Podcasts about bhagavad

I was just thinking, also, about yesterday. We went out. It's an ocean out there, and people are coming from every direction. You don't know who they are, where they're coming from. I was thinking of the churning of the milk ocean when the devas and the asuras came together for the yajña. It was Viṣṇu's wish that they did this yajña. So, they threw all the ingredients into the ocean. And then, of course, with the help of The Lord at every step, because they couldn't even carry them out by themselves. But when they started churning, then of course, Hālāhala poison came out. And then there was Lakṣmī Jī and all the different entities. Saṅkīrtana is like that. It's the yajna, yuga-dharma. When we go out and attempt to distribute the holy names, the Bhāgavatam, and the Bhagavad-gītā, it's like churning in that crowd, and you don't know who's going to come out of it. Yesterday, on the way home, I got a note from somebody on our team about a person who had written in and said that many years ago, they got a book at a motel, and they didn't think anything of it. They said, "We stole it." It was a Bhagavad-gītā, and they said, "We also got some packet at Los Angeles Ratha-yātrā; somebody handed us one. We had them all, and we didn't do anything about it." He said, "But now I'm chanting. I'm reading. I'm part of the program." So the yajña is very potent because The Holy Name always has a supreme effect, even if somebody accidentally does it, what to speak of jokingly. I was thinking yesterday, too, there were so many challenges. Somebody called me a white devil. Another kid, when I asked about karma, he had some—he was very pugnacious and wanted to challenge the whole idea of morality and everything. It was like everywhere you go, there's some challenge, and it's very healthy to go out and be part of that polishing process where you're getting hit from every side, and then you are endeavoring to give people Holy Names. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #japawalk #sankirtan #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

In this episode of For Soul's Sake, we explore the many layers of meaning within sacred texts like the Bhagavad-gītā. Far from being static rulebooks, scriptures are living conversations that evolve with us — offering new insights each time we return to them. Radhika reflects on how verses can shift from battlefield stories to inner battles, from instructions to transformations, and how the guidance of saints and teachers helps reveal depth without distortion. This is an invitation to let scripture not only inform you, but transform you — if you're willing to listen with the heart.Want to connect further?Instagram: www.instagram.com/radhika_dasa/Facebook: www.facebook.com/radhikadasmusicYouTube: www.youtube.com/c/RadhikaDasWebsite: www.radhikadas.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/radhikadasLinktree: linktr.ee/radhika_dasa

In the spiritual world, this is the norm: that every gait is a dance, every word is a song. So the spiritual world is not void, and Kṛṣṇa is not alone, but the spiritual world is where all the living entities who are enlightened and in love with Kṛṣṇa reside. The material world is a little lonely because we are separated from the light of the spiritual worlds and from Kṛṣṇa. So the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam brings our attention to the portals through which we can see the spiritual world and understand it. It's not illogical. In the Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa says, "ūrdhva-mūlam adhaḥ-śākham aśvatthaṁ prāhur avyayam chandāṁsi yasya parṇāni yas taṁ veda sa veda-vit," that this material world is a reflection of the spiritual world. We see variety here, but the variety here is temporary. It has a shelf life. Whatever we want to embrace here, whatever we want to taste here, has a beginning and an end. It's a temporary world because it's a reflection of the spiritual world. So the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam says that the mission of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is "reality distinguished from illusion for the benefit of all." If I try to embrace an illusory apple, a reflection on the water, this is folly; I won't be able to eat it. But the substance is there in the spiritual world. So Brahmā gives this explanation of how one can see Kṛṣṇa. He says, "Although Kṛṣṇa is transcendental form is presented as black." Devotees who are in love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead appreciate the Lord as Śyāmasundara, having a very beautiful, blackish form. The Lord's form is so beautiful that the Brahma-saṁhitā also states, "veṇuṁ kvaṇantam aravinda-dalāyatākṣaṁ barhāvataṁsam asitāmbuda-sundarāṅgam / kandarpa-koṭi-kamanīya-viśeṣa-śobhaṁ / govindam ādipuruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi... I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord who plays on His transcendental flute. His eyes are like lotus flowers. He is decorated with peacock plumes, and his bodily color resembles the color of a fresh black cloud. Although his bodily features are more beautiful than millions of Cupids, this beauty of the Supreme Lord can be seen by devotees who are in love with him, devotees whose eyes are anointed with the love of Godhead: 'Premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena.' ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #prabhupadapicks #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

Grace Gratitude and Bhagavad-gita Retreat and 75th Vyasa Puja Celebration of His Holiness Krishna Kshetra Swami ISKCON Jandelsbrunn, Simhachalam Temple, Germany August 10, 2025

What does it mean to take action without attachment—especially when your Dharma feels messy, uncomfortable, or misunderstood? In this episode, I dive deep into Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna teaches Karma Yoga—the path of selfless action—to a conflicted Arjuna. We explore how to navigate the tension between duty and desire, and why authentic action is essential for both spiritual growth and collective harmony. I break down:

That's the first step in spiritual life: to be self-effacing, or effacing the false self, and say, "I'm not anything in this world. It's just a dream that I'm something." My main designation is, "I'm a servant of Kṛṣṇa" And that's what comes out of this is that Kṛṣṇa is so kind; he gracefully helps us to divest ourselves of the false ego that I'm something great. What to speak of the poison that we get. Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā, "Icchā-dveṣa-samutthena dvandva-mohena bhārata sarva-bhūtāni saṁmohaṁ sarge yānti parantapa." Everyone gets born into this world with an attitude. Lose your attitude, he says. You give it up. Don't be such a fool. Just take shelter of Kṛṣṇa. And we see that right before our eyes in the pastime of Kāliya and how nice Kṛṣṇa was to Kāliya also. In fact, it's noted by Rūpa Gosvāmī in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, after he chastised Kāliya, his words were so sweet to Kāliya. After he beat him up, Kāliya's heart was really touched. Kṛṣṇa was so nice to him. So we can know from this pastime, we can learn that we're getting beat up for a reason in this world. It's so that we can open our hearts and actually live the real life we want to live, which is to be lovers of Kṛṣṇa. And we can't do that when we're holding all this poison, and don't put any more in either. There's so much poison you can drink in your ears or watch and take in through your eyes. Why drink poison? Drink Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Hi, I'm Vaiśeṣika Dasa. I drink Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. We recommend it. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

This talk on reincarnation takes a different angle from our earlier discussion in the Bhagavad-gita Wisdom Series. Last time, we explored how we came to have our present body. In this session, we shift the focus to discussing two common ideas about reincarnation — that it offers a second chance to “get things right,” or that it's like being stuck on an endless treadmill. As part of the discussion we also delve into the Vedic perspective on the repeated cycle of birth and death, known as saṁsāra.The link to the ancient Vedic story about Jaḍa Bharata which I mentioned in the talk is here:Mistaking a Saint for a Fool – Jada Bharata - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0pwBt4zs0EqWUDMmWYNURx?si=5QF4-a-IRNGhBGw_GIpyvQ The Vedic verses I quote in this talk: As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change. - Bhagavad-gītā 2.13As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones. - Bhagavad-gītā 2.22Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail. - Bhagavad-gītā 8.6The living entity in the material world carries his different conceptions of life from one body to another as the air carries aromas. - Bhagavad-gītā 15.8The caterpillar transports itself from one leaf to another by capturing one leaf before giving up the other. Similarly, according to his previous work, the living entity must capture another body before giving up the one he has. This is because the mind is the reservoir of all kinds of desires. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 4.29.76-77The living entity, thus taking another gross body, obtains a certain type of ear, tongue, and nose and sense of touch, which are grouped about the mind. He thus enjoys a particular set of sense objects. - Bhagavad-gītā 15.9When the living entity passes from the present body to the next body, which is created by his own karma, he becomes absorbed in the pleasurable and painful sensations of the new body and completely forgets the experience of the previous body. This total forgetfulness of one's previous material identity, which comes about for one reason or another, is called death. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.22.39Other online resources about this topicReincarnation the ins and the Outs - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acharya-das/episodes/182-Reincarnation--the-Ins-and-the-Outs-e1gju35 Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? – Understanding Reincarnation - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acharya-das/episodes/150-Why-Do-Bad-Things-Happen-to-Good-People-e1giggf Purpose, Reincarnation, and Suffering – an online Q&A session - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acharya-das/episodes/177-Purpose--Reincarnation--and-Suffering---an-online-QA-session-e1gjsmn

