Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Evert parent wants the best for their child, and for that, they insure them, send them to carefully picked schools, scrutinize their association, worry about them, etc etc. Love is something that forces a person to act on a quality platform. I've even heard that Mother Yashoda has a special breed of cows that are fed special grass for producing the best milk which will be churned into butter for Krsna. So if we think of Krsna as our child, and we want to give him the best, knowing well that giving Krsna the best in any situation will mean, ultimately, the best for us, then we should consider farming and cow protection a means for giving the best to Krsna. This requires contemplation; and contemplation on service to Krsna means contemplation on Krsna. So from a love of God perspective we should have farms. We can learn from those who have proper farms, regardless if they happen to be devotees or not. When we begin to express our care for Krsna in this way, I think we can develop deep affection for Krsna, which also means for Krsna's devotees. Would I rather give Krsna, my son in the form of the deity, fresh milk from the cow, or milk bought from the store; tomatoes, potatoes or whatever fruits and vegetables bought with harmful chemicals sprayed on them, or one picked from the garden? And as far as hard work is concerned, would I rather work hard for eternal purposes, or for temporary needs? Remember, Krsna lives in a village, not in a sky scraper town. Wouldn't it be nice if we can prepare ourselves for life there, by practicing here? OK, you live in the city, and according to your psycho-physical nature you cannot live on a farm; I suggest supporting a farm, or those who wish to develop one. After all isn't it a duty thing for those who hold houses? And you can come on weekends to the beautiful farm, get your vegetables, get a peace of mind from the city, and show the example for those who have similar aspirations.
Evert parent wants the best for their child, and for that, they insure them, send them to carefully picked schools, scrutinize their association, worry about them, etc etc. Love is something that forces a person to act on a quality platform. I've even heard that Mother Yashoda has a special breed of cows that are fed special grass for producing the best milk which will be churned into butter for Krsna. So if we think of Krsna as our child, and we want to give him the best, knowing well that giving Krsna the best in any situation will mean, ultimately, the best for us, then we should consider farming and cow protection a means for giving the best to Krsna. This requires contemplation; and contemplation on service to Krsna means contemplation on Krsna. So from a love of God perspective we should have farms. We can learn from those who have proper farms, regardless if they happen to be devotees or not. When we begin to express our care for Krsna in this way, I think we can develop deep affection for Krsna, which also means for Krsna's devotees. Would I rather give Krsna, my son in the form of the deity, fresh milk from the cow, or milk bought from the store; tomatoes, potatoes or whatever fruits and vegetables bought with harmful chemicals sprayed on them, or one picked from the garden? And as far as hard work is concerned, would I rather work hard for eternal purposes, or for temporary needs? Remember, Krsna lives in a village, not in a sky scraper town. Wouldn't it be nice if we can prepare ourselves for life there, by practicing here? OK, you live in the city, and according to your psycho-physical nature you cannot live on a farm; I suggest supporting a farm, or those who wish to develop one. After all isn't it a duty thing for those who hold houses? And you can come on weekends to the beautiful farm, get your vegetables, get a peace of mind from the city, and show the example for those who have similar aspirations.A 3 minute video of Bhima-Karma Saragrahi‘s dramatic, uplifting and introspective rendition of his poem “Turned Around.” He delivered it during the KM09 Gala Evening at the Ford Theatre in Hollywood.
In the ancient Sanskrit language, “Kuli Mela” is “A Celebration of Community.”
The main theme for KulimeLA 2009 was to “Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present & Envision the Future.”
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Los Angeles Gurukuli Reunion, the John Anson Ford Amphitheater, nestled in the Hollywood Hills, was chosen as an ideal location for Kulis to come together to acknowledge their collective history and appreciate the many accomplishments of the pioneer Gurukulis throughout the past two decades.
Dressed in formal and elegant attire, approximately one thousand Vaishnavas gathered to walk the red carpet and participate in an amazing evening that beautifully showcased “A Mosaic of Our Generations.”
CLICK HERE to check out the growing Kuli Mela video and audio selections on Krishna.com.
