Hare Krishna! Parenting adventures in KC: 15 Ekadashi recipes for babies and toddlers
As Vaishnavas, we observe ekadashi (11th day of the lunar cycle) fasting twice a month – which means that we avoid grains and beans on that day. As per my understanding, fasting is not compulsory for children – especially below 5 years. But I preferred giving him non-grain meals. While the spiritual benefits of this are immense, I personally find Ekadashi days to be a great opportunity for my son to eat some non-grain super foods like quinoa, samo and amaranth.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17387

Hare Krishna! Remembering Tribhuvanatha prabhu
“It was amazing how one person could have so many relationships with so many people – because he really did care, he really loved all the people he met.” Tribhuvannatha Prabhu was my best friend in Krsna consciousness. He was a very dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada and so it was a great honor and privilege to have his close association. Therefore I wish to humbly share a few memories of Tribhuvannatha here so that others might get a glimpse of his greatness and feel inspired by his wonderful example of service and dedication to Srila Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17383

Harinama- Shabbat with Krishna, Tel Aviv (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: As Krishna is living eternally, similarly, living being also lives eternally. “One who has done service to the Lord lives forever.” So you have been taught to serve Krishna, and with Krishna we’ll live eternally. Our life is eternal. A temporary disappearance of this body doesn’t matter. Body is meant for disappearance. So live forever by serving Krishna. Vrndavan, May 17, 1977.
See them here: https://goo.gl/xFnTS5

Harinama in Poland (Album with photos)
We started our tour and firstly we visited Poland. We have made harinam in Bialystok and Augustow.
See them here: https://goo.gl/zwByvp

Harinama Sankirtana in Vladivostok, Russia (12 min video)
“You know, I thought I would NEVER see devotees chanting in Vladivostok, a major Russian city and naval port. I served for a time as an intel analyst at the height of the Cold War - and could not imagine in a zillion years Lord Chaitanya’s message reaching there. What a miracle ….”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/hqLgWF

Hare Krishna! Dangerous Education
Srila Prabhupada: Ishopanishad teaches us that we should be very careful. We don’t say that you shouldn’t advance in material education. You can advance, but at the same time, become Krishna conscious. That is our propaganda. We don’t say that you shouldn’t manufacture cars or machines. But we say, “All right, you have manufactured this machine. Employ it in Krishna’s service.” That is our proposal. We don’t say to stop it. We don’t say that you cannot have any sex life. But we say, “Yes, have sex—for Krishna. You can have sex a hundred times to produce Krishna conscious children. But don’t create cats and dogs.” That is our proposal.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17380

The post Daily Darshan – May 16th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Huge Initiation Ceremony in ISKCON-Delhi, May 2015 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: When we are spiritually perfect we develop the spiritual form to live eternally in the spiritual world. In the spiritual world there are exactly the same things as we see here; namely the land, water, trees, birds, beasts, human beings, etc., and all of them are spiritual as all the varieties here are material. Letter to Gurudas, May 16, 1970.
See them here: https://goo.gl/DOr28H

Yesterday’s Harinama and Book Distribution at Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan (It is a major commercial and administrative centre, housing the busiest train station in the world and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government) (Album with photos)
Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave us a lot of mercy. We met so many nice people!! They willingly donate Laksmi for Srila prabhupada book. Most of Japanese are suffering, they try to drown their disguise with drinking alcohol, playing game or shopping, such material activities. I believe to chant the holy name will relieve them and purify their mind.
See them here: https://goo.gl/JM4CnL

HH Bhakti Vidyapurna Swami at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-05-10, Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 06.07.31-33

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 April 2015, Durban, South Africa, Ratha Yatra Lecture: Sexuality and Spirituality)

Continued from Childish problems

Sometimes, people say “Swamiji, I really like your movement but the chanting… the chanting. Oh, I really do not like the chanting.”

Then you do not like this movement because this movement is chanting. It is about chanting. Do not say you like this movement if you do not like the chanting. Maybe you like the pakora and the koftas and all the preparations but the real thing is chanting, the real thing is devotional service! When we render service to Krsna, Krsna reciprocates with us and then something in the heart will change. Suddenly, all these lusty desires, they go down!

You know, there was a time when, instead of harmonium, I used to play guitar. In those days, I played different songs and one of the songs that was quite famous in those days was, “It’s a Saturday night and I ain’t got nobody…” (singing) I knew how to play it on a guitar. In those days, I learned how to play that song because it was very popular! But these days, on Saturday night, I go to sleep. I am quite happy to go to bed so I can get an early Sunday morning. So what to say… spirituality! Krsna accepts our service, then Krsna changes our heart and then our interest changes and gradually we get a higher taste, a taste for spiritual things. Spiritual things bring you only good, like everything you do in this festival is a blessing.

At every moment, in every tent, in every corner, you get spiritual benefit which is eternal. So devotional service always has this dual dimension – the dimension of benefit in the here and now, and benefit in the eternal!

