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Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast

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Written by Nimai

The Drakensberg Mountains are about midway between the cities of Durban and Johannesburg. Spiritual retreats with Kadamba Kanana Swami started there in January 2005 and took place for three consecutive years. After an eight year break, devotees from all over South Africa gathered again for five days of great association.

We arrived at the Mont Aux Souces hotel on the Sunday, 03 January and stayed until the 7th. Soon after reaching the hotel, Maharaj gave a class to introduce all the devotees to the retreat. He spoke about the two realities – the physical/material reality and the spiritual reality. He explained how we have to put our energy into spiritual life to make progress and to visualise this, he used the analogy of the material and the spiritual leg, where we take a step forward and shift the weight towards the spiritual side.

In the days that followed, Maharaj gave a many inspiring talks and there were some ecstatic kirtans as well!

On the second day, the class was based on the Priti Sandarbha, a wonderful book written by Jiva Goswami, with quotes from the Bhagavatam. The following day, Maharaj went on to explain the three types of devotees, namely kanistha (neophyte), madhyam (intermediate) and uttama adikhari (topmost). We learned about the kanistha, who has weak faith and many material desires, and about the madhyam, who has strong faith and therefore does not pursue his material desires. In the evening class, Maharaj finished off the topic by describing the uttama adikhari. Then he spoke about Uddhava, who was sent to Vrindavan as a messenger of Krishna and was just amazed by the love the gopis showed for Krishna. But Uddhava went as an outsider and Maharaj pointed out how this is also our situation. We cannot fully enter into Vrindavan yet, therefore we must take shelter of the philosophy and of the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

During the retreat, we went for two morning walks/hikes. It was lots of fun, even though on the way back from the first walk, it became really hot and exhausting. Due to this, a smaller group of people ventured out the next day. The second walk led to what used to be a big waterfall. It had turned into a small trail of water due to the severe drought currently being experienced in South Africa. Maharaj gave a wonderful talk when we reached the ‘waterfall’, saying how we should learn from nature instead of living such artificial lives. He also spoke about ‘counting our blessings’ which means that we should appreciate all the good things we have in life. It was indeed very inspiring!

On Wednesday evening, there was a special program since it was the last evening. We had an ecstatic kirtan and then Maharaj mentioned amongst many other things, different types of intelligence. The lecture was followed by several performances, one of them being a professionally performed drama showing the struggles in life with the three modes of material nature. Then devotees re-enacted some incidents which happened during the retreat, in a funny way! One of them showed the situation, where Maharaj almost walked into a snake.

Before we left the hotel on Thursday, Maharaj gave a final class where he thanked everyone for coming to the retreat and then we drove back to Durban. On Friday and Saturday, Maharaj did evening programs in Pietermaritzburg and Phoenix. On Sunday morning, we travelled to Johannesburg for a double dose of programs – the first was a mid-morning one at the Lenasia temple, followed by an afternoon one in Midrand which brought an end to the January visit to South Africa. On Monday (11 January), we left for Europe and we are currently in Czech!

The three gunas (goodness in white, passion in red and ignorance in black) as they influence the conditioned soul.
From a recen...

By HH Kavicandra Swami

There seems to be a lot of confusion about what it means to give fifty percent. For most householders their income does not allow them to live and to give 50% to the temple.

The following from a purport by Srila Prabhupada might help to clear the air. I have inserted a few comments using [ ] to indentify them. The stress is on preaching, not what our our financial condition is. By finding some way to preach bhakti will be the most pleasing to guru and KRSNA. One need not be rich to please guru and Gauranga.

SB 1.5.37 Purport

The major portion of our monetary income, not less than fifty percent, must be spent to carry out the order of Lord Krsna. Not only should we give the profit of our earning to this cause, but we must also arrange to preach this cult of devotion to others because that is also one of the orders of the Lord.

The Lord definitely says that no one is more dear to Him than one who is always engaged in the preaching work of the Lord’s name and fame all over the world. The scientific discoveries of the material world can also be equally engaged in carrying out His order. He wants the message of the Bhagavad-gita to be preached amongst His devotees. It may not be so done amongst those who have no credit of austerities, charity, education, etc. Therefore, the attempt must go on to convert unwilling men to become His devotees. Lord Caitanya has taught a very simple method in this connection. He has taught the lesson for preaching the transcendental message through singing, dancing and refreshment. As such, fifty percent of our income may be spent for this purpose.

In this fallen age of quarrel and dissension, if only the leading and wealthy persons of society agree to spend fifty percent of their income in the service of the Lord, as it is taught by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu,

there is absolute certainty of converting this hell of pandemonium to the transcendental abode of the Lord. No one will disagree to partake in a function where good singing, dancing and refreshment are administered. Everyone will attend such a function, and everyone is sure to feel individually the transcendental presence of the Lord. This alone will help the attendant associate with the Lord and thereby purify himself in spiritual realization. The only condition for successfully executing such spiritual activities is that they must be conducted under the guidance of a pure devotee who is completely free from all mundane desires, fruitive activities and dry speculations about the nature of the Lord. No one has to discover the nature of the Lord. It is already spoken by the Lord Himself in the Bhagavad-gita especially and in all other Vedic literatures generally. We have simply to accept them in toto and abide by the orders of the Lord. That will guide us to the path of perfection. One can remain in his own position. No one has to change his position, especially in this age of variegated difficulties.

