India’s Top Businessmen Visit ISKCON Juhu’s Nilachal Vedic Village
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(Photo names left to right) H.G. Radharchana Mataji (MC), H.G. Surangi Mataji (wife of DN Pr.), Ms. Manju Gupta (Chairman of Lupin group of companies), H.H. Guruprasad Swami Maharaj (Vice chairman of GBC), Sri Balkrishna Goenka (Chairman of Welspun group), Sri Ashok Goel (Chairman of Essel group), H.G. Devakinandan Das (GBC minister for Fundraising & […]

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Ratha Yatra Makes History in Sao Paulo, Brazil
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photos by Bhakta Ronaldo Canale and Lourieni Corrêa.   On December 6, 2022, Iskcon Cidade São Paulo held another Ratha Yatra, which took Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra to Avenida Paulista, where thousands of people watched and followed the parade of the Deities. Despite the unpredictability of the weather, roadblocks that could have prevented […]

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Standing Against Gender-Based Violence
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November 25, 2022, marks the UN’s International Day to End Violence Against Women.  This year, ISKCON’s Vaishnavi  Ministry will join the UN’s global 16 days of activism against gender-based violence As Vaishnavas, we are mandated by our scriptures and tradition to protect the vulnerable and those placed in our love and care, including “the brāhmaṇas, […]

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Our Seven Mothers
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Our Seven Mothers.
“Our own biological mother; a guru or wife of our guru; a queen or head of state; brahminis, or wives of our teachers; the cow; one’s nurse, and finally, Mother Earth. Manu Smriti says,“The gods dwell where women are honored and respected”.Perhaps that’s why there are so many problems in the world today. So, first of all, our own mother, our first guru, the one who gave us birth. Srila Prabhupada writes in his commentary to Srimad Bhagavatam that, “only fools are ungrateful to their benefactors”. (SB 1.16.26-30, purport)


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Cleanliness In The Home
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By the Minister of Deity worship

When articles are mildly contaminated through contact with impure items such as food remnants, they may be purified in the following ways: gold, silver, conch shells, jewels, stones, and spoons are purified by water; yajïa utensils, such as the sruk and sruva (wooden ladles), by rinsing with warm water; other yajïa utensils by scrubbing with kuça grass and water; an äsana, bed, and vehicle by water; and grains, deerskin, cloth,4 thread, linen, fruits, flowers, grass, and leaves by washing them in water if extensively contaminated, or simply by sprinkling if the contamination is slight. Continue reading "Cleanliness In The Home
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JAPA AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY
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A friend recently wrote to me looking for a solution to a dilemma he found himself in. One of his spiritual mentors was heavily pushing him that he should start chanting 64 rounds a day. Our friend obediently started doing that, but very quickly found that if he did so it was not possible for
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Kaliya Krishna Dasa Disappearance
→ Ramai Swami

Srila Kaviraja Goswami writes (Chaitanya Charitamrta-lila Adi 11:37.) that Kaliya Krishna Dasa Thakura was one of the principle devotees of Nityananda Prabhu. He knew nothing other than the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu.

According to Srila Kavi Karnapura’s Gaura-Ganodesha-Dipika (text 132.), he was one of the 12 gopals in Vrindavana, and in the pastimes of Krishna in Vrindavana was known as Labhanga, one of Krishna’s cowherd boy friends. Here he is refered to as Kalah Krsnadasa or Kalakrsnadasa.

On the twelfth day of the dark moon in the month of Caitra, Sri Kaliya Krishna Dasa Thakura disappeared from this world. This is not the same Kaliya Krishna dasa who accompanied Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to South India. At present, Kaliya Krishnadas’s descendents live in different holy places in Bengal.

His birthplace is in the Bardhaman (Burdwan) district of West Bengal within a short distance from the Railway station at Katwa, at the village called Akai Hatta. This village is situated on the old king’s road between Nabadwipa and Katwa. Akai Hatta is a very small village.

