Planet ISKCON

243 Ave. Rd., Toronto

Luminations

I was exceedingly happy to receive this message from Dhruva Prabhu, our team player for the short film production, “The Embassy.”

“Hare Krishna Maharaj, The Embassy was selected, at the Black Panther International Film Festival, for further consideration as BEST DRAMA SHORTS and BEST INDIE SHORTS… let’s see where this goes now.” Included was an attached document from the Film Fest, congratulating us.

That was a terrific piece of news. Let us see where it goes, indeed. It was the pandemic that forced me to transition from our community theatre to film. The result was less actors, professional input, great state-of-the-art cameras, original music and great acting. Paradigm shift. It was worth it. The experience gained was precious. I can’t wait ’til the film is aired before the public.

Other items that illuminated my day were as follows:

a) A person called and asked for advice about becoming a monk. I asked, “Do you have kids?” The answer was “yes, with the youngest being 4.” “You are not ready, sir! Look after your family.” (I liked sharing a no-brainer like this).

By the way, today was a no-grainer. Every two weeks our community observes ekadasi or fasting from grains. Truly, lighter food is the way to go.

c) A younger man (younger than me) came to visit after hearing his father is under intensive care. He was quite teary-eyed. Through talking he was cheered up.

d) I made some phone calls; recruiting chanters for Saturday’s “Chant for Peace” over the Ukraine crisis. It looks like we’ll have a nice turn-out for between 2 to 4 pm in front of Old City Hall.

Luminations come.

May the Source be with you!

 

Ramsden Park, Toronto

Two nice Guys

My physio for today entailed a few exercises, and one of them was a simple walk to the park. Gabriel and I made it to a bench to sit for a reading of the Bhagavatam; a repeat from the other day. Only today, it appeared someone was watching me from a distance and wanted to connect. The park happened to be overrun by him and his cohorts. Anyway, I was keen to see just why he was coming forth in the most modest way.

Just to break the mystery surrounding this fellow, I’ll tell you he was a bold squirrel. He came near us with bushy tail up. Then he squatted and extended his paws. I extended my hand and he reciprocated with his right one and set it right in mine. It was kind of a high-five, if not an attempted handshake. Gabriel had to capture this with his camera. It was so cute.

That was one person we met, before he scurried off. The next individual was a neighbour from four blocks away.

“What religion?” he asked.

“Hare Krishna!”

“Were you born into this?” he continued.

“My parents brought me up Roman Catholic, but Jesus is still in the picture. Krishna takes greater influence. We also accept Buddha as one of our avatars. But Krishna is the dominant one.”

Gabriel held up a picture of Krishna from his Bhagavatam book. “Here is what He looks like.”

“Oh yeah!” remarked the man, who hails from the U.K., but is now living in Canada. We didn’t shake hands, like the squirrel, but did farewell one-another, hoping to communicate more in the future.

May the Source be with you!

 

Brampton, Ontario

Incidents of Today

I ended up happily giving four classes today. Happily, because delivering some words from the Krishna perspective gets my mind off the pain in my knee.

The first class was in person, in the place where I live, a temple. The second one I gave over Zoom to a group in Halifax. The third was also a physical presence, in Brampton. It was a fun Q and A. At this venue, the ISKCON Centre, I was accompanied by Mahadeva, Annapurna, and Vallabh Hari. We call ourselves the four Kumaras. We are a team and enjoy doing programs together. Mahadeva and Annapurna, known professionally, musically, as “Mahapurna,” just do magic with their music. Vallabh is a great host and coordinated the Q and A. We just complement each other. Also, our skin colour ranges from white to brown to black. A great mix.

The questions centred around going towards the internalization of our faith. How do you get beyond dogma and dry routine in our religious and daily duties? How to get more to heart-motivation?

Finally, my last class for the day was back in Toronto, over Zoom. The topic was “Who is Crazy?” Let’s face it, we are all more or less off track and that’s why we are here in the material world. I applaud those who come on board.

