Planet ISKCON

Russell, Ontario

The Trail and the Waiting Room


Manu, who arrived from Vancouver, and I, flew to the nation’s capitol, Ottawa.  It was the first time he had ever seen those amazing fortress like buildings at Parliament Hill. 

We visited Govindas for some banana bread, and of course, people.  Saturday morning is kids time, so they were there to receive lessons from the stories of Krishna.

Onward to Russell we went, and now it’s my opportunity to hit the trail that runs through the town.  It’s old rail to trail route.  Given the time of year that it is with the trail being snowbound, fewer than normal tread it.  The only people I met up with was a man and his dog, and then a man on his snowmobile.  I also connected with the Sherwood Forest, peaceful, not a peep from wildlife.  Shhh, everyone’s asleep. 

Where life really was to be found in Russell was a music school/café.  Kasper (K. Dulal), the owner, calls it ‘The Waiting Room’.  There, you have these exotic brews, not coffee, but hazelnut and all kinds of nuts, and essential date and almond hot honey flavoured beverages to address the nippies of the outdoors. 

At The Waiting Room there was a scheduled program for kirtan, food – a mattar paneer dish, and a showing of the drama, 'Gita: Concise'.  Really, it was the rocking kirtan with Kasper’s keyboard and Krishna’s beating it out on the drum set that offered a fine flavour to a wintry night.  The kids from the morning also came, babies included.  For some of them it was probably their first rock ‘n’ roll experience.

As the Gita states, su-sukham kartum avyayam, spirituality can be a joyful expression.  Pat, as in Patricia, who came to be part of this event, jived with the joy that permeated the room.  She was raised in a convent and then joined the Canadian Forces, so she knows all about working and moving together with people.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Toronto, Ontario

Everyday There is an Arjun


Practically every day Arjuna comes to visit us at our ashram.  By that, I mean, the soul who is struggling somewhat and comes to submit himself to our temple room space for thought, prayer, and chanting.  Perhaps there’s even a need to talk to someone.  Sometimes the sense of purpose and meaning becomes trapped in a cloud of confusion, and duty seems to have lost its beauty. 

Like Arjun in the Bhagavad Gita who goes for some kind of deliberation and consultation with Krishna, he takes the absolute right course.  In other words, it would not have been a good idea to just stand alone in the cloud of doubt.  Express it, be heard, and then hear. 

In the opening of the dialogue found in the Bhagavad Gita, the two great souls, Krishna and Arjuna, one is wobbling, and the other is firm.  The one who is strong responds to the doubt of the other with concern and with love.  He speaks with knowledge behind him.  He affirms that dharma, duty, is not to be renounced, only up until one is free to be a fully surrendered soul.

Now those who come to visit us at the ashram and come for solace deserve our attention.  We may not be able to act as Krishna who helped Arjuna gain all confidence, but while acting as Krishna’s servant, you do the best you can.  If you have once been helped by someone, then you have the obligation to help others. 

Having the presence of Nick at our reception desk is making such a difference.  He greets people, acts as security, answers the phone, and then becomes a rep of Krishna.  He provides comfort to the soul who’s going through ‘stuff’.  I really appreciate what he’s doing.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 22 December 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 9.19.19)

If you do marry, then be careful that whoever you marry is a devotee. Whatever you do, do not marry a non-devotee. That would be the worst thing to do because then it will be goodbye to yourself! You can say goodbye to the self you were because that is surely a way to go down!

People spend hours and hours matching astrological charts and sometimes you get a ninety percent match! Anyway, that gives you ten percent opportunity to give each other hell; that is also there. But beyond that ninety percent match, are you both chanting Hare Krsna? That is more important than all the astrology and all the karma. Even if the charts do not match, if you are both serious about being devotees, about vaisnava etiquette and if you are willing to offer obeisances and approach each other like devotees, then you might just transcend those bad charts, even if there is Rahu! Prabhupada said that Krsna can kick out millions of Rahus.

