Which Brahma are you?
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Hare KrishnaBy Karnamrita dasa

Beholding the unlimited opulence of Krishna and feeling dwarfed by the manifestation of other Brahmas, our universes Brahma felt like a rabbit amidst many elephants. I love what Brahma says, 'There are people who say, 'I know everything about Krishna.' Let them think in that way. As far as I am concerned, I do not wish to say very much about this matter. O my Lord, let me say this much. As far your opulences are concerned, they are all beyond the reach of my mind, body and words.' [SB 10.14.38] The 'Law of Contrast' is very important for all of us. Thinking of those greater than our self can help us to realize our true position, as tiny and insignificant. We all have a little bit of 'Isha' or controlling power, yet in comparison to the many powerful people on this planet what is our position? Then there are the devas, and the Supreme Isvara, Lord Shri Krishna. We are never the doer, but have to be empowered to do any even simplest thing'what to speak of large accomplishments? We may appear great or devout to others and have influence, power, bhakti, wealth, education, good looks etc, yet as devotees we have to remember that whatever opulence or Krishna consciousness we have been blessed with are given to us for service, not for any selfish purpose. We are all on the path of realizing this fact: We are givers or servants, not takers or masters. Continue reading "Which Brahma are you?
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House programme/Sunday feast
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So Srila Prabhupada gave us the perfect example from which to follow and this year I pondered having a small Sunday feast program, putting into action rather than just talking.
Planning is the key and having little experience I decided on simplicity.
A poster in the window and a poster on the local community notice board.
Program is simple, kirtan, prasadam and a small talk from The Gita
And a small preparation of the house, and dressing the deities ready and a beautiful flower decoration.
Three people who have been studying the Gita with me came and two turned up after reading the poster, although I’m not to good at kirtan somehow it was nicely received and with encouragement each person attending had a small go at leading.
Simple prasadam, their was plenty so more than one helping was had.
Discussion was lively not what I had planned but that was alright, before you knew it three hours had passed.
The plan is to hold one every month to start, going to fortnightly then weekly.
Their was one piece of feedback and it wasn’t a surprise to me, I was nervous about coming as their is no women in the house; I had noted and already acknowledged that house programme and Sunday feast is easier if their is one or two mataji’s
But I remain hopeful that it will become a vibrant place of association.
And as always I’m open to suggestions and thoughts.
Hare Krishna

God can be proven!
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By Jahnu Das

Hare Krishnas don’t have to believe in God. We know who God is, what He looks like, what He wants, why and how He created the world and who and what the soul is. This info is available in the Bhagavad Gita. Bhagavad Gita is the only book in the world in which someone claiming to be God, describes in detail about Himself, the soul and Nature and how they inter-relate.

Also, we don’t have to believe in Evolution or Darwin’s theory, as there is no empirical evidence to support that theory. In fact, Darwin’s theory is pure speculation and wishful thinking.

“We must concede that there are presently no detailed Darwinian accounts of the evolution of any biochemical or cellular system, only a variety of wishful speculations.” — Franklin Harold, Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Colorado State University, in an Oxford University Press text.

If someone came and told you that everything you hold dear, everything you believe in, everything you thought you knew, all your values, all you hopes and aspirations, all your love for wife, kids, family, friends, and society, in fact, the entire foundation of your life – it is all wrong, it is all an illusion – you’d probably think that that someone was on drugs or belonged in a mental institution.

In this modern day and age of relativism and liberalism, it is more or less a no-no to know the Absolute Truth. You are allowed to know with certainty such things as science and technology, but if you claim that you have ascertained the original, genuine knowledge of religion from God Himself, if you profess to know God and the real meaning of life, you are immediately dismissed as a deranged fanatic.

All religions claim the same thing, comes the invariable response.

Lets examine this typical response of modern man. You see, it is actually quite foolish. First it is asserted, that everyone says so. Then the fact that everyone says so, is used to negate what is being said.

If everyone says the same thing, the logical thing to assume is that there must be something to it. Not that everyone says the same thing, so therefore it must be false. How does that make sense? Where is the logic? In fact, you would expect all religions to say basically the same things, because all religions are different cultural expressions of the same Absolute Truth. Surely, the details may vary, but if all religions are differently conditioned expressions of the same truth, you’d expect they would mention the same basic principles.

And that’s what the Vedic version teaches us – that all religions are derived from the original religion from God Himself. If this is indeed so, it stands to reason that it can be investigated and verified. If it is a fact, it must be discernable. Otherwise it is just some belief, some speculation. And that is how religion is generally judged in modern society – some fanciful speculations and beliefs.

Then again, if there is a supreme entity – that which is known as God – it is a perfectly logical to assume that He has given a process by which He can be known. But in the climate of the contemporary culture that at present rules the world, it is very unpopular to claim to know the original explanation from the Supreme Himself. How can you make such an outrageous claim, comes the response… nobody knows the Absolute Truth. It cannot be known.

