Indebted
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 22 December 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Disciple Meeting)

DSC_1047
Relationships are very much based on indebtedness – that we see the sacrifice that others are making. Relationships between Krsna and his devotees are like that; relationships between guru and disciple are also like that, it is based on indebtedness. A disciple has to capture the guru by doing something by which the guru feels, ‘Well, this person, this disciple, really went out of his way to do something really nice!’ That is when the mercy starts flowing.

In the same way, the spiritual master is naturally making a sacrifice, because he is different, he is not like everybody else. He is reliable, he is trustworthy, because he is doing what nobody does – going against the current. In a river, it is never easy to go against the current but somehow or other, the guru goes against the current. Therefore, we feel indebted because we see that the guru speaks the truth and he lives the truth. Thus we are indebted for this. So those things make an integral part of spiritual relationships that are based on service.

Sweet Rice Festival – Decorate & Offer a Pot of Sweet Rice!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Sunday May 3, 2015 we will celebrate our Sweet Rice Festival for the second time! This festival will be filled with many festivities including a dramatic presentation by our very own HH Bhaktimarga Swami.






http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/09-13/cookery8.jpgThis year, you also have the chance of offering a pot of sweet rice personally to our Deities! Come see us at our Sunday Feast this weekend and purchase a clay pot that you can decorate and bring back on Sunday, May 3 during the Sweet Rice Festival to be offered to the Deities on your behalf.

If you have any questions, please email us at info@torontokrishna.com .

2nd Annual Sweet Rice Festival – Sunday, May 3
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Our beautiful and beloved Deities, Sri Sri Radha Ksira-Chora Gopinatha, have been the heart and soul of our Hare Krishna Centre for over 40 years. Actually, Srila Prabhupada named our Deities in Toronto after a famous Deity of the same name in the beautiful and ancient city of Remuna, India.

Ksira means "sweet rice" and chora means "thief".  So, the name "Ksira-Chora" translates into, "one who steals sweet rice".  This famous Deity of Lord Krishna in Remuna was given this name after an incredible incident which occurred hundreds of years ago wherein the Deity actually stole a small pot of sweet rice for his devotee, Madhavendra Puri.

http://www.a108.net/uploads/monthly_03_2013/event-1-0-48546600-1363479301.jpgMadhavendra Puri, a great 14 century saint in our lineage, had visited the ancient temple in Remuna and saw the priests (pujaris) offering small pots of sweet rice to the Deity. In his heart, he desired to taste the sweet rice so that he could create a similar preparation for his personal worship of his own Deity.  Seeing the genuine sincerity in his heart, the Deity of the temple secretly hid one of the earthen pots of sweet rice offered every night and then appeared in the dream of the priest (pujari) and instructed him to locate the hidden pot and give it to Madhavendra Puri.  In this way, the legend grew of the Gopinatha Deity which stole sweet rice for his devotee and thus Deity became known as "Ksira-Chora Gopinatha"!

Many may not know this, but since our Deities were given their name in the early 1970s, sweet rice has been offered on our altar every day!  On Sunday May 3, 2015, we are celebrating an annual festival called the "Sweet Rice Festival" that began last year. We will be honouring Madhavendra Puri's appearance day on this day along with relishing the wonderful story of Ksira-Chora Gopinatha! We will also have a dramatic presentation by HH Bhaktimarga Swami, which you do not want to miss!

We hope to see you all there! Learn about our fun initiative that everyone can participate in by offering a personal pot of sweet rice to our Deities - click here for more information!

