My Heart is an Altar
→ Seed of Devotion

Several days ago, after the temple had been closed for the afternoon, we ladies of the Mayapur Academy went onto the altar of Pancha Tattva to do an annual cleaning. When I first stepped onto the cool marble floor of the altar, I just gazed up in wonder at each of the five, magnificent golden forms of the Pancha Tattva.

Please allow me to serve You today, I prayed.

We all grabbed buckets and rags and began our work in reverential silence. I scrubbed the walls and the floor until my arms and body began to sing with soreness. Cobwebs, grime, and soot kept coming off the walls in rivulets.

With each passing minute, I began to feel sick to the stomach. Weaknesses and faults in my heart churned and churned to the surface.

Pain, disgust, sickness.

Hatred, doubt, cynicism.

I felt so humbled, so sad to be feeling such things in the presence of the magnificent golden forms of Pancha Tattva.

But what could I do? I wanted to run, but I knew that there was no hiding from God. So I just kept scrubbing.

When the walls, doors, and marble floors had all been scrubbed to a sparkle, most of the ladies left the altar to wash out buckets. I stayed on the altar. I knelt down with folded palms and gazed up at the face of Lord Chaitanya.

In my mind, I murmured the Sanskrit prayer of forgiveness over and over again. "Oh Lord, whatever worship I have offered to You today is without proper knowledge, method, attitude, with no devotion. Please forgive me. I pray that You may accept whatever little effort I have made. Now I shall remember Lord Krishna and He shall make everything perfect."

Those moments seemed so suspended. I was practically alone on the altar with Pancha Tattva, the doors closed, the temple quiet. Looking at Lord Chaitanya, I felt as though the contents of my heart were laid bare before Him. All of the gunk and beauty.

With that, I offered my obeisance, touching my forehead to the cool marble floor. Then I left the altar.

A couple days later, I attended an international kirtan festival in Mumbai. That first afternoon, I sat in the whorl of a powerful kirtan, in the midst of hundreds of people crying out the holy names of God. Each name that I sang seemed to hang and shine in the air for a moment. My heart felt quiet and peaceful.

Clean.

I sang for hours and hours; my cheeks began to ache from so much smiling. Through it all, whenever I would close my eyes, engraved upon my mind were the five golden forms of Pancha Tattva.


(photo courtesy of flickr)

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My Heart is an Altar
→ Seed of Devotion

Several days ago, after the temple had been closed for the afternoon, we ladies of the Mayapur Academy went onto the altar of Pancha Tattva to do an annual cleaning. When I first stepped onto the cool marble floor of the altar, I just gazed up in wonder at each of the five, magnificent golden forms of the Pancha Tattva.

Please allow me to serve You today, I prayed.

We all grabbed buckets and rags and began our work in reverential silence. I scrubbed the walls and the floor until my arms and body began to sing with soreness. Cobwebs, grime, and soot kept coming off the walls in rivulets.

With each passing minute, I began to feel sick to the stomach. Weaknesses and faults in my heart churned and churned to the surface.

Pain, disgust, sickness.

Hatred, doubt, cynicism.

I felt so humbled, so sad to be feeling such things in the presence of the magnificent golden forms of Pancha Tattva.

But what could I do? I wanted to run, but I knew that there was no hiding from God. So I just kept scrubbing.

When the walls, doors, and marble floors had all been scrubbed to a sparkle, most of the ladies left the altar to wash out buckets. I stayed on the altar. I knelt down with folded palms and gazed up at the face of Lord Chaitanya.

In my mind, I murmured the Sanskrit prayer of forgiveness over and over again. "Oh Lord, whatever worship I have offered to You today is without proper knowledge, method, attitude, with no devotion. Please forgive me. I pray that You may accept whatever little effort I have made. Now I shall remember Lord Krishna and He shall make everything perfect."

Those moments seemed so suspended. I was practically alone on the altar with Pancha Tattva, the doors closed, the temple quiet. Looking at Lord Chaitanya, I felt as though the contents of my heart were laid bare before Him. All of the gunk and beauty.

With that, I offered my obeisance, touching my forehead to the cool marble floor. Then I left the altar.

A couple days later, I attended an international kirtan festival in Mumbai. That first afternoon, I sat in the whorl of a powerful kirtan, in the midst of hundreds of people crying out the holy names of God. Each name that I sang seemed to hang and shine in the air for a moment. My heart felt quiet and peaceful.

Clean.

I sang for hours and hours; my cheeks began to ache from so much smiling. Through it all, whenever I would close my eyes, engraved upon my mind were the five golden forms of Pancha Tattva.


(photo courtesy of flickr)

Subscribe

Global Kirtan for Yamuna Gears up Amidst Political Breakthroughs
→ Seeking The Essence

Global Kirtan for Yamuna Gears up Amidst Political Breakthroughs

Originally posted by Madhava Smullen for ISKCON News on 15 Feb 2013

Second generation ISKCON devotees working with the Kuli Mela AssociationGlobal Kirtan for Yamuna River 3.1.13 are calling out to friends and ISKCON temples all over the world to join in a Global Kirtan for the Yamuna river on March 1st.

It’s the second time the worldwide prayer will be held for the beleaguered holy river, after the hugely successful January 30th, 2010 kirtan, which saw 130 groups participating along with prominent kirtaniyas Aindra Babaji, Shyamdas Ji, Radhanath Swami, Jai Uttal, Gaura Vani, Karnamrita, and The Mayapuris.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back then, devotees were protesting the construction of a highway overpass across the river at Keshi Ghat in Vrindavan, the sacred land of Lord Krishna’s birth.

Soon after, construction was stopped when the Allahabad High Court declared the overpass illegal on the grounds that it was less than 200 meters from an ASI protected monument, the Jugal Kishor Mandir.

After this, however, an even bigger outrage came to light. Eighty-five per cent of the Yamuna, which emerged crystal clear from its source in the Himalayas, was being held back by an irrigation dam in the state of Haryana. Meanwhile, Delhi City sewage and industrial waste was being emptied into it, until not a single drop of original Yamuna water was left by the time it reached Vrindavan.

Activists and devotees headed by Vrindavan-based group Maan Mandir fought for their beloved Yamuna, forcing the government to take notice with a series of protests and marches.

On March 1st, the biggest march yet is planned, with an astonishing half a million people expected to embark on a ten-day walk from Vrindavan to Delh in protest of the sacred river’s plight.

To add devotional power to the march’s political clout, devotees around the world will hold their second Global Kirtan on the same day, raising their voices for the Yamuna river.

In Berkely, California, Global Kirtan organizer Krishna Devata McComb will be singing along with Mantralogy artist Prajna Vieira.

Major kirtan singers all over the US will join in, with Gaura Vani of As Kindred Spirits chanting in Washington D.C., the Mayapuris in New York, and the Kirtaniyas in Los Angeles.

In Canada, Govinda Ghosh will sing at the Saranagati rural village in British Columbia.

Many South American communities have also just confirmed their involvement in the Global Kirtan, from the tip of Patagonia to the mountains of Peru.

In India, participants at this year’s Kumbha Mela in Allahabad, where the Yamuna meets the Ganges, will also join in with kirtan for the Yamuna.

Finally at the historic Jugal Kishor Palace Complex in Keshi Ghat, Vrindavana, Gaura Mani of Vrajavadhus’ Kirtan will sing on the banks of the Yamuna, as 500,000 people gather to walk to Delhi.

Altogether, at least one hundred groups of chanters are expected worldwide. Some groups may be big, some may be small; some may chant for 24 hours, some just for one; but all will be praying for the Yamuna with devotion.

To Krishna Devata, a second generation devotee who grew up holding Yamuna Devi in great regard, it’s an extremely personal cause.

“Each time I dedicate myself to this meditation, I can’t help but recall my childhood days, swimming and playing in the Yamuna with my little brother back in 1981 when I was five and he was two,” she says.

Sadly, the next time Krishna Devata returned to the Yamuna–in 1998–it was to offer her brother’s ashes into the sacred waters, two years after he had passed away. There, as Yamuna Devi provided her solace, a deep bond was forged with the holy river.

So when Krishna Devata again visited the Yamuna in 2010 with her own children—now aged five and two just like she and her brother had been—and saw it blighted by pollution, garbage and construction work, the sight moved her to tears.

“I was sitting in the rickshaw with my children, and I couldn’t approach the river,” she recalls. “It struck me in a very deep place how in one generation I had seen this happen before my very eyes. And I realized that I was in for a lifetime of service.”

There may be a lifetime of caring for the Yamuna ahead. But it’s likely that Krishna Devata and the other devotees aching for the Yamuna may see developments that will soothe their hearts soon after their global chant on 3.1.13, if not before.

Radha Jivan Das, an ISKCON devotee businessman and activist working with Maan Mandir, recently reported that representatives of the organization met with Delhi head of Congress Ms Sonia Gandhi on February 8th with positive results.

