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A great and important philosophical question posed by Vrajanatha in Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur’s Jiva Dharma, the occupation of the soul .

We are manifest from Lord  Balarama, the first expansion of Krishna,  and because the soul is part of Him , and Krishna always been, so have we , within Krishna are the unlimited expansions,  thus the simultaneous one and difference can be looked at in this way , or as Jiva Goswami says , Krishna makes the impossible possible , by manifesting totally separate entities with free will .

We also have to understand the expression ,  “time immemorial ,”   we can not fathom its beginnings.

When Balarama brings forth the  ” dormant ”  Jivas , it is because He wants to increase Krishna’s pleasure. We are not dead stones or downloads of Balarama , but have free will . The more we use our free will for its intended purpose , the more freedom we can experience  . On our being “manifest ” , just as a good father tells us all about  a proper way to conduct life for our greatest benefits , similarly Balarama , our original father ,  shows and brings  freedom of expression,  love and attraction , spontaneously the living beings reveal their consciousness by their attractions , love is always voluntary and can never be forced . The complete and full  existence of Divinity is only ever understood by love.  

In revealing their state of consciousness , the Jiva is connected automatically either to Maha maya or Yoga maya ,ie the spiritual or material energies , according to their  free spirit , it appears our consciousness , having this  free spirit,  connected itself to Maha maya .   Balarama , could detect such independence of  desires and arrangements were made , automatically through ethereal planes in the multidimensional unlimited space time  , initially with relatively exalted consciousness,  but  Mahamaya has the function of providing an  illusion of artificial lordship and thus temps one to enjoy and further entanglements begin , such is Her nature .

Some people say God knows everything,  but does He know when you will turn in Love towards Him , and how you will love Him and the intensity ?

In conditioned consciousness, one is firmly in His energy,  as the high court judge knows the destination of the criminal, so a harmful soul is under grips , with predicable consequences,  but not a pure soul , he has his full freedom and is  unpredictable and every increasing in loving exchanges with the master of love Divinity or Krishna

Ultimately it was the founder of ISKCON AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada desired that his Godbrothers assist him in his mission of establishing the International Society of Krishna consciousness worldwide , and sometimes persons have the understanding no one stepped forward , but that is certainly not the case as we trace the history and development of ISKCON , and particularly its  stability   , even during the fledgling years ,and its setting for itself firm authentic roots based on Bhaki traditions and the  rich resources of the the previous acaryas much assistance was rendered , but unless one delves deeply , he may be misled by  ” officials ” , who linger in the past misunderstandings

Having just returned from a reunion with early 80s devotees,  who went through difficulties due to the initial zonal acarya system and the limitations it wrongly imposed on the traditional methods of Guru Tattva , it was evident  that devotees sought different ways to come through their difficulties. Each of which were  authentic and are part of our Bhaki tradition.

Every one ultimately took initial shelter of Srila Prabhupada who , through his literature has brought the whole world to Krishna consciousness , Thus Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja said to him , if you ever get money print books , and He  told his disciples whatever he writes print it.

Thus, Prabhupada was always key to everyone and remains so with everyone.

Our tradition of Siksa Diksa is Tattva,  so some specifically took exclusive Siksa from Prabhupada and his disciples,  and others became inspired by some of Prabhupada’s Godbrothers , who when approached by troubled devotees stepped forward to assist in helping further encouraging and guidance in persons spiritual lives , that was Prabhupada’s desire , that they might  step forward

So, over the years, it can not be denied that Srila Sridhar Swami and Srila Narayana Maharaja and other Godbrothers of Prabhupada have not helped Prabhupada’s movement in many ways , perhaps unseen by many, I would say they were crucial to ISKCON at times of difficulties  for it’s continuing stability.

I know personally that both Srila Sridhar Swami and Srila Narayana Maharaja were friends and well wishers of Prabhupada and ISKCON , although many of the early leaders misunderstood their motives , and even today astoundingly still devotees are suspicious of the motives of Prabhupada’s great friends .

We should understand  Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja and Srila AC Bhaktivedanta Swami the founder of ISKCON ,  and contemplate the task they had , namely,  to establish Vedic culture and Vaisnavism in the Western world, as taught by Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Nityananda and their direct followers ,  Srila Rupa Goswami and Ragganathha Goswami , who gave   practitioners instructions  for  Sadhana and Ragganuga Bhakti.  To that end , we have to  try to understand the epistemological systems, the  etymology, and unique particular practices that are adopted according to time place and circumstances they established , its not necessarily easy for the Bhajananandi to understand the extensive preacher , especially Srila AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada , he had the unique task of bringing Gaudia Vaisnavism all over the world, completely inconceivable.

