No Time!
→ Tattva - See inside out

In the 1960s Swami Prabhupada wrote an article entitled, “No time: the chronic disease of modern man.” In it he comments: “The busy man should try to know as to where he is going. This life is but a spot in his longest sojourn, and the sane person should not be busy with a spot only. Nobody says that the body should not be maintained - but everyone should know from Bhagavad-gita that the body is the outward dress and the ‘soul’ is the real person who puts on the dress. So if the dress is taken care of only, without any care of the real person - it is sheer foolishness and a waste of time.”

Often times, even those who appreciate the spiritual dimension in life have trouble finding time for quality practice. Work or family demands can occupy our attention and sap our energies. Many resign themselves to defeat and instead resolve to deepen their spirituality later in life when worldly demands have eased. But will life ever be free of unexpected distractions and pressing responsibilities? Cars break down, family feuds need to be mediated, homes need improvement, friends seek advice and attention, health problems slow us down and work demands drain our free time. It will always be a challenge to find time.

Thus, putting our spirituality 'on hold' in anticipation of a ‘better’ situation is a risky strategy. There’s no need to wait and no time to lose. As the American poet, Longfellow said, "trust no future, however pleasant!" The external reorganization of our life and the internal cleansing of our consciousness need not be mutually exclusive activities. Like the two rails of a train track, they can exist side-by-side. We can re-engineer our lifestyle and simultaneously intensify our spirituality; it just requires determination and organization.

We can all improve in our time management skills. Identify and eliminate the usual “time-killers” such as television, internet browsing, unnecessary phone talk and the like. Have clear goals and schedules, carefully avoiding procrastination and lethargy. Learn to strike a proper work-life balance, where you meet your financial needs and worldly responsibilities, yet simultaneously factor in quality time for meditation, scriptural study and introspection. Schedule in a time for these direct spiritual practices, and guard those hours with your life! The famous verse in (Mark 8.36) reminds us: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

No Time!
→ Tattva - See inside out

In the 1960s Swami Prabhupada wrote an article entitled, “No time: the chronic disease of modern man.” In it he comments: “The busy man should try to know as to where he is going. This life is but a spot in his longest sojourn, and the sane person should not be busy with a spot only. Nobody says that the body should not be maintained - but everyone should know from Bhagavad-gita that the body is the outward dress and the ‘soul’ is the real person who puts on the dress. So if the dress is taken care of only, without any care of the real person - it is sheer foolishness and a waste of time.”

Often times, even those who appreciate the spiritual dimension in life have trouble finding time for quality practice. Work or family demands can occupy our attention and sap our energies. Many resign themselves to defeat and instead resolve to deepen their spirituality later in life when worldly demands have eased. But will life ever be free of unexpected distractions and pressing responsibilities? Cars break down, family feuds need to be mediated, homes need improvement, friends seek advice and attention, health problems slow us down and work demands drain our free time. It will always be a challenge to find time.

Thus, putting our spirituality 'on hold' in anticipation of a ‘better’ situation is a risky strategy. There’s no need to wait and no time to lose. As the American poet, Longfellow said, "trust no future, however pleasant!" The external reorganization of our life and the internal cleansing of our consciousness need not be mutually exclusive activities. Like the two rails of a train track, they can exist side-by-side. We can re-engineer our lifestyle and simultaneously intensify our spirituality; it just requires determination and organization.

We can all improve in our time management skills. Identify and eliminate the usual “time-killers” such as television, internet browsing, unnecessary phone talk and the like. Have clear goals and schedules, carefully avoiding procrastination and lethargy. Learn to strike a proper work-life balance, where you meet your financial needs and worldly responsibilities, yet simultaneously factor in quality time for meditation, scriptural study and introspection. Schedule in a time for these direct spiritual practices, and guard those hours with your life! The famous verse in (Mark 8.36) reminds us: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Non-Stop Sankirtan
→ Toronto Sankirtan Adventures

By Minakshi Devi Dasi

This past Sunday November 18th we had the opportunity to do two events in one day – the daytime was Vishnu Mandir in Richmond Hill and the evening was a Diwali Event at Versailles Banquet Hall.  So the Sankirtan day began at about 9 am and continued until about 12 midnight!  The sankirtan warriors for this day were myself, my daughter Radhapriya, Mayur Prabhu, Vicky Prabhu and Jessica Mataji.

Our first stop was at the Vishnu Mandir where they were holding their regular Sunday program plus their Diwali Celebration. We were able to setup a table in their lobby and even as we were unpacking the boxes, people were coming by with interest.

One girl looked at the Krishna Book and Bhagavad Gita and after being explained about both books wanted them.  Her mother was a little reluctant – will you really read them and so on – the girl was adamant and the mother purchased both books much to the delight of the girl who held on to them tightly.  There were actually a few kids who loved the Krishna Book and thus had the parent take them.

Adjacent to our table was another table where a young white lady was promoting a not for profit endeavor.  She looked bored so I went to her and spoke about spiritual yoga and showed her 3 of our smaller books including Spiritual Yoga, Consciousness - The Missing Link and Topmost Yoga System.  I told her to just look them over as she sits at her table.

A little while later I followed up with her and she was very excited – she said her husband grew up a Christian but as a teenager gave it up because he was not getting answers and both of them have taken a step back – these books look like exactly what they have been searching for.  She ended up taking 5 books.

We finished at Vishnu Mandir having distributed 120 books.

On we went to the Banquet Hall with a short stopover at Vicky Prabhu’s house for some rest and rejuvenation. 

Here our book distribution started very slowly but we did not give up.  Eventually, by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada things picked up.

One lady that took a Bhagavad Gita happened to be a Crown Prosecutor that is involved in murder trials – she said “I need something spiritual to help me.”

A professor from Nairobi that we met at an event a few weeks ago happened to be at this event and was excited to see us again.  Another fellow who saw us at another event invited us to come out to an event this Friday that is hosted by an organization that he is the Chairman of.   When I took his name and number and gave him my name – he said I already know you – I know you and your family from the temple since you were a little girl.

We distributed books to all bodies – white, brown and black, to government officials and to Sikhs – many took Bhagavad Gitas.  We distributed a total of 100 books at the Banquet Hall.

Although it was a long day, we were having such a Sankirtan rush and experiencing much nectar!

Final results for Sunday’s efforts – over 220 Books and over $1100 Laxmi Collected.  Jaya Srila Prabhupada!


Non-Stop Sankirtan
→ Toronto Sankirtan Adventures

By Minakshi Devi Dasi

This past Sunday November 18th we had the opportunity to do two events in one day – the daytime was Vishnu Mandir in Richmond Hill and the evening was a Diwali Event at Versailles Banquet Hall.  So the Sankirtan day began at about 9 am and continued until about 12 midnight!  The sankirtan warriors for this day were myself, my daughter Radhapriya, Mayur Prabhu, Vicky Prabhu and Jessica Mataji.

Our first stop was at the Vishnu Mandir where they were holding their regular Sunday program plus their Diwali Celebration. We were able to setup a table in their lobby and even as we were unpacking the boxes, people were coming by with interest.

One girl looked at the Krishna Book and Bhagavad Gita and after being explained about both books wanted them.  Her mother was a little reluctant – will you really read them and so on – the girl was adamant and the mother purchased both books much to the delight of the girl who held on to them tightly.  There were actually a few kids who loved the Krishna Book and thus had the parent take them.

Adjacent to our table was another table where a young white lady was promoting a not for profit endeavor.  She looked bored so I went to her and spoke about spiritual yoga and showed her 3 of our smaller books including Spiritual Yoga, Consciousness - The Missing Link and Topmost Yoga System.  I told her to just look them over as she sits at her table.

A little while later I followed up with her and she was very excited – she said her husband grew up a Christian but as a teenager gave it up because he was not getting answers and both of them have taken a step back – these books look like exactly what they have been searching for.  She ended up taking 5 books.

We finished at Vishnu Mandir having distributed 120 books.

On we went to the Banquet Hall with a short stopover at Vicky Prabhu’s house for some rest and rejuvenation. 

Here our book distribution started very slowly but we did not give up.  Eventually, by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada things picked up.

One lady that took a Bhagavad Gita happened to be a Crown Prosecutor that is involved in murder trials – she said “I need something spiritual to help me.”

A professor from Nairobi that we met at an event a few weeks ago happened to be at this event and was excited to see us again.  Another fellow who saw us at another event invited us to come out to an event this Friday that is hosted by an organization that he is the Chairman of.   When I took his name and number and gave him my name – he said I already know you – I know you and your family from the temple since you were a little girl.

We distributed books to all bodies – white, brown and black, to government officials and to Sikhs – many took Bhagavad Gitas.  We distributed a total of 100 books at the Banquet Hall.

Although it was a long day, we were having such a Sankirtan rush and experiencing much nectar!

Final results for Sunday’s efforts – over 220 Books and over $1100 Laxmi Collected.  Jaya Srila Prabhupada!