So, the real criteria for compatibility is how serious are we about devotional service. Sometimes, a few planets collide, create a little fireworks and almost the destruction of the universe; that can happen… But, what if your planets match really well and you are so happily together, in maya! It can be a great match and you have never had an argument at all, okay great, but how Krsna conscious was it? “Well, we are trying!” When anyone says they are trying, it means that they are not doing. Trying means that we are not doing it!

So, we should make a realistic choice and we fill in the grhasta ashram with Krsna. Our house is a holy place. Our house is a place that reminds us of Krsna and in the house, there is so much prasadam and in the house, there are always guests, and in the house we have many things but they are all Krsna conscious things so whenever we come home, we get so much nourishment. In that way, the grhasta ashram is very nice because one can very nicely make spiritual advancement.

 

Longdonville, Trinidad

Family Feel


We were just a stone’s throw, or so it seemed, from Venezuela.  At this unique inlet on the Trinidadian coast, at a former Marine Corps submarine base, our small group did relieve ourselves of outdoor humidity with a good swim.  It becomes an annual procedure in Trinidad at this community to go for a bonding at the beach, at least when I visit.  This entails not only a fun swim, but a super veggie picnic and kirtan.  Only thing is the last of the three part program got cut short due to a soaker of a day.  A planned walk up the hill was also curtailed because the rain came down relentlessly. 

We were not the only ones to enjoy a community gathering.  A few dudes were neatly perched on rock and under trees smoking joints.  One of the fellows from the group had just come out of the water when I asked him, “How’s the water?” 

“Great!”

“How’s the weed?” 

“That’s good too,” as he cracked up at my question.

My questions were merely icebreakers, a way to begin friendship.  Most time was spent in the bonding with brothers, two monks in particular.  One is American born, Guru Prasad Swami, the other is Agni Dev, famed singer of bhajan music.  Agni Dev’s final evolution to monkhood began not so long ago.  He’s been running a successful vegetarian restaurant business for years on America’s west coast.  He figured it was time to retire.  With loving consent from his wife, in a committed marriage for many years, Agni Dev decided to go back to his native Trinidad and jump back into full time devotional life.  You would call him a Vanaprasthi, referring to the stage just prior to the full on renounced order of life. 

The minutes I had with these two brothers under a drenchy grass hut’s leaky roof, and with these people of piety, was precious. 

Placing value on good term relationship was the theme of the talks I delivered both in the morning and in the evening.  The sense of ‘belonging’ and the family spirit cannot be emphasized enough for the true human experience. 

May the Source be with you!

3 KM

Georgetown, Guyana

Never Be Shallow And Hollow


Time has sped by, now being the last day in Guyana, the pangs from separation from the dear devotees started to set in.  We worked and played hard together to pull off an impactful five days of celebration on foot.  For some of wetness was welling in eyes as it was time to depart for the airport en route to Trinidad.

Before that, however, some devotees were destined for diksa, the initiation ceremony.  In keeping record for those four souls this morning, I herein document them.  For the two men: Sunil is now Sanjay, and Seedat Hardat is now Hari Narayan.  For the two women:  Priya is now Param Dhama, and Bhagmatee is now Bhavatarini. 

I spoke about the significance of the event and right beside me was my godbrother, Dina Bandhu, who also shared some words of wisdom on the meaning of initiation which really means getting started, meaning, blessings coming from well-wishers. 

Flying to Trinidad was brief, one hour only.  Agnidev, who’s known globally for sweet kirtan chanting, gave me some of his time.  His structured evening program entailed Gita discussion and reading from the book, ‘Nectar of Devotion’.  He asked me to take care of that.  I was quite impressed with attendance from the community. 

I would say that the highlight of the devotional topic was, “Move with both body and heart, never be shallow and hollow in bhakti.”

May the Source be with you!

3 KM

Georgetown, Guyana

Land of Lotuses

In the many canals that you find in Guyana, there is a healthy growth of lotus flowers in full bloom.  They are something to marvel at for their esthetics.  Portions of this plant make a great veggie prep, and when ground up, it ends up being a tasty flour for baking or cooking.

