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Do you want to celebrate a special day – birthday, anniversary, special religious day by doing something that is so unique that you cannot buy it in any shop .

Pride is due to illusion, for although one comes here, stays for a brief time and then goes away, he has the foolish notion that he is the lord of the world. He thus makes all things complicated, and he is always in trouble. The whole world moves under this impression.

-From Srila Prabhupada's commentary on the Bhagavatad-gita 15.5

Our relationship with Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is eternal. Nitya-siddha Krishna-prema. The pure souls are eternally in love with Krishna. Simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra one revives his original relationship with God and thus becomes so happy that he does not want anything material. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.7.39 Purport) Read more ›

As a monotheistic Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition under the broader umbrella of Hinduism, ISKCON has signed on to support a new bill that would require school textbooks to more accurately portray Hinduism, as well as other religions and cultures.

The appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura was celebrated exquisitely at SJMKL this year on 7th Sep, Sunday. HG Lila Purushottama Prabhu who is the Director of International Gurukul Vrindavan, India, was present to share glories of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura on the auspicious day. A series of special prayers starting from bhajans consisting magnificent Vaishnava songs composed by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Pushpanjali, Maha Arathi and Kirtan were held. Read more ›

20-08-2014 Cleaning out the Heart, Scottburgh, South Africa.mp3

So, here's what I found out from my friend, Sankirtana Devi Dasi. During the filming of ‘Patch Adams’ at UNC Chapel Hill, Sankirtana ’s sister Krishna Devi Dasi, and her two friends, the twins Jaya Radhe and Amrita, along with an older girl at the time named Jahnavi Devi Dasi (all part of the Hillsborough, New Goloka Temple), were getting up very early each morning at two o’clock, and would go to the campus where they were filming the movie ‘Patch Adams’ with Robin Williams. This went on for quite a few days... Read more ›

The post September 10th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Before Akshobhya's arrival, the books would occasionally include indexes, but not always. And even then, they were often crude and incomplete, making it difficult for readers to locate points of interest. Akshobhya helped make the books more accessible by developing superior indexes. At the time (the mid-1970s), the BBT was brimming with activity. Srikanta Dasa, who was then copyediting and proofreading Srila Prabhupada's books, was aware of the need for proper indexes, but he was at a loss when it came to actually doing them. Good indexes do not come easily: Indexing is an art and a science that requires a certain skill. In walks Akshobhya, still enthused from his service in Dallas. He had ideas about how to compose indexes, and between the two of them a system was developed. Read more ›

One should not manufacture different types of chanting. One should adhere seriously to the chanting of the holy name as recommended in the scriptures: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.5.23-24 Purport) Read more ›

The post Nadia-mani d.d. sings on September 9th at Krsna Valley appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post Srila Prabhupada’s sannyasa at the Vivarupa Mahotsava in 1959 as told by Krsna dasa Babaji Maharaja appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

In the summer of 1987, the TV epic Ramayan had Indian audiences gripped, with more than 100m people tuning in each week. Read more ›

Trai das: On Friday September 5th we held a program with a very nice devotee named Radhalondonisvara das, of course from London, who led a very nice bhajan that had everyone with arms upraised in ecstasy. He also gave a very nice presentation about bhakti yoga as many of the audience were yoga teachers. Then as we were leaving the older men who were seated playing cards near our center greeted us saying that the chanting was very nice this evening why did we stop. Read more ›

Lecture Podcast

Answer Podcast

Answer Podcast

Answer Podcast

Answer Podcast

Answer Podcast

Answer Highlight:

Changing ashrama is not the solution, gaining ashraya of the supreme ashraya-tattva Krishna is the solution

 

Why does the Gita ask Arjuna to do administrative responsibility whereas Chaitanya Charitamrita ask the Goswamis to renounce similar responsibility?

