Planet ISKCON

Please Bless Us for Advancement

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The post Scenes from the last day of parikrama appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Глава 7

Всякий раз, приезжая в Мумбай, я останавливаюсь в доме своего ученика Нароттам Даса Тхакур Даса и его жены Манджари Деви Даси. Сегодня Нароттам отправился со мной в больницу на ПЭТ-сканирование для контроля рецидива рака кожи, хирургически удаленного у меня в прошлом году.

– Что-то я в два раза больше нервничаю, – сказал я Нароттаму, когда мы уселись в зале ожидания. – Что, если рак вернулся? Придется пройти еще через одну операцию и все такое.

– Мы все молимся о вас, – сказал Нароттам.

– Из-за сканирования тоже нервничаю, – сказал я.

– Зачем это? – спросил Нароттам. – Сканирование безболезненно.

– Знаю, –  ответил я. – Но у меня мурашки по коже, когда меня укладывают на эту тележку и вкатывают в аппарат. Будто отдают на съедение какому-то монстру.

Я оглядел помещение и увидел санитара, толкающего по полу швабру.

– Только посмотри на этого парня, – проговорил я, – разговаривает сам с собой и сам себе смеется. И так все плохо, а тут еще и он.

– Может быть, он немного ненормальный, –  сказал Нароттам.

– Он нормальный, – сказал мужчина рядом с нами, – я здесь часто бываю и всегда его вижу. Он просто эксцентричен.

Санитар прошелся мимо нас, его худосочное тело было в форме цвета хаки, карие глаза бегали из сторону в сторону. Он резко толкал свою швабру, по всей видимости, нисколько не заботясь о пациентах в зале. Было заметно, что и другие им обеспокоены.

– Ну вот, теперь он что-то поет себе под нос, – сказал я Нароттаму, – да еще и фальшивит.

Мужчина, сидящий рядом с нами, рассмеялся.

– По крайней мере, он хорошо здесь убирает, – сказал он, – и у него добрые намерения.

Регистратор за стойкой окликнула санитара:

– Махеш! Отнеси пакет д-ру Агарвалу. Четвертый этаж, кабинет шестнадцать.

Швабра Махеша грохнулась об пол – бросив ее, он поспешил к стойке.

– Да, мэм, – произнес он, – сию минуту, мэм.

Голос у него был высокий, гнусавый. Шагая к лифту, он громко оглашал адрес на свертке.

– Доктор Агарвал, четвертый этаж, кабинет шестнадцать. КрутоОго! Сколько всего для доктора!

Двери лифта закрылись, скрывая его лыбящееся лицо, и я вздохнул с облегчением.

– Эксцентричен – это мягко сказано, – проговорил я Нароттаму. – Ну, по крайней мере, наконец-то тихо.

Однако спустя десять минут двери лифта открылись, и он вернулся.

– Сделано! – прокричал он и, поспешив к своей швабре, снова начал водить ею в своей манере, да еще при этом запел своим пронзительным голосом. Звук был тягостный, но у меня получилось отключиться и подремать насколько минут, пока я не услышал, как в репродуктор объявляют мое имя. Зайдя в смотровой кабинет, я увидел нескольких медсестер и, к своему удивлению, Махеша, деловито расставляющего предметы в медицинском шкафчике. «О нет! – подумал я. – Здесь-то он что делает?»

– Махеш, – сказала одна из медсестер через плечо, – будь добр, отнеси пакет (сверток) доктору Рейнолдсу в 404 кабинет.

Махеш, не говоря ни слова, протанцевал через кабинет забрать пакет. Потом распахнул дверь, театрально отсалютовал и исчез в коридоре.

– Пока мы готовим раствор для вашего сканирования, – сказала мне медсестра, – пожалуйста, наденьте больничную накидку, и когда вернетесь, садитесь в это кресло.

Я вышел в другую комнату, переоделся и вернулся.

– Ай! – сестра ввела мне иглу в вену на запястье. Краем глаза я заметил, что в кабинет возвратился Махеш.  Внезапно кресло под моим весом накренилось и стукнулось о столик сестры с медицинским оборудованием. Стеклянная бутылка скользнула к краю, и медсестра, потянувшись ее подхватить, случайно выдернула иглу из моего запястья.

– Махеш! – крикнула она. – Сюда!

Махеш бросился через кабинет, подхватил бутылочку и вернул ее на стол. Медсестра подобрала шприц, оказавшийся на моих коленях.

– Махеш, – сказала она, – подержи, пожалуйста, кресло джентльмена, пока я делаю укол.

– Да, – сказал он с серьезным выражением лица и ухватил кресло обеими руками.

– Ай! – медсестра нашла другую вену. Махеш же наклонился ко мне и, к моему изумлению, начал говорить на беглом английском.

– Сэр, – сказал он, – сегодня у меня очень благоприятный день. Верно, это из-за моих прошлых добрых дел мне посчастливилось послужить садху. Такая редкая возможность.

И он процитировал стих из Падма Пураны:

арадхананам сарвешам

вишнор арадханам парам

тасмат паратарам деви

тадийанам самарчанам

«Моя дорогая богиня, среди всех видов поклонения лучшее – это поклонение Господу Вишну, а лучше этого – поклонение Его преданному, Вайшнаву».

– Что? – оторопел я. – Откуда ты знаешь этот стих?

– Я изучал шастры, – тихо ответил он, все еще удерживая кресло.

– Ты преданный Кришны? – спросил я.

– Когда-нибудь, – сказал он, – надеюсь, что когда-нибудь я стану преданным Господа.

– Ты из семьи Вайшнавов?

– Нет, – ответил он. – Я сирота. Моя семья – это преданные Господа.

И он процитировал стих из Бхагавад-гиты:

мач-читта мад-гата-прана

бодхайантах параспарам

катхайанташ ча мам нитйам

тушйанти ча раманти ча

«Мысли моих чистых преданных сосредоточены на Мне, их жизнь полностью посвящена Мне, и они испытывают большое удовлетворение и блаженство, просвещая друг друга и беседуя обо Мне».

Неожиданно я понял, насколько же я был увлечен его критикой – до того, что не заметил его умиротворенного лица и увлажненных сияющих глаз.

– Сэр, – сказал Махеш, чуть улыбаясь, – когда я увидал вас в приемной, то сердцем почувствовал, что это Господь послал вас, чтобы дать надежду всем тем несчастным, что страдают здесь. Одно ваше присутствие доставляет радость.

Голос медсестры вернул меня к реальности.

– Инъекция сделана, – сказала она. – Пройдите, пожалуйста, в соседнюю комнату и ждите сканирования.

– Да-да, – ответил я. – Но позвольте мне сначала спросить Махеша, если.., – я обернулся к нему, но он исчез.

– Куда он ушел? – спросил я сестру.

– Прибираться, наверное, – откликнулась она, не глядя.

Ожидая в соседней комнате, я ощущал, как на меня накатывает волна стыда. «Я недооценил этого человека, – думал я. – Насмехался над ним про себя, а он больше преданный, чем я. Я совершил серьезное оскорбление. Надо будет попросить у него прощения».

Вскоре на табло высветилось мое имя – подошла моя очередь на ПЭТ. Медсестра пригласила меня и помогла улечься на аппарат сканирования.

– Вытяните руки за голову, – сказал она. – Десять минут вам надо будет лежать совершенно неподвижно.

Я нервничал из-за монстра, но расслабился и понемногу задремал. Очнулся я, когда кто-то коснулся моих стоп. Я услышал голос, тихо напевающий: «Харе Кришна, Харе Кришна, Кришна Кришна,  Харе Харе / Харе Рама, Харе Рама, Рама Рама, Харе Харе».

Я открыл глаза – это был Махеш.

– Махеш, – прошептал я, – мне надо с тобой поговорить.

Но он снова исчез так же внезапно, как появился. Сканирование закончилось, и чувство стыда снова накрыло меня. «Да я просто оскорбитель», – думал я, переодеваясь в свою одежду. Я дошел по указателям до приемной, теперь здесь было в два раза больше народа. Подписывая бумаги за стойкой регистрации, я услышал высокий голос поющего Махеша, поднял взгляд – и увидел его, машущего шваброй в глубине холла и пританцовывающего.

Я бросился через приемную.

– Махеш, Махеш! – окликнул я его. – Мне надо с тобой поговорить!

Но прежде чем я до него добрался, он скрылся за стеклянной дверью. Пританцовывая, он удалялся по коридору в другую часть больницы, я же опустился на колени и стал молиться о прощении:

ванчха-калпа-тарубхйаш ча  крипа-синдхубхйа эва ча

патитанам паванебхйо  вайшнавебхйо намо намах

 «Предлагаю свои почтительные поклоны всем Вайшнавам, преданным Господа.

Они в точности подобны древам желаний, которые могут выполнить желания каждого и полны сострадания к падшим обусловленным душам».

[Шри Вайшнава-пранати]

Вставая, я вдруг вспомнил, что нахожусь в переполненном залепомещении. Все смотрели на меня.

«Пусть смотрят, – думал я. – В худшем случае подумают, что я ненормальный, в лучшем – что я эксцентричен. Но я-то знаю, что предлагаю почтение удивительному Вайшнаву, которого мне довелось сегодня повстречать».

***********************

Шрила Прабхупада писал:

«Вы сетуете на то, что встретили в Калифорнии двух моих юных учеников, и Вам показалось, что у них «очень недоброжелательное отношение к людям, с которыми они встречаются».  Конечно, мне неизвестны детали этого случая и все его обстоятельства, однако простите великодушно моих возлюбленных учеников, если они проявили некоторую недоброжелательность или обошлись с Вами неучтиво.

В конце концов, полностью отказаться от своего образа жизни ради служения Господу – нелегкое дело, и майя (иллюзорная материальная энергия) особенно настойчиво старается снова поймать в свою ловушку тех, кто отказался служить ей, чтобы стать преданным.

Поэтому, чтобы противостоять натиску майи и оставаться твердыми, несмотря на любые искушения, молодые или неопытные преданные, новички в преданном служении, иногда занимают враждебную позицию по отношению к тем вещам или людям, которые, возможно, могут оказать на них пагубное влияние или повредить их еще не окрепшие ростки преданности.

В этом они могут даже перегнуть палку, только чтобы оградить себя, и потому некоторым непреданным, которые сами еще целиком находятся под властью материальной энергии, майи, они могут иногда показаться нигилистами или пессимистами. Но в сущности этот материальный мир и есть место, полное страданий и опасностей, подстерегающих нас на каждом шагу, он – духкхалайам ашашватам, юдоль смерти, рождений, болезней и старости, пристанище страданий и боли, где все преходяще.

[…] Прийти к этому уровню понимания вещей такими, как они есть, совсем не просто, и о тех, кто достиг его, говорят как о великих душах».

[письмо Шрилы Прабхупады Линни Людвиг, 30 апреля 1973]

Lord Nityananda appeared in the village of Ekachakra, in West Bengal, India, around 1474. In the Caitanya Caritamrita and other scriptures He is declared to be the avatar of Lord Balarama, the direct expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.

Nityananda Prabhu, who is identical with Lord Balarama, the first expansion of Krishna, is considered to be the original guru for all of mankind. Thus, soon after their initial meeting, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu tried to honour Nityananda Prabhu with a Vyasa-puja worship ceremony befitting a great spiritual master.

However, Nityananda Prabhu protested and grabbed all of the worship articles from Mahaprabhu and worshiped Him instead.