SB 1.5.37 Purport

By Hari Narayana Das

Batam is the largest city in the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, across the Strait of Singapore, the third-largest city in Sumatra region and the eighth largest city in Indonesia. Located 20 km off Singapore‘s south coast, it is an industrial boomtown, an emerging transport hub and part of a free trade zone the Indonesia–Malaysia–Singapore Growth Triangle.

His Grace Samudrasena das (leader of ISKCON Batam) under the guidance of His Holiness Subhag Swami Maharaj organized the third Ratha Yatra festival with the help of devotees from different parts of Indonesia on 26^th December 2015.

“Make the Ratha-yatra festival very great success. This will be a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it.”– SPL to Shyamasundara, 4th May, 1967

The usual system in Indonesia is that the devotees join a local parade or cultural event with the permission of the Government and simultaneously hold the Ratha Yatra festival as one of the ‘acts’. The Ratha Yatra committee was considering joining the annual ‘Batam Anniversary Festival’ but the Lord had other plans. He wanted to have a festival of His own!

Invitations were sent out and preparations were underway. There are only five families practicing Krishna Consciousness in Batam presently but their spirit is large and that reflects in the way they serve together to please Srila Prabhupada. Many devotees from across Indonesia arrived the day before the festival and helped in various services. The majority of devotees were awake till midnight decorating the Lord’s chariot with various flowers and lighting arrangements.

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“The faith increases in Krsna consciousness by our voluntary increase of serving Krsna. Serving Krsna is unlimited and He can accept our unlimited service, and award us unlimited transcendental pleasure in the unlimited service of the Lord…..” SPL to Brahmananda 20th February, 1968.

On the day of the festival devotees from Singapore and other parts of Indonesia arrived. Special guest Atmanivedana Swami Maharaj made a boat journey to attend the festival from Singapore. At 3pm all assembled in front of Their Lordships who were beautifully decorated with a variety of fragrant flowers and stunning ornaments. Bhoga was offered and followed by an arati ceremony. A welcoming dance was then performed by the children of the ‘Batam Gauranga Centre’ to get everyone in the mood of the festival. The leader of Batam’s Hindu Parisad gave an ecouraging speech appreciating the devotee’s efforts in organizing the Ratha Yatra festival. Atmanivedana Swami Maharaj then spoke on the significance of the Ratha Yatra festival. A recorded message by Subhag Swami Maharaj was played. He spoke on the life of Srila Prabhupada and how he introduced the ‘Lord of the Universe’ to the West. Maharaj mentioned that Jagannath went to the West to bless the residents of those countries who had never heard about Him. Now by His sweet will He is travelling to different places in Indonesia and bestowing His unlimited grace upon all, especially those who are working hard to please Him.

After the series of cultural acts, Their Lordships were placed upon Their chariots and Jagannathastakam was harmoniously sung followed by arati led by Atmanivedana Swami Maharaj. Coconuts were broken and conch shells were blown in order to invoke auspiciousness. Devotees then pulled the ropes of the chariot and the Lord was on His way for a 2km ride. The kirtan team attracted the public to join in the festival and chant and dance with the devotees. With their cameras and mobile phones, the public were constantly taking pictures of Jagannath and His followers. With the help of a police escort there were fortunately no disturbances throughout the parade. Cookies and fruits offered to Jagannath were distributed to all.

“For the present, you endeavor to make the Rathayatra Festival grand successful. You should arrange the procession and procedure so nicely that all the neighboring people may be attracted to join the procession.” SP letter to Upendra –1^st June 1968

At 7pm the chariot arrived in Sumatra Conventional Building where prasad was distribute freely. The atmosphere was surcharged with a positive vibration that could be felt in all directions. The following day the festival appeared in the local newspaper.

“But I have not received any newspaper clippings, which I am very much anxious to see.” SPL to Shyamasundara, 15th July, 1968

The organizers of the Ratha Yatra committee would like to offer their obeisances to His Holiness Kavicandra Swami and His Holiness Ramai Swami, the GBCs for Indonesia. We are grateful for their support and for constantly guiding us in pushing forward Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Sankirtan movement. We are extremely grateful to His Holiness Subhag Swami Maharaj who has been inspiring us to explore new frontiers in preaching and performing this Jagannath Ratha Yatra in every city in Indonesia for the pleasure of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. We thank His Holiness Atmanivedana Swami for attending this event and inspiring the devotees. We offer our respects to His Grace Samudrasena das the leader of ISKCON Batam for helping to make this festival a success. Last but not least we thank Sesa das and Rasikananada das for their melodious singing which attracted all.

Jaya Sri Sri Jagannath Baladev Subadra Maharani Ki Jaya!

Jaya Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra Utsava Ki Jaya!

