Cooking classes by Srila Prabhupada’s “the famous cook”
Bhakti Charu Swami

In 1977 when His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj was serving Srila Prabhupada as his personal servant, Srila Prabhupada would lovingly call  Maharaj as the famous cook. Here on 2nd April 2016, the fortunate devotees of ISKCON Seattle learn to cook bottomless pizza, simply spinach, vegetable stir fry personally from Maharaj.

The post Cooking classes by Srila Prabhupada’s “the famous cook” appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

Increasing Our Dependence On Krishna – Raising kids and realizing Krishna do they go together?
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Cintamani Dhama Devi Dasi

I know that if I really want to help my children, I have to help them become conscious of Krishna. To do that, I too have to become Krishna conscious. After all, you can't give what you don't have. Children are sensitive to hypocrisy. You can't tell them "Chant Hare Krishna, offer your food to Krishna, don't take drugs or have illicit sex" unless you practice what you preach. If we want our children to be devotees, we have to teach by our own example. To me this is a powerful reason to set the best example I can and to pray constantly to Krishna to help me do better. I don't want these children to suffer in ignorance and be forced to be born again. Since I love them, I want to help them get out of the material world. Continue reading "Increasing Our Dependence On Krishna – Raising kids and realizing Krishna do they go together?
→ Dandavats"

Iskcon Nepal: Brief Emergency Relief Report (Album with…
→ Dandavats



Iskcon Nepal: Brief Emergency Relief Report (Album with photos)
Food for Life Nepal was quick to respond to this massive earthquake that devastated the region.
• Volunteers started serving hot meals from the very first day.
• Over 200,000 meals served for 2 months.
• 2600 blankets distributed.
• Rescue Health Camp Organized in dozens of affected places.
• 47 Temporary shelters built with collaboration with Lumanti.
• Food Materials Distributed to More than 10,000 victims.
• Clothes or tents were distributed to more than1000 victims.
• We reached out to Nuwakot, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Sakhu, Dharmasthali, Dhading, Gorkha etc.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/SaM3cf

​If no one can be free from the modes, is it really possible to be free from material desires?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​If no one can be free from the modes, is it really possible to be free from material desires? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

​Are realizations permanent or do we need to get the same realizations again and again?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​Are realizations permanent or do we need to get the same realizations again and again? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The Gita is elevating and accommodating – Overview of chapters 1-12
→ The Spiritual Scientist

House program at Singapore

Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post The Gita is elevating and accommodating – Overview of chapters 1-12 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Harinama in Arbat Street (mainly referred to in English as the…
→ Dandavats



Harinama in Arbat Street (mainly referred to in English as the Arbat, is a pedestrian street about one kilometer long in the historical centre of Moscow.) (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.1.11)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/bcPlwK

Snana-yatra 2016 Festival (Album with photos) Snana-yatra…
→ Dandavats



Snana-yatra 2016 Festival (Album with photos)
Snana-yatra festival at New Govardhana, San Diego. April 3, 2016
Srila Prabhupada: One cannot capture the blowing wind. And it is even more difficult to capture the turbulent mind. One must engage one’s mind fully in Krishna. Only then will there remain no other engagements to agitate the mind. (Bhagavad-gita 6.34, purport).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nKla0R

Radha Kunda Seva – March 2016 Photos and Updates (Album with…
→ Dandavats



Radha Kunda Seva - March 2016 Photos and Updates (Album with photos)
March was a quiet, uneventful month of steady seva. Cleaning and prasadam distribution every single day.
We could tell you about all the developments we’re waiting for because… well, because it’s India, but we won’t bore you with all that. I think you know anyway. Kitchen! We’re waiting to build our kitchen!
Only, we’re not waiting and twiddling our thumbs. Thanks to your ongoing support, we get to keep serving and serving.
Please browse our latest photos and join our efforts by visiting www.radharani.com.
Your servants, Mayapurcandra dasa, Campakalata Devi dasi, Padma Gopi Devi dasi, and Urmila Devi Dasi.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/6EQDsZ

A letter regarding my plans for this year, Gaura Purnima 2016-2017
→ SivaramaSwami.com

Dear Devotees

Please accept my blessings, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am writing this letter from Vrndavana, outlining my plans for this upcoming year. As you may know I am going to be 67 years old this year and to be honest I feel it. As Srila Prabhupada said, travelling takes a toll on a preacher. I feel that toll.

