Srila Prabhupada Lila

23 Jun 2022 15:25

First overwhelming experience with Prabhupada

Hridayananda Goswami: Srila Prabhupada brought me to Krishna consciousness in 1969. I had seen the devotees on the street in Berkeley, and I'd seen the Hare Krishna festival in the Berkeley Hills. I'd given donations, bought magazines, taken prasadam, and so on, but it was when I heard Prabhupada give a lecture in the International House at the University of California at Berkeley that I really became fixed on Krishna consciousness.

For a Sociology/Religion class I had to go and observe different religious performances and ceremonies. I had gone to see a so-called swami who seemed like he wasn't saying anything practical or substantial but only telling people how to relax. Just as Prabhupada said that he was reluctant to see his Spiritual Master because he had seen so many so-called sadhus, so in a little way there is some similarity.

As soon as Prabhupada entered the auditorium, I could see that this person was very different - His gravity, His power, His demeanor. He came in practically like a military commander, not in the sense of a violent person but in the sense of His authority. I could see that here was a person who was filled with authority and yet serene at the same time. The program started, the devotees began to chant, and Prabhupada got off the vyasasana and began dancing and jumping in ecstasy. To see this holy person, so filled with authority, over 70 years old, dancing in ecstasy, was overwhelming.

https://www.srilaprabhupadalila.org/8872

Srila Prabhupada Lila

21 Jun 2022 16:50

Why are days of the week in this order?

Sureshvar : The last time I saw Srila Prabhupada was in Los Angeles when I worked at the BBT indexing his books at that time, Canto Eight. In that canto, Srila Prabhupada writes about the days of the week and how they relate to the planets. In one morning lecture in Los Angeles, Srila Prabhupada said, "I am traveling all over the world, and I'm asking this question, Why are the days of the week in that order?" He was asking us, too. "Why is Sunday the first day?" Some devotee piped up and said because it is the Lord's day. Srila Prabhupada said, "Don't bring in religion." He wanted to establish this information on a scientific basis, as many people view religion as sectarian and sentimental. He said that the order of days of the week relates directly to the order of the planets. Sunday is first because the Sun is closest. Then Monday as the next planet is the Moon, Tuesday-Mars, Wednesday-Mercury, Thursday-Jupiter, Friday - Venus, and Saturday-Saturn.

https://www.srilaprabhupadalila.org/9461

Srila Prabhupada Lila

14 Jun 2022 18:22

Power of Krishna's Mercy - https://mailchi.mp/srilaprabhupadalila.org/this-is-common-etiquette-2rc0wiwiod-13436105

Srila Prabhupada Lila

13 Jun 2022 18:08

June 11, 1976 : Los Angeles

Not Purified but Putrefied

Srila Prabhupada quashes myths & warns against cheaply imitating Lord Krishna's pastimes

http://splila.org/tSPT163

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Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd163

Srila Prabhupada Lila

10 Jun 2022 08:53

June 10, 1965 : New Delhi

The Journey Against All Odds

It's fascinating to read about how Srila Prabhupada's arrangements were made for him to go to America.
http://splila.org/tSPT162

Srila Prabhupada Lila: https://srilaprabhupadalila.org/splilaa

Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd162

Srila Prabhupada Lila

08 Jun 2022 11:32

June 8, 1967 : New York

Prediction Gone Wrong
Srila Prabhupada had faith in the blessings of his Guru & he proved the doctors wrong by surviving his illness.

http://splila.org/tSPT160

Srila Prabhupada Lila: https://srilaprabhupadalila.org/splilaa

Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd160

Srila Prabhupada Lila

06 Jun 2022 16:58

Devotees,Temples May Fail But My Books Will Live Forever

Hamasdutta Dasa: In the early seventies, there were three BBT Trustees, Prabhupada, Bali Mardan and Karandhar. Not long after Karandhar left, we were in London one morning when Prabhupada unexpectedly called me into his room. He was sitting on his bed and he said, "I want to appoint you as a BBT Trustee." I understood that this was a highly confidential service because it had to do with the publication and distribution of Prabhupada's books. I was astonished that Prabhupada asked me. I said, "But Prabhupada, you have so many educated disciples with an M.A., B.A. or Ph.D. I didn't finish high school." In fact, when I had brought Prabhupada his letters a few days earlier he had said, "Why does every letter you write have two or three spelling mistakes?" I said, "Well, Prabhupada, I didn't finish school..." He saw I was embarrassed so he said, "Oh, yes. You see?" and he picked up a dictionary. He said, "I always carry a little Oxford dictionary, and so should you. When there's a word you don't know, look it up. That's how I learned English." To this day I bring an Oxford dictionary everywhere I go and whenever I see one, I immediately think of Prabhupada. That was the effect Prabhupada had on us that everything that he referred to in the course of his preaching, either formally or casually, became a springboard for Krishna Consciousness. Anyway, when I said, "But Prabhupada, you have so many educated disciples and I can't even spell properly", he stopped me. He said, "I am asking you because without being asked you have published and distributed my books. You have understood the importance of my books. The devotees may fail, the temples might fail, but my books will live forever." We couldn't imagine how the devotees or the temples might fail. How could they fail? At that time there was a colossal, dynamic, energetic environment. People were coming. money was flowing, and books were being printed and distributed. Failure was unimaginable. But Prabhupada's glimpse of that made his books so important.

