Wednesday, March 30th, 2016
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Wednesday, March 30th, 2016
Flacq, Mauritius

Cutting Short the Life

Here in Mauritiusthe health department is right on top of things.  When you enter the country at customs you show that you’ve filled-out a yellow slip, which you sign to confirm both where you've been recently, and what might be any physical issue for you.

I indicated on my slip that I have no ailments, but given the fact that I was recently in Indiaand Africa, a nice man from the health unit came to follow up at the household I'm staying.  A blood sample he did take.  No phone call from him would be a good sign.

For my health I took that trek from Flacq and let my host and some other local followers of bhakti lead the way through the town and outskirts, which are mostly sugar cane fields.  Admittedly, after a day in the air or in airports, addressing one’s life-span is important. 

With the same group, we sat after walking to review a verse from the book, Bhagavatam. While reading a chapter entitled “the passing away of Bhisma,” what captivated us all was some hopeful epiphany, the remark in the verse that Krishna's mere glance at the Kauravas shortened their duration of life.  Luckily for the Kaurava army, the bad guys, their life was abbreviated.  More days of existence would mean more offences to the public.  More offences means more bad karma.  Krishna, in the form of the Health Department, decided that a virus had to be eradicated.  The Kauravas lost lives, big time, in the war at Kuruksetra.

May the source be with you!

7 km

Tuesday, March 29th, 2016
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Tuesday, March 29th, 2016
Durban, Johannesburg, Mauritius

On With Two Words

It was a gimmicky line but it made a good point.  At the Durban Airport, in the waiting area, Kala and I admired the expansive picture of the first plane to soar in the air with a caption expressing that it didn't take off in seconds, rather, “It took 6 years.”

To get something good in life it takes hard work.  In the Bhagavad-gita much reference is given by Krishna to two words used over and over again.  They are yoga and yajna.  Both words imply discipline. Yoga, in the literal sense, refers to linking or re-connecting to the Divine.  It means to be obedient, to co-operate and be a team player-- with the previous teachers, one’s guru, and God.  It is a type of surrender where you renounce your independence.

Yajna, in traditional definition, refers to sacrifice, much in the same way that yoga is connecting.  Chapter three makes strong statements to this end.  “Work for the satisfaction of Vishnu, otherwise work (activity) binds you to this world.”

It is all a matter of how you channel your Karma.  We are all born with a certain psychophysical structure and when directed properly, towards a disciplined aim, towards the Absolute, then good results will come. 

“Be not attached to the fruits of your labour, but be attached to the duty, the discipline,” Krishnaalso states in chapter three.

Kala and I took the flight to Johannesburgand then on to Mauritius.  The flying was smooth, especially if it were compared to when the Wright brothers took their first crack at it.

May the source be with you!

0 km

Monday, March, 28th, 2016
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Monday, March, 28th, 2016
Durban, South Africa

Looking At the Cooking

Before my morning circle stroll around the temple I decided to pay a visit to the guys doing all the cooking for the big event, “The Chariot Festival.”  Beginning at midnight about two to three dozen men fill these pots (40 plus) with broad beans on one side and rice in the other side.  Many kilos of grains go in each pot for the cooking, and each pot serves one hundred people.  Yesterday the meal prepared was biryani, something South Africans love.  Today the alternate preps were on “The Beans,” Anil told me.

I was there to show support to Anil and his comrades as we all stood in the smoky atmosphere.  “We ordered these pots from India, but we made a more high-teck burner underneath.  With the metal wall around the burning wood it saves a lot of the fuel,” said Anil.

The room where I'm accommodated is on the second story just above the outdoor kitchen.  I hear the crackling of the fire during my light sleep.  Sometimes a gust of smoke bellows up to make a partial appearance in my room.  I also hear the chatting of the cooks below, but it is the chatter of happy chaps. My sleep is slightly interrupted at times, but I really don't mind since it is a small trance of “devotional commotion.”

Such interruptions are too little to be agitated.  After all the cooks are doing such a noble thing, cooking night after night for the hundred thousand head count.

Unsung heroes!

May the source be with you!