The lotus flower can also remind us of the Gita’s mention of it, “It is found in water, but remains aloof from water,” to illustrate the transcendence we endeavour for while being in the mundaneness of this world. 

Don, a young man in our community, took me for a local walk and pointed out that the husband of the young woman sitting by the edge of the canal’s bridge was collecting lotus pads for the big event tonight.  It will be the fifth and final day of our padayatra in Georgetown.  The Prime Minister will be there.  He and other delegates will be feasting off of these exotic and natural plates – the lotus pad. 

The turnout for this final day was a full capacity crowd for its venue which is the future site of the Nimai Pandit Study Centre.  It now has a foundation and steel frame structure in place. 

Those who attended the evening’s events of chant, dance, drama, and speeches, were all lotus-like in a sense.  They were looking good as far as attire was concerned, and they were spiritually immersed to the point of not wanting to leave. 

Guyana has incredible potential for being a Krishna Conscious country.   Response is generally favourable.  Life here is less hustle bustled in the land of lotuses. 

And just to finish off, one of our boys in the drama is studying to be a lawyer.  I suggested, “Why not succeed, somewhere in the future, as Prime Minister?” 

I was serious.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Georgetown, Guyana

Gag on Gas


We’ve heard our guru, Srila Prabhupada use the term, ‘Man proposes, God disposes’.  You might say that the term applies to us in Guyana this year.  I was supposed to take a trip via canoe to a district where indigenous folks reside, pretty much the way they have for centuries.  To some regret, it wasn’t meant to be, and I ended up quite happily, in any case, in the Georgetown district once again, for an experience on padayatra on day four.

Response was good.  The sun shone, finally.  Monsoons let up for the most part.  Our group thickened, of course, it’s also Saturday.

Now, Guyana would be a perfect place for the use of the bicycle, at least along the coast, the terrain is relatively flat.  But sorry to say, the two-wheeler is not the mode of transport for most people.  Like so much of our planet, Bhumi, it is overrun by cars and not pedestrians or cyclists. 

Our padayatra, festival on foot, demonstrates a good will gesture, not only as a spiritual affair, but by dint of this physical endeavour we make another statement of benevolence.  As a padayatri, you must take in the brunt of the car fumes.  And to boot, the exhaust from the generator on the back of the pickup which carries sound speakers causes enough for us to gag on.  If you lead a kirtan like I have been, you are subjected to the foulness spewing out of the machine. 

To recover from today’s physical challenge, I took to the fabulous seawall for a jaunt to catch the ocean air, what a relief. 

With pride, our performance of  'The Jagannatha Story' on the stage was a big hit.  It was presented after popular, Dina Bandhu, spoke in his own animated way about the joys of bhakti, devotion.  The stage events culminated with mantras, a perfect closure to a triumphant day, despite the gas. 

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Georgetown, Guyana

Missing One

Jaya and Vijay were two mangy dogs that would sleep at the entrance of the home where I stay.  This year I see only one of them.  One got eliminated, as in passed on.  It’s either Jaya or Vijay; couldn’t tell them apart, and they weren’t particularly great to look at, being diseased.  You see, they didn’t have names according to neighbours, and since they had been loyal, at the gate, I named them after the two celebrated gatekeepers at Vaikuntha. 

I photographed the surviving one while he was fast asleep in the middle of the day.  This picture will remind me of loyalty.  Although stray dogs, I imagine by definition, they did demonstrate territorialism at one main location, that is, where I get accommodated on 4^th Street in Guyana. 

Our chanting procession took place today on Regent Road, the main drag for the city.  Response is generally good, although I could detect mild resistance, or at least indifference, from the African Guyanese.  Many of them would claim to be Christian.  In fact there was a large Evangelical concert held one block from our evening venue which was located at the Ghandi Youth Centre. 

It’s easy to say that both camps, us and them, honour the same God.  The approach is similar – praise the sound, praise the name.  Let’s say there’s a brothership here, brothers that should get along. 

