1971 July 21: "Yes, it is encouraging news that he is favorably inclined toward giving us land in Raman Reti. Another nice news is that all of you women are going out daily for preaching. Very good. Continue it whole heartedly."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Spiritual Values to Win the Shadow.
→ Matsya Avatar das adhikari
Many people look for tangible and concrete things in life, but it is important to know that the so-called "abstract values" are even more substantial than those perceived through the senses – the true values which we should refer to in our life, such as compassion, freedom, happiness and Love.
The empiricists are prone to "measure and touch" happiness, to grasp all the things in the world. Such attitude is not an evil in itself, it becomes such when a man ignore his spiritual essence, sometimes even denying it completely. As far as, according to the positivist criterion, happiness is not tangible, in its absence a person falls into the dark malaise and depression.
Thus, lacking the feelings of compassion, charity, devotion to God and affection towards all His creatures, without solidarity with the creation, the experience of love cannot be realized. As a result, one's life turns to be boring and meaningless due to the lack of spiritual awareness.
Why do we make mistakes and suffer so much?
The reason is that we do not cultivate spiritual values sufficiently. Slowly forgetting these real values that substantiate the human life, one tries to compensate such values by attachments to the worldly projects and goods, as illusory as ephemeral. Thus, while creating one's false identity, a man lives in a sort of a perpetual alienation.
In such a state of alienation, oblivious of his spiritual nature and ultimate destination, an individual lose the sense of life. Joy and sorrow, health and disease, birth and death follow each other as impermanent manifestations of existance.
Therefore a spiritual being, incarnated in the material world, despite an overwhelming aspiration for eternity, wisdom and happiness, experiences a considerable frustration, helplessness and fear because of an inability to access the bliss of its ontological nature, while struggling in the duality of the material world.
A wise man does not dream of becoming happy due to the impermanet things of this world. In all the traditions, albeit with different words, it was stated that "man cannot live on bread alone."
If we learn what to desire and how to value our life, we will become happy enjoying every moment of it, in spite of any psychophysical limit. By the grace of God, living in the prospect of immortality and love for God, a man can overcome loneliness and suffering so to experience fulfillment and spiritual satisfaction, always and everywhere.
The empiricists are prone to "measure and touch" happiness, to grasp all the things in the world. Such attitude is not an evil in itself, it becomes such when a man ignore his spiritual essence, sometimes even denying it completely. As far as, according to the positivist criterion, happiness is not tangible, in its absence a person falls into the dark malaise and depression.
Thus, lacking the feelings of compassion, charity, devotion to God and affection towards all His creatures, without solidarity with the creation, the experience of love cannot be realized. As a result, one's life turns to be boring and meaningless due to the lack of spiritual awareness.
Why do we make mistakes and suffer so much?
The reason is that we do not cultivate spiritual values sufficiently. Slowly forgetting these real values that substantiate the human life, one tries to compensate such values by attachments to the worldly projects and goods, as illusory as ephemeral. Thus, while creating one's false identity, a man lives in a sort of a perpetual alienation.
In such a state of alienation, oblivious of his spiritual nature and ultimate destination, an individual lose the sense of life. Joy and sorrow, health and disease, birth and death follow each other as impermanent manifestations of existance.
Therefore a spiritual being, incarnated in the material world, despite an overwhelming aspiration for eternity, wisdom and happiness, experiences a considerable frustration, helplessness and fear because of an inability to access the bliss of its ontological nature, while struggling in the duality of the material world.
A wise man does not dream of becoming happy due to the impermanet things of this world. In all the traditions, albeit with different words, it was stated that "man cannot live on bread alone."
If we learn what to desire and how to value our life, we will become happy enjoying every moment of it, in spite of any psychophysical limit. By the grace of God, living in the prospect of immortality and love for God, a man can overcome loneliness and suffering so to experience fulfillment and spiritual satisfaction, always and everywhere.
Saturday, July 19th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Calgary, Alberta
Calgary Too
Calgary’s 8th Avenue is the most promising thoroughfare for another chariot event. Café sitters and people strolling about could hear a distant booming of the bhangra and mrdanga drums. At 12 sharp, high noon, coconuts were ceremoniously crashed to the pavement sending exploded juices in different directions before the oncoming march of people chanting Hare Krishna.
