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Here are the latest updates for"Planet ISKCON" - 49 new articles
- Dandavats.com: Krishna Kids In India’s IT Hub
- Dandavats.com: Sankirtan Magic in Washington, DC
- Dandavats.com: Couple of Brahmana needed for full time puja service in New Mayapur
- H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Friday 1 April 2011--Can Scientists Produce Something from Nothing?--and--Does Sincere Work Purify the Heart?
- Sita-pati dasa, AU: Madhava in a Sydney newspaper
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Rama Navami - 13th April
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Upcoming Visitors
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
- Jaya Kesava Das, USA: PULL
- Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Krsna consciousness and Hindu dharma
- ISKCON Education: Bhakti Life
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 266–Poem for March 31st
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): OLD FRIENDS
- David Haslam, UK: LLangynwyd Primary School (celebrating RE)
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 8.3.1 Everyone Can Make Progress In Devotional Service
- David Haslam, UK: Refuting Regulations
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 8.2.33 We Can Free Ourselves From Fear Only Through Devotional Service
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 8.2.7-19 Ways Of Perceiving Reality
- Madri dd, South Africa: Happy devotees
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.15.37 Renunciation: Giving Up Purified Subtle Maya & Gross Maya
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.13.23 What, Just An Instrument?
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.13.22 How To Become A Rolling Stone Ghost
- Japa Group: Japa Retreat - Chanting In Separation
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.13.16-17 Living Off Of Previous Punya 2003-01
- Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Lecture - Vishvambhar das - SB 10.2.1-2 - Big Demons
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.13.15 The Pleasure Of Passing
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.11.5-7 The Purpose Of Vedic Literature
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.11.3-4 Hear From Devotees
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.10.65-66 Taking Shelter Of Sri Krsna In Goloka Vrndavana
- H.H. Sivarama Swami: Pictures from NVD
- ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Blast from the Past! "Prabhupada: A Shadow Play" (1995)
- Vraja Kishor, JP: 10 things to learn from Japan
- Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: All it takes is just a little prayer
- Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: TEXAS FAITH 35: Which religion stories merited more and better coverage?
- Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: TEXAS FAITH 34: Why not worry about your theology?
- Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Trapped
- Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: You know it is big if it is on CNN :)
- H.H. Sivarama Swami: Having reached the sobering age of 62 I request devotees to please give me their blessings to better serve and please Srila Prabhupada in the years I have left
- Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: In the News: Inside the Ashram
- Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Splendid Preaching allowing thousands upon thousands to partake in the Holy Name
- H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Tuesday, March 29th, 2011
- H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Monday, March 28th, 2011
- Dandavats.com: Boat Festival 2011 at ISKCON Vrindavan
- Dandavats.com: TV & Newspaper Coverage of the Holi Kirtan Fest
- Gouranga TV: Bhajan – 24hr Kirtan – Kapil
- Dandavats.com: Queen’s Day Amsterdam - 30th of April
- Dandavats.com: Facebook problems
- Dandavats.com: The Sadhana Retreat
- Malati dd, USA: Hong Kong style Snow Skin Moon Cake
- More Recent Articles
- Search Planet ISKCON
- Prior Mailing Archive
Dandavats.com: Krishna Kids In India’s IT Hub
By Sahadeva dasa
Last year ISKCON Secunderabad started a namahatta center in Kukatpally area which is a part of the city’s IT neighborhood. The center has grown by leaps and bounds. A grand Ratha-yatra in the area was held within two months of the center's opening
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Dandavats.com: Sankirtan Magic in Washington, DC
By Nimai Charan Agarwal
Magic… a word that has many contexts, meanings, and connotations. In America’s early childhood, it was used in the same line as darkness, evil, the Devil’s newfangled shiny red horn, the dark arcane arts that brought the practitioners to the stake. Over time, the meaning changed, but the core sense of mystery remained...until every storyteller found the treasure in the word and its essence was ground to Tartarus
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Dandavats.com: Couple of Brahmana needed for full time puja service in New Mayapur
Gaudamandala das (Tp new mayapura, France): - Krisna Balarama , Gaura Nitai or Radha Govinda Madhava to take care . - Appartment ( one big room , bath room , kitchen) in the Castle . - allowance , 500€ /monthly for a dedication of one year . - wonderful Iskcon community - great summer festivals in perspective
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H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Friday 1 April 2011--Can Scientists Produce Something from Nothing?--and--Does Sincere Work Purify the Heart?
A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course(tm) Friday 1 April 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. (Click on photo to see a larger image.) e 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: Can Scientists Produce Something from Nothing? Uploaded from Sri Vrindavan Dhama Some would have us believe that the scientists can produce something from nothing. But when we ask for proof they only give us a post dated check that in the future the scientists will be able to do it. If someone offered you a billion dollars for your house, you would probably take it. But what if the check was post dated? What if they tell you that they only have $50 in their account today but by tomorrow afternoon they will have a billion dollars in their bank account. Will you sign over your house to them? So why should we accept a post dated check that in the future the scientists will be able to produce something out of nothing? Only a completely gullible fool would be mesmerized by such world jugglery. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Does Sincere Work Purify the Heart? Please accept my respectful obeisances, I read Bhagavad-gita As It Is 3.8: Perform your prescribed duty, for doing so is better than not working. One cannot even maintain one's physical body without work. The following question came to my mind: Is it true that by doing one's job sincerely one gets purified of material impurities? Sunil Answer: Work Minus Bhakti is Contamination When reading scripture one must always read the verses in context in order to get the proper meaning. If you had carefully considered verse 9, you would have had a clear understanding of verse 8. In verse 9 it is stated: Work done as a sacrifice for Vishnu has to be performed; otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage. Offering the fruit of your work to Vishnu or Krishna is the only way to become pure. If you do not do this as devotional service to the Lord, there is no way you will become free from impurities simply by sincerely working a job. If doing one's job sincerely rids one of all material impurities, practically the entire world would be Krishna conscious. There would be no crime, no terrorism, no wars, no cow killing, and no baby killing, and the entire planet earth would be transformed into heaven on earth. Because the world situation is quite the opposite, we can easily understand that one does not become free from all impurities simply by doing one's job sincerely. Only if one engages in devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead can he become completely free from the dirt in the heart for properly understanding Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita 18.55 as follows: bhakty mm abhijnti yvn ya csmi tattvatah tato mm tattvato jñtv viate tad-anantaram One can understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of Me by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God. In conclusion, working sincerely for material sense gratification does not purify the heart. Rather it further contaminates the heart. 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 http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=714185709 Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. 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Sita-pati dasa, AU: Madhava in a Sydney newspaper
This is a press release / artist bio that I wrote for Madhava last year, with a big shout out to Dave Stringer for the words at the beginning.
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Rama Navami - 13th April
The celebrations around the glorious appearance day of Lord Ramacandra are fast approaching.
Please make sure you make a note in your diary so that you don't miss out on the festival; come and sing with us the glories of Lord Rama and His eternal associates:
"...raghupati ragava raja rama
patita pavana sita rama..."
Lord Rama is the Chief of the house of Raghu and the Saviour of the fallen souls; all respects and praise to Mother Sita and Lord Ramacandra.
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Upcoming Visitors
Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir is the repository of some potent sadhu-sanga.
Bhanu Swami will be back in Melbourne from the 4th till the 7th April and Narayani Mataji will grace us with her presence from the 11th to the 22nd of April.
At present we have the priviledge of hosting Ramai Swami; he arrived yesterday and will be in Melbourne till tomorrow. Maharaja is leading Harinama tonight, so please join the fun!
Coming soon, Bhurijana Prabhu and Bhakti-Rasamrita Swami. Stay tuned for more details.
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
Lord Krsna advises us in the Bhagavad Gita (15.3-4):
"...one must seek that place from which, having gone, one never returns, and there surrender to that Supreme Personality of Godhead..."
We are thus thankful that today's darsana gives us a glimpse of that revered destination and we earnestly pray that it may revive our innate affection for that Personality of Godhead, thus facilitating our complete surrender to Him.
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Jaya Kesava Das, USA: PULL
Yes, PULL!
That is the feeling I got after I woke up from this evening's nap. I am about to drive a few ungodly hours to the divine ISV (Iskcon Silicon Valley, or Iskcon Sankirtan Village, as I prefer to call it) and get the association of the great souls who live there. Krsna reminds me through that "pull" from within, that the reason for visiting holy places is not to just see the place, but to hear from the sadhus who live there, associate with them, aspire to BE like them; less one still remains a cow or an ass.
I am pulled from within to BE a devotee of Krsna, and not just go through the emotional joy ride of the "look" of a devotee. You know, that feeling one gets when the dhottis fits just right today, and the chaddar hangs quite well, even as you're dancing in kirtan bliss. I guess it can be applied to saris too, but I wouldn't know much about that in this life time. I did wear a sari for a play, it was worn as a dhotti, and felt quit nice and flowy..... (ok, back to the pull)
When there is proper hearing in the association of devotees, and especially a point that is made again and again, there just must, at least for me I'll speak, be contemplation. Contemplation must be followed by a resolve, a desire to act! This is where one's romantic love story turns into ________ (insert your super hero of choice) and one is faced with wild adventures.
The journey within is far more action packed than the hour, or four, depending on if you watched the extended version, of your Lord of the Rings, Harry Porter, or Temple of Doom. That person who looks so effulgent outside is now faced with the dark road inside. Envy, pride, madness, you name it, they're there to greet you! And the king of the castle, that eternal enemy known as Dr. Evil, wrong screenplay, that eternal enemy known as LUST, is there hiding in the very fabric of your existence. When you thought your had him down by tight sadhana, he popped up in the form of the desire from profit, fame and distinction. So day by day you fight. You dicide that " I want to go back to Krsna, and serve him." Serve him? I guess so. So my lofty idea of wanting to be a cowherd boy or a gopi, or Father Yasoda has to be based on service? PHEW... pause....