Jaya Srila Prabhupada Ki Jaya!

By Krishna-kripa Das

Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 11, No. 23
By Krishna-kripa das
(December 2015, part one)

North Florida and Atlanta
(Sent from Orlando, Florida, on January 16, 2015)

Where I Went and What I Did

For the first half of December I was based at our Krishna House in Gainesville, where I sang with their chanting party for 2½ hours each weekday while the devotees served about a thousand plates of Krishna food to the students, faculty, staff, and visitors at the University of Florida. The end of the first week we attended three outreach events where we shared the chanting of Hare Krishna with many people: the Jacksonville Art Walk, the Tallahassee First Friday, and the St. Augustine Christmas parade. At the Art Walk devotees also distributed many books. The second week I chanted at the Gainesville Farmers Market with just one other devotee. At Krishna House we had an end of the semester party with appreciations of the devotees and some humorous entertainment, and I share some of the parts most striking to me. I was part of our kirtana team at inspiring deity welcoming ceremony in Tallahassee that brought a lot of people together chanting Hare Krishna.

I share notes on a Prabhupada lecture and quotes from his books. I share excerpts from the journal of Satsvarupa dasa Goswami. I share notes on classes by Prahladananda Swami, Radhanath Swami, and Bhakti Prabhupada Vrata Damodar Swami. I share insights from many Prabhupada disciples, including Adi Karta Prabhu, Ananta Devi, Garuda Prabhu, Kalakantha Prabhu, Ramiya Prabhu, Satyaraja Prabhu, Sesa Prabhu, and Tamohara Prabhu. I have an excerpt on Prabhupada’s padayatra by Gaurangi Devi from a Back to Godhead magazine article. I also have nice realizations from other devotees who speak at Krishna House such as Madhava Prabhu [from New Raman Reti], Mother Caitanya, Tulasirani Devi, Abhimanya Prabhu, Gauranga Prasada Prabhu, Dhamesvara Mahaprabhu Prabhu, Hanan Prabhu, and Ricardo.

Itinerary

January 16–17: Orlando

January 18: Gainesville

January 19–20: Orlando

January 21: Tampa

January 22: Orlando

January 23–26: Tallahassee

January 27–February 24: Gainesville area (and Florida campuses)

February 25: New York City

February 26–29: Dublin, Ireland

March 1­–April 14: India
April 14–: Dublin, Ireland

Jacksonville Art Walk

The Jacksonville Art Walk started slowly with Gauranga Prasad Prabhu singing a mellow tune and Alex teaching a couple guys the mantra and a simple dance, but as the devotees become more fired-up and the streets filled with people, many delighted in chanting and dancing with the Krishna House devotees, who also distributed books, cookies, and incense in addition to the holy name. 

The very enthusiastic chanters, musicians, and dancers in our party inspired people to take part. I encountered many students from the local community college, but very few from University of North Florida, where we have programs. People took pictures of the devotees chanting and themselves and their friends with the devotees.

Chanting Hare Krishna at Krishna Lunch

Harinama inTel Aviv, Israel (5 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: If one somehow or other chants the Hare Krishna mantra, he will immediately be purified, just as one who takes a potent medicine will feel its effects, regardless of whether he takes it knowingly or unknowingly. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.19 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/fML1Jb

Preparation of Cow Dung Patties in Vrindavan (8 min video)
In the rural areas of India it is customary to make patties from cow dung. Each family has a few cows, the cows eat fresh grass or hay, they give milk, and their dung is made into patties and used as fuel, for cooking, for heating and many other purposes. The video shows a few rural women making the dung patties, drying them and storing them in a hut, which is also made of cow dung. This is a maximal and very practical utilization of the cow’s products - therefore in India the cow is considered a mother. If the cows are raised with love, fed with the proper food, and cared for, in a very natural way according the cow nature, they give back.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/xkzkP5

Devotional Cooking in India (4 min video)
These cooking scenes were taken in Vrindavana, Pune, and Mumbai, some were taken in private homes, but most of them were taken in Temples of Lord Krishna.
(Hint: Do not watch it if you are hungry :-) )
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/mrnhoC

Varnasrama series in Leicester.

The post Do we recognise the need for devotees to be part of a varnasrama society (Part 1) appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

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Harinama in Lagos, Nigeria (Album with photos)
Mahat Tattva Dasa: Lively Harinama in the company of a dozen or so devotees in a large market area. I was pulled over by police for taking a photograph of a police officer. After much yelling and shouting, the police let me go and returned my camera. Before I left, their mood drastically changed to where they were all smiling and chanting Hare Krishna.
During the Harinama devotees were distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, On Chanting pamphlet and prasadam fried-banana chips.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/zsbxlz

