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

 

 

read more

Special Days Meditations (41)
→ The Spiritual Scientist

The mind’s solutions are worse than the problems
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Its knowledge of good and bad, happiness and misery, donor and the recipient, law and disorder regarding things other than the Supreme Lord is nothing but a series of blunders and is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire or like swimming between Scylla and Charybdis.

- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, Vaishnavism – Real and Apparent

Srila Prabhupada Tours New Vrindaban – June 22nd, 1976
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Residents of the New Vrindaban community greet Srila Prabhupada during an early morning walk, June 1976.

Residents and guests of New Vrindaban greet Srila Prabhupada outside the original Vrindaban farmhouse during an early morning walk, June 1976.

A conversation between Srila Prabhupada and some of his disciples as they tour Madhuban & a Vegetable Garden in New Vrindaban – June 22nd, 1976.

Thanks to Vanipedia for the transcript.

Kirtanananda: This is our farm up in here. Lord Jagannatha is staying there now while He is ill. Our big Lord Jagannatha is going to Cleveland tomorrow for Ratha-yatra festival.

Prabhupada: Oh. It is the first time?

Kirtanananda: Yes. They have a big cart, and they will go down the main street.

Prabhupada: How far it is?

Kirtanananda: How far to Cleveland? About 130 miles. [break] Our land is on the left side.

Prabhupada: Oh. So this land, how you are utilizing it?

Kirtanananda: We are growing a kind of grass, sudan grass. Then we cut that and put it in the tall silos for the cows to eat in the winter.

Prabhupada: In the winter this is all covered with snow?

Kirtanananda: Most of the winter not. We get maybe six inches during the whole winter. [break] …a lot of land now that’s not our land. We are farming a lot of land now that is not our land. We lease it, or do it on shares.

Prabhupada: Oh. What is the share, half?

Kirtanananda: Sometimes half, more likely a third, sometimes a quarter. We like that.

Prabhupada: Quarter for the proprietor?

Kirtanananda: Yes. There are many people that have a lot of land, and they don’t want to do it themselves. But the hay has to be cut every year, otherwise the trees come, and then the land degenerates. So they like to have it cut. [break]

Prabhupada: …land can be cultivated also?

Kirtanananda: Yes, it could be. It would be very good land. [break] …our own lumber now also. Cutting our own trees.

Prabhupada: That is the nature’s way. You cut the lumber and make cottage, and the land is clear, then cultivate, get you food, and cows, give them grass.

Kirtanananda: [break] …woods around here.

Prabhupada: Why it is there is no fog here? Due to the trees? It is clear.

Kirtanananda: There’s a river up that way, and I think there’s more fog up that—it’s always like that, I don’t know exactly why. [break]

Prabhupada: …in the jungle?

Kirtanananda: Deer.

Prabhupada: Deer only.

Kirtanananda: Few fox.

Prabhupada: Fox also. And fox, they come to our temple?

Kirtanananda: No.

Prabhupada: No. Fox, they eat men? No.

Kirtanananda: Not usually. Only if they get sick, rabies, then they’ll attack. They eat rabbits and rodents.

Prabhupada: Deer also?

Kirtanananda: Deer are vegetarian, they eat grain.

Prabhupada: No.

Devotee (1): Fox will eat the deer?

Kirtanananda: Oh, I don’t think.

Devotee (1): Saw a lynx, a big cat.

Prabhupada: Eh?

Devotee (1): A lynx, a small cat.

Kirtanananda: Something like a little wildcat.

Prabhupada: They eat, they’re eaten by the fox?

Kirtanananda: They’ll eat the fox. They’re very rare though.

Prabhupada: Jivo jivasya jivanam.

ahastani sahastanam
apadani catus-padam
phalguni tatra mahatam
jivo jivasya jivanam

The handless animal is the food for the animal with hands. This is the beginning of life. Uncivilized man eats the animals. Apadani catus-padam: these grass, plants, they are for the catus-padam, four-legged. Cows, deer, goats, they eat. And those who are weak, they are for the strong. In this way, this is the nature’s way. Jivo jivasya jivanam. One life, a living entity is food for another. (dogs barking) Immigration department. (laughter) We have got passport. (laughter) That’s all right.

Kirtanananda: This is a dog’s business.

Prabhupada: Dog’s business. Without any fault, they’ll chastise. We have no fault, still they are chastising. Durlabham manusam janma. You have got this independence. Little independence, more than the animals.

Kirtanananda: It’s the end of the road, so I think we can turn here.

Prabhupada: Hare Krsna. [break]…. in the kitchen, this wood or gas?

Kirtanananda: Both. Mostly wood.

Prabhupada: There are so many jungles, we can use wood.

Kirtanananda: Actually we like it better.

Prabhupada: Oh, yes, it is better, nice.

