Accolades On The Web for Sri Krishna Mandir

Hare Krsna!! One of our devotees was in for a pleasant surprise when he was browsing the net. He googled "Hare Krsna in Singapore" and found some interesting web pages where people have expressed genuine appreciation for different aspects of preaching activities of Sri Krishna Mandir. Following are some links which contain these appreciations:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://bp2.blogger.com/_cyP3UXYPDjY/SHocQqMEIYI/AAAAAAAAIDU/vaFK34S5K0k/s320/IMG_0807-778838.JPG&imgrefurl=http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/2008/07/ratha-yatra-08-hare-krishna-procession.html&usg=__n3-JrIEDVRO54tmBqBrE0r2wEuA=&h=240&w=320&sz=15&hl=en&start=6&um=1&tbnid=OX72Ghk_NAnjUM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=118&prev=/images%3Fq%3DHare%2BKrsna%2BSingapore%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den


http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8u-IrrT6jfU/SC1DbqDApLI/AAAAAAAACQk/fY85FOSRu64/DSCN1365.JPG&imgrefurl=http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cgAb2RoyhwtzKvmj3wc2yQ&usg=__gvpGcXw0Wc-s_ocHe7KiTzLiJRg=&h=1200&w=1600&sz=15&hl=en&start=11&um=1&tbnid=vxLXtF_k-6rN-M:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3DHare%2BKrsna%2BSingapore%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rags1969/876336097/in/photostream

If any one finds more of such appreciations, please email the links to sri.krishna.mandir@gmail.com.

Thank you & Hare Krsna!!

Choice Is Not An Option - Part 2

But why is independence a problem? After all its something that everyone look for.

Having understood a fair deal on our relationship with God, let’s explore this concept of independence. But before that, can we think aloud and see what we mean as independence and is it something which is really possible? At least going by general parlance, independence can be associated with a sense of feeling where everything is under one’s control where one can dictate terms and be in a position according to his own whims and fancies.  I am sure this definition of independence would have raised a few eyebrows and made one ponder as to where we are heading. We are heading to understand if this is really possible and whether we really are in such a position.

But before that we need to understand the nature of our surroundings. The world we have occupied is a place of duality where both happiness and distress coexist. The Lord himself confirms this in the Bhagavad Gita terming this world as “dukhalayam asasvatam” – meaning a place of misery and that which is temporary. As we have come to see and as confirmed by the authorities there are four things in this material world which are there to exist – birth, death, old age and disease. These four things cannot be stopped and is experienced even up to the highest planet in this material world which is Brahmaloka. And even if one happens to be the richest of the richest he cannot stop this. Besides these four things there are other natural disturbances like flood, famines, earthquakes etc which are beyond anybody’s control. Despite the advancement in science and technology these things still cannot be checked.

So now it’s time to question ourselves. Can we actually remain independent given the nature of our environment and the place which we occupy? The obvious answer should be no, because it is clear that we do not have control over our surroundings and as such the question of independence never exists.    

But one may argue that there is a limited independence which exists. This argument is valid and it is a fact that we are naturally independent. The Lord is all independent and we being a part and parcel of the Lord also have that natural independence. But currently we are unable to utilize it fully because we have misused that independence. The misuse of independence happens when we attempt to be independent to the source of our independence itself. In other words we want to enjoy being separated from God and not wanting him to be with us. It is just like a son or daughter who in the name of independence intents to act according to his or her whims without adhering to the instructions of the parents. In the beginning it may be nice, but the end result can be devastating. So the solution lies in using that limited independence which we currently enjoy to dovetail our activities to the service of the Lord. That will reinstate us in our true feeling of independence. But am I not forcing myself to undertake something which I don’t enjoy? The point is that unlike serving a master in this material world out of need or necessity the pleasure in serving the lord is immense. This is because the Lord is by nature full of eternal, bliss and knowledge and we being his parts and parcels also have that quality.

We conclude this part by clearly voicing that Independence is not a problem, in fact it is a boon but one needs to properly understand and not misuse it.

Part3

But at the end of Part 2, are we sounding impractical or are we getting too theoretical? So Let’s explore the practical means to achieve what we discussed in the upcoming Part 3.

--- by Krsna Caitanya Das

Choice is not an option - (Part 1)

All over the world people today have come to understand life with the simple theory of “Life is short, make merry and enjoy”. Though it seems simple, it opens up several dangers which we shall unravel through the course of this discussion. The quest for any theory in life is to be happy and make the most of what is available for our own personal sense gratification. This in short is the cause of our disturbances. It seems strange isn’t it! But it’s a hard reality which we have got to accept. Let’s accept it with some basis though but before that let us understand what this word ‘choice’ is. 

I happened to meet a gentleman from a respected family in India and was pleased to explain the philosophy of God consciousness to him. He patiently listened through and then started his part of the story. Finally he landed up at a point saying – what is wrong in suffering? I am ok with it. Well now here ends the conversation. When we have made a choice to suffer nobody can save us. It sounds foolish isn’t it…that I am ok to suffer but this is a reality in today’s world. We are so much engrossed in temporary sense enjoyment that we don’t bother even to suffer or at least say that we don’t bother. Hold on…let me not get any further. Let’s come to the basis.

Have we ever thought of questioning something very basic like this: Why am I born? Why is there disease, death and old age? Why am I not in control of my surroundings and the way I look at things? Why is something subtly forced on me?

The answer to these million dollar questions are not available in today’s modern books of history or geography but in our very own ancient Vedic wisdom.

To answer them we need to explore a series of points and understand its linkage. The Bhagavad Gita – meaning song of the Lord spoken some 5,000 years ago methodically explains and clarifies this linkage.

To begin with, we need to understand that we are this spirit soul and not this body or at least we are not this body and we are something distinct from it. The distinction between a dead body and a living body is sufficient evidence to help us understand this fact.

Now having known that fact, we get information that this spirit soul which is the source of the consciousness in the body is a part and parcel of the lord. Being a part and parcel of the Lord means in essence that the spirit soul has all the qualities that are available in God just like a part and parcel of gold also possesses the qualities of gold. So are we God? No, because though qualitatively we are one with God we cannot match it quantitatively just like though a part of gold is also gold it cannot match the quantity in a gold mine. By this we come to understand the concept of a superior and a subordinate. Well the trouble game starts when this subordinate x wants to be on his own and ignore superior Y. It’s like a child who is part of the family but does not want to accept the family and be on his own. This is the sum and substance of our trouble in material existence. We living entities being parts and parcels of God want to enjoy independent of the Lord and have therefore been imprisoned in this material world to enjoy or suffer the reactions of our past deeds. So the solution is simple. If we want to be truly or eternally happy we should attempt to reinstate that relationship just like though the particle of gold might glitter independently, but when it is part of a gold ring it is very much appreciated. This is the secret of peace and happiness.

Srila Prabhupada wrote that when a diamond is set in a gold ring, it looks very nice. The gold is glorified and at the same time, the diamond is also glorified. The Lord and the living entity eternally glitter, and when a living entity becomes inclined to the service of the Supreme Lord he looks like gold. The Lord is the diamond, and so this combination is very nice.

More on Part 2

But why is independence a problem? After all it’s something that everyone look for.

Having understood a fair deal on our relationship with God, let’s explore this concept of independence. But before that, can we think aloud and see what we mean as independence and is it something which is really possible? At least going my general parlance, independence can be associated with a sense of feeling where everything is under one’s control where one can dictate terms and be in a position according to his own whims and fancies.  I am sure this definition of independence would have raised a few eyebrows and made one ponder as to where we are heading. We are heading to understand if this is really possible and whether we really are independent in the first place.

Hare Krsna!!

Krsna Caitanya Das

 

 

 

Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja 2008 Offering from Bhaktin Syamala

Hare Krsna!! Srila Prabhupada ki jai!!                                                                

Srila Prabhupada, you have been teaching Krsna consiousness in the whole world for the past 42 years, to many fortunate souls. But in the whole process i cannot understand one thing; that how I, being the most sinful and fallen soul have been awarded your mercy. I offer my most humble obeisances unto you.

After my birth i was taught some dos and don'ts by my parents for some phase of life. After that i didn't have guidance to know what is right and what is wrong. In the process i comitted so many mistakes and sins unknowingly. But you being "Aadhama Janara Bandhu", made me aware of my sins and introduced me to the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.

Srila Prabhupada, you are "Karuna Sindhu", ocean of mercy. But I am so ignorant that I am not able to utilise your potential to the fullest. Please be kind to me and let me stick to your lotus feet and serve you under any circumstance, to cross over the blazing fire of material existance and to reach the Abode of The Lord. Please forgive my offences and make me eligible to get shelter at your lotus feet.

