Author Archives: H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami

Thursday, March 15th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario
Plaque and Statues

With pride, I read the newly installed plaque, at the recently renovated square, at the University of Florida in Gainesville.  There is a history of Krishna devotees distributing great lunches here for decades.  The operation still goes on, with energetic enthusiasm, to this day.

With an image-relief of the Hare Krishna founder embossed on it, the plaque reads, “Krishna Lunch: On July 29th, 1972, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the Hare Krishna Movement, addressed students here and inspired them to start Krishna Lunch.  Since then the Lunch has nourished the UF community with millions of vegetarian meals.  In 2017, Krishna Lunch and its alumni contributed toward the renovation of the Plaza.”

It was only yesterday morning that we strolled our way to the plaza to have a look.  I came back to Toronto just in time for a mini-installment of three gorgeous brass figurines to complete a permanent display of Das Avatars, that is ten incarnations or avatars.  They sit down on a unique wooden platform, which is actually the base of the bed slept on by Prabhupada when he visited us in June of 1976.

It is a stunning exhibit, really, located in what’s called Prabhupada’s quarters, a room with a wall that separates my room from his.  It’s a blessing to live in this area of our building.

My last message is about my lack of walking today.  I did, practically, a sprint down the endless corridor of the Miami Airport, but that was about it.  However, the equivalent to walking was a massage and meaningful leg stretches by Gopal, who also resides in our ashram in Toronto.  He did splendidly.

May the Source be with you!

1 km


Wednesday, March 14th, 2018
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Gainesville, Florida
Conflicts We Face

As we all know, the world is full of conflict.  Conflict was the major topic of discussion at the Krishna house in Gainesville this morning.  Thirty students and facilitators are accommodated with living quarters in this flourishing little nook within the city.  There’s more than one houseful, in other words.

From Canto One, the story arises about the Yadu Dynasty, and they, being the most powerful empire of the time, were unconquerable.  By divine arrangement (if you will), the dynasty’s demise involved rice wine and its consumption, in group dynamic, which led to a flogging to the death of each other.  There was conflict ‘within’, which is where our thoughts brought us to, in so far as a point for discussion. We all struggle internally with our minds, perhaps even more than we receive pain externally.  It was interesting.

At evening time, Ananta and I walked his neighbourhood’s backroads to reach the home of Janmastami.  There we met for a converging of families.  For the children—I sat them in front of me; adults in the back—I read and ‘charaded’ the chapter of “Killing the Dhenukasura Demon.”  This arrangement pumped up the kids to no end.  The magic of this situation is that parents and others also feel part of the fun.  Kirtan and pasta were also featured.

I received a call from Daruka of Winnipeg, my trusty back-up man for cross-Canada walks of the past.  His mum, Marilyn, in her late 70s, is having a difficult time, physically.  I told him I would appeal to readers of this blog to offer prayers for this “strong woman,” as he put it.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Tuesday, March 13th, 2018
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Alachua, Florida
Nippy in Florida

It’s nippy in Florida.  I set out on foot at 6:00 a.m. when I could see my breath.  It was still dark.  An opossum scurried in front of me.  Once he crossed the road and hit the bush, I could hear a loud rustling.

By 7:00 a.m., I reached the temple.  Still dark.  I gave to and received hugs from those I hadn’t seen for a year.  Everyone is getting just a little older.  I have to be careful.  My hug might hurt some of them.

The young did come.  Punctually, every Tuesday morning, young Vaishnavas come from the local school to attend.  There were fifty of them (my guess), boys and girls, pre-teens.  I got excited.  When they sat in front of the low lectern where I was situated, I thought, “Yes, we’ll go for some interactive-ness.  Have them clap hands and sing the song, ‘Radha Madhava.’”  

Then I engaged them in charades with the day’s verse and purport.  The message of the verse had much to do with accepting a guru.  I mentioned to the students that all of them have a guru.  They were surprised to hear that.

“Guru means teacher.  You all have teachers don’t you?”

“Yes!”

“Then you have a guru, or gurus—plural.”

I’m no scholar but in some way I tried to appeal to stretching their intelligence.  “We have to look at the word guru in a broad sense.”

We cracked some jokes.  At the end, during question time, I was asked about my U.S. walk.  So I delivered.  

Jenya came from Dallas to receive diksha (initiation).  His new name is Janaka.

My hour walk back to Ananta Sesha’s permitted me to see spring birds.  I have in my sight a cardinal.  I could not see my breath.

May the Source be with you!

9 km


Monday, March 12th, 2018
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Miami, Florida
Trying to See

I was booked in for a room at the Hampton Inn, where I rested and awoke for the 4:30 a.m. arati, or the first service of the day.  A short walk with Murari Gupta, a surgeon, took me to the ISKCON Centre on Virginia Street.

There was a small attendance—seven of us.  We engaged in chanting the praises to our version of the Creator, Krishna.

The class I gave then was from the Bhagavatam, Canto Seven, wherein sage Narada expresses his appreciation for the saintly boy, Prahlada.  You might say that this was a glorification of a godly soul.

Murari Gupta then drove me to the airport for a flight to Gainesville.  I sat at the gate for my departure and was trying to conjure a continuity of the theme ‘praise’.  At the departure lounge, I saw no deity of Krishna, could not hear His name—outside of my soft japa chanting—and I also could not perceive a saint from amongst the crowd.  I did see, however, two nuns in the distance, down the corridor.

I also saw scantily clad ladies and some body building men, busting with muscle.  I saw gangster clothes and one fellow proudly walking with a skeleton frame imprinted on his coat.  Where is a saint to be found, what to speak of God?  How could I perceive divinity?

Those who were officials working at the departure gate were warm, friendly and keeping order.  In them, I started to see some element of holiness.  I was pacified at this.

I took one last stroll after I arrived in Gainesville.

May the Source be with you!

8 km


Sunday, March 11th, 2018
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Miami, Florida
Here in Miami

I was treated quite wonderfully at the ISKCON Miami Centre.  Special lunch items were prepared.  Quite spontaneously I arrived—almost last minute.  Also spontaneously, I was asked to speak from “Wherever you like.”

Okay then.  I chose verse 15.15 from the Bhagavad Gita beginning with the word from God Himself, “I am seated in everyone’s heart.”  The verse goes on to say that God is the source of all wisdom and ignorance as well.

We all experience, at times, a state of forgetfulness.  I know I have my senior moments.  And sometimes there are incredible things to remember at the speed of light—an important name of a person, place and details—which I need at the tip of my tongue.

