Back to Godhead Magazine #37-06, 2003
2003 / #37-06
Articles
WelcomeIn our cover story in this issue, Braja Sevaki Devī Dāsī, a new contributor to Back to Godhead, writes of the joy of living in ISKCON's community in Māyāpur, West Bengal, just down the road from the birthplace of Lord CaLettersRealism and Transcendence "Simple living, high thinking."Śrīla Prabhupāda gave us all we need in that one sentence, and to have a magazine reflect and support us in pursuit of that goal is the ultimate. When I glance thrFounder's Lecture - The Highest Human CultureDetroit—July 16, 1971 The goal of human civilization should not be material progress, but the awakening of people's lost spiritual consciousness. by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda Founder-Ācārya of Through the Vedic LensA drama enacted in the natural world inspires higher thoughts. By Ben Saikin Recently a devotee said to me, "Just try to see through the Vedic lens." At the time I remember thinking how nice it would be to see the world Srila Prabhupada Speaks Out"You Do Not Know What Is Happiness" This exchange between His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda and a student took place at Śrīla Prabhupāda's first temple, a storefront on New York City's Second Avenue, Come to MāyāpurWith some reluctance, a resident invites all to come to the sacred land of Lord Caitanya. by Braja Sevaki Devī Dāsī This is possibly the hardest thing I've had to write. The editors of BTG asked me to write some articlesJust One Dayby Braja Sevaki Devī Dāsī The Māyāpur moon melts into day, trailing soft white mists whose edges burn as the day rises from the green waters of Jalangi. The moist air settles, softening the earth that cradles bare feet, Recognition for Śrīla PrabhupādaScholars list Prabhupāda among the great spiritual personalities of our time. by Satyaraja Dāsa Everyone likes to see a person get what's coming to him—good or bad. For example, in film or drama, when the bad guy gets hiStrong Ropes Of AffectionThe all-powerful Supreme Lord shows that He can be conquered by the power of His devotees' pure love. by Rādhā Govinda Gosvāmī The Vedic scriptures describe how Kṛṣṅa, the Supreme Lord, enjoys eternal pastimes with His d"Thanks for Being Such a Pain!""Later I'll be able to understand that Sam is Kṛṣṅa's instrument to test my spiritual ideals, but now Sam is really upsetting me." by Karnamrta Dāsa As I drive the forklift to pick up more freight to load onto the truck,God Wondersby Guru Dāsa Will you think of Me When days are filled with sun and the nights are always fun? When excitement buzzes all around, And the treasures of love seem safe and sound? When success lies in your grasp and your caThe Tragedy of Self-DestructionA spiritual solution that gets to the root of the problem is the only sure protection against the lure of self-destructive behavior. by Caitanya Carana Dāsa The trout is caught by the fisherman's lure, the mouse by cheesHow I Came to Kṛṣṅa ConsciousnessJourney with An Unseen Guide "A faint voice began to suggest that I was near the end of a long journey—a journey I hadn't even realized I was on." by Yoginatha Dāsa I'm fifty-one years old, and I live at the Saranagati HSpiritual PlacesMangalagiri - Where Faith Grows Every pilgrim to this South Indian temple witnesses a miraculous exchange between the Lord and His worshiper. Text and photos by Adbhuta Hari Dāsa Faith is not just one step, but a growingLord Caitanya's Visit To Mangalagiri(From Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 9.66, translation and purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda) TRANSLATION: Everywhere Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went, His influence astonished everyone. Dying a Good DeathSpiritual Care for the Terminally Ill A Kṛṣṅa conscious nurse helps the dying with their material and spiritual needs. by Sangita Devī Dāsī I am a Registered Nurse who specializes in hospice care for the terminally ill. From the Editor - The Roots of My ConvictionA friend of mine recently asked me to explain in one sentence why I'm a Hare Kṛṣṅa devotee. "To me," I replied, "the description of reality contained in the teachings of Kṛṣṅa consciousness makes more sense than any otheVedic ThoughtsInstead of worshiping Lord Viṣṅu, people have been educated to worship matter. According to the direction of modern society, men think they can advance in civilization by manipulating matter to build skyscrapers, big roa