lunes, 11 de julio de 2011

Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: Vaishnava Tilak–Marking your body as the temple of God








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"Planet ISKCON" - 32 new articles

  1. H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Monday 11 July 2011--Stranded in the Middle of Nowhere--and--How to Hear God's Instructions?
  2. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
  3. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Svarupa Sakti Mataji
  4. ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Deity Darshan: Sunday, July 10, 2011
  5. Japa Group: Please Join The Japa Group
  6. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: good qualities distinguish a Vaisnava
  7. H.H. Devamrita Swami: My New York—Before Bhakti Dawned
  8. Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: Vaishnava Tilak–Marking your body as the temple of God
  9. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Jaya Srila Prabhupada! Chant, Chant & Chant! Keep on chanting Krishna's names!
  10. Hari Sauri das, Mayapura, IN: 2011 Tour – Melbourne part two
  11. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: DO ANY OF THESE SOUND FAMILIAR?
  12. Mayapur Online: HH Tatpar Maharaj Samadhi Inauguration
  13. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Upcoming events
  14. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Friday, July 8th, 2011
  15. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, July 7th, 2011
  16. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
  17. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Bruce trail walk - TUESDAY, JULy 5th, 2011
  18. H.H. Sivarama Swami: A short report on yesterday’s Rathayatra and many thanks to those who made it happen
  19. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  20. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  21. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  22. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  23. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  24. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  25. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  26. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  27. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Ratha-yatra Budapest pictures
  28. Japa Group: Don't Reduce
  29. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Ratha-yatra Budapest video
  30. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Aniruddha Prabhu
  31. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Bhakta Prabhu
  32. Gouranga TV: Bhajan – Mukunda Datta das – Bhaja Hu Re Mana @ Singhania’s House
  33. More Recent Articles
  34. Search Planet ISKCON
  35. Prior Mailing Archive

H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Monday 11 July 2011--Stranded in the Middle of Nowhere--and--How to Hear God's Instructions?

A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Monday 11 July 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.) 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: Stranded in the Middle of Nowhere Uploaded from Honolulu, Hawaii USA This material world is millions and billions of light years away from our original home in the spiritual sky. Having severed our relationship with the Supreme Lord due to our foolishly envying Him, we have stranded ourselves here in this desolate place in the middle of nowhere, the material world. The good news is that in spite of our rebellious attitude the Lord is so forgiving and so kind that He is giving us all facility to return to our original Home if we are willing to call out His names with love. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Srimad Bhagavatam Class Via Skype Volcano, Hawaii--8 July 2011 http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Spring/Volcano_Skype_Class.JPG Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: How to Hear God's Instructions? While going through the introduction of the Bhagavad-gita, I read that we should follow what the Supreme God tells us to do because in this way our activities will be on path of goodness. Can you please tell how to listen to what God is saying? I am very confused at present and things are becoming more and more complicated in personal life. I need Krishna's guidance. Please help. M.P. Answer: Through the Bona Fide Spiritual Master Krishna's guidance comes to us through the spiritual master. This is why Krishna orders us in the Bhagavad-gita to serve and take guidance from the bona fide spiritual master. 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 Sankarshan Das Adhikari on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SDASITE Thought for the Day on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ultimate.Self.Realization Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. Simply we request you to acknowledge where it is coming from with a link to our sign up page: http://www.backtohome.com Our records indicate that at requested to be enrolled to receive e-mails from the Ultimate Self Realization Course at: This request was made on: From the following IP address:

 
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

Nimai and Nitai look almost identical today:

11/07/2011

"...Sri Krsna Caitanya and Nityananda are one. Firmly believe this and take shelter of Them. Both Lords are full of transcendental bliss and devotional mellows..."

(Sri Nityananda-caritamrta by Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura)

We shall take full shelter of the Divine Brothers' darsana and thus immerse ourselves in Their devotional mellows and transcendental bliss.

 
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Svarupa Sakti Mataji

Srimad Bhagavatam 12.12.49 - This material world is like a cinema - temporary & illusory (tejo-vari-mrdam yatha vinimayo yatra tri-sargo 'mrsa...).

