“In the Beginning Was the Word”
In the Bible it is said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” There is no difference between God and God’s form, His qualities and His word.
What is a Goswami?
The Goswamis were engaged 24 hours a day in the service of Krishna. They slept only two or at the utmost three hours daily. They conquered sleep, eating, collecting too much, and sense enjoyment.
Becoming Pure — Conversations with a Peace Corps worker in India
Conversations about spiritual life between Bob Cohen, a young Peace Corps worker in India, and His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Recorded at the ISKCON International Center at Lord Caitanya’s Birthplace, Mayapur, India
An Awareness of What is Best and Most Beautiful
We try to direct them toward what is best and most beautiful and what is most spiritually nourishing in the world about them—that is, insofar as the system allows us.
Religion – Material and Spiritual
Religion refers to our constitutional position. It is different from faith. Faith can be changed but according to the Vedic system, religion cannot be changed.
Sri Gurvastakam
Anyone who thus chants these eight beautiful prayers glorifying the spiritual master will certainly get a chance to render direct service to Krishna, the Lord of Vrndavana, after the demise of his body.
Vyasa-Puja Homage by Giriraja dasa
All glories to you Who have given us light To open our eyes, Which were firmly shut tight. When we first came to you In the darkness of night The words from your lips Made everything bright.
Prabhupada
The Word “Prabhupada” is a term of the utmost reverence in Vedic religious circles. It signifies a great saint even among saints. It has two meanings: one at whose feet there are many prabhus; and, one who is always found at the lotus feet of Krishna.
Vyasa-Puja Day Address
This ceremony is called Vyasa-puja. Vyasa is the original author of Vedic literature, and he is an incarnation of Narayana [God]. In this way, by disciplic succession, we receive transcendental knowledge.
Offering Guru Puja to Srila Prabhupada
As one needs the help of a qualified teacher to understand the material sciences, one also needs a qualified teacher to understand the science of God. Such a teacher is the spiritual master. A genuine spiritual master must be able to instruct his students in the practical details of understanding who God is, what our relationship with Him is, and how this relationship can be revived.
The Matchless Gift–Liberation in Krishna Consciousness
As long as we are not making puffed-up ego-centered claims, we are already liberated. There is actually no need to seek liberation. But as long as one thinks, “I am this body,” he is not liberated. Liberation means knowing perfectly well that one’s self is separate from the body.
The Narada-bhakti-sutra
The Narada-bhakti-sutra is a treatise on the fundamentals of bhakti, or devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, composed by Narada Muni, one of Lord Krishna’s greatest eternal devotees. Aeons ago, Narada received Vedic knowledge from his father and spiritual master. Lord Brahma, the first created living entity, who received the Vedic science of God from Lord Krishna Himself at the dawn of creation.
The Arrival of a Pure Devotee
At JFK International Airport, as more than one hundred disciples royally greeted him and curious reporters thronged around him, Srila Prabhupada explained, in clear language and with fixed conviction, the Krishna conscious philosophy of a God-centered society in which “everything animate and inanimate is recognized to be controlled and owned by the Lord.”
The Desire of a Pure Devotee
A pure devotee of the Lord like King Kulasekhara does not pray to God for material wealth, followers, beautiful women or imitation peacocks because he knows the real value of such illusory shows, if he is circumstantially placed amidst such illusory things, he does not artificially try to extricate himself or condemn such illusions.
Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers
Conversations about spiritual life between Bob Cohen, a young Peace Corps worker in India, and His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Recorded at the ISKCON International Center at Lord Caitanya’s Birthplace, Mayapur, India
God of the Fools
As in the present day, throughout history many cheaters have falsely claimed to be incarnations of God, and naive followers have acclaimed them. This excerpt from Srila Prabhupada’s Krishna Book tells of the fate of one such fraudulent incarnation.
With Krishna on the Battlefield of Life
On the Battlefield of Kuruksetra all the members of Arjuna’s family were present before him, and he had to kill them. Since the Battle of Kuruksetra was a family fight, some of the family members were on the other side as well as on Arjuna’s side, Arjuna was even faced with his superiors, his uncles and teachers on the other side.
The Flow of Attraction to Krishna
The bodily effulgence of Krishna generates millions of universes. In this solar system the sun produces many planets, and due to sunshine the planets are warm and the seasons change. Due to the sun there are trees, green foliage, fruits and flowers. Similarly, whatever we see in creation is all due to Krishna’s bodily effulgence.
Escape from Eternal Time
Everyone is a servant of eternal time, and therefore no one can be king in this material world. A king is a person who can order. However, even a king cannot order time and tide. Therefore one is only a false king in this material world
The Book for Swanlike Men
Those who relish Srimad-Bhagavatam are compared to swans that enjoy pleasant ponds of water, scenic and natural, whereas materialists are compared to the crows who prefer to enjoy the garbage of refuse heaps.