Tuesday, March 8th, 2016
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Tuesday, March 8th, 2016                         
Mayapur, India

Getting Frail and Strong                

My dear friend, Agnidev, fainted at Govinda’s Restaurant last night evening after a successful lead of chanting at the Kirtan Mela.  So, the rumour has it.  It’s unknown to some of us the cause for this beautiful singer’s collapse.  Exhaustion?  Dehydration?  I hope he’s alright.

One thing is for sure-the body is frail.  I had the pleasure to conduct a sanga for senior devotees, some who are under care and are ‘wheel-chaired.’  Where our discussion went to was ails from trails.  I told of our blissful encounter with seniors of “Golden Pond” in Massachusettslast fall and how they were doing their version of aerobics.  The instructor wondered if I could do some mentoring in that department, we ended up doing “the Swami Swerve”, a fun concoction of moves.

The lending with these devotional folks who were listening to the tales and mantras was very real.  It was a presentation of a slower nature.  Because of age and some impaired hearing, I spoke with volume up, slower and enhanced articulation.

A planned trip across the Jalanghi Riverdid fructify just before the sun downed itself.  The group of us from Canadaand those from Polandto guide us, took to the village streets with kirtan.

Maha Shringha is the name of the devotee who led us through the modes homesteads.  He is so much loved by the rural Bengalis of the area.  For twenty years now he has connected with the locals through food, fun and friendship.  He knows an astounding number of people, all rather simple and sweet.  It is equally impressive that he knows the townsfolk, so many by their individual names.

After zig-zagging through the streets with our mantra, a drum player, and singers on foot, we ended the kirtan at the home of Bhakti Devi who worked a fabulous meal at her home.

Great people! Great hospitality! Great day! Great night!

May the Source be with you!

6 Km

Monday, March 7th, 2016
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Monday, March 7th, 2016                                                 
Mayapur, India

He Would Be Pleased

Life in the dham is pure.  Not all who contact the dham (holy place) however, benefit.  There’s pickpockets and people of greed, and ulterior motives.  After all, there’s lots of money to be made at pilgrim sites, where people converge from all around the world.

You hear at announcement time the loss of a passport, a wallet, or someone’s precious chanting beads. Fortunately the beads are easily replaceable.  There are some developers in the area that are exploiting tenants but not delivering full expectations.  We hear of buildings not up to code, or built in too tight to each other.

This may sound depressing and unspiritual but that may be an aspect of the ‘dark-side’ of Mayapur. There is a lot more reason to sound conches and gongs over the pluses.  Pilgrims are not fools.  At least they should not be naive.  This is the material world and blessed we are to have wonderful areas of retreat and refuge in which to charge the spiritual batteries.

I see happy faces here.  People of different shades engaged in the same thing.  At the Kirtan Mela there are Chinese, African, as well as South and North American participants.  You have Aussies and Europeans enthralled in song.  It is as the great luminary Bhaktivinode predicted.  Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, must be pleased.  When you think about it, in a mere 50 years since the inception of this branch of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, So much growth, along with growing pains, has taken place.

May the Source be with you!

5 Km

Sunday, March 6th, 2016
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Sunday, March 6th, 2016                                                   
Mayapur, India

Focus Tradition

Yesterday I had been marvelling at the excellent work of Sesha.  It was the last day of our AGM and he wrapped-up our session of discussion with an ability I hadn’t seen before.  I happened to be sitting next to him at an angle where I could see his profile. He resembled, with poise, the power and penetration of a hawk. He was focused on the subject matters on the table.  Perhaps he is mastering time management skills.  Being a lawyer, he is sharp and direct, and gets to conciseness.  He would stay on topic and not allow for endless comments to enter the circle.  At the same time he made everyone in the room feel that they were sufficiently heard.

There’s a gift in all of this.

Kirtan  Mela has begun.  It is a festival of the Mantra.  By good fortune I had a time slot to lead for half an hour.  As was done last year, when the mic was given to me I addressed all the people in the Pancha Tattva Hall.

“We are going to do this in the traditional way.”

