Author Archives: Manoj, Melbourne, AU

That’s the Christmas setup next to my work table.

Today a bird at the temple was helped by some visiting guests. A fishing twine had badly gotten entangled around the birds feet. So bad that it had sliced into its small tender feet. It’s been there for some time from the looks of it and the bird must have been in constant pain. Probably […]

And the tree of celebration is up at the city centre, encouraging all those who look, to continue to enjoy more than they have done in the months before. In the spiritual world also there are trees called Desire Trees, which can grant anything you wish for so you can enjoy more than what you […]

So, in a plastic yoghurt tub, i am growing my own basil. Hows that? Planning on more herbs, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, carrots and even flowers for the prayer altar. There is so much to gain from farming – the ideal occupation for humans. If thats not possible, then at least gardening. If you are in […]

Just saw pictures and read few articles on cruelty to animals – cows slaughtered, dogs boiled alive, pigs packed into small spaces, little chicks smashed, elephants shot etc. What a sad state of affairs for the animal kingdom. Humans have absolutely ruined everything – the environment, the animals, their relationships, their body, their mind and […]

No matter what situation one might be in, one should never forget to offer anything and everything to the Lord. It’s a great blessing that we have the opportunity to do so. Me offering fruits to the Lord and spiritual masters at work.

Today was the final evening of the Kartik month where devotees offer a candle to the Lord and sing the damodarastakam prayers for a month. Of all the ones I have attended over the years, this year was the one I took more seriously and sincerely. Was at temple everyday and got a chance to […]

Today at the temple, many would have gathered to remember the disappearance day of our beloved founder-acharya Srila Prabhupada. I am at work though at the moment and completely forgot that I could tune-in LIVE to hear the remembrance talks. Hopefully, they are recorded and I can listen to them later on. During my lunch […]

Yesterday was the Melbourne cup – a day when the best of horses compete with one another to help make their owners rich and famous. For many years, thousands of dollars are spent on each horse to make them “function” at their optimum. After all – only if you invest will you get the best […]

As the human ego is on a tragic increase, this video helps us understand our small position in the astronomical world. What does Srila Prabhupad have to say? “Goloka-namni nija-dhamni. There is a planet in the spiritual world. The material world, you can see the material sky, limit of the sky, the horizon, but you […]

Came across this short video of a man in Australia who tracked his mother back in India after he lost his real family after having fallen asleep as a small boy in a train. While watching the video, these thoughts flashed across my mind: 1. One has to be prepared to put in their heart […]

Google executive Ray Kurzweil’s plan to live forever | News.com.au. Came across this article on a news website where a top exec and the head of his company’s engineering division is planning to live forever by relying on 150 vitamins/day, regular body check-ups and reliance on future scientific developments. He seems convinced about his planning. […]

Sitting through the wonderful seminar with His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami. And of course at the end there will be a wonderful Kirtan as usual from him.

Today is the wonderful and the most mysterious appearance day of Lord Krishna – His Birthday 5000 years ago. May everyone celebrate the occasion directly and indirectly. Just participate. just do it.

Sitting by the potted plant up at Srila Prabhupad’s room, I observed how a plant gives away vital oxygen for all life to sustain and also shows off its beauty to the world in just a single colour. Huge contributions and yet they remain at a spot undistracted, in a humble state and silently. What […]

Remembering this catchy melody sung by a local sadhu who arrived with his friends upon the invitation by His Holiness Sacinandana Swami at Govinda Kunda near Varshana (India) in Dec 2012.
More at : https://www.youtube.com/user/9Days8Nights

Here is an interesting video from the Bon Jovi gang trying out the much anticipated Google Glass product. You can see the world from their view point (on stage). While watching it, I was thinking how cool it would be if our “harinamers” (devotees singing in the streets) had a pair and recorded their street […]

At my lunch break and listening to Srimad Bhagavatam lecture 2.1.5 given at our temple yesterday by Gopa Vrndesh Prabhu. Drew this cartoon when these statements from the purport stood out : “The foolish materially attached men are wasting their valuable time in the improvement of the material conditions of life by sleeping, indulging in […]

