Pranam Hinduism is in a very small sector of the world, which was shrunk by the conversions and money-prey of the christianity and Islam through the rich funded charities. Now a Ravi shankar cannot make a dent; a Vivekananda was sut out after the Chicago; but Iskcon is powerfully funded as from the anti christianity and anti Islamic populations richer than Indians; hence spread of Buddhism and Hinduism is felt anti-thematic to the powers of the churches and the mosques; so banned; Iskcons do not pry or even speak to you harsh; an Indian born in this nation, could not know even what our scriptures deal about , whereas, an American born in the background of Christianity, had learnt every Indian scripture, turned a Krishna Bhaktha and had not only written volumes of commentaries, but give all of them as free and for the lowest cost. Banning is a prohibitive fear; communist countries did not do it; only Singapore, where long ruled PM felt it might create dissensions, but who in his late age visited iNdia to learn the scriptures through a selective people-pundits. I do not find any difference between Arabindo or chinmayananda or Prabhupada in the translation as wrong, except instead of GOD or Brahmam, he stresses the Krishna -consciousness as his Guru. A data seen at the counter: "ISKCON is banned in Singapore, cherished in South Africa, tolerated in the USA, allowed in Indonesia, secretive in China, loved in India, underground in the Middle East, registered in Pakistan, valued in Brazil, present in Bangladesh, esteemed in Guyana, new in Korea, accepted in Canada, recognized in Malaysia, valued in Australia, established in Russia, permitted in Japan, honored in Nigeria, treasured in Italy, heard in Germany, and appreciated in the UK.
China and India are the two largest countries in the world, with their 1.2 and 1 billion (thousand million) populations and growing rapidly. The US and Russia, now ranked third and sixth respectively, have populations that grow much more slowly. In fact some population experts say that within the next ten years the total number of inhabitants in some European countries, and in North America and Australasia will diminish. By the way, Indonesia and Brazil come in fourth and fifth in the world population census. (A full list is available here <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population>). Other countries where dedicated devotees live include Israel, the Philippines, France, Zambia, Thailand, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Peru, Congo, Portugal, and Croatia. People in some countries are proud that Hare Krishnas have settled there. But one way to see such national pride is through the Srimad Bhagavatam. In that book (10.84.13) it is intimated that people willing to die for their country, have the intelligence of animals. In some countries, Hares are hated. A reason for such animosity is linked to the Kali-yuga (present age) tendency to regard all new and different things as weird and bizarre. Are there global trends? Positive results are sometimes attributed to divine intervention (“Lord Nrsimhadeva [an incarnation of Krishna or God] has saved us.”) When national prohibitions were ended in Argentina, Hong Kong and Japan, some devotees thought it was “Krishna’s arrangement.” The maxim that “God helps those that help themselves” seemed to apply here, inasmuch as devotees worked hard to remove such foreboding difficulties. A phenomenon learned in the ban-lifting efforts was that of “cultural conquest”. It was found out that Hare Krishna prasadam (cuisine prepared for God and offered to Him), can charm even the most inimical people. Another lesson learned was that art (particularly painting, sculpture, and architecture) tends to demonstrate that ISKCON people are more than just sentimental beaded baldies banging drums dressed in orange sheets while singing on busy street corners. Srila Prabhupada (ISKCON’s founder [1896-1977]) himself insisted that feasts be served regularly, and that many prasadam restaurants open in every country. He also made a strong point that his own books, imbued heavily with philosophy, include pictures of paintings, no matter how primitive by high-renaissance standards. The unique architecture in temples like those in Durban, Moundsville-West Virginia, Lima, Vancouver, New Delhi, and Auckland have won over millions of locals, many of whom are professed atheists. A general trend since 1966 – the year in which ISKCON was founded – has been acceptance. Sometimes acceptance was given grudgingly, and occasionally after protracted battles with unfavorable government officials, possessive locals, and hypocritical religionists. Many opposing elements are made up of ordinary people of the present age. This is a time when governments are secular. Most people are addicted to intoxication, illicit sex, meat-eating and spoon-fed entertainment, including movies, TV, and nightclubs. In some countries, where Hinduism is thought inferior or stupid and where it’s adamantly opposed, ISKCON has faced and faces difficult struggles. But the tendency over time has been to have national prohibitions extinguished, zoning restrictions overcome, registrations permitted and ultimately some form of public acceptance. Of course