Planet ISKCON

Vaishnava Jaya Ekadashi is an important fasting ritual observed on the Ekadasi (11th day) during the Shukla Paksha (the bright fortnight of moon) in the month of Maadhva in the Vaishnava calendar. This observance falls somewhere between the months of January to February in the Gregorian calendar. Jaya Ekadashi is also popularly called as Bhaimi Ekadashi and it is strongly believed that one who observes a righteous fast on this day will find a place in Vaikuntha. Observing the Vaishnava Jaya Ekadashi vrata is equivalent to observing all other Ekadashi fasts.

We encourage devotees to take advantage of this auspicious day by giving in charity and contribute to the TOVP construction. This is an ideal opportunity to sponsor an abhisheka for Chota Radha Madhava at Their Radha Madhava Golden Jubilee Festival or a Paschatya Desha Tarine Medallion to honor Srila Prabhupada’s 100th Anniversary of receiving the order to preach in the West by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasawati.

  NOTE: Bhaimi Ekadasi is observed on Saturday, February 12 in India, and Friday, February 11 in the U.S., except for certain parts of the East Coast. Please refer to your local calendar through www.gopal.home.sk/gcal.

  View, download and share the TOVP 2022 Calendar​.

The Glories of Bhaimi Ekadasi

From the Bhavishyottara Purana

The narration of the glories of Magha-Shukla Ekadasi or Jaya (Bhaimi) Ekadashi is found in the Bhavishyottara Purana in a conversation between Maharaja Yudhishthira and Lord Krishna. It is said that one who observes upavasa (fasting) on this day is granted entry into Lord Vishnu’s abode, even not having performed other vratas of the year. The half-day fast (vrata) for the appearance day of Lord Varahadev on the following day, Varaha Dvadasi is also observed on this Ekadashi.

Yudhishthira Maharaja Inquires From Lord Krishna

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, “O Lord of the lords, Sri Krishna, all glories unto You! O Master of the universe, You alone are the source of the four types of living entities – those born of eggs, of perspiration, of seeds, and of embryos. You are the root cause of all, O Lord, and therefore the creator, maintainer, and destroyer.

“My Lord, You have kindly described to me the auspicious day known as Sat-tila Ekadashi, which occurs during the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Magha (January – February). Now I request you to please explain to me about the Ekadasi that occurs in the bright fortnight (Shukla paksha) of this month. By what name is it known, and what is the process for observing it? Who is the presiding Deity of this sublime day, which is so dear to You?”

Lord Krishna Answers Yudhishthira

Lord Sri Krishna replied, “O Yudhisthira, I shall be glad to tell you about the Ekadasi that occurs during the bright half of Magha. This Ekadashi effaces all kinds of sinful reactions and demonic influences. It is known as Jaya Ekadashi, and the fortunate soul who fasts on this sacred day is relieved of the great burden of ghostly existence. Thus, there is no better Ekadashi than this, for it truly bestows freedom from birth and death. It should be observed respectfully and meticulously. Please listen to Me attentively, O Pandava, as I relate an ancient episode that I have previously narrated in the Padma Purana.

Malyavan and Pushpavati Attracted

“Long ago, Lord Indra ruled his celestial kingdom well and the devas (demigods) living there were content. In the Nandana Forest graced with Parijata Flowers, Indra drank ambrosia and enjoyed the company of fifty million celestial maidens (Apsaras), who danced for his pleasure. Singers, led by Pushpadanta, sang in sweet voices. Chitrasena, Indra’s chief musician in the company of his wife Malini and his handsome son Malyavan entertained Indra.

“At that time, an Apsara named Pushpavati became attracted to Malyavan. Cupid’s sharp arrows pierced her heart. With her beautiful body, complexion and enchanting movements of eyebrows, she captivated Malyavan.

“O King, listen as I describe the splendid beauty of Pushpavati: She had incomparably graceful arms with which to embrace a man like a fine silken noose; her face resembled the Moon; her lotus eyes reached almost to her lovely ears, which were adorned with exquisite earrings. Her thin neck decorated with ornaments looked like a conch, having three lines. Her waist was as slender as the size of a fist. Her hips were broad, and her thighs like the trunks of banana trees. Gorgeous ornaments and garments complemented her naturally beautiful features. Her breasts were raised emphasizing her prime of youth and to look upon her feet was to behold newly grown red lotuses.

Indra Curses Malyavan and Pushpavati

“Seeing Pushpavati in all her heavenly beauty, Malyavan was bewitched. They had come with the other performers to regale Lord Indra, but enamored of each other, they faltered in their singing and dancing. Their pronunciation dithered and their rhythm wavered. Lord Indra could understand the cause of their mistakes at once. Offended at the discord in the musical performance, he became very angry and shouted, ‘Useless fools! You pretend to sing for me while in a stupor of infatuation for each other! You mock me! I curse you both to suffer henceforth as pisachas (hobgoblins). Go to the earthly regions as husband and wife and reap the reactions of your offense.

The Sufferings of Malyavan and Pushpavati

“Dumbstruck by the chastisement, Malyavan and Pushpavati fell from the heavenly Nandana Forest to a Himalayan peak on Earth. Distraught, with their celestial intelligence vastly diminished by the effects of lord Indra’s fierce curse, they lost their sense of taste, smell, and touch.
“It was so frigid on the high Himalayan desert of snow and ice that they could not even enjoy the oblivion of sleep. Roaming aimlessly in the harsh altitude, Malyavan and Pushpavati suffered more at every moment. Even in a cave, their teeth chattered incessantly due to the cold. Their hair stood on end due to fright and bewilderment. In this wretched condition, Malyavan said to Pushpavati, ‘What abominable sins did we commit as to suffer in these pisacha bodies, in an unbearable environment? This is absolutely hellish! Hell is ferocious, but this suffering is even more abominable. Oh! One should never commit sins!’