It was now 7 pm and I had that urge to take in the last of the day’s sun rays. So, off to the park I went. The last significant image, that made the sound of spring so defined, was a bright cardinal perched on a house’s rooftop. He was singing away like there was no tomorrow.

May the Source be with you!

 

Scarborough, Toronto

Honouring a Deceased Man

Chandan and his family bought a new house and so, tradition has it that you invite your community

priest to bless the place. Lovely kirtan, talk and food were had.

What I want to highlight is the First Anniversary of the passing of monk, Pankajanghri. Here is my poem:

Pankajanghri

He was a fellow, perceptibly mellow

He arrived with his brother to follow

At the beckon call of Mahaprabhu

In a land of mist and morning dew

From there on, it was all over

Worldliness gone/personal makeover

A dedication to good deed and thought

Attention to all His Divine Grace brought

He learned, he grew, and did so glow

Teaching others what he did know

On the subjects of worship and wisdom

In an atmosphere of devotional rhythm

Like the Ganges with her endless liquidity

His service was one of constant fluidity

He stood at the feet of Lion Sublime

Both shone each day at the regular time

I don’t recall him ever in a rage

That’s because he was a genuine sage

He was an anchor for half a century

Within which his bhaktigrew exponentially

A role model, our dear Pankajanghri

Powerfully at peace wherever he be

 

May the Source be with you!

 

Ramsden Park, Toronto

Thank You Earth

Today is Earth Day, and so I found it coincidental that the subject of dirt, mud or earth came up. A friend of mine called. He asked if I knew any dermatologists. Somehow, he had contracted something that he didn’t agree with, skin-wise, on one of his palms. I confessed to not knowing any expert in the skin department. I did suggest that he try using clay, or tilak for that matter. “I apply tilak (sacred earth) when I have any rash, including poison ivy, and it does wonders.” He took me in good faith and expressed he would give it a go.

Good luck my friend. Let the Earth do its healing.

With the day bathed in sun, I decided to hike it (carefully, with cane) to the park. There is nothing like real air. My companion agreed. Near our sitting spot, we located some spring joy coming out of the earth. First of all, there’s those daffodils; optimistic, pure and with creamy, intense yellow. We also noticed a blue clover over the grass. Kentucky grass, maybe? I don’t know but it sure looks divine. A reminder of blue Krishna? Yes, of course.

Also, by my feet, I detected some rabbit dung. I’m sure it’s a great fertilizer; a beautiful addition to the Earth’s richness and nutrition. We have every reason to be grateful when it comes to our planet’s gifts. And, after months of pure white snow and silvery ice, we can say the seasons are to embrace.

May the Source be with you!

 

243 Ave. Rd., Toronto

On One of Those Chats

 

Today’s Gita Chat, on Zoom, focused on the superior approach to spirituality. The question Arjuna raises in Chapter Twelve of The Gita, regards the choice of unmanifest versus the manifest. Plain and simple, Krishna steers His student towards God as a manifest person. Now, those whose approach is towards the brahman – formless or personality-less – do have the chance, through their sincere search, to eventually meet God in a personal relationship. Love is what conquers, after all.

Our discussion led us to the realm of deity worship. One major way to cultivate the personal side of spirituality is through arcana-seva; service to the deity of Krishna. When one has the good fortune to see a statue of the Lord it can invoke personal sentiments. There is power in the form. What’s more, when expert priests invite God’s presence into this form, through a system of prana-pratishta, then there is a strong life-presence or power invested in the deity.

I have seen corporate people in our communities, who dawn suit, pants and tie and, by night, they pull on traditional dhoti and chaddar – robes – to perform worship of the deity. Some of these priests really work hart to instill such love from within. So, this ritual approach is very effective to establishing personalism.

Going back to the discussion group I emphasized that, while some devotees are inclined to this archanaservice, it is more important to cultivate the strong bonds of respect towards each other.

