SPD02-03 The Hare Kṛṣṇa People
SPD02-03
The Hare Krsna People
The Hare Krsna People
[00:17] [Narrator:] By the grace of Lord Sri Krsna,
[00:20] His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was born a pure devotee.
[00:35] In 1933, Prabhupada was accepted as a disciple by a bona fide spiritual master
[00:43] and ordered to spread Krsna consciousness to the English-speaking world.
[00:49] Then, in 1965, at the age of seventy, Prabhupada,
[00:53] a renounced saintly person, with neither friends nor money, came from India
[00:59] to New York City to fulfill the instructions of his spiritual master.
[01:04] Prabhupada was destined to spark a revolution in consciousness:
[01:09] to ignite the Hare Krsna explosion.
[01:40] Transcendental knowledge was first spoken by the Lord Himself and has been
[01:45] passed down since that time from spiritual master to disciple in an unbroken chain:
[01:54] Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Gaurakisora dasa Babaji,
[02:07] Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami and Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
[02:16] In 1966 Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness,
[02:21] or ISKCON, widely known as the Hare Krsna Movement.
[02:28] Prabhupada translates on a Dictaphone original Sanskrit and Bengali scriptures into English.
[02:34] The tapes are then sent to ISKCON Press in New York.
[02:45] The entire operation, from typing to illustrating to printing, is carried out by
[02:51] the Krsna devotees, all of whom serve without salary.
[03:20] The message is love of Krsna.
[03:23] Krsna is recognized as God by all the great saints and the scriptures of India.
[03:30] He is the all-attractive person and the reservoir of pleasure.
[03:34] To pass on the science of self-realization, Prabhupada is presenting the Bhagavad-gita As It Is,
[03:42] the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the Nectar of Devotion, and many other philosophical works.
[03:51] From a Los Angeles warehouse, these literatures are shipped to centers
[03:55] in the United States and abroad.
[03:58] Within a few years, Prabhupada and his disciples have organized
[04:02] an ambitious book distribution program that every year sees thousands of tons of books
[04:08] distributed around the world.
[04:30] The Krsna devotees say that by reading these books and chanting the names of God,
[04:35] a person can attain God consciousness even in this difficult and disturbed age.
[04:40] The most popular mantra is the now familiar
[04:43] Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
[05:04] This chanting resounds from London to Mexico City, from Paris to Tokyo,
[05:09] from New York to Nairobi.
[05:50] Here in London, thousands flock to attend ISKCON's annual Ratha-yatra festival.
[05:55] This festival is held in major cities around the world.
[06:33] Constantly traveling, Prabhupada often makes personal appearances.
[06:39] Here he is introduced to a New Delhi audience by the Canadian High Commissioner
[06:44] and garlanded by a leading citizen.
[speaking to interviewer]
[06:53] [Prabhupada:] "Everything that we see, that is created by God,
[06:57] so you should at least recognize that it is God's property.
[07:02] But they are thinking their property. So there must be now restriction."
[07:08] [Narrator:] Prabhupada says God is great and we are very small.
[07:12] He is the supreme proprietor, and everything should be used in His service.
[07:17] All living creatures are sons of God and are therefore equal.
[07:22] Thus Krsna consciousness is beyond any sectarian and national limitations
[07:27] and is the perfect peace formula.
[07:31] Prabhupada denounces so-called gurus who claim to be God:
[07:35] "Such 'Gods' are very cheap.
[07:37] I am not God and you are not God. We are all eternal servants of God."
[07:44] [Prabhupada:] "...on account of being separated from Krsna, they do not know that.
[07:48] We are part and parcel of God, or Krsna; we are not enjoyer."
[07:56] [Narrator:] We asked Jadurani-devi dasi, one of the artists at ISKCON Press,
[08:01] to tell us about her involvement in the Hare Krsna movement.
[08:05] [Jadurani:] "So I met Srila Prabhupada in 1967, and I was up in his apartment, and the first thing that he
[08:15] said to me-because previously I was thinking that I didn't know what I was supposed to do-so he said,
[08:24] 'When you reach the top, then everything else is included.'
[08:28] So that sort of answered all the questions.
