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The most auspicious and powerful Pandava Nirjala ekadasi is approaching on June 10 (US) / June 11 (India). Observing a full fast, including water, on this one ekadasi is equal to observing all others. And additionally, giving charity on this ekadasi leads to “imperishable” results.
Srila Vyasadeva said to Bhima, “Oh Bhima, Lord Sri Krishna has said that whoever observes this Ekadasi should take a holy bath, give charity to a worthy person, chant the Lord’s Holy names on a japa-mala, and perform some kind of recommended sacrifice, for by doing these things on this day one receives imperishable benefits. There is no need to perform any other kind of religious duty. Observance of this Ekadasi fast alone promotes one to the supreme abode of Sri Vishnu. Oh best of the Kurus, if one donates gold, cloth, or anything else on this day, the merit one obtains is imperishable.”
Last year on Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi we launched the Pankajanghri Das Seva Campaign in honor of Sriman Pankajanghri prabhu to raise funds to complete the TOVP Nrsimha Wing. We continue that same campaign now for the same purpose, only the urgency level has heightened as we plan the opening of the Nrsimha Wing in the Fall of 2023.
Sponsor a Nrsimha Brick with your name inscribed and placed under the altar or give a General Donation by going to the Pankajanghri Das Seva Campaign page.
Be sure to watch the inspiring video, In Memoriam, dedicated to Pankajanghri prabhu at the bottom of this article.
This breathtaking, spellbinding and emotionally charged video will astound you. Your heart will be moved and your hairs stand on end. You will want to watch it more than once, maybe even five or six times. It will bring tears to your eyes and an outpour of love from your heart for this great servant of Lord Nrsimhadeva.
NOTE: Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi is observed on June 10 in the U.S. and June 11 in India. Please refer to your local calendar through www.gopal.home.sk/gcal.
View, download and share the TOVP 2022 Calendar.
Once Bhimasena, the younger brother of Maharaja Yudhisthira, asked the great sage Srila Vyasadeva, the grandfather of the Pandavas, if it is possible to return to the spiritual world without having observed all the rules and regulations of the Ekadasi fasts.
Bhimasena spoke as follows, “Oh greatly intelligent and learned grandfather, my brother Yudhisthira, my dear mother Kunti, and my beloved wife Draupadi, as well as Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, fast completely on each Ekadasi and strictly follow all the rules, guidelines and regulative injunctions of that sacred day.
Being very religious, they always tell me that I should also fast on that day too.
But, Oh learned grandfather, I tell them that I cannot live without eating, because as the son of Vayudeva, samanaprana (the digestive air) hunger is unbearable to me. I can give widely in charity and worship Lord Keshava properly with all manner of wonderful upacharas (items), but I cannot be asked to fast on Ekadasi.
Please tell me how I can obtain the same merits without fasting.”Hearing these words, the grandsire of Bhima, Srila Vyasadeva said, “If you want to go to the heavenly planets and avoid the hellish planets, you should indeed observe a fast on both the light and dark Ekadasis.”
Bhima replied, “Oh great saintly, intelligent grandfather, please listen to my plea.
Oh greatest of munis, since I cannot live if I eat only once in a day, how can I possibly live if I fast completely? Within my stomach burns a special fire named Vrika, the fire of digestion. Agni, the fire-god, descends from Lord Vishnu through Brahma, from Brahma to Angirasa, from Angirasa to Brihaspathi, and from Brihaspathi to Samyu, who was Agni’s father. He is the gatekeeper in charge of Nairritti, the south-eastern direction. He is one of the eight material elements, and Parikshit Maharaja, he is very expert at examining things. He examined Maharaja Shibi once by turning into a dove. (for further information on this incident see Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s Srimad Bhagavatam commentary to 1:12:20. Purport.)Agni is divided into three categories; Davagni, the fire in wood, Jatharagni, the fire in the digestion in the stomach, and Vadavagni, the fire that creates fog when hot and cold streams mix in for example the ocean. Another name for the fire of digestion is Vrika. It is this powerful fire that resides in my stomach. Only when I eat to my full satisfaction does the fire in my stomach become satisfied.
Oh great sage, I might possibly be able to fast only once, so I beg that you tell me of an Ekadasi that is worthy of my fasting and that includes all other Ekadasis.
I shall faithfully observe that fast and hopefully still become eligible for liberation’s release.”Srila Vyasadeva replied, “Oh king, you have heard from me about the various kinds of occupational duties, such as elaborate Vedic ceremonies and pujas.
In the Kali-yuga, however, no one will be able to observe all these occupational & functional duties properly. I shall therefore tell you how, at practically no expense, one can endure some small austerity and achieve the greatest benefit and resultant happiness. The essence of what is written in the Vedic literatures known as the Puranas is that one should not eat on either the dark or light fortnight Ekadasis. One who fasts on Ekadasi is saved from going to the hellish planets.”As stated in Srimad Bhagavatam (Mahabhagavat Puranam) 12:13:12 and 15, the Bhagavat Puranam is itself the essence or cream of all Vedanta philosophy (sara-vedanta-saram), and the Srimad Bhagavatam’s unequivocal message is that of full surrender to Lord Sri Krishna and the rendering of loving devotional service to Him. Observing Ekadasi strictly is a great aid in that process, and here Srila Vyasadeva is simply stressing to Bhima the importance of the Ekadasi vratam.
Hearing Srila Vyasadeva’s words, the son of Vayu, Bhimasena, the strongest of all warriors, became frightened and began to shake like a leaf on a banyan tree in a strong wind. The frightened Bhimasena then said, “Oh grandfather, what should I do? I am completely unable and ill equipped to fast twice in a month throughout the year! Please tell me of the one fasting day that will bestow the greatest benefit upon me!”
Vyasadeva replied, “Without drinking even water, you should fast on the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha (May-June) when the sun travels in the sign of Taurus (Vrishabh) and Gemini (Mithun).
According to learned personalities, on this day one may bathe and perform Achamana for pratiprokshana purification. But while performing Achamana one may drink only that amount of water equal to a drop of gold, or that amount it takes to immerse a single mustard seed. Only this amount of water should be placed in the right palm for sipping, which one should form to resemble a cow’s ear. If one drinks more water than this, he might as well have drunk wine despite the soaring heat of summer (in the northern hemisphere and cold in the southern hemisphere).
One must certainly not eat anything, for if he does so he breaks his fast.
This rigid fast is in effect from sunrise on the Ekadasi day to sunrise on the Dwadashi day. If a person endeavors to observe this great fast very strictly, he easily achieves the result of observing all twenty-four other Ekadasi fasts throughout the entire year.On Dwadashi the devotee should bathe early in the morning. Then, according to the prescribed rules, guidelines and regulative injunctions, and of course depending on his ability, he should give some gold and water to worthy brahmanas. Finally, he should cheerfully honor prasadam with a branmana.
Oh Bhimasena, one who can fast on this special Ekadasi in this manner reaps the benefit of having fasted on every Ekadasi during the year. There is no doubt of this, nor should there be.
Oh Bhima, now hear the specific merit one gets by fasting on this Ekadasi. The Supreme Lord Keshava, who holds a conch, discus, club and lotus, personally told me, `Everyone should take shelter of Me and follow My instructions.’ Then He told me that one who fasts on this Ekadasi, without taking even drinking water or eating, becomes free of all sinful reactions, and that one who observes the difficult nirjala fast on Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi truly reaps the benefit of all other Ekadasi fasts.’
“Oh Bhimasena, in the Kali-yuga, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy, when all the principles of the Vedas will have been destroyed or greatly minimized, and when there will be no proper charity or observance of the ancient Vedic principles and ceremonies, how will there be any means of purifying the self? But there is the opportunity to fast on Ekadasi and become free of all one’s past sins.
Oh son of Vayu, what more can I say to you? You should not eat during the Ekadasis that occur during the dark and light fortnights, and you should even give up drinking water (nir = no jala= water) on the particularly auspicious Ekadasi day of Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi.
