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"My long desired scheme of a Krsna Conscious daily newspaper is being implemented. Please do this work very nicely. It will be a very great step in the history of ISKCON movement."
~ Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Satsvarupa 1971


"Here in this world there are thousands of newspapers and magazines reporting the stale, repetitious happenings of this limited space. So for reporting the news of the unlimited spiritual realm, concerning the eternal, ever-fresh Supreme Personality of Godhead, we could publish a newspaper at every second, what to speak of daily."
~ Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura



"According to social conventions, it is said that one can speak the truth only when it is palatable to others. But that is not truthfulness. The truth should be spoken in such a straight and forward way, so that others will understand actually what the facts are. If a man is a thief and if people are warned that he is a thief that is truth. Although sometimes the truth is unpalatable, one should not refrain from speaking it. Truthfulness demands that the facts be presented as they are for the benefit of others. That is the definition of truth."
~ Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. Ch 10:4

Krsna and Gopis

Further Comments on Marriage Compatibility

BY: DHARMAPAD DAS

Feb 08, BRAZIL (SUN) — I have read the comments by Hamsavatar das on my article, "Marriage Compatibility. Well, I think we have an issue or two.

One thing I wanted to do in my article was make a differentiation between mere matching and the actual divination of destiny. Hamsavatar didn't really delve into this difference (he didn't have to), but he did write: "As Dharmapad rightfully said, it is far more important what we see as to the implications of the entire horoscope, rather than only using kuta matching as a basis." A very gracious and correct comment for sure, but it seems as if he is saying that the kuta-matching compatibility is to be grouped in as one of the other horoscopic indicators, but that it couldn't be the only one considered.

FULL STORY

Vijaya Ekadasi

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 08, CANADA (SUN) — The glories of Phalguna-krsna Ekadasior Vijaya Ekadasi, from the Skanda Purana. Vijaya Ekadasi is observed on February 9th.

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, "Oh Lord Sri Krishna, O glorious son of Vasudeva, please be merciful to me and describe the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February-March)."

Lord Sri Krishna replied, "Oh Yudhisthira, Oh king of kings, gladly I shall tell you about this great fast, known as Vijaya Ekadasi. Whoever observes it certainly achieves success in this life and the next. All the sins of one who fasts on this Ekadasi and hears its sublime glories are eradicated.

FULL STORY

Shri Krishna Chaitanya-carita Mahakavya

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 08, CANADA (SUN) —

Fourth Prakrama - Seventh Sarga

vastra-harana-adi-lila-sthali-darshanam
A Vision of the Site where Shri Krishna Stole the Gopis' Garments, and Other Holy Places

atash ca yamuna-pare / vndaranya sanatanam | tatra nandadayo gopa / vasa cakrur atandritah 1

Krishna Dasa continued, "Then, on the far shore of Yamuna, where the forest of Vrindavana exists eternally, Nanda and the other cowherds busily erected dwelling places.

FULL STORY

ISKCON's Kitchen Helped Flood-affected Places

BY: STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Feb 08, BANGALORE, INDIA (ENS) — Akshaya Patra Foundation (APF) recently got an inernational award. Could you tell us more about the award? APF got the prestigious Tech Museum award for using science to develop highperformance kitchens and food delivery systems to serve hundreds of thousands of children a nutritious daily meal in different parts of the country. The award is also called Microsoft Education Award as it is sponsored by Microsoft. The award carries a cash prize of US $ 50,000. APF was selected from over 650 nominations from 66 countries.

FULL STORY

Using the Terminology
of the Vedas to Discover Siddhanta

BY: ACARYAVILASA DASA

Feb 07, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA (SUN) — Upon reading some of the recent Sun postings, such as 32, on the subject of guru, or spiritual master, one notices a presence that is alarming and, simultaneously, an absence that speaks deafeningly. Srila Prabhupada presented himself in the role of postman delivering the message of the parampara unchanged. A bona fide guru doesn't open the envelope and change the content of the letter. He doesn't rub out words and phrases that he doesn't agree with and, by way of substitution, interpolate his own words and phrases. His pride is in presenting the letter unchanged, not in changing the content. He delivers "As It Is".

Famously, Srila Prabhupada stated, "My only credit is that I did not change anything." And conversely, "My fear is that you will change things. My disciples have got the Changing Disease!" [paraphrased quotes] Some recent guru-subject postings make one wonder just how well the basic principles of a bona fide disciplic succession have been understood by such writers, and just how much such writers are referring to the books of Srila Prabhupada for their knowledge rather than indulging their imagination.

