And Anonymous, how much devotees should be into books and movies predicting the world’s end.

2013 06 25 Srimad Bhagavatam 10 21 13 14 Devotee should be always Grateful Krishnanaam Prabhu

5 years ago, I was really wanting to do something for Srila Prabhupad (Founder – Acharya of the Hare Krishna Movement). I was living 2 hours away and barely had the association of devotees, the temple and the spiritually sanctified food. All there was as company were the books, the prayer altar and the chanting beads. And the ideas too. Somehow or another, I decided to put together a vegetarian cooking class hoping that this would please the crowd I was after as well as Prabhupada and Lord Krishna. What else could I do but give people, a chance to hear the holy name or associate with the Lord’s devotees or even honour the vegetarian food offerings. So, I carried out the project with the mindset – “I will do what I have to do with sincerity and every other outcomes will come from Their mercy. It’s not in my hands.”

You can read all about that Cooking with Chef Kurma adventure from 5 years ago here.

Guess what happened? 2 guests from that very program, got initiated (accepting a spiritual master) this morning ! The potency of spiritual endeavour, Krishna’s devotees and the Lord’s mercy, can change people’s heart and consciousness even if it takes a long time !!

 

The 2 guests – Craig and Adam became our friends over the years and very seriously pursued their intention to take their Krishna Consciousness life ahead. It was a difficult road for them taking into account the culture shock, the strict lifestyle and the new philosophy. But their keen interest and friendship with other devotees helped them get closer and closer to their spiritual master.

And now their real journey starts.  Like my own little start in preaching the glories of this movement, they too will have to go on with sincerity and faith. These 2 things are vital ingredients in one’s spiritual progress.

All the best Krishna Dasa and Balarama Dasa !

 

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction message and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108 ::_::{.at.}::_:: gmail dot com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

Verse 3.36: Arjuna said: O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, by what is one impelled to sinful acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force?

**I'd like to dedicate this post to two bhakti yogis - my father and Dr. Carl Herzig (Kalachandji Dasa). Thank you so much for sharing your valuable insights and realizations.**

Today's post was written in spurts...in fact, I started it yesterday! I knew I wanted to focus on the word sin when all of a sudden I realized, "I don't know what the bhakti yoga definition of sin actually is!!!" It served as a reminder as to why I started writing on the Gita.

This blog is a humble effort to make the Gita practical, relevant and understandable to those are reading it and/or are interested in - yoga, self-discovery and life. Well...that's one of the reasons why I write. ;) The other is so that I can continue to learn, grow and understand the Gita better so that I can become a better bhakti yogi.

That's why I'd like to preface this post by saying - this is just an introduction to the topic of sin. By no means is it a comprehensive and complete explanation.

Awhile back, I wrote a post on how each of us view words, situations and ideas based on our own experiences. Certainly, this holds true when one hears the word "sin". I'm sure that all of you have different definitions based on cultural context, religious/spiritual traditions, and personal opinion.

Personally, I've always found sin to be a somewhat vague concept and so I was curious to find out what the bhakti texts had to say. After hearing from two of my bhakti mentors and doing further research, I was able to distill it down to this:

Sins are impediments, in the form of attitudes and activities, that prevent one from experiencing their natural state of "eternal joy".

Now that might sound a bit simplistic to some and I would have to agree. However, it does help to shed a bit more light on the subject matter. An impediment is a hinderance or obstruction and that's exactly what sins do. Specifically, they impede us in two ways:

1) Prevent us from understanding that we are eternal souls.
2) Prevent us from connecting (i.e. yoga) with the Supreme.

So what are those attitudes and activities that prevent us from experiencing eternal joy? Let's start with activities first as they're a bit easier to tackle. Essentially, any activity that results in karma (whether good or bad) acts an impediment. Why's that? Because we don't always get the result of our karma in one lifetime. In order to receive that karma one needs to take on another temporary material body.

The solution is that we perform activities that result in no karma (akarma). This naturally leads us to the question of attitude. When one performs any action with the attitude of enjoying the result, one automatically receives karma. As we previously discussed when exploring the topic of non-attachment, when we perform our activities, all the while giving thanks to the Supreme, we incur no karma. It's not that one can't enjoy...don't get me wrong. It's about offering it to the Supreme in gratitude first; then we enjoy.

This is just the beginning of our exploration into the topic of sin, so stay tuned! Tomorrow we'll find out the answer to Arjuna's very interesting question - By what are we sometimes impelled to perform sinful actions acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force?

Verse 3.36: Arjuna said: O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, by what is one impelled to sinful acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force?

**I'd like to dedicate this post to two bhakti yogis - my father and Dr. Carl Herzig (Kalachandji Dasa). Thank you so much for sharing your valuable insights and realizations.**

Today's post was written in spurts...in fact, I started it yesterday! I knew I wanted to focus on the word sin when all of a sudden I realized, "I don't know what the bhakti yoga definition of sin actually is!!!" It served as a reminder as to why I started writing on the Gita.

This blog is a humble effort to make the Gita practical, relevant and understandable to those are reading it and/or are interested in - yoga, self-discovery and life. Well...that's one of the reasons why I write. ;) The other is so that I can continue to learn, grow and understand the Gita better so that I can become a better bhakti yogi.

