jueves, 10 de junio de 2010

Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: God realization easy or difficult according to individual willingness



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"Planet ISKCON" - 40 new articles

  1. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: ISKCON News: A Day At the Kitchen in ISKCON Mayapur
  2. Kurma dasa, AU: Cindy and Michael do Panir
  3. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Gangesvara Prabhu
  4. Kurma dasa, AU: Come Feast with Us...
  5. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: my proposed schedule
  6. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: God realization easy or difficult according to individual willingness
  7. Nama Rasa das and Chaitanya das, New Jersey, USA: HH Lokanath Swami Live at Towaco
  8. ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Dinner &Entertainment at Govinda's!
  9. Japa Group: You Need To Encourage Yourself
  10. Japa Group: Don't Get Distracted
  11. Sutapa das, BV Manor, UK: Chapter Four - E.A.R.S
  12. Kripamoya dasa, UK: Will England win if we all pray?
  13. Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: There no such things as coincidences...
  14. Jahnavi, UK: Wisdom in the City
  15. Book Distribution News: There no such things as coincidences...
  16. ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Flashback Photo - Beverley St.
  17. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 1.5.33 The Cure For All Diseases
  18. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 01.05.32 The Best Way To Solve Problems
  19. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: '462' from The Yellow Submarine
  20. Dandavats.com: Hare Krishna devotees hold public event
  21. Dandavats.com: Selling of Devotional paraphernalia from sankirtan mayapur
  22. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 'Transcendental Typewriter' from The Yellow Submarine
  23. Dandavats.com: Scotland, UK: Pujaris Needed
  24. Dandavats.com: Opportunity for service in Puerto Rico
  25. Dandavats.com: ISKCON Vrindavan Krishna Balarama Temple daily darshans
  26. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 'Tired Today' from The Yellow Submarine
  27. Dandavats.com: London’s Ancient Festival of Chariots
  28. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 'Free write' from The Yellow Submarine
  29. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 1.5.32 Krishna’s Sweetness
  30. Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Rained More Than Enough
  31. Arcanam: Worship of the Deity: Facebook Group!
  32. Madri dd, South Africa: BCEC Namamrta Program at Iskcon Toronto with HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami
  33. Mayapur Online: Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur- Appearance day
  34. David Haslam, UK: Reflection, a thought
  35. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Taking a shower outside this morning
  36. H.H. Sivarama Swami: There is devestating flood in Hungary where our FFL team is distributing 1000 plates of hot food to people who have not eaten in days
  37. Yoga of Ecology, Bhakta Chris, USA: Purple Pokeberries Could Unlock Solar Power Worldwide
  38. Mayapur Online: Mayapur Academy Diploma course 2010/11 has begun!
  39. H.H. Sivarama Swami
  40. Gouranga TV: Aindra Hare Krishna Kirtan – Vrindavan – 1-11-2009 Part 1/6
  41. More Recent Articles
  42. Search Planet ISKCON

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: ISKCON News: A Day At the Kitchen in ISKCON Mayapur

Madhava Smullen - writing for ISKCON News - has featured Manoj Prabhu's blog on their Inside ISKCON page. There you can see some highlights of Manoj' last pilgrimage to the Holy Dhama.

MayapurKitchen.jpg
'In our latest photo-journalism piece blogger Manoj, an Indian living in Australia, shares a highlight of his recent trip to ISKCON’s headquarters in holy Mayapur, India. There, he caught a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the hard-working temple cooks prepare food for thousands of devotees.'


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Kurma dasa, AU: Cindy and Michael do Panir

Yes, ok, it does sound a bit like an Indie movie title, but in fact it's a link to a food blog of interest. You may remember Cindy and Michael from a blog I published not long ago.

delicious panir:

No? well refresh your memory, and check out their panir adventures.

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Gangesvara Prabhu

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.21.16 - Our society's leaders have no idea what is good or bad.

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Kurma dasa, AU: Come Feast with Us...

Feast with Kurma at Govinda's:

Twenty happy punters at my recent cookery workshop at Govinda's in Darlinghurst. Come and join me for the final Govinda's class for 2010...

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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: my proposed schedule

In Mangalore until 17 June then depart for Bangalore 21 June to Hyderabad 25-27 June Andhra Pradesh sravan-kirtan camp 29 June to Mumbai 1 July to Jamnagar July 3rd Sat Jamnagar, Rath Yatra 6 Rajkot 7 Amreli 8 Mahuva 9 Bhavnagar 10 Vallabh Vidyanagar 11 Initiations 12 Ratha Yatra Vallabh Vidyanagar 13 morning to Baroda, midday to Surat for Ratha Yatra; possible midday stop in Bharuch 16 to Munich 17 to Moscow 21 to Kazan 22-26 July Kazan festival 30 to Moscow 31 to Ljubljana

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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: God realization easy or difficult according to individual willingness

...realization of the science of Godhead and relief from the unnecessary, useless struggle for existence are not at all difficult for the willing candidate. But they are very difficult for persons who are not surrendered souls but only simple, profitless speculators.

