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BACK TO GODHEAD
Founded 1944. Vol. 16 No. 6 June 2019

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Contents THE TEST OF INTELLIGENCE 6 13

FEATURES
“UNPLANNED” MOVIE 10
FIXING RACISM AT THE ROOT 13
DISILLUSION, FAMILY STRUGGLES
AND KÅÑËA’S MERCY
16
DEPARTMENTS
ÇRÉMAD- BHÄGAVATAM IN THE

LAND OF CONFUCIUS 18 18
PERSPECTIVES ON TIME AND SPACE 24
Disclaimer: BTG does LETTERS 4

not endorse any claims
made by advertizements
in the magazine. We
EVERY TOWN
AND VILLAGE 30
recommend reader
VAIÑËAVA
discretion and due
diligence.
CALENDAR 33 24
EDITORIAL 34
OUR PURPOSES
• To help all people discern reality from illusion, spirit from matter, the eternal from the
temporary. • To expose the faults of materialism. • To offer guidance in the Vedic techniques
of spiritual life. • To preserve and spread the Vedic culture. • To celebrate the chanting of
the holy names of God as taught by Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu • To help every living
being remember and serve Çré Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
JUNE 2019 BACK TO GODHEAD 3

BACK TO LETTERS
GODHEAD Taking the Life of Plants objective, we will gradually come
The Magazine of the
When I requested my friends to to the perfect stage of pure, unal-
Hare Krishna Movement
adopt vegetarianism, they replied loyed devotional service. The
FOUNDER
(under the direction of His Divine Grace that vegetarians kill plants and eat anarthas (bad habits) will decrease
Çré Çrémad Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté
them, so why not kill animals? and eventually cease all together as
Prabhupäda) His Divine Grace A. C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda - —Vidya Neelakanta we continue with our regulated
Founder-äcärya of The International Our reply: It is true that plants chanting and take shelter of Lord
Society for Krishna Consciousness Kåñëa and His pure devotees,
have life, and that means that to kill
BTG INDIA: EDITOR Çyämänanda Däsa
and eat them for sense gratification always praying for their mercy.
• SUB-EDITORS Mukunda Mälä Däsa,
Nanda Duläl Däsa • EDITORIAL is sinful. Fortunately, Kåñëa’s devo-
CONSULTANT Caitanya Caraëa Däsa tees incur no sinful reaction for their Chanting with Feeling
• PROOFREADERS Revaté Vallabha
vegetarian diet because they are Please tell me how to chant with
Däsa, Gautam Saha • PUBLISHER
Yudhiñthira Däsa (Ujwal Jajoo) following the directions of the feeling, so that I get very good
• GENERAL MANAGER Pänduraìga Supreme Lord. In Bhagavad-gétä results.
Däsa (Rajendra-kumar Pujari) —Nina Sood
• PRODUCTION Saccidänanda Däsa (9.26) Kåñëa says, “If one offers Me
(Sanjiv Maheshwari), Sundar Rüpa Däsa with love and devotion a leaf, a Our reply: Çréla Prabhupäda said
(Sudarshan Sapaliga) •ACCOUNTS
flower, fruit, or water, I will accept that we should chant like a child
Manjaré Devé Däsé (Mira Singh)
• CREATIVE STAFF Manish Waghela, it.” So devotees, by making the act crying for its mother. We have to
Mukundamälä Däsa, Çyämänanda Däsa, feel dependent on the Lord. The
Sundar Rüpa Däsa of eating a sacrifice for the satisfac-
• SUBSCRIBER SERVICES Sangeeta
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PRINTING SAP Print Solutions Pvt Ltd. “practice makes perfect.” Kåñëa’s get to know Him, and to satisfy
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© 2019 The Bhaktivedanta Book
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® reserved. ISSN: 0005-3643. Pub-
lished for The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust by enjoyer, so naturally it will take just to feel some “high” of transcen-
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013., India. Editor: Çyamänanda Däsa, Çré Çré in spiritual life and work toward that
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4 BACK TO GODHEAD JUNE 2019

Kåñëa’s Apparent Partiality Why Are We Here?
Kåñëa says he loves the gopîs Why do we face problems that
of Våndävana more than anyone we don’t deserve? Why do we
else. Isn’t this partial and—forgive choose to live materially? Why
me, but—even cheating, when it did God send us here if He loves
is said that our constitutional us and cares for us?
position is already designed? —Disha
—Lakshmikanth Our reply: These are good
Our reply: Kåñëa says in the questions to ask so that we can
Bhagavad-gétä that as others achieve the perfection of human
approach Him, He reciprocates in life. If a criminal asks, “Why am I
kind. He says the He is equal to suffering in prison, which I don’t
all but especially loves those who deserve? Why did the government
love Him. The gopés of send me to prison if it cares for
Våndävana love Kåñëa more than me?” then what will you say? God
anyone else. They give up every- does care for us. But because we
thing to love Him, and Kåñëa have done something wrong, we
reciprocates their love. That is not are sent to the prison of the mate-
partial; it is just and rial world. We choose to enjoy
natural. Our basic position is separately from Kåñëa and become
that of a servant of the Lord. How envious of Him. So Kåñëa kindly
we choose to serve is up to us. gives us this world, where we can
We can passively adore Kåñëa, enjoy in illusion. If we had done
actively serve Him, be His friend, nothing wrong, we would not be
or serve Him with parental affec- suffering in God’s creation. He is
tion or in the conjugal mood. all-merciful and loves us dearly. So
as not to disturb the law-abiding
Controlling the Will souls, Kåñëa sends a few trouble-
I want to be a determined some souls like us to the material
person. Will you tell me how we world. The majority of souls stay in
can control our will? the spiritual world, enjoying with
—Sachin Kåñëa. To get out of this world we
Our reply: By making vows and should chant the holy names of
sticking to them we can increase Kåñëa and eat only food offered to
our determination. In this age the Him. Just by doing these two acts,
most important vow to make is to we can be purified.
chant the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra
a fixed number of times each day. Replies were written by
If you have not done this, you can Krishna.com Live Help volunteers.
begin today. Another good vow is
to eat only food offered to Kåñëa. Please write to us at: BTG, 3rd
By following these two vows, your Floor, 302, Amrut Industrial
consciousness will gradually be Estate, Western Highway, Mira
elevated to the platform of good- Road (E) 401104.
ness, where controlling the mind E-mail: btgindia@pamho.net.
and senses is relatively easy.

F O U N D E R’ S L E C T U R E E X C E R P T S August 3, 1968, Montreal
The Test of
INTELLIGENCE
To understand spiritual life, the most important
subject, requires a special kind of intelligence.
By His Divine Grace

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda
Founder-äcärya of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness
T
sa vai puàsäà paro dharmo HE REAL AIM of life is to get full, complete
yato bhaktir adhokñaje satisfaction, and that can be achieved only by
ahaituky apratihatä prosecution of devotional service. There is no
yayätmä suprasédati other method. If you want to be happy, free from all
cares and anxieties, then you have to engage your-
“The supreme occupation [dharma] for all hu- self in the devotional service of the Lord. That will
manity is that by which men can attain to loving make you free from all material anxieties and all
devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such material miseries.
devotional service must be unmotivated and uninter- We are all seeking after that position, how to
rupted to completely satisfy the self.” become completely happy. That is our whole
– Çrémad-Bhägavatam1.2.6 struggle for existence. Anyone, in any place, any

F O U N D E R’ S L E C T U R E
country, is struggling for exist- discrepancy of dharma. So in this If you say, “I create,” that
ence, whether human being or age, at this stage, when people means you exist before your
animal or bird or beast. They are have forgotten God, when they creation. Is that not so? If I say, “I
all trying to become happy. This are saying “God is dead,” now have created this glasses case,
happiness of the mind, or ätma, this Bhagavad-gétä or this Hare spectacle case,” that means
is only possible when we are Kåñëa mantra has descended. before the creation of this case I
engaged in Kåñëa consciousness. Kåñëa says, existed. You cannot deny it. This
That is the only remedy. There is case cannot say, “I have created
no alternative. Lord Kåñëa says in yadä yadä hi dharmasya this case.” One cannot say, “I
the Bhagavadgétä (4.7) glänir bhavati bhärata have created myself.” It is impos-
abhyutthänam adharmasya sible. Kåñëa says tadätmänaà
yadä yadä hi dharmasya tadätmänaà såjämy aham såjämy aham. Ätmänam means
glänir bhavati bhärata body, mind, or soul. Kåñëa is the
abhyutthänam adharmasya “At that time I appear.” Kåñëa supreme soul, so how can He
tadätmänaà såjämy aham has appeared in His holy name – create His soul? He is
Hare Kåñëa. There is no differ- nondifferent from His soul; He is
“My dear Arjuna, whenever ence between the holy name absolute. Therefore Baladeva
there are discrepancies in the Kåñëa and the person Kåñëa, Vidyäbhüñaëa takes “I create” to
matter of dharma, or the execu- because Kåñëa is absolute. There mean “I appear” or “I create My
tion of the real purpose of life, I is no difference between His appearance.” The sun creates its
descend.” You may take the word name, His form, His qualities, His appearance. The sun is there
dharma to mean “religion” or pastimes, His abode, His entou- already, but when the sun ap-
“duty” or “nature,” as you like, rage. There is no difference. pears you can say that the sun
but, as explained before, dharma Materially there are differences. I creates its appearance.
means your actual, constitutional am Indian, I am a person, and my
position. It is nothing artificial. place, India, is different from me. Why Kåñëa Appears
The example again I am repeat- You are American. These are all Why does Kåñëa appear? That
ing: Fire is hot, and fire has light. designations of the body. is explained in the next verse:
You cannot separate light from Kåñëa says tadätmänaà
fire or heat from fire. Therefore såjämy aham. Såjämi generally pariträëäya sädhünäà
heat and light are its dharma, its means “I manufacture.” You or I vinäçäya ca duñkåtäm
real “religion.” may make this glasses case. This dharma-saàsthäpanärthäya
The dharma of the living entity, is Såjämi. But Baladeva sambhavämi yuge yuge
our dharma, is defined very nicely Vidyäbhüñaëa, a learned scholar,
by Lord Caitanya. Our dharma, or explained that here Såjämi means “To deliver the pious and to
religion, is to obey the orders of “I appear.” annihilate the miscreants, as well
the Supreme Lord, to engage The Mäyävädé philosophers as to reestablish the principles of
ourselves in the loving, transcen- take advantage of this word and religion, I Myself appear, millen-
dental service of the Lord. say that Kåñëa or any incarnation nium after millennium.” (Gétä 4.8)
of God is created, just as so many “In every yuga, or millennium . .
Kåñëa’s Appearance material things are created. Any- .” There are different great peri-
in this Age thing we find in this room is ods, just as in your country in the
In the present age, people created. This dictaphone, this whole year there are different
have no idea what God is. They microphone. But if you say, periods called spring, summer,
are asking, “What is God?” and “Kåñëa is created; anything cre- fall, and winter. They are coming
they are proud of their education. ated is material; therefore Kåñëa is in rotation. Similarly, there is a
Just see. This is the godless result also material,” then you will have rotation of time that is divided
of a godless civilization. This is misunderstood. into four millenniums called