Solar Companies Seek Ways to Build an Oasis of Electricity
→ The Yoga of Ecology





Click here to read the full article from Diane Cardwell at the New York Times

“Here’s a $70,000 system sitting idle,” said Ed Antonio, who lives in the Rockaways in Queens and has watched his 42 panels as well as those on several other houses in the area go unused since the power went out Oct. 29. “That’s a lot of power sitting. Just sitting.”

Yet there are ways to tap solar energy when the grid goes down, whether by adding batteries to a home system or using the kinds of independent solar generators that have been cropping up in areas hard-hit by the storm.

In the Rockaways, where nearly 14,000 customers still had no power as of Monday morning, volunteers set up a makeshift solar charging station between a car roof and a shopping cart. A multipanel, battery-tied system is helping fuel a relief center’s operations.

In the storm’s wake, solar companies have been donating equipment across New York and other stricken areas to function as emergency power systems now and backups in the longer term. It is important, executives say, to create smaller, more decentralized ways of generating and storing electricity to help ease strain on the grid in times of high demand or failure."

Solar Companies Seek Ways to Build an Oasis of Electricity
→ The Yoga of Ecology





Click here to read the full article from Diane Cardwell at the New York Times

“Here’s a $70,000 system sitting idle,” said Ed Antonio, who lives in the Rockaways in Queens and has watched his 42 panels as well as those on several other houses in the area go unused since the power went out Oct. 29. “That’s a lot of power sitting. Just sitting.”

Yet there are ways to tap solar energy when the grid goes down, whether by adding batteries to a home system or using the kinds of independent solar generators that have been cropping up in areas hard-hit by the storm.

In the Rockaways, where nearly 14,000 customers still had no power as of Monday morning, volunteers set up a makeshift solar charging station between a car roof and a shopping cart. A multipanel, battery-tied system is helping fuel a relief center’s operations.

In the storm’s wake, solar companies have been donating equipment across New York and other stricken areas to function as emergency power systems now and backups in the longer term. It is important, executives say, to create smaller, more decentralized ways of generating and storing electricity to help ease strain on the grid in times of high demand or failure."

The Lila Continues….
→ Arcanam: Worship of the Deity...


On the day of Diwali, my Damodar continued to enact his lila by allowing Mother Yashoda to bind him. This pastime is described by Srila Prabhupada as follows:

Mother Yaśodā chased Him to all corners, trying to capture the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is never approached even by the meditations of great yogīs. In other words, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, who is never caught by the yogīs and speculators, was playing just like a little child for such a great devotee as Mother Yaśodā. Mother Yaśodā, however, could not easily catch the fast-running child because of her thin waist and heavy body. Still she tried to follow Him as fast as possible. Her hair loosened, and the flowers in her hair fell to the ground. Although she was tired, she somehow reached her naughty child and captured Him. When He was caught, Kṛṣṇa was almost on the point of crying. He smeared His hands over His eyes, which were anointed with black eye cosmetics. The child saw His mother’s face while she stood over Him, and His eyes became restless from fear.

Mother Yaśodā could understand that Kṛṣṇa was unnecessarily afraid, and for His benefit she wanted to allay His fears. Being the topmost well-wisher of her child, Mother Yaśodā thought, “If the child is too fearful of me, I don’t know what will happen to Him.” Mother Yaśodā then threw away her stick. In order to punish Him, she thought to bind His hands with some ropes. She did not know it, but it was actually impossible for her to bind the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Mother Yaśodā was thinking that Kṛṣṇa was her tiny child; she did not know that the child had no limitation. There is no inside or outside of Him, nor beginning or end. He is unlimited and all-pervading. Indeed, He is Himself the whole cosmic manifestation. Still, Mother Yaśodā was thinking of Kṛṣṇa as her child. Although He is beyond the reach of all senses, she endeavored to bind Him to a wooden grinding mortar. But when she tried to bind Him, she found that the rope she was using was too short—by two inches. She gathered more ropes from the house and added to it, but still she found the same shortage. In this way, she connected all the ropes available at home, but when the final knot was added, she saw that the rope was still two inches too short. Mother Yaśodā was smiling, but she was astonished. How was it happening?

In attempting to bind her son, she became tired. She was perspiring, and the garland on her head fell down. Then Lord Kṛṣṇa appreciated the hard labor of His mother, and being compassionate upon her, He agreed to be bound up by the ropes. Kṛṣṇa, playing as a human child in the house of Mother Yaśodā, was performing His own selected pastimes. Of course, no one can control the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The pure devotee surrenders himself unto the lotus feet of the Lord, who may either protect or vanquish the devotee. But for his part, the devotee never forgets his own position of surrender. Similarly, the Lord also feels transcendental pleasure by submitting Himself to the protection of the devotee. This was exemplified by Kṛṣṇa’s surrender unto His mother, Yaśodā.
Kṛṣṇa is the supreme bestower of all kinds of liberation to His devotees, but the benediction which was bestowed upon Mother Yaśodā was never experienced even by Lord Brahmā or Lord Śiva or the goddess of fortune.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as the son of Yaśodā and Nanda Mahārāja, is never so completely known to the yogīs and speculators. But He is easily available to His devotees. Nor is He appreciated as the supreme reservoir of all pleasure by the yogīs and speculators.
 Krsna Book Chapter 9: Mother Yashoda Binds Lord Krsna

The Lila Continues….
→ Arcanam: Worship of the Deity...


On the day of Diwali, my Damodar continued to enact his lila by allowing Mother Yashoda to bind him. This pastime is described by Srila Prabhupada as follows:

Mother Yaśodā chased Him to all corners, trying to capture the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is never approached even by the meditations of great yogīs. In other words, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, who is never caught by the yogīs and speculators, was playing just like a little child for such a great devotee as Mother Yaśodā. Mother Yaśodā, however, could not easily catch the fast-running child because of her thin waist and heavy body. Still she tried to follow Him as fast as possible. Her hair loosened, and the flowers in her hair fell to the ground. Although she was tired, she somehow reached her naughty child and captured Him. When He was caught, Kṛṣṇa was almost on the point of crying. He smeared His hands over His eyes, which were anointed with black eye cosmetics. The child saw His mother’s face while she stood over Him, and His eyes became restless from fear.

Mother Yaśodā could understand that Kṛṣṇa was unnecessarily afraid, and for His benefit she wanted to allay His fears. Being the topmost well-wisher of her child, Mother Yaśodā thought, “If the child is too fearful of me, I don’t know what will happen to Him.” Mother Yaśodā then threw away her stick. In order to punish Him, she thought to bind His hands with some ropes. She did not know it, but it was actually impossible for her to bind the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Mother Yaśodā was thinking that Kṛṣṇa was her tiny child; she did not know that the child had no limitation. There is no inside or outside of Him, nor beginning or end. He is unlimited and all-pervading. Indeed, He is Himself the whole cosmic manifestation. Still, Mother Yaśodā was thinking of Kṛṣṇa as her child. Although He is beyond the reach of all senses, she endeavored to bind Him to a wooden grinding mortar. But when she tried to bind Him, she found that the rope she was using was too short—by two inches. She gathered more ropes from the house and added to it, but still she found the same shortage. In this way, she connected all the ropes available at home, but when the final knot was added, she saw that the rope was still two inches too short. Mother Yaśodā was smiling, but she was astonished. How was it happening?

In attempting to bind her son, she became tired. She was perspiring, and the garland on her head fell down. Then Lord Kṛṣṇa appreciated the hard labor of His mother, and being compassionate upon her, He agreed to be bound up by the ropes. Kṛṣṇa, playing as a human child in the house of Mother Yaśodā, was performing His own selected pastimes. Of course, no one can control the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The pure devotee surrenders himself unto the lotus feet of the Lord, who may either protect or vanquish the devotee. But for his part, the devotee never forgets his own position of surrender. Similarly, the Lord also feels transcendental pleasure by submitting Himself to the protection of the devotee. This was exemplified by Kṛṣṇa’s surrender unto His mother, Yaśodā.
Kṛṣṇa is the supreme bestower of all kinds of liberation to His devotees, but the benediction which was bestowed upon Mother Yaśodā was never experienced even by Lord Brahmā or Lord Śiva or the goddess of fortune.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as the son of Yaśodā and Nanda Mahārāja, is never so completely known to the yogīs and speculators. But He is easily available to His devotees. Nor is He appreciated as the supreme reservoir of all pleasure by the yogīs and speculators.
 Krsna Book Chapter 9: Mother Yashoda Binds Lord Krsna

Glorious Gerrard Street Sankirtan
→ Toronto Sankirtan Adventures



Submitted by:- Minakshi dd
Our weekend of Ecstatic Book Distribution continued on Sunday November 11th where we did Sankirtan on Gerrard Street.  By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, we were able to get permission to setup a table in front of one of the clothing retailers.