7 km

Sunday, March 27th, 2016
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Sunday, March 27th, 2016
Durban, South Africa

The Japa Gang

There is a regular group of us, a non-official japa mob, which takes to circling the temple in the morning. I use the word mob, (maybe gang is more appropriate) to indicate that we are a dangerous lot.  Armed with a mantra, we are committed to declaring war on the illusion of our own world.  When you bond together, to get down to business, it produces a positive end result.

Sadbhuj, a monk I've known from Germany, came to join our walking crew and after an hour of the forward move on two fronts – the physical trekking and the spiritual chanting – he remarked, “this is a good program!”   

I'm dying to know the type of birds that fly over us.  They are of different breeds from those I am familiar with.  I asked the “gang” if anyone has heard a loon before.  “No!”

“Well, Google it.”

His cry is the most haunting/mystical sound you'll ever have heard on earth.  It's a sound of eeriness, reassurance and calmness all wrapped in one.  Check it out!  I've never really heard Krishna playing His flute, but I would say that nature is cutting it close when you hear this bird show off.

Many hours were spent, not with the japa mob (that occupied one hour) but with our drama crew working hard to première the play “Mr Puri.”  It highlights a monk who’s trekked hundreds of miles.  He travelled a lot, and with a heavy load of sandalwood for his worshippable deity Gopal. Our troupe did marvellous.  This is a real passion for me – putting together stories in theatrical format, apart from walking and listening to the loon.

May the source be with you!

7 km

Become eager for mercy! Kadamba Kanana Swami: In the beginning…
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Become eager for mercy!
Kadamba Kanana Swami: In the beginning of our spiritual life, we come with lots of enthusiasm. Then, after some time, we lose that initial fire and we come into a realm of struggling with all the high standards of Krsna consciousness. We do not feel the same inspiration that we had in the beginning. Then, what do we do? At that point, what can we do?
Srila Prabhupada explains that one must chant in a mood of a helpless child. So, when we become helpless, when we realize, ‘Actually, I am not a great devotee, I am struggling, it is not easy! It is very challenging, maybe too challenging!’ Then, all we have left is to look for mercy, as much mercy as possible, because it is mercy that can change us. On our own strength, we are lacking, we do not have the determination and conviction to just act on the level of pure devotion even after hearing all the good instructions. Then, all that is left for us to do is to look for as much mercy as possible. Because, through that mercy, we will change and we will get a desire!
It is not difficult to be a pure devotee if we would want to be, the problem is that we do not want to be. We are holding onto our material conditioning and therefore we do not get nourishment from devotional service. But, by mercy, we can go beyond! Therefore, with time, as we are realizing more and more how much we are falling short in being pure devotees, more and more, we become eager for mercy. That mercy is available in so many ways: in service, in hearing from the vaisnavas, in prasadam, in giving donations – in so many opportunities and so many forms. One has to be eager to look for it, to take it and to look for opportunities.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/qFGIkO

Devotee Author Aims Bhagavatam-Inspired Novel at Western…
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Devotee Author Aims Bhagavatam-Inspired Novel at Western Audience.
With his first novel, “The Yoga Zapper,” ISKCON devotee Hari Mohan Das (Mohan Ashtakala) has blended exciting fantasy storytelling with themes from the Srimad-Bhagavatam, including the prophesied appearance of Kalki Avatar at the end of Kali Yuga. He hopes to entertain and educate a diverse Western audience with this potent mix, published by mid-sized Canadian publisher Books We Love. Mohan has all the requisite background for a mystical novel like this. As a child, he grew up in North India against the backdrop of the Himalayas. “My uncle was an officer with the Indian Forestry Service, and we lived close to the jungle,” he says. “I remember hearing tigers at night, and I had a pet deer. I had so many adventures! So a lot of the descriptions and authentic feel of India in my novel come from those experiences.” Mohan later moved to Canada with his parents, and as an adult joined ISKCON, receiving initiation as a brahmana priest from Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Swami. He has studied Vaishnava scriptures and their stories in depth, and presented at interfaith and diversity conferences at various churches and schools.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/Zw8Eoy

Saturday, March 26th, 2016
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Saturday, March 26th, 2016
Durban South Africa

It Started With Kreeshan

I met Kreeshan again after six years.  We affectionately referred to him as a member of the KKK.  Along with 2 other young volunteers from our drama projects, these comrades all had the first letter to their first name as a K, hence the name of the club alleviated to them.  Actually, Kreeshan is now no longer a young teen, like when I first met him.  He's got to be 30 now.  Easily.