Satya-yuga, Tretä-yuga, Dväpara- only. Believe me.” Just see. He is Caitanya Mahäprabhu
yuga, and Kali-yuga. Kåñëa says, an incarnation of God, and he is in the Bhägavatam
dharma-saàsthäpanärthäya saying to the people amongst Lord Caitanya is also men-
sambhavämi yuge yuge: “To whom he is preaching, “There is tioned in the Çrémad-
establish dharma I come in every no God.” But he is God. Bhägavatam(11.5.32):
millennium.” Is this not a process of cheat-
ing? Yes. But this process of kåñëa-varëaà tviñäkåñëaà
Three Incarnations cheating is not exactly cheating; it säìgopäìgästra-pärñadam
Now, one may inquire, “Kåñëa is for the welfare of the atheistic yajïaiù saìkértana-präyair
appeared in the Tretä-yuga. persons. Sometimes the father yajanti hi su-medhasaù
When is He going to appear in cheats the son. The son is insist-
the Kaliyuga?” That is mentioned ing on keeping a one-thousand- “In the Age of Kali, intelligent
in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam and dollar note, and the father is persons perform congregational
other authentic Vedic literatures. asking, “My dear son, please chanting to worship the incarna-
In the Kali- yuga there are three deliver it.” “No, I shall not.” So tion of Godhead who constantly
different incarnations. One is Lord the father gives him a lozenge: sings the names of Kåñëa. Al-
Buddha, another is Lord Caitanya, “My dear son, would you like to though His complexion is not
and another, in the last stage of take this lozenge?” “Yes, give blackish, He is Kåñëa
this age, is Kalki. me.” “But you have to give me Himself. He is accompanied by
We get this information from that paper.” “All right, take it.” His associates, servants, weapons,
the authority of the Bhägavatam. So this is not actually cheating, and confidential companions.”
We have to accept who is an because the father knows, “This Kåñëa will appear in the Kali-yuga.
incarnation according to the boy will destroy this one thou- His symptoms are these. Just as
authentic scripture. We cannot sand dollars, so it is necessary to Lord Buddha’s symptoms were
accept anyone who claims, “I am give him that two-cent lozenge described, similarly Lord
also an incarnation.” No. In the and take that thousand-dollar Caitanya’s symptoms are also
çästras, the authentic scriptures, paper.” Similarly, when people described. Kåñëa- varëaà: “He
the symptoms of the incarnations become too atheistic, in order to belongs to the category of Kåñëa
are foretold. Regarding Lord bring them back to the under- Himself” or “He is always chanting
Buddha it is mentioned, “In such standing of God it is sometimes ‘Kåñëa.’” His business is simply to
and such place, in such and such necessary to act as Lord Buddha chant Hare Kåñëa. Kåñëa is chant-
form, performing such and such did. ing Hare Kåñëa. And tviñäkåñëaà:
activity, Lord Buddha will ap- Now, those who follow “But His complexion is not Kåñëa,
pear.” Similar descriptions are Buddha’s philosophy say, “There black.” Lord Caitanya appeared
there for Lord Caitanya and Kalki. is no soul. There is no God.” But with a very fair complexion, a
As for Lord Buddha, in the there are thousands and thou- very nice golden color. You have
Bhägavatam the name of Lord sands of temples of Lord Buddha, pictures of Lord Caitanya. Very
Buddha’s mother is mentioned. and people worship him. Espe- beautiful. He was a very beautiful
And his activities are also men- cially in countries like Japan and figure. Tviñä means “by His com-
tioned. What are his activities? His China and Burma there are thou- plexion,” and aKåñëa means “not
activities are not very pleasant. sands of temples, and the people black.” Therefore one of Lord
sammohäya sura-dviñäm: “The exactly worship in the same way Caitanya’s names is Gaurasundara.
Lord will appear as Buddha in as we are worshiping Jagannätha. Sundara means beautiful, and
order to sammohäya – bewilder – The lamp is given, the candle is gaura means fair. Another of His
the atheist class of men.” burned. They offer very respect- names is Gauräìga, “whose body
(Bhägavatam 1.3.24) His activity fully, and there are brahmacärés, is very fair.”
was to cover the atheist class of sannyäsés. All these principles are Säìgopäìgästra-pärñadam :
men, those who do not believe in there. But officially there is no “He is always accompanied by
God. Lord Buddha said, “Yes, question of God. some associates,” especially Lord
there is no God. There is void Nityänanda, Lord Advaita, Çréväsa,

Haridäsa, and others. You have brain substance. One who has got class man or a çüdrä. It doesn’t
seen the pictures. He is chanting very good brain substance will matter. These classes are generally
and dancing with His associates understand this saìkértana move- understood to be less intelligent.
and others. When Lord Caitanya ment nicely. In our India, espe- But Kåñëa is opening the path for
was present, whenever He would cially in Bengal, sometimes they everyone. Mäà hi pärtha
go He was dancing, and He say to a dull-brained man, “Oh, vyapäçritya. If one accepts Kåñëa
chanted “Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, you have got cow dung within very seriously – if one takes
Kåñëa Kåñëa . . .” He was so your brain. You have no brain shelter of Kåñëa specifically – then
beautiful and attractive that substance.” one may be a woman or a laborer
people would follow Him. Thou- Su- medhasaù means one who or a merchant. It doesn’t matter.
sands and thousands of people has got good brain substance. But He or she can go to the highest
would follow, chanting Hare one thing I must explain here. As perfection. And in the next verse
Kåñëa. When Lord Caitanya far as spiritual life is concerned, it (Gétä 9.33) it is said, kià punar
started this movement in Bengal, does not depend on the material brähmaëäù puëyä: “And what to
He was a boy of twenty years brain substance. It is a different speak of the intelligent class?”
old, and many, many people thing. It is on the spiritual plat- They are certainly elevated to the
were following Him. So the form. It has nothing to do with highest position.
Muslim governor, Nawab Hussein this bodily construction. You must
Shah, inquired of his minister, remember. We don’t make any Intelligent Worship
“Who is this person that He is distinction that a man can be more Here the word su-medhasaù is
chanting Hare Kåñëa and so many Kåñëa conscious than a woman. used in the particular sense that
people are following Him?” The No. Women can be more Kåñëa for worship of God there are
minister was a Hindu. He thought, conscious because they are very different methods, different reli-
“He is a Muslim king, so he may simple. They can accept any gious systems, different churches,
not like this movement.” There- religious system. Generally different mosques, different
fore he wanted to hide it. “My women accept it because they temples. Even among Hindus
Lord, you have been misin- are very simple. They have no there are many different pro-
formed. He is not very important. crooked mind. Therefore some- cesses. I think the Hindus have got
Some crazy fellows are following times they are exploited. so many different processes that
Him. A few only, not many.” The The bodily construction of a they can outnumber all the differ-
Nawab replied, “No, don’t try to man is different from that of a ent processes of the world.
hide the facts. He must be a great woman, and the brain substance Su-medhasaù means that for
personality. Otherwise, why are may also be different, but that does executing religious life, for achiev-
so many people following Him?” not disqualify any woman for ing the highest perfection of life,
That was his remark. Wherever spiritual advancement in Kåñëa one must be very intelligent. A fool
Lord Caitanya went, He was consciousness. That is clearly cannot achieve the highest perfec-
always followed by many associ- defined in the Bhagavad-gétä(9.32): tion of life. Just as a fool cannot be
ates – säìgopäìgästra-pärñadam. very prosperous even in this
These are the symptoms. mäà hi pärtha vyapäçritya material world, similarly a fool
ye ‘pi syuù päpa-yonayaù cannot make any progress in the
Good Brain Substance striyo vaiçyäs tathä çüdräs spiritual world. So su-medhasaù
And how to worship that te ‘pi yänti paräà gatim means that one should be a little
Supreme Personality of Godhead, intelligent. What is that intelli-
Kåñëa, in this age? Yajïaiù “O son of Påthä, those who take gence? Now, if I have got the
saìkértana-präyair yajanti hi su- shelter in Me, though they be of easiest path to achieve the highest
medhasaù: “This form of the lower birth – women, vaiçyäs perfection of life, why shall I take a
Personality of Godhead is wor- [merchants], and çüdräs [workers] path which is not very sure? This
shiped by the intelligent class of – can attain the supreme destina- intelligence is required.
men.” Su-medhasaù. Su means tion.” It doesn’t matter whether So the Lord appears in this age
very good, and medhasaù means one is a woman or a mercantile- (Continued on page 12)

COVER STORY
R
ecently a movie about the
grotesque reality of
abortion, named
“Unplanned” has become a
surprise niche hit. It is the
conversion story of Abby Johnson
who was the Clinic Director of
the Planned Parenthood clinic at
Brian, Texas, America. What
makes this story especially
riveting is that it describes how a
person who had facilitated 22,000
abortions becomes an anti-
abortion activist and campaigner.
Abortion has been positioned
in today’s mainstream media as a
right of woman or an issue of
female reproductive health. In
today’s media, movies which give
a message opposite to the
dominant leftist narrative
centered on feminism are
systematically sidelined. This
movie, produced by the Christian
equivalent of Netflix called
“Pureflix,” was denied trailer
advertisements on all mainstream
networks except Fox News, and
it was banned by critics not so
much for its cinematic flaws as for
its core message.
To deny the ghastly reality of
abortion so that people can go
about uninhibitedly — and to
“Unplanned”
present it as a right of a woman
— is a great wrong. The very
name of the global organization
that propagates and facilitates
Movie abortion —”Planned Parenthood”

