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Maharaj Bhagiratha had, after great penances, been successful in bringing the most purifying Mother Ganges, whose waters wash the lotus feet of the Lord and are therefore his charanamrita, from the heavenly planets to this earth for the purpose of delivering his forefathers. While he was making the way from the Himalayas to the ocean for her to flow, he happened to pass by the hermitage of the great sage Jahnu. 

Seeing the great river coming in his ashram and disturbing his meditation greatly enraged the pious sage, and in his anger, he swallowed all the water of the river. When Bhagiratha realised that mother Ganges was no longer following him and had been swallowed by the hermit, he immediately fell at the lotus feet of the sage, begging him to release Ganga. She was the only means of delivering his forefathers and her presence was for the benefit of the entire human race. 

As is the nature of all the devotees of the Lord, Jahnu muni was naturally very compassionate and therefore he agreed to release mother Ganga, and he did so by expelling her waters from his right ear. Due to having been thus swallowed by Jahnu muni, Srimati Ganga devi came to be known as Jahnavi, the daughter of the Sage Jahnu. 

It was on this auspicious 7th day of the Shukla paksha in the month of Vaisakh that this pastime of the Lord’s devotees took place and therefore this day is famous as Jahnu Saptami. This pastime actually came to take place in Sri Navadwip mandal at Jahnudvip, where Jahnu muni was absorbed in deep meditation upon Gaurahari and it was here that he was also blessed with the darshana of Mahaprabhu.

On this auspicious day, knowing mother Ganges to be very dear to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the devotees offer respects and perform puja to Srimati Ganga devi to get her mercy and the mercy of Jahnu muni. In this way they may also be able to some day serve in the pastimes of Sri Gaurahari.

Lord Ramachandra Lord Rama, is one of the Supreme Person’s many avatars on earth. He appeared during a previous age, Treta-yuga, and ruled as emperor of the world. A chronicle of His activities is presented extensively in the epic Ramayana, and concisely in the ninth canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, a biography of Krishna’s many incarnations.Read More...

Lord Ramachandra Lord Rama, is one of the Supreme Person’s many avatars on earth. He appeared during a previous age, Treta-yuga, and ruled as emperor of the world. A chronicle of His activities is presented extensively in the epic Ramayana, and concisely in the ninth canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, a biography of Krishna’s many incarnations.Read More...

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“A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles.” Organized by Tulasi Sakhi devi and all the parents, the teacher’s appreciation this week was phenomenal. On […]

Parasuram das This morning a Devotee living near Kharkiv, Ukraine got a message to me. In desperation, he explained how his town and neighboring towns are constantly being bombed, had no running water, no electricity and no shops in working order. The devotees in Kharkiv are willing to set up a mobile Prasad Distribution Service,Read More...

Available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. Hardcover for release June 15, 2022 An inspirational biography of Srila Prabhupada’s passage to America and how he founded the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, opened over one hundred temples, cultural centers, ashrams, and initiated devotees all over the world. Srila Prabhupada was considered an important leader […]

The post Sing, Dance and Pray: The Inspirational Story of Srila Prabhupada Founder-Acharya of Iskcon appeared first on ISKCON News.

“It is by the goodness of God that we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them,” wrote Mark Twain. Wise words from the esteemed author, although some of us may well doubt their wisdom, among them Mr. Elon Musk, who just […]

The post Can There Ever Be Free Speech? appeared first on ISKCON News.

“When Krishna walked on the bank of the Yamuna, He was seen nicely decorated with tilaka on His head. He was garlanded with different kinds of forest flowers, and His body was smeared by the pulp of sandalwood and tulasi leaves. The bumblebees became mad after the treasure and sweet nectar of the atmosphere. BeingRead More...

Mohini Ekadasi vrata, also known as Vaisakha-sukla Ekadasi, is observed in the auspicious Vedic month of Vaishakha. It is one of the most important of the 24 Ekadashi vratas and is observed on the 11th day during the Shukla Paksha or the Full Moon fortnight.