So where does this strange idea come from that the Truth cannot be known? It comes from people, of course. It is something the majority of the population is brought up to believe in. But it makes no sense. If there is an Absolute Truth, if there is a God, if there is an ultimate purpose to life, of course it can be known for certain. Why? Because God, being the almighty, omnipresent, all-knowing Supreme, surely He can verify Himself beyond doubt.

And if there is no God, if everything is indeed relative and material, then it cannot be verified. By definition, you can’t prove a negative. That’s the funny thing about life – if God exists, it can be known for sure, but if God does not exist, it is not possible to know for certain. Note, this is not my opinion, I’m merely stating a an indisputable fact – if God exists, it can be known, because then God can verify His own existence. And if He does not exist, then it cannot be known. It’s as simple as that.

Note how the propaganda-machine tells us the exact opposite. It calls religious people believers, and atheists are called unbelievers. How misleading is that? As an atheist you believe in something that cannot be verified. But as a theist you believe in something that, at least theoretically, has a chance of being verified.

Thus it can be concluded that it is a an intellectually superior position to believe in God, rather than the opposite. The first assumption, that there is a God, has a chance of verification, whereas the second position, that there is no God, cannot be verified.

But if you dare point out these things – even though they are indisputable facts – you are met with a wall of resistance – no, no, nobody knows the truth. God is merely a fairy tale. To believe in God is no more different than believing in tooth-fairies and Santa Claus. That’s what we are told.

What we can learn from this, is that society is not ruled by benevolent forces. What kind of society will educate it’s population in something so obviously false? So if you know the truth and you want to inform people about it, you are up against a massive wall of resistance.

Krishna says:

Now hear, O son of Prtha, how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt. (Bg 7.1)

I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge, both phenomenal and numinous. This being known, nothing further shall remain for you to know. (Bg. 7.2)

Where did we begin our karma and when and why? Answer by…
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Where did we begin our karma and when and why?
Answer by Radhanath Swami: I will answer briefly because this is the very long explanation but i.e. certain point in our existence as part and parcel of Lord Krsna. We have given free choice to either serve Krsna and love Krsna or to exploit what is the property of Krsna. When you made that choice you have given entrance into the material creation. And in the very beginning at the don of our existence in material creation we began to perform activities in the realm of exploitation and then our karma begins. Sometimes we exploit in a pious way and we get good karma. Sometimes we exploit in an impious way and we create bad karma. But Srila Prabhupada rarely would become very specific in regard to this question of our origin in this material creation. In fact generally when devotees would ask him he would very purposely answered in an indirect way. Generally when people would ask him this question he would say the problem is you are in Maya. Now how you got here its not so important what’s important is to get out. The Scriptures explain in specific detail how we come here. But Srila Prabhupada he would say if you are drowning in an ocean and someone comes to throw you a life preserver while sitting on the boat and says- come, I will pull you up to the boat and you say- wait! first I want to know when I fell on the ocean and why I fell on the ocean. Mean while there is sharks surrounding you ready to eat you alive. In the same way the shark of death is ready to devour us. It is not so important to understand why and how we came but it’s essential to hold on to the life raft and to get out. How our karma began through perhaps millions and millions and millions of births it has developed but the point i.e. of concern now is you have the opportunity to be free from all karma now. Krsna says in Gita- Abandon all varieties of religion, abandon all varieties of speculation and just surrender to Me. I shall protect you from all sinful reactions of whatever you have done, whenever you have done.
Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. In this way you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this. So guru maharaj put all the emphasis on the here and now. Here is the life raft the association of devotees, the Holy Name, his transcendental books which teaches us how to live in such a way today by which can get out. And as far as he was concern the only real subject matter of any importance in regard to our origin in this material existence is that we misuse our independence exactly when, exactly how is not important. So what is important is we have misuse our independence? And why is it so important because we are still misusing our independence. So let us utilizes this independence for Krsna and become librated from the cycle of birth and death because you see theoretically we can explain these things but you will not understand it until you Back Home Back to Godhead. Ha… So therefore our concern is- you Back Home Back to Godhead and understand that realization and not put so much effort on trying to theoretically understand what we can’t understand. Is that answers question? So chant Hare Krsna Be Happy. Go Back Home Back to Godhead. You may have been worm, you may have been snake, you may have been reptile, a bird, a pig, a human being, a Mataji so many things. This is anything wrong with Mataji now you are brahmachari matajis are devotees you know all devotees we were so many things, we don’t care for any what we been we are concern with where we are going. Where been in this life. We are not concerned. Jagai and Madhai sinful didn’t matter when they took to Krishna Consciousness they became pure, pure than the pure. Doesn’t matter what we have done, where we come from all that matters is where we are going. So take Krsna. Lord Nityananda prayed in this way. Take Krsna. The only price is that you accepting with faith. Hare Krsna.