Sri Jagannatha Mandir, ISKCON Malaysia HQ: Mattu (Cow) Ponggal celebration at new Godruma farm, Malaysia 16/11/15 (Album with photos)
About 50 devotees participated in Mattu (Cow) Ponggal celebration at New Godruma Farm, Lanchang today. We had ten ponggal pots and we divided into small groups to cook Ponggal (rich brown sweet rice cooked with ghee, cashews) and later offered them to Sri Sri Radha Govinda. Ponggal festival is joyful and what more to speak when you celebrate it at our farm with all our beloved father bulls, mother cows and calves! Calf Vaishnavi was the most popular today and she having lots of fun playing around with children, eating lots of jackfruit! We performed Go Puja, fed the cows and of course concluded with sumptuous prasadam feast eaten traditionally on banana leaves. We ate fresh organic fruits and quenched our thirst with the first class sugarcane and lemon juice from our farm! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/M0Vw1K

Great Khali Is Chanting Hare Krishna Mantra On Beads

January 17. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Staying in Love. Turn to Prabhupada. What do I mean by that? You are facing in one direction and you hear a sound, or your mind tells you that you want to look in another direction. Physically, you move your neck and head in order to see the desired object, or you may turn your whole body. At least you turn your attention. When we turn to Prabhupada, what do we see? Like dawn, at first we do not see much. We strain our eyes and wait as outlines start to become clear. We see the peaks of hills and can clearly distinguish the horizon. The sun is not up yet, but we desire to be with Prabhupada—so we talk of him. Way off in the mind’s eye, we see him going out on another walk, and we run to catch up. Abstractly, but in truth, we think of how our lives have been made fortunate by meeting a great devotee of the Lord. He gives us salvation and turns us to the next life without so much fear. As Christ says, “To those who are given, more is expected.” Because we have been given his association, there is an obligation. This is guru-daksina. People who have a relationship bound in love are obliged to continue it. One reason relationships diminish is that people do not communicate. The same thing can happen in the guru-disciple relationship. One can continue to perform the rituals but lose the sense of being in love. When the guru-disciple relationship begins, it is romantic. One is swept off one’s feet in adoration. You promise to give everything. However, we have to learn how to stay in love with Srila Prabhupada.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4

15 12 17 SB 07.06.16 By Jaypataka Goswami Maharaj at ISKCON Juhu

The post Daily Darshan : January 17th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Krishna says in the BG that once we return to Him, we never come back. How does that gel with the fact that because of our marginal position we’re like the beach at the edge of the ocean, sometimes getting covered with water and sometimes not.

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Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast

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BEING MINDFUL AND CENTERED, EVEN AS WE STRIVE TO ACCOMPLISH IMPORTANT GOALS: The Vedic literature provides a way to understand the workings of the material world through categorizing them into three broad qualities, similar, though different, from the Chinese philosopher's division of yin and yang. The intersection of the two systems could be the balance of yin and yang, which could be analogous to the quality or mode of goodness. The other two qualities given in the Bhagavad Gita, as many of us know, are the qualities of passion and ignorance. I am thinking of these qualities today in terms of myself and what I just observed. My primary influences, considering these 3 qualities, are goodness and ignorance, with very little passion--which means in conventional terms that I am not much of a doer or "manifestor" type of person. However, we all require a bit of focused energy to accomplish or be successful in our endeavors.

With my new sense of a possible very limited time left in my body, I want to be very efficient in my use of it with the projects I have given myself. However, I saw yesterday that if I try to be too focused on accomplishment, then I am sloppy in doing my daily tasks--like putting things in the frig which don't belong there, etc! Mode of passion means being too focused on getting results and making great endeavors. I watched myself knock over things and not be "mindful" of what I was doing as I thought of the future.

Even thinking my days are numbered--as they are for everyone--I still must act according to my nature, and as carefully and conscientiously as possible. Though I work as efficiently as I can (which may be slower than someone else with a different nature), I have to be conscious and present as I work, and as a Vaishnava, to remember Krishna or God in all my activities.

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By Vasanti dd

Arrival – 18 December

The air was buzzing with activity at the ISKCON Cape Town Temple of Sri Sri Nitai Mayapurchandra.  Devotees had flown in from various parts to visit Their Lordships Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra during Their appearance for Cape Town’s annual Ratha Yatra festival.

A few days before the official festivities were to begin, Kadamba Kanana Swami arrived and was warmly greeted by an excited group of disciples and well-wishers at the airport. Maharaj enjoyed a nicely balanced stay in the Mother City of Africa, giving nectarian morning and evening programs every alternate day and also taking well deserved days of rest in‑between.

During the Sunday morning Caitanya Caritamrta lecture of 20 December, Maharaj took us on a journey through the different moods of the devotees of Krsna in Dwarka and Vrindavan. Maharaj concluded by saying that we may have very little capacity to understand the feelings of separation of the Vrindavan devotees, or even the feelings of Lord Caitanya for that matter, and that we should instead turn to the mercy of Lord Caitanya. Maharaj said that we should deeply meditate on that mercy and that when we deeply meditate on that mercy, amazement would surely awaken in our hearts.

These meditations on the separation from and the mercy of the Lord were certainly setting the tone for the upcoming two festivals of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva and Lady Subhadra where oceans of mercy would soon be flooding the streets of Sea Point, Cape Town.