This year Mohini Ekadasi is observed on May 12 worldwide, a few days prior to Nrsimha Caturdasi and during the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser from May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) until May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi). This is an auspicious day to give a donation for the completion and opening of Lord Nrsimhadeva’s TOVP altar and hall in 2023, as part of the TOVP Marathon to open the temple in 2024. Please visit the #GivingToNrsimha Fundraiser page TODAY and support this effort.

WATCH THE NRSIMHA CATURDASI MAHA ABHISHEKA LIVE ON MAYAPUR TV ON MAY 15 FROM 4:30 – 9:00PM

  NOTE: Mohini Ekadasi is observed on May 12 worldwide. Please refer to your local calendar through www.gopal.home.sk/gcal.

  View, download and share the TOVP 2022 Calendar​.

 

The Glories of Mohini Ekadasi

From Kurma Purana

Sri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, “Oh Janardana, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight (sukla paksha) of the month of Vaisakha (April-May)? What is the process for observing it properly? Kindly narrate all of these details to me.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna replied, “Oh blessed son of Dharma, what Vasishtha Muni once told to Lord Ramachandra I shall now describe to you.

Please hear Me attentively.

“Lord Ramachandra asked Vasishta Muni, ‘Oh great sage, I would like to hear about the best of all fasting days that day which destroys all kinds of sins and sorrows. I have suffered long enough in separation from My dear Sita, and so I wish to hear from you about how My suffering can be ended.’

“The sage Vasishtha replied, ‘Oh Lord Rama, Oh You whose intelligence is so keen, simply by remembering Your name one can cross the ocean of the material world. You have questioned me in order to benefit all of humanity and fulfill everyone’s desires. I shall now describe that day of fasting which purifies the whole world.

‘Oh Rama, that day is known as Vaisakha-sukla Ekadasi, which falls on Dvadasi. It removes all sins and is famous as Mohini Ekadasi. Truly, Oh dear Rama, the merit of this Ekadasi frees the fortunate soul who observes it from the network of illusion. Therefore, if You want to relieve Your suffering, observe this auspicious Ekadasi perfectly, for it removes all obstacles from ones path and relieves the greatest miseries. Kindly listen as I describe its glories, because for one who even just hears about this auspicious Ekadasi, the greatest sins are nullified.

‘On the banks of the Sarasvati River there was once a beautiful city named Bhadravati, which was ruled by King Dyutiman. Oh Rama, that steadfast, truthful, and highly intelligent king was born in the dynasty of the Moon (Chandra-vamsa). In his kingdom was a merchant named Dhanapala, who possessed a great deal of wealth of food grains and money. He was also very pious. Dhanapala arranged for lakes to be dug, sacrificial arenas to be erected, and beautiful gardens to be cultivated for the benefit of all the citizens of Bhadravati. He was an excellent devotee of Lord Vishnu and had five sons: Sumana, Dyutiman, Medhavi, Sukriti, and Dhrishtabuddhi.

‘Unfortunately, his son Dhrishtabuddhi always engaged in greatly sinful activities, such as sleeping with prostitutes and associating with similar degraded persons. He enjoyed illicit sex, gambling, and many other varieties of acts aimed at gratifying the senses. He disrespected the demigods (devas), the brahmins, the forefathers and other elders of the community, as well as his family’s guests. The evil-hearted Dhrishtabuddhi spent up his father’s wealth indiscriminately, always feasting on untouchable foods and drinking alcohol to excess.

‘One day Dhanapala kicked Dhrishtabuddhi out of the house after he saw him walking along the road arm-in-arm with a known prostitute. From then on, all Dhrishtabuddhi’s relatives were highly critical of him and distanced themselves from him also. After he had sold all of his inherited ornaments and become destitute, the prostitute also abandoned him and insulted him because of his poverty.

‘Dhrishtabuddhi was now full of anxiety, and also hungry. He thought, “What should I do? Where should I go? How can I maintain myself? He then began to steal. The king’s constables arrested him, but when they learned who it was, and that his father was the famous Dhanapala, they released him. He was caught and released in this way many times. But at last, sick of his arrogance and total disrespect for others, and their property, the ill-mannered Dhrishtabuddhi was apprehended, handcuffed, and then beaten. After whipping him, the king’s marshals warned him, “Oh evil minded one, there is no place for you in this kingdom.