The Yogi’s Wager. A servant of a very rich man came before…
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The Yogi’s Wager.
A servant of a very rich man came before his master one day and told him of an interesting yogi he had seen in the river. The servant said that this yogi claimed he could stay in the water all night in the middle of the river without any outside heat. The yogi was willing t take a wager with anyone to prove that he could do it. When the rich man heard this, he decided to wager against the yogi. So the bet was made to see whether the yogi could stay in the water all night. The yogi went into the water, and the rich man and his servant went home. The next day word came that the yogi had successfully stayed in the water all night. The rich man went out to see the yogi, and indeed he was still standing in the water. Therefore by all rights the rich man had lost the wager. But then a friend of the rich man said, “Wait! See that light?” He pointed to a small flame far away in a temple. The rich man’s friend said, “By his mystic power, this yogi has been using the heat of that light to keep warm in the water. So he shouldn’t be paid, because the bet was that he would stay in the water without taking any heat.” Taking advantage of this word jugglery, the rich man said, “Yes I’m not going to pay you. You’ve tricked me.” Then the rich man and his servant went back to the house. The rich man asked his servant to quickly cook him a nice breakfast, but after waiting for some time, the servant had not produced anything. The rich man expressed his impatience, but the servant replied, “Please wait. I’m cooking.” The rich man waited, but it got later and later and no food was brought. When he demanded food from his servant, the servant only replied, “I’m cooking. It’s going to be ready soon.” Finally the rich man became angry and walked into the kitchen. “What is this cooking?” he demanded. And there he saw that the servant had a very strange arrangement for cooking. He had a very small fire on the ground an a tall bamboo tripod to hold the pot he was supposed to be heating high near the ceiling. Obviously, the small flame would never be able to reach the pot to heat it. “What do you think you’re doing?” demanded the rich man. “Well,” said the servant, if you claim that the yogi was keeping warm in
the water by that light, then I am also cooking.“ The man could understand that his servant was dissatisfied with the outcome of the wager with the yogi. And so he went and paid the yogi the wager.
MORAL: If you practice Krishna consciousness "part time” you can’t expect to be “completely cooked”. If the fire of purification you apply is too far and weak won’t be able to separate the impurities and create a nice ghee for Krishna :-)
To watch this parable in video: https://goo.gl/jzzZP3

False guru analysis
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Quack doctors flourish in places where people are mostly uneducated or do not have much exposer to scientific worldview. The quacks claim to have all the requisite skills to cure a patient. He dons the dress of a doctor; display medicinal books and also flaunt some fake degrees to convince people that he is indeed a qualified medicinal practitioner.
Just like quack doctors there are clan of quacks who masquerade as spiritual gurus. Such quack gurus too don the saffron robe of a sannyasi, memorize few verses and advertise themselves as God’s representative.
Just by buying a book of medicine and studying it on its own a person cannot become a medical doctor. Similarly just by reading books of Vedas and without being trained in any authorized sampradaya one cannot become a spiritual guru. There are four sampradayas or chain of disciplic succession descending from important acharyas or spiritual preceptors – Sri sampradaya (main exponent Ramanujacharya, it originated from Goddess Lakshmi), Brahma sampradaya (main exponent Madhvacharya, it originated from Lord Brahma), Rudra sampradaya (main exponent Vishnu Swami, it originated from Lord Shiva), Kumara sampradaya (main exponent Nimbarka, it originated from Kumaras, Lord Brahma’s sons)
To become a doctor one needs to join a government authorized institution and need to be trained by a qualified teacher, similarly to become a guru one needs to be part of these authorized institutions and be trained. It is mandatory for a guru to receive scriptural knowledge from a bonafide spiritual practitioner in a disciplic succession – srotriyam brahma – nistham.
A quack doctor is never able to diagnose the disease correctly and so his prescription fails to completely cure the patient. Many times because of wrong treatment patient even dies. An unauthorized spiritual guru too fails to provide correct solution to the diseased souls as he is unable to comprehend the true purpose of the Vedic literature. Vedas exhort all to inquire for the higher spiritual goals – athato brahma jijnasa – and not get bogged down by the flickering pleasures of this material world which is anyway temporary. However fake gurus dole out tons of misinformation claiming it to be the message of sacred books and engage the gullible people in mundane activities of amassing wealth and striving for position and power in this ephemeral world.
Before visiting a doctor we make sure that the doctor is genuine, his degrees are authentic and he has got it from a recognized university. So if we are serious about our spiritual life then before accepting anyone as our guru we have to make sure that the gentleman’s credential isn’t fake and he has been trained in an authorized spiritual university which is part of the 4 sampradayas.
And along with this we should be cautious about the gurus overall conduct. Whatever he speaks should be as per the scripture and should be in line with the teachings of the renowned spiritual seers. A genuine guru lives by the scripture and preaches by his own exemplary example.
Human life is utterly precious; it gives us an opportunity to get reunited with the Supreme Lord. So we should be extremely cautious in selecting a guru, a representative of God, because a guru unites us with the Supreme Lord. And he can do so only if he himself is having sublime relationship with the Lord.

(Purushottam Nitai Das is a member of congregation at Iskcon Kolkata. He blogs at http://krishnamagic.blogspot.co.uk/)

Marathon 2015 – Toronto Sankirtan Team Offering
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Dearest Srila Prabhupada

Please accept our most humble obeisances unto your lotus feet. All glories to your divine grace. All glories to your sincere followers, who are leading us forth, showing the way to please you and make you smile!