contrary elements still abound. Fights are far from over. On several fronts devotees are still struggling with foes. But the general development has been losing some battles but winning wars. Avid readers of the Internet may say that ISKCON’s problems are only beginning, but history shows otherwise. Internet users are often proud of what they call globalization, a phenomenon that may or may not truly exist. Whether the ban will ultimately be lifted in Singapore, the Polish farm temple rebuilt (it was recently destroyed by fire), whether the beautiful Bangalore temple will ever return to ISKCON, are difficult questions to answer. But, in another way, it doesn’t really matter, because the power of Maya (illusion) is eternally there. ISKCON and its precursors have not been strangers to difficulties. Obstacles to devotional service existed even when Lord Krishna was present on earth 5,000 years ago, what to speak of the problems facing Lord Chaitanya’s movement only 500 years ago. (Lord Caitanya is considered THE primary incarnation of God in this age) During the time of Lord Caitanya’s time on earth, most of India (including Bengal) was ruled by Islamic kings who disliked Hindus. And even many born Hindus opposed Lord Caitanya. As affirmed at the start of this article, ISKCON’s reputation varies widely from country to country. But ISKCON members are not part of a popularity contest (like the “Idol” TV shows). As the last verse of Bhagavad-gita states, “Wherever there is Krishna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality.” This position may seem childishly optimistic. But one of the qualities of Krishna is “bhava grahi janardana”. “Thus even though, externally, a devotee may not render full service, if he is internally sincere and serious the Lord welcomes his service nonetheless. Thus the Lord is known as bhava-grahi janardana because He takes the essence of one’s devotional mentality.” This constitutes a passage from Srila Prabhupada’s purport to the Srimad Bhagavatam, eighth canto, twenty-third chapter, second verse. KR IRS 26722 On Tue, 26 Jul 2022 at 05:13, APS Mani <[email protected]> wrote: > Well said, in a few countries, they are prohibited from preaching! > > Mani > > On Tue, Jul 26, 2022 at 4:19 AM Narayanaswamy Iyer <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> Dear Sri Gopalakrishna >> >> Thanks. >> >> The bhakthivedanta movement, or International Society For Krishna >> Consciousness, founded in 1966 in New York by Prabhupaada (Great Rich Man's >> Foot), is a non-conformist ultra-modern rebel vaishnavaite splinter >> (parasitic?) organisation which pretends to be based on bhagavath-geetha >> and on bhaagavatha puraanam. >> >> But in truth it merely twists Lord Krishna's message and misrepresents >> its own aggressive and revolutionary version of a Christianity-like >> evangelical creed of ardent converts who follow practices akin to noisy >> disco-dancing, who terrorise members of the public into donating money and >> materials for its missionary activities, and who treat everyone else as >> heathens. >> >> When I was in Canada once with my family, I was approached in the public >> park by a burly white man in orange robes and shaven head with a little >> pigtail, who demanded contributions in the name of "guru dakshina" and held >> out an imitation brown coconut shell. >> >> When I asked for what archana-abhishega-homam or other kriya is dakshina >> sought, when was its done, by whom, and in whose name, he slunk away with a >> grin. >> >> Yes, I have a copy of "Bhagavath-Geetha As It Is" published by ISKON >> which renders its own misinterpretation of the Lord's teaching of the path >> of duty and salvation of the soul. >> >> Please do not trust these ISKON imposters and bullies. Thanks again. >> >> S Narayanaswamy Iyer >> >> >> On 24 Jul 2022, at 9:03 AM, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >> Respected sir, >> Thank you for reading the posting and to your response. I have read this >> in ISKON books also. Regarding authority I am not sure. >> Gopalakrishnan >> >> On Sunday, 24 July, 2022 at 04:11:22 am IST, Narayanaswamy Iyer < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> Dear folks >> >> With due respect to well-meaning Sri Gopalakrishnan, both versions are >> pure poppycock, and should be rejected in toto. >> >> S Narayanaswamy Iyer >> >> On 23 Jul 2022, at 9:09 PM, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >> *DIVINE STORIES 07-2022-07* Dear friends, >> I have started posting a few divine stories. Hope these stories could >> be refreshing. These were stored in memory device earlier after reading >> from different websites. *There are variations in these stories as >> heard popularly.