Evening of Bhakti – April 6th 2013 @ 6:00pm
Celebrating New Year – Every day by HH Bhakti Charu Swami
→ Successful Vaisnavas
We recently just observed the Gaura Purnima Festival, which is New Year for Gaudiya Vaisnavas. It reminded me of this email I received from His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami at the beginning of the year.
I hope you also get inspiration from it to make the best use of every day.
Your servant,
Krsnendu dasa
_______________________________________________
A very happy and prosperous New Year 2013 to all of you!
There are various different New Years according to different calendars. This New Year is based on the Christian Calendar, but in India there are various types of calendars used. Generally we follow the Gaudiya Calendar which marks the New Year from the appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Celebrating New Year is important because it comes with a new hope. It is a feature of when we leave the old year behind and use those experiences as a stepping stone or springboard to the following year.
However, our actual consideration should be not just the New Year but the new day. Every day – like every new year – comes with its fresh start. And that is how time progresses. The day begins with the sunrise and we, as human beings, are supposed to become active until the night, when we fall asleep to become rejuvenated for facing the
next day – the new day.
Therefore our main consideration should be how to face every day as a new day. Every sunrise comes with new opportunities, new hopes and new possibilities and that is how we should mould our lives. Let our actions be so noble, so wise and so generous that it leaves a very positive imprint in human society. Let our actions speak for our real self. Let us recognise the fact that we are eternal parts and parcels of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and hence we are His eternal servants.
The constitutional position of the living entity is that he is an eternal servant of the Lord. That is his real identity. And when he
acts according to that identity, his life becomes truly meaningful. And that life makes him progress. It makes him proceed towards the spiritual world and in this way every day we should make it a point to get a little closer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And eventually at the end of our life we can step out of this material nature and enter in to the spiritual sky.
Thank you all very much.
Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Bhakti Charu Swami
1st January 2013
Sydney, Australia
To learn more about His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami visit http://www.bcswami.com/
Hear from our guest speaker Apurva Prabhu this Sunday
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON'S BLOG
We are pleased to have the association of Apurva Prabhu at ISKCON Brampton this Sunday. Apurva Prabhu along with his wife Kamalini Mataji used to cater different events and taught cooking classes. Prabhu has been invited to assist with the evolution of the Govinda's restaurant at the ISKCON Toronto Temple. They have both come from Hillsborough, North Carolina to spend a few months in the GTA. They have two grown children, who are have families of their own.
The program consists of arati, kirtan (devotional chanting), philosophical discussion and prasadam. Please come, get inspired and inspire others through your desire to share Krsna Consciousness!
Program Schedule:
11:00 am - 11:30 am Guru Puja
11:30 am - 12:00 pm Arati & Kirtan
12:00 pm – 12:05 pm Narasingadev Prayers
12:10 pm - 1:00 pm Vedic Discourse by His Grace Apurva Dasa
1:20 pm - 2:00 pm Prasadam (Vegetarian feast)
Upcoming Events:
Rama Navami - Appearance of Lord Rama April 19th

Ramanavami celebrates the birth of Rama or Ramachandra. On the ninth day of the first fortnight of Chaitra the birth of Rama is commemorated. The story of Rama was first written by Vaalmeeki in about the 4th century B.C. Rama is supposed to have lived during the 8th or 7th century B.C. The epic known as the Ramayana. In some parts of India, it is a nine-day festival, coinciding with the Vasanta Navaratri (see also Navaratri).
Devotees celebrate this day by fasting till sunset, singing and chanting His holy names, pastimes and glories. JAI SRI RAMA!
There are lots of opportunities to serve on this special occasion. Please contact Acharya Thakur Prabhu or Mother Prema Gaurangi for more information.
Hear from our guest speaker Apurva Prabhu this Sunday
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON'S BLOG
We are pleased to have the association of Apurva Prabhu at ISKCON Brampton this Sunday. Apurva Prabhu along with his wife Kamalini Mataji used to cater different events and taught cooking classes. Prabhu has been invited to assist with the evolution of the Govinda's restaurant at the ISKCON Toronto Temple. They have both come from Hillsborough, North Carolina to spend a few months in the GTA. They have two grown children, who are have families of their own.
