The Hare Krishna People

Subtitles

[00:12]: By the grace of Lord Sri Krsna,
[00:15]: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was born a pure devotee.
[00:35]: In 1933 Prabhupada was accepted as a disciple by a bona fide spiritual master
[00:37]: and ordered to spread Krsna consciousness to the English speaking world.
[00:44]: Then in 1965 at the age of seventy Prabhupada,
[00:48]: a renounced saintly person with neither friends nor money came from India
[00:54]: to New York City to fulfill the instructions of his spiritual master.
[00:59]: Prabhupada was destined to spark a revolution in consciousness,
[01:04]: to ignite the Hare Krsna explosion.
[01:34]: Transcendental knowledge was first spoken by the Lord Himself and has been
[01:40]: passed down since that time from spiritual master to disciple in an unbroken chain.
[01:48]: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Gaurakisora dasa Bhabaji,
[02:00]: Bhaktsiddhanta Saraswati Goswami and Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
[02:10]: In 1966 Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
[02:16]: or ISKCON, widely known as the Hare Krishna Movement.
[02:21]: Prabhupada translates on a dictaphone original Sanskrit and Bengali scriptures into English.
[02:29]: The tapes are then sent to ISKCON Press in New York.
[02:40]: The entire operation from typing to illustrating to printing is carried out by
[02:46]: the Krsna devotees all of whom serve without salary.
[03:14]: The message is love of Krsna.
[03:17]: Krsna is recognized as God by all the great saints and the scriptures of India.
[03:24]: He is the all-attractive person and the reservoir of pleasure.
[03:29]: To pass on the science of self realization Prabhupada is presenting the Bhagavad-gita As It Is,
[03:37]: the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the Nectar of Devotion, and many other philosophical works.
[03:43]: From a Los Angeles warehouse these literatures are shipped to centers
[03:50]: in the United States and abroad.
[03:52]: Within a few years Prabhupada and his disciples have organized
[03:57]: an ambitious book distribution program that every year sees thousands of tons of books
[04:03]: distributed around the world.
[04:24]: The Krsna devotees say that by reading these books and chanting the names of God
[04:29]: a person can attain God consciousness even in this difficult and disturbed age.
[04:34]: The most popular mantra is the now familiar:
[04:38] Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.
[04:58]: This chanting resounds from London to Mexico City, from Paris to Tokyo,
[05:04]: from New York to Nairobi.
[05:44]: Here in London thousands flock to attend ISKCON’s annual Ratha-yatra festival.
[05:50]: This festival is held in major cities around the world.
[06:28]: Constantly traveling Prabhupada often makes personal appearances.
[06:32]: Here he is introduced to a New Delhi audience by the Canadian High Commissioner
[06:38]: and garlanded by a leading citizen.
[06:47]: Everything that we see, that is created by God,
[06:51]: so you should at least recognize that it is God’s property,
[06:57]: but they are thinking their property. So there must be no restriction.
[07:02]: Prabhupada says God is great and we are very small.
[07:06]: He is the supreme proprietor and everything should be used in His service.
[07:11]: All living creatures are sons of God and are therefore equal.
[07:16]: Thus Krishna Consciousness is beyond any sectarian and national limitations
[07:22]: and is the perfect peace formula.
[07:24]: Prabhupada denounces so-called gurus who claim to be God.
[07:29]: Such “Gods” are very cheap.
[07:32]: “I am not God and you are not God. We are all eternal servants of God.”
[07:38]: …on account of being seperated from Krsna, they do not know that.
[07:42]: We are part and parcel of God, Krsna, we are not enjoyer.
[07:50]: We asked Jadurani Devi Dasi, one of the artists at ISKCON press,
[07:56]: to tell us about her involvement in the Hare Krishna movement.
[07:59]: So I met Srila Prabhupada in 1967 and I was up in his apartment and the first thing he
[08:09]: said to me, because previously I didn’t know what I was supposed to do, so he said,
[08:18]: “When you reach the top then everything else is included.”
