HH Giriraj Swami / SB 10.47.67
HH Giriraj Swami – Mermaids, Angels, Astral Projection, Premonitions & the Supreme Person Krishna
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Saturday, October 5th, 2013
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Kent Bridge, Ontario
I turned 61. This date happens to fall on the 200th death anniversary of Chief Tecumseh, a member of the Shawnee First Nation. He was shot in the chest at the battle of the Thames in 1813. For me, he was a kind of hero. He lead a confederacy which opposed the US during Tecumseh’s war and the war of 1812. As a kid I knew little about him, even though I trekked his trail a century and a half after his time here.
In the early morning I had walked the Rosedale neighbourhood in Toronto before a trip down the 401 Highway and towards the Thamesville area where there would be a spectacular reenactment of the Battle of the Thames. Going westward I, as a passenger to a family from Florida, got a surprise, when we and all the traffic in that direction were lead to a major detour. What was the problem, construction? A colossal accident? We may never know.
We hooked up with a devotee friend from Detroit once the detour was over and drove to the scene of Tecumseh’s last stand (Tecumseh had victory at Fort Detroit and now took his men along the Canadian version of the Thames). In period costume were American militia who were in opposition to British soldiers and their allies, Tecumseh and men. The numbers were in the hundreds, not exactly of a Maha Bharat magnitude. Fire arms went off, the British retreated leaving the indigenous warriors somewhat vulnerable. The enactors were great. Tecumseh then fell. Some Native women sang a song in mourning. The show was completed within minutes, just as the actual battle had endured.
My sister, also a history buff and Tecumseh fan, was thrilled as was I. We went to her home for a nice vegetarian dinner which I consecrated being in the role of the priest. Other relatives came. The north Indian food (prasadam) was delicious.
Then the topic came up about an accident of Highway 401. One of the guests, Bernadette, mentioned about Robert McGuigan who died when a semitrailer crushed his body outside his vehicle. I know Robert from the summer of ’72, months before I became a monk. Robert, my brother Jerry and I were in BC having hitchhiked the country. We were downtown when three towering figures (monks to be more particular) shaven headed and in robes, approached us. Robert purchased from these monks, Hare Krishnas, the most recent issues of Back To Godhead publication for a mere quarter. I felt the monks were imposing. I ran quickly trying to evade them. It was Robert who soft heartedly took the magazine, which I then later asked to read on the ferry to the mainland. I was curious and impressed by its contents.
That same kind soul, Robert, just today, like a courageous Tecumseh, fell. He pulled out of a van of five people after seeing a semi trailer crashed in the ditch. He put warning flares out on the road so that oncoming traffic would slow down and halt. It was dark. While in the process, another semitrailer came at a speed and hit Robert.
The tragedy and necessary investigation and clean up caused the authorities to detour the traffic.
Although the dinner was fine, the topic of Tecumseh and Robert both came up. For Robert, whom some of us knew personally, and for me, the one who handed me reading material that would change my life, we felt somewhat uncomfortable. Now this group, our family and friends, are not regular church going types, but it seemed to resonate to them when I said we should pray for his soul. Thanks, Robert, sorry it happened on my birthday.
10 KM
Friday, October 4th, 2013
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Toronto, Ontario
I would just like to repeat what I read from the Bhagavad Gita As It Is in regards to the mind, verse 6.34:
The mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Kṛishṇa, and to subdue it, I think, is more difficult than controlling the wind.
Purport:
The mind is so strong and obstinate that it sometimes overcomes the intelligence, although the mind is supposed to be subservient to the intelligence. For a man in the practical world who has to fight so many opposing elements, it is certainly very difficult to control the mind. Artificially, one may establish a mental equilibrium toward both friend and enemy, but ultimately no worldly man can do so, for this is more difficult than controlling the raging wind. In the Vedic literature (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.3.3–4) it is said:
‘The individual is the passenger in the car of the material body, and intelligence is the driver. Mind is the driving instrument, and the senses are the horses. The self is thus the enjoyer or sufferer in the association of the mind and senses. So it is understood by great thinkers.’ Intelligence is supposed to direct the mind, but the mind is so strong and obstinate that it often overcomes even one’s own intelligence, as an acute infection may surpass the efficacy of medicine. Such a strong mind is supposed to be controlled by the practice of yoga, but such practice is never practical for a worldly person like Arjuna. And what can we say of modern man? The simile used here is appropriate: one cannot capture the blowing wind. And it is even more difficult to capture the turbulent mind. The easiest way to control the mind, as suggested by Sri Chaitanya, is chanting “Hare Kṛiṣhṇa,” the great mantra for deliverance, in all humility. The method prescribed is: one must engage one’s mind fully in Kṛṣṇa. Only then will there remain no other engagements to agitate the mind.”