 
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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Deity Darshan: Sunday, July 10, 2011



 
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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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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: good qualities distinguish a Vaisnava

In the Adi-lila of Caitanya-caritamrta, Chapter Eight, there is a description of some of the qualities of devotees. For example, Sri Pandita Haridasa is described as being very well-behaved, tolerant, peaceful, magnanimous and grave. In addition, he spoke very sweetly, his endeavors were very pleasing, he was always patient, he respected everyone, he always worked for everyone's benefit, his mind was free of duplicity, and he was completely devoid of all malicious activities. These are all originally qualities of Krsna, and when one becomes a devotee they automatically become manifest. Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja, the author of Caitanya-caritamrta, says that all good qualities become manifest in the body of a Vaisnava and that only by the presence of these good qualities can one distinguish a Vaisnava from a non-Vaisnava.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 5.18.12

 
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H.H. Devamrita Swami: My New York—Before Bhakti Dawned

The sirens of the police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances piercing the routine din of endless traffic; the faint roar of aircraft overhead alternating with the mighty rumbling of the subway beneath; and the constant chatter pervading the streets, with their endless shops, offices, and restaurants, all merged into what I thought was the most beautiful symphony on earth. 

Such was the perception of a lost soul, whose spiritual senses were covered, distorted by a thick veil of illusory energy. 

Not only the sounds, but also the sights, and smells of the Big Apple used to surcharge me—pumping my consciousness with Age of Quarrel passion. Now those same pungent urbanisms make me literally want to run for the hills.

My flight from Toronto landed at one of New York's three major airports. How great is this city, I thought as a youth—what other place is blessed with three preeminent airports . . . totally congested and gridlocked? En route to the Bhakti Center in Manhattan, we passed through Brooklyn, (largest of the city's districts, home to 2.5 million people). A giant sign overarching the motorway greeted us, with classic New Yorker character: 'Welcome to Brooklyn—Believe the Hype!"

As a newcomer to bhakti in 1972, when I first heard Srila Prabhupada criticize New York, I must admit I couldn't comprehend it—such a most elevated personality not seeing the magnificent beauty of this heavenly city? He would point out the noise, the dirt, the frantic pace. In my novice days, I couldn't understand.

Thank Krishna that purification changes our sense perception. Let us not mistakingly insist that our current window on reality is "the way things really are, the way I really feel." A little bit of sustained bhakti cleansing goes a long way. 

Now, walking those same Manhattan streets that forty years ago I knew like the lines on my palm, I feel hesitant and unsure, like a tourist. "Am I heading the right way, or am I lost?" What's more, "Is this city for real?"

Bhagavad-gita 1.15 purport: "The Lord, situated in the hearts of all living entities, directs their senses. But He directs in terms of the surrender of the living entity, and in the case of a pure devotee He directly controls the senses. Here on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra the Lord directly controls the transcendental senses of Arjuna, and thus His particular name of Hrishikesh."

My dear Lord, please rescue my mind and senses—from New York and the entire material existence. As their natural proprietor, reclaim my senses.

Then my life will truly be Yours.


 
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Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: Vaishnava Tilak–Marking your body as the temple of God

In the Vaishnava tradition devotees wear the urdhva pundra made of gopi chandan commonly known as tilak. 

"Tilaka means victory personified." (SPL to Tilaka devi dasi,)

By wearing tilak not only does one identify ones body as the temple of the Lord but also one is blessed by the auspicious protection of the Lord.  Not only is the wearer immensely benefited but even those who see the tilak marks are benefited.

“In Kali-yuga one can hardly acquire gold or jeweled ornaments, but the twelve tilaka marks on the body are sufficient as auspicious decorations to purify the body. “  SB 4.12.28 Purport 

Srila Prabhupada emphasized that tilak was part of the essential dress of a devotee. 

“I have no objection if members of the Society dress like nice American gentlemen; but in all circumstances a devotee cannot avoid tilaka, flag on head (shikha) and (tulasi) beads on the neck. These are the essential features of a Vaisnava." (SPL to Brahmananda, 14th October, 1967)

Tilak is applied with the Lord’s holy names thus giving protection to the whole body.

“While decorating the body with tilaka, we give protection to the body by chanting twelve names of Vishnu. Although Govinda, or Lord Vishnu, is one, He has different names and forms with which to act differently.” SB 10.6.27-29 Purport ACBSP

"Persons who are decorated with tilaka or gopī-candana [a kind of clay resembling fuller's earth which is produced in certain quarters of Vrindāvana], and who mark their bodies all over with the holy names of the Lord, and on whose necks and breasts there are tulasī beads, are never approached by the Yamadūtas." The Yamadūtas are the constables of King Yama (the lord of death),  - Nectar Of Devotion Ch. 9

Srila Prabhupada has given the example of a policeman.  He can be identified by his dress.  Downing the dress, the policeman is also reminded that his behavior should honor his position. 

Simply by seeing someone wearing tilak, people are induce to utter the words, “There is a Hare Krishna” and thus they immensely benefit thus we should not see it as something external.

“Just like sometimes on the street some outsider, seeing you, they chant Hare Krsna only by the symbolic, sānketya. Because they see: "They have got tilaka, kunti." Therefore these things are required. Don't become immediately paramahamsa—no tilaka, no kunti and no bead bag. This is not good. Sānketya. So that others may understand, "Here is a Vaisnava. Here is a Krsna devotee..." And if he is simple, he'll chant, "Hare Krsna." This chance should be given. Therefore it is necessary, how people can utter. That chanting may save him from the greatest danger. Therefore it is said, sānketyam pārihāsyam. If somebody jokes... Sometimes they do that. "Hare Krsna" means he is not seriously chanting, but he is trying to joke the other party who is engaged in chanting. And that is also good, pārihāsya.”  - Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.2.13 -- Vṛndāvana, September 15, 1975

Here is a quick video tutorial of how to put on tilak.

Thank you


 
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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Jaya Srila Prabhupada! Chant, Chant & Chant! Keep on chanting Krishna's names!

We had another post ready for today but in scrolling down Planet ISKCON we just saw this picture of Srila Prabhupada and had to repost it! Purity and Potency at its best. Also reminded us of a quote we posted on June 30th.
Picture
“There is no vow like chanting the holy name, no knowledge superior to it,
no meditation which comes anywhere near it, and it gives the highest
result. No penance is equal to it, and nothing is as potent or powerful as
the holy name. Chanting is the greatest act of piety and the supreme
refuge. Even the words of the Vedas do not possess sufficient power to
describe its magnitude. Chanting is the highest path to liberation, peace
and eternal life. It’s the pinnacle of devotion, the heart’s joyous
proclivity and attraction and the best form of remembrance of the Supreme
Lord. The holy name has appeared solely for the benefit of the living
entities as their lord and master, their supreme worshipful object and
their spiritual guide and mentor. Whoever continuously chants Lord
Krishna’s holy name, even in his sleep, can easily realize that the name is
a direct manifestation of Krishna Himself, in spite of the influences of
Kali-yuga.”

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Harinam Cintamani

 
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Hari Sauri das, Mayapura, IN: 2011 Tour – Melbourne part two

ISKCON Melbourne has had two restaurants for over 30 years. Both of them are still going strong and a visit wouldn’t be complete without lunch downtown at Gopal’s or Crossways.

Gopals must be one of the oldest established restaurants in the ISKCON world. Its location on the first and second floors rather than the ground means the rent is low and keeps the running costs down, which translates into very reasonable prices.

Its right on one of the main thoroughfares, Swanston Steet, just opposite the Town Hall. Over the years its been extremely popular with queues stretching from the entry all the way down the stairs and onto the street. While its not now at its peak it still does steady trade, introducing thousands every year to Krsna prasadam and philosophy.

Narataki mataji, who was also visiting Melbourne at the same time as me, accompanied me for a satisfying lunch. After which we walked just one block down the same road to Crossways Urban Yoga Center offering low cost all-you-can-eat fare and spiritual friendship

It is direct in it presentation, openly advertising as a Hare Krishna center and caters to many students and low income people

Many devotees have been made at Crossways through the prasadam, yoga classes and preaching programs and it is very popular

There’s nothing fancy, just a minimal setup with a limited menu rotated on a daily basis

I was happy to see a book corner, and particularly happy to see several volumes of Transcendental Diary on sale (at a discount of course!)

Another attractive feature of Melbourne yatra is their active Bhakti-vrksa home preaching program, involving hundreds of devotees in several suburbs. I was happy to do a couple of programs in Hampton Park and then Derrimut.

I was enthusiastically received in Hampton Park and I continued with my seminar series on the topic of prasadam.

At Derrimut I decided to give a Bhagavad Gita class rather than one of the segments from my SPTLB seminars.

I have gotten into the habit when I give a Gita class of asking one of the audience for any number between one and eighteen. This provides the chapter. Then when I see how many verses are in the chosen chapter I ask another member of the audience to chose a number between one and that number. It makes it more interesting for me and stops me from getting bogged down into talking on a small handful of favorite verses. At Derrimut the chosen verse I spoke on was BG 9.34 (which is one of my favorite verses anyway!)