The program consists of arati, kirtan (devotional chanting), philosophical discussion and prasadam. Please come, get inspired and inspire others through your desire to share Krsna Consciousness!
Program Schedule:
11:00 am - 11:30 am Guru Puja
11:30 am - 12:00 pm Arati & Kirtan
12:00 pm – 12:05 pm Narasingadev Prayers
12:10 pm - 1:00 pm Vedic Discourse by His Grace Apurva Dasa
1:20 pm - 2:00 pm Prasadam (Vegetarian feast)
Upcoming Events:
Rama Navami - Appearance of Lord Rama April 19th

Ramanavami celebrates the birth of Rama or Ramachandra. On the ninth day of the first fortnight of Chaitra the birth of Rama is commemorated. The story of Rama was first written by Vaalmeeki in about the 4th century B.C. Rama is supposed to have lived during the 8th or 7th century B.C. The epic known as the Ramayana. In some parts of India, it is a nine-day festival, coinciding with the Vasanta Navaratri (see also Navaratri).
Devotees celebrate this day by fasting till sunset, singing and chanting His holy names, pastimes and glories. JAI SRI RAMA!
There are lots of opportunities to serve on this special occasion. Please contact Acharya Thakur Prabhu or Mother Prema Gaurangi for more information.
Tuesday Hip Opener!
→ Bhakti Lounge - The Heart Of Yoga in Wellington
Get your strength on!
Our famous, loved “Tues Night Challenge” teach returns to Bhakti Lounge! Trained in Ashtanga and Power Yoga Teaching since 2005 in NZ, Australia and India.
Get your hips strong and flexible. Yep you read it, STRONG and flexible. Come along next Tuesday April 1st for some hip-opening goodness through creative transitions and inversions. This month we’ll be working toward and wrapping up our practice with Bhujapidasana, an arm supported pose testing both strength and flexibility in the hips. Up for the challenge? ;)
Not suitable for beginners
90min class followed by dinner
$18/$15 students with ID

Guilty Conscience
→ Tattva - See inside out
Nobody likes to be a hypocrite, and a gap between the ideal and the real naturally generates feelings of frustration, guilt and regret. This is an interesting phenomenon. Without a sense of guilt or shame one will lack the impetus to improve. They generally gravitate towards a life of justification, where they comfort themselves in their compromised position and accept their weaknesses with no concrete plan to overcome them. On the other hand, an overdose of guilt becomes highly debilitating. It usually leads to depression, hopelessness and an inferiority complex where the aspirant feels powerless to improve. They often end up leading a subdued and isolated life, distancing themselves from people and situations that remind them of their shortcomings. To avoid the two unhealthy extremes of justification and hopelessness, we need to manage a healthy and balanced amount of guilt to create positive change.
How can we support those who aspire against the odds to be good and noble, but who sometimes fail? How can we transform the guilt into growth? How can we reassure individuals to stay determined and never give up? The ancient teachers stress the principle of guhyam akhyati prcchati: to openly discuss one’s challenges with a friend. Firstly, it frees one from anxiety and a sense of hypocrisy. Honesty can calm our conscience and bring an immediate feeling of relief. Secondly, one creates an opportunity to receive invaluable advice, feedback and support. Even if they offer words that we’ve heard before, it can still impact our lives in a significant way. Thirdly, and arguably most importantly, there is a divine recognition and witness to this exchange. Humbly admitting one’s shortcomings is a demonstration of a genuine and sincere desire to improve. That exhibition of humility is rewarded with great inner strength and resolve. Through honest exchange, one can face their challenges and emerge with greater enthusiasm and maturity to continue on. It’s good to talk.
Guilty Conscience
→ Tattva - See inside out
Nobody likes to be a hypocrite, and a gap between the ideal and the real naturally generates feelings of frustration, guilt and regret. This is an interesting phenomenon. Without a sense of guilt or shame one will lack the impetus to improve. They generally gravitate towards a life of justification, where they comfort themselves in their compromised position and accept their weaknesses with no concrete plan to overcome them. On the other hand, an overdose of guilt becomes highly debilitating. It usually leads to depression, hopelessness and an inferiority complex where the aspirant feels powerless to improve. They often end up leading a subdued and isolated life, distancing themselves from people and situations that remind them of their shortcomings. To avoid the two unhealthy extremes of justification and hopelessness, we need to manage a healthy and balanced amount of guilt to create positive change.