Hare Krishna! Radhanath Swami Discusses “Peace and Prosperity in the 21st Century” Before International Ambassadors
On the 27th of April, 2015, Civitatis International, a dedicated international forum for the promotion of peace and cooperation between nations, hosted an interview with Radhanath Swami at Goodenough College in London on the topic “Peace and Prosperity in the 21st Century”. The event was attended by more than one hundred esteemed guests, including lords, professors and thirty-seven plenipotentiary representatives and ambassadors of various nations.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17376

Hare Krishna! Death – The Life Stalker
Death is a 100% certainty. How are we going to face it? If it comes when we least expect it, this is what makes death so mystifying, yet it is often kept away at a distance within the mind. People know they will die, but how they die is the unknown fascination. Will it hurt? Some people wish to die in their sleep. Whichever way it comes, death is the life stalker, a phenomenon no genius can stop. News stories are abuzz with incidents of death. It is not a coincidence that death happens everywhere and at all times – even now, at this very moment. Some deaths are more newsworthy than others are.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17373

Krishna’s Cuisine @ Beale Street Music Festival (2 min video)
Devotees conquer all with Krishna’s prasadam!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/nmdeuV

The post May 15th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada: You chastised me, I like that. I am very happy with your words!
Radha Govinda Swami: Prabhupada was at that time alone, so I did not recognize that he is Prabhupada. “Where is A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami?” I asked Prabhupada. So he asked me, “Why you want to meet with him?” I replied, “Because he is my guru. I like him very much.” Then he asked: “Why you accept him as your guru?” I said, “Because he is the servant of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.” “Who is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?” asked. So I said, “He is Krishna Himself.” “Why you accept Lord Chaitanya as Krishna?” asked again. “Because I read Chaitanya-caritamrta, Krishna Himself came as a devotee to preach.” Then Prabhupada said, “No, no, no, He’s not Krishna, He is devotee of Krishna.” I said, “No, He is Krishna Himself.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17370

(English/Russian)

The post Lord Balaram’s rasa-yatra appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Day 18 FOOD FOR LIFE NEPAL 13th May 2015 Bhaktapur (Album with photos)
After the 7.4 Richter Earthqauke here in Nepal on 12th May Tuesday, Then FOOD FOR LIFE Nepal on 13th May 2015, Wednesday, distributed Rice, Blanket, biscuit to 50 families who are affected by that earthquake in Bhaktapur.
We distributed the materials to those People whose house were collapsed and are in very critical condition.
About 1000 Kg of Rice was distributed by FFL NEPAL Team.
We are very grateful to everyone for your help/prayers/supports/donations.
See them here: https://goo.gl/m5uBgb

Hare Krishna! Returning Home to Freedom
“What’s it like to go back home to Krishna?” wondered ten-year-old Kiran at the weekly gathering for children from our congregation. I responded by speaking about Goloka Vrindavana, our real home, where we aspire to go after our tenure in this world. “The spiritual world of Goloka is free from all school exams and home assignments,” I told the kids. “It’s all fun, day and night—no interruption in play!” “Wow!” Kiran replied. “But,” he probed, “since we’ve been away for so long, will Krishna recognize us when we get back?”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17367

Hare Krishna! Lord Parashurama’s Revolution
Sectarian and political disputes are common not only today but occurred even during the time of Sri Parashurama, an empowered incarnation of the Supreme Lord who appeared several ages before Lord Ramachandra, millions of years ago. The kings at that time, proud of their strength and fighting for absolute power, revolted against the spiritually advanced sages, who generally guided government. Since these kings had offended the devotees of Lord Krishna and deviated from the path of righteousness and care of the citizens, they had to be punished. Sri Parashurama fulfilled that mission.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17364

HG Pankajanghri Prabhu at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-05-11

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After Nārada had spoken, Dhruva showed his respect and gratitude by circumambulating him before departing to Madhuvana, the sacred place decorated with Hari’s footprints.

Comment: Krishna had not yet appeared in Madhuvana at this point in history, so how could Madhuvana bear his footprints? VCT explains that Vṛndāvana is eternal and not destroyed at dissolution or created on Brahmā’s awakening. Therefore the footprints from Krishna’s avatāra in the previous mahā-kalpa persisted.

After Nārada had spoken, Dhruva showed his respect and gratitude by circumambulating him before departing to Madhuvana, the sacred place decorated with Hari’s footprints.

Nārada went into Uttānapāda’s palace, where the king greeted him respectfully and seated him comfortably. “King,” Nārada said, “Why the long face? Are you thinking about something sad? Have you lost your happiness, along with your wealth and morality?”

“Oh wise man,” The king said, “Because of my wife, I have been cruel to my little boy. I allowed him to run away from home even though he is only five years old, and I neglected his mother who is a great and learned person. He is in the forest, with no one to protect him. I am worried that the wolves might devour that helpless little boy. I am worried that his lotus face must have withered and become emaciated from hunger. Aho, all this is just because of my vile cruelty towards him, instigated by the manipulation of that woman. I am the worst father. My boy loved me and wanted to climb into my lap, but I shunned him!”

“Don’t worry. Don’t worry,” Nārada consoled. “Your son is in the divine care of the world’s protector. His majesty, currently unknown, will soon become famous throughout the world. That prabhu will perform deeds difficult even for the masters of the world. He will return soon, King, and your family’s fame will overflow.”

When the king heard Nārada’s words, he lost all interest in royal opulence (including the goddess-like queen Suruci), and cared only about his son.

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.8.62~70

Vraja Kishor dās

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When we ask a non-flattering question (or even a flattering question) about something happening ISKCON, we are very likely to soon hear, “Prabhupāda wanted this!” followed by a series of quotes from his recorded conversations and collected letters.

I am a dad. That’s something somewhat like being a guru and head of an institution, on a very small scale. As a dad, I want my son to take a shower regularly, every day would be swell. Now let’s say my son starts spending all day in the shower, saying, “My dad wanted this.” Yeah, I wanted him to take a shower, but I sort of expected that he would keep that desire in the context of all the other things I want for him, many of which are a lot more important than taking a shower. You know, things like eating, sleeping, getting out the door on time, doing some homework every once in a while, etc.

There’s certainly no question that Prabhupāda wanted a lot of things from us, but its equally certain that we are likely to mess up the context and screw up the implementation of what he wanted, and maybe THAT’s what the unflattering questions are about. For example, he wants people to become legitimate gurus. You can quote this and that till the end of the month on this topic. So what did we do, we got 11 zonal-ācāryas with daily guru-pūjā and gold plated bathroom fixtures. Yes, Prabhupāda wanted gurus, but…

See, the main thing that Prabhupāda wants is to serve Krishna and Rādhārāṇī. To do that, he wants newer and newer friendships for them.That means the main thing he wants to do is expose people to the beauty of Rādhā-Krishna’s vraja-prema. The primary way of doing that is Śrī Krishna Saṁkīrtan – which is primarily done with karatala and khol, and secondarily done with spoken and written words (ie “books”). That’s the MAIN MAIN MAIN thing our Guru wants. He also wanted a bunch of other things, but when people sense that we pay too much attention to the other things and neglect the main thing, that’s when we start to ask unflattering questions about what everyone is doing in the name of “fulfilling Śrīla Prabhupāda’s desires.”

Hare Krishna.

Recently I did something unusual and made a Facebook post about a super-huge project in ISKCON. One of the responses was basically, “Why do you care?”

The lady who made that comment is right, I shouldn’t care. In fact most of the time, maybe even “99%” of the time, I don’t. Why not? Because it has nothing to do with me.

On the other hand, sometimes I do care what ISKCON is doing. Why? Because it does have something to do with me.

The nature of ātmā is to, naturally, always care about itself. This is the inherent nature of being an individual entity. The enlightened ātmā cares primarily about paramātmā, the super-self. We care about things that are related to us. That’s why most of the time I don’t care what’s going on or off in ISKCON, because it doesn’t have all that much to do with me. But sometimes I do care, because, like it or not, ISKCON does have something to do with who I am.

I care a little bit about what goes down on my block, because I live here. I care about stuff that happens to human beings in nepal etc, because I’m a human being too. Etc. So I care about what goes on in ISKCON because ISKCON is a society of people into Krishna, and I am a person who is into Krishna.

I hope that explains why I care a little bit, and sometimes voice my opinion about ISKCON things – but usually don’t care much and keep to my own studies and practices.

Hare Krishna.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 April 2015, Durban, South Africa, Ratha Yatra Lecture: Sexuality and Spirituality)

Continued from Wake up, sleeping souls

You know, you fall in love and then you want a child. Yes, it is nice but then you have to think, “What about school? Oh my god, there isn’t the right school for my child. What do I do now? But if we move to this other place, then there my child will get a proper education.”
“Yeah, but darling, we just put down a payment on the house!”
“Yeah, I know, but the child…”
“If we have to move then we will lose some money but anyway, we will move to the other location.”

So, it is a chain of action and reaction that entangles us more and more, and it binds us. As you grow old and grey, the kids are growing up and then you think, “Oh gosh, how am I going to put them through university! And these rascals, they are not serious about university!”

So much struggle! It is a whole network of entanglement. So therefore, the more we take to spirituality and the stronger we get spiritually, the less these material things mean to us. Therefore, we chant every day a minimum of sixteen rounds. Without these sixteen rounds, we cannot follow four regulative principles. Therefore, it begins with chanting Hare Krsna and then comes following four regulative principles.

They go hand in hand but you know, if someone says, “I am following the four principles but I am not chanting,” then all I can say is that it cannot last. It cannot last. It is okay. Nice, but it cannot last. If you do not chant, it cannot last because it is the chanting that lifts us up above the bodily platform. Without the chanting, we stay on the bodily platform and then your resolve to follow four principles is happening in the mind. If you are not chanting and following the principles, then it is a mental decision.

That is weak, balavan indriya-gramo vidvamsam api karsati (Srimad Bhagavatam 9.19.17). It says the senses are so strong that even someone who is learned is struggling. Even when you know, you are struggling. But when you are spiritually surcharged by devotional service, you get mercy. So when you are chanting, you get mercy. That is why the chanting is so important!