Someone told me the other day that we've done over 150,000 sets of Bhāgavatams from our concerted efforts. You know, so many of these things happen when we're not looking because we're just looking down at what we're doing right now and what we're going to do next. But together, as a team, 150,000 sets of Bhāgavatams! Inconceivable six years ago. B…

Japa is the mainstay of every practitioner, and anyone who takes it seriously, starting with the idea that no matter what every day, "I always finish my prescribed number of rounds." Anyone who thinks like that is a high-level sādhaka, and anyone who does that without fail will make advancement in devotional service without any doubt. So this is "M…

Sometimes, at a certain age, devotees wonder, "Am I really going to be a devotee? What about the rest of the world? What about my other opportunities and so forth?" These thoughts are all going through a person's head.Jhanavi Jivan talks about how she and her family went to Sharanagati. You know where that is: it's a farm up in Canada, not too far …

I heard Prabhupāda speaking this morning. Tāmal Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja, as a very young devotee, was telling Prabhupāda, as he was listening to him in awe, he was saying, "Prabhupāda, I always want to remember you speaking. I always want to be able to remember what you're saying and then to be able to recall it and say it myself." And Prabhupāda said, "Thi…

'Māyā-mṛgaṁ dayitayepsitam anvadhāvat' - Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu chases after the conditioned souls to embrace them and bring them back to Godhead. He'll take anybody back to God who wants to go. But Lord Nityānanda will even take those people who don't want to go. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Nityānanda are the most merciful of all incarnation…

'Māyā-mṛgaṁ dayitayepsitam anvadhāvat' - Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu chases after the conditioned souls to embrace them and bring them back to Godhead. He'll take anybody back to God who wants to go. But Lord Nityānanda will even take those people who don't want to go. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Nityānanda are the most merciful of all incarnation…

Kṛṣṇa declares that he is subordinate to the love of his devotee. Bhakti is so powerful that the supreme controller of all controllers finds the greatest pleasure in being controlled by the love of his devotee. But to realize that love requires Kṛṣṇa's grace.Śrīla Prabhupāda gives an example: when we talk of the oneness of a nation, it doesn't mean…

Prabhupāda signed his letters, "Your ever well-wisher," which means he wished us well. He gave us the instructions, which were his blessings. You find at the beginning of his letters, he says, "Please accept my blessings." So the blessing is that I'm giving you this sound, this vibration, and now I'm your well-wisher, but you have to take advantage…

Here's an excerpt from the Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, chapter four, in which Prabhupāda quotes from the Bhakti-sandarbha. This is the verdict of Jīva Gosvāmī in describing the process of chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa:"Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any par…

Every time we're able, even two minutes, to talk about Kṛṣṇa, to be together, to remember Him, it's like that gold that you're talking about that may come in the form of dust, but it adds up. And Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is also compared to a capitalist, and we are also following in His footsteps, so we want to have that sense of accumulation, but …

Now we find out what happens when one who is qualified by Brahma Bhutah. After all, we know from Gita (BG 18.54): 'brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām.' When one comes to this point of Self-Realization, one's no longer obligated to the senses in the way one was before. They're always deman…

In this world, it's important to be informed about what's important. We need an intervention. Caitanya Mahāprabhu said to Sanātana Goswami, māyā-mugdha jīvera nāhi svataḥ kṛṣṇa-jñāna jīvere kṛpāya kailā kṛṣṇa veda-purāṇa.'" For that reason, Kṛṣṇa personally comes in the form of Śrīla Vyāsadeva, and he makes available very clear knowledge that is co…

In Vṛndāvan, the devotees depend exclusively on Kṛṣṇa and the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam begins speaking about the holy name in the first chapter: āpannaḥ saṁsṛtiṁ ghorāṁ yan-nāma vivaśo gṛṇan tataḥ sadyo vimucyeta yad bibheti svayaṁ bhayam (SB 1.1.14) If anyone feels fear in their heart—and who doesn't, here in the material world?—bhayaṁ dvitīyābhiniveśata…

In the tenth Canto of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, we find a verse left for all of us here today by Śukadeva Goswāmī. All of those who feel left behind, who feel hopeless in life, who are striving for the spiritual world, find that it's like reaching for the moon. He wrote: 'Jayanti jana-nivāso devakī-janma-vādoyadu-vara-pariṣat svair dorbhir asyann adha…

Actually, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa is the only thing that can completely satisfy the heart, and one of the reasons is—or the main reason is—that we’re part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. We have a very intimate relationship with Him. In one sense, we are Kṛṣṇa because we’re one of His limbs. On the other side, achintya bheda abheda: we have our own identity. It’s…

The main way that we develop our character in this world, or any other is by our association. As Kṛṣṇa says in the Gītā: "kāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo 'sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu." Any situation you're in now, whatever way you've developed in your life, that is because of your association.Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, when teaching about devotional service to Sanā…

When we have service, we feel naturally satisfied. My tendency is, in material consciousness, to think, "Why aren't people serving me enough?" And that's why I'm dissatisfied. "Let's make a list: my such-and-such isn't serving me enough." Suggestions -Wife, husband, start there. Let's start at home. "The kids aren't serving me enough. Who else?" My…

The Bṛhat-bhāgavatāmṛta mentions that devotees don't look for peace. They're not looking for peace of mind; they're looking to satisfy Kṛṣṇa. In the endeavor to satisfy Kṛṣṇa, there are many complex situations, and there are many anxieties. And on record, a devotee asked Prabhupāda, "Devotees sometimes are in great anxiety." For instance he gave th…

We've been given full permission to give our complete attention to chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, talking about Kṛṣṇa, and worshiping Kṛṣṇa. And if somebody brings up another topic, you can say, 'I appreciate it very much. If it were any other lifetime, I would be happy to discuss it with you. However, in this lifetime, I no longer have time, because I have …

When Advaita Ācārya started his prayers to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he held open class and prayed that Lord Caitanya would come and help spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement all over the world. So, however insignificant it may seem, the way one starts—one person—can change the whole world; one person with a sincere desire. And we feel it in you…

Vaisesika Dasa discusses the importance of hearing and serving pure devotees as outlined in Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.16. He explained that devotees, free from vice, are bridges to higher spiritual realms. The conversation emphasized the significance of Vaishnava association, or sadhu sanga, for spiritual advancement. Vaisesika Dasa highlighted the sta…

When all else fails, chant Harē Kṛṣṇa, and everything else will fail. There's no question about it; any of my plans that don't include chanting Harē Kṛṣṇa will fail. In fact, even the best-laid plans of the most intelligent people in the world always get reversed one way or the other in this world. So, we have to come to the position of submission …

I was just in a redwood forest a couple of days ago. Wednesday, I was there, today is Friday. I was in Muir Woods. Looking with a friend of mine, we were looking at the trees, and you have to strain your neck to see upwards; they're so tall! Then we were looking at a seed of one of the redwood trees that is there, and it is minuscule. How does it a…

I'm so deeply grateful to all of you for your one-pointed attention on devotional service. You're using your lives, starting with the most important part—the beginning—and getting established deeply in sādhana that will carry you through your whole life. All auspiciousness comes from chanting strictly every day, and all nonsense subsides from your …

This morning, I was reading a eulogy of my dear godbrother, Jayananda Ṭhākura, who is very dear to Śrīla Prabhupāda. And Śrīla Prabhupāda had written him a letter that I very much appreciated, regarding the chanting of the holy name, and it has a very straightforward purport. So I wanted to read it to you. And here's what he wrote:1967 Prabhupāda w…

When the devotees first went to India, Prabhupāda was there, and he invited devotees to come over because he wanted to show what happened. You know, he went alone to America, and he comes back with all these Americans. In India, at the time, people were looking to Americans and go, like, 'How are we going to catch up to these guys? We want what the…

Last year in Kārtika, one of our devotees, Kṛṣṇa-sakha, was on Govardhana parikramā, and just came around the hill. A boy who was begging started to follow him, and he followed him for several kilometers. And Kṛṣṇa-sakha said no, and the boy kept following, and they got to Rādhā-kuṇḍa. And then he kept following. They'd gone a quarter of the way ar…

We're not going out to collect money, really. We're going out for our own purification, first and foremost. It's a high sādhana to go out into the great unknown and present the Vedic literatures to people. And it's also something that they really appreciate too, because frankly, life is really boring in the material world. Same things happen all th…

We're eternal servants of Kṛṣṇa , and when we're able to find that seed which is given to us by association of pure devotees, that the only thing that is important to me ultimately is the sincere desire to serve Kṛṣṇa with no motivation, even if we're not able to act in that position yet, when we know and recognize that I have that desire seed with…

(1)vibhāvarī śeṣa, āloka-praveśa,nidrā chāri' uṭho jīvabolo hari hari, mukunda murāri,rāma kṛṣṇa hayagrīva(2)nṛsiṁha vāmana, śrī-madhusūdana,brajendra-nandana śyāmapūtanā-ghātana, kaiṭabha-śātana,jaya dāśarathi-rāma(3)yaśodā dulāla, govinda-gopāla,vṛndāvana purandaragopī-priya-jana, rādhikā-ramaṇa,bhuvana -sundara-bara(4)rāvāṇāntakara, m…

(1) (kṛṣṇa) deva! bhavantaḿ vandeman-mānasa-madhukaram arpaya nija-pada-pańkaja-makarande(2) yadyapi samādhiṣu vidhir api paśyati na tava nakhāgra-marīcimidam icchāmi niśamya tavācyuta! tad api kṛpādbhuta-vīcim(3) bhaktir udañcati yadyapi mādhava! na tvayi mama tila-mātrīparameśvaratā tad api tavādhika-durghaṭa-ghaṭana-vidhātrī(4) ayam avil…

The purpose of the creation, ultimately, is to give the living entities an opportunity to come out of this illusion. And Saṅkarṣaṇa, who is not intimately, but somehow indirectly—connected with the creation of the material world, as mentioned in the Fifth Canto of the Bhāgavatam, before He starts His destruction in the material world through the ag…

(1)gaurāńgera duṭi pada, jār dhana sampada,se jāne bhakati-rasa-sārgaurāńgera madhura-līlā, jār karṇe praveśilā,hṛdoya nirmala bhelo tār (2)je gaurāńgera nāma loy, tāra hoy premodoy,tāre mui jāi bolihārigaurāńga-guṇete jhure, nitya-līlā tāre sphure,se jana bhakati-adhikārī (3)gaurāńgera sańgi-gaṇe, nitya-siddha kori' māne,se jāy brajendra-suta…

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is Kṛṣṇa Himself, and He also comes as the ācārya. He's both devotee and Kṛṣṇa at the same time. So there's a double benefit. He's teaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness as a devotee, but He's also Kṛṣṇa. If one dedicates him or herself to the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya, which means to—in service, what it means to dedicate oneself to…

If somebody unjustly takes your property, rendering selfless service doesn't mean, 'Oh, yeah, let everyone violate me, and I'll just sit by passively.' That's not what it means. That's why I say it's not mutually exclusive. One must do one's duty dutifully. If you're in the corporate environment, however, I know for sure that there's a sense even f…

One other thought about the ocean comes from the Twelfth Canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (SB 12.13.2) When the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared as Lord Kūrma, a tortoise, His back was scratched by the sharp-edged stones lying on massive, whirling Mount Mandara, and this scratching made the Lord sleepy. May you all be protected by the winds ca…

The Lord's devotees have a special qualification in that, as Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā (6.32): "ātmaupamyena sarvatra samaṁ paśyati yo ’rjuna sukhaṁ vā yadi vā duḥkhaṁ sa yogī paramo mataḥ." They're the parama yogīs because, He says, they have compassion. Atmaupamyena means they feel empathy towards others because they've been through it them…

In Japan, where we go frequently, there's this little tranquil river that's barely flowing, but enough so that there's life in it, and it's beautiful. And retired people in Japan like to fish. Some do, and they'll stand by that little stream and they fish. When I go for my walks there, I watch, and I have never seen anybody catch anything, but what…