Recently returned from Dubai, after the oil industry met with challengers, Kreeshan is back with family and friends.

On the second day of the Chariot Festival, people are coming by the thousands to get involved in sacred sound and food mostly.  On an annual basis I'm asked to lead as Dance Master in the Bhakti Cloud Tent. It's magic.  Practically at the start of the half hour session, it's a handful of people but by the end the place is rocking.

When in DurbanI usually get the opportunity to walk down sinful lane by checking out fair food.  I really mean to say “junk food” but I don't want to be offensive to prasadam, sacred food that’s offered.  Chips (French fries) are something I rarely get.  I was confessing to Bhakti Chaitanya Swami that I go on a non-health kick when I come. Even though the fries are good for the tongue, they are terrible for the tank.

I was concerned about the exertion of my dear friend Kadama Karana Swami, another monk, who's recovering from cancer surgery. The cancer was exacerbated by a bullet shot he received some years ago in India.  He's an inspiration as far as monastics are concerned.

May the source be with you!

7 km

Friday, March 25th, 2016
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Friday, March 25th, 2016
Durban, South Africa

Under the Sun

Heat!  Humidity!  Stupidity!  That's if you don't address the heat properly.  Kala and I decided to declare war on the sun by purchasing these straw-like cowboy hats. People commented “Fashionable”.

Yes, the Chariots Festival, in its 28th year in Durban, had kick-started at 11.30 AM after a speech by monk Bhakti Chaitanya Swami. Afterward a dance troupe performed.  Coconuts with camphor cubes aflame the tops were thrown and smashed in front of the leading chariot of Balarama.  This is a regular part of the ritual before the pull of rope that mobilizes the chariots as the walk of the leg begins.

Everyone gets to walk.  That is the unique thing about this festival.  I would say that this 2 12 to 3 kilometre walk is not what people are used to.  Participants in the event come in their fancy cars. Furthermore walking at this time of day, under intense sun, is also novel for South Africans.  Like all over the world people love cars.

Just as we were about to embark on this walk to pull the chariots, one cream-coloured auto (the make I don't know) slowly plied through the crowd as a service vehicle.  It got me reflecting on how it is such an endeavour to secure one of those machines.  They are expensive. Convenient?  Maybe!  Destructive?  Yes!  In so many ways.

In any event, it was nice to observe the organics of people walking such a long distance (note the sarcasm) and even enjoying it.

May the source be with you!

9 km

Thursday, March, 24th, 2016
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Thursday, March, 24th, 2016
Durban, South Africa

Togetherness

You are taking a little bit of chance walking anywhere near or in the downtown of Durbanat night, but I was near the weekend, security patrolled, marquis where we had our drama practice.  I needed some solo time, a few minutes to chill before Tamohar, my driver, would pick me up to take me back home.  He made sure I wouldn’t walk through the seediest part of town.  The short strip I did trek was odd.  It was not too late, just after 9.30.  It’s hard to imagine any foul play when there is no one on the street to do anything.

When Tamohar did eventfully stop for taking me off the street, I asked him, “Would Nelson Mandela be happy with the way things turned out in Africa?”

Tamohar, being a South Africa, gave his honest opinion, “No, he wouldn't be happy.  Mandela worked hard for freedom, for a world that would honour fairness.”  To take a quote from Mandela himself in this regard, “Another important building block for new democracy is the love and goodwill we show to each other.  That is the spirit of Masakhan, of bringing one another together.”

The vision of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, similarly amplified “Togetherness.”  Merely through the practice of sankirtan we can achieve a likeness of unity – unity and diversity.

South Africa is a great venue for experiencing the universal motion of singing and dancing for the races of all souls.

May the source be with you!

5km

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016
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Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016
Durban, South Africa

Improve is the Way to Groove

My usual trek is around the temple.  The walkway that borders around is quite perfect except for the guaranteed puddles of water-- residual wet area from the evening's water sprinkler system.  Some dodging has to be done.

I really appreciate the coy fish, they’re in the dozens and on a permanent swim.  They weren't there last year, floating in the moat which is next to the walkway.  Yes indeed there's this pleasant man-made water moat that makes the trek that much more enjoyable.  Now, you are not alone.  You're on for a stroll and you got these cute creatures next to you.

The installation of the fish is an improvement.  What I'm looking for is an improvement to our newly work-in-progress play “Mr Puri.”  Today is Gaura Purnima, when the world celebrates the kirtan trail-blazing Sri Chaitanya, born 530 years ago.  Practically a contemporary of his is someone by the name of Madhavendra Puri, after which our play is named.  I've been struggling a bit with a few scenes, especially one that entails my volunteer boy-and-girl actors trying to put some choreography to clearing the jungle with sickles, picks, and spades. However, a consistent working at something will always pay off.

One third-party person, a woman, came in during practice and made an encouraging remark.

“It's so beautiful seeing these performers celebrating the outdoor working experience. I love the way they are dancing with their jungle tools.”

Confirmation!  I guess we are getting somewhere in the endeavour to improve.

May the source be with you!

4 km

Monday, March 21st, 2016
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Monday, March 21st, 2016
Mumbai, India to Doha, Durban

Flying

In Pune, 15,000 strong
Before the stage they did strong
All to hear the rights and wrongs
In between the bhakti songs.

Now we find ourselves flying
At points you feel like dying
Either that, or like crying
For only sitting and not lying.

Oh! To be able to walk
It's a dream or cheap talk
In the jet that did rock
But in safety bearing tilak.

My foot would hang in the aisle
Appearing not to be in file
All passengers have a style
Some sitting under a blanket pile.

I would feel the wheel of the cart
With its food and the butter tart
And the wheel of the duty-free mart
At which I did not take part.

The flight seemed to go for ever
An endless flow like Ganges River
The trip was another endeavour
To please the lord, it's maya to sever.

May the source be with you!

0 km

Sunday, March 20th, 2016
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Sunday, March 20th, 2016
Pune, India

Loving It!

As usual, at this time of the year, each day looks the same.  The sun is ever present.  When the British came I'm sure it was a breath of fresh air for them.

I have been pacing on the temple's veranda and seeing down below the crows like clockwork, going for their breakfast, pecking at any creepy-crawlies upon the grass.  It's at this grassy patch that Corrado had been doing his pacing while dutifully chanting on those beads of his.  God bless him!  This has been his first trip overseas.  He's loving it – Indiabeing in a devotional atmosphere.  It's our last day here.

Mandala, luckily, has had his second visit to this land of Bharat.  He's been under the weather the last few days.  His throat and stomach are agitated, yet his spirits stay high.

Balaram, an excellent dancer, has been a good sport, attending all functions for Sadhana, and inspiring everyone with his moves during dancing sessions.

 An additional person, a cool dude from South Africa, is Nimai.  He's also a team player and tagged along with our core “Krishna Is…” group since Mayapur.  His trip to Indiaterminates as well.

At the writing of this blog we haven't yet performed our drama, which is slotted for the evening in front of 10,000 students.  I'm sure it will be a hit.

I’m relieved that I put in some kilometres today.

May the source be with you!

7 km

Saturday, March 19th, 2016
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Saturday, March 19th, 2016                          
Pune, India

Another Ashram                                

We have a second ashram in Pune, or rather the first.  Before the large ashram opened in Katraj, the humble beginnings of Krishna Consciousness were initiated at Pune Camp.  That’s where I was driven to at 4AM.  In a tight space I was expected to lead the morning kirtans and give the class based on the Bhagavtam, Canto 4.  It was later on, that the main leader for the area, Radhe Shyam, expressed what he got out of the talk.

“I liked your bear story, when you were on your walk.  Secondly, I liked the point about empathic listening, and lastly the point about getting to the essence of a story and not being logged down by details.”  I was honoured to get complements from him.

At the university grounds, Bharati Vidya Pith, our group of volunteer actors did check out three important components to a venue: performance space, sound, and lights.  We also took advantage of a technical run-through.  Though the lights weren’t quite ready for us, nor the sound, we did have the carpets laid out for us over the stage for the rehearsal.  Hence, the foundation was there.  It went well.  We’ve come a long way from our first get-together with our volunteer group.  Apart from our two entertainers from Canada--Balarama and Corrado-- Krishna gave the challenge of sending us computer people with little experience.

