Monthly Archives: March 2014

Maha milan – congregational preaching in Mayapur (Album 87 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

In our temples we have no capacity to give shelter to all the people. House holder devotees have so many possessions, like their old father, mother, young children, land, cows and bulls. They cannot join the temple with all of these things. If they stay in their homes and do business or whatever, householder devotees can follow the rules and regulations, chanting Hare Krishna and a couple of times in a week gather together for a Nama-hatta program. Every day they will do their activities in their own house and in the evening they join together and do evening program where they can do aroti, Bhagavad-gita class, chanting harinama and prasada distribution. This is called maha milan. Read more ›

New Vrindaban’s BlueHome Artworks Gift Shop looking for new owner
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

The current owners of New Vrindaban’s exclusive gift shop for hand-crafted items, BlueHome Artworks , are looking for new caring people (or a person)  to take it over. Lilasuka and Jesse will be in their third year running BlueHome Artworks, which is beautiful and is becoming known, but, due to personal reasons, must give it up. […]

Gopi, gopi, gopi!
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 01 January 2014, Mayapur, India, Caitanya Caritamrta Seminar) Lord Caitanya was found to be in an ecstatic state of consciousness, chanting the name, gopi, gopi, gopi! It is said that Lord Caitanya, at that time, had entered into the mood of Srimati Radharani, who was in a disturbed state of consciousness, angry with Krsna […]

Does Religion make the world a better place?
→ Servant of the Servant

In my personal opinion, this question is a tough one to answer. I say this because today religion is so many things for so many people. There is no one definition of religion. Perhaps a broad definition could be anything to do with God or belief in a God could be identified as religion.  All religions at the least operate on this definition.

Let me rephrase my question then – “does belief in God make the world a better place?”

Based on incidents in the 20th and 21st century, I have to say belief in a God invokes so much passion among people or groups of people that that passion is the hotbed for hatred, violence and bigotry. How can hatred and violence make the world a better place? Any objective person who looks solely at data will have to conclude the belief in God causes more damage than good.

So we are left with two choices (1) abandon religion and live a life based on one’s own internal values (2) dive deeper into the problem, analyze and learn from it. Personally, I think the world would be a better place if we practice the second option. The first option does not solve anything as there is no individual growth. People with opposite values is always the source of friction.

Srila Prabhupada once said that if there is counterfeit money then it implies there must be the original – so search for the original. Similarly religion can make the world a better place if we go deeper from believing in God to finding God. One who has found God in his life will not have the urge to find anything else of this world. In such a state, there is no internal agitation of mind what to speak of causing external agitation? In such a peaceful state, the seeker will find everlasting happiness.

So yes belief in God or religion will make the world a better place only if we use it to rectify our own internal faults and in that state of humility seek God. There is no other value system (be it civic or political or moral) that can help us transcend our own limitations in search of a higher truth. Only religion or search for God can set us free from our inner mind to which we are bound. Thus knowing the truth, we can be free from the shackles of bondage.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” – Jesus Christ

Hare Krishna

International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh
→ Dandavats.com

At the 15th annual International Yoga Festival, held from the 1st to the 7th of March, 2014, Radhanath Swami addressed over 600 participants from about 50 countries. Invited as one of the leading speakers for the event, held in Rishikesh in the Himalayas, Radhanath Swami gave three talks: “Yoga of Love”; “My Experiences with the Himalayan Yogis”; and “In giving we Receive.” Read more ›

Chanting on the Train from Mumbai to Howrah
→ Dandavats.com

It was powerful to be singing about Lord Caitanya with eight other devotees who were performing the austerity of taking a 33-hour train ride from Mumbai to Howrah, enroute to His glorious birthplace. I was happy that the Lord had brought us all together to sing for Him, and also to benefit everyone else in the carriage with the transcendental sound. Read more ›

Insights…
→ Dandavats.com

Rtadhvaja Swami: When I was dealing with the AT&T customer service representative, after answering my initial question my phone, she asked if I had any more questions. I said, “I do have a question that is troubling me. Now I have a 61 year old body, but I remember when I had a 6 year old body. I guess that means I am the consciousness that has experienced different bodies. There must be a supreme consciousness beyond this, and I am wondering how to connect with that.” She replied that is the most amazing thing that she had ever heard, but she agreed about the point of changing bodies, saying that it was also her experience. Read more ›

Celebrate Gaura Purnima(Appearance Day of Caitanya Mahaprabhu) this Sunday with us
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON

* Important *

Sunday Feast on March 16th, 2014 at 11:00am has been moved to 5:00pm  due to the celebration. Regular Sunday Feast program (11:00am) will resume from March 23rd, 2014.

  Happy Gaura Purnima 2014

When?
Sunday, March 16th
Program starts at 5.00pm

Where?
6 George Street South
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 1P3, Canada
Phone:416-648-3312
park underground @ City Hall for free

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Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog
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SB 11.5.32
kṛṣṇa-varṇaḿ tviṣākṛṣṇaḿ
sāńgopāńgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ sańkīrtana-prāyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ

In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.

ALL GLORIES TO LORD SRI CAITANYA,THE MOST MAGNANIIMOUS AND MERCIFUL

   The festival is considered to be one of the most important festivals of the entire year for Gaudia Vaishnavas (followers of Lord Caitaniya). Devotees observe this festival by fasting till moonrise and chanting when they can the holy names of Lord all day.

Lord Caitanya appeared only to teach us by example “How to love the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna” and to gain full enlightenment simply by chanting His holy names; HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE. Thus he brought a revolution in spiritual consciousness by inaugurating the chanting and dancing.

GAURA PURNIMA meaning GOLDEN FULL MOON which signifies lord Caitanya appeared during full moon night by taking the golden complexion of Radha Rani to bless everyone without any discrimination based on background or spiritual qualification with His soothing moonlike rays of His sublime teachings. Those who witnessed the pastimes of lord Caitanya, saw Him dance and chant with ecstatic love for God,the likes of which had never been seen before.

Sri Caitanya’s teachings cover three principal topics:

    *Knowledge of soul’s relationship with Krishna
    *The method of awakening that relationship and
    *The awakened state of that relationship(pure love of God)

He predicted that nama sankirtana would spread in every town and village.
 “Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam”
 “SIKSASTAKAM”,The eight instructions of Lord Sri CAITANYA should be followed by everyone in order to become a pure devotee.

Find Siksastakam with English translation here:http://www.harekrsna.de/Siksastaka/Siksastakam-E.htm

Morning program:
5:00 AM    Mangala Aarti
5:25 AM     Narasinga Prayers
5:30 AM    Tulasi Aarti
5:45 AM    Welcome Announcements
5:50 AM    Chanting/Japa
6:50 AM    Guru Puja
7:00 AM    Sikshastakam Reading
                      Class by His Grace Vaisnava Dasa
7:40 AM    Closing kirtan

Evening program:
5:00 PM    Guru Puja
5:30 PM    Gaura Aarti
5:55 PM    Narasinga Prayers
6:00 PM    Welcome Announcements
6:05 PM    Lecture & ppt presentation by His Grace Gaura Dasa(a dsciple of Srila Prabhupada)
6:45 PM    Maha Abhishekam & Offerings
7:30 PM    Drama & Presentation by Sunday School
8:00 PM   Sayana Aarti + Closing Kirtan
8:30 PM    Prasadam
Nutrition Help & Diet Tips
Mother Rashmi Ahuja is offering free one to one consultations and development of Individualized Nutrition Plans . Please contact (416)569-6373 or (905)488-7272 to book an appointment this Sunday b/w8.30-9.30(pm).

Sponsor Kalash
“One who performs opulent celebrations on such days,pleases the lord,who grants him all benedictions and removes all sins.” (Hari Bhakti Villas)

SrilaPrabhupada established opulent diety worship and celebration of vaishnava festivals as an oppurtunity provided by lord Himself, so that we can unitedly express our gratitude and love to lord, His associates and devotees.
If you’d like to participate in the Maha Abhiseka Ceremoney of Lord Caitanya,you may sign up for  Kalash[108 $]for a family.
Note:we’ve limited no of Kalash,so first come first serve.
To sponsor/finance this festival,please contact Krsna smaran Devi Dasi in person or via[kavitabalram@yahoo.com]
Details:
Gaura Purnima Maha Feast…….251$
Maha Arati………………………….108$
Florals & Garlands…………………151$
Maha Sringar for Dieties…………501$

Offerings for Mahaprabhu

You are invited to bring vegetarian offerings sweet or salty (no onion, garlic, eggs, vinegar)  for Lord Caitanya.[In brand new aluminium one or two serving sized container]
  1. Nothing store-bought. Must be fresh and homemade.
  2. No tasting or sampling. Lord must be the first one to taste your offerings.(Please contact Vidyanidhi Prabhu)
Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment in order to support those with allergies. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy!