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Where am I? Here in the foreign land, so far away from the original home. Like a fish out of water, never feel happy but never know why? Floating in this material world, millenniums after millennium forget about going back home. Like a straw floating in the ocean, not knowing where to go, looking everywhere and hoping for the helping hand.

There is a shadow in the distance, who is it? Wearing saffron and a sign in the forehead, utter the beautiful sound that ever heard. "Hare Krishna" — the transcendental sound. It is so strange and yet so familiar. Not knowing that already face to face with The Absolute Truth, the soul keeps staring, trying to comprehend — The Divine sound penetrates deep into the heart.

In the wake of the mindless attacks on the citizens of America on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, DC, I would like to share my thoughts after careful deliberation and thought. Having been associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness for almost 22 years I would like to share my perspective and opinions with not only fellow devotees, but more importantly, the world at large. As such, I will take the "Vedic" or "Krsna conscious" view as to the current crisis facing America and the world at the present moment.

While most world religions in general have their own books of supposed knowledge and moral codes, be it Western or otherwise, the ancient Vedic texts are not only authorized in that they are passed down through a system known as "parampara" or disciplic succession, but the texts themselves are far-reaching about every aspect of human society and how human beings are to conduct themselves within that society. They are therefore "lawbooks’ in the truest sense of the word.

In following the discussion between His Grace Umapati Swami and Mother Niscala, I have noticed what seems to me to be a very serious breach of Vaisnava etiquette.

Umapati Swami is truly one of the most senior devotees in all of ISKCON. He was there in the beginning days of 26 Second Ave. Besides being one of the first devotees to join Srila Prabhupada, he is also a sannyasi. Sannyasis are to be given respect by all the other classes of men and women.Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has explained to us that Vaisnava etiquette is the ornament that makes a devotee beautiful in the eyes of Krsna.

The objection we find from our Muslim brothers today comes from the desire to bring the word back to God and His ways. We find this mood in our Jewish-Christian tradition also. Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This lack of disciple, this foolish rush of insane materialism, is what every deeply religious person objects to, no matter which faith he or she is coming from. We can take a good example from our Amish brothers and Hindu (Vedic) sages.

Suppose your wealthy great grandfather, a former minister of finance, set up a trust fund with you as the beneficiary. You are to receive an extremely generous amount of money each month—far more than sufficient to supply you and your family's entire needs throughout your lives. Your grandfather used his pull in the government to incorporate two conditions in the trust, which he then had established by a federal injunction binding upon you and the state.

1. In the event that you acquire money from sources other than the trust fund, that same amount will automatically be deducted from your trust allotment— thus leaving you only with the amount of the trust allotment.

2. If you choose to disregard the trust allotment altogether and instead depend exclusively on your own outside earnings:

a. You will be taxed 100% for all funds you earn that surpass the amount of the trust's monthly allotment— thus leaving you with only with the amount of the trust allotment.

During these days, after September 11, of great sadness, anger, as well as suspicion and misunderstanding between people, especially toward anyone who looks foreign, there is a huge need for increased awareness of who are our neighbors and what are their cultures. To help fill this need is an important and free "e-booklet" which provides a quick and deeper understanding of the Vedic path, commonly called Hinduism. It explains what it stands for, its peaceful nature, and some of the elementary points that differentiate it over all other religions.

This 22 page booklet is called "Why Be a Hindu: The Advantages of the Vedic Path," by Sri Nandanandana dasa, and is available at: www.stephen-knapp.com.

Srila Jiva Goswami has described three fundamental pramanas, or sources of knowledge, by which we can endeavor to understand ourselves, the world, and God. These are pratyaksha (direct experience), anumana (logical reasoning), and sabda (revealed knowledge, or scripture). It is significant that all three are stated by Jiva Goswami to be valid means of acquiring knowledge. Sometimes we hear that because the senses of a conditioned soul are imperfect, pratyaksha and anumana are useless. This is not the case. All three pramanas have their place. It follows that we cannot reject pratyaksha and anumana if our aim is to attain complete knowledge. Two questions may arise: First, what is the valid use of these pramanas? Second, how should contradictions between pratyaksha and anumana, or between anumana and sastra, be resolved?

I sit on the shore
of the ocean of mercy,
I offer my obeisance
Into the sand
Of gratitude

This is a very beautiful lesson from nature, sent to me by an unknown author, concluding with an enlightening analysis of prayer. It is a meditation on how to never lose heart in the face of impossible odds. Each hurdle in life is sent by Krishna to make us stronger, like an athlete training. The difficulties the coach puts on the athlete, are all designed to make him more competent. A similar dynamic happens in nature.

Looking back to 1987, I remember trying my best to counsel several weeping ISKCON Vaisnavas when they learned that their guru had just defaulted his position. Their guru was previously a dynamic, conquering hero who shone like fire through preaching, making disciples, and leading the sankirtan movement. Yet, those weeping Vaisnavas sitting in my office would have traded all the joy they shared with him during the victories just to have him remain their own spiritually-healthy guru. These devotees had surrendered their young and capable lives to Lord Krishna, but now they grieved because their guru was careless in following his own guru's instructions.

This paper suggests one major safeguard which will definitely help to avert future calamities.

Sometimes we anchored in coral reef bays and played water sports in tranquil waters. We would sooth our parched desert-like tongues with the flow of the nectarine Ganges waters of Lord Caitanya's transcendental pastimes. In those transcendental lagoons were lotus flowers of singing, dancing and loud chanting of Krishna's holy name, our only abode of transcendental pleasure. All the devotees were like swans, ducks and bees, as the ever-flowing Ganges water of harinam-sankirtan produced a melodious sound that gladdened our ears.

