Offering to Srila Prabhupada on ISKCON 50th anniversary Braja…
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Offering to Srila Prabhupada on ISKCON 50th anniversary
Braja Mohan Das: I would like to compare your personality and glory with two of the biggest corporations. Now, there is this famous company Amazon, where they promise, everything under the sun can be delivered but you, Srila Prabhupada not just delivered everything under the sun but gave us a process to go above the sun to our supreme home, to the spiritual world. They also claim why they named their company as ‘Amazon’ as this word has an arrow from A to Z meaning everything is available with them that makes us happy (curved line). But can worldly things make the world happy? You showed us what makes one really happy. ‘Chant Hare Krishna and Be Happy!”
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/np4V93

KK Bindu #376: All Attractive Hari-katha! The latest issue…
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KK Bindu #376: All Attractive Hari-katha!
The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine was just released. This issue includes:
* MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR KIRTAN – Instructions from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
* ALL-ATTRACTIVE HARI-KATHA – First time translations done especially for this issue of various commentaries on Srimad Bhagavatam 10.1.4.
* VRINDAVAN-DHAMA AND RADHA-NAMA – A fresh translation from Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati’s Vrindavan-mahimamrtam (9.84). It can be downloaded here:
https://archive.org/details/bindu376

Invitation for Jagannatha Ratha Yatra from Vrindavan Dham
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Dear Devotee of the Lord

Maharajas, Prabhus and Matajis,

Please accept my humble obeacenses!!!

All Glories to Srila Prabhupad!!!

We would like to invite you for Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra on 17th July 2016 (Sunday). Please come and get the blessings of Lord Jagannath & make success of this auspicious Rath Yatra Festivals.

Lord Jagannatha- the Lord of the Universe is Krishna Himself, Lord Baldeva is His Brother and Mother Subhadra is His Sister. Sirla Prabhupada introduced the Festival of drawing Their Charitos- the Ratha Yatra across the whole world and today, over 500 Cities rejoice in the devoted celebration and pompous gaiety of this Festival.

ISKCON Vrindavan is organizing its 2nd time Jagannath Rath Yatra for the pleasure of The Lord, on the 17th of July, 2016. The entire holy city will be reverberating to the throes of Jai Jagannatha and the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

But to make this festival a truly joyous occasion, we need you, your family, friends, relatives, neighbors and associates. To draw the Chariot, to chant and dance in unparalleled joy, to partake of sumptuous Prasadam and thus receive the causeless mercy of Lord Jagannatha- the Lord of the Universe.

As you know, one who participates in the Ratha yatra festival has darshana of Their Lordships, draws Their Chariot, Listens to and Chants the Holy Name, will certainly receive liberation from Material Bondage. We welcome you sincerely to this Grand Festival- truly one of its kind in Vrindavan, for its truly a rare occasion, that The Lord Himself arrives on the streets of our city.

An Occasion to receive the Lord into Your Heart, Rejoice, Relive the unprecedented occasion! Repeat the Names of the Lord! We eagerly look forward to receiving and serving you at the Festival.

Jai Jagannatha!!!

Program Schedule

Date: 17th July 2016, Sunday

Welcoming of Lord Jagannatha, Baladev and Subhadra 9:00 am

Prasadam (Ashram Vihar, Chhttikara Road) 09:30-11:00am

Chhapan Bhog & Arati of Lord Jagannatha 11:00-12:30pm

Ratha Ratha Commence 01:00 pm

Evening Program

Lord Jaganatha, Baladev and Subhadra Sandhya Aratik (Krishna Hall) 6:00pm

Prasadam (Bhandara ) 6:30pm

Cultural Program 07:30pm

Ratha Yatra Route:

Ratha Yatra Starts from Ashram Vihar, Chhattikara Road, Prem Mandir, ISKCON Temple(Raman Reti Marg),Vidhyapeeth Chauraha, Attala Chungi crossing, Soham Ashram (parikarma Marg), Anand Dham, Lalita Ashram, Radhey Shyam Ashram, Tara Chand Bansal Ashram & back to ISKCON Temple.

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Yours in Service of the Lord and His Devotees

Radha Shyamsunder Das

Director Namahatta Dept.

​How do we determine when to treat life like a program and when like a manual?
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Answer Podcast


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​If we are to act according to our nature, why did Parashurama appear as brahmana and then act as kshatriya?
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Answer Podcast


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When Arjuna repeatedly defeated Karna, why are they considered equals?
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Answer Podcast


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​Why were the kshatriya codes violated during the Kurukshetra war?
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Answer Podcast


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​Why does definition of kshatriya not refer to protection of dharma?
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Answer Podcast


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Self-determination and denial of destiny characterize modernity
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Podcast


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“Seven temples on seven hills” (Album with photos) Varsana…
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“Seven temples on seven hills” (Album with photos)
Varsana Swami: When I moved to New Vrindaban in 1972, this community was a “spiritual frontier”nestled within the rugged foothills of Appalachia.It was a community of devotees who were dedicated to Srila Prabhupada’s vision for New Vrindaban which holds sacred two primary mandates: (1) to live in harmony with one another, depend on nature, and protect Krishna’s cows; and (2) to develop a replica of Vrindavan.
The entire community was comprised of men and women endowed with the pioneering spirit required to carve a community in the inhospitable West Virginia countryside. The devotees referred to this pioneering mood as the “Brijabasi Spirit” and the mantra which inspired and united that community was “seven temples on seven hills.”
“Seven temples on seven hills” became the mantra of the entire community when Srila Prabhupada wrote to Hayagriva on November 18, 1968, “But now, let us build at least seven temples. On seven hills we will build seven main temples as in the original Vrindavan: Govindaji, Gopinatha, Madana-Mohana, Shyamasundara, Radha-Ramana, Radha-Damodar, Gokulananand.”
Bhauma Vrindavan folklore is divided regarding which of the seven temples was constructed first. Some say Madan Mohan Mandir while others say Radha Gopinath Mandir was the first. In New Vrindaban, we began construction of Radha Gopinath Mandir (across from the Palace of Gold) in order to provide a suitable residence to Their Lordships Who are already residing on the premises.
A few weeks ago, half a dozen devotees gathered at Radha Gopinath Mandir to offer practical service in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s vision of “seven temples on seven hills.” ISKCON pioneers and second generation devotees offered service at Sri Sri Radha-GopinathMandir to install the expanded metal lathe over the steel frame. My godbrothers Gaura Sakti das (a New Vrindavan resident) and Akhilananda das(from Ohio) provided guidance and inspiration to the younger men. Second generation Dhruva das from Alachua and Bhakta Jake from Michigan were amongst the fortunate recipients.
The camaraderie, team spirit and working relationships were reminiscent of the Brijabasi Spirit upon which this community was founded. All the work is being done by volunteers, and all the steel and masonry sand are donated.
In the photos, you can see the installation of the metal lathe. The lathe goes on both sides of the steel, and it is ideal to install both sides at the same time. This lathe will hold the cement stucco that will provide the form, mass, strength, and eventually the artistic embellishments for the dome.
Short pieces of PVC-coated tie wire are used to hold the lathe tight to the steel structure. These are inserted from one side and twisted on the other side to draw the metal lathe tight to the steel. The crew completed half of one side in just a few hours.
The lathe will be installed from the top down, so workers can stand on the steel frame while working. The cement stucco will be installed from the bottom up, giving strength from the bottom up.
We will continue the construction during the Kulimela and 24-hour Kirtan Festivals, June 15 – 19. If you desire to participate in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s vision for “seven temples on seven hills,” please contact us at DhamSeva@gmail.com.
– Varsana Swami
Find them here: https://goo.gl/7Evp44

June 1. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations. Satsvarupa…
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June 1. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Swamiji’s Kirtana.
When the kirtana suddenly sprang up from the Swami’s cymbals and sonorous voice, they immediately felt that it was going to be something far out. Here was another chance to “trip out,” and willingly they began to flow with it. They would surrender their minds and explore the limits of the chanting for all it was worth. Most of them had already associated the mantra with the mystical Upanisads and Gita, which had called out to them in words of mystery: “Eternal spirit … Negating illusion.” But whatever it is, this Indian mantra, let it come, they thought. Let its waves carry us far and high. Let’s take it, and let the effects come. Whatever the price, let it come. The chanting seemed simple and natural enough. It was sweet and wasn’t going to harm anyone. It was, in its own way, far out.
As Prabhupada chanted in his own inner ecstasy, he observed his motley congregation. He was breaking ground in a new land now. As the hand cymbals rang, the lead-and-response of the Hare Krishna mantra swelled, filling the evening. Some neighbors were annoyed. Puerto Rican children, enchanted, appeared at the door and window, looking. Twilight came.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=9

ISKCON Scarborough – 6 hour Kirtan coming Saturday – June 4th
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Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

We are exited to announce the upcoming non stop 6 hour Kirtan at ISKCON Scarborough coming Saturday.

This event will bring together a host of wonderful kirtaneers who will take shifts to lead the singing over the joyful stint of 6 hours.

The 6 Hour Kirtan allows the kirtan enthusiast to dive in for an immersive experience, whilst also being the perfect chance for the total newbie to dip in a toe.

Kirtan is Hare Krsna Mantra blended with live music - a universal process for consciousness elevation, sometimes soothing and mellow, sometimes invigorating and upbeat, always sublime.

There will also be delicious prasadam served throughout the 6 hours of electrifying Kirtan and devotees can eat and enjoy the sweet sounds of kirtan at the same time!

We invite all of you to join us on this very special day to partake in this relaxing and fun-filled event where there is mantra, live music, dance and joy for the heart!

Details
What: 6 hour non stop Kirtan

When: Saturday- 4th June 2016

Time: 3 pm to 9 pm

Where: ISKCON Scarborough

Prasadam served? Yes(free)

Entrance fee: Free!

Kirtaneers: Ajamil das, Jeethu, Gaura Shakti Kirtan group, Radha Murari Kirtan group, Hladini Kirtan group, Paripurna das, Jagannath Misra das, Dhiranitai das and others

Venue:
ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough, Ontario,
Canada, M1V4C7

Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

website:
www.iskconscarborough.com






ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7

Email Address:

iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

website:

www.iskconscarborough.com

How Not to Do Japa (Mantra Meditation)!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

We came upon this pretty entertaining video online, courtesy of ISKCON Desire Tree.  Here is their description of the video:

“Nish, nish, ram, ram, nish, nish, ram, ram.” Prabhupada once imitated how we sometimes chant (the Hare Krishna mantra) without focus, without concentration, without proper pronunciation – how we chant when we don’t feel like chanting. You know the mood behind this chanting: “I have to chant but I’d rather be doing something else.” And in our minds we are thinking, “I can’t wait to get these rounds out of the way.” We all do this. And it can get pretty bad.

Devotees who chant rounds while watching football games on TV. Prabhupada explained that this type of chanting is more or less useless because it will not produce the desired result, love of Krsna. To even call this chanting is a stretch. It is closer to a ritual. But Prabhupada acknowledged the value in the ritual by saying that although this kind of chanting is not very productive, at least those who are chanting this way are keeping their vow to chant.

This kind of japa is called, “courtesy japa.” “Courtesy japa” means that since you have taken a vow – either to your spiritual master or yourself – to chant a certain number of rounds daily, you keep that vow while chanting the kind of japa which is shown in the video.

Choose your suffering
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 02 October 2013, Melbourne, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.2-7)

KKS_CZ_2004Through celibacy alone, can we get love of God? You can be celibate for a hundred lifetimes, do you think that will give you love of God? No, it is devotional service that will give us love of God! If you are married to a devotee, do you think that will give you love of God? No, you yourself will have to be a devotee as well. You will have to engage in devotional service. It is not automatic. Even a lion has to go out and chase for breakfast. It is not that the deer runs into the mouth of the lion… So, we have to do something in devotional service and that is what counts. Ashram issues are not so important, it is only external. In one or the another, you are going to have to take some tapasya (austerity),

tapo divyam putraka yena sattvam
suddhyed yasmad brahma saukhyam tv anantam (SB 5.5.1)

That is life in the material world, no matter what you do, there is tapasya. You decide which tapasya you like better; this is what it is all about – the tapasya of being married or the tapasya of being alone. You decide as both have tapasya. Material life has that element of tapasya, of some austerity. Inevitably so, no one can avoid it – it is basically the design of the material world therefore Lord Rshabdev pointed this out to his one hundred sons – this human form of life is not meant for sense gratification; it is not going to work. Therefore we should not be TOO particular about how we live but some things have to be suitable.

Krsna consciousness, bhakti, is not denying us these basic comforts. That is for the impersonalists. For them, everything in this material world is only maya. There is only maya in all directions therefore whatever they use has to be minimized… but we just use it for sustaining our Krsna consciousness, so sleep well – nice and warm and cosy, so that we can do devotional service – there is nothing wrong with that. Therefore we do not have to sleep on the hardest bed that we can find and use only a bed-sheet in the winter, no blanket!

I knew a devotee who never wore a kurta in winter, in Vrindavan. It was very cold and he was only wearing a lungi. You know, he lasted for fifteen years and then he got sick. What is the benefit of these things!? Great austerities – fasting, fasting, fasting… “I fast every ekadasi and dvadasi as well, for the last twenty-four years!”

Lord CaitanyaFine, you can do it for twenty-four lifetimes more and do you think you will make any more progress towards going back to the spiritual world with all your fasting!? Not really. In the Caitanya Bhagavat, there is the example of Caitanya Mahaprabhu who was having kirtans in the house of Srivas Thakur and the doors were closed, only devotees were allowed inside. The one day, Lord Caitanya couldn’t get into the mood and he felt that there was some intruder in the house. It turned out that Srivas had let in this brahmana who had been living only on milk for one year. Lord Caitanya had the brahmana thrown out, “Do you think that just by drinking milk for a year, you can attain me!” But later that brahmana was so excited that he had seen Caitanya Mahaprabhu and he was just praying to get a chance again, then Lord Caitanya let him back in.

So, it is not by austerity that we will attain Krsna! Although, austerity is highlighted by Lord Rshabdev in the fifth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, austerity in itself is not one of the limbs of bhakti. Renunciation and austerity are not limbs of bhakti. They do not give you devotional service.

ISKCON-Delhi: Festival of Inspiration – 28 May, 2016 (Album with…
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ISKCON-Delhi: Festival of Inspiration - 28 May, 2016 (Album with photos)
Several thousands attended ISKCON’s Festival of Inspiration to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of Lord Sri Chaitanya.
India’s Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Dr Mahesh Sharma inaugaurated the event and spoke on how Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement is about devotion and compassion. He thanked ISKCON for taking India’s culture around the world.
The festival saw several stunning presentations by national and international artists. These included Odisi Dance on Dasavatar, Shadow Play, Drama on Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
A kirtan team of members from Urugauy, Venuzeual, Uganda, Russia, Spain, India, Mauritius enthralled the audience with their meditative and uplifting kirtans.
ISKCON Sannyasis and members spoke on the legacy of Sri Chaitanya and Srila Prabhupada.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/h5Z96j

Increasing one’s faith
→ Servant of the Servant

Yena tena prakarena Krishna nivashiyet, somehow or other become Krishna conscious. This principle in many ways was the guiding principle for Srila Prabhupada's Hare Krishna movement. This principle was given some 500 years ago by Srila Rupa Goswami - that somehow we must find ways to induce our consciousness of God or Krishna.

If we look at this phrase deeper, we will learn that it requires faith upon Krishna or God to be conscious of Him. To the degree one has faith, to that degree, one will be conscious of Krishna at all times. This is the basic idea. So who ever is giving Krishna upadesh (instructions), the sole purpose is simply to induce or strengthen one's faith upon God or Krishna (according to time and circumstance). When faith in God grows nicely, all problems will be solved.