How can we support those who aspire against the odds to be good and noble, but who sometimes fail? How can we transform the guilt into growth? How can we reassure individuals to stay determined and never give up? The ancient teachers stress the principle of guhyam akhyati prcchati: to openly discuss one’s challenges with a friend. Firstly, it frees one from anxiety and a sense of hypocrisy. Honesty can calm our conscience and bring an immediate feeling of relief. Secondly, one creates an opportunity to receive invaluable advice, feedback and support. Even if they offer words that we’ve heard before, it can still impact our lives in a significant way. Thirdly, and arguably most importantly, there is a divine recognition and witness to this exchange. Humbly admitting one’s shortcomings is a demonstration of a genuine and sincere desire to improve. That exhibition of humility is rewarded with great inner strength and resolve. Through honest exchange, one can face their challenges and emerge with greater enthusiasm and maturity to continue on. It’s good to talk.
Travel Journal#9.3: Gainesville and Ocala Rainbow Gathering
→ Travel Adventures of a Krishna Monk
By Krishna-kripa das
(February 2013, part one)
(Sent from Gainesville, Florida, on March 24, 2013)
![]() |
![]() Some played their African djembe drums. |
![]() |
Others played stringed instruments. ![]() |
Thanks to Tulasirani devi dasi for the pictures of the Ocala Rainbow Gathering. For more pictures, see the Krishna House Facebook album, Ocala Rainbow Gathering 2013.
activities of his guru. Mine saved the
whole world by giving us a movement
with centers in almost all countries. Even in the new countries
of the former Soviet Union, and many cities
in India and America—everywhere.
He was such a spiritual master,
empowered by God. Still he lives in us
by his instruction, in our hearts.
crushes my ribs and scratches my limbs.
I run away, maddened
like a jivawho misspends his free will.
I've gotten into trouble without you.
It used to be so simple.
All glories to you and your divine words,
the books you made and your
visits. Please visit us and
call us with your latest orders.”
- Build Your Peacemaker’s Toolbox
- Bring the Disputing Parties Together (somehow or other bring decision)
- Understand the Dispute
- Start a Discussion (continuing until it becomes repetitive)
- Meet Privately with Each Party
- Create a Written Record
Travel Journal#9.3: Gainesville and Ocala Rainbow Gathering
→ Travel Adventures of a Krishna Monk
By Krishna-kripa das
(February 2013, part one)
(Sent from Gainesville, Florida, on March 24, 2013)
![]() |
![]() Some played their African djembe drums. |
![]() |
Others played stringed instruments. ![]() |
Thanks to Tulasirani devi dasi for the pictures of the Ocala Rainbow Gathering. For more pictures, see the Krishna House Facebook album, Ocala Rainbow Gathering 2013.
activities of his guru. Mine saved the
whole world by giving us a movement
with centers in almost all countries. Even in the new countries
of the former Soviet Union, and many cities
in India and America—everywhere.
He was such a spiritual master,
empowered by God. Still he lives in us
by his instruction, in our hearts.
crushes my ribs and scratches my limbs.
I run away, maddened
like a jivawho misspends his free will.
I've gotten into trouble without you.
It used to be so simple.
All glories to you and your divine words,
the books you made and your
visits. Please visit us and
call us with your latest orders.”
- Build Your Peacemaker’s Toolbox
- Bring the Disputing Parties Together (somehow or other bring decision)
- Understand the Dispute
- Start a Discussion (continuing until it becomes repetitive)
- Meet Privately with Each Party
- Create a Written Record
Join us in the celebration of Gaura Purnima on Tuesday March 26th
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON'S BLOG
YOU ARE INVITED FOR THE GRAND CELEBRATION OF GAURA PURNIMA (APPEARANCE DAY OF LORD CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU)
The festival is considered to be one of the most important festivals of the entire year for Gaudia Vaishnavas (followers of Lord Caitaniya). Devotees observe this festival by fasting till moonrise and chanting when they can the holy names of Lord all day.
