India 2023

18 Dec 2023 afternoon – The Glories of the Holy Names (Bengali) – Sonakhali, India | Srila BV Vana Maharaja

History of Ratnakar and the glories of Bhagavan Rama’s name.

The chanting of the holy names is the only means of real purification in Kali-yuga.

The holy names do not appear in the mouths of those who eat meat, fish, chicken and eggs.

Follow the four principles of the Scriptures, pass tilaka, use tulasi-mala and chant the holy names.

17 Dec 2023 evening – Sukrti and Bhajana (English translation) – West Bengal, India | Srila BV Vana Maharaja

If the holy names are transcendental and our language is material, then how is it possible for us to touch the holy names? God, His form and His names, everything in Him is transcendental. By the desire to serve Sri Hari and through His mercy, all the material senses of the devotee become “as it were” transcendental. First control your mind and then you can control your senses. In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna asks Sri Krsna how to control his restless mind, and Sri Krsna responds:...

16 Dec 2023 evening – How to Cross the Ocean of Material Existence (English translation) – Mithlikhala, India | Srila BV Vana Maharaja

About the installation of the Deities made at the site. The katha of Ajamila, where the glories of the holy names are described. This material world is called dunya (place of sadness) and everyone commits sins in some way, even if unconsciously. Song: Ke Jabi Ke Jabi Bhai Bhava Sindhu Para, by Locana Dasa Thakura. Krsna did not accept food from Duryodhana, as he was not His devotee, but He accepted banana peels from Vidurani (Description from Caitanya Bhagavata). A Vaisnava, be it Kanistha...

16 Dec 2023 evening – How to Cross the Ocean of Material Existence (Bengali) – Mithlikhala, India | Srila BV Vana Maharaja

About the installation of the Deities made at the site. The katha of Ajamila, where the glories of the holy names are described. This material world is called dunya (place of sadness) and everyone commits sins in some way, even if unconsciously. Song: Ke Jabi Ke Jabi Bhai Bhava Sindhu Para, by Locana Dasa Thakura. Krsna did not accept food from Duryodhana, as he was not His devotee, but He accepted banana peels from Vidurani (Description from Caitanya Bhagavata). A Vaisnava, be it Kanistha...

15 Dec 2023 afternoon – The Highest Donation is Mahaprasada (English translation) – Taldi, India | Srila BV Vana Maharaja

Mahaprasada is the food that was offered to the Lord. Maha-maha-prasada is the maha-prasada of the Lord that is offered to the pure devotee of the Lord. If one accepts the remnants of maha-prasada, the soul goes straight to the abode of the Lord. Pastime of Ramanuja Acarya’s maha-maha-prasada that transformed the lizard into a demigod after ingesting it. Even those who do not have sukrti (spiritual merit), do not have faith in the Deity, in the holy names and in the Vaisnavas, if they...

15 Dec 2023 afternoon – The Highest Donation is Mahaprasada (Bengali) – Taldi, India | Srila BV Vana Maharaja

Mahaprasada is the food that was offered to the Lord. Maha-maha-prasada is the maha-prasada of the Lord that is offered to the pure devotee of the Lord. If one accepts the remnants of maha-prasada, the soul goes straight to the abode of the Lord. Pastime of Ramanuja Acarya’s maha-maha-prasada that transformed the lizard into a demigod after ingesting it. Even those who do not have sukrti (spiritual merit), do not have faith in the Deity, in the holy names and in the Vaisnavas, if they...

14 Dec 2023 afternoon – How We Can Develop Our Spiritual Life (English translation) – Taldi, India | Srila BV Vana Maharaja

– No one desires unhappiness, but in Bhagavatam, Kunti Devi considers her misfortunes as a great mercy. – ⁠Everyone is doing karma, but it is the Lord who bestows the fruits of all actions. – ⁠About Rupa, Sanatana and Locanatha Dasa Gosvamis. – ⁠Two types of bhajana: bhajananandi (practice to free yourself) and gosthyanandi (practice for all living beings to free themselves too). – ⁠Those who fry fish in boiling oil are cursed by the dying fish. Action and reaction...

14 Dec 2023 afternoon – How We Can Develop Our Spiritual Life (Bengali) – Taldi, India | Srila BV Vana Maharaja

– No one desires unhappiness, but in Bhagavatam, Kunti Devi considers her misfortunes as a great mercy. – ⁠Everyone is doing karma, but it is the Lord who bestows the fruits of all actions. – ⁠About Rupa, Sanatana and Locanatha Dasa Gosvamis. – ⁠Two types of bhajana: bhajananandi (practice to free yourself) and gosthyanandi (practice for all living beings to free themselves too). – ⁠Those who fry fish in boiling oil are cursed by the dying fish. Action and reaction...