“We talked to her regarding the problems with Yamuna,” she says. “She was very serious on the matter and has promised to do the best she can by speaking to the chief minister of Haryana. She said she will see to it that water is released into the Yamuna [to restore it to its original clean state].”

Maan Mandir representatives also spoke with Lalu Yadav, one of the top political leaders of Bihar state and a current member of Parliament. He promised to aggressively bring up the Yamuna’s plight at the upcoming Parliament sessions in Delhi from February 21st to March 21st and see if something could be done.

Meanwhile, awareness for the walk beginning March 1st is high all over the region of Braj, where the towns of Vrindavana, Mathura, Gokul, Govardhan and possibly even Agra will be completely closed down for the day.

“Jai Guru Dev ashram has taken responsibility to feed the 500,000 protestors every day for ten days, and bus services, shops and offices will be closed,” says Radha Jivan.

The march is expected to completely block the major National Highway 2, and Radha Jivan has expressed the expectation that the government will intervene and promise action before the protestors even reach Delhi.

Meanwhile there’s no doubt that the activists on the ground will feel hugely inspired and supported by devotees all over the world praying for their success—what to speak of the auspiciousness such vast congregational chanting will bring to the whole effort.

“Our unified voices really make a difference,” Krishna Devata says. “Just gathering and agreeing to dedicate our prayer together, is a huge act of peace and hope.”

So if you want to make a difference, please organize a kirtan in your community—long or short, small or large—on March 1st, 2013; and email Krishna Devata at thedancingmama@gmail.com to let her know the location and details.


“Qu’ils mangent de la brioche”
→ kurma News

Apparently there is no record of Marie Antoinette ever having said this favourite line when told that the common people were starving.

cake:

One thing is for sure: I did bake a cake yesterday and here it is. At least this is a photographic record that it existed. As all things in this real but temporary world, it has now gone the way of all great gateaux.

For your culinary and orally-fixated pleasure: it is (or was) a two layer peach, nutmeg, coconut and lemon zest enriched sponge cake sandwiched together with mixed berry jam, frosted with a combination of sweetened cream cheese infused with lime zest. I decorated it with toasted coconut ribbon and candied lemon peel. Yes, it tasted as spectacular as it sounds.

Finally: I would like to offer my apologies that this blog is very sparse these days. I am totally absorbed in looking after my father's affairs since his health has deteriorated. If you'd like to stay in touch, I suggest you follow me on Facebook, my only regular interface with the world these days. My Facebook name is private, but if you write me by commenting on this post, I can provide you with it.

"We are aliens here, matter is strange to us" – Learn more during this Sunday’s vedic discourse‏
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON'S BLOG

ISKCON Brampton Youth Program - Friday February 15th 2013 @ 7:00pm

Everyone is welcomed to come and participate. The program will  start at 7:00pm sharp! So please try to make it at around 6:45pm. Sumptuous Prasadam will also be served at 9:00pm.

This event is absolutely free, but donations to the temple are always accepted.
Anyone that would like to help out with prasadam, or has any questions/queries please contact Sukhavak Das at sukhavakdas@hotmail.ca.

Sunday Feast, February 17th @ 11:00am 

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 Mahabhagavat Das
1:05 pm - 1:20 pm Tulasi Puja
1:20 pm - 2:00 pm Prasadam (Vegetarian feast)

The 2013 Vaisnava Calendar is still available at ISKCON Brampton. Please get some copies for your friends and families!


Upcoming events:

Saturday February 23rd - Lord Nityananda's Appearance Day

Celebrations at ISKCON Brampton starting 11:00am. Please mark your calendar for this date. 

Lord Nityananda (also known as Nityananda Prabhu, Nitai, Nityananda Balarama) appeared as Lord Chaitanya’s principal associate for spreading the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord. He especially spread the holy name of the Lord throughout Bengal. He is considered an incarnation of Lord Balarama.

Devotees of Lord Nityananda celebrate His Appearance Day by fasting until noon, cooking a feast, and chanting the glories of Nitai.

PROGRAMME DETAILS
11.00AM           Srila Prabhupada arati
11.30AM           Guru Ashtakam and kirtan by Acharya Thakur das
11.55AM           Nrisimhadev prayers by Shukavak das
12.00PM           Welcome announcements by Syamalangi dasi
12.05PM           Glorious pastimes of Lord Nitaynanda by Adavita Gosai Prabhu
1.00PM             A special song & video presentation of dedication to Lord Nitaynanda
1.15PM              Tulasi kirtan
2.00PM             Nityananda mahotsava feast

"We are aliens here, matter is strange to us" – Learn more during this Sunday’s vedic discourse‏
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON'S BLOG

ISKCON Brampton Youth Program - Friday February 15th 2013 @ 7:00pm

Everyone is welcomed to come and participate. The program will  start at 7:00pm sharp! So please try to make it at around 6:45pm. Sumptuous Prasadam will also be served at 9:00pm.

This event is absolutely free, but donations to the temple are always accepted.
Anyone that would like to help out with prasadam, or has any questions/queries please contact Sukhavak Das at sukhavakdas@hotmail.ca.

Sunday Feast, February 17th @ 11:00am 

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 Mahabhagavat Das
1:05 pm - 1:20 pm Tulasi Puja
1:20 pm - 2:00 pm Prasadam (Vegetarian feast)

The 2013 Vaisnava Calendar is still available at ISKCON Brampton. Please get some copies for your friends and families!


Upcoming events:

Saturday February 23rd - Lord Nityananda's Appearance Day

Celebrations at ISKCON Brampton starting 11:00am. Please mark your calendar for this date. 

Lord Nityananda (also known as Nityananda Prabhu, Nitai, Nityananda Balarama) appeared as Lord Chaitanya’s principal associate for spreading the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord. He especially spread the holy name of the Lord throughout Bengal. He is considered an incarnation of Lord Balarama.

Devotees of Lord Nityananda celebrate His Appearance Day by fasting until noon, cooking a feast, and chanting the glories of Nitai.

PROGRAMME DETAILS
11.00AM           Srila Prabhupada arati
11.30AM           Guru Ashtakam and kirtan by Acharya Thakur das
11.55AM           Nrisimhadev prayers by Shukavak das
12.00PM           Welcome announcements by Syamalangi dasi
12.05PM           Glorious pastimes of Lord Nitaynanda by Adavita Gosai Prabhu
1.00PM             A special song & video presentation of dedication to Lord Nitaynanda
1.15PM              Tulasi kirtan
2.00PM             Nityananda mahotsava feast

Podcast 009 – Chakrini sings Om Namo Bhagavate
→ Oxford Kirtan

Chakrini released her first kirtan recording when she was just fifteen years old, on cassette tape in those days. Since that time, and a number of albums later, she has been recognised as an important voice in the kirtan community.

In this podcast we hear Chakrini sing Om Namo Bhagavate, in Oxford, in 2011. Visit her website for more http://www.chakrini.com

Podcast 009 – Chakrini sings Om Namo Bhagavate
→ Oxford Kirtan

Chakrini released her first kirtan recording when she was just fifteen years old, on cassette tape in those days. Since that time, and a number of albums later, she has been recognised as an important voice in the kirtan community.

In this podcast we hear Chakrini sing Om Namo Bhagavate, in Oxford, in 2011. Visit her website for more http://www.chakrini.com

Podcast 009 – Chakrini sings Om Namo Bhagavate
→ Oxford Kirtan

Chakrini released her first kirtan recording when she was just fifteen years old, on cassette tape in those days. Since that time, and a number of albums later, she has been recognised as an important voice in the kirtan community.

In this podcast we hear Chakrini sing Om Namo Bhagavate, in Oxford, in 2011. Visit her website for more http://www.chakrini.com

Brahma Samhita morning prayers
Krishna Dharma das

venum kvanantam aravinda-dalayataksam-
Barhavatamsam asitambuda-sundarangam
kandarpa-koti-kamaniya-visesa-sobham
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

Peacock plume on his head, blooming eyes like lotus petals
Form of boundless beauty like a brilliant bluish rain cloud
Incomparable loveliness charming countless Cupids
Govinda, primeval person, I worship you my Lord

angani yasya sakalendriya-vrtti-manti
pasyanti panti kalayanti ciram jaganti
ananda-cinmaya-sad-ujjvala-vigrahasya
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

Completely conscious in his limbs and supernal senses
Full of bliss, eternal truth and ever sparkling splendour
Who sees, maintains and manifests the entire existence
Govinda, primeval person, I worship you my Lord

The Global Farmland Rush
→ The Yoga of Ecology





OVER the last decade, as populations have grown, capital has flowed across borders and crop yields have leveled off, food-importing nations and private investors have been securing land abroad to use for agriculture. Poor governments have embraced these deals, but their people are in danger of losing their patrimony, not to mention their sources of food.