So I encouraged all to rise and get up on their feet and “Dance to the music” (Sly and the Family Stone).

The smiles were oceanic.  The moves were animated.  The sound was loud, and for a few moments of truth to set in, as expressed in the words of Shivaram Swami during the morning class “the name of the Lord is more beautiful than the form of the Lord.”

May the Source be with you!

5 km

New issue of Bindu. K Bindu #372 includes: Why Quarrel, plus a…
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New issue of Bindu.
K Bindu #372 includes: Why Quarrel, plus a continuation of crucial points for advancing in bhakti from Vallabhacarya. The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine was just released. This issue includes: * Why Quarrel? – His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada explains why people in different religions argue. * Why Quarrel? – Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja speaks about why devotees in Mahaprabhu’s movement sometimes quarrel. * WISDOM, PATIENCE AND SURRENDER Part Three – A first time translation done especially for this issue of Bindu of some writings of Srila Vallabhacharya regarding three crucial points for making advancement on the path of devotion. * Committing Sins for Attaining Vrindavan – A fresh translation done for this issue of a verse by Srila Prabhodananda Saraswati Thakur. It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu372

Saturday, March 5th, 2016
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Saturday, March 5th, 2016                                                                                
Mayapur, India

Bhakti Light

Today was ekadasi a day to fast from grains.  Most important about it is to enhance your devotional output.  I was pleasantly surprised by the grain replacement offered today on the menu- buckwheat dosas. Yes, buckwheat is not considered a grain.  That, in dosa format, supposes the flavour of a regular dosa. Ours was served with potato-and-nut filling.  A beautiful discovery!

To look at the enhanced devotion I did not have to strain myself thinking of what "extra" I had done.  For the last three days I made an appeal on the microphone and over Mayapur TV airwaves for a crowd, an actual good cross-section of different people- African, American, Chinese, Indians, blacks, whites, male, and female- to show up as a chanting party for an upcoming documentary "Acharya."

As requested, people turned up at 4PM.  The local young monks, gurukulis, were on their regular slot for singing, and all that was missing at the venue, the Radha Madhava temple, was the group of responders and dancers.  The outcome was one displaying the epitome of a bunch of happy Hare Krishnas.  This was what film-maker, Yadubar, wanted.

It was neither an austerity to put together, nor was it a chore to be part of the session, in dancing with the crew! Yadubar had asked beforehand that I depict the group.  This was not necessary since those who showed up were on automatic pilot.

I also accepted lunch at Maha-Shringha's home where I read a segment of "Krishna" book and partook in kirtan with a kirtan band, "The Maya-puris." Food was light because that is what ekadasi is much about; increased services and being easier on the belly.

May the Source be with you!

4 Km

Seeing the Funny Side
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The Gita says that all living beings are God’s eternal parts, and who are foolishly trying to enjoy this temporary world of pain. When I finally realise this truth and go back to God I'm sure I will laugh at my own foolishness. And, I believe, will have actually reached my destination.

Friday, March 4th, 2016
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Friday, March 4th, 2016                                                       
Mayapur, India

Not Always Rosy
 
I had met Jaya Vijay at a festival in the Berkley area some years ago and had marvelled at his working efforts.  He was a padayatra (Pilgrim) leader for 10 years from 1986 to 1996.  He is indeed inspiring. I wanted to include him in this blog about the purifying nature of walking.  An article appeared in the recent issue of Padayatra: Worldwide:
 
