“Those who have chanted Shri Rama’s holy name, keeping it on the tongue, have become auspicious and most happy. But those who are lazy about chanting will meet with destruction sooner or later, says Tulsi.” (Dohavali, 12) rāma nāma japi… Read More ›
devotional service
From Drug to Devotee
“In the Kali Yuga, Shri Rama’s holy name is like a kalpataru that gives full refuge and auspiciousness. By remembering that name, Tulsidas has transformed from bhang into tulasi.” (Dohavali, 11) nāmu rāma ko kalapataru kali kalyāna nivāsu| jo sumirata… Read More ›
From Nothing to Something
“Shri Rama’s holy name is like a numeral, and all religious practices are like zero. When the numeral is not there, zero means nothing. But when it is present, the resultant value increases tenfold.” (Dohavali, 10) nāma rāma ko aṃka… Read More ›
Tell Me What To Do
“Knowledge, jnana, means understanding our relationship with Krishna. A wise man asks, ‘What is my duty to Krishna?’ Once we understand our relationship with Krishna and our duty to Him, we naturally become reluctant to engage in material activities. This… Read More ›
Practical Application
“The name of Krishna and Krishna are nondifferent, but we cannot realize this intellectually. We have to practice chanting Hare Krishna to realize it. When we actually advance in devotional service and chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra offenselessly, we will… Read More ›
The Gem in the Box
“In the same way that a golden jewelry box holds the most precious gem inside, while remembering the nirguna aspect in the heart and keeping the saguna aspect in front of the eyes, place Shri Rama’s supremely auspicious holy name… Read More ›
The Jewel of Vrindavana
“A living entity, by constitution, has the propensity to be attached to something. We see that if someone has no object of attachment, if he has no children, he transfers his attachment to cats and dogs. This indicates that the… Read More ›
Keep the Home Fires Burning
“If you wish to light both your inside and outside, place the jewel-decorated lamp of Shri Rama’s holy name at the doorway of your mouth, says Tulsi.” (Dohavali, 6) rāma nāma manīdīpa dharu jīha deharī dvāra | tulasī bhītara bāharehum̐… Read More ›
A Killer Smile
“When a devotee with all his heart and soul serves Krishna, dresses Him in nice garments and gives Him a flower, Krishna smiles. If you can get Krishna to smile upon you just once, your life’s goal is fulfilled.” (Shrila… Read More ›
Muscle Memory
“This institutional function of human society is known as the system of varnashrama-dharma, which is quite natural for the civilized life. The varnashrama institution is constructed to enable one to realize the Absolute Truth. It is not for artificial domination… Read More ›