‘However, Dhrishtabuddhi was freed from his tribulation by his father and immediately thereafter entered the dense forest. He wandered here and there, hungry and thirsty and suffering greatly.

Eventually he began killing the jungle animals, the lions, deer, boars, and even wolves for food.

Always ready in his hand was his bow, always on his shoulder was his quiver full of arrows. He also killed many birds, such as chakoras, peacocks, kankas, doves and pigeons. He unhesitatingly slaughtered many species of birds and animals to maintain his sinful way of life, the sinful results accumulating more and more each day. On account of his previous sins, he was now immersed in an ocean of great sin that was so relentless that it appeared that he could not get out.

‘Dhrishtabuddhi was always miserable and anxious, but one day, during the month of Vaisakha, by the force of some of his past merit he chanced upon the sacred Ashrama of Kaundinya Muni.

The great sage had just finished bathing in the Ganges River, and water was dripping from him still. Dhrishtabuddhi had the great good fortune to touch some of those droplets of water that were falling from the great sage’s wet clothing. Instantly Dhrishtabuddhi was freed of his ignorance, and his sinful reactions were reduced. Offering his humble obeisances to Kaundinya Muni, Dhrishtabuddhi prayed to him with joined palms: “Oh great brahmana, please describe to me some of the atonement I may perform without too much endeavor. I have committed so many sins in my life, and these have now made me very poor”.

‘The great rishi replied, “Oh son, listen with great attention, for by hearing me your life will change, and you will become free of all your remaining sins. In the light fortnight of this very month, Vaisakha (April-May) there occurs the sacred Mohini Ekadasi, which has the power to nullify sins as vast and weighty as Mount Sumeru. If you follow my advice and faithfully observe a fast on this Ekadasi, which is so dear to Lord Hari, you will be freed from all the sinful reactions of many, many births.

‘Hearing these words with great joy, Dhrishtabuddhi promised to observe a fast on Mohini Ekadasi according to the sage’s instructions and direction. Oh best of kings, Oh Ramachandra Bhagavan, by fasting completely on Mohini Ekadasi, the once sinful Dhrishtabuddhi, the prodigal son of the merchant Dhanapala, became sinless. Afterwards he achieved a beautiful transcendental form and, free at last of all obstacles, rode upon the carrier of Lord Vishnu, Garuda, to the Supreme abode of the Lord.

‘Oh Ramachandra, the fast day of Mohini Ekadasi removes the darkest illusory attachments to material existence. There is thus no better fast day in all the three worlds than this.’

Lord Sri Krishna concluded, “and so, Oh Yudhishthira, there is no place of pilgrimage, no sacrifice, and no charity that can bestow merit equal to even one sixteenth of the merit a faithful devotee of Mine obtains by observing the Mohini Ekadasi. And He who hears and studies the glories of Mohini Ekadasi achieves the merit of giving away one thousand cows in charity.

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Vaisakha-sukla Ekadasi, or Mohini Ekadasi, from the Kurma Purana.

 NOTE: If the holy fast falls on Dvadasi, it is still called Ekadasi in the Vedic literature. Furthermore, in Garuda Purana (1:125.6), Lord Brahma states to Narada Muni:
“Oh brahmana, this fast should be observed when there is a full Ekadasi, a mixture of Ekadasi and Dwadasi, or a mixture of three (Ekadasi, Dwadasi, and Trayodasi) but never on the day when there is a mixture of Dashami and Ekadasi. This is also upheld in the Hari Bhakti Vilas, Vaishnava smriti shastra, and upheld by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupad in his Navadwip Panjika introduction.

 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

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The TOVP #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser began on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya (May 3) and continues until Nrsimha Caturdasi (May 15 – India time). Ambarisa prabhu has doubled his personal total donation to this fundraiser to $250,000 to match every dollar for dollar.

Why not double your commitment to the TOVP also? This year you can sponsor a Nrsimha Brick to be inscribed with your name and placed under the Lord’s altar for hundreds of years to come. Your donation will help to complete and open Lord Nrsimha’s TOVP Wing in 2023 as part of the TOVP 2024 Marathon to open the temple in 2024, and will also honor Pankajanghri prabhu who left our vision one year ago.