As we were setting up we noticed a puja store adjacent to the clothing store and predicted trouble! 
About 20 minutes later the owner of the puja store came out and was asking “who gave you permission, you can’t be here” and proceeded to admonish the clothing store owner about it.  With Krishna’s mercy the clothing store owner said - yes, what is wrong? – he did indeed give permission – they are the Hare Krishnas – leave them alone.  So our angry puja store owner just stomped away.

Later on in the evening, Subhavilasa Prabhu came by and decided to go into the puja store and speak to the man – it turned out that Subhavilasa Prabhu knows this man’s brother for years.  The brother assisted the temple back in the 70’s. Subhavilasa Prabhu was able to not only soften the owner up but he ended up taking 9 books!

There were many stories from this event and I will relate a few quickly:

Jessica Mataji was speaking to a family and they purchase a couple of books and took a temple card.  They ended up coming to the temple that very same evening, spoke to Indresh Prabhu and took sweet boxes and more books – so instant reaction!

I approached a young couple and said Happy Diwali and showed them the Bhagavad Gita. They said that just two minutes ago as they were walking down the street they were thinking of getting something spiritual – they each took a Bhagavad Gita – just see how Krishna knows people’s hearts.

Ashalata Devi Dasi came by later in the evening and immediately began pumping out Krishna Books and Bhagavad Gitas both Hindi and English – one man, an Ismaili, listened to her about the Krishna book and said this looks interesting – I WILL read it and quickly took out his wallet to pay.

Final results for Sunday’s efforts – 150 Books, $502 Laxmi Collected, countless nectar, and many thanks to all who helped – Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Glorious Gerrard Street Sankirtan
→ Toronto Sankirtan Adventures



Submitted by:- Minakshi dd
Our weekend of Ecstatic Book Distribution continued on Sunday November 11th where we did Sankirtan on Gerrard Street.  By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, we were able to get permission to setup a table in front of one of the clothing retailers.

As we were setting up we noticed a puja store adjacent to the clothing store and predicted trouble! 
About 20 minutes later the owner of the puja store came out and was asking “who gave you permission, you can’t be here” and proceeded to admonish the clothing store owner about it.  With Krishna’s mercy the clothing store owner said - yes, what is wrong? – he did indeed give permission – they are the Hare Krishnas – leave them alone.  So our angry puja store owner just stomped away.

Later on in the evening, Subhavilasa Prabhu came by and decided to go into the puja store and speak to the man – it turned out that Subhavilasa Prabhu knows this man’s brother for years.  The brother assisted the temple back in the 70’s. Subhavilasa Prabhu was able to not only soften the owner up but he ended up taking 9 books!

There were many stories from this event and I will relate a few quickly:

Jessica Mataji was speaking to a family and they purchase a couple of books and took a temple card.  They ended up coming to the temple that very same evening, spoke to Indresh Prabhu and took sweet boxes and more books – so instant reaction!

I approached a young couple and said Happy Diwali and showed them the Bhagavad Gita. They said that just two minutes ago as they were walking down the street they were thinking of getting something spiritual – they each took a Bhagavad Gita – just see how Krishna knows people’s hearts.

Ashalata Devi Dasi came by later in the evening and immediately began pumping out Krishna Books and Bhagavad Gitas both Hindi and English – one man, an Ismaili, listened to her about the Krishna book and said this looks interesting – I WILL read it and quickly took out his wallet to pay.

Final results for Sunday’s efforts – 150 Books, $502 Laxmi Collected, countless nectar, and many thanks to all who helped – Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance
Bhakti Charu Swami

Gurudeva’s video on the occasion of Srila Prabhupada’s Tirobhava Mahotsava: “That night, Srila Prabhupada called me. I was attending Srila Prabhupada – actually one of us used to always be with Srila Prabhupada for two hours. My shift was 12am-2am. So it must have been around 1am. Srila Prabhupada called me, and told me: “The […]

Deltaflow Reincarnated
→ blog

<p>Hello everyone. Deltaflow is back! After two years of no posts, I've dusted off the old blog and will be posting regularly from now on. </p><p>To mark the occasion, this website has a fresh new modern design. A fully responsive design (that means it adapts dynamically to different screen sizes, so it looks right on a huge 27" display, as well as on a tiny Retina iPhone—try resizing your browser window to see what I mean). I had lots of fun creating the new site. The site runs using the SilverStripe CMS. Check out the software if you want to build yourself a sophisticated website: <a title="silverstripe" href="http://www.silverstripe.org">http://www.silverstripe.org</a></p><p>Enjoy the new and improved deltaflow. Speak to you soon.</p><p>- Julian / Candidas</p>

Deltaflow Reincarnated
→ Home

Hello everyone. Deltaflow is back! After two years of no posts, I've dusted off the old blog and will be posting regularly from now on. 

To mark the occasion, this website has a fresh new modern design. A fully responsive design (that means it adapts dynamically to different screen sizes, so it looks right on a huge 27" display, as well as on a tiny Retina iPhone?try resizing your browser window to see what I mean). I had lots of fun creating the new site. The site runs using the SilverStripe CMS. Check out the software if you want to build yourself a sophisticated website: http://www.silverstripe.org

Enjoy the new and improved deltaflow. Speak to you soon.

- Julian / Candidas

Deltaflow Reincarnated
→ Home

Hello everyone. Deltaflow is back! After two years of no posts, I've dusted off the old blog and will be posting regularly from now on. 

To mark the occasion, this website has a fresh new modern design. A fully responsive design (that means it adapts dynamically to different screen sizes, so it looks right on a huge 27" display, as well as on a tiny Retina iPhone?try resizing your browser window to see what I mean). I had lots of fun creating the new site. The site runs using the SilverStripe CMS. Check out the software if you want to build yourself a sophisticated website: http://www.silverstripe.org

Enjoy the new and improved deltaflow. Speak to you soon.

- Julian / Candidas

Подношение на день ухода
→ Traveling Monk

Глава 5

 

Дорогой Шрила Прабхупада,

Пожалуйста, примите мои смиренные поклоны в пыли Ваших лотосных стоп. Слава Вам!

С каждым годом мне становится все сложнее отмечать годовщину Вашего ухода из этого мира. Когда Вы ушли, я был младенцем в духовной жизни. Глазам моим только-только открылось видение трансцендентных истин о Господе, которыми Вы с такой добротой делились с нами. Но что может понять ребенок об Абсолютной Истине? Я был привязан только к Вам, к Вам одному. Вы подтвердили допустимость таких сантиментов: сидя на своей кровати в Нью-йоркской клинике Beth Israel в 1967-м году, Вы сказали: “Я не знаю Кришну. Я знаю только своего Гуру Махараджа”.

Лишь сейчас, по прошествии 35 лет, я обрел по Вашей милости небольшое, но столь драгоценное влечение к Шри Кришне, к Его имени, Его славе, Его спутникам и к этой земле, Его любимой Шри Вриндаван-дхаме. Я очень благодарен за это. Но буду честен: самую сильную привязанность я испытываю к Вам, и только к Вам. Да и как может быть иначе? Вы – это моя связь с Кришной. Поклоняясь Вам, я служу Ему. Ваши наставления всегда на первом месте в моем уме.

Вы лично сказали мне: “Смело проповедуй и верь в святые имена”. Одно лишь это наставление – основа всех успехов в моей жизни, и оно будет поддерживать меня до последнего вздоха. Этому же я обучаю и своих учеников; и вместе со всем движением ИСККОН мы изо всех сил стараемся как можно шире распространить славу святых имен. Если в своей жизни я и скорблю о чем-то, так это о том, что приближается старость, и я вижу, как много служения можно еще совершить, и как мало на это времени.

И все же остается глубокое удовлетворение от того, что по всему миру видишь несчетное множество людей, которых коснулась, благодаря служению Ваших верных последователей, Ваша милость. Это подтверждается даже здесь, в Шри Вриндаван-дхаме.

В один из дней парикрамы наша группа побывала в отдаленной деревне Враджа. Когда мы входили в деревушку, крестьянин, грузивший тачку коровьим навозом, заметил нас и стал выкрикивать: “Джай Прабхупада! Джай Прабхупада! Джай Прабхупада!” Другие жители деревни, находившиеся неподалеку, услышали его возгласы и тоже начали громко восклицать: “Прабхупада! Прабхупада! Прабхупада!” Это было словно трансцендентный хор, будто музыка для моих ушей. Как замечательно, что Вас, поведавшего всему миру о Вриндаване, помнят и прославляют те, кто сейчас живут здесь.

Позже в тот же день школьный учитель этой деревни пригласил меня в свое скромное жилище. Это был обветшалый домик с несколькими комнатами и двором с тремя коровами и старым буйволом. Мы прошли в запыленную комнату, и я был потрясен, увидев на чисто протертых полках полный комплект Вашего “Шримад-Бхагаватам” на английском. Заметив мое удивление, школьный учитель просиял и сказал: “Я читаю только книги Вашего духовного учителя. Все, что я знаю о Вриндаване, я узнал от него”. Я стоял там и был так горд тем, что я – Ваш ученик.