A turning point came after I surfaced from the bliss of participating in this year’s Prabhupada marathon. The physical strain seriously exacerbated a neurological condition that effects my spine, a condition with which I have been coping for the last two years. I won’t get into the details, but the physical effects are intense and unrelenting. If the condition gets out of hand, I could become disabled. Obviously I don’t want that to happen. There are other, currently secondary ailments, but in short, my body is rundown. So, I feel that the prudent thing to do is to both change my lifestyle and take a semi-break for this year.

By a change of lifestyle I mean that I will come to Hungary as planned, but I will not travel to other centres in Hungary, UK, Romania or Turkey. I will stay only in Budapest and New Vraja-dhama and make use of modern internet technology to give classes and to communicate with those places where I cannot physically go. And of course those devotees are welcome to visit where I am.

As for a semi-break, a period for recuperation, I plan on spending half the year in the Hungarian yatra’s apartment in Mayapura. That means being in India this year for most of July and August, October and November, and for the next year from January to April. In total I will be in Hungary for five months, with one brief visit to Istanbul and London.

Those rest periods will also give me an opportunity to spend further quality time in chanting and reading. So in effect it will be like a partial sabbatical. However I will continue to be accessible and I shall be on line to maintain contact with the yatra’s leaders and with devotees in general.

That is it in short. No doubt you will hear me explain this in further detail, in person. I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Hoping this meets you in the best of health and Krsna-consciousness
I remain you ever well-wisher in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Sivarama Swami

The post A letter regarding my plans for this year, Gaura Purnima 2016-2017 appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Sunday Program in Durban, 03 April 2016
→ KKSBlog


Here are photos and recordings of Kadamba Kanana Swami from the Sunday Program on 03 April, taken at the New Jagannatha Puri Temple near Durban.

KKS_DBN_03April2016__NJP_SundayProgram_JRM

KKS_DBN_03April2016__NJP_SundayProgram_Lecture

 

03April2016 (7) 03April2016 (1) 03April2016 (6) 03April2016 (3) 03April2016 (2) 03April2016 (4) 03April2016 (5)

​What is the subconscious mind – is it related with karana sharira?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​What is the subconscious mind – is it related with karana sharira? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

​When our life is so busy how can we make time for introspection and journaling?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​When our life is so busy how can we make time for introspection and journaling? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

North Indian Carrot Halava. Kurma dasa: Since so many have…
→ Dandavats



North Indian Carrot Halava.
Kurma dasa: Since so many have asked, here is my recipe for carrot halava. It is not the usual milky version. I like this one better because the taste of the carrots comes through.
Unlike the Middle Eastern sesame based halva, Indian halavas are more like fluffy puddings, and can be made with grains, vegetables, fruits, seeds or legumes. In my ultra-simple version of the famous North Indian dish, fresh sweet carrots are shredded and cooked with ghee or butter and sweet spices, then folded with dried fruit and nuts to form an aromatic dense pudding. Carrot halava is delicious, and ideal when you want to prepare something a little different. Serves 4 – 6 persons.
2/3 cup unsalted butter, or ghee, about 140g
900g (almost 2 pounds) carrots, trimmed, peeled and coarsely shredded (weighed after trimming and peeling)
1 teaspoon powdered cardamom seeds
¾ cup raw sugar
¼ cup sultanas
½ cup toasted almond slivers, pistachios or cashews
Light cream to serve
Melt the butter or ghee in a large non-stick saucepan over low heat.
Add the shredded carrots, increase the heat to moderate and, stirring frequently, cook the carrots and butter together for 30 minutes, or until the carrots are very reduced, dry and completely soft.
Add the powdered cardamom, sugar, and sultanas, and stirring steadily to prevent scorching, cook for about 10–12 minutes, or until the orange coloured ghee oozes out of the pudding, and the mixture is again nearly dry. Remove the carrot halava from the heat, fold in the nuts and serve hot or warm.

