Invitation for Bhumi Puja and Ananta Sesa Installation
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Invitation for Bhumi Puja and Anana Sesa Installation.
For thousands of years sadhus have enriched the atmosphere surrounding sacred Govardhan Hill with their spiritual practices and realizations. We desire to offer the devotee community a retreat center on land we’ve acquired only 250 meters from Govardhan Hill. In Giriraja Govardhan’s sacred association, hearts can be soothed and spiritual desires fulfilled. Come and let Giriraja Govardhan work his wonders.
Read more: http://www.govardhancenter.com/

Caring For Cow Services At Iskcon Malaysia Farms. Lord Krishna,…
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Caring For Cow Services At Iskcon Malaysia Farms.
Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the prime protector of brahminical culture and the cow. Without knowing and respecting these, one cannot realize the science of God, and without this knowledge, any welfare activities or humanitarian propaganda cannot be successful. (Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 4: Chapter 21, Text 38: PURPORT) The Vedic literatures repeatedly proclaim that for human beings to be happy the must care for animals, especially mother cows. ISKCON Malaysia has two farms. The first is a 20 acres’ farm specially to care for Dairy Cows and second, a 400 acres’ farm to care for retired cows and to cultivate orchards, vegetable farming with a simple facility to care for retired senior members. At both these farms cows and bulls are living a protected life until their natural death. Now you have the opportunity to help care for Sri Krishna’s most beloved animals – cows and bulls, the mother and father of humanity. To maintain our growing herd, we need your help. Adopt a cow and help make a difference.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/264Prw

New book: Krishna – Proofs Of Gods existence. Foreword by…
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New book: Krishna - Proofs Of Gods existence.
Foreword by Lokanatha Swami: Proof of God’s existence? Do we really need it? Do we require any proof for the existence of the Sun for example? However, a blind person may well question its existence. He may state, “I don’t believe in the existence of the Sun”. What is the value of such a statement by someone who is visibly challenged? There are so many others who are effectively seeing the Sun face to face in their existence and daily basking in its splendour. Similarly, the empiricists often demand “proof” of the existence of God, with questions such as, “Can you show me God?’. They also question the existence of God. Unfortunately, such questions seem to emerge with ever increasing frequency today by a growing number of people demanding convincing responses. There is therefore a compelling need for the presentation of authentic and authorised theistic concepts and ideologies in today’s scenario of growing atheism, as well as of unauthorised, misleading “scriptural ideas” that actually trace their genesis in the fertile minds and imaginations of many “religionists” and “philosophers”. The following anecdote illustrates how interpretations of truths and untruths can be experienced. Uncle Joe, a respectable middle-aged gentleman visits his friend John, who he has not met for some time now. Upon reaching his friend’s house, he presses the doorbell. He hears a patter of small feet running towards the door, and soon, finds himself face to face with John’s 5 year old son, Mark. “Yes? How can I help you uncle?”, asks Mark. Uncle Joe explains that he is a friend of his father, and would like to see him. Mark immediately runs inside and explains the situation to his father. However, John, in the midst of something, is not inclined to meet anyone, and so tells Mark to inform Uncle Joe that he is not at home. So, the innocent little Mark promptly returns and informs Uncle Joe, “My father said that ‘he is not at home’!” “Who told you?”, asks an incredulous Uncle Joe. “Yes, yes! My father himself told me”, repeats Mark. In much the same way, the atheists are deluded by God Himself, and this delusion leads to their lack of faith in His existence. All such instructions about remembrance, forgetfulness and the like emanate directly from God. As He Himself states, “I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness.” (Bhagavad Gita (15.15) So, here, Krsna (or God) directly states that all knowledge and remembrance as well as all ignorance and forgetfulness are His creations. In Bhagavad Gita, (16.8), He further states, “They (the atheists) say that this world is unreal, with no foundation, no God in control. They say it is produced of sex desire and has no cause other than lust.” No one is an eternal non-believer. Today’s cynical non-believer is tomorrow’s ardent believer and faithful follower. The world may be full of these non-believers today, but there are also many firm believers who have complete faith in and varying degrees of realisations of God’s existence. Such believers, or devotees of the Lord, rejoice in their experiences and naturally seek to share this wisdom with others. In this book, Proofs of God’s existence, co-authors Gauranga Premananda Dasa and Avadhuta Raya Dasa use indisputable and primordial texts to exemplify the existence of God. This endeavor is especially pleasing to the Lord, as it enables the reformation of the misguided and misdirected souls – His parts and parcels - to revive their original, pure and blissful relationship with the Lord, and thus achieve the perfection of human life. Gauranga Premananda Dasa and Avadhuta Raya Dasa were inspired by their personal experiences while preaching the glories of God and distributing authoritative literature. While preaching, they often came across questions relating to the very existence of God, and where there was an idea of God, these ideas were generally vague and nebulous, and at times, completely flawed. They therefore felt the need to address, in simple terms, the gaps in theistic understanding which are so rampant these days. This is but the first volume of an intended series of publications that they have planned. Their target is to present at least 1008 citations which they purport as Proof of God’s Existence. Writings on such sober and intense subject matter are encouraged as this enables the reader to open up his heart and mind to meaningful contemplation of the Supreme Lord. As is stated in the Srimad Bhagavatam (1.5.11), “That literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization.” The arguments presented in Proof of God’s Existence by the co-authors, are convincing and in line with the teachings and philosophy of the Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON), His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Proof of God’s existence is a timely contribution for both the believer and the non- believer. It includes elements of personal memoirs, spiritual vision, theology and faith building through insightful engagement with authentic Vedic literature. The chapters convey a practical commitment designed to compel believers to enhance their faith and to entice non believers into meaningful contemplation of God’s existence. My congratulations and best wishes on this publication and I pray that Srila Prabhupada may bless the authors and am certain that the Lord is pleased with their heartfelt effort.
HH Lokanath Swami Pandharpur,24 July, 2015
You can order at avadhutaraya@gmail.com