That's why I'd like to preface this post by saying - this is just an introduction to the topic of sin. By no means is it a comprehensive and complete explanation.

Awhile back, I wrote a post on how each of us view words, situations and ideas based on our own experiences. Certainly, this holds true when one hears the word "sin". I'm sure that all of you have different definitions based on cultural context, religious/spiritual traditions, and personal opinion.

Personally, I've always found sin to be a somewhat vague concept and so I was curious to find out what the bhakti texts had to say. After hearing from two of my bhakti mentors and doing further research, I was able to distill it down to this:

Sins are impediments, in the form of attitudes and activities, that prevent one from experiencing their natural state of "eternal joy".

Now that might sound a bit simplistic to some and I would have to agree. However, it does help to shed a bit more light on the subject matter. An impediment is a hinderance or obstruction and that's exactly what sins do. Specifically, they impede us in two ways:

1) Prevent us from understanding that we are eternal souls.
2) Prevent us from connecting (i.e. yoga) with the Supreme.

So what are those attitudes and activities that prevent us from experiencing eternal joy? Let's start with activities first as they're a bit easier to tackle. Essentially, any activity that results in karma (whether good or bad) acts an impediment. Why's that? Because we don't always get the result of our karma in one lifetime. In order to receive that karma one needs to take on another temporary material body.

The solution is that we perform activities that result in no karma (akarma). This naturally leads us to the question of attitude. When one performs any action with the attitude of enjoying the result, one automatically receives karma. As we previously discussed when exploring the topic of non-attachment, when we perform our activities, all the while giving thanks to the Supreme, we incur no karma. It's not that one can't enjoy...don't get me wrong. It's about offering it to the Supreme in gratitude first; then we enjoy.

This is just the beginning of our exploration into the topic of sin, so stay tuned! Tomorrow we'll find out the answer to Arjuna's very interesting question - By what are we sometimes impelled to perform sinful actions acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force?

The Yoga of Ecology blog originally began in 2008 as a chronicle of the spiritually inspired agricultural exploits of the Small Farm Training Center project at the New Vrindaban bhakti-yoga community in the foothills of the West Virginia Panhandle. I wanted to share the unique experience I was having not only of monastic life in the 21st Century, but also the experience of being part of a community and project focused on the ideals of "simple living and high thinking."

Inspired by the practical wisdom of bhakti-yoga scholar/teacher A/C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, communities like the Small Farm Training Center were and are presenting a model of anticipation as we move from an unsustainable model of industrialized and commodified civilization to an ecologically sound civilization.

The waves of time has moved my own journey and the journey of this blog in new directions and vistas. I am now studying for my master's degree in eco-theology at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and once again I am drawn to the work of the soil, of the spirit within the soil, and to those people creating what has been coined by eco-theologians, including Larry Rasmussen in his latest book Earth-Honoring Faith: Religious Ethics In A New Key, as the anticipatory community.

These are sacred sanghas of individuals who are determined, courageous, knowledgeable, humbly setting themselves to the rhythms of our Mother Earth, showing us today the ways and means of harmony that will lead us to the cultural, ethical, and spiritual adaptation that tomorrow calls for.

I have realized that if I am going to be any kind of eco-theologian, eco-activist, eco-ethicist, or simple tiller of the soil, citizen of the Earth, my studies must include but not remain solely in the head-space. The Earth is the realm of the hands and heart, and with this understanding I have embarked this summer on a series of organic farm internships that will help me to learn the fine arts, skills, and meditations of grounded ecological life.

This is an experience that I hope will help me to overcome my nature-deficit disorder. In this mood, this blog will return this summer and beyond to a chronicle of experience in the communities I am serving in, as we share the bounties of our harvest that fill our plates and our spirit.

First, a brief word on what I mean by the the yoga of ecology. Having been a practitioner in the bhakti-yoga community for nearly a decade now, I have come to understand that the values of yoga, values that connect us, that yolk us, to the Divine are values that inherently create ecologically-sound lifestyles and communities.

Bhakti means devotion to the Divine, and this devotion, when it is the foundation of a spiritual community, creates an understanding of the boundless potential for spiritual grace and happiness that can only truly be found when we respect and understand the boundaries and spaces that Mother Earth asks us to live in. Devotion is a value which removes the dust from our heart, the dust of greed, envy, and selfishness, the internal pollution which manifests in the external pollution that wrecks our planet.

To farm, to till and love the soil, for the purpose of loving devotion to the Divine and to each other, is a form of yoga, and the soil also teaches us much about the true essence of spiritual values if we become tuned in enough to observe and listen.

I have spent the last three weeks in Brewster, New York, an hour north of the City, at Bluestone Farm and Living Arts Center, which is part of the Community of the Holy Spirit. From their website the resident Sisters explain a bit of their history and standing:

The Yoga of Ecology blog originally began in 2008 as a chronicle of the spiritually inspired agricultural exploits of the Small Farm Training Center project at the New Vrindaban bhakti-yoga community in the foothills of the West Virginia Panhandle. I wanted to share the unique experience I was having not only of monastic life in the 21st Century, but also the experience of being part of a community and project focused on the ideals of "simple living and high thinking."

