Websites from the ISKCON Universe
It was 5000 years ago that Lord Krishna revealed the most confidential and topmost knowledge of devotional service in the form of the Bhagavad-gita to His dear most devotee Arjuna, and to humanity at large so that everyone can realize that the ultimate goal of life is to surrender unto the lotus feet of the […]
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What is this conference all about? Consciousness has been the most elusive object in all scientific explorations of reality. With gradual advances in modern science, it is increasingly receiving the singular focus simply because all our perception of reality is rooted in it. Despite incredible success in Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience as well as […]
The post Jijnasa-2021 International Conference on Matter, Mind and Consciousness appeared first on ISKCON News.
Moksada Ekadasi, observed on the 11th day of Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) during the lunar month of Margashirsha, is a very special Ekadasi in two regards: it is the all-auspicious day on which Lord Sri Krishna spoke the Srimad Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra at the place […]
The post Moksada Ekadasi, Gita Jayanti, Radha Madhava and the TOVP appeared first on ISKCON News.
?⚡? Gita Jayanti Mahotsava Seva 2021 ?⚡? It was Srila Prabhupada’s deep desire to build a marvellous Krishna – Arjuna Temple in Kurukshetra to teach Gita and showcase its practicality to the world. ???⭐ Let’s come together to support the dear project of Srila Prabhupada and complete his unfulfilled dream.?? On Gita Jayanti, we are […]
The post Gita Jayanti Mahotsava 2021 appeared first on ISKCON News.
So many new and exciting things are coming to ISKCON News and we are happy to share them with you. Starting with our new website launch, Dec 15th, 2021.
The post ISKCON NEWS – NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH appeared first on ISKCON News.
This is the anniversary commemorating the day that Srimad Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Lord Sri Krishna to His dear-most devotee Arjuna.
It was spoken at the place now known as Jyotisar Tirtha amid the waring families of the Kurus and the Pandavas at Kurukshetra. If one wishes one can still go and visit that place and see the monument erected there with Krishna as Parthasarati (the chariot driver) and Arjuna the warrior on their chariot.
It is claimed by the ashram, which maintains the shrine, that the tree next to Them is a continuum growth of the original tree witness that was there at the actual day of speaking.
The TOVP Team is pleased to announce the upcoming, all-auspicious Radha Madhava Golden Jubilee Festival from March 2 – 5, 2022. This will be a festival to beat all festivals, commemorating the anniversary of five important years in the history of ISKCON.
These four days will be packed with ecstatic activities for all present (and viewable live on Mayapur TV), including kirtans, talks by senior devotees and leaders, dramas, dances, and a truly amazing abhisheka ceremony that will include ten types of abhishekas for Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava.
Additionally, you can now take advantage of this unique and historic opportunity by sponsoring these abhishekas, as well as our newest Seva Opportunity to commemorate Srila Prabhupada’s receiving the order to preach from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati 100 years ago. Through the Paschatya Desha Tarine Campaign, offering a choice from three beautifully designed 3.5” large medallions with an accompanying ribbon, you can honor and show your gratitude to Srila Prabhupada for his gifts of Harinama, the Bhagavatam and Radha Krishna worship to the world.
The launch of this festival campaign is starting on the auspicious Moksada Ekadasi and Gita Jayanti, December 14. Take advantage of this special day to sponsor an Abhisheka or Medallion.
Visit the Radha Madhava Golden Jubilee page on the TOVP website and sponsor an abhisheka or Medallion TODAY!
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Moksada Ekadasi, observed on the 11th day of Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of the moon) during the lunar month of Margashirsha, is a very special Ekadasi in two regards: it is the all-auspicious day on which Lord Sri Krishna spoke the Srimad Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra at the place now known as Jyotisha tirtha, and anyone who gifts a Bhagavad Gita away to a deserving person on this day is bestowed profuse blessings by Sri Krishna Bhagavan.
Below is the ancient history of this most powerful Ekadasi that frees one from all sins, spoken by Sri Krishna to Yudhisthira Maharaja.