About two dozen devotees turned up for the talk and I noted one elderly couple sitting at the back.

They were quiet and didn’t ask any questions at the end. I did answer a couple of questions, including one asking for information about the BRC – our library and research center in Kolkata. I gave a brief description of our attempts to preserve our literary heritage and our Mission for Manuscripts program.

After a small lunch I was just about to leave when the elderly gentleman approached me. He introduced himself as Mr. Arjan Tuli, a retired aircraft maintenance engineer. He was inspired by my short mention of the BRC and informed me that he wanted to give a donation. I thought he said he would give $1,000.00 and of course I was extremely grateful. He promised to come to the temple the next day and give it in cash.

True to his word he arrived at the temple the following evening, an hour’s drive and requested that we do the transaction before the Deities. I was very happy to oblige, I felt it was very auspicious to get the blessings of Sri Sri Radha Ballabha for the BRC and for Mr. Tuli and his wife. So with the Deities as witness he handed over an envelope – with $10,000.00 inside!

It was a wonderful spontaneous gesture on his part and this makes him our fourth Patron Member. Afterwards  I invited them up to my room where  I presented them with several copies of my book, Transcendental Diary.

I also showed him the 60-slide show of the BRC that I present as I travel around. He was very enlivened to see and hear the details of the library and the scope of work we are doing.

He also told me about when he was a small child in the part of Punjab that became Pakistan. During the dreadful days of the partition he had fallen seriously ill and everyone thought he was going to die. He and his family had to be smuggled out of the new Pakistan and into India with just the clothes on their backs. Then he had a dream of Lord Krsna. After that he recovered very quickly and since then he has always been a devotee of Lord Krsna.

Later on he left India for Singapore and began working for an aircraft company for many years. Then he moved to Melbourne and has now retired. Srila Prabhupada always said that a birth in India is special and indicative of a pious soul. Mr. Tuli is a prime example of that. May Lord Caitanya and all the disciplic succession bless this nice devotee for his generosity!

I should mention here that several other devotees gave very generously for the BRC program and altogether $13,000.00 was donated by the devotees of the Melbourne yatra.  May Sri Sri Radha Ballabha shower Their blessings on all these wonderful devotees for their continued advancement in Krsna consciousness. The full list of donors will be given in our upcoming BRC quarterly newsletter (which is now overdue but just now coming!)

My final program at Melbourne was at the Sunday feast where I showed the BRC powerpoint presentation, again to an enthusiastic reception.

That concludes the Melbourne report. Just one more to go to conclude the 2011 Tour to Australia, from a place considered by many Australians to be a far-flung outpost. But it was blessed by the presence of Srila Prabhupada and is thus a place of pilgrimage. I also have a longstanding connection with it, having opened a temple there in 1973 (didn’t last very long but at least I tried). More about that in my next posting.

 
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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: DO ANY OF THESE SOUND FAMILIAR?

1) You're midcareer, and you're feeling stuck. You've hit a dead end, and you think there is no way out. Think again. We'll create a rumbling (or even an earthquake) in your world and get things moving again.

2) You're on a never-ending treadmill, and you feel like you can't get off. Oh, you poor workaholic, you. A life of overachievement. You've got enough to be proud of; now it's time to live. We'll adjust your perception to bring a balance to your life.

3) You really want to be doing something else. How long are you going to let it eat at you? We'll help you honor what you long to do, and we'll overcome every reason that you think means you can't make a change.

4) You're stuck in survival mode. Business is stalled. You've underestimated yourself and given up too soon. We'll get you comfortable with pushing the envelope.

5) You're new at entrepreneurship. An exciting new life! So full of promise, so full of pitfalls. We'll shorten your learning curve and get you up to speed.

6) You're at the mercy of the ups and downs of sales. What a miserable existence; no fun at all. If you get out of the trap of needing the sale, many more of them will start rolling in. We'll take you to a new level of awareness about yourself, and we'll show you how this works.

7) You feel overqualified and underutilized. If you want drama in your life, this is one way to get it. Let's get you out in front and shining. You'll get noticed, but not by doing what you think will work. We'll stretch you beyond the limits you think the job has put on you.

8) You think you have to be the Hero. You'reoverwhelmed; there is too much to do. You've probably taken on more than you need to. We'll teach you the skills that will motivate you and your staff to a higher level of performance. As a result, you'll be free to excel, and you'll feel like you have time on your hands.

