“Rapunzel! Rapunzel!”
→ TKG Academy

On Thursday, October 9th, the day after we went to the Dallas Children’s Theater to watch the play “Rapunzel! Rapunzel!”, I invited my students to share their thoughts. One of them compared the knight to Lord Rama. It then occurred to us that we could make a correlation between other characters and aspects of the story as well. If the knight is Rama, then Rapunzel would be His beautiful consort Sita. His companion throughout the rescue expedition would be Lord Rama’s loyal brother, Lakshmana and the guarding dragon would be Hanuman. The envy, greed and pride of Lady Zaza, her desire for fame and fortune while stealing the wealth of others and kidnapping the princess, reminded us of Ravana and his demoniac followers. All ended well when she got her karma and the proper order was restored to the kingdom! 

Story-time with a twist!
→ TKG Academy

Theater Thursdays –  On Thursdays, we head to the computer room to watch and listen. Its like going to the movies at school. Afterwards, there’s an activity related to the story. Here students made a story board about Library Lion depicting 4 memorable scenes and add captions too. For the story Harry the Dirty Dog we made black dogs with white spots & white dogs with black spots out of construction paper, paint, chalk, pipe cleaners, & creativity.

One in a billion
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 23 September 2014, Durban, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.10.4)

vrindavanSome people think that actually, the planet can only comfortably sustain one billion people. Which one billion should that one billion people be!? Some people think that the other six billion which we have currently, should not be there. Which category do you think they are going to put us (the devotees) – in the one billion that should be on the planet or in the six billion that should not be on the planet? Which one do you think…

Therefore, devotees cannot just stay at home and have mahaprasadam, and have a nice darshan of the deities, and happily chant Hare Krsna because the demons do not sit still. The demons do not just sit at home and eat their horrible things. Oh no! They have a big agenda to systematically exploit the world as much possible, and they want as big a piece of the world that they can get under their control, and they are ready to work very hard for that. Some of them are very, very determined and very austere! They hardly sleep.

One famous demon was Stalin. It is said that Stalin would hardly sleep, sometimes just two hours a night, maximum four, and no more. Stalin was also very tolerant and very determined. It is said that he had open heart surgery without any anaesthetic! He was a tough guy.

So, sometimes we see great determination in people but unfortunately, it is misdirected, misguided and demoniac! We see very weak determination in devotees who are wavering and thinking, “How will I chant my rounds today? So many… sixteen! It is going to take me the whole day! I do not have time to do anything because I have to chant sixteen rounds.”

 

 

Head Space
→ Tattva - See inside out

As it stands, my entire technology inventory consists of a bog standard Nokia, Dell Inspiron laptop and 2GB I-river MP3 player. I’m determined to limit it to that, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult. The world moves at breakneck speed, and we scarper behind trying to catch up. Two houses, two cars, two television sets, two phones… it all seems too much! Luxuries have become necessities, without which, we just can’t function. Modern-day spiritualists, it seems, are faced with a unique challenge: the art of living is not how big we can make it, rather how small we can keep it! Some say we should just embrace technology and engage it in our spirituality. Rather than fighting the digital current, they say, why not just redirect it in a positive way? After all, isn’t it practical to move with the times?

Sounds good, but exercise caution, lest we may lose the plot. It’s great to connect with people hundreds of miles away, as long as we don’t forget to say hello to our neighbors. It’s nice to know what’s happening in every corner of the world, but let’s not forget to make a positive impact in our immediate circle of friends, family and community. It’s a treat to have entertainment and amusement online, so long as we don’t sleep through the exciting opportunities awaiting us in the physical world. It’s empowering to have access to so much knowledge, provided we don’t just memorise stacks of information with little sign of actual transformation.

Technology often increases quantity, but can potentially end up eroding quality. In ancient times, for example, sacred scriptures were few and far between, hand-copied, and in the possession of only the most fortunate. One saint’s manuscript of Srimad-Bhagavatam, the crest jewel of India’s spiritual wisdom, was blotted, smudged, and rendered practically unreadable due to the tears of love which were shed during his reading. Today, such priceless books are readily available at our fingertips; read them anywhere and anytime on our IPhones, IPads, Kindles and Laptops. Our shelves are lined with the hard copies – big books, small books, deluxe collector’s item and all-in-one version – a veritable library of wisdom! But how much quality time have we devoted to reading them? And when we do, are we in the right headspace to draw the unlimited inspiration which is available? With improved access let’s simultaneously intensify our deep contemplation and absorption in the subject matter. After all, a few short sentences, properly digested, can change our entire life.

