PLANET ISKCON

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"Planet ISKCON" - 51 new articles

Dandavats.com: Iskcon Need To Act With Massive Action Urgently!!!!

Dandavats.com: Simhacalam ,the hill of the lion

Dandavats.com: Live From Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir! HH Danavir Goswami

H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Saturday 12 March 2011--Human Civilization or Ant Civilization?--and--Why Can't Krishna Save A Fallen Devotee?

Bhakta Chuck, CT, USA: Friday Night Oxen #47

Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Get the Look! : Hoosier Cabinets + Baker’s Tables

ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Deity Darshan: Sunday, February 20, 2011

ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Deity Darshan: Sunday, March 6th, 2011

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

Bhakti Lata, Alachua, USA: Journey of Silence

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: 12-hour Kirtan - Live

ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Broadcasting LIVE: Melbourne 12 Hour Kirtan!

Japa Group: We Control The Mind By Two Senses

Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: If 10% of Americans...

H.H. Sivarama Swami: “The purpose and goal of knowledge” (Part 1)

The Loft, Auckland, NZ: Benediction Moon Festival

H.H. Sivarama Swami

Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Kirtan - 24hr Kirtan - Nityananda Prabhu - 7/26

Dandavats.com: Earthquake: Update about ISKCON Japan devotees and temple

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

ISKCON News.com: To Be Equally and Politically Incorrect

Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: tapta-kanchana-gaurangah! Gauranga is coming! Gauranga! {Part 3 of 11}

ISKCON News.com: Fourth Annual Global Daiva Varnasrama Convention

H.H. Sivarama Swami: Devarsi dasa ask whether the deity form of Krsna is spiritualized matter or sat-cit-ananda

Kirtan Australia.com: Live: Melbourne 12 hour kirtan

Sita-pati dasa, AU: Live stream: Melbourne 12 hour kirtan

H.H. Sivarama Swami: But can we really, fully appreciate each other while we are together? Not quite!

Vraja Kishor, JP: A new Kirtan!

Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Repurpose : Decorating / Icing Bag Holder

Mayapur Online: Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama with HH Jayapataka Swami – Day2 & Day 3

H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Corrected version-Friday 11 March 2011--Pure Devotees Don't Fall Down--and--Are Indian Gurus Superior?

H.H. Sivarama Swami

Dandavats.com: Live From Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir! HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami

Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: How Srila Prabhupada's books are sold

Japa Group: Japa Retreat - Krsna's Response

Book Distribution News: How Srila Prabhupada's books are sold

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Kadamba Kanana Swami at Krishna Fest

Gouranga TV: Gaura & Param Kirtan

Dandavats.com: Fourth Annual Global Daiva Varnasrama Convention held

Vraja Kishor, JP: Renunciation on the Path of Love? (Gita 9.28)

Dandavats.com: Singularity: Yet Another ‘Tantadang’ Prophecy

Dandavats.com: Festival of the Chariots and Ratha Yatra Parade in Saint Augustine

Dandavats.com: Bhaktivedanta College: Opening for the positions of Promotion/Fundraising Manager and Receptionist

Dandavats.com: Landscapping and grounds maintaince positions open

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Dandavats.com: Iskcon Need To Act With Massive Action Urgently!!!!

Radhagopal das: ISKCON on its part should encourage 24 hours kirtan world wide at all centres to go on to overcome the effect of SINS (papa). There must really be a concerted massive effort from all front

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Dandavats.com: Simhacalam ,the hill of the lion

Payonidhi das: In Simhacalam in South India,Lord Varaha Narasimha is getting a new covering of Chandan in May, as instructed by Lord Varaha Narasimha Himself in Treta yuga to Urvasi and King Pururava

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Dandavats.com: Live From Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir! HH Danavir Goswami

By Danavir Goswami
Therefore we should genuinely desire to go back to Godhead to get out of this material world. Krishna promises that, "Having once come to that abode of Mine you will not return here again."

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H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Saturday 12 March 2011--Human Civilization or Ant Civilization?--and--Why Can't Krishna Save A Fallen Devotee?

A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course(tm) Saturday 12 March 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: Human Civilization or Ant Civilization? Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA Human civilization devoid of God consciousness is an ant civilization. The ants are running this way and that way simply to get food to take back to their anthill. A human civilization whose only focus is material sense gratification is no more of a civilization than an anthill. Real human civilization means self-realization civilization, not ant civilization. As long as they remain like ants simply pursuing material sense gratification, the stringent laws of material nature will dictate that they take birth again as ants. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Human Highway http://www.backtohome.com/images/traffic.jpg Less Congested Ant Highway http://www.backtohome.com/images/ant_highway.JPG Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Why Can't Krishna Save A Fallen Devotee? Is is stated that Krishna is merciful and very kind. Krishna is very dear to His devotees. And those who glorify Krishna are very much dear to Him. So my question is: If someone renders service to Krishna, feels attachment to Him, and gradually become purified, why does he fall down and forget Krishna? Why can't Krishna save him from falling down? Mittal Answer: Why Does He Embrace Maya? This reminds me of the story of the disciple who told his spiritual master, Guru Maharaja, maya will not let me go of me. The spiritual master then hugged a tree tightly crying out, Let go of me. Let go of me. Krishna is giving us all facility to be saved. It is simply up to us to take advantage of it. 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 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: Hig

