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Mayapur Institute – Graduation Ceremony 2015-16
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Graduation Ceremony 2015-16
157 students earn bhakti degrees

5th March 2016 was an important milestone in the history of Mayapur Institute. The institute celebrated its 15th graduation ceremony at the Pancatatva extension hall.

The Director, Padmanayana das, informed that the Mayapur Institute started in the year 2000 with just 3 Bhakti Sastri students and today after 15 years of operation, 157 students from 30 different countries are receiving graduation certificates. To date, 2500 students have graduated from Mayapur Institute. Definitely, this must be a great joy to Srila Prabhupada. Mayapur Institute is fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s vision sincerely over the last 15 years.

At the ceremony, certificates were awarded to all students in the following groups: Bhakti shastri (men), Bhakti shastri (ladies), Bhakti Shastri (Russian language), part-time Bhakti Shastri for Resident devotees, Bhakti Shastri (Bengali) and Bhakti Vaibhava. From last 2 decades, we have been continuously endeavouring to provide a conducive environment that helps our students to deepen their understanding of Krishna consciousness. Students get to understand the principles and practices of Krishna consciousness philosophy from a wide range of perspectives by developing thoughtfulness and introspection.

The convocation was graced by many prominent ISKCON leaders and educators like HH Bhakti Vighna Vinasa Narasimha Swami, HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami, HH Subhag Swami, HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami, HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami, HH Bhati Dhira Damodar Swami and HG Laxmimoni Mataji, who shared the words of wisdom and extended blessings to the students.

HH Bhakti Vighna Vinasa Narasimha Swami recollected the introduction of systematic sastric study in ISKCON. Initially HH Satsvarupa dasa Goswami would set the exam, there were no classes, exams were based on elementary philosophy and the students who passed were given the Bhakti shastri degree certificates. Later a team of devotees from China Tour were called, who went through rigorous classes during the kartik month in Vrindavan under expert educators like HH Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaj, Bhurijan Prabhu, Ravindra Swarup Prabhu and Satyanarayan Prabhu. Over the years the Bhakti sastri program has been developed into a systematic study and training course. Education is very important. If we look at the countries in the world, every country in the world has a budget and in that budget a major portion is for education. ISKCON should also have a budget for education.

The whole idea of studying the courses like Bhakti sastri and others is to educate people to scrutinizingly study Srila Prabhupada’s books and help them to appreciate what is there in Srila Prabhupada’s books. University is the place where the professors learn more as they teach. Maharaj mentioned that he is greatly enriched by being able to present some of the courses at Mayapur Institute. He further said “It is so enriching to come to a place like this and be with devotees, who are serious in studying Srila Prabhupada’s books and spend few hours with them every day to go through the different sections in a systematic manner.”

Over the years Mayapur Institute has seen many students coming here, getting trained and rendering wonderful services after returning to their respective places. Maharaj wished that every student be engaged in the wonderful service of Srila Prabhupada. He expressed that after getting initiation, one does not become a pure devotee immediately, but it marks the beginning of the journey. Similarly, this certificate is just a beginning and it does not mean you know everything. We should always be willing to learn more and understand more. If we keep that humble mood, then our study here will be a success.

HH Bhakti Chaitanya Maharaj mentioned how he had studied Nectar of Devotion 4-5 times but when he attended HH Giriraj Maharaj’s class, he realised he did not know anything. Maharaj also reiterated the point that the best way to learn is to teach.

HH Bhakti Brihat Bhagavat Swami explained how there is a difference between studying on electronic gadgets and studying holding the traditional book or granth in the hand. Maharaj also expressed that how teaching at Mayapur Institute has always nourished him.

HH Subhag Maharaj expressed that it is responsibility of all members of ISKCON to scrutinizingly study Srila Prabhupada’s books and become Brahmanas by quality. Maharaj appreciated Mayapur Institute for creating so many brahmanas through its various courses.

HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami mentioned how he has been witnessing Mayapur Institute from the stage of its inception and how it has grown to a flourishing educational institute that it is today, having a worldwide reputation. Definitely it is a matter of great joy for all of us. Srila Prabhupada must be extremely happy to see so many courses and programs going on and devotees in large numbers coming here every year to study. Maharaj then mentioned that knowledge is connected to the mode of goodness and feature of mode of goodness is happiness. So, when one acquires knowledge he feels happy and when one acquires knowledge about Krishna, which is transcendental to the mode of goodness then one feels transcendental happiness. Maharaj then wished that we could do such activities more and more, all day along, every day of our life. Maharaj concluded by saying that by implementing this knowledge in one’s life and disseminating it to others, one can try to repay his or her debt to Mayapur Institute.

HH Bhakti Dhira Damodar Maharaj mentioned that hearing realisations from senior devotees’ is always beneficial. Now, after returning to our respective places, we should try to practice what we have studied. We may speak very nice philosophy, but unless we practice what we speak, we are not going to make an impact. Study and practice goes together.

