The Mahabharata Project

Sankirtana Das (ACBSP)

Prabhupada: Yes. . . . Caitanya Mahāprabhu was interested only on the spiritual platform. He had no idea of material side. He rejected material side.

Satsvarupa: But don’t we do that also?

Prabhupada: No. Our position is different. We are trying to implement Krishna consciousness in everything.   -Conversation, Mayapura, February 14, 1977

In the Kali-yuga, this present age, the diseases of quarrel, greed and hypocrisy, are flaring up across America and the world. Sinister forces are moving forward with perverted  ambitions for unrestricted power, reaching into various levels of society: political, social,  economic, and religious. Often, such persons may even claim to be ambassadors of God’s will. Rather, they are ambassadors of fear, hate, and cruelty.  

Srila Prabhupada told us regulation and authority are required, but that must be permeated with love and trust. No amount of authority can compensate for a lack of love and compassion.  

Srila Prabhupada often spoke about the dangers of rogues and thieves hoarding power and creating havoc simply to satisfy their insatiable lust and greed. Prabhupada spoke of the destruction and confusion this would reek.  He especially wanted to expose the rascal hypocrites who are so-called leaders. Even thousands of years ago, the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna appeared because the world was burdened by the unnecessary forces of demoniac kings. One can study the 16th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita to understand the demoniac mentality. And what we see now are various demons who are constantly competing with one another, vying for wealth and power. As a contrast, Prabhupada wanted to establish Varnashrama communities to show the world  that the people  could actually live in “peace and prosperity.”   

Well wishers and supporters of the Hare Krishna Movement recently asked me if the Movement has plans to expand. Any intelligent person can see the need for this sacred tradition to increase its influence.  Last year, ISKCON North America introduced its 3/35 Project. That’s three percent of the population by 2035 engaged in meditating on the Hare Krishna pray or introducing some aspect of  Krishna Consciousness into their lives. But the project needs to establish guidelines on how it will grow. Devotees need to introduce a one year, three year, and ten year plan.

Prabhupada encouraged the devotees to move forward in a variety of ways: by educating the public in the teachings of Bhagavad Gita and the universal principles of Dharma, by establishing communities based on the varnashrama system where everyone can find meaningful work based on one’s natural propensities, and by helping the public understand the purpose of chanting the holy names of God. 

The dynamics of the world, our activities, as well as our consciousness is based on sound vibration. Sound vibration is very powerful. It can create and destroy. As mentioned in the Bible “In the beginning was the word.” To counteract the mundane activities, we have to focus on sacred sound, individually and collectively. This can destroy the Kali-yuga mentality, beginning with our own. Then these sinister anomalies in the world can be shattered and we can live peacefully. The devotees of Krishna meditate on Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare. 

As Prabhupada explains in the opening quote, devotees want to introduce Krishna Consciousness into all aspects of society. They want to educate, inspire and uplift.  The idea is to transform rather than legislate. These efforts need to be an expression of unmotivated, loving service. 

A few closing thoughts from Srila Prabhupada:

“In New Vrindaban, you should live in such an ideal way that people will learn  what is actually human life, what is human civilization. . . . That we have to teach to the world. . . . And the people are not happy. This demonic civilization is killing the human race.”  -Lecture, New Vrindaban, June 22, 1969

“So any of these departmental knowledge, namely politics, economics, art, science, philosophy, religion . . . art, science, philosophy, religion, everything should be aimed to achieve this end, God realization.”  Conversation, August 10, 1973

“If you gave up all thought of the world’s situation, unrighteousness would flourish, for men who hanker only after money would be unopposed. Such miscreants would attack, and the world would perish.” -Srimad Bhagavatam, 3.21.55

 “So I am very much serious that you all boys and girls should expose these Nixons and remove them, there is ample scope for protest in this Sankirtana Movement, and you yourselves be present, that is my hope for saving the misled mankind from total chaos.” -Letter, 3/4/72

“I wish that it will be noted down in history that this Krishna Consciousness Movement is responsible for saving the world.”   -Letter, January 1, 1972

“We have got so much vital spiritual knowledge to distribute to the public, and they are in desperate need of it. The whole world is going to hell and everyone is suffering.” -Letter,  Dec 15, 1973

“A Vaiṣṇava [a devotee of God] is therefore described as being para-duḥkha-duḥkhī, very much aggrieved by the sufferings of others. As such, a Vaiṣṇava engages in activities for the real welfare of human society.” -Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.21.12, Purport

Sankirtana Das (Andy Fraenkel), a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, is a longtime resident of the New Vrindaban Community and an award-winning author. At New Vrindaban, Sankirtana offers sacred storytelling and scheduled in-depth tours. See more at  mahabharata-project.com

We have the ancient history of Ravana’s Lanka where the citizens trusted and followed this powerful demon without question bc his rule gave them permission to do whatever they wanted, including attacking saintly and pious persons. This is the nature of the perverted relationship between a demoniac leader and his followers. Even Ravana’s two brothers tried to give him good advice to steer him away from his suicidal course, Ravana would not consider it. He felt himself to be indestructible, and his mentality lead to the destruction of his kingdom.

Human society is based on following the universal principles of dharma. Sometimes our society’s solutions are far worse than the problems, including the adharmic (irreligious) activities of ripping families apart. This has been going on for over 200 years with slavery and trying to “re-educate” Native American children. This is why Vaishnava devotees must present dharma and adharma side by side so the citizens can get a better understanding of the dangerous course our society is on.

Our society is destroying itself from within. The best thing we can do to correct the deranged course the nation and the world is on is to chant the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare. — make this ancient prayer a daily meditation in your life.

This is a prayer for our own personal benefit and for the benefit of the world; to reestablish our loving relationship with God and usher in an era of peace and prosperity. Srila Prabhupada assured us that to “perform saṅkīrtana-yajña (this chanting) everything will be adjusted immediately. Everything…So we are trying to introduce this Krishna consciousness movement so that people may come to their senses, take advantage of it, and be happy” (Lecture on Bhagavad Gita 1.12, July 13, 1973). — Yes, let’s choose love.

How Sri Caitanya inaugurated the Sankirtana Movement over 500 years ago and what it means for us today. 

A monumental event to counteract the Kali-yuga.

READ HERE – https://iskconnews.org/the-potency-of-sankirtana-yajna-by-sankirtana-das-acbsp/

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My articles and writings exploring Dharma & adharma, Vidya & avidya.

Helping to make the devotional process relevant in these difficult times.