Oh Vrikodara (voracious eater), whoever fasts on this Ekadasi receives the merits of bathing in all the places of pilgrimage, giving all kinds of charities to worthy persons, and fasting on all the dark and light Ekadasis throughout the year, in one go. Of this there is no doubt.
Oh tiger among men, whoever fasts on this Ekadasi truly becomes a great person and achieves all manner of opulence and wealth, grains, strength, and health.
And at the fearful moment of death, the terrible Yamadutas, whose complexions are yellow and black and who brandish huge maces and twirl mystic pasha ropes in the air for binding their victims, will refuse to approach him. Rather, such a faithful soul will at once be taken to the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu by the Vishnu-dutas, whose transcendentally beautiful forms are clothed in gorgeous yellowish garments and who each hold a disk, club, conch and lotus in their four hands, resembling Lord Vishnu. It is to gain all these benefits that one should certainly fast on this very auspicious and important Ekadasi, even from water.”
When the other Pandavas heard about the benefits to be gained by following Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi, they resolved to observe it exactly as their grandfather Srila Vyasadeva had explained it to their brother, Bhimasena. All the Pandavas observed it by refraining from eating or drinking anything, and thus this day is also known as Pandava Nirjala Dvadashi (technically it is a Maha-Dvadashi).
Srila Vyasadeva continued, “Oh Bhimasena, therefore you should observe this important fast to remove all your past sinful reactions. You should pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna in this way making your sankalpa declaration, `Oh Lord of all the devas (demigods), Oh Supreme Personality of Godhead, today I shall observe Ekadasi without taking any water.
Oh unlimited Anantadeva, I shall break fast on the next day, Dwadashi.’
“Thereafter, to remove all his sins, the devotee should honor this Ekadasi fast with full faith in the Lord and with full control over his senses. Whether his sins are equal in volume to Mount Sumeru or to Mandarachala Hill, if he or she observes this Ekadasi, the sins that have been accumulated all become nullified and are burned to ashes. Such is the great power of this Ekadasi.
Oh best of human beings, although a person should also give water and cows in charity during this Ekadasi, if for some reason or other he cannot, then he should give a qualified brahmana some cloth or a pot filled with water. Indeed, the merit achieved by giving water alone equals that gained by giving gold ten million times a day.
Oh Bhima, Lord Sri Krishna has said that whoever observes this Ekadasi should take a holy bath, give charity to a worthy person, chant the Lord’s Holy names on a japa-mala, and perform some kind of recommended sacrifice, for by doing these things on this day one receives imperishable benefits. There is no need to perform any other kind of religious duty. Observance of this Ekadasi fast alone promotes one to the supreme abode of Sri Vishnu. Oh best of the Kurus, if one donates gold, cloth, or anything else on this day, the merit one obtains is imperishable.
Remember, whosoever eats any grains on Ekadasi becomes contaminated by sin and verily eats only sin. In effect, he has already become a dog-eater, and after death he suffers a hellish existence. But he who observes this sacred Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi and gives something in charity certainly achieves liberation from the cycle of repeated birth and death and attains to the supreme abode.
Observing this Ekadasi, which is merged with Dwadashi, frees one from the horrible sin of killing a brahmana, drinking liquor and wine, becoming envious of one’s spiritual master and ignoring his instructions, and continually telling lies.Furthermore, Oh best of beings (Jivottama), any man or woman who observes this fast properly and worships the Supreme Lord Jalshayi (He who sleeps on the water), and who on the next day satisfies a qualified brahmana with nice sweets and a donation of cows and money – such a person certainly pleases the Supreme Lord Vasudeva, so much so that one hundred previous generations in his family undoubtedly go to the Supreme Lord’s abode, even though they may have been very sinful, of bad character, and guilty of suicide, etc. Indeed, one who observes this amazing Ekadasi rides on a glorious celestial airplane (vimana) to the Lord’s abode.
