Each spring, Lower Elementary students combine Math, Social Studies and ELA units to build businesses. They learn about needs/wants, supply/demand, services/goods and more. Their job? […]

In this album are close-up photos of our visit to the Jharikhanda forest in India. Being summertime the forest was dry, but the nectar flowed like water as we took darshan of Lord Caitanya’s lotus feet embedded in hard stone that had melted when He held kirtan with the animals in the forest. Their footprintsRead More...

By Praghosa dasa International Nurses day is today, the 12th May. Nurses’ Day is a chance to celebrate what nurses do, as well as an opportunity to say thank you to their service in our society. International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world every year on the12th of May, which is the anniversary ofRead More...

“Krishna’s face is decorated with ornaments, such as earrings resembling sharks. His ears are beautiful, His cheeks brilliant, and His smiling attractive to everyone. Whoever sees Lord Krishna sees a festival. His face and body are fully satisfying for everyone to see, but the devotees are angry at the creator for the disturbance caused byRead More...

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ISKCON Mayapur Management and the TOVP Team would like to invite all ISKCON devotees to watch the live Mayapur Nrsimha Caturdasi Maha Abhisheka celebration, May 15 on Mayapur TV from 4:30-9:00pm IST. The celebration will include an ecstatic abhisheka, a special movie premier, drama, guest speakers and more. The annual Maha Sudarshana Yajna will also be held on May 13 for the pleasure of Lord Nrsimhadeva.

Mayapur Nrsimhadeva was installed for three purposes: to protect the ISKCON gurus, to protect ISKCON and to protect the general devotees. Let us all show our gratitude to our Divine Protector in Sridham Mayapur by honoring His most holy appearance day and watch His remarkable and blissful abhisheka on May 15.

We can also show our gratitude by helping to complete Lord Nrsimhadeva’s new altar and temple hall in the TOVP by 2023. This important and critical event will be the forerunner to the Grand Opening of the TOVP in 2024 when Lord Nrsimha and all our beloved Mayapur Deities will be moved into Their new home to give darshan to the world for thousands of years to come.

Show your love to Lord Nrsimhadeva and also honor his dear servant Pankajanghri prabhu who left our vision one year ago by participating in the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser going on now from May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) until May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi IST). Your donation will be matched dollar for dollar by Ambarisa prabhu who is matching a total of $250,000.

Sponsor a Nrsimha Brick with your name inscribed and placed under the Lord’s altar, a Prabhupada Medallion or Award, Prabhupada/TOVP Trophy, or make a Pledge Payment or General Donation of any amount. Go to the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser page TODAY or use the links below and support this important milestone event.
 

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In Los Angeles on January 5, 1974, speaking on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.8, Srila Prabhupada discussed the process of deathlessness.

na kascin mriyate tavad
  yavad asta ihantakah
etad-artham hi bhagavan
  ahutah paramarsibhih
aho nr-loke piyeta
  hari-lilamrtam vacah

“As long as Yamaraja, who causes everyone’s death, is present here, no one shall meet with death. The great sages have invited the controller of death, Yamaraja, who is the representative of the Lord. Living beings who are under his grip should take advantage by hearing the deathless nectar in the form of this narration of the transcendental pastimes of the Lord.”

Srila Prabhupada explained, “If you remain in Krishna consciousness, Yamaraja will not touch you. Your death is stopped from the point where you begin Krishna consciousness. Your death is stopped. Nobody is prepared to die. That is a fact. You may say, I may say, ‘No, I am not afraid of death.’ That is rascaldom. Everyone is afraid of death, and nobody wants to die. That is a fact. But if you are serious about that thing, that ‘I shall stop my process of death, dying process,’ then it is Krishna consciousness.

“Therefore it is advised, aho nr-loke piyeta hari-lilamrtam vacah: ‘O human society, you have got this body. Just go on drinking the nectarine of krsna-katha.’ . . .

“This is the Bhagavata. There is no comparison. There is no literature throughout the universe like Srimad-Bhagavatam. There is no comparison. There is no competition. Every word is for the good of the human society. Every word, each and every word. Therefore we stress so much in the book distribution. Somehow or other, if the book goes in one’s hand, he will be benefited. At least he will see, ‘Oh, they have taken so much price. Let me see what is there.’ If he reads one sloka, his life will be success. If he reads one sloka, one word. This is such nice things. Therefore we are stressing so much, ‘Please distribute book, distribute book, distribute book.’ A greater mrdanga. We are chanting, playing our mrdanga. It is heard within this room or little more. But this mrdanga will go home to home, country to country, community to community, this mrdanga.

“So, it is advised that nr-loke. Nr-loke means the human form of body, in the human society. We don’t discriminate that ‘This is American society’ or ‘This is European society,’ ‘This is Indian society.’ No—all human beings. It doesn’t matter what he is. All human beings. What to speak of civilized men, even uncivilized . . . Externally, these are divisions. But these distinctions are the body. But the spirit soul is not this body. He is spirit. That quality is one. There is no such distinction, ‘This is better,’ ‘This is lower,’ ‘This is black,’ ‘This is white,’ ‘This is civilized.’ In the spirit-soul platform, everyone is one. . . .

“So, here it is said nr-loke, in this human form of body . . . Here advising, aho nr-loke piyeta hari-lilamrtam vacah. This is advised. Those who are born in the human society, they should join this Krishna consciousness movement where simply hari-lilamrtam vacah. There is no other business. What is our business here? Constantly, twenty-four hours, we are engaged in hari-lilamrtam vacah. That’s all. And so long you are engaged in hari-lilamrtam vacah, there is no question of death. There is no question of death. Then, if you say, ‘We are seeing that devotees are dying —’ ‘Yes, but death has been stopped.’ ‘Then still, why he is dying?’ ‘He is not dying. He is going back to home, back to Godhead.’ Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti kaunteya [Gita 4.9]. [“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.”] Tyaktva deham. He has given up this body, but he is not going to accept anymore a body like this. Then? Mam eva: “He is coming to Me.” What is that mam eva? Yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama [Gita 15.6]. [“That abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by electricity. One who reaches it never returns to this material world.”] If you go somehow or other to Krishna, you will never come back.