[08:31] Just like if you have a million dollars, then all of your ten-dollar problems are solved.
[08:37] So he was implying that when you become Krsna conscious, then
[08:41] all of your other desires and aspirations and ambitions, everything is fulfilled
[08:46] just by taking to the process of Krsna consciousness.
[08:50] And then he asked if I could come to his morning classes, and then I started coming.
[08:56] And then when he saw that I had a propensity for painting, so he gave me two businesses.
[09:04] He said, 'Just be attached to Krsna and to painting.'
[09:10] So this is Kesava. Kesava is a name of Krsna, and it means 'one who has fine hair.'
[09:16] So God has hair, He has a face, He has a body. He is not impersonal.
[09:19] He is the creator and the maintainer, the destroyer of everything.
[09:22] And He is the dearmost friend of every living entity.
[09:28] And before, you were asking how my consciousness has changed.
[09:31] Well, just like a lily leaf or something like that, that's on the water,
[09:35] even though it is on the water, it is not touched by the water.
[09:39] So even though we are in the material world,
[09:41] because we are working for a pure devotee and for Krsna,
[09:43] we are not touched. And we feel satisfied, satisfied to be in association with Krsna's lotus feet."
[09:56] [Narrator:] Another engagement is the making of Spiritual Sky incense.
[10:01] The Krsna devotees believe that since everything belongs to Krsna,
[10:06] everything can be used in His service, including business.
[10:10] Spiritual Sky Scented Products Company is a commercial enterprise started by
[10:15] Srila Prabhupada's disciples to gather funds for use in spreading Krsna consciousness.
[10:22] The company markets and manufactures incense, oils, shampoos, soaps and other scented products.
[10:28] Spiritual Sky has doubled its profits each year since 1969
[10:34] and is now America's leading incense manufacturer.
[10:45] A computer at the Los Angeles factory keeps the accounts, checks inventory,
[10:49] and bills incense orders, and like any other Krsna devotee chants
[10:54] Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
[11:21] Prabhupada's disciples handle all aspects of the operation, from dipping the sticks
[11:25] in scented oils to packaging, sales, distribution and manufacturing display racks.
[11:44] From the Los Angeles factory, Spiritual Sky products are shipped to temples around the world.
[11:50] "I never expected such a big business to blossom," Prabhupada has often said.
[11:55] "Now it is our duty to use it to serve Krsna. When people buy Spiritual Sky products,
[12:01] they will automatically think of Krsna and be benefited."
[12:08] Los Angeles is not only the center of incense manufacturing;
[12:12] it is also ISKCON's Western world headquarters.
[12:17] The devotees assemble daily at 4:30 a.m. before the Deities of Radha and Krsna.
[12:38] [Prabhupada:] "Chant sixteen rounds at least..."
[12:40] [Narrator:] At the time of initiation, the disciple vows to abstain from extramarital sex, intoxication,
[12:47] meat-eating and gambling.
[12:50] Initiation and marriage rites are performed by ancient Vedic fire sacrifice.
[13:03] Initiates also vow to chant some 25,000 names of God daily, a two-hour feat,
[13:10] and to serve the spiritual master without reservation.
[13:15] Marriage means working together in Krsna consciousness.
[13:20] We asked a young husband why he joined the Krsna consciousness movement.
[13:26] [Balavanta:] "As a student I was sensitive to the problems confronting our society,
[13:30] and I could see that our leaders were unable to deal with them.
[13:34] Despite their promises for materialistic advancement, I could see that the people
[13:38] were becoming more and more dissatisfied.
[13:40] Even though we are very advanced materially, something very basic is missing
[13:45] in our way of life. By understanding Krsna consciousness, I realized that here was
[13:50] the philosophy that could fill the gap in our materialistic culture.
[13:54] By providing scientific, practical understanding of God,
[13:58] Krsna consciousness can give meaningful purpose to life,
[14:01] and it is the duty of the leaders to provide this educational instruction to the people.
[14:07] Therefore I have begun the process of Krsna consciousness, and I advocate it
[14:12] as the practical solution to the problems of our modern technological society."
