Category Archives: Spiritual Master & Disciple
Receiving the Name of Krishna
The words of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur (from his essay Thakur Bhaktivinode), apply to Srila Prabhupada and ourselves today as much as when they were penned on paper. I have substituted Srila Prabhupada where Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati wrote Thakur Bhaktivinode. The scriptures … more
Prescription takes precedence over books
Back in 1975, when Srila Prabhupada was meeting with the GBC and they were having a discussion about drafting the pledge of allegiance, at some point there’s discussion about whether to add also a line pledging allegiance or obedience to … more
Part in relation to the whole
Everything has a relationship to Krishna. The only way we learn that is by applying it for Krishna; otherwise we cannot purify it, or it cannot be resolved. Prabhupada could see everyone as he was, a part in relation to … more
Are you ready?
Sometimes we hear devotees lamenting that they were not able to have the personal association of Srila Prabhupada because some heavy-handed devotee kept them away or other worldly circumstance prevented the opportunity. I find that everyone had the equal opportunity … more
Mail duties
In the year 1976 I was traveling with Srila Prabhupada as his secretary, and we arrived in Chandighar, north of New Delhi. After settling in at our new location, I went through the correspondence of Prabhupada, sealed up all the … more
It is all your mercy
In Germany, while on a morning walk, a helicopter passed overhead. Prabhupada looked up and asked, “What is that?” Someone informed him, “A helicopter.” Then Prabhupada laughed and said once Shyamasundar arranged to have him picked up at Heathrow airport … more
Sweet balls
In the early days of ISKCON, when there were hardly more than 30 devotees in all, there was a constant strain over prasadam consumption. In one such instance, Kirtanananda (who was a good cook and foremost disciple) always tried to … more
One with the spiritual master and Krishna
You are what your deep driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny. (Brihadnarayana Upanishad) As long as we are colored … more
Transparency in representation
The perfection of the part is in how it expresses the purpose of the whole. Every living being is an infinitesimal part of the whole living being (Krishna) and his individuality is perfected only in as much He allows the … more
Without the self-realized soul at its head…
The heart has reasons that reason fails to understand. (Blaise Pascal) When the Acharya comes, he gathers around him so many people, but they’re bringing their own baggage and cannot prevail. It seems to be the rule that a collection … more