Yes, the person I am most envious of and most lusty towards is that person named Krsna, that spy who loves me, that guy who unlike my most beloved wife, son, daughter, friend or whoever, will do anything for me. He'll even sit there with me in the bathroom during my cleaning moments. Actually without his help I wouldn't know what to clean, or where to clean. He even accompanies the worm in that cleansed substance that was just dropped off at the pool; I mean seriously, has your other half fulfilled that part in the "for better or worse" clause?
So why am I envious of such a person? Because I want to be like him, equal to him, I want to BE him. And all I seem to do over the years, or lifetimes, is to make blunders and show how I'll never be him, because he is One without a Second.
So with humility and a resolution to free myself from all this dust accumulated for years on end, I decide to go with the pull, to be a devotee, and not just look like one. To sing for Krsna's pleasure, and not to hear myself thinking that I am singing so nicely. To give Krsna to others and step out of the way, less I contiminate them with my own god project, which wouldn't work anyways since they're on a god project journey of their own.
To finish this rambling, we have embarked on this journey back to sanity, and when Krsna comes in, everyone else, even that lust guy, has to pack up and leave. They all become squatters, and Krsna needs the whole heart, all four chambers, to himself..and you. But like before, he is always there with us at every step. He carries what we lack, and preserves what we have, and he knows how deep we really want to go. He'll take us no further if we don't want it.
This is Krsna. Wonderful Krsna.
"O son of Maharaja Nanda (Krsna), I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet."• Email to a friend •
Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Krsna consciousness and Hindu dharma
Krsna Consciousness is not a faith, such as the Hindu or Christian faith, but it is a science. When Krsna says Dehino smi yatha dehei, the principle is that the soul is different from the body. On account of the presence of the soul we are getting different bodies. You cannot say it is Hindu. The Hindu religion may be more advanced, but Krsna Consciousness is a science. Others have only a vague idea. Krsna never said He was preaching as a Hindu or for the Hindus. But as a public statement you may say we are part of the Hindu dharma. It is actually Vedic culture, but they have been misinformed. We are actually Varnasrama dharma. The public doesn't understand Varnasram so sometimes we say "Hindu dharma. "It is a great science but unfortunately the name has come since the Mohammedans called the Indians Hindu because of the Indus River. The word is coming down like that, but we do not find the word Hindu in any scripture.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Pranaba, 1 February, 1977
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ISKCON Education: Bhakti Life
Bhakti Life offers courses, workshops, retreats and counseling that help support the spiritual lives of both devotees and people new to Krishna consciousness. Our programs are highly interactive, facilitating personal discovery, growth and change.Courses are fun, eye-opening, introspective and practical and are aimed at helping participants make permanent improvements in their spiritual lives.We specialize in offering courses that help devotees (and aspiring devotees) in the areas most needed for their continued spiritual growth. In order to go more deeply into the particular areas of bhakti our courses cover, and in order to have a deeply transformationalexperience, we find it essential to schedule our courses over a full weekend(or longer). We also find it especially powerful for devotees to focus an entire weekend solely on improving their Krishna consciousness. The added benefit of this is the deepening of relationships among devotees and strengthening of your community.
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 266–Poem for March 31st
4:56 A.M.
A Writer of Pieces
New format–I will begin with a poem written on the day of its printing. Then I will print random excerpts of books I have printed over the last 30 years. I hope this variety will be pleasing.Poem for March 31st
I cry for a poem directed
at Sri Krishna, an ode of
appreciation of His majesty.
My own little life leans
toward Him without sin
in quiet renunciation.I daily hear His pastimes
and activities and feel
friendly to Him, offer
Them incense face to face
and love those moments
when I can pray.What do I pray for?
Some longevity and peaceful
arrangement for my departure
like Dritarastra, who boldly
entered a self-made fire
but was not able
to become a pure devotee.I want to become a pure devotee,
render devotional service, the
only remedy to ills.
Something practical in preaching
to devotees and innocent peopleby reciting the basic teachings
from the scriptures and
broadcasting a propaganda.
This will please Sri Krishna in
my case. He milks the
surabhi cows and is
inclined to His devotees
especially the residents
of Vrndavana. You can
worship them and worship
tulasi-devi as criteria
for entering His lila.
This is the aspiration
of my life.• Email to a friend •
H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): OLD FRIENDS
From Prabhupada Meditations, Volume II
As We Knew Him
“In discussions among devotees I have heard that the Prabhupada we knew is temporary, and we will not see him again in that form. Only those who go back to Godhead will see him again, in his eternal liberated form. As the Six Goswamis have spiritual forms—and therefore Rupa Goswami is known as Rupa Manjari—so the liberated spiritual master may be seen in his spiritual form by his liberated followers.“These topics are beyond me, although I accept what is stated in sastra. But on an emotional level, I do not like to hear it put so bluntly, that I will not see Prabhupada again. Perhaps some things are better not spoken about, because we do not realize them. When we try to speak, it does not come out right.
“This much I can say: Prabhupada will continue to live for the people of this world, at least for the next ten thousand years. Even Lord Caitanya’s mercy will not be manifest after ten thousand years, because then, by the Supreme Lord’s will, the Kali-yuga will be set in full force. But as long as human civilization is capable of receiving Krishna’s grace and Lord Caitanya’s grace, Prabhupada will be celebrated as the great devotee of the Lord, the first one to effectively spread bhakti all over the planet.
“I will content myself by knowing that any memories we can preserve of Prabhupada will endure for the people during the time when a Golden Age is possible. And so we will go on remembering Prabhupada as we knew him.”
“I say, ‘As we knew him,’ but much of Prabhupada’s identity is beyond us, even in his form as a sannyasi pure devotee. Vaisnavera kriya mudra vijneha na bhujhaya; no one can understand the mind of the Vaisnava and the nature of his activities. But as far as we know Prabhupada-lila, we can recall it with assurance that it is lasting and spiritual.
“The Supreme Lord and His liberated devotee may appear in this world for some time and then return to the spiritual world, where the devotee may take on a different form. Only if we serve Prabhupada in the form that we knew him will we be qualified to understand further spiritual transformations. If we jump over the Prabhupada we knew, and as he taught us in his books, if we try to imagine some other Prabhupada–then we will never reach the spiritual world. By the grace of the guru, one can transfer to the eternal world, where Krishna will arrange that we may recognize our spiritual master. The relationship is eternal.
From Dear Sky: Letters From a Sannyasi
“February 22, Stroudsburg, PA.“Dear Krishna, my Caitya-Guru, dear Lord,“I thought of speaking to You today because I finished writing another book. I am happy about that. I know there are faults in the book. But still it was by Your mercy that I was able to pass on the instructions of the spiritual masters and the scriptures. I am thanking You because I know at any moment my intelligence may be removed, leaving me unable to think or write a word. I’m speaking in gratefulness on this occasion.
“As I finished work on my newest manuscript, I made a prayer that I could continue to write or serve the devotees in any way that You desire. I wish to be guided in the best way suited for coming as quickly as possible to Your lotus feet. You are very kind, Krishna, and very lenient. You allow us to do what we want, and You give us the sanction, but at the same time You tell us what’s best for us. Sometimes what’s best is not what we’re doing.
“For most conditioned souls, this duality becomes extreme—I mean the difference between what we are doing and what You want us to do. But still, You leniently allow us to do what we want, although we have to face the results in terms of our karma.
“I was in the worst situation, living in my imagination and against the laws of God. But Prabhupada picked me up and put me in tune with the wishes of Krishna. Now I chant Your holy names and follow the regulative principles on the bhakti marga. But still, I know I do things my way, which is not always Your way. Therefore I pray, ‘Please give me the intelligence and the courage to do what You want me to do.’
“Dear Lord, I’m writing the letter on the appearance day of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. I wish to thank You for sending him to this world. He so strongly presented the teachings of Rupa Gosvami and laid down the foundation (which he received from his father, Bhaktivinode Thakura) for worldwide Krishna consciousness. He also gave instructions to our Srila Prabhupada to preach to English-speaking people. That is how the worldwide Krishna consciousness movement began. I am grateful to the glorious teacher Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura for instructing our Prabhupada to come to us. Prabhupada considered himself the humble servant of his Guru Maharaja. His Guru Maharaja’s teachings were his life’s-breath. Prabhupada was an ideal disciple. At every step he served his spiritual master. So the ideal of what I am asking You, dear Caitya-Guru, is already before me in the example of my spiritual master, who followed Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura with full faith. Our Prabhupada said, ‘I have no spiritual qualification. I’m not a magician of mystic powers. I’m not a great scholar or a great devotee. But I have full faith in my spiritual master, and I carry out his order. That’s all.’ Ah, what a great qualification! To be selfless! Prabhupada is like that.“
From Japa Transformations (2010)
“I’m sorry to say I didn’t pay attention to the chanting on the deeper level. I’m sorry to report that. I remember in my public school days, the report card had a line where the teacher could fill in a comment. Often the teacher wrote in, ‘Could do better’ on my cards. There was ‘Excellent,’ ‘Good,’ ‘Fair,’ and ‘Poor.’ My parents used to preach to me about the meaning of this ‘Could do better’ comment. It held some promise that I had hidden talents. That was reassuring to both my parents and I. At least I wasn’t a dope, I was intelligent. But there was an implication of a serious trouble unless I corrected myself. It was like getting cavities in your teeth—not a good sign. You’d have to pay for it by undergoing drilled at the dentist. ‘Could do better.’“But what if he doesn’t? What if he grows up and doesn’t do better?
“I’m feeling like that now with my japa. It seems I can’t do better. Who’s marking my report card? Whom do I show it to?
