Planet ISKCON

The other week as I was visiting a group of secondary school student’s as always making sure their was plenty of time for questions; one was a simple question, what two verses of your holy scriptures would you think have the greatest impact on society?

It was a question that took me back, most are superficial questions but this was had a beautiful deepness in it; which two verses for me summed up Krishna Consciousness.

My first verse was this:

harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha
[Cc. Adi 17.21]

“‘In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.'”

Ref. Madhya 6.242

The second was the Mahamantra:

The Mahamantra was given to Narada by Brahma. Other mantras made by ordinary men are not authorized by the Sastras, so they have only proportionate effect as much as they are authorized or unauthorized. Highest benefit is from the Mahamantra, or Hare Krishna Mantra, because this is said by authorities. You know these things, you are becoming strong yourself by chanting this mantra, so actually it is so. Compare what you were before to what you have become, now challenge any other mantra to produce such effect. You know it, now try to realize it yourself and convince others, that is Krishna Consciousness. Yes, the more one surrenders, the more he is enabled by the Spiritual Master to succeed.

Ref. Letter to: Madhavananda — Tokyo 25 April, 1972

I was sat discussing this during my recent visit to The Manor pondering on my thoughts that in many ways we have missed the power of simple Harinama; each group I visit there is one thing that they like the most and is strongly associated with the devotees.

The street chanting of the Holy Names, many are fascinated by the Rathayatra, indeed we consistently hearing stories of devotees who were first attracted by the harinama party and many in the early days simply followed them to the temple.

The wonderful thing is that not only is this harinama one of the most powerful ways to attract people to Krishna Consciousness but that they can then learn all about Sri Krishna through his books; and one of the first and easiest ways to get into devotional service is by chanting the holy names. From this the kripa of bhakti grows and one can develop the knowledge and find a service one finds attractive, but we should never forget or stop this harinama after all it’s the prescribed prescription for relieving the spirit soul from material entanglement in this age of kali.

And not forgetting we are after all Sri Caitanya Sankirtan Movement, and our Founder Acharia Srila Prabhupad started the whole of ISKCON by simply sitting in a park chanting Hare Krishna, and that the disciples did Harinama along side book distribution; indeed have you noticed how many will take a book when they see the harinama party?
So I remain inspired by harinama and the chanting of the holy names, this simplicity has attracted so many to the devotees, I love rathayatra no matter what the size people are just amazed as they watch Lord Jaganatha how perfect is that?

I’m inspired when hearing about devotees looking at doing more harinama and rathayatra’s travelling from city to town and village, indeed one of our amazing young bhakta’s is raising funds to do just that.

Go Fund Me, Rathayatra Cart

And as I sat discussing my insights on answering this question, one recalled how Srila Prabhupad said that this Krishna Consciousness is so simple we may miss it, and for me the simplicity is found in the power of the holy names, this alone attracts the spirit soul.

It also reminded me I need to get out more doing just this simple harinama along with a little prasadam and book distribution, in this age there is truly no other way.

Harinam Party in St.Kilda Beach, Melbourne, Australia (Album with photos)
The nectar names of Lord Krishna are always new and fresh. Whoever chants them becomes free of the embarrassment of material life. He becomes happy. He becomes liberated even while living in this world.” (Narada Purana)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/f0ADgg

How beautiful our life would have been if every day would be filled with joy and just joy! When in life there would not be any fear of calamity, no fear of betrayal, no fear of losing our loved ones. Life with full of hope, full of happiness and no anxiety and no uncertainty.

