Author: Bhakti Vikasa Swami

  1. Perform duty under all circumstances

    Vrtrasura to Indra: O my enemy, just look at me. I have already been defeated, for my weapon and arm have been cut to pieces. You have already overwhelmed me, but nonetheless, with a desire to kill you, I am trying my best to fight. I am not at all morose, even under such adverse conditions. Therefore you should give up your moroseness and continue fighting.
  2. Advice to temple presidents

    So as President, now you will be forced to advance in Krishna Consciousness because you must always set the highest example yourself, and I think that this is Krishna's special favoring you. Try to always see the highest purity is maintained in all respects, become yourself very convinced of this Krishna philosophy, be always preaching and trying to understand some basic points from different angle of vision, keep the devotees in your temple always satisfied and jolly, and that...
  3. Marriage is serious business

    So far as your getting yourself married, I have no objection provided you agree to some points. First of all you must promise that you will not separate under any circumstances. This marriage is serious business and not to be taken lightly. There is no question of separation in Krishna Conscious marriages. Therefore I am asking all those who want to be married that they sign one paper promising that there will be no separation. ... Then, if you...
  4. No need to seek properly qualified candidates

    Therefore there is no need to seek properly qualified candidates for discharging devotional service to the Lord. Let them be either well behaved or ill trained, let them be either learned or fools, let them be either grossly attached or in the renounced order of life, let them be liberated souls or desirous of salvation, let them be inexpert in the discharge of devotional service or expert in the same, all of them can be elevated to the supreme...
  5. Serving Krsna with Coca-Cola

    Guest: Could the president of the Coca-Cola company find the way to Krsna, to serve Krsna? Prabhupada: Yes, everyone can serve. Cola company? Guest: Somebody that manufactures a product which is basically destructive. Prabhupada: No. Coca-Cola company... Of course, we advise... Krsna advises, yat karosi. It includes Coca-Cola company. But He said yat karosi: "Whatever you do." Krsna said, "Whatever you do." So that includes all kinds of activities. But will the Coca-Cola company agree to give the profit to Krsna? Then...
  6. Nitai-Gauracandra and Srila Prabhupada’s ecstasy

    Two Lords, Nitai-Gauracandra, Nityananda Prabhu and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, They are very kind. They have appeared just to reclaim the fallen souls of this age. So They are more kind than Krsna. Krsna, He is also very kind. He comes to deliver. But Krsna demands that first of all surrender. Caitanya Mahaprabhu even does not demand surrender. He is so kind. (voice choking) So take shelter of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and be happy. Thank you very much. (weeping)
  7. Varaha-deva and public opinion

    From a BTG article by Yadurani Devi Dasi In 1967 at ISKCON'S first temple, at 26 Second Avenue, New York City, Srila Prabhupada had just received a postcard from his disciples in Montreal. The city was hosting the World's Fair -- Expo '67 -- and the devotees were asking if he had any paintings they could display at the Fair. Prabhupada showed me the postcard and asked if we had any.
  8. Material considerations about material circumstances

    We should never think of our so-called advancement as being conditioned by or dependent upon some set of material circumstances such as marriage, vanaprastha, or this or that. Mature understanding of Krsna consciousness means that whatever condition of life I am in at present, that is Krsna's special mercy upon me, therefore let me take advantage in the best way possible to spread this Krsna consciousness movement and conduct my spiritual master's mission. If I consider my own personal...
  9. Srila Prabhupada on relief work

    Prabhupada: So immediately, first of all, He [Krishna] chastised. Asocyan anvasocas tvam prajna-vadams ca bhasase: "Arjuna, you are talking like a learned man, but you are a fool number one." [Bg. 2.11] Gatasun agatasums ca nanusocanti panditah. That means "If you had been actually pandita, learned man, then you would not have lamented for this body." Gatasun. "The body is neither a subject matter for lamentation, either living condition or dead condition. It has no value."
  10. Violent to the mudhas

    We have to kill this civilization of mudhas. That is Krsna consciousness movement. Paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam [Bg. 4.8]. Those who are actually human being, you have to give them Krsna. And those who are mudhas, we have to kill them. This is our business. Kill all the mudhas and give Krsna to the sane man. Yes. That will prove that you are really Krsna's. We are not nonviolent. We are violent to the mudhas.
  11. A devotee doesn’t take credit for himself

    Devotee's business is to glorify. He doesn't take any credit for himself. Actually, there is nothing to be taken credit. The all credit goes to Krsna. A devotee neither claims; neither it is possible. Even he may be very, very big devotee, he will never claim any credit for his glorious activities. His glorious activities means to make Krsna glorious. That is his glorious activities. Not that like the so-called materialist, he wants to take the credit.