HG Laxmimoni Mataji explained that it is important to imbibe the teachings from these courses in our life in order to share it with others. Mataji, implored all the students to be the carriers of scriptures. She explained how many people got attracted to the ISKCON movement by the personality of Srila Prabhupada. It is actually the character and quality of the devotee that attracts people to Krishna consciousness. Mataji, then encouraged all students to take what they got in these courses and let it go deep in their life and become manifest into actions, qualities, behaviour and then become an instrument to inspire others in Krishna consciousness.

Students speak out:

“It has been 12 years, I wanted to come to Mayapur and take up Bhakti Sastri course at MI. We were able to do it this time, taking off from our busy preaching and management services. I was thinking of doing this course online, but we gained immensely by doing this course staying here in Sri Mayapur Dham for 4 months. The association of many senior devotees and Sanyasis is very enlivening and nourishing. We get to ask questions, hear from them. We got deeper insights into the scriptures and we now realised many mistakes that we used to do in our preaching. Such systematic education is very essential.” – Rupesvar Gaur Das, Temple President, Kathmandu, Nepal, Bhakti Sastri (Men)

“Earlier I did correspondence Bhakti sastri course from VIHE. There is a gulf of difference in live courses and online or correspondence courses. This time when I did Bhakti Vaibhava Course from MI, I could experience it. We get to speak to different experienced teachers, co-students, and share our understandings. It is very enlivening. I was thinking that I know many things, but as I went through the course, I realised I did not know anything.” – Ravigopal Das, Bhakti Vaibhava Student

“The Bhakti Sastri course is the best thing that happened to me in my spiritual life. Coming to Mayapur and studying in the association of devotees really transformed me. When teachers are more experienced, students are also more enthusiastic to study. It is the most powerful experience of my life. I am very grateful to the teachers and fellow students” – Bhakta Josh, Bhakti Sastri (Men)

“One of the great experience I had during my Bhakti Sastri course is association of so many wonderful devotees” – Bhaktin Barbara Gasser, Bhakti Sastri (Ladies)

Besides the inspiring words of above prominent speakers and students sharing their experiences, the occasion was also graced by a kirtan and drama by Bhakti sastri students. HG Atul Krsna Prabhu palyed the role of MC for the program. Padmanayana prabhu concluded the program by thanking all the dignitaries and students for attending and making the graduation ceremony a grand success.

For all photographs of Graduation Ceremony 2015-16, please visit
Mayapur Institute’s Flickr Page

For all videos of Graduation Ceremony 2015-16, please visit
Mayapur Institute’s You Tube Page

View Graduation Ceremony 2015-16 Slide Share Presentation

For regular updates connect with Mayapur Institute’s various Social Media pages below

Contact – +91 (3472) 245 784 Web – www.mayapurinstitute.org

This year, 2016, is the 50th anniversary of ISKCON. To mark…
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This year, 2016, is the 50th anniversary of ISKCON.
To mark this significant milestone in ISKCON’s history, ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry will be holding the inaugural European Head Pujari Sanga in Zurich with HG Nrsimha Kavaca Prabhu.
The sanga will take place from 16-17 June, 2016.
Some of the goals of this sanga are:
Get to know other head pujaris.
Hone your skills as a pujari and a leader.
Become inspired and more effective in our service.
Associate with representatives of ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry
Participate in formulating IDWM targets and goals… and much more!

Kumari Mayshark Patel Wins Dance Competition. The Cleveland…
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Kumari Mayshark Patel Wins Dance Competition.
The Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival
Anapayini Jakupko: On a whim my sister Komala Kumari decided to participate in a dance completion. This competition is part of the most prestigious South Indian performing arts festival in the US- The Cleveland Thyagaraja festival. Her application was accepted even though it was a day late. She performed on Saturday part of the 1st round of her age group. She was one of 5 finalists to move to the 2nd and final round. On Sunday she performed again and charmed all the judges and won the Competition! So proud of this girl and so blessed to have her as my sister.
This from her teacher Indira Kadambi, “I am very happy and proud to share with you all that my american student Komala Kumari Mayshark Patel won this year’s Cleveland Thyagaraja festival -dance competition. Hailing from a family of krishna devotees, she initially learnt from her sister Anapayini Jakupko who was my first student to do arangetram way back in 1998. Later Kumari continued her journey with me and did her arangetram few years back in Chennai. God bless you Kumari and may you keep dancing for ever at the feet of Lord Krishna.”