GUNDAIPALEM Concludes the Fourth Phase of Yatra.
Among the few villages located at the confluence of a river and ocean is Gundaipalem. The village is constantly resounded by ocean roars and influenced by eight types of breezes from different directions. Beautiful Gundlakamma river flowing from west to east is resplendent due to sun rays from east in the morning and from west in the evening. These are some of the distinct features of this remote village. Though fishing is their main profession, agriculture was also practiced a decade or so ago. Agriculture has mostly been replaced with aqua culture due to which the lands have become saline and unfit for agriculture. The ground water is also polluted due to this. In spite of the degraded soil there are a few farmers determinedly engaged in agriculture from many years. Since last eight years, with the efforts of IDVM volunteers, the number of cows and bulls has increased in the village and also the practice of traditional agriculture has been introduced. There is an old temple of Lord Shiva and another for Lord Sri Rama. Remarkably, the deities of Sita Rama Lakshmana as a single stone block were found in a fishing net some fifty years ago. IDVM has also helped set up a small mud and straw Krishna temple eight years ago along with a Bhaktivedanta library. Surprisingly the temple survived two major floods in this area. There are ten devotee-families who have stopped their fishing profession and have sought alternative occupations. Under the auspices of HH Bhakti Raghava swami, who visits this village at least once almost every year, IDVM started the first Shikshalaya center, an educational program for children as a pre-runner for gurukula in this village. Three students qualified from shikshalaya program and are now getting trained in a gurukula in Chirala. This program is continuing under the supervision of HG Vraj Vrindavan prabhu, an active local devotee. Six Varnashrama camps were also conducted wherein people from city got an experience of an ideal village life. This village is also known for SiddaVaidya–a traditional treatment system coming from Dravidian culture. Legend says that Siddha is one of the oldest medical systems having deep knowledge of all types of diseases. Sixty years ago there was a Sidda maestro by name of Butchaiah, who was known in the whole district for his ability to diagnose diseases simply by seeing into the patient’s eyes.Due to lack of purity and interest in the younger generations this system has totally been wiped out, except for two very old persons practicing this system for one or two skin related ailments. Local devotees welcomed the preaching team with kirtan and subsequently they were served Idly and dosa prasadam as breakfast. Later local villagers arranged a boat ride in the river which went up to the confluence of the river and ocean then further into the ocean. Devotees from Hyderabad comprising of Ramsharan prabhu, Sripati Prabhu,Toshan Krishna prabhu and Haridas prabhu had their first experience of the continuous tides in the ocean. The boat was stationed and everyone swam in the ocean experiencing floating in the void, free of gravity. After returning from the ocean a full course meal with eight to ten traditional preparations was served. The evening program started with a procession consisting of spirited villagers. The nagarsankirtan went through all the main streets of the village. The program was arranged in a big open ground besides the newly built Sri Rama temple. People eagerly assembled at the venue and heard with rapt attention to the lectures of Sripati prabhu, Haridas prabhu and Ramsharan prabhu. Power point presentations and videos were also displayed. A reverential gopuja and pradakshina was conducted with more than one hundred people participating in it. The program followed with the pledge for protecting mother cow, arati and profuse distribution of prasadam. Villagers, who were otherwise not serious about ISKCON activities, also showed up in the program and gave a positive feedback.

 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.

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The meanings of personalism and impersonalism may seem clear when the subject is discussed in theory, but in practice these two understandings of eternal existence seem to intertwine and confound the inexperienced spiritual practitioner. The answer lies in how we approach the Supreme Absolute Truth. While espousing the cause of a personal Godhead, neophytes are often seen to behave in a way that reveals longstanding impersonal roots. To understand the highest concept of personalism, let us see how Shrila Prabhupada describes the relationship of Krishna’s foremost devotees, the gopis of Vrindavana, to the Supreme Lord. And then let us consider how these compare with the relationships between materialistic women and men. Understanding this comparison is essential for realizing the difference between the ultimate reality of personalism and the utterly materialistic falsehood of impersonalism. Continue reading "Crossing the Border of Impersonalism
→ Dandavats"

And do the faithful of other religions attain Krsna by thinking of god at death.

