I S KC O N P r i s o n M i n i s t r i e s

F r e e d o m N ew s l e t t e r
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness

Under the guidance of His Holiness Candramauli Swami

Jan, Feb, March 2008 bhakti te mukti—Devotion is real freedom

What is Dharma? Inside this issue:

Why Save Inmates? 4
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada by Chandrasekar Prabhu

The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving Letters 5
devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and Know Your Gita 7
uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.
Jail Promises to Serve 9
—Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.2.6 Prisoners Prasadam
In this statement, Çré Süta Gos- Lord, which leads one to eternal, Supreme Lord, Kåñëa. Kåñëa is by Deena Bandhu Prabhu
vämé answers the first question blissful, and all-cognizant life, is the central pivot of living beings,
of the sages of Naimiñäraëya. called the superior quality of and He is the all-attractive living covered by his shirt and coat, so I,
The sages asked him to summa- occupation. This is sometimes entity or eternal form amongst the soul, am covered by a gross body
rize the whole range of revealed polluted when mixed with the all other living beings or eternal consisting of the physical senses
scriptures and present the most inferior quality. For example, forms. Each and every living and a subtle body consisting of
essential part so that fallen peo- adoption of devotional service being has his eternal form in the mind, intelligence, and false ego. A
ple, or the people in general, for material gain is certainly an spiritual existence, and Kåñëa is person covered by false ego identi-
might easily take it up. The Ve- obstruction to the progressive the eternal attraction for all of fies with his body. When asked who
das prescribe two different types path of renunciation. Renuncia- them. Kåñëa is the complete he is, he will answer, "I am an
of occupation for the human tion, or abnegation for ultimate whole, and everything else is His American," or "I am an Indian," etc.
being. One is called the pravåtti- good, is certainly a better occu- part and parcel. The relationship But these are bodily designations;
märga, or the path of sense en- pation than enjoyment in the is one of the servant and the they are not his real identity.
joyment, and the other is called diseased condition of life. Such served. It is transcendental and The Vedic literature teaches that
the nivåtti-märga, or the path of enjoyment only aggravates the is completely distinct from our one begins to understand his real
renunciation. The path of enjoy- symptoms of disease and in- experience in material existence. identity when he thinks, ahaà
ment is inferior, and the path of creases its duration. Therefore This relationship of servant and brahmäsmi: "I am Brahman, or
sacrifice for the supreme cause is devotional service to the Lord the served is the most congenial spirit soul." Therefore the Vedänta-
superior. must be pure in quality, i.e., form of intimacy. One can real- sütra says, athäto brahma jijïäsä:
without the least desire for mate- ize it as devotional service pro- "Now one should inquire about
The material existence of the
rial enjoyment. One should gresses. Everyone should engage spirit." The human form of life is
living being is a diseased condi-
therefore accept the superior himself in that transcendental meant for advancing in knowledge
tion of actual life. Actual life is
quality of occupation in the form loving service of the Lord, even of spirit, and this knowledge is the
spiritual existence, or brahma-
of the devotional service of the in the present conditioned state beginning of real happiness.
bhüta [SB 4.30.20] existence,
Lord without any tinge of unnec- of material existence. That will
where life is eternal, blissful, and Everyone is hankering for happi-
essary desire, fruitive action, or gradually give one the clue to
full of knowledge. Material exis- ness because by nature we are
philosophical speculation. This actual life and please him to
tence is temporary, illusory, and happy: änandamayo 'bhyäsät
alone can lead one to perpetual complete satisfaction.
full of miseries. There is no hap- (Vedänta-sütra 1.1.12). As spirit
solace in His service.
piness at all. There is just the We are all hankering for com- souls we are naturally happy, bliss-
futile attempt to get rid of the We have purposely denoted plete self-satisfaction, or ätma- ful. But we are suffering because we
miseries, and temporary cessa- dharma as "occupation" because suprasäda, but first we must have been covered by five gross
tion of misery is falsely called the root meaning of the word know what the real self is. The material elements—earth, water,
happiness. Therefore, the path of dharma is "that which sustains word ätma, or "self," refers to the fire, air, and ether—and three sub-
progressive material enjoyment, one's existence." A living being's body, the mind, and the soul. tle material elements—mind, intel-
which is temporary, miserable, sustenance of existence is to Actually, we are the spirit soul ligence, and false ego. Materialists,
and illusory, is inferior. But de- coordinate his activities with his covered by two kinds of identifying themselves with these
votional service to the Supreme eternal relationship with the "garments." Just as a gentleman is
(Continued on page 2)
(Continued from page 1) When we come to that platform of spiritual is indicated perfectly by the name "Kåñëa." If
understanding, our essential characteristic you want a perfect definition of the word
coverings, seek satisfaction through these gross becomes clear. As explained here, sa vai "God," then it is kåñëa, because the word
and subtle elements of the body. In other puàsäà paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhokñaje kåñëa means "all-attractive." Unless one is all-
words, they simply seek sense gratification, the [SB 1.2.6]. The supreme dharma of the soul is attractive, how can He be God, the greatest?
happiness of the body. In the material world bhakti, devotional service to the Supreme If one is great, he must be attractive. For
everyone is working hard only for this happi- Lord. That is our essential characteristic. Eve- example, John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford
ness. Some people try to be happy by gratifying were considered great men because they were
the physical senses, and some try to be happy We are loving cats and dogs and very rich, and their great wealth made them
by gratifying the mind in such pursuits as art, attractive. So wealth is one feature of attrac-
