I knew I needed to begin the podcast with the book that gave me great hope and inspiration, encouragement & loving support, and honestly, I didn’t need to consider it for too long. What makes this book so special for me it leaves me with having no excuses for not trying to love Krishna. It leaves me with no doubts about how intrinsic this relationship is. It opens my eyes to the reality of the world today and it surcharges me with determination to take up the path of devotional service, as well as spread its glories to each and every person within my reach. The gift of bhakti is truly presented in the most matchless way in this book.
Episodes playlist 001-013
It’s my first episode, I’m a little nervous in the beginning but then it gets better 🙏 Jaya Prabhupada! So “Krishna Consciousness The Matchless Gift” Pages 1-10 | Here are a few words about the author of the book, His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in July of 1966, Bhaktivedanta Swami established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for the purpose he stated of “checking the imbalance of values in the world and working for real unity and peace”. Srila Prabhupada circled the globe 14 times spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna. People from all backgrounds and walks of life came forward to accept his message. With their help, Srila Prabhupada established temples, farm communities, a publishing house, and educational institutions around the world. And, he began what has now become the world’s largest vegetarian food relief program, Hare Krishna Food for Life. He authored over 70 volumes of books on the Vaisnava tradition, which are highly respected by scholars for their authority, depth, fidelity to the tradition, and clarity. His writings have been translated into 76 languages. His most prominent works include: Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Sri Caitanya-caritamrita.
One of my favorite quotes
Krishna Consciousness, The Matchless Gift | Chapter 3 “Learning to love”
Love begins with this give and take. We give something to our lover, he gives something to us, and in this way love develops. When we create any loving transaction with any boy or girl, man or woman, we give and take. Thus Kṛṣṇa is teaching us how to give and take. Kṛṣṇa is begging us: “Try to love Me. Learn how to love Me. Offer something to Me.”
“Sir,” we may say, “I have nothing to give You.”
“Oh, you cannot collect a piece of fruit, a flower, a leaf or a little water?”
“Oh yes, why not? Anyone can collect this.”
This then is the method of Kṛṣṇa consciousness which allows one to make friends with Kṛṣṇa. We can enter into any number of relationships with Kṛṣṇa. We can become a direct servant of Kṛṣṇa, or in the highest stages we can become Kṛṣṇa’s father, mother or lover. Kṛṣṇa is prepared to establish a loving relationship with all living entities. In actuality this relationship is already there because He is the supreme father and we are His parts and parcels. Because the son is part of the body of the father, the relationship between them cannot be broken; it may be forgotten for some time, but as soon as one recognizes his father or son, immediately affection develops. Similarly, we are eternally related to Kṛṣṇa, but at the present moment this relationship is simply forgotten or suppressed. Consequently we think that we have no relationship with Kṛṣṇa, but this is not a fact. Because we are integral with Him, because we are part and parcel of Him, our relationship with Him is eternal. That relationship simply has to be revived, and that revival is this process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