The Blessings of Bhaimi Ekadasi

By their good fortune, however, that day happened to be the auspicious Jaya (Bhaimi) Ekadashi, the Ekadasi of the light fortnight of the month of Magha. Due to their intense misery, they had neglected to drink water, kill any game, or even eat fruits and leaves available at that altitude. They had unknowingly observed Ekadasi by fasting completely from all food and drink. Sunk in misery, Malyavan and Pushpavati collapsed beneath a Pipal tree unable to get up. The Sun had set. The night was colder and even more miserable than the day. They shivered in a freezing snowfall. Their teeth chattered in unison, and when they became completely numb, they embraced just to keep warm. Locked in each other’s arms, unable to enjoy sleep or sex, they suffered all night under the powerful curse of Indra.

“Yet, O Yudhishthira, by the mercy of the fast they had inadvertently observed on Jaya Ekadasi, and because they had remained awake all night, they were blessed on the following day. As Dvadasi dawned, Malyavan and Pushpavati had given up their demonic forms and once again attained beautiful heavenly bodies with lustrous ornaments and exquisite garments. As they both looked at each other in amazement, a celestial airplane (vimana) arrived on the spot for them. A chorus of heavenly denizens sang their praises as the couple stepped into the beautiful aircraft and proceeded directly to the heavenly regions, cheered by the good wishes of everyone. Soon Malyavan and Pushpavati arrived at Amaravati, Lord Indra’s capital city, and immediately went before their lord (Indradeva) and offered him their obeisances.

“Lord Indra was astonished to see them restored to their original forms so soon after he had cursed them. Indradeva asked, ‘What extraordinarily meritorious deeds did you perform to give up your pisacha bodies so quickly after I had cursed you? Who released you from my irresistible curse?’

“Malyavan replied, ‘O lord, it was by the extreme mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna (Vasudeva) and also by the powerful influence of the Jaya Ekadashi, that we were released from our suffering as pisachas. O master, because we unwittingly executed devotional service to Lord Vishnu by observing the day most dear to Him, we were restored to our former status.’

“Indradeva then said, ‘Because you served the Supreme Lord Sri Keshava by observing Ekadashi, you have become worshipable even by me, and I can see that you are now completely purified of sin. Whosoever engages in devotional service to Lord Sri Hari is commendable to me.’ Lord Indradeva then gave Malyavan and Pushpavati free reign to enjoy each other and wander the heavenly planets as they wished.

Lord Krishna Concludes

“O Maharaj Yudhisthira, one should strictly fast on the sacred day of Lord Hari, especially on Jaya Ekadashi, which frees one even from the sin of killing a twice born Brahmin. A great soul who observes this fast with full faith and devotion in effect gives profuse charity, performs all kinds of sacrifice, and bathes in all the holy places of pilgrimage. Fasting on Jaya Ekadashi qualifies one to reside in Vaikuntha and enjoy eternal happiness.”
“O great king,” Lord Sri Krishna concluded, “one who even hears or reads these wonderful glories of Jaya Ekadashi attains the merit of performing an Agnistoma fire sacrifice, during which the hymns from the Sama-Veda are recited.”

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Magha-shukla Ekadasii, or Jaya Ekadasi, from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.

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From time to time I send books to inmates who haven't contacted us. I never had a response but I still try once in a while. Back in February 2018, I saw a documentary entitled Death Row: Inside Indiana State Prison. One inmate, in particular, caught my attention. His tiny cell was packed with books and he had written thoughtful words on his walls, such as: Industry, Perseverance, Frugality. In this documentary he also said, "Those books allow for a great escape, to be able to leave the confines of the walls." It seemed to me that there was a great chance of him appreciating the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, so taking a chance I sent it to him, along with other titles and a letter. As usual, I didn't get any response and I forgot about him. Continue reading "A Successful Gamble
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A Construction Report from Ambarisa and Braja Vilasa Prabhus

Despite the pandemic during the course of 2021, TOVP construction work continued on a limited basis and much progress was made. Now, as we enter 2022, we are happy to announce that the pace of construction has been upgraded, and we are moving full steam ahead once again in all areas of construction.

Aside from construction-based work, progress is also being made in other departments such as the art department, marbling and external temple embellishments.

We are very happy to be able to make this announcement for the pleasure and inspiration of all the devotees. It is with your help and support that this is all going on, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your service to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

The Report below illustrates the following:

1. Work started in 2021, the estimated finish date, and current percentage completed
2. Work started in 2022, the estimated finish date, and current percentage completed
3. Work to begin in 2022 with the start date and estimated finish date
4. Work still awaiting a start and finish date

Please click the link to view the report (Excel file).

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He who was previously known in Vraja as Vrishabhanu, is known here as Sri Pundarikaksha Vidyanidhi. When Mahaprabhu was in his own mood as Krishna and felt the pain of separation from Radha, he would call him “father!”.

Gaurachandra was happy with Pundarika and named him Premanidhi, or “the treasure house of love”. Mahaprabhu always treated him with respect because he was the disciple of Madhavendra Puri. Madhava Mishra is said to be his expansion and his wife Ratnavati was Kirtida in Vraja. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 54)

Pundarika Vidyanidhi’s father was named Banesvara and his mother, Ganga Devi. He was born on Vasanta-païcami, the fifth day of the waxing moon in the month of Magh in Chakrashala in Chittagong.

His home, or Sripat, used to stand in the village of Mekhala which is two miles east of the Hat Hajari police station, about twelve miles north of the city of Chittagong. Vidyanidhi’s father was a Varendra Brahmin who hailed from the town of Baghiya in the district of Dhaka. Pundarika Vidyanidhi himself was a wealthy zamindar of Chakrashala.

Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi came to Nabadwip because he wished to live by the banks of the Ganges. Mahaprabhu, the indweller of all beings, knew prior to his coming that he had such a desire, and one day in the assembly of devotees started calling out, “Pundarika, my friend, my father!” and crying.

