sábado, 1 de enero de 2011

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Initiation ceremony 29th December 2010



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"Planet ISKCON" - 30 new articles

  1. Bhakta Chuck, CT, USA: Friday Night Oxen #37
  2. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 177
  3. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Krishna-love
  4. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Free Write
  5. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 176
  6. Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Lecture - Radhanath Swami - The Journey Home
  7. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Happy New Year!
  8. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: EXPECTING THE LORD'S MERCY
  9. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: THERE IS NO QUESTION OF BEING DEPRESSED
  10. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Aniruddha Prabhu
  11. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Sankarsan Prabhu
  12. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Book Distribution Seminar: 6th & 7th January
  13. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
  14. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Initiation ceremony 29th December 2010
  15. Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Janmastami - Dance - Mama Mana Mandire - 3/7
  16. Kurma dasa, AU: Happy New Year 2011
  17. Japa Group: Japa Workshop #1 of 6
  18. David Haslam, UK: mentally or spiritually ill (we may never know)
  19. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Hall Lecture On Srila Tamal Krishna Gosvami
  20. Gaura Nitai das, Mayapura, IN: an oppurtunity...mayapur.tv
  21. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: PLAN FOR 2011
  22. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Today is Saphala Ekadasi
  23. ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Your Definitive Guide to a Hare Krishna New Year's Eve!
  24. Jaya Kesava Das, USA: To All my Friends
  25. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Quote Of Guru Maharaja
  26. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
  27. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Bhagavad Gita recitation
  28. Australian News: Aussie Foreign Affairs Minister visits Woodford Ratha Yatra Team
  29. Japa Group: Please Join The Japa Group
  30. Gouranga TV: TKG Academy – Gita Jayanti – Chapter 1
  31. More Recent Articles
  32. Search Planet ISKCON
  33. Prior Mailing Archive

Bhakta Chuck, CT, USA: Friday Night Oxen #37

Hello Everyone,

zebu

Click to view slideshow.

This is a post that I have wanted to tackle for some time, but living in the North East USA, I find little first-hand exposure to the Zebu. So this is the beginning of a great adventure for me. Zebu are domesticated cattle of the species Bos primigenius indicus or Bos indicus believed to have originated on the Indian Subcontinent. Typically, you know them by the fatty hump on the shoulders, drooping ears and a large dewlap on the front of the neck. Between the African and South Asian breeds, there are around 75 types of Zebu.

But, rather than try to present something that I am not well versed in yet, I have located some interesting websites for you. Try working back and forth with these and go on an exploration of your own. You can start at the American Miniature Zebu Association website. Click the “Zebu Info” button in the left sidebar and scroll to “Zebu Breed Colors” and “Zebu Horn Shapes/Styles”. Here you will find an amazing pictorial overview representing some great diversity within the species. The varieties of body styles and colors seem endless.
Now that you feel inspired to go a little deeper, click on one of the breeds that attracts you here to read more…then, head over to the Oklahoma State University website. They have done a wonderful job pulling a lot of research together for us. See if you can find your breed of interest in the left sidebar, most are listed and follow that for more exciting reading. Be sure to click on “Kankrej” in the list, which is quite spectacular. There is so much of interest here that you may read on all night! Please take note that on the OSU website several breeds do not have pictures and they are requesting more information / pictures of these breeds, so if any of our FNO friends have this information, it might be a great opportunity for us to help them expand their database.
In future weeks, I hope to present some actual teams for you to get to know. Until then…

Have a nice weekend, in service to the Oxen,

ys, Chuck

 

Chant
Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 177

www.sdgonline.org. SDGonline Daily updates

Yesterday afternoon I fell asleep in a nap, and when I woke the digital clock read 6:00. I had been getting up at 7:00, but I decided to get up an hour earlier. I went downstairs and Baladeva and Muktavandya were there. “Now what are you going to do?” asked Baladeva with a twinkle in his eye. I told him I thought I’d get up an hour early. Muktavandya smiled. “What, is it 6:00 P.M.?” I asked. They laughed and nodded, “Yes.” I thought I had slept the whole night through, but I had only taken a brief afternoon nap. “I guess I’ll go back to bed,” I said, and I changed into my pajamas, took night medicine and went to bed. I couldn’t sleep very well. After a few hours, I started chanting my rounds and finished them by 4:00 A.M. Then I got up at 6:00 A. M. again. I’m confused on my schedule and I’m on the tired side, so I drowse off for a nap at odd times of the day.