     “When you watch a Padayatra India slideshow everything seems rosy, but in fact it
      was very difficult.  Walking the highways in Indiais no place for a lady or gentleman.
      Some of the truck drivers are very rough – sometimes they go off the road or hit the
      oxen.  We got malaria and dysentery.  When the devotees get ill, it’s difficult to
      recover and keep moving at the same time.  They have to stay on the tractor. They
      don’t have a private room.  Maybe once or twice a month we might get a private
      room.  Usually we stayed in open schools, where there was no privacy at all.  People
      watched you when you took your bath or passed stool. Sadhu means “open book” – it
      is another definition of a sadhu – there is nothing to hide.  You have to learn to sit
      down on your mat and be in your own mental world and do your own thing. 
      Sometimes it’s hard to do it because you’re tired and you have people looking at you,
      laughing at you, joking about you.  It’s a place to learn tolerance; it is not a joke.  I
      have seen many devotees blow it or hit each other, not out of contempt but because
      they’d just had enough.  I have seen lots of sannyasis go crazy with the kids.  It is very
      difficult.  Some devotees got injured.  There were broken wrists and ankles, one
      devotee was hit by a truck, and another from Finlanddied when he fell under the
      tractor in South India.  Sometimes we present the rosy side of padayatra, but to pick
      the roses there are many thorns, and sometimes you get pricked.  It’s not a piece of
      cake.  In the long run it’s very purifying – the most purifying program in our whole
      ISKCON society.”

      (The Most Purifying Programs, by Jaya Vijaya dasa, Padayatra Newsletter, 2016)

 
May the Source be with you!

6 Km

First 2016 GBC College Residential Session Completed
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From Beijing to Belgium, from Bulgaria to Buenos Aires, from Canada to Karnataka, from Nairobi to Naperville, from Istanbul to England, From Delhi to Gaborone, to Slovenia, to Switzerland, to Ecuador, to Romania, Poland, etc., four dozen leaders assembled in the Govardhan Ecovillage outside of Mumbai, learning for thirteen days at the GBC College for Leadership Development how to serve as Zonal Supervisors.

The Krishna Institute’s Launch in Alachua, Florida
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The Krishna Institute (KI) launches its service to the Vaishnava Community on May 21, 2016, at ISKCON of Alachua with Sacinandana Swami and Madhava Dasa facilitating the two-day interactive Dharma Workshop: Discover Your Mission in Life.  Recognizing the significant contribution the KI will make to Srila Prabhupada’s mission in the USA, the International Coordinating Committee for ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations has scheduled KI’s inauguration as a National Event.

Thursday, March 3rd, 2016
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Thursday, March 3rd, 2016                                                      
Mayapur, India

Boat on the Ganga

He came riding on an elephant.  Kishand Radha Padmini got married today at the popular Jagannath temple, and it was done in royal style.  Unfortunately I missed that part of the grand entrance by the couple.

I arrived late although invited a year ago.  The bride came on a palanquin.  I was told it was classy.  My excuse for the lateness:  I organized a boat kirtan for our devotees from Canada.  We come from a country that is so stretched out.  We rarely get together.  We enjoyed a motor boat's ride with an awning to provide shade as we plied along the Ganges River, past the confluence of the Jalangi.  Gliding over the water of perhaps the most famous river in the world, we formed ourselves in song.

That is exactly as it went.  Once embarking on that boat which could accommodate 45 people, we just began singing the mantras.  There was no real talking on that boat.  We were communicating nevertheless.  The mantra makes the heart connection in its magical way.  It was Sri Chaitanya who expressed that all spiritual powers are invested in the Hare Krishna mantra.  If anyone could get an inkling of these powers, consider yourself very blessed.

The boat ride was a celebration of all that's holy- the water, the mantras, and the people chanting.

The wedding described earlier was a gathering of special people.  "They are like demigods", remarked my friend, Yadubar.  I couldn't agree more.  Photogenic, energetic and hooked up to Krishna, puts them in a special spot.  There's a certain dedication the younger folks have captured.

On one occasion our guru, Srila Prabhupada, said that it is noble to be dedicated.

May the Source be with you!

7 Km

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016                                   
Mayapur, India

Bat Blood
              
Right off the bat the day started off in a most interesting way.

I was just ready to leave for the Samadhi temple as Mandala was taking his shower.  I opened the door when a bat helped himself to our premises.  I shouted to Mandala that we had an uninvited guest.            

"There's a bat in the room!"

I proceeded to open the door with the prospect to have him leave.  A second opportunistic bat flew in. Now we had two of them fluttering around.  Okay, I kept the doors open hoping a third wouldn't venture in.  One of them did make an exit.  The fan running at optimum mode may have confused them.