poetry, and philosophy. But neither gross nor so many other things, but we are tion. Therefore God must be the most
subtle sense gratification can give us real hap- wealthy person. Beauty is another attractive
piness, because real happiness belongs to the
neglecting to love God. Therefore, feature—so God must be the most beautiful
soul. And we actually see that although people we are not getting real happiness. person. Many people, when they see a picture
are endeavoring throughout the whole world of Kåñëa, are convinced they have never seen
for bodily comforts, for sense gratification, ryone is already a devotee—a devotee of his such a beautiful person, although He's a little
they're not happy. They cannot be happy, country, his society, his family, his wife, his blackish. Similarly, Kåñëa fully possesses the
because the basic principle of happiness is children, his senses. No one can say, "I do not attractive opulences of strength, wisdom,
missing. serve anyone." You must serve, because that is fame, and renunciation. And because these
your dharma. If a person has no one to serve, six opulences of infinite wealth, beauty,
Suppose you have a nice coat. If you simply
he keeps a cat or dog and serves it. So to ren- strength, wisdom, fame, and renunciation
show the coat and iron the coat and keep it
der loving service to someone else is our essen- make Him all-attractive, God is known by the
very carefully, you'll never be happy. Similarly,
tial characteristic. But we are missing the name "Kåñëa." With these transcendental
now you are trying to get happiness from grati-
point. We are loving cats and dogs and so opulences He can attract the richest person,
fying the coat of the body, but that is not pos-
many other things, but we are neglecting to the most beautiful person, the strongest per-
sible. Happiness comes only when you make
love God. Therefore, we are not getting real son, the wisest person, the most famous per-
the soul happy. Or, suppose you have a bird in
happiness. When we shall direct our love to- son, and the most renounced person. Such
a cage. If you simply polish the cage but do not
ward the proper object—Adhokñaja, or infinite attractive features are impossible for
give the bird any food, the bird will never be
Kåñëa—we'll become happy. us to understand through mental speculation
happy. Similarly, the material body is the cage
based on sense perception, and so Kåñëa is
of the soul, and if we simply care for the body, When the word dharma is taken to mean
also known as Adhokñaja, the name used in
the soul will never become happy. So, the be- "religion," we can understand from this verse
this verse of the Çrémad-Bhägavatam.
ginning of spiritual knowledge is to understand of the Çrémad-Bhägavatam that rendering
that the soul is encaged within the body and transcendental loving service to the Lord is So, here the Çrémad-Bhägavatam gives a sim-
mind and that neither bodily comforts nor the highest form of religion. The question ple definition of the best religion: That relig-
mental satisfaction will ever bring the soul real asked by the sages at Naimiñäraëya was, "What ion is the best by which you can develop your
happiness. is the best form of religion, by which anyone devotion and love for the Supreme Personal-
can become elevated to spiritual emancipa- ity of Godhead. How nice this definition is!
Then how can the soul become happy? As
tion?" Some people may say that the Hindu You may follow Christianity, Hinduism, Bud-
stated in the present verse of the Çrémad-
religion is best, others may recommend the dhism, Islam—it doesn't matter. But the test
Bhägavatam, the soul can become happy only
Christian religion, others may say that the of your success is how far you have developed
when living according to the supreme dharma.
Muslim religion is very good, others may say love of God. If you have developed your sense
A common English translation for the word
that Buddhism is very good, and so on. But the of love for God, you have actually followed
dharma is "religion," but, as mentioned above,
Çrémad-Bhägavatam does not advocate the religious principles. Religion does not mean
a more accurate meaning is "that which sus-
Hindu, Christian, Muslim, or Buddhist relig- that you go to a temple, mosque, or church
tains one's existence" or "one's essential char-
ion. It gives a general description of the best and as a matter of formality observe some
acteristic." Everything has an essential charac-
religion: "The best religious practice is that rituals, make some donation, and then come
teristic. The essential characteristic of chili
which enables you to become a devotee of back home and do all kinds of nonsense. That
peppers, for instance, is to taste very hot.
Adhokñaja." is not religion. Suppose someone is said to be
When we go to the market to purchase chili
great. What is the proof of his greatness? He
peppers, we test how hot they are. If they are "Adhokñaja" is a Sanskrit name for the Su-
must have great riches, knowledge, influence,
not very hot, we reject them. So the dharma of preme Personality of Godhead. The literal
beauty, etc. Similarly, what is the proof that
chili peppers is to be very hot. Similarly, the meaning of the name Adhokñaja is "He who
someone is a man of religious principles? The
dharma of sugar is to be sweet. defeats, or 'pushes down' (adha), all efforts to
proof is that he has developed love of God.
understand Him by means of knowledge
Then what is the dharma of the soul? When Then he is religious.
gained through sense perception (akña-ja)."
entrapped by the material nature, the soul
This name of God—Adhokñaja—is an answer Now, someone may say, "Oh, yes, I love God."
adopts various artificial dharmas based on his
to the mental speculators who research the But what is the nature of that love? In our
false identification with the body. Someone
question "What is God?" and write volumes of experience in this world we commonly see
born in a Hindu family will say, "I am a
books. To them the name Adhokñaja says, "You that a man will love a beautiful girl. But for
Hindu," someone born in a Muslim family will
may go on speculating for many thousands of how long? As long as she is beautiful. And a
claim, "I am a Muslim," someone born in a
years, but you will never be able to understand girl loves a boy—for how long? As long as his
Christian family will claim, "I am a Christian,"
God in that way." pocket is all right. This is not love: it is lust. "I
and so on. But as I have already explained,
love your skin, I love your money"—that is
one's real identity is the spirit soul—ahaà Generally people say, "God is great." But they
brahmäsmi: "I am Brahman. I am a spirit soul." do not know how great He is. God's greatness (Continued on page 3)