Inspired by the practical wisdom of bhakti-yoga scholar/teacher A/C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, communities like the Small Farm Training Center were and are presenting a model of anticipation as we move from an unsustainable model of industrialized and commodified civilization to an ecologically sound civilization.

The waves of time has moved my own journey and the journey of this blog in new directions and vistas. I am now studying for my master's degree in eco-theology at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and once again I am drawn to the work of the soil, of the spirit within the soil, and to those people creating what has been coined by eco-theologians, including Larry Rasmussen in his latest book Earth-Honoring Faith: Religious Ethics In A New Key, as the anticipatory community.

These are sacred sanghas of individuals who are determined, courageous, knowledgeable, humbly setting themselves to the rhythms of our Mother Earth, showing us today the ways and means of harmony that will lead us to the cultural, ethical, and spiritual adaptation that tomorrow calls for.

I have realized that if I am going to be any kind of eco-theologian, eco-activist, eco-ethicist, or simple tiller of the soil, citizen of the Earth, my studies must include but not remain solely in the head-space. The Earth is the realm of the hands and heart, and with this understanding I have embarked this summer on a series of organic farm internships that will help me to learn the fine arts, skills, and meditations of grounded ecological life.

This is an experience that I hope will help me to overcome my nature-deficit disorder. In this mood, this blog will return this summer and beyond to a chronicle of experience in the communities I am serving in, as we share the bounties of our harvest that fill our plates and our spirit.

First, a brief word on what I mean by the the yoga of ecology. Having been a practitioner in the bhakti-yoga community for nearly a decade now, I have come to understand that the values of yoga, values that connect us, that yolk us, to the Divine are values that inherently create ecologically-sound lifestyles and communities.

Bhakti means devotion to the Divine, and this devotion, when it is the foundation of a spiritual community, creates an understanding of the boundless potential for spiritual grace and happiness that can only truly be found when we respect and understand the boundaries and spaces that Mother Earth asks us to live in. Devotion is a value which removes the dust from our heart, the dust of greed, envy, and selfishness, the internal pollution which manifests in the external pollution that wrecks our planet.

To farm, to till and love the soil, for the purpose of loving devotion to the Divine and to each other, is a form of yoga, and the soil also teaches us much about the true essence of spiritual values if we become tuned in enough to observe and listen.

I have spent the last three weeks in Brewster, New York, an hour north of the City, at Bluestone Farm and Living Arts Center, which is part of the Community of the Holy Spirit. From their website the resident Sisters explain a bit of their history and standing:

Peace!?

Deloraine, Manitoba

“Oh Lord, help us to be masters of ourselves, that we may be servants of others.” - Sir Alexander Paterson

This quote amongst others is found at our little detour at Peace Garden in the Turtle Mountain District. The message resonates well.

Out here in the open prairie, there’s not much going on to entice your senses, there’s few and far between buildings. Most homes are set very far from the highway, which is my trail for walking.

And yes, peace. In two schools in Deloraine, and Boisaevaine students are hearing me say that I’m on a peace walk. I also introduced my team comprised of man and bird. PJRB radio also came over to the school at Boisaevaine for a separate interview. And Judy came from this Deloraine Newspaper at the Deloraine school. For the young students, me speaking about peace to them does not hold much interest, but it is a strong word that the teachers appreciate. They believe in it, it means a lot. When I had a few minutes with the principal, Mr. White, I asked about teenagers and drugs, and he remarked that it wasn’t too bad in the area largely due to the fact that people are somewhat isolated and are maintaining high family and spiritual values.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said of peace, “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principals.” In the Gita Krishna speaks about principals of freedom and how freedom and peace come from acknowledgement of the Supreme, and controlling the agitated senses.

So there is peace. Hard to find in this world.

Last night a major storm swept through Manitoba. Tree branches (and some huge ones) came crashing all around our tent as we were camping. We had to get out of there and search for a room. Then the news came that reported that a man in his tent got killed by a tree that landed on him in Falcon Lake, Manitoba. How unfortunate. Then after going for a swim in Adam Lake just to relieve the tension of leg muscles, before I knew it, my left foot found itself all bloody. A leach had discovered it to be delicious. The point being, where is peace and comfort in this world?

28 KM

He follows Amrtanandamayi as Radha-Krsna, but has doubts about her and other guru-gods, would like to chant only 4 rounds of maha-mantra, but Gayatri may be better. He wants help.

Nrsimhadeva Drama

"I stick to the sim­ple method taught by Lord Cai­tanya and passed on by Srila Prab­hu­pada. The name of Krishna is not dif­fer­ent than Krishna Him­self. Some­times the Lord delib­er­ately taught false philoso­phies, but in any case they are not to be fol­lowed per­pet­u­ally. Only devo­tional ser­vice is the means by which to chant the holy name and ben­e­fit from its eter­nal proposition."

From Viraha Bhavan #166

I am currently working on Chapter Five of Beautiful Tales of the All Attractive, Volume 2. The 19th śloka is too mind-blowing not to share immediately.