Когда мы уходили из деревни, какой-то человек, завидев нас, спросил приятеля: “Кто они?”, а друг его ответил: “Это Враджа-васи из Рамана-рети”. Он не сказал, что мы иностранцы – он идентифицировал нас, как настоящих Враджа-васи. Не знаю, что может быть почетнее, чем быть названным Враджа-васи, и, в особенности, самим Враджа-васи. Спасибо Вам, Шрила Прабхупада, что привели нас сюда, во Вриндаван, в наш вечный дом, где, по Вашей милости, мы оказались в объятьях местных жителей.

Для меня не будет сложным оставаться здесь до конца своих дней. Фактически, Вы разрешили это, написав:

“Согласно правилам варнашрамы, человек в годах должен оставить семейную жизнь: панчашордхвам ванам враджет. В пятьдесят лет нужно по собственной воле удалиться от семейной жизни и отправиться во Вриндаван, или в лес. Это рекомендовано Шрилой Прахладой Махараджем (в Шримад-Бхагаватам 7.5.5)”.

Конечно, я знаю, что мне уходить на покой слишком рано. Ваше наставление мне, – проповедовать, – остается в силе. Даже если это будет против законов природы, я буду стараться увеличивать свою проповедь тысячекратно с каждым уходящим годом. Почему бы и нет? Вы это сделали. Вы изменили свою жизнь в почтенном возрасте, в шестьдесят девять, и принесли сознание Кришны на запад. Позвольте же мне последовать по Вашим славным стопам!

Считается, что наша цель в сознании Кришны – это очистив сердце, однажды вновь лицом к лицу увидеть Господа. Надеюсь, я не пойду против традиции, сказав, что мое заветное желание – это однажды лицом к лицу вновь увидеть Вас, мой возлюбленный господин и учитель. Снова получить Ваш даршан, естественно, будет означать видеть и Кришну, ведь в духовном мире я буду служить Вам, а Вы – Ему. Это будет моим величайшим наслаждением и величайшим сокровищем.

Но, кажется, что ждать еще так долго. К счастью, иногда я вижу Вас во сне. Как-то Вы сказали своему ученику Хаягриве, что хотя сновидения в большинстве случаев лишь результат деятельности ума, сны о духовном учителе имеют духовное значение.

Недавно мне приснилось, что я негромко воспеваю около Вашей комнаты, где-то неподалеку от берега моря, было утро. Тут Вы вышли из комнаты, одетым только в гамчу и сказали: “Я собираюсь пойти искупаться”.

Я разволновался и сказал: “Можно ли мне пойти с Вами, Шрила Прабхупада?” Вы кивнули, и я последовал за Вами на берег.

Дойдя до побережья и видя, что море неспокойно, я попросил: “Шрила Прабхупада, можно мне сопровождать Вас в воду, чтобы помочь?”

Вы снова слегка кивнули, и я взял Вас, входящего в воду, за руку. Первые волны разбились о Вас, но я крепко Вас держал, а Вы быстро плескали на себя водой. Вскоре Вы показали, что нам надо выходить.

Мы вышли из воды, я помог Вам вытереться, а потом подавал Вам одежду. Когда Вы оделись, я подал Вам очки, потом трость, и мы отправились обратно в Вашу комнату.

За несколько метров до дома Вы остановились и обернулись ко мне.

“Ты все делал хорошо, – сказали Вы. – Спасибо тебе за служение”.

Я слишком смутился, чтобы что-то отвечать.

Потом Вы спросили: “Если бы ты мог загадать одно желание, что бы это было?”

Я подумал мгновение и ответил: “Я всегда хотел быть Вашим личным слугой, Шрила Прабхупада”.

“Хорошо, – сказали Вы, – будешь со мной путешествовать. Твоим служением будет подготавливать мне омовение, готовить для меня еду и носить сумки”.

Ошеломленный, я спросил: “Когда я могу приступить?”

Вы улыбнулись и произнесли: “Когда закончится твой труд по проповеди”.

Шрила Прабхупада, это был всего лишь сон, но все-таки это был сон о Вас, и потому он очень важен. Если и может мечта стать явью, я молю, чтобы явью стала эта. А пока продолжаю свое служение здесь, верно следуя Вашему наставлению “Смело проповедуй и верь в святые имена”.

Ваш вечный слуга,
Индрадьюмна Свами

ISKCON Devotee Elected To Council of Eco-Village Network
→ The Yoga of Ecology


From Madhava Smullen at ISKCON News 



Sunset over the bell tower on Krishna-valley's main square (Somogyvamos, Hungary)

An ISKCON devotee, Radha Krishna Das, has been elected to the highest managerial body of the Global Eco-Village Network (GEN) Europe.
GEN describes itself as a constantly expanding group of intentional communities and eco-villages, that bridges all cultures and aims to create a global pool of wisdom for sustainable living.
GEN Europe serves Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and consists of fifty full member communities and over one hundred supporting members.
In becoming a part of their managerial body, Radha Krishna Das—who is also a member of the board of directors at ISKCON Hungary’s Krishna Valley eco-village—joins four other council members.
There’s president Macaco Tamerice, from the Damanhur community in Italy; Thomas Heuser, from ZEGG in Germany; Alfonso Flaquer, from La Base, the first straw bale dwelling community in Spain; and Jana-Momo Mohaupt, from Tamera in Portugal.
Radha Krishna was asked to run for election in the council when GEN Europe held its annual conference at Krishna Valley in July of this year.
The GEN Europe Council - Radha Krishna Das is in the back left corner
150 people from 35 countries attended the 12-day conference, making it the largest international meeting of non-ISKCON members ever held at Krishna Valley.
All were members of eco-villages and sustainable communities around Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
And all were very impressed with the 660-acre sustainable Krishna Valley farm, where 150 resident devotees produce almost all of their own food—including grain, honey, sixty different varieties of vegetables, and more than 600 fruit and nut trees—without the use of any pesticides, chemicals, or artificial fertilizers.
“After they saw the farm, we spoke for some time, and they asked me to run for election in their new council,” says Radha Krishna Das. “GEN Europe is an association of eco-villages who are trying to change the direction of the world, and to show good examples of how to live in harmony with nature. So of course I was delighted to.”
This means that Krishna Valley is also now a member of GEN. According to Radha Krishna, this is a very positive development for the ISKCON farm.
GEN Conference at Krishna Valley
“Not only can we share our experience with them, but we can learn a lot from them too,” he says. “There are eco communities that are part of GEN that have been running for thirty to forty years now, and have a wealth of technical and social development experience we can benefit from.”
For example, Radha Krishna explains, a Portuguese eco-village advised Krishna Valley on how to develop their water management system so that they could retain rainwater on their land during the dry summer months.
“For the past two years, we didn’t have rain for 3 or 4 months,” he says. “It was a catastrophe. The cows could not graze, and we had to put hay on the pasture just so they could eat something. But now, with the help of our friends from Portugal, we can keep the grass green and the cows can graze nicely.”
Radha Krishna believes that becoming a member of GEN could help the progress of not only Krishna Valley, but all of ISKCON’s eco-villages and farm projects.
“All of these eco-villages have had their own problems, which in many cases are very very similar to the ones that we’ve had—the social issues, the economic issues,” he says. “So we could learn a lot from each other’s failures and successes.”
Radha Krishna Das explains Krishna Valley's cow protection program to GEN Conference-goers
Many ISKCON rural communities would be eligible to become members of GEN—the only two requirements are being a group of at least 10 to 15 people who live together and work towards sustainable living; and paying an affordable annual membership fee.
Member communities become a part of an organization that is funded by the European Union, the European Voluntary Service, and the German Foreign Ministry. They can avail of special training and education programs recognized by UNESCO, attend GEN’s annual conference for a reduced fee, and vote at GEN’s general assembly.
Of course, ISKCON would also get the chance to network with people all over the world striving for the same goal of living off the land; people who are highly experienced in all the elements of sustainable living such as landscaping, water management, and energy efficiency, as well as getting grants and funding.
“GEN wants to share its information with as many people as possible, and truly hopes to change the direction the modern world is going in,” says Radha Krishna.
“In the future, we even hope to change governmental regulations and laws to become more favorable towards the development of eco-villages and intentional communities.”

