Maya: The World as Virtual Reality By Sadaputa Dasa (Dr. Richard L. Thompson)
In the world of modern science, consciousness is reduced to a fading epiphenomenon, leftover after the brain has been physically explained.
It seems to arise when matter is suitably organized, but scientists and philosophers have been unable to explain why complex organization should produce anything beyond complex physical behavior. Yet consciousness won’t go away. This groundbreaking book shows how conscious beings could interact with a physically realistic virtual world. It shows how paranormal phenomena can be reconciled in a natural way with the laws of physics, and it sheds light on paradoxes of time, on life beyond the body, and on cosmic and terrestrial evolution. In a sweeping synthesis, the ideas and data of modern science are used to illuminate the ancient theme of consciousness in a world of illusion.
Author: Sadaputa Dasa (Dr. Richard L. Thompson) Published: May 27, 2018 File/Book size: 8038 KB / 304 pages Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Overwhelmingly, Srila Prabhupada preached that vegetarian or non-vegetarian was not the issue.* He nearly always took the opportunity to preach Krishna bhakti no matter what food a person chose to eat. At the same time, he indicated that eating foods in the mode of goodness helps one become wiser.
The effect of developing the mode of goodness in the material world is that one becomes wiser than those otherwise conditioned.
Bhagavad-gita, Purport Chapter 14, Text 6
As preachers, we are often challenged with the idea that a meat-centered diet is inherently more healthy. Instead of engaging in a fruitless argument about the benefits of plant-based cuisine, let the non-devotees convince their own. Produced in 2018, the documentary, “Game Changers,” currently available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, blows away the ISKCON Television “Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise” vegetarian video produced in 1985 and the equally dated documentary, “A Vegetarian World.” Krishna has arranged the ultimate preaching weapon to shut the mouths of those who proclaim meat as the best and necessary source of protein to grow bigger muscles and last the distance. The elite athletes and Olympians, special ops soldiers, scientists, cultural icons, and everyday heroes prove conclusively that human beings perform far better on a plant-based diet and that mankind, even from the distorted perspective of evolution, was not physically designed for meat-eating. Features the “Terminator,” Arnold Schwarzenegger, among many other well-known sports personalities, promoting vegetarianism/veganism. The evidence that consuming meat lowers strength, recovery, and endurance is empirical and palpable. But don’t take my word for it. Watch the trailer and make up your own mind:
Don’t waste your valuable time by debating the merits of a vegetarian diet; let the non-devotees slug it out. We will just keep offering prasadam to the conditioned souls.
I am pleased to note your description of the increasing interest in vegetarian diet in this country. Actually, the practice of meat-eating is very detrimental to spiritual life, because in spiritual life the goal is to become free from all sinful reactions, and meat-eating means simply to force oneself to suffer the sinful reactions of killing our fellow living entities.
Letter to Krishna Devi, June 15, 1969
Śyāmasundara: Mr . . . Lord Brockway has been a vegetarian his life long.
Prabhupāda: Oh, that’s nice. That’s a good advancement for spiritual understanding.
Lord Brockway: Yes, I became a vegetarian, oh, seventy years ago.
Prabhupāda: Oh, I see.
Lord Brockway: All from aesthetic ideas, humanitarian ideas. And I’ve proved one can be just as healthy.
Prabhupāda: Yes, you look very healthy.
Lord Brockway: Over eighty-five years. I’m very fortunate.
Prabhupāda: Yes, he’s older than me. Still, he looks very nice.
Conversation London, July 3, 1973
Pañcadraviḍa: “But even if I become vegetarian still, I will be . . .”
Prabhupāda: No, no, that is not questioned. God says that you shall not kill. But you are killing. Where is your love? You cannot argue with God. Then you do not love. You cannot put your argument, logic, “What God has said I must do.” That is love.
Pañcadraviḍa: “But God did not mean us not to eat. We must eat.”
Prabhupāda: God did not . . . that means you have to eat only meat? You have nothing to eat?
Pañcadraviḍa: But if I eat a plant, it is also killing.
Prabhupāda: That is your argument. But God says that, “Thou shall not kill.” You cannot argue. This is the first theory. Suppose if I say something to you, order, you cannot argue. That is not obedience. Obedience means without argument accepted. That is obedience. That is love.
Morning Walk, Hyderabad, April 22, 1974
Devotee (8): Śrīla Prabhupāda, if we’re performing devotional service and an insect is in the way, like if you’re painting the walls and you find this ant and you must paint this wall to please the spiritual master, what is the attitude?
Prabhupāda: I have already said. You cannot kill even an ant without permission. So if you want to kill, you should take permission of higher authorities.
Lecture Atlanta, March 2, 1975
The people of this country are gradually taking this idea very seriously for vegetarian diet and stopping cow killing in a practical way.
Letter to Krishna das Maheshvari, New York, July 11,1976
On the other hand, let us not squander precious time:
*So our business is, so far we are concerned, Kṛṣṇa conscious people, we are not advocates of vegetarian and nonvegetarian. Of course, vegetarianism is very good, even for health’s sake. But we do not take vegetables even, if it is not offered to Kṛṣṇa. That is our principle. If Kṛṣṇa said that, “You give Me nonvegetarian diet,” then we can eat also.
SB 1.2.06 Lecture Delhi, November 14, 1973.
*Sometimes this morning we were talking about Sometimes this morning we were talking about vegetarian and nonvegetarian. Our mission is not to make a nonvegetarian a Sometimes this morning we were talking about vegetarian and nonvegetarian. Our mission is not to make a nonvegetarian a vegetarian. No. Our mission is that “Either you are vegetarian or nonvegetarian, it doesn’t matter. You become Kṛṣṇa conscious.” That is our mission. To become vegetarian is not very good qualification. It is better than the nonvegetarian, but that is not the ultimate solution. The ultimate solution is when you become a lover of God. That is ultimate solution.. No. Our mission is that “Either you are vegetarian or nonvegetarian, it doesn’t matter. You become Kṛṣṇa conscious.” That is our mission. To become vegetarian is not very good qualification. It is better than the nonvegetarian, but that is not the ultimate solution. The ultimate solution is when you become a lover of God. That is ultimate solution. and nonvegetarian.
Lecture 6.1.2 Honolulu May 6, 1976
Nrsimhananda das
Uplifting Cinema Pvt. Ltd. (India)
ISKCON Television, Inc. (USA
Note: Appropriate for 18 years and up due to a short study that includes adult content. Viewer discretion advised.
2020-21 It’s been a rough time. Brutal for some. Revelatory for others, especially that the leaders in the Kali-yuga (this age of quarrel, greed, and hypocrisy) are pretend leaders. There is no proper training on how to be a leader. This pretending has been going on for quite some time, and in recent years it has only become more evident.
In Mahabharata, the teacher, Dronacarya, sent the two prime candidates for leadership into the city to perform a task. Duryodhana is sent to find someone better than himself. Yudhisthira is sent to find someone lower than himself. Duryodhana examines the people he encounters, but he can’t find anyone better. He thinks he himself is the best and greatest. Yudhisthira, on the other hand, sees the value in the various members of society: the brahmanas, the tenders of the cows, the merchants and workers. He concludes that he himself is the lowest.
Later in the Mahabharata, the sage Narada instructs Yudhisthira that the leaders of society must take responsibility for the happiness of the citizens. And who are the citizens? Not only the human beings, but even the animals, birds, and the trees. In the Bhagavad-Gita (12:13), the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna expands on this point, urging us all not to be envious, but to be a “kind friend to all living beings.” Krishna goes on to declare that a person who behaves in this way is very dear to Him.
In instructing the warrior prince Arjuna, Krishna gives us all a simple criteria to understand His teachings. Krishna mentions it repeatedly. Gita 4:3 “Because you are My devotee and friend, you can therefore understand the transcendental mystery of this ancient science.” Gita 9:1 “Because you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you this most confidential knowledge and realization, knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence.” Gita 18:64: “Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you My supreme instruction, the most confidential knowledge of all.”
Krishna tells Arjuna not to be envious, to be a friend to all, to see the Supreme Lord everywhere and in all things, to accept His illuminating guidance, and to understand we are eternal, spiritual beings, not a lump of mundane desires and impulses. So without this type of guidance how can we have a peaceful society?
Kindness, compassion, and being a friend to all are foundational principles for those on the path of Bhakti. True kindness begins with respecting all life, to see every living entity as a person. But this is not possible in a society that maintains so many slaughterhouses and torturing animals who are dying in agony. Slaughterhouses are a great disturbance. Srila Prabhupada explains in his purport of Srimad Bhagavatam 1:17:3, they are “responsible for all the troubles in present society.” We can live healthier and calmer lives, personally and as a society, without slaughterhouses.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna is giving profound knowledge to Arjuna, and to us as well. And like the warrior Arjuna, we can also be a warrior by being a kind friend to all living beings. This year let us resolve to understand, act in, and teach real kindness.
I pray the new year finds you in good health and spirits. May all be well. Walk in love and joy and gratitude. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare / Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Sankirtana Das is a longtime resident of New Vrindaban, and an award-winning author and storyteller. His book, Mahabharata: The Eternal Quest, is acclaimed by scholars and devotees alike. For more info about his work see www.Mahabharata-Project.com
Today is “Makara Sankranti” which is celebrated when the Sun begins the northward journey, marking the beginning of the “uttaraayaNa puNyakaalam”. Sun enters the sign of “Makara”, (Capricorn) from Cancer currently. (This is also called equinox when the day and nights are the same). Starting from this day, the duration of day starts to increase […]
Published in: Michael Cremo (2010) The Forbidden Archeologist, Bhaktivedanta Book Publishing, Los Angeles, pp. 215—219. Originally published in Atlantis Rising magazine in 2008.
My main interest is archeological evidence for extreme human antiquity. But I am also interested in other questions. One of them is the history of the Vedic culture in India. By Vedic culture, I mean the culture based on the Vedas, the original Sanskrit books of knowledge, and the books derived from them. The current opinion among mainstream scholars is that Vedic culture came into the Indian subcontinent around 3,500 years ago, from the northwest. But the traditional opinion among followers of Vedic culture is that it has always been present in the Indian subcontinent. In this article, I want to consider some archeological evidence that favors the latter point of view. It appears that ancient urban centers in the India subcontinent, which are more than 3,500 years old, show signs they were designed according to a Vedic system of architecture called vastu.
One of the earliest mentions of this system of architecture is found in the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, which according to the text itself was composed about five thousand years ago in India (modern secular scholars give it an age of three thousand years). Vastu can be used in the construction in individual structures, but it is also used for urban design. A main element of vastu is the concept of the vastu purusha, the personal form of vastu. There are various accounts of the origin of the vastu purusha. One goes like this: At the beginning of creation, there was an asura (demon) who opposed the demigods. The demigods led by Brahma pushed the demon down onto the earth’s surface, and the demigods took their places on his form to hold him there. Brahma named the demon vastu purusha. Offering the vastu purusha a kind of redemption, Brahma ordained that anyone building any kind of residence would have to pacify him with sacrifice and worship.
The form of the vastu purusha is depicted graphically in the vastu purusha mandala. The mandala, or diagram, is square. The square form represents the divine order whereas the circle represents unordered material reality. The purusha is depicted as a male, lying face down. The head occupies the northeast part of the mandala, and the feet are in the southwest. The right knee and right elbow meet in the southeast corner. The left knee and left elbow meet in the northwest corner. The form of the vastu purusha is thus contorted to fit in the confines of the square. The main square of the mandala is divided into 64 (8 x 8) or 81 (9 x 9) squares. Each square is inhabited by a demigod, each one taking its place on the form of the body of the vastu purusha.
Vastu and City Design
The first step in the construction of a new town is to level the ground. After the site is leveled, the vastu purusha mandala is drawn upon it, and this forms the basis for the design. A very common form of this mandala is the square. Many Indian cities, like Jaipur, show signs of vastu design.
Over the past century, many ancient towns have been excavated in India, dating to four or five thousand years ago. The most famous of them are in the Indus Valley region (now part of Pakistan), including Mohenjo Dharo and Harappa. The latter site is generally used by scholars for the whole culture that produced these towns (the Harappan). Scholars have different opinions about the exact nature of the culture. Some say the culture was Vedic, the culture of the majority of Indians today. Others say that the culture was not Vedic, and that the people of Vedic culture entered India in much later times, no earlier than about 3,500 years ago. One problem is that the script of the Harappan culture has not been deciphered to the satisfaction of all scholars. Some have proposed Vedic decipherments and others have proposed non-Vedic decipherments. While this matter continues to be debated (I myself support a Vedic decipherment in principle), it may be useful to look for archeological evidence about the nature of the culture. In the spring of 2008, I went to India to investigate the design of the “Harappan” city of Lothal in Gujarat, India, which dates to the 3rd millennium BCE, to determine whether or not the design conforms to vastu principles. The answer to this question has implications for our understanding of the people who built Lothal. If the city was designed according to vastu principles, that would signify it is likely the people were part of the Vedic culture.
At Lothal, I looked at the site and the site plan for Period A, which goes back as far as 4,400 years ago, supposedly 1,000 years before people of Vedic culture entered India. The plan shows that Lothal was laid out in square form, with sides oriented to the cardinal directions. This corresponds to one of the standard vastu grids. According to vastu principles, an ideal site for a town is higher in the west and south than in the north and east. At Lothal, there is a definite elevation in the south, sloping down to the north and east. Experts in vastu say that houses facing the cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) are good, while those facing the corner points are exposed to evil influences. At Lothal, all the buildings face the main directions. Roads are oriented north to south, and east to west, another feature of vastu town design. According to vastu texts, waste water should drain to the north or east. I found that the main water drainage system at Lothal, in the area of the citadel, did drain to the east, as also noted in the site report.
According to vastu principles, the four social classes (workers, merchants, rulers, and priests) should occupy the western, southern, eastern, and northern sides of a town respectively. Workshops are found primarily on the western side of Lothal. The southeastern corner, Lothal’s center of trade, is occupied by a structure identified as a warehouse. The site plan shows the acropolis, identified as the residence of the town’s rulers (kshatriyas), extending from the central part of the site to the site’s eastern side. In the middle of the northern boundary of Lothal is a structure identified as a public fire altar, which would likely have been attended by priests (brahmanas). So the structures identified with the four classes seem to be located in the appropriate directions. The principal deity of the northern side of the vastu purusha mandala is Soma, the moon, and the quarter over which the moon rules is known as the “quarter of men.” The Lower Town of Lothal, which includes most of the residences, is in the northern half of the site, whereas the southern half of the town is occupied by the warehouse trade area, acropolis government area, and the workshop areas.
The Lothal site plan shows a cemetery outside the northwestern boundary wall, and S. R. Rao, the archeologist who excavated the site, said that the number of skeletons found there is quite small for a town the size of Lothal. He estimated the population at fifteen thousand. So he considered it likely that cremation was the most common form of dealing with dead bodies. The deity of the northwest corner of the 81-square vastu purusha mandala is Roga, disease; just below Roga is Papayakshman, consumption; and just below Papayakshman is Shosha, emaciation. A possibility that deserves consideration is that the northwest cemetery burials could represent cases of special burial for persons who suffered from diseases considered particularly inauspicious. Such persons might have been judged not fit for cremation. Based on the vastu purusha mandala, one might venture an archeological prediction, namely that a cremation ground might be found outside the southwest corner of the Lothal settlement walls, near the bank of the now dry river that once ran there. The southern side of the vastu purusha mandala is ruled by Yama, the lord of death. The southwest corner specifically is occupied by Pitarah, the lord of the ancestors, or Nirritih, the lord of dying, exiting from life. This would make sense because the river flowed from north to south, and typically in Hindu towns, the riverside cremation grounds are usually located so that the river carries contaminated water away from the inhabited areas of the town.