When his associates asked him why he was crying in this way, the Lord described Pundarika Vidyanidhi to them in the following way: “His character is quite extraordinary. Just by hearing his name, the whole world is purified, but he dresses and looks just like a materialistic person in the midst of the accouterments of the life of pleasure. No one is able to recognize him as a Vaishnava, yet he remains constantly merged in the deep ocean of devotion for Krishna. 

Wow! So many outstanding scores from the Prabhupada Marathon in December. Pune was on fire. Under the able guidance of Radhe Shyama Prabhu, Pune was the No. 1 temple in the world, with 856,826 book points. It was a close competition with New Delhi, in second place, with 813,294 book points. In the Medium Temple category, Punjabi Bhag in New Delhi was No. 1, with 369,346 book points. The capital of India was getting the mercy of Krsna in a big way, with thousands of big hardcover books going out to people. Continue reading "WSN December 2021 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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The Balcony, 243

Symptoms of Transcendence

I decided to pace along on the temple/ashram’s balcony floor and in the course of it, chanted some rounds on my beads. The japa, or chanting, with a good dose of faith, is the means to elevate my consciousness. Altering consciousness is a lifetime endeavour, if not several lifetimes.

For our meditation, I would like to bring to the readers attention verse 2.54 from the Bhagavad-gita.

Arjuna said: O Krishna, what are the symptoms of one whose consciousness is thus merged in transcendence? How does he speak, and what is his language? How does he sit, and how does he walk?

PURPORT BY PRABHUPADA: As there are symptoms for each and every man, in terms of his particular situation, similarly one who is Krishna conscious has his particular nature – talking, walking, thinking, feeling, etc. As a rich man has his symptoms by which he is known as a rich man, as a diseased man has his symptoms, so a man in transcendental consciousness of Krishna has specific symptoms in various dealings. One can know his specific symptoms from the Bhagavad-gita. Most important is how the man in Krishna consciousness speaks, for speech is the most important quality of any man. It is said that a fool is undiscovered as long as he does not speak, and certainly a well-dressed fool cannot be identified unless he speaks, but as soon as he speaks, he reveals himself at once. The immediate symptom of a Krishna conscious man is that he speaks only of Krishna and of matters relating to Him. Other symptoms then automatically follow.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Downtown Toronto

Day Snow Walk

I walked on ice, asphalt, rock-salt and snow

This is much like the make up of the world we know

They are elemental surfaces that exist under our feet

Diverse they are in colour, texture along the snowy heap

When walking in the winter you see less folks on the prowl

They are seasonal movers like some choosy night owl

The quiet is conducive for good meditational time

Which might get interrupted at a snow bank climb

Snuggled in coat, pants and favourable footwear

It becomes an exercise in breathing fresh air

I look down, I look up, then come to a halt at the light

Giving attention to the amber, red, and green so bright

My legs, limbs, and lips are also on the move

It’s not a cold shiver but a mantrathe monks approve

Har Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

-          Composed by Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk©

May the Source be with you!

May the snow be with you!

Downtown, Toronto

Night Snow Walk

I was on Bloor St. and those pretty snowflakes were twirling down. That excited three young men, perhaps international students from India, whom I passed by. I know they were excited. I could see it on their tan faces, as they were clicking away and with some selfie efforts, they were taking in what they could of the magic with white lit lights all edged along the night street.

I thought for a moment as to whether I should introduce myself being that they likely would respond well. I did not have my devotional attire on. It’s too cold for that. I was snuggled in my new winter parka and I was in more of a meditative mode; chanting and praying for hospitalized acquaintances, so my missionary instincts were a little dormant at the time.

I carried on and there was a stretch on a side street which had a narrow carved-out pathway in the snow. A young woman was at one end of this narrow passage way. I was at the other. We both had stopped at the same time. There was room for both of us. One of us had to go first. “You go!” she said politely.

“No, please?” I insisted.

“It’s alright.”

“But, I’m from the Old School,” I urged with a slight bow of the upper body and a gesture of the hand. In other words, “Ladies first.”

She responded with, “Oh!” as if to say “that’s different.” So, she moved first with a smile.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

In the Nrsimhadeva Wing/Temple under the East dome of the TOVP there will be eight 3-meter (10′) high figures of the great demigods and eternal associates of the Lord offering Him prayers.

Following the descriptions in Srimad Bhagavatam, these murtis have been crafted by local sculptors using fiberglass, and painted by Russian artist, Ambhoda devi dasi. All the murtis are now complete, and in this video we will show you the first one, Lord Indradeva, King of Heaven, in his prayer pose to Lord Nrsimha. One by one we will present the different murtis for the pleasure and inspiration of all the devotees.

Lord Indradeva ki Jaya!
 

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In the Nrsimhadeva Wing/Temple under the East dome of the TOVP there will be eight 3-meter (10′) high figures of the great demigods and eternal associates of the Lord offering Him prayers.

Following the descriptions in Srimad Bhagavatam, these murtis have been crafted by local sculptors using fiberglass, and painted by Russian artist, Ambhoda devi dasi. All the murtis are now complete, and in this video we will show you the first one, Lord Indradeva, King of Heaven, in his prayer pose to Lord Nrsimha. One by one we will present the different murtis for the pleasure and inspiration of all the devotees.

Lord Indradeva ki Jaya!
 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit: www.tovp.org
Support: https://tovp.org/donate/
Email: tovpinfo@gmail.com
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View at 360°: www.tovp360.org
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Shri Mukunda Dasa, Shri Madhava Dasa and Shri Narahari Sarakara Thakura were three brothers who lived in Shri Khanda. Shri Mukunda Dasa Thakura’s son was Shri Raghunandan Thakura. Mukunda Dasa Thakura was the doctor in the court of the muslim king. He was always absorbed in Krishna, whatever work he did.

