Today is the appearance day of Lord Balarama, the Personality of Godhead who is the first expansion of Lord Krsna, the original Personality of Godhead. As Krsna states in the Bhagavad-gita (4.7), “Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself.”
A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Sunday 29 May 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: Sofia Airport Resounds with Ecstatic Chanting Uploaded from Sofa, Bulgaria There's nothing sweeter than arriving in a foreign country and being greeted with a joyful, exuberant Hare Krishna kirtan which is so attractive and enthusiastic that it draws the attention of everybody in the airport. This was our experience upon landing in Sofia the other day. The whole world should be like this: filled up with lively singing of the Lord's names along with ecstatic dancing. Nobody will have time for war anymore. They will be too busy chanting and dancing. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Ecstatic Arrival Kirtan--Sofia Airport-26 May 2011 http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Spring/Sofia_Arrival.jpg Answers According to the Vedic Version: Complaint: Your Limited Beliefs Spread Sickness I have subscribed to your e-course and have been following the answers that you have been providing. Though some of the answers are good, I feel really apprehensive of certain other answers, and I feel some are dogmatic with the limited belief system you have in your mind. As religion is a way of life and Christianity proposes a super-power as God and the mortals are sinners, they plant guilt in the consciousness. You too, in the name of Krishna, are spreading the same sickness from a Hindu point of view. Since belief systems and the emotional constituents vary from person to person, there are a lot of perspectives to look at: God as a friend, as a mother, as a father, as a master (in a master disciple relationship) not a master-servant as you state in your replies. This way of answers shows supremacy to something you shout as Krishna and instill fear, inferiority and guilt to your followers. You wrote, The second point is: There is no verse in the Bhagavad-gita which upholds the principle that Dr. Hawking and everyone else is a form of God. Rather we are all the tiny servants of God. Need clarification here: Please quote the verse that say we are all tiny servants of God. We are part and parcel of the same God (as the Gita says, we are within God (ref. Chapter 7 verse 12). Since a drop of the Infinite is infinite, a part of God is God stands true to each and everyone of us in our true essence is God) I hope you reply and stop fooling people around with your views as the views of Krishna. Hare Krishna. Best Regards, V.N. Answer: If the Gita is Sickness, We are Surely Guilty Thank you very much for chanting Hare Krishna. This has pleased me greatly. In regards to the philosophical issues you have raised, kindly consider the followings points which are offered to you in a mood of loving service: We don't present our own views. We simply present the message of Krishna as He has so mercifully revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and as has been further confirmed throughout the Vedic scriptures and by all the great acharyas such as Devarshi Narada, Asita, Devala, and Vyas. If this transcendental knowledge is sickness, we are certainly guilty, as you say, of spreading sickness. Indeed we have spread it so much that we are now in danger of a global epidemic. We admit that we teach that we are inferior to God because this is a fact as confirmed by Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita when He orders us to surrender to Him. If you think this is a wrong concept, then prove to us that you are as powerful as God by manifesting all the universes from your body. Krishna consciousness is not a process of making people feel guilty and morose. It is a process of connecting everyone with the unlimited mercy of God so that they can enter into an eternal existence of blissful celebration. Servant means one who engages in service to the master. In forty-six verses of the Bhagavad-gita Krishna directly mentions this service. In the 18th chapter, verse 66 He directly orders us to surrender to Him. This means that we are meant to give up serving maya or illusion and serve Him instead. Within God does not meant that we are God. Just like a man who lives in India is within India, but this does not mean that he is India. Although he is Indian, he is not India. In the same way because we are within God we are Godians, but we are not God. You cannot find one point we make that is not confirmed in the Vedic scriptures because we do not present our own views. Our only business is to present the view of Krishna, which is, by the way, the supreme view since Krishna is the origin of all that exists, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita. If you don't like Krishna's views, that is your free choice. You are entitled to have whatever views suit you. But a thoughtful man carefully analyzes what are the various results derived from various viewpoints and adopts that viewpoint which will deliver him from the cycle of birth and death. In this regard we wish you the very best. 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? 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Hare Krishna! On 29 May, Sunday is the auspicious Appearance Day of a great Vaishnava acarya Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura, the last initiated disciple of Lord Nityananda and author of Sri Caitanya Bhagavata. The Life and Pastimes of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are very elaborately described in Sri Caitanya Bhagavata. Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura took initiation at the age of 16. He was the dear-most disciple of Lord Nityananda.
“MAMGACHHI”
at Sri Modurmadvipa island of Sri Navadvipa-Mayapur Dham
SRI VRINDAVAN DAS THAKURA’S BIRTHPLACE & ANCESTRAL HOME OF MALINI DEVI, THE WIFE OF SRIVASA PANDITA
Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura’s mother’s name was Sri Narayani Devi. Narayani Devi was the daughter of Srivas Thakura’s brother. When Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu revealed his divinity in the house of Srivasa, showing his true self to the assembled devotees there, Narayani devi was only a four year old girl. In the Caitanya Bhagavata it is written: “The golden moon, Sri Gauranga, revealed himself as the soul of all souls. At that time he ordered Narayani to chant the name of Krishna. Although she was only four years old she became mad with love of God. And crying, “O Krishna!” she swooned in ecstasy. As she laid on the ground in a trance of bliss, her eyes filled with tears, overwhelmed with divine love.”
Narayani Devi’s son was Vrindavana Das Thakura. In the Caitanya Bhagavata he has written of how Narayani was the object of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s affection: “As a result of her great piety, Narayani would get whatever remnants the Lord might leave after eating. Although she was only an unschooled little girl, the Lord would favour Srivas Thakur’s niece by giving her the leftovers of food touched by His holy lips.” Indeed it was by the mercy of the Lord Caitanya that Vrindavan dasa Thakura took birth in the womb of Narayani. Sri Gauranga and Sri Nityananda were the very life and soul of Vrindavana dasa Thakura.
TRANSCENDENTAL SISTERS RE-APPEAR
Gaura Ganodesa Dipika describes that Narayani was previously Kilimbika, the younger sister of Lord Sri Krishna’s nursemaid Ambika. It is also explained that Ambika became Malini Devi, the wife of Srivasa Pandita. Therefore, Ambika and Kilimbika reappeared in Gauranga Mahaprabhu’s pastimes as Malini Devi and Narayani Devi, in their same roles as maidservants.
NARAYANI DEVI – FAVORED BY LORD SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU
Narayani Devi was just 4 years old when Gauranga Mahaprabhu bestowed Krishna-prema upon her. She was staying with Srivasa Pandita and Malini Devi at Srivasa Angan. One day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu suddenly appeared there in the mood of the Supreme Lord shouting, “I am Him! I am Him!” He burst into Srivasa Pandita’s temple room and revealed Himself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead to the shaken and thunderstruck Srivasa Pandita. Mahaprabhu then called for everyone in Srivasa Pandita household, including Narayani. After assuring everyone there was nothing to fear from Chand Kazi’s soldiers, Gauranga Mahaprabhu divulged His plans to defeat the Kazi and his ban on Harinam Sankirtan. first, as the Supersoul, He would change the Kazi’s heart. Then, if necessary, He would defeat all the Kazi’s priests to establish supremacy of chanting the Holy Name: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. And to prove that supremacy, He would make all people and animals chant Hare Krishna in sublime ecstasy. Seeing Narayani, Gaurahari then said, “Narayani! Chant Krishna’s name and cry in ecstasy.” At this, little Narayani became agitated with spiritual emotions and cried out, “O Krishna,” while rolling around, absorbed in Krishna-prema.
Gaurahari always gave Narayani special attention whenever He saw her, and personally gave her betel nut remnants from His mouth. Sometime after Mahaprabhu left Mayapur, Narayani married and moved to another village. She was pregnant when her husband suddenly died and this is when Malini Devi brought her to Mamgachhi to live.
LITERARY INCARNATION FOR MAHAPRABHU’S PASTIMES
Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura is an incarnation of Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa. Vedavyasa wrote the Vedas. He then wrote Srimad Bhagavatam the mature fruit of the Vedas that describes Lord Krishna’s pastimes. Then, as Vrindavan Das Thakura, Vyasdeva wrote Sri Caitanya Bhagavata (previously known as Caitanya Mangala); it describes Krishna’s pastimes as Gaurahari in Navadvipa-Mayapur. This most enchanting rendition of Gauranga Mahaprabhu’s pastimes gives the conclusion of Srimad Bhagavatam – Bhakti, the devotional service to Lord Sri Krishna.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura wrote in his commentary to Caitanya Bhagavata, “At the ancestral home of Malini Devi, Vrindavan Das played as a small boy growing up. There he was nourished and cared for just like a valuable gem.” Vrindavan Das Thakura took initiation from Lord Nityananda at 16 years of age and went ravelling and preaching with Him. When they were in Denur, in the district of Burdwan, Lord Nityananda told him to stay and preach there and so he never personally saw Lord Caitanya. He went to the first Gaura-Purnima festival at Kheturi-grama, accompanying Sri Jahnava Devi, the eternal consort of Lord Nityananda.
Srila Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Gosvami shows his supreme homage and gratitude by honoring Vrndavana Dasa hakura with the appellation “Vyasa” in the Caitanya-Caritamrta Antya 20.82: “Vrndavana Dasa Thakura is Lord Nityananda’s favourite devotee. And therefore he is the original Vyasadeva in describing the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.” As Srila Vyasadeva told Sri Krishna’s pastimes in Bhagavatam and other Puranas, Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura described Caitanya lila in Caitanya Bhagavata.
The humble heart of Krishna Dasa Kaviraja pours out more praises of Vrindavan Dasa Thakura: “Hearing Caitanya Bhagavata destroys all misfortune. By reading Caitanya Bhagavata one will understand the glories of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda. And he will attain the highest perfection of knowledge-pure love of Krishna. “Since such a wonderful book could not be written by a human being, it seems that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself has spoken it through the mouth of Srila Vrindavana Dasa Thakura. I offer millions of respectful obeisances to the lotus feet of Vrindavana Dasa Thakura. By compiling such a valuable book he has delivered everyone from the cycle of birth and death.” (Caitanya-Caritamrta Adi 8.33-42)
Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura’s samadhi is in the 64 Samadhis Area of Sridham Vrindavan.
MAIN ENTRANCE TO SRI VRINDAVAN DAS THAKURA’S BIRTHPLACE AT MAMGACHHI. THIS PLACE IS THE ANCESTRAL HOME OF MALINI DEVI, THE WIFE OF SRIVASA PANDITA.
MAMGACHHI IS IN “SRI MODRUMADVIPA” ISLAND, WHICH IS ONE OF THE NINE ISLAND OF SRI NAVADVIPA-MAYAPUR DHAMA
BIRTH SITE OF SRI VRINDAVAN DAS THAKURA
TEMPLE AT THE BIRTHPLACE OF SRI VRINDAVAN DAS THAKURA
DEITIES AT SRI VRINDAVAN DAS THAKURA’S BIRTHPLACE On left-side are NITAI-GAURANGA. “NITAI-GAURANGA” are the original deities worshiped by Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura. On right-side are SRI SRI RADHA-KRISHNA installed by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Gosvami.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura also installed the deity of Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura (white in color).
SRI SRI RADHA-KRISHNA AT SRI VRINDAVAN DAS THAKURA’S BIRTHPLACE
TRANSCENDENTALISTS DISCUSSING PASTIMES OF SRI VRINDAVAN DAS THAKURA AT HIS BIRTHPLACE DURING ANNUAL “NAVADVIPA MANDALA PARIKRAMA”
Directions to reach Mamgachhi:
1) Birthplace of Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura at Mamgachhi in Sri Modrumadvipa island is one of the main stopover during “Navadvipa-Mandala Parikrama” which is organized every year about 10 days before Guara-Purnima Festival at Sridham Mayapur. One can visit Mamgachhi by attending Navadvipa-Mandala Parikrama.
2) Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura birthplace can also be visited by taking a rickshaw from Navadvipa ghat. It will take about 45mins to reach this place. Packaged tours can also be arranged by contacting Mayapur Tourism office on: Mayapurtours@gmail.com
Nearby places to visit at Mamgachhi:
1) Sri Vasudeva Dutta’s house: This is 50 meters away from Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura’s birthplace. Vasudeva Datta was a very liberal Vaisnava who would spent all his money for the worship of his beloved Deity, Madana Gopala, without any consideration of future expenses in spite of the difficulties for his family. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has such affection for Vasudeva Datta, He vowed on 3 separate occasions that He belonged to Vasudeva Datta. He would say, “I am only Vasudeva Datta’s man. My body is meant only to please Vasudeva Datta and he can sell me anywhere.”
2) Madana-Gopala Temple & House of Sri Sarangapani: This is 100 meters from Sri Vrindavan Das Thakura’s birthplace. Beautiful deities of Sri Sri Radha Madana-Gopala worshipped by Vasudeva Datta and Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha worshipped by Sri Saranga Deva.
3) Siddha-Bakul tree: In the courtyard of Sri Sarangapani’s house there is a neem-tree also known as Siddha-Bakul. This tree was totally dried up but only until when Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu embraced this tree. The tree came back to life by Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu’s embrace. Lord Caitanya used to come here regularly along with His associates to perform Harinam Sankirtan.
Día propicio en el que se celebra el nacimiento de Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura
Por Bhatia chandan
¡Hare Kṛṣṇa!
