Krishna Sevaka - Bhakti

Contents
Week11
Week 12
Week 13 (Vyuha program)
15
Week 14
17
Week 15
26
Wek 16
33
Week 17
40
Week 18
46
Week 19(Siksha Seminar)
48
Check list for Module 2
53
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Week 11
Giving them home work for the entire week between is a good way of engaging them in
Krsna consciousness, so that when they do come after a week it is faster for them to relate
to the things being taught in the program. As most of them would not be reading Srila
Prabhupadas books yet, request them to write down the points that they have learnt in the
previous weeks program. In the satsanga program too, by encouraging them to read Srila
Prabhupadas books and sharing a point with everyone, you can engage them in the
home-work of reading.
You should continue to call them in between the program days to check what progress
they have made in their home- work. Till they have made it a regular habit, it may be
required of you to give them gentle reminders, otherwise you may become discouraged
of their forgetfulness, and they may feel afraid of attending the program in order not to
displease you!
Satsanga : 15 minutes
Share an interesting and inspiring point that you had read from the Srila Prabhupadas
books, and your realization on that point. Ask if any one of them who had volunteered to
read Srila Prabhupadas books the previous week would like to share some thing they had
read. Encourage and appreciate those who share, but do not comment on those who have
not read. They will soon grow to like doing it themselves.
After you have introduced any new visitor that may have come, you ask them this
question: If you had to take a 12 hour flight to somewhere, whom would you like to
have sitting next to you? Why?
Dont pass judgments on what people say, but encourage and be appreciative of
everybodys participation. Remember that this is not a session meant for imparting
knowledge to them, though that can also happen naturally, but the primary motive is to
make people open up and relax, and get to know one another.
Kirtana : 15 minutes
Continue as in the previous weeks by distributing the sheet containing the pranama
mantras and the Hare Krsna mantra as well as the glorifications at the end of the kirtana.
Also continue with the offering of incense by every member to the Altar Deities or Deity
pictures.
Japa. 15 minutes
Read out first, the following passage from :
The Nectar of the Holy Name

In this age, sankirtana-yajna, chanting of the holy name of the
lord, is more important than vedic ritualistic sacrifices:
.Since one may easily achieve the highest success by chanting the holy
name of the Lord, one may ask why there are so many Vedic ritualistic
ceremonies and why people are attracted to them. This verse answers
that question. As stated in Bhagavad-gita (15.15), vedais ca sarvair
aham eva vedyah: the real purpose of studying the Vedas is to
approach the lotus feet of Lord Krsna.
. Unfortunately, unintelligent people bewildered by the grandeur of
Vedic yajnas want to see gorgeous sacrifices performed. They want
Vedic mantras chanted and huge amounts of money spent for such
ceremonies. Sometimes we have to observe the Vedic ritualistic
ceremonies to please such unintelligent men. Recently, when we
established a large Krsna-Balarma temple in Vrindavana, we were
obliged to have Vedic ceremonies enacted by brhmanas because the
inhabitants of Vrindavana, especially the smarta-brahmanas, would not
accept Europeans and Americans as bona fide brahmanas.
Thus we had to engage brahmanas to perform costly yajnas. In spite of
these yajnas, the members of our Society performed sankirtana loudly
with mridangas and I considered the sankirtana more important than
the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. Both the ceremonies and the
sankirtana were going on simultaneously. The ceremonies were meant
for persons interested in Vedic rituals for elevation to heavenly planets
(jati-krta-matir madhu-puspitayam), whereas the sankirtana was
meant for pure devotees interested in pleasing the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. We would simply have performed sakrtana,
but then the inhabitants of Vrindvana would not have taken the
installation ceremony seriously.
As explained here, the Vedic performances are meant for those whose
intelligence has been dulled by the flowery language of the Vedas,
which describe fruitive activities intended to elevate one to the higher
planets.
Especially in this age of Kali, sankirtana alone is sufficient. If the
members of our temples in the different parts of the world simply
continue sankirtana before the Deity, especially before Sri Chaitanya

Mahaprabhu, they will remain perfect. There is no need of any other
performances.
Srimad-Bhgavatam 6.3.25
[
.
Spiritual Edification - 45 minutes

Please read out the passage and start asking the questions.(Do not explain it to them.) Let
the people assembled find out the answers from the passage themselves. Please engage
everyone in answering, You can ask two, three people to add to the same answer. Move
from one person to the next and give them sufficient time to think.You could ask leading
questions for them to go deeper and clearer in understanding the subject matter and in
giving relevant replies.
The application question has to be answered by everyone.
This is the most important part of the discussion, and so you must provide sufficient time
of at least 15 to 20 minutes for it.
You should at last sum up all the points and give more points that you have
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatara, appeared in
India nearly five hundred years ago. It is the custom in India that when
a child is born, an astrologer is called for. When Lord Krsna, the
supreme personality of Godhead, appeared five thousand years ago,
Gargamuni was called by His father, and he said, This child formerly
incarnated in three complexions, such as red and golden, and now He
has appeared in blackish color. Krsnas color is described in the
scriptures as blackish, Just like the color of a cloud. Lord Caitanya is
understood to be Krsna appearing in golden complexion.
There is much evidence in Vedic literature that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
is an incarnation of Krsna, and this is confirmed by scholars and
devotees. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is confirmed that the
incarnation of Krsna, or God , in this present age, Kali-yuga, will always
engage in describing Krsna, He is Krsna, but as a devotee of Krsna He
describes Himself. And In this age His bodily complexion will not be
blackish.
Another feature of this avatara is that He is always accompanied by His

associates. Krsna, or God, comes with two missions: to give protection
to the devotees and to destroy the demons. In this age Chaitanya
Mahaprabhus mission is also like that: to deliver the devotees and to
annihilate the nondevotees, the demons. But in this age He has a
different weapon, That weapon is not a club or disc or lethal weaponHis weapon is the sankirtana movement. He killed the demonic
mentality of the people by introducing the sankirtana movement.
Therefore, in the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said that this is the
incarnation of God in this age. And who worships Him? The process is
very simple. Just keep a picture of Lord Chaitanya with His associates.
Lord Chaitanya is in the middle, accompanied by His principal
associates- Nityananda, Advaita, Gadadhara, and Srivasa.
Anyone can have His picture in his home, chant this Hare krsna
mantra, and thus worship Lord Chaitanya. That is the simple method.
But who will capture this simple method? Those who have good brains.
Without much bother, if one simply keeps a picture of Sri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu at home and chants Hare Krishna, then one will realize
God.
In this age, those who have sufficient intelligence take to this
sankirtana movement, and they advance very quickly.
Lord Chaitanya is called, the golden avatara. Avatara means
descending, coming down. Just as one may come down from the fifth
story or the onehundredth story of the building, an avatara comes
down from the spiritual planets in the spiritual sky.
The avatara for this age, Lord Chaitanya, is described in Vedic
literature. We cannot accept anyone as an avatara unless he has the
symptoms described in the scriptures.
Krsna Himself came to teach us how to surrender. His last instruction in
the Bhagavad-gita is to surrender, but people mudhas, rascals said,
Why should I surrender? Therefore, although Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
is Krsna Himself, this time He teaches us practically how to execute the
mission of the bhagavad-gita.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gives us the opportunity to reach God directly
When Rupa Goswami, the principal disciple of Lord Chaitanya, first saw
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he was a minister in the government of Bengal
but wanted to join Chaitanya Mahaprabhus movements. So he gave up
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his position as a minister, and after joining, when he surrendered, he

offered a nice prayer to Lord Chaitanya. This prayer says:
Namo maha-vadanyaya
Krsna-prema-pradaya te
Krsnaya krsna-caitanyaNamne gaura-tvise namah
My dear Lord, You are the most munificent of all the incarnations.
Why? Krsna-prema-pradaya te: You are directly giving love to God. You
have no other purpose. Your process is so nice that one can
immediately learn to love God. Therefore You are the most munificent
of all incarnations. And it is not possible for any personality other than
Krishna Himself to deliver this benediction; therefore I say that You are
Krsna. Krishnaya krsna-chaitanya-namne: You are Krsna, but you
have assumed the name Krsna Chaitanya. I surrender unto You.
So this is the process. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna Himself, and
He is teaching how to develop love of God by a very simple method. He
says simply to chant Hare Krsna.
Harer nama harer nama
Harer namaiva kevalam
Kalau nasty eva nasty eva
Nasty eva gatir anyatha
In this age, simple go on chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. There is no

other alternative.
The chanting process offered by Lord Chaitanya for achieving love of
God is called sankirtana. Sankirtana is a Sanskrit word. Sam means
samyak-complete. And kirtana means glorifying or describing. So
complete description means complete glorification of the Supreme, or
the Supreme Complete Whole. It is not that one can describe anything
or glorify anything and that will be kirtana. From the grammatical point
of view that may be kirtana, but according to Vedic system, kirtana
means describing the supreme authority, the Absolute Truth, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is called kirtana.
Science of Self realization
Discovery:
1) Compare the similarities and differences between Lord Krishna
and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Understanding:
1)How can one worship Lord Chaitanya at home? Why does it require
good intelligence to take up this process of worship?
2)Why is Lord Chaitanya the best of all the incarnations?
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3)What exactly is Sankirtan? What does it give us?