A story of values and of marriage
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https://youtu.be/fVKC4Q6aS0Y

The post A story of values and of marriage appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Harinama and prasadam distribution, Food For Life – 18.04.2016,…
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Harinama and prasadam distribution, Food For Life - 18.04.2016, in Warsaw, Poland (Album with photos)
Cooked: Syamadarshana priya dasi
They assisted: bh. Serge and Sasabindu das
Kirtan: Ananta Nitay Das, Syamadarshana priya dasi, bhk. Vedana, bhk. Julia, Sasabind das, bhk. Katia, bhk. Susan
Distribution of prasadam: bh.Nelavati bh. Maciek,
Leaflets and books: bh. Sururia Kunda Das, bhk. Katarzyna and bh. Vodlodie
Driver: Suria Kunda das
Photos: bhk. Dorota
Donations of action: 9.01zł
Donation of sunday: 299,24zł
Thank you very much for donations on the last Sunday. Thank you all for helping our action.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/o9eBMF

Revitalized Govinda’s Vegetarian Restaurant in New Vrindaban
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By Abhay Charan dasa

IMG_9424 (1)

Govinda’s Restaurant, the only vegetarian and vegan restaurant in the Ohio Valley area, officially opened for the season on Friday, March 25^th, to the delight of visitors and locals alike, having been closed for the winter. This hidden gem, tucked away in the serene Appalachian foothills, is definitely a must go.

Govinda’s Vegetarian Restaurant offers a wide range of menu options for its visitors. While authentic Indian cuisines is the specialty, delicious Italian dishes, including lasagna, pasta and pizza are on the menu. For the not so adventurous palate, American dishes such as veggie burgers and a Philly cheesesteak are also included. Healthier menu options like a new salad bar, green juices and smoothie bar will be added this year, as well as a variety of tasty vegan dishes, such as vegan wraps and Daiya cheese pizza.

Weekend Buffet at Govinda’s

Most of the vegetables used in these delicious preparations are literally garden fresh and some produce comes directly from New Vrindaban’s organic garden, while almost all of the milk comes from New Vrindaban’s cruelty-free, protected cow program established in 1967. “We use organic, non-GMO foods as much as we can and try to use only the most natural ingredients possible”, says Vasudeva dasa, the General Manager of the restaurant. Soon, he hopes to produce enough vegetables from the local garden to supply the restaurant year round.

Kitchen Manager, Dina Mani dasa

Govinda’s recently welcomed new kitchen manager, Dina Mani dasa, who owned two successful restaurants, and brings over 15 years of expertize to the team. He is excited about adding healthier menu options and plans to add to the already robust International menu. Guests will be pleasantly surprised with the affordable menu pricing and selection available. Don’t miss the special buffet offered on weekends priced at just $11.99.

In preparation for the busy year, the restaurant was repainted and renovated with an expanded storage room and kitchen areas, as well as a new dining section that will accommodate more guests. Beautiful new décor was added throughout the restaurant, including paintings, fabrics and elegant lotus lights, that brighten the area.

Renovated Dinning Hall

“I was happy to be greeted by such a cheerful host. I really enjoyed the ambiance and the food was astounding. I hope to get back there soon as this is the only vegetarian restaurant in the area,” says Robert Steltenpool.

From the friendly staff and stunning atmosphere to the amazing gourmet cooking, it is not hard to see why over 20,000 delighted customers visit Govinda’s annually. Govinda’s has been serving delicious international cuisine for over 20 years and is sure to have something for everyone.

Currently, Govinda’s is opened on weekends, Friday – Sunday from 3 pm – 9 pm and beginning May 1^st, will be opening from 12 pm – 9 pm every day. The restaurant is conveniently located at 3759 McCrearys Ridge Rd., Moundsville, WV 26041. You can contact us at 304 843-1600 ext.101. https://www.facebook.com/Govindasnv or http://www.palacelodge.com/services.html

ISKCON Kumbha Mela Ujjain 2016. The celebration of Kumbh Mela…
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ISKCON Kumbha Mela Ujjain 2016.
The celebration of Kumbh Mela takes place at the four sacred places as per the position of Sun and Jupiter in different zodiac signs. Poorna Kumbh is held at Ujjain once in every 12 years when the zodiac sign Scorpio (Vrishchik Rashi) indicates the presence of Jupiter and Sun. Ujjain is located at the bank of Shipra River in western region of Madhya Pradesh and is seen as one of the most sacred places in India. The city is enriched with several religious shrines such as Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir, Mahakaleshwar, Vikram Kirti Temple and many others. On the occasion of Kumbh Mela the divinity and spiritual aroma of Ujjain meets its highest peak when millions of pilgrims take dips and worship sacred River Shipra. Sages and devotees from every nook and corner attend the religious ceremony of Kumbh Mela to attain salvation and libration from the vicious cycle of birth-death-rebirth. According The commemoration of Mela at Ujjain is known as ‘Simhastha Kumbh Mela’ in which the unique combination of divinity and purity is experienced when the crowd of ash-dubbed sages, priests, devotees gets fused together with the roaring of elephants and camels. People who witness the spiritual fest feel good fortune by their side and sense positive aroma purifying their souls and thoughts. Major attraction of this festival is ‘Shahi Snan’ (royal bath) which takes place on predetermined dates varying every year. It is believed that those who take royal bath in holy Shipra River on the occasion of Kumbh Mela wash their sins of all previous births. The devotees consider it as an opportunity to get them revived from the never ending birth cycle.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/Rrlzq2