[08:22]: So that answered all the questions.
[08:25]: Just like if you have a million dollars all your ten dollar problems are solved.
[08:30]: So he was implying that when you become Krsna conscious then
[08:36]: all the other desires and aspirations and ambitions, everything is fulfilled
[08:41]: just be taking to the process of Krsna consciousness.
[08:44]: And then he asked if I could come to his morning classes, and then I started coming.
[08:50]: And then when he saw that I had a propensity for painting so he gave me two businesses,
[08:58]: he said, “Just be attached to Krishna and to painting.”
[09:03]: So this is Kesava. Kesava is a name of Krsna and it means, “one who has fine hair.”
[09:10]: So God has hair, He has a face, He has a body, He is not impersonal.
[09:14]: He is the creator and the maintainer, the destroyer, everything.
[09:17]: And he is the dearmost friend of every living entity.
[09:22]: And before you were asking how my consciousness has changed,
[09:27]: just like a lilly leaf or something like that that is on the water
[09:31]: even though it is on the water it is not touched by the water,
[09:33]: so even though we are in the material world,
[09:35]: because we are working for a pure devotee and for Krsna
[09:38]: we are not touched. We feel satisfied to be in association with Krsna’s lotus feet.
[09:51]: Another engagement is the making of Spiritual Sky incense.
[09:55]: The Krsna devotees believe that since everything belongs to Krsna,
[10:00]: everything can be used in His service, including business.
[10:04]: Spiritual Sky scented products company is a commercial enterprise started by
[10:10]: Srila Prabhupada’s disciples to gather funds for use in spreading Krsna consciousness.
[10:16]: The company markets and manufactures incense, oils, shampoos, soaps and other scented products.
[10:23]: Spiritual Sky has doubled its profits each year since 1969
[10:28]: and is now America’s leading incense manufacturer.
[10:39]: A computer at the Los Angeles factory keeps the accounts, checks inventory,
[10:44]: and bills incense orders and like any other Krsna devotee chants:
[10:49]: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.
[11:15]: Prabhupada’s disciples handle all aspects of the operation from dipping the sticks
[11:20]: in scented oils to packaging, sales, distribution and manufacturing display racks.
[11:37]: From the Los Angeles factory Spiritual Sky products are shipped to temples around the world.
[11:44]: “I never expected such a big business to blossom.” Prabhupada has often said.
[11:49]: “Now it is our duty to use it to serve Krsna.” When people buy Spiritual Sky products
[11:55]: they will automatically think of Krsna and be benefited.
[12:02]: Los Angeles is not only the center of incense manufacturing,
[12:06]: it is also ISKCON’s Western world headquarters.
[12:10]: The devotees assemble daily at 4:30 am before the Deities of Radha and Krsna.
[12:33]: Chant sixteen rounds at least…
[12:35]: At the time of initiation the disciple vows to abstain from extramarital sex, intoxication,
[12:41]: meat eating and gambling.
[12:44]: Initiation and marriage rights are performed by ancient Vedic fire sacrifice.
[12:57]: Initiates also vow to chant some 25,000 names of God daily, a two-hour feat.
[13:05]: And to serve the spiritual master without reservation.
[13:08]: Marriage means working together in Krsna consciousness.
[13:15]: We asked a young husband why he joined the Krsna consciousness movement.
[13:20]: As a student I was sensitive to the problems confronting our society
[13:25]: and I could see that our leaders were unable to deal with them.
[13:28]: Despite their promises for materialistic advancement I could see that the people
[13:32]: were becoming more and more dissatisfied.
[13:34]: Even though we are very advanced materially something very basic is missing
[13:40]: in our way of life. By understanding Krsna consciousness I realized that here was
[13:45]: the philosophy that could fill the gap in our materialistic culture.
[13:48]: By providing scientific practical understanding of God
[13:52]: Krsna consciousness can give meaningful purpose to life
[13:56]: and it is the duty of the leaders to provide this educational instruction to the people.
