1. Regulative functions must not be neglected

    These regulative functions of chanting the rounds sixteen daily, rising early in the morning to attend Mangala Arati, holding classes for studying our scripture and going on Sankirtana, these items must not be neglected. They will quickly advance us in Krishna Consciousness and clear up all doubtful activities which have been causing mischief in our Society.
  2. Vaisnava’s first qualification

    A Vaisnava's first qualification that he's unhappy by seeing others unhappy. Vaisnava cannot be unhappy. That Prahlada Maharaja says, that "I have no problem. I am unhappy seeing these people who are simply engaged in false activities and they do not care for Krsna consciousness. Therefore I am unhappy." This is Vaisnava's qualification. Not that "I am saved. That's all right." That is materialism. "Let others go to hell. I am saved." That is materialism. A Vaisnava should think...
  3. Hear Krsna. Guru means Krsna

    We are not concerned to hear any rascal. We want to hear Krsna. We are not prepared to hear any rascal, so-called scientists and so-called philosopher, so-called God. No. We are not prepared. Because everyone is rascal. Everyone is full of mistakes, everyone is trying to cheat others, everyone is illusioned, and everyone's senses are imperfect. How he can give knowledge perfect? That is not possible.
  4. Objectification of women in Krsna consciousness

    Bhoga means "enjoyment," and our enjoyment comes from understanding our position as the enjoyed. The real enjoyer is the Supreme Lord, and we are enjoyed by Him. An example of this relationship can be found in the material world between the husband and the wife: the husband is the enjoyer (purusa), and the wife is the enjoyed (prakrti). The word prakrti means "woman." Purusa, or spirit, is the subject, and prakrti, or nature, is the object. The enjoyment, however, is...
  5. 24 hour kirtana

    Tamala Krsna: ...kirtana going twenty-four hours a day. In some of our larger temples is it also advisable? Prabhupada: Oh, yes. This is advisable for everywhere. Batches. What is the difficulty? Tamala Krsna: Because the whole atmosphere becomes spiritualized, purified. Prabhupada: Yes.
  6. Enlightment of Enthralled Devotees

    The Lord declares that by enlightenment in theistic knowledge He awards attachment for Him to those who constantly engage in His transcendental loving service. This awakening of divine consciousness enthralls a devotee, who thus relishes his eternal transcendental mellow. Such an awakening is awarded only to those convinced by devotional service about the transcendental nature of the Personality of Godhead. They know that the Supreme Truth, the all-spiritual and all-powerful person, is one without a second and has fully...
  7. Don’t invent — stick to Srila Prabhupada’s program

    And if you simply keep to our standard program--don't try to invent anything "Road Show" or "Yoga Village" -- that means chanting daily 16 rounds, rising early, attending mangal arati, like that, if this program is strictly maintained amongst all the devotees, they will remain pure, and if preaching is pure, automatically leaders, managers, funds, everything will be given profusely by Krishna, without any doubt.
  8. Taking initiation in the heart

    All the visiting devotees from New Zealand attended the morning walk. One of the questions posed by a devotee highlighted the confusion that still remained about the need to take to the formalities of spiritual life. Srila Prabhupada had already confronted this apparent hesitancy the previous night when the boy had suggested that one could just accept one's guru in his heart, without going through the actual physical motions of initiation. And now -- more confusion. A devotee asked:...
  9. Marriage: remain steady in our duty to Krsna

    Marriage between husband and wife means that the husband must forever be responsible for the wife's well-being and protection in all cases. That does not mean that now there is agreement between us, therefore I am responsible, but as soon as there is some disagreement then I immediately flee the scene and become so-called renounced. Whether your husband likes to take responsibility as your spiritual guide or not, that does not matter. He must do it. It is his...
  10. Be more serious than Sukadeva or Pariksit

    We are not so serious, because we are thinking that "We shall live for seven millions of years, so let me go slowly. Better utilize the time by sleeping." That is our position. If you have got some time, "Let me take this opportunity by sleeping, not by reading the books." So if you do not become serious, then it will take many, many years. But we should be serious more than Sukadeva or Pariksit Maharaja. Pariksit Maharaja had...