Application;
1) Discuss what you find attractive in the process given by Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu? How is it different from the standard processes of
worshipping God?
Preaching session : 15 minutes

Please read out first the passage given below:
Preaching is the Essence

The preacher is very dear to the Lord:
"Therefore, my dear young friends ... show mercy to all living entities
by enlightening them in devotional service, thus becoming their wellwishers."The Lord says in Bhagavad-gt (18.55), bhaktya mam
abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah: "One can understand the
Supreme Personality as He is only by devotional service." Prahlada
Maharaja ultimately instructed his class friends, the sons of the
demons, to accept the process of devotional service by preaching the
science of Krishna consciousness to everyone. Preaching is the best
service to the Lord. The Lord will immediately be extremely satisfied
with one who engages in this service of preaching Krishna
consciousness. This is confirmed by the Lord Himself in Bhagavad-gt
(18.69). Na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah: "There is
no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be
one more dear." If one sincerely tries his best to spread Krishna
consciousness by preaching the glories of the Lord and His supremacy,
even if he is imperfectly educated, he becomes the dearmost servant
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is bhakti. As one performs
this service for humanity, without discrimination between friends and
enemies, the Lord becomes satisfied, and the mission of one's life is
fulfilled.Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu therefore advised everyone to
become a guru-devotee and preach Krishna consciousness (yare
dekha, tare kaha Krishna-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]). That is the
easiest way to realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
rmad-Bhgavatam 7.6.24
Share with them your experiences of preaching for the week.small details about whom you
spoke to , visited, had a discussion with or encouraged in their Krsna consciousness.
If any of them have brought a new member, appreciate that. Also ask everyone to share their
attempts to get new people.
You can invite the most enthusiastic among them to accompany you in your visits to some new
members house, so that they see first hand how to deal with new people while inviting or
introducing them to Krsna consciousness.
Set a preaching home-work however small for everyone. Discuss what is possible for each one
and encourage them to do so. They must feel comfortable doing it and must enjoy the experience.
So do not push very hard. But be sensitive to the limits that they would like to keep for the
moment. This could include activities like book distribution, inviting friends or new contacts to
the program, etc.
Prasadam : 20 minutes
As you have done in the previous week, request them to chant the prasadam mantra.
You can ask for volunteers to distribute and serve prasadam to the other members. Engage
them gradually in service and they will begin to taste nectar and make spiritual
advancement.
While they are eating, go around and talk with them, encouraging, joking and being
pleasant, and making them relax. It is the loving atmosphere which is going to draw them
to the program week after week. It is a tiny glimpse of the love that they are hankering to
experience with Krsna.
Gradually and spontaneously some of them will offer to help you clean up, as well.
Encourage them to participate, even if you want to taste the nectar of service yourself! It
is good for members to do service. So encourage it so that they will benefit spiritually. Do
not do so in a mood of sharing a burden.
Immediately after the members have left the program, kindly fill in the following form
please:
Please enter the details about your members attending this week:
Names
Week 1
A
S
Week 2
A
S
Week 3
A
S
Week 4
A
S
Week 5
A
S
Remarks
EFFORTS
Week 1
1
2
3
4
5
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week5
Total
No. of Mails
No. of Telephone Calls
No. of Home Visits
No. of Service Donors
No. of Money Donors
Abbreviations: A= Attendance, S= Siksha level
Week 12
Your visiting the members during the week in their homes will enthuse them to follow
Krsna consciousness more carefully. You will also know first hand something about their
home situation, obstacles if any in their pursuing Krsna consciousness etc.., so that you
can guide them better to make steady progress. Also it is a good opportunity to meet their
family members and befriend them, so that they may also be favorably inclined towards
Krishna consciousness and may also start attending the programs. Even if you visited just
one or two of them a week, you can gradually cover all of them. Start with those that need
the most attention. It may be that their enthusiasm needs more nurturing , or it could be
the one facing the most number of obstacles.
Also at the end of the program discuss with them about the Vyuha program which you
will be conducting the following week. The details of the program are given in week- 13.
Share with them how you are going to conduct it and what services they could do for the
program.
Ice breaker : 15 minutes

After you have introduced any new visitor that may have come, you ask them to draw
their most precious possession.
Materials: Colors and Paper (or at least pens and paper)
Ask people to draw their most precious possession. This may be a person or an object.
Then have each share with the rest of the group, sharing their most precious possession,
while others listen attentively without speaking. This can be a powerful exercise and often
brings up strong feelings for all participants. Particularly useful for family groups as
children usually enjoy it. You can play some music in the background while people draw.
Variation: You can do this activity without drawing, by having people just speak about
their most precious possession.
After this, you can share some interesting and important point that you read during the
week from Srila Prabhupadas books, with them. Ask the others who have taken Srila
Prabhupadas books home to read, to also share something. Have the books of srila
Prabhupadas displayed prominently, so that the others will gradually be inspired to also
buy/ borrow some books.
Kirtan : 15 minutes
pictures.
Japa. 15 minutes

Devotional service begins with hearing the holy name
chanted by a pure Vaishnava:
Because the living entities are minute, atomic parts and parcels of the
Lord, devotional service is already present within them in a dormant
condition. Devotional service begins with sravanam kirtanam [SB
7.5.23], hearing and chanting. When a man is sleeping, he can be
awakened by sound vibration; therefore every conditioned soul should
be given the chance to hear the Hare Krishna mantra chanted by a
pure Vaishnava. One who hears the Hare Krishna mantra thus vibrated
is awakened to spiritual consciousness, or Krishna consciousness. In
this way one's mind gradually becomes purified, as stated by Sri
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]).
10
When the mind is purified, the senses are also purified. Instead of using
the senses for sense gratification, the awakened devotee employs the
senses in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. This is the
process by which dormant love for Krishna is awakened.
Sri Caitanya-caritmrta Madhya-lila 22.105
Chant loudly together one mala on the beads after chanting the Panca tattva mantra 3
times. You can do a full round of japa with them. Please chant the Panca Tattva
Mantra 3 times before chanting the japa and ask them to follow you. While
relishing the holy names yourself keep eye contact with the members from time to
time to encourage and enthuse them.
Discussion - 45 minutes
Please read out the passage below and start asking the questions.(Do not explain it to
them.) Let the people assembled find out the answers from the passage themselves.
Please engage everyone in answering, You can ask two, three people to add to the same
answer. Move from one person to the next and give them sufficient time to think.You
could ask leading questions for them to go deeper and get a clearer understanding of the
subject matter for giving relevant replies.
The application question ideally has to be answered by everyone. This will give you a
good idea about how well each one has understood the philosophy, how serious they are
about spiritual life and any practical problems or obstacles that they may be facing.
You should at last sum up all the points and give more points that you have prepared..
Passage for Discussion:

The laws of nature are very subtle and are very diligently administered, although people
do not know it. In the Manu-samhita the concept of a life for a life is sanctioned, and it is
actually observed throughout the world. Similarly, there are other laws which state that
one cannot even kill an ant without being responsible. Since we cannot create, we have
no right to kill any living entity, and therefore man-made laws that distinguish between
killing a man and killing an animal are imperfect.
Although there are imperfections in man-made laws, there cannot be defects in the laws
of God. According to the laws of God, killing an animal is as punishable as killing a man.
11
Those who draw distinctions between the two are concocting their own laws. Even in the
Ten Commandments it is prescribed, "Thou shall not kill." This is a perfect law, but by
discriminating and speculating men distort it. "I shall not kill man, but I shall kill
animals." In this way people cheat themselves and inflict suffering on themselves and
others. In any case, however, God's laws will not excuse such behavior.
Everyone is God's creature, although in different bodies or dresses. God is considered the
one supreme father. A father may have many children, and some may be intelligent and
others not very intelligent, but if an intelligent son tells his father, "My brother is not very
intelligent; let me kill him," will the father agree? Simply because one son is not very
intelligent and the other desires to kill him to avoid the burden, the father will never
agree. Similarly, if God is the supreme father, why should He sanction the killing of
animals who are also His sons? In Bhagavad-gita God declares to Arjuna that all I am
their seed giving father," the Lord says. just as in ordinary material procreation the father
gives the seed and the mother develops the body by supplying the necessary blood to the
embryo, similarly, the living entities, parts and parcels of the supreme father, are
impregnated by the Lord in material nature.
The dimension of the spirit soul is very minute and is given in the scriptures as kesagra
one ten thousandth the portion of the tip of a hair. We can hardly imagine a very small
point divided into thousands of parts. In other words, it is so minute that it cannot be
perceived even by the most powerful microscope. Thus the dimension of the spiritual
spark is so minute that it is invisible to mundane vision. All of this information is given in
the scriptures, but because we do not have the proper vision, we cannot see. Although our
material eyes cannot perceive the dimension of the soul, the soul is nonetheless within the
body, and as soon as it departs, it takes another body according to its work.
Spiritual life is not a question of vegetarianism but of understanding higher knowledge.
When one comes to the platform of elevated knowledge, he naturally becomes a
vegetarian. Panditah sama darsinah : one who is very highly learned, does not distinguish
between a learned scholar, a brahmana, an elephant, a dog and a cow. He is sama darsi;
his vision enables to see them all equally. How is this? He does not see the body but the
soul, the spiritual spark (Brahman). He thinks: Here is a dog, but it is also a living entity
, although by his past karma, he has become a dog. And his learned scholar is also a
living spark, but he has taken good birth because of his past karma . When one comes to
that position, he does not see the body , but the spiritual spark, and he does not
distinguish between one living entity and another.
Actually we do not make distinctions between carnivores and vegetarians, for the grass
has life just as the cows or the lamb. A guideline, however, should be the vedic
instructions given in Isopanishad(mantra 1) : isavasyam idam sarvam yat kinca jagat yam
jagat / tena tyaktyena bhunjitha ma grdhah kasya svid dhanam . Everything animate or
inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should
therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota,
and one must not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.
12
Since everything is the property of the Supreme Lord, one can only enjoy what is allotted
to him by the Lord, and cannot touch anothers property. According to vedic life and
according to all vedic scriptures, a man should live on fruits and vegetables, for his teeth
are made in such a way that these can be very easily eaten and digested. Although it is
natures law that one has to live by eating other living entities (jivo jivasya jivanam), one
must use discretion.
Fruits, flowers, vegetables, rice, grain and milk are made for human beings. Milk, for
example, is an animal product, the blood of an animal transformed, but the cow delivers
more milk than is needed by her calf because milk is intended by for man. Man should
simply take the milk and let the cows live, and thus following natures law, man will be
happy. Tena tyaktena bhunjitha: one should take whatever God allots to him and thus live
comfortably.
We have to elevate our consciousness through this science of Krishna.
Krsna consciousness the Matchless Gift
Discovery:
1)How are Gods laws different from man made laws? Explain with reference to the
punishment given for taking any life.
Understanding:
1) Why are Gods laws different?
2)Explain the dimensions of the spirit soul. When can we begin to understand the
presence of the soul in everyone?
3)What are the reasons for us to be vegetarian?
Application
1) Discuss why people like to eat meat. What arguments or reasons will you provide for
them to become vegetarian?

