Author: Bhakti Vikasa Swami

  1. Srila Prabhupada on birth in India

    During Srimad-Bhagavatam class, which continued with the description of brahmacari life, Prabhupada explained the essential difference in attitude between the people of the East and West. He said that human beings are thoughtful. We have developed consciousness, but when this is not applied to higher thoughts, or when there is no spiritual idea, it is misused to artificially increase the necessities of life.
  2. Proper family life

    It is the duty of grown-up children to render service to their aged parents. This practice should be reintroduced into present society. Otherwise, what is the use of family life? Proper family life means that the husband should be protective, the wife chaste, and the children grateful to their father and mother. Children should think, "My father and mother gave me so much service.
  3. All knowledge is in Srimad-Bhagavatam

    In the Srimad-Bhagavatam you will find everything, whatever is necessity, for the advancement of human civilization. Everything is there described. And knowledge also, all departmental knowledge. Even astronomy, astrology, politics, sociology, atomic theory -- everything is there. Vidya-bhagavatavadhi. Therefore if we study Srimad-Bhagavatam very carefully, then you get all knowledge completely.
  4. Srila Prabhupada is anxious that we maintain pure standards

    I am very much anxious that at the same time as you carry out all these outside activities you are maintaining a strict schedule of Temple activities. Such regular activities like attendance of Arati, chanting of rounds, study of literatures in the class will keep you fit for effective preaching work in the outer field. Our standard of purity must be kept, otherwise there will be loss of spiritual strength, and subsequent fall down.
  5. For Durga-puja

    The blazing fire of material nature is supervised by Durga. Often she is portrayed with weapons in her hands. She has ten hands, and each holds a different type of weapon. This indicates that she is ruling all ten directions of this universe. She wields the different weapons to chastise the demons. There is one famous picture of a demon struggling with a lion, and the Goddess Durga is pulling the demon's hair and pushing her trident against his...
  6. Indian traditional life and the terrible civilization

    Prabhupada: At the time of delivery the woman is in danger. There may be so many dangers. Therefore twice sada-bhaksana [a Vedic samskara, or ritual], at the period of seven months and perhaps in nine months. Whatever she likes, she should eat. So that ceremony, new cloth, very nicely dressed, taking bath, all the children – not only her children but other children also – very nice foodstuff made, and sit together, and with the children the mother will...
  7. That no and this no

    Don't say "no." But give a taste for the good, then it will be automatically "no." And if you say "no," then they will rebel. The four "no's," that is very difficult. Still they are breaking. No illicit sex, they are breaking. But if they develop Krsna consciousness, this will be automatically "no." So don't bring many "no's," but give them positive life. Then it will be automatically "no." And if you say "no,"
  8. Inspired by a lizard, Sridhara Swami takes sannyasa

    Sridhara Svami was a great devotee, so he was thinking of taking sannyasa. So he was contemplating that "I shall now leave my home and take sannyasa." So in the meantime, his wife became pregnant. Then he thought that "I was thinking like that. Anyway, this has happened, and if I take sannyasa now, what people will say, that 'His wife is pregnant and he has taken sannyasa, he has gone out of home.'" So he waited, the child...
  9. “Our dress alienates” – Hrdayananda translates, Prabhupada replies

    Professor: [Spanish] Hrdayananda: [translating] He's saying that he thinks the way we dress, our whole way of life, will make our movement only available to a few people, because it requires someone who is prepared to completely change his way of life. Prabhupada: Well, when there is question of knowledge, only you will find a few people to get the knowledge. When you put this question, "Find out some learned scholar," generally they will be very..., their number will be...
  10. Strictly follow the rules and regulations

    It is your responsibility to see that these devotees strictly follow the rules and regulations such as minimum chanting of 16 rounds daily and following the four regulative principles as well as attending the aroti and the classes. You should lecture to these devotees on the importance of this for their progress in spiritual life, otherwise they will again be carried away by maya.
  11. Bhakti is practical

    Krishna Consciousness means practical living, not something utopian or idealistic and vague. We simply do the needful, whatever pleases Krishna most, that's all. Gradually you will understand what it means to please Krishna and what it means to displease Krishna. That you will learn by studying our books and by yourself engaging in practical devotional service.