Go to the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser page today and make your sankalpa with the Lord to complete His TOVP Wing in 2023.

WATCH THE MAYAPUR NRSIMHA MAHA ABHISHEKA CEREMONY LIVE ON MAYAPUR TV, MAY 15 FROM 4:40 – 9:00 PM

 

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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
WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/IPYA7YWCeOb5l3QDGyUXi7
Instagram: https://m.tovp.org/tovpinstagram
App: https://m.tovp.org/app
News & Texts: https://m.tovp.org/newstexts
RSS News Feed: https://tovp.org/rss2/
Store: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/

“My dear friends, Krishna is so beautiful that the goddess of fortune always remains on His chest, and He is always adorned with a golden necklace. Beautiful Krishna plays His flute in order to enliven the hearts of many devotees. He is the only friend of the suffering living entities. When He plays His flute,Read More...

By Vijaya Dasa

March was a successful month, with 363,401 books going out and a whopping 1,766 full sets distributed. Srila Prabhupada is pleased that so many sets and books go out. Among the large temples, Pune had the biggest increase, 601%, with 35,404 book points. And among the medium temple New Mayapur (France) had the biggest increase, 231%, with 3,706 book points. New Mayapur just keeps on increasing. Viva la France! The small temple Columbus (Ohio) had an increase of 87% with 3,202 book points, and the maha-small temple Baltimore increased 485% and was No. 1 in this category with 1,356 book points. Fired up! Continue reading "WSN March 2022 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats"

The day known as Aksaya-tritiya occurs on the third day (tritiya) of the waxing moon in the month of Vaisakha. Every second of this blessed day is completely auspicious, and so there is no consideration of any one period (muhurta) being better than another. Aksaya means “inexhaustible”; anything a person undertakes on the day of Aksaya-tritiya is bound to succeed, especially the performance of devotional activities, which guarantee inexhaustible benefit.

It is said that Aksaya-tritiya is the day when Treta-yuga began and the river Ganges descended to earth. Also, the festival known as Candana-yatra starts on Aksaya-tritiya.

In the Madhva-sampradaya, Aksaya-tritiya is celebrated as the day of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Parasurama. In the Sri Krishna Mutt monastery a special festival takes place during which the aksaya-patra, the marvelous pot gifted by the sun-god to Draupadi, is worshipped. Srimati Draupadi was given the benediction that her pot would provide unlimited food at each meal, until she herself ate from it. It appears that the pot came under the custody of Sri Madhvacharya, and on Aksaya-tritiya it is worshipped and prasada is lavishly distributed throughout the day.

An interesting incident took place on Aksaya-tritiya in Nandagrama, where Sri Krishna enjoyed His childhood pastimes with Nanda Maharaja and Mother Yasoda. When Nanda Maharaja established his residence in Nandagrama, he excavated a large lake, then known as Nanda Sarovara. Nanda Maharaja, his family members, and all the Vraja-vasis used to bathe in that lake. And it is said that while Nanda Maharaja and his family bathed at one end of the lake, Vrsabhanu Maharaja would occasionally come and bathe with his family at the other end. According to local tradition, Srimati Radharani and Krishna used to swim underwater to the middle of the lake and engage in pastimes.

One day, little Krishna noticed that instead of cooking the usual meal of rice, dal, sabji, and chapatis, Mother Yasoda was making all kinds of fried preparations with dal, noodles, and flour. When Krishna asked her why she was cooking those things, she replied that Nanda Maharaja was going on a pilgrimage the next day and that the fried things she was cooking would last for several days without spoiling.

Krishna then asked where His father was going, and Mother Yasoda replied that he was going to Prayaga. Little Krishna went to Nanda Maharaja and asked him where Prayaga was and why he was going there. Nanda Maharaja explained that Prayaga was the sacred place where the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarasvati met and flowed together and that to take bath there was most auspicious.

The next morning was Aksaya-tritiya, the perfect day to start on a long journey. As usual, Nanda Maharaja got up early and went to take bath in his lake. When he got there, he saw a man he had never seen before—an imposing, regal person—rolling in the dust and laughing loudly. Every now and then he would get up and dive into Nanda Sarovara, and then again he would come out and roll in the dust and laugh, and again bathe in the lake.