SB 2.7.47 ppt.

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Nama Rasa das and Chaitanya das, New Jersey, USA: HH Lokanath Swami Live at Towaco

Live Video streaming by Ustream

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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Dinner &Entertainment at Govinda's!

Govinda's Dining Hall proudly presents the second installment of their new monthly program, where once a month your dining experience will be accompanied by live entertainment!

The event will be taking place on Saturday, June 26th, 2010. In addition to Govinda's famous vegetarian buffet, the evening will feature a musical performance by Saawun. Saawun is focused on presenting Indian Classical music in its pure format and setting, but using western instruments in place of India’s traditional instruments.

The performance will begin at 6:30 pm at Govinda's Dining Hall, $12.00 per person includes vegetarian buffet.

Future monthly programs will feature classical Indian dances, dramas based on classical Indian literature and more!

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Japa Group: You Need To Encourage Yourself


I have my whole morning to complete my quota and so I should not think I am in a deep hole. You need to encourage yourself over this precious sadhana and not be down on yourself if you start out slow and tired.

From Bhajan Kutir #461
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Japa Group: Don't Get Distracted


When we become familiar with the Holy Names then this leaves us open to offenses....the seed offense is inattention which can be very hard to detect. Our mind may get into a habit of being distracted by many things....sounds, sights and by other means - that is why the environment that we chant in is so vital to our concentration.

If you are a householder then the main distraction could be the children, or finances playing on our mind or many other things....it recommended that we rise as early as possible to get the best Japa we can before the day starts and we are occupied with many duties. As a brahmacari the distraction may be in the mind...many services to perform or the day ahead on sankirtan or maybe we are in the habit of talking and chanting at the same time in the temple room.

Actually regardless of our ashram, the realisation about concentrated Japa needs to be there and we need to keep hearing about the importance of avoiding distraction.

Here is some very good advice given by Mahanidhi Swami:


It is often very difficult to keep one's attention on the holy name while chanting japa. This is because the mind is not trained to bear prolonged attention. It gets bored with the monotony of japa and runs to more pleasing things. By increasing one's interest or taste in japa, one will be able to chant attentively.

From the Art Of Chanting Hare Krsna by Mahanidhi Swami
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Sutapa das, BV Manor, UK: Chapter Four - E.A.R.S

Spiritual knowledge is known as ‘Sruti’ – ‘that which is heard.’ In bygone ages, sages would hear such knowledge, remember it, assimilate it, and perfectly communicate it to the next person without any deviation. Chapter 4 is entitled ‘Transcendental Knowledge’, and it is such knowledge which helps one understand the process by which they can make the divine connection. The famous Vedic aphorism thus encourages, ‘try to see God through the ears rather than the eyes.’

E - Eternal education (Verses 1-10) - Just as every gadget comes with an instruction manual, this entire universe comes with guidelines which enlighten one about its purpose and function. Such knowledge is of divine origin and is imparted at the time of creation. Krishna explains how this eternal educational system was setup by Him, and perpetuates in the universe through qualified and saintly persons. Such teachers impart this knowledge to the masses in a dynamic, applicable and practical way, and thus, the material creation is essentially a university within which we rediscover our spiritual identity. As the creator and maintainer, Krishna periodically appears to ensure the smooth functioning of the universe, by re-injecting spirituality and removing materialistic influences.

A - Accurate Understanding (Verses 11-15) - Thus, when transcendental knowledge is received through the eternal educational system, one gains an accurate understanding. Most people know something about God, something about religion and something about spirituality. However, ideas and understandings can often be quite hazy and confused. In three verses, Krishna clears up the three most common misconceptions of eastern spirituality. Verse 11 addresses the misconception that all spiritual paths lead to the same destination – Krishna explains that there is unity in diversity, but simultaneously different gradations of spiritual elevation. Verse 12 reinforces the fact that there is only one God - Krishna removes the misconception that eastern scriptures talk of polytheism and the idea of ‘many gods.’ Verse 13 addresses the concern that the Caste system is unfair and exploitative - Krishna underlines the true purpose and basis for the division of society.

R – Reactions (Verses 16-24) - While transcendental knowledge helps one to clear up philosophical doubts, it also helps one to clear up their ‘karmic bank balance.’ Karma is a universal law reminding us that every action yields an equal and opposite reaction. While bad karma is obviously undesirable, Krishna further explains that even good karma should be avoided since it still binds one to material existence. Beyond good and bad, is action on the spiritual level – action which yields no reaction, action which ultimately frees one from the anxieties and entanglements of this world. Such action is known as 'akarma.'