Conclusion
In examining Lothal, a Harappan city in India, we see that it is laid out in a manner consistent with vastu principles. This city is from the 3rd millennium BCE. Vastu, which is mentioned in the Mahabharata, is considered a part of Vedic culture. So this would indicate that the city was part of the Vedic culture. It also suggests that the Mahabharata may be traced back to the same period of time.
Pictured below are some images of the first model of the TOVP, made under Srila Prabhupada’s personal guidance and direction in 1971. Later, he changed the design to include a dome that resembled the US Capitol Building dome in Washington, D.C.. Below is Bhavananda’s recollection of this first showing of the TOVP model by ISKCON’s original fundraiser, Srila Prabhupada, as he unveiled the model before a group of potential donors.
“The photos are circa November, 1971 in the temple room of the Alberta Rd. ISKCON temple in Calcutta (now known as Kolkata). Prabhupada was initiating a few devotees. Everything was very simple at that time. The model being displayed is the Mayapur project.
In August of the same year at the Bury Place temple in London, Prabhupada would meet with Ranchor, Nara Narayan and myself every morning and he would describe what and how the temple should look, and Ranchor would do the drawings which Prabhupada would look at. When we all arrived in Calcutta a few months later via Nairobi, Mombasa and Bombay, Prabhupada had the model made and displayed in the temple room for fundraising.
The model had four guesthouses at the rear of the land of which the present Lotus building was the first, and the temple filled the balance of the ISKCON land with the entrance from Bhaktisiddhanta Road. Of course, things have changed somewhat, but height and grandeur have remained. Prabhupada’s main desire for a “big dome” has always been the main feature of the temple.”
Some of Srila Prabhupada’s Instructions for the TOVP Architecture:
Prabhupada: We are just attempting a big planetarium in Mayapur. We have asked government to acquire land, 350 acres. That is negotiation going on. We shall give a Vedic planetarium.
George Harrison: Is that the one you were talking about? With all the…
Prabhupada: In the Fifth Canto.
Gurudasa: The planetarium will be 350 feet high and show the cosmology of the spiritual world.
Prabhupada: The construction will be like your Washington Capitol, like that.
George Harrison: A big dome.
Prabhupada: Yes. Estimated eight crores of rupees.
Room Conversation — July 26, 1976, London
We must have a nice center at Mayapur because we are expecting there students from all over the world. Plans of the temple have already been made and you should have received them by now. The buildings should be exactly in the same pattern. The size may be changed according to the engineering technology. I have shown in London the Westminster Abbey to Syamasundara, Bhavananda and Nara Narayana. Perhaps you have also seen it. I want the inside just like the Westminster Abbey. You will understand from the plans what is my desire in this connection.
Letter to Tamala Krishna — September 16, 1971, Mombasa, Kenya
Prabhupada: I wanted both of you to take various detailed photographs of that Capitol.
Yadubara: The Capitol Building. For what purpose, Srila Prabhupada?
Prabhupada: We shall have picture, planetarium in Mayapur.
Room Conversation — July 6, 1976, Washington, D.C.
To view the entire collection of photos, go to the First TOVP Model page on the TOVP website.
The family of four came from Welland. Dad is Abhiram, Mum is Nikunja and their two boys are Gauranga, who’s four-years-old, and Nimai, a few months. The family recently moved to Canada from Connecticut and they are playing a role in the management of our Niagara Falls branch. They had come at noon for the young one’s consuming of his first grains in what’s called kheer.
Tradition holds that it is a priest who serves the preparation of milk and rice. That was me, and while Dad held young Nimai in his arms, I spooned in three conservative mouthfuls of the good stuff. Boy, did he like it.
I was really appreciating the loving exchange between the family members. Four-year-old Gauranga is very much loving his sibling. Gauranga also participated in Vidya observance; a learning challenge. He wrote on his paper pad his name while his crawling brother made for a similar challenge as to what his vocational destiny would be. It was a simple reach for the choice of either a pile of coins or the book, Bhagavatam. The kheer-nourished toddler grabbed for the book. That brought on all the “jayas” from the family and myself. “Jaya” is a phrase that means “victory.”
This exercise or little ritual can indicate a child’s inclination. I have sat through these types of ceremonies and from time to time a baby might choose to grab for the coins, which could indicate a child’s business sense. On such occasions, we will also hear people shout, “Jaya!”
It was 2 a.m. I could not sleep well so I decided to hit the pavement, or rather the side-walk. I opened the loading door as my exit from the temple/ashram where I live and there lie a man in prostrations, in other words, head and stomach down. I don’t know how long he lay there but as soon as I swung open the door he noticed me and offered an apology saying, “I’m coming back from work and I just wanted to get the Lord’s mercy.”
“Fine!” I said, “But you did shock me.”
“I’m sorry.” He went right back to his obeisance while I went to commence walking. I thought that perhaps there is something genuine to what he was doing. The ground he lay on was cold. It was minus seven Celsius at the time. Some people value tapasya, austerity.
It was indeed a chilly morning. The sky, being clear for the most part, accommodated whitish clouds pushed from the north. I could detect some biting currents coming from the west. Cardboard scrap was being tossed about and the north/south bus on Yonge was covered with dirt-salt film. Winter can bring on a gloomy aspect at times.
The day, however, was one of warmth and satisfaction. I consider that so having delivered five classes on bhakti, the first and last were in person and the in-between were live-streamed. For me, it is always gratifying to share wisdom and when questions flow from the listeners I know I’ve made a tiny impact.
While I strolled through some of the U of T campus, I also included meandering through swanky Yorkville, a dodgy strip of Yonge St., the platinum strip on Bloor, and a section of historic Annex. I observed the flow of pedestrians during the course. I was surprised by the turnout of shoppers. January sales is the draw. Despite covid restrictions, many folks are not deterred; despite the weather conditions being not the friendliest. Temperatures have been down, but the sun has been up offering a burst of optimism.
One really good thing about winter is the traffic is slower. Rough sounding engines so prevalent in the summer are somewhat muffled by snow during the lull in people’s passions. It’s much more peaceful. I was never for those barracudas on wheels. Fearsome they are. And I never could understand why tickets aren’t issued to those on Harley Davidsons. Why is it that they can get away roaring through the summer and no one else can? I guess they’re tough guys and gals and police are reluctant to mess with them.
My morning was calm. Our small crew of monks and two guests tuned into the beautiful words of the Bhagavatam, Canto Eleven, where a monk talks about his twenty-four gurus within nature. On top of the list is the mountain noted for its charitable disposition of offering water from snow. That pristine H20 is the most generous of gifts. Mountains do give.
Creating e-commerce websites can be quite a great intimidating job, but if you follow a couple of simple steps, the task can be a breeze. The first step is to pick a domain name. You can choose a top-level domain like a. com, store, solutions, or perhaps your provider’s name. Your best option for your webpage will depend on what you hope to offer and what their customers expect from your site.
The next step is to incorporate contact information for your business. You can provide a phone number or email, or you consist of online discussion, Skype, or WhatsApp. You may also include a position map in your website to raise your credibility. Once you have came up with the site, the next navigate to this web-site stage is to make the software and commence testing. Quality assurance engineers will check the software for the purpose of errors and bugs, and developers is going to fix any problems they will find. When your product is ready, you are allowed to launch it in the market.
Design and operation are the following steps in creating e-commerce websites. You will have to make your website as user friendly as possible for your consumers. Your website need to be easy to browse and easy to work with. Having an intuitive design will increase conversion rates. Similarly, features means producing your site user friendly for your clients. Your website should be functional permitting customers to execute certain jobs. For example , it will allow consumers to search for products, compare these people, communicate with managers through a conversation, and purchase these people. Your ecommerce site must also allow users to track the delivery of their purchased items.