According to Oxfam, land equivalent to eight times the size of Britain was sold or leased worldwide in the last 10 years. In northern Mozambique, a Brazilian-Japanese venture plans to farm more than 54,000 square miles — an area comparable to Pennsylvania and New Jersey combined — for food exports. In 2009, a Libyan firm leased 386 square miles of land from Mali without consulting local communities that had long used it. In the Philippines, the government is so enthusiastic to promote agribusiness that it lets foreigners register partnerships with local investors as domestic corporations.

The commoditization of global agriculture has aggravated the destabilizing effects of these large-scale land grabs. Investors typically promise to create local jobs and say that better farming technologies will produce higher crop yields and improve food security.

However, few of these benefits materialize. For example, as The Economist reported, a Swiss company promised local farmers 2,000 new jobs when it acquired a 50-year lease to grow biofuel crops on 154 square miles in Makeni, Sierra Leone; in the first three years, it produced only 50.

The Global Farmland Rush
→ The Yoga of Ecology





OVER the last decade, as populations have grown, capital has flowed across borders and crop yields have leveled off, food-importing nations and private investors have been securing land abroad to use for agriculture. Poor governments have embraced these deals, but their people are in danger of losing their patrimony, not to mention their sources of food.

According to Oxfam, land equivalent to eight times the size of Britain was sold or leased worldwide in the last 10 years. In northern Mozambique, a Brazilian-Japanese venture plans to farm more than 54,000 square miles — an area comparable to Pennsylvania and New Jersey combined — for food exports. In 2009, a Libyan firm leased 386 square miles of land from Mali without consulting local communities that had long used it. In the Philippines, the government is so enthusiastic to promote agribusiness that it lets foreigners register partnerships with local investors as domestic corporations.

The commoditization of global agriculture has aggravated the destabilizing effects of these large-scale land grabs. Investors typically promise to create local jobs and say that better farming technologies will produce higher crop yields and improve food security.

However, few of these benefits materialize. For example, as The Economist reported, a Swiss company promised local farmers 2,000 new jobs when it acquired a 50-year lease to grow biofuel crops on 154 square miles in Makeni, Sierra Leone; in the first three years, it produced only 50.

The Passing of Ruci’s Father – 2 of 2 Parts
→ NY Times & Bhagavad Gita Sanga/ Sankirtana Das



As it turned out Al had three cancerous tumors in his brain. They were spreading rapidly. It was terminal. In the hospital, at the bedside, our family doctor told him that he didn’t have much time left. I was surprised when Al asked if he could get two or three more years. And after all those times when he said that he was ready to go. I guess, we never give up the desire to stay alive. 

Actually, his condition was sever. The doctor thought that he had less then two weeks.  Fortunately, a bed was available at a local hospice center called Liza’s Place. The ambulance took him there the next day. He settled in and  spent several happy days there attended to by Ruci and her two siblings who had quickly arrived.

On one of the days Al just said, “I have five days left.” It was a casual remark. The nurses took it seriously. They said that patients often knew when they would depart. Then his conditioned worsened rapidly. At that time, when Ruci would say “Hare Krishna” to him, Al responded with “Hare Krishna.” Ruci’s brother and sister had to leave. Ruci prayed that she would be there when her father passed, to attend to him and guide him.  Al’s “Hare Krishna” became feebler and finally there was no response at all. He had also started picking at the thin air with his finger tips.

That Friday Al went into what the hospice people refer to as Stage Four. It was the finally stage. Barely conscious. Eyes open, but no eye contact. The patient is not communicative in the least. The last days. But we and the hospice people knew that hearing is the last sense to go. Ruci spent all day Friday chanting to him and telling him that we would all be OK if he wanted to leave his body.

The next morning, Gopa drove Ruci to the hospice and she  was back at her father’s bedside by 10. I had a leisurely morning. It was all too intense for me with my own heart condition.  I went down to the temple for lunch. I also got a flower garland from the altar and a little caritamrita (the Lord’s bathwater).

When I arrived at the hospice Ruci put some drops of caritamrita on his tongue (Al’s mouth was open, breathing heavily and his head stretched back – also a sign of Stage Four).  I placed the flower garland on his chest.  Ruci  brought one of the flowers to his nose and then dabbed it along his forehead and on his eyes.

Ruci took a break and I stayed with Al, chanting to him. After a few minutes I wondered what it was like to be in his position.  I imagined he felt alone and fearful. I spoke to him. “Krishna is your friend. There’s nothing to worry about. Krishna is our father, our mother, our eternal guide, our dearmost friend. You’ve lived a good life. Now just remember Krishna. Think of Krishna. Krishna will help you. Krishna will guide you. You can easily cross over. It’s OK. We’re fine. Thank you for all you’ve done for us.  Don’t be afraid. Krishna will wash away all of your fears. Just remember Krishna and he will be with you on your journey.”

When Ruci came back she was torn about what to do. She didn’t want to leave, but she was emotionally and physically exhausted.  She prayed to be there for his departure. She tried to find his pulse but couldn’t. She hadn’t been able to find his pulse for hours. She went out to the nurse’s desk and asked them to come and check for his pulse. She went back to the room and continued chanting. After five minutes no one had come in.  And as she chanted the Holy Name, quite suddenly and uneventfully, Al took three final breaths and left his body. Then no breathing. Nothing.  

Outside the room the nurse and two attendants were speaking together. Ruci peeked her head out the door and calmly  told them that she thought her father had passed away. They all rushed into the room and hovered over the bed. Then Al let out one last great sigh and was gone.  “He’s a fighter,” the nurse said.  I had stepped out of the room for a few minutes and returned after Al’s departure. Ruci and the three of them standing around the bed in a hallowed silence.   It had been about 25 minutes since Al received the Deities’ garland and water. 

After the two attendants left tearfully, expressing their condolences, the nurse looked at us. You could see she was trying to put things together: how Ruci calmly mentioned that her father had passed. That there had been no struggle on Al’s part. The whole atmosphere was calm. We were calm. She noticed our bead bags. Finally she asked, “What religion are you?”

Ruci and I explained to her that we are devotees of Krishna. That we lived at the Hare Krishna community.  She sincerely asked questions and for a few moments we spoke to her about Krishna Consciousness. She thanked us and quietly left to make arrangements.

Krishna had fulfilled Ruci’s desire to assist her father at the moment of death. She was sad but grateful. It also turned into an opportunity to tell people about Krishna. I think Al will get the benefit for arranging that.  And Al hit it close to the mark. He went into Stage Four on the fifth day and departed on the sixth.

  


The Passing of Ruci’s Father – 2 of 2 Parts
→ NY Times & Bhagavad Gita Sanga/ Sankirtana Das



As it turned out Al had three cancerous tumors in his brain. They were spreading rapidly. It was terminal. In the hospital, at the bedside, our family doctor told him that he didn’t have much time left. I was surprised when Al asked if he could get two or three more years. And after all those times when he said that he was ready to go. I guess, we never give up the desire to stay alive. 

Actually, his condition was sever. The doctor thought that he had less then two weeks.  Fortunately, a bed was available at a local hospice center called Liza’s Place. The ambulance took him there the next day. He settled in and  spent several happy days there attended to by Ruci and her two siblings who had quickly arrived.

On one of the days Al just said, “I have five days left.” It was a casual remark. The nurses took it seriously. They said that patients often knew when they would depart. Then his conditioned worsened rapidly. At that time, when Ruci would say “Hare Krishna” to him, Al responded with “Hare Krishna.” Ruci’s brother and sister had to leave. Ruci prayed that she would be there when her father passed, to attend to him and guide him.  Al’s “Hare Krishna” became feebler and finally there was no response at all. He had also started picking at the thin air with his finger tips.

That Friday Al went into what the hospice people refer to as Stage Four. It was the finally stage. Barely conscious. Eyes open, but no eye contact. The patient is not communicative in the least. The last days. But we and the hospice people knew that hearing is the last sense to go. Ruci spent all day Friday chanting to him and telling him that we would all be OK if he wanted to leave his body.

The next morning, Gopa drove Ruci to the hospice and she  was back at her father’s bedside by 10. I had a leisurely morning. It was all too intense for me with my own heart condition.  I went down to the temple for lunch. I also got a flower garland from the altar and a little caritamrita (the Lord’s bathwater).

When I arrived at the hospice Ruci put some drops of caritamrita on his tongue (Al’s mouth was open, breathing heavily and his head stretched back – also a sign of Stage Four).  I placed the flower garland on his chest.  Ruci  brought one of the flowers to his nose and then dabbed it along his forehead and on his eyes.

Ruci took a break and I stayed with Al, chanting to him. After a few minutes I wondered what it was like to be in his position.  I imagined he felt alone and fearful. I spoke to him. “Krishna is your friend. There’s nothing to worry about. Krishna is our father, our mother, our eternal guide, our dearmost friend. You’ve lived a good life. Now just remember Krishna. Think of Krishna. Krishna will help you. Krishna will guide you. You can easily cross over. It’s OK. We’re fine. Thank you for all you’ve done for us.  Don’t be afraid. Krishna will wash away all of your fears. Just remember Krishna and he will be with you on your journey.”

