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Is ISKCON’s institutionalized structure an import from Christianity?
Which books of the previous acharayas can sadhakas read?
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From Vraja Bhava Prabhu
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Doesn’t ISKCON’s rule to glorify Srila Prabhupada and not one’s guru go against Vedic culture of glorifying one’s guru?
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Why did Yudhisthira while gambling Draupadi describe her physical beauty publicly?
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Why did Arjuna to avenge Abhimanyu kill the weaker Jayadratha and not a stronger opponent like Karna?
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If a devotee commits suicide, will he become a ghost? What can his relatives do for him?
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Bridge preaching
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As Srila Prabhupada is about to leave for America we see him as the complete example of dependance on Krsna
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Can I skateboard for Krishna?
Answer: It depends. How can you…
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Can I skateboard for Krishna?
Answer: It depends. How can you know? Can you fly a plane for Krishna? Can you have a baby for Krishna? Can you make money for Krishna? Can you bake a pizza for Krishna? All these questions arise from one’s material conditioning, a.k.a., psycho-physical nature. Pure devotional service is not based on material conditioning, but is the purest expression of one’s very self. Srila Rupa Goswami tells us that pure devotional service is unmotivated (you don’t want anything in return), uninterrupted (you don’t do it only when it’s convenient or you feel like it; neither is it impeded by any material cause), and favorable (Krishna has to be pleased by it). The point of being a devotee is to do what is pleasing to Krishna. The only way to really be sure is to consult the spiritual master. If you don’t have one, then you are left with figuring it out on your own, or asking on Facebook. If you get ten different answers here, how will you know which one is right?
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/0ptx5u
Rathayatra Festival in Germany (Album with photos)
Srila…
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Rathayatra Festival in Germany (Album with photos) Srila Prabhupada: “As a result of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates and he receives love of Godhead. The holy name of Krishna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.28) See them here: https://goo.gl/6AkWZf
It all started in Boston!
Srila Prabhupada first set foot in the…
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It all started in Boston!
Srila Prabhupada first set foot in the West fifty years ago, after a 35 day journey from Calcutta. Steamship Jaladuta reached Boston’s Commonwealth Pier at 5:30 am on September 17, 1965. He reached Boston’s Commonwealth Pier in hopes of fulfilling the order of his spiritual master. It was here in Boston that he wrote “Markine Bhagavata Dharma” – “Teaching Krishna Consciousness in America”. Being a pure devotee of Sri Krishna, Srila Prabhupada prayed, “I wish that You may deliver them. Therefore, if You desire their deliverance, only then will they be able to understand Your message.” Srila Prabhupada has given us an amazing gift, the gift of knowing Krishna and chanting His Holy names. Please join us in celebrating not only his arrival, but his life and teachings as well. This is a great chance for devotees to show their heartfelt gratitude for the love and compassion Srila Prabhupada had for all of us. New Gundicha dham invites you to please join us in celebration and glorification of Srila Prabhupada 50th arrival festival on September 19th and 20th 2015.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/P9nzqt
“Mayapur is My Place of Worship”
- TOVP.org
These are the words of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who also said, “Vrindaban is my home and Bombay is my office”.
The TOVP Team has published a book by the above name with selected excerpts about the spiritual power of this holiest of sacred places and the manifestation of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
E-book version can be downloaded by clicking the button below.
The post “Mayapur is My Place of Worship” appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Hare Krishna! 4th Ratha Yatra in Bhatkot, Uttarakhand
We thank…
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Hare Krishna! 4th Ratha Yatra in Bhatkot, Uttarakhand
We thank all those devotees who came to attend the program from various parts of the world, including Italy, Spain, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Special thanks to HG Govinda das and his team of sincere and hardworking devotees, unto whom all credits go for the successful Ratha yatra. We pray to Srila Prabhupada that we can hold this festival for years to come for the Lord’s pleasure and thus we may also become instruments in his hands and be engaged in spreading the message of Mahaprabhu’s sankirtan movement.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18937
Installation of Kalasam for Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple of…
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Installation of Kalasam for Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion and Understanding in Penang
SEBERANG JAYA - The Kalasasthapana pooja where the kalasam is installed, which makes a new temple auspicious, was concluded beautifully with blessings from Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga Rai and Lord Indra who showered blessings of rain at dawn after the completion of the installation today. With the installation of three kalasam on the pinnacle of the Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple, it is now ready to receive Their Lordships, Radha and Krishna deities on the 29th August this year.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/9vm1J2
Copy of Prerna Festival – “Peace of Mind or Pieces of Mind” – Sudama Prabhu ISKCON Chowpatty
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Copy of Prerna Festival – “Peace of Mind or Pieces of Mind” – Sudama Prabhu ISKCON Chowpatty
Installation of Kalasam for Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion and Understanding in Penang
→ ISKCON Malaysia
BY HARRIENA BHARDWAJ
SEBERANG JAYA - The Kalasasthapana pooja where the kalasam is installed, which makes a new temple auspicious, was concluded beautifully with blessings from Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga Rai and Lord Indra who showered blessings of rain at dawn after the completion of the installation today. With the installation of three kalasam on the pinnacle of the Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple, it is now ready to receive Their Lordships, Radha and Krishna deities on the 29th August this year.
The kalasa puja where demigods are propitiated through fire was performed by ISKCON Ipoh temple president, Parambrahma prabhu along with Anand Dulal prabhu in the presence of Simheswara prabhu, the regional secretary of ISKCON Malaysia, Damodaran stapati owner, and Kalesha prabhu.
From left: Siva Chaitanya Dasa, KL Sri Jagannatha mandir temple president, Kripa Sindhu Krishna Dasa, Damodaran Stapati Owner, BCC temple president, Kalesha Dasa and temple building committee president and ISKCON Malaysia regional secretary, Simheswara Dasa
HG Prema Caru Prabhu / SB 10.86.32-35
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ISKCON Kolkata
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It’s been quite a few years since I last visited Radha Govinda Mandir, Kolkata. The temple has developed quite a lot since then.
There are 73 brahmacaris and more than half of them are university graduates. Govindas restaurant has been renovated and business is booming. The guest house out the back is always full.
Sri Sri Radha Govinda, as always, are divinely exquisite.
Is Consciousness Really Eternal?
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Someone may object, “First we perceive a blue object, then a yellow one. This shows that consciousness is neither constant nor eternal.”
Yes, blue objects and yellow objects appear and disappear, but the consciousness that perceives them is constant. Objects change, they come and go, but the consciousness that perceives objects does not. The observer “merely experiences” changes in the things it observes. Our bodies, for example, are born, grow from childhood to youth, decay, die, and become replaced. Consciousness merely observes these changes. The observed is distinct from the observer, and thus changes in the observed do not necessitate changes in the observer.
“Individual consciousness experiences many different things through the senses, via the vital-airs. It only appears to be affected by changes experienced by the senses.”
— 11.3.38b – 39a
This indicates that consciousness is not only distinct from the objects it is conscious of; it is also distinct from the tools it uses to perceive those objects.
“When we are deeply asleep our senses shut down, and even our sense of Doership is lost. Yet something unchanging remains, distinct from all these – for when we wake up, we remember everything.”
— 11.3.39b
This illustrates that consciousness is even distinct from the mind, intellect and ahaṁkāra – the sense of Doeship at the root of our assumed identities.
While awake we are aware of external objects. While asleep this awareness disappears, but residual images of it remain in our mind and interact as dreams. While, deeply asleep, however, we have no dreams. In that state, we lose awareness of even the residual mental impressions of external objects, and we forget who we are, because we even lose awareness of the sense of Doership that forges our assumed identities. In deep, deep sleep all that remains is the changeless essence of individual consciousness itself – demonstrating that this changeless essence of self is distinct from all the changeable things that contain it.
If one adores blue and hates yellow, the presence of a blue object changes the emotional filters through which consciousness operates, but does not change consciousness itself.
One may object, “What is the need to suggest that some unchanging entity exists beyond even the sense of Doership?”
“Beacuase, when we wake up, we remember everything.” A constant sense of identity persists even through deep sleep or coma. If some level of consciousness did not remains even in such states, it would be unexpected to resume the same identity, intellectual outlooks, and emotional paradigms ever time we wake up; and it would be impossible to say, “I slept happily for a long time, unaware of anything.” No one can remember something it hasn’t witnessed. We remember being in deep sleep – so we must have witnessed it somehow, even though in that state we have no connection at all with external sense objects, our senses, our emotions, intellect, or sense of identity. In deep sleep we witness only the very essence of our own conscious self.
