Padmapani, Anuttama, Hunkara and Prema Rasa at the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx outside of Cairo, Egypt, 1978
Anuttama Prabhu accomplished a lot in helping to establish our flegling center in Cairo, Egypt. A small group of us had arrived there in the fall of 1978 and were initially holed up together in a small room at the Minerva Hotel in downtown Cairo. I was rather young and green at the time, so I was admittedly having some difficulty finding a place for us to live despite going out and searching regularly. Enter Anuttama Prabhu, who magically located a nice flat in the Zamalek district (on Schagaret El Dor Street) which was the best area in town chosen by ex-patriots and foreign embassies alike. Not only that, but Anuttama arranged a wonderful “India Day” program at the American University in Cairo. The student newspaper proclaimed that “The students were so excited about the food that they were sticking their hands into the pots!” It was a huge success. Anuttama Prabhu was also interviewed by the paper and he made a good impression to one and all. This devotee was obviously intelligent and professional without even trying (unlike me). It was a sad day for us when he decided to return to the West, although I certainly didn’t blame him. He had more important service to do for Srila Prabhupada, I’m sure. Wherever he is now, I hope he knows and remembers that he made a wonderful contribution to Srila Prabhupada’s preaching program in the Middle East. All glories to his service!
Please see the following page for a few pictures of the students enjoying prasadam at the “India Day” program arranged by Anuttama Prabhu: http://goo.gl/clKG3x
"We are full of many mundane impressions; so we have to guard ourselves against those ten offences that should not be committed during the chanting of the Name of Hari."
From The Harmonist by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaja
After offering his own place, Dhruva’s adored All-Attractive returned to his own abode, riding like a flag atop Garuḍa, as the boy looked on with regrets. Dhruva vows to worship Viṣṇu’s feet had borne fruit and he was now relieved of those difficult strictures, yet he was not very happy as he returned home.
When Vidura heard this from Maitreya he became confused and asked, “In a single lifetime he achieved the extremely rare treasure of affectionately worshipping Hari’s feet in his supreme abode, yet he felt like a person who had not fulfilled his goals. Why was he so dissatisfied with himself? Did he not realize the value of what he had attained?”
Maitreya explained that Dhruva was morose because he thought of the misfortune that awaited his mother’s co-wife. He unhappily felt it was at her expense that the Master of Liberation granted him liberation. He was also morose because Viṣṇu had left, as a result of Dhruva’s ulterior desires. He felt that he would have to endure 36,000 years without Viṣṇu because of his initially revengeful motives towards his co-mother.
“Even the four celibates, Sananda and the others, could not attain in their entire lives what I attained in six months,” the boy thought as he walked towards his father’s palace. “Yet I have left the shade of his feet because my mind wants other things. Oh fie on my selfishness! Just look at my misfortune! I went to the feet of he who can cut down temporary existence, and there I begged for something temporary. I am the greatest fool! Fate would not allow me to accept Nārada’s wise advice to forget my co-mother’s insults. My proud, intolerant thoughts preferred to wallow in their own foulness. Absorbing myself into the dreamlike dooms of the temporary external world, I suffered divisions between my brother and my self, hating him in my heart as if he were my enemy. I begged for useless things, things that are like medicine for dead peole. I underwent extremely difficult austerities and pleased the soul of all souls who cuts people free from temporary existence. Yet I begged for something temporary. I have no good fortune at all! Oh how stupid! I begged for a kingdom. I am like the poor idiot who asks the emperor for a few husks of grain.”
Maitreya concluded by telling Vidura, “My dear, devotees are like you, they only want to taste the pollen from the lotus feet of Mukunda. Outside of this service, they have no personal interest at all. They think of themselves as very wealthy by accepting whatever destiny automatically bestows to them.”
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 08 March 2015, Stockholm, Sweden, Srimad Bhagavatam 3.1.4-8)
We have to understand that in the spiritual life, we have to rely on knowledge but more so, we rely on mercy and then try to absorb ourselves in love for Krsna. The world is so distracting; the material energy is very distracting. It is like you are very inspired and then you get a cold. You are sick like a dog, you are sniffing, your head is exploding and there is pain everywhere; and now you have to maintain your sense of inspiration.
So gradually, one has to learn through the modes, as the modes are going up and down. Even when the modes are down, we have to stay internally, deeply attached to pleasing Krsna and not just when riding on waves of inspiration, ‘This is so inspiring! It was just amazing!’ Even when it is not amazing, it is still amazing. So there are so many levels to go through. Krsna still puts us through some purification until the very end!
