Madhu Pandit Dasa the president of ISKCON Bangalore | Madhu Pandit the chairman of The Akshaya Patra Foundation.

3. Vol 11, No.3 Mar 2010
CONTENTS
Purify Your Existence 4
Srila Prabhupada Speaks Out 8
Between Matter and Spirit 11
The Teachings of Lord Chaitanya Part II 17
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada, Founder-
Acharya of the International Society
for Krishna Consciousness, came to Please chant...
America in 1965, at age 69, to fulfill Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
his spiritual master’s request that he
...and be happy!
teach the science of Krishna
consciousness throughout the English-
Published and owned by Sankirtana Seva Trust,
speaking world. In a dozen years he editing by Chamari Devi Dasi.
published some seventy volumes of Layout, design and graphics by ISKCON Design
translation and commentary on India’s Group, Bangalore.
Vedic literature, and these are now For all information contact: Editor, Krishna
standard in universities worldwide. Voice, SST, Hare Krishna Hill, Chord Road,
Bangalore - 560 010 INDIA Phone: 91-80-2347
Meanwhile, travelling almost nonstop, 1956, 91-80-2357 8346 Fax: 91-80-2357 8625.
Srila Prabhupada moulded his
© 2010 Sankirtana Seva Trust, Bangalore. All
international society into a world wide Krishna art and the works of Srila Prabhupada
confederation of ashramas, schools, are © BBT International.
temples and farm communities. He All rights reserved throughout the world.
passed away in 1977, in Vrindavana, Reproduction in any manner is strictly
prohibited.
the place most sacred to Lord Krishna.
Printed for ISKCON, Bangalore, at Manipal
His disciples and followers are carrying
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forward the movement he started.
Cover pages-4 Text pages-24
Krishna Voice, Mar 2010 3

4. Purify Your Existence
Lord Krishna provides everything we need to bring the spiritual world into our lives.
A lecture given in Mumbai, India, on September 25, 1973
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
This lecture was given on the anniversary of the appearance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
Five hundred years ago Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu started the sankirtana movement, or the movement for
spreading the congregational chanting of the holy names of God. Bhaktivinoda Thakura was the father of the
sankirtana movement within the last two hundred years. He was a householder and responsible government
officer—a magistrate. And he was a great devotee and a great acharya, or prominent spiritual master, in the disciplic
succession of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written many devotional songs. In one song he has written, ye-dina grhe, bhajana dekhi,
grhete goloka bhaya: "One day while performing devotional practices, I saw my house transformed into Goloka
Vrindavana, the spiritual world."
As Krishna is not material, so His home, Goloka Vrindavana, is not material. And although Krishna stays in His
abode, Goloka Vrindavana, He can be everywhere. That is Krishna. The Brahma-samhita states,
eko 'py asau racayitum jagad-anda-kotim
yac-chaktir asti jagad-anda-caya yad-antah
andantara-stha-paramanu-cayantara-stham
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
Krishna, Govinda, is everywhere by one of His plenary portions, known as Paramatma, or Supersoul. He is situated
in every universe and within everyone's heart. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati. Not only is He
within the heart of everyone, but He is within the atom. That is Krishna.
Similarly, Krishna's place, Goloka Vrindavana, is also spread everywhere. How? By the presence of Krishna's
devotee. Krishna says,
naham tisthami vaikunthe
yoginam hrdayesu va
tatra tisthami narada yatra
gayanti mad-bhaktah
"I do not stay in Vaikuntha-loka, the spiritual world, or within the hearts of the yogis. I stay where My devotees
chant about My glories."
That is Krishna's omnipotence. We pray to God the omnipotent, the omniscient, the omnipresent. God can be
present everywhere simultaneously.
There is no difference between God and His place. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu recommends, aradhyo bhagavan
vrajesa-tanayas tad-dhama Vrindavanam. As Krishna is worshipable, His place is also worshipable. Similarly, as
He is all-pervading, His place is also all-pervading.
How can a place be changed into Vaikuntha? By chanting of the holy name of the Lord. Devotees are so powerful
that by chanting the holy name of God they make the all-powerful Supreme Lord descend. Therefore Bhaktivinoda
Thakura sings, "One day while performing devotional practices I saw my house transformed into Goloka Vrindavana."
We also can change our homes into Vaikuntha. That is not difficult, because as Krishna is all-pervading, Vaikuntha
is all-pervading. That we simply have to realize by the authorized process.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura also says, krsnera samsara kara chadi anacara: "Giving up all sinful activities, carry on your
worldly duties only in relation to Lord Krishna." To turn your home into Vaikuntha is not difficult. You simply have
to adopt the right method. Anacara means "sinful activities." You cannot associate with God if you are sinful. In
the Bhagavad-gita Krishna says, yesam tv anta-gatam papam ... te dvandva-moha-nirmukta bhajante mam drdha-
vratah: "One completely free from sinful life can worship Me."
In our Krishna consciousness movement we do not recommend that you give up your occupation, give up your
Krishna Voice, Mar 2010 5

6. wife and children, and become a sannyasi, a renunciant. No, that is not our movement. Among us are sannyasis,
brahmacharis [celibate students], grhasthas [married people], vanaprasthas [retired people]. Everyone is there.
Everyone can worship Krishna. There is no rule that only a certain class—brahmanas or sannyasis or brahmacharis
or Hindus—can take part. No. Krishna is open to everyone. Mam hi partha vyapasritya ye 'pi syuh papa-yonayah.
Krishna is open even for a person born in a lower-grade family. One simply has to adopt the means to approach
Him.
Many devotional songs give this same instruction. Narottama Dasa Thakura has sung, visaya chadiya kabe suddha
ha 'be mana, kabe hama herabo sri Vrindavana: "When I am free from sense enjoyment and my mind is clear,
then I will be able to understand Vrindavana." Visaya means "sense enjoyment." One has to give up sense
enjoyment to become purified.
To give up sense enjoyment does not mean, for example, that we cannot eat. There is no prohibition against eating,
but you cannot eat anything not first accepted by Krishna. Our life in Krishna consciousness means to be always
the servant of Krishna. As the servant eats remnants of food left by the master, we servants of Krishna eat remnants
of food left by Krishna. That food is called prasadam, or maha-prasadam.
We have to mend our life in such a way that we give up anacara, forbidden things, sinful things. Dyutam panam
striyah suna yatradharmas catur-vidhah. There are four kinds of sinful activities. The basic principles of sinful life
are stri-sanga (illicit sex), suna (unnecessary animal killing), pana (intoxication), and dyutam (gambling). We have
to give up these four principles. Then our life becomes pure.
If we give up these four principles and chant the Hare Krishna mantra, we become perfect. You can see the
examples. The Europeans and Americans who have accepted Krishna consciousness were accustomed to all the
sinful practices. That was their daily affair. But they have given these things up. Now you can see how saintly they
are. One has to accept the principles. Then one's life becomes perfect.
Real Perfection
People do not know what the perfection of life is. They think that material advancement is perfection. No, that is
not the perfection of life, because even if you make a nice material arrangement you cannot enjoy it. At any time
you shall be kicked out. So where is your perfection?
Suppose you have a nice apartment, a good bank balance, nice wife and children. Everything is all right. But is
there any guarantee that you can enjoy them? At any moment you shall be kicked out. That is not perfection. First
of all make the guarantee that "Whatever happy life I am preparing for in the material world will be permanent. I
will not be kicked out." Then it is perfection.
But there is no such guarantee. Therefore that is not the perfection of life. The perfection of life comes when there
is the guarantee of no more birth, no more death, no more old age, and no more disease. That is perfection.
That can be achieved by Krishna consciousness, not by any material way. Harim vina na mrtim taranti. If we want
to be eternally blissful and full of knowledge—sac-cid-ananda-vigraha—then we have to take to Krishna consciousness.
There is no other way.
There is only one way. If you are serious about the perfection of life, then you have to take to Krishna consciousness.
Lord Krishna says,
man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasi yuktvaivam atmanam mat-parayanah
"Always think of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances unto Me, and worship Me. Without any doubt you shall
come to Me." Simply four things. Is it very difficult to think of Krishna, worship Him, become His devotee, and offer
obeisances to Him?
Just as we are doing this evening—this is the process. We are thinking of Krishna by chanting the Hare Krishna
mantra. We are offering obeisances to the Deity and at least trying to become bhaktas, devotees.
And we are worshiping. What is the process for worshiping Krishna? Patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya
prayacchati. It is not difficult. Anyone can collect a flower, a fruit, or a little water and offer it to Krishna.
But because of dog obstinacy, people say, "I shall not do it."
Otherwise, Krishna consciousness is very easy. And if we adopt it our life becomes successful. That is the perfection
of life. That we are teaching.
6 Krishna Voice, Mar 2010

7. Simple Process
The process is very simple; everyone can adopt it, in every country. There is no distinction saying that one class
can adopt Krishna consciousness and another cannot.
The Hare Krishna mantra is now being chanted all over the world, and those chanting are becoming Vaishnavas,
devotees of Krishna. Then where is the difficulty?
The difficulty is our obstinacy. If one is obstinate, then becoming Krishna conscious is very difficult. Therefore
Krishna says, na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah. Only these classes of men don't worship
Krishna: duskrtinah ("those always engaged in sinful activities"), mudhah ("rascals"), and naradhamah ("the lowest
of mankind").
Human life is meant for worshiping Krishna. Narottama Dasa Thakura sings, hari hari viphale, janama gonainu:
"My life is spoiled." Why? Manusya-janama paiya, radha-krishna na bhajiya, janiya suniya visa khainu: "Having
attained a human birth, I failed to worship Radha-Krishna and so have knowingly drunk poison."
We are trying to stop people from drinking poison. The Krishna consciousness movement is for everyone's benefit.
It is the topmost humanitarian movement to make everyone happy, to make everyone immortal, to make everyone
peaceful, to make everyone wise. Without being wise, nobody can surrender to Krishna. Mudhas—rascals—
cannot.
Krishna says that one who does not surrender to Him is naradhama, "the lowest of mankind."
"Oh, how is he naradhama? He is an M.A., a Ph.D., a Dh.C., a Th.C. How is he naradhama?"
Mayayapahrta-jnana. His knowledge has no value because he does not know Krishna.
These M.A.'s and Ph.D.'s will not help me. Shankaracharya says, nahi nahi raksati dukrn-karane: "By your
grammatical jugglery of words you cannot be saved." Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam bhaja govindam mudha-
mate: "You rascal, just engage yourself in the loving service of Govinda." Although Shankaracharya is an
impersonalist, this is his advice.
Krishna says, "One who does not worship Me has no knowledge." Because if one remains a rascal, what is the
value of his knowledge? There is no knowledge.
Therefore Krishna says, bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate: After many, many births of struggling
for existence, if one becomes actually wise he surrenders to Krishna. That is intelligence.
This is intelligence: "Krishna, today I surrender. For so long I had forgotten. I did not know that my only business
is to surrender to You."
Lord Krishna's Protection
Any moment you surrender you are protected. Lord Krishna says,
sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah
"Don't bother. Everything is there." Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati: "My devotee never perishes."
The Krishna consciousness movement is trying to make fools and rascals and sinful men wise. And actually it is
happening. Papi tapi yata chila, hariname uddharila, tara saksi jagai madhai. You want evidence? Jagai and
Madhai.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu delivered two sinful brothers named Jagai and Madhai. Now you can see how strong is
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's movement. Many thousands of Jagais and Madhais are being delivered.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's movement is greater than Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu personally
delivered Jagai and Madhai. Now, by His movement, thousands of Jagais and Madhais are being delivered. This
is the practical evidence.
And Lord Chaitanya's process is very easy. It is not very difficult. Anyone can take to it. But if we knowingly take
poison, who can protect us?
We appeal to everyone to take to the Krishna consciousness movement and chant the Hare Krishna mantra. Even
if you cannot give up your bad habits and sinful activities, still take to the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra,
and your life will be glorified.
Thank you very much.
Krishna Voice, Mar 2010 7

8. SRILA PRABHUPADA SPEAKS OUT
Dog Race in a Dangerous Place
Here we conclude an exchange that took place between His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada and some of his disciples during a morning walk in Denver, Colorado, on June 28, 1975.
Srila Prabhupada: Until these world leaders take to "By this transcendental meditation you will keep your
this Vedic culture, what kind of civilization will they have? dog race very nice." In reality, these yogis and swamis
Dog race. Horse race. They want this. Rat race. That's are bewildered by this materialistic civilization. "Oh, very
all. Their civilization is a race. Dog race. Horse race. nice. It is very nice." That's all. In Bhagavad-gita Krishna
Rat race. The citizens do not know anything about this describes such people. Mohitam nabhijanati mam
great science of the soul. Modern civilization means ebhyah param avyayam: "Bewildered by the modes of
that people are simply becoming rascals, animals. Of material nature, fools and rascals do not know Me, who
course, strictly speaking, theirs is a motor race. They am above the modes and inexhaustible." The modern
have advanced beyond the common dog race to a motor world is filled with such mudhas, rascals. So, the only
race. But if a doggish person is running not on four legs hope is that you distribute our Krishna conscious books
but on four wheels, does that mean he is not a dog? It as much as possible.
is the same race. The same race—whether by running In London there is a big stadium for dog racing. Do you
on four legs or on four wheels. The race is the same, know that? Many people go to see the dogs race.
and the dog is the same.
Disciple: In America dog racing is very popular as
So this civilization is a glorified dog race. well. Here in Denver, people love to go.
Modern man does not know, "I may feel
proud of racing around in a car, but is Srila Prabhupada: To the dog race?
there any value if I do not understand [Laughter.]
the meaning of my life?" Hmm? So this Disciple: We've gone there, too, Srila
is going on. A big, big highway for dog Prabhupada, to distribute your books.
racing—that is modern civilization. Srila Prabhupada: In
And when rascal yogis Australia, also—Sydney—oh,
and swamis present they are very fond of dog
their version of the racing. Many men take their
Vedic culture, they big dogs for racing.
say something like,

