From Karuneshwari Mataji

Based on the presentation of the Vedic literatures, it seems that the original 4 Vedas, the shruti,  contain only karma kanda and jnana kanda, and that bhakti is presented only in the smriti -for example,  in Srimad Bhagavatam,  and also in Bhagavad Gita.  I understand that Srila Vyasadeva compiled SB after being instructed by Narada, as he was feeling dissatisfied after compiling the Vedas, due to not having presented the glories of Lord Krishna.  I am wondering why the original Vedas give so little knowledge of the ultimate goal? Although the majority of people are interested in karma kanda, and then jnana kanda, surely there were always those interested in the Absolute Truth also?

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From Pandurang Charan P

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From Anuj Agarwal

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From Anuj Agarwal P

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Gita 2.20 is a response to Yaksa's enunciation of the six changes given in Nirukta (1.2)

jaayate asti vardhate viparamanate apakshiyate vinashyati 

It's very difficult to get an appointment with the guru as he is so busy. And I have also heard that if we don't take guidance, what is the use of taking initiation. Also, I don't feel that associating with the guru's disciples is the same as associating with guru - I don't become attached to guru by that.

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From Pandurang Charan P

Could you please explain in detail how can I do yagna as grahasta working in office, where in we are so absorbed in our work. Also moment to moment where in I dont remember Krishna atall. How can we have the right consciousness to make it a yagna.

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From Pandurang Charan P

Could you please explain the difference in detail between karma yoga, buddhi yoga, bhakti yoga. Prabhupada interchangeably uses bhakti vs buddhi yoga are they the same.

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As my wife and I were preparing for a couple’s retreat we helped facilitate in Gita-nagari, Pennsylvania, last weekend, events conspired on our street to graphically demonstrate to me the importance of what we were teaching. I find that the power of focus often attracts lessons to demonstrate what we are thinking about, especially if we are teaching it. One important point in this blog is that what we focus on increases in power—like attracts like—whether we’re looking for the good or bad in the world, or in other people. Although I don’t share here exactly what we taught in our workshop, I speak in general about the importance of personal growth work—or the importance of self-examination and seeing our life issues clearly in order to spiritually advance and be the best person we can.

There are problems in the outer world and problems in our inner world. Both are important to deal with, though of the two, improving and purifying our inner landscape is most important, as it will help us in whatever work or service we do externally. The world reflects the consciousness of the people in it. We change the world one person at a time, and it always begins with ourselves. Thus if we improve the world, or our neighborhood, but don’t improve ourselves, our work is incomplete. Many persons and groups understand and teach this. The personal growth people who appear focused on material prosperity have taught me that it isn’t what one accomplishes, or how much money one accumulates, that is most important, but who we become in the process. Another way to say this is that in the pursuit of our life work or favorite cause, are we becoming more loving, kind, compassionate, and wise? What we keep in our heart, is what defines us, who we are, and who we become. Or, as the Bible teaches, “What profiteth a man if he gains the whole world yet suffers the loss of his eternal soul?”

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Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.17, Pecs Sept 21st.

The post Cleansing of the heart within and without appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

It may sound childish or perhaps insensitive if one asks why such natural disasters take place and who is responsible. The replies could range from a quick laughter to a strong criticism, from environmental analysis to geographical calculations, and from global warming to political wrangling. They will go on arguing and spending billions on preventing natural disasters but the bitter truth is, none of their attempts can stop such harsh actions of the nature. The reason is simple- disobedience of God’s laws. People are trying to be happy without following universal laws, which are strictly implemented under the direction of the Supreme Lord. Not possible. Read more ›

For ladies looking to strenghen their spiritual search & practice in the welcoming company of other ladies, the Ladies Sanga program is held fortnightly in the seminar room of Radha Krishna Soho St Temple acting as an informal introduction to Krishna Consciusness for beginners or as a bonding session for those who are already walking steadily the path of devotional service. Song featured in this video: -Vrindavan Ramya Sthana by Bir Krishna Goswami Read more ›

Krishna's Lila in Vrndavana is prakata or manifest Lila, and the same is going on eternally in the spiritual realm, which is known as aprakata or nonmanifest. Krishna's planet and Krishna's pastimes are going on eternally, and the same is manifested before the conditioned souls at certain intervals, once in one day of Brahma, exactly as the sun is visible for 12 hours once a 24 hour cycle of and night. When the sun is visible it is called prakata, and when the sun is not visible that is called aprakata or unmanifested.  Nonmanifested therefore does not mean there is no existence, but the terms are used in relation to the visibility or nonvisibility to the limited conditioned souls. Letter to Shyamasundara, May 14, 1970. Read more ›

HG Bhuta Bhavana Dasa – CCM 18.27-34 – 13.09.2014

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Toronto, Ontario

Prove Improve Disprove

Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, would always make the point to prove that you are human.  On the basis of behaviour and belief, it can be ascertained whether one has actually achieved this honoured status.  It has much to do with the ability to go beyond eating, sleeping, mating, defending, and the ability to discern the difference between right and wrong and between matter and spirit.  A human cannot claim superiority, more so it’s responsibility that makes the human. 

To prove the point, you should always improve.  We know that ‘to err is human’, we make mistakes, but we always endeavour to correct them, prove and improve. 

I went on foot on this fine day of sun and temperate degrees to the ‘Brickworks’.  An abandoned quarry which had provided mud for bricks had turned into a haven for people who enjoy urban greenness.  Every time I make my way here, my feet up to my head, reach a happier state.  I see that the grounds are improved each time. 

Recently a switchback path had been introduced which takes you to an elevation point where you can view the valley from above, and the rather stunning cityscape from the distance.  The pathway is lain with tiny stones and not asphalt, thank God.  I congratulate the workers on this and the city that supports them.  They are maintaining, proving, and improving, while disproving that neglect works. 

Few cyclists come to this little nook, few runners.  It’s primarily walkers who escape the city madness while being in the city in this location.  Here’s my challenge, I dare you, you are a human being, prove it!  WALK. 

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Toronto, Ontario

In my stroll through a quiet residential area of homes and trees, both glorious in stature, I contemplated verses from the Bhagavad Gita which describes the Absolute in the manifestation of the witness of everything.  They are powerful statements. 

13.13

Brahman, the spirit, beginningless and subordinate to Me, lies beyond the cause and effect of this material world. 
 
13.14
 
Everywhere are His hands and legs, His eyes, heads and faces, and He has ears everywhere.  In this way the Supersoul exists, pervading everything. 
 
13.15
 
The Supersoul is the original source of all senses, yet He is without senses.  He is unattached, although He’s the maintainer of all living beings.  He transcends the modes of nature and at the same time He is the master of all the modes of material nature. 
 
13.16
 
The Supreme Truth exists outside and inside of all living beings, the moving and the non moving.  Because He is subtle, He is beyond the power of the material senses to see or to know.  Although far, far away, He is also near to all.
 
13.17
 
Although the Supersoul appears to be divided among all beings, He is never divided, situated as one.  Although the maintainer of every living entity, it is to be understood that he devours and develops all.
 
13.18
 
He is the source of light in all luminous objects.  He is beyond the darkness of matter and is unmanifested.  He is the object of knowledge, the goal of knowledge.  He is situated in everyone’s heart.
 
May the Source be with you!

7 KM

"This vibration of Krsna's flute is represented by the Hare Krsna mahā-mantra. A serious devotee of the Lord who chants and hears this transcendental vibration becomes so accustomed to it that he cannot divert his attention to any subject matter not related to Krsna's blissful characteristics and paraphernalia."

Chaitanya Caritamrta Madhya 21.144 purport

1970 September 21: "Be fully engaged in Krishna’s service. It does not matter what engagement; Krishna accepts equally the service of a little calf and that of Srimati Radharani. So always be very much appreciative of each other's service."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 September 21: "Our movement should be taken as being a family based upon love and trust, so as the father becomes unhappy when one of his children wishes to break family connections so please do not consider leaving as you are spiritual children of mine."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 September 21: "In my books I have tried to explain clearly this philosophy but it so happens that this philosophy is given a self-interested interpretation. As soon as personal motivation comes in it is not possible for one to understand our Krishna Consciousness philosophy."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 September 21: "My Dear Daughters, so now you are in the line of Krishna Consciousness. Please strictly follow and try to serve the Deity. Even there are some inconveniences, please try and tolerate. If in this one life I try and become a little tolerant, there will be tremendous spiritual benefit."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 September 21: "Yes, that is a good program holding classes, having kirtana in the street, and recruiting devotees. Do not worry. You are my disciple and I am your spiritual master, as long as you follow my instructions, then I shall never leave you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 September 21: "So if it will be better than Birla Mandir, then your labor and expenditure is a success. My only request is we must spend money very cautiously and not to waste. For improvement we can spend. I am simply afraid that money may not be wasted."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 September 21: "You have invited me to come and yes, I will certainly come. Your idea for bullock cart sankirtana is very good. So now do it. And your program for distributing literature, charity and prasadam, this is all very nice. And that you will do it personally, that I thank you very much."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 September 21: "A sannyasi must not go back to his own village. You are doing substantial work there so there is no necessity for immediate change. I am going now on tour of Africa and when I return I shall see you and we shall do the needful."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

When we were infants, food signified not just nutrition but also affection. Our mother’s love came streaming to us through the milk from her breasts as she held us lovingly to her bosom.

We may not remember that experience consciously now, but its effect lingers subconsciously, making us see food as not just sustenance for the body but also comfort for the heart. That’s why when we feel troubled, we sometimes seek food to solace ourselves.

What made our mother’s milk so comforting was not just the milk but the reassurance of her love represented by her milk.

Unfortunately, our craving for comfort through food is exploited by the gigantic food industry. The commercialization of food frequently divorces it from any affectionate relationship with the food-giver. What made our mother’s milk so comforting was not just the milk but the reassurance of her love represented by her milk. When we consume commercially marketed food, its glamorized depiction raises our hopes for comfort, but as it is usually delivered without any affection, all it offers is fleeting titillation. Craving for the missing affection, many people consume more and more food, sometimes ending up among the increasing number of food addicts. The reality and gravity of food addiction is evident in the alarming statistics of obesity globally.

To avoid becoming thus entrapped, we need to match our physical growth with emotional growth. Of course, our emotional capacity has grown – we experience far more emotions than an infant. Yet, we are still prone to relapse into emotional babyhood when we seek love and comfort and relief in food during moments of trouble.

How can we prevent such a relapse?

When we find ourselves in trouble, we just need to seek comfort not in food, but in prayerful remembrance of Krishna.

By expanding our emotions to encompass the spiritual. We are at our core souls, parts of the supreme spiritual reality, God, Krishna. Whatever affection and protection and satisfaction we experienced in our mother’s arms, we can experience all that and much more in Krishna’s shelter. Bhakti-yoga is the time-honored process for realizing and relishing that shelter. Devotional meditation can provide us far greater solace and strength than food or for that matter anything else. When we find ourselves in trouble, we just need to seek comfort not in food, but in prayerful remembrance of Krishna.

Significantly bhakti-yoga doesn’t reject food or its comfort – it helps us see food in connection with its original source. All food comes from nature and nature comes from Krishna, the Lord who loves us far more than anyone else and who expresses that love by providing us food and all our other necessities. If we gratefully offer our food to him as an expression of our love to him, as the Bhagavad-gita (09.26) recommends, the food becomes sanctified by his grace. In relishing such food, we savor not just the taste of the food, but also the shelter of Krishna’s eternal love.

Toowoomba, about 100 Km west of Brisbane, is known as the garden city. It is also a regional centre for academic study with a couple of universities. Every year the town hosts the Grand Central Floral Parade and there are many floats.

The mango fruit is different from the name of the mango. One cannot taste the mango fruit simply by chanting, “Mango, mango, mango.” But the devotee who knows that there is no difference between the name and form of the Lord chants Hare Krishna, and realizes that he is always in Krishna’s company. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.36 Purport). Read more ›

"O Lord," the demigods say, "the impersonalists, who are nondevotees, cannot understand that Your name is identical with Your form." Since the Lord is absolute, there is no difference between His name and His actual form. In the material world there is a difference between form and name. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.36 Purport). Read more ›

Bhaktimarga Swami: At the street light by Bloor a young fellow, obviously from small-town Ontario, with his two buddies, inquired about directions. “Can you tell us where the strip club is?” Although I knew a location due to it being on my regular walking route, I feigned ignorance. “Listen, we’re monks!” I held up my meditation beads to point out our endeavour towards other-worldliness. The fellow shrugged his shoulders and eagerly pranced ahead of us with his two buddies. Read more ›

With Sivarama Swami Read more ›

The devotees from ISKCON Bhakti Centre Gold Coast participated in the 67th "festival of flowers" parade in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. The Bhakti Centre Rath Cart built by Janmejaya Prabhu was decorated by HG Dhruva Prabhu and HG Sukla Mataji. HH Ramai Swami led the kirtan and opening ceremonies. Devotees from New Govardhana, the Bhakti Centre and the local area participated in the parade..It was a grand success!! over 65000 people attended the festival. Everyone was spellbound by the beauty of their Lordships and the wonderful flower bedecked Rath Cart. Jai Jaganatha!!! Jai Srila Prabhupada!!! Read more ›

Sunday Love Feast

When? Sunday,Sep 21st,2014 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 2.3.20 bile batorukrama-vikramān ye na śṛṇvataḥ karṇa-puṭe narasya jihvāsatī dārdurikeva sūta na copagāyaty urugāya-gāthāḥ TRANSLATION "One who has not listened to the messages about the prowess and marvelous acts of the Personality of Godhead and has not sung or chanted loudly the worthy songs about the Lord is to be considered to possess earholes like that of the snakes and a tongue like that of the frogs." 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   About HH Bhaktimarga Swami  To ISKCON devotees everywhere, the name Bhaktimarga Swami conjures up images of powerful, out-of-the-box stage productions; and of energetic kirtans, full of stomping dance moves and jubilant smiles.With a background in fine arts, Swami also developed a passion for the performing arts even in the course of his duties as a monk.Casting, scripting, and directing morality theatre takes him annually to venues from North America to India and Africa.Swami is a consistent feature in “The Longest Road”, a recent National Film Board documentary detailing the history of the people who shaped or were shaped by the Trans Canada Highway, the world’s longest continuous maintained road.he went the way of a pilgrim and walked on foot across country from west to east and then back for a return journey for atleast four times.   COMING UP AHEAD Indira Ekadasi Fasting.....................on Sep 19th,2014 Breakfast................. on Sep 20th,2014 b/w 7.02am-11.07am 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. Govardhana Puja(Celebration) Celebration on Oct 24th,2014 @ 7.00pm **Details of the program will be posted shortly** ON GOING EVERY SATURDAY Bhagavad Gita Classes(New Session) Started on Sep 6th,2014 Course fees: $125.00 per Student and  $75.00 for family members of Student(Prasadam and study material included).Mone is payable to ISKCON Brampton....tax receipts will be provided. Join our new session of  Bhagavad Gita Course with His Grace Vaisnava Dasa from 8.45am-12.00pm and get certified from Bhaktivedanta College at the completion of this course towards Bhakti Sastri Degree.The course duration is approximately 10 weeks.To register please contact Vaisnava Dasa Prabhu in person or via email[vaishnavadas@icloud.com] ON GOING EVERY SUNDAY ISKCON Brampton Yoga and Wellness Empower your mind and strengthen your body as you move through a series of meaningful poses.Mother Rashmi Ahuja will be conducting Yoga Classes every Sunday from 10am-11am before our Sunday Feast Program at ISKCON Brampton.These classes will be focussed on promoting our physical and mental well being.(Please bring your yoga mat) Please Register here: Email:rashmis.yoga@facebook.com  Facebook page:Yoga and Satvic Nutrition with Rashmi Contacts:416.569.6373 or 905.488.7272 Nutrition Help & Diet Tips Mother Rashmi Ahuja is offering free one to one consultations and development of Individualized Nutrition Plans on Sundays between 1:30 - 3pm. Please contact (416)569-6373 or (905)488-7272 to book an appointment. 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 happy!

MOMS continues with its activities in the nearby Mayapur villages. As always, the recipients are so happy and excited to received whatever we distribute. And it is our great pleasure to distribute to them. MOMS is a charity set up with the specific aims of distributing prasadam in the Mayapur villages and also helping with educational projects Read more ›

Kali-kale nama-rupe krsna-avatara (Cc. Adi 17.22): In this age, Krishna has appeared in the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. The Krishna Consciousness movement is spreading like wildfire all over the world, and it will go on doing so. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.20 Purport) Read more ›

1968 September 20: "You have very frankly inquired about sex relationship. A sannyasi is not supposed to be asked anything sexual. But still, because you are so much dependent, I must give you information as far as possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.16.

The post By serving great souls one gains faith and taste to hear Krsna’s message appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

1968 September 20: "It is not necessary that because one has got wife, therefore you must have sex life. The whole scheme is to avoid sex life. And if one can avoid it completely then it is a great victory for him."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 September 20: "Just like a flock of birds - although very intimately related, everyone of them has to fly in the sky by individual strength. If one is less strong, the other cannot keep him in the sky. That is the law of nature."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968