Whether in procession or with a small group, or a solo by the seawall, I managed to get some trekking done while in Guyana each day.  Thanks to Krishna Jnan and Dharma Dasi for the stay and the place of loyalty by the two gate keepers. 

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Georgetown, Guyana
 
A Peace of the Action
 
Pastor Magarel was not a participant in the walking portion of our Padayatra, Day Two. But he was present in a big way at the evening site. Our venue was at the heart of the city Georgetown, at the Indian Monument Gardens. The Pastor is one year my senior in physical age and is a member of the Unification Church. As guest speaker he spoke about betterment and of peace and extend a discussion on the topic included myself. I offered to say that there cannot be any happiness without peace, quoting the Gita. In our track of earlier on, I noted a saying from a brushed on painted message from a municipal wall - "Happiness is an inside job".
It is necessary, if you are serious to get to happiness, to do so by addressing the storms within. Now for practically the whole day, monsoon rains have been pouring down to the point of a possible cancellation of the whole Padayatra. Organizer, Prabhupadadeva, told his helpers, they will bear out time on the entire weather condition. His strategy panned out successful because not one drop touched us in the evening.

I was told by more than one individual that when the monsoons hit Georgetown, much of the place gets flooded, all except for, ironically, a street called, "Water Street."

It was agreed upon by the audience that the storms and deluge of lust, anger, greed, madness, illusion and envy be tackled. Our approach to this was through the grand finale of the night - kirtan. And there was one more extraordinary thing that Pastor Magarel did in addition to dancing with us. He asked if he could pick up one of our extra mrdunga drums to join in on the fun. Gladly he was given the green light. He ended up playing very rhythmically.

This is where peace begin - People uniting in song and dance for the Divine.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Georgetown, Guyana
 
With Statesmen
 
We got to talking at the Padayatra Walking Festival. Hamilton Greene is a very well known city councilor for Georgetown. He's 80 years and has ran as mayor for over twenty five years. Even at that age he is a great sport taking to the streets with us. While most everyone around us was enwrapped in the ecstasy of chanting, just to break the ice with him and do the human thing, I continue to ask about himself and about Georgetown and Guyana.

From this, he gave me the rundown of rich history of the Dutch settling here and taking the responsibility for building the canal and bridges we were walking over. He told of the succession of the Europeans with the presence of Spanish, English and Dutch and of all the Slavery. We also touched on the topic of the current drug culture as we tracked through some of the challenged neighborhoods.

Yet all is not so grim in Guyana. I noted how easy it is to approach people and to greet them with a handshake or pranams, as we moved along in the procession. Hamilton is popular with people. I am an unknown but becoming known. Once the microphone came my way it was obvious the organizers insisted I lead the chant. Then all attention comes your way.

Part two of the Padayatra entails setting up in the main rendezvous for the night. The venue was the Alexander Mandir. The pandit for the place spoke eloquently as did the Prime Minister and acting President of the whole country, His Excellency Samuel Hinds. His theme was about unity and about walking and about the commonality in the language amongst us. He chose to use words like ignition having its roots from Sanskrit. Ignite comes from the word Agni. And pedestrian has its roots from once again Sanskrit, the word pada, which means feet.

Incidentally we all, that is the entire assembly of people in the hall, used our feet. I lead the simple swami step as we sang away in the joys of a final kirtan.

May the Source be with you!

People have forgotten how to stroll. Its always a race with time. A walk is a run, if not a dance. Dodging one another is commonplace. Pedestrians move each at a different pace. Oncoming walkers stare clear as do you. Some have long strides. The tall guys cover good territory just with one stride. The motion on the street is like a weaving sensation.

Going along Bloor street, people scurry about, trying to reach a destination point, shopping or for a return to home or for a bite to eat in some fast food joint.

There is no herding here. Each has his/her own orbit, their own karma, really. There is a sharing of the street. You then come to a crossing where there is the traffic machine. Stop! Wait! Go! Yellow! Red! Green! It’s a rather bizarre scene - the incompatible two - the man on the wheels and the man on the legs.