January 39. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
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January 39. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: The East Snowstorm. January 30, 1966. The East Coast was hit by severe blizzards, seven inches of snow fell on the City, with winds up to fifty miles an hour. The City of New York offered warm rooms and meals for people living in tenements without heat. JFK Airport was closed, as were train lines and roadways into the City. For the second time within eight days, a state of emergency was declared because of snow. As a lone individual, Srila Prabhupada could not do anything about the snow emergency, or the international warfare – he saw these as more symptoms of the age of Kali. Always there would be misery in the material world. But if he could bring Radha and Krishna to a building in New York … nothing was impossible for the Supreme Lord. Even in the midst of Kali-yuga, a golden age could appear, and people could get relief. If Americans could take to Krishna consciousness, the whole world would follow. Seeing through the eyes of the scriptures, Srila Prabhupada pushed on through the blizzard and pursued the thin trail for support for his Krishna conscious mission.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4

Gita 09.07 – Repetition of discussion is meant for elevation of vision
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 09.07 – Repetition of discussion is meant for elevation of vision appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Celebrating ISKCON’s 50 Years (6 min video) “The 50th…
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Celebrating ISKCON’s 50 Years (6 min video)
“The 50th Anniversary offers a once-in-a-life time opportunity that provides us a unique chance to get the public of every country in the world to recognise Prabhupada’s achievements and the growth and contribution of his society that changed the face of the planet,” said Anuttama Das, GBC Minister for Communications who is part of the International Executive Committee for the 50th Anniversary. “While celebrating this important milestone, we can also educate people about ISKCON and appreciate the contribution of devotees who have worked hard in the last 50 years to spread the Sankirtana movement.”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/q3Dvmg

Vedic Discourse by His Grace Ananda Gauranga prabhu — Sunday 31st,2016.
→ ISKCON Brampton

About His Grace Ananda Gauranga Prabhu :His Grace Ananda Gauranga Prabhu is a disciple of His Holiness Radhanath Swami. Prabhuji  is a Temple president of ISKCON Scarborough. Prabhuji and Mataji are constantly serving  congregation in various capacities . Prabhuji and Mataji are both an inspiration for all of us on how to maintain a Krsna Conscious family.


11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja                                           
11.15 - 11.30     Guru Puja                                        
11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                      
11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                 
12.00 – 1:00    Vedic discourse
  1:00 –  1:30     Closing Kirtan
  1.30 _  2.00     Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast



Japathon-Congregational Mantra Meditation
On Jan 30,2016(5.30am-9.30am) at ISKCON Brampton

The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His Energy to give protection to the conditioned soul.japa, when performed with focus and attention, can subdue the agitating effects of one’s mind and senses. The senses, of which the mind is also one, are constantly being stimulated by the external world  - by gross and subtle matter.
If you have not chanted before, and would like to participate in this program, we will be very happy to show how you can do this.
All welcome. We’ll loan you a set of Beads!


Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)


“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)

Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Rasaraj Dasa-rajrushika@yahoo.com/ 647.887.5736(Mississauga and Brampton regions)
Narahari Dev Dasa- naraharidev@gmail.com (Etobicoke  region)


 

COMING UP AHEAD



Fasting For Sattila Ekadasi

Fasting.....................on Thu Feb 4,2016
Breakfast................. on Fri Feb 5,2016 b/w 7.30am-10.51am


Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 
Nutritional Consultation
 Rashmi  is back again to offer her services as a nutrition expert to help devotees with their health and dietary needs.She is offering free one to one consultations and development of Individualized Nutrition Plans on Sundays between 1:30 - 3pm. Please contact (416)569-6373 or (905)488-7272 to book an appointment.

Nityananda Trayodasi(Fasting till Noon)
Celebration on Sat, Feb 20,11am-2pm
Lord Nityananda, whose name literally means, “eternally blissful” is the eternal companion of Lord Chaitanya and both are worshipped together as are Krishna and Balaram. In the same way that Lord Balaram is considered the original spiritual master, so is Lord Nityananda.
No service is too small to go unnoticed by Lord Nityananda, and no sinner too great not to qualify for his benedictions.

**Details of the program will posted when we get closer to the event**
 


 
 ONGOING EVERY SUNDAY
 

Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. School
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).


Gift Shop

Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewellery, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.
 

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy

God and Science: Christian and Vaisnava Perspectives
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Hare KrishnaBy Jonathan B. Edelmann

This phenomenal world or material world in which we are placed is complete in itself because the twenty-four elements of which this material universe is a temporary manifestation, according to Sankhya philosophy, are completely adjusted to produce complete resources which are necessary for the maintenance and subsistence of this universe. There is nothing extraneous, nor is there anything needed. (A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada) An understanding of God’s relationship with the world is essential for an informed response to contemporary scientific worldviews. Although there is copious literature dealing with this subject by Christian theologians, very little has been done from a Hindu perspective, with its different metaphysics. We will look at how Christian thinkers have dealt with the subject of non-physical influence and intervention in the world, and then what Hinduism has to offer the discussion. I hope to show that the theistic Sankhya of the Bhagavata Purana (Srimad-Bhagavatam) offers a rich metaphysics and conception of the self to enhance two divergent Christian theologies of nature. Continue reading "God and Science: Christian and Vaisnava Perspectives
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Finding the Nectar in Krishna’s Names
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Hare KrishnaBy Bir Krishna Swami

The names of Krishna are the repository of all happiness and the greatest wealth. If we chant properly, we will not experience material miseries, but we may experience what the materialist might mistake as misery: the spiritual joy of intense separation from Krishna. Since that joy comes from proper chanting, we might wonder how we can chant with attention and concentration, even if we are not yet pure devotees of Krishna. How can we control the mind? How can we keep ourselves from thinking of a million and one other things besides Krishna’s names? Chanting properly takes practice, and the first point is to approach the practice positively. When we approach the holy names negatively, we often think more about what we should not be doing rather than what we should be doing. It is said, “You can’t do a don’t.” So, instead of thinking: “Now I have to control my mind and not think of other things,” we can think, “Now I will concentrate on Krishna’s names, which are identical to Krishna. By concentrating on Krishna’s names, Krishna will give me full intelligence, and I will love Him more and more.” Continue reading "Finding the Nectar in Krishna’s Names
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Global Environmental Management and the Vedic Triguna
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Hare KrishnaBy Padma Devi Dasi