NEPAL Fire Harinaam with HH Mahavishnu Swami 22th August 2014 Basantapur Kathman…
→ Mahavishnu Swami

NEPAL Fire Harinaam with HH Mahavishnu Swami 22th August 2014 Basantapur Kathmandu
"This chanting is the real life of this world..."
http://youtu.be/IqgsB85ryf4?t=12m11s


ISKCON NEPAL Fire Harinaam with HH Mahavishnu Swami 22th August 2014 Basantapur Kathmandu

ISKCON NEPAL Fire Harinaam with HH Mahavishnu Swami 22th August 2014 Basantapur Kathmandu Continue reading →

First GRC Mold Sample
- TOVP.org

An interview with Parvata Muni das, Director of Research and Development.

GRC (glass reinforced concrete) is a composite material made out of white cement, white sand, polymers from 6 plasticizers, and fiberglass. It is an alternative decorative element. Our temple will have so many decorative pieces. To make them out of carved marble would be extremely time-consuming and fabulously expensive.

First of all, we make a model of the piece we need. Then we add different decorative elements to it. When it is finished we cover it with rubber or silicone to create a mold. From that mold we can produce up to a hundred more pieces. We are doing such a sample at the moment. It is 3.4 meters (11 feet) long. From that mold we can produce a hundred pieces which gives us 340 meters (1,100 feet) total length.

Originally we looked at using outside contractors. But it was my idea to make it by our own efforts. We have devotee-artists here who we can give the job to and produce the GRC here. We bought necessary equipment and raw materials and started production. When the first sample is finished it will go on the front part above the temple entrance. Other parts will also be made out of GRC such as: 24 parts going down from the Kailash, different front decorative columns, and other elements.
Other advantages of making the GRC in-house are: it would be less expensive, it could break up during transportation from outside sources, and when the manufacturing process grows we can employ people living in Mayapur and pay them a reasonable wage.

We will finish our first sample by Gaura Purnima 2015.

The post First GRC Mold Sample appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Why does the Bhagavad-gita immediately after rejecting bodily identity address Arjuna with names which reinforce that very identity?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Summary: The Gita conveys that we can’t wish away our bodily identity – we have to work our way through it and for that work we can dovetail the impetus coming from our bodily identity.

Answer:

“You are not the body” is the first lesson given in the Bhagavad-gita (02.13). Yet the very next verse (02.14) refers to Arjuna twice based on his bodily connections: Kaunteya, son of Kunti, and Bharatarashabha (illustrious descendant of Bharata dynasty). In fact, out of the 25 names it uses to address Arjuna, 14 refer to his bodily connections: Bharata, Bharatarshabha, Bharatasattama, Bharatashreshtha, Dehabhritama-vara, Kaunteya, Kurunandana, Kurupravira, Kurusattama, Kurushreshtha, Pandava, Partha, Purusharshabha and Purushavyaghra.

The sheer variety of the names used indicates that the usage is not just for functional purposes. If just some name were needed for addressing the soul while it was in a body, then any one name would have been enough – and a name unconnected from the body could have been chosen.

Then, why does the Gita use so many names?

To encourage seekers through appreciation to persevere on the path of dharma that will eventually free them from bodily identification.

Far from summarily rejecting bodily identity, Vedic culture created an elaborate structure for systematically accommodating and engaging that identity.

Let’s consider the Gita (02.14): It urges Arjuna to stay unswerving on the path of dharma and tolerate the pleasures-pains inevitable in bodily existence. As such tolerance is difficult, it encourages him to take up the challenge by using two laudatory names. Srila Prabhupada points to this purpose in his purport, “To address him as Kaunteya signifies his great blood relations from his mother's side; and to address him as Bharata signifies his greatness from his father's side. From both sides he is supposed to have a great heritage. A great heritage brings responsibility in the matter of proper discharge of duties; therefore, he cannot avoid fighting.” This example of using laudatory body-related epithets is not an exception – it is the norm in the many epithets used for characters throughout the Vedic literature.

The acknowledgement of our bodily identity comes also in the social structure endorsed by the Vedic literature: varnashrama. Far from summarily rejecting bodily identity, Vedic culture created an elaborate structure for systematically accommodating and engaging that identity. Its purpose was to help people fit into occupations that suited their bodily nature. If bodily identity could have been simply wished away, then Vedic culture wouldn’t have stressed varnashrama. But it recognized that realizing our spiritual identity requires a lifetime (and sometimes even more) of dedicated practice of dharma. And during that practice, we need to arrive at a steady and healthy truce with our bodily nature so that we can focus on dharmic practices. Varnashrama provides a social structure that enables us to work our way through our bodily identity by practicing dharma.

Often a reminder of our respectable connections, that is, connections with those whom we respect, invokes our sense of honor and inspires us to act honorably.

And because the path of dharma is often demanding, we need encouragement to persevere on that path. One of the greatest sources of encouragement is appreciation from others. And that appreciation can be offered for different things – for one’s sincere practice of dharma as well as for one’s worldly positions. Often a reminder of our respectable connections, that is, connections with those whom we respect, invokes our sense of honor and inspires us to act honorably.

The Srimad Bhagavatam (04.08.26) reports the transcendental sage appreciating the sense of honor among kshatriyas. This sense of honor has intrinsically nothing to do with transcendence, but Narada Muni expertly uses it to guide prince Dhruva towards intense devotional service that helps him attain Lord Vishnu.

When appreciative reminders of our honorable bodily connections come from teachers of dharma, it activates our sense of honor for following their instructions to live strong in dharma. When we are thus inspired, we can work our way through our bodily nature towards our eternal spiritual nature of devotional service that is forever free from all bodily designations.

 

Thursday, October 23rd, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Under Siege

“Under Siege!” read the headlines today.  The news from Canada’s national capital, the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, received global attention.  For many countries it became the top story.  A gunman managed his way into the Parliament Buildings and fired away, killing one security guard, and in the process of his madness, lost his own life.  People are rather shocked that such a crazed person was able to enter the nation’s inner sanctum.

We live in very disturbed times.  It is a feature of the era of ignorance, kali.  In the case of the gunman who lost his life, apparently it was the shadow of irreligion that clouded the man’s consciousness.  Obviously he was not at peace with himself.  And once again the jihad notion gives religion a bad name. 

After I had heard the news from a friend who informed me by phone from New York, I felt a shake up feeling inside.  What was ironic about this sad day, however, is that many calls came in from people, but not to do with the tragedy in Ottawa.  The calls were actual inquiries about Diwali, the New Year.  This event commemorates Rama’s glorious victory over evil forces.  “When are we celebrating Diwali?” and “How are we celebrating Diwali?” people asked.  It was hours of this that I played telephone reception.  A good crowd came in the evening to chant, hear readings of the Ramayan, and partake in prasadam.

By the day’s end I could get out to walk to take time to reflect and perhaps even to redefine my take on this dual world in which we live.  On the one hand you have darkness and on the other hand you have something that lights up. 

May the Source be with you! 

5 KM

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Mississauga, Ontario

It’s For You


I was hosted by Dharma and Manasi Ganga, a couple from Mississauga.  After the overnight stay, I helped myself to the streets before dawn.  It’s somewhat easy to get lost, being in the dark, and in the area of cookie-cut homes (where all looks the same), and lastly, when you put priority on the sound of the early morning – the maha mantra. 

Emanating from this humble servant’s mouth is Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, etc.  Outside of that, the odd car drives by, someone’s en route to work, or on a return, home after a graveyard shift.  And, as far as sound goes, I did hear a peep out of one bird.  Vayu, the wind god, didn’t help with the sound, he seemed to be asleep, and this was indicative of the pervading quiet.  Not even leaves were rustling.  At the edge of a forest signage tells of the presence of coyotes, and that from dusk to dawn it was not advisable to lurk there with a pet. 

No problem for me, my only pet is the strand of beads of benevolence that I’m carrying.  I was determined to put them to my usual vigilant use.  Beads have an anchoring effect in much the same way that a murti or deity of Krishna anchors the mind.  With that tactile sense, the fingers roll over those precious beads and gain a feeling of groundedness. 

