Vulture Civilisation June 5, 2025 – Posted in: Articles

Listening today to a lecture by Srila Prabhupada, my esteemed teacher, I was struck by a brilliant analogy he gave. First, he cited a verse from Vedic literature which basically states that the attempt to improve one’s material situation amounts to nothing more than ‘decorating a dead body’. In other words, the material body is destined to die today or tomorrow. It is always dead, in one sense, as it is only animated by the…

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The Supreme Person June 4, 2025 – Posted in: Articles

In its most recent survey on the subject of God, the National Centre for Social Research found that some ninety percent of us claim to be believers. One in five even said they had no doubts about God’s existence. Such statistics are perhaps surprising, given that education today tends to steer us toward more atheistic notions such as the’ Big Bang’ and evolution. Surprising also in the face of the widely touted suggestion that religion…

Winning life’s battles June 3, 2025 – Posted in: Articles

The first question often asked about the Bhagavad-gita is why was it spoken on a battlefield? Despite a common view that religion is a major cause of war, the general view is that the two should remain separate. Religion or spirituality should result in peace not conflict. If one’s spiritual practises bring about the bloodthirsty desire to eliminate the followers of some other faith then they must be suspect. That would surely seem to make…

Vidagdha Madhava verses by Rupa Goswami June 2, 2025 – Posted in: Poetry

Purva Raga Dear friend, the trembling of my heart can never find a cure. No herb or medicine or balm, my beating breast can calm. For this disease one remedy will bring relief for sure, but that alas will soon produce painful opprobrium. My friend I am severely struck and all my sense departs, when Krishna’s name enters my ears and lodges in my heart. And then there is another one whose flute enchants my…

Sri Jagannathastakam June 1, 2025 – Posted in: Poetry

1) kadacit kalindi-tata-vipina-sangitaka-ravo mudabhiri-nari-vadana-kamalasvada-madhupah rama-sambhu-brahmamara-pati-ganesarcita-pado jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me With songs and sweet music, strolling gaily through groves, by the Kalindi. A bee seeking nectar from the lotus-like faces of the gopis. Praising him are Shiva, Brahma, Indra, Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi. Jagannatha Swami, Lord of all beings, be visible to me. 2) bhuje savye venum sirasi sikhi-puccham kati-tate dukulam netrante sahacara-kataksam vidadhate sada srimad-vrndavana-vasati-lila-paricayo jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me Sporting fine silken cloth,…

The Chaste Wife – Posted in: Stories

There was once a wicked man of the lower classes. He abandoned all holy rites and gave himself to sin. He had a young wife but also kept a prostitute in his house. The wife, wishing only to please him, served them both. She washed their feet and ate only the remnants of their food. Although the prostitute tried to prevent her she continued to serve that woman in every way, along with her husband.…

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Dignity: Pause for Thought BBC Radio 2 July 21, 2017 June 25, 2024 – Posted in: Broadcasts

It can be a challenge to maintain your dignity sometimes. I remember when I became a Krishna monk many years ago and donned the orange robes to venture forth on to the streets. Hare Krishna devotees were not a familiar sight at the time, and we would often encounter a spirited response from onlookers, as we sang and danced our way along the road. On one occasion I was showered with a can of beer,…

Lost Love June 24, 2024 – Posted in: Broadcasts

Love must be one of the most over used and perhaps undervalued words in the dictionary. I’m just as guilty as anyone else, declaring my love for cheese on toast, lying in the sun, or, confession time, Raymond Chandler. In the true sense of the word I wouldn’t say I really love any of those things. For me love means an awful lot more than just liking something rather a lot. Actually in the language…

Festive Food (Pause for Thought, BBC Radio 2, June 29th) June 23, 2024 – Posted in: Broadcasts

When I first moved into a Krishna temple, back in the 70s, I discovered that the founder of the Hare Krishna society had dubbed his movement ‘the kitchen religion’. I was somewhat bemused by this – but, as a young man in my 20’s with a keen interest in eating, I was not entirely averse to the idea. And I soon found out the reason for this culinary epithet when, a few weeks later, a…

The Longest Day (BBC Pause for Thought 22 June 2017) June 22, 2024 – Posted in: Broadcasts

Officially, the summer solstice is the longest day – almost 17 hours of broad daylight. However, in my experience the length of the day depends largely upon what I happen to be doing. How could I ever forget, for example, those interminable history lessons at school. The clock on the wall all but froze as the teacher apprised us of the fascinating exploits of Oliver Cromwell and his gallant roundheads. Thankfully I am no longer…