El 29 de mayo, domingo es el día propicio propicio en el que se celebra el nacimiento de un gran Vaishnava Acarya Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, el ultimo discípulo iniciado del Señor Nityānanda y autor del Śrī Caitanya Bhāgavata. La vida y los pasatiempos de Señor Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu se describen muy elaboradamente en el Śrī Caitanya Bhāgavata. Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura tomó la iniciación a la edad de 16 años. Él era el más estimado de los discípulos del Señor Nityānanda.
“MAMGACHHI” en la isla de Śrī Modrumadvipa de Śrī Navadvīpa-Mayapur Dham & DEL LUGAR DE NACIMIENTO DE ŚRĪ VṚNDĀVAN DĀS ṬHĀKURA; HOGAR ANCESTRAL DE MĀLINĪ DEVĪ, LA ESPOSA DE ŚRĪVĀSA PANDITA
El nombre de la madre del Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura fue Śrī Nārāyaṇī Devī. Nārāyaṇī Devī era la hija del hermano de Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura. Cuando el Señor Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu reveló su divinidad en la casa de Śrīvāsa, mostrándoles a su Yo Verdadero a los devotos allí reunidos, Nārāyaṇī Devī era solamente una muchacha de cuatro años de edad. En el Caitanya Bhāgavata se escribe: “La luna de oro, Śrī Gaurāńga, se reveló como el alma de todas las almas. En aquel momento él pidió a Nārāyaṇī que cantara el nombre de Kṛṣṇa. Aunque ella tenía solamente cuatro años de edad, ella lo hizo enojada por el amor de dios. Y gritando, “O Kṛṣṇa!” ella entró en un profundo éxtasis. Mientras que se tumbó en la tierra en un trance de dicha, sus ojos se llenaron de lagrimas, abrumados por el amor divino.”
El hijo de Nārāyaṇī Devī fue Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. En el Caitanya Bhāgavata él ha escrito de cómo Nārāyaṇī era el objeto del afecto de Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu: “Como resultado de su gran piedad, Nārāyaṇī conseguiría cualquier remanente que el Señor dejaba después de comer. Aunque ella fuera solamente una niña no educada, el Señor favorecía a la sobrina de Śrīvās Ṭhākur dándole las sobras del alimento tocadas por sus santos labios.” Fue por la misericordia del Señor Caitanya que Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura tomó nacimiento en la matriz de Nārāyaṇī. Śrī Gaurāńga y Śrī Nityānanda eran la mismas vida y alma del Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura.
LAS HERMANAS TRASCENDENTALES REAPARECEN
El Gaura Ganodesa Dipika describe que Nārāyaṇī era previamente Kilimbika, la hermana más joven de la joven doncella Ambika del Señor Śrī Kṛṣṇa. También se explica que Ambika se convirtió en Mālinī Devī, la esposa de Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita. Por lo tanto, Ambika y Kilimbika reaparecieron en los pasatiempos de Gaurāńga Mahāprabhu como Mālinī Devī y Nārāyaṇī Devī, en sus mismos papeles de jóvenes doncellas.
NĀRĀYANĪ DEVĪ - FAVORECIDO POR SEÑOR ŚRĪ CAITANYA MAHĀPRABHU
Nārāyaṇī Devī tenía 4 años de edad cuando Gaurāńga Mahāprabhu le otorgó el Krishna-prema. Ella permanecía con Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita y Mālinī Devī en Śrīvāsa Angan. ¡Un día Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu apareció repentinamente allí en el humor del Señor Supremo y gritaba, “Yo Soy Él! Soy Él!” Él estalló en el templo de la casa de Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita y se reveló como la Suprema Personalidad de Dios y Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita quedó sacudido y aturdido. Mahāprabhu entonces pidió a cada uno que se encontraban en el hogar de Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita, incluyendo a Nārāyaṇī. Después de asegurarles a cada uno que no había nada que temer de los soldados de Chand Kazi, Gaurāńga Mahāprabhu divulgó sus planes para derrotar al Kazi y su interdicción en Harinam Sankirtan. Primero, como la Superalma, él cambiaría el corazón del Kazi. Entonces en caso de necesidad, él derrotaría a todos los sacerdotes del Kazi para establecer la supremacía del canto del nombre santo: Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare/Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Y para probar la supremacía, él haría que todas las gentes e incluso los animales cantaran Hare Kṛṣṇa en sublime éxtasis. ¡Viendo a Nārāyaṇī, Gaurahari entonces dijo, “Nārāyaṇī! Cante el nombre de Kṛṣṇa y grite en éxtasis.” En esto, al poco tiempo Nārāyaṇī llegó a quedar agitada con emociones espirituales y gritó, “O Kṛṣṇa,” mientras que rodaba por el suelo, absorbida en Kṛṣṇa-prema.
Gaurahari prestó siempre especial atención a Nārāyaṇī siempre que él la veía, y personalmente le dio remanente de la nuez de betel de su boca. Algunas veces después de que Mahāprabhu dejara Mayapur, Nārāyaṇī se casó y se cambió a otra aldea. Ella estaba embarazada cuando murió su marido repentinamente y éste es cuando Mālinī Devī la trajo a vivir a Mamgachhi.
ENCARNACIÓN LITERARIA PARA LOS PASATIEMPOS DE MAHĀPRABHU
Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura es una encarnación de Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa. Vedavyāsa escribió los Vedas. Él entonces escribió El Śrīmad Bhāgavatam la fruta madura de los Vedas (la fruta madura del Conocimiento Védico), que describe los pasatiempos del Señor Kṛṣṇa. Entonces, como Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, Vyāsadeva escribió El Śrī Caitanya Bhāgavata (conocido previamente como El Caitanya-mańgala); describe los pasatiempos del Señor Kṛṣṇa como Gaurahari en Navadvīpa-Mayapur. Esta interpretación más encantadora de los pasatiempos del Señor Gaurāńga Mahāprabhu da la conclusión de El Śrīmad Bhāgavatam - Bhakti, el servicio piadoso al Señor Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, escribió en su comentario al Caitanya Bhāgavata, “en el hogar ancestral de Mālinī Devī, donde creció Vṛndāvana dāsa jugaba cuando fue un pequeño muchacho. Allí lo alimentaron y lo cuidaron como si de una gema valiosa se tratara.” Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura tomó la iniciación del Señor Nityānanda a los 16 años de edad y fue su acompañante e iba a predicar con él. Cuando estuvieron en Denur, en el districto de Burdwan, el Señor Nityānanda le dijo que permanecerían y predicarían allí y así que él nunca vio personalmente al Señor Caitanya. Él fue al primer festival de Gaura-Purnima en Kheturi-grama, acompañando Śrī Jahnava Devī, la consorte eterna del Señor Nityānanda.
Śrī Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī demuestra su homenaje y gratitud supremos honrando a Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura con la denominación de “Vyāsa” en El Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta Antya-līlā 20.82: “Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura es devoto preferido del Señor Nityānanda. Y por lo tanto él es el Vyāsadeva original en la descripción de los pasatiempos de Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.” Como Śrīla Vyāsadeva escribió los pasatiempos de Śrī Kṛṣṇa en el Bhāgavatam y en los Puranas, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura describió el lila de Caitanya en Caitanya Bhāgavata.
El corazón humilde de Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī vierte más alabanzas de Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura: El “oír El Caitanya Bhāgavata destruye todas las desgracias. Por la lectura de El Caitanya Bhāgavata uno entenderá las glorias del Señor Caitanya y del Señor Nityānanda. Y él logrará la perfección más elevada del conocimiento del amor puro por Kṛṣṇa. “Puesto que un libro tan maravilloso no se podría escribir por un ser humano, parece que Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu mismo lo ha hablado a través de la boca de Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. Ofrezco millones de obeisances respetuosas a los pies del loto de Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. Por haber compilando un libro tan valioso él se ha desprendido de cada uno de los ciclos de nacimiento y muerte.” (Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta Ādi-līlā 8.33-42)
El samadhi de Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura está en las 64 áreas de Samadhis de Śrīdham Vrindavan.
ENTRADA PRINCIPAL AL LUGAR DE NACIMIENTO DE ŚRĪ VṚNDĀVAN DĀS ṬHĀKURA EN MAMGACHHI. ESTE LUGAR ES EL HOGAR ANCESTRAL DE MĀLINĪ DEVĪ, LA ESPOSA DE ŚRĪVASA PANDITA. MAMGACHHI ESTÁ EN LA ISLA DE “ŚRĪ MODRUMADVĪPA”, QUE ES UNA DE LA ISLA NUEVE DE ŚRĪ NAVADVĪPA-MAYAPUR DHAMA
SITIO DEL NACIMIENTO DE ŚRĪ VṚNDĀVAN DĀS ṬHĀKURA
TEMPLO EN EL LUGAR DE NACIMIENTO DE ŚRĪ VṚNDĀVAN DĀS ṬHĀKURA
Las DEIDADES EN EL LUGAR DE NACIMIENTO de ŚRĪ VṚNDĀVAN DĀS ṬHĀKURA
En el lado izquierdo están NITAI-GAURANGA. “NITAI-GAURANGA” son las deidades originales adoradas por Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. En el lado derecho están ŚRĪ ŚRĪ RADHA-KRISHNA instaladas por Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Gosvāmī. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura también instaló la deidad de Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura (blanco en color).
ŚRĪ ŚRĪ RADHA-KRISHNA EN EL LUGAR DE NACIMIENTO DE ŚRĪ VṚNDĀVAN DĀS ṬHĀKURA TRANSCENDENTALISTS QUE DISCUTEN PASATIEMPOS DE ŚRĪ VṚNDĀVAN DĀS ṬHĀKURA EN SU LUGAR DE NACIMIENTO DURANTE LA “MANDALA ANUAL PARIKRAMA DE NAVADVĪPA”
Direcciones para alcanzar Mamgachhi:
1) el lugar de nacimiento de Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura en Mamgachhi en la isla de Śrī Modrumadvipa es una de las escala principales durante el “Navadvīpa-Mandala Parikrama” que se organiza cada año y que dura 10 días antes del festival de Gaura-Purnima en Śrīdham Mayapur. Uno puede visitar Mamgachhi atendiendo a la Navadvīpa-Mandala Parikrama.
2) el lugar de nacimiento de Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura puede también ser visitado tomando un carrito del ghat de Navadvīpa. Tarda unos 45 minutos el llegar a este lugar. Los viajes organizados pueden también ser arreglados entrando en contacto con la oficina de turismo de Mayapur: Lugares próximos de Mayapurtours@gmail.com a visitar en Mamgachhi:
1) Casa de Śrī Vāsudeva Datta Ṭhākura : Está a 50 metros próximo del lugar de nacimiento de Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. Vāsudeva Datta era un Vaisnava muy liberal que gastó todo su dinero para la adoración de su deidad querida, Madana Gopala, sin ninguna consideración de los costos futuros a pesar de las dificultades en la que se encontraba su familia. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu tiene tal afecto por Vāsudeva Datta, él hizo voto en 3 ocasiones diferentes de que él perteneció a Vāsudeva Datta. Él diría, “soy solamente hombre de Vāsudeva Datta. Mi cuerpo se significa para satisfacer solamente a Vāsudeva Datta y él puede venderme dondequiera.”
2) Madana-Gopala templo y Casa de Śrī Sarangapani: Éste está a 100 metros del lugar de nacimiento de Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. Hermosas Deidades de Śrī Śrī Radha Madana-Gopala adoradas por Vāsudeva Datta y Śrī Śrī Radha-Gopinatha adoradas por Śrī Saranga Deva.
3)El árbol de Siddha-Bakul: En el patio de la casa de Śrī Sarangapani hay un árbol neem también conocido como Siddha-Bakul. Este árbol está seco totalmente por arriba de pero solamente hasta que cuando el Señor Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu abrazó este árbol. El árbol volvió a la vida por el abrazo del Señor Gaurāńga Mahāprabhu. El Señor Caitanya lo usaba para venir aquí regularmente junto con sus asociados a realizar Harinam Sankirtan.
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Part 1- Kanistha ISKCON – Diagnosis. Ineffective tools Hridayananda Maharaja in his New Year’s message had written that:-”For me, the greatest and most inspiring challenge in the coming year is to strengthen ISKCON in the western world ” He goes on to say that “I believe that ISKCON can fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s and Lord Chaitanya’s [...]
Part 1- Kanistha ISKCON – Diagnosis. Ineffective tools Hridayananda Maharaja in his New Year’s message had written that:-”For me, the greatest and most inspiring challenge in the coming year is to strengthen ISKCON in the western world ” He goes on to say that “I believe that ISKCON can fulfil Srila Prabhupada’s and Lord Chaitanya’s [...]
I heard in a lecture that Srila Prabhupada explained that one who reads Krishna book is sure to become a devotee and I could not help but remember that it was the book I read too before meeting devotees. So I had been carrying a Krishna book with me all day thinking perhaps someone will take it but no one asked for it. My arm was hurting but I had no luck so as I was leaving I was really sad that no one took a Krishna book. I was openly complaining and sad but then I did close all the books and started to walk back towards the subway. I was still carrying a few books with me as I was walking hoping that perhaps someone will ask for Krishna book, but then the person who I was walking with needed help so I had to finally put all books in bag and close down. So I stopped in the middle of the walkway and started to put all books in a bag, really sad in my heart. That’s when this guy came up to us and he asked what we had and who were we. I started to explain to him about Urbanedgeyoga and Inspirit but he wanted to know more. He was looking for spirituality and so I presented him the Krishna book and started to show pictures. He was so enamoured, he took a cookie, chanted Hare Krihsna and took a Krishna book with him. It was so special to see how Krishna controls Sankirtan on his own sweet will and plan.
I met a lady today during Sankirtan and she was on the older side and she wasn’t initially interested in coming for programs as she lived away from Toronto. But something in her heart inspired her to talk for a few minutes and I found out that she was interested in spirituality, so I showed her the Bhagavad gita. As she was seeing it she started to talk about Shakti and her interest in her and that’s when the book opened up at the Karma picture – and she got all excited about the three ladies in the sky (as they looked like Shakti). I told her if she liked Shakti she should take the Gita and she started to say that she herself was ‘Shakti’s incarnation’. At this point I was thinking, oh no this is one of those people, she will never take the book. So I took shelter of Srila Prabhupada and somehow got her to see Srila Prabhupada’s picture in the centre spread of Bhagavad Gita. This is when she stopped and asked me – are you Hare Krishna as she recognized Prabhupada. I said yes and her face changed – I thought perhaps now is when she backs out. But to my surprise she said she has been to the temple years ago and she really thinks this is a sign and she would definitely take the book. Then she grabbed the book and kept it next to her heart and started to cry. She was so touched by the book and promised to read it. I gave her a cookie and she was simply crying and kept saying it means a lot. Then she said today is a special day and there are signs in the heaven and earth which she can’t tell me about. I thought to myself how special are these books and how do they transform people’s lives and hearts – we cannot even imagine the magic otherwise what hope do people like us have ?
CC Antya 7.11 : kali-kalera dharma—krishna-näma-sankirtana
krishna-shakti vina nahe tära pravartana
The fundamental religious system in the Age of Kali is the chanting of the holy name of Krishna. Unless empowered by Krishna, one cannot propagate the sankirtana movement.
New format—I will begin with a poem written on the day of its printing. Then I will print random excerpts of books I have printed over the last 35 years. I hope this variety will be pleasing.
Poem for May 28
I rose past 2:00 A.M. and didn’t
have time but chanted four
times four sets, and Narayana
came up before I could begin my
poem. We agreed to meet at ten
to share poetry. Yesterday he liked
a collection of these diaristic daily
forms.
Effulgent Rukmini and dear friend
Kaulini Mataji came for lunch.
Rukmini told about her lecture
on “Women in Bhakti” to the yogis.
She said her son Gaura-vani is
her Muse. He told her, “Don’t preach,
but be authentic, from the
heart. Don’t blow it.”
She did her best, I’m sure
it was good. She said the
yogis may be impersonalists
but their hearts are open,
and they listen attentively
with tears in their eyes.
Kaulini told stories like
the time she went with
Malati and others to a convent,
and Malati played Hare Krishna
tune on the pipe organ and
they all sang daringly in the
Catholic church.
We didn’t read the Bhagavatam
but all praised Baladeva’s samosas and banana-bread
cake. I explained the nature
of the autobiog. and
Rukmini recalled chanting
on the Boston Commons
when people threw things
at us and I said, “The brahmacharinis look
like flowers.”
There are special kirtanas
this weekend, both in
Hudson and Saratoga.
Gopi Manjari will
teach her empowered
yoga and Gaura-vani will
sing his charismatic kirtana.
I don’t attend because it’s
too late at night.
The poems are joyful
expansions of spirit based
on tunes that enter my ears.
They touch on the heart,
and we like to listen to
them. Now the weather is
getting warmer. We sweated
on the walk, and I took
my lemonade chilled.
The end of the day is
spent in winding down,
but early morning is
for rising and singing
with rhythm in mind.
All-auspicious“While listing the six primary characteristics of bhakti, Srila Rupa Goswami says that bhakti is all-auspicious. Sri Krishna is the source of auspiciousness. Whatever He does is good for everyone. The closer we come to Krishna in devotional service, the more we receive of that good fortune. A weak-hearted devotee often hesitates to receive Krishna’s blessings because he is afraid to break his material attachments. But when Krishna removes his material attachments, it is another form of auspiciousness.
“‘The Personality of Godhead said:
“If I especially favor someone, I gradually deprive him of his wealth. Then the relatives and friends of such a poverty-stricken man abandon him. In this way he suffers one distress after another . . . A person who has thus become sober fully realizes the absolute as the highest truth, the most subtle and perfect manifestation of spirit, the transcendental existence without end. In this way, realizing that the supreme truth is the foundation of his own existence, he is freed from the cycle of material life.”’ (Bhagavatam 10.88.8,10)
“According to TheNectar of Devotion, a person who is always engaged in auspicious welfare activities for everyone is known as all-auspicious. Sri Uddhava spoke of the Lord in this way: ‘Krishna satisfied all the great sages by His wonderful pastimes. He demolished all the demoniac activities of the cruel royal order, protected all pious men, and killed all cruel fighters on the battlefield. Therefore He is all-auspicious for all men.’ (NOD, Chapter 22, p. 179)
“We look for good omens, favorable times and days on the calendar, auspicious stars and likely-to-succeed operations. It is a kind of mysticism that everyone indulges in, looking for the best weather and other signs in our favor. We don’t want hunches, but solid indications, such as an early jump into the lead, and so on. But good signs may be destroyed by fate. What starts out auspicious ends in disaster. A wedding ends in divorce. A military campaign ends in defeat. For one who depends on Krishna, however, life is always auspicious.”
FromRemembering Srila Prabhupada: A Free-Verse Rendition of the Life and Teachings of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
“To Upendra Dasa“There is no love in the material world,’
Swamiji told you.
You loved to go to his room,
and that is to your everlasting credit.
Sometimes you would go before him in silence,
simply watching him until he said,
‘All right,’ and made you leave.
Or during his prasadam he allowed you
to watch, like a child,
and he would hand you some subji,
with a taste like heavenly nectar
and that is to your everlasting benefit.
He knew your mind and your life,
saw when you were lying,
but took the best part of what you offered.
When you presented useless, sentimental guru-daksina
(baby blanket and beach towel),
he first dropped them on the floor,
but later used them as mats for guests.
“But when he tried to save you
from your uncontrolled sex drive,
at first you denied the problem.
‘Swamiji, I’m not having sexual connections.’
‘No,’ he said, ‘where there is a girl and a boy
there must be sex—butter and fire.’
And he asked you to stay with him
as a celibate brahmacari.
You agreed.
“You would come in late at night
from your post office job,
and he would be resting.
But at 1 A.M. he would rise
and begin his dictation.
He was so kind to take you in
and let you live in the outer room;
in the fresh time of your neophyte devotion,
he liked to see you read his books.
“One day you approached him
while he was pacing, chanting japa.
‘Swamiji, if in Krishna consciousness
a boy and girl don’t live together,
how can there be love?’
‘You want a girl?’ he asked,
and in his japa pacing he went to the window
where women were walking below.
‘Pick one,’ he said.
Out of the masses of women walking by—
legs and hips and breasts and
heads and minds and hearts—
so many girls can be taken
as a partner in sex
or a partner in life, a wife.
But he had said, ‘There is no love in this material world,
love is for Krishna.’
“At that time,
in the powerful presence of his form,
as you became his servant,
you understood: true love is for Krishna.
One day you brought him posters from India,
and there was the picture of Govinda in the moonlight.
As devotees looked over Swamiji’s shoulder
he sat in the rocker and said,
‘Write this down:
“If you want to go on enjoying and joking
with family and friends in the material world,
then don’t go look at Govinda
standing at Vamsi-vata,
with the moonlight on His flute.
Because if you see this Cowherd Boy,
you will not want to enjoy any more
but will always love only Govinda.”’
“Godbrother, your everlasting credit
is the service you offered in his presence.
Wherever you go, that will
never suffer loss or diminution.
And we also recall here
the everlasting mercy he showed you,
and we are inspired to think
how kind he was
and how wise was his counsel,
as offered to all:
‘There is no love in the material world.
Love is for Krishna.’”
FromEvery Day, Just Write, Volume One: Welcome Home to the One Big Book of Your Life
“I say I want to break through. Maybe I can. M. said, ‘If you keep practicing at something, you can learn things.’ Is it not true of this searching from the little life what to say? Kesava dhrta mina-sarira jaya jagadisa hare. I play the typewriter while Prabhupada sings Dasavatara-stotra, and the waters lap roughly, rippling, while twigs and leaves shake on the trees. The wind is stormy but the sky blue-gray. I ate a full bowl of halava while the storm buffeted outside. Syamananda rode over, and when I asked, ‘How did you manage it?’ he laughed and said, ‘This is nothing. This is not a really bad storm. They are yet to come.’ Then while I ate, he paced outside the house, chanting japa.
“The true, the naïve artist, the dejected. He doesn’t want to be comfortable for a month and a half, but should produce something. Well, what? My head is on a platter. I mean, I get headaches. It’s hard to be always peaceful. Some artists work feverishly for years to produce many brilliant paintings, then drop out altogether. I want to be a better devotee and work for that production. I walked to the shed and that’s all—a simple life.
“‘What does he do all day?’
“‘He’s a writer.’
“‘Oh? What’s he writing, a novel? A collection of his memories in ISKCON?’
“‘No, he just goes out there and writes what he sees and feels. He knows that isn’t much or even enough, but he feels it’s what he should do and there’s nothing else.’
“The rat carries Ganesha, the bull, Shiva, Garuda, Krishna; the swan, Brahma. Kalighat artists are reviewed by the sophisticated Indian who considers all that mythology. What the hell does he believe? The British are gone, and he wants the world to appreciate Indian culture, that’s all. Culture, not religion, mind you. He doesn’t know Krishna consciousness. Well, I want to be a Krishna conscious artist and depict Krishna in some way.
“I talk of breaking through and here is the moment to do it, I don’t bite my fingernails or do anything wrong. I just move through the day. M. will soon take my passport to the Indian embassy in Dublin to have it stamped for a visit to India. Right now, however, it’s the dregs. I sit around and look at a book on art—pictures done by Kalighat artists and outsider art. And me? I’m an outsider too, or a half-insider to ISKCON.
“I once sat in Great Kills station and smoked a cigarette for the first time (13, 14 years old). L& M and Marlboros were just coming out. Winstons, Chesterfields and Kools were already popular. Then years later I sat and was identified as a devotee with the rest. I don’t know what to tell you. I worked entirely on the things that had to be done and never on my inner life. Everything had to have an immediate purpose for the sankirtana movement for the temple preaching, or I wouldn’t express it. In terms of writing, I was either editing for the Swami or writing for Back to Godhead. I wouldn’t be caught dead writing an extensive diary (or even a single word) like this. What if my wife found it and called it maya? ‘What would Prabhupada say? What would your Godbrothers say? This is maya! You are idle. You are speculating. You should do more active preaching. This is the mind. We are meant to do preaching like pure devotees. What if I told Prabhupada you were doing this?’ Thus I would be chastised.
“Now I give in to it, the urge to tell what I am, what I am doing. I have broken free from the mooring. I am lost in the wet, blowy air. I seek to find my bearings and to tie the boat to the right dock. This is what I mean to do.
“Crying shame. He got his dhoti wet and dirty from walking in the air. Saffron sweatpants also got smudges on them. He was walking down the path, but there was a construction machine at work, and a devotee, so he backed away looking for privacy. Busy little doings at Geaglum. He wanted his own world, so he walked in the opposite direction and came here to say this. ‘Krishna, Krishna!’ He chanted loudly—loud and clear—and the rain beat against his eyeglasses. When it hurts cold, he chanted at that time. Dear Lord, please allow me to serve my master. He is kind to me.
“First sight of snow. He’s driving horizontally due to the wind. I don’t think it will stick on the green grass though. But I can see it blowing across the fenceposts with their two strands of barbed wire in from the lake. From here I can see the boathouse where Abhaya dasi’s family lives. She’s been away for several days now in the hospital with her asthmatic daughter.
“Hearing cars come and go, I anticipate the delivery of the mail-pac that went from USA to France and was re-routed (I hope) to reach us here.
“I can go with M. to America and mix and preach in the temples, but I don’t want that. Then face the quiet alone here. I think, ‘But how am I making my time worthwhile?’ Improve it. Read more. Pray to Krishna to reveal to you how to be.
“Magpies in black and white
formal dinner suits, waiting
on lawn, snowflakes wetter.
“Copper leaves still on tree by lake.
Shore lined with tan, plume-headed weeds.
Krishna-Kaliya—see Him there?”
By Evan Serpick
Baltimore's 9th Annual Hare Krishna Rathayatra Chariot Parade starts at noon near the Maryland Science Center and ends at McKeldin Square at the corner of Pratt and Light Streets, where the Festival of India will go from 2pm to 6pm. I used to live next door to a Hare Krishna temple in Brooklyn and let me tell you: These people know how to throw a festival. Expect a huge, FREE vegetarian feast, lots of colorful costumes, dancing, and singing. It's an incredibly friendly community. Kids will love it.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is bringing its Festival of the Chariots again to Daytona Beach.
The Third Annual Festival of the Chariots and Ratha Yatra Parade will be noon to 6 p.m. Monday at the Bandshell, behind the Ocean Walk Shoppes, 250 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. Admission is free. For more information, call 352-316-4560 or 386-418-8019.
The Indian multicultural festival and parade is sponsored by ISKCON Alachua of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
The parade will begin at 1 p.m. on the beach at the Bandshell and return to the same location. The 1-mile procession will feature a huge chariot carrying representations of the deities Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra beneath a blue, red and yellow canopy. The chariot will be decorated with swans, lotus flowers, flags and the deity Hanuman.
The chariot has two thick ropes that are more than 100 feet long and are pulled by parade-goers. Indian music, drumming and dancing will accompany the procession.
The festival at the Bandshell will feature family-friendly activities and entertainment including live music and dance by the troupe the Mayapuris. Also, a vegetarian meal will be served free to all attendees.
ISKCON Food Relief Foundation is Working to Uplift the Society by Giving Healthy Future to India New Delhi, Delhi, India, Saturday, May 28, 2011 -- (Business Wire India)
ISKCON Food relief foundation, an NGO based in Delhi & NCR is working towards the betterment of the society by helping to break the vicious circle of hunger and poverty that restricts educational and development opportunities of unprivileged children by providing them regular, nutritious food as mid day meal. Mid day meal is an important meal for the growing children, as it is the factor that monitors health, energy and will to work or study in every child.
The Foundation has taken up an initiative to feed nearly 450,000 children across Delhi and NCR in the schools of MCD and NDMC, who otherwise are not able to afford a healthy meal. The NGO has a technical tie up with the United Nations world food program and is ISO 9001 certified. The food which is sent to MCD and NDMC schools are hygienically prepared and are tested for the appropriate percentage of proteins, carbohydrates, etc that a growing child needs to maintain a good health.
The NGO has a total of 1000 staff in Delhi & NCR that looks after overall performance and functioning to provide hygienic and nutritious food to the children from underprivileged background. The NGO have customised utensils for cooking purposes, which ranges from rice cookers - capable of making 3600 kilograms of rice in 1 hour to the Poori machine capable of making 20,000 Pooris in 1 hour. The food is prepared keeping in mind all aspects related to hygiene and maintaining the nutritional value of food therefore the food is prepared by steam heating without making the use of fire. 100 customised vehicles are deputed to deliver the ready to eat food to different schools across Delhi and NCR. The food containers are sealed to ensure that the food reach the needy with no manipulation or in lesser quantity.
Wastage of water and other resources is maintained very efficiently as the NGO uses Effluent Treatment Plant and the water obtained from this plant is used for cleaning the vehicles and gardening. On the other hand, the wastage of food items are controlled by donating the food to the pig farms when the quantity exceeds the required amount as the NGO does not make re-use of the same food for the children.
The NGO is getting support from Corporate-houses, Businessmen who donate generously, and also from the Government as it gives Rs. 2.89 to the NGO for each meal they provide to the children. While each meal costs the NGO is Rs.5/- and the NGO is in real need of funds to be allocated for continuing successfully the generous chain of giving out food to the poor children.
Many of the children who use to work as child labour or were forced to get indulged in beggary are now happily coming to the schools knowing the fact that they will get good food to eat. It motivates them to come to school and learn as much as they can. This program of the NGO has increased the enrolment of children in schools at noticeable numbers.
We have launched 24th Kitchen in Gurgaon on 22 May 2011. The Chairman of the Trust H.H Gopal Krishna Goswami was present, and other eminent personalities like dignitaries and industrialists of India also graced the occasion. The Executive Committee of the Mid-Day Meal Programme comprising of 30 members including industrialists, bureaucrats, and politicians would give a word of advice and commitment on ensuring sustainable development of the programme.
ISKCON Food Relief Foundation, in Gurgaon
Implementing Government’s Mid –Day Meal Program
-- Huge project
-- Feeding nearly 1 lac underprivileged children in over 400 schools
-- Location- Centralised Location in Gurgaon catering 4 blocks including Gurgaon, Pataudi, Sohna, Fatehnagar
-- The kitchen is ISO certified and follows quality controls and the staff would be well trained.
Mr. Venu Madhav Das (Vivek Bindra), Director-North India
“We work severely to bring ‘education up & hunger down’ by providing regular and nutritious food to children from underprivileged background. The contribution of ISKCON Food Relief Foundation’s Mid Day Meal have largely resolved the two pressing problem of hunger and illiteracy amongst 1 million children in India”. “Our launch of 24th kitchen in Gurgaon in May 2011 is a step up in ensuring sustainable development of the Mid Day Meal programme.”
May 24, 2011 By Meera Vasudevan Recently, I discovered that saying a simple prayer, reading a few shlokas from The Bhagavad Gita As It Is by Srila Prabhupada, lighting diyas at the altar with some agarbattis and chanting my favourite Hare Krishna maha mantra or attending Sunday mass at the Church have had a deeply calming and soothing effect on me.
At first, I did this purely for my selfish need for dealing with aggression, day-to-day frustrations or impatience and have become attached to this ‘under 10 minutes only’ but extremely necessary routine.
I avoid overtly religious displays, despise social gathering for religious causes and even avoid commenting about God to anyone.
I’m more like a fish out of water in these situations. A few years ago, at a spiritual gathering in my aunt’s house, I was introduced to the Hare Krishna movement or ISKCON, when I developed symptoms of extreme exam anxiety.
I was lucky to have the guidance of a wonderful teacher Shyama Vallabha Das Prabhu and the loving direction of several devotees who introduced me to the Radha Gopinath Mandir at Girgaum Chowpatty, Mumbai and to Radhanath Swami Maharaj. I love their ease at explaining the beautiful language of God and the simplicity of their way to worship Him.
Their preachings are extremely lucid, their application even simpler. I have found happiness, joy, success and even peace here, even more so when I feel furious about an unkind comment or get angry about a social snub or when I’m afraid and lonely. Praying helps me ease anger, lower my aggression and lessen the impact of provocation. My all time favourite prayers are Radha Madhava and Namastey Narasimhaya.
So just say a prayer, even if you’re not religious. It slowly starts growing on to you and you look forward to it, just like the eagerness of having a dessert after a delicious dinner.
May 28th, 2011
About the fate of those killed by Lord Kalki, whether the material body has desires or not and what goes on in Sivaloka and what is it?
[ 11:30 ]
After over a decade of court battles, the High Court of Karnataka ruled on May 23rd that the Sri Radha Krishan Chandra Mandir in Bangalore—which had originally been an ISKCON temple but had been run by a breakaway group since soon after its construction in 1997—is officially the property of ISKCON, registered in Mumbai.
