Jahnava Nitai Das

On the left of the photo is Mohan (son of Atreya Rishi), on the right is Ananda (I think so at least), far right I can't make out since the photo isn't so clear. In the row above I can make out Keshava and Namacharya, but others are kind of blurry.

In Kali yuga even religious organizations engage in sinful activity. Hiding churchs to look like temples is a cheap technique to convert Hindus to Christianity. It is clear they only have external similarities, because a temple would never run a factory killing chickens or cows.

Why should we think blessings from Ganesh come only in the form of getting a visa. How can we conclude that getting that visa is actually good for the person, or that bad things wont happen because of that visa. If you have faith in your deity, then you should think that by Lord Ganesha's blessings your visa was rejected and you should be thankful to him for it. Sometimes we think God or devas should simply satisfy our material desires without consideration for our eternal welfare. No father would do such a thing for their son, and no deva will do such a thing for their devotee. Most of the time what we want in this world isn't actually what is good for us. We pray to God for the things we want and then blame him when he doesn't fulfill our short sighted desires. I am not saying the Ganesha had any connection to the visa rejection, but if you believe that he is involved in your life, then you should see things from a less narrow perspective. What someone wants is not necessarily what is good for them.

The original poster has requested that this thread be deleted, so we will delete it in 3 days.

Sorry for not replying sooner. I hadn't seen this thread. That boy you highlighted was named Keshava. I'm the boy with hair in the front row holding his knees. This photo is when I just arrived before they shaved me up. I tried convincing them not to shave me up, giving all sorts of reasons, but they didn't fall for it.

The original deity is inside the Tirupati temple, but they will not allow cameras inside. So to make a similar experience for the film, they filmed the temple walkways and then made a replica altar with a plaster deity that looked similar and filmed that instead of the orignial deity.

This is from a film produced by the TTD around 30 or 40 years ago. The diety is not the original, it is a plaster replica. But they filmed the outside of the temple and walk ways to make it appear as the original. The preists are the original priests.

There are semi precious stones for every precious stone recommended, which can be used as substitutes. There are also mantras for each planet as well, which are free to chant. Astrology is not limited to gem stones. The primary way to counter a negative influence is through worship and sadhana. That can be done by anyone. Using gem stones is the least effective remedy compared to sadhana.

Hi Delete, Look up information on Manasa Devi.

The Gita mentions this in the 8th chapter: anta-kale ca mam eva smaran muktva kalevaram yah prayati sa mad-bhavam yati nasty atra samsayah "And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body remembering Me alone at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt." The Bhagavata also states the following: etavan sankhya-yogabhyam sva-dharma-parinishthaya janma-labhah parah pumsam ante narayana-smritih "The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by complete knowledge of matter and spirit, by practice of mystic powers, or by perfect discharge of occupational duty, is to remember Narayana at the end of life." This is illustrated in the life of Ajamila, who was delivered at the time of death by calling the name of his son who was named Narayana. In that story, the Vishnu-dutas tell the Yama-dutas the following: ayam hi krita-nirveso janma-koty-amhasam api yad vyajahara vivaso nama svasty-ayanam hareh "Ajamila has already atoned for all his sinful actions. Indeed, he has atoned not only for sins performed in one life but for those performed in millions of lives, for in a helpless condition he chanted the holy name of Narayana. Even though he did not chant purely, he chanted without offense, and therefore he is now pure and eligible for liberation." etenaiva hy aghono 'sya kritam syad agha-nishkritam yada narayanayeti jagada catur-aksharam "The Vishnu-dutas continued: Even previously, while eating and at other times, this Ajamila would call his son, saying, "My dear Narayana, please come here." Although calling the name of his son, he nevertheless uttered the four syllables na-ra-ya-na. Simply by chanting the name of Narayana in this way, he sufficiently atoned for the sinful reactions of millions of lives." athainam mapanayata kritaseshagha-nishkritam yad asau bhagavan-nama mriyamanah samagrahit "At the time of death, this Ajamila helplessly and very loudly chanted the holy name of the Lord, Narayana. That chanting alone has already freed him from the reactions of all sinful life. Therefore, O servants of Yamaraja, do not try to take him to your master for punishment in hellish conditions." Also hearing Bhagavata at the time of death delivers one to Vaikuntha: etan maha-punyam alam pavitram dhanyam yasasyam padam ayur-asisham pranendriyanam yudhi saurya-vardhanam narayano 'nte gatir anga srinvatam "This most sacred narrative confers extraordinary merit, wealth, fame, longevity, and all the objects of one's desire. On the field of battle it promotes the strength of one's vital organs and organs of action. One who listens to it at the last moment of his life is transferred to the supreme abode of the Lord, O dear Saunaka." There is no guarantee that anyone will be able to chant Narayana's name at the time of death, but if he is fortunate enough to do so, Narayana will deliver him.

Are you properly drying your nose out after doing the neti? You need to bend over and breath out deeply for a few minutes to get the water droplets out. Also when doing the neti are you spitting the water out your mouth or letting it flow to the other nostril? To really clear it you need to have the water flow to your mouth.

The original poster has a problem in identifying what his question is. He starts threads asking questions which are not his real question, and then assumes those replying should automatically infere his question is really "give me proof for goloka." If your question is "which is better, goloka or swarga", then it has already been answered by enough people. Goloka is eternal, free from suffering, full of knowledge and bliss. There is no comparison to indra loka. But the problem lies in the fact that you don't even know what your question is. Your real "question" is "show me proof for goloka", which isn't even a question but a demand. No one here is duty bound to fulfil your childish demands. If you want to find out the reality of Goloka the only method is sadhana. Challenging people to prove to you the existence of goloka will not get you any answers.

"Neem Karoli Baba" was a great sadhu known for having siddhis. He was known by the name Chamatkari Baba in Vrindavan ("Miracle Baba"). In the late 60's a few western hippies passed by his ashram and took a fancy to him. They never really became disciples or took initiation. In fact his Indian disciples call him as Neeb Karori Baba, not Neem Karoli Baba. After a few months visiting this ashram, they sort of self proclaimed themselves as his disciples and went back to the west. The three well known "disciples" are Krishna Das, Ram Das and Bhagavan Das. If you study the current beliefs of these three people, they have absolutely no connection to the teachings of Neeb Karori Baba. For example Bhagavan Das is now a self proclaimed "tantric guru" who has recieved initiation by some Tibetan Llama. The truth is they never were disciples of neeb Karori Baba, just hippies passing through India. The real disciples were the sadhus staying in his ashram serving him and following his teachings. He taught that the name of Ram is everything and there is nothing higher. He chose to spend his time and leave his body in the holy land of Vrindavan.

To nonviolently remove ants, mix turmeric powder with salt (50/50) and spread it thickly around their house and walking path. Keep reapplying it as it wears out untill the ants stop coming. It may leave a temporary yellow stain on your floor.

And the slogan on his webpage is: "If I could become God, YOU CAN TOO!" (Caps are on his site, not added by me.)

This one was too funny not to post here. This is from the website of Siva Sankar Baba of Chennai, who is a self proclaimed incarnation of God: http://www.samratchana.org Siva Sankar Baba Now click the link "Proof of Divinity" and you get taken to a page with this conclusive proof:

And today there are people watching a Narayana Maharaj Memories Video thinking they have a personal connection to him just because he is living (in some far away continent). And the ISKCON people are watching a Swami XYZ Memories video and they think they have a personal connection to that Swami (because he shows up for the annual Ratha Yatra). None of them have any more personal connection than anyone else. Srila Prabhupada never taught this while he was alive. He never said we had to ask him personally if we were pleasing him. He never said we needed to personally ask him questions. He never said we needed to sit next to him so that we wouldn't get any misunderstandings. He said if there are any questions keep reading my books and the answers will be revealed. Even though this teaching about the need for a Krishna conscious personal trainer to spot you in the gym is popular today, it was never taught by Srila Prabhupada.

Haribhakti vilasa says one who worships Vishnu in the afternoon goes to hell. So temples close during that period, which is considered the resting period of Lord Vishnu.

If someone was able to "teach" their fallen guru, then why would they have needed that guru in the first place and what could they gain from him? This guy Sitapati also said the following: "Also, having a homosexual relationship with a disciple is not in itself sufficient grounds to disqualify someone from the role of guru, although it may indicate that they require some time to rectify themselves (hence the idea of "retirement" from active duty)." Just another clueless lamb.

You people are debating with an automated website copy paste. I don't even know why you are talking with him. He isn't answering any of you, he is pasting articles from his website back at you. Anyway, enjoy talking to the walls.

Those who criticize hearing from Prabhupada through his books and lectures fail to realize that literally every single guru in ISKCON and Gaudiya Math today teach their disciples through their own books and recorded media as well. No one gets to live up close with their guru and get the personal physical association that they say is so important. Anyone can try it and see for themselves. Become a disciple of Swami XYZ and try to associate with him personally. You will see him for one day a year, as he passes through for the Ratha Yatra. The only way you are going to learn anything from him is by reading his books and listening to his recorded lectures. So the hipocrisy is that for the present Swamis such teaching methods are valid and can transmit spiritual knowledge, but in the case of Prabhupada he is unable to give spiritual knowledge through his teachings. Even while Srila Prabhupada was physically present he never met with his disciples and gave them the type of personal association some claim is needed to advance. Many disciples never even met Srila Prabhupada, and he told them that all his teachings were in his books. When they tried to get more personal association he chastised them on several occassions and said the answers are in my books, don't disturb me with your questions.

There is a belief, and it is more strong in South India, that there are a class of immortal saints called siddhas. They are supposed to have conquered death through spiritual practices, and possess super human powers.

This was a post from a Maharishi forum.

> On the "Maharishi talks about other systems" audio tape from Belgium > in March '74, someone came up to the mike and said: Maharishi, Swami > Prabhupada (of the Hare Krishnas) said that you were neither a > Maharishi, a Mahesh or a Yogi. And Maharishi replied (giggling): > Yeah, Krishnamurti said the same thing.

Just to clarify, when I mentioned Caru, I was speaking of Caru Das, the president of the Utah temple. Most probably don't even know he is an ISKCON guru, because he initiates people more or less as a priest and tells them that he isn't anything special.