Page 2
(Continued from page 2) simply go on accepting but you do not give
anything, then there is no love. Then gu-
IPM would like to ex-
not love. Here the Çrémad-Bhägavatam states hyam äkhyäti påcchati: You should not keep press our most gra-
that love of God must be ahaituké, free of selfish anything secret within your mind, and your
motivation. Not that we say, "My dear God, I beloved should not keep anything secret cious appreciation
love You because You supply me my daily within his or her mind. And bhuìkte bho-
bread." Whether in the church, temple, or jayate caiva: One should give the beloved
for the donations
mosque, people generally offer the same kind of eatables and accept eatables from him or her. from the following
prayer: "O God, give me my daily bread." In When we cultivate these six kinds of loving
India people generally go to a temple and pray, exchanges with Kåñëa, we develop pure love persons:
"My dear Kåñëa, I am in difficulty. Please get me of God. And that love should be without any
out of it," or "I am in need of some money. material motivation and without impedi- Bhakta David Ehler $400
Kindly give me a million dollars." This is not ment.
love of God. Amala Gaura Prabhu $302
If you can develop such love for God, you will
Of course, this kind of religion is far better than feel su-prasédati, complete satisfaction. No
atheism. As Lord Kåñëa states in the Bhagavad- more anxiety, no more dissatisfaction. You Linda, Radha & Mickey $151
gétä: catur-vidhä bhajante mäà janäù sukåtino will feel that the whole world is full of pleas-
'rjuna [Bg. 7.16]. Anyone who goes to God and ure (viçvaà pürëa-sukhäyate). So the best Bhakta Bob $150
asks for some benediction is a pious man. But religion is that which teaches one how to
he's not a devotee. He may be counted among become a lover of God, and the best welfare Bhakta Randy and $41
pious men because he recognizes the supremacy work is to distribute this knowledge. These Krpamayee
of God, but he has not developed the highest are the purposes of the Kåñëa consciousness
principle of religion, love of God. movement. Kåñëa consciousness is such a Bhakta Scott 100 stamps &
beautiful thing. It does not depend on any
Lord Çré Caitanya describes love of God in His books
material acquisition, nor can it be checked by
Çikñäñöaka (7):
any impediment. In any part of the world, at
yugäyitaà nimeñeëa cakñuñä prävåñäyitam home or away from home, you can chant the
Inmate Patel $25
Hare Kåñëa mantra in ecstasy and attain love Jayprakash Dahyabhai
çünyäyitaà jagat sarvaà govinda-viraheëa me
of God very quickly. Thomas Nicholson $15
"O my dear Govinda! Because I cannot see You,
every moment seems like twelve years to Me."
Everyone has some experience of this feeling. If
you love someone and you expect your beloved
to come at any moment, you will feel as if every
second were a full day. Then, because Lord
Caitanya cannot see Kåñëa, He says, cakñuñä
prävåñäyitam: "Tears are pouring from My eyes
like torrents of rain," and çünyäyitaà jagat sar-
vam: "I see the whole world as vacant." And all
on account of separation from Govinda, or
Kåñëa: govinda-viraheëa me. When you cannot
tolerate separation from Govinda, that is pure,
causeless love of God.
The next word used in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam
to describe pure love of God is apratihatä,
which means "without being hampered for any
reason." Sometimes people say, "I cannot love
Kåñëa because I am a very poor man," or "I can-
not love Kåñëa because I have no education—I
cannot study Vedänta philosophy." No. To love
Kåñëa you don't require any material acquisi-
tion. You can begin developing your love of
Kåñëa simply by bringing some fruit or a flower
to the temple and offering it to the Deity form
of Kåñëa. That is one of the six signs of love
Rüpa Gosvämé describes in his Upadeçämåta
(4):
dadäti pratigåhëäti guhyam äkhyäti påcchati
bhuìkte bhojayate caiva ñaò-vidhaà préti-
lakñaëam
First, you must give something to your beloved
and accept something from your beloved. If you

Page 3
From the Editor
Hare Krsna everyone! Why Save Inmates? by Chandrasekar Prabhu
Here comes our third year of the Freed- “The benediction moon of the mercy of
dom Newsletter. So many great things Sri Caitanyacandra shone only in the
are happening inside of prisons to spread
courtyards of the professional brahmanas
Krsna consciousness. With the convic-
proficient in various rituals, and the
tion and inspiration of devotees like
prominent and wealthy vaisyas who were
Chandra Prabhu, which he demonstrate
in his article on this page, IPM is sure to as laden with Laksmi as the beehives over-
continue to spread Lord Caintanya’s flowing with honey in Sri Vrindavana
mercy throughout jails around the world. Dhama. Sri Gaura Hari and his brother
Sri Nityananda Rama never chanted the
Despite all of the difficulties we face we holy names amongst the contaminated
must continue to practice our dharma.
masses which included prisoners of state,
Srila Prabhupada clearly explains what
students, women, the low born, sudras,
dharma is and what our real occupation
simple villagers, the forlorn, distressed,
is in this world in the article starting on
page 1.
and unsophisticated.” From Swami
Bogananda’s Bogus Caitanya Upanisad.
Thank you everyone for your inspiration.
Please keep in touch about your realiza- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu– selective in His
tion in Krsna consciousness. distribution of Krsna consciousness? Non-
sense!
Your srvant,
“In distributing his Love of Godhead, Caitanya
bhakta Jerry Mahaprabhu and His associates did not con-
sider who was a fit candidate and who was not, Chandrasekar Prabhu (the ecstatic devotee
nor where such distribution should take place. on the far left) alongside Srila Prabhupada
Announcements They made no conditions. Wherever they got
the opportunity, the members of the Panca- “The flood of Love of Godhead swelled in all
• By the mercy of Amala Gaura Prabhu
tattva distributed Love of Godhead.” directions, and thus young men, old men, women
in Washington D.C. and Phanisvara
and children were all immersed in that inunda-
Prabhu in Mayapura, we have (Caitanya Caritamrta 1.7.23)
tion.”
launched an IPM website ISK- Now, does that sound more like it? Yes.
[Link] has stories of all the (Caitanya Caritamrta 1.7.25)
And yet, His Holiness Candramauli Maha-
prison preaching activities around raja has told me that he is hearing more Srila Prabhupada says in the purport,
the world plus inmate artwork, essays and more that, “Why are you spending this
“The Krsna consciousness movement of Sri
and poems. All the newsletter have type of energy on prisoners when you get very
Caitanya Mahaprabhu is so powerful that it can
been posted which can be little result?”
inundate the entire world and interest all classes
downloaded and our All Purpose
Srila Prabhupada’s Godbrothers had the of men in the subject of love of Godhead.”
Declaration has also been posted.
same mentality. “Why waste energy on teach- It is Srila Prabhupada’s glory that he can
Our monthly expenses are there and
ing hippies who are so fallen, filthy and de- attract both the gentle and ruffians, the in-
donations can be accepted via Pay
graded?” nocent and the rogues.
Pal. Please take a look at the site and
contact any of the volunteers with Thank God for Srila Prabhupada! Why save inmates? That’s easy: “The Krsna
suggestions or comments. Had Srila Prabhupada not been so merci- consciousness movement should be spread wher-
ful, kind, and compassionate, the world ever possible.”
• Two inmate devotees have made
book requests: would not be as we know it today, with Here is a letter from an inmate which I have
Radha Krsna Temples, Ratha-yatra festi- chosen to title “Fearless.”
1. Srimad Bhagavatam—1 volume edition vals, prasadam distribution, and Prabhu-
which was printed many years ago, & pada’s books spreading enlightenment
2. Srimad Bhagavatam—the compact everywhere. Dear Chandra,
edition of Cantos 1 thru 10. “The Krsna consciousness movement should be Jai Radhe-syama!
spread wherever possible.” These are Srila Please accept my most humble obeisance’s
If you have the ability to donate these or
Prabhupada’s words.
know where they can be purchased at a All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
reasonable price please contact bhakta A Gaudiya Vaisnava preacher, selective in
Jerry at bhaktajerry@[Link]. his distribution of Krsna Consciousness? I have a lot going on in my mind lately, but I
Nonsense! feel Krsna’s presence in my life!
Thank you. (Continued on page 8)

Page 4
 Dear Chandra Prabhu, This letter was written by the wife of an
Letters I have been chanting my rounds, still at IPM inmate who was brought to Krsna
about 8 to 10 every day. Lately it has consciousness by her husband, Shawn.
Dear Shyamapriya,
been hard again and my mind is full of
Hope this finds you well. I am doing okay, one distractions. Then I will have a really Prasadam
day at a time....thanks for the songbook, and good day of chanting too. I guess that Completing the Circle of Devotion
other books, I have been giving them away to this is probably normal for most devo-
grateful people, along with the Prabhupada tees. I can’t recall exactly where I read it
pictures/chanting book...Last night we had the In Sri Isopanisad, in a section ti-
but I read that all the work we do in
Hare Krsna get together at the chapel room and tled, “Prasadam: How to Eat Spiritually”,
Krsna consciousness adds up. That is we
I did a little thing; my kids sent in some cut out Srila Prabhupada wrote:
do one percent and the next time we
pictures from the Krsna Calendar, and I always start we start from two percent. This “By His immense transcendental
bring them to show...... You remember the cut seems to help me when I get over- energies, Krsna can convert matter into spirit. If
out picture of Mother Yasoda and baby Krsna whelmed and feel as though am not we place an iron rod in a fire, before long the
at the Grinding Mortar.....I told the story about doing enough in Krsna consciousness. rod becomes red hot and acts just like fire. In
the service at the temple, and the cake pans of Also, chapter 12 of the Bhagavad-gita the same way, food prepared for and offered to
white sand, and the whole temple, little kids that you suggested helped with that Krsna with love and devotion becomes spiritual-
first, even in diapers, offering the candles to the too… ized…”
picture (singing this song).......we talked about
the authorized version of the deity, as com- I don’t know if I told you but a funny Chant, pray, kirtan, study Krsna
pared to some man made idol, like Prahhupaad thing happened with my running. For conscious books, follow the regulative prin-
explains about the post office box, if we just the month of August my total miles ran ciples, cook wholesome foods to offer to
build one ourselves, and paint it up with the was 108! What are the chances of that? the Lord, accept Krsna’s mercy through
US flag etc, but it is NOT authorized, just an I was not trying for it, it just happened. prasadam. Prasadam means “the mercy of
imitation........it won't work. Anyways, quite Hare Krsna! Lord Krsna”. This is what I think of as “the
informal, just the basic stuff... and then I sang circle of devotion”: never ending, expand-
the Damodarastaka, read the words, and then Aaron Gorski ing from one devotee to another.
read the story from Krsna book. Mother Red Granite, WI The men enter the small room
Yasoda Binds Lord Krsna, and then it was so quietly and respectfully remove their shoes.
cool because they wanted to hear more, so I There are no bright flowers, no soothing
read the Nalakukvera and Manigriva story as Dear Shyamasundara Prabhu, incense, no altar alight with the enchant-
well. I sang the Damodarastika again and by ...For so many years, I was ing faces of the Deities. A volunteer “from
then we were all in the temple of the mind strung out on different chemicals think- the outside” leads them joyfully in kirtan; a
offering little birthday candles to the picture on ing it was the way to cope with life and lecture usually follows. Later, the men
the altar (right there in front of us). It was that it would bring me peace and joy, receive a few pieces of fruit as prasadam.
pretty cool. I am trying to do this thing, even but I found out that it only gave me They know they are fortunate to receive
with the difficulties here. peace and happiness on a temporary Krsna’s mercy, especially here. The metal
Thanks so much for the assistance, level; the more I used, the more I door scrapes open and the devotees make
Chandra dasi wanted. I was never satisfied. I was al- their way back to the cells.
ways looking for that quick thrill, think- Does it seem impossible to ask
ing that I could find it in booze, sleeping any correctional institution to provide a
Dear bhakta Jerry, around, partying, and doing risky behav- small area of their kitchens with new, clean
ior or whatever else would be a turn-on. cooking utensils and an adequate but inex-
…I must say ISKCON Prison Minis-
I was happy on the outside, but deep pensive supply of wholesome vegetarian
tries is the most sincere ministry I have ever
down inside my soul something was foods? Is it ridiculous to ask for a devotee
come across in all my soul seeking. It is one big
missing. I decided to try out different or two to be allowed to do kitchen duties,
family with one helping the other through life.
religions, but none of them brought me and as a small part of their tasks each day
I know I have found my place in this life. …
any peace of mind or comfort until I be given time to prepare, offer, and then
When I first asked ISKCON for help you all
came into contact with the Hare Krsna distribute the prasadam? Are these devo-
explained and showed me why I should not eat
movement, and since then I have experi- tees never to be allowed to complete the
meat and I have stopped eating meat…Well, I
enced true joy and peace. I have a direc- circle of devotion?
thank you again and may Krsna bless ISKCON
tion and purpose in my life. Not only do
always. Having been an institutional
I feel happiness on the outside, but I
Sincerely, nutrition director for nine years, I know
also feel that peace on the inside that
Bhakta Joseph only this Krishna Conscious movement budgets can be adjusted, menu systems
has given me, along with devotee associa- developed, and attitudes changed. If “pork
tion and the reading of Prabhupada’s free”, “heart healthy”, and “culturally sensi-
books and the chanting of the mantra: tive” menus are accommodated, why not
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare
Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama (Continued on page 6)
Hare Hare.
Page 5
Anonymous
prasadam? Krsna but my family and friends discarded wards Lord Krsna and my attempt to serve
If you know an inmate devotee me…so I fell prey to the grasp of maya and in loving devotion to Him.
who needs your support, I urge you to within a month and a half I found myself in
Kevin Cummings
write the administration of their institu- a cage again.
Phillips, WI
tion. Offer ideas, quote scripture, be will- Robert Baxter
ing to make donations, be positive.
And for those devotee inmates,
unite with your fellow devotees and submit Dear Chandra Prabhu,
requests to the institution respectfully. You Please accept my humble obeisances. All
are the ones “on the inside” and can offer glories to Srila Prabhupada.
the most realistic suggestions.
I am a devotee, called Bhakta
Most of all, please don’t give up. Floyd, a Hare Krishna now. I am now
Think of Prabhupada who sat alone in a studying the Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhu-
city park all those years ago. By chanting pada’s book called The Bhagavad-Gita As It
and singing about the magnificent glories Is.
of the Supreme Lord, he attracted one
You might say this is just a sitting
person, then another, and it went on until
and talking of philosophy. But I’ve found
he formed the International Society for
something out and it’s called “maya,” after
Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON). He
25 years plus of prison life by reading a
taught them about Lord Krsna, to chant,
pray, kirtan, follow the regulative princi- book called Chant and Be Happy.
pals, and he showed them how to cook So our chanting process is for
wholesome foods to offer to the Lord. He everyone because it cleanses the heart, re-
taught them the importance of accepting gardless of the man’s or woman’s opulence
prasadam. He had enough prasadam for all or poverty. The only way to permanently
whether he had $3.00 or $300.00. change the criminal habit is to change the
Please continue to reach for a The three modes of material nature heart of the criminal. As we well know,
goal for prasadam to be available to all many thieves are arrested and put into jail.
pulling us here and there
devotees, every day. Stay strong within the The inmates ask the Lord to come into
circle of devotion and know that with Lord their hearts, and they go to church. They
Maya is Still Waiting For You read, read, and read the scriptures and
Krsna, nothing is impossible.
repent of their still coming and going in
Garnet Freitag Dear Bhakta Jerry, and out of jail. Why is that?
Boise, ID Please accept my respectful obiesances. All Why? Because of their unclean hearts.
glories to Srila Prabhupada. Therefore, without cleaning the
Thank you for the Nov./Dec 2007 heart of the criminal, you cannot stop
Maya is Waiting For You
newsletter. It was nice to read and one arti- crime.
cle in particular really hit home with me. So the Hare Krishna process is
Dear Bhaktin Heather, This was of the importance of association the only way to cleanse the heart. Just as
My name is Robert Baxter and I’ve just with Krsna’s devotees for building a strong His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta
received your letter including the Bhagavad- foundation. Being from Wisconsin and the Swami Prabhupada said, in the book Chant
gita and Back to Godhead magazines. lack of my being able to have personal asso- and Be Happy, page 99. Then all the trou-
Thank you! I’ve also received for the first ciation with Krsna’s devotees has had an bles of this material world would be solved.
time the Freedom Newsletter. I can con- effect on my own practice…I have spent This is a standard and recognized process
cur personally with the article, “Gopis Go many years in prison doing “life on the in- for achieving peace in the world today. We
On Strike.” While my time in jail I felt stallment plan,” the old revolving door rou- therefore recommend that everyone chant
more in tune with my spiritual side even tine. Between 2000 and 2003 I was in close to remove the maya that covers the soul in
amongst the most devilish of devils. It was association with Chandra Prabhu from their heart.
easier to deal with material desires while Denver and also Jagannivasa…I am once
inside because the material maya of every- again in jail awaiting a possible return to Get the dust, maya that covers
day life, which runs free on the outside, prison on a drinking violation and auto their souls off the mirror of their mind by
was not a factor on the inside. So while on accident that technically should have killed chanting Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna
the inside I grew spiritually and can testify me. I broke my neck at the C-2 location Krsna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama
to the adversity of both worlds that and was in a neck brace for the past 8 Rama Rama Hare Hare.
plagued me. I’ve only recently lasted four weeks. By Krsna’s grace I was not para- Bhakta Floyd
months free on the outside before the lyzed…Not knowing what my future holds
material maya overwhelmed me. I hon- in the near future I have turned my Perry, FL
estly, in my heart, was trying to live for thoughts back in the proper direction to- Page 6
 Know Your Gita
Answers to last months questions (Chapter 10):

• Whom does Krsna enlighten?

Those who know Krsna as the source of everything surrender unto Him with pure devotion. To
those who are so devoted, Krsna tells Arjuna, "I give the understanding by which they can come to
Me. Out of compassion for them, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowl-
edge the darkness born of ignorance." (10.8-11)

• What is the lesson Arjuna is to learn from Krsna’s revelation of His divine opulences?

By giving Arjuna a small indication of His specific opulences as He manifests them in His all-
pervading energies, Krsna demonstrates that all wondrous phenomena manifesting great power,
beauty, grandeur and sublimeness, in either the spiritual or material world, are merely fragmental
manifestations of His divine energies and opulences. As the supreme cause of all causes, therefore,
Krsna is the supreme object of worship for all beings. (10.19-41)
• After Krsna reveals His opulences, what is His final teaching to Arjuna?

Krsna says, "But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With a single
fragment of Myself, I pervade and support this entire universe." In other words, more impor-
tant than knowledge of His separate opulences is the understanding that these and all things
exist because of Krsna's entering them as Paramätmä (Supersoul), by which He pervades and
supports the entire universe. (10.42)

Questions for next month (Chapter 11):

• What is the universal form (visva-rüpa) revealed by Krsna to Arjuna?

• Why does Arjuna request Krsna to reveal His universal form?

• After He returns to His original, two-armed form as Krsna, what qualification does
Krsna cite as necessary to see and understand His humanlike form ?

