"Planet ISKCON" - 38 new articles
H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Friday 14 January 2011--Get Upgraded to Perpetual First Class--and--How to Develop Faith?A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course(tm) Friday 14 January 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. Today's Thought: Get Upgraded to Perpetual First Class Uploaded from Mendoza, Argentina Every position in this material world is last class. Everyone here is struggling hard to be in the best possible position, but they do not realize that even the topmost positions in this material world are last class because at the time of death everyone has to die, just like a dog has to die. So why struggle so hard to achieve a false first class position? It is better to get upgraded from last class to the real and perpetual first class position of pure devotional service. There is no position like pure devotional service because in this position of pure bhakti, Krishna or God--the supreme owner, controller, and enjoyer of everything--becomes your personal property. No one has better facility for living life to its fullest than Krishna's pure devotee. Even Krishna Himself becomes His own devotee in order the taste the first class pleasure. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Introducing the Vegetarians to Krishnaterianism Govinda's Restaurant--Mendoza, Argentina 12 Janury 2011 http://www.backtohome.com/images/2010_Tour2/Mendoza_Govindas.JPG Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Develop Faith? I do not believe in blind faith. I would like to know how should I develop faith? Pradnya Answer: Hear and Chant As Much as Possible Faith is developed by hearing and chanting, because the more you hear and chant about the Krishna, the more you will personally experience Krishna. And the more that you tangibly experience Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the more you will naturally develop strong experiential or empirical faith. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2010-2011 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. Searchable archives of all of course material: http://www.sda-archives.com Receive Thought for the Day as an RSS feed: http://www.backtohome.com/rss.htm Unsubscribe or change your email address Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Daily_Thought Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. Simply we request you to acknowledge where it is coming from with a link to our sign up page: http://www.backtohome.com Our records indicate that at requested to be enrolled to receive e-mails from the Ultimate Self Realization Course at: This request was made on: From the following IP address: ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Devamrita SwamiSrimad Bhagavatam 11.29.5 - How to get selfless devotional service.
Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: Real loveWe had been distributing the whole day in Tampere Finland with Tattvavada Prabhu (our GBC). I wanted to distribute until eight P.M., and he had gone for a sauna as it had been a cold day. The day was coming to a close, when I saw a couple in a car. They looked quite well-to do. I said that they looked good, like they were in good shape. I guessed the husband had a company that he was a leader of. It was a nice conversation, and it turned out that the wife was slightly interested about spiritual matters. She said, "And how about Amma." Amma, or Mata Amrtanandamayi, is an Indian lady who travels around the world hugging people and speaking Mayavada philosophy. I said, "Yes, she's nice. It's nice someone hugs even people she doesn't even know. I think that attracts many people in cold countries like Finland, where people are so lonely." The conversation went on and eventually the lady bought TQK. She paid ten euros for her book. The husband did not want a book. I was praying to Srila Prabhupada and the Lord to let him take also. Then I started canvassing very enthusiastically, "It's a nice book with stories and wisdom, so why not take it?" The man replied, "But I never read." "Maybe not for yourself, but you can read for your wife. You know, a little bedtime story or some wisdom of the day." He responded, "I really don't read." "But love is the determining factor. There is no ocean too wide or no mountain too high, if you have love." The man started to melt, "So how much it is?" I said, "You can give something, but give from your heart." He dug some coins from his pocket. It was about eight euros. Srila Prabhupada, ki jay! Then something extraordinary happened. The wife said, "And now comes the last part." She jumped out of the car and ran up to me and gave me a big hug. She was smiling ecstatically and her eyes were glowing and said, "Thank you so much for meeting us. The very beginning was so great that by that you sold us the first book. But even more special was that you could sell a book to my husband. He never buys any books! Thank you once again" Then she went to the car and they departed. Actually Tattvavada Prabhu had arrived just at the time the wife had jumped out of the car to hug me. He was really surprised to see what was happening, and I had to explain to him the whole story. I felt the lady hugging me was like getting a hug from Krsna. I had tried that day my best to distribute. I had the goal of distributing 100 books, but I did not quite reach it. Anyway, I felt Krsna appreciated the endeavor and sent these two souls just at the right moment. your servant, Vijaya das Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: Literary revolution to change the worldGradually, we shall replace the literatures which are currently popular with our own style of transcendental literature. I have tried it: any page you open, that is wonderful reading matter. My ambition is to spread these books far and wide all over the world so that everyone shall read at least one of our books and that will change his life. If only 1% become devotees, that will change the world. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Karandhara — Tokyo 2 May, 1972 H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 1905:00 A.M.It didn’t snow overnight, so we don’t have to do any new shoveling. Yesterday afternoon we watched DVD #2 of Yadubara’s film Following Srila Prabhupada.
There was sweet film footage of the morning ritual at the Los Angeles temple. Prabhupada used to come back from his morning walk in the car and all the devotees would be waiting outside the temple in two rows. He had a basket of flowers, and he would give each devotee a flower and they would give him one back. It was a spontaneous exchange that just developed and evoked much love between Prabhupada and the devotees. He would then go into the temple and greet the Deities by bowing down before each one and then sitting on the vyasasana holding kirtana and giving his morning lecture. The devotees said that the exchange of flowers after the walk was the best part of the day. The story of Bhaumasura—how he kidnapped and made captive sixteen thousand princesses by collecting them from the palaces of various kings, and how he was killed by Krishna the Supreme Lord, of wonderful character—is all described by Sukadeva Gosvami to Maharaja Pariksit in Srimad Bhagavatam. Generally, the demons are always against the demigods. This demon, Bhaumasura, having become very powerful, took by force the umbrella from the throne of the demigod Varuna. He took the earrings of Aditi, mother of the demigods. He conquered a portion of heavenly Mount Meru and occupied a portion known as Mani-purvata. The king of the heavenly planets, Indra, therefore came to Dvaraka to complain about Bhaumasura before Lord Krishna. Hearing this complaint by Indra, the King of heaven, Lord Krsna, accompanied by His wife Satyabhama, immediately started for the abode of Bhaumasura. Both of them rode on the back of Garuda, who flew them to Pragjyotisa-pura, the capital city of Bhaumasura. It was not a very easy task to enter into the city of Pragjyotisa-pura, because it was very well fortified . . . When Krishna arrived, He broke all the forts to pieces by the strokes of His club, and the military strength scattered here and there by the constant onslaught of the arrows of Krishna. With His celebrated Sudarsana-cakra He counteracted the electrified boundary; the channels of water and the gaseous boundary were made null and void, and He cut to pieces the electrified network fabricated by the demon Mura. By the vibration of His conchshell, He not only broke the hearts of great fighters, but also the fighting machines which were there. Similarly, the walls around the city were broken by His invincible club. I will tell you more later. The congresswoman who was shot in Arizona is reported as slightly recovering. They don’t know if she’ll live. I don’t know much about it. There are some suspicious issues surrounding it, since she was a Democrat and the Republicans in that area are so strongly opposed to her stand on health reform. A federal judge was killed in the shooting along with other people. The President attended a ceremony and gave a highly-praised speech calling for civility among differing parties. Krishna is in control. Everyone has their opinion. You go against others who have a different opinion. He takes a gun against them. That’s going too far. Speak your freedom ,but don’t shoot your opponent. Don’t blaspheme him. When does faultfinding go too far? I have a right to speak against your views, but I shall do so civilly. The first offense in chanting is to find fault with the devotee of the Lord. I can find fault with an ordinary jiva, but I should not do it in a blaspheming way. It’s slippery in Atlanta. It’s two feet deep in Boston. Say you want to get a gun to protect yourself. They search your record and discover you are a citizen with a clean record. “Did you ever take marijuana or LSD?” There’s nothing in my record that says so. I think I have written some personal published poems that confess I did so. They are proof. So that’s an infraction. T.J. asked me how many times a week I wanted a massage. I said, “Three.” “Three!” That was more than he expected, more time than he could spare. We’ll probably do it once a week. It’s relaxing, with Indian, Tibetan music in the background. My eyes are tired. I wanted to write a poem or letter, but now it’s not possible. You write what comes to your head. That’s Natalie Goldberg-style. Henny Penny said the sky was falling, but I said if you want to tell a fairy story tell “The Emperor Has No Clothes.” That is more appropriate because the G.B.C. is being uprooted by the grass-root intellectuals (1986 ISKCON reforms), and to brush it off and say, “Oh, Henny Penny said the sky is falling” is not the point. The emperors have no clothes. They formed a committee to interview each GBC man and I was the first one and the most cooperative. “Send us more like you,” J.S. said. And I resigned from the G.B.C. after seventeen years of service. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: HAPPY AND SUCCESSFULPeople are not happy because they are successful. People are successful because they are happy.  