Friday, April 8, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

243 Ave. Rd., Toronto

My Thanks

I just wanted to take the opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude to all of you; for your well-wishes during my surgical recovery. I am doing the necessary for the healing required in the form of extra rest, exercise, massage and medication. I believe the good vibrations emanating from all of you is the greatest contribution to the cure. All this love and kindness is the cure.

Although my situation of losing a knee and the installation of a new one is not critical, it is still a vital part for getting around physically, and therefore is important. Modern-day technology is making it possible for us all to experience a kind of mobility, but that can’t replace the power to move with leg ability.

I just can’t resist relaying to you all some famous quotes on healing:

From Voltaire: “The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.”

From George Henry Lowes: “The only cure for grief is action.”

From Lucius Seneca: “It is part of the cure to want to be cured.”

From Hippocrates: “Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always.”

From Jarem Sawatsky: “Healing is not the absence of the storm. Healing is the way we ride it.”

From Benjamin Franklin: “God heals and the doctor takes the fees.”

From Srila Prabhupada: “It is important to keep the body fit and healthy so that we will not meet the obstacles of ill health while serving Krishna.”

May the Source be with you!


 

Thursday, April 7, 2022
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Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto

Bag of Three

The night before had been very trying. I was nauseous, although the surgery went well. I was out like a light. I don’t remember a thing. The sedation worked really well. Still, there was a concern. The last time I urinated was at 7:30 a.m. and now it reached 12 hours later. Nothing! It then got to midnight and still – nothing again. I expressed my concern to the nurse. I did not get panicky. “You see, I never experienced this before.”

The nurse stood there feeling my frustration. On one of the subsequent visits to my room of four patients, I made my announcement to the nurse. I reported successfully releasing water through the simple technique of what guys do to urinate. They stand up. The nurse felt my relief and admitted that I had a good point. Anyway, it worked out.

I can recall a class given by our guru, Prabhupada, on Gita 2.11, and therein he explained the make up of our bodies. It is a bag of water, fire and air. He went on to say in his very convincing delivery that the body is a bag of these three elements and that we are not the body. We are spirit. “The whole world is going on with the false information; that I am the body,” he said.

I know we have to take care of this body, which is a machine made of the material energy. That’s why I am in the hospital. I am grateful to these medical workers who work tirelessly. The only gripe I might have about their medical institutions is the food. However, the good outweighs the bad.

May the Source be with you!


 

Always be immersed in thoughts of Krishna, this is our process
→ Dandavats

“Regarding your first question, is it offensive to think of Krishna’s Pastimes while chanting, I think you should know that it is not offensive, but rather it is required. One must try for the point when he simply hears Krishna and immediately all of Krishna, His Pastimes, His Form, His Quality, are in his thoughts.Read More...
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Always be immersed in thoughts of Krishna, this is our process
→ Dandavats

“Regarding your first question, is it offensive to think of Krishna’s Pastimes while chanting, I think you should know that it is not offensive, but rather it is required. One must try for the point when he simply hears Krishna and immediately all of Krishna, His Pastimes, His Form, His Quality, are in his thoughts.Read More...
(This post has been viewed 10 times so far)

The Festival of Colors Spanish Fork, Utah
→ ISKCON News

Spring is upon us and that means it’s time for the Festival of Colors. The Festival of Colors is an annual celebration of the Holi Festival. Holi Festival is an ancient Hindu festival that commemorates Radha Krishna’s love as well as the triumph of virtue over evil. The Holi Festival began in India and has […]

The post The Festival of Colors Spanish Fork, Utah appeared first on ISKCON News.

How to Check the Age of Kali
→ Dandavats

by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami The followers of Krsna consciousness are aware that at present the universe and the earth are in the age of Kali. Vedic culture calculates the long duration of time between the creation and annihilation of the cosmos according to repeated cycles of the following four seasons: Satya-yuga, Treta-yuga, Dvapara-yuga and Kali-yuga.Read More...
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Tulasi Jala Dan
→ Ramai Swami

Tulasi Jala Dan can be followed for one month during the hot season in the northern hemisphere.

One may hang a pot with a hole in it, fill it with water and drip water over Tulasi and Shaligrama Shila.

As it is hot this time of year it is pleasing for the Shaligrama to receive cool waters dripped upon Him.

In the southern hemisphere be careful not to overwater as we come out of Summer and into Autumn.

The Ancient Town Of Gaya (Album of photos)
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Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday we visited the sacred abode of Gaya, in the state of Bihar. The history of Gaya goes back to Satya Yuga, when Lord Visnu placed His lotus foot on the chest of Gayasura, a redeemed demon who had turned into stone. That footprint has been worshipped by devotees since that time. FiveRead More...
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From confusion to Srimad Bhagavatam
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After receiving a super inspiring, mercy-filled email from His Holiness Giriraj Swami, encouraging book distribution, we went out on books to cash in on the mercy. A nice young engineer approached our book table with many questions. He asked, “I’m confused in life, even though I’m very successful materially, so please recommend a book thatRead More...
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Sankirtana in the Bible
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In the Vaisnava (Krsna) literature of India there are innumerable scriptural injunctions encouraging sankirtana the chanting and singing of the names of God as an efficacious means to attain God realization or as a glorious end in itself. Yet many Westerners, perhaps justifiably skeptical, might ask, “If sankirtana is so all-encompassing, so potent and effective,Read More...
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Love in the Absolute World 
→ Dandavats

by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada As long as we have the desire for material sense gratification or the desire for material liberation there is no possibility of developing transcendental bliss in Krsna consciousness. Bhukti is the desire for material sense gratification, and mukti is the desire, after being frustrated, for liberation. Real mukti or liberation however, meansRead More...
(This post has been viewed 36 times so far)