Creating e-commerce websites can be quite a great intimidating job, but if you follow a couple of simple steps, the task can be a breeze. The first step is to pick a domain name. You can choose a top-level domain like a. com, store, solutions, or perhaps your provider’s name. Your best option for your webpage will depend on what you hope to offer and what their customers expect from your site.
The next step is to incorporate contact information for your business. You can provide a phone number or email, or you consist of online discussion, Skype, or WhatsApp. You may also include a position map in your website to raise your credibility. Once you have came up with the site, the next navigate to this web-site stage is to make the software and commence testing. Quality assurance engineers will check the software for the purpose of errors and bugs, and developers is going to fix any problems they will find. When your product is ready, you are allowed to launch it in the market.
Design and operation are the following steps in creating e-commerce websites. You will have to make your website as user friendly as possible for your consumers. Your website need to be easy to browse and easy to work with. Having an intuitive design will increase conversion rates. Similarly, features means producing your site user friendly for your clients. Your website should be functional permitting customers to execute certain jobs. For example , it will allow consumers to search for products, compare these people, communicate with managers through a conversation, and purchase these people. Your ecommerce site must also allow users to track the delivery of their purchased items.
The second most popular mela after Kumbha Mela is the Ganga Sagar Mela. It is India’s biggest fair held in Sagardwip, West Bengal and witnesses a large number of people pouring in.
Celebrated with great vigour and enthusiasm, the festival has a cultural and spiritual significance where pilgrims dip themselves in the holy waters of the Ganga to purify their souls. Held during the winter, the Mela is an annual gathering of pilgrims which sees a number of rituals, lit lamps and chanting in and around Sagardwip.
Ganga is regarded as the holiest river, which originates in Gangotri and marks the end of her journey in Sagardwip where it merges with the Bay of Bengal. If one bathes in the Ganga here, he/she would be cleansed of all his/her sins.
The story of Ganga-sagar can be found in the epic Mahabharata. Unwilling to let King Sagar reap the benefits of an Asvamedha Yajna, Indra stole the sacrificial horse and hid it near the ashrama of sage Kapila. The king sent his 60,000 sons in search of the horse.
They found the horse but mistook Lord Kapila for the thief and hurled abuse and attacked Him. The sage’s wrath turned them into ashes. Many years later, Prince Bhagiratha wanted to atone the sins of his forefathers and underwent penance at Gokarna (Karnataka).
Then he persuaded Ganga to flow to earth from heaven. After many trials, the river goddess flowed across the ashes and the souls of the dead princes were liberated. It is said that the goddess returned to her heavenly abode but left behind her river avatar.
Apparently, it is on the day of Makar Sankranti that the river flowed into the sea at the ashram of sage Kapila. Hence a dip in the river on that day absolves one of all sins and prevents re-birth.
The North American Leadership Conference will be held on the 14th, 15th 16th of January.
During this online event, we will gather again as GBC, Temple Presidents, Senior Devotees, and Next Generation Leaders – all members of Srila Prabhupada’s Family, to collaborate and co-create the future of ISKCON in North America.
ISKCON Communications Course, now available online through the Bhaktivedanta College, starts its new semester on January 24!
This five-week course helps devotees communicate better in their personal and professional lives, as well as when representing ISKCON. The course is online, self-paced, and designed for those in need of a flexible schedule.
The Communications Course has been acclaimed by Temple Presidents, GBC Ministers, and other senior devotees as highly instructive, practical, and empowering.
Skills taught include public speaking, listening, strategizing media and government relations, understanding our devotee communities’ needs better, working with neighbors, understanding and building rapport with academics and NGO organizations, and more.
ISKCON Communications minister HG Anuttama Prabhu, in collaboration with Bhaktivedanta College, translated the ‘ISKCON Communications’ training he gives worldwide in the classroom into the online environment – dynamic, powerful, and thought-provoking as it is when taught in person.
On the most auspicious occasion of the Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to the TOVP on October 13 and 14, 2021, the first ISKCON organized Vaishnava Acharyas Sampradaya Samelan (Summit) took place online, inspired by TOVP Director of Development His Grace Braja Vilasa das, and organized by His Grace Gauranga das.
Acharyas and other representatives from all four Vaishnava sampradayas participated in this historic event to discuss the state of Vaishnavism in the world today, and how it can impact struggling humanity at this important time of need.
It is our deepest hope that such discussions can continue and that the leaders of all Vaishnava panthas can work together to spread the philosophy and practice of devotion to Vishnu/Krishna to every soul on the Earth.
Om Tat Sat
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Garuda Das Kavirāja is Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Christopher Newport University, Virginia and Director of Studies in Religion. He is also Distinguished Research and Teaching Faculty at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. He lectures around the world on his translation of the Bhagavad Gītā, on the philosophy of Yoga, as well as on the teachings of the Krishna Bhakti traditionRead More...
The month of December was an active month with the book marathon and the celebration of one of the most important book in the Hare Krishna movement, the Bhagavad-gita, which is celebrated during Gita Jayanti. This is the day when Lord Shri Krishna spoke the Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra before the Mahabharata war began. During the book distribution marathon members of the Hare Krishna movement go out on the streets trying to give out as many Srila Prabhupada’s books as they can. It is a special month for all of us as we could connect and feel the presence of Srila Prabhupada while distributing his books. Kadamba Kanana Swami continued his European tour in December arriving first in Goloka Dhama in Germany, where he gave lectures from Srimad Bhagavatam.
His next European destination was Radhadesh, Belgium. He spent more time here giving classes on Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrita. During his time in Radhadesh, Kadamba Kanana Swami gave initiation to many devotees. Please see the links to his lectures and the initiation ceremony below:
After Radhadesh, Kadamba Kanana Swami decided to visit Prague then went to Simhachalam in Germany. Please see the links for lectures and evening kirtans below:
The special session for this month is the end of year reflections from some devotees who shared some of Kadamba Kanana Swami’s words and felt inspired by his teachings:
Adi Ganga devi dasi felt inspired by the following teachings (see below) after listening the morning class from SB.3.4.4 when Kadamba Kanana Swami was in New York on 30th September. (Link to the lecture is https://youtu.be/BD6kz7H11k0)
“It is in the association of devotees that there can be Krishna katha. Such discussions can relieve the heart from 2 types of miseries-the pangs of material existence and the pain of separation. In this way Krishna katha can relieve us of all miseries.”
“The purports are more important than the verses. By verses alone, we don’t fully understand the depths but by the purports we can actually understand the true depth of the meaning of the Bhagavatam. By understanding the meaning of the Bhagavatam we can really approach the Holy Name in the proper mood and take shelter.”
“What in this world can you trust? You have to have filters ‘is it true? Is it not true? Is it real? Is it not real?’ But 100% you can trust Prabhupada’s books. Cent percent. You can switch off all the filters, all the firewalls and just let the information stream in. One can fully rely on it, the pure Bhagavatam with his own pure explanations invested in his pure devotional service. What a gift that Srila Prabhupada gave us.”
Karunika devi dasi listened to the lecture of Kadamba Kanana Swami on 29th December from SB 3.24.11. In this lecture Kadamba Kanana Swami summed up the story of Kardama Muni and his wife Devahuti. (The link for the lecture is https://youtu.be/74v8YEf5Btc)
Some of the words of Kadamba Kanana Swami that stood out for Karunika are:
“Kardama Muni was a great sage who detached himself from bodily comforts. His wife was a princess and had all material processions growing up, but she was ready to become austere and follow her husband. Devahuti, the wife, had a desire to have a child – Kadamba Kanana Swami explained here that for a woman to have that desire is normal and it is a deep desire as the body of a female is designed for that. “
“Fulfilling desires, especially sexual activity according to religious principles is purifying. And one can follow that path and actually become free from all material desires. Such sexual activity is very different than the sexuality of this world which is driven by unbridled lust. Unbridled lust leads to bringing one deeper and deeper into the bodily concept of life and makes one more and more forgetful of the supreme personality of Godhead, which is exactly the opposite of the real goal of life. “
“If one remembers Krishna and never forgets him, this is normal, anything else is when one is bewildered by some mental covering.”
Karunika’s reflection:
“All of the above stood out to me because this world is corrupted with media showing young people that it is okay to show ‘love’ in a certain way and it is become ‘normal’ in this day and age to do certain activities to express love. However, Kadamba Kanana Swami mentioned how by having lusty desires and engaging in it without religious principle, it is only entangling one in this material world. I liked that part when he mentions that to think of Krishna and to never forget him is normal. It is so easy to think that it is not normal, because of so many coverings of this world.”
Welcome to 2022
By Uddhava das
The last few years we always published an end-of-the-year article with visitor statistics, top 10 most viewed articles and our vision for the next year. This year i decided to merge my yearly ramblings with the Monthly Media article. This serie of articles was started in May 2021 and it is the reincarnation of the monthly media summaries that were composed by Ragalekha devi dasi back in the old days.
So no visitor statistics (44000 views in 2021), top 10’s (the most viewed article is this one) or our vision for 2022. We do wish all of you a good new year with lots of blessings and service.
On the most auspicious occasion of the Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to the TOVP on October 13 and 14, 2021, the first ISKCON organized Vaishnava Acharyas Sampradaya Samelan (Summit) took place online, inspired by TOVP Director of Development His Grace Braja Vilasa das, and organized by His Grace Gauranga das.
Acharyas and other representatives from all four Vaishnava sampradayas participated in this historic event to discuss the state of Vaishnavism in the world today, and how it can impact struggling humanity at this important time of need.
It is our deepest hope that such discussions can continue and that the leaders of all Vaishnava panthas can work together to spread the philosophy and practice of devotion to Vishnu/Krishna to every soul on the Earth.
Om Tat Sat
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
I learned about a couple that survived a 4-month walk from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. In 2017, I crossed the Divide in Colorado and it was at that location that a journalist caught up with me and said, “You’re on the highest point at this watershed. If you pee here, half of the fluid will go to the Atlantic and the other will flow to the Pacific.”
In any event, the American couple trekking this heroic trail exercised true social distancing with their backpacking. Their names? Tim Beissinger and Renee Miller. Tim said he lost 42 pounds after the completion of the hike, which passes through Yellowstone National and Glacier National Parks, as well as the Rocky Mountains.
From my experience, long walks do help to reduce extra blubber and if you chant a lot along the way you also decrease some karma.
It’s interesting how Tim and Renee arranged their meals. Much of the area they trekked was desert, so how did they manage? Well, they dehydrated 100 homemade meals and mailed them out to the various towns they planned to pass on their hike. That was smart.
Overall, their feat (on their feet) motivated a lot of folks to increase their walking. Personally, I believe that a trek undertaken like theirs is an inspiration. Walks like these encourage introspection and we can use a lot of that type of therapy in this day and age. You take a break from this crazy world. Let’s get sane through walking introspectively.
A 1500-year-old image of Krishna is being restored in the Cleveland Museum of Art. PBS has released the recent story about the deity of Krishna from Cambodia that made its way to Cleveland in the ‘70s when work began to put broken pieces together. Basically, His head and torso are in pretty good shape. In fact, it is this handsome image that portrays His lifting of the Govardhana Hill. Twenty-first century technology is being applied and giving Krishna a look and stance that He deserves. Credit goes to the museum faculty that appear to be putting heart and soul into the project. After five decades, when the piece (or pieces) first arrived, finally museum lovers are going to love this gorgeous statue.
In 2016, when I walked through Cleveland, I did come upon one of its fine museums (but not the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). My support person, Gopal Keller, who was taking an online arts course, arranged for us to go through the museum. It really is a world class collection. The local newspaper came by for an interview of my U.S.A. walk. A rep took a photo of myself trekking by in front of the building. That photo was named the “top pic” for the week and also made it to the Chicago Tribune. The public likes the visage of a monk, even in a modern-day setting, by a classy edifice. Of course, you’re not going to find a monk always in a midst of trees. We get around.
It is interesting that in the life of Krishna, He found Himself in both rural and urban settings, although He never carried the profile of a mendicant. That was to come in His incarnation as Chaitanya.
Compiled by Srila Prabhupada, the following is a statement on the philosophy of Krishna
Consciousness:
1)By sincerely cultivating a bona fide spiritual science, we can be free from anxiety and come to a state of pure, unending, blissful consciousness in this lifetime.
2)We are not our bodies, but eternal spirit souls, parts and parcels of God (Krishna). As such, we are brothers, and Krishna is ultimately our common father.
3)Krishna is the eternal, all-knowing, omnipresent, all powerful, and all attractive Personality of Godhead. He is the seed-giving father of all living beings, and He is the sustaining energy of the entire cosmic creation.
4)The Absolute \Truth is contained in all the great scriptures of the world. However, the oldest known revealed scripture in existence are the Vedic literature, most notably, the Bhagavad-gita, which is the literal record of God’s actual words.
5)We should learn the Vedic knowledge from a genuine spiritual master, one who has no selfish motives and whose mind is firmly fixed on Krishna.
6)Before we eat, we should offer to the Lord the food that sustains us. Then, Krishna becomes the offering and purifies us.
7)We should perform all our actions as offerings to Krishna and do nothing for our own sense gratification.
8)The recommended means for achieving the mature stage of love of God in this age of Kali, or quarrel, is to chant the holy names of the Lord. The easiest method for most people is to chant the Hare Krishna mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
I was just about to take a mid-morning nap (I’d been up since 2 am) when I received a call.
“No one is cooking the raj-bhogaoffering. It has to be ready in one hour.”
“Alright, I’ll see what I can do. There must be some mix-up on the communication side,” I remarked.
So, I dashed to the kitchen after being informed of what needs to be cooked. There was so little time but I don’t mind pressure, especially in the kitchen. It’s always been one of my favorite locations, production-wise. Sticking to recipes is fun and there’s always a little wiggle space for creativity. I love it. I began to cleanse and chop my chosen veggies, and started cooking. While that was on the go, I began to assemble and knead the dough for chapatis (flat bread) and then whip together a batter out of chickpea flour for broccoli pakoras.
In the middle of all this, the actual cooks showed up and from there, like a team, we worked together and performed a miracle. The food preparations were rendered for the Krishna deity, resident monks, and for our Govinda’s Restaurant. The outcome was great, even though today was the last day for indoor dining before the lockdown is in effect for three weeks.
Stomachs were pleased, including mine, which warranted an evening walk through the Annex while chanting a low-volume mantra.
One of my friends is an activist type. I guess we all may have one or two, or more, of those as our friends. Currently that means anti-mask/anti-vax. I consider such persons to be entitled to their opinion. A strong consideration, however, is that we are sharing space and we must be prudent in our dealings with each other in a highly toxic environment; both subtly and physically. Viruses are real and deadly.
In general, the atmosphere these days is so intense, regardless of which side of the fence you sit on; for or against the vaccination. One area of deliberation is, “Can we stay as friends and not allow this psychological warfare, of sorts, to tear us apart?” All situations, both social and/or political are temporary and are relative fixations. The optional way to view such circumstances is the spiritual component. I believe that is what’s missing.
I didn’t get to walking much today, but for an embarrassing one kilometre, and that was to purchase two orchids for the ashram as a powerful pick-me-up, visually, during the dead of winter. I felt justified in doing so. During that rare trip to the florists, I contemplated on today’s Gita verse, 2.41. “Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many branched.”
