UPDATED — Mar 16, 2010 11:59 pm PST



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"My long desired scheme of a Krsna Conscious daily newspaper is being implemented. Please do this work very nicely. It will be a very great step in the history of ISKCON movement."
~ Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Satsvarupa 1971


"Here in this world there are thousands of newspapers and magazines reporting the stale, repetitious happenings of this limited space. So for reporting the news of the unlimited spiritual realm, concerning the eternal, ever-fresh Supreme Personality of Godhead, we could publish a newspaper at every second, what to speak of daily."
~ Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura



"According to social conventions, it is said that one can speak the truth only when it is palatable to others. But that is not truthfulness. The truth should be spoken in such a straight and forward way, so that others will understand actually what the facts are. If a man is a thief and if people are warned that he is a thief that is truth. Although sometimes the truth is unpalatable, one should not refrain from speaking it. Truthfulness demands that the facts be presented as they are for the benefit of others. That is the definition of truth."
~ Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. Ch 10:4

Sri Sri Radha-Krsna
Bazaar print, c. 1950

No Falls from Vaikuntha

BY: BHAKTA DASA (ACBSP)

Mar 16, THAILAND (SUN) — I am much pleased to read H.G. Isvara das's comments in his recent article, " On the Falling/no-falling of the Jiva". Maya vadis also say this is all MAYA and only BRAHMA is real. When we say this is a dream only and we are really in Goloka with KRSNA leela, is this not basic Mayavadi concepts, "Brahma satya jagat mithya"?

The first thing we learn from His Divine Grace's Bhagavad-gita introduction is that there are five subjects in the Gita -- time, nature, God, the living being and karma -- and how all of these are eternal except KARMA which can be stopped, but is anadi, without beginning.

FULL STORY

Open Letter to Bhagavan:
These are my feelings

BY: MOHINI MURTI DEVI DASI

Mar 16, SPAIN (SUN) — Occasionally I defended Bhagavan's name based on fatuous and unreal splendor during his time in ISKCON. But now I realize that his "return" is wrapped in the same false and glittering cellophane paper. How is it that after so many mistakes, he is able to organize "such a set-up" to attract a mount of naive insects, that can only see the shining of his artificial light? What has progressed in all these years? He is still the same, involved in his bubble of power and predominance. In short, he continues to be arrogant and spiteful.

Bhagavan, you just reigned based on disloyal rivalry and waste. Your glory was based on simply stimulating the lowest characteristics of the living entity. You used the noble ideals of a big group of youth that had unbreakable faith in the Truth that Srila Prabhupada came to teach in the West, but we had no spiritual or material maturity. We surrendered to the experience of the captivating moment, but it was not profound. We even fought between us, just to get one of your "pleased glances".

FULL STORY

Vrindavan as a State
of Mind

BY: KURMA DASA (NOT THE CHEF)

Mar 16, AUSTRALIA (SUN) — I am not that philosophically capable to comprehend the intricacies of the fall/no fall debate, however yesterday I was thinking about something Srila Prabhupada said regarding ISKCON's Melbourne Temple when he was here in Australia. He said:

"If you want to remain in the spiritual world, this temple IS the spiritual world. WE ARE NOT LIVING IN MELBOURNE. This temple is not Melbourne. IT IS VRINDAVANA..."
(Srila Prabhupada)

FULL STORY

The Fall/no fall of
Isvara das

BY: MAHAVIDYA DAS (ACBSP)

Mar 16, UK (SUN) —

With regards to Isvara das's contribution to the fall/no fall debate, may I comment.
Apparently…
we should now stop listening to the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and take instruction from Isvara das.
Once again, it is time to ignore the words emanating from the lotus mouth of Srila Prabhupada, be they "conversations", or "letters", or "lectures".
You see... they are only lectures, conversations and letters.
Srila Prabhupada's instructions and explanations are once again to be minimised.

FULL STORY

How Does a Real
Devotee Think?

BY: VRINDAVAN DAS

Mar 16, UK (SUN) —

The Highest Vaisnava Sees Himself as the Lowest of All

Originally published in The Gaudiya, Volume 24, Issue 7

Those who are fit possess an abundant power of devotion. They are strong. I should not apply myself to finding out the shortcomings of the Vaishnavas, condemning service to Lord Visnu or seeking to establish my own point of view by neglecting the method that may enable me to serve the Lord and His devotees.

FULL STORY

True Then - True Now - True Tomorrow

BY: DHRUVA MAHARAJA DASA

Mar 16, INDIA (SUN) — Shortly after Srila Prabhupada's disappearance in 1977, several devotee friends and I underwent a focused study of his books with the resolute purpose of understanding Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta concerning Guru-Tattva. Years later, as an offering for Srila Prabhupada's Centennial in 1996, I published a small pamphlet of pertinent quotes we found in our study, entitled "Siksa-Diksa".

FULL STORY

On the Falling/no-falling of the Jiva

BY: ISVARA DASA

Mar 15, INDIA (SUN) — I just read the current article by Bahushira Prabhu, "The Fifth Veda and Unanswered Questions, Part 2", and I can say its quite amusing how he has supplied the references from some loose translations of Brahma Vaivarta Purana alleging Vaikuntha and Goloka as a place to be attained by pious activities, then once the result of one's pious works are exhausted, one falls down again to the material world. I think Bahushira Prabhu could have done better research before making this kind of posting.

This debate of fall and no-fall has been going on for ages in ISKCON, and it has basically divided devotees into two camps of understanding; those who firmly believe we were never there, and those who still believe we were once there in the Krishna lila, then for whatever reason, became envious of Krishna, thus fell down to the material world. It is basically troubling when both camps of devotees cite Srila Prabhupada as the authority by citing his various statements on the issue. However one thing for sure, I have yet to read from anywhere in Srila Prabhupada's books alleging that someone can fall from the spiritual world.

FULL STORY

Suriya Prabhu's Analysis of the July 9th Letter

BY: GADADHAR DASA

Mar 15, DALLAS, TEXAS, USA (SUN) — A partial response to Suriya Prabhu's analysis of the July 9th Letter.

(1) Suriya Prabhu states:

"The letter was clearly addressed to these 11 representatives, and nobody else."

That is way off. The title of the letter says: "Letter to: All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents". Suriya Prabhu needs to calm down. Don't let your expectations color your perceptions.

FULL STORY

Different Historical Perspectives on July 9th Letter

BY: KURMA DASA (NOT THE CHEF)

Mar 15, AUSTRALIA (SUN) — Bhakta Suria claimed in his article, "The July 9th Letter": "...while those who were there knew what was Srila Prabhupada's mood and intention. They verily knew that this July 9th Letter was just a temporary provision."

Everyone likes to believe that their version of history is the correct version. Bhakta Suria gives the impression above, that everyone who was there at the time had the same understanding. This is not true! Many devotees who were there at the time did not hear that the July 9th Letter was a temporary provision.

FULL STORY

On Weekends... you
can call me Margaret

BY: MAHAVIDYA DAS (ACBSP)

Mar 15, UK (SUN) —

Well done to those involved in the unmasking of "Margaret".
I was also wondering who that Krishna das was.
How dishonest.
Pity Praghosa das, who will no doubt become the butt of endless jokes.
The mind simply boggles...
Does prabhu's wife know about this?
But what to do... prabhu has only brought this on himself or herself... as the case may be.
I and others were wondering why "Margaret " had gone quiet.
And just when one thinks one has seen everything in ISKCON.

FULL STORY

Price Rise of Temple Tickets Kicks up Storm

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Mar 15, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA The decision of Jagannath Temple authorities to enforce the hiked price of special (parimanik) tickets from Monday has been put off following stiff opposition by a certain group of priests of Pratihari Nijog.

"We decided not to implement the hiked fee of parimanik tickets for the time being due to protest by Pratihari priests. It has been deferred till Tuesday. The matter would be discussed at the temple managing committee meeting on Tuesday," Puri District Collector and temple's Deputy Chief Administrator, Fakir Charan Satapathy said. "Until a final decision is taken, parimaniktickets would be available in the old rate," Satapathy said.

FULL STORY

The Blue Sky

BY: APRAKRITA DASA

Mar 15, MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA (SUN) — A new video is now available at Cinema Hare Krishna, the online devotee theatre, entitled "THE BLUE SKY". New videos are available at the Cinema twice weekly. You can add your name to the email announcement list for instant notification.

FULL STORY

The Fifth Veda and Unanswered Questions, Part 2

BY: BAHUSHIRA DASA (ACBSP)

Mar 14, CALIFORNIA, USA (SUN) — Then two weeks later in a Los Angeles lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, on 7-3-72 Srila Prabhupada again says:

"He is already fallen from Vaikuntha Planet, he is fallen in this material world. And he is again trying to make progress."

While still in L.A,. in a Bhagavtam lecture on May 20, 1972, Srila Prabhupada emphasizes:

"They're fallen because they wanted to gratify their senses. They cannot remain in Vaikuntha World. In the Vaikuntha World, only the one, the Supreme Lord, His senses should be satisfied not anyone elses. That is called bhakti."

FULL STORY

On Narayana

BY: PARASURAM DAS

Mar 14, UK (SUN) — Here's the question I can't understand. Narayana Maharaja makes a whole attack on Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad Gita verse 9.32, not realising that he had also translated the verse in exactly the same way.

I am not a scientist, and correct me if I am wrong, but does that mean:

1. Narayana Maharaja forgot that he had translated it? And also forgot that he made a massive "mistake"?

2. Actually never translated his own Bhagavad Gita?

3. Or is he being misguided into saying things he does not know anything about?

FULL STORY

Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Tirtha-yatra, Part 48

BY: SUN STAFF

Mar 16, CANADA (SUN) — A serial exploration of the holy sites visited by Lord Caitanya.

Jiyada-nrsimha

In today's segment, we go to the famous tirtha of Lord Nrsimhadeva in Andhra Pradesh, known as Jiyada-nrsimha. Lord Caitanya visited this temple during His South India pilgrimage, as described in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya Lila 1:

FULL STORY

Sri Garga Samhita

BY: SUN STAFF

Mar 16, CANADA (SUN) —

Canto Five, Volume One
Chapter Two


Kesi-vadha
The Killing of Kesi

Text 1

sri-narada uvaca

atah kesi maha-daityo
haya-rupi madotkatah
etya vrindavanam ramyam
jagarja ghanavad bali

Sri Narada said: Then the powerful and ferocious demon Kesi assumed the form of a wild horse. Neighing like thunder, he entered beautiful Vrindavana.

FULL STORY


BY: SUN STAFF

Mar 16, CANADA (SUN) — Karna Parva Book 8, Section 78.

Dhritarashtra said, 'When our troops were broken in battle by Bhimasena, what, O Sanjaya, did Duryodhana and Subala's son say? Or, what did Karna, that foremost of victors, or the warriors of my army in that battle, or Kripa, or Kritavarma, or Drona's son Duhshasana, say?

FULL STORY

Prabhupada Padma-vakya

BY: SUN STAFF



Mar 16,
CANADA (SUN)

Audio files with transcripts recorded on this day.


Please visit PrabhupadaVani.org for audio files and transcripts.

March 16, 1974, Vrndavana
Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.1
"The pious activities means you get your birth in a very good, aristocratic family, rich family or brahmana family. That is the result of pious activities. You become very beautiful. You become very learned."


Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Tirtha-yatra, Part 47

BY: SUN STAFF

Mar 15, CANADA (SUN) — A serial exploration of the holy sites visited by Lord Caitanya.

Pana-nrsimha

Today we are going to one of the most famous tirthas visited by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu during His South India travels. The temple of Pana-nrsimha still draws many devotees, who come to get the Lord's darshan in His Andhra Pradesh abode. This tirtha is mentioned in the Summary of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya Lila 9:

FULL STORY

Sri Garga Samhita

BY: SUN STAFF

Mar 15, CANADA (SUN) —

Canto Five, Volume One
Chapter One


Kamsa-mantra
Advice to Kamsa

Text 1

sri-narada uvaca

vasudeva-sutam devam
kamsa-canura-mardanam
devaki-paramanandam
krishnam vande jagad-gurum

Sri Narada said: I offer my respectful obiesances to Sri Krishna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the universes, the crusher of Kamsa and Canura, the son of Vasudeva, and the bliss of Devaki.

FULL STORY

The Mahabharata

BY: SUN STAFF

Mar 15, CANADA (SUN) — Karna Parva Book 8, Section 77.

Sanjaya said, 'Hearing the roars of cars and the leonine shouts (of the warriors) in battle, Arjuna addressed Govinda, saying, "Urge the steeds to greater speed." Hearing these words of Arjuna, Govinda said unto him, "I am proceeding with great speed to the spot where Bhima is stationed."

FULL STORY

Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Tirtha-yatra, Part 46

BY: SUN STAFF

Mar 14, CANADA (SUN) — A serial exploration of the holy sites visited by Lord Caitanya.

Trimatha

Today we return to the state of Tamil Nadu, and another of the tirthas visited by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This location, Trimatha, is in a cluster of sites relative close together, but with other locations interspersed in the list that are quite a distance away. Trimatha is mentioned in the Summary of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 9:

FULL STORY

Sri Garga Samhita

BY: SUN STAFF

Mar 14, CANADA (SUN) —

Canto Four, Volume Two
Chapter Twenty-four


Vyomasuraristasura-vadha
The Killing of Vyomasura and Aristasura

Text 1

sri-narada uvaca

ekada caila-decesu
sa-balo bhagavan harih
krtva vilapana-kridam
caura-palaka-laksanam

Sri Narada said: One day on Govardhana Hill Krsna, Balarama, and the boys played a game of thieves and police.

FULL STORY

The Mahabharata

BY: SUN STAFF

Mar 14, CANADA (SUN) — Karna Parva Book 8, Section 76.

Sanjaya said, 'During the progress of the fierce engagement, Bhima, while fighting along, being encompassed by innumerable foes, addressed his driver, saying, "Bear me into the midst of the Dhartarashtra host. Proceed, O charioteer, with speed, borne by these steeds. I will despatch all these Dhartarashtras to the presence of Yama."

FULL STORY

Shilanyas at ISKCON Guwahati Assam

BY: BASU GHOSH DAS

Mar 14, GUWAHATI, ASSAM (SUN) — Foundation stone ceremony for Jagannath Mandir and Institute for Transcendental Science.

On the auspicious day of papamochani ("freedom from sins") ekadashi, Thursday, March 11, 2010, the Governor of Assam, His Excellency Sri Janakivallabh Patnaik, launched the efforts to construct a new Jagannath Temple on a fifteen thousand square foot property at Jaynagar Charali Beltola, Guwahati, Assam, donated to ISKCON by Smt. Shantidevi Kamikya Prasad Sharma.

Thursday morning, Sriman Bhadra Charu das of ISKCON Mayapur performed Vastu puja, Bhumi puja, and Vastu homa, according to agama shastras. In the evening, upon his arrival at the site, His Excellency the Governor participated in the purnahuti (final oblation of the vastu homa), accompanied by his wife, Smt. Jayanti Patnaik, formerly a Member of Parliament from Orissa, as well as Assam State Government Ministers, and other dignitaries.

FULL STORY

Jagannatha Darshan becomes Costlier at Puri

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Mar 14, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA Attention pilgrims. Be prepared to now pay four times more than the amount you were paying to pay obeisances to Lord Jagannath from a very close range inside the sanctum sanctorum. The Jagannath Temple administration on Saturday announced a hike in the parimanik ticket price for the ‘special' darshan to Rs 100 from Rs 25 per person. Similarly, the price of the second type of parimanik ticket has been increased to Rs 25 from Rs 5. While this ticket doesn't allow devotees to enter the sanctum sanctorum, they can look the Deities from a close distance.

"The revised prices of the tickets would be effective from Monday," said Jagannath Temple's public relations officer, Laxmidhar Pujapanda. "The ticket prices had remained unchanged since last four years," he added.

FULL STORY

Mahaprabhu Tirtha-yatra, Pt. 48
How Real Devotee Thinks
Fall/no fall of Isvara das
Vrindavan State of Mind
Open Letter to Bhagavan
No Falls from Vaikuntha
True Then, True Now
Sri Garga Samhita
The Mahabharata
Prabhupada Padma-vakya
Mahaprabhu Tirtha-yatra, Pt. 47
Margaret on Weekends
Historical Perspectives
Suriya Prabhu's Analysis
Falling/No-falling
The Blue Sky
Temple Ticket Price Storm
Sri Garga Samhita
Mahaprabhu Tirtha-yatra, Pt. 46
On Narayana
The Fifth Veda, Part 2
Costly Jagannatha Darshan
ISKCON Guwahati Assam
Sri Garga Samhita
Mahaprabhu Tirtha-yatra, Pt. 45
Bhakti Caru Swami, Myth Maker
Instant Angel
Knowledge in Meditation
Praghosa's Masquerade
Harinam in London
Saturday Laffs
Sri Garga Samhita
Mahaprabhu Tirtha-yatra, Pt. 44
The July 9th Letter
Madhu Pandit Awarded
Sri Garga Samhita



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