Lord CAITANYA is KRISHNA HIMSELF, appearing as His own devotee only to teach us by example "How to love the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna" and to gain full enlightenment simply by chanting His holy names; HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE. Thus he brought a revolution in spiritual consciousness by inaugurating the chanting and dancing.
GAURA PURNIMA meaning GOLDEN FULL MOON which signifies lord CAITANYA appeared during full moon night by taking the golden complexion of Radha Rani to bless everyone without any discrimination based on background or spiritual qualification with His soothing moonlike rays of His sublime teachings. Those who witnessed the pastimes of lord CAITANYA saw Him dance and chant with ecstatic love for God, the likes of which had never been seen before.

Sri CAITANYA'S teachings cover three principal topics:
· Knowledge of soul's relationship with Krishna
· The method of awakening that relationship and
· The awakened state of that relationship(pure love of God)
He predicted that nama sankirtana would spread in every town and village.
"Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam"
"SIKSASTAKAM", The eight instructions of Lord Sri CAITANYA should be followed by everyone in order to become a pure devotee. http://harekrishnatemple.com/
ALL GLORIES TO LORD SRI CAITANYA, THE MOST MAGNANIIMOUS AND MERCIFUL!
MORNING PROGRAM:
5.00am ................Mangala arati
5.30am.................
5.35am.................Tulasi aarti and kirtan
5.40am.................
5.45am.................
5.55am.................
6.25am.................Srila Prabhupada arati
EVENING PROGRAM:
7.00PM................GAURA AARTI
7.30PM................
7.40PM................GLORIES OF LORD SRI CAITANIYA MAHAPRABHU by His Grace Advaita Gosai Das
8.20PM................GAURANGA MAHA ABHISHEK
8.50PM................SUNDAY SCHOOL PRESENTATION
& Vaisnava Song presentation by Milton Bhakti Vriksha children
9.20PM.................MAHA AARTI
9:35 PM...............Honour GAURANGA MAHA FEAST
& Enjoy a performance by Hladini Group
SPONSORSHIPS AND DONATIONS:
"One who performs opulent celebrations on such days, pleases the lord, who grants him all benedictions and removes all sins." (Hari Bhakti Villas)
Srila Prabhupada established opulent Deity worship and celebration of vaishnava festivals as an opportunity provided by lord Himself, so that we can unitedly express our gratitude and love to the lord, His associates and devotees.
OFFERING OF KALASH: $51[per family]
FLORALS AND GARLANDS: $108
MAHA AARTI: $108
GUARANGA MAHA FEAST $251
Please contact Acarya Thakur Das Prabhu [alexf108@gmail.com]or mother Prema Gaurangi [premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com
Join us in the celebration of Gaura Purnima on Tuesday March 26th
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON'S BLOG
YOU ARE INVITED FOR THE GRAND CELEBRATION OF GAURA PURNIMA (APPEARANCE DAY OF LORD CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU)
The festival is considered to be one of the most important festivals of the entire year for Gaudia Vaishnavas (followers of Lord Caitaniya). Devotees observe this festival by fasting till moonrise and chanting when they can the holy names of Lord all day.
Lord CAITANYA is KRISHNA HIMSELF, appearing as His own devotee only to teach us by example "How to love the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna" and to gain full enlightenment simply by chanting His holy names; HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE. Thus he brought a revolution in spiritual consciousness by inaugurating the chanting and dancing.
GAURA PURNIMA meaning GOLDEN FULL MOON which signifies lord CAITANYA appeared during full moon night by taking the golden complexion of Radha Rani to bless everyone without any discrimination based on background or spiritual qualification with His soothing moonlike rays of His sublime teachings. Those who witnessed the pastimes of lord CAITANYA saw Him dance and chant with ecstatic love for God, the likes of which had never been seen before.

Sri CAITANYA'S teachings cover three principal topics:
· Knowledge of soul's relationship with Krishna
· The method of awakening that relationship and
· The awakened state of that relationship(pure love of God)
He predicted that nama sankirtana would spread in every town and village.
"Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam"
"SIKSASTAKAM", The eight instructions of Lord Sri CAITANYA should be followed by everyone in order to become a pure devotee. http://harekrishnatemple.com/
ALL GLORIES TO LORD SRI CAITANYA, THE MOST MAGNANIIMOUS AND MERCIFUL!
MORNING PROGRAM:
5.00am ................Mangala arati
5.30am.................
5.35am.................Tulasi aarti and kirtan
5.40am.................
5.45am.................
5.55am.................
6.25am.................Srila Prabhupada arati
EVENING PROGRAM:
7.00PM................GAURA AARTI
7.30PM................
7.40PM................GLORIES OF LORD SRI CAITANIYA MAHAPRABHU by His Grace Advaita Gosai Das
8.20PM................GAURANGA MAHA ABHISHEK
8.50PM................SUNDAY SCHOOL PRESENTATION
& Vaisnava Song presentation by Milton Bhakti Vriksha children
9.20PM.................MAHA AARTI
9:35 PM...............Honour GAURANGA MAHA FEAST
& Enjoy a performance by Hladini Group
SPONSORSHIPS AND DONATIONS:
"One who performs opulent celebrations on such days, pleases the lord, who grants him all benedictions and removes all sins." (Hari Bhakti Villas)
Srila Prabhupada established opulent Deity worship and celebration of vaishnava festivals as an opportunity provided by lord Himself, so that we can unitedly express our gratitude and love to the lord, His associates and devotees.
OFFERING OF KALASH: $51[per family]
FLORALS AND GARLANDS: $108
MAHA AARTI: $108
GUARANGA MAHA FEAST $251
Please contact Acarya Thakur Das Prabhu [alexf108@gmail.com]or mother Prema Gaurangi [premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com
Birthday Prayer
→ Seed of Devotion
Birthday Prayer
→ Seed of Devotion
ISCOWP March Update
→ Life With the Cows and Land
One of the guests tries his hand at ox training.
Check out this news and more from the ISCOWP farm in the latest 'ISCOWP Update' e-newsletter.
ISCOWP March Update
→ Life With the Cows and Land
One of the guests tries his hand at ox training.
Check out this news and more from the ISCOWP farm in the latest 'ISCOWP Update' e-newsletter.
Daily Meditation on my Gurudeva – Days 9-14
→ A Convenient Truth
Day 9
Daily Meditation on my Gurudeva – Days 9-14
→ A Convenient Truth
Day 9
ISCOWP March 2013 Update
→ The Yoga of Ecology
ISCOWP March 2013 Update
→ The Yoga of Ecology
Pause for Thought 19 March
Krishna Dharma das
I delivered this script today on BBC Radio 2. The theme was ‘Water’ as this week it is World Water Day.
Water and life in all its forms are inseparable. When we look on other planets for signs of life it’s the first thing we try to detect. Although we can last quite a long time without food we humans will die in a week without fluids. In the case of cups of tea it might be only a few hours.
But despite its importance we can’t really create water, certainly not on the scale it is needed. Massive are required explosions to make just a small quantity. When the ill fated Hindenburg –a hydrogen balloon—exploded, a good few gallons were made, but we would hardly want to replicate that very often. So far our attempts to manufacture water have not met with great success and we now face a growing global crisis of not having enough of it. Africa, Asia, Australia, even America and Europe, have all been suffering drought conditions. The world water situation is becoming so critical that wars may well be fought over it.
In truth we depend on a higher power. Water is a natural resource we can only hope is bestowed upon us through sufficient rainfall, over which we have no control. We can only make things worse it seems. Although our technology cannot create water, it has managed to seriously deplete many freshwater sources through widespread pollution and the immense amounts used in manufacturing processes we could probably live quite comfortably without.
This doesn’t have to happen. In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna tells us that all our resources come as a result of divine grace, and that we can have abundance in all areas if we simply abide by divine direction. This is the bigger picture. That everything ultimately belongs to God and we are only temporary custodians of his property. When we treat the world with reckless abandon in pursuit of immediate profit we inevitably create calamity. Maybe if we used God’s gifts in a godly way we could avert disaster before it is too late.