“How fearful we were before receiving the card. You never knew whether you’d get a bad rating or a good one. It was up to the fates, the higher powers.
“Now things are different. The guru is my friend. Lord Krishna is my friend. I don’t think of myself as a rebellious, confused kid. I want to serve and improve. Sure, I can do better. In fact, I’m ‘Fair’ only, or ‘Poor.’ I’m poor, but not out of rebelliousness, so that the smart-alecks in the class will approve that I’m not a brownie-point earner or a sissy. I don’t care for their opinion. I’m a Hare Krishna devotee now, so all smart-alecks and honor roll kids can have a laugh on me. I’m in a school for devotees now. I go on chanting. But what to do about the quality.
“As the writing has its own discipline (keep the hand moving, etc.), so the japa has a different discipline. It requires bringing my attention to the quick utterances of the mantra and not indulging in other trains of thought. But at this point I can’t even try to think of Krishna’s pastimes or of Vraja-worship.
“I am usually sarcastic with myself. I could be lighter. As I am kind to good friends—do unto others as you would have them do unto you—seeing myself about to start a round (or at any time in the round), I can make a light, friendly suggestion: ‘Prabhu, since you are already making the effort to chant, and since you’re able to pay attention to the syllables, why not make a little more effort and think about Krishna?’ It can be expressed even more nicely than that.
“A friendly reader recently said, ‘Why are you so hard on yourself? I can’t accept the hard statements you make against yourself. Do I have to accept them?’ he asked, ‘or can I turn away from them?’ I answered him by saying I have to tell the truth about myself, but maybe I am too harsh. He, for one, doesn’t like it. Of course, I can’t write to please him. But I’m talking about japa. I haven’t succeeded by my strong-arm tactics in thinking about Krishna. Perhaps a sweeter, encouraging approach might be helpful.
“I do appreciate that I persist patiently and that I’m able to control my mind even when there is no nectarean taste in chanting. I’m just suggesting that if I could be alert and bring the mind back to hearing, then why not try to go further. All the authorities say that attentive chanting is very important and leads to thinking about Krishna’s form, activities, qualities and pastimes. They must be right.”
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David Haslam, UK: LLangynwyd Primary School (celebrating RE)
It’s been a busy time over the last month of CelebratingRE here in Wales; the last school visit was not only one of the saddest being the end of a busy and exciting month but also the sweetest. The last visits were to Llangynwyd Primary School just on the outskirts of Maesteg not far from [...]
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 8.3.1 Everyone Can Make Progress In Devotional Service
SB 8.3.1 Everyone Can Make Progress In Devotional Service
SB 08.03.01 Everyone Can Make Progress In Devotional Service 1995-01-02
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 8.3.1 Everyone Can Make Progress In Devotional Service 1995-01-02 RadhadeshSB 8.3.1 Everyone Can Make Progress In Devotional Service
SB 08.03.01 Everyone Can Make Progress In Devotional Service 1995-01-02 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 8.3.1 Everyone Can Make Progress In Devotional Service 1995-01-02 Radhadesh
8.3.1
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thereafter, the King of the elephants, Gajendra, fixed his mind in his heart with perfect intelligence and chanted a mantra which he had learned in his previous birth as Indradyumna and which he remembered by the grace of Kṛṣṇa.
8.3.1
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī prosiguió: A continuación, el rey de los elefantes, Gajendra, fijó la mente en el corazón con inteligencia perfecta y recitó un mantra que había aprendido en su vida anterior, cuando era Indradyumna; pudo recordarlo por la gracia de Kṛṣṇa.
8.3.1
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī poursuivit: Ensuite, Gajendra, le roi des éléphants, concentra son mental sur son coeur, en toute intelligence. Il récita un mantra qu'il avait appris dans sa vie antérieure alors qu'il était lndradyumna, et dont il se souvint par la grâce de Kṛṣṇa.
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David Haslam, UK: Refuting Regulations
After extensive study and research, looking at both the work of HDG Srila Prabhupada and his disciples who have taken up positions of responsibility; taking in both written work, classes and documented conversations there is a startling conclusion. That there is no grounds in any way shape or form for either the regulative principles, nor [...]
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 8.2.33 We Can Free Ourselves From Fear Only Through Devotional Service
SB 08.02.33 We Can Free Ourselves From Fear Only Through Devotional Service 1994-12-31 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 8.2.33 We Can Free Ourselves From Fear Only Through Devotional Service 1994-12-31 Radhadesh
SB 8.2.33 We Can Free Ourselves From Fear Only Through Devotional Service
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 8.2.33 We Can Free Ourselves From Fear Only Through Devotional Service 1994-12-31 RadhadeshSB 8.2.33 We Can Free Ourselves From Fear Only Through Devotional Service
SB 08.02.33 We Can Free Ourselves From Fear Only Through Devotional Service 1994-12-31 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 8.2.33 We Can Free Ourselves From Fear Only Through Devotional Service 1994-12-31 Radhadesh
8.2.33
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is certainly not known to everyone, but He is very powerful and influential. Therefore, although the serpent of eternal time, which is fearful in force, endlessly chases everyone, ready to swallow him, if one who fears this serpent seeks shelter of the Lord, the Lord gives him protection, for even death runs away in fear of the Lord. I therefore surrender unto Him, the great and powerful supreme authority who is the actual shelter of everyone.
8.2.33
En verdad, a la Suprema Personalidad de Dios no todos Le conocen, pero es muy poderoso e influyente. Así, pese a la espantosa fuerza de la serpiente del tiempo eterno, que persigue sin cesar a todos los seres dispuesta a tragárselos, el Señor brinda Su protección a la persona que, por miedo a esa serpiente, acude a refugiarse en Él; en verdad, la muerte misma tiene que salir huyendo por temor al Señor. Por esa razón, yo me entrego a Él, que es la autoridad suprema, que es grande y poderoso y es el verdadero refugio de todos.
8.2.33
Certes, tout le monde ne connaît pas Dieu, la Personne Suprême, mais Il n'en est pas moins très puissant et influent. Aussi, bien que le serpent du temps éternel, d'une force redoutable, poursuive sans fin tous les êtres afin de les engloutir, celui qui cherche refuge en Dieu, la Personne Suprême, sera protégé contre ce serpent car la mort elle-même s'enfuit par crainte du Seigneur. Je m'abandonne donc à Lui, cette puissante autorité suprême qui représente le véritable refuge de tous.
SB 8.3.1 Everyone Can Make Progress In Devotional Service
SB 8.3.1 Everyone Can Make Progress In Devotional Service
SB 08.03.01 Everyone Can Make Progress In Devotional Service 1995-01-02 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 8.3.1 Everyone Can Make Progress In Devotional Service 1995-01-02 Radhadesh
8.3.1
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thereafter, the King of the elephants, Gajendra, fixed his mind in his heart with perfect intelligence and chanted a mantra which he had learned in his previous birth as Indradyumna and which he remembered by the grace of Kṛṣṇa.
8.3.1
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī prosiguió: A continuación, el rey de los elefantes, Gajendra, fijó la mente en el corazón con inteligencia perfecta y recitó un mantra que había aprendido en su vida anterior, cuando era Indradyumna; pudo recordarlo por la gracia de Kṛṣṇa.
8.3.1
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī poursuivit: Ensuite, Gajendra, le roi des éléphants, concentra son mental sur son coeur, en toute intelligence. Il récita un mantra qu'il avait appris dans sa vie antérieure alors qu'il était lndradyumna, et dont il se souvint par la grâce de Kṛṣṇa.
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 8.2.7-19 Ways Of Perceiving Reality
SB 08.02.07-19 Ways Of Perceiving Reality 1994-12-27 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 8.2.7-19 Ways Of Perceiving Reality 1994-12-27 Radhadesh
SB 8.2.7-19 Ways Of Perceiving Reality
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 8.2.7-19 Ways Of Perceiving Reality 1994-12-27 RadhadeshSB 8.2.7-19 Ways Of Perceiving Reality
SB 08.02.07-19 Ways Of Perceiving Reality 1994-12-27 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 8.2.7-19 Ways Of Perceiving Reality 1994-12-27 Radhadesh
8.2.7
The valleys beneath Trikūṭa Mountain are beautifully decorated by many varieties of jungle animals, and in the trees, which are maintained in gardens by the demigods, varieties of birds chirp with sweet voices.
8.2.8
Trikūṭa Mountain has many lakes and rivers, with beaches covered by small gems resembling grains of sand. The water is as clear as crystal, and when the demigod damsels bathe in it, their bodies lend fragrance to the water and the breeze, thus enriching the atmosphere.
8.2.9-13
In a valley of Trikūṭa Mountain there was a garden called Ṛtumat. This garden belonged to the great devotee Varuṇa and was a sporting place for the damsels of the demigods. Flowers and fruits grew there in all seasons. Among them were mandāras, pārijātas, pāṭalas, aśokas, campakas, cūtas, piyālas, panasas, mangoes, āmrātakas, kramukas, coconut trees, date trees and pomegranates. There were madhukas, palm trees, tamālas, asanas, arjunas, ariṣṭas, uḍumbaras, plakṣas, banyan trees, kiḿśukas and sandalwood trees. There were also picumardas, kovidāras, saralas, sura-dārus, grapes, sugarcane, bananas, jambu, badarīs, akṣas, abhayas and āmalakīs.
