Bhakti Vikasa Swami's Blog, page 332
July 20, 2012
Why these books are here?
Why these books are here? This Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita,
Vedanta-Sutra, and so many nice books there are. Why? Just to make us
advanced in knowledge. So we should not try to remain in foolish condition.
And if we try to become elevated, Krsna will give us facilities.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.11-13 — Hawaii, March 24, 1969
Vedanta-Sutra, and so many nice books there are. Why? Just to make us
advanced in knowledge. So we should not try to remain in foolish condition.
And if we try to become elevated, Krsna will give us facilities.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.11-13 — Hawaii, March 24, 1969
July 19, 2012
Democracy
…in contrast with the modern, advanced, civilized form of government, an
autocracy like Maharaja Yudhisthira’s is by far superior to a so-called
democracy in which animals are killed and a man less than an animal is
allowed to cast votes for another less-than-animal man.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 1.10.4
autocracy like Maharaja Yudhisthira’s is by far superior to a so-called
democracy in which animals are killed and a man less than an animal is
allowed to cast votes for another less-than-animal man.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 1.10.4
About Sunday Schools
Question:
I have a new kind of service in our yatra since October 2011 – arranging children’s programs. The idea of it appeared last year. During Sunday programs the children are left to their own devices. While the parents are taking part in kirtana and listening to a class the children run about, make a noise, disturb the lecturer.
Unfortunately parents don’t always pay attention to the kids and their behavior in the temple. Sometimes it caused the irritation of other devotees. Actually it was not clear for me how to hold these programs and what content they should have.
I was in Moscow last year in September and made acquaintances with a mataji who serves as a coordinator of children’s programs. She explained to me the way They organize such programs in Moscow yatra. After returning back home I asked the advice of Advaita-patni dd, Kalindi-priya dd and the devotees who have children. They gave me their blessings and I started my new service.
Children’s programs are held once a week on Saturdays and last about one and half hour. Children are divided into two groups: those who are 2-6 years old and those who are 7-10 years old. At first we arrange the program for the little children and then for the older ones. We learn to offer obeisances to the Deities and chant Maha mantra for 2 or 3 times, read about Krishna, play, draw and learn how one should behave himself in the temple. The little children offer their pictures and applications to the Deities. Then they chant Prasada Sevaya mantra and take prasadam, after that they wash the floor in the altar room.
The older children offer their obeisances to the Deities and chant one round of Maha mantra. We learn together the following topics: what is the Veda, what piety means, the qualities that pious people have, the law of God, the manners of behavior in the temple. The girls attending Sunday programs have their own Deities of Gopal and they are taught to make garlands. We plan to teach them to sew dresses for Deities and play musical instruments.
They also chant prasada-sevaya mantra, take prasadam and wash the floor in the altar room. The older children take care of the little ones during Sunday programs (dispense prasadam, help to wash hands). The adult devotees staged a New Year performance for the children about Father Frost (Santa) and his granddaughter seeking for Krishna. When we celebrated the Appearance Day of Lord Nityananda and Lord Caitanya the children had their own abhiseka for the Deities of Gopal. The older children rang the bell and made acaman. The little children recited poems about Krishna during the celebration of Lord Caitanya’s Appearance Day, the older ones showed a performance about a brahmana who prepared a feast at Jagannatha Misra’s house and Nimai ate that offering without permission. We are planning to stage a performance for Lord Nrisimha’s Appearance Day which all the children would take part in. The adult devotees try to involve our little vaisnavas in the ceremony of the Deities Greeting and kirtana at Sunday programs. The upbringing of children mostly depends on the way parents behave and spend time together and what knowledge they impart to them. That’s why we arrange classes for the parents concerning the topic of child upbringing.
Guru Maharaja, in one of your lectures answering the question “How to bring up a Krishna conscious child,“ you told that one cannot enforce children to become devotees. We try to follow this instruction and involve our children indevotional service in a very gentle way and they attend programs, take part in celebrations, help the adult devotees with a great pleasure. There are 25 children in our yatra. However only half of them attend children’s programs. They are the children whose parents are active in devotional service and take part in Sunday programs.
Unfortunately there is not enough literature about philosophy adapted for children. I have a lack of knowledge myself, but my tutor Advaita-patni Mataji and other devotees support me.
Guru Maharaja, I’d like to ask for your advice concerning the following topics:
How should we arrange the work with the parents?
How do we act properly in training and upbringing our children?