The verse emphasizes life’s spiritual purpose. Let us not get so worked up that our prime target of believing and loving the Supreme gets pushed to the side.
I want to congratulate the six new initiates who received their diksha and their new names. They are a smiling group. Optimists.
Ashok Kumar Srivastava’s new name is Arya Das.
Pratima Shrivastava’s new name is Pranaya Dasi.
Anurag Shrivastava’s new name is Ananda Gaura Das.
Ritu Shrivastava’s new name is Rajeshwari Dasi.
Vihar Joshi’s new name is Vishnu Tattva Das.
Neha Joshi’s new name is Narmada Dasi.
My nighttime walk was interesting. I often go to Queen’s Park, and bypass the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). Near the museum, a silver balloon appeared out of nowhere. It seemed to greet me, but being light and frivolous in the wind, it wasn’t about to stay with me. It was bouncy, buoyant and beautiful. Let’s call it “Jumping Jack Flash” (like the song from the Stones). I thought of it as a lost soul checking out the scene. In its wanderlust, it daringly bounced, or attempted to cross Avenue Road’s six lanes.
It only got so far and then retreated back to me after getting to about the fifth lane. I was expecting one of the motorists to pop it with its tires, make it explode, but that didn’t happen. Jack Flash and Walking Monk were meant to meet, but briefly. I am prone to walk while this soul is bent on bouncing, floating, and, eventually, deflating.
He has his journey. I have mine. “Nice meeting you!”
It seems that this horrible Covid disease is attacking quite a number of our devotees again. We sincerely hope you are all taking precautions to prevent falling ill. There is the old saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", and particularly under these circumstances this is very much true. Continue reading "Message from the GBC Executive Committee → Dandavats"
The Horrific Story of the Russian Orthodox Holy Name Controversy. In 1913, prior to the Soviet revolution, hundreds of Russian Orthodox monks were violently persecuted for their focus on chanting God’s holy names. The debate over the accusations of heresy on this topic has largely been ignored, and the horrific events which took place, are rarely spoken of.
The Name-Glorification [Imiaslavie (Russian) / Onomatodoxy (Greek)] controversy, over whether God’s Name is to be regarded as uncreated Divine Energy or merely a conventional designation, arose in Russian Orthodox monastic communities in the early 20th century. It escalated to an actual military attack upon Name-Glorifying monks on Mt. Athos by the Russian Imperial Navy in 1913. The persecution of Name-Glorifiers continues to this day in the Eastern Orthodox Church, even though the Church has yet to investigate and come to a doctrinal answer on the matter.
Metropolitan Alfeyev of Volokolamsk, chairperson of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Department of External Church Relations and a permanent member of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Moscow, states that “the Church’s final assessment of Name-worshipping remains an open question to this day.” [Note that opponents of the position regularly disparage the view by designating it as “Name-Worship” rather than what adherents call it, “Name-Glorification”.]
Ornamented with pearls of wisdom, Bhakti Shakti serves as a guiding light to claim your spiritual identity, experience the joyous state of your pure spiritual self, and progress toward deeper intimacy with the Divine.
About the Book
The wisdom goddesses of yoga who embody Shakti, or sacred energy, continue to gain popularity as we become familiar with the ways they help us break through negativity, trauma, and dysfunction to attain self-love, peace, and abundance.
Yet we rarely hear about Sri Radha and her unique position as the primal Shakti because she is hidden deep within the Upanishads, Tantras, and Puranas as their most confidential spiritual subject.
Here, for the first time, Sri Radha is revealed. The goddess of divine love not only grants emotional, mental, and physical well-being, but she bestows the spiritual awakening of divine love, our greatest necessity.
Award-winning author and Bhakti pilgrim Pranada Comtois introduces us to charming goddess Radha and through reason and references to the ancient wisdom texts we’re shown that
love is the essence of all knowledge
love is the imperative need of the timeless self
only pure love will satisfy us
When we learn the process of transforming ordinary love into divine love, our search for peace and happiness is realized, we become free, whole, peaceful, and the highest version of ourselves.
How can we love fully?
What is the difference between ordinary love and divine love?
How do we locate where we can safely place all our love and receive full reciprocation?
Bhakti Shakti helps you explore your own nature as well as your relationship with the primary Shaktis who are embodied as the goddesses Sri Radha and Durga Maa.
Understanding the Shakti triad of yourself and these spiritual and material energies removes the veil of illusion. Then you’re able to identify the mysterious at play in your life. You can see yourself, emotions, thoughts, the nature of the world, and your Source with a liberating clarity that reveals your true purpose and brings you inner peace and fulfillment.
In the noble pursuit of claiming our true identity through an expansion of consciousness, Sri Radha provides a framework for personal evolution and a methodology that will give you a first-hand experience of your true self and these esoteric, but common sense, spiritual truths.
In this practical guide, through clear instruction, authentic Bhakti Vedanta teachings, and meditation and mantra practices, you’ll discover how you can invoke goddess Radha’s divine feminine presence in your life and experience the unbounded joy of the self and your true nature free from limitations.
This will be Pranada Comtois’ second book. Her first book, Wise-Love: Bhakti and the Search for the Soul of Consciousness won many awards and is a key book used in several preaching programs around the world. It has been translated into Spanish, is currently being translated into Bulgarian, with plans to be translated into other languages as well.
Live Event and Giveaway January 17th
Enter for a chance to win Bhakti Shakti by clicking here
You’re Invited to the Online Bhakti Shakti Book Launch, hosted on zoom: This event will have Spanish translation available
Zoom Login:
#882 2874 6166
Passcode: 16108
EVENT DETAILS:
11:00 am EST Welcome & Introduction to Kirtan
11:05 Kirtan by Shyamala Kishori
11:30 Introduction to Bhakti Shakti
11:35 Reading from the Introduction
12:00 Q&As
12:15 Announce Winner of Bhakti Shakti Giveaway
12:20 “Divine Treasure” the official song of Bhakti Shakti
From The Author
“The books I write are directed to new devotees, friends, secular family members, acquaintances, colleagues, our children, yoga enthusiasts looking toward yoga philosophy, spiritual seekers, those curious about Bhakti. Seasoned preachers have told me they have found new ways of expressing the philosophy to a Western audience.”
Critics Acclaim
All the wondrous forms of the Goddess in the Hindu traditions exhibit different expressions and flavors of feminine power, but it is Radha who is the ultimate personification of the most powerful force of all – love. It is with sweetness and love alone that Radha captures and controls Krishna, Lord of the Universe, as well as the hearts of the devotees.
Pranada combines her personal life-long insights into the nature of devotion with her natural gifts at writing to offer us a wonderful window into the highest possible expression of love of God attainable by the human soul.
Radha’s pure loving sweetness offers an opportunity to revision social paradigms and behaviors away from aggression-projecting models of patriarchal thinking, which deaden the spirit and disrupt our social consciousness, and reveal a vision of transcendent love that lies at the very heart of what all embodied beings seek.
~Edwin Bryant Professor of Hindu Religion and Philosophy, Rutgers, the States University of New Jersey
Sri Radha is the pinnacle of spirituality, the feminine moiety of the Absolute Godhead, worshiped only by those who have climbed to the very top of the yoga ladder. Pranada Comtois allows her readers entrance into an otherwise esoteric realm of their everyday journey. “Worshiping Radha and what she represents,” writes Pranada, “is the antidote to chauvinism, misogyny, sexism, racism, and the equally discriminatory reactions to those attitudes by the disadvantaged and disenfranchised, which only serve to feed the problem.” Thus, in Bhakti Shakti we become privy to Radha in all her completeness, leading to our betterment both materially and spiritually. This is not a book to be missed.