I felt quite at home, though the sounds of summer are now silenced and the air, to my rating is fresh.  The enhanced solitude after days of crowds, queues and traffic, was quite welcome.  The early morning is meant for that, solitude and meditation. 

Take advantage of it, it’s for you.

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Tuesday, October 21st, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Hyderabad, India

Woe Is Me


I merely spent a few hours at ISKCON Hyderabad.  Hyderabad is a progressive city in the south, population I was told is 8 million.  Traffic is very full.  You are a hero to cross the street in the downtown rush.  Cars rule here, walkers have a tough time to triumph.  I had asked about a quiet walking trail near ISKCON’s guest house where I stayed overnight.  The response, in the local language (Telegu, I believe) was, “No way.”  Consolingly, the temple itself has a shanti  or peaceful atmosphere where one can pace up and down in a safe fashion. 

The night prior I was asked to chant and then to speak from the Gita, 2.60, “The senses are so strong and impetuous, Oh Arjuna, that they forcibly carry away the mind, even of a man of discrimination who is endeavouring to control them.”

This entire day, however, was an in the air experience.  Embarking from Hyderabad to London and then Toronto, I had given most time to reading devotional material.  It was in the beginning of the trip that mercy came my way – love really.  The person looking after me with room service in Tirupati, and a much needed massage, is actually from Hyderabad.  And while I was waiting for the day’s first flight, airport authorities sought me out at the waiting area and handed a phone to me.  The call came in from this same fellow, Vijay Kumar by name, but I couldn’t decipher who he was or what he was saying.  I took the call as a mistake.  Minutes later Vijay had driven all the way to the airport and had prasadam (divine food) of dosas and sambar, South Indian specialties, packaged in a small bag which was sent through security tagged and all.  He left a note inside the bag.

I was surprised at Vijay’s kindness.  He went through such an extent to cook a meal for me and to see that I didn’t have to fully rely on airplane food.  With this loving sentiment, I left India.  As I always experience, I am left with heart melting gestures from people of that devotional land.  Yes there is this crazy hustle bustle about the place, but there is always an underlying spirit of bhakti in the atmosphere.  I only feel bad that I can’t reciprocate with Vijay.  I did not pick up his number during my stay.  Woe is me!

May the Source be with you!

0 KM  Except for all the walking done in the corridors of Heathrow Airport.

Monday, October 20th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

A Premier Pilgrim’s Spot

Tirumala, India


He said it like it was a mantra, repetitiously.  “See the Swami!  See the Swami!  See the…”
It was one of the pandas (priests) repeating these words in reference to us, the pilgrims, viewing Balaji, a self-manifested Visnu form who stands sternly at His shrine.  His white marking is iconic – bold and beautiful, and perhaps overdone.  The explanation is that the white paste covering His eyes is because He is not prone to see the evil of man in this world.  A similar white marking at the chin represents remedial herbs applied because once, when manifested as a young man, a furious fellow hurled an iron rod at His chin which left an injury.

The place is Tirumala, which translates as “the mountain of the abode of Laxmi (the Goddess of Fortune).”   And the big attraction at the mountain’s peak is Balaji Himself who draws a bigger crowd and more funds than the Vatican.  Each day, faithful people contribute collectively crores of rupees as donations.

The place is fascinating.  Myself and peers, mostly my monk brothers and sisters from North America and Europe had the viewing of Balaji at which time, we also did a tight circumambulation around this temple, followed by a trek on a more wide angled path.  Incidentally on this path was a beautiful dance formation of young men who routinely stepped in circular fashion around a zealous drummer’s beat. The dancers held a shaker to make sound in the right hand, and a red cloth which they’d flick at a particular rhythmic beat in their left hand. 

All the while that we were on the grounds there, there was an audible mantra recorded.  It was in praise of Balaji: “Om namo venkatesvarayah.”  The reciprocation for visiting with your voluntary donation is a bowling ball-sized sweet called laddu.  This I will save for the monks in the ashram back in Toronto.  It will be the sure proof that I did some serious pilgrimage at this unique place in South India.

May the Source be with you!