Life Beyond Cultural Shame
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Life Beyond Cultural Shame.
A Second Gen’s Perspective on Never Have I Ever.
By Gopika-kanta (Gopika Sharma)
I remember leading the Bhakti Club at Rutgers University. The Western students loved the kirtan and embraced our genuine attempts to explain the practice of mantra meditation in an impactful way. The Indian kids? Their feelings of judgment made my insides shrivel. I hated feeling looked at by my own people as if I was less because I finally was doing the hard work of figuring out the value of my culture. But why do we have to live life like this? It feels like we either embrace our Western ideals while disregarding our cultural and religious roots, or we don’t disregard our culture but just respect it from afar, engaging with religious practices in an uncommitted or lukewarm manner.


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UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Lecture – Bhagavad Gītā as a Source Text for Pedagogical Modeling
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HG Garuḍa Prabhu, PhD (Harvard) ACBSP, presented a lecture on November 8th for the Cambridge Philosophy of Education Seminars series at the University of Cambridge with the following title:    Bhagavad Gītā as a Source Text for Pedagogical Modeling   The abstract for his talk reads as follows:    The seven hundred philosophical poetic verses
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Dear Bhagavatam!
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Dear Bhagavatam!
When there is no other glimmer of light
And the clouds of illusion cover my power of sight
Your every word illuminates my path from within
And You give me the faith to let my journey begin
When the unceasing rain of this world starts
It drips through the holes in the ceiling of our hearts


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Do devotees need to take care of their emotional health? (video)
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By Chaitanya Charan Das

Do devotees need to take care of their emotional health? - The Monk's Podcast with Mahatma Prabhu. Healthy Devotees, Happy Devotees. It is no secret that our physical and mental well-being has a crucial influence on the quality of our daily life and our efficiency in devotional service. Continue reading "Do devotees need to take care of their emotional health? (video)
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Monday, November 14, 2022
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Toronto/Atlanta

Back to Argentina

When I boarded Delta Airline enroute to Atlanta, as a stopover for Buenos Aires, I had a little chat with the flight attendant. I remarked that customs were so long and so slow. “Unacceptable!” I said.

Her remark, “It’s always like that here (Toronto). I love the city, but the airport…” And as she said this her eyes were rolling. I thought to lodge a complaint next time I had the chance, regarding an improvement in service that could happen at the Toronto Airport. Afterall service is everything in the regular world as well as in the world of bhakti, the spiritual. A big price tag is put on the ways of convenience.

When on the plane I had the pleasure to read from Satsvarupa’s book, Prabhupada, about the first Chariot Festival in San Francisco:

The report came back. “It was great! It was wonderful! It was a beautiful day, they said. And Swamiji listened, moved by his disciples’ descriptions of the celebration. Many hippies had joined the large procession. Mukunda, Haridasa, Hayagriva, and some of the women had been on the cart, and the instruments, including Yamuna’s playing on the harmonium had been amplified. Everyone in the streets had liked it.”

It’s always good to hear good news even if from the past.

In Atlanta, I boarded Delta once again to find myself in a middle seat. On either side was already seated an uncle and a niece. “Would you like to sit together?” I asked. “No, it’s okay”, they replied and ended up talking through me anyway.

May the Source be with you!


 

Sunday, November 13, 2022
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Hamilton / Oakville

Shelter

This Sunday was exciting. Sundays usually are. One of the reasons is that I get very busy with people. Today, it was three locations, so that makes it three presentations. The theme for all these venues, in addition to chanting sessions and prasadam (blessed food), was the topic of “shelter.” The first gathering was actually in the Conference Room of ISKCON Toronto. There I presented a borrowed story about shelter and the nature of a cat or a dog. Perhaps you have heard it before?

A dog thinks, “Here is my master. He gives me shelter, feeds me, loves me and will do anything for me, and asks nothing in return. My master must be god.”

A cat thinks, “Here is my master who gives me shelter, feeds me, loves me and will do anything for me, and asks nothing in return. I must be god.”

The above story definitely received some resonating responses. The real essence of the topic was not so much to do with the difference between the two pets, but what it truly means to take shelter. We can think of a turtle whose shelter is actually its shell. There is this example in The Gita about the turtle who draws its limbs within its shell when there is danger.

We are all in danger of the attacks by maya, illusion, and so the ultimate protection is in humility, at the lotus feet of the Lord. Let’s face it, there are animal shelters, homeless shelters, women’s shelters, bomb shelters, etc. There should be. There are also maya shelters, offering protection from life’s illusions. Maya is hot, Krishna is cool. Let us go under His shade, His shelter.