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New documentary short “Hare Krishna: 50 Years of Service and Joy”
Some incredible facts about ISKCON’s achievements over the years. For instance, there are 650 temples in over 100 countries; nine million worshippers visit ISKCON centers every year; and over the past 50 years, ISKCON devotees have distributed over 500 million of Prabhupada’s books.
For viewers from the general public, “50 Years of Service and Joy” is likely to provide a picture of ISKCON’s valuable contribution to society at large, and an understanding of why it’s relevant to them. And for devotees, it will provide a sense that they’re not alone but part of a huge, diverse family; and that the service they’re doing is deeply valuable.
ISKCON temples and institutions can get a HD download link for the film by writing to Krishna-lila at editor@iskcon.org, and providing information on their intended screening date, venue, and audience.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/CbdXRd

https://flic.kr/s/aHskuzxwpi

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By Gokulananda das

Prabhus and Matajis – Dandavats. I hope you are well. On behalf of our ISKCON MONTREAL Community, we would like to offer you and your temple’s entire community this invitation to please come join us for our special 50th anniversary of ISKCON Canadian GRAND FESTIVAL -to be held here in Montreal from Sept.2 to 5 -2016. We are also hoping to attract many of our movement’s empowered preachers to come and contribute according to each one’s special area of expertise.
(please see more details below).
Montreal, January 31st- 2016

It has now become a tradition here at our Montreal temple – for close to 10 years now – to have a yearly festival in honor of Srila Prabhupada, usually held during the first weekend of Sept. For this very popular festival we have hosted many stalwart followers of Srila Prabhupada such as Guru Das, Srutikirti, Yadubhara and Vishaka, Yogeswara, Puskar, Ranjit etc.
And – for the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s founding of our ISKCON society – we are also planning an even bigger celebration for 2016. So your presence would be greatly appreciated to share with our whole community your very unique devotional expertise, thus enhancing our sharing of Srila Prabhupada’s glorious legacy.
Also this historic event will focus on Srila Prabhupada’s prolonged stay here in Montreal for the entire summer of 1968. And we have already received confirmations to also take part from some of the pioneers of both the San Francisco and London temples – such as Shyamsundar, Guru das and Malati, Significantly they had also received special training from Srila Prabhupada during their visit here in August 1968, which memories they will surely share with us. So please consider joining us for this very significant and memorable event. Upon receiving your consent, we would be happy to pursue this arrangement to cover all your travel costs etc.

Thus we hopefully await your positive reply. Thank you – Hare Krishna!
– your eager servant, Gokulananda das -on behalf of the ISKCON Montreal Community. gokul1008@yahoo.com cell: 438-876-1008.

The GRAND ALL- CANADA FESTIVAL – to honor SRILA PRABHUPADA and the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON – will be held here in Montreal on the Labor Day weekend of Friday Sept. 2nd to Monday Sept.5th. – 2016

Friday Sept.2nd – an evening gathering at the temple to inaugurate the festival, with our special guests of honor: Shyamsundar, Guru das, Malati etc. (these three have already confirmed).

Sat. Sept.3rd – a special all day BHAKTIVEDANTA EXPO – a grand event for the general public – celebrating Srila Prabhupada’s miraculous life as a world teacher, with an attractive FoodFair, and multiple workshops – all to showcase ISKCON ‘ s amazing diversity and variegated contributions to mankind’s betterment. During this Bhaktivedanta Expo, there could be workshops (and accompanying booths) of these various Portfolios (or whichever other themes they wish to share):
1. Sacred Land of India by HH Indradyumna Swami
2. Varnashrama Dharma & Cow Protection by HH Bhakti Raghava Swami
3. Eco Village by HH Sivarama Swami
4. Sacred Texts & Philosophy by HH Bhakti Caru Swami
5. Perfect Questions Perfect Answers by HH Gopal Krishna Goswami
6. Forbidden Archeology by HG Drutakarma Prabhu (Michael Cremo)
7. Chant & Be Happy by HH Sacinandan Swami
8. ISKCON & Beatles by HG Guru Das Prabhu & Shyamsundar Prabhu
9. New Vrindavan Community by HG Malati DD
10. Drama by HH Bhakti Marg Swami
11. Temple of Vedic Planetarium by Indresh Prabhu

For this special event we will also invite many VIPs – including our newly-elected prime-minister Justin Trudeau , plus a couple of the local Members of Parliament, and the Mayor of Montreal. We are hopeful to get their confirmation soon – to be announced as soon as we know more.