Book Distribution News: Real loveWe had been distributing the whole day in Tampere Finland with Tattvavada Prabhu (our GBC). I wanted to distribute until eight P.M., and he had gone for a sauna as it had been a cold day. The day was coming to a close, when I saw a couple in a car. They looked quite well-to do. I said that they looked good, like they were in good shape. I guessed the husband had a company that he was a leader of. It was a nice conversation, and it turned out that the wife was slightly interested about spiritual matters. She said, "And how about Amma." Amma, or Mata Amrtanandamayi, is an Indian lady who travels around the world hugging people and speaking Mayavada philosophy. I said, "Yes, she's nice. It's nice someone hugs even people she doesn't even know. I think that attracts many people in cold countries like Finland, where people are so lonely." The conversation went on and eventually the lady bought TQK. She paid ten euros for her book. The husband did not want a book. I was praying to Srila Prabhupada and the Lord to let him take also. Then I started canvassing very enthusiastically, "It's a nice book with stories and wisdom, so why not take it?" The man replied, "But I never read." "Maybe not for yourself, but you can read for your wife. You know, a little bedtime story or some wisdom of the day." He responded, "I really don't read." "But love is the determining factor. There is no ocean too wide or no mountain too high, if you have love." The man started to melt, "So how much it is?" I said, "You can give something, but give from your heart." He dug some coins from his pocket. It was about eight euros. Srila Prabhupada, ki jay! Then something extraordinary happened. The wife said, "And now comes the last part." She jumped out of the car and ran up to me and gave me a big hug. She was smiling ecstatically and her eyes were glowing and said, "Thank you so much for meeting us. The very beginning was so great that by that you sold us the first book. But even more special was that you could sell a book to my husband. He never buys any books! Thank you once again" Then she went to the car and they departed. Actually Tattvavada Prabhu had arrived just at the time the wife had jumped out of the car to hug me. He was really surprised to see what was happening, and I had to explain to him the whole story. I felt the lady hugging me was like getting a hug from Krsna. I had tried that day my best to distribute. I had the goal of distributing 100 books, but I did not quite reach it. Anyway, I felt Krsna appreciated the endeavor and sent these two souls just at the right moment. your servant, Vijaya das Book Distribution News: Literary revolution to change the worldGradually, we shall replace the literatures which are currently popular with our own style of transcendental literature. I have tried it: any page you open, that is wonderful reading matter. My ambition is to spread these books far and wide all over the world so that everyone shall read at least one of our books and that will change his life. If only 1% become devotees, that will change the world. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Karandhara — Tokyo 2 May, 1972 Kurma dasa, AU: Vegetarianism and World Religions
Ravinarayan from Shimoga, Karnataka, India, wrote with an enquiry: "Is vegetarianism an important aspect in all religion? Can you give importance of it with reference to different religion?" My reply: "This is a very large topic, almost beyond the realm of this letter. In a nutshell: yes." Prof. Gene Sager of Palomar College writes: "Vegetarianism has been a common thread among the major world religions, even if only a minority have adopted the diet as an expression of their faith. For many people of faith, vegetarianism reflects the Golden Rule: Christianity – “So, whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them” (Matthew 7:12); Judaism – “Do not do unto others what you would not wish to be done to yourself – that is the entire Torah, the rest is commentary” (Babylonian Talmud); Islam – “No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself”; Baha’i Faith – “Blessed is he that preferreth his brother to himself”; Taoism – “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss”; Hinduism – “This is the sum of duty: do naught to others that which if done to thee would cause pain”; Jainism – “A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated”; Buddhism – “Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.” "
One of my favourite authors, Steven Rosen (Satyaraja Dasa) has written two very useful books in this connection: Diet for Transcendence:Vegetarianism and the World Religions” & "Holy Cow:The Hare Krishna Contribution to Vegetarianism and Animal Rights”.