H. H. Sivarama Swami: Conversation with Kesava Bharati Maharaja about George Harrison and other topics
May 28th, 2011
[ 10:52 ] One Response to “Conversation with Kesava Bharati Maharaja about George Harrison and other topics”
Gina says:
May 31, 2011 at 2:44 pm
George Harrison ‘gone back to Godhead’, the most cheering thing I have heard for ages!!…. I thought so, it must be, he was surrounded by devotees when he left his body, he had warning of death, a year or so before when he was seriously attacked in his own home, and at knife point he immediately chanted!..It was like Krsna was telling him, get ready.. he incarnated to serve Srila Prabhupada..he did so much service, he never moved in to the temple, in fact Prabhupada told him not to.. he was indeed a great soul.
Balinese-style architecture, carved by local devotees and featuring beautiful sculptures, including Lord Narasimhadeva bursting from the stone wall above the altar. In the pond outside, there is also a sculpture of Vasuki, the famous snake king, who is commonly worshipped in Indonesia.
Thirty devotees from ISKCON farms all over Europe attended the fourth annual ISKCON European Farm Conference from May 10th through 12th this year, hoping to gain inspiration as well as practical advice for their various rural projects.
By Sutapa Das for sutapamonk.blogspot.com on 28 May 2011
When Mahatma Gandhi visited England for the “Round Table Discussions”, his British hosts gave him an impressive tour of London — Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Whitehall, etc. At the end, they asked him “So, Gandhiji, what do you think of Western civilization?” Gandhi replied, “I think it would be a good idea!”
In june, Villa Vrindavana (Florence, Italy), will hold its first 24hours kirtan entitled "Sravanam Kirtanam: keep your faith alive by hearing and singing".
Hare Krsna dear devotees. Here follows a beautiful prayer to Lord Ramacandra,
Therefore, whether one is a demigod or a demon, a man or a creature other than man, such as a beast or bird, everyone should worship Sri Ramacandra, the Lord, who appears on this earth just like a human being. There is no need of great austerities or penances to worship the Lord, for He accepts even a small service offered by His devotee. Thus He is satisfied, and as soon as He is satisfied, the devotee is successful. Indeed, Sri Ramacandra brought all the devotees of Ayodhya back home, back to Godhead. SB 5.19.7-8
I was thinking about my service today, I did not feel very proud of my cooking and felt I should serve in a better mood and with more devotion. Sometimes we are not aware of how we can serve, the same happens with chanting, we think it is like a normal duty we perform every day, but actually it is a very important and valuable service, it is our connection with the Lord, it is how we protect ourselves from the everyday problems and the investments of the material energy. When we chant we are safe and any time we offer the Lord a service, He sees and appreciates, because He knows we have thought of Him and we are coming back to His arms like a lost child.
Every time you get an opportunity offer the Lord your best with love, He will definitely appreciate that and as the quote above says, become satisfied and we will become successful.
“Cow protection is the business of the vaisyas and along with our preaching, this is the most important work. We must have a good section of Brahmanas in our society and we must also have a good group of vaisyas who can grow grains and tend cows, and thus supply the society with food-grains and milk products from the cow like ghee, curd, cream, etc”
To regenerate a sense of community and to raise interest in growing one’s own food, master gardeners and other volunteers have opened the Island Rat Community Gardens on Wheeling Island, an area once known as the garden spot of the city.
The community gardens, located at 45 Maryland St., behind Madison Elementary School, contain 18 raised beds where area residents can grow vegetables and herbs. Each bed measures 4 feet by 10 feet and is 8 inches deep. All but four of the beds have been claimed; participants include novices and experienced gardeners.
The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, blessed the new gardens and the gardeners during grand-opening festivities Saturday, May 21. “I’m thrilled to be here,” he said before offering prayers for the new endeavor.
Several members of the Ohio County master gardeners group and members of the organizing committee were on hand to answer questions and offer advice to novice gardeners who are participating in the project.
“These beds are free for use by individuals. Children are encouraged to participate with parental permission,” said the Rev. Theresa Kelley, priest of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Wheeling Island. For more information, call 304-232-7549.
Frank McNeil, a master gardener and committee member, secured permission from property owner Joey Bishop of Bridgeport, W.Va., for the group to use the vacant lot as a garden plot. Bishop’s mother taught home economics at Madison School many years ago, and he indicated that she would be pleased to know that vegetable gardens were being established in the neighborhood.
D.K. Wright, committee member and vice president of the Ohio County master gardeners, said the committee has received invaluable assistance from Danny Swann, coordinator of the East Wheeling community gardens, and Terry Sheldon, gardener of the Garden of Seven Gates, a six-acre site where organic vegetables are grown in Marshall County.
“They (Swann and Sheldon) took us by the hand,” Wright said. “They know more about starting community gardens than anyone…
Affection for Godbrothers is nice, it is a good sign. Affection for Godbrothers as well as for all other living entities, even they are not God-brothers, these signs are seen in the advanced devotees.
Lord Krsna teaches us, through Arjuna's dilemma, how to perform devotional service unto Him while fighting the combined attacks of Maya and the age of Kali:
"Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Krsna and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain me without fail."
(Bhagavad Gita 8.7)
And here is the darsana of His breathtaking form to help to us always think of Him.
1966 May 28:
"N.B. There was an incidence extraordinary. At 10 night when I was typewriting Paul became too much irritated and I stopped typewriting. It was unusual due to his abnormal condition. Better to take precaution in future." Prabhupada Journal :: 1966
1968 May 28: "Don't wait for next life for finishing up the business of Krishna Consciousness; try to finish up in this life. And pray if it is unfinished, Krishna may give you chance to take birth in a family where the father and mother are in Krishna Consciousness." Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
1970 May 28: "We have to maintain two lines parallel; namely the path of Srimad-Bhagavatam and the path of Pancaratriki. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the path for Paramahamsas, and Pancaratra path is for the neophytes." Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
1971 May 28: "You whave introduced Tulasi in the Western countries and Tulasi is now growing very luxuriantly. May Tulasi be kind upon you and introduce you to Krishna, to be one of the assistant maid-servant gopis in Vrindaban." Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
1972 May 28: "We want to give the citizens the positive value of Krishna consciousness way of life, so we must always be preaching very strongly in the public. Therefore I approve your plan to run for public office." Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1974 May 28: "My only idea was to point out to the public the need for purified leaders. I had no idea to spend money and energy of our society in a way which is not our real spiritual life." Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
1974 May 28: "Studying your letter thoroughly I have come to the conclusion you may stop the political program. It will not benefit our real spiritual position. I am not interested to divert attention from spiritual progress for political propaganda." Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
1975 May 28: "As much as possible, we want our books to be accepted by all learned circles of men. But, we cannot give books away free to anyone. They must be paid for." Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
“They are the Proprietors”, he said simply, “We should be Preaching to them”. Srila Prabhupada in Lilamrta 36: In Every Town and Village Research and proposal by Mahavishnu Swami * Firstly this article is dedicated and offered in the humble service of my Spiritual Master His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada the Founder Acharya [...]
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By Giriraj Swami 