S – Sacrifice (Verses 25-42) - In order to acquire, understand and realise transcendental knowledge, however, one must make a sacrifice. While material knowledge is dependent on calibre, spiritual knowledge is dependent upon character. Sacrifices help refine one’s character so they become eligible to achieve this knowledge. One of the biggest sacrifices is to relinquish one's pride by humbly submitting himself to a guru. By faithful service and inquiry within such a relationship, the heart becomes fertile ground for spiritual knowledge to blossom.

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Kripamoya dasa, UK: Will England win if we all pray?

England football team captain Bobby Moore borne aloft with triple goal-scorer Geoff Hurst flanking him on our left. It was 1966 and we had won.

If there’s two dates in history that every English schoolboy knows, its 1066 and 1966. The first was the Battle of Hastings, which ushered in The Norman Conquest and had enormous repercussions on the future of our small island; the second was when England won the football World Cup in a dramatic final with West Germany at Wembley Stadium in London.

It was only twenty years after the end of the Second World War and there was still strong feelings about the old enemy Germany. The score was one goal each after the first 16 minutes and it was a nail-biting tension felt by each of the 98,000 fans in the stadium for the next 62 minutes during which the ball was artfully kicked up and down the pitch with no result for either team.

England scored in the 78th minute and it looked as if they were going to win (only 90 minutes in a game, you see) but then the referee allowed a free kick to Germany from which they scored. England protested, but the goal was allowed. In the final minute of the match the score was 2-2.

Extra time was added to the 90 minutes to compensate for time lost for injuries and stopped play. Then Geoff Hurst, who had already scored one goal, scored again when the ball bounced off a crossbar. This time the Germans contested, but again the goal was allowed. That goal has been discussed for the last 44 years.

Then came the will of God, or so the English felt. In the 98th minute of play, just as fans were invading the pitch, Geoff Hurst scored one more goal to bring the final score to England 4 – West Germany 2. The entire country was ecstatic. For the second time in living memory England had beaten off the Germans. England had won in the last minute and there was a God. The celebrations went on for weeks. I was 10 years old, and Britain was really top of the world.

But that was 44 years ago. Not since those days has England tasted the same success. Footballers today are paid huge sums of money, quite unimaginable by the players back then. But never has the England team equalled the result of 1966.

There are now just a few days left until the World Cup 2010 begins. My entire street is draped in English flags, buntings and banners of red cross on white background. Up and down the country people are praying. They are praying to a God who does not take sides, to look favourably upon this country’s football team, and to maybe, just maybe (please Lord) show the divine grace He so obviously did back in 1966 and allow their country’s football team to win the World Cup. Meanwhile, over in Germany, and Brazil, Portugal, Spain, and a host of other countries, even the USA, they are all praying exactly the same prayer to the same God.

May that same God bless us all.

Believe in God here


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Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: There no such things as coincidences...

We were in Town Hall, Sydney, Australia. There was a big parade honoring the war veterans. Soon it died down and so did the flow on the streets. We now had several book distributors and not enough people to stop between us. Bhakta Sean wasn't feeling the vibe of the whole ordeal so we decided to go for a wonder down to Martin Place (another good sankirtana spot). I wasn't distributing many books at the time so I decided I would follow along and see if Krsna's mercy was available there. I had to push the trolley and keep up pace and this was distracting me from doing any books. I started to doubt the whole idea of walking all this distance. "Oh Krsna, Where are you taking me? What is the point of coming here?" I said within my mind, appealing to the almighty.

Sure enough, as soon as I stopped my book trolley on the wall, an Indian gentleman in a suit arrived. "What have you got there?" he asked, in a curious but very firm tone. I wasn't sure whether he was going to ridicule or if he was genuinely interested. I didn't really care at this point whether he was going to spit on me or insult me, any chance I had to distribute a book was worth the try. I showed him the books, gave him a quick talk over the subject matter, even though he seemed to know what it was. Then it came to the crunch, "we just ask for a donation" I said. He looked at me, fumbled through his wallet super casually, whimsically thrust $40 dollars towards me and took my whole stack. Before I could say anymore, he was gone. Surely Krsna arranged this whole meeting.

I was confident Krsna wasn't done yet. I bumped into another boy in Martin Place. I captured his familiarity when I found out that he was a stone mason (which is what my younger brother is training to be). I begged for some of my brother's piety as I tried to distribute a book to this boy. I wasn't sure how he was going to relate to a book on yoga, being a hands-on, working class man. I told him, "It's about how to understand the connection between the body, mind and soul." He said, "This is exactly what I have been trying to look into. What a coincidence." "There are no such things as coincidence" I replied, "If you honestly hanker for these things then the knowledge will come."

Your servant, Madhavendra Puri Dasa.

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Jahnavi, UK: Wisdom in the City

Yesterday evening I attended the ‘Gita Wisdom’ class at Jivamukti Yoga, near Union Square. It has been running for about five years now, and is taught by Joshua Greene (Yogesvara das), a seasoned bhakti yogi and dedicated student of the Bhagavad Gita.The class takes place in one of the large, bright studios and hosts a sincere group of spiritual seekers from different walks of life. Many are yoga teachers, eager to integrate these spiritual teachings into their physical asana practice and pass this on to their own students.

Last night was the final class for the chapter by chapter study that has run for the past few months. It started out with a few minutes of simple Hare Krishna kirtan that set a meditative mood. All of the thirty-odd students sat on the floor, unpacking notebooks and pens, and well-thumbed copies of the Gita. Joshua began the summary of the final eighteenth chapter by talking about the character of Vidura. I loved the way he brought the characters to life. I think one of the most important things about studying any scripture is to understand its reality – these characters are not mythological – they were real, living breathing, thinking, feeling, and their struggles, lessons and successes can be directly applied to our own lives if we perceive them in this way.

I’m always amazed at how lessons from the Gita that I’ve heard hundreds of times growing up can strike me with a shocking freshness, again and again. When Joshua explained that spiritual life is experienced in progressive stages, and that what Krishna tells Arjuna at the very end: ‘Fully surrender unto me’, couldn’t have been spoken at the beginning without being preceded by deep explanation, I thought deeply about my own spiritual progress. I often give myself a hard time for not doing better; not getting up early without fail every day; for not being more disciplined and regulated; for my moments of ‘weakness’ when I just long for home comforts, or turn a blind eye to my responsibilities.

The truth is, we are all struggling somehow on individual journeys. Just as Arjuna’s dilemma is not an allegory, but very real, our daily choices and activities present so many real, sometimes frightening challenges. It’s tempting to think that there must be a way of side stepping. Perhaps by choosing a ‘spiritual life’ we can just be peaceful and avoid the inner battle. But these things have to be faced as a part of our path to remembering who we really are, a blissful soul in an eternal, loving relationship with God. With challenges come realisation and increased opportunity to depend on God in humble, loving surrender.

Every morning I wake up here in New York and have a ‘What am I doing here?’ moment. It’s scary to not have the full picture. It’s humbling to realise how small I am in this sprawling, frantic city. But I am so thankful that I have the Gita to help me remember that this time is a gift from Krishna. These challenges are a vital part of the big picture.

Check out the Gita Wisdom facebook page, for photos, recipes and links to watch the class live each week.


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Book Distribution News: There no such things as coincidences...

We were in Town Hall, Sydney, Australia. There was a big parade honoring the war veterans. Soon it died down and so did the flow on the streets. We now had several book distributors and not enough people to stop between us. Bhakta Sean wasn't feeling the vibe of the whole ordeal so we decided to go for a wonder down to Martin Place (another good sankirtana spot). I wasn't distributing many books at the time so I decided I would follow along and see if Krsna's mercy was available there. I had to push the trolley and keep up pace and this was distracting me from doing any books. I started to doubt the whole idea of walking all this distance. "Oh Krsna, Where are you taking me? What is the point of coming here?" I said within my mind, appealing to the almighty.

Sure enough, as soon as I stopped my book trolley on the wall, an Indian gentleman in a suit arrived. "What have you got there?" he asked, in a curious but very firm tone. I wasn't sure whether he was going to ridicule or if he was genuinely interested. I didn't really care at this point whether he was going to spit on me or insult me, any chance I had to distribute a book was worth the try. I showed him the books, gave him a quick talk over the subject matter, even though he seemed to know what it was. Then it came to the crunch, "we just ask for a donation" I said. He looked at me, fumbled through his wallet super casually, whimsically thrust $40 dollars towards me and took my whole stack. Before I could say anymore, he was gone. Surely Krsna arranged this whole meeting.

I was confident Krsna wasn't done yet. I bumped into another boy in Martin Place. I captured his familiarity when I found out that he was a stone mason (which is what my younger brother is training to be). I begged for some of my brother's piety as I tried to distribute a book to this boy. I wasn't sure how he was going to relate to a book on yoga, being a hands-on, working class man. I told him, "It's about how to understand the connection between the body, mind and soul." He said, "This is exactly what I have been trying to look into. What a coincidence." "There are no such things as coincidence" I replied, "If you honestly hanker for these things then the knowledge will come."

Your servant, Madhavendra Puri Dasa.

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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Flashback Photo - Beverley St.

This edition of ISKCON Toronto's Flashback Photos features a very special sannyasi (monk). It shouldn't be too hard for many of us to guess who this is, but we still encourage comments for those who would like to venture a guess!

