A Pleasure

Burnaby, British Columbia

It’s always a pleasure to sit down and hear something motivationally strong, coming from experience.  My spiritual brother, Kriphanidi, spoke from the Bhagavatam, a text that by regular reading has the effect of shrinking that which is inauspicious in the heart – anger, envy, greed, etc.

Hearing the realizations of others enhances your own realizations.  It’s also a pleasure to push the wheel chair of Padyavali, my godsister, on the ISKCON property, because she can’t do it on her own.  When she, Manu and I, sit to talk or have lunch together as we did today, we have a blast at joking.  It lifts our spirits.  I recall this last summer, during the course of my fourth cross-Canada trek, pushing the chair of a middle aged handicapped native person to Tim Horton’s doughnut shop for a coffee, and then to church.  This happened at a bridge in Winnipeg as he was waiting for someone to come along.  I lost about a half hour of time from my routine walking, but I gained something through service.

It was also a pleasure to serve the guru by sitting in-the-round with administrators of ISKCON.  Although topics can be grave and taxing, the challenges can excite you.  You probe the brain and you tap the heart in search for answers.  By nighttime, I sat in the director’s chair, so to speak, for a new take on Ram’s pastimes.  ‘The Little Big Ramayan’ will be presented on the 29^th of this month.  Along with cast and crew, we are starting to shape this production which is in its embryonic stage.  It had me constantly leaping back and forth from chair to stage.  It was a pleasure.

My final pleasure session of the day was a walk after all was done.  It was damp and dark out, but the moon  gave consolation.  Around its fullness were massive rainbow rings; perfectly round concentric circles surrounding it.  Awesome!  Just awesome!  What a pleasure!  What a pleasure!

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 12-08-2013

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban (Earth, Cows, Opportunities & Vrindaban Villages) is dedicated to cow protection, sustainable agriculture, self-sufficiency and simple living — all centered around loving service to Sri Krishna, as envisioned by the ISKCON New Vrindaban Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Participating Board Members: Anuttama (first half of meeting), Chaitanya Mangala, Madhava Gosh, Navin Shyam, and Ranaka.

Advisors present: Jaya Krsna

1. Garden of Seven Gates (G7G) manager & ECOV responsibility

WHEREAS: In line with its mission, the ECOV Board wishes to actively promote the production and use of food grown locally in New Vrindaban.

RESOLVED: The Board hereby authorizes the creation of a new management position, the Food Production Manager (FPM), whose duties and salary will be determined by ECOV management.

The need for an ECOV President or other general manager to oversee projects and overall operations was also considered. Further discussion will resume after the FPM is found, but it was recognized that the first step is creating a job description.

2. Madhuban grove

WHEREAS: The ECOV Board wishes to continue developing the Madhuban orchard.

RESOLVED: The Board authorizes up to $2,200 for continuing the maintenance of food-producing trees on the Madhuban site in 2014. The Food Production Manager will manage the project once that position is filled. In the interim, Rafael, the proponent of the project, will report to Ranaka and be advised by Madhava Gosh.

3. 2014 operating budget

This will be discussed at the Annual Meeting in January, along with review of the 2013 budget.

4. Bahulaban barn deconstruction

Gosh will follow up with an Amish group to get a quote.

5. Bahulaban utility building temporary repairs

Navin Shyam will contact Gopisa to ensure that this is moving forward.

6. Bahulaban pink building demolition

Completed.

7. Deity flower garden

The $341.40 2013 budget overage will be taken out of the manager’s discretionary fund.

Gosh is currently acting as the Project Manager, with involvement from Vidya dasi.

8. Garden of Seven Gates related grants: Irrigation, greenhouses & pole barn

The Board deferred consideration of the high-tunnel greenhouse and pole barn projects pending the hiring of the FPM. The irrigation project is nearly complete, but more funding has been requested.

WHEREAS: The ECOV Board wishes to maintain good relations in the greater Wheeling community, and to fairly compensate those who work on ECOV projects.