For an overview of this entire topic, in more detail, click here. And finally, here's a list of some representative books: Keith Akers: “The Lost Religion of Jesus” Rynn Berry: “Food for the Gods:Vegetarianism & the World's Religions” Philip Kapleau: “To Cherish All Life” Stephen R. Kaufman and Nathan Braun: “Good News for All Creation” Andrew Linzey: “Animal Gospel” Al-Hafiz B.A. Masri: “Animals in Islam” Vasu Murti: “They Shall Not Hurt or Destroy” Norm Phelps: “The Great Compassion: Buddhism and Animal Rights” Lewis G. Regenstein: “Replenish the Earth” Steven Rosen: “Diet for Transcendence:Vegetarianism and the World Religions” Steven Rosen: “Holy Cow:The Hare Krishna Contribution to Vegetarianism and Animal Rights” Richard H. Schwartz: “Judaism and Vegetarianism” David Sears:” A Vision of Eden: Animal Rights and Vegetarianism in Jewish Law and Mysticism” Michael Tobias: “Life Force:The World of Jainism” Paul Waldau: “The Specter of Speciesism: Buddhist and Christian Views of Animals” Kerry Walters and Lisa Portmess (eds): “Religious Vegetarianism: From Hesiod to the Dalai Lama” ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Mayapur - Vedic Planetarium
ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Bhajan - Mukunda Datta das - Hare Krishna Mukunda Datta das singing Hare Krishna bhajans at the Plano Janmastami celebration. Dallas, TX 2010-09-04
Download: 2010-09-04 - Plano Janmastami - 1 - Mukunda Datta das - Hare Krishna.mp3 Dandavats.com: Reunion - 40 years of Krishna Consciousness - Sydney May 20-22, 2011
Over three magical days, Friday 20 May to Sunday 22 May 2011, Sydney Temple will be celebrating that unique bond. The Temple will be hosting a whirlwind of memorable events that shouldn't be missed Dandavats.com: Daiva Varnasrama Ministry to Inaugurate Mayapur Regional OfficeBhakti Raghava Swami: In an effort to increase the awareness of ISKCON devotees and the general public about the on-going activities of the ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry and to give an opportunity for more individuals to get involved, the ministry plans to open Ministry Regional Offices in Mumbai, Vrindavan and in the Udupi area Dandavats.com: 25th ISKCON Vraja Mandala ParikramaPremanjana das: In the coming kartika month October 2011 we will celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the 25th ISKCON Vraja Mandala Parikrama Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Why grhastha life is inauspiciousGrhastha life is inauspicious because grhastha means consciousness for sense gratification, and as soon as there is sense gratification, one's position is always full of dangers. >>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 4.22.13 H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Guru Maharaja Cooking (London 2010)Sent By His Grace Radhavinod Dasa H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, January 12th, 2011A Bizarre Affair
 Akrura das, Gita Coaching: NO QUESTION OF BEING DISAPPOINTEDIf you want actually to make progress in your devotional life, the utsahan, enthusiasm, is the first thing. If you are lacking enthusiasm, then you should rest, instead of making too much agitation within the mind.  Matsyavatara das (ACBSP), Italy: Family Matters
I believe that family life, the grihastha ashrama, is a theme of universal interest. Some will get married and some will not, some will have children and some will not. But also those who don't get married and those who have already surpassed this phase of life will greatly benefit by knowing the basic dynamics, the rapport of weights and measures, the values of family life in the Vedic-Vaishnava civilization. In the past so much damage has been done by people―who had no positive experience in this area―who tried, disastrously, to handle the life of others. Therefore those directly involved in family life―as well as those who have to come in touch with those directly involved―should know about the fundamental principles and values on which family relations are based. To know such fundamentals of the grihastha asrama is an integral part of spiritual realization, not because it's in itself something spiritual, but because it's a social organization propaedeutical to spiritual realization. Even those who renounce family life for a more elevated aim will always be in touch with those in family life. Directly or indirectly everyone is interested in family life, either because one is married, or because one plans to form a family, or because one has brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, or parents in family life. In this way this ashrama is fundamental and is not completely avoidable even for those who desire to live as brahmacari―a very noble commitment and intention. From Krishna's point of view there