All devotees must preach:

When a person actually revives his consciousness with thoughts of Krsna
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by the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he revives his spiritual life

and becomes addicted to the service of the Lord. Only then can he act
as an acharya. In other words, everyone should engage in preaching,
following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In this way one
will be very much appreciated by Lord Krsna and will quickly be
recognized by Him. Actually a devotee of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
must engage in preaching in order to increase the followers of the Lord.
By thus preaching actual Vedic knowledge all over the world, one will
benefit all mankind.
Cc Madhya 7.153 (Madhya: 3, p. 77 )
Share with them your experiences of preaching for the week.with whom you spoke, visited, had
a discussion with or encouraged, etc.
If any of them have brought a new member, appreciate that. Also ask everyone to share their
attempts to get new people.
You can invite the most enthusiastic among them to accompany you in your visits to some new
members house, so that they see first hand how to deal with new people while inviting or
introducing them to Krsna consciousness.
Set a preaching home-work however small for everyone. Discuss what is possible for each one
and encourage them to do so. They must feel comfortable doing it and must enjoy the experience.
So do not push very hard. But be sensitive to the limits that are ready to do .This could include
activities like book distribution, inviting friends or new contacts to the program, etc.
As you have done in the previous week, request them to chant the mantra for honoring
prasadam.
advancement.
14
not do so in a mood of sharing a burden.
Immediately after the members have left the program, kindly fill in the following report
form:
Names
Week 1
A
S
Week 2
A
S
Week 3
A
S
Week 4
A
S
Week 5
A
S
Remarks
EFFORTS
Week 1
1
2
3
4
5
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week5
Total
No. of Mails
No. of Home Visits
No. of Money Donors
15
Vyuha program
A vyuha program involves the participation of two or three Bhakti Vriksha groups
together in a combined program. It is a break from the regular Bhakti Vriksha program
and has a different format. A senior leader is invited to give a discourse/ lecture.
Before we start describing to you how the Vyuha program is conducted, let us see the
reasons for conducting it.
1) It is a break in format from the regular Bhakti Vriksha meetings. The members
need to have something different and relaxing periodically, so that a kind of
complacency or monotony does not set in, and their spirits are uplifted. This will
also inspire them to be more participative and involved in the Bhakti Vriksa
meetings.
2) It is a chance for them to come in touch with more senior devotees. If they have a
sector leader/ circle leader /greater circle leader, then it is an opportunity to listen
to their lecture and to associate closely with them.
3) It is an opportunity for the senior leaders to come and observe the progress of the
Bhakti Vriksha groups and to get to know the new devotees personally.
16
4) The members get to associate with other Bhakti Vriksha members and their
leaders, and this is very encouraging, inspiring, educative and enjoyable for them.
As they feel that they are part of a larger family and have common experiences,
this reinforces their strength and commitment to Krishna consciousness.
5) The members get to help in organizing the program, and so this is a great
opportunity for them to utilize their talents in serving Krishna. This also trains
them in organizing programs.
6) The cultural part of the program is entertaining as well. The audience is enlivened
and so are the participants. Members talents can be recognized and appreciated.
The parents are very enthusiastic if their children participate in a skit/song/ dance/
sloka recitation/ etc..This can reinforce their interest in the Bhakti Vriksha
program further.
7) It is a good opportunity for the members to invite their friends and acquaintances
for the program, as it is not a regular one. It would be an enjoyable evening for
them, as long kirtans, games, quiz, cultural programs, lecture, feast etc. would be
included in the program.
8) The Bhakti Vriksha members will get a wonderful opportunity to render different
services while organizing the program. This increases their service attitude, cooperation with other devotees and an opportunity to learn different skills in the
service of Krsna.
Vyuha program (2 hours and 15 minutes).You can adjust the time to suit
your convenience.
1)Have a more elaborate Arathi and Kirtan 30 minutes.
2)When everyone is seated,introduce the guest of honour to the members , welcome
him/her as well as the audience.Any of the Bhakti Vriksha leaders/ sector leader(if he
is not the special guest himself) can do this.
Introduce the different Bhakti Vriksha leaders to the audience. Let the leaders
introduce their members to the audience. They can invite a few of the volunteers
within the group to come and speak about their experiences of attending their Bhakti
Vrikshas. Just 2 or 3 from each group would suffice. The rest can be allowed to speak
in future Vyuha programs.
This sets the mood for the crowd to be a little familiar with each other and thus
relax..25 minutes
3) Invite the senior devotee to speak to the guests 30 minutes
4) Have a quiz on the general information they have learnt in Krsna consciousness.
You can quiz them from the modules you have covered for them so far. You can
divide them into different Bhakti Vriksha teams.20 minutes
5) Have a cultural presentation of a skit , vaishnava song, dance, sloka recitation
etc(you can include one or more of them) 20 minutes
17
6) If you have any siksha certificates to be handed out, you could request the senior
leader do so at this juncture.(If you have planned to distribute it else where, then
skip this.)
7) Serve prasadam to the guests. ..20 minutes
8) Do not forget to take the new visitors contact numbers and e-mail ids. If you have
any programs for children, this could also be announced. Also invite all the guests
to join any of the Bhakti Vriksha groups. If any of them are keen to do so, guide
them to the suitable Bhakti Vriksha leaders.
Week 14
As the members have been coming for a few weeks
and are familiar with you, you can engage them gradually in different services to Krsna.
As they come in for the program, you can request them to help you in services like
probably keeping the plates ready to serve prasadam, washing utensils, or looking after
new guests, etc. This takes them also to the next level in their relationship with you
from one of being just a guest to that of being a close friend. Also this will inspire them to
serve Krsna more and advance in their devotional service.
After you have introduced any new visitor that may have come, have a brief satsanga / ice
breaker session.
Introduce Your Partner: Divide the whole group in pairs and have each pair interview
each other. Give a time limit. After that have everyone introduce the partner to the whole
group.
After this, you can share some interesting and important point that you read during the
week from Srila Prabhupadas books, with them. Ask the others who have taken Srila
Prabhupadas books home to read, to also share something. Have the books of srila
Prabhupadas displayed prominently, so that the others will gradually be inspired to also
18
buy/ borrow some books. As you progress from week to week, you will find their interest
in hearing peoples realizations about Srila Prabhupadas books and also in sharing their
own realization with others, growing. More and more members should be becoming
active in reading due to this. Be encouraging and patient. Do not push them to do it, as
that can never produce the desired results. It will naturally happen if you remain
enthusiastic and patient.
pictures.
Japa. 15 minutes

Lord Caitanya introduced the maha-mantra to
counteract the philosophy of impersonalism:
[Lord Caitanya to Prakasananda Sarasvati]: "The Myvda philosophy

is so degraded that it has taken the insignificant living entities to be
the Lord, the Supreme Truth, thus covering the glory and supremacy of
the Absolute Truth with monism."
Sripada Shankaracharya purposely claimed the jiva-tattva, or living
entities, to be equal to the Supreme God. Therefore his entire
philosophy is based on a misunderstanding, and it misguides people to
become atheists whose mission in life is unfulfilled. The mission of
human life, as described in Bhagavad-gita, is to surrender unto the
Supreme Lord and become His devotee, but the Mayavada philosophy
misleads one to defy the existence of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead and pose oneself as the Supreme Lord. Thus it has misguided
hundreds and thousands of innocent men....the Mayavada philosophy,
misguiding people by claiming the living entity to be the Lord, has
created havoc throughout the entire world and led almost everyone to
godlessness. By thus covering the glories of the Supreme Lord, the
Mayavadi philosophers have done the greatest disservice to human
society. It is to counteract these most abominable activities of the
Mayavadi philosophers that Lord Caitanya has introduced the Hare
Krishna mah-mantra.
harer nama harer nma
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
19
nasty eva gatir anyatha

[Cc. di 17.21]
"In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is
chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no
other way. There is no other way."
People should simply engage in the chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra, for thus they will gradually come to understand that they are
not the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as they have been taught by
the Mayavadi philosophers, but are eternal servants of the Lord. As
soon as one engages himself in the transcendental service of the Lord,
he becomes free.
mam ca yo 'vyabhicarena
bhakti-yogena sevate
sa gunan samatityaitan
brahma-bhuyaya kalpate
"One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in
any circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature
and thus comes to the level of Brahman." (Bg. 14.26)
Therefore the Hare Krishna movement or Krishna consciousness
movement is the only light for the foolish living entities who think
either that there is no God or that if God exists He is formless and they
themselves are also God. These misconceptions are very dangerous,
and the only way to counteract them is to spread the Hare Krishna
movement.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila 7.120
times.
Do keep a watch on how they are chanting, whether they are holding the beads properly
and if they are concentrating, etc You should encourage them with smiles and
instructions, if necessary, to do it rightly. At the end of the session, enquire if they enjoy
chanting at home. Enquire about how many malas each one is chanting and encourage
them gently to add one more mala to their chanting for the week.
20
Conversation:
Srila Prabhupada is accompanied by Dr. Singh, Karandhara
dasa adhikari, Brahmananda Svami and other students.
Recorded on April 19, 1973,
In Cheviot Hills Park, Los Angeles
Darwinism Extinct
Srila Prabhupda: This material world is a composition of three

qualitiessattva, rajas and tamas (goodness, passion and ignorance)
which are working everywhere. These three qualities are present in
various proportions in all species of life. For example, some trees
produce nice fruit, while others are simply meant for fuel. This is due to
the association of particular qualities of nature. Among animals also,
these three qualities are present. The cow is in the quality of goodness,
the lion in passion, and the monkey in ignorance. According to Darwin,
Darwin's father is a monkey. [Laughter.] He has theorized foolishly.
Dr. Singh. :Darwin has said that some species become extinct in the
struggle for survival. Those which are capable of surviving will survive,
but those which are not will become extinct. So he says survival and
extinction go side by side.
Srila Prabhupda. Nothing is extinct. The monkey is not extinct.
Darwin's immediate forefather, the monkey, is still existing.
Karandhara. Darwin said there must be a natural selection. But
selection means choice. So who is choosing?
Srila Prabhupda. That must be a person. Who is allowing someone
to survive and someone to be killed? There must be some authority
with discretion to give such an order. That is our first proposition. Who
that authority is, is explained in Bhagavad-gita Krishna says,
mayadhyakshena prakritih: "Nature is working under My supervision."
(Bg. 9.10)
Dr. Singh. Darwin also says that the different species were not created
21
simultaneously, but evolved gradually.