Unfortunately, after hearing a sound of something hitting the fan, I had hoped we didn't injure the remaining fellow.  I stepped in and there he was, fallen on the floor.  A streak of blood droplets lie near his body which still had signs of life.  There was an occasional flap of the wings but I could see his hours if not minutes were numbered.  Sad for him.  I moved him out into the corridor with the sliding if my shoe.

When I returned from my morning sadhana I found he was gone-- left to providence in some form.  God bless his soul.

This evening I received a number of complements on our production of "Krishna Is."  It was held in the Samadhi Auditorium.  The most common remark was regarding the excellent job done by Balaram Vilchis as "Krishna."  His portrayal is very graceful and masculine at the same time.  I think he outdoes Batman.

May the Source be with you!

7 Km

WHAT DO YOU REALLY LIVE FOR, AND WHAT PURPOSE ARE YOU WILLING TO DIE FOR? Part 1 & 2
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Author: 
Karnamrita Das

photo Radha and Krishna_zpsy7ozpdo3.jpg
Part 1: I wrote about the topic last night, and this morning during my reading and chanting, I gained insight and some clarity. One point is that within a problem is always the solution, if we don’t try too hard. Sometimes we have to let the answer come in its own time and take the time to be quiet, calm, relaxed, and wait with positive expectancy.

For example, leaves fall in autumn when they are ready. The bulbs flower in the late winter when it is their time. The baby in the womb is born when it’s ready. Every one of us has their own process of becoming, acting or just being.

Part of a successful life is just finding one’s natural direction, and being able to accept what is now, not thinking we can force outcomes by our will. We still endeavor, but in our own way. For me, “my way,” is gentle determination after having decided on a goal.

I’m not an official warrior, and yet, I find the energy and fixed purpose of the warrior attractive, perhaps because in the past I was such a timid, tepid, tentative, indifferent person. This nature has appeared to be a problem to be struggled against, but now it seems to hold the key to accomplishing my life’s work!

I am attracted to the hero’s quest to obtain the sacred object or save the world, or superheroes that continually save the day. How can I use this inspiration according to my nature? What about your nature--how can you use this to help your spiritual life?

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The genuine approach for Radha Kunda Bath
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By Madhavendu das

Srimati Radhika's kunda is as precious to Krishna as Sri Radhika Herself, and, above all gopis, Sri Radha is Krishna's most beloved. Her divine Kunda is described by great sages as similarly dear to Krishna. Once Srila Prabhupada gave assent and guidelines how to take bath in the Radha Kunda: with utmost reverence and respect. While devotees were taking bath, a number of them begun to sport, splash and behave frivolously. Seeing this, Srila Prabhupada became furious and banned his disciples from bathing in Radha Kunda. We can understand Srila Prabhupada's anger had to do with the neophyte attitude of an enjoying spirit, offensive to Srimati Radharani. The conclusion is that we should adopt the serious, mature, reverential mood desired by the acaryas and visit Radha Kunda for our eternal, spiritual benefit. Continue reading "The genuine approach for Radha Kunda Bath
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The Transcendental Trend in Science
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Hare KrishnaBy Damodara Dasa

Sir Isaac Newton once made a remarkable model of the solar system. Thanks to a clever hand-cranking mechanism, all of the tiny spinning globes orbited a small "sun." On entering Newton's study, one of his colleagues, a materialist, couldn't help noticing the model. He was flabbergasted. "Dr. Newton," the man stared, "who made this wonderful contraption? The planets move with utter precision, you know. Why, it's ingenious. Who made it?" "No one," Newton replied. "One day last week it simply appeared here." "Really, Dr. Newton, I think you've kept me in suspense quite long enough. Now kindly tell me: who made this solar system?" "My dear Doctor," Newton said, "if you'll pardon my saying so, you're a fool. Just one look at this solar system and you demand to know who made it. But every evening you're looking at the real solar system. Why don't you ask who made that?" Continue reading "The Transcendental Trend in Science
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Seeing the funny side. BBC Pause for Thought 31 March
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9-car-accidents-caused-by-google-maps-and-gps-u1It isn’t always easy to see the funny side of things. Often I find it happens in retrospect. Recently I set off for a trip to that fabled land of chocolate and respected home of the European Union, Belgium. After loading up my trusty Satnav with the appropriate maps, I struck out by road. All went well until I approached my destination and it became apparent that the old satnav was struggling. It had taken me far out into the snow swept wilds of the Ardennes and as I peered about in alarm it suddenly announced, ‘you have reached your destination’. Plainly this was not the case as there was no sign of human habitation anywhere. I was hopelessly lost and indeed bogged down in the snow. I sarcastically rebuked the Satnav lady, who kept insisting that I had arrived, but that didn’t help much. Only after some intense prayer and the fortuitous arrival of a helpful party in a four wheel drive did I eventually escape from my predicament.