Nanda Maharaja approached the kingly man and asked, “Maharaja, who are you?”

“Baba, I’m Prayaga,” the man replied.

“Prayaga? I don’t know anyone in Nandagrama with that name.”

“No. No. I’m not from here. I’m Prayaga Raja, the king of all the holy places (tirthas)!”

“And why have you come here today, Maharaja?”

“Baba, all year long people come and bathe in my waters and leave their sins there. So, every year, on Aksaya-tritiya, I come here, roll in the dust of Vraja, and bathe in this sarovara, because this dust and this lake have the potency to purify (pavana) one from all sins.”

Nanda Maharaja was amazed. Suddenly he noticed that on the other side of the lake were many beautiful ladies in silk saris embroidered with gold and silver threads. They were also bathing in the lake. Approaching them respectfully, Nanda Maharaja asked who they were.

One lady replied, “Baba, I’m Ganga.” Another said, “I’m Sarasvati.” And yet another said, “I’m Godavari.” They all responded with the names of different holy rivers: Kurujangala, Kaveri, Narmada, Brahmaputra, Mahananda, etc.

Then Nanda Maharaja asked, “And why have you come here today? I’ve never seen you before.” The ladies explained that all year long people put their sins into their waters and that every year on the Aksaya-tritiya day they came to Vraja to roll in its dust, bathe in the sarovara, and become purified (pavana).

After taking his bath, Nanda Maharaja went back up the hill to his residence. By that time, little Krishna was awake. Coming before His father, He asked, “Baba, are you going now?” “No, Lala. I’m not going.” “Why, Baba?” “Because today, all the places I wanted to go came to take bath in our lake and become purified (pavana). So why should I take the trouble to go to them when they all came here?”

From that day, Nanda Sarovara became known as Pavana Sarovara.

“The body of Krishna, the ocean of the eternal beauty of youth, can be seen to move in waves of beauty. There is a whirlwind at the sound of His flute, and those waves and that whirlwind make the hearts of the gopis flutter like dry leaves on trees, and when those leaves fall downRead More...

(This post has been viewed 3 times so far)Read More...

On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada has inaugurated the BBT International Library in ISKCON Vrindavan. We are inviting everyone to come and study Srila Prabhupada’s Books. Hare Krishna (This post has been viewed 34 times so far)Read More...

Very important, and related to the name of the festival itself, is the presentation of the Akshaya Patra to Draupadi by Lord Krishna during the visit of numerous saintly guests, including the sage Durvasa. During their exile in the forest, the Pandava princes were famished due to the lack of food, and their wife Draupadi was pained by this because she could not extend the customary hospitality to their guests. 

Yudhisthira, who was the eldest, prayed to Lord Surya, who gave him this bowl, which would remain full till Draupadi served all of their guests. During Sage Durvasa’s visit, Lord Krishna made this bowl invincible for Draupadi so that the magical bowl called Akshaya Patra would always remain full with food of their choice, even as to satiate the whole universe if required.

Akshaya Tritiya is believed to be the birthday of Lord Parasurama, who was the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is revered in Vaishnava temples. Those who observe it in honour of Lord Parasurama sometimes refer to the festival as Parasurama Jayanti. 

It is also said that Srila Vyasadeva began reciting the epic Mahabharata to Ganesha on Akshaya Tritiya. The river Ganges descended to earth on this day. Very significantly, the Yamunotri temple and Gangotri temple are opened on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya after closing down during the heavy snowfall-laden winters of the Himalayan regions. The temples are opened on Abhijit Muhurat of Akshaya Tritya.

Another significant event that is believed to have occurred on this day is Sudama’s visit to his childhood friend, Lord Krishna in Dvaraka, when he received unlimited wealth as a boon.

“No one can understand the loving intimacy between Gadadhara Pandita and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Gadadhara Pandita gave up his vow and service to Gopinatha just as one gives up a piece of straw.

Gadadhara Pandita’s behavior was very pleasing to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s heart. Nevertheless, the Lord took his hand and spoke to him, displaying the anger of love.

