"Therefore chanting the holy name is the prime religious activity of a Vaisnava. From the holy name gradually blossom the Lord’s form, qualities and pastimes. The entire panorama of Lord Krishna’s pastimes is present in the holy name."
From Sri Harinama Cintamani
Haridasa Thakura to Lord Caitanya

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Don’t do anything! Don’t say anything! Forget everything you’ve seen! Remember the fair and dark divine couple that pains Kamadeva, flee the common people and go to transcendental Vrindavana!

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-32 Translation ]

For over 10 years the devotees from New Govardhana have been catering at the Woodford Folk festival. It is said that a few hundred thousand people attend this festival over a 6 day period.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 29 September 2013, Melbourne, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 2.2.36)

Real security is with Krsna – that is all that remains. The more one places his faith in Krsna, the more everything becomes successful. This is what we see in Srila Prabhupada who came to the Western world with forty rupees and then had so many assets at the end of his life.

Some journalists would inquire about Prabhupada’s wealth. They were seeing him as one of those gurus who were exploiting and living-off the wealth of their disciples. So at one point Prabhupada volunteered, he said, “Yes, I have many cars. Yes, I have cars all over the world.” 

“Oh, the Swami has cars all over the world!” You can see the headlines, it is going to be good! But then he said, “Yes, my disciples are driving these cars everywhere to spread the message of the Bhagavad-gita.”  They ripped up their notes and said, “This one will not make any article, useless!”

They tried to portray him as selfish, like an exploiter but instead, Prabhupada turned it around and just showed selflessness. He was simply maintaining all possessions in a selfless way – so many temples, so many buildings, so many cars and so many things but all in a selfless way. Yes rooms, large rooms but Prabhupada filled them up with devotees who would meet him there for darshan. So, no selfish use of any of the facilities – no such thing. Just all for Krsna, as much as possible!

Join us this Sunday for a special discourse by His Grace Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari Please join us this Saturday from 11am to 1pm for a special Kirtan session in honor of a devotee who is battling for life at the moment.

Sunday Love Feast When? Sunday, January 12th 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 Make a Donation Bhagavad Gita - 17.1   The Divisions of Faith arjuna uvaca ye sastra-vidhim utsrjya yajante sraddhayanvitah tesam nistha tu ka krsna sattvam aho rajas tamah TRANSLATION Arjuna said, O Krsna, what is the situation of one who does not follow the principles of scripture but who worships according to his own imagination? Is he in goodness, in passion or in ignorance? (To expand on this or get an understanding of the answer, please visit Iskcon Brampton this Sunday) The Sunday Feast program consists of arati, kirtan (devotional chanting), philosophical discussion and prasadam.  Please come, get inspired and inspire others through your desire to share Krsna Consciousness! 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 His Grace Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhika 1:00 – 1:30                    Closing Kirtan evaḿ pravartitaḿ cakraḿ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ aghāyur indriyārāmo moghaḿ pārtha sa jīvati Bhagavad-gita 3.16 My dear Arjuna, one who does not follow in human life the cycle of sacrifice thus established by the Vedas certainly leads a life full of sin. Living only for the satisfaction of the senses, such a person lives in vain.   Once again we have the opportunity to get the association of His Grace Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari at ISKCON Brampton. His Grace Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari appeared in this world in November 1947, the tenth day (Dasami) of the most holy month of Kartik according to the Vaisnava calendar. He first met his spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in 1971 and was initiated by him the same year. Srila Prabhupada personally told this new young disciple that he was pleased with his sincerity and enthusiasm for spreading the Krishna consciousness movement. Sankarshan Das fully dedicated his life for serving the order of his spiritual master to become a guru and deliver the world. For the last 40+ years he has uninterruptedly served his spiritual master’s movement, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), in various capacities. In the year 2000, in recognition for his full dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission, ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) gave him their blessings to initiate disciples. Since that time he has been regularly traveling and lecturing extensively all over the world for reviving the dormant Krishna consciousness in the hearts of all living beings. Well known for his Internet based training program, the Ultimate Self Realization Course, he has attracted over 14,000 subscribers from over 100 different countries who receive a daily inspirational message and personal answers to their questions regarding how to become perfect in Krishna consciousness. Those who are interested can join his course at: www.backtohome.com The program consists of arati, kirtan (devotional chanting), philosophical discussion and prasadam.  Please come, get inspired and inspire others through your desire to share Krsna Consciousness!   This Saturday January 11th from 11am to 1pm A dear member of our ISKCON congregation within the GTA,  Atal Pandey Prabhu, is currently in a critical situation in the hospital after a serious surgery. He is still in the ICU department. It is very important at this time to pray to Lord Krishna for Prabhu's health and quick recovery. This is the best thing we can do as devotees and Prabhu's friends and well wishers.   The ISKCON Brampton Centre will hold a small kirtan & prayers program in the Temple this Saturday, Jan 11 on the auspicious day of Ekadashi. The program will start at 11 am. Please come and chant with us for Prabhus quick recovery.   Atal Prabhu and his wife are very active devotees and doing many important services in the Brampton area, like their weekly home programs and regular services at the various ISKCON centres in the GTA.

