Prasadarians Facebook Page Inspires Thousands
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“Prasadarians” is a prime example of just how powerful Facebook can be when used in the right way. Started by Mexican devotee Mahattama Dasi in 2012 when she was in remission from cancer and looking for a service she could do from home, it immediately exploded into a hugely popular group of 7,000 members, all sharing beautiful photos of food offerings (prasadam) to their Deities, along with recipes and stories.

Tuesday, November 4th, 2014
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Toronto, Ontario

The Bloor Walk


A drizzle did not restrict me from walking on Bloor Street West this night.  This street is always vibrant with young folks who infuse the area which is the location of the largest university in Canada.

I caught a glimpse of some people at tryouts at a dance academy.  I peeked through the window at the dance studio and it looked like guys and gals at salsa.  Somehow or other that visual helped me to see in my mind’s eye Krishna’s dalliance with the cowherd maidens, a function of His in a world far beyond Bloor.

Christmas décor and trinkets for sale are starting to creep up in window displays and shop shelves.  I’ve been a scoffer at the Yuletide event for years.  I’m fond of Jesus, but the mundane nature of Christmas in current times leaves one to wonder.  I’m reminded of the cynical comedic take on Christmas from a CD delivered to me recently, it makes me crack up to hear it.

Ekendra, the vocalist and music composer behind the piece called “Christmas Is Not On Vaishnava Calendar” actually pokes fun at Krishna culture as a fanatical Krishna monk named Yama Niyama Das Brahmachari, Ekendra’s lineup of tracks features songs like, “Simply Hell” to the likes of Jingle Bells, and “Santa Claus is Coming To Town” parallels “Yamaraja (the lord of death) Is Coming To Town”.  For more info: www.youareinmaya.com

It’s always therapeutic to laugh at yourself and your own community, which like any, has its own in-house quirky habits.  On my return stretch on the walk on Bloor, I reflected on how our ashram crew delighted in listening to it at the tail end of our Bhagavatam class. 

Down Prince Arthur I went, and passed by a high-rise where an acquaintance had thrown herself from her balcony some years back.  She did not survive.  When I walk on this street, in particularly past that building, I do so in the spirit of deeper contemplation on the fragility of this world. 

I also passed by Lee’s Palace, rock concert hall/dance club, I recall seeing the punk straight edge band, Shelter.  Those guys were in their prime in the 90’s and in the turn of the millennium.  I might be the first monk to have stepped into that place.  I was there to give support, of course, to their show.  The boys are good human beings, good devotees.  Still practicing Krishna Consciousness to my knowledge. 

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Monday, November 3rd, 2014
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Toronto, Ontario

People Walking
 
I could not help but notice a potpourri of people as I stepped southbound on Yonge Street this evening.  It left impressions of people who stood out.
 
The first person: a young man - head protruding forward, not disabled, just bad posture.  Curved bangs for his hair reached the eyebrows He looked sad.
 
The second person: looking chipper, confident stride in his walk. Tall, big boned and head was swaying from side to side. His smile also went from side to side. At the same time, self-absorbed because when I nodded to him, no response.
 
The third person: tall fellow, bespeckled. Noticed me and said, "Yeah!"  Head was tilted. He was puffing on a cigarette. Face expressed beatitude.
 
The fourth person: short, bald man in his seventies (my guess), looked with utmost caution at both sides of the street for oncoming vehicles. Had a slight limp to his walk as he crossed the street.
 
The fifth and sixth: two towering thin chaps with hair gelled upward. Holding hands. Same sex, but are spirit souls. I am not judging them.
 
The seventh: a petite young woman, dark skinned in dark tight attire. Sexy demeanor. She is a spirit soul too.
 
The eighth: a man with large head, somewhat distorted, perhaps homeless. Made me think of Charles Laughton's rendition of both "The Hunchback of Notre of Dame". I remember the film when I was a child. His acting was damn good.
 
The ninth: a young student of UT from India. At peace with himself. Happy to see me. We met before at the ashram. Feeling was mutual. He took my advice to keep coming, keep chanting, keep in the good association of renunciants and devotional people. His name? Nanda Kumar.
 