https://www.srilaprabhupadalila.org/2348

Srila Prabhupada Lila

04 Jun 2022 08:07

June 4, 1967 : New York

An Address to American Youth

Despite His illness, the Guru showered utmost compassion and love for the youth of America .

http://splila.org/tSPT156

Srila Prabhupada Lila: https://srilaprabhupadalila.org/splilaa

Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd156

Srila Prabhupada Lila

02 Jun 2022 09:26

What is the question of mind?

Srutakirti Dasa: Once a devotee asked Srila Prabhupada: 'Srila Prabhupada, it's very difficult to control my mind when I chant. It wanders.'

 

Srila Prabhupada: "So what is the controlling of mind? You have to chant and hear. That is all. You have to chant with your tongue, and the sound you hear. What is the question of mind?"

https://www.srilaprabhupadalila.org/6942

Srila Prabhupada Lila

31 May 2022 05:12

May 31, 1972 :LA

Who's the best devotee?

What are the qualities of a best devotee?

Srila Prabhupada exemplifies the ideals that qualify one as a best devotee

http://splila.org/tSPT152

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Srila Prabhupada Lila

29 May 2022 05:49

­Srila Prabhupada (@prabhupadalila) at 2022-05-29 05:37:41 IST:
50 Years of BBT

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#srilaprabhupadalila #BhaktivedantaBookTrust #LosAngeles #krishna #srilaprabhupada #iskcon #prabhupada #bhaktivedanta #harekrishna https://t.co/NFwpYjfwkU
-- Link to this Tweet

Srila Prabhupada Lila

28 May 2022 14:26

Prabhupada Sensed That Krishna Looked Tired

Vishnu Gada Dasa: When Bhavananda was president of the New York temple, he initiated an all-night harinam sankirtan party on Broadway. After being out all night, the devotees came back, attended mangal arati, and then rested. To facilitate their schedule, mangal arati was offered at 3:45 a.m. instead of the usual 4:30 a.m., and we had to wake up the Deities earlier also. Then when Prabhupada came, he greeted the Deities, looked at them for some time, and then spoke with Bhavananda. We were wondering, "What's Prabhupada saying?"

Later we found out that Prabhupada said, "Krishna looks tired. All day He plays with the cowherd boys, He needs proper rest." Prabhupada had just arrived and I don't think anybody had told him about the all-night harinam sankirtan party, which was a little questionable anyway. After that, we moved mangal arati back to 4:30.

https://www.srilaprabhupadalila.org/2297

Srila Prabhupada Lila

26 May 2022 09:16

May 26, 1976 : Honolulu

Exposed: Flaws of Material Life

The policy of materialists is High living and Poor thinking. Read about how Srila Prabhupada thrashes the flawed ideology of materialists

http://splila.org/tSPT147

Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd147

Srila Prabhupada Lila

25 May 2022 09:08

The razor's edge

Srutakirti Dasa: Whenever Srila Prabhupada came out of his Juhu flat for his morning walk all of the assembled devotees chanted, "Jai, Srila Prabhupada!" and offered obeisances. All, except for one brahmachari who remained standing with folded hands. With his cane in hand Srila Prabhupada began walking. Looking straight ahead he said, "That is the beginning of his fall down." Many times he spoke of this process as "the razor's edge." That morning he demonstrated just how sharp that razor was. The devotee was not conscious of his actions. We cannot be Krishna conscious if we are not conscious. Srila Prabhupada, I beg for your mercy so I may always be conscious of you and your service to the Supreme Lord.

https://www.srilaprabhupadalila.org/7032

Srila Prabhupada Lila

24 May 2022 07:21

Srila Prabhupada said, "A devotee is not ambitious. We have no ambition." Does this mean devotees aren't materially ambitious? Read here about it in detail.

http://splila.org/tSPT145

Srila Prabhupada Lila: https://srilaprabhupadalila.org/splilaa

Daily Newsletter: http://splila.org/spd145

Srila Prabhupada Lila

21 Jun 2022 16:50

June 21, 1975 : Los Angeles

Yes We Can
The tasks that seem impossible, can be achieved if Guru's kripa is there. All we need is steadfast faith in Guru's words.