I need better diet, better exercise, more rest, more drinking of water, better breathing, losing weight, better health if I want to live longer. And I do want to live longer and have better health. I want to have verve and energy to practice Krishna consciousness.

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Krishna-love

www.sdgonline.org. SDGonline Daily updates

Krsna you can spell as “Krishna”
but He is the one Supreme Godhead
whose name is the all-attractive
one. He has all powers and comes
to see them sometimes in the eyes
of His pure devotees.
They know Him best and He knows them
likewise. Krishna—and His pure devotees
are a mix-up
hand in hand.
They walk in silence
together on the mountains
in the ocean in the sunset

I know nothing about except they
are joined and loving and I
can approach if I can
build my faith and
find the words.

Coda: the desire to be
Your lover and
approach Your
sacred land
in the palm of Your hand.

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Free Write

www.sdgonline.org. SDGonline Daily updates

Every day you create life, and if you are interested in it you can write it down. Write it down. You’re recovering from a disease. Are you feeling better? On Monday you get a chest X-ray. The X-ray tells you things that are going on in the heart. Are you feeling all right? The machine reveals and tells. It is not so bad, but it has been going seventy-one years, so it is not so fibrous and athletic. He has to go to a different beat. I’ll be told soon if I’m all right. Puff-huff-huff. They don’t have a machine that sees the soul beating. You can see your heart. When the heart is beating, they say you are alive. Alive, alive, oh. But the soul, that they cannot see. Oh, oh, oh, I am alive. I have an esophagus and breath-pipe breathing apparatus. I will know in three days about my heart. He held the stethoscope against my chest and asked me to breathe in and breathe out. He made no comment. He should have said something. I should have asked him. I take it that “no comment” means that it is all right. In three days he will do an X-ray on the heart, and then I think he will have to say something more definitive.

I can’t remember to say all the gayatris. I trail off before finishing one of them. I hesitate to decide how many rounds I’ve done and how many beads make a round. This means I am disoriented. The hours go by erratically, quickly and then slowly. You’re not sure when you took your pills and when you didn’t take them. You can’t walk down the stairs by yourself. You take a step at a time and then lower yourself to the next step. You sleep twelve hours at night but still want to take naps during the day. The dark sky outside all day, and there’s frozen snow backed up to the sidewalks. I don’t have the strength to take an outside walk. My legs wouldn’t hold up, and my chest is wheezing with prolonged ill health. I’m enduring and hope to gradually feel better.

You don’t have to pray for me to survive, I’m not that sick. Call for Bhakti-rasa to read me some more. Let him read about the higher rasas until my eyelids get heavy.

The sunshine is out but not for long. Gradually the afternoon will darken on the last day of the year. We heard that Inis-Rath lake is frozen solid, and the devotees are walking across it to the island. Caitanya claims he has seen many ISKCON temples where the dress of the Deities of Radha and Krishna are in the colors of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause. Gift-wrapped presents for Their Lordships are placed on the altar and in stockings hung on the mantles. Chopping down Christmas trees does not seem right, although we have a living fir tree in a decorated dirt pot in our presents-room. Devotees gather for the harinama around the bulb-lit fir tree.
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 176

www.sdgonline.org. SDGonline Daily updates

10:30 A.M.