8.2.14-19
In that garden there was a very large lake filled with shining golden lotus flowers and the flowers known as kumuda, kahlāra, utpala and śatapatra, which added excellent beauty to the mountain. There were also bilva, kapittha, jambīra and bhallātaka trees. Intoxicated bumblebees drank honey and hummed with the chirping of the birds, whose songs were very melodious. The lake was crowded with swans, kāraṇḍavas, cakrāvakas, cranes, and flocks of water chickens, dātyūhas, koyaṣṭis and other murmuring birds. Because of the agitating movements of the fish and tortoises, the water was decorated with pollen that had fallen from the lotus flowers. The lake was surrounded by kadamba flowers, vetasa flowers, nalas, nīpas, vañjulakas, kundas, kurubakas, aśokas, śirīṣas, kūṭajas, ińgudas, kubjakas, svarṇa-yūthīs, nāgas, punnāgas, jātīs, mallikās, śatapatras, jālakās and mādhavī-latās. The banks were also abundantly adorned with varieties of trees that yielded flowers and fruits in all seasons. Thus the entire mountain stood gloriously decorated.
8.2.7
En los valles de la montaña Trikūṭa hay gran diversidad de animales salvajes, que embellecen el paisaje, y en los jardines de los semidioses los árboles están llenos de pájaros de dulces trinos.
8.2.8
En la montaña Trikūṭa hay muchos lagos y ríos, con playas cubiertas de joyas pequeñas como granos de arena. Las aguas son tan claras como el cristal, y, cuando las muchachas celestiales se bañan en ellas, el agua y la brisa quedan impregnadas de la fragancia de sus cuerpos, que enriquece toda la atmósfera.
8.2.9-13
En un valle de la montaña Trikūṭa se encontraba el jardín de Ṛtumat, que pertenecía al gran devoto VaruŠa; en él se divertían las muchachas celestiales. Crecían allí flores y frutas en todas las estaciones. Había mandāras, pārijātas, pāṭalas, aśokas, campakas, cūtas, piyālas, panasas, mangoes, āmrātakas, kramukas, cocoteros, palmas datileras y árboles de granada. Había madhukas, palmeras, tamālas, asanas, arjunas, ariṣṭas, uḍumbaras, plakṣas, árboles de los banianos, kiḿśukas y sándalos. También había picumardas, kovidāras, saralas, sura-dārus, uvas, caña de azúcar, bananas, pomarrosas, badarīs, akṣas, abhayas y āmalakīs.
8.2.14-19
En aquel jardín había un gran lago lleno de flores de loto, brillantes y doradas; había también flores kumuda, kahlāra, utpala y śatapatra, que aumentaban la excelente belleza de la montaña. Crecían allí árboles bilva, kapittha, jambīra y bhallātaka. Los abejorros, ebrios de miel, zumbaban mientras los pájaros trinaban con sones melodiosos. El lago estaba lleno de cisnes, kāraṇḍavas, cakrāvakas, grullas y bandadas de gallinas acuáticas, dātyūhas, koyaṣṭis y otras aves de murmurador sonido. Sus aguas estaban adornadas con el polen que se desprendía de las flores de loto con los movimientos de los peces y las tortugas. El lago estaba rodeado de flores kadamba y vetasa, además de nalas, nīpas, vañjulakas, kundas, kurubakas, aśokas, śirīṣas, kūṭajas, ińgudas, kubjakas, svarṇa-yūthīs, nāgas, punnāgas, jātīs, mallikās, śatapatras, jālakās y mādhavī-latās. Las orillas estaban adornadas también con gran abundancia de árboles de distintos tipos, que daban flores y frutas en todas las estaciones. Así, toda la montaña se alzaba gloriosamente adornada.
8.2.7
De nombreuses espèces d'animaux sauvages peuplent les vallées situées au bas de la montagne Trikuta et ajoutent à leur beauté. Diverses variétés d'oiseaux gazouillent doucement dans les arbres qui ornent les jardins entretenus par les devas.
8.2.8
La montagne Trikūṭa comporte de nombreux lacs et rivières, dont les bords sont couverts de petites pierres précieuses qui ressemblent à des grains de sable. L'eau y est aussi claire que le cristal, et quand les nymphes célestes s'y baignent, le parfum de leur corps se mêle à l'eau et à la brise, enrichissant ainsi l'atmosphère.
8.2.9-13
Dans une vallée de la montagne Trikūṭa se trouve un jardin qu'on appelle Rtumat. Lieu de divertissement des jeunes filles des planètes édéniques, il appartient au grand bhakta Varuna. En toutes saisons y poussent fleurs et fruits, parmi lesquels des mandaras, des parijatas, des patalas, des asokas, des campakas, des cutas, des piyalas, des panasas, des mangues, des fruits aigres appelés amratakas, des kramukas, des grenades, des madhukas, les fruits du palmier, les aristas, des kovidaras, du raisin, de la canne à sucre, des bananes, des jambus, des badaris, des aksas, des abhayas, et des amalakis; comme arbres, on y trouve des cocotiers, des dattiers, des tamalas, des asanas, des arjunas, des grands udumbaras, des plaksas, des banians, des santals, des saralas et des sura-darus; parmi les fleurs, la parijata, le kimsuka et le picumarda. Il y a également des mandaras, des patalas, des asokas et des campakas.
8.2.14-19
Dans ce jardin s'étend un très grand lac couvert de lotus d'or brillants et de fleurs telles que les kumudas, les kahlaras, les utpalas et les satapatras, qui tous contribuent à rehausser la beauté magnifique de la montagne. On y trouve également différents arbres, comme des bilvas, des kapitthas, des jambiras et des bhallatakas. Le bourdonnement des abeilles enivrées de miel se mêle aux chants très mélodieux des oiseaux. Le lac est peuplé de cygnes, de karandavas, de cakravakas, de grues, de bandes de poules d'eau, de datyuhas, de koyastis et d'autres oiseaux. Ses eaux sont parsemées du pollen tombé des lotus à cause des remous créés par les déplacements des poissons et des tortues. Des fleurs variées —kadambas, vetasas, nalas, nipas, vanjulakas, kundas, kurubakas, asokas, dirisas, kutajas, ingudas, kubjakas, svarna-yuthis, nagas, punnagas, jatis, mallikas, satapatras, jalakas et madhavi-latas —diverses espèces d'arbres qui portent fleurs et fruits en toutes saisons parent d'une façon splendide les bords de ce lac. La montagne est ainsi somptueusement embellie.
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Madri dd, South Africa: Happy devotees
Madri dd, South Africa: Happy devotees
"Regarding dancing, our dancing is ecstatic. We need not waste time 5 hours daily instead of chanting, for practicing. We are not professional dancers, neither we require it. These things should not be encouraged. In New York they have such activities, but they should not be going on in Gurukula. " [Srila Prabhupada Letter to Satsvarupa -- Los Angeles 19 April, 1973]
This was last Sunday morning at Iskcon Pretoria. High energy sadhu's.• Email to a friend •
H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.15.37 Renunciation: Giving Up Purified Subtle Maya & Gross Maya
H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.15.37 Renunciation: Giving Up Purified Subtle Maya & Gross Maya
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.37 Renunciation: Giving Up Purified Subtle Maya & Gross Maya 2001-02-11 Radhadesh
H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.15.37 Renunciation: Giving Up Purified Subtle Maya & Gross Maya
SB 07.15.37 Renunciation: Giving Up Purified Subtle Maya & Gross Maya 2001-02-11 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.37 Renunciation: Giving Up Purified Subtle Maya & Gross Maya 2001-02-11 Radhadesh
SB 7.15.37
Sannyāsīs who first consider that the body is subject to death, when it will be transformed into stool, worms or ashes, but who again give importance to the body and glorify it as the self, are to be considered the greatest rascals.
SB 7.15.37
Los Sannyāsīs que, tras considerar que el cuerpo tiene que morir y transformarse en excremento, gusanos o cenizas, vuelven a darle importancia y a glorificarlo como si fuese su propio ser, deben ser considerados los mayores sinvergüenzas.
SB 7.15.37
Les Sannyāsīs qui reconnaissent tout d'abord que le corps est sujet à la mort puis transformé en excréments, en nourriture pour les vers ou en cendres, mais qui lui redonnent de l'importance et le glorifient en tant que le "moi", sont à considérer comme les pires scélérats.
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.13.23 What, Just An Instrument?
H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.13.23 What, Just An Instrument?
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.23 What, Just An Instrument? 2003-01 Melbourne
H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.13.23 What, Just An Instrument?
SB 07.13.23 What, Just An Instrument? 2003-01 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.23 What, Just An Instrument? 2003-01 Melbourne
7.13.23
My dear King, although you know everything, you have posed some questions, which I shall try to answer according to what I have learned by hearing from authorities. I cannot remain silent in this regard, for a personality like you is just fit to be spoken to by one who desires self-purification.
7.13.23
Mi querido rey, aunque tú lo sabes todo, me has planteado algunas preguntas, que trataré de responderte conforme a lo que he aprendido escuchando a las autoridades. No puedo guardar silencio acerca de esto, pues una personalidad como tú es el interlocutor ideal para quien desea la purificación del ser.
7.13.23
O roi, bien que tu saches tout, tu m'as posé des questions, auxquelles je vais m'efforcer de répondre selon ce que j'ai entendu d'autorités en la matière. Je ne peux maintenant garder le silence, car celui qui désire se purifier a tout intérêt à s'entretenir avec un personnage comme toi.
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.13.22 How To Become A Rolling Stone Ghost
SB 7.13.22 How To Become A Rolling Stone Ghost
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.22 How To Become A Rolling Stone Ghost 2003-01 Melbourne
SB 7.13.22 How To Become A Rolling Stone Ghost
SB 07.13.22 How To Become A Rolling Stone Ghost 2003-01 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.22 How To Become A Rolling Stone Ghost 2003-01 Melbourne
SB 7.13.22
Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is full of all opulences, is predominant within the core of your heart because of your being a pure devotee. He always drives away all the darkness of ignorance, as the sun drives away the darkness of the universe.
SB 7.13.22
Como eres un devoto puro, en lo más hondo de tu corazón predomina Nārāyaṇa, la Suprema Personalidad de Dios, que goza de plenitud en toda opulencia. Él siempre aleja la oscuridad de la ignorancia, como el Sol, que aparta la oscuridad del universo.