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 09.29 – Krishna is neither impartial nor partial – he is reciprocal appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

It was nice to join the devotees from Kirtan West Wales at the Alltwalis Community Hall as they celebrated the appearance day of Lord Nityananda Prabhu.

Here is a short clip of the wonderful kirtan-

This also included a wonderful small prasadam meal

And to see such attention to it’s preparation

It was a wonderful way to celebrate and share thoughts and realizations; small simple and sweet

The post Daily Darshan : February 21st, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

13 Anniversary of Vrinda Kunda (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: On Varaha Dvadasi, it was 13 years since we inaugurated the Vrinda Kunda Mandir. We brought 200 devotees there and had katha, kirtan, Sadhu feast, and Devotee feast. Relish these pics of Vittalrukmini Das!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/D8EJOc

ISKCON-Delhi: Sri Nityananda Trayodasi Maha Abhishek : 20-02-2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: By chanting the holy name of Krishna one is cleansed of the dirt that accumulates in the mind. One can purify the mind either by the breathing process or by the chanting process, just as one can purify gold by putting it in a fire and fanning it with a bellows. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.28.10 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nR6Y68

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                                January 2016                     2/18/2016


         For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this file contains
       the following North American results for the month of January:

                    North American Totals
                    Monthly Temples
                    Monthly Top 100 Individuals
                    Monthly Top 5



   This file is best viewed and printed using a fixed pitch font. In WinCOM
   select Options, General, and change to Fixed pitch. In a word processor
   chose Edit, Select All, and select a fixed pitch font such as Courier.

                               All glories to your service,
                               Your servant, Mayapur Sasi dasa


   Scores received thru 02/18/2016




                 North American offering to Srila Prabhupada

         MahaBig   Big   Medium  Small   BTGs   Total   Total    %    Templ/
          Books   Books  Books   Books   Mags   Books   Points Change Devote
        --------------------------------------------------------------------
January  12925    7180    7058   17156   4382   48701   41308.20  +9% 21/ 84
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals   12925    7180    7058   17156   4382   48701   41308.20  +9% 21/ 84
                                                          (%)Change compared
                                                                to last year



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                                ALL TEMPLES
                                January 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Temples (size)           Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Los Angeles (L)    US  14613.00   na    4360   2518   1968   9174   975
  2 RupanugaVedicColle US   9013.70   na    3203   2116    137    524  2922
  3 TBB TSKP (MS)      US   4196.00   na    1058    730   2228    942     5
  4 Gainesville (M)    US   3598.50   na    1150    655    678   1218     0
  5 Denver (M)         US   2256.20   na     719    282    560   1016    22
  6 New York Harinam ( US   1434.25   na     339    423    166   1001     0
  7 New Talavan (S)    US   1355.50   na     530     13    499    132     0
  8 Laguna Beach (S)   US   1253.40   na     537     81     79    170   164
  9 Toronto (S)        Can   710.95   na     252     76    171    131    39
 10 Dallas (M)         US    645.25   na     234     91     27    281    25
 11 New Orleans (S)    US    513.00   na      58      0    330    928     0
 12 Hillsborough, NC ( US    341.25   na      84     69      7    357   115
 13 Miami (S)          US    305.00   na      86     46      3    340     5
 14 Chicago (S)        US    289.25   na      65     22     63    423     0
 15 Hartford (MS)      US    226.55   na      72     32     20    143    48
 16 Silicon Valley(ISV US    211.25   na      94      0      0     93     0
 17 Vancouver (S)      Can   130.25   na      27     16     58     65    18
 18 Berkeley (S)       US    106.90   na      18     10     59    108    44
 19 Baltimore (MS)     US    101.25   na      37      0      4    101     0
 20 Texarkana (S)      US      3.50   na       1      0      0      6     0
 21 Arkadelphia (S)    US      3.25   na       1      0      1      3     0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year



                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                             WEEKEND WARRIORS ETC
                                January 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Individuals or Group     Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 WW Team ISV Week Sil US   211.25   na     94      0      0     93     0
  2 WW Toronto WW    Tor Can  203.50   na     55     11    120     90     0
  3 WW Dallas        Dal US   166.00   na     55     22     27     82     0
  4 WW Texarkana WW  Tex US     3.50   na      1      0      0      6     0
  5 WW Arkadelphia W Ark US     3.25   na      1      0      1      3     0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year




                     North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                             TOP 100 INDIVIDUALS
                                January 2016

                                      %    M-Big   Big  Medium  Small  BTGs
    Individuals              Points Change Books  Books  Books  Books  Mags
    _______________________________________________________________________