Every year Mukunda Dasa, Madhava Dasa and Narahari Sarakara would go to Jagannatha Puri to take darshan of the holy feet of Shri Chaitanya and to dance and chant in Rathayatra kirtan.  One day, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu affectionately asked Mukunda Dasa, “Mukunda! between you and Raghunandan, who is the father and who is the son?” 

Mukunda said, “Raghunandana is my father. Through him I have found  Krishna consciousness, so he is really my father.” The Lord said, “Your judgement is correct. Whoever gives us Krishna-bhakti is our guru and our father.” The Lord ordered Raghunandana to serve the deity, without thinking of anything else. 

When he was a boy, Raghunandan used to make the deity eat laddu.

According to certain authorities, Shri Raghunandana Thakura was Kandarpa Manjari. According to others, he was one of Krishna’s sons in Dvaraka whose name was Kandarpa. This is on the basis of Kavi Karnapura’s Gaura-Ganodesha-dipika.

Raghunandana Thakura had a son named Kanai Thakura.  The descendants of Raghunandan Thakura’s line live today in Shri Khanda.  One of the most famous of them is a person by the name of Panchanana Kaviraja, who was born in the line of Shri Raghunandana.  Raghunandana Thakura was born in the Saka year 1432.

If I truly want to be satisfied, and thus stress-free, I need to truly understand who "I" am. Stress, according to The World Health Organization, is the “health epidemic of the 21st century.” Demanding circumstances make us tense mentally, emotionally, and physically, and over time that tension takes a serious toll on our wellbeing. While there are many ways to deal with stress, one often overlooked and highly effective way is to cultivate a state of inner satisfaction. The word satisfaction, meaning the pleasure derived from the fulfillment of one’s wishes, expectations, or needs, comes from a Latin root meaning “content.” Unmet wishes, expectations, or needs, however, can cause dissatisfaction and stress. Continue reading "Stress vs. Satisfaction
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As taught by Srila Prabhupada, the etiquette of not initiating in the presence of one's diksa-guru will be upheld in ISKCON. However historical precedents also teach us that disciples may sometimes, in exceptional cases, initiate in the physical presence of their diksa-gurus. The GBC clarifies that an individual devotee taking up the service of diksa-guru in the physical presence of their guru may be allowed as an exception when the following conditions are met. Continue reading "GBC resolutions for 2021: Gurus and disciples
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The 2021 GBC Resolutions have finally been released. Due to the global pandemic, it was not possible for the GBC Body to conduct in-person meetings and therefore the AGM 2021 was conducted online. Similarly, the 2022 AGM will also be conducted online. To ensure online resolutions become final and binding, two resolutions were passed to change the GBC's Rules of Order. These are included in the Resolution file. Continue reading "GBC Resolutions 2021
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Celebrate Srila Prabhupada’s 50th Anniversary of his arrival in your city or
country with a screening of HARE KRISHNA!

Srila Prabhupada blessed this lands-now tirthas-with his presence. The 50th
anniversary of his arrival is an ideal opportunity to inform leaders of the
relevance of his life and message.

Celebrate by having a red-carpet screening of HARE KRISHNA! The Mantra, the
Movement and the Swami who started it all and invite political, educational,
scientific and business leaders of those cities. Below are 86 potential
events over the next 6 years that could take place in cities in 25
countries.

Contact Yadubara das for more information. Yadubara.das@gmail.com

“If HARE KRISHNA! film director John Griesser’s goal was to reintroduce the
world to the magic of Prabhupada, he hit his mark. HARE KRISHNA! is the
second coming of Prabhupada.” – LA Yoga Magazine

Note: Listings in parenthesis are special events, the first arrival.

1970 – 2020

(April 5 – July 3 -First time at Watseka Ave. LA)
(July 4 – 6-San Francisco Rathayatra)
(Aug. 29 – Sept. 28-Calcutta – first time at Albert Rd.)
(Sept. 29 – Oct. 19-Bombay – launch of World Sankirtan Party)
Oct. 20 – 30-Chandigarh, Punjab
Dec. 3 – Jan. 16-Surat

1971 – 2021

Jan. 8 – Feb. 5-Allahabad, Kumbha Mela
Feb. 6 – 7-Benares
Feb. 3 – 23-Gorakhpur
April 6 – 9-Nasik
May 3 – 4-Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
May 5-Malaysia, Ipoh
May 6 – 8-Malaysia, Penang
May 9 – 15-Sydney, Australia
June 2 – 3-Rajamundary (Visakhapatnam) with Puri Maharaj
June 20 – 25-Moscow
June 25 – 26-Paris
July 16 – 18-Detroit
July 29-Gainesville, Florida
Sept. 10 – 13-Mombassa, Kenya
Sept. 14 – Oct. 18-Nairobi, Kenya
(Nov. 10 – 25-Delhi Pandal at LIC Grounds)
(Nov. – Vrindavan – first large group of Western disciples on tour with
Prabhupada)

1972 – 2022

Jan. 19 – 22-Jaipur
Feb. 11 – 16-Madras/Chennai
Feb. 26 – 29-Mayapur, first Gaura Purnima festival
March 2-Birnagar, visit with Lalita Prasad, son of Bhaktivinode Thakur
March 11-Mathura
April 5 – 7-Melbourne
April 14 – 17-Auckland, New Zealand
April 18 – 20-Hong Kong
May 5-Kyoto, Japan
June 2 – 4-Mexico City
June 6-Cuernavaca and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
June 8-Portland, OR
June 9-Salem and Eugene, OR
June 29 – July 2-San Diego, California
July 15 – 17-Edinburgh, Scotland
July 26 – 29-Amsterdam, Holland
July 31 – Aug. 1-Glasgow, Scotland
Aug. 29 – 30-Houston, Texas
Sept. 8 – 9-Pittsburgh, PA
Sept. 10 – 13-Dallas
Sept. 13-Arlington, VA?
Sept. 30-Laguna Beach, CA
Oct. 5 – 8-Berkeley, CA
Oct. 11 – 13-Manila, Phillippines
Nov. 17 – 30-Hyderabad, pandal
Dec. 5 – 14-Ahmedabad