"Like Krishna" he said of his name. We parted.  Glad to see him and all the people walking.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
7 KM

Nigerian Devotees on High Sea, chanting. Nigerian Devotees…
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Nigerian Devotees on High Sea, chanting.
Nigerian Devotees embark on a two hours journey in a high sea to a popular and oil rich town called Bonny Island, for Sankirtan and Harinam. They were invited by a Barrister Devotee, Tilaka Das. It was an interesting journey despite the fact that some devotees were scared due to the heavy waves on the sea. So many people were made devotees as they were so excited on seeing devotees dancing and singing strange songs they have not seen or heard before. And lots of Srila Prabhupada books were distributed.

TOVP Design Used in Jagaddhatri Puja
- TOVP.org

The festival of Jagaddhatri puja has been celebrated for the last 300 years in Bengal. Generally, Jagaddhatri is considered another name of Durga. In Sanskrit, Bengali, and Assamese the word ‘Jagaddhatri’ literally means ‘Holder (dhatri) of the World (Jagat)’.

In Bengal it is popularly believed that Maharaja Krishna Chandra of Nadia started Jagaddhatri Puja. Around 1750 Maharaj had a dream of Durga Devi who asked him to observe a festival in her honor. From that day the King and his followers started celebrating the festival in Chandranagar, but eventually it was moved to Krishnanagar. Every year the festival organizers choose a different famous architectural monument from which to model the temple for Jagaddhatri, and build it from bamboo, cloth and flowers. This year they chose the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium as a significant monument of art and recreated its shape, making a beautiful temple for Jagaddhatri.

The TOVP is having a great impact on the local Bengalis. Soon it will have an impact on the whole world.

The post TOVP Design Used in Jagaddhatri Puja appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Maha-large
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 29 September 2014, Pretoria, South Africa, House Program)

Prabh82_editSrila Prabhupada came to the Western world. In the Western world, he began his movement and after a short time, he was successful in the Lower East Side. He began to attract some devotees. One of these devotees is Brahmananda Prabhu. I have been reading a new book which is not yet on the market but somehow or other I got an advance copy. Since I was reading it, it is on my mind.

Somehow or other, Brahmananda is a very big and powerful man. Spiritually, first of all and also physically. He has a big body. Brahmananda was a wrestler before Krsna consciousness and even a little bit in Krsna consciousness. Brahmananda, over the years, certainly became very big in size. Even big people look small next to Brahmananda.

One time Srila Prabhupada gave a big sweet ball – a simply wonderful, quite a big size one, maha-large – to one devotee. Prabhupada put it in front of the devotee, on the plate and then just looked at it. Brahmananda also looked at it and just popped it into his mouth and ate the whole thing! Prabhupada said, “Yes, that is the nature of mercy. If you do not take advantage of it immediately, it might just disappear!”

The Shelter of the Spiritual Master’s Lotus Feet, November 2, Dallas
Giriraj Swami

Gaura-Kishora-Dasa-Babaji-Maharaja-10Giriraj Swami spoke on Srila Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja during the Sunday program.

“Although one could say that Srila Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja didn’t preach, he did through Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura. He had an immense wealth of spiritual realization and he gave that to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura who then distributed it. If I have $1 million but I don’t distribute it myself but give it to someone else and tell them to distribute it it, is as if I had distributed it myself. So Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura distributed that wealth of Krishna consciousness that he received from his guru maharaja. Although Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura was very busy he would meet his guru maharaja on occasion. Once someone questioned him that. ‘The spiritual master is the pivotal point in one’s devotional service yet you don’t meet him that much.’ Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura replied. ‘What you say may be true but my spiritual master is like the motor that powers the boat. Although you don’t see it, all the power that propels the boat comes from the motor. Similarly with all the preaching I am doing, the power comes from my guru maharaja.'”

Jaya Radha Madhava
Disappearance Day of Srila Gaura Kishore dasa Babaji Maharaja 

$500,000 Government Grant awarded to ISKCON Melbourne for Temple Kitchen Refurbishment
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On 22nd Oct 2014 the Victorian Government awarded a $500,000 grant to ISKCON Melbourne (Australia) for the Temple kitchen’s upgrade. The Temple kitchen has been distributing sanctified food to the poor and needy of Melbourne through the Temple and various other outlets such as Crossways Hare Krishna Food for Life, for over thirty years.

The Vrajavadhus at ISKCON Punjabi Bagh (Album 12 photos) The…
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The Vrajavadhus at ISKCON Punjabi Bagh (Album 12 photos)
The Vrajavadhus were excited to be with the loving devotees at ISKCON Punjabi Bagh. Their enthusiasm in sharing the holy names extinguished our withered heart’s quench. Their jubilance sprang forth many oceans of transcendental waves that flowed from their hearts to ours.
We are truly grateful for their kindness and hospitality. Their love that embraced us once again.
We pray to remain eternally engaged in the loving service of such merciful Vaishnavas. Thereby somehow gain the special favor of Sri Nama prabhu.
Thank you dear devotees at ISKCON Punjabi Bagh, for accepting us in your association and service. We pray to Srila Prabhupada to we may please you.
“O sun of the Holy Name, even the dim light of Your early dawn ‘namabhasa’ devours the power of the darkness of the material world and gives those who are blind to the truth the insight to follow the path of pure devotion to Krishna. What learned person in this world can possibly fully describe Your transcendental glories?”
Stava-mala by Srila Rupa Goswami
http://goo.gl/dslihJ

Sunday, November 2nd, 2014
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Miami, Florida

Water Coming


The tide was coming in.  It was ocean water being filtered through the mangrove thickets.  A small party of us took to the dry man made trail through those thickets, yet the water infiltrated and we were forced to adventurously wade through the cool liquid before we reached higher and drier ground.  The ocean tide did come unexpectedly, though a sign at the entrance of the trail gives warning that the trail will eventually become immersed. 

We took to walking over the roots of shrubs for the great escape and to higher elevation, and then to the road.  It was a fun task that also involved a baby stroller with precious contents inside.  It was an exercise of ‘Don’t Panic!’  Methodical steps had to be taken. 

Our location was the Matheson Hammock State Park, a lovely place of palm trees by the swamp, and manatees in the water. 

Oops!  Two of the boys did what you’re not supposed to do.  They shimmied their way up a coconut tree and brought back down 8 gorgeous coconuts for quenching the thirst.  Without a machete, it’s rather tough getting to access the nectar within.  Whatever was extracted was great though, it gave fuel, and spurred at least, myself, on.  We reached the park’s end, an admirable beach front which loops around creating a harbor of sorts.

No one dared to swim.  My companions are Floridians who have thin blood, and temperatures were rather low, even for a Canuck like myself.  Besides, we were tight for time.  We had to dash off for the Sunday Feast.

Guests did come to the chant and feast program.  Students from FIU turned up.  I spoke with the theme, ‘We are not these bodies, but spirits’.  We also did a viewing of ‘Gita: Concise’, our drama that we filmed in India.  It met with good response, and enhanced the topic of discussion.  All’s well that ends well at a Sunday Hare Krishna feast.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Saturday, November 1st, 2014
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Miami, Florida
 
I Took Vitaliy

I took Vitaliy, who’s from Detroit, to Coconut Grove where our guru, Srila Prabhupada, had sat to deliver some lessons by the shade of three banyan trees in 1975.

Halloween madness had quite significantly subsided by 5:30 am. The Atlantic Ocean was remarkably tame and there we sat placidly. There was utter stillness to the exception the sound of the odd fish surfacing and making a minor splash. It was a perfect setting for mantra meditation. It was opportune for reflection not only in the water but on the benevolence we received from above – from our guru that came before us to help us see the world from a spiritual perspective.

I had spent a good chunk of the day seeing members of our Miami community on one-on-one approach. You have here diverse demographics, and of skin tones – white, black, brown and varying shades of them.

Before tucking myself into bed I shared with a group of devotees an excerpt from the book, “By His Example”, authored by Guru Das. “After eleven years, Prabhupada continued to reiterate the idea: ‘You are not this body: you are spirit soul’. ‘We must give up these bodily designations’. ‘You can change your country but you cannot change your eternal identity’. ‘We must constantly be reminded about the Bed-rock work principle of Vedic philosophy – we are not the body’.

I wanted to thank Ekanamsa Siva for the use of his art gallery where we held a lively kirtan and a session from “Tales from Trails”.

May the Source be with you!