FULL STORY

Unreleased Audio of
Srila Prabhupada

BY: BHAKTA PHILIP

Feb 07, USA (SUN) — I greatly appreciate Ekanatha Prabhu's article, "Setting the Record Straight on Srila Prabhupada's Audio", where he has given some details about all the unreleased audio of Srila Prabhupada. I am sure the world is in great debt to Ekanatha Prabhu and the devotees that have worked very hard for so many years to organize and preserve the audio of Srila Prabhupada.

One thing I noticed that Ekanath Prabhu said in the article is:

"By Krishna's mercy we were given the charge to protect this invaluable collection of our dear-most spiritual master Srila Prabhupada, and make it available."

FULL STORY

Do You Realize These Statements?

BY: GOURA BOLA

Feb 07, INDIA (SUN) — Congratulations Chakreshwara! I completely agree with you that the main teaching of Vedic (or Hindu) literature is as follows: "I am not my body, I am pure spirit soul, part and parcel of Krishna."

It is easy to write or say the above sentence. What matters is if the sadhak (or bhakta) realizes the above statement. If you don't realize it, does it matter what kind of society you are part of? That society can be called Hindu, ISKCON, Hare Krishna, etc. I would like to explain to you what the above means, so that the readers will know if they truly understand the above statement. It is useless to write articles if you don't understand these basic principles. The worst obstacle for bhakta is to think that one realizes these concepts when one doesn't.

FULL STORY

Rahu and Ketu: Dragon's Head, Dragon's Tail

BY: DHARMAPAD DAS

Feb 07, BRAZIL (SUN) — In addition to the seven major planets, Vedic astrology considers the Northern and Southern Nodes of the Moon, known in Sanskrit as the Rahu-Ketu axis. These are called the Dragon's Head and Dragon's Tail in Western astrology. In scientific parlance, they are referred to as the magnetic nodes of the Moon. They don't really have physical shape or form, as do the other planets, but they do exist as points of magnetic influence which the Vedic sages deemed to influence human affairs. Their existence was even known to the Mayan Indians of the Yucatan and Central America who used their coordinates in order to calculate eclipses of the Sun and Moon, as have modern astronomers.

FULL STORY

For the Transcendentalist

BY: RAGHU MISHRA

Feb 07, CANADA (SUN) —

yes

for the transcendentalist

one has no plurality of identity

yes for
the transcendentalist one plus one
equals one

nothing
more
no duality ever splits
identity for the transcendentalist
yes
no one is less than complete

FULL STORY

Six Continents Join in Global Prayer for the Yamuna River

BY: MADHAVA SMULLEN

Feb 07, ALACHUA, FLORIDA, USA (IN) — As urban developers threaten to destroy the rich culture and heritage of Vrindavan, India—the holy place of Lord Krishna's birth—devotees around the world united in a globe-encompassing kirtan to pray for the future of Vrindavana and its sacred Yamuna River this January 30th.

FULL STORY

GBC: The Gods Who Failed

BY: KAILASA CANDRA DASA

Feb 06, USA (SUN) — "One should very carefully avoid associating with both the sahajiyas, who are sometimes known as Vaisnavas, and the non-Vaisnavas, or avaisnavas. Their association changes the transcendental devotional service of Lord Krishna into sense gratification, and when sense gratification enters the mind of a devotee, he is contaminated."
(Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya 6.278)

This is one of the heaviest statements or commentaries ever made by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. What he is clearly saying here is that the devotional service of the Supreme can itself be changed —mid-stream, so to speak—into sense gratification. Put in another way, the commentary forcefully indicates that Yogamaya can be converted into Mahamaya. This principle is not well known, although Prabhupada had previously given a hint about it in his Bhagavad-gita:

FULL STORY

Crushing the Mayavadis

BY: CHAKRESHWARA GOSWAMI, M.A.

