I originally published this blog on February 15, 2011. Since I don't have time this evening to prepare a blog about Lord Nityananda, I thought I would post it again now. Wednesday, February 8th will be the observance of Lord Nityananda’s holy appearance day. I was blessed in 2011 to be able to give class to the devotees on that day. I am sharing with you part of what I spoke about then. On the one hand, I appreciate the special mercy that comes to one who is able to speak to the devotees about Krishna and the philosophy of devotion, while on the other, I also find it very humbling to realize that I really don’t know much about the philosophy. It is like an ocean, and I can only share a few drops. However, I speak for my own purification, with the prayer and intention to inspire and inform the devotees. Besides this, Krishna appreciates our taking risks in his service, assuring us in the Gita, that he carries what we lack and preserves what we have.

It is interesting how Spring is associated with Shri Chaitanya and his associations. First Shri Advaita Acharya, who prayed for the Lord’s appearance, then Shri Nityananda Prabhu, the expansion of Lord Chaitanya and his most merciful aspect, and finally the crescendo, next month, on the full moon day, Lord Chaitanya’s appearance. Although Shri Chaitanya is widely known as the “most munificent” avatar, freely giving Krishna prema (ecstatic love for Krishna), Shri Nityananda is considered even more merciful, since he gives prema to the most unqualified persons.

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Tomorrow is Lord Nityananda Prabhu's divine appearance day. Lord Nityananda is Lord Balarama. Lord Balarama is the original Guru who is teaching us to serve the Supreme Lord Krishna. Therefore it is through the mercy of Nitynanada prabhu that we are able to approach the Supreme Being Krishna. He is the source of Guru tattva.

In that line is His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and H.H.Radhanath Swami Maharaja.

For me in my own life, Srila Prabhupada is like the person who laid the foundation and built the spiritual house for me to live in and my Guru Maharaja H.H.Radhanath Swami showed me practically how to live inside the house.

On the auspicious appearance of the Supreme Guru Lord Nityananda prabhu, I would like to seek His infinite mercy and blessings to engage in unalloyed devotional service to Guru and Gauranga!

Hare Krishna

As Krsna advises Arjuna in practicing yoga, "Wherever the mind wanders due to its restless and flickering nature, you have to drag it back." So this applies to our chanting. You have to chant with attention. Remain awake and chant with devotion.

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

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Hare Krishna! North American Temple President Meeting 2015
By Mukhya Devi Dasi
The annual Temple President meetings were just held in Dallas temple, Sri Radha Kalachandji dhama, the week of January 22, 2015. There were about 65 ISKCON leaders in attendance, as well as all of the North American GBCs. The devotees in Dallas did a marvelous hosting job and were everywhere at the service of their guests. The prasadam, three amazing meals a day, was outstanding. They gave us all a good lesson on serving the Vaisnavas. The conference was three and a half days, filled with inspiration.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15312

HARINAMA in Mayapur (6 min video)
There are 2 Harinama parties going on in Mayapur now, the newest one is formed by Russian devotees; the old one with Gaura-Nitai. This video have both Harinamas - day time and evening. Russian Harinama is led by devotee from Donetsk (the war zone), Trivikrama prabhu.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/yqH1az

Hare Krishna! The Battle Between Boar and Hiranyaksha
By BVV Narasimha Swami
In the Caitanya Bhagavata there is a description how one day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had been hearing the glories of Lord Varaha. And while He was relishing the mood of Lord Varaha, He came to the home of Murari Gupta. And at time He chanted the name Sukara! Sukara! Which is boar! Boar! Right? its the name of the boar, Sanskrit for boar. So He chanted the name of Sukara and then He actually, Lord Caitanya actually assumed the form of Lord Varaha while He was in the home of Murari Gupta.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15309

Please view the following galleries: Darshan Abhishek   vasati daśana-śikhare dharaṇī tava lagnā śaśini kalaṅka-kaleva nimagnā keśava dhṛta-śūkara-rūpa jaya jagadīśa hare   As glorified in the verse above by Jayadeva Goswami, Lord Krsna appeared as Varahadeva (a boar) to rescue mother earth that had been submerged in the Garbhodaka Ocean by demon Hiryanyaksha. Like other incarnations […]