This year on the auspicious Moksada Ekadasi / Gita Jayanti day, the TOVP Team is pleased to announce the launch to promote the Radha Madhava Golden Jubilee Festival from March 2 – 5, 2022. This is a 4-day festival commemorating the conjunction of 5 major anniversaries in 2022, all in one grand festival in Sridham Mayapur. To find out more, please visit the Radha Madhava Golden Jubilee Festival page on the TOVP website.
NOTE: Moksada Ekadasi is observed on Tuesday, December 14 worldwide. Please refer to your local calendar through www.gopal.home.sk/gcal
Yudhishthira Maharaj said, “O Vishnu, master of all, O delight of the three worlds, O Lord of the entire Universe, O creator of the world, O oldest personality, O best of all beings, I offer my most respectful obeisances unto You. O Lord of lords, for the benefit of all living entities, kindly answer some questions that I have. What is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha (November-December) and removes all sins? How does one observe it properly, and which Deity is worshipped on that holiest of days?
O my Lord please explain this to me in full.”Lord Sri Krishna replied, “O dear Yudhishthira, your enquiry is very auspicious in itself and will bring you fame. Just as I previously explained to you about the dearest Utpanna Maha-Dwadasi , which occurs during the dark part of the month of Margashirsha, which is the day when Ekadasi-devi appeared from My body to kill the demon Mura, and which benefits everything animate and inanimate in the three worlds, so I shall now relate to you regarding this Ekadasi that occurs during the light part of the month of Margashirsha.
“This Ekadasi is famous as Moksada because it purifies the faithful devotee of all sinful reactions and bestows liberation upon him. The worshipable Deity of this all auspicious day is Lord Damodara. With full attention one should worship Him with incense, a ghee lamp, fragrant flowers, and Tulsi manjaris (buds).
“O best of saintly kings, please listen as I narrate to you the ancient and auspicious history of this wonderful Ekadasi. Simply by hearing this history one can attain the merit earned by performing a horse sacrifice. By the influence of this merit, one’s forefathers, mothers, sons, and other relatives who have gone to hell can turn around and go to the heavenly kingdom. For this reason alone, O king, you should listen with rapt attention to this narration.
“There once was a beautiful city named Champaka-nagar, which was decorated with devoted Vaishnavas. There the best of saintly kings, Maharaj Vaikhanasa, ruled over his subjects as if they were his very own dear sons and daughters.
The brahmins in that capital city were all expert in four kinds of Vedic knowledge.
The king, while ruling properly, had a dream one night in which his father was seen to be suffering the pangs of hellish torture in one of the hellish planets ruled over by the Yamaraj. The king was overwhelmed with compassion for his father and shed tears. The next morning, Maharaj Vaikhanasa described what he had seen in his dream to his council of twice born learned brahmins.” ‘ O brahmanas,’ the king addressed them, ‘in a dream last night I saw my father suffering on a hellish planet. He was crying out in anguish, “O son, please deliver me from the torment of this hellish condition !” “Now I have no peace in my mind, and even this beautiful kingdom has become unbearable to me.
Not even my horses, elephants, and chariots, nor the vast wealth in my treasury that formerly brought so much pleasure, give me any happiness. Everything, O best of the brahmins, even my own wife and sons, have become a source of unhappiness since I beheld my father suffering the tortures of that hellish condition.“ ‘Where can I go, and what can I do, O brahmins, to alleviate this misery? My body is burning with fear and sorrow! Please tell me what kind of charity, what mode of fasting, what austerity, or what deep meditation, and to which Deity must I perform service to deliver my father from that agony and bestow liberation upon my forefathers? O best among the brahmins, what is the use of one’s being a powerful son if one’s father must suffer on a hellish planet? Truly, such a son’s life is utterly useless, to him and to his forefathers.’
” The twice born brahmins replied, ‘O king, in the mountainous forest not far from here is the ashram where a great saint Parvat Muni resides. Please go to him, for he is tri-kala-jna (he knows the past, the present, and the future of everything) and can surely help you in your gaining relief from your misery.’