Snana Yatra – 20 December

Sunday evening rolled in like a royal red carpet upon which Their Lordships finally made a graceful appearance to the Cape Town congregation. The day of Snana Yatra had come and the opulent abhishek ceremony truly was magnificent, magical and very intimate. The congregation was blessed with the opportunity to bathe Their Lordships while Kadamba Kanana Swami lovingly bathed Them in the melodious chanting of Their holy names.

Their Lordships were happily on the altar and there was one week to go before the actual Ratha Yatra. Maharaj used this week to immerse us in many classes about the glorious devotees of the Lord such as King Partaparuda who, out of his own free will, went from the status of regal ruler of a kingdom to a humble sweeper of the street before Lord Jagannatha’s cart, rendering this service in a mood of great humility.

On Christmas day Maharaj visited the home of Radhasharana Prabhu and Radharani Mataji. The class was shared between Maharaj and His Grace Medhavi Prabhu (ACBSP). The devotees were kept in stitches of laughter at the mischievous mood of Maharaj who kept stealing Medhavi Prabhu’s water remnants (and vice versa). The kirtan was extra magical and Maharaj kept singing and playing his harmonium while the devotees relished the prasadam prepared by the hosts.

Maha-harinama – 26 December

On Saturday, the devotees decided to warm up the Sea Point grounds by assembling for a maha-harinama led by Kadamba Kanana Swami and Bhakti Caitanya Swami which was absolutely off the hinges!! It was a perfectly sunny day and a public holiday (Boxing Day) and all the grass patches dotted along the picturesque Beach Road were jam‑packed with picnicking families. As the harinama party passed by, most of the families got to their feet and started dancing along with a rhythm and enthusiasm that only Africa can truly boast.

Children left their snacks and ice-creams and ran to join the roaring harinama. Some sang and danced all the way, while others spontaneously grabbed some kartalas and played their hearts out for the pleasure of the smiling face of Lord Jagannatha (who had accompanied the harinama in the form of a big yellow flag). Oh – what a harinam it was indeed!!

The devotees eventually settled down on their own patch of grass for a lovely prasadam picnic and spent the rest of the day winding down from the day’s excitement.

Initiation ceremony – 27 December

Sunday was a momentous day for mother Tianni (affectionately known as “Tannie Tianni”), who received initiation. She is now even more affectionately known as Tanumadhya dd. Her husband, Mr Brand, was there for moral support and her two children – Hari Vilasa das (KKS) and Kamala Sita dd (IDS) – had sent their support and blessings by providing her with new japa mala and kunti mala for the ceremony as they were both away in Mayapur at the time. What a special family!

Ratha Yatra – 28 December

Monday had finally arrived and the hype was bigger than ever. Straight after the morning program, devotees were rushing all over trying to get ready for the big day that lay ahead. Upon arriving at the site, it was clear that Lord Indra was in a good mood. The weather was absolutely perfect with a cloudless and windless sky. The tents were ready and eagerly awaiting the arrival of all the guests that would soon grace their walls and the main attraction, the Rath cart, stood tall and proud in all its splendid glory.

The harinama crew cranked up the speakers and fired up some kirtan and the crowd grew as we all waited with baited breath for the guests of honor… They arrived in a convoy of cars and were greeted by the tumultuous sounds of ecstatic chanting devotees. Dressed in beautiful candy-yellow outfits fit for kings (and a queen), They greeted the crowds with wide smiles and lovingly outstretched arms.

After an address to the crowd by both Swamis, the festivities began! Kadamba Kanana Maharaj descended into the core group of harinama enthusiasts and flew full-swing into a powerful kirtan. People of all walks, builds, colors, creeds and nations became attracted and joined in pulling the ropes of Lord Jagannatha’s chariot through the streets. It was a whirlwind of color and transcendental sound as the ecstasy grew from strength to strength. Maha sweets were flying off the chariot in every direction and people were hanging out their windows from tall buildings just to get a glimpse of what was going on (and surely lamenting that they weren’t directly in on the action)!

Later, Bhakti Caitanya Swami took the microphone and pushed the ecstasy even further. The rope pullers were sweating profusely but completely undeterred, the harinama was exploding and Kadamba Kanana Swami could not stop dancing for a minute and was seen gliding from side to side like a graceful swan throughout the remainder of the procession.

In this material world, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and so too did the otherworldly procession of Lord Jagannatha and His associates who were then transported home for some rest after the wild party.

Festivities carried on at the site until sunset where guests immersed themselves in all the nectar of the various tents and got caught up in lectures, interviews, kirtans, stage productions, gopi dots, henna and prasadam.

Maharaj was mainly involved in giving lectures, on-stage interviews and personal chats to all the guests who eagerly drank in the nectar. I even saw him doing some spontaneous book distribution from the main stage to anyone who could shout the loudest (or in one man’s case, jump the highest).

Departure – 30 December

Hearts grew heavy as the time had come for Maharaj to depart for a short trip to Germany before returning to Durban on 02 January. Until next time, Cape Town will be praying for the day to be blessed with the association of this pure devotee again who nourishes our faith with his deep knowledge and keeps our spiritual sparks alive with fiery kirtans.