Bengal Milk Sweets. Kripamoya das: Although such delicious…
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Bengal Milk Sweets.
Kripamoya das: Although such delicious dishes are prepared all over India, nowhere is more famous for milk sweets than Bengal, where sweet making has been raised to a fine art. Bengal was once known as Gor-Desh or ‘the sweet country,’ and it is customary in that region, even today, to celebrate all of life’s major events with the sharing of a plate of delicious milk sweets. From the strained, caramelised yogurt known as Misti-dahi, through the thickened, condensed milks of Khir and Rabri, to the soft, kneaded cheese of Sandesh, the sweetened and spiced fudges of Burfi andPera, and the delicate, sponge-like textured Rasagulla and Cham-cham, the range of sweets and the varieties of flavours is vast. The British in Victorian India were not immune to the allure of Bengali sweets, and the famous confectioners of the day, household names such as K.C.Das were all patronised by the well-to-do members of the Raj. When the wife of the Viceroy, Lady Canning, celebrated her birthday, one sweet maker came up with a novel design for her. By cooking a traditional rasagulla in ghee, the sweet turned golden in colour and the flavour took on a delicate nuance. Still popular today, the celebratory confection is now known by the Bengali version of the aristocrat’s name: the Ledikenni.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/kis42Y

Daily Darshan: April 23rd, 2016
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The post Daily Darshan: April 23rd, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

How Pancaratrika-vidhi and Bhagavat-vidhi fit together
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By Damodara-priya Devi Dasi

There are two tracks (vidhis) required to walk safely on the spiritual path, as Srila Prabhupada often mentioned: In the same way as the physical train needs two parallel tracks, also the train of bhakti needs two tracks: one is the bhagavatvidhi or the path of sravanam and kirtana, also known as rag-marg and the pancaratrika-vidhi or the path of arcana, also known as vidhi-marg. When Srila Prabhupada came to the West to teach Krishna-consciousness, he first introduced the religion of this age: chanting Hare Krishna, in order to create a taste in the young devotees for hearing and chanting. Only after some time he started to introduce the process of arcanam or Deity-worship. He explained to his students that arcanam is a necessary part of devotional service. “…The Pancaratrika system acts on the sudra class of men, supposedly the population of the Kali-yuga, and it is the prescribed purificatory process suitable to the age and time. Such a purificatory process is allowed only for spiritual upliftment and not for any other purpose. Spiritual upliftment is never conditioned by higher or lower parentage….” (SB 1.12.13p) Continue reading "How Pancaratrika-vidhi and Bhagavat-vidhi fit together
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Krishna’s beauty brings unity amidst diversity – Meditation on Venkatesh Stotram 6
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Facilitate devotional creativity – Address at Children’s Ratha Yatra in Singapore
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Address at Children’s Ratha Yatra in Singapore

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Shakespeare seen in the light of the bhakti tradition
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Address at World Literary E-conference on the 400th death anniversary of Shakespeare

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How can we gain clarity in our philosophical understanding?
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If Krishna loves us unconditionally, why has he created bad things such as alcohol?
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Why has Krishna created this miserable world?
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Is karma always bound to happen – what makes it happen?
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How can we smile at those who hurt us?
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Do transcendentalists go beyond the body’s need for sleep?
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Why do people blame women – Draupadi and Sita – for the epic’s wars?
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Our Wonderful Gujarat (Album with photos) Deena Bandhu Das: The…
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Our Wonderful Gujarat (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: The day before Ram Naumi, as part of the Ram Naumi Festival in ISKCON Ahmedabad, a local group presented Amari Gunavanti Gujarat, Our Wonderful Gujarat displaying the folk arts of Gujarat. Started with a London NRI Jack Bhai coming to visit the land of his parents for the first time and two villagers take him on a cultural tour! Enjoy Vittalrukmini’s colorful pics!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/sy5vFx

April 23. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations. Satsvarupa…
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April 23. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Mukti Brahmacari.
One day a curious, unsolicited correspondent wrote to Prabhupada from India. His name was Mukti Brahmacari. Introducing himself as a disciple of one of Prabhupada’s godbrothers, and reminding Prabhupada of their past slight acquaintance, Mukti wrote of his eagerness to join Prabhupada in America. Prabhupada still had hopes for getting assistance from his godbrothers in India – “This mission is not simply one man’s work.” Therefore, he invited Mukti to come to America and asked him to request his guru to cooperate by working personally to secure government sanction for the release of foreign exchange.
Mukti submitted the entire proposal before his spiritual master, who, as Mukti predicted, cancelled the trip. Although Mukti’s guru was Srila Prabhupada’s godbrother, he did not want to be involved and he doubted that Prabhupada would actually get a donation from Padampat Singhania.
And now Mukti Brahmacari also doubted: “If your program is not bona fide, the approach to a big personality will be a ludicrous one no doubt.”
On the same day that Prabhupada received the “ludicrous” letter, he also received the final blow of noncooperation from the Indian government. Second Secretary Prakash Shah of the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. wrote:
Due to existing conditions of foreign exchange stringency, it is not possible for the government of India to accede to your request for release of foreign exchange. You may perhaps like to raise funds from residents in America.
It was confirmed: Prabhupada would have to work without outside help. He would continue alone in New York City. His last letter to Mukti Brahmacari reveals his deep faith and determination.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