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Bhakta Chuck, CT, USA: Friday Night Oxen #47

Hello Everyone,
Click to view slideshow.
Today there is much sadness in the world and I struggled to find meaningful words to understand the confusion. Slowly, words like hope, prayer, faith and finally, mercy came through.
Have a thoughtful weekend, in service to the Oxen
ys, Chuck
Chant
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

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Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Get the Look! : Hoosier Cabinets + Baker’s Tables

Whether you are remodeling an early 20th century home or just aspire for the warm look of an unfitted kitchen, incorporating antique pieces such as Hoosier cabinets and baker’s tables into your design will help move you closer to your … Continue reading →

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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Deity Darshan: Sunday, February 20, 2011

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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Deity Darshan: Sunday, March 6th, 2011

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

You know what? The Salagrams are smiling too brightly for anyone to miss Their darsana!

Just look at Shanta Nrsimha! Isn't He simply gorgeous showcasing that full grin, topped by that elegant crown?

And the backdrop! Have a close look at it... it is hand painted and depicts the pleasure groves of Sri Vrindavana Dhama.

As Kadamba Kanana Maharaja said in Bhagavatam class, all the ingredients for the golden age are present here. We just have to get absorbed and leave the influence of Kali behind us instead of holding on to our conditionings.

It sounds easy, doesn't it... but it gets even easier when you get absorbed into today's darsana.

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Bhakti Lata, Alachua, USA: Journey of Silence

I attended my first 24 Hour Kirtan over the radio.

In 2008 I was in Hawaii at my parent's, where I had just undergone foot surgery. I was bedridden. So I tuned into a rather thin online broadcast of the 24 Hour Kirtan in New Vrindavan; I expected a bunch of fancy melodies and fancy drum beats, and I was ready to tune out again.

But what came out of my speakers was the first time I ever heard a kirtan by Madhava. Goosebumps ran down my arms. The holy name was for real.

As I lay there in my bed, I wondered when I would attend a 24 Hour Kirtan. What would I do? I cringed at the thought of only going to socialize, like any other festival. I wanted to absorb myself completely in the holy name because after all, it IS a festival of the holy name.

I decided that I would take a vow of silence, mauna vrata, and speak only the holy name.

Over the past two years I have attended half a dozen 24 or 12 hour kirtans, and each time I have taken a vow of silence. Each festival, my experience of the holy name becomes more profound.

It has always been my dream, though, to share the beauty of this experience with others. But it's kind of a hard sell, if you know what I mean - silence for 24 hours at a major festival?? Impossible!

But last October, my friend Nanda Priya finally decided to take the vow with me at a 24 Hour Kirtan. Our experience was beautiful, and I felt so amazed to share this depth of the holy name with another person.

**

Last weekend, 30 youth boarded the Youth Ministry bus to head down to Miami for Rathayatra and the 12 Hour Kirtan. A bunch of us girls gathered around our bunkbeds and discussed the upcoming kirtan festival. I didn't even bring up the vow of silence - Nanda did.

"Mauna vrata is amazing," she said. "Someone asked me last October if I had had fun, but I just thought, 'No!' I didn't have fun. It was deep and profound,"

"I agree," I said thoughtfully. "It's not fun, it's deep."

We all engaged in lively discussion and suddenly - everyone decided to do it.

So when Sunday morning rolled around, six of us tied on our little wristbands that said, "Vow of Silence."

In all of my experiences of mauna vrata, the vow has been austere, deep, profound, and it has moved my soul. But suddenly, the vow DID become fun.

I had the time of my life!

Whenever the six of us would convene after hours and hours of kirtan, we would all just call out, "Krishna, Krishna! Radhe Radhe!" in varying tones of question or exclamation. We would laugh and gesture and say the Lord's name some more. At one point, it truly struck me how this is the spiritual world - everyone only wants to talk about Krishna.

And it never gets old.

On the bus ride back that evening after the festival, the six of us gathered around our bunkbeds to share our realizations. Everyone had had their own challenges, but we all drew a unanimous conclusion: We had not wanted the Festival to end. We had all wanted to keep saying only the Lord's name...

...if just for a while longer.

So, my dear reader, maybe the next time I see you at a festival of the holy name, feel free to come up to me and show me your wristband. I'm sure our conversation will be perfect.
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: 12-hour Kirtan - Live

The secret is out:
the organisers of the 12-hour Kirtan have released the roster for today.