http://splila.org/tSPT173


Srila Prabhupada Lila: https://srilaprabhupadalila.org/splilaa


Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd173

Srila Prabhupada Lila

17 Jun 2022 09:27

June 17, 1976 : Toronto
Purpose of Human Life
What's the purpose of human life? Here Srila Prabhupada highlights the real purpose of human life .

http://splila.org/tSPT169

Srila Prabhupada Lila: https://srilaprabhupadalila.org/splilaa

Srila Prabhupada Today : http://splila.org/spd169

Srila Prabhupada Lila

13 Jun 2022 18:08

June 13, 1976 : Detroit

The Mobile Temple

Read here the first mobile temple of ISKCON, a unique temple concept which was blessed by Srila Prabhupada.

http://splila.org/tSPT165

Srila Prabhupada Lila: https://srilaprabhupadalila.org/splilaa

Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd165

Srila Prabhupada Lila

11 Jun 2022 09:11

A simple process for chanting

Srutakirti Dasa: It was easy to understand that Srila Prabhupada enjoyed chanting Japa. He always stressed the importance of chanting our 16 rounds. He once told me that as a householder, he used a simple process for completing 16 rounds that we could apply. "When I was a householder," he said, "I would chant four rounds before each meal and four rounds before retiring in the evening. In this way, 16 rounds could be chanted without difficulty." He laughed and said, "If you don't take prasadam before chanting your four rounds, then you will be sure to get them chanted."

https://www.srilaprabhupadalila.org/7001

Srila Prabhupada Lila

09 Jun 2022 08:41

Glories of My Spiritual Master

Srutakirti Dasa: After one year of being with Srila Prabhupada, I became accustomed to his transcendental rhythms. At times I sat in my quarters, and heard the sweet sound of the harmonium coming from his room. I knew I could invite nearby devotees into Srila Prabhupada's room while His Divine Grace sang, but no one was around on this particular day. I went into his room alone, and offered my humble obeisances.

 

As I sat up I was filled with the nectar of Srila Prabhupada's melodious bhajan. Just by hearing him play the harmonium and by listening to the sound of his voice, my stone heart was softened. Without moving, I quietly sat and listened not wanting to distract him while he was in this mood. It amazed me how he had so many responsibilities, but always found time to chant rounds, sing bhajans, and read his books. After a minute, he looked up from the harmonium and nodded at me. I knew it meant to accompany him with his karatals. He continued singing for some time. 'Srila Prabhupada,' I said when he was finished, "Your kirtan and bhajans are always different from any others I have heard.' He started laughing and replied, "Yes, I have my own style of chanting." Srila Prabhupada's style was sometimes imitated, but never duplicated. After all who could create an International Society by chanting under a tree?

https://www.srilaprabhupadalila.org/6956

Srila Prabhupada Lila

07 Jun 2022 08:01

June 7, 1976 : Los Angeles

The Dangers of Sahajiya Tendency
Srila Prabhupada shares the analogy that one cannot get an MA degree without knowing the alphabets.

http://splila.org/tSPT159
Srila Prabhupada Lila: https://srilaprabhupadalila.org/splilaa
Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd159

Srila Prabhupada Lila

06 Jun 2022 07:34

June 6, 1974 : Geneva

Srila Prabhupada at WHO

Did you know that Srila Prabhupada gave a very important speech at WHO about their birth control programs?

http://splila.org/tSPT158

Srila Prabhupada Lila: https://srilaprabhupadalila.org/splilaa

Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd158

Srila Prabhupada Lila

03 Jun 2022 13:12

June 3, 1976 : Los Angeles

Change in Destiny

Is it true that organ transplantation extends life? Can it change one's fate ? Does it end one's suffering ?

http://splila.org/tSPT155

Srila Prabhupada Lila: https://srilaprabhupadalila.org/splilaa

Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd155

Srila Prabhupada Lila

01 Jun 2022 07:48

June 1, 1967:New York

Power of Chanting

Can sincere chanting save life? Yes, especially if it's for a pure devotee like Srila Prabhupada. That's the gift that Guru has bestowed us with -to chant sincerely

http://splila.org/tSPT153

Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd153

Srila Prabhupada Lila

29 May 2022 07:49

Brahmana or Devotional Service?

Bhakti-caru Swami: One time in India, while Srila Prabhupada was staying in Vrindavan, two of Srila Prabhupada's Western-born sannyasis visited a temple and heard an odd comment from a pujari. While Srila Prabhupada's men were taking darsana of the Deities, the pujari seemed to appreciate their reverence and demeanor. "Continue to render devotional service," the pujari brahmana advised them, "and maybe in your next life you will be born as a brahmana." The disciples later went to Srila Prabhupada and told him of the incident.

