Rama Ekadasi and the TOVP 2022
- TOVP.org

The 11th day of Krishna Paksha (Moon’s waning phase) in the month of Kartik (October – November) is celebrated as Rama Ekadasi, named after Lord Vishnu’s consort, Goddess Rama. The day is also known as Rambha Ekadasi or Kartik Krishna Ekadasi.

It’s recommended to chant extra rounds and stay up all night chanting and hearing the Lord’s glories. It is also auspicious to donate to Vaishnavas and Lord Krishna’s service on Ekadasi and we invite our readers to consider this Indira Ekadasi to donate towards the Give To Nrsimha 2023 Fundraiser. We are focusing on the completion and opening of the entire Nrsimhadeva hall and altar by the Fall of 2023 as a forerunner to the Grand Opening of the TOVP in 2024 when all the Deities will be relocated into Their new home. Please go to the Give To Give To Nrsimha 2023 Fundraiser page TODAY and help complete this offering to the Lord.

  NOTE: Rama Ekadasi is observed on Oct. 20th in most of the U.S. and Canada and Oct. 21st in India. Please refer to your local calendar through www.gopal.home.sk/gcal.

  View, download and share the TOVP 2022 Calendar​.

 

The Glories of Rama Ekadasi

From Brahma-vaivarta Purana

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, “O Janardana, O protector of all beings, what is the name of the Ekadasi that comes during the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Karttika (October – November)? Please impart this sacred knowledge to me.

The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna then spoke as follows, “O lion among kings, please listen as I narrate to you. The Ekadasi that occurs during the dark part of the month of Karttika is called Rama Ekadasi. It is most auspicious, for it at once eradicates the greatest sins and awards one the passage to the spiritual abode. I shall now narrate to you its history and glories.

“There once lived a famous king of the name Muchukunda, who was friendly to Lord Indra, the king of the heavenly planets, as well as with Yamaraj, Varuna, and Vibhishana, the pious brother of the demon Ravana. Muchukunda always spoke the truth and constantly rendered devotional service to Me. Because he ruled according to religious principles, there were no disturbances in his kingdom.

“Muchukunda’s daughter was named Chandrabhaga, after a sacred river, and the king gave her in marriage to Shobhana, the son of Chandrasena. One day, Shobhana visited his father-in-law’s palace on the auspicious Ekadasi day. This visit made Shobhana’s wife Chandrabhaga quite anxious, for she knew that her husband was physically very weak and unable to bear the austerity of a day-long fast. She said to him, `My father is very strict about following Ekadasi. On Dasami, the day before Ekadasi, he strikes a large kettledrum and announces, “Nobody should eat on Ekadasi, the sacred day of Sri Hari!

“When Shobhana heard the sound of the kettledrum, he said to his wife, `O beautiful one, what am I to do now? Please tell me how I can save my life and obey your father’s strictness and at the same time satisfy our guests!

“Chandrabhaga then spoke, `My dear husband, in my father’s house nobody – not even the elephants or horses, what to speak of consenting human beings – eats on Ekadasi. Indeed, none of the animals are given their ration of grains, leaves, or straw – or even water – on Ekadasi, the sacred day of Sri Hari. So how can you escape fasting? My beloved husband, if you must eat something, then you should leave here at once. Now, with firm conviction decide on what you have to do.’

“Prince Shobhana then said, `I have decided to fast on the sacred Ekadasi day. Whatever my fate is, it will surely come to pass.’ “Deciding thus, Shobhana attempted to fast on this Ekadasi, but he became unbearably disturbed with excessive hunger and thirst.

“Eventually the sun set in the west, and the arrival of the auspicious night made all the Vaishnavas very happy. O Yudhisthira, all the devotees enjoyed worshipping Me (Sri Hari) and remaining awake all through the night, but Prince Shobhana that night became absolutely disturbed.

“Indeed, when the Sun rose on the Dwadasi, that Prince Shobhana was dead. King Muchukunda observed his son-in-law’s funeral, ordering a large stack of wood be assembled for the fire, but he instructed his daughter Chandrabhaga not to join her husband on the funeral pyre.

“Thus Chandrabhaga, after performing all the purificatory processes and procedures for honoring her deceased husband, continued to live in her father’s house.” Lord Sri Krishna continued, “O best of the kings, Yudhisthira, even though Shobhana died because of observing Rama Ekadasi, the merit that he accrued enabled him, after his death, to become the ruler of a kingdom high on the peak of Mandarachala Mountain.

“This kingdom was like a city of the demigods; very lustrous, with unlimited jewels set in the walls of its buildings that gave off light. The pillars were made of rubies, and gold inlaid with diamonds shone everywhere. As King Shobhana sat upon a throne beneath a pure white canopy, servants fanned him with yak-tail whisks.

“A stunning crown rested upon his head, beautiful earrings adorned his ears, a necklace graced his throat, and bejeweled armlets and bracelets encircled his arms. He was served by Gandharvas (the best of heavenly singers) and Apsaras (celestial dancers). Verily, he resembled a second Indra.

“One day, a brahmin named Somasharma, who lived in Muchukunda’s kingdom, happened upon Shobhana’s kingdom while travelling to various places of pilgrimage. The brahmin saw Shobhana in all his resplendent glory and thought he might be the son-in-law of his own King Muchukunda. When Shobhana saw the brahmin approaching, he immediately rose up from his seat and welcomed him. After Shobhana had paid his respectful obeisances he asked the brahmin about his well-being and about the health and welfare of his (Shobhana’s) father-in-law, his wife and all the residents of the city. Somasharma then said, `O king, all the residents and subjects are well in your father-in-law’s kingdom, and Chandrabhaga and your other family members are also quite well. Peace and prosperity reign throughout the kingdom.

‘But there is one thing, I’m quite astonished to find you here! Please tell me about yourself. Nobody has ever seen such a beautiful city as this! Kindly tell me how you obtained it.’

“King Shobhana then began to tell his story, `Because I observed the Rama Ekadasi, I was given this splendid city to rule over. But for all of its grandeur, it is only temporary. I beg you to do something to correct this deficiency. You see, this is only an ephemeral city, a place of this material world. How may I make its beauties and glories permanent? Kindly reveal this to me by your instructions.

“The brahmin then asked, `Why is this kingdom unstable and how will it become stable? Please fully explain this to me, and I shall try to help you.’

“Shobhana then answered, `Because I fasted on the Rama Ekadasi without any faith, this kingdom is impermanent. Now hear how it can become permanent. Please return to Chandrabhaga, the beautiful daughter of king Muchukunda, and tell her what you have seen and understood about this place and about me.

‘Surely, if you, a pure hearted brahmin, tell her this, my city will soon become permanent. “Thus, the brahmin returned to his city and related the entire episode to Chandrabhaga, who was both surprised and overjoyed to hear this news of her husband. She said, `O brahmana, is this a dream you have seen, or is it actually a factual thing?’

“Somasharma the brahmin replied, `O Princess, I have seen your late husband face to face in that wonderful kingdom, which resembles a realm of the denizens of heavens’ playgrounds.

‘But your former husband has asked me to relate to you that he says that his kingdom is unstable and could vanish into thin air at any moment. Therefore, he hopes you can find a way to make it permanent.’

“Chandrabhaga then said, `O sage among the brahmins, please take me to that place where my husband resides at once, for I greatly desire to see him again! Surely, I shall make his kingdom permanent with the merit that I have acquired by fasting on every Ekadasi throughout my life. Please reunite us at once, again. It is said that one who reunites separated persons also obtains very great merit.’

“The humble brahmin Somasharma then led Chandrabhaga to Shobhana’s effulgent kingdom. Before reaching it, however, they stopped at the foot of Mount Mandarachala, at the sacred ashrama of Vamadeva. Upon hearing their story, Vamadeva chanted hymns from the Vedas and sprinkled holy water from his samanya arghya upon Chandrabhaga.

“By the influence of that great Rishi’s rites, the merit she had accrued by fasting for so many Ekadasis made her body transcendental. Ecstatic, her eyes beaming in wonder, Chandrabhaga continued on her journey.

“When Shobhana saw his wife approaching him high on Mount Mandarachala, he was overwhelmed with joy and called out to her in great happiness and jubilation.

“After she arrived, he seated her on his left side and she said to him, `O dearest Patiguru, please listen as I tell you something that will benefit you greatly. Since I was eight years old I have fasted regularly and with full faith on every Ekadasi. If I transfer to you all the merit I have accumulated, your kingdom will surely become permanent, and its prosperity will grow and grow until the coming of the great inundation!’

Lord Sri Krishna then continued to address Yudhisthira as follows, “O Yudhisthira, in this way Chandrabhaga, who was beautifully decorated with the finest ornaments and had an exquisitely transcendental body, at last enjoyed peace and happiness with her husband.

“By the potency of Rama Ekadasi, Shobhana found his kingdom on the peaks of Mount Mandarachala able to fulfill all his desires and bestow upon him everlasting happiness, like that achieved from the transcendental Kama-dhenu milk cow.