When Ruci came back she was torn about what to do. She didn’t want to leave, but she was emotionally and physically exhausted.  She prayed to be there for his departure. She tried to find his pulse but couldn’t. She hadn’t been able to find his pulse for hours. She went out to the nurse’s desk and asked them to come and check for his pulse. She went back to the room and continued chanting. After five minutes no one had come in.  And as she chanted the Holy Name, quite suddenly and uneventfully, Al took three final breaths and left his body. Then no breathing. Nothing.  

Outside the room the nurse and two attendants were speaking together. Ruci peeked her head out the door and calmly  told them that she thought her father had passed away. They all rushed into the room and hovered over the bed. Then Al let out one last great sigh and was gone.  “He’s a fighter,” the nurse said.  I had stepped out of the room for a few minutes and returned after Al’s departure. Ruci and the three of them standing around the bed in a hallowed silence.   It had been about 25 minutes since Al received the Deities’ garland and water. 

After the two attendants left tearfully, expressing their condolences, the nurse looked at us. You could see she was trying to put things together: how Ruci calmly mentioned that her father had passed. That there had been no struggle on Al’s part. The whole atmosphere was calm. We were calm. She noticed our bead bags. Finally she asked, “What religion are you?”

Ruci and I explained to her that we are devotees of Krishna. That we lived at the Hare Krishna community.  She sincerely asked questions and for a few moments we spoke to her about Krishna Consciousness. She thanked us and quietly left to make arrangements.

Krishna had fulfilled Ruci’s desire to assist her father at the moment of death. She was sad but grateful. It also turned into an opportunity to tell people about Krishna. I think Al will get the benefit for arranging that.  And Al hit it close to the mark. He went into Stage Four on the fifth day and departed on the sixth.

  


Easy Journey to Other Planets
→ TKG Academy

In the Month of January, we started an Astronomy Unit with the Upper Elementary class.  Using our Abeka Science books for 3rd to 6th grade, we learned all the technical terms for the different parts of the cosmos and what has been discovered in the past hundreds of years.

It is also important that we understand the Vedic perspective of Science as presented by Srila Prabhupada in his many teachings.   This fosters much discussion in our classrooms about the demigods, the creation, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Shiva and the cosmos as is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam.  It is amazing to see the students faith and interest in connecting what they are learning to what they already know about Krishna’s universe.

We started our course learning about the Sun.  Read about it in detail here!

The next week brought the study of the Moon, Chandra deva.  We did a moon phases project and discussed the journey of the Astronomers to the Moon and the Vedic perspective.  Take a look at our delicious healthy Moon Charts.

Our third week was spent doing study on all the planets of the Solar System and creating a Solar System in Art Class.

In the fourth week, we learned the differences between the Constellations in the night sky, read about Dhruva Maharaj’s planet the Pole Star, and made Constellations patterns shine through the window.

The Unit culminated in an incredible Field Trip to the Planetarium in UTA, where we saw the night sky and planets come to life in the IMAX theater presentation.  The Field trip ended with a really cool science magic show.

The fifth week we did Review and Tests of all the information that the students had learned about the universe.   This cemented the knowledge learned and showed us how much they had retained.

That Other Forest
→ Devamrita Swami's Facebook notes

The Forest of Material Enjoyment offers meager and miserly, stingy and mingy sexual gratification in return for our constant struggling with its immense obstacles and exasperating deficiencies. 

You see, on the material platform, living a "balanced life" is impossible, because the uncontrolled mind and senses dictate the whole temporary show.

The other option? Krishna's supreme playground, the Vrindavana forest, infinitely attracts all five senses. There, purely spiritual sense objects nourish each spiritual sense of the spiritual body. Krishna, of course, leads the way in purely blissful forest adventures. But eternally emember the crucial distinction: He enjoys directly, whereas we, His parts, enjoy by serving and relishing His enjoyment. 

Just by our hearing of how Krishna enjoys the Vrindavana forest brings us precious relief from the blazing forest fire of material existence. What's more, simply hearing attentively of how Krishna enjoys gradually brings us the supreme dynamic of life: spotless love for Krishna.

Eyes: the stunning beauty of Vrindavana's forest scenery—trees, flowers, lakes, rivers—gladdens the sense of sight.

Nose: the omnipresent fragrance of lotus flowers enlivens the sense of smell.

Ears: the sounds of birds, bees, and other forest animals enchant the sense of hearing.

Tongue: delightful flavours from the sweet water of transparent lakes, transported by the forest breezes, enliven the sense of taste.

Touch: cooling droplets of water carried from those same forest lakes by those same breezes stimulate the tactile sense.

Krishna feels pleased by the atmosphere of the Vrindavana forest. The Supreme Personality of Pleasure, He personally appreciates how the forest strives to serve Him with pleasure.

Let's go there.

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead looked over that forest, which resounded with the charming sounds of bees, animals and birds, and which was enhanced by a lake whose clear water resembled the minds of great souls and by a breeze carrying the fragrance of hundred-petaled lotuses. Seeing all this, Lord Krishna decided to enjoy the auspicious atmosphere." (S. bhag. 10:15:3)


That Other Forest
→ Devamrita Swami's Facebook notes

The Forest of Material Enjoyment offers meager and miserly, stingy and mingy sexual gratification in return for our constant struggling with its immense obstacles and exasperating deficiencies. 

You see, on the material platform, living a "balanced life" is impossible, because the uncontrolled mind and senses dictate the whole temporary show.

The other option? Krishna's supreme playground, the Vrindavana forest, infinitely attracts all five senses. There, purely spiritual sense objects nourish each spiritual sense of the spiritual body. Krishna, of course, leads the way in purely blissful forest adventures. But eternally emember the crucial distinction: He enjoys directly, whereas we, His parts, enjoy by serving and relishing His enjoyment. 

Just by our hearing of how Krishna enjoys the Vrindavana forest brings us precious relief from the blazing forest fire of material existence. What's more, simply hearing attentively of how Krishna enjoys gradually brings us the supreme dynamic of life: spotless love for Krishna.

Eyes: the stunning beauty of Vrindavana's forest scenery—trees, flowers, lakes, rivers—gladdens the sense of sight.

Nose: the omnipresent fragrance of lotus flowers enlivens the sense of smell.

Ears: the sounds of birds, bees, and other forest animals enchant the sense of hearing.

Tongue: delightful flavours from the sweet water of transparent lakes, transported by the forest breezes, enliven the sense of taste.

Touch: cooling droplets of water carried from those same forest lakes by those same breezes stimulate the tactile sense.

Krishna feels pleased by the atmosphere of the Vrindavana forest. The Supreme Personality of Pleasure, He personally appreciates how the forest strives to serve Him with pleasure.

Let's go there.

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead looked over that forest, which resounded with the charming sounds of bees, animals and birds, and which was enhanced by a lake whose clear water resembled the minds of great souls and by a breeze carrying the fragrance of hundred-petaled lotuses. Seeing all this, Lord Krishna decided to enjoy the auspicious atmosphere." (S. bhag. 10:15:3)


The Passing of Ruci’s Father – 1 of 2 Parts
→ NY Times & Bhagavad Gita Sanga/ Sankirtana Das



Ruci’s father, Al Iannuzzi – aged 98,  passed away last month, just about a month shy of his 99th birthday. Ten months earlier, his wife Ruth passed away at 95  (see my articles from last year about that). They had moved in with us in 2004. They said they wanted to spend the last years of their lives with us here in New Vrindaban. They had started their yearly visits to the community in the late 70’s shortly after my wife and I moved here.  After Ruth’s death, Al soldiered on surprisingly well.  They had been together for 75 years and he often expressed how he missed his wife tremendously.

At 98, Al didn’t look his age. He was in pretty decent health, and was mentally sound. During his last couple of years Al  had this thing about God and religion. There was so much fighting in the name of religion. Why would God allow that? And all the injustices that took place in the name of God. It didn’t make any sense to him. Still he acknowledged that he had a good life and that he couldn’t complain. Al was a good  and kind man. Even though there were problems along the way, things always seemed to work out. He was quite happy that he and Ruth had come to live with us. Over the years they often enjoyed going to the temple to talk with devotees and guests. Al really enjoyed meeting different types of people and he especially liked talking with devotees, and the devotees were kind and respectful to him.

In his last months, he rarely left the house. His condition went downhill in November. His left arm suddenly grew weak. He noticeably started to forget things. We suspected he had a mini-stroke. On a doctor’s visit the doctor wanted to run some tests and blood work to get a better understanding of his condition. “What for?” Al said, “I’ve lived long enough. I’m ready to go.”

After that, as the days passed, each morning in the kitchen Al would say how lousy he felt.  It became a morning ritual. Every morning he would say “What’s the purpose of living this long? It’s unnatural.” He advised against it. “I’m ready to go,” he would say.  Ruci and I tried to nudge him toward meditating upon Krishna’s name, but he just shrugged his shoulders. Not that he was against Krishna Consciousness. He often joked that when he reached his 100th birthday the devotees could come and sing to him – and he would sing along  too. Maybe, in his own way, he was petitioning Krishna to live to 100.