A parliamentary commission in Chile, established by the Minister of Justice has named twenty religious movements as destructive cults and intends to cancel their legal registration. ISKCON was included in this listing together with the Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientology, the Unification Church, Transcendental Meditation and Ananda Marga.The parliamentary commission was established after the legal status of the 'Tibetan Centre of Studies' was cancelled following the mysterious disappearance of two of its members and claims that its leader was sexually exploiting young women.

Once upon a time, in an unfortunate land, there were gardeners who lived by whatever they could grow in their gardens. Unfortunately they knew very little about cultivation, and couldn't distinguish between useful plants and useless ones. Even worse, their supply of seeds, which they gathered from everywhere indiscriminately, mostly gave rise to useless or even poisonous plants. So, they were in a very bad condition.

We would be sleeping, and father would be doing arati. Ding ding ding-we would hear the bell and wake up and see him bowing down before Krsna.
-Srila Prabhupada

It was Janmastami, the annual celebration of the advent of Lord Krsna Some five thousand years before. Residents of Calcutta, mostly Bengalis and other Indians, but also many Muslims and even some British, were observing the festive day, moving here and there through the city's streets to visit the temples of Lord Krsna. Devout Vaisnavas, fasting until midnight, chanted Hare Krsna and heard about the birth and activities of Lord Krsna from Srimad-Bhagavatam. They continued fasting, chanting, and worshiping throughout the night.

The Birth of Lord Krishna
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Editor's Note: Sri Krishna Janmastami, the appearance day of Lord Krishna, will be observed on August 11, 2001 in North America, and August 12 in Europe. The following day is the observance of the appearance day of Srila Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

In the Bhagavad-gita the Lord says that His appearance, birth and activities are all transcendental and that one who understands them factually becomes immediately eligible to be transferred to the spiritual world. The Lord's appearance or birth is not like that of an ordinary man, who is forced to accept a material body according to his past deeds. The Lord's appearance is explained in the Second Chapter: He appears out of His own sweet pleasure. When the time was mature for the appearance of the Lord, the constellations became very auspicious. The astrological influence of the star known as Rohini was predominant. This star is considered to be very auspicious and is under the direct supervision of Brahma. According to the astrological conclusion, besides the proper situation of the stars, there are auspicious and inauspicious moments due to the different situations of the different planetary systems. At the time of Krishna's birth, the planetary systems were automatically adjusted so that everything became auspicious.

Sukadeva Gosvami said: Surrounded by His blissful companions, who constantly chanted His glories, Sri Krsna then entered the village of Vraja, which was decorated with herds of cows. While Krsna and Balarama were thus enjoying life in Vrndavana in the guise of ordinary cowherd boys, the summer season gradually appeared. This season is not very pleasing to embodied souls. Nevertheless, because the Supreme Personality of Godhead was personally staying in Vrndavana along with Balarama, summer manifested the qualities of spring. Such are the features of the land of Vrndavana.

People who wish to attain Manjari-bhava don't discuss the intimate pastimes of Srimati Radhika and Sri Krishna openly. The mood of the little Manjari-girls may be our goal. Many feel it should be our goal. But please, let us not confuse ourselves. If we wish to attain Manjari-bhava, we must not gossip about the intimate pastimes of Sri Radhika and Her Syama. That is not the position of the little girlfriends of Srimati Radharani.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: His Life and Precepts
By Bhaktivinoda Thakura (August 20, 1896)

[This account originally appeared in a short work by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura entitled, "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: His Life and Precepts." (August 20, 1896)]

Caitanya Mahaprabhu was born in Mayapur in the town of Nadia just after sunset on the evening of the 23rd Phalguna 1407 Sakabda, answering to the 18th of February, 1486, of the Christian Era.

Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Today is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's appearance day, so we must discuss this very thoroughly, that, that Rupa Gosvami understood it. Therefore we have to go through guru. Rupa Gosvami is our guru. Narottama dasa Thakura said, rupa-raghunatha-pade, hoibe akuti, kabe hama bujhabo, sri-yugala-piriti.

Does anyone exhaust in one, or many, lifetime(s) the whole gamut of possible experiences humans are destined to? And even regardless or beyond material limitations, is anyone able to tell what Krishna may come up with at any given moment? There is a place for faith and there is a place for belief and presupposition in a person's life experience. Let's venture into human topography.

Ten years ago, I began an article with the following paragraph: "In Gita-nagari recently, I witnessed an initiation ceremony conducted by Satsvarupa Maharaja. The temple room was nicely decorated and filled with chanting and praying devotees. This time, however, my thoughts did not follow their usual channel of reasoning. Maybe it was because only a few days before I had read Srila Prabhupada comments: 'These fire sacrifices are only bluff, we are doing them to attract people. The real thing is the chanting of the maha-mantra.' So, I stood there, looking at the devotees and listening to the vows they were taking: no meat eating, no intoxication, no gambling and no illicit sex. No illicit sex."

Now, ten years later, I can write what I avoided stating in my original article:

A research of the Vedabase reveals that Srila Prabhupada said four things about Christmas, and in honor of the holiday season, we thought we’d like to share that with our CHAKRA readers.

3) He liked that so many of his books could be sold during the Christmas season.

4) He didn’t like that so many turkeys were killed even though Jesus said, “Thou shalt not kill.”