For instance,  although Harinama is pure and does not require initiation to chant it , and although in traditional Goswami lines initiation meant Brahminical initiation to worship the Dieties , and to  study sastra . But the  first initiation into the chanting of the Holy name was given and introduced by Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati and Srila Prabhupada,  enabling  all classes of men , otherwise considered , untouchable , into Vaisnavism,  a highly spiritually elevated position,   beyond being a  family brahman.  Generally,  through Siksa and association, one would begin to chant the Holy names , why did  Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati and AC Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada propagate  this First initiation system,  a different practice .

The western audiences are generally very degraded with no knowledge of pure practices of following spiritual principles,  so to assist the psychology of the western practitioner,  promises to follow strict disciplined  lives to a Diksa Guru  at  first initiation is useful , making vows , gives stronger commitments . Promises to vow to chant the Name a set number of times  are helpful  to a Western audience , inflicting  strict discipline,  actually  practically the world  , is  engulfed in western liberal culture, even  India.

So, practical adjustments for preaching and practical applications  of Sadhana Bhakti are introduced , under the direction of these three prominent acaryas of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda prabhu , thus these preachers , made adjustments,  for preaching.

The loving affairs of Divinity and the Supreme Goddess of fortune cannot by understood by an  uncultured fellow , whose mind and senses are aborbed in the material energies,  and who unintelligently goes about his life like a sophisticated animal,  with no thoughts for real science or any philosophical inquiry. One whose mind and senses are absorbed in , or attracted to , the material physical nature of sex in the material realms ,   both in the lower , middle, and upper planetary systems , are like amateur jewelers who mistake cheap cut glass to be diamonds.

This truth has been clearly delineated by Srila Rupa Goswami and the spiritual teachers , they  sing of the glorious nature of the origins of loving affairs that are based on  an eternal soul to soul exchange in ever increasing ecstatic emotions in an eternal spiritual body with unlimited senses , this esoteric aspect of the Vedas, which is concealed, has been revealed by Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu

The impersonal philosophical thinkers try to eliminate emotional responses and make efforts to find  a oneness from within ,  it’s what the Vedas call brahman realised consciousness , like merging into the divine  light  of the soul into the aura of Divinity.

But Divinity is more than a spiritual effulgence , and His full personality and activities are completely astounding, to say the least .

The material energies provide clues as to the nature of a spiritual reality full of varigatedness,  the material energies display for learning purposes varying degrees of degradation as well as the highest and the most  admirable qualities . Culture of knowledge and purity is advised in all theological texts so that a gradual awakening can begin to advance ones consciousness to its  highest possible potential and then go beyond.

A full display of real  consciousness occurs only in the company of the origins of all loving exchanges ,Divinity Himself,  and such exchanges are expressed in five primary ways in the purest of consciousness with no trace of selfishness or lust or ambition to be a separate enjoyer . Satisfaction of the trancendental emaculate senses of Divinity , who is  eternally reciprocating in ever new ways , is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam, which is the cream of the Vedas .

It should be understood and heard from the lips of pure devotees , who have no other interest other than unalloyed service to Divinity and His associates.

Perhaps certain devotees are considered  by some to be outside Srila Prabhupada ISKCON , although in reality they are  just another branch of a  Gaudia Vaisnava tree , or the Caitanya tree , they  may ” look ” a little different or have a different emphasis on particular preaching styles , and have different authority structures,  but providing they are strictly following Rupa Ragganathha and Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityananda prabhu and carrying out the  sankirtana movement and providing they have respect for Srila Prabhupada and are well wishers of his society then they are friends and can be seen to be in union and in harmony with ISKCON , perhaps in future times working more closely together may occur , after all its a big world, and much to do .

Those within the ISKCON society   should make sure they are not actually outside, in the sense that  unless one knows Prabhupada and his intentions for ISKCON ,  like making sure everything is carried out to the highest standards , very much required when  running  an international society,  and unless one  properly understands the differing  aspects of  Tattva , for instance , Siksa Diksa tattva , or the origins of the jiva or the trancendental system of a disciplic succession , etc etc ,  one could find oneself adrift and floundering.

Srila Prabhupada represents  and expects so many things,   he represents a great tradition of spiritual teachers , especially Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Goswami and Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur who were  strict followers of  the Goswamis and understood  , as  Prabhupada did   , and  how to infiltrate society with precision , using many aspects of the Vedas , including  both the  cor  esoteric and peripheral aspects of Gaudia Vaisnavism  , both of which are  required for  systematic progressive Krishna consciousness teachings and important for an effective  influence on society at large .

Prabhupada comment.

On the train, Acyutānanda timidly put forward the question that had been on his mind: “Swamiji, what did you and Śrīdhara Mahārāja discuss?”