We must conclude that the self illuminates itself by its own consciousness. It is self-illuminating like the sun.
“In deep sleep he cannot see, yet still he sees! Even when he cannot see any visible object the observer cannot cease from observation.”
— Bṛhadāraṇyaka (4.3.23)
Here again, individual consciousness is essentially the same as the supreme consciousness. There is, however, one important distinction between individual consciousness and the supreme consciousness. Individual consciousness can divorce itself of explicit connection to the supreme consciousness, and in so doing can experience misery. Supreme consciousness, on the other hand, does not experience misery, being the intrinsic subject and object of ever-blissful, joy-awakening divine love.
An excerpt from
BASIC TRUTHS:
AN ENGLISH RENDITION OF ŚRĪ JĪVA GOSWĀMĪ’S TATTVA-SANDARBHA
by Vraja Kishor
VrajaKishor.com
Tagged: Atma, Consciousness, eternal
Finish The Round
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From Art of Chanting Hare Krsna
by Mahanidhi Swami
Forevermore
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 20 December 2012, Durban, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 12.6.40)
Eternal love
I was listening to a lecture of Srila Prabhupada and Prabhupada said, “Love is for Krsna.” We think we love so many things but all that love is not going to last. The only love that can last is love for Krsna; no other love can last no matter how deep it may be experienced now.
Just like between parents and children, such a deep love but then how long are the souls together. Bhagavatam looks at it from the bigger picture; from the bigger perspective of time and is pointing out to us that life-after-life, the living being is going through so many births in the material world and for a moment, like two straws floating together on the river of time, just for a moment these two straws are floating together until the waves of time will separate them. So our material love, even for those who are so dear to us, time will separate us!
But that does not mean that once we have assimilated this philosophy that now we must become cold, and that in this world there is no meaning to human relationships and affection and so on… No, we can remain affectionate but we must understand that those feelings of love only become meaningful if we connect them to the Supreme Lord because then the eternal element comes into the relationship. Then, in that relationship of affection, there is eternal spiritual advancement.
If we are not giving Krsna consciousness to our loved ones then there is no love at all! Then it is just illusion. For a moment, “I love you so much!” then it all disappears again. There is no such thing as eternal love in the material world.
Eternal relationships
Sometimes, some souls stay together for a number of lifetimes in different relationships. It depends; they may not always be husband and wife. They may change roles – the husband may become the wife and the wife becomes the husband, or one may become a child. So many varieties of karmic relationships may be there, changes may be there but some souls may be connected for a while, then time will separate them. But between vaisnavas, eternal relationships can be established. They exist when vaisnavas engage together in glorification of the Supreme Lord. Then everything becomes eternal… relationships become eternal and continue in the spiritual world. That is even possible for devotees to continue their eternal relationships in the eternal realm.
Also, the relationship between Guru and disciple is described to be eternal. But the question may be raised, does that mean that the relationship was already there before!? Eternal means ever after but also ever before! This is a topic that has been debated many times and there are opinions… and it is not so (clear)… we don’t have so much clear indication. Some have said yes, eternal means ever after and ever before! Others have said, eternal means from now on forever. That if a relationship develops here in this world that it continues forever. Whatever may be, the most important focus for us is that it is forever…
Life’s Final Exam in Hebrew
Giriraj Swami
Yesterday the first printed copies of the Hebrew edition of my book Life’s Final Exam: Death and Dying from the Vedic Perspective were received from the printer in Israel.
Rabbi David Rosen, International Director of Interreligious Affairs of the Global Jewish Advocacy and International President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace—a renowned figure in Judaism and peace initiatives on many continents—wrote a review:
“Giriraja Swami’s impressive book deals with the challenges that arise from the finality of life in this material word, and offers a deep understanding of eternal existence beyond death. The universal wisdom in this book is inspired by the tradition and insights of Bhakti Yoga, and, as emphasizes by Maimonides in his introduction to Masechet Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), we must aspire to accept wisdom from any source in the world. Within the Vedic knowledge that this book presents, basic values which are known to us from the Semitic religions and particularly Judaism, are highlighted. Indeed, this book illustrates that which is common to all religions and is beyond what separates. Without a doubt, the insights in this book can be of great aid to any person who is dealing with death directly or indirectly, and can strengthen one’s understanding, as stated by our sages, that death is but ‘a night between two days.’ ”
Special thanks go to Rohini-nandana dasa and Tulasi-devi dasi for translating the book and overseeing all aspects of the production.
May Srila Prabhupada and the Supreme Personality of Godhead bless all who are involved with this work—those who distribute the knowledge, those who receive the knowledge, and those who apply the knowledge in preparation for life’s final exam.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
Tuesday, August 4th, 2015
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Tuesday, August 4th, 2015
Madrid/TorontoSpain Wrap Up
It was a blessing to once again move through the windy, swervy streets of
At one square that we came to, vehicles restricted, one of our boys wanted to sit and question me on his ashram status. Okay! So he opened up and wanted some advice on whether it was wise to go the full-on brahmacari (monk) way or wait it out. He had been living with a woman some time back.
"Am I ready?" he asked.
Such a question is personal and individual, of course. I generally encourage every young male, or female, to tread the waters of celibacy but more important is bhakti, devotion. Celibacy is a good experience and it prepares one for responsibility on the next level, should one choose to partner-up with someone. I also would like to add a message which I recall I read on a billboard when I walked through
During my flight back to
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Ekka Holiday Closing 12 August 2015
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The afternoon and evening classes will be cancelled in observance of the Ekka Public Holiday. The Ashtanga Yoga Vinyasa Mysore class will be held at the scheduled time 6:30 – 8:00 am. The normal schedule will resume from 13 August. Enjoy your day!
Monday, August 3rd, 2015
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Monday, August 3rd, 2015
Being in
Mantri Ram is one of the monks stationed at our centre in Madrid Sweden
I had taken my japa, chanting a little more seriously than normal and with a notch higher in volume. One of the young women in mini-skirt and heels and lavish make-up - a prostitute - picked up on the mantra as we passed by. She then mimicked what I was doing. I guess she gets some spiritual benefit from that.
I basically felt myself lucky (fortunate) to be trekking through these hot spots. I had completed a two-hour talk to our Iskcon community about the benefits of spirit walking or pilgrimage. Who in the world would know better about such an opportunity than the people of
Shirley Maclane has written about it. And, from what I can remember as I was passing by a movie theatre in Toronto about three years ago, Martin Sheen starred in a film "The Way" all to do with a true story how some people's lives had changed for the better from the walk.
My only other major impression, apart from 'walk' talks, fine buildings and beautiful people in the form of Krishna devotees, was seeing a Cuban family I've known shine in Madrid. Janardan is working on his PhD but he and his wife have plans to move back to their beloved
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Sunday, August 2nd, 2015
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Sunday, August 2nd, 2015
Preparation: Parade
To prepare for any event, for any endeavour, practitioners of bhakti-yoga engage in some sadhana. Essential to seeing that sadhana is done, they look to the earlier morning hours to connect to the Divine What this entails is some mantra meditation, some reflection on guru and God, and some contemplation of words of wisdom.
Our small group of bhaktas (devotees) achieved these sadhana components at the beach for the last full day of our stay in
Devotees were optimistic. So was the crowd. Maybe the public was curious. My own critical mind observed a could-be-better performance of kirtan. The event was late by about an hour. The food, a spiced-flavoured rice, was starting to turn. It was a large endeavour for a virtual handful of people. Our drama, "The Witness" was bumped to the last few minutes of the stage presentation. We finished our drama by 12:30 am. What was left by that time was a meagre attendance.
And had I that one extra day for practice our drama troopers could have worked to a more polished presentation. It's no one's fault. My hat goes off to Patita Pavan and Julan Yatra, two people who organized with all their heart a huge undertaking. And additionally I have to say the chariot and the deities looked stunning.
Finally, the dis-assembly of the chariot was completed by 6 am, about the time of our daily morning beach sadhana which didn't happen. By the time of my rising at 8 am, my mind reverted back to our discussion of the morning before. The qualities of the Supreme are unlimited and I got to thinking that while Divine Intelligence has fathomless traits, the small gods (us) are limited.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Sunday, July 26th, 2015
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Sunday, July 26th, 2015
A Rewrite
I had been unhappy with my writing of the Gita portion of our drama, ‘Krishna Is’. I came up with a rewrite, so here it is:
(Arjun observes army then collapses)
ARJUN:
Seeing those before me causes me to shiver.