Wellington has two centres – one in the city called the Bhakti Lounge, which is run by disciples of HH Devamrta Maharaja, and the other at Newlands road Newlands.
This temple has been open for more than 20 years and also operates two restaurants, one of which hosts a Saturday afternoon program.
The temple observes regular programs and festivals and is developing Bhakti Vrksa groups as well.
Hare Krishna! My Muslim Brother
Indradyumna Swami: “It was there at the hospital that I met Dr. Nakas,” she continued. “Somehow or other, he had acquired a Bhagavad-gita and would read it to his colleagues before the surgeries. He said it helped him realize the immortality of the soul and gave him strength as he watched people die before his eyes. “I was amazed that a staunch Muslim, who visited his mosque daily, was not only reading Bhagavad-gita but sharing it with others. Most of the Muslim doctors I approached at that time bought Bhagavad-gita because they knew that Dr. Nakas was reading it.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17539
Prabhupada Festival L.A. (Album with photos)
Day 1 of Prabhupada Festival went very well. A lot of devotees showed up as hoped for, and a lot of prasadam was thus distributed. If you couldn’t make it for Saturday, please don’t miss Sunday! For breakfast there will be Kichari, samosas, fruit, tropical drink and more, followed by Srila Prabhupada memories in the temple room, and then so much more throughout the day.
See them here: https://goo.gl/h8sHRA
Sadhu Sanga Retreat in the USA (7 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: The first day of our Sadhu Sanga Retreat in the USA was beyond everyone’s expectations. Over 1,600 devotees chanted and danced in great ecstasy, grateful for each other’s association.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/iV89FT
Today I felt like a more complete pilgrim after some administrative duties and lessons in the form of a class were delivered, when I trekked a bit of the city. I was actually headed towards my dentist for an early morning tomorrow’s appointment. Yes, I set out a day ahead and prepared myself for a stayover at a devotee’s home, which is midway to my dental destination.
I had the pleasure to stop in at the six kilometre mark at the residence of a much revered person from our Toronto community. It was a much needed visit for myself and this fine person whose devotion to Krishna and devotion to people has been sustained to a high level.
I also found it interesting that before and after that impromptu visit, the interaction was what you might expect from people on a Tuesday afternoon in a large metropolis. Most people are driven to ‘get somewhere’. I’m referring to pedestrians as much as the motorists. Motorists, you just can’t see through the tinted glass. As far as I’m concerned, they are zoned out to the real world of outdoors.
I’m sorry to say that about such car controllers. I don’t envy you guys at all, and so far as pedestrians are concerned, I can see you, and I can try to make eye contact with you, I can say, ‘Hi’ or ‘Hare Krishna’ and feel good about the day and the world, only because you’re out in the open. Unfortunately, most people choose looking at the whizzing traffic and/or maybe standing there all wired up living in an existence that is of the nature of ‘be-not-here-now’. Humans, if I could declare it boldly, we really need to get back to family, farm, and God.
I’ve checked out beaches at off season times, meaning, not in the summer, and so while in this area of central eastern Ontario, we looked at Presquil. Personally, I believe that this is a real gem of a place, for where in the world will you find so much mileage of sandy beach on fresh water. That’s central Canada for you. Having lived and been raised in the Great Lakes region, I find myself to be very fortunate to have been part of this natural treasure.
Presquil Park and beach are located on a bay off of Lake Ontario. According to Ernie, a local resident, it’s an area that juts out into the lake, creating its own unique ecosystem. A small group of us looking for property prospects took a short break to go to Presquil and feel the sand under our feet. Isn’t it grand – the beach, the water, openness. I can hear kids play already in their summer fun. Also, a real plus is fact that the water’s so clean with no salt and no sharks.
While we checked out this tourist attraction with its expansive sandy beach, we actually spent quality time at a farm after a visit to the beach and a resort. Winning a number one award for the most innovative farm in the province of Ontario is owner of a piece of land that grows Kale and then produces a snack out of it. The Kale is soaked in a cashew substance, dried, and then packaged for a large market across North America. Additionally the property has a barn and a yard full of family attractive farm animals.
The couple looking after the animals are Fil and Sukhayanti. Sheep, goats, chickens, cows, and a donkey are amongst community members of this amazing rural lot that make it so appealing. I get a charge out of just holding and petting one of those kids (wee goats) in my arms.