Sunday Sept.4th – A special elaborate evening program at the temple, starting with a Kirtan Fest 4 – 6 p.m., followed by a special Maha-abhisek, then culminating with the remembrances – from 6 to 8 p.m. – by our guests of honor (including Shivaram Swami), centered on Srila Prabhupada’s miraculous achievements and his major impact on the course of history etc.

Monday Sept. 5th – A maha-harinam in downtown Montreal – of 3-4 harinam parties all converging on the exact place of residence of Srila Prabhupada during his prolonged stay in the summer of 1968. We are attempting to also have a special commemorative plaque inaugurated at this historic place.

p.s. Accommodations for visiting devotees will be in the homes of our members, plus at one of our members’ quality hotel in downtown Montreal.

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By Romapada Swami

Queation: My father is now deceased, but was a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic. He was placed in a mental hospital for years. My brother is also paranoid schizophrenic and is on strong medication. I grew up observing the actions of the mentally ill.

As such I look very carefully at the reasoning given. I am a retired police officer and have come in contact with many people who are mentally ill.

Now to the question, If a mentally ill person believes his delusion and acts according to it (harming or killing), does the mentally ill person acquire karma?

Answer: Karma is not an easy topic to understand as it is convoluted and complicated. It spans many lifetimes and even sages cannot fully comprehend them. In any case, every human being, apart from the pure devotees of Lord Krishna, is always creating karma as well as enjoying or suffering his or her past reactions.

First, I will offer a response to your question above which leans in the direction “No, such challenged persons are not held fully responsible for their wrongdoings.”

Karma is only created in the human form of life. But it is said that karma does not act on a child or on grown-up persons with child-like or animal-like intelligence. For example: according to Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Chapter 13 verse 1, Srila Prabhupada describes an interesting story of Manduka Muni who was wrongly sentenced to be impaled for an action he did not commit. The story is narrated as follows.

Once upon a time the state police caught some thieves who had concealed themselves in the hermitage of Manduka Muni. The police constables wrongly arrested all the thieves and Manduka Muni along with them. The King’s court specifically sentenced the muni to death penalty by being pierced with a lance. When he was just about to be pierced, the news reached the king that the condemned man was not a criminal but a great sage. The king at once stopped the death penalty enactment. The king personally begged the muni’s pardon for the mistake of his men.

The saint at once went to Yamaraja, who prescribes the destiny of the living beings. Yamaraja, being questioned by the muni, replied that the muni in his childhood pierced an ant with a sharpened straw, and for that reason he was put into difficulty. According to Mahabharata, the muni explains to Yamaraja that according to scriptures, actions committed by young children should not be considered to be sinful though they may seem so. This is also supported by Madhvacarya.

This is an interesting point to consider. It is said that from the time when a child is born his/her karma is actually taken up by the parents or guardians until the age of fourteen since they are considered incapable of distinguishing good from bad. In any case there are situations where according to scriptures a person may be excused for a sin. In SB 11.21.16, Krishna explains to Uddhava, “Sometimes piety becomes sin, and sometimes what is ordinarily sin becomes piety on the strength of Vedic injunctions. Such special rules in effect eradicate the clear distinction between piety and sin.”

Therefore, we may conclude that when an adult is behaving like a child or an animal due to a challenged condition of embodiment due to his past karma, he does not actually acquire the same full karma as an adult who is normal and has the capacity to know what is right or wrong.

On the other hand, consider the case of a child or baby touching a burning piece of wood. The burning wood is not going to say, ‘Since you are a child I will not burn you!’ Rather, there is a reaction or karma. In this case the reaction is immediate!