— points to the deceptive cover-
up of the reality. It is a systematic
plan to not only prevent
unwanted parenthood, but also to
exposes the planned denial of deter any deep thought about the
reality surrounding abortion choice of abandoning parenthood
through abortion.
The women who go for
By Caitanya Caraëa Däsa
abortion are not allowed to see personal entry into and out of the every year. This is not just
the sonographic pictures of what abortion industry, which has the because the technology to do
is there in their womb. The same name “Unplanned.” This abortion has become more
sonography is done so that the motion picture is an adapted widespread and accessible. It is
clinic can determine the size of version of that book. In America it also because the responsibility
the embryo, and accordingly the has an R rating. Some abortion associated with sexuality has
charge for the abortion. However, films try to avoid this “R rating”, been increasingly dwindled,
women are given sanitized so that they can reach a greater which is because of the ever-
messages that actually neither audience. So, they don’t show the increasing glamorization of casual
they nor the embryo at this stage horrific blood and gore that are sexuality in the name of sexual
will feel any pain. intrinsic to the act of abortion. But freedom.
The magnitude of the denial such sanitization numbs the The sexual revolution started
present in the abortion industry is impact by further continuing the in the 1960’s, and has had many
seen through the fact that Abby denial of reality that enables unwanted consequences such as
herself has never encountered people to embrace abortion as a the breakdown of the families
the unvarnished reality of
abortion, despite working in
the industry for nearly a
decade, including several years
as the clinic director. Due to a
staff shortage, one day she is
unexpectedly called to assist in
a sonography-guided abortion
of a thirteen-week-old unborn
child. When she sees through
the sonography on the
computer screen, the child is
desperately trying to get away
from the suction machine,
which inserts a cannula into the
womb and dismembers and
drags the remains of the child
out. The child struggles
frantically as its finely formed
backbone is crushed with
diabolical precision. Then it
becomes motionless as the tiny default choice, whenever the and the neglect of the children.
pieces are collected and brought pregnancy test shows an One effect is the alarming
out. And where there was a unwanted positive. increase in the number of
throbbing life in the uterus just a Of course, condemning those abortions.
few minutes earlier, now there is who conduct abortion or those To deal with abortion at the
a dark empty space. This who have done abortion root, we need to stop the denial
experience is so jolting that she themselves is not the solution. We first. Many to-be-mothers, if they
soon resigns as the clinic director need a bigger dialogue and see their baby through
and decides to become an anti- deliberation in society, about how sonography scans, change their
abortion activist. we have arrived today at a place, minds about having it aborted.
Eventually, she wrote a where in America alone, 926,000 But unfortunately, they are never
bestselling book about her documented abortions take place given access to that, and they are

given misleading anodynes, the systematically designed saìkértana-präyair yajanti hi su-
including the canard — the technological mechanisms and medhasaù: “Those who are intelli-
deliberately fabricated lie that equally systematically designed gent will perform worship of the
abortion is painless for both them denial mechanisms as do humans Lord by this yajña, chanting Hare
and their fetus. But as the movie today. Society urgently needs the Kåñëa.” Yajña, or sacrifice, means
graphically shows, it can be course correction of a more to satisfy the Supreme Lord Viñëu.
horribly painful on occasions for spiritual world-view and lifestyle. That is yajña. Now, in this age the
the mother, and it is of course Supreme Lord is satisfied simply
murderously painful for the Caitanya Caraëa Däsa is the by saëkértana, or congregational
infant. By confronting the reality associate-editor of Back to chanting: Hare Hare Kåñëa, Hare
of the life in the womb, and Godhead (US and Indian Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/
Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma
speaking for the rights of the editions). To read his daily
Räma, Hare Hare This is men-
embryo, and not just the rights of Bhagavad-gétä reflections, please
tioned in the çästra
the mother in whose womb that subscribe to Gitadaily on his
(Båhannäradéya Puräëa 3.8.126).
embryo is, we can rise beyond website,
the casual sexuality, to see thespiritualscientist.com.
arer näma harer näma
sexuality and its product, life,
with greater sanctity and
spirituality.
... harer nämaiva kevalam
kalau nästy eva nästy eva
nästy eva gatir anyathä
And the rectification of this has
to begin by acquiring a more The Test of.... “In this age of quarrel and
spiritual world-view, wherein we (Continued from page 9) hypocrisy the only means of
see all life as sacred. Bhagavad- also. And according to çästra, deliverance is chanting the holy
gétä, the ancient guidebook of authentic scripture, He has ap- name of the Lord. There is no
spiritual wisdom, indicates that peared as Lord Caitanya. If we other way. There is no other way.
life comes not from the accept this principle on the There is no other way.” In this
biochemical combination that is authority of authentic scripture, age of disagreement there is no
the body, but from the spark of we are intelligent. You don’t have possibility of executing different
spirit, the soul. to become a great psychologist or processes of self-realization. No.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam (3.31), a great scientist or mathematician. They say that there are as many
another time-honored guidebook No. You have to take the orders paths as one can manufacture. It
for spiritual living, describes how of the authority. may be true. But in this age,
the soul enters into the mother’s For example, when you are kalau nästy eva nästy eva nästy
womb and is conscious while driving a car, it is written there, eva gatir anyathä: “There is no
there — it is certainly not a mere “Keep to the right.” It does not alternative, no alternative, no
tissue to be removed. With such require a very nice intelligence. alternative.” Therefore an intelli-
You keep your car to the right, gent man will take up this Kåñëa
spiritual understanding, we see
and you are all right. But if you consciousness movement. That is
our sexuality as a sacred gift to be
go to the left, you are fool num- the test of one’s intelligence.
used for bringing new life into
ber one. Why? It is written there, And it is very easy. Simply by
the world; and we recognize the
“Keep to the right.” Why do you chanting Hare Kåñëa you gradu-
dangers of casual sexuality for
go to the left? That means you are ally develop your Kåñëa con-
everyone involved. fool number one. sciousness to the highest plat-
“Unplanned” is an important This much intelligence we must form. So one who has accepted
reminder of the darkness and have: “Here is the police direction, the simple method recommended
gruesomeness toward which ‘Keep to the right.’ Why shall I go for this age is called intelligent.
society is increasingly headed to the left?” This much intelligence That is required. That much
because of casual sexuality. No can be had by any common man. intelligence we must have.
living being aborts its progeny with The çästra says, yajïaiù Thank you very much.

FIXING RACISM
AT THE ROOT
How the practice of bhakti-yoga

can solve a persistent societal problem
By Ädi Puruña Däsa
T
HERE’S A PERENNIAL deep-rooted phenomena that affects millions of people
worldwide. Historically, it has led to untold numbers of vicious hate crimes and
revolts. Even today, in some places children are afraid to go to school because of it. It
is racism. Discrimination against someone simply because of his or her race is unfortunately
not foreign to us in our current world. World leaders endorse it, millions practice it, and
millions suffer from it. It has been going on for so long that it seems there may not even be a
solution for it. The ancient tradition of bhakti-yoga, however, has answers to this enduring
problem.

Readjusting Our Vision wise know that the real living that makes Volkswagen Beetles,
How exactly can we combat entity is not the body, but rather a or they could be born as an actual
racism? One important way is to spiritual entity – the soul. The beetle. Viewing someone as
readjust our view of others. The body is just like a dress the living lesser or higher depending on
Bhagavad-gétä provides us with entity puts on for some time. their race is imperfect vision
the insight to make this possible. When the body gets old, one because any type of bodily
must change the designation is impermanent. By
“dress” of the seeing others as fellow spiritual
body for souls equal to ourselves,
another, in the however, we treat others on the
same way that I basis of who they really are, and
may change out we avoid racism because we
of a t-shirt and don’t let trivial matters like the
shorts into a suit. particular body someone has
Our bodies are determine his or her worth.
changing all the
time, yet we How Can We Practically
remain the same Develop This Vision?
spiritual soul. Of course, while in theory
Those in trying to develop the vision of
knowledge don’t equanimity sounds simple
view people enough, in practice it can be
according to the difficult. Cultural forces are so
particular bodily strong that even if we don’t
dress they succumb to racism, we may be in
happen to be an environment where racism is
wearing, but prevalent. How can we strive to
rather they look develop an attitude of equality to
at everyone on a all and in doing so set a positive
The enlightened see with unbiased vision because they
see the soul and the Supersoul within all living beings. deeper level by example for others?
seeing them as One way to develop this
spiritual souls, vision is to practice bhakti-yoga.
Kåñëa tells Arjuna, “The humble equal to all other living beings. By such practice, one can
sages, by virtue of true After all, while we may judge develop qualities like equanimity
knowledge, see with equal vision people for their fashion choices, automatically. One of the main
a learned and gentle brähmaëa, a we don’t let such choices practices of bhakti-yoga is to
cow, an elephant, a dog and a permanently affect our opinions chant the names of God,
dog-eater [outcaste].” (Gétä 5.18) of them. If I happen to wear a especially the mahä-mantra:
A learned sage sees all living really goofy t-shirt one day, my Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa
beings equally despite whatever friends may tease me a little, but Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma,
body they happen to be in. they wouldn’t stop being friends Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare
Whether someone has the body with me or treat me differently. Hare. Just as someone sleeping
of a dog, or the body of someone So why then do we continue to can be woken up by sound, we
who eats dogs, or even the body discriminate against others based can be reawakened to our
of a mad politician, a humble on the outer dress of their body? original spiritual nature by
sage sees them all on an equal Someone with a black body or a chanting and hearing the mahä-
level. white body now may in the next mantra. In our pure state, we are
But why would this be? The life be born into a German family naturally blissful and free from

impurities like anger or envy. whether friend or enemy. Kåñëa pure-hearted souls.
Why does the mantra work? describes this in the Bhagavad- History also shows that
The mahä-mantra consists of gétä (6.9), “A person is considered changing the hearts of the
names of God, and because God still further advanced when he people is a more effective
is omnipotent, His name is regards honest well-wishers, strategy than simply passing a
nondifferent from Him. Thus by affectionate benefactors, the law. For example, the
chanting names of God one is neutral, mediators, the envious, Declaration of Independence
associating with God and thus friends and enemies, the pious states, “All men are created
becoming purified. Bhakti-yogis and the sinners all with an equal equal.” But did the founding
also know that God is one but has mind.” fathers really believe that all
many names, such as Kåñëa, Therefore bhakti-yoga is a men were created equal? Well,
Allah, and Jehovah. Thus one can practical way to combat racism considering how they kept
chant the names of God in one’s because it is not simply an slaves and only considered them
respective faith, and the purifying intellectual adjustment, but a three fifths of a full person, I’d
effect will be there. holistic process that purifies the say not. It took the work of many
A common criticism of bhakti- heart so that one can love all abolitionists to change the hearts
yogis is that their chanting is living entities. of the people. Therefore simply
impractical. When one takes a passing a law won’t fix the
closer look at what the chanting Making an Impact problem of racism because the
does, however, one will find that One who acknowledges the real problem is in the heart.
it is a very practical use of one’s effectiveness of bhakti-yoga in It shouldn’t be up to the
time. The chanting purifies one’s helping to combat racism might oppressed to have to fight for
consciousness, which in turn still wonder how this will make a their equality rights. All people,
leads one to think and then act in widespread difference in solving whether rich or poor, white,
a more considerate way towards racial problems once and for all. black, yellow, or brown, should
others. Therefore the practice of Once again, Kåñëa gives us some learn to accept one another on
chanting the names of God can insight as to how this can the basis of the soul and not the
stop racism at the root because it happen. He states, “Whatever external dress of the body. If it
empowers us to be more loving action a great man performs, became a genuine societal value
towards one another and reluctant common men follow. And to view others equally, then not
to discriminate. whatever standards he sets by only racism but also hatred in
In addition to chanting the exemplary acts, all the world general would be reduced and
names of God, however, bhakti- pursues.” (Gétä 3.21) If someone there would be much more
yogis do more active things. practices bhakti-yoga and peace in the world. Of course, it
Chanting God’s names develops a pure heart, then may take a long time for the
spiritualizes the chanters’ other people will naturally begin world to come to this platform.
consciousness so that they can to follow the example. People Still, if we work to combat the
spiritualize the rest of their are naturally drawn to follow impurities within us, ultimately
normal activities. Thus bhakti- those they think are great men or the evil in the outside world will
yogis can perform their women, and certainly a bhakti- also reduce as a natural
occupations or other duties with yogi who sets a strong example consequence of hatred being
the attitude of pleasing the of loving every living being will replaced by love.
Supreme rather than themselves. earn respect. Therefore the
This helps cultivate qualities like purification the bhakti-yogis Ädi Puruña Däsa is pursuing a
compassion and selflessness experience benefits not only master’s degree in Religious
rather than greed or envy. The themselves, but also society Studies at Duke University in
result is that one will be because other people will want North Carolina.
compassionate towards everyone, to follow the example of such