We have that opportunity to save human beings whose lives are most valuable, like connecting them to the sound vibration of the spiritual world. In any case, it was the preoccupation of Śrīla Prabhupāda to render The Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, The Bhagavad-gītā, and all these priceless vibrations into written form. So obviously he labored for this, and that's what Prabhupāda calls kriyāsu, manual labor. And in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, Tenth Canto, Second Chapter, Thirty-seventh Verse, Prabhupāda writes the following in his purport, from this famous verse spoken by the demigods to Lord Kṛṣṇa in the womb. It's the last paragraph. He says: "The word kriyāsu, meaning “by manual labor” or “by work,” is important in this verse. One should engage in practical service to The Lord. In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, all our activities are concentrated upon distributing Kṛṣṇa literature. This is very important. One may approach any person and induce him to read Kṛṣṇa literature so that in the future he also may become a devotee. Such activities are recommended in this verse. Kriyāsu yas tvac-caraṇāravindayoḥ. Such activities will always remind the devotees of The Lord's lotus feet. By fully concentrating on distributing books for Kṛṣṇa, one is fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa. This is samādhi." Couldn't be any clearer. I'll just make one last point, because we would like to hear from the devotees from various parts of the world what kind of manual labor they are engaged in to distribute the books. First comes pledges, then comes the mercy. In fact, when people are depressed, psychologists say, "Find something you can do," and then your mind will rise to the occasion. If I say, "Oh, I can't do anything," and then I say, "Well, that way I won't do any manual labor," then you'll just stay in that doldrum. This is a movement for those who want to take risks. The biggest risk is making a pledge and saying, "I'm going to do something." And therefore our battle cry is, "Assume it can be done." What's illegal is keeping a list of all the reasons it can't be done. If somebody keeps a list like that, they should hide it very carefully, because if we find it, you are going to be in big trouble, and definitely don't bring it with you wherever you go. Just assume it can be done. Take a risk. Life is short. Try to do this. Kṛṣṇa is doing it anyway; we are just instruments. We have to rise to an occasion. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #bhadrapurnima #gotogoloka #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

Neste episódio profundo e transformador, recebi meu mestre espiritual Maharaj Chandramukha Swami para uma conversa sobre espiritualidade prática, propósito e a jornada interior de cada ser. Juntos, eles abordamos temas como karma, dharma, reencarnação e os desafios de seguir um caminho espiritual autêntico em um mundo cada vez mais caótico e superficial.Você vai descobrir como a dor pode ser um chamado para o autoconhecimento, por que o bom karma pode ser um desafio e como reconhecer o seu roteiro de alma. Maharaj compartilha sua trajetória de jornalista da TV Globo a monge devocional, e explica de forma simples e tocante como a filosofia védica pode iluminar nossa busca por propósito e conexão com o divino.Chandramukha Swami é um monge vaishnava, escritor, músico e referência nos estudos da Bhagavad-gita há mais de 40 anos. Uma verdadeira aula sobre fé, desapego e coragem de viver com mais presença, autenticidade e consciência.

“All created beings are unmanifest in their beginning, manifest in their interim state, and unmanifest again when they are annihilated. So what need is there for lamentation?” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.28)

“Alas, how strange it is that we are preparing to commit greatly sinful acts, driven by the desire to enjoy royal happiness.” (Arjuna, Bhagavad-gita, 1.44)

That's really the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You know, maybe you want to stop for a minute and think about where you're going ? Are you heading into a desert somewhere, and you're going to dry up like a little worm in a hot, in a hot field? Bhagavad-gītā gives that perspective. And then, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu comes to simplify the Bhagavad-gītā. He says, "Okay, you know, you don't have a lot of time for philosophy in this age. After all, you've got to go to kindergarten, and that's a lot of responsibility. You have got to finger paint and all that stuff, and then learn how to cooperate with others. And it never—it doesn't, it doesn't stop either. You know, once you finish college, you've got to get an internship, right? And for the internship, it's like, "Okay, you're hired, and, by the way, you've got to work hard." So, I mean, it doesn't stop in the material world. So, Lord Caitanya said, "Okay, we need a simple way that people can connect directly to that fourth dimension, beyond all the considerations and the anxieties we have here in this world. We need a transport system that takes us to the next level." He said, "It's sound vibration. It's very simple, one thing—that's it, only one thing. And if you just invest your intelligence in it and understand how it's possible on a physical level, you can understand how it works on a metaphysical level, and then you can concentrate long enough to embrace the process. But even if you can't, that's okay, because the chanting is very engaging. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

Thank you very much for joining us for the Yuga Dharma. It's a process passed down through millennia, engaging transcendental sound—the names of the Divine. When one chants the names "Hare," "Krishna," "Rama," which are nomenclature for the supreme source of everything, then one comes directly in contact with that source because it's the absolute principle: Advaya-jnana-tattva. There's no difference between the name and the named. Anyone who chants Hare Krishna will rise above any of the complexities of the world by the sublimity of the process. One can chant at any time, in any place. You can chant to yourself, just loud enough to hear, or you can join together with your friends and chant. We also recommend the Bhagavad-gita. It's widely revered wisdom literature that dates back thousands of years. People all over the world have been studying it, taking solace in the Bhagavad-gita. So please help yourself; we have plenty of books. And also, we have this program here at Lytton Plaza every month.------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

“A yogi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogi.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 6.46)

“The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.61)