Hare Krishna

Prabhupada Festival 2016 — New Dvaraka, Los Angeles (playlist of…
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Prabhupada Festival 2016 — New Dvaraka, Los Angeles (playlist of 10 brief clips)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Krishna stresses the importance of remembering Him. One‘s memory of Krishna is revived by chanting the maha-mantra, Hare Krishna. By this practice of chanting and hearing the sound vibration of the Supreme Lord, one’s ear, tongue and mind are engaged. This mystic meditation is very easy to practice, and it helps one attain the Supreme Lord. (Bhagavad-Gita 8.8 Purport)
Watch them here: https://huzzaz.com/collection/prabhupada-festival-2016-new-dvar

Living Your Calling in an Age of Confusion. On the evening of…
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Living Your Calling in an Age of Confusion.
On the evening of Friday, May 6th, New York’s Bhakti Center partnered with Upbuild to hold a dinner event featuring a talk by Radhanath Swami on the topic “Living Your Calling in an Age of Confusion”.
Upbuild is an educational social enterprise created by Rasanath Das and Hari Prasad, who both used to live and serve at The Bhakti Center as monks. Upon graduation from the monastic order they went on to launch Upbuild which aims at maximizing the human potential by creating environments that inspire genuine purpose and authentic connection. Among the dinner’s 100 guests were many leaders in business, journalism and other creative fields.
Below are excerpts from Radhanath Swami’s talk on how true wealth and happiness are found through finding and sharing the divine love that lies within the soul.
Living Your Calling in an Age of Confusion.
Radhanath Swami: The times like we are facing these days are periods in human history that could potentially bring a rise in enlightenment, or just the opposite. Times of difficult, individually and collectively, are crossroads where we have to really question our lives.
What gives a thing value to a person’s heart is not the monetary price of it, or how it may stimulate the eyes or the mind. What gives value to anything is the exchange of love.
What is valuable? Things can give some degree of pleasure to the senses and the mind but things can never give fulfillment to the heart. Only love can do that. The nature of the heart is to love and be loved. The heart is starving for love. If it is not nourished, no matter what we get, we can never be satisfied and we can never be an instrument to give true satisfaction.
When we realize that love within us, and make it our life’s service to be an instrument of that love, which is expressed through compassion for the body, mind and souls of others, then our life is truly meaningful and fulfilling. With that integrity we can work harder than anyone, if that is required, but it is not motivated by greed, envy or arrogance – it’s motivated by love. By really caring and wanting to make a difference.
The greatest thing that we can pass down through our legacy is compassion, love and care based on moral values – principles of spiritual integrity. There is a saying, that if you lose your wealth you lose nothing, if you lose health you lose something, and if you lose your character you lose everything. Of course we need wealth and we see that when the economy is struggling it can really bring out the worst in people. But where there is compassion, where we see humanity and life itself as a family, then we will make our policies with the mindset that we are caretakers of each other, whether we are in investment bankers, farmers or even swami’s.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/WWhNI9

Door to door book distribution. Bhakta Akshay: Since the start…
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Door to door book distribution.
Bhakta Akshay: Since the start of this year, in the mood of Haridasa Thakura and Nityananda Prabhu, I’ve been doing a lot of what I think is an under-rated form of book distribution: door to door. I was inspired by a devotee friend, who used to be a Jehovah’s Witness.
She said that they are really systematic. They keep notes and even revisit favorable people they’ve met. I adopted this systematic approach in distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, and I now make notes on the favorable people I meet. I revisit them and bring them gifts, prasada, and beads.
It’s been less than half a year, and I’m really pleased with the results.
While the quantity of books going out may be less than through other forms of book distribution, door to door may be more powerful, because you can cultivate the really favorable people you meet in the comfort of their homes.
Already, by Krishna’s mercy, I meet regularly (roughly once a week) with a really nice lady and discuss the Bhagavad Gita in her own home. I simply revisited her and brought her gifts like prasadam and beads. Before I knew it, she invited me into her home and wanted to discuss the Bhagavad Gita with me on a regular basis.And this isn’t the only case like this. I’ve met dozens of people who receive me favorably when I revisit them.
By Krishna’s mercy many of them are willing to let me in to talk about Krishna conscious philosophy. You can really feel the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakura, the original door-to-door book distributors. It’s also great for those of us who aren’t full-time sankirtana devotees. Right now I’m a student, and I mainly go out when people are getting back from work and on weekends. I really wish door-to-door book distribution would catch on. I’ve seen too many devotional creepers wither away, because no one watered them. Door-to- door book distribution solves this problem by letting us cultivate the people we meet.
Your servant, Bhakta Akshay

ISKCON Pakistan: Presentation on Sindhi Bhagavad Gita printing…
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ISKCON Pakistan: Presentation on Sindhi Bhagavad Gita printing in Damodhardesh-May 2016 (3 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: I don’t say, “Follow me.” I say “Follow Krishna.” Krishna says, “Surrender unto Me.” I say “Surrender unto Krishna.” Is there any difference? My position is simply repeating because Krishna says, “Anyone who preaches this confidential subject matter, he is dear to Me.” Allahabad, January 18, 1971
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/H1Lefy

Go to Krishna Now
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Hare KrishnaBy Gopamatrka devi dasi

She went to a Sunday feast, spent the night, and never left. In 1972 she was initiated by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and received the spiritual name Ragatmika-devi dasi. For many years, Ragatmika dedicated herself to distributing her spiritual master’s books. Daily she experienced the satisfaction of offering to countless people a practical solution to all of their problems: knowledge of the soul and service to God. Yet Ragatmika was not merely giving out books of philosophy; she was also imbibing the same philosophy in a very deep and personal way. This became evident as her life unfolded and Lord Krishna used her to preach the beauty of spiritual life in a unique and poignant way. In 1982 Ragatmika married a devotee named Karnapura dasa, and the two of them moved to the ISKCON community in Los Angeles. They planned to conceive a child, and in the spring of 1985, Ragatmika learned that she was pregnant. Ragatmika had the firm conviction that within her womb was a spirit soul entrusted to her by Krishna. Because she knew from the Vedic literature that transcendental sounds could benefit even an unborn child, she would place a speaker against her abdomen and play tapes of Srila Prabhupada chanting. Continue reading "Go to Krishna Now
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Birth Control Myths
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Hare KrishnaBy Urmila Devi Dasi

Many people will argue that without birth control, families will have a dozen or more children. Yet in societies where birth control isn’t practiced, the average number of children per family is six. Six children per family may seem too many for the earth, but the entire present world population could fit in France or in the state of Texas, with 1,500 square feet per person. We could feed ten times the present population on an American-style diet, and thirty times the population on a Japanese-style diet. (Colin Clark, Oxford University) All the world’s scriptures urge us to have many children, and describe children as a blessing. The only burden on the earth mentioned in the Vedic scriptures is that of a large population of sinful people who live lives of crime and deceit. The Lord, Sri Krishna, is unlimitedly wealthy and can easily provide adequately for all His obedient children. Harmful Side Effects Not only does birth control not solve the problems for which it claims to be the solution, but it has harmful side effects as well. Continue reading "Birth Control Myths
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Pre-Marital Questions. Uttama devi dasi: This list of questions,…
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Pre-Marital Questions.
Uttama devi dasi: This list of questions, in two sections is intended for couples to think about and discuss with each other as a means to reach understanding about each other’s expectations and desires. It will take some time to read and answer all these questions, so please undertake this when you are relaxed and have time.
Remember that this is just to help you become aware of many aspects of marriage and you may find that more questions will come up that are unique for you. Feel free to get in touch with any of the GVT members for premarital education. All the best!
Section I-Marriage, Family and Friends, Relationships, Children
MARRIAGE
What is your concept of marriage?
Have you been married before? What are you expectations of marriage?
Why have you chosen me as a potential spouse?
What is your understanding of a Krsna Conscious marriage?
What is the role of the husband?
What is the role of the wife?
After marriage, do you think that you are one to express romantic feelings verbally?
After marriage, do you think that you want to express affection in public?
When there is a dispute in your marriage, religious or otherwise, how should the conflict get resolved?
When do you think it is appropriate to initiate mediation in marriage?
If there are members of my family that are not devotees, that are of different race or culture, what type of relationship do you want to have with them?
If you have a Guru, what should be his/her role in the marriage?
What is your approach to sexual relationship and intimacy in the marriage?
FAMILY& FRIENDS
What is your relationship with your family?
What do you expect your relationship with the family of your spouse to be?
What do you expect your spouses relationship with your family to be?
Is there anyone in your family living with you now?
Are you planning to have anyone in your family live with you in the future?
If, for any reason, my relationship with your family turns sour, what should be done?
Who are your friends? (Identify at least three.)
How did you get to know them?
Why are they your friends?
What do you like most about them?
What will your relationship with them after marriage be?
Do you have friends of the opposite sex?
What is the level of your relationship with them now?
What will be the level of your relationship with them after marriage?
What type of relationship do you want your spouse to have with your friends?
What is your opinion of speaking other languages in home that I do not understand? (with friends or family)
RELATIONSHIPS
How do you express your admiration for someone that you know now?
How do you express your feelings to someone who has done a favor for you?
Do you like to write your feelings?
If you wrong someone, how do you apologize?
If someone has wronged you, how do you want (s)he to apologize to you?
How much time passes before you can forgive someone?
Do you use foul language at home? In public? With family?
Do your friends use foul language?
Does your family use foul language?
How do you express anger?
How do you expect your spouse to express anger?
What do you do when you are angry?
Define mental, verbal, emotional and physical abuse.
What would you do if you felt that you had been abused?
Who would you call for assistance if you were being abused?
CHILDREN
Do you want to have children? If not, how come?
To the best of your understanding, are you able to have children?
Do you want to have children in the first two years of marriage? If not, when?
Do you believe in abortion?
Do you have children now?
What is your relationship with your children now?
What is your relationship with their other parent?
What relationship do you expect your spouse to have with your children and their parent?
What is the best method(s) of raising children?
What is the best method(s) of disciplining children?
How were you raised?
How were you disciplined?
Do you believe in spanking children?
Under what circumstances?
Do you believe in public school for your children?
Do you believe in Krsna conscious school for your children?
Do you believe in home schooling for your children?
What type of relationship should your children have with non-devotee classmates/friends?
Would you send your children to visit their extended family if they lived in another state or country?
What type of relationship do you want your children to have with all their grandparents?
For the Section II (Regarding Goals, Religion, Entertainment & Leisure, Health, Finances) click here: http://goo.gl/G73sl3

