The Very Best Day of My life
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Volume 13, Chapter 13 Dec 6, 2013   Memorial Address for Nelson Mandela Delivered at Edison Power Group Memorial Function Durban,South Africa December 6, 2013 Dearest Madiba, It was with profound sadness that I learned of your departure from this world yesterday. Though all of us were aware that your demise was imminent, somehow we [...]

A year of eating vegetarian food in Ireland, my favorite veg restaurants
→ Dandavats.com

With locations across central Dublin, Govindas is a great place to stop into for lunch. You walk up to the counter and ask for a regular or large plate, and the kind soul serving you proceeds to pile it high with homemade Indian-ish tasty glop. Their food isn’t as intensely flavorful as traditional Indian, but it’s so cheap and satisfying (and the soft Hare Krishna chanting playing in the background is so soothing) that I’m never disappointed Read more ›

O’ VAISNAVA GOSWAMI
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Vicaru das
ISKCON uk

O’ Vaisnava Goswami please be merciful to me now ,there is no one except you who can purify the fallen souls.where does anyone find such a merciful personality by whose mere audience all sins go far away/.After bathing in the waters of the sacred Ganges many times one becomes purified.,but just by the sight of you, the fallen souls are purified,This is your great power

The holy name delivers one who has committed an offence to Lord Hari, but if one commits an offence to you, there is no means of deliverance,Your heart is always resting place of Lord Govinda and Lord Govinda says,The vaisnavas are in my heart,
I desire the dust of your holy feet in every birth I may take ,./Please consider Narottam yours, and be kind upon him

NOTHING GOES FURTHER WITHOUT MERCY
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VICARU DAS
BHAKTIVEDANTA MANOR
ISKCON UK

Gurudava,By a drop of your mercy make this servant of yours more humble than a blade of grass.Give me strength to bear all trials and troubles,and free me from all desires for personal honour.

O lord and master Invest me with the power to properly honor all living beings.Only then will I sing the holy name in great ecstasy and
will all my offences cease.

O lord and master’ when will this devotee be blessed by obtaining your mercy/ I am low fallen and devoid of all strength and intelligence.Please make me your beloved servant.

When I examine myself,I find nothing of value,your mercy is therefore essential to me.If you are not merciful,I will constantly weep, and I will not maintain my life any longer.

Srila Prabhupada Shobha Yatra @ LUDHIANA (Album 21photos)
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Srila Prabhupada Shobha Yatra (Glorification Parade) was taken out in the city today. This yatra is taken out two days before the historic annual Rath Yatra of Ludhiana. The distance of about two kilometer was covered with chanting of maha-mantra. Chariot of Srila Prabhupada was decorated beautifully with colorful lights. People on both sides of the road welcomed with flowers and prashadam were also distributed on the way of parade Read more ›

Christmas is. . .Not on Vaishnava Calendar – Lyrics and previews
→ Dandavats.com

It is so inspiring to hear how the devotees came to the Krishna consciousness, especially in the BTG magazine section, "How I Came to the Krishna consciousness." Except for every such story there are many stories you never hear, of "How I Did Not Come to the Krishna Consciousness." They do not publish in the BTG because those persons are not going back to the Godhead. Maybe next life or so Read more ›

Wednesday, December 11th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

That’s Right, Dave!

Burnaby, British Columbia

In the course of a chilly walk this evening, I met Dave by the Chinese convenience store on Marine Drive.  He was cozily bundled up in a parka and hat to cover the ears.  I still could recognize him though.
 
Dave was the guy that drove me to my accommodation after a grueling trek, day 4, of my first cross-Canada walk in ’96.  I targeted and achieved a 47 KM walk that day.  Dave was the guy who drove me in his second hand black Cadillac.  He was unique, observing the asphalt moving under you with the car in motion because of the rust that eroded the floor to create holes.  Dave was the guy who was very fond of his dog, a massive specimen who sat in the back seat.  The next day, Dave was also the guy who gave me a small plastic bag of cayenne pepper to put in my socks, guaranteeing me that it would help pick up speed while walking.  You know, honestly, I bought into it, and poured the stuff inside.  My soles were a little fiery that day.  At least with the mix of rain those white socks turned saffron – my colour.