“Oh, many, many things,” Prabhupāda replied. “But if I were to tell you now, you would faint.” After a silence Prabhupāda added, “Still, I offered him to be president of our Society. I knew he would not accept. He is keeping things within him. Anyway, this is all beyond you. Do not have any ill feelings towards any of my Godbrothers. They are all great souls. There are just some differences on preaching and spreading. Even in your mind do not feel any ill will towards them .

Many artists , musicians , poets , philosophers , and intellectuals can  by special grace ,  and according to Bhagavad Gita  , due to  previous life’s connections  , are able to capture a moment or so of unearthly and particular  special emotional experiences , a  hidden unlimited beauty and a captivating power of pure  consciousness , that  temporarily overwhelms them . Through these special moments, they may be fortunate enough to understand some extraordinary insight into a universal order , but then the moment disappears

The absolute trancendental greatness of one of the  greatest exchanges of Love , have been described in the Caitanya Caritamrita,  it reveals something of the feelings deep within a spiritually pure heart . These esoteric teachings are explanations of the life of  Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ,  who developed the need to understand the inner feelings of the Supreme Goddess of fortune. Krishna, as Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted to experience how the supreme Goddess of fortune ,  Srimati Radharani, felt deep within Herself , Her loving moods and sentiments toward Krishna .  Krishna came to this earthly plane , serving specific purposes as Caitanya Mahāprabhu , and tasted the sweetness of the heart of Radharani , Krishna in fact was searching after Himself , because He wanted to know what Radharani felt in being in His association  .serching after Himself . In searching after the feelings of Radharani  , Caitanya Mahāprabhu had broken open the storehouse of an ever new , ever enthusiastic , beauty  of  spontaneous love with unlimited thd expertise in unlimited playful love accompanying it ,  in every one of the arts , excellences that  cannot even be imagined , and then he  is distributing this most  immaculate and highest of loving sentiments , to one and all . Magnanimity has its full expression and meaning when in the hands of Divinity.

Thus, the highest and most confidential fruits of absolute unconditional love have been handed down to the  most lowest and undeserving   persons . This demonstrates a fraction of the quality of the heart of the Supreme Goddess of fortune.

There have been 24 security sessions at the United Nations re ISRAEL. about its continued indiscriminate slaughter of women ,children, and civilians,
As John Mearsheimer and Jeffrey Sachs will tell you , the problem with our Globalist world is , there is no international law.
In todays world morals and ethics have been tossed out the window , and although the world order professes to be ” civilised and free ” in reality its cold and calculating , rules only apply when it suits otherwise they are ignored .
The Vedic systems of political affairs are systematic.and fair , the head of societies are the intelligentsia, who understand scientifically, body ,mind and consciousness .
The mission of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur ,Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati and Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was to bring Krishna consciousness to the world, both its esoteric aspects and its practical peripheral systematic progressive aspects , including, social affairs , and political along with economic systems.
Everything is contained in the Vedas, and soon in-depth studies will be conducted, of how in the 21st century, they can be practically applied.
Vedas means knowledge, the Vedas is the breathing of Maha Visnu .

One can wonder , how is it that technology has increased so rapidly in a relatively short space of time , if we consider Divinity is cause of all causes ,what are his purposes in this sudden advent of an industrial, technical and global world , we could see advantage but equally disadvantages , and there are many of them

What are the pros and cons of a technically driven world .

A.C .Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

And where is this technology = Why a dead man is dead man? Where is that technology? You know the technology… When a motorcar is stopped, you know the technology how to start it again. technology to start it again. You do not know real technology. Therefore it is failure.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.7.16

The door is open for everyone, but the lower class, except brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, they are not interested Technology. Technology means śūdra. Technology is not the business of a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya or vaiśya. No. These are technology. They are meant for the śūdras.

End of commentary..

Interesting analysis and ,of course , spot on , generally those absorbed in technology are awash with sensual and physical demands, and such technology serves as a  stimulus for further entanglements.

It is said even on the lower planetary systems technology is extremely advanced , Space craft ,and the like , sometimes in the approx 115 trillion years history of the universe,  the lower entities  make plans to inhabit and influence the universal order , earth is said to be an influential stepping stone planet. So, in the Puranas,  the historic accounts,  demons make plans to take birth in influential places to increase their hold  on universal affairs. Krishna has to facilitate everything and everyone,  so understanding why things are the way they are is complex .

Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur would say , whatever the case maybe,  use everything for expanding Spiritual consciousness , Thus He, his son Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati and his disciple Swami Prabhupada,   used technology in Krishna consciousness and Mahaprabhu has a plan , yhe fast informed technologies have been used , as well as a globalised world to fast spread Krishna consciousness around the globe and to every town and village,  so the spiritual persons fight fire with fire , the  technology has come into the hands of the divine and no doubt,  its the most effective method of communication.