  1 Bk Jay Khush     LA  US  3101.90   na    934    297    243   3214   119
  2 Ananda Kirtan d  LA  US  2572.65   na    863    165     76   2531   109
  3 Krishna Bhagavan RVC US  2523.30   na    906    553      3    152  1188
  4 Paramesvara d    RVC US  2305.80   na    747    626      0    130  1533
  5 Gaur Sundar d    LA  US  1844.95   na    858     85     68     37     7
  6 Bk Storm         LA  US  1769.75   na    545    182    440   1089    55
  7 Prema Sankirtan  LA  US  1396.00   na    403    137     22   1768     0
  8 Deva Krsna d     RVC US  1322.75   na    586    120      0    123     0
  9 Mohanasini dd    Tal US  1315.50   na    530     13    419    132     0
 10 Bk Carlos        Gai US  1106.50   na    416    175      0    398     0
 11 Dasya Prema d    RVC US   968.35   na    353    195     92      7   196
 12 Bk Carlos        TBB US   919.75   na    169    159    653    385     0
 13 Brajananda d     RVC US   901.00   na    302    297      0      0     0
 14 Dharmaraja d     RVC US   900.75   na    294    290      0     91     0
 15 Madhukari d      TBB US   837.25   na    397      3     42     77     0
 16 Kalki d(2 Kimani Gai US   836.00   na    255    249    105     98     0
 17 Madhava Puri d   TBB US   782.75   na    174    151    496    143     0
 18 Sacitanoy d      LA  US   751.50   na    175    329      0    290     0
 19 Nidra dd         Den US   741.00   na    224     70    295    302     0
 20 Gauranga Prema d LA  US   722.00   na     58    228    570    372     0
 21 Bn Karly         Gai US   691.00   na    117     99    473    486     0
 22 Bk Joey          TBB US   608.50   na    146    130    360     26     0
 23 Raya Nitai d     TBB US   586.00   na    145    116    233    254     0
 24 Prana Hari d     Den US   468.95   na    174     67     13    185    12
 25 Adi Karta d      Gai US   370.50   na    136     76     30     30     0
 26 Bk Eric          LA  US   355.25   na     21      3    548    145     0
 27 Caitanya dd      Gai US   328.00   na    136     36     30     20     0
 28 Nanda Suno dasa  Den US   310.00   na    108     39     64     92     0
 29 Radha Krishna d  LA  US   290.85   na     96     46     27    157     1
 30 Drumila d        NO  US   265.00   na     10      0    210    560     0
 31 Cakri d Dallas   Dal US   252.25   na    102      0      0    183    25
 32 Abhimanyu d      Gai US   249.00   na     90     20     30    136     0
 33 Krsna Kumar d    TBB US   248.50   na      0    102    292      0     5
 34 Bhrgupati d      LA  US   241.30   na     76     57     15     92    18
 35 Vinoda Kovida d  Den US   214.00   na     81     26     42     20     0
 36 Bk Karim         TBB US   213.25   na     27     69    152     57     0
 37 Visala d         Mia US   186.50   na     56     18      3    218     5
 38 Bhismadeva d     Dal US   176.00   na     53     66      0     16     0
 39 Amala Purana d   Den US   172.25   na     46     36     50     77     0
 40 Govinda Datta d  LA  US   164.25   na     44      0     80    145     0
 41 Samyaprasa d     Den US   150.75   na     50     28     35     21     0
 42 Sacidulal d      LA  US   129.00   na     48      0      0    132     0
 43 Lilakara d       Mia US   110.00   na     29     26      0    104     0
 44 Sarvatarak d     NO  US   105.50   na     18      0      0    278     0
 45 Ananda Murari d  Den US    98.25   na     31     11     43     15     0
 46 Dinabandhu Guru  Ber US    87.20   na     15      7     47     92    37
 47 Gaura Candra d   Tor Can   83.25   na     39      0      5     11     0
 48 Ananta Gopal d   NO  US    82.50   na     30      0     30     30     0
 49 Visva dd         Chi US    70.00   na     20     10     13     54     0
 50 Aditya Narayan d Hil US    61.25   na     28      5      0      1     0
 51 Dvijamani Gaura  RVC US    58.25   na      9     27     22      9     0
 52 Uttamananda d    Tor Can   58.00   na     24     10      0      0     0
 53 Akshay           Hil US    52.25   na     22      0      1     31     0
 54 Bk Sebastian     LA  US    42.50   na      0      1      4    158     0
 55 Visnu Gada d     Van Can   40.25   na      3     12      8     13    18
 56 Kaivalya dd      Tal US    40.00   na      0      0     80      0     0
 57 Bk Deano         NO  US    40.00   na      0      0     80      0     0
 58 Naimisaranya d   Dal US    39.00   na     19      1      0      0     0
 59 Banke Bihari dd  Van Can   37.00   na     10      4     10     32     0
 60 Haridham d       Van Can   31.00   na     12      0     14      0     0
 61 Karuna Dharini   LA  US    30.00   na     11      3      7      6     0
 62 Shankar Pandit d Chi US    27.75   na      5      0      0     71     0
 63 Gopi Gita dd     LA  US    26.25   na      0      0     20     65     0
 64 Bn Demi          Tor Can   24.20   na      7      3      8      2    27
 65 Parama Karuna d  Chi US    24.00   na      9      1      0     20     0
 66 Bk Nick          Den US    21.75   na      2      2     16     31     0
 67 Madhava d        NO  US    20.00   na      0      0     10     60     0
 68 Lalita dd        Ber US    19.70   na      3      3     12     16     7
 69 Bn Tessa         Gai US    17.50   na      0      0     10     50     0
 70 Jagatpati d      Van Can   16.75   na      0      0     24     19     0
 71 Radharani dd     LA  US    15.00   na      1      0     15     22     0
 72 Bk Nick          Tor Can   14.75   na      5      1      0     15     0
 73 Narottamananda d Dal US    12.00   na      5      2      0      0     0
 74 Tusta Krsna d    Den US    10.25   na      3      3      2      1     0
 75 Bk Sonny         Chi US     9.00   na      0      0      1     34     0
 76 Prajapati d      Mia US     8.50   na      1      2      0     18     0
 77 Ramanuja d       Van Can    4.00   na      2      0      0      0     0
 78 Bn Jyoti         Den US     3.00   na      0      0      0     12     0
 79 Bk Peter         Van Can    1.25   na      0      0      2      1     0
                                    (%)Change compared        (*)New record
                                    to monthly average        for this year



                    North American Sankirtan Newsletter
                   MONTHLY TOP 5 TEMPLES AND INDIVIDUALS
                                January 2016

     -------- Points --------             ----------- Points -----------
1 Los Angeles           14613.00     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA       3101.90
2 RupanugaVedicCollege   9013.70     2 Ananda Kirtan d     LA       2572.65
3 TBB TSKP               4196.00     3 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC      2523.30
4 Gainesville            3598.50     4 Paramesvara d       RVC      2305.80
5 Denver                 2256.20     5 Gaur Sundar d       LA       1844.95