To lift my bow is as though I had never.
Hairs stand on end, mind is reeling.
I’m confused; it’s new, this kind of feeling.
(To Krishna )
I just cannot fight.
There’s something here that is not right.
Arjun, you’ve lost your sense of duty.
A man of defense renounced a warrior’s beauty?
For the wise, there’s a different point of view –
Of eternity – no birth, no death- known by few.
Consider the world, which is full of duality.
Good and bad, is its only reality.
The major point is to not lament.
“The soul is forever”, that is my comment.
Moving through bodies from young to old.
From old to young, this circle does unfold.
ARJUN:
What is the force that compels one to do wrong?
If you could please include this in your song.
It is desire, born of passion – then wrath
That keeps us covered and obscures the path.
Perform your yoga, and your sacrifice
For the Creator, and then all will be nice.
ARJUN:
Yoga can be tried for controlling the mind,
But the mind is an instrument of a different kind.
I’m fine if asked to harness the wind,
But the mind cannot be anchored or pinned.
Begin the process; take it easy and slow.
In the end, there’s freedom; the soul will then glow.
ARJUN:
You are my teacher, mentor and guide.
It was no mistake to have you on my side.
I have come to consider about You there is more.
It’s Your cosmic form that I wish to explore.
The form is manifest when we have the eyes,
Otherwise there’s a tendency to despise.
I reveal it to those whose devotion is clear,
When friendship is firm I then come quite near.
It is surrender through service that is so sweet.
It is surrender that is illusion’s defeat.
ARJUN:
Oh Krishna , my doubt is now gone
I believe the fight should definitely go on.
Arjun, my song is old, but alive.
You have your free will, but now let Me drive.
May the Source be with you!
6 km
Hare Krishna! Congregational Development In ISKCON
Kripamoya…
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Hare Krishna! Congregational Development In ISKCON
Kripamoya Dasa: Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa simply to reach out to those who would only take His messages seriously if He did so. The Six Goswamis of Vrindavan were known as the greatest philosophers, and yet they took the time and trouble to extract the essence from all the dharma sastras in order to convey a simple message to ordinary people. The result was that common people were able to follow their simplified teachings, and loved them for giving them Krsna. It is perhaps interesting to note that even though the Six Goswamis were usually depicted wearing nothing but loincloths and discussing Krsna underneath the trees in Vrindavan’s forests, they nevertheless developed between themselves an organisation involving many devotees, all with their own specialised areas of responsibility.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18934
Saturday, July 25th, 2015
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Saturday, July 25th, 2015
Goodbye ‘Til Then
I calculated that it has been about a 6,500 km distance travelled by our two buses in 12 days. That’s also a lot of miles. If it wasn’t for a three day break in
Here we are, in Calgary 8th Avenue
Once we reached the park after a good hard pull of the chariot, I sat through a great pantomime presented by the Edmonton
“Where’s Sita? She does the makeup. Where’s everyone? Where’s the cast? Have they got their costumes on yet? We don’t want to be late.” These are the mantras milling through my mind. It’s become a fairly regular thing to say it out loud or in the mind during this intensive week.
Before I bid my goodbyes to the bus crew, I felt a creeping pounding to the heart because I developed a bond with these young people. Be they in their late teens or early 20’s, I really do see saintliness in them. I feel we are really like a family.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Friday, July 24th, 2015
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Friday, July 24th, 2015
A Chat With The Mayor
As a service, devotional service, intuition told me to keep the mayor in friendly conversation. Initially I was told that Saskatoon
Now, some colleagues might say that I was in maya (another phrase for sin) or offensive for not chanting along the way but I thought it was my duty to build relations with the gentleman before suggesting he do more than he’s already done.
Our conversation was pertinent though. I was telling him how I’ve been on the road, crammed on a bus so that opened the doors for him to talk about the hockey tournaments he was involved in and how he and the league would travel by bus. Behind the driver, there were 8 seats in the front. The balance of the coach line were bunks for sleeping, three tiered, and finally there was a toilet and a sink.
That sounded familiar.
I then asked him about the sport, hockey, itself and where it has gone in recent years. Like many who love the game, he expressed that it has become very commercial and has lost some integrity.
“How can you justify to a normal person a player in the league earning 6 to 7 million dollars a year?”
Like hockey, which had its humble beginnings, everything starts with a sincere intent but it can become corrupted in due course. I mentioned that even a spiritual community can have its beginnings with pure motives but somehow the integrity can become lost. “That is so for every endeavour.” The mayor smiled. “So it becomes necessary to refocus,” I continued.
Mayor Atchison walked with us for the length of the procession culminating at a park, South Saskatchewan River – a lovely spot. He offered kind words on the stage wishing all well. We appreciate his attendance.
Kasyapa Muni and his wife, Panchami, are the two real heroes of the event. Running in its second year, the Chariot Fest attracted over 1,000 happy folks.
3 km
Thursday, July 23rd, 2015
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Thursday, July 23rd, 2015
Regina , Saskatchewan
Under Attack
The naan bread, that was assembled like a sandwich, went flying in the air. It was half-eaten when the bee stung. He bit right on my nose. Another one got Jay Radhe on the lip.
There was a whole colony of these guys. After the stinging session, we relocated from the grass where we enjoyed (half enjoyed) the naan. I spotted some plantain growing there, grabbed for its leaves and rubbed the juices on to the nose. I’m not sure how Jay Radhe addressed her problem. Somehow we ended up inflammation free.
When do we not get under attack by something? News came to me that a student of mine here in Regina
While on a trek through Regina , I came upon a juncture where Regina General Hospital
Well, that didn’t happen but one patient did come forward after having her smoke outside. “Oh, what are you doing?” she asked.
“Travelling with a group of youth. I’m a monk, a Hare Krishna monk.”
“I’ve only seen monks on TV. The robes give you away. Are they comfortable?” she asked. Since she was in a patient’s gown, I offered her a ‘get better soon’.
One thing is for sure, we are always under attack.
May the Source be with you!
8 km
Travel Journal#11.12: Chanting at a London Rally, Stonehenge, Paris Ratha-yatra and More
→ Travel Adventures of a Krishna Monk
Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 11, No. 12
By Krishna-kripa das
(June 2015, part two)
By Krishna-kripa das
(June 2015, part two)
The North of England, London, Stonehenge, Oxford, and Paris
(Sent from Siemyśl, Poland, on August 10, 2015)
(Sent from Siemyśl, Poland, on August 10, 2015)
Where I Went and What I Did
After the London Ratha-yatra on Tuesday and Wednesday, I traveled with the Sutapa Prabhu, devotees from Bhaktivedanta Manor and the Harinama Ruci world harinama party to different cities in the Manchester area and did harinama and book distribution.I went on my own trip on Thursday to do harinama with Joe, Geoffrey, and three others in Sheffield, and Friday I went on the usual afternoon harinama on Oxford Street in London. Saturday we went with Parasurama Prabhu to a demonstration in London protesting inappropriate government spending and did harinama there. That evening some of us went to Stonehenge to chant all night at the Solstice Festival there. Later Sunday morning I went to Oxford for their 8-hour summer kirtana, a new event for me. I spent half a day in Newcastle recovering partially from two sleepless nights, and went to Edinburgh to do harinama and their Tuesday evening program, returning to Newcastle for harinama and our Wednesday evening kirtana program.Thursday I chanted with Govardhana Devi Dasi, John, and Doug in Blackpool and then in Preston, where Tony joined us, and Friday I chanted with Govardhana and John in Southport and Liverpool. Friday night I returned to Newcastle for the eight-hour kirtana on Saturday. Saturday night I took the train to London and the bus to Paris for Sunday's very festive and enjoyable Ratha-yatra, followed by a stage show, and a very lively harinama. Finally, I chanted with the Harinama Ruci traveling harinama party in France for the last two days of June and enjoyed the association of Janananda Goswami in Paris.
I share a lecture quote from Srila Prabhupada, a couple quotes from Sanatana Goswami's Brhad-Bhagavatamrita, an excerpt fromBhaktivinoda Thakura's Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga, quotes from a book of and the online journal of Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami, notes from a recorded lecture by Tamal Krishna Goswami, and notes on lectures I heard by Janananda Goswami, Jagadatma Prabhu, Rasesvari dd, Murli Manohara Prabhu, and Sadbhuja Prabhu.
Thanks for Dvijapriya dd for many great pictures of the harinama at the End Austerity Now rally and one from Stonehenge. Thanks to Govardhan dd for her pictures of Blackpool and Preston. Thanks to Harinama Ruci for their pictures of the Paris Ratha-yatra. Thanks to Janardana Prabhu for his picture of the Leeds harinama.
Thanks to whoever put £20 in my money belt while I was sleeping in the van after Stonehenge. Thanks to Lucas and Malini of Edinburgh for their kind donations. Thanks to Alan Miles and the Liverpool Nama-Hatta for their kind donation to my travels. Thanks to Vishnujana Prabhu for contributing to my travel in Paris.
Itinerary
August 9–19: Festival of India on Poland's Baltic Coast
August 20–23: Trutnov (Czech Woodstock)
August 24: Prague / London
August 25–26: Newcastle
August 27: Preston
August 28: Liverpool
August 29: Manchester
August 30: Leeds
August 31–September 1: Newcastle
September 2–3: Sheffield
September 4–7: Ireland
September 8: New York City
September ?: Boston
September ?: Albany
September ?–November 15: New York City Harinama
November 16–18: Washington, D.C., Harinama
November 19: Jacksonville
November 20–December 16: Krishna House, Gainesville
December 17: Jacksonville?
December 18–January 3: New York City Harinama
Harinama in Liverpool and Manchester
The first day, our party consisting of Sutapa Prabhu, devotees from the Manor, Sadbhuja Prabhu and another devotee from Germany, and the Harinama Ruci traveling world harinama party chanted at two cities in The North of England, Liverpool and Manchester, our base.
I was impressed that at least three devotees from the congregation joined our harinama in Liverpool.
In Manchester a family danced with us
And more as well.
Harinama in Leeds and Bradford
The second day, three devotees from our Leeds congregation joined our party while we chanted for two and a half hours in Leeds.
One older man, who had positive memories of the Hare Krishna, danced and bought a book.
One lady enjoyed dancing with the devotees immensely.
One guy in a bar encouraged us to come in and play
Priya Sundari Devi made a nice lunch for our party which we ate in the Cardigan Centre, the venue for our weekly and monthly programs.
We planned to go to York, but we were delayed and decided it was more practical that Bradford be our second city. Apparently, Bradford has the highest percentage of Muslims of any English city. Gaura Karuna Prabhu was very happy as he was able to distribute many books to the Muslims. I even distributed three books in Bradford, though mostly not to the Muslims, and one book in Leeds. While dancing I would watch for persons who were obviously interested but who the several book distributors had somehow missed, being engaged with others.
While in Bradford, one older guy took pleasure in playing the flute with us.
Muslim kids were attracted and sometimes danced.
Harinama in Sheffield
While Sutapa Prabhu and his party chanted in Blackpool and Preston, I went to Sheffield to support my friend Joe, who had organized a harinama there. I was happy to see that we had six people chanting for a good part of the two hours we were there. Joe and Geoffrey who are the most regular attenders at our Sheffield programs chanted as did Jackie, who has come on and off for many years join us, as well as Nigel, who used to come regularly many years ago, and Chris, who is a new devotee of Hare Krishna chanting who came from the kirtana programs at the multi-faith Burngreave Ashram. I hope that Joe can make that a regular program and that people keep coming.
Harinama in London
I returned to central London where Harinama Ruci and Sadbhuja Prabhu did harinama for a couple days, the first day beginning on Oxford Street as usual and the second at a rally.
One guy really enjoyed swinging around with Harinamananda Prabhu, and his female associate enjoyed photographing it.
Mr. Britannia always delights in doing a little dance with the Hare Krishnas whenever they come by (https://youtu.be/mt2gfFC-ivk):
In Leicester Square a group of youthful tourists delighted in dancing with us (https://youtu.be/c1NuW5httx8):
Two other groups and some guys also danced with us (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGerEnGdI0xK4uq7KJGdrceXGtLbDMX9F):
Some ladies danced with the devotee ladies:
First in a circle.
And then in a line.
Shoppers in front of a Lush Cosmetics shop enjoyed listening and moving with the music as did at least one shop worker (https://youtu.be/TpA9BEh1l7I):
Once in front of the temple a couple danced with us.
They continued dancing in a circle with the other devotees.
Harinama at the End Austerity Now Rally in London
Parasurama Prabhu invited devotees to join him in chanting Hare Krishna at the End Austerity Now Rally in London which was protesting government spending cuts for humanitarian programs while military spending continues.
Parasurama Prabhu played the ukulele.
Gopinath played the bass.
Harinamananda Prabhu danced as usual.
Prabhupada disciples, Dharmatma Prabhu (in the white dhoti) and Dviyapriya Devi Dasi (in a sari), joined us and took many nice pictures.
In the beginning just a few individuals, like this young lady would dance.
I took a video when several protesters danced with us
There were many peace signs and signs with humanitarian slogans.
It reminded me of when I used to join my mother at demonstrations, including the climate change rally in New York City last September.
Rather than remaining with Parasurama Prabhu within the procession, we decided to chant alongside, so that all the protesters would hearing the chanting as they marched by.
Two guys enjoyed dancing with us and Erzsebet gave them garlands. Later they encountered us again, dancing with their garlands on.
Then we chanted down Oxford Street back to the temple.
The London Temple Open Day
While we were chanting at the rally, the devotees at the Soho Street had an Open Day, encouraging the public to visit. Guests would get a tour of the temple, hear a little philosophy, do some meditation, and get some spiritual food.
The devotees set up a kirtana party right on the sidewalk to attract attention.
A couple of devotee ladies chanted.
Later Sakhya Prema Prabhu joined.
One devotee passed out free lassi.
Chanting at the Stonehenge Summer Solstice Festival
Parasurama Prabhu brings enough food to serve 1,000 people and along with his Ratha-yatra cart each year to the Stonehenge Summer Solstice festival, attended by about 30,000 people. Other devotees join from Bhaktivedanta Manor and the Soho Street temple.
Mahavishnu Swami, who loves sharing the chanting the holy name with others, was the life of our party.
As usual when there is good weather, we had Ratha-yatra around 1:00 a.m.
They also dance with their friends.
Some play drums with us.
I recall talking to a student who lived in Sheffield but was going to college in Newcastle, and I told her about the programs we had in both places.
It was beautiful to see many people who really enjoyed the chanting and the dancing.
I asked one young lady who was really into ito the chanting and dancing if she had encountered Hare Krishna before. She said she had, and asked where. She replied, “Everywhere!”
I gave my prasadam garland to her as a reward for her enthusiasm.
This was the best sunrise in the six years I have attended the festival, as the horizon was very clear. Fifteen minutes afterwards the sky clouded up and that was the end of the sunshine for awhile.
I took eight useable video clips totaling about fourteen minutes which give you a feel for what it was like. The scene reminded me of videos of hippies dancing with the devotees in the early days. I alternate a couple scenes each of slow and fast chanting, then show the special moment when the sun rose, then some more chanting, then chanting as we walked back to the parking lot, and the end of the final kirtana. I hope you like it (https://youtu.be/Sro-ud1sd7E):
Chanting at the Oxford Summer Kirtan
I have wanted to participate in the Oxford Summer Kirtan, formerly the Oxford Six-Hour Kirtan, ever since it started three years ago, but I was always busy in The North of England.
This time the Oxford Summer Kirtan was the day of the solstice, and Oxford was on my way from Stonehenge to The North of England so it was possible for me to go.
I would like to thank Krishna Sharana Prabhu and Ali Krishna Devi Dasi for kindly allowing me to take a nap and prasadam at their place, to recover from the all-night Stonehenge experience enough to participate in 4½ hours of the 8-hour Oxford event.
When I got to the parking lot of the school where the event was held, hearing the loud melodious kirtana made me forget my fatigue, and the whole event was wonderful.
The kirtana singers were mostly local, and many were the children of devotees. It was not an event where they bring celebrated singers from other places but one where you encourage the local devotees to sing for Krishna.
I was happy that I was able to find a few guys who I was able to dance together with. That does not happen everywhere. Often the guys do not want to dance, or they want to dance independently or in a way that is too complicated for me to join and meditate on the kirtana at the same time.
It was great hearing Krishna Kshetra Swami sing, and it was nice to see Saunaka Rsi Prabhu again.
Harinama in Edinburgh
I was happy to have some people to chant with in Edinburgh for three and a half hours before their Tuesday program. In beginning one lady named Madri dd, who met Srila Prabhupada when he visited Edinburgh in 1972, joined our party. Although meeting Srila Prabhupada back then, she had only a year ago taken initiation from Janananda Goswami, because of having a guru from another group for many years. When walking with Prabhupada in 1972, she saw that Prabhupada had a walking stick that was nothing more than a tree branch, and she had her son get him a proper walking stick.