HOW I CAME TO
KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS
Disillusion,
Family Struggles and
Kåñëa’s Mercy
Despite living in a traditional Indian family, a devotee had to
face challenges in order to practice Kåñëa consciousness.
By Räsa Ramaëa Kåñëa Däsa
everything, not knowing if I
I
’d been very naughty
in my childhood but, was made for it or not.
like most children, I Glamorous things captivated
was sincere and simple, me and I wanted to get all
true to my heart and of those things. Successful
without any complexities. people fascinated me and I
As I grew up, however, wanted to become like
circumstances started them. I remained unaware
affecting me, as it happens of my own talents and
with everybody. Perhaps abilities due to which I may
circumstances had so much have missed several
strength that I always got opportunities to grow in
carried away with them and life.
didn’t know how and when What I had failed to
an evil of instability realize was that I was
entered my life. At one supposed to be a teacher
time I was going to pursue — this was the skill I had
a career in medical science within me naturally. Until
but later I got ready to then I was unhappy and
pursue commerce along fed up. But everything
with some professional changed suddenly when I
qualifications. In the end I met with ISKCON
followed neither of the devotees, sometime in
two. I wanted to pursue April-May 2005.

A turn of events more times before visiting the over all the difficult situations.
After going through several ISKCON temple at Punjabi Bagh, Tea, coffee, eggs, onion, garlic —
distractions, I finally settled down New Delhi. I gave up everything without
as an English language teacher- When I shared my devotional giving a second thought.
cum-trainer. Over the last twenty- experience at ISKCON with my My wife and I started regularly
four years, I have taught several wife, Preeti — a strong-willed visiting the Punjabi Bagh temple
thousand students. Out of all of lady with an excellent service and other satsaìga programs. My
them, one student was special. attitude — she was apprehensive. wife, who was pregnant then,
Her name was Meera, who After listening patiently, she gave birth to our daughter and
introduced me to ISKCON. I had alerted me against any fraud. I then son in a Kåñëa conscious
noticed that Meera was quite hadn’t told her that I had started atmosphere.
different from others — a simple, chanting japa and reduced my tea Over time, however, I found it
sober girl wearing Vaiñëava tilaka intake from 5-6 cups of tea in a difficult to practice serious Kåñëa
on her forehead and tulasé beads day to 2 or 3 cups. My mother consciousness in my joint family
around the neck. I was impressed noticed it, but she didn’t object atmosphere. Moreover, we had a
and was curious to know more except warn me about the love-cum-arranged marriage,
about her lifestyle. I was raised in dangers. In this way my journey which was not appreciated by my
a God conscious family, but never in Kåñëa consciousness began and parents and other family
indulged myself in any of the I got connected to the members. On one such day, after
karma-käëòa rituals. I was eager transcendental disciplic a heated argument, I felt
to get knowledge about spiritual succession. I must thank Meera exhausted and felt it was getting
life (something like a jïäna-
käëòi), something that could
enlighten me and take me to
Although I readily took to the practice
liberation. When I inquired from
Meera, she invited me to an of Kåñëa consciousness, I found
ISKCON program at a coaching it a challenge to maintain it.
institute.
When I reached the venue, I
felt charmed by the aura of the for being my patha-pradarçaka- too much. I decided to leave
surroundings. Clean and neatly guru, or one who shows the way. home and go somewhere,
covered with mats, the room had anywhere. When Preeti got to
a mystical ambience. I saw a Challenges within know my plans, she insisted on
beautiful altar decorated with the the Family joining me. Both of us decided to
laminations of Rädhä-Kåñëa, Lord Although I readily took to the visit Çri Vrindavan Dham. While
Narasiàhadeva, and Çréla practice of Kåñëa consciousness, I standing near their Lordships
Prabhupäda. A pleasant breeze found it a challenge to maintain it. Kåñëa-Balaräma, I broke down
carried the aroma of fragrant Whenever I would wear dhoti- and expressed my struggles and
incense. Two devotees were kurta, my friends and relatives difficulties to them. We went
softly singing the Hare Kåñëa passed many comments and back home, hoping that things
Kértana accompanied by mådaìga made fun of me. My çikhä will improve. But unfortunately
and karatäls. Soon there was a attracted even greater attention the situations became worse.
talk on the Bhagavad-gétä, and and jokes from them. They would Eventually we both decided to
later food (which they called often advise me, “Dear son, you move out and set up our own
prasäda) was served in the end. should take to this lifestyle in home. Till date, even after
Although I couldn’t get much your old age, not so early.” But fourteen years of our marriage,
from the talk, I liked the overall by Kåñëa’s mercy, I could stand my family members haven’t come
program. I visited the place few up to their propaganda and get (Continued on page 30)

EAST MEETS EAST:
Çrémad-
Bhägavatam
in the
Land of
Confucius
Two brothers present a unique
retelling, set in modern Beijing,
of India’s ancient Bhägavata Puräëa.
by Särvabhauma Däsa
I
n Çréla Prabhupäda’s compassionate desire to make the sublime
science of Kåñëa consciousness available to every soul in the
world, he didn’t forget China. In 1974 and 1977 he wrote to dis-
ciples, “Preach widely and enthusiastically to the Chinese population,
especially to the young people, and they may not respond quickly,
but they are very sober-minded; when they decide to join us that will
be a fixed decision . . . . After all, a large portion of the earth’s popula-
tion is of Chinese origin, so why should we neglect them?”
Kåñëa and Balaräma with their friends in Våndävana. In 1984 the

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust commissioned Madame Yun-Sheng Li to create
artwork in the Chinese Gongbi style for Çréla Prabhupäda’s book Light of
the Bhägavata. This is one of those paintings.

“I agree with your statement the world’s two oldest cultural
very much that if the Chinese traditions: Indian and Chinese.
are approached intelligently Although the voidist teach-
they will become strong devo- ings of Buddha came to China
tees, because their moral from India long ago, until re-
character and steadfast nature is cently Çrémad- Bhägavatam, the
very strong. I also observed this spotless treatise on bhakti-yoga,
in the Chinese people and had not been presented in an
appreciated it very much.” especially accessible form for
When Prabhupäda – unde- the Chinese, either in their
terred by divisive mundane homeland or abroad. To help
global politics – wrote these fulfill Çréla Prabhupäda’s desire
letters, the People’s Republic of to enlighten the Chinese, two
China was virtually cut off from American-born brothers were
the noncommunist world by inspired to team together in an
what was termed the “Bamboo unlikely literary venture.
Curtain,” a Cold War euphe-
mism for the rigid political A Unique Collaboration
demarcation at that time be- Near the end of Tamäl Kåñëa
tween the Communist and Goswami’s 1989 Kåñëa con-
capitalist noncommunist states scious novel, Yoga for the New
of East Asia, akin to Europe’s Millennium, the American-born
“Iron Curtain.” Gauòéya Vaiñëava guru Sanatan
In 1961, he had been invited Swami tells his aspiring disciple
to attend the Congress for Li Guang Shi, a PhD student
Cultivating the Human Spirit, an from mainland China who has
international religious confer- just graduated from New York’s
ence in Japan. Aware that Columbia University, “Kåñëa has
Oriental people are fond of the a special purpose of His own to
temperate autumn season, fulfill through you,” and adds,
Prabhupäda composed a spe- “Kåñëa’s plan began to take
cial text based on Çrémad- shape with your very birth.”
Bhägavatam’s Tenth Canto, The new devotional novel
Chapter 20, which describes The Story of Li Guang Shi: Back
autumn in Vrindavan, Lord Home, Part I, by Tamäl Kåñëa
Kåñëa’s sacred abode, and he Goswami and his nine-years-
planned illustrations for each younger brother Carl Herzig,
verse. Although it turned out picks up where Yoga for the
that Prabhupäda could not New Millennium leaves off.
attend the conference, years Like Li Guang Shi’s birth,
later the Bhaktivedanta Book Tamäl Kåñëa Goswami’s was not
Trust published the book Light without a special purpose in
of the Bhägavata, which com- regard to the people of China,
bined his poetic descriptions and as one reads Back Home, it
with color illustrations by appears that Carl’s own birth
renowned Chinese artist Ma- and subsequent role in writing
dame Yun-sheng Li. The book devotional literature was like-
was thus a unique blending of wise more than mere coinci-

dence. In material life Carl had
prepared for such an eventual
service via his prior development
as an English professor, poet, and
writer, but most importantly he
emerged as a Gauòéya Vaiñëava
devotee himself, a development
that both surprised and delighted
Tamäl Kåñëa Goswami, since the
two had little contact for many
years and had been, apparently,
living in different worlds.
TKG, His Brother, and China