Feb 06, INDIA (SUN) — Some devotees describe themselves as "Hindu". What is the harm in that? Well, His Divine Grace never claimed to be a Hindu Guru. From the very beginning of Krishna consciousness, indeed the very Introduction to his world-shaping Bhagavad-gita As It Is, he has spoken of how a Hindu can become a Muslim or a Buddhist or a Christian, but Krishna conscious is not about changing outerwear on whim. Krishna consciousness is about realizing "I am not my body, I am pure spirit soul, part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna". Where are the bold preachers today who will say as in one voice with the pure devotee, "We are not Hindus or Christians or Jews or Buddhists but are eternal servants of Sri Krishna?" Are they off somewhere lined up for their "Good Conduct Awards" (and therefore not preaching Prabhupadaji's message)?
(Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya 6.278)

FULL STORY

Braja Bihari is Still
in Business

BY: MADHAVA DASA

Feb 06, SRIDHAM MAYAPUR, WEST BENGAL (SUN) — I read Rocana prabhu's recent article, "Pizza or Pakoras: Two Sides of the Same Coin", with great interest. Braja Bihari`s article, "Pizza or Pakoras" is clear evidence of his conscious plan for the systematic implementation of liberal, mundane and highly impersonal corporate policies and programs in the name of Krsna Consciousness.

This behind the scenes, impersonal corporate restructuring of ISKCON, under the careful and meticulous guidance of the self-styled corporate guru Braja Bihari, via his created departments such as Strategic Planning Committee, Arnold Zack`s Resolve program, establishment of paid employees, etc., with the help of ISKCON academia and the publication, 'ISKCON Communications Journal' (ICJ), has been taking place for some time.

FULL STORY

Nitya-siddha and
nitya-baddha

BY: GAURAGOPALA DASA

Feb 06, AUSTRALIA (SUN) — Nitya-siddha and nitya-baddha are two characteristics of each individual marginal living entity; they are not separate marginal beings, as some schools of thought believe. Lord Krishna states that our constitutional nature is that all marginal living beings are eternal servants of the Lord. So to say that ‘conditioned' souls have never been ‘unconditioned' in Goloka-Vrndavana is incorrect.

The Lord is absolute, His nature is absolute and therefore everything He says is absolute. When the marginal living beings are in a conditioned state (nitya-baddha) that doesn't take away their eternal absolute nature as a nitya-siddha devotee of Krishna who is forever fixed within the ‘eternal present' of Goloka: the rebellious marginal living entity simply becomes overshadowed with the concept of past, present and future instigated by free-will and choice putting them out of sync with the ‘eternal presents' of Goloka.

FULL STORY

Good Association

BY: MARGARET CONNORS

Feb 06, USA (SUN) — To the man or woman in material consciousness, effected by the temporary appearance of past, present and future pertaining to all in this world, Krsna Consciousness appears an abstract at best - and an illusion at the very worst.

An abstract is expressed thus in its noun form:

Considered apart from any application to a particular object; separated from matter; existing in the mind only; as, abstract truth, abstract numbers. Hence: ideal; abstruse; difficult. Abstract

FULL STORY

Harikesa: Does He Share the Blame?

BY: RAVANARI DAS

Feb 06, USA (SUN) — The cold-blooded murder of an initiate of Harikesa, along with her son, in Washington, DC this week raises the question of the responsibility a guru has towards a disciple. True, the lady had fallen away from the fold of devotees; but that was the example of her guru, the one who promised to save her from birth and death. What can be expected of the follower when the guru succumbs to bodily-conscious sense gratification, like a hog eating its own stool? It is not the job of the disciple to deliver the guru, although many of Harikesa's disciples have proven to be far more faithful and selfless devotees of Srila Prabhupada than Harikesa could ever be. What emerges in the final analysis is that Harikesa willingly gave up his vows and disclaimed publicly any affiliation to ISKCON or the Society's Founder. Therefore, he is responsible for leading thousands of people to hell. Harikesa has created for himself a very grim dose of ugra-karma in exchange for the false pleasure of being worshipped for a very short period of time.

FULL STORY

Pujari Needed for Queens New York

BY: SUNANDA DASA

Feb 06, QUEENS, NEW YORK (SUN) — Sri Sri Krsna Balaram mandir is looking for a male devotee to serve as pujari in their small temple. Must be good at dressing large deities. Good sadhana, 16 rounds, 4 regs, likes preaching, small monthly stipend available.

All ISKCON devotees flying through JFK and La Guardia airports on weekends are welcome to give class and join harinama. Book distributers welcome to distribute in New York, an unlimited field.

FULL STORY

Saturday Laffs

Feb 06, CANADA (SUN) — The Sun's weekly cartoon series.

FULL STORY

Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Tirtha-yatra, Part 13

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 08, CANADA (SUN) — A serial exploration of the holy sites visited by Lord Caitanya.