If you can't make it to the temple to witness the bliss live, you can still see our kirtaniyas live via this link.

Tune in quick!

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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Broadcasting LIVE: Melbourne 12 Hour Kirtan!

Check out the transcendental kirtan happening Down Under!

For the full kirtan schedule, visit: www.kirtanaustralia.com! Enjoy!

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Japa Group: We Control The Mind By Two Senses

Our yoga also controls the senses; we control the mind by two senses. So one sense is vibrating, speaking with the tongue, and the other sense is hearing. If these two senses are fixed, then you can control your mind. We speak Hare Krsna mantra and we hear.

Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: If 10% of Americans...

Srila Prabhupada told Tamal Krsna Gosvami that if 10% of Americans were to forswear meat-eating, the whole world situation would change.
Tamal Krsna Gosvami lecture, Houston 1995.

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H.H. Sivarama Swami: “The purpose and goal of knowledge” (Part 1)

Lecture and Q/A of Bg. 9.2 (3 Parts English/Turkish)

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The Loft, Auckland, NZ: Benediction Moon Festival

Be part of the Benediction moon festival celebrating good fortune, well being & protection. Taste spiritual happiness through live kirtan music, drama & a vegetarian banquet. Also featuring guest speaker Devamrita Swami. It’ll be ecstatic!

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H.H. Sivarama Swami

Any fool can count the seeds in an apple. Only God can count all the apples in one seed.
- Robert H. Schuller

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Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Kirtan - 24hr Kirtan - Nityananda Prabhu - 7/26

Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Kirtan - 24hr Kirtan - Nityananda Prabhu - 7/26

Nityananda Prabhu singing a Hare Krishna kirtan during Dallas' New Year's 24hr Kirtan
Dallas, TX

2010-12-31

2010-12-31 - 08 - 24hr Kirtan - Nityananda Prabhu - Hare Krishna.mp3

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Dandavats.com: Earthquake: Update about ISKCON Japan devotees and temple

By Sanjay Krsnacandra das
Our newly made Temple & Deities are fine. One deity displaced back on the back rest but no damage. Minor cracks in temple Govinda's restaurant. Buildings & poles were oscillating like anything. By your good wishes not much fear in us. Lord there to take care

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1966 March 11: "Panchami. I went to the Paragon Book Gallery. Total 10 sets, add 35 new sets, total 45 sets. Transfer to old stock 25 sets, balance 20 sets. Taken today 4 sets, balance 16 sets new stock. This 16 sets new I shall take at a time when I next need them."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1966

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1967 March 11: "I am thankful to you all for encouraging me in my humble attempt to preach the message of Srila Prabhupada in this part of the world.In the matter of permanent Visa will you kindly send me a certificate in personal letter as President and Acarya of the Gaudiya Sangha in the following words and oblige."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1969 March 11: "He is now so much busy in so many ways. In the absence of BTG printing, I gave permission to print some outside work, to get money, but that does not mean we should stop our own work and print something on our press which is against our principles."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1969 March 11: "Relishing the transcendental sweetness of Krishna Kirtana is only possible when one is actually advanced, towards perfection. In the conditioned stage, we chant Hare Krishna mantra officially without any attachment and try to finish the rounds as soon as possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 March 11: "We are coming in disciplic succession from Bhaktivinoda Thakura and you are coming in family succession from Mahatma Sisir Kumar Ghose, so if we combine together in preaching the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, it will be a great benediction to the human society."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 March 11: "At the moment everyone is sudra. The Krishna Consciousness movement is meant to create actual intellectuals to guide society. The process if very simple. If the Varnasrama College is started, I am sure the chaotic condition of human society will be completely settled up."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 March 11: "In the beginning if we start a Varnasrama College to teach internationally students from all over the world to learn to be educated as brahmanas, as Ksatriyas, as vaisyas, as sudras, by quality and work, that will be the basic principle of Krishna Consciousness."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1975 March 11: "I have just completed a world tour visiting Hong Kong, Japan, United States, South America, Mexico, London, and now Tehran. I will be leaving for Bombay and then Calcutta and from there to Mayapur for Gaura Purnima. I would be happy to see you there if you are able to come."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

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ISKCON News.com: To Be Equally and Politically Incorrect

By Keshava Krishna Das for ISKCON News on 9 Mar 2011

If we look back into Vedic history we will probably find many incidents that contravene modern-day standards of human rights and discrimination. If say, a liberal human rights monitor group were to go back 5,000 years to observe human conduct as portrayed in the Mahabharata, they would likely report negatively to the UN Human Rights commission.

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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: tapta-kanchana-gaurangah! Gauranga is coming! Gauranga! {Part 3 of 11}

Today's verse starts with tapta-kanchana-gaurangah and describes Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's complexion is like molten gold. Gauranga! Gauranga!

