Hare Krishna! Somehow Fix Your Mind on Krishna
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is described as akhila-rasamrita-sindhu, “the ocean of rasas.” There are five primary rasas. Rasa means the mellow or the taste we enjoy in every activity. Everything is done with some taste. Whatever you do, you must enjoy some taste out of it. There are twelve rasas, out of which five are primary and seven are secondary. They are described in this book. For example, we can consider Bhishma, the grandfather of the Pandavas. During the Battle of Kurukshetra, he fought on the side of Duryodhana, against the Pandavas.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17263
For the latest news from Australia, reporting from the scene, we have Bhakta Michael.
After being delighted by a breakfast consisting of toasted bread; throat-soothing ginger, lemon and cinnamon teas; and some of the finest pumpkin & basil soup that at least I’ve ever tasted, HH Kadamba Kanana Swami, HG Sakhi Raya das, HG Rasa Vilasa das and his wife Janaki from the Govindia family, and I headed for Brisbane’s equivalent of London’s Oxford Circus; the Brisbane City Centre.
After what felt no longer than a thirty minute drive, we found ourselves in a pleasant square called King George Square, with its perimeter surrounded by devotees preparing various tents for the celebrations later that day. Some of the titles of these tents, which were designed to attract and inform members of the Brisbane public about Krishna consciousness, included Ask a Swami, Hare Krishna Food, Matchless Gifts and Gita Cards.
After a look around, inclusive of the usual meetings and greetings, Sakhi Raya Prabhu lead Maharaja to the spot where we were going to commence with the festival: Queen Park. After turning a few corners and crossing a few semi-busy roads, something on the ground caught my attention. I heard Maharaja say, “There!” and when I looked up I quickly realised that Maharaja, who is as sharp as ever, had spotted in the distance the red, white and yellow decorated cart of magnificence!
In my excitement, I was almost jumping to the prospect of hearing Kadamba Kanana Maharaja’s and other esteemed guests lead kirtan. Kirtan hadn’t even begun yet!
As we closed in toward the cart, we paid our obeisances to Prabhupada who was seated at the front base of the cart, with his ceremonial, regal appearance, and the mighty powerful, mighty-weighted Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra were being heaved onto the cart by the collective cooperation of the devotees present.
HG Hari Sauri das seemingly mystically appeared to Maharaja’s right just underneath a type of bus shelter and they greeted each other with grand smiles. Another person who greeted Maharaja with a grand smile was a representative from AK Media TV & Film. He requested Maharaja to speak a little about the significance of Ratha Yatra. My unedited recording of the video interview will be available soon but here are two photos.
Soon after, everything was set! Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra were in their rightful place; mic checks complete; stereo system situated; ropes strung; eager devotees ready; water bottles distributed; cameras recording; Mayapur.tv live; traffic blocked; police siren lights on; and Maharaja, “nama om vishnu padaya…” We were rolling in both the colloquial and literal sense of the term!
Gradually, we traversed the city centre of Brisbane, with crowds of people gathering constantly – some were watching from their balconies; some were walking alongside us; some were even getting their dancing hats on. The Brisbane Ratha Yatra was graced with esteemed seniors, HH Mukunda Goswami and HH Ramai Swami who undoubtedly gave an extra spiritual punch to the event. The members of the public did not know what they were in for. We had at least four mrdanga specialists playing in great harmony, with accompanying wompas, karatals, accordions and saxophone.
Maharaja led the first kirtan and it was supernaturally lively a.k.a. he ‘rocked it’. The transcendental pied-piper was at it again and he could not be stopped! The sun was beating down on us; I was told this place is in late autumn season! The deities of London weather need to take note!
After a good period of time, Maharaja handed over to Sri Prahlad, who did a great job reigniting the kirtan after a swift microphone changeover. He took us around some other busy parts of Brisbane and concluded the movements of ‘the rolling chariot of love’ in a funky style, back where the various tents and the Main Stage was.
The afternoon ensued with various performances of singing, dancing and acting. Maharaja was invited three times to the Main Stage: once for an opening ceremony speech; another for his own personal address for Ratha Yatra; and a third for a concluding kirtan. The last two are available here as well as the post harinama Nrshimdev prayers:
It was such an amazing event, and I am sure the hundreds of devotees share this sentiment when I say I was ready for a round two, there and then!