Prabhupada smiled and told a story. Once there was an old lady who lived in a remote village. One day the British district magistrate visited her town. This old lady had been entangled in a quarrel regarding possession of land, which some of her relatives were trying to take from her. Friends advised that she see the magistrate and present the matter to him for a settlement. When she did so, the magistrate immediately ruled in her favor and made sure the land was put in her name. Delighted, the old lady attempted to bless the magistrate. "I bless you," she said, "that in your next life you will become a police constable." In the old lady's mind, Srila Prabhupada explained, the office of police constable was the highest thing she could imagine. "Similarly," said Srila Prabhupada, "these caste brahmanas do not know that pure devotional service is much higher than being born as a brahmana."

https://www.srilaprabhupadalila.org/6639

Srila Prabhupada Lila

29 May 2022 05:49

May 29, 1973 :England

Zen Vibes

Here's an interesting conversation of Srila Prabhupada with a devotee. The Guru's answers are filled with transcendental wisdom
http://splila.org/tSPT150

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Srila Prabhupada Lila

27 May 2022 15:36

Material Attachment

Srutakirti Dasa: While in New Dwaraka, Srila Prabhupada liked to take his morning walk on the beach. Included in the group one morning was Kirtanananda Swami, Kuladri, a young bhakta about 17 years old and myself. During the walk the bhakta spotted a large sand crab scurrying along the sand. He stopped to watch it while the rest of us walked with Srila Prabhupada. The ever-observant Srila Prabhupada said, "This boy is too much attached to material things. This little neglect will snowball. Everything comes, first little things and then big things." The walk continued with the boy catching up to the rest of us after a minute. No one brought up the incident to the young bhakta. When we arrived back in New Vrindavan a week later the boy left the temple and was not seen again as Srila Prabhupada predicted.

Srila Prabhupada, please stamp my forehead with the words, "Keep at the lotus feet of Jagat Guru." Without your lead, I walk with the crabs.

https://www.srilaprabhupadalila.org/7051

Srila Prabhupada Lila

25 May 2022 21:54

I pray to be infected with love for you, Srila Prabhupada

Srutakirti: One year after I had recovered from jaundice, Srila Prabhupada's secretary, Brahmananda Maharaja, was afflicted. Being newsworthy I decided to tell Srila Prabhupada. "Srila Prabhupada," I said. "Brahmananda has jaundice." Srila Prabhupada looked surprised. "Oh, what are the symptoms?" he asked. I forgot that we had this same conversation the previous year. I repeated the list of symptoms. You guessed it. Srila Prabhupada said, "Hmm, perhaps I have jaundice also." Finally, after Srila Prabhupada made this statement again, I understood.

 

It only took me a year. Srila Prabhupada was incredible. He remembered everything that happened with his disciples and mentioned it at the perfect moment. I was so dull-headed that the joke was way over my head. The yoga-maya potency was very strong around him. I had no idea who I was with. This was fortunate. Otherwise, I would not have been able to perform my service due to awe and fear. I speculated that Srila Prabhupada was saying he had all the symptoms of illness that I described, but being transcendental, he went about his devotional life in spite of so many painful difficulties.

 

Srila Prabhupada didn't have jaundice, but he did experience symptoms. He showed us that when we get older, as I am beginning to experience, the body is full of aches and pains, and one's energy level decreases. Srila Prabhupada explained that it was not very amazing that we feel weak, become ill or experience pain. However, it was amazing if we didn't feel these things. He demonstrated how one should not be affected by the limitations of the body.

 

Srila Prabhupada, when you were in quarantine because of not being immunized against yellow fever you said, "What do they think? I can get yellow fever? Anyone who is cent per cent engaged in Krishna's service, there is no question of material contamination. He cannot be infected with any disease." I pray to be infected with love for you, Srila Prabhupada, so I can be cent per cent engaged in your devotional service. Please give me a glimpse of your transcendental position.

https://www.srilaprabhupadalila.org/7027

Srila Prabhupada Lila

25 May 2022 05:20

May 25, 1976 : Honolulu

Tea Episode

A firm, determined conviction to spread Krishna Consciousness changed Srila Prabhupada's life.
Read about it in detail.

http://splila.org/tSPT146

Srila Prabhupada Lila: https://srilaprabhupadalila.org/splilaa

Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd146

Srila Prabhupada Lila

23 May 2022 05:05

May 23, 1975 : Melbourne
Who's a Guru ? A Guru is he who gives us enthusiasm to serve and develop our love for Krishna'. Read about it in detail.
http://splila.org/tSPT144

Srila Prabhupada Lila: https://srilaprabhupadalila.org/splilaa

Srila Prabhupada Today: http://splila.org/spd144