[14:19] [Narrator:] Some of the women learn the devotional art of making dresses for the Deity of Krsna
[14:25] and His consort, Radha.
[14:31] Milk, grains, fruit and vegetables are bought wholesale by the Society
[14:36] and sold to its members at nominal prices.
[14:40] Devotees shop and prepare food for their families in a spirit of service to Krsna.
[14:47] The children are taught to see Krsna, or God, as the central point of life.
[15:17] Krsna conscious education is offered at Gurukula in Dallas, Texas, for school-aged children.
[15:24] Gurukula, or "the place of the spiritual master," is staffed solely by devotees.
[15:30] Here the children learn the science of Krsna as well as reading,
[15:35] writing, arithmetic and, believe it or not, Sanskrit.
[15:51] Each teacher lives in full-time association with the children.
[15:57] [Manḍalesvara:] "Another word that starts with 'C.' Kimmy?
[16:00] [Kimmy:] Candramukhi?
[16:03] Candramukhi. What's a word that starts with 'A?' Billy?
[16:06] [Billy:] Apple
[16:07] [Manḍalesvara:] Apple.
[16:08] Who was the most merciful of all of Krsna's incarnations? What's His name?
[16:13] The most merciful incarnation of Krsna.
[16:16] Yes?
[16:17] [Student:] Lord Caitanya.
[16:18] [Manḍalesvara:] Lord Caitanya. Jaya.
[16:26] Emily?
[16:28] [Emily:] Mam ekam saranam vraja, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucaḥ [Bg. 18.66]."
[16:38] [children coloring and chanting]
[16:55] [student reading from flashcards]
[17:10] [Candrika:] "What is the sound that it begins with?
[17:12] [Students:] Kah, kah, kah.
[17:13] [Candrika:] And what is the letter it begins with?
[17:15] [Students:] K. K for kirtana. K for Krsna."
[17:38] [students performing a play]
[17:39] [Narrator:] The plays depict the pastimes of Krsna.
[17:42] Generally they concern the slaying of a demon by Krsna
[17:46] or the Lord's activities with His devotees.
[17:58] Here is one of Krsna's pastimes enacted.
[18:01] The devotees explain that God is not an old man with a white beard.
[18:06] He is the reservoir of pleasure, and here He swings joyfully with Radharani.
[18:13] Thus the children learn that God is not a fearsome, alien or vindictive personality.
[18:19] He is the supreme friend, and He allows Himself to be pushed on a swing.
[19:04] Krsna devotees are also teaching in high schools and colleges around the world.
[19:05] [Devotee preaching in a college:] "The word 'Krsna' is divided into two syllables, 'krs' and 'na,'
[19:12] and together these two words mean 'the greatest pleasure.'
[19:16] Rama also means the reservoir of all pleasure.
[19:19] The more people that chant, the more you will feel this room will become surcharged by
[19:24] spiritual energy. This is a fact."
[19:27] [Narrator:] Transcendental sound vibration is made available on radio and television,
[19:32] on records and tape cassettes, by Golden Avatar productions.
[19:37] [Devotee recording:] "The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth."
[20:23] [Narrator:] Apart from urban temple life is New Vrindaban,
[20:26] the Krsna conscious community in the West Virginia hill country.
[20:30] Kirtanananda Swami, president of the community, explains the project in this way:
[20:37] [Kirtanananda Swami:] "Hare Krsna. We would like to welcome you to New Vrindavan.
[20:41] New Vrindavan is Srila Prabhupada's country asrama,
[20:45] one of his original ideas for spreading Krsna consciousness in the Western world.
[20:50] It is a great vision of presenting to everyone, not only in this country,
[20:57] but in the whole world, how one can become Krsna conscious
[21:03] living just as Krsna lived in Vrndavana, depending on nature and the cows.
[21:10] Simply on the basis of this simple life of some fruits and vegetables and milk,
[21:18] man can become Krsna conscious. The economic problem is solved very simply,
[21:25] and with the balance time saved one can prosecute Krsna consciousness.
[21:54] Srila Prabhupada wrote us a number of years ago that if we at all want to develop
[21:58] the concept of New Vrindavan, we don't need to have much machinery.