Baladeva just told me I have a doctor’s appointment at 1:30 P.M. It’s a bit short notice and makes me a little nervous. My chest is still congested, and my legs don’t walk with natural accord yet. Then I noticed that we need to get pictures of Prabhupada cut to fit the Prabhupada Smaranam section of the journal. I have no more pictures left. I went down to the kitchen where Baladeva was cutting vegetables with Bhakti-rasa. I told him that the pictures had to be taken to Staples store today for cutting. He got short-tempered and said, “What is more important, your health or the pictures?” I said, “My health is more important, but Bhakti-rasa and Caitanya can get the pictures cut this afternoon.” He remained short with me as if I am asking too much and asking for both things to be done in the same day. He turned silent and acquiesced to my request for the other men to do the pictures, I think. He thinks I am not taking enough responsibility for my health. But I think the two things can both get done today and that I am not manifesting “mania” symptoms in wanting them done.

The trip to the doctor’s went all right. Both of our doctors are Indians, Muslims, and both are cold in their dealings with us. They don’t get homey or friendly like nurses do. And they leave things inconclusive. He asked me what happened at the hospital but didn’t let me really convey the experience. The main impression they give is, “I am busy and can’t spend much time with you. I don’t want to get too close to you.” We have to go back in a week for a chest X-ray, I’m not exactly sure why. He was uncertain to us whether I have to stay on antibiotics, and, if so, which ones. He will tell us later if he is available when we go back.

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Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Lecture - Radhanath Swami - The Journey Home

After introductions from various dignitaries, Radhanath Swami speaks about his book "The Journey Home" at the Dallas Conference Center.

Dallas, TX
2010-10-08 


Download: 2010-10-08 - 2 - Radhanath Swami - The Journey Home.mp3
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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Happy New Year!

Picture
May there be good fortune throughout the universe,
and may all envious persons be pacified.

May all living entities become calm by practicing bhakti-yoga,
for by accepting devotional service they will think of each other's welfare.
 
Therefore let us all engage in the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord Sri Krishna, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him.


svasty astu viśvasya khalah prasīdatām

dhyāyantu bhūtāni śivam mitho dhiyā

manaś ca bhadram  bhajatād adhoksaje

āveśyatāḿ no matir apy ahaitukī

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.9
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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: EXPECTING THE LORD'S MERCY

In the Tenth Canto, Fourteenth Chapter, verse 8, it is said,

"My dear Lord, any person who is constantly awaiting Your causeless mercy to be bestowed upon him, and who goes on suffering the resultant actions of his past misdeeds, offering You respectful obeisances from the core of his heart, is surely eligible to become liberated, for it has become his rightful claim."

This statement of Srimad-Bhagavatam should be the guide of all devotees.

A devotee should not expect immediate relief from the reactions of his past misdeeds. No conditioned soul is free from such reactionary experiences, because material existence means continued suffering or enjoying of past activities.

If one has finished his material activities then there is no more birth. This is possible only when one begins Krsna conscious activities, because such activities do not produce reaction.

Therefore, as soon as one becomes perfect in Krsna conscious activities, he is not going to take birth again in this material world.

A devotee who is not perfectly freed from the resultant actions should therefore continue to act in Krsna consciousness seriously, even though there may be so many impediments.

When such impediments arise he should simply think of Krsna and expect His mercy. That is the only solace. If the devotee passes his days in that spirit, it is certain that he is going to be promoted to the abode of the Lord.

By such activities, he earns his claim to enter into the kingdom of God. The exact word used in this verse is daya-bhak. Daya-bhak refers to a son's becoming the lawful inheritor of the property of the father.

In a similar way, a pure devotee who is prepared to undergo all kinds of tribulations in executing Krsna conscious duties becomes lawfully qualified to enter into the transcendental abode.

- Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 10

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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: THERE IS NO QUESTION OF BEING DEPRESSED

Samah siddhav asiddhau ca (BG 4.22).

If you are working for Krsna, it is Krsna's desire if you be successful or not successful.

Here it is, the word is used, asiddhau. That means don't think that because you are Krsna conscious, you will be always successful. No. It doesn't matter.

Even if you are unsuccessful, you must know it firmly that without Krsna's desire, nothing can happen. If you are unsuccessful, then you should.... That is Krsna conscious.... You should know also that "It is Krsna's desire." It is Krsna's desire.