* Gopala Krishnan 23-7-22 *Lord Krishna Meets Radha* >> >> When Krishna was a little boy of four or five, his father, Nanda, took >> him to the field where the cattle were grazing. Krishna wanted to spring a >> surprise on his father, *so he created a severe thunderstorm*. It began >> to rain heavily and the trees were tossing wildly Although Krishna was >> responsible for the storm, he pretended that he knew nothing. He started >> crying and screaming, and he clung to his father for protection. >> >> Nanda was trying desperately to protect his child and also the cattle. He >> found that he could not manage to do the two things simultaneously, and so >> he was in a terrible predicament. *He had to save his dearest child and >> again, he had to save the cattle*. Nanda could see no way to bring both >> the cattle and the child home safely. >> >> All of a sudden, a most beautiful woman appeared. Nanda was very >> relieved to see this unknown woman who had come at such a crucial moment. >> “Would >> you kindly take care of my child?” he asked. “I must take the cattle >> home now. Then I will come back. I am sure that you will be able to >> protect my son*.“Do not worry. I will definitely take good care of your >> child,”* the woman assured Nanda. Nanda departed for home with the >> frightened cattle. >> >> When Krishna and the woman were alone together, Krishna did something >> extraordinary. He created a most enchanting scene and took the form of a >> youth. This youth was dark-skinned; he wore an orange cloth and on his >> forehead there was a >> peacock feather. In his hands, he held a flute which he was playing so >> hauntingly. Krishna looked at the woman and asked her, *“Do you remember >> this incident, when we were in Heaven?”* >> >> The unknown woman was Radha, who was Krishna’s dearest beloved. Radha >> replied, “I do remember this incident. It is very vivid to me.” >> >> Krishna was showing Radha a scene from their life together in Heaven >> before they took incarnation on earth. He wanted to remind Radha of >> their eternal oneness .The time was fast approaching for Krishna’s father >> to come and take his son home. >> >> Krishna stopped the performance in Heaven and became a little child >> again. He started crying pitifully for his father to come and claim him. >> >> After some time, Nanda had still not appeared and Radha became very >> worried. She was wondering what to do when she heard a voice telling her >> to take the child to Nanda’s house. >> >> Radha was so sad and miserable that she had to return Krishna to his >> parents after being reunited with him on earth. She was afraid that she >> would not >> be able to see him anymore. But the voice told her, “Take the child back >> to Nanda and Yashoda*. * >> >> >> *If you listen to me, I assure you that you will be able to go and see >> your Lord Krishna every evening.* You will meet him and he will play his >> flute for you. *A part of your heart will always remain with him At that >> moment, there appeared **Brahma**, the Creator.* >> >> For 60,000 years he had been praying to the Highest only to have a >> glimpse of Radha. In his meditation, he had seen Krishna and Radha together >> on earth and he was deeply moved. So he came personally to see Radha, >> who was the embodiment of the Universal Force >> >> Radha obeyed the inner message that she had received from the voice and >> took the child back to Nanda’s house. After that, she used to come and >> visit Krishna every evening That is one version of how Lord Krishna and >> Radha met for the first time. >> >> >> There is another version of the story. >> >> In this second version, it is believed >> that Radha’s father was a very rich king. When Radha was still a little >> girl, he decided it was time for her to get married. He made all the >> necessary >> arrangements for her to marry a neighbouring prince. >> >> But Radha did not want to get married; she wanted only to be with Krishna. >> So she took her soul out of her body and kept only a portion of herself, a >> shadow of her real existence, inside her body. The prince for whom she >> was intended married the shadow >> >> *Radha transported her soul to Nanda’s family because she knew that Lord >> Krishna was being brought up there*. She took birth in Nanda’s family, >> and she and Krishna became brother and sister, closer than the closest. Sri >> Chinmoy. >> >> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "iyer123" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/337737443.975463.1658581748299%40mail.yahoo.com >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/337737443.975463.1658581748299%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "iyer123" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/CC3D4790-ABB4-4760-A855-3075969D8027%40gmail.com >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/CC3D4790-ABB4-4760-A855-3075969D8027%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "iyer123" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/483797429.1022801.1658624629599%40mail.yahoo.com >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/483797429.1022801.1658624629599%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "iyer123" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/E92B7EE6-70FF-4CFF-9A44-6A66B437A2D2%40gmail.com >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/E92B7EE6-70FF-4CFF-9A44-6A66B437A2D2%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "iyer123" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/CAOCR2sqdE2Ntu%2B86_bdko4AjVhzWJwT%3DDU5QO6ZpMuxy35xw1g%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/CAOCR2sqdE2Ntu%2B86_bdko4AjVhzWJwT%3DDU5QO6ZpMuxy35xw1g%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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