I also spoke at the home of a Krishna devotee, where friends gathered.  From the book, Bhagavatam, I read to the group about the twenty-one avatars.  The Bhagavatam, however, offers a larger number.  Amongst them there are different categories of avatars.  These different manifestations of the Absolute can make it very complex.

When wasn’t the world complex in its cosmic make-up?

I guess it is something to ponder.  One thing is for sure, we are all very tiny and hopefully humble.

May the Source be with you!

0 km


Saturday, March 10th, 2018
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Brampton, Ontario
Nighttime Trail

As the coyotes howled, Murli, his two daughters and I took to the streets.  It was nightfall.  We had parathas, succulent and dripping with the power of ghee.  They were stuffed with fenugreek, some with cauliflower and potato.  To work  them off, we walked the streets near Chinguacousy.

Well, they weren’t actual streets to my mind.  They were too new—not even developed because Murli’s neighbourhood is not full blown.  Some houses have a sign that reads “Home Occupied” which means some in this burb are not.  Those that are obvious are revealed by their interior luminations.  Some exude garlic odour which reaches our nostrils.  Garlic, for what it is, does not need a major exhaust to be detected.

Like most new developments in this area, a pond has been dredged.  The geese, in good numbers, have sought this one out.  I love it.

A park nearby was on our trail.  The space accommodates a playground with a walkway the shape of an 8.  “Eight gopis,” I tell Murli and his daughters.  “Yes, eight is great,” I thought.  Krishna has many friends.  Among them eight stand out as faithful and confidential.

The clocks will jump ahead an hour, a minor austerity.  For some of us on tight regimen, it means one less hour of sleep.  Within minutes I’ll be away from here—in Florida.

May the Source be with you!

4 km


Friday, March 9th, 2018
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Brampton, Ontario
Let’s Start

It’s March, and although it’s not quite the growing season just yet, it might be an idea to begin thinking about, even planning out, what you’ll grow in the spring.  Some months ago, I visited the household of Murli Manohar, a resident of Brampton, born in India.  I encouraged him to consider doing some urban gardening.

He liked the idea, and my visit today was a follow-up.  “Hey, let’s do something about it; produce some veggies and fruit, and offer them to Krishna and eat nutritiously.”  Some friends, Rajasuya, Rahul, Hatish and families, came by for their usual Friday night eats and talk.

So we talked about the joys of growing things, and I quoted some letters from our guru, Prabhupada, who encouraged that kind of progressiveness and simplicity.

“This simple life is very nice.  Simple village life saves time for other engagements like chanting.”  Also, he wrote, “Gandhi had this idea.”  And more, “We can produce our own food and clothes gradually, and save time for spiritual food.”  Again, “As far as possible try to adjust to a natural way of life.”

The above were messages of encouragement to his students.  Basically, he was supportive of agriculture.  Here in Brampton, we are not ready for full-on farm life.  We were simply discussing about doing as the Italians do—use every extra inch of dirt to grow some tomatoes, grapes, coriander and such.  We also talked about foraging, and just overall getting educated in wild plant life and getting our hands dirty.  Going green!  Going smart!  That’s the way to go!  Let’s start!

May the Source be with you!

3 km


Thursday, March 8th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario
The Walk Helped

A mid-day stroll led me to the Brickworks and the ravine, away from everything the urban reality represents.  There’s traffic.  There’s people experiencing discontent—it’s on their faces.  What troubles them?  Who knows?  The sky is grey.  I went out of the building—the ashram—after news of someone slowly leaving the mission.  Also, news came to me of a couple speaking about divorce.

It was a dark hour.  Walking was so justified.  I was chanting.

Just before hitting the trail on the ravine, a guy in workman’s clothes, hard hat and all, saw me across the street.  He gave a warm, “How’s it goin’?”

I reached the ravine and ten minutes into the beauty of it, I received a call and I answered it saying, “Haribol!  Tell me some good news!”

And the caller did.  He’d been struggling devotionally but more recently things have picked up for him.  “Congratulations!” I said.  “Now don’t let go this time, of what you’ve achieved.”  Staying strong is what I encouraged.  Things were looking brighter as I plodded on.

At the Brickworks itself, the trail came to an end.  Construction signs indicated, with barriers, that walkers/runners were to turn back.  So I did.  No choice.

The lesson?

I had my break and now I had the opportunity to go back to deal with issues.  “Don’t try to escape!” was the message.

Everyone must go out for breathing in new air each day.  Brightness will come!

May the Source be with you!

6 km


Wednesday, March 7th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario
Krishna As Messenger

Krishna was known to play a flute, to dance, to fight, and yes, to run and walk.  He is also known as Partha Sarathi, a chariot driver for friend and warrior, Arjuna.  He drives.

In fact the famed dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna, the one that became the talk which altered Arjuna’s mind completely, took place after the brief ride with Krishna via chariot and horses.  It was stationary at the time of the discussion—stationary in order that Arjuna could have a clear look at the illusions of the world.

The Lord then spoke eloquently.  Arjuna listened.

Before that, it was Krishna who solely went off to speak to the vile Duryodhana.  In an attempt to plea for peace and appeal for fairness, acting as messenger on behalf of the Pandavas, Krishna delivered a proposal.  He came humbly to adversary, Duryodhana, requesting five villages which the pious five Pandavas could rule over.  Diplomacy was applied.

Through a rigged game of dice, the Pandavas lost their land and kingdom.  Only after an exile period was there a promise for land to be returned.  But Duryodhana did not comply with a previous agreement.  Krishna was disappointed in Duryodhana’s unwillingness to be co-operative.  He was even angered as an attempt for peaceful settlement providentially failed.

Krishna was in no way about to play the flute, dance, run or walk.  His journey was by horse and chariot and he was intent on delivering the bad news that war would prevail before there would be peace.

May the Source be with you!

4 km


Tuesday, March 6th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario
I Called Her

I called my sister today.  “Connie, I want to wish you a Happy Birthday!”

“Well, thanks,” she said to her monastic bro.  Connie just turned sixty-four, so, over the phone, she sang the song by Paul McCartney, just as I had done a year and a half ago (before an audience).

“When I get older, losing my hair

Many years from now

Will you still be sending me a Valentine

Birthday greetings, bottle of wine…”

Of course, I’ve been losing my hair since the age of twenty, when I joined the Hare Krishnas, except for that little tuft at the back, the area of the brahma-randra.  As of late, there is no hair even there, to boast of.  This is the usual small crop of hair, the size of the calf’s hoof-print, which is called the sikha.

It was after I spoke to Connie that I took a walk with Jay, up the street on Avenue Road.  Behind a window, in a shop, there is an art display, one piece of which is a sculpture of a retro / metro monk-like yogi, sitting in a meditative pose.  He sports an adorable Mohawk.

