Planet ISKCON

It is with great pleasure that we announce the Samstapak Acharya Seva opportunity as one of our service options for Srila Prabhupada’s new murti Welcome Ceremony on October 14 and 15. It is titled as such because it recognizes ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya as the prominent acharya of Caitanya Gaudiya Vaishnavism for the next 10,000 (samstapak) years.

This particular Seva Opportunity is especially significant and meaningful. Srila Prabhupada said on several occasions that his books, his instructions and his Institution would be the guiding light for humanity for the next 10,000 years of Kali-yuga. We cannot imagine our good fortune in being a part of this historic legacy, and you can again express your gratefulness for Srila Prabhupada’s mercy by sponsoring this seva.

“I have given you instruction, it will never stop; it will go on. At least for ten thousand years it will go on.”

June 21, 1976

“It will increase. That is also stated, that for 10,000 years Krishna consciousness movement will increase. Yes, within 10,000 years, if they become Krishna conscious, then life is successful.”

July 22, 1973, London

“This movement will go for 10,000 years without any impediment….Many fallen souls will be delivered back to home, back to Godhead.”

June 10, 1976, Los Angeles

“My books will be the law books for humanity for the next 10,000 years. That is how I think as I write each word.”

To Ramesvara das, car conversation

Sponsors of this seva opportunity will be blessed to receive a 5# replica of the actual Prabhupada murti being welcomed to the TOVP, a murti specially designed by ISKCON’s most well-known Prabhupada murti-maker, Sriman Locana das. It is carefully designed internally with a reinforcing steel structure to avoid heat related effects, and in a unique worship-pose. This beautiful and highly detailed 5# replica murti is pictured below.

The $10,000 sponsorship cost is payable in three-year installments and will help with our ongoing construction needs. Please visit the Samstapak Acharya Seva Page on the TOVP website to sponsor a murti today while they are still available, as only a limited number have been made.

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This article is being presented in honor of the divine appearance day of the original pioneer of the Krishna consciousness movement, His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhaktivinoda Thakur, September 18, 2021.

namo bhaktivinodaya sac-cid-ananda-namine
gaura-shakti-svarupaya rupanuga-varaya te

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda, who is transcendental energy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is a strict follower of the Gosvamis, headed by Srila Rupa.

Bhaktivinoda Thakur wrote:

“Alas! When will that day come when all greatly fortunate souls in countries such as England, France, Russia, Prussia and America will take up banners, kettle drums, mrdangas and karatalas and thus cause the ecstatic waves of Hari Nama Kirtan and the singing of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s holy name to rise in the streets of their towns and cities? O when will that day come, when pure and transcendental Krishna prema (love of God) will be the only religion of all souls and all tiny sectarian religions will meet in the unlimited and universal religion of devotional service to Krishna, as rivers merge into the great ocean? O when will that day come?”

Sajjana-tosani

This was the heart’s desire of the Thakur, the spreading of the chant of the Holy Names and pure Krishna prema all over the world in fulfillment of Lord Caitanya’s prophecy:

pṛthivite ache yata nagaradi grama
sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama

“In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard.”

As an empowered Vaishnava acharya, his life was full of deep sadhana and bhajana, preaching activities through various programs, writing of devotional books, songs and poetry, and teaching actively to the public, all while maintaining a household and working as a Government Magistrate. His life is a perfect example of a householder fully infused with devotional service.

Amongst his innumerable accomplishments was the discovery of the janmasthan (birthplace) of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Nabadvipa and the building of a magnificent temple at this Yogapitha. His vision of preaching worldwide inspired him to write, Caitanya Mahaprabhu – His Life and Precepts, copies of which he personally sent to several Institutions throughout the world.

Because of Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s being the pioneer of the Krishna consciousness movement and the force behind its progression into the modern world, Srila Prabhupada took it as his great service to him to build the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Sridhama Mayapur as the fulfillment of the Thakura’s vision. So important was this to Srila Prabhupada that he said to Giriraja Swami, “If you all build this temple, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura will personally come and take you all back to Godhead.”

On this most auspicious occasion we request devotees to consider intensifying their dedication and desire to see the completion of the TOVP for the divine pleasure of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur and Srila Prabhupada. In particular, the opportunity to sponsor an abhisheka for the historic Grand Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to the TOVP on October 14 and 15 is being offered.

To read more about the life and accomplishments of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur click the link below to an article by His Grace Sri Nandanandana Das (ACBSP).

https://www.stephen-knapp.com/srila_bhaktivinoda_thakura.htm

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🌸🌸𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗶🌸🌸 Campakalata is the third of the varistha-gopis. Her complexion is the color of a blossoming yellow campaka flower and her garments are the color of a blue jay’s. She is one day younger than Srimati Radharani, and her age is 14 years, 2 months and 13 1/2 days. Her father […]

The post 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗶 – 15th Sep 2021 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

𝗦𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗮 Sri Radhika is a princess and She has many maidservants led by Ragalekha-devi, Kalakeli-devi and Bhurida-devi. Palindri-devi serves Srimati Radhika by dressing and decorating her. And Citrini-devi decorates Her with various cosmetics. Mantriki-devi and Tantriki-devi are astrologers who reveal future influences and happenings to Sri Radha. Also included among Her servants are many […]

The post Sri Radhashtami – Appearance Of Srimati Radhika appeared first on Mayapur.com.

In the Brihad-Gautamiya Tantra, Radharani is described as follows:

devi krishna-mayi prokta

radhika para-devata

sarva-lakshmi-mayi sarva

kantih sammohini para

“The transcendental goddess Srimati Radharani is the direct counterpart of Lord Sri Krishna. She is the central figure for all the goddesses of fortune. She possesses all the attractiveness to attract the all-attractive Personality of Godhead. She is the primeval internal potency of the Lord.”

To explain further, Srimati Radharani is also the source of the other goddesses, who are expansions of Her. Just as Lord Krishna is the source of all other expansions and incarnations of God, Radharani is the source of all other expansions of the energies of God, the shaktis, or other goddesses. Thus, Vishnu, Rama, even Shiva are all expansions of the one Supreme Being, and similarly Lakshmi, Sita, and even Durga are all expansions of this Supreme Feminine form of God, Radharani.

It is explained that the beloved consorts of Lord Krishna are of three kinds, namely the goddesses of fortune or Lakshmis, His queens, and the milkmaids of Vraja called the gopis. All of them proceed from Radharani. The Lakshmis are partial manifestations, or plenary portions, of Srimati Radharani, while the queens in Vaikuntha and in Dvaraka are reflections of Her image. The Vraja-devis or gopis are Her expansions and assist in the increase of rasa, or the divine loving pastimes. Among them there are many groups that have various sentiments and moods, which help Lord Krishna taste the sweetness of the rasa dance and other pastimes. (Cc.Adi-lila. 4. 75-81)

“Among the gopis of Vrindavana, Srimati Radharani and another gopi are considered chief. However, when we compare the gopis, it appears that Srimati Radharani is most important because Her real feature expresses the highest ecstasy of love. The ecstasy of love experienced by the other gopis cannot be compared to that of Srimati Radharani.” (Ujjvala-nilamani 4.3 of Srila Rupa Gosvami)

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Berlin, Germany, 20 August 2021, Zoom Disciple Meeting)

If you fix your hearing, chanting will happen automatically.

Watch the full lecture below or on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJbeNIDiYCg&t=302s

The article " Fix your hearing! " was published on KKSBlog.

We have gathered on this most auspicious occasion, the sacred day of Sri Radhastami. The Vedic literatures describe that Krishna is the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Lord, and the origin of all that be:

isvarah paramah krsnah
   sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah
anadir adir govindah
   sarva-karana-karanam

 “Krishna, who is known as Govinda, is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual body. He is the origin of all, although He Himself has no origin. And He is the prime cause of all causes.” (Bs 5.1)

The Brahma-samhita further explains that Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead and that He expands Himself into various plenary portions and portions of plenary portions. Still, Krishna is the supreme, original Personality of Godhead, as confirmed in the Srimad-Bhagavatam: Krsnas tu bhagavan svayam. (SB 1.3.28)

The Brahma-samhita gives the example that if you have one candle, from that one candle you can light a second candle, from the second candle you can light a third candle, and from the third candle you can light a fourth candle. All may have the same candlepower, yet one of them is still the original candle. In the same way, Krishna expands Himself into so many incarnations who all have the full powers of Godhead. Still, Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead, and His first expansion is Balarama.

Just as Krishna expands on the side of the all-powerful Personalities of Godhead, He also expands on the side of the power of the all-powerful Personality of Godhead. The direct expansions of the all-powerful are called visnu-tattva, and the expansions of the energy of the Lord are called sakti-tattva. The first expansion on the side of the energy is Srimati Radharani. From Srimati Radharani all of the gopis are expanded, all of the queens in Dvaraka are expanded, and all of the consorts of the Lord in various incarnations are expanded. Thus, Sita of Sita-Rama is expanded from Srimati Radharani and Laksmi of Laksmi-Narayana is expanded from Srimati Radharani. Srimati Radharani is the origin of all of the expansions of Krishna’s energy. She also has an indirect expansion, called the material energy. Srimati Radharani is the personification of the spiritual energy, and Durga is the personification of the material energy. Thus, Durga is an indirect expansion of Srimati Radharani.

We also are expansions of Krishna, the marginal potency of Krishna. Krishna basically has three energies: the spiritual energy, the material energy, and the marginal energy. We, the living entities, are called the marginal energy because we can come under the influence of either the spiritual energy, personified as Srimati Radharani, or the material energy, personified as Durgadevi. Srila Prabhupada compares the marginal position to the seaside. Sometimes, when the tide is low, an area is part of the land, and sometimes, when the tide is high, the same area is submerged under the water and becomes part of the ocean. Similarly, we can be part of either the spiritual world, under Srimati Radharani’s protection, or the material world.

We can see the image of Srimati Radharani, standing with Her right hand raised in benediction to bless the devotees. Or we can see the image of Durga, who has ten hands with ten weapons to punish the miscreants. Unfortunately, to some degree all of us are miscreants. And so we are bound to the prison house of the material world. And Durgadevi is the warden of the prison. She punishes the conditioned souls with the different weapons in her various hands. Especially, Durgadevi is known for her trident, or trisul. The three prongs of the trident represent the threefold miseries of material existence: the miseries we suffer because of other living entities, the miseries we suffer because of acts of nature, and the miseries we suffer from our own bodies and minds. Thus the goal of life is to transfer ourselves from the control of the external energy, or the material energy, to the control of the spiritual energy, Srimati Radharani.

Now I shall read one verse from the Bhagavad-gita that will give us a practical idea of how, in our own positions, we can take shelter of Srimati Radharani and come under Her protection.

We read from Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Chapter Nine: “The Most Confidential Knowledge.”

TEXT 13

mahatmanas tu mam partha
   daivim prakrtim asritah
bhajanty ananya-manaso
   jnatva bhutadim avyayam

TRANSLATION

“O son of Partha, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible.”

PURPORT

In this verse the description of the mahatma is clearly given. The first sign of the mahatma is that he is already situated in the divine nature. He is not under the control of material nature. How is this effected? That is explained in the Seventh Chapter: One who surrenders unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, at once becomes freed from the control of material nature. That is the qualification. One can become free from the control of material nature as soon as he surrenders his soul to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is the preliminary formula. Being marginal potency, as soon as the living entity is freed from the control of material nature, he is put under the guidance of the spiritual nature. The guidance of the spiritual nature is called daivi prakrti, divine nature. So when one is promoted in that way—by surrendering to the Supreme Personality of Godhead—one attains to the stage of great soul, mahatma.

The mahatma does not divert his attention to anything outside Krishna, because he knows perfectly well that Krishna is the original Supreme Person, the cause of all causes. There is no doubt about it. Such a mahatma, or great soul, develops through association with other mahatmas, pure devotees. Pure devotees are not even attracted by Krishna’s other features, such as the four-armed Maha-Visnu. They are simply attracted by the two-armed form of Krishna. They are not attracted to other features of Krishna, nor are they concerned with any form of a demigod or of a human being. They meditate only upon Krishna in Krishna consciousness. They are always engaged in the unswerving service of the Lord in Krishna consciousness.

COMMENT by Giriraj Swami

The definition of mahatma is given here. The mahatmas are under the protection of the divine nature, the spiritual nature, personified by Srimati Radharani. Once, when Srila Prabhupada was preaching in Bombay, one of the leaders of the most prominent Hindu organization in India came to meet him. He asked Srila Prabhupada, “How is it that India, which is a land of so many mahatmas, has so many problems?”—because in principle, the presence of mahatmas should remove the problems. Srila Prabhupada replied, “The reason India has so many problems is that you cannot distinguish between who is a mahatma and who is not.”

Here in the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna, the supreme authority, gives the definition of a mahatma: he is under the protection of the spiritual energy and is always engaged in the devotional service of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original source of all incarnations and the prime cause of all causes. Obviously, India, and every other part of the world, needs more mahatmas. And how do we get so many mahatmas? One can become a mahatma through the association of another mahatma. The Srimad-Bhagavatam, considered the supreme authority among Vedic scriptures, confirms that to become freed from the clutches of material nature we must serve mahatmas.

After reading the definition of a mahatma, certainly anyone who knows even a little about Srila Prabhupada can understand that he was a mahatma, a great soul. Srila Prabhupada was always engaged in the service of Lord Krishna—as we read in the next verse, satatam kirtayanto mam, always engaged in chanting the glories of Krishna. So by taking shelter of Srila Prabhupada, who took shelter of his spiritual master, who took shelter of his spiritual master, who took shelter of his spiritual master, one ultimately takes shelter of Srimati Radharani and Lord Krishna. That is the process of parampara.

The same process exists in the spiritual world. In fact, Srila Prabhupada’s activities and the activities he prescribed for his followers are in essence the same activities that the maidservants of Srimati Radharani and Her other associates perform in the spiritual world. The mahatmas in the material world are always engaged in chanting the glories of Krishna. And Srimati Radharani and Her associates in the spiritual world are always engaged in chanting Krishna’s glories. Another wonderful fact about Srimati Radharani is that She always tries to bring other gopis to Krishna; She wants other gopis to get the chance to serve Krishna and give pleasure to Krishna. And the mahatmas in the material world have the same mood. They want to bring others to Krishna, to engage others in the service of Krishna for Krishna’s pleasure.

Earlier, we read about the confidential reasons for the descent of Lord Chaitanya—how He came to propagate the sankirtana movement externally and taste Srimati Radharani’s love for Krishna internally. Not only did Krishna come as Lord Chaitanya and Lord Balarama as Nityananda and Srimati Radharani as Gadadhara Pandita, but all of Radha and Krishna’s associates came and assumed forms in caitanya-lila. Although many of the lady associates of Srimati Radharani in krsna-lila assumed male forms in caitanya-lila, the inner relationships were the same. And the methods of devotional service that Srila Prabhupada has taught us in relation to the sankirtana movement of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu will ultimately help us develop the inner mood of Lord Chaitanya’s associates, which is the same as the inner mood of the associates of Radha and Krishna.

Srimati Radharani’s best friends in krsna-lila are Lalita and Visakha. Lalita and Visakha appeared in caitanya-lila as Svarupa Damodara Gosvami and Ramananda Raya. They were the most confidential associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Jagannatha Puri. And just as Srimati Radharani, feeling intense separation from Krishna after He left Vrindavan for Mathura and Dvaraka, would open Her heart to Her friends Lalita and Visakha, Lord Chaitanya, in the mood of Srimati Radharani in separation from Krishna, used to express His lamentation to His most confidential friends, Svarupa Damodara and Ramananda Raya.

Serving under Lord Chaitanya and Svarupa Damodara Gosvami were the Six Gosvamis of Vrindavan, who in krsna-lila were Srimati Radharani’s most intimate maidservants. Yet even here we find some hierarchy. Among the Six Gosvamis, Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami were the leaders. And as we read in other works by the Gosvamis, Rati Manjari, who is Raghunatha dasa Gosvami in caitanya-lila, had the most intense love for Srimati Radharani, but still, his goal—or her goal—was not to serve Srimati Radharani directly. She and others wanted to serve under the guidance of Sri Rupa Manjari, who in caitanya-lila is Srila Rupa Gosvami. So, we find the same principle of parampara. Parampara means literally “one after the other”: one takes shelter of a mahatma who has taken shelter of a mahatma who has taken shelter of a mahatma who has taken shelter of Srimati Radharani.

Basically, what we are doing in ISKCON under the guidance of Srila Prabhupada is the same. We take shelter of Srila Prabhupada and his associates, Srila Prabhupada took shelter of his guru maharaja, his guru maharaja took shelter of his guru maharaja, and so on, up to Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Rupa Gosvami, Svarupa Damodara Gosvami, Ramananda Raya, and Lord Chaitanya, or, in other words, Rati Manjari, Rupa Manjari, Lalita and Visakha, and Srimati Radharani and Lord Krishna. So, we don’t have to make an artificial effort to cultivate the mood of the gopis. Of course, at a certain mature stage of devotional service we may naturally develop such a mood internally. But Srila Prabhupada said—and there are so many features to Srila Prabhupada’s genius, but one was his ability to express profound truths in brief, simple statements—he said that the way to develop the love of the gopis for Krishna is to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world.

One might wonder how the two—the gopis’ love and spreading Krishna consciousness—are connected. The connection is that Radharani and Her associates are ready to sacrifice anything and everything to give Krishna the greatest pleasure. And the greatest pleasure that we can give Krishna, at least in the material world, is to bring more souls to Him. It may sound easy, but to bring others to Krishna in the present age is not easy. There is so much opposition—from the material nature, from society, sometimes even from our own families—that we may have a tendency to compromise, because we do not want to lose our position in society, we don’t want to upset our family members, we don’t want to do anything that will have a negative effect on our material lives. But that is not the mood of the gopis. The mood of the gopis is that to please Krishna they are ready to leave everything: mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands, babies—everything. Of course, we are not recommending that you should necessarily do the same, and Lord Chaitanya did teach that one can remain in one’s position and be Krishna conscious. But the point is that the gopis are ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of Krishna’s pleasure. And we should be developing the same mood. In fact, to actually preach effectively one has to have that mood, because if someone is too concerned about one’s material position and assets, he won’t want to take the risk to preach. And because the preacher does take the risk, he is especially recognized by the Lord and specially blessed by the Lord. So the duty of the spiritual master is to engage the disciple in such a way that the disciple can get the most mercy from Krishna and the Vaishnavas. And Srila Prabhupada knew that by his engaging us in spreading Krishna consciousness we would get the most mercy from Krishna and His associates. But it is not always easy.

I shall tell you one story from Madras. It is not a good one, because I am using myself as an example, which is not very becoming, but ultimately what happened was all Prabhupada’s mercy. I was the first devotee from ISKCON to go to Madras, in 1971. There were many Saivites and Vaishnavites, who have a long history of debate, there, and many impersonalists who thought, “The Vaishnavites are arguing that Vishnu is the Supreme, and the Saivites are arguing that Shiva is supreme. How silly! Actually, God has no form. He just assumes the form of Shiva or Vishnu or Durga. So why all these petty arguments?” They were some sort of jnanis, and they really thought themselves superior, both to the Vaishnavites and to the Saivites.

In Madras I began to preach in the same way I had heard Srila Prabhupada preach everywhere. We had programs, and we enrolled life members. Srila Prabhupada was very eager for us to enroll life members, mainly as a way of distributing his books to them, and as a way of giving them the association of devotees. After a few weeks, I found that there was an undercurrent of protest against the way I was preaching, and even friends began to advise me, “You should not criticize others. Whatever you want to say positively about your activities and about Krishna consciousness, say. But don’t say anything negative about anyone else or any other process.”

So, I thought about it. Over the six or eight weeks I was in Madras, I stayed at different places, and one of the men with whom I stayed cited the example of the Gaudiya Math, that the Gaudiya Math was quite well established in Madras and that every year so many thousands of people went there for Janmashtami. “They don’t criticize anyone, so why can’t you be like them?” I thought about it: Is that really what we are meant to be like? Mr. Ratnamiyer, who had his own organization, Astika Samaja, had initially offered to arrange a program for Srila Prabhupada, and his brother, Mr. Krishnamurti, who was even more favorable, said the same thing: “Don’t criticize others. Just say whatever you want in a positive way about Krishna consciousness.” So, I was getting the same thing from all sides, and I thought, Maybe Krishna is trying to tell me something. Maybe I should listen to what they are saying. So, I wrote a letter to Srila Prabhupada.

One Saturday I had an appointment with an industrialist, and I decided that I was not going to get into any controversy or debate. I was just going to show the pictures of our activities, show the books, tell him about Krishna consciousness, and not make any comments about anything else. So, I went to the man’s office—he had a large compound, with his office and his factory and his residence. I showed the pictures, showed the books, took out the life membership forms, and asked him to become a life member. He said, “What about Shankaracharya? You said so many things. Why haven’t you said anything about Shankaracharya? He is one of the great acharyas of India.” I said, “Yes, he is one of the great acharyas of India.” He said, “But you haven’t said anything about him. What about him? What about his teachings?” I tried to be very tactful and avoid any argument, but he kept provoking me, probing more and more. So, I had to explain that Shankaracharya was an incarnation of Lord Shiva, who came to bewilder the atheists and drive Buddhism out of India, but that in order to drive Buddhism out of India he had to preach a false interpretation of the Vedas. The man kept arguing, more and more. I even took out the Teachings of Lord Caitanya (we didn’t have the Caitanya-caritamrta then) and showed him the verses about Shankaracharya. But he was becoming more adamant in his position, and I remained adamant in mine. Finally I decided, “Okay. I have wasted enough time here.” I put away the pictures, put away the books, put away the membership form, closed my briefcase, and said, “Well, it was nice meeting you.” He escorted me to the door and then said, “Before you go, I want to show you my temple room.” I thought, “Oh, no. There is going to be a Shiva linga, and he is going to want me to bow down, and if I don’t he is going to become offended.” He said, “Really, I insist. I want you to see my temple.”

He escorted me to his temple room. It was quite large, as personal temples go. And facing us at the opposite end was a large marble altar, the base of which was at least three feet high. And on top of the base were large marble Radha-Krishna deities. Boy, was I ever happy to see Radha and Krishna! I hadn’t seen Them for a long time, because even the Vaishnava temples in Madras were almost all Vishnu. And there was the famous temple of Parthasarathi, which had just Krishna alone.

I was delighted. I offered my obeisances and prayers, and then I looked at the man with an expression that asked, “What is happening here?” He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Swamiji, I am a devotee of Krishna, and all my family members are devotees of Krishna. My family has worshipped Lord Krishna for many generations. Actually, I was just testing you. And you did not compromise. So I am very pleased, and I will be honored to become your life member.” Then he escorted me back to his office, I took out the forms, he took out his checkbook, and he paid the whole amount in one installment and became a life member.

So, I was really confused. I started thinking that maybe I was not doing the wrong thing after all—but still I was not sure. When I got back to the place where I was staying in Egmore, there was a letter from Srila Prabhupada. I was very excited. When I opened the letter, the words practically jumped out of the page: “The fact is that I am the only one in India who is openly criticizing, not only demigod worship and impersonalism, but everything that falls short of complete surrender to Krishna. My Guru Maharaja never compromised in his preaching, nor will I, nor should any of my students. We are firmly convinced that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and all others are His part and parcel servants. This we must declare boldly to the whole world, that they should not dream of world peace unless they are prepared to surrender fully to Krishna as Supreme Lord.”

That was Srila Prabhupada’s mood, and that was Srila Prabhupada’s message. And for his service, he is the most dear servant of Radha and Krishna. Srimati Radharani has no desire other than the pleasure of Krishna. And who has given Krishna more pleasure—within the material world, at least—than Srila Prabhupada? Consequently, he has given the greatest pleasure to Srimati Radharani. And so Srimati Radharani would do anything for Srila Prabhupada. If we do even some little service to Srila Prabhupada, his heart is so magnanimous that he will take it as a big service. And he will be very pleased. And when we please Srila Prabhupada, Srimati Radharani is pleased. And then our lives are successful.

Now I shall comment on one other point in the purport, which will also accommodate a little story about Srimati Radharani.

Bhajanty ananya manaso: the great soul is engaged in the service of Krishna without any deviation. Srila Prabhupada elaborates on bhajanty ananya manaso to say that the great soul doesn’t divert his mind from Krishna for anything or to anything, not even to another incarnation of Krishna. He is not attracted even to any other feature of Krishna, what to speak of any demigod or human being. So, there is one story mentioned in the Caitanya-caritamrta, which is discussed more elaborately in other books of the Gosvamis, in which Lord Krishna was enjoying pastimes with the gopis and then left them. The gopis were searching for Him all around Govardhana Hill, and Krishna, to play a joke on them, assumed the form of Lord Narayana with four arms holding the four symbols of lotus, conch, disc, and club. When the gopis came across Lord Narayana, they offered Him namaskara and asked Him if He had seen Lord Krishna. They were not interested in Lord Narayana; they wanted only Krishna. And because Lord Narayana was not helping them find Krishna, they left Him behind. Then Srimati Radharani passed before Lord Narayana, and Lord Krishna became so attracted by Her pure love that He could not maintain His form of Lord Narayana. He had to withdraw His two extra hands and resume His original form as Lord Krishna. That is the power of Srimati Radharani’s love.

Of course, this is transcendental, and whenever Srila Prabhupada spoke on Radhastami he would discuss elaborately how the pastimes of Radha and Krishna are not material and how the attraction between Radha and Krishna is not material. He would also discuss how Sukadeva Gosvami, who was a lifelong brahmachari, recited the pastimes of Radha and Krishna and would never have done so if they had been material. And how Lord Chaitanya was a strict sannyasi but would listen to accounts of the pastimes of Radha and Krishna. Had they not been spiritual, He would not have listened to them. There are so many proofs. The main one, of course, is that Krishna is the origin of everything. Srila Prabhupada would quote the saying that a sweet merchant is not attracted by sweets. Krishna has created the whole material world; He is not going to be attracted by it. So, we should always remember that the loving affairs between Radha and Krishna are completely transcendental. But transcendentally, Krishna could not restrain Himself in the presence of Srimati Radharani, and so He couldn’t maintain His four-armed form as Lord Narayana.

The main verse we discussed in class today stated that originally Krishna, The One, separated Himself into two, Radha and Krishna, and then The Two, Radha and Krishna, combined together again and became Lord Chaitanya. When we were in Calcutta, our landlord, a Bengali gentleman named Mr. Raya, told Achyutananda Prabhu his own version of Lord Chaitanya and Radha and Krishna. He said that Lord Chaitanya is the supreme and the original and that Radha and Krishna come from Him. And he said that Lord Chaitanya is even greater and more beautiful than Radha and Krishna, as rasagulla is better than milk and sugar. Achyutananda was a little confused by the landlord’s philosophy, so he approached Srila Prabhupada—a few of us were also in the room—and told him about the discussion with the landlord and asked, “Who is the original?” Srila Prabhupada replied that Radha and Krishna come first and that when They come together, that combination is Lord Chaitanya. “The same example: first the milk and sugar exist separately and then they combine together to make rasagulla.” Then Acyutananda asked, “Well, who is greater?” Srila Prabhupada paused for some moments, closed his eyes, and then answered, “Srimati Radharani is greater.” He pointed to a picture on the wall that showed Srimati Radharani sitting on a raised platform and Lord Krishna kneeling at Her feet, trying to please or appease Her so She would give up Her mana and accept Him. And he said that the devotees are the greatest, and therefore Krishna becomes the servant of the devotees.

Sometimes Srimati Radharani manifests a type of transcendental jealousy called mana, which is not like the jealousy of the material world. In the material world, jealous anger usually is an attempt by the jealous person to gain control of the situation or gain the upper hand in the relationship with the other person. But Srimati Radharani’s jealous anger exists simply to give pleasure to Krishna. And Krishna takes pleasure too in trying to remove Srimati Radharani’s mana.

There is one great devotee of Krishna, named Jayadeva Gosvami, who lived in Sri Navadvipa-dhama some centuries before Lord Chaitanya appeared. He wrote a poem called Gita-govinda, which describes the pastimes of Radha and Krishna. And what he would do (as would some of the other Gosvamis) was actually see the pastimes within his heart and then record what was manifest to him; then the poem would be accepted as authoritative scripture. So, he was writing about the pastimes of Radha and Krishna in rasa-lila. Srimati Radharani was manifesting Her jealous anger, and Lord Krishna wanted to pacify Her. Jayadeva Gosvami saw in his heart that Lord Krishna was putting His head at Srimati Radharani’s lotus feet, but he could not accept that Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, the ruler of the universe, was acting in such a way. Jayadeva Gosvami was having a debate within his mind: How could this be happening? His intelligence and heart were in conflict. He couldn’t decide. He thought, I can’t write this. He started, but he couldn’t continue. So he closed the book, left it in the care of his wife, Padma, and went for his bath in the Ganges. Very soon, “Jayadeva” came back and said, “Padma, please bring me my book.” So Padma brought his book and he took up the pen and completed the verse and went away. A little while later, the original Jayadeva came back and his wife said, “You have come back so soon. You left, then you came back, then you left again, and now you have come back again.” Jayadeva said, “I never came back.” “No, you came. I saw you.” “No, I never came back.” “Yes, you came. You said, ‘Padma, bring me my book. I want to write something.’ So I brought your book and you wrote something and left again. Then Jayadeva said, “Well, bring my book. I will see.” So, he looked in his book, and he saw that the verse he had begun had been completed by Sri Krishna Himself. The verse read, smara-garala-khandanam mama sirasi mandanam dehi pada-pallavam udaram, which means, “I am burning in the poison of separation.” Krishna is telling Radharani, mama sirasi mandana: “Please decorate My head with Your lotus feet.” That was the essence of the verse. “And I would consider that to be Your greatest favor.” Then Jayadeva realized that Krishna Himself had come and completed the verse. He offered his obeisances to Padma and said, “Padma, you are so fortunate. You saw Krishna Himself. I could not see Krishna, but you saw Him.” And Padma replied, “I am so unfortunate. I saw Krishna but didn’t know He was Krishna.” And they both were overwhelmed with different types of ecstasy.

There is a very beautiful verse by Raghunatha dasa Gosvami in which he prays to see Lord Krishna’s head decorated by the red paint—in Sanskrit and Hindi called alta—that ladies put on their feet. Raghunatha dasa prays that he might see the beautiful face of Krishna. Krishna is always beautiful, and when He comes home from the pasturing grounds with the dust raised by the cows and calves smeared on His face and hair, He looks even more beautiful. But Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami prays for the day when, in the form of Rati Manjari, he will see Krishna’s face and hair beautified by the most gorgeous of all ornaments: the red paint from the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani. He says that this will be the perfection of his meditation.

So, Lord Krishna takes pleasure in serving His devotees and worshipping His devotees. Sometimes ignorant people think Shiva is the Supreme, because when Rama went to Ramesvaram He worshipped the Shiva linga. But no, the Lord takes pleasure in worshipping the devotee and serving the devotee. Just like Krishna’s carrying Nanda Maharaja’s shoes doesn’t mean that Nanda Maharaja is the Supreme. Krishna takes pleasure in being subordinate to His devotees. Similarly, in Dvaraka, Krishna’s washing the feet of Sudama Vipra doesn’t mean that Sudama Vipra is the Supreme. Krishna likes to worship His devotees. Krishna drove the chariot of Arjuna. This doesn’t mean that Arjuna is the Supreme. Krishna likes to serve the devotees. And Srimati Radharani is the greatest devotee. Therefore Krishna likes to serve Her the most and to become the most subordinate and obedient to Her. And therefore, once a year, on Radhastami, we are allowed to see the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani, which are otherwise the exclusive property of Lord Sri Krishna’s head.

Sri Sri Kisora-Kisori ki jaya!
Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
Hare Krishna.

[A talk by Giriraj Swami on Radhastami, August 25, 2001, Chicago]

What is Radhastami Radhastami is the day we celebrate the appearance of Srimati Radharani, Lord Krishna’s eternal consort. Radharani’s appearance occurred on the eighth day of the bright moon in the month of Bhadra. Although generally not full on that day, the moon appeared full to celebrate Radharani’s appearance in this world, because of this […]

The post Happy Radhastami from ISKCON News appeared first on ISKCON News.

Radhastami is the day we celebrate the birth of Srimati Radharani, Lord Krishna's eternal consort. Radharani’s birth occurred on the eighth day of the bright moon in the month of Bhadra. Although generally not full on that day, the moon appeared full to celebrate Radharani’s appearance in this world, because of this Radhashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of the bright fortnight (shukla paksha ashtami) in the month of Bhadra (August/September). 

Source: Avelo Roy

It can be tricky to know what drives your relationship, love or lust. Vedic wisdom makes it really easy to identify that and help us structure our behavior based on the mood of service. So rather than competing we co-operate and collaborate in a relationship. It really works!

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Radharani is the pleasure potency of Krishna. Krishna is the Supreme Brahman. Just try to understand. Krishna is the Supreme Brahman. Param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan [Bg. 10.12]. So when param brahma wants to enjoy... That enjoying spirit is there in the param brahma. Otherwise we cannot have this enjoying spirit. Because we are part and parcel, therefore we have got that enjoying spirit; but that is materially contaminated. But the fact is there, because Krishna,

SRI SRI LALITASTAKAM by Srila Rupa Goswami 1. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities. She worships the perspiration of Sri Sri Radha-Mukunda’s lotus feet and acts boldly, out of intense feelings of friendship for Them. 2. I offer my obeisances to Lalita devi, who has many wonderful qualities. Her […]

The post 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶 𝗟𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗶 -12th 09 2021 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Mount Sinai Hospital

Conversing With God

My knee surgeon, Dr. Backstein, saw me at the hospital where I was to take the final X-ray. He confirmed I’m doing good for 6 weeks after the knee replacement. I respect the man for having done a splendid job.

I’m proud to say I walked the entire way there and back – 6 kilometers, no sweat. No cane. In the afternoon, I met Bob back outside of the ashram quarters. Bob says he was raised Catholic but never took it too seriously. He claims Krishna has been speaking to him. I won’t deny.

“What did He tell you?” I asked.

“On two occasions, He spoke in a resonate deep voice,” said Bob. The most prominent message was, “I’m not happy with the animals you have in your stomach.” That was a scolding for sure, but Bob felt blessed to “get the sauce.” Moreover, he was really thrilled that he could talk and with me not being judgmental. He admitted he rarely could find someone he could talk to over spiritual matters. I mean, having conversations with God. It’s not everyday.

I encouraged him to connect with Prabhupada through his books, the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. “There God speaks directly to His devotee, Arjuna. You might also recite His sweet name.” Bob had read other versions of the Gita. “Here, I’ll give you this one,” so I handed him my personal copy to which he reciprocated with a 20-dollar bill.