     ----- (%)Increase ------             -------- (%)Increase ---------
1 Chicago                    na      1 Bk Jay Khush        LA           na
2 Dallas                     na      2 Ananda Kirtan d     LA           na
3 Denver                     na      3 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC          na
4 Laguna Beach               na      4 Paramesvara d       RVC          na
5 Miami                      na      5 Gaur Sundar d       LA           na

     ---- Maha-Big Books ----             ------- Maha-Big Books -------
1 Los Angeles               4360     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA           934
2 RupanugaVedicCollege      3203     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC          906
3 Gainesville               1150     3 Ananda Kirtan d     LA           863
4 TBB TSKP                  1058     4 Gaur Sundar d       LA           858
5 Denver                     719     5 Paramesvara d       RVC          747

     ------ Big Books -------             ---------- Big Books ---------
1 Los Angeles               2518     1 Paramesvara d       RVC          626
2 RupanugaVedicCollege      2116     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC          553
3 TBB TSKP                   730     3 Sacitanoy d         LA           329
4 Gainesville                655     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA           297
5 New York Harinam           423     5 Brajananda d        RVC          297

     ----- Medium Books -----             -------- Medium Books --------
1 TBB TSKP                  2228     1 Bk Carlos           TBB TSKP     653
2 Los Angeles               1968     2 Gauranga Prema dChinLA           570
3 Gainesville                678     3 Bk Eric             LA           548
4 Denver                     560     4 Madhava Puri d      TBB TSKP     496
5 New Talavan                499     5 Bn Karly            Gainesvil    473

     ----- Small Books ------             -------- Small Books ---------
1 Los Angeles               9174     1 Bk Jay Khush        LA          3214
2 Gainesville               1218     2 Ananda Kirtan d     LA          2531
3 Denver                    1016     3 Prema Sankirtan d   LA          1768
4 New York Harinam          1001     4 Bk Storm            LA          1089
5 TBB TSKP                   942     5 Drumila d           New Orlea    560

     ------ Magazines -------             --------- Magazines ----------
1 RupanugaVedicCollege      2922     1 Paramesvara d       RVC         1533
2 Los Angeles                975     2 Krishna Bhagavan d  RVC         1188
3 Laguna Beach               164     3 Dasya Prema d       RVC          196
4 Hillsborough, NC           115     4 Bk Jay Khush        LA           119
5 Hartford                    48     5 Ananda Kirtan d     LA           109

     ------ Full Sets -------             --------- Full Sets ----------
1 Los Angeles                 18     1 Gaur Sundar d       LA            14
2 Denver                       4     2 Nidra dd            Denver         4
3 Laguna Beach                 4     3 Bk Jay Khush        LA             3
4 Hartford                     3     4 Prema Sankirtan d   LA             1
5 Silicon Valley(ISV)          3     5 Caitanya dd         Gainsvill      1

     ----- BBT Payments -----             ------ Matajis - Points ------
1 Los Angeles              23170     1 Mohanasini dd       New Talav1315.50
2 RupanugaVedicCollege      6925     2 Nidra dd            Denver    741.00
3 TBB TSKP                  5642     3 Caitanya dd         Gainsvill 328.00
4 Hillsborough, NC          5141     4 Visva dd            Chicago    70.00
5 Hartford                  2149     5 Kaivalya dd         New Talav  40.00

     --- Bhaktas - Points ---             ----- Bhaktins - Points ------
1 Bk Jay Khush  LA       3101.90     1 Bn Karly            Gainesvil 691.00
2 Bk Storm      LA       1769.75     2 Bn Demi             Toronto    24.20
3 Bk Carlos     Gainesvil1106.50     3 Bn Tessa            Gainesvil  17.50
4 Bk Carlos     TBB TSKP  919.75     4 Bn Jyoti            Denver      3.00
5 Bk Joey       TBB TSKP  608.50     5                                 0.00

    Veteran Men(20+yrs) Points            -Veteran Women(20+yrs) Points-
1 Gaur Sundar d LA       1844.95     1 Mohanasini dd       New Talav1315.50
2 Prema Sankirt LA       1396.00     2 Nidra dd            Denver    741.00
3 Sacitanoy d   LA        751.50     3 Karuna Dharini dd   LA         30.00
4 Adi Karta d   Gainesvil 370.50     4 Lalita dd           Berkeley   19.70
5 Drumila d     New Orlea 265.00     5 Radharani dd        LA         15.00



                        HOW TO SEND IN SCORES

Monthly scores can still be sent the usual ways: fax, phone,
snail mail and e-mail. Please send them before the 7th of the
next month.

When sending scores by e-mail, please use the same basic format
as the printed scoresheet:


Temple: (Important!)       Month: (Important!)

                     (Enter BOOKS below--NOT points)
              SUB   M1   S1   H1   S2   H2   S3   H3   S4   H4   SETS
Temple totals   x    x   xx    x    x   xx    x   xx    x   xx      x
Top devotees:
Bk Mike         x    x    x    x    x    x    x    x    x    x      x
Krsna d         x    x    x    x    x    x    x    x   xx   xx      x
Radha dd       xx   xx    x         x    x        xx  xxx    x      x
etc.

Please...
  Try to limit each line to 80 characters maximum.
  You can omit the codes you don't use. You can start with H4 if you wish.
  Make sure the columns line up properly when viewed with a
     fixed pitch font.
  Use spaces (not tabs) between columns.
  Include your temple's name!
  Include the month the scores are for!
  Include temple totals for the month.
  List each month separately. Don't combine two or more months together.
  Don't just report Small, Big, Mahabig, etc.--->Use the codes S1,S2 etc.
     or make sure you specify hard or soft cover books
  Don't send every devotee's score. Just the top devotees who will
     have a chance to appear in the newsletter.
  Send scores to Mayapur@aol.com


              --- Please observe the Fair Play rules ---
        DEADLINE for scores is the 7th of the following month!