 

Looking back now I can laugh, but at the time it was far from funny. Life is often like that. It’s far easier to laugh after the event, or indeed if the event does not involve you at all. So much comedy works on this principle. I’m sure getting swiped around the head with a carelessly held ladder would be anything but funny, but when it’s Laurel and Hardy I burst out laughing every time.

 

Krishna scriptures tell us that our very life in this world, no matter how hard it may be now, will one day be laughable to us when we realise it was an illusion that had nothing to do with our true self. The Bhagavad Gita says that all living beings are God’s eternal parts who belong with him, and who are foolishly trying to enjoy this temporary world of pain. When I finally realise this truth and go back to God I am sure I will laugh at my own foolishness. And, I believe, will have actually reached my destination.

Chance and the Unity of Nature
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Hare KrishnaBy Sadaputa Dasa

“Probability is the most important concept in modern science, especially as nobody has the slightest idea what it means. —Bertrand Russell Throughout human history, philosophers and seekers of knowledge have sought to discover a single fundamental cause underlying all the phenomena of the universe, Since the rise of Western science in the late Renaissance, many scientists have also felt impelled to seek this ultimate goal, and they have approached it from their own characteristic perspective. Western science is based on the assumption that the universe can be understood mechanistically—that is, in terms of numbers and mathematical formulas—and Western scientists have therefore searched for an ultimate, unified mathematical description of nature. Continue reading "Chance and the Unity of Nature
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NBS#34 Devahuti attains Vaikuntha. Dear Devotees, Please…
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NBS#34 Devahuti attains Vaikuntha.
Dear Devotees, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! With Devahuti attaining Vaikuntha, we conclude the third canto with this issue. We thank our readers for their overwhelming response to the previous issues covering the appearance, life and teachings of Lord Kapila. The next issues will commence with topics from Fourth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. We pray that this issue brings some pleasure to the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. NBS # 34 Features: 1) Further Instructions To Mother Devahuti Lord Kapila 2) Devahuti attains the Supreme Perfection Sri Maitreya Rishi 3) Devahuti attains Kapila Vaikuntha His Divine Grace A .C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada 4) The Glories of Vaikuntha Loka Srila Sanatana Goswami 5) Spiritual World Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura 6) How Can We Go Back to Godhead? Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarawati Thakura This issue can be viewed through these links: ISSUU: http://issuu.com/nbsmag/docs/nbs_34 Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/doc/306877905/NBS-34

Pilgrimage to India and Bhakti Shastri (Sabbatical Course) For…
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Pilgrimage to India and Bhakti Shastri (Sabbatical Course)
For those who are proficient in their understanding of Krishna Consciousness, the 6 month sabbatical course is an ideal opportunity to explore it further.
The first half of the Sabbatical takes place in India, where we discover the roots of the Vedic culture. There are seminars, practical workshops and training courses at ISKCON Chowpatty, a world-famous flagship centre of training and education. Living amongst 150 resident monks is certainly enlivening! There are also pilgrimages to holy places like Vrindavana, Mayapur and Jagannatha Puri. These unique trips offer us a glimpse into the spiritual world.
The second half of the course is based at Bhaktivedanta Manor focusing around completion of the Bhakti Shastri degree. Quality time is spent in studying the Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, Sri Isopanisad and Bhagavad-gita. You will also gain an exposure to the variety of outreach activities at the Manor, and learn practical skills like public speaking, team leadership and project management.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/Qs2lFE