Rsyamuka-parvata

Today we explore an interesting aspect of Lord Caitanya's tirtha-yatra around India. Our intention throughout this series has been to weave together as many threads as possible related to the places Sri Caitanya visited: to understand where they're located, how they have been described historically, and how they are related to places where other transcendental pastimes occurred. Given the fact that place names change over time, and certain holy dhamas and tirthas are said to co-exist in multiple places eternally, we find it very enlivening to follow each lead to its apparent conclusion as the journey progresses.

FULL STORY

Sri Garga Samhita

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 08, CANADA (SUN) —

Canto Three
Chapter Chapter Three


Sri Govardhanoddharana
The Lifting of Sri Govardhana

Text 1

sri-narada uvaca

atha man-mukhatah srutva
svatma-yagasya nasanam
govardhanotsavam jatam
kopam cakre purandarah

Sri Narada said: When from my mouth he heard that his sacrifice had been stopped and a festival for Govardhana Hill performed in its place, Indra became furious.

FULL STORY

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 08, CANADA (SUN) — By HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, 'Back to Godhead' - Volume 3, Part 13, October 20, 1958 - Delhi.

Obstacles in the Devotional Path

There are as many spiritual sparks or living beings as there are atoms in the matter. There is now great research work current in the atomic energy but when science will reach its ultimate Perfection it will have to deal with spiritual atomic sparks as to how they are working both in contact with matter and also without such contact.

FULL STORY


BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 08, CANADA (SUN) — Karna Parva Book 8, Section 43.

Sanjaya said, 'That chastiser of foes, viz., the son of Radha, thus silencing the ruler of the Madras, once more addressed him, O monarch, saying these words, "In answer to that which, O Shalya, thou hast said unto me by way of instance, I tell thee that I am incapable of being frightened by thee in battle with thy words.

FULL STORY

Prabhupada Padma-vakya

BY: SUN STAFF



Feb 08,
CANADA (SUN)

Audio files with transcripts recorded on this day.


Please visit PrabhupadaVani.org for audio files and transcripts.

February 8, 1976, Mayapur
Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.1
"From low type of living condition one is elevated higher and higher. That is a wrong theory. The real theory is that life begins from the most exalted person, Lord Brahma, praja-pati. So in any auspicious matter they are forward, because you cannot approach God in your lower condition of life."

February 8, 1977, Mayapur
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta's Appearance Day, Lecture
"But a human being, either he may be known to Krsna or not known to Krsna, he can be trained up."


Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Tirtha-yatra, Part 12

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 07, CANADA (SUN) — A serial exploration of the holy sites visited by Lord Caitanya.

Surparaka

In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya lila we read about Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's pilgrimage travels through India, which took him through the southern regions, and north again, up the western coast.

FULL STORY

Shri Krishna Chaitanya-carita Mahakavya

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 07, CANADA (SUN) —

Fourth Prakrama - Sixth Sarga

mahavana-adi-darshanam
Gauranga Sees Mahavana and Other Forests

eva sankathayan vipro / bhanuja prabhuna samam | uttiryya darshayam asa / nanda-geha maha-vanam 1

After narrating this history, the learned brahmana Krishna Dasa accompanied by Gaura Prabhu crossed the Yamuna, daughter of the sun, and showed Him the house of Nanda Maharaja in Mahavana.

FULL STORY

Sri Garga Samhita

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 07, CANADA (SUN) —

Canto Three
Chapter Chapter Two


Sri Giriraja-mahotsava
The Great Festival of Sri Giriraja

Text 1

sri-narada uvaca

srutva vaco nanda-sutasya sakshac
chri-nanda-sannanda-vara vrajesah
su-vismitah purva-kritam vihaya
pracakrire sri-giriraja-pujam

Sri Narada said: Hearing Sri Krishna's words, Nanda, Sannanda, and the other rulers of Vraja were filled with wonder. Abandoning what they had done, they performed the worship of Govardhana Hill.

FULL STORY

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 07, CANADA (SUN) — By HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, 'Back to Godhead' - Volume 3, Part 13, October 20, 1958 - Delhi.

"Prayers" of King Kulashekhara

Wordings:
Shri vallava iti barada iti dayapara iti bhaktapriya iti bhava lunthna kobidaiti natha iti nagasayana iti jaggannibasa iti alapinam pratidinam kuru mam Mukunda.

FULL STORY

The Mahabharata

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 07, CANADA (SUN) — Karna Parva Book 8, Section 42.

Sanjaya said, 'The high-souled son of Adhiratha, having listened unconvinced to these words of the ruler of the Madras, addressed Shalya, saying, "That which Vasudeva and Arjuna are is well-known to me. The skill of Saurin in the management of cars, and the might and the high weapons of Arjuna, the son of Pandu are well known to me at this hour.

