SB 8.3.27 The Lord is accessible by purity – and by sincerity
Balaram Jayanti 2013 – Jhulan & Deity Greetings
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Balaram Jayanti 2013 – Jhulan & Deity Greetings
Sri Krishna Janmastami, August 28, San Jose, California
Giriraj Swami
——————
Giriraj Swami read and spoke on Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.33.36 at Lord Krishna’s Appearance Day festival.
“When we hear these stories, we should think, ‘Krishna is so kind to His devotees.’ Even in the midst of the worst calamity, if you just take shelter of Krishna — just surrender to Krishna — He will protect you. ’I could have that facility if I surrender to Krishna. Why am I missing out — puttering around with my little toys and sense gratification and fallible soldiers? I am wasting my time. I should surrender to Krishna and get the real benefit.’ So, Krishna appears for this reason. And we can make the purpose of His appearance successful by hearing about His pastimes and dedicating ourselves to Him.”
Thursday, August 29th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk
Honouring our guru
Regina, Saskatchewan
Last night we engaged in a celebratory event, Janmastami, in Regina, until 1:30 AM. After a good rest, I conducted a program to honour our guru, Srila Prabhupada. I had the good fortune to put in 10 kms on the road to a place near Horizon. Here is my offering of devotional sentiment to the guru.
You never did leave us
Your books contain your spirit
Your apparent departure
A myth without merit.
You are alive as ever,
Mortality has no place
For the voice of truth
Within time and space.
Your teachings bear power
Thrusting “real” enjoyment
And tightening controls
To sensual amazement;
They are for all times
Nothing relative
But relevant, teaching
The art that, “we give”.
No truth superior,
Science of the self
Most secret of secrets
Not to stay on ones’ shelf.
To live in this realm
Entities do cry
Deprived of peace
And Maya being dry.
Examining the real / surreal
What to conclude?
That life is constant?
The Force to include?
The cosmic clock ticks
Wearing us away
‘Til we look to sport
With Him and to play.
We thank you for that
All mentioned above.
There is no repay
For this genuine love.
We have you and Him
Making it all whole
Our final exam
Is to reaching this goal.
10.5 KM
Regina, Saskatchewan
Last night we engaged in a celebratory event, Janmastami, in Regina, until 1:30 AM. After a good rest, I conducted a program to honour our guru, Srila Prabhupada. I had the good fortune to put in 10 kms on the road to a place near Horizon. Here is my offering of devotional sentiment to the guru.
You never did leave us
Your books contain your spirit
Your apparent departure
A myth without merit.
You are alive as ever,
Mortality has no place
For the voice of truth
Within time and space.
Your teachings bear power
Thrusting “real” enjoyment
And tightening controls
To sensual amazement;
They are for all times
Nothing relative
But relevant, teaching
The art that, “we give”.
No truth superior,
Science of the self
Most secret of secrets
Not to stay on ones’ shelf.
To live in this realm
Entities do cry
Deprived of peace
And Maya being dry.
Examining the real / surreal
What to conclude?
That life is constant?
The Force to include?
The cosmic clock ticks
Wearing us away
‘Til we look to sport
With Him and to play.
We thank you for that
All mentioned above.
There is no repay
For this genuine love.
We have you and Him
Making it all whole
Our final exam
Is to reaching this goal.
10.5 KM
Wednesday, August 28th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk
On His Birthday
Ogema, Saskatchewan
I wanted to tell the world that today is Krishna’s birthday. The strange thing was that not one motorist, not one soul stopped to talk. There were the regular honks and hand waves, but no one came to a standstill to offer congratulations on the marathon trek, or inquire about wellbeing or offer some water to drink.
This registered to me that this is the way it’s meant to be. Perhaps solitude was a theme to live by on this special day until social interaction would pick up in the evening in Regina at the ISKCON centre.
In any event, solitude, I achieved, especially when at one moment at about the middle mark of 15 kms I was dragging feet with fatigue. Some pranayam breathing also didn’t help much. I just needed forty winks as I believe is the expression, or a cat nap. So where do I have such a snooze in a desert like place where there’s hardly a tree about, and where soft grasses means bugs unlimited? I’ve taken a nap on a bale of hay before, but the ones that I see that are in my purview are all too close to the road. God knows, someone will notice me lying there and honk their horn or call the police.