Ratha Yatra photos were taken by Bipin Prag

Raising Our Daughter in a Farm Community - HG Visakha Dasi (4 min video)
Visakha Devi moved from Los Angeles, USA, to Saranagati, Canada a farm community created by disciples of Srila Prabhupada following the Bhakti tradition. What was it like for her daughters to grow up in such an environment? How did it affect their consciousness? How do they feel about their childhood when they look back now? Do they feel like they lost out on the life their peers growing up in the city had?
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/oFYdsT

Once there was a sage who lived by the banks of the Ganges River. The sage spent much of his time in meditation and he understood the difference between that which is ‘sat’ (eternal) and that which is ‘asat’ (temporary). Now he was destined to live until all the hairs on his body fell off. He is described as a ‘hairy’ sage. And only a single hair fell off during a life time of Brahma (which is millions upon millions of years). So this sage was going to live for an awfully long time. One day he was asked, “Why don’t you build yourself a nice home?” The sage replied, “Why should I bother? I’m only here temporarily.” Continue reading "London Bridge Is Falling Down, My Fair Lady
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Learning to appreciate the devotees is a Vaisnava etiquette that helps us in our quest for purification, especially the appreciation of senior devotees. I have always been slow to understand this but as time passed I began to develop a certain admiration for those devotees who came before me. This is due largely to the fact that I have become a senior devotee. I can't say that I always act like a senior devotee so I guess I am senior by default, simply because of time only. But the arrogance and offensive behavior I showed senior devotees when I was a new devotee frightens me even today causing me to wonder how I ever made it this far in devotional life. As I reflect upon the many years behind me I consider myself very fortunate to have been surrounded by so many senior devotees, most of whom were disciples of Srila Prabhupada. Though I could not understand it at the time, being around these strong personalities helped to make me strong through all the rough times I would have to face in the future. Still I sadly remember treating these rare souls as though they were my equal. I had no idea who they were and to some degree today, I still remain in ignorance of who they are. And even sadder it is, that I didn't even know what services they performed or the austerities they endured while serving Srila Prabhupada. Continue reading "Appreciating the senior devotees
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Mothers and Kids.
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
Ananda: It is an odd development of the modern world that being excessively anxious about our children is considered a virtue. We consider ourselves good parents if we make life easy for them, reward them for the smallest achievement, and are anxious for their safety and well-being at all times.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/kAi2Oh

Yagnas and Pujari feast at the Mayapur academy today. (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: According to shastra anyone who wears tilaka, and kanti over and above the Vaisnava dress or Vaisnava sannyasi must be accepted especially while chanting Hare Krishna mantra with bead bags. When Jagannatha has expanded His jurisdiction over the whole world why the so-called servants of Jagannatha should not allow them to see the Lord of the Universe? Letter to Shyamasundar, April 8, 1974.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/FNIOl1

Preaching program with Niranjana Swami (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In this Age of Kali, the process of worshiping Krishna is to perform sacrifice by chanting the holy name of the Lord. One who does so is certainly very intelligent, and he attains shelter at the lotus feet of Krishna. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 20.11)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Crjzff

Rathayatra in a small town north of Auckland. (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The true acarya presents Krishna to everyone by preaching the holy name of the Lord throughout the world. Thus the conditioned souls, purified by chanting the holy name, are liberated from the blazing fire of material existence. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 7.12)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/i9xqj0

Vedic winsdom to Concerned Doctors at GFESH Summit.
On January 3rd, 2016 Radhanath Swami gave the keynote address at the medical conference Medical Profession – Welfare Not Warfare held at Mumbai. The event was organized by the Global Foundation for Ethical and Spiritual Health (GFESH), a global initiative patronized by Radhanath Swami that aims to blend traditional spiritual science of healing with modern medical science. The event was supported by Indian Medical Association, Association of Medical Consultants, Association of Hospitals, and Mumbai Medical Society. Over 500 doctors attended.
The title of the event refers to a recent trend in India where, due to feelings of having been neglected or cheated, patients have attacked doctors and medical institutions both legally as well as through acts of violence. Radhanath Swami mentioned that the group of doctors gathered for the event, if they join together, can make an impact in reversing the trend and that although these doctors are exemplary, still they could see this as a wake-up call to improve the level of care that they provide. Radhanath Swami said, “A true doctor treats each and every patient as he would like himself to be treated when he is a patient. We must see the presence of God in our patients.”
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/EtwLoS

Deep in the forests of India there once lived a fierce hunter. Tawny skinned, with blood red eyes, he was like death personified to all animals. With his nets, knives and traps, he stalked among the trees carrying out his terrible business. He took pleasure from killing animals, even when he did not want them for food. Seeing him to be cruel and heartless, all his friends and relatives had shunned him, and he lived alone in a small hut. He survived on wild berries, fruits, and the meat of the birds and animals he slaughtered.

One day as he was setting his traps, a great storm blew up. Torrential rain fell and the earth quickly became flooded. The hunter could hardly keep his footing and he fell about, catching hold of hanging creepers as he struggled to stay upright. Trembling with cold, he pulled himself along as the blinding rain lashed into him. Fear seized his heart and he stumbled forward, hoping to find some high ground where he might be safe.