Grand Opening Ceremony of the New U.S. TOVP Office
- TOVP.org

On Thursday, April 14th, in conjunction with the auspicious appearance day of Lord Ramachandra, the new U.S. TOVP office celebrated its Grand Opening in Alachua, Florida. The new office is located in a house donated exclusively for TOVP use by Ambarisa prabhu and will serve as the communications and fundraising headquarters. The celebration also coincides with the formation of the new U.S. non-profit, TOVP Foundation Inc., whose Chairman is Sesa das, also the newly appointed Chairman of the GBC.

The function was attended by several local senior devotees including Sesa das, Alachua Temple President, Mukhya devi dasi, Kirtiraja das, Ramanya das, and several others, along with Ambarisa and Svaha prabhus and TOVP Director of Development and Fundraising, Vraja Vilas das, who came all the way from Mayapur to help organize the opening of the new office.

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

The Grand Opening schedule included kirtan and greeting of devotees, Sankalpa and Rakshabandhan, a full fire yajna, Purnahuti, coconut breaking, official ribbon cutting and prasadam. These auspicious yajnas were performed for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, the previous acharyas and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu to invoke their blessings and mercy for the successful execution of the TOVP seva not only in the U.S. but all over the world.

It is imperative that within the next several years all ISKCON devotees focus on this project and make it their personal sankalpa to see that the TOVP Grand Opening scheduled for Gaur Purnima 2022 is achieved. For such an important and historic endeavor as this we will individually and collectively be benefited, and will also witness the remarkable effects the TOVP will have on the peoples of the entire world.

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

“If you build this temple Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur will personally come and take you back to Godhead”

Srila Prabhupada

“This temple is already built. If you don’t do the work someone else will come and take the credit. So you do it and get the credit”

Srila Prabhupada

Please view the video and photos of the event included with this article. For further information about donating in the U.S. or to re-start your previously made pledge go to: https://tovp.org/donate/

The post Grand Opening Ceremony of the New U.S. TOVP Office appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

ISKCON 50 Meditations: April 23, 2016
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Mukti Brahmacari

Happy Mother Earth Day!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

April 22nd is recognized as Earth Day around the world. As practitioners of the Hare Krishna faith, the honouring and respecting of Mother Earth is intrinsic to our belief. Below is a very nice article from krishna.com about "Mother Earth Day":

Mother Earth Day
By: Manorama das

Devotees of Krishna respect the Earth as the energy of God and as one of our mothers. By the will of God she provides the materials our bodies are made of, as well as food and shelter to maintain them. The clothes we wear, the buildings we inhabit, and the computers we use to read this article are all manufactured from her elements.

The sacred Vedas describe our interdependent relationship. If we live in harmony with our mother, take only as much as we need for our subsistence, and use whatever she provides in our Father's service, peace and prosperity increase. However, when we exploit the earth, plundering her resources for ungodly purposes, we become thieves, liable to be punished. She withholds her bounty. Natural disasters, wars and catastrophes increase, resulting in scarcity of food and suffering.

Humanitarian relief efforts and charitable causes ("save the rain forest," for example) address the symptoms of the Earth's problems. Such efforts do little to reduce the underlying greed and envy that cause human beings to exploit one another and the Earth, resulting in one nation living in prosperity at the expense (and pollution) of another.

Therefore saintly persons advise that the best recourse to save our planet from disaster is to revive God consciousness, Krishna consciousness among the people. Krishna consciousness means to become aware that everything produced by the Earth is God's energy; it belongs to God and should be used in His service. We're all interconnected as brothers and sisters and have responsibilities to one another, Mother Earth and Father God. Krishna consciousness means that all creatures - human beings, animals, trees, plants, rivers, mountains, and oceans - are God's creatures, are sacred, and deserve our care and respect.

Revitalized Govinda’s Vegetarian Restaurant in New Vrindaban
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

By Abhay Charan dasa

IMG_9424 (1)

(New Vrindaban, West Virginia, March 28^th, 2016)- Govinda’s Restaurant, the only vegetarian and vegan restaurant in the Ohio Valley area, officially opened for the season on Friday, March 25^th, to the delight of visitors and locals alike, having been closed for the winter. This hidden gem, tucked away in the serene Appalachian foothills, is definitely a must go.