I have made my observations right up to Baskin Robbins and the lit Korean tiger. Off I go to the north then east then south, back to my home to fill stomach and mouth.

It was a walk worthwhile. It is my balance. From desk to street, to bed, to worship, to mantra, to people, to bathe, to eat, to sleep, to plan, to talk and finally to walk. Always we come to that point in our day’s cycle - to walk. Like the daily vow to chant and to do full circle with finger on the beads, the conviction to ones walk is what must be, indeed. For health, physical health, our guru has done. It’s a pilgrimage as much as it is fun.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

The town of Melkote in Karnataka is a celebrated place for Sri Vaisnavas. The illustrious head of the Sri Sampradaya, Srila Ramanujacarya ( 1137 AD – 1077 AD ) resided in Melkote for 12 years. The utsava ( festival ) Deity was once stolen by invaders and taken to Delhi. Ramanujacarya personally went to Delhi [...]

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:

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“Krishna came again five hundred years ago as Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This incarnation of Krishna is called a channa avatar which means a concealed avatar or hidden avatar. other avatars — like dashavatara — assert themselves as the Supreme Lord. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is considered a channa avatar because He did not assert Himself as the Supreme Lord but played the role of a devotee. The significance of His coming as a devotee is that He can show us how to be devotees. In practically any subject the teacher gives a theoretical explanation as well as a practical demonstration.”

Talk at Balaji Temple

Sunday Preaching Program Of Iskcon Nigeria, Lagos (Album 7 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: All persons in this material world are suffering from material pains, and if one wants to get rid of them, he must associate with saintly persons, pure devotees of the Lord, and chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. That is the only auspicious way for materialistic persons.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.22.15 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/XCky6B

Does ISKCON consider the English of the 1920s to be sacred?

What guided humanity before scripture was written?

Is the Mahabharata contaminated due to interpolation?

Is the expansion of the Mahabharata from its short Jaya version a contamination?

Why was Kunti’s unknowing statement ‘share whatever you have brought’ considered absolute and Draupadai married too all the Pandavas?

Why did Balaramji favour Duryodhana?

When different religious groups have their own scriptures how is the authority of Vaishnava scriptures to be established?

If the suffering of great devotees is for their glorification why does Bhishma say Pandavas’ suffering is due to time?

Why did Krishna and Arjuna meet each other first time so late in their lives?

Draupadi forgave Ashwatthama but not the Kauravas. Why?

In shabda pramana we receive knowledge from our senses (ears), so how is it superior to pratyaksha pramana?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hasyagrami prabhu ACBSP left his body
Hasyagrami dasa (ACBSP) - A gifted musician, Hasyagrami dasa performed, preached, and distributed prasadam with Visnujana Swami and his colorful troupe at numerous venues, including free concerts in public parks and on college campuses. With Hasyagrami dasa at lead guitar, ‘The First Transcendental Exposition’ reached its crescendo on Sept 8th, 1972 at the Syria Mosque Auditorium in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, with Srila Prabhupada in attendance lecturing to thousands.
In the photo: Hasyagrami dasa (playing the esraja) with Visnujana Swami at Rathayatra in 1974.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15109

The shelter of an ashram
Of all the ashrams, there are three ashrams which are allowed for a lifetime – the brahmachari ashram, the vanaprashta ashram and the sannyasa ashram, but the grhasta ashram is not! One cannot stay there forever. It is an ashram that is time bound, pancasordhvam vanam vrajet (at age fifty to go to the forest). So scriptures are emphasizing vanaprashta.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/oJNjp1

New Zealand 2015: Northland Rathayatra (Album 52 photos)
The Mayor swept the road till the end of the parade and stayed for prasadam.
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Vedic cosmology, huge mural painting in India, timelapse 3 min. video
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New album out now! It’s arrived. Nourish the ears, amp up the home with the funky sounds of Bhakti Shakti. 8 tracks produced by Bhakti Lounge. Digital downloads and CD’s are now available, all proceeds go to Bhakti Lounge to make our community facility here better!