HINT: It was on the instruction of Srila Prabhupada that he came to Toronto to open the first center here. This was the beginnings of our first Temple on Beverley St. which is shown in the above picture.
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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 1.5.33 The Cure For All Diseases

SB 01.05.33_The Cure For All Diseases_1998-06-13

Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.33 The Cure For All Diseases 1998-06-13

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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 01.05.32 The Best Way To Solve Problems

SB 01.05.32_The Best Way To Solve Problems_1998-06-11

Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.32 The Best Way To Solve Problems 1998-06-11 Radhadesh

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: '462' from The Yellow Submarine

www.sdgonline.org. SDGonline Daily updates

3:49 A.M.

I slept without a headache but woke up about a quarter after two and soon felt a headache coming on. I took medicine at 2:45 and began chanting, but the pain did not go down. It hampered my concentration, but I persisted. When Baladeva came up at 3:30 I took more medicine. By then I had chanted eight rounds. My ninth round was more intimate with clearer hearing of the mantras. I was feeling pleasure. My new book has arrived, Japa Transformations. I liked it when I read about one-third of it, and I feel it’s an accomplishment to have published this book about chanting. It was written at the time when my chanting is better than it is now. And I’m glad I was able to preserve that period. Now we will distribute the book to specific persons and places. I feel the writing I am doing on japa sessions now is more a reportage of a negative side, but I’m trying to avoid that and see the good in what I am doing. I should not be down on myself and certainly not be down on the magnificent process of chanting Hare Krishna. Krishna Ksetra Prabhu who wrote the foreward to the book said I am both an instructor and a student and that is true. Lately I have been teaching by my struggle which is another form of instruction aside from citing victories in japa.

Japa Transformations, deep
changes for the better,
expressions of victory and
the importance of the yajna.
It is an accomplishment to
have captured in writing
reports of praise for
harinama and feelings
of breaking through. The
book contains confessions
that I have not reached the
suddha-nama, but that is
welcomed too for honesty
and sharing the attempt
with fellow chanters.
It’s right to continue
reporting even if you don’t
feel great improvement.
You still fight to
vanquish inattention, and
you register some success.
It’s your main life duty
along with writing and
you have faith still
in chanting and reporting as
a service to your friends.

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Dandavats.com: Hare Krishna devotees hold public event

By Bill Henry

Devotees from around Grey-Bruce welcomed their Hare Krishna movement's spiritual leader in Canada to a public vegetarian feast and celebration Saturday. Owen Sound organizer Rajesh Kalavadia said the first-time event at Kelso Beach featured three elements: vegetarian food, spiritual activities like chanting and meditation, and entertainment including music, freestyle dance and a secular drama about loneliness

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Dandavats.com: Selling of Devotional paraphernalia from sankirtan mayapur

Sachikumar (das) JPS (Mayapur - IN): I am very happy to announce that our Sankirtan dept of ISKCON MAYAPUR newly offering a special service for the international devotees.

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 'Transcendental Typewriter' from The Yellow Submarine

www.sdgonline.org. SDGonline Daily updates

Prabhupada Smaranam

Prabhupada worked with a manual typewriter when he began his publishing of articles and his Srimad– Bhagavatam in India. He would carry the typed manuscripts to the printers, where they would typeset the pages into printed pages. Prabhupada worked with his old manual typewriter at his rented workroom at Chippiwada in Old Delhi. He was a poor sannyasi and had to beg for paper and printing and had to bring the paper himself and have it carried by rickshaw to the printers. He then read the printed pages and entered corrections by hand and carried it back to the printer. He wrote in the quiet of his room at the Radha Damodara temple, but conducted his printing business by walking through the busy streets of Delhi.

When he came to America, he continued to work with his manual typewriter, composing the translations and purports of Srimad-Bhagavatam. He was on the Second Canto and carried hundreds of pages of already completed manuscripts with him. But then his typewriter was stolen from his room at Doctor Mishra’s ashram. When he moved to the Bowery, he was given another typewriter and continued his work. At 26 Second Avenue he engaged Hayagriva in editing the pages he had already typed. Then Gargamuni bought Prabhupada his first Dictaphone, and he began using it, speaking directly into the microphone and making tapes. He stopped using the typewriter.

I was one of the first ones to type the Dictaphone tapes. No one else wanted to do it. I had my own manual typewriter at my apartment, and I would also type the tapes in Prabhupada’s apartment at 26 Second Avenue. When Prabhupada moved to San Francisco, and I moved to Boston I continued to be the sole typist of the tapes. He began The Teachings of Lord Caitanya and sent me the tapes in a mail. He sent them in loosely taped envelopes at the rate of about two per week. Typing the tapes was very dear to me. Hearing my master’s voice in my ears and typing early in the morning before I went to my welfare job gave my intense feelings of separation. I used to hear his voice even when I wasn’t typing. I kept the carbon copy and sent the original manuscript to him in the mail. We had much correspondence about which tapes I had and which tapes he had. In this way I typed the third and fourth cantos of Srimad-Bhagavatam, the entire TLC and the Krishna book. In my morning lectures at the temple I would recite Krishna book stories to the devotees. Typing was my life and soul. This picture shows Prabhupada and I conferring over the Dictaphone during one of his visits to Boston. Typing for Prabhupada was one of the most intimate services I ever did for him, and it made me steady emotionally, easing my separation from him, and teaching me the philosophy.