Answer Podcast

Lecture Podcast

2014 08 31 Sunday Feast Glories and Pastimes of Srimati Radharani Madhavananda Prabhu ISKCON Chowpatty

1965 September 10: "Today the ship is plying very smoothly. I feel today better. But I am feeling separation from Sri Vrindaban and my Lords Sri Govinda, Gopinath, Radha Damodar. I have left Bharat Bhumi, I have taken up this risk just to carry out the order of His Divine Grace. I depend fully on Their mercy so far away from Vrindaban."
Jaladuta Diary :: 1965

1972 September 10: "I do not like this business of expensive lawyers and going to court, better to become determined to perform Sankirtana as we like. This is Civil disobedience movement. Let them fill their jails with us again and again, but we shall not stop our Sankirtana movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 September 10: "P.S. There is no difference between our chanting on the street or in temple or in jail. A Krishna Conscious person is not afraid of any place - he wants only to chant constantly in all circumstances."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 September 10: "As you have taken the vow of service you can now deliver the most fallen souls by taking up this active service of preaching. Regarding the incense factory; yes, you can guide them but you should not be very much involved with business."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 September 10: "Like gold passing in a business transaction - when gold is in my hands I think 'my gold,' and when it passes to another's hands, he thinks 'my gold.' So the soul when situated in a particular body, he identifies with that body."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 September 10: "We are preaching no material discrimination. The soul is the same passing through different bodies by the process of transmigration. The soul has nothing to do with the body. Unless one is raised to spiritual understanding, where is the question of equality?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 September 10: "If you remain on the material platform and artificially desire no discrimination it is not possible. Women claim to be equal so now they don't want to become pregnant, so they kill their own child. What kind of equality is this that it creates anothers suffering?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Etobicoke, Ontario

Making My Way

Pelee Island, Ontario

Kidding Around


I enjoy being a kid at times.  Before the journey to Pelee Island, I ventured my way to the Humber River in pilgrimage style, that is, chanting mantras, but I got a little distracted.  A skunk hit my trail, I started to chase him.  He was a beaut with lots of white on him.  I’ve dealt with these guys for years.  By now I know how close I can get and be alert to watching the tail spring up in defense, which would mean a nasty spray.  My motive apart from being frivolous, is to have the creature hear a Sanskrit mantra, which is pure sound and can even subliminally effect him positively. 

Now, the trip to Pelee Island took us first to Kingsville, where a ferry awaits.  It’s on this ferry, after boarding, that we applied the same philosophy that I did for the skunk.  Only this time it was a group first.  Chanting melodiously we did for human ears.  I should not forget the trailing behind seagulls flying in the air as the cruiser, The Jiiman, was creating a wave behind it.  The sound of mantra must have also fell on their ears. 

The kirtan (chanting session) was arousing.  People came from every level of the cruiser to listen – staff and passengers.  They joined us in the singing and dancing. 

This is becoming an annual event, visiting Pelee, while being a kid.  Devotees of Krishna from both Detroit and Toronto come together to swim the water and toss a ball trying to keep it volleyed to the count of 108.  Considering the long, drawn out winter as of late, squeezing out today’s wholesome bonding type of fun is most treasured. 

By the way, the main portion of the Detroit contingent was a couple, Jambavan and Samvit, with their 8 offspring.  How can you not be like a kid with them around? 

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Scarborough, Ontario

Going to a Fair


“Are you going to Scarborough Fair?  Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme…”

Simon and Garfunkel. 

A god brother, Kala, drove me to Scarborough, and to a type of fair.  Actually, it was the 2^nd annual Chariot Fest for that community.  It was not ‘parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme’, but more like, ‘curry, cumin, turmeric and lime’.  Actually the prasadam, (food) was very yummy.

Dr. Cho, who hails from South Korea, is a city councilor, he came to participate along with other dignitaries.  Naturally, they had good things to say in support of the event. 

I was also impressed with the number of Chinese folks standing by in delight as our Krishna community passed by in chanting formation.  Milliken Park was the venue – a great spot.  When I think about it, over the stretch of one day, I get to trek in several locations, this being one of them.  Yes, it’s good to get around. 

Our drama troupe did a great rendering of ‘Little Big Ramayan’ judging by the response.  In my position, I can engage some people in walking, some in theatre, some in administration, and some in driving me one place to another.  The diversity is sweet, variety is the spice of life.

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Toronto, Ontario

Rivers of People and Rivers of Water


In the course of a day I meet a good number of people, they show up at our temple ashram for a different number of reasons.  People come for darshan, viewing of the Krishna deity, some sample food at our Govinda’s, a vegetarian restaurant within the building, some people come to hear and learn from classes that we offer and from seminars on the bhakti sciences.  Others are volunteers who come to help with kitchen work, or cleaning, or maintenance work.  The numbers add up over a day’s stretch.

So I meet these great people, but I haven’t developed the skill to remember their names very well.  Today a walkers’ club came to eat at Govinda’s.  They are a seniors group and they come quite regularly.  One of the members has a daughter in Kelowna, BC, a place that was a stop over for me during this year’s Trans-Canada trek.  I met her daughter at that time, she is a staunch mother, wife, and devotee of Krishna.  As mentioned, I failed to remember the names, but I am taken by the small world in which we live – the world of knowing someone who knows someone who knows you, even if you’re a relative nobody from another part of the country. 

Of course, when you meet somebody who shares the same walking passion as you, you get excited.  It made my day to meet a person who has a love for pilgrimage.  I was also thrilled to hear from her that the Pan Am Games are coming to Toronto next year, and will encourage the building of a Pan Am trail, which is really a series of trails that will be recognized as a unique route beginning from the northern part of the Humber River, leading to Lake Ontario, and then going east along the waterfront, and then north on either the Don or the Rouge Rivers.  This is ecstatic news.

The winding down message which I slept on at the end of the day, after a gathering with our Brampton community where we indulged in the Gita’s words, was from 17.15.  Here, the verse talks about favourable speech:

Austerity of speech consists of speaking words which are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature. 

May the Source be with you!

2 KM

Q: Srimati Radharani used to meet Krsna although she was not married to Him. She used to neglect her husband. This is completely against what a lady should be doing ideally. How can we explain this behaviour?

Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is not a human woman, and Śrī Krishna is not a human man. In the Bhagavad Gītā Krishna (9.11) says,

avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritam |
paraṁ bhāvam ajānanto mama bhūta-maheśvaram ||

“Those who think I am a human being are fools, they don’t understand me.”

One thing about human beings, and almost all other embodied forms of life, is that we have a specific body, and this body delimits out identity. For example, I have a certain body, and I exist within it. I don’t exist within my shadow or my reflection, nor in the body of another living thing, nor in any other object outside of my body. My consciousness exists in my body, and that’s all.

Extraordinary beings can bend these limits slightly.

Śrī Krishna and Śrī Rādhā are the most extraordinary of all beings. Certainly they are not ordinary human beings, they are param-brahman, Supreme Spiritual Substance. They have form, shape, color and so on, but these forms, shapes, etc. are not limiting like ours. Rādhā and Krishna exist in infinite different forms at the same time.

Krishna is the original entity, and Rādhārāṇī is Krishna’s power to expand. Krishna, the original entity, is composed of pure joy. Joy includes the desire and power to expand. Rādhārāṇī is the expanding joy of Krishna. She generates the eternal amplification of perfection in the joy of the Supreme Being.

She is joy itself (hlādinī) so she perfectly knows the secrets of happiness. Thus she is perfectly aware of five basic facts:

1) The supreme joy is tasted in pure love.

2) Love is tasted by being shared between lovers and beloveds.

3) The fullest taste of all the flavors of love is experienced in intimate romance.

4) Joy is heightened the more it is valued and desired

5) Joy is heightened by newness and variety.

This is why she generates Krishna’s svarūpa as an infinitely lovable, attractive young hero; and her own svarūpa as an infinitely loving, beautiful young heroine. And this is why she manifests challenges which stand as obstacles for Krishna to experience her love. And this is why she manifests many different ways for him to taste it.