Passersby find him interesting, as do I.  He’s young looking, almost child-like, and definitely not sixty-four.

Going back to Connie, I could not get very preachy with her by saying something like, “You’re not that body!”  That’s never worked in the past.  As far as she is concerned, I’m not a priest, but her bro.  So be it!

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Monday, March 5th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario
Walking Indicators

I was thrilled to receive a message from my friend, Dr. Rakesh Bhandari, who joined me walking across Canada in 1996.  He caught up with me in Eastern Ontario by way of private plane.  He came back with this response after a recent discussion with him about my taking to the Bruce Trail this year. “Haribol Maharaj.  You are [now] a member of the Bruce Trail Association.  The trail guide will be shipped to the temple.  The app can be downloaded free.  Thank you.”

“Wow! An official member of a walking trail. It feels good,” I thought.  On this fuel of joy, I was moving lightly along Bloor Street, with companion Jay.  We encountered all kinds of reminders of walking as a virtue.

At Hot Docs Theatre, a promotion was posted showing a silhouette of Vietnamese peace activist and monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, for a documentary, “Walk With Me.”  As we walked farther on, a younger zestful fellow came up from behind us.

“The Walking Monk,” he said.  We turned around.  Sure, I recalled him—a lawyer, as far as I remember. “What are you doing these days?”

“Walking!” I told him.  (laughter)

“I love it.”

Kitty-corner from the Bata Shoe Museum, we met a street musician.  I could swear I met him on Danforth in the past.  He was just ready to strum his guitar and sing.

“Still walking?” he asked.

“I just finished the States last year.”

He offered his congratulations.  I was in bliss.

May the Source be with you!

6 km


Sunday, March 4th, 2018
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Cleveland, Ohio
You Can Smell

“You can smell the sweetness of the earth,” said Michael, as he, Kaustubha and I tread alongside Rocky River in the Ohio State Metro Parks.  With the great thaw the water came gushing down.  Snow was vanishing.  Birds were appearing—cardinals, blue jays, red-winged black birds, just about every bird who reveals spring.  White sycamores, maples and wild cherry trees gave us company.  And the sun made all that would be blurry—clear.

There were people as well—dog sitters, joggers, just about everyone had come out of hibernation.

People had also become the topic of our discussion.  It was not gossip-oriented in the least.  Michael and Kaustubha are observant of the sufferings of humanity.  Both of them are quite expert in reaching out to those needing attention.  For instance, Kaustubha is quite active in keeping up networking with friends, old and new, who need to hear from his amiable side.  And just last evening, Michael organized a fund-raiser for a woman at work.  He and his group of Young Lions raised $20,000 for Kelly who’s going through the nightmare of breast cancer.  You can imagine the emotions that flared up at the event.  Michael, himself, was in tears, overwhelmed by the sense of humanity lurking beneath it all.

Weekly, on Sunday, Krishna programs are held at the home of Krishnanandini who herself is recovering from surgery for cancer.  She could not come downstairs while we were conducting the chant / talk / eat program.

We pray for her.

May the Source be with you!

4 km


Saturday, March 3rd, 2018
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Cleveland, Ohio
Did Something

I did something today that was rather abnormal.  I stayed in one place.  I didn’t even step into a car.  I did, however, take to the dry road and go clockwise on the crescent here in Olmsted Township.  Sidewalks weren’t fully cleared from results of the flurries.

With me was Kaustubha, a lad (devotee) whom I love to receive letters from.  He’s got this punk rock edge to his writing style.  Light humour is what comes out.  It’s entertaining.  No letter writing today, just some talking and walking in a snow-covered neighbourhood.

We did sit down at our host, Paurnamasi’s, home and along with Jake, read and reflected on “Memories” of a guru, Srila Prabhupada.  Those reflections are just the best.  The wisdom and gestures of the master are worthy of perpetual embrace.

Maureen came by with three-year-old Gerard.  Maureen’s partner, Arjuna, is in prison.  He has four more years and he’s doing great.  I managed to chat with him on the phone.  He’s seriously loved by the inmates.  I gave Arjuna initiation some years back.  His chaplain, Akilananda, gave recommendation,  saying he was worthy.  I wish him well.

Paurnamasi’s hubby, Michael, was also around in the morning.  I was trying to assist the two of them in pronunciation of our cherished Bengali and Sanskrit songs.  That was a major reason for cutting the recent CD, “Chants To Dance To” by The Walking Monk.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Friday, March 2nd, 2018
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Columbus / Cleveland
From C to C

Due to time restrictions and overall bad weather, it was a challenge to get out there and swing my arms and legs during my walking session this morning, however, I was not going to live another day, guilt-ridden, and say, “No mileage.”

I donned my bad-weather clothes—sweatpants, t-shirt and mid-term overcoat—for a stroll through one of America’s largest campuses—Ohio State University.  It’s clean, neat and the buildings are stately.  The historic Underground Railway runs through this district, a road to freedom for slaves in the 1800s.

In the residential area, our ISKCON Centre is situated on 8th Avenue.  I entered this Victorian house and switched to bhakti clothes just in time to deliver a class from Canto One, where sage Narada tells student Vyas, that mantra-murti, the sound of God, is the most powerful presence of God.

All is good!

Then Avadhut drove me back to Cleveland for its celebration of Gaura Purnima.  The home of Michael and Paurnamasi was the site of our kirtan, our talk and our food (prasadam).  There is always a magic tone that pervades a gathering on this special day.  It was interesting to meet Jake, a Jehovah follower for twenty years.  He’s been leaning toward Krishna, although they are one and the same.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Thursday, March 1st, 2018
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Columbus, Ohio
A Liquid Liquor-Free Fun Day

From Toronto, I flew to Detroit, and then Cleveland, before being driven to Columbus by good friend, Avadhut.  The drive was pleasant because of the smooth hills of Ohio.  Nice scenery!  The weather was a drencher.  Early spring.  We hope.

I arrived at the Columbus ISKCON centre in time to browse at the new site of Hare Krishnaland for ISKCON Greater Columbus.  Nice property.  Good neighbours.  That’s a $10 million project up and going, starting with drawing the lines for the architectural blueprints.

The Mother Centre, located on 8thAvenue, was the venue for the Gaura Purnima Fest.  The event entailed a ritual called abhishek, with one interruption—my talk.  The verse I spoke about from Canto 11.5.32 of the Bhagavatam, tells us of the golden avatar, Sri Chaitanya, who was born in 1486, in West Bengal, and how he introduced mantra-murti, God in sound representation.  He bonded with people, and was extremely inclusive of having everyone join in this unique spiritual expression of emitting sound. 