No-complaints
→ Successful Vaisnavas
I just wanted to share something which I’ve personally been finding helpful.
Negative talk (prajalpa) is a bad habit that most of us fall into at some time or other (or most of the time for some people)-:
21 days without complaining using the power of a rubber band!!!
This is a video about it.
This is the essence that you can put into action immediately.
http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/faq
Let me know how it works for you. Leave a comment below.
I look forward to hearing about your experiences.
Daily Meditation on my Gurudeva – Day 8: "Blissful Life"
→ A Convenient Truth
Sometimes I think about this disconnect between sannyasi-life and the life of the average grihasta living out in the world and having to deal with so much mundane stuff. That’s not to say there’s no such thing as an ideal house holder life or like you can’t be Krishna Conscious while being married and working out in the world. It’s just sometimes a million times harder than being a temple devotee or living with nothing else to do but chant, read and eat prasadam.
My Guru Maharaja laughed at me in an email once and said it was funny that I was thinking life would be easier living out of the temple. It said it could be easier if one becomes “somewhat of a cheater”. But yeah, to genuinely practice sadhana-bhakti and to be married with kids and dealing with a job and bills and money, it just becomes a real distraction. It’s much harder to chant 16, quality rounds when you don’t live in the temple. It’s also much harder to eat only prasadam.
Anyway, I didn’t mean for this to become a ramble of excuses about why it’s harder being a devotee living outside than being a sannyasi or a temple devotee. I guess seeing my Guru Maharaja and these sannyasis laughing and dancing and having a blissful time made me a little jealous. Is that wrong to feel jealous? Or does it foster some desire within my heart to head towards that ideal life?
Daily Meditation on my Gurudeva – Day 8: "Blissful Life"
→ A Convenient Truth
Sometimes I think about this disconnect between sannyasi-life and the life of the average grihasta living out in the world and having to deal with so much mundane stuff. That’s not to say there’s no such thing as an ideal house holder life or like you can’t be Krishna Conscious while being married and working out in the world. It’s just sometimes a million times harder than being a temple devotee or living with nothing else to do but chant, read and eat prasadam.
My Guru Maharaja laughed at me in an email once and said it was funny that I was thinking life would be easier living out of the temple. It said it could be easier if one becomes “somewhat of a cheater”. But yeah, to genuinely practice sadhana-bhakti and to be married with kids and dealing with a job and bills and money, it just becomes a real distraction. It’s much harder to chant 16, quality rounds when you don’t live in the temple. It’s also much harder to eat only prasadam.
Anyway, I didn’t mean for this to become a ramble of excuses about why it’s harder being a devotee living outside than being a sannyasi or a temple devotee. I guess seeing my Guru Maharaja and these sannyasis laughing and dancing and having a blissful time made me a little jealous. Is that wrong to feel jealous? Or does it foster some desire within my heart to head towards that ideal life?
Navadvipa Mandal Parikrama on Saturday 23rd March 2013 at 6:30am
→ The Hare Krishna Movement
International Speaker
→ The Loft Yoga Lounge Auckland
International speaker, author and spiritual teacher, Devamrita swami, is back this week to host our Grand NEW YEAR FESTIVAL. on Sunday 24th March at 5pm. He will be giving a life altering presentation, accompanied by a Matrix Themed Drama, live music, topped off with a huge Veggie Feast Devamrita swami has been traveling the globe [...]
The post International Speaker appeared first on The Loft Yoga Lounge Auckland.