Srila Prabhupada wanted his disciples to preach Krishna Consciousness in India.

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

Produced by Karuna Productions with the sponsorship of ISKCON Communications and Odyssey Networks. -- Read more ›

Today is my close friend Shyamlal prabhu’s funeral. I wrote this letter to him to be read at the ceremony: My dear friend Shyamlal, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I was happy to hear of your departure the other day. It was very difficult seeing you in a painful condition [...]

Yesterday evening we took darsan of Lord Padmanabha. Like many other temples in this region of India the Lord is lying down in a mystic slumber. Western, non-Hindu people are forbidden to enter the temple, but ISKCON devotees ( from anywhere in the world ) may enter with the express written permission of the King. [...]

Ten thousand devotees, from all over the world, are expected to attend the special 25th anniversary Silver Jubilee Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama from March 5th to 11th this spring. The Navadvipa area of West Bengal is considered sacred as it is the place where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu -- believed to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna, or God Himself -- lived and taught his message of chanting God’s Holy Names. -- Read more ›

Evening talk at Karuna Bhavan.

The post The sweetest of all sweet things – the name of Krsna appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

We’re ringing in the new year by welcoming Baby Gopal to Save the Cow. Born in 2003 on Deer Run Farm in nearby Columbia County, he was rejected by his mother for some unknown reason. His owners, Al and Barbara Bluhm, called him “Baby” and lovingly raised him as their pet. Now, a decade later and retired from farming, they needed to find a new home for their 10-year-old, 1800-pound Baby. They contacted Save the Cow, an interview was conducted, and everyone agreed that Baby was a good candidate to join the herd. He arrived just before Christmas and, as you can see, Baby, now “Baby Gopal,” is fitting right in. -- Read more ›

Produced by Karuna Productions with the sponsorship of ISKCON Communications and Odyssey Networks.

If we want to make significant steps towards sustainability, we need to appeal to the real motives behind choices. 

Ten thousand devotees are expected to attend the special 25th anniversary Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama from March 5th to 11th this spring.The Navadvipa area of West Bengal is considered sacred as it is the place where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu -- believed to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna, or God Himself -- lived and taught his message of chanting God’s Holy Names.

Last month BBT editor and scholar Dravida das gave a three-hour informative seminar in Alachua, on why and how the original printings of Srila Prabhupada's books have been edited to more closely fit Srila Prabhupada's intentions. There was time for questions and answers and logical explanations. There was a question raised asking why would the unedited books of Srila Prabhupada's not be allowed to be distributed here at ISKCON Alachua. -- Read more ›

Engaging the body in graceful dance for the pleasure of the Lord, and the mind in prayerful contemplation on the sound of His holy names quickly transports our consciousness to the joyful realm of divine love.

The post January 10th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Coimbatore, is a city in India. It is the second largest city and urban agglomeration in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, after Chennai and the sixteenth largest urban agglomeration of India. -- Read more ›

Parasuram das: His Divine Grace wanted us to be happy. Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra brings one to the platform of the soul. Happiness is one of the symptoms of devotional service, check out the smiling face on this movie. On New Year's Eve central London becomes one big party, millions of people take to the streets, no cars are allowed and the ground is ready for the biggest Harinam ever. Enjoy the movie -- Read more ›

“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven..”
― John Milton, Paradise Lost

So it is said to enjoy lasting happiness we need to give up hankering and lamenting.

“As long as we are in material existence, we lament for the losses in our life and hanker for that which we do not have. A self-realized person is joyful because he is free from material lamentation and hankering.”

NBS 1*

So easy to say so hard to do as it is the nature of the mind to do so. Here is an example.

There is a short cut I have taken through Moundsville more than a hundred times. It involves a jag on 4th Street then a left by a church. The other day that street was closed so I had to go to the next one to cut over. On the way back I turned down that same street and had the realization that if I had gone to the normal street there is a stop sign there then another at 4th Street while the new route only had the stop sign at 4th.

Which meant that every time thereafter I take that route I can miss a stop sign and I take it a lot. So it should have been a moment of joy but my mind turned it into a lamentation by thinking how many times I had taken the old route and made an unnecessary stop.

Nothing changed but my mind made a negative reaction to what should have been a happiness. Such is the power of consciousness.

“One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.”