It came to my loathsome but sometime alert brain that in such an environment of land, plants, animals and healthy industrious people such as those young folks working at the small kale chip factory, and when you add the natural spirit of God consciousness, you then have the formula of a full existence. This is along the lines of what our guru, Srila Prabhupada, was talking about. This is the real way to live.
From Montreal, Pradyumna and I detrained at Union Station in Toronto. Once reaching the street level, we patiently waited for the red to turn green at the street light. Two young women were also at the street light ready to do the same. One of the girls, however, started to make a dash and got about one quarter of the way across when the second one called her back. She did pull back.
I felt compelled to jump in with words, “You don’t want to go out there and turn out flat like a pizza, do you?”
The two girls who were quite facially garnished with makeup did start laughing. The red light turned green and the four of us moved ahead with the two young women becoming curious. The one asked, “What’s with the…?” (Clothes, she was referring to.)
“They are robes, I’m a monk, a Krishna monk.”
To that the young woman came back, “What’s a monk?”
“One who leads a simple life…”
And she cut in, saying, “Well, I have a simple life, I’m telling you.” I think she was referring to a meagre bank balance or a tight budget. “Can I be a monk?”
“Yes, you can, but we might call you a nun.”
“Oh, I get it, it’s one name for the men and another for the women.”
I said, “Yes, indeed. Please come and visit us sometime. Here’s my card. There’s a mantra on the other side. If you like, you can try out being a nun for a weekend, stay with us, learn, and love (God).”
Our ride arrived. Pradyumna and I made it to the vehicle and the driver, Keshava. We bid farewell to our newly made friends, the happy cross the street girls.
One young woman in particular wanted the experience of what’s called a mangal arati, a ceremony with chants and images at 4:30 AM. She made the effort, on the will of her desire, she showed up all happy as a guest. She was also keen to go on a morning walk with a bunch of us with destination the nearby botanical gardens, once again. Besides ourselves there was only one human who came to share the space of shanti, calmness. I guess he was out on his own meditation. While sitting on a rock and chanting a quiet mantra(the gayatri), frogs were all around us as they tried to leap across our pathway. Cardinal birds with a fire engine red colour landed on rocks nearby. Who could blame them for being nosy, we are a curious sight – human beings in exotic attire of saris and dhotis, and who are chanting mantras.
By afternoon, we made our way to Saint Catherine’s Street for more pleasure and duty which comes in the form of kirtan. The streets were crowded. We were just under 20 in number. Outnumbered we were by the thousands there and who were on the hot pursuit for maya. Some are tourists, and they, like everyone else, are caught up in the Saturday spirit of freedom in this dominant, plentiful city. Generally you can tell who the tourists are, they have a slightly different air about them, an air of wonder. With our chanting procession, we did our grand finale in front of one of those older, gorgeous cathedrals to be admired. With the rule of time behind us, we were scheduled to be present at the Iskcon Centre on Pie IX Boulevard to honour the lion avatar, Narasingha, a big day on the Vaishnava calendar.
I had received an email that came from a monk friend of mine, Krishna Kshetra Swami. It was the first draft of a script, a conversation between Narasingha and ultimate demon, Hiranyakashipu. Then Yves Prescott, another friend of mine, joined me in the dramatical reading of this very witty script. It gave delight to the ears of the community and added a special flavour to the evening. Everybody likes lions, especially this one.
I trekked through Rosedale on this perfect day. Everyone is out, feeling the same way – enthused. People in their convertibles with the tops down are in ecstasy. Runners hit every piece of pavement with hot feet, and then the cyclists breeze by as if there was no stopping them. Birds also enjoy a kind of freedom that only they know. As for other living entities, it’s a burst or explosion of colour or smell. Signs of spring.
While all seems fine within my purview, in another part of the world, in earthquaked Nepal, people are undergoing an anguish of such incredible magnitude, hard to conceive. Death. Buildings crumbled. Piles of bodies. Homelessness. Family members displaced. People trapped under debris. Injuries. Lack of food and water. Disease. Lack of sleep. Inability to access or assist.
The world is praying for their release. Food supplies and human basics are attempting to make their way to victims. There is lots of confusion. Nothing is easy to remedy or fix. It will take not days, but months before everything normalizes. This is tragic.
