Marble from Vietnam
- TOVP.org

The last shipment of pure white marble has arrived from Vietnam.

The standard is incomparable with a pristine finish lacking any dark markings. Girigovardhan Prabhu is supervising the unloading and quality check of the marble. His attention to detail guarantees only a superior product will be accepted.

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Two Years for TS

In the ashram/temple we cut a birthday cake.  It’s been a two year running of Tuesday’s sanga. 

What to many people is a most boring and dull time of the week, Tuesday afternoon/evening, is actually a real life - my spirit occasion, when the sanga rolls around.  Sanga means soul association.  When people come together for spiritual centric purposes, the topics are about higher consciousness.  The procedure is rather interactive.  There is also kirtan, a chanting done in unison.  The special feature is prasadam, blessed food, and tonight it was a cake to boot. 

Manaksi, a loyal attendee, baked the best cake in the universe, with the main ingredient being pecan flour.  It was nectar for the tummy and the tongue. 

For the ears, I was asked to speak about the importance of sanga, so I made reference to the Bhagavad Gita, 10.9:

“Devotees derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.” – Sri Krishna.

During the session where I asked for comments one fellow said, “I come regularly on Tuesday and it’s such a relief for me.  It’s a nice break from the materialistic world.”

A woman spoke as well, admitting that she was reluctant to participate in the beginning, but when she got the encouragement from family, she attended and had a change of heart.  She likes the community/family feel. 

The coordinator, Indresh, spoke about how attendance has fluctuated over the 100 weeks plus.  Tonight, at the session, there was 25 strong.  Not the largest turn out.  Sometimes due to weather conditions, five or six diehards show up.  Indresh seemed to indicate that Tuesday is special, and the program will go on despite the accordion dynamic of attendance. 

Personally, I enjoy the sanga, social company and a Krishna cake.  I couldn’t enjoy the walk today, some spasm hit my left side, so I spent a portion of the day using my own recipe on physiotherapy, trying to take care. 

May the Source be with you!

0 KM

One Must Make It His Daily Routine
→ Japa Group

"One must make it his daily routine to chant for an hour in the company of saintly Vaisnavas in a sacred, undisturbed place. Taking note of the Vaisnava's devotional attitude and their relish for the Holy name, the neophyte should try to emulate this mood and gradually rid himself of his apathy to chanting. Step by step his mind and attention should become fixed in the Holy name. By constant chanting, the sweetness of the Holy name makes him anxious to taste more of that nectar."

Harinama Cintamani

New Vrindaban Daily darsan @ January 31, 2014.
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

IMG_8668

The great Vedic scholars cannot obtain even a glimpse of the wonderful and splendid transcendental essence of the nectarean ocean o the bliss of pure Krsna consciousness. O brother, now that you have entered the difficult to attain land of Vrndavana which fulfills all desires, why have you allowed yourself to come the spell of petty materialism, and why do you allow yourself to constantly roam about with entering the realm of pure love of Krsna? They who have gone to the farther shore of the Vedas cannot glimpse the wonderful and splendid nectar of the ocean of the Krsna bliss. O, now that you have entered difficult to attain Vrndavana, which fulfills all desires, why do you wander about, charmed by the witch of petty desires?

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-49 Translation.]

Please click here for more photos

Developing good qualities
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 15 December 2013, Soweto, South Africa, Lecture)

mayapur dec 2013Although we are not so humble, by offering obeisances to the other vaisnavas, we can develop some humility. When we become humble, we can tolerate anything and then we can conquer anger. Anger also is related to pride, “Who are you to talk to me?” Pride, you know. Pride is our enemy! So by bowing down to devotees, we can conquer pride gradually, not in one night, not in one day but gradually!

 

 

Join us this Sunday to hear from Her Grace Sukhayanti Devi Dasi on"Krishna’s beauty conquers all"
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON


Sunday Love Feast

When?
Sunday, February 2nd
Program starts at 11 am

Where?
6 George Street South
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 1P3, Canada

New! Listen
Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog
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Bhagavad Gita - 12.10
 
Devotional Service
abhyase 'py asamartho 'si
mat-karma-paramo bhava
mad-artham api karmani
kurvan siddhim avapsyasi
TRANSLATION
If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage.
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 Nrsingadev Prayers                  
12.00 – 1:00                Vedic Discourse by Her Grace Sukhayanti Devi Dasi
1:00 – 1:30                   Closing Kirtan

 
 Best Vegetarian
Govinda's Natural Foods Snack Bar


                                                                            

Govinda's has always been a giver of love and friendliness, food with a home cooked feel, Check out this Sunday your own Govinda’s Snack Bar at ISKCON Brampton for dine in or take out.