We always meet one or two people who are happy to hear of our programs when we chant in Edinburgh.
Chanting in Newcastle
I am hoping to establish a two-hour harinama on the streets of Newcastle before our two-hour Wednesday kirtana night in Newcastle, and this was our second successful attempt. Again for part of the time we had at least six devotees chanting on the streets, Caitanya Candrodaya Prabhu, Radhe Shyam Prabhu, Madhuri dd, Veera, and Priyanka.
I was impressed that Jake, who just graduated from secondary school and who had just been associating with devotees for no more than a year, knew how to play a sweet Hare Krishna tune on the harmonium and was not too shy to do it in public.
Madhuri dd led a very lively kirtana as usual.
A couple times people were brave enough and wild enough to dance with us, as you can see in these video clips (https://youtu.be/8ajuIAKEO-Yand https://youtu.be/5TroHtDTgGw):
I hope my friends will be inspired to keep the new program going when I leave.
At the Wednesday two-hour kirtana program, Prema Sankirtana Prabhu led a tune that got everyone dancing (https://youtu.be/PukNG6wGuFI):
Chanting in Blackpool
I had never chanted in the Blackpool before, but Janananda Goswami likes us to go to places we do not usually go, and in England, Blackpool is a popular resort, especially in the summer.
Doug (in the center), who lives Preston and works in Blackpool, took a day off to chant with Govardhan Devi Dasi and John, her husband, and myself in both cities. You could tell people were less familiar with the devotees in Blackpool, but there were still favorable people. Govardhan was happy to sell a small Gitato a real spiritual seeker.
Doug (in the center), who lives Preston and works in Blackpool, took a day off to chant with Govardhan Devi Dasi and John, her husband, and myself in both cities. You could tell people were less familiar with the devotees in Blackpool, but there were still favorable people. Govardhan was happy to sell a small Gitato a real spiritual seeker.
As at other tourist areas, in Blackpool there were horses and buggies to give tourists rides through the town.
Govardhan decided many people would hear the kirtana if we chanted on such a horse-drawn vehicle. The driver was excited. He had carried all kinds of people, including Ronald McDonald, but never a Hare Krishna monk. I found it difficult to distribute invitations riding on the horse cart, but I did give out one. I saw a young lady smiling as she saw our party. I showed her the flyer from the horse driven cart, and then I threw it in her direction. It landed on the road just a foot from the curb, and she walked over and picked it up.
Govardhan decided many people would hear the kirtana if we chanted on such a horse-drawn vehicle. The driver was excited. He had carried all kinds of people, including Ronald McDonald, but never a Hare Krishna monk. I found it difficult to distribute invitations riding on the horse cart, but I did give out one. I saw a young lady smiling as she saw our party. I showed her the flyer from the horse driven cart, and then I threw it in her direction. It landed on the road just a foot from the curb, and she walked over and picked it up.
Here you can see Govardhan and John, the driver of the horse cart, and the Blackpool Tower in the background.
Chanting in Preston
Tony (on the left), a key organizer in the Preston nama-hatta, joined us in Preston and passed out hundreds of invitations during the hour and a half we chanted there.
After chanting for 3½ hours with Govardhana, John, and Doug in Blackpool and Preston, I decided to chant alone for an hour and distribute books. One boy came by who bought The King of Knowledgefrom Sutapa Prabhu's party the previous week, and he bought two more books from me. I invited him to the evening program, but he said he had to work. Later that evening I was surprised to see him at the Preston evening program after all. His boss had too many workers report for duty, so he got the evening off. At the end of the evening, he took japabeads home with him. Krishna's mercy! That is the second time in a row someone has seen me chanting alone in Preston and come to the program as a result.
Tipped off to the existence of an anti-fracking protest nearby while I was chanting alone, I decided to go and invite the protesters to chant Hare Krishna. One of them said their rally was not religious. I explained that the Hare Krishna mantra raises people's consciousness to a level where they do not do stupid things that destroy the environment like fracking, and several of them chanted with me for five minutes.
After the protest was over, some chanted some more and made this video (https://youtu.be/OJMEBKJFIlA):
After the protest was over, some chanted some more and made this video (https://youtu.be/OJMEBKJFIlA):
Chanting in Southport
Southport is the biggest city between Preston and Liverpool, and we do not know of anyone chanting Hare Krishna on its streets in recent years, if at all.
Someone said Hare Krishna to us, another greeted us with joined palms, and one Indian man walked with us and chanted for three minutes. One older lady with a scowl on her face, got a book, and began to smile as a result. We chanted through an indoor market, and no one complained. Altogether we spent an hour and a half chanting in Southport.
Chanting in Liverpool
Unfortunately, no one joined us in chanting in Liverpool, other than Barbara who came for ten minutes after shopping.
Once a Tesco manager asked us to relocate after we chanted outside his shop for about 45 minutes. As we were packing up, a Tesco employee told us he did not know why the manager was so disagreeable.
We met some nice people though, and John interested one lady in a small Gita.
Newcastle Eight-Hour Kirtana
As usual the Newcastle eight-hour kirtana was characterized by a great cooperative spirit among the devotees, enthusiastic chanting and preparation of varieties of tasty prasadam. One devotee even came three hours by train from London to take part.
It was so lively I thought of recording a little video of each of the singers, but I did not actually get around to do it until three hours had passed. Still these video clips will show you, at least in part, what it was like.
Radhe Shyama Prabhu sang one Hare Krishna tune playing the guitar (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGerEnGdI0xL1ITta9L_Qx8vNj6JUekhV):
Then Vishnu Priya Devi Dasi sang a pretty tune that I would also like to learn how to play (https://youtu.be/xX3PJ3Gdheg):
Prema Sankirtana Prabhu, who is so named because of his enthusiam for kirtana, sang a very lively melody getting people dancing (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGerEnGdI0xLT_l_beh4tQ2JnCfrw87XF):
Dhananjaya Prabhu, who often plays the bass, also sang, and Bhakti Rasa and Prema Sankirtana Prabhus got into dancing (https://youtu.be/JK7GuU0Gm0A):
There were more singers, but I had to catch the train to London, so I could get a bus to Paris for the Ratha-yatra the next day, and I left two hours early.
Paris Ratha-yatra
In Paris I saw residents participate in our Ratha-yatra who were not officially Hare Krishna devotees, but who are regulars at the Ratha-yatra.
Mangalavati Devi Dasi would get them dancing together in a pattern.
One girl loved dancing the whole parade.
Then she danced at the stage show.
She told me that she had lived in India for a year. She happened to walk out of the door of a building at the start of the parade, and was delighted to see it.
There were also groups of Asian men who liked the chanting and dancing.
At one point we danced in lines of devotees facing each other, and we were all very happy (https://youtu.be/k620GnCtkko):
When we passed cafes, Lord Jagannath, His cart, and His singing and dancing devotees attracted people's minds (https://youtu.be/5EbE3xIsGyI):
Some people watched from the windows of the buildings we passed.
Janananda Goswami added a lot of life to the event as usual.
During the stage show, Jayadeva Prabhu led a very energizing kirtana, getting a lot of people into it (https://youtu.be/NQQiXKL_b7E):
At one point Harinamananda Prabhu did a stage drive and went crowd surfing.
Syama Rasa Prabhu also led a lively kirtana as you can see in this video clip (https://youtu.be/kwRKI051lDo):
At one point a couple and a kid from the crowd joined the devotees on the stage (https://youtu.be/xW-e2Qraxp8):
Paris Harinama
My first Paris harinama was from Les Halles, the site of our stage show after the Ratha-yatra, with the Harinama Ruci world harinama party.
Mangalavati Devi Dasi invited three enthusiastic ladies who were having a great time dancing with her during the stage show to come along from the harinama and they did, for almost an hour.
They were so happy, afterward they gave their contact information to the devotees, so they could learn about other Hare Krishna opportunities.
You can see from this series of video clips how lively it was (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGerEnGdI0xKKzk61vFbjCQKvpspRN3h_):
After taking the train home from Paris to Sarcelles, we took the bus to save time after a tiring day, and we continued singing (https://youtu.be/byqHkFuKTHI):
We chanted around Paris for two more days with Harinama Ruci. Some people were happy to participate (https://youtu.be/wh31JQ737uM):
The first day, Parividha Prabhu chanted so nicely in the main train station, Gare Du Nord, there was always a crowd listening (https://youtu.be/jLbyXzmXv5I):
Special Pictures
I never saw such a colorful donation box as this one in Newcastle.