Some people complain that when they pray to God, they do not feel His presence. We should know that this is due to our incapacities, not God's. There are two conceptions of presence: the physical conception and the vibrational conception. The physical conception is temporary, whereas the vibrational conception is eternal. When we enjoy or relish the vibration of Kṛṣṇa's teaching in Bhagavad-gītā, or when we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, we should know that by those vibrations, He is immediately present. He is absolute. And because of this, His vibration is just as important as His physical presence. When we feel separation from Kṛṣṇa or the spiritual master, we should try to remember their words of instructions, and we will no longer feel that separation. Such association with Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master should be association by vibration, not physical presence. That is real association. We put so much stress on seeing, but when Kṛṣṇa was present on this earth, so many people saw Him and did not realize that He is God. So what is the advantage of seeing? By seeing Kṛṣṇa, we will not understand Him, but by listening carefully to Him and His teachings, we can come to the platform of understanding. We can touch Kṛṣṇa immediately by sound vibration. Therefore, we should give more stress to the sound vibration of Kṛṣṇa and of the spiritual master, and then we will feel happy and won't feel separation. (excerpt from Elevation to Krishna Consciousness discussed in the talk ) https://krishna.com/book/elevation-to-krishna-consciousness Date: 28 Nov 2020 ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #makejapagreatagain #mantrameditation #chantharekrishnaandbehappy #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

“Of these, the wise one who is in full knowledge in union with Me through pure devotional service is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.17)

Reading a chapter of Bhagavad-gītā makes you smart, because the Bhagavad-gītā is, as Prabhupāda describes, The Vedic intelligence. It's all there in one place, and Kṛṣṇa is speaking himself. So you get to hear directly from Kṛṣṇa, and you have your intelligence fortified by the Vedic intelligence. So, which would you rather have: the intelligence of the combined forces of everyone who posts on the internet, consumed in 10-second bites at a rate of about 50 per 30 seconds, or would you rather have the infusion of Kṛṣṇa's words and His intelligence? (excerpt from the Talk 'Be Renounced Where it Counts) BG Chapter 10: https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/10 ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

“Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.14)

Lecture by Swami Tyagananda on the 23rd of July, 2025, at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Boston, MA. For more information, please see https://vedantasociety.net/store?category=Gita

“O scion of Bharata, you should understand that I am also the knower in all bodies, and to understand this body and its owner is called knowledge. That is My opinion.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 13.3)

“Indeed, You alone know Yourself by Your own potencies, O origin of all, Lord of all beings, God of gods, O Supreme Person, Lord of the universe!” (Arjuna, Bhagavad-gita, 10.15)

“A yogi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogi.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 6.46)

Devotional service means that we have a whole lifetime, a fulfilling lifetime, of all these activities. There are so many that it's hard to choose from, which one wants to do next. Material life, on the other hand, by contrast, seems ludicrous. I was just comparing notes with Devavrata last night. He said something that I have noticed many times and even mentioned that at the Los Angeles Ratha-yātrā: everyone lives on one block, all the devotees. So, if you stay there and do service and go to Maṅgal Ārti, you really don't have to leave the atmosphere of the temple at all because you just walk across the street and go back. And usually, we stay there for a few days to prepare for the Ratha-yātrā, and then you get in a car, you go to the Ratha-yātrā, and you get dropped off right at the cart, so you're still in that atmosphere. You get to the festival, you're there, and then when you have to go home, you have to walk across The Venice Beach boardwalk, and there you notice a completely different environment. There is always a very noticeable contrast between the spiritual energy and the material energy. And one of my thoughts oftentimes is, "I'm surprised that people are still doing that," because I start thinking like the whole world's like what we do: sevā and having kīrtan and prasādam. And then when I see somebody else doing it, "Oh, yeah, right, it's still going on." That's a sign of how devotees can become absorbed in devotional service and no longer feel fearful, and also not in anxiety, because they are being fully satisfied. Then, of course, there's the philosophy. As Prabhupāda writes in the Śrī Īśopaniṣad, "All forms of incompleteness are experienced due to incomplete knowledge of the complete whole." By hearing in association with devotees, like in a Bhāgavatam class, there is also an intellectual satisfaction, where we feel that what we are doing it's all reasonable, it's well-reasoned . It's not just some whimsical activity. Like the philosophical statements of the Bhagavad-gītā and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are so profound that they satisfy the mind. In fact, I often have the feeling, "How do they know everything?" When we read the Bhāgavatam and they describe what material life is like, it's like, "How do they know that?" They know all the psychology of why someone would be in the material world, and what it feels like to be trounced by the material energy. The sages describe it so accurately that one feels to be properly situated in devotional service. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu gave these basic concepts that anybody can investigate for themselves. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------

“The living entity, thus taking another gross body, obtains a certain type of ear, tongue, and nose and sense of touch, which are grouped about the mind. He thus enjoys a particular set of sense objects.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.9)