So this is the 3rd of 11 posts with 2 verses in each post from the Sri Gauranga Ashtottara Shata Nama Stotram by Sarvabhauma Bhattaharya.

After all the posts we will take 108 names of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and accompanied by 108 different pictures of the Golden Avatar. Gauranga! Gauranga!

On March 19th, Gaura Purnima the 21st verse of the stotram will be revealed and on this full moon day the importance, benefit and nectar will also be revealed. So please keep reading, meditating and sharing this nectar so that we can all benefit from this merciful prayer to the Golden Avatar as composed by Sila Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya.

Gauranga bol! Gauranga bol! Gauranga! Gauranga!

5) tapta-kanchana-gaurangah simha-grivo maha-bhujaha pita-vasa rakta-pattah sad-bhujo 'tha chatur-bhujaha

Tapta-kanchana-gauranga--His complexion is like molten gold

Simha-griva--His neck is like the lion's

Maha-bhuja--His arms are very muscular

Pita-vasa--He wears yellow cloth (when a householder)

Rakta-patta--He wears red cloth (when a sannyasi)

Sad-bhuja--He exhibits a six-armed form

Chatur-bhuja--He exhibits a four-armed form
6) dvi-bhujash cha gada-panih chakri padma-dharo 'malaha pancha-janya-dharah sharngi venu-panih surottamaha

Dvi-bhuja--He exhibits a two armed form

Gada-pani--He holds the mace

Chakri--He holds the discus

Padma-dhara--He holds the lotus

Amala--He is sinless

Pancha-janya-dhara--He holds the Panca-janya conchshell

Sharngi--He holds the bow

Venu-pani--He holds the flute

Surottama--He is the foremost of the demigods

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ISKCON News.com: Fourth Annual Global Daiva Varnasrama Convention

By Bharat Chandra Das for ISKCON News on 9 Mar 2010

Fourth Annual Global Daiva Varnasrama Convention was recently held at Sridham Mayapur from 4th March to 7th March. One of the most interesting sessions were on 'Ksatriya Dharma', on 'Social Norms- A Case Study of the Amish Community` and `Self Sufficiency Efforts` by Rama Vigraha Das, who joined ISKCON in the early 70s, and since then has been involved with the Varnasrama movement.

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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Devarsi dasa ask whether the deity form of Krsna is spiritualized matter or sat-cit-ananda

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Kirtan Australia.com: Live: Melbourne 12 hour kirtan

From Saturday Mar 12, 2011 10 am ADST (GMT +11) streaming live on the Kirtan Australia live streaming channel.
Here’s the line up:

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Sita-pati dasa, AU: Live stream: Melbourne 12 hour kirtan

From Saturday Mar 12, 2011 10 am ADST (GMT +11) streaming live on the Kirtan Australia live streaming channel.
Here's the line up:

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H.H. Sivarama Swami: But can we really, fully appreciate each other while we are together? Not quite!

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Vraja Kishor, JP: A new Kirtan!

Here is the video for our newest kirtan, recorded in March 2011.

Vraja Kishor, JP: A new Kirtan!

Here is the mp3 version of it, for an iPod or whatever you like to listen to music with:
Kusumita Vrindavane

Kusumita Vrindavane

Kirtana (Spiritual Music) is the central activity of Bhakti Yoga (The yoga of love). In astrology, “yoga” refers to links between planets. In spirituality, “yoga” refers to a link between the individual and the divine. The sounds in this video form that link through the powerfully emotional medium of devotional music.
This is a song composed a few centuries ago in Bengali by the great saint, poet and musician, Narottama Dasa Thakur. Interspersed with the Bengali is the Sanskrit Hare Krsna maha-mantra. The Ter Kadamba Mandir (of which I am a member) performed the kirtana. Yunime Studios created the video.
Here is a translation of the Bengali into English: http://vicd108.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/lyrics-to-padabali-kirtan/
Please feel free to share the video provided you credit Ter Kadamba Mandir and Yunime Studios.
For more, please see: http://www.facebook.com/Ter.Kadamba.Mandir

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Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Repurpose : Decorating / Icing Bag Holder

I am so about to save you $12.99. Yeah, I know, free shipping. But believe me. You do not have to shell out the shekels for the Wilton Decorating Bag Holder when you can just follow my lead and stick … Continue reading →

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Mayapur Online: Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama with HH Jayapataka Swami – Day2 & Day 3

We reached Suvarna Vihar at 8am and met the International party who were listening to the nectarine pastimes from different maharajas. Asthe last speaker Guru Maharaja shared the pastimes of Suvarna Vihar and mentioned that, “we need to have ghee like heart and as soon as we hear the name of Gauranga, it should melt instantly.” Then everyone chantedGaurangaaaaaaaa!!!!”.”He continued,”We should cry for Krsna and Gauranga!!!!….
read more

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H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Corrected version-Friday 11 March 2011--Pure Devotees Don't Fall Down--and--Are Indian Gurus Superior?