Then one morning in the beginning of January, he didn’t show up in the kitchen. Later in the morning I went to see him. I found him in his easy chair, barely able to move. Al said that he had a bad night. That he had been in pain. He was reluctant to admit it, but he finally said he was still in pain. And when he stood up he wobbled.  But he was stubborn.  He didn’t want to take my help and  Ruci was with her class. It took me almost two hours to convince  him to go to the ER.  I was exhausted. My son drove in from town to help Al get to the car. He was still reluctant to go but we finally left for the ER. 

The Passing of Ruci’s Father – 1 of 2 Parts
→ NY Times & Bhagavad Gita Sanga/ Sankirtana Das



Ruci’s father, Al Iannuzzi – aged 98,  passed away last month, just about a month shy of his 99th birthday. Ten months earlier, his wife Ruth passed away at 95  (see my articles from last year about that). They had moved in with us in 2004. They said they wanted to spend the last years of their lives with us here in New Vrindaban. They had started their yearly visits to the community in the late 70’s shortly after my wife and I moved here.  After Ruth’s death, Al soldiered on surprisingly well.  They had been together for 75 years and he often expressed how he missed his wife tremendously.

At 98, Al didn’t look his age. He was in pretty decent health, and was mentally sound. During his last couple of years Al  had this thing about God and religion. There was so much fighting in the name of religion. Why would God allow that? And all the injustices that took place in the name of God. It didn’t make any sense to him. Still he acknowledged that he had a good life and that he couldn’t complain. Al was a good  and kind man. Even though there were problems along the way, things always seemed to work out. He was quite happy that he and Ruth had come to live with us. Over the years they often enjoyed going to the temple to talk with devotees and guests. Al really enjoyed meeting different types of people and he especially liked talking with devotees, and the devotees were kind and respectful to him.

In his last months, he rarely left the house. His condition went downhill in November. His left arm suddenly grew weak. He noticeably started to forget things. We suspected he had a mini-stroke. On a doctor’s visit the doctor wanted to run some tests and blood work to get a better understanding of his condition. “What for?” Al said, “I’ve lived long enough. I’m ready to go.”

After that, as the days passed, each morning in the kitchen Al would say how lousy he felt.  It became a morning ritual. Every morning he would say “What’s the purpose of living this long? It’s unnatural.” He advised against it. “I’m ready to go,” he would say.  Ruci and I tried to nudge him toward meditating upon Krishna’s name, but he just shrugged his shoulders. Not that he was against Krishna Consciousness. He often joked that when he reached his 100th birthday the devotees could come and sing to him – and he would sing along  too. Maybe, in his own way, he was petitioning Krishna to live to 100.

Then one morning in the beginning of January, he didn’t show up in the kitchen. Later in the morning I went to see him. I found him in his easy chair, barely able to move. Al said that he had a bad night. That he had been in pain. He was reluctant to admit it, but he finally said he was still in pain. And when he stood up he wobbled.  But he was stubborn.  He didn’t want to take my help and  Ruci was with her class. It took me almost two hours to convince  him to go to the ER.  I was exhausted. My son drove in from town to help Al get to the car. He was still reluctant to go but we finally left for the ER. 

A Story of Devotion
- TOVP.org

One devotee’s account of how he was inspired to donate to the TOVP

I came in touch with Krishna Consciousness in 2004 when I joined the Government Polytechnic College in Coimbatore. An ISKCON temple was near my college. I very much got inspiration from the lectures of HH Bhakti Vinode Swami Maharaj, who was at that time HG Sarveswara Prabhu, temple president of ISKCON, Coimbatore. I am always in debt to Maharaj and the Coimbatore devotees.

Around May 2010, I joined some college friends on a tour to Mayapur Dham for one spiritual camp from the VOICE (Student wing of Pune) program. At this time, I was completing my B.Tech and planned to do my MBA. My desire was to earn an MBA so I would be able to contribute to ISKCON a little more. The construction of the temple had started and when something is made gorgeously for God, it attracts me very much. I desired to take part in it. As far as I recall, that day was Bhisma Ekadasi. In May, by the mercy of the devotees, I was able to observe nirjala fasting. The next morning one devotee was describing the glories of Ekadasi. Prabhuji also informed us that if somebody asks something from the Lord after observing and before breaking the fast, the Lord fulfills his desire. So, before breaking the fast I prayed in the dham that I may take part in this wonderful project. At that time I didn’t know the glories of this magnanimous project (even now I also don’t know properly), I didn’t know that HG Ambarisha Prabhu was the chairman of this project.

I joined VIT in the same year. After few days of joining, I was walking on the footpath of our campus. Suddenly it came in my mind to invite HG Ambarish Prabhu for a visit. Fortunately I received Prabhuji’s mail id. One day I prayed to Prabhupada intensely before writing the letter. After sending the mail, I slept. I was almost sure I would not get any reply because it is easily understood that he is a very busy personality. After half an hour I woke up and wished to check the mail. When I opened the mail, there was a reply! I got an invitation to visit him on 1st November, 2010. The next day (another Ekadasi), we got his darshan during Mangal Aratik. Then I went to his office, from there one devotee showed me where he stays. Later I came to know that the devotee who showed us the way was our dear HG Sadbhuja Prabhu. I was feeling very nervous when I met Ambarisha Prabhu because I was aware that I am not qualified to meet him. We started communicating through mail after this meeting. HG Ambarish Prabhuji’s kind replies were so inspiring. It showed me that if there is love, duty automatically follows. He is so reserved I understood he would never glorify himself. When the time came for him to visit my university and I was preparing his bio data, I didn’t ask him anything. I came to know the struggle he tolerated for the TOVP as a service to Srila Prabhupada and for the welfare of humanity. His love and dedication to Srila Prabhupad are unbelievable. We can never repay him. I love him and honor him as my own father.

I had some laxmi in my hand before joining my company, Rs 60,000. One of my devotee friends from the Pune temple said they needed laxmi. I also heard that HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj desired to inaugurate the temple as early as possible. So, as we are in the shelter of Maharaj and Radheshyam prabhu, I felt it is my basic duty to serve the devotees and to fulfill Maharaja’s desire. I donated Rs.25,000 to the Pune temple and the remaining money I kept to offer Ambarisha Prabhu as my little service to Prabhupad and Prabhuji. I was very much interested to contribute from my first job and salary to the TOVP, but due to my salary limitation I was unable to do much. I use to get in hand Rs.13,000-14,000 per month max. My company timings were also hectic for my sadhana. I had to start at 11am at the office and use to return at nearly 11pm. And for mangal arati I used to get up at 3-3:30am. So, in average I used to sleep 3-4hours max. I wished to donate 1 lakh by October, the time when Prabhuji planned to visit India with his family. When I was leaving the company and got my last salary, altogether it just touched 1 lakh!! Krishna fulfilled my desire. Externally it may seem to be a little tedious but I felt great joy within and when I offered this little laxmi to Prabhuji, I felt so happy. So, if we can take Krishna consciousness and encourage others, it will be the real help to the needy. The secret of happiness is to offer to Krishna whatever we have to serve Him and His devotees rather than serve ourselves, ultimately we will only become happy and there is nothing to lose.
I wish rapid progress for the TOVP and beg blessings from all the Vaishnavas for my family and for me so that I may become eligible to serve and please HG Ambarisha Prabhu and all the Vaishnavas.

Thank you very much.

Your aspiring servant,

Saptarshi

why?
→ kirtaniyah sada hari

As some of you may know, I've taken on the challenge of writing on a verse of the Gita daily (www.gitaasitis.com). That's why I haven't been writing as regularly as I would like to here. That being said, today I wrote some reflections on Chapter 2, Verse 10 of the Bhagavad-gita and thought I'd share it here.

Verse 2.10: O descendant of Bharata, at that time Kṛṣṇa, smiling, in the midst of both the armies, spoke the following words to the grief-stricken Arjuna.

On the surface, this verse seems pretty astonishing. Krsna is smiling at Arjuna's grief? What kind of God is this? Someone who takes pleasure in others' suffering?

Firstly, let's clear one thing up. Krsna is not smiling at Arjuna's grief. Krsna is smiling because his dear friend has now taken shelter of him. He is smiling because Arjuna wants to let go of the material suffering he is experiencing, as a result of identifying with his body, and instead wants to understand what reality is all about. Now that puts things in a whole different perspective, doesn't it? Just like a parent who may smile with compassion and understanding when their child comes to them in a heartbroken state and asks for help, Krsna too is smiling because this dear soul is now turning to him.

