Middle Elementary students have been working on their Science: Body Unit. They start the class by singing Mother Mrgakshi’s famous song: I know I’m Not This Body, and studied important verses from the Srimad Bhagavad Gita reminding them of the same. 2.13 – The body changes every day. 2.22 – we change bodies as we change old clothes.
Detailed analysis of the digestive, respiratory, nervous, circulatory, muscular & skeletal systems are in progress! Students brought TWENTY TWO library books to do their research from! They are completing experiments to visualize how the different organs work, made skeleton and muscular crafts, practiced transfering blood types with colored water, and will be cooking healthy body-friendly foods in order to end the session. Take a look at the pictures to see some of their work.
Hare Krishna prabhu, please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Thank you for doing the amazing service which is your blog! Although I'm not a daily visitor, I've drawn a fair amount of inspiration from it and have relished sending others to it in the past.
Our vegan dessert cooking class is next Friday (2 Oct. 2015) at 6pm till 8pm. Contact us now & save yourself a spot. Bookings essential, please email theloft.akld@gmail.com to book Cost: $20 Student ID $25 waged Please visit the Cooking class details!
Inauguration MOSA - Museo Arte Sacra - Villa Vrindavana, Florence, Italy (Album with photos)
Villa Vrindavana’s Renaissance salons host MOSA, the Museum of Sacred Art, an artistic space that is quite unique in Italy. The gallery displays impressive artistic works portraying religious and devotional subjects from ancient India lore and its epics. Here are displayed imposing works by the Italian contemporary artist Giampaolo Tomassetti, together with other beautiful pieces of art by other international painters. The varied styles reflect different artistic traditions from the great regions of India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Orissan, Kerala and Tanjore). The collection includes original sculptures from different areas of the Far East. With its permanent exhibition and its periodic initiatives, MOSA also encourages interfaith dialogue, where art is man’s universal language. MOSA also has a gallery in Belgium at Radhadesh, a Durbury, in the Ardennes region. The MOSA Villa Vrindavan is open to the public at the following times: Saturday and Sunday: guided tours at 10:00 and 16:00
Find them here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20066
In honor of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur’s Appearance Day tomorrow, Bhaktivedanta Research Centre is pleased to share this special album with you. (Album with 12 photos)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/mGsWLQ
Hare Krishna! Mayapur Gears Up for Marathon 2015
As 2015 is the 50th year of HDG Srila Prabhupada’s entry into western land, ISKCON Mayapur is making all the arrangements to make 2015 book distribution marathon a mega event. So, it was announced that this year marathon will be celebrated from 1st October, 2015 to 31st December, 2015 for a period of three months. ISKCON Mayapur conducted an event on 23rd September to encourage devotees to engage in book distribution. The event was inaugurated by HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj, HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami Maharaj and HG Pankajanghri Prabhu. HG Pankajanghri Prabhu highlighted the importance of book distribution as major service to Lord Krsna. He went on to say that if a devotee fails to engage him/herself in the service of book distribution, their service is not considered beneficial.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20063
Worldwide Holy Name week (Album with photos)
Harinama with Gurukula students in Byron.
Byron Bay is a beachside town located in the far-northeastern corner of the state of New South Wales, Australia.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/GKGtXG
Enthusiastic 8-year-old students visiting the temple of Copenhagen :) (Album with photos)
This week 22 extremely well behaved 8-year-old students came to visit the temple of the International School in Copenhagen. Many of them knew 3-4 languages and believed in God already. They were so enthusiastic that they asked me if I could become their new school teacher next year :) They all loved the prasadam meal and asked if I could please cook for them every day! When I told them that we love Srila Prabhupada because he gave us Krishna consciousness they all ran up to Srila Prabhupada and took the dust from his lotus feet on their head! I wish I had the same eagerness for Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet as they showed :)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tlHcHZ
Sadbhuja Das: The festival of Jagaddhatri Puja is very famous and has been celebrated for the last 300 years in Bengal. It is another kind of Durga Puja festival.
Every year the festival organizers choose a different famous architectural monument from which to model the temple for Jagaddhatri, and build it from bamboo, cloth and flowers. This year the organizers of the festival in Krishnanagar chose the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium as a significant monument of art and recreated its shape, making a beautiful temple for Jagaddhatri.