Gaura Purnima Festival 2013
→ The Hare Krishna Movement
24 Hour Maha Kirtan Gaura Purnima Festival 2013
→ The Hare Krishna Movement
Podcast 11 – Jahnavi Chants
→ Oxford Kirtan
Podcast 11 – Jahnavi Chants
→ Oxford Kirtan
Podcast 11 – Jahnavi Chants
→ Oxford Kirtan
Gaura Purnima Home Programmes 2013
→ The Hare Krishna Movement
Gurvastakam
Krishna Dharma
samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatwam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Within this fire of worldly existence
The guru’s mercy falls like a cooling rain
drawn from the Lord to extinguish all our pain
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
mahapraboh kirtana-nritya-gita-
vaditra-madyan-manaso rasena
romancha-kampashru-taranga-bhajo
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
In divine bliss he trembles, chants and dances
With streams of tears and instruments in hand
Enthused by Lord Chaitanya’s sankirtan
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
sri- vigraharadhana-nitya-nana
shringaira-tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktamsh cha niyunjato pi
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Dressing the deities in full resplendence,
He cleans their temple in total reverence
Engaging us in such subservience
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
chatur-vidha-sri-bhagavat-prasada-
swadv-anna-triptan hari-bhakta-sanghan
kritwaiva triptim bhajatah sadaiva
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Offering Krishna foodstuff in abundance
Of every type and taste ambrosial
Pleased when the prasadam is placed before all
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
sri-radhika-madhavayor apara-
madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam
prati-kshanaswadana-lolupasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Eager to hear of Radha Krishna’s romance
and ever speak of their supreme splendour
Aspiring to be in this always absorbed
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai
ya yalibhir yuktir apekshaniya
tatrati-dakshyad ati-vallabhasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Dear to the Lord for his expert assistance
Shown to the gopis in their affairs of love
With Radha Krishna within Vrindavan’s groves
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
sakshad-dharitvena samasta-shastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhihi
kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
Worthy of worship in highest exultance
Declared divine by all authority
Due to the Lord’s loving intimacy
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ‘pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yashas trisandhyam
vande guroh sri-charanaravindam
By his grace we gain divine benevolence
Without his grace no progress can be made
Always I offer him all accolade
To his auspicious feet I pay obeisance
Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakur says, “One who, with great care and attention, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master during the Brahma-muhurta obtains direct service to Krsna, the Lord of Vrndavana, at the time of his death.”
Daily Meditation on my Gurudeva – Day 7: "Spiritual Espionage"
→ A Convenient Truth
Daily Meditation on my Gurudeva – Day 7: "Spiritual Espionage"
→ A Convenient Truth
Holi, the festival of color, sounds like a lot of …
Utah Krishnas
Build High, Dig Deep
→ Tattva - See inside out
Skyscrapers are well-known for their deep foundations. The calculation of depth is primarily based on three things:
- The height of the building
- The softness of the soil
- The severity of the weather conditions
The building of our life can rise high. We can adopt challenging projects, accept multiple responsibilities, tackle stressful situations and fly high in the skies of success... as long as we have deep spiritual foundations to balance it out. We should simultaneously be aware of the soft soil we are building on; inherent weakness of heart, flickering determination and a fragile mind are archetype characteristics of the aspiring spiritualist. Also bear in mind that the climate within which we operate is unpredictable and often unsupportive. We are surrounded by a world which promotes a different paradigm.
The problem is not that we strive to do amazing things, but rather that we neglect to invest quality time in spiritually nourishing ourselves. As one is cemented in a deep sense of spirituality their ability to become an agent of positive change increases. They can rise high, impact the world, and still remain strong, steady and humble.
Build High, Dig Deep
→ Tattva - See inside out
Skyscrapers are well-known for their deep foundations. The calculation of depth is primarily based on three things:
- The height of the building
- The softness of the soil
- The severity of the weather conditions
The building of our life can rise high. We can adopt challenging projects, accept multiple responsibilities, tackle stressful situations and fly high in the skies of success... as long as we have deep spiritual foundations to balance it out. We should simultaneously be aware of the soft soil we are building on; inherent weakness of heart, flickering determination and a fragile mind are archetype characteristics of the aspiring spiritualist. Also bear in mind that the climate within which we operate is unpredictable and often unsupportive. We are surrounded by a world which promotes a different paradigm.
The problem is not that we strive to do amazing things, but rather that we neglect to invest quality time in spiritually nourishing ourselves. As one is cemented in a deep sense of spirituality their ability to become an agent of positive change increases. They can rise high, impact the world, and still remain strong, steady and humble.