“You have abandoned Gopinatha’s service and broken your vow to live in Puri. All that is now complete because you have come so far.

“Your wanting to go with Me is simply a desire for sense gratification. In this way, you are breaking two religious principles, and because of this I am very unhappy.

“If you want My happiness, please return to Nilacala. You will simply condemn Me if you say any more about this matter.”

Saying this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu got into a boat, and Gadadhara Pandita immediately fell down unconscious.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya to take Gadadhara Pandita with him. The Bhattacarya told Gadadhara Pandita, “Get up! Such are the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.” (CC Madhya-lila 16, 137-143)

Gadardhara Pandit’s Appearance Day (Right click to download)

Old City Hall, Toronto

Wonder the Destiny

The Gita verse for the Windsor group today is a strong endorsement to the principle of the soul’s transmigration. Verse 15.8 describes how the living entity carries different conceptions of life from one body to another, as the air carries aromas. The group found the concept most interesting, on the point that impressions which trigger desire determine one’s subsequent body.

Our Gita chat with Windsor was a stimulating morning session and I believe all mornings should be blessed with some philosophical concepts; even if it be a five-minute contemplation.

The afternoon was spent in the sun and air. To honour those victims of the Ukraine War, local devotees organized a Chant for Peace in front of Old City Hall, an ideal location for getting attention. The prestigious building, the current downtown courthouse, is at the crossroads of bustling Queen and Bay streets.

Leading the chant was Vrkodhar, a native Ukrainian, who has a gift for keeping everyone solid to the mantra, Hare Krishna. He was surrounded by 100 of us chanting in response. There is so much that can be said about yet another useless war, but as most of us know, millions of people are adversely affected, with families displaced and separated, loss of jobs, people fleeing, people hungry.

It is astounding, though, how the world responds, either in aid or in fueling the fire of hate. You have to wonder what will be the destiny of those who instigate and perpetuate hate.

May the Source be with you!

 

Mississauga, Ontario

Like Minded People

Jason is the latest friend I made. The strategy to making friends is simple: sit at the park bench along the trail where pedestrians stroll. What stops some people is the monk’s attire. It’s different.

Jason stopped and we started talking. I believe the conversation began with chatting about the weather. From there the dialogue included walking on a marathon level. I told him it was a half a century since I took up monastic life. He was impressed. Later on in the evening he sent a text message saying how he enjoyed the encounter. It was on the basis of a mantra card with my contact on it that he was encouraged to follow up.

The evening had me meet with old friends in the household of Gunam, from South India. The people he invited were family and friends, and, through a Zoom call with other groups from Hamilton, Welland, Barrie and Philly, we discussed verse 18.72 from the Gita.

In this verse, Krishna demonstrates His kind and caring nature. Said one of the attendees, Dharma, “Krishna offers independence and doesn’t force love.” He went on saying that in this portion of the Gita, Krishna more or less rounds up the dialogue with questions. “Have you heard me? Are your illusions dispelled? Now that you’ve heard, you can do as you like, Arjuna.”

We also spoke about what real wealth is. It has little to do with having a Swiss bank account, and more to do with spiritual cultivation and making spiritual buddies; cherishing that kind of sangha, circle of bhakti, in the form of like-minded people.

May the Source be with you!

 

Ramsden Park, Toronto

Death and the Dog

The sun and the green of the park drew me to take those few steps to a bench of contemplation. The dog park just behind me has been a location of spriteful activities, for a good twenty-five years now, for pets and owners. Those frisky canines are so much loved by their masters. I pondered on the point, wondering if the masters reserve any affection for the greatest of masters.

While I see an explosive exhibition of life at that haven for animals, I did dwell a bit on the theme of death. On my walking travels, I’ve seen the display of death, with the most common incident being roadkill. Most wildlife can’t stand a chance when crossing our roadway systems. For instance, the other day I spotted a beaver who came from High Park and just abruptly expired from a traffic bully on Gardiner Expressway. Sad.

In the Bhagavatam, verse 11.10.20, from today’s morning session at the ashram, we read, “Death is not at all pleasing.” For pet owners, a dog’s life span only goes for 10 to 13 years in most cases. It can be devastating for dog lovers. That’s why, I say, if people can at the same time offer affection to God, then the emotions become somewhat tempered. You have something to fall back on as He will always be there for you in affection.