“Upon hearing this advise, the distressed king immediately set out on a journey to the ashram of the famous sage Parvat Muni. The ashram was indeed very big and housed many learned sages expert in chanting the sacred hymns of the four Vedas (Rg, Yajur, Sama, and Arthava). Approaching the holy ashram, the king beheld Parvat Muni seated among the assembly of sages, adorned with hundreds of tilaks (from all the authorized sampradayas) like another Brahma or Vyas.
“Maharaj Vaikhanasa offered his humble obeisances to the muni, bowing his head and then prostrating his entire body before him. After the king had seated himself among the assembly Parvat Muni asked him about the welfare of the seven limbs of his extensive kingdom (his ministers, his treasury, his military forces, his allies, the brahmins, the sacrificial offerings performed, and the needs of his subjects). The muni also asked him if his kingdom was free of troubles, and whether everyone was peaceful, happy and satisfied.
“To these inquiries the king replied, ‘By your mercy, O glorious and great sage, all seven limbs of my kingdom are doing very well. Yet there is a problem that has recently arisen, and to solve it I have come to you, O brahmana, for your expert help and guidance.’
“Then Parvata Muni, the best of all sages, closed his eyes and meditated on the king’s past, present and future. After a few moments he opened his eyes and said, ‘Your father is suffering the results of committing a great sin, and I have discovered what it is. In his previous life he quarreled with his wife and forcibly enjoyed her sexually during her menstrual period. She tried to protest and resist his advances and even yelled out, “Someone please save me! Please, O husband, do not interrupt my monthly period in this way!” Still he did not stop or leave her alone. It is on account of this grievous sin that your father now has fallen into such a hellish condition of suffering.’
“King Vaikhanasa then said, ‘O greatest among sages, by what process of fasting or charity may I liberate my dear father from such a condition? Please tell me how I can relieve and remove the burden of his sinful reactions, which are a great obstacle to his progress toward ultimate liberation.’
“Parvata Muni replied, ‘During the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha there occurs an Ekadasi called Moksada. If you observe this sacred Ekadasi strictly, with a full fast, and give directly to your suffering father the merit you thus attain, he will be freed from his pain and instantly liberated.’
“Hearing this, Maharaj Vaikhanasa profusely thanked the great sage and then returned to his palace to perform his vrata. O Yudhishthira, when the light part of the month of Margashirsha at last arrived, Maharaj Vaikhanasa faithfully waited for the Ekadasi tithi to arrive. He then perfectly and with full faith observed the Ekadasi fast with his wife, children, and other relatives. He dutifully gave the merit from this fast to his father, and as he made the offering, beautiful flower petals showered down from the devas who peered out from behind the clouds in the sky.
The king’s father was then praised by the messengers of the demigods and escorted to the celestial region.“As he passed his son, while traversing the lower, middle and higher planets, the father said to the king, ‘My dear son, all auspiciousness unto you!’ At last he reached the heavenly realm from where he realized his newly acquired merit, began to perform devotional service to Krishna or Vishnu, and in due course returned back to home, back to Godhead.
“O son of Pandu, whosoever strictly observes the sacred Moksada Ekadasi, following the established rules and regulations, achieves full and perfect liberation after death. There is no better fasting day than this Ekadasi of the light fortnight of the month of Margashirsha, O Yudhishthira, for it is a crystal-clear and sinless day.
Whoever faithfully observes this Ekadasi fast, which is like cintamani (a gem that yields all desires), obtains special merit that is very hard to calculate, for this day can elevate one from hellish life to the heavenly planets. For one who observes Ekadasi for his own spiritual benefit, this elevates one to go back to Godhead, never to return to this material world.”
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Margashirsha-shukla Ekadasi or Moksada Ekadasi, from the Brahmanda Purana.
This article has been used courtesy of ISKCON Desire Tree
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Achyutananda Prabhu says that according to proper kirtan principles, we should always begin with Srila Prabhupada’s pranama-mantras. He said that he noticed several kirtan leaders not doing this or not knowing kirtan etiquette.
