Monthly Archives: July 2015

Tuesday, July 7th, 2015Toronto, OntarioNew Man CameA young chap from Calgary, a second-generation Hare Krishna devotee, came to join us for the summer.  His name is Jagannath and at 18 years of age his parents, Gaurachandra and Vanipriya, felt t…

We pray to Lord Jagannatha, hara tvam samsaram druta-taram asaram sura-pate hara tvam papanam vitatim aparam yadava-pate aho dine ‘nathe nihita-carano niscitam idam jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me “O Lord of the demigods, please quickly remove this useless material existence I am undergoing. O Lord of the Yadus, please destroy this vast, shoreless ocean of […]

Recording the “Govindam” Prayers In January, George Harrison arranged studio time to record the long-anticipated Govindam prayers. The recording was to take place at Trident Studios. During the same period, promotional events were still being conducted for the “Hare Krishna Mantra” single, and Yamuna was fully engaged in her Deity service and seeing to the spiritual and material needs of the resident devotees. Perhaps the episode of the “Govindam” recording reveals more than anything the level of commitment and Krishna Conscious dedication of Yamuna devi.
It is an extraordinary story—one which she eloquently expressed in an interview a few years before passing on:
Yamuna: As an aspiring devotee for almost forty years now, I have never identified with any occupation. Though I sang on three released records with Apple in the late 1960s—the “Hare Krishna Mantra” single, the “Govindam” single and the LP that came after it—and although I penned three cookbooks in the late 80’s and early 90’s, I feel I am neither a singer nor an author. These were merely activities I fell into in the course of exploring the culture and practice of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which is what my life is really all about.
The devotees in London recognized her focus and dedication. She herself reflected on those days as ones in which her feet never touched the ground. She loved serving the gorgeous Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara Deities, and she loved her other variegated services in the temple. To her they were all equally important as long as they propelled her forward in her Krishna Consciousness—and especially in her service to Srila Prabhupada.
Yamuna Devi: A Life of Unalloyed Devotion: Part 1: Preparing an Offering of Love. Unalloyed Inc. Kindle Edition.

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Saturday, July 4^th, 2015
Ashcroft, BC

Suddenly, Fire!

Of all days for this to happen.  More than the usual number of planes were in the air.  They were dropping water bombs and chemicals.  A forest fire had started on the north end entrance to Venables Valley, the location where I was staying and also the place where the annual countryside Chariot Festival was to take place at noon today.  This fire dynamic, sourced from Mother Nature (or Father Jagannatha), turned everything upside down.

It was 11:00 AM when my hosts Harold, his good wife and a friend, Vyasapad, were told by police that any non-residents in the valley must leave immediately.  This red alarm got us thinking, “Two out of the four of us are in that category.  We’ve got to evacuate.”  Furthermore, Harold raised a concern in his mind that this wasn’t the first time people have had to evacuate.  In 2004, residents, which were about 100, had to honor a one week mandatory absence from the valley by authorities.

We were also informed that the bus from Vancouver destined for the festival was not allowed to enter the valley due to the spreading flames, while winds were unfavourably headed in the direction of everyone’s homes.  This was getting exciting.   Harold started to secure his essentials, packing his Krishna deities.  I recommended, “Why not get your legal documents and money together?”  And Vyasapad added, “How about some basic food to take with you?”

Harold was totally on board.  We gathered what we could to get in his car, what the car could accommodate.  We arrived at the festival site, hoping that the fire was under control.  There were mixed reactions about the police order from the residents but it wasn’t safe to stay.  The police then rolled in at the site.  Officer Phillips persisted, “Guests must leave.”

I asked him to announce that at our pavilion, so he did.  Managers of the valley from the Saranagati Village arranged then to send all the prasadam, food, to Legacy Park in the nearby town, Ashcroft.  It was a very wise decision.  That did the trick.  Everyone, including residents, converged at the park where the bus passengers were waiting.  The party went on in full force while fire fighters did what they could to contain the flames.  Harold set up his Krishna deities on the grass.  I addressed the crowd, “What does Jagannatha (our Father of the Universe) want?  Does he want a festival in a town and not in a secluded Valley?  Let’s explore the idea for the future.”

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Saturday, July 4^th, 2015
Ashcroft, BC

Suddenly, Fire!

Of all days for this to happen.  More than the usual number of planes were in the air.  They were dropping water bombs and chemicals.  A forest fire had started on the north end entrance to Venables Valley, the location where I was staying and also the place where the annual countryside Chariot Festival was to take place at noon today.  This fire dynamic, sourced from Mother Nature (or Father Jagannatha), turned everything upside down.