Weekend Buffet at Govinda’s

Kitchen Manager, Dina Mani dasa

Renovated Dinning Hall

Ratha-Yatra Launch Day – Sunday, May 1, 2016
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With warmer weather finally here, the excitement surrounding the 44th Annual Festival of India (Ratha-Yatra) is growing as each day passes!

Sunday, May 1, 2016 will mark the official launch of the countdown to this year's festival! The program will begin at 6:00pm and will continue to 9:00pm (extended program).

A special feature of the festival will be the chance for all devotees to observe a special fire yajna wherein auspicious mantras are recited and grains are offered into fire!

The festival schedule will be as follows (subject to change):
6:00pm to 6:30pm - Kirtan (Arati)
6:30pm to 6:35pm - Announcements
6:35pm to 6:55pm - Welcome by Bhaktimarga Swami
6:55pm to 7:40pm - Fire Yajna Ceremony
7:40pm to 8:00pm - Ratha-Yatra 2016 Presentation
8:00pm to 8:30pm - Kirtan (Arati)
8:30pm - Vegetarian Feast (Prasadam)

We’re Looking for Website Contributors
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

As our temple website continues to grow, we are looking for enthusiastic members of our community to contribute regularly! If you are interested in being part of our team, we'd love to hear from you!

Maybe you have some neat recipes to share, or want to share Krsna conscious videos, or even have some wonderfully crazy idea that we just haven't thought of. Now's your chance to contribute!

If you have some neat idea to bring to the table, or if you just want to join the team, please feel free to fill out the form below! Hare Krsna!

Festival Report – Rama Navami 2016
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Friday, April 15th, devotees gathered at Toronto's Hare Krishna Temple to celebrate the appearance of Lord Ramachandra.

Lord Ramachandra is Krishna's avatar who ruled the earth as the ideal king. He appeared more than two million years ago. The history of Lord Ramachandra's pastimes is recounted by the sage Valmiki in his epic Ramayana.

The festival began with wonderful kirtan and while the crowd was small, it quickly grew as devotees arrived for the festivities. A very nice class was given by Mahabhagavat das as he read from the Ninth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam. His class helped to paint a wonderful picture of the glories of Lord Rama.

Following the class, a unique interactive feature was in store for all the assembled devotees. With the Temple Room now filled, a special "Lord Rama Game Show" was held! With some fun background music, questions about the pastimes of Lord Rama were put out to the crowd and devotees fell over themselves as they raised their hands to give answers. The prize for a correct answer? A banana which was offered to our beautiful Deities!

A delicious feast then awaited all the assembled devotees and the program finished with an enthusiastic kirtan. The evening provided a great opportunity for all the devotees to come together and celebrate the glories of Lord Rama!

Northampton Festival, UK – April 2016 (Album with photos) Srila…
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Northampton Festival, UK - April 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: People should be given the chance to hear the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, but in the beginning they should not be instructed about the glories or the spiritual significance of the holy name. By constant hearing of the holy name, their hearts will be purified, and then they will be able to understand the transcendental position of the holy name. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.21 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/UJw45W

Bengal Milk Sweets
→ The Vaishnava Voice

When Lord Krishna played on this Earth as a child, He lived in a community of cowherds in the region known as Vraja, in northern India. He was in charge of the young calves and took them out each morning to the pasturing grounds.

Accompanied by dozens of His friends, and with hundreds of calves each, Krishna would walk through the Vrindavan forest in search of lush vegetation. The cowherd boys’ herding and adventurous play went on all day, stopping only for a picnic, when they’d happily share the contents of each other’s lunch packs. The boys never went hungry because their mothers had prepared all kinds of savouries and sweets for them, using different recipes each day. A plentiful milk supply meant that many of the sweet preparations were made from yogurt, cream and cheese. Placed in pots, wrapped in banana leaves then tied up firmly with grass twine, the packages were a delight to open at lunchtime in the shade of a large tree.

The Bhagavata Purana, the ancient book that gives details about the Lord’s life, even describes the menu of these picnics, and for thousands of years the recipes have been preserved, shared and used. In the Vaishnava tradition, the way of devotion to Krishna, meals are still prepared for child Krishna and offered to Him at a home shrine or a large public temple. There, installed upon a throne and decorated with flowers, the sacred image of the blackish-bluish cowherd boy interacts with His devotees. Just as He did while on Earth, the Lord can accept a lunch pack from His devotees and eat it as his midday picnic.

That is why, for fifty centuries, wherever there are temples dedicated to Krishna, the worshippers have cooked milk sweets and brought them as offerings. They remember Krishna in Vrindavan, and recreate that atmosphere every time they take milk, yogurt, cream and cheese, cook them together with other natural ingredients, and place them on the altar along with their prayers. Each temple has its own speciality milk sweet, and pilgrims can receive a sample from the priest as holy prasad, immediately after the offering has been removed from Krishna’s altar.

