mark

Hare Krsna. I'm looking for somebody who is knowledgable in Sanskrit or somebody who has a copy of the SB, Canto 11, chapter 8 , verse 10. The translation is, "Just as the honeybee takes nectar from all flowers, big and small, an intelligent human being should take the essence from all religious scriptures." Is this the correct Sanskrit text.... 11080101 AN:?By:?: m:h??y:?: S:as*:?By:H k?S:l::? n:rH 11080103 s:v:?t:H s:arm:ad?atp:?\p:?By: Ev: \:X?p:dH Thanks so much to anyone who has the answer for this!

Haribol Govindaram I don't know if they were installed or not - they are his personal deities he offers service to at home. If I mention to other devotees about this will I get my friend in trouble.. perhaps he should not have given me his personal little deities to look after, and found a real devotee instead. My friend is a full time devotee, very dedicated, and does full time service at the temple I go to, so I assume he knows what he is doing. I guess he did not want them to be left on their own in his empty house with no service whatsoever, and had confidence in me for some reason to look after them with what little love and devotion I have, and thought it would help with my advancement. I would like to be initiated at some point but I am not ready yet. I have been doing the purification bit for my hand with 3 drops of water and saying om kesavaya namah,om narayanaya and om madhavaya namah before waking them from their beds and dressing them, and have then offered flowers and water to each deity every day. In the evening I undress them and put them into their beds. I have only been looking after them for the last 3 days but already I feel different - more love in my heart for Lord Krishna than before. I guess this why my friend asked me to look after them? All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Mark

Haribol, I will do what I can and hope I do not cause offence to the deities staying wih me while my devotee friend is away in Bharat. Hare Krishna Mark

Haribol. A devotee friend of mine has asked me to look after his deities (Radha-Krishna and Lord Jaganatha, Subadra and Baladeva) while he is on a pilgrimage to Bharat for two months, rather than they be left alone. While feeling very honoured by his trust in me, I am also a little nervous as I do not want to offend the deities, but do not really know how to look after them as well as they should be cared for. My friend said the deities would be understanding and happy with being put to bed of a night time, and then awakened, dressed and offered a little water each day. Could anyone make suggestions about what I could do to take care of them better? I do not have the paraphernalia, time or knowledge for doing a proper arati ceremony each day though. With my chanting, work and family duties I have not much spare time, particularly in the mornings. I would be very grateful if someone could provide perhaps a list of some sort of ‘cut-down’ arati ceremony that I could do each day at some point when time allows to please the deities, as I lack this sort of knowledge. Would I be better off just making a simple little offering of a few flowers or a little water, with what little devotion I have? Should I ever bathe them ? Please excuse my ignorance! Over the last year or two since I have become interested in KC I have been offering a little water, fruit, a flower and tulsi leaf to a picture of Lord Krishna each day, but despite my friends reassurance I feel that I am not quite ready to look after deities just yet. While not an initiated devotee, I have been trying to follow the 4 regs as best as I can, chant 17 rounds, and have been attending temple usually once a week over the last year, but still feel I am very impure at heart and do not deserve my friends confidence in me. Any helpful suggestions would be most welcome! All glories to Srila Prabhupada Mark

Hare Krsna, Prabhus! I'm wondering if i could get some feedback on places to stay in Vrndavan. I'm considering the ISKCON guesthouse and the MVT guesthouse. Could any of you please`tell me of your experiences at each place? I am not an initiated devotee so i don't know if that makes a difference on where I should stay. Thanks so much! Your servant, Mark

Hare Krsna!! Thanks to all of you who responded to my message. I really appreciate that you took time to let me know how things are in Vrndavan. The main things it seems that I have to look out for are the taxi drivers, the food, and the water! Thanks for letting me know. I was also looking at possibly going to Mayapur instead. From the website it seems like it may be a little less hectic. Any thoughts on Mayapur?

Haribol. I'm trying to plan a trip to the Sri Krsna Balaram Mandir in Vrndavan, India. I was hoping I could get some feedback and suggestions as to where to stay, what your individual experience was, the dangers of traveling in India etc. I've never been to India before so this will be my first time. I look forward to hearing what you might have to say about Vrndavan. Thanks so much for your help and suggestions. Hare Krsna. Your servant, Mark

I don't want to join in the KCP bashing Kamlesh. You are preaching the truth, but rather forcefully. You are a very, very dedicated devotee, but perhaps a little more diplomacy might get your arguments across without getting people of other religious backgrounds offended. You will catch more flies with honey than vinegar as the saying go's! That does not mean you should tell any lies, just use a softer tone, even if you feel like shouting at the hypocrisy that you encounter. Sometimes Srila Prabhupada was quite strong in his comments about certain aspects of other religions, such as arguing with Cardinal Danielou as in the following extract from Science of Self Realisation, but at the same time Srila Prabhupada would practice diplomacy such as by praising devotees of other religion traditions, such as Jesus Christ, while still condemning irreligious practices that had crept in, corrupting/replacing original teachings. "Thou Shalt Not Kill" or "Thou Shalt Not Murder"? At a monastic retreat near Paris, in July of 1973, Srila Prabhupada talked with Cardinal Jean Danielou: "... the Bible does not simply say, 'Do not kill the human being.' It says broadly, 'Thou shalt not kill.'... why do you interpret this to suit your own convenience?" Srila Prabhupada: Jesus Christ said, "Thou shalt not kill." So why is it that the Christian people are engaged in animal killing? Cardinal Danielou: Certainly in Christianity it is forbidden to kill, but we believe that there is a difference between the life of a human being and the life of the beasts. The life of a human being is sacred because man is made in the image of God; therefore, to kill a human being is forbidden. Srila Prabhupada: But the Bible does not simply say, "Do not kill the human being." It says broadly, "Thou shalt not kill." Cardinal Danielou: We believe that only human life is sacred. Srila Prabhupada: That is your interpretation. The commandment is "Thou shalt not kill." Cardinal Danielou: It is necessary for man to kill animals in order to have food to eat. Srila Prabhupada: No. Man can eat grains, vegetables, fruits, and milk. Cardinal Danielou: No flesh? Srila Prabhupada: No. Human beings are meant to eat vegetarian food. The tiger does not come to eat your fruits. His prescribed food is animal flesh. But man's food is vegetables, fruits, grains, and milk products. So how can you say that animal killing is not a sin? Cardinal Danielou: We believe it is a question of motivation. If the killing of an animal is for giving food to the hungry, then it is justified. Srila Prabhupada: But consider the cow: we drink her milk; therefore, she is our mother. Do you agree? Cardinal Danielou: Yes, surely. Srila Prabhupada: So if the cow is your mother, how can you support killing her? You take the milk from her, and when she's old and cannot give you milk, you cut her throat. Is that a very humane proposal? In India those who are meat-eaters are advised to kill some lower animals like goats, pigs, or even buffalo. But cow killing is the greatest sin. In preaching Krsna consciousness we ask people not to eat any kind of meat, and my disciples strictly follow this principle. But if, under certain circumstances, others are obliged to eat meat, then they should eat the flesh of some lower animal. Don't kill cows. It is the greatest sin. And as long as a man is sinful, he cannot understand God. The human being's main business is to understand God and to love Him. But if you remain sinful, you will never be able to understand God--what to speak of loving Him. Cardinal Danielou: I think that perhaps this is not an essential point. The important thing is to love God. The practical commandments can vary from one religion to the next. Srila Prabhupada: So, in the Bible God's practical commandment is that you cannot kill; therefore killing cows is a sin for you. Cardinal Danielou: God says to the Indians that killing is not good, and he says to the Jews that... Srila Prabhupada: No, no. Jesus Christ taught, "Thou shalt not kill." Why do you interpret this to suit your own convenience? Cardinal Danielou: But Jesus allowed the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb. Srila Prabhupada: But he never maintained a slaughterhouse. Cardinal Danielou: [Laughs.] No, but he did eat meat. Srila Prabhupada: When there is no other food, someone may eat meat in order to keep from starving. That is another thing. But it is most sinful to regularly maintain slaughterhouses just to satisfy your tongue. Actually, you will not even have a human society until this cruel practice of maintaining slaughterhouses is stopped. And although animal killing may sometimes be necessary for survival, at least the mother animal, the cow, should not be killed. That is simply human decency. In the Krsna consciousness movement our practice is that we don't allow the killing of any animals. Krsna says, patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati: "Vegetables, fruits, milk, and grains should be offered to Me in devotion." (Bhagavad-gita 9.26) We take only the remnants of Krsna's food (prasadam). The trees offer us many varieties of fruits, but the trees are not killed. Of course, one living entity is food for another living entity, but that does not mean you can kill your mother for food. Cows are innocent; they give us milk. You take their milk--and then kill them in the slaughterhouse. This is sinful. Student: Srila Prabhupada, Christianity's sanction of meat-eating is based on the view that lower species of life do not have a soul like the human being's. Srila Prabhupada: That is foolishness. First of all, we have to understand the evidence of the soul's presence within the body. Then we can see whether the human being has a soul and the cow does not. What are the different characteristics of the cow and the man? If we find a difference in characteristics, then we can say that in the animal there is no soul. But if we see that the animal and the human being have the same characteristics, then how can you say that the animal has no soul? The general symptoms are that the animal eats, you eat; the animal sleeps, you sleep; the animal mates, you mate; the animal defends, and you defend. Where is the difference? Cardinal Danielou: We admit that in the animal there may be the same type of biological existence as in men, but there is no soul. We believe that the soul is a human soul. Srila Prabhupada: Our Bhagavad-gita says sarva-yonisu, "In all species of life the soul exists." The body is like a suit of clothes. You have black clothes; I am dressed in saffron clothes. But within the dress you are a human being, and I am also a human being. Similarly, the bodies of the different species are just like different types of dress. There are soul, a part and parcel of God. Suppose a man has two sons, not equally meritorious. One may be a Supreme Court judge and the other may be a common laborer, but the father claims both as his sons. He does not make the distinction that the son who is a judge is very important and the worker-son is not important. And if the judge-son says, "My dear father, your other son is useless; let me cut him up and eat him," will the father allow this? Cardinal Danielou: Certainly not, but the idea that all life is part of the life of God is difficult for us to admit. There is a great difference between human life and animal life. Srila Prabhupada: That difference is due to the development of consciousness. In the human body there is developed consciousness. Even a tree has a soul, but a tree's consciousness is not very developed. If you cut a tree it does not resist. Actually, it does resist, but only to a very small degree. There is a scientist named Jagadish Chandra Bose who has made a machine which shows that trees and plants are able to feel pain when they are cut. And we can see directly that when someone comes to kill an animal, it resists, it cries, it makes a horrible sound. So it is a matter of the development of consciousness. But the soul is there within all living beings. Cardinal Danielou: But metaphysically, the life of man is sacred. Human beings think on a higher platform than the animals do. Srila Prabhupada: What is that higher platform? The animal eats to maintain his body, and you also eat in order to maintain your body. The cow eats grass in the field, and the human being eats meat from a huge slaughterhouse full of modern machines. But just because you have big machines and a ghastly scene, while the animal simply eats grass, this does not mean that you are so advanced that only within your body is there a soul and that there is not a soul within the body of the animal. That is illogical. We can see that the basic characteristics are the same in the animal and the human being. Cardinal Danielou: But only in human beings do we find a metaphysical search for the meaning of life. Srila Prabhupada: Yes. So metaphysically search out why you believe that there is no soul within the animal--that is metaphysics. If you are thinking metaphysically, that's all right. But if you are thinking like an animal, then what is the use of your metaphysical study? Metaphysical means "above the physical" or, in other words, "spiritual." In the Bhagavad-gita Krsna says, sarva-yonisu kaunteya: "In every living being there is a spirit soul." That is metaphysical understanding. Now either you accept Krsna's teachings as metaphysical, or you'll have to take a third-class fool's opinion as metaphysical. Which do you accept? Cardinal Danielou: But why does God create some animals who eat other animals? There is a fault in the creation, it seems. Srila Prabhupada: It is not a fault. God is very kind. If you want to eat animals, then He'll give you full facility. God will give you the body of a tiger in your next life so that you can eat flesh very freely. "Why are you maintaining slaughterhouses? I'll give you fangs and claws. Now eat." So the meat-eaters are awaiting such punishment. The animal-eaters become tigers, wolves, cats, and dogs in their next life--to get more facility." Keep up your good work Kamlesh, but perhaps just try to moderate the tone a little. My humble obeisances to you for you dedication! Hare Krishna Mark /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Haribol Thomas256 I was listening to a play about Lord Jagannatha the other day, and enjoyed it very much. I was quite suprised when I heard the part about where King Indradyumna went to visit Lord Brahma though: "So great was Indradyumna's devotion to God that even Lord Brahma was eager to meet him. Lord Brahma described how Lord Jagannatha would appear in a wooden form from a great kalpa-vrksa tree, transported from the spiritual planet of Svetadvipa. As Indradyumna returned to earth in a space ship from Brahma's planet, he noticed that things had changed. Though he was away for what seemed a short time, the earth had aged many years. No one recognised him in his own kingdom, and his trusted priest Vidyapati had been replaced by another." Here are the effects of relativity being described in relation to what happens when you travel to the stars, and pass what feels like normal time to you but is actually a very long time in relation to Earth time, a long time before Einstein came up with his theory of relativity! Far out! I have read that Einstein read the Bhagavad Gita and was a believer in God, ie so he was not one your usual rascal scientists. Could anyone tell me when the Jagannatha/Indradyumna event took place please ? Hare Krishna All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Mark