Srimad Bhagavatam 2.5.19

Ensnaring the Eternally Free Soul

[kārya-kāraṇa-kartṛtve dravya-jñāna-kriyāśrayāḥ | badhnanti nityadā muktaḿ māyinaḿ puruṣaḿ guṇāḥ ]

Nārada: Earlier you said that the universe is composed of five things, the root of which is “projected consciousness.” Now you are saying that the universe begins from three qualities of Nārāyaṇa’s energy. Are these two statements compatible?

Brahmā: Yes. These three qualities attract beings to project their consciousness into the universe. Thus consciousness, which has the capacity for eternal transcendence, binds itself to an illusory world.

Nārada: How do the three qualities attract the attention of conscious away from its potential eternal freedom?

Brahmā: By manifesting the five things I previously mentioned: objects of pleasure and the means for enjoying those objects.

Nārada: What are those means?

Brahmā: Senses, the ability to use the senses, and the intellectual inclination to do so.

_____________________________________________________________________________
Kirtan led by Sarvatma Dasa
Nrsimha Prayers led by Giriraj Swami

SATURDAY NIGHT HARINAM (JUNE 22nd 2013 – London)
****************************************
article by HG Bhaja Hari prabhu and video.your servant Para

Last night was especially wonderful for me – as I met an enthusiastic and very happy Chinese devotee who had travelled all the way up from Reading to distribute some Chinese editions of Srila Prabhupada’s books during the Harinam. She had with her Sri Isopanisad, Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers and quite a few other books that I could not recognise.

When she saw me distributing ‘Krsna the Reservoir of Pleasure’ she came over and introduced herself and showed me the Chinese books she had brought to distribute

Her name was Suan – and the way she pronounced it – it sounded exactly like SWAN.
I kept saying:

‘How do you pronounce your name ?’ and she kept saying ‘Suan’

and I kept saying ‘Swan? – Do you mean Swan – like Hamsa?’

It was quite funny – but – yes – you would have had to have been there.

Anyway I decided to swap Suan a copy of ‘The Science of Self Realisation’ for a copy of ‘Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers. I had the idea that I could distribute it to somebody in Chinatown when the Kirtan Party arrived there later.

It also got me thinking that it would be amazing if Palaka prabhu, (a very sincere disciple of Srila Prabhupada who has so far printed and distributed freely, all over the world, 2.3 million copies of On Chanting Hare Krsna) could arrange to print
a version of ‘On Chanting Hare Krsna’ in Chinese. It would be so blissful to be able to give them out to all the many, many Chinese tourists that now seem to be flooding into London. I am feeling very attracted to the Chinese people and their culture these days. While distributing the FREE ‘On Chanting Hare Krsna’ booklets every Saturday Night, when I meet Chinese people, whether they actually take a copy or not – they very often slightly bow their heads as a sign of respect – I suppose. Anyway – whatever it is – it feels right and courteous, and I find it very endearing.

Maybe, if we can’t get the ‘On Chanting Hare Krsna’ Booklets in Chinese, perhaps we can at least print up a small flyer inviting them to to chant Hare Krsna and visit our London Temple. Anyone has any ideas how to make this happen – give me a shout please.

The Harinam was very blissful. Last night Govinda prabhu was in fine voice and ecstatic mood. Maybe leading the kirtan WHILE simultaneously watching his two very sweet Vaisnava children, Tika and Raman, distributing hundreds of Srila Prabhupada’s booklets for the full 2 hours helped.

Anyway, Please enjoy this joyful little video – and PLEASE PLEASE come and join in EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT.

Your Samkirtan Party does NOT necessarily need you – but it really really WANTS YOU.

Please do not deny yourself the joy and pleasure of chanting the Holy Names in Public

O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names, like Krsna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.
Siksastakam Verse 2 (Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)

All glories to Srila Prabhupada !!!

Prasad distribution van driver needed by the “Food For All” project.

Our present driver is going to the Polish Tour and then off traveling with Indradymna Swami. So we need a van driver urgently.
Please contact Parasuram das at foodforalluk@gmail.com

Feed The Poor final from Food For All on Vimeo.

Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2013
By
HG Saksi Gopal Prabhu ACBSP

There were pagans and potheads
and Indian chiefs
There were druids and hippies
and mounted police

There were drinkers and smokers
and drummers galore
Who played on through the night
till their fingers were sore

There was dancing,while some stood
around on the grass.
Some huddled in blankets,
some shouted and laughed.

Some filmed the proceeding with
smart mobile phones.
As everyone gathered around
the great stones

That have witnessed the turning
on Salisbury Plain
Of season and century,
sunshine and rain

Witnessed chieftains and druids
and Celts offer thanks
Witnessed farmers and hippies
and soldiers in tanks

Have seen tourists and picnickers,
bikers in leather
And ancient oak avenues
pass into heather

Seen wars and invasions,
the triumph of thieves.
Have seen lovers and losers,
but who could believe

That the stones were now witness
to God’s holy name.
As the chanters in saffron
again and again

Sang their mantra and danced
to the cymbal and drum.
That the people here gathered
would eagerly come

To celebrate Krishna
Ram and Hare,
As they welcomed the sunrise,
On Midsummer’s Day!

