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Travel Journal#12.5: Mumbai, Mayapur, Rishikesh
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Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 12, No. 5
By Krishna-kripa das
(March 2016, part one)
Mumbai, Mayapur, Rishikesh
(Sent from Vrindavan on March 22, 2016)

Where I Went and What I Did

I flew into Mumbai, where I stayed a couple days to arrange my travel, then I took the train to Howrah, and onward to Nabadwip Dham for the Mayapur Kirtan Mela. At Mayapur I went on a tour of the Vedic Temple of the Planetarium the first day, and the remaining days I spent some hours in the Mayapur Kirtan Mela each day and in the late afternoon, I went on harinama with the Harinam Ruci worldwide traveling party for three hours, who I chanted with in Europe in the summer and the United States in the fall. One day while in Mayapur I attended the beginning of a vanaprastha initiation and the end of the marriage ceremony. The day after Kirtan Mela, I traveled with two friends to join Navina Nirada Prabhu and his party of harinama and book distributing devotees in Rishikesh to share Krishna music, food, and literature with the many people, both Western and Indian, who visit for study and pilgrimage.

I share notes on a lecture by Srila Prabhupada and excerpts from the books and journal of Satsvarupa dasa Goswami. I share notes on the many classes given by swamis in Mayapur, including Bhakti Charu Swami, who spoke on Tamal Krishna Goswami’s disappearance day, Jayadvaita Swami, who spoke at a vanaprastha initiation, and Lokanath Swami, Niranjana Swami, and Sivaram Swami, who glorified the holy name. I have notes on talks on book distribution by Bhakti Purusottama Swami and Vijaya Prabhu. I share inspirational words about the holy name from Agnidev and Rajendranandana Prabhus. I share notes on the classes we had in Rishikesh by Dharmatma and Mahabhavi Prabhus. I share notes from conversations with Amita Krishna and Hanuman Prabhus, and a quote from Maitreya Prabhu’s autobiography.

I would like to thank Tara Prabhu, who gave me a sizeable donation toward the purchase of his favorite book for distribution, Science of Self-Realization, so I can provide them to interested people I meet on harinama. Thanks to Navina Nirada Prabhu, who kindly paid for my train from Howrah to Haridvar and on to Mathura, so I could attend his wonderful program of distributing Krishna music, food, and literature in Rishikesh. Thanks to my friend, Pancatattva Prabhu, I knew from Alachua, for his contribution to my expenses. Thanks to the nice Indian devotee from Abu Dhabi, who paid for my trip from Howrah to Mayapur and who gave me a donation in addition. Thanks to Jaya Gaurasundar Prabhu and Kaumodaki Devi Dasi for the photos of their vanaprastha ceremony.

Itinerary

March 21–April 9: Vrindavan 24-Hour Kirtan
April 10–13: Mumbai
April 14–20: Ireland
April 21–24: Newcastle, England
April 26: Radhadesh (Kadamba Kanana Swami’s Vyasa Puja)
April 27: King’s Day in Amsterdam
April 28–29: Rotterdam
April 30–May 1: Birmingham 24-hour kirtana
May 2–July 9: The North of England and Scotland
July 10: Prague Ratha-yatra
July 12–16: Polish Woodstock
July 30: Berlin Ratha-yatra
August 5–11: Baltic Summer Festival
August 18–21: Trutnoff (Czech Woodstock)
September 13–: New York City Harinam

Impressions of Mumbai

I found out from the locals you can get to ISKCON Juhu from the international airport by taking a bus for 14 rupees to Vile Parle East Station and walking across the bridge at the station and taking an auto rickshaw for 40 rupees. I later learned from a Juhu devotee who works at the airport you can get to ISKCON Juhu by auto rickshaw from the international airport for 80 or 90 rupees.

The Western Union, not a long walk to the left, on the left side, as you leave ISKCON Juhu Main Gate, gives a good rate for changing money and does not charge commission. If you save enough rupees from your previous trip to reach the temple, you can avoid the exorbitant exchange prices at the airport.

I realized I never really appreciated the beauty of Sri Sri Radha-Rasavihari before. It was so wonderful to meditate Them as I chanted in the Hare Krishna kirtana.

Once a week, the devotees play a tape of Srila Prabhupada giving Srimad-Bhagavatam class, upstairs in Srila Prabhupada’s quarters. They give out the transcript for those who have difficulty with his accent. I found it pleasing to connect with Srila Prabhupada there in his quarters in that way.

Chanting on the Train from Mumbai to Howrah

Although I could not find a group of devotees to travel with from Mumbai to Howrah en route to the Mayapur Kirtan Mela, on the train I found devotees in my carriage, S2, and also in S10, S12, and S13. A group of devotees in S12 were very hospitable, and gave me prasadam, a seat, and let me charge up my computer (as in S2, we had only 2 outlets for 72 people). We chanted kirtana the second evening for about an hour, with several devotees taking turns. One devotee in this party showed me pictures of me chanting on the same train with his friends last time I came to Kirtan Mela two years ago. What a surprise! On my own, I chanted on the platform at two of the stations where we had a longer stop. I would walk along the length of the train, always careful to notice if it had started moving, so I could hop back on. I chanted on the platforms at Nagpur and Raipur, as those stops were longer than most.

A very nice Indian man from Abu Dhabi paid for my travel from Howrah to Mayapur, and I gave him some clues how to go so we got there before the other devotees. We took the Bardhaman train to Bandel and then the Katwa Local to Nabadwip Dham. We sang in the rickshaw to and from the boat ghats and on the boat as well.

Temple of the Vedic Planetarium Tour

Prishni Devi Dasi arranged for Antardvip Prabhu, who is in charge of the cosmology exhibits for the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, to give a few of us a tour of the temple in its partially constructed state. 


It will have a dome with a volume greater than any other dome in the world. 


The view is wonderful of the Prabhupada Samadhi and the Ganges River in the distance. 


Apparently they have to collect 1.5 million dollars a month to finish it at the desired time. All the different levels of planetary systems, spiritual and material, will be depicted.

Vanaprastha Ceremony and Wedding in Mayapur

My friend, Radhika Nagara Prabhu, who assisted me greatly when I visited his native Spain and who I see in Manchester, England, each year invited me to his marriage with Vrajananda Devi Dasi, a disciple of Niranjana Swami and flute player in kirtanas at the Baltic Summer Festival. I was hoping that Niranjana Swami, who initially invited me to live in the 55th Street temple in New York City back in 1979, would give a lecture, but as a sannyasi, that is such a desirable opportunity for. I decided I would come at the end for the kirtana and the prasadam, especially because it was at the Jagannath Mandir in Rajapur, and I wanted to see Lord Jagannath.


That morning my friends told me that Jayadvaita Swami would speak at 10:30 a.m. at the old gurukula, and I decided to go hear him first and catch the end of the marriage. 


