The post How chanting Hare Krsna leads to remembrance of the Lord appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

 

“The whole idea of New Vrindaban is that men who are living there should produce their own food, of which milk is the principal thing.” – Srila Prabhupada, July 1969.

Click here to read the rest of the letter at the Vanipedia website.

Mangla Arati Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath;5th Jan 2015

BY SIMHESWARA DASA

SRIRANGAM - I had the good fortune to witness the stealing of Sri Ranganatha's ornaments by Thirumangai Alvar when I made visit to Srirangam recently enroute to Kumbakonam to order three kalasams for our BCC temple project. The amazing story of Thriumangai Alvar can be found from Wikipedia. The gist has been extracted here for easy reading.

Thirumangai Alvar, is the last of the 12 Alvar saints of south India, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. He is considered one of the most learned Alvar and the most superior Alvar in the context of composition of verses.

Though he is respected as a Vaishnava saint-poet, he, initially, worked as a military commander, a chieftain and then a robber. After his conversion to Vaishnavism, he confronted practitioners of rival Hindu sect of Shaivism as well as Buddhism and Jainism.

According to the traditional account, he was originally known as Kaliyan and he married Kumudavalli, and became a Vaishnava, devotee of Vishnu. Under her influence. Kumudavalli also got him to promise that he would feed a 1008 Vaishnavas every day for a year. Unable to bear the heavy expense of feeding a thousand people, Thirumangai resorted to highway robbery. One day, Thirumangai tried to remove rings from the toes of a bridegroom but could not do so. Then he realised the bridegroom was none other than the Supreme god Vishnu himself. Narayana (Vishnu) revealed himself to Kaliyan and transformed him by teaching the Narayana mantra – "namo narayanaya", turning the robber into a saint and starts singing the first verse of Peria Thirumoli.

Thirumangai plundered "refractory" Shaivas (devotees of Lord Shiva) and lived on the acquired wealth. He is described as cold-hearted Vaishnava who defeated the rival Shaivas by his words. Vaishnava texts tell of his meeting with Thirugnana sambandhar, a Shaiva saint, who invited Thirumangai to his home town Sirkazhi so that Thirumangai would compose a poem in praise of the local deity Thadaalan. The poem was admired by the Shaiva – who granted Thirumangai a trident as a mark of appreciation.

A late ninth century text, Tamilalangaram by Dandapani Swamigal describes him of having the rare privilege of biting god Vishnu's toes and being pardoned for all his sins, as he wrote in Tamil. Vaishnavas consider him as a divine incarnation of Sharanga, Vishnu's bow.

Four big silos at one of the 7 parikrama paths where the land owners drop off their harvest of rice grains which are used to feed pilgrims visiting the temple.

Simheswara Dasa  (right) with Temple President of Kumbakonam, Vanamali Gopal Dasa

Periya Tirumoli is the composition of hymns illustrating the greatness of Vaishnava shrines and their presiding deity as well as God's numerous attributes. His songs extol the largest number of shrines – over 40 forms of Vishnu, from Badrinath in North India to Thirukkurungudi in the extreme South. The first ten verses of Thirumangai's poem Periya Tirumoli sing of his transformation, after receiving the spiritual knowledge from Vishnu. He sings about his transformation thus:

I became a thief
deceitful and dishonest
I wandered hither and thither
yet light dawned upon me –
I reached Your feet
and instantly your grace fell upon me
with melting heart and choked voice
your praises I sing
bathed in streaming tears
I repeat day and night
the sacred name of Narayana (Vishnu)

Periya Tirumadal and Siriya Tirumadal, two other poems he wrote, use the ''madal'', an ancient Tamil custom which is practised by a rejected lover to win back his love. The custom evolves singing about his love in love, devoid of food and sleep and finally trying to commit suicide before her if all things fail. Thirumangai sings as a woman threatening Lord to finish her life if He can not reciprocate her love. He assumes the role of a gopika (milkmaid) who threats Krishna (a form of Vishnu) with ''madal''.  His songs are also based on akam love poems, and talk of employing bees and storks as messengers to God. He goes to the length of portraying himself as the nayaki, pining for the love of Vishnu.

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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“Spirit is an entity with no beginning. It is the true self. Its core-essence is sentience, consciousness, which it uses to illuminate itself to itself. It is the true essence of all that exists. It has no intrinsic relationship with matter, and cannot be adequately contained within the limited qualities of insentient matter.”