“So, mrtyu, death, is stopped as soon as you take Krishna consciousness very seriously, immediately, from that moment, as soon as you are initiated. You promise before the spiritual master, ‘Yes, I am initiated, I shall act like this,’ and if you follow, then your death is stopped from that point. No more death. No more death. Simply an official business, just like you sleep and again you awake, similarly, a devotee’s death is like that. It is like sleeping, and next moment in the spiritual kingdom, immediately. Immediately. When he will rise, he will see that ‘I am with Krishna. I am with Krishna.’ ”

The devotees exclaimed, “Jaya Prabhupada!”

Prabhupada responded, “This is the fact. So don’t fall down. Don’t be childish, that ‘Yes, I have promised before spiritual master, before Krishna, before fire. All right, that’s all right. Let me break.” No, don’t do that. Don’t do that. Don’t lose this opportunity. You are now on the point of deathlessness . . .           .

“One who has fallen down from the bhakti-yoga, where does he go? Sucinam srimatam gehe: in the house of very rich man and in the house of nice Vaishnava brahman. This is the opportunity. This is first-class opportunity. If you take your birth in the house of Vaishnava brahman, just like these children are taking birth, father and mother Vaishnava. They are very fortunate. They are not ordinary children. Otherwise they would not have gotten this chance of chanting and dancing before Deity and Vaishnava. They are not ordinary children. The parent must take care, very good care, that they may not fall down. They have got the chance. Now train them to complete this Krishna consciousness. That is the duty of father and mother. ‘Now this child has come under my care.’ If both the father and mother think like that . . . ‘Oh, here is a child who has taken shelter of me as mother, who has taken shelter of me as father. Oh, it is my duty to train him in such a way that no more birth, no more death.’ Therefore Bhagavata says, pita na sa syat . . . na mocayed yah samupeta-mrtyum [SB 5.5.18]: [“One who cannot deliver his dependents from the path of repeated birth and death should never become a spiritual master, a relative, a father, a husband, a mother or a worshipable demigod.”] ‘One should not become mother, one should not become father, if he cannot release his children from the clutches of death.’ And how one can be saved from the clutches of death? This is the process: hari-lilamrtam vacah. If he is trained up . . . Therefore we have got this school in Dallas. From the beginning, hari-lilamrtam vacah. They are being trained up in hari-lilamrtam vacah.

“Once one becomes situated in hari-lilamrtam vacah, that means he has stopped his process of death. Of course, this body is material. It must make a show that this material body . . . But he is a spiritual body. He is going back to home, back to Godhead. There is no doubt about it. Therefore Yamaraja’s duty . . . Yamaraja is Vaishnava. He wants to see that you do not die again. He wants to see that you continue your deathlessness. Now you are engaged in krsna-kathamrtam vacah. So that is the point of… Just like a diseased man. A diseased man, as soon as goes to the physician and he gives the right medicine, and he takes it, that means his diseaselessness condition has already begun. It will take little time. So in the meantime, in that treatment time, diseaselessness condition, if you make another infection, that is your fault. Otherwise, deathlessness begins from the day of initiation. Adau gurvasrayam. As soon as you take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, your point of deathlessness begins immediately. Immediately. And if you continue the advice and instruction of the spiritual master, or the shastra, then you become deathless. No more death. And Yamaraja wants to see that actually you are continuing your deathlessness process. This Krishna consciousness is so nice. Therefore it is advised.

“Now, if somebody argues that ‘A devotee is also dying. How can I say there is deathlessness?’ No, he does not know. Devotee is not dying. There is very good example. Just like a cat: he catches the rat and he catches his cub also. But these two kinds of catching are different. When the cat catches a rat, that rat means his “chi-chi-chi” means dying, actually dying. And the cub, he is feeling very comfortable: “meow, meow, meow.” Because the same cat, catching process is the same, but the feeling is different. So a devotee, seemingly dying, is not dying. He is going back to Krishna. He is very pleased, ‘Now my labor is finished. I am going to Krishna.” That is his feeling. And others, they are crying, “Oh, this is my estate. This is my family. This is my, this is my, this is my . . . I am leaving. I do not want to leave it. What will happen to that?” He is crying. That is death. And this is not death. It appears like death, but it is actually not death. Just like the electric fan, if you make the switch off, it has stopped running, but if you say, “Still running,” that is not running; that is a show of running. Actually, the running is stopped. Similarly, as soon as you surrender to God through His representative, your death is stopped, unless you make it nullified by accepting anything which is against the bhakti principle. Otherwise, your deathlessness is guaranteed. That is stated here. Na kascin mriyate tavad yavad asta ihantakah. If you simply know that “Yamaraja is there. He is supervising that I may not fall down,” then you will not die. You will not die. It is not impractical. It is practical. Try to perceive the truth that since you have begun Krishna consciousness, to become Krishna conscious, your death has been stopped. But don’t fall down and again capture death. That is the instruction.”

Hare Krishna.

Many of us would agree that some of the most meaningful learning takes place outside the “Brick and Mortar” school. It is therefore essential to […]

“I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is adept in playing on His flute, with blooming eyes like lotus petals with head decked with peacock’s feather, with the figure of beauty tinged with the hue of blue clouds, and His unique loveliness charming millions of Cupids.” (Brahma-Samhita 5.30) (This post has been viewed 18 timesRead More...

By Ekantita-buddi dasa

It's been a month since we distribute books in Chernivtsi. Already distributed more than 1000 books for April. It is very difficult to practice and maintain your faith on your own. But when you start preaching and telling others about Krishna, then everything starts to come alive. And your faith increases and your desire to share with others grows. This is a very effective method and it is available to everyone. Continue reading "Distributing Books in Chernivtsi, Ukraine
→ Dandavats"

Today is Sita-navami, the appearance day of Srimati Sitadevi, the eternal consort of Lord Ramachandra. She appeared as the daughter of King Janaka, one of the twelve mahajanas, great authorities in Krishna consciousness, and thus one of her names is Janaki. In Valmiki’s Ramayana, Sita is said to have been discovered in a furrow in a ploughed field believed to now be the city of Sitamarhi in the Mithila region of present-day Bihar, and for that reason she is regarded as a daughter of Bhumi Devi (the goddess earth).