“Call me anytime, Bob, about the book and what He is saying to you.”

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Ramsden Park, Toronto

Radha

In a few days we celebrate the birth of the goddess, Radha. I dedicate this poem to Her.

Radha

The embodiment of beauty

The spirit of purity

Her complexion resembles gold

While her senses are controlled

She’s calm, composed, collected

To all souls she remains connected

She is the epicentre of radiance

As a flower’s essence is fragrance

She is a master in the cuisine

After her craft she keeps all clean

She is a teacher of surrender

Holding no place for a pretender

For those who are morose

To Her you can’t come close

She is the epitome of the feminine

Spontaneous in love, beyond regimen

Loyal to the Prime One

Through Him devotion had begun

She is indeed the Goddess, the Queen

The only way to get to the King

Her name is Radha.

-Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk©

May the Source be with you!

2 km

The Annex, Toronto

A Living Barbie-doll

I was walking at normal pace and without a cane, back from a shiatsu session with Carlos when a unique woman of character addressed us.

“What is that?” said the woman in brown vinyl gown and looking half-glamorised half-Barbie doll. The make-up was intense enough. Her question was crass, but here goes my answer.

“I’m a monk.”

“What kind of monk?” she continued

A Krishna monk with a tradition of roots from India.”

“But you’re white!” she challenged.

“Actually, I’m beige.”

“No, you’re not. Your fricking piggy pink.”

She did take me by surprise, being maybe 30 and dressed to kill. I guess we judged each other in a similar material way, a question of are you for real? cut the superficiality. I was hesitant to give her my card. She continued speaking partly blurred saying something about when she gets to a certain point she’ll see to it that I’ll not be a smiling monk (as I was then).

That was quite a threat for sure and I really didn’t know what I had done wrong. Anyway, she was a character. And I hope I’ll be perceived as a monk, a genuine one. She walked on. So did I, but I couldn’t help thinking the encounter was surreal. Hmm! Maybe Just For Laughs had their camera person there getting peoples reactions when meeting someone obnoxious?

May the Source be with you!

3 km

North York, Ontario

Always Krishna

Walking was meagre. Resting was maximized more than the norm. It’s Labor Day and the last day before school starts. Karuna, K. Chandra, and I wanted to do something, not necessarily laborious but meaningful; devotional. So, we drove to North York and there we met Lila Mayi, who lives but a mere 5-minute walk from Avondale Park. We sat on a madras and started chanting to the accompaniment of harmonium, kartals, tambourine and drum.

“What is that?” asked a young man pointing to the drum.

“This fibreglass drum is called a mrdangaand it resembles the original clay version, also called khol, popular in Bengal and surrounding area.

He mentioned, “I was just curious. I am a drummer. It’s a mrdanga. I’ll look it up.”

One other fellow who came to join us was from the Bronx and he knows the Krishnas well. He was asking Lila Mayi how she became interested in Krishna.

“It happened 10 years ago…”

Our day of less labour also entailed a second kirtan. We are counting the days remaining for outdoor chanting. A slight late summer chill is creeping up on us. But, whatever the weather, our devotion to Krishna is the most important thing to us. Krishna Chandra is tackling cleaning the floor. Karuna is completing his japa chanting, and I am catching up with correspondence, all to do with people in devotion; some out of devotion and some who endeavour to stay in devotion.

May the Source be with you!

Innisfil, Ontario

Splash in the Water

It’s only an hour’s drive to Innisfil, which is set along a southwesterly edge of Lake Simcoe. I had been hankering for being in water for my joints and for a healing left leg. Tony is fun-loving, a senior, who declares himself as Greek Orthodox and he opened up his driveway for seekers of beach pleasure. The deal was $25 dollar parking for each of our vehicles for as long as we want. Actually, he saved us from the turmoil of parking many blocks away. This was our picnic and it was the birthday of Aindra, from Oakville, a chance to chill and bring along our team from the “Monk for a Weekend” program.

The water, which seemed warmer than the air, was pleasing and our game of “108 up” with a volley ball in the lake was our high-point. Jason, a monk for a weekend, loved the game like all of us. He was indeed feeling the community spirit. Everything about the weekend was fresh, new and spiritual for him. Like many of us who have tread through the mundane mill, suffering has been ample. A breather is very welcome.

Jason is chanting, reading Prabhupada’s books and keeping company with bhakti yogis. Now he’s splashing, like the rest of us, much like companions of Chaitanya in Puri, India. It must have been therapy and ecstasy for them.

To the cooks of our picnic – thanks! To Aindra on his 47^th – congrats! To Jason who’s awakening to Krishna – Haribol! And to Lake Simcoe – thanks for the liquid!

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Oakville, Ontario

Golden People

High Park is currently graced with golden rod. To some people, its colour offers an exotic flair, and it is hard to control their spread.

The location where we chant weekly is at a fork in the road, at the main entrance where we are is very visible, but the golden rod is found more in the woods, however, they can be seen in all their glory. It is our experience that pedestrians and cyclists that come through at that entrance cannot but become touched by the kirtan. Perhaps that’s what is the draw. There are people here searching for a “Heart of Gold,” (Neil Young, check it out, one of the best songs to come out of Canada).

There were golden people to join us with the chanting, including Jaram and family. His boy, 3 years old is my guess, was mesmerized by Ajamila pumping away at the harmonium. He certainly helped himself to the keyboard trying to jazz up the music. Overall, the session today, which included dancing, was just so blissful.

Part 2 of today was a Janmastami fest at the IGita Yoga Studio in Oakville. At this event I surprised myself with offering the group of 40 or so, some simple dance steps. Krishna Chandra, by the way, danced out my narration to my poem, “Krishna, His Birth and His Escape” to the sound of Holtz’s “Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age.”

Once the program was over, Kasyapa drove K.C. and I to downtown Toronto, leaving us some distance for walking. K.C. remarked, “You’re not limping anymore, Maharaja.”