[14:00]: Therefore I have begun the process of Krsna consciousness and I advocate it
[14:06]: as the practical solution to the problems of our modern technological society.
[14:14]: Some of the women learn the devotional art of making dresses for the Deity of Krsna
[14:19]: and His consort, Radha.
[14:25]: Milk, grains, fruit and vegetables are bought wholesale by the society
[14:31]: and sold to its members at nominal prices.
[14:34]: Devotees shop and prepare food for their families in a spirit of service to Krsna.
[14:40]: The children are taught to see Krsna or God as the central point in life.
[15:10]: Krsna conscious education is offered at Gurukula in Dallas, Texas for school-aged children.
[15:18]: Gurukula or the place of the spiritual master is staffed solely by devotees.
[15:25]: Here the children learn the science of Krsna as well as reading,
[15:29]: writing, arithmetic and, believe it or not, Sanskrit.
[15:45]: Each teacher lives in full-time association with the children.
[15:49]: Another word that starts with “C”. Kimey? Chandra Muki
[15:56]: What’s a word that starts with “A”? Billey. Apple.
[16:02]: Who was the most merciful of all of Krsna’s incarnations? What’s His name?
[16:07]: The most merciful incarnation of Krsna.
[16:09]: Yes. Lord Caitanya. Jaya.
[17:03]: What is the sound that it begins with?
[17:07]: And what is the letter it begins with.
[17:10]: K. K for kirtan, K for Krsna.
[17:32]: The plays depicet the pastimes of Krsna.
[17:36]: Generally they concern the slaying of a demon by Krsna
[17:40]: or the Lord’s activities with His devotees.
[17:52]: Here is one of Krsna’s pastimes enacted.
[17:55]: The devotees explain that God is not an old man with a white beard,
[18:00]: He is the reservoir of pleasure and here he swings joyfully with Radharani.
[18:06]: Thus the children learn that God is not a fearsome, alien or vindictive personality.
[18:13]: He is the supreme friend and He allows himself to be pushed on a swing.
[18:57]: Krsna devotees are also teaching in high schools and colleges around the world.
[19:03]: ..the word “Krsna” is divided into two syllables, “krs” and “na”
[19:06]: and together these two words mean the greatest pleasure.
[19:10]: Rama also means the reservoir of all pleasure.
[19:13]: The more people that chant the more you will feel this room become surcharged by
[19:19]: spiritual energy. This is a fact.
[19:21]: Transcendental sound vibration is made available on radio and television,
[19:26]: on records and tape cassettes by Golden Avatara productions.
[19:30]: The self realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.
[20:16]: Apart from urban temple life is New Vrindavana.
[20:20]: The Krsna conscious community in the West Virginia hill country.
[20:24]: Kirtanananda Swami, president of the community, explains the project in this way.
[20:30]: Hare Krishna, we would like to welcome you to New Vrindavana.
[20:35]: New Vrindavana is Srila Prabhupada’s country ashram,
[20:39]: one of his original ideas for spreading Krsna consciousness in the Western world.
[20:44]: It was a great vision of presenting to everyone, not only in this country,
[20:51]: but in the whole world, how one can become Krsna conscious
[20:55]: living just as Krsna lived in Vrindavan, depending on nature and the cows.
[21:03]: Simply on the basis of this simple life of some fruits and vegetables and milk
[21:11]: man can become Krsna conscious. The economic problem is solved very simply
[21:19]: and with the balance time saved one can prosecute Krsna consciousness.
[21:47]: Srila Prabhupada wrote us a number of years ago that if we at all want to develop
[21:52]: the concept of New Vrindavana we don’t need to have much machinery.
[21:56]: We don’t have to become very much concerned with the modern amenities,
[22:01]: but simply to depend on natures beauty and the cows.
[22:14]: So we are very fortunate here at New Vrindavana, so many cows they are coming,
[22:21]: and the milk is coming.