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Dandavats.com: Scotland, UK: Pujaris Needed

Jagad Bandhu Das GPS: ISKCON Karuna Bhavan, Scotland, UK , are looking for 2 Pujaris to come and serve beautiful Sri Sri Koda Nitay Mayapur Sashi and Sri Tulsinath (our pradhana sila), Giriraj and Srimati Vrnda Devi

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Dandavats.com: Opportunity for service in Puerto Rico

Jaya Sita devi dasi: A pujari for ISKCON Puerto Rico is requested for two months during the summer time with option to stay longer. Simple but clean accommodations and very nice prasadam is offered.

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Dandavats.com: ISKCON Vrindavan Krishna Balarama Temple daily darshans

Adi Kesava Das: ISKCON Vrindavan Krishna Balarama Temple daily darshans can be seen here, this is the link www.vrindavandarshan.com

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 'Tired Today' from The Yellow Submarine

www.sdgonline.org. SDGonline Daily updates

He said even in foreign
countries Christ and Mohammed
taught glorification of the Supreme.
But Sukadeva Goswami was focused
on Krishna as the supreme being,
the supreme name.
He told Pariksit, if one wants
to attain strength he should worship
the earth. If you want beautiful
women, worship the Apsaras,
but if you want to be free of
entanglement and reach the
supreme goal, hear and then
chant of Lord Hari. Of the
nine principles of devotional service, hearing comes first.

And he specifically recommended
Srimad-Bhagavatam as the
amala-purana, the spotless
book of Vyasa prepared for
Kali-yuga as the torchlight
to get us out.

I have a small voice
but magnify it for
you to hear me across
the sea. I ache trying
to say something worthwhile.
When I finish this poem
I’ll chant the holy names,
it’s my morning schedule—
write some, chant some.

When you write, tell of Krishna
or Caitanya and what They
told us for our benefit.
Lord Caitanya asked Svarupa
Damodara to give Him
intimate information about different types of
gopi heroines, sober and
restless, and how they react
to their lovers. Radha
is in the restless category, sometimes She gets angry
at Krishna and ties Him
with a garland. But
She can also be sober
and submissive and
take His harsh words
without recrimination.

I’m too tired to rise to
the occasion. I have only
crumbs to offer and anyway
today is Ekadasi so
we should fast. But I
want to celebrate the
victory of Krishna over maya,
I want to be happy and
not morose.
My brother said he wanted
to step up a notch and do
more associating with godbrothers
and more lectures and kirtanas.
I heard him and sat in
silence. When he asked
me if I wanted to attend
the twelve-hour kirtana and
the New York Ratha-yatra and
I said no, he said, “I know. I’m sorry
I asked.”

I use my home as a base,
but I rarely leave the
chair. I look for interesting
pictures and silent moments
to write about. It’s
hard work. The
headaches come
regularly, and I relax back
and deal with them
in kind. I like my
life and believe I’m
on the only possible
track I can walk on.
I pray to Lord Krishna
and wait for a
new form of inspiration,
if not today then
tomorrow.

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Dandavats.com: London’s Ancient Festival of Chariots

Radha Mohan Das: London’s 'Ratha-yatra’ Festival of Chariots returns to the streets of the capital on Sunday 20th June 2010. London will be illuminated by the wonderful colours and sounds of the annual Hare Krishna festival, a vibrant celebration of Indian culture and spirituality in our city

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 'Free write' from The Yellow Submarine

www.sdgonline.org. SDGonline Daily updates

I can’t figure this picture out, but I will do a free write on it. He does not seem to be a homeless man who is on a street in a desperate situation. He’s wearing a good winter sports coat, his head on a knapsack and the floor is carpeted. It almost seems like he is taking a short nap in an airport terminal or in someone’s room. He feels secure enough to have taken off his shoes.

I’m going to imagine where he is and what he’s doing. I imagine he’s on a floor in a room in a Hare Krishna preaching center. He has been there several times and is getting to know the devotees. He is twenty years old and attends a community college and lives with his mother and brother and sister. He dropped by the center on a Friday night and for the first time he stayed overnight. He got up at 4 A.M. with the devotees and took part in mangala arati and a class and breakfast. Now the devotees are letting him take a nap. They call him Bhakta Jo. It’s winter and there is no heat in the building so he is wearing his coat. He is having a dream from something he heard in the class. It was about Lord Jagannatha, and he is dreaming someone gave him a set of miniature Jagannatha Deities. When he wakes up the devotees are going to ask him to wash the pots. He already phoned his mother and told her where he is. Tonight the devotees will go on the streets, and they will ask him to go with them. He’ll accept the invitation. It will be the first time he’s going out on sankirtana. He will stay over again Saturday night and get up early. He’ll be tired again because he’s never got up so early. But he likes the sanga of the devotees, especially the leader of the center. He told the devotees about his dream and they said it was auspicious. At the back of his mind he remembers he’s got homework to do, and he’ll have to return home at least by Sunday night. But for now he is enjoying his time with the Krishnas, and it’s making an impression on him, maybe a deep one.

