Śrila Prabhupāda Wanted to Introduce Divine Varņāśrama-dharma
In discussing varnāśrama-dharma, it is most important to clearly distinguish between the original, divine method (dajva. varņāśrama) and its present perverse manifestation as ásura- varņāśrama, the caste system based solely on birth.” Devotees must clearly understand this difference, both to disabuse others and to not themselves re-create a new kindContinue Reading
The Mystery of Lord Krishna’s Birth
First of all, Wish you a very Happy Krishna Janmashtami – The Appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna Many residents of Mathura believe that Lord Krishna appeared in Mathura, but the residents of Vrindavan know that He was born in Vraja, in Gokula. Yet Srimad-Bhagavatam states that Lord Krishna appeared inContinue Reading
To Name or Not to Name
“Srila Prabhupada instructed both to avoid naming philosophical adverseries and charlatans, and also to openly name and attack certain cheaters. Which of these approaches to follow poses a dilemma. On the one hand, not naming them helps to keep the discussion more philosophically focused, which is actually the point, sinceContinue Reading
Srila Prabhupada’s Outlook Was Not Mundane
Many people who were dissatisfied with straight American life became attracted to Srila Prabhupäda’s starkly different alternatives, but time showed that not all were ready to fully follow him. Knowingly or unknowingly, numerous devotees carry with them the baggage of worldviews developed from the speculations of various demons (Darwin, Marx,Continue Reading
Traditional Societies and the Dharmic Culture of India
Traditional societies are based on religious ethics, on the understanding that what we do today affects our future, even beyond the grave, that there is both sin and piety, which derive from an ultimate, transcendent standard of good and evil. The moral relativist sees no wrong in, for instance, homosexualContinue Reading
Why I Wear Widow’s clothes
I was married for 34 years. Being born in a Brahmin smärta orthodox family, I was ingrained with traditional cultural values from my childhood. Living in a big joint family consisting of grandparents, uncles and aunts who sincerely followed Vedic lifestyle fostered in me an appreciation of the value andContinue Reading
My Nation My Pride
December 1969: Speaking in Boston before the International Student Society, Śrīla Prabhupāda provides a practical, simple, yet profound solution for world peace and harmony. Noting the increasing number of flags at the United Nations building in New York, he states that internationalism is failing because “your international feeling and myContinue Reading