​What to do when spikes of desires keep coming despite our practice of bhakti?
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Answer Podcast


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When difficulties become an impetus to advance – seminar at ISKCON Seattle
Bhakti Charu Swami

His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj gave an amazing seminar on “When difficulties become an impetus to advance” on 3rd April 2016 at Sri Sri Radha Nila Madhava Temple, Seattle. Please find more videos of Maharaj’s visit to Seattle here

The post When difficulties become an impetus to advance – seminar at ISKCON Seattle appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

Durban Ratha Yatra 2016: Recordings
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Please find below recordings of lectures and kirtans from the Durban Ratha Yatra Festival. 

Download ALL

KKS_DBN_25March2016_RY_MorningClass

KKS_DBN_26March2016_RY_Intro-bhajan-1

KKS_DBN_26March2016_RY_Lecture_The-true-meaning-of-charity

KKS_DBN_26March2016_RY_Intro-bhajan-2

KKS_DBN_26March2016_RY_Lecture_Goodness-Passion-Ignorance

KKS_DBN_27March2016_RY_Intro-bhajan-1

KKS_DBN_27March2016_RY_Lecture_The-Lords-plan-vs-our-plan

KKS_DBN_27March2016_RY_Kirtan-at-Jagannatha-tent

Veda Course. The residential Veda Course is designed for those…
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Veda Course.
The residential Veda Course is designed for those wishing to gain a foundational understanding of bhakti-yoga. Over a period of three months, the following modules are covered: Theology and Philosophy, Devotional Practice and Vaishnava Culture.
You will experience the early-morning devotional programme, practical temple services and the variety of festivals that make Bhaktivedanta Manor famous. Living in a spiritual community will help you to deepen your knowledge, strengthen your faith and build friendships that will last a lifetime.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/D52EDw

Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj at ISKCON Seattle
Bhakti Charu Swami

His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj arrived in New York on 31st March 2016. After receiving a warm welcome from the local devotees, Maharaj left for Seattle. Maharaj will be staying at Sri Sri Radha Nilamadhava Temple, Seattle till 6th April. HG Sesa Prabhu is also accompanying Maharaj. Following is the sunday feast class given by […]