I think anything ‘new’ bedazzles people. It challenges monotony.
So, for two hours, our parade went straight on 8th Avenue up to the armory, its usual route. This then makes it a pilgrimage because of the nature of the event. It is not a military march, a protest, or an aimless stroll. This festival, known as Ratha Yatra, is a reenactment of Krishna’s consort, Radha, attempting to lure Krishna back to His home rural village of Vrindavan. At least this is one aspect of the event.
Hundreds came to partake in this walk, which to my guess is a simple 3 to 4 kilometre stretch. My interpretation is an attempt to lure people away from their cars and get them on their feet. This is good. To me, Calgary seems to be a real car town, not so pedestrian prone, except for the trails along the Bow River. This is where you find runners, walkers, and cyclers a plenty.
Meanwhile, all went well with the parade, and the truck pulled a flat bed wagon, on which I sat part of the way. I am not getting lazy, it is on that wagon that the musicians sat churning out the mantra, along with a cheerful turbaned Punjabi man who tapped rhythmically on the two ends of his bhangra drum. Outside of the chariot this guy looked the brightest.
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Calgary Too
Calgary’s 8th Avenue is the most promising thoroughfare for another chariot event. Café sitters and people strolling about could hear a distant booming of the bhangra and mrdanga drums. At 12 sharp, high noon, coconuts were ceremoniously crashed to the pavement sending exploded juices in different directions before the oncoming march of people chanting Hare Krishna.
I think anything ‘new’ bedazzles people. It challenges monotony.
So, for two hours, our parade went straight on 8th Avenue up to the armory, its usual route. This then makes it a pilgrimage because of the nature of the event. It is not a military march, a protest, or an aimless stroll. This festival, known as Ratha Yatra, is a reenactment of Krishna’s consort, Radha, attempting to lure Krishna back to His home rural village of Vrindavan. At least this is one aspect of the event.
Hundreds came to partake in this walk, which to my guess is a simple 3 to 4 kilometre stretch. My interpretation is an attempt to lure people away from their cars and get them on their feet. This is good. To me, Calgary seems to be a real car town, not so pedestrian prone, except for the trails along the Bow River. This is where you find runners, walkers, and cyclers a plenty.
Meanwhile, all went well with the parade, and the truck pulled a flat bed wagon, on which I sat part of the way. I am not getting lazy, it is on that wagon that the musicians sat churning out the mantra, along with a cheerful turbaned Punjabi man who tapped rhythmically on the two ends of his bhangra drum. Outside of the chariot this guy looked the brightest.
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Friday, July 18th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Will Perpetuate
Rain has hit the prairies more than once, especially for farmers. It also makes conditions very conducive for mosquito proliferation. This is not everyone’s cup of tea. Our bus’s front window gets plastered by the bugs. The very faithful and dutiful, Dravanaksha, one of our chief drivers, pulled over the large heap of metal with precious cargo inside (22 nice teenage boys), and lathered with huge brush, water and soap, that expansive window, causing bountiful bodies of bugs to slide off. It didn’t take long, though, before a new splatter of bugs replaced the old ones.
Today, I squeezed in 4 kilometres through Willow Grove subdivision, walking with 14 year old Jay. This was not at bug hour, but at midday. Sun and wind were forceful, though. Will anything be other than an onslaught in this world?
At 5:30 PM, the first Chariot Festival for Saskatoon kicked off. It was somewhat chaotic at the start, understandably so, and total order never really manifest, especially at our presentation time at the quaint Lakshmi Narayan temple. The building was crammed, joyfully, by yogis, Hindus, new agers, and bhaktas or devotees of Krishna. It was stuffy and seating was inadequate. However, I am forever proud of what one devotional couple can do in mobilizing a whole crew of people in a town curious as to what The Festival of India, and and Indian chariot for that matter, would look like. Kashyapa and Panchami organized this first event with lots of enthusiasm. The numbers of people that showed up surprised us. People liked what they saw and heard. An improved venue should be on the prairie horizon in the future. Once such a program begins, it is likely to perpetuate. We thank donors and all who physically contributed to the event.