The post Kirtana at Nnrsimha-pali appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post Nrsimha prayers on the way to Nrsimha-pali appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Parikrama 2016.

The post The subject of Gaura-prema at Hari-hara ksetra appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post Kirtana at Suvarna-vihara appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Parikrama 2016.

The post Suvarna-vihara appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post Thursday night kirtana in Mayapura appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

A pilgrim in Vrindavana (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Home Again! I have come back Home, to Vrindavan, after a 3-month break in South India.To absorb the mood of this sacred dhama I went to Surya Kunda yesterday. Surya Kunda is where Srimati Radharani goes each day to worship the Sun God and meet Her beloved, Sri Krsna Candra. I took special interest in the samadhi mandir of Sri Madhusudana das babaji, who gave babaji to our Jagannatha das babaji, the spiritual master of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur. So glad to be back home!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/dMc1gR

Two lusciously illustrated books for devotees.
The Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA) in Radhadesh, Belgium, has just published two lusciously illustrated books for devotees to feast their eyes on: “Illuminations from the Bhagavad-gita” and “Prabhupada Meditations.”
An exhibit featuring all the original paintings will start on May 28th at the MOSA Gallery in Radhadesh. The opening will be attended by the Ambassador of India, authors Kim Waters and Chris Murray, members of the Hindu community, and the ISKCON congregation. It will include a cultural program with music, dance, and a prasadam meal.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/opbjN6

Washington D.C., ISKCON’s 50th Celebrations.
With ISKCON’s 50th anniversary year now here, ISKCON devotees all over the world are getting inspired to bring their communities together and celebrate in creative ways.
At the temple in Potomac, a suburb of Washington D.C., for example, community members are holding their first 50-hour kirtan.
“Actually, it’s more like 60 hours,” says organizer Manu Bhattacharjee. “We started on February 12th, and until the 20th we’re holding kirtans from 4:30pm to 8:30pm every weekday, and from 10:00am to 8:30 on the weekend.”
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/VLlZSx

https://flic.kr/s/aHskuQgoHJ

The post Scenes from parikrama to Suvarna-vihara, Hari-hara ksetra and Nrsimhapali appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Nityananda Prabhu, as the first expansion of the Lord, is the original spiritual master. He is the first servant of the Lord, and He is the first teacher to give knowledge of the Lord (outside of the Lord Himself). The duty of the spiritual master is to engage in the service of the Lord and to give knowledge of the Lord, and Nityananda Prabhu does both. Age padaye tare, to fall down before Him--to bow or fall down before the spiritual master, to surrender to the spiritual master--is the first qualification for any disciple. The Bhagavad-gita instructs, tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya. First, pranipata: you must fall down, surrender, before the spiritual master. So, anyone who falls down before Nityananda Prabhu, even though he or she may be duracara (sinful and fallen), will be delivered. Continue reading "Sri Nityananda Prabhu–An Incarnation of Mercy
→ Dandavats"

Chaitanya Bhagavata gives us special insight into the transcendental psychology of Nityananda Prabhu. When he heard about the fallen condition of Jagai-Madhai, his eyes lit up with not just compassion but also ambition – the ambition to glorify Lord Chaitanya in a way that would be remembered for all time to come: “These two people are so contaminated that on seeing them pious people feel impelled to bathe in the Ganges to purify themselves. If these sinners can become so pure that people on seeing them feel that they have become purified, as if having bathed in the Ganges, then the fame of all Lord Chaitanya will spread in all the three worlds.” With this desire to glorify Lord Chaitanya, Lord Nityananda tolerated even the brutal assault on his head and uttered the incredible words of compassion that have become etched forever in the collective memory of Gaudiya Vaishanvas: "merechhish kolshir kana, tai bole ki prem debona" (Shall I stop giving you love because you have hit me with an earthen pot?). Continue reading "Lord Nityananda’s mercy: The magnitude, the motivation and the magic
→ Dandavats"

A Greedy Gang of Thieves: Srila Vrindavana Dasa Thakura has narrated this astonishing pastime in Chaitanya-bhagavata (Antya-khanda 5.527–706). The leader of the gang, who had been born in a brahmana family, had rejected religious principles to associate with wicked, materialistic people and lead a sinful life of cheating, stealing, and even murder. Fortunately for him, he dwelled in the holy land of Navadvipa when Lord Nityananda was performing His pastimes there. Lord Nityananda was residing with a devotee named Hiranya Pandita. Although Hiranya Pandita was poor, his heart was rich with pure love of God, and Lord Nityananda appreciated his company so much that He left His other associates to stay in Hiranya Pandita's home. Unlike Hiranya Pandita, the thief lacked such appreciation for the spiritual wealth of Lord Nityananda's company. He simply coveted others' material assets under the illusion that these would somehow make him happy. One day, the thief spied Nityananda Prabhu near Hiranya Pandita’s house. He saw that the Lord wore golden bracelets, armlets, and earrings set with pearls. Necklaces made of gold, coral, jewels, and pearls adorned His beautiful body. Enchanted by such dazzling splendor, the thief craved the Lord’s wealth. He stealthily followed the Lord to ascertain His residence, and informed his companions of his great discovery. “My dear brothers,” the thief announced. “Our days of suffering are about to end. I have seen the most valuable jewels all together in one place, on the body of Nityananda. He is staying alone in the house of Hiranya Pandita, so tonight let us go there and rob everything.” Continue reading "Lord Nityananda Delivers the Thieves
→ Dandavats"