Turns out I knew the couple taking vanaprastha, two disciples of my Guru Maharaja, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, named Jaya Gaurasundar and Kaumodaki Devi Dasi from Baltimore, so it was especially nice I was able to attend. By notes on his very nice lecture are included in the “Insights” section before. As it turned out, the lecture did not happen until 12:20 p.m., and I missed Jagannath’s darsana, but fortunately not the wedding prasadam, which was very nice, and the opportunity to sit with my friend from the UK, Gaura Krishna Prabhu, who was leaving the next day. I also gave the couple a small gift and wished them well. Jayadvaita Swami considered it Krishna’s mercy that I missed all of the wedding but the prasadam.  

Chanting with Harinam Ruci in Mayapur

Last year I chanted with the Harinam Ruci traveling chanting party in Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Germany, London, Prague, New York and Boston, and it was great to be singing with them again in Mayapur. It was nice to see Syama Rasa and Nrsimha Caitanya Prabhus again, as they did not make to New York City in the fall. Gopinatha Prabhu, from Finland but based in Mayapur, joined us and played the bass, which added another dimension. Sometimes, as on the last day I was there, they would join with the daily Mayapur harinama group along with their deities and sound system, and it was very powerful. So many people, old and new, were happy to sing and dance with the Harinam Ruci party. Here is some video I took on March 6 (https://youtu.be/FigstpI58_Y):


On March 9, Nrsimha Caitanya Prabhu, who assists his father, Muni Priya Prabhu, in managing the Czech Padayatra, led the Harinam Ruci worldwide harinama party chanting around the ISKCON property in Mayapur with unbounded enthusiasm and many people reciprocated by lively chanting and dancing (https://youtu.be/nt6Y2IgQ6C4):


On March 10, Syama-rasa Prabhu of Croatia led the Harinam Ruci party around the ISKCON Mayapur compound, and as you can see in this video, lots of people got into the chanting and dancing (https://youtu.be/vAtyyjIsJ0M):


Chanting in Rishikesh with Navina Nirada Prabhu’s Party


Navina Nirada Prabhu (dancing in the above picture), a famous Hare Krishna book distributor, has been coming to Rishikesh for seven years. Janardana Prabhu (distributing a book), based in Denmark, has joined him for several of those years. They and a group of about fifteen devotees chant Hare Krishna in the streets, distribute books, and distribute prasadam for one or two weeks in Rishikesh each March. There we would do harinama and book distribution from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Sometimes we would distribute a bucket of halava during the morning session.

Both devotees who happened to be visiting Rishikesh at the same time and new people just attracted would join our party.


The lady with the child on her lap is a Ukrainian devotee, who joined us a couple of times. The lady next to her is a devotee from Germany, who joined us almost every day, sometimes twice. The guy playing the shakers gave Navina Nirada nice donation and accepted several books including Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Mahabhavi Prabhu from Norway is leading the chanting and playing the drum. Pavitra Nityanand Prabhu plays the karatalas. I dance and give out mantra cards to interested people, briefly talking to them about their previous contact with Hare Krishna and telling them of Hare Krishna temples, restaurants, and festivals in their countries.

During the first session of the first day, a book distributor took a break for 3 minutes, handing me his books, and I distributed one to a young lady from Manitoba, Canada, who was studying to be a yoga teacher.

During the second session of the first day, so many people participated. One young lady, who met the devotees in Ukraine, played the karatalas and chanted Hare Krishna intently with great joy. A Russian lady with neck beads chanted, smiled, and danced with us for a while. Three students at a college two hours away, who knew the devotees from Chowpatty, sang and danced for what seemed like an hour. They also induced others to dance, and they successfully dealt with vendors who complained about us being there. Many others chanted, danced, and took pictures of us. Janardana Prabhu met one young lady from Denmark, who remembered he had spoken to her before, while distributing books in Copenhagen, his place of residence. On the whole, it was a very enlivening day. The other days were similar.

Here is some video from the event (https://youtu.be/EeuUvttRb1I):


To see photos I did not include in this blog, click on the link below:
https://picasaweb.google.com/103872792410945983719/TravelJournal125?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJXNlcjm7cK69AE&feat=directlink

Insights

Srila Prabhupada:

We can gain some material knowledge through our material senses, but spiritual knowledge cannot be acquired through our material senses. Therefore, we must hear from spiritual authority to acquire spiritual knowledge.

No one says, “I want to see knowledge.” No, we want to hear knowledge.

When we are asleep, our other senses are also asleep, but our ears are still alert and can protect us.

Dharma is what is enunciated in the Vedas.

Dharma means constitutional position. We are eternal servant of God.

Our nature is to serve, but because we are serving wrongly, because our service is misplaced, we are not satisfied.

Our only duty is to serve Krishna, and because we are not doing that, we are not happy.

There is no difference between the Vedas and Narayana, or God. There is no difference between God and His instructions.

Now people say, “I can manufacture my religion and you can manufacture your religion” but that is not real religion.  

If you do not accept Krishna is God, that is your mistake. The authorities say that Krishna is God. If you do not accept Krishna as God, you have to present an alternative. If you have no alternative, why do you not accept Krishna?

The guru distributes knowledge coming from the Lord just as a cloud distributes water coming from the ocean.

Those who are religious, regardless of their religion, know that God created.

To paint a flower, the artist requires so much concentration and skill. Do you think that the person who created the original flower was without skill? Actually the Lord is so expert, He makes the flower develop as if automatically, although He is behind it in every detail.

Satsvarupa dasa Goswami:

“An example of a true scholar of scripture is the South Indian brahmana whom Lord Caitanya embraced. Although the brahmana was illiterate, he had a deep love for Krishna as Partha-sarathi [the chariot driver of Arjuna]. In his appreciation, he became overwhelmed with ecstasy. Lord Caitanya told him that his reading of the Gita was perfect. We are not looking for information or any other kind of learning when we approach scripture, but to understand Krishna as He is and to experience love for Him. To study with any other motive leads ultimately to dissatisfaction.”

From “Poem for February 27” in Viraha Bhavan:

“Thoughts about practical service should not
intrude when you
are chanting japa. That’s
the peak performance
of the day. So it should not be
a discussion of “Things to Do.”
That’s why it’s important
to rise early in the morning after sufficient rest
before the day increases in the modes of passion.”

“Normally they [the chanters in the city] sing six hours
a day, which is a strenuous
yajna. But they enjoy
every minute of it
glorifying the Lord.
The people who pass
by are interested in the phenomena, and
the regulars have memorized the mantra. What they
don’t know is that they are having
their sinful reactions removed and
seeds of love of Godhead
planted in their hearts
by hearing. It is a secret
revolution going on in
the City. The chanters
are the instruments, and Krishna is in control.”

From “Poem for March 3” in Viraha Bhavan:

“The harinama chanters in the City have a great
responsibility. They
are carrying out the
legacy of Lord Caitanya to
deliver congregational chanting
in the Age of Kali.
If they did not
report for duty
the City would be
void of auspiciousness.
If they did not come
out and hold kirtana,
the rogues and thieves
would take over the
square. By singing
in their sacred spot,
they are staving
off maya’s influence.
They owe it to the Lord and the people
to keep themselves fit
and keep going out on sankirtana.”