Bhakta Michael is from the UK and will be travelling with Kadamba Kanana Swami around Australia. You may follow him on Facebook for his daily updates. Here is the link to his page!
Here are audio recordings taken during Kadamba Kanana Swami’s visit to Cape Town. Apologies for the poor quality of some files. You may listen online by clicking the “play” button. To download, right-click and “save target as“.
“This kachori has created havoc”
Srutakirti dasa, January 25-31, ISKCON Calcutta
Calcutta was definitely Śrīla Prabhupāda’s hometown. The temple, which had a relaxed atmosphere, was situated on the second floor with a modest-sized temple room. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s room was at the end of the building. The nicest part of the facility was a marble verandah that ran the width of the building. It overlooked a pond that was across the street.
While in Calcutta, we could not stop the flow of guests entering Śrīla Prabhupāda’s room. It was different from other temples where there was much more control. When Śrīla Prabhupāda rested in the afternoon I would lie down in front of the doors of his room so no one could enter. It was one of my favorite services, getting the chance to be his guard dog.
Śrīla Prabhupāda knew it was the hometown crowd so he was especially gracious. There were always a few boxes of milk sweets in his room that had been purchased at the local sweets shop. Sandesh of many varieties were the best tasting in the world. Śrīla Prabhupāda always emphasized, “All guests should be given prasadam”
One day I noticed that a box of sweets was covered with ants. I thought if I showed them to Śrīla Prabhupāda he would tell me to discard them. Then I could dust off the ants and keep them for myself. I lustfully walked into his room and offered my obeisances. I told him of the dilemma. He smiled at me, no doubt reading my mind.
“That’s all right,” he told me. “They don’t eat very much. Go get a thali (a plate with a one” rim around it) and put water in it. Then you can put a pot in that upside down and put the sweets on the pot. That will make a moat so the ants can’t get at the sweets.“
One of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s transcendental characteristics was he never, ever wasted anything. This quality manifested itself in many pastimes.
One afternoon while lying outside his room I heard him moaning. I didn’t know what to do. A few times I looked in and saw him tossing and turning on his bed. He didn’t call for me, but I couldn’t take it any more. Finally, I rushed into his room.
"Śrīla Prabhupāda, what’s wrong?” I asked.
“My stomach, very painful,” he said. “It must have been something I ate. It’s very, very painful.”
He didn’t ask for any assistance. I remained in the room and gently rubbed his stomach.
Later he said, “It must have been that coconut kachorī my sister made me for lunch. It was not cooked. The coconut was very difficult to digest. It is causing me very much pain.”
Throughout the evening different devotees took turns rubbing his body. The pain continued all night. With each breath he took he would let out a sigh. In the morning the kaviraja came. He confirmed what Śrīla Prabhupāda had said. I entered Śrīla Prabhupāda’s room at 4:00 a.m.
“This kachorī has created havoc,” he told me. “All night I have not been able to rest. It has created havoc in my life.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda, please forgive me. Because of voluntarily accepting the reactions to my sinful activities, you had to endure suffering. I watched as you were quiet and never complained. I am forever indebted for what you have done for me.
–Srutakirti dasa
This is the glorious Sally Agarwall (here participating in the Festival of Inspiration which is taking place right now in New Vrindavana). She & her husband sponsored Srila Prabhupada to come to America in 1965. Prabhupada stayed with them for three weeks. Thank you Bhaktin Sally!