May the Source be with you!

 

Ramsden Park, Toronto

Prepare

I was proud of myself, trekking with cane across the street to a green space. Gabriel came to join me. He is employed with DOOR DASH but made the time to sit with me at a park’s bench to read from the most holy Bhagavatam.

In the course of his reading a wise woman, strolling with her dog, approached us. “You see that there?” as she pointed to the grass.

“You mean the bird?”

“Yes. A robin, an albino. This is her turf. She and her mate come here all the time. You see, she has white feathers. They say it is one in 30,000 that are like that.”

Gabriel and I thanked her for the education, as we were also becoming more enlightened by the story of Puranjan, from the Bhagavatam. The tale, while largely allegorical, tells of the city of nine gates. At one juncture of Gabriel’s reading, I suggested we move forward. My knee craved for more mobility.

So, near the dog park I noticed an artist friend. He’s great at sketching portraits. He’s done mine. Regardless, we caught up on the latest personal news. He noted my walking with a cane.

“My second knee,” I told him, “A replacement.”

“It’s aging that does it,” he remarked.

That moment of truth kicks in on two levels. Number 1) We are getting older. Number 2) We want to deny it like crazy. It is a mental game of “yes, but no.”

We need to simply prepare ourselves for this truth.

May the source be with you!

 

 

Gadadara Pandit was a childhood friend of Nimai and both were students in the same ‘Tol’ or school. Gadadhar’s parents Madhav Mishra and Ratnawati were natives of Chattagram district but later on moved to Navadwip. Gadadhara Pandit was born in Navadwip.

In the Gaura-ganodesa-dipika, verses 147 through 153, it is stated: “The pleasure potency of Sri Krishna formely known as Vrindavaneshvari Srimati Radharani is now personified in the form of Sri Gadadhara Pandit in the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

There is no difference between Sri Gadadhara Pandita and Srimati Radhika, but the activities are different in Krsna’s pastimes and Gaura’s pastimes. In Gaura-lila Sri Gadadhara Pandita is in the mood of a servant.

No gopi, including Candravali, Lalita, and Visakha, can experience Srimati Radhika’s madanakya-mahabhava. Krsna experiences the ecstatic loving moods of rudha and adirudha, but not madanakhya-bhava. 

Sri Gadadhara Pandita, on the other hand has madanakya-mahabhava. In Gaura-lila, however, it is covered, so that he can help Krsna to play the part of Srimati Radhika. In the form of Sri Gadadhara Pandita, Srimati Radhika is looking and examining, and if there is something wrong in Krsna (as Mahaprabhu), She corrects it.

At the time of His disappearance, Mahaprabhu entered the Deity Tota-Gopinatha. Mahaprabhu left the world at 48 years, when Sri Gadadhara Pandita was 47. Out of great separation, Gadhadara Pandita quickly became like an old man, and he also very soon disappeared. 

Our students *do* science. They don’t just read about it or hear a lecture on it. With Next Gen Science curriculum, and an inquiry based, […]

Draupadī was also first of all trying to save her cloth. And what she can do? She is woman, and they were two men. Karṇa and Duḥśāsana was trying to make her naked. So she was crying and praying to Kṛṣṇa, “Save my honor.” But she was trying also herself to save. When she thoughtRead More...

As part of the celebrations dignitaries from NZ Police Representatives from the High commission of India And NZ Government enjoyed the wonderful anniversary by offering flowers to Radha and Kṛṣṇa Placing garlands on Srila Prabhupada performing abhesika and taking pleasure enjoying an amazing feast. (This post has been viewed 9 times so far)Read More...

On the occasion of Nrsimha Caturdasi, 2022, the TOVP Communications Department is pleased to release the Lord Nrsimhadeva ISKCON Mayapur flipbook on our website. This is an online readable, shareable and downloadable flipbook made from the original publication by Sriman Advaita Acharya das containing the history of the making and arrival of Mayapur Nrsimhadeva, and many stories by devotees of how the Lord reciprocated with them. Read the Introduction below.