9. Disciple: It makes for good gambling. there is need, many two-legged animals will be brought
Srila Prabhupada: And in Europe, being aristocratic together into a war and killed.
means keeping many horses and many dogs. That is This place is a slaughterhouse. And yet the foolish two-
aristocracy. The aristocrats ride on horses, and taking legged animal is thinking, "I am now very comfortably
their dogs they go to the forest and kill some innocent situated." He forgets, "I am going to be slaughtered."
birds. This is the extent of their heroic activities. [To a Mrtyu-samsara-sagarat: "This place is an ocean of
disciple:] Do you remember that palace we went to see slaughter." In Bhagavad-gita Krishna confirms it—mrtyu-
in France? samsara-sagarat. This place is a slaughterhouse. But
Disciple: Yes. In the hallway they had many pictures people are accepting it as their home. Another name
of aristocrats killing birds and foxes. Pictures to for this material world is mrtyu-loka, "the place of death."
memorialize these great personalities and their heroic But still, people take it as a very comfortable place. This
activities. is their intelligence: accepting a slaughterhouse as a
very nice place. When you point these things out to
Srila Prabhupada: In Paris we saw a huge statue of these animals who are going to be slaughtered, how
Napoleon. And we recalled Napoleon's boast, "I am do they respond?
France." France is still there, but there is no Napoleon.
[Laughter.] Napoleon, finished, Hitler, finished, Gandhi, Disciple: Well, Srila Prabhupada, just a few days ago,
finished. in New York, a lightning bolt struck an airliner and sent
it crashing down onto a big highway. A ghastly, horrifying
Disciple: Srila Prabhupada, in the same place where scene, with hundreds of people screaming in agony as
we saw that statue of Napoleon, formerly there had they lost their lives. After that, I was passing out your
been another statue, of Louis XIV. Napoleon pulled that books at the Denver airport and mentioning, "How about
one down and replaced it with his own statue. that New York crash? Seems any of us could die at any
Srila Prabhupada: And some day someone else will moment, you know?"
come and replace Napoleon's statue. For instance, in But most people in the terminal looked up from their
Karachi they have pulled Gandhi's statue down. cushy chairs and said, "Oh, I've got my whole life in
Nothing in this material world will stay. So always chant front of me." Things like that. "I'm just devoting my
Hare Krishna. This is a very dangerous place. Padam attention to getting ahead. I'm enjoying my life far too
padam yad vipadam: This is a place where at every much to start indulging in that kind of negative thinking."
step there is danger. Right now, we are walking in a Srila Prabhupada: Oh. Just see. Slaughterhouse. But
very nice park, but at any moment there may be a still, somehow people hope to find real, lasting comfort
revolution and the whole thing may change. The whole within the slaughterhouse.
thing may become like fire, just as it has now become
in India. So we should remember that here in this material Disciple: Srila Prabhupada, in your lecture the other
world, padam padam yad vipadam: At every step there day in Los Angeles, you said that when a great war
is danger. Therefore, give up your attachment for this happens, with many people killed, it has been arranged
place. That is real intelligence. And yet the modern by the Supreme, as in the Battle of Kurukshetra.
educational system is misleading people into maya- Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Krishna states that fact to
sukhaya: making gorgeous plans for temporary Arjuna. "You are feeling intense affection for your family
happiness. That's all. If in the slaughterhouse the animals members, even though they are trying to usurp your
are kept very comfortably, what is the meaning of it? kingdom by mounting a massive attack. You are thinking,
Disciple: No meaning. They'll still be slaughtered. very nobly, that you do not wish to kill your family
members. But it is already settled. They must be killed
Srila Prabhupada: It is sure that all the animals will be here. I have brought them. You may kill them or not kill
slaughtered. So even if, let us say, the animals could them—they will be killed. That is My plan. If you want,
arrange that "All right, before being slaughtered, let us you may take credit that you have been victorious in
live very comfortably," would that be very good the battle."
intelligence? Intelligence consists in inquiring, "Why
must we be slaughtered? How to stop this business?" And modern warfare is the same kind of arrangement.
That is intelligence. It is all prearranged. War means bringing many two-
legged animals together and killing them. Finished. And
How do you define slaughterhouse? What does that is happening every so often. A Napoleon is being
slaughterhouse mean? sent for killing. Or a Hitler is being sent for killing. In
Disciple: A slaughterhouse is a place where many India, the Lord Himself comes for killing. Lord
animals are sent to be killed brutally. Ramachandra came for killing Ravana, and Lord Krishna
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. In a slaughterhouse many came for killing the Kauravas.
animals are brought together expressly to be killed. So Disciple: But, Srila Prabhupada, in these big wars aren't
this whole material world is a slaughterhouse. And when the Lord's devotees killed also? Wasn't that true even
Krishna Voice, Mar 2010 9

10. during the Battle of Kurukshetra?
Srila Prabhupada: Well, during the Battle of
Kurukshetra, all five Pandava brothers were saved.
When the battle was over, all five brothers remained.
So when there is a war, it is not that all the devotees
are saved, but mostly they are saved. And more
important, Krishna assures,
janma karma ca me divyam
evam yo vetti tattvatah
tyaktva deham punar janma
naiti mam eti so 'rjuna
"Upon giving up this body, those who know the
transcendental nature of My advent and activities never
return to this miserable and temporary material world.
Rather, they come back home to Me."
10 Krishna Voice, Mar 2010

