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Quotes by our spiritual master, nectar for the heart. The duty of a brahmana is to culture the quality of forgiveness, which is illuminating like the sun. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, is pleased with those who are forgiving. (SB 9.15.40) This is the sum of duty. Do not do unto others what would cause pain if done to you. (Mahabharata 5.1517) Even if a devotee commits the most abominable actions, he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated,”. As you will say, “To err is human”, so in the neophyte stage we may always expect some discrepancies are there. Kindly see the things in this light and forgive their small mistakes. The big thing is they have given their life, everything to Krishna–that is never a mistake. (Letter April 30, 1973) I am glad to learn that your co-operation for this society is appreciated by the authorities, We should learn to forget and forgive minor incidents because whenever there are two men in a place, there is always some misunderstanding. (Letter, January 11, 1968) Brahmanas are beautiful when they are forgiving, ksatriyas when they are heroic and never retreat from fighting, vaisyas when they enrich cultural activities and protect cows, and südras when they are faithful in the discharge of duties pleasing to their masters. Thus everyone becomes beautiful by his special qualities. And the special quality of the brahmanas, as described here, is forgiveness. (SB 9.15.40)

There's been a light on in the bramachari ashram at BLISS London, sometimes up till 10:30pm. It can only mean one thing: our resident conspiracy enthusiast, His Grace Nityananda Dasa, is head deep down a rabbit hole of another conspiracy theory. This time: the moon! lamoon landing conspiracy theory Did we or did we not go to the moon? Srila Prabhupada spoke on the topic a lot. So our Nityananda has been sifting through 3-hour long documentaries to get the facts straight. Did we or did we not go to the moon? Discover all in tomorrow's Bhagavatam class, where he will reveal his findings. Turn on notifications to get an alert when we go live! What's On? Moon Landing Class: New Shocking Facts Revealed When? Friday 3rd May 2024 Where? Facebook and TikTok

Today everyone is shocked by the realization that nuclear weapons may be used in the near future. But disciples of Srila Prabhupada are not concerned since he has told us about this a long time ago. Paramahamsa: The theory nowadays is that by the proliferation of atomic weapons, that Russia has so many weapons, China has so many weapons, the United States has so much... Prabhupada: Everyone now. India has also. Paramahamsa: They're all afraid of using them. Prabhupada: They must use it. That is nature's arrangement. Paramahamsa: Yeah, right. History. Prabhupada: Yes. That is nature's arrangement (chuckles) that you all die. That is nature's arrangement. Tamala Krsna: When someone gets some power he wants to try it out. Just like there was that demon. Lord Siva gave him power: whoever head he touched, the head would fall off. Prabhupada: Just like in your country there are so many cars so that a poor man like me has car always, not an inch move on leg. So because there is so many. There are so many cars. So there are so many weapons now. That must be used. That is a natural sequence. They must use it. Bahulasva: That is why they have wars, just so they can use up the weapons. Prabhupada: Oh yes. Paramahamsa: The only difficulty is that if one person uses the atomic weapon, that means entire, it would be entire waste of mankind. So everyone's afraid of using the ultimate. Prabhupada: Well, anyway, they must be used. There is no doubt about it. Therefore we can say there will be war. It is no astrology. It is natural conclusion. Tamala Krsna: Common sense. Paramahamsa: That'd mean total destruction. Prabhupada: Well, total or partial, that we shall see. But they must be used. Bahulasva: Now they like to blow them up in the ground. The scientists like to play by blowing them up in the ground. Tamala Krsna: Or in the sea. Bahulasva: They create big disturbances. Prabhupada: Yes. [break] ...can be solved by understanding these three items: God is the proprietor; He is the enjoyer; He is friend of everyone. They are acting just the opposite way: "I am the proprietor; I am the enjoyer; I am the friend. Because I am God." This is their... Everyone is becoming friend—ultimately proves to be enemy of the country because he is not friend. President Nixon took votes by pretending friendship, and later on, he proved enemy. This is going on. Everyone knows. Gandhi pretended to become friend, but he proved to become an enemy. Otherwise why he was shot down? Unless one thought him as enemy, why he was shot down? This is going on. Nobody can become friend except Krsna. Tamala Krsna: But a pure devotee is a friend to all. Prabhupada: Because he carries the message of Krsna. Krsna is friend, and he is carrying the friendly message. Therefore he is friend. If there is a nice friend and if somebody gives information of that nice friend, he is also friend. Therefore nobody can become friend except Krsna's representative. The material world is: "I am your enemy, and you are my enemy." This is the whole construction of the material world. So how the enemy can become friend? It is pretension, cheating. Morning walk - July 18, 1975, San Francisco NOW YOU ARE PROBABLY WONDERING HOW TO PREPARE FOR THIS WAR Disciple: So Prabhupada, is there something we should do to prepare ourselves for this disaster? Srila Prabhupada: What? Disciple: This coming war. Srila Prabhupada: You should simply prepare for chanting Hare Krsna. Disciple: That's all? Srila Prabhupada: That's all. (Srila Prabhupada Conversation, Mayapur, April 4, 1975)

Krishna consciousness

The following is an exchange between Purujit Dasa and a devotee friend on Facebook. We highly recommend to read the whole exchange to understand this complex topic. QUESTION : Hare Krishna, Purujit Prabhu I stumbled upon a now-very controversial topic that Srila Prabhupada once (emphasis on once because there’s a lot of evidence that this should not take place) spoke on: rape. There’s a morning walk on which he says that “a woman likes a man who’s very expert at rape”, and if there’s pleasure then that means consent. Now, this at first sound quite hard and a little difficult to understand. I’m going to be honest, I was upset about this. Not only because of what Prabhupada said but because people where offending him and throwing away the whole sankirtana movement just by hearing this. So I became quite confused and perplexed. The thing is, in Mexico 10+ women are murdered every day and before this they are raped. Who would like to be raped and murdered? The government does little to nothing and most of the time they blame the women. Government does not protect women, there’s no protection to mothers (cow, earth, own mother etc) It’s something quite horrible. In Latin America feminism is a very very strong movement ( i do not consider myself feminist), and anything regarding this subject is like a time bomb: you push the wrong bottom and they’ll explode. People are very sensitive about this, so I became frightened on what they’d say if they hear this... what would they say about Prabhupada!? They’ll just think despicable things and offend and get mad. They’ll just throw agry statements and stop hearing about Krishna. How does one act? What’s our position when this happens? So I got quite sad and upset Prabhu, because I’m so impotent. In the Bhagavat Gita’s 2nd chapter text 19 purport it’s stated that no one should hurt another living entity’s body. “ma himsyat sarva-bhutani “ We also have text 21 from the same chapter “vedavinasinam nityam ya enam ajam avyayam katham sa purusah partha kam ghatayati hanti kam” Now, why did Prabhupada say this? I tried to be most objective and asked for guidance to understand what he meant to say. I would never in my worst judgment would like to offend a Vaisnava, much less my Spiritual Master... so please, kindly tell me your thoughts on this reflection: Both the man and woman taking pleasure in this action are in a very nether consciousness, animal-like consciousness, ultra tamo guna consciousness. What else there’s to say? I don’t doubt that, somewhere in the material universe or even this planet, there are wicked minds that like that... I am very ignorant though, since I don’t really have that much knowledge on Vedic literature to support this thought. And I am sorry for bothering you with this mundane topics. Believe me I tried to take my mind off of this, but what if someone argues against Srila Prabhupada with this? I’ll surely must be somewhat ready... I also remember that you said that if we’re not being challenged then we’re not making progress... Sorry, Prabhu:(, I don’t have anyone else giving me a deep Vedic opinion on this, so if you could kindly explain or give me some feedback, or if somehow or other I’ve offended Prabhupada please tell me, I will most appreciate it. Hari bolo Victoria ANSWER: Hare Krishna, dear Victoria Mataji. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Sorry for a little delay. I am getting back to your message about rape. I understand this is a controversial topic and also sensitive. There are many issues involved here and again please do not feel any discomfort raising these topics because they are important to understand and this will help you further in your Krishna consciousness. So far I have understood from your message, you feel disturbed because people nowadays might think Prabhupada says raping is ok and that it is the womens fault because they feel pleasure when it happens. Of course, this is not what Srila Prabhupada is saying here. Anyway, let me explain point by point. First of all, we must have faith that whatever Srila Prabhupada says is perfect. This is called surrender. We are free to associate with the spiritual master and observe him and try to see whether we can surrender to him, but after we accept him, we cannot go back and try to subject him to criticism, that would be an offense. Of course, if the guru is bogus, then we should reject him, but so long we have a relationship with the spiritual master, we must keep faith that whatever he says is not tinged by the four defects of material existence and whatever he says is perfect, although we might not always understand why he says something. Arjuna exemplifies such surrendered attitude of a disciple when he says: sarvam etad rtam manye yan mam vadasi kesava O Krsna, I totally accept as truth all that You have told me. Bg 10.14 At the same time we should not accept things blindly. If there is any doubt, we should clarify. I think you are trying to do this, which is most perfect. It is stated in the CC siddhanta baliya citte na kara alasa iha ha-ite krsne lage sudrdha manasa A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one's mind becomes attached to Sri Krsna. Adi 2.117 So let us analyse the relevant quotes where Srila Prabhupada speaks of this controversial topic of rape. The first quote is not exactly from a Morning walk, but from Srila Prabhupada's translation of the 4th Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam. It is in the chapter about King Puranjana, who finds a single lady, whom he wants to marry. He asks for her hand and the lady agrees to marry him. She says: O my dear hero, who in this world will not accept a husband like you? You are so famous, so magnanimous, so beautiful and so easily gotten. Srila Prabhupada comments: Every husband is certainly a great hero to his wife. In other words, if a woman loves a man, that man appears very beautiful and magnanimous. Unless one becomes beautiful in the eyes of another, one cannot dedicate his whole life to another. The husband is considered very magnanimous because he gives as many children to the wife as she likes. Every woman is fond of children; therefore any husband who can please his wife by sex and give her children is considered very magnanimous. ///// Ok. Let's start here. This is important. Every woman is fond of children. Male and female body is different. The most important difference is that female's body is most suitable for sheltering a baby and giving birth. It is a natural desire of every girl to have children. This desire to have children is stronger in woman than man and for this reason, the idea of sex life is slightly different from a woman's perspective than that of man's. ////// Srila Prabhupada continues: Not only does the husband become magnanimous by begetting children, but by giving his wife ornaments, nice food and dresses, he keeps her completely under submission. Such a satisfied wife will never give up the company of her husband. Manu-samhita recommends that to keep a wife satisfied a husband should give her some ornaments because women are generally fond of home, ornaments, dresses, children, etc. In this way the woman is the center of all material enjoyment. //////Since this desire to have children is so strong, men should not exploit it by having illegitimate sex life with a woman, but they must take care of her and the children. Woman desires all these things mentioned above because in this way she can create a suitable home atmosphere where a child can grow into a wonderful human being. If a man wants to derive inspiration, support and admiration from a woman who naturally gives these to a suitable man, he must in return give her all material facilities so her children can grow in peace and prosperity. It is for this reason we call her Mother -she binds the man to Matter.////// Srila Prabhupada continues: In this regard, the word vikhyatam is very significant. A man is always famous for his aggression toward a beautiful woman, and such aggression is sometimes considered rape. Although rape is not legally allowed, it is a fact that a woman likes a man who is very expert at rape. SB 4.25.42 ///// Ok, so here is the controversial statement. Let us analyse carefully. "A man is always famous for his aggression toward a beautiful woman,..." Here is a hint of how the material relationships work. Men are attracted to beautiful women. Because a woman has a strong desire to beget children which is a natural desire triggered by her material body, she wants to "woo a man." This is why girls by nature want to keep themselves always beautiful. Srila Prabhupada explains in an interview: [Lady Interviewer:] The Krsna religion teaches that women are to be subservient to men always. Why? [Devotee:] The Krsna religion teaches that women should be subservient, should be subordinate to men. She is asking why. [Prabhupada:] Well, not "should be." They are, by nature. What do you think, your position? [Lady Interviewer:] [laughing] I don't believe in that, of course. I disagree. [Prabhupada:] But you voluntarily become subservient to a man. That is the nature. [Lady Interviewer:] Does that make them less of a being? [Prabhupada:] They are seeking to become subservient, attracting man: "Take me as subservient." That is natural. (The Acarya Part 2) Men do not need to do that because their role is different. They are supposed to control the woman in a meaningful way so she does not get diverted from her duties or from Krsna consciousness. For this reason women generally adore man who can conquer them. "...and such aggression is sometimes considered rape." Now, sometimes this endeavor of men to conquer or win over women is considered a rape. On one hand the girls want to woo men with the desire that men prove their worth by conquering them. On the other hand sometimes men step over the limits. This is the difficulty. It becomes difficult to say sometimes. "Although rape is not legally allowed, it is a fact that a woman likes a man who is very expert at rape." Rape means to have sex without the consent of the woman. Just analyzing what Srila Prabhupada is writing here: If a woman likes a man who is very expert in rape, then where is the rape then? It is an oxymoron. Either the woman is raped and she does not at all like it, or she likes it and then it is not a rape. The two are mutually exclusive. Here is a conversation from a morning walk where Srila Prabhupada discusses the matter: Ganesa: They said that the man cannot be convicted of rape if he honestly believes that the woman consented to his raping her. Prabhupada: Yes, that is law always. Rape means without consent, sex. Otherwise there is no rape. There was a rape case in Calcutta, and the lawyer was very intelligent. He some way or other made the woman admit, "Yes, I felt happiness." So he was released. "Here is consent." And that's a fact. Because after all, sex, rape or no rape, they will feel some pleasure. So the lawyer, by hook and crook, made the woman agree, "Yes, I felt some pleasure." "Now, there is consent." So he was released. After all, it is an itching sensation. So either by force or by willingly, if there is itching, everyone feels relieved itching it. That's a psychology. It is not that the women do not like rape. They like sometimes. They willingly. That is the psychology. Outwardly they show some displeasure, but inwardly they do not. This is the psychology. Morning Walk – May 11, 1975, Perth The psychology of man is that he wants to conquer, therefore the more the woman is restraining him, the more he becomes attracted. The psychology of a woman on the other hand is the opposite. She wants a man who is capable of providing for her, therefore the more he takes bold initiative, the more she becomes attracted. If a man is restraining himself from a woman, something is not right. He must be strongly attracted to her so he can commit and stay protecting her. Therefore, sometimes a girl shows outwardly displeasure when a man makes advances to her to invoke his lust more. For this reason, it is sometimes difficult to know whether there was an actual rape. Now, is an actual rape which is clearly against the consent of a woman ok? Of course not. It is a greatly sinful act. But Srila Prabhupada's idea of protection is not sentimental and superficial as feminism. It goes to the very root of the problem -women should not be independent, but always protected by a male figure. After the purport where the "expert at rape" is mentioned, there is the following verse and a purport: O mighty-armed, who in this world will not be attracted by your arms, which are just like the bodies of serpents? Actually you relieve the distress of husbandless women like us by your attractive smile and your aggressive mercy. We think that you are traveling on the surface of the earth just to benefit us only. Srila Prabhupada comments: When a husbandless woman is attacked by an aggressive man, she takes his action to be mercy. A woman is generally very much attracted by a man's long arms. A serpent's body is round, and it becomes narrower and thinner at the end. The beautiful arms of a man appear to a woman just like serpents, and she very much desires to be embraced by such arms. The word anatha-varga is very significant in this verse. Natha means "husband," and a means "without." A young woman who has no husband is called anatha, meaning "one who is not protected." As soon as a woman attains the age of puberty, she immediately becomes very much agitated by sexual desire. It is therefore the duty of the father to get his daughter married before she attains puberty. Otherwise she will be very much mortified by not having a husband. Anyone who satisfies her desire for sex at that age becomes a great object of satisfaction. It is a psychological fact that when a woman at the age of puberty meets a man and the man satisfies her sexually, she will love that man for the rest of her life, regardless who he is. Thus so-called love within this material world is nothing but sexual satisfaction. SB 4.25.43 Let's take now the example of a woman who gives consent to sex. From the materialistic point of view, such sex life is glorified since the pinnacle of material life is a happy sex life. From the spiritual point of view, however, it is also lust. As Srila Prabhupada says, the so-called love is nothing but desire for sex satisfaction. The real love is to love Krishna. Any other so-called love is nothing but lust. This lust can be spiritualized because in its essence it is the pure love for Krishna. But due to ignorance it manifests as lust for sex satisfaction. Srila Prabhupada writes: When a living entity comes in contact with the material creation, his eternal love for Krsna is transformed into lust, in association with the mode of passion. Or, in other words, the sense of love of God becomes transformed into lust, as milk in contact with sour tamarind is transformed into yogurt. Then again, when lust is unsatisfied, it turns into wrath; wrath is transformed into illusion, and illusion continues the material existence. Therefore, lust is the greatest enemy of the living entity, and it is lust only which induces the pure living entity to remain entangled in the material world. Wrath is the manifestation of the mode of ignorance; these modes exhibit themselves as wrath and other corollaries. If, therefore, the mode of passion, instead of being degraded into the mode of ignorance, is elevated to the mode of goodness by the prescribed method of living and acting, then one can be saved from the degradation of wrath by spiritual attachment. Bg 3.37 purport The Vedic society is arranged in such a way that the citizens are protected from lust by executing their specific roles in that society for the pleasure of Krsna. The duty of the leaders is to protect the citizens from lust and engage them in the service of Krishna. Because the leaders in the materialistic civilisation want to exploit the citizens, they try to increase their lust as much possible. Thus, they have invited feminism, which is nothing but a very elaborate system how to exploit women not on individual basis, but wholesale by removing them from the natural protection of their male family members. Ravindra-svarupa: I think you really surprised them when you told them that this women's liberation is just a trick by the men just to increase the class of prostitutes, available prostitutes. Prabhupada: Free prostitutes. You go to a prostitute, you have to pay. Here they have arranged in such a way that free prostitute loitering on the street, and you can enjoy any one. This is their plan. They are rendered into beggar, and they are thinking equal rights. Morning Walk – July 14, 1975, Philadelphia The woman's body is endowed with more sensuality as this is required to give love to a baby. It is a practical experience that men cannot give as much affection to children as women. Prabhupada: The child does not go to the father for being taken care. It goes to the mother. Even animals. There are so many chicken, hens, they go after the mother. Hari-sauri: They get milk from the mother, not from the father. Prabhupada: Yes. How to stop it? Lokanatha: How could father feed even the child? Prabhupada: Just see, in our..., there are so many husbandless girls, and the children have not gone with the husbands, to the man. They are after the mother. This is natural. Morning Walk – April 8, 1976, Vrndavana Srila Prabhupada also writes: It is understood that the sexual appetite of a woman is nine times greater than that of a man. SB 3.23.44 purport Women must be engaged otherwise they will be inclined to think of sex only. They are called kamini. Unless there is sufficient engagement their only thoughts will be concentrated on sex. Letter to: Satsvarupa -- London 25 August, 1971 Prabhupada: Brahmacari... Man can remain without sex. It is not very difficult for him to. But women? Man can be trained up. He can remain throughout the whole life without sex. But it is a little difficult, unless they are given special protection. Special protection means strictly not to intermingle with any boy. Then they do. That is not possible in the Western... Otherwise she can remain brahmacarini under the protection of elder brother, or father and mother -- not to allow -- strict -- mix freely to the boys. Radha-vallabha: In this country if they are left under the protection of their father and mother, then their father and mother will order them to have sex life. Prabhupada: They make the girl prostitute to bring money. I have got experience. They do not like their young girls to marry. Better find out boys, and bring money. And once woman is trained up to prostitution, she will never become faithful wife. It is impossible. She is spoilt. Room Conversation – May 15, 1976, Honolulu The Vedic culture takes into consideration that woman's desire for children is stronger than man and therefore various rules and regulations within that society assures that every woman is married to a capable husband who can satisfy her lust but at the same time is able to maintain her and supply her and her children all the necessities she needs. For this reason, woman is protected by father in her youth, husband in her adulthood and her sons in her old age. Every responsible father makes sure that his daughter is protected from irresponsible men who simply want to use her for sex and that she is married to a suitable husband. Mothers in return teach their daughters how to take care of the husband, so the husband feels peace and inspiration in his home, which gives him great strength to pursue his work and thus be materially successful for the benefit of his family. In the present non-Krsna conscious society, since the parents have given up such responsibilities, girls are forced to attract their husbands themselves by exposing their bodily parts or flirting with them and thus sometimes they get raped, exploited, etc. It is not the fault of the girls, but of the whole rotten society that has given up on the ideals of the varnasrama dharma and simply pursuing sex as the aim of life at the expense of exploited girls. For this purpose Srila Prabhupada started his ISKCON centers. To give protection to Western girls, he allowed them to stay living in a barhmacarini asrama and practise Krsna consciousness in the association of devotees. In this way, the girl is given what her parents could not give and at the same time make advancement in Krishna consciousness. The brahmacari boys then could marry some of these girls to create Krsna conscious family. This was the whole idea of Srila Prabhupada and it worked nicely. Here are some of the points Srila Prabhupada raises on the topic of brahmacarini asrama: I understand that you are trying to organize a Brahmacarini asrama. A Brahmacarini asrama is certainly a great necessity because there are so many girl devotees who are attached to our Krishna Consciousness movement. Those who are married couple, there is nothing to be said -- simply to live together as husband and wife. But those who are not married certainly such Brahmacaris and Brahmacarinis should not live together. That is a special restricted term of our cult. But because in your country there is no distinction between boys and girls, or man and woman, they can freely mix without any restriction, I did not give too much stricture on this point because by such stricture they might be annoyed, and whatever Krishna Consciousness they are trying to develop might have been checked. But factually if you can organize a Brahmacarini asrama, it will be very nice idea. And I think that our Jadurani or similar other girl students of a little bit advanced, they can manage such asrama. But there is another difficulty, that when the girls live together they will pick up quarrels. Anyway, that sort of quarreling will continue whenever there is a little bit individuality. That is the nature. Even such quarreling is visible in the spiritual world also. But the main thing is that in Boston, you are the only earning member. How you will maintain such a Brahmacarini asrama separately unless there is some source of income. I expected that the pictures painted by the Brahmacarinis would be a source of income to the society. If some arrangement for such sales organization can be made, then it will be a very excellent idea. The Brahmacarinis cannot go, of course, for begging, but if some of them agree to go out and sell our books and literature, that will also be helpful. Some source of income by honest endeavor must be there, otherwise, how a nice Brahmacarini asrama can be maintained? In the asrama we must supply all inmates necessary nutritious food. Especially in your country, because they were accustomed to take meat and some protein food, just like regular supply of dahl, capatis, rice, fruits and milk, must be properly administered. There is no need of eating more than necessity, but the minimum demands must be supplied. But if you can organize such nice Brahmacarini asrama it will be a great success of our society. There is a great need for this. And I wish sincerely that except for husband and wife, everyone should live separately, man separate from woman, and woman separate from man. I shall be glad to hear from you about further developments. But one thing can be very nicely utilized, if the Brahmacarinis learn typographic machine. That will be a great help because printing is one of our most important line of activities. And if the Brahmacarinis help us in the making of letter printing sheets for photo offset printing, that will be a great help. Letter to: Satsvarupa -- Montreal 12 July, 1968 I hope this answers your question. Of course this is a more complex topic and you can question me further if need be. your servant purujit dasa more quotes: Woman reporter: Would you say that women are inferior to men? Prabhupada: Yes. Woman reporter: Why? Prabhupada: By physiological condition. Just like you are... Your bodily features are different from the man's features. You cannot deny it. So according to the bodily features, the psychological condition and everything is there. How you can deny it? Woman reporter: Do you think that I am inferior to you? Prabhupada: It is not the question of inferior or superior. Different. Now you take one inferior or superior. That is your calculation. But the bodily features are different. That is materially. But spiritually, they are all one. Materially... Just like your bodily feature and a man's bodily feature is different. Now, so far question of inferior, superior, that is your calculation. But we say that by nature, a woman and man is different. Woman reporter: What does this mean as far as whether women can do the same things that men can do, or whether women can lead people? Prabhupada: Well, women can bear children, but the man cannot. Is it possible to bear children, a man can become pregnant? Is it possible? Woman reporter: No. Prabhupada: Physically... Therefore there are so many things which is possible in man and which is not possible in woman, by nature. How you can say that they are of the same nature? Woman reporter: I'm not saying they're the same. What can... Prabhupada: Then if you not saying that, then they are different in their physiological condition. So now this physiological condition, you may calculate, "This is better or this is better." That is your calculation. Our calculation is the man and woman are different in their physiological condition. Woman reporter: But you say women are subordinate to men. Prabhupada: Yes, that is also natural. Because when the husband and wife are there or the father and daughter is there, so the daughter is subordinate to the father and the wife is subordinate to the husband. Woman reporter: What happens when women are not subordinate to men? Prabhupada: Then there is disruption. There is disruption, social disruption. If the woman does not become subordinate to man, then there is social disruption. Therefore, in the Western countries there are so many divorce cases because the woman does not agree to become subordinate to man. That is the cause. Woman reporter: What advice do you have to women who do not want to be subordinate to men? Prabhupada: It is not my advice, but it is the advice of the Vedic knowledge that woman should be chaste and faithful to man. Woman reporter: What should we do in the United States? We're trying to make women equal with men. Prabhupada: I am not trying. You are not..., already not equal with the man because in so many respects your functions are different and man's function are different. Why do you say artificially they are equal? As I told you that the husband and wife -- the wife has to become pregnant, not the husband. How you can change this, both the husband and wife will be pregnant? Is it possible? Is it possible? Woman reporter: No, it is not. Prabhupada: Then by nature one has to function differently from the other. Woman reporter: But why does this mean...? Prabhupada: So how you can change? Woman reporter: Why does this mean that women have to be subordinate? Prabhupada: Yes. Woman reporter: Just because they bear children and men can't? Prabhupada: Well, by nature... No, as soon as you get children, you require support from the husband. Otherwise you are in difficulty. Woman reporter: Many women have children and have no support from husbands. They have no husband. Prabhupada: Then they have to take support from others. You cannot deny that. The government is giving you support. But the government is embarrassed. If the husband supports the wife and children, the government is relieved of so much welfare contribution. So that is a problem. Woman reporter: What happens when women support men? Prabhupada: First of all try to understand that you depend. The... After man and woman unite, there is children, and the man goes away, and you are embarrassed. The woman is embarrassed. Why? Why this is..., is made possible? A man and woman unites, and the woman becomes pregnant, and the husband goes away. Then the poor woman is embarrassed with the child. She has to beg from the government. So do you think it is very nice thing? The Vedic idea is that woman should be married to a man, and the man should take charge of the woman and the children independently, so that they do not become a burden to the government or to the public. Woman reporter: Do you think the social unrest... Prabhupada: I am thinking like this. You give me the answer. Simply you go on questioning. I question you: do you think this burden to the government or the public is good? Woman reporter: I don't understand what you're saying. Nitai: Do you think that the burden caused when the husband goes away from the wife, that burden to the government is good? Woman reporter: No. Prabhupada: So that has happened. Because the woman does not agree to be subordinate -- she wants equal freedom -- so the husband goes away and the woman is embarrassed with the children. And it becomes a burden to the government. Woman reporter: Is there anything wrong when the woman works? Prabhupada: There are so many things wrong. But first thing is the wife, the woman, the wife of somebody, and the child born by somebody, they should become burden to the government or to the public? First of all answer this thing. Why she should become burden to the government? What is your answer? Woman reporter: Well, men are a burden to the government too. Prabhupada: Do you think, from social point of view, this position of woman and the fatherless children are very nice thing? No. Woman reporter: What I'm trying to say is that... This may happen to some women. I'm talking about women who are not... Prabhupada: Not... These are the general cases. You cannot say "some." I see in America mostly the woman... Woman reporter: Oh, then what you're saying is not all women should be subordinate to all men. Prabhupada: No, man should be subordinate to the man, woman, so that the man can take charge of the woman. Then that woman is not a problem to the public. Woman reporter: Is it true for all woman and all men? Prabhupada: Yes, that is the nature. You take even in the dogs. The dogs, they also take care of their children. The tigers, they take care of the children. So in the human society, if the woman is made pregnant and the man goes away and she is embarrassed, she has to beg from the government, that is not a very good situation. Woman reporter: What about women who do not have children? Prabhupada: Well, that is also another unnatural thing. Sometimes they use contraceptives. They kill children, abortion. That is also not very good. These are all sinful activities. These are sinful activities, to kill child in the womb and take shelter of abortion. These are all sinful activities. One has to suffer for that. Woman reporter: Is the social unrest in this country caused because... Prabhupada: Because of these things. They do not know that. Woman reporter: And if women were subordinate to men, it would solve all of our problems? Prabhupada: Yes. Man wants that woman should be subordinate, faithful to him. Then he is ready to take charge. The man's mentality, woman's mentality different. So if the woman agrees to remain faithful and subordinate to man, then the family life will be peaceful. Television Interview – July 9, 1975, Chicago As children are very prone to be misled, women are similarly very prone to degradation. Therefore, both children and women require protection by the elder members of the family. (-Srila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, Chapter 1, verse 40) A man’s psychology and woman’s psychology are different. As constituted by bodily frame, a man always wants to be superior to his wife, and a woman, as bodily constituted, is naturally inferior to her husband. Thus the natural instinct is that the husband wants to post himself as superior to the wife, and this must be observed. Even if there is some wrong on the part of the husband, the wife must tolerate it, and thus there will be no misunderstanding between husband and wife. (-Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam, Book 3, Chapter 23, verse 2)

The BLISS temple is always buzzing with fresh projects and ideas that are in the provebial womb, growing, developing until fruition... One such project is the upcoming BLISS Krishna conscious music album. In this sneak peek video, gain a behind the scenes insight into the creative process, for one song, 'Krishna Spring'. To stay up to date with more sneak peeks and release news, follow us on Facebook @expandthebliss

Get the prasadam popcorn out! Watch here ⬇️ Hare Krishna germany

Last night at the BLISS temple... rama navami

Purujit Prabhu is preaching Maitreya Prabhu and Dora Mataji are planning the menu Nityananda Prabhu is building Srila Prabhupada's new vyasasan Dhananjaya Prabhu is out distributing books Heidha mataji and Krsna Prema mataji are cleaning and tidying ...all in preparation for tomorrow's festivities! Join us at the BLISS London temple for an evening program full of kirtan, Krishna katha, talks with the monks, feasting and spiritual ecstacies! Our Rama Namavi festival starts at 4pm, Wednesday 17th April 2024. Sign up here!

All the important dates. Vaishnava calendar Note: Ekadashi means fasting from at least grains for the whole day until 9am following day. APRIL 2024 2 APRIL (TUE). Appearance of Srila Srivas Pandit. 5 APRIL (FRI). Papamocani Ekadasi. 13 APRIL (SAT). Appearance of Sri Ramanujacarya. 17 APRIL (WED). Rama Navami: Appearance of Lord Sri Ramacandra. 20 APRIL (SAT). Kamada Ekadashi. 23 APRIL (TUE). Manifestation day of Sri Radha Kunda. Sri Krishna’s Vasanta Panchami. MAY 2024 4 MAY (SAT). Ekadasi. 8 MAY (WED). Appearance of Srila Gadadhara Pandit Goswami. 19 MAY (SUN). Mohini Ekadashi. 22 MAY (WED). Sri Nrisimha Chaturdasi: Appearance of Lord Sri Nrisimhadev. Full fast until sunset. 23 MAY (THURS). Appearance of Srila Srivas Pandit. JUNE 2024 3 JUNE (MON). Ekadasi. JULY 2024 6 JULY (SAT). Sri Gundicha Marjan (cleaning Sri Gundicha Temple at Sri Puri Dham and cleaning all temples). Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura — Disappearance. 7 JULY (SAT). Rasa Yatra of Sri Krishna. 17 JULY (WED). Sayana Ekadasi. 21 JULY (SUN). Beginning of Chaturmasya Vrata. Disappearance of Srila Sanatan Goswami Prabhu. 25 JULY (THURS). Disappearance of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami Prabhu. 31 JULY (WED). Kamika Ekadasi. AUGUST 2024 16 AUGUST (FRI). Pavitraropana Ekadasi. 17 AUGUST (SAT). Disappearance of Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhu and Srila Gauri Das Pandit Goswami. 19 AUGUST (MON). Lord Balarama — Appearance. 26 AUGUST (MON). Sri Sri Krishna Janmastami: Appearance of Lord Sri Krishna (midnight). Complete fast until midnight, then no grains. 27 AUGUST (TUE). Appearance day of our dear spiritual master His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Fast until midday. 29 AUGUST (THURS). Annada Ekadasi. SEPTEMBER 2024 11 SEPTEMBER (WED). Sri Radhastami: Appearance of Srimati Radharani. Fast until noon. 14 SEPTEMBER (SAT). Fast today for Vamanadeva, fasting.  Parsva Ekadasi. 15 SEPTEMBER (SUN). Sri Vamana Dvadasi: Appearance of Lord Vamanadeva. Srila Jiva Gosvami — Appearance. 16 SEPTEMBER (MON). Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura — Appearance. 17 SEPTEMBER (TUE). Srila Haridasa Thakura — Disappearance. 18 SEPTEMBER (WED). Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava (feasting) 28 SEPTEMBER (SAT). Indira Ekadasi. OCTOBER 2024 13 OCTOBER (SUN). Vijay Utsav of Sri Ramachandra and appearance of Sri Madhvacharya. 14 OCTOBER (MON). Pasankusa Ekadasi. 15 OCTOBER (TUE). Disappearance of Srila Raghunath Das Goswami, Srila Raghunath Bhatta Goswami and Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami. 21 OCTOBER (MON). Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura — Disappearance. 24 OCTOBER (THURS). Bahulastami. 28 OCTOBER (MON). Rama Ekadasi. NOVEMBER 2024 1 NOVEMBER (FRI). Dipavali. Offering and placing of lamps (or candles) on the temples of the Lord. 2 NOVEMBER (SAT). Sri Sri Govardhan Puja. 5 NOVEMBER (TUE). Srila Prabhupada — Disappearance. 9 NOVEMBER (SAT). Sri Gadadhara Dasa Gosvami — Disappearance. Sri Srinivasa Acarya — Disappearance. 12 NOVEMBER (TUE). Utthana Ekadasi. Srila Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji — Disappearance. 16 NOVEMBER (SAT). Sri Krsna Rasayatra. Beginning of Kartika vrata. 27 NOVEMBER (TUE). Utpanna Ekadasi. DECEMBER 2024 11 DECEMBER (WED). Moksada Ekadasi. 15 DECEMBER (SUN). End of Kartika vrata. 19 DECEMBER (THURS). Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura — Disappearance. 26 DECEMBER (THURS). Fasting for Saphala Ekadasi. JANUARY 2025 2 JANUARY (THURS). Disappearance of Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu and Srila Jagadis Pandit. 10 JANUARY (FRI). Gaura Ekadasi. Putrada Ekadasi. Appearance of Srila Jagadis Pandit. 11 JANUARY (SAT). Gaura Dvadasi. Paran between 06:25 and 07:44. 25 JANUARY (SAT). Krishna Ekadashi. Shat-tila Ekadashi. Fast. FEBRUARY 2025 3 FEBRUARY (MON). Sri Krishna’s Vasanta Panchami. Appearance of Sri Sri Visnupriya Devi. Appearance of Srila Pundarik Vidyanidhi, Srila Raghunath Das Goswami and Srila Raghunandan Thakur. Disappearance of Srila Visvanath Chakravarti Thakur. 5 FEBRUARY (WED). Appearance of Sri Advaita Acharya. 6 FEBRUARY (THURS). Disappearance of Sripad Madhvacharya. 7 FEBRUARY (FRI). Disappearance of Srila Ramanuja Acharya. 8 FEBRUARY (SAT). Gaura Ekadashi. Bhaimi Ekadashi. Fast. 9 FEBRUARY (SUN). Dvadasi. Appearance of Lord Sri Varahadev. Break fast after 9am after offering worship to Lord Varahadev. 10 FEBRUARY (MON). Appearance of Sri Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Fast until noon. 12 FEBRUARY (WED). Appearance of Srila Narottam Thakur. 17 FEBRUARY (MON). Krishna Panchami. 24 FEBRUARY (MON). Krishna Ekadashi. Vijaya Ekadashi. Fast. MARCH 2024 10 MARCH (MON). Gaura Ekadashi. Amalaki Ekadashi. 14 MARCH (FRI). Sri Gaura Purnima: Divine appearance of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Fast until moonrise, then no grains (anukalpa). End of year 539 Gaurabda. 15 MARCH (SAT). Start of year 540 Gaurabda. 25 MARCH (TUE). Krishna Ekadashi. Papa Vimochani Ekadashi. Fast.

In the following conversation Srila Prabhupada gives guidance on how to read his books. Kulasekhara: Srila Prabhupada, it says that the Caitanya-caritamrta is the postgraduate study of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Prabhupada: Hmm, hear him. What does he say? Pusta Krsna: Srimad-Bhagavatam is the postgraduate study... Devotees: Caitanya-caritamrta, postgraduate study. Kulasekhara: So if we're very attracted to reading Caitanya caritamrta now, but we haven't finished Srimad-Bhagavatam as yet, should we wait until we have studied Srimad-Bhagavatam thoroughly? Prabhupada: It does not mean that one who is not postgraduate, he cannot read other books. Spiritual life is not a stereotype like that. But one who is not postgraduate, it is little difficult for him to understand the statement of... Just like in the beginning of Caitanya-caritamrta, it is said, na caitanyat krsnaj jagati para-tattvam param iha, that there is no superior truth than Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So if you have not studied Srimad-Bhagavatam, you'll not understand this statement. If you understand, "Yes, Caitanya is the supreme truth," then it is to be understood that you have graduated. And if you are not, then it will be difficult for you to understand. Kulasekhara: Then the more we understand Srimad-Bhagavatam, the more we'll understand the Caitanya-caritamrta. Prabhupada: Yes, and if you understood Bhagavatam thoroughly, then you can understand Caitanya-caritamrta. But if you have not understood Bhagavatam, then you cannot understand Caitanya caritamrta. The simple statement, na caitanyat krsnat para-tattvam param iha. Where is Caitanya-caritamrta? Bring. Pusta Krsna: Which volume, Srila Prabhupada? Prabhupada: First volume. That means you are not reading, you simply are referring. This is the difficulty. Without thoroughly reading something, we bring so many questions. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has therefore forbidden, bahu sastra na pore. Don't bother yourself reading so many books at a time. You'll be puzzled. Find out this verse, yad advaitam brahmopanisadi... Pusta Krsna: I don't believe there's an index in this first volume. Prabhupada: In the first chapter you'll find. Dhrstadyumna: Seventeenth verse? "What is described in the Upanisads..." Prabhupada: Yad advaitam brahma-upanisadi. Pusta Krsna: yad advaitam brahmopanisadi tad apy asya tanu-bha ya atmantaryami purusa iti so 'syamsa-vibhavah sad-aisvaryaih purno ya iha bhagavan sa svayam ayam na caitanyat krsnaj jagati para-tattvam param iha [Cc. Adi 1.3] "What the Upanisads describe as the impersonal Brahman is but the effulgence of His body, and the Lord known as the Supersoul is but His localized plenary portion. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna Himself, full with six opulences. He is the Absolute Truth, and no other truth is greater than or equal to Him." Prabhupada: This is the beginning of Caitanya-caritamrta. So will anyone be able to understand this verse? Hmm? Everything is stated there, what is Caitanya. Will everyone be able to understand it? That is the proof that he's not graduate. If he is graduate, then he should understand. Therefore it is postgraduate. Kuladri: One must understand Bhagavad-gita before Srimad-Bhagavatam? Prabhupada: Yes. It is stated there yad advaitam brahma upanisadi. That means he must understand the Upanisads. He must understand what is Brahman. So without understanding this, how he can understand Caitanya-caritamrta? It will be explained there, but the fact is this. What is that? Is there any explanation? Pusta Krsna: No, there's no purport to this verse. Prabhupada: So further on there is explanation. Find out that. Devotee (2): Srila Prabhupada? How does one know when he has the understanding of the Bhagavad-gita? Prabhupada: What does he say? Answer him. Pusta Krsna: What did you say? Devotee (2): How does one know when he has the understanding of Bhagavad-gita? Dhrstadyumna: One has understood Bhagavad-gita who surrenders to Krsna, because Krsna says sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66], that "The essence of all knowledge is to surrender unto Me, to give up all other duties." So one who takes that instruction as life and soul, he has understood Bhagavad-gita. Is that all right? Pusta Krsna: The same verse again in the Second Chapter."The compilers of the Upanisads speak very highly of the impersonal Brahman. The Upanisads, which are considered the most elevated portion of the Vedic literatures, are meant for persons who desire to get free from material association and who therefore approach a bona fide spiritual master for enlightenment. The prefix upa indicates that one must receive knowledge about the Absolute Truth from a spiritual master. One who has faith in his spiritual master actually receives transcendental instruction, and as his attachment for material life slackens, he is able to advance on the spiritual path. Knowledge of the transcendental science of the Upanisads..." Prabhupada: Where is that boy? You are hearing? Devotee (2): Yes, Prabhupada. Pusta Krsna: "Knowledge of the transcendental science of the Upanisads can free one from the entanglement of existence in the material world, and when thus liberated, one can be elevated to the spiritual kingdom of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by advancement in spiritual life. The beginning of spiritual enlightenment is realization of impersonal Brahman. Such realization is effected by gradual negation of material variegatedness. Impersonal Brahman realization is the partial, distant experience of the Absolute Truth that one achieves through the rational approach. It is compared to one's seeing a hill from a distance and taking it to be a smoky cloud. A hill is not a smoky cloud, but it appears to be one from a distance because of our imperfect vision. In imperfect or smoky realization of the Absolute Truth, spiritual variegatedness is conspicuous by its absence. This experience is therefore called advaita-vada, or realization of the oneness of the Absolute. The impersonal glowing effulgence of Brahman consists only of the personal bodily rays of the Supreme Godhead, Sri Krsna. Since Sri Gaurasundara, or Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, is identical with Sri Krsna Himself, the Brahman effulgence consists of the rays of His transcendental body. Similarly, the Supersoul, which is called the Paramatma, is a plenary representation of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The antaryami, the Supersoul in everyone's heart, is the controller of all living entities. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita, wherein Lord Krsna says sarvasya caham hrdi sannivistah: "I am situated in everyone's heart." (Bg. 15.15) Bhagavad-gita also states; bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram [Bg. 5.29], indicating that the Supreme Lord, acting in His expansion as the Supersoul, is the proprietor of everything. Similarly, the Brahma-samhita states, andantara-stha-paramanu-cayantara-stham: [Bs. 5.35] the Lord is present everywhere within the heart of every living entity and within each and every atom as well. Thus by this Supersoul feature the Lord is all-pervading. Furthermore, Lord Caitanya is also the master of all wealth, strength, fame, beauty, knowledge and renunciation because He is Sri Krsna Himself. He is described as purna, or complete. In the feature of Lord Caitanya, the Lord is an ideal renouncer, just as Sri Rama was an ideal king. He accepted the order of sannyasa and exemplified exceedingly wonderful principles in His own life. No one can compare to Him in the order of sannyasa. Although in Kali-yuga acceptance of the sannyasa order is generally forbidden, Lord Caitanya accepted it because He is complete in renunciation. Others cannot imitate Him but can only follow in His footsteps as far as possible. Those who are unfit for this order of life are strictly forbidden by the injunctions of the sastras to accept it. Lord Caitanya, however, is complete in renunciation as well as all other opulences. He is therefore the highest principle of the Absolute Truth. By an analytical study of the truth of Lord Caitanya, one will find that He is not different from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna; no one is greater than or even equal to Him. In Bhagavad-gita Lord Krsna says to Arjuna, mattah parataram nanyat kincid asti dhananjaya: [Bg. 7.7] 'O conquerer of wealth (Arjuna), there is no truth superior to Me.' Thus it is here confirmed that there is no truth higher than Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya. The impersonal Brahman is the goal of those who cultivate the study of books of transcendental knowledge, and the Supersoul is the goal of those who perform the yoga practices. One who knows the Supreme Personality of Godhead surpasses realization of both Brahman and Paramatma, because Bhagavan is the ultimate platform of absolute knowledge. The Personality of Godhead is the complete form of sac-cidananda (full life, knowledge and bliss). By realization of the sat portion of the Complete Whole (unlimited existence), one realizes the impersonal Brahman of the Lord. By realization of the cit portion of the Complete Whole (unlimited knowledge) one can realize the localized aspect of the Lord, Paramatma. But neither of these partial realizations of the Complete Whole can help one realize ananda, or complete bliss. Without such realization of ananda, knowledge of the Absolute Truth is incomplete. This verse of Caitanya-caritamrta by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami is confirmed by a parallel statement in the Tattva-sandarbha by Srila Jiva Gosvami. In the Eighth Part of Tattva-sandarbha it is said that the Absolute Truth is sometimes approached as impersonal Brahman, which, although spiritual, is only a partial representation of the Absolute Truth. Narayana, the predominating Deity in Vaikuntha, is to be known as an expansion of Sri Krsna, but Sri Krsna is the Supreme Absolute Truth, the object of the transcendental love of all living entities." Prabhupada: So is it clear? (laughs) It is not so easy. Therefore it is postgraduate. Pusta Krsna: Can these things be understood theoretically, Srila Prabhupada, or is realization required? Prabhupada: Realization required. What is the use of theoretical knowledge? Devotee (2): Srila Prabhupada, can realization be had through service without theoretical understanding? Prabhupada: This whole science is understood through service only. Everything becomes revealed. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah [BRS. 1.2.234]. Revelation. Everything is revelation. Unless one is very sincere servant, there is no revelation. Garden Conversation -- June 27, 1976, New Vrindaban

While this recipe might initially sound challenging and complex, it is well worth the effort. A legendary delight of Indian cuisine, this is often a favorite of the Hare Krishna devotees. It is an explosion (literally) of flavor and sweetness, with a beautiful spongy texture. Many a Sunday love feast guest have had to be almost rolled home after these are served at the BLISS temple. This is a recipe from the Matchless Gift Magazine. Each monthly issue includes a recipe from the Bliss kitchen. Get yourself a copy HERE! Recipe: Gulab Jamun Ingredients Milk powder 2 cups Milk accordingly 2 tsp ghee Baking soda 1/2 tsp Plain flour 1 cup 1 tsp cardamon powder, a large pinch saffron, a cap of rose water, a pod vanilla, or a similar measurement of any other sweet spice Sugar 4 cups Water accordingly Salt a pinch Method To a large cooking vessel (a wok works best) add the milk powder. Make a paste by adding the milk gradually and mixing as you pour. Mixing while the mixture is very thick and pressing out the lumps with a spatula will help to ensure that there are no lumps in the final mix. The consistency should be like custard, or very thick milk. Now, add the ghee and mix. Put the wok on the flame and cook on a low heat for around 7 minutes, stirring constantly. It should come to the consistency of room temperature, soft butter. Let the mixture cool. Take 4 cups of sugar in a cooking vessel. A more narrow vessel is recommended for this; you can use most ordinary kitchen pots. Add enough water to the mixture that the sugar is completely immersed. Cook it on a medium flame along with whatever spices you have chosen. Boil the syrup for just 4 minutes. In Indian confectionery, there are different “strings” which are used to measure the viscosity of a sugar syrup. Different string counts are used for different preparations. To test the string count, take a drop of syrup from the spoon after allowing it too cool down for a few seconds. Then press the drop in-between your index finger and thumb, and quickly open and close the the tip of the finger and thumb. The amount of strings of syrup between the finger and the thumb indicate the thickness, from 1-4, 4 being the thickest. In this case, we don’t want to see any strings. This is because the syrup should be more watery in order to soak all the way through the gulab jamun. Don’t worry; it’ll still be plenty sweet. A note on spices: Traditionally, it is compulsory to use gulab jal, or rose water, to make gulab jamun. The name of this sweet is derived from the use of rose water. Most of the time, gulab jamun includes the flavors of saffron and cardamon. However, alternatively, you can use a combination of cardamon and kewra water (1 tsp powdered cardamon and 1 cap of kewra water), vanilla (a couple tsp of good quality essence, or the whole seeds of a pod if available), cinnamon and cloves ( a 4 inch stick and a tbsp of cloves), or just the juice of a lemon. Now the mixture of powdered milk and milk will have cooled down. This mixture needs to be kneaded, pressing out any lumps. After the mixture has become smooth, you can sift in the plain flour and baking soda. Then, combine all these ingredients into a homogeneous dough. if it is a little dry, you can add milk. It should be a fairly soft, moist dough. Now, cover the dough with a slightly damp cloth. Taking small pieces at a time, roll the mixture into balls. You can grease your hands with a small amount of ghee to make this easier. The ball should as small as a gumball, or a little bigger than a large blueberry or raspberry. The bigger they are, the more chance they have of splitting while frying or soaking and handling. Make sure there are no large cracks or folds in the ball. It should be a smooth surface. Small scratches and indents are permissible and almost unavoidable. Take another slightly damp cloth and cover your rolled gulab dough balls. In the wok (it should be cleaned), make a medium pool of ghee. The amount of ghee used depends on you, but it should be enough that the jamuns can float without touching the bottom of the vessel. More ghee makes the process easier, but is not required. Heat the ghee to 120ºc, or just keep it on a low flame. You can test if the ghee is the right temperature by dropping a piece of dough into it; of the dough floats after a few seconds, the ghee is the right temperature. Now carefully place the dough balls into the ghee. Be sure to not place so many that they will not fit into the ghee, as they should be all evenly colored. this will ensure even cooking and uniform appearance. If the balls start browning immediately, take them out with a spider (frying instrument) and turn down the heat, or turn it off. You can fry them once the temperature decreases a little, and keep the flame off, only turning it back on once they start to cease cooking. Temperature control is essential here. Once the balls turn slightly more than golden brown, they are done. The sugar syrup should still be warm. Check it’s consistency to make sure that it hasn't thickened up to a 1 string consistency. Now, place the freshly fried balls into the syrup. The balls must be hot in order to absorb the syrup completely. Let the balls soak in the syrup for a minimum of 30 minutes. They can be kept soaking for up to 5 hours for the best results. Offer this wonderful preparation to Krishna with love and devotion. Serve with a few gulabs to your friends and family with a pool of syrup and watch them enjoy to the fullest Krishna's divine prasadam. Loved this recipe? Subscribe to receive recipes each month, straight to your door (or inbox)