It was 11:00 AM when my hosts Harold, his good wife and a friend, Vyasapad, were told by police that any non-residents in the valley must leave immediately.  This red alarm got us thinking, “Two out of the four of us are in that category.  We’ve got to evacuate.”  Furthermore, Harold raised a concern in his mind that this wasn’t the first time people have had to evacuate.  In 2004, residents, which were about 100, had to honor a one week mandatory absence from the valley by authorities.  

We were also informed that the bus from Vancouver destined for the festival was not allowed to enter the valley due to the spreading flames, while winds were unfavourably headed in the direction of everyone’s homes.  This was getting exciting.   Harold started to secure his essentials, packing his Krishna deities.  I recommended, “Why not get your legal documents and money together?”  And Vyasapad added, “How about some basic food to take with you?”

Harold was totally on board.  We gathered what we could to get in his car, what the car could accommodate.  We arrived at the festival site, hoping that the fire was under control.  There were mixed reactions about the police order from the residents but it wasn’t safe to stay.  The police then rolled in at the site.  Officer Phillips persisted, “Guests must leave.” 

I asked him to announce that at our pavilion, so he did.  Managers of the valley from the Saranagati Village arranged then to send all the prasadam, food, to Legacy Park in the nearby town, Ashcroft.  It was a very wise decision.  That did the trick.  Everyone, including residents, converged at the park where the bus passengers were waiting.  The party went on in full force while fire fighters did what they could to contain the flames.  Harold set up his Krishna deities on the grass.  I addressed the crowd, “What does Jagannatha (our Father of the Universe) want?  Does he want a festival in a town and not in a secluded Valley?  Let’s explore the idea for the future.”

May the Source be with you!

6 km

“O Lord of the demigods, please quickly remove this useless material existence I am undergoing. O Lord of the Yadus, please destroy this vast, shoreless ocean of sins. Ah, this is certain: Lord Jagannatha bestows His lotus feet upon those who feel themselves fallen and have no shelter in this world but Him. May that […]

“In this dark age of Kali-yuga, sincere devotees of the Supreme Lord should leave aside all other means for liberation and take full shelter of the Holy Names. This is their real responsibility and duty. There is unlimited bliss in chanting the different names of Krishna: Hari, Kesava, Govinda, Vasudeva and Jaganmaya. For one who […]

From London, Kadamba Kanana Swami travelled to Czech to participate in the Summer Camp (01-06 July). Thereafter, he travelled to Serbia to attend the Fruska Goranga Camp. Here are details of his visit.  Written by Dahani dd The Fruska Goranga Summer Camp started on 03 July, with devotees and Gurus arriving from different places. This year, […]

Hare Krishna! Muslim farmer builds Krishna temple
In contrast with communal flare-ups in several towns in western UP, a 45-year-old Muslim farmer in Kanpur Dehat’s Murra village has come out as a perfect example of communal harmony. Observing Ramzan religiously, the man has constructed a temple dedicated to Radha-Krishna which is attracting people in droves. The villagers said that the construction of the temple by Raees Mohammad was an example of Hindu-Muslim brotherhood. Raees has also arranged a priest and personally participates in the prayers at the temple.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18542

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Scandinavia Rathayatra Tour (Album with photos)
Hare Krishna Festivals UK: We put on hall programme festivals and rathayatras around the UK. We just did a Rathayatra tour in Scandinavia; Denmark, Norway and Sweden. We travelled for two weeks, putting o… Read more ›

Hare Krishna! Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yatra @ISKCON Netrakona, Bangladesh
At around 4pm the Lord officially mounted his chariot and the festival was on its way. Decorated with an abundance of flowers and its effulgent golden yellow dome shining brightly a… Read more ›

The post The preaching revolution that TOVP will inaugurate appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Ratha Yatra Festival in Prague, Czech Republic (Album with photos)
Lord Jagannatha is an ocean of mercy and as beautifull as a row of blackish rain clouds. He is the storehouse of bliss for laksmi and Sarsavati, and his face resemble a spotless full-bl… Read more ›

Vaishnava Wedding at Radhadesh Castle (Belgium) (4 min HD video)
Lalita Sakhi Devi dasi & Krsna Lila das
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/UnT29g

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The post Daily Darshan – July 20th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

30 beautiful photos of Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental cooking session.
See them here: https://goo.gl/12jn55

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Snana Yatra 2015 at New Dwaraka, Los Angeles (Album with photos)
See them here: https://goo.gl/Nzzybz Read more ›

Hare Krishna! Jagannath Ratha Yatra, 18th July 2015, ISKCON NEPAL
Annual Jagannath Ratha Yatra was Celebrated on 18th July 2015, here in Kathmandu organized by ISKCON NEPAL. There were about 1500+ devotees for the Festival of the Chariot of the Lord Of The Universe who were constantly pulling the Chariot, Singing Kirtan and dancing even though it was very hot and sunny. The Proccession started from Kamaladi, Kathmandu which routed to Ghantaghar – SahidGate – Sundhara – Tripureswor – Thapathali – Kupondole – Pulchok – Jaulakhel – Patan – Lagankhel and ended at Satdobato. This is the 1st history of the Long Routed Jagannath Ratha Yatra of about 9km route which took about 6hrs to complete.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18536

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Written by Bhakta Nandan Morning Class – Srimad Bhagavatam 9.19.11 Following on from the last Bhagavatam class Maharaj gave at the Manor, in this verse King Yayati gives an allegorical story of a male goat and female goat which is based on the King’s own history. Certainly there was some pathos in King Yayati’s story […]

Hare Krishna! There is no other way, no other way, no other way!
Devotees around the world took to various austerities in last month as an offering of love to our beloved Lord on the most auspicious Purusottama month.I must say that the power of social… Read more ›

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.10.27-29 – HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu

Jagannatha’s Ratha yatra in SALEM (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The letters of the holy name have so much spiritual potency that they act even when uttered improperly. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.59)
See them here: https://goo.gl/KibHHH

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Michigan Rathyatra (19th July, 2015) (Album with 84 photos)
Photography Courtesy: Arjun Bhattacharyya
Srila Prabhupada: Even a faint light from the holy name of the Lord can eradicate all the reactions of sinful life. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-li… Read more ›

CC daily Podcast:

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2015%20classes/07-15%20classes/CC%20daily%20169%20-%206.253%20-%20Humility%20means%20to%20not%20delight%20in%20ones%20glory.mp3 Download by “right-click and save content”

The post CC daily 169 – 6.253 – Humility means to not delight in ones glory appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2015%20classes/07-15%20classes/Bhagavatam-daily%20272%20–%2011.13.5%20–%20The%20Vedic%20plan%20is%20not%20just%20inclusive%20but%20also%20progressive.mp3 Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Bhagavatam-daily 272 – 11.13.5 – The Vedic plan is not just inclusive but also progressive appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

What is the “superior nature” inherent in the jīva? Pure sentience. This nature is described as “superior” because sentience is superior to the insentient objects of external reality. Why would a jīva forfeit her superior nature? She is mesmerized. By what? She is mesmerized by the desire to enjoy the fascinating qualities of the inferior, […]

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam recounts how King Pṛthu was glorified during his coronation ceremony. In Canto Four, Chapter 16, Text 17, we hear this: मातृभक्तिः परस्त्रीषु पत्न्यामर्ध इवात्मनः mātṛ-bhaktiḥ para-strīṣu, patnyām ardha ivātmanaḥ He will treat his wife as if she were half of his own self, and treat all other women with the same devotion he […]

Friday, July 3^rd, 2015
Kamloops, British Columbia

Back In B.C.

Sitting next to me on the flight from Vancouver to Kamloops was Shane from a northern city, Fort St. John. Shane, I learned, works in the oil fields.  I assume he was on a business trip. From thousands of feet up in the air we conversed while looking down out the window.  Basically we fell into a joyful speculation as to the names of the towns below us, “Was that the town, Hope?”  “Oh, could that be the Thompson River?” 

The vistas were stunning.  In elevation, we were above the bird’s eye view.  Even cranes and storks don’t fly this high.   

Then we got to talking about us, in other words, what is going on in each other’s life – beyond the oil fields, etc. We hit on the topic of walking.  Shane admitted to doing more walking lately.  Perhaps he felt he wasn’t doing enough before.  “It gives you time to think,” he said, “then you notice trees, the other creatures, nature, and you mix it all together.”  He was talking like a real advocate of pilgrimage now. 

Shane and I, along with the plane load of people, landed at quaint Kamloops Airport.  Shane and I parted and Harold picked me up and brought me to Saranagati Village where we took to trekking along a trail called the “Ratha Yatra Way”.   