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St. Augustine Festival of Chariots April 9. 11th Annual…
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St. Augustine Festival of Chariots April 9.
11th Annual Festival of the Chariots
and Ratha Yatra Parade
Saint Augustine, FL Saturday, April 9, 2016
MEDIA RELEASE
Contacts: Bhadra das at 352 316-4560 or Bhadradas@gmail.com,
WHAT: An Indian multi-cultural parade and festival will be celebrated with entertainment for the whole family. There will be live music, theatre, classical dance, books, and lots of free delicious vegetarian food. The Ratha Yatra Parade is the oldest known parade in the world.
WHEN: Saturday, April 9, 2016. Mayor Nancy Shaver inaugurates the procession at 10:15 AM. The Parade begins at 10:30 AM. at the Plaza and returns there by noon. At 1 PM there will be an hour long procession down St. George Street without the Chariot. Then at 2 PM cultural program begins. The free food will be served out all day from 11 AM onwards. The festival continues until 3 PM
WHERE: The Plaza de la Constitucion at St. George Street and Cathedral Place.
WHO: All are welcome. Free admission. Wholesome fun for the entire family.
SPECIAL: VERY VISUAL event with colorful traditional costumes and flower decorations. Photography is permitted.
If you’ve ever dreamt of visiting colorful, exotic India, we have a treat for you. Get a taste of India without leaving Florida.. Saturday, April 9, 2016. The 11thAnnual Festival of the Chariots & Ratha Yatra Parade, an Indian multi-cultural extravaganza, will take place at the main plaza in St. Augustine from 10:30 AM to 3 PM. This year St. Augustine Mayor, Nancy Shaver, will inaugurate the procession at 10:15 AM
There will be lots of family-friendly activities and entertainment: live music, a play, classical Indian dance, books. But the big draw is the delicious vegetarian food. There will be a sumptuous feast served free of charge to all, starting at 11 AM.
The procession route is about 2 miles long and can be easily walked by all age groups. It begins at 10:30 AM at the Plaza and returns to the same location. The parade will move in a leisurely fashion, stopping here and there along the route, giving way to song and dance. The procession’s unique feature is a huge chariot with a blue, red and yellow canopy decorated with swans, lotus flowers, flags, Hanuman and a brass chakra on top. This chariot has two very thick ropes attached to it that are over one hundred feet long. These ropes are pulled by the parade-goers, propelling the chariot along the parade route. Riding on the Chariot are the beautiful Deities of Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra, decorated with stunning silk outfits & real flowers. It’s a vision from another world. Accompanying the procession is lively Indian music and dancing, backed by double-headed mrdanga drums & karatala hand cymbals. It’s an ecstatic, exciting event.
The festival is sponsored by ISKCON Alachua, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness whose Founder/Acharya, His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, came to America from India 50 years ago and introduced the timeless tradition of the Festival of the Chariot (called Ratha Yatra in India). Since the 60’s this festival has been held yearly in over 50 major cities in the United States, Canada, and all over the world. Eight Ratha Yatras are held yearly in the state of Florida: Clearwater, Jacksonville Beach, Tallahassee, UCF Orlando, Tampa, UF Gainesville, Daytona Beach & St. Augustine.
All are warmly invited to attend this joyous, colorful festival, free of charge. Take advantage of a rare chance to experience the vibrancy of India, right here in Florida. Questions? Call: Bhadra das at 352 316-4560 or Bhadradas@gmail.com.
Please check out our website and our facebook page:
http://festivalofchariots.org
http://facebook.com/rathayatras

How can we insulate ourselves from being discouraged by criticism?
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The Real Gift. Nandini Mataji: At Borivali Station, I was…
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The Real Gift.
Nandini Mataji: At Borivali Station, I was distributing books. Taking a break, I sat on the bench. Nearby I saw an educated young man standing. So I went and showed her the books. While talking to him, I smelled that he was little drunk. He happened to be working for a big company Mahindra & Mahindra tractors. He was a young man of only 24. He opened up showing his distress. No one listens to anyone. Everyone is selfish. He went on and on venting out his distress. Finally, I told him the glories of reading this book and that it has the solution for all problems.
The man gathered courage and took the Gita and promised that he will surely try. However, I gave him by mistake a hindi Bhagavad Gita instead of Marathi Bhagavad Gita. I also gave him our Temple card and number. After few days. He met me again at Borivali station. He looked more peaceful. He came and told that by mistake he had taken the Hindi book instead of Marathi. But nonetheless, he read few pages. And really he felt very good. Since that day, he said he hasn’t taken any drink. He said he had promised his girlfriend and also his family member that he won’t drink in future. Just by taking that book and reading few pages I felt so good. He thanked me and left. He said that this is real gift‐ to give this message of Gita instead of gifting pens and water bottle.

Tight Knit Group (Album with photos) Indradyumna Swami: Our…
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Tight Knit Group (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our last stop in New Zealand was Christchurch in the south island. Still recovering from a major earthquake 5 years ago construction is going on everywhere in the city. Our temple, which was destroyed in the earthquake, is being rebuilt now as well. Our devotees have become a tight knit group as a result of the disaster and took great pride yesterday when we gave initiation to Vraja Sundara das and Radha Bhavini dasi. Gaura Bhakta Vrinda ki jaya!
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Today’s program: Book and prasadam distribution at Besakih…
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Today’s program: Book and prasadam distribution at Besakih Temple, Bali. April 3, 2016.
We distributed 5000 glasses rosela water, 3500 prasadam cakes.
Happy seva with friends and Russian devotees.
Srila Prabhupada: If by the tongue you chant Hare Krishna mantra, and by the tongue you taste prasadam, you will be perfect, simply by executing these two things. London, July 12, 1973.
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April 4. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations. Satsvarupa…
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April 4. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: The New Hip Crowd.
The new group from The Paradox was young and hip, in contrast to the elder, more conservative uptown people who had been attending Prabhupada’s classes. In those days, it was still unusual to see a person with long hair and a beard, and once such people started coming to the Swami’s meetings on the West Side, some of the older people were alarmed. As one of them noted: “Swami Bhaktivedanta began to pick up another kind of people. He picked them up at the Bowery; or some addicts. And they came with funny hats and grey blankets wrapped around themselves, and they startled me.
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Spiritualized Sex?
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QUESTION: Could you talk about the relationship of the bhakta’s sexuality and his/her sadhana. How to spiritualize sex?