When there was a break I was asked how marathon waling is possible.

“Are you thinking about walking India one day?”

My usual answer to this question, which does arise, is, “I wish I could do something about the traffic and the heat, but I know I’ll get fed wherever I go.”

To that I get a laugh and a head waggle.

May the Source be with you!

2 Km

Friday, March 18th, 2016
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Friday, March 18th, 2016                               
Pune, India

A Real Person                                                 

I was very content, and honoured, to deliver the Bhagavatam message to a large group of monks.  Based on the story of Daksha, found in Canto 4, the topic had much to do with daughter and father relations. In this story the father shows weakness of heart and spirit.

I had been requested to talk about some of the walking ventures I’ve experienced.  It was met very favourably.

A real highlight for me was reading from the book “My Days with Prabhupada: A Young Monk’s Path to God in the Hare Krishna Movement.”  It was given to me by the author, Umapati Swami, when I was in Mayapur.  There is lots of nectar in the book.

An excerpt:

I sat on the floor with a few others in the Swami’s office repairing something one
afternoon while the Swami worked at his floor-level desk. Suddenly my hand
slipped and the blade of my screwdriver hit my fingertip. I felt a sharp stinging
pain. Had I cut myself? I looked. It seemed alright at first but suddenly a little
round drop of blood appeared. Better to wrap it with something. I looked up at the
Swami, but he was busy. I shouldn’t disturb him. On the other hand, I might smear
blood on something. “Do you have a piece of cloth?” I asked. The Swami tossed
old typewriter ribbon as he continued to work. I hesitated; an inky ribbon on a cut?
I put it down.

Then the Swami looked over at me. “Oh,” he said, “I didn’t know you had cut
yourself. I’m sorry.”

I shrugged. After all, it was barely more than a scratch. “Oh that’s alright!”

“I’m sorry” said the Swami…

The Swami apologized a few more times. I was seeing another side of the Swami
now. He had many things to take care of-- writing books, teaching disciples,
spreading Krishna Consciousness, yet he was apologizing over a small cut. He was
a real person.

May the Source be with you!

3Km

Thursday, March 17th, 2016
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Thursday, March 17th, 2016                         
Pune, India

Everything is a Workout                         

I’ve been receiving invitations to be driven to a park about three kilometres away.  There I can get some walking in.  But I declined the offers in favour of staying on the campus where I can pace back and forth at the temple’s veranda.  Going through traffic in these hustle/bustle cities in India, even for a short length, is not my cup of tea.

I pace, and a small group paces with me, and we all put in the leg-and-lung power together.  The legs do the walking.  The lungs do the chanting.  For the legs you can call it a subtle work-out.  The chanting, on the other hand, is a strenuous one-- one with the mind.

There’s a constant struggle to keep that rascal mind under the thumb.  The mind is a slippery little critter. It slithers around in a quiet speed and mode.

In the bhakti-yoga tradition a portion of the day is spent in disciplinary action, in confronting the mind.  Exercise such discipline and you’ve got a friend.

Physical work-out did become a component for the day.  Right under the deity Balaji is a hall that is reserved for our drama practices.  The space has turned into a gymnasium of sorts.  From 2pm to 9 pm we carry on with direction and the intellectual side of a script, putting it into practicalities.

The volunteers we have are basically computer people who do very little for their physicality. Our weekend assignment, the play “Krishna Is…,” is starting to take form with the help of stiff-ish, but sincere, volunteers.

May the Source be with you!

5 Km

Wednesday, March 16th, 2016
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Wednesday, March 16th, 2016                           
Pune, India

Who Is Central?                             

I had a few precious moments with Bhakti Caru Swami, a monk who hails from Bengal.  Our topic, off the second, was really about damage control.  When people go off course, emotionally for instance, how do you cater to the sensitivities of all parties?

A key factor involved in assisting a cool-down is in the principle of empathic listening.  This listening goes such a long way in smoothing out relations.  To “hear out” someone takes time, but it is time well spent and invested.