The TOVP is having a great impact on the local Bengalis. Soon it will have an impact on the whole world.
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015 Stafford, Connecticut
We Keep Going
Walking continued with an anticipated 'better day' distance-wise. Our trek began in the centre of Oxfordat the 'Dunkin' Doughnuts' and from there moved through the dark on windy roads until twilight. Then, after obscure visibility, the sun came strong, blinding motorists who were headed east.
Karuna and I were constantly switching to either side of the road in order to not give a scare to motorists. One consideration is absence of light or too much. Another is the sudden bends and twists the roads themselves make. We have barely a road's shoulder to walk on. There are instances where we step into wet grass and patches of poison ivy in order to avoid oncoming traffic.
All is well with attentiveness.
Tom Nappi, news director of HCAM-TV in Hopkinton, was great. Vivasvan, our support-person, drove us back to Hopkinton for a TV interview. The questions he posed surrounded the curiosity of why the walk, its dynamics, when did I begin such pilgrimages, and so on.
What was initially supposed to be a five minute interview went way beyond. Tom also asked about my involvement in community theatre and so I explained that in my 'time-off' (from walking) I travel the globe working with newcomer actors in morality drama based on Vedic themes.
As we were about to leave after the successful session, I noticed an old poster of 'Citizen Kane' on the studio's reception room wall. I remarked, "That is one of the best films of all time by Orson Wells." Everyone was in agreement of course. Vedic theme? It could easily be a story from theBhagavatam, the likes of Ajamil, in a modern-day context.
In the interview I referred to the Beatles and George Harrison as experimenters of chanting. As we left we handed Tom a copy of 'Chant and Be Happy', a publication on the topic.
We went back on the road where we met some runners and a farmer, Barry Smith, who owns several hundred acres of land on both sides of the Massachusettsand Connecticutborder. Nice guy! At 73, he looks robust and happily prides himself in a full head of curly hair. Like many buildings in the area, the homes date back to the 1700's.
Hare Krishna! The many lessons for Vaishnavas to learn from Lord Vamanadeva
Kripamoya Das: Vamanadeva teaches Bali that enlightened human beings are meant to be satisfied with what comes to them. Those who are not satisfied with what they actually need will never be satisfied, even if they gain the whole Earth. And a man or a woman practising the spiritual life must never be dissatisfied, for by such dissatisfaction they sprinkle water on the inner fire of their spiritual potency.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20056
That weekend, on Saturday September 19th, nearly 500 of his disciples and grand-disciples from all over the U.S. and Canada as well as from Russia, Ukraine, England and India gathered at Commonwealth Pier – the same place he had arrived alone – to celebrate his priceless gift to them and to the world. Chartering a two-storey touring boat, they took a three-hour ride into Boston Harbor, as Niranjana Swami led a beautiful kirtan.
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015 Oxford, Massachusetts
Number of Highs
There were a number of high points today such as stepping on millions of acorns fallen from the trees. It's a sign of prosperity, I guess. Surely you hear those squirrels uttering their satisfaction.
You've also got walnuts a bit larger in size. It's good for acupressure and reflexology on the feet. Karuna and I continued to find an abundance of wild grapes. We can't get enough of them as we coast along, on foot, through the typical New England terrain on shady up-and-down roads.
An accountant took notice of the pilgrimage.
I was walking on Central Turnpike when a semi-retired 'man of numbers,' Peter J. Reilly, pulled over.
"Can I give you a ride?" he asked. I then explained my mission and about our guru, Srila Prabhupada, coming to America 50 years ago. "Can my wife and I offer you lunch?" My response was quick, "Yes but we're vegetarian, no onions and garlic."
"No problem," he explained and also mentioned that his wife, Evy, follows a similar diet. So, it was a date. We ate. We spoke. We made friends.
From there we rushed to Rhode Island, to Brown's University in the city of Providence. A meditation group, headed by Jeremy, had us present meditation on sacred sound. It was more of an interactive and inclusive experience. Sound is powerful - everyone agrees - but sacred sound is beyond powerful. We chanted various mantras which are well established in the yoga tradition of bhakti.
A nice group of students! It appears that they are looking to reap the benefits of meditation just as much as they wish to excel in their studies.
I would like to refer to something Srila Prabhupada said in regards to achieving higher consciousness. "It all depends on attitude," he said.
Hare Krishna! Video – A Glimpse at Beautiful Gita Nagari
Set in the scenic Tuscarora Valley, framed by mountain ridges, boundaried by the Tuscarora Creek on the east side, inhabited by melodious birds and other creatures, home to 9 joyful volunteers, 19 peaceful cows/oxen, and a carefree flock of about 40 peacocks, Gita Nagari Organic Farm of 350 acres of rolling green hay fields, pastures and diverse woods engages in compassionate farming, above all its other activities. We are a small community set in cozy rural Port Royal, PA with a singular aim of integrating our existence based on the principles of love, care and respect for all living beings. Spirituality, Sustainability and Community Care form the basis of our activities.
Watch it here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20053
As 2015 is the 50th year of HDG Srila Prabhupada’s entry into western land, ISKCON Mayapur is making all the arrangements to make 2015 book distribution marathon a mega event. So, it was announced that this year marathon will be celebrated from 1st October, 2015 to 31st December, 2015 for a period of three months. ISKCON […]
The life of a modern man is stuck in a web of duties towards the family, society, occupation and religion. His entire life revolves around shouldering these responsibilities and he hardly finds time to reflect inside his own heart and listen to the need of his soul.
In today’s fast paced world, where the use of technology is outweighing the quality of our interactions, it is easy to be physically in one place and mentally in another. Being present in every moment and every action empowers us with clarity of thought, enhances our creativity, and maximises our performance.
Our guest speaker today is one of the senior disciples of His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami. Prabhuji and his spouse are constantly serving in various capacities at ISKCON Brampton. They also travel in various dhams for preaching purposes. Prabhuji and Mataji are both an inspiration for all of us on how to maintain a Krsna Conscious family.
Fasting.....................on Thu Oct 8th,2015 Breakfast................. on Fri Oct 9th,2015 b/w 7.024am-11.11am
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.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is availablehere
Building Strong Krishna Conscious Families
This seminar is designed to help you take your relationship to a higher level. This is a 3-days seminar.
Friday October 16th, 6:30pm - 9:30pm Saturday October 17th, 9:30am - 4:30pm Sunday October 18th, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
This seminar will be facilitated by members of the Grihasta Vision Team - His Grace Partha Das and Her Grace Uttama Dasi (disciples of Srila Prabhupada). They have been successfully conducting such retreats and seminars for many years all around the world. Please registerhere.
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. 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.
Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a peanut free environment in order to support those with allergies. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Chant and Be happy
Epiphanies often occur when we somehow see the common in an uncommon light. The question “Can you keep a secret?” is almost always a rhetorical question – the hearer hardly ever gives a negative answer.
Lord Vamanadeva appeared within this world from the womb of Aditi, the mother of the gods. He appeared at midday on the shravan-dvadasi, the 12th day of the lunar month of Shravan when the moon is waxing.
There are many lessons for Vaishnavas to learn from the narration of His activities, as found in the 8th canto, 18th chapter of the Bhagavat Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam). Amongst the lessons are these:
1. That God comes to this world in many forms; not just once, in one form, or even many times in the same form, but many times in many forms. He is never limited by the form, but remains all powerful.
2. That all other gods are meant to offer homage to Him. They did this when, appearing as a young child, he was awarded the sacred thread by Brihaspati, the guru of the gods. The sun god gave Him the Gayatri mantra and His father, Kasyapa Muni, a straw belt. Mother Earth gave Him a deerskin and Lord Brahma gave Him a waterpot. Kuvera, the heavenly treasurer gave Him a monk’s begging bowl, and the wife of Lord Shiva gave Him the first alms. In this way, the gods all offered the best of what they had to the Supreme God. Each of us, in our own way, must also give the best of what we own – our talents, intelligence, words and wealth – as a gift to that same God. He gave it to us along with our birth, and we can offer ot back to Him.