A Russian devotee, Purnamasi devi dasi, told the story of when she was imprisoned by the KGB for practicing and preaching Krishna consciousness in the Soviet Union.
While she was in jail, she would encourage other prisoners to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. The authorities tried to stop her in many ways, including threatening to kill her, but nothing worked. Finally they did something unusual: they brought a real witch to the prison to stop Purnamasi and deprogram her.
The witch arrived with her assistant and KGB officers. They tied Purnamasi to a chair, and the witch and her assistant started hexing, doing passes, and chanting spells, with their eyes rolled in trance. They were trying to infuse a dark creature into Purnamasi’s body. She could sense it, and all around became covered with fog. Realizing that she was coming under their control, she started chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, but this did not stop it; the creature was going inside.
As Purnamasi began to lose consciousness, she chanted the Narasimha mantra out loud, but even that did not stop the creature. Finally, she started chanting Srila Prabhupada’s pranama-mantra and right away the witch came out of her trance and stopped all her activities. She told the KGB officers, “I’m leaving,” but they didn’t let her go; they ordered her to finish her job. The witch insisted, “No, I am leaving; I will not go on any longer!” “Why?” the KGB officers asked. “What happened?” She told them, “You simply do not see, but I see: there is a very strict old man standing over there wagging his finger at me. I cannot do anything against him.” This old man was Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of ISKCON.
(This account is attributed to Aradhana dasa.)
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2 December 2021, Radhadesh, Belgium, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.23.27)
All the abilities and gifts we have, come from the Supreme Lord. He gives and He takes – that is the nature of material existence. Sometimes, we do not get anything at all, that happens. We miss out! Everybody gets it, but we might not. That means we are chosen by Krsna for some higher purpose. Everyone gets sense gratification and we do not get it – this means Krsna wants something higher for us, He wants something more for us! Krsna does not want us to forget about Him and simply enjoy the material energy. We must have done something pious previously, and so, this is a blessing! Now, we must look for that deeper meaning in life and look for satisfaction within instead of without. And who is it within us? It is the Supreme Personality of Godhead in our hearts. So we can appreciate this.
Everything is going on by the will of the Lord – He is the director, He is the cause of all causes within the entire universe. So it takes time to remember this because we came to the material world with a desire to enjoy independently from Krsna. Then, we gradually became entangled by this material energy. Since time immemorial, for so many births, we have been in this material world and as a result, we have become bound by this material energy with whom we have had intimate relations. We have had endless attachments with this material energy, which remain with us because although life after life we take birth again and again, the mind travels with the soul. So it is not just the soul that travels from body to body, but it is also the mind. And in that mind, all the impressions of previous lives are stored – including the attachments (positive and negative).
The article " We are the chosen ones! " was published on KKSBlog.
With Immense pleasure, we cordially invite you, your family, and friends for the Grand Inauguration of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir in Khargone, Madya Pradesh (Central India) February 19-20th, 2022.
Source: BBT/ Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
Listen to Hugh Jackman reflect on the moment of death as described in the Bhagavad Gita.
source: ISKCON Bangalore
In Episode 2 of the Parikrama, we will visit the birthplace of Srimati #Radharani.
Dear Friends, Yesterday, after more than four months of absence, I finally returned to Sridham Mayapur. Burning with impatience this morning I went to the construction site of the TOVP, accompanied by our Construction Manager, His Grace Premavatar Gauranga prabhu, who showed me the various directions in which work is now underway.
In the past three to four years, ISKCON in Tampa, Florida has seen considerable growth in both the devotee congregation and in efforts to reach out to the local community, although the city – the third most populated in Florida – does not yet have its own temple.
One of the biggest book distributors in East Africa, Dwarka Vasini Devi Dasi, along with her teams Vaishnavi Sanga and Krsna Kids Sena, distributes about eighty percent of ISKCON Nairobi’s total during the December Prabhupada marathon every year.