The Life of King Kulasekhara – a great Rama Bhakta
→ Dandavats

By Shyamasundara Dasa

The name of King Kulasekhara Alvar is well known to the followers of Srila Prabhupada. His Divine Grace used to relish with great ecstasy the Mukunda Mala Stotra written by this great saintly king. This stotra is commonly known in ISKCON as the Prayers of King Kulasekhara. Though his name is well known, for most devotees, very little is known about Maharaja Kulasekhara. We shall now try to remedy this lacuna by presenting a concise synopsis of his life. But before we start we must briefly answer the question-- Who are the Alvars? Continue reading "The Life of King Kulasekhara – a great Rama Bhakta
→ Dandavats"

The incident of Lord Rama and the Dog
→ Dandavats

By Shyamasundara Dasa

The following history from the Valmiki Ramaya is full of import for anyone who wants to be a guru, GBC, temple president or leader in ISKCON or any spiritual institution. "Sri Rama said to Laksmana who was seated there and who was characterized by auspicious marks, ‘O Long-armed Laksmana! Go out and call by turn those, who have come with some business’. Having listened to Sri Rama’s order, Laksmana endowed with auspicious marks, going to the palace-gate himself called those who had come with some request. Continue reading "The incident of Lord Rama and the Dog
→ Dandavats"

​Disproportionate punishment can be atrocious – Ashwattama pastime analysis 2
→ The Spiritual Scientist

​Evening program at ISKCON, Perth

Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post ​Disproportionate punishment can be atrocious – Ashwattama pastime analysis 2 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Understanding Krishna’s position and disposition from the Gita and the Mahabharata
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhakti Vriksha program at ISKCON, Perth

Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Understanding Krishna’s position and disposition from the Gita and the Mahabharata appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Is constantly thinking about death psychologically damaging?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Perth

Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Is constantly thinking about death psychologically damaging? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

April 6. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations. Satsvarupa…
→ Dandavats



April 6. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Burglary in Prabhupada’s Room.
April 1966: Someone broke into Room 307 while Srila Prabhupada was out and stole his typewriter and tape recorder. When Prabhupada returned to the building, the janitor informed him of the theft: an unknown burglar had broken the transom glass, climbed through, taken the valuables and escaped. As Prabhupada listened, he became convinced that the janitor himself was the culprit. Of course he couldn’t prove it, so he accepted the loss with disappointment. Some friends offered replacements for his old typewriter and tape recorder. In a letter to India he described the theft as a loss of more than a thousand rupees ($157.00).
It is understood that such crime as has been committed in my room is very common in New York. This is the way of material nature. American people have everything in ample, and the worker gets about Rs 100 daily wages. And still there are thieves for want of character. The social condition is not very good.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

Lord Rama’s Appearance Day – Fri, April 15, 2016
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Friday, April 15, 2016, Toronto’s Hare Krishna Temple will celebrate the Appearance of Lord Ramachandra - Rama Navami.

Lord Ramachandra is Krishna's avatar who ruled the earth as the ideal king. He appeared more than two million years ago. Under the order of His father, Lord Ramachandra lived in the forest for fourteen years, along with His wife, Sita Devi, and His younger brother, Lakshmana.

After the powerful demon Ravana kidnapped His wife, Lord Ramachandra rescued her, with the help of His faithful servant Hanuman, and killed Ravana along with Ravana's armies. The history of Lord Ramachandra's pastimes is recounted by the sage Valmiki in his Ramayana.  Everyone is welcome to attend this special festival!

Festivities will take place on Friday, April 15, 2016 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Hare Krishna Temple! Below is the schedule for the festival (subject to change):

6:00pm to 6:30pm - Kirtan (Arati)
6:30pm to 6:40pm  - Welcome & Announcements
6:40pm to 7:15pm - Class by Mahabhagavat das
7:15pm to 7:30pm - Rama Navami Quiz!
7:30pm to 8:00pm - Vegetarian Feast (Prasadam)
8:00pm to 8:30pm - Kirtan (Arati)


Welcoming Rohini Priya Prabhu to Toronto!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple is excited to announce that HG Rohini Priya das will be back in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) from April 15 to 18, 2016!  He will facilitating programs all around the GTA, including the Sunday Feast discourse on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at the Toronto Hare Krishna Temple.

His Grace Rohini Priya Das Prabhu graduated as a doctor of Medicine from Mumbai University but decided to dedicate his life in the service of Lord Krishna.  He is a senior brahmachari (monk) at ISKCON's Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir at Chowpatty, Mumbai, India. He is currently serving as the Vice President at ISKCON Chowpatty in Mumbai.

For the last 19 years he has not only been practicing Krishna Conciousness but has been actively distributing the message of Bhagavad Gita to thousands of engineering, medical students and other professionals all over India.

He also travels widely to USA, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauricious, Nepal and Canada and delivers various seminars on Krsna Consciousness.  He also delivers various seminars in Universities and other ISKCON centers.