SB 7.13.22
Nārāyaṇa, le Seigneur Souverain, qui possède dans leur plénitude toutes les perfections, prédomine au plus profond de ton coeur car tu es un pur bhakta. Il dissipe constamment en toi les ténèbres de l'ignorance, de la même façon que le soleil chasse l'obscurité de l'univers.
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Japa Group: Japa Retreat - Chanting In Separation
Sacinandana Swami explores a very interesting and inspiring aspect of japa - chanting in separation.
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.13.16-17 Living Off Of Previous Punya 2003-01
SB 7.13.16-17 Living Off Of Previous Punya 2003-01
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.16-17 Living Off Of Previous Punya 2003-01 Melbourne
SB 7.13.16-17 Living Off Of Previous Punya 2003-01
SB 07.13.16-17 Living Off Of Previous Punya 2003-01 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.16-17 Living Off Of Previous Punya 2003-01 Melbourne
7.13.16-17
Seeing the saintly person to be quite fat, Prahlāda Mahārāja said: My dear sir, you undergo no endeavor to earn your livelihood, but you have a stout body, exactly like that of a materialistic enjoyer. I know that if one is very rich and has nothing to do, he becomes extremely fat by eating and sleeping and performing no work.
7.13.16-17
Al ver que aquella persona santa estaba bastante gorda, Prahlāda Mahārāja dijo: Mi querido señor, tú no haces ningún esfuerzo para ganarte el sustento, pero tienes el cuerpo tan robusto como un disfrutador materialista. Yo sé que los que son muy ricos y no tienen nada que hacer engordan mucho, porque se dedican a comer y dormir y no trabajan.
7.13.16-17
(Voyant que ce saint personnage était bien gras, Prahlāda Mahārāja dit:) O saint homme, tu ne fais aucun effort pour gagner ta vie, mais tu n'en es pas moins très corpulent, tout comme un matérialiste attiré par les plaisirs de ce monde. Je sais en effet qu'un homme riche qui n'a rien à faire devient extrêmement gras en mangeant, en dormant, sans travailler d'aucune façon.
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Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Lecture - Vishvambhar das - SB 10.2.1-2 - Big Demons
Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Lecture - Vishvambhar das - SB 10.2.1-2 - Big Demons
Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 2, Texts 1-2 titled "Big Demons" given by Vishvambhar das.
Dallas, TX
2011-01-20TRANSLATION
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Under the protection of Magadharāja, Jarāsandha, the powerful Kaḿsa began persecuting the kings of the Yadu dynasty. In this he had the cooperation of demons like Pralamba, Baka, Cāṇūra, Tṛṇāvarta, Aghāsura, Muṣṭika, Ariṣṭa, Dvivida, Pūtanā, Keśī, Dhenuka, Bāṇāsura, Narakāsura and many other demoniac kings on the surface of the earth.
PURPORT
This verse supports the following statement given by the Lord in Bhagavad-gita (4.7-8):
"Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion -- at that time I descend Myself. To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium."
The Lord's purpose in maintaining this material world is to give everyone a chance to go back home, back to Godhead, but kings and political leaders unfortunately try to hinder the purpose of the Lord, and therefore the Lord appears, either personally or with His plenary portions, to set things right. It is therefore said:
"Krishna appeared in the womb of Devaki after transferring Baladeva to the womb of Rohini by the power of Yogamaya." Yadubhih sa vyarudhyata. The kings of the Yadu dynasty were all devotees, but there were many powerful demons, such as Salva, who began to persecute them. At that time, Jarasandha, who was Kamsa's father-in-law, was extremely powerful, and therefore Kamsa took advantage of his protection and the help of the demons in persecuting the kings of the Yadu dynasty. The demons naturally appeared more powerful than the demigods, but ultimately, because of help received from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demons were defeated and the demigods triumphant.
10.2.1-2
Śukadeva Gosvāmī dijo: Bajo la protección de Magadharāja, Jarāsandha, el poderoso Kaḿsa comenzó a perseguir a los reyes de la dinastía Yadu. Para ello contó con la colaboración de demonios tales como Pralamba, Baka, Cāṇūra, Tṛṇāvarta, Aghāsura, Muṣṭika, Ariṣṭa, Dvivida, Pūtanā, Keśī, Dhenuka, Bāṇāsura, Narakāsura y muchos otros reyes demoníacos que poblaban la superficie de la Tierra.
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.13.15 The Pleasure Of Passing
SB 07.13.15 The Pleasure Of Passing 2003-01 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.15 The Pleasure Of Passing 2003-01 Melbourne
SB 7.13.15 The Pleasure Of Passing
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.15 The Pleasure Of Passing 2003-01 Melbourne
SB 7.13.15 The Pleasure Of Passing
SB 07.13.15 The Pleasure Of Passing 2003-01 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.15 The Pleasure Of Passing 2003-01 Melbourne
7.13.15
The advanced devotee Prahlāda Mahārāja duly worshiped and offered obeisances to the saintly person who had adopted a python's means of livelihood. After thus worshiping the saintly person and touching his own head to the saint's lotus feet, Prahlāda Mahārāja, in order to understand him, inquired very submissively as follows.
7.13.15
El avanzado devoto Prahlāda Mahārāja adoró convenientemente a la persona santa que había adoptado el modo de vida de la serpiente pitón, y le ofreció reverencias. Después de adorar al santo y tocar sus pies de loto con su propia cabeza, Prahlāda Mahārāja, con una actitud muy sumisa, le hizo las siguientes preguntas a fin de saber acerca de él.
7.13.15
Prahlāda Mahārāja, ce grand dévot du Seigneur, présenta son hommage et vénéra dans les règles le saint homme qui avait adopté le mode de vie d'un python. Après avoir ainsi fait preuve de respect envers le saint homme et touché de sa tête ses pieds pareils-au-lotus, Prahlāda Mahārāja, désireux de mieux le connaître, s'enquit très humblement auprès de lui.
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.11.5-7 The Purpose Of Vedic Literature
SB 07.11.05-07 The Purpose Of Vedic Literature 1994-06-06 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.5-7 The Purpose Of Vedic Literature 1994-06-06 Radhadesh
SB 7.11.5-7 The Purpose Of Vedic Literature
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.5-7 The Purpose Of Vedic Literature 1994-06-06 Radhadesh
SB 7.11.5-7 The Purpose Of Vedic Literature
SB 07.11.05-07 The Purpose Of Vedic Literature 1994-06-06 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.5-7 The Purpose Of Vedic Literature 1994-06-06 Radhadesh
7.11.5
Śrī Nārada Muni said: After first offering my obeisances unto Lord Kṛṣṇa, the protector of the religious principles of all living entities, let me explain the principles of the eternal religious system, of which I have heard from the mouth of Nārāyaṇa.
7.11.6
Lord Nārāyaṇa, along with His partial manifestation Nara, appeared in this world through the daughter of Dakṣa Mahārāja known as Mūrti. He was begotten by Dharma Mahārāja for the benefit of all living entities. Even now, He is still engaged in executing great austerities near the place known as Badarikāśrama.
7.11.7
The Supreme Being, the Personality of Godhead, is the essence of all Vedic knowledge, the root of all religious principles, and the memory of great authorities. O King Yudhiṣṭhira, this principle of religion is to be understood as evidence. On the basis of this religious principle, everything is satisfied, including one's mind, soul and even one's body.
7.11.5
Śrī Nārada Muni dijo: Antes de explicar los principios del sistema religioso eterno, que he escuchado de labios del Señor Nārāyaṇa, ofrezco mis reverencias al Señor Kṛṣṇa, el protector de los principios religiosos de todas las entidades vivientes.
7.11.6
El Señor Nārāyaṇa, junto con Su manifestación parcial, Nara, apareció en este mundo a través de la hija de Dakṣa Mahārāja llamada Mūrti. Fue engendrado por Dharma Mahārāja para beneficio de todas las entidades vivientes. Todavía hoy continúa ocupado en grandes austeridades cerca del lugar que se conoce con el nombre de Badarikāśrama.
7.11.7
El Ser Supremo, la Personalidad de Dios, es la esencia de todo conocimiento védico, la raíz de todos los principios religiosos, y la memoria de las grandes autoridades. ¡Oh, rey Yudhiṣṭhira!, este principio religioso debe considerarse prueba concluyente. Partiendo de ese principio religioso, todo se satisface, mente, alma y cuerpo incluidos.
7.11.5
Śrī Nārada Muni dit: Après avoir présenté mon humble hommage à Śrī Kṛṣṇa, le protecteur des principes religieux de tous les êtres vivants, je vais exposer les principes de la religion éternelle, ceux-là même que j'ai entendus de la bouche de Nārāyaṇa.
7.11.6
Śrī Nārāyaṇa est descendu en ce monde avec Nara, Sa manifestation partielle, par l'intermédiaire de Mūrti, la fille de Dakṣa Mahārāja. Il fut engendré par Dharma Mahārāja pour le bien de tous les êtres. Maintenant encore, Il continue de Se livrer à de grandes austérités près du lieu connu sous le nom de Badarikāśrama.
7.11.7
L'Etre Suprême, Dieu, représente l'essence de tout le savoir védique, la racine de tous les principes religieux, et la tradition perpétuée par les grands maîtres. O roi Yudhiṣṭhira, ce principe de religion doit être compris comme une évidence. En s'appuyant sur ce principe, l'être devient pleinement satisfait, en son âme, en son esprit et même en son corps.