See the photos better here: https://goo.gl/wbHYzp
The Great Gift Of Krsna’s Holy Names (5 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Myself, Bada Haridas and Chaturatma had been looking forward with great expectation to our visit to St. Petersburg. The devotees there are especially sweet. The first evening program satisfied all our desires. The holy names had everyone chanting and dancing in great ecstasy. In the midst of it all I remembered the words of Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya in glorification of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu:
“His name calms the mind and subdues the senses. He gives the great gift of Krsna’s name. He is the ultimate mercy, for He protects those who are fallen and lowly. His beautiful body shines brilliantly and He reveals Krsna’s confidential pastimes in the bowers of Vrindavan. May Lord Gauracandra, the best of dancers, reveal Himself within the midst of our hearts.” [ Susloka Satakam, verse 57 ]
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/K4n6BS
Spiritually Deepening Experience: The International Vaishnavi Retreat
The principle of gratefulness grew clearer in my heart during the seminar given by Urmila Devi, another ISKCON veteran. She gave the example of the gopis, who didn’t give up on Krishna. With His flute He invited them to the rasa dance. But when they arrived, He told them to return home – even though they had performed severe austerities for millions and millions of years, intensely longing for Krishna to reciprocate with their desire for intimate loving exchanges. When the time finally arrived to meet their dear beloved who had invited them to the rasa dance with His flute song, Krishna told them to return home. I looked disapprovingly at my own faith.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17256
The Authority of the Puranas
Sri Tattva-sandarbha is the first of Srila Jiva Goswami’s Bhagavata-sandarbha, or Shat-sandarbha, six treatises that firmly establish the philosophy of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. In the texts leading up to this section, the author has discredited direct perception and inference as valid means to acquiring perfect knowledge. He has concluded that only the eternal Vedas can fill that role. Now he argues for the need to turn to the Puranas for understanding the unified message of the Vedas.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17253
Mukunda Goswami’s New E book Spirit Matters Released (2 min video)
Mukunda Goswami’s new book Spirit Matters has been released by Torchlight Publishing is now available as e-book for free download for 3 days only on dates May 11-13.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/1WpBzU
Harinama in Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Chaitanya, however, has recommended only one yajna, or sacrifice, called the sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of Hare Krishna, in which everyone can take part. Thus both devotees and fruitive workers can derive equal benefit from the performances of sankirtana-yajna.
See them here: https://goo.gl/sa9Waz
Israeli soldier joins the Harinama (7 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: When a Vedic mantra is chanted within the mouth so that only the chanter can hear, the chanting is called japa. But when such mantras are chanted loudly it is called kirtana. Hare Krishna can be chanted both softly to oneself or loudly; therefore it is called the maha-mantra, or the great hymn. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.14.32 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/opJCuA
On the morning of Wednesday, April 21st, before departing from Saranagati, we stopped at their Govardhana Academy where Jananivas prabhu spoke about how he became a devotee and what he likes about being a devotee.
Upon returning to Vancouver we went for lunch prasadam to the home of Tulsi das and Chaitanya Priya dasi. Chaitanya Priya is the granddaughter of Saktimata dasi, a well-known disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Tulsi das pledged a Silver Gratitude Coin ($11,000) and then their son and daughter, Parameswara and Vrnda, fourth generation ISKCON devotees (see the video on the TOVP website) each made a pledge to the TOVP. The Padukas were bathed and worshiped and prasadam served.
The evening program was at the home of Vishuddha Sattva Das and Shuddha Bhakti Devi Dasi. Their son is 17 years old and pledged a $2500 Radha Madhava Brick even though he doesn’t have a job or a dollar. He has promised to work hard in the next few years to fulfill his pledge. As usual, the Padukas were respectfully worshiped and prasadam served.
Hare Krishna! Even if we can’t get over things, we can still get on with things
Certainly, we have a right to our emotions – we are sentient beings and we can’t just do away with our emotions. Still, our life is too precious to be dissipated by living in the past, wallowing in self-pity, sighing about the way things could have been and begrudging the way they have turned out. The Bhagavad-gita (18.28) cautions that such morose living characterizes the ignorant. Thankfully, Gita wisdom counters such ignorance with an empowering insight: we are bigger than our present material emotions.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17250
On Tuesday, April 21st we made a one-day excursion to Saranagati Dhama, a devotee farm community in Ashcroft, British Columbia (Canada) and Lord Nityananda arranged for us to meet a special disciple of Srila Prabhupada along the way.
Adi Yajna owns and operates a Tour Bus company called Chaitanya Coachways out of Calgary, Canada. Due to his driving schedule he missed us in both Calgary and Vancouver, but Lord Nityananda had plans to fulfill the desire of Srila Prabhupada’s servant.
While stopping for gas on the way to Saranagati, Adi Yajna also arrived at the same gas station with an empty bus. A great exchange took place between him, the Padukas and the devotees when we discovered each other. It was most definitely a transcendental arrangement by the Lord. Adi Yajna happily and immediately pledged towards a Silver Gratitude Coin ($11,000) and promised to pay it off by the end of the year and then pledge more.
We arrived in Saranagati and were greeted by a large group of devotees, many of them Srila Prabhupada’s disciples and their next generation. We were invited to the home of Ghosh Thakur das and Giriraja dasi fo prasadam. In the evening there was a potluck dinner at Mother Yamuna’s (ACBSP) old residence which now serves as a temple for the community. About 60 devotees attended and Radha Jivan and Jananivas spoke. All the devotees generously pledged or the TOVP, including the teenagers who donated for Square Feet. $31,000 was pledged that evening.
"I was lucky in that I was wide awake and chanted at a steady, rapid pace. My mind wandered sometimes, but I brought it back under the control of the mantra."
“In 1976 Srila Prabahupada came to Detroit. We had just purchased the Fischer Mansion and opened it as a temple. We had put a couple of million dollars into refurbishing it and making it first class. My parents were freaking out that I had become a Hare Krishna and was spending so much money. So, Srila Prabhupada was making his only visit to Detroit and he was talking about building a fantastic temple in Mayapur that would attract the whole world to come and be introduced to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and chanting Hare Krishna. He was describing the whole project with the planetarium and chandeliers then he turned to me and said. ‘So, Ambarish Maharaja what do you think?’ Even though I didn’t know where Mayapur was I said. ‘It sounds like a great idea Srila Prabhupada.’ Then Srila Prabhupada said.’Oh. You also like it? So, you can finance!’ It was at that moment that he planted the seed to help with this project.”
Hare Krishna! Program with leading industrialists about simple living and high thinking
On April 15, 2015, over 100 industrialists, investors and corporate leaders converged at the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai for a conference organized by Artha Forum Dubai Chapter, a community dedicated to providing healthy work-life balance and holistic world view to entrepreneurs, and business and thought leaders. Held in the Al Falak Ball Room, the event was entitled “Simple Living High Thinking”. It was attended by the Indian Ambassador to The United Arab Emirates His Excellency T. P. Seetharam who spoke of how the building, seminar room and the lifestyle are the antithesis to the concept of simple living, and he was looking forward to hear from the swamis. This was followed by a keynote address by His Holiness Radhanath Swami and Mr. Ajay Piramal, leader of The Piramal Group. Radhanath Swami explained how the idea of Simple Living High Thinking is actually a state of consciousness. “When I was looking around I was thinking ‘what am I supposed to say here’. But actually, simple living is a state of consciousness, and one can apply this principle by living without duplicity and with the values of compassion rather than values of selfishness, arrogance and greed” he said.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17247
Day 12 FOOD FOR LIFE NEPAL 7th May 2015 Nuwakot. (Album with photos)
Our Volunteers from FOOD FOR LIFE Nepal went to Thanapati VDC ward no 1 & 2 Chanju Narayan Nuwakot on 7th May 2015, Thursday to distribute Khichadi cooked by FFL NEPAL’s Volunteers. We Packed almost 2400 Kg of Rice, Daal, Clothes in Luggage carrier bus and Left for that earthquake affected Village. After reaching there We distributed clothes to about 150 critical conditioned people. There we cooked Khichadi and fed almost 600+ victims. They were very happy to have hot, nutritious Khichadi. This Continued on the next day also and remaining Sacks of Rice were distributed to 204 families at Thanapati VDC Ward 1 and 2 Chanju Narayan- Nuwakot.
See them here: https://goo.gl/sZWbDo
Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam Glorification Song (16 min video)
This is very melodious Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam (CC) glorification song with 12 stanzas uploaded today, 9th May 2015 on the very special occasion of 400th compilation year (1615 – 2015) of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam by Srila Krishna das kaviraja Goswami. Melodious karnatic tune, excellent video presentation and English subtitles for meaning should make this glorification song a nice feast to your ears, eyes, mind and soul on the occasion of the wonderful 400th compilation year. Srila Prabhupada’s CC translation work was made available to the readers in 1975 as 17 volumes series in English. Thus Srila Prabhupada’s translation work also completes 40 years of its appearance!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/5mzgIH
Hare Krishna! 2015 VIHE Sanskrit Course
This is in relation to our upcoming 2015 VIHE Sanskrit Course at our Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education. http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17243