The first section was, 'Change the channel, change your life.'" We talked about why we are where we are now: it's because of what we've been listening to, what we've been reading—the sound that we're allowing to come into our mind and our heart. So, how do I get into this most intimate of services, a connection with a pure devotee, Śrīla Prabhupāda, under whom I've taken shelter in this Krishna Consciousness Movement? How do I do it? How? It sounds okay—maybe it's for others, maybe not me. Page by page, reading Śrīla Prabhupāda's books every day is a prerequisite for knowing him and for advancing in spiritual life. So, we actually have to make voluntary life changes. We call this the VLCs. You are human, you can decide; you make the voluntary life change because you're the agent of your own improvement. Here are the two elements that are necessary: knowledge and practice, that will move you to your destination. Remember that nobody—there's no soul that's permanently unqualified. Everyone can rise in due course of time. And remember, even if you're inept, even if you're not very good at it, at least show up, because there's magic in just being there for the reading. So here's one of the obstacles. After we've surveyed many devotees around the world and asked them, "What's the main obstacle?" The answer is, "I don't have time." Here's breaking news for those of you who may be missing it: it's not time we lack, it's taste, and we only get a taste by taking time. This unlocks and disposes off this particular obstacle that "I don't have time." We already found out we all have 24 hours, at least the ones we interviewed. It may be different in Iceland or something, but we all get the same amount of time. So, it's not time; it's taste. Why do some people read more than others? Because they have a taste for it. How do you get a taste? You have to take the time. So you have to budget some time to start. Another common thought is, "I can't understand Śrīla Prabhupāda's books." Śrīla Prabhupāda said he couldn't understand his guru when he first heard him, but he stayed. That's the reason Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta noticed him at his initiation. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta said, "I marked him. He likes to hear. He does not go away." So if you want to be recognized, you could stay there and listen. There was a brāhmaṇa in South India that Caitanya Mahāprabhu met, who was every day reading the Bhagavad-gītā, but he couldn't read. He just did the best he could; he hacked away at it, and everyone was laughing at him. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw that this brāhmaṇa was crying when he was reading, and He asked him, "Why are you crying?" And he said, "My guru told me to read this every day, but I can't read." He said, "Then, why are you crying?" He said, "Because I think of Krishna when I'm doing this, that He drove the chariot for Arjuna, and He's so kind to His devotee, so I can't help but cry when I think of Krishna and holding this Gītā and trying to read it. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took that brāhmaṇa with Him. He said, "You've actually understood the Bhagavad-gītā." You don't have to be a great scholar or a Sanskritist. You just have to have a little sincerity and try to read Prabhupāda's books. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------

“Those who are demoniac do not know what is to be done and what is not to be done. Neither cleanliness nor proper behavior nor truth is found in them.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 16.7)

Lecture by Swami Tyagananda on the 16th of July, 2025, at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Boston, MA. For more information, please see https://vedantasociety.net/store?category=Gita

Here's another mantra: "Scrolling makes you dumb, and reading a chapter of Bhagavad-gītā makes you smart!" Because the Bhagavad-gītā is, as Prabhupāda describes, The Vedic intelligence. It's all there in one place, and Kṛṣṇa is speaking Himself. So, you get to hear directly from Kṛṣṇa, and you have your intelligence fortified by the Vedic intelligence. So, which would you rather have: the intelligence of the combined forces of everyone who posts on the internet and consumed in 10-second bytes at a rate of about 50 per 30 seconds, or would you rather have the infusion of Kṛṣṇa's words and His intelligence? ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