~Steven J. Rosen (Satyaraja Dasa)
Both philosophical and practical, Bhakti Shakti is a sophisticated revelation of the mysteries and historical primacy of the Goddess in the devotional yoga tradition that illuminates the role of feminist spirituality in a modern contemplative practice and allows us to experience a substantive relationship with the feminine personification of divine love. Bhakti Shakti is a welcome addition that fills a conspicuous gap in the popular canon of yoga philosophy.
~Hari-kirtana das,
Author of In Search of the Highest Truth: Adventures in Yoga Philosophy
Devotees worldwide came together to celebrate World Gita Day on the 18th and 19th of December. This entire program was hosted on zoom and telecasted on Facebook and YouTube by The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. For the year 2021, the global estimated goal for Bhagavad Gita distribution was 2.2 million.
On day one, they covered Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Thailand, Japan, and India.
Different devotees represented their countries.
Rukmini Devi Dasi,on behalf of the BBT Marketing, Communications & Innovations, began the program as the host, gradually switching with other representatives. On day two, North America, Latin America, Africa, Russia, and Europe celebrated World Gita Day.
Devotees showcased their devotion for the Bhagavad Gita As It Is through their amazing paintings, songs, dance, skits, reflections on the verses, and sankirtan stories.
Devamadhava Das said, “The world needs one scripture and that scripture is Bhagavad Gita.” The program continued as Vaisesika Dasa enlightened the audience with his speech. His enchanting words as it goes, “On this we are celebrating the fact that there is information in a straightforward and understandable format. We find whoever reads the Gita, loves the Gita. The only problem is that not everyone comes in contact with it. So World Gita Day is the day to unite people all over the world to love the Gita. We are inviting people from everywhere, every organization who appreciate the Bhagavad Gita.”, left the audience surcharged with more enthusiasm to carry on book distribution as the days come closer to the end of the marathon.
Different devotees shared their realizations, Devamrita Swami spoke from Australia. “The book allows you to see yourself in clear light and then you can proceed to act with the greatest intelligence.” Bhakta Das from Melbourne took the audience over to an art exhibition based on the Bhagavad Gita.
The next country on the board was Japan. Radhika Raman Das from Tokyo said, “When I am in some kind of difficulty, I always come back to the Bhagavad Gita. Bhagavad Gita is really the complete science of devotional service.
Sumadhuri Lia Devi Dasi from Thailand began saying,”Although it is a Bhudhhist country, but there is so much of Vedic roots to it. The roads there are named after Lord Rama, Lord Vishnu.”
As they moved to India, various esteemed devotees like Bhakti Raghav Swami, Jayapataka Swami, Gopal Krishna Goswami shared their realizations. Bhakti Raghav Swami mentioned how Bhagavad Gita is the main book which has brought and continues to bring so many people to Krishna consciousness. Basu Ghosh Das said, “See our aim is to distribute Gita but we have to read the Gita and learn the message of the Gita.”
Jayapataka Swami said, “Actually Lord Chaitanya, He gave three instructions, bolo Krishna, bhojo Krishna, koro Krishna siksha. Prabhupada explained this Bhagavad Gita is Krishna siksha. I told Srila Prabhupada, is this not the beginning book? He said you must study Bhagavad Gita to preach.” Lokanath Swami said, “Gita is Krishna. Bhagavad Gita is not different from the Lord.”
Edward from New Zealand said, “Bhagavad Gita kind of reinforced the whole sort of materialism, how we are quite driven by materialism and how don’t need to be.”
Day two began with Russia where the Ranga sisters went on to explain how the Bhagavad Gita is not only for India but for the whole world, the message is universal.
Srivasa Das from Africa said how Lord Krishna spoke this Bhagavad Gita to his friend Arjuna, but it is meant for the upliftment of humanity.
Divya Nama Dasa from Europe narrated a beautiful story, “Sutapa Prabhu (sankirtan devotee), was once hearing a lecture of Tamal Krishna Goswami and Maharaj was repeatedly emphasizing how one should wish one pointed attention serve the instructions of the spiritual master. Later when he went out for book distribution, a gentleman came up to him and said that he had read the whole Bhagavad Gita. When Sutapa Prabhu asked him what his favorite verse was, he said,”Eke ha kuru nandanah”. Thereby they realized how they should surrender their lives for spreading the knowledge of Bhagavad Gita with one pointed attention.
Prema Rupa Madhav Das mentioned how one hundred devotees joined the Gita live program in Spanish. This was the greatest achievement for the first time and therefore incredible!
Judy from China mentioned how she has been searching for absolute truth and studying various Bhudhhist scriptures. But this book (Bhagavad Gita) really has the answer to everything.
Ananda Murti Das from North America said how the Bhagavad Gita opened up the personal realization of the Absolute Truth.
After the two days of programs, the event ended with a short inspiring speech from Vaisesika Dasa, under whose able guidance and support the World Gita Day is flourishing. He said, “Books are such an invention. They hold idea seeds. As they sprout out they create new ideologies. We need a spiritual ideology. People become confused what spiritual life is.
When we think of wealth and poverty so much seems to hinge on whether we live in a mentality of scarcity; or a consciousness of abundance, that there is enough in the world for everyone.
Gandhi once said that the world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed. It seems so true… But why is that? Why does that seem to resonate as true?
Is there some kind of Super Consciousness out there that is (or perhaps, Who is…) keeping track? Or calculating whether I’m consuming too much energy, taking up too much space, hoarding possessions or property, or perhaps even eating too much ice cream?
Does it really matter? If I come by what I have honestly, if I’m not stealing the possessions I’ve acquired, if I’m not harming anyone by enjoying the things I have, does it really matter if I live in a bigger house than someone else, or drive a more expensive car, or take lavish holidays, or eat what I please?
There’s another saying that’s often attributed to Gandhi, but was actually spoken by an American woman saint named St. Elizabeth Seton. She said that we should live simply, so that others may simply live.
There seems to be a resonance between those who try to face inward both from the East and the West.
Those who try to live a more conscious life, feel an interconnectivity, and connection between our individual lives and the lives of others in the world.
Is it possible to create more universal harmony by our conscious proactive efforts to take less, and give more? Can we even gain some innate satisfaction by just trying to live more simply in gratitude, and endeavoring to live with less greed and accumulation?
We read so much about the earth’s ecological imbalance due to too much drilling of oil, irresponsible water use and over-production by various industries. We’ve seen during this Covid pandemic that when factories shut down for some time, the air quality in polluted cities became clear for awhile, and previously unseen wildlife and plant life began to roam freely and grow lavishly once again just by a slight reduction of our human footprint.
If we again turn east and look toward the ancient wisdom of the Upanisads, we can hear a voice that sounds amazingly prescient to us in our lives right now. Sri Isopanisad speaks this holistic harmonious wisdom in its Mantra One:
“Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for oneself, which are set aside as one’s quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.”
Who is the real owner and controller of all things? If I come here empty-handed and leave empty-handed, is there someone or something greater than me who possessed all things before I arrived on the scene and for all eternity?
During the height of the pandemic, I read a story written by a Portuguese woman who had tragically lost her father to Covid. She wrote about how her father had been a billionaire and had immense wealth in the bank. But as he was dying, and gasping for air, which is free to everyone everywhere. His billions in the bank could not save him… Can any of us purchase a few more moments of life, or a few more breaths of oxygen with the money we have in the bank?
Sri Isopanisad asks us to redirect our consciousness and our energy toward a life of simplicity and gratitude.
In fact, if I take more than I need, without recognizing the true owner of a thing, is it really mine to use or misuse as I please? Who is the true owner of the earth, the water, and all things of this world before I arrived here, and after I’m gone?
Rukmini Walker is creating devotional wisdom & spiritual empowerment on Patreon
To read more musings by Rukmini Walker visit Urban Devi
Temples around the world have recently been hit hard by the new wave of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus – as has the rest of the world. Many devotees have been infected, including many ISKCON gurus such as Indradyumna Swami, Hanumat Presaka Swami, as well as Hrdaya Caitanya, a member of the GBC and co-director of ISKCON Mayapur. In many temples, almost all devotees are quarantined and standards of deity worship have been lowered. In Villa Vrindavana in Italy, a single pujari has to handle all the seva at present. In the midst of this new wave, ISKCON Dwarka in Delhi and ISKCON Juhu Mumbai, for example, are distributing and delivering free meals to covid sufferers.