So there is no question of being depressed because you are unsuccessful. A devotee is never depressed in the horrible condition of life. Tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamano bhunjana... [SB 10.14.8].

- Srila Prabhupada

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Aniruddha Prabhu


Srimad Bhagavatam 11.28.30-One on the platform of self-realization does not regard himself as an enjoyer of the world. Rather, he regards the entire cosmos as simply an insignificant expansion of the Lord's potency — and himself as the Lord's humble servant.

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Sankarsan Prabhu

Bhagavatam class given on Friday, 31st December 2010

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.28.29 - Imperfect transcendentalists will resume their practice of yoga in the next life and will never again be trapped in the network of fruitive work.

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Book Distribution Seminar: 6th & 7th January

vijaya

In conjunction with the 'Monthly Sankirtan Festival' program, which was started by Vaisesika Prabhu and is now popular worldwide, Vijaya Prabhu will be conducting a 2-days seminar on book distribution.

Vijaya Dasa is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and is amongst the prominent book distributors of ISKCON.

If you are 'fired-up' about sankirtan then this is a good opportunity to fuel your eagerness to please Srila Prabhupada.

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

1/1/11
Dressed in Their elegant outfit, with pink blooming lotuses against a dark background,

the Deities carry us today to Vrajabhumi where the full and fragrant lotus flowers blossom on the dark liquid prema of Yamunadevi.

Here is the very first darsana of the New Year: 1/1/11!

May this day be a fresh beginning for everything auspicious and prosperous in our lives!

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Initiation ceremony 29th December 2010

initiation

Jayapataka Maharaja performed first and second initiations on Wednesday
and many of those present declared that this yajna was quite something:
out of the ordinary.

The sanctified atmosphere that reigned was surcharged with blessings.

Radha Carana Prabhu was successful in capturing the moment.

Here is a slideshow of his amazing shots.

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Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Janmastami - Dance - Mama Mana Mandire - 3/7

Children from the Dallas Sunday School dancing to the song "Mama Mana Madire" by Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits.

Dallas, TX
2010-09-01 

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Kurma dasa, AU: Happy New Year 2011

happy new year 2011:

Thank you, dear readers, for your support in 2010. I wish you all a happy, healthy and auspicious year ahead.

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Japa Group: Japa Workshop #1 of 6

This is the first in a 6 part series of Japa Workshops conducted by Mahatma dasa.

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David Haslam, UK: mentally or spiritually ill (we may never know)

I made a follow up visit to the individual who is currently sectioned under the Mental-health Act, what I noticed was that very few people had visited since my last which filled me with some sadness. The individual is making some good progress and is now able to go for short walks off the unit [...]

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H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Hall Lecture On Srila Tamal Krishna Gosvami

HALL LECTURE BY HIS HOLINESS BHAKTI CARU SWAMI ON SRILA TAMAL KRISHNA GOSVAMI, HIS DISAPPEARANCE DAY CELEBRATION ON 15 FEBRUARY 2010 IN SRIDHAMA MAYAPURA. Transcription : Sacikumara Dasa, Ramananda Raya Dasa Editing : Ramananda Raya Dasa Audio-Reference : Click Here Nama OM Visnupadaya Krishna prestaya bhutale Srimate Tamal Krishna Goswami iti namine Vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca kripa-sindhubhya [...]

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Gaura Nitai das, Mayapura, IN: an oppurtunity...mayapur.tv