1973 – 2023

Feb. 25 – March 2-Jakarta, Indonesia
April 2 – 4-Zurich, Switzerland
Sept. 5 – 10-Stockholm, Sweden

1974 – 2024

April 25 – 28-Tirupati
May 23 – 30-Rome, Italy
May 30 – June 6-Geneva, Switzerland
(June 16 – 22-Germany, first time at the Schloss.)
(July 4 – 5-Chicago Rathayatra)

1975 – 2025

Feb. 19 – 25-Caracas, Venezuela
Feb. 25 – 27-Miami
Feb. 28 – March 2-Atlanta
March 13 – 15-Tehran, Iran
May 6 – 17-Perth, Australia
May 23 – 25-Fiji
May 25-Hawaii – Farm on the Big Island
June 27 – July 3-Denver
July 11 – 14-Philadelphia
July 15 – 22-Berkeley, CA
July 26-Laguna Beach, CA
July 31 – Aug. 1-New Orleans/New Talavan farm
Aug. 7 – 9-Toronto, Canada
Oct. 1 – 5-Mauritius
Oct. 6 – 13-Durban, SA
Oct. 13 – 23-Johannesburg, SA
Nov. 30 – Dec. 1-Kurukshetra
Dec. 24 – 28-Sanand

1976 – 2026

Jan. 3 – 9-Nellore
March 29-Modi Nagar
Mar. 30-Aligarh
July 2 – 7-Washington D.C.
July 15-Gita Nagari farm
July 29 – Aug. 5-New Mayapur farm, France
Dec. 20-Wardha
Dec. 22-Pune

1977 – 2027

Jan. 16 – Feb. 3-Bhubaneswar
Jan. 20-Jagannath Puri
May 8 – 15-Rishikesh

The post Host a Screening of Hare Krishna! to Celebrate Srila Prabhupada’s 50th Arrival Anniversary appeared first on ISKCON News.

We hope you enjoy viewing this video showing the progress of the external embellishments on the eight TOVP towers.

You will also see images of the domes, sandstone windows and other magnificent features of the temple. Gradually, the exquisite beauty of the temple will become more and more manifested.

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Every morning at Hare Krsna temples around the world, devotees gather to sing Sri Sri Gurvastaka, eight Sanskrit verses praising the spiritual master. These verses describe the characteristics of a genuine spiritual master. The fourth verse says that a genuine spiritual master encourages the distribution of prasadam [food offered to Lord Krsna.] to the public. As Srila Prabhupada explains, “Ours is not a dry philosophy—simply talk and go away. No. We distribute prasadam, very sumptuous prasadam. In every temple we offer prasadam to anyone who comes. In each and every temple we already have from fifty to two hundred devotees, and outsiders also come and take prasadam. So prasadam distribution is a symptom of the guru.

“Prasadam is not ordinary food, because prasadam has the potency to make us gradually become spiritualized. Therefore it is said that realization of God begins with the tongue. By engaging our tongue in the service of the Lord, then we realize God. So what is that engagement of the tongue? We chant the holy name of the Lord, and we take His prasadam. Then, by these two methods, we become God-realized. You don’t have to be very highly educated or be a philosopher, a scientist, or a rich man to realize God. If you just sincerely engage your tongue in the service of the Lord, you will realize Him. It’s so simple. That’s why the guru introduces this prasadam program. And when the guru sees that prasadam distribution is going on, he is very pleased.”

This month we’re especially remembering Srila Prabhupada, since August is his appearance day anniversary. Once in India when he was offered potato chidwa (a deep-fried, salty snack), he commented that this dish was one of his spiritual master’s favorite afternoon refreshments and that just by tasting it he thought of his spiritual master. Similarly, one of Srila Prabhupada’s favorite dishes was kachoris (spicy, vegetable-stuffed fried pastries). And by preparing, offering, tasting, and distributing kachoris, we can relish thoughts of Srila Prabhupada.

As a child, Srila Prabhupada had several nicknames. One was kachori-mukhi, because of his fondness for kachoris. Both his mother and grandmother would give him kachoris, which he kept in the many pockets of his vest. He liked to watch the vendors cooking on the busy roadside, and he would accept kachoris from them and also from the neighbors, until all his inside and outside vest pockets were filled.

Sometimes when he demanded that his mother make him kachoris, she would refuse. Once she even sent him to bed. But when his father came home and discovered this, he said, “No, we should make them for him.” And he woke his son and personally cooked kachoris for him.

Many years later, as Srila Prabhupada was beginning the first Hare Krsna center, at 26 Second Avenue in New York, he arranged a lavish feast for the first Krsna conscious wedding ceremony in America. And at that sixteen-course meal, kachoris were the piece de resistance. (Yamuna-devi dasi, whose recipes appear on these pages each month, spent six hours the day before the feast stuffing potato kachoris.) After tasting Srila Prabhupada’s kachoris at the wedding feast, one young man resolved on the spot to dedicate himself to Krsna consciousness and become Srila Prabhupada’s disciple as soon as possible.

Some years later, after Srila Prabhupada had established a worldwide confederation of more than one hundred temples, institutes, schools, and farm communities, he stayed at his Krishna-Balaram Mandir in Vrndavana, India. Although his health was not good and his digestion was weak, he asked one evening for some of the kachoris that had just been offered to the Deities. His disciples hesitated. Prabhupada was nearly eighty, and for years he had been traveling nonstop, preaching Krsna consciousness on six continents, writing dozens of books, and initiating thousands of disciples. The two senior disciples present tried to convince Prabhupada that kachoris were too rich and that there were other dishes that would be easier for him to digest. But Srila Prabhupada ate kachoris anyway, digesting them without difficulty.