9) You're having an identity crisis. The times have changed and yet you may not be willing to change with them. Or perhaps the changing roles of men and women in the workplace and at home are making things confusing. Or maybe you have to figure out your next steps and you are stuck. It's time to get out of your stubbornness and respond to the truth about what is going on around you. You have to dig out your heels and become flexible in order to gain a new self-concept, or you'll stay in pain and stuck. We'll usher you through to the real you and get you to the other side of the crisis.

10) You're waiting for a miracle. Hoping will get you nowhere. Taking responsibility will start to get you somewhere closer to reality. If you ignore the signs that you or your business are in trouble, this will only cause you greater trouble down the road. We'll teach you to recognize the signs so you can turn yourself around.

LBFCoach

 
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Mayapur Online: HH Tatpar Maharaj Samadhi Inauguration

HH Tatpar Maharaj Samadhi Inauguration at Mayapur: Today at 6.30am we opened the samadhi of HH Tatpar Maharaj for all devotees for take darshan. Maharaj left his body on 3rd November 2008. His beloved God-brother Sankarshan prabhu offered a maha-garland and maha-prasad of SS Radha-Madhava to Maharaj and performed arati.

read more

 
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Upcoming events

Ratha Yatra and festival of India - Toronto

July 16th and 17th

www.festivalofindia.ca

 
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Friday, July 8th, 2011

Bobby’s Getting Married

Toronto, Ontario

A couple of black dudes let me catch up to them along the side walk.

“So what do you believe in?” asked one of them.

“We believe in Krishna.”

“Christian?”

“No!” Krishna! Krishna is our authority He is dark. In fact he’s black! One definition of Krishna is ‘black’.”

This remark did not phase the two guys but they listened further.

“We are in this world to learn and to correct wrongs. If we have more work to do with correction then we are given another birth -- we are born again and yet again until we get it right.”

“What is your stance on drinking, smoking and drugs?” asked the second dude.

“We have a large membership and there are varying degrees of commitment from these members. I’m a priest in the community so I avoid these habits in order to keep clean, safe, spare my guts, protect my brain cells, and to have a heart.

It was time to part. We wished each other well.

More well-wishing. Bobby’s getting married. I knew the kid since he was 5. That was 25 years ago. Everybody likes Bobby. He’s totally amiable. I went to a pre-amble event to his wedding. I was given the floor to speak. At that point I offered blessings and also some words.

“Thanks, Bobby, for being so level-headed, cool, calm and collected. I wish you well in your new life with your partner. Keep anchored! Keep Krishna!”

17 Km

 
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, July 7th, 2011

Mutual Benefit

Toronto, Ontario

Yesterday I took a stroll to a park, a pleasant green space off of Bathurst St. with three beautiful women. Those motorists who watched us cross the street may have wondered what kind of monk is that keeping company with les femmes?

“Let them wonder,” I thought, “these are my sisters and niece. Today I went out with the boys. At downtown Yonge and Bloor I beat the drum, literally, an art of a sankirtan session. A dear god brother, Krsna das, Laghu Hari, our visiting South African monk, and I were chanting. For some time Krsna das handed out flyers to promote the coming Ratha Yatra for July 16th and 17th while Laghu and I sat down on a public concrete slab, an actual seat. It was so designed that you could interpret that one half jutting out north and the other south, implies that the seat for two positions goes in each direction.

We took advantage of this. Laghu faced the moving pedestrians. I faced the traffic with my mrdanga drum. It was interesting to see the response by motorists especially when having to stop for the traffic light.

It was a hot day so most people have their windows closed with the AC on. I would say half of the stationary vehicles stopped for the red light would at least slightly roll down their window to listen to the beat of the drum and the mantra being sung. Some people would look towards us and smile. Some would nod. Some would tap their fingers on the steering wheel.

And while they were getting a kick out of hearing us (and I seeing them) we were both reaping the benefit of appreciating the mantra. That was to our mutual benefit.

6 Km

 
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Some Saints

North Your, Ontario

Most celebrated in the Gaudiya tradition is a person by the name of Vakresvara Pandit, a contemporary of Chaitanya. Vakresvara may not have been professional at the art but skilled he was in devotion. He managed to stretch his dance of love for God for a lengthy 72 hours. Dancing is a big part of expression in our tradition. Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, also acknowledged that the Sufi tradition, where dance is important, is highly devotional and poetical. Many spiritualists of diverse traditions honour the art of dancing in abandonment.

