Don’t be a hard-head!
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 30 March 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.39.39)

JAS_KKSSpiritual life is like that – there is always a higher standard and there is always another level of realization. That is why we always remain a fool before the spiritual master. Tamal Krsna Maharaj said in front of Srila Prabhupada, “Yes, I am just a fool.” Prabhupada said, “It is very good as long as you think like that because then I can instruct you. But as soon as you think that you are intelligent then I can’t instruct you.”

The relationship with the spiritual master is the most difficult one because here is a person who has a level of authority in our life that even our parents never had! I mean, when you are a small child your parents have all authority, up to a point. You can cry and protest but then when you can speak, you can say, “NO!” You can go into your ‘no-face’ which is a well-known face that each child goes through and many of us never get out of that. What to do, that’s very strong…

Then suddenly, you get involved with the Hare Krsna Movement and there is a spiritual master and now you have to stop saying, “NO!” There are more sophisticated ways of saying, “NO!” One is, “I don’t agree!” Or better still, “His arguments don’t make sense!”

But Bhaktisiddhanta was speaking about this; he says that mundane logic does not apply. When the spiritual master speaks, in the beginning we think that it doesn’t make sense what he is saying. But if ones hears submissively; then with time it begins to make more sense and ultimately, it begins to make full sense!

 

A visit to ISKCON Temple in Melbourne
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Clad in a green sari, bespectacled and petite, Keerthi pushes aside the papers she is holding and warmly welcomes me by folding her hands in a Namaste. Her beatific smile is striking. She instantly recognizes me as Arti, the lady with whom she had been conversing via e-mail for the past few days, someone whom she had been eagerly looking forward to host. Read more ›

Harinama Sri Narasimhadeva Appearance Day In Union Square Park (Album 21 photos)
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When we proudly and happily go out together on Hari Nama we are empowering one another and have a high level of mutual respect and admiration for one another. When we come back to the temple we have energy for getting the temple ready for all the people we had invited back. There is not any energy for quarreling or bickering. There is a surplus of love. We can always gain it simply by going out on Hari Nama. Hari Nama is Srila Prabhupada's number one priority. Right after it come keeping the temple clean and attractive and chanting sixteen rounds. Read more ›

For Nrisimhadeva’s Appearance-Day
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At the end of Śrī Haṁsadutta, Śrīla Rūpa Goswāmī describes Lalitā sending, via a swan, a lovingly-angry message to Śrī Krishna describing his famous ten-avatāra. Here it is:

Indeed you are Matsya the great fish. My friend (Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī) tried to catch you in the ocean of sweetness using her heart as a hook and her love as the bait. What did you do? You devoured the bait and broke the hook of her heart. Now she is hopeless. Oh, what can she do now?

Indeed you are Kurma, the great tortoise. When that poor girl saw the sublime grace of your handsome form she approached you with a heart radiating enthusiasm for you. What did you do? You became as hard as a turtle’s shell towards her, hiding yourself from her like a turtle withdraws its limbs.

Indeed you are Varāha, the great boar. To this day you are compassionate and uplift fallen persons. Waves from the deep ocean of love splash on your body as you lifted the servant girl carrying sandal paste (Kubja) and passionately placed her in your lap like a lover.

Indeed you are Narasiṁha. Though that incarnation appeared long ago, you have not forgotten his nature. To this day you are pleased with humble people (like Kubja) but cruelly break the hearts of others (like Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī).

Indeed you are Vāmana. My dear friend (Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī) is just like Bali because she ignores the orders of her superiors and happily surrenders the entire kingdom of her heart to you. You respond just as Vāmana did: you bind her in the ropes of your love and then exile her far away from you.

Indeed you are Parasurāma. You are cruel to those who deviate from the guidance of the brahmanas, and so you are cruel to my friend – who now wants to leap from a mountain-top. But why, unlike Parasurāma, do you ignore everyone’s affection, even your father’s?

Indeed you are Rāmacandra. Now that you have left your home, everything withers. The cows are tormented by sadness, Govardhan hill withers and wilts, death dances everywhere, approaching even Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.

But she has not yet left us, and we still adore you. So, as Balarama threw the jackass-demons far away, return to Vṛndāvana with your monsoon-cloud-glorious-beauty and throw away the demon that prevents us from dancing with you.

Oh wise and merciful Buddha, why will you not be merciful to wise Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī? She has no attachment to anything, completely rejects lust, abandons all selfish desires, is always enrapt in medication, and is filled with spiritual bliss.

Oh Kalki, riding your horse, your sharp sword cutting down the useless barbarians intoxicated with passions. So, with the sharp glances from the edges of your eyes, cut down the barbaric suffering inflicted on Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī by her intoxicating passion for you. Fulfill her desires!


Sweet Rice Festival – Honouring Sri Madhavendra Puri! – May 18, 2014
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Our beautiful and beloved Deities, Sri Sri Radha Ksira-Chora Gopinatha, have been the heart and soul of our Hare Krishna Centre for over 40 years. Actually, Srila Prabhupada named our Deities in Toronto after a famous Deity of the same name in the beautiful and ancient city of Remuna, India.

Ksira means "sweet rice" and chora means "thief".  So, the name "Ksira-Chora" translates into, "one who steals sweet rice".  This famous Deity of Lord Krishna in Remuna was given this name after an incredible incident which occurred hundreds of years ago wherein the Deity actually stole a small pot of sweet rice for his devotee, Madhavendra Puri.

Madhavendra Puri, a great 14 century saint in our lineage, had visited the ancient temple in Remuna and saw the priests (pujaris) offering small pots of sweet rice to the Deity. In his heart, he desired to taste the sweet rice so that he could create a similar preparation for his personal worship of his own Deity.  Seeing the genuine sincerity in his heart, the Deity of the temple secretly hid one of the earthen pots of sweet rice offered every night and then appeared in the dream of the priest (pujari) and instructed him to locate the hidden pot and give it to Madhavendra Puri.  In this way, the legend grew of the Gopinatha Deity which stole sweet rice for his devotee and thus Deity became known as "Ksira-Chora Gopinatha"!

Many may not know this, but since our Deities were given their name in the early 1970s, sweet rice has been offered on our altar every day!  On Sunday May 18, 2014, we are launching a new annual festival called the "Sweet Rice Festival" and we will be honouring Madhavendra Puri on this day along with relishing the wonderful story of Ksira-Chora Gopinatha!  We hope everyone can make it for this special festival on Sunday, May 18, 2014!


Schedule (subject to change):
6:00pm - 6:30pm: Kirtan (Arati)
6:30pm - 6:35pm: Welcome and Announcements
6:35pm - 7:30pm: Discourse on Sri Madhavendra Puri by HG Vaisesika Prabhu
7:30pm - 8:00pm: Vegetarian Feast
8:00pm - 8:30pm: Kirtan (Arati)

Please join us on this auspicious occasion with your entire family and please stay tuned for the many festivities during this month!