I Wanted To Chant With Care
→ Japa Group


I wanted to chant with care in my moral and spiritual feelings toward Nama Prabhu. Seeing Radha-Govinda helped because They are tenderness personified. I wanted to chant like a lover. I chanted in a subdued way, because I had to because of my head. But it also lent itself towards feelings of warmth and sympathy, gentle and delicate. One should handle the holy name in that way. It was a nice feeling. I’d like to always chant in that way.

From Japa Transformations
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

2014-09-12 pictures of the Turkish Iskcon yatra retreat (Album 71 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

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

Mahatma prabhu’s latest live recording of Brahma Samhita in Argentina (42 min. audio)
→ Dandavats.com

The Brahma Saṁhitā is a Sanskrit Pañcarātra text, composed of verses of prayer spoken by Brahma glorifying the supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa or Govinda at the beginning of creation. It is revered within Gauḍiya Vaiṣṇavism, whose founder, Caitanya Mahāprabhu (1486–1534), re-discovered a part of the work, the 62 verses of Chapter 5, at the Adikeshav Temple in Thiruvattar, Tamil Nadu, South India in the 16th Century which had previously been lost for a few centuries. Read more ›

Daily Association with Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura through His Divine Songs (16 min video)
→ Dandavats.com

All over the world thousands and thousands of Gaudiya Vaishnavas take daily association with Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura through His divine songs. What are those songs and how devotees get a chance to hear or sing those songs in their daily devotional service are narrated in this theme. The theme has been composed by HG Vaishnavanghri Sevaka Das. Read more ›

The Turning Point
→ Matsya Avatar das adhikari


Thirty-eight years ago, on 30 August 1976, for the first time  I met Shrila Prabhupada in a personal darshana... it was a turning point of my life, a wonderful inner journey!
I was in an ashram in Rishikesh, at the foot of the Himalayas, studying the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. In Italy I had been a successful designer, the manager of six companies. Upon returning from the trip I was supposed to get married, but at the time, in that place, I was seriously thinking of leaving everything and settle in India. That pseudo worldly success made me feel like prison, as not only it was no longer a source of satisfaction, but it became clear to me that it was the biggest obstacle to achieving happiness that I have been aspiring.
The recurring thought was to start a new life dedicating myself to the search of God and my spiritual essence. When I became aware of the voice of my soul I felt a strong appeal - it was an urgent need to revise my life, to think over my motivations and purposes. I understood that it was a turning point.
On that trip I was with a friend who has been always sick. Feverish, he remained for most of the time in our ashrama right on the banks of the Ganges. There was no furniture in the room, only two mats on the floor, his huge suitcase, my smaller one, a small window with a grate and a door with a latch. Each time we left the room, through the grates of the window the monkeys came in; they were having a lot of fun, especially with the bottles of medicines that the doctor had given to my friend.
It was in that ashrama that I met a sadhu, the person who has changed my life. Instead of attending the lectures on Patanjali, we walked together on the banks of Mother Ganga.
One day he said: “If you do not discover Bhakti, nothing will satisfy you.” Bhakti, Bhakti ... I asked to explain the meaning of this word.
"If I explain its meaning to you, you won't understand me.”
This sadhu spoke English with difficulty, but there was no need in too much words, it was a kind of telepathic communication.
"Bhakti is difficult to explain, only your heart can define it." And he began to chant this mantra:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
We would spend hours chanting along with this mantra, then we would immerse in the waters of Mother Ganga: a rushing stream that takes away everything.
"You have to meet Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada: he will make you know Krishna. Go to Vrindavan to meet him."
Hearing that voice deep inside me, without pondering too much, I left for Delhi along with my sick friend. From Delhi we took a train to Mathura and then in Mathura we took a cart for Vrindavan. Having arrived to Vrindavan in two days, I began to look for Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

The Essence of Srila Prabhupada’s New Vrindaban Vision in One Sublime Sentence – January 1973
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

New Vrindaban Prabhupada, Radha Damodara Janmastami Vyasa Puja 1972

Srila Prabhupada seated to the left of Their Lordships Radha Damodara & Jagannath, Baladeva & Subhadra during the New Vrindaban Janmastami & Vyasa Puja celebrations – September 1972.

“You are actually learning in New Vrindaban the self-sufficient mode of living, simple living, high thinking, that is our policy, and as long as Krsna remains in the center of all these activities, then you are actually in Vrindavan.”

Click here to read the rest of the letter.

Thanks to Vanipedia for the source material.

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-09-13 03:46:00 →

1965 September 13:
"Lord Krishna has taken charge of the ship. The captain tells that they had never such calmness of the Atlantic. If Atlantic would have shown its usual face I would have died. Today I have disclosed my mind to my companion Lord Sri Krishna. There is a Bengali poem made by me today in this connection, Prayer to the Lotus Feet of Krsna."
Jaladuta Diary :: 1965

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-09-13 03:45:00 →

1965 September 13:
"O dear friend, in Your company I will experience great joy once again. In the early morning I will wander about the cowherd pastures and fields. Running and frolicking in the many forests of Vraja, I will roll on the ground in spiritual ecstasy. Oh when will that day be mine?

"Today that remembrance of You came to me in a very nice way. Because I have a great longing I called to You. I am Your eternal servant and therefore I desire Your association so much. O Lord Krsna, except for You there is no other means of success."
[Prayer to the Lotus Feet of Krsna]
Jalduta Diary :: 1965

World Holy Name Week: Day 9
→ ISKCON Malaysia

BY HH RADHANATH SWAMI

KUALA LUMPUR - When we are chanting the holy names in congregation, if the leader of the kirtan sings one melody and everybody in the group decides to sing in whatever melody they like best, the resulting sound won’t be so melodious. Therefore, whether we like the melody or don’t like the melody, everybody surrenders to sing the same. So in this way, for a kirtan to sound beautiful and sweet it needs cooperation. Cooperation means the higher principle. We may have preference for a melody and preference for a speed or a style, but we all accept in unity to follow the leader. When is the kirtan harmonious? When there are so many people. It’s tumultuous sound, it’s a beautiful sound. We can’t hear just one voice during the chorus; yes, we hear one voice, but that one voice is actually the sound of everyone’s voice. That’s our offering to God. And why is it so pleasing to the Lord? Because we are all cooperating for higher purpose; we are all united for the pleasure of the centre or Krishna in spite of all our differences.

Some may have very melodious and sweet voices trained in classical singing; others may crock like frogs by material standards. Some may be children with high shrilled voices; others may be very old people with chocked up voices; and still others may be very young screaming out. There are men, women, old and young. There are people from different nationalities, different races, but the voice becomes one—the voice of our common unity for a higher purpose than ourselves. So God hears that, but he is also hearing each and every individual’s voice according to what they sound like.

We may be just moving our lips so that other people think that we are chanting, but God sees that we are not chanting. Not only does he see, but he hears. He hears what we sound like, our volume, our melody, and our rhythm. Simultaneously, God hears intention of every single person. What do we want? Why are we chanting? Are we chanting just because everybody else is chanting? Are we chanting because we want good grades in exams? Or are we chanting because we want unalloyed pure devotional service? God hears one voice of our unity while simultaneously he hears every single devotee’s voice. He is feeling, seeing, and hearing our desire, our intention, our motives. This is actually what is happening during congregational chanting. God is going to reciprocate and manifest himself to each and every individual, and collectively to everyone, and to the world, according to all of these different considerations and many more.

Join us for Sunday Feast from 11.00am-2.00pm — Hear and associate with His Grace Vaisnava Dasa for this Sunday’s Vedic Discourse**Srila Prabhupada’s Journey to USA**
→ ISKCON Brampton


Sunday Love Feast

When?
Sunday,Sep 14th,2014
Program starts at 11 am

Where?
6 George Street South
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 1P3, Canada
Park underground(free) @ City Hall
Phone:416-648-3312

New! Listen
Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog
Make a Donation
Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.20
bile batorukrama-vikramān ye
na śṛṇvataḥ karṇa-puṭe narasya
jihvāsatī dārdurikeva sūta
na copagāyaty urugāya-gāthāḥ
TRANSLATION
"One who has not listened to the messages about the prowess and marvelous acts of the Personality of Godhead and has not sung or chanted loudly the worthy songs about the Lord is to be considered to possess earholes like that of the snakes and a tongue like that of the frogs."


Program Schedule
11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja                                           
11.15 - 11.30     Guru Puja                                            
11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                      
11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                  
12.00 – 1:00     Vedic discourse
  1:00 –  1:30      Closing Kirtan
 
COMING UP AHEAD
Indira Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Sep 19th,2014
Breakfast................. on Sep 20th,2014 b/w 7.02am-11.07am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.


ON GOING EVERY SATURDAY
Bhagavad Gita Classes(New Session)
Started on Sep 6th,2014

Course fees: $125.00 per Student and  $75.00 for family members of Student(Prasadam and study material included).Mone is payable to ISKCON Brampton....tax receipts will be provided.
Join our new session of  Bhagavad Gita Course with His Grace Vaisnava Dasa from 8.45am-12.00pm and get certified from Bhaktivedanta College at the completion of this course towards Bhakti Sastri Degree.The course duration is approximately 10 weeks.To register please contact Vaisnava Dasa Prabhu in person or via email[vaishnavadas@icloud.com]


ON GOING EVERY SUNDAY
ISKCON Brampton Yoga and Wellness

Empower your mind and strengthen your body as you move through a series of meaningful poses.Mother Rashmi Ahuja will be conducting Yoga Classes every Sunday from 10am-11am before our Sunday Feast Program at ISKCON Brampton.These classes will be focussed on promoting our physical and mental well being.(Please bring your yoga mat)
Please Register here:
Email:rashmis.yoga@facebook.com 
Facebook page:Yoga and Satvic Nutrition with Rashmi
Contacts:416.569.6373 or 905.488.7272
Nutrition Help & Diet Tips

Mother Rashmi Ahuja is offering free one to one consultations and development of Individualized Nutrition Plans on Sundays between 1:30 - 3pm. Please contact (416)569-6373 or (905)488-7272 to book an appointment.

Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).
 
Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment in order to support those with allergies. Your cooperation is appreciated.
 
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy!