(Editorial Reviews
The publisher, Bhaktivedanta Book Tru...)
Editorial Reviews
The publisher, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, harekrishna.com/, June 15, 2001
Book Description
Bhagavad-gita As It Is
The Bhagavad-gita is the main source-book on yoga and a concise summary of India's Vedic wisdom. Yet remarkably, the setting for this best-known classic of spiritual literature is an ancient Indian battlefield.
At the last moment before entering battle, the great warrior Arjuna begins to wonder about the real meaning of his life. Why should he fight against his friends and relatives? Why does he exist? Where is he going after death? In the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krsna, Arjuna's friend and spiritual master, brings His disciple from perplexity to spiritual enlightenment. In the course of doing so, Krsna concisely but definitively explains transcendental knowledge; karma-yoga, jnana-yoga, dhyana-yoga, and bhakti-yoga; knowledge of the Absolute; devotional service; the three modes of material nature; the divine and demoniac natures; and much more.
Bhagavad-gita As It Is is the largest-selling, most widely used edition of the Gita in the world.
Bhagavad Gita: Resumen del Gita (Bhagavad Gita Tal Como Es) (Spanish Edition)
(El Bhagavad-gita Es universalmente reconocida como la joy...)
El Bhagavad-gita Es universalmente reconocida como la joya de la sabiduría espiritual de la India.Expuesto por el Señor Krishna. La Suprema Personalidad de Dios a Su íntimo discípulo y amigo Arjuna. Los setecientos versos del Gita proporcionar una guía definitiva a la ciencia de la autorealización.Ninguna otra obra filosófica o religiosa revela, de manera lúcida y profunda, la naturaleza de la conciencia, el yo, el universo y el Supremo.
(Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, December 31, 1998
Essential s...)
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, December 31, 1998
Essential spiritual teachings
Across five centuries and half the globe comes this compact guidebook of essential spiritual teachings. How to choose a guru, how to practice yoga, even where to live. You'll find it all in this invaluable work originally written in Sanskrit by Srila Rupa Goswami, the greatest spiritual genius of medieval India. Now translated and explained by Srila Prabhupada, "The Nectar of Instruction" is the key to enlightenment for all seekers on the path of spiritual perfection.
Srimad Bhagavatam: First Canto "Creation"(Chapters 1-7) (Pt.1)
(The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust edition of the Srimad-Bhagav...)
The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust edition of the Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) features translation and elaborate commentary by Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, whom scholars and spiritual leaders worldwide recognize as the most distinguished teacher of Indian culture and philosophy of the modern age. Srimad-Bhagavatam is a virtual encyclopedia of yoga, meditation, and the mystic arts. It brings together in one complete source information that previously took hundreds of books to explain. "Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1" presents the first part of the first Canto as a sampler for the whole 18-volume set.
(For thousands of years, people on a spiritual quest have ...)
For thousands of years, people on a spiritual quest have consulted the intensely philosophical Upanishads. As the name implies (upa-near; ni-down; shad-to sit), one is advised to sit near a spiritual teacher to learn. Upanishad means "the supreme controller. the knowledge that brings one nearer to the Supreme Person, Krsna" This translation and commentary are guided by scholarship, and devotion in spirituality, in the ligne of the greatest Gaudiya Vaishnavas such as Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Maharaja, the spiritual master of the author, which is directly descending from Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The translation and commentary of Srila Prabhupada strictly adheres to the book's intention, assuring you of a legitimate understanding of the depths of Upanishadic knowledge.
(Encompassing the systems of sankhya, astanga and bhakti, ...)
Encompassing the systems of sankhya, astanga and bhakti, this absorbing publication treats the science of yoga, particularly in its application to out-of-body travel.
One can attempt to go to any planet he desires, but this is only possible by psychological changes in the mind or by yogic powers. Mind is the nucleus of the material body. Anyone who trains the mind to turn from matter to the spiritual form of the Godhead by performance of bhakti-yoga can easily attain the kingdom of God in the anti-material sky. Of this there is no doubt.
(Editorial Reviews
The publisher, The Bhaktivedanta Book...)
Editorial Reviews
The publisher, The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, letters@harekrishna.com, December 31, 1998
The Science of Reincarnation
Based on Srila Prabhupada's teachings, "Coming Back" answers many common questions concerning the mystery and mechanism of reincarnation. To present a clear and complete explanation, the authors cite both modern data as well as timeless sources of knowledge about the afterlife, such as Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-Gita.
Swami Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada was a Hindu religious teacher.
Background
Abhay Charan De was born in Calcutta, India, in 1896 to a family strongly committed to devotion to Krishna. Although some considered Krishna one among numerous Hindu deities, for Abhay and his family Krishna was the supreme Lord of the Universe.
Education
Abhay entered Scottish Churches' College in 1916 and in 1920 passed his B. A. examination. He rejected his diploma in response to Gandhi's independence movement.