Hare Krishna! Fault-finding and Forgiveness We have two choices…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Fault-finding and Forgiveness
We have two choices as to which court we want to work in. The first court is that of the empowered demigod and mahājana devotee Sri Yamaraja. The second court is the court of Lord Nityananda. Working in Yamaraja’s court means assisting his chief lieutenant Citragupta, whose job it is to note down all of the mistakes and sinful acts of conditioned souls.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16931

Hare Krishna! Fault-finding and Forgiveness We have two choices…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Fault-finding and Forgiveness
We have two choices as to which court we want to work in. The first court is that of the empowered demigod and mahājana devotee Sri Yamaraja. The second court is the court of Lord Nityananda. Working in Yamaraja’s court means assisting his chief lieutenant Citragupta, whose job it is to note down all of the mistakes and sinful acts of conditioned souls.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16931

Chanting All Thirty-Two Syllables
→ travelingmonk.com

Chanting All Thirty-Two Syllables “As Srila Prabhupada’s secretary and more than once in any case, I sat before Srila Prabhupada chanting my japa. Sometimes we hear people, and myself, saying, ‘Hare Ram, Hare Ram, Ram Ram, Hare Hare. Srila Prabhupada would stop me, and more than once, say to me. ‘Chant the entire mantra,’ and [...]

Celebration of Colors – Hudson Valley I would like to invite you…
→ Dandavats.com



Celebration of Colors - Hudson Valley
I would like to invite you to The Celebration of Colors - (Holi) festival which we (Nimai’s Bliss Kitchen) is hosting. The Celebration (The first of its kind in the Hudson Valley) is on Saturday June 20th from Noon to 9PM. It will take place in Historic Newburgh overlooking the the Hudson.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16938

The Real Medicine
→ travelingmonk.com

Lots of time to chant as I recuperate. The real medicine. “Just always chant Hare Krsna. Never mind whether you are in a factory or in a hell, in a shack or in a skyscraper – it doesn’t matter. Just go on chanting: Hare Krsna, HareKrsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama [...]

Eager For Sankirtana
→ travelingmonk.com

Being in and out of hospitals the last few weeks I have seen alot of people suffering. I am eager to get back on samkirtan and chant the holy names for the benefit of the fallen souls. “If the surface of the globe is overflooded with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, the people [...]

Hare Krishna! 10th Annual St. Augustine Ratha Yatra, 2015 Bhadra…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! 10th Annual St. Augustine Ratha Yatra, 2015
Bhadra Prabhu presented her with the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, telling her: “When you are in stress, please read this book. Mahatma Gandhi used to read this book whenever he was in a difficult situation.” Her reply was: “I am always in stressful situations.” Then Mukhya devi said to her: “You can read any page and you will find solutions.” The mayor replied that she will read it everyday. She hopes to go to India someday soon and immerse herself in the culture. She learned a bit of the history of the Ratha Yatra and took the part of King Prataparudra as she swept the street clean in honor of the procession.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16928

Hare Krishna! 10th Annual St. Augustine Ratha Yatra, 2015 Bhadra…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! 10th Annual St. Augustine Ratha Yatra, 2015
Bhadra Prabhu presented her with the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, telling her: “When you are in stress, please read this book. Mahatma Gandhi used to read this book whenever he was in a difficult situation.” Her reply was: “I am always in stressful situations.” Then Mukhya devi said to her: “You can read any page and you will find solutions.” The mayor replied that she will read it everyday. She hopes to go to India someday soon and immerse herself in the culture. She learned a bit of the history of the Ratha Yatra and took the part of King Prataparudra as she swept the street clean in honor of the procession.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16928

CC daily 82 – M 6.2-8 – Lord Chaitanya’s darshana of Jagannatha was dramatically devastating
→ The Spiritual Scientist

CC-daily Podcast
[audio mp3="http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2015%20classes/04-15%20classes/CC%20daily%2082%20-%20M%206.2-8%20-%20Lord%20Chaitanya's%20darshana%20of%20Jagannatha%20was%20dramatically%20devastating.mp3http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2015%20classes/04-15%20classes/CC%20daily%2082%20-%20M%206.2-8%20-%20Lord%20Chaitanya's%20darshana%20of%20Jagannatha%20was%20dramatically%20devastating.mp3">Download by "right-click and save content"

Glorious Moment
→ Seed of Devotion

I have sat in front of the deities of Radha and Krishna many, many times with only the walls as witness. I would sit in front of the harmonium and sing the holy name or a bhajan in a random way, just let the notes flow like a river and take me on a journey. Sometimes the notes start to flow and move in a pattern, and a melody forms.

One such melody seems to flow in and out of my life. I often forget it exists and can't remember it, like a distance place I've visited but can't place on a map. I've never sung it in a group kirtan; it always seems to rise to the surface in the quiet times.

The final day of class for Kirtan Connection, I sat at the harmonium while students arrived and took their seats. I had an agenda for the day, and yet there was something unplanned that needed to unfold. So I sang. This melody emerged, the one of the quiet times, the one of spending time with Krishna.

Students boarded the vessel of the holy name and we all journeyed together down this river. All voices intertwined and separated in undulating waves. Each person was wordlessly invited to lead us all in singing one mantra. Each person who sang seemed to express the inner jewel of his or her heart. I felt honored, moved with emotion. 

Being immersed in the holy name, I was surrounded by this sense that, "This is the perfection of life." I could leave this world in this very moment and be at peace. The holy name is my shelter, those who are singing the holy name are my refuge. I am safe. 

I kept playing the harmonium and shared with students to envision those inevitable moments of leaving this world. As Srila Prabhupada said, death should be glorious. So sing as if these are your final moments in this world. 

Our voices joined in a final wave. Tears streamed down my face and others' faces.

Gratitude to Srila Prabhupada suddenly filled my heart. He was the one who sacrificed everything to give the holy name to each of us. Fifty years later, we continue on his legacy. And when that inevitable day comes, may the holy name and Srila Prabupada fill the soul of each and every one of us. May that moment be glorious. 



Hare Krishna! Krishna Consciousness – The Highly Productive…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Krishna Consciousness – The Highly Productive Lifestyle
If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon our heart. The spirit should never grow old. …John Kenneth Galbraith We can distinguish art as different from work and can present five step process that can be adopted for turning work into art. These steps involve adopting a reliable methodology; learning from an expert guide or trainer; practicing with full faith and determination to develop the skills; intelligently identifying the goals and milestones; planning and executing to achieve the goals.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16924

Hare Krishna! Krishna Consciousness – The Highly Productive…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Krishna Consciousness – The Highly Productive Lifestyle
If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon our heart. The spirit should never grow old. …John Kenneth Galbraith We can distinguish art as different from work and can present five step process that can be adopted for turning work into art. These steps involve adopting a reliable methodology; learning from an expert guide or trainer; practicing with full faith and determination to develop the skills; intelligently identifying the goals and milestones; planning and executing to achieve the goals.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16924

Hare Krishna! Sri Surabhi Campaign – Bangalore report Many of…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Sri Surabhi Campaign – Bangalore report
Many of the devotees inquired about the upcoming seminars/conferences about Mother Surabhi. Maharaja mentioned that a few devotees are getting trained for the same under IDVM-India and that soon more details will be made available. Also, Maharaja made a point saying that the practical connection and involvement of the devotees to the campaign will become more clear once the second campaign pamphlet ‘Sustainable Eco Alliance’ is released.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16916

Hare Krishna! Sri Surabhi Campaign – Bangalore report Many of…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Sri Surabhi Campaign – Bangalore report
Many of the devotees inquired about the upcoming seminars/conferences about Mother Surabhi. Maharaja mentioned that a few devotees are getting trained for the same under IDVM-India and that soon more details will be made available. Also, Maharaja made a point saying that the practical connection and involvement of the devotees to the campaign will become more clear once the second campaign pamphlet ‘Sustainable Eco Alliance’ is released.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16916

Hare Krishna! NASN March 2015 – North American Sankirtan…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! NASN March 2015 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of March. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16913

Hare Krishna! NASN March 2015 – North American Sankirtan…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! NASN March 2015 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of March. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16913

Tribal Harinam in Cape Town,South Africa (Album with…
→ Dandavats.com



Tribal Harinam in Cape Town,South Africa (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The demigods are pleased when sacrifices are performed, just as prison officers are satisfied when the prisoners are turned into obedient subjects. Lord Caitanya, however, has recommended only one yajna, or sacrifice, called the sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of Hare Krishna, in which everyone can take part. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1.6.20 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/bSjmgj