In this talk we discuss Karma Yoga as a spiritual pathway in the context of a self-centered world. Self-centeredness is the enemy of self-realization and modern society's focus on the fulfillment of individual desires as being of paramount importance has led to unprecedented levels of unhappiness, depression, and mental health issues. I refer to experts like Gus Speth and Tristan Harris to illustrate how selfishness and technology-driven self-absorption are creating societal problems. We then explore how yoga is best understood as the union between the individual soul and the Supreme Soul, with karma yoga specifically being the path of selfless action. While karma (action) binds us to the material world, selfless service is liberating and awakens one to their true identity. Our natural spiritual function is to love and serve, and adopting a life of selfless service transforms one's existence.The quotes I used:When we speak of yoga we refer to linking up our consciousness with the Supreme Absolute Truth. Such a process is named differently by various practitioners in terms of the particular method adopted. When the linking up process is predominantly in fruitive activities, it is called karma-yoga, when it is predominantly empirical, it is called jñāna-yoga, and when it is predominantly in a devotional relationship with the Supreme Lord, it is called bhakti-yoga. Commentary by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada - Bhagavad-gītā 6.46The Blessed Lord said: O sinless Arjuna, I have already explained that there are two classes of men who realize the Supreme Soul. Some are inclined to understand Him by empirical, philosophical speculation, and others are inclined to know Him by devotional work. Bhagavad-gītā 3.3Work done as a sacrifice for Viṣṇu [the Supreme] has to be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kuntī, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain unattached and free from bondage. Bhagavad-gītā 3.9One who restrains the senses and organs of action, but whose mind dwells on sense objects, certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender. Bhagavad-gītā 3.6On the other hand, he who controls the senses by the mind and engages his active organs in works of devotion, without attachment, is by far superior. Bhagavad-gītā 3.7One who neither hates nor desires the fruits of his activities is known to be always renounced. Such a person, liberated from all dualities, easily overcomes material bondage and is completely liberated, O mighty-armed Arjuna. Bhagavad-gītā 5.3One who knows that the position reached by means of renunciation can also be attained by works in devotional service and who therefore sees that the path of works and the path of renunciation are one, sees things as they are. Bhagavad-gītā 5.5Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty; for by working without attachment, one attains the Supreme. Bhagavad-gītā 3.19Therefore, O Arjuna, surrendering all your works unto Me, with mind intent on Me, and without desire for gain and free from egoism and lethargy, fight. Bhagavad-gītā 3.30One who executes his duties according to My injunctions and who follows this teaching faithfully, without envy, becomes free from the bondage of fruitive actions. Bhagavad-gītā 3.31"One who has taken his birth as a human being…. should make his life successful and work for the benefit of all other people. - Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta - Ādi-līlā 9.41"It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words." - Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta - Ādi-līlā 9.42‘By his work, thoughts and words, an intelligent man must perform actions which will be beneficial for all living entities in this life and in the next.' - Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta - Ādi-līlā 9.43

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.66)

What does it mean to act without attachment—and why is that the key to spiritual freedom? Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita is so rich, I had to split it into two parts—and this second half is where the real philosophical firepower kicks in

Lecture by Swami Tyagananda on the 9th of July, 2025, at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Boston, MA. For more information, please see https://vedantasociety.net/store?category=Gita

As far as trust goes, it's the most valuable element that we can procure. I say that sort of metaphorically, as if you could procure it. But as we know from any relationship, it comes over time. We find that when we interact with others and we see them in various situations, we come to know their nature. It takes time to trust. You may not trust somebody that you meet immediately, because we haven't had time to verify that they're trustworthy. And so when you interact with somebody and they're consistent in the way they show up, or even if they forget to show up or don't show up, they're contrite at the right times, in the right ways, then we start to develop trust. It's also important that we may consider that we may act in such a way that Kṛṣṇa can trust us. Any relationship is two-way. This relationship that we have with Kṛṣṇa is personal; it's not mechanical. And if we remember that Kṛṣṇa is our ever well-wisher and we work to trust Him, then we'll notice His reciprocation. As in any relationship, by noticing the reciprocation, as Prabhupāda indicated in the purport by quoting from Bhagavad-gītā 10.11, which is: teṣāṁ evānukampārtham aham ajñāna-jaṁ tamaḥ nāśayāmy ātma-bhāva-stho jñāna-dīpena bhāsvatā That when one sincerely tries to reach Kṛṣṇa, then, as Prabhupāda wrote in the purport here, Kṛṣṇa flips on a light. In the Gītā, it's a lamp, the kind that you might light with a mantra, maybe. And then it's a lamp, but Prabhupāda says, 'switch on the light,' and light is self-evident. It's not that you have to intellectualize light. When the sun comes up, the birds know it. The birds know it first, apparently, because they start singing before it comes up. I noticed that: I was camping once, and in the deep, dark forest, all by myself, I pitched a tent, and I was living out there for a couple days, and I just noticed that the birds were clamorous, and I thought, 'Well, time to get up.' So I looked out. It's pitch black. How did they know the sun was coming up? And how do we know when the sun has come up? It's self-evident. And when we act in such a way that Kṛṣṇa can trust us and He begins to shine light in our heart, so we can see more than we saw before, then there's an inkling of a relationship. I think that's a reciprocation. We may verify that, but as time moves on, as in any relationship, we become more and more certain, and that certainty leads to this implicit trust that we have in Kṛṣṇa, and it's always exhilarating, because... ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu taught, as did Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākur, passing on the teachings of the Bhāgavatam, that if you had faith, śraddhā—if you had an abiding desire in your heart to know the supreme, and when you heard a little bit about it, you embraced it—this is called śraddhā. Śraddhā means "the heart" and is an active verb; it means "where you place something." So, what are you putting your heart into? Those who put their hearts into the basic teachings of Bhagavad-gītā will make spiritual advancement. Similarly, with Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta and the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, if you put your heart into it, Kṛṣṇa will give you intelligence how to follow it. That's what Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā. So, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākur knew this, and he wanted it—meaning the teachings of Kṛṣṇa and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu—to be available to everybody, all over the world. And nowadays, there are centers in, as I mentioned, every continent of the world, but cities everywhere in the world where people are practicing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Let's name 10 cities that you don't normally hear about on the news or elsewhere where Krishna consciousness is being practiced right now. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

Lecture by Swami Tyagananda on the 2nd of July, 2025, at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Boston, MA. For more information, please see https://vedantasociety.net/store?category=Gita

“Any man who has perfect knowledge of the constitution of the individual soul, the Supersoul, and nature—both material and spiritual—is called a dhira or a most sober man. Such a man is never deluded by the change of bodies.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 2.13 Purport)

“Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate, the supreme abode and purifier, the Absolute Truth and the eternal divine person. You are the primal God, transcendental and original, and You are the unborn and all-pervading beauty. All the great sages such as Narada, Asita, Devala, and Vyasa proclaim this of You, and now You Yourself are declaring it to me.” (Bhagavad-gita, 10.12-13)

Rūpa Goswami says, "Just as young boys are naturally attracted to young girls, and young girls are naturally attracted to young boys"—if you unload a busload of teenagers in front of the Grand Canyon, they won't see the Grand Canyon because they're in samādhi. He said, "In the same way, may my mind be drawn to you." So when Prabhupāda said, "This is a feeling festival, the Ratha-yātrā," there is a story behind it, a love story. But it's THE love story; it's not any love story, it's THE love story. It's the ādi-rasa that gets perverted in this world as what's called āhlāda-tāpa-traya—the love affairs of this world that end in misery and strife and difficulty and complications. Of course, there are complications in the love story of the spiritual world, but they're all ānanda. And this Ratha-yātrā is so remarkable because what we have here is an apparently ordinary parade, but we're pulling the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and not just an image of God. And we say, "God is great, and we're all small and we're all servants," but there's this very specific story of Lord Kṛṣṇa meeting again the residents of Vṛndāvana, and the depth of their separation from him, which is never broken, because true love is never broken. Even Shakespeare says that. And that's all encapsulated within the Ratha-yātrā festival. So brilliant was Prabhupāda to bring it out to the world that both aspects are there: kevalānanda-kāṇḍa—the bliss of the chanting, the prasādam, the display of booths, and "Here's Kṛṣṇa consciousness, you'll get inner peace." But beyond that, there's the most esoteric of all stories that highly advanced paramahaṁsas relish again and again, and tell over and over again, which they go into the details of again and again, and relish it unlimitedly. So we're part of that legacy to bring Ratha-yātrā to the world, and along with the Ratha-yātrā, we may also distribute Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta. For anyone who has such an intervention in his or her life by seeing the Ratha-yātrā and then receiving transcendental literature, what to speak of prasādam and the association of devotees, can then take to the path of devotional service. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #rathyatra #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

“The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal, fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.7)

There are various ways in which we can organize our lives so that we elevate our consciousness. Now, the first and most important is to take an inventory of what we call the soundscape, or the soundtrack, of your life. Do any of you have a soundtrack in your life? If any of you have ever been to a movie, they have soundtracks. That's what defines the era of the movie, isn't it? Yeah, you look at a movie, you can also understand from the very beginning, after the opening credits, when the movie comes on, you can tell if it's a comedy. If it's kind of whimsical music. "Oh, this is going to be funny." If it's very—there's a dark "uh oh, somebody's getting killed here"—mystery. You know, this is all defined by the soundtrack. And so there's a way in which we also have a soundtrack in our life. And Sūta Goswami addresses this. He's talking about elevation of consciousness, and then he describes a series of practices, or one practice, that evolves our consciousness. One practice that sounds simpler, doesn't it? Technically, it begins with meeting somebody who has a better soundtrack than we have. So he says, and I'll quote what Sūta Goswami spoke to the sages: śuśrūṣoḥ śraddadhānasya vāsudeva-kathā-ruciḥ syān mahat-sevayā viprāḥ puṇya-tīrtha-niṣevaṇāt (SB 1.2.16) That means, if you can meet somebody who's spiritually awake and their taste in hearing is transcendental sound vibration, they like it. They're absorbed in it. What's more, they've been around others who like it, and they've evolved their consciousness. So he says, if you can get around such people, high-minded souls, and do some sevā—means, try to assist them in their life, in whatever they're doing. If you do that, that rubs off on you. It's a technique that Kṛṣṇa mentions in the Bhagavad-gītā also about getting knowledge from a wise person. He says, "Tad vidhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā upadekṣyanti te jñānaṁ jñāninas tattva-darśinaḥ." When you want knowledge, approach a person who already has it, but do it in a mood of submission. Don't go there saying, "Yeah, I heard that before, yeah, I know that." It'll close the person down. Just be really open. Don't say, "I already know that," ever. Then also render some service. Back when I was a kid, it was cliché that you would bring the teacher an apple. I don't know if they have that here in New York. Are you supposed to bring your teacher an apple? Did you know that ? ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.66)

Sometimes we meet people and we tell them something about Kṛṣṇa, give them a book, and it's not immediately evident, but later, we'll meet them. Or maybe we won't meet them, we'll meet somebody else who had an incidental contact with the devotee, and then they'll tell how everything started from that one statement. “I heard that thing. He said this, I read this one thing, and then it started.” And we're in a liminal state. Any minute we can cross back over into the spiritual environment by a little encouragement from the sound vibration, or by the same principle, we can always slip into nescience. But once the devotees have been awakened and have experienced the taste of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, even if they temporarily slip into darkness, it's not the same, Nārada Muni says, “as it is for somebody who's never experienced it, they always remember it.” Even though they become captured by Māyā, they still remember. As Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura said, they're haunted by the ghost of rasa. Rasāgraha, he said, “they're grabbed by it.” They keep thinking, “Oh, yeah, but I remember that time.” So it's very poignant, what you said about the power of the sound. And the saṅkīrtana movement is based on that; it's spreading that same sound vibration, Bhagavad-gītā, and the holy names to other living entities. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose

Lecture by Swami Tyagananda on the 11th of June, 2025, at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Boston, MA. For more information, please see https://vedantasociety.net/store?category=Gita

Lecture by Swami Tyagananda on the 4th of June, 2025, at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Boston, MA. For more information, please see https://vedantasociety.net/store?category=Gita

Modern spirituality often says yoga is all about the journey. But is that what the ancient teachings really meant? In this focused and eye-opening Q & A episode, Kaustubha explores samādhi and the true aim of yoga. Drawing from the Upanishads and Bhakti tradition, he reveals how yoga isn't aimless—it's intentional, transformational, and love-driven. You'll also hear how Krishna's call for surrender in the Bhagavad-gītā—often misunderstood as bossy—is actually rooted in compassion and transcendental clarity. What You'll Learn: •⁠  ⁠The real goal of samādhi and how yoga stays focused •⁠  ⁠Why Krishna asks for everything—and how it's not about ego •⁠  ⁠How even negative emotions can purify when directed toward God •⁠  ⁠Shishupala's surprising liberation through hatred •⁠  ⁠Why Krishna's confidence isn't arrogance—and what it means for us This isn't vague spiritualism—it's grounded wisdom for the seeker who wants clarity, depth, and a target worth aiming for. Listen now and rediscover why love—with direction—is the heart of yoga. ********************************************************************* LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108

Lecture by Swami Tyagananda on the 28th of May, 2025, at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Boston, MA. For more information, please see https://vedantasociety.net/store?category=Gita

I'm back with Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita! This is so dense I had to split it into two parts. Today we'll discuss verses 1-38. This chapter serves as a foundation for understanding the eternal nature of the soul (Atman) and the importance of non-attachment in the face of life's challenges. Let's look at Arjuna's emotional turmoil and Krishna's tough love approach, emphasizing the need for inner stability and the acceptance of life's transient nature. The emphasis on the immortality of the soul, the significance of understanding one's Dharma, and the win-win perspective in life. This chapter literally has all of Krishna's essential teachings. Making it a gold mine. Get ready to learn from the original life coach (Krishna):

Lecture by Swami Tyagananda on the 21st of May, 2025, at the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of Boston, MA. For more information, please see https://vedantasociety.net/store?category=Gita

Prince Hamlet collides with Śrīmad Bhāgavatam in this mind-bending episode on the illusion of “good and bad.” Raghunath and Kaustubha explore Bhakti Yoga, mental programming, and the transformative power of staying steady amid life's chaos. They unpack a verse that flips the spiritual script: liberation doesn't require a cave—it requires clarity. With vegan cheesecake hangovers, Tom Sawyer tricks, and a dose of Shakespearean angst, this episode reveals how kings lived as yogis—and how your own messy, modern life can become sacred ground for spiritual evolution. Key Highlights: •⁠  ⁠“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” — Hamlet (and basically the Bhāgavatam too) •⁠  ⁠Why your mind is a meaning-making machine—and how that distorts reality •⁠  ⁠Eastern philosophy says good and bad are illusions—here's what that really means •⁠  ⁠The Bhagavad-gītā's bold message: you can transcend duality without renouncing your responsibilities •⁠  ⁠How tolerance is the first quality of a true sadhu or yogi •⁠  ⁠Why red isn't good, blue isn't bad, and Denmark is just a mindset