One way to look at the practical relationship with Krishna is that we are His dog, as He is our master.

May the Source be with you!

 

Brampton, Ontario

A powerful Virtue

I am improving day by day in the right knee area. I can’t wait to walk without assistance of crutch or cane. That is already achieved, basically, but walking to me means mileage. The day will come when I can put in a modest four or five kilometres. Only patience is required.

Gandhi said once if you lose patience, you lose the battle.

Patience is that special virtue. When applied, a healing takes place in the case of illness. When applied, your pay check will come, but you work first. And, in the case of a couple wanting a baby, patience spells out nine moths of waiting.

Today I visited my dentist and, in order for my teeth cleaning to take place, I was asked at the clinic to take a seat. I simply had to wait my turn. The assistant and I had a look at photos of a chipped tooth. Well, the dental clinic wasn’t prepared to fix the problem right then and there. A second appointment needed to be booked for the tooth repair.

Like anyone else I would like to have a pronto repair job done, but the world doesn’t work that way. It calls once again for patience. A pedestrian is patient to reach the destination.

As a neophyte monk who had just joined in ’73, I was under the impression that I would be self-realized in a few months. After a few months expired, things were the same, or let’s say a gradual momentum was building up. Things take time. Krishna says, “I am time.”

May the source be with you!

 

“Krishna’s body is a city of attractive features, and it is sweeter than sweet. His face, which is like the moon, is sweeter still. And the supremely sweet gentle smile on that moonlike face is like rays of moonshine.” (Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya, 21.138) (This post has been viewed 15 times so far)Read More...

By Kamala Priya Devi Dasi

Devotees from Europe, as well as other parts of the world, have tirelessly continued their sincere endeavour to help devotees from Ukraine to find shelter, care and support. The following figures are for week 9 of this devotee care / relief effort. Continue reading "ISKCON RELIEF FOR UKRAINE REPORT – Week 9
→ Dandavats"

 

May 3 is Akshaya Tritiya, one of the most important days in the Vedic calendar. Akshaya Tritiya is the appearance day of Lord Parasurama, and it is also the day that the Ganges descended to the earth. Most devotees know it as the beginning of Candana-yatra, but actually many of Lord Krishna’s other pastimes also took place on this day, specifically those which highlight Krishna’s generous and intimate reciprocation with his devotees.

The very word Akshaya means “that which never diminishes”. Any service or charity one performs on this day will be paid back many times over. On this day, Sudama gave the Lord a tiny portion of chipped rice and was rewarded with untold opulence. Draupadi was protected by Krishna twice on this day, once when He provided her an unlimited sari at the dice game in return for a tiny piece of cloth, and later, when she needed to provide food for Durvasa muni, the Lord took a single grain from her pot and satisfied the hunger of all the sages.

“If the devotee offers something to the Lord, it acts for his own interest because whatever a devotee offers the Lord comes back in a quantity a million times greater than what was offered. One does not become a loser by giving to the Lord; one becomes a gainer by millions of times.”

Krsna Book Ch. 81, The Brahmana Sudama Blessed by Lord Krishna

Traditionally, this is the best day for starting important endeavors. Vyasadeva and Ganesa chose this day to start writing the great epic Mahabharata, for example, and every year construction of the huge Ratha carts in Puri also starts on this day.

This year’s Akshaya Tritiya begins the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser until Nrsimha Caturdasi, May 15 (India time), to raise funds for the completion and opening of Lord Nrsimha’s temple wing in the TOVP in 2023, and to honor Pankajanghri prabhu. Ambarisa has doubled his matching donation to the fundraiser this year by committing $250,000. Every dollar will be matched.

Take advantage of this all-auspicious day and give a General Donation of any amount, make a Pledge Payment or sponsor a Nrsimha Brick inscribed with your name and placed under the Lord’s altar, a Prabhupada Paschatya Desha Tarine Medallion, a Prabhupada Award or Prabhupada/TOVP Trophy. Your donation will be matched dollar for dollar. Go to the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser page on the website, or use the direct links below today.