Dave was also the guy who let me reciprocate with his generosity by teaching him a verse from the Gita.  It goes like this: 

rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyaṁ
pavitram idam uttamam
pratyakṣāvagamaṁ dharmyaṁ
su-sukhaṁ kartum avyayam 

It’s funny, after all these years, Dave retained it in his memory banks, so as soon as he saw me, he recited it, right in front of the Chinese boy behind the counter, and he recited it quite well.  I was quite proud of him.  We went for a mutual hug.  I didn’t ask for the English translation.  Even if he knew it, letting the sound linger in Sanskrit was just good enough.  However, I will take the opportunity to present its translation: 

“This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.” 

I thanked Dave for his gestures of the past.  Even his reciting was a gift to the ears.  He let me know that his dog, since then in ’96 passed on, while he had planned to continue going on.

“That’s right, Dave, your soul will.”

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Join us this Sunday for the association of Her Grace Prema Manjari Devi Dasi
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON

Sunday Love Feast

When?
Sunday, December 15th
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
Sponsor a page in the 2014 Vaisnava calendar
Contact Savyasacin Prabhu for more details:  savyasacin.bms@gmail.com
Bhagavad Gita - 10.25
maharsīnāḿ bhrgur ahaḿ
girām asmy ekam aksaram
yajñānāḿ japa-yajño 'smi
sthāvarānāḿ himālayah

Translation: Of the great sages I am Bhrgu; of vibrations I am the transcendental oḿ. Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa], and of immovable things I am the Himālayas.

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 Prema Manjari 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!

Thoroughly Convinced Of The Power
→ Japa Group

"Everyone of you should be thoroughly convinced of the power of the Hare Krsna mantra to protect you in all circumstances and chant accordingly at all times without offense. Then advancement will be swift and you will gradually come to see everything clearly so that you may act for the pleasure of the Lord without uncertainty."

Letter to Damodara
January 10, 1971

Humble Service
→ Seed of Devotion

"One's greatest weaknesses have the potential to become one's greatest strengths." I coined this phrase when I was in a phase of my life when I was deeply struggling with emotional eating. I was experiencing so much mental, emotional, and physical pain; I felt that surely this pain could fuel great realizations to not only uplift myself but the world.

On that note, this morning I was really accepting that in this lifetime I have a perplexed mind. I have struggled with many heavy issues in my mind that deal with my bodily features, weight, or how I have had issues with leaders, men, family, friends. I've been embracing that these perplexities aren't good or bad. When I dovetail these perplexities for Krishna, my condition can actually be sublime. So many powerful realizations come when I surrender to the pain. I grow.

Then, when I share these realizations with others, they can relate with my struggles. Yes, I'm not alone. Then they can experience some hope and strength to overcome and transcend those struggles, too. If I can share my heart and offer this small service, then truly my weaknesses have become my strengths.  
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Sunday Feast – Gita Jayanti – The appearance day celebration of Srimad Bhagavad Gita
→ Welcome to the official site of ISKCON Perth

Dear Devotees & Friends,

We would like to invite you all for the Sunday Feast Program on 15 December.

As part of Gita Jayanti celebration we will be having  a special program this Sunday with a children presentation and a special class by HH Bhakti Vinod Swami who will be visiting Perth First time on 15 December till Tuesday 17 December.

SUNDAY FEAST PROGRAM
4.00 pm   Kirtan
4.30 pm   Japa
4.45 pm Tulasi Arati
5.00pm    Special Class On Bhagavad Gita and its application in daily life by HH Bhakti Vinod Swami.
5.30 pm   Japa
5.50 pm   Announcements
6.00 pm Special program by Sunday school chlidren – Sloka recitation and a skit from Bhagavad Gita
6.15 pm   Arati
6.30 pm   Prasadam feast
7.00 pm   Clean up

 

Bhakti Vinod Swami

You can sponsor a Bhagavad Gita on this special occasion
A humble request:
“Drivers, please be aware of children and drive safely on temple grounds.
Parents, please ensure children are supervised at all times. “

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR A FEAST OR HELP IN ANY SERVICE,  PLEASE CONTACT:
Syama Sarana das(0439969002) or
Sitaram Lakshmana das(0422045525)

Attend such a wonderful feast and receive the Lord’s mercy of full spiritual benefits with Kirtan, Aarti and Spiritual Discourse.

Hare Krishna.