Tamäl Kåñëa Goswami might
never have had anything to do
with China, but in 1976, amid
controversy over his leadership
of the Rädhä- Dämodara traveling
saìkértana party in America, he
had commented in jest to Çréla Brothers, and coauthors, Kälachandjé Däsa and Tamäl Kåñëa Goswami
Prabhupäda that maybe he should outside the ISKCON Dallas temple in 1995.
go somewhere far away, like
China, where no one could object from his brother. order to preach in the West,” Carl
to his managerial style. To his “I’ve been preaching in China noted in Back Home’s Preface,
chagrin, the next day Prabhupäda and have begun a novel set in “but that instruction never left his
told him, “You said China. I’ve Beijing,” Tamäl Kåñëa Goswami heart. Neither had Tamäl Kåñëa’s
wanted to do something there; I told him. “We should use our request left mine.” Meditating on
think Kåñëa has spoken through relationship for devotional ser- it, he chanted the Hare Kåñëa
you.” vice. I’d like you to finish it; it’s mahä-mantra, studied the
And it is probably safe to say yours now. I’ll send you the Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-
that by material calculation, the manuscript.” Bhägavatam, sought devotees’
odds were incredibly slim that Carl began work on the novel, association, and visited China for
Tamäl Kåñëa Goswami’s brother but in 2002 he received news that research. In due course, he
would ever have written a tran- his brother had passed away in an received initiation from His
scendental 500-plus-page novel automobile accident near Holiness Giriräja Swami, along
retelling and explaining India’s Mayapur, India. He was devas- with the spiritual name
great Puräëic history Çrémad- tated, but he didn’t rationalize Kälachandjé Däsa.
Bhägavatam – in, of all places, away the request.
the ancient land of Confucius and In fact, although he had aca- Vaiñëava Literature
Mao Tse Tung. Back Home did demic responsibilities as profes- Regarding a statement by the
not arise from Carl’s own plan- sor of English at an Iowa univer- great Vaiñëava author Kåñëadäsa
ning or inspiration; in fact, it sity as well as family duties as a Kaviräja, Çréla Prabhupäda
wasn’t even his idea. As the husband and father of three, he stresses that without the mercy of
book’s Preface explains, Çréla molded his life around it. the Lord, the blessings of devo-
Prabhupäda’s grace came to Carl “Çréla Prabhupäda had once tees in a bona fide disciplic
in 1994 in the form of an unex- said that it had taken him twenty- succession, and a humble service
pected long-distance phone call two years to act upon his guru’s mood, it is not possible to com-

pose devotional literature. Prabhupäda in 1972, and, having
been the recipient of this impor-
By their mercy, all these tant request, prayed for Çré Çré
devotees ordered me to write Rädhä-Kälachandjé’s blessings to
of the last pastimes of Çré be able to execute this task,
Caitanya Mahäprabhu. . . . seeing it as a blessed duty.
Having received the order of
the Vaiñëavas but being Overcoming Kali-yuga’s
anxious within my heart, I Influence
went to the temple of [the Çréla Prabhupäda appreciated
deity] Madana-mohana in China as a great and important
Våndävana to ask His per- civilization, with much in com-
mission also. (Caitanya- mon with India’s Vedic culture,
caritämåta, Ädi 8.72–73) but he explained that due to the
materialistic age in which we
Purport: To write about live, India and China need to
the transcendental pastimes regain their former spiritual
of the Supreme Personality greatness, and this can be accom-
of Godhead is not an ordi- plished only when Çrémad
nary endeavor. Unless one is Bhägavatam is widely distributed
empowered by the higher and understood:
authorities, or advanced
devotees, one cannot write Our neighboring friend
transcendental literature. . . . China has attacked the
Çré Caitanyacaritämåta was border of India with a
written by Kåñëadäsa militaristic spirit. We have
Kaviräja Gosvämé by their practically no business in the
mercy. Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja political field, yet we see that
Gosvämé considered all the previously there were both
devotees that have been China and India, and they
mentioned to be his precep- both lived peacefully for
tor gurus, or spiritual mas- centuries without ill feeling.
ters, and [the deity] The reason is that they lived
Madanagopäla (Sré Madana- those days in an atmosphere
mohana vigraha) is Kåñëa of God consciousness, and
Himself. Thus he took every country, over the
permission from both of surface of the world, was
them, and when he received God-fearing, pure-hearted
the mercy of both guru and and simple, and there was
Kåñëa, he was able to write no question
Tamäl Kåñëa Goswami’s 1989
this great literature, Çré of political diplomacy. novel, Yoga for the New
Caitanya-caritämåta. This There is no cause of quarrel Millennium, and its sequel, Back
example should be followed. between the two countries Home, begun by Tamäl Kåñëa
China and India over land Goswami and now completed by
In 1995 Carl visited his brother which is not very suitable for his brother, Kälachandjé Däsa
at the Dallas ISKCON temple, habitation, and certainly (Carl Herzig).
home of Çré Çré Rädhä- there is no cause for fighting
Kälachandjé, installed by Çréla on this issue. But due to the

age of quarrel, Kali, which to King Parékñit, Back Home relevant to her. Then, when she
we have discussed, there is presents a special retelling of the graduated and her student visa
always a chance of quarrel Bhägavatam that reveals impor- was expiring and she was about
on slight provocation. This is tant parallels, connections, and to return to China, I gave her a
due not to the issue in distinctions between traditional newly arrived copy of Back
question, but to the polluted Chinese philosophy and culture Home, although I’d not yet read it
atmosphere of this age: and the best of India’s great myself. Having now read it, I
systematically there is propa- bhakti-yoga tradition. realize it was an appropriate gift,
ganda by a section of people Responding to questions, because it is a sincere attempt to
to stop glorification of the challenges, and interchanges with present Çrémad-Bhägavatam, to
name and fame of the Su- his lively and diverse Beijing help effect what Çréla Prabhupäda
preme Lord. Therefore, there audience, Sanatan Goswami’s referred to as a spiritual “cultural
is a great need for dissemi- faithful presentation of Kåñëa conquest.” In “World Pacifist and
nating the message of consciousness confronts – rather Bhagwat Gita,” an essay he wrote
Çrémad-Bhägavatam all over than avoids – numerous philo- prior to 1967, Prabhupäda ex-
the world.” (Çrémad- sophical doubts that can arise in plained that unlike a materialistic
Bhägavatam, 1.5.11, Pur- anyone, Chinese or otherwise. In triumph – in which someone
port) Back Home Kälachandjé and loses – such a victory or conquest
Tamäl Kåñëa Goswami compare is a win/win for everyone. “By
Li Guang Shi Chinese teachings such as Tao- such conquest the people of the
It is fitting, therefore, that ism, Buddhism, and Confucianism world will get relieved of the
when in The Story of Li Guang with Gauòéya Vaiñëava philoso- socalled material prosperity
Shi: Back Home, Sanatan Swami phy and even draw parallels terrorized by atomic bombs.”
Although in Kali-yuga we are
always haunted by the specter of
In a letter to Jayädvaita Däsa in 1972 Çréla global tension and distrust, with
pestilence, war (including the
Prabhupäda explained that a transcendental very real threat of nuclear
pen can be mightier than the sword. devastation),neven “trade wars,”
and with endless other unpleasant
anomalies, in a letter to Jayädvaita
and several of Li Guang Shi’s between qi gong and yoga, and Däsa in 1972 Çréla Prabhupäda
American college friends visit between traditional Chinese explained that a transcendental
him after he has returned to China medicine and India’s Ayurvedic pen can be mightier than the
to work as an AIDS researcher on health system. sword. “These books and maga-
behalf of his countrymen (at a I’ve never been to China, but zines are our most important
drastically smaller salary than he recently I was honored to meet propaganda weapons to defeat
could fetch in the US), the swami Kelly, a student from the main- the ignorance of maya’s
begins a month-long lecture land studying hotel management [illusion’s] army, and the more we
series on Çrémad-Bhägavatam, at the University of Houston. produce such literature and sell
reexplained in modern Beijing for Kelly had begun to dine at our them profusely all over the
several of Guang Shi’s Chinese Houston Govinda’s restaurant, world, the more we shall deliver
friends, associates, and visiting befriended devotees, and even the world from the suicide
New York chums. As Süta volunteered to make flower course.” Kåñëa conscious litera-
Gosvämé retold the Bhägavatam garlands for our temple deities. ture is the best “weapon” to
in the forest of Naimisharanya When I presented her a copy of defeat ignorance and illusion,
after having faithfully heard its Yoga for the New Millennium, thereby automatically creating
recitation by Çukadeva Gosvämé she enjoyed it and said it was greater peace and harmony.

The Lord as Bhakta-vatsala to write a book to help fulfill thereby making their countries
If we wonder how Kälachandjé Prabhupäda’s desire and chose his and the world a much better
Däsa ended up being a seemingly brother to help, the Lord, as place.
unlikely choice to assist in the bhakta-vatsala, sanctioned or
Lord’s plan for the writing of such inspired this unique cooperative Särvabhauma Däsa, a disciple
an important book, Çréla literary effort. Thus in Back Home of Tamäl Kåñëa Goswami, is
Prabhupäda’s words may give us Kälachandjé Däsa offers his based in Houston, Texas, where
an insight. “When He [Lord Kåñëa] brother, Çréla Prabhupäda, the he engages in various Kåñëa
personally does something, it is Chinese people, and all of us an conscious preaching and writing
only to satisfy His devotee. The honest literary attempt to save projects. Kåñëa and Balaräma
Lord is known as bhakta-vatsala humankind from its “suicide with their friends in Våndävana.
because He very much favors His course” by re-presenting the In 1984 the Bhaktivedanta Book
devoted servant.” Because Çréla purifying message of Çrémad- Trust commissioned Madame
Prabhupäda, Kåñëa’s pure devo- Bhägavatam, according to time, Yun-Sheng Li to create artwork in
tee, desired to bless the Chinese place, and circumstance. There the Chinese Gongbi style for Çréla
people with Kåñëa consciousness are many bright souls like Kelly – Prabhupäda’s book Light of the
and he chose Tamäl Kåñëa good citizens, all over the world – Bhägavata. This is one of those
Goswami to help, and because who can benefit immensely from paintings.
Tamäl Kåñëa Goswami had a plan these transcendental literatures,

Perspectives
on
TIME
and
SPACE What do the Bhägavatam and
Çréla Prabhupäda have to say
about these universal concepts?
by Giriräja Govinda Däsa
A
T THE BEGINNING of his first book, Easy Journey to Other
Planets, Çréla Prabhupäda writes, “Dedicated to the scientists
of the world.” Perhaps it was Lord Kåñëa’s special plan that
Çréla Prabhupäda’s first book be related to science, and space in
particular. By this dedication, Çréla Prabhupäda is inviting scientists
and any inquisitive thoughtful people to explore the science in the
Vedic literature.
One of Çréla Prabhupäda’s outstanding contributions to humanity
was to translate the Çrémad- Bhägavatam from Sanskrit into English,
In the course of one of His breaths, Lord Mahä- Viñëu creates, maintains, and
destroys innumerable universes, each lasting many trillions of years.