A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course(TM) Friday 11 March 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: Pure Devotees Don't Fall Down Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA One who is solidly fixed in Krishna consciousness never falls down because he is constantly relishing within his heart a sweetness which surpasses by millions, billions, and even trillions of times the happiness derived from material sense gratification. Even if he were offered heavenly enjoyment in the upper planetary systems where the pleasure is thousands of times greater than the pleasure on this planet, he would still not be allured because even one drop of the ocean of transcendental bliss is more satisfying and uplifting than unlimited oceans of sensual pleasure. Sankarshan Das Adhikari The Pure Devotee Relishes Unlimited Transcendental Bliss http://www.backtohome.com/images/Prabhupada/prabhupada_smiling.jpg Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Are Indian Gurus Superior? There are some devotees in ISKCON saying that the Indian gurus are more bona fide than the Western gurus. So can you please give some sastric proof that this is not a correct statement? Your servant, Gopati Krishna Dasa Seremban, Malaysia Answer: Hell's Residents Make Such Distinctions Anyone who judges the authenticity of a spiritual master based on his body type has a hellish, racist mentality and is completely unqualified to understand who is a bona fide spiritual master and who is not. This is confirmed as follows in the Padma Purana: One who thinks that the worshipable Deity in the temple is made of wood or stone, one who sees a Vaisnava guru as an ordinary human being, or one who materially conceives of a Vaisnava as belonging to a particular caste is naraki, a resident of hell. Since the first principle of spiritual knowledge is that we are not these bodies, it is unthinkable that any members of ISKCON could be thinking this way. Kindly report this matter to the local ISKCON authorities where this misconception is going on so that these misinformed persons can be brought to the proper standard of spiritual knowledge. Otherwise there is no question of their being able to make any spiritual advancement. 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 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:

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H.H. Sivarama Swami

There is really nothing uninspiring for a highly advanced devotee.
- Srila Prabhupada

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Dandavats.com: Live From Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir! HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami

By Bhakti Purusottama Swami
So in this way we see throughout the Vedic literatures there are so many examples which tell us how to prepare to leave our bodies very blissfully while meditating upon the lotus feet of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava. But as I said it doesn't happen by our own endeavor

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Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: How Srila Prabhupada's books are sold

As we all know, Prabhupada gave a lot of emphasis to book production and distribution. Before '75 most of our books were being imported, but then we started our own book production around June of '75. So we had arranged...we had a member called Mr. Gupta, I believe, he had a very big bookstore. So we had arranged a very big book display for Srila Prabhupada's books. We had Prabhupada's books in the shop in the window, we had a rack with Prabhupada's books, we had posters designed advertising Prabhupada's books, it was a real big promotion. So we ran this promotion for one month. Now, even after one month it was discovered that not many books were sold, not as many as we had hoped would be sold. So I went to Prabhupada and gave the report. So Prabhupada said, "My books are sold because of the enthusiasm of my disciples, and in these bookstores naturally the salesman are not enthusiastic." Prabhupada was not discouraged, but he made it clear that his books get sold because of the enthusiasm of his disciples.
Ref. VedaBase => Gopal Krishna Maharaja

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Japa Group: Japa Retreat - Krsna's Response

Sacinandana Swami discusses the important subject of how Krsna responds to our attempts at chanting the Holy names.

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Book Distribution News: How Srila Prabhupada's books are sold

As we all know, Prabhupada gave a lot of emphasis to book production and distribution. Before '75 most of our books were being imported, but then we started our own book production around June of '75. So we had arranged...we had a member called Mr. Gupta, I believe, he had a very big bookstore. So we had arranged a very big book display for Srila Prabhupada's books. We had Prabhupada's books in the shop in the window, we had a rack with Prabhupada's books, we had posters designed advertising Prabhupada's books, it was a real big promotion. So we ran this promotion for one month. Now, even after one month it was discovered that not many books were sold, not as many as we had hoped would be sold. So I went to Prabhupada and gave the report. So Prabhupada said, "My books are sold because of the enthusiasm of my disciples, and in these bookstores naturally the salesman are not enthusiastic." Prabhupada was not discouraged, but he made it clear that his books get sold because of the enthusiasm of his disciples.
Ref. VedaBase => Gopal Krishna Maharaja

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Kadamba Kanana Swami at Krishna Fest

Here are a few pictures of Maharaja's visit at Urban Yoga on Wednesday.

Despite a very bad foot and other bodily ailments, Kadamba Kanana Maharaja blew the roof off with his powerful kirtan that got everyone jumping up and down in total bliss.