A Prophecy Fulfilled
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Hare KrishnaBy Sesa Dasa

Sri Caitanya inaugurated the sankirtana movement of the congregational chanting of the holy names of God. While living here in Nadia, He would travel from village to village, chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. The mission of the Lord is always to deliver the fallen souls, and this chanting works powerfully to reawaken the natural love of God dormant in our hearts. Lord Caitanya, therefore, was fulfilling His mission of mercy simply by chanting and dancing. Later, after entering the renounced order, (sannyasa), Lord Caitanya traveled throughout the Indian subcontinent chanting the holy names and dancing in ecstatic love of God. The Lord's chanting would inspire others to chant and their chanting would inspire still others. In this way the sankirtana movement spread (and is continuing to spread) to every city, town, and village. Continue reading "A Prophecy Fulfilled
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Two Highlights From The Waikato (Waikato is a local government…
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Two Highlights From The Waikato (Waikato is a local government region of the upper North Island of New Zealand).
Damodara Krsna Dasa: Recently, I went on a six-day stint in the Waikato.
I was in Hamilton East–in a small car park–and stopped an athletic lady. She happened to be Joelle King, the best women squash player for New Zealand.
After an injury, her ranking dropped from No. 4 in the world to 17th. Six months after her recovery, she is now up to 11th in the world. But she explained that she isn’t satisfied. Her sports psychologist suggested meditation to her, and there I was, holding the books that give the most authentic knowledge and the fullest inner satisfaction.
She happily gave $20 (US) and left with SSR, the Gita and Enough magazine.
Another day, I ventured over to Te Awamutu, and just before my day of sankirtana was finished I stopped a young man parking a scooter. He was originally from Arizona USA. I showed him the SSR & BGH and put them both in his hands.
I said, “A good donation for these is $30.” He looked at me and replied, “So if I give you $50, I can take these?”
We walked to the ATM. He withdrew $60, for which I gave him $10 change.
He mentioned he liked “fact books” so I gave him another book.
“All our books are fact books,” I said. “That’s for you.” And he happily gave the other $10.
Srila Prabhupada, ki jaya!
Your servant,
Damodara Krsna Dasa