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The neuroscientist Micheal Egnore , who is also a practising surgeon , writes on the topics of free will and free won’t , you may be familiar with free will but…. free wont ?

But extraordinary as it might sound , this kind of thinking and discussion parallels some the talks , that Krishna had with Arjuna in  thd Bhagavad Gita . That due to bad habits or previous connections , in previous lives  , we are forced to act by the material energies in certain ways , almost beyond our control , but Krishna says , by education,  association and practice,  we can learn to practice ”  free won’t ” means , my body and mind are attracting  me to do something  , but , but I won’t listen , because therd is going to be an outcome that ultimately will not be in my best interests . The founder of ISKCON Srila Prabhupada said in one purport ,” the devotee is very expert at ignoring his mind.”

By such practice of controlling mind and senses,  it is medically proved that the neurons begin firing differently, and the secretion of brain chemistry behaves differently , thus addiction and craving subside.

Srila Visvanatha Cakravati Thakur, a famous and prolific teacher of Vedic philosophical matters , tells we , as spiritually minded persons,  have two bodies , the influences of the former life , and the influences of this lifd  , if we could see the quantum and ethereal planes , we would see clouds of influences ready to move our psychological movements and senses in particular ways , things the astrologers can pick up in astrological readings . So the current body along with its associated energies , is one body , and the newly forming spiritual body , depending on how much we form it , what’s referred to as Sadhana practice and Ragganuga practice , in thd Vedas . Namely ,  the  forming of a mentally conceived spiritual form , our original pure spiritual and spiritual senses can be developed .

Thus, the phrase “the science of self realisation ” has many connotations .

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When the Vraja Gopies of Vrndavana, who Krishna created a festival of happiness in the heart of Krishna , who displayed  His unlimited pastimes , exhibited  to bring a flavour  of the highest realms of spontaneous unmotivated pure spiritual love to  this earthly plane and attract  His devotees and those pious souls who have properly cultivated consciousness showing respect for all beings and who  also culture God consciousness.

The  trancendental method Krishna uses when He wishes  to attract the Vraja Gopies is to send personified messages through His flute music ,  music takes on much greater dimension in the super subjective plane of a varigated spiritual world.  Having heard the call of the personified Cupid ,  a call which enters the depths of the Gopies hearts , they  abandoned their sobriety,  fear , shyness, and any  sense of discrimination, and immediately answered the call .

Complete sacrifice is required in the ultimate plane of love , and nothing short of that will suffice.

The  Catholic order of the  bride’s of Christ , or  Nuns living in convents , or monks living in monasteries,  perhaps could understand.

Actually, Krishna is our greatest friend , master , lover, and relative .  The sound of His flute calls  everyone to service , including His Vraja Gopi friends  to  dance  and  play music  n a night time festival ,  a trancendental festival that lasted millions of years , as the  time dimensions were adjusted by Krishna , from our 12 hours to the 12 hours of Lord Bramha,  lasting 4.5 billion years . As Einstein said,  time is relative,  its also interchangeable, it seems .

Currently the flute sound has been transformed into the   Nama Sankirtana , the chanting of Gods names , this chanting is calling us all to the service of Mahaprabhu and through Him the service of the residents of Vraja headed by Vrsabhanu Nandini Srimati Radharani , any one hearing or vibrating God’s names can transport themselves to the spiritual world.

Srila Prabhupada, wonderful Godbrother and great friend of Prabhupada once gave that comparison , H.H. Srila Sridhar Swami , he is a brilliant scholar and deep thinker .

On arrival ,to the dancing ground,  having responded to the call to come to the  forests of Vraja , Krishna tested the Gopies love and determination by externally appearing to ask them to return to their family lives and duties , He appeared to reject their services.

Srila Kavi karnapura in his Ananda Vrndavana Campa indicates to us all , Krishna sometimes appears very harsh ,and it’s very difficult to overcome all difficulties of a body and mind to properly develop unalloyed devotion toward Him ,  but this harshness and difficulties experienced  by us , are the workings of His external energies,  they are like the outside of the coconut,  Krishna is very very sweet by nature ,and any difficulties we maybe experiencing are gradually cracking the shell of our conditioned nature ,  and they serve a purpose in helping us aquire hearts of sweetness , dedication and devotion towards His eternal service , in doing so we can aquire the characteristics of pure devotees who are  impeccable to say the least .  Through the service of such residents of Vrndavana ,who Krishna dearly loves we may get the good fortune of assisting them as they serve the emaculate senses of Dhira Lalita Krishna,  or equally through His devotees in Mathura or Dwarka ..

So, austerities and hardships cause pain in many ways.  But in Krishna, consciousness brings the sweetness of the heart .

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