While 'Dharma' does contain some interesting historical information on Indian religion, its true purpose is clear. It is merely indoctrination propaganda for the hare Krishna religious sect. It has an obviously one-sided look at the historical events surrounding the creation of this sect of Hindu, and the origins of the Bhadavad-Gita, its most sacred writing. My copy was given to my by a Hare Krishna on a street-corner who was handing them out and asking for donations. People who are interested in the Hare Krishna movement will probably find this book of interest, but it isn't for everyone.

The Sanskrit word dharma is one of the oldest and most amabigious terms in the Vedic literarture. Here, Swami Prabhupada explians its use, what it relates to, and most importantaly, how to practice dharma or "one's duty." This book is a collection of lectures and discussions given by Swami Prabhupada in the late 1960's and 70's. Everything is explained so that even someone who is not familiar with the Vedic teachings will understand, yet the deepth of the teachings will inspire even an experienced student. Definitely a must read for spiritual thinkers and those interested in Indian religions, especially the bhakti tradition.

After reading some of Bhaktivedanta Swami's books, I can only conclude that the author of this book missed out on a lot. He obviously has some private issues to deal with. His followers seem so too, as can be read from a previous review. 'What's the difference between a married and a chaste woman?' What's so unchaste about being married????? Very annoying and stuck up. Best to stick with Bhaktivedanta's Books. Maybe a suggestion for the author too.

This book, by Danavir Goswami, is an excellent reference work for the neophyte as well as the advanced devotee. Maharaja is one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet and his understanding of Vedic culture is second to none. Learn from the best teacher... it's no suprise that ISKCON appointed him head of the Rupanuga Vedic College in Kansas City! This book is highly recommended!

I thought the book was great and it gives you everything you need to know while and before you decide to be a devotee of Krishna conciousness. From bathroom etiquette to telling the difference between a married woman and a chaste woman it's all in this book. And if you've had the grace to meet the author,like I've had, then you'd know that this book is a mirror reflection of how the author conducts his vedic college. If you can make the time to take atleast a few weeks off from your regular rituals and enroll into the vedic college the book will become a living instruction on the life of a fortunate soul,your soul!

This book's one contribution to society is that it contains the greatest sentence ever printed: "We Gaudiya Vaisnavas have our commentary on Vedanta philosophy, called Govinda-bhasya by Baladeva Vidyabhusana." This is pretty much representative of the rest of the book. The parts that I read were absolutely indecipherable, and I gave up on it pretty quickly. Of course, I wasn't really reading the book as a means to a spiritual awakening. I only ended up with a copy because I gave a couple of Hare Krishnas a dollar to stop harassing me one day. I opened it up and read twenty or so pages on the bus before deciding that a lifetime of agnosticism was for me. You may get something out of this book, and you may even find the knowledge that brings one nearer to the supreme personality of Godhead, Krsna, but if you do, you're probably not the sort of person I'd like to associate with.

This book does some work explaining and elaborating on the 18 mantras of Sri Isopanisad. He takes a look at where we stand as flawed physical sentient beings within the cycles of repeated death and birth, plus how to break away from that, the material plane, and the law of Karma. He says that the only solution to our problems is a God-centered life, and spiritual knowledge, as opposed to material- which leads to 'nescience.' Summed up, this book is about uniting with God, through the guide of a teacher, and ending the painful process of rebirth.

The book has some nice images as well, and while reading I was entranced into the painting of the stages of birth and death. Also, if the ideas of this book is where you want to take your life, then there is also a final section on Krishna Consciousness at Home.

My favorite mantra was number seven =)

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My favorite mantra is #18 where complete obeisance and surrender is stated. The other mantras are just as beautiful. For the reviewer who didn't know how to pronounce the title: It is pronounced as e-shope-ni(say i like e)-shud.

Another one of Parabhupada's propaganda pamphlets, this book gives the story of Ajaamila's "near-death experience" as reported in the Srimad Bhagavatam, one of the Puraanas. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust tries to pass this off as a record of a genuine NDE, but nothing in Ajaamila's experience corresponds to anything whatsoever in any record of any known NDE report. Ajaamila near death, calls upon his son (named Narayana, after god) and thus when the Yamadutas (demons) come to drag him a way to hell, Krishna, through his kindness, send his servants to stop the demons from carting him away to the infernal regions. Even though Ajjamila had lived a sinful life, he is saved by the chanting of god's name, even though he was not referring to god, but his son. According to Prabhupada, if one remembers Krishna at death, even if one does not remember him in anything other than hatred or indifference, one attains liberation through Krishna's grace. Prabhupada, as usual, shows himself to be a representative of all that is worst in Hinduism, defending the caste system and malighning any sort of sexual activity (even in marriage) other than for procreation. All mahavadis (the Brahmanical "imperesonalists") he uses as his whipping boys, stating that they merely corrupted the teachings of the Gita and Upanishads (which -- of course -- only Prabhupada is qualified to interpret, as he is free from any taint of personal opinion!). He refers to the attributeless nirvana of Brahman which the Upanishads hold as the ultimate reality as merely the effulgence of the Supreme Personality of Krishna, which will ultimately lead one to rebirth. And he maligns the asthanga yoga of Patanjali in favour of mindless chanting of the maha-matra in the tradition of Caitanya (whom he condsiders to be an incarnation of Krishna). One cannot read any spiritual text wothout the aid of a "self-realised" guru (i.e. Prabhupapda himself) whom one must submit to completely and obey without question. For a guy who has supposedly conquered his ego, Parabhupada is as arrogant as one can get. You are either his disciple or you are a fool and a rascal (his words, not mine). He is as dualistic as one can get and still remain a Hindoo. As an example of Hindu fanaticism and superstition, this book is excellent -- as a genuine religious text of any depth whatsoever, it is useless. Look elsewhere unless you are a blind follower without a mind.

The book is about Ajamila's story from the Srimad Bhagavatam; how he found his way back to Godhead. It also speaks about reincarnation, religion, yoga, Krishna and all the other things one has to consider regarding this near death experience. Not all people who had a near death experience saw bliss and heaven, light and peace. There are people who saw hell - like Ajamila. Only a few speak about such an experience and that is no wonder. To read this book is a most rewarding experience and it will change your life to become a better life. Especially people who had a hellish near death experience should read this book for it will help them more than anything else.