I settled for a space on a plowed field and tucked myself behind a clump of grass. This was perfect for a spot to nap. Yes, one of those grasshoppers did come to terminate the great doze by jumping on my chest. His timing was perfect though, I proceeded on foot. Personally, I would give anything to live like this, in the freedom of nature’s bedroom choices over the fanciest suite in a five star hotel.
The sun was hot by the time I reached Ogema, a small town that apparently wished to name itself Omega, but the name was already taken so a juggle of letters solved that problem. In fact, the sun was a blast with 35 degrees Celsius temperature. I craved for shade like I craved for Krishna. With some ground work done by Daruka and the charm of our princess parrot, the few downtowners were out to break the solitude with their individual greeting. It started with a welder who spotted me and invited me into his shop for a cold water. What a sweet experience it was given the fact that it’s a full day fast until midnight, Krishna’s actual time of His divine birth.
At the next town over, Pangman, Daruka and I couldn’t resist but to enter the local outdoor pool. No one was there except for Bernie, the lifeguard. Slowly the place filled up with dads, moms and kids, breaking a supposed solitude. Happily, we were able to tell as many as we could that it’s Krishna’s birthday.
30 KM
Ogema, Saskatchewan
I wanted to tell the world that today is Krishna’s birthday. The strange thing was that not one motorist, not one soul stopped to talk. There were the regular honks and hand waves, but no one came to a standstill to offer congratulations on the marathon trek, or inquire about wellbeing or offer some water to drink.
This registered to me that this is the way it’s meant to be. Perhaps solitude was a theme to live by on this special day until social interaction would pick up in the evening in Regina at the ISKCON centre.
In any event, solitude, I achieved, especially when at one moment at about the middle mark of 15 kms I was dragging feet with fatigue. Some pranayam breathing also didn’t help much. I just needed forty winks as I believe is the expression, or a cat nap. So where do I have such a snooze in a desert like place where there’s hardly a tree about, and where soft grasses means bugs unlimited? I’ve taken a nap on a bale of hay before, but the ones that I see that are in my purview are all too close to the road. God knows, someone will notice me lying there and honk their horn or call the police.
I settled for a space on a plowed field and tucked myself behind a clump of grass. This was perfect for a spot to nap. Yes, one of those grasshoppers did come to terminate the great doze by jumping on my chest. His timing was perfect though, I proceeded on foot. Personally, I would give anything to live like this, in the freedom of nature’s bedroom choices over the fanciest suite in a five star hotel.
The sun was hot by the time I reached Ogema, a small town that apparently wished to name itself Omega, but the name was already taken so a juggle of letters solved that problem. In fact, the sun was a blast with 35 degrees Celsius temperature. I craved for shade like I craved for Krishna. With some ground work done by Daruka and the charm of our princess parrot, the few downtowners were out to break the solitude with their individual greeting. It started with a welder who spotted me and invited me into his shop for a cold water. What a sweet experience it was given the fact that it’s a full day fast until midnight, Krishna’s actual time of His divine birth.
At the next town over, Pangman, Daruka and I couldn’t resist but to enter the local outdoor pool. No one was there except for Bernie, the lifeguard. Slowly the place filled up with dads, moms and kids, breaking a supposed solitude. Happily, we were able to tell as many as we could that it’s Krishna’s birthday.
30 KM
Devotees may be perplexed but they are never discouraged
→ The Spiritual Scientist
“The devotees of the Lord, who are all confidential servitors, are sometimes perplexed in the discharge of their respective duties, but they are never discouraged. They have full faith in the Lord, and He paves the way for the smooth progress of the devotee’s duty.”
Distinctly Pronounced And Heard
→ Japa Group
Recently I have had to remind myself of this basic truth....when chanting only listen to the mantra and not to the mind. The mind will always fill us with unnecessary thoughts - past, present and future. During Japa we don't have to entertain the mind's ramblings - we simply need to hear the Hare Krsna mantra and that's all.
Here is a nice quote from Srila Prabhupada about this.
"One should note in this connection that chanting involves the activities of the upper and lower lips as well as the tongue. All three must be engaged in chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. The words “Hare Krsna” should be very distinctly pronounced and heard."