It's broken down by Viśvanāth Cakravartī Ṭhākur in the Madhurya Kadambinī. He says, when you eliminate certain obstacles, then you're known to be in niṣṭhā. And I mentioned some of them, like sleep, distraction, the awakening of lower desires—suddenly they come out in different ways, indifference; you're not distracted, you're not sleepy, but you j…

When we become frustrated to the point of despair, there's an opening for us. And that opening for Arjuna in the Bhagavad-gītā was that he gave up. There's so much effort I put into trying to organize everything in the world so it'll come out straight, and it always comes out crooked. Prabhupāda mentions in one of his purports, in the Second Canto …

CC Antya 16.52namas te nara-siṁhāyaprahlādāhlāda-dāyinehiraṇyakaśipor vakṣaḥ-śilā-ṭaṅka-nakhālayehttps://vedabase.io/en/library/cc/antya/16/52CC Antya 16.53ito nṛsiṁhaḥ parato nṛsiṁhoyato yato yāmi tato nṛsiṁhaḥbahir nṛsiṁho hṛdaye nṛsiṁhonṛsiṁham ādiṁ śaraṇaṁ prapadyehttps://vedabase.io/en/library/cc/antya/16/53/SB 5.18.8oṁ namo bhagavate narasiṁh…

So, this is one of the very important lessons that Prahlād Mahārāj teaches us, is to become trained in the spiritual science. Don't neglect the Bhagavad-gītā. Or should I say it in the positive? It's better, isn't it, because that might go and you may think, 'Neglect the Bhagavad-gītā.' No. Read Bhagavad-gītā every day. How's that for a challenge? …

The third theme, besides sincerity and wanting to help others, that's so prominent in Prahlāda's prayers is that he said, "My Lord," when he's right in front of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, he says, "I just want to serve my spiritual master." Kṛṣṇa has appeared for him. He's right in front of him, and he doesn't say, "I'll serve You, my Lord." He said, "I'll …

In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Seventh Canto, ninth chapter, we get a kind of fruit because we hear the prayers that are coming from Prahlāda's heart, and from those we can learn many, many lessons. The fact that the Lord came to save Prahlāda and to answer his prayers, and hearing the prayers that Prahlāda offered, is an important exercise for the devo…

Of all the practices, japa is the most essential. It's the one that we do ourselves. We depend on our own sincerity to fuel the process. In the beginning, we also do it as a medicinal process, as when a doctor gives a prescription and says, "Take this many for the next two weeks, and then don't miss a dose. If you do, then make it up." And when the…

Prahlāda Mahārāja is the subject of the Seventh Canto. If you measure which topics are there in the entire lengthy seven cantos of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva makes a very short appearance. He just comes in, tears apart Hiraṇyakaśipu, and that's it. But Prahlāda is featured throughout as a tender child, offering instructions to his clas…

We have a special treat, which is a bhajan written by Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, five prayers to Nṛsiṁhadeva in Navadvīpa. In a very revealing way. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura mentions that by his worship of Nṛsiṁhadeva, ostensibly in Nṛsiṁha Palli, and by rolling in the courtyard in ecstasy there at NṛsiṁhaPalli, the place where Nṛsiṁhadeva himself gives 24-h…

We've noticed here at ISKCON of Silicon Valley, which is a small little laboratory somewhere tucked away in California where we experiment. We experiment and see how far can we push the goals and how far will Krishna meet us? And every single time we make a new goal, we're not sure how we're going to make it. In fact, it seems like last time it wor…

Unauthorized or improperly parked vehicles will be towed away at the owner's expense." Means that if—if you leave your mind unattended and not engaged in Kṛṣṇa's service, it's like you just parked it somewhere in the wrong place, it'll get towed away. And when you get your mind towed away, if you've ever had your car towed away, you've got to go do…

In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krishna says, "There is a right, there is a wrong. Wrong means you're going towards the darkness. Right means you're going towards the light, which is Krsna. And when you go towards darkness, then there's a repercussion. Your consciousness becomes dark, and there are dark ways in which you relate to other people, heartless way…