Page 7
(Continued from page 4) all those who have actually embraced the the difficulty? We are doing this at our cen-
mood of Sri Nityananda Rama whose power ters, and people are coming. But because we
No matter what is going on, He has not of forgiveness has no limits. have very little money, we can hold sankir-
left me to wander along alone and I am Selectivity? Who then, decides who is quali- tana only on a small scale. We invite every-
ever so thankful for that! fied and who is unqualified? And what are one, and gradually people are coming to our
I recently received a rather nice letter from his symptoms? Who decides who is qualified centers and becoming devotees. If the govern-
Sriman Balabhadra dasa over in Boise; he to receive Srila Prabhupada’s books? Should ment would give us a large facility, however,
seems like a rather nice fellow. we require resumes? Verifiable references? we could expand unlimitedly. And the prob-
Should a college degree be just one of the lem is big; otherwise why are there national
I am fairly new to the Hare Krsna Move- news articles, asking what to do? No civil
ment, so hearing from folks really helps prerequisites to obtain access to the science
of bhakti? state wants this criminality. That’s a fact.
out! If you gave him my name, thank you. But the leaders do not know how to stop it.
Not much is going on in my case, but it Who are these fellows who consider some If they listen to us, however, we can give
seems that I may go to trial sometime in eligible for liberation and others beyond the them an answer. Why crime? Because peo-
December of this year, if Krsna wills it. jurisdiction of the unlimited mercy and for- ple are godless! And what to do?
giveness of Sri Nityananda Rama? Have they
My Bhagavada Gita has been keeping me not read Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Padyavali? Chant Hare Krsna and take prasada. If
good company! I have been keeping up the you like, you can adopt this process of
chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. “The holy name of Lord Krsna is so powerful; it is sankirtana. Otherwise, we will continue
I am feeling a great connection brother! readily available to everyone including the lowest conducting it on a small scale. We are just
type of man, the candala.” like a poor medical man with a small pri-
I am fully depending upon Lord Krsna! He vate practice who could open a big hospital
Srila Prabhupada told Lt. Mozee in Chicago:
is all that gets me through my days. if he were given the facility. The government
I am not fearful of my future. Lord Krsna Srila Prabhupada: Our treatment is for the is the executor. If they take our advice and
will care for me no matter what happens! spiritually diseased person. When a person is adopt the process of sankirtana, then the
I am trying to fully surrender, as you once afflicted with a disease, there are no distinctions problem of crime will be solved.
told me; “Chant and Hear, Be Patient.” between a poor man and a rich man. They are
both admitted to the same hospital. Just as the (Science of Self-Realization, Finding
Lord Krsna is all I have! hospital should be in a place where both the poor The Cure For Today’s Social Ills,
man and the rich man can easily come, the loca- pages 162-163)
Lord Krsna has brought you, Upendra
dasa, and Bhaktin Heather into my life. I tion of the sankirtana facility should be easily
know He has a purpose for me! I just hope accessible to all. Since everyone is materially in-
Why save anyone? Because they’re a
that I do not fail Him. Krsna has waited fected, everyone should be able to take advantage.
fallen conditioned soul. Prabhupada
for me; I do not want to let Him down. The difficulty is that the rich man thinks he’s had Govinda dasi chant to a slug.
Your servant and friend perfectly healthy, although he is the most diseased “Chant to the poor thing.” If we are to
of all. But as a policeman, you well know that chant to bugs and slugs, then why not
Bhakta Benjamin Baker
there’s criminality among rich men and poor men humans?
Phoenix, AZ alike. So our chanting process is for everyone,
It is a contamination by Kali as pre-
because it cleanses the heart, regardless of the
dicted in the Bhagavatam:
man’s opulence or poverty. The only way to per-
Does this individual deserve the mercy of manently change the criminal habit is to change anadhyataiva sadhu tve
Sri Gauranga? Does this jiva deserve ac- the heart of the criminal. As you well know, many
cess to the tools of self-realization? For “A person will be judged unholy if he does
thieves are arrested numerous times and put into not have any money.”
those who ask the question, “Why save jail. Although they know that if they commit the
inmates?” we have this question; Who theft they will go to jail, still they are forced to Rectification is the acceptance of the
cannot be redeemed? steal, because of their unclean hearts. Therefore purificatory process. Liberation is
Is it Jagai and Madhai? Is it the hippies without cleansing the heart of the criminal, you found in acts of pure devotion. Every-
Prabhupada magically converted to hap- cannot stop crime simply by more stringent law one is eligible.
pies, chanting the holy names in full sur- enforcement. The thief and the murderer already It is Prabhupada’s eternal legacy as
render? Who? Who is not eligible for the know the law, yet they still commit violent crimes, Maha Patitapavana deva that he allows
mercy of Sri Gauracandra, the golden due to their unclean hearts. So our process is to every living entity within the universe
moon of munificence? No, the moon does cleanse the heart. Then all the troubles of this the chance for redemption.
not withhold it’s light and soothing rays material world will be solved.
Hare Krsna! Gaura Hari Bol!
from the courtyards of any man or woman Lieutenant Mozee: That’s a very difficult task,
or invalid or one of low birth or the pov- sir.
erty stricken or anyone else. Anyone.
Srila Prabhupada: It is not difficult. Simply
Selectivity in distributing the fruits of the invite everyone; “Come, chant Hare Krsna,
Love of God? This concept is foreign to dance, and take sumptuous prasada.” What is
Page 8
 Vilasa Maharaja said that it was get-
Jail Promises to Serve Prisoners Prasadam ting late and darkness was filling the
sky. So instead of speaking, he got all
On the 25th of October, the day be- can see in the photo. Then Subhaga the prisoners to chant one round of
fore Kartika started, we again went to Swami garlanded a large picture of japa with him as you see in the pic-
do a preaching program in the Gwalior Radha Shyamsundar and performed ture.
Central Jail. Subhaga Swami in his artika. The Superintendent also did
Sri Krishna Prakash Srivatsava then
lecture convinced the Jail Superinten- artika as well as my self
dent to offer all the food first to the and other devotees.
Lord and then serve Prasadam to the Then we were invited to
prisoners. In his thank you speech, sit on a raised platform
the Jail Superintendent announced to on the stage. We also
3,000 prisoners that from now on, invited the Jail Superin-
they would serve them Prasadam. tendent, Sri Krishna
Prakash Srivatsava, to
After a few months gap, the Gwalior
sit with us. He has re-
Central Jail invited us to do a program
ceived the President’s
again for their three thousand prison-
Award for his work in
ers. The only day open for us just
the field of prison man-
happened to be the day before Rasa
agement. Seeing his
Purnima. We took almost 20 devotees
eagerness to arrange
with us including devotees from Peru,
these types of spiritual
America, Germany, Russia, and Iran.
programs for the benefit
Subhaga Swami and Amiya Vilasa
of the prisoners, it was
Swami also came with us. Just the
easy to understand why
day before by the mercy of Vrinda