This snackbar definitely has the best selection of cruelty-free eats with a bang for your buck.

                       Why go else where,when Govinda’s is there!!


                         UPCOMING CELEBRATION
                      APPEARANCE OF NITYANANDA PRABHU
                    
                                                                                                                        On feb 12,at 7pm.                                                                                              
How may I be helpful with this festival?

To help with this festival,please contact Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi.

If you would like to Finance/sponsor the festival,  please contact Krsna Smaran Devi Dasi [kavitabalram@yahoo.com],you’ll be duly provided a tax deduction receipt towards your donation.

Details of the celebration will follow shortly. We’ll keep you updated for those.

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!

Gadadhara Pandit Dasa recites MLK’s ‘Drum Major Instinct’ at the Apollo (2 min video)
→ Dandavats.com

Gadadhara Pandit Dasa is a monk, lecturer and the first-ever Hindu chaplain for Columbia University and New York University and the Interfaith chaplain at Union Theological Seminary where courses on Hindu scriptures. He has spoken at a recent TEDx conference and was featured in the NPR piece "Long Days and Short Nights of a Hindu Monk." He appeared in the PBS Documentary on the Bhagavad Gita, as well as The New York Times. He is also a regular contributor for the Huffington Post. His life is chronicled in his autobiography: Urban Monk: Exploring Karma, Consciousness, and the Divine. -- Read more ›

Either to the prison or to the university – It’s our choice
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Government creates university also, or government creates prison house also. But it is your freedom. You make your choice: either you go to the university or you go to the prison house.

- Srila Prabhupada, Town Hall Lecture -- Auckland, April 14, 1972:

Syamasundara: Does Krishna create the universe or does He just make it possible to be created?

Prabhupada: No, the universe, this material world, is created by God. That's a fact. But if the question is that whether God has created this body for suffering in this material world, that is not God's creation; that is our creation. Just like the government creates the prison house. That does not mean that government wants that somebody should be criminals and fill up this prison house. It is a freedom to the citizens. Government creates university also, or government creates prison house also. But it is your freedom. You make your choice: either you go to the university or you go to the prison house. It is your choice. Just like government opens some liquor shop, gives license. That does not mean that government is encouraging drinking. The liquor shop is there. Those who are drunkards, they can go. That's a facility. That's all. Otherwise, that is not encouragement.

Krishna Fest in Baroda (Album 367 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Indradyumna Swami: Last night we had an unfortunate accident on our festival tour. One of our devotees, Lal Krsna das, slipped from a balcony and fell two stories to the ground. He broke both hands and an ankle and is presently undergoing surgery at a nearby hospital. The good news is that there are no serious internal or head injuries. The doctors say he is out of danger and will make a full recovery. Please everyone keep him in your prayers. -- Read more ›

Special Visit From Venezuelan Ambassador
- TOVP.org

With the festival season upon us, there are several visitors coming to Mayapur. Since The TOVP is a focal point, most pilgrims and guests are interested in touring the site. Recently, the project received the esteemed honor to host Manuel Guzman.

He joined us from Kuala Lumpur where he serves as the Venezuelan ambassador for Malaysia and Thailand. An experienced traveler and connoisseur of internationally renowned landmarks, he was impressed with the ambition of our project both architecturally and educationally. He looks forward to returning to Mayapur once the temple opens and has pledged to bring his family so they can share in the excitement of the occasion.