The Kuli Mela Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to connect our diverse and dynamic global community. We believe that by encouraging each other along our individual paths and by serving together in our shared goals we can make a positive difference in the world.
For more information please visit our KMA Facebook Page.
Video of Ananta Vrindavan singing an a capella combo of “Je Anilo Prema Dhana” & “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” during the KulimeLA 2009 Gala Evening at the Ford Theater in Hollywood. He dedicated his performance to “the memory of loved ones we’ve lost as a way to invoke their presence in our hearts.”
In the ancient Sanskrit language, “Kuli Mela” is “A Celebration of Community.”
The main theme for KulimeLA 2009 was to “Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present & Envision the Future.”
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Los Angeles Gurukuli Reunion, the John Anson Ford Amphitheater, nestled in the Hollywood Hills, was chosen as an ideal location for Kulis to come together to acknowledge their collective history and appreciate the many accomplishments of the pioneer Gurukulis throughout the past two decades.
Dressed in formal and elegant attire, approximately one thousand Vaishnavas gathered to walk the red carpet and participate in an amazing evening that beautifully showcased “A Mosaic of Our Generations.”
CLICK HERE to check out the growing Kuli Mela video and audio selections on Krishna.com.
The Kuli Mela Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to connect our diverse and dynamic global community. We believe that by encouraging each other along our individual paths and by serving together in our shared goals we can make a positive difference in the world.
For more information please visit our KMA Facebook Page.
Date: 1st June 2011
His Holiness Bhaktividya Purna Swami has been living in Sridham Mayapur for many years overseeing the training of students in Vaisnava Brahminical traditions. He is often referred to as Gurukula Maharaj. He generously shares his broad knowledge of Culture and Vaisnavas Behaviors in all his classes. He has been a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) since 1973 and, since 1974, his chief domicile has been India. A disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhaktividya Purna Swami is recognized internationally as an erudite scholar of Vedic studies.
Bhaktividya Purna Swami is renowned for his knowledge of ancient Vedic scriptures including Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, the Upanisads and the Puranas. Particular fields of expertise include the study of philosophy; Vedic psychology; relationship development; Vedic rites; and importantly the application of Vedic culture in day to day life. Bhaktividya Purna Swami leads the simple life of an austere monk in Mayapur, West Bengal, and occasionally travels to the West to present seminars and workshops.
Swami Ji did various programs around in Australia during his recent visit. The videos will be uploaded soon on this website. Hare Krishna!
A video montage featuring highlights of KM06 – New Vrindaban, KM07 – Alachua, KM07 – Moscow & KM08 – Radhadesh, shown during the KulimeLA 2009 Gala Evening at the Ford Theater in Hollywood.
In the ancient Sanskrit language, “Kuli Mela” is “A Celebration of Community.”
The main theme for KulimeLA 2009 was to “Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present & Envision the Future.”
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Los Angeles Gurukuli Reunion, the John Anson Ford Amphitheater, nestled in the Hollywood Hills, was chosen as an ideal location for Kulis to come together to acknowledge their collective history and appreciate the many accomplishments of the pioneer Gurukulis throughout the past two decades.
Dressed in formal and elegant attire, approximately one thousand Vaishnavas gathered to walk the red carpet and participate in an amazing evening that beautifully showcased “A Mosaic of Our Generations.”
CLICK HERE to check out the growing Kuli Mela video and audio selections on Krishna.com.
The Kuli Mela Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to connect our diverse and dynamic global community. We believe that by encouraging each other along our individual paths and by serving together in our shared goals we can make a positive difference in the world.
For more information please visit our KMA Facebook Page.
It’s always a great pleasure to welcome guests. However, it is much rarer and therefore, a lot more special when guests come from my wife’s homeland, Turkey. We were quite delighted when this year on the occasion of Nrisimha Caturdasi a few friends could visit us and stayed for almost a week.
Date: 18th May 2011
“The Emperor of Kirtan”
Madhudvisa Prabhu who was the GBC for Australia in the early 70′s performed the Kirtan at Bhakti Centre whom Srila Prabhupada named ”Emporer of Kirtan”. He shared the stories he heard from Srila Prabhupad about Lord Nrsimhadev. The Nrshimha Chaturdasi was also celebrated on Wednesday (actual date: 16/5/11).