To begin, we shall read from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Chapter Nine: “Lord Caitanya’s Travels to the Holy Places.”

TEXT 2

jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda
jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

TRANSLATION

All glories to Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityananda Prabhu! All glories to Sri Advaita Prabhu! And all glories to all the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!

TEXT 178

daksina-mathura aila kamakosthi haite
tahan dekha haila eka brahmana-sahite

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu arrived at southern Mathura from Kamakosthi, He met a brahmana.

TEXTS 179–193

The brahmana who met Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu invited the Lord to his home. This brahmana was a great devotee and an authority on Lord Sri Ramacandra. He was always detached from material activities.

After bathing in the river Krtamala, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to the brahmana’s house to take lunch, but He saw that the food was unprepared because the brahmana had not cooked it.

Seeing this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “My dear sir, please tell Me why you have not cooked. It is already noon.”

The brahmana replied, “My dear Lord, we are living in the forest. For the time being we cannot get all the ingredients for cooking.

“When Laksmana brings all the vegetables, fruits, and roots from the forest, Sita will do the necessary cooking.”

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very satisfied to hear about the brahmana’s method of worship. Finally the brahmana hastily made arrangements for cooking.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took His lunch at about three o’clock, but the brahmana, being very sorrowful, fasted.

While the brahmana was fasting, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked him, “Why are you fasting? Why are you so unhappy? Why are you so worried?”

The brahmana replied, “I have no reason to live. I shall give up my life by entering either fire or water.

“My dear sir, Mother Sita is the mother of the universe and the supreme goddess of fortune. She has been touched by the demon Ravana, and I am troubled upon hearing this news.

“Sir, due to my unhappiness I cannot continue living. Although my body is burning, my life is not leaving.”

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, “Please do not think this way any longer. You are a learned pandita. Why don’t you consider the case?”

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, “Sitadevi, the dearmost wife of the Supreme Lord Ramacandra, certainly has a spiritual form full of bliss. No one can see her with material eyes, for no materialist has such power.

“To say nothing of touching Mother Sita, a person with material senses cannot even see her. When Ravana kidnapped her, he kidnapped only her material, illusory form.

“As soon as Ravana arrived before Sita, she disappeared. Then just to cheat Ravana she sent an illusory, material form.”

TEXT 194

aprakrta vastu nahe prakrta-gocara
veda-puranete ei kahe nirantara

TRANSLATION

“Spiritual substance is never within the jurisdiction of the material conception. This is always the verdict of the Vedas and Puranas.”

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

As stated in the Katha Upanisad (2.3.9, 12):

na sandrse tisthati rupam asya
  na caksusa pasyati kascanainam
hrda manisa manasabhiklpto
  ya etad vidur amrtas te bhavanti
naiva vaca na manasa
  praptum sakyo na caksusa

“Spirit is not within the jurisdiction of material eyes, words, or mind.”

Similarly, Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.84.13) states:

yasyatma-buddhih kunape tri-dhatuke
  sva-dhih kalatradisu bhauma ijya-dhih
yat-tirtha-buddhih salile na karhicij
  janesv abhijnesu sa eva go-kharah

“A human being who identifies his body made of three elements with his self, who considers the by-products of his body to be his kinsmen, who considers the land of his birth worshipable, and who goes to a place of pilgrimage simply to take a bath rather than to meet men of transcendental knowledge there is to be considered like an ass or a cow.”

These are some Vedic statements about spiritual substance. Spiritual substance cannot be seen by the unintelligent, because they do not have the eyes or the mentality to see the spirit soul. Consequently they think that there is no such thing as spirit. But the followers of the Vedic injunctions take their information from Vedic statements, such as the verses from the Katha Upanisad and Srimad-Bhagavatam quoted above.

COMMENT by Giriraj Swami

We know from Srila Prabhupada, from the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu:

nama cintamanih krsnas
  caitanya-rasa-vigrahah
purnah suddho nitya-mukto
  ’bhinnatvan nama-naminoh

Namah cintamanih krsnah: the holy name of Krishna is Krishna Himself. Caitanya-rasa-vigrahah: it is the form of rasa, the reservoir of pleasure. It is purna, complete; suddha, pure; and nitya-mukta, always free from material contamination. Why? Because there is no difference between the holy name of Krishna and the possessor of the name, Krishna Himself (abhinnatvan nama-naminoh).

Now, the question arises, “Since the Lord is spiritual and beyond the jurisdiction of material senses, how can one with materially covered senses touch, or chant and hear, the holy name of Krishna?” In the next verse of the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Srila Rupa Gosvami explains:

atah sri-krsna-namadi
  na bhaved grahyam indriyaih
sevonmukhe hi jihvadau
  svayam eva sphuraty adah

Atah means “therefore,” as in athatho brahma-jijnasa. Atah: therefore (that is, because the holy name of Krishna is completely spiritual like Krishna) one cannot chant or hear the holy name—touch the holy name—with materially contaminated senses. However, if we engage our senses in the service of the Lord and the Lord becomes pleased with our service, then the Lord will reveal Himself to us.

In other words, although we cannot perceive the Lord with materially contaminated senses, the Lord can reveal Himself to us when He is pleased by our service; He can purify our senses and make Himself visible to us.

When even a sadhaka, a devotee who is practicing devotional service, cannot touch even the holy name of the Lord, how could a demon like Ravana see or touch Mother Sita, who is directly the spiritual energy of the Lord? It is not possible. What Ravana saw and touched was not the original Sita but maya Sita, an illusory representation of the original Sita. Thus Lord Chaitanya was consoling the brahman: “Don’t lament that Mother Sita has been touched by the demon Ravana. The demon Ravana could not even see her, what to speak of touch her. There is no need to lament.”

TEXT 195

visvasa karaha tumi amara vacane
punarapi ku-bhavana na kariha mane

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then assured the brahmana, “Have faith in My words and do not burden your mind any longer with this misconception.”

PURPORT

This is the process of spiritual understanding. Acintya khalu ye bhava na tams tarkena yojayet: “We should not try to understand things beyond our material conception by argument and counterargument.” Maha-jano yena gatah sa panthah: “We have to follow in the footsteps of great authorities coming down in the parampara system.” If we approach a bona fide acarya and keep faith in his words, spiritual realization will be easy.

COMMENT

In the material world everyone is acting independently. Actually, people are not independent, but they imagine themselves to be independent. They want to think for themselves, see for themselves, make their own decisions, make their own plans. Even when they come to the subject of God, they keep the same attitude: “I don’t need anyone to tell me about God. I can think for myself; I can decide for myself.” Or they may accept some authority according to their liking. Many people go to various authorities and pick and choose what they like from each, and in the end they find confirmation for whatever they thought or wanted to begin with. That is not the way to understand God. Rather, one must approach a bona fide spiritual master and surrender. “Surrender” means no wavering to this side or that side. One must remain fixed in submission and obedience to the spiritual master and accept the spiritual master’s instructions without argument.

Of course, the whole process is based on faith, and therefore Lord Chaitanya’s first words are visvasa karaha tumi amara vacane: “Have faith in My words.” If you do, He says, you will be relieved. But if you don’t have faith in His words, you’ll go on suffering and nobody will be able to help you.

visvasa karaha tumi amara vacane
punarapi ku-bhavana na kariha mane

“Have faith in My words and do not burden your mind any longer with this misconception.”

TEXT 196

prabhura vacane viprera ha-ila visvasa
bhojana karila, haila jivanera asa

 TRANSLATION

Although the brahmana was fasting, he had faith in the words of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and accepted food. In this way his life was saved.

COMMENT

 

The brahman was fasting because he thought that Ravana had touched Sita and kidnapped her. He was ready to give up his life, but because he had faith in the words of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, he gave up his misconception, took prasada, and saved his life.

TEXT 197

tanre asvasiya prabhu karila gamana
krtamalaya snana kari aila durvasana

TRANSLATION

After thus assuring the brahmana, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu proceeded further into southern India and finally arrived at Durvasana, where He bathed in the river Krtamala.

TEXT 199

setubandhe asi’ kaila dhanus-tirthe snana
ramesvara dekhi’ tahan karila visrama

 TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then went to Setubandha [Ramesvara], where He took His bath at the place called Dhanus-tirtha. From there He visited the Ramesvara temple and then took rest.

PURPORT

The path from Mandapam through the ocean to the island known as Pambam consists partly of sand and partly of water. The island of Pambam is about seventeen miles long and six miles wide. On this island, four miles north of Pambam Harbor, is Setubandha, where the temple of Ramesvara is located. This is a temple of Lord Siva, and the name Ramesvara indicates that he is a great personality whose worshipable Deity is Lord Rama. Thus the Lord Siva found in the temple of Ramesvara is a great devotee of Lord Ramacandra. It is said, devi-pattanam arabhya gaccheyuh setu-bandhanam: “After visiting the temple of the goddess Durga, one should go to the temple of Ramesvara.”

In this area there are twenty-four different holy places, one of which is Dhanus-tirtha, located about twelve miles southeast of Ramesvara. It is near the last station of the South Indian Railway, a station called Ramnad. It is said that here, on the request of Ravana’s younger brother Vibhisana, Lord Ramacandra destroyed the bridge to Lanka with His bow while returning to His capital. It is also said that one who visits Dhanus-tirtha is liberated from the cycle of birth and death, and that one who bathes there gets all the fruitive results of performing the yajna known as Agnistoma.

COMMENT

It is said that when Lord Rama was on the way to Lanka, He worshipped a deity of Lord Shiva. Some ignorant people say, “Because Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, Lord Shiva is the Supreme and Lord Rama is subordinate to him.” But actually the opposite is true: Lord Shiva himself is a great devotee of Lord Rama. Sometimes, however, the Lord likes to serve His devotees, as in the case of Krishna and Yasoda. Krishna used to obey the dictations of Yasoda, but that doesn’t mean that Yasoda is God. Krishna used to carry the shoes of Nanda Maharaja, but that doesn’t mean that Nanda Maharaja is God. Krishna drove the chariot of Arjuna, but that doesn’t mean that Arjuna is greater than Krishna. Krishna washed the feet of Sudama Vipra, but that doesn’t mean that Sudama is superior to Krishna. The Lord takes pleasure in worshipping His devotees. Lord Ramachandra wanted to glorify His devotee Shiva, and therefore He may have worshipped him.

Other ignorant people say that because Ravana was a devotee of Lord Shiva, Rama approached Lord Shiva to ask his permission before killing Ravana. Once, at Juhu Beach, a disciple mentioned this idea to Srila Prabhupada, and Prabhupada replied that people who say that Lord Rama had Lord Shiva’s permission to kill Ravana want to say that Lord Shiva is a rascal, that he would give permission for someone to kill his devotee: “Oh, yes. He is my devotee, but it’s all right—you can kill him.” Prabhupada said they want to prove that Lord Shiva is a rascal. Rather, he said—and he quoted the shastra—when Rama was in the process of killing Ravana, Mother Parvati asked Lord Shiva, “Ravana is your great devotee, and now he is in trouble. Why don’t you do something to help him?” And Lord Shiva replied, “Lord Rama is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When He wants to kill Ravana, what can I do?”

TEXT 200

vipra-sabhaya sune tanha kurma-purana
tara madhye aila pativrata-upakhyana

TRANSLATION

There, among the brahmanas, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu listened to the Kurma Purana, wherein is mentioned the chaste woman’s narration.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura remarks that only two khandas of the Kurma Purana are now available, namely the Purva-khanda and Uttara-khanda. Sometimes it is said that the Kurma Purana contains six thousand verses, but according to Srimad-Bhagavatam the original Kurma Purana contains seventeen thousand verses. It is considered the fifteenth of the eighteen Maha-puranas.

TEXT 201

pativrata-siromani janaka-nandini
jagatera mata sita—ramera grhini

TRANSLATION

Srimati Sitadevi is the mother of the three worlds and the wife of Lord Ramacandra. Among chaste women she is supreme, and she is the daughter of King Janaka.

TEXT 202

ravana dekhiya sita laila agnira sarana
ravana haite agni kaila sitake avarana

TRANSLATION

When Ravana came to kidnap Mother Sita and she saw him, she took shelter of the fire-god, Agni. The fire-god covered the body of Mother Sita, and in this way she was protected from the hands of Ravana.

TEXT 203

‘maya-sita’ ravana nila, sunila akhyane
suni’ mahaprabhu haila anandita mane

TRANSLATION

Upon hearing from the Kurma Purana how Ravana had kidnapped a false form of Mother Sita, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became very satisfied.

TEXT 204

sita lana rakhilena parvatira sthane
‘maya-sita’ diya agni vancila ravane

TRANSLATION

The fire-god, Agni, took away the real Sita and brought her to the place of Parvati, goddess Durga. An illusory form of Mother Sita was then delivered to Ravana, and in this way Ravana was cheated.

TEXT 205

raghunatha asi’ yabe ravane marila
agni-pariksa dite yabe sitare anila

After Ravana was killed by Lord Ramacandra, Sitadevi was brought before the fire and tested.

TEXT 206

tabe maya-sita agni kari antardhana
satya-sita ani’ dila rama-vidyamana

TRANSLATION

When the illusory Sita was brought before the fire by Lord Ramacandra, the fire-god made the illusory form disappear and delivered the real Sita to Lord Ramacandra.

TEXT 207

sunina prabhura anandita haila mana
ramadasa-viprera katha ha-ila smarana

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard this story, He was very pleased, and He remembered the words of Ramadasa Vipra.

TEXT 208

e-saba siddhanta suni’ prabhura ananda haila
brahmanera sthane magi’ sei patra nila

TRANSLATION

Indeed, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard these conclusive statements from the Kurma Purana, He felt great happiness. After asking the brahmanas’ permission, He took possession of the manuscript leaves of the Kurma Purana.

TEXT 209

nutana patra lekhana pustake deoyaila
pratiti lagi’ puratana patra magi’ nila

TRANSLATION

Since the Kurma Purana was very old, the manuscript was also very old. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took possession of the original leaves in order to have direct evidence. The text was copied onto new leaves in order that the Purana be replaced.

TEXT 210

patra lana punah daksina-mathura aila
ramadasa vipre sei patra ani dila

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to southern Mathura [Madurai] and delivered the original manuscript of the Kurma Purana to Ramadasa Vipra.

TEXTS 211–212

sitayaradhito vahnis
 chaya-sitam ajijanat
tam jahara dasa-grivah
  sita vahni-puram gata

 pariksa-samaye vahnim
  chaya-sita vivesa sa
vahnih sitam samaniya
  tat-purastad aninayat

TRANSLATION

“When he was petitioned by Mother Sita, the fire-god, Agni, brought forth an illusory form of Sita, and Ravana, who had ten heads, kidnapped the false Sita. The original Sita then went to the abode of the fire-god. When Lord Ramacandra tested the body of Sita, it was the false, illusory Sita that entered the fire. At that time the fire-god brought the original Sita from his abode and delivered her to Lord Ramacandra.”

PURPORT

These two verses are taken from the Kurma Purana.

TEXT 213

patra pana viprera haila anandita mana
prabhura carane dhari’ karaye krandana

TRANSLATION

Ramadasa Vipra was very pleased to receive the original leaf manuscript of the Kurma Purana, and he immediately fell down before the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and began to cry.

TEXTS 214–218

After receiving the manuscript, the brahmana, being very pleased, said, “Sir, You are Lord Ramacandra Himself and have come in the dress of a sannyasi to give me audience.

“My dear Sir, You have delivered me from a very unhappy condition. I request that You take Your lunch at my place. Please accept this invitation.

“Due to my mental distress I could not give You a very nice lunch the other day. Now, by good fortune, You have come again to my home.”

Saying this, the brahmana very happily cooked food, and a first-class dinner was offered to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu passed that night in the house of the brahmana. Then, after showing him mercy, the Lord started toward the Tamraparni River in Pandya-desa.

COMMENT

The chastity of Mother Sita is glorified in similar terms in the summary of the pastimes of Lord Ramachandra in the Ninth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Because Ravana had been cursed by the anger of Mother Sita, his armies were vanquished and ultimately he was killed.

te ’nikapa raghupater abhipatya sarve
  dvandvam varutham ibha-patti-rathasva-yodhaih
jaghnur drumair giri-gadesubhir angadadyah
  sitabhimarsa-hata-mangala-ravanesan

 “Angada and the other commanders of the soldiers of Ramacandra faced the elephants, infantry, horses, and chariots of the enemy and hurled against them big trees, mountain peaks, clubs, and arrows. Thus the soldiers of Lord Ramacandra killed Ravana’s soldiers, who had lost all good fortune because Ravana had been condemned by the anger of Mother Sita.” (SB 9.10.20)

After Ravana had been killed, his wife, Mandodari, praised the power of Mother Sita’s chastity, addressing her husband:

na vai veda maha-bhaga
  bhavan kama-vasam gatah
tejo ’nubhavam sitaya
  yena nito dasam imam

“O greatly fortunate one, you came under the influence of lusty desires, and therefore you could not understand the influence of Mother Sita. Now, because of her curse, you have been reduced to this state, having been killed by Lord Ramacandra.” (SB 9.10.27) In his purport to this verse, Srila Prabhupada explains that any woman who follows the example of Mother Sita’s chastity and service can attain similar power—and that, in fact, women should follow her ideal example: “Not only was Mother Sita powerful, but any woman who follows in the footsteps of Mother Sita can also become similarly powerful. There are many instances of this in the history of Vedic literature. Whenever we find a description of ideal chaste women, Mother Sita is among them. Mandodari, the wife of Ravana, was also very chaste. Similarly, Draupadi was one of five exalted chaste women. As a man must follow great personalities like Brahma and Narada, a woman must follow the path of such ideal women as Sita, Mandodari, and Draupadi. By staying chaste and faithful to her husband, a woman enriches herself with supernatural power.”

Although Mother Sita was completely pure and chaste, some ignorant citizens criticized Lord Rama for accepting her back after she had been abducted by Ravana, and to preserve His authority as king—for the benefit of the citizens—He was obliged to consign her to the care of the great sage Valmiki Muni.