Worldwide, the numbers of infections with the Omicron variant are currently rising dramatically – 60 percent more are currently reported on a weekly basis.
Particularly hard hit are India – up 520 percent, Australia – up 225 percent, Brazil – up 187 percent, Mexico – up 229 percent but also the Philippines – up 1024 percent. But in the United States, contagions are also on the rise – up 64 percent from the previous week.
In Europe, the contagions are increasing and many ISKCON temples are affected.
Bhaktivedanta Manor, the largest ISKCON temple in the United Kingdom is currently functioning as usual, Radhamohan of the UK communications team writes to us. There are contagions in the community around the Manor. According to the latest government guidelines, wearing face masks is now mandatory in all indoor spaces, this applies in all indoor spaces on the Bhaktivedanta Manor premises.
“Most devotees in Villa Vrindavana are positive, but fortunately the symptoms are light. This omicron is very contagious. The problem is that we have to stay in quarantine and only two devotees can take care of the deities. All standards have been drastically lowered.” Parabhakti Das, the temple president of Villa Vrindavana in Tuscany, Italy, tells us. So far, there have never been any problems at Villa Vrindavana, partly because of the high prevention standards followed there. Due to the recent infections, the temple will be closed for at least 10 days, also because devotees living outside cannot come to offer their services.
At Bhaktivedanta College, in Durbuy in the rural Ardennes region of Belgium, devotees write us that the new Omikron wave will lead to an increase in infections in the area. The college itself offers its studies and courses mostly online, so the service has not yet been restricted.
USA:
At the Baltimore Temple, a dozen devotees have fallen ill in the past two weeks. Three of them had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance – but all are now feeling better.
In Chicago, many pujaris tested positive and the temple had to temporarily reduce some Deity worship standards because there were not enough healthy pujaris available.
The Towaco Temple in New Jersey was closed on December 24 and all holiday and New Year’s programs were canceled. Until further notice, the temple remains closed.
Africa:
In Lusaka, Zambia, the Sunday Love Festival program has not been held for almost two years. Devotees restarted the program in November and December 2021, but have had to discontinue it again due to the recent spread of Omicron.
Since the recent appearance of Covid in Botswana in December 2021, community programs at the temple in the capital city of Gaborone, such as the Sunday program, have been suspended again. However, online Sunday programs will continue.
India:
In Mumbai, as in Delhi, covid cases are increasing exponentially. ISKCON Juhu is taking security precautions in the temple hall, deity department, and ashram. Currently, no devotees have been infected. In Mayapur, the number of devotees suffering from covid increased to 38.
ISKCON Chowpatty has restricted darshan times and is taking necessary security measures.
ISKCON Mira Road as well as ISKCON Kharghar are also taking the necessary security measures.
In general, the Deity Ministry has advised all temples, if necessary, to lower their standards for the necessary time if there is a shortage of healthy pujaris.
For all ISKCON temples, many connections with devotees in the communities have been lost during the pandemic, which has now lasted almost two years. Much of the community relies on in-person programs and gatherings, kirtan, and taking prasadam together. “The online platform has not really caught on in our community,” one of the notes to ISKCON news said. For everyone in ISKCON, a particular challenge is maintaining services in the temples, keeping in touch with community members, and looking out for everyone’s health.
Distributing Food for Covid Sufferers
In the midst of the pandemic, ISKCON Dwarka in Dehli, India, has once again launched a sacred initiative to deliver meals to Covid patients. Likewise, this service is being offered by ISKCON Juhu Mumbai. These initiatives are charity in action and a ray of hope for many in these dark times.
We want to continue to report on what impact the Corona pandemic is having on our temples and projects around the world. Keep us updated.
These three questions, in particular, are important for all devotees:
current status regarding the overall well-being of temple residents and communities.
current status of deity worship, i.e. whether a reduced standard has been adopted
any significant changes in the last 10 days?
In Kansas City, several devotees were recently sick with covid and the temple was closed for some time.
As many are aware, Kazakhstan is currently in turmoil and regional army troops have been sent to quell the social unrest in the region.
Russian devotees that we spoke to relayed to us that they have not heard from the Kazakstan devotees in approximately two days because cellular service and internet are currently turned off there. They are concerned for their safety, but it has been explained to us that Sri Vrindavan Dham Farm, although located in Almaty, is in a rural region far enough away from the city’s violence.
“We haven’t heard from them in two days. Two days ago there were some Facebook and Instagram stories being shared and devotees were saying there were safe.”
A senior devotee* of Kazakhstan wrote on their Facebook page earlier today:
“Two hospitals were occupied, and all the restaurateurs of Almaty decided to feed all patients, doctors, nurses. There are those who just went out to the streets and start to clean them up because there is so much debris. Yesterday I met a neighbor and saw her eyes. We’ve seen each other a million times, but here she said, “Good morning!” She was so happy to see that I was alive, and then she said: “Did you go to the store?” “And it was such a freshness in the relationship, just can’t put it into words.
It is said that if you want to know a person, cover them, and their contents will be isolated from them. And life – it’s overwhelming. If you press on lemon, lemon juice is good. And we are being pressed now and what is the result of us? This is certainly an amazing experience. Nothing has passed yet, I wanted to go outside this morning, and there were a gunshot near me, very close gunshots
Thank you so much, I know you all are praying, thank you for your prayers. I wish we would not have to wait for such horrible events. Please give warmth to your loved ones, call those you haven’t talked to in a long time. Please go and just see your neighbors, because these simple human interactions make our present life and future depend on what we do in present.”
We here at ISKCON News are asking devotees from all over the world to pray for the safety of the devotees, Sri Vrindavan Dham Farm, and all the people of Kazakhstan. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of Kazakhstan.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krisha Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
*= due to the political nature of the region, all quotes are posted anonymously for the health, safety, and protection of the devotees of this region.
Western Vaishnavas are nothing new whatsoever. Here you can see the first female disciples of HDG Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura.
Vishnuprya Dasi on the left and Vinodvani Dasi, whose name was Daisy Cecilia Bowtel, continued in bhajan her whole life.
Vinod Vani Devi Dasi and Vishnu-Priya Devi Dasi from London,UK
Miss Daisy Cocilia Bowtwel, a young lady of a rich honourable family, was attracted among many others to the philosophy of Gaudiyas and surrendered from heart and soul to the Lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada. She was initiated through Sripad Tirtha Maharaj in the Month of February, 1937. She was graced by the name Vinod Vani Dasi.
There are stacks of her hand written correspondence with Bhakti Pradipa Tirtha going back to 1930s. She had lots of books too, and the Srimad Bhagavatam she read in English from the edition of JM Sanyal, a 1906 six volume English Chaitanya Charitamrta and Bhakti Pradipa’s own translation of the Gita, which he said he was inspired to right while sitting on the banks of the Thames. She had a nice long garden where she would chant japa and meditate on Vrindavan, as advised, and used give Hari nama to some local Bengali immigrants.
Vinod Vani Dasi donated her residential house for the worship of Sri Gaur Radha Govinda Jiu and Sri Basudev Vigraha and simultaneously to Gaudiya Mission Society, U.K. She breathed her last in the year 1981, keeping back all her money and properties in the name of Gaudiya Mission. Her heart’s wishes were fulfilled, Sri Vasudev Gaudiya Math was established at her house at 27- Crunhurst Road, London N.W.2. Sri Kamalaksha Das Bramhachari was the Saint who, by the order of the authority of the mission, reached London in the year 1982 and took the charge of the math.
By the GBC EC