3 KM

Friday, October 31st, 2014
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Miami Beach, Florida

Night of Distraction


I caught the tail-end of the night life in the Alachua area. By “night-life” I mean the deer, the fox, owl and others doing their nocturnal roaming. I was executing my japa, chanting and walking when I could hear the creatures or at least spot traces of them, all but for the armadillo. This fellow was clearly visible and active in someone’s front yard. I felt confident that this guy will achieve his tummy’s goals.

Now, if we fast-forward to Miami Beach street life we will see a world of creativity mixed with monk-taboo visuals. It’s the Halloween scene on Lincoln Road and the nighttime crowd responds well to the kirtan. Some of the attire is rather risqué but I found one costume out of this realm a real killer. One fellow was donning a costume that portrayed the Ebola virus. It was awesome! It is my experience that when you deliver the mantra with drums to a night crowd, they love you for the beat
you create. It makes them dance. Many of the onlookers clutch onto the words of the mantra. People are always willing to learn. That being said, there are some limitations to enlightenment when people are under the influence of liquor or drugs. This became clear when talking to one of the Polish devotees among us.  He said, “I try talking to the people about philosophy but they’re not in the
mood”.

It stands to reason. There is Count Dracula, Batman and Robin, cowboys and Indians and ebola personified to distract you.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Thursday, October 30th, 2014
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Alachua, Florida

Chats While Walking


Paul Rodney Turner is dubbed as the “Food Yogi” and is the International Director for Food for Life Global. We hiked some trails together at Lake Louisa State Park. It was a rather delightful hour-long struggle through deep sand until we came to the long pine needles laid out to create a virtual unsinkable floor as a trail. Paul (also known as Priyavrata as a devotional name) gave me the previous night a complimentary copy of his excellent book, “Food Yoga”.

I particularly like a quote in his book by George Bernard Shaw on the topic of nature’s power, “Think of the fierce energy concentrated in an acorn! You bury it in the ground, and it xplodes into an oak! Bury a sheep, and nothing happens but decay”.

This statement became significant since we were walking under the canopy of trees, not necessarily
oaks but pines whereby many pine cones were strewn all around us in addition to the needles.  Paul shared with me his video on feeding the homeless when he was in Colombia. He was happy to know that I fed some rice to a sand hill crane right out of my hand the day before.

With us was his fiancée, Jagannath Priya, and Arjuna, a hip-hop bhakti DJ. I’m not quite sure how he is dubbed but he composes great music – very dancey and very conscious.

We had put in some trekking and dreamed away at the same time. It even entered the conversation during brain-storming to start a Festival of Consciousness travelling road show; something that displays and distributes healthy food by Paul, music which is Arjuna’s niche, and my passion – theatre. Other features can be utilized.

So much talent is there that can affect a change in the culture of our world.

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Wednesday, October 29th, 2014
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Clermont, Florida

Before The Dawn


Before the crack of dawn I heard something crackling. A brittle dead branch snapped off its tall tree hitting several other branches on its decent to the ground. I cleared it while on the road side during this early trek. Also I heard a rustling in the bushes but my flashlight was not quick enough to detect which animal. Roosters made their cry. It started with one, then another, and another coming from different directions, different farms. This was followed by the chorus of coyotes. Crickets were conspicuous by their absence.

At juncture highway 237 I turned a right towards Gainesville anticipating a pick up from Ananta Sesha. The road’s shoulder was practically nil so with oncoming traffic I stepped into the land of wet grass. Seeds of this clung on into the hundreds. And as I plucked them from my robes I felt no encumbrance because with each flick of seed I uttered a mantra. The modus operandi is to transcendentalize every action.

Eventually Ananta came and drove me to the Gainesville Krishna House for conducting a Q and A session on the philosophy of Bhagavat Dharma. Questions were meaningful, not robotic inquiries or lacking in substance or relevance. They had depth. And their responses, in terms of effectiveness, lies in the ears and reason of the listeners. It’s not for me to say.

The other book end to the day was a presentation of Tales from Trails followed by an offering of ghee-drenched cotton sticks in homage of Damodara, Krishna as a child. At this Bhakti Center in Clermont a good crowd really took to song and dance.

May the Source be with you!

10 KM