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Gouranga TV: Gaura & Param Kirtan

Gaura & Param Kirtan

Gouranga TV: Gaura & Param Kirtan

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Dandavats.com: Fourth Annual Global Daiva Varnasrama Convention held

By Bharat Chandra Das
The event was inaugurated by His Holiness Lokanath Swami, His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami, His Holiness Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami, His Grace Samba Das and His Grace Bharat Chandra Das by lighting the lamp

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Vraja Kishor, JP: Renunciation on the Path of Love? (Gita 9.28)

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Gita 9.28
The ninth chapter is the center of the Gita. It is the core, the essence, the kernel, the most confidential topic in the book. Thus far in the ninth chapter, however, we have not gotten to the true essence. The true center of the Gita, the deepest core, is the end of the ninth chapter. The first part of the ninth chapter merely introduced the subject and discussed who is and who is not qualified to be understand the core of the Gita and its most confidential secrets. But starting from the 22^nd text, Kṛṣṇa began speaking the actual secret of Bhagavad Gita began.
Lets get our bearings straight by first reviewing what has happened so far in this chapter. I will put the text numbers in parenthesis.
The Ninth Chapter So Far
Kṛṣṇa: You are my friend, so I trust you (1). Therefore I am about to tell you the most confidential of all spiritual secrets (2). Those who do not have a trusting relationship with me cannot hope to understand this secret (3).
Arjuna: What is it exactly about me that you feel warrants this trust?
Kṛṣṇa: Because you have achieved what we have discussed so far [up through the end of the 8^th chapter]. You have unshakable devotion to me?
Arjuna: How can one gain this qualification.
Kṛṣṇa: First he or she must understand who I really am. I am not ordinary person. Anything you love in this world is merely my energy! Yet I am above and beyond all those things and even your wildest dreams. (4) Everything that brings you happiness and pleasure is my energy – but since I am the source of that energy, even greater happiness and pleasure comes from loving me than comes from loving any object separated from me by illusion. (5)
Arjuna: But the objects in this world, composed of your energy, do not just give happiness and pleasure. They also give sadness and pain. Am I to understand by the same logic that you are also the source of greater sadness and pain than any object could give?
Kṛṣṇa: Pain and sadness comes as a result of divorcing my energy from me. This divorce occurs by your own will, not mine. Therefore the pain results from you, not from me. It results from your wishing to divorce me. Thus although there is pain in my creation, it emanates from the illusion of people trying to exploit my creation – it does not directly emenate from me. Know that I am uncontaminated by the pain in my energies, just as the sky is uncontaminated by the wind. (6)
Arjuna: Why do you allow pain to exist in your energy?
Kṛṣṇa: What to speak of “pain,” when divorced from me even “pleasure” becomes a source of misery. Even your greatest pleasure becomes your worst pain when you lose it, which you inevitably will since everything in my energy is temporarily manifest in endless cycles of creation and destruction. (7)
Arjuna: Why do you allow it?
Kṛṣṇa: It is true that I allow it and sanction it (8), but I cannot be held responsible for sanctioning the nature results of pain and pleasure (9).
Arjuna: Why not?
Kṛṣṇa: Because I am merely the referee in this game you are playing with my energies. I enforce the rules, but is the players (you) who are to be held responsible for winning or losing. (10)
Arjuna: I see.
Kṛṣṇa: That is why I can tell you my secrets, that is why you have my trust and I have yours, because you understand what I have just said. Other people think that I am not an umpire, but just another player. They think that God is competitive and prejudiced like human beings. (11) Naturally, they hate me for the suffering they endure, while other persons I seem to favor with pleasures. If one does not understand that I am completely neutral and merely sanction the just rewards of everyone’s destiny, they will never develop trust and love in me but will come to miserable ruination in a lonely state of perpetual divorce. And they will blame me in vain even for the divorce! (12).
Arjuna: Let’s not discuss such depressing things any longer! Tell me now what happens to a person who does accept that you are neutral and not to blame for the pleasures and pains they experience in your energies?
[comment – the next text is the first place the most confidential secret of Bhagavad Gita begins to be mentioned. But the topic will divert shortly]
Kṛṣṇa: When a soul accepts full responsibility for their pleasures and pains they can start to trust in me and love me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They soon lose interest in divorcing themselves from me and exploiting my energy. Instead they seek to use my energy in a divine way! They Goddess of my divine energies, Śrī Rādhā takes them under her wing and remarries them to me, engaging them fully in the bliss of divine loving service! (13)
Arjuna: What is the nature of a fortunate soul who is under the shelter of Śrī Rādhā and fully loves you?
Kṛṣṇa: They have firmly determined vows to always sing my devotional “kirtana” due to the deep respect they have for devotion, which they cultivate by always engaging in worshipping me. These are the “great souls.”
[comment – with this next question Arjuna diverts the topic from diving further into the most confidential secret for the time being. It is important that Krsna fully explains how to fully understand the most confidential secret before revealing it. Therefore Arjuna directs the conversation towards this more full disclosure.]
Arjuna: There are those who spite you and hold you responsible for their suffering. And then there are those who embrace you. The former are the “bad guys” and the later are the “good guys.” Aren’t there some people who fall in between these two extremes?
Kṛṣṇa: Yes – these are the people who do religious or spiritual things, but ignore me in the process. They forget that the whole point of religion or spirituality is to embrace me with increasingly pure love.” (15)
Arjuna: Can you illustrate with a few examples?
Kṛṣṇa: Here are four examples.
1. People who do religion as if it were a ritual, forgetting that love for me is the essence of every element of the ritual. (16)
2. People who pursue philosophy as though it were a mundane science, forgetting that the whole point of the scientific endeavor is to more deeply appreciate and love me. (17)
3. People who do good deeds as though that were divine in and of itself, not knowing that I am everything good and everything good that can be done, and am therefore the ultimate one whom one should seek to please by doing good things. (18)
4. People who appreciate nature but forget that I am the source of energy within everything they appreciate about it. (19)
Arjuna: What is the result of being “half-good” like these persons?
Kṛṣṇa: They indirectly worship me, so they get a result that is indirectly good. Specifically they get freed from bad karma and rise to heaven to enjoy paradise. (20) When their good karma is thus spent in heaven, they return to the mortal world and are right back where they started (21).