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Sunday Special Feast for All When? Sunday,Feb 1st,2015 Program starts at 11 am Where? 6 George Street South Brampton, Ontario L6Y 1P3, Canada Park underground(free) @ City Hall Phone:416-648-3312 New! Listen Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog Make a Donation Special Program 11:00 - 11:15       Tulsi Aarti & Kirtan 11:15 - 11:30       Guru Aarti 11:30 - 11:55       Aarti & Kirtan 11:55 - 12:00      Narasinga Prayer 12:00 - 12:05      Welcome announcement     12:05 - 12:30      Gaura Nitai Abhisekam 12:30 -  1:00       Glories of Lord Nityananda - HG Mahabhagvata Prabhu  1:00 -   1:30        Lord Nityananda Maha Aarti  1:30                       Lord Nityananda Maha Feast We appreciate your constant support to the temple.Here are the details of the sponsorships available for this event. *Mahabhiseka Ceremony(KALASH/family $51) If you and your family would like to participate in the mahabhiseka ceremony of Lord Nityananda,please reserve Kalash with Amogha Lila Dasa (alokearora@hotmail.com) or in person at the front desk.Mahabhiseka timings are from 12pm-12.30pm. Kalash are limited!!!! Others *Nityananda Grand Feast.......$251 *Nityananda Maha Arati........$108 *Florals & Garlands................$108 About Lord Nityananda(fasting till Noon)   "Nitya means eternal.Ananda means pleasure.Material pleasure is not eternal.As living entities,we are searching after pleasure.But the pleasure we are seeking is flickering n temporary.Real pleasure is Nityananda cause its eternal.Anybody,who has no contact with Nityananda,his life is spoiled,it is to be considered." (Srila prabhupada,Los Angeles,january 31,1969)   He appeared in 1474 in the village of Ekachakra, now in West Bengal. Lord Nityananda always served Lord Chaitanya in any way. His beauty was so enchanting and He was so full of ecstatic love for Krishna that, wherever He moved, crowds of people would follow and become lovers of God. To celebrate Lord Nityananda's appearance day is an important function for devotees of Krishna because without the mercy of Lord Nityananda it is very difficult to make advancement in spiritual life. Bhaimi Ekadasi Fasting is tomorrow Jan 30th 2015. Breakfast on Jan 31st 2015 b/w 7.35am-10.52am   Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment in order to support those with allergies. Your cooperation is appreciated.   Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Chant and Be happ

Hare Krishna! Mother Earth: Holder and Giver of Wealth
Srila Prabhupada writes, “Whatever is taken from the earth—either from the mines, from the surface of the globe, or from the atmosphere—should always be considered the property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and should be used for Yajna, Lord Vishnu. As soon as the process of yajna [sacrifice] is stopped, the earth will withhold all productions—vegetables, trees, plants, fruits, flowers, other agricultural products, and minerals.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15306

GITA CONCISE Drama ILS Mayapur (25 min video)
HH Bhakti Marga Swami ( Walking Monk) presented this brilliant Drama during ILS in Mayapur.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/6prqCv

Pastime places of Lord Nityananda! (photos)
nityanandam aham vande karne lambita-mauktikam
caitanyagraja-rupena pavitri-krta-bhutalam
“Salutations to Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Who has a single pearl suspended from one of His ears, Who is the elder brother of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and Who is the purifier of the world.”
Here i a glimpse of pastime places of Lord Nityananda! May Lord Nityananda bestow His causeless mercy on all of you and keep you at His lotus feet!
Have a blissful festival!
See them here: http://goo.gl/0gecID

Manual 4 Life. Bhagavad-Gita. As It Is (1 min video)
The Emotion behind legendary book ‘Bhagavad-Gita as it is’!
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/yhx9HJ

They should all be blessed with the right to move in the temple and do two years full time service, as is the practice of the Mormons.

The post When devotees’ children are 18 years old appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

A visit to Maan Sarovar - Bhandirvan - Belvan - 29.01.2015 (Album 125 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Age of Kali, there is no religious principle except chanting Krishna’s name. It has been ascertained from all the scriptures that Krishna’s holy name is the essence of all mantras. (Renunciation Through Wisdom, 5.1 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/0B4x9f

Early Mayapur Food For Life program. Circa 1975-76.
Jayapataka Swami in the middle of the path with his arms outstretched.
More photos here: http://goo.gl/yiKO9C

Mayapur Retrospective
Early days in Mayapur. Pre Long Building days.

Appearance Day of Lord Varahadev
Lord Brahma and the other demigods quickly arrived at that spot, to see the slain body of the demon close up. Still biting his lip, Hiranyaksha’s bodily luster had not faded, in spite of the absence of the soul, because the Lord’s lotus foot remained touching it. Lord Brahma admiringly said, “Oh, who could meet with such a blessed death? This fortunate demon was struck by the lotus foot of the Lord, upon Whom yogis meditate in mystic trance in the hopes of gaining liberation from their unreal, material bodies.”
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/R22nE1

HG Pankajanghri Prabhu at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-01-24, Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 06 03 23

“To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna.” Seven Purposes of ISKCON – Srila Prabhupada, 1966

Click here to read the other purposes at the ISKCON.org website.

One of my main points over many months of writing is that personal growth can be very favorable to our steadiness in spiritual practice. Such work is certainly not an end in itself, but can be helpful along with our sincerity of purpose and prayer in sorting out our life issues, and accessing our personal power for our service to Guru and Gauranga, and for the people in general. We can judge a thing by its results (phalena pariciyate) and if through such personal growth work one is more enthused in bhakti and in one's life, this is proof of its value.