FULL STORY

Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Tirtha-yatra, Part 11

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 06, CANADA (SUN) — A serial exploration of the holy sites visited by Lord Caitanya.

Dandakaranya Forest

In the summary of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya lila 9, we read about Lord Caitanya's travels to the famous tirtha of Dandakaranya:

"The Lord then visited Tapti, Mahismati-pura, Narmada-tira and Rsyamuka-parvata. He entered Dandakaranya and liberated the seven palm trees. From there He visited a place known as Pampa-sarovara and visited Pancavati, Nasika, Brahmagiri and also the source of the Godavari River, Kusavarta. Thus the Lord visited almost all the holy places in South India."

FULL STORY

Shri Krishna Chaitanya-carita Mahakavya

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 06, CANADA (SUN) —

Fourth Prakrama - Fifth Sarga

setu-bandha-sarovara-prasangah
Visiting Setu-Bandha Sarovara

tatah supto 'pi bhagavan / bhakti-rasa-samanvitah | utkanthitah kna-lila / gayan premashru-mocayan 1

Having rested, Bhagavan Gaura then sang with great eagerness and open throat about Shri Krishna's pleasure-pastimes. Filled with the mellows of bhakti and great eagerness, tears of pure love dropped from His eyes.

FULL STORY

Sri Garga Samhita

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 06, CANADA (SUN) —

Canto Three
Chapter Chapter One


Sri Giriraja-puja-vidhi
The Worship of Sri Giriraja

Text 1

sri-bahulasva uvaca

katham dadhara bhagavan
girim govardhanam varam
ucchilindhram yatha balo
hastenaikena lilaya

Sri Bahulasva said: Why did Lord Krishna lift Govardhana Hill as a child playfully lifts a mushroom.

FULL STORY

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 06, CANADA (SUN) — By HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, 'Back to Godhead' - Volume 3, Part 11, November 5, 1956 - Delhi.

Rational Theism

The Absolute Truth in His Supreme Feature is 'Purushottam' or the Personality of Godhead. Impersonal 'Brahma' and localised super-soul 'Paramatma' features are His hazy and partial realisation, although 'Brahma,' 'Paramatma' and 'Bhagwan' are one and the same Absolute Truth. We have already discussed this subject matter in our article 'Shri Krishna The Supreme Vedantist.'

FULL STORY

The Mahabharata

BY: SUN STAFF

Feb 06, CANADA (SUN) — Karna Parva Book 8, Section 41.

Sanjaya said, 'Hearing, O sire, these words of Radha's son who delighted in battle, Shalya once more addressed Karna, citing an example, "I am born in the race of men who performed great sacrifices, who never retreated from battle, who were kings whose coronal locks underwent the sacred bath. I am also myself devoted to the practice of virtue.

FULL STORY

Mahaprabhu Tirtha-yatra, Pt. 13
Chaitanya-carita Mahakavya
Vijaya Ekadasi
On Marriage Compatibility
Kitchen Helped in Flood
BTG: Obstacles
Sri Garga Samhita
The Mahabharata
Prabhupada Padma-vakya
Mahaprabhu Tirtha-yatra, Pt. 12
Chaitanya-carita Mahakavya
For the Transcendentalist
Rahu and Ketu
Do You Realize?
Unreleased Audio
Using Terminology of Vedas
Six Continents in Prayer
BTG: King Kulashekhara
Sri Garga Samhita
Mahaprabhu Tirtha-yatra, Pt. 11
Does Harikesa Share Blame?
Good Association
Nitya-siddha, Nitya-baddha
Still in Business
Crushing the Mayavadis
GBC: Gods Who Failed
Chaitanya-carita Mahakavya
Pujari Needed for Queens
Saturday Laffs
BTG: Rational Theism
Sri Garga Samhita
Mahaprabhu Tirtha-yatra, Pt. 10
Chaitanya-carita Mahakavya
Leaders are Sudras
On Marriage Compatibility
Living Guru
Srila Prabhupada's Audio
Investment Mantras
Historic Kumbha Mela
BTG: Essential Service, Pt. 2
Sri Garga Samhita
Mahaprabhu Tirtha-yatra, Pt. 9
Chaitanya-carita Mahakavya
Marriage Compatibility
Editing Really Needed!
32
The Hodge Podge Buffet
Images From Mayapur
BTG: An Essential Service
Sri Garga Samhita



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