Cartoons can be a nonthreatening way to share spiritual wisdom.
Devotees are always thinking of innovative ways to share spiritual wisdom and spiritual practices. In the UK they have what they call MHK, an acronym for “Meditation the Hare Krishna Way.” It is an app for your smart phone to teach the chanting of the Hare Krishna as a meditation. They have at least two different colorful cards they distribute to promote it:
One looks like this on one side.
And like this on the other.
The second looks like this on one side.
And this on the other.
To see other pictures I did not include in this issue, click on the link below:
Insights
Srila Prabhupada:
From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.21 in New York City on April 13, 1973:
“We chant every day. That sense gratification is ananda-cinmaya,in the spiritual world. Not this third-class anandawith these bodily senses. This is not ananda.This is an illusion. We are thinking that 'I'm enjoying,' but that is not ananda. This anandais not fact, because we cannot enjoy this material sense pleasure for long. Everyone has got experience. It is finished. But spiritual enjoyment does not finish. It increases. That is the difference.”
Sanatana Goswami:
From Brhad-Bhagavatamrita, Second Part, “The Glories of Goloka”:
“Though the capital of the opulent king of the cowherds shines forth in the region called Nandisvara, the Vrajavasis in tune with Krishna’s liking always think more highly of His pleasure pastimes in the groves and other places in the forests. O brahmana,the satisfaction and ecstasy one tastes from living in Goloka Vrndavana are beyond describing. To what can they be compared?”
“Because devotional service to the Supreme Lord is so wondrous those who truly know say that the residents of Vaikuntha taste a happiness much greater than that of mere liberated souls. And the happiness of souls who reside in places like Ayodhya and Dvaraka is said to be even greater because of certain various special tastes. But the happiness of the residents of Goloka far exceeds any other. It transcends reason so how can it give room for words? Only those who live in Goloka and always perceive that happiness know its true nature, because the Lord has such friendly feelings toward them.”
Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
From Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga:
Text 38
Even though Lord Nrsimha is terrifying toward
the sinful souls, He offers great auspiciousness
unto the devotees of Lord Krishna headed
by Prahlada Maharaja. When will He be pleased
to speak words of compassion unto me, a worthless
fool, and thereby make me fearless?
the sinful souls, He offers great auspiciousness
unto the devotees of Lord Krishna headed
by Prahlada Maharaja. When will He be pleased
to speak words of compassion unto me, a worthless
fool, and thereby make me fearless?
Text 39
He will say, "Dear child! Sit down freely
and live happily here in Sri Gauranga Dhama.
May you nicely worship the Divine Couple
and may you develop loving attachment for Their
holy names. By the mercy of My devotees, all obstacles
are cast far away. With a purified heart,
just perform the worship of Radha and Krishna,
for such worship overflows with sweet nectar."
and live happily here in Sri Gauranga Dhama.
May you nicely worship the Divine Couple
and may you develop loving attachment for Their
holy names. By the mercy of My devotees, all obstacles
are cast far away. With a purified heart,
just perform the worship of Radha and Krishna,
for such worship overflows with sweet nectar."
Text 40
Saying this, will that Lord delightedly place
His own divine lotus feet upon
my head? Suddenly I will experience sublime love
for the Divine Couple Radha-Krishna and
undergo the ecstatic transformations called sattvika.
Falling on the ground, I will roll about
by the door of Sri Nrsimha's temple.
His own divine lotus feet upon
my head? Suddenly I will experience sublime love
for the Divine Couple Radha-Krishna and
undergo the ecstatic transformations called sattvika.
Falling on the ground, I will roll about
by the door of Sri Nrsimha's temple.
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami:
From Japa Transformations:
“Chanting is progressive. You become more expert, learned and happy with the practice. You just have to keep it up. Don’t fall back into old ways. It takes some effort, but it’s well worth it. You grow stronger, and your muscles stay stronger. You become more fit to chant Hare Krishna. It’s all a matter of consistency and stick-to-itiveness. To the sincere chanter goes the prize. Radha and Krishna begin to reciprocate, and you know They are there. Your faith builds.”
“The harinamadevotees
come from different backgrounds
and ethnic groups, but
they have a solidarity
of purpose. They live
together harmoniously and
are all followers of Srila Prabhupada
and Sri Caitanya. They are
spirit-souls dedicated
to the yajnaof congregational
chanting. When they
go out in public,
they perform as a tight unit, each
playing their part
in the group kirtana.
Each is an individual
but they work as a group
effectively delivering the
message of sankirtanato
the conditioned souls. Their amicable teamwork
is appreciated by Krishna, just as He
praised the Pracetas for their
friendly behavior with one another.”
come from different backgrounds
and ethnic groups, but
they have a solidarity
of purpose. They live
together harmoniously and
are all followers of Srila Prabhupada
and Sri Caitanya. They are
spirit-souls dedicated
to the yajnaof congregational
chanting. When they
go out in public,
they perform as a tight unit, each
playing their part
in the group kirtana.
Each is an individual
but they work as a group
effectively delivering the
message of sankirtanato
the conditioned souls. Their amicable teamwork
is appreciated by Krishna, just as He
praised the Pracetas for their
friendly behavior with one another.”
“In my japareport I wrote
that kirtanais prayer.
The same thing Prabhupada said
about the mantra in japa
applies to kirtana.The harinama
singers should pray, “O Radha
O Krishna, please engage
me in Your service.” And they
should follow Prabhupada’s
stark advice, “Just hear.”
They should avoid the
ten offenses and be
particularly careful to
be attentive to the names.
The uninformed may
think that harinama
is an exhibitionistic show,
but the experienced know
it is a powerful internal
meditation. Congregational
chanting is superior
to japabecause while japablesses
the individual, loud kirtanablesses
the many who hear it, even unaware.”
that kirtanais prayer.
The same thing Prabhupada said
about the mantra in japa
applies to kirtana.The harinama
singers should pray, “O Radha
O Krishna, please engage
me in Your service.” And they
should follow Prabhupada’s
stark advice, “Just hear.”
They should avoid the
ten offenses and be
particularly careful to
be attentive to the names.
The uninformed may
think that harinama
is an exhibitionistic show,
but the experienced know
it is a powerful internal
meditation. Congregational
chanting is superior
to japabecause while japablesses
the individual, loud kirtanablesses
the many who hear it, even unaware.”
“Theharinama chanters
lead a charmed life.
They are charged with
the heavy responsibility
of going out every day
rain or shine
and singing for many
hours in public.
But they take it as pleasure
to serve Mahaprabhu
and Prabhupada in this way.
They enjoy chanting
the maha-mantrain different
tunes and tasting the
nectar of the names. They take it as their
responsibility to expose
to as many people the
transcendental sound
vibration knowing it can do immense
good to the karmilisteners.
If someone jeers at them,
'Get a job,' they smile,
knowing they already have
the supreme occupation.”
lead a charmed life.
They are charged with
the heavy responsibility
of going out every day
rain or shine
and singing for many
hours in public.
But they take it as pleasure
to serve Mahaprabhu
and Prabhupada in this way.
They enjoy chanting
the maha-mantrain different
tunes and tasting the
nectar of the names. They take it as their
responsibility to expose
to as many people the
transcendental sound
vibration knowing it can do immense
good to the karmilisteners.
If someone jeers at them,
'Get a job,' they smile,
knowing they already have
the supreme occupation.”
“Brahmananda was a resident of Vrndavana.
When he was gravely ill, they decided to
send him to the hospital. Brahmananda insisted he be carried
in an air-conditioned ambulance.
But while they were waiting for the ambulance
Brahmananda passed away. His brother Gargamuni said
that in 1967 when Brahmananda engineered Prabhupada’s
escape from Beth Israel hospital, Prabhupada promised
him that he would never have to die in a hospital.
So the prophecy came true and he passed away
in the auspicious sacred land of Vrndavana.”
When he was gravely ill, they decided to
send him to the hospital. Brahmananda insisted he be carried
in an air-conditioned ambulance.
But while they were waiting for the ambulance
Brahmananda passed away. His brother Gargamuni said
that in 1967 when Brahmananda engineered Prabhupada’s
escape from Beth Israel hospital, Prabhupada promised
him that he would never have to die in a hospital.