mayapur.tv

Today and tomorrow (24hours ) the folks in Mayapur will be having nonstop kirtan for 24 hours. This year the event is dedicated to Aindra Prabhu who recently left his mortal body. He breathed kirtan, inspired kirtan, taught kirtan and is a major inspiration for those who have dedicated themselves the practice of kirtan and bhajan. By chanting kirtan (singing) of Lord Krishna's name and glories one is gradually, and sometimes not so gradually, able to perceive him/herself, the nature of his existence in this world and ultimately one can experience the naturally blissful ecstasy of the soul's relationship with God. When the sun rises in the morning you are gradually able to see your environment which was previously covered by darkness. The name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna is non different from Himself and is thus compared to the sunshine. When we wholeheartedly beg with determination and sincerity to associate with the most beautiful (beauty that cannot be compared to anything in this world) supreme person He (Krishna) and His feminine counterpart Radharani reveal themselves in the heart. Krishna Himself has declared that the most powerful avenue to express our desire for this association is to sing or chant the Maha Mantra ( Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare). Singing this mantra is especially powerful when performed in a congregation with other like minded devotees. In our bhakti tradition there are countless accounts of devotees whose senses (sight, sound, aroma, touch and taste) were flooded with ecstasy through contact with Krishna and His holy name. Did you know that the english translation of Krishna means all-attractive? The love and happiness that we are looking for can be found wherever devotees are petitioning the Lord through kirtan. Please join us! It is open to everyone!


Mayapur.tv




Mayapur.tv

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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: PLAN FOR 2011

What will you start doing in 2011?

What will you stop doing in 2011?

What will you continue doing in 2011?

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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Today is Saphala Ekadasi

Picture
Yudhisthira Maharaj said, “O my Dear Lord Sri Krishna, what is the name of that Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Pausha (December-January)? How is it observed, and which Deity is to be worshipped on that sacred day? Please narrate these details to me fully, so that I may understand Oh Janardana.” The Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna then replied, “O best of kings, because you desire to hear, I shall fully describe to you the glories of the Pausha-krshna Ekadasi. 

 “I do not become as pleased by sacrifice or charity as I do by My devotees observance of a full fast on Ekadasi. To the best of one’s ability, therefore, one should fast on Ekadasi, the day of Lord Hari. 

 “O Yudhisthira, I urge you to hear with undivided intelligence the glories of Pausha-krshna Ekadasi, which falls on a Dwadasi. As I explained previously, one should not differentiate among the many Ekadasis. O king, to benefit humanity at large I shall now describe to you the process of observing Pausha-krshna Ekadasi. 

 “Pausha-krshna Ekadasi is also known as Saphalaa Ekadasi. On this sacred day one should worship Lord Narayana, for He is its ruling Deity. One should do so by follow the previously described method of fasting. Just as among snakes Shesha-naga is the best, and among birds Garuda is the best, among sacrifices the Ashvamedha-yajna is the best, among rivers
Mother Ganges is the best, among gods Lord Vishnu is best, and among two-legged beings the brahmins are the best, so among all fasting days Ekadasi is by far the best. O foremost of kings who took your birth in the Bharata dynasty, whoever strictly observes Ekadasi becomes very dear to Me and indeed worshippable by Me in every way. Now please listen as I describe the process for observing Saphalaa Ekadasi. “On Saphalaa Ekadasi My devotee should worship Me by offering Me fresh fruits according to time, place and circumstance, and by meditating on Me as the all-auspicious Supreme Personality. He should offer Me jaambira fruit, pomegranate, betal nuts and leaves, coconut, guava, varieties of nuts, cloves, mangoes, and different kinds of aromatic spices. He should also offer Me incense and bright ghee lamps, for such an offering of lamps on Saphalaa Ekadasi is especially glorious. The devotee should try to stay awake all the Ekadasi night.
“Now please hear with undivided attention as I tell you how much merit one gets if he fasts and remains awake throughout the entire night singing and chanting the glories of Narayana. O best of kings, there is no sacrifice or pilgrimage that yields merit that is equal to or better than the merit one gains by fasting on this Saphalaa Ekadasi. Such fasting – particularly if one can remain awake and alert the entire night long – bestows the same merit upon the faithful devotee as the performance of austerity for five thousand earthly years. O lion among kings, please hear from Me the glorious history that made this Divine Ekadasi famous.