For your pleasure Srila Prabhupada, the Toronto chapter of your Sankirtan Army, had a glorious year 2015. We organized many sankirtan festivals, participated in several multicultural festivals in and around the city, knocked on thousands of doors, placed books in countless venues from hotels to homeless shelters. We distributed several thousands of books, distributed huge quantities of prasadam and reached out to many more souls, with a hope to connect them to you. The Toronto Sankirtan Family has grown beautifully in the past one year.

While book distribution continued throughout the year, our final push for your pleasure came towards the end of our annual book marathon. The goal seemed far and our options seemed few, but armed by the mantra “With blessings everything is possible”, we marched ahead determined to try our best – the worst we thought was that we’d fail, but you have assured us that simply by the attempt, we will attain all perfection! And the final push began… everyone stretched beyond their comfort zones – some headed out on the streets to distribute books in chilling winds, some knocked door to door for hours on end, others got on the phone and reached out to all their contacts with a plea to accept your books – everyone worked together for the one goal – to make Srila Prabhupada reach up the Jaladuta.

On December 27th, with 5 full days for the marathon, the Toronto Sankirtan Team smashed all its goals. This year for your pleasure Srila Prabhupada our total remittance to your BBT was 13% that of last year (supporting team North America in the goal of 10% increase), we distributed 108 sets of Srimad Bhagavatam and Sri Caitanya Caritamrita and raised Sastra Dana sponsorships for over 10,000 Bhagavad Gitas to be placed throughout the year.

Service to your sankirtan movement has created a flourishing family of devotees here in Toronto – all united under your umbrella. As we enter in to 2016,the 50th year of ISKCON, we humbly pray to be able to please you – by increasing our efforts to bring your books to more and more people. We pray to work inwards and share the overflow. We pray to remain grateful for the opportunity that we have been awarded and we pray for the maturity to serve with compassion all the devotees who you have kindly sent our way.

“Simply by this attempt you will get superior strength and knowledge about Krishna Consciousness. It doesn’t matter whether a man is convinced or not, but your sincere attempts to convince others will help you progress.”

Holding on to your word, falling and tripping, we, are trying to somehow stay afloat and carry the march forward. Please always keep us in your shelter

In your service
Toronto Sankirtan Team

A Spontaneous Trip Down Memory Lane
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With the unusually warm (but awesome) weather that we had in Toronto yesterday, Bhaktimarga Swami decided to head out for a spontaneous walk in the afternoon with his two visiting godbrothers: Drupada das and Garuda Vahan das - devotees who were two of the many early pioneers of our Toronto Hare Krishna community.

The walk was a "trip down memory lane" of sorts as the chosen route was through the trendy Yorkville neighbourhood.  While Yorkville is now known for being a swanky, upscale neighbourhood with expensive boutiques, restaurants and shops, it was a very different mood in the 1960s.

As explained by the three senior devotees on their walk, "Yorkville was the hippy enclave of Toronto and probably even the hippy capital of Canada in the 1960s!".  As each street was explored, Bhaktimarga Swami, Drupada das and Garuda Vahan das, would often pause at various buildings and talk about the incredible history of the neighbourhood and how devotees would often do sankirtan there!

The trip ended with a visit to one of the buildings just south of the temple, on Avenue Road, which used to house the Govinda's restaurant!  Drupada prabhu remarked, "You could get a full vegetarian thali for $2 or $3!".

Back at the temple, everyone was most appreciative of the short but certainly memorable walk down memory lane!  Check out pictures below (downloadable pictures available here):