From “Poem for March 6” in Viraha Bhavan:

“They are blissful with Krishna Nama.
Today I read the verse
spoken by the Supreme Lord
to Narada where He says,
‘I am not in My abode
in Vaikuntha, or in the
heart of the mystic yogis.
I am wherever My
pure devotees chant
My names and discuss
My pastimes.’ This is
very encouraging for the
Hare Krishna chanters in the City.
The Lord says He is with His
‘pure devotees,’ and the
kirtaneers are certainly
pure devotees. Their lives
are completely dedicated
to chanting the holy names.
They are compassionate, because
they chant publicly for
the benefit of the conditioned souls.
They can be aware and assured
that Krishna is personally present with them
as they perform kirtana of the Hare Krishna mantra.
The Lord says He is there wherever
devotees gather to chant, so it
is not restricted to the temple.
He is there with them in the city streets all day long.”

From Japa Walks, Japa Talks:

“I can’t think of anything more pleasant and spiritual to do than to take a walk just before dawn and to chant the holy names. I may fail to enter the potential of that rendezvous with the holy names, but I can’t fail to understand the holy name’s mercy. Just because I have a lot of work to do, I’m not going to forget my japa before the altar and – if I’m lucky enough to be in the right time and place – my morning japa walk. We who are workaholics, and who mostly associate with others who are similarly immersed in a vocation, might try to get association with devotees who have made chanting the purpose of their lives. Take a walk with one of them, or sit beside them in the temple room while you chant. Don’t neglect it. That’s my humble advice on a drizzly morning, advice I give to myself and to others.”

From “Poem for March 12” in Viraha Bhavan:

“The City workers pass
by, and the tourists keep coming,
hearing the harinama chanting.
But they should be aware
that time is precious. The
passing away of the great
sankirtana devotee, Jada Bharata,
reminds us that we all must
die one day. So seize the
opportunity while health
is with you, to serve
in the kirtana party
and go out every day to
distribute harinama
to the conditioned souls.
Don’t waste a minute. Time is
passing, and you can’t get a minute
back if you paid a million dollars.
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy.”

Bhakti Charu Swami:

A few days before he left his body Tamal Krishna Goswami told me, while I was chanting japa: “Please take of these boys from Calcutta. They are your children.” He was referring to a few bright boys from Calcutta who took initiation from him.

Tamal Krishna Goswami told Visvambhara Prabhu, “I am leaving tomorrow.” Visvambhara replied, “Yes, you are leaving tomorrow morning.” Tamal Krishna Goswami said, “No, I am leaving.” Only later did he understand the significance of it.

The postmortem said Tamal Krishna Goswami left his body before the accident.

Tamal Krishna Goswami was dear to Prabhupada, and Prabhupada was dear to him.

Srila Prabhupada had incredible confidence in him. Prabhupada made him president of the new Los Angeles temple. He helped out in Paris. He started the Radha-Damodara party which ultimately expanded to five buses and spread Krishna consciousness all over America. When Prabhupada started focusing on preaching in India, Prabhupada made him a leader there. He helped Prabhupada by getting the land for Mayapur.

I got Prabhupada’s association doing Bengali translations and answering Bengali letters. Thus I saw Srila Prabhupada’s interactions with Tamal Krishna Goswami. The topic was the court case in New York regarding brainwashing. Srila Prabhupada was practically shouting, “Brain washing? They have no brains. I am giving them brains.” Adi Kesava Maharaja was leading the charge, and Tamal Krishna Goswami was overseeing the battle.

Srila Prabhupada asked me if I could write Hindi. I said yes, but my Hindi handwriting is not very nice. He said not to worry, “No one’s Hindi handwriting is nice.”

Prabhupada shifted the secretary to the room next to the room next his as the manual typewriters made such a racket. Tamal Krishna Goswami invited me to share the room with him. He was extremely regulated, rising at 3:00 a.m., and he would play Srila Prabhupada’s tapes as he used the bathroom. He made it a point to chant his rounds before the day began, and that is one thing I learned from him. When we traveled with Srila Prabhupada, we would continue to share a room.

Srila Prabhupada went to Rishikesh. He was excited to go as he had never been before and looked forward to drinking Ganges water.

Tamal Krishna Goswami gave up all his responsibilities at the end of Srila Prabhupada’s life just to care of Srila Prabhupada, because he felt that was his responsibility.

In Rishikesh, Palika was sick, and the lady who replaced her did not cook so nicely. I volunteered to cook. One day I cooked nicely, but the next day, it was not so nice. Srila Prabhupada exclaimed, “You have no standard.” The next day I cooked, but I was more careful. Srila Prabhupada liked it. I told him, “I was in anxiety the whole time I was cooking.” Srila Prabhupada said, “That is good. You should be in anxiety when you are serving the spiritual master.”

At 3:00 p.m. Srila Prabhupada would dictate the main points in letters to Tamal Krishna Goswami and he would write them.

Tamal Krishna Goswami told me, “You are so fortunate to have taken birth in India.”
I told him, “I may have taken birth in India, but I was brought up with the understanding that the West is best.”
Later I made the point that he and the other Western devotees assisting Srila Prabhupada were not ordinary souls but special people sent to help his mission.

At the time, one of us would be awake at night, in case Srila Prabhupada needed something. My shift was from midnight to 2:00 a.m., and at 1:00 a.m. Srila Prabhupada rang his bell, and said, “Make arrangements for me to go to Vrindavan immediately. It is time for me to leave my body.”

Very intimately Tamal Krishna Goswami and Srila Prabhupada would discuss. Tamal Krishna Goswami always had such penetrating questions. Prabhupada began making his wills, and he would consult Tamal Krishna Goswami about who should be there.

Tamal Krishna Goswami’s sudden departure was a great loss to our society. He was not so active in the society’s leadership at that point, as he was focusing on his academic studies, but he was just about to return when he left.

I feel he is still serving Srila Prabhupada somewhere where Srila Prabhupada needs him.

Jayadvaita Swami:

The stations of varnasrama are external and have nothing to do with our eternal identities. Thus Lord Caitanya said, “I am not a brahmana, I am not a ksatriya, I am not a vaisya or a sudra. Nor am I a brahmacari, a householder, a vanaprasthaor a sannyasi. I identify Myself only as the servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna . . . ” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya 13.80) Our goal is to be reinstated in our eternal service.

Varnasrama may be used to facilitate our attaining that eternal service.

Krishna consciousness is always the primary thing, and varnasrama is very much secondary.

For entering brahmacarya or vanaprastha no formalities are required.

Srila Prabhupada writes on a book flap he accepted vanaprastha in such and such a year, but as far as I know there was no ceremony.

Changing ashram is mainly a chance of consciousness.