How should we awake the interest of those parents whose children do not attend programs?
What should be avoided in our cooperation with parents and their children?
There are a lot of films and cartoons about Krishna, can we use them in our programs arranged for the children?
Download About Sunday Schools
I have a new kind of service in our yatra since October 2011 – arranging children’s programs. The idea of it appeared last year. During Sunday programs the children are left to their own devices. While the parents are taking part in kirtana and listening to a class the children run about, make a noise, disturb the lecturer.
Unfortunately parents don’t always pay attention to the kids and their behavior in the temple. Sometimes it caused the irritation of other devotees. Actually it was not clear for me how to hold these programs and what content they should have.
I was in Moscow last year in September and made acquaintances with a mataji who serves as a coordinator of children’s programs. She explained to me the way They organize such programs in Moscow yatra. After returning back home I asked the advice of Advaita-patni dd, Kalindi-priya dd and the devotees who have children. They gave me their blessings and I started my new service.
Children’s programs are held once a week on Saturdays and last about one and half hour. Children are divided into two groups: those who are 2-6 years old and those who are 7-10 years old. At first we arrange the program for the little children and then for the older ones. We learn to offer obeisances to the Deities and chant Maha mantra for 2 or 3 times, read about Krishna, play, draw and learn how one should behave himself in the temple. The little children offer their pictures and applications to the Deities. Then they chant Prasada Sevaya mantra and take prasadam, after that they wash the floor in the altar room.
The older children offer their obeisances to the Deities and chant one round of Maha mantra. We learn together the following topics: what is the Veda, what piety means, the qualities that pious people have, the law of God, the manners of behavior in the temple. The girls attending Sunday programs have their own Deities of Gopal and they are taught to make garlands. We plan to teach them to sew dresses for Deities and play musical instruments.
They also chant prasada-sevaya mantra, take prasadam and wash the floor in the altar room. The older children take care of the little ones during Sunday programs (dispense prasadam, help to wash hands). The adult devotees staged a New Year performance for the children about Father Frost (Santa) and his granddaughter seeking for Krishna. When we celebrated the Appearance Day of Lord Nityananda and Lord Caitanya the children had their own abhiseka for the Deities of Gopal. The older children rang the bell and made acaman. The little children recited poems about Krishna during the celebration of Lord Caitanya’s Appearance Day, the older ones showed a performance about a brahmana who prepared a feast at Jagannatha Misra’s house and Nimai ate that offering without permission. We are planning to stage a performance for Lord Nrisimha’s Appearance Day which all the children would take part in. The adult devotees try to involve our little vaisnavas in the ceremony of the Deities Greeting and kirtana at Sunday programs. The upbringing of children mostly depends on the way parents behave and spend time together and what knowledge they impart to them. That’s why we arrange classes for the parents concerning the topic of child upbringing.
Guru Maharaja, in one of your lectures answering the question “How to bring up a Krishna conscious child,“ you told that one cannot enforce children to become devotees. We try to follow this instruction and involve our children indevotional service in a very gentle way and they attend programs, take part in celebrations, help the adult devotees with a great pleasure. There are 25 children in our yatra. However only half of them attend children’s programs. They are the children whose parents are active in devotional service and take part in Sunday programs.
Unfortunately there is not enough literature about philosophy adapted for children. I have a lack of knowledge myself, but my tutor Advaita-patni Mataji and other devotees support me.
Guru Maharaja, I’d like to ask for your advice concerning the following topics:
How should we arrange the work with the parents?
How do we act properly in training and upbringing our children?
How should we awake the interest of those parents whose children do not attend programs?
What should be avoided in our cooperation with parents and their children?
There are a lot of films and cartoons about Krishna, can we use them in our programs arranged for the children?
Download About Sunday Schools
Caitanya Mahaprabhu Is Most Merciful
[B]Where:[/B] Damodaradesh[BR]
[B]When:[/B] Gaura Purnima, 8 Mar 12[BR]
[B]Language:[/B] English[BR]
[CUT]
Download Caitanya Mahaprabhu Is Most Merciful
[B]When:[/B] Gaura Purnima, 8 Mar 12[BR]
[B]Language:[/B] English[BR]
[CUT]
Download Caitanya Mahaprabhu Is Most Merciful
July 18, 2012
Not a moment should be lost
Cc. Madhya 23.22: “Not a moment should be lost. Every moment should be used
for Krsna or connected with Him.”
for Krsna or connected with Him.”
