The Vaishnava Voices Podcast

Kaunteya das is back, in an appearance that is sure to simultaneously infuriate and inspire each side of the audience along the schism over how to understand and present Srila Prabhupada's "controversial statements". Kaunteya prabhu is the author of the book "Tough Questions, Difficult Answers: On Srila Prabhupada's Contentious Remarks". In this conversation, we examine some of the subject matter of this book, and consider the questions: "How do we defend the Founder-Acarya from criticism, without fanaticism?" and "Why would you even want to do that?" It's going to be spicy.

We talk with Gaylene Barnes, director of the documentary movie "River of Freedom: Heart of the Protest". The movie has been out for two weeks now, and after a sold-out premiere with an audience of 1400, is now being shown in theatres across the country. RIVER OF FREEDOM is a feature documentary sharing the inside story of the New Zealand Convoy and Parliament protest in February and March 2022—who the people were, why they were there, and what happened! Fed up with Covid-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates, thousands of people convoy to Wellington from all around the country, demanding change and expecting democratic representation. A child’s hand drawn sign sums it up: “You have a right to say no!” On the road to Parliament are people from all walks of life—teachers and students, caregivers and medical professionals, first responders; tradies, musicians and artists commercial pilots; farmers, business owners, and government employees. All are suffering loss: employment, education, connections, reputation, wellbeing. Lost opportunities. The convoy sparks hope across the nation. New Zealanders gather on the lawn of Parliament to express their grievances. Intent on change and expecting democratic representation, they chant “freedom!” Without a government-issued ‘vaccine passport’ many are refused access to hotels, cafes and amenities. Meanwhile, they are welcomed by tangata whenua, and set up camp on the front lawn of Parliament—together they create a ‘Freedom Village’. An assault by police fails to remove the protestors; rather it shocks the nation and attracts thousands more. Tactics approved by the Speaker of the House during a cyclone fails to suppress the peoples’ determination—“End the mandates!” A High Court win is cause for celebration, however, under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s leadership, the people are ignored; collectively, all 120 parliamentarians agree not to communicate with them. After 23 days, the New Zealand Police ambush the protestors in a dawn raid, forcibly clearing everyone using methods never seen before in Aotearoa. Nevertheless, the peace, love & kotahitanga (unity) shared by the protestors, as well as their supporters, will be forever remembered, as will the injustices of this time. RIVER OF FREEDOM is made by professional filmmakers, present during the convoy & occupation, to document the heart of the protest—the largest protest in New Zealand’s recent history

Kirtan at the river of freedom movie.

Vaiyasaki das is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who is world renowned for his kirtan. In the 1970s he spent time in Bangladesh imbibing the art of Bengali kirtan. He has released many kirtan albums in a variety of styles; and he is also an author. He has written a trilogy about the inner life of Vishnujana Swami and Jayananda Thakura, a book on Cosmology, and a book exposing the vaccine industry. Vaiyasaski prabhu and his wife Kishori devi are visiting New Zealand at the moment, as part of the "Farewell to the Material World" Tour, and we take the opportunity to chat with them on Vaishnava Voices.

Arjuna Gallagher from the Theology Unleashed channel and Chandidasa dasa (Dr Julian Seidenberg) join us for a discussion on Artificial Intelligence and Krishna Consciousness. What is consciousness? Can an Artificial Intelligence be or become conscious? What are the implications of Artificial Intelligence economically, socially, and politically, and how does this intersect with the mission to establish Varnashram-dharma as the system of organisation for human society? And most importantly: is AI the action of transdimensional asuric entities wishing to incarnate in this dimension and summoned in a black magic ritual by their accomplices? Nothing is off the table. Join the movement's foremost philosophical YouTuber, AI researcher, and conspiracy theorist in this incredible conversation.

We are joined by Akinchana Krishna das, who spent time with Aindra in the 24 hour kirtan in Vrindavan, and did hundreds of hours of interviews for the book "Aindra: Kirtan Revolution" by Kalachandji Das; and also by Bhakti Sastri Chris Briscoe, who is preparing a review of the book. We will also be discussing Aindra's book "The Heart of Transcendental Book Distribution: Reality Burns Brighter Than Imagination". And we won't be shying away from the big questions: Was Aindra murdered? And who ordered it? Aindra prabhu was a greatly misunderstood person. We will use the discussion to address various misunderstandings and misconception: Was he a sahajia, was he a crazy person, an ISKCON subversive? What's with the highly offensive "to hell with" speech? Is he worth following, or is following Aindra a deviation from following Srila Prabhupada?

Radha Ramana is absolutely convinced that Garuda das' paper "When the Master Speaks" is offensive to Srila Prabhupada, and he's coming on to explain why. Let's see if his line of reasoning holds up under scrutiny. If you thought that Garuda das got a soft touch when he came on Vaishnava Voices recently, tune in to see if Radha Ramana das is the champion that you were looking for.

We react to the video "ONLY WANT SEX: Rules of Modern Dating & Understanding Women "It's Complicated": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIIGrat1oPQ. The Hare Krishna Red Pill is our new show where we discuss sex, sexuality, and family life from a Vaishnava perspective. Who is this series for? Our children (daughter and son), and others like them, finding their way in the world and exposed to the dominant cultural ideas in the West. It is not for the kanishta sadhakas who should only read the scriptures. It is for madhyamas who are dealing with implementing the scriptures, for those who have no contact with the scriptures yet, and for uttamas - who have no need of it, but may find it interesting as a presentation of principles inside the context of the current culture.

Srila Prabhupada is unique among modern proponents of the Gaudiya tradition in his revolutionary social, economic, and political program to support and protect the development of love of God. Dhanesvara das has not stepped back from this revolutionary program in the face of the cultural counter-revolutionary conspiracy that manifests as cynicism, resignation, and sidelining of Srila Prabhupada's "non-essential teachings". Rather, he has stepped into these instructions and dedicated his intelligence and energy to the search for understanding these instructions and the ways and means of fulfilling them. In this episode, we will be discussing the contents of his book "Lessons in Spiritual Economics from the Bhagavad-gita - Part One; Understanding and Solving the Economic Problem".

Srila Prabhupada is unique among modern proponents of the Gaudiya tradition in his revolutionary social, economic, and political program to support and protect the development of love of God. Dhanesvara das has not stepped back from this revolutionary program in the face of the cultural counter-revolutionary conspiracy that manifests as cynicism, resignation, and sidelining of Srila Prabhupada's "non-essential teachings". Rather, he has stepped into these instructions and dedicated his intelligence and energy to the search for understanding these instructions and the ways and means of fulfilling them. In this episode, we will be discussing the contents of his book "Lessons in Spiritual Economics from the Bhagavad-gita - Part One; Understanding and Solving the Economic Problem".

An extraordinary personality, Bhima Karma Saragrahi is a second-generation devotee who has been through and seen the worst of ISKCON's history, experiencing it first-hand. Many would have found that to be sufficient motivation to leave the spiritual path altogether, but Bhima Karma has used this as fuel to go deeper into the essence of the tradition, in all of its aspects - including the spiritualised material sciences of the Vedic civilisation.

An extraordinary personality, Bhima Karma Saragrahi is a second-generation devotee who has been through and seen the worst of ISKCON's history, experiencing it first-hand. Many would have found that to be sufficient motivation to leave the spiritual path altogether, but Bhima Karma has used this as fuel to go deeper into the essence of the tradition, in all of its aspects - including the spiritualised material sciences of the Vedic civilisation.

Writing as Dr Graham M. Schweig, Garuda das ignited a firestorm with his academic paper "When the Master Speaks: Ways of understanding Śrīla Prabhupāda’s challenging teachings and form of discourse". In this interview we explore the paper, its approach and conclusions, and the backlash in the devotee community. You can read the paper here: https://garudadascom.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/when-the-master-speaks-1.pdf

This is a reaction video to Part Two of the movie "We Came Here For Freedom". It came out yesterday (July 1, 2023) and is available to view for free at: https://www.wecamehereforfreedom.com.

We are joined by a number of the devotees who were at the 21-day New Zealand Parliament Protest in Feb - Mar 2022. Denounced by ISKCON, they went to the frontlines to distribute prasadam, books, and the chanting of the Holy Name at the risk of physical harm from clashes between Police and protestors; and sanctions from ISKCON New Zealand's National Council, who created a novel policy specifically targeting their participation. They depended on Krishna and His Holy Name to protect them, and put themselves up at issue at a crucial time in New Zealand history. This is their story. The Hare Krishna Beehive website: https://www.harekrishnabeehive.com We Came Here for Freedom movie: https://www.wecamehereforfreedom.com River of Freedom movie: https://riveroffreedom.nz/

Do you want a powerful relationship? A loving relationship? A dynamic relationship? A connected relationship? Relationships and communication are inextricably intertwined for human beings. And communication is our access to creating the relationships that we want. As the world slides deeper into the Great Reset/Great Awakening, our personal relational network becomes increasingly important as the impersonal systems around us fail, or are transformed in ways that are out of alignment with our mission on Earth. We're joined by Dr David B Wolf (Dhira Govinda das), author of "Relationships That Work: The Power of Conscious Living" and founder of the Satvatove Institute for an inquiry into the fundamental nature of communication, and how we can elevate our communication to create the relationships that we want and need.

Swami Padmanabha is the author of the recently released book "Radical Personalism". In this interview we talk about the series of existential crises that lead him to the place of deep vulnerability and authenticity that gave rise to the inquiry expressed in his book, and some of the pertinent lessons for devotees on the path of bhakti, a path of radical personalism. Swami's website: https://swamipadmanabha.com.ar/ Radical Personalism on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Personalism-Manifesto-Proactive-Devotion/dp/B0C6BWMHB2

Radha Krishna das ACBSP, aka Richard Higgins, is the Director of Good Gardeners International - https://www.ggi.org.uk. He rediscovered the lost art of Vedic Soil cultivation in a book in the library, and has spent the last three decades refining it. In this talk, which is essential as we move onto the land and produce our own food, he explains, among other things, how cow manure is worth more than the milk.

Do you want a powerful relationship? A loving relationship? A dynamic relationship? A connected relationship? Relationships and communication are inextricably intertwined for human beings. And communication is our access to creating the relationships that we want. As the world slides deeper into the Great Reset/Great Awakening, our personal relational network becomes increasingly important as the impersonal systems around us fail, or are transformed in ways that are out of alignment with our mission on Earth. We're joined by Dr David B Wolf (Dhira Govinda das), author of "Relationships That Work: The Power of Conscious Living" and founder of the Satvatove Institute for an inquiry into the fundamental nature of communication, and how we can elevate our communication to create the relationships that we want and need.

Swami Padmanabha joins us to talk about his new book "Radical Personalism" and how he personally dealt with the question: "Should I stay or should I go?" in moments of crisis. Guaranteed to be of interest and import for those within the tradition and those who are presently outside any institution but still feel some affinity for the essence of Krishna Consciousness.

Radha Krishna das has rediscovered the ancient Vedic science of soil cultivation.

A Rumble exclusive from the June 10, 2022 episode of "Farm or Die!". Sripad BV Paramarthi Swami describes the Northern Rivers Free State Movement, and the impetus for creating it.

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the installation of Sri-Sri Kishora-Kishori in the Chicago ISKCON temple. Riddha prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who was part of the BBT Airport Party in Chicago in the 1970s joins us to share about the transcendental pastimes of the sankirtan party presided over by Sri Sri Kishora-Kishori's servant Tripurari Swami and empowered to spread Their mercy in form of the books of Their most dear servitor, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Riddha das has shared his memories with Srila Prabhupada online, but there have been decades since then with so many more pastimes. Tune in to find out what he has been up to, and what he really thinks about the asuric New World Order!