The force of the raging wind dashed many poor birds against the trees, and they fell stunned or lifeless to the ground. As the hunter scrambled up an incline he happened to see a pigeon lying unconscious in front of him. Without hesitation he scooped it up in his hands and put it in a bag that was tied to his belt.

“That’s dinner taken care of, if I ever survive this storm,” he said to himself.

The storm showed no sign of abating and the hunter clung onto to a sapling, looking around for some shelter. Not far in the distance, through the sheets of rain, he could make out the shape of a very large tree. Bending forward against the wind, he managed to struggle toward it. He saw that it was a great banyan tree that spread out a canopy for hundreds of feet in all directions. Beneath its branches it was dry and sheltered and the hunter flopped gratefully to the ground. He folded his hands and prayed, “Lord of the forest, mighty tree, please give me shelter.”

Surely the Creator himself placed this tree here for the refuge of all living beings, he thought, as he leaned against its massive trunk. Night fell and in time the storm began to die out. Gradually the clouds dispersed and a star-spangled sky was revealed, looking like a dark lake filled with lilies. The hunter was far from his home and exhausted from the effort of fighting the storm. He decided to rest for the night under the tree. Pulling his wet cloth around himself, he spread out some leaves and lay down with his head on a stone. He placed the bagged bird next to him.

“You shall have to be breakfast now, ” he said, and drifted into a sleep.

High up on one of the tree branches there lived a white dove with striking plumes. He and his wife had made their nest there for some years. That morning his wife had gone to fetch food and had not returned. Burning with anxiety and fearing the worst, the dove loudly lamented. “0 my wife, most beautiful bird, where are you? Have you perished in the storm? What then will be the use of my life? What of my home? Simply a house is not a home; it is the wife who makes it a home. A house without a wife is like a desert.”

With tears falling from his eyes, the dove sang the praises of his wife. “That fine lady has always served me, seeking my happiness in every way. A wife is the husband’s greatest treasure. There is no friend like a wife, nor any better refuge. If one has no wife at home he may as well enter the forest as a hermit.”

Down on the ground, tied up in the bag, was his wife. Hearing her husband’s words she flapped her wings, struggling vainly to escape. She called back, “Whether I have any merit or not, surely it is my greatest good fortune to hear my husband speak like this. A wife who does not please her husband is not a wife at all. All the gods bless a woman who satisfies her worthy husband.”

The she-dove looked up through the bag to where her husband was sitting. “My lord, ” she said, “I am here, but here also is a guest. He must be honoured. Take care of him, for that is the proper duty of householders. There is no greater sin than that of neglecting a needy person who arrives at your door.”

The dove flapped his wings with joy when he heard his wife speak. He swooped down and alighted on a branch just above the hunter, who was beginning to stir after his night’s rest. “Good sir,” said the dove, “you are welcome. Surely the Lord of all beings has brought you here. As such it is my duty to look after you. Even an enemy should be shown care if he comes to one’s house. The tree does not withdraw its shelter even from the man who comes to cut it down.”

The dove asked how he could serve the hunter, who replied, “I am freezing. Please find some way of warming me.”

“At once,” said the dove, and it immediately began gathering dry leaves and twigs into a pile. It then flew to where a number of forest hermits kept a fire burning and fetched a lighted twig, which it used to set fire to the pile. As the hunter felt his circulation returning he also began to feel great hunger. “0 bird,” he said in his rough and deep voice, “what food do you have?”

The dove looked down in dismay. “I have none. Doves like myself live like the sages and hermits, having only enough food to last us day by day.”

Feeling distressed that he could not do his sacred duty as a householder; the dove wracked his brain for some solution. He looked at his trapped wife, who said to him, “Dear husband, you know what you must do now.”

The dove nodded. He reached a firm conclusion in his mind. Looking at the hunter, he said, “Wait one moment, I will without doubt satisfy you.”

The bird recalled how he had heard the sages speak about the great benefit to be had from serving guests. “They are like God himself coming to your door, ” the sages had said. “Never neglect them in any way.”

Thinking like this, the dove flew around the fire three times to offer respects to the fire-god, and he then threw himself into the flames. “Take my flesh, ” he said to the hunter, and gave up his life.

Seeing this, the hunter was moved beyond words. He stared in amazement at the dying dove on the burning embers. For the first time in his life he felt compassion. “What am I like?” he said, tears flooding his eyes. “All my life I have acted in the most terrible way. What good is there in me? This noble pigeon is far greater than me. He has taught me a great lesson. Never again shall I kill helpless creatures.”

He at once threw away all his nets and traps. “My life as a hunter is over, ” he said, and he carefully released the she-dove. He then set off toward the northern mountains, intent on leading a life of meditation and prayer.

The she-dove grieved piteously for her dead husband. “Now my life has become useless, ” she cried. “How can a woman live without her husband? What other duty do I have than to follow him?”