“O greatest of kings, I have thus narrated to you the glories of Rama Ekadasi that falls in the dark fortnight of the month of Kartika.

“Anyone who observes sacred Ekadasi during both the light and the dark fortnight of each month is undoubtedly freed from the reactions to the sin of killing a brahmin. One should not differentiate between the Ekadasis of the light and dark parts of the month.”

As we have seen, both can award pleasure in this world and liberate even the most sinful and fallen souls. Just as black cows and white cows give equally good quality milk, so the Ekadasis of the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) and the light fortnight (shukla or Gaura paksha) award the same high degree of merit and eventually liberate one from the repeated cycle of birth and death.

Anyone who simply hears this narration of the glories of the sacred day of Rama Ekadasi is freed from all kinds of sin and attains the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu.

Thus ends the narration for the glories of the sacred Karttika-krishna Ekadasi, or Rama Ekadasi, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana of Srila Krishna Dwaipayana Veda Vyasa.

This article has been used courtesy of ISKCON Desire Tree

 

 

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Narottama Dasa Thakura Disappearance
→ Ramai Swami

Narottama Dasa Thakura wrote many devotional songs about the spiritual master, the Devotees, devotional service, the six Goswamis, Gaura-Nityananda and Radha-Krishna. Although composed with sweet melodies in simple Bengali language, Narottama Dasa’s songs give shastric siddhanta and devotional inspiration.

Srila Prabhupada often sang these bhajanas. Considering them non-different from Vedic shastra, He quoted them in his Bhagavatam lectures. Prarthana and Prema-bhakti-chandrika are Narottama’s most famous works.

The following excerpt comes from Prema-bhakti-chandrika: “Radha and Krishna are my goal in life and death, and They are the masters of my breath. Performing my bhajana only for Them, I rise and fall in the ocean of prema. I pray that I can always maintain this conception within my heart as my highest ideal.

 “Let me serve the lotus feet of Radha-Govinda. Let my mind be filled with dedication to Their divine forms that defeat the beauty of Cupid and Rati. With a straw between my teeth I fall at Their divine feet and present my humble appeal: ‘0 Kishora-Kishori! 0 son of Nanda Maharaja-Shyamasundara! And 0 daughter of King Vrishabhanu, Shri Radha. You enchant even Hari, and Your bodily complexion is the color of a golden lotus. 0 Krishna, with a bodily colour like an indranila gem (blue jewel), Your beauty mocks Cupid.

‘0 topmost dancers Shri Radha and Shri Krishna-please dance within my mind. 0 You whose beauty increases the charm of Your dazzling ornaments, day and night I only wish that I shall go on singing Your glories in great ecstasy.”

Narottama Dasa serves Shrimati Radhika as Chamaka-manjari. His samadhi is in Radha Gokulananda’s Temple courtyard. 

Disappearance of Sri Narottama Das Thakur – 14th Oct
→ Mayapur.com

Darshan From Sri Vrindavan Dham on the Disappearance of Narottam Das Thakur. Class By HH Lokanath Swami (1) je ānilo prema-dhana koruṇā pracur heno prabhu kothā gelā ācārya-ṭhākur (2) kāhā mora swarūp rūpa kāhā sanātan kāhā dāsa raghunātha patita-pāvan  (3) kāhā mora bhaṭṭa-juga kāhā kavirāj eka-kāle kothā gelā gorā naṭa-rāj  (4) pāṣāṇe kuṭibo māthā anale […]

The post Disappearance of Sri Narottama Das Thakur – 14th Oct appeared first on Mayapur.com.

TOVP Pandals Becoming the Rage in India
- TOVP.org

I will share with you some photos of festival pandals in West Bengal and other parts of India during Durga Puja this year. This has become an annual tradition and has been increasing over the years.

These pandals exactly replicate the design and outdoor decorations of the TOVP. It is wonderful to see this. Such pandals cost a fortune and take months to assemble. And they look very attractive also and are spreading the glory of the TOVP all over India. As the saying goes:

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”

Apparently, everyone really likes the TOVP design, and it looks like it will soon become the Hallmark of West Bengal.
Hare Krishna!

TOVP Pandals Becoming the Rage in India

 

 

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TOVP First – A Short Docu-Reel
- TOVP.org

This is a short but inspiring video overview of the major milestones in the TOVP construction progress since 2009. Please watch with devotion and help support this magnificent and historic project desired by Srila Prabhupada so we can open it in 2024. Make the TOVP First!

TOVP 2024 MARATHON KI JAYA! WE RUN, YOU WIN!

 

 

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Instructions by Kadamba Kanana Swami Part 1 – Connecting with Srila Prabhupada
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 15 September 2022, Vrindavan, India, Balarama Hall Program)

The nature of time is that it is constantly passing. Everything comes into being, everything grows, everything flourishes, gives some by-product, dwindles and then ceases to exist. Our meetings are also going through these stages and we are coming to the latter stages of these meetings. So many people are coming to say goodbye to me. I was calculating – say if people come in groups, 200 people come to say goodbye, with 5 minutes per person – that is 1000 minutes alone! That is over 15 hours of non-stop goodbyes. So to those who are leaving, I am saying goodbye to you now. Not because I am cold, not because I have no heart, not because I do not care, but sheer practicality.

Yesterday, I opened the doors to my apartment, and there was a flood. A flood of kindness, a flood of affection. Such exchanges are important and they are very valuable. At the same time, it is gradually coming to a transition that you carry my desires in your heart. My desire is that you really connect with Srila Prabhupada. Here in Vrndavana, Prabhupada is here on his vyasasana with his lions. They look like real lions, I really like them! There are so many nice paintings here and they say so much about Prabhupada’s meditations. So, please connect to Srila Prabhupada here. Vrndavana was one of those temples that had a full set of Srila Prabhupada’s letters before they became widely available on the Internet, Vedabase, etc. But back in the day, this was rare and they were not published anywhere. The archives in Los Angeles had some copies, and a few temples here and there also had them. But here, everyday, a different letter would be on Prabhupada’s desk. To make that connection with Srila Prabhupada and to understand Prabhupada through his letters was being done to manage his worldwide mission. It was a different time with less connectivity. But now we live in an age of connectivity – even on flights, there are airlines that offer these services.

In those days, Srila Prabhupada would send devotees, young people, to open up temples in new countries. Yes, I wish that you all would also open up temples, that would be so nice. If instead of working in an ordinary job, you would just instead go preach and say, yes, we will start and run a temple and through that temple, we will influence thousands of people. That is much more exciting! So how about being part of the great transcendental adventure? In the earlier days, it did not matter whether someone was a bramacari, sanyasi or a grihasta – none of that mattered as everyone was involved in mainstream preaching, in driving the mission. And then things changed and now we have been referred to as a congregational movement where many of the programs we are having are actually for ourselves. There are these nice gatherings with pizzas and cakes and we are meeting one another and it is enlivening for ourselves. And then we invite swamis who are revolutionary, who want to change the world and they want to see that we are somehow or other bringing more people to Krsna consciousness. Some go out on book distributions – when someone writes me a letter and they say that they are going out on book distribution, those are the letters I like to read – those are the fun letters – please send me the scores, give me updates on your sacred street parties or whatever they are called. This spirit of reaching out is great and it is very important. This was important when Srila Prabhupada was here and whatever was important when Srila Prabhupada was here is still important today – we should always understand that. Although times have changed and I appreciate that, but what was important to Srila Prabhupada is timeless and forever relevant. So this is something we should always do – turn to Srila Prabhupada. We should see what he emphasised as the work is not finished – the whole world is not Krsna conscious yet! So we can have nice prasadam and nice kirtan together, but let us also go out and preach as that is what Srila Prabhupada wants from us.

Watch this full program on our YouTube channel below:

The article " Instructions by Kadamba Kanana Swami Part 1 – Connecting with Srila Prabhupada " was published on KKSBlog.

Cobras in Srila Prabhupada’s Quarters
→ Dandavats



Cobras in Srila Prabhupada’s Quarters
As I walked past the first toilet stall a huge six feet long cobra quickly slithered past me into the stall. Terrified I raced out of the bathroom as fast as my shaking body could take me. I was not sure what kind of snake it was. I didn’t want to create a big scene and interrupt Srila Prabhupada’s darshan…


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ISKCON Scarborough – Special prayers for Mother Dwaraka on Wed- 12th Oct 2022- 6.30 pm
→ ISKCON Scarborough

 Hare Krishna dear devotees.

Please accept my humble obiesances. All glories to Srila Prabhupad. 

The devotees of Iskcon Scarborough are planning to have Kirtan, japa session etc for the health and speedy recovery of our dear Mother Dwaraka who was admitted to hospital on Sunday Oct 09th. Please,  let's all get together on Wednesday October 12 at 6:30pm at the temple  - iskcon Scarborough - to show our love and support but most of all to pray for mataji's full recovery. 

Devotees who would like to bring prasadam are welcome to do so.

Thank you!!!