One who on this day gives a brahmana a waterpot, an umbrella, or shoes surely goes to the heavenly planets. Indeed, he who simply hears these glories also attains to the transcendental abode of the Supreme Lord, Shri Vishnu. Whoever performs the Shraddha ceremony to the forefathers on the dark-moon day called amavasya, particularly if it occurs at the time of a solar eclipse undoubtedly achieves great merit. But this same merit is achieved by him who simply hears this sacred narration – so powerful and so dear to the Lord is this Ekadasi.
One should clean his teeth properly and, without eating or drinking, observe this Ekadasi to please the Supreme Lord, Keshava. On the day after Ekadasi one should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form as Trivikrama by offering Him water, flowers, incense, and a brightly burning lamp. Then the devotee should pray from the heart, `Oh God of gods, Oh deliverer of everyone, Oh Hrishikesha, master of the senses, kindly bestow upon me the gift of liberation, though I can offer you nothing greater than this humble pot filled with water.’ “Then the devotee should donate the waterpot to a brahmana. Oh Bhimasena, after this Ekadasi fast and donating the recommended items according to his ability, the devotee should feed brahmanas and thereafter honor prasadam silently.”
Srila Vyasadeva concluded, “I strongly urge you to fast on this auspicious, purifying, sin-devouring Dwadashi in just the way I have outlined.
Thus you will be completely freed of all sins and reach the supreme abode.”
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Jyeshtha-shukla Ekadasi, or Bhimaseni-nirjala Ekadasi, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.
( Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi story provided courtesy of ISKCON Desire Tree).
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By Kamala Priya devi dasiIn the UK a regular stream of Ukrainian devotees are arriving from other European countries as well as from Ukraine itself. Devotees see the UK government’s Humanitarian Scheme to help Ukrainian Refugees as a viable option. Continue reading "ISKCON RELIEF FOR UKRAINE — Week 13 Report
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My dear godbrother Kshudi Das Prabhu posted this:
I had a wonderful dream.
In the dream I saw my spiritual master, guide, and teacher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He was talking with some important people. When he saw me, he came over to me. He took hold of both my hands. He looked right into my eyes like he used to do and said, “Do not worry. I am here for you. I will provide all the support and inspiration you need, just as I always have.” He touched my head and said, “I will stay in your mind.” Then he touched my heart and said, “I will stay in your heart.” Last he said, “When you die, I will come to get you and take you back to the spiritual world to be with me and Krishna.”
Yes, I had the most wonderful, vivid dream.
By Vijaya DasaAfter more than two years of Covid and three months of a war, we've got good news about book distribution in April in Russia and Ukraine. Moscow's Gita-Nagari temple did an astounding 23,359 book points, making it the No. 4 temple in the world. A second Moscow temple did 7,416 book points, and a small temple in Moscow, Nagornaya, did 3,253 book points, a 593% increase. The temple in St. Petersburg also had a great month, with 8,313 book points. Continue reading "WSN April 2022 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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Photo source: Time Magazine ‘Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.’ This is the worn-out phrase used by politicians who can’t offer solutions to curtail the level of violence in this country. When mass school shootings started, the politicians were probably hoping that it was just a fluke and that the problem would go away […]
The post The Never-Ending Tragedy of Mass Shootings appeared first on ISKCON News.
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2 February 2020, London, United Kingdom, Bhagavad Gita 9.22)
We have information on the surface – Google. But if you get information from the Guru instead of Google, you go much deeper. Prabhupada was walking on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, and he was asking his disciples, “Why is the ocean so peaceful?” It is one of those questions, why is it so peaceful? Prabhupada then responded himself, “Because it is very deep.” So, if we go deep, we can become peaceful. If we live on the surface, that means we are dealing with things with the external energy, and our mind goes into the things and the things go into our mind and we get preoccupied with all of them and carry them around in our consciousness. If we would however instead search for the cause of things, for the cause for all the phenomena, for the cause of the phenomenal world, then we will come to Krsna. And that cause is very interesting because it is not an impersonal cause.
