Planet ISKCON

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Bhagavatam-daily 294 – 11.13.27 – Contemplate one’s observer position to cultivate dispassion appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form – to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have. Bhagavad-gita 9.22-http://www.vedabase.com/en/bg/9/22

The keyword in this verse is Exclusive Devotion, not sometime worship this, worship that, enjoy material senses then back to devotion. The promise that given by Krishna in this verse is for the one that always worship me in exclusive devotion.

the next thing is Meditating on Krishna transcendental form, thats why Krishna so kindly appear in his form as the deity. When we are worshiping the deity, dressing the deity and make offering to the deity we will automatically think about transcendental form of Krishna.

In the previous verse it is said that if we worship the demigods the can go to heavenly planet, but after the time runs out he will fall down again. Its just like you have a vacation when you have money you can have fun but after the money runs out you can't anything.

Then Guru Maharaja describe about how devotees not attracted about heavenly planet, the analogies about how life in heavenly planet. Guru maharaja continued that devotees only goal is only Krishna and then explaining on how to achieve Krishna mercy.

Message from Guru Maharaja:

We should read this Bhagavadgita carefully, memories some its verses, keep them in our mind and gradually really trust Krishna. He's not gonna cheat us. He is really gonna give us what his promises, if we give him what he is asking for. Its two way deal!

Please hear more from the audio or download it. Hare Krishna!

Question:  Can you explain why we fast from grains on ekadasi? No one has ever been able to explain it to me logically. I mean, for most devotees the fact that srila prabhupada and Lord caitanya recommend it is enough for them. But that’s a faith-based reason, I’m looking for a logic-based explanation.

It does make sense to have a special day every two weeks for extra hearing and chanting, but most devotees don’t hear and chant more on ekadasi. They are just really into the whole ‘no grains’ thing.

I also know the whole “papa purusha” thing  [grains becoming “sinful” on ekadasi] but I’m suspicious about that. It may have been introduced around a campfire sometime in history. Srila prabhupada certainly doesn’t mention papa purusha in any of his books.

It seems a bit bizarre to me how much people are into it when none of them can explain it. So can you logically explain why we should fast from grains on ekadasi?

My Reply: 

Ekadasi is a fasting day. It’s not a day for “no grains,” its a day for “no eating.”

Fasting is very extreme, however, and few people can actually do it – so there is a gradient of reducing consumption – parts of which can still be considered, liberally, “fasting.” For example, you can drink water and still consider it a fast. You can also eat fruits. Like this, the spectrum gradually expands from absolute fast towards normal daily diet. The line gets drawn at the real staples of a daily meal: grains and legumes. Beyond that line it’s just too far of a stretch to call it a fast anymore.

What’s the purpose of not eating?

One thing is, its just healthy. If you have a regular schedule where you reduce your intake by “fasting” you will be much healthier.

More importantly, fasting clears your mind and gives you some mental and emotional self-discipline. Self-discipline of this sort is particularly important for meditation, so regular fasting is a very important part of yoga. It helps us develop the mental discipline to say “no” to our habitual desires and impulses, which is essential when trying to deliberately focus the mind in meditation (in the case of bhakti-yoga the meditation is upon Hari-nama, rūpa, guṇa and līlā).

PS – As for why the 11th day [ekadasi is the 11th phase of the waxing and waning moon] and not the 4th or the 9th or any other – I’m not quite sure at all. Astrologically the 11th is typically described as a day that’s not very good for doing most important things. Maybe that makes it an opportune day for fasting? Symbolically 11 is a number associated with Śiva. But there’s another point that comes out when one studies the technical details about astrology: it seems its actually the 12th that’s the really blessed day (12 being a number associated with Viṣṇu), and the 11th seems like a preparation for it.

PPS – here is an earlier blog post I made with more details substantiating the points I made here, with reference to Hari Bhakti Vilas.

Tagged: Bhakti-Yoga, ekadashi, ekadasi, fasting, grains

Dulal Chandra prabhu takes us through the offenses and how to avoid them during Japa. Email subscribers please click the big blue link above.

“Those who know reality say it is non-dual knowledge.”

— 1.2.11

Reality is the most valuable thing any person can attain. Therefore it certainly should be the highest form of happiness, and not diminish or come to an end.

Those who understand reality describe it as “non-dual knowledge” – advaya-jñāna. Here, the word “knowledge” (jñāna) denotes sentience, consciousness — the basis of knowledge. Śuka describes this consciousness as “non-dual” (advaya), indicating that nothing in existence is separate from it.