“Once there was a City called Champaavati, which was ruled by the saintly King Maahishmata. He had four sons, the eldest of whom, Lumpaka, always engaged in all manner of very sinful activities – illicit sexual encounters with the wives of others, gambling, and continual association with known prostitutes. His evil deeds gradually reduced the wealth of his father, King Maahishmata. Lumpaka also became very critical of the numerous devas, the empowered universal attendants of the Lord, as well as toward the brahmins, and every day he would go out of his way to blaspheme the Vaishnavas. At last King Maahishmata, seeing the unrepentant brazen fallen condition of his son, exiled him to the forest. Out of fear of the king, even compassionate relatives didn’t come to Lumpaka’s defense, so angry was the king toward his son, and so sinful was this Lumpaka.

“Bewildered in his exile, the fallen and rejected Lumpaka thought to himself, ‘My father has sent me away, and even my kinsmen do not raise but a finger in objection. What am I to do now?’ He schemed sinfully and thought, ‘I shall sneak back to the city under cover of darkness and plunder its wealth. During the day I shall stay in the forest, and as night returns, so shall I to the city.’  So thinking, the sinful Lumpaka entered the darkness of the forest. He killed many animals by day, and by night he stole all manner of valuable items from the city. The city-dwelling folk apprehended him several times, but out of fear of the king they left him alone. They thought to themselves that it must have been the accumulated sins of Lumpaka’s previous births that had forced him to act in such a way that he lost his royal facilities and became to act so sinfully like a common selfish thief.

“Though a meat-eater, Lumpaka would also eat fruits every day. He resided under an old banyan tree that unknown to him happened to be very dear to Lord Vaasudeva. Indeed, many worshipped as the demi-god (representative departmental head) of all the trees in the forest. In due course of time, while Lumpaka was doing so many sinful and condemnable activities, the Saphalaa Ekadasi arrived. On the eve of the Ekadasi (Dasami) Lumpaka had to pass the entire night without sleep because of severe cold that he felt due to his scanty bedclothes (bedding). The cold not only robbed him of all peace but almost of his very life. By the time the sun rose, near dead, his teeth chattering and near comatose. In fact all that Ekadasi morning, he remained in that stupour and could not awaken out of his near comatose condition.

“When midday of the Saphalaa Ekadasi arrived, the sinful Lumpaka finally came to and managed to rise up from his place under that banyan tree. But with every step he took, he stumbled and fell to the ground. Like a lame man, he walked slowly and hesitantly, suffering greatly from hunger and thirst in the midst of the jungle. So weak was Lumpaka that he couldn’t even concentrate to nor muster strength to go and kill even a single animal that whole day. Instead, he was reduced to collecting whatever fruits had fallen to the ground of their own accord. By the time he returned to his banyan tree home, the sun had set.

“Placing the fruits on the ground next to him (at the base of the sacred banyan tree), Lumpaka began to cry out, ‘O, woe is me ! What should I do ? Dear father, what is to become of me? O Sri Hari, please be merciful to me and accept these fruits as an offering !’  Again he was forced to lie awake the whole night without sleep, but in the meantime the all merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Madhusudana, had become pleased with Lumpaka’s humble offering of forest fruits, and He accepted them. Lumpaka had unwittingly observed a full Ekadasi fast, and by the merit he reaped on that day he regained his kingdom with no further obstacles. “Listen, O Yudhisthira, to what happened to the son of King Maahishmata when but a fragment of the merit spouted up within his heart.

“As the Sun beautifully rose in the sky on the day following Ekadasi, a handsome horse approached Lumpaka as if seeking him out, and stood next to him. At the same time, a voice suddenly boomed out from the clear blue sky saying, ‘This horse is for you, Lumpaka! Mount it and ride swiftly out of this forest to greet your family! O son of King Maahishmata, by the mercy of the Supreme lord Vaasudeva and the strength of the merit you acquired by observing Saphalaa Ekadasi, your kingdom will be returned to you without any further hindrances. Such is the benefit you have gained by fasting on this most auspicious of days. Go now, to your father and enjoy your rightful place in the dynasty.’ “Upon hearing these celestial words resounding from above, Lumpaka mounted the horse and rode back to the city of Champaavati. By the merit he had accrued by fasting on Saphalaa Ekadasi, he had become a handsome prince once more and was able to absorb his mind in the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari. In other words, he had become My pure devotee.

“Lumpaka offered his father, King Maahishmata, his humble obeisances and once more accepted his princely responsibilities. Seeing his son so decorated with Vaishnava ornaments and tilak (udhvara pundra) King Maahishmata gave him the kingdom, and Lumpaka ruled unopposed for many, many years. Whenever the Ekadasi came, he worshipped the Supreme Lord Narayana with great devotion. And by the mercy of Sri Krishna he obtained a beautiful wife and a fine son. In old age Lumpaka handed his kingdom over to his son – just as his own father, King Maahishmata, had handed it over to him. Lumpaka then went to the forest to dedicate his concentrate attention to gratefully serve the Supreme Lord with controlled mind and senses. Purified of all material desires, he left his old material body and returned back to home, back to Godhead, attaining a place near the lotus feet of his worshipful Lord, Sri Krishna. 

 “O Yudhisthira, one who approaches Me as Lumpaka did will become completely free of lamentation and anxiety. Indeed, anyone who properly observes this glorious Saphalaa Ekadasi – even unknowingly, like Lumpaka – will become famous in this world. He will become perfectly liberated at death and return to the spiritual abode of Vaikuntha. Of this there is no doubt. Moreover, one who simply hears the glories of Saphalaa Ekadasi obtains the same merit derived by one who performs a Rajasurya-yajna, and at the very least he goes to heaven in his next birth, so where is the loss?”

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Pausha-krshna Ekadasi or Saphalaa Ekadasi, from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.


These Ekadasi stories can be found in the book, "Ekadasi: The Day of Lord Hari" 1986. HH Krishna Balaram Swami. Bhaktivedanta Institute Press.
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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Your Definitive Guide to a Hare Krishna New Year's Eve!

The following is your detailed guide to ringing in the New Year "Hare Krishna Style"! As we do every year, devotees gather at the temple on New Year's Eve and then head over to City Hall to join the tens of thousands of revelers, ushering in the new year. However, we come armed with our drums, karatalas (cymbals) and voices as well!


Here's all that you need to know about this evening:
8:00pm - Kirtan will begin at the temple.
10:00pm - The kirtan will really pickup by this time!
11:00pm - Bundle up and off to Rosedale station.
11:30pm - We will start chanting in front of Old City Hall (NE corner of Bay & Queen)
12:00am - the kirtan will reach it's peak as fireworks set the sky ablaze!
1:30am (approx) - We'll get back on the subway and make our way back to the temple for hot ginger tea and snacks!

Some tips to keep in mind for this evening:
  • Come early to the temple - enjoy the kirtan and association of devotees before we head out to City Hall.
  • Dress warmly - it will be chilly, so dress in layers!
  • Don't worry about weather - whether it be snow, rain, hail or sleet, we will usher in the new year with kirtan!
  • Bring your voices - don't forget to chant with all of your hearts!


To get a glimpse into what it's like to party with us, "Hare Krishna Style" on New Year's Eve, check out this video footage from our 2008-09 New Year's Eve kirtan!

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Jaya Kesava Das, USA: To All my Friends