Srila Prabhupda. Then what is his explanation for how the process
of evolution began?
Karandhara. Modern proponents of Darwinism say that the first living
organism was created chemically.
Srila Prabhupda. And I say to them, "If life originated from
chemicals, and if your science is so advanced, then why can't you
create life bio chemically in your laboratories?"
In the Future
Karandhara. They say they will create life in the future.

Srila Prabhupda. What future? When this crucial point is raised,
they reply, "We shall do it in the future." Why in the future? That is
nonsense. "Trust no future, however pleasant." If they are so advanced,
they must demonstrate now how life can be created from chemicals.
Otherwise what is the meaning of their advancement? They are talking
nonsense.
Karandhara. They say that they are right on the verge of creating life.
Srila Prabhupda. That's only a different way of saying the same
thing: "In the future." The scientists must admit that they still do not
know the origin of life. Their claim that they will soon prove a chemical
origin of life is something like paying someone with a postdated check.
Suppose I give you a postdated check for ten thousand dollars but I
actually have no money. What is the value of that check? Scientists are
claiming that their science is wonderful, but when a practical example
is wanted, they say they will provide it in the future. Suppose I say that
I possess millions of dollars, and when you ask me for some money I
say, "Yes, I will now give you a big postdated check. Is that all right?" If
you are intelligent, you will reply, "At present give me at least five
dollars in cash so I can see something tangible." Similarly, the
scientists cannot produce even a single blade of grass in their
laboratories, yet they are claiming that life is produced from chemicals.
What is this nonsense? Is no one questioning this?
Karandhara. They say that life is produced by chemical laws.
Srila Prabhupda. As soon as there is a law, we must take into
consideration that someone made the law. Despite all their so-called
advancement, the scientists in their laboratories cannot produce even
a blade of grass. What kind of scientists are they?
Dr. Singh. They say that in the ultimate analysis, everything came
from matter. Living matter came from nonliving matter.
Srila Prabhupda. Then where is this living matter coming from now?
Do the scientists say that life came from matter in the past but does
not at the present? Where is the ant coming from nowfrom the dirt?
The Missing Link
Dr. Singh. in fact, there are several theories explaining how life
22
originated from matter, how living matter came from the nonliving.
Srila Prabhupda. [casting Dr. Singh in the role of a materialistic
scientist]. All right, scientist, why is life not coming from matter now?
You rascal. Why isn't life coming from matter now? Actually such
scientists are rascals. They childishly say that life came from matter,
although they are not at all able to prove it. Our Krishna consciousness
movement should expose all these rascals. They are only bluffing. Why
don't they create life immediately? In the past, they say, life arose from
matter; and they say that this will happen again in the future. They
even say that they will create life from matter. What kind of theory is
this? They have already commented that life began from matter. This
refers to the past"began." Then why do they now speak of the
future? Is it not contradictory? They are expecting the past to occur in
the future. This is childish nonsense.
Karandhara. They say that life arose from matter in the past and that
they will create life this way in the future.
rla Prabhupda. What is this nonsense? If they cannot prove that
life arises from matter in the present, how do they know life arose this
way in the past?
Dr. Singh. They are assuming...
Srila Prabhupda. Everyone can assume, but this is not science.
Everyone can assume something. You can assume something, I can
assume something. But there must be proof. We can prove that life
arises from life. For example, a father begets a child. The father is
living, and the child is living. But where is their proof that a father can
be a dead stone? Where is their proof? We can easily prove that life
begins from life. And the original life is Krishna. That also can be
proven. But what evidence exists that a child is born of stone? They
cannot actually prove that life comes from matter. They are leaving
that aside for the future. [Laughter.]
Karandhara. The scientists say that they can now formulate acids,
amino acids, that are almost like one-celled living organisms. They say
that because these acids so closely resemble living beings, there must
be just one missing link needed before they can create life.
Srila Prabhupda. Nonsense! Missing link. I'll challenge them to their
face! [Laughter.] They are missing this challenge. The missing link is
this challenge to their face.
Nobel Prize for an Ass
Dr. Singh. Some scientists hope that in the future they will be able to
make babies in test tubes.
Srila Prabhupda. Test tubes?
Dr. Singh. Yes, they intend to combine male and female elements in
biological laboratories.
Srila Prabhupda. If they begin with living entities, what is the
23
purpose of the test tube? It is only a place for combination, but so is

the womb. Where is the credit for the scientists if this is already being
done in nature's test tube?
Karandhara. It is already being done by nature, but when some
scientist does it, people will give him the Nobel Prize.
Srila Prabhupda. Yes, that is stated in Srimad-Bhgavatam: sva-vidvarahostra-kharaih samstutah purusah pasuh.[4] This verse indicates
that those who praise men who are like animals are no better than
dogs, hogs, camels and asses. Sva means "dog," vid-varha means
"stool-eating hog," ustra means "camel," and khara means "ass." If the
Nobel Prize is given to a scientist who is a rascal, the men on the
committee who give him that prize are no better than dogs, hogs,
camels and asses. We don't accept them as human beings. One animal
is praised by another animal. Where is the credit in that? If the men on
the committee are no better than animals, anyone who receives the
Nobel Prize in science is fool number one, because animals are praising
him, not human beings.
Dr. Singh. For some scientists, the Nobel Prize is the ultimate.
Srila Prabhupda. They are rascals. They are speaking nonsense,
and because they are juggling words, others are being misled.
Brahmananda Swami. Nobel is the person who invented dynamite.
Srila Prabhupda. He has created great misfortune, and he has left
his money for creating further misfortune. [Laughter.]
Brahmananda Swami. The Gita says that demoniac people perform
acts meant to destroy the world.
Life comes from Life
Discovery:
1)Mention the headings or topics on which Srila Prabhupada disagrees
with Darwin.
Understanding:
1)Why is it wrong to assume that man has descended from the
monkey?
2) What is Darwins explanation of the origin of life? Explain his
survival of the fittest theory from the passage.
3) What is Srila Prabhupadas answers to these propositions?
4) How do scientists explain away their inability to create life from
matter?
5) Why does Srila Prabhupada not accept these explanations?
6) Why is Srila Prabhupada unimpressed by the scientists making test
tube babies?
7) What is Srila Prabhupadas opinion on Nobel prizes?
8) Why do you think Srila Prabhupada is severely criticizing the
24
scientists? What harm have their theories done to humankind?

Application:
1) Are you convinced about the scientists limitations? Why or why not?


One Should preach to relieve Lord Caitanyas anxiety
for the fallen souls:
How will these yavanas be delivered ? To My great
unhappiness, I do not see any way.
Haridasa Thankura Replied, My dear Lord, do not be in
anxiety. Do not be unhappy to see the condition of the yavanas
in material existence.
These words of Haridas ThakuraThakura are just befitting a devotee
who has dedicated his life and soul to the service of the Lord. When the
Lord is unhappy because of the condition of the fallen souls, the
devotee consoles Him, saying, My dear Lord, do not be in anxiety.
This is service. Everyone should adopt the cause of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu to try to relieve Him from the anxiety He feels. This is
actually service to the Lord. One who tries to relieve Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhus anxiety for the fallen souls is certainly a most dear and
confidential devotee of the Lord.
Cc. Antya 3.51-52 ( antya: 1, pp. 231-232)
25
Developing compassion is the main purpose of the preaching session. Without the mood
of compassion, devotees will not find the need or desire to preach and bring new
members, or to cultivate them. So in your reports, mention your realizations on how
people are suffering and about how we need to show them mercy, how we ourselves are
very fortunate to come across this valuable knowledge by the mercy of devotees, etc.
Share with them your experiences of preaching for the week, who you spoke to, visited,
had a discussion with or encouraged, etc.
If any of them have brought a new member, appreciate that. Also ask everyone to share
their attempts to get new people.
You can invite the most enthusiastic among them to accompany you in your visits to some
new members house, so that they see first hand how to deal with new people while
inviting or introducing them to Krsna consciousness.
Set a preaching home-work however small for everyone. Discuss what is possible for
each one and encourage them to do so. They must feel comfortable doing it and must
enjoy the experience. So do not push very hard. But be sensitive to the limits that are
ready to do .This could include activities like book distribution, inviting friends or new
contacts to the program, etc.
As you have done in the previous week, request them to chant the mantra for honouring
prasadam.
advancement.
not do so in a mood of sharing a burden
26
Immediately after the devotees have left the program, kindly fill in the following form:
Immediately after the members have left the program, kindly fill in the following report:
Names
Week 1
A
S
Week 2
A
S
Week 3
A
S
Week 4
A
S
Week 5
A
S
Remarks
EFFORTS
Week 1
1
2
3
4
5
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week5
Total
No. of Mails
No. of Home Visits
No. of Money Donors
27
Week 15
As the devotees are given more responsibilities and services to do at the beginning of the
program, they will start looking forward to coming ahead of time for the program. This
will also enable the members to co-operate in doing services together, while having
pleasant exchanges amongst themselves about the week gone by. This creates a proper
setting for good devotee associations to flourish, and helps greatly in their spiritual
advancement, as they will feel like following those who have gone ahead of them in
Krishna consciousness.
So do encourage them to do services, like getting things ready for the altar, making
arrangements for prasadam distribution, cleaning up the place or getting the spiritual
edification sheets, etc for distribution, etc.
After you have introduced any new visitor that may have come, ask them this question:
In which specific way have you grown in Krishna consciousness during the last 3
months?
This question is especially valuable to you as you can make a note of each persons
progress in Krsna consciousness, areas which you were not yet aware of. Also it is a very
rewarding experience for the members to think about and articulate about their spiritual
growth. This will help them to be reflective and introspective about their spiritual life,
rather than just carry on with it as a matter of ritual. Also they can learn from each others
realizations.
Share an interesting and inspiring point from what you have read from Srila Prabhupadas
books during the week; many more should be now willing to borrow/ buy the books to
read them during the week. Encourage them to share their discoveries and realizations
from Srila Prabhupadas books.
Your enthusiasm and appreciation, of their participation however small initially, is a
very important factor in gradually making all of them take up reading Srila Prabhupadas
books seriously.
28
pictures.
Japa. 15 minutes

Explanation of the "harer nma" verse in the Brihannaradiya Purana:
After this incident the Lord ate raw rice given by Suklambara
Brahmachari and explained very elaborately the import of the "harer
nama" [Cc. di 17.21] sloka mentioned in the Brihan-naradiya Purana:
"In this age of Kali there is no other means, no other means, no other
means for self-realization than chanting the holy name, chanting the
holy name, chanting the holy name of Lord Hari."
In this age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krishna mahamantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krishna. Simply by chanting the holy
name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is
certainly delivered. This verse repeats the word eva [certainly] three
times for emphasis, and it also three times repeats harer nama [the
holy name of the Lord] just to make common people understand. The
use of the word kevalam [only] prohibits all other processes, such as
cultivation of knowledge, practice of mystic yoga, and performance of
austerities and fruitive activities. This verse clearly states that anyone
who accepts any other path cannot be delivered. This is the reason for
the triple repetition "nothing else, nothing else, nothing else," which
emphasizes the real process of self-realization.
To emphasize something to an ordinary person, one may repeat it three
times, just as one might say, "You must do this! You must do this! You
must do this!" Thus the Brihan-naradiya Purana repeatedly emphasizes
the chanting of the holy name so that people may take it seriously and
thus free themselves from the clutches of maya....
Our Krishna consciousness movement stresses the chanting of the
Hare Krishna mantra only, whereas those who do not know the secret
29
of success for this age of Kali unnecessarily indulge in the cultivation of

knowledge, the practice of mystic yoga or the performance of fruitive
activities or useless austerities. They are simply wasting their time and
misleading their followers. When we point this out very plainly to an
audience, members of opposing groups become angry at us. But
according to the injunctions of the shastras, we cannot make
compromises with these so-called jnanis, yogis, karmis and tapasvis.
When they say they are as good as we are, we must say that only we
are good and that they are not good. This is not our obstinacy; it is the
injunction of the shastras. We must not deviate from the injunctions of
the shastras.
Sri Chaitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila 17.20-25
times.
At the end of chanting, you could ask them about their experience of chanting the maha
mantra on beads at home, whether they had increased the number of malas that they
chanted. Encourage those who are a little willing, to try increasing one more mala for the
following week. Though nobody can or should force anyone to chant, your kind enquiries
about their progress and encouragement to keep increasing in small steps will motivate
them to try chanting more.
Passage for Discussion

30
The teachings of the Acharyas:

An acharya is a teacher of Vedic knowledge. He imparts the teachings
of the shastras and himself lives by those teachings. The care of the
vedic parampara (the passing down of vedic knowledge) has always
been assigned to the acharyas.; therefore they are personal
representatives of that knowledge.
Sankara
Sankara AD (788- 820) was a shaivite(follower of Shiva) born in an
orthodox South Indian brahmana family. When still a young boy, he
became an ascetic, and it appears, compiled two major works(Viveka
Chintamani and Sariraka bhasya). He traveled widely in India and died
in the Himalayas at age 32.
At the time Shankara appeared, Buddhism had received the patronage
of the Indian emperor Ashoka and had thus spread throughout India.
Shankara sought to reform and purify religious life by reasserting the
authority of Vedic scriptures, which Buddha had completely rejected.
Shankaras interpretation of Vedic literature is known as advaitaVedanta. He taught that the jivas or living entities are themselves the
Absolute Truth (Parabrahman) and ultimately there is no variety,
individuality, or personality in spiritual existence. He
taught that the supposed individuality of both the Supreme being and
jiva, is false. Shankaras philosophy is sometimes considered a
compromise between theism and atheism, since it would have been
impossible to restore the Vedic literatures theistic conception just
after the Buddhists complete atheism.
Ramanuja
Ramanuja AD (1017- 1137) was a south Indian brahmana who taught
and traveled widely. For a time he was the chief priest of the Vaishnava
temple of Sri Ranga, in southern India. He wrote 3 major
commentaries: Vedanta Sangraha(on the Vedas),
Sri bhasya(on
Vedanta sutra), and Bhagavad-gita bhasya (on the Bhagavad gita). He
is best known for his strong presentation of Vaishnavism and for his
opposition to the impersonal monism of Shankara.
Ramanuja expounded Visistadvaita, or qualified non dualism. He
taught that there is a difference between Parabrahman (Supreme
Brahman) and the jivas, and there is a loving relationship between the
Supreme and the jivas.. His qualified oneness shows that the Absolute
includes both what is changing ( the material world and the jivas) and
what is changeless( the transcendental Lord.) Ramanuja taught that
through Gods grace the jiva can transcend the material world and
attain the eternal abode of Vishnu.
31
Madhva
Like Ramanuja, Madhva(A.D. 1239-1319) belonged to the Vaishnava
tradition and devoted himself to combating Shankaras impersonal
philosophy.
Madhvacharyas Purnaprajna- bhasya establishes a type of Vedanta
philosophy called suddha- dvaita (pure dualism).
In his teachings, he describes three entities- the Supreme Lord, the
jiva, and the material world. Even more emphatically than Ramanuja ,
Madhva maintained that God and the jivas are eternally distinct. He
held that the Lord is transcendental to the material world, which is a
product of his inferior energy. At the same time, the jivas are also
distinct from matter, for they are superior, spiritual energy of the Lord.
Madhva maintained that although the jivas are superior to matter, they
are distinct from the Lord and are his servitors. Whereas the Lord is
independent, the jivas are totally dependent on him. Madhva taught
that the Lord creates, maintains and annihilates the cosmos, and at the
same time, in His original eternal form as Bhagavan Krsna, the Lord
remains superior to manifest and un manifest matter. In addition
Madhva explained that each person molds his own karma. And through
bhakti, one can eliminate all his karma and return to his original
position of serving the Lord in the eternal spiritual world.
Chaitanya
In the late sixteenth century, with the advent of Krsna Chaitanya, in
Bengal, Ramanujas and Madhvas theistic philosophy of
Vaishnavism(worship of Vishnu or Bhagavan) reached its climax.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhus philosophy of acintya beda abeda tattva
completed the progression to devotional thiesm. Ramanuja had
agreed with Shankara that the Absolute is one only, but disagreed by
affirming individual variety within that oneness. Madhva had
underscored the eternal duality of the Supreme and the jiva: he had
maintained that this duality endures even after liberation. Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu in turn, specified that the Supreme and the jiva are
inconceivably simultaneously one and different .(acintya bheda bheda
).They were equal in quality, but not in quantity.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486 1534)_ was born in Navadvipa,
Bengal. He took the renounced order at the age of twenty four. His
spiritual master, Isvara Puri, was a disciple of Madhavendra Puri, who
came in the line of Madhva. His immediate follwers( the six Gosvamis:
Rupa, Sanatana, Jiva, Gopala Bhatta, Raghunatha Bhatta and
Raghunatha Dasa) compiled extensive literatures and thus
documented Lord Chaitanyas philosophical system according to Vedic
32
evidence. Himself, Lord Chaitanya wrote only 8 verses , on the ecstacy

of devotion to Krsna. His disciples understood Lord Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu to be Bhagavan Krishna Himself in the form of a devotee.
Teachings in Vedic Literature
Discovery:
1) Who is an acharya? Name the 4 Acharyas mentioned as well as
the period to which they belonged.
2) Name the literary contributions of each of these Acharyas.
Understanding:
1) How is Shankaras philosophy different from the others? Why did
he expound such a philosophy?
2) How did Ramanujacharya modify Shankaras theory?
3) What point did Madhava emphasize with regard to Bhagavan
and the jiva?
4) How did Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu synthesize both
Ramanujacharyas and Madhvas conclusions?
Application:
Which of these philosophies appeals to you most? Why?


Devotees must humbly tolerate opponents while
preaching:
Vaishnavas must meet many opponents while preaching the glories of

the Lord, but Sri Caitanya Mahprabhu recommends that they not
become angry while preaching. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given
this formula: ... "One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a
humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the
street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of
false prestige and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such
a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly."
Those engaged in preaching the glories of the Lord should be humbler
33
than grass and more tolerant than a tree; then they can preach the
glories of the Lord without difficulty.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.4.5
Share with the members about what preaching you have done during the week either to
new people or to the devotees themselves. Share your insights and realizations.
Let everyone also share what they have done during the week, however small. The phone
calls they have made or the people they have spoken to, or invited etc, the successes or
the difficulties they have encountered.
If they have experienced some success and they share it, find out how they did it . Not
only will others learn from their experiences, it is also very encouraging to them and will
inspire them to do more. If there are some mistakes in their approach, this too will get
corrected.
Please give them assignments for preaching for the forthcoming week.
After the prasadam has been distributed and everyone is busy honoring it after reciting
the prasadam mantra, go around and enquire how they like the prasadam, among other
things. Hear their realizations on how they are appreciating the taste of prasadam as a
spiritual experience. It is important for them to appreciate and have the right respectful
attitude toward prasadam.
If any member has sponsored the prasadam, announce it and thank them for the service. If
anybody has any special occasion to celebrate that day like birthdays , wedding
anniversaries, announce that and sing a Krsna conscious greeting like Hare Krsna to
you, and may Krsna bless you, dear etc, set to the standard tune of wishing people on
birthdays.
This will make them very happy and also give them the idea to celebrate these occasions
in a nice Krsna conscious way, which will also benefit them spiritually.
Names
Week 1
A
S
Week 2
A
S
Week 3
A
S
Week 4
A
S
Week 5
A
S
Remarks
34
EFFORTS
Week 1
1
2
3
4
5
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week5
Total
No. of Mails
No. of Home Visits
No. of Money Donors
Week 16
Continue encouraging members to choose a service that they would like doing before the
program starts.The services may be as varied as picking up someone for the program,
helping in washing the arathi plates, arranging the ghee lamps, washing plates, cutting
fruits/ vegetables, making copies of Nectar of the holy name , the passage for discussion ,
and preaching material for distribution to the group members.
Being committed to do a service will give them great spiritual progress and spiritual
satisfaction.
35
After you have introduced any new visitor that may have come, you ask them to do as
follows:
Find the Identity : Have people write 4 or 5 adjectives or phrases to describe
themselves. Collect the sheets and hand them out randomly (but make sure that nobody
gets their own). Each person reads the sheet he/she gets and attempts to guess who wrote
it. If he/she cant guess, ask the next person or the whole group to try to find the identity.
Krsna consciousness is very personal and if the devotees also know one another well, this
fosters a lot of intimate dealings with one another. It becomes easy then to overcome
ones selfishness and self-centeredness, which is the main stumbling block in our
advancement in Krsna consciousness.
Share an interesting and inspiring point from what you have read from Srila Prabhupadas
books during the week; many more should be now willing to borrow/ buy the books to
read them during the week. Encourage them to share their discoveries and realizations
from Srila Prabhupadas books.
Your enthusiasm and appreciation, of their participation however small initially, is a
very important factor in gradually making all of them take up reading Srila Prabhupadas
books seriously.
Kirtan : 15 minutes
pictures.
Japa. 15 minutes

Maharaja Parikshit saved his citizens from the
clutches of Kali by propagating the holy name:
Even though all nefarious activities of the personality of Kali are

present, there is a great advantage in the age of Kali. One can attain
salvation simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord. Thus Maharaja
Parikshit made an organized effort to propagate the chanting of the
Lord's holy name, and thus he saved the citizens from the clutches of
Kali. It is for this advantage only that great sages sometimes wish all
good for the age of Kali.
36
The constant chanting of the holy names will drive

away the personality of Kali from the world:
The Personality of Godhead and His holy name, qualities, etc., are all
identical. The personality of Kali was not able to enter the jurisdiction
of the earth due to the presence of the Personality of Godhead. And
similarly, if there is an arrangement for the constant chanting of the
holy names, qualities, etc., of the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
there is no chance at all for the personality of Kali to enter. That is the
technique of driving away the personality of Kali from the world. In
modernized human society there are great advancements of material
science, and they have invented the radio to distribute sound in the air.
So instead of vibrating some nuisance sound for sense enjoyment, if
the state arranges to distribute transcendental sound by resounding
the holy name, fame and activities of the Lord, as they are authorized
in the Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam, then a favorable
condition will be created, the principles of religion in the world will be
reestablished, and thus the executive heads, who are so anxious to
drive away corruption from the world, will be successful.
times.
At the end of chanting, you could ask them about their experience of chanting the maha
mantra on beads at home. .. whether they had increased the number of malas that they
chanted. Encourage those who are a little willing, to try increasing one more mala for the
following week. Though nobody can or should force anyone to chant, your kind enquiries
about their progress and encouragement to keep increasing in small steps will motivate
them to try chanting more.
37
If no one knows the Supreme Personality of Godhead, how can He be

known? He can be known when the Supreme Lord comes before you
and reveals Himself to you. Then you can know. Our senses are
imperfect, and they cannot realize the Supreme Truth. When you adopt
a submissive attitude and chant, realization begins from the tongue. To
eat and to vibrate sound is the business of the tongue. If you can
control your tongue for prasadam, spiritual food, and make the sound
vibration of the holy name, then by surrender of the tongue you can
control all the other senses. If you cannot control your tongue, you
cannot control your senses. Taste prasdam and become spiritually
advanced. You can have this process at your home: offer vegetarian
foods to Krishna, chant the Hare Krishna mantra and offer obeisances:
namo brahmanya-devaya
go-brhmanya-hitaya ca
jagat-hitaya krishnaya
govindaya namo namah
Everyone can offer, and then take the food with friends. And chant
before the picture of Krishna, and lead a pure life. Just see the result
the whole world will become Vaikuntha, where there is no anxiety. All is
anxious with us because we have accepted this material life. Just the
opposite is so in the spiritual world. No one, however, knows how to
get out of the material concept. Taking an intoxicant doesn't help; the
same anxieties are there when you are finished being drunk. If you
want to be free and want life eternal with bliss and knowledge, take to
Krishna. No one can know God, but there is this way:. the process of
Krishna consciousness.
In the Srimad-Bhgavatam it is stated that no one can conquer Him or
approach Him, but He becomes conquered. How? Let people remain in
their own positions, but let them give up nonsense speculation through
volumes of books. Thousands of books are printed and read, and after
six months thrown away. This way and thathow can you know the
Supreme by speculation on the information supplied by your blunt
38
senses? Give up researchthrow it awayjust become submissive;

acknowledge that you are limited and subordinate to material nature
and to God. No one can be equal to or greater than God. So be
submissive. Try to hear about the glories of the Supreme Lord from
authorized sources. Such authority is handed over by disciplic
succession. If we can understand by the same authority as Arjuna, that
is real authority. God is always ready to reveal; you just become Krsna
conscious. Follow the path traversed by the great acharyas, the
devoted teachers, and then everything will be known. Although He is
unconquerable and unknowable, He can be known in your home.
If you take to this process and follow the principles, what will be the
result? As soon as you understand, you will know that the Supreme
Lord is the cause of all causes, but that He is not caused by any other
cause. And He is the master of all planets. This is not accepting blindly.
God has given you the power of reason, the power of arguingbut
don't argue falsely. If you want to know the transcendental science you
must surrender. Surrender to authority and know Him by signs. Don't
surrender to a fool or a rascal. Find one who is coming in disciplic
succession, one who is fully convinced about the Supreme Absolute
Truth. If you find such a person, surrender and try to please him, serve
him and question him. Surrender unto Him is surrender to God.
Question to learn, not to waste time.
The process is there, but if we waste time by intoxication we will never
see Him, the unconquerable Lord. Follow the principles and slowly but
surely, without doubt, you will know. "Yes, I'm making progress," you'll
say. And it is very easy, and you can execute it and be in a happy
mood. Study, take part with music, eat prasadam. And no one can
cheat you by this process. But if you want to be cheatedgo to the
cheaters.
Try to understand it from the authoritative source and apply it in your
life. Amongst the dying mortals, you will become the most intelligent
because you are freed from sinful actions. If you act only for Krsna,
then you are freed from all reactions. You will have no anxiety over
what is auspicious or inauspicious because you will be in touch with the
most auspicious. This is the process. Ultimately, we can get in touch
with Krishna. Life will be successful. Anyone can adopt it, because it is
very simple.
Krsna Consciousness: The topmost Yoga system
Discovery:
39
1) How can we know the Supreme Truth through the tongue?

Understanding:
1) Why are people in the material world anxious? How do they try to
get rid of their misery? Why dont those things work for them?
2) What is the process of becoming happy?
3) Who should we be submissive to? Why should we be submissive?
4) How should we apply the principles of Krsna consciousness in our
daily lives?
5) What will be the result of application of these principles in our
lives?
How will this make us happy?
Application:
1) Share with everyone what different spiritual activities you are
engaged in and what you are experiencing by performing them.


Lord Chaitanya personally demonstrated the importance of
preaching: To deliver all fallen souls, the Lord traveled from
country to country. He personally tasted the transcendental pleasure
of devotional service, and He simultaneously spread the cult of
devotion everywhere.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally traveled to different regions of India
to spread the bhakti cult throughout the country.by His personal behavior
He has given an example for devotees to follow. That is, one should broadcast
the cult of devotional service.A Vaisnava is especially interested in paraupakara, doing good to others. Prahlada Maharaja was also interested in
this. He did not want to be delivered alone; rather he wanted to deliver all
fallen souls, who are bereft of knowledge of bhakti and who misuse their
intelligence for the temporary benefit of the material body. Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu also wanted His mission spread all over the world.
Prthivite ache yata nagaradi-grama
40
Sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama

In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard Following
in His footsteps, we are trying to broadcast His message throughout the
world. By His mercy, people are taking this movement very seriously. Indeed,
our books are extensively distributed in the Western countries, especially in
America and Europe. The followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu may
therefore take this movement seriously and broadcast it throughout the
world. From village to village and from town to town, just as Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu Himself did.
Cc. Madhya 25.264 (Madhya: 9, p.438)
Share with the members about what preaching you have done during the week either to
new people or to the devotees themselves. Share your insights and realizations.
Let everyone also share what they have done during the week, however small. The phone
calls they have made or the people they have spoken to, or invited etc, the successes or
the difficulties they have encountered.
If they have experienced some success and they share it, find out how they did it . Not
only will others learn from their experiences, it is also very encouraging to them and will
inspire them to do more. If there are some mistakes in their approach, this too will get
corrected.
Please give them assignments for preaching for the forthcoming week.
After the prasadam has been distributed and everyone is busy honoring it after reciting
the prasadam mantra, go around and enquire how they like the prasadam, among other
things. Hear their realizations on how they are appreciating the taste of prasadam as a
spiritual experience. It is important for them to appreciate and have the right respectful
attitude toward prasadam.
If any member has sponsored the prasadam, announce it and thank them for the service. If
anybody has any special occasion to celebrate that day like birthdays , wedding
anniversaries, announce that and sing a Krsna conscious greeting like Hare Krsna to
you, and may Krsna bless you, dear etc, set to the standard tune of greeting people on
birthdays.
41
This will make them very happy and also give them the idea to celebrate these occasions
in a nice Krsna conscious way, which will benefit them spiritually.
Names
Week 1
A
S
Week 2
A
S
Week 3
A
S
Week 4
A
S
Week 5
A
S
Remarks
EFFORTS
Week 1
1
2
3
4
5
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week5
Total
No. of Mails
No. of Home Visits
No. of Money Donors
42
Week 17
If your members have brought along any new members, make them comfortable and
make pleasant enquiries about them, so you can introduce them during the Ice- breaker
session to all the members.
Ice- Breaker : 15 minutes
After you have introduced any new visitor that may have come, engage in the following
ice- breaker.
Save Me! : Ask them to imagine that they are all survivors of a shipwreck, swimming for
their lives in the ocean. There is only one life-belt, and you have to decide who gets it.
Only one survivor can receive it and be saved. Each person must give reasons why he/she
should be the one who gets the life-belt. Whoever comes up with the most convincing or
amusing case wins. For added effect you can stand on a chair (If possible holding a real
life-belt) and have everyone stand around you.
Variation: have everyone giving reasons why the person on their left (or their right) is
the most worthy of being saved. This version has the advantage of encouraging
selflessness and glorification of others.
After this ask them also to share a point that they were inspired by during the week from
Srila Prabhupadas books. Start the discussion by relating your own so it will set the
right trend.
Kirtan : 15 minutes
pictures.
Japa. 15 minutes
43
Haridasa Thakura could defeat Maya because he was absorbed

in thoughts of Krishna by constantly chanting His holy name:
[Maya to Haridasa Thakura]: After offering obeisances to Haridasa
Thakura, the woman said: "I am the illusory energy of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. I came here to test you."
In Bhagavad-gt (7.14) Lord Krishna says:
daiv hy esa guna-mayi
mama maya duratyaya
mam eva ye prapadyante
mayam etam taranti te
"This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material
nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto
Me can easily cross beyond it."
This was actually proved by the behavior of Haridasa Thakura. Maya
enchants the entire world. Indeed, people have forgotten the ultimate
goal of life because of the dazzling attractions of the material world.
But this dazzling attraction, especially the attractive beauty of a
woman, is meant for persons who are not surrendered to the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. The Lord says, mam eva ye prapadyante
mayam etam taranti te: [Bg. 7.14] "One who is surrendered unto Me
cannot be conquered by the illusory energy." The illusory energy
personally came to test Haridasa Thakura, but herein she admits her
defeat, for she was unable to captivate him. How is this possible? It
was because Haridasa Thakura, fully surrendered to the lotus feet of
Krishna, was always absorbed in thoughts of Krishna by chanting the
holy names of the Lord 300,000 times daily as a vow.
Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta Antya-lila 3.250
times.
Since we are nearing the end of module 2 , most of the members should be chanting a
mimnimum of 4 rounds. Ask a few of the devotees to share their realizations on chanting
each time and make sure that those who have been missed out in one week are covered
in the following week. This will inspire them to chant more and more.
times..
44