Had they each felt their sanctity
somehow restored,
As each innocent celebrant
danced and adored

With a jubilant heart
and a gratified eye,
The rhythm and mantra
as old as the sky!

HARE KRISHNA they chant
HARE KRISHNA they pray,
KRISHNA KRISHNA they follow
with loud HARE HARE

HARE RAMA the song
HARE RAMA the hymn
RAMA RAMA HARE HARE
drumbeat and ring

of the karatel cymbals,
percussion of old.
The mantra of angels
that nurtures the soul

From the Lord’s Existence
below and above
Reuniting the spark with
the fire of love

Around and within us
if we could but see,
attuned to the river
within you and me

Some say we are energy,
spiritual light
a drop in the ocean
of endless delight

Being energy means we all
flow from the source.
And that means the
Original Person,of course

For the realm of transcendence
is where we belong.
Where each step is a dance
and each word is a song

So chant the vibration
Ram,Krishna,Hare,
as you greet the next sunrise
on Midsummer’s Day

Towards Simple Ways

Boissevain, Manitoba

After my shower at the campsite in Kilarney I left Daruka for the extra doze at 4:10 AM. To exit I was coming around a corner and this creature almost collided with me. With the dimness of the hour I could barely see. Was it a fox? No. Was it a dog? No. When the creature who accidentally came at me in a kind of a gallop, he backed off and I could decipher the image, it was a tiny fawn. He then retreated and ran towards these trailers which seemed to startle him also and then he came back towards me, practically landing in my arms, and then once again retreated but into another direction and into the darkness, hopefully to safety. What a perkful way to start the day.

It was a long straight stretch on 30 KMs without really stopping. A couple of falcons came to see me, they were perched on a hydro post. An RCMP officer stopped to learn what I’m doing. “I’m walking for peace,” I told him.

“Good, I’m also working for peace,” indicating that it was his job.

Paul Rayner from the community newspaper, The Recorder, interviewed. He went quite in depth and knew of the power of kirtan having experience with it.

What Daruka and Billy did once more today was wave a wand of magic. Billy’s charms gained us a happy footing into a colony of Hutterites. The place was in Wokapa. It has a residence of 140 people who created their own village and infrastructure beginning in 1972. The school there wanted to meet Billy, Daruka, and their monk friend. As a result, we were invited to speak about trekking pastimes, and about Billy’s role in all of this. The kids were great as they sat in front of us, well behaved, boys in pants and suspenders, and girls in dresses and bonnets or headdresses.

There is something favourable to be said about pious God-centric kids. They are respectful and attentive to all we say. It is also not to be ignored, but I must mention their next door neighbours, the Freemans. They are not Hetterites, but eco-friendly family who are young and managing self sustainability. They use minimal machinery, in fact work horses are the modus operandi. We had the opportunity to meet with them. Their kids are home schooled and they do plenty of chores and playing. Tim and Kathleen are doing their own little miracles.

Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, desired this kind of life for our family community members. We should not stop trying.

32 KM

Cotton and Cattle

Kilarney, Manitoba

Cottonwood fluff is shedding from the trees and manages to make its way all the way out to the open fields and even highways. On this highway, #3, we find something historic, it was once a major horse and cart trail in the late 1800’s for patrolling and surveying the land north of the 49th parallel which separates the US and Canada. This area’s now predominantly farm land.

One farmer’s fence had broken down leaving some of his cattle to go astray and land up in someone else’s pasture. I was there on the highway when several farmers were there to help and discuss strategy for the cattle’s return home. The farmer who owned the cattle was in despair, but he took a minute to talk to me, “So you’re walkin’?”

“Yes, across Canada.”

“For peace?”

“Yes, and as a pilgrimage.”

“You’re Hare Krishna?”

“Yes!”

“Well, that makes sense.”

A few more locals involved in the agri-business saw the small convergence of vehicles and people by the side of the highway. They also stopped. It was then that I could say more about walking for the soul. I kept it rather light. I let people know that it’s a friend raiser and not a fund raiser. I encouraged all the motorists there to please honk when they see me down the road, and see me they have, so they say.

“I can’t do that, the horn on my vehicle just busted”, said one guy jovially.

“Hey, fences break down, horns malfunction, these bodies break down, and I’ll walk ‘til I drop. That was a segue for everyone to move on back to work, back to catching cattle and back on to walking.

News has spread around about the walking Hare Krishna, even before the afternoon’s interview with Jay from The Guide newspaper. Many motorists stop to get their picture taken with a rarity, a monk.

33 KM

Recently our head architect, Vilasini devi dasi, gave a presentation about the TOVP in Bahrain. The following is an account of her experience with the inclusion of her power point slides.

TOVP Presentation in ISKCON Bahrain – A Report

While I was making my plan to visit my sister in Bahrain, I received a call from Pawan Nimai Prabhu, my brother in law, ‘Can you do a presentation in Bahrain on the TOVP’? Soon enough after the blessed approval of Sadbhuja Prabhu, the TOVP Managing Director, I began scrambling for photographs and assembling events in the project chronology. This exercise brought back many memories during my service tenure with the TOVP and I feel very grateful and inspired to serve in the divine project steered by accomplished devotees.