Often people have written to me about their difficulties and despondency in life. Usually they ask how can they attain peace and happiness. Now a days peace is a very rare commodity in the world. Everyone is looking for it, whether one is an individual, or a nation. On the individual level we find many people are experiencing turmoil and confusion from within, which prevents them from experiencing any happiness and peace.

I have been following the discussions on the subject matter of the omniscience of Srila Prabhupada with great curiosity. However, I am in anxiety, seeing that the recent contribution, "Who Says Prabhupada Knew,” as written by Umapati Swami on CHAKRA, 02-September-2000, hides the glory of our beloved guardian, His Divine Grace Nitya-lila Pravista Om Visnupada Sri Srimad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Thus, taking the holy dust from the lotus feet of Sri Guru and Gauranga upon my head and begging for the grace of the assembled devotees, I pray to succeed in my attempt to establish a spark of the glory of His Divine Grace.

Someone may say: "Seven years back when I came in contact with ISKCON I took up Krishna Consciousness very seriously and I was even chanting 16 rounds then. Through time one thing I have noticed is this, that maintaining stability in Krishna Consciousness is very tough and that there are no immediate results when one takes up chanting seriously."

Hari Sauri Prabhu's recent article entitled “Was Srila Prabhupada Omniscient?” caught my attention because of the assertion that Lord Vishnu Himself does not necessarily know everything. The reference he provided (Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.7.31 + purport) seems to support his statement. However, I felt that this point needs further elaboration because Lord Vishnu is, after all, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so how could He not be omniscient?

I have read with great interest Dravida Prabhu's reply to Swami Bhaktivedanta Aranya on the topics of Srila Prabhupada's supposed omniscience and his statements on the fall of the jiva. I thought Dravida's article was excellent, very nicely presenting Srila Prabhupada and his teachings "as it is" and countering the speculative interpretations that have appeared over the last few years. I can only present what I saw, heard, and read of his actions and teachings and hope that it will provide others with some further insights.

[Note: "devotee" is pronounced DEV a TEE]

Where Krsna lives, felicity
Abounds: With pure simplicity
And loving sensibility,
All serve Him with humility.

But when a living entity
Rejects his true identity
And out of sheer stupidity
Surrenders to cupidity,

He loses all sagacity,
And with it all capacity
To understand reality
Or curb his sensuality.
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© CHAKRA 15-July-2000

Vrndavan's rivers, lakes, and hills
Rang out with lovely hums and trills
As flocks of birds and maddened bees
Rejoiced among the flow'ring trees.
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Since the whole aim of sadhana is to internally realize pure love for Krishna, it makes sense that a sadhaka must avoid behavior symptomatic of indifference and antagonism towards Krishna. In fact, the 19th practice of vaidhi-sadhana is to carefully avoid aparadha in one's service to Krishna, and in one's glorification of Krishna's name. One who is trying to manifest love for Hari in one's heart must naturally desist from activities that indicate and nourish an unloving attitude towards him. Jiva Goswami has prepared an extensive list of such things. By constantly endeavoring to express and internalize a loving attitude to Hari and Hari's name, one will automatically be free from all these aparadha and will manifest Bhava Bhakti.
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Vaidhi Sadhana Bhakti - Essence of the Ambrosial Ocean of Devotion - Part 6
By Vraja Kishor das (Victor D Dicara)

A question may arise: If detachment can cause a stoic heart that is unsuitable for bhakti, why should bhakti automatically produce detachment? It seems self-defeating.

In answer, Rupa Goswami explains that not all detachment causes the heart to become stoic. Bhakti produces what he calls "Worthy Detachment" ("yukta-vairagya"). "Worthy detachment" is to be without attachment for things yet to utilize those that are worthy in relation to Krishna. This type of detachment does not make a person stoic or callous towards Krishna.
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"Just look around you!" Arjun offered with frustration, "Has there ever been a war of this magnitude? 18 aukshohinis - that's 64 million soldiers! There is scarcely one kingdom whose army is not present on either side. What will happen to society when all these kings die? These kings maintain the moral conduct of society, What will happen without them? How many of these 64 million soldiers is not a husband, elder brother, father, or grandfather? How many fathers, grandfathers, uncles, elders, and kings can we kill? How many nations and families can we destroy just to win a kingdom?"
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Drinking the Divine Juice of Bhagavatam
By Vraja Kishor das (Victor D. DiCara)

"The very ripe fruit of the Vedic desire tree, pierced by the beak of a parrot, has become liquid-soft, as sweet as nectar, and totally perfect. Connoisseurs of the world's beauty and poetry should drink it's divine juice again and again, without cessation!"

The author of this shloka compares Vedic scriptures ("nigama") to "wish-fulfilling trees" ("kalpa-taru") because they fulfill all wishes for pleasure, achievement, righteousness, and liberation (kAma, artha, dharma, mokSa). The author then compares the SHrImad BhAgavatam to the fruit ("phala") of that tree. All the energies of a tree culminate in it's fruit. Similarly the four types of human desires mentioned above, culminate in the fifth desire: love of Godhead (kriSNa-prema).
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The Holy Name of Sri Hari Is All That Be
By Anonymous, versification by Dravida dasa

Of sweet things, it's the sweetest you will taste at any time;
Of things that bring good fortune, it's good fortune's paradigm;
Of things that purify, it purifies most powerf'lly;
The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.

From Brahma's realm atop the sky down to the lowly grass,
Illusion reigns in Maya-devi's treacherous morass.
The truth, the truth, the only truth: the Name of Sri Hari.
The Holy Name of Sri Hari is surely all that be.
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The valiant Grandfather then sent forth from his conch a blast that effaced even the roar of a lion. A more fateful conch has not been blown, for it invoked the onset of a war unseen ever after or before on the earth, in the heavens, or in the hells below. Duryodhan's joy swelled in that sound, for in it he heard the final confirmation of his grandfather's support.