RESOLVED: The Board requests Ranaka to meet with Andy Reed of Apogee Design and authorizes him to offer Andy up to $1,100 for additional unanticipated labor performed on the Garden of Seven Gates irrigation project.

Payment will be contingent, however, on Andy providing the relevant ECOV and/or INV individuals with the following:

• Operator Manual with diagrams;
• Final field instructions;
• A list of spare parts;
• Names and locations of suppliers where we can obtain spare parts and materials required for any future expansion of the project;
• Any other training and/or documentation requested by INV or ECOV during the course of the project.

9. G7G prototype cabin

Varsana Swami will be engaged to do some backfilling. A gutter system also needs to be installed. The budget overage ($227.38 to date) will either be addressed using the management discretionary fund or an augmentation of the project budget itself.

10. Grain storage

Storage bin purchase and set up completed.

11. Valley barn roof repair

Completed.

12. Bulk grain purchasing

INV has begun exploring suppliers for purchases of rice and various beans.

13. Legal research

Completed. There will be a need to further engage our attorney when we hear back from the IRS in regards to the integrated auxiliary application. We anticipate this to be in about a year and will allocate the necessary funds at that time.

14. New Vrindaban Master plan completion

WHEREAS: The ECOV Board wishes to reallocate funds for any project that is not making regular progress.

RESOLVED: The Board hereby returns to the general fund the remaining $5K budget allocated for the completion of a New Vrindaban Master Plan.

1967 December 21: "Be careful about your health. Not only you but all my noble sons. I am an old man. I may live or die it does not matter. But you must live for long time to push on this Krishna Consciousness movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1968 December 21: "Accelerate these school engagements and I am sure you will be very successful. When Krishna sees that we are trying very sincerely to preach His message He becomes very pleased and showers all blessings upon us. So please continue in this spirit."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 December 21: "Mr. Harrison must join this Krishna Consciousness movement without hesitation. If Mr. George Harrison takes the lead in organizing a huge Sankirtana Party consisting of the Beatles and our boys surely we shall change the face of the world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1972 December 21: "Yes, spiritual activities, even mentally performed, are beneficial. No, mental sinful activities do not cause a bad reaction. We do not suffer for thinking something sinful. Not in this age. That is a special concession for Kali-yuga."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 December 21: "You are the pioneer preachers, you are paving the way. You will not stand by idly and listen to any nonsense ideas or Mayavadis. That is very nice. My Guru Maharaja was also inclined toward his bolder preachers."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 December 21: "Print thousands of books and distribute everywhere, all over the world at the same speed. If we can get the masses of people in the Western countries to become Krsna Conscious, then the rest of the world will follow. That is a fact."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 December 21: "By injecting our movement into the masses of people all over the world, especially in the Western countries, we can literally turn whole areas into Krsna Conscious nations. I am very glad to hear you have printed 100,000 copies. Now give them to everyone."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 December 21: "I am very anxious to get that building in New York City. I like it very much, so I want you to take it immediately. Now keep the atmosphere very pure by holding regular classes and kirtan, morning and evening arati and ensuring that everyone chants their 16 rounds and follows the regulative principles without fail."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Kapar - Palanquin Procession 2013

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Kapar - Palanquin Procession 2013

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Kapar - Palanquin Procession 2013

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Kapar - Palanquin Procession 2013

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Kapar - Palanquin Procession 2013

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Kapar - Palanquin Procession 2013

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Kapar - Palanquin Procession 2013

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Kapar - Palanquin Procession 2013

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Kapar - Palanquin Procession 2013

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Kapar - Palanquin Procession 2013

HH Indradyumna Swami’s class and kirtan in Jaipur 30.1.2013

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

Dear Venerable readers,

As you may have gathered, I am not regularly blogging anymore. I am however Facebooking, so if you look me up on Facebook you can be my "friend' there!