The Inseparables.
Purushottam Nitai Das: As fragrance from flower and sweetness from sugar is inseparable so is Nitai inseparable from Nimai. They enjoy each other’s company, appear on earth together and together they perform many pastimes to attract the heart of those who left the beauty of the spiritual world and got caught in this not so happy place.
Nitai is none other than Lord Balaram and he enjoys serving Krishna anywhere and everywhere. As Ananta-Shesha he is the bed of Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha, as Ananga manjari he assists Srimati Radharani in her amorous pastimes with Krishna, as Lakshmana he is ready to do anything and everything for Lord Rama and in Kaliyuga he accompanies Lord Chaitanya to introduce sankirtan movement to distribute mercy of Krishna to all the living entities without caring and bothering about the recipients’ qualification.
We cannot get the mercy of Radha and Krishna without getting the mercy of Lord Chaitanya, and we cannot get the mercy of Lord Chaitanya without getting the mercy of Lord Nityananda.
Rupa Goswami (the abhidheya acharya), Sanatana Goswami (the sambandha acharya), Raghunath Das Goswami (the prayojana acharya) who played a very vital role in spearheading bhakti movement got the mercy of Lord Chaitanya through Lord Nityananda.
Chaitanya Bhagavata and Chaitanya-charitamrta, the two most authoritative and authentic biographies of Lord Chaitanya were written by the inspiration of Lord Nityananda. Nityananda Prabhu ordered his disciple Vrindavana Dasa Thakura to write Sri Caitanya Bhagavata and he appeared in the dream of Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami inspiring him to author Chaitanya-charitamrta.
Upon the instruction of Lord Chaitanya, Nityananda Prabhu and Haridas Thakura were approaching each person beseeching them to chant the names of Krishna. While distributing the sublime love of Krishna freely they encountered Jagai and Madhai, the two wicked personalities. They were so sinful that pious residents upon seeing them used to bathe in Ganges to get purified from contamination.
But Nityananda Prabhu decided to deliver them too but in return Madhai assaulted him with an earthen pot. Lord Chaitanya upon getting this news became so angry that he called his sudarsan chakra to kill Madhai but Nityananda prabhu begged the Lord to forgive the offender. In this age of Kaliyuga the Lord was not supposed to kill the sinner but was to kill their sin using the weapon of the holy name. Seeing the magnanimity of Nityananda Prabhu, Jagai and Madhai surrendered to them giving up all ungodly behaviour and decided to chant the name of Krishna and serve all the Vaisnavas.
Lord Chaitanya is always present at these 4 places:
At mother Sachi’s house
At the kirtan of Srivas Pandit
At the house of Raghav Pandit
At the place where Lord Nityananda is dancing while performing kirtan.
And Lord Nityananda is always present where Lord Chaitanya is glorified. So the best way to please Nityananda Prabhu is by distributing Lord Chaitanya’s message profusely.
Nitai and Nimai freely distributed one way ticket to the spiritual world to everyone. We too can get that ticket if we take shelter of Nityananda prabhu’s lotus feet. He is so magnanimous that he will surely take us back to the kingdom of Krishna if we are sincere and carry desire to serve the Lord.

Lord Nityananda - The epitome of Compassion. So Lord Nityananda, he was in the sublime mood. Although he was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he took the most humble position in order to satisfy Lord Gaurasundara. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was Patitapavana Avatara. That means He came especially to claim the most fallen and sinful of all living beings. And there is nothing that satisfies Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu more than distributing love of god to another. Therefore lord Nityananda, he would go on both banks of the Ganges and he would approach every house, in every town, and in every village, anybody individually with folded palms come to the most fallen, sinful people of Kali yuga and plead with them, “take with them of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu”. Continue reading "Lord Nityananda Appearance Day
→ Dandavats"

February 20. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Remembering Prabhupada Favorably.
When I read Conversations With Srila Prabhupada, I find that although one can come close to Prabhupada by reading them, they give a very stripped-down picture of him. We don’t see how he looks as he speaks, how he moves, what his non-verbal language is. We see only his words printed in black and white. We could get the wrong idea about Prabhupada by seeing only the words. But it is also true that as we read one conversation after another, Prabhupada’s presence seems to accumulate in our minds and we begin to see all the non-spoken gestures, too.
It takes faith to hear from Prabhupada. Don’t think that Prabhupada’s presence can be gained without faith. Don’t think it is wrong to be faithful, or to be favorable toward Prabhupada. Don’t think feeling these things is in competition with anything else in your life. You want your love to be revived. There is no logical calculation involved, no prerequisite emotional objectivity. You simply have to satisfy your own sense of service and inquiry at his lotus feet. You have to satisfy your own sense of truthfulness by engaging your intelligence and your heart in understanding what he is saying to you. Krishnadasa Kaviraja tells us to use our intelligence dynamically to study the qualities and character of Lord Caitanya. Don’t argue with yourself (or with your spiritual master). And don’t find fault.
This is remembrance of Prabhupada in a favorable mood. There is work to be done – we have to throw aside everything unfavorable in our remembrance. Therefore, we have to understand the science of Krishna consciousness, the nature of the work to be done. If we don’t know the difference between weeds and flowers, how can we expect our garden to produce fruit? If we don’t know the difference between non-favorable meditation and favorable meditation, how can we expect our spiritual life to increase?
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=5

Jananivas das S.B.7.1.30 – Feb 11th 2016

Remembering Prabhupada Favorably

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 09.28 – Bhakti accommodates even those for whom bhakti is an afterthought appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.11.

“We want to re-establish our relationship with Krishna. The way you show an interest in establishing a relationship with anyone is by spending time with the person. So when you spend time chanting japa, even if you are struggling, Krishna sees. ‘Oh, this person is trying to revive his or her relationship with Me.’ So He is pleased that you are making that effort and He will help you in the appropriate way and at the appropriate time. We have to be patient. He may help us one day or he may help us the next day. But we have to be patient, persevere and be confident of success in the end. But, the false ego wants to take the place of Krishna. The mind is by habit the agent of the false ego. So when we try to focus the mind on Krishna the false ego reacts, ‘Why Krishna? Why not me?’ But, the whole thing is like a false construction—it doesn’t have any reality. The false ego can seem so huge and so powerful—like there is no way to get free from it. But, if you just stick to chanting—and reading—you will see it is just like a joke. It is a big show but there is really no substance to it.”