 

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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:

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Jayananda Prabhu left his body on May 1, 1977. The following account is derived from a letter by Kalindi Dasi to her spiritual master, Candramauli Swami.

In mid-July I started wearing tilak to my work at the hospice. I thought that since many other spiritual practitioners were expressing their faith by wearing crosses, doves, silk threads, pentacles, and other items, I would wear my tilak, which tells the world that I am a devotee of the Lord. And I have found that simply keeping tilak at work has opened the door for spiritual questions and conversations.

On the morning of Monday, August 6, 2007, after our daily report and medical-staff checks, we began doing our usual tasks of caring for the patients. As ours is only a ten-bed facility, we are able to give loving care to each patient individually. Often, while I care for or bathe patients who are unable to do such tasks for themselves, I chant or sing the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. On this particular morning I was caring for a woman named Jane Kohr, who had been with us for almost a week. She was a kind and polite person, and I enjoyed the time I was spending with her. Around 8 a.m. on August 6, I entered her room and found that she was getting closer to leaving her body. She was unresponsive to verbal cues, and her body was limp. I sang the maha-mantra one last time, while she received her final bath. Hospice staff called her family, who were always friendly and appreciative of our care for her. When I was finished, I spoke with some of the family members in the hall. Jane’s grandson approached me to thank me, and then he pointed to his forehead and to my tilak and asked if I was a Hare Krishna. I smiled and said that yes, I was a devotee of Krishna. “Well,” he said, “then maybe you know of my uncle Jayananda.”

“The Jayananda?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said. And he told me how his uncle had built the Ratha-yatra carts. He then went in to inform his mother that I was a Hare Krishna.

Gaynelle, Jayananda Prabhu’s sister, came out of the room and said that she was so happy that a Krishna devotee had cared for her mother. The whole family expressed that it meant so much to them. Gaynelle kept saying that she couldn’t believe that I was a Hare Krishna. She said that she told her mother but wasn’t sure that her mom could hear her. I said that I had a feeling she already knew, and I laughed.

Jane, a granddaughter, mentioned that she remembered her uncle making really great Indian food and offering it to God and then the family sitting on the floor and eating it. She remembered his robes and how happy he was. Jane said that he had been pretty depressed before meeting devotees.

I let Jayananda Prabhu’s family know that during the Ratha-yatra festival we hang a nice photo of him next to Srila Prabhupada’s photo. They told me that an old friend of Jayananda’s (who is not a devotee) happened to be in Africa several years ago and saw his first Ratha-yatra festival there, and to his astonishment there was a huge photo of Jayananda Prabhu on the front of the cart. He had called Gaynelle to share the news.

They told me that Jayananda was always very kind, even as a child, and never spoke badly of others. From the many stories they told me, his saintly qualities shined through even in his childhood. Gaynelle told me that her brother once spent hours on a family vacation at the beach picking ticks and fleas off a homeless dog. He couldn’t stand to watch it suffering. Jayananda’s nephew told me about running around the kitchen table as a small child with his uncle, who was laughing and chanting Hare Krishna.

When I went back into Jane’s room, the family was gathered around her bed holding her hand. Her breaths were faint, and she was about to leave her body. I stepped out to give the family some space, and about five minutes later they came to the front desk and asked for me to look at her. When I opened the door, I saw that her body had turned yellow and waxy. It was apparent that the soul had left and that the physical body was all that remained. The nurse reported that she had passed, and the family, though sad, also felt relief.

Gaynelle told me that she had asked her brother for support. Since he couldn’t physically be at their mother’s passing, she had been looking for a sign that he was supporting her. She felt that a devotee’s being present and caring for her mother was not a mere coincidence. It was, I believe, Krishna’s endless mercy!

I thanked the relatives for allowing me to serve their family, offered my pranamas, and said, “Hare Krishna.”

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is sometimes described as a thief. He is very famous amongst His pure devotees as the Mākhana-cora. He used to steal butter from the houses of neighbors at Vṛndāvana in His early age. SB 1.10.19, Translation and Purport: It was being heard here and there that the benedictions being paid to KṛṣṇaRead More...