Pigheaded

Speaker: His Holiness Indradyumna Swami
Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam – 11.5.18
Where: Melbourne, Australia, Jan 13, 2009
Essence: “The rebellious and obstinate living entity turns away from Krsna and wants to play in his own realm of sense gratification. But he is very nicely placed under the care of Maya-devi who ties him up with the three modes of material nature for his ultimate rectification.”

The words of a sadhu

Speaker: His Holiness Indradyumna Swami
Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam – 2.1.16
Where: Sydney, Australia, Dec 28, 2008
Essence: “Sadhu means one who cuts our material attachments. He does not speak to flatter the audience but rather speaks the truth which may be painful but is for the ultimate benefit.”

Rarely achieved

Speaker: His Holiness Indradyumna Swami
Verse: Srimad Bhagavad Gita – 7.3
Where: Sydney, Australia, December 7, 2008
Essence: “O mind, just worship the lotus feet of the son of Nanda, which make one fearless. Having obtained this rare human birth, cross over this ocean of worldly existence through the association of saintly persons.”

Renunciation in modern times

Speaker: His Holiness Indradyumna Swami
Where: Hong Kong University, Nov 17, 2008
Essence: “Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.”

Thief

Speaker: His Holiness Indradyumna Swami
Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam – 3.26.45
Where: Sri Vrindavana dhama, India, October 13, 2008
Essence: Srila Prabhupada explains:  “As a thief is always punishable by the state, we are subject to punishment by taking or using God’s property without His permission.”

Terrifying yet auspicious

Speaker: His Holiness Indradyumna Swami
Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam – 7.9.2
Where: Ukraine Festival, September 19, 2008
Essence: “I offer my obeisances unto Lord Nrsimhadeva- the fierce and powerful Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Visnu. His flaming mouth faces in all directions. He is terrifying yet He is auspicious, for He is the death of death.”

Double Trouble

Speaker: His Holiness Indradyumna Swami
Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam – 4.18.9-10
Where: Budapest, Hungrary, September 5, 2008
Essence: “The world is suffering today because we are taking resources from Mother Nature without the sanction of the Supreme Lord, denying His existence, and even worse using those resources either for sense gratification or for exploiting others.”

My first tattoo

Speaker: His Holiness Indradyumna Swami
Verse: Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Antya Lila – 6.228
Where: Poland, July 14, 2008
Essence: Lord Caitanya instructed Raghunatha dasa Goswami, “grāmya-kathā nā śunibe, grāmya-vārtā nā kahibe bhāla nā khāibe āra bhāla nā paribe – Do not talk like people in general or hear what they say. You should not eat very palatable food, nor should you dress very nicely.”

The CEO of BBD & O

Speaker: His Holiness Indradyumna Swami
Verse: Srimad Bhagavad Gita – 8.16
Where: Soho Street, London, U.K, May 10, 2008
Essence: “Maya-devi is an expert artist who has painted this material world full of illusion and deception. However, for a sincere devotee who attentively follows the instructions of the previous acaryas, she lifts this veil of illusion, so that he can make progress on the path of Krsna consciousness.”

Kali-yuga leftovers

Speaker: His Holiness Indradyumna Swami
Verse: Srimad Bhagavatam – 1.1.22
Where: Alachua, USA, April 18, 2008
Essence: “Although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is one good thing left in this age. Just by decorating the tongue with the holy names of Krsna, one can achieve perfection and go back home, back to Godhead.”