Arjuna is putting all his faith and trust in Krsna, a lesson we can all take inspiration from. Oftentimes, when things don't go the way we want, when we lose loved ones and when we see someone else getting something we think we "deserve", we blame God. C'mon, if you are in any way religious, spiritual or just believe in a higher force or entity, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

Our problem is that we have been burned by the material energy so often. Not just in this lifetime but in previous lifetimes. Although we may not remember those previous lifetimes, what we carry with us are the impressions from those lifetimes. Having been hurt, disappointed, misled, and betrayed, it is no wonder that we have such a hard time trusting one another, what to speak of God.

God doesn't work by "our rules", which by the way are often different for every single living entity. He gives us what we need. And what is that need? Normally it's not the red Porsche, million dollar book deal or perfect relationship. No, often those things will just drive us away from him since we will feel we don't need anything but material temporary pleasures. What we do need is a reminder that our trust and faith should be put in that person who will never let us down - God.

But we forget this and keep questioning "Why? What did I ever do to deserve this?" Thing is, we cannot remember everything we've done to deserve what we're receiving now, but Krsna does. The law of karma states that for every action, there is an equal reaction. Because we tend to live our lives thinking that nothing comes before or after this lifetime, this truth doesn't often bring solace to the heart. But, if we were to actually remember this, things won't affect us as strongly as they do.

Krsna only wants us to come back to him. So everything that happens to us, whether good or bad, is actually an opportunity to remember that. Anyone who is aspiring to reconnect with God will go through this. "But why?" we may ask and the answer is actually quite simple. To make us stronger. To deepen our faith.

Growth only occurs when there is some pressure. Whether it be a weight-lifter, academic or aspiring bhakti yogi, we grow the most in difficult conditions. Not conditions that will break us, but those that will stretch us. God loves us more than we can even fathom, so the next time you pose the question "Why?" remember that. The answer is because we need to grow and he's giving us the opportunity to come closer to him.

why?
→ kirtaniyah sada hari

As some of you may know, I've taken on the challenge of writing on a verse of the Gita daily (www.gitaasitis.com). That's why I haven't been writing as regularly as I would like to here. That being said, today I wrote some reflections on Chapter 2, Verse 10 of the Bhagavad-gita and thought I'd share it here.

Verse 2.10: O descendant of Bharata, at that time Kṛṣṇa, smiling, in the midst of both the armies, spoke the following words to the grief-stricken Arjuna.

On the surface, this verse seems pretty astonishing. Krsna is smiling at Arjuna's grief? What kind of God is this? Someone who takes pleasure in others' suffering?

Firstly, let's clear one thing up. Krsna is not smiling at Arjuna's grief. Krsna is smiling because his dear friend has now taken shelter of him. He is smiling because Arjuna wants to let go of the material suffering he is experiencing, as a result of identifying with his body, and instead wants to understand what reality is all about. Now that puts things in a whole different perspective, doesn't it? Just like a parent who may smile with compassion and understanding when their child comes to them in a heartbroken state and asks for help, Krsna too is smiling because this dear soul is now turning to him.

Arjuna is putting all his faith and trust in Krsna, a lesson we can all take inspiration from. Oftentimes, when things don't go the way we want, when we lose loved ones and when we see someone else getting something we think we "deserve", we blame God. C'mon, if you are in any way religious, spiritual or just believe in a higher force or entity, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

Our problem is that we have been burned by the material energy so often. Not just in this lifetime but in previous lifetimes. Although we may not remember those previous lifetimes, what we carry with us are the impressions from those lifetimes. Having been hurt, disappointed, misled, and betrayed, it is no wonder that we have such a hard time trusting one another, what to speak of God.

God doesn't work by "our rules", which by the way are often different for every single living entity. He gives us what we need. And what is that need? Normally it's not the red Porsche, million dollar book deal or perfect relationship. No, often those things will just drive us away from him since we will feel we don't need anything but material temporary pleasures. What we do need is a reminder that our trust and faith should be put in that person who will never let us down - God.

But we forget this and keep questioning "Why? What did I ever do to deserve this?" Thing is, we cannot remember everything we've done to deserve what we're receiving now, but Krsna does. The law of karma states that for every action, there is an equal reaction. Because we tend to live our lives thinking that nothing comes before or after this lifetime, this truth doesn't often bring solace to the heart. But, if we were to actually remember this, things won't affect us as strongly as they do.

Krsna only wants us to come back to him. So everything that happens to us, whether good or bad, is actually an opportunity to remember that. Anyone who is aspiring to reconnect with God will go through this. "But why?" we may ask and the answer is actually quite simple. To make us stronger. To deepen our faith.

Growth only occurs when there is some pressure. Whether it be a weight-lifter, academic or aspiring bhakti yogi, we grow the most in difficult conditions. Not conditions that will break us, but those that will stretch us. God loves us more than we can even fathom, so the next time you pose the question "Why?" remember that. The answer is because we need to grow and he's giving us the opportunity to come closer to him.

Podcast 008 – Rasasthali sings the Maha Mantra
→ Oxford Kirtan

This is a recording of Rasasthali Devi singing the maha mantra at an Oxford kirtan in 2009.  Rasasthali, an Oxford DPhil student at the time, was a regular kirtan leader in Oxford. She is an accomplished musician and her tunes often hinted at her Polish origins.

She gained her doctorate in Oxford and moved, with her husband to the great state of Mississippi, USA, where they are both in University employment. They have expanded the population of the world with the birth of their baby boy. Happy chanting to all of them.

Podcast 008 – Rasasthali sings the Maha Mantra
→ Oxford Kirtan

This is a recording of Rasasthali Devi singing the maha mantra at an Oxford kirtan in 2009.  Rasasthali, an Oxford DPhil student at the time, was a regular kirtan leader in Oxford. She is an accomplished musician and her tunes often hinted at her Polish origins.

She gained her doctorate in Oxford and moved, with her husband to the great state of Mississippi, USA, where they are both in University employment. They have expanded the population of the world with the birth of their baby boy. Happy chanting to all of them.

Podcast 008 – Rasasthali sings the Maha Mantra
→ Oxford Kirtan

This is a recording of Rasasthali Devi singing the maha mantra at an Oxford kirtan in 2009.  Rasasthali, an Oxford DPhil student at the time, was a regular kirtan leader in Oxford. She is an accomplished musician and her tunes often hinted at her Polish origins.

She gained her doctorate in Oxford and moved, with her husband to the great state of Mississippi, USA, where they are both in University employment. They have expanded the population of the world with the birth of their baby boy. Happy chanting to all of them.

UTA Planetarium Field Trip
→ TKG Academy

Everything we had learned the past month came to life in our UTA Planetarium Field Trip!  Students got to see an IMAX size presentations of all the planets, go on a very dizzying roller coaster ride sitting right in the auditorium seats and pinpoint all the constellations that they had previously learned.

As an added bonus, we had scheduled a science Magic Show, where they saw styrofoam cups melt away, flowers turn into crisp icicles with liquid nitrogen, chemicals emitting flames, “elephant” toothpaste, and many more exciting science experiments!

How Can I Become a Peacemaker?
→ Matsya Avatar das adhikari


Part I 


Peace is the result of coordinated efforts and persevering attitude, but first of all it is the result of deep awareness of the concept of peace, in all its countless nuances and implications. The acquisition of this kind of awareness implies a broad-minded vision of all the dynamics implied that is in fact an indispensable way to start, in order to find in every circumstance the correct way of action, the one able to provide for a concrete development of peace at all levels (individual, familiar, social, political, economical).
Science and religious traditions of all times, agree by stating that there are universal laws which govern the universe (in Greek the word is cosmos, its meaning is either ‘order’ or ‘universe’). Such laws rule and support the whole creation and every manifestation of life, from mankind to the microscopic insect, and are the expression of an order that the modern quantum physics defines as “implicit order”, which is beyond mere appearance; a veiled, subtle reality from which derives “the explicit order” visible through natural phenomena.
In the Vedic Vaishnava tradition, this order is found by the reunion of life and the world and is known with the word dharma, from the Sanskrit root dhr which means ‘hold, support’, or else with the noun rtam, defined as "fixed or settled order, rule, divine law or truth” which derives from the Sanskrit root  ṛ- "to move, rise, tend upwards" that, in this case means  “regular flowing of things”.
By being really interested to build a world of peace we intend to be interested with knowledge and harmonization of these universal laws, which the religious tradition of all times consider the expression of a superior Intelligence, the cosmic Consciousness, God. Peace means to synchronize one’s own inner dynamics with the cosmos’ dynamics; by learning to move in harmony with that universal order which already exists (there is no need to make it up),  and whose infraction is the cause of unsteadiness, wounds, conflicts, within us and outside. Peace is not a need for a  moral order, it is an indispensable factor for man whose life, in order to live in harmony, is tightly connected to the whole universe and all the creatures in it. Without such awareness, the value of peace becomes a meaningless concept designed to remain ambiguous and prompt to be jeopardized by those who persevere in other purposes. In the name of such kind of peace, all the crimes committed in the present and the past, testify it as true.