is no difference whatsoever between brahmacari ashrama, grihastha ashrama, vanaprastha ahsrama and sannyasa ashrama. These are four positions or stages of life in which one places oneself for self-realization. The goal of life is not to become sannyasi or brahmacari, or to become grihastha or vanaprastha. The goal of life is self-realization and this time we talk of the grihastha ashrama because in this phase many people complicate their problems and their relations. Many people have therefore proposed alternative arrangements to married life but they all have been appalling disasters. Family life is certainly the most complex stage in terms of interface with the world. One has to deal with economy and with a whole series of connections and relations―sometimes extremely difficult―such as children, parents, brothers and sisters. Delivering One's Dependents Question: In the Fifth Canto of Shrimad-Bhagavatam Rishabhadeva states: “One who cannot deliver his dependents from the path of repeated birth and death should never become a spiritual master, a father, a husband, a mother or a worshipable demigod.” [SB 5.5.18] Could you comment? We can't force anyone to go to the spiritual world but we can honestly take the responsibility of doing whatever is possible to help a person to untie his or her karmic bonds. It happened that I had to advice people in debt. Their real problem is not the debt with the bank or with somebody else; their problem is their behavior and their mentality, structurally wrong. If someone in a moment of generosity would pay back their debts, they would continue to incur in debt anyway, because insolvency is ingrained in their character. They do things in the wrong way and produce debts. This is similar with karmic debts; it comes from the same source: errors inside, a deformed mind. This statement by Rishabhadeva means that we should do our best to rectify people's mind. Diseases, for instance, are other types of debts but the dynamics are the same. There is no such thing as good and bad luck; what exists is the way of doing things, the mood, the quality of the mind and of the intellect. We have to analyze the vasanas, the latent desires. When the latent desires are negative, the negative eventually comes out. Someone may accumulate money and not make economic debts, but the same person may make debts in his relations; he might create enemies left and right, and those are extremely heavy debts. Other people are very capable in the field of relations but whatever they do and touch ends in disaster. These are also debts. Therefore the shastra teach that we should control the senses, for life becomes risky when even a single sense breaks free. Have you seen the dependence of the smoker, who surreptitiously gets away to go and have a cigarette? Have you seen the character-deformation of an alcoholic, or of a cocaine-addict, or of a gambler? They live in great suffering and with great internal conflict. The gambler knows that he is destroying his life and the life of those around him. Well-equipped casinos had a room with a notary ready to write the will and where the loser could shoot himself, could commit suicide. Gamblers know that gambling is bad; they cry and bang their head into the wall; they know that by playing they ruin themselves and their families, but it overwhelms them. Similar dynamics are there for the women- or men-hunters, the assaulters of others' purity. Therefore we should educate people to control their senses from childhood. This is what Rishabhadeva is saying. And one must have self-control himself, otherwise how can he educate others? How someone who smokes can tell another to stop? So Rishabhadeva says that one who assumes the responsibility for others should be able to guarantee them liberation―guarantee it from his side―but they are not wood-heads, they are not automatons; they can choose. Everyone has to endeavor, but the leader should educate others to be free from the conditioning of the six degrading impulses: the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals. In this sense the husband, the father, the mother should be gurus, even if they don't know the sacred science in depth. Pull quote: We can't force anyone to go to the spiritual world but we can honestly take the responsibility of doing whatever is possible to help a person to untie his or her karmic bonds.  Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: Subway JapaCurrently in New York with my wife and kids visiting family. Riding hours on the subway provides plenty of time for japa meditation. As I was catching the 4 train down to the Wednesday night program at the Brooklyn temple, the person sitting across from me looked at me with a smile. He pulled out his rosary and started chanting his japa. While riding back while chanting with my eyes closed I