Kirtanananda: But it is a little dirty. Unless you change it to charcoal, there was always some smoke. This is not ours. Our property comes down this way, but not on this corner. [break] …land, Prabhupada, and they say overpopulation.

Prabhupada: In the beginning, I protest against this assertion, there is overpopulation. I never admitted. Perhaps you know.

Kirtanananda: Yes.

Prabhupada: There is no overpopulation. If the Americans allow the Chinese and the Indians to come, they can develop all these un…. “No, this is our land, you cannot come,” immigration, gow gow. [break] …creek is pure water?

Kirtanananda: Yes, the water around here is very nice. We can dam it and have big lake.

Prabhupada: If there is no foam that means it is nice water. Foam means sinful water.

Devotee (2): In Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krsna explains that the soul is situated in the body but he’s not the performer of activities. In other words, he does nothing within the body, and yet…

Prabhupada: Where it is said he does nothing?

Devotee (2): There’s a verse that says the self-realized soul, when he sees the activities of evacuation or moving or so many things, he understands that it is the body alone which is working. So how is it that we see in a dead body, when the soul has gone, there are none of these activities? So it appears, though, the soul is the principle in the body that is performing all these activities. Otherwise, how is it that the dead body, when the soul is gone, is also not carrying on so many functions?

Prabhupada: So long the soul is there, the activities of the body are there. Otherwise not. That is explained—habit. Knowingly, unknowingly. Just like a child is passing urine. He does not know that he’s passing, but the body’s action is going on like that. But if the child is dead, there will be no more passing. Like that. So long the body is alive, things are happening automatically. Just like this tree, so long it is alive the leaves are coming out, the flowers are coming out, although the trees have no developed consciousness. (pause) In Bhagavatam we see that when Nanda Maharaja felt some disturbances from the demons, they decided to change the place. And they immediately, from Gokula, they immediately went to Vrndavana. But we don’t find anything that they had to take permission. Hmm?

Kirtanananda: That’s right.

Prabhupada: So that means formerly this was the system. If there is any vacant land, one can go and live there. There’s no question of permission. When you live there and you make your professional activities, then the king will come, take little tax.

Kirtanananda: That used to be the system here. They called it “homesteaders.” If you would go and make you home there, you could have the land.

Prabhupada: That is not for the foreigners. If some Chinese men or Indian want to come…

Kirtanananda: It used to be. But not anymore for anybody.

Prabhupada: Just see. Why?

Kirtanananda: Because it has become very profitable for people to keep it. Because people are making money on it now.

Prabhupada: Money they must make; otherwise, why they should come? But what is the objection? Just like in the marketplace, still, in India, the system is, the marketplace, anyone can go and sell his goods, and when he’s selling, the proprietor takes some contribution. Not that he has to take permission. He’s selling there, that’s all right, “Give me some…, a little contribution.” The king has the right to tax for maintenance.

Devotee (3): Srila Prabhupada, when we take that which is not our quota, by using, wasting a lot of clean water, how is that perfect and complete, om purnam ? How are things still perfectly complete even when we’re wasting and destroying it?

Prabhupada: Why you should waste? Wasting is not allowed. [break] …our car?

Kirtanananda: No, it belonged to the man who formerly owned the property.

Prabhupada: So how it is broken?

Kirtanananda: Some vandals. There’s no one living here, he just left it. (in car:) This farm is for sale now.

Prabhupada: There is no limit of purchasing?

Kirtanananda: Only limit is money.

Prabhupada: No, I mean to say as in India there is limit, that you…

Kirtanananda: No, government puts no limit.

Prabhupada: There is no land, therefore there is limit. [break]

Kirtanananda: Cauliflower, peas, beets, carrots, lettuce, spinach…

Prabhupada: Potato?

Kirtanananda: Potato, broccoli,

Prabhupada: Broccoli? What is that?

Kirtanananda: It is something like cauliflower.

Pus?a Krsna: It’s that green vegetable, Srila Prabhupada, that’s like cauliflower.

Prabhupada: Cabbage?

Kirtanananda: Cabbage, peppers.

Prabhupada: That is nice, so many. Tomato.

Kirtanananda: But most things are not yet fructified. This is early in our season. Peas will be ready just shortly. Lettuce is ready.

Prabhupada: Vegetables, ghee, milk, wheat, then what do you want more?

Kirtanananda: The wheat is just about ready for harvest.

Prabhupada: No, I mean to say we can grow all these things and eat very nicely. Where is economic problem? Yajnad bhavati parjanyo parjanyad anna-sambhava?. [break]

Kirtanananda: It’s full of cow stool and urine.

Prabhupada: Accha, for fertilizer?

Kirtanananda: Yes, fertilizer. Nothing is wasted.

Prabhupada: You can make gas also.

Kirtanananda: Yes. That was originally an oil tank. (end)