How Can I Become a Peacemaker?
→ Matsya Avatar das adhikari


Part I 


Peace is the result of coordinated efforts and persevering attitude, but first of all it is the result of deep awareness of the concept of peace, in all its countless nuances and implications. The acquisition of this kind of awareness implies a broad-minded vision of all the dynamics implied that is in fact an indispensable way to start, in order to find in every circumstance the correct way of action, the one able to provide for a concrete development of peace at all levels (individual, familiar, social, political, economical).
Science and religious traditions of all times, agree by stating that there are universal laws which govern the universe (in Greek the word is cosmos, its meaning is either ‘order’ or ‘universe’). Such laws rule and support the whole creation and every manifestation of life, from mankind to the microscopic insect, and are the expression of an order that the modern quantum physics defines as “implicit order”, which is beyond mere appearance; a veiled, subtle reality from which derives “the explicit order” visible through natural phenomena.
In the Vedic Vaishnava tradition, this order is found by the reunion of life and the world and is known with the word dharma, from the Sanskrit root dhr which means ‘hold, support’, or else with the noun rtam, defined as "fixed or settled order, rule, divine law or truth” which derives from the Sanskrit root  ṛ- "to move, rise, tend upwards" that, in this case means  “regular flowing of things”.
By being really interested to build a world of peace we intend to be interested with knowledge and harmonization of these universal laws, which the religious tradition of all times consider the expression of a superior Intelligence, the cosmic Consciousness, God. Peace means to synchronize one’s own inner dynamics with the cosmos’ dynamics; by learning to move in harmony with that universal order which already exists (there is no need to make it up),  and whose infraction is the cause of unsteadiness, wounds, conflicts, within us and outside. Peace is not a need for a  moral order, it is an indispensable factor for man whose life, in order to live in harmony, is tightly connected to the whole universe and all the creatures in it. Without such awareness, the value of peace becomes a meaningless concept designed to remain ambiguous and prompt to be jeopardized by those who persevere in other purposes. In the name of such kind of peace, all the crimes committed in the present and the past, testify it as true.

The TOVP Architecture and Design Department
- TOVP.org

What have we done in 2012?

The Inspiration

As the clocks tick and calendars turn pages, the verdict of Lord Nityananda manifests into a tangible reality. Weaving the thread between then and now is Srila Prabhupada’s instruction to our beloved Ambarisa Prabhu, who has laudably carried it in his heart for over 30 onerous years.

While Sadbhuja Prabhu ingeniously puts the works into motion, Bhavananda Prabhu creatively reflects– what would Srila Prabhupada like? The three form a fascinating team of directors on an onward journey and an intimate guiding force for the TOVP Architecture & Design Department.

Nested in the city of Pune, this department has become the design development centre of the TOVP, assisting Sadbhuja Prabhu to create the Architecture and Construction Drawings.

Achievements

2012 has been a year of success for us in various ways, as we have completed the items below.

  1. Construction Drawings (over 120 drawings):
    1. All the Staircase Towers
    2. Main Wing
    3. Planetarium Wing
    4. Narsimhadeva Wing
    5. Ramps
  2. Finishing Drawings (75 drawings and still ongoing):
    1. Decorative Interior Columns and Arches
    2. Flooring Pattern Working Drawings
    3. Decorative Railing
    4. Door, Window details
    5. All decorative details
  3. Research Building Materials and Agencies (Ongoing):
    1. Blue Tile
    2. Gold Tile
    3. Specialized Glass for the big domes
    4. Glass Reinforced Concrete
    5. Elevator, Escalator Agencies
    6. Special Acoustic Material
  4. Landscape Layout concept

Design Development

From an architect’s perspective, the temple is designed to facilitate the performance of devotional service by crafting constructional elements into a stage, in which the link between building elements and participants is direct and unmitigated. The architecture is aimed to serve either as a prop or at other times, a focus of devotion to aid the spiritual exercise. In essence, it is a direct catalyst of the experience.

A significant milestone in our design process has been achieved by modifying the proportions of the columns in the Main Temple interior elevation consisting of 3 gallery floors. As a backdrop to the altars, it now strikes the optimum balance between the splendor and the anthropomorphic scale – an architectural intent of poise and elegance, ushering the vision towards the Proprietor of the TOVP residing in the altars.

The Team

  1. Vilasini dd (Varsha Sharma)– Architectural Co-ordinator, TOVP
    (M. Arch, The University of Arizona, Tucson)
  2. Anupama Gore– Architect (Proprietor, Piankh Designing Spaces, Pune)
    (B.Arch, MMCA, Pune)
  3. Devendra Dhere– Architect (Partner, DD Architects, Pune)
    (B. Arch, BVP, Navi Mumbai M. Tech, Urban Planning, COEP, Pune)
  4. Vrushali Dhere– Architect (Partner, DD Architects, Pune)
    (B. Arch, DYP, Kolhapur)
  5. Sandeep Khapte– Architect (Proprietor, Tanishqaa Architects & Planners)

    (B. Arch, BKPS, Pune)
  6. Anup Shah – Architect (Director, Medialab, India)
    (M. Arch, The University of Arizona, Tucson)
  7. Atul Jagtap – Office Boy

Anupama Gore overlooks the drawings released on the site and facilitates internal communication between the architects, at the same time acting as our ‘fireman’. Devendra Dhere and Vrushali Dhere, the architect couple complement each other in a way where one conducts the research of various suppliers and manufacturers while the other thoughtfully implements them on drawings and design research. For most of 2012, we also had Sandeep Khapte who tackled the challenging Staircase Towers, Kalash and other technical aspects of the building. Anup Shah, through his design and 3-D visualization skills, has facilitated in envisioning the temple interiors through experiential design process.

I am grateful for this team’s sincerity and attentiveness to the ‘mood’ of the TOVP.

Spiritual Melting Pot
→ Tattva - See inside out

It wasn’t planned, but it was a great opportunity. I threw together a few essentials, jumped on a rickety Indian bus, scrambled for one of the last remaining seats, and sat through a violently bumpy twelve-hour overnight journey. It was a tad uncomfortable but I accepted it as part of the experience. As we arrived at 6.00am in a chilly Allahabad, the thick fog began to disperse, and the sun rose to reveal one of the greatest congregations of human beings in any one place: “Kumbha Mela”. Held every 12 years, the festival attracts faithful pilgrims, inquisitive spiritual seekers, destitute beggars, famed yoga masters, and extreme ascetics rarely seen by the rest of civilisation. This year, over 80 million people will be magnetically drawn to this spiritual melting pot. No other religious gathering comes close to it in terms of scale.

The focal point of the entire site is the triveni-sangam, the meeting place of three sacred rivers: the Ganges, Yamuna and the subterranean Sarasvati. By bathing in the confluence at astrologically auspicious periods, lifetimes of karmic baggage can be destroyed, and one can free themselves from the complex meshes of action and reaction. Thus, one can transcend the temporal world of perpetual rebirth and open the doors to liberation. Needless to say I capitalised on the opportunity. It was a powerful experience. This human spectacle, however, has also become renowned as a forum to exchange spiritual values, religious ideas and moral codes. Above and beyond the exotic mysticism that can attract and capture one’s attention, these festivals offer the golden opportunity to meet saintly and self-realised people. This is the essence of Kumbha Mela.

But who is a true saint? The Bhagavad-gita explains that such persons are not stereotyped. They may be recognised by many people and famed in spiritual circles, or maybe not. They may be erudite, scholarly and philosophically astute, or maybe not. They may be renounced, austere and free from worldly responsibility, or maybe not. The one essential quality of the truly saintly person, however, is their enthusiastic, dedicated and unwavering conviction to selflessly serve. They exist to give happiness to others. It is those souls who we have to seek out, for the sacred truths of dharma are hidden within their hearts. As I head towards London Heathrow, I reflect on the many saintly people I have met on this trip. Over the years I have become more and more convinced that saints are not just personalities of the past, but that saints are also living in our midst. We walk and talk with spiritually evolved people more often than we may appreciate. I sincerely hope these special souls will remember me. I’ll surely be blessed if they do.

Spiritual Melting Pot
→ Tattva - See inside out

It wasn’t planned, but it was a great opportunity. I threw together a few essentials, jumped on a rickety Indian bus, scrambled for one of the last remaining seats, and sat through a violently bumpy twelve-hour overnight journey. It was a tad uncomfortable but I accepted it as part of the experience. As we arrived at 6.00am in a chilly Allahabad, the thick fog began to disperse, and the sun rose to reveal one of the greatest congregations of human beings in any one place: “Kumbha Mela”. Held every 12 years, the festival attracts faithful pilgrims, inquisitive spiritual seekers, destitute beggars, famed yoga masters, and extreme ascetics rarely seen by the rest of civilisation. This year, over 80 million people will be magnetically drawn to this spiritual melting pot. No other religious gathering comes close to it in terms of scale.