with elaborate commentary, or paramäëus. The invisible and breath of Mahä-Viñëu. Eternally
“Purports.” The topic of space indivisible paramäëu is the the process repeats cyclically,
and time has received intense ultimate material particle. Any and hence we cannot ascertain a
research in modern science, material form is a conglomeration particular beginning time or an
especially by Sir Isaac Newton of such atoms. Çréla Prabhupäda end time. Çréla Prabhupäda writes,
and Albert Einstein. This article continues in the purport, “No one knows where time
will discuss the Bhägavatam’s “Standard time is calculated in began and where it ends.”
ideas on the relation between terms of the movement of the (Bhägavatam 3.10.11, Purport)
The current universe was
We can infer that there is an absolute preceded by an infinite number
of universes and will be followed
time but it is perceived differently on by an infinite number. This cyclic
different planets, thereby giving rise scheme of creation and
to relative time measurements. dissolution with vast time scales
has impressed many modern
scientists. Distinguished
time and space, the eternal cyclic sun. The time covered by the sun astronomer Carl Sagan said,
nature of time, relative time in passing over an atom is “Vedic cosmology is the only one
measurements, and related topics. calculated as atomic time.” At the in which the time scales
We will also consider Newton’s paramäëu scale, the passing correspond to those of modern
and Einstein’s ideas about over of the sun may be scientific cosmology.” Nobel
absolute space and time and understood as the passing of laureate Count Maurice
where the Bhägavatam stands in sunshine over an atom occupying Maeterlinck wrote of “a
relation to these concepts. We a distinct position in space. In Cosmogony which no European
will explore some conclusions of essence, the Bhägavatam is conception has ever surpassed.”
modern cosmology and the correlating time, matter, space, Thus we see in the
relevance of the Bhägavatam to and sunlight. This correlation Bhägavatam the correlation
them. Finally, we will explore should ring a bell for someone between space and time and the
some metaphysical and who has pondered over Einstein’s systematic development of time
philosophical aspects of time and theory of relativity, which also from the minute atomic level to
space as given in Vedic interrelates space and time, the macro level of Brahmä’s life.
scriptures. although not in the same sense as The Bhägavatam also explains
the Bhägavatam does. that Brahmä perceives time on his
The Correlation of Space planet differently than the people
and Time in the Bhägavatam The Eternal Cyclic Process on earth.
In his purport to Çrémad- Continuing on from atomic
Bhägavatam 3.11.4, Çréla time, the Bhägavatam gradually Relative Time Measurements
Prabhupäda writes, “Time and scales up the time divisions – till on Different Planets
space are two correlative terms. the stupendous lifetime of Çréla Prabhupäda writes in his
Time is measured in terms of its Brahmä (311.04 trillion years). He purport to Çrémad-Bhägavatam
covering a certain space of is the secondary creator (after 10.13.40, “On different planets,
atoms.” This statement is Viñëu) and is in charge of a the calculation of time is
significant as it verifies the particular universe. Çrémad- different. To give an example, a
correlation between time and Bhägavatam (6.17.37) says there man-made satellite may orbit the
space. According to the are innumerable universes. Thus earth in an hour and twentyfive
Bhägavatam, the material world there are innumerable Brahmäs, minutes and thus complete one
comprises of combination of and, like the universe, they full day, although a day ordinarily
innumerable atoms, or manifest and dissolve with every takes twenty-four hours for those

living on earth.” This quotation is and believed in absolute space however, the omnipresence,
taken from the incident where and time. According to him, universality, and
Brahmä played mischief with absolute time meant that one nondiscriminating nature of
Lord Kåñëa. Brahmä resides in a could distinctly measure the space-time and gravity acquire a
planetary system called interval of time between two sort of absolute nature, although
Brahmaloka, which is very far events and this time would be the the theory focuses on relativity.
from earth. The time scale on his same no matter who measured it. This has led to philosophical
planet is so huge that one About absolute space, he wrote, discussions among scientists.
moment there is equal to one “In its own nature, without regard Meanwhile, supporters of
year on earth. Once, Brahmä to anything external, [it] remains Newton claim that his work has
stole Lord Kåñëa’s cowherd always similar and immovable.” not been sufficiently understood
friends and their calves from Einstein’s concepts differ from and his idea of absolute space
Vrindavan (on earth) and returned that of Newton, who said that cannot be discarded. So there is
to earth within a moment. space and time are not separate still some inconclusiveness
Meanwhile a whole year had entities but a single four- among scientists despite centuries
passed on earth. In discussing the dimensional (length, breadth, of deliberations. The Bhägavatam
incident, Çréla Prabhupäda height, time) continuum called also conceives of absolute and
describes different times on space-time. This spacetime will relative time and space. Open-
different planets. Elsewhere in curve or bend around any minded readers can seriously
the Bhägavatam (9.3.28–32), we massive planets or black holes, consider this alternative
hear of King Kakudmé’s visit to giving rise to gravity. Thus space explanation.
Brahmaloka with his daughter, and time are not like a static stage
Revaté. Kakudmé was seeking a where the drama of matter takes Absolute and Relative
suitable bridegroom for her and place. Time in the Bhägavatam
wanted to consult Brahmä. When Together, space and time, as a The two incidents involving
Kakudmé arrived there, Lord single space-time, act on matter Brahmä mentioned from the
Brahmä was hearing and also get acted upon. The Bhägavatam give an idea of time
performances by Gandharvas,
celestial musicians. After the
performance ended, Kakudmé
In the Bhagvad-gétä Lord Kåñëa invites all of us to
submitted his desire. Brahmä
laughed and told him that 27 join Him in the absolute sanätana sky, specifically
caturyugas (116.64 million years) His abode, known as Goloka Våndävan.
had elapsed on earth and all those
potential sons-in-law he was
considering had died long ago. curvature of the space-time being measured differently on
These incredible incidents continuum can be significantly different planets that somewhat
relate somewhat to the ideas of different for different observers, resembles Einstein’s idea of time
time dilation in Einstein’s theory as will the corresponding time dilation. Additionally, the
of relativity. measurements. Technically this is Bhägavatam describes absolute
called time dilation. Thus in time, but the description differs
Einstein and Newton Einstein’s theory of general from Newton’s explanation.
on Space and Time relativity, time (or space) is Explaining absolute time in his
Newton considered that the relative and not absolute. purport to Çrémad-Bhägavatam
universe had existed forever in Einstein’s theory is widely 3.10.10, Çréla Prabhupäda writes,
an unchanging state – a static regarded as a paradigm shift from “Metaphysically, time is
universe. He considered time and Newton’s ideas of absolute space distinguished as absolute and real.
space separate and independent and time. In Einstein’s theory, Absolute time is continuous and is

unaffected by the speed or and innumerable Brahmäs, there physics, and the mystery of the
slowness of material things. Time are innumerable nabhas. These universe could be unraveled. The
is astronomically and material nabhas are the domain of attempts at unification, although a
mathematically calculated in matter. terra incognita, have resulted in
relation to the speed, change and Beyond the realm of material two prominent theories: quantum-
life of a particular object. spaces is the spiritual sky. It is cosmology theory and string
Factually, however, time has called the sanätana (eternal) sky. theory. Scientists working on
nothing to do with the relativities It is absolute, and any relativity string theory (the most prominent
of things; rather, everything is arises only in the material sky. In version being M theory) are
shaped and calculated in terms of his purport to Çrémad- hypothesizing the existence of
the facility offered by time.” Bhägavatam 5.5.19, Çréla multiverses with multidimensions
Taking this quotation together Prabhupäda writes, “The spiritual rather than a single universe. The
with the two incidents of the world is called absolute.” theory of quantum cosmology
Bhägavatam mentioned earlier, Speaking about the material sky, extends Einstein’s space-time past
we can infer that there is an he said, “Material world means the Big Bang to a pre-Big Bang
absolute time but it is perceived relative world.” (Lecture, universe with a “quantum bridge”
differently on different planets, Bombay, November 13, 1974) in between. Although this sounds
thereby giving rise to relative The spiritual space is the absolute complicated, in simple terms the
theories are basically saying that
many universes exist
The Bhägavatam associates every
simultaneously, they come and
detailed stage of the transformation of go, and this process goes on
matter with the corresponding sensory forever.
experiences by living entities. The Bhägavatam stated the
same thing long ago, with much
additional information and
time measurements. The space, and the material space, or scientifically sound principles,
Bhägavatam says that time is an nabha, is the relative space. such as the interrelatedness of
impersonal feature of Lord Kåñëa. Thus, like time, even space is space and time, cosmic events
Since Çréla Prabhupäda says, both absolute and relative. ranging over billions of years, and
“Kåñëa is the source of all relative different time measurements on
truths [Bhägavatam 10.2.26, Modern Cosmology and different planets. These points
Purport],” we can conclude that the Relevance of the should evoke interest in any
Kåñëa is the absolute reference Bhägavatam inquisitive person to take up the
for all relative times. Einstein’s theory proved to be study of the Bhägavatam.
a major milestone in modern Further, science continues to
Absolute and Relative cosmology, leading to the famous research the transformation of
Space in the Bhägavatam Big Bang theory. Scientists energy into matter, an idea
As for space, the Bhägavatam theorize that our universe is present in the Bhägavatam from a
and the Brahma-saàhitä expanding and must have had a larger perspective. There we see
categorize it into two types. What beginning some fourteen billion that the entire material
we generally consider space is years ago from a point – known manifestation (matter) is in fact a
called nabha in Sanskrit, and it is as a singularity – of infinite transformation of Kåñëa’s external
the mundane space (or sky) of density, temperature, and space- energy, called pradhäna. The
the material world. It manifests in time curvature. Scientists feel that Bhägavatam associates every
each universe during the lifetime such extreme conditions could detailed stage of the
of a particular Brahmä. Since allow for unifying Einstein’s transformation of matter with the
there are innumerable universes theory of relativity with quantum corresponding sensory