This book challenges the fundamental ideas in the Neo-Darwinian theory of evolution from the perspective of mathematics, physics, computing, game theory, and non-linear dynamics.
It argues that the key ideas underlying evolution—random mutation and natural selection—are based on notions about matter, causality, space-time, and lawfulness, which were supposed true in Darwin’s time, but have been unseated through 20th century developments in physics, mathematics, computing, game theory, and complex system theory. Evolution, however, continues in a relative time-warp, disregarding these developments, which, if considered, would alter our view of evolution. The book illustrates why natural selection and random mutation are logically inconsistent together. Separately, they are incomplete to account for biological complexity. In other words, the theory of evolution is either inconsistent or incomplete.
Author: Ashish Dalela (Rsiraja Das)
Published: May 16, 2015
Book/File size: 6175 KB / 278 pages
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Residents of India will have to search for this book on www.amazon.in
View other books by By Ashish Dalela (Rsiraja Das) and other authors at the TOVP Book Marketplace.
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Devotees dancing in the streets of Russia The Hare Krishna devotees in Russia are growing in […]
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ISKCON Tampa’s first Rathayatra organized by the congregation In the past three to four years, ISKCON in Tampa, Florida has seen considerable growth in both the devotee congregation and in […]
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Dwarka Vasini Devi Dasi delivers Prabhupada’s books to Kamiti maximum security prison, Nairobi, 2014 One of the biggest book distributors in East Africa, Dwarka Vasini Devi Dasi, along with her teams Vaishnavi Sanga and Krsna Kids Sena, distributes about eighty percent of ISKCON Nairobi’s total […]
The post Dwarka Vasini Devi Dasi: Called to Serve appeared first on ISKCON News.
Dear Friends, Yesterday, after more than four months of absence, I finally returned to Sridham Mayapur. Burning with impatience this morning I went to the construction site of the TOVP, accompanied by our Construction Manager, His Grace Premavatar Gauranga prabhu, who showed me the various directions in which work is now underway. We bowed to […]
The post My Return to the TOVP appeared first on ISKCON News.
With Immense pleasure, we cordially invite you, your family, and friends for the Grand Inauguration of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir in Khargone, Madya Pradesh (Central India) February 19-20th, 2022. By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, we are celebrating the Pran Pratishtha for Sri Sri Radha Gopinathji, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and Srila Prabhupada. The schedule […]
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Listen to Hugh Jackman reflect on the moment of death as described in the Bhagavad Gita.
The post #WorldGitaDay Hugh Jackman on Bhagavad Gita appeared first on ISKCON News.
In Episode 2 of the Parikrama, we will visit the birthplace of Srimati #Radharani.
The post Vrindavan web series | Raval- Episode 2 appeared first on ISKCON News.
In Episode 2 of the Parikrama, we will visit the birthplace of Srimati #Radharani.
The post Vrindavan web series | Raval- Episode 2 appeared first on ISKCON News.
Podcast:
I don't know how long it will take for one of us to be selected to champion the course of preaching in the grand style that Bali Prabhu did. It's not just about having the financial resources but more about being empowered to do it on such a scale. Please kindly stay with me as I walk you through my memory lane of this great soul, philanthropist, musician, businessman, and the greatest Preacher in Africa who majored in Harinam Sankirtan and Book distribution like no one else.
Giriraj Swami: Today is Odana-sasthi, the date on which Lord Jagannatha is given a winter shawl. One year, when Lord Chaitanya and His associates celebrated this festival in Puri, Pundarika Vidyanidhi, who is Vrsabhanu Maharaja, Srimati Radharani’s father, in krsna-lila, received some special mercy. His experience is instructive for us all.Read More...Today is O
dana-sasthi, the date on which Lord Jagannatha is given a winter shawl. One year when Lord Chaitanya and His associates celebrated this festival in Puri, Pundarika Vidyanidhi, who is Vrsabhanu Maharaja, Srimati Radharani’s father, in krsna-lila, received some special mercy. His experience is instructive for us all.