[Comment – feeling that Kṛṣṇa has adequatedly distinguished what sort of person we must become to fully comprehend the deepest secrets of the Gita, he now directs Kṛṣṇa to begin directly disclosing that most confidential secret.]
Arjuna: What is the result of being entirely “good” and taking full shelter of devotional yoga under the wing of the Goddess of Devotion, Śrī Rādhā?
Kṛṣṇa: Those great souls who properly perform religion and spirituality by always being exclusively in divine love with me and fully concentrating directly on loving my transcendental senses – I destroy their every obstacle and provide everything they ever need! (22)
Arjuna: Why does it have to be focused on your transcendental senses. Can’t someone love someone else, or some other god? After all, isn’t everything ultimately you anyway?
Kṛṣṇa: No! Everything is my energy, but nothing except me is me! Yes, those who love other persons and other gods indirectly love me, because all persons and gods are my energy. But real spirituality must not be so indirect! (23)
Arjuna: What happens to such spiritualists?
Kṛṣṇa: They fall from the path.
Arjuna: Why?
Kṛṣṇa: Those who acknowledge me directly, I take direct care of them and see to it that their obstacles and faults do not destroy them. But those who engage in spirituality without directly focusing on loving me do not elicit such a response from me! Therefore their own obstacles and faults destroy them eventually. (24)
Arjuna: But we see and hear that many persons obtain significant results from spiritual practices that do not directly love you.
Kṛṣṇa: Yes, as I said, they attain paradise! But paradise is temporary, those who are wise know this. Those who worship other persons and goals go to those other persons and goals. Such persons are unfit “husbands” because they cannot fully shelter the lover! Therefore eventually they release the lover again to the ocean of mortality. Those who directly love me are loving the only absolute “husband” – when they come to me I never ever cast them away or let them fall. (25)
Arjuna: Aho! Aha! It is wonderful!!! How can one begin to develop this direct loving relationship with you!?
Kṛṣṇa: It is simple. It is just about love, that’s all. Love is the most simple yet profound thing there is. Just offer me a leaf, a flower, a fruit or even some water. I will accept the love in your offering and this begins our loving bond which will lead to our “marriage.” (26)
Arjuna: [speechless]
Kṛṣṇa: You are already eating, you are already working, right? Just do the same type of things, but now do them as an effort to please my transcendental senses! This is how a loving relationship begins! (27)
Arjuna: [remains speechless in ecstacy]
Kṛṣṇa: [attempting to recall Arjuna to a normal state] Remember when we discussed true renunciation and true freedom from Karma [chapter three]?
Arjuna: Yes.
Kṛṣṇa: Well, this is the most perfect way to be renounced from sense object and freed from karma – by dedicating all sense objects and all endeavors to pleasing Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead!
Arjuna: Is the result the same as normal selfless karma yoga?
Kṛṣṇa: No! You obtain the result of such yoga – liberation, but you get much more, you actually come to enjoy a wonderful divine loving existence with Me, in person! (28)
More about the 28^th Text
http://vedabase.net/bg/9/28/en <- There is a link to the 9^th chapter, 28^th text of Gita, with our most kind teacher’s explanatory purport.
His explanation of the verse focuses on the fact that Kṛṣṇa uses the word “yukta” (sanyassa-yoga-yukta) in this text. “Yukta” and “yoga” are nearly synonymous. They both mean “linking.” The phrase Kṛṣṇa uses here means, “linked (yukta) to the linking path (yoga) of renunciation (sanyassi)” The implication is that one does not literally need to be on the path of renunciation! One obtains it’s result by linking to it.
How does one “link to the path of renunciation” without actually becoming a renunciate oneself?
By following the directions given in 9.27, the previous verse: “Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform — do that, O son of Kuntī, as an offering to Me.”
Our grand master, Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī elaborates on this as an important practice of bhakti yoga, in his Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.255. If you wish to explore this text in it’s context, you can do so here: http://www.dicara.com/Members/Vic/BRS/1-2-245.htm#255
In fact this section of Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu is a direct exposition of the texts we are now discussing in Bhagavad Gita! The context there is:
Rūpa Goswāmī has just finished describing 64 things that constitute practice of bhakti yoga. Then, in text 246 of the section, he begins to address things that certainly are not practices of bhakti yoga.
246: Those who are wise and have deep knowledge of Bhakti do not accept practices of Karma to be practices of SAdhana Bhakti.
247: Śrī Rūpa explains that Karma (i.e. “religion” or “proper action.”) is only useful for people who still are not interested in loving God directly. He quotes Bhagavatam 11.20.9 to substantiate this: ““One should practice Karma as long as one hasn’t developed distaste for such things, or faith in things like hearing about me.”
248: Now he addresses the next platform, Jñāna (knowledge and renunciation). He says that these are moderately useful in the very beginning of developing an interest in loving God. But they do not have any place within the practice of Bhakti proper!
249: Why not? Because being scholastic and detached makes the heart very lofty and stoic and difficult to move. Bhakti, however desires a lowly, gentle and soft heart that is easily moved. Therefore renunciation is antithetical to the practice of bhakti!
250: This sounds radical, so he quotes Bhagavatam 11.20.31 – “Certainly knowledge and detachment are not usually beneficial to a yogi endowed with love for me and absorbed in me.”
251: How then does a bhakti yogi become free from karma and sense desires? Sri Rūpa says, that it happens automatically as a result of loving Kṛṣṇa.
252-253: Again he substantiates this by quoting Bhagavatam, 11.20.32-33 – That which comes from karma, from austerity, from knowledge and detachment, from yoga, from charity, from religion, and from other auspicious means, my devotee easily obtains all these from my loving service. Even if he or she somehow desires heaven, liberation, or my abode, he or she gets it.”
254: He then states explicitly: “A person’s attachment to objects, however deep they may be, is usually destroyed when he or she develops taste for worshipping Hari. “
Then comes the verse which Prabhupāda indicates is tantamount to the current Bhagavad Gita text, 255: “Worthy detachment” is to be without attachment for things yet to utilize those that are worthy in relation to Krishna.
And then he contrasts, 256: “Unworthy detachment” is when one in search of liberation totally renounces objects related to Hari, considering them to be material.
So, we do seek “sense gratification” on the path of bhakti yoga. Specifically we seek to gratify the senses of our beloved, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, with the very best sense objects we can create or obtain! This is the perfect “renunciation” for the path of love.
The Gopis are the perfect exemplars of this renunciation. They sacrifice everything that brings any normal girl happiness and security – all just for the sake of pleasing Syamasundar Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
This is why when the Gopis incarnate in this world they appear as renunciates of the highest caliber – such as Rūpa Goswāmī, etc.
Hare Kṛṣṇa.

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Dandavats.com: Singularity: Yet Another ‘Tantadang’ Prophecy

By Jeevanmukta Das
The last time they said it was when they developed DDT, the miracle pesticide. ‘Just give us a few more years, we will defeat death, overthrow God and paint the sky green!’ DDT was considered a miracle pesticide and in those days—1940s I think— people even went to the extent of regularly breathing in lethal doses of it, just to stay healthy, live longer maybe even get a shot at eternity!

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Dandavats.com: Festival of the Chariots and Ratha Yatra Parade in Saint Augustine

Nartaka Gopala dasi: An Indian multi-cultural parade and festival will be celebrated with entertainment for the whole family. There will be live music, singing, classical dance, books, bazaar, and lots of free delicious vegetarian food. The Ratha Yatra Parade is the oldest known parade in the world

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Dandavats.com: Bhaktivedanta College: Opening for the positions of Promotion/Fundraising Manager and Receptionist

Dinadayal dasa: Bhaktivedanta College Radhadesh has an opening for the position of Promotion/Fundraising Manager and Receptionist. If you want to be part of an enthusiastic team offering a vibrant service to Srila Prabhupada, in a well-established spiritual community, then please announce your interest

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Dandavats.com: Landscapping and grounds maintaince positions open

Malati dasi: Where: New Vrindaban, West Virginia USA When: April through Sept-Oct. (this could be a six month position, or longer, depending upon the person) Must be knowledgeable and conversant with horticulture. Would be responsible for up-keep, beautification & maintaince of grounds, which include lakes, walk ways, lawns, gardens, etc. References required

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