The Bhagavatam details the entanglement of family life: “The attraction between male and female is the basic principle of material existence. On the basis of this misconception, which ties together the hearts of the male and female, one becomes attracted to his body, home, property, children, relatives and wealth. In this way one increases life’s illusions and thinks in terms of ‘I and mine.’” (Bhag. 5.5.8) Of course, the devotee can advance in that position as Lord Brahma advises: “Those who, even while remaining situated in their established social positions, throw away the process of speculative knowledge and with their body, words and mind offer all respects to descriptions of Your personality and activities, dedicating their lives to these narrations, which are vibrated by You personally and by Your pure devotees, certainly conquer Your Lordship, although You are otherwise unconquerable by anyone within the three worlds.” (Bhag. 10.14.3)

Grhastha life meets building up, and vanaprastha life means winding down. It means winding down the business of family life, because I am not this body, and in any case, this body will be finished. Before this body is finished, we want to be detached from things in relationship to the body.

Srila Prabhupada described vanaprastha life as midway between grhastha life and sannyasa life. It provides the space for gradually detaching people from family affairs.

This change of consciousness is the significant point in the vanaprastha ashram – thinking in terms of winding down one’s family life.

Vanaprastha is the invisible ashram, a rare species, hardly identified.

Grhastha life is not eternal but for some years only. It is not recommended one stay in household life forever. It is enjoyable for a few years only, and sometimes just a few days.

We are having this ceremony to a make an impression in the minds of the candidates and to remind the society of grhasthas that grhastha life is not eternal.

Because people have no direction, we see people having children when they are forty-five or getting married in their fifties.

Jaya Gourasundara said he entered grhamedi life at 23 and grhashta life at 42.

His guru, Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, advised him be an ideal grhastha, and he was.

He and his wife have been vanaprastha for years. This is just recognition of that.

Lokanath Swami:

namo maha-vadanyaya
   krishna-prema-pradaya te
krishnaya krishna-caitanya-
   namne gaura-tvise namah

This verse by Rupa Goswami glorifying Lord Caitanya mentions His name, form, quality, and pastimes. He is named Krishna Caitanya. His form is golden in complexion. His quality is His magnanimity, and He is giving Krishna-prema, love for Krishna.

The demoniac were conquered by the arrows of his beauty and the power of His holy name. Other weapons include His prasadam, ISKCON bullets.

Srila Prabhupada made his destination New York City, the capital of the age of Kali.

Niranjana Swami:

From a conversation after class in Mayapur:

Once a young man, who was just married, asked for me to bless him that he have a happy marriage. I replied, “I am a sannyasi. I cannot understand what a happy marriage could possibly be. I could bless you that you could have a successful marriage.”

From a vanaprastha seminar:

The important contribution of the vanaprasthas is they can give invaluable instructions on grhastha life based on their personal experience, which the sannyasis and brahmacaris do not have.

Two quotes from Caitanya Siksamrita on service to elders:

“There are three types of service to elders: protection of parents, protection of teachers, and protection of other elders. One must follow the instructions of parents and serve them as much as is possible. A person should serve those who have protected him as a helpless child; he should also service those who have given knowledge, especially those who have given spiritual knowledge and mantra. Those are considered superior who are bigger in body, greater in age or more experienced in knowledge. One must respect and serve them all. One cannot follow incorrect orders of a superior but one should not show hostility towards him, using disrespectful or harsh words. One should put a stop to their improper behavior or instructions by using sweet words, humility, and gentle reasoning at the proper time.”

“Disrespect to elders has three objects: parents, teachers, and other superiors. Even if the superior makes a mistake, he should not be disrespected. A person should be careful to please superiors with polite and gracious conduct. To disobey the orders of superiors is also disrespect.”

From a class on janmaisvarya sruta sribhir:

Those who are materially satisfied or who are aspiring for material improvement cannot call out the holy name of the Lord feelingly.

Lord Shiva explained to Sati that those who are proud of material acquisitions lose all good sense and cannot appreciate spiritual advanced people.

This does not mean that merely not having material acquisitions necessary means that one is spiritual advanced.

The qualification is to be satisfied with only devotional service.

Those proud people cannot recognize those who are chanting with pure feeling.

The Six Goswami did not feel they had found Krishna, but they were always looking for Him.

Lord Caitanya felt he had no love for Krishna. If He had love, how could He live in this world in Krishna’s absence.

Haridas Thakura explained to the assembly of brahmanas that the true glory of holy name is by chanting the holy name one gets love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Liberation and freedom from sinful reactions are secondary results attained by namabhasa, a glimpse of the holy name.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains that the devotee only wants Krishna’s pleasure. He thinks, “I will someday get Krishna’s mercy, in one day, in one year, or in millions of years.”

A devotee never thinks, “Just see how ecstatic I am.”

The devotees know there is nothing of value to be attained in this world, and thus they only aspire for devotional service, and relish hearing the glories of devotional service.

By hearing the glories of pure devotional service, the devotee becomes inspired to pursue it.

Narada says that by hearing the glories of pure devotional service, by chanting the glories of pure devotional service, or by even accepting the existence of pure devotional service, even one who hates the demigods and all living beings, can progress.

In conclusion, our aspiration in kirtana with others, should be to chant with feeling.

Sivarama Swami:

From a class Brhad-bhagavamrita 2.3.184

Brhad-Bhagavatamrita is highly recommended for one who wants to advance in bhakti. If you do not have it, get it. If you have not read it, read it.
Gopa Kumara represents the seeker who attains the path of perfection, or in other words, ourselves. He advances spiritually and passes though different level of attainment by practicing chanting the mantra that his guru has given him.

“Dearer to the Lord than even His own beautiful form, His easily worshiped holy name benefits the entire world. Indeed, nothing is as full of nectar as the holy name of the Lord.”

This is the first of sixty or seventy verses glorifying the holy name.

Although it takes time, the holy name of the Lord forgives offenses to both the name and form of the Lord.

The Vaikuntha-dutas tell Gopa Kumara that his chanting of his mantra out of duty can only bring him to the platform of liberation. He must give up everything and engage in the nine items of devotional service. The Gopal mantra he has been given must be chanted not only out of duty, but with ecstatic devotion to please Madan Gopal, the deity of the mantra, as an act of devotional service. They also explain that understanding the sambhanda-jnana from books like the Bhagavatam is necessary to accelerate his progress.

Sanatana Goswami gives nine meanings for “sa-rasa:

“Sa-rasacan mean ‘very gentle,’ since the holy names consist of sweet-sounding syllables. It can also mean ‘composed of pure spiritual substance, sac-cid-ananda.’ Or it can mean that the holy names are accompanied by all the various devotional relationships, the nine rasas, headed by srngara (madhurya-rasa). In the pure chanting of the holy names, all these
varieties of prema-rasa are manifest, in the moods of both separation (viraha) and meeting (sanga). Rasa also means ‘attraction to Krishna’ (raga), which devotees performing sankirtana unavoidably experience as their krishna-prema is rapidly evoked by the holy names. In other words, the Lord’s sankirtana inspires His servants and everyone else to become attracted to the Lord.