Thus, Bhāgavatam describes reality as the consciousness that is the essence of all things. Everyone and everything that exists is a manifestation of this self-manifest consciousness, and all of them are fully dependent upon it.

“Non-dual reality is pure consciousness fixed exclusively upon its supreme objective. This Bhāgavatam clarifies the essence of all Vedānta by describing the characteristics of this supreme objective.”

— 12.13.12

“Reality is Brahman: infinite consciousness.”

— Taittirīya (2.1.1)

“Hear about it and you hear about everything. Know it, and you know all that is to be known.”

— Chāndogya (6.1.3)

“Only that reality, consciousness, existed in the beginning, thinking, ‘I will manifest as living beings each with their own names and forms, for I should be many.’”

— Chāndogya (6.2.1 – 3)

Plurality in Non-Duality

In his trance, Badarāyaṇa saw plurality in non-dual consciousness, for he saw two distinct types of conscious beings: (1) The supreme conscious being, and (2) individual conscious beings. We will thoroughly examine the relationship between the supreme and the individual later on, in the third essay, named Paramātmā Sandarbha. In summary, the individual is a distinctly perfect quantum of consciousness manifest from a fragmental ray of the amazing potencies of the supreme consciousness.

The supreme object/objective of individual consciousness is the supreme consciousness at its root. Thus supreme consciousness is therefore the essence of Vedānta and the primary subject of Śrī Bhāgavatam.

“Non-dual reality is pure consciousness fixed exclusively upon its supreme objective. This Bhāgavatam clarifies the essence of all Vedānta by describing the characteristics of this supreme objective.”

— 12.13.12

Here, the word “exclusively” does not mean without separate existence. It means purely. “Purity” means to be without anything extraneous, to be without ulterior motive. Thus the word hints that individual consciousness can attain the supreme objective most efficaciously by virtue of pure devotion. We will discuss this at much greater length in the sixth essay, Prīti Sandarbha.

Unity in Non-Duality

In non-duality, unity and plurality coexist. The Upanishads sometimes stress the unity of the individual and supreme consciousness, and at other times they stress their distinct plurality. The individual and the supreme are one unified reality, for they are the same in substance: consciousness. Yet within this unity a distinction manifests plurality: individual consciousness is the emanation, and supreme consciousness is the emanator.

Here is an example where the Upanishads stress the unity between the individual and the supreme:

“You are that.”

— Chandogya 6.8.7

In this statement, “you” refers to the individual consciousness, and “that” refers to the supreme consciousness. By highlighting the similarity between the individual and the supreme, the Upanishads convey important, factual information that we, just like the supreme, are eternal and full of sentience.

Another important reason for stressing the sameness of the individual and the supreme is to tell us that we can begin to understand the supreme by understanding ourselves. Since our own individual consciousness is a ray from the supreme consciousness, we can get an initial grasp of the supreme by understanding ourselves.

“Understanding one grants understanding of the other.”

— Vedānta Sūtra (1.3.20)

Imagine a person who has stayed shut within his house since birth and cannot go out into the sun. If he wants to know what the sun is, we could point to a minute ray of sunlight falling through a crack in his shutters and say, “this is it.” By comprehending that fragment of light, he would begin to get an accurate idea about the great amalgamation of light that is the sun itself.

Śrī Bhāgavatam also clearly states the essential similarities between the individual and the supreme consciousness:

“The conscious-self does is never born, and it does not die, or grow, or decay. It merely experiences all these conditions. It is the ever-present, constant, unfading substance of cognition itself.”

—11.3.38a

“Conscious-self” means the pure living being.

It “is never born” because it has always existed. Since it is never born, it is not subject to the conditions following on the heels of birth: growth, decay, and death. These conditions occur only in the physical body. The conscious-self “merely experiences” them, without being directly affected.

Who is the conscious-self, the observer distinct from everything it observes? The conscious-self is pure sentience, “the substance of cognition itself.”

Where does it exist? Everywhere, “it is ever-present.” The consciousness of the individual self completely pervades whatever field it projects into.

There is unity between the individual and the supreme because the essence of both is pure consciousness itself. Therefore both the individual and the supreme possess the qualities of consciousness: begininglessness, changelessness, and pervasiveness.