The focal point of the entire site is the triveni-sangam, the meeting place of three sacred rivers: the Ganges, Yamuna and the subterranean Sarasvati. By bathing in the confluence at astrologically auspicious periods, lifetimes of karmic baggage can be destroyed, and one can free themselves from the complex meshes of action and reaction. Thus, one can transcend the temporal world of perpetual rebirth and open the doors to liberation. Needless to say I capitalised on the opportunity. It was a powerful experience. This human spectacle, however, has also become renowned as a forum to exchange spiritual values, religious ideas and moral codes. Above and beyond the exotic mysticism that can attract and capture one’s attention, these festivals offer the golden opportunity to meet saintly and self-realised people. This is the essence of Kumbha Mela.

But who is a true saint? The Bhagavad-gita explains that such persons are not stereotyped. They may be recognised by many people and famed in spiritual circles, or maybe not. They may be erudite, scholarly and philosophically astute, or maybe not. They may be renounced, austere and free from worldly responsibility, or maybe not. The one essential quality of the truly saintly person, however, is their enthusiastic, dedicated and unwavering conviction to selflessly serve. They exist to give happiness to others. It is those souls who we have to seek out, for the sacred truths of dharma are hidden within their hearts. As I head towards London Heathrow, I reflect on the many saintly people I have met on this trip. Over the years I have become more and more convinced that saints are not just personalities of the past, but that saints are also living in our midst. We walk and talk with spiritually evolved people more often than we may appreciate. I sincerely hope these special souls will remember me. I’ll surely be blessed if they do.

In Energy Taxes, Tools to Help Tackle Climate Change
→ The Yoga of Ecology





The erratic weather across the country in the last couple of years seems to be softening Americans’ skepticism about global warming. Most New Yorkers say they believe big storms like Sandy and Irene were the result of a warming climate. Whether climate change is directly responsible or not, the odd weather patterns have underscored the risk that it poses to all of us.

What’s yet to be seen is whether this growing awareness of the risks will translate into sufficient political support to address climate change, especially after we figure out the costs we will have to bear to do so.

In his inaugural address, President Obama wove Hurricane Sandy and last year’s drought into a stirring plea to address climate change. “The failure to do so would betray our children and future generations,” the president said.

But even as he put global warming at the top of his agenda, he avoided dwelling on how much it would cost to address. And nowhere in his speech did he allude to the most powerful tool to address the problem: a tax on the use of energy.

In Energy Taxes, Tools to Help Tackle Climate Change
→ The Yoga of Ecology





The erratic weather across the country in the last couple of years seems to be softening Americans’ skepticism about global warming. Most New Yorkers say they believe big storms like Sandy and Irene were the result of a warming climate. Whether climate change is directly responsible or not, the odd weather patterns have underscored the risk that it poses to all of us.

What’s yet to be seen is whether this growing awareness of the risks will translate into sufficient political support to address climate change, especially after we figure out the costs we will have to bear to do so.

In his inaugural address, President Obama wove Hurricane Sandy and last year’s drought into a stirring plea to address climate change. “The failure to do so would betray our children and future generations,” the president said.

But even as he put global warming at the top of his agenda, he avoided dwelling on how much it would cost to address. And nowhere in his speech did he allude to the most powerful tool to address the problem: a tax on the use of energy.

Designer Forests
→ Devamrita Swami's Facebook notes

Which forest do you like? Life for me is a choice of two forests. Let's meet the options. First, the forest of material enjoyment—familiar territory to us all. As described in the Fifth Canto, Srimad-bhagavatam, this woodland beckons to us with material opportunities, acquisitions, and sense objects—all for me and mine.

Our enjoying spirit produces the bodily conception of life: "I've got to have it!" And then, "Got to get more." Like merchants seeking valuable commodities or nations probing the Earth for oil and strategic ores, we trudge deeper into the forest—sense gratification, achievement, and exploitation on our mind. After all, we are the predominators, the enjoyers, right?

Pitiably, though, what we planned as a profitable outing turns into a nightmare of entanglement, for the pure spirit soul. The summary of Chapter 13 tells us:

"In this forest there are plunderers (the six senses) as well as carnivorous animals like jackals, wolves and lions (wife, children and other relatives) who are always anxious to suck the blood from the head of the family. The forest plunderers and the carnivorous blood-sucking animals combine to exploit the energy of a man within this material world. 

"In this forest there is also a black hole, covered by grass, into which one may fall. Coming into the forest and being captivated by so many material attractions, one identifies himself with this material world, society, friendship, love and family.

"Having lost the path and not knowing where to go, being harassed by animals and birds, one is also victimized by many desires. Thus one works very hard within the forest and wanders here and there. He becomes captivated by temporary happiness and becomes aggrieved by so-called distress. Actually one simply suffers in the forest from so-called happiness and distress.

"Sometimes he is attacked by a snake (deep sleep), and due to the snakebite he loses consciousness and becomes puzzled and bewildered about discharging his duties. Sometimes he is attracted by women other than his wife, and thus be thinks he enjoys extramarital love with another woman. He is attacked by various diseases, by lamentation and by summer and winter. Thus one within the forest of the material world suffers the pains of material existence.

"Expecting to become happy, the living entity changes his position from one place to another, but actually a materialistic person within the material world is never happy. Being constantly engaged in materialistic activities, he is always disturbed. He forgets that one day he has to die. Although he suffers severely, being illusioned by the material energy, he still hankers after material happiness. In this way he completely forgets his relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

Now that was just from the chapter summary. Just think what the full chapter of verses and purports is like! And then because the audience didn't grasp the full import of this forest allegory given in Chapter 13, the speaker further elucidates, in the next chapter. 

Tell me, how can we go wrong, with all this crucial information, patience, and thoroughness at our fingertips? Yes, maya makes us crazy. We work, struggle, and exhaust ourselves, just to live a lie. Humans are madly deforesting the Earth, but unaided by Krishna, there's one they'll never clear: the forest of material enjoyment.

But what about the other choice of forest? We'll get to that next.

 

Chowpatty Festival, Mumbai © 2013 Michelle Haymoz

Chowpatty Festival, Mumbai © 2013 Michelle Haymoz

Designer Forests
→ Devamrita Swami's Facebook notes

Which forest do you like? Life for me is a choice of two forests. Let's meet the options. First, the forest of material enjoyment—familiar territory to us all. As described in the Fifth Canto, Srimad-bhagavatam, this woodland beckons to us with material opportunities, acquisitions, and sense objects—all for me and mine.

Our enjoying spirit produces the bodily conception of life: "I've got to have it!" And then, "Got to get more." Like merchants seeking valuable commodities or nations probing the Earth for oil and strategic ores, we trudge deeper into the forest—sense gratification, achievement, and exploitation on our mind. After all, we are the predominators, the enjoyers, right?

Pitiably, though, what we planned as a profitable outing turns into a nightmare of entanglement, for the pure spirit soul. The summary of Chapter 13 tells us:

"In this forest there are plunderers (the six senses) as well as carnivorous animals like jackals, wolves and lions (wife, children and other relatives) who are always anxious to suck the blood from the head of the family. The forest plunderers and the carnivorous blood-sucking animals combine to exploit the energy of a man within this material world. 

"In this forest there is also a black hole, covered by grass, into which one may fall. Coming into the forest and being captivated by so many material attractions, one identifies himself with this material world, society, friendship, love and family.

"Having lost the path and not knowing where to go, being harassed by animals and birds, one is also victimized by many desires. Thus one works very hard within the forest and wanders here and there. He becomes captivated by temporary happiness and becomes aggrieved by so-called distress. Actually one simply suffers in the forest from so-called happiness and distress.

"Sometimes he is attacked by a snake (deep sleep), and due to the snakebite he loses consciousness and becomes puzzled and bewildered about discharging his duties. Sometimes he is attracted by women other than his wife, and thus be thinks he enjoys extramarital love with another woman. He is attacked by various diseases, by lamentation and by summer and winter. Thus one within the forest of the material world suffers the pains of material existence.

"Expecting to become happy, the living entity changes his position from one place to another, but actually a materialistic person within the material world is never happy. Being constantly engaged in materialistic activities, he is always disturbed. He forgets that one day he has to die. Although he suffers severely, being illusioned by the material energy, he still hankers after material happiness. In this way he completely forgets his relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

Now that was just from the chapter summary. Just think what the full chapter of verses and purports is like! And then because the audience didn't grasp the full import of this forest allegory given in Chapter 13, the speaker further elucidates, in the next chapter. 

Tell me, how can we go wrong, with all this crucial information, patience, and thoroughness at our fingertips? Yes, maya makes us crazy. We work, struggle, and exhaust ourselves, just to live a lie. Humans are madly deforesting the Earth, but unaided by Krishna, there's one they'll never clear: the forest of material enjoyment.

But what about the other choice of forest? We'll get to that next.

 

Chowpatty Festival, Mumbai © 2013 Michelle Haymoz

Chowpatty Festival, Mumbai © 2013 Michelle Haymoz