Caitanya Caritmrta Adi 17.32
TEN EXCELLENT QUESTIONS
→ Gita Coaching
Jump-start your every day with these Excellent Questions:
1. What am I most grateful for in my life?
2. What am I happiest about in my life?
3. What am I most enthusiastic about in my life?
4. What I would like to focus most in my life?
5. Who and what am I most committed to in my life?
6. Who do I love? Who loves me?
7. What great ideas can help me succeed?
8. What are my best strengths, talents, skills and abilities?
9. What would my ideal life? What is my dream?
10. What's the best in me that I can offer to people I love and to the world?
2. What am I happiest about in my life?
3. What am I most enthusiastic about in my life?
4. What I would like to focus most in my life?
5. Who and what am I most committed to in my life?
6. Who do I love? Who loves me?
7. What great ideas can help me succeed?
8. What are my best strengths, talents, skills and abilities?
9. What would my ideal life? What is my dream?
10. What's the best in me that I can offer to people I love and to the world?
stepping out of the comfort zone…
→ everyday gita
I remember exactly how I felt when I first read this verse - confused! It seemed so convoluted and complicated. What exactly is Krsna trying to say here? That being said, my confusion also lead to appreciation as it was only then that I realized how important it is to learn the teachings of the Gita from one who is trying to practice it.
Breaking it down, this verse is giving the secret to performing akarama, or performing actions that result in no karma. That's what "seeing inaction in action" means. Although one may be performing so much work, because their internal consciousness is one of detachment to the results and one of offering them in gratitude to the Divine, they don't incur any karma.
Conversely, one may mistakenly think that by sitting still and doing nothing that they will incur no karma. If only it were that easy! That's what the phrase "seeing action in inaction" means. Although it may seem that nothing is going on externally, we may forget that what goes on inside has a direct effect on what happens outside. Meaning, although we may be able to sit still for sometime, the mind which is so demanding will ultimately force us to act, even if it's against our will. At that time, if our attitude is self-centered, those actions will naturally result in good or bad karma.
Readers may be reflecting that these concepts of unattachment and attitude keep coming up over and over again. You're not alone! Although I've read the Gita before, I too am struck by how often these themes are highlighted.
But the time comes where the reading ends and the application begins. Be sure that if you are sincere at heart and are reading the Gita that you will be tested. I give fair warning! Since yoga is ultimately about connecting to the Divine, He takes special notice. Situations will arise and your mettle will be tested.
The good (bad?!) thing is that no matter how many times you fail, the opportunities will keep on coming.
In fact, if you think about it - the opportunities are coming right now.
That's the beauty of the Gita. It puts into perspective how we can positively transform the challenging situations that we face on a daily basis. Just these two things:
1. Detachment to the results of our activities and
3. Transforming our consciousness to offering everything we do with affection and gratitude to the Divine...
can work miracles in our lives.
Instead of seeing everything through the lens of "Why is this happening to me?" this shift promotes a sense of "Wow! I'm getting a chance to practically apply spiritual knowledge that I've gained." Granted, those feelings may not come soon...but it will! It may come sporadically at first - maybe once in a couple of years or every couple of months! LOL. That's ok. It will come though. It just takes practice.
Life is a series of lessons and bhakti is the path of self-empowerment. We can choose to learn from the lessons that surround us and benefit or continue to fight the lesson and drown in self pity. So join us as we step out of our comfort zones and into the stretch zone. You can change your consciousness today!
15.10 – Strive not to look good in the eyes of the world; strive to get good eyes to look at the world
→ The Spiritual Scientist
People often worry whether they look good in the eyes of the world; they fuss about being in tune with the latest fashions.
However, the world’s eyes are ever changing. What it cheers today, it jeers tomorrow. Fashions are notoriously short-lived.
Moreover, the world has many eyes – different people consider differing, even opposing, things as good. Looking good in everyone’s eyes is impossibly frustrating.
The obsession to look good sentences us to perpetual insecurity – we never know whether the world will find us good enough or what it will demand next. Worse still, under the spell of this obsession, we drag ourselves away from ourselves. We become disconnected from our core values, our inner essence, our true identity.