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Will Perpetuate
Rain has hit the prairies more than once, especially for farmers. It also makes conditions very conducive for mosquito proliferation. This is not everyone’s cup of tea. Our bus’s front window gets plastered by the bugs. The very faithful and dutiful, Dravanaksha, one of our chief drivers, pulled over the large heap of metal with precious cargo inside (22 nice teenage boys), and lathered with huge brush, water and soap, that expansive window, causing bountiful bodies of bugs to slide off. It didn’t take long, though, before a new splatter of bugs replaced the old ones.
Today, I squeezed in 4 kilometres through Willow Grove subdivision, walking with 14 year old Jay. This was not at bug hour, but at midday. Sun and wind were forceful, though. Will anything be other than an onslaught in this world?
At 5:30 PM, the first Chariot Festival for Saskatoon kicked off. It was somewhat chaotic at the start, understandably so, and total order never really manifest, especially at our presentation time at the quaint Lakshmi Narayan temple. The building was crammed, joyfully, by yogis, Hindus, new agers, and bhaktas or devotees of Krishna. It was stuffy and seating was inadequate. However, I am forever proud of what one devotional couple can do in mobilizing a whole crew of people in a town curious as to what The Festival of India, and and Indian chariot for that matter, would look like. Kashyapa and Panchami organized this first event with lots of enthusiasm. The numbers of people that showed up surprised us. People liked what they saw and heard. An improved venue should be on the prairie horizon in the future. Once such a program begins, it is likely to perpetuate. We thank donors and all who physically contributed to the event.
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Thursday, July 17th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Regina, Saskatchewan
Shoe Happy
I’m really satisfied with my new pair of Keen shoes. I picked them up from a shop on Danforth Street in Toronto. The clerk charged no tax, perhaps he was charmed by a monk.
I’ve had no issues with breaking into these shoes – no blisters or callouses. They are snug on the feet, but are a trite heavier than Crocs. For short term treks, such as the ones I’m currently going through, these shoes will be fine. Time will tell.
I’m in Regina. Our bus parked at the Husky Gas Station at night on Victoria Ave. when I decided to make my way to the local ashram on Retallack Street. These days, Regina and the province of Saskatchewan, are booming. Natural resources had something to do with that. Of course, it welcomes extra traffic. Road madness hustled hustled along Victoria, which is where I happened to trek. I had the fortune to walk a worn, unconventional trail where regular earth is as comfy for feet as asphalt is for tires. I really was in awe at the insistence of road rage next to me. I was glad when I finally reached the downtown which was quieter, and especially when a young oriental fellow asked about my assumed Buddhism.
“Actually, it’s Hare Krishna, with roots from India, and which also outdates Buddhism.” He gave a nod and then dashed off to cross the street and off to work, I assumed.
Our ashram in Regina is not in the best neighbourhood. When I asked some folks where the nearest drug store is and where I could get a particular prescription drug, everyone seems to know where legal drugs are located, and perhaps, the other kind as well.
Our bus tour group went on to do a performance once again – chanting, magic show with Dattatreya, and our drama, “Little Big Ramayan”. What a feel good program. That’s what this is all about, it is about community strengthening and reinforcement, that our little travelling road show offers. It is also effective as outreach. Newcomers have something experiential. I’m sure guru and Krishna are pleased. Our show was all done in barefoot, though, no shoes required.
May the Source be with you!
8 KM
Shoe Happy
I’m really satisfied with my new pair of Keen shoes. I picked them up from a shop on Danforth Street in Toronto. The clerk charged no tax, perhaps he was charmed by a monk.
I’ve had no issues with breaking into these shoes – no blisters or callouses. They are snug on the feet, but are a trite heavier than Crocs. For short term treks, such as the ones I’m currently going through, these shoes will be fine. Time will tell.
I’m in Regina. Our bus parked at the Husky Gas Station at night on Victoria Ave. when I decided to make my way to the local ashram on Retallack Street. These days, Regina and the province of Saskatchewan, are booming. Natural resources had something to do with that. Of course, it welcomes extra traffic. Road madness hustled hustled along Victoria, which is where I happened to trek. I had the fortune to walk a worn, unconventional trail where regular earth is as comfy for feet as asphalt is for tires. I really was in awe at the insistence of road rage next to me. I was glad when I finally reached the downtown which was quieter, and especially when a young oriental fellow asked about my assumed Buddhism.
“Actually, it’s Hare Krishna, with roots from India, and which also outdates Buddhism.” He gave a nod and then dashed off to cross the street and off to work, I assumed.