But in that sound was more than support. There was also an instruction, a bitter instruction. Bhishma's support was surely there, albeit mostly as a shackle thrown upon him by the unforeseen results of an ancient oath. Yet there was something else, something Duryodhan could not hear: Krishna was Vishnu Himself. His universal form, displayed to the entire court of Hastinapur, made this clear to all. Krishna was undoubtedly Vishnu, whose sacred symbol is a conch. Bhishma raised the conch to remind Duryodhan that Vishnu, truth personified, was driving Arjun's chariot and guiding the Pandavas.
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The Paperback Gita Novel (1.1-3)
Chapter 1: Observing the Armies Part 1: The Pandavas' Confidence
By Vraja Kishor das (Victor D DiCara)

Blind King Dhritarashtra sat on a throne forged of worry, plagued by a question: "My sons stand upon the battlefield of Kurukshetra to wage war against the Pandavas. O Sanjay, What will happen to them?"

Gifted by the mystic Vyas, Sanjay could see and understand the happenings at far distant Kurukshetra, yet it was more difficult to understand the mind of the king sitting next to him. Why did Dhritarashtra say "my sons" and count the Pandavas as outsiders? The Pandavas were also his sons, placed in his care when their father King Pandu died untimely. And why ask, "What did they do?" He knew the hatred his sons cherished towards the Pandavas, and their willingness to cross all limits of morality. Could there be any doubt that they would fight to the death?
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Forgiveness as Salve for Sin Collective mea culpas becoming popular throughout the world
By Don Lattin, Cronicle Religion Writer

OAKLAND -- From South Africa to the White House, from the Vatican to the Diocese of Oakland, everyone seems to be talking about forgiveness. Nearly everywhere you look -- in courtrooms, the corridors of political power and the halls of academia -- forgiveness is hot. ``This decade we are entering is going to be an age of reconciliation,'' said psychologist Everett Worthington, executive director of the Campaign for Forgiveness Research.

Forgiveness, Worthington said, can do more than save your soul. It can save your life. ``We know that feeling hostile over a long period of time can contribute to heart disease,'' he said. ``Not forgiving is stressful, and our immune systems do not work as well when we are under stress.''
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The material creation is proof of the existence of God
By Sri Nandanandana dasa (Stephen Knapp)

An excerpt from the forthcoming book: "How the Universe was Created and Our Purpose In It."

As the Vedic literature progressively explains, the fullest understanding of God is that the Absolute Truth culminates in the Supreme Person. All of creation comes from this Person. And the material creation is proof of the existence of this Supreme Personality. Without individuality, there is no need for relationships, or activity, loving exchanges, nor any variety or fun. In such a case, the Lord would be inactive in a spiritual world that offered no variegatedness.
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Definition of Sadhana Bhakti
(Part 5 of "Essence of the Ambrosial Ocean of Devotion"
By Vraja Kishor das (Victor D DiCara)

Uttama Bhakti has three stages: sadhana, bhava, and prema. In all three stages, Uttama Bhakti is activity intended to please Krishna, done as the main pursuit of one without ulterior motive. In the first stage, sadhana, these actions are a deliberate practice. In the second stage, bhava, they are a natural expression ones heart. In the final stage, prema, they are saturated with fully developed love. Sadhana is an emulation of bhava-bhakti's expressions, with the intention to internally realize bhava-bhakti. Rupa Goswami refers to Narada Muni to indicate that the essential thing one emulates in sadhana-bhakti is the constant fixation of the mind on Krishna.
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Although we do not customarily picture an impious person as one who desires moksha (liberation), it is a fact that all human beings, both pious and impious, feel this human impulse to be utterly relieved of all distress. There is, though, a vast difference in how the pious and the impious conceive of and strive for liberation. An impious person seeks moksha by what the previous verse terms "adopting the nature of a demon" (asuram bhavam ashrita). Impious persons thus envision moksa as something destructive or oblivious. It is not surprising to find our impious sides pushing us to alcohol and drug-induced oblivions, or to angry, destructive patterns of behavior and forms of music. Ironically, this is all brought about what seems to be a lofty impulse: liberation (moksha). Not all impious people are base.
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To Renounce or not to Renounce - A partial narration of the Gita's Fifth Chapter
By Vraja Kishor das (Victor D Dicara)

He was there in his transcendental body, the residence of the goddess of fortune, with his usual gentle and sweetly smiling face, his words like nectar.

"Don't be so amazed. Only the ignorant say that renunciation brings a different fruit than karma-yoga. The wise know that they both cause enlightenment. Yet still, I say that sannyasa is a difficult path. Rare is the seed that can flourish in that dry soil. On the other hand, if you carefully perform the prescribed duties of your ksatriya varna and grhastha asrama you will enjoy happiness, and become purified at the same time.
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Hindu Encounter with Modernity: Kedarnath Datta Bhaktivinoda, Vaisnava Theologian
By Sukavak N. Dasa - Forward by Thomas J. Hopkins

This is an excellent book, and particularly relevant in light of many of today's discussions on literalism vs. contextualism.

Bhaktivinode's life straddled contemporary British society and ancestral Hindu culture. One was a modern, analytical world which demanded rational thought. The other was a traditional world of Hindu faith and piety, which seemingly allowed little room for critical analysis. Could he play a meaningful role in modern society and at the same time maintain integrity as a Hindu?