The office is empty. Everyone’s gone to a team party. I chose to stay back. Few asked why I wasn’t joining. I said, “8 hours work, 8 hours sleep and 8 hours chanting, meditation, prayer, temple service, family life, reading”. I have a packed life, you know. No time to party while I am on […]

I was going through “See How I Run“, the blog of Sarah McCarthy (a leading editor of a magazine) who recently passed away due to Ovarian Cancer. She maintained her diary online through out her ordeal sharing her realizations and experiences with the world. Many of her posts have some very useful advice for those […]

Yup. Still thinking of that awesome lunch I had today. So important that we have raw veggies in our diet everyday. Chapati bread with a filling of raw veggies – cabbage, tomato, radish, beetroot, coriander leaves and lemon juice. Few cooked chickpeas with a little salt. Drizzle the salad with sesame oil for that extra […]

Imagine if you could retire for a while and find yourself in these 2 amazing locations for your daily prayer and meditation :
Batu Caves (Malaysia)
Khao Luang Cave (Thailand)
Such beauty!

1. Cook White rice and keep it aside 2. Have some raw corn, green peas and spinach ready 3. Heat pan with some oil 4. Crackle black mustard seeds 5. Add Hing 6. Add Turmeric 7. Add the 3 veggies and cook (don’t overcook and make it all mushy!) 8. Towards the end, throw in […]

I spotted this coffee cup at the edge of a table and decided to draw it out. I see all around me in the working world people say that the best way to start a day is to have a good coffee. Actually, the best way to start a day is by chanting and meditating […]

As I sat gazing out of the window this morning, i saw a coffin being pulled out of a car and into a church. Friends, family and strangers looked on by the pavement.

Check out my 15 second video of a dish I prepared recently : Cut the Okra ends Heat Oil Crackle Mustard seeds Add Hing Drop the Okras Add Turmeric, Cumin and Coriander powder (optional – paprika or red chilli powder for the extra kick) Cover and cook till Okras are tender Add Salt to taste […]

What is the purpose of the Hare Krishna movement? Nicely explained in this paragraph by Srila Prabhupada :

 

It’s back ! When i was a kid growing up in my ancestral home, one of my favourite activity was to bring down the bunch of gooseberries up on the trees. We had 2 of those trees and a million of them in all sizes would rain down upon my head. Then filling my pockets […]

317. Cow issue in a land of drought I was reading somewhere that India has close to 22 million millionaires ! And yet there is shortage of food for the dear cows. Such a sad state the country is in – she has forgotten completely the value and practice of her ancient culture. As schools […]

I came across this video made by a bank in Belgium showing the dangers of sharing one’s personal information online which eventually gets misused by a thief. Definitely an educational video one should watch. It’s not too long. Later in the day, I began to ponder over this video from a spiritual perspective. In the […]

I have been working on this character lately who thinks a lot about life. Eventually, they make their way onto a T-shirt which you can buy ; ) Click the image and it will take you to the rest of the collection. Simple efforts from me and hope you will…

There is a new commercial ad delivery system coming our way. Talking train windows. Yup – as you drop your head against the train window to have a sleep, an ad is played to your ear which only you can hear. Check out the video to get an idea. I was thinking – what would […]

The Life-Changing Loaf of Bread Makes 1 loaf Ingredients: 1 cup / 135g sunflower seeds ½ cup / 90g flax seeds ½ cup / 65g hazelnuts or almonds 1 ½ cups / 145g rolled oats 2 Tbsp. chia seeds 4 Tbsp. psyllium seed husks (3 Tbsp. if using psyllium husk powder) 1 tsp. fine grain […]

Luiz Antonio questions where his dinner came from.A video has gone viral of a Portuguese boy, Luiz Antonio, explaining to his mum why he doesn’t want to eat octopus gnocchi for dinner, saying that animals should be taken care of and not eaten via Boy Realises Where Meat Comes From | Essential Kids.   Interesting […]

5 years ago, I was really wanting to do something for Srila Prabhupad (Founder – Acharya of the Hare Krishna Movement). I was living 2 hours away and barely had the association of devotees, the temple and the spiritually sanctified food. All there was as company were the books, the prayer altar and the chanting […]

One should offer a guest a seat, water to drink and sweet speech. They should never be neglected at your place and feel they have entered the house of an enemy. It is a question of good manners and need not be an expensive arrangement.