All change begins with knowing we have a problem, sometimes the most difficult awareness. However, this still isn’t sufficient to create change without working and praying to remove our shortcomings, and replacing them with better qualities or habits. Expert guidance in doing this work is indispensable. My understanding is that assisted introspection (as I have coined it) with experienced mentors will be helpful in rising to the stage of nistha (steadiness), an interim goal on the long road to prema (pure love of God).

The Gita teaches us that to not follow our nature is artificial and unsustainable. So our spiritual practices should be in sync, not just with our work (as important as that is), but with our sense of personal mission. Our power, or empowerment, in life comes from connecting our personal mission to our spiritual mission, making them one, if you will. Some teachers today say that just doing our personal mission, or being a balanced human being, is spiritual. While this is a crucial part of the equation, it is only part of it, and remains incomplete without addressing the needs of the soul.

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 January 2010, Cape Town, South Africa, Lecture: Nityananda’s Appearance Day)

When we are reaching out to people who have no transcendental knowledge, then we relax the rules and we look at spontaneous service. In this way, we can engage so many people and bring them closer and bring them into our movement. This is the movement of Nityananda, to bring everyone in. It is an all-inclusive movement of great kindness. Lord Nityananda is the emblem of kindness, the emblem of positiveness!

Just like, sometimes you see parents, mother’s with their children, and they are completely positive! I see this little, squeaky monster which is ugly like anything, all red and spotty, the eyes are puffy, hardly any hair on the head and all wrinkled. Then, it makes hellish noises and things like that… So from the male perspective, sometimes it is something not appreciated. The kid is just like hammering on things and then the mother comes and says, “Awh… he loves it so much!” You see this totally positive, parental mood, so positively disposed towards that child. That same mood is in Lord Nityananda! So positive, “Look, how nice! He wants to do a little service, how nice!”

So this is the mood of this movement, so it is therefore a very liberal movement. Nityananda is the main preacher, Nityananda sets the pace! Nityananda is the one who is showing what the mood should be of our endeavours and activities. A mood of just great kindness and seeing the good in everyone. Prabhupada said to find the spark and fan it! Find a little spark of bhakti and fan it – that is the mood of Lord Nityananda…

It's our connection with the Lord - the way we keep in touch with Him during the day.
Not just at Japa time but we can stay in touch with the Lord all day by chanting in our minds.

Giriraj Swami and Radhanatha Swami accepted disciples for first and second initiation.

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Harinama in Auckland NZ: Chanting our way Back To Godhead! (Album 45 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “If one’s heart does not change, tears do not flow from his eyes, his body does not shiver, and his bodily hairs do not stand on end as he chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, it should be understood that his heart is as hard as iron This is due to his offenses at the lotus fee of the Lord’s holy name.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.24)
See them here: http://goo.gl/3jovb0

WSN December 2014 – World Sankirtan Newletter – best year since 1996!
Good news about the Prabhupada marathon: Although we hardly ever see a score from Govindadvipa, an small island temple in Ireland, the devotees there went for the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and did 10,226 book points. Also, Bhaktivedanta Manor did a huge marathon, with 74,253 book points, fired up by Visvambara Prabhu and Sutapa Prabhu. In the USA Bhrgupati Prabhu was pouring out the books. Although he’s 63, he scored 13,326 book points. Amazing!
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15302

Hare Krishna!
Devotees Remember Sankara Dasi on 30th Anniversary of Her Passing
“Sankara was easy to do service with; having an insightful and creative nature,” says Rupa Dasi, who worked with her on a sewing project. “She had a keen sense of focus for the project and really put all her heart into the service. She also was always very concerned for the welfare of her children. And this was a frequent topic of her talks. She knew her time was limited, and she was determined to use it to the very best advantage she possibly could on their behalf.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15297

Read everything, listen to everybody, believe nothing, unless you can prove it with your own research - William Cooper

William Cooper is a controversial figure but I found his quote interesting and very much fits the spiritual paradigm of life. From a spiritual perspective, we must be diligent and serious in our studies of the scriptures. If necessary, study all World religious scriptures to get a broad perspective. In fact we should also study modern scientific literature seriously to understand how science is conducted. Then, we should listen submissively to leaders of the respective faiths and science. We should ask questions if necessary to clear our doubts in a cogent and comprehensive manner. Then only, finally, we should embark on the journey of life be it spiritual or material and discover life for ourselves. Otherwise, either religious, spiritual or scientific, if we do not follow the above steps, it is simply dogmatic to follow a particular way of life.

This quote is very much related to Bhagavad Gita and Krishna Consciousness. Unless, we deeply understand the inner meaning and essence of Bhagavad Gita, listen to the experts, how can we practice Bhagavad Gita in our own life and prove to our selves that Krishna exists? How can we gather evidence towards the existence of a Supreme Being? Therefore  it is paramount to study, listen, and practice to prove to ourselves of a higher dimension. Blind following is not a sustainable and eco-friendly formula for a Bhagavad Gita way of life.

Hare Krishna