To listen and order click here.

or visit Bhakti Shakti on facebook

The post Co-operation is the key to success – Scotland appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Temple of Vedic Planetarium (Album 10 photos)
As can be seen from the photographs, the Guru-Paramapara up to the six Gosvamis are placed on the left Altar, the Panca-tattva are on the middle Altar, and Sri Sri Radha Madhava and the Asta-sakhis are on the right Altar. All of these Deities are located within the main dome. Lord Nrsimhadeva is located in the eastern dome of the temple, and an image of His Altar is also provided.
See them here: http://goo.gl/MXrkSn

Nasimo mural in India, Mayapur 2014-2015. Video by Carocandra das

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Giriraj Swami read and spoke from the concluding words from the Caitanya-caritamrta at the Sri Sri Radha Vrindavanchandra temple.

“To get the strength to spread Krishna consciousness we should also follow the regulative principles. And that was repeated again and again by Srila Prabhupada. To have the spiritual strength to preach you have to rise early, attend the morning program, follow the regulative principles, chant you rounds, read the books. So, that also counts. Once a disciple asked. ‘Srila Prabhupada, how can I please you?’ And Srila Prabhupada replied. ‘Just your desire to please me pleases me.’ And that is a very deep statement. having that sincere desire. There is that verse;

iha yasya harer dasye
karmana manasa gira
nikhilasv apy avasthasu
jivan-muktah sa ucyate

A person acting in Krsna consciousness (or, in other words, in the service of Krsna) with his body, mind, intelligence and words is a liberated person even within the material world, although he may be engaged in many so-called material activities. NOD 1.2.187

So it is the desire. Even if you are not able to do it fully. Of course Krishna will help but you are liberated just by your desire. And if you have the desire it will be manifested in the activities of your body mind and words. Like at the time of death we may not have the capacity to do so many things but just that desire can take us to Krishna.”

Cc Concluding Words, NVCC

It seems that maybe a significant number of people who would like to consider themselves aspirants for Krishna-bhakti don’t recognize that the desire to be free from responsibilities is mukti-spṛhā in plain English. Mukti-spṛhā means the desire to be a mukta. A mukta is a person who has mokṣa. Mokṣa means liberating the consciousness from all bonds and limitations.

The full definition of mukti is not just to liberate the consciousness from limitations, but to attach it to real things. muktir hitvānyathā-rūpa, svarūpeṇa vyavasthitā (Bhāgavatam). The partial definition is simply to liberate it from attachments and impositions.

The partial definition of mukti is antagonistic to bhakti. Therefore Śrī Rūpa compares those who want to be free from responsibilities to those who are haunted by a sorceress.

bhukti-mukti-spṛhā yāvat
piśācī hṛdi vartate
tāvad bhakti-sukhasyātra
katham abhyudayo bhavet  

“As long as your heart is patrolled by the sorceresses of desire for sense gratification, and for freedom from responsibilities, for that long you will find it impossible to taste the happiness of devotion.” 

Devotion doesn’t mean peace and it doesn’t mean freedom from responsibility, it means giving oneself entirely. That is true mukti. Those who seek mukti by giving up their responsibilities will first find frustration, who will introduce them to anger, who will bring them to dwell in stupidity, under whose guidance one will break all his promises and forfeit all his responsibilities on the playground-slide down to Yamarāja’s court.

Those who give themselves entirely to fulfilling whatever responsibilities they have to the utmost best of their ability will find that they are nourished and edified by their responsible lifestyle, and that they are surrounded by love, and soon enough rightfully released from all responsibilities and honestly qualified to accept the responsibilities of paramahaṁsa sādhana.

Tagged: Bhakti, liberation, responsibility, stress

Answer Podcast:

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Answer Podcast:

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by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Johor Bahru - Harinam with Russian Devotees

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Johor Bahru - Harinam with Russian Devotees

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Johor Bahru - Harinam with Russian Devotees

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Johor Bahru - Harinam with Russian Devotees