Although such delicious dishes are prepared all over India, nowhere is more famous for milk sweets than Bengal, where sweet making has been raised to a fine art. Bengal was once known as Gor-Desh or ‘the sweet country,’ and it is customary in that region, even today, to celebrate all of life’s major events with the sharing of a plate of delicious milk sweets.

From the strained, caramelised yogurt known as Misti-dahi, through the thickened, condensed milks of Khir and Rabri, to the soft, kneaded cheese of Sandesh, the sweetened and spiced fudges of Burfi andPera, and the delicate, sponge-like textured Rasagulla and Cham-cham, the range of sweets and the varieties of flavours is vast.

The British in Victorian India were not immune to the allure of Bengali sweets, and the famous confectioners of the day, household names such as K.C.Das were all patronised by the well-to-do members of the Raj. When the wife of the Viceroy, Lady Canning, celebrated her birthday, one sweet maker came up with a novel design for her. By cooking a traditional rasagulla in ghee, the sweet turned golden in colour and the flavour took on a delicate nuance. Still popular today, the celebratory confection is now known by the Bengali version of the aristocrat’s name: the Ledikenni.

The founder of the Hare Krishna movement, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, was born in Calcutta in 1896 and grew up with both a Krishna temple across the street and a sweet shop nearby. So he was perfectly placed to experience the best of Bengal’s milk sweets quite regularly through his childhood. When he introduced the traditions of Krishna temple worship to the West he also brought the art of sweet-making with him. His disciples learned how to make traditional sweets and offered them twice a day on the altar – beginning at four in the morning.

Bhagavad Gita – two-step method to solve problems
→ Servant of the Servant

In the beginning of Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna gets anxiety attack and then Krishna reacts to his anxiety. Interestingly, Krishna never gives a direct answer to Arjuna’s anxiety attack in terms of problems of war and the people involved in it, which was the basis for Arjuna’s argument. Instead Krishna gave His opinion based on a higher principle.

Similarly, when we face problems in our own lives, we should wear the hat of Krishna in the sense that we should step back from our problem and try to reevaluate from a higher principle. One may ask what is that higher principle that Krishna focused on – the answer to that is upon Himself. In other words, Arjuna was confused thinking of the impending death as a result of war, in that confusion, He forgot Govinda who was standing right next to Him. To remind His intimate friend to be fearless, Vasudeva Krishna had to remind Arjuna about His Own Supreme dominion and that nothing happens without the sanction of Him (Vasudeva). This is the highest principle – that if we step back from our daily anxieties and simply go deeper into this principle that nothing happens without the sanction of the Lord, then as Arjuna, we can also get inspired to fight our daily battles.

So Bhagavad Gita is a two-step process to deal with problems of life whenever it hits us;

First step - to always be reminded (with faith) that Krishna controls everything and henceforth, we should seek His shelter always. In that mood, surrender our intelligence to Him.
Second step - in this mood of shelter we use our intelligence to solve problems. Now the problem may go away or become worse, regardless if we approach the problem in that mood of shelter, it is always a success because the problem enforces us to get closer to Govinda.

Materialistic people who have no knowledge of Govinda try to directly solve their problems, sometimes they succeed, sometimes they fail. But because they do not get closer to Govinda, they ultimately only fail. So success and failure in life, per the Gita, is how much we realize Govinda. The rest of our problems are mere details for it is like summer and winter seasons, comes and goes!

Hare Krishna

Historic Steps Forward (5 min video) Indradyumna Swami: This…
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Historic Steps Forward (5 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: This video covers the historic opening of ISKCON’s first cultural center in Beijing and the very first harinama at the famous Great Wall of China. May our previous acaryas be pleased that their dedicated service over many centuries is now bearing fruit. All glories to our beloved Srila Prabhupada!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/a6CghE

Oldest 24-Hour Kirtan Festival in West Celebrates 17 Years….
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Oldest 24-Hour Kirtan Festival in West Celebrates 17 Years.
Over 2,000 people from the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe are expected to attend the 17th annual 24-Hour Kirtan in Birmingham, England from Saturday April 30th to Sunday May 1st. Today, it’s a huge bank holiday weekend draw. But back when the event – the oldest 24-Hour-Kirtan Festival in the Western world – began in 1999, attendance was much smaller. It all started with a group of Pandava Sena teenage youth, fans of the year-around 24-Hour Kirtan program in Vrindavan, India, which had been run by Aindra Das since 1986.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/9qYrIN

Harinama – ISKCON Auckland New Zealand: (Album with…
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Harinama - ISKCON Auckland New Zealand: (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One is understood to be an eternal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead if he considers himself a servant of the holy name and in this spirit distributes the holy name to the world. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.16 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/NMS8LQ

Just A Sesame Seed Of Doubt
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By Kesava Krsna Dasa

Have we ever considered how many outstanding ‘harmless’ little doubts remain with us as we endeavour for perfection in Krishna consciousness? Some spiritual practitioners feel quite comfortable harbouring certain philosophical question marks that challenge our rationality, thinking them to be docile reasoning tools. Is there room for quaint musings that can be put aside until perhaps we get a boost of faith?