Kirtan, Alachua
Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.11, Alachua

I USED TO BE WORKSHOP JUNKIE BECAUSE I NEVER BELIEVED I WAS ENOUGH TO DO WHAT I AM HERE TO DO: While I do recommend being educated in one's chosen field or calling in life, there are many ways to obtain this education. It may be through formal schooling or be driven by one's intense purpose in life and learned from life experience and "hacking" an education from books and mentors. Personally, although I would have liked to have training as a counselor, I wasn't able to travel his route and mainly learned by studying alternative healing methods like in Reiki, prayer, and Hypnotherapy.

Still, I have never actually earned my living through those practices. I never believed I was sufficiently trained, or more deeply, that I was "enough" to say I was a this or that. I always wanted to 'be somebody" (like all those successful people) who could help others, and have been praying as intensely and sincerely as I can for years, even as I have endeavored to do this through my writing--and as I have heard, with some success...

Now, Krishna has given me a new identity and label, which has empowered me to have a vision of how to connect and help others--having a cancer diagnosis and being "near death" has helped me more than I could ever imagine. Somehow the idea of having a limited amount of time left to live, has pushed me to do what I pray for now, as I can no longer wait to "be enough," realizing that this day will never come, if I listen to the ego's self doubt and discouraging words.

read more

Vapu or Vani?
Question: We often hear in lectures that Vani is more important than Vapu. Vani means instructions of the spiritual master. Vapu means physical presence of the spiritual master. My next question is we happen see the some devotees get very very good association of the spiritual master or some devotees he also inhibition and try away from talking or revealing their mind to the spiritual master and just contented to hear lectures or have darshan who is right and lucky? How should the second set of devotees be? How should they rectify themselves?
Radhanath Swami: Srila Prabhupada was in his second meeting with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. It was during the Varaja Mandal Parikrama. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur was in Koshi and it was advertised that he would be giving a lecture and there was also a Parikrama going to holy place called Seshsayee. So most of the devotees went to Seshsayee but Srila Prabhupada was thinking that what will I learn at Seshsayee? All the holy places are at the lotus feet of my Gurudev. So he sat and so many people were asking questions and Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati was lecturing on so many various topics of devotional service and Srila Prabhupada silently sat and listened attentively and submissively. He didn’t say anything. People were coming and people were going he was speaking from many many hours but Srila Prabhupada just sat and with an open heart and open ears just absorb what his Gurudev was saying. He said nothing to his guru, he just listened. Next day Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati left and Srila Prabhupada also left. Sometime after that at the Gaudia Matha in Allahabad, Srila Prabhupada had a business in Allahabad at that time. He was in the Grihastha Ashrama. He visited the Gaudiya Matha and one brahmachari I believe his name was Atulananda. He said that Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati is coming to give initiation and he recommended Srila Prabhupada’s name for initiation. That time his name was Abhaycharan. And he only sat in the presence of his guru twice. When Bhakti Siddhanta saw him he said yes I have noted that this young man he likes to hear. He does not go away. Just by sitting and listening attentively is inquiring submissively. If you have a question you ask it. If you have no question just by sitting in a room with hundred and two hundred and three hundred people if you are sitting and hearing attentively you are getting the most intimate association with your spiritual master. And who is the lucky one the person who is listening attentively because he is really getting the association with that spiritual master’s divine grace. In Srila Prabhupada’s life when he first came to America you know that Robert Nelson is actually a nice boy he was living with Prabhupada day and night. And so many other they were living with him day and night for months and months and months. But many of them never became devotees. They were asking so many questions, they were sitting next to him. They were very friendly with him. But they never became devotees and I know people who never spoke one single word to Srila Prabhupada in their whole life but in the few occasions they simply sat in a lecture with six- seven hundred people and they listened attentively and they dedicated their life to what they heard and they are the most intimate lucky devotees in all over the world. So we should know that “Krishna Consciousness is not quantitative it is qualitative”. As Nityaditya Maharaj said many of Prabhupada’s God brothers who are Sanyasis and brahmachari’s they were with Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati personally individually for years and years and years together almost constantly. Srila Prabhupada met with him only a few times rarely asked any questions but whatever Srila Prabhupada Bhakti Siddhanta spoke he heard attentively with the receptive heart and with the willingness to surrender what he heard. “If you listen attentively and you have the willingness to surrender to those instructions you are lucky.” And that’s what Srila Prabhupada appreciated most often times if devotees were doing very well he would not come to that place he said you are doing so well I don’t have to burden my time going there to try to inspire you, you are already doing so well. So we should understand that our receptivity is what will bring us the divine grace of our Guru and to our life.

Character or Capability?
Sutapa das: Scriptures are often replete with long lists of names, exalted personalities who most have never heard of, but who are nevertheless immortalised in the pages of history. In the material world people are remembered for what they do – their ground-breaking achievements, their high ranking positions of responsibility, and their impactful influence on others. In spiritual circles, however, people are remembered for who they are. In some cases these outstanding spiritualists also made a visible mark on the world, but in many cases they were quiet, simple, humble souls who went about their daily life with a deep sense of devotion, sensitivity and saintliness, their consciousness merged in transcendence. Unassuming, and often unnoticed. The value system in spiritual circles, you see, is entirely different. Character over capability.
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Kadamba Kanana Swami will give a lecture on Lord Nityananda’s Appearance Day (20 February) at the Sri Sri Radha Radhanatha temple at 11:30am (GMT +2). A livestream will be available on www.mayapur.tv on Durban channel.