Bhakti Vikasa Swami's Blog, page 7

We don’t care for war

Do not worry, in spite of war, Srimad-Bhagavatam will be distributed. We don’t care for war. Our preaching business will go on.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Radhavallabha-New Delhi, 21 August, 1975

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SP pastimes: Dog as master of man

Walking on the beach in the park and they had these signs that had a picture of a dog passing stool and the man cleaning up behind it and it said, “stoop and scoop!” [laughter]. Brahmananda Maharaja got a kick out of it and started laughing and saying, “first they poop and then they scoop.” So [laughs] Prabhupada finally stopped and looked at the sign and he said, “what is this? What is this?” So then Brahmananda Maharaja explained that they would stop, and then the dog would pass stool and then the men would come and pick it up with their hands. Prabhupada was incredulous. He said, “this is not possible.” And [laughs] everyone was insisting “no they do it.” And so Prabhupada  said “They call man the master and dog the servant. When you go into the stool-room and pass your stool, he does not have to come inside. But when he passes his stool you have to stand there patiently waiting.” He says, “so who is really the master?”

Told by Adi-Kesava Prabhu

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No comparison to Srimad-Bhagavatam — distribute it

There is no comparison. There is no literature throughout the universe like Srimad-Bhagavatam. There is no comparison. There is no competition. Every word is for the good of the human society. Every word, each and every word. Therefore we stress so much in the book distribution. Somehow or other, if the book goes in one’s hand, he will be benefited. At least he will see, “Oh, they have taken so much price. Let me see what is there.” If he reads one sloka, his life will be success. If he reads one sloka, one word. This is such nice things. Therefore we are stressing so much, “Please distribute book, distribute book, distribute book.” A greater mrdanga. We are chanting, playing our mrdanga. It is heard within this room or little more. But this mrdanga will go home to home, country to country, community to community, this mrdanga.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.8 — January 5, 1974, Los Angeles

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Most important in gurukula curriculum

Most important is that the children be given the twofold program of education in Krsna consciousness, i.e. chanting and performing devotional activities on one hand, and some knowledge of our philosophy and other subjects on the other hand.

(Letter from Srila Prabhupada to Sriman Stoka Krsna dasa adhikari, dated June 20, 1972)

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Authorized spiritual masters are compassionate Vaisnavas

Vaisnavas, or devotees, are usually very compassionate upon conditioned souls. Without even being invited, a devotee will go from door to door to enlighten people and to bring them out of the darkness of nescience by injecting knowledge of the living entity’s constitutional position as a servant of Lord Krsna. Such devotees are empowered by the Lord to distribute devotional consciousness, or Krsna consciousness, to the people in general. They are known as authorized spiritual masters, and it is by their mercy that a conditioned soul gets the seed of devotional service.

From The Teachings of Lord Caitanya by Srila Prabhupada

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The ceremony called Vyasa-puja

There is no difference between hearing directly from Krsna and hearing directly from Krsna via a bona fide spiritual master like Vyasa. The spiritual master is the representative of Vyasadeva also. Therefore, according to the Vedic system, on the birthday of the spiritual master the disciples conduct the ceremony called Vyasa-puja.

From Srila Prabhupada’s purport to Bg 18.75

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For Janmastami

Krsna is offering, by His descendance, that “If you want to enjoy like this in the society of beautiful young boys and girls, come to Me. Here it is, reality.”

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.5 — Los Angeles, January 2, 1974

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For Janmastami — feeling pain, Krsna comes

If there is little pain in the finger, I become so much disturbed because I have got intimate connection with this finger. Similarly, we have got intimate connection with Krsna, and we are fallen. Therefore Krsna also feels little pain, and therefore He comes down. Krsna is feeling pain. So you become Krsna conscious. Then Krsna will feel pleasure.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.7 — 24  April, 1975

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We should agree to Krsna’s desires

It is our choice whether we want to become a devotee or whether we want to remain a demon. That is my choice. Krsna says that “You give up this demonic engagement and surrender to Me.” That is Krsna’s desire. But if you do not agree with Krsna’s desire, if you want to enjoy your own desire, then also, Krsna is also pleased, He will supply you the necessities. But that is not very good. We should agree to Krsna’s desires. We should not allow our desires, demonic desires, to grow. That is called tapasya. Our desires we should sacrifice. That is called sacrifice. We should only accept Krsna’s desire. That is the instruction of the Bhagavad-gita. Arjuna’s desire was not to fight, but Krsna’s desire was to fight – just the opposite. Arjuna ultimately agreed to Krsna’s desire: “Yes,” karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]: “Yes, I will act according to Your desire.” That is bhakti.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Bhagavad-gita 16.4 — January 30, 1975, Honolulu

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Krishna gives power to preach

Without being empowered by Krishna, nobody can preach the holy name of the Lord. Krishna bhakti vina nahe nama pracarana. So without getting the power of attorney… Just like even one is qualified lawyer, he must get the power of attorney from the client, then he can speak. That is the law. Similarly, without being endowed with the power of attorney from Krishna, it is not possible to preach.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on CC Madhya 20.105, New York, 11 July 1976

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