In the Bhagavad-gita (3.27) Lord Krsna says :
Prakrteh kriyamanani
Gunaih karmani sarvasah
Ahankara-vimudhatma
Kartaham iti manyate
The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks
himself
the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three
modes
of material nature.
Success in any activity depends on five essential factors: the place, the
doer, the tools or senses, the endeavor, and finally the sanction of the
Supreme Lord. Of these, the Supreme Lords blessing is the most
important. This sanction is enacted through the supreme Lords
favorable supervision of His material energy, for it is by the Lords will
that material nature acts. Material nature acts according to ones
consciousness: when the living entity is under the influence of the
three modes of nature, his actions are conducted by the Lords external
energy, the material nature. But when he is in transcendental
consciousness, the suddha-sattva state, his actions are conducted by
the Lords internal, spiritual potency. The living entity can choose to
have his activities conducted by either the Lords external energy or
His internal energy. This is the extent of the jivas
minute
independence.
The moment the spirit soul surrenders completely at the lotus feet of
the Supreme Lord and prays to Him for engagements in His loving
devotional service, the soul is freed from the bondage of fruitive
45
reactions. In this stage he proves the truth of the scriptural injunction

jivera svarupa haya krsnera nitya-dasa:
In his original spiritual
identity, the spirit soul is an eternal servant of Krishna. This position
gives the soul immense bliss. It is wrong to equate the position of an
eternal servant of Krishna with that of a slave of maya, the illusory
potency of Krishna. In other words, the feelings of power and pleasure
gained by lording it over matter are insignificant compared to the
ecstasy one feels in the Lords service. Even the eight kinds of mystic
perfections are puny compared with the bliss of being an eternal
servant of Krsna. And surrender is the only means to attain this state;
no artificial method can be applied. The awakening of pure Krsna
consciousness, which is the perfection of the living entity, is obtained
only by surrendering to the Lord, the propensity for which is eternally
inherent in the jiva. Hence Lord Caitanya says in the Caitanyacaritamrta ( Manhya 22.107):
Nitya-siddha-krsna-prema sadhya kabhu
naya
Sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya
Pure love for Krishna is eternally established in the hearts of living
entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When
the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, the living entity naturally
awakens.
The Sword of knowledge
Discovery:
1) What five factors determine the success of our activities?
2) Out of these five factors which is the most important factor?
Why?
Understanding:
1) Explain the independence enjoyed by the jiva.
2) Why does a pure soul hanker to be a servant of Krishna? How
can one attain to this state?
3) What happens to ones karma when one becomes a servant of
Krishna?
Application:
1)
Share your experiences of how you feel when you engage in
devotional service to the Lord or His pure devotees.
46


The Krsna consciousness movement is based on
becoming Krsna conscious and making others Krsna
conscious:
My dear child, continue dancing, chanting and performing
sankirtana in association with devotees. Furthermore, go out and
preach the value of chanting Krsna-nama for by this process You
will be able to deliver all fallen souls.
It is another ambition of the spiritual master to see his disciples not only
chant, dance and follow the regulative principles but also preach the
sankirtana movement to others in order to deliver them, for the Krsna
consciousness movement is based on the principle that one should become
as perfect as possible in devotional service oneself and also preach the cult
for others benefit.
Cc. Adi 7.92 ( Adi: 2, pp.73-74)
Share your preaching for the week and start enquiring from them about how they have performed
their assignments for the week.
Appreciate all their genuine efforts however small, since all efforts in preaching are truly
glorious and will instill in them the firm faith and conviction to preach more.
Give them more tasks for the week: calling new members, visiting new members/ talking to them
over phone, distributing books, etc.
Make sure that different sets of devotees get the opportunity to serve the prasadam to
everyone each week without forcing anyone this will help everyone to develop a
healthy attitude towards service.
47
You can ask them informally how they enjoy taking prasadam, what their realization about its
glories are and how much of prasadam , as compared to non offered food that they are eating
during the week etc. so as to increase their appreciation of prasadam.
Names
Week 1
A
S
Week 2
A
S
Week 3
A
S
Week 4
A
S
Week 5
A
S
Remarks
EFFORTS
Week 1
1
2
3
4
5
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week5
Total
No. of Mails
No. of Home Visits
No. of Money Donors
48
Week 18
All processes of devotional service must be preceded and followed by
kirtana, which is the most important process:
[Lord Caitanya to Satyarja]: "... One can complete the nine processes of devotional
service simply by chanting the holy name."
The nine devotional processes such as sravana and kirtana can all be attained at once if
one simply chants the holy name of the Lord offenselessly.
In this regard,Srila Jiva Gosvami states in his book Bhakti-sandarbha (173): yadyapy
anya bhaktim kalau kartavya, taa kirtanakhya-bhakti-sayogenaiva. Out of the nine
processes of devotional service, kirtana is very important. Srila Jiva Gosvami therefore
instructs that the other processes, such as arcana, vandana, dasya and sakhya, should be
executed, but they must be preceded and followed by kirtana, the chanting of the holy
49
name. We have therefore introduced this system in all of our centers. Arcana, arati, bhoga
offering, Deity dressing and decoration are all preceded and followed by the chanting of
the holy name of the LordHare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta Madhya-lila 15.107

devan bhavayatanena
te deva bhavayantu vah
parasparam bhavayantah
sreyah param avapsyatha
TRANSLATION
The demigods, being pleased by sacrifices, will also please you, and thus, by cooperation
between men and demigods, prosperity will reign for all.
PURPORT
The demigods are empowered administrators of material affairs. The supply of air, light,
water and all other benedictions for maintaining the body and soul of every living entity
is entrusted to the demigods, who are innumerable assistants in different parts of the body
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Their pleasures and displeasures are dependent
on the performance of yajnas by the human being. Some of the yajnas are meant to satisfy
particular demigods; but even in so doing, Lord Vishnu is worshiped in all yajnas as the
chief beneficiary. It is stated also in the Bhagavad-gita that Krishna Himself is the
beneficiary of all kinds of yajnas: bhoktaram yajna-tapasam. Therefore, ultimate
satisfaction of the yajna-pati is the chief purpose of all yajnas. When these yajnas are
perfectly performed, naturally the demigods in charge of the different departments of
supply are pleased, and there is no scarcity in the supply of natural products.
Performance of yajnas has many side benefits, ultimately leading to liberation from
material bondage. By performance of yajnas, all activities become purified, as it is stated
in the Vedas: ahara-suddhau sattva-shuddhih sattva-suddhau dhruva smrtih smrti-lambhe
sarvagranthinam vipramoksah. By performance of yajna one's eatables become sanctified,
and by eating sanctified foodstuffs one's very existence becomes purified; by the
purification of existence finer tissues in the memory become sanctified, and when
memory is sanctified one can think of the path of liberation, and all these combined
together lead to Krishna consciousness, the great necessity of present-day society.
Bhagavad-gita As it is Ch 3 Text 11
Discovery:
50
1) What is the role of the Demigods or devatas in our lives?

Understanding:
1)Why is the worship of Vishnu always necessary in all sacrifices?
2)Why is it necessary to perform yagnas?
2) What is the ultimate benefit of performing yagnas?
Application:
1) Discuss the benefits of performing the sankirtana yagna in this age. Discuss also
your own realizations on how sankirtana has benefited you.
One should preach; that is real non-violence

Nonviolence is generally taken to mean not killing or destroying the body, but actually
nonviolence means not to put others into distress. People in general are trapped by
ignorance in the material concept of life, and they perpetually suffer material pains. So,
unless one elevates people to spiritual knowledge, one is practicing violence. One should
try his best to distribute real knowledge to the people, so that they may become
enlightened and leave this material entanglement. That is nonviolence.
B-gita As It Is 13.8-12
Week 19
Welcome all the members and guests. Make a change in the seating arrangement, as today
they would all have to sit in a crowd facing the speaker, rather than in a circle.
Have the black board/ white board ready with chalk or marker as the case may be, for the
seminar. Have a chair and table arranged for the speaker. Discuss with your senior leader
about who could possibly enact the short skit which is part of the seminar given below.
Also show him/ her the seminar material well in advance, so that they can be well
prepared. Prepare the handouts to be given at the end of the class.
Kirtana: 20 minutes
:Request the senior to lead a kirtana for twenty minutes.
Seminar:
90 minutes
51
Module for Krishna Sevak

AIM: 1) To motivate members to give up meat eating
2) To make them commit to 4 rounds of chanting.
3) To make them start reading Srila Prabhupadas books seriously.
4) To make them want to volunteer for services.
Objectives: At the end of the lesson they will be able to:
1)
2)
3)
4)
List 6 reasons to give up meat eating.