What a paradox – my world and the one just described. As bhakti yogis, it is not out of line for us to chant mantras on behalf of victims of this tragedy. We can’t be too insensitive and say, “That’s their karma,” and leave it at that. Let us not be so quick to judge or to pass judgment in such situations. The immediate response to any calamity requires speedy and helpful aid.
The fox was staring at us, but only for seconds. He stood there and then moved. Naturally, he wasn’t going to share with us what was in his mouth. He worked hard to get that squirrel in between his jaws. Poor squirrel wasn’t moving, his life force was gone. He was ready to transfer to a new body, leaving the current one for someone’s breakfast.
Three monks and I spotted more fox in the Botanical Gardens in and around Le Jardin de Chine. It was after dawn and the red hunters with the flowy tails were out on the prowl. For years I’ve heard this amazing creature gekkering, barking, calling, and then doing something called vixen screaming. The fox is so diverse in making sounds, yet this morning, the ones we spotted were absolutely silent.
Noise of the weekend began to drum up as afternoon rolled out. The same team of monks who spotted fox in the morning were now on Saint Catherine’s street to deliver the mantras to the foxy ladies and the foxy people in general (I was one of those monks). “Foxy” as I understand it, and as Jimmy Hendrix used it in his favourite song, refers to sly ad beautiful. Yes, we were noticing that people were milling up and down the street, some for socializing, going for a drink or shopping. Some were dressed to kill, in a way – hunting.
I felt that we were doing our job out there on our favourite activity – harinam sankirtan(chanting in public). The public was really loving it. People joined us in singing and some doing a jig. One fellow, however, gawked at us, stopped for a few seconds to give a good stare, analyzed us, and then went in another direction. He behaved just like the fox with the squirrel.
We had a lovely lunch in Cabbage Town at the home of pujaris (priests). Rupa and Sanatan Goswamis are the proprietors at their haven of a home. It is walkable from our ashram. It’s 18 degrees Celsius, it’s sunny – yes! And so, to and fro, I took to my feet, or rather, they took me.
To reach Cabbage Town, you go through an interesting neighbourhood. Once a heavy drinking area, the now quiet colonial buildings are attracting young professionals. Down Parliament Street you’ll find antique shops and more of the regular convenience and grocery stores, and even one block of Tamil shops which cater to the Sri Lankan community.
I passed by a bus stop cubicle and two obvious alcoholics who sat inside, upon seeing me, got really excited.
“Heeeyyy!” Both simultaneously shouted out the one syllable perfectly, and they were loud. Heads turned to see what was up. They got the thrill of their day.
Nothing related to this mild incident, but minutes later, two young women were walking and conversing, and as they passed by, I heard one say to the other, “What goes around comes around.” Whenever I hear this phrase I clearly see it as an accepted phenomenon. The endorsement of transmigration of the soul, or reincarnation. And as I think about this concept, I look at the different people I pass by. Some look rather disheveled and bent over, and some walk upright, dressed with confidence. We all have our own individual destinies. Our souls all travel with different karma behind us.
After the great lunch and my return to the ashram, I walked through the park, it is directly north of our ashram. It’s newly renovated and on the inscription along the sidewalk there reads an excerpt from a poem by J. McPherson. She was a well known Canadian poet that lived in our neighbourhood. Right close to the maple tree planted in honour of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, reads this stanza:
The world was first a private park Until the angel after dark Scattered afar to wests and easts The lovers and the friendly beasts
Today is the birthday of Sri Sita Devi, the consort and goddess of Ram. Knowing this, I received an extra inward boost as I have so much reverence towards such a loyal personality as Sita. Her devotion is unswerving, endless, a clear reflection of the soul in the eternal world. I guess that’s one of the reasons why I relish directing and producing the plays from the epics like the Ramayan. It is, from this great book, that I learn to admire such extraordinary people – mortals, celestials and avatars, who carry such a high demeanour of character. Because of the productions I feel a growing closeness towards the personalities who demonstrate inspirational fortitude.
While passing the morning hours still in DC, the USA, I did venture a short while with comrade, Dhruva, along a Potomac trail by big mansions and finely maintained golf courses.
My second installment for the day for walking was in the burbs of Brampton in a less green ravine, yet promising to be so in a matter of days. It is spring, and even in this more northern section of North America, you can see, smell, and feel the incremental spring coming on.
My evening was blessed by converging with some of our resident devotees from our downtown ashram. The place was in the home of Sanjaya, a fairly newly married young man from our community. Here we chanted and feasted. I cannot keep in my memory the name of his good wife. Every day I meet new folks, names start stacking up, but I try. I could not remember the name of their young one either, a pet dog actually. I do wish the couple well, and as for all couples that are well situated with good communication abilities who are principled and are financially okay, I bless that they will have lots of kids, kids who will learn about Sita Devi.
We went on an outing (when am I not?) to Ann Arbor, the University town. Our intent to engage in some singing by the park and the heart of student campus life. The group of us from Ypsilanti, headed by an outstanding American, Dev Madhava, took to chanting at a period in the semester when exams are in session.
With exams in the forefront of everyone’s mind, there’s no wonder I felt a bit of glumness in the air, if not feeling their tension despite the glowing sun filled day. At least, I would like to think that our chanting party which was stoic in one spot, and then moving about the campus the rest of the time, was simply there to cheer up the atmosphere in some way. Perhaps the maha mantra that we were chanting could be interpreted as a mark of auspicious or a brain stimulator.
Actually, someone in the crowd at the campus demonstrated a minus in the grim department. His name is Pete, and he had come to join us in what I would call our cute dance skip, as we made our way along the campus grounds.
Pete had picked up on our spirit, in fact, at first glance at him, I would call him a free spirit. His hair of ponytail style was bunned up and his printed hoodie gave a semblance of someone who’s a type of backpacker. Here’s a sort of a giveaway – when he joined us he was a slight bulge eyed and happy as he pulled out a small pair of Buddhist hand cymbals which he began to play.
Honestly, Pete so much enjoyed being with us that he decided to stay with and even drive with us in the evening to Farmington, for I was to conduct a seminar on kirtanstandards.
To Pete, I wish him the best, hoping he’ll never leave the company of Krishna spiritualists.
Most people like to be at a good wedding for the bride looks gorgeous and the groom is handsome, and where it’s a feel good situation, and where parents from both parties are in attendance. That’s what it was like today, in matrimony of Vitaliy and Ananda Rupa. Oops! I forgot to mention about the fabulous feast at the end.
The priest, Jambavan, had his mighty army of four of his eight kids to assist him in the samskar, or sacrament, which entails a glorious fire emerging from the sacred pit. There was his speech and mine. I chose to quote from the Gita, 18.5, “Acts of sacrifice, charity and penance, are not to be given up; they must be performed, indeed, sacrifice, charity and penance purify even the great souls.” It was also requested to speak after the wedding feast was over, but my thought was, “No, we’re going to sing and dance,” that’s what we did.
The event took place in the Hindu temple in Canton, a great facility. What I found most interesting was meeting a younger man in the WC area who had a profound interest in monastic life.
“So, you’ve been a monk for how long?”
“42 years,” I said.
“What do you do about the sex urge?”
I said, “Get busy, such as pick up a drum and beat it and chant like crazy.”
“How long does the urge stay in a person’s life?”
“It should diminish in time as you mature in years.”
The fellow had a slew of questions to follow. I asked him if celibacy was an omission of his, and he remarked that he’s been contemplating it for some time. I assured him that the key principle to follow was a focus on superior engagement, “Let there be determination and a concentration on devotional service, and as long as that keep you enriched and fulfilled, nothing like the fleeting urges of lust can swerve you from the prime function.”
I have for some time been anticipating the visit of two cross-Canada walkers. Dana Miece has covered 20,000 km on foot on the trans-Canada trail, and Michael Oesch had done the stretch from Toronto to Newfoundland and back, and then Toronto to the west coast. Both of these gentlemen I consider my heroes, and I believe it works totally mutual in admiration amongst the three of us. Dana’s walking sponsor had kept him happily detained for our agreed upon first ever gathering, which was lunch at Govinda’s restaurant in our ashram. We had a brief sit down for a light lunch, our little trio had the chance to share some of our individual trials and triumphs on the road.
One thing that really took me by surprise about us, on first impression, is that none of us, whether it be Michael, Dana, or myself, appear physically slim or trim. I’m not saying we are out of shape either, but for serious marathon walkers, you might expect for us all to have a little bit closer to a Hanuman look.
Due to the shortage of time, we did not delve into spiritual topics, although, I know Michael to be spiritual, and to have been deeply transformed from his sojourn. He personally told me in the past that his long trek across Canada was a real purger. And Dana, well, I only know of him when we spoke over the phone on a few occasions, once shortly after he was hospitalized for having contracted what’s called Beaver Fever. My knowing him is more limited, although upon meeting him, I felt an instant camaraderie, and even at our first conversation. Treading a long trail is known by few, so when a group of guys get together who have done just that, they reach common ground.
It was a short but sweet union of sorts, and we expect another get together before Dana returns to his walking or whatever. It was the day’s highlight for me.
While waiting for my flight at the Regina Airport, a woman approached me and asked if I was a monk. I told her of the Krishna conscious order I belong to as she initially mistook me for a Buddhist.
“Oh, yes, I used to see you guys all the time in Vancouver,” she said, and then leaned over closer and in almost a whisper, said, “there’s too many Christians around here.” She alluded to the fact that Christians are not her favourite people. She has a right to her own opinion, of course. She was actually very kind to me, and just wanted to talk to me like anything about animals being protected.
I told her of one of the names of Krishna, Gopal, it means ‘one who is a friend to the animals, especially the cow’.
“Oh, and I guess the pigs and chickens as well?”
“Yes, of course.”
She went about her way and then I began to chant on my beads. I was actually still waiting for my flight when a gentleman came up to me. I had actually dozed off a bit from fatigue, not enough rest from the night before.
“I’m sorry to wake you, but I just wanted to say that God loves you.” Now, I was already aware of you, about the love factor, but it’s good to be reminded. He went on a bit about Jesus and his loving side. Frankly, I know about this, so my response was, “Jesus loves you too!” I reassured him. I don’t think he expected that remark from me. It seemed to even throw him off. The gentleman then returned to his far distant seat.
I know that Krishna loves me, He’s been looking after me for some time. If more people say, and above all, demonstrate their love, whether it be coming from Jesus or a lady or a man at the airport, and of course, Krishna, all collectively come together, we would be living in a better world.
Often, for me, the most reflective or introspective times occur during that brief or long walk. While Kasyapa was pumping gas to fuel our vehicle en route to Regina on Highway 11, I put in a request to walk. There was an extra kilometre I gained for distance sake and for thought. The thoughts projected me into the future, the not so far future. And in that short span of time some flashbacking to the past took place. I, no doubt, had to address the ‘in the moment’, while watching my steps over dry and sleepy grass that was ready to turn over for the spring to come up.
One thought replaces another just as one foot comes down to replace the former. In this way life rolls on with every physical move and every mental thought. I always anticipate that with every move forward there will be forward thinking to accompany it.
The Iskcon centre in Regina on Retallick Street is interesting. The interior reminds me of my mental status at times. There’s a new floor, but upon it rests furniture that is mismatched, and walls are overdone with pictures and images, although they are sacred. It looked cluttered. The attendance of worshipers and meditators was average in number. They were sweet people and one girl had come to honour her birthday event sponsored by her dad.
I was given a full hour to speak on a conclusive verse from the Gita, verse 18.66, wherein we are all advised to surrender to the absolute power. The prasadam (consecrated food) was totally divine. As we relished the Sunday Feast which is known the world over in Iskcon centres, the dhal (lentil spiced soup) was from another realm.
It was post feast time when I took to Albert Street for one last walking installment for the day. I was with a person who I felt was moving forward in not only foot movement, but in thought. There was some confession of sorts, confusion, and pain expressed, but in the course of our stepping forward, I believe, some hope and resolve was on this particular soul’s horizon.
On Monday, May 11th we caught up with office related work and visited two devotee families for prasadam. For breakfast we went to the home of Phanesvari devi dasi and her husband, and in the evening to the home of Bipin Chaturvedi and his family.
In the evening we paid a visit to the Shree Temple where the temple had arranged a kirtan program and Radha Jivana made a TOVP presentation, receiving a Silver Gratitude pledge along with other pledges. The temple provided prasadam after the program.
The San Diego temple is also known as New Govardhana Dhama and is presided over by the beautiful Sri Sri Radha Giridhari. Having arrived in San Diego the night before, Sunday, May 10th was a day of some rest and then preparation for the TOVP presentation at the Sunday program that evening.
During the Gaura arati devotees started to arrive, over 250 in number, eager for darshan of the Padukas and Sitari. Flowers petals were offered by everyone and the Sitari placed on their heads. The program commenced and Radha Jivana and Jananivas poured their hearts out to all the devotees encouraging them to make pledges for the temple construction. By the end of the program almost $250,000 in pledges were made and all the ecstatic devotees were served prasadam.
Hare Krishna! Sankirtana: Welfare for All Beings
Alex said that he didn’t want to offend me, but he had noticed that many people who see the Hare Krishna chanting groups don’t understand what we’re doing. He asked, “How is that welfare, if they don’t understand?” I explained that the effect of the chanting doesn’t depend on our understanding. I used the example of a medicine we take to cure a disease. We swallow the pills, but we don’t need to know how they act. After some time, the medicine takes effect, and the disease goes away. Similarly, the chanting acts to cure the soul of its disease, which is bondage to maya.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17536
Hare Krishna! Jayapataka Swami – Cares for others while being cared for at the ICU
We want to thank the devotees from around the world for their care through prayers, yagnas, kirtans, chanting, and all around devotional services rendered. Please maintain and increase your intense prayers for Jayapataka Swami. All glories to Srila Prabhupada who has given us many commanders, one of whom is Jayapataka Swami, who are inspiring ISKCON and devotees worldwide. Thank you again for all your prayers and for your genuine care.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17530
Hare Krishna! Mystic Understanding
The dialogue of Bhagavad-Gita was transmitted as a live commentary from the heart of Sanjaya to Dhrtarastra. Such mystical ability did not require communication masts or radio waves, but the grace of Guru, in this case Srila Vyasadeva. Srila Prabhupada writes: “….one has to understand Krsna not directly but through the medium of the spiritual master. The spiritual master is the transcendental via medium, although it is true that the experience is still direct. This is the mystery of the disciplic succession. Therefore by the grace of Vyasa, Sanjaya’s senses were purified, and he could see and hear Krsna directly.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=1528
In the final part of the Japa Retreat - Sacinandana Swami gives a summary of the whole Retreat and reminds us of important basics in our Japa. Email subscribers please click the big blue link above to hear the audio.
The three biggest fears in life: exams, public speaking and death. Of them, the final is probably the most acute. As that fateful hour approaches, everything we worked so hard for is snatched away, throwing our entire sense of identity and purpose into question. On a subtle level, however, we are regularly subjecting ourselves to this disturbing experience. How so? The world teaches us to base our sense of identity and self-worth on transitory, external and artificial considerations. When we identify with our abilities, facilities and positions of responsibility, then we set ourselves up for crisis. Why? Because the undisputable nature of this world is that such things will almost always fade away over time.
We pride ourselves in our ‘unique’ abilities – but then we witness our own ineptitude, or find someone far more qualified and competent. Painful. We find comfort in karmic gifts like beauty, physique, learning and wealth – but the waves of time callously cause them to eventually crumble. Painful. We feel valuable because of our reputation, influence and position in society – but everyone has their day, after which we all have to make way. Painful. Constant change is the underlying theme of the material phantasmagoria – its unstoppable (cannot be checked), unpredictable (will happen at any time) and uncontrollable (could occur in any way). Thus, we suffer a subtle ego death every time we falsely identify with the temporary.
Thus, wisdom teachers continually remind us to focus on our eternal, unchanging, ontological identity. As spiritual beings, our true ego lies in being a selfless servant. Everything we receive in the journey of life is simply a facility and detail in pursuance of this, with any given situation always offering a unique opportunity for selfless service. In such spiritual consciousness, all anxieties, fear and dissatisfaction disappear. You may have the experience of coming home in the evening after a day ‘in the world.’ Surrounded by our closest family and friends, we can kick back, relax and be ourselves - no artificiality, no acting, no masks. Here we feel completely comfortable, safe and natural. Imagine the satisfaction, joy, and sense of fulfilment we can experience if we live each day with the clear consciousness of who we really are... spirit souls and selfless servants. That’s the ultimate in 'being yourself.'
Hare Krishna! The Official ISKCON Identity System
A Manual Concerning Graphic Standards and Proper Implementation as developed and established by the COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT of the INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS. Protecting the appearance and application of ISKCON’s graphic identity is essential to promoting global recognition of the organization. Implementing and maintaining a consistent visual standard also leads to clearer and more effective communication.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17523
Russian Tour 2015 - Exceptionally Well (4 min HD video)
Indradyumna Swami: A public program in Kaliningrad. The formula is always the same; chanting, dancing and feasting. But somehow it works exceptionally well in Russia
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/jgmcec