Preparing, eating, and distributing krsna-prasadam is only one aspect of the transcendental, Krsna conscious culture that Srila Prabhupada introduced in the West and revived within India. A divinely empowered representative of God, Prabhupada carried and freely gave life’s greatest treasure: love of God. Those who received this gift feel that they cannot begin to repay him for it. The best they can do is to follow his teachings and, at least on the anniversary of his appearance, prepare and distribute kachoris for his pleasure.

Recipes by Yamuna-devi dasi

Pastries Stuffed with Spiced Green Peas (Mattar Kachori)

Preparation time: 1 ½ hours
Servings: 18 kachoris

Ingredients for the pastry:

2 cups unbleached white pastry flour or all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon sugar
3 ½ tablespoons sweet butter or ghee (clarified butter)
8 to 9 tablespoons cold water
3 cups ghee or vegetable oil for deep frying

Ingredients for the pea stuffing:

½ tablespoon ghee
2/3 cups green peas, steamed
½ tablespoon seeded hot green chilies, minced fine scant
1 tablespoon peeled fresh ginger root, minced fine
¼ teaspoon asafetida powder
¾ teaspoon salt
½ tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sugar

Equipment:

10- to 12-inch wok or similar 3- to 4-inch deep-frying pan

slotted spoon for deep frying thermometer (optional) absorbent paper for draining dish lined with paper towels for keeping the kachoris warm, if necessary

To prepare the pastry:

1. Mix the flour, sugar, and salt in a deep mixing bowl. Add the butter or ghee and rub the flour-ghee mixture between your fingertips until its consistency is similar to dry oatmeal. Make a well in the center, pour in ½ cup of cold water, and quickly stir and gather the mixture into a ball. It may be necessary to sprinkle in up to 1 more tablespoon of water, adding 1 teaspoon at a time, to allow the dough to adhere into a mass and reach a soft, smooth texture.

2. Knead the dough for about 8 to 10 minutes or until the dough is soft, smooth, pliable, and elastic. Shape into a ball, place in a bowl, drape with a moist towel and allow the dough to sit for at least 30 minutes while preparing the stuffing.

To prepare the pea stuffing:

1. Place the peas in a mixing bowl and mash them with a fork until they form a wet, semi-solid pulp.

2. Heat the ghee or oil in an 8- to 10-inch frying pan over medium heat for 1 ½ minutes. Add the hot chilies and ginger root; stir-fry until golden brown. Sprinkle in the asafetida powder, fry for a few seconds, then stir in the pea puree, and fry until the mixture is dry.

3. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining ingredients. Transfer the mixture to a plate to cool. Divide into 17 or 18 balls.

To shape and fry the kachoris:

1. Cut the dough into two equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 9-inch-long log. Score and cut each into nine 1-inch pieces. Drape a moist cloth over the pellets.

2. Take one piece of dough and press it between your palms, flattening it into a 2 ½-inch disk. Gently press around the edges with your thumb and fingertips to thin slightly. Place a pellet of the stuffing in the center of the dough and pull the dough around the filling to close it. Pinch the edges together until thoroughly sealed, then gently press the excess dough back into the pastry. Try to pinch the seams closed; the surface of the pastry must be devoid of cracks. With the pastry resting in the right palm, seam side up, press with the heel of your left palm and evenly flatten the pastry into a 2 ¼-inch-round cake about ½-inch thick.

The dough on the finished cake should have an even thickness, for a thin spot will burst during frying. Place the pastry, seam-side down, on a platter. Finish shaping and stuffing the remaining pastries.

3. Heat the ghee or oil over a medium to medium-low flame until the temperature rises to about 240°F on a frying thermometer. Slip in 9 pastries, seam-side down. The ghee or oil temperature will fall to about 220 to 225°F. Now, slowly fry the pastries for about 23 to 27 minutes. Use a wooden spoon for turning the delicate pastries. Remove and drain with a metal frying spoon. The following general temperatures and corresponding times may be helpful guidelines.

Temp. Setting Elapsed Time Oil Temp. Reaction
Low to med.-low After 1 minute 220° to 225° faint bubbles rise in the ghee.
Low to med.-low After 7 minutes 235° to 245° almost all cakes rose to the surface.
Medium range After 14 minutes 255° to 265° have swollen; turn over at this time.
Medium range After 21 minutes 275° to 280° surface becomes hard; faint gold color.
Medium-high After 27 minutes 285° to 290° pale, buff-gold color on both sides.
4. Offer the piping hot pastries to Krsna. Keep warm until served, in a preheated 250° oven on an uncovered baking dish lined with paper towels. Or serve at room temperature.

Pastries Stuffed with Seasoned Potatoes (Aloo Kachori)

Preparation time: 1 ½ hours
Servings: 18 kachoris

Ingredients for the pastry:

2 cups unbleached white pastry or all-purpose flour
2/3 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons ghee or butter
1 tablespoon plain yogurt
about 7 to 9 tablespoons water
3 cups ghee or vegetable oil for deep frying

Ingredients for potato stuffing:

1 ½ tablespoons ghee
1 ¼ cups boiled potatoes
2 teaspoons seeded fresh green chilies, minced fine, or cayenne
1 ½ teaspoons peeled ginger root, minced fine
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
½ tablespoon roasted cumin seeds, bruised or powdered coarsely
½ teaspoon coriander powder
½ teaspoon garam masala
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon powdered red chilies or cayenne
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 ½ teaspoons powdered coriander or dried parsley leaves
½ tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar

Equipment:

10- to 12-inch wok or similar 3- to 4-inch deep-frying pan

slotted spoon for deep frying thermometer absorbent paper for draining dish lined with paper towels for keeping the kachoris warm, if necessary

To prepare the pastry:

Prepare as directed in the previous recipe, but combine the yogurt and water before adding to the dry ingredients.

To prepare the potato stuffing:

1. Heat the ghee or oil in a small frying pan over medium-high flame for about ½ minute, then add the minced chilies, ginger, and mustard seeds and fry until the mustard seeds sputter and pop. Drop in the potatoes, mashed coarse, and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes.

2. Remove from the heat, add the remaining ingredients; blend well. Pour onto a plate, cool, and divide into 17 or 18 even-sized balls.

To shape and fry the kachoris:

Divide the dough into 17 or 18 pieces. Then prepare as directed in steps 1 through 4 in the previous recipe.

This article is republished with permission from Back to Godhead 

The post The Kachori Story (includes recipes) appeared first on ISKCON News.

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Most of the world’s world religions perform some form of religious fasting. In ISKCON we have Ekadashi fasting twice a month. For us, Ekadashi fasting is all about purifying your soul and preparing yourself for attaining Moksha (salvation). This practice helps us get rid of planetary influences and attain a peaceful mind. While most Hindus observe this fast, it is particularly popular among the devotees of Vishnu (the Vaishnavas) and is kept on the 11th lunar day of the lunar cycle of a Hindu calendar.

The most well-known religious fast is probably Ramadan, observed by Muslims, the followers of Islam. This fast lasts for one lunar month of twenty-eight to thirty days and lasts from sunrise to sundown. Another well-known religious fast is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement; followed by followers of the Jewish faith. Yom Kippur is a twenty-six-hour fast where the observant refrains from both food and drink followed by a feast the following evening. Other well-known fasts include Lent, the Assumption, and the biblical Daniel Fast.

Religious fasts are observed to benefit the spirit, but how do they affect the body? The past two decades have seen an increase in scientific studies on this subject. Most religious fasts to some degree, are vegetarian. The most studied fasts are of three types: dietary restriction, calorie restriction, and alternate-day fasts. (Trepanowski and Bloomer The impact of religious fasting on human health – nutrition journal)

Fasting during the month of Ramadan entails that the participants do not eat or drink between the hours of sunrise to sunset. There is typically one large meal eaten after sundown and sometimes one before the participant goes to sleep. The health impact of the Ramadan fast had too many variables to determine an overall result. The variables included smoking status, fasting time, and dietary habits. There were no control groups to separate participants in the study by these variables, so the results were inconclusive.

The Greek Orthodox Church has multiple fast days throughout the year. Entailing approximately 190 days per year total. “Collectively, dietary consumption is restricted for 180 – 200 days each year. The Greek Orthodox Christian diet consists largely of bread, fruits, legumes, nuts, seafood, snails, and vegetables during fasting periods. (Trepanowski and Bloomer The impact of religious fasting on human health – nutrition journal) Greek Orthodox Christian fasting appeared to decrease the body mass of participants. Also, consumption of carbohydrates, fiber, and magnesium appear to increase while fats, protein, and cholesterol decrease during the fast.

The Daniel Fast is a popular biblical fast that restricts the participant to a whole food diet of vegetables, fruits, oil, beans, grains, etc. The participants of this fast abstain from meat, eggs, dairy, refined and white flour, additives, sweeteners, caffeine, preservatives, and alcohol. This fast is commonly twenty-one days in length even though shorter fasts are popularly participated in and are often observed at the beginning of the year. The Daniel Fast was shown to be highly beneficial to its participants as in recent studies it has shown to improve one’s overall health.

Overall, it is shown that it is the quality of food eaten, and not the quantity of it that affected the fasters health the most. So, whether one is fasting on Ekadasi or Yom Kippur, if you elect to consume simple, healthy food you will nourish both the body and the spirit.

The post The Impact of Religious Fasting on the Body appeared first on ISKCON News.

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Yorkville, Toronto

Lochana Das

Today was the anniversary of the passing of a great saint Lochana Das Thakura. He wrote a beautiful song glorifying Chaitanya, the monk, the walker, the Avatar for this age. The name of the song is “Sri Sri Gaura-Nityananda Daya.” It also highlights Chaitanya’s comrade, Nityananda. In an explanation of the song, our guru, Prabhupada, writes:

“Lochana Das Thakur says, “My dear brother, you just try to examine this. Within the three worlds there is no one like Sri Chaitanya and Sri Nityananda because their merciful qualities are so great that they make even birds and beasts cry, what to speak of human beings.” Actually, when Sri Chaitanya passed through the forest known as Jharikhanda, the tigers, elephants, snakes, deer, and all other animals joined Him in chanting Hare Krishna. It is so nice that anyone can join. Even the animals can join, what to speak of human beings. Of course, it was not possible for ordinary men to induce animals to chant, but if Chaitanya could inspire animals to chant, at least we can encourage human beings to adopt this path of Hare Krishna mantra chanting. It is so nice that the heart of even the most stonehearted man will be melted. It is so nice that even stone will melt.”

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Pickering, Ontario

Twenty-four Gurus

Based on a story from Canto 11 of the Bhagavatam, I have this literary piece to offer the readers:

Twenty-four Gurus

A monk had come to visit a king in his royal town

And the king asked the monk why he wanders around

“You are wise, wonderful, and ever so competent

What is it that molded you to be ever so confident?”

The monk replied, “Your majesty, nature sent me twenty-four gurus

Each one taught me a lesson, so they became my truths

If you have the time, I’ll reveal my meaningful list

For each and every teacher I’ll give you just the gist.