So the prophecy came true and he passed away
in the auspicious sacred land of Vrndavana.”
Tamal Krishna Goswami:
From a lecture given on Nov. 29, 1978, in St. Louis, on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1.10:
The anxiety of the devotees to benefit the people in general spiritually is not the same as material anxiety.
Due to intoxication with different types of sense gratification and absorption in one's own suffering, people do not have time to consider the suffering of others.
Regulation makes the body strong. Srila Prabhupada drew so much strength from his very regulated life. All his personal servants can tell you.
Deity worship insures a regulated life. We have to get up for mangala-arati. We eat pure food at regulated times.
I used to come up at 4 a.m. to see Srila Prabhupada, and he would just be finishing his 16 rounds.
As we accept service from others, we become indebted, and our life span can become be reduced.
We were watching some drunks at the London airport, buying each other drinks, lighting each others' cigarettes, etc. This was their whole relationship – killing each other.
Janananda Goswami:
A beautiful young boy playing on his flute, enticing the girls and playing with the boys is not really what you think of when you think of God, so Lord Brahma had some doubts about Krishna's divinity.
By penance Lord Brahma attained his position.
The creation is not just to punish the fallen souls but to awaken their Krishna consciousness.
Just as in a drama, as you have really identify with your part to play it properly, so maya makes us really identify with body in this world to play our role.
Distress can be good if it inspires to take shelter of the pure devotees of the Lord.
The Supersoul does not just speak through the heart but through other living entities.
In the Brahma-vimohana-lila, one can say one thing Brahma wanted to accomplish is to make it clear that Krishna is Supreme and not himself or Lord Shiva.
The Supersoul guides the pure devotees from within. In Markine Bhagavata Dharmamakes that point.
In Markine Bhagavata Dharma is to me the mission statement of ISKCON. It also shows the complete humility.
Srila Prabhupada explained that qualification of the maha-bhagavata that he is always taking shelter of Krishna.
Penance is to follow the instructions of the pure devotees of the Lord.
Can we imagine what would have happened if Srila Prabhupada had not stepped off the Jaladuta.
Literally those who came later are living off of Srila Prabhupada's remanants. He created a preaching field.
If someone does become an instrument, Krishna can use him to do anything. It does not matter his other qualifications.
r
The Paris Ratha-yatra was wonderful with so many people dancing, plenty of prasadam.
People are looking for bliss, whether by getting drunk in the pub or going to the football match, but the pleasure we find in Krishna consciousness is absolute.
It is wonderful in Paris, that they have a route in the center of the city for Ratha-yatra.
Comment by Nitai Gaurasundara Prabhu: There was one man in beginning of the parade who was complaining to everyone including, the police. He was saying that in this country we have the right to demonstrate but not to promote religion. I said we are demonstrating that we are happy people and he shut up.
We are here because Srila Prabhupada was willing to sit down with drug addicts and basically people who were crazy, to try to connect them to Krishna.
Jagadatma Prabhu:
We think of matter as being inert, but the material energy is not inert, she is bewildering.
One pilot asked Srila Prabhupada why evil exists. Srila Prabhupada explained that everything comes from God whether you consider it good or evil. Evil is like the back of God and good is the front of God. Now forget that. On the sun, is there any darkness? No, there is only light. In the same way, God is only good. If we face the sun we see only light, but when we turn away we see a shadow. Similarly when we turn away from God, we see evil, otherwise there is only goodness.
As the sun can never be covered by a cloud, which is created by its own energy, God can never be covered by His illusory potency. We, however, because we are small can have our vision of the sun easily be covered by a cloud, and similarly, we can be covered by Krishna's illusory energy.
Persons bewildered by the material energy always talk nonsense.
Examples of such nonsense talk: This is my body, and I can do whatever I like. This is mine, and if you come here, I will kill you. I am a Prabhupada disciple, and therefore, you have to respect me. I am very learned as I have been a devotee for thirty years.
They have nuclear weapons which they say act as a nuclear deterrent so there will not be war, but they have a war of terrorism, because of the terrorists that arise from the nuclear deterrent.
All this nonsensical talk arises because of a lack of Krishna consciousness.
Those who are Krishna consciousness are always respectful to others and do not demand respect for themselves.
When Srila Prabhupada was glorified, he said it was all by the mercy of his spiritual master. If he had any credit, it was because he was try to follow his spiritual master.
Parvati plays musical instruments and happily assists her husband, Lord Shiva, in singing, in the eternal abode of Kailasa, which is intermediate between the spiritual and material worlds.
Everything is coming from the body of Krishna.
Krishna has His own taste like we have our own likes and dislikes. He has a certain way he likes to dress.
The jnanis have difficulty explaining subjectivity.
Our likes and dislikes are based on the three modes of nature which we have acquired. The impersonalists theorize that when liberated from material nature we will have no likes and dislikes and be neutral and in a state of equilibrium.
The impersonalists consider that people imagine a god according to their tastes.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says about Krishna's body. “The concentrated all-time presence, uncovered knowledge and inebriating felicity have their beauty in Him. . . . It follows that the conception of the indistinguishable formless magnitude (Brahman) which is an indolent, lax, presentment of cognitive bliss, is merely a penumbra of intensely blended glow of the three concomitants, viz., the blissful, the substantive and the cognitive.” (Brahma-samhita 5.1, commentary)
There are gamers who hook themselves up to computer games so completely and get so absorbed they do not want to leave the game. They have developed a taste for it. Our situation in this world is similar because we get absorbed in these bodies of matter which are no more significant than lights flashing on a computer screen.
We have senses because Krishna has senses, but our senses are very limited compared Krishna's.
Because we are so strongly identifying with the material body to enjoy the pleasures of this world, we must suffer the material miseries of this world.
To achieve the spiritual world, you have to go beyond impersonal liberation. That is difficult because the impersonal liberation has an inebriating effect.
The beauty of Krishna is not material. We may be attracted to a beautiful woman but a horse would not be attracted by her, whereas a male horse would be very excited by a female horse while we would be indifferent. In the case of Krishna, however, all men, women, animals, birds, etc., are attracted by His beauty.
Rasesvari Dasi:
[To introduce new people to the Gita, she reads the titles of its 18 chapters.]
The Gita gives the blueprint for intelligent life.
Srila Prabhupada told us that simply by chanting, reading, associating with devotees, and taking prasadam we can become qualified to go back to the spiritual world.
To Srila Prabhupada, his books were the most important thing he could bring to the West.
Murli Manohara Prabhu:
Some say this politician is our enemy or this country is our enemy, but Krishna says our real enemies are lust, greed, and anger.
We observe the lust, greed, and anger within ourselves, and we must use our free will to control them.
Sadbhuja Prabhu:
A materialist would analyze that Sanatana Goswami was having midlife crisis when did began to question his identity.
Before they met Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu at Ramakeli, Sanatana and Rupa Goswamis had made replicas of the pastimes places of Krishna in Vrindavan, and thus they were already highly advanced spiritually.
Lord Caitanya indicated by repeatedly glancing at Sanatana Goswami's valuable blanket that he did not approve of it. This demonstrates that communication can be quite subtle, and the disciple must be alert to the indications of his guru (spiritual master) to advance.
Knowledge is very important in our modern civilization, but in Vedic civilization realization was considered more important. Sanatana Goswami knew theoretically that he was not his body and was a servant of Krishna. What he wanted from Lord Caitanya is know how to attain that realization.
In the early days of ISKCON, Prahladananda Swami as a new brahmacari hitchhiked to Miami wearing a dhoti with no money because he heard that devotees there needed more help. Somehow or other he found the devotees chanting in a park. Although they had little money, somehow they had cooked a stack of chapatis. They gave Prahladananda five chapatis.
Thirty million people died when in trying to implement their classless society in Russia, they sent the teachers to the fields and the farmers to the colleges, because the teachers did not do such a good job in the fields, and people did not have enough provisions. This shows what happens when we do not follow Krishna's varnasrama system, where people are engaged according to their qualities and activities.
Comment by Syamananda Prabhu: Yamuna says in her book, “The way you do anything is the way you do everything.”