Back to the event, Djembes (West African Drums) were used.  There were enough Afro-Americans in the sound to put out the rhythm that excites.  The prasadam was simply amazing.  https://instagram.com/p/Bf28Q6xFDXE/

It is always like that.  The magic of Sri Chaitanya unfolds every year on this day, wherever you are.

May the Source be with you!

0 km


Wednesday, February 28th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario
The Eve Before the Gaura Morn

Globally, members of the bhakti yoga tradition are warming up for the following day’s full moon, when the birthday of a great personality will be honoured.  His name is Sri Chaitanya and He has popularized the kirtanmovement which entails drumming, dancing and, most of all, chanting.  It also may include walking because the practice of kirtan is not static but ecstatic.

The mrdungadrums of the Bengals—east and west—were custom-made of earth or terra cotta.  Being that they are light-weight, one can move with them, even dance with them strapped about the torso.  Jajas, often referred to as whompers, are cap-shaped, brass-based cymbals that accompany the mrdunga.  There were no harmoniums at the time of kirtan’s heyday.  The harmonium was born in Germany in the 1800s, two hundred years after Chaitanya’s initiation of sharing kirtan.  Harmoniums would also be too awkward and heavy to carry around during a kirtan’s dance/chant sessions.

After a good day of careful travel planning, but no walking—unfortunately—and spending time with journalist Kevin Connors of the Toronto Sun newspaper, I took a glance, as I had the chance, to see from above, via the balcony, the Wednesday crew chanting below.  They did not dance and a harmonium was used, but they did chant and that is the most important component of kirtan.   https://instagram.com/p/BfyFRw4F6Ru/

Let us refer to the term sankirtan which means group participation in chanting.  It is awesome.

May the Source be with you!

0 km


Tuesday, February 27th, 2018
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Brampton, Ontario
Teeth and Legs

Whenever I go to the dental clinic, I bring with me a bag of goodies.  Today, it was just apples and oranges meant for the dental staff.  The large produce market wasn’t yet open, so I settled for what the local convenience store had to offer.  The lady in front of me, by the purchase counter, took forever.  Her legs were shaking from some condition.  I felt for her, and even more so when I saw her pulling out card after card to check for a lottery win.  It went on.

Anyway, I got my apples and oranges.  The staff were pleased, including Naomi.  She was my dental cleaner for the day.  She asked, “Are you a Hindu…?”  She didn’t know what to say.  I spared her with, “I’m a monk, a Hare Krishna monk.”

“Oh, I’ve been to your festival on the Island (referring to the Toronto Island, and Ratha Yatra).  I love it.  All that singing and dancing.”

“Did you just happen to be there and bump into us?” I asked.

“No, I went specifically to experience it.”

Naomi also told me she’s done three walks involving traveling the entire length of Queen Street, Bloor Street and Yonge Street, from Newmarket to the Lake (Ontario).  These are, of course, actual marathon-length walks.  She did admit to fear of dogs in more remote countryside places.

“Do dogs bother you?” she asked.

“Not much, but mosquitoes, they are something else.”

She also shared her love for George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord,” and how it just raises your spirit.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Monday, February 26th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario
Happiness by the Railroad

I received a call from one of our members, in the area, telling me, “It’s our anniversary!”

“Congratulations, Nimai!”  I didn’t bother asking, “How many years?”  The number wasn’t so important but the occasion was.  Here’s a man who was recognizing the importance of a bond that was established with his partner, and the moment when the deal was sealed, when garlands were exchanged—and perhaps rings were given.  Marriage is a sign of great commitment, sacrifice and patience.  It is a time to celebrate when life becomes embellished with a garland of virtues.  After all, co-operation and compromise are symbols of love.

I was happy to hear of a proud anniversary and a happy marriage with two children, a boy and girl.

Overall, it was a good day.  For February, it couldn’t be better.  It’s like springtime.  Jay and I took to celebration as well.  We wanted to meet the sun, wind and air.  The street, the sidewalk, the trail and the railroad track were our foundation for an hour.

Did someone doubt the railroad track?  Yes, momentarily we hit the track.  I’ve taken to a few in the past.  With caution, they can be fun.  I wouldn’t encourage it, though.

In 1996, on my first Cross Canada walk, I felt I had no choice.  Near the town of Orillia, there is this busy casino.  The traffic was horrendous on this one, long weekend day.  With forest on both sides, I thought I would be hidden enough—tucked away I was.  It was a gorgeous walk.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Sunday, February 25th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario
Guidelines for Leaders

I perused some of the letters written by our guru, Srila Prabhupada, on the topic of leadership.  Some phrases are worth sharing:

“Our leaders shall be careful not to kill the spirit of enthusiastic service, which is individual and spontaneous and voluntary.” –Letter 1972, December

“Everything should be managed in a nice way so that no one is dissatisfied and everyone keeps their health and energy fit for serving Krishna 24 hours.” –Letter January 1973

“We may forgive once, twice, but not more than that, we must take other steps.” – Letter December 31st, 1972

“The point is that the women must be protected and it is the duty of leaders of our society to see that this is carried out.” –Letter February 19th, 1973

“It should be our definite policy that nobody is ill-treated that he may go away.” –Letter August 22nd, 1972

“Everyone should consider himself the servant of the other.  That will make management very nice.” –Letter August 16th, 1976

“From time to time there will be disturbances…  Don’t worry about it, just go on chanting Hare Krishna and engage your energy for Krishna in the best way open to you.” –Letter August 15th, 1967

“The principle should be that we utilize our talents for the service of the Lord.” –Letter August 29th, 1967

“We should never sit idly and ask Krishna to do everything.” –Letter February 25th, 1968

May the Source be with you

5 km


Saturday, February 24th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario
A Good Return

I was thinking how fortunate I am to have met Dr. Pain—aka Bilvamangal Krsnadas—in India.  He really fixed my ailing knees.  I felt rather “back to normal” when trekking toward Cabbagetown, this afternoon.

There was another experience that I came upon which enhanced my joy.  When turning a corner at Yonge and Davenport—near the Canadian Tire store to be exact—I heard a sound that is rare in the city.  It was the shrill sound of a hawk coming from above.  I stopped and turned and looked up, and sure enough, there was not one, but two hawks, soaring at the level of the towering tops of buildings.

I had never seen, or heard, these fellows in the downtown before.  Perhaps they are coming back and asserting themselves, in a way, getting back to normal business.  Hawks, falcons, eagles and osprey used to dominate these skies until pesticides were used in the environment.

Amala Ratna, our local hero, who sees to the healthy growth of the exotic and sacred tulasiplants, mentioned to me, at a program tonight, that such fowl and numerous other forms of wildlife are making a return.  I’ve been observing the movement of foxes and their sounds for three decades in the city ravines.