By her transcendental qualities and devotional service, Sitadevi attracted her husband, Lord Ramachandra, the Personality of Godhead. And after she completed her pastimes on earth, He remained absorbed in thought of her—while perfectly executing His royal duties—until He followed her, to continue their eternal lila in the spiritual world.

munau niksipya tanayau
  sita bhartra vivasita
dhyayanti rama-caranau
  vivaram pravivesa ha

“Being forsaken by her husband, Sitadevi entrusted her two sons to the care of Valmiki Muni. Then, meditating upon the lotus feet of Lord Ramacandra, she entered into the earth.” (SB 9.11.15)

tac chrutva bhagavan ramo
  rundhann api dhiya sucah
smarams tasya gunams tams tan
  nasaknod roddhum isvarah

 “After hearing the news of Mother Sita’s entering the earth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead was certainly aggrieved. Although He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, upon remembering the exalted qualities of Mother Sita, He could not check His grief in transcendental love.” (SB 9.11.16) Of course, the Lord’s grief upon hearing the news of Sitadevi’s entering the earth was not material. In the spiritual world there are also feelings of separation, but such feelings are a manifestation of the Lord’s internal pleasure potency (hladini-sakti) and give rise to transcendental bliss—although they resemble the miserable feelings experienced by ordinary men and women who are materially attached to each other.

tata urdhvam brahmacaryam
  dharyann ajuhot prabhuh
trayodasabda-sahasram
  agnihotram akhanditam

“After Mother Sita entered the earth, Lord Ramacandra observed complete celibacy and performed an uninterrupted Agnihotra-yajna for thirteen thousand years.” (SB 9.11.18)

smaratam hrdi vinyasya
  viddham dandaka-kantakaih
sva-pada-pallavam rama
  atma-jyotir agat tatah

“After completing the sacrifice, Lord Ramacandra, whose lotus feet were sometimes pierced by thorns when He lived in Dandakaranya, placed those lotus feet in the hearts of those who always think of Him. Then He entered His own abode, the Vaikuntha planet beyond the brahmajyoti.” (SB 9.11.19)

Sri Sri Sita-Rama ki jaya!

There is an important lesson for all of us here, whether we are in a man’s body or a woman’s: Sitadevi is the energy of Lord Rama, the property of Lord Rama, and to take the property of the Lord for one’s sense gratification is demonic. Ravana was a scholar, a devotee of Lord Shiva, and he had many, many good qualifications. However, he had one fault that put him in the category of demons: he wanted to take the Lord’s property and enjoy it for himself. As we have been discussing—and maybe realizing—people in Kali-yuga have two sides: the devotee side and the demon side. The demon side wants to take the property of the Lord and enjoy it, like Ravana. So we must be careful that the demonic side does not become predominant. Otherwise, just as Ravana and his whole dynasty were destroyed, our spiritual life will be destroyed.

What is the difference between material and spiritual? When people challenge us, “You are living in a marble palace, you are using telephones, computers, tape recorders, and automobiles, so you are involved in materialism,” how do we reply? “We are using everything in the service of the Lord. What is used in the service of the Lord is no longer material; it becomes spiritual.” And it is true. The temple is spiritual because it is dedicated to the service of the Lord, and all the paraphernalia used in the Lord’s service is spiritual. So, there is no contamination. However, if we use the paraphernalia meant for the service of the Lord for our own sense gratification, then it is no longer spiritual; it becomes maya. Ravana wanted to take Rama’s Sita, but he couldn’t touch the original Sita. He could get only the maya Sita. Similarly, the Lord’s paraphernalia is spiritual when engaged in the Lord’s service, but if we try to use the same things for our sense gratification, they become maya.

We should not be complacent and assume, “I am a devotee and everything I do is spiritual. Even if I handle money, it is spiritual because it’s for Krishna.” If it is for Krishna, it is spiritual, laksmi, but if it is used for our sense gratification, it becomes material, maya. So, we must be careful in every situation—in every activity, every transaction—to consider, Am I doing this for Krishna or for sense gratification? If an activity is done for Krishna, it becomes spiritual, but if that same activity is done for sense gratification, it becomes material. All the things we have, all the paraphernalia, which are meant for Krishna’s service, become maya if we use them for sense gratification. So, we should be very careful, especially if we take donations from the public, directly or indirectly. Even if we don’t directly take donations, we are using donations for our service, so we should take care that the donations we take from the public are used exclusively in transcendental devotional service and not one cent is used for sense gratification. If we use any of it for sense gratification, we are implicated in a cheating process, because the public think they are giving the money for Krishna’s service but in fact we are using it for sense gratification.

Srila Prabhupada said that if we take money in the name of Krishna’s service and then use it for sense gratification, we become debtors to the people who gave us the money. In other words, we are supposed to be only peons, carrying the money from the donor to the Lord—like Hanuman. He went to liberate Sita from Ravana not to keep her for himself but to deliver her to Lord Rama. We should be like Hanuman: we should liberate Sita from the hands of whomever and deliver her to Rama. We are not meant to touch her. If we do, we’ll have to come back in another life and pay our debt to the people from whom we took the money. These are subtle laws, and Srila Prabhupada was concerned that we should not become victims of our desires for sense gratification. Therefore he explained everything very clearly, so that we can be conscientious and use the Lord’s property only for the Lord’s service. Then we will be like Hanuman, the great devotee who got the mercy of Lord Rama. But if we try to use the Lord’s property for our sense gratification, we become like Ravana and will be destroyed.

On this occasion we pray to Mother Sita to bless us to become pure-hearted servants like Hanuman, Laksmana, and Mother Sita herself—and to save us. Whatever Ravana-like demonic tendencies we have, let them be vanquished by her mercy, by her will, so we may continue in our devotional service without any impediment and ultimately attain pure love (prema), our ultimate goal.

Sri Sri Sita-Rama-Laksmana-Hanuman ki jaya!
Sri Sita-navami ki jaya!
Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
Nitai-gaura-premanande hari-haribol!

[A talk given by Giriraj Swami on Sita-navami, May 9, 1995, Bombay]

Niagara Falls, Ontario

A Day by the Falls

It has been recognized as the honeymoon capital of the world. Niagara Falls was an attraction for newlyweds for over two hundred years and it was Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother, Jerome, who was one of the high society folks, wed to Elizabeth Patterson from Baltimore, said to have started the trend.