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pātrāpātra-vicāra nāhi, nāhi sthānāsthāna
yei yāńhā pāya, tāńhā kare prema-dāna
“In distributing love of Godhead, Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His associates did not consider who was a fit candidate and who was not, nor where such distribution should or should not take place. They made no conditions. Wherever they got the opportunity, the members of the Pañca-tattva distributed love of Godhead.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmrita, Adi 7. 23)
Flood in Mayapur (Album with photos)
See them here:…
→ Dandavats.com
Everyone is a Story Teller
→ Undoing Reality
The dictionary definition of a hero is “a person, typically a man, who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” Also it isthe chief male character in a book, play, or film, who is typically identified with good qualities, and with whom the reader is expected to sympathize. As a storyteller, we are the heros of our stories and the graphic journey of the hero as illustrated above is where we place ourselves to tell a story. Over and over again, there is the full tale of our lives from which we know ourselves to be ordinary people that turn into extraoordinary people after telling our story and entering the Journey of Story telling.
Storytelling is a journey. It is a journey that happens in real time but when told it happens as fast as the mind with an almost omniscent view in hindsight.
Storytelling is powerful because it illustrates a point better than a set of facts. People will take care to listen about what you are saying because they can relate to characters in your story, the plot and the lessons to be learned. People will relate to your story and therefore your message.
Now, I shall begin my story…..
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015
What a Venue!
There are 3,600 pipes to the glorious pipe organ set against the viewing wall of the Westminster United Church in Winnipeg
And get this, this is the venue where we performed. Hallelujah! Hare Krishna! Thanks to Vrinda Devi for arranging this place.
The show went on - bharat natyam dance, a skit called ‘Under the Influence’, a drama ‘Krishna Is’, and a kirtan of ecstasy. Thumbs up to Radha Vinod and Krishna Nanda of the UK
I felt I had touched several worlds today. When our buses pulled up to the YMCA for our morning showers, I perched on a park bench for a conference call regarding our mission in Cuba Havana Winnipeg
Let’s say we received some ruchi, some taste of the spiritual world.
Oh yes, back in the boys’ bus again. After the show and after munching on samosas, we came back to the crammed quarters of a muggy bus. It’s a relief when our conveyance becomes mobile. It allows air to circulate inside while the windows are open. And that’s the way the world is, you hop from inconvenience to convenience and back again. There’s nothing you can do about it so you have to live with it and you might as well love it.
May the Source be with you!
2 km
Tuesday, July 21st 2015
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Tuesday, July 21st 2015
Everyone’s Heard About It
I decided to walk from our small temple on Victoria Avenue
Was I surprised to see and hear the reaction, “Yeah! I heard about it.” “I’m gonna be there!” “Wouldn’t miss it.” “I come every year.” “I came last year, but you ran out of food.” “Yeah, I’m going over there to volunteer some help.”
Once arriving at the location, I saw Maduha, the coordinator for the exhibits, set up the marquees and displays.
My bus companions were absent. I was told that all fifty of them were off for an Ultimate Frisbee game. The manager of the festival, Dr. Jani (Prem Kishor), was busy like anything preparing for the mini Ratha Yatra that would start the whole festival.
Three young boys, less than six years of age each, were playing on the grass. They had been chatting about me I could see. One of them came forward and asked an innocent question, “Are you God?”
“No! I’m a monk, I’m the servant of God.”
“Oh, okay,” answered the young boy who got distracted and then ran off with his friends to explore and see what the park and the day had in store for them.
The festival went well. My guess is that 8,000 people came. The mayor came. Bruce, who heads up the Green Party in the area, also made his appearance. There were others.
As usual, a good number of people who came with their fold out lawn chairs sat for hours to watch the show until the time to line up for the free food. A formula for warming up people to Krishna Consciousness is effectively working, food, cultural shows, and kirtan. All have a magical effect on people.
May the Source be with you!
8 kmMonday, July 20th, 2015
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Monday, July 20th, 2015
In The Serpent
It was from the above Gita verse that I lead a discussion with the 50 or so youths and bus drivers on the youth bus tour. They were seated next to our annually visited Serpent River
After the discussion, Manorama, our youth bus coordinator, showed himself to be quite the herbalist. For one of the three walks that I undertook today, he lead the group down the trail helping everyone to identify hazelnuts, St. John’s Wort, Saskatoon berries, Blueberries, Yarrow, jewel weed, raspberries, ferns and horsetail – a whole community of plants. It was quite astounding what contribution each plant makes with each of their various properties. I could see that the group really enjoyed the physical and brain-stretching exercise.
The termination point on the trail was an old iron train bridge spanning over the river. My independent nature pulled me in a different direction. Instead of taking the return trail I decided to take the river itself. I decided I’ll swim it and against the current which was rather slow. I decided at certain periods that I would also walk it as the water is shallow in places and that I would even crawl it by clutching on to the rocks underneath me when swimming and walking became tedious. After some time the mission was accomplished. To put a little Vedic touch to the endeavour, I plucked out one of those long stemmed water lilies and turned it around my neck as a garland. My estimation of distance was just under two kilometres. It is believed by local Ojibwe people that a serpent actually resides at the end of this winding and twisting river.
On a yearly basis our buses stop here at the park, which has cascaded waters flowing at both ends of its perimeter, to give a chance for everyone to chill and then to prepare for a week of intense programs.
On one other adventure, Pariksit, a 20 year old from India
May the Source be with you!
8 km
Lord Gauranga
→ travelingmonk.com
“Gauranga is decorated with infinite qualities. He is the protector and deliverer of even the denizens of heaven. Having destroyed the guilt of the fourteen worlds, He exhibits a bodily luster similar to Sri Radhika. He is the ācārya of the special type of musical rāga named Gandhara. He defeats the gait of a huge [...]
Monday, July 20th, 2015
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Monday, July 20th, 2015
In The Serpent
“Know that all beautiful, glorious, and mighty creations spring from but a spark of My splendour.” Bhagavad Gita 10.41
It was from the above Gita verse that I lead a discussion with the 50 or so youths and bus drivers on the youth bus tour. They were seated next to our annually visited Serpent River
After the discussion, Manorama, our youth bus coordinator, showed himself to be quite the herbalist. For one of the three walks that I undertook today, he lead the group down the trail helping everyone to identify hazelnuts, St. John’s Wort, Saskatoon berries, Blueberries, Yarrow, jewel weed, raspberries, ferns and horsetail – a whole community of plants. It was quite astounding what contribution each plant makes with each of their various properties. I could see that the group really enjoyed the physical and brain-stretching exercise.
The termination point on the trail was an old iron train bridge spanning over the river. My independent nature pulled me in a different direction. Instead of taking the return trail I decided to take the river itself. I decided I’ll swim it and against the current which was rather slow. I decided at certain periods that I would also walk it as the water is shallow in places and that I would even crawl it by clutching on to the rocks underneath me when swimming and walking became tedious. After some time the mission was accomplished. To put a little Vedic touch to the endeavour, I plucked out one of those long stemmed water lilies and turned it around my neck as a garland. My estimation of distance was just under two kilometres. It is believed by local Ojibwe people that a serpent actually resides at the end of this winding and twisting river.
On a yearly basis our buses stop here at the park, which has cascaded waters flowing at both ends of its perimeter, to give a chance for everyone to chill and then to prepare for a week of intense programs.
On one other adventure, Pariksit, a 20 year old from India
8 km
Sunday, July 19th, 2015
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Sunday, July 19th, 2015
Spirituality and Fun
I don’t think it would be an error to say that Centre Island , situated in Toronto Harbour
For day two of our festival on the island there was no shortage of fun. At the same time, the spiritual content presented at the festival held its own as well. The question that arises in the mind of some people in regards to spirituality and joy being separate universes was something I momentarily pondered. Should spirituality be merely a rigid practice?
In the evening at wrap up time, myself, along with Bhaktivinode Swami, Agnideva (a soon to be swami) and three local monks, took the journey from the ferry dock on the mainland to the ashram via a van cab. The driver hailed from Pakistan
“Why did God create human beings?” he probed. I offered him my answer from a Vedic perspective. In short I expressed,
“For enjoyment,” and also went on to explain that it is an opportunity towards enlightenment.
“There are multiple ways to answer the question,” I said. The cab driver, however, only wanted to accept one answer.
“God created man to worship Him.” From his response and attitude I detected some exclusivity. I went on to stretch my point,
“You may say ‘worship’ but I would give it another word, ‘love’ or ‘bhakti’. 1) God can’t demand, but suggest. 2) God demonstrates love in reciprocation.”
We arrived at our destination. We shook hands once again. My lingering thought on the matter was that when spirituality is too rigid, is not a joyful output and is not a two-way situation then I’m out.
Further on, I reflected on the kirtans that I enjoyed on the island and also the swim with Agnideva. I reflected on the inseparable, beautiful and spiritual human exchanges I had with people on the island today. I felt complete.
8 km