Situating ourselves in our actual identity is the only way to lasting security. For that, we need to get good eyes to look at the world. These good eyes are the eyes of knowledge (jnana-chakshu) provided by Gita wisdom, eyes that show us reality as it is. The unchanging reality is that we are souls meant for an eternal life of love and joy with Krishna. This world is but one station in our multi-life journey towards Krishna. People trying to ape the latest fashions are simply deluded souls dancing to the tune of the three modes, as the Bhagavad-gita (15.10) indicates.
The eyes of knowledge revise our vision of the world: It’s not a judge we need to satisfy, but a practicing ground we need to use for reviving our real life as devoted souls. Once we start serving Krishna and get a taste for the resulting fulfillment, then the obsession to look good ends – and we become free to live for our ultimate good.
**
15.10 - The foolish cannot understand how a living entity can quit his body, nor can they understand what sort of body he enjoys under the spell of the modes of nature. But one whose eyes are trained in knowledge can see all this.
Tangible Proof
→ Tattva - See inside out
Dear Srila Prabhupada
I close my eyes and picture the scene. It’s April 1966. Homeless, penniless and alone, you’ve relocated to the Lower East Side in search of “better opportunities” to preach. This is Skid row; the lowest of the low. Here you live, worship, study and teach. Its early evening, and your new residence, the rat-ridden 94 Bowery, is filled with buzzing acidheads, bearded bohemians, ruined alcoholics and disillusioned dropouts. The assembled participants have wandered into this makeshift temple in living protest against America's good life of materialism. Sex, music, LSD, and meditation is what makes them tick. Half-a-dozen unconscious bums block up the foyer. A few of them have urinated on the floor while one is actually dead. You nonchalantly step by them, enter the room and seat yourself at the front. These confused souls are looking for real love, real happiness and real spiritual experience. Your expression exudes bottomless depth. You are not phased in the slightest. You know your mission. You know you have what they’re looking for. You know Krishna is on your side.
What a historic scene! Absolutely incredible! This has to be the ultimate exhibition of compassion, conviction and courage. Could such a thing ever be repeated? Srila Prabhupada, if you do embark on such a transcendental adventure again, please permit me to tag along. I’m ready to do whatever it takes.
On the order of your spiritual teacher, you shed 200 gallons of blood to help people find true happiness. No amount of social commentary, historical analysis or academic reasoning can account for the miracle of your life. If there was any doubt that God exists, your story well and truly puts it to rest.
Now all that’s left is to share that story with the world. This is the real adventure, the real business, the real purpose in life. There is so much work to do – towns, cities, countries and continents that are waiting to hear about Krishna and His pure devotee. I’m grateful beyond belief to be part of your glorious mission. I hope I’ll do something in this life to make you smile.
Begging to remain at your transcendental disposal,
Sutapa das
New Vrindaban Working with our Local Community – A Win-Win Situation
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit
by Lilasuka dasi
ISKCON New Vrindaban, home of the Palace of Gold, has been actively participating in the Marshall County Tourism Board since April 2012. There are a wide variety of tourist attractions in the Marshall County area of West Virginia, including the former WV Penitentiary, Grand Vue Park, the Grave Creek Mound, Fostoria Glass Museum, the Marx Toy Museum, and of course the Palace of Gold, which was listed this year on CNN Travel as one of the eight religious wonders to see in the U.S.A.
In Front of the temple at New Vrindaban
Different tourist entities came together and formed the Marshall County Tourism Board for the purpose of helping each other attract more visitors to the Moundsville area. The representatives of the attractions on this committee co-operate and brainstorm ways to improve tourism. Based on a proposal of the Marshall County Tourism Board, there has recently been a hotel tax introduced to collect funds for further promoting the local destinations. Workshops have also been organized to train the staffs of each attraction to inform visitors about all the other Marshall County attractions.
The staff members of the attractions work together. As a matter of fact, staff people have free entrance to each other’s attractions, so that they can get more familiar with all of the destinations. The different attractions have contributed to a fund that promotes advertising on T.V., in certain travel magazines, and other kinds of ads. The Marshall County Tourism Board is especially working with the Palace of Gold for their Bus Tour marketing.
The current representative for the Palace of Gold tourist attraction is Bhakta Josef Lauber. Working together with our local community is always a win-win situation.