4 KM

Sunday, October 19th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Tirupati, India

Climbing is Walking


It’s been a nice change, leaving the shoes behind in the room and going for several days everywhere barefoot.   I’m making brief trips generally going from one building to the other at the temple campus.  It also means taking to flights of stairs several times over. 

Instead of waiting for the elevator, Devamrita Swami decided to climb the stairs to the 4th floor of one building where we were holding meetings.   I followed him.  Tirtharaj, another friend from Australia, followed.  A chain began.  Moving at a good speed, Tirtharaj remarked, “We will all do a cardio test after this.”  The three of us are all in our 60s and are not yet struggling too much physically.  We ascended with little sweat.

It was announced at today’s meeting that I’ll be embarking on a walk from Boston to New York via Butler, Pennsylvania next year to honour a golden jubilee event.  It will be 50 years since our guru Srila Prabhupada made a historical milestone – landing on American soil as an ambassador to the spiritual world.  In any event, this anticipated effort of my walking to commemorate the unofficial kick start of the Hare Krishna movement was really appreciated by peers.

The several days meetings came to a close.  With the hot topic of ‘female gurus’ a consensus was concluded.  The majority of the group are generally in favour of having qualified ladies to function and be official teachers as diksa gurus.   After a three day intensive on the subject we came to a happy conclusion.

May the Source be with you!

4 KM

Saturday, October 18th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Tirupati, India

News That Hurts


There are 70 monks who live on the premises here at Tirupati.  They are a happy group.  I recognize some of the older as well as younger ones from my visit two years ago.  I’m sure there’s some turnover.   Naturally, there will be a departure for some.  Not culturally, but vocationally.  Some will get married. There will also be a hardcore portion of them that will make this monastic life their lifestyle until they reach their physical end. 

I had received an emergency call from Canada.   The news was about a young couple who are splitting.  When I heard this my heart sank to hear of this failure.  Vows of commitment were made and yet the relationship didn’t have strong “go” for a very extended time.  Naturally the two were struggling and were strained in their communication.  Tolerance and patience did not take a priority on either end of the stick. 

Though the two individuals have called it quits on each other, by some divine revelation a glimmer of hope may cause a relook and a return of the situation.  There’s always that chance.  It’s always good to keep the doors open.   If you can imagine at one time there was love that has now become faded.  Romance is like a pickle (stimulating), but know it to be fickle.  We forget that real love is service to each other. 

If there’s anything about kali yuga (dark age) that is dominant it appears to be this one.  The breakup of couples.  Who wants it?  Neither he nor she, friends, family, guru, or God find joy in a bond broken.

A word of caution: before tying the knot, know whom you’re hooking up with.  Be assured that there are elements about the other person that you will not like.  Who is perfect after all?  Concentrate more on your own shortcomings.  There is so much to be said about relationship issues.  Some people are better off as permanent monks or nuns who make firm their relationship with the Divine.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-10-29 11:15:00 →

1966 October 29: "I am glad to learn that you are chanting regularly and I hope you are gradually getting some enlightenment in Krsna Consciousness. Our path is genuine sublime and easy. So there must be a world wide organization for pushing the movement in the Human society. This is only medium to save the people from ruination."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1966

The Most Sacred Of All (Album 218 photos) Indradyumna Swami:…
→ Dandavats.com



The Most Sacred Of All (Album 218 photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Scripture says that Vrindavan is the most sacred place within the universe. Within Vrindavan, Govardhana Hill is considered the most holy. And on that transcendental mountain the lake of Radha Kunda is most sacred of all. The photography of Ananta Vrindavan das shows us why …
http://goo.gl/Qz6Uj3

Read more ›

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-10-29 11:11:00 →

1966 October 29: "Here things are improving and people in New York are taking in the importance of the Kirtana movement. The enclosed newspaper cuttings will give you an idea. We have already published some new literatures. I think there is good prospect for this Society being a World organization and you must try to have a centre at Montreal as soon as possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1966

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-10-29 11:03:00 →

1967 October 29: "I can understand your anxiety about your husband & rest assured I shall never advise him to leave you. Both of you are very good souls. We are concerned more for Krishna Consciousness & if that work is executed more nicely by cooperation of husband & wife, there is no necessity of thinking wife as impediment to Krishna Consciousness."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967