The temple president of ISKCON, Bahrain HG Udara Kirti Chaitanya Prabhu, (disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja) a very hospitable and humble devotee asked the presentation to be held on Friday evening on May 31st 2013. Almost around 150 devotees were present. HH Siddhartha Swami Maharaja who was visiting Bahrain at the time also gave his blessings. Coincidentally HG Deva Dharma Prabhu, a Mayapur resident, music teacher and a kirtan lover was also present, wherein he brought Mayapur to Bahrain through his heartfelt kirtan.

Devotees were greatly inspired and appreciated the magnanimous project. One of the devotees also wanted to make a calendar of the TOVP for 2014. Many expressed their amazement at the building structure and its aim to stand for 500 years. They were stirred by Ambarisa Prabhu’s and the TOVP team’s consistent dedication to Srila Prabhupada through the project.

I am grateful to:

1. Pawana Nimai Prabhu for the co-ordination with temple management and the technical support.
2. Kanai Priya Devi Dasi, my sister for back end support.
3. Shree Laxmi Mataji (daughter of Udara Kirti Chaitanya Prabhu) for technical operation during the presentation.
4. Chaitanya Hari Prabhu for the photography.
5. Anup Shah, my husband for formatting the presentation and for his constant support through my service in the TOVP.

2013-06-01 – Srimad Bhagavatam 10.20.35 – Clearing the Clouder Consciousness

Because a devotee rigidly follows the instructions of Narada Muni, he has no fear of old age, disease or death. Apparently a devotee may grow old, but he is not subjected to the symptoms of defeat experienced by a common man in old age. Consequently, old age does not make a devotee fearful of death, as a common man is fearful of death.

When jara, or old age, takes shelter of a devotee, Kalakanya diminishes the devotee's fear. A devotee knows that after death he is going back home, back to Godhead; therefore he has no fear of death. Thus instead of depressing a devotee, advanced age helps him become fearless and thus happy.

SB 4.27.24 Purport

Because a devotee rigidly follows the instructions of Narada Muni, he has no fear of old age, disease or death. Apparently a devotee may grow old, but he is not subjected to the symptoms of defeat experienced by a common man in old age. Consequently, old age does not make a devotee fearful of death, as a common man is fearful of death.

When jara, or old age, takes shelter of a devotee, Kalakanya diminishes the devotee's fear. A devotee knows that after death he is going back home, back to Godhead; therefore he has no fear of death. Thus instead of depressing a devotee, advanced age helps him become fearless and thus happy.

SB 4.27.24 Purport

GITA COACHING: EFFORT TO IMPROVE OURSELVES: Gita Coaching is a regular, focused conversation that helps clarify what we want, make an inspiring plan and take decisive action. It help...

GITA COACHING: EFFORT TO IMPROVE OURSELVES: Gita Coaching is a regular, focused conversation that helps clarify what we want, make an inspiring plan and take decisive action. It help...

Verse 3.35: It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another's duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one's own duty is better than engaging in another's duties, for to follow another's path is dangerous.

I was thinking about today's verse and that was the first image that came to mind - uncovering the layers and layers of masks.

To me, a mask signifies hiding one's identity. After all, it's hard to see the full picture if there's something covering it.

Bhakti yoga is about realizing we are wearing different layers of masks, using them effectively and gradually letting go of them; thus, allowing our real selves to shine.

Let's talk about two masks that are specifically prominent - the body and our proclivities and tendencies (i.e. our nature). The body is like a full-fledged mask. It does such an effective job of hiding "the real us" that it's hard to distinguish that the body is just a covering.

Any actors reading this today? Perhaps you can relate. When diving into a role or part, you might have delved so deep into a character that you started to identify yourself with it. Similarly, we have spent so much time wearing different bodies (in this life and in so many previous ones) that we've forgotten that it's not who we really are.

As if one wasn't enough, there's another mask that covers the body mask. Sigh....I know. Like I said - layers up on layers.

That mask is our psycho-physical nature. Not only do we identify with the body, but we also identify with certain tendencies, inclinations and proclivities. What's interesting to note here is that Krsna is not stating that we just take off this mask - i.e. He is not stating that we abandon our nature. Oh no. In fact He is stating the opposite.

Krsna is encouraging that we work in line with our nature - i.e. perform our duties/work in accordance with our nature. He goes one step further in fact and states "It doesn't matter whether you are good at it or not, work according to your nature. Even if you can do something better, it doesn't matter."

So what does that mean? Previously we described that there are four natural divisions of society (in terms of work) - the educators/academics, the administrators/leaders, the businessmen/agriculturalists and finally the artists/workers. That's not to say that people can't be a mix of these four - they certainly can! In fact, nowadays it's hard to find someone who has just the nature of an educator, leader etc..