Kripamoya dasa, UK: Leading atheist says don’t throw out mysticism when dumping religionLeading atheist writer and speaker Sam Harris tells a gathering of atheists that the cause of ridding the world of religion will be better served if they understand the importance of spirituality and mysticism, separating it from supernatural mythology. In these two clips I think he makes a very good case for the contemplative tradition. He seems quite concerned that his fellow atheists will appear dull-headed and superficial if they poo-poo mystical traditions and spiritual techniques that actually work. People won’t accept atheism if they do that, and the spread of atheism will be unecessarily obstructed. He does spend considerable time on the subject, and in this regard seems to be slightly at odds with Dawkins. He makes a well-reasoned argument for removing oneself – if only temporarily – from the absorption in repetitive neurotic thoughts and sensual and emotional gratifications. And he all but advocates his listeners to at least try some form of meditative technique. And he says that what contemplatives experience may be very real. However, like a runner who falls before the finishing line he stumbles when it comes to some essential links of logic. In Sanskrit parlance he reveals himself as a mayayapahrita-jnana, an intelligent person who does not carry the chain of logical thought far enough, and whose intellect is then ‘stolen by illusion.’ All he really needed to do was to ask himself why, in the history of the entire world, have the most adept mystics and contemplatives also been largely theistic? If he regards it as an act of superior personal discpline – and perhaps exercise of the intellect – to adopt some form of meditation, then why would so many of those who have perfected the art of meditation claimed to have experienced a personal deity? It seems that the so called atheists really owe it to themselves to read Bhagavad-gita for a while, and leave off denying the three Abrahamic religions so that they can meditate for a while. The God they don’t believe in will come to them in no time. These two clips are around 7 mins each
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 Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: New Goloka Dham, North Carolina - Sunday "Love Prabhupada" Feast The travel journal continues...
Saurabh, a close friend (yet another IBMer) moved to Charlotte with his family a couple of years back. After Bir Krishna Maharaj's Krish-mas party, we were planning to take a quick jaunt to Charlotte for Christmas dinner, but I guess Krishna had other plans. We called this a Krishna pilgrimage and a detour was not in the cards. The whole region was getting nailed with a big storm and without the coping mechanisms we have up in Canada. It is amazing how nice snow looks when you don't need to drive in it. So we settled in to enjoy the first white Christmas Durham had in decades! That evening we went to New Goloka Dham where Sri Sri Radha Golokananda was dressed in.....you guessed it...white (I am sure the picture gave that away). After a nice aratik and very warm intros by Bir Krishna Maharaj, they had my dad give the Sunday lecture. The lecture was about the gifts Srila Prabhupada has given us and loving Srila Prabhupada. I really relished the lecture and so did Maharaj and the devotees with rapt attention and laughter. It makes you realize that the dynamic of a lecture depends on the audience and the speaker....and of course you can't beat the subject...showing gratitude to Srila Prabhupada! After a delicious feast a devotee came out with a still warm sumptuous carob cake and I was reminded that it was my wife Kishori's birthday...oh! oh! She is a Boxing day baby (big shopping day in Canada) and usually spends tons shopping followed by a family birthday party. We had to drive for a couple hours to start towards our next destination. After we checked in to the hotel I made a quick stop at Walmart and picked up some candles and ice cream and she lit up almost as much as the kids faces. So a quick save on my part since it is too early for me to take Sanyas :-) The pictures will tell the rest. Hope you are enjoying this series on the blog. dasanudas, Indresh         Atma Yoga, Brisbane, AU: Closed due to floodsUnfortunately due to the flooding of the CBD Atma Yoga will be closed until further notice. Also the Kirtan with Gauravani scheduled for Friday night will be postponed until later in the month. Hope to be back in action in the very near future. All the best and pray everyone was safe during the flood. Staff of Atma Yoga ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Our New Toronto Hare Krishna Radio!As many have noticed, we have a new addition to our blog - the Toronto Hare Krishna Radio! We have been quite excited about this new initiative as we have batted plenty of ideas around but we aren't sure what you, the listeners, want to hear. So, here's your chance to be part of the action and help out! Fill out our simple poll on the side and let us know what YOU are most excited about hearing on our radio. Do you have an idea that is not on the list like hearing our Temple President tell spiritual jokes for an hour? Leave it in the comment section below! We cannot promise that last idea will happen ;).  Sutapa das, BV Manor, UK: The Dancing God
 H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 1895:30 P.M.It snowed all night, and it is still snowing heavily. The municipal plow trucks have not even come out to plow the roads, and the roadway is piling up. I doubt the school buses will be able to make it out, and so the schools will be closed as well as other places of daily operation. The village is “officially” closed. When will the municipal trucks come with a plow so that the road can be clear for cars? It’s a bit of a mystery why they are not plowing. It’s blowing so hard maybe they just want to wait until it stops, but that doesn’t make sense. It’s creating a snowbound emergency. People have to stay indoors, and they’re not even shoveling their front walks. This can’t keep up long. They say it’s falling two inches per hour and a foot has already fallen, and it will keep up for a few more hours. No one is out strolling. Krishna paid an official visit to the Pandavas in Hastinapura. They were overjoyed to see Him, and so was Queen Kunti. Krishna brought His offices with Him to Hastinapura, and He spent the caturmasya there. He used to go out hunting with Arjuna. One day they were resting from hunting when they saw a beautiful young woman of marriageable age strolling along the Yamuna. Krishna asked Arjuna to approach her and ask her her identity. She said she was Kalindi, the daughter of the sun-god. She said she was practicing austerities with the intention to marry Lord Vishnu, who was her heart’s desire. She told Arjuna that she knew he was a great friend of Krishna’s, and she asked him if he would pray for her to marry Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna had already known about Kalindi, and He agreed to marry her. In addition to marrying Kalindi, this chapter described four other queens that were married to Krishna. One was named Mitravinda, who was very qualified, learned and elegant. She was the daughter of one of Krishna’s aunts. She was to select her husband in the assembly of princes, but she strongly desired to have Krishna as her husband. During the assembly for selecting her husband, Krishna was present, and He forcibly carried away Mitravinda in the presence of all other royal princes. Being unable to resist Krishna, the princes were simply left looking at each other. Krishna also married a girl named Satya, who was the daughter of King Nagnajit. Krishna made a friendship with Nagnajit, and Nagnajit wanted to give Satya to Krishna in marriage. But Nagnajit had a vow that he wanted Satya’s husband to be able to tame seven ferocious bulls. Krishna wanted to take Satya as His wife without subduing the bulls. But when Nagnajit insisted that Krishna tame the bulls, Krishna expanded Himself into seven persons and controlled each bull by the nose. While Krishna was traveling back to Dvaraka, all the frustrated and defeated princes who wanted to marry Satya encircled Him and began to shower their arrows on the bridal party. When they attacked Krishna’s party and started throwing arrows, Arjuna took charge of the challenge, and he alone drove them off very easily in order to please his great friend Krishna. He took up his bow by the name Gandiva and chased away all the princes without even killing any of them. Krishna had another aunt whose name was Srutakirti. She had a daughter whose name was Bhadra. Bhadra also wanted to marry Krishna, and her brother handed her over to Him unconditionally. Krishna also accepted her as His bona fide wife. Thereafter, Krishna married a daughter of the king of the Madras province, and her name was Laksmana. She was also forcibly married by Krishna, who took her in the same way that Garuda snatched the jar of nectar from the hands of the demons. Krishna kidnapped this girl in the presence of many other princes in the assembly of her svayamvara. There are many others girls that married Krishna, and I will describe them. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: PoemKrishna the Supreme sings
Powdery shower continues,
Akrura das, Gita Coaching: THE ARROW OF CUPIDThere may be thousands of beautiful women before a devotee, but that does not disturb his mind.
 H.H. Bhakti Caitanya Swami: Photos from MauritiusJaya Kesava Das, USA: Questions that Exercise me (us)Integration: The action of incorporating a racial or religious group into a community
 Good if the ones integrating are firmly established in knowledge and assimilation of their own culture. Good when one's faith and practice is not interrupted by the friction, or energies exchanged during integration. Good when there is the "serenity to accept" and be accepted, "courage to change" what should be changed to make the bigger picture shine better, and "wisdom to know" the difference. Not good when the persons propagating integration aren't firmly situated in their own philosophy and practice, firm personal character that imbibes the knowledge, and have a motive of taking, rather than giving. People know when they see something valuable; people want to be a part of something valuable; people want to learn something valuable. Personal culture involves personal exchanges- association is like a crystal and one begins to reflect the qualities and mentality (ies) of his association. Everyone wants to add to, or influence the growth of something. All good ideas and reasons if the newcomer is willing and able to learn the basics, the fundamental principles that hold up the culture. I often ask myself what am I learning from people, and what am I giving/ teaching people. What things are essential to learn, and what can be done away with? What values do I uphold? What values am I accepting during integration? Is it OK to blend in with everyone else for the sake of acceptance; as in following their traditions although it has nothing to do with a bigger reality? For example: Thanksgiving and Halloween. Fun holidays, but what is their origin? What is the underlying reason for it? So is it OK to make vegan turkeys and celebrate a holiday based in so much killing of innocent people and animals? Especially if I follow a culture that propagates living a non violent life. Or dressing up as ghosts and goblins and other.. skip that. Especially again when I live in a culture that propagates living in the mode of goodness. Am I more elevated in consciousness after participation? Am I lacking cultural festivals to celebrate?  What do I give? What do I take in? Am I walking my own walk truthfully? Is it quantity? Quality? What is my vision for the future?  ISKCON Toronto, Canada: HH Gunagrahi Swami visits Toronto this weekend!
Gunagrahi das Goswami joined the Hare Krishna Movement in Buffalo, NY in 1969 and was initiated by His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna Movement in 1971 and later accepted Sannyas (renounced order of life) in 1983. He is currently based out of the ISKCON Centre in Buenos Aires and travels widely in North and South America to present the teachings of Bhakti yoga.
He is very well known for his lively kirtans and enlightening classes! We invite every one to please come and get a chance to hear from him! On Sunday, January 16, he will be speaking at ISKCON Scarborough in the morning and will be at ISKCON Toronto for our Sunday Feast from 6pm - 9pm. We look forward to seeing you all there!  H.H. Bhakti Caitanya Swami: H.H Bhakti Caitanya Swami visits Mauritius from 06/12/10 to 18/12/10Monday 06/12/10 Pr.Vrajaraj , our daughter Riddhi and I went to Bon Accueuil Iskcon Farm at about 5 p.m. at Pr Satish and Mtji Hari Ganga’s place where Guru Maharaj would be staying up to the 10th. Devotees were having kirtan while waiting for Guru Maharaj. Guru Maharaj arrived in Pr.Haridev’s car at around 8.45 p.m accompanied [...] H.H. Sivarama Swami: Istvan Nagy asks
Gouranga TV: Janmastami Bhajan – Karnamrita – Krishna Jinika NamaheJanmastami Bhajan – Karnamrita – Krishna Jinika Namahe Kirtan Australia.com: Gaura Vani and As Kindred Spirits + Mayapuris live streamThe Byron Bay concert of Gaura Vani and As Kindred Spirits with the Mayapuris is streaming live from 7pm ADST (6pm AEST). Bhakta Ryan, Brisbane, AU: Self evaluation a [cold black heart]For the past year since around march, I have been sitting in a silent observation of my own character and its evolution since becoming a devotee all the while also observing the interaction between karmis/devotee/other person searching for God.
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By Kurma dasa
Is it true that one is meant to nullify all emotions and sense perception to advance in Krna consciousness?
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