There are so many impersonal forces in this world which cause anxiety. For instance, there are these black holes in the universe and they eat matter, they suck it up and they are everywhere. So, all these things – so much anxiety out there. When I was a kid, there was a television series called “Twilight Zone”, and this was a spooky show. One time, it showed how these extra-terrestrial beings landed on Earth and they were very intelligent. They had very high heads and as a result, had a lot of brain, but they were very friendly and they came to Earth with good intentions. They were kind to humanity and they helped in so many ways. They brought medical knowledge and other goodness to humanity. So, everyone was happy and then they invited people to come on board of their spaceship and it was a huge thing, a huge dome and they would get an excursion to their planet. People signed up and they were ready to go. It was really good and they were going and they got nice cabins and all. Then, one man who was actually a scientist said that he wanted to go. As a scientist, his specialty was decoding texts somehow or other and that was what he was doing. He discovered some old unknown text on board the spaceship, and he tried to decipher it. After one point after the spaceship had taken off, he was locked in his cabin and the door was locked. Then after a while, some food came through a little opening in the wall and then the door closed again. Anyway, he was deciphering that book and eventually after hours, he figured it out. It was a cook book, and it had recipes of how to cook human beings!
Anyway, so because these creatures had so much more intelligence than human beings, they saw human beings as sort of lower creatures and therefore there was ethically nothing wrong with eating them – that was their philosophy. Anyway, as a kid, these things spooked me out for a long time. I was looking up at the sky and even my father could not calm me down. Because I basically said, “Give me one argument why it could not be true? This could be true!” And he said, “Well, it could be true but it is not likely that it is true.” And I said, “But you said it could be true!” Then I looked up at the sky again in anxiety because I did not know what was out there, and I knew that my father did not know what was out there. And this was the cause of my anxiety because not even the scientists knew what was out there. So, in this way, we live in a world which is unknown to us. It is a world of anxiety because we are limited in many ways and anything can come out at us at any moment out of anywhere. So, it is best to simply focus on the cause of all instead, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna!
The article " The unknown " was published on KKSBlog.
Moncton, New Brunswick
Something Going On?
It is quite obvious to Ryan and I that Moncton is ripe for a Krishna temple. During our walks we are encountering people who are asking, “Is something going on with Radha Krishna?” (Meaning are there gatherings for the Krishna chant?). For example, Akshay, from Madhya Pradish, India, studied in Moncton, got his degree, and is now delivering pizza for that money he needs. He was in his car when he spotted us, stopped and asked the question.
“We are working on it,” is our usual answer. Indeed, our dear and trusted Kadamba Priya, from Fredericton, has plans to visit Moncton monthly to encourage bhakti in this fine city. One more thing, a local woman by the name of Nancy is determined to see that a place of devotional service is established. By what means, I don’t know, but the other night at Louis’ she spoke passionately about it.
At Centennial Park, we converged with Ryan’s family – his Mum, brother and niece. It was sweet to see the reunion. Then, his bro led us to Victoria Park, where his friends were conducting what they call yoga aerobics. As usual, whenever devotees are present, there will be kirtan, chanting, so Ryan pulled out his drum. I led the kirtan while family and friends chanted together. This drew the attention of Vaishnavi, who came with her question, “Is there something going on in town, chanting-wise? I know Etienne who used to have weekly sessions.”
So, you see, Moncton is ripe.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Moncton, New Brunswick
Perfect Saturday
Louis is a musician in town who holds mini-concerts in his home. For years he resided in Toronto’s “Little India,” where he purchased and played instruments traditional to Mother India – everything from mrdanga drums to sitar and ecktar. Tonight was our night to hold our concert, which included a book launch for The Saffron Path. It was after our music that Louis pulled out, one by one, his musical string pride in the form of instruments from origins in China, India, and Arabic lands.
We were packed in Louis’ living room, half with musicians and half with spiritualists and healers. All got charged up by the chants that our group of four projected through the mics and monitors. They were loving it. Some of the attendees dove in to our small boutique corner purchasing books and beads for the hands and beads for the neck.
You could not experience a better Saturday night. It was the ultimate party, not in a traditional wild sense, but in a “natural high” experience. The musicians were totally in sync with our groove. We were one.