This book results from twelve years of original research involving three trips to England and Bengal. Government archives, Bengali villages and individual homes were searched for information pertaining to Kedarnath Dutta's life. This study relied particularly upon three formerly untranslated sources of information: Bhaktivinode's autobiography Svalikhita-jivani, Bhaktivinode's Sri Krishna-samhita, a theological work, and his journal Sajjana-tosani.
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Part 4 of 12 from "Essence of Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu Sar)"

Suffering results from actions that contradict one's true nature. What causes such actions? Desires that are not in harmony with ones true nature cause such actions. What then causes such desires? These desires result from ignorance of ones true nature.

Actions contradictory to ones true nature cause (1) a manifest reaction, which one feels as suffering, and (2) an unmanifest reaction, which intensifies ones ignorance of his or her true identity and thus in turn intensifies desire, action, etc., in a perpetual cycle that produces suffering at each turn.
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Essence of the Ambrosial Ocean of Devotion (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu Sar)
By Vraja Kishor (Victor D. Dicara)

Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu is about bhakti-rasa, the pleasurable essence of bhakti. But one cannot talk about "the pleasurable essence of bhakti" without first knowing what "bhakti" is. Rupa Goswami therefore dedicates all four waves of the First Division to defining bhakti. He begins by saying (1.1.11):
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Essence of Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu
Part II (Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu Sar)
By Vraja Kishor das
(Victor D DiCara)

Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu begins with an introduction composed of six verses. This introduction is meant to invoke auspiciousness by glorifying venerable persons, requesting and offering benedictions, and stating the books objective.
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Being surrounded by quite a large group of disciples in different ashramas, it came to pass that some of his sannyas-disciples were displaying an attitude of pride towards the disciples in the grhasta ashram. Becoming aware of this, and strictly disapproving of this attitude of pride, which is detrimental to the development of bhakti, Sripad Ramanujacarya decided to set a small example with the intention of correcting them of their deviation.
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Essence of Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu
(Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu Sar)
By Vraja Kishor das
(Victor D DiCara)

Shree Chaitanya, the 15th century Indian saint held by Gaudiya Vaishnavas as the combined incarnation of Krishna and Radharani, instructed his foremost student and follower Rupa Goswami in the topic of bhakti-yoga - the system of self-realization based on loving exchanges with Godhead.
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All three are important, and one should not discard any of them if he or she wants to get as much as possible from scripture. However, there is a progression from one to the next in terms of subtlety and fidelity to the original transcendental experience scripture attempts to express.
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EDITORS NOTE:
The views expressed by the author are not necessarily the views of the CHAKRA editorial team. However, as many devotees are struggling with guru issues, and guru-reform is on the GBC agenda this year, we thought we would share with you the following article.

Sadhana does not exist in a vacuum, it exists in the midst of our daily lives. The details of our daily lives therefore derive indirect spiritual importance, and a guru may thus sometimes need to advise a disciple regarding them. However, such topics pertain to the phenomenal world (artha-prada) and are therefore open to ordinary argument and modification.
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I appreciate the opportunity to share views, though I sometimes loathe devotee’s responses to those who differ from them. Once we condemn or harshly criticize any devotee or group of devotees and not honor and respect them, all devotees are smeared, and we are hindering our own advancement (through offences) and the spreading of Krsna consciousness. We must all learn to respect everyone, what to speak of devotees. I am rather amazed at how attacking so many devotees are-as if differing devotees are a personal threat. Devotees are not our enemies! (Although people might consider this true by reading our dealings with each other). Lack of Krsna consciousness and our lack of Vaisnava qualities are the real enemies.
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Go and preach!
By Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
From a letter by Bhakti Vikasa Swami

There will be so many questions and opposing elements. [Srila Prabhupada] gave the example how the preacher is the best devotee and gets special consideration from the Lord, just as the soldiers in Germany got butter, even if no one else did. We have to take great responsibility. Whatever they have without God is zero. Simply touring is not required. By traveling we have to do something substantial to increase the society. Don’t try to be the proprietor of bricks and wood. That is not life. Preach.
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A confused, frustrated man cannot get relief by committing suicide because suicide will simply lead him to take birth in the lower species of life or to remain a ghost, unable to attain a gross material body. Therefore the perfect course is to retire altogether from sinful activities and take up Krsna consciousness. In this way one can become completely perfect and go back home, back to Godhead. (SB 4.26.10, purport)
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One devotee suggested that perhaps one of Swamiji’s Godbrothers should come to America and fill in for Swamiji and, if the worst happened, take over the leadership of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. When the suggestion reached Prabhupada, he considered it without immediately replying.
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Sixty-two subjects, self-selected through newspaper advertisements in a Southeastern university town, completed the study. Average age was 24.63 years, with 31 males and 31 females participating.

The author suggests that the maha mantra has potential for utilization in clinical areas similar to those where other interventions of Eastern origin have been successful, such as treatment of stress, depression, and addictions.
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Beware of Vaisnava Aparadha!
from Pancha Tattva dasa

Dear Editors of CHAKRA,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I received the following text a while back from my goduncle Ramiya prabhu. I thought the Vaishnavas would appreciate it. The quotes are from the Chaitanya Bhagavata by Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura. I am assuming that they were translated by Kusakratha prabhu.