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Krishna Conscious HIP HOP ALBUM. Milan Parmar is an individual…
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Krishna Conscious HIP HOP ALBUM.
Milan Parmar is an individual who is part of the youth group ISKCON Pandava Sena. He has been practising Krishna Consciousness for over 5 years by reading and studying the Bhagavad Gita where he finds, what he likes to call - “every moment”, inspiration and in depth meaning to life. Milan became more involved with Pandava Sena late 2014 and found himself engaging in different services instantly such as, the Pandava Sena Janmashtami play and Something Spiritual (A creative arts group that aims to spread Krishna Consciousness in fun and dynamic ways). For over 10 years, he has been writing poetry and music lyrics where he finds he can express his inner thoughts and realisations to a wider crowd. He has released 3 Hip-Hop mixtapes over a 3 year period which were his experimental points to find himself within his musical field. On January 29th 2016, he released his first album called “When A Soul Acknowledges” through PandavaSena and aims to connect the World to Krsna Consciousness through Hip-Hop & music. When A Soul Acknowledges is a Hip-Hop album that portrays a story of an individual soul within a material lifetime. A journey that starts from birth into the material world, to growth of this body, experiencing the ‘pleasures’ of material life and finding no real essence in them, to becoming realised of the true self and finding a Guru who has shown this individual the truths of life, then taking on a spiritual life and finding the greatest love towards the Supreme and finally, the soul leaving the body and returning to the spiritual realm where the Supreme resides. This album is compiled of 10 tracks that allow you to immerse yourself in different stages of this individual’s lifetime and finding a deeper meaning through each chapter of their story. A symphonic book which many, if not all, can relate to and take on lessons that lie within each lyric, verse, song and the album as a whole. All proceeds for the album go to Pandava Sena. You can also view a video on the PandavaSena YouTube of the album highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2co-8jHUllQ When A Soul Acknowledges is available to download/stream from all digital media formats iTunes: https://itun.es/gb/TIvuab Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/music/album?id=Btlr3pwzqkq7lav2x3q4tyz25li Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7o3bYfrTHk3BPn6Czp1GGC Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01B6YOE7S?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Why Biology is Beyond Physical Sciences? Abstract: In the…
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Why Biology is Beyond Physical Sciences?
Abstract: In the framework of materialism, the major attention is to find general organizational laws stimulated by physical sciences, ignoring the uniqueness of Life. The main goal of materialism is to reduce consciousness to natural processes, which in turn can be translated into the language of math, physics and chemistry. Following this approach, scientists have made several attempts to deny the living organism of its veracity as an immortal soul, in favor of genes, molecules, atoms and so on. However, advancement in various fields of biology has repeatedly given rise to questions against such a denial and has supplied more and more evidence against the completely misleading ideological imposition that living entities are particular states of matter. In the recent past, however, the realization has arisen that cognitive nature of life at all levels has begun presenting significant challenges to the views of materialism in biology and has created a more receptive environment for the soul hypothesis. Therefore, instead of adjudicating different aprioristic claims, the development of an authentic theory of biology needs both proper scientific knowledge and the appropriate tools of philosophical analysis of life. In a recently published paper the first author of present essay made an attempt to highlight a few relevant developments supporting a sentient view of life in scientific research, which has caused a paradigm shift in our understanding of life and its origin [1]. The present essay highlights the uniqueness of biological systems that offers a considerable challenge to the mainstream materialism in biology and proposes the Vedāntic philosophical view as a viable alternative for development of a biological theory worthy of life.
Recently our Institute scientists published a paper entitled Why Biology is Beyond Physical Sciences? in the Journal Advances in Life Sciences. This paper discusses some of the points that are under discussion in this group. Details of this paper are given below.
Cite: Bhakti Niskama Shanta and Bhakti Vijnana Muni (2016) Why Biology is Beyond Physical Sciences?, Advances in Life Sciences, Vol. 6(1), pp. 13-30. doi: 10.5923/j.als.20160601.03
Full-text HTML: http://dx.doi.org/10.5923/j.als.20160601.03
Full-Text PDF: http://www.sapub.org/global/showpaperpdf.aspx?doi=10.5923/j.als.20160601.03

Nityam Bhagavata-sevaya e-magazine#30 Lord Kapila’s…
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Nityam Bhagavata-sevaya e-magazine#30 Lord Kapila’s Teachings.
This issue brings to light the teachings of Lord Kapila Muni, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Glories of Devotional service, which is the basis of bhakti yoga, is explained by Lord Kapila to His mother, Devahuti. Along with that, a fresh translation for Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur’s song from the book Saranagati has been included. We pray this issue brings some pleasure to the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. NBS # 30 Features: 1) Lord Kapila Intructs Devahuti Sri Maitreya Rishi 2) Bhakti-Pratikula-Bhava Varjanangikara A promise to give up attachments which are unfavourable to Devotional Service Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur 3) Unauthorized Sampradayas Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur 4) The Process Of Advancing In Krishna Consciousness His Divine Grace A .C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada 5) How To Attain Devotional Service Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami This issue can be viewed through these links: ISSUU: http://issuu.com/nbsmag/docs/nbs_30 Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/doc/297875116/NBS-30

KK Bindu #368, “The Ornament of Equivocal Phrase”,…
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KK Bindu #368, “The Ornament of Equivocal Phrase”, plus more. The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine was just released. This issue includes: * PREACHING IN INDIA – In this letter from 1968, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada speaks about the only solution for the problems of India. * THE ORNAMENT OF EQUIVOCAL PHRASES – A collection of first-time translations done especially for this issue of Bindu on the subject of vakrokti, or crooked talks that have indirect or unintended meanings. An excerpt: Radha: Who are you, dark fellow? Krishna: I am Hari! Radha (interpreting “hari” as “lion”): But this Vrindavan forest has become devoid of such ferocious animals. How can a lion be present here? Krishna: O Radhika! I am Madhava! Radha (interpreting “madhava” as the month of Madhava, also known as Vaishakh): How has the Vaishakh month arrived untimely? Krishna: O charming lady! I am Janardan! Radha (interpreting “janardana” as “he who gives all people trouble”): Oh! It’s nice that a troublesome person like you is staying here in the forest, away from the city and people in general. It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu368