Srila Prabhupada explains, “At the beginning of winter, there is a ceremony known as the Odana-sasthi. This ceremony indicates that from that day forward, a winter covering should be given to Lord Jagannatha. That covering is directly purchased from a weaver. According to the arcana-marga, a cloth should first be washed to remove all the starch, and then it can be used to cover the Lord. Pundarika Vidyanidhi saw that the priest neglected to wash the cloth before covering Lord Jagannatha. Since he wanted to find some fault in the devotees, he became indignant.” (Cc Madhya 16.78 purport)
And Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 16.78–81) describes the event: “Pundarika Vidyanidhi initiated Gadadhara Pandita for the second time, and on the day of Odana-sasthi Pundarika Vidyanidhi saw the festival. (78) When Pundarika Vidyanidhi saw that Lord Jagannatha was given a starched garment, he became a little hateful. In this way his mind was polluted. (79) That night the brothers Lord Jagannatha and Balarama came to Pundarika Vidyanidhi and, smiling, began to slap him. (80) Although his cheeks were swollen from the slapping, Pundarika Vidyanidhi was very happy within. This incident has been elaborately described by Thakura Vrndavana dasa. (81)”
From this incident we can learn that the Lord does not tolerate offenses against His servants, even from an advanced devotee, and that He chastises a devotee who commits such an offense even within the mind. We can also learn that a pure devotee accepts such chastisement from the Lord with great happiness, as a manifestation of the Lord’s mercy, of His love and care for His devotees—both for those who may commit such an offense and for those who may be objects of such an offense. He thanks the Lord for rectifying him and preventing him from committing further offenses, and he feels great jubilation within his heart.
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
Bali Maharaja Dasa, (1965-2021) I don’t know how long it […]
The post Walking the Memory Lane of Bali Maharaja Dasa appeared first on ISKCON News.
Burnaby, British Columbia
Exam Preparation
At UBC a group of fifty to sixty young, Indian students came together for a Hindu collaboration, which included mostly devotional songs. It was indoors, Diwali-like in atmosphere, and timed just before exams. Iskcon was invited, which became my inclusion. Someone from our Burnaby community, by the name of Visudha Sattva, scheduled kirtanchanting sessions at our temple. He sang and then had me slotted in for a turn.
Clearly, I could see our own boys, who are great drummers, getting into the groove. Respectfully, those who weren’t so familiar with our usual ISKCON style, listened but weren’t sure just when to respond and join in. when it came my turn, I just asked everyone to stand up (get out of sitar-playing sit-down mode) and readied everyone for some movement. I thought that’s what everyone needed – some mobility. I asked the boys to tap and get the rhythm going on the drums as I gave instructions how to step and move.
All went well. Then the next step was to incorporate the mantra and things began to gel. Everyone was activated. Voices could be heard through those mesh-like masks. All were playing and moving forward and back in a modified hokey-pokey style. It was fun. It was engaging. It was a sweat. It was liked. My stiff knees liked it.
From there an appetite was built up and everyone indulged in blessed food; Krishna prasadam. Good luck on all the exams, participants.
May the Source be with you!
3 km
Vancouver, British Columbia
Sorry to See You Go
Jaya Govinda, Deepak, and I did some serious walking on 1st and 2nd Ave. near the Science Centre, just to see if the park sites and nearby streets could be a possible new area for next year’s Chariot Fest. We will make proposals to the City Council. The situation is that the former route, along English bay at Sunset and Third Beach, will no longer be available for our parade and, hence, a new pathway has to be chalked out.
It was also a nice walk along Stanley Park. I was really taken by the crane habitat, with multiple nests atop massive trees.
A portion of today I spent pulling together a poem to honour a deceased friend and devotee, Sura, from L.A.
Sorry to See You Go
Sura, we are sorry to see you go
If we had our way, we’d say “absolutely no!”