For me personally, the warm up for the evening was the walk along the Petitcodiac River at low tide (here you can witness the world’s highest tide). Ryan and I took to the wind, the sun, and the smell of lilac. It was all good.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Moncton, New Brunswick
Kindness is the Highlight
I do get overwhelmed by people’s kindness. For instance, Ravi opened up his house to us. We were fed, looked after, and he and his good wife also entertained us trough their six-year-old. Our whole troupe –Mahadeva, Anna Purna, Ryan – and I find children adorable, and this little one, Achintya, shows us both reverence and crankiness. Such is the way of childhood, and I might add that those traits may never leave us.
Enroute, we went to Moncton. I guess you could say it’s the place of monks. It’s the next province over that we ventured to, through the rain.
Once again, human sweetness eked out. Alicia and Eric gave us their whole house while they took a trip to the Ottawa region. On top of that, Jason and Nicole, their family, came forward with a load of groceries and gifts to hold us over for the next few days’ stay.
During some downtime for both our troupe and the rain, Ryan and I took to walking towards downtown. In the process, we met on foot Sharmaji carrying a bag. I introduced myself.
“I’m Bhaktimarga Swami. And you?”
“I am here to live. I arrived from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, I came six days ago…”
It was easy to make friends considering our cultural similarities. I noticed in his bag he carried a new cooking pot. He is truly just settling down. He was so excited to meet some people he could connect with.
Lastly, we met Patelji. He saw us walking and spun his car around.
“Hare Krishna. Is there some ISKCON program?” Once again, we were overjoyed, naturally, in finding friends. He gave us a ride to our vehicle some kilometres away. Kindness. Hopefully we meet again.
May the Source be with you!
3 km
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
To a College Town
Near the home of Ravi, in Stellarton, the Albion Trail begins, which changes its name to Samson Trail as you approach New Glasgow along East River. It is a well-maintained earth path, soft on the feet, superior to asphalt, and it goes for a mere five kilometres – a perfect length for a person (me) on physio recovery.
Our forty-five-minute drive to Antigonish ended up being more of a sit-down at a gazebo with a creek to our side and green all around. The local news “The Casket,” took interest in my marathon walking history and so a shooting session at that shelter occupied some of our time. It was Ryan who had the itchy feet and heart. He wants to share the wisdom. Armed with books, the Gita (his favorite) and Chant and Be Happy, he approached the trickle of people coming through. He’s quite a pro at getting this wisdom in their hands and charming them to take them home.
This is better than I can do. My desire to spread jnanam (knowledge) is strong, but my skills fall far behind in succeeding to the purchase.
Merely by sitting at that gazebo, Annapurna and Mahadeva – who carry a cool appearance – drew attention; and I suppose my saffron robes did the same. Driving along the road was Sumintra (sounds like Sinatra) and she was stunned to see me. She pulled over and leaped out to shout, “I knew you when I was just a kid.” Now, in the midst of completing her medical exams, she is exhibiting maturity.
“You must come to our program in New Glasgow. We will be chanting and enjoying Krishna prasadam (food).”
She came, so did Aaron, Lindsay, Barb and others. So satisfying.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
Good in New Glasgow
At times I feel like I am imposing, along with whatever crew I travel with, when we stay at someone’s home. Afterall, there are four of us (Myself, Mahadeva, Annapurna and Ryan) and that might be hard to accommodate. It could be an inconvenience.
The feedback I get from our hosts, almost all the time, is that they really appreciate the stayover. It makes a difference to those benevolent hosts. I get remarks like, “Your staying with us has helped me to get up earlier.” Or, I hear them saying, “I take my chanting more seriously now.” Or, “I’m walking everyday. I make that commitment.” Or, “You guys are saving my life.”
Such is the appreciation we receive from folks who just roll over a bit to make space and who also end up feeding us. We appreciate all our hosts do. Thank you, Ravi and family.