My trip to Niagara was not to see lovers at the Falls, but rather to visit dear devotees, Vaishnava and Janaki, residents of the city, and it was from their home that I Zoomed a call to the group in Cleveland to talk of the glories of Mother’s Day. I love that group and have been visiting them for years.

From the Vedic perspective there are seven mothers to adore – one’s biological mother, the nurse or one who raises you, the Earth, the cow, the wife of the guru, the wife of the king, and the wife of a brahmana. It is also appropriate to mention the seven qualities listed in the Gita as feminine or motherly qualities – fame, fortune, fine speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness, and patience.

I touched on these points also at the Fireman’s Park, in the building on the town’s outskirts. Not only did I speak of Moms, but also about the Lion Avatar, Narasingha. This popular deity is honoured by some through the week.

The kirtan, led by Vrkodhar, was joyful. At that time, chairs were removed, which made room for dancing.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

 

High Park, Toronto

Cherry Blossoms

The Cherry Blossom Festival is a big draw at High Park. Apart from tree beauty and the great weather, it being the weekend and Mother’s Day remembrance tomorrow, all this stacked up to bring the crowds. We kirtan fans took advantage of the situation and, like in 2021, plopped ourselves on the grass near the park’s entrance to deliver the goods; mantra power.

Power there is in this ancient practice. Ajamila and Vrkodhara alternated with leading the chant, and in-between I spoke a few words to the converged onlookers about the positive benefits of this form of happy meditation. People mostly observed, but some knew the mantraand sang with us, while others danced.

We were a sensation, and when I say “we” I also mean the spectators. Like cherry blossoms, there was something mighty gorgeous about all who surrounded us in surprise. Part of my speech to the crowd was that 20% of Canadians now encounter stress and depression; a rather high rate. In developing countries where there is poverty, there is often a higher morale; a greater state of happiness. That’s interesting.

In any event, we reached out to a lot of people and sent them moments of joy. It is our intent to make High Park a regular spot for Saturday happiness. All are welcome. You can contact me for details: 647-530-4273.

May the Source be with you!

 

Ottawa, Ontario

Interactions

Mahadeva, Annapurna, and I found the perfect spot to chant at and that was Major’s Hill Park behind Chateau Laurier and which is bordered by the National Gallery of Canada and the Embassy of the United States of America. Passersby and bench sitters really expressed their appreciation with nods and words.

A second location, which happened magically, was an invitation from restaurant owner of “Curry Kebab” who spotted us on the way to Major’s Hill. “You can sing in my place, anywhere inside or outside the restaurant (by the safe).” We took up his offer, played music in the middle of the seating area, and chanted. That also received loving attention.

A funny thing happened on the way to the temple at 212 Somerset E., for a bhakti presentation. We drove through a neighbourhood of the homeless. At a stoplight two men noticed my robes. Spontaneity hit them. One held up a branch of dried flowers. The second one broke off a branch of a branch, turned towards me and made a run for it. He almost killed himself when crossing the lane to my passenger side to offer me that branch saying, with enthusiasm, that “It’s a flower!” He didn’t ask for change. He dashed back.

Mahadeva took the branch from my lap, smelled it and recognized it as marijuana. “Nice gesture of the man,” we both thought. All three of us (with Annapurna) had a good laugh. Now, what are we to do with it. Dispose of it at the earliest possible opportunity, amidst some weeds. Job done and a presentation was made based on walking for Krishna.

May the Source be with you!

 

Ottawa/Russell

They Heard of the Walking Monk

At the Montessori school in Russell, some chipper remarks came my way from the young students. One of the young boys said, “We made you,” and what he was referring to is that before my arrival, for quite some time, the kids became familiar with “The Walking Monk” through a children’s book of the same name. I guess you could say I was the special guest in three classrooms. What the boy was referring to was that the staff had the students colour Walking Monk cut-outs from paper and attached them to images of the globe.

I was touched.

In an evening program, which is a regular weekly venture, students and parents converge for kirtan, musical instruments, soup and pizza. One father with his twin sons introduced himself and when the five-year old boys saw me, they asked a pressing question, “Were you in the book? How did you jump out of the book?”

I was impressed with the attentive behaviour of the young ones, while Mahadeva and Annapurna were projecting out the sacred sound during this musical evening. And, just when the kids started showing signs of restlessness, I took up my role of introducing clapping and any old dance moves from my seat (remember, I’m still using a cane) just to keep the interest going.

To note, all that I do throughout the day, whether it be a walk down the trail or displaying some dance moves, it all is an offering to the guru. Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

May the Source be with you!

 

Mayapur Nrsimhadeva’s TOVP Temple is scheduled for completion and opening in 2023. While Lord Nrsimha will not be relocated into His new home at this time, this milestone event will herald the Grand Opening of the TOVP in 2024. The video displays computer generated images of the completed altar as well as the finished Nrsimha Temple Hall. The altar was designed by Rangavati Devi Dasi and Svaha Devi Dasi, and below is a short description of the altar design.

To help with funding to complete this important section of the TOVP, the fundraising department is currently running the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser from May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) until May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi IST). Ambarisa is matching $250,000 so every dollar donated will be matched. You can sponsor a Nrsimha Brick with your name inscribed and placed under the Lord’s altar, a Prabhupada Award, Prabhupada/TOVP Trophy or make a Pledge Payment or General Donation of any amount.

Go to the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser page TODAY and give your support to open Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Temple in 2023.

Altar Design

By Rangavati devi dasi

Altar dimensions: 8m / 26’5 ” (width) x 11m / 36’7″ (length) x 11m / 37’2 “(height).

For the Nrsimhadeva Altar, we use black Italian and green Brazilian marble.
Gold plating is represented by gold leaf and other treatments such as gold on metal plating.

The altar lamps are custom designed in a traditional style from brass with decorative elements in the form of peacocks, lotuses and other floral designs.
These lamps are designed for artificial lighting with electric wicks.

The altar has a lot of gold decorative ornamentation on green and black marble. This is mainly plant decoration. Other symbolic details such as chakras and clubs are located along the frieze of the Altar.

The arch around Lord Nrsimhadeva is made in the traditional Indian style in colors suitable for the image of Lord Nrsimhadeva (black, red, gold). The arch supports an umbrella and lamps with natural wicks. It is made of black marble. Red inserts are made with special paint on marble. Gold decorative elements made of gold leaf, coated with a special varnish.

The chakra with a diameter of 5.7m / 18’8 “is located on the wall behind the arch. It is a bas-relief on the wall of polished marble, which will beautifully reflect the falling light, creating a background and mood corresponding to Lord Nrsimhadeva.

The altar doors are made of black painted teak. The doors are framed with decorative brass ornaments and inlaid with floral designs of semi-precious stones and miniature bas-reliefs such as the heads of lions.

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

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Support: https://tovp.org/donate/
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THE SONGS OF THE BIRDS ARE SPECIMENS OF GOD’S VOICE The face of the Lord is the embodiment of beauty. What they call beautiful nature is but His smile, and what they call the sweet songs of the birds are but specimens of the whispering voice of the Lord. —A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda (Bhag.Read More...

On the Auspicious day of Akshya Tritiya – Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, Sri Sri Radha Banke Bihari, Sri Sri Sita Ram Lakshman Hanuman ji and grand inauguration of Vedic education center (ISKCON Patna) took place in presence of Governor of Bihar, Chief Minister and many state and center ministers. More than 2000 devotees participated from all over theRead More...

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By Kamala Priya Devi Dasi

The war has come at a huge cost with thousands of innocent lives lost, millions displaced from their homes and has destroyed so many cities. The socio-economic impact will be felt for many years to come. Your dedication and human kindness are making a huge difference in the world. You are amazing super humans that deserve to go down as the true heroes of this dark time in our history. We pray to Lord Krishna to abundantly bless all of you who are working through these challenging times. Thank you once again for giving your strength to so many, for your commitment to caring for the community. Continue reading "ISKCON RELIEF FOR UKRAINE Week 10 Report
→ Dandavats"

The San Diego temple is now ready to offer a service to other temples in North America. If you don’t have the facility locally, and you have a bhakta or someone serious about experiencing ashram life, we are now offering either six months or a one-year seminar/retreat. Serious candidates only, please. We promise to send […]

The post ISKCON of San Diego’s New Bhakta Program appeared first on ISKCON News.

Janaka Maharaja did not have any children, so the Brahmins suggested to him to do a hola-yajna.  “You take a plough and draw a line around the palace.  When you move the plough, it will get stuck in the mud, and every time it gets stuck you have to donate gold to the priests. In this way you are giving a lot of charity and you are getting a lot of blessings so you will get children.”

In one place it got stuck, and after giving all the gold, still the plough would not move on.  “There must be some big rock there,” everybody said, so they dug and found a box.  And inside the box was a baby, a female baby, and she looked just like Laksmi.  She was known as Janaki, the daughter of Janaka, and she grew up in the palace. When Siradhvaja (Janaka) was plowing a field, from the front of his plow [sira] appeared a daughter named Sitadevi. Thus he was known as Siradhvaja.

MARRIAGE

Janaka made an arrangement for the marriage of Sita. He wrote a message that read, “If anyone wants to try and string this bow and get my daughter, then please come.” Many princes came, Ravana came, and he put his hands on each side, and he lifted the bow. So then Siva went inside the bow and pressed down.  Ravana got stuck, finally Lord Siva let go. And then Rama came, but he didn’t use two hands, only one.  He put his foot on the other end of the bow and he took the string.  As he pulled it, the bow broke into two pieces.  Everyone clapped their hands, and flowers fell from heaven.  Then Lord Ramacandra got married to Sita.

On the occasion of Nrsimha Caturdasi, 2022, the song “Give To Nrsimha” by His Grace Nirantara Prabhu (ACBSP) is being offered to Mayapur Nrsimhadeva. The theme is focused on giving to Lord Nrsimha for the purpose of completing and opening His TOVP hall and altar in 2023 through the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser from May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) until May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi IST), and honoring his dear servant, Sriman Pankajanghri prabhu.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve Lord Nrsimha by offering Him a new home befitting the Supreme Lord. Ambarisa prabhu is matching a total of $250,000 for this fundraiser, so every dollar will be matched. Sponsor a Nrsimha Brick with your name inscribed and placed under His altar, a Prabhupada Award, Prabhupada/TOVP Trophy, or make a Pledge Payment or General Donation of any amount.

Read more about this important fundraising event below:

TOVP #GIVINGTONRSIMHA 12 DAY MATCHING FUNDRAISER
May 3(Akshaya Tritiya) – May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi)

 Watch the Live Nrsimha Caturdasi Maha Abhisheka on Mayapur TV on May 15 from 4:30-9:00pm IST

YOUR DONATION TO MAYAPUR NRSIMHA WILL BE MATCHED!
GIVE $10, $25, $51 OR MORE TO OPEN LORD NRSIMHA’S TEMPLE!

 

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GENERAL DONATIONS AND PLEDGE PAYMENTS

(please indicate pledge payment in Notes or by emailing us at tovpinfo@gmail.com)

India: https://pages.razorpay.com/pl_ElxuouO7r7OvtA/view
U.S.: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2036619 (no fee)
Canada: https://www.paypal.com/ca/fundraiser/charity/3440882 (no fee)
Europe: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/TOVPEU
UK: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/TOVPUK
All other: https://m.tovp.org/generaldonation

NRSIMHA BRICK AND PRABHUPADA MEDALLIONS, AWARDS AND TROPHIES

All: https://m.tovp.org/nrsimha
Canada: https://tovpcanada.org/index.html

ALL INQUIRIES:

India: tovpinfo@gmail.com
U.S.: tovpfoundation@gmail.com
Canada: tovpcanada@gmail.com
UK/Europe: tovpuk@gmail.com
All other: tovpinfo@gmail.com

 

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TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit: www.tovp.org
Support: https://tovp.org/donate/
Email: tovpinfo@gmail.com
Follow: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch: www.youtube.com/c/TOVPinfoTube
View at 360°: www.tovp360.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOVP2022
Telegram: https://t.me/TOVP_GRAM
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