अनादिरात्मा परुषो निर्गुणः प्रकृतेः परः ।
प्रत्यग्धामा स्वयंज्योतिर् विश्वं येन समन्वितम् ।।

anādir ātmā puruṣo nirguṇaḥ prakṛteḥ paraḥ
pratyag-dhāmā svayaṁ-jyotir viśvaṁ yena samanvitam

– Śrī Kapila, from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.26.3

Tagged: Consciousness, Soul, spirit, Spirituality

Holy Name Meditation Podcast:

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"My head is clear. I’m hearing the syllables of the mantra and praying to Krishna in desperation. Please Lord, help me to chant Your Hare Krishna mantra it is so important to me now and I want to keep the right count. I’m trying my best."

From Bhajan Kutir #304
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Sunday Love Feast for All When? Sunday,Jan 11th,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 Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17 ayur harati vai pumsam udyann astam ca yann asau tasyarte yat-ksano nita uttama-sloka-vartaya Translation Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.   Program Schedule 11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja                                            11.15 - 11.30     Guru Puja                                             11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                       11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                   12.00 – 1:00     Vedic discourse   1:00 –  1:30      Closing Kirtan Hari Naam Diksha Ceremony  This Sun Jan 11th 2015 at 12pm Please feel free to  join us for Hari Naam Diksha Ceremony taking place at ISKCON Brampton on Jan 11th 2015  by His Grace Sankarshan Dasa Adhikari during our Sunday Feast. COMING UP AHEAD   Sat-tila Fasting.....................on Fri Jan 16th,2015 Breakfast.................on Sat Jan 17th,2015 b/w 7.47am-10.54am Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra. Appearance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu  Celebration on Sun Feb 1st 2015 @ 11am Nityananda Prabhu appeared in the village of Ekachakra, in West Bengal, India, around 1474. In the Caitanya Caritamrita and other scriptures He is declared to be the avatar of Lord Balarama, the direct expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. *For Volunteering please do contact Radha Gopinath Dasradhagopinathdas@hotmail.com. *For financing the event do contact Aloke Prabhu at the front desk.   **Details of the program will be posted when we come closer to the event**   ON GOING EVERY SUNDAY Indian Classical Dance Classes For more info please do contact Syamesvari Devi Dasi at the temple or write tosyamesvaridasi@yahoo.com. The dance is performed mainly with the theme of Infinite love of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.   Sunday School To register,contact us Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com Call:647.893.9363 The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).     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

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:
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Smashed religious imagery in Utrecht

Iconoclast:

Today, the former head man at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Giles Frazer, writes in the Guardian that both the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists and the Islamists shared a common conception that false gods and man-made religions and objects of veneration have to be smashed.

 

We hear so much about people converting from one religion to another. Srila Prabhupada in his introduction to the Bhagavad Gita says that conversion of faith is material where as the dharma of all living entities is eternal. In other words, even if a person converts, still his dharma remains constant and eternal.

If a person is seeking God to serve God, then there is no need to convert from one religion to another.But if a person is seeking happiness (material or spiritual) in God, then such a person will convert. To serve God with no motive and no break in time is the ultimate dharma for mankind. Such selfless and timeless service can be conducted under any religious banner be it Christianity, Islam, Judaism or Krishna.

Most often than not, the institutional form of religions do not teach such selfless service to God, but however, propagate self-preservation and self-happiness in the name of God as the ultimate goal of life. Because there is lot of customer base for self-preservation and happiness in this world, institutionalized religions are competing with each other using mundane tactics to pull these customers to their institutions. This competitive pulling of customers from one religion to another is called conversion. Such conversions have no real basis in true dharma. It is an illusion!

Real dharma for all living beings is to serve God without any ulterior motive and without any break in time. One can do this in any setting any where!

Hare Krishna

Padayatra Guyana 2015 (Album 195 photos)
with H.H. Bhakti Marg Swami and The Major Of Georgetown (H. Green)
Wed, Jan 7, 2015
See them here: http://goo.gl/AQS0rB

Harinama at Byron Bay - 07 January 2015 (Album 14 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We should not forget the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra under any circumstances. It will help us in the greatest danger, as we find in the life of Gajendra. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 8.3.1 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/A2fB0h

Prabhupada’s Books Sold Through Russian Bookstore Chain
Moscow Vaisnavas have prepared a gift for all the Russian readers. Now A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s books are available in one of the leading bookstore chains in the country. All BBT books can be bought in 204 stores of the chain in 80 Russian cities.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/t9x9Vd

Auckland NZ Chant,Chant,Chant! (Album 35 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra without offences, all of one’s sinful actions are surely atoned for immediately, but one should not commit such deeds again, for that is an offence. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.16.14 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/n2r4hB

Has New Govardhana got talent?……Sure has! 09 January 2015 (Album 17 photos)
What a great evening of singers, dancers, poets and actors.
See them here: http://goo.gl/MgdqCT

It's that time of the year again where we muster up the strength and courage to make resolutions for ourselves that will allow us to improve and grow. 

The ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM-India) has announced its official launching of the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign, a 12 years initiative invoking “global auspiciousness” centered on the Surabhi Cow, the Universal Mother. The message they wish to convey is simple yet profound: the urgent need to give total and absolute care and protection to Mother Cow.

Moscow Vaisnavas have prepared a gift for all the Russian readers. Now A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's books are available in one of the leading bookstore chains in the country. All BBT books can be bought in 204 stores of the chain in 80 Russian cities.

ISKCON now has an official website on its founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The website is full of information on Prabhupada's accomplishments and teachings, and it includes a graphic timeline of Prabhupada's life, photos, videos, and links to Srila Prabhupada's books.

Malaysian Ratha Yatra 2015 (Album 197 photos)
The first ever “Festival of India” organized by Sri Jagannatha Mandir, ISKCON Malaysia National Head Quarters in Little India, Brickfields. The festival included Jagannatha’s “mercy ride” on the chariot along with Lord Baladeva & Subhadra Devi, dance, traditional music, and lot of kirtan. Prasadam was distributed to more than 3000 people and needless to say the festival attracted a big crowd.
See them here: http://goo.gl/r77NbL

Lecture Podcast:

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The post Salva performs austerities to attain an ariel city with which to destroy the Vrsnis appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Behind The Scenes: ACHARYA (Album 31 photos)
Welcome to the exclusive behind the scenes shoot of ACHARYA. A team of young professionals from around the world embarked in October 2014 to film and re-create the world of Srila Prabhupada’s childhood and life from Kolkata, to Mayapur and all the way to Krishna’s birthplace in the mystical land of Vrindavan. Stay tuned for more updates…
See them here: http://goo.gl/C00ETd

Dec 2014 Book Distribution Marathon in Iskcon Maraimalai Nagar (Album 8 photos)
The first ever book distribution marathon by the ISKCON Maraimalai Nagar yatra. Here is our humble offering for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. Total books distributed:
3836 Maha Big Books, 499 Big books, 6 Medium Books, 652 Small Books, and 3315 Back to Godhead magazines !!!
We thank all the 50 devotees who so enthusiastically participated in this most pleasing service to His Divine Grace. We pray Srila Prabhupada and all the Vaishnavas are pleased with our effort. Please bless us that we may do much much more in the service of Lord Caitanya.
Srila Prabhupada transcendental book distribution ki jaya!!
See them here: http://goo.gl/pdWPzO

Kirtan Fest in Nova Gokula, Brazil (Album 125 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/JWLz0S

Donation of Iskcon books to a popular library in Lagos (Album 8 photos)
Iskcon devotees yesterday January 7,2015. donated different titles of Srila Prabhupada’s literatures to a famous library in Lagos, known as,”National Troupe library,” at National Theatre Lagos. A female librarian who received the spiritual books was enthusiastic to say, “I have read one of your literature before and it talk of ‘Duties’ she said.” I got the book from a class mate some years back though, the book was taken by a friend of her. But, “It really inspired my thought patterns, she said”! One devotee ask if she could still identify the book,she said Yes! It was Srila Prabhupada Bhagavad Gita as it is. Srila Prabhupada Ki jaya!
See them here: http://goo.gl/KhN2YD

A visit to the ancient Vedic Temple of “Handsome Kesava” which took 103 years to construct (Album 186 amazing photos)
Indradyumna Swami: The town of Belfur, in the southern state of Karnataka in India, is set on the banks of the Yagachi river. It was chosen as the capitol of the Hoysala dynasty which ruled much of South India between the 11th and 14th centuries. The saintly kings of the Hoysala dynasty were great patrons of art and architecture during their 300 years of rule. The main temple in Belfur took 103 years to construct. The presiding Visnu deity is called Chenna Kesava, which means “the handsome Kesava.” It took us many hours to explore the entire ornate complex, with it’s many structures, described by local people as, “heaven on earth.” During our visit the citizens held a festival in honor of “handsome Kesava” that included a large parade. It was wonderful to see that after 1,000 years the deity is still loved and worshipped so nicely by the people.
See them here: http://goo.gl/ZmpBzu

A visit to ISKCON Baroda (Album 108 photos)
Bhakti Charu Swami visited ISKCON Baroda for lectures on Wednesday, Jan 7 and Thursday, Jan 8, 2015
See them here: http://goo.gl/P9nQF2

The post January 9th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Meaning Of Receiving Dust Of Pure Devotees – Giriraj Swami Maharaj

 

Make 2015 a year of Kirtan Bliss this Sunday 18 January! An evening of music, mantra and meditation, interwoven with words of wisdom, amazing food and amazing people! Hosted by Jayadeva Kavi.