he received this prestig-
Devi and the Vaisnavas, I was able to
purchase one Toyota Qualis for taking
ious award. Devotees at the Gwalior Central Jail, Deena
devotees on parikrama. Its maiden Then the prisoners’ own Bandhu Prabhu is the 2nd from the right
voyage was to take the devotees to bhajan band very devo-
this jail program. tionally sang a bhajan. As you can see took the microphone to thank us. To
in the photo, they were expertly play- the wild cheering of the inmates, he
We arrived at the house of Dr. Mishra
ing, harmonium and tablas as well. promised to offer all the jail food to
who had expired since our last pro-
This was followed by one of our devo- Lord Krishna and serve prasadam to
gram, but had been initiated by
tees leading a short sit down kirtan of the prisoners.
Radha Govinda Maharaja just some
mahamantra. After this, I led a short
time before his passing. His family I then led a rousing kirtan with all the
Hindi bhajan about Lord Caitanya and
members were all chanting and he prisoners dancing with us as you can
the prisoners sang along. With an al-
was listening to Srila Prabhupada’s see in the photo. Sri KP Srivatsava
most full moon rising in front of us, I
tape at the time of his departure. The can also be seen dancing very happily
spoke how tomorrow was Rasa
family members have maintained with the devotees with Jankinatha
Purnima and the beginning of Kartika.
regular kirtan programs in the house Dasa who is running the jail preaching
In Vrindavan hundreds of devotees
inviting many people. Many young program just to his left. It was really
from all over the world and every cor-
students who come for these pro- amazing to see almost three thousand
ner of India were gathering. I ex-
grams were there to serve us. They prisoners jumping up and down in the
plained how this was all the mercy of
also donated one cow to our Goshala kirtan. Then we left maha prasadam
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu who pre-
in memory of Dr. Mishra. It just so to be served to all the inmates in their
dicted that the changing would go all
happened that Sanaka Sanatana, the respective barracks as it would have
over the world. This prediction, I
Goshala-in-charge, was with us, and been too hectic to serve from the
noted, was fulfilled by His Divine Grace
they were very pleased to meet him. stage.
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabupada.
Then they very lovingly served won-
I concluded having them all chant very Sri KP Srivatsava then invited us into
derful prasadam to all the devotees
loudly the Mahamantra. his office where he offered us nice
and then we had kirtan in their small
refreshments and thanked us very
kirtan hall. Next Subhaga Swami was invited to
warmly. Then we headed off back to
address the prisoners. He first apolo-
Just as last time, when we entered Vrindavan for Rasa Purnima. Many
gized for Hindi not being his native
the jail, there was a band playing things had to be done as we were go-
tongue, but went on to give a very
bhajan music and a hundred prisoners ing to offer sweet rice made with 150
enthusiastic lecture with his sweet
dressed in yellow uniforms standing liters of milk to Radha and Krishna
Bengali accent that brought applause
on either side of the path. They and the gopis the following night as
several times from the crowd as seen
chanted Vedic hymns and showered they danced the Rasa Dance. This
in the photo. At one point he was mak-
flowers on the devotees as they would remain all night in the
ing the point that part of the process of
passed by. The Superintendent ex- moonlight and be served to all the
purifying the heart is eating only
plained that these prisoners in the eager devotees the next morning after
prasadam. Seeing a small temple to
yellow uniforms have been awarded Mangala Artika.
the right of the stage, he suggested
the title purohita (priest) by the
that whatever they cook should be of- Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Prison Preach-
Gayatri Parivar.
fered first to the Lord and then the ing ki Jaya! Srila Prabhupada ki Jaya!
We were led into a huge field inside prasadam served to the inmates. This
In service of Srimati Vrinda Devi,
the jail with a large stage and nearly met with very enthusiastic applause.
Deena Bandhu dasa
three thousand prisoners were sitting
Following Subhaga Swami, Amiya
eagerly awaiting our program as you Page 9
Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to
be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.
PURPORT
The word su-duräcäraù used in this verse is very significant, and we should understand it properly. When a living entity is condi-
tioned, he has two kinds of activities: one is conditional, and the other is constitutional. As for protecting the body or abiding by the
rules of society and state, certainly there are different activities, even for the devotees, in connection with the conditional life, and
such activities are called conditional. Besides these, the living entity who is fully conscious of his spiritual nature and is engaged in
Kåñëa consciousness, or the devotional service of the Lord, has activities which are called transcendental. Such activities are per-
formed in his constitutional position, and they are technically called devotional service. Now, in the conditioned state, sometimes
devotional service and the conditional service in relation to the body will parallel one another. But then again, sometimes these ac-
tivities become opposed to one another. As far as possible, a devotee is very cautious so that he does not do anything that could dis-
rupt his wholesome condition. He knows that perfection in his activities depends on his progressive realization of Kåñëa conscious-
ness. Sometimes, however, it may be seen that a person in Kåñëa consciousness commits some act which may be taken as most abomi-
nable socially or politically. But such a temporary falldown does not disqualify him. In the Çrémad-Bhägavatam it is stated that if a
person falls down but is wholeheartedly engaged in the transcendental service of the Supreme Lord, the Lord, being situated within
his heart, purifies him and excuses him from that abomination. The material contamination is so strong that even a yogé fully en-
gaged in the service of the Lord sometimes becomes ensnared; but Kåñëa consciousness is so strong that such an occasional falldown
is at once rectified. Therefore the process of devotional service is always a success. No one should deride a devotee for some acciden-
tal falldown from the ideal path, for, as explained in the next verse, such occasional falldowns will be stopped in due course, as soon
as a devotee is completely situated in Kåñëa consciousness.
Therefore a person who is situated in Kåñëa consciousness and is engaged with determination in the process of chanting Hare Kåñëa,
Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare should be considered to be in the transcen-
dental position, even if by chance or accident he is found to have fallen. The words sädhur eva, "he is saintly," are very emphatic.
They are a warning to the nondevotees that because of an accidental falldown a devotee should not be derided; he should still be
considered saintly even if he has accidentally fallen down. And the word mantavyaù is still more emphatic. If one does not follow
this rule, and derides a devotee for his accidental falldown, then one is disobeying the order of the Supreme Lord. The only qualifi-
cation of a devotee is to be unflinchingly and exclusively engaged in devotional service…
Bhagavad-gita 9.30

Chant Hare Krsna and your life will be sublime

Return Service Requested

Chicago, IL 60626
Evanston, Illinois
Permit No. 47 1716 West Lunt
U.S. Postage Paid ISKCON Prison Ministry
Non-Profit Organization Bhakta Jerry Schutt