Considering these statements in relation to the debate and rejection of ritvik doctrine may generate another lively discussion among the readers of CHAKRA.
>Click Here

© CHAKRA 12-Mar-99

The Mad Faultfinder Disease
from Pancha Tattva dasa

I wrote the following piece a few years ago in response to the outrageous and offensive posts of a few devotees on WWW.COM, the World Wide Web mirror site for COM. Every once in a while it shows up again, having been copied by a devotee and passed around. Much has happened in those two years, including the fact that COM has cleaned up alot of the more serious faultfinding. Still, there are some of us who, overwhelmed by a self-righteous sense of outrage, persist in taking personal criticism to newer and newer lows, whether we're finding fault via the Internet, the phone, or outside the temple during Bhagavatam class.

I don't suggest that criticism has no place in ISKCON, but it must be undertaken by the proper persons with a desire to benefit rather than destroy. Otherwise, it will be the source of one's own degradation. Ravindra Svarupa prabhu described the effect to be like that of a brahmastra being thrown, only to boomerang back upon the thrower ( Wissshhhhh - BOOM!).
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© CHAKRA 24-Dec-98

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On Humanitarian Work
from Chandrajon

Hare Krishna,

I disagree mightily with Vipramukya Swami on his stand about Humanitarian work. Since I have been a KRISHNA devotee (22 years), I have reached more people concerning the Bhagavada-Gita As It Is bu being "undercover," so to speak. In other words, I work a job for four or five years and then make my statement of belief. I have worked in the homeless "business" in Madison, Wisconsin and also work with the native Americans of Wisconsin to fight encroachment of treaty land by Exxon and Rio Algom.

KRISHNA is watching me and I know in my heart he approves as long as I give credit to him rather than false ego posturing.

Chandrajon

© CHAKRA 4-Dec-98

Is Humanitarian Work Okay?
a CHAKRA editorial
by Vipramukhya Swami

Mundane humanitarian work may be okay, but the ultimate humanitarian work is spreading Krsna Consciousness, according to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Sometimes people may think that there is a conflict between Krsna Consciousness and humanitarian work.

"I have been very torn lately," writes a devotee in a letter. "It seems like there are two people inside of me trying to fight to achieve dominance. One is the side devoted to Sri Krishna and his devotees, but the other side of me is always looking for ways to help other people and to speak up for those who have no voice, as in animals and such. I have always been concerned with animal rights and rights of all living creatures in general. I have always been very outspoken about things like this, also about corporate greed and how they are raping this planet of the natural resources."

He goes on to ask if it is possible for him to be a devotee and still be involved in all these humanitarian concerns.

A devotee is always concerned for the welfare of everyone, including the animals and the Earth. There is no one more compassionate and more concerned for the welfare of others than a devotee. The real point, however, is that a devotee sees more deeply to the root cause of all this suffering in the world. Just to try to fix these problems is like using a piece of adhesive tape to bandage a large wound, or giving the wrong medicine to a patient with a serious disease. A devotee should always be very kind to the general public in instructing Krsna consciousness because that is the only solution for getting out of the clutches of maya. As Srila Prabhupada used to say, that is really humanitarian work because it is the way to show mercy to other people who need it very badly. Other types of humanitarian work may be temporarily beneficial for the material body, but because the living entities are spirit souls, ultimately we can show them real mercy only by revealing knowledge of their spiritual existence.
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© CHAKRA 28-Nov-98

Economic Responsibility of One's Products & Actions
From Raghunatha dasa

All the claims are marked by *. They will be referenced in the final draft of this 40-chapter book. I have the bulk of the material already gathered in my filing cabinets. I will first complete the book before taking the added months to reference everything. The first draft will serve as a template to be updated, referenced and changed. As much by my own research as from your responses to it's monthly installments. We now have the Intro. & this 1^st Chapter. We need researchers and any information you may like to contribute. Wait to distribute this until the final research is complete. Everyone knows that smoking, like all vices, is heavily subsidized. Just how many millions are killed or trillions spent is almost incidental. Yet, people will ignore the obvious to find minor discrepancies. It's better we wait to reference all our figures before taking this discussion out for public debate.

Anudasa@aol.com

(213) 969-4727

c/o VCA,

PO Box 1467

Culver City CA 90232

Chapter 1

Smoking: The $10 TrillionTax Breaking the Spell

Numbers. Big Numbers. This is the part where people get that dazed, glazed look. Anything over a $100,000 starts to lose people. Billions and trillions remains something of another universe. Most opt just to pay the couple grand a year in added taxes and lost benefit's. It's easier then looking this situation over. Life keeps us pretty busy. Tobacco companies, however, will do ANYTHING to keep the subsidy you give them. It's as real to them as the cash in your pocket. In fact, it's your cash in their pocket.

Americans spend about *$100 billion on tobacco-related medical expenses each year. The industry only grosses $45 billion a year in business. Hardly more then *15% of this is in taxes. The numbers are explained below. $100 billion would cost each of the *40 million US smokers a tidy $2,500. Every year. This comes to $160,000 over the course of 64 years of smoking out of each smoker's 75 year life span. Smokers, of course, don't pay this. You do. $100 billion dollars divided between *90 billion cigarettes is $1.11 per cigarette. A pack of 20 cigarettes really cost $22. Smokers pay 3 bucks. Usually less. You pay the other $19.
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© CHAKRA 24-Nov-98

A Practical Suggestion as to
How to Implement Varnashram
by Harimohan Das

Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We seem to have been talking and talking for a long time about instituting varnashram, but so far, besides endless philosophical discussions on this topic, no one seems to have come up with any practical method on instituting it.

I suggest the following: that a new class of ISKCON members, called the varnashram members, be formally instituted in ISKCON society. These members would participate in a formal ceremony in the temple, in front of the Deities. This ceremony is the Nama-karnam initiation, which is one of the vaishnava samskaras. In the nama-karnam ceremony, the participant receives a Vedic name, but without the suffix of dasa or dasi (which denotes that one engages all his/her senses in the service of the Lord.)