[22:03] We don't have to become very much concerned with the modern amenities,
[22:08] but simply to depend on nature's beauty and the cows.
[22:20] So we are very fortunate here at New Vrindavan. So many cows, they are coming,
[22:27] and the milk is coming.
[22:30] Daily now we are getting more than seven hundred pounds of milk, and from the milk
[22:34] we are making cheese, butter, ghee, so many nice sweets, rasagulla, sandesa.
[22:43] Now we are beginning to distribute these things to our temples,
[22:45] and also they are distributing to so many people all over,
[22:49] that everyone can see what is this nice life of Krsna consciousness.
[22:55] What Srila Prabhupada is giving us is a way of life,
[23:00] a way of awakening our senses to the eternal beauty of Krsna.
[23:08] And Vrndavana is the land of Krsna.
[23:10] And now we are constructing here Govindaji temple.
[23:15] This temple will exhibit to the world this wonderful process of Deity worship,
[23:22] or seeing Krsna in the temple.
[23:25] We want everyone to wake up to the blissful life that Srila Prabhupada is offering us.
[23:30] It is not dry, but it is eternal, full of knowledge and bliss."
[24:19] [Narrator:] Whether in the West Virginia hills or in [indistinct] Mexico, the Krsna celebration is the same.
[24:25] On Sundays ISKCON holds an afternoon festival with free feasting and philosophy.
[24:31] This Mexico City Sunday festival is typical.
[24:37] The women often make elaborate garlands.
[24:41] "Generally, if a person sees a beautiful flower, he offers it to his girlfriend,"
[24:45] Prabhupada says. "But if you are in Krsna consciousness, you think,
[24:50] 'Oh, what a beautiful flower. Let me offer it to Krsna.' "
[25:04] Here Haihaya, a Colombian who is the president of the Mexico City temple,
[25:09] tells the Sunday guests that one should learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master.
[25:15] The self-realized person can give you knowledge because he has seen the truth.
[26:17] The Sunday feasts take considerable preparation, since no tinned
[26:21] or previously prepared foods are used. All meat, fish, eggs and even onions are shunned.
[26:30] Various savory dishes are prepared according to ancient recipes.
[26:34] The Krsna diet supplies the body with all necessary nutrients
[26:38] without pandering to the whims of the senses.
[26:50] The devotees say that God owns everything and has no need of food,
[26:55] but by such offerings the devotee is made conscious of Krsna,
[26:59] and loving reciprocation with God is established.
[27:21] After the food is offered to Krsna, it becomes prasadam, or Krsna's mercy.
[27:28] Devotees distribute this prasadam freely to everyone,
[27:32] for its effect is said to be spiritually purifying.
[27:35] Thus every Sunday, more than 100 Krsna temples worldwide are filled with guests
[27:41] who partake of Krsna's mercy in the form of sweet rice and burfi and capatis
[27:47] and halava, and even something called "Brahmin spaghetti."
[27:58] Prasadam knows no national boundaries, no creeds or classes.
[28:02] Here the devotees are distributing prasadam at Bhaktivedanta Manor,
[28:07] the society's European headquarters in London. Here, as elsewhere,
[28:13] philosophical differences are reconciled over laḍḍus and tamarind water.
[28:22] Prasadam is also distributed throughout India by the Krsna devotees.
[28:42] And as for the future of the Krsna consciousness movement?
[28:47] One of Prabhupada's first disciples, Rūpanuga dasa Goswami, gives us his opinion.
[28:54] [Rūpanuga:] "There have been literally hundreds of versions of the Bhagavad-gita in the Western world,
[28:59] and not one of them has produced a single Krsna conscious person.
[29:04] But since the appearance of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, so many people
[29:08] throughout the whole world have revived their original, dormant Krsna consciousness.
[29:14] People are becoming purified by this knowledge.
[29:18] It does not require a change in activity, that one shave his head
[29:22] or change his clothes, give up his job or leave his family.
[29:28] What is required is a change in consciousness, a change in heart.
[29:34] Five hundred years ago, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu predicted
[29:38] that this movement will go to every town and village in the world."
[30:06] [Narrator:] This is the story of the Hare Krsna people.
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