[22:23]: Daily now we are getting more than seven hundred pounds of milk and from the milk
[22:28]: we are making cheese, butter, ghee, so many nice sweets, rasagula, sandesh.
[22:36]: Now we are beginning to distribute these things to our temples
[22:40]: and also they are distributing to so many people all over.
[22:43]: That everyone can see what is this nice life of Krsna consciousness.
[22:49]: What Srila Prabhupada is giving us is a way of life.
[22:53]: A way of awakening our senses to the eternal beauty of Krsna.
[23:00]: And Vrindavana is the land of Krsna.
[23:04]: And now we are constructing here Govindaji temple.
[23:09]: This temple will exhibit to the world this wonderful process of Deity worship,
[23:16]: or seeing Krsna in the temple.
[23:18]: We want everyone to wake up to the blissful life Srila Prabhupada is offering to us.
[23:24]: It is not dry but it is eternal, full of knowledge and bliss.
[24:12]: Whether in the West Virginia hills or on old Mexico the Krsna celebration is the same.
[24:18]: On Sundays ISKCON holds an afternoon festival with free feasting and philosophy.
[24:24]: This Mexico City Sunday festival is typical.
[24:31]: The women often make elaborate garlands.
[24:34]: Generally if a person sees a beautiful flower he offers it to his girlfriend,
[24:39]: Prabhupada says, but if you are in Krsna consciousness you think,
[24:43]: “O what a beautiful flower. Let me offer it to Krsna.”
[24:58]: Here Hihayia, a Columbian who is the president of the Mexico City temple,
[25:02]: tells the Sunday guests that one should learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master,
[25:08]: the self-realized person can give you knowledge because he has seen the truth.
[26:11]: The Sunday feasts take considerable preparation since no tinned
[26:15]: or previously prepared foods are used. All meat, fish, eggs and even onions are shunned.
[26:23]: Various savory dishes are prepared according to ancient recipes.
[26:28]: The Krsna diet supplies the body with all necessary nutrients
[26:32]: without pandering to the whims of the senses.
[26:44]: The devotees say that God owns everything and has no need of food
[26:48]: but by such offerings the devotee is made conscious of Krsna.
[26:53]: And loving reciprocation with God is established.
[27:15]: After the food is offered to Krsna it becomes prasadam or Krsna’s mercy.
[27:20]: Devotees distribute this prasadam freely to everyone
[27:25]: for its effect is said to be spiritually purifying.
[27:28]: Thus every Sunday more than 100 Krsna temples world-wide are filled with guests
[27:35]: who partake of Krishna’s mercy in the form of sweet rice and burfi and chapattis
[27:41]: and halava and even something called “Brahmin spaghetti.”
[27:51]: Prasadam knows no national boundaries, no creeds or classes.
[27:56]: Here the devotees are distributing prasadam at Bhaktivedanta Manor,
[28:01]: the societies European headquarters in London. Here, as elsewhere,
[28:07]: philosophical differences are reconciled over ladus and tamarind water.
[28:15]: Prasadam is also distributed throughout India by the Krishna devotees.
[28:36]: And as for the future of the Krishna consciousness movement?
[28:40]: One of Prabhupada’s first disciples, Rupanuga dasa Goswami gives us his opinion.
[28:46]: There have been literally hundreds of versions of the Bhagavad-gita in the Western world
[28:52]: and not one of them has produced a single Krsna conscious person.
[28:57]: But since the appearance of the “Bhagavad-gita As It Is” so many people
[29:02]: throughout the whole world have revived their original dormant Krsna consciousness.
[29:07]: People are becoming purified by this knowledge.
[29:11]: It does not require a change in activity, that one shave his head,
[29:16]: or change his clothes, give up his job or leave his family.
[29:21]: What is required is a change in consciousness. A change in heart.
[29:26]: Five-hundred years ago Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu predicted
[29:31]: that this movement will go to every town and village in the world.
[29:59]: This is the story of the Hare Krsna people.