Awaiting your mercy,

Syamala

Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja 2008 Offering from Bhaktin Kanchana Snigdha

Hare Krsna!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!

Srila Prabhupada, you are my master,
my guide, and my saviour.
You are the friend, the father,
and the world's greatest preacher.

You preached to the world
to be equiposed in happiness and distress;
By opening my eyes from the darkness of ignorance,
you taught me to be free from tension and stress.

O my Ever Well-Wisher,
I offer my respectful obeisances
unto you again and again,
and wish that i can stay
at your lotus feet in loss or in gain.

Your humble servant
Snigdha.

Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja 2008 Offering from Vrndavana Das

Dear Srila Prabhupada,

We are really grateful for your appearance because otherwise we would be ignorant of the sweet taste of spiritual transcendence. Thank you for awakening us to Krishna consciousness.

It seems that I have not fully realized the importance of spiritual practice. Please pull me away from these dreams of material pleasures and achievements.

I beseech you to provide me with strength, conviction and blessings so that I can fulfill my promises to you.

Forgive me for my mistakes and give me the intelligence to learn from them.

Hare Krishna!!

Your insignificant servant,
Vrndavana Das

Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja 2008 Offering from Bhakta Prakash Namasivayam

My dear Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept my humble obeisances unto your lotus feet.

You are the real sun for the whole world, awakening the souls from darkness. Your service to human kind is unaccountable. There are many leaders in the world calling themselves as "social saviors" and many rascals calling themselves as "Krishna" or "God". All those idiots don't know the basic fact that we are not the body but soul. Also, those people are wasting their time and spoiling their followers’ life by cheating the people. But, you are the real leader, our respectful, loving spiritual master. You are not an ordinary human being. You need not have taken birth in the world. We all know that you came down to the earth planet from the spiritual world, Vaikuntha, in order to take the fallen souls back to Godhead.

You are awakening the whole world from darkness within a short span of time. Some countries blabber that "sun never sets in their country". But, the truth is that "SUN NEVER SETS IN ISKCON". Wow! How many Krishna Conscious temples you have created in the whole world within a short span of time and how many souls were saved by you!! I am not able to imagine the number of books you have written and translated within such a short span of time. All those are everlasting assets to the whole world. Your books really help awakening the fallen souls.

Here is one such fallen soul trying to write about you. I am not even qualified to write about you. I am so fallen. But, with your kind mercy, you allowed me to write about you. I thank you so much for showering your boundless mercy upon me. Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita 18.66, "Leave all sort of philosophies and surrender yourself to me". It is so simple. Just accept Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and surrender ourselves to him. There should not be any difficulties in that. If we do that, there won’t be any difficulties or sorrows in our life. We can also go back to Godhead. How simple process it is indeed! But, I am so fallen that even after accepting Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I am not able to surrender myself to Him. I am so worried about that. At least, I am fortunate that I am in a correct place and having a perfect guru, it is you, my master Srila Prabhupada. All glories to you! You are always with me through your books and preaching. Please shower your mercy on me. Even a single drop of your mercy can save me from this world and take me back to Godhead.

So, I plead at your lotus feat to help surrender myself to you and Krishna. Help me to love Radha-Krishna. Help me to follow the four regulative principles. Help me to always follow your precept.

Hare Krishna!!

Trying to be your servant,
Bhakta Prakash

Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja 2008 Offering from Mahaprabhu Das

Dear Srila Prabhupada,

You have gone through so much trouble just to establish this Krsna Consciousness movement all over the world. You have shown us that we have to also try hard by flapping those wings of ours and follow the rules and regulations and not just space out.

It is by your mercy that we are all sitting here today at Sri Krishna Mandir celebrating your transcendental appearance day. It is said in the Sri Sri Gurv-Astaka, "Yasya prasadad bhagavat prasado yasya prasadan na gati kuto 'pi". By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master one cannot make any advancement.

So here in this tiny island of Singapore, the struggle to make or rather build a temple is like an uphill task. Just give us a drop of your mercy Srila Prabhupada, to make this possible here in this country. Hoping you will hear this offering from your most fallen disciple.

Most fallen,
Mahaprabhu Das

Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja 2008 Offering from Raghupati Das

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who is very dear to Lord Krsna having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

Knowingly or unknowingly I have committed so many offences at your lotus feet but due to your mercy I am very fortunate to have the association of nice devotees. I am praying at your lotus feet to remain as a dust at your lotus feet.

My respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the western countries which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

Singapore is no better than the western countries. So we need your special mercy to preach in this country.

Please help us to have a permanent temple so that we can worship the Lord more opulently.

Your humble servant,
Raghupati Das

Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja 2008 Offering from Krsna Caitanya Das

My respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

By your mercy it has been possible to understand the position of the living entity in this material world. This forms the sum and substance of all knowledge and is the highest of all that one can endeavor to conquer. Though in my life it is pretty much in theory than in practice, you have enabled me to make an honest attempt to try and become eternally happy. My success or failure in this journey is entirely in hands of you and Krishna. Nevertheless I should thank you with folded hands and wish to gain strength as I move forward into the householder life.

Your servant,
Krsna Caitanya Das

Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja 2008 Offering from Tattva Vit Das

Jaya Srila Prabhupada

Oh! Kali Yuga is an ocean of vice;
So dark, so ugly that nothing is nice.
All the souls that are here to rot
Are by far the most condemned lot.

The blokes of heaven
Have ceased to come by,
Their wives ecstatic
To have them by their side.
Contented with their luxuriation
They rejected this planet
Just like excretion.

Then auspicated the Golden Era
Lord Caitanya manifested the Supreme Goloka.
He inaugurated the Maha-mantra
And foretold that the Holy Name would spread
In every town and village that man had tread.
The commoner doubted His prophecy
Only to realize it was his fallacy.

Srila Prabhupada’s felicitous descent
Turned the fetid Kali Yuga fragrant.
The entire world he inundated
With pure love of Godhead.

The unfortunate turned fortunate,
The ignorant became wise.
The blind being endowed with vision
Became fixed on their path
Towards the supreme destination.

By his unfathomable spiritual prowess
Kali Yuga has become most glorious.
By conferring upon us the following benison
He put to shame the dwellers of Eden:
“Just fill your mouths with the Holy Sound,
Rest assured, you won’t come around!”

Thank you Srila Prabhupada!!

Trying to be your humble servant,
Tattva Vit Das

Sadhu Sanga - Another Realization

Hare Krsna!! The following is another realization by a bhakta from Cairns, Australia. He stayed at Sri Krishna Mandir for 2 days. He wrote the following note addressed to Sundar Gopal Prabhu, the President of the Sri Krishna Mandir here in Singapore.

Sundar Gopal Das,

My humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada – the eternal spiritual master. Hare Krsna!

I am very grateful to be given the good family place, to be here in Sri Krishna Mandir. By Krsna’s merciful arrangement, I was able to steer clear of associating with smokers, drunkards and meat-eaters during my stay in Singapore.

In the process of getting a temple in Russia, many sacrifices were made including imprisonment of devotees. Similarly, some of the devotees here remind me of the Pandavas! After they finished their allotted austerities of the forest, they worked with Dharma and varied skills and worldly disguises awaiting Krsna’s divine call to action.

I hope to find good association back in Australia and be in Krsna Consciousness. My prompt return will surely be distracted by woman and children. I am very much interested to participate in the pilgrimage to India amongst the temple archipelago and also in the development of the farm community in Malaysia. Alas, Krsna’s Maya is strong and may submerge me for some years. When we emerge from it, we shall endeavor to return.

Please accept my deep gratitude for the wonderful Prasadam, instant-loving blessed (Pandavas) family and good safe bed to sleep. There is less furrow on my forehead now because I feel more safe and relaxed in Sri Krishna Mandir (with the Pandavas). Sri Krishna Mandir ki jai!!

I believe some of the devotees (especially the Brahmacaris) would do well coming to Australia Padayatra on a temple pilgrimage.

Lastly, I will certainly be always attracted to live near waterfall, fruit trees and have a milking cow. This is Vaikuntha and the desire to stay in such a farm is utmost in our heart of hearts.

I am very thankful to all who helped to make my stay here possible.

Your friend and devotee of Radha-Krsna
Thomas

The Effects of Sadhu Sanga - A Realization

Some of the readers of this website might have heard or read about the tremendous effects of Sadhu Sanga (associating with devotees of Lord Krsna) in great scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya Caritamrta and the like, translated as they are, by Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The following testimonial by Dolène and Didier Huitelec confirms all the affirmations of the Vedic scriptures.