An excerpt from
Basic Truths:
An English Rendition of Śrī Jīva Goswāmī’s Tattva-Sandarbha

by Vraja Kishor
VrajaKishor.com

Tagged: acintya bhedabheda tattva, Advaita, bhedabheda, dvaita, jiva, Tattva Sandarbha

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 11 May 2015, Brisbane, Australia Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.42)

The different acharyas are spiritual masters who may place emphasis on different things. But still, all are sitting at Srila Prabhupada’s feet. He is the founder acharya, Prabhupada – the master at whose feet all others sit, therefore we should take it that Prabhupada’s books are the main substance in our lives.

So many books are out there nowadays. Everyone has written books. Many of the books are very revealing and extend our understanding. Still, I have a comparison which is that the Bhagavad-gita, the Nectar of Devotion, the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Caitanya-Caritamrta are our four main books which are like rice, dhal, sabji and chapatti; and these other books are like chutney.

So, you know, some chutney is nice. We want some chutney and we read something new, something with a different taste that is interesting. But basically, our staple diet is rice, dhal, sabji and chapatti. If you eat only chutney, you are not going to be very healthy!

So, our main source of knowledge lies in Prabhupada’s books and in there, we absorb deeply. And these other books are extensions of Prabhupada’s books, they give us like a further insight into Prabhupada’s books!

After a two-day break upon returning from the Woodstock Festival we’re back on the Baltic Sea coast for one more month of harinam and festival programs. It seems like it never ends … and I pray it never will.

Hare Krishna! ISKCON UK August newsletter
By ISKCON UK Communications
Temples across the UK are gearing up for the official 50th anniversary of ISKCON, with events to mark Srila Prabhupada’s departure from India to the West to spread Krishna Consciousness – ISKCON Leicester will host the very first UK national convention to celebrate the 50th anniversary; ISKCON London will be holding three one-day festivals to commemorate Srila Prahupada’s departure from India, his arrival in Boston and New York; ISKCON Birmingham will hold a special 8hr kirtan programme; Bhaktivedanta Manor will host a series of special classes every Sunday with a special guest speaker sharing Srila Prabhupada Memories, and ISKCON Coventry will release a special CD to commemorate this milestone celebration.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18892

Vancouver Harinama (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Krishna stresses the importance of remembering Him. One‘s memory of Krishna is revived by chanting the maha-mantra, Hare Krishna. By this practice of chanting and hearing the sound vibration of the Supreme Lord, one’s ear, tongue and mind are engaged. This mystic meditation is very easy to practice, and it helps one attain the Supreme Lord. (Bhagavad-Gita 8.8 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/a0Cxw6

Hare Krishna! We Shall Call Our Society ISKCON
July 11, 1966. 26 Second Avenue, New York City: A few sympathetic, interested people gather in a small downtown storefront to help an Indian swami’s mission by adding their signature to a legal document. Today, ISKCON has branches all over the world. Millions of lives have been transformed by the Hare Krishna mantra and the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita—thanks to the vision of Srila Prabhupada and the efforts of his sincere followers. But in 1966, no one (except Prabhupada himself) could foresee how this society could ever manifest on such a scale. Here’s an excerpt from Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita, a detailed biography of Srila Prabhupada, describing the humble yet momentous event of ISKCON’s incorporation. 1966: The Lower East Side, New York.The building was humble, the membership small, yet Srila Prabhupada’s vision encompassed the whole world.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18886

Hare Krishna! Can I get out of here?
Brahmananda dasa: In 1971 Prabhupada was having big public programs in India, and one evening an Arya Samajist challenged Prabhupada. He said, “Oh, Swamiji, you have come to India with your western chelas, but we know all these things. This is our culture. Better you go to the other places and do your work there. All right, you have been to the West, but what about the Muslim countries? What about Pakistan? You should go to Pakistan and preach there. Make them devotees.” This was in a public pandal with thousands of people. Prabhupada said, “You are challenging us to go?” The man said, “Yes. I challenge you. You must go to Pakistan.” Prabhupada said, “All right. We will go.” Prabhupada wrote a letter to me, “Immediately go to West Pakistan.” He also wrote to Gargamuni, “Immediately go to East Pakistan.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18883

― Lailah Gifty Akita

The post “When your environment is clean you feel happy motivated and healthy.” appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

UK, Reading Rathayatra 2015 (Album with photos)
See them here: https://goo.gl/lifjHf

Mangal Arati Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath; 9th August 2015

Rathayatra in Vladivostok, Russis, August 8, 2015 (Album with photos)
See them here: https://goo.gl/Bx3MUx