Another year. Gone.
I sit and reflect on 2010 and realize that it was a year for growth. A year that began brightly; seeing new horizons, listening to supersoul's cautions and empowerings, learning to step into my own skin. Association of high level devotees was a highlight. I learned that to become a deeper devotee of Krsna would require utter dependence on Krsna and deeper faith in the process of Bhakti yoga. These lessons came with tests. Was I supposed to pass? Fail? What were the passing marks for each test? Temptations to revisit worlds I lived in; disgust with my own self progress- especially after being drawn by causeless mercy to dedicate myself to Krsna's cause; Krsna's agenda.
The sound of an inner voice, an external force saying "wouldn't it be nice if..."
But we walked on knowing one thing- mercy is whats keeping us even standing. Mercy from those we offended, mercy from the Parampara, mercy from Mahaprabhu's loving decision to get us all back to his lotus association. Temptations called. I answered, but the other end of the line was blank- no response. Hello?.... hello? Then after a few minutes I realized, "thanks for not answering."
But with every dark, light follows. Mercy continued to flow. Convictions that dedication to teaching, to becoming an example, dedication to march back to Krsna, convictions deepened as I stared the other allurements right in the face and saw no future in them.
New friends were made. Good friends were made. Friends were lost. I'll understand why next year perhaps.
Trying to be spiritual isn't always filled with rainbows. There are clouds as well; uncertainties that leaves one feeling vulnerable. Vulnerable is good.
Now there's another 365 to look forward to.
"I know not what the future holds
of marvel or surprise
assured alone that life or death
God's mercy underlies"
So 2010 was filled with one underlying thing- MERCY
Mercy is always there, but its certain moments of reflection that help you see that its all mercy.
On this road back home, its all mercy that pushes us along.
To those I've met anew, perhaps we'll each other get to know.
To those I lost, either through mishaps, or death, it hurts. In the bigger picture, you're still there. I see you.
Forgive me my offenses. Please.
And when tomorrow comes, Scream in, Breathe out!
Happy 2011.

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H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Quote Of Guru Maharaja

Sender wants to be anonymous

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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

Prostrate Yourself

Toronto, Ontario

During the course of the day I talk so little about walking. It's something you just do. In general people do more sitting and lying than they do moving the legs. It depends on your job I guess.

Today's segment of the Bhagavatam book from Canto Six discusses the principle of prostrations. Each morning in ashrams worldwide a portion of the bhakti-yoga process is to sit down and review a verse of which today's tells of Daksha who had lain flat before the Creator. Daksha is a progenitor, a pro-creationist for the world. In humility he gestured his prostrations, often times referred to as obeisance, with root word "obey".

The traditional pose of prostration is to have face down on the floor with arms stretched out in front of you and legs together flat. The formation is like a stick which in Sanskrit is called dandavat, to fall like a stick. The dictionary defines it as to bow or cast oneself down, as in submission or to lay or throw down flat as, on the ground.. Also to make helpless or defenseless.

With the latter definition we can appreciate that the mood is one of surrender and to leave yourself open to what is ordered. As Chaitanya expressed in words as feeling oneself lower than the blades of grass. It's a humbling pose.

There are countless examples of saints detailed in the Bhagavatam who expressed their dandavat in humility and Daksha is one. In Hindi they say the word "danyavad" which means "thank you", likely derived from dandavat as the gesture expresses appreciation. Some old German and Dutch words which express thanks like dankya may have their origins from the Indo language influence.

In any event offering one's very self in the full submissive mood of prostration is a good practice for those on the spiritual path. It is a regular bhakti-yoga pose and is enacted before one's Guru, a deity a superior, or just before a peer in recognition that God is in the heart of each of us.

3 KM

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H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Bhagavad Gita recitation

The following audio file is a recording of H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami reciting the Bhagavad Gita in Ujjain, India on 17 December 2010. Kindly provided by H.G. Mukunda Prabhu and H.G. Ramananda Raya Prabhu

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Australian News: Aussie Foreign Affairs Minister visits Woodford Ratha Yatra Team

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Kevin Rudd, visits Woodford Festival Ratha Yatra team to wish them well for the festivities.

Every night during the festival the Ratha Yatra cart is being pulled around the festival site. Reports are that the rain has stopped and the mood is very good. Many people are joining in to pull the cart and Kirtan is going on the whole time.

Report received from Facebook via Ekendra Dasa. Photo Shridam Dasa via Aniruddha Dasa on Twitter. Social Networking Ki Jay.

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Japa Group: Please Join The Japa Group

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108@gmail.com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

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Gouranga TV: TKG Academy – Gita Jayanti – Chapter 1

TKG Academy – Gita Jayanti – Chapter 1

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