Our ashram in Regina is not in the best neighbourhood. When I asked some folks where the nearest drug store is and where I could get a particular prescription drug, everyone seems to know where legal drugs are located, and perhaps, the other kind as well.
Our bus tour group went on to do a performance once again – chanting, magic show with Dattatreya, and our drama, “Little Big Ramayan”. What a feel good program. That’s what this is all about, it is about community strengthening and reinforcement, that our little travelling road show offers. It is also effective as outreach. Newcomers have something experiential. I’m sure guru and Krishna are pleased. Our show was all done in barefoot, though, no shoes required.
May the Source be with you!
8 KM
Wednesday, July 16th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Winnipeg, Manitoba
In All You Do
The Unitarian Church just off of the Assiniboine River became the venue for our evening devotional show. It’s an impressive place. Limestone blocks give it that stately look. Roger, a member of the church, and our ‘on-site man’, was there to assist us in our preparation. He is just the right kind of guy for the job.
I see the devotion, bhakti, in him. I don’t believe that one group of spiritualists, even our own Krishna movement, has a monopoly on it. I will say that these common ground feelings run through my veins being in the presence of Roger and in such a sacred space.
When we say, “Krishna is everywhere”, just as someone might say, “Brahman is everywhere,” “God is everywhere,” “Divinity is everywhere,” what really is the difference in terms of perception?
Preparation for the evening program all culminated in a great show with an appreciative audience. The space and acoustics were great, as was the layout of the building’s interior.
Some temples I visit are cluttered with mismatched furniture and paraphernalia. This place was tastefully done with its placement of things. Perhaps the attendees felt the space to be cared for and that was one of the reasons for the joy they felt this evening.
Devotion can be applied in all facets of life. It is not limited to how you execute some rituals, or how you put out your mantra. It is an implementation in all you do. Check 9.27 from the Bhagavad Gita.
May the Source be with you!
2 KM
In All You Do
The Unitarian Church just off of the Assiniboine River became the venue for our evening devotional show. It’s an impressive place. Limestone blocks give it that stately look. Roger, a member of the church, and our ‘on-site man’, was there to assist us in our preparation. He is just the right kind of guy for the job.
I see the devotion, bhakti, in him. I don’t believe that one group of spiritualists, even our own Krishna movement, has a monopoly on it. I will say that these common ground feelings run through my veins being in the presence of Roger and in such a sacred space.
When we say, “Krishna is everywhere”, just as someone might say, “Brahman is everywhere,” “God is everywhere,” “Divinity is everywhere,” what really is the difference in terms of perception?
Preparation for the evening program all culminated in a great show with an appreciative audience. The space and acoustics were great, as was the layout of the building’s interior.
Some temples I visit are cluttered with mismatched furniture and paraphernalia. This place was tastefully done with its placement of things. Perhaps the attendees felt the space to be cared for and that was one of the reasons for the joy they felt this evening.
Devotion can be applied in all facets of life. It is not limited to how you execute some rituals, or how you put out your mantra. It is an implementation in all you do. Check 9.27 from the Bhagavad Gita.
May the Source be with you!
2 KM
Tuesday, July 15th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Beyond Liberation
My friend, Gaura, and I, took a short trek under the spit of rain in Toronto. Not ignoring the dripping trees, we noticed a black cherry tree. Again, this is right in our neighbourhood where such juicy bounties can be found just hanging right there. Strange that humans generally take so little interest in what is so natural and so ‘under your nose’. So be it. Leave the organic stuff for the squirrel, the raccoon, or the odd monk, and let humans access the GMO’d commercial bought, what we call, ‘food’.
Not long after black cherries darkened the lips, Gaura and I returned to the temple ashram and sat for a Bhagavatam class conducted by Kaliyapani, a long time devotee from the UK, reminding all those attending that the goal of life is liberation, freedom from ongoing births in this world. The class was well delivered.
