Vaishnava donated to the Library of Foreign Literature copy of the new edition of the famous works in English Jiva Goswami “Shatsandarbhi”
→ Dandavats.com

The President of the Moscow Society for Krishna Consciousness and the head of public education project, "Vaishnava University" Sriman Radha-Damodar Prabhu donated to the famous All-Russian Library of Foreign Literature copy of the famous work outstanding Indian religious leader and educator Sri Jiva Goswami "Shatsandarbhi" in English. -- Read more ›

Congratulations to All the New Graduates of Iskcon Alachua!
→ Dandavats.com

Congratulations to all the new graduates in Iskcon Alachua community: Congratulations to Jahnavi Harris who just graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a degree in Environmental Engineering. Congratulations to Rajasana Wilhoit who graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a degree in Computer Science and was just hired by Amazon.com. Congratulations to Naitaicharana Ely from the University of Florida with a degree in Psychology. Congratulations to Bhaktin Lacey from Krishna House Congratulations to Mukunda Rico, graduated from Evergreen College in natural healing We give these graduates all blessings to fulfill their goals and engage in devotional service with their many talents. -- Read more ›

Christmas Retreat by HH Romapada Swami on Dec 21 ( video)
→ Dandavats.com

During July of 1971 Romapada Swami received first initiation from Srila Prabhupada at the temple located on Henry Street in Brooklyn, New York. One year later, during the summer of '72, Romapada Swami received second initiation. At the time he was fully engaged as the Sankirtana Leader and the Temple Commander in a temple of 150 devotees. During that same summer, Their Most Beautiful Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Govinda, arrived in New York -- Read more ›

Damodarashtakam (08)
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Preview of Candlelight Sunday Feast Pics!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

It was an incredibly beautiful Sunday Feast program tonight, with soft candlelight providing a beautiful backdrop for an evening that was highlighted by the presence of HG Vaiesesika prabhu!  We had some special cameras, which had been adjusted to accommodate the low lighting, set up to snap some photos.  We will post pictures of the program soon, but here is a sneak preview!  Check out these stunning photos of our Deities as they are bathed in the soft light of candles!








Friday, December 20th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk


Saranagati, British Columbia

BEST TESTS

My host in Saranagati Village, Mahidhar, was half joking when he asked me to bless the van.  His Ford Escape was to be the means of transportation back to Vancouver.  So, to ensure a safe journey I did take his recommendations seriously.

At 5:30 AM I was out the door, ready for a walk towards the city in anticipation to be picked up by Mahidhar and Peter.  I stood in front of the vehicle, chanted some mantras, and even circumambulated the van before heading off down the quiet snow packed country road.  The two valley dogs, Ganga and Narasingha, accompanied me until we reached the cattle barrier called a cattle guard.  Cattle dare not cross the ground level metal frame at the end of the road that junctures at Highway 1, the Trans Canada Highway.  My two canine comrades also could not cross this barrier.  A human with careful footing can succeed, however.  I crossed over it and then went directions west with the Hare Krishna mantra and snowflakes to keep me from being lonely.

Six O’Clock passed, the projected time for Mahidhar and Peter to pick me up.  No sign of them.  7 o’clock passed and again no sign of them.  8 o’clock passed by and still no one showed up.  8:30 rolled along, no Mahidhar and no Peter.  “Something happened, I’m sure.  My blessing the vehicle didn’t work.  I hope they are alright,” I thought.

Ten minutes later, and with 12 KMs under my feet, finally a van pulled over.  It was Peter and Kulashekhar in another vehicle that had come to pick me up with the news that there was an accident.  Apparently the Ford Escape slid off the icy road, went over the edge, and into a gully, and finally being wedged in place by a stump and a log.  No one was hurt and the vehicle appeared to be miraculously operable.  After some endeavor one helper, Stanur, got behind the steering wheel and successfully freed the van from being stuck.  He drove it forward into a field, but then hit a rock that destroyed the oil pan.

Meanwhile a nasty snow storm blasted through the whole south of BC.  By the forces of nature, we were not going to go anywhere.  Unfortunately, we had to cancel out on a major satsang (spiritual gathering) held in Vancouver.

One thing that I pondered, before embarking on the journey back to Vancouver, I had recited protective mantras as an offering to our dear Sri Krishna.  Obviously not all occurrences pan out so smoothly, even when asking for a blessing.  The blessing, nevertheless, does come to the recipient, but not always in the format as anticipated.  In such circumstances, patience and tolerance have the chance to play out within one’s self.  The best tests in life do come unsought.

May the Source be with you!

12 KM

The best of Instructions
→ travelingmonk.com

“Srila Haridasa Thakur advised that we concentrate deeply on the holy names of Krishna. Lord Caitanya’s teachings on this matter are found in the Caitanya Bhagavata, Madhya 23.650 where it is stated: “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. The Lord said: ‘This is the maha-mantra. [...]

The best of Instructions
→ travelingmonk.com

“Every day one must complete his prescribed number of rounds, according to his vow. One should chant sincerely being careful not to sacrifice his quality of chanting in his eagerness to complete his vow. One should strive to improve the quality of chanting, rather than increase his number of rounds for show. The name of [...]

Striving for perfection in japa
→ travelingmonk.com

“Inattention arising from laziness prevents a person from relishing the nectar of the holy names while chanting japa. He is slow to chant and remember the holy names. Even after trying, he soon finds the effort unendurable and wants to sleep or otherwise engage himself in frivolity. “Advanced devotees are cautious against such an offense. [...]

Rocks that God Can’t Lift
→ The Enquirer

In logic’s flashier moments, it tries to play with ideas like, ‘if God is all-powerful, can he make a rock too heavy for him to lift?’ A similar topic came up in a discussion between Nārada and Brahmā, recorded in Bhāgavata Purāṇa, 2.6.36. Here is a draft of an English rendition, from my soon-forthcoming Volume 2 of Beautiful Tales of the All-Attractive.

“Do you perfectly understand Hari?” Nārada probed.

“Who can perfectly understand him?” Brahmā exclaimed. “Despite my efforts, my unique qualification as the original being and the source of all other sources in this universe, and despite the exalted goal I achieved, I still cannot perfectly understand Hari. That is the nature of Hari. Even he does not perfectly understand himself!”

“But the he is omniscient,” Nārada inquired, “How can he not fully know himself?”

Because he is unlimited!” Brahmā said.

“It seems like a contradiction,” Nārada said: “he is unlimited, but he cannot fully know himself.”

“Consider space,” Brahmā suggested. “Space is an unlimited substance – all other substances exist within it. Can we say space is not unlimited because it does not contain its own limit?”

It is meaningless to say something is not unlimited just because it lacks a limit. Hari lacks limitation – that is the very nature of being unlimited. A lack of limitation is not a “lack” in the common sense. The inability to exhaustively comprehend an unlimited topic is therefore not a flaw in the comprehension, it is the very nature of the comprehension. Perfection is a dynamic thing.

Here logic begins to fear that it will melt. But if we approach the topic humbly, respectfully, and carefully – the logic of it will shine with an unparalleled molten brightness and clarity.

Here's quite a few rocks lifted rather easily ;)

Here’s quite a few rocks lifted rather easily ;)


Please Always Remind Me To Chant
→ Japa Group

Simply our prayer should be:

My dear Krishna, please remind me to always chant Your Holy Name;
please do not put me into forgetfulness.
You are sitting within me as Super soul,
so you can put me into forgetfulness or into remembering You.
So please do not put me into forgetfulness.

Please always remind me to chant, even You send me into the hell, it doesn't matter,
just so long as I can always chant Hare Krishna.

Letter to Devananda
Los Angeles 1968

Australia Experience Oct 2013 – Continued
→ KKSBlog

In October 2013, Kadamba Kanana Swami visited Australia. We previously have written an article with many classes and videos from all the places that he visited – click here to view this post. Russel from Melbourne has released more videos that he recorded and edited.

During the Melbourne visit, a special Saturday night gala was organized by the local bhakti vriksa groups. There was music, a class and a special theater piece.

Gala Night – Poem
View on youtube

Gala Night – Speech
View on youtube

Gala Night – Theater
View on youtube

Gala Night – Closing Kirtana
View on youtube

Kirtan Night – Melbourne Temple
View on youtube

Initiation Festival – Melbourne Temple
View on youtube

Initiation Festival – Bhajans
View on youtube

 

 

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s Disappearance Anniversary, December 21, Vrindavan
Giriraj Swami

12.21.13_vdvnGiriraj Swami read and spoke from Srila Prabhupada’s “Concluding Words” in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta.

“I think that His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura is always seeing my activities and guiding me within my heart by his words. As it is said in Srimad-Bhagavatam, tene brahma hrida ya adi-kavaye. Spiritual inspiration comes from within the heart, wherein the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His Paramatma feature, is always sitting with all His devotees and associates.” —”Concluding Words”

“There are two points here, how Srila Prabhupada was receiving instruction from his spiritual master within the heart. Often we hear that the Lord is within the heart, and certainly as the Paramatma He is. But here Srila Prabhupada says that the Lord is not in the heart alone: He is accompanied by His associates and servants—which includes the spiritual master. So when Srila Prabhupada says that he was guided by his spiritual master within his heart by his words—of course, he kept within his heart the words he received from his spiritual master when he was physically present—but he also received further instruction from his spiritual master seated within his heart. And how we can be eligible to receive instruction from within the heart is very important.”

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s Disappearance Anniversary

For disciples of Srila Prabhupada: Invitation to the Open Vyasa-puja book, 2014
→ Jayadvaita Swami

A letter from the production manager

Deadline: April 15, 2014

Dear Srila Prabhupada disciple,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On behalf of the Tributes team, I’d like to invite you to submit your offering for Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja Tributes book 2014.

The book accepts offerings from everyone directly initiated by Srila Prabhupada, regardless of their personal history, present circumstances, personal views, or institutional affiliation.

Last year we received 280 offerings and our hope this year is that we can increase that number. Every disciple who submits an offering will receive a free copy of the book courtesy of the sponsorships the book receives. Last year we received an anonymous contribution from Africa. For this years sponsorship opportunities, please visit our website www.sptributes.com for details.

The deadline for submitting an offering is 15th April 2014. To find out more  — and, especially, for details on submitting your offering — please see www.sptributes.com.

We look forward to receiving your offering! And please spread the word!

Thank you.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Your servant,
Pradyumna Dasa
Production Manager
www.sptributes.com

The post For disciples of Srila Prabhupada: Invitation to the Open Vyasa-puja book, 2014 appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

For disciples of Srila Prabhupada: Invitation to the Open Vyasa-puja book, 2014
→ Jayadvaita Swami

A letter from the production manager 

Deadline: April 15, 2014

Dear Srila Prabhupada disciple,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

On behalf of the Tributes team, I’d like to invite you to submit your offering for Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja Tributes book 2014.

The book accepts offerings from everyone directly initiated by Srila Prabhupada, regardless of their personal history, present circumstances, personal views, or institutional affiliation.

Last year we received 280 offerings and our hope this year is that we can increase that number. Every disciple who submits an offering will receive a free copy of the book courtesy of the sponsorships the book receives. Last year we received an anonymous contribution from Africa. For this years sponsorship opportunities, please visit our website www.sptributes.com for details.

The deadline for submitting an offering is 15th April 2014. To find out more  — and, especially, for details on submitting your offering — please see www.sptributes.com.

We look forward to receiving your offering! And please spread the word!

Thank you.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Your servant,
Pradyumna Dasa
Production Manager
www.sptributes.com

 

 

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