In a talk I gave at the program, I expressed that these are good signs.  While we spoke also about the recent tragedy in Florida, of yet another set of homicides—the killing of innocent students—nature is making a turn for the better in some areas.  After all, you just can’t dwell on negativity all the time.  Life isn’t totally grim.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Friday, February 23rd, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario
Walking the Airport Maze

Every airport interior layout is standardized like the massive one in Delhi, where passengers walk through the duty-free aisles before getting to their gates.  I guess dollars must be made and it is happening.  Those items such as liquors and colognes don’t interest a man of the renounced order.  I just literally ‘walk through’,  but a good bulk of people don’t.  They stop.  They ponder.  They buy.  It’s a shopping mall concept.

Now, if I may not overly judge, I would still offer to say that if aisles, or mazes, were some form of mandalas, they could be a labyrinth that leads to the heart.  Buddhists tend to capitalize on the walking of mandalas.  And to my knowledge, Hindus would use more circular mandalas (a Sanskrit word) with some squares and diagonal lines to gaze upon, helping concentration and promoting healing.

At some of our yajnas, or fire rituals that we use in Krishna consciousness, coloured powders are used to form yantras, like a mandala, upon a tray of sand.  Rangoli is a similar art form that is used in India and Mayapura, where I just came from, and these colourful formations are laid out on the ground and shaped with dry, rice flour, flower petals and coloured sand.  They are welcome symbols and are placed at doorways and walking paths.  Definitely they are beautiful images to take your eyes on a journey.

Too bad people step on them.

Personally, I would rather get my attention lost in some rangoli, a yantra or mandala than the booze trail.  I hope I didn’t sound too judgemental.  Sometimes I feel good telling it like it is.

May the Source be with you!

2 km


Thursday, February 22nd, 2018
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Noida / Delhi
Good Buddhi and Bad Boy


Buddhimanta, the co-ordinator for the ISKCON Noida Centre did all the right things.  Almost.  The one thing he couldn’t supply me with during my stay, in the progressive limb-of-Delhi City, was a quiet, safe place to walk.  A substantial length of traffic-free footpath would have been nice, but then I don’t expect him to be a miracle worker.  That is reserved for Bhagavan.

Buddhimanta did measure up to being that gentleman of a host, plus he got the show together.  For our “Many Mothers, Many Fathers,” productions, he did good promotion for a Thursday night event.  Even in India, the weekend is always the best scenario.

A huge sign was posted—my guess is about 8’ x 10’—in front of the temple.  Announcements were made about the “thrilling, chilling story from the Bhagavatam,” and tickets were sold.  Buddhi also saw to it that echo absorbers of any kind—carpets, chairs, foam around the pillars—were set up to address the sound quality.

The auditorium was packed.  Buddhi and I were pleased.  The audience was spontaneous.  Our techies and actors were spot on.  You could feel the power of the play.

It was our last performance—the tenth.  My emotions were high; one of them, a stored up anger, aroused from seeing one young man filming the whole play from his phone.  I have to mention this because swamis can be upset like anyone else.  The question is do you store anger, bottle it or channel it in some favourable way?  I had been seated in the front doing some voice-over for one actor and noticed the culprit.  I went over to him after the production and let him know of my disappointment and the lack of respect it was since we had announced, “No phones, no cameras.”  I felt better telling him.

May the Source be with you!

0 km


Wednesday, February 21st, 2018
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Noida, India
Spiritual Culture

I read with interest Devaki Devi Dasi’s book, Spiritual Culture, just recently released.  I find her insights into the psychology of the male and female interesting.  I can’t say that I agree with all of her points but I can appreciate her old values /old school approach.  She supports the very definitive roles for men and women, and although her opinions strike me as somewhat right-wing, I would back her on family values.

Family values!  Great topic!

After our drama practice—in now out latest and last stop before the flight home—a group of us were compelled to speak about relationships between the ‘hes’ and ‘shes’.  There are definitely many opinions out there about family life, as to what’s ideal and what’s practical, even from the sector of bhakti yogis.

“You now have a generation of Krishna children that don’t go for marriage,” expressed a father of four.  He and his wife are on the same page when it comes to commitment.  The couple went on to say that the experience of his family, and all the younger folks accompanying us on our short tour, is that they are having the time of their life.

It was late afternoon before I could free myself of duties and practice in the ISKCON Noida theatre, where a number of adjustments had to be made to address acoustic issues.  Bulgarian born Stoyan and I took to a quiet trail in Noida behind the gorgeous temple.

That’s hard to find, but we found it.

May the Source be with you!

3 km


Tuesday, February 20th, 2018
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Vrndavana, India
Wake Up With Water

Anywhere in a holy place in India, the first sounds you are most likely to hear are those of bells ringing and water splashing.  The water is pouring out from showers nearby and filling the provided buckets for the ultimate dumping of H2O beginning with the top of the head.

Folks in India are committed to the bucket approach.  Pilgrims from elsewhere stick to the traditional shower.

Once sunlight makes an appearance, birds come alive and the world follows, or so it seems.

I made my visits today.  One was to see my ailing friend, Gunagrahi Swami, who’s been fighting cancer.  I also met Peter from California, a dear friend, who says he is physically deteriorating. I lunched at Param’s pad, or home.  Nice Punjabi parathas.  His back yard is crawling with white bunnies and scurrying chipmunks.  Cute!

Today was special, also, in that our group performed twice.  “Many Mothers, Many Fathers” delighted the boys of the Bhaktivedanta International Gurukula School and a second audience, the general public, packed the house, as well, for a mesmerizing show.  The actors are becoming quite accomplished, and because they are, we treated them to an all-out dinner at the MVT Restaurant.  Here you get eastern / western cuisine.

The group /troupe was very deserving.

May the Source be with you!

4 km


Monday, February 19th, 2018
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Vrindavana, India
Good Doctor!

Our boys from our troupe nicknamed him, “Dr. Pain.”  With the acrobatic nature of some of the moves made by our actors, some minor injuries came our way.  And so the person called to address sprains and spasms is someone who’s quite expert in the field of acupressure.  His name is Bilvamangal Krishnadas, but more affectionately everyone refers to him as Dr. Pain.

I had my turn.  The gain I’ve received from Dr. Pain is incredible.  Oh, he knows how to make you hurt.  He’s got all the sensitive spots down.  He presses.  And hard.  Thank God, he tackled my knees which have been an aggravation since New Year’s Eve.