This release accompanies the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser from May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) – May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi) to raise the funds necessary to complete Lord Nrsimha’s altar and temple wing in the TOVP in 2023.

This campaign will give an opportunity to every devotee to participate financially according to their ability in this effort, and by doing so also honor His dear servant Sriman Pankajanghri prabhu who left our vision one year ago. Ambarisa prabhu is doubling his commitment to this fundraiser and will match dollar for dollar every donation up to a total of $250,000. Why not double your commitment to the TOVP also?

There are several sponsorship options including the popular Nrsimha Brick, inscribed with your name and placed under Nrsimhadeva’s altar, the Prabhupada Paschatya Desha Tarine Medallion, the Prabhupada Award and the Prabhupada/TOVP Trophy, as well as a General Donation option for one-time donations and pledge payments.

Take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime, historic seva opportunity today or between May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) – May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi). Visit the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser page on the TOVP website.

If you need assistance with making a donation, please email us at: Nrsimha Brick Page on the TOVP website and make your sankalpa to the Lord.

 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

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Chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra is the easiest process of meditation in this age. As soon as one chants the Hare Krsna mantra, he sees the forms of Krsna, Rama and Their energies, and that is the perfect stage of trance. One should not artificially try to see the form of the Lord whileRead More...

  Click below to start the player   Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.19.17: Wednesday (27 Apr. 2022) Morning SB Class : HG Praghosa Prabhu Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.19.17: Wednesday (27 Apr. 2022) Morning SB Class : HG Praghosa Prabhu Posted by Dublin Krishna Temple on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 (This post has been viewed 2 times so far)Read More...

From the earliest days in ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada always stressed the importance of worshiping Sri Nrsimhadeva for the protection of ISKCON, its leaders and the devotees. Our Mayapur Nrsimhadeva manifested there in 1986 as a result of several attacks on the temple, and after His installation these disturbances ceased. Being the World Headquarters for ISKCON, Lord Nrsimhadeva in Mayapur is the Protector of all its devotees.

This October the TOVP will be celebrating the completion of Lord Nrsimhadeva’s entire Wing and majestic marble and granite altar in the temple during a three-day festival (dates to be announced). This historic milestone will be the precursor to the three-month-long Grand Opening of the TOVP from December, 2024 until Gaura Purnima, March, 2025.

On Nrsimha Caturdasi 2022 we launched the Give To Nrsimha 2023 Fundraiser to help complete the Lord’s hall in the TOVP. This campaign will give an opportunity to every devotee to participate financially in this endeavor according to their ability to serve our Protector, and by doing so also fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desire to build the TOVP, and to honor His dear servant Sriman Pankajanghri prabhu as well.

There are several sponsorship options including the popular Nrsimha Brick, inscribed with your name and placed under Nrsimhadeva’s altar, the Prabhupada 2024 Medallion, the Prabhupada Award and the Prabhupada/TOVP Trophy, as well as a General Donation option for one-time donations and pledge payments.

Take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime, historic seva opportunity today. Visit the Give To Nrsimha 2023 Fundraiser page on the TOVP website or use the quick links below:

Listen to Srila Prabhupada teaching his first disciples the Nrsimha prayers while viewing beautiful photos of Mayapur Lord Nrsimhadeva in all His glory.

Go the Give To Nrsimha Fundraiser page on the TOVP website today or use the quick links below:

GIVE $10, $25, $51 OR MORE TO OPEN LORD NRSIMHA’S TEMPLE!