Career
His householder's life would present a constant conflict with his urge to devote himself completely to preaching Krishna consciousness. Abhay became associated with the Gaudiya Vaisnava movement and took Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati as his spiritual master. Charanaravinda was the name Abhay's spiritual master gave him at initiation. Bhaktivedanta was a title his Godbrothers conferred on him in recognition of his devotional and scholarly qualities. The title Swami came in 1959 when he entered the disciplined order at the age of 63. Abhay gained a reputation for his ability to preach in English. As his involvement in preaching and writing intensified, his business affairs and family involvement dwindled. His wife was less devoted to spreading the Krishna consciousness than was Abhay, and her drinking tea was a source of displeasure to him. When she sold his manuscript of Srimad-Bhagavatam for some tea biscuits, he left the family for good. During the 1950s he preached the Bhagavadgita and approached potential donors for support for his periodical publication Back to Godhead. When he set out on a steamship from Calcutta to New York he had only a suitcase, an umbrella, and a supply of dry cereal. The ocean voyage was not an easy one for a 69 year old man plagued with seasickness. He settled on the Lower East Side of New York City, which was a haven for hippies during the 1960s. There, in humble circumstances, he sought to instruct young men and women who were given to experimentation with drugs and sex what it meant to practice devotion to Krishna. Many were searching for gurus and when the word spread that an Indian swami had arrived it caused quite a stir. His followers were particularly attracted to the chanting of the mahamantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. They were not immediately attracted to his philosophy. Most of Bhaktivedanta's books are commentaries on sacred texts. His approximately 60 volumes remain one of the primary means of outreach for the movement. During his first 69 years in India, Bhaktivedanta initiated only one disciple. During his succeeding 12 years in the United States he initiated over 4, 000. In 1970 Bhaktivedanta appointed a Governing Body Commission, with each member appointed over a specific part of the world. This board met annually under Bhaktivedanta's supervision. When he died in 1977, the structure for the continuation of the movement was in place.
The basic regulations which he proclaimed were to become the minimal requirements for those who joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). They were in radical contrast with the lifestyles of those to whom he preached. Nevertheless, his preaching was surprisingly successful. First, there was to be no gambling. This included frivolous games or sports. In fact, one should not converse about anything except Krishna consciousness. Second, the use of all forms of intoxicants or stimulants, including alcohol, drugs, tobacco, coffee, and tea, was prohibited. Third, there was a dietary prohibition against the eating of meat, fish, or eggs. The diet was strictly vegetarian and consisted of food that had first been offered to Krishna. Fourth, there was to be no illicit sex. Sex was only for the purpose of producing Krishna-conscious children, and therefore all methods of birth control except abstinence were prohibited. Married couples were to have intercourse only when they knew that conception could take place and for that specific purpose. Humanbeings have forgotten their true relationship to Krishna, and their liberation lies in a return to Godhead through the grace of Krishna. Human beings can remove the obstacles to that grace. This, taught Bhaktivedanta, can be done by chanting the mahamantra. One need not understand it-its transcendental sound will have automatic results and raise one to a spiritual plane. One should also engage in holy association. Associating with nondevotees will have a bad effect and result in an increase of sense gratification. Early in the movement new converts were even urged to sever contact with parents who were unsympathetic to the movement. One should also eat prasadam (food offered to Krishna). While preparing the food one should think only of Krishna. Eating the prasadam is a purifying act, equal to chanting the mahamantra. It is crucial that one accept a bonafide spiritual master who is in disciplic succession from Lord Krishna. One cannot return to Godhead without submitting to Krishna, and one can approach Krishna only through his representative.
Quotations:
"When a pure devotee or spiritual master speak, what he says should be accepted as having been directly spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the Parampara System. "
"When a Krishna Conscious person is elevated to a responsible position, he never becomes puffed up. Just like a tree when over-laden with fruits becomes humble and lower down. Similarly, a great soul in Krishna Consciousness becomes humbler than the grass and bowed down like the fruitful trees because a Krishna Conscious person acts as the agent of Krishna, therefore he discharges his duty with great responsibility. "
"If you sell diamonds, you cannot expect to have many customers. But a diamond is a diamond even if there are no customers. "
"Humility means that one should not be anxious to have the satisfaction of being honored by others. "
"A tree full of ripened fruits bows down naturally, because of the weight of the fruits and its willingness to make its fruits accessible to others. "
"It is said about Lord Buddha sadaya-hrdaya darsita-pasu-ghatam. He saw the whole human race going to hell by this animal killing. So he appeared to teach ahimsa, nonviolence, being compassionate on the animals and human beings. In the Christian religion also, it is clearly stated, 'Thou shall not kill'. So everywhere animal killing is restricted. In no religion the unnecessary killing of animals is allowed. But nobody is caring. The killing process is increasing, and so are the reactions. Every ten years you will find a war. These are the reactions. "
"There is a word Kristos in the Greek dictionary, and this word is supposed to be borrowed from the Sanskrit word "Krishna, " and Christ is derived from Kristos. "
"The artist draws a picture of a rose very nicely with all attention and artistic sense, and yet it does not become as perfect as the real rose. If that is the real fact, how can we say that the real rose has taken its shape without Intelligence behind the beauty?"
"First birth is from your parents, but real birth, real life, begins when one accepts a bona fide spiritual master and renders service unto him. Then the path is open for going back to home, back to Godhead, to live eternally in full knowledge and full bliss and in association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, Lord Krishna. "
"Our first duty is to satisfy the spiritual master, who can arrange for the Lord's mercy. A common man must first begin to serve the spiritual master or the devotee. Then, through the mercy of the devotee, the Lord will be satisfied. Unless one receives the dust of a devotee's lotus feet on one's head, there is no possibility of advancement. Unless one approaches a pure devotee, he cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. "
"This chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is enacted from the spiritual platform and thus this sound vibration surpasses all lower strata of consciouness - namely sensual, mental and intellectual. "
"The Srimad-Bhagavatam states that any bona fide preacher of God consciousness must have the qualities of titiksa (tolerance) and karuna (compassion). In the character of Lord Jesus Christ we find both these qualities. "
"One should not be happy or distressed over desirables and undesirables, knowing that such feelings are just created by the mind. "
"Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realization and can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness is certainly a person eligible for liberation. "
"Religion without philosophy is sentiment, or sometimes fanaticism, while philosophy without religion is mental speculation. "
Connections
In deference to his father he married Radharani Datta. He had one son by this marriage.