From the earth I learned to be generous and giving

From the wind I learned to let trouble pass by

From the sky I learned to bear much turbulence

From water I learned to be clean of body and mind

From fire I learned to burn favorable energy

From the moon I learned to appear/disappear, but be there

From the sun I learned to shine and to share

From the ocean I learned to do great and be grave

From the python I learned to accept what’s easily attained

From the moth I learned not to dash too fast to what glares

From the honey bee I learned to take only what’s essential

From the badger I learned conviction to obtain the best

From the serpent I learned sometimes best things are done alone

From the wasp I learned that he who stings gets stung

From the elephant I learned though wise, one can still fall into a trap

From the deer I learned to keep the eyes open

From the fish I learned to not let the eye deceive

From the spider I learned the Creator unwinds then winds up

From a bird I learned there is no territory that is safe

From a lovebird I learned that love can get you lost or found

From the craftsmen I learned to be honest and not crafty

From the innocent child I learned to enjoy life freely

From the young woman I learned (because I’m a monk) I won’t be her partner

From the prostitute I learned it’s not the numbers – there’s only One True Love

May the Source be with you!

3 km

The Annex, Toronto

Sounds

Perhaps it’s the season, winter, that permits sounds to be more crisp and distinct. Whether inside or outside, noises subtle or loud had somehow got my attention today. Thank God for noise, sweet or sour.

Practically every hour the train just north of our temple/ashram shakes the window panes ever so lightly and with its companion is the gritty noise of its wheels gripping against the tracks.

You’d be lucky to hear the choo-choo whistle. While I sat, momentarily at a bench near those tracks, I overheard one pedestrian to another say, “This train’s a mile long.” I think he was right. It made that commonly unnoticed reverberation which seemed to last forever.

On this night walk I picked up the sound of a person’s shovel scraping hard snow. One motorist couldn’t help himself with wheels spinning against the frictionless ice. The sound was somewhat like the cay of a baby elephant or baby dinosaur in distress. Then I heard and saw a walker attempt to climb over a snow bank that, with every step, sounded like a crunch-crunch, like the cousin to Vijay’s teeth clamping down on an Indian poppadom over suppertime in the ashrams eating room.

There was also the temple-room’s radiator’s release of steam. It resembles a rattle snake’s hiss. Finally, our kirtanwith drum, harmonium, and tambourine framed off the day. Not spontaneous like other sounds of the day, this noise, or music, is routinely projected each evening through the ether. Someday we’ll hear Krishna’s flute.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

The Annex, Toronto

Taking Stock

Our Hamilton Zoom group is nearing the end of Chapter 18 from the Gita. It is the final chapter and involves surrender to the Supreme. The word ashraya refers to “taking shelter of” or “taking the protection from.” You may call it a security issue. In the world, which is very precarious, we seek safety. That safety or security is guaranteed when incorporating the right mood of cooperation. Because souls are independently-minded there is a tendency to be lost in maya’s clutches. But when we declare, and more so act out, the will of the Supreme we receive that special protection.

Our study group from Mississauga that follows up back-to-back with Hamilton has merely begun the Gita. Oh, they are a good bunch and they’ve been around, devotionally, for a while but we recently commenced with Chapter One involving “observing the armies.” That brings to mind that it is essential for us to observe ourselves; to do some self-analysis, take stock or look at our inner inventory.

In the context of this chapter, we can view both historically and metaphorically the observing of the powerful army of Duryodhana as still not so powerful as the Pandava’s due to having the benefit of Krishna’s presence.

We are left to ask ourselves, “Do I have Krishna’s presence? Or do I stand alone? Am I taking surrendering steps?”

The message of the Gitafrom Chapter One to Eighteen takes one on a journey of self-discovery.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Yorkville, Toronto

Dedications

While temperatures are a bit down, the sun takes a prominent role in the sky and that’s welcoming. My walking these days is usually after sundown, but I figure I’m not going to pass up on kind rays that stream through the southerly arched window in the room where our guru enjoyed his time. Prabhupada visited Toronto in June of 1976 and sat in front of that gorgeous window. It is in the late mornings, like today, that I sprawl myself on a blanket over the floor and just lie there taking in the power of vitamin D.

C’est si bon!

Now, there’s another thing that I’m making routine. That is kirtan at 7 pm. No, we are not prepared to sit on the steps like in the summer and chant away. The four of us go to the temple-room at that time and prostrate ourselves briefly before our guru’s murtiand then sit up to chant in dedication to someone. Yesterday we dedicated our kirtanto a godbrother, Dayaram, in India, as he has some physical complication. The day prior, we dedicated our singing to Jayapataka Swami, who’s also encountering illness. Today we sang in dedication to Abhidheya from the west coast. No major illness there. It was her birthday recently and we want to appreciate the years of service she’s rendered – devotional service.

To put a nice quote about dedication, here we have something from Byron Pulsifer. “Dedication is belief transitioned into action, which is transformed into change.” Now, perhaps I’m an old fuddy duddy who, at times, still dwells on some of those songs from the ’60s – when music was music. For instance, “Dedicated to the One I Love,” although a love song, it is still good and could be aligned with Krishna.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Yorkville, Toronto

Underground History

As I turned the corner at Yonge and Bloor, on my evening walk amid corporate giant edifices, I was drawn to the actual writing on the wall of one of them. Below street level, where now exists a bustling commuter train called the subway, was an underground non-denominational cemetery called Potter’s Field. It’s hard to believe that just less than 200 years ago was a sprawling 2.4 hectares of this burial ground where 6, 700 people were buried at what was then the edge of “The Woods.”

It’s a good guess that under the office towers there are a few bones of the early settlers still resting. In 1855, the city moved what they could of the buried corpses to a now well-established Mount Pleasant Cemetery, a bit north. That was only thirty years after the Potter’s Field began.

This is a piece of Toronto’s history. It’s only 200 years old; a British settlement which was merely a fort until America burned it down in 1812. Since then it grew, and is still growing into a mega-city.

I was always fascinated by history.

Just one kilometre north of this location is what’s known as The Ancient Trail, trodden upon by Indigenous people, the Hurons. Along that trail is the place of our current temple and ashram; once a Methodist Church.

History tells of people replacements and, just as thousands of settlers or wanderers of the very spot where they once stood came and went, bodies will also be recycled while our souls will move on, perhaps to other planets.

May the Source be with you!

3 km