experiences by living entities. Våndävana. The Bhägavatam and see his real form.
For example, when air is informs us of infinite such Once Mukunda told Gadädhara
manifested, it gets associated with spiritual planets, known as Paëòita, “Let us go and meet
touch, and when water is Vaikuëöha planets. The spiritual Puëòaréka Vidyänidhi.” When
manifested, it gets associated with universes are beyond the Gadadhar Pandit arrived there he
taste, and so on. This description limitations of material space and only saw these outward things,
hints that whatever we think of as time. There is no past and future and in his mind he thought, “What
reality in the material realm is but only the pure and immutable has Mukunda told me? He is a
strongly limited by material sense present time. Here in the great devotee? No, no. I think he
perception. material universe, we are tightly is a sense enjoyer!”
The Bhägavatam invites us to conditioned to think of past, Mukunda could understand
go higher, up to the spiritual present, and future times, what Gadädhara was thinking, so
realm, for a complete picture of whereas in the spiritual world he immediately recited a verse
reality. Modern science, in its there is only the present. The from the Çrémad-Bhägavatam
study of space and time, limits ultimate goal of the Vedic which glorified Kåñëa as the one
itself to the domain of matter. The literature is to take us from this who sucked the breast of the
Bhägavatam takes both material temporary material existence witch Pätanä and thus gave her
and spiritual things into account in limited by space and time to the the position of His mother. Thus
its grand narrative. So it would be spiritual realm, where we live the verse says “Is there anyone to
difficult to expect science to our spiritual existence eternally, take shelter of who is more
reach the exact conclusions of the alongside Lord Çré Kåñëa, the merciful than Kåñëa?”
Bhägavatam unless science Supreme Personality of As soon as Mukunda spoke
acknowledges spirit, or Godhead. this verse, Puëòaréka Vidyänidhi
consciousness, and admits it into became ecstatic. He rolled on the
its framework. This may take Giriräja Govinda Däsa is a ground and tears came from his
time. Meanwhile the interested disciple of His Holiness eyes. All of the eight ecstatic
reader is requested to open- Jayapatäka Swami Mahäräja and symptoms were manifest in him.
mindedly undertake an indepth a çikñä disciple of His Holiness He tore his opulent cushion,
study of Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Bhakti Vinoda Swami. He works smashed his spitting pot and
along with Çréla Prabhupäda’s as a scientist in the field of digital rolled on the ground crying.
elaborate purports. signal processing and is interested Gadädhara Paëòita thought,
in exploring scientific aspects of “Oh, he is a genuine pure
The Final Purpose Kåñëa consciousness. devotee. I have committed a great
In the end, the grand question offense thinking him to be a sense
would be “What is the purpose
behind all this cosmic drama?”
... enjoyer. Unless I am punished by
him, how will I be free of the
Modern science is mute on this reactions to this offense? I must
most important question of Editorial.... become his disciple. Then he will
purpose, but the Bhägavatam (Continued from page 34) catch hold of my ear and slap me.
has the answer: Each of us is a opulent cushion and chew pän He will inflict discipline on me,
spirit soul, part of Kåñëa, but we (betel leaf), spitting in a precious and in that way I’ll be freed from
are now in the wrong place – the pot made of gold and eight metals my reaction.” Therefore
material realm, limited by space (añöa-dhätu). Gadädhara Paëòita took mantra
and time. In the Bhagavad-gétä Externally, he seemed to be a from Puëòaréka Vidyänidhi and
(15.6) Lord Kåñëa invites all of us bhogé (sense enjoyer). But what became his disciple.
to join Him in the absolute was inside no one could So be careful, appearances can
sanätana sky, specifically His understand. Only one with a be deceptive.
abode, known as Goloka spiritual vision could understand —Çyämänanda Däsa

Disillusion.... beginning years no one in my family supported me,
(Continued from page 17) today most of them appreciate what I am doing. My
to terms with our choice of lifestyle. parents have started chanting Hare Kåñëa and
In retrospect, I feel it was all Kåñëa’s plan; he regularly visit the local temple and other
really gave me shelter at his lotus feet. I believe he pilgrimages. My wife has given up her private
wanted me to practice devotional life more practice as an advocate and has taken to full-time
seriously, so that’s why he snatched away practice of Kåñëa consciousness. She is aspiring to
everything from me in the beginning but later take initiation from His Holiness Bhaktirasämåta
returned everything back. Now, I feel proud to say Swami Mahäräja. And by Kåñëa’s mercy, even our
that I have become a member of the greater family children are cooperating with us in our devotional
of devotees under the shelter of Çréla Prabhupäda. practices. I too strongly wish to spread Kåñëa
As Bhagavad-gétä (7.16) says: consciousness by distributing Çréla Prabhupäda’s
books as much as possible.
catur-vidhä bhajante mäà Thanks to all the Vaiñëavas, Guru and Gauräìga
janäù sukåtino ‘rjuna for helping me settle down in the movement
ärto jijïäsur arthärthé strongly. I pray at their lotus feet to bless this
jïäné ca bharatarñabha insignificant servant so that I could fulfill my Guru
Mahäräja’s instructions of being a good preacher.
“O best among the Bharatas [Arjuna], four kinds
of pious men render devotional service unto me — Räsa Ramaëa Kåñëa Däsa serves at the ISKCON
the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, temple in Rohini, New Delhi. He is serving the
and who is searching for knowledge of the temple’s BBT department along with undertaking
Absolute.” book distribution.
I felt really heartbroken upon leaving my parents
and others. Often I would cry bitterly remembering
all the sacrifices they did for me. I even
contemplated suicide, but the association of
devotees, the chanting of holy names and above all
Srila Prabhupada’s books helped me cross all the
obstacles. Çréla Prabhupäda’s books were a great
source of inspiration and guidance that helped me
the most in taking me out of my plight. Çréla
Prabhupäda’s books not only impart transcendental
knowledge but also lift you out of materialism.
Sometimes I wonder, “Where was I and where am I
now? It’s all because of these books. It became my
habit to buy a new book from the temple every
week. I read all the small books, then Bhagavad-
gétä, Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Caitanya-caritämåta and
Back to Godhead magazines. And on January 27,
2008, the mercy of the disciplic succession
descended on me when I received initiation from
His Holiness Gopäla Kåñëa Gosvämé Mahäräja. I got
the new name Räsa Ramaëa Kåñëa Däsa.
Harmony Regained
More than fourteen years have passed since I
started my Kåñëa consciousness. Although in the

EVERY TOWN & VILLAGE
Mombasa Temple Builds New the second residential course, lasting fourteen days,
Apartments to Care for Congregation just concluded on April 27th.
The men and women participating ranged in age
from twenty-five years old up to their mid-fifties,
and hailed from Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, Chile,
Puerto Rico, Mexico, Argentina, and Ecuador. First
offered in Mayapur, India in 2015, it expanded to
Russia in 2017, and Latin America in 2018 to ensure
that devotees who come from different regions and
speak different languages could also have the
opportunity.
Tenth Annual Vaishnava Muslim

Dialogue Held in Washington D.C.
Mombasa, Kenya: The ISKCON temple in Nyali

in Mombasa has recently completed the second
phase of its construction – an apartment building to
help care for the congregation and cultivate their
spiritual lives. In addition a huge, opulent
“Bhaktivedanta Banquet Hall” has been constructed,
which can accommodate five hundred people for
dining and seven hundred people standing. The
multipurpose hall serves the congregation by
facilitating their weddings, birthdays, and
anniversaries. Muslims and Vaiñëavas celebrated the tenth
anniversary of their long-running interfaith
Future Leaders of ISKCON relationship in Washington D.C. with their tenth
Trained at GBC College in Brazil annual dialogue in the city on Saturday April 20th. At
each meeting over the past decade, volunteers from
each tradition have presented a paper on a chosen
topic, one sharing the Vaiñëava perspective, and the
other the Muslim perspective, followed by an open
discussion.
Topics discussed over the years have included
“The Name of God”; “What Do I Love When I Love
My God?”; “What Do I Do When I Love My God?”;
“Sacred Aesthetics”; “The Soul”; and “Inspirations for
Peace Building.”
A group of forty devotees have completed the Yamunä Boat Festival Captures
first one-year GBC College Course in Latin America, Sweetness of Vrindavan
which included online classes and two residential The Yamunä Boat Festival on March
courses, preparing them to become ISKCON’s future th
30 captured the sweetness of serving Sri Sri Radha
leaders. The program began in April last year, and Krishna in Vrindavan. The celebrations began at

5pm, with an enthusiastic kértana procession from January of 2019.
ISKCON’s Kåñëa-Balaräma Mandir to Sringar Vat One of the highlights of the experience was the
temple, on the banks of the Yamunä river. initiation ceremonies that were performed during
So it was the perfect place for devotees to gather each group’s visit to Mayapur. Giridhari Swami
and show their love for Their Lordships. As well as accepted a number of the participants as disciples in
the kértana procession, some fifteen boats filled ceremonies performed at Jagannätha Mandir and at
with devotees glided across the Yamunä to Sringar the old gurukula äçrama near the Mayapur goçälä.
Vat as the sun began to set. https://iskconnews.org/visitors-from-east-and-
There, large, enchanting festival Deities of southeast-asia-initiated-in-mayapur,6915/
Rädhä-Çyämasundara, created by Kalapa Jani,
boarded Their own swan boat, which was Vedic Education as the Solution to
gorgeously decorated and covered in flowers. The International Water Crisis: ISKCON
Deities then sailed up and down near the edge of Richmond Receives Special Guest
the Yamunä river, giving Their merciful darçana to On Saturday March 23, 2019, ISKCON of
the huge crowds sitting on the banks. Richmond received an inspiring visit from National
Well-known kértana singers such as Vaiyäsaké Convenor for National Ganga Mission, Dr. Snehal
Däsa, and later BB Govinda Swami, serenaded Donde, who gave a talk entitled “The Agony of
Rädhä-Çyämasundara during Their cruise. Çivaräma Rivers”. Dr. Donde is the research officer at
Swami, on the occasion of his 70thbirthday, also Bhaktivedanta Vidyapeeth Research Centre in
joined the festivities. Govardhan Eco-village in Mumbai. She works
closely with Rädhänätha Swami and Gauräìga Däsa
Gaura Katha in Chattogram, Bangladesh to advise in water conservation practices in the
center. Dr. Donde has more than twenty-four years
of experience in the fields of education, research,
and administration. She holds two PhDs in the fields
of Zoology and Management Studies, and is a senior
associate of Rajendra Singh, a well-known water
conservationist and recipient of the Stockholm Water
Prize.
The primary issue Dr. Donde addressed is the
increasing shortage of potable water as a result of
increasing river siltation and severe erosions. In her
presentation, she made it clear that these
occurrences are not natural but are due to
ISKCON Nandankanan organized a Gaura-kathä industrialization and unnecessary building of dams.
event, a three-day program for the second time at These activities have resulted in groundwater
Chatigram’s J.M.Sen hall. Näru Gopäla Däsa, GBC aquifer depletion. Water scarcity has become a
representative for ISKCON Bangladesh graced the global crisis and source of international conflict,
grand occasion. leading to forced migrations for those living in areas
with no access to potable drinking water. Globally,
Visitors from East and Southeast urgent restoration is needed to restore our water
Asia Initiated in Mayapur aquifers, for which desilting of our rivers and water
Approximately 160 visitors from China, the bodies is required.
Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan recently went
to Mayapur with Giridhari Swami on pilgrimage. Hare Kåñëa Hare Kåñëa
They came in two groups – the first group, of about Kåñëa Kåñëa Hare Hare
40 people, visited in late December of 2018, and Hare Räma Hare Räma
the second group, of about 120 people, came in late Räma Räma Hare Hare