Hare Krishna! ISKCON 50th Anniversary Philately Stamps to be Launched during Temple Opening in Penang
On July 11, 1966, Srila Prabhupada officially registered his International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York. At that time, he had one small storefront on New York’s Lower East-Side, and a handful of students. Today, there are nearly four hundred ISKCON centers all over the world, and thousands of ISKCON devotees. ISKCON is now gearing up for its 50th anniversary, with plans for celebratory events all over the world throughout 2016. To mark the significance of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada’s maiden visit to USA in 1965, ISKCON Malaysia will be launching the ISKCON 50th anniversary 60 sen philately stamps by the Malaysian postal office, Pos Malaysia on the 29th August at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple opening in Seberang Prai, Penang.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18877

The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine was just
released. KK Bindu #356 topics include, “Irresponsibility in Bhakti”, “Natural Detachment” etc
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18874

What is it like being and living in Mayapur these days, during the flood? This nicely made video takes you around for a tour in this “Waterworld”! (16 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/foWWoM

If you are going to spend an hour-and-a-half ~ two hours (or whatever) chanting a mantra over and over again do it right. Don’t waste your time being half-assed about it, or just pretending to do it on the surface.

If you are going to take your time and energy away from your children, spouse, family, friends, passions, and hobbies – don’t waste it spacing out!

The idea that inattentive chanting is better than no chanting at all is dubious. It probably does a lot more harm than good, and keeps a lot of people wasting their precious time. Inattentive chanting will never in a million billion lifetimes grant anyone the goal of the mantra. Period.

You are just wasting time.

If you are dedicating time and energy to chanting a mantra, you owe it to your children, spouse, family, friends, etc. to chant as attentively as you possibly can! You owe it, literally, to all of them to attain the goal of the mantra, so stop sitting there with your hand in a bag of beads daydreaming!

Vraja Kishor
VrajaKishor.com

Tagged: Hare Krishna, Mahamantra, Mantra

Mother Cow!

   

Hare Krishna

By eating a light meal you will sleep soundly, rise early without difficulty, and have full energy for attentive Japa the next morning. The night before make a sankalpa or firm vow: "Tomorrow morning, I will chant with full concentration and sincere feelings."

From Art Of Chanting Hare Krsna
by Mahanidhi Swami

The value of wearing saris and dhotis in the execution of our devotional activities
Hari Sauri: Its a fact that devotional life, in its essence, is not dependent on anything external. Surely our aim is to simply purify our existence by chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and thus go back to Godhead. Chanting can be done in any place, time or circumstance-there are no hard and fast rules. I agree with this, if this is the argument.
However since we are not situated on the platform of pure devotional service and we are not absorbed in the holy name to the exclusion of all things external, we have to be careful how we apply this in practice.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=4817

Answer Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post When an eye for an eye will make everyone blind, why does the Gita teach that? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Lord Chaitanya gives special mercy – does that mean souls before his descent were deprived of mercy? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: THESTAR

A TOTAL of 3,000 copies of the Hindu holy scripture — Bhagavad Gita were handed over to all 28 Tamil vernacular schools in Penang.

Copies of the holy book were given to the primary schools in an effort to educate the young about the values in life to achieve unity and peace in the world.

The event was organised by Global Integrated Transcendental Association (GITA) of Penang.

Its president Madhusudan Das said through this event, the pupils would have the opportunity to learn anddiscover more about the Bhagavad Gita.

“Besides these Tamil schools, we will also hand out copies of the Bhagavad Gita to other educational institutions, libraries and participants of ongoing programmes by GITA.

“We aim to distribute 5,000 copies by the end of the year,” he said at the opening of the Penang Tamil schools’ GITA Programme at Komtar in George Town on Saturday.

He added that the copies, which were given out were in English and Tamil.

Madhusudan said GITA would hold a Gita Champion League, which would be a statewide competition on the reciting of the Bhagavad Gita.

“This competition, which will be held both in English and Tamil, is to encourage students to read the holy book and to understand it,” he added.

Details of the competition will be announced at a later date.

State Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Chong Eng, who was present at the ceremony, said good values were important for a community.

“Everyone can own the holy book, but it is more important to put in the effort to learn what is in the book and to follow it,” she said.

