“When will my compassion for all living beings manifest and with a humble heart I will go out to preach the divine command?” [ Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur ]
Srila BhaktiVinoda
Rekindling the Dying Spark Through Festivals“One must make a constant effort to drive these (bad) thoughts away from the mind and diligently follow the rules of Vaisnava etiquette. This endeavor will bring back his good fortune. He must begin by observing ekadasi vows, appearance days of the Lord and other important festival days. He should spend the entire festival day [...] |
In Search of HappinessI am in Warsaw for two days. I leave for South Africa on Wednesday. As things are quiet here, I am taking advantage to increase my chanting of the holy names. The following verse is a source of great inspiration for me: “The name of Krsna is a gem that fulfills all divine aspirations and [...] |
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!Last night a professor of philosophy from a prestigious university in Poland asked me to sign a Bhagavad-Gita he had purchased just after my lecture from the stage. “I will share this knowledge with all the faculty members at my school,” he said. I smiled remembering the words of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura who wrote in [...] |
The essence of all forms of religionTired, but blissful, we continue to push on Mahaprabhu’s movement along the Baltic Sea coast. With just 12 festivals left we strive to fulfill the desires of Bhaktivinode Thakura who wrote, “The showing of compassion to all fallen souls by loudly chanting the holy name of Krishna is the essence of all forms of religion.” [...] |
Two principle instructionsWith the summer festival tour in Poland just two weeks away, I meditate deeply on the following words of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur: “In the teachings of Sriman Mahaprabhu, there are two principle instructions: developing a taste for chanting the holy names and displaying compassion for the fallen souls.” [ Sri Caitanya Siksamrita, 1.7 ] |
How to Chant JapaMeditations While On My Retreat: “The devotee should make it a regular practice to spend a little time alone in a quiet place and concentrate deeply on the holy name. He should utter and hear the name distinctly. It is impossible for the jiva to singlehandedly avoid and overcome the illusion of distraction. By the [...] |
Austerity of speech“In order to pass one’s life without sin, one should not speak anything more than whatever little is necessary. One need discuss only what is auspicious for oneself and others.” Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura |
