Monthly Archives: April 2014

Sannyasa Candidates 2014
→ Dandavats.com

Warning: call_user_func_array() expects parameter 1 to be a valid callback, class ‘quick_page_post_reds’ does not have a method ‘ppr_filter_page_links ‘ in /home/haribol2/m.dandavats.com/wp-includes/plugin.php on line 199
Meet the future Sannyasis of Iskcon! To expand ISKCON’s preaching mission Srila Prabhupada created sannyasis. Thus the Ministry for Sannyasa Service has established a website to provide information about potential sannyasis to the ISKCON community and to get feedback in order to help in the candidate’s training. Read more ›

The Lord’s manifestations correlate with the evolution of the serving mood of the jiva
→ The Spiritual Scientist

We can notice the different stages of animal life from the invertebrates to the fully-grown human beings. These stages have been classified by the Indian sages of a scientific outlook in ten orders, viz, (1) the invertebrate, (2) testaceous or shelly, (3) vertebrate, (4) erectly vertebrate (as in the combined form of man and beast), […]

Have you visited WpRecipes today?

Next Town Hall – Sunday, April 20th – 3:30PM
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

We are very excited to announce that ISKCON Toronto will be hosting our next Town Hall on Sunday, April 20th, 2014 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm in Govinda’s Dining Hall.  This Town Hall will present an opportunity for our vibrant Hare Krishna community to come forward and engage in a productive, two-way dialogue about our Hare Krishna temple and community at large.

The Town Hall will begin with a small presentation from the ISKCON Toronto Temple Council, highlighting the successes, challenges and financial developments over the last several months.  After this, we will open up the dialogue to our entire community to share their thoughts, dreams, concerns and suggestions about how we can continue to grow our temple and community. This Town Hall will be different in that we will have our auditor present to go over the past year’s financials and aid in answering any financial question the community may have.

Please accept this as a warm invitation for you to come and attend our Town Hall.  We continue to host these Town Halls every three months in an attempt to increase the communication between the temple management and our dear congregation. 

If you are unable to make it to the Town Hall, but would like to share some ideas, suggestions or feedback, please feel free to email us at templecouncil@torontokrishna.com.

We hope to see you on Sunday, April 20th – please feel free to pass along this warm invitation to your devotee friends!  Hare Krishna!

Sincerely,
The ISKCON Toronto Temple Council
templecouncil@torontokrishna.com
www.torontokrishna.com

New Vrindaban Daily darsan @ April 4, 2014.
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Give up false identification with this wretched material body, identification that is the cause of the horrible cycle of repeated birth and death. Meditate on your spiritual form in Vrinda?vana. Millions of calamities may fall. Don’t be disturbed. Until all past karma is destroyed, reside in Vrinda?vana and always meditate on the pastimes of your […]

Join us for Sunday Feast starting at 11.00am with another Very Special Guest.
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON

Sunday Love Feast

When?
Sunday, April 6th
Program starts at 11 am

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

New! Listen
Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog
Make a Donation
 Bhagavad-gita As It Is 9.34
ani sarvani samyamya
yukta asita mat-parah
vase hi yasyendriyani
tasya prajna pratisthita

TRANSLATION

One who restrains his senses and fixes his consciousness upon Me, is known as a man of steady intelligence.
Program Schedule: 
11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja                                          
11.15 – 11.30     Guru Puja                                           
11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                      
11.55 – 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                 
12.00 – 1:00     Vedic Discourse 
  1:00 –  1:30      Closing Kirtan


HG Narayani Devi Dasi was born in 1948. She joined the bhakti yoga tradition at the ISKCON temple in Boston in 1970, and was sent to India in 1972. Remaining in India until now, she served in Calcutta in the 70’s as pujari (altar priestess) for the Radha Govinda deities there and in the 80’s as traveling book distributor in Mumbai (former Bombay). Since 1993, Narayani has been living in the holy village of Vrindavan teaching at VIHE (The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education). Beside her poetry book ‘Garden of Devotion’ Narayani has also written eleven other books available here, including ‘Srimad Bhagavatam at a Glance’ and ‘Bhagavad Gita at a Glance’. Srimad Bhagavatam at a Glance is also now expanded as a series with a picture for every verse of Srimad Bhagavatam.

COMING UP AHEAD

Celebration @ 7.00 pm
Fasting till sunset
If you’d like to help with this event,please ask Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi how.
To sponsor/finance this event contact Krsna Smaran Devi Dasi in person or via kavitabalram@yahoo.com.
Details of the program will be posted shortly.  
Kamada Ekadasi
Fasting………. on April 10th
Dvadasi/Breakfasti.. on April 11th b/w 6.55-11.06am
every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.

ON GOING EVERY SATURDAY        
Bhagavad-Gita Classes 
Join Bhagavad Gita Course with His Grace Vaisnava Dasa from 9.00am-12.00pm and get certified from Bhaktivedanta College at the completion of this course towards Bhakti Sastri Degree. To register please contact Vaisnava Dasa Prabhu in person or via email[vaishnavadas@icloud.com]

ON GOING EVERY SUNDAY

Govinda’sNatural Foods Snack Bar
Govinda’s has always been a giver of love and friendliness, food with a home cooked feel, Check out this Sunday your own Govinda’s Snack Bar at ISKCON Brampton for dine in or take out. This snackbar definitely has the best selection of cruelty-free eats with a bang for your buck.
Nutrition Help & Diet Tips
Mother Rashmi Ahuja is offering free one to one consultations and development of Individualized Nutrition Plans on Sundays between 1:30 – 3pm. Please contact (416)569-6373 or (905)488-7272 to book an appointment.
Sunday School
The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).

 

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!

Back in 1980′s (Album 72 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Warning: call_user_func_array() expects parameter 1 to be a valid callback, class ‘quick_page_post_reds’ does not have a method ‘ppr_filter_page_links ‘ in /home/haribol2/m.dandavats.com/wp-includes/plugin.php on line 199
Old And Beautiful Pics Of Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, Vrinda Kund, Gurukul, Goshala & Various Places In Vraja From 1980’s. Contributors: Uddhava Bandhu Dasa (owner) and Kusha Devi Dasi · Taken at Krishna Balaram Mandir
Read more ›

Read The Conch Newsletter – New Govardhan Farm’s News – April 2014
→ Dandavats.com

Warning: call_user_func_array() expects parameter 1 to be a valid callback, class ‘quick_page_post_reds’ does not have a method ‘ppr_filter_page_links ‘ in /home/haribol2/m.dandavats.com/wp-includes/plugin.php on line 199
Rama Navami – Full Moon Rising
Chance Encounter – Where Worlds Collide
Mentorship Arrives – Women Leading the Way
School Honors Devotee – Benowa Primary hears Holy Name
Kuli Catch-up Q&A
Harinama Sankirtana ki jaya !
Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Vaisnava Calendar
Upcoming events and much, much more … Read more ›

Mandakini Devi Dasi on London Harinam
→ simple thoughts

Saturday Night Harinam London **************************************** This weekend we were joined by one of Srila Prabhupada’s senior European disciples, Srimate Mandakini Devi Dasi. Mandakini came over from France to visit the London Yatra for Gaura Purnima. She was one of the guests of honour, along with mothers Malati and Manjuali at the Connaught Rooms on Lord […]

Ahmedabad Ram Navmi Rathayatra – 2nd day/2nd Rathayatra (Album 65 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Warning: call_user_func_array() expects parameter 1 to be a valid callback, class ‘quick_page_post_reds’ does not have a method ‘ppr_filter_page_links ‘ in /home/haribol2/m.dandavats.com/wp-includes/plugin.php on line 199
These are pictures taken at the 2nd day of the two day Ram Navmi Rathayatra organized by ISKCON Ahmedabad Read more ›

Feeding The 5000-Brussels! (Album 59 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

We had the opportunity to cook wonderful Prasadam that was served to over 5000 fortunate souls in Brussels. Pretty amazing program organized by Tristran, Niki, Dominique and Parasuram. Everyone loved the Prasadam and were awestruck by Para’s huge pots. This program is making people aware of the terrible waste going on in the food industry. Parasuram has been doing this for years, getting donations from food wholesales and chains such as Costco. Then we cook it, offer to Lord Krishna, then distribute it freely. The expenses are offset by grants and donations.
Every day in London over 1000 students, homeless and others are getting FREE Prasadam. Read more ›

A Devotee Couple Moves to New Vrindaban- An Interview
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Lilasuka (L): So how are things going for you, so far, here in New Vrindaban, Alexander and Radhapriya prabhus? You’ve been here for a few months now. Alexander (A) & Radhapriya (R):  Well, we like our apt.  There’s easy access to the temple.  Things are good. L: I heard you went to India recently, Radhapriya. […]

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario
Dharma Protects
My destination point isn’t usually a tattoo parlour, but it was today.  Down the street I went.  I turned degrees, opened the door, walked to the receptionist who said, “He’s in today, just go to the second floor.”  Up the stairs I ascended and into one of the cubicles.  There he was – the chief. 

 

Owner and operator is Cuban born, Jovany (AKA Jamuna Jivan), who was my cook in 2007 during a walk through northern Ontario.  He’s become adept at the artistry of tattooing, and he’s in the middle of crafting.  And no, I’m not there to get a tattoo.  Monks in our order use temporary tattoos with something called tilak, an earth based substance which washes off at each shower.  And if not that, the sweat will erase it.

Jovany was working on a young man’s bicepted left arm.  The design looks great, if I must say so.  The owner of the arm, which is pivoted under a pillow with work in progress, is Faris, who hails from the middle east.  Jovany stopped his work when he saw me and presented his obeisance right there in front of me, while he uttered, “This is my guru.”
The two of us got to talking while Jovany kept working on Feris’s arm with gorgeous armour like design.  Jovany was talking about life and its bumpy surprises.  I indicated that if dharma is executed, then there is always protection.  Feris then got into the conversation, “So, what’s dharma?”
“To follow the duty which is natural to you.  When a person is dutiful then it’s beautiful, righteous.”  I elaborated, of course.  Feris mentioned that he’s originally from Dubai, to which I responded, “Oh, I’ve been there.  I walked a good stretch one morning in that city, but I was restricted from wearing my robes and had to settle for civies (civilian clothes).”
Our conversation went on with me doing most of the talking, and while watching the penning of ink into Feris’s skin.  With one glance I noticed a poster of Ghandi on the wall with a caption that read, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”  This hinted at karma, but ourtalk stuck to dharma, which ultimately leads to good, inherent reactions of karma. 
Feris, the client, was listening intently.  So was the chief, Jovany.  I’m not sure that most tattoo parlours get into deep discussions.  At least, the other cubicles seemed a bit mundane in spirit when I passed by them during my exit from the shop. 
It was a walk and a talk well worth being part of.  I think I’ll browse around more in the tattoo making department in the future. 
May the Source be with you!
5 KM

Tuesday, April 1st, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Be A Fool

I passed through 61 April Fools in this one life.  At the Tuesday Sanga, the evening’s presenter, Praharana, spoke on how we are all more or less fools for being in this world of suffering.  She, however, explained that joy could be had by taking to the spiritual component.  Her message spoken at the ashram was well received.

It was only after the time of her presentation that I went on my daily walk.  Vrindavan, one of our dedicated devotees in our community here, drove me at my request, to his home.  From there I would walk back to the ashram, a mere 6 KM distance.  I recall when I first tackled the longer stretches for training.  A couple of my colleagues at that time thought I was slightly foolish to go on a 22 KM trek (a first), and to do it on a winter afternoon when a snow storm suddenly hit.  I had lost directions while trying to reach my destination point, the home of a friend.  Eventually I was found through the aid of a call by payphone.  No panic, it was fun being a fool.  Anyways, it was all done for the training perspective. 

This fine afternoon I had a second visit from Michael over for lunch.  One year, Michael had trekked the nation from Newfoundland and then to British Columbia.  He’s experienced.  We discussed a number of things, even the possibility of doing some walking together this summer.  In our talk, he concurred that no one really understands the practice of marathon trekking, what positive effect it has, until you just go out and do it yourself.  In fact, anyone who has taken up the challenge of lengthy pilgrimages will wonder, “Why doesn’t everyone do this?”  As Michael confirmed about his noble walk, “Those were the best days of my life.” 
My remark would be, “If you can’t be foolhardy, then you’re just a bland bro.”
Be adventurous, be a fool. 
May the Source be with you!
6 KM

Monday, March 31st, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario
Walking Helps
Two mature women noticed me ambling along on Bloor Street.  They began to speak and ask me if I was praying after seeing my right hand fingering my beads.
“Yes, as a matter of fact.”
“Maybe you can help us?”
“I’ll see if I can,” I said, and prepared myself to listen.
“Did you know that medicare in Canada could get compromised?  You know that Tommy Douglas brought medicare to this country?”
“Yes, and by the way, last summer I was on a pilgrimage and I was walking in the district where he was born and raised.”
“In Saskatchewan, right?  Well we just came from a meeting and his daughter was there, she’s about 80.”
“Is that right?”
“Please help us.  Fill out this form, put in your vote for the Government to renegotiate for the new Health Accord.  We are really concerned.”
“Sure, give me a few of your forms for the people in my ashram.”
“So, you’re a Buddhist?”
“No, Hare Krishna.”  We parted congenially.
The big concern in the US today is just that, medical health.  Obama is trying to secure a reasonable health care system for Americans.  It seems there’s a need.  There is, of course, a lot that can be said about investing in preventative illness through education.   If you look at the average diet people are on in North America, it’s no wonder ailments are on the epidemic level.  Anyways, I vouch for and would vote for healthy food and a karma free diet for all human beings.  Walking helps.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM

Why Lord Chaitanya took initiation from the Madhva sampradaya
→ The Spiritual Scientist

The special characteristic of Madhvacarya’s doctrine is that it very clearly defeats the faulty mistakes of the Advaita perspective. By maintaining this forceful position, the distress caused by impersonal philosophy falls to the wayside, allowing one to understand and appreciate the Lord’s personal form. Therefore, in order to bring about safe and sure benefit for […]

Have you visited WpRecipes today?

New Vrindaban Daily darsan @ April 3, 2014.
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Don’t even glance at the external things of this world, whether they belong to you or to others, whether they are as splendid as millions of suns and moons, or whether they possess a great flood of good qualities, Renounce them¡ Give up all conventional peaceful composure, and without caring for anything else, always remember […]

No perfect match
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 20 March 2013, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.12.6) Pure devotees of the Lord are only interested in satisfying the senses of the Supreme Lord, hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.2). They are not concerned with the material world because they appreciate that in the material world, everything is only temporary and […]