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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 1.5.32 Krishna’s Sweetness

SB 01.05.32_Krishna’sSweetness_2003-02-03

Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.32 Krishna’s Sweetness 2003 Perth evening

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Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Rained More Than Enough

A few days ago we got 3″ (7.6 cm) of rain in a 24 hour period, followed up by another 70/100s the next day.

That is like almost too much rain. Aside from concerns poorly drained plants will suffer drowning (and in theory I have none of those), I had just planted a succession crop of lettuce, plus coriander, shiso, succession crop of spinach and some more beans. I am afraid they were either washed out or the surface pummeled so badly by the rain that it got crusty, as clay soils are wont to do, and the new seedlings won’t be able to emerge. I threw some radish seeds in between some rows and they have come up but the rest remains to be seen.

Yesterday was mulching mulching mulching and still didn’t finish it all. Mulch helps retain moisture in dry times but more importantly suppresses weeds which invade gardens in wave after relentless wave otherwise.

In my blueberries, which aren’t doing particularly well, we are laying out a thin layer of newspaper and covering it with well rotted wood chips that have turned black after laying around for 10-15 years and being under the cover of a rug to keep weed seed out. The newspaper stops germinating weeds from coming through and the black rotted wood chips add organic matter blueberries love and it looks good.

Other places we cover the newspaper with hay, which does introduce some weed seed but works quick and easy for this season at least.

I have also been closing in a gourd arbor in which we have planted several different kinds of dipper gourds plus bitter melon. We set out the transplants and protected them from the ground hogs by putting the milk jug hotcaps I had removed from the tomatoes over them but they quickly outgrew those so we needed to seal in the fence.

Tulasi and I went around the base of the fence and tacked locusts posts all around so it is harder for the ground hogs to get under the wire, but I will feel very vulnerable about my gourds until they start climbing the wire and get above the ground hogs’ reach.

If they make it, a couple of the plants are extra long handled dipper gourds which I will give some special treatment to including removing excess fruit set so the ones that remain get all the juice from the plant and get as long as possible. The goal is to win the longest gourd category at next fall’s Ohio Gourd Society show.

The bitter melon is pretty safe — no one eats that, except some humans. :-)

Bali Mardana: Only thing I did not like was the bitter melon.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Bali Mardana: I did not like the bitter melon.
Prabhupada: You did not like?
Bali Mardana: It is too bitter.
Prabhupada: Oh, it was so nice. Eh?
Sudama: Do you like it, Prabhupada?
Prabhupada: Yes, yes. It is very beneficial for the stomach and kidney.
Bali Mardana: It’s like medicine.

Morning Walk — January 16, 1974, Hawaii


Filed under: Cows and Environment
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Arcanam: Worship of the Deity: Facebook Group!


Who would have though Facebook of all places would be the perfect venue for devotees to share ideas and tips for deity sewing and jewellery. A few weeks ago I was invited to join the Home Deity Sewing and Jewelry Facebook Group. Since then the group has been a great source of inspiration for new projects as well as a nice venue to share pictures and ideas. I suggest everyone to check it out!

Group Description:
This group is a place where devotees who enjoy sewing and making jewelry for their deities can get together and discuss creative ideas, new techniques or anything that may inspire others in their seva.
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Madri dd, South Africa: BCEC Namamrta Program at Iskcon Toronto with HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami

The Namamrta program focuses on strengthening the practice of Japa, relishing kirtan and harinam in the association of devotees within our Iskcon society. Indeed Srila Prabhupada's temple is a fitting venue for such a program. The attendees are often left with inspiration and conviction that this facility can be a source of constant spiritual strength. HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami travels to various countries facilitating such a program. This program at Iskcon in Toronto was held earlier this month.

What participants had to say about the Namamrta program held in Toronto:

"Best organized program I have ever attended, even in outside "secular" and
material world" - Milind Joshi

"Wonderful association and devotee camaraderie" - Jack Persaud

"The most important thing I learned was how to "hear" the Holy Name." -
Sita Thakurani dd

"The 64 rounds day made me realize how truly valuable the Holy Name is and
how fortunate I am to have it." - Recha Grover

"The thing I liked most about the program was being able to chant together
as a group." - Jagannath Misra dasa

Smiling faces everywhere as devotees dance and sing their hearts out!

Skit on mechanical chanting

A sea of devotees take over the streets bringing the Holy Names and Srila
Prabhupada's books to whoever they meet!

Light-hearted moments!

Hare Krsna!

The happy and grateful devotees who participated in the Namamrta Level 1
program in Toronto

The overwhelming sound vibration of the Holy Name engulfs all the participants as they chant together and in the presence of Srimati Tulasi Maharani.

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Mayapur Online: Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur- Appearance day

One of the most beautiful islands in Navadvipa Mandala is Modadrumadvipa (present day, it is known as Mamgacchi), the island representing the process of servitorship ( dasya). The glorious Vrindavan das Thakur appeared here and inundated the whole world with the sweet pastimes of Sri Caitanya & Nityananda, by composing Sri Caitanya Bhagavata. Born as son of Narayani, who is blessed with the remnants of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Vrindavan das Thakura was a disciple of Sri Nityananda prabhu.

read more

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David Haslam, UK: Reflection, a thought

The other day I was in a council meeting looking at how schools perform in delivering acts of collective worship in relation to the government inspection. The thing is that our local authority is very pro-active in making sure religion has a high profile and so consistently achieves high marks; (they have especially been helpful in [...]

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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Taking a shower outside this morning

reminded me of how complicated we have made life and how we should always strive to live simply.

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H.H. Sivarama Swami: There is devestating flood in Hungary where our FFL team is distributing 1000 plates of hot food to people who have not eaten in days

If you would like to contribute to this effort financially, or any other way, contact Damodara dasa on damodara@me.com

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Yoga of Ecology, Bhakta Chris, USA: Purple Pokeberries Could Unlock Solar Power Worldwide

From our friend Madhava Ghosh

by Alicia W. Roberts, Wake Forest University

South Carolina, United States — Pokeberries – the weeds that children smash to stain their cheeks purple-red and that Civil War soldiers used to write letters home – could be the key to spreading solar power across the globe, according to researchers at Wake Forest University’s Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials.

Nanotech Center scientists have used the red dye made from pokeberries to coat their efficient and inexpensive fiber-based solar cells. The dye acts as an absorber, helping the cell’s tiny fibers trap more sunlight to convert into power.

Pokeberries proliferate even during drought and in rocky, infertile soil. That means residents of rural Africa, for instance, could raise the plants for pennies. Then they could make the dye absorber for the extremely efficient fiber cells and provide energy where power lines don’t run, said David Carroll, Ph.D., the center’s director.

“They’re weeds,” Carroll said. “They grow on every continent but Antarctica.”

Wake Forest University holds the first patent for fiber-based photovoltaic, or solar, cells, granted by the European Patent Office in November. A spinoff company called FiberCell Inc. has received the license to develop manufacturing methods for the new solar cell.

The fiber cells can produce as much as twice the power that current flat-cell technology can produce. That’s because they are composed of millions of tiny, plastic “cans” that trap light until most of it is absorbed. Since the fibers create much more surface area, the fiber solar cells can collect light at any angle — from the time the sun rises until it sets.

To make the cells, the plastic fibers are stamped onto plastic sheets, with the same technology used to attach the tops of soft-drink cans. The absorber — either a polymer or a less-expensive dye — is sprayed on. The plastic makes the cells lightweight and flexible, so a manufacturer could roll them up and ship them cheaply to developing countries — to power a medical clinic, for instance.

Once the primary manufacturer ships the cells, workers at local plants would spray them with the dye and prepare them for installation. Carroll estimates it would cost about $5 million to set up a finishing plant — about $15 million less than it could cost to set up a similar plant for flat cells.

“We could provide the substrate,” he said. “If Africa grows the pokeberries, they could take it home.

“It’s a low-cost solar cell that can be made to work with local, low-cost agricultural crops like pokeberries and with a means of production that emerging economies can afford.”

Alicia W. Roberts is a research writer at Wake Forest University.

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Mayapur Online: Mayapur Academy Diploma course 2010/11 has begun!

The Mayapur Academy Pujari training course in English for International devotees starts on the 1st November with the opening day on the 30th October.
We invite you to take part in this unique learning experience and study how to worship the Lord in a way that is pleasing to Him, in the spiritual atmosphere of Sridhama Mayapur. You will benefit from the expert guidance of our world renowned teachers, headed by Jananivasa and Pankajanghri Prabhus.

read more

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H.H. Sivarama Swami

Our movement is not a passive movement but it is active. We are trying to
awaken the sleeping humanity to reawaken themselves to Krishna Consciousness. At present humanity by and large is working simply for sense gratification. This is to be considered illusion. Actual life is devotional service to the Supreme Lord.

- Srila Prabhupada

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Gouranga TV: Aindra Hare Krishna Kirtan – Vrindavan – 1-11-2009 Part 1/6

Aindra Hare Krishna Kirtan – Vrindavan – 1-11-2009 Part 1/6

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