Feel free to use this huge resource of archives, accessible via the search box on the blog front page (that's it up there on the right - just key in any search topic).

with love,

Kurma

After a week long visit to South Africa, Kadamba Kanana Swami returned to Sri Dham Mayapur on Wednesday. It was a day of kirtan yesterday (Friday, 20 December) as Maharaj kept devotees enthused for hours.

The first part took place in the garden outside the Gada Building. It started in the afternoon and continued into the night. Many international visitors to Mayapur, as well as local devotees, joined in the energetic kirtan. In a short lecture that followed, Maharaj spoke about the mercy that extends from the holy dham.

The second part took place in the Community Hall at the weekly Friday night program. Yesterday, the program was dedicated to HG Yamuna Devi Dasi on the second anniversary of her disappearance from this world and devotees shared their appreciation & memories of her. The kirtan this time around was more soulful and meditative.

Please find below photos and audio recordings.

KKS_Mayapur_20 Dec 2013_Kirtan_Garden

KKS_Mayapur_20 Dec 2013_Short Lecture_Garden

KKS_Mayapur_20 Dec 2013_Kirtan_Community Hall

 

If you cannot view the slide-show, then please visit flickr.

The post December 21st, 2013 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

1968 December 20: "This accredited university course is a very nice breakthrough for Lord Caitanya's movement in the West. Lord Caitanya will give you the intelligence from within to successfully execute this important project. Perhaps the more intelligent will also decide to join you and help you. "
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 December 20: "If we keep ourselves purely on the standard of Lord Caitanya's order, then chanting by us of the Holy Names of Krishna will descend as powerfully as He acted during the time of Jagai and Madhai."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 December 20: "I have learned the story of the delivering of the Berkeley Jagai-Madhais. Although it is surprising, yet it is possible to happen in this Krishna Consciousness Movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1972 December 20: "It is your qualification for pleasing your Spiritual Master. That idea has become prominent for all of you, it is bigger than maya's idea, therefore maya cannot interfere to make you quarrel."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 December 20: "So Krishna appreciates very much when His devotee becomes attached to Him. If there is some discrepancy anywhere it is to be supposed that the persons in charge are not very much attached to Krishna."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 December 20: "Because the message of Lord Krsna is being spoken, this Movement is going all over the world. I am like a peon carrying the message and the message, being perfect, it will be appreciated in every part of the universe."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 14 December 2011, Durban, South Africa, Lecture)

Disappearance day of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakur

His father, Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakur, established the birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to be in Sridham Mayapur. Not everyone was ready to agree with that, particularly the caste goswamis, and the brahmin community in Navadwip was in total disagreement because they claimed the birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to be in Navadwip which was making Navadwip very prominent and also making them very prominent. When Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakur had confirmed the birthplace in Mayapur, he had it confirmed by Jaganath Das Babaji, who was the most respected and prominent vaishnava acharya at that time, so there could be no argument. But still Bhakti Vinoda instructed Bhakti Siddhanta to serve Sridham Mayapur and he did so by inaugurating the Navadwip Mandal Parikrama, based on the Navadwip Dham Mahatmya of Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakur, by physically visiting all the holy places that were identified in the Navadwip Dham Mahatmya. Srila Bhakti Siddhanta established these holy places as the truth and gradually, in this way, the concept of the holy dham, as Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakur revealed it, became established and the glories of Sridham Mayapur became established as a fact.

So Srila Bhakti Siddhanta spent substantial energy to establish Sridham Mayapur as the birth-site of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He also established the entire tour of South India that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu made, by establishing prints of the lotus feet Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in various places that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited. In this way, making the tour of South India famous and known to all so that if anyone might question: Did Caitanya Mahaprabhu really make that pilgrimage of South India?

Then that question would become totally irrelevant and it would become common knowledge that Caitanya Mahaprabhu was there. That mission is to be completed. Srila Bhakti Siddhanta himself only established eight such footprints and his disciples later on established some additional. Lokanatha Maharaja established further footprints when Padayatra visited these places. That mission should be completed…

"Maya targets your chanting because it's your most potent weapon against her. To the degree you allow her to distract you from chanting well, you become malleable to her will."