As this is not a diksha initiation, the ceremony may be performed by the local temple's pujari, and would increase, and cement, the varnashram member's fidelity and service to the local Lordships.
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© CHAKRA 13-Nov-98

Economics: The Hand of God
Economics through the eyes of virtue
from Raghunatha Anudasa

(The following article appeared on VNN some time back. It was sent to CHAKRA at the same time but somehow did not arrive. We are printing it now for those of our readers who may have missed it.—Ed.)

Years ago, we set out for answers to the social ills of our time. This led us to an interesting discovery. We ended up uncovering the ancient virtues of the sages of yore. It was a little humbling to find ourselves ending right where our forefathers told us to begin. "Virtue." Hmm! This time, however, we have found its relevancy. It appears to be the missing link between two great but separate worlds. In one, God and morality; in the other, the economic imperatives of our modern times. The virtues of our forefathers may serve to bridge the seeming gulf of difference between them. Though this may be getting a little optimistic, it does present a magnificent reference point to begin such an undertaking. It answers questions about our social ills with alternatives as intriguing as they are relevant. We have therefore packaged virtue as a formal, social policy. It is referred to herein as "ROOPA: Responsibility Of One's Products & Actions." Pronounced roopa. This will be further explained later. For now, know that this is the juncture from where we begin the next leg of our journey.

* * * *

Good and Bad. Right and wrong. God and morality. We hear these mentioned during political campaigns and public speeches. But these considerations are left at the door of today's economic and political policies. Morality is much like God. Both are viewed as so vague as to mean most anything — so personal as to be entirely subjective. There seems no common reference or office of authority. What provable science is there to settle the "irreconcilable" differences of their many advocates? Morality is more a philosophy and life style — an art form; than a science. There is little room for such exotic considerations in a modern world of science and technology. It's a new world of educated people, run not by "superstition" but by the rule of the global economy.
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CHAKRA 1-Nov-98

"Krsna Lifts Govardhana" Article
from Bhakta Vinod

Haribol Dear Vaisnavas,
Please accept my dandavats
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to CHAKRA.

I just would like to thank Ramachandra Prabhu for his special article. It was really nice to see Krsna's lifting Govardhana from the perspective of a Vaisnava journalist. Thank you for that article, and please keep it up.....

Your humble servant,

Bhakta Vinod

CHAKRA 1-Nov-98

Appreciating Govardhana Lila
from Dina Sharana das

What a refreshing Malayan breeze! What lightness to the heart and mind that posting about Govardhana-lila brought!!! Please do that again and again from time to time and lift up everyone's hearts to the true joy and purpose of life, appreciating and chanting the sweet and wonderful glories of Lord Sri Krsna..........is that not what Vaisnava life is all about?

ys,

Dina Sharana d

CHAKRA 27-Oct-98

Krsna Lifts Govardhana Hill
a CHAKRA news flash from Ramacandra das

Dateline: Vrndavana, India

In an unprecendented turn of events, the young son of Maharaja Nanda today saved this quiet village from the wrath of Indra, King of heaven.

This years harvest has been abundant and as is the custom, a sacrifice to Indra was to be arranged by Nanda Maharja. Nanda's young son, Krsna, affectionately known as Govinda, had other ideas. In an astounding display of Vedic knowledge Govinda convinced his father that such a sacrifice was not necessary. Utilizing the karma mimamsa philosophy Krsna informed his father that required rains and good weather are automatically provided upon the fulfillment of ones prescribed duties.

Furthermore Krsna stated that it is the results of one's karma that bring one happiness and distress. Finally the young boy said that rainfall, being the cause of bountiful harvests, is caused by the interactions of the mode of passion.
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CHAKRA 22-Oct-98

Quotes on Diksa Guru
from Ramacandra dasa

For the pleasure of and service to the assembled devotees, I herein attach a selection of sadhu, sastra and guru evidences relating to the topics of diksa guru and uttama adhikaris.

Also included are several verses taken from the Sri Krsna Bhajanamrta of Narahari das Sarkara Thakur. The Thakura is described as a very famous devotee and extremely dear to Sri Krsna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

It is my sincere desire that these statements will help to clear up some of the confusions in the minds of devotees and instruct proper actions where required. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind all devotees that in order to achieve clarity of vision and purity of understanding a minimum of 16 rounds of the Maha-mantra— Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare—must be chanted and the four regulative principals of spiritual life must be followed.
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CHAKRA 20-Jun-98

"Formerly We Were with Krsna in His Lila, or Sport"
Dravida dasa answers Agrahya das
Since these weighty accusations all stem from the debate over whether or not Srila Prabhupada truly believed and taught that the conditioned souls were once with Krsna in His lila, I would say that the issue merits some time and attention.

First, we regard as absurd and offensive the idea that though Srila Prabhupada repeatedly taught that the conditioned souls were once with Krsna or Visnu in the spiritual world, serving Him in His lila, Prabhupada knew that this teaching was false. Such a "preaching strategy" is completely out of character for Srila Prabhupada, he never gave any hint of it (unlike Sankaracarya with his famous bhaja govindam and other utterances), and the flimsy possible rationale for it—that his Western disciples couldn't take the shock of learning that they'd never been with Krsna—is belied by Srila Prabhupada's identical preaching in his old BTGs and other writings, twenty years before he set foot in the West.
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Crow and Tal Fruit
A letter from Agrahya das
Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I noted that Srila Prabhupada's essay on the logic of the crow and the tal-fruit was presented as the siddhanta regarding the origin of the jiva, as given by Srila Prabhupada. I therefore read with great interest Dravida Prabhu's piece explaining why this is taken above explanations in Srila Prabhupada's books.