But providence has other plans
It’s really all in Krishna’s hands
You come from the temple town of Chicago
Eventually you entered a life of bravado
When you met devotees, caring and gentle
Shaping a life somewhat monumental
It was the books that stole your heart
Which indicates you had a sincere smart
You dedicated yourself to the incredible mission
Picking up fully on Prabhupada’s vision
Bhakti became your complete backbone
And jovial you were anytime on the phone
When book orders came in you were happy
And bills being paid – a blissful chappy
We won’t forget that raspy, sweet bhajan voice
Where stage and studio become your choice
Sura, you are definitely a true inspiration
You leave us deep in fond adoration
May the Source be with you!
13 km
Burnaby, British Columbia
Santa Behind Plexiglass
He’s loved by the young ones. Benevolently, he works hard to please the kids at this time of year; operating in the North Pole in great preparation for the snow season. His beard, if big and white, like his snowy surroundings. The red outfit stands out. He’s chubby, jolly, and upbeat. He’s kind to all and keeps, as companions, a slew of reindeer that render him a great service. Without them he couldn’t get around. Affectionately he’s known as Santa Claus.
Historically, Santa was morphed out of St. Nicholas, a kindly charitable man of a religious demeanour. He was born in turkey, it is believed, in 270 AD, and it was the company Coca-Cola that helped shape the current image of the jolly old fellow. Santa, a reconstruction of the pious St. Nicholas, can be found in shopping centres behind plexiglass, thanks to Covid-19 safety restrictions. These days you can’t be too sure who is carrying the virus. It’s certainly not a nice gift to exchange, ever.
I was reflecting on how I was very disenchanted 49 years ago at the time – Christmas – when the mercenary mood of Christmas had become, for me, a turn-off and led me to a search for Krishna. I met Krishna monks and was relieved to hear from them that Jesus, or Christ, was kind, compassionate, caring, and stood for peace. They embraced the teachings of Jesus and believed more in his purity than the so-called magic of Christmas. My strong opinion holds that the Grinch did steal Christmas. Now, let’s see if his heart gets big.
May the Source be with you!
3 km
Hare Krishna, Greetings from Sri Mayapur Dham, Kindly accept our humble obeisnaces. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Tomorrow, 9th of December marks the auspicious day of Odana Sasthi, from this day onwards Lord Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra Maharani are offered new winter clothes to wear. We are happy to announce the special opportunity that accompany […]
The post Odana Sasthi – Lord Jagannatha In Winter Wear appeared first on Mayapur.com.
By Atma Tattva dasa Bhattacarya: ‘Swamiji, I want to tell you something. In Vrindavan temple, they are having your deity on the altar. And all kinds of people are coming and praying to it, and offering flowers to it, and you are still living. According to Pancaratra, when the Acarya is living, if he puts his deity on the altar, then all the sufferings people are having come to his body through the deity. So you please tell your disciples to worship your deity only after you leave your body.’
He was speaking as if he was giving some information to Prabhupada, which Prabhupada did not note.
Prabhupada: ‘I know. I came here to take their suffering.’ Continue reading "I came here to take their suffering
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Sri Navadvipa-Dham Mahatmya by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur represents the revelation of the glories of the Holy Places of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s birth and early life’s pastimes in Navadvipa, equating the entire Navadvipa mandala to Vrindaban. Its nine islands represent the nine processes of devotional service.
This edition, translated by His Holiness Bhanu Swami and prepared by Sriman Pundarika Vidyanidhi dasa, and published by the TOVP several years ago, is presented in the original three sections: Parikrama Khanda, Pramana Khanda and Navadvipa Bhava Taranga. The reader will be taken on an amazing tour with Jiva Goswami through the nine islands of the Holy Dham by Sri Nityananda Prabhu, hear the glories of the Dham from many scriptures, and invited to taste the ecstatic waves of Navadvipa.
The TOVP is pleased to announce the availability of this publication as a flipbook in the Flipbook Collection of our website. This special service allows you to read, download, share and bookmark the book, amongst other things. Please take advantage of this offering to enrich your bhakti, and share it with others.
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