I’m practically relieved of the limp I’ve been struggling with.  I can now believe that my walking will be done more easily.  And soon I’ll go back to Canada where, frankly, it can be more easily done.  Walking in Vrindavan is not a piece of cake.  Traffic—oh boy.

Dr. Pain also left me with some stretches to perform on a daily basis.  I’m truly grateful to Dr. Pain.

Now back to Vrindavana—this holy land.  It is somewhat challenging to get around here.  Motorbikes, cars, rickshaws, tractors and all man-made conveyances occupy the roads.  And then there’s the monkeys.  Hold onto your goods!  They are fast and they love to ransom.  Plus dogs, cows and sows roam every which way, and everywhere.

But there are some nice improvements in the temple courtyards and the buildings are well maintained.

Visiting Krishna’s domain, here in Vrindavana, is worth some pain.

May the Source be with you!

4.2 km


Sunday, February 18th, 2018
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Kolkata / Delhi / Vrindavan

Toward Vrindavan

All cab drivers in India pull over at some point in the day to have their chai—tea.  It’s better than beer.  Our winger vehicle could hold eleven of us, members of our drama troupe, and after being in motion, the roadside gas station provided the driver with his needs and all passengers with theirs.  I took advantage of the dabs (coconuts) for sale.

“I’ll get you one,” said Pariksit. “I still owe you one according to your sponsor, Kaustuba from Ohio.”

“Alright!”

Once done, I informed Pariksit that I was going walking down the road.  “Have the driver pick me up!”

For that one-and-a-half-kilometer stretch of the highway toward the Kolkata Airport, I saw so much more than I would as a passenger.  I greeted people and they in return got back with that iconic side-to-side head toss.  For females, it’s simply, “Hare Krishna,” but the ratio of visible women in outdoor India is small compared to their counterparts.

I could see the industrious nature of the people (a compliment), happily hard at work.  Farmers at labour had their feet sunk into the stagnant waters of rice paddy fields and merchants in stalls along the way engaged in merchandising, chatting for minutes more than a sale requires.  A Durga temple and smells of all kinds were featured in the stroll I took, along with the dust and cars I had to contend with.

The walk was beautiful.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Saturday, February 17, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
Soon To Close the Gate

Today was our last full day in Mayapura.  It is wrap-up time, in terms of getting my luggage together, the last day of voting amongst the Governing Body members, and there was one last piece of business to deal with.

A young man from Trinidad, Omkara, has been faithfully following the regimen of Krishna Consciousness for two years.  Now it was time to award him diksha initiation.  For all his studying  endeavours, and sticking to a monk’s principles, this morning he sat by the ceremonial fire, accepted new neck beads, new japa meditation beads, and also a new Sanskrit name, Umpati.

A small group of us were stationed at the bhajan kutir, the straw hut inhabited by our guru, Srila Prabhupada, in the early seventies.  Mantras were recited, seeds and spices were offered to a fire fuelled by ghee.  I asked Medhavi, a godbrother originally from Tennessee (now South Africa), to say a few words in addition to mine.

As is the usual case, I spoke about the importance of communicating with the Divine and in the purest way possible.  The culprit to all pure chanting is when contempt or jealousy sets in.  It is referred to as the first aparadh or offence.

I also stressed the importance of seeing the founder of our mission as everyone’s guide.

Being Saturday, the place gets packed.  Pilgrims come from all around. The elephants, highly decorated, draw the multitudes, and the procession with resounding drum beats, keeps everyone riveted,

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Friday, February 16, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
Good Formulas

Kitchari is just the best food for many cures.  It is simple, tasty, medicinal and has everything in it.  Believe me, it beats pizza.  I’m taking kitchari to address my illness.

Kitchari is a a combination of rice, dahl, veggies and a host of healthy items, such as ginger, turmeric, and a dab of great ghee.  It’s what I’m consuming.  It is offered to Krishna and is transformed as prasadam, consecrated food.

At the Lotus Building on campus, kitchari is served at lunch along with an entire additional array of quality food, but I’ve been sticking to just my kitchari. Bael juice, also known as wood apple, I find to be most helpful for a cold.  That drink sustains me and pushed me through five hours of meetings.

Special today was kirtan.  First it was kitchari, then it was kirtan.  I was slotted to lead kirtan, chanting, and as usual, I encouraged the dance.   

Many kirtaniyas resort to sitting on the floor and chanting, swaying perhaps to the sound of the drum, the mesmerizing harmonium and a catchy tune.  The tradition of Chaitanya and the Gaudiyas is to get off the laurels and to dance and sing.  It’s a smooth workout.  When kirtan starts off slow and mellow, you can move almost as if doing tai chi.  https://instagram.com/p/BfRyBSvl2kW/

Try it! You’ll like it!

May the Source be with you!

4 km 

Thursday, February 15th, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
In Bed and On Stage

What the other boys in our circle were suffering from, finally crept up on me.  Basically, it’s a cold but it did put me into the horizontal position.  It kept me away from meetings and walkings.  I sent an email to our chairperson, Bhakti Caru. “I’m sorry I can’t make it today,” exclaiming my illness and that I had to conserve energy for our final performance.

So, jumping ahead, we did perform.  We received a standing ovation once again.  “Many Mothers, Many Fathers,” on the life of Chitraketu, has received so much praise from all.  Some of our elders said the following:

“A good play,” said Hari Sauri.

“Brilliant!” said Suresvara.

“Wonderful!” remarked Sesa.

“World Class!” said Prthu.

“I loved it!” said Laksmimoni.

“Creative!” was author, Vishakha’s word.

“The best!” said Jayadvaita Swami.

After the performance, when the audience went to mingle with our actors, so much encouragement came our way.  The cast enjoyed an appreciation feast and then we went around asking everyone for their reflections.  The one main feature or theme that came out of these deliberations was the building of such awesome friendships.  Truly, we had become a family of bhakti yogis, loving, and learning so much from each other.

I believe that everyone’s spiritual propensity was enhanced by the hard work and the powerful product—a play that moved people.

May the Source be with you!

0 km


Wednesday, February 14th, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
Kill the Cold

On the 13th, Chaya got married.  It was also on the 13th that Anasuya from Mauritius was cremated in Jaipur, India.  Her son, Kirtan Das, just informed me about her situation.  It was cancer that took her life.  Here we see how janma (birth), mrtyuh (death), jara (old age) and vyadhi (disease) are in full swing in this mundane world.  We see it all around.

And as the yakshahad asked the sovereign Yudhisthira, “What is the most amazing wonder for you?”  His answer was, “Everywhere people are perishing but something within tells me I’m not going to die.”  That’s profound.

If anything, it’s the inner self, the soul, that insists on being constant.  We will die over again and again and the soul will persist.

With all the saintliness in the character of this gentle soul, Anasuya, I am certain she is on to a good journey.

Regarding vyadhi, illness, it is coming on, just a cold mind you, but it has taken me to bed for some extra time.  I was blessed to put effort into some writing about my walk in Israel but after some time desk-itis crept in.  I decided to put an hour into the final kirtan of the marathon.  The intent was to throw myself into the heat of it all.  A lot of dancing could put out the cold.  Sweat would do it.

We had a splendid time.  “A new way of dance,” remarked a couple of the participants.  Yes it was, and it did help.

Goodbye Stephen from London, Ontario.  Thanks for helping to introduce our play.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Tuesday, February 13th, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
Chaya Got Married

I was asked to deliver the morning bhakti class.  The talk was based on a verse from the book Bhagavatam, Canto 7, verse 40 from chapter 4.  I was given a choice as to where to speak from.  Since today was the celebration of the Adi Vas, invoking a celebration of a five day chanting marathon, I thought it appropriate to explore a verse which highlights the feelings (bhavana) from chanting.

Now I’m not a scholar but I attempted to put out the best I could.  I employed the technique of charades (or pantomime as friend Suresvara put it) to engage the crowd in the reading of the verse’s purport.

My day began as such, with an early class to accommodate the start of the marathon.  My breakfast became a meeting.  That was actually pleasant.  Then a stretch of meetings of a more formal nature took me to three o’clock, followed by a drama practice.

One of our Canadian girls, Chaya, received her wedding blessings and tied the knot (equated to receiving a ring in a Western context) with Abhay, a fine young chap of Latina heritage.

The wedding and vows were held on a rooftop and I had to cut short my visit to attend to our drama.  A special feature of tonight’s occasion was the one hundred plus Chinese pilgrims who grouped together for a stage delight.  And delighted they were.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Monday, February 12th, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
Walking the Celebratory Path

She walked to the temple.  Then she walked to the samadhi, and then she flew off in a helicopter, just as she had when she arrived.  The road was decorated just for her, painted in white swirls against the grey asphalt.

Bengal’s leader, Mamata Banerjee, is Chief Minister for the state, and she came to visit Mayapura.  Dozens of police placed themselves in posts to guide and direct the crowds, some of whom were chanting and greeting parties.

“She is short and she moves fast,” said one devotee regarding her walking to the two buildings.  She went before the deities of Krishna and offered her pranams.  She was also introduced to Ambarish, Henry Ford’s great-grandson, and encouraged him to open a car manufacturing plant in the area. (No comment).  After her milestone visit, she sent a message indicating that Mayapura will be a major tourist attraction in India.

Her visit was short and sweet, and I am projecting that she’ll be back on the trail and including a walk up the steps to the up-and-coming TOVP, The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

2022 is the year of the construction’s completion.  That is the vow made by Ambarish, chairman of the project, and his team.

Every year more and more pilgrims are walking these trails.  Numbers are increasing.  Spirituality is on the rise.

May the Source be with you!

6 km


Sunday, February 11th, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
A Day’s Steps and Questions

From my room, #506 in the Gada Building, the Samadhi Auditorium is a walking distance of 0.6 km.  I go back and forth completing that measurement at least twice in a day.  In the morning, I trek along a 2.5 km stretch with a group of companions as we chant the maha mantra.  In addition to that I walk to the room where I meet with my peers at least twice.  Then I walk to eat.

This moving from one building to the next is like being a student on a campus.  I get my mileage in, I get my breaks and I get some exercise in.   https://instagram.com/p/BfFJMXTFZgS/

I imagine locals do the same.  There is little obesity in the villages of Bengal.  Those of us who are foreigners appear in more bad shape.  It’s not surprising.  We represent the ‘developed’ world, while places like India are on the list as ‘developing’.  I don’t know when a nation crosses the line.  One interpretation for the ‘developed’ world could be when one becomes self-indulgent, spoiled and has earned the prize as a fat cat.

Anyway, I can’t be too critical.  Even “The Walking Monk” may have a few excessive pounds than necessary.  It’s something I’m not proud of.

I’m asked one question by someone almost every day in Mayapura. “What’s your next walking venture?”

My answer to that is, “I plan a week on the famous Camino in Spain, as well as starting a trek on Canada’s oldest foot path—The Bruce Trail.”

May the Source be with you!

6 km


Saturday, February 10th, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
Zero Waste

Here is something that is very progressive.  A group of dedicated people, committed to seeing a healthier planet and protecting an eco-centric sacred place (Mayapura), are championing what they call a ‘Zero Waste’ concept.

“Clean the Dhama—Clean Your Heart!” is the motto.  They established the Eco-Centre, where  all waste is sorted and recycled.  Putting earthworms to work for compost purposes is a good reason for breeding them, as they eat their way through and leave behind an excellent quality vermi-compost.  Organic waste is not an issue then, but what about the toxic stuff?  “Zero Waste” claims that things such as batteries, lamps, medicines, and other forms of chemical power are sent to other companies for disposal.

When I first came to India in 1978, there was practically no plastic.  When you purchased something in the market, your goods were wrapped in a newspaper and twine was used to tie it together.  On my next visit in 1986, the infiltration of plastics had taken over.  Cows were found with plastic bags in their stomachs, a result of eating from waste heaps.

“Zero Waste” also provides education to inform the public about contemporary bad habits.  There are many.  As I mentioned in the past, people often bring their shampoos to the Ganga for their own ‘lather’ experience.  That is insane! https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/clean-dham-clean-your-heart-iskcon-mayapurs-waste-management-drive/articleshow/62698958.cms

Let’s support the endeavour.  God would be pleased.

E-mail:  ZWM108@gmail.com 

May the Source be with you!

6 km


Friday, February 9th, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
Get Behind the Family

When I walked with friend, Anuttama, in northern California for four days last September, an idea was born.  We talked about having a men’s retreat, an occasion where Vaishnava males can speak about their responsibilities in a social and spiritual context.  A component of that would be to understand what women want or need from them.  What drove this concept for a retreat, at least for me, was to promote wholesome family life.

I also met with members of the Women’s Ministry, headed by lawyer, Radha, with a view toward achieving the same—a more solid family structure within our society of bhakti-yogis.  The family is the foundation to nurturing community.

The family spirit is something we have been attempting to inculcate into our drama rehearsals.  All of our team agrees that we have a good thing going when we work and team-build for the production of, “Many Mothers, Many Fathers,” which by the way is a play that sends a powerful message about family members supporting each other.  We begin sessions with a guru-puja.

I was granted time off from participating in this morning’s meeting of the Governing Body Commissioners in order to attend Open Day with the Sridham Mayapura International School.  The students and principal, Ajay Dasi, beckoned me several times to attend.  So many dads and mums show up supporting their children.

