing attachment for it shall we achieve all perfection. Under the guidance of the rupanugas, all of you should fearlessly and with utmost energy preach Rupa-Raghunatha-katha.

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Srila Prabhupada, like his guru, did not compromise

Atreya Rsi: Yes. That’s the difference between Your Divine Grace and all these other bhogis. They make it according to the taste of the people. They change. That’s why this movement is so solid: no compromise.

Prabhupada: No. Why compromise? My Guru Maharaja never made any compromise.

Room Conversation — June 29, 1972, San Diego

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Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura on simplicity & duplicity

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura comments that saralata, or simplicity, is the first qualification of a Vaisnava, whereas duplicity or cunning behavior is a great offense against the principles of devotional service.

From Srila Prabhupada’s purport to CC Antya 2.117

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Get everything by book distribution

If you simply push on our literature, then our movement is going, you must know. It is really going forward. And there will be no scarcity. You’ll get everything.

Srila Prabhupada – January 5, 1974, Los Angeles

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