Archive - 2002

After Putana died her body was burned, and its pleasing fragrance spread for miles. This phenomena is described by Srila Prabhupada as follows:
"When Putana was somehow or other, directly or indirectly, induced to render some service to the Lord by feeding Him with her breast, she was immediately purified, so much so that when her nasty material body was burnt to ashes, it gave off the fragrance of aguru, the most agreeably scented herb." (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.6.34/part of the purport).

"Variety is the mother of enjoyment" is what Srila Prabhupada commonly said, quoting Benjamin Disraeli, the famous British Prime Minister (1804-1881). "Variety's the very spice of life", is attributed to the British poet, William Cowper (1731-1800), who Srila Prabhupada often acknowledged as saying "Man made the city; God made the country."

Of the many benedictions Srila Prabhupada conferred on us, one was the principle of yukta-vairagyam, the idea of using everything for Krsna. Many consider this was Srila Prabhupada's supreme and most unique offering. People of all stripes and inclinations could put their talents to work for Krishna. They could begin their devotional service wherever they were, without venturing to India or any other far away place.

A book called "Siksa-guru," by Sivarama Swami, is an excellent (GBC mandated) explanation about the position of Siksa-guru relevant to ISKCON. Words from the Preface, written by Badrinarayana dasa state: "My conviction is that the principles and points presented in The Siksa-guru should be a part of every new devotee training program and a mandatory study course for the bhakti-sastri degree program."

Details: published by Sivarama Swami and The Bhativedanta Institute, Hungary. ISBN#=963 03 6650 9. Available through Krishna Culture for US$12.00 (www.krishnaculture.com)

Several sastric citations purport that worshiping Krsna's representative is 'better' than worshiping Krsna directly. There are many such quotes, and this one was taken from Srila Prabhupada's Srimad Bhagavatam: "The Lord says, 'Worshiping My devotees is better than worshiping Me directly.' " (Srimad Bhagavatam 11.19.21, written in the purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 10.5.15-26).

One of Ksirodakasayee Visnu's sons, while a student at Oxford, wrote to Srila Prabhupada asking what was wrong with mental speculation. Srila Prabhupada wrote back that when Krsna says, "I am the taste of water" we should try to understand HOW Krsna is the taste of water, and that that is REAL mental speculation.

Krishna is mostly disregarded, and no one wants to worship him. Once, on a walk in Mayapur, Srila Prabhupada showed utter incredulity at this. Krishna is the richest person in the universe so why doesn't everyone worship him. He stopped the walk to consider this point carefully. They all want to work for the richest man they know, so why wouldn't they worship Krsna, the richest?

"Overpopulation is a myth." (Srimad Bhagavatam 9.20.21/purport)

Srila Prabhupada took great risks to start ISKCON: two heart attacks, intensive global travel in his 70's, icy New York winters, foolish disciples, scheming Godbrothers, taunting westerners. It's said he "walked through fire" to establish his movement.

I've sailed a few times and noticed that unlike the noise, smell and vibrations of motor boating, sailing can be a lot more serene. It makes me realize how easy it is to cross over the nescience of the material world through chanting rather than thinking technology, machinery, and computers can save us. Samasrita ye pada-pallavam-plavam...(Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.58)