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness
CENTRES IN INDIA
Founder-Äcärya: His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivendanta Swami Prabhupada
ANDHRA PRADESH: Hanumkonda—(08712) 77399; 234806; Ludhiana—(0161) 2770600, 9815940005/
Hyderabad—(040) 2474-4969/ iskcon.ludhiana@pamho.net. RAJASTHAN: Bharatpur—
vedantacaitanya@pamho.net, Nellore—0861-2314577, (05644) 22044; Jaipur—(0141) 2782765, 2781860/
9985058550/ sukadevaswami@gmail.com; Secunderabad— jaipur@pamho.net; TAMIL NADU: Chennai— (044)
(040) 780-5232; Tirupati—(0877) 6900009, 9703526677/ 24530921; Coimbatore— (0422) 2574508/ info@iskcon-
guesthouse.tirupati@pamho.net; Vijayawada—(08645) coimbatore.org; HOSUR— 09443853499-09443122623
272513/ mmdasiskcon vijayawada@gmail.com; iskconhosur.tn@gmail.com; Madurai—(0452) 2746472;
Vishakhapatnam—(0891) 5537625/ samba.jps@pamho.net; Salem—(0427) 2360012, 9442153427/
Warangal—(08712) 426182; ASSAM: Cachar—(03842) iskcon.salem@pamho.net; Sri Rangam—(0431) 433945;
34615; Guwahati—(0361) 254-5963/ Vellore—(0416) 2241654, 9790392143/
iskcon.guwahati@pamho.net; Karimganj—(09430) akinchan_bvks97@rediffmail.com; TRIPURA: Agartala—
76821/ nrisimhanandadas@gmail.com; BIHAR: Patna— (0381) 227053/ premadata@rediffmail.com; UTTAR
(0612) 687637/ krishna.kripa.jps@pamho.net; PRADESH: Allahabad—(0532) 2416718/
CHHATISGARH: Raipur—(0771) 5037555, 9893276985/ iskcon.allahabad@pamho.net; Ghaziabad—(0120) 2824200,
iskconraipur@yahoo.com; PUDUCHERRY: 99408 64086, 09310969623/ snd-gkg@rediffmail.com; Kanpur—
0413-2210402. /iskconpondy@gmail.com. DELHI: New 09307188117/ iskcon.kanpur @pamho.net; Lucknow—(0522)
Delhi—(011)26288816/jaimukunda.gkg@pamho.net; New 2636500; Noida—(0120) 2506211/ info@iskconnoida.com;
Delhi—25222851, 55136200; GUJARAT: Ahmedabad— Varanasi—(0542) 276422; Vrindavan—(0565) 254-0021
(079) 26861945/ jasomatinandan.acbsp@pamho.net, (Guesthouse) 2540022 vrindavan@pamho.net;
Baroda—(0265) 231-0630/ basu.ghosh.acbsp@pamho.net; UTTARANCHAL: Haridwar— (01334) 260818, 261116; WEST
Dwarka—+91-9898550185; Rajkot—+91-9898550185, BENGAL: Haridaspur—(03215) 57856; Kolkata—(033)
(0281)6560151; Surat—(0261) 2765891/ surat@pamho.net; 40403300/ iskcon.calcutta@pamho.net; Mayapur—(03472)
Vallabh Vidyanagar—(02692) 230796; HARYANA: 245239, 245240/ mayapur.chandrodaya@pamho.net;
Faridabad—09811556787/ gopisvardas@gmail.com; Nadia—(03473) 281150/ shyamrup.jps@pamho.net;
Gurugram—9810908979/ iskcon.gurgaon@gmail.com; Siliguri—09800865104/ abd@pamho.net
JAMMU & KASHMIR: Jammu—(0191) 2582306; Katra—
(01991) 233047; Udhampur—(01992) 270298; VAIÑËAVA CALENDAR
KARNATAKA: Bangalore—(080) 23471956/
June 1 – July 15 2019
ard@iskconbangalore.org; Bangalore— (080) 23565708,
9844234108/vibhav.krishna.jps@pamho.net; Belgaum— 12 Jun: Çré Baladeva Vidyäbhuçaëa
(0831) 243-6267; Mangalore—(0824) 2423326,
9844325616; KERALA: Thiruvananthapuram—(0471)
Disappearance, Gaìgä Püjä, Çrématé Gaìgämätä
2328197/ jsdasa@yahoo.co.in. MADHYA PRADESH: Gosväméné Appearance
Indore—(0731) 4972665; Jhansi— 13 Jun: Fasting for Päëòava Nirjalä Ekädaçé (Total
(0510)2443602;Ujjain—0734-235000/ fast, even from water)
iskcon.ujjain@pamho.net; MAHARASHTRA: 14 Jun: Break fast 5:23 – 10:00 (LT)
Kaundanyapur, Amravati—07225202805, 09423127845/
iskconkndinyapur@pamho.net; Beed—(02442) 231799/
15 Jun: Pänihäöi Ciòä Dahé Utsava
iskcon.beed@pamho.net; Chowpatty, Mumbai—(022) 17 Jun: SnänaYäträ, Çré Mukunda Datta
23665500/ radha.krishna.rns@pamho.net; Juhu, Disappearance,Çré Çrédhara Paëòita Disappearance
Mumbai—(022) 26206860/ iskcon.juhu@pamho.net; 18 Jun: Çré Çyämänanda Prabhu Disappearance
Kharghar, Navi Mumbai— 9820039911/ 22 Jun: Çré Vakreçvara Paëòita Appearance
iskcon.kharghar@gmail.com; Mira Road, Thane—(022)
28454667, 9223183023/kamalalochan.gkg@pamho.net;
28 Jun: Çré Çréväsa Paëòita Disappearance
Nagpur—(0712) 6994730, 937015638/ 29 Jun: Fasting for Yoginé Ekädaçé
iskcon.nagpur@pamho.net; Nasik— 07276588545/ 30 Jun: Break fast 5:26 - 06:13 (LT)
07774050627; Pandharpur—((02186)216242, 9423335991/ 2 Jul: Çré Gadädhara Paëòita Disappearance, Çréla
iskcon.pandharpur@pamho.net; Pune—(020) 41033222/ Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura Disappearance
infocenter@iskconpune.in; Solapur—9371178393;
MANIPUR: Imphal—(0385) 2455693,
3 Jul: Guëòicä Märjana
manimandir@sancharnet.in; Moirang— 795133; 4 Jul: Ratha Yäträ, Çré Svarüpa Dämodara Gosvämé
ODISHA: Angul—09437052142/ iskconangul@gmail.com Disappearance, Çré Çivänanda Sena
Bhubaneswar—(0674) 255-3517/ iskconbhubaneswar Disappearance
@rediffmail.com; Brahmapur—9437179400/ 8 Jul: Herä Païcamé(4 days after RathaYäträ), Çré
pancharatna.gkg@pamho.net; Jagatsinghpur—(06724)
238112/ srigopalccd@yahoo.co.in; Puri—(06752) 231440;
Vakreçvara Paëòita Disappearance
PUNJAB-HARYANA: Amritsar—(0183) 2540177; 12 Jul: Fasting for Çayana Ekädaçé Return Ratha (8
Chandigarh—(0172) 2601590/ days after Ratha Yatra)
bhaktivinode.gkg@pamho.net; Kurukshetra—(01744) 13 Jul: Break fast 6:32 – 10:07 (LT)
EDITORIAL
Appearances Can Be Deceptive
T
he living entity comes into this material direct them towards the real goal of life. On the
world to fulfill his desires. By nature the pretext of helping these mendicants ignorant
living entity is wholly spiritual. Due to being people get real spiritual benefit. Pure spiritual
very minute in size he runs the risk of being knowledge has the potency to help people
captivated by the material energy. And thus he discover the key to get out of a life of association
loses his spiritual nature and instead accepts a with matter and reconnect to a life of spirit. Very
material nature. Just like a healthy person is rarely, the Supreme Lord Kåñëa comes down as His
sometimes overwhelmed by disease and then he very own devotee and spreads the process of pure
simply exhibits symptoms which have nothing to devotional service unto Himself. Five hundred
do with a normal healthy condition. The living years ago Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu appeared in
entity always has two options – whether to serve Bengal, India who began the preaching of the
Kåñëa or to serve his own material desires. The message of the Bhagavad-gétä and the Çrémad-
option of serving Kåñëa leads him to gradual Bhägavatam. Expert devotees like the six
complete freedom from all miseries of material life Gosvämés of Vrindavan, Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja
and the option of serving his own separate needs Gosvämé and many others like Çréla Bhaktivinode
entangles him more and more in material life. Thus Öhäkura, Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura
an eternal servant of Kåñëa takes on a disguise of and Çréla A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
being an imitation Kåñëa and continues this charade also detected Him to be none other than Kåñëa
of being a false enjoyer, proprietor and controller. Himself.
The living entity also notices that here in this But why would Kåñëa come as His own devotee?
material world everyone promises to be an obedient Well, five thousand years ago Lord Kåñëa
servant of the other. The massive service industry enlightened Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra
today comprising of the fast food industry, banking and Arjuna was fully convinced about the value of
industry, graphics and advertising industry, Kåñëa consciousness in his life. But in a span of just
Hollywood and Bollywood etc. and not to speak of five thousand years the message of the Gita was
the politicians everywhere – all promise pure again lost due to misinterpretation by unscrupulous
service to their constituents but in their heart of commentators and thus there was a need to rectify
hearts want to be served instead. So be careful, the situation. Thus this time the Lord descended not
appearances can be deceptive. as the Supreme Lord Himself but as a humble
Being a servant is therefore the most deplorable devotee of Kåñëa and taught the science of
situation anyone can imagine. Indeed this material devotional service. So be careful, appearances can
world resembles a lunatic asylum where everyone be deceptive.
lives in a make-believe world, where he or she is As I am compiling this editorial, I noticed that
in the center of it. In order to rectify this situation today is the appearance of Çréla Gadädhara Paëòita,
the Supreme Personality of Godhead Çré Kåñëa who was one of the principal associates of Lord
either comes here personally or sends his Caitanya Mahäprabhu. There is an amazing incident
authorized representatives who come disguised as involving Gadädhara Paëòita and one exalted
wandering, penniless beggars and thus give the devotee called Puëòaréka Vidyänidhi. Puëòaréka
living entities a chance to gain spiritual Vidyänidhi would wear costly garments and keep
knowledge. The Lord or His representatives thus valuable rings on all ten fingers. He would sit on an
gain the attention of the general masses and try to (Continued on page 29)

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BACK TO GODHEAD

Founded 1944. Vol. 16 No. 6 June 2019

Contents THE TEST OF INTELLIGENCE 6 13

ÇRÉMAD- BHÄGAVATAM IN THE

PERSPECTIVES ON TIME AND SPACE 24

Disclaimer: BTG does LETTERS 4

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By His Divine Grace

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Movie abortion —”Planned Parenthood”

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How the practice of bhakti-yoga

By Ädi Puruña Däsa

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By Räsa Ramaëa Kåñëa Däsa

everything, not knowing if I

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Kåñëa and Balaräma with their friends in Våndävana. In 1984 the

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TKG, His Brother, and China

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by Giriräja Govinda Däsa

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JUNE 2019 BACK TO GODHEAD 29

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Tenth Annual Vaishnava Muslim

Mombasa, Kenya: The ISKCON temple in Nyali

JUNE 2019 BACK TO GODHEAD 31

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Appearances Can Be Deceptive

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