Related Stories:


ISKCON Devotee Elected To Council of Eco-Village Network
→ The Yoga of Ecology


From Madhava Smullen at ISKCON News 



Sunset over the bell tower on Krishna-valley's main square (Somogyvamos, Hungary)

An ISKCON devotee, Radha Krishna Das, has been elected to the highest managerial body of the Global Eco-Village Network (GEN) Europe.
GEN describes itself as a constantly expanding group of intentional communities and eco-villages, that bridges all cultures and aims to create a global pool of wisdom for sustainable living.
GEN Europe serves Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and consists of fifty full member communities and over one hundred supporting members.
In becoming a part of their managerial body, Radha Krishna Das—who is also a member of the board of directors at ISKCON Hungary’s Krishna Valley eco-village—joins four other council members.
There’s president Macaco Tamerice, from the Damanhur community in Italy; Thomas Heuser, from ZEGG in Germany; Alfonso Flaquer, from La Base, the first straw bale dwelling community in Spain; and Jana-Momo Mohaupt, from Tamera in Portugal.
Radha Krishna was asked to run for election in the council when GEN Europe held its annual conference at Krishna Valley in July of this year.
The GEN Europe Council - Radha Krishna Das is in the back left corner
150 people from 35 countries attended the 12-day conference, making it the largest international meeting of non-ISKCON members ever held at Krishna Valley.
All were members of eco-villages and sustainable communities around Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
And all were very impressed with the 660-acre sustainable Krishna Valley farm, where 150 resident devotees produce almost all of their own food—including grain, honey, sixty different varieties of vegetables, and more than 600 fruit and nut trees—without the use of any pesticides, chemicals, or artificial fertilizers.
“After they saw the farm, we spoke for some time, and they asked me to run for election in their new council,” says Radha Krishna Das. “GEN Europe is an association of eco-villages who are trying to change the direction of the world, and to show good examples of how to live in harmony with nature. So of course I was delighted to.”
This means that Krishna Valley is also now a member of GEN. According to Radha Krishna, this is a very positive development for the ISKCON farm.
GEN Conference at Krishna Valley
“Not only can we share our experience with them, but we can learn a lot from them too,” he says. “There are eco communities that are part of GEN that have been running for thirty to forty years now, and have a wealth of technical and social development experience we can benefit from.”
For example, Radha Krishna explains, a Portuguese eco-village advised Krishna Valley on how to develop their water management system so that they could retain rainwater on their land during the dry summer months.
“For the past two years, we didn’t have rain for 3 or 4 months,” he says. “It was a catastrophe. The cows could not graze, and we had to put hay on the pasture just so they could eat something. But now, with the help of our friends from Portugal, we can keep the grass green and the cows can graze nicely.”
Radha Krishna believes that becoming a member of GEN could help the progress of not only Krishna Valley, but all of ISKCON’s eco-villages and farm projects.
“All of these eco-villages have had their own problems, which in many cases are very very similar to the ones that we’ve had—the social issues, the economic issues,” he says. “So we could learn a lot from each other’s failures and successes.”
Radha Krishna Das explains Krishna Valley's cow protection program to GEN Conference-goers
Many ISKCON rural communities would be eligible to become members of GEN—the only two requirements are being a group of at least 10 to 15 people who live together and work towards sustainable living; and paying an affordable annual membership fee.
Member communities become a part of an organization that is funded by the European Union, the European Voluntary Service, and the German Foreign Ministry. They can avail of special training and education programs recognized by UNESCO, attend GEN’s annual conference for a reduced fee, and vote at GEN’s general assembly.
Of course, ISKCON would also get the chance to network with people all over the world striving for the same goal of living off the land; people who are highly experienced in all the elements of sustainable living such as landscaping, water management, and energy efficiency, as well as getting grants and funding.
“GEN wants to share its information with as many people as possible, and truly hopes to change the direction the modern world is going in,” says Radha Krishna.
“In the future, we even hope to change governmental regulations and laws to become more favorable towards the development of eco-villages and intentional communities.”

Related Stories:


Ecstatic Weekend of Book Distribution – Diwali Event
→ Toronto Sankirtan Adventures

Submitted by Minakshi dd


This weekend we had the opportunity to do Sankirtan not only on Saturday but also on Sunday. So two days of Sankirtan in the service of Srila Prabhupada!

This is a recap of Saturday’s event:

We went to a Banquet Hall in Mississauga where they were holding a Diwali Celebration.  We were able to secure a table in the lobby and immediately put up a huge poster of Srila Prabupada along with a variety of books. 

Beside us was a vendor selling saris – the name of her store happened to be “Maya” so we were joking among ourselves – “Do you want Krishna or Maya?” Of course we saw that people (especially the women) were all hovering around the sari table – Maya! 

Not only that, inside the hall, the music was blaring, the lights were pulsing, people were drinking and eating meat. But the Sankirtan devotees – Vicky Prabhu, Mayur Prabhu, Jessica Mataji, myself and my daughter Radhapriya stayed in the lobby and kept preaching and distributing books.  Our thoughts were on how Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda dealt with Jagai and Madhai. We are insignificant compared to this example. 

Final results for Saturday’s efforts – 116 Books including several Bhagavad Gitas and Krishna Books and $534 Laxmi Collected – Jaya Srila Prabhupada!



Ecstatic Weekend of Book Distribution – Diwali Event
→ Toronto Sankirtan Adventures

Submitted by Minakshi dd


This weekend we had the opportunity to do Sankirtan not only on Saturday but also on Sunday. So two days of Sankirtan in the service of Srila Prabhupada!

This is a recap of Saturday’s event:

We went to a Banquet Hall in Mississauga where they were holding a Diwali Celebration.  We were able to secure a table in the lobby and immediately put up a huge poster of Srila Prabupada along with a variety of books. 

Beside us was a vendor selling saris – the name of her store happened to be “Maya” so we were joking among ourselves – “Do you want Krishna or Maya?” Of course we saw that people (especially the women) were all hovering around the sari table – Maya! 

Not only that, inside the hall, the music was blaring, the lights were pulsing, people were drinking and eating meat. But the Sankirtan devotees – Vicky Prabhu, Mayur Prabhu, Jessica Mataji, myself and my daughter Radhapriya stayed in the lobby and kept preaching and distributing books.  Our thoughts were on how Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda dealt with Jagai and Madhai. We are insignificant compared to this example. 

Final results for Saturday’s efforts – 116 Books including several Bhagavad Gitas and Krishna Books and $534 Laxmi Collected – Jaya Srila Prabhupada!



Вишенка на торте
→ Traveling Monk

Глава 4

 

Я сидел в своей комнате в здании храма столицы Македонии Скопье, принимал прасадам и слушал бхаджан, который пели преданные на нижнем этаже храма.

– Какой нектарный бхаджан, – сказал я преданному, – и идет уже несколько часов.

– Да, Махараджа, – ответил он. – Македоняне очень музыкальны. Мы любим петь и играть на музыкальных инструментах. У нас здесь даже есть свой тип тамбуры, с четырьмя струнами. Преданные часто используют ее в бхаджанах.

Спустя два часа мы с группой из двадцати человек выехали на площадь в центре города. Площадь, отреставрированная за последние годы, – популярное место отдыха жителей Скопье, которые собираются здесь теплыми летними вечерами, общаются и закусывают в расположенных поблизости ресторанчиках. Когда мы подъезжали к площади, я увидел огромную статую Александра Великого.

– Очень впечатляющая статуя, – сказал я преданному.

– Да, – откликнулся он. – Александр родился в Македонии и отсюда отправился завоевывать мир. Он выстроил огромную империю, но она оказалась слишком большой, чтоб с ней управляться, и он так и не смог вернуться домой.

Во время путешествий я читаю «Дневники Тамала Кришны Госвами», и как раз сегодня утром мне попался отрывок, в котором Госвами цитировал высказывание Шрилы Прабхупады о том же самом, так что я подтвердил:

– Так оно и есть, Шрила Прабхупада говорил, что Александр Македонский не смог поддерживать свою обширную империю. Вот его слова: «Представьте, если бы я покорил Бомбей, а потом Карачи, и тем временем упустил бы Бомбей. Это и случилось с Александром Великим… чрезмерная экспансия». Шрила Прабхупада говорил, что по этой причине он настаивает на важности распространения книг более, чем на открытии храмов. Он говорил: «Не делайте из меня Александра при жизни. Люди уже поняли, что я велик. Не преуменьшайте меня».

Преданный показал на другую сторону площади.

– Там еще одна достопримечательность, – сказал он, – дом матери Терезы. Она родилась здесь в 1910-м году и уехала семнадцатилетней в Индию как миссионерка. Сейчас этот дом – национальный памятник.

Мы подошли ближе, оказалось, что около здания собралась огромная толпа.

– Сегодня в Македонии отмечают годовщину ее отъезда, – сказал преданный.

– Может быть, посмотрим, пока идет бхаджан? – предложил я.

– Да, давайте войдем, – ответил он, и мы направились ко входу. – Открытый амфитеатр, в котором Вы сегодня будете давать лекцию, – часть этого мемориала. Программа рекламируется по всему городу, как «Вечер с Индрадьюмной Свами». Думаем, будет около ста пятидесяти человек.

– Приглашены ли какие-нибудь официальные лица, городские чиновники или другие важные персоны? – спросил я.

– Ну, насчет этого я не знаю, – сказал он. – В основном мы фокусируемся на своих друзьях и обычных людях. Но кто знает? Молва идет.

Мы зашли в мемориал, и я заметил несколько буклетов и брошюр о жизни матери Терезы. Я взял одну и стал читать стих, который она написала на борту, покидая Европу в 1928-м году. Читая, я был настолько тронут стихотворением, что даже решил присесть. Поистине, в нем был дух миссионерства, дух той самой жизни, которую избрал и я, приняв санньясу, отреченный образ жизни.