Incidentally our story of “Many Mothers, Many Fathers” was a hit.  We received a standing ovation.

May the Source be with you!

6 km


Thursday, February 8th, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
Time Is Heard

It used to be that the chokidhara (security guard) would pull a rope that would strike the bell every hour, and also on the half hour. You could keep track of the time.  Well, that is no more.

The new upcoming temple (TOVP) has within its interior a timely strike of a resonant chime.  At 4:00 a.m. you can hear that sweet sound.  The source is either a recording, or the real thing.  I haven’t quite figured it out.

It reminds me of home.  Where I grew up in Blenheim, Ontario, population 3000 at the time, the chimes would sound from St. Mary’s Parish Church.  It was beautiful.  Now we have it here—a little touch of the west; a touch of Big Ben perhaps.

With the temple manifesting before our eyes, you can see the east and west influence, architecturally.  It is as our guru, Srila Prabhupada, wanted—a marriage of the two cultures.  Back in 1976, on America’s two-hundredth anniversary, he sat in a lawn chair in Washington DC and like millions of people that day, waited for the evening fireworks to explode in the sky.  He contemplated the shape of the Capitol Building for quite some time and remarked that he would like the temple in Mayapur to resemble that edifice.

It was July the 4th and it appears that a seed was planted.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Wednesday, February 7th, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
The Chakra On Top

Today we put the cherry on top.  Braja Vilas is the coordinator for the construction of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, situated off Bhaktisiddhanta Road in Mayapura, the place of our retreat.  By 2022 the work will be complete.

Today we hit a milestone with the installation of a gorgeous twenty foot diameter Chakra(the wheel of Vishnu).  That meant hoisting the 1.6 ton piece of artistry up into the air and setting it on top of the major dome of the new temple!

Various metals have been applied to give it that gold-look finish.  I was sitting next to Radhanatha Swami amidst a big crowd and after bathing the chakra from above (everyone had a shot at that) and after the chakra was affixed into its slot in the heavens, we walked around the building.  From afar, we could see the wheel shining in its glory.

Madhu Sevita happened to walk by.  He is the Vatican expert amongst us.  I called him over.

“Hey Madhu, is there anything like this in the Vatican?”

“Yes, St. Peter’s Cathedral.  It’s taller.  Five hundred years ago they engineered it so that a cross went on top of the dome.  It’s amazing, but they did.”

Our chakrais extraordinary and it welcomes the world.  To see this chakra from a distance is as good as seeing the deity in the temple.  https://youtu.be/z8ah3nwrFtc  https://youtu.be/j1O-Ybb1OMg  https://instagram.com/p/Be6wmW7FLV_/

May the source be with you!

5 km


Tuesday, February 6th, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
Elephants and Play

A group of us went down the Gurukula Trail which takes you to the elephant sanctuary. There, the fully-grown Vishnu Priya and Lakshmi Priya reside.  We had five minutes with them, feeding them potatoes.  They then went for their two-hour walk.  We are reminded of famous Vedic elephants—Airavata, Kuvalayapida and Gajendra.  The story of Gajendra is quite a drama in itself.

Then we had our own drama to perform in the evening.  “Many Mothers, Many Fathers,” had its premiere in Mayapura.  One viewer, Malini Jurelius, sent her comments.

“I just saw one of your dramas for the first time tonight and I am at a loss of words.  I was the one that commented on the soundtrack and how well it complimented the play, to which you said that it gives rasa(flavour).

“I just wanted to, in some little way, appreciate just how much seeing a production like this means to me.  As I mentioned after the play, I have studied drama and music but I chose to leave because by the end there was nothing meaningful to it.  And for so long I have been hoping to see something like this in our movement.  Brilliant direction, acting, choreography, music, expression—all for the sake of glorifying Krishna and his devotees.

“I wish I could say something meaningful but I think all I can come up with is, thank you.  Thank you so much for what you do.”

                                                                        -Malini

https://youtu.be/0GV_XQOH5RU(Editor’s note: Here is a link to the Toronto production.)

May the Source be with you!

6 km


Monday, February 5th, 2018
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Mayapur, West Bengal
Food Unites Us

Food unites people. This was so when the Canadian delegates got together.  I mean to say, “We pilgrims from Canada!” We made that connection, a bond which rarely happens.  In fact, because we are a group of people in a land spread so far and wide, we can only come together once a year and that’s right here in Mayapura.

It was Keshava, Mayapura Hospital’s dentist, who organized our lunch at 1:00 p.m., the venue being at the Gauranga Garden and sponsored by my own doctor, Jagannatha Misra, also of Canada.  It was a special day on our calendar, on top of our little gathering of fifty people.  Our grand guru or param guru, Bhaktisiddhanta, whose birth anniversary was today, was honoured with a half-day fast, then feast.

From as far east as Newfoundland, to as far west as Vancouver, we Canucks got together, to get to know each other.  Mind you, a few extras came on board from the U.S. and abroad.  Banu Swami, originally from B.C., is of Japanese descent, and he also came, in addition to Gopal Krishna Goswami, originally from India.

Young Dustin Hines, the opera singer, was there and he let me know that he was the first person to formally sing the new Canadian National Anthem, or rather the new version which is now gender neutral.

You could tell by the happy conversations and a certain plate and cutlery language that pervaded the shaded room at the restaurant, that food does it, and even better still—prasadam.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Sunday, February 4, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal
Abhay Means Fearless

Abhay is a young monk who travels throughout Bengal with a travelling party to disseminate the Bhagavat philosophy by distributing or selling BBT books. He is the only western boy on the team. The rest are local Bengalis. He’s not scholarly, but rather simple. And as far as his physicality is concerned he’s as strong as a bull and has a build like Tarzan.

He can also climb trees like Tarzan. Yes, I’ve used him in productions in the past because of his athletic nature, especially when I saw him climb a tree and jump to the back of one of the elephants. He did so with ease. His mother, Ramanti, who’s in charge of the two elephants, was there at the time and was not too happy about the move.

Abhay, who’s in saffron, dressed like a monk, came to my side today and said, “I don’t know, the elephants seem to not like me anymore.”

“I wonder why, Abhay. Maybe you’ve been too rough with them. Elephants never forget!” I told him.

“That may be true,” he admitted. “I saw the article about your traveling in the latest Padyatra magazine and my mind is teased. I would like to travel like that and see more of nature.”

I told him I can’t guarantee tall trees or animals who would mind bronco-busting activities. Better you stick to spreading the philosophy and the epics of Vyasadeva.

May the Source be with you!

5 km