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)

 

South Africa – December 2013
→ KKSBlog

Apologies for the lack of chronology in the recent travel posts. Kadamba Kanana Swami interrupted his stay in Mayapur with a short visit to South Africa. Here is a report by Candrasekhara dasa.

IMG_0783Kadamba Kanana Swami visited South Africa recently. He visited different centres around Johannesburg motivating the devotees in their preaching initiatives. He arrived in South Africa on Thursday morning (12 December) and spent the day meeting with local leaders of the Pretoria yatra. In the evening, he conducted a program at a disciple’s home in Midrand. Despite his long journey and tiring day, he led a sweet kirtan which touched the hearts of devotees. In addressing the audience thereafter, he highlighted the importance of studying Srimad Bhagavatam and encouraged devotees to adopt this culture of study.

Maharaj resided at the Pretoria temple for two days during which he lectured on Srimad Bhagavatam & Caitanya Caritamrta in the mornings and absorbed himself in sweet bhajans during the day. He also used the time to meet with devotees.  On Friday, 13 December, he held an evening program at the temple which was well attended by the congregation.  Within minutes, he broke out into ecstatic kirtan which had the ladies compete with the men in dancing.  He went on to speak about the importance of filling our lives with service to Krsna:

“The essence of what I’m trying to say is that we must fill our life with service to Krsna.  That is the difference, you see, hearing, chanting and other service to Krsna will make the difference.  Otherwise, we will be alone, wherever we are.  It doesn’t matter who we are with, still alone! But when we are really absorbed in service to Krsna, then we will never be alone.  Never! And therefore  we will never be feeling any lacking. One who is not with Krsna all the time always feels something lacking, even if you have everything.”

On Saturday, 14 December, Kadamba Kanana Swami attended the wedding ceremony of two of his disciples, at the Pretoria temple. The wedding couple were of African descent and their family members, even though having limited exposure to Vedic culture, completely embraced the ceremony and fully took part in the ecstatic kirtan which followed the ceremony. Kadamba Kanana Swami, a true follower of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, was in ecstasy himself seeing the Lord’s holy names being taken to the people of Africa.

IMG_0759The following day (15 December), Kadamba Kanana Swami attended the Sunday Programs at ISKCON Lenasia and ISKCON Soweto.  The preaching initiatives in Soweto have a special place in Kadamba Kanana Swami’s heart and he is always inspired to give the people of Soweto extra mercy, and the people of Soweto reciprocated by coming in numbers to the temple to receive him.  The small temple room was packed to capacity and the devotees danced to their heart’s contents to the beat of the holy name which continued for two hours.  After class, a local devotee offered his appreciation to Kadamba Kanana Swami for always keeping Soweto close to his heart.

On 16 December was the last program that Kadamba Kanana Swami held. This time it was a relaxed picnic program at ISKCON Sandton where he highlighted the importance of staying safe from the influence of kali.

The Audio classes will be made available soon.

Please find below pictures from all these program.If you cannot view the slide-show, then please visit flickr

"Nach Re Amar Man": A Festival for the Heart (Dec 20- 24th)
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

It has gotten pretty chilly in the last couple of days, but guess who's bringing in a heat wave all the way from Northern California? As most of you must have guessed by now, His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu and Her Grace Nirakula Mataji will be in town next week (Dec 20th to 24th) with a line up of fun-filled events. 

So what is this nāch re āmār man (prounounced näch-ray-ämär-mun), you ask? Since 2009, these beloved disciples of Srila Prabhupada have been making their semi-annual / annual visits to Toronto which are always a beautiful package-deal of fun things: singing, dancing, practical seminars with useful tips on how to bring a change in consciousness, and lessons about how to interact with the environment - the spirit of giving and sharing (Srimad Bhagavatam classes in temple packaged with application outside the temple). In short- its a festival for the heart! Hence, we thought of officially giving their visits this name.

Does this excite you? Here is their tentative schedule:

Friday, December 20th to Tuesday, December 24th: 
7:30 am to 9:00 am DAILY
Special Bhagavatam Classes on the theme 'Preaching is the Essence' which is one of the 4 primary principles that Srila Prabhupada used to quote (Books are the Basis, Purity is the Force, Preaching is the Essence and Utility is the Principle). 
Come out for these very interactive classes as we hear and discuss how sharing enriches our lives!
Note: Sunday Dec 22nd: Harinama Initiation Ceremony for Bhakta Sam (instead of class)

Friday, December 20th:
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 
Finding the Perfect Balance
How can I balance my spiritual practices with my material obligations? Where do I draw the line? Should I really spend time planning my material goals?  Join in for this special Friday night seminar where you will learn the delicate art of balancing spiritual and material priorities. 

Saturday, December 21st
12:00 pm - Honouring Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura's Disappearance Day
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm - Downtown Street Sankirtan with Vaisesika Prabhu
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm - The famous Bhajan Night 

Sunday, December 22nd
6:30 pm to 7:30pm - Sunday Feast Class
8:00 pm to 9:00pm - Kirtan

Please mark these dates and try to make the most of their really special association! Help spread the word and please invite anyone and everyone!

Are the beliefs “kshatriya martyrs attain heaven” & “jehadi suicide bombers attain paradise” different?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

The Mahabharata states that Duryodhana and his aides despite their viciousness attained heaven because they died on the battlefield? Didn't their past bad karma matter? If it didn't, how is this belief different from jehadi suicide bombers who kill hundreds of innocent people believing that they will attain jannat and enjoy virgins there?

Answer Podcast