11. Between Matter and Spirit
By Navin Jani
As a college student, I can’t help but notice that it’s So here we have three ways of conceiving the mind:
rather difficult to find a class on ghosts in the course as completely identical with matter (Modern Model), as
catalogue. Equally rare are course titles such as “Psychic completely opposed to matter (Cartesian Model), and
Powers 101” or “Biology Lab on Alien Life Forms.” In as subtle matter between gross matter and pure spirit
fact, there appears to be almost no mainstream scholarly (Vedic Model).
study of any kind of paranormal phenomena. Why is Another way to understand the difference between these
academia so reluctant to rigorously probe this three models is to look at whom they point to as the
increasingly undeniable aspect of reality? Perhaps it’s actual self. The Modern Model indicates the body itself
because scholars think there are only two ways to as the self, with no separate or higher extraneous entity.
understand such things as ghosts: Either they simply The Cartesian Model points to the mind as the self, with
don’t exist and are attributable to hoax, hallucination, the body serving as a vehicle. The Vedic Model describes
and human error. Or they exist but are completely the self as a completely spiritual entity, who occupies,
different from anything else we know and understand, or is temporarily covered by, both the subtle and gross
and so they are a complete mystery. Neither view leaves bodies. The Vedic Model opens up opportunities for
much room for academic research or university-level research into the workings of the subtle realm that are
instruction. This stalemate may have something to do all but precluded by the other two models. Let’s take a
with how we understand the mind. look at how this might be so.
Since the time of Descartes, Western philosophy has Psychic Powers
wrestled with what is known as the “mind-body problem.”
Is the mind merely an “emergent” property of the physical Psychic abilities, such as the ability to read minds
body that really has no existence of its own, as many (telepathy) or to move objects with the mind (telekinesis),
modern philosophers would maintain? Or is the mind are currently relegated to the fringes of academic
something completely different from matter, as the investigation. And it’s no wonder. Given current choices,
Cartesians (the followers of Descartes) would have us we can either follow the Modern Model and simply deny
believe? To those who view mind as identical with matter, the existence of psychic powers, even in the face of
conscious experience must be accepted as a sort of countless anecdotes and other evidence to the contrary,
illusion and altogether disregarded as an object of or we can follow the Cartesian Model and accept the
scientific inquiry. On the other hand, to those who existence of such abilities but not be able to explain
subscribe to the second view (known as Cartesian them any better than simply calling them “miracles.” If
dualism), the mind certainly exists but is more or less we follow the Vedic Model, however, and understand
inscrutable. While the activities of the body must conform the mind as just another type of matter, we can at least
to the laws of physics, the mind is apparently unfettered accept in theory that interactions between the mind and
by these laws. Whatever their differences, both views the physical realm are possible. All that remains is to
place the mind firmly beyond practical understanding experiment and determine what kind of laws regulate
and examination. And in the end, neither is intellectually the activities of the mind (the subtle body), and how
satisfying or academically elegant. they differ from the laws that affect the gross body. The
Vedic literature can of course help this exploration by
The Vedic literature of ancient India presents a third providing a theoretical framework.
option. Sri Krishna, in the Bhagavad-gita, explains to
His friend Arjuna that mind, intelligence, and false ego Ghosts
are three of His eight material energies. Together they If the mind is just another type of body through which
compose the subtle body, while His five other material a person can act, is it possible that some people have
energies (earth, water, air, fire, and ether) make up the only this kind of body, without the usual physical
gross, or physical, body. This concept of the “subtle counterpart? This is precisely how the literature of
body,” as the combined mind, intelligence, and false ancient India explains ghosts—another phenomenon
ego, is the Vedic analogue to the “mind” in Western that the Vedic Model of the mind can demystify. The
philosophy. Understood in this way, the mind is not Modern Model simply rules out the possibility of ghosts
completely transcendental to the laws that govern matter, completely. They can’t be perceived by traditional means,
yet neither is it subject to quite the same laws as the so they don’t exist. The Cartesian Model, as an
body. That is to say, the activities of the mind can be alternative, acknowledges an intangible reality beyond
measured and predicted, but modern mainstream the body, so it has no problem accounting for ghosts in
science has neither the tools nor the theoretical theory. In practice, however, ghosts must remain beyond
knowledge base with which to do this. rational scrutiny because the intangible reality they are
Krishna Voice, Mar 2010 11

12. a part of has nothing in common with
matter. And matter, after all, is all our
research instruments and scientific methods
are prepared to handle. Here, again, the
Vedic Model breaks open new ground.
Ghosts can be understood as living entities
who have a mind, or subtle body, but no
physical form, or gross body. Such a view
helps dispel the cloud of fear and mystery
that otherwise surrounds these living
beings. We can take comfort in the fact
that, far from being magical or mythical,
ghosts are not fundamentally different from
you or me. They merely exist in another
material state, which is yet to be fully
understood by the scientific establishment.
Alien Beings
If beings exactly like us can exist without
the need for an external physical body that
we can directly perceive, could there be
other kinds of embodied beings beyond
our sensual perception? The Vedic literature
answers with an emphatic yes: The other
planets of the universe are populated, but
by beings with more advanced
consciousness, and correspondingly more
advanced bodies. The Modern Model
attributes UFO sightings and other evidence
of alien beings to forgery and figments of
the imagination. The Cartesian Model
relegates these entities to the angelic realm.
The Vedic Model, in contrast, supports a more positive with the help of the Vedic Model, but, one might ask,
and productive approach by simply extending the domain what of the soul? Krishna does, after all, speak of a
of the subtle body. Sentient life forms on other planets superior energy of His beyond the eight material energies
are understood to have, according to their status, either and unaffected by material laws. Having accepted the
no gross bodies and only subtle bodies, or more refined Vedic Model of the mind, one would surely want to
gross bodies that exhibit characteristics akin to our explore the nature of this actual spiritual self in addition
subtle bodies. For example, many of them can fly and to understanding the temporary subtle and gross bodies.
change shape at will, feats we humans can accomplish The Vedas urge us, in fact, to do just that. For those
only in our thoughts and dreams (i.e., the realm of the ready for that ultimate journey, the Vedas also provide
mind/subtle body). Nevertheless, their bodies are still the requisite knowledge and practical processes. But
matter. These more sophisticated beings are not exempt, before our colleges and universities tackle such an
therefore, from the limitations that affect other materially ambitious subject, perhaps they should start by studying
embodied entities, including death. Nor are they that realm which lies between the physical world we
precluded from interacting with more gross forms of
understand so well and the spiritual reality that transcends
matter (like our bodies). So human beings do not seek
our understanding. Perhaps the scientific community
to make contact with aliens in vain. Armed with such a
conception, our search for extra-terrestrial intelligence should delve into this subtle arena of the mind and
merely needs to be upgraded with a new set of tools broaden its understanding to include such phenomena
that go beyond the five traditional senses. They are as psychic powers, ghosts, and life on other planets.
indeed out there, and they can, in fact, be communicated This pursuit would give knowledge that could be used
with. We merely need to take advantage of the Vedic to improve our material life on this planet, as well as
literature and refine our process. provide a bridge for moving towards an understanding
of our spiritual life beyond this mundane realm. In the
Beyond the Mind mean time, I’ll be scanning the course
It’s well and good to figure out the workings of the mind catalogue…waiting.
12 Krishna Voice, Mar 2010

13. The Teachings of Lord Chaitanya
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Part II
Nobody can trace out the
history of the living entity's
entanglement in material
energy; therefore the Lord
says that it is very nice example
beginingless. Beginingless of this punishment;
means that conditional life formerly a king used to
exists prior to the creation-it punish a criminal by dunking him
is simply manifested with in the river and then raising him
and after the creation. again for breath, and then again
Due to this dunking him in the water; now,
forgetfulness, material nature punishes and rewards
the individual entity in just the same
way. When he is punished he is dunked
into the water of material miseries, and
when he is rewarded he is taken out of it
for some time. Elevation of the living entity
to higher planets or to a higher status of
life is never permanent. He has to come
down again to be drowned in the water.
All this is going on in this material
existence. Sometimes he is elevated
to the higher planetary system, and
sometimes he is thrown into the hellish
condition of material life.
In this connection the Lord recites a nice
verse from Srimad Bhagavatam taken
the living entity, although spirit, is suffering from the instruction of Narada Muni to
all kinds of miseries of material existence. Vasudeva, father of Krishna. In this
It is to be understood here also that there quotation from the nine sages who were
are other living entities who are not entangled instructing Maharaja Nemi it is stated that
in this material energy. Such living entities are forgetfulness of the relationship with
situated in the spiritual world, and they are called Krishna is called maya. Actually, maya
liberated souls. They are also always engaged means that which is not. It has no
in Krishna Consciousness and in devotional existence. Therefore that the living entity
service. The activities of those who are under the has no connection with the Supreme Lord
conditions of material nature are taken into is a false conception. He may not believe in
account, and in their next life, according to such the existence of God, or he may think he has
activities, they are offered different grades of no relationship with God, but these are all so-
material bodies. In the material world the called "illusions," or maya. Due to his
spiritual soul in conditional life is subjected absorption in this false conception of life,
to different rewards and punishments. man is always fearful and full of
When he is rewarded he is elevated to anxieties; in other words, such a
the higher planets due to his righteous Godless concept of life is maya—
activities, and there he becomes one therefore one who is actually learned
with the many demigods; and when he in the Vedic literatures surrenders unto
is punished for his abominable activities the Supreme Lord with all devotion and accepts
he is thrown into different kinds of hellish Him as the Supreme Goal. When a living entity
planets, and there he suffers the miseries of becomes forgetful of the constitutional position
material existence more acutely. The Lord gives a of his relationship with God, then he is at once
Krishna Voice, Mar 2010 17

14. overwhelmed by the external energy, and this is the the Lord quotes a verse in the Bhagavad-gita, 7th
cause of his false ego or identifying his body as self. chapter, to the effect that the material energy containing
His whole conception of the material universe is due to the three modes of material nature, is very strong. It is
his false conception of body. He therefore becomes very difficult to get out of the process of material energy,
attached to this body and the by-products of this body. but one who surrenders unto Krishna easily comes out
To get out of this entanglement he has simply to perform from the clutches of maya.
his duty—to surrender unto the Supreme Lord with The Lord continued to teach that the conditioned soul,
intelligence, with devotion, and with sincere Krishna for each and every moment in which he is engaged in
Consciousness. some fruitive activity, is forgetting his real identity.
A conditioned soul falsely thinks himself happy in the Sometimes when he is fatigued, when he is tired of
material world, but if he is favoured by an unalloyed material activities, he wants liberation and wants to
devotee—by hearing instruction from an unalloyed become one with the Supreme, but other times he thinks
devotee—he gives up the desire for material enjoyment that by working hard for his sense gratification he will
and becomes enlightened in Krishna Consciousness. be happy. In both cases he is covered by material
As soon as one enters into Krishna Consciousness, his energy. For the enlightenment of such bewildered
desire for material enjoyment at once is vanquished, conditioned souls who are working in false identification,
and gradually he becomes free from material the Lord has presented before us so many Vedic
entanglement. For example, because there is no question literatures, like the Vedas, the Puranas, Vedantasutra—
of darkness where there is light, Krishna Consciousness all intended to guide the human being back to Godhead.
is like the light that dispels the darkness of material The Lord has presented further instructions advising
sense enjoyment. One who is engaged in Krishna that when a conditioned soul is recognized by the mercy
Consciousness generally has no desire for material of the spiritual master and when he is guided by the
enjoyment. A Krishna Conscious person is never under Supersoul, he takes advantage of the various Vedic
the false conception that he is one with God. He does literatures, becomes enlightened, and makes progess
not think that he would be happy by working for himself. in his spiritual realization. It is understood that Lord
He engages all his energy in the service of the Supreme Krishna is always merciful to His devotees, therefore
Lord, and thereby becomes released from the clutches He has presented all these Vedic literatures by which
of illusory energy, or material energy. In this connection one can understand his relationship with Krishna and
18 Krishna Voice, Mar 2010