It is in New Glasgow that Ravi set us up, in coordination with Anna Purna, to speak at the New Glasgow Library. We filled the seats. Attendees participated in the mantra. We dubbed our program as “A Monk, A Mantra, and Music.” It worked. We had a good talking session. We had laughs. They had questions about the trail experiences. Some of the folks had walked sections of the famous Camino in Spain. Our book sold. Mantra cards were taken.
It was a grateful bunch. We enjoyed a great Ekadashi meal at the end. No grains once every two weeks. Greens and potatoes filled our bellies. We are happy, in general, on the road.
May the Source be with you!
4 km
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Final Day in Halifax
One of our local community members, Hiren, led us on a cool walk near his home on a trail along the Chain of Lakes. The sun was upon us, the water to our side, trees every which way, and pedestrians sharing the path. It made for a good morning experience.
Back at Hiren’s home, we enjoyed brunch and, as anyone who knows me knows, I will insist on using or cooking what edibles we have in abundance. That, of course, is the delicious fiddlehead produce. Sorry to bring up the name of this superfood once again. Offer these great forest veggies to Krishna and mercy will come.
For the afternoon, our travelling troupe engaged in kirtan at Halifax’s Harbourfront. When the sun shines, expect a flow of people – tourists and locals alike. Frankly, I believe the university crowd at Dalhousie to be more receptive at a place called Spring Garden.
Good-bye to the great bhakti-yogisof Halifax. Practitioners and seekers are found in all towns, cities, and villages. From a wedding to an initiation (Ambarish) and to shopping malls for the book launch, it was all a great visit to Halifax.
Up the 102 Highway we went to our next stop, which is Stellarton in Pictou County, where we were greeted by Ravi, employee at Sobey’s Headquarters. This is a massive food chain enterprise that keeps the economy in the area alive.
May the Source be with you!
3 km
Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia
Kirtan Here, Kirtan There
Angiras, who is our gracious host, accepted diksha or initiation this morning. He took on the name Ambarish. He invited many of his friends to the ceremony, conducted by Kadamba Priya, and they were curious about this rite of passage. “Do you change the name on your passport now?” asked one comrade. As I mentioned in my talk at the event, which was a packed crowd in our host’s basement, “It doesn’t really change anything too much except that the candidate picks up speed in his/her spiritual endeavours.”
After the initiation, and after a kirtan in a new devotee’s home in the nearby Timberlea neighbourhood, our group headed for the Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth, to Decathlon, the sportswear shop, for kirtan once again. The shop is, of course, designed to get people fit in the out-of-doors, and some how or other it viewed our project of mantrameditation as fitting into people’s wellness. They also liked the notion of the Walking Monk speaking about his new book The Saffron Path, which is all about the benefits of introspective walking. Books sold.
From the sports centre we ventured off to Peggy’s Cove, a favorite spot for tourists and peace-seekers alike. There, we converged with another set of devotees, including the newly married couple from yesterday, and we again engaged in kirtan. We pulled out guitar, harmonium, and djembe to serenade seagulls and humans; lovers of the oceanfront and lighthouses. It’s all about getting lit or getting enlightened.
May the Source be with you!
4 km
Bedford, Nova Scotia
Wedding Bells at the Ocean
The Bedford Basin Yacht Club was the perfect venue for the marriage of local Haligonian Marshall Daley (a.k.a Mangalananda) and Ratri Saha (originally from Bangladesh). You have these still waters protected by Halifax harbour’s rock formations. It is a picturesque Maritime place.
The wedding, in Sanskrit it’s called vivaha yajna, attracted family and friends from both sides of the bride and groom. Rituals were performed outside, right next to ocean water, and the meal was inside the club. Ananda Gauranga flew in from Toronto to function as a priest, something he does so expertly. And our group provided the chanting for ambiance and purification.
The groom looked great, especially with a towering head dress, while Ratri the bride was beautiful, as only a bride can be. And it’s always great to meet the parents of both.
My message to the couple, and the attendees, in bullet point:
1) There are three important events in people’s lives – birth, partnering, and death – called hatch, match, dispatch.