 

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GENERAL DONATIONS

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

NRSIMHA BRICK AND PRABHUPADA MEDALLIONS, AWARDS AND TROPHIES

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

ALL INQUIRIES:

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

 

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Mayapur Nrsimhadeva’s Most Beloved Servant Sriman Pankajanghri Prabhu: In Memoriam

This breathtaking, spellbinding and emotionally charged video will astound you. Your heart will be moved and your hairs stand on end. You will want to watch it more than once, maybe even five or six times. It will bring tears to your eyes and an outpour of love from your heart for this great servant of Lord Nrsimhadeva.

 

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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
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In this video Braja Vilasa prabhu speaks about the importance of the TOVP 2024 Marathon in order to open the TOVP in 2024 and relocate our beloved Mayapur Deities into Their new home. This is the final lap of the race to open the TOVP and we want every devotee to help win this race. Our motto is, WE RUN, YOU WIN! You win because Srila Prabhupada said 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

A major step towards that is the completion and opening of the Nrsimhadeva Temple Wing in 2023, and to accomplish this we are focusing our annual 12-day matching fundraiser on raising funds for this purpose.

The #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser will give an opportunity to every devotee to participate financially according to their ability in the completion of Lord Nrsimhadeva’s altar and temple wing, and by doing so also honor His dear servant Sriman Pankajanghri prabhu who left our vision one year ago. Ambarisa prabhu is doubling his commitment to this fundraiser and will match dollar for dollar every donation up to a total of $250,000. Why not double your commitment to the TOVP also?

There are several sponsorship options including the popular Nrsimha Brick, inscribed with your name and placed under Nrsimhadeva’s altar, the Prabhupada Paschatya Desha Tarine Medallion, the Prabhupada Award and the Prabhupada/TOVP Trophy, as well as a General Donation option for one-time donations and pledge payments.

Take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime, historic seva opportunity today or between May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) – May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi). Visit the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser page on the TOVP website.

If you need assistance with making a donation, please email us at:
 

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/

“A dhīra is one who is not disturbed by material illusion. No one can be undisturbed unless he is perfectly spiritually realized, at which time one neither hankers nor laments for anything. A dhīra realizes that the material body and mind he has acquired by chance through material association are but foreign elements; therefore heRead More...

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 8 April 2022, Durban, South Africa, Zoom Disciple Meeting)

There are no ordinary devotees. Everyone in this movement is empowered. Everyone has purchased Krsna to an extent and Krsna never fails to notice the smallest service done.

Everyone in this movement is becoming empowered. There are no ordinary devotees. Devotees by definition are empowered. There are some who are more empowered, but everyone is empowered. Everyone has purchased Krsna to an extent. Krsna is known as acyuta. Acyuta means that He is infallible. He never fails to notice the smallest service that we are doing.

Watch the full lecture below or on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohjtLrW_5OA

The article " No ordinary devotees " was published on KKSBlog.

Śrī Śrī Kṛṣṇa Balarāma Śobhā-Yātrā Celebrations in Himachal Pradesh Aseem Krsna Das In the Brahma-saṁhitā, Lord Brahmā glorifies the Supreme Lord’s residence, Goloka, as a place where every word is a song and every gait a dance, where the soil is purpose gem and all water is nectar. Such a place is ever blissful andRead More...

“In devotional service there are certain activities which are called determined, such as fasting on certain days, like the eleventh day of the moon, Ekadasi, and on the appearance day of the Lord. All these rules and regulations are offered by the great acharyas for those who are actually interested in getting admission into the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the transcendental world. The mahatmas, great souls, strictly observe all these rules and regulations, and therefore they are sure to achieve the desired result.” (Gita 9.14 purport)

Bhagavad-gita 9.14 (Right click to download)

The cow stands with tears in her eyes, the sudra milkman draws milk from the cow artificially, and when there is no milk, the cow is sent to be slaughtered. These greatly sinful acts are responsible for all the troubles in present society. People do not know what they are doing in the name of economic development. The influence of Kali will keep them in the darkness of ignorance. Despite all endeavors for peace and prosperity, they must try to see the cows and the bulls happy in all respects. Foolish people do not know how one earns happiness by making the cows and bulls happy, but it is a fact by the law of nature. Let us take it from the authority of Srimad-Bhagavatam and adopt the principles for the total happiness of humanity. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.17.3 purport)

(This post has been viewed 13 times so far)Read More...