Bhagavad Gita 18.54

Filed under: News, Ramblings or Whatever

1970 January 10: "They are not my words, I do not make any addition or subtraction. I am simply the bearer of the message from Lord Caitanya through the disciplic succession."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 January 10: "If you all carry these words successively, then the transcendental parampara system will be exactly maintained and people will be benefited. Please, read regularly my books."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 January 10 : "Everyone should be thoroughly convinced of the power of the Hare Krsna mantra to protect you in all circumstances. Then advancement will be swift."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 January 10 : "Now become very convinced of our philosophy and very enthusiastically and soberly maintain temple routine standards, satisfy the devotees, and in every way become the perfect example of Krishna concscious angel."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 January 10 : "I am very very glad to see that you have got such a nice place to conduct Krishna's business. I think I shall be very comfortable in your center when I shall come there very soon."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 January 10 : "Why after so many years nothing can be done to print profusely my books and literatures in European languages? Translators are there, all facilities are there - simply you are not serious to do it."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

HG Syamalal Prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who served for many years in South Africa, departed this world on 5 January 2014. Here is an offering of appreciation to Syamalal Prabhu written by Kadamba Kanana Swami.

Dear Syamalal Prabhu,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

You were a Navadvipa boy, when you met Prabhupada. He sent you to Calcutta to serve with Gargamuni and Brahmananda. You did it faithfully and even when your father expired, Prabhupada wouldn’t let you go back home to meet your family. You stayed under Prabhupada’s shelter.

Later, you collected large sums of money to push forward Prabhupada’s movement in South Africa and around the world. You always remained under Prabhupada’s shelter.

In your final days, when due to disease so much of your memory was lost, what remained was the essence of your being. You remained the resident of Navadvipa, who with great culture welcomed and respected the vaisnavas. You remained the dedicated servant of Prabhupada and remembered all your pastimes with him over and over, many times a day.

I could see how in those final days your consciousness was all auspicious, because you had taken shelter of Prabhupada only throughout your entire life, until the very end. . I know you are now with His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada once again.

We will miss you Syamalal, but in the future we will meet again at Prabhupada’s feet.

Thank you very much for all your association,

Your servant,

Kadamba Kanana Swami

 

2014 01 05 Sunday Feast Drama Humility Of Jiva Goswami ISKCON Chowpatty

1975 January 10: "Yes, I'll come. I am also hankering to go and the first opportunity may be in April. Please take great care there and make an ideal place for devotional service."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 January 10 : "Impure atmosphere can be counteracted by having kirtanas twice and thrice daily with dancing. Don't allow anyone to engage in eating and sleeping alone or the devil's workshop will develop."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Our modern lives and the decisions we take on a daily basis are typically driven by three major forces – data, money and rights – which influence and move us sometimes in very subtle ways.

Dear Maharaj/Prabhu,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

His Divine Grace wanted us to be happy.
Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra brings one to the platform of the soul.
Happiness is one of the symptoms of devotional service, check out the smiling face on this movie.

On New Year’s Eve central London becomes one big party, millions of people take to the streets, no cars are allowed, and the ground is ready for the biggest Harinam ever.

Enjoy the movie
Your servant Parasuram Das

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction message and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108 ::_::{.at.}::_:: gmail dot com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

Houston, Texas

Shuno Shepa

Walking today constituted zealous steps, the circle fashion, both inside the Radha Nilamadhava Temple and outside it’s expansive parking lot.

I also ventured around the neighbourhood here off of 34^th Street.  It’s a mix of residential bungalow homes, plazas, doughnut and pizza shops and churches.  It is a place of many automobiles zooming by.  I see more dogs in people’s yards than people.  It’s not a criticism, but an observation.

Regarding dogs, I was asked to speak today from the book, Bhagavatam.  And what sticks out in the message delivered this morning, had to do with a dog’s tail.  Shuno shepa.  In the verse from Canto 7, the very cultured child, Prahlad, was being tortured by his father.  The father observed his son’s undivided attention to Vishnu, a name for the Absolute.  Prahlad’s father was agitated with the focus of his son, considered it the utmost distraction, and compelled him to put the boy under intense duress.  He likened the boy’s mind to that of a dog’s tail.  Prahlad was unswerved in his fixation on Vishnu, and it was this focus in purity that could not be changed, like trying to make straight the curve in a dog’s tail.

There’s a whole language to a dog’s tail, whether it waggles or not.  The dog may be aroused or feel defeated, humbled or loved, and there’s movements to demonstrate such swaying moods by the way of the tail.  Whatever is the emotion, the tail always has a curve.

The reason for my visit to Houston was to attend our North American AGM.  I’m not the greatest meetings person.  Topics are fine, mission oriented, socially sensitive, and are necessary.  But, it all becomes a little too sedentary for me.  Once I go for those evening drama practices (when meetings are over) my tail starts waggling with joy.

We are all wired differently.  The tail of the dog waggles on its own time.  You just want to make sure that you are in the position of shuno shepa, be unflinching in your devotion.

May the Source be with you!

4 KM

The Loft reopens After having a refreshing break, the loft will be up and running as usual starting with our first Sunday ‘Free Spirit Festival’ this Sunday 12th Jan 2014. Kick start your year with a complete yoga experience, this Sunday, with healing sound vibrations, wisdom, dance and food. Starts 5pm and only $5 before 5.30pm [...]

The post REOPENING on SUNDAY appeared first on The Loft Yoga Lounge Auckland.