She becomes Candrāvalī and all the Gopīs so that Krishna can experience her love for him in infinite varieties. All of the gopīs are Rādhārāṇī, who expands them autonomously from her own self. Rādhārāṇī is not limited by a form, she exists in multi-forms, as does Krishna. All of the Gopīs are Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, but she gives them autonomous character and consciousness to facilitate the reality of variety for Krishna.

Some of the obstacles she creates include Krishna’s having duties and chores that preclude him from spending as much time as he wants to spend with Rādhārāṇī and her Gopīs. And she manifests the idea that the gopīs and herself are all married to other men – making it a really serious challenge and adventure for Krishna to attempt to experience their blissful love.

All the men and women, gopas and gopīs of Vṛndāvana are her expansions, including their so-called husbands.

So in paintings trying to depict a hint of rāsa-līlā one sees countless expansions of Rādhārāṇī, each with individual autonomy and features, dancing intimately with countless expansions of Śrī Krishna. This is the love of one woman for one man, but it is the love of the Supreme Woman for the Supreme Man, expressed infinitely. So where does the funny idea come from that any human being can emulate such a thing, or that such a thing has anything to do with anything in human experience? All we can experience in our human reality is a very very remote, dim, distant hint of a reflection of the kind of love being infinitely relished in rāsa-līlā.

Thus there is no impropriety at all in Vṛndāvana Prema, but a superficial survey of it will not show this deep truth. It takes spiritual depth and knowledge of tattva to comprehend the pure bliss and absolute perfection of Vṛndāvana Līlā.

Still, one can complain… “But what kind of example does this set for us!?”

And that is a valid complaint. However…

Krishna does not set an example for us. Setting an example for others to follow is work, and Krishna does not work, he plays. In his avatars as Vāsudev, Rām, and so on, he often accepts the work of setting the right example to help ordinary people live ordinary lives in the least spiritually-destructive manner possible. However, it is not Krishna’s task to set examples. Vṛndāvana Krishna is not on permanent display is a storefront window like most avatāras are. Krishna only reveals his Vṛndāvana līlā once in about 8 billion years, when he feels inspired to give a chance for some very few souls to transform from mundane existence to the Vṛndāvana level of pure bliss. Krishna līlā is not about setting examples for mundane people, rather it is to show mundane people what real joy, real bliss, real ecstasy actually looks, feels, tastes, smells, and sounds like in its raw, primal, absolutely pure and unedited form — being enjoyed intimately and privately between the original being (Krishna) and his original energy (Rādhā). He momentarily pulls back the curtains to his private Vṛndāvana groves in the hope that catching a glimpse of such beauty will snap some of us out of our haze and delirium in chasing meager drops of fleeting happiness through a desert of selfishness. Then, much like a darśan and Bankebihari Mandir, he quickly shuts the curtains again for a long time.

Krishna līlā is not about setting examples for mundane people, rather it is to show mundane people what real joy, real bliss, real ecstasy actually looks, feels, tastes, smells, and sounds like in its raw, primal, absolutely pure and unedited form — being enjoyed intimately and privately between the original being (Krishna) and his original energy (Rādhā). He momentarily pulls back the curtains to his private Vṛndāvana groves in the hope that catching a glimpse of such beauty will snap some of us out of our haze and delirium in chasing meager drops of fleeting happiness through a desert of selfishness. Then, much like a darśan and Bankebihari Mandir, he quickly shuts the curtains again for a long time.

 

BY GAURAVANI DASA

KUALA LUMPUR - "What is the necessity for studying such voluminous works as the Vedic literature and its corollaries? And why do people visit innumerable holy pilgrimage sites? One who truly desires to liberate his soul from illusion, let him constantly chant Lord Govinda's Krishna's holy name.

The chanting of the holy name is the highest spiritual activity, far superior to all other pious activities. One who chants with this realization is automatically executing all other prescribed religious duties. Pious activities like giving lakhs of cows in charity on solar eclipses; residing in Prayaga in the month of Magha December-January and observing strict vows and baths; performing countless sacrifices and disbursing mountains of gold are not equivalent to a minute fraction of a fraction of the spiritual potency of chanting the holy name." - Vamana Purana