Verse spoken by Sri Krishna, explanation and purport given by Srila Prabhupada.
5 KM
Reading with Rtadhvaja Swami
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His Holiness Rtadhvaja Swami visited the TKG Academy on September 27th 2013. Students and teachers alike look forward to his regular visits.
Students made garlands for him. The younger students making theirs out of pretty craft flowers and yarn. As he led kirtan, everyone sang along with enthusiastic voices.
Maharaj knows how to immediately place the students at ease, answering their questions with silly loving and silly answers. He’s so personal in his attention, knowing many of the kids since they were born.
He read two books from Mother Urmila’s Learn to Read series. To ensure that the students were paying attention, he changed key words in the story as he read along. Krishna and Radha went down the path to the ‘garbage can’. ”No no! Not gaarbage caan!” Priyatama exclaimed. Students had to fill in the blanks. They all laughed and laughed and read and read, while Maharaj humourously described the different stories and tested their prior knowledge.
We can’t wait till he comes again!
A Master of Language Arts Visits!
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His Holiness Jayadvaita Swami visited the Gurukula on September 11th, 2013. He is an advanced disciple of Srila Prabhupada and is a famous writer, editor, publisher and teacher!
He immediately made himself comfortable in the classrooms, becoming very personal with the students and showing deep interest in their work. It was so exciting to have a ‘real editor and publisher’ in the classroom!
He saw the student’s work in Language Arts and he talked to them about the importance of Grammar. Rasalila and Padi showed him their Reading Response – Sequencing Stories. The Upper Elementary class showed him their Plot/Storyline Diagrams about “Krishna’s Headache”.
Students became more motivated to do their grammar, writing and other Language Arts work, seeing that one day they could assist Maharaj in his service to Srila Prabhupada at the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, the world’s largest publisher of books concerning Krishna and the philosophy, religion, and culture of the Gaudiya. We are thankful for his visit.
Missing You
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Kartik 24 Hr Kirtan hosted by New Vrindaban
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New Vrindaban will have its Kartika 24 hour kirtan, one of the devotees’ favorite festivals of the year on Sat. Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to Sun. Oct 20 at 11 a.m. There will be continuous chanting of the Lord’s Holy Names for 24 hours. Many talented and devoted kirtaniyers will take turns leading the chanting.
At New Vrindaban’s summer kirtan in June, one guest remarked, “The atmosphere was electric!” This Kartik 24 hour kirtan on Sat. Oct. 19 is another opportunity to leave your worldly cares behind, and come join in the kirtan for 24 minutes, 24 hours, or as long as you’d like.
Recuperation program for cows? Before and after photos of cows under the care of devotees
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An unforgettable day at Mamgachi Yatra, Mayapur (26 photos)
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Mamgachi Yatra
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Please view the full gallery: Mamgachi Yatra Gallery All my life, I have always lived in big cities, where everyone are so-called happy or trying to find happiness some way or the other, somehow or the other. By Kṛṣṇa’s arrangement, even my life was so-called happy surrounded by luxury (and its associated complications). But on […]
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Purifying Holy Name Retreat at ISKCON New Govardhana – Sri Sri Radha Govardhanadhari (131 photos)
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Mamgachi Yatra Pictures
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Hare Krishna Life in Georgetown, Guyana (218 photos)
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October 7th, 2013 – Darshan
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Without a temple for almost a year now the devotees in Berlin recharge their spiritual batteries with a 12 hour kirtan (36 photos)
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Harinama and book distribution in Israel’s Tel Aviv (19 photos)
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ISKCON Juhu Sankirtan Devotee give Gita to Famous Indian Singer Lata Mageshkar
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A very succesfull presentation of Krishna consciousness in Bulgaria (33 photos)
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2013 Mayapur Gurukula Jhulan Yatra – Bhajans
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2013 Mayapur Gurukula Jhulan Yatra – Bhajans
04.23 – What raises motion to action is motivation
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‘Motion’ refers to the movement of unconscious things, whereas ‘action’ refers to the movements of conscious people.
The waves flowing in a river are in motion, whereas boatpersons rowing their boats on that same river are in action. The laws of physics govern motion like say the motion of waves. These laws affect, but don’t determine, the actions of conscious beings – their motivations are the primary determinants. A predator fish pursuing a prey is affected by the laws of physics that determine the motion of wind and water. But its motivation may make it swim against the current.
The motivations that drive sub-human species fall in four broad categories: eating, sleeping, mating and defending. These motivations drive us humans too, but we have the developed consciousness to choose a more fulfilling motivation – the motivation to seek eternal life and everlasting love.
This longing of our heart is fulfillable at the spiritual level of reality, where we as souls actually belong. As long as we let ourselves be driven by material motivations, we stay subject to the laws of karma, the material laws that link motivation, action and consequence.
When we choose to act based on a spiritual motivation, material laws cease to apply. The Bhagavad-gita (04.23) indicates that actions transcend the arena of matter (samagram praviliyate) when motivated by spiritual selflessness (yajnayacaratah karma). The best way to cultivate spiritual selflessness is by striving to act for Krishna’s pleasure, for Krishna being reciprocal blesses us with the fulfillment of love. This makes spiritually motivated actions easier to choose and exciting to execute.
Indeed, the motivation of love for Krishna makes life action-filled – and reaction-free. Once we get a taste for this action-packed life, materially motivated actions lose their charm, being exposed as loveless motions, akin to the motions of unconscious things.
***
04.23 - The work of a man who is unattached to the modes of material nature and who is fully situated in transcendental knowledge merges entirely into transcendence.
Lecture – SB 2.4.13 I will Chew on you & You can Chew on Me 7/26/2013
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Photos–Bulgarian Summer Camp
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Goodbye Bulgaria ( We’ll Be Back )
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First Installment of Mercy
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Why no one can disturb a devotee
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He [The devotee] is fully conscious that Krsna is the eternal Lord, so no one can disturb him.
South Africa, September 2013: Part II
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After a marathon of events in Durban and Johannesburg, Kadamba Kanana Swami flew to cosmopolitan Cape Town, a city at the foot of Table Mountain. The highlights of his stay there were a six hour kirtan that was held on 21 September and the 25th Reunion Festival of the Cape Town temple that took place a day later. Several devotees shared their experiences and realisations from twenty-five years of Krsna consciousness in the Cape.
Gauri Mataji, who lived in the ladies ashram from 1995-2000, shared such nice memories of the spirit of the temple in those days when distributing 500 books a day was quite common! She also mentioned the lovable exchanges between the vaisnavas and the family atmosphere that existed. Bhakti Caitanya Swami, who also made a special trip to Cape Town to be part of the Reunion Festival, remembered so many details that the devotees were really impressed. Kadamba Kanana Swami spoke about the university preaching programs and the list of temple presidents he interacted with over the years.
Maharaja did many morning classes and evening programs in the week that he spent in Cape Town. He was also invited to the University of Cape Town campus for a student program. He led a sweet kirtan which was followed by a nice talk about the different levels of consciousness and the need for saintliness in this world. The students were really interested and chatted afterwards with Maharaja.
During his final evening program, Maharaja burned down the roof with another amazing kirtan and gave a very deep class of the importance of conquering the heart of guru.
From Cape Town, Maharaja travelled to Melbourne, Australia. Photos from the Cape Town visit are given below. If you cannot view the slide-show then please visit flickr.
The Basis for Feelings of Separation is Humility, October 3, Dallas
Giriraj Swami
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.47.67 for the morning class in Dallas.
“In this exalted state of love for Krishna, Nanda Maharaja and the other residents of Vrindavan show qualities that even we, in our stage, should aspire to and try to develop. The development of Krishna consciousness is hierarchical in that whatever qualities exist in the lower stages continue in the higher stages. It is not that they disappear. For example, in our stage we are trying to develop faith in Krishna and surrender to Him, and when we do have faith in Him and surrender to Him we can proceed in devotional service. And there are different stages delineated by Srila Rupa Gosvami in his Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu: adau sraddha — faith; then sadhu-sangah — association with pure devotees; then bhajana-kriya — performance of devotional practices; then anartha-nivrittih — the diminishing of unwanted habits; then nishtha — firm, steady faith and practice; then rucih — taste; then asaktih — attachment; and so on. As one progresses, all of those continue. It is not that ‘Now I am advanced, so I am not surrendered any more — surrender is for a lower stage.’ Rather, genuine advancement means that one’s surrender deepens. And the most surrendered devotees are Krishna’s personal associates, especially His associates in Vrindavan. So, those moods also pertain to us at our stage. But there is also the other aspect, that they are being exhibited in an extreme condition of ecstatic love for Krishna in separation. Nanda Maharaja feels that he and Mother Yasoda are disqualified because of their so-called hard-heartedness and that therefore Krishna arranged for more qualified devotees to be His parents. This indicates the extreme predominance of the sancari-bhava of dainya, humility, within them.”