6 Hour Kirtan – TONIGHT!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Blog!
The festivities don't end yet as we celebrate our first 6 Hour Kirtan tonight! Starting at 4pm, we will officially begin 6 hours of blissful chanting. Get off work early and come have a spiritual evening with your local Toronto kirtan talent. It will surely be a night to remember as we end the night off with your favourite Gaura Shakti Kirtan Yoga Band. Dinner prasadam (vegetarian feast) will be served.
Check out the schedule below:
4:00 - 4:30: Dharma Prana Das
4:30 - 5:00: Uttamananda Krishna Das
5:00 - 5:30 - Nicole
5:30 - 6:00 - Julia
6:00 - 6:30 - Sing Lung
6:30 - 7:00 - Sukhavak Das
7:00 - 7:30 - Yura
7:30 - 8:00 - Rukmini Devi Dasi
8:00 - 9:00 - Jettu
9:00 - 10:00 - Gaura Shakti
We hope to see you tonight!
When Gita 5.18-25 talks about brahma-nirvana, why does Prabhupada say that impersonalism is troublesom?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
From Mithilesh P
The verses 5.17-5.24 (BG) bhagvan Krishna talks about "brahmabhuta" and "brahmanirvana" and says that such a person attains supreme. Why then srila prabhupada talks about the fall of impersonalists and that they reach supreme destination after many births.
How can we differentiate between a dharmika and a fanatic?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
From Anuj P
RRR – Reprobate Rescued and Reformed – Lessons from Ajamila Pastime
→ The Spiritual Scientist
QA on Scriptures
→ The Spiritual Scientist
QA on Science and Scripture 3
→ The Spiritual Scientist
QA with Haldia Devotees 3
→ The Spiritual Scientist
QA on Science and Scripture 2
→ The Spiritual Scientist
QA on Science and Scripture 1
→ The Spiritual Scientist
QA with Haldia Devotees 2
→ The Spiritual Scientist
QA with Haldia Devotees 1
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Glories of Srila Prabhupada
→ travelingmonk.com
In the history of Gaudiya Vaisnavas, Srila Prabhupada’s position is unique because he took the combined preaching of all the previous great acaryas and established a movement which is going to be the guiding light for humanity, for the rest of Kali-yuga.
SB 8.3.26 The Lord is all around – we just need to become aware
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Gurukula convocation
→ SivaramaSwami.com
Whether our children have a chance at pure devotional education depends on whether parents have faith in and practice the essence of Vedic education.
Bhakti Centre Janmastami
→ Ramai Swami
We are very fortunate because Sri Krsna appeared in this 28th millennium, during the seventh Manu, in one day of Brahma. Previously, people followed the system of varnasrama, worshiped the Devas and attained heaven, or if they worshiped Lord Visnu perhaps they were elevated to Vaikuntha.
Sri Krsna’s character is so nice that He accepts the least qualification of a living entity and awards him the highest reward. If someone becomes fully Krsna Conscious, they may be transferred to live eternally with Sri Krsna in Krsna Loka, the topmost planet of the spiritual world.
This year Krsna Janmastami at the Bhakti Centre on the Gold Coast was observed on Wednesday August 28th, the same day as in India. Around 150 guests attended and the evening was celebrated with the abhiseka of Radha Krsna, dance, drama, kirtana and of course, wonderful Krsna prasadam.
Srila Prabhupada vyasa-puja
→ SivaramaSwami.com
Jhulan Yatra Photos!
→ Mayapur.com
Please view the full gallery: Jhulan Yatra 2013 Gallery The 5-day event of Jhulan yatra, where Sri-Sri Radha- Madhava enjoy Their transcendental swing-pastimes , attracted several hundreds of participants from the Mayapur community as well as many visitors from outside. It was a grand celebration where Sri-Sri Radha-Madhava were carried in Harinam procession by bullock [...]
The post Jhulan Yatra Photos! appeared first on Mayapur.com.
104 photos: Huge crowds attend ISKCON Salem Janmasthami
→ Dandavats.com
104 photos: Huge crowds attend ISKCON Salem Janmasthami Read more › 3 min vid: Historic Footage of the kirtaneers and those devotees who made the Woodstock preaching project happen
→ Dandavats.com
Indradyumna Swami: The following video is historic footage of the amazing kirtans held in our Mantra Yoga tent at Woodstock this summer. Many thanks to the kirtaneers ... and to the people who chanted and danced with all their hearts and souls. Read more › Jhulan Yatra Gallery
→ Mayapur.com
The post Jhulan Yatra Gallery appeared first on Mayapur.com.