“We are all originally situated on the platform of Krsna consciousness in our eternal personal relationship of love of Krsna. But due to forgetfulness we become familiar with the material world or Maya. As soon as one chants the Hare Krsna Mantra with sincerity and without offense (you know there are ten kinds of offensesRead More...

The legendary Bhrgupati Prabhu, the “deliverer of the 3 worlds” give mercy to all jivas! Bhrgupati Prabhu and new Bhakta Emile (see photo for before and after) distributed a Srimad Bhagavatam set at a Long Beach University. The guy came back to our book table and bought a Caitanya Caritamrta set also! Awesome day! BirthdayRead More...

A charity walk was organised by the combined efforts of Bhativedanta Manor and the Lotus Trust  to raise more funds. The walk took place  Sunday 24th April from the Krishna Avanti Primary School on Camrose Avenue in Edgware, and reach Bhaktivedanta Manor  near Watford by about 12.30pm. The route was 6 miles long and thereRead More...

At New Vrindaban with Sankirtana Das   Click below to start the player   Mayapur TV Livestream Posted by New Vrindaban on Sunday, April 24, 2022 (This post has been viewed 31 times so far)Read More...

Ananda Tirtha das: The heart of any community is not its buildings, however grand; not even in Mayapur, despite the grandest building being raised before our eyes. Mayapur’s heart is not limited to even just the Deities, central though they are and worshipped and loved by all. The real beating heart is the residents, mostRead More...

If you read my previous blog, you would know that the Middle School class is currently studying Texas History. You might also remember that I […]

vedavyaso ya evasid daso vrindavano’dhuna

sakha yah kusumapidah karyatas tam samavishat

Vedavyasa became Vrindavan Das Thakur. Krishna’s friend Kusumapida also entered into him for special purposes. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 109)

Vedavyasa described Krishna-lila in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Non-different from Vyasa, Vrindavan Das described Mahaprabhu’s lila in his Chaitanya Bhagavat. His book was first called Chaitanya Mangala, but when Locana Das gave the same name to his biography of the Lord, it was dubbed “Chaitanya Bhagavat”.

Vrindavan Das’s Mother, Narayani

Vrindavan Das was born on the Krishna-dvadashi of the month of Vaishakh in 1429 of the Shaka era (1507 AD). Some say he was born in Mamgachi in the Nabadwip area, others say his birthplace was in Kumarahatta. His father was Vaikunthanatha Vipra, who originally came from Sylhet (Sylhet), his mother Narayani Devi. Narayani was the daughter of Srivasa Pandit’s elder brother, Shrinalina Pandit. Kavi Karnapura has also mentioned her name in his Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika:

ambikayah svasa yasin namna shrila-kilimbika

krishnocchishtam prabhuïjana seyam narayani mata

Kilimbika, who used to eat Krishna’s remnants, was the younger sister of Krishna’s nurse Ambika (Srivasa’s wife, Malini). In Mahaprabhu’s lila, she became Narayani.

Narayani also achieved fame because she received Gaurasundara’s mercy when he gave her his remnants. When the Lord displayed his divine form in the Mahaprakasha in Srivasa Angan, Narayani was only a small child of four, but the Lord made her intoxicated with the ecstasy of prema. Whether born in Mamagachi or in Kumarahatta, Vrindavan Das later lived in the village of Denuria, within the Matreshvara precinct of Burdwan district.

Thus Denuria is considered to be his Shripata. He spent some of his childhood with his mother in Mamagachi, at the home of his maternal grandparents where Narayani was married. Vrindavan Das’s Gaura-Nitai deities are still worshiped at the Mamagachi home. When his father died, he and his mother moved to Srivasa’s house where he received Mahaprabhu’s special blessings.

Because of the copious blessings he received from Nityananda Prabhu, Vrindavan Das is said to have been his initiated disciple.

Vrindavan Das is the recipient of Nityananda’s blessings. He is the original Vyasa of Chaitanya’s pastimes. (Chaitanya Charitamrita 3.20.82)

He wrote Chaitanya Bhagavat in 1535 AD.

Vrindavan Das Thakur’s disappearance day is the Krishna Dashami of Vaishakh. There is some dispute as to the exact year of his disappearance, which was likely 1511 Shaka (1589 AD).

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a worldwide community of devotees practicing bhakti-yoga, the eternal science of loving service to God. The Society was founded in 1966 by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a pure devotee of God representing an unbroken chain of spiritual masters originating with Lord Krsna Himself.Read More...

So knowledge means to know only that Krishna is the Proprietor of everything, that Krishna is the Friend of everyone, and that Krishna is the Enjoyer of everything. These three things: Proprietor, Friend, and Enjoyer. If somebody knows this, he is actually wise. Therefore because the devotee always knows this, he is more superior personRead More...

Despite delays due to the coronavirus pandemic which have set back our plans to open the TOVP by two years, we are now moving full the steam ahead to open the TOVP and relocate our beloved Mayapur Deities into Their new home in 2024. The TOVP 2024 Marathon is the final lap of this race which started in 2008, and the Grand Finale will be a 3-month long celebration of immense proportions.

Our marathon slogan is, “We Run, You Win!”. We do all the work of building the temple and YOU win, because Srila Prabhupada said whoever helps build this temple 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

The TOVP is undoubtedly ISKCON’s greatest project to date as per Srila Prabhupada’s own vision. From this flagship temple at the birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Krishna prema will flood the world, and all the satellite temples of ISKCON will derive sustenance and power to fulfill that purpose. It is really no ordinary temple.

The TOVP 2024 Marathon was officially launched by His Holiness Jayapataka Swami during his 73rd Vyasa Puja celebration on April 12, and offers several new sponsorship opportunities. It’s also a time to complete pledges previously made. All these seva opportunities provide us with the funds we need to continue construction.

The first opportunity to participate is coming from May 3 (Akshaya Tritiya) – May 15 (Nrsimha Caturdasi) during the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser to complete and open Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Temple Wing in 2023. We have dedicated this fundraiser to Pankajanghri prabhu, Lord Nrsimha’s great servitor, who left our vision one year ago.

All the new seva options such as Prabhupada Medallions, Prabhupada Awards and the TOVP/Prabhupada Trophy, along with Nrsimha Bricks, are available to sponsor. And Ambarisa prabhu has increased his personal commitment by doubling his total matched amount to $250,000. Let’s all double our commitments also.

Visit the #GivingToNrsimha 12 Day Matching Fundraiser page today or during the campaign and make a donation, large or small, or sponsor one of the options mentioned above.

We thank you for your continued support and service to the TOVP. Hare Krishna!

 

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“Regarding your request for your deliverance from the clutches of Maya, please rest assured of being delivered, because we have captured the strong chain of disciplic succession. This chain is coming down from the highest platform, Krishna. Just like a rope comes down the well so that anyone who may catch the rope from any position is sure to be delivered, so our aim should be to not give up the rope. We must capture the rope very tightly. Then our deliverance is assured.

So far as I am concerned, in relationship with my disciples who are so kindly cooperating with me in the matter of my rendering service to my Spiritual Master, for them I am always ready to come back from Goloka Vrindavan if they are not delivered along with me. So don’t be worried about the clutches of Maya. Be fixed up in your determination and go on serving the Supreme Lord, Krishna, with determination as you are already doing.”

[ Srila Prabhupada Letter, November 15, 1969 ]

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