Sex and Religion

Observance of regulation is the beginning of discipline, and discipline is the beginning of yoga. Thus sex begins to gain spiritual utility through religion – which regulates and refines sex through principles, rules and sacraments like marriage.

Sex in Karma-yoga, Tantra-yoga, & Sahajīya

Sex has spiritual utility in karma-yoga, because this yoga is all about performing one’s duties without selfish motive, and sex as part of one’s duty as a spouse and ones duty to produce children.

Tantra-yoga, a non-mainstream subset of karma-yoga, goes further and deals directly with sexuality as a tool for realizing one’s actual relationship to the external world.

Tantra blended with sahaj-buddhism came into the Vṛndāvana area a few centuries ago and became the sahajīya sect. They practice tantra-yoga with the nomenclature and context of Vrindavana bhakti –  adopting “Rādhā / Krishna” in lieu of the standard “Prakṛti / Puruṣa” male / female concept. Although this may have validity as tantra-yoga, it is generally despised by those who practice sādhana as Sri Rupa defined it in Bhakti-Rasāmṛta-Sindhu.

Sex in Jñāna-yoga 

Jñāna-yoga is characterized by cessation of activity, including sex. But Krishna does say in the Gītā (6.17) that even a jñāna-yogī doesn’t immediately abandon every basic bodily function, and should strive to be moderate and practical in their approach to things like eating, sleeping, and sex (“vihara”). 

Sex in Bhakti-yoga

The same principle defined in Gītā 6.17 operates in bhakti-yoga as well, expressed by Śrī Rūpa in Bhakti-Rasāmṛta-Sindhu as the 8th aṅga of sādhana: “Being moderate in worldly affairs.” Different gurus define “moderation” in different ways, often differing even from one disciple to the next.

One or two sādhanāṅgas have aspects which give some allowance for elements of karma-yoga to become practices of bhakti yoga when done to please Krishna by performing the duties he has assigned through the śāstras (#51, “doing everything for his sake” and #47, “servitude”). These duties do not exclude the duties of a spouse and parent, which do not exclude sex. Ordinary bodily functions like eating, sleeping, reproduction, and self-defence, can thus become part of bhakti-yoga. Śrī Viśvanātha has said that even passing stool and urine can thus become a part of bhakti-yoga. 

The real trademark of bhakti-yoga, however, is that it transforms sexuality by undertaking a quest for sexual passion to please Krishna, which Śrī Rūpa calls kāmarūpa bhakti. This is quest is followed by:

  1. Hearing carefully and in detail about how perfect souls such as the gopīs experience and express sexual passion towards pleasing Krishna,
  2. Always thinking of Krishna in the context of his relationship with the gopīs,
  3. Performing one’s daily practices like hearing and chanting with an internal relevance to that relationship, and
  4. Contemplating a perfected version of oneself which can take part in assisting their relationship.

To greater or lesser extent, and in more or less restricted or refined forms, all the yogas utilize sex as part of the process of purification, but only Gauḍīya bhakti envisions sexual passion as part of the divine objective. Thus, no yoga has as fully a transformative concept of sexuality as the bhakti-yoga of the Gauḍīyas. 

Vraja Kishor das

vrajakishor.com


Tagged: sex, sex and yoga, Sexuality, spirituality and sex, tantra