“Rasaalso means ‘special potency’ (virya-visesa); the chanting of the holy
names is extremely powerful. And rasa can mean ‘exceptional quality’
(guna-visesa), indicating in the present context that nama-sankirtana has the
power to deliver the most fallen persons in the world. Rasa also means
‘exceptional happiness’ (sukha-visesa); hari-nama is the most concentrated
essence of happiness. And it also means ‘exceptional sweetness’ (madhurya-visesa). Nama-sankirtana is often glorified for its sweetness, as in this famous verse from the Prabhasa-khanda of the Skanda Purana:

‘O best of the Bhrigu dynasty, the holy name of Krishna is the sweetest of the sweet, the most auspicious of the auspicious. This transcendental fruit of all the Vedas is purely spiritual. Whoever chants it but once, whether with faith or with contempt, is liberated.’”

Chanting aloud and serving the Lord with one’s senses, according to the residents of Vaikuntha, are superior to meditation, and of all devotional acts, nama-sankirtana is the best. They said seeing Krishna is the result of chanting the names of Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada gave so much emphasis on chanting Hare Krishna, and thus we are all here in Mayapur chanting Hare Krishna.

The result of sadhana is bhava for Krishna, which develops into prema, and seeing Krishna in person.

Nama-sankirtana, as opposed to other kinds of glorification of the Lord, is best because it can evoke at once the treasure of pure love for the Lord. The holy name brings sweetness to all our senses, although appearing originally through the sense of speech.

One who has attained perfection has the symptom of not wanting to stop chanting.

Nama-sankirtana is also described as the fruit of bhakti.

Prataparuda Maharaja was astonished to hear the sankirtana of Lord’s associates. Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya explained that was prema sankirtana, sankirtana of those endowed with love of God.

The holy name is a mantra that can draw Krishna near.

To get love of God, it is not enough to be without bad qualities and to chant out of duty.

If all you had to do is chant Hare Krishna, Srila Prabhupada would not have to write so many books. By reading these books, we will be able to chant with the proper mentality to achieve pure devotion and actually attain Krishna.

Agnidev Prabhu:

In “Gay Gora Madhu Svare”, Lord Caitanya sings the maha-mantra, “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.”

The sannyasis, those in the renounced order, and the grhasthas, those in household life have the same duty, to chant the holy name.

Dharmatma Prabhu:

There was one mentally challenged man who really absorbed himself in our Mayapur harinama. You could see he had no real qualification except being willing to receive the mercy.

When I was in prison, I saw so many prisoners were saved by Jesus because they had to take shelter of something. But how many remember him when they leave the prison?

Daily I see on harinama with the Harinama Ruci party, so many people, regardless of qualification, have the opportunity to get mercy.

Comment by Navina Nirada Prabhu: Sometimes people cannot chant, but they can clap or they can smile.

Rajendrananda Prabhu:

In chanting Hare Krishna, we are pleading, “Krishna please accept me.”

In Los Angeles once while chanting “Jaya Radha Madhava”, tears shot from Srila Prabhupada’s eyes like a syringe, reaching even the camera man.

Bhakti Purusottama Swami:

Formerly book distribution was our main service and even the pujaris and temple presidents would distribute books. Now there are so many nama-hatta, bhakti-vrksa, ISKCON Youth Forum programs, but if we do not engage the people coming from these programs in book distribution we will not achieve the perfection.

Vijaya Prabhu:

This is a war on maya. Who likes war? Nobody likes war. But this is a friendly war. Have you ever heard of a friendly war? We gently, in a friendly way, encourage them to take Srila Prabhupada’s books, and the books kill their ignorance.

One person in 1976 encountered a devotee who spoke to him in a very friendly way about Srila Prabhupada’s books. He was not interested in the books but he was impressed with the polite presentation. At a rest area in Florida two years later, the man met another devotee, who also presented the books in a very gentle, friendly way. This time he wanted a book, but he had no money. He asked the distributor if they had a temple nearby. They did it, and he got the address, and went to the temple. He liked the devotees so much, he never left, and he has been a devotee ever since.

By our spiritual practice we develop qualities that attract the people when we present the books.

Amita Krishna Prabhu:

If a sannyasi been practicing to love Krishna and his guru for decades, why can he not speak about marriage? He has great experience keeping commitments in these relationships and keeping commitments in relationships is an important part of marriage.

Maha-bhavi Prabhu [from Norway]:

Sometimes we are struggling in devotional service, and we are thinking that Krishna is not pleased with us. But that is not the case. We are thinking that because Krishna is not fulfilling our material desires, He is displeased with us. But actually, Krishna is pleased that we are trying to perform devotional service.

To please one’s wife is not possible. I speak from experience. Similarly it is not possible to please all our friends or to please society.

Actually our intimate relationship is with Krishna, and that is what people are looking for, but they think that they will find that with the things of the material world.

If we are very attached to the material world, we are afraid of Krishna, because He is called Hari, one who takes away. Thus we tend to see Him as an enemy. By performing devotional service, we can become cured of this faulty vision.

We can be completely happy just chanting Krishna’s name on harinama.

Everyone is attracted to Krishna. We can see this when we are chanting on harinama. Sometimes they pretend to not be attracted as they walk by, and later we see them look with curiosity, “What was that?”

Lord Caitanya’s army is the most amazing army. What are the weapons? The karatalas, the mrdanga. No one is killed.

What is humility? Chanting Hare Krishna. Assisting in Lord Caitanya’s army.

Prahlad Maharaja could have such effect on his classmates because of the purity of his devotion.

Because Prahlada Maharaja was living in demoniac society, it makes sense he attained perfection by smaranam (remembrance), since hearing and chanting about Vishnu, who was considered an enemy, would be restricted.

Hanuman Prabhu:

From a conversation:

Mayapur has all the features I generally hate like cold water only, sleeping on hard floors, and crowds of people, and yet I am in complete bliss.

In the West I struggle to chant 16 rounds, but as an undercover security guard in Mayapur, I chant 32 or 64. I do not even count anymore.

Maitreya Prabhu [from England]:

From his autobiography:

“My aversion [to the Sunday religious service I was expected to attend in my youth] had nothing to do with form and substance but it was the lack of it that made the ordeal so unbearable and made escape the only remedy.”

-----

Sometimes we have difficulty fixing our minds on the sound of the holy name when we chant. If we internalize the understanding expressed in this stanza by Bhaktivinoda Thakura, that there is nothing but the holy name to be found in this material world, then it is easier to keep the mind focused.

krishna-nama-sudha koriya pan,
jurao bhakativinoda-pran,
nama bina kichu nahiko aro,
caudda-bhuvana-majhe


“Drink the pure nectar of the holy name of Krishna and thus satisfy the soul of Bhaktivinoda. There is nothing but the holy name within all the fourteen worlds.” (“Arunadaya Kirtan”, Song 1, by Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

Harinamas of western Iskcon devotees in the city of Mumbai…
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Harinamas of western Iskcon devotees in the city of Mumbai (video)
Srila Prabhupada: Worship of the Lord, whose name is like the sun, for just as a slight appearance of the sun dissipates the darkness of night, so a slight appearance of the holy name of Krishna can drive away all the darkness of ignorance that arises in the heart due to greatly sinful activities performed in previous lives. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.62)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/czO0lI

ISKCON’s 50th anniversary: TOVP Video Update, March 22 2016
- TOVP.org

A new inspirational video produced by Prananatha das shows a current view of the TOVP construction site. 3 of the 8 chatris have been completed with blue tiles and kalashes. More segments have been put onto the 3 domes, in preparation for the kalashes. The 4th stage (out of 6) of the decorative sandstone features has been completed.

The post ISKCON’s 50th anniversary: TOVP Video Update, March 22 2016 appeared first on Храм Ведического Планетария.

2016 TOVP update video
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The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP), being built at ISKCON’s World Headquarters in Mayapur, West Bengal, India, is ISKCON’s flagship project and most ambitious undertaking to spread the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Golden Avatar.
Mission
The fulfillment of the desire of visionary spiritual leaders, saints and incarnations, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium is a unique and ambitious project to make the vast culture and philosophy of the timeless Vedic tradition accessible to everyone, under the direction of ISKCON Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Rising from the plains of the holy land of Sri Mayapur, on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium will be a shining beacon to all aspiring spiritualists who are searching for answers to the questions of life.

The temple is being designed according to the sacred architecture that has facilitated union with the divine for millions of people throughout the ages. Simply seeing the outside of the temple will evoke an appreciation for the divine, and awaken the dormant devotion for God in every sincere seeker.

After months of intense work, for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, we present the 2016 TOVP update video. Please watch in HD. Please share. Hare Krishna.

Posted by Prananatha Das on Tuesday, March 22, 2016

APPRECIATING THE UNPARALLELED MERCY OF SHRI KRISHNA CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU ON HIS APPEARANCE DAY
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Author: 
Karnamrita Das

photo DSCN0459_zpslij4slkc.jpgMAY WE BE BLESSED TO MEDITATE ON, UNDERSTAND, APPRECIATE, AND APPLY TO OUR LIVES, THE UNPARALLELED MERCY OF SHRI KRISHNA CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU, THE KIRTAN AVATAR, ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS APPEARANCE IN THE WORLD: For me, on appearances day of any incarnation of God, or great devotee, I question myself on how much I appreciate their special teaching and gifts to the world. Today, I am thinking of both the beauty and insanity of being in the material world, and what it would be like to have never met devotees of Shri Chaitanya, and taken to the process of chanting the holy name, engaging in devotional service, and aspiring for love for Krishna, or prema. Like many devotees, I wonder how I would even be alive, so intense was my dissatisfaction with the world, and how much I was looking for an alternative solution to that material status quo and to thus solve my existential crisis.

We can understand how much we have embraced this path by evaluating what our absorption is, and what we do with our time and money. Who and what do we love? What can we not live without? Where is our shelter and support? Is our spiritual life progressive, and are we praying with our whole heart, not merely officially, for spiritual progress? Considering these questions, where do we fall short, and what are we actively doing to change for the better?

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TOVP ISKCON of Tomorrow
- TOVP.org

“You started 108 temples all over the world. Today, you have over 700 centers worldwide. But now, here comes the most important center of them all, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.”

Dear Devotees,

We have something very special for you today. A brand new film from Kriyate, called “For Tomorrow”, was released on the disappearance day of Srila Madhavendra Puri, which is also the celebration of Sri Advaitacarya’s Shantipur festival. This film reveals the timeless sacred beauty of Mayapur through the innocent eyes of a young boy, Purushottam. As Srila Prabhupada
wrote in the fifth Canto of the Bhagavatam, Mayapur is the best among all the places in the universe:

“Within this universe this earth is the best planet and that on this planet the land of Bharata-varsa is the best; in the land of Bharatavarsa, Bengal is still better, in Bengal the district of Nadia is still better, and in Nadia the best place is Navadvipa because Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared there to inaugurate the performance of the sacrifice of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

Therefore this is the best among all the places in the universe. The Krishna Consciousness movement has established its center in Mayapur, the birthsite of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, to give men the great opportunity to go there and perform a constant festival of sankirtana-yajna and to distribute prasada to millions of hungry people hankering for spiritual emancipation. This is the mission of the Krishna Consciousness movement.

(SB 5.19.24)

We first get an intimate glimpse into the daily lives of the Gurukula students, who have come from all over the world but now call Mayapur home. As they study, worship, serve and play, these most fortunate children are learning to please Krishna together in a most auspicious, idyllic atmosphere. Then we follow Purushottam on his first tour of the Temple of the Vedic
Planetarium, a profoundly moving experience which strengthens his faith and gratitude to Srila Prabhupada.

Afterwards, he shares his realizations about the importance of the new temple and the role it will play in spreading Krishna consciousness around the world. He prays for empowerment to take up responsibility, and to find a way to contribute in the future that will make Srila Prabhupada proud. His optimism and earnest anticipation for the new temple is both touching and
contagious.

We are reminded that there is no age limit for loving Krishna, and that this temple is not only for us but will be a legacy and shelter for our children and for so many future generations of devotees. Mayapur is already a spiritual sanctuary in this bleak age of Kali-yuga, and it will only flourish more and more as we unite to build our future together. Like Purushottam, we should all seriously engage our time and energy to serve Sri Mayapur Dham in whatever way we can, to ensure that the TOVP is finished as soon as possible.

Krishna is not ungrateful but rather He sees all our efforts and appreciates our sincere service. Simply He wants to see that we are engaging our time and energy in His service. And you always remember to abide by the laws of Krishna as described by His bona fide Representative, and the passage of going back to Godhead is assured. This is Krishna’s Mercy.

(Letter to Devananda – 23 Nov, 1968)

The post TOVP ISKCON of Tomorrow appeared first on Храм Ведического Планетария.

TOVP Construction Update, March 2016
- TOVP.org

We’re pleased to inform you of the latest happenings at the TOVP: 3 of the 8 chatris have been completed with blue tiles and kalashes.

More segments have been put onto the 3 domes, in preparation for the kalashes. The 4th stage (out of 6) of the decorative sandstone features has been completed.

Also 2 more Demigods; Lord Brahma and Laksmi Devi are nearly completed, while the life-size clay model of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur is going on.

The post TOVP Construction Update, March 2016 appeared first on Храм Ведического Планетария.

The irony of a Bollywood Super hero
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“Man is not what he thinks he is; he is what he hides” – Andre Malraux (1901-1976, French Novelist)

Vraja Bihari Dasa: “Wow! He really looks stunning; is he some demi-God?” I asked innocently, looking at a huge billboard.

Sishir, my friend laughed, “He’s known as a Greek God and you should know more than others that appearance is deceptive”

“Well err”, I flustered. I was expected to be well acquainted with the spiritual philosophy of the shallowness of it all.