Sivarama Maharaja advised me to read the likewise entitled article in the The New York Times. It speaks of the tendency that nowadays in a couple of hundred minor farming projects people return to ox-power. In several various kinds of works, which beforehand they conducted by tractors, now they work with oxen. However, not only the continuously rising petrol prices have a beneficial effect on the advancement of this trend. A few decades ago, farmers who worked with animals have been considered old-fashioned, obstinate, blockhead people. Children born in these families were ashamed of their kin, when they met with fellow kids whose parents ran their farm with modernized equipment. The joint spread of industrial revolution and consumerist society has led the world to an ecologic disaster. As a consequence of the recognition of the above-mentioned phenomena and the positive social feedback to it, traditional agricultural methods are not considered old-fashioned anymore, but on the contrary, are reflected on as progressional. As a matter of fact, this attitude gives inspiration, strength and self-esteem to all those farmers, who willingly turn back to the farming tradition of their great parents and elders.
This positive process is going to strengthen, if we, consumers are willing to look for produces grown in such farms. As, eventually, organic farms need not only an emotional support, but a financial one as well that can be realized by buying off their products, which comprise a lot of hours of hard work. The success of organic revolution depends on the mutual cooperation of the economic sector and consumers.
The volunteers and supporters of the village of Krisna Valley as well as the Eco Valley Foundation all work on the success of this process.
Date: 14th May 2011
HG Hari Sauri Prabhu is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who was blessed to be his personal servant while Srila Prabhupada was on this planet. He is the author of Transcendental Diary – a multi-volume rendering of his memories of intimate pastimes with Srila Prabhupada. He is currently working on archiving, restoring and digitalizing literature of our previous acharyas for the benefit of the world, in Kolkata India.
On Saturday 14th May at the Bhakti Centre, he showed a powerpoint presentation titled “Srila Prabhupada The Living Bhagavatam” and also a slide-show of the Vedic Planetarium that is being built in Mayapur.
He also spoke about the “Bhaktivedanta Research Centre” in Kolkata. The project needs your help, the Endowment Fund of US$220,000 would be sufficient to cover the ongoing operation costs from it’s interest rate, like Webmaster US$2,200 and other overhead costs. He also has books on sale for A$30. Please read more about his special project on the link below and you may contact him to make donations towards his project: http://www.vaishnava.me/iskcon-devotee/hari-sauri-dasa/2011/02/brc-quarterly-report-october-%e2%80%93-december-2010/
Hari Sauri Prabhu also did Bhagavat Gita classes in Brisbane and other locations during his stay in Australia. Hare Krishna!
Many come up with the question how is the new ecclesiastical law, which is in preparation, going to make freedom of religion more difficult especially in relation to preaching activities. A fundamental element of this is the freedom of book distribution. If you would like to experience some travel in time and try what it is like when one cannot distribute books on streets at all, then you should visit Istanbul for a couple of days. When I preach there, this phenomenon is not something we have to be afraid of, but it is true reality. However, it was not clear to me either that one cannot distribute even leaflets on the street, but after the first fine of approximately HUF 50,000, we learned the lesson quickly.
Therefore, we distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books to our guests in the restaurant. In the photo you can see a guest getting acquainted with the Vedic literature in the Govinda Istanbul Café after the Rama Navami festival program.
If you would like to be part of this fun-filled event, please let us know by contacting us and we will book a ticket for you! Tickets are selling fast and are expected to sell out, so please contact us within the next two weeks!If you would like to be part of this fun-filled event, please let us know by contacting us and we will book a ticket for you! Tickets are selling fast and are expected to sell out, so please contact us within the next two weeks!
