New Vrindaban Board Discusses Many Positive Projects and Challenges Ahead
→ ISKCON News

Board members and residents visit Vrindaville, a new development of 1-4 acre land plots that devotees can purchase for building homes.   The semi-annual joint board meetings with ECO-Vrindaban, ISKCON New Vrindaban, and the Village Council took place on October 21-23rd. Members met in multiple sessions to discuss the achievements of 2022 and speak about […]

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ISKCON Communications Conference on Unity in Diversity
→ ISKCON News

The Third ISKCON Communications Global Online Conference was held on Saturday November 5th 2022 on the topic of Unity In Diversity. Her Grace Vishakha Devis Dasi, president of the Bhaktivedanta Manor and renowned author/film-maker, highlighted the various approaches Srila Prabhupada used in resolving differences amongst his disciples as he navigated the unprecedented growth of ISKCON […]

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Sri Nimbarkacharya Appearance
→ Ramai Swami

Shri Nimbarka Acharya comes in the line of the Kumara Sampradaya and is believed to have lived around the 11th and 12th centuries. Born in the modern Murgarapattam in the southern Dravidian province, he was the son of Aruni and Jayanti, a very pious brahman a couple of the Tailanga order.

 He was a great ascetic of the Tridandi order. He wrote many books according to the Dvaitadvaitavada and he lived most of his devotional life at a place called Nimbagrama near Govardhana at Vrindavana.

While at Nimbagrama, he defeated a great Jain pandit in a discussion. The Jain had refused to dine with him saying that the Sun had already set and so he would not take any food. At this, Nimbarka by his own potency made the sun appear from a Nimba tree and the astonished Jain accepted his hospitality. It is said that his name Nimbarka or Nimbaditya has been derived from this miracle of Aditya or Arka meaning sun from a nimba tree.

Once in a village near the forest of Bilva Paksha, a group of brahmanas came to engage in the worship of Lord Shiva. Just as Lord Vishnu is very much pleased when He is offered the leaves of His most beloved Tulasi, so Lord Shiva is pleased by offerings of leaves from the bilva or bael tree. Thus the brahmanas worshipped Lord Shiva by offering bilva leaves, for a period of one fortnight and satisfied Lord Shiva greatly.

Amongst those brahmanas was one whose name was Nimbarka. He had been particularly attentive in his worship of Lord Shiva. Being especially pleased with Nimbarka’s devotion, Lord Shiva personally appeared to him.

“Nimbarka,” said Lord Shiva, “at the edge of this village is a sacred bael forest. There, in that forest, the four Kumaras are absorbed in meditation. By their mercy you will receive transcendental knowledge, for they are your spiritual masters, and by rendering service unto them you will receive all that is of value.” After saying this Lord Shiva disappeared. 

Nimbarka immediately went to that place and with great determination he searched for the four Kumaras in every direction, until he finally found them, shining as brilliantly as the sun. They were seated on a very beautiful natural platform beneath a tree and they appeared like fire blazing on an altar. They were all very young, seeming to be no more than five years in age, but they appeared most noble in character as they sat there naked, rapt in meditation. Nimbarka was so excited that he cried out, “Hare Krishna!”

This sudden sound startled the four brothers, breaking their meditation. Opening their eyes, they saw before them the blissful form of an ideal Devotee, and with great pleasure they embraced Nimbarka, one after another.

“Who are you,” they asked, “and why have you come here? We are certainly ready to answer all your prayers.”

Nimbarka fell at the feet of the four brothers like a rod, and with great humility he introduced himself.

 With a sweet smile on his face Sanat Kumara then said, “The all-merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead, knowing that Kali-yuga will be extremely troublesome for the living entities, resolved to proagate devotional service to Himself. With this goal in mind, He has empowered four personalities with devotion and sent them into this world to preach.

Ramanuja, Madhva, and Vishnuswami are three and you are the fourth of these great souls. Lakshmi accepted Ramanuja as a disciple, Brahma accepted Madhva, Rudra accepted Vishnuswami and meeting you today we have the good fortune of being able to instruct you. This is our intention.

Previously we were engaged in meditating on the impersonal Brahman, but by the causeless mercy of Lord Vishnu, we have been relieved of this sinful activity. Since I have realised that it is essential to preach pure devotional service, I have composed a literary work entitled Sanat Kumara Samhita. After taking initiation from me, you should follow the instructions I have set forth therein.”

Nimbarka was greatly enlivened at the prospect of taking initiation and he immediately ran to take bath in the Ganges. After this he quickly returned and prostrated himself once more before the effulgent brothers.

“O deliverers of the fallen,” said Nimbarka, in all humility, “please deliver this low-born rascal.”

The four Kumaras gave him the Radha-Krishna mantra and instructed him in the method of worshipping Radha and Krishna with the sentiments of great love called Bhava Marga.

In that sacred bael forest Nimbarka began to worship Shri Shri Radha Krishna according to the Sanat Kumara Samhita and he chanted the mantra they had given him. Very soon Radha and Krishna revealed Themselves to Nimbarka. They stood before him, spreading an effulgence which illuminated all directions. In sweet voices They addressed him thus: “Nimbarka, you are very fortunate, for you have performed Sadhana in Shri Navadwipa. We both combine, and assume one form, as the son of Sachidevi.” At that moment Radha and Krishna combined and displayed Their form of Gauranga.

Beholding this splendid vision, Nimbarka began to tremble. “Never,” he said, “Never have I ever seen or heard of such a form at any time.”

Lord Gauranga then said, “Keep this form, which I now show you, a secret for the time being. Just preach about devotional service and the pastimes of Radha and Krishna, for I gain great satisfaction from this. When I make My appearance and perform My education pastimes, you will also appear.

Taking birth in Kashmir as a great pandit, you will tour all over India defeating all opposition. Your reputation and learning will be celebrated everywhere and you will be known as Keshava Kashmiri. Whilst wandering in Shri Navadwipa you will come to Shri Mayapur. Simply by hearing your name all the great pandits of Navadwipa will flee.

Intoxicated with scholastic pride, I will take great pleasure in defeating you. However, by the mercy of Mother Saraswati, the goddess of learning, you will realize My true identity. Giving up your false pride, you will take shelter of Me and I will reward you with the supreme gift of loving devotional service and will again despatch you to preach. Thus you can satisfy Me by preaching the philosophy of dvaita-advaita.

Keep My identity a secret. In the future when I begin My sankirtan movement, I will personally preach, taking the essence of your philosophy and the philosophies of Madhva, Ramanuja and Vishnuswami.”

After instructing Nimbarka in this way, Lord Gauranga disappeared, and filled with intense ecstacy, Nimbarka began to shed tears of love. After worshipping the lotus feet of his gurus and taking their permission, he left Shri Navadwipa to begin his preaching mission.

   (Source: Shri Navawipa-dham mahatmya) 

From a Drum ‘n’ Bass MC to a celibate monk (video)
→ Dandavats



Gurudas, a Hare Krishna monk from Leicester gives an extraordinary insight into how he went from being a Drum ‘n’ Bass MC to a celibate monk. After years on the gritty, buzzy urban music scene, Gurudas became inspired by spirituality. In this live interview, Gurudas shares his perspectives on today's issues and gives an honest and insightful account of his spiritual journey.


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Unity in Diversity
→ Dandavats

By Visakha Dasi

When dissimilar individuals or concepts are harmonised, it’s called ‘unity in diversity.’ Such unity isn’t based on mere tolerance of psychological, personal, or ideological differences but is based on an understanding that differences are natural and can enrich us. Discovering how we’re united despite our differences can make us more fulfilled, broader devotees of Krishna. This sort of unity doesn’t mean uniformity and this sort of diversity doesn’t mean fragmentation. In Srila Prabhupada words, “In the material world there are varieties, but there is no agreement. In the spiritual world there are varieties, but there is agreement. That is the difference. Continue reading "Unity in Diversity
→ Dandavats"

Unity in Diversity
→ ISKCON News

Image: ISKCON Dallas, 2019 (ISKCON News Archives)   We would especially like to hear from you about Unity in Diversity in terms of your experiences and understanding of Srila Prabhupada. Perhaps how you heard him talk about this, or how he put it into practice.    Srila Prabhupada Evokes Unity in Diversity When dissimilar individuals […]

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UPDATED: Ukraine Update with Niranjana Swami 2022-11-05
→ ISKCON News

On November 5th, 2022 a one-hour special conversation with Niranjana Swami, ISKCON Governing Body Commissioner, took place to learn about the current status of Hare Krishna devotees in Ukraine, the challenges they face, and how we can help. Maharaj shared many of the stories and the plight of the Ukrainian devotees. The situation in Ukraine […]

The post UPDATED: Ukraine Update with Niranjana Swami 2022-11-05 appeared first on ISKCON News.

Wednesday, November 02, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto

Looking After Each Other

At our weekly leaders meeting we always open up with a reading over Zoom. Today, it was my turn to read. I chose a passage from a letter our guru, Prabhupada, wrote in 1974 to his student/disciple, Sukadev, regarding devotee care. This is the heart of the letter, dated April 5th:

“First of all, there is no question of a devotee being ostracized because he has become ill, nor do I think this is being widely practiced. Who has been ostracized? One of the symptoms of a devotee is that he is kind, so if our Godbrother becomes ill, it is our duty to help him get the proper medicine and treatment so that he can recover. Recently, our Giriraja became chronically ill in India and had to return to the U.S. for proper medical treatment. There, in our Los Angeles center, he was given his own room, and was able to recuperate comfortably, and now he has returned to his full duties in Bombay… So, there is no question of ill treating our Godbrothers simply because they are sick, nor should you allow such neglect to go on. So long we have this material body there will be sickness, but we have to remain on the transcendental platform nevertheless.” The letter does go on and I read it through to its entirety, but here I’ve kept to the essential point about looking out for each other.

On this day, I could see through the temple/ashram affairs that each resident was more or less looking out for each other and for newcomers as well. When our group went for chanting in the park everyone did so while being kind. Cecilia heard our chanting from the distance and wanted to be part of it. She gravitated to us, sat down, joined and was looked after.

May the Source be with you!


 

Tuesday, November 01, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Hidden Valley Park, Burlington

Hidden Valley

There are these hidden treasures that commuters on major highways are unaware of, as their routine command, they remain on routes of monotony. I’m referring to those tucked away pieces of paradise; waterways that cut through the terrain to reach their final destination, after a twisty journey, to massive Lake Ontario.

Myself and our group of Bhakti Academy met in Burlington, population 206,000, with Jagannatha Misra, president of ISKCON in that city, and then made our way to Hidden Valley Park along Grindstone Creek for our outing for the day. Five minutes of walking into that wooded area and we met a young man working for the parks system who was trying to get some blueprints to behave in the tossing breeze.

“Do you need some help holding those down?” I asked.

“No thanks”, said the smiling chap.

“Are you doing some work on the creek?” indicating that the city may be using some tax dollars to protect our green and natural spaces. Personally, I always feel protected when I see governments use some finance for this cause.

“Yes,” replied the worker. “We are endeavoring to check erosion and that sort of thing.”

“Good luck! Hare Krishna!”

As we moved further on, we felt the creek’s presence until we came to a lengthy boardwalk, which allowed nature lovers to transcend the swamps. The trip was all so fine. It is easy to reflect on Krishna in such sublime surroundings. We were soaking up all such great features of nature and also connecting with people (trail blazing freaks) who are just like us.

May the Source be with you!

6km




 

Monday, October 31, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Christie Pits, Toronto

The Actual Key

It’s good to be gone. It’s good to be home. In truth all places are home because wherever you make yourself comfortable in devotional service that is home. That’s easy to say because I move about mainly in a free world. What if I were stuck in a place of war like Ukraine, or in a region where there is little tolerance of our belief? What if I resided in a country of poverty, hard to get a proper meal? In such places my sadhana could easily suffer.

The actual key to a constant bhaktipractice that is likely less to shake up our endeavours is through good sangha, association. The success of our devotional activities depends on this. It is critical in the beginning stages, as well as in our developing stages and to the end.

Personally, I would not have survived if it wasn’t for five monks (brahmacharis) who took interest in my devotional life when I was an art student. And up to the present I have my amigos whom I keep in touch with.

I ventured off for a much-needed walk in a drizzly, warm evening blessed by the residents of my living quarters. I passed by people dressed in costume while on their Halloween trick-or-treat ventures. To some pedestrians I’m sure I was mistaken for being part of the masquerade. After a trek I came back being blessed again by that incredible ongoing presence of devotees. It was late – 10:30pm – but I felt sheltered when just one of those honey-roasted saints was there to greet me upon my return.

May the Source be with you!

6km


 

Sunday, October 30, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Last Day in Winni

Winnipeg has so few hills, but since I arrived, I have been contemplating and shaping up a poem about a hill, Govardhana, which is held sacred in India, attracting people from all over the globe. The poem:

 

The Living Hill

 

The god of rain, Indra, became extremely irate

Pride is often the big part of his game

With thunder, clouds and lightning so great

He exerts this power to maintain fame

 

What incited him so was a talkative child

Who put his village on a paradigm shift

Instead of a day to honour a god so wild

The boy proposed a new direction, creating the rift

 

The boy was opposed to the poor watering this god does

That rivers, lakes, oceans already have a supply

That he’s off target which should cause one to pause

“Better to honour the green hill nearby

 

We benefit from its many grasses and plants

Food for our animals and food for us

To the hill, cows and brahmans we give thanks

With a feast and a fest with so little fuss”

 

The villagers agreed to this new concept

But the god of rain was vengeful indeed

In response to the boy’s challenging precept

Indra released his weapons with speed

 

The downpour of rain was very devastating

It came down like cold, wet pillars of pain

The cries for help were unhesitating

The boy acted swiftly with ease and no strain

 

Placing his hands at the base of the hill

And working his way under the heavy mound

He lifted it with the valour of a hero’s thrill

While under its shelter came souls from all around

 

The deluge of water lasted seven long days

Amazed and saved were inhabitants of the town

Who were spared of shameful Indra’s craze

As the boy’s incredible feat put his pride down

 

All was restored to normal for a day in the life

A jealous god was humbled, all were happy too

As well as the living hill that became so light

By the strength of the boy, Krishna, of a dark hue

 

Our story hails from five millenia past

When Krishna was offered a deserved arm massage

The volume of miracles continues to last

By Govardhan hill, which is not a mirage

-          Composed by Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk©

 

May the Source be with you!

6km



 

Saturday, October 29, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Manitoba Mice and Men

It is that time of the year when leaves are descending, but geese are ascending and soaring to the south in their V formation. Ah, yes, V for Vishnu. Thanks for the reminder, guys. Your honking sound is well noticed by those of us making the trails in King’s Park. What splendour there is in all we see, including a woodpecker who allowed me to come so close. The Assiniboine River is humble as it is low; a notable message we are able to take in as a component to the natural splendour of God.

Much happened this day, which included a tour by Shrey at the campus of UOM.  The boys are looking at prospects for festival facilities. I also had the opportunity to see Carolin, who, years ago, had sewn a set of clothes for me out of comfortable hemp. She specializes in baking breads from ancient grains, most notably delicious scones. And while chatting with her and sharing some of my poetry, I met an old friend on his skateboard in the back of the Millennial Library. He’s half indigenous and half east Indian. He offered me a small piece of moose hide signifying a commitment to honour, respect and protect women and children and work together with other men and boys to end violence in that direction. I wore that symbol as part of a campaign for the remainder of the day (and will do so for the coming days). Indeed, questions were lodged about that piece of square fabric at our Govardhan feast.

As in my last visit to Winnipeg, I met Phil, a bhakti enthusiast and friend from forty-five years ago.  His son, Kyle, a law student, is so bright. He told me he acted as Lennie from “Of Mice and Men”. Here’s a message again, or a question: Are you a mouse or a man?

May the Source be with you!

5km