Answer Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post If bhakti is the conclusion of the Vedas, shouldn;t the Vedas be filled with bhakti? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Why dont the Vedas talk only about bhakti – how are they the authority for bhakti? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Is Krishna’s coming only once in Brahma’s day mean that he is partial? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Bhagavatam-daily 293 – 11.13.26 – Resist the lower natural by embracing the higher natural appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

CC daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post CC daily 189 – 6.278-80 – Sarvabhauma’s dramatic transformation points to the transformer’s divinity appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

BY DERRICK VINESH

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: THESTAR

SEBERANG JAYA - When His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada visited Malaysia in 1971, he had a vision for a Krishna temple to be built in Penang.

The founder of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) had then drawn a rough sketch of the temple and left instructions for the devotees here to follow.

It was quite a tall order but the devotees will soon see the fruits of their labour when the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion and Understanding in Bandar Seberang Jaya officially opens on Aug 29.

The grand three-storey octagonal-shaped temple will be the first Hindu temple in the country to have 16 chatris (ornate dome-shaped pavilions), two octagon skylight domes and three main shikara domes.

ISKCON national general secretary Simheswara Dasa said although the devotees here were 44 years late, they were happy to finally fulfil the wishes of the late Swami Prabhupada who died in 1977.

“The main temple building is now 95% complete, leaving only work on the installation of sound systems, air-conditioning units, lightings, fittings, paintwork, landscaping and roadwork yet to be done,” he added.

He said the RM7mil temple, which saw its groundbreaking in 2009, was designed after India’s Jagannath temple in Puri and Krishna Balaram temple in Vrindavan.

“The 100ft-tall temple’s sculpture and ornamental decorations by 14 artisans from India is one of its kind in the world with 12 lions sitting on top of the shikara domes rising up to 80ft,” he said in an interview.

Simheswara, who is also the building committee chairman, said the vedic-friendly temple’s main prayer hall on the first floor would have deities Lord Krishna and Radha placed on a grand Balinese teakwood altar and placed under the main domes.

He said the prayer hall could accommodate up to 1,000 devotees at any one time, adding that 10 statues depicting the incarnations of Lord Krishna would also be placed within the temple.

He said there would be a separate kitchen to cook food offerings for the deities as well as a room to keep a wardrobe of attires for the deities.

The statues of deities Jegannath, Baladeva and Subadhra would be put up in the prayer hall later on.

“The temple’s mezzanine floor would feature a Srila Prabhupada Gallery while the ground floor would have an auditorium to run audio visual presentations and an exhibition of Lord Krishna’s incarnations,” Simheswara said.

He said the committee had so far raised RM5mil for the temple construction and hoped to raise the remaining RM2mil through various fundraising events and sponsorship.

Building project vice-chairman Kalesha Dasa said a RM3mil multipurpose hall was being jointly developed with the main temple building while a RM1.5mil education and cultural centre was completed in 2004.

He said the four-storey multipurpose hall would have an open dining hall to run the movement’s food-for-life free vegetarian food programme, 10 guest rooms, a viewing gallery and a performance stage.

The three-storey cultural centre will house a restaurant, gift and bookshop, childcare centre, meeting rooms and education centre.

“We are expecting over 10,000 people during the temple’s opening-cum-installation of deities ceremony at 10am on Aug 29.

“They include devotees from India, China, US, Australia, England, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Africa.

“The temple’s opening will also coincide with the 50th anniversary of ISKCON’s founding in the US,” Kalesha said, adding that 20 priests from the International School of Vedic in Mayapur, India, would lead the ceremonies.

For details, call Simheswara (012-3798743), the temple office (04-3808897) or visit the movement’s website at www.iskconmalaysia.com or e-mail srktdu@gmailcom.

BY HARRIENA BHARDWAJ

SEBERANG JAYA - Best wishes from the Prime Minister of India in regards to ‪ISKCON's 50th Anniversary. Jai Srila Prabhupada!

BY HARRIENA BHARDWAJ

SEBERANG JAYA - The Mandala-Abhisegam Ubhayam is a prayer held daily for the next 48 days after the opening, whereby individuals or groups can sponsor for a day to benefit the deities of the temple, and also have prayers and a feast conducted for their well-being. 

If anyone wishes to make a sponsorship for any particular day, please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will make arrangements accordingly.

Dates start on the 30th August, and runs till the 16th October.

BY HARRIENA BHARDWAJ

SEBERANG JAYA - The BCC Youths will be in Little India, this Saturday! Come and meet them at Penang as they promote the GRAND OPENING of Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion and Understanding:

Guru puja ceremony in Mayapur (2 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/zD8zb7

BY GOLOKA CANDRA DASA

KUALA LUMPUR - Ksirosuka Prabhu, a disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami and who served at Sri Jagannatha Mandir in Kuala Lumpur for many years as a resident devotee, quit his body on 08AUG2015 at about 01:50am in Temerloh GH while surrounded by his family members who chanted the Hare Krishna mahamantra and recited the Bhagavad-gita.

Earlier in the afternoon ISKCON Malaysia secretary Simheswara Prabhu visited him, accompanied by Janagan Prabhu, I and my son Rama. We chanted the mahamantra. Simheswara Prabhu delivered a short voice message conveying blessings from  HH Jayapataka Swami which Ksirosuka Prabhu's son-in-law Balabhadra Krsna Prabhu played close to his ear. Simheswara Prabhu informed Balabhadra Prabhu and the family members that it is very auspicious for a person who is about to leave the body if GoSeva (feeding, caring and serving the cows) is performed on his behalf.

After chanting for an hour or so, we took leave of Ksirosuka Prabhu and his family and had to return to KL because of a scheduled meeting  on the various services and booths to be manned by out-station devotees  during the new temple opening in Seberang Jaya on 29AUG2015.  Aelinda Hoh mataji, who has been visiting Ksirosuka Prabhu almost daily, then arrived at the hospital. She drove Balabhadra Prabhu to the nearest ISKCON farm in Lanchang where they fed the cows with papayas, bananas, gur (cane sugar) and grass.

The rest of the family -- wife, son Suresh, daughters Subha Janani and Anita matajis and grand-daughter Tulasi -- kept vigil at Ksirosuka Prabhu's bedside through the night. When his heavy breathing off the respirator gradually slowed down, Subha Janani mataji served him a few more drops of caranamrita and chanted the mahamantra softly into his ear. Finally the breathing stopped and Ksirosuka Prabhu, 71, quit the body serenely. 

Since most of the relatives are in the north, the family decided to perform the last rites at the home of Balabhadra and Subha Janani at 23 Jalan Kalui, Seberang Jaya, 13700 Prai. Balabhadra Prabhu accompanied the body in the hospital ambulance to Penang today. The funeral is scheduled tomorrow Sunday 09AUG2015 in the afternoon.

Ksirosuka Prabhu, an ex-Telekom technician, joined Sri Jagannatha Mandir in KL as a resident devotee during the time when the late Uttama Caitanya Prabhu was the temple president. A man of many skills, Ksirosuka Prabhu served the temple in many capacities: as pujari, preacher (he used to conduct home programs in Ampang), cook, book distributor, gardener, wireman, plumber, carpenter etc -- all as unpaid volunteer.  His van was also utilised in temple service.

When Uttama Prabhu passed away in 2009, Ksirosuka Prabhu was devastated but he continued to stay on in the temple ashrama and continued to perform his services voluntarily. However the new management (who succeeded Uttama Prabhu) asked him to move out from the ashrama and Ksirosuka Prabhu returned to his Ampang home. There he met with an unfortunate accident. While doing some repair on the rooftop of his house, he fell through and broke his spine. The one-time temple pujari-cum-handyman who was always active in service, became  confined to a wheelchair in his home.  

After ISKCON acquired the 400-acre farm in Lanchang, Ksirosuka Prabhu expressed his desire to move to the farm and render some menial service with his hands. Simheswara Prabhu kindly accepted his request and accomodated him in the farm's guest bungalow and later built a separate home for him on the farm. Ksirosuka Prabhu spent the last years of his life in this farmhouse where he had the opportunity to chant the mahamantra peacefully.

Ksirosuka Prabhu had requested that his ashes be sprinkled in Mother Ganga flowing nearby ISKCON headquarters in Sridhama Mayapur, India, where he has made many pilgrimages to in the past. HG Ksirosuka Prabhu ki jai!

Ireland Tour in Belfast (Album with photos)
The final week of the Ireland tour was spent at Belfast Temple, advertising as usual through postering, flyering and Harinam and on the Sunday we had the privilege to cook the Sunday feast for the devotees. After a very blissful week, the festival day was a fantastic finale to the tour. The hall was full and the final Kirtan had everybody up on their feet. A huge thank you to all the devotees at Belfast temple and to everybody involved. Jai Radha Madhava! Jai Srila Prabhupada!
See them here: https://goo.gl/eMLATO