Mahatma dasa

“The Juhu land had buildings with tenants, and the tenants’ children would run around the grounds making noise. One of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples approached him and said, ‘We have to do something to keep the children quiet.’ Srila Prabhupada replied, ‘You cannot keep the children quiet. But their tendency to make noise can be channeled in Krishna consciousness, in doing kirtan.’ And that was the beginning of the devotees’ teaching and engaging the tenants’ children at Juhu. It wasn’t really a school in any formal sense, but the children really liked it. Their time with the devotees became their favorite time of the day. The devotees would teach them to chant and do kirtan, to recite prayers and worship Tulasi-devi. They would teach them the basic philosophy of Krishna consciousness and the essential practices of devotees.”

BGIS Talk

The question of verification is raised when we are concerned with distortion, hence it is an important question. One way to test for distortion is to track the changes (or lack of) in a linear fashion from origin to end (historically speaking). Another way to test for distortion is to study the desired effects of the treatment. If the results or effects deviate from our desired results/effects, then we can conclude that the treatment has been altered or distorted somewhere. So as an investigator we need to know the nature of the tool (in this case the Gita) and the desired result/goal of the tool (the Gita).

Srila Prabhupada said that verification can be done through three sources; historical evidence, spiritual authority (Parampara) and one's own self realization (atma tattva darshanam).

LINEAR REFERENCING FROM ORIGIN TO END 
Historical evidence (in the secular world historical literary evidence is held high)
This is a tedious process. Historical evidence of the Kurukshetra war for example has been tested through astronomical alignment of stars/planets, archaeological facts and radioactive testing (these are few i am aware of). Literature studies such as the Bhagavad Gita is tested by modern scholars by way of variations in grammatical/literary and language presentations. So as prabhuji mentioned, the Mahabharat has returned various results and considered by some as corrupted with different narrations of the same incident. This is much like the Crucifixion of Christ is narrated differently in the Gospel John versus Mathew or Luke or Mark. So scholars debate which version is correct. Strictly from a literary standpoint, due to lack of standard documentation techniques, one can expect distorted versions of the same story or incident. Bhagavad Gita in that historical accuracy sense may be distorted....the real answer - we do not know for sure. So if you are studying the Gita from an archaeologist and/or historian perspective, then you may be hard pressed to verify the veracity of each sanskrit sloka in the Gita.

VERIFICATION THROUGH EFFECTS OF TREATMENT (can be divided into two - spiritually speaking the following two are held high)
Spiritual Authority (Parampara System)
Having touched on the historicity of the Gita, still the slokas in the Bhagavad Gita is the same in all translations of the modern era dating back as late as 2000 years or so. Now if you are reading the Gita from the perspective of spiritual emancipation and enlightenment (effects of the Gita), then historical evidence is not useful. We need to test it from the standpoint of spiritual authority (Guru Parampara). The meaning, and interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita was, is and will be consistent within the Parampara system (cannot guarantee outside of it). So Srila Prabhupada comes within the Parampara system directly started by Lord Brahma leading to Vyas to Madhwacharya and finally to Prabhupada himself. While the language and contextual explanation may be unique to the commentator, however, the essence and meaning will remain intact. It is like old wine in a new botte principle. As time changes, people change, culture changes - so Prabhupada presents his commentaries to the audience he writes while maintaining the core spirit, value and essence of the Bhagavad Gita. The spirit is maintained air-tight within the Parampara system. So if you study the previous translations of Brahma Madhwa Parampara writings of the Gita with Prabhupada's commentary, you will find the meaning and essence repeating itself AS IT IS without ulterior motivations. So this is one way to test positive for the Gita.