15. can act in that relationship with the result that he is service, or Krishna Consciousness. On the southern
benefited with the ultimate goal of life. side there is ritualistic performances of the Vedic
Actually every living entity is destined to reach the scripture, and on the western side there is speculative
Supreme Lord, and every one can understand his empiric knowledge, and on the northern side there is
relationship with the Supreme Lord. The execution of the yoga system or meditational process of self
duties to attain perfection is known as devotional service, realization. If somebody searches for his ultimate goal
and in fullness such devotional service becomes love by the ritualistic process then he will be baffled. Such
of God, the factual goal of life for every living entity. The a process involves performance of rituals under the
living entity is not intended to achieve success in religious guidance of the priest who takes money in exchange
perfection or economic development or sense enjoyment. of service. A man thinks he'll be happy by such
Religiosity, economic development, sense enjoyment, performances, but actually that will not make him happy.
and liberation should not actually be desired by the Even if he does gain some result therefrom, it is only
living entity. The real desire of the living entity should temporary and his material distresses will continue, so
be to achieve the stage of loving transcendental service he never becomes happy by such a ritualistic process—
of the Lord. The All-attractive features of Lord Krishna the hidden treasure on the northern side is compared
help one in attaining Krishna Consciousness, and when with one's self-realization by dint of the meditational
one is engaged in Krishna Consciousness he can realize process. By the meditational process, even if one attains
the relationship between Krishna and himself. In this perfection-he thinks he is one with the Supreme Lord—
connection the Lord quotes one story from the this merging into the Supreme by the living entity is
commentary of Mahabharata which occurs in Srimad something like the great serpent swallowing up the
Bhagavatam, fifth Canto. The story involves the smaller serpent. From practical experience we see
instruction of Sarvajna to a poor man who came to sometimes that the big serpent swallows up a smaller
Sarvajna to have his future told. When Sarvajna saw serpent, and the merge into the spiritual existence of
the horoscope of the poor man he was at once the Supreme is analogous. The small serpent is,
astonished that the man was so poor, and he said to therefore, searching after perfection, and he is
the poor man, "Oh, why are you so unhappy? I see from understood to be swallowed by the big serpent. Digging
your horoscope that you have some hidden treasure on the western side is compared to the hidden treasure
left to you by your father. The horoscope, however, protected by Yaksha. He is the evil spirit that protects
states that your father could not disclose his hidden hidden treasure. The idea is that hidden treasure can
treasure to you because he died in a foreign place. But never be delivered by one who asks favour of Yaksha
now you can search out the hidden treasure left by your for attaining the hidden treasure—the result is that he
father and be happy." This story is cited because the will simply be killed. The jnanis or the yogins are
living entity is suffering due to his ignorance of the analogous to the serpent relationship of the meditational
hidden treasure of the father. The hidden treasure of process. The speculative process of self-realization, or
the Father, Krishna, is love of Godhead. In every Vedic yoga perfection of self-realization, is suicidal in this
literature the conditioned soul is advised to find that case. Actually one has to dig for the hidden treasure
hidden treasure which is known as love of God. As from the eastern side which is called devotional service
stated in the Bhagavad-gita, vedaisachasarvai aham in full Krishna Consciousness. That is the perpetual
evavedyam. A conditioned soul, although he is the son hidden treasure, and when one attains to that
of the Wealthiest—the Personality of Godhead—does achievement, he becomes perpetually rich. One who is
not realize it. Therefore the Vedic literature is given to poor in devotional service and Krishna Consciousness
him to help him search out his father and his paternal is always in need of material gain. Sometimes he is
property. suffering the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,"
Sarvajna further advised the poor man, "Don't try to dig and sometimes he is baffled; sometimes he is following
on the southern side of your house to find the hidden the philosophy of monism and therefore losing his
treasure. If you do so then you'll be attacked by a identity, and sometimes he is swallowed up by the big
poisonous wasp and you will be baffled in finding the serpent. By giving up all these things and becoming
treasure. The search should be to the eastern side fixed in Krishna Consciousness or devotional service
where there is actual light which is called devotional to the Lord, he achieves the perfection of life.
Fasting Festivals
Mar 26 Ekadashi Mar 24 Rama Navami
Mar 27 break fast Appearance of Lord Sri Ramachandra
fasting till sunset
Apr 10 Ekadashi Mar 28 Brahmotsava begins (Bangalore)
Apr 11 break fast Apr 6 Brahma Ratha
Apr 8 Brahmotsava ends
Krishna Voice, Mar 2010 19

16. R Dharwad
A
T
H
A
Hubli
Y
A
T
R Mysore
A
2
0
1 Bellary
0
20 Krishna Voice, Mar 2010

17. Nityananda Trayodashi Celebrations
When Lord Sri Krishna appeared 500 years ago as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Balarama appeared as His
closest associate, Lord Nityananda. They both appeared in order to propagate the congregational chanting of the
Lord’s holy name, which is the yuga dharma for kaliyuga. Lord Nityananda appeared on the trayodashi day and
ISKCON devotees celebrate this auspicious occasion.
At Bangalore, utsava deities of Sri
Sri Nitai Gauranga were offered
theppotsava seva.
At Hubli, Their Lordships were
offered a pallaki seva.
At Mysore, a grand
abhisheka was offered.

18. Puri Heritage Fest showcases Utkal Culture to Tiny Minds
A cultural festival initiated by Hare Krishna Movement,
Puri offered a talent platform for school children and
encouraged their understanding on Utkal art and
culture. The Heritage Fest conducted its talents day
programme in Town hall, Puri, in early February 2010.
In a number of colourful events like Drama, Dance,
Song, Pauranic costumes, Coloring and Painting
contests, students from classes LKG to 7th standard
were given an opportunity to display their creativity
and talents. Students from 65 prominent schools of
Puri District contested in these events.
Parents, academicians and educators have all realized
that children’s growth and development should be
holistic and not excessively focused on academic
excellence alone. To ensure that children are able stressed out world they are already in, it is important
to face the adversities of the highly competitive and for them to acquire yet another dimension to education
- Cultural Education.
Cultural Education Services of the Hare Krishna
Movement Puri Trust, aims at reinforcing the value
of Indian heritage and culture, the wisdom of the
Vedic literature and instilling a set of emotional, social,
intellectual and spiritual values into students by
sustained training, assessments, contests, rewards
and recognition. It is an opportunity to rekindle the
creative spark in students and show the world their
vast reservoir of talents.
Teachers, parents and general folk flocked to see
the performances of around 3000 students. The best
performances of the events were given Rolling Trophy
on Talents Day.
SBI donates vehicles to Akshaya Patra
State Bank of India, the country’s
largest bank, donated two state-of-
the-art meal delivery vehicles to
Akshaya Patra Foundation. Shri R,
Sridharan, Managing Director, State
Bank of India, said, "Akshaya Patra
Foundation has brought smiles to
millions of children across India by
providing them with timely, nutritious
food which is crucial for their growth
and academic development. It is
indeed our pleasure to be a part of
this globally applauded
phenomenon and look forward to
supporting this noble cause in
whatever capacity we could.”
Shri R, Sridharan, Managing Director, and Smt Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chief General
Manager, State Bank of India handing over the grant cheque to Sri Chanchalapathi
Dasa, Vice Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation.
Krishna Voice, Mar 2010
22 23
Krishna Voice, Mar 2010

19. Akshaya Patra extends to Guwahati
Feeds 12,000 children in Kamrup District
The Governor of Assam, His
Excellency J B Patnaik,
graced the inauguration of
the Akshaya Patra mid day
meal programme in
Guwahati.
Also present were Sri
Gautam Bora, Minister of
Education and Dr Himanta
Biswa Sarma, Minister for
Health, Family Welfare and
IT. Prof Gautam Baurah,
Director, IIT Guwahati.
The Governor appreciated
Akshaya Patra in his address,
“…the best way to provide
good, healthy and nourishing
meals has been
demonstrated by Akshaya
Patra.”

20. ‘Little Krishna’ Comes Home
“Little Krishna,” a thirteen episode serial, co-produced by the India Heritage Foundation (an ISKCON Bangalore
Group initiative) and Reliance BIG ANIMATION, has now been launched by Reliance BIG Home Video as three
telefilms titled ‘The Darling of Vrindavan‘, ‘The Legendary Warrior’ and ‘The Wondrous Feats’. The stories released
on DVDs and VCDs are premiering straight on the home video format and the entire series has been created in
English. Each film is of 84 minutes duration. The series has been scripted by Emmy Award winner Jeffrey Scott
and researched by India Heritage Foundation. A highly talented techno creative team of 280 artists has worked
on the project.
Chanchalapathi Das, Vice Chairman of India Heritage Foundation and Vice President of ISKCON - Bangalore
said, "We have taken all possible care to make sure that every element in the series is authentic and never before
told with such clarity and scale. With the DVD launch we are confident that every house hold in our country will
like to own the series for themselves since it‘s not just an animated product but a true collector‘s item to be
treasured for generations to come."
A special screening event was arranged at the Multi Vision Theatre of the ISKCON Bangalore Sri Radha Krishna
Mandir for a distinguished audience, comprising of film directors, music directors, film producers from the Bangalore
based film industry as well as to media persons. At this screening event, the DVDs were specially launched by K
V Murthy (veteran cinematographer, Dada Saheb Palke Award winner), R V Deshpande (President, KPCC), Dr.
Jayamala, (President, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce), Siddalingaiah (Kannada Film Director) and Master
Kishan (Youngest Film Director).
24 Krishna Voice, Mar 2010

26. Krishna Voice Monthly Magazine, March 2010 Vol11, No.3 Price Rs 15/-
Posted on 5th or 10th of the Month at MBC, Manipal, License to post without prepayment No. WPP(CO-8), Reg No. KA/BGGPO
2521/ 2009-11, Registered with Registrar of Newspapers for India under No. RNI 71022/99, Posted at MBC, Manipal, 576104.
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