With these words she too threw herself onto the fire. As she died and left her body, she saw her husband in a divine form, rising up toward heaven. “Beloved wife, come with me now,” he said. Taking her place by his side, she rose up to the skies, surrounded by celestial beings.

Conversation in Glasgow.

The post The difference between being humbled and humiliated appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

By Zayani Bhatt

Devotees from temples across the UK congregated at Bhaktivedanta Manor on Saturday 9th January to celebrate the success of the Srila Prabhupada Book Distribution Marathon, which ran for a month from 21st November to 25th December 2015.

Known as the Sankirtan festival, the event was the culmination of the hard work put in by the UK temples, in sharing Krishna Consciousness in the form of Srila Prabhupada’s books with new audiences.

Led by Visvambhara Prabhu, a long term advocate of book distribution, devotees celebrated the numbers of books that various individuals, groups and whole temples had distributed and the donations that had been collected. Those who were within the top 50 for distributing most books were given a small token of appreciation from senior devotees HH Dayanand Maharaj, Kripamoya Prabhu, Dhananjaya Prabhu and Praghosa Prabhu to celebrate their success and hard work, as well as to encourage others to partake in the next marathon at the end of this year.

Despite being one of the eldest devotees present, HH Dayanand Maharaj continues to distribute books today, having started in 1984. As he explained; “Book distribution is the best service. It is most enlivening.”

This was a sentiment echoed by Guru Shakti Devi Dasi, who was the highest book distributor amongst the ladies: “It is the most beautiful, amazing life experience. People were so respectful, accepting and receptive” she said. She also thanked Visvambhara Prabhu for his support and for inspiring her in this service.

Amongst the men and overall, Gopal Raya Prabhu from ISKCON Wales distributed the most books, achieving the total of 3,234 books. Bhaktivedanta Manor had distributed the highest number of books: a grand total of 131,226 books and 67 sets of books, surpassing their target of 100,000. Led by Sutapa Prabhu, this doubled the previous years book distribution effort.

Sutapa Prabhu said, “The year was a success because of how unique it was. We’ve had 300-350 devotees going out to distribute – double the number we had last year. A tremendous buzz and inspiration was created.”

As Sruti Dharma Prabhu explained, “The leadership provided by Sutapa Prabhu and team was outstanding this year. They inspired the hearts, minds and confidence of an entire community and thus we managed to achieve our highest score since 1990.”

Visvambhara Prabhu and Titiksu Prabhu also took the opportunity to officially launch the 50/50 campaign, an initiative launched as part of ISKCON’s 50th anniversary celebrations this year. The campaign encourages devotees to distribute one book a week, thereby distributing over 50 books over the course of the year.

For more information about the 50/50 campaign. please visit: http://iskconbookdistribution.com/the-5050-campaign-for-iskcons-fiftieth-year/

January 16. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Immortal Prabhupada! We should not think that we are better than Prabhupada because he has passed on and we are still living in this “wonderful” world. It is not that Prabhupada is now among the unfortunate dead and we are living. The whole basis of connection with Prabhupada is that we are all eternal. Socrates said that the soul is immortal, and he chided his disciples for thinking otherwise about him. If we want to be with Prabhupada, we must have faith that he is not dead. He is eternal. He is preaching somewhere, and we will also always be preaching somewhere. Otherwise, what is the meaning of being his follower? Prabhupada has gone ahead of us, and we are following. In the old days, people would go ahead of their families and leave Europe for America. Their families would join them later after everything had been prepared. So Srila Prabhupada has gone ahead, leaving us memories and solid teachings for our lives. If we cannot complete our progress in one lifetime, we will continue in the next. Wherever we go, we want to make further progress with Srila Prabhupada.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4

The correct way to chant a mantra, traditionally, is to receive it from a person who understands it deeply and is willing to guide you through its use and practices, and to then chant the mantra under that guidance. This is called diksha and shiksha. Diksha refers to getting the mantra and shiksha refers to getting the guidance on what it means and how to use it. 
Mantras are composed of words, that is why we have to pay attention to the words. That’s what it means to “hear”, “hear the sound”, or “hear the sound vibration.” “Vibration” doesn’t mean that some zig zag wavelength is reorganizing your wavelengths and bio rhythms. That is new age mumbo jumbo, I think. “Vibration” simply describes what a word is. It is a sound, thus it is a vibration. Sound vibrations in the form of words carry meaning. It is the meaning which the crucially important essence of a word, the sound alone is merely the outer shell, and the wavelengths are simply threads forming that shell. 
Mantras are made of words, not tones. They are words, not abstract sine wave frequencies and tones. The most important thing for using a mantra effectively is to understand those words, their meaning and meaning formed by the placement of the words together, the grammar. That is what shiksha is all about! After receiving a mantra we must get shiksha about that mantra, otherwise the diksha is incomplete and thus not very effective. 
If we chant a mantra without understanding much about it, the best effect we can expect is that it will eventually cause us to seek shiksha so we can comprehend the meaning. When the words are understood and the meanings are deeply contemplated, visualized and explored while chanting it, then a mantrap gives its full effect.