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.11.3-4 Hear From Devotees
SB 07.11.03-04 Hear From Devotees 1994-06-04 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.3-4 Hear From Devotees 1994-06-04 Radhadesh
SB 7.11.3-4 Hear From Devotees
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.3-4 Hear From Devotees 1994-06-04 Radhadesh
SB 7.11.3-4 Hear From Devotees
SB 07.11.03-04 Hear From Devotees 1994-06-04 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.3-4 Hear From Devotees 1994-06-04 Radhadesh
7.11.3
O best of the brāhmaṇas, you are directly the son of Prajāpati [Lord Brahmā]. Because of your austerities, mystic yoga and trance, you are considered the best of all of Lord Brahmā's sons.
7.11.4
No one is superior to you in peaceful life and mercy, and no one knows better than you how to execute devotional service or how to become the best of the brāhmaṇas. Therefore, you know all the principles of confidential religious life, and no one knows them better than you.
7.11.3
¡Oh, el mejor de los brāhmaṇas!, tú eres, directamente, el hijo de Prajāpati [el Señor Brahmā]. Por tus austeridades y prácticas de yoga místico y trance, se te considera el mejor de todos los hijos del Señor Brahmā.
7.11.4
Nadie goza de mayor paz en su vida o es más misericordioso que tú; nadie sabe mejor que tú cómo practicar servicio devocional o cómo llegar a ser el mejor de los brāhmaṇas. Por consiguiente, tú conoces todos los principios confidenciales de la vida religiosa, y nadie los conoce mejor que tú.
7.11.3
O toi le meilleur des brāhmaṇas, tu es directement le fils de Prajāpati [Brahmā]. Du fait de ta pratique de l'austérité, du yoga et de la méditation, tu es considéré comme le plus grand de tous les fils de Brahmā.
7.11.4
Nul ne t'est supérieur quant à la sérénité et à la compassion, et personne ne sait mieux que toi comment pratiquer le service de dévotion ou comment devenir le meilleur des brāhmaṇas. Aussi connais-tu tous les principes confidentiels de la vie spirituelle, et là encore, nul ne les connaît mieux que toi.
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 7.10.65-66 Taking Shelter Of Sri Krsna In Goloka Vrndavana
SB 07.10.65-66 Taking Shelter Of Sri Krsna In Goloka Vrndavana 1994-05-31 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 7.10.65-66 Taking Shelter Of Sri Krsna In Goloka Vrndavana 1994-05-31 Radhadesh
SB 7.10.65-66 Taking Shelter Of Sri Krsna In Goloka Vrndavana
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.10.65-66 Taking Shelter Of Sri Krsna In Goloka Vrndavana 1994-05-31 Radhadesh
SB 7.10.65-66 Taking Shelter Of Sri Krsna In Goloka Vrndavana
SB 07.10.65-66 Taking Shelter Of Sri Krsna In Goloka Vrndavana 1994-05-31 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 7.10.65-66 Taking Shelter Of Sri Krsna In Goloka Vrndavana 1994-05-31 Radhadesh
7.10.65-66
SB 7.10.65-66: Nārada Muni continued: Thereafter, Lord Kṛṣṇa, by His own personal potency, consisting of religion, knowledge, renunciation, opulence, austerity, education and activities, equipped Lord Śiva with all the necessary paraphernalia, such as a chariot, a charioteer, a flag, horses, elephants, a bow, a shield and arrows. When Lord Śiva was fully equipped in this way, he sat down on the chariot with his arrows and bow to fight with the demons.
7.10.65-66
Nārada Muni continuó: Después de esto, el Señor Kṛṣṇa Se valió de Su propia potencia personal, hecha de religión, conocimiento, renunciación, opulencia, austeridad, educación y actividades, para equipar al Señor Śiva con todo lo necesario: una cuadriga, un auriga, una bandera, caballos, elefantes, un arco, un escudo y flechas. Una vez perfectamente armado, el Señor Śiva tomó el arco y las flechas y se sentó en la cuadriga dispuesto a luchar contra los demonios.
7.10.65-66
[Nārada Muni poursuivit:] Alors, Sri Kṛṣṇa, de par Sa propre puissance composée de la religion, de la connaissance, du renoncement, de l'opulence, de l'austérité, de l'éducation et de diverses activités, donna à Śiva tout ce dont il pouvait avoir besoin -un char, un conducteur de char, un étendard, des chevaux, des éléphants, un arc, un bouclier et des flèches. Ainsi équipé, Śiva s'assit sur le char avec son arc et ses flèches pour combattre les asuras.
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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Pictures from NVD
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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Blast from the Past! "Prabhupada: A Shadow Play" (1995)
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Vraja Kishor, JP: 10 things to learn from Japan
A friend sent this to me today.
Not sure if he is the original author, but
these observations really get to the heart
of why I enjoy living in Japan.1. THE CALM
Not a single visual of chest-beating or wild grief. Sorrow itself has
been elevated.2. THE DIGNITY
Disciplined queues for water and groceries. Not a rough word or a crude gesture.3. THE ABILITY
The incredible architects, for instance. Buildings swayed but didn’t fall.4. THE GRACE
People bought only what they needed for the present, so everybody
could get something.5. THE ORDER
No looting in shops. No honking and no overtaking on the roads. Just
understanding.6. THE SACRIFICE
Fifty workers stayed back to pump sea water in the N-reactors. How
will they ever be repaid?7. THE TENDERNESS
Restaurants cut prices. An unguarded ATM is left alone. The strong
cared for the weak.8. THE TRAINING
The old and the children, everyone knew exactly what to do. And they
did just that.9. THE MEDIA
They showed magnificent restraint in the bulletins. No
sensationalizing. Only calm reportage.10. THE CONSCIENCE
When the power went off in a store, people put things back on the
shelves and left quietlyThis makes the nation great.
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Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: All it takes is just a little prayer
Submitted by Bhaktin Rashmin
I hurried to the temple room for 8 o-clock darshan half to greet their Lordships, and found some guests greeting the Lord. I noticed a young caucasian girl, seemingly following the notions of the rest of us - bowing after each altar door revealed Caitanya, Gopinatha, and Jagannatha!
So I looked at Ksira Cora Gopinatha, pleading with Him,"I can't go up to her. I don't know anything!". Then I remembered my prayer that I have been concentrating on for the last couple of days: fearlessness in distributing books and telling people about Krsna. Naturally, I desired this since I am very timid and afraid of going up to random people to say hello. Finally I decided to just take a plunge and made my way in her direction.
I asked her if it was her first time visiting the temple, and she replied " Yes, it is." She explained that she is taking a religion course in school and currently she is learning about Hinduism. I tried my best to answer her questions and tell her about Krishna Consciousness and Prabhupada (who, by the way, she thought was Krsna! ) Anyways, I gave her some Caranamrta and offered some prasadam but she did not take. We had no sweets left at the reception desk,however, I did give her some magazines and an Urban Edge yoga card, which she was very interested about. I have to say though, the best part about this whole experience was when she inquired about our japa beads and what we did with them. I told her to repeat the mantra after me, which with a little difficulty she managed. And it was extatic to me.
This whole experience made me aware that, as Mangala Aarti said, Krsna fulfills our desires so quickly when He sees that we are very sincere. It inspired me to continue preaching and distributiong books, hoping I get stronger in this very nice service Prabhupada and Caitanya Mahaprabhu left for us.• Email to a friend •
Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: TEXAS FAITH 35: Which religion stories merited more and better coverage?
Dallas Morning News,Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.Each December, the Religion Newswriters Association asks members to choose the top 10 religion stories of the year. We decided to flip that around and ask you our esteemed Texas Faith panelists which religion stories, trends, developments did NOT get the media attention they deserved in 2010.
Here's what they our Texas Faith panelists said .
NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas
Construction of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium has begun this year in Mayapur, West Bengal, India. This amazing project bridges the gap between science and religion. The ancient Srimad Bhagavatam has given a detailed description of our solar system and the measurements of the orbits those planets in our solar system has been accurately accounted for. This project has been sponsored in large part by Alfred Ford, grandson of Henry Ford. It will be one of the largest temples in India, constructed with an advanced planetarium in its center.Hare Krishna :)
Your humble servant,
Nityananda Chandra Das
To see all the responses from the Texas Faith Panel click here
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Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: TEXAS FAITH 34: Why not worry about your theology?
Dallas Morning News,Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.Former Texas Faith moderator Rod Dreher recently wrote a probing review in our Sunday Points section looking at the findings social scientists Robert Putnam and David Campbell present in American Grace, their in-depth look at American religion. Rod's piece mirrors the discussion we have had over the last year about Americans' depth of religious knowledge, how much religion shapes, or doesn't shape, our political views and how people of faith can have genuine interfaith discussions.
In summing up the findings of Putnam and Campbell, Rod reaches this two-fold conclusion:
"The good news is that we Americans of different faith traditions get along remarkably well, not by casting aside religion, but by learning how to be tolerant even as we remain religiously engaged.
"The bad news is that achieving religious comity has come at the price of religious particularity and theological competence. That is, we may still consider ourselves devoted to our faith, but increasingly, we don't know what our professed faith teaches, and we don't appreciate why that sort of thing is important in the first place."
Rod goes on to write:
"It seems the more we know about believers in other faiths, the better we feel about those faiths. Isn't that progress?
"The problem - and it's a big one - is theological. If you believe that religion is nothing more than a statement of what an individual or a community thinks or feels about God, this is not such a big deal. If, however, you believe that religion is primarily a statement about what God thinks of us - that is, if religion proclaims binding moral and metaphysical truths that are necessary to live by - then a great deal depends on maintaining theological continuity and integrity."
So, for this week, I'd like to hear your thoughts about this question:
Why shouldn't people of faith worry about maintaining theological continuity and integrity, if indeed religion proclaims binding moral and metaphysical truths that are necessary to live by?
NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), DallasCan anyone become a doctor or lawyer simply by studying the books of medicine or law? No. Medical school and law school is required. At such schools one studies under those who have become experts in the field. Similarly Bhagavad Gita maintains that integrity can only maintained by a disciplic succession. The guru principle.