Without meaning any disrespect, I was quite alarmed by one statement. Dravida Prabhu quotes one of the many references in Srila Prabhupada's books where His Divine Grace says emphatically that the living entity DOES NOT FALL from the spiritual world. Then it appears that Dravida Prabhu suggests that we can brush aside such references.
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30 Mar 98

The Fall of the Jiva
The Importance of the Crow-and-Tal Paper
by Dravida dasa
Recently CHAKRA published Srila Prabhupada's definitive statement on the fall of the jiva—the famous Crow-and-Tal-Fruit paper. My purpose here is to establish the paramount importance of this paper for all of Srila Prabhupada's followers who are concerned about the question of whether or not the conditioned souls in this material world were originally in a direct and developed relationship of devotional service to Krsna in a spiritual planet in the spiritual world.

The background of the Crow-and-Tal Paper is explained in the following excerpt from a book by Drutakarma dasa entitled The Origin of the Jiva:

"In 1972, a devotee in Australia began saying that the living entities in this material world were originally situated in the brahmajyoti. According to Madhudvisa Prabhu [the former Madhudvisa Swami] and Caru Prabhu, who were both in Australia at the time, this caused some fairly widespread disturbance. Srila Prabhupada therefore dictated a response, a typed copy of which was retained by Madhudvisa Prabhu. This is the famous crow and tal fruit message. Madhudvisa has said that it was distributed to the Australian temple presidents. In this statement, given in direct response to inquiries from his students on the question of the origin of the jiva, Srila Prabhupada gives many definitive answers to the questions facing us. He intended these not just as answers to a particular devotee but as his official answer to a philosophical controversy that had arisen in the Society."

See following article or go to "Srila Prabhupada Answers the Jiva Question"

Srila Prabhupada Answers the Jiva Question
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
So when I say Yes, there is eternal lila with Krsna, that means on the evidence of Jaya-Vijaya. Unless one develops full devotional service to Krsna, he goes up only up to Brahmasayujya but falls down. But after millions and millions of years of keeping oneself away from the lila of the Lord, when one comes to Krsna consciousness this period becomes insignificant, just like dreaming.

Because he falls down from Brahmasayujya, he thinks that may be his origin, but he does not remember that before that even he was with Krsna. So the conclusion is that whatever may be our past, let us come to Krsna consciousness and immediately join Krsna. Just like with a diseased man, it is a waste of time to try to find out how he has become diseased, better to spend time curing the disease.

On the top of the tree there is a nice tal-fruit. A crow went there and the fruit fell down, Some panditas, big big learned scholars saw this and discussed: the fruit fell due to the crow agitating the limb. No, the fruit fell simultaneously with the crow landing and frightened the crow so he flew away. No, the fruit was ripe and the weight of the crow landing broke it from the branch, and so on and so on. What is the use of such discussions? So whether you were in the Brahmasayujya or with Krsna in His lila, at the moment you are in neither, so the best policy is to develop your Krsna consciousness and go there, never mind what is your origin.

The Passing of a Young Devotee
By Vipramukhya Swami

Manchester, England (CHAKRA) - On the afternoon of January 21, 1998, a young devotee girl, Gunavati Haddon, age 13, was riding her bicycle here, with her father, Laghu Hari dasa, a disciple of Sivarama Swami. Unfortunately, she fell off her bike and was instantly run over by a large truck and killed, as her father looked on.

Gunavati is survived by her mother and father, Laghu Hari and Yasomati prabhus, as well as by her elder brother, Gaura Haddon.

The family doesn't own a car, and they've been doing a lot of riding around on bicycles.

This material world is a nasty place. Mostly, we struggle to survive, and somehow if we have some prasada to eat and a place to lie down, we feel we are doing all right. Sometimes, however, something very nasty takes place.

In the shastra there are many stories of tragedy in the lives of devotees. The Pandavas, for example, were all great devotees, yet their kingdom was unfairly taken away and they had to be exiled in the forest for 13 years.

So the question is, Why do bad things happen to good people?

Is ISKCON a Cult Because of Fanatical Followers? -- This article is written in an attempt to address several important and current issues in the history of the Sankirtana Movement. Many devotees have very strong feelings about these issues and to dispel the criticism that ISKCON is either unwilling or not honest enough to address them, we are now presenting this attempt at honest observation. We want to see ISKCON be all that it can be.

Casting Out Casteism -- Time magazine deals a blow to the followers of Vedic culture.

Secret Thrills of the Guru -- There is a thrill to being a guru that can drive you mad.

Humility, Chastity, Surrender and Protection of Women -- Vishakha dasi. Humility, chastity, surrender, protection: what do they mean?

Reply to Vishakha's Article on Protection of Women. -- Vishaka has nicely shown us how women were honoured and respected in Vedic society, but unfortunately that has not always been our experience in ISKCON.

Ritviks and Responsibility -- Krishna Dharma dasa. Certainly those sins which the guru takes on at the time of initiation can only be taken by Prabhupada, according to ritvik theory.

Mother Teresa: A Higher Inspiration -- Umapati Swami. Mother Teresa became respected all over the world for her selfless devotion to helping the poor, and she will certainly be remembered for years, or even centuries, for her noble efforts. Yet it is unfortunate that she is remembered only in this way and not for what she said was her real calling.

Earlier philosophy articles