May the Source be with you!

 


Saturday, November 12, 2022
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Brampton, Ontario

The Kind and the Not So

Road rage is very much on the rise. On the previous night, while on the freeway, two drivers involved in a collision were almost at each other’s throats in a shouting match, blaming each other for the accident. They used unholy terms. Not surprising is that this overall “etiquette” on our roads is on the rise. Too many cars. Not enough roads. Levels of speed are up. More and more motorists cut each other off. Check out the words kama, krodha and lobha in the scriptures and where these traits lead us and a full-blown picture is created. I forgot to mention the frequency of honking. It’s bad!

This Saturday evening Vallabha Hari and I witnessed some nasty elements as we walked along Davenport, which was formerly The Ancient Trail, tread by our indigenous people. We had just participated in a beautiful night at Rita and Hatesh’s home. “Beautiful” because I got my asparagus. The chanting was lively amongst the ten or so families. We also enjoyed reading together from Hari Sauri’s Transcendental Diary about our guru, Prabhupada, and how he kept his cool as he arrived at the airport while customs officials carried on in a negative demeanor. I would give credit, however, to the customs people of today (the above-mentioned was in 1976, when he came through the Toronto Airport). While folks in the servant category these days are a little kinder, the people behind the wheel have become very rajasic (passionate).

May the Source be with you!

4km


 

Friday, November 11, 2022
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Mississauga, Ontario

To the Burb

Rain had dominated the sky; not a major wash out, but a pleasantly quiet, meditative send-down of moisture. Umbrellas become popular on such days. I put mine to good use with small errands in the downtown area of T.O., which is where I actually live.

But for the evening I was destined for the suburbs, to Mississauga to be specific. To get there, the plan was to take the subway train. As I entered the east-west line of the subway at St.George Street, I was met by a TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) agent. I asked him about the charge to get on the train.

“Are you a senior?” he asked.

“Yes, I am.” There’s a discount for us guys. Thank God!

Furthermore, this chap was trying to be funny.

“Do you monks listen to jokes?”

“Oh yes!” I informed. He went on to tell a monk joke which I really didn’t get. Then he asked where I was going. I told him, “Mississauga.”

“Why do you punish yourself? I used to live there.” Of course, he said that all in jest, but I didn’t find it too amusing. I did appreciate his liveliness though.

I threw my coins – $2.30 – and proceeded to the train. It was a good ride; no traffic jams, which Toronto is notorious for. Nanda met me at the Islington station and drove me to the home of Pusta Krishna, where we met with several families for a regular Gita Chat. Our evening was one of food, kirtan and then discussing several verses from Chapter Two of The Gita, which ran the common “Do not lament!”

May the Source be with you!

4km


 

Thursday, November 10, 2022
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The Beaches, Toronto

The Beach / The Farm

I couldn’t resist bringing my dear friend, Kalakantha, to the Beaches area of the city, not for a swim and certainly not for any gazing at scantily clad beach lovers. We are not like that and besides, it is much too cold for swimwear only. The favourable 19⁰ Celsius is, however, unique for this time of the year. The reason for any recommendation to invite him and members of the Bhakti Academy to the sand and sun was that, historically, it was at the Beaches boardwalk that our guru, Prabhupada, took a brisk walk in the summer of 1975.

It was so pleasant. One man playing on his drum-set in the outdoors had spread out in front of him several boxes of musical instruments – shakers, bangers and tambourines. As we strolled by, he gestured to grab anything and participate.

“On our way back”, I told him.

And so, we did. We took any old noise maker he had displayed before him and went wild with a kirtan to honour this special place; the boardwalk tread upon by a sadhu, holy man.

Another blissful aspect of the day was a drive – a super slow one, being in Toronto – to Caledon and the ahimsadairy farm called Gopal Goshala. Gathered there were all our members of the Tuesday night Gita Chat group. It was educationally ecstatic.

Before rest I took a moment to reflect on the next morning, November 11th, which is the veteran’s Remembrance Day. Peace to the freedom fighters.

May the Source be with you!

5km



 

Wednesday, November 09, 2022
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Seaton Village, Toronto

Happy As Can Be

I am taking my daily dose of herbs in powder form. Called turmeric ashwagandha, it is marketed as golden milk powder or adaptogenic elixir. This superfood is helping to build some strength but it is definitely not everything. While still waiting for a report on more blood tests, I remain faithful to the walking culture that I am so much a part of. This regimen is keeping me going.

After a heartily greet with dear friend, Kalakantha, who’s visiting us and helping in overseeing our Bhakti Academy, I decided to take a stroll up Bloor St. It’s a mere 9⁰ Celsius; warm enough for me without a jacket, especially on an east-west street where the sun rays take a laser-like presence.

I like this street. It’s ethnically or demographically quite diverse. There’s the student crowd mixed in with everyone else, even up to the Korean section. Plenty of pedestrian activity happening, all with a purpose to reach a destination of intent whether it be work, recreation or purchase – some are happy, some are just scraping by with living. It is all a play-out of karma.

With my trekking I like to think I’m slightly different. I’m human, like all of them, but I notice very few who are meditative. I have my japa beads in my right hand. They get noticed. In some way I feel I’m in with them and aloof at the same time.

The sun began to make his descent so I turned back, zig zagging my way back to the ashram, happy as can be.

May the Source be with you!

6km


 

Tuesday, November 8, 2022
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Don Mills, Ontario

Raccoon *On Cameron*

It was a special treat to have an interview hosted by Winnipeg resident, Pravasi Divya, a writer for newspaper Prabhasi India. She was keen to know about my entering into monkhood. In addition to that history, she was curious about the ultimate monk, Chaitanya, as well as my walking ventures. I hope she comes up with a great article that will enthuse its readers to get out of the comfort zone and cultivate more the spiritual side of life.

The evening’s Gita Chat also touched on the point of pulling out of our box, in the course of working on a project, and just going on a fresh-air walk-around-the-block and then re-convene.

The major highlight of the day came after lunch, when a trio from Minneapolis, Purneem Krishna, Anasuya and Gopika joined our weekly team for a stroll in a unique place. Taylor Creek Trail is the path that our guru, Prabhupada, trekked with his loving followers in June 1976. The creek is in a ravine full of trees and, of course, wildlife. Most notable was a frivolous raccoon who surprised us all with its bold and friendly approach.

We spotted him across the creek, which compelled Alex to make his way to our side of the creek. This cute raccoon placed its paws in the water, obviously to search for food, but then took a swim, heading straight for Alex. After coming out of the water, it shook off what was wet and took to greeting Alex in an unusual way. We captured it all on camera. Then it went on its merry way.

May the Source be with you!

5km



 

Monday, November 7, 2022
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Halifax/Toronto

Abusive / Destructive

 

The world recognizes abusive situation physical, sexual, psychological, etc. This poem is directed more towards abuse in the home.

Why are we so cruel to each other?

And why should anyone even bother?

The world, full of secret darkness so covert

And undeniable aggressions so overt

Unsettle all souls of tender worth

And destroy the rights of one from birth

The chronic evil of domestic violence

Is killing millions of voices now left in silence

 

Victims are many in and out of the home

With a strike of the fist and a kick to break a bone

Such repeated action is simply brutal rage

Inappropriate especially for a so-called sage

Or a so-called guardian, or even a parent

When in truth such a person is a natural servant

For such a noble role is one of responsibility

Meant to offer an atmosphere of safe tranquility

 

Righteous people stand for wholesome relations

For supportive and well-being situations

And giving affection to deserving children

Respecting women, mothers of those kinderen

For the greatest social force is in strong families

Failing this, we are left with calamities

We must condemn the act of an abusive human

Because it is the epitome of a shameful scam

 

Let us provide real love in its proper direction

Where there is flaw, take immediate correction

Where there are words of reason, let us listen

Where there is sweat, may it then glisten

In the glory of duty and a second chance

For we must take a fresh moral stance

Where there is muscle be it a shield

For fixing hearts needing to be healed

 

Let us replace cruelty with solemnity

Anger and neglect, with patience and reflect

On commitment with a capital C

And make our dependants our priority

We must bother with social change

Until unwanted violence does unhinge

And when our tolerance level reaches zero

We can then declare society a crowned hero

 

Our aim is to please Krishna

Good behaviour will do it

-          Composed by Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk©

 

May the Source be with you!