February 4. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
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February 4. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Letter to Tirtha Maharaja. February 4, 1966. He wrote again to Tirtha Maharaja, who had agreed to try for the government sanction if he first received written confirmation from a responsible donor pledging the funds for a temple. Prabhupada informed him that the donor would be Sri Badampat Singhania, and he enclosed Mr. Singhania’s favorable letter of the fourteenth. Prabhupada reminded his godbrother: “Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta wanted such temples in foreign countries such as New York, London, Tokyo, etc., and I had personal talks with him when I first met him at Ulta Danga in 1922. Now here is a chance for me to carry out his personal order…. I am just seeking your favor and mercy in making this attempt successful.”
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=5

Bhagavata Subodhini – Canto 3
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The Vedic Encyclopedia, Srimad Bhagavatam, like an ocean, is expansive with its nominal and phenomenal subject matters and deep in its spiritual and philosophical insights, making it a text for both research and relish by many. On 21st September 2015, Radhastami, Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha at Govardhan Ecovillage, launched the first volume of the Bhagavata Subodhini, an inspirational study guide to the Srimad Bhagavatam. This book published by the Tulsi books featured verse-by-verse overviews of Cantos One and Two. It also contained a variety of thematic compilations and resource material suited for educator. For ordering a copy, please visit www.tulsibooks.com

Enemies of Growth
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Observing my own life, it seems there are key enemies which stagnate our growth and development. We slide into mediocrity and averageness when we are too busy, too arrogant or too comfortable to really invest in our life.

ISKCON Pune Plans Ambitious “50th-ized” Year
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Can you imagine one city holding 500 Harinamas or distributing 500,000 of Srila Prabhupada’s books in one year? That’s exactly what ISKCON of Pune in Maharashtra, India is doing as they ambitiously set out to 50th-ize the year 2016. And much, much more besides: the plan is to set higher-than-usual goals for all of Pune’s outreach efforts in multiples of five or fifty.

Gita 9.12 – Rejecting real currency as fake leaves one impoverished
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Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 9.12 – Rejecting real currency as fake leaves one impoverished appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Strictness with kindness
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, May 2010, Simhachalam, Germany, Nrshima Caturdasi)

SP_smilingOur movement did well in the beginning with strictness but sometimes lacked in human kindness. Now, in the Iskcon of the new millennium, we have more kindness but have lost our strictness. Before, because of a lack of kindness there was fanaticism but now, we are missing the strictness that will keep us away from maya and keep us making progress. So we need to come to a situation of strictness with kindness.

 

Thursday, January 28th 2016
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Thursday, January 28th 2016
Bartica, Guyana

In Bartica

50 is the golden number today.  Guyana is celebrating its 50 years since independence.  It is also a half a century since the official registering of Hare Krishna in the western world.  In July of 1966 ISKCON was born in New York City.

Also this year, Bartica becomes an official town since its inception.  Its population is 17,000 people and I am told it has a major port for goods, such as diamonds and gold.  Because of the areas rich red soil, the Amerindian word bartak was used and a mispronunciation left it with the name it has today.

To reach here at least 50 of us took the four hour ferry from Guyana’s West Coast, along the river Essequibo and then after an hour drive from Georgetown.  You are talking about remoteness but not so much that we find tribal folks in this area.  That venture is saved for next year. Surprisingly all modern amenities are here.

Our purpose in Bartica was to expose the residents to the maha-mantra through the method of Pada-Yatra, a festival on foot.  This is how I got my walking today, at a guess-timation of 6 Kilometres.  Our culmination point was at the quaint community centre ground where we had the chance to interact and display Krishna Consciousness to locals.

It was on the long boat ride to reach here.  That became a high point when we reserved an hour for kirtan and a reading from the book Swamiji, subtitled “An early disciple, Brahmananda Dasa, Remember his Guru.”  Every chance I get I have my head sunk in the text.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Wednesday, January 27th 2016
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Wednesday, January 27th 2016
Georgetown, Guyana

A Mention of Jonestown

I’ve had discussions with Damodara Swami on the 9/11 conspiracy case.  Yes, monks do have opinions.  This morning though, we did harbour on the topic on what makes a community healthy in spirit.  We simply endorsed what the experts say on the subject- along the lines of common vision- teamwork, integrity, and so on.

The flight to Guyana was short – one hour.  As the plane came closer to the land, while making its descent, I remarked to the passenger next to me as we both peered out the window, “Look at the endless amount of trees, rainforest.” Then he was responsive, saying something about a community of the past.

He said, “When I see this (the inland forest) I think of Jim Jones and his Jonestown, and the disaster.”

“Yes I remember that.  Not a healthy situation,” I responded.

I was garlanded and greeted by a group of Guyanese followers once we landed.  Bless their souls.  It was also some of those souls that accompanied me to the seawall at Georgetownfor a much needed walk.

Wet-ness was splashing from the waves, crashing against the wall, but more so was the moistness derived from within the body.  The sweat was good.

One great quote that came to me today: “Darkness cannot put out darkness.  Only light can do that.  Hate cannot cancel out hate, only love will do.”

May the Source be with you!