2) I met the groom four years ago – he was then in his dreadlock incarnation
3) The world is a mess, so, my dear couple, have lots of babies – we need more good people
4) I met the bride, Ratri, at the Hindu temple and I was accompanied by Mangalananda at the time – it seemed that cupid also came to visit.
Overall, it was a charming wedding. Good chanting and good food.
May the Source be with you!
2 km
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Folks and Fiddleheads
One generous donor left us four hefty bags of the local fiddleheads from New Brunswick. The province boasts being the capital of this delicious forest edible. We had some for breakfast and some for dinner.
A sweet treat. Healthy. Green.
It was also our pleasure to make it to Sunnyside Mall in the next province over – Nova Scotia. Just north of Halifax is the community called Bedford, and it was advertised at this shopping centre that the Walking Monk, along with the dream team of musicians – Mahadeva, Annapurna, and Ryan – would be conducting a walk-talk and meditational music.
The mall was dead for a Saturday, due to it being a long weekend (Victoria Day is Monday) and the weather was nice. However, those who did come to hear, see, and sing were quality folks. I must admit, there were some real seekers in that mall. Ryan has gifts with bringing people in to our space, a former clothing shop. Indeed, the public is interested in pilgrimage, journey and self-discovery. Here in the Maritimes people take the time to stop and talk, unlike the mega cities.
I must give a special thanks to Angiras, Kadamba Priya, Savyasacin and others in the Maritimes for arrangements made. We all feel a special connection to our guru, Prabhupada, who has so kindly given us a way of living that is soul-satisfying.
May the Source be with you!
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Happy Sign
That happy sign “Trans Canada Trail” became visible as Ryan and I tread along the creek in a residential section of Fredericton. Its name is actually “The Great Trail.” It’s an old sign. In any event, when I see either signage it lightens my heart and I want to make use of the well-maintained trail, which is more than I can say for the roads.
“This is part of my physio,” I explained to Ryan. “Walking is the best exercise.” And while I was feeling the right knee to be more nimble and agile than in previous weeks, I know that the process of simply walking works.
This stretch of the 22,000-kilometre-long trail was a former railway line. Plenty of white pine lines the trail. Mosquitoes are out in abundance. They are not lined up but mystically they appear from anywhere.
For this east coast trip, our first engagement was held in the “Maritime Gita Bhavan.” This entailed chanting with guitar, harmonium, djembe, and tambourine. Our group had our hands on them all while voices were activated. We were pleased to hear attendees join us so enthusiastically. “Lots of new young families here,” I said upon observation of the attendance.
Actually, we made this event in addition to kirtan as a launch to the book, The Saffron Path. People easily scooped up copies, for a fee, as I autographed. In this way, I got to meet just about everyone on their way to the delicious prasadam, blessed food.
The program, this post-walking event, was a success.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Grand Falls, New Brunswick
Going More East
Mahadeva pushed it hard, driving us all the way to Levi, Quebec. Today we intended to go easier on the road and took a beautiful break at Grand Falls. These kinds of tourist attractions are not bad for us to pass some time at. We converge or rather bump into other travellers, make friends, and in some cases leave them with something spiritual to dwell on.
Spending time by running water (and in this case “spraying water”) amidst trees and people is so vital. It ensures good sleep as well. Our walking was limited, but by a gorgeous gorge.
We do find ourselves chained to machines and devices, though our group likes to boast “we’re nature lovers.” You can use all things to convey messages to others. We sat by the cascading water and set up tripod and phone for a Zoom class with the regular Thursday crew. Our topic on the Gita Chat was “Thrilling like the Waterfalls.” Very interactive. Very relevant. Chapter 12 of the Gita addresses the flexibility and inclusive nature of God. He is so accommodating.
We were somewhat disappointed that the local food store couldn’t supply the popular fiddleheads which New Brunswick is known for at this best of natural harvests. We settled for wraps with delicious plant-based goodness. Olives and humus made it complete.
With my quota of mantrasdone, breathing in great air and having the best company, the best rest was provided.
May the Source be with you all!