Dolène and Didier Huitelec, a devotee couple from La Reunion, French colony, wanted to come to Singapore for a holiday. They were introduced to Krsna Consciousness a year ago but they do not have much association there as there is no temple there. The island only has a very small devotee community. They searched in the internet for a Hare Krsna temple in Singapore. They found the Sri Krishna Mandir website and consequently emailed us of their arrival on the 12th of July, 2008. They had a fabulous spiritual holiday which started off with the Ratha Yatra in the Toa Payoh stadium on the 13th of July. By Krsna's arrangement, the house that they rented happened to be very near to the temple. This made it very easy for them to frequent the temple everday for mangala arati and the morning program. After they reached their home back in La Reunion island on the 28th of July, they emailed the temple. So instead of we describing their stay here in Singapore, we would like to show a copy of their email below. Let us hear from their own words.

Hare Krishna to all the devotees!

Please accept my respectful of obeisances ! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

We arrived On Monday at 8p.m at home and spent the whole day in the plane with many connecting flights. We felt very sad to leave you and missed mangala arti very much.

Since I left Singapore I can't help thinking of the daily activities at the temple and the moments we spent with each of you. We felt so moved when we left you that we couldn't express our deep gratitude to you. You brought us so much that we feel indebted to you and we now know that we are not alone anymore. I hope we can remember every word Prabhu Sundar Gopal told us and I am sure Prabhupada will help us. Actually living among you, near the temple was like living in a sacred place and I really felt inspired within the place. You are so much fortunate to render service to the deities and take darshan every day. I thank Prabhupada for giving us your association.

To Syamansundar I want to express my gratitude for having given us a taste of nectarean bliss, you are so much involved in your service that all you explained us will stay in our mind forever.

Thank you to the matajis who gave me the chance to help in the kitchen, I feel so much at ease with them as if they are part of my family. They will be my source of inspiration in my everyday cooking.

Thank you to Raghupati Das, Govardhan, Tattva Vit Das and the devotees for their sublime kirtans in the morning which I tried to recall every moment, they were transcendental sound which raised our consciousness and love for Krishna. Hearing Prabhu Sundar Gopal Das every morning chanting helped us a lot to stay alert while doing japa mala. I still can hear his tone of voice and this encouraged us to get up early in the morning. Here it's a bit colder (18° in the early morning and 24 in the day).

We haven't installed the deities yet, Didier is going to build a nice altar in the coming days and they will be properly settled.

We look forward to seeing you again in the nearest future.
Remaining the humble servant of Prabhupada's devotees!

HUITELEC DOLÈNE AND DIDIER.

Now, that sums it up!! Hare Krsna!

Sweet poison versus bitter medicine

Hare Krishna everyone!!

The Hare Krishna movement is existent to convey to everyone of our eternal nature in the kingdom of God (Vaikuntha) in the company of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as opposed to our temporary life full of miseries. To benefit everyone, we make as much propaganda as possible.

The main propaganda work of the Hare Krishna movement is done through book distribution. While out on the road, we meet so many people with diverse conceptions of life. But the Krishna Consciousness philosophy that we have is so potent that there is answer for every single question that they put to us.

Sometimes, people say this (it is quite common): Don't force me into buying a book. Of course, it is up to them to take the book. Even Lord Krishna, after speaking the entire Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, asked him to do as he likes. (Arjuna, being intelligent, followed whatever Lord Krishna has said without reservation.) But although it seems like Lord Krishna is giving us freedom to do whatever we like, it is trickier than we thought it is.

Why is that so? If we carefully observe, we have two options. Either we surrender to Krishna or we do not. One can put forward so many reasons and theories to avoid surrender to Krishna or God. But the principle is the same - to defy God. Actually, because we chose to defy God from time immemorial, we are here in this material world. And no way are we free here. Either we are controlled by Krishna directly or through his material nature. But we cannot be totally independent. Our only independence is to choose between the two types of dependences - either Krishna or Maya (the illusory material nature).

So whenever someone comes up with this statement, we always put the statement back on them, of course in a polite way: "If you ask me not to force you, it is not that you are not forced. How about the force of death? Can you say, 'Don't force me into dying'? So you are forced either way. So why not accept the positive force? By buying this book, you will know of your eternal nature and you can escape this force of death which everyone wants to." This works! Usually, the person ends up buying a book!

Although it appears like we are tricking them, it is actually presenting the facts as they are. As a Brahmana, one is expected to speak the truth. We are not so much into pleasing the general public. We are here to speak the truth in a straightforward way without distortion in order to awaken the people to reality. Which is better - Sweet poison or bitter medicine?

An example of fanaticism

Hare Krishna everyone!!

Our Krishna Consciousness movement (or Hare Krishna movement) is a completely scientific and authorized movement. Srila Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, always used to say: "Religion without philosophy is simply sentiment and philosophy without religion is mental speculation." This Krishna Consciousness movement is the pinnacle of religion with an invincible philosophical background. The philosophy is invincible because it is received from the most perfect source, Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the line of disciplic succession of fully self-realized spiritual masters.

For the Hare Krishna movement, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the initiating spiritual master. But some of his disciples took up the role of the-next-in-line without the least qualification and authorization. A portion of the mass of disciples of these so called gurus understood that they were bogus. But the rest of them are just fanatic about their guru.

Sentimentalism is uncritical devotion and fanaticism is intense sentimentalism. So here I'll be explaining an incident which exemplifies fanaticism. Infact, to speak the truth, I myself was shocked to witness it.

One devotee (name withheld) came to our temple and in the course of conversation with our temple President Sundar Gopal Prabhu, he was asked why he worshipped Jayapataka Swami (a bogus guru), who cannot even chant 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra. Now, for those who are familiar with the movement, this is the most basic prerequisite to become a student. But here is a "GURU" who cannot chant the holy name.

His answer was breath taking: "He is so busy in spiritual duties that he has no time to chant 16 rounds." This means that the devotee is so obsessed with his "guru" that he goes to the extent of condoning his guru's inability of chanting Hare Krishna. This is fanaticism. He made this statement not once but repeated over and over again. Then he says, "He has no time to preach. He is so busy."

One who is even slightly educated in the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness will reject this so-called guru. What is he busy for? So in this way a lot of cheating is going on.

So we have to be very careful in practising our spiritual life. We have to accept three sources of authority to guide ourselves in the spiritual path. They are sadhu, sastra and guru. But sadhu and guru must be checked thoroughly by consulting sastra (as given to us by Srila Prabhupada). Guru and sadhu are, by definition, persons who never violate the injunctions of the sastra. So a so-called guru or sadhu talking or behaving against the injunctions of the sastra is not a guru or sadhu. He is nonsense.

So any way, we don't have to search for a pure devotee now. Srila Prabhupada has kindly spread his mercy all over the world. If everyone just surrenders to Srila Prabhupada by strictly following his instruction in cooperation with Vaisnavas, we will no more be subject to such gross illusion as above mentioned.

What is this page about?

Well, this is the first question one may ask upon coming to this page. Well here is the answer......

Krishna Consciousness is the essence of all religious scriptures. It is pure religion beyond all limitations of caste, creed, race, color, etc. It is even beyond the rubber-stamping religions like Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhism, etc. This Krishna Consciousness is the original consciousness of the living entity as being the eternal servitor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.

The Hare Krishna movement, as we are generally referred to, has as its authority, the vast Vedic scriptures. The essence of these scriptures are the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. These Vedic scriptures are flawless because they are not creations of a materially conditioned soul. They are compiled by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, who is a completely perfect person. This is confirmed by Lord Krishna Himself in the Bhagavad Gita: vedanta-krd veda-vid eva caham [BG 15.15].

So in the Bhagavad Gita, it is said that pratyaksavagamam dharmyam meaning that one can perceive the progression of one's development in self-realization. It is not that you follow this process and you don't know whether you are progressing or not. It is not like that. You definitely know just as much as when you begin to eat, you know that your hunger is being satisfied.

Krishna Consciousness is so dynamic that at every step, one develops newer and newer understanding and realization. It gets fresher and fresher every moment. That is the nature of spiritual life. It is full of joy.

When devotees exchange their realizations and thus discuss Krishna-katha or topics concerning Krishna, they feel more and more bliss [BG 10.9]. In this way the happiness is ever-increasing.

So this page is dedicated to provide a platform where devotees, especially from Singapore, can publish their stories and realizations.

Srila Prabhupada, our spiritual master and the Founder-Acarya of the Hare Krishna movement, always encouraged devotees to write their realizations of Krishna Conscious philosophy.

But one should carefully note that the articles in this page do not supersede any of Srila Prabhupada's personal teachings in the form of his books, lectures, letters, conversations, etc. In fact these articles are an offering at the lotus feet of our beloved spiritual master Srila Prabhupada.

Hare Krishna!!

Your servant
Tattva Vit Das