Similarly the karma for incapacitated people doing sin unknowingly will be minimal but there is karma.

Generally such individuals are to be taken care by the parents or guardians so that they do no harm themselves or others, unconsciously or unknowingly.

According to Srila Prabhupada, the king or the administrative leader/s of the state or country takes 1/6 of the karma of his/their subjects. This includes both good and bad karma. Similarly the guardians or persons who are meant to protect and take care of such challenged individuals take the majority of the karma and the person committing the sin get a smaller portion of the karma.

Krishna further tells Uddhava, “The same activities that would degrade an elevated person do not cause falldown for those who are already fallen. Indeed, one who is lying on the ground cannot possibly fall further. The material association that is dictated by one’s own nature is considered a good quality.”

For example: Although intimate association with women is most abominable for a renounced sannyasi, the same association is pious for a householder, who by Vedic injunction is authorized to approach his wife at the suitable time for procreation, having performed the prescribed purificatory practices prior to attempting to conceive a child. Similarly, a brahmana who drinks liquor is considered to be committing a most abominable act, whereas a sudra, a low-class man, who can moderate his drinking is considered to be exercising self- controlled. Piety and sin on the material level are thus relative considerations. Piety and sin therefore depend upon particular circumstances and are at times difficult to distinguish.

As you can see, the rules governing karma change according to place and circumstances. Even if one takes the time to study material piety and sin he/she will ultimately experience frustration due to the relativity and variability of the subject matter. Best is to be Krishna conscious and rely upon the Lord to protect us. For people who are mentally challenged, the best course of action anyone can do is to protect them and if they are devotees, they can let such people hear the holy names of Krishna and give them sanctified or blessed food, or prasadam. Doing so will both relieve them of their past karma and present karma – again this depends on the potency of the person giving them either the holy name or prasadam.

Meeting a Lover of the Lord (6 min video)
Agnideva Prabhu recalling the first time he met Srila Prabhupada in New York.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/dm1JP3

NBS#31 Sweet Pastimes of Lord Nityananda.
On the upcoming auspicious occasion of Nityananda Trayodasi, this issue presents the sweet pastimes of most merciful Sri Nityananda Prabhu.
The Teachings of Lord Kapila shall be continued in the next issue.
We pray that this issue brings some pleasure to the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
NBS # 31 Features:-
1) Why do we worship Sri Sri Gaur Nitai?
His Divine Grace A .C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
2) Srivasa, Sachimata and Lord Nityananda
Srila Vrindavan Das Thakura
3) Brahmana and Lord Nityananda
Srila Narhari Chakravarti Thakura
4) Prayers at the Lotus feet of Lord Nityananda
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura
5) Akrodha Paramananda
Supreme Bliss and Freedom from Anger
Sri Locana Das Thakura
This issue can be viewed here:
Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/doc/299621546/NBS-31

Yatra to Inamanamellur.
On the banks of Gundlakamma river, amidst Guava fruit orchards and blessed by Lord ChennaKeshava is the well-known Inamanamellur village. The village was once well known for its rich Sri Vaishnava traditions; therefore the name of the village has Tamil origin. But presently these traditions are followed more so as obligations. The younger generation is totally apathetic to these traditions. Though situated on the banks of a river the villagers are more focused on agribusiness like tobacco and aquaculture,instead of developing agriculture. Paddy is also a prominent crop. Somehow from over a century guava is grown in abundance in addition to other fruits. As seen in most of the opulent villages the younger generation has settled down in towns and cities, while the large houses in villages are mostly inhabited by elderly people. Village has a mix of traditional houses and concrete structures with all modern amenities.
After the pleasant experience in Gollapalem village in the morning hours of January 14, 2016, the Yatra team arrived in Inamanamellur village to witness a contrastive atmosphere. The youth in Gollapalem village had participated very actively in the program, but here we found the youth in a totally different mood. They were gearing up for a volley ball match that was to commence from 5pm and expected to continue till midnight as a part of sankranthi celebrations. Choosing the right spot for the program was a hard task despite the village being big, the people from one street do not usually visit other streets due to caste constraints and political reasons. Finally after lot of consultations with the locals, we decided to hold the program in the main street near the pedestal where Hanumanji’s 20 feet murthi is installed. Inspite of repeated announcements and having performed harinaam in main streets of the village, people did not turn up even until evening 7.30 pm. We decided to play a few videos and only then people started coming and in no time a decent crowd of over 60 people assembled. The program started by Sripathi prabhu introducing Bhagavad-gita and Krishna consciousness. Later Haridas prabhu spoke about the Holy Name and Ramsharan prabhu about the glories of mother cow. Video on Gau-vaibhavam was also screened. After the pledge to protect mother cow, arathi was performed and prasadam was generously distributed. As we were concluding the program, the village temple utsavamurtis were brought in procession as a part of festival celebrations. Devotees felt that the village temple deities came to bless the Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra as a grand finale of the program.

February 18. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada Revealed the Topmost Bhakti.
Some devotees are starting to inquire more about how to be part of the intimate pastimes of Radha and Krishna. Some say Prabhupada taught only vaidi-bhakti. They claim they have to go elsewhere to get the higher teachings about the rasas. But it is not true. Everything is there in Prabhupada’s books. Prabhupada is on the highest platform. He is very advanced in his love for Krishna, and he has a very intimate relationship with Krishna in Vrindavana. We should never mistake that. The one important message is to stay faithful to Prabhupada. By faith in guru, we get Krishna. Not otherwise.
We should never think that Prabhupada didn’t teach the topmost understanding. We should always know that only when he allows us, can we enter the dhama and our eternal relationship with Radha-Krishna. Radha and Krishna and Their associates are mysterious, transcendental persons beyond this material existence. They will allow us to come to Them when we are qualified by sincerity and purity. We cannot simply pick up a book on internal Krishna consciousness and expect to be allowed to enter. You have to please your guru, the representative of Radha-Krishna. By his grace, you can make progress.
The real substance is service to Prabhupada. His service does include the higher topics, but like anything in Krishna consciousness, inquiry into these topics is a gradual process. We have to be careful not to hear from anyone who tells us Prabhupada was deficient, or incomplete in his teachings. In fact, it would be better not to know anything than to hear from someone who teaches us that Prabhupada didn’t give us what we need. Better to continue as he wanted us to, chanting Hare Krishna and praying to Radha and Krishna in the temple. We can always please Them with our wholehearted efforts.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=5

A new documentary short, “Hare Krishna: 50 Years of Service and Joy,” is now available for screening at ISKCON temples and institutions everywhere. Released for ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary, it showcases the society’s many impressive contributions to the world. The twenty-minute film was created by a professional documentary filmmaker crew, who traveled around the globe to shoot the footage and interview devotees.

Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10.03.24 – Krishna Consciouness is Simple for Simple Person by Purna Prajna Prabhu on 2011-10-28 at ISKCON Chowpatty

Prabhupada Revealed the Topmost Bhakti

The post Daily Darshan : February 18th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

“О царь земли!
Тому, кто устраивает дома для Хари праздник –
в мире Хари также вечно будет праздник”.

[ как сказано в “Бхакти-расамрита-синдху” 1.2.220, из Падма Пураны ]

Kirtan with Madhava

Returning to WA!
Join us in March for some exciting kirtan events with special guests Bhanu Swami and  Madhava.

The Culture of Kirtan
Three Evenings exploring the ancient tradition of kirtan. 
Kalamunda Hare Krishna Temple
Wed Thurs Fri   March 9-11
5.30-8.30pm

Kirtan with Madhava
Inspirational kirtan with Madhava!   Free Event!    All Welcome!
Bendat Community Centre
Wembley
Sunday March 13
4.30- 8.30pm

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 February 2013, Prague, Czech Republic, Caitanya-Caritamrta Adi-Lila 1.2)

It is said that the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are more cooling than millions of moons and the shadow of those lotus feet can cool down the entire universe. So, this idea that the universe needs to be cooled down, we also find in the Srimad Bhagavatam when Prahlad Maharaj says in the fifth canto: svasty astu viśvasya khalaḥ prasīdatāṁ, (Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.9).

Prahlad Maharaj was praying that there may be auspiciousness in the entire universe and that all the envious personalities in the entire universe may cool down – all those who are overcome by lust and see others simply as utensils to satisfy that lust; those who look upon the bodies of others without thinking of their well being, not caring for the soul that is inside but just care to satisfy their own lust through the bodies of others.

So, we are looking at auspiciousness. This sankirtan yajna is sometimes described as ‘jagan mangalam amhasam’ (Srimad Bhagavtam. 6.3.2), it makes the entire universe auspicious. This cooling effect of taking shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda is indeed exciting! Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura speaks about the blazing forest fire of material existence and how all living beings are afflicted by the blazing forest fire, ‘saṁsāra dāvānala-līḍha-loka’ (Guruvastakam). People are afflicted by this dāvānala, this blazing forest fire! Narottama Dasa Thakura says, ‘dibā-niśi hiyā jvale,’ day and night, it is burning. So in this way, we see that the metaphor of the burning condition comes up many times of how this whole world is burning in this fire of lust, greed and anger, and also how it is burning within our heart!

What can be said, it is very powerful! Sometimes even sincere people who want to be devotees, they also feel affected by the heat of the blazing forest fire. It is said in the Bhagavad-gita that sometimes a boat is swept away by the wind. Arjuna raises the question that sometimes a man acts against his will just like a boat being swept away by the wind. So here, we are looking at the key to strength; the key towards cooling down, towards not being affected by this material agitation is by taking shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda.

nitāi-pada-kamala, koṭi-candra-suśītala
je chāyāy jagata juray (Narottama Dasa Thakura)
 
How does one take shelter of the lotus feet!? That is an interesting question. It is said that one should pray to those who have taken shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda then one will also get the shelter of the lotus feet. So, one can pray to the dust at the lotus feet of Nityananda because that has always taken shelter at the feet of Lord Nityananda.

But how to get the dust of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda? For an ordinary soul it is not so simple; it is not so easy. There are two places where this dust can be found, one place is the feet itself but how to get to the feet of Lord Nityananda? The other place where the dust can be found is in the footsteps of Lord Nityananda. After all one’s dust is in one’s footsteps. So, we take shelter of the footsteps of Lord Nityananda. Lord Nityananda is the first servant of Lord Caitanya.

First of all, Lord Nityananda is assisting the Supreme Personality of Godhead in his mission, advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam, (Śrī Brahma-saṁhitā, Verse 33). Krsna expands himself into unlimited forms. He expands himself in unlimited forms out of his causeless mercy and to experience pleasure. So Krsna is taking that form of Lord Nityananda to give pleasure to his original form, Lord Caitanya!

On the seventh day of the bright fortnight of the month of Magh, the great ocean of ecstasy swelled to its limits, being forcibly attracted by the moon of Advaita.

He appeared from the womb of Sri Nabhadevi as the moon appears in the autumn sky. His father, Sri Kuvera, Pandit floated in that ocean of joy.

The foremost of all the Vaisnavas who reside at Navadwip is Sri Advaita Acarya, whose virtuous presence has made all the worlds blessed. He is the most preeminent preceptor in all fields including knowledge, renunciation and devotion.

In explaining Krsna-bhakti he is like unto Lord Shankara himself, and whatever scriptures that exist within the three worlds he explains in the light of Krsna-bhakti.

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Ratha Yatras in Maharastra (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The first result of chanting the maha-mantra, Hare Krsna, is that dirt is cleared from the consciousness, or the mirror of the mind, and then at once the blazing fire of material existence is over. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.26.61 Purport)
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Parikrama 2016.

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