9 km

Tuesday, January 26th 2016
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Tuesday, January 26th 2016
Longdenville, Trinidad

With Water and People

“That’s a corn bird,” said  Kartamasha, pointing to the feathered creature flying above us.”  The tail is yellow and in other parts.”

I was trying to catch sight of the bird’s colouration but he was moving, and then was high in elevation and the moment I was informed, we happened to be in the ocean’s water.  Attentiveness also went to the oncoming waves as they were somewhat abrasive if you didn’t watch yourself.

Time spent in the water was invaluable. We are 75% water in physical constitution.  It makes perfect sense to be submerged in it.  I know that during marathon walking times, massage and swimming offer the greatest relief.

As is usual on my trips to Trinidad, a visit to a beach like Las Cuevas brings a group of us together for meeting the ocean and then having a bhakti picnic.  To qualify the term ‘bhakti picnic’ I mean sitting down on the sand, eating Krishna food, and holding a kirtan.  The food and company were fine.  For the kirtan some creativity was implemented.  The picnic pot lids became our cymbals and the food canteen became our drum.

After the beach affair more fun ensued.  In Longdenville, a group of people filled the ISKCON centre for the second consecutive day.  Our topic of discussion was based on the intro of the book “Chaitanya Charitamrta.”  Here we learn of the origin of the magnanimous avatar Sri Chaitanya, an inspiration for all those who engage in the Kirtan Movement.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Monday, January 25th 2016
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Monday, January 25th 2016
Port of Spain, Trinidad

Awkward

I can’t boast to have walked today.  I can’t even brag that I have spread out my arms, flapped them and took off in a flight.  Flying I did but by way of sitting in an aircraft, Caribbean Airlines, destination Trinidad.

It was an awkward sit.  I was in seat 9B.  A father and his teenage daughter were in A and C.  That meant I was in-between them. Before we had actually settled in I suggested that they sit together as I could see they were karmicly linked, by blood.  The father declined the offer.  “No, I would rather take the aisle seat.”

“Okay, this should be interesting.”  I thought, “Maybe they are a little ticked off with each other.”

That clearly wasn’t the case.  Between the computer works each one of them was doing at their individual seats, they did have fairly amiable communication while I was in the middle.  I leaned far enough against my chair in order that they would see each other.  At least twice I leaned to the extreme forward position in order that they maintain a conversation while I would stretch and re-position.

It was interesting.  I had to maintain a neutral disposition in all of this.  After the six hour flight and landing in Port of SpainI was driven to the ISKCON Longdenville Centre.  By evening time I was asked to speak on the verse from the Bhagavad – Gita 12:17.

“One who neither rejoices nor grieves, who neither laments nor desires and who renounces both auspicious and inauspicious things- such a devotee is very dear to me.”

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Sunday, January 24th 2016
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Sunday, January 24th 2016
Toronto, Ontario

Protect Your Actual Self

It was Shelly’s birthday.  As is often done, when a member of the community has a birthday he/she will visit the temple.  They may catch the early service – at 4:30 am as she did.  Shelly came with her mom.  She is very self-motivated and wanted to be there for the chanting and the blessings.

Blessings are regarded as a favour from the higher-ups, ultimately the highest up (Krishna). The dictionary also relays something about protection when speaking about blessings. Protection is quite the priority for people these days.  Much finance is invested in it, in the most practical sense, involving everything from installing cameras, securing locks everywhere, keeping a guard dog, learning self-defence and so on.

For the general populace there is a form of danger that is overlooked.  That danger is called maya.  Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, once said of his students that they have a problem of not sufficiently fearing maya.  By maya he meant the temptations of the world.

Actually, the illusions of the world are something to be concerned about; hence we need protection - a spiritual protection.  When we don’t obtain protection we become most vulnerable.

It is essential that the soul, which is our true identity, be guarded.  Chant the name Krishna and give it a try, if you haven’t already. Chant and be happy. Be protected!


May the Source be with you!

6 km

View Our Monthly Newsletter – February 2016
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We are happy to share our February edition of our monthly newsletter!  Special thanks to Thulasi Sathianathan , one of our active young devotees, for taking the lead on the monthly newsletter project.  Click the image below (or click here) to open the February 2016 newsletter.

Remember, you can receive our monthly newsletter right in your inbox by clicking here to sign up, or by using the sign up form on the right hand side of this page!  Hare Krsna!


Saturday, January 23rd, 2016
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Saturday, January 23rd, 2016
Hastings, Ontario

Going to the Country

It was totally my pleasure to go to the country with Kevala Bhakti.  A young, well, younger than me, person.  Our drive was just shy of two hours to see Fil and Sukhayanti who have launched an ambitious agrarian program involving cows and land.  They also launched two baby girls recently, twins, actually.

A lucky family.

Why do I say that?  The answer to that question is, country home, barns, land, clean air, river nearby, each other, health, God, and a purpose.

Kevala Bhakti and I had our hand at serving the bovine these compact green pellets.  It came to mind on the return journey, the lyrics of Bruce Cockburn in his song, “Going to the Country”

Look out the window, what do I see?
Cows hanging out under spreading trees
Zoom!  They’re gone behind the sign
White letters pointing to the long white line
And I’m going to the country
Oh la la la la la la
I’m going to the country
Sunshine smile on me
I can smell the grass growing in the field
Wind in my hair tells me how it feels
Farm houses, silver roof flashing by
Tractor – trailer truck says goodbye with a sigh
And I’m going to the country
Oh la la la la la la
I’m going to the country
Sunshine smile on me
Birds singing, I’m singing in my bones
Doesn’t much matter now where I’m going
Get it when I get there is what I’ll do
If I get enough I’ll give some to you
And I’m going to the country
Oh happy as can be
I’m going to the country
Sunshine smile on me

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Friday, January 22nd, 2016
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Friday, January 22nd, 2016
Toronto, Ontario

Perceptions

If you are going to go on pilgrimage to India, this is not a bad time of the year to make that move.  I don’t know too many winter buffs amongst those from the great white north, Canada. An escape to warmer climates is what snowbirds do.  I’ve seen the great migration of bhakti yogis exit stage right for the land of Bharataround this time for years.

Personally, I take well to the austerity that comes with the cold, and I think sometimes I’d rather be an ice cube than a fire brand.  No, I’m not a fan of India’s balmy summer, but I’ll go next month out of obligation and for recharging the spiritual battery.

I do mention the warmth of people when they leave for the holy places of pilgrimage.  I mention this because I don’t see Praveen.

Who is he anyways?  Praveen is a gentle soul.  Whenever I’m in town, he will join me for that trek that Mandala and I take.  He just left for India.  We take a stretch along Yonge Street. We meet employees that have this luminescent yellow green attire while they’re on their way to the waste management depot.  They say good morning, we say good morning.

We also see people waiting at the bus stop at Bloor before the subway opens.  They are all so quiet.  When they see us, they kind of perk up at our sight, when they see Praveen in his standard white dhoti, I’m sure they wonder, “Muslim?”  When they see me in the saffron, the likely assumption is, “Buddhist?”

Whatever the perception, there IS a perception, and if they are left thinking, even momentarily, “God’s people” or “two religious paths getting along with each other”, then I think it’s a plus.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

Thursday, January 21st, 2016
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Thursday, January 21st, 2016
Toronto, Ontario

The Traffic Moved

The traffic moved ever so slow
On Bloor through the sprinkled snow.
The usual passion did not show
Like a lazy ball with little “go”.

Mandala and I moved quite fast
To combat the chilled Arctic blast.
The traffic we seemed to go right past,
Our feet fueled and totally gassed.

Shoppers are few in the January blues.
Christmas is gone, its lights blew a fuse.
It’s that timely circle, no new news.
In the glum of it,  there’s debts and dues.

We were quite glad, stepping the street,
Venting the power of our body heat.
You measure life by strides on the feet,
Making each move neat and complete.

We stopped to visit our tattoo friend
Working hard and that to no end.
Ten minutes went, that time we did spend
Till it came time to go round the bend.

It was night, the day said “Closed!”
All seemed still, perfectly posed.
We arrived home, I showered and hosed.
I read and wrote, then finally dozed.

May the Source be with you!
7 km

Siva, Krsna, Guru, and Sisya
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Hare KrishnaBy Giriraj Swami

Why is Lord Shiva considered the greatest Vaishnava? Because he is always absorbed in thought of Vasudeva (Krishna). The state in which one can always be absorbed in Krishna consciousness, in thought of Vasudeva, is called vasudeva, or suddha-sattva, a state transcendental to the material modes of nature. When one is completely freed from the influence of material nature, he comes to the stage of suddha-sattva, or vasudeva, in which Vasudeva, or Krishna, is revealed. Vasudeva is also the name of Krishna’s father, and in a very literal, transcendental way Krishna (Vasudeva) appears from His father (Vasudeva). This fact is explained, and elaborated on, in a profound purport by Srila Prabhupada, in the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Chapter Two: “Prayers by the Demigods to Krsna in the Womb.” Continue reading "Siva, Krsna, Guru, and Sisya
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Harinamas in Allahabad, India (33 min video) Sri…
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Harinamas in Allahabad, India (33 min video)
Sri Sacitanayastakam: I salute the Son of Mother Saci, Whose heart is in a state of rapture, transformed by feelings of intense love. In His pastime of loud roaring, before the mischievous and malicious rascals, He removes all fear of the vast ocean of material existence, by the effect of His unlimited compassion.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/19isOf

Preaching program in Zurich (Album with photos) Kurma Dasa: A…
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Preaching program in Zurich (Album with photos)
Kurma Dasa: A Night at Radha Kripa’s
Last night we were invited to her lovely apartment just outside Zurich (transformed from a barn) for a program of kirtan, Prabhupada katha and delightful prasadam. Radha Kripa and her husband Jaya Gopal are kind and thoughtful hosts. Jaya Gopal attended my first cookery courses here almost 20 years ago, and drove me to Germany for a huge catering program.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/skUDvc