Author: Bhakti Vikasa Swami

  1. Good-hearted unhappy Americans need Krsna consciousness

    I have studied the American life very nicely. They have a good heart. The only thing that is wanting is Krsna consciousness. For want of this Krsna consciousness, despite all your opulences, you are becoming confused and frustrated. I hear that out of three, one man is a patient of a psychiatrist. Why? Why are you unhappy? Why should you be unhappy? You have got everything--enough food, land, money, intelligence. Why should you be unhappy? The cause of this...
  2. Why don’t you read my books?

    I remember a lecture that was given once on the anniversary of your disappearance day by one of your disciples. He was remembering how you had once scolded him for not reading your books. You had said, "Why don't you read my books? Even I read them when I have spare time. Why do you think I read them? Do you think that these books were written by me? No! They were written by Krsna. That's why I read...
  3. Grhastha should not be dependent or independent

    Grhastha should not be dependent on Society. At the same time, he should not be independent of the Society [ISKCON]. (laughs) This is the position. Because Society cannot take charge of a family. There will be so many number of families. How it is possible? At the same time, if they remain independently of the Society, without touch, then the karmis' poison will infect. ...They should not live completely independent. That will be future danger. ...Must be in touch with devotional...
  4. Instances of Srila Prabhupada’s humility

    I hope you all pray to Krishna so I may be able to execute my duty properly. (Letter, 28 June 1967) Actually I am dependent on your mercy. (Letter, 28 August 1976) You cannot survive without my mercy and I cannot survive without your mercy. It is reciprocal. This mutual dependence is based on love - Krishna consciousness. (Letter, 22 January 1976) Although officially I am your spiritual master, I consider you all as my spiritual master because your love for Krishna and...
  5. Open centers everywhere

    Open centers in every village, every country, every home. And the process is very simple. You chant Hare Krsna and dance in ecstasy and everything will come within yourself gradually. Everything will come. You'll practically feel how you are becoming reformed. There is no need of wasting time. This Hare Krsna movement can be done at home, outside home, when you are working, when you are walking, every moment. So try to understand this movement and try to follow...
  6. Early rising, a very simple tapasya

    Just a year ago it was my duty to wake everyone up at 4 A.M. by running around the brahmacari asrama and guesthouse banging a gong. Srila Prabhupada had been visiting during Janmastami and had inquired from his servant, Upendra prabhu, what was going on. When Upendra had told him that it was me waking everyone up for mangala arati, he had shaken his head and commented, "They have to be woken like a bunch of cows!"
  7. Bullock cart preaching

    A letter from Mahamsa Swami included a progress report on Hyderabad, where another new temple is steadily being built. Work has already begun on raising the dome. The project is costing 75,000 rupees per month, which the devotees are collecting throughout South India. Mahamsa also reported four small books -- Sri Isopanisad, Rajavidya, Perfection of Yoga and Matchless Gifts -- have been translated into Telugu.