5km


 

Sunday, November 6, 2022
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Halifax, Nova Scotia

Sunday Funday

The current temperatures in some parts of Canada are unseasonably warm and out east, in Nova Scotia, we are enjoying the benefits of this favourable climate with 20⁰ Celsius in our midst. The situation compelled a number of us to absorb as much vitamin D as possible by hitting the trails that take us through hard and softwood trees, lakes and ponds and rocks at both sides, only to be interrupted by the occasional development site. For me it was a straight trek – fast but not furious trek – and I had a few amigos to accompany me along the way.

I really didn’t want to stop but previous arrangements and scheduling forced me off the trail. It was a pleasant disappointment.

Among today’s commitments of visitations, and a meaningful meeting, was a visit to the Vedanta Ashram Society, on Cork St. where my musical team, Mahadev, Annapurna and I engaged in kirtan, a speech and a rally of all attendees to get up off their feet to sing and dance. From there we mobilized our group to the ISKCON program at the Atlantic School of Theology.

Bhakti Prabhava Swami, who was there just a few weeks ago, went into the building, which is an actual church shared by three Christian denominations, and said, “This is first class.” I couldn’t agree with him more. It has great acoustics for kirtan. There is also an extra room for Sunday School, and it’s situated right next to the harbour so the view is wonderful.

May the Source be with you!

8km


 

Saturday, November 05, 2022
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Halifax, Nova Scotia

What We Did in 20⁰ Celsius?

Our day started off with a trek along East River, running along New Glasgow, which happens to be a piece of the Great Trail. Ravi, Mahadev, Annapurna and I found ourselves at the downtown farmer’s market, and, like all such pooling of people, they are the most thoughtful folks around; anywhere. There we met Camilla, whom I’ve known for a good twelve years, and is a bhakti enthusiast. I also met with a local woman who came to our book launch at the library back in May, where she purchased The Saffron Path. She was quite happy to see us.

“I love your book. I read it and I now understand so much about you (the culture).”

That was nice to hear.

A second trail beckoned us to Point Pleasant Park, where the entire path took on the scent of a Christmas tree; spruce or fir. Here less damage was done to trees by the recent, infamous Hurricane Fiona. In New Glasgow we couldn’t believe how many were uprooted by that fierce wind. In any event we were united with Savyasacin and his three daughters who lost their mom to cancer this past spring.

Our final venue for today was at the “Therapeutic Approach,” on Quinpool, where yoga is taught. The place filled up fast. Attendees were on time and so were we. What can I say? The event was phenomenal and included the participation of all present in singing and dancing. It was definitely a redefinition of “Saturday Night Fever.”

May the Source be with you!

6km



 

Friday, November 04, 2022
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Stellarton, Nova Scotia

A Bit on Foot / A Bit on Wheels

Ambarish and I took to the Chain of Lakes trail from Timberlea; a former rail and now trail path, when we came up with an idea. This particular trail connects with another one, which connects with several homeowners from our Krishna community. We are looking at relatively new subdivisions here and everyone is more or less dependent on the automobile. However, with a little bit of map exploration one could simply connect the dots and voila, now you have a new way of seeing each household on special days off or weekends. Perhaps call them Japa Walk Days. Instead of just Sunday formalities at the temple, why not enhance community interactive-ness by groups of devotees moving, in a wholesome way, through the back green trails of lakes, waterfalls and trees?

Let’s share the idea for this Halifax region. Brian Crawford, whom I have known for decades now, a retired child protection manager, took Mahadev, Annapurna and I to Stellarton, where the head-office of the Sobey’s food chain is located. It was five months since being there and we conducted an Evening of Bhakti program at Ravi Rawat’s home. We made good friends with Muriko, a yoga and martial arts instructor. He is new to the bhakti concept, which explores unconditional love for the Lord.

“Who is the Lord?” This was a question he had, along with another sincere one like, “Is Krishna superior to Shiva?”

“The Lord is He from whom everything emanates. The Source.” As for the other question, “Shiva is the manifestation of God who destroys when the world goes wrong. Krishna is the One who charms us and educates us through The Gita.”

May the Source be with you!

5km