354 photos: Mass prasad distribution @ Bhandara, Baroda, August 29, 2013
→ Dandavats.com
354 photos: Mass prasad distribution @ Bhandara, Baroda, August 29, 2013 Read more › ISKCON Juhu offers 1008 bhoga preparations to Srila Prabhupada and attracts many celebrities
→ Dandavats.com
Indian Film Actress, Shilpa Shirodkar with Family, Famous Actor Vivek Oberoi and Famous Film & Serial Director, Producer, Ekta Kappor Visit ISKCON Juhu for Janmashtami Festival Read more › Rathayatra – Drama – Liberating the Conditioned Soul – Sunday School
→ Gouranga TV - The Hare Krishna video collection
Rathayatra – Drama – Liberating the Conditioned Soul – Sunday School
importance of japa a realization.
→ simple thoughts
Remembering the words of my Guru Maharaja as I set in the hospital bed in the critical assessment unit with the mind unable to focus on even the simplest question remembering that in this condition Japa was the most important thing.
But Japa was hard even the simple questions being asked to gain a history as to why I was in hospital was a problem; beep down I knew that Japa was important but my Japa beads chanted upon by my guru maharajah were in the guest house; ow how I lamented.
Fortunate a wonderful devotee had come with me; the mercy of the devotee is in their love of reminding you about Krishna when the material body is causing problems and pain; producing a picture he had just purchased of Radha Krishna put it in a position and kept it their; more important was this engaging me to speak about the pastimes of Krishna. Focusing the mind through a haze.
Transferred to the ward lamenting still my lack of japa beads normally kept close to reach; so the love of the devotee shines despite the late hour gained access to the guest house retrieved my japa beads and unbeknown to me dropped off close by were I lay; you cannot imagine the joy in the heart seeing them lay their it was hard to hide the emotion although the material body made it hard to pick them up and start chanting.
As difficult as it was reaching the bag and placing it correctly to start jape; it was by no means perfect or attentive; glimpsing on the picture the devotee had left me inspiring and encouraging me to just chant even though the body said can’t, can’t, can’t.
I’ve never seen so much prasadam delivered with a smile again ISKCON’s unsung hero’s who in a devotee’s hour of need relay’s to make sure that even in hospital the sweet taste of Krishna prasadam can by enjoyed; even making sure that on Srila Prabhupada’s appearance day I didn’t miss out on the maha prasadam.
It however impresses on my mind the words spoken by my Guru Maharaja that if we want to be able to chant Hare Krishna at the end of life we have to become sincere practitioners NOW, when all good facility is their. And my realization that in his closing statement on the subject that when the final breath airs are their if we have not done this then it is impossible to remember Sri Krishna.
Krishna has given me a fine warning, it is down to me to listen, to take not, to become even more serious in all aspects of devotional life; and to become more attentive in chanting.
And I conclude with this interesting point to ponder regarding the maha-mantra:
These sixteen holy names composed of thirty-two syllables in the form of an address are called the maha-mantra. According to the process of Pancaratra, this maha-mantra should be chanted both in japa and in loud kirtana. For one who chants this maha-mantra in loud kirtana, the seed of love of God sprouts within his heart by the influence of that loud kirtana; and by the progressive mercy of the holy names, that person soon becomes expert in the science of the goal of life and the process for attaining it. But if one’s chanting is either mixed with concocted overlapping mellows or simply for the purpose of musical entertainment, or if one thinks the holy names should only be chanted in japa and one thus becomes averse to loud kirtana, then he is surely producing offenses rather than love of God. The science of the goal of life and the means for attaining it never manifest in the hearts of those who are determined to commit such offenses. Such offensive rebels against the spiritual masters are tightly bond by the chains of maya. They continue to be envious of the pure devotees, and instead of attaining auspiciousness, they go to hell forever.
CB Adi-khanda 14.147
False Propaganda
→ NY Times & Bhagavad Gita Sanga/ Sankirtana Das
I explained how there has always been false propaganda in society, and gave the example that many people think Obama is a Moslem and that he was born in Kenya. There’s even a false Kenyan birth certificate circulating the internet. But the strange thing is that the Kenyan document is dated several years before the country was even named Kenya. I mentioned that in the end of Mahabharata, Vyasa, the author himself, declares that one should keep the text in a special place in the house and wrap it in a silken cloth to remind one of how valuable it is. Why not believe the author rather than some superstition. The gentleman took out his wallet and purchased Mahabharata: The Eternal Quest.
