Regarding the question of trustworthiness, that implies someone being trustworthy to someone else. It occurred to me, we have the example of the drunk doctor who gave very good advice to Srila Prabhupada if I’m not mistaken, to take morning walks. He certainly wasn’t self-controlled and yet in that specific way he was trustworthy. Conversely we’ve seen examples of very advanced devotees who are very fixed who may not have given the perfect ideal advice in terms of material considerations about a career or marriage or health etc. and so could you kindly speak a few words on this?

That doctor, it wasn’t really that he was trustworthy; he didn’t understand the condition Prabhupada was in. He didn’t know Prabhupada was having a heart attack. He thought, he’s just, maybe not a malingerer as such, but just it’s not a serious situation so he gave not serious advice. Somehow Krishna, in certain situations, Krishna … Continue reading Regarding the question of trustworthiness, that implies someone being trustworthy to someone else. It occurred to me, we have the example of the drunk doctor who gave very good advice to Srila Prabhupada if I’m not mistaken, to take morning walks. He certainly wasn’t self-controlled and yet in that specific way he was trustworthy. Conversely we’ve seen examples of very advanced devotees who are very fixed who may not have given the perfect ideal advice in terms of material considerations about a career or marriage or health etc. and so could you kindly speak a few words on this?

• Srila Haridas Thakur was chanting japa for more than 20 hours every day. Was that his specific service?

  Yes. Prabhupada told us to chant at least 16 rounds a day and depending on how fast you chant or whether you chant properly or whether you are sleepy it may take longer, it depends and then we may have some particular service. Someone may cook for Krishna. Someone else may clean for Krishna; some … Continue reading Srila Haridas Thakur was chanting japa for more than 20 hours every day. Was that his specific service?

  • How do we deal with different types of people?

    I knew one devotee in London when I joined the Hare Krishna movement, 44 years ago, on January 7th. I moved into the temple in London. We had one devotee who had great faith in the chanting of Hare Krishna and if anyone asked him a question on anything, anything, his answer was ‘Just chant … Continue reading How do we deal with different types of people?

    • Is it true that Krishna will respond only if we pray to Srila Prabhupada?

      Well, prayer is like a standard practice in the process of Krishna consciousness. We should pray to the Lord. This means in general that we can offer our own prayers. It is a standard activity we are meant to do, having said that, if we pray through Srila Prabhupada, it is MUCH MORE LIKELY that … Continue reading Is it true that Krishna will respond only if we pray to Srila Prabhupada?

      • Does the tilak marking on the forehead have a meaning?

        The top part, on the forehead, symbolises the footprint of the Lord. On the top of the nose, that symbolises or looks like a tulasi leaf. Both are very important and very auspicious. In India, all the temples of Visnu or Krishna, the main domes or sometimes the walls of the temples, you will see … Continue reading Does the tilak marking on the forehead have a meaning?