“Yeah, I don’t see movies, but he’s some big name?”

“He’s HrithikRoshan”, revealed my friend, “he doesn’t have a great body as you think. Cinema always makes people look bigger”

“He’s surely a fitness freak?” I probed. “That’s far from truth”, Sishir now decided to enlighten me. “You know he’s got a severe slip disc and a severe imbalance with big biceps and triceps but a thin body”

“Really” I was amused and curious to know more.

“He ignored the basic muscles like the hip, lower back, thighs, calf, hamstring etc but focused on those that the world would see him display on screen. And the result is he looks gorgeous on screen but is in terrible and relentless pain. He has broken back, broken knees, and has torn his shoulders and is playing a superhero. What an irony!”

This could very well be the plight of many spiritual heroes. Respect and praise shower upon a practitioner who’s lasted a few decades on the Bhakti path. The inside story could however be different if the hero in question has worked hard only on the ‘muscles’ that are seen by the world. Although all his juniors- like the fans of Hrithik- would go gaga over him, yet his neglect of ‘health muscles’ would cause him to pay dear.

Preparing for good classes, excellent counseling, expert management skills – and many other abilitieswould give excellent results, and it’s visible to all. However the time a devotee spends chanting and praying or exploring his own inner conscience, goes unnoticed by the world. One’s serious self-introspection could help him come closer to his real self and God. However this calls for hard work and little recognition by the world. But if even once a young seeker gets taste of appreciation and recognition for his external expertise, it’s tempting to pursue these with zeal. While appreciation can be a healthy ‘tonic’ unfortunately it also has a vicious effect when consumed as an overdose; it could be an ‘intoxicant’. And then we spend more time in activities that give us external glory while neglecting basic spiritual practices that would nourish us spiritually. The result is one may only show the world he is a devotee, while inside he could be hollow. William Shakespeare in his classic comedy ‘Merchant of Venice’ writes:

“All that glisters is not gold;

Often have you heard that told:

Many a man his life hath sold

But my outside to behold:

Glided tombs do worms enfold.”

Eventually he would have a ‘slip disc’ and could leave the path of Krishna consciousness. That would shock all others in the community; ‘he was so good, how could he leave the spiritual path?’ or ‘I saw him do so many things so well, how could he have difficulty in spiritual life?’- These are common expressions of bewilderment by the naïve.

The world may go by externals but God, Krishna, and one’s own true inner voice calls upon a practitioner to be honest. And if we don’t work on our inner life, and if our inside is not congruent with our outside, soon the inside would take revenge; the world would eventually know we aren’t as advanced as we professed to be. Even if we fool the world, could we live with untruth for long?

For Related articles by author VrajaBihari Das, visit website www.yogaformodernage.com

The Special Kindness of Lord Caitanya
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Hare KrishnaBy Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami

When Lord Caitanya was preaching in the town of Navadvipa, two of His closest associates, Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakura, approached a noisy crowd on the main road. They learned from passers-by that two brothers, Jagai and Madhai, were once again causing a disturbance in a drunken condition. These two brothers had been born in a respectable brahmana family, but due to bad association they had become debauchees of the worst type. Not only were they drunkards, but they were also meat-eaters, woman hunters and thieves. In this age no one can claim to be sinless. Yet Lord Caitanya accepts anyone, no matter how sinful, on the condition that he promise not to indulge in sinful activities after being accepted as a disciple of a bona fide spiritual master. Continue reading "The Special Kindness of Lord Caitanya
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Alone with the Holy Names
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Mahatma das: I happily and enthusiastically welcome the holy names every japa session.I easily chant my prescribed number of rounds with focus and attention.When I chant, I chant.I get to chant, I want to chant, and I love to chant.I treat the maha-mantra as Radha and Krsna, fully present in sound.I receive and feel Krsna’s presence, mercy and love in His holy names.I chant in full awareness that the holy name is my greatest treasure.I chant to please Radha and Krsna, not to gain anything material.I am out of my mind and in my heart, fully present to the holy names as I chant my rounds.I fully honour my sacred relationship with the holy names during japa.I chant to be accepted by Krsna, and to repair my broken relationship with Him.I chant from my heart, feelingly praying to come closer to Krsna.I meditate on the meaning of the names as I chant.I turn off my world and turn on Krsna’s world when I chant my rounds.I chant with no other motive than to render pure devotional service.My beads are my connection with Krsna and my ticket back to Godhead.I am totally dependent on guru and Krsna to chant quality japa.I organize my life to make japa the most important activity of my day.I relish chanting the holy names.


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The Greed of the Lord
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Hare KrishnaBy Gour Govinda Swami

WE SHOULD KNOW the cause for the appearance of Gauranga Mahaprabhu, Lord Caitanya. There are two causes: external and internal. The external cause is to teach Kali-yuga dharma, the religion for Kali-yuga, the Age of Quarrel. That religion ishari-sankirtana, the chanting of the holy name. Lord Caitanya comes in Kali-yuga, especially the present Kali-yuga, with His abode and all His associates and paraphernalia. He offers and distributes the chief result of hari-nama-sankirtana Krsna-prema, love of God freely, indiscriminately. Even Brahma cannot easily get such prema, such love for God, but Lord Caitanya gives it to the most degraded, most sinful persons, such as Jagai and Madhai. Therefore He is known as Prema Purusottama, the Personality of Godhead who gives love of Godhead. Continue reading "The Greed of the Lord
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A day for Krsna
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, December 2011, Pretoria, South Africa, Caitanya Caritamrta Lecture)

20Feb2016 (3)

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu explained to Sanatana Goswami that we must follow in the footsteps of the eternal residents of Vrindavan. We must always act for the pleasure of Krsna. In our sadhana, Krsna must always be in the centre.

My first big festival in the temple was Gaura Purnima. I was celebrating it at the Bhaktivedanta Manor and I had just returned from India. We were in a very big room and we, the brand new devotees, our service was to roll sweet balls the whole day. We were fasting and it was just too much for my mind to be sitting with an ocean of sweet balls. I was thinking, ‘What kind of movement is this? They are fasting and then the whole day they are in the kitchen cooking and busy with and all kinds of prasadam preparations. What is this process?’

I thought it was strange because I was self-centered. I was thinking that it was all austerity which we were performing for our own purification. I did not understand that for one day, for one day, it was a day for Krsna and on that day, instead of worrying of our own senses, as we usually do, on a special festival, we put all our own sense enjoyment aside. There will be no arrangements made for our sense enjoyment. All the arrangements are made only for Krsna’s pleasure, everything! The residents of Vrindavan do that every day!