Baby Krishna’s captivating beauty
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Sometimes Yasoda saw the curly, dark blue locks of baby Krishna as swarm of bumblebees surrounding His face. Intoxicated from drinking too much honey nectar, the bees just hovered in the sky. His thick, beautiful blue hair appeared like the dark night. The two lotus eyes of Krishna looked like a pair of blue lotusRead More...
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In Memory of His Grace Payonidhi Das
→ ISKCON News

On Ram Navami,  at ISKCON Juhu, His Grace Payonidhi Das suffered a tragic accident and left this world. Originally from Orissa, he was a loving servant of Lord Jagannatha.m and he was a full-time resident living as a Brahmachari (monk). He was currently serving in ISKCON Kharghar but had traveled to attend the temple’s Ram […]

The post In Memory of His Grace Payonidhi Das appeared first on ISKCON News.

A visit to ISKCON’s Punjabi Bagh temple in New Delhi (Album of photos)
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Indradyumna Swami: A visit to ISKCON’s Punjabi Bagh temple in New Delhi was the first stop on our pilgrimage to the Jharikhanda Forest in Bihar. There we took the blessings of Sri Sri Radha Radhika Raman for safe travels to the eastern part of India. Find them here: https://bit.ly/37EmXFv (This post has been viewed 12Read More...
(This post has been viewed 12 times so far)

Raise cows and be wealthy!
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How wealthy the inhabitants of Vrndavana were simply by raising cows. All the cowherd men belonged to the vaisya community, and their business was to protect the cows and cultivate crops. By their dress and ornaments, and by their behavior, it appears that although they were in a small village, they still were rich inRead More...
(This post has been viewed 15 times so far)

In Utah temple!!
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Caru Das: Just a day prior to Ram Navami, the restored murtis (forms) of the Divine Couple make their appearance on the temple verandah, escorted by the artist Vaibhavi Christine Warden. (This post has been viewed 3 times so far)Read More...
(This post has been viewed 3 times so far)

The Genuine Spiritual Master
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by HH Giriraja Swami “Instant Problem Solving Guru Inside” Every day we Boston devotees pass this sign as we chant the holy names in Harvard Square. The sign hangs on a local shop window, and it is sold in quantity inside. This week at the neighboring movie theatre a new movie is showing The Guru. So whoRead More...
(This post has been viewed 22 times so far)

A Search Comes to an End
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VIJAYA DASA After experimenting with various spiritual practices and mantras, an American youth finally comes to Krishna. I grew up in Los Angeles. Once, when I was visiting a friend I saw a person on TV speaking about spirituality, I found it interesting. He was speaking about Transcendental Meditation, an organization founded by Maharishi MaheshRead More...
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Krsna consciousness is the Absolute Necessity for Mankind in this Age
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By Jananibas Dasa Brahmacari Let me first offer my obeisances to my spiritual master, His Divine Grace Om Visnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya 108 Sri Srimad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Gosvami Maharaj Prabhupada, the acarya for this age, who has opened my eyes with the torchlight of knowledge, having rescued me from the fires of material birth and death.
Read More...

From the early days in Germany
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Being absorbed in book distribution, we were hesitant to return to the temple, even for weekends. To stay out on Sunday provided a special challenge, as even today Sunday is a day where hardly any shops are open. Everything freezes to the sounds of bells being rung in empty churches, and the Germans retreat toRead More...
(This post has been viewed 7 times so far)

Wednesday, April 6, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto

Break a Leg

 

Off to the hospital and anticipating a new knee. I’m already called the bionic boy. I was wheeled into the

surgery. Just minutes before, I compiled a poem.

 

Break a Leg

 

You know the saying, “Break a leg,”

Well, that’s what Backstein is about to do

The surgeon will be opening my leg

A performance by him and his crew

When a bionic part enters my machine

He’d execute with care when it’s actually free

With trusty tools he’ll be sharp and clean

Months back he tackled my left knee

And today it’ll be the right

My body is a pod with more than a pea

I’ll all be finished by tonight

I’m glad I’m not a millipede

That would kill the doc for sure

Surgeons are in demand – a need

They live for a patient’s repair and cure

That is a part of their earned legacy

And when the operation is all over

He, I and the crew will be in ecstasy

And our hearts will be wrapped in clover

 

May the Source be with you!


 

Urgent Need
→ Dandavats

Parasuram das The wonderful devotees from Kharkiv in Eastern Ukraine are in urgent need of a good van, kitchen equipment and more foodstuff. Please act now and help us to supply them with what they need. We leave the U.K. today and time is of the essence. There is presently a short ease in thisRead More...
(This post has been viewed 6 times so far)

Indian PM Modi praises Rama Navami celebrations at Iskcon Varachha (Surat)
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Appreciating the celebrations of Rama Navami at the Varachha branch of ISKCON in Surat, the Prime Minister of India, Sri Narendra Modi pointed out the relevance of the teachings of Lord Ramachandra to modern times. Murtimaan Das President of ISKCON Varachha said, “The Prime Minister compared Lord Rama’s own ideal example of compassion with theRead More...
(This post has been viewed 34 times so far)

India’s Minister Piyush Goyal meets ISKCON devotees in Perth, Western Australia
→ Dandavats

During his recent visit to Perth, Western Australia, India’s Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal met with Jagattarini Dasi from The Sacred India Gallery. Jagattarini presented Minister Goyal with an artistic gift- two Australian gumnuts which she had delicately hand-painted with portraits of Radha and Krishna. The gumnuts were sourced from towering nativeRead More...
(This post has been viewed 9 times so far)

#GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser, May 3 -15: Give to Pankajanghri
- TOVP.org

The #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser is scheduled for May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) – May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi – India time). This is an opportunity to help complete Lord Nrsimhadeva’s TOVP wing so we can open it in 2023 as part of the TOVP 2024 Marathon. Ambarisa prabhu is generously matching a total of $250,000, so your donations and sponsorships will be matched dollar for dollar.

Also of great importance is that this opening of Lord Nrsimha’s wing will honor one of His stalwart servants, Sriman Pankajanghri prabhu, who served the Lord selflessly as His Head Pujari for thirty five years since His installation in 1986. Beloved by one and all, this is the first year since he departed from our vision, and this fundraiser is in the service of his wish to relocate his worshipable Deity into His new home.

As expressed in the video, it was his ardent desire that we complete the TOVP as soon as possible and relocate Lord Nrsimhadeva as well as all our ISKCON Mayapur Deities into Their new home as soon as possible.

Your participation in this fundraiser at whatever large or small level you can will help this important spiritual cause in the service of Pankajanghri, Srila Prabhupada and our acharyas and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Go to the #GivingToNrsimha Page on the TOVP website today or between May 3-15 and support the campaign. Your donation will also be matched dollar for dollar by Ambarisa prabhu. And Srila Prabhupada declares if you help, you will go back to Godhead.

“If you all build this temple, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur will personally come and take you all back to Godhead.

Srila Prabhupada to Giriraja Swami

 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

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Sita Belongs to Rama!
→ Dandavats

“Riches come from Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, and the goddess of fortune is the property of Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The goddess of fortune cannot stay anywhere but by the side of Nārāyaṇa; therefore another of her names is Cañcalā, restless. She cannot be peaceful unless she is in the company ofRead More...
(This post has been viewed 9 times so far)

73rd Vyasa Puja of HH Jayapataka Swami – April 12th
→ Mayapur.com

Since the Covid situation, Sri Mayapur Dham hasn’t celebrated the Vyasa Puja ceremony as it has always been celebrated here in Sri dham Mayapur. Most of the celebrations has been discrete and are performed virtually ever since the pandemic. But, by the mercy of Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva and Sri Prabhlad Narasimhadeva […]

The post 73rd Vyasa Puja of HH Jayapataka Swami – April 12th appeared first on Mayapur.com.

ISKCON RELIEF FOR UKRAINE
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ISKCON Relief – Reports Poland: This week in Warsaw we had a huge ‘wave’ arriving from the east of Ukraine — Donetsk, Krematorsk and other areas. They have been wisely advised by Niranjana Maharaja to leave as the army forces were coming their way. Maharaja has been so closely involved in helping his yatra soRead More...
(This post has been viewed 17 times so far)

Ukraine Report from Poland — Week 6
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By Gaurangi dasi One would hope after 6 weeks of any crisis, things would start to slow down, some light, some hope will start to emerge. Of course we still hope and trust in a divine plan, pray for the protection of the Lord’s devotees… but unfortunately we don’t see many signs of things slowingRead More...
(This post has been viewed 6 times so far)

ISKCON Temple Attacker Convicted Of Bias Crime
→ ISKCON News

Portland Local News ISKCON Temple Attacker Convicted Of Bias Crime Apr 1, 2022 On March 30, 2022, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Brandon Thompson found Sean Lawrence Michel-White guilty of two counts of first-degree bias crime, second-degree bias crime, two counts of fourth-degree assault, and harassment in a bench trial. He was then sentenced to […]

The post ISKCON Temple Attacker Convicted Of Bias Crime appeared first on ISKCON News.

“Book Changes Controversy” Coming to a Close
→ ISKCON News

On October 17, 2019, the BBT and GBC cooperatively appointed an Editorial Review Panel (ERP) to address devotees’ concerns about making changes to Çréla Prabhupäda’s books after his physical departure. Formed with the mandate to review all proposed and previously published edits to Çréla Prabhupäda’s books in the English language, the ERP has now been […]

The post “Book Changes Controversy” Coming to a Close appeared first on ISKCON News.