Last week we had honoured another saint, Bhaktivinode Thakura, known less for dance but more for song. He wrote scores of bhajans (devotional hymns) in honour of Krishna. His songs such as “Radha Madhava” and “Gaura Arati” are popular the world-over in devotional circles. He also was a great teacher of Vaishnav philosophy. He once spoke about the green bird entering the green tree, an apparently common sight in India. The point he made was when a green bird enters a green tree the bird does not merge in oneness. The bird retains his individuality. This example is given to illustrate that the soul does not lose his/her distinctiveness when entering the spirit world.

I was pleasantly reminded of this when seeing a red cardinal bird fly into a red rose bush, during AM walking. A second cardinal in flight came to land and join the first to conceal themselves in the flowers.

Today thoughts took my attention to my siblings and a niece in North York. I went to visit them out of love and obligation. They are also saints; not dancers, writers or teachers of philosophy. But I can proudly say that as far as duty and loyalty to family and community they score high in these areas. In that regard I consider them saints. I’m speaking of Connie, Pauline and Tarelyn. They are definitely my worth dropping in on from time to time. Perhaps one day I will see them become vegetarian.

In any event saints can be defined in many ways. There are different gradations of them and there are many of them.

6 KM

 
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Bruce trail walk - TUESDAY, JULy 5th, 2011


















 
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H.H. Sivarama Swami: A short report on yesterday’s Rathayatra and many thanks to those who made it happen

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1968 July 10: "Our mission is to reach the Abode of Krishna. We cannot compromise that one may follow any path yet reach the same destination like the Rama-Krishna mission. There is no Vedic evidence, neither any proof based on the Acharya principles."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1969 July 10: "Krishna is never a mendicant. Our Krishna is a great family Personality and our ambition is to enter into Krishna's family and associate with Him personally. Human frailties can all be adjusted by dovetailing everything in Krishna Consciousness."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 July 10: "It is not a question of place - it is the person who chants which is important. The same process I adopted when I started in Tompkins Square. A sincere soul so much devoted to Spiritual Master and Krishna is sure to be successful anywhere."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 July 10: "So far collection is concerned, if somebody offers money there is no reason to refuse it. Certainly there are many pseudo-Vaisnavas collecting money for sense gratification, but that does not mean that a pure Vaisnava will not collect."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1969 July 10: "One who has implicit faith in Krishna and the Spiritual Master, to such person the real import of the Vedas is revealed. At present your most important duty is to compose books. You have written nothing about your training in working the composer machine."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1973 July 10: "The Rathayatra in London was very successful. The Guardian had a front page picture of our cart and how we are competition to the Lord Nelson monument in Trafalgar Square."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1973 July 10: "I talked with a very famous sculptor and today George Harrison is going to visit. They are arranging for visits by other famous men. This policy of important men being invited to talk with me should be implemented wherever I go."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1975 July 10: "Enclosed are some photographs of a lake here where I take morning walk. Now I want that our lake in Mayapur should be like this. You can make the stone stairway on four sides, one at each end and one at the middle of each side."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

 
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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Ratha-yatra Budapest pictures

 
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Japa Group: Don't Reduce


In a very good session of the Japa Room there were many wonderful questions and comments by everyone. Once point in particular got me talking about the importance of increasing our chanting. The question came in an interesting form....I was asked whether we should reduce our chanting if we are committing offenses to the Holy names and in this way avoiding or reducing our offenses.


The answer was formed in my mind already....over the last 6 years of broadcasting the Japa Room, I have heard this point many times.

We should alway look to increase our Japa and never decrease....the aim is 16 rounds and beyond - in the first stage of chanting we commit offenses but we should never decrease Japa in the hope that we reduce those offenses - actually by reducing our Japa defeating the purpose of sadhana.

Here is a quote important statements from Srila Prabhupada.
The first regulative principle is that one must chant the Hare Krsna maha−mantra loudly enough so that he can hear himself, and one must vow to chant a fixed number of rounds.
Sri Caitanya caritamrta Antya−lila 11.24
 
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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Ratha-yatra Budapest video


 
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Aniruddha Prabhu

Sriamd Bhagavatam 12.12.48 - The potency of sankirtan.

 
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Bhakta Prabhu

Class given on Saturday 9th July.
Srimad Bhagavatam 12.12.16-47 - Taking care of devotees is an essential aspect of preaching.
 
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Gouranga TV: Bhajan – Mukunda Datta das – Bhaja Hu Re Mana @ Singhania’s House

Bhajan – Mukunda Datta das – Bhaja Hu Re Mana @ Singhania’s House

 
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