Good to hear from you again, I'm sorry I missed meeting you at Soho street temple in London. I'm doing alright materially/physically, but am still not devoted enough to Lord Krishna.. perhaps in time I will be if I keep chanting/reading/worshiping/associating with the wonderful devotees at Coventry temple etc. As for names I like Govinda. It seems to have several meanings, as apparently Go can refer to cows, land or one's senses. Vinda means "protector." When the two words are combined, Govinda means Krsna who is the protector of the cows, the land and/or one's senses. Hare Krishna and All Glories to Srila Prabhupada and my humble obeisances. Mark

Haribol I have noticed that some devotees wear a red string/thread around their wrist - could anyone tell me what this signifies please ? Hare Krishna Mark

Haribol, I find it difficult to chant much quicker than 8-9 mins a round at best. I have been advised that it is best not to go too fast though in case one does not say the names clearly. Should one enjoy the names of the lord on the tongue as when eating prashadam one should appreciate it and not wolf it down without taking time enjoying Krishnas mercy ? Unfortunately going slowly I doubt I will ever achieve 64 rounds while still in working/family life. Is it better to sit still or walk about ? I do either depending on whether my back starts aching or much worse when very tired at the beginning or end the day I 'dive bomb' and fall asleep momentarily. Incidentally I was told a funny story at Coventry temple by the temple president Haridas (my humble obeisance to him) about some devotees in Northen Ireland some years ago. They had been distributing books in very cold weather and had got back in their van and put the heater on to warm up and then fell asleep in the warmth. They were awoken later by the bright lights of a British army helicopter and found themselves surrounded by armed troops pointing guns at them. The troops thought they might be IRA terrorists and wanted an explanation of who they were and what they were doing. The devotees explained that they were Hare Krishnas and said they had been meditating in the van - but one of the soldiers laughed and said " No you weren't - you were asleep!". The devotees had to admit that they had been asleep when they should have been chanting! Hare Krishna! Mark /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Haribol, Ref. the following news article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4520148.stm There was a gigantic explosion at a big oil depot in the UK yesterday which is only 10 miles from Bhaktivedanta manor - the explosion was so huge it was heard a 100 miles away. Fortunately (and almost unbelievably) not a single person was killed but there was much damage done to property for miles around by the force of the explosion. The enormous fires have been burning for over 24 hours now and a huge plume of thick black poisonous smoke is now spreading over the south east of England, raising fears the fallout could poison cattle and people. Does anyone know if there is any news from anyone at the manor ? I hope all devotees and cows are ok, and are not being choked/poisoned by the smoke. best wishes and prayers for their well-being, Hare Krishna Mark

Haribol I came across this story on the following weblink /images/graemlins/smile.gif http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3232850.stm It made me smile anyway! Hare Krishna Mark

Haribol My humble obeisances to all at the Soho street temple and Govinda's restaurant! It was great for me to be able to go a temple 3 days in a row, as usually I only have chance to go once a week to the temple at Coventry (not that there's anything wrong with Coventry temple) The Londonisvara Deities are very, very beautiful. I felt immense relief each time I escaped the so-crowded but so lonely streets of London, and entered the sanity and sanctity of the temple. I don't know if you had chance to make it there Dillon, if you did I'm sorry we failed to hook up. I had some great prasad every night at Govindas (and then was given even more in the temple). I felt like I was going to burst after my last night - so much for trying to be like the yogi's who eat just enough to keep body and soul together, I was more like yogi bear, busy stuffing my face as if about to hibernate.. I then dreamt I was eating even more prasad as I slept on Wednesday night! Lord Krishna was truly merciful to me, far more than I deserve. I may be sent on another course in London next year, so I will be able to do it all again! I'm afraid I did not buy the Srimad Bhagvatam set as it was not the full set of twelve cantos I had been hoping to buy, and so will buy them from my local temple. I don't mind paying extra, as the money will help BBT/Iskcon. It was great to also meet some wonderful devotees, such as Kishor Mukunda and Sanatana Goswami (who features in a documentary on UK TV's Channel Four called 'Preachers to be') see following weblink: http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/P/preachers_to_be/hinduism.html Thank you so much Lord Krishna for all your mercy. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Mark