Monthly Archives: March 2014

Sri Krishna Chaitanya (Gauranga) Mahaprabhu (Album 47 paintings)
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Mahaprabhu was a beautiful child, and the ladies of the town came to see Him with presents. His mother’s father, Pandita Nilambara Cakravarti, a renowned astrologer, foretold that the child would be a great personage in time; and he, therefore, gave him the name Visvambhara. The ladies of the neighbourhood styled him Gaurahari on account of His golden complexion, and His mother called Him Nimai on account of the ‘nimba’ tree near which He was born. Beautiful as the lad was, everyone heartily loved to see Him every day. As He grew up He became a whimsical and frolicsome lad. After His fifth year, He was admitted into a pathasala where He picked up Bengali in a very short time. Read more ›

New Vrindaban’s Palace of Gold Honored – Back to Godhead Magazine – October 1980
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New Vrindaban’s Palace of Gold Honored – Back to Godhead Magazine – October 1980. By William Robins Limestone, W. Va., Aug. 5 The men in saffron robes, in denims and faded shirts, heads shaven and unshaven, the women in saris of many colors, the Hare Krishna devotees came in twos and threes and troops, afoot […]

Friday, March 14th, 2014
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Toronto, Ontario
The Raw Thaw 
Snow! Ice! Slush! Water! That’s what you get on a day like today. It’s the raw thaw. And it’s okay. It’s an adventure going through it all, as I traversed Yonge, Bloor, Bathurst and Dupont streets.

I feel no regrets not being in a car. I’m happy on my feet. There’s something sweet about it.

As I went (direction West) with a blinding sun in the eyes, I could make out a toquedchap coming towards me, hands in pranama.

“How are you Maharaja?” said he.
“Oh it’syou, Jiva-nuga!” I responded.

Immediately my thoughts raced to the past. He’s a fine human being. His roots are from the East (New Brunswick) and he had joined the ranks of monks in the West (Vancouver) years ago. While he’s no longer a man of the cloth, and chose to reenter civilian life, his time in a brahmacaryaregimen really benefitted him.
I’ve always liked Jiva, he’s as honest as you can get. He’s quiet and mild, but strong of body and skilled with his hands.

With the sun to my left shoulder, now going North-bound on Bathurst, I met another pedestrian, an acquaintance. It was Kathleen O’Connell, widow to Professor Joseph T. O’Connell, pioneer in many ways for helping establish wholesome dialogue between leaders of different faith groups.

Before his departure, Kathleen told me that Joseph recently set up a comparative religiouscourse in the University of Dacca in Bangladesh. His office was right next to the fundamentalist Islamic group. With his charm, wit and intellect, Joseph managed to build a bridge of communication.  

He was also thrilled, back in 1968 in Boston, to meet our guru, Srila Prabhupada, during the embryonic stage of a promising bhakti movement.

It was great meeting Kathleen. She was watching her steps, as I was, to evade slush and water pools as we parted our ways. It’s my assumption that she’s a walker and doesn’t mind the adventure that goes along with it. You don’t get this kind of interaction when buzzing around in a car.

May the source be with you!

5 KM

Thursday, March 13th, 2014
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Thornhill, Ontario
Local Pilgrimage 
One way that a pilgrimage can be analyzed or defined is when a person or a group of persons make the journey to a sacred place. As simple as that!

Within the greater Toronto area, we now have four official ISKCON places where the science of Krsna consciousness is practiced and is open to the public. Really, we have just begun within the last decade in this endeavor to grow. And there is a vision to continue increasing the numbers. This morning I ventured to one of those places.

Two short blocks away from Dundas square (Toronto’s version of Times Square) is a humble and quaint, two-floor level place of beauty. Situated above a greasy-spoon restaurant on the street level, is something called Bhakti Lounge, where I was invited to give the early morning class.

I walked it, happily. I even stopped by fellow pilgrim, Jivanatha, along the way and together we forged ahead. He moved to Toronto from the gorgeous Kawarthas area a few months ago.

You wouldn’t think that pilgrimage would entail moving from one sacred spot, our ashram, to another place of devotion within a short length of three kilometers, but why not?

Our discussion at Bhakti Lounge was great. These young bhakti-yogis are super-bright. They pose fantastic questions, centered around the father’s duty to the son. The great literary monk, Vyasadeva, spent a concentrated many years teaching his son, Sukadeva, the science of self-realization.

Being that this week is March break, children are home from school. Our temple/ashram administration organized an escape for parents by coordinating a Krsna Kids Day Camp. Guess who was one of their presenters?

My topic was “Who is Krishna?”

The most common response from the group of little ones (age 5-15) was, “He is our Protector.”

The number two popular answer was, “He’s our best friend.”

May the Source be with you!
5 KM

A tidal wave!
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 01 January 2014, Mayapur, India, Caitanya Caritamrta Seminar) After taking sannyasa, Lord Caitanya just began to dance in great ecstasy and so did Kesava Bharati; he started to dance along with Lord Caitanya and all the people began to dance. This was the first public display of such love of God. It […]