It commonly happens that we can easily do the work of another extremely well, even if it's not in our nature (i.e. an artist might be excellent at typing). Thinking that it's easier to find a job typing, that person might give up their art. Krsna says here - don't do it! By engaging one's nature, it not only promotes a sense of fulfillment but allows one to naturally advance in bhakti

These masks can act as tools, rather than obstacles, if we know how to properly use them in our journey of self-discovery.

The body and our individual natures are not bad. After all, they are gifts given to us by the Supreme. It's how we utilize them that makes all the difference.

By working with an attitude of appreciation and detachment, we can offer our talents and gifts in gratitude to the Supreme. Similarly, we can utilize our body to glorify the Supreme through song, prayers and our very existence. These bhakti processes allow us to work with what we've got, instead of rejecting them. Like we've said so many times before - bhakti is about transformation, not simply negation.

It's up to us what we do with these masks - we can stay covered by them, or use them to free ourselves. What do you choose?

Verse 3.35: It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another's duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one's own duty is better than engaging in another's duties, for to follow another's path is dangerous.

I was thinking about today's verse and that was the first image that came to mind - uncovering the layers and layers of masks.

To me, a mask signifies hiding one's identity. After all, it's hard to see the full picture if there's something covering it.

Bhakti yoga is about realizing we are wearing different layers of masks, using them effectively and gradually letting go of them; thus, allowing our real selves to shine.

Let's talk about two masks that are specifically prominent - the body and our proclivities and tendencies (i.e. our nature). The body is like a full-fledged mask. It does such an effective job of hiding "the real us" that it's hard to distinguish that the body is just a covering.

Any actors reading this today? Perhaps you can relate. When diving into a role or part, you might have delved so deep into a character that you started to identify yourself with it. Similarly, we have spent so much time wearing different bodies (in this life and in so many previous ones) that we've forgotten that it's not who we really are.

As if one wasn't enough, there's another mask that covers the body mask. Sigh....I know. Like I said - layers up on layers.

That mask is our psycho-physical nature. Not only do we identify with the body, but we also identify with certain tendencies, inclinations and proclivities. What's interesting to note here is that Krsna is not stating that we just take off this mask - i.e. He is not stating that we abandon our nature. Oh no. In fact He is stating the opposite.

Krsna is encouraging that we work in line with our nature - i.e. perform our duties/work in accordance with our nature. He goes one step further in fact and states "It doesn't matter whether you are good at it or not, work according to your nature. Even if you can do something better, it doesn't matter."

So what does that mean? Previously we described that there are four natural divisions of society (in terms of work) - the educators/academics, the administrators/leaders, the businessmen/agriculturalists and finally the artists/workers. That's not to say that people can't be a mix of these four - they certainly can! In fact, nowadays it's hard to find someone who has just the nature of an educator, leader etc..

It commonly happens that we can easily do the work of another extremely well, even if it's not in our nature (i.e. an artist might be excellent at typing). Thinking that it's easier to find a job typing, that person might give up their art. Krsna says here - don't do it! By engaging one's nature, it not only promotes a sense of fulfillment but allows one to naturally advance in bhakti

These masks can act as tools, rather than obstacles, if we know how to properly use them in our journey of self-discovery.

The body and our individual natures are not bad. After all, they are gifts given to us by the Supreme. It's how we utilize them that makes all the difference.

By working with an attitude of appreciation and detachment, we can offer our talents and gifts in gratitude to the Supreme. Similarly, we can utilize our body to glorify the Supreme through song, prayers and our very existence. These bhakti processes allow us to work with what we've got, instead of rejecting them. Like we've said so many times before - bhakti is about transformation, not simply negation.

It's up to us what we do with these masks - we can stay covered by them, or use them to free ourselves. What do you choose?

An invitation to all dear Devotees to kindly join us in the celebration of the VYASA Puja of His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaj on Saturday 29th June at Hare Krishna Temple, from 10:30am onwards

2013 06 15 Chetana Festival Freedom Redefined Vraj Sundari Mataji ISKCON Chowpatty

Initiation is a process in Bhakti Yoga where the practitioner formally commits to his/her Spiritual Master as the disciple. The newly initiate formally enrolls into the Guru Parampara which originally began from the Supreme Being Krishna Himself. Hence, as you see, is a serious and eternal commitment.

Below are the words of a great saint and revolutionary spiritual leader on the inner meaning of initiation. Anyone aspiring initiation and the already initiated should consider his words with gravity.

The process of attaining transcendental knowledge is called initiation.  We should know that the Supreme Lord is the transcendental Absolute Truth, we are His eternal servants, and we have no duty other than to serve Him.  Knowing this is actual initiation.   The absence of understanding is ignorance.  At present, there is a controversy about the word “Initiation.”  People proudly claim that they have taken initiation from a bona fide spiritual master, but how can they maintain material attachment even after taking initiation ?  How can they desire to make advancement in material life ?  If they don’t learn about their relationship with the Lord, independent and proud people uselessly brag about their initiations.  Rather than treating their spiritual master as if he were as good as God, they treat him as their disciple, fit  to be their order-supplier. Considering the guru an ordinary mortal being, these persons become offenders at his lotus feet.


Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur
Page No.262 and 263 of the book ‘Amritha Vani’

Initiation is a process in Bhakti Yoga where the practitioner formally commits to his/her Spiritual Master as the disciple. The newly initiate formally enrolls into the Guru Parampara which originally began from the Supreme Being Krishna Himself. Hence, as you see, is a serious and eternal commitment.

Below are the words of a great saint and revolutionary spiritual leader on the inner meaning of initiation. Anyone aspiring initiation and the already initiated should consider his words with gravity.

The process of attaining transcendental knowledge is called initiation.  We should know that the Supreme Lord is the transcendental Absolute Truth, we are His eternal servants, and we have no duty other than to serve Him.  Knowing this is actual initiation.   The absence of understanding is ignorance.  At present, there is a controversy about the word “Initiation.”  People proudly claim that they have taken initiation from a bona fide spiritual master, but how can they maintain material attachment even after taking initiation ?  How can they desire to make advancement in material life ?  If they don’t learn about their relationship with the Lord, independent and proud people uselessly brag about their initiations.  Rather than treating their spiritual master as if he were as good as God, they treat him as their disciple, fit  to be their order-supplier. Considering the guru an ordinary mortal being, these persons become offenders at his lotus feet.


Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur
Page No.262 and 263 of the book ‘Amritha Vani’

“If someone approaches you and offers to serve you in your home and in your business and wants nothing in return — just wants to make you happy — then you will naturally feel inclined toward that person. ‘This is a sign of your sincere devotion.’ With God it is the same way. If you approach God with no material desire, you want only His pleasure, then He will makes all arrangements for you, His devotee. So Lord Nityananda gave Raghunatha dasa a service that would attract the attention of Lord Caitanya. He said, ‘You make a big feast of chipped rice and yogurt and distribute to all the Vaishnavas in the area.’ And once the word got out — you know how devotes are — once the word got out that there was a big feast being prepared, thousands and thousands of Vaishnavas came.” — Indradyumna Swami

Indradymna Swami — Panihati Talk
Giriraj Swami — Panihati Talk

I have finished the first draft of Chapter Four of Beautiful Tales of the All Attractive, Volume 2. I will celebrate by explaining a little bit about this chapter, and quoting you one of my favorite ślokas from it.

The Fourth Chapter of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam’s Second “Canto” is mainly about this:

King Parīkṣit asked Śukadeva Goswāmī to answer a question, “What is the most important thing to do, especially since I am about to die?” Śuka answered that in the first three chapters in such a complete and thorough manner that Parīkṣit and all who were listening were astonished. Parīkṣit did not want the discussion to end, even though his question had been completely satisfied, so he asked more questions.

Since Śuka had told him that he had enough time left in his life to be systematic and sequential in his approach to hearing about Krishna, Parīkṣit began by asking questions that are not inherently “intimate” or “advanced” yet nonetheless are fascinating, delightful, and essential for properly understanding the essential nature of Krishna. He asked several specific questions about how the universe exists, and admitted that it is basically impossible for anyone to answer such questions.

Śuka would then ask how he could be expected to reply properly, so Parikṣit explained that those who are intimately connected with the All-Attractive by the link of heartfelt devotion can comprehend the incomprehensible due to their direct proximity to the Divine.

Accepting this, Śuka set out to answer Parikṣit’s questions. He began by evoking his proximity to the Divine by glorifying Krishna and confirming that divine knowledge comes from his favor alone. One śloka he spoke towards the very end of the chapter (śloka 24) is a particular favorite of mine. I would like to share it with you.

My respects to the All-Attractive Son of Vasudeva. The affectionate souls who drink the delicate taste emanating from his lotus-like lips become full of knowledge and can create the Veda.

Śrīla Prabhupāda quotes Viśvanātha Cakravartī when explaining this śloka: On one level it refers to Vyāsa, Śuka’s father. On another level it can refer to Brahmā. On still another level it refers to the Gopīs, who become full of all artistic excellence and knowledge simply by receiving the kiss of Krishna.

Knowledge comes from the divine. It emanates from the mouth of the All-Attractive. Generally we think of words emanating from the mouth – and this is how Brahmā and Vyāsa received comprehension of the incomprehensible: by hearing the words spoken from the mouth of the All-Attractive. They then became capable of creating books of true knowledge: the Veda. But words are not all that emanates from the mouth. Kisses also come from there. The gopīs enjoy Krishna’s kisses, and thus they become infinitely surcharged with extremely powerful and abundant knowledge and expertise in all subjects – from philosophy to sciences to arts such as dance, music, cooking, poetry, cosmetics, fashion, etc.

We who are very low and ordinary souls also have the chance to taste Krishna’s kisses and become thus surcharged. But, in our thick stupidity we tend to ignore this opportunity or not pay much attention to it. How can we fools taste Krishna’s kisses? It is very simple – chant Krishna’s names, and Krishna then comes in contact with your lips. You are kissing Krishna!

Be aware of this intimatcy and you will become fully enlightened, like Vyāsa, Brahmā and the Gopīs.

“Hare Krishna”

"... so the Holy name, chanting of holy name, if we act it properly, without any offense, then we are directly in connection with Krsna. There is no doubt."

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.7.19 lecture
Vrndavana - 16th September 1976