Also, there are several professors who plan to use the book in their college courses.
Please check out a great article about the book on ISKCON NEWS at
and my own site about the book and project
www.Mahabharata-Project.com
www.Mahabharata-Project.com
And a brief interview with me about writing Mahabharata at www.Bhaktiwriters.com
SB 8.3.25 – Please rescue me from the ignorance that makes me mistake danger to be safety
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Drink it in!
→ KKS Blog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 17 August 2013, Kirtan Mela, Germany, Final lecture)
When the pure devotee chants in any place or sets foot in any place, that place becomes transformed; it becomes a sacred place. It is mentioned that pure devotees goes to Vrindavan to purify Vrindavan and not to become purified. They purify Vrindavan from the sinful reactions that are left by all the pilgrims. In this way, it is very nice that we indeed received the mantra in parampara. Without the sampradaya, the mantra will not produce fruit. Each of the acaryas have added their blessings including Srila Prabhupada, in particular, who had such a desire that we would all chant the holy name.
So this event (kirtan mela) is important. If we don’t have such events, then what are we doing? If we don’t come together to chant then how can we expect to break through? Spiritual life is not cheap. We have all taken up the chanting of the holy name but for most of us, it doesn’t get beyond the mechanical platform. We are just everyday struggling to finish the quota. Are we chanting our rounds or are we counting our rounds? So unless we just sit by ourselves to chant, how can we ever expect to be successful? One of my favorite verses is the verse:
sei panca-tattva mili’ prthivi asiya
purva-premabhandarera mudra ughdiiya
pance mili’ lute prema, kare asvadana
yata yata piye, trsna badhe anuksana (CC Adi 7.20-21)
It is the famous verse where the Panca Tattva broke the lock of the storehouse of love of God and then what happened next? They went inside and when they went inside, they drank and plundered the storehouse of love of God. They drank it themselves to their full satisfaction and as they drank, their thirst increased!
So don’t think that what we are doing it is not authorised. Don’t think, ‘Why are we sitting here so far away from the world? Shouldn’t we be out there preaching?’ No! Lord Caitanya himself drank and we must also drink the holy name. So these events are important actually and we should make them much bigger!
Drink it in!
→ KKS Blog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 17 August 2013, Kirtan Mela, Germany, Final lecture)
When the pure devotee chants in any place or sets foot in any place, that place becomes transformed; it becomes a sacred place. It is mentioned that pure devotees goes to Vrindavan to purify Vrindavan and not to become purified. They purify Vrindavan from the sinful reactions that are left by all the pilgrims. In this way, it is very nice that we indeed received the mantra in parampara. Without the sampradaya, the mantra will not produce fruit. Each of the acaryas have added their blessings including Srila Prabhupada, in particular, who had such a desire that we would all chant the holy name.
So this event (kirtan mela) is important. If we don’t have such events, then what are we doing? If we don’t come together to chant then how can we expect to break through? Spiritual life is not cheap. We have all taken up the chanting of the holy name but for most of us, it doesn’t get beyond the mechanical platform. We are just everyday struggling to finish the quota. Are we chanting our rounds or are we counting our rounds? So unless we just sit by ourselves to chant, how can we ever expect to be successful? One of my favorite verses is the verse:
sei panca-tattva mili’ prthivi asiya
purva-premabhandarera mudra ughdiiya
pance mili’ lute prema, kare asvadana
yata yata piye, trsna badhe anuksana (CC Adi 7.20-21)
It is the famous verse where the Panca Tattva broke the lock of the storehouse of love of God and then what happened next? They went inside and when they went inside, they drank and plundered the storehouse of love of God. They drank it themselves to their full satisfaction and as they drank, their thirst increased!
So don’t think that what we are doing it is not authorised. Don’t think, ‘Why are we sitting here so far away from the world? Shouldn’t we be out there preaching?’ No! Lord Caitanya himself drank and we must also drink the holy name. So these events are important actually and we should make them much bigger!