"BG 4.2: This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.
BG 4.3: That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told by Me to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend and can therefore understand the transcendental mystery of this science."
Krishna describes that if spiritual knowledge is not passed down in a disciplic chain the knowledge becomes lost. As a chain is strong as its weakest link. As Krishna states in the 10th canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam "When people in this world perform activities, sometimes they understand what they are doing and sometimes they don't. Those who know what they are doing achieve success in their work, whereas ignorant people do not."
To see all the responses from the Texas Faith Panel click here
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Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Trapped
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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: You know it is big if it is on CNN :)
Caru Prabhu and the Utah devotees get festival coverage on CNN!
(if you cannot see the embedded video please go to www.radhashyamasundar.com and hit the New Blog link and the video will play there...)• Email to a friend •
H.H. Sivarama Swami: Having reached the sobering age of 62 I request devotees to please give me their blessings to better serve and please Srila Prabhupada in the years I have left
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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: In the News: Inside the Ashram
Another nice article! We are hoping that by sharing these articles we are sharing devotional endeavours by dedicated devotees within our ISKCON community. These articles inspire us and hopefully inspire others. Most importantly these type of articles introduce new souls to check out the "Hare Krishnas" and some may like what they find and participate in some way in Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's glorious sankirtan movement. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Gauranga! Gauranga! Enjoy...By The Bhakti Center of New York City is in East Village, within a three block radius of a funeral home, a nail salon, two housing projects, a cemetery, three gay bars, and a Jewish deli. Their ashram, or spiritual place of residence, is tucked away in a quiet five-story walk-up on First Avenue, above The Bhakti Cafe, a vegetarian and raw food luncheonette run by the center’s practitioners. It is almost 10 a.m. when Dave buzzes me into the building.
As I walk up the stairs, I pass a framed print of a toddler Krishna with big eyes and slightly blue skin. I pass a water cooler. I pass an empty stroller on the fourth landing. I pass a twenty-something monk sitting on the steps, deep in prayer. As I take off my sneakers, hoping that the smell from my earlier cigarette isn’t stuck to my jacket, Dave pops his head out of the kitchen doorway. There is something about the way he smiles, the way he moves, the enthusiastic manner in which he speaks that exudes what appears to be an authentic kind of happiness.
Enthusiasm is not necessarily a quality you find in a city of millions who try their hardest to avoid eye contact on the subway while purposely numbing their face to any kind of emotional expression. Isn’t the archetypal New Yorker supposed to be clad in black, downing a double espresso while angrily marching to work? That is not the case with Dave. He appears to love everyone around him, truly and genuinely, and that is evident to even the hardest New York heart.
Dave welcomes me in and shows me the ashram, which is next to the kitchen. The devotees are on the floor of the bright yellow room, finishing up their breakfast and morning prayers. Like Dave, some are donning saffron-colored robes to designate the monastic life, while others simply wear white. Most have shaven heads. An iPod is plugged into a set of speakers just off the ashram, in the kitchen, playing one of many musical versions of the Hare Krishna chant.
An ashram is a spiritual place of residence perhaps best known to literary New Yorkers from the book-to-movie powerhouse Eat, Pray, Love. In the movie, Julia Roberts’s character eats in Italy, prays in an ashram in India, and finds love in Bali. In this case, the word ‘ashram’ can refer to the monastery building, or to the specific room within the building on the fifth floor. As the practitioners leave to go back to their rooms, one of the white-clad followers sweeps the ashram. It is similar to an all-purpose room: there are sleeping bags, a set of 10 lockers, a desk, multiple bookshelves containing hardcover volumes upon volumes of Conversations With Srila Prabhupada and tiny, soft cover pamphlets titled ‘Meditación y Superconciencia,’ various small pictures of Krishna, and three very large framed portraits of Prabhupada, the man who brought the Hare Krishna movement to The States in 1966. A man no older than 21 curls up in a sleeping bag on the floor. The man in white sweeps around the room, which noticeably lacks chairs, and then places the broom next to a multi-gallon tub of creamy peanut butter.
Today, Dave is preparing food for Columbia’s Bhakti Club, which meets in Lerner for a cooking class every Tuesday night. He pulls out a bottle of sunflower oil ordered from Bulgaria and tells me that we will be preparing rice, potatoes, fried plantains and a salad. “I like to think of a potato as a white sheet of paper,” he says while gathering the black pepper, salt, tumeric power, paprika and oil. “I’ve never heard of home fries, but someone once said these are like home fries.”
If I did my math correctly, Dave is 26 years old. He is a California native, and was studying psychology in his second semester at UC Irvine when he “found [his] spiritual path” and joined a monastery in Laguna Beach. He lived there for three years before finally coming to New York. He has been here for five years. He explains to me that the food he’s preparing is vegan because he wants to cater to all the dietary needs of Columbia students. But followers of Krishna do not necessarily believe in veganism because cows and humans have a symbiotic relationship. “If you take care of the cow,” Dave says, “it will be happy to share its milk.” He did add, however, that they disagree with the manner in which milk is extracted in the American dairy industry.
As Dave shreds carrots in the food processor, we are joined by a practitioner who calls himself Jagannath, which directly translates to “lord of the universe.” He is around the same age as Dave, and wears white garb, a necklace of wooden beads, and Prada glasses. “The name is a little self-aggrandizing, but we let him get away with it,” Dave says with a smile.
Jagannath is originally from Canada, and studied economics and philosophy at the University of British Columbia. As I slice the plantains, he tells me that he first found his spiritual path when his sister brought home a book by Prabhupada from the library. The librarian was going to throw it away but his sister took it home with her and gave it to him, and he says it answered a lot of questions he had about life that weren’t answered by the Western philosophers he had been exposed to in school.
I empty out bags of triple-washed lettuce and pour them in three metal trays as Jagannath sings “Hare Krishna” to himself. As I mix in shredded carrots, apple chunks and raisins, Dave tells me that Krishna is a god from Vedic literature who appears in different ways and forms. “An infinite variety of ways,” he says. He is charming, he is beautiful, he is sweet, he is a great dancer, he plays the flute, he is loving, he has a great sense of humor. “We believe that when Muslims, Jews and Christians pray, we’re all praying to the same person.”
“Our job is to do good work in the world,” Jagannath says, “and to please Krishna and help all his children.”
When the salad is finished, Dave prepares dried chiles and cumin seed powder to add to the tomato sauce that will eventually be poured on the fried plantains. The boy who was napping in the ashram walks into the kitchen and Dave introduces me. His name is Peter, he is from Maine and has been here for a year. As I take notes in my notebook, Peter stares at me and, in a monotone, reminds me that I am very lucky to be here cooking with Dave. He then walks back into the ashram to retrieve his iPod.
As I stir the vat of tomato sauce, Dave adds in the chiles and the cumin powder, and I can feel my sinuses start to burn. He grinds coriander seeds and explains the meaning of ‘bhakti.’ It is the means of connecting through devotion. And I learn that there are many ways that such a connection can be made. Jagannath, for example, shares that he practices bhakti yoga to control his mind, to train it to always think of Krishna. With this connection in mind, as the food is finished cooking, a small portion of everything we made is prepared as an offering to Krishna. The idea is that before Columbia students can enjoy the food later that night, it must be presented to Krishna. In fact, everything that the monks cook is first shown to Krishna.
The devotees fill small silver bowls with food, place the silver bowls on a round, silver platter, and cover everything with a blue cloth so that Krishna can be the first person to fully see and appreciate the food-as-offering. I take an elevator down three floors with a man named Joey, who is in charge of placing the platter before Krishna. We enter the prayer room and Joey instructs me to stand in the middle of the room as he goes into a back room with the food. I notice that Peter is also in the room. He is pacing, looking at the floor, clutching prayer beads, rapidly chanting under his breath: hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare, hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare. The ceiling is painted like a blue sky with clouds. There is an altar with flowers and small dolls that takes up the entire width of the room. The Krishna doll is about a foot high, standing mid-dance while playing the flute in the center of the altar.
I am slightly startled when I realize that the man sitting in the corner is not actually a man, but a life-sized sculpture of the founder, Srila Prabhupada. As I study the sculpture, the curtains in front of the altar mechanically close so no one can see the offering taking place. As the curtains shut, Peter belly-flops onto the floor as if a rug has been pulled from under his feet. The offering is being made at this very moment, behind a curtain, to a one-foot-tall, anthropomorphized elephant Krishna. Peter is on the ground, chanting even more rapidly under his breath.
I walk out of the room and back upstairs to the kitchen where Dave leaves me with one final bit of advice. He says that we will always know frustration as long as we realize that selfish motivations guide us. “I think Jimi Hendrix said that,” he says.• Email to a friend •
Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Splendid Preaching allowing thousands upon thousands to partake in the Holy Name
The Utah Krishna Temple, Caru Das and the devotees there are very inspiring. Hopefully you find this inspiring as well. They have allowed tens of thousands to partake in chanting Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. With the positive news coverage and exposure on Radio, TV, Print Media and the internet they have given the mercy of the Holy Names to countless souls. This is what we call mass preaching! It looks like fun for the devotees and the revellers. Harinam Sankirtan ki Jaya!
Enjoy the following sampling of media coverage with just an excerpts taken to consolidate since there are many photos and entire articles would make for a very long post. Gauranga!
[if you are reading this on a newsfeed or another site, please visit www.radhashyamasundar.com and click on the New Blog link. It will make for a cleaner read and you will also be able to see the embedded video]
Splendid Preaching allowing thousands upon thousands to partake in the Holy Name
30,000 people are expected to converge on Spanish Fork this weekend. They're all heading to the annual Hare Krishna Festival of Colors.