It may be safe to say that deterioration of the global natural environment is today no longer a contested issue. All nations acknowledge pollution, salination, deforestation, desertification, depletion of the ozone layer, the prevalence of toxic waste dumps, and more, as tangible, problematic issues. What remains a contested issue, however, is the exact factors that underpin this ruining of the Earth’s splendor. Factors labeled as root causes include meat-eating, industrialization, economic instability, and ignorance of sustainable and energy-efficient agricultural practices. With such an array of opinions as to why the Earth’s good health has waned, it is easy to see why society struggles to pinpoint the best approaches to environmental care. As a Hare Krishna devotee, and as an environmentalist since my childhood, I decided to investigate the underlying causes of such degradation from the perspective of the Vedas. When the opportunity to do a research Ph.D. through the University of Tasmania in Australia became available, I decided to employ the concept of the three modes of material nature to investigate the quality of consciousness of environmental scientists. Continue reading "Global Environmental Management and the Vedic Triguna
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A Rabbi was once asked to describe the difference between heaven…
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A Rabbi was once asked to describe the difference between heaven and hell. By a wave of the hand he manifested a vision of hell; a group of hungry, emaciated men sitting at the dining table eagerly awaiting their lunch. The bowls of soup appeared. Problem was, their hands were shaped like unusually long spoons – as they attempted to eat they just couldn’t get the food into their mouth. It was agony! Nobody could eat. The rabbi then waved his other arm and manifested a vision of heaven. Interestingly, it was the same dinner table, the same cuisine and the same long spoon-shaped arms. In heaven, however, everyone seemed happy and healthy. As they began their meal, the secret was revealed. In heaven, everyone utilised their long spoons to feed the person opposite, and they were being fed in return. Perfect cooperation! He had graphically revealed the lesson: selflessness versus selfishness – that’s the difference between heaven and hell. In the urban jungle, survival of the fittest is the name of the game. Our happiness is often founded upon the exploitation, mistreatment and detriment of others. If we are winning, it usually means someone else is losing. Spiritual communities of bygone ages, however, were based upon diametrically opposed ideals. Cooperation, respect and genuine concern for others were the cardinal principles underpinning social intercourse. Sharing, after all, is caring. Wisdom teachers explain how one can decipher the degradation of such community: first you will have to buy food, then you will have to buy water, then you will have to buy air! Previously, these commodities were freely exchanged amongst everyone. Nowadays people make a small fortune from them. Selflessness even makes sense on a practical level. If every person in a community of 50 people is thinking about themselves, then everyone has one person looking after them. If we selflessly focus on others, however, then everyone has 49 caretakers! It may sound idealistic and utopian, but it really does work – for individual relationships, families, organisations and entire communities. The depth and quality of any interaction is based on the degree of selflessness employed. Until we change the ‘me’ to the ‘we,’ genuine relationships, inner fulfilment and deep spiritual experience will remain elusive. At every moment we are challenged to chip away at miserly selfishness, and become kind, open-hearted and generous souls.
Watch the video here: https://goo.gl/kw3m57

Teens Inspire on First Australian Youth Bus Tour
→ ISKCON News

Fifteen teenaged youth, aged 13 to 18 and hailing from Australia, New Zealand and Bali, were inspired in Krishna consciousness as they traveled across Australia during their summer holidays this January. But they also deeply moved and inspired other devotees with their devotion everywhere they went. The tour, which ran from January 9th to 27th – summer in Australia – was chaperoned by second generation devotees. 

Reaching Out to Perlavaripalem Village. On January 8, 2016, the…
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Reaching Out to Perlavaripalem Village.
On January 8, 2016, the Yatra bus reached the lively village around 4.30 pm, welcomed by excited children. They had been waiting for our arrival because they had been hearing announcements about the program from last two days and were thus aware of some program that was to take place there. Madhava and Gopi, two young men, had helped us meticulously organize the program in their village. A small team of devotees left for gram sankirtan through dusty streets while other devotees got involved in setting up the stage for the upcoming program at the village sarpanch office.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/CEpMBY

Presenting the “Gita Program”
→ ISKCON News

In this video Iksvaku das explains the purpose of :The Gita Program" and how it can benefit every ISKCON center and devotees engaged in presenting Krishna-consciousness to facilitate and encourage newcomers in their understanding of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is. 

Radhadesh Mellows 2016
→ KKSBlog

radhadesh_mellows

The Radhadesh Mellows Kirtan Festival takes place from 29-31 January. Amongst many other well-known kirtan leaders, Kadamba Kanana Swami will also be participating. His time slot on Friday is at 4pm and on Saturday at 3:45pm; GMT +1. Watch live on www.mayapur.tv

January 29. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
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January 29. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Krishna’s Great Orator. Srila Prabhupada was a dramatic orator, a real communicator. He communicated on Krishna’s behalf as the medium for Krishna’s love to the conditioned souls who had not yet developed their desire to go back to Krishna. His voice was tempered and his points balanced, yet his lectures were powerful. They were quite different from his ordinary speech. His lectures were full of feeling – strong, loud reprimands of the non devotee, and soft, loving expressions of bhakti. His voice rose and fell in sonorous tones. “You cannot understand Krishna with these blunt senses,” he said, and his voice keyed, both to his audience and to his own sense of delivering the message. He spoke from the heart. He spoke to wake us up. Prabhupada lectured mainly from the Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita. He didn’t title his lectures, and they didn’t have a specific subject, other than a commentary on a particular verse he was speaking on. He took advantage of the wealth of material in the Vedic scriptures and taught us to lecture. Prabhupada had to lecture frequently, but he had such a great command of the Vedic scriptures that he was free to speak on a wide variety of topics within the realm of Krishna consciousness. We should try to follow his example.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4

Gita 09.06 – Krishna limits not our freedom but the scope of our freedom
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 09.06 – Krishna limits not our freedom but the scope of our freedom appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Video: 2015 Sankirtan Highlights
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Last Saturday, the temple hosted it's annual Sankirtan Warriors Appreciation Night (SWAN).  Billed as an evening dedicated to thanking all the amazing "warriors" in the community that helped to share so many spiritual books with the public as ambassadors of goodwill, the evening featured kirtan, talks and more.

One of the highlights of the evening was a video presented by the Toronto Sankirtan Team, showcasing highlights from the year!  Check it out below:

January Community Presentations
→ simple thoughts

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Over the last month I’ve been busy on community group visits as always I allow the group’s to decide what subject they would like me to cover; this time around most wanted me to explain what the understanding of Jesus Christ is.

Thankfully there is many quotes from Srila Prabhupada and it also gave me the opportunity to speak about the importance of Guru, and how we celebrate the appearance day of our own spiritual masters.

As always a small powerpoint presentation although it takes some time to develop the question that really gets the discussion and thought’s of those listening challenged. During school visits I normally get them to talk about their pets before introducing cow protection; it is effective and from what the teachers tell me gets the discussion and debate going long after I have left.

This time my thought’s was to get them talking about their own birthday’s and what they like about them, the discussion is soon flowing; them I ask them about how they would feel if you found out that people were celebrating their birthday but they we not invited or visited.

It’s a sad growing fact that Christmas has become overly commercialized and the celebration of a great saintly life is sidelined for over indulgence in food and expensive presents whilst failing to acknowledge of visiting the church to pay homage to Lord Jesus Christ.

It is sad that when asking how many visited church, sang Christmas Carols and gave charity to the needy most just looked puzzled. Some said how they used to go. It’s odd that so much effort is made to celebrate one day with little realization or understanding of the amazing life and sacrifice of such a great soul.

However it did make me appreciate more the vaysa puja offering we make on the appearance day of our wonderful Guru Maharaja, writing a wonderful homage, offering arati, making and sharing prasadam.

Then we have Krishna Janmashtami; the temple becomes a hive of activity for many this will be the only time they visit, but still they come. Charity is given to the temple and so much chanting, dancing, sharing prasadam; the association is much like Sri Krishna unlimited.

On one occasion a young lady who was attending sat and I could see a tear in her eye, being a little concerned I took the opportunity to talk to her over the prasadam cake I had taken. She explained how during my presentation he realised she had neglected her own baptism, not even visiting Lord Jesus Christ home on his main day of celebration. What impressed her more was the wonderful quotes from our own founder Acharia Srila Prabhupada, she realized that he and those who were his followers had a greater understanding of her own spiritual teacher Jesus Christ.

What was so nice, she took a book and is looking at learning much more.

However it did give me one great realization, that unless we have a true understanding of the position of our own spiritual masters and that of God, Sri Krishna then no matter how powerful the message is it will be lost in translation, and what should be a wonderful celebration becomes an opportunity to become more ingrained in materialistic life in a frenzy of uncontrolled gluttony.

Ahmedabad Holds 5-Day Padayatra for ISKCON’s 50th! Between…
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Ahmedabad Holds 5-Day Padayatra for ISKCON’s 50th!
Between March 2014 and the end of 2016 – ISKCON’s 50th anniversary year – the Padayatra Worldwide Ministry is aiming to hold 50 padayatras, a kind of journey on foot accompanied by kirtan. The first one in 2016 was a five-day affair held in the Indian state of Gujarat. Between January 15th and 19th, devotees walked from the ISKCON temple in Ahmedabad to Dakor, a Vaishnava pilgrimage site known for its grand temple of Ranchod Rai (a form of Lord Krishna).
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/G3Lflv

Gopala Bhatta Goswami’s gifts to the Vaishnava community
→ The Vaishnava Voice

gopala-bhatta-gosvami

So today we’re marking the life of a great saint in our tradition who lived 500 years ago. He was the son of a Sri Vaishnava brahmana, Venkata Bhatta, and was born in a village near the famous temple town of Sri Rangam, on the banks of the Kaveri River.