Daily Meditation on my Gurudeva – Day 6: "Gravity"
→ A Convenient Truth
Gravity. That’s what this photo of my Guru Maharaja exudes. He wasn’t all Cheshire cat grin and laughter all of the time. Many times when I was with him his mood was like this: introspective, quiet, serious, grave. We hear that the word “guru” can be translated as “heavy” and my Gurudeva could be “heavy” with the best of them. His “heaviness” came from the gravity that he possessed.
I’m starting to realize these reflections can start heading into a glorification of the 26-Vaishnava qualities that my Guru Maharaja manifested. I don’t mean for this, nor want this, to become some sort of empty, pontification of a disciple fawning over his Spiritual Master. I want these reflections to go deeper, like it was for the Day 1 meditation. I don’t want this to become another emotionless routine or ritual.
So this gravity he possessed, why did he possess it and what does it mean to me? Obviously he was acutely aware of his vows and mission to serve Srila Prabhupada. That was his life and soul. He took time management very seriously and never wanted to waste a moment not somehow serving. This is in stark contrast to my frivolity and strong affinity for time wasting.
Where does one get this seriousness and determination in devotional service? It really, truly is a priceless gift and blessing from Sri Guru. Without being serious on this path of bhakti, how will we ever make progress? If we don’t take chanting or our vows or any other devotional practices seriously then how could we ever attain any tangible results? We’ll just start to think, “Yeah, this chanting stuff doesn’t work. I’ll just go watch TV.”
Being grave is essential to cultivating true bhakti. It comes from an awareness of our mortality and our limited time in these bodies. It comes from being committed to the higher cause of serving the needs and wants of Sri Guru and not our own minds and senses. It comes from a sense of responsibility towards Sri Guru. If we’re really in touch with and deeply connected with Paramatma then we’ll always be aware of His presence. We’ll always be thinking, “I don’t want to waste time in this sense gratification, because Sri Guru is watching me and this wouldn’t be pleasing to Him.”
This is a quality I also sorely lack. I usually just end up being tossed around by the whims of my mind. I pray to my Gurudeva in this grave mood that he please also bless me with genuine gravity so that I can take this process of devotional service much more seriously.
Daily Meditation on my Gurudeva – Day 6: "Gravity"
→ A Convenient Truth
Gravity. That’s what this photo of my Guru Maharaja exudes. He wasn’t all Cheshire cat grin and laughter all of the time. Many times when I was with him his mood was like this: introspective, quiet, serious, grave. We hear that the word “guru” can be translated as “heavy” and my Gurudeva could be “heavy” with the best of them. His “heaviness” came from the gravity that he possessed.
I’m starting to realize these reflections can start heading into a glorification of the 26-Vaishnava qualities that my Guru Maharaja manifested. I don’t mean for this, nor want this, to become some sort of empty, pontification of a disciple fawning over his Spiritual Master. I want these reflections to go deeper, like it was for the Day 1 meditation. I don’t want this to become another emotionless routine or ritual.
So this gravity he possessed, why did he possess it and what does it mean to me? Obviously he was acutely aware of his vows and mission to serve Srila Prabhupada. That was his life and soul. He took time management very seriously and never wanted to waste a moment not somehow serving. This is in stark contrast to my frivolity and strong affinity for time wasting.
Where does one get this seriousness and determination in devotional service? It really, truly is a priceless gift and blessing from Sri Guru. Without being serious on this path of bhakti, how will we ever make progress? If we don’t take chanting or our vows or any other devotional practices seriously then how could we ever attain any tangible results? We’ll just start to think, “Yeah, this chanting stuff doesn’t work. I’ll just go watch TV.”
Being grave is essential to cultivating true bhakti. It comes from an awareness of our mortality and our limited time in these bodies. It comes from being committed to the higher cause of serving the needs and wants of Sri Guru and not our own minds and senses. It comes from a sense of responsibility towards Sri Guru. If we’re really in touch with and deeply connected with Paramatma then we’ll always be aware of His presence. We’ll always be thinking, “I don’t want to waste time in this sense gratification, because Sri Guru is watching me and this wouldn’t be pleasing to Him.”
This is a quality I also sorely lack. I usually just end up being tossed around by the whims of my mind. I pray to my Gurudeva in this grave mood that he please also bless me with genuine gravity so that I can take this process of devotional service much more seriously.