“For the doubting soul there is happiness neither in this world nor in the next.” (BG 4.40)

Most of us are, or were conditioned by universally accepted ‘rational’ observations presented as fact. They cement into such a strong belief that one has to reject or suspend them when pondering matters other worldly or spiritual. Such divisive objective and subjective issues as – creationism versus big bang and evolution theories – can tear apart communities, which in the absence of decent law and order, will erupt into enmity and loss of life.

The ‘rational’ mind cannot accept that for Christians, the world was created within seven days some 5 to 6,000 years ago, because it defies geological evidence, among other things. I am sure the vaisnavas would agree. The Vedic description of creation and the cosmos also confounds the empiricists due to the fantastic ‘mythological tales’ that describe things beyond our purview. Yet sometimes, we find that after some years of practicing Krishna consciousness, some ‘rational’ leftovers still cause some devotees to half ‘doubt’ certain facts or fiction.

“Therefore the doubts which have arisen in your heart out of ignorance should be slashed by the weapon of knowledge.” (BG 4.42)

The fantasy that earth men travelled to a heavenly planet called the moon still elicits thoughts of, “They could have gone you know…Srila Prabhupada was such a staunch believer, he could never yield to something opposing his way of thinking…but, but just maybe, they did go, or not.” Will such ambiguous uncertainties help us in devotional service?

Recently it was reported that the furthest ever object in space was detected, and that its distance away from earth is a staggering ’14 billion’ light years away from us. This would make the Vedic measurement of our universe appear as a sesame seed in comparison. Would such thoughts as, “Well, this is interesting…so vastly different from what I read in the Srimad Bhagavatam…but I’ll keep an open mind on it…I can’t be too fanatical about these things.”

Could we be accused of myopic inflexibility if we reject these findings as hell bound demoniac influences? Or perhaps, we simply brush them off as sincere but ignorant attempts to search for answers with faulty senses and instruments? In either case, would these delusions impinge on our happiness in spiritual life if we retain them as, “Yet to be sorted out?”

Can a devotee ever be in a state of delusion? According to (Bhagavad-Gita 10.4) the word – asammohah – means delusion, but Srila Prabhupada has translated it as “doubt and delusion.” They are both obviously synonymous in terms of understanding things from a wider perspective. It indicates then that anyone harbouring comfortable doubts is in fact keeping “Yet to be sorted out” delusions. So clearly they are not good for our Krishna consciousness, however reasonable we are.

These limitless attempts to cause doubt and delusion will continue unabated. They need not be confined to scientific knowledge. We will be tested even more on the devotional level as waves of gross and subtle interactions with other devotees, and the way they live and react in different circumstances can test our resolve. Above all, any doubt however big or small will put a dampener on our happiness. In the Chaitanya Bhagavata Lord Chaitanya told His dear devotee Sri Murari Gupta, that even a sesame seed of doubt will stop ones progress in Krishna consciousness.

Our faith in our respective spiritual masters and in every word and deed of Srila Prabhupada has to be complete. Anything less, even by a measurement of a comfortable sesame seed results in partial happiness without which we cannot be truly peaceful at heart. And who is the original guru preceptor we must take full shelter of? It is the great Avadhuta, Sri Nityananda Prabhu.
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Now hear, O son of Prtha, how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you will know Me in full, free from doubt.” (BG 7.1)

In order for us to seek His mercy we literally have to reject and suspend all rationality, all notions of normal human behaviour, all social norms and high brahminical principles, and even ‘normal’ vaisnava cultural expectations, to not doubt in the least, the Avadhuta nature of Lord Nityananda. Only the privileged who have relinquished all forms of niggling doubts can get His mercy, and, as the often heard expression goes; “Dive in” to the ocean of Bhakti.

Realizing this, we will find that this realm of delusion and doubt inhabited by animated blobs of doubt – the material bodies – are somehow hovering about waiting for this opportune moment to become free from all doubts. We have to again suspend all empirical lucidity in order to read and understand the Srimad Bhagavatam, which was compiled from above normal time and space. If we retain them, the facts and figures found in this scripture will cause more doubt. Our full faith in the spiritual master helps to enlighten us.

Yet, whilst rejecting conventional thought while practicing devotional service, we have to retain it to make this knowledge suitable for doubt riddled persons to accept. A preacher who has doubts will not be very convincing.

Through Lord Nityananda and His extensions – the spiritual masters – a doubt-free mood will present no limits to our progress or acquirement of knowledge. “Whoever knows Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead without doubting, is the knower of everything. He therefore engages himself in full devotional service to Me, O son of Bharata.” (BG 15.19)

Your servant Kesava Krsna Dasa – GRS.