If you don’t know what it is, you’re quickly becoming the minority. The Hare Krishna Festival of Colors is becoming wildly popular for its tradition of throwing colored chalk. Festival organizers said they're expecting their biggest crowd ever this year. Priests said since March 1st, they’ve been selling roughly 500 bags of chalk a day.
The festival started 5,000 years ago when Lord Krishna threw a party to celebrate the rebirth of spring, and to show his loving relationship for all his devotees.Now, with more than 25,000 attendees, Krishna Temple hosts America’s largest Festival of Colors. To make the festival more manageable and less stressful for participants, they’ve expanded it to two days, with color throwings every two hours. After a countdown, a kaleidoscopic explosion of pigment fills the air like a powdered, sandelwood-scented rainbow. These nontoxic, organic powders are sold at the event; outside colors are not permitted. There’s also an array of sumptuous Indian food and lively music. Local acts join several national “mantra rock” bands, who play danceable grooves over ritual chants like the Hare Krishna mantra.An Indian holiday, the Holi festival encourages the return of Sping. There are many legends surrounding the Holi festival. One of the more commonly known is that the name Holi is taken from the Indian Demoness, Holika, who was the sister of Hiranya Kashipu, a Demon King. After Hiranya Kashipu learns of his son's devotion to Lord Vishnu, he becomes enraged and plots with his sister to kill his son. Since Holika is immune to fire, she carries the child, Prahlad, into a fire to burn. However there is a divine intervention that kills Holika instead and saves Prahlad. From this legend, the burning of the evil Holika, is celebrated via the Holi festival.An hour southeast of Salt Lake, lays rural Spanish Fork. The town is bombarded once a year by shuttles taking thousands of revelers back and forth for the Holi, or Color festival. These seemingly common, mostly teenaged curious, leave for the compound and return looking like a “Rainbow Brite” nightmare. Their exuberance at having attended the “rite of Spring,” free-for-all, gave me visions of “Woodstock” footage as they spilled their love and chalk dust on those of us waiting our turn for the “other side.”
I was shocked at the size of the large, stucco structure before me. The compound was at least ten acres with llama, sheep and a few farming areas. I was greeted from the bus with a smudging of yellow, thick, asthmatic causing flour. “Welcome Sister.” Any other day, I would have been angry that my new designer purse was completely damaged – but not today. It was a festival of color, love and hope – if only for a few moments.
Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March. The festival in Utah was in congruency with all other Krishna festivals throughout the world. Like a rainbow of peace, love, freedom, and happiness; chanters sang out the traditional:
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare
Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.”Walking three miles in 45-degree weather toward a mosh pit of chalk-throwing strangers may not sound like an ideal way to spend a Saturday, but the participants of Spanish Fork’s Festival of Colors had no complaints.
DESERET NEWS: Alissa Kitchen (left) and Mariah Hennefer laugh as they join thousands of others Saturday, March 26, 2011, for the Holi Festival of Colors at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork."Krisna himself -- which is a name for God, when he was on the planet -- he started this festival 5,000 years ago to celebrate the coming of spring," said Charu Das, a priest at the Spanish Fork Krishna Temple. "In those days, they take flower petals and grind it up into fine powder and then throw it on each other." The Holi Festival is celebrated with lots of color and lots of music. It's also the Krishna temple's biggest event of the year. "We consider it that we are following the footsteps of God. Most of the people that come to the festival aren't aware of that, and of course we try to educate them. They just come because it's fun, but it's a special meaning for us, because we consider the Lord did the same thing for us thousands of years ago," Das said.
A boy is hoisted up by the crowd during Holi, the festival of colors, at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah March 26, 2011. Thousands packed the temple grounds to celebrate Holi, a spring Hindu festival celebrated by throwing coloured powder at each other. Jim Urquhart / ReutersCrazy for hue: Krishna Temple holds annual Festival of Color
J.C. Hardy crowd surfs at this year's annual Holi Festival of Colors at Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork on Saturday. Holi Festival of Colors is the celebration of a traditional Indian holiday that includes throwing brightly colored powder, mantra, live music, a bonfire and food.The celebration at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork has grown so large that the colorful fight was expanded to two days. This year, more than 40,000 people attended the festival, the only such festival in the United States.
Yes...raise those arms. Gauranga! Gauranga!
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Tuesday, March 29th, 2011
Eyes/Soul
Toronto, Ontario
The sun shone again which attracts shades, as in sun glasses. You wouldn't catch me wearing them with my robes on. Not that there is anything wrong with these eye blockers but such a pair of these black eye specs don't go with the rest of the monk's get up, in my opinion.
While walking Marlborough St., near the ashram, a woman did catch my eyes as I make it a habit for eye contact as much as possible and this then is my opportunity to greet and offer a gesture of good will. She was pushing a stroller with her baby in it. Since she tinted her view of everything with her sunglasses I could not catch those eyes which is often perceived as the reflection of our shining soul.
Before I had the opportunity to nod in acknowledgement of her presence on this quiet street she broke into a big smile and that smile told me that here is another way of reflecting the soul. I mirrored my smile in return and that alone made a communication complete. "Two souls met," I guess you could say. This was gratifying. She approved of my garb and my lifestyle. Somehow there was a mutual acceptance of each other's spirit.
Earlier on in the day I had spoken to a group of students from Silverthorne Collegiate. We spoke about the eyes being a doorway to the soul's reflection. These young men really appreciated the remark although not new to them. I got to thinking after that nothing can bar the soul's perception really. It is what we are - glorious and glowing.
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Monday, March 28th, 2011
A Campus Visit
Oshawa, Ontario
Durham College! It's a place I never knew existed. We are looking at a relatively large campus with spanking new buildings set in a fairly green cedar oasis.
Prof. Rick Kerr invited me to his World Religions course at the campus. Larry Johanson, a Zen practitioner, was just finishing his presentation to the class while four of us monks were looking for which building we were to be coming to. I asked a student outside where the religious department is to be found.
"I don't know. I'm not religious," he said.
"Well maybe one day you will be."
"Nah, I've been there - done that."
Once we located our building we entered it looking for the actual room when a young student quite the opposite of the first, enthusiastically asked us, "Are you guys monks?"
"Yes, we definitely are - the Real McCoys."
"Are you doing some meditation somewhere?"
"Yes, right here on the campus - in a few short minutes with teacher Rich Kerr."
"I wish I could be there," he said lamentably.
After minor struggle, we found Rick's class and were getting greeted by a grateful teacher. We proceeded to indulge in explaining Krishna Conscious philosophy and lifestyle. Students took notes and then asked questions that they pondered, not all of them philosophical.
"Where do you get your clothes made?"
"India," I said.
The students expressed concern that we don't support sweat shop efforts such as child labour. Another student said that her boyfriend is vegetarian and asked if we could share our recipes.
"Why did you choose to be monks? are there female monks? How do you differ from Hindus?"
Rick was pleased with our presentation which included chanting. That was regarded as special for everyone on a Monday morning.
When all was done, I remarked to my monk companions that this is the life. Whether on foot or in a vehicle, sharing our culture brings real satisfaction.
5 KM• Email to a friend •
Dandavats.com: Boat Festival 2011 at ISKCON Vrindavan
By Lakshman das
The ISKCON temple at Vrindavan celebrated the boat festival on 28 March 2011. The inner courtyard of the temple was filled with water and created a water pool. The pool was covered with variety of flowers artfully decorated. The floral decorations were wonderful, even mystics wouldn't have doubted the soft bottom below the flowerbed
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Dandavats.com: TV & Newspaper Coverage of the Holi Kirtan Fest
By Caru das
Here are a number of links connecting to most of the media coverage, before and after, of the recent Holi Kirtan Fest in Spanish Fork Utah. The police, who were directing traffic, estimated 40,000 attended the first day and 10,000 the second
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Gouranga TV: Bhajan – 24hr Kirtan – Kapil
Bhajan – 24hr Kirtan – Kapil
Gouranga TV: Bhajan – 24hr Kirtan – Kapil
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Dandavats.com: Queen’s Day Amsterdam - 30th of April
Dinadayal dasa: We welcome you to partake in one of the biggest and most ecstatic Harinam Parades in Europe for the Queen’s Day Celebration in Amsterdam, April 30th 2011 where 1,5 Mil people will join the celebrations and turn the city of Amsterdam into a huge party!!
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Dandavats.com: Facebook problems
Anandamukhi Mittal: There is a facebook community page by an atheist group who are blatantly insulting Lord Krishna, Lord Ram, and Mother Sita, as well as many other Hindu Gods. This is a direct insult and attack to our religion and Dharma
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Dandavats.com: The Sadhana Retreat
Pancharatna Das: We are happy to announce the Sadhana Retreat, the first of its kind. It will be held on Easter Weekend, April 22 to April 24, at the Luther Springs Retreat Center in Hawthorne, Florida, one hour from Alachua and forty-five minutes from Gainesville
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Malati dd, USA: Hong Kong style Snow Skin Moon Cake
My first try in making Hong Kong style Snow Skin Moon Cake! The green one is flavored with Pandan essence, while the pink one is coconut flavor. Both have Adzuki bean paste w/ walnuts filling. (^_^) I just followed the ingredients and procedure from this video.
Malati dd, USA: Hong Kong style Snow Skin Moon Cake
However, instead of only 80 gms for both of the rice flour and the glutinous rice flour, I did 100 grams for each, since I find it kind of watery with the 200 grams of milk. Also, the red bean paste filling I use is store brought, and I added some chopped walnuts on it.
1. Use a cling wrap when you’re kneading the moon cake dough. In this way, your dough is smoother and it won’t stick to your hands.
2. For the cooked starch, I just steamed a couple tablespoon of corn starch covered with paper towel for 15 minutes.
P.S.
Excuse my blurry pictures, for I don’t have a camera (it’s broken
) Instead, I took the photos via my iPhone.
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