На прощанье

Я покидаю отчий дом
и все места родные
ради далеких берегов
тропической Бенгалии.

Я оставляю всех друзей,
отрекшись от семьи и дома,
чтоб моему Христу служить
так, как велит мне сердце.

Прощайте, матушка, –
да будет с вами всеми Бог.
Меня же Сила Свыше
в жаркую Индию призвала.

Неспешно рассекая океана
волны, плывет корабль.
Последний раз бросаю взгляд
на берега родной Европы.

На палубе стоит бесстрашно
счастливая, спокойная,
дитя довольное Христа,
Его невеста новобрачная.

В руке ее железный крестик
Спасителя распятого, –
душа ее готова принести
свою непростую жертву.

«О Господи, взгляни на эту жертву
как на признание в любви,
позволь созданью Твоему
прославить Твое Имя.

Взамен я у Тебя прошу,
о милосерднейший Отец:
позволь спасти хоть одну душу,
ту, что Тебе уже знакома».

Ясные, чистые, летней росы
ее тихие слезы текут, так
подтвердив благословеньем
ее непростую жертву.

[ Гонжа Бояджиу]

– Махараджа, – произнес преданный, возвращая меня к реальности, – нам надо идти. На площади начали бхаджан.

Мы поспешили к поющим преданным, – вокруг них уже собралась большая толпа. Это напомнило мне наши публичные киртаны в Польше в начале 90-х. Подойдя, я снова поразился красоте музыки и пения. Молча постоял несколько минут, слушая, а потом обратился к преданному около меня.

– Думаю, вы все в прошлых жизнях были гандхарвами, – сказал я. – Господь Чайтанья послал вас сюда, чтобы освободить этих людей.

И отправился к преданной, раздающей сладкий прасад из корзинки.

– Не позволите мне взять корзинку и пораздавать прасадам? – спросил я ее.

Я постепенно продвигался с корзинкой к другой стороне площади, удивляясь, что ни один человек не отказался от прасада. Звуки киртана на расстоянии становились все тише. Пожилые женщины судачили на скамейках, а их мужья за грубыми деревянными столами играли в карты. Несколько молодых пар прошли мимо, явно удивленные моим ярко-шафрановым одеянием, но все были вежливы и почтительны. Несколько раз после короткого разговора люди приглашали меня к себе домой отобедать. Одни пожилые супруги даже спросили, есть ли мне, где остановиться на ночь.

«Вот в таких местах мне нравится бывать, – думал я. – Вот где я счастлив больше всего: на улицах, распространяя сознание Кришны».

Я улыбнулся про себя, подумав, что даже выхлопы проезжающих машин вдохновляют, напоминая мне годы, что я провел, распространяя книги и проводя харинамы в городах по всему миру.

Спустя сорок пять минут за мной пришел преданный.

– Махараджа, – сказал он, – мы бы хотели, чтобы Вы провели бхаджан.

Когда мы вернулись к бхаджан-группе, я взял микрофон и произнес небольшую речь, одну из тех, что давал на улицах тысячи раз. «Я мог бы делать это вечно, – думал я, – по сути дела, это путь к бессмертию». И припомнил один из моих любимых стихов:

“На людных площадях славлю я Твою милость, что дарована даже ничтожным созданьям, и что позволила мне, низкорожденному, жить в лесу Враджа, где Твои великие преданные, исполненные чистой любви, стремятся родиться хотя бы лесной травинкой”.

[ Шрила Рупа Госвами, Уткалика-валлари, стих 65 ]

На следующее утро после исполненной блаженства программы, усиленной еще более красивыми бхаджанами, все начали готовиться к вечерней программе. Позже, когда мы ехали в город, я спросил у преданных, будет ли в амфитеатре охрана. Македония – это бывшая часть Югославии, а я помнил о тех случаях насилия, с которыми столкнулся несколькими годами ранее в Боснии и Хорватии.

– В этом нет нужды, – ответил преданный. – Обычно у нас нет проблем.

Мы приехали к восьми вечера, преданные только что начали бхаджан.

«Падшие ангелы, – думал я про себя, улыбаясь их мелодичному киртану, который наполнил и амфитеатр, и прилегающую площадь. – Не привлечься невозможно».

Вскоре весь театр под открытым небом заполнился гостями. Когда бхаджан закончился, перед аудиторией занял свое место я. Настраивая микрофон и переговариваясь с переводчиком, я вдруг заметил, что пятеро крупных хорошо одетых мужчин вошли в амфитеатр и заняли стратегические позиции.

Заметив у них мини-микрофоны и проводки, уходящие за уши, я подумал, что должно быть, это команда охраны. Посмотрев левее, к выходу с программы, я заметил человека пониже, скорее всего, начальника команды, стоящего с двумя охранниками по обе стороны от него.

«Видимо, какая-то опасность все-таки есть, – подумал я, – но преданные, наверное, решили меня не тревожить. Должно быть, наняли парней на тот случай, если все-таки что-нибудь произойдет».

Ум мой был спокоен, и я, зная, что с любыми беспорядками легко разберутся, взял Бхагавад-гиту и начал лекцию. Аудитория была внимательна и хорошо воспринимала все, что я говорил, так что я углубился в философию и даже объяснил, кто такой Кришна, что такое Его имя, слава, форма и игры.

Потом я особо отметил, что философия сознания Кришны применима и в наше время. Я процитировал Шрилу Прабхупаду, что у нас есть духовное решение материальных проблем. Люди кивали головами, соглашаясь с теми доводами, что я приводил, – особенно начальник охранной команды.

Через пролетевший незаметно час я закончил свое выступление. И смутился от шквала аплодисментов. «Я всего лишь исполняю свой долг санньяси», – сказал я переводчику.

Когда я поднялся, чтобы отправиться к столику с книгами, то заметил, что охранная команда быстро направляется к выходу.

«Почему они не остались до конца программы?» – удивился я.

Около стола с книгами было столпотворение, люди ожидали меня, чтобы подписать только что приобретенные книги. Взяв ручку, я присел, подписывая книги и оставляя по несколько вдохновляющих слов.

Внезапно ко мне подбежал запыхавшийся преданный.

– Махараджа! – выговорил он. – Правда, здорово? Просто невероятно! Даже не верится.

– А что случилось? – сказал я.

– Вы не видели? – сказал он. – Премьер-министр страны был на Вашей лекции. Пришел, как только Вы начали, и стоял у входа с двумя телохранителями по бокам. Он оставался до самого конца Вашей лекции.

– Охрану я видел, – сказал я. – Но не знал, что здесь премьер-министр. Вот уж действительно, это как глазурь на торте этого чудесного визита в Македонию.

– Есть еще и вишенка поверх глазури, – заметил преданный, широко улыбаясь.

– И что бы это могло быть? – сказал я.

– Премьер-министр сообщил через своего секретаря, что ему очень понравилась Ваша речь.

Я покачал головой. «Милость Господа Чайтаньи безгранична», – думал я.

Шрила Прабхупада пишет:

«Движение сознания Кришны распространяется по всему миру просто благодаря рассказам о Кришне. Мы издали множество книг, в том числе “Шри Чайтанья-чаритамриту” в семнадцати томах по четыреста страниц в каждом, а также “Бхагавад-гиту” и “Нектар преданности”. Мы также публикуем “Шримад-Бхагаватам” в шестидесяти томах. Где бы говорящий ни пересказывал то, что он узнал из этих книг, а аудитория слушала его, там будет хорошая, благоприятная ситуация. Поэтому члены нашего Движения, особенно санньяси, должны очень хорошо заботиться о проповеди сознания Кришны. Это создаст благоприятную атмосферу».

[ Шримад-Бхагаватам 8.1.32, комментарий ]

Happy Diwali!
Bhakti Charu Swami

Happy Diwali to everyone! This is the day that marks Lord Ramachandra’s return to Ayodhya after He defeated Ravana and rescued Sita. The whole city was lit up with lamps to receive the return of the glorious prince, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Ramachandra’s victory over Ravana marks the victory of the Supreme Personality […]

Srila Prabhupad Disappearance day celebrations – Saturday 17 November
→ Welcome to the official site of ISKCON Perth

Dear Devotees and Friends,

We would like to invite you all for the Disappearance day celebrations of our founder Acharya His Divine Grace Abhay Caranaravinda Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada ( Srila Prabhupada )

Date: 17 November

Day: Saturday

The program is as follows

4.30 AM Mangala Arati led by Srila Prabhupada

7.00 AM Darshan arati and Gurupuja

7.30 AM Damodara Arati — offering lamp to Sri Damodara

7.45 AM Srimad Bhagavatam Class by Srila Prabhupada

10.30 AM Vaisnava Bhajans

11.00 AM Glorification of Srila Prabhupada ( Offering Homages )

12.00 Noon Bhoga Offering

12.30 PM Pushpanjali ( offering Flowers )

12.45 PM Gurupuja and Kirtan to Srila Prabhupada

1.30 PM Honoring the feast prasadam

Special Evening Program:

6.30 PM Bhajans

7.20 PM Special Arati to Srila Prabhupada ( The time of his departure from this world)

Please come and join in glorifying Srila Prabhupada ” Who built a home where the whole world can live”

If you like to sponsor the feast or the flowers and receive unlimited blessings from Srila Prabhpada please contact

Vrajanandana dasa — 0412 574 949

Shyama Saran dasa — 0439 969 002

Sita Rama Lakshmna dasa — 0422 045 525

Sita Rama Lakshman Dasa

SP Disappearance Day poster

Keeping The Darkness Away: Diwali & Govardhana
→ NY Times & Bhagavad Gita Sanga/ Sankirtana Das



Diwali, the Festival of Lights is a fitting time for the Hindu New Year.  One of the main stories behind this day is the return of Rama to Ayodhya. Rama and the monkey forces had defeated Ravana and his Raksasa hordes. Ravana had superior weapons and superior forces. The monkeys had only crude weapons – trees, rocks and clubs – but they won nevertheless. By the grace of Lord Rama, the monkeys were unstoppable. Having faith in Rama, we also have to be unstoppable in our efforts to serve Rama and glorify Him.

Several weeks later after the victory, Rama, Sita, Laksman and Hanuman boarded a flower airplane which took them back to Ayodhya. The citizens there waited in great anticipation. The city was bedecked with candles shining from every home. After so many long years the people were eager to see their Lord once again. His return would mark a new era for them - RamRaj. And we also must light the candles. Not only in our homes, but in our hearts. To renew our faith in the Lord and, at this time of year, welcome Him back into our lives.  But why every year? Indeed, we must welcome Him every day and every moment.

The day after Diwali is Govardhana Lila, and so, the devotees delight in worshiping Sri Rama and Sri Krishna back to back. They are one and the same. Krishna, as a child, growing up in Vrindaban, was very mischievous. One day,  Krishna’s father Nanda and the residents there were getting ready to worship King Indra who brought the much needed rain to the land. But in the middle of getting ready for one event, Krishna asked them to make another type of sacrifice – to worship Govardhana Hill instead. Krishna sometimes does that to us. You know what I’m talking about.

There’s a saying attributed to John Lennon: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” We’ve all experienced this in one way or other. Earlier this month my wife and I were a little concerned since Hurricane Sandy was supposed to brush by us (we had heard about the disruption in New York and New Jersey – and I pray for everyone in that area)  And so Sandy came, leaving us without electricity for only four hours.  What a relief! That wasn’t so bad (especially since at the beginning of the summer we had no power for eight days).

My wife and I thought that now we could get on with our lives. But even though the power went back on, our house remained without water for four days. For four days we had to fetch water to bathe and clean and cook. Normally, we get water from our own well. Now we were worried that the pump in the well stopped working, or worse yet, that the well caved in (which happened to us before). But Krishna was merciful. It was only a bad pressure tank in the basement, which our plumber fixed in several hours. 

Krishna often calls upon us to make some sacrifice. We’re expecting to do one thing, but something happens and we’re forced to do something else. So we could do it begrudgingly and curse our circumstances. Or we could find the strength to say “Thank you Krishna for giving me this opportunity to surrender to Your will.”

These holy-days can give us clues on how to live everyday.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Keeping The Darkness Away: Diwali & Govardhana
→ NY Times & Bhagavad Gita Sanga/ Sankirtana Das



Diwali, the Festival of Lights is a fitting time for the Hindu New Year.  One of the main stories behind this day is the return of Rama to Ayodhya. Rama and the monkey forces had defeated Ravana and his Raksasa hordes. Ravana had superior weapons and superior forces. The monkeys had only crude weapons – trees, rocks and clubs – but they won nevertheless. By the grace of Lord Rama, the monkeys were unstoppable. Having faith in Rama, we also have to be unstoppable in our efforts to serve Rama and glorify Him.

Several weeks later after the victory, Rama, Sita, Laksman and Hanuman boarded a flower airplane which took them back to Ayodhya. The citizens there waited in great anticipation. The city was bedecked with candles shining from every home. After so many long years the people were eager to see their Lord once again. His return would mark a new era for them - RamRaj. And we also must light the candles. Not only in our homes, but in our hearts. To renew our faith in the Lord and, at this time of year, welcome Him back into our lives.  But why every year? Indeed, we must welcome Him every day and every moment.

The day after Diwali is Govardhana Lila, and so, the devotees delight in worshiping Sri Rama and Sri Krishna back to back. They are one and the same. Krishna, as a child, growing up in Vrindaban, was very mischievous. One day,  Krishna’s father Nanda and the residents there were getting ready to worship King Indra who brought the much needed rain to the land. But in the middle of getting ready for one event, Krishna asked them to make another type of sacrifice – to worship Govardhana Hill instead. Krishna sometimes does that to us. You know what I’m talking about.

There’s a saying attributed to John Lennon: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” We’ve all experienced this in one way or other. Earlier this month my wife and I were a little concerned since Hurricane Sandy was supposed to brush by us (we had heard about the disruption in New York and New Jersey – and I pray for everyone in that area)  And so Sandy came, leaving us without electricity for only four hours.  What a relief! That wasn’t so bad (especially since at the beginning of the summer we had no power for eight days).

My wife and I thought that now we could get on with our lives. But even though the power went back on, our house remained without water for four days. For four days we had to fetch water to bathe and clean and cook. Normally, we get water from our own well. Now we were worried that the pump in the well stopped working, or worse yet, that the well caved in (which happened to us before). But Krishna was merciful. It was only a bad pressure tank in the basement, which our plumber fixed in several hours. 

Krishna often calls upon us to make some sacrifice. We’re expecting to do one thing, but something happens and we’re forced to do something else. So we could do it begrudgingly and curse our circumstances. Or we could find the strength to say “Thank you Krishna for giving me this opportunity to surrender to Your will.”

These holy-days can give us clues on how to live everyday.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

What Matters About California’s GE Labeling Fight
→ The Yoga of Ecology





"Whether or not all of this means that the food movement is past the pimply stage of early adolescence, the fact is that California’s labeling fight broadened and emboldened this movement’s power base just as we are heading into a series of regulatory fights over new GE crops in the pipeline, and preparing for what looks like a spring 2013 re-authorization battle over the now-expired Food and Farm Bill.

If the fiscal cliff and other D.C. distractions succeed in keeping Congress from passing a 2012 Farm Bill in the lame duck session despite our insistence that they get off their duffs, then the very same sustainable food and farming forces that gathered together to push for Prop 37 will turn our attention and newly honed skills to securing the kind of agricultural policy that withdraws governmental support from the system of agriculture embodied by Monsanto. For every additional dollar of funding we win for organic agricultural research, that’s one dollar of public funding that will not be devoted to developing more GE crops that fail to deliver on promises to farmers and the public. And in this Farm Bill fight, we will bring to bear a broader base of power as well as a public disabused of the notion that agricultural biotechnology is the best thing since sliced bread."

What Matters About California’s GE Labeling Fight
→ The Yoga of Ecology





"Whether or not all of this means that the food movement is past the pimply stage of early adolescence, the fact is that California’s labeling fight broadened and emboldened this movement’s power base just as we are heading into a series of regulatory fights over new GE crops in the pipeline, and preparing for what looks like a spring 2013 re-authorization battle over the now-expired Food and Farm Bill.

If the fiscal cliff and other D.C. distractions succeed in keeping Congress from passing a 2012 Farm Bill in the lame duck session despite our insistence that they get off their duffs, then the very same sustainable food and farming forces that gathered together to push for Prop 37 will turn our attention and newly honed skills to securing the kind of agricultural policy that withdraws governmental support from the system of agriculture embodied by Monsanto. For every additional dollar of funding we win for organic agricultural research, that’s one dollar of public funding that will not be devoted to developing more GE crops that fail to deliver on promises to farmers and the public. And in this Farm Bill fight, we will bring to bear a broader base of power as well as a public disabused of the notion that agricultural biotechnology is the best thing since sliced bread."

Govardhana Puja Thursday 15th November
→ Welcome to the official site of ISKCON Perth

Dear Vaisnavas and Vaisnavis

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

This year we will be celebrating Govardhana Puja on Thursday 15th November from 5 PM at our temple at 159 Canning Road Kalamunda. This year the festival will be coordinated by Kesava Gopal (0433922454) and Anuttama Kesava Prabhus. The feast will be cooked by Rasa Vigraha and Radhapati Prabhus. If you are able to give some time to help prepare the feast please contact Akshaya Puri (0401414172).

Please prepare and bring some sweets to decorate the hill.

The program is as follows

5.00 Bhajans
6.00 Class on Govardhana Lila by His Holiness Ramai Swami
6.45 Arati to Giri-Govardhana and circumabulation of Govardhana Hill
7.00 Gaura Arati and Damadorastakam
7.30 Prasadam Feast

For more information and sponsorships please contact Vrajananadana (0412574949 ) or Sita Rama Lakshmana (0422045525)

On behalf of the festival committee

your servant
Yadu Srestha (0423696537)

Download Goverdhan Puja poster

The Abysses of the Mind and the Highest Peaks of Consciousness (part 2/2). By Matsyavatara dasa (Marco Ferrini)
→ Matsya Avatar das adhikari

Although at times it seems to have no reasons to fall into a crevasse, we can witness that the gap is real for whom can perceive it. The same goes for the ecstatic experience which is usually ignored to the majority of people, but for the great personalities who has realized themselves, it may become a permanent reality, which in a single brush erases all the world attachments together with the taste for the sense gratification. One doesn't reach that experience by mere comprehension or due to the limited human efforts; it thus manifests thanks to the divine mercy and it is the divine mercy that helps us to get out of the crevasse: combined to our our personal effort, it brings clearness within us and start  to make the river of life flow again. In this way our happiness will also start to flow again freely, with no more obstacles of the past choices.   We cannot live lofty experiences at present if in the past we failed to recognize the existence of the crevasse with its characteristics, consciously choosing the way that takes us to the enlightened Hill, to the highest Sky, just like Virgilio explains  to Dante at the beginning of the Divine Commedy and like Krishna  says to Arjuna oppressed by a deep existential crisis at the beginning of the Bhagavad-gita. One does not fall into the crevasse at once, nor he reaches the peak in an instance. Such high ascent is the result of a constant work turned to avoid and correct the mistakes promptly, to coordinate all the efforts with the purpose to evolve and animated by the honest desire of spiritual self-realization.
Enviousness,  jealousy, lust, greed, anger, craving for fame – these are all the ropes that make one drift down the crevasse. On the other hand, mercy, compassion, humility, patience, forgiveness help to ascend. Those spiritual qualities, typical of authentic brahmanas, are the most elevated qualities to develop;  that is why the brahmanas who coherently practice and live them should not be submitted to power because these qualities represent the highest target. In Bhagavad-gita XVIII. 42 Krishna describes the main qualities from which many others originate; those who wish to reach the highest peaks of consciousness  do not have to learn them just by heart, but to catch the essence, how they are lived and taught.
Those qualities should become our nature, should enter each part of our being, in order to transfer ourselves gradually  from tamas to rajas, from rajas to sattva guna; only then we will avoid the risk of falling down the crevasse and our journey will be an evolution in progress towards the highest peaks of Bhakti, empowered with faithful and devoted love for Krishna. The practice of Bhakti is the most powerful instrument of evolution that allows us to develop the qualities described before and, in its greatest expansion, it is the highest  spiritual peak to reach. In the journey towards supreme Bhakti, authentic love and happiness increase step by step.

The Abysses of the Mind and the Highest Peaks of Consciousness (part 2/2). By Matsyavatara dasa (Marco Ferrini)
→ Matsya Avatar das adhikari

Although at times it seems to have no reasons to fall into a crevasse, we can witness that the gap is real for whom can perceive it. The same goes for the ecstatic experience which is usually ignored to the majority of people, but for the great personalities who has realized themselves, it may become a permanent reality, which in a single brush erases all the world attachments together with the taste for the sense gratification. One doesn't reach that experience by mere comprehension or due to the limited human efforts; it thus manifests thanks to the divine mercy and it is the divine mercy that helps us to get out of the crevasse: combined to our our personal effort, it brings clearness within us and start  to make the river of life flow again. In this way our happiness will also start to flow again freely, with no more obstacles of the past choices.   We cannot live lofty experiences at present if in the past we failed to recognize the existence of the crevasse with its characteristics, consciously choosing the way that takes us to the enlightened Hill, to the highest Sky, just like Virgilio explains  to Dante at the beginning of the Divine Commedy and like Krishna  says to Arjuna oppressed by a deep existential crisis at the beginning of the Bhagavad-gita. One does not fall into the crevasse at once, nor he reaches the peak in an instance. Such high ascent is the result of a constant work turned to avoid and correct the mistakes promptly, to coordinate all the efforts with the purpose to evolve and animated by the honest desire of spiritual self-realization.
Enviousness,  jealousy, lust, greed, anger, craving for fame – these are all the ropes that make one drift down the crevasse. On the other hand, mercy, compassion, humility, patience, forgiveness help to ascend. Those spiritual qualities, typical of authentic brahmanas, are the most elevated qualities to develop;  that is why the brahmanas who coherently practice and live them should not be submitted to power because these qualities represent the highest target. In Bhagavad-gita XVIII. 42 Krishna describes the main qualities from which many others originate; those who wish to reach the highest peaks of consciousness  do not have to learn them just by heart, but to catch the essence, how they are lived and taught.
Those qualities should become our nature, should enter each part of our being, in order to transfer ourselves gradually  from tamas to rajas, from rajas to sattva guna; only then we will avoid the risk of falling down the crevasse and our journey will be an evolution in progress towards the highest peaks of Bhakti, empowered with faithful and devoted love for Krishna. The practice of Bhakti is the most powerful instrument of evolution that allows us to develop the qualities described before and, in its greatest expansion, it is the highest  spiritual peak to reach. In the journey towards supreme Bhakti, authentic love and happiness increase step by step.

Learning To Bounce Back
→ The Yoga of Ecology


Click here to read the full article from Andrew Zolli at The New York Times

“None of these is a permanent solution, and none roots out the underlying problems they address. But each helps a vulnerable community contend with the shocks that, especially at the margins of a society, can be devastating. In lieu of master plans, these approaches offer diverse tools and platforms that enable greater self-reliance, cooperation and creativity before, during and after a crisis.

As wise as this all may sound, a shift from sustainability to resilience leaves many old-school environmentalists and social activists feeling uneasy, as it smacks of adaptation, a word that is still taboo in many quarters. If we adapt to unwanted change, the reasoning goes, we give a pass to those responsible for putting us in this mess in the first place, and we lose the moral authority to pressure them to stop. Better, they argue, to mitigate the risk at the source.”

Learning To Bounce Back
→ The Yoga of Ecology


Click here to read the full article from Andrew Zolli at The New York Times

“None of these is a permanent solution, and none roots out the underlying problems they address. But each helps a vulnerable community contend with the shocks that, especially at the margins of a society, can be devastating. In lieu of master plans, these approaches offer diverse tools and platforms that enable greater self-reliance, cooperation and creativity before, during and after a crisis.

As wise as this all may sound, a shift from sustainability to resilience leaves many old-school environmentalists and social activists feeling uneasy, as it smacks of adaptation, a word that is still taboo in many quarters. If we adapt to unwanted change, the reasoning goes, we give a pass to those responsible for putting us in this mess in the first place, and we lose the moral authority to pressure them to stop. Better, they argue, to mitigate the risk at the source.”

The Politics of "Climate Science"
→ The Yoga of Ecology





"As has been noted relentlessly this week, Monday evening's third and final presidential debate marked the first time since the 1980s that American presidential or vice presidential contenders were neither asked about, nor inclined to offer up on their own, opinions on climate change and what ought to be done about it.


For environmentalists -- and many ordinary Americans -- it seemed a rather discouraging milestone, particularly as a gargantuan super-storm -- of the sort that virtually all climate scientists have been warning for years would increase in frequency as the planet warmed -- threatens to slam headlong into the East Coast in a couple days' time. "Hurricane Sandy," wrote Daniel Honan at BigThink.com, "Mother Nature's revenge on the 2012 election?"

Phil Radford, the executive director of Greenpeace USA, suggested the absence of high level discussion of climate change at the debates was inexcusable. "I just think it's irresponsible for our leaders to not address one of the biggest challenges facing our generation," he said in a phone call on Friday. "It's one of the biggest security threats we have -- it's a threat to agriculture, it threatens our economy. And to simply not talk about it is one of the biggest failures of our leadership."

The Politics of "Climate Science"
→ The Yoga of Ecology





"As has been noted relentlessly this week, Monday evening's third and final presidential debate marked the first time since the 1980s that American presidential or vice presidential contenders were neither asked about, nor inclined to offer up on their own, opinions on climate change and what ought to be done about it.


For environmentalists -- and many ordinary Americans -- it seemed a rather discouraging milestone, particularly as a gargantuan super-storm -- of the sort that virtually all climate scientists have been warning for years would increase in frequency as the planet warmed -- threatens to slam headlong into the East Coast in a couple days' time. "Hurricane Sandy," wrote Daniel Honan at BigThink.com, "Mother Nature's revenge on the 2012 election?"

Phil Radford, the executive director of Greenpeace USA, suggested the absence of high level discussion of climate change at the debates was inexcusable. "I just think it's irresponsible for our leaders to not address one of the biggest challenges facing our generation," he said in a phone call on Friday. "It's one of the biggest security threats we have -- it's a threat to agriculture, it threatens our economy. And to simply not talk about it is one of the biggest failures of our leadership."