MRIDANGA MUSIC VIDEO TO PREMIERE ON YOGAJOURNAL.COM MAY 19TH
Cross-over world music sensation and performance art troupe, The Mayapuris are to release a music video to showcase the title track of their hit album Mridanga (2010) which reached #7 on the iTunes world music chart the first week of its release. The video imbibes the dual nature that makes the Mayapuris unique: spunky and youthful with a new spin on the centuries-old chant culture of ancient India, kirtan. Their instrument of choice: the mridanga drum, a hand instrument invented over five hundred years ago as a portable and powerful alternative to the inner sanctum temple drums .
“Why the obsession with the mridanga?” asks Krishna Kishor (vocalist, flutist, drummer), “It was invented by Chaitanya, who revolutionized kirtan by bringing it out from the temples and into the streets for everyone to take part in. Through him we want to keep the revolution going. So…got to keep drumming.” In the video The Mayapuris are joined by The Temple Dancers consisting of Visvambhar’s wife Vrinda and his sister Ganga both of whom studied the ancient art of Bharatnatyam in South India.
The band’s ties to mridanga and kirtan run deep. All three of them attended boarding school in India where they learned the fundamentals of mantra music. Naming their group after the holy village of Mayapur, where the kirtan movement started, the Mayapuris returned home to Florida before signing to Mantralogy, a division of Equal Vision Records, in 2009. The title track of their first release, “Mridanga,” is the rhythmic instrumental composition that, when performed live, is a dance as well as a drum ensemble. It was an aspect that the band wanted reflected in their video.“We wanted it to have the energy and impact of our live performances,” says Kishor, “But with a twist.”
Gaura Vani and Rasa Acharya, who are both longtime friends of the band members and co-owners of their record label, Mantralogy, had ties to the movie industry and were eager to bring a fresh visual representation of the artform to the Mantra Music scene.“The Mayapuris are vibrant and fun people,” says Acharya who, alongside Vani, produced and directed the video, “It would be hard to not capture their spirit on camera.”
Visvambhar, lead-vocalist and drummer says, “I believe in kirtan. I believe people naturally want to give something–to sing and partake in mantra chanting. I see the Mantra Music scene growing every day in a big way. The video will add a new dimension to all of it as we begin to recognize chant culture as something much bigger than music.”
The video will premiere May 19th on YogaJournal.com and will later be viewable on YouTube, Facebook, Mayapuris.com and Mantralogy.com.
(1) Sharing gifts with others(1) Sharing gifts with others
We meet quite often with our neighbour, aunt Mary, when gardening. She tells us stories of her family and the good old times. Hladini wanted to visit her one morning, so they took her some tarhana (Turkish soup powder) as a gift. Naturally, auntie Mary reciprocated their kindness and gave us home-made tomato sauce and jam from pear and plum. During the summer the girls will make the preserving for winter together with her.
Hladini volunteered for the mission in Istanbul and wanted to accompany me on my last trip. She is Turkish and speaks the language fluently; therefore, she would be perfect from all points of view. When I tried to leave her behind referring to her young age of 2 and a half, she came forward with some impish trickery in order to get on the plane. 
On my last visit to Turkey I had the chance to visit Izmir as well. Izmir is Turkey’s third biggest town, a commercial and tourist centre, which has about 3.5 million residents. Nrsimha Krishna prabhu arranged everything about the trip, which takes 2 hours by ferry plus a 4-hour drive from Istanbul. The journey did not seem long as on our way there we were talking about our preaching plans. At the same time, I became familiar with the country also. I learned where they produce the Yörsan diary products, the Vestel household appliances and which area produces 50% of the world’s raisin output.
Firstly, we went to Alacati, where we met Nrsimha Krishna’s acquaintance, who welcomed us in an orange and lemon grove. I even took a genuine organic lemon for Hladini.
Afterwards we went to Izmir, where we visited a nice family of devotees. Madhu Madhavi is Azeri, who met her husband, Engin, a captain of a ship in Odessa. Their son, Artun is 5 months old. We spoke a lot about the practices of Krishna-consciousness in relation to family life, whereas, the grandmother had more questions on the philosophy. Next day, before departing we went to the city and looked for a nice spot for the to-be Govinda restaurant. On the photo we were walking on the promenade, which by Krishna’s grace could be a great place for the restaurant.