Now I have no qualms with monk Bhakti Caru, and I doubt he has anything major against me.  We were addressing the common devotees that we serve, devotees who sometimes do not agree with each other.  It is a given that human beings are human beings. They will have a collision of concepts.  It was a pleasure to listen to the morning class by Bhakti Caru Swami. He reminded us of the sacrifices and care of our guru, Srila Prabhupada.  For some years now he has been conducting seminars on the subject of “Prabhupada: The Person, The Guru, The Mentor and Founder of The Hare Krishna Movement.”

When he finished his talk, before the crowd of over one hundred monks, he asked me if I would say a few words.  So I did. 

“I just wanted to thank Bhakti Caru Maharaja for helping us to see that central to our culture is the person who set the tone and standards of bhakti-yoga for the modern age.  If we don’t have this kind of focus then surely we will be divided by the different concepts.”

Basically I voiced, in a non-rehearsed way, the need to fit under one umbrella that can shelter various approaches and viewpoints.

May the Source be with you!

5 Km

Tuesday, March 15th, 2016
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Tuesday, March 15th, 2016                           
Pune, India

Discipline in Pune                                           

Two flights and a lengthy ride from Pune Airportbrought us to the gorgeous temple of Radha-Vrndavan and Balaji.  I had made a quick visit here two and a half years ago and at that time this six acre plot was rather barren, except for the temple itself and some living quarters for the monks.

Now, you can see the high-rises doing just that, rising high on all sides.  We are talking about residential buildings, some of which will take care of living needs of community members.

We were greeted by an eager bunch, as is common at all the places we go to where there is a monastery. In this particular ashram you are a strict practitioner when you join.  You are upholding four regulative principles: no meat, fish or eggs, no gambling, no intoxicants and no sexual connections before you join. In the first year of residence as a brahmachari you are in yellow attire.  The second stage is that one wear white for five years.  The next phase you get diksha or initiation from a guru (spiritual master).  At some point you will don saffron coloured clothes.

I would say it is a happy regimentation.  The young men seem content with their discipline. The prasadam (food) is good.  Another note about strictness is that while our group had been invited to participate in the weekend’s Youth Festival, called “Dhristi,” our drama “Krishna Is…” was to be presented, but not in the full production.  One scene where dancers portray Krishna and His female devotees dance in the night, we agreed to leave out of the drama, being too sensitive to the large portion of audience members consisting of students and monks.

There you have it!

May the Source be with you!

3 Km

Monday, March 14th, 2016
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Monday, March 14th, 2016                   
Kolkata, India

The Birthplace                                                  

I was asked to deliver a class to a group of monks in yet another location.  A five-minute walk from the actual birthplace of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, is a second ashram for men.  We reflected on the power of prayer as emanating from the sincere heart and lips of saint Prahlad.  “Streams of excellent words” are expressed to invoke the attention of the Supreme-- words that are compiled by yogis such as Brahma and the Kumaras, yet it seems that such appeals are not always instantaneously responded to.

Prahlad’s mood was “what effect can my prayers then have coming from the humble quarters like myself?”  Even more unworthy, he expressed himself as being born in a family of trouble-makers, therefore how may the Creator give attention to what he had to pray for?  Prahlad spoke from a meek platform.

It was with a prayerful mood that the group of us, our Canadian contingent, Ekalavya, and the dozen or more local brahmacharis, gingerly made our way through about three city blocks to arrive at the birthplace.  According to Prabhupada’s nephew, Sankarshan, our guru was born in this middle-class home, shaded by a fairly young jackfruit tree.  The house, secured by the Iskcon Society, is still intact. This was where he was born in 1896 and where he grew up.  Here we sang the guru song called “Guru Vandanam.”  I suggested to the monks that perhaps they can look into some tasteful cosmetics to give the place a face-lift.

Visitors to Kolkata mark it as a spiritual pilgrimage to take advantage of.

May the Source be with you!

5 Km

Sunday, March 13th, 2016
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Sunday, March 13th, 2016  
Kolkata, India

Something Special About Victoria Square  

When the mission only began, in Kolkata in 1971, Iskcon had secured the current building on Albert Road.  The American girls who shared in the launching and pioneering of the mission also stayed at the premises.  There was a slight complication when it came to their bathing arrangements.  To get to their facility they had to pass through the men’s section, so they found an alternative.

Across the street is Victoria Square Park which is primarily a lake, the women began in the early morning to take their bath there.  They observed local women taking advantage of the waters.  Thus it became routine to go for the washing and preparing oneself to be clean for morning sadhana, and darshan of the deities of Krishna.  That practice terminated when neighbours asked our Calcuttaborn guru, Srila Prabhupada, “Why are your female disciples bathing with the prostitutes?”  Of course, our young women were not aware of who their bathing companions were.

It was around this lake (more like a pond) that Mandala and I took to circling on foot in a clock-wise direction.  It truly is a good location to stay right there with nature in the fairly-well maintained natural grove that borders the water.  People come here for a run, a walk or a work-out.  A modest home on the property, houses a family- a man, his wife, two sons (from what we could see), a dog who sits like he’s the king of the place, and a family of ducks.

The British did some awesome things when they developed and designed Kolkata.  It was well laid out with parks and ponds, which are just ideal for people to converge.  Victoria Square Lakehas been utilized by people for quite some decades.  Our guru walked around it.  His enthusiastic female students bathed in it.  It’s undoubtedly a pilgrimage site.

May the Source be with you!

8 Km

Sri Narasimha Caturdasi Festival 2016 Invitation
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  ISKCON Mayapur welcomes worldwide devotees to join us on the joyous occasion of celebrating the appearance day of Sri Narasimhadeva, Sri Narasimha Caturdasi festival 2016. This year, the festival falls on 20th May. A three days festivities including Narahari Nama Kirtan, adhivas, Maha abhisheka and Sri Narasimha Katha are planned for this year’s festival. […]

The post Sri Narasimha Caturdasi Festival 2016 Invitation appeared first on Mayapur.com.

​Near Death Experiences – Where science points to spirituality
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​Talk at the University of Singapore

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​Should we see adversities in material life as impetuses for practicing karmany va dhikaraste?
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Namamrita Program by Bhakti Brihat Bhagavatam Maharaj at Sri…
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Namamrita Program by Bhakti Brihat Bhagavatam Maharaj at Sri Mayapur International School (Album with photos)
During the first week of the Gaura purnima holidays, some of our teachers and high school students took part in the Namamrita course. It was an amazing opportunity to make our relationship with the holy name more deep and sweet.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ee88cv

​Do madhyama devotees have one leg in the material world and one in the spiritual?
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​Does devotees’ taking monetary benefits for their services spoil the selfless mood?
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Uni to host conference marking fifty years of Hare Krishna Movement
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On Saturday 23rd April, Bath Spa University will be hosting a conference to mark the first fifty years of the Hare Krishna Movement, also known as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
One of the movement’s leading gurus, His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami, will be in attendance and there will be an opportunity to experience the arati ceremony where worship is offered, enjoy Indian dance and join in chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra.

A panel chaired by Suzanne Newcombe (INFORM), bringing together academics and devotees, will debate what happens when a New Religious Movement is no longer so new.

The keynote lecture will be given by Prof. Kim Knott (Lancaster University) who will focus on the movement’s achievements and challenges in a British setting.

Other papers consider the role of the movement in education (Rasamandala Das) and its place within the wider Vaishnava context (Dermot Killingley).

This conference offers an opportunity to assess how the Hare Krishna movement has changed in the course of its first half century.

Dr Catherine Robinson, Senior Lecturer in Religions, Philosophies and Ethics at Bath Spa University, said: “From controversial beginnings in the West where it attracted allegations of being a cult, it has established itself as a vital part of the contemporary religious scene with activities as diverse as feeding homeless people, ecological farming and workshops for schools alongside various forms of public witness and outreach.

“From humble beginnings in America in 1966, where Bhaktivedanta Swami had journeyed from India, the Hare Krishna movement has now become popular in the West and increasingly worldwide.

“By examining its origins and development, as well as offering some insights into the life of the movement, not least through sharing food, the conference will be a forum for reflection on the development of the Krishna movement and it’s made an impact in the world today.”

The conference runs all day from 10am – 6pm on Saturday 23rd April at Bath Spa University (Newton Park Campus).