One's Own Self Realization (atma tattva darshanam).
Another effect of the Gita is through one's own realization of the truth (tattva). This is one of the significant evidences that cannot be over stated. This is where most if not all miss the bus. While verifying the Gita based on spiritual authority is the first step to enter into the Gita Wisdom, it is by one's own realization one sustains the Gita and transmit the essence to future generations integral with the Parampara teachings. So spiritual authority and one's own realization goes hand-in-hand. In other words, great saints who are ALL self-realized "ARE" part of the Parampara system (are spiritual authorities). That is why we can say with 100% confidence that the Gita by Prabhupada is the gold standard. This gold standard is true even if you read any saint's translation who is part of the parampara system (it is not exclusive to Prabhupada). However, Srila Prabhupada's translation fits the 21st century audience, hence most appropriate. Besides, he is the one who took immense pain to spread the word of Krishna throughout the world and it is because of his pains we are currently reading this Bhagavad Gita As it is.

Through the parampara system and through the Gita wisdom itself, we can analyze who is a self-realized soul and who is not. Then based on that criteria, we judge appropriately. If we take the medicine appropriately given by the doctor as per the instruction of the doctor and the label of the medicine, then we will become cured of our disease. Although I may not know anything about the medicine itself, still i can vote with confidence that the doctor and medicine are bonafide. Similarly by practicing spiritual sadhana as given in the Bhagavad Gita (like the label of the medicine) and as given by the self-realized soul Srila Prabhupada (like the doctor), and if both the Gita and Prabhupada commentary is indeed genuine/valid, then the readers or audience must also become self-realized (much like the patient must be cured of his/her disease). This is the ultimate test. Bhagavad Gita As it is passes that test.

Thousands have turned their lives around (giving up drugs, illiicit sex, meat eating and intoxication) and lead pure spiritual lives by reading Prabhupada's Gita. There is so much evidence of this. While the US Federal Govt spends 1/3rd of its taxes (approx 1 trillion) on health, human services type issues, still the Govt is not able to solve the socio-economic issues that stems from drug addiction and intoxication and meat eating (obesity/health risks). Srila Prabhupada on the other hand successfully changed thousands of people's lives simply by the power of the words of Krishna in the Gita. Out of the thousands who sobered up, few hundred went on to themselves become self-realized.

Conclusion
Based on these above two points (parampara and atma tattva) we can confidently verify that the Bhagavad Gita As it is achieved its desired result/goal. To know the ultimate goal of Bhagavad Gita, please refer to BG 11.54, 11.55, 18.55, 18.65 and 18.66.

Hare Krishna

Full audio here: BG 18.65 A Surrogate Servant 2013-12-05 at Ananda Lila & Caitanya Lila’s house

Join us this Sunday for the association of Her Grace Sita Thakurani Devi Dasi You still have opportunities to sponsor one or more page(s) in the 2014 Vaisnava calendar Contact Savyasacin Prabhu for more details:  savyasacin.bms@gmail.com or 416-574-7116 Sunday Love Feast When? Sunday, December 22nd 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 - 9.34 man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māḿ namaskuru mām evaisyasi yuktvaivam ātmānaḿ mat-parāyanah Translation: Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me. 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 Her Grace Sita Thakurani Devi Dasi 1:00 – 1:30                    Closing Kirtan Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment.  UPCOMING EVENT: December 25th - Christmas Celebration at ISKCON BRAMPTON We are pleased to invite you, your family and friends for the Christmas Party & a Thank you program at ISKCON Brampton.  Program starts at 11:00am Guru Puja, Kirtan, Graduation, Visit from Bhakta Santa and Prasadam (Vegetarian Feast)! REGISTER YOUR CHILD TO ENSURE THEY WILL RECEIVE A GIFT FROM BHAKTA SANTA… please email us at sundayschool108@gmail.com with your child’s name and age by Friday, December 20th. Suggested donation $10/per child December 31st - New Year's eve candle light kirtan Program starts at 9:00 Start the new year in the presence of the Lord and in the association of devotees with a mid night aarti Jan 1st - New Year's program Special New Year's program with His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami. Program starts from noon including initiation ceremony.  More detailed program will be announced in the future weeks. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Chant and Be happy!