Those of us who have routined ourselves to devotional activities for some years now, put a life of bhakti, devotion, above liberation itself. Just to give an example of what I’m talking about, when I arrived at Thunder Bay for its annual Festival of India, I came to this realization regarding liberation. What did I see there at Marina Park off of Lake Superior? I saw crowds of happy people, about 6,000, engrossed in spiritual culture. The food, the dance, music, pretty clothes (very colourful), incense, spiritual books, popcorn, lemonade and ice cream were all featured. Thunder Bay bursts with bhakti this time of year, and my great fortune to be here serving others by simply giving the message of Krishna Consciousness, allows me to touch the tip of liberation, or better still, to ride on its back. Freedom truly comes from serving and telling others of a better life that is alien to that mundane greedy existence of our modern world.
May the Source be with you!
3 KM
Beyond Liberation
My friend, Gaura, and I, took a short trek under the spit of rain in Toronto. Not ignoring the dripping trees, we noticed a black cherry tree. Again, this is right in our neighbourhood where such juicy bounties can be found just hanging right there. Strange that humans generally take so little interest in what is so natural and so ‘under your nose’. So be it. Leave the organic stuff for the squirrel, the raccoon, or the odd monk, and let humans access the GMO’d commercial bought, what we call, ‘food’.
Not long after black cherries darkened the lips, Gaura and I returned to the temple ashram and sat for a Bhagavatam class conducted by Kaliyapani, a long time devotee from the UK, reminding all those attending that the goal of life is liberation, freedom from ongoing births in this world. The class was well delivered.
Those of us who have routined ourselves to devotional activities for some years now, put a life of bhakti, devotion, above liberation itself. Just to give an example of what I’m talking about, when I arrived at Thunder Bay for its annual Festival of India, I came to this realization regarding liberation. What did I see there at Marina Park off of Lake Superior? I saw crowds of happy people, about 6,000, engrossed in spiritual culture. The food, the dance, music, pretty clothes (very colourful), incense, spiritual books, popcorn, lemonade and ice cream were all featured. Thunder Bay bursts with bhakti this time of year, and my great fortune to be here serving others by simply giving the message of Krishna Consciousness, allows me to touch the tip of liberation, or better still, to ride on its back. Freedom truly comes from serving and telling others of a better life that is alien to that mundane greedy existence of our modern world.
May the Source be with you!
3 KM
Ratha Yatra in Prague , Czech Republic (Album 42 photos)
→ Dandavats.com
"In the age of Kali, intelligent persons peform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions." Read more › July 21st, 2014 – Darshan
→ Mayapur.com
The post July 21st, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Why is it that students of yoga seem to be one of the most difficult audiences to transform into devotees of Krsna?
→ SivaramaSwami.com
Hundreds of school children attend ISKCON program
→ Mayapur.com
Yesterday the School Preaching Department of ISKCON Mayapur had a Nadia Gaurav Festival, this was a humble endeavor by His Holiness Bhakti Purushottam Swami Maharaj to spread the glories of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to all the educational institutes of Nadia. The books depicting the life history of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu were distributed to all the […]
The post Hundreds of school children attend ISKCON program appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Initiation Ceremony in Iskcon Brighton, UK ( min 3 video)
→ Dandavats.com
Great afternoon at Temple Street UK. Initiation (diksa) is the transmission of transcendental knowledge (divya-jnana). The meaning of diksa is to surrender and follow the instructions of the genuine spiritual master who is an authorized representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Read more › Cream for Krishna
→ Dandavats.com
From Govinda Maṅgala by Duhkhi Shyamdas
Duhkhi Shyamdas, also known as Duhkhishyam, lived in the late 1500s. He was a disciple of Srila Shyamananda Pandit and an accomplished poet. He was born in the village Hariharpur in the Kedarkund district, about sixteen miles east of Midnapore. His parents were Srimukha De and Bhavani. Read more › Best Harinama ever for Iskcon Gamla Stan, Stockholms Län, Sweden? (Album 99 photos)
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Krsna's sublime form is as identical to Him as His holy name. Remembering and chanting Krsna's name immediately invokes His beautiful form in the mind, and both dance there harmoniously like inseparable partners. Read more › New Govardhana Family Picnic, Vacation Isle in San Diego, California (Album 84 photos)
→ Dandavats.com
The New govardhana Family first picnic of the year July 19th 2014. Krsna's sublime form is as identical to Him as His holy name. Remembering and chanting Krsna's name immediately invokes His beautiful form in the mind, and both dance there harmoniously like inseparable partners. Read more › Michigan Rathyatra 2014 (Album 133 photos)
→ Dandavats.com
Photography Courtesy: Arjun Bhattacharyya. Lord Krsna is the nondual Absolute Object who perfectly manifests Himself through the four features of name, form, qualities and pastimes. Each one of these features is fully potent and able to express Him in totality. They exist and are sustained by the Lord's sandhini potency, and they are eternal and transcendental. As Lord Krsna attracts all living entities, similarly the holy name, which is not different from Him, also attracts everyone. Read more › 2014 07 05 SB 10 47 27 Feelings of Separation of Devotees From Krishna Adi Keshava Prabhu ISKCON
→ Gouranga TV - The Hare Krishna video collection
2014 07 05 SB 10 47 27 Feelings of Separation of Devotees From Krishna Adi Keshava Prabhu ISKCON
Mahabharata characters 63 Duryodhana 2 Krishna’s magnanimity vs Duryodhna’s obstinacy
→ The Spiritual Scientist
This talk is a part of the "Fascinating Mahabharata Characters" series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com
Malaga Retreat 2014 Ecstacies
Bhakti Charu Swami
Pictures posted by Amita Krishna Prabhu.
Removing the Darkness of Kali Yuga
→ travelingmonk.com
Every day we chant the holy names of the Lord for hours along the beaches of the Baltic Sea coast. Each evening thousands of people attend our festivals and many chant along with us. We are happy and satisfied serving the mission of our glorious spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. “When people properly glorify the Supreme [...]
HG Nityananda Chandra Prabhu – Testing the waters of the ocean of devotion
→ Kalachandji's Audio Archive
HG Narottamananda Prabhu & HG Mother Sucarya / CC Madhya-lila
→ Kalachandji's Audio Archive
Give up suffering!
→ KKSBlog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 08 June 2014, Stockholm, Sweden, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.14)
We are not against material desires – no problem at all! Material enjoyment and material desires are no problem but no sinful desires and no sinful enjoyment are allowed. That is where the borderline is. There is scope for enjoying the material energy, it is not by renunciation that one can attain the spiritual world; it is by service and by love! By serving Krsna and developing love for Krsna, we can rise above this material energy.
It is only then that we will naturally lose the taste for the lower things. Sinful activities are to be given up and that maybe difficult at first because for a long time, we were accustomed to some forbidden activities. But those activities do not bring happiness, sinful activities bring us suffering and misery. They bring suffering, different types of suffering. So therefore, it is not much to give up really because what we really give up is suffering.
Even pious enjoyment can capture the mind! Even that which is allowed can still capture the mind and one starts dwelling on such enjoyment. Therefore, we see that some wise persons, they leave that also, they say, “Forget it, you know, why even bother with this enjoyment.” Because even desires for material enjoyment, which is allowed, can never fully satisfy the mind anyway!
This Is The Greatest Gift
→ Japa Group
From Here is Srila Prabhupada
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
A Devotee Sees the Good in Everyone, July 14, New Dvaraka, Los Angeles
Giriraj Swami
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.7.33 during the morning class.
“Lord Siva said, ‘My dear beautiful Parvati, have you seen the greatness of Vaisnavas?’ He was referring to Citraketu. ‘Although you are beautiful and glorious, you cannot compete with the beauty and glory of devotees who are servants of the servants of the Supreme Lord Hari. They are great souls and are not interested in any kind of material happiness.’ Then he said,
narayana-parah sarve
na kutascana bibhyati
svargapavarga-narakesv
api tulyartha-darsinah
‘Devotees solely engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, never fear any condition of life. For them the heavenly planets, liberation, and the hellish planets are all the same, for such devotees are interested only in the service of the Lord.’ (SB 6.17.28)
“After Parvati heard Citraketu’s discourse and her husband’s (Siva’s) explanation, she became peaceful; she realized that Citraketu had not actually been offensive to Lord Siva, and she felt ashamed for having misunderstood him and cursed him.”
Practical religion
→ Servant of the Servant
The problem with mainstream religion such as Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Judaism is that at some point the practitioner has to give up rational thinking and just start to "believe". Rational thinkers including the empirical ones have a field day with such dogmatic belief. Actually, there is lot of unverifiable dogma in science too that forms the very basis of modern science. So there is dogma in both except in science belief or as they call it assumptions only form the basis for a theory but in religion the whole experience is on the mental platform (dogmatic) with no verifiable experience. Therefore as science is advancing especially through tech trinkets or science fiction gadgets, religion is losing its value.
Another reason I think religion is becoming less of a reference point in modern day living is because it has no practical relevance to people. For example what does religion have to say about social ills such as poverty? Is there a strategy to use religious values as espoused in popular scripture to solve poverty? How about household problems such as divorce or domestic violence? Do we have religious solutions? Rarely you will find a pastor or priest heading a panel dealing with social, political or economical problems. So mainstream popular religions are happy just to use God in manner of "belief" versus "non-belief". Beyond this there is little religion can offer to society today. I agree it is important to "believe" in a life beyond life as it provides some hope for the after-life but if mainstream religion does not offer real-world solutions confronting households and society at large, then religion will simply become a hobby of sorts or merely armchair philosophy.
Bhagavad Dharma, on the other hand as enunciaed by modern day saint Srila Prabhupada, provides us with practical methods or strategies to deal with mental, physical and spiritual problems on an individual level, community level and or global level. If we adopt the methods given by Prabhupada rest assured our social, economic and political problems can be solved and simultaneously cultivate our dormant spiritual attraction for God.
Below is a statement that provides a glimpse into the magnanimous thought of Prabhupada and how he saw Bhagavad Dharma's capacity to change the entire world.
"Human society, at the present moment, is not in the darkness of oblivion. It has made rapid progress in the fields of material comforts, education and economic development throughout the entire world. But there is a pinprick somewhere in the social body at large, and therefore there are large-scale quarrels, even over less important issues. There is need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of the entire human society" - Srila Prabhupada
We only have to accept his words and practically apply it in our lives.
Hare Krishna
Another reason I think religion is becoming less of a reference point in modern day living is because it has no practical relevance to people. For example what does religion have to say about social ills such as poverty? Is there a strategy to use religious values as espoused in popular scripture to solve poverty? How about household problems such as divorce or domestic violence? Do we have religious solutions? Rarely you will find a pastor or priest heading a panel dealing with social, political or economical problems. So mainstream popular religions are happy just to use God in manner of "belief" versus "non-belief". Beyond this there is little religion can offer to society today. I agree it is important to "believe" in a life beyond life as it provides some hope for the after-life but if mainstream religion does not offer real-world solutions confronting households and society at large, then religion will simply become a hobby of sorts or merely armchair philosophy.
Bhagavad Dharma, on the other hand as enunciaed by modern day saint Srila Prabhupada, provides us with practical methods or strategies to deal with mental, physical and spiritual problems on an individual level, community level and or global level. If we adopt the methods given by Prabhupada rest assured our social, economic and political problems can be solved and simultaneously cultivate our dormant spiritual attraction for God.
Below is a statement that provides a glimpse into the magnanimous thought of Prabhupada and how he saw Bhagavad Dharma's capacity to change the entire world.
"Human society, at the present moment, is not in the darkness of oblivion. It has made rapid progress in the fields of material comforts, education and economic development throughout the entire world. But there is a pinprick somewhere in the social body at large, and therefore there are large-scale quarrels, even over less important issues. There is need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of the entire human society" - Srila Prabhupada
We only have to accept his words and practically apply it in our lives.
Hare Krishna
Matchless Gifts Service Opportunity
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Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Matchless Gifts is looking for a residential devote to preach in London, service include preaching programs, prasad distribution, and keeping the temple in order.
your servant
Parasuram Das
contact me on foodforalluk@gmail.com
Photo is off singer/artist Pete Doherty who kindly donated £2,500 last week
Manchesters 6th Ratha-yatra
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19 July 2014
Cathedral Gardens, Manchester
6th Ratha-yatra festival of chariots
Travelling up for the Welsh Valleys in the pouring rain to an even wetter Manchester City Centre to join the local devotees celebrate their 6th Ratha-yatra festival.
The cart arrived along with some amazing Prasadam by HG Parsharam Das who arrived at the same time as HH Mahavishu Swami and within a few minutes the festival started and Manchester rocked to the sounds of the Holy Names of Krishna.
Given how wet the day was the Manchester clouds broke and the sun came shining through, the children pushed a small Rath-cart whilst those a little older helped pull the slightly bigger cart; a short route but one that definitely was worth the long journey.
The sun shone up till I started my journey back to the Welsh Valleys, but the effort was well worth it, so I would encourage you all to join us all next year for Manchester 7th Ratha-yatra festival, and just to wet your appetite the video of this years should inspire you.
Vrindavana roads about to be improved
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The Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority (MVDA) has made a blue print to beautify the approach roads leading to the different heritage sites of Vraj, which fall under the Mathura District. While beautifying the approach roads, the surrounding lanes around the heritage temples will also be repaired. The plan also includes the building of public conveniences around the heritage sites. The plan includes Mathura, Vrindavan, Goverdhan, Nand Gaon,Varsana, Gokul and Baldeo. Gokul, Baldeo and Varsana don’t come under the periphery of the MVDA. Varsana will be soon included in the MVDA area, as the proposal of its inclusion has been resolved in its board meeting. Read more › Blissful chanting at the Centro Vaikuntha of Bologna, Italy (Album 75 photos)
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The Lord, considering the jivas' welfare, descended in Kali-yuga along with His holy name to propagate the yugadharma (the religion of the age). By taking up the yugadharma the jiva attains love of Krsna: he has only to remember the Supreme Lord's name (namasmarana or japa) and chant the Lord's name congregationally (namasankirtan). Read more › Lecture – SB 7.7.22 Guru Or Gauru
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SB 07.07.22 Guru Or Gauru 2012-12-20
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.7.22 Guru Or Gauru 2012-12-20 Los Angeles
Lecture – SB 7.7.21 The Process of Recognizing Krishna
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SB 07.07.21 The Process of Recognizing Krishna 2012-12-19
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.7.21 The Process of Recognizing Krishna 2012-12-19 Los Angeles (Ayurveda)
Lecture – SB 7.7.19-20 Victim of the bad things and Hero of the good
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SB 07.07.19-20 Victim of the bad things and Hero of the good 2012-12-18 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.7.19-20 Victim of the bad things and Hero of the good 2012-12-18 Los Angeles AKA Dolls Play
Lecture – SB 7.7.12-14 Lack of Understanding, Faith, & Experience
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SB 07.07.12-14 Lack of Understanding, Faith, & Experience 2012-12-12
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.7.12-14 Lack of Understanding, Faith, & Experience 2012-12-12 Los Angeles
Lecture – SB 7.7.10 Can a devotee of Krishna be murdered or killed?
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SB 07.07.10 Can a devotee of Krishna be murdered or killed? 2012-12-10
Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.7.10 Can a devotee of Krishna be murdered or killed? 2012-12-10 Los Angeles “Are we devotees or are we demons?” Protection. Pakora Das.
Lecture – BG 2.62 Sunday Feast – Naturally Happy
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BG 02.62 Sunday Feast – Naturally Happy 2012-12-09
Lecture – Bhagavad Gita 2.62 Sunday Feast – Naturally Happy 2012-12-09 Los Angeles
Why would God revealed himself if we’re sure that he’s not going to be there?
ISKCON New Govardhana, Australia: Radha Govardhandhari’s 35th Installation Anniversary, 20 July 2014 (Album 55 photos)
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The temple is situated in New South Wales’ picturesque Tweed Valley, full of lush green mountains, rolling farmland, and towering rainforests, and often capped by neverending blue skies. The climate is sub-tropical, and the temple lies forty minutes from the beach. The nearest town, Murwillumbah, has a population of only 13,000, mostly farmers, but has an alternative flair with many vegetarians and lots of other religious/spiritual denominations. Read more › Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-07-20 14:44:00 →
1967 July 20: "I am feeling too much to return to Vrindaban at the lotus feet of Vrindaban Bihari Lord Krishna; and therefore I have decided to return to India immediately. By the mercy of Krishna somehow or other, I have received air passage, and I am expecting to leave Saturday next."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-07-20 14:43:00 →
1967 July 20: "The Holy Name of Hare Krishna is now being chanted not only in this country but also in England, Holland and Mexico, that I know of. Therefore it is a need that this movement must be spread all over this country. Please therefore fully cooperate with me."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-07-20 14:41:00 →
1969 July 20: "We have so many other things to discuss; what is the soul, what is bhakti. To understand Radha and Krishna's Pastimes, that is our aim, but we should not indulge in this at present. Then there is sure to be misunderstanding."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969