Conference tickets are available online at www.bathspalive.com.
Source: http://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/whatson/uni-host-conference-marking-fifty-years-hare-krishna-movement-66438/

​Does Krishna enjoy being a master and forcing us to serve him?
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The Municipal Government of Stockholm city: Save the only Hindu…
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The Municipal Government of Stockholm city: Save the only Hindu temple and oldest vegetarian restaurant in Stockholm!
This Spiritual Centre is run by ISKCON, the world´s largest international Hindu institution based on the ancient Vedic scriptures. It contains a temple, shop and vegetarian restaurant, and has existed in Stockholm city for over 34 years. Over the years it has developed to become an established cultural institution.
The Centre is yearly visited by up till 100 000 people of
different categories: worshippers, spiritual seekers, teachers and students (for study visits), vegetarians/vegans, Hindus, global Indians etc. The visitors are benefitted by the variety of facilities and activities the Centre offers: worship, conduction of religious rituals such as marriage ceremonies, spiritual initiation etc, courses in spiritual philosophy, devotional yoga, mantra meditation, Indian music and dance, theatre, vegetarian cooking, ayurvedic health care, as well as festivals, vegetarian karma free freshly cooked meals, a shop offering a variety of products that harmonize with a holistic healthy spiritual culture.
The continued existence of the Centre is now in danger since the landlord, a property company owned by the Municipality of Stockholm, has cancelled the renting contract with no offer of proper compensation. If this will not change, the whole Centre will be forced to close down its activities. Many people have expressed that it will be a great loss if this will happen.
It is reasonable to claim that a municipal property company has a special responsibility to take into consideration the public benefit this Centre offers the population of Stockholm city.
Sign the petition online here: https://goo.gl/g61lkf

Sri Harinam Sankirtan in Sydney (Album with photos) One amazing…
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Sri Harinam Sankirtan in Sydney (Album with photos)
One amazing incident happened!!! When we were standing in front of Microsoft Office near Pitt Street Mall and chanting, the boss of the Microsoft came and very nicely said, we love your song and appreciate, if you could kindly please move will be nice as we are doing some presentation and it’s very loud sound and we can’t present. He continued we love to give some donation. Then he open his wallet and took out $200 and gave it to Harinam Sankirtan team. We all got so excited that just doing Kirtan people have appreciated so much and donated good sum also. Our team have decided to use that fund for buying our new sound system for Harinam. We have posted some some photos from yesterday, please have a look. Since its night and we’re moving so quality is not that great. See you all next week Thursday.
Thanks to everyone who came forward to make this Harinam a great success this week. Compared to last week which was our first week when 12 devotees came this week we had around 20 devotees attending Harinam with 2 kids. Every one took turns for leading kirtan. As we went along many people appreciated clapped and joined us for chanting. Few books and temple invitation cards got distributed. Haribol !!!!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/JO2CUU

Mahabharata event at University of Cincinnati (Album with…
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Mahabharata event at University of Cincinnati (Album with photos)
Andy Fraenkel: It was a great pleasure for my wife and me to meet all the Cincinnati devotees and participate in your special event last Saturday. I was struck by the mood of cooperation of the group. When I see this I think how pleased Srila Prabhupada would be, and indeed, that Prabhupada is manifested thru such a cooperative spirit. Dandavats to the coordinators, promoters, greeters, cooks, chanters, photographer and flower garland maker, etc. Thank you, one and all.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Rrf14H

The devotees from the Govinda restaurant and Patisserie of…
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The devotees from the Govinda restaurant and Patisserie of Benesov, Czech Republic organize home delivery of their prasadam!
Srila Prabhupada: You said that your job is maya, but you must know that maya is illusion. As soon as there is absence of Krishna Consciousness—that is maya. But you are working just to help and push Krishna’s interest; therefore, it is not maya. Anything used in Krishna Consciousness is real renouncement. Letter to Jayagovinda, February 3, 1970
For more information: https://goo.gl/ddGXDJ

Unflinching Faith in Spiritual master
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Hare KrishnaBy Giriraj Das

Whatever position one may have, if he is fully conversant with the science of Krsna, Krsna consciousness, he can become a bona fide spiritual master, initiator, a teacher of this science. In other words one can become a bona fide spiritual master if he has sufficient knowledge of the science of Krsna, Krsna consciousness. The position does not depend on a particular position in society or on birth. This is the conclusion of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and it is in accordance with the Vedic injunctions….In ancient days there was even a hunter named Dharma, who became a spiritual master for many people. Continue reading "Unflinching Faith in Spiritual master
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