Everywhere We Go
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South Africa, September 2013: Part I – UPDATED!
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From Radhadesh, after a turbulent twenty-one hour night journey, Kadamba Kanana Swami arrived in South Africa. After a short rest, on 7 September, together with Bhakti Charu Swami, Maharaja inaugurated the new Bhakti Yoga Centre in Sandton, an upmarket suburb of Johannesburg. Iskcon Sandton provides a beautiful new platform for university preaching, kirtan yoga, arts & culture and a Food for Life program. The inauguration began at 11 am with some inspiring words from the sannyasis and 12 noon signalled the start of a twelve hour kirtan. Kadamba Kanana Swami led kirtan twice in the day and as always, got the crowd on their feet!
On Sunday morning, 8 September, Maharaja lectured from the Caitanya Caritamrta at the Sunday Feast, at Lenasia temple. The class centred on the glories of Lord Nityananda in the position of spiritual master. After leading kirtan while midday aarti was being offered to Nitai Gaura Hari, Maharaja immediately left for Midrand (about 50 km away) to honour an invitation by his disciples. Teachings from the Hamsaduta infiltrated the lecture which was at other times humorous as Maharaja spoke about being a messenger for Krsna and spiritual pizza!
A few days later, his journey continued to Durban. In the build-up to the main event, Radhastami, Maharaja gave several morning and evening classes. The day after Radhastami, Maharaja attended a preaching program at a Hall in Scottsburgh, about 60 km south of Durban. On 15 September, Maharaja flew back to Johannesburg to participate in the 7th annual Ratha Yatra Festival in Soweto. This preaching endeavour is very dear to Kadamba Kanana Swami as he almost single-handedly funds the festival. Due to his current state of health, this year Maharaja threw sweets and fruit from the chariot instead of leading kirtan for the duration of the procession.
The next day, Maharaja travelled back to Durban. In the two days that he spent there, he lectured on the appearance day of Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakur and attended the Vyasa Puja of Bhakti Chari Swami. Maharaja is currently in Cape Town, attending the 25th anniversary celebration of the Cape Town temple.
Photos and recordings from the various programs are presented below. To download an audio file, right-click on the title and save target as.
Johannesburg
KKS_7 Sept_Sandton_12_hr Kirtan_Inauguration
KKS_7 Sept_Sandton_12 hr Kirtan_Part I
KKS_7 Sept_Sandton_12 hr Kirtan_Part II
KKS_8 Sept_Lenasia_Sunday Feast Bhajan
KKS_8 Sept_Lenasia_Sunday Feast Lecture
KKS_8 Sept_JHB_Home program_Class_Swans & Pizzas
Durban
KKS_11 Sept_Durban_Lecture_SB 1.3.38
KKS_11 Sept_Durban_Lalita Sasti_Lecture
KKS_11 Sept_Durban_Lalita Sasti_Bhajan
KKS_17 Sept_Durban_Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakur Appearance Day_Lecture
KKS_17 Sept_Durban_Bhakti Charu Swami_Vyasa Puja Talk
** Update ** (Recordings from the Hall Program in Scottsburgh)
KKS_14 Sept_Durban South Coast_Hall Program_Class_Living in truth
KKS_14 Sept_Durban South Coast_Hall Program_Bhajan 1
KKS_14 Sept_Durban South Coast_Hall Program_Bhajan 2
If you cannot view the slide-show below, then please visit flickr.
Srila Prabhupada – London – airport scenes (100 photos)
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The community of vaishnavas in ISKCON New Orleans – New Sankirtan Puri Dham (USA) (185 photos)
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SUPREME NECESSITY
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LITTLE TROUBLE
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"PLEASE SAVE ME"
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Bricks don’t decide to become buildings (part 2)
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Caitanya-caritamrta class at Radha-desh.
Bricks don’t decide to become buildings (part 1)
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Caitanya-caritamrta class at Radha-desh.
Message From A Chanter
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"I am complete Japa beginner and I just have to say it just gets to you! Right away!
I find myself chanting at any idle moment (currently not many of those, though) even waking up in the night or before dawn I findmyself chanting whilst counting on my fingers.
I haven't got real japa beads just a yoga type japa 108 beads made of amazonite. Still I managed a whole round and tried very hard not to race to the end...though I must admit in the middle I got a bit impatient to reach the end. But I must say it makes one lose savour for the material world."
Spreading the mercy of the holy names everywhere. Harinama in Bulgaria (111 photos)
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A visit to Saint Francis’ birth town (14 photos)
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