Remembering Shrila Prabhupada
→ Matsya Avatar das adhikari


 PART II
Due to God's mercy, Shrila Prabhupada was able to undertake the adventurous and difficult missions to satisfy the desire of his Guru Maharaja. He knew how to deal with risks, dangers, loneliness, sickness and temptations... Krishna blessed Shrila Prabhupada with such a success that, while originally owning nothing, his movement gradually reached a huge development, comparable to that of the richest and most envied companies, but even so Shrila Prabhupada remained always the person of the great inner qualities: no pride, no arrogance, no material ambitions or futile interests. He was exactly the same person when He went, with only 40 rupees in his pocket, to America, always dedicated to love for Krishna and for all creatures. Shrila Prabhupada had many talents, he was versatile, with great skills, but He was first and foremost a pure Devotee of the Lord.
He loved everyone, because in Shrila Prabhupada's opinion everyone was a potential devotee. He had always the same mood and the same tone of voice, sometimes He got vibrant, speaking with strong words, sometimes He reprimanded, sometimes He praised, sometimes He was moved, but His interest was always to improve the understanding of the devotees, their health, the image of the Movement. We must unmask the so fashionable artificial way to see an Acarya as detached from everyone and everything. Prabhupada was very interested in the success of the various services, he cared about everything working and running the best way, thus satisfying Krishna and encouraging the spiritual elevation of so many people.
Spiritual life does not mean a cold, detached attitude towards the world, we cannot live without relations, without affection, without empathy, without love. We just have to be careful to those we direct these feelings to. We should not prioritizewhat calls on the material level, but strive to fulfill our spiritual desires that represent our true essence. Prabhupada had Krishna in His heart and He was always thinking of what he could say or do to bring people closer to God. Krishna had a special relationship with Shrila Prabhupada who had a special relationship with Krishna: this was visible in every activity He had undertaken,either in those particular moments when, for example, He took the initiative to modify a service that maybe was stagnating, or when in the last days of life in this world He was brought in front of the Divinities on a palanquin because He was in a condition of extreme physical weakness and He could no longer walk. In every circumstance Shrila Prabhupada has proved to be a pure devotee of Krishna.
When I read the Bhagavad-gita, chapter twelve, shloka 13 to 20, I see Shrila Prabhupada. I have known many lovely devotees, but Prabhupada is the model for me.
Prabhupada was always connected to Krishna and helped everyone to offer their talents and energies to the service of the Lord.
The most beautiful part of Shrila Prabhupada is his being so devoted!
He was good at many things: a very good cook, a grammarian, a great preacher, a prominent philosopher and scholar; He was expert in playing music and in offering praise to the Lord, but His main feature was the pure and ardent devotion to God and His constant commitment to the spiritual education, in order to help others to become pure devotees of the Lord. Great it was, and surely still is, the satisfaction of Shrila Prabhupada to see people take seriously the path of Bhakti. And this satisfaction is the source of strength to all those devotees who carry Shrila Prabhupada in their heart.
Despite the apparent departure the Acarya lives forever with us, if we live with Him. As Satsvarupa Maharaja says in his book: "He lives forever ..."

Warm Hearts Brave Ice Storm at ISKCON Toronto
→ ISKCON News

Huddled together in sub-zero temperatures with no power during an ice storm this past holiday season, devotees in Toronto, Canada discovered the joy of simplicity and Krishna conscious association. The storm struck in the midst of book distributor Vaisesika Das’s annual “Festival of the Heart,” held from December 19th to 24th at ISKCON Toronto. 

India’s Vastly Oversubscribed Solar Allocations
→ View From a New Vrindaban Ridge

Renewable Energy World Editors

Last week India finally held its national solar auction, the first in two years, seen as the least risky of several national and state-level solar auctions held over the past few years.

Demand was as heated as expected: 58 bids were received pledging to develop more than 2.1 GW of solar energy capacity, nearly triple the 750-MW that state-run Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) was offering. Here’s the full list of eager developers, which includes Azure Power India (200 MW), Welspun Energy (160 MW), Goldman Sachs-backed local developer ReNew Solar Power (50 MW), First Solar (30 MW), and a handful of state-run utilities. Part of the spur behind the activity was the government’s promises to cover as much as 30 percent of project costs; part of the delay was the adjustment of payout period from one year to five years. And perhaps part of the huge interest was the delay of the auction to help clarify some of its structure and sooth investor and developer concerns.

More than half of the bids (36 bids for 700 MW) proposed to take advantage of the domestic content requirement (DCR), more than double what SECI expected. Developers appear to be hedging reliance upon domestic suppliers’ ability to support projects by de-emphasizing those requirements in favor of Viability Gap Funding (VGF), points out Bridge to India’s Jasmeet Khurana.

Another positive takeaway is that more than half (60 percent) of the bids in terms of capacity would end up being managed as an independent power producer (IPP), a big increase in their level of participation. Pure-play solar IPPs don’t enjoy some advantages of tax incentives such as accelerated depreciation, but separating such tariffs is giving pure-play IPPs a more level playing field, he added.

 


Filed under: Cows and Environment

Gauravani: Surrender
→ ISKCON News

Gaura Vani and As Kindred Spirits performing a moving rendition of their song -"Surrender"-from the album Ten Million Moons- at the Rhythm Hut in Gosford, NSW -Australia. (Dance: Vrinda, guitar: Bhakta Clayton Frick, bass: Shree Shyam, and Jahnavi Harrison on vocals and violin.)