Born around 1500 AD, he was 11 years old when Sri Chaitanya ‘the great master’ came and stayed with his family for the four months of the rainy season. His father served Chaitanya meals and washed his feet out of profound respect for his guest.

During his time with them, Sri Chaitanya told them about love for the Supreme in the form of Radha-Krishna. Venkata Bhatta and his family listened with affection, as did the brothers Trimalla and Prabodhananda. Chaitanya asked the young Gopala to come and meet him in Vrindavan when he could.

When he was 30 years old and his parents had departed, Gopala Bhatta came to live in the Vrindavan region with the two brothers, Rupa and Sanatana, who treated him like a family member. Chaitanya was very pleased to hear that, 19 years later, Gopala had come to Vrindavan. He sent him his wooden sitting place and some of his garments, which the young man was overjoyed to receive.

Sadly, only four years later, Chaitanya himself was to depart and Gopala was deeply saddened. One night he had a dream of Chaitanya who told him that if wanted his darshan he should go to Nepal. Once there, Gopala Bhatta took bath in the cold Kali-Gandaki river whereupon some small black, round stones came into his water pot. Placing them back in the water three times he decided that these Vishnu stones, or shaligram shila, actually wished to come with him. So he took 12 of them with him back to Vrindavan.

On the day of Narasimha Chaturdasi a rich man came to Vrindavan and gave the sadhus cloth and jewellery for their deities. Gopala spread these items before his shilas and prayed that he might have a Lord to whom these items could be offered.

The next morning, after his bath, he saw that the largest stone had changed shape, manifesting as a form of child Krishna with flute-playing hands raised and feet gracefully crossed.

In 1542 Gopala Bhatta opened the temple for his lord Radha Ramana and to this day worship has continued at a very high standard. The continuity of archana has been accomplished by a line of family descendants. Although Gopala had no sons, and his disciple Gopinatha never married, Gopinatha’s brother Damodara had three sons: Harinatha, Mathuranatha and Harirama. From them came the priestly and family line which exists in its 18th generation today.

Gopala Bhatta was asked by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to help Rupa and Sanatana write books, so he took to the task seriously. His contribution was immense. His speciality was the culture of service and worship of the temple image, and the rules and rituals of daily life of the Vaishnavas.

He wrote a treatise on temple worship based upon the ancient Pancharatra procedures he’d witnessed in his youth. It was titled the Laghu Hari Bhakti Vilasa. Later. Sanatana expanded it and kindly put Gopala’s name to it, although Gopala only claimed that he wrote the introduction. This book was the Hari Bhakti Vilasa, and from this, some sections of the later book by Rupa Goswami, the Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu, were formed.

For those with children, Vedic culture has all manner of ceremonies for the various life stages. These involve various rituals and fire sacrifices and are known as samskaras. Although most of them invoke the blessings of the gods, Gopala Bhatta wrote a new treatise on samskaras that worshipped only Vishnu. Indeed the first section of the book goes into great detail as to why only Vishnu is to be worshipped. This book is known as the Sat Kriya Sar Dipika.

One of Gopala Bhatta’s disciples was Srinivasa Acarya, who famously formed the first party of book distributors and preachers along with Narottama and Shyamananda.

Gopala Bhatta Goswami lived for some 45 years in Vrindavan and his legacy lives on today in the form of ISKCON’s temple ritual and ceremony, it’s publications and its daily Vaishnava sadacara.

When Sri Chaitanya was in Sri Rangam, he fashioned vigraha of Jagannatha Swami, or Lord Krishna as he had seen him in Puri. These three small images are still worshipped today, just over the road from the home of the present day descendants of Venkata Bhatta. The Sri Radha Ramana temple is well known in Vrindavan and can be visited daily, and especially for evening darshan. The original cloth of Chaitanya can be viewed on one day every year.

 


Ahmedabad Holds 5-Day Padayatra for ISKCON’s 50th
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Between March 2014 and the end of 2016 – ISKCON’s 50th anniversary year – the Padayatra Worldwide Ministry is aiming to hold 50 padayatras, a kind of journey on foot accompanied by kirtan. The first one in 2016 was a five-day affair held in the Indian state of Gujarat. Between January 15th and 19th, devotees walked from the ISKCON temple in Ahmedabad to Dakor.