3. Upon seeing the lad from a distance, King Bali noticed his remarkable sun-like effulgence. He welcomed Him and washed His feet. Thinking of himself as a great proprietor of the Earth, Bali then asked Vamanadeva what He would like to be given in charity, as this was the custom of the king. Vamana replied that He only wanted three paces of land, as measured by His own short steps. The king smiled at the thought of such a small request. He was soon to discover that just as God comes in disguise, so His requests to us are often disguised as simple acts of devotion. Many people smile at the thought that God asks us for only three words: Hare, Krishna, and Rama, spoken as a mantra. But as we speak those three small words we begin to realise that He is changing our life forever from within our hearts.
4.Vamanadeva teaches Bali that enlightened human beings are meant to be satisfied with what comes to them. Those who are not satisfied with what they actually need will never be satisfied, even if they gain the whole Earth. And a man or a woman practising the spiritual life must never be dissatisfied, for by such dissatisfaction they sprinkle water on the inner fire of their spiritual potency.
5. Bali Maharaja’s guru, Sukracarya. was perceptive enough to understand what was happening, who the young boy was, and what was about to happen. But he counselled the king to deny the request, even though he knew that it was Vishnu Himself asking. Thus Sukra was an atheist, even though learned in the Vedas. Such a guru, who stands in the way of his disciple’s emancipation, is fit to be rejected.
6. Bali turns to his guru and says that telling lies, or not keeping a promise once spoken, is the most sinful act. He explains that Mother Earth once said: ” I can bear any heavy thing except a person who is a liar.” Therefore, a person living according to dharma must scrupulously avoid lying.
7. He explains that the opportunity to give in charity to a qualified, saintly person is very rare. It must never be regarded as a time of loss, but as a moment when auspiciousness is drawn towards the giver. When we give we don’t lose, rather God – and the universe – gives us even more in return.
8. Sukra curses his own disciple, thus revealing the actual relationship that sometimes exists between an official religious priest and a member of the faith.
9. Vamana responds to Bali’s promise by expanding his size. Although God may appear as a child, He is the oldest of the old, the immeasurably largest of all large things, and the most powerful of all. This lesson would later be learned by Lord Brahma, who tested the Lord’s power when He appeared as child Krishna. God is also the ultimate owner of everything since everything emanates from Him.
10. Vamana takes His first two steps which, due to His size, encompass the entire cosmos. When He asks where He should place his third promised step, Bali realises that there is only one thing left to give Him – his very self. The king surrenders fully to God at that moment. The surrender of Bali, although offered in a moment of abject desperation, is nonetheless to be emulated by all of us. We don’t own countries, but we do regard ourselves as proprietors of our domestic domains. Most of these, in truth, never quite belong to us legally, and in the grand scheme of things we can claim no factual ownership at all. Death will come very quickly and take everything away from us, so better to give it all to God now. We do this by dedicating everything we own to His service. The result? Curiously enough, the same result that Bali achieved: that we are given everything back and that God draws us nearer to Him and His eternal abode.
Dubbed “The Land of the Eternal Blue Sky,” Mongolia is a large and rather wild country divided between deserts, steppes, and mountains. About fifty-three per cent of the population are Buddhist, and about forty per cent continue to live the traditional nomadic lifestyle.ISKCON devotees first came to Mongolia in the 1990s.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, October 2009, Vrindavan, India, Lecture)
Love means to put our ideas aside for someone else. When we love someone, we will put our own agenda aside and just try to please that person and we will only do for that person what he desires. So, our love for Prabhupada has to show in how much we are ready to put our own agenda aside and embrace his agenda and do what is dear to him. That is where our love will show…
Hare Krishna! The Appearance of Lord Vamanadeva
Radhanath Swami : Bali Maharaj performed a hundred Aswamedha yajnas when he was ruling very powerfully. So little Vamanadev, just by himself, walked with his bare feet and came upon the arena of the sacrifice on the banks of Narmada River. When Bali Maharaj saw him, this little dwarf – he was so effulgent, so beautiful, he radiated such purity and compassion – Bali Maharaj’s heart filled with joy. He stood up, and all the brahmins who were performing the yajna with him, they all stood up to offer honor and welcome to Lord Vamanadev. Bali Maharaj bowed to him and with deep affection he gave him a very, very honorable seat.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20045
All of us are like Arjuna in so many ways. We stand on the battlefield of life faced with all kinds of challenges which often seem overwhelming. Sometimes we too don’t know which way to turn but the message of the Gita is also there for us.
On the occasion of “World Holy Name Week“, Perth Kirtan Team would like to invite you for “PERTH KIRTAN MELA – 2015” on Sunday, 27 September at Kalamunda Temple.
Schedule : 1:00 pm Kirtan Mela Begins 4:30 pm Sunday School Children perform Kirtan 5:00 pm Short Drama on “The Importance of Harinaam ” 7:00 pm Gaura Arati 8:00 pm Conclusion
Major Attractions: * Guest Kirtaneers
* Our Temple Kirtan Specialists:
HG Sri Radha Raman Prabhu
HG Ameyatma Prabhu
HG Stoka Krsna Prabhu
HG Nitai Prem Prabhu
* Group Kirtans
* Free Flow of Prasadam
Don’t miss PERTH KIRTAN MELA – 2015!
Looking forward to seeing you there.
If you would like to sponsor a feast or help in any service, please contact:
Stoka Krsna Das – (0401843690)
Bhakta Akshay – (0401414172)
Bhakta Sasi – (0431959596)
—
Hare Krishna
“harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasti eva nasti eva gatir anyatha”
A Sanskrit verse from Brhan-naradiya Purana which means
“In this age of Kali, there is no alternative, there is no alternative, there is no alternative for spiritual progress other than the chanting of the holy name, the chanting of the holy name, the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.”
In order to commemorate Srila Prabhupada’s arrival anniversary in the United States, all ISKCON Temples and Centres throughout the world are gearing up to celebrate the World Holy Name Week 2015 between 24th September and 4th October this year. Srila Prabhupada’s greatest desire was to spread the chanting of the Holy Names as much as possible all over the world. This year’s celebration also marks the 50th anniversary of that event.
In this connection, ISKCON Perth is launching this worldwide event by inviting you to participate with us in the following activities:
Maha Harinama Sankirtana Processions in the City
Friday 25th September and 2nd October
5:45 PM till 7:00 PM
Corner of James and William street near Govinda’s restaurant in Northbridge
Japa Seminar
Sarturday 26th September
5:00 PM till 7:00 PM
Hare Krishna Temple, Kalamunda
6 Hour Kirtana
Sunday 27th September
1:00 PM till 7:00 PM
Hare Krishna Temple, Kalamunda
Special Sunday Feast
Sunday 4th October
4:00 PM onward
Hare Krishna Temple, Kalamunda
If you would like to sponsor the festival in part or full, or help in some service please call:
Sitaramalaxman Das (0422 045 525)
Syama Sarana Das (0439 969 002)
Narottama Das (0424 565 108)
—
Hare Krishna
“harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasti eva nasti eva gatir anyatha”
A Sanskrit verse from Brhan-naradiya Purana which means
“In this age of Kali, there is no alternative, there is no alternative, there is no alternative for spiritual progress other than the chanting of the holy name, the chanting of the holy name, the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.”
Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada on Lord Vamanadeva
So when Vamanadeva appeared, Bali Maharaja was attracted by His beauty as a Dwarf Brahmin, and as he was charitably disposed, he wanted to give Him some charity. But Sukaracharya, being elevated in mystic yogic powers, he could understand that Vamanadeva was Visnu. And in order to favor the demigods, He had come there to cheat Bali Maharaja in the shape of begging some charities. Bali Maharaja was puffed up with his material vanities, and Vamanadeva as He is Visnu, all-peaceful, without interrupting his attitude, just approached him in the form of a Brahmin, Who has a right to beg something from the princely order. And the principle orders also are always disposed, to make charities to the Brahmins.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20042
Vipralambha Bhava: Love in Separation (52 min video)
Vipralambha Bhava, a drama performed on Sri Krishna Janmastami 2015 in New Raman Reti Dham ISKCON Alachua. Please watch in HD: https://goo.gl/JHvT69
Indira
Building Strong Krishna Conscious Families
Sunday School
Gift Shop