Good to hear. That’s due to the new knee.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Hamilton / Burlington

The Food Trail

The savories were dynamic, especially the crabless something-or-other with artichoke and celery with dip and the sugar pie, a French-Canadian prep our host prepared. Karana Karana has a French and Anglo background, and she followed her mom’s recipe on the desert, which by the was is not overly sweet.

What was the occasion? It was rather a Vedic gesture. From her Krishna conscious training she adapted to ways that her guru (and mine) helped to enrich life. This afternoon’s occasion, apart from the feast, was one of those rites of passage, technically known as anna-prasana, first grains for a baby. The baby is her grandchild, Penelope Love, and her daughter, Visvadevi, and husband James, were right in there participating in a modified version of an ancient rite. It included a small backyard fire, sesame seeds, mantras, and an administering of kheer, an Indian version of rice pudding. In an absolute rustic setting the well-bonded family saw to its own rendition of a charming practice. James insisted, in a fatherly spirit, to spoon feed his baby. She loved it just as much as Nanda, my driver, and I took to the delicious food mentioned above.

Food for us didn’t desist in Hamilton. The next-door city of Burlington at my family doctor’s home, Dr. Pandith, a.k.a. Jagannath Mishra, arranged a meal from the garden. Boy, are we spoiled. From there, we visited a Latvian Lutheran retreat center, nestled in a green belt and to finish off the day, our ISKCON Burlington crew invited us to a Gita discussion at Louisville Park. We relished in the topic of “Nature, the Enjoyer, and Consciousness,” chapter 13.

May the Source be with you!

1 km

Toronto West General

The Physio Fellow

The physio fellow had his mask on. He understood that my cartilage wore down because of an abundance of walking and the need for a new knee. I told him about my powerwalking in the US, Canada and other countries. Over the mask I could see his eyes widen. Then he asked questions.

“You did it alone? Where did you stay at night? Do you use a tent at night? How long does it take from coast to coast? This is amazing!”

I was warmed and charmed by the queries. Then I asked him questions: “How long for the knee to heal? When do you think I should remove the second knee? I’m glad I only have two. Would you recommend I do another walk? How about swimming? Is it good for the joints?”

I added that I’ve been marathon walking to promote the walking culture and pilgrimage. By now he knew I was some kind of monk. Anyways, I received my “graduation” today. That’s what they call it when you have had six weeks of physio and have done well. There’s no diploma but a little bit of pride.

I proudly walked back to the ashramwith a pleasing ease. I reminded myself that it is not to my credit that I can mechanically walk decently again. It is due to Krishna and the people He sends my way for the glorious repair and healing done. In other words, I’m grateful to all those who have and continue to contribute to my well-being.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Thunder bay, Toronto

Moose Now on the Loose

I like animal rescue stories and one of them recently occurred up in this northern county just the other day. About 75 km north of the town of Timmons two locals spotted a massive bull moose stuck in a mud hole to the level of his neck. He was doomed until he met the two guys on one of those ATV machines. They manage to strap a device by his neck and antler, pull him out of the muddy trap, drag him to higher ground and see him off to freedom after catching his breath. He bolted off into the wilderness and with some gratitude (hopefully) was allowed for another chance to survive.

Krishna das and I, who shared the hotel room together, were super happy to read about the rescue before we departed for home; he on an eighteen-hour drive to the south and I, on WestJet, also to the south; the big city of Toronto.

Luckily, I was able to find some time to get in some walking. A 3 km stretch in the concrete jungle, hundreds of kilometers/miles from moose country. It was dark then and it was enjoyable because the air was good and so were the people. I imagine because summer is still on and the nightly cafés beckon people forward for a last squeeze of sensual pleasure before work and schools go in to a form of reset.

Going back to the bull moose — they are truly soul creatures. They don’t herd like elk or Caribou. Solitude is what they know, especially the males. They are like some kind of yogi who likes remoteness. Bear in mind their challenges — packs of wolves in the winter, the cold, the bugs in summer and sometimes an odd relentless mud hole.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Something New

nama om visnu padaya krsna presthaya bhu-tale

srimate bhaktivedanta-svaminn iti namine

namas te sarasvate deve gaura vani pracarine

nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine

It was our morning-time focus,

When we offered you a lotus

At guru puja; always so cheerful —

No trace of anything at all tearful

It was the start of the year in Guyana

Where in abundance grow the lotus and banana

We didn’t know what was coming —

Temple operations were smoothly running

Then reports arrived in the month of January:

An attack came from a strange adversary,

An invisible creature who takes human lives,

A threat to children, men and precious wives.

Theories of conspiracies began to surface

As to the origin of a virus to hurt us

Going by the name COVID-19 –

A virus so ominous, dark and mean.

The public demanded answers to the questions they asked

And were told, “To be safe you must be masked,”

And social distancing at 6 feet is standard,

Wall coming together is now abandoned.

This pandemic spreads at the pace of a cheetah,

And disease is mentioned in Bhagavad-Gita,

Locked in arms are Kali and Covid —

You direct us to Krishna or Govind.

It is not surprising that bad omens come:

Sastra states duhkhalyam asasvatam.

Life’s leisurely ways are cut short;

We know it to be a reality distort.

The vision you share makes it all clear;

You offer hope when trouble is near.

Your question: “Are you able and ready?”

The answer: “When sadhana and love are steady.”

Prabhupada, you are helping us through this;

Your teachings burn a hole through this crisis.

Vaikuntha comes when the cycle is over,

Only when our hearts have that solid makeover.

Bless us to be tolerant like a tree.

Lessons on life are not always free:

They come at a price; we have to adjust.

It is as essential as the Earth’s crust.

Your servant,

Bhaktimarga Swami©

May the Source be with you!

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Happy Birthday in Thunder Bay

It has been a while since boarding a plane – about a year to be fairly precise – and that was a domestic run, in fact, within the province. The limitations are all due to the virus that