Maintenance is no problem. Real problem is…
The Supreme Lord, Krsna, He’s maintaining everyone: yoga-ksemam vahamy aham
[Bg. 9.22]. And He’ll not maintain a person who has fully surrendered to
Him? No. How it can be. Suppose a gentleman is maintaining so many other
children. And he does not maintain his own children? Surely he does.
Therefore our principle should be we should not think about our personal
maintenance. We should dedicate our life for Krsna, and Krsna will take
care. That should be the principle. Don’t be harassed, thinking always “How
I shall be maintained?” That is not the problem. Maintenance is no problem.
Real problem is “How we shall be fully surrendered to Krsna?” That is
wanted.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.2.5 — New York, March 5, 1975
[Bg. 9.22]. And He’ll not maintain a person who has fully surrendered to
Him? No. How it can be. Suppose a gentleman is maintaining so many other
children. And he does not maintain his own children? Surely he does.
Therefore our principle should be we should not think about our personal
maintenance. We should dedicate our life for Krsna, and Krsna will take
care. That should be the principle. Don’t be harassed, thinking always “How
I shall be maintained?” That is not the problem. Maintenance is no problem.
Real problem is “How we shall be fully surrendered to Krsna?” That is
wanted.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.2.5 — New York, March 5, 1975
July 17, 2012
Everything is in harmony
Everything is in harmony. That is God’s law. Everything is in harmony.
Material or spiritual, everything is in harmony.
From Srila Prabhupada’s discussion of the philosophy of Henri Bergson
Material or spiritual, everything is in harmony.
From Srila Prabhupada’s discussion of the philosophy of Henri Bergson
July 16, 2012
Organized religion
After the Bhagavatam lecture, Srila Prabhupada asked for questions. One of
the long-haired boys asked, “Why do some people insist that spiritual life
has to be something organized, like organized religion? Isn’t the absolute
spiritual nature different than that, different than following rules and
running an organization? Do you have to be so organized?”
“Yes!” Prabhupada answered loud and strong. “We have to be very organized!
Very strict! We cannot deviate an inch!”
It was clear that Prabhupada knew the heart of the Hawaiian controversy
the long-haired boys asked, “Why do some people insist that spiritual life
has to be something organized, like organized religion? Isn’t the absolute
spiritual nature different than that, different than following rules and
running an organization? Do you have to be so organized?”
“Yes!” Prabhupada answered loud and strong. “We have to be very organized!
Very strict! We cannot deviate an inch!”
It was clear that Prabhupada knew the heart of the Hawaiian controversy
July 14, 2012
From hell to Vaikuntha with Srila Prabhupada
Candanacarya: One time, Srila Prabhupada, you said, “I will go to hell,” but
none of your disciples accepted that.
Prajapati: Actually, coming to this country, this is hell.
Prabhupada: No, I am not in hell. I am with the devotees, so how can I say I
am in hell? [break] Narottama dasa Thakura says, tandera carana sevi
bhakta-sane vas: “My duty is to serve my guru and live with the devotees.”
That is Krsna’s grace. “My mission is to serve my guru, but live with the
devotees.”
tandera carana sevi bhakta-sane vas
janame janame hoy ei abhilas
“This is my desire life after life.” A guru or bhakta does not aspire that
he is going to Vaikuntha, Krsna. “Never mind.” But their only desire, his
only desire, is that to serve the predecessor acarya and live with devotee.
That’s all. This is the only ambition. [break] …says, tatra tisthami
narada yatra gayanti mad-bhaktah. Where, the place where the devotees are
glorifying the Lord, Krsna is there. So if Krsna is there with the devotees,
then wherever devotees are there, that is Vaikuntha. That is Vaikuntha. Just
like our temple. It is Vaikuntha. Because the devotees are chanting the
glories of the Lord, so that is Vaikuntha. Vaikuntha is not limited.
Vaikuntha, as Krsna can expand Himself, similarly, Vaikuntha can also be
expand, Vrndavana can expand. So wherever there is Krsna, that is Vai… And
where is not Krsna? And that is to be appreciated. Then if anyone
appreciates Krsna everywhere, then he is living in the Vaikuntha. He is not
living in hell or Los Angeles.
Svarupa Damodara: …where pure devotee goes, that place is immediately
purified as soon as he is there.
Prabhupada: Yes, because Krsna helps. As soon as the pure devotee sings,
Krsna immediately comes there. So it becomes Vaikuntha.