To agree to start chanting 4 rounds
To start doing more services in the Temple
To start reading Srila Prabhupadas books
Conditions: They will do so voluntarily

Criteria: They will list at least 4 reasons for giving up meat eating, at least 2 reasons to
start chanting 4 rounds, to volunteer for at least one service and buy at least one book of
Srila Prabhupada. At least 50% of them should enroll their names for taking the Krishna
Sevak certificate.
Assessment: By orally asking them at the end of the class.
Preparation: Make handouts about the reasons for man to be vegetarian.
Also keep some of Srila Prabhupadas books for sale.
LESSON OUTLINE:
What
Role Play
Who
Facilitator and
help
Group Discussion Audience
and follow up
Brain
storm
& Audience
follow up
Lecture
Facilitator
Lecture
Facilitator
Lecture
Facilitator
Resources
a -----------------
Time
20 minutes
----------------
15 minutes
B/W Board
10 minutes
Flip Chart
Flip Chart
Flip Chart
15 minutes
10 minutes
10 minutes
Lesson Plan: Welcome the students. Explain the aim of the course, namely to help them
understand the reasons to progress to the next step of the Siksa Program which is that of
a Krishna Sevak.
52
Role Play: A doctor and a patient

(You can have two people enact the skit. If enacting it is not possible, you can ask two
people to read out the skit dramatically. This will also have the required impact.)
Patient: Doctor, I have a huge stomach ache! What do I do?
Doctor: What did you eat last?
Patient: Some lamb and fish
Doctor: Show me your claws
Patient: Claws? (Looks at his hand) Sorry, I did not understand.
Doctor: Oh well, what you use to tear the flesh with and eat!
Patient: You mean, my hands?
Doctor: How can you call them hands? Arent they doing the work of tigers and lions?
Tigers have claws! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Doctor: Atleast I hope you have some canine teeth like animals. I dont see how else
you can manage to eat meat!
Patient: I have strong molar teeth!
Doctor: That is only good for grinding grains! Let me check your tongue now. Open
your mouth.
Patient: Aaah! (Opens the mouth and puts out his tongue).
Doctor: So many salivary glands! Well this is meant for pre-digesting grains! Are you
sure you eat meat?
Patient (worried): Yes doctor
Doctor: When did you eat this last meal of lamb and fish?
Patient: Yesterday morning, doctor.
Doctor: Did you pay a visit to the lavatory yet?
Patient: I am afraid it is too early sir. How will all the food be digested so fast?
Doctor: My dear man how can you keep such rotten dead body inside your alimentary
tract for so long? Dont you see how many toxins would have formed by now?
Patient: I cant help if God gave me more than 6 metres of alimentary canal! He knows
best, doesnt HE?
Doctor: He jolly well does! That is why He gave the animals short alimentary canal!
Patient: But sir, I cant help eating meat, my tongue demands it.
Doctor: Well! You have hope sir. You will definitely get the body of a tiger or a lion in
your next birth and you can enjoy yourself then unlimitedly!
Patient: What about this life?
Doctor: Only you have a payment to make
Patient (eagerly) What, what is it?
Doctor: Well just cancer, blood pressure, heart disease etc You can decide
Patient: Just faints and falls down on the floor.
53
Doctor (sprinkling water on the patient and rubbing his chest): Oh! If I only told him
about all the sufferings in his next life for the cruelty being done to the animals, I dont
know if he would have survived the shock!
Also in this life the disturbing effects of meat eating on the mind is very much,
driving one to more and more passion and ignorance to more and more lust and
violence. What hope is there for them to understand God?
Also the animals drink filthy water from the ditch. When you consume them you get all
the germs too and so you are more vulnerable to diseases.
They take it hoping to get a lot of protein, but protein is there in plenty in dairy products,
nuts, beans and grains. Flesh eating just gives excessive proteins that just is converted to
nitrogenuous wates and it burdens the kidneys.
And what about all the chemicals used to preserve meat they are deadly they lead to
heart diseases.
(Looking at the audience): If I were you I will take to vegetarian diet today, it is tasty,
healthy and good in every way! (Laughs)
Group Discussion: Divide the class into groups of 4 and ask them to discuss the reasons
why meat eating is not recommended for human beings. Ask each group to jot down their
points. At the end of 10 minutes, ask the leader of each group to give out a point. Ask the
next group to give a different point. In this way make them read out all the points that
they have discussed against meat eating.
Brainstorm:
On the benefits they have experienced through chanting & on possible difficulties they
could face if they took up chanting 4 rounds.
Lecture:
Sum up the benefits of chanting that were discussed and explain how they can overcome
the obstacles to commit chanting 4 rounds.
You can make sure that the following points were added:
The Benefits of chanting:
1) Gives us peace of mind.
2) Gives us faith in God.
3) Enables us to understand the scriptures better.
4) Gives us the desire and intelligence to render devotional service.
54
5) Enables us to understand that we are not this body. (Purifies our mind)
6) Gives us happiness.
7) Gives us protection.
8) Destroys our sins.
9) Keeps us in spiritual consciousness through out the day.
10) Gives us love for Krishna.
Lecture: Explain the benefits of reading Srila Prabhupadas books. Have a neat and
attractive chart done with the following points:
The benefits of reading Srila Prabhupadas books:
1) They give us a very easy and good understanding about our life and the goal of
life.
2) They are very inspiring.
3) They help us to quickly develop faith in God.
4) They are very authentic with many quotations from the scriptures.
5) They are very interesting and highly informative.
6) They come in all sizes. So we can start reading small books.
7) They are very exciting to read and they open our vision of the world
dramatically.
Show them an assortment of Srila Prabhupadas books and request them to buy if they
want.
The benefits of doing some service in the Temple:
Lecture: On the benefits of doing some service in the Temple.
Write down the following points as you cover them in your lecture one by one
The benefits of doing some service in the Temple:
55
1) Easy to perform and gives immense spiritual benefits

2) Gets them the mercy of Lord Krishna very quickly
3) Gives them a taste to continue in Krishna consciousness.
4) Gives them the opportunity to come closer to devotees and become friends with
them.
5) Is great fun and very interesting.
6) They will experience bliss in no time at all!
Assessment:
Ask them how many would like to volunteer to take up the Krishna Sevak certificate after
explaining to them the commitment it involves.
Distribute the Krsna Sevak application forms to those who agree to take up this level of
commitment. They will then qualify to receive a Krsna Sevak certificate, which can be
handed to them at a public ceremony at any of the Temple/ congregational progarmmes.
CHECK LIST for MODULE 2 (Krsna Sevaka)

The second module consists of 8 lessons or 8 sessions which is covered in 8 weeks. At the
end of this module, there are some questions / check list given below that you can answer
to see if the members have progressed along the expected lines up at least up to the
Krishna sevak level .(Krishna sevak: committed to chanting at least 4 malas of japa every
day, being a vegetarian and rendering some regular service .
You should have been entering the details about your members in the BV report form
given at the end of each lesson, every week. This will help you fill up the check-list easily
and will make your assessment of your progress authentic. If there is any short fall, you
will know you have to give some special attention, or see if you have not given sufficient
attention to some particular aspect of the program. Please go through the introduction of
this book once again to help you in this.
56
In spite of our best efforts, it is still possible that our results may sometimes be less than
ideal as we are dealing with human beings who all have their independence to advance in
Krsna consciousness at the pace they want but we can do our part to the best of our
ability, and that in most cases does inspire them to surrender faster. But there is no need to
feel depressed or dispirited if we are not always successful, because we are constantly
improving ourselves both in our level of Krsna conscious surrender as well as in our skills
to inspire people, so we can always keep improving..
Check list for module one
Write Yes/ No or the appropriate answer in the right hand side column
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Do you have at least 10 members attending your program?

Are they all attending regularly? If not how many are irregular?
Are they all participating in all the sessions? If not, how many are not
participating?
In which sessions are they not participating?
Are they all chanting at least four rounds of japa? If not how many are
not chanting?
How many have not started reading Srila Prabhupadas books yet?
Do they do the home work that you assign them? If not, how many are
not doing it?
Do they all feel comfortable with you and are communicative with you?
If not, how many are not communicative?
Do they volunteer to do some services? How many of them dont?
Are they all enthusiastic to take up the Krishna sevak certificate? If not,
how many are not willing to take ?
If you have just one or two that are not up to the mark, you can feel that you have done a
good job, but that you must still work at bringing everyone to the desired level. If there
are around half the group not advancing, then you must do a review of your program. You
can discuss this with your senior preachers, take their guidance and help as well.
Remember you are the parent, and parents will do everything to care for each one of their
children!
57

Krishna Sevaka - Bhakti

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Contents

Week 13 (Vyuha program)

Week 19(Siksha Seminar)

Check list for Module 2

The Nectar of the Holy Name

continue sankirtana before the Deity, especially before Sri Chaitanya

Spiritual Edification - 45 minutes

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatara, appeared in

Another feature of this avatara is that He is always accompanied by His

his position as a minister, and after joining, when he surrendered, he

In this age, simple go on chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. There is no

3)What exactly is Sankirtan? What does it give us?

Preaching session : 15 minutes

Preaching is the Essence

Ice breaker : 15 minutes

The Nectar of the Holy Name

Passage for Discussion:

Preaching session : 15 minutes

All devotees must preach:

by the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he revives his spiritual life

The Nectar of the Holy Name

[Lord Caitanya to Prakasananda Sarasvati]: "The Myvda philosophy

nasty eva gatir anyatha

Passage for Discussion:

Srila Prabhupda: This material world is a composition of three

simultaneously, but evolved gradually.

Karandhara. They say they will create life in the future.

The Missing Link

Nobel Prize for an Ass

purpose of the test tube? It is only a place for combination, but so is

scientists? What harm have their theories done to humankind?

Preaching session : 15 minutes

Preaching is the Essence

The Nectar of the Holy Name

of success for this age of Kali unnecessarily indulge in the cultivation of

Passage for Discussion

The teachings of the Acharyas:

evidence. Himself, Lord Chaitanya wrote only 8 verses , on the ecstacy

Preaching session : 15 minutes

Preaching is the Essence

Vaishnavas must meet many opponents while preaching the glories of

The Nectar of the Holy Name

Even though all nefarious activities of the personality of Kali are

The constant chanting of the holy names will drive

Passage for Discussion:

If no one knows the Supreme Personality of Godhead, how can He be

senses? Give up researchthrow it awayjust become submissive;

1) How can we know the Supreme Truth through the tongue?

Preaching session : 15 minutes

Preaching is the Essence

Sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama

The Nectar of the Holy Name

Haridasa Thakura could defeat Maya because he was absorbed

Passage for Discussion:

reactions. In this stage he proves the truth of the scriptural injunction

Preaching session : 15 minutes

Preaching is the Essence

Passage for Discussion:

1) What is the role of the Demigods or devatas in our lives?

Preaching is the Essence

One should preach; that is real non-violence

Module for Krishna Sevak

List 6 reasons to give up meat eating.