The Hidden Incarnation
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Hare KrishnaBy His Divine Grace A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada

Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but He’s channa. Channa means “covered.” Lord Caitanya is a covered avatara, or incarnation, of the Supreme Lord because He appeared as a devotee. In the Kali-yuga He does not appear directly like other incarnations, such as Narsimhadeva, Vamanadeva, or Lord Ramachandra. He appears as a devotee. Why? Because He is the most magnanimous avatara. People are so foolish that they could not understand Krishna. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared to give mercy to the fallen souls, who are so foolish that they cannot take to Krishna consciousness. He is personally teaching how to take to Krishna consciousness. And that process is this kirtana, chanting Krishna’s holy names. – Lecture in Mayapur on the appearance day of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: March 16, 1976 Continue reading "The Hidden Incarnation
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Latest TOVP updates. (Album with photos) Sadbhuja Das:…
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Latest TOVP updates. (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: We’re pleased to inform you of the latest happenings at the TOVP : 3 of the 8 chatris have been completed with blue tiles and kalashes. More segments have been put onto the 3 domes, in preparation for the kalashes. The 4th stage (out of 6) of the decorative sandstone features has been completed. Also 2 more Demigods; Lord Brahma and Laksmi Devi are nearly completed, while the life-size clay model of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur is going on.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/GAQ2mu

The Garland of Prema-Nama. “Prema-bhakti is the essence of…
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The Garland of Prema-Nama.
“Prema-bhakti is the essence of bhakti. If we prepare a garland of flowers, one thread is required and it is woven together. Similarly, when the question of nama-prema-mala comes, what is the thread of that garland? That thread is prema. The mala is woven together with the thread of prema. It is nama-prema-mala. The example is the japa-mala. With our japa-mala we are chanting. That means you should chant the Holy Name feeling acute pangs of separation from Krsna. Then your chanting will be offenceless and the pure name will come out.
This is the most hidden topic in Goloka. It was not given at any time before, but when Mahaprabhu came He gave it, golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana. It does not belong to this material world. It belongs to Goloka Vrndavana.”
A lecture on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 17.34-36, delivered by Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja on 7 April 1995, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/8cYLKf

March 22. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations. Satsvarupa…
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March 22. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Singhania Not Interested.
Prabhupada’s series of correspondence with Mr. Singhania, which began hopefully, ended negatively. Mr. Singhania did not reply personally to Prabhupada’s last letter. He had his secretary, Mr. Iyer, write to Prabhupada, thoroughly discouraging his last hopes for purchasing a building in New York.
I regret to write that Sir Padampatji is not interested in the scheme of building a Radha-Krishna temple in New York at present. In regard to the inquiry in the last paragraph of your last letter, Sri Padampatji duly received your books of Srimad-Bhagwatam from your Delhi office. Yours faithfully.
Seeing him from a distance – a tiny figure walking Manhattan streets and avenues among many other tiny figures, a foreigner whose visa had almost run out – we come upon only the external appearance of Srila Prabhupada. These days of struggle were real enough, and very difficult, but his transcendental consciousness was always predominant. He was not living in Manhattan consciousness, but was absorbed in dependence upon Krishna; just as while on the Jaladuta he had suffered his heart attacks, his reading of Caitanya-caritamrta had supplied him “the nectarine of life.”
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6

Madhavendra Puri
→ Ramai Swami

Unknown-2Unknown

Before Lord Chaitanya appeared He sent His eternal associates like Shri Advaita Acharya, Shri Jagannatha Mishra, Saci Mata, Madhavendra Puri and Isvara Puri to earth.

Shri Madhavendra Puri took initiation from Shri Lakshmipati Tirtha in the Madhvacharya sampradaya. Shri Advaita Acharya and Shri Isvara Puri were the chief disciples of Madhavendra Puri.

In a dream, Lord Gopala ordered Madhavendra Puri to uncover a buried Gopala Deity and install Him atop Govardhana Hill. Madhavendra Puri celebrated Gopala’s installation with an anna-kuta festival. The original Gopala Deity, known as Shri Nathaji, is now worshiped in Nathadvara, Rajasthan.

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Sunday Program in Durban, 20 March 2016
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Here are photos and recordings of Kadamba Kanana Swami from the Sunday Program on 20 March, in Durban.

KKS_DBN_20March2016_SundayProgram_Kirtan

KKS_DBN_20March2016_SundayProgram_Lecture

 

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Presuppositions of science
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In order for science to operate, scientists have to assume certain unsaid things such as...
  1. Uniformity of the rules of the universe. These rules that govern the universe do not change across space and time.
  2. Human beings have the ability to collect data of the natural world in full through sensory and cognitive abilities. 
  3. The laws of logic are consistent everywhere.
  4. The adequacy of words and sentences (language) to describe the completeness of nature and behavior of nature.
  5. Inductive conclusions based on uniform natural laws are sufficient to describe the natural world around us.
  6. The natural world cannot exist outside the realms of the ability of man to make theories - theory-independent external world.
  7. The natural world can be explained fully empirically through numbers.

These are some assumptions science and scientists have to make to even conduct their experiments. In other words, reality or truth or fact of modern man is within the bounds of these assumptions. We will not be able to understand or explain an incident through scientific methods if it happens outside the bounds of these assumptions. In fact, anything that happens outside these bounds either do not exist in reality according to science or considered anomalies which is not given too much value. 

Hare Krishna

Three Steps. Sutapa das: The three steps of anything: 1)…
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Three Steps.
Sutapa das: The three steps of anything: 1) Initial enthusiasm, 2) doubts, disinterest and struggle 3) eventual reward for the committed. This seems to be the standard pattern for most things in life: studies, career, relationships, hobbies, and yes, even spirituality. The beginning of our spiritual journey is often characterised by idealism. Everything is fresh and fascinating, a whole new world to explore and unlimited opportunities to pursue. We can’t imagine any problems, since it all seems so simple and straightforward. We have finally found what we’ve always been looking for. Unfortunately that honeymoon period doesn’t last forever. Now familiar with the externals, one is forced to dig a little deeper to maintain their commitment and dedication. What in the beginning seemed so natural, now requires a good dose of discipline and determination to maintain.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/jq3n3u

Why are things that we hear and accept still difficult to apply?
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Answer Podcast


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If our relatives are enquiring about spirituality but aren’t submissive, how should we respond?
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Is our sampradaya’s credibility weakened because of having shiksha links instead of diksha links?
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When milk is nowadays extracted violently from cows, should devotees take milk?
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When there are so many scriptures how is the essential scriptural message to be understood?
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If someone dies because of drunken driving, was the death due to destiny or drunkenness?
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When our sampradaya is of shiksha, why are diksha-gurus deemed so important and shiksha-gurus deemed unimportant?
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ISKCON 50th Anniversary offering by Jayadeva das (5 min…
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ISKCON 50th Anniversary offering by Jayadeva das (5 min video)
Early 70’s pop star John Richardson aka Jayadeva Prabhu is set to release his ISKCON 50th Anniversary offering–the virtual mantra choir. Having gathered the voices of devotees from more than 25 countries, Jayadeva conducts the Mantra Choir in singing the name of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The track will be released on Gaura Purnima day (23 March) and can be live streamed from www.mantrachoir.com.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/dSVCsM