On that trail, Saskatoon berries are abound – and mosquitoes in even greater numerical figures.  Our destination was a farm, owned and run by Bala Krishna, and a gathering of devotee villagers.  The meal that drew everyone was of local harvest and organic quality.  Thekirtan that followed was home performed, but the sound, the mantra, originated from the spiritual world.   

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Thursday, July 2nd, 2015
Peterborough, Ontario

Observations

It wasn’t really planned, but in an impromptu way our van-load of Krishna devotees decided to break up the five-hour drive to Toronto with a stop.  The city of Peterborough boasts having Trent University and Fleming College.  It’s a rather handsome downtown that we did stride through with our voices, drum and cymbals.  In my opinion, we were not in full gear and perhaps that’s one of the reasons for a more indifferent reception from the streets.

When we moved to a green strip along the Trent River system, the niceness of the town seemed to show itself.  Sometimes the soft approach gets more attention. We were sitting on the grass looking perhaps less intimidating.  It’s just an observation.

We also came upon Toby Tyler, who was originally from the US and who had met our guru, Srila Prabhupada, in New York in those very early days in the sixties. Toby runs a restaurant in the downtown and was so happy to see us at his eating place, the Electric City Gardens.

Life as a monk has its ups and downs like it is for anyone.  In my case, I worry for people’s lives.  As a mentor for some, I hear sometimes of the personal struggles. If it had not been for their adherence to Krishna Consciousness they naturally would be in a worse spot.  There is a lot of encouragement that goes along with the job.  Outside of the “worry” there is a pattern in this lifestyle of travel, fun, interaction, learning and realizations as we encountered in Peterborough.

May the Source be with you.

6 km

The Rathayatra parade and festival at New Govardhana started a little earlier this year at 10am. This was because the afternoon was filled with various functions in the main tent outside the temple room. There were at least 700-800 devotees … Continue reading →

Wednesday, July 1st, 2015
Ottawa, Ontario

Big Party

The walk today went on more like a shuffle.  After a good long drive to the nation’s capital city, Ottawa, through some rain we were poised to chant at the usual designated spot close to the Parliament Buildings, approximately two blocks away.  For this first session of Kirtan rain did meet us, an incredible downpour at one point.  It was session two with the evening crowd where we got out of the sit-down stationary mode to move along through the crowds.

Actually you might say that a crowd within the crowd led the chanting party through the thousands, bringing some attention to the sound.  It was the dancers, the squealers and horn blowers that moved in front of us with exuberant energy that seemed to be sourced from some other planet.  Mind you, it may be an insert of a little alcohol that provided an explosion of power, a power that may crash the next morning.

There are nothing but dazzling moments on this day, of which included, at the top, a prasadam meal at Ottawa’s Govinda’s Restaurant.  Much credit for the good food goes to Shankar, aTrinidadian-born stalwart of bhakti-yoga.  He’s been running a steady operation for decades now, satisfying both a university crowd with the excellent dishes and a faithful crew of congregants that meet on Sundays.

Now, back to the second kirtan session, everyone is in the party mode and yes, everyone is out for some sparkle to behold in the form of jets speeding through the sky or listening to the hottest band from the grandiose stage.  Those who jump in to join our party within the big party were out for a good time – with a spiritual flavour to it.  Our communities from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto merge together every year for the ultimate pow-wow.

May the Source be with you.

6 km

It’s a constant battle with the mind – like a another being that is intent on dragging us away from the nectar of the Holy names.It’s our choice in the end, we can listen to the mind or we can listen to the mantra and we make this choice every second o…

WANTED – Transcribers for Sadaputa Archives
In an effort to collect, preserve, and disseminate his vastly important legacy, the Sadaputa Archives has several projects underway, one of which is to present our collection of his recorded lectures in book form to facilitate serious study and research. To accomplish this we need to first transcribe almost 100 lectures and are looking for experienced transcribers that would be able to give some of their time for this.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18529

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Often times, we hear Prabhupada criticize the modern system of instant gratification and how its pervasive nature has and will spoil this world – indeed – we are living in a world of the cheater and cheated.This documentary is a tell tale of the phenom…

Holy Name Meditation Podcast:

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/Japa%20Prayers/2015%20meditations/07-15%20meditations/Gita%2011.40%20-%20Appreciate%20that%20the%20omnipresent%20is%20present%20in%20sacred%20sound.mp3 Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 11.40 – Appreciate that the omnipresent is present in sacred sound appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.