Hare Krishna! The Sannyasa Ministry would like your feedback To…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! The Sannyasa Ministry would like your feedback
To expand ISKCON’s preaching mission Srila Prabhupada created sannyasis. Thus the Ministry for Sannyasa Service has established a website to provide information about potential sannyasis to the ISKCON community and to get feedback in order to help in the candidate’s training
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=10808

Hare Krishna! The Sannyasa Ministry would like your feedback To…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! The Sannyasa Ministry would like your feedback
To expand ISKCON’s preaching mission Srila Prabhupada created sannyasis. Thus the Ministry for Sannyasa Service has established a website to provide information about potential sannyasis to the ISKCON community and to get feedback in order to help in the candidate’s training
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=10808

Hare Krishna! New Hare Krishna Centre Finaly in Edinburgh! 40…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! New Hare Krishna Centre Finaly in Edinburgh!
40 years ago the ISKCON Edinburgh centre closed and everyone involved, including Srila Prabhupada, was extremely disappointed. Since then we have not had a preaching centre in Edinburgh and even in forming a Vaishnava community we faced many difficulties, but recently Krishna consciousness has started to flourish here. Eight months ago we apealed to the wider vaisnava community, here on Dandavats.com, asking for help in rasing funds to open a center in Edinburgh for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. There were many challenges but thanks to your support and well wishes, we were able to finally open the ‘Gouranga Mantra Centre’ on the 12th April 2015.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16908

Hare Krishna! New Hare Krishna Centre Finaly in Edinburgh! 40…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! New Hare Krishna Centre Finaly in Edinburgh!
40 years ago the ISKCON Edinburgh centre closed and everyone involved, including Srila Prabhupada, was extremely disappointed. Since then we have not had a preaching centre in Edinburgh and even in forming a Vaishnava community we faced many difficulties, but recently Krishna consciousness has started to flourish here. Eight months ago we apealed to the wider vaisnava community, here on Dandavats.com, asking for help in rasing funds to open a center in Edinburgh for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. There were many challenges but thanks to your support and well wishes, we were able to finally open the ‘Gouranga Mantra Centre’ on the 12th April 2015.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16908

Why does Prabhupada say in Gita 2.38p that sankhya doesn’t refer to and does refer to the Bhagavatam’s sankhya?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Rambhadara Priya Prabhu:
Answer Podcast:

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TOVP Tour Diary Day 37 – Edmonton, Canada TOVP Program
- TOVP.org

On the evening of Friday, April 17th we did our TOVP presentation along with kirtan and abhisheka of the Padukas during the Gaura arati.

Bala Krishna prabhu, the temple president, introduced the TOVP Team and Radha Jivana spoke in Hindi to the large gathering of Indian guests and devotees. $60,000 in pledges was raised and Bala Krishna promised more from his personal fundraising efforts by going to people’s homes. Prasadam was then served.

The post TOVP Tour Diary Day 37 – Edmonton, Canada TOVP Program appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

TOVP Tour Diary Days 35-36 – Edmonton, Canada
- TOVP.org

On Wednesday, April 15th we departed from Montreal, flying into Edmonton on the Western side of Canada. We spent the next day, Thusday, April 16th resting and catching up on office and other backup work, and in the evening Jananivas prabhu spoke to a gathering of 15-20 devotees.

The post TOVP Tour Diary Days 35-36 – Edmonton, Canada appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

TOVP Tour Diary Days 33-34 – Home Programs in Montreal, Canada
- TOVP.org

Monday and Tuesday, April 13 & 14 in Montreal were spent visiting devotees in their homes, giving darshan of the Padukas and association with Jananivas prabhu. The following devotees and their families opened their homes for our visit and TOVP programs:

Monday mid-day: Yashomati Sundai and family
Monday evening: Kirti Patel and family
Tuesday mid-day: Narain Prasad and family
Tuesday evening: Carith Sairam and family

The post TOVP Tour Diary Days 33-34 – Home Programs in Montreal, Canada appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.