Prajapati: We are more fortunate than gopis, Srila Prabhupada. Walking with
you on the beach is better than dancing rasa dance in Vrndavana.
Prabhupada: (laughing) It is not like that, but we can say, wherever Krsna
topics are there, it is as good as Vaikuntha or Vrndavana.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk — December 15, 1973, Los Angeles
none of your disciples accepted that.
Prajapati: Actually, coming to this country, this is hell.
Prabhupada: No, I am not in hell. I am with the devotees, so how can I say I
am in hell? [break] Narottama dasa Thakura says, tandera carana sevi
bhakta-sane vas: “My duty is to serve my guru and live with the devotees.”
That is Krsna’s grace. “My mission is to serve my guru, but live with the
devotees.”
tandera carana sevi bhakta-sane vas
janame janame hoy ei abhilas
“This is my desire life after life.” A guru or bhakta does not aspire that
he is going to Vaikuntha, Krsna. “Never mind.” But their only desire, his
only desire, is that to serve the predecessor acarya and live with devotee.
That’s all. This is the only ambition. [break] …says, tatra tisthami
narada yatra gayanti mad-bhaktah. Where, the place where the devotees are
glorifying the Lord, Krsna is there. So if Krsna is there with the devotees,
then wherever devotees are there, that is Vaikuntha. That is Vaikuntha. Just
like our temple. It is Vaikuntha. Because the devotees are chanting the
glories of the Lord, so that is Vaikuntha. Vaikuntha is not limited.
Vaikuntha, as Krsna can expand Himself, similarly, Vaikuntha can also be
expand, Vrndavana can expand. So wherever there is Krsna, that is Vai… And
where is not Krsna? And that is to be appreciated. Then if anyone
appreciates Krsna everywhere, then he is living in the Vaikuntha. He is not
living in hell or Los Angeles.
Svarupa Damodara: …where pure devotee goes, that place is immediately
purified as soon as he is there.
Prabhupada: Yes, because Krsna helps. As soon as the pure devotee sings,
Krsna immediately comes there. So it becomes Vaikuntha.
Prajapati: We are more fortunate than gopis, Srila Prabhupada. Walking with
you on the beach is better than dancing rasa dance in Vrndavana.
Prabhupada: (laughing) It is not like that, but we can say, wherever Krsna
topics are there, it is as good as Vaikuntha or Vrndavana.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk — December 15, 1973, Los Angeles
July 13, 2012
The nawab and the treasury officer
There was a great devotee in South India. He was a treasury officer. So he
took money from the treasury and constructed very nice temple. (laughter)
Yes. Later on, he was caught, and he was put into jail by the Nawab. At that
time the Mohammedan king, Nawab, he saw in dream that two boys, very
beautiful, they have come to the Nawab: “Sir, what money he has taken, you
can take from me and release him.” So the Nawab said, “If I get my money, I
can release him.” Then, when his dream broke, he saw the money on the floor,
and nobody was there. Then he could understand that he is great devotee. He
called him immediately, that “You are released, and you take this money
also. Whatever you have already taken, that’s all right. And now this money
also you take. You spend as you like.” So devotees sometimes do like that.
Actually nothing is private property. That is our philosophy. Isavasyam idam
sarvam: [Iso mantra 1] “Everything belongs to God.” That’s a fact. Under the
influence of maya we are thinking that “This is my property.”
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation with Two Lawyers and Guest — May 22,
1975, Melbourne
took money from the treasury and constructed very nice temple. (laughter)
Yes. Later on, he was caught, and he was put into jail by the Nawab. At that
time the Mohammedan king, Nawab, he saw in dream that two boys, very
beautiful, they have come to the Nawab: “Sir, what money he has taken, you
can take from me and release him.” So the Nawab said, “If I get my money, I
can release him.” Then, when his dream broke, he saw the money on the floor,
and nobody was there. Then he could understand that he is great devotee. He
called him immediately, that “You are released, and you take this money
also. Whatever you have already taken, that’s all right. And now this money
also you take. You spend as you like.” So devotees sometimes do like that.
Actually nothing is private property. That is our philosophy. Isavasyam idam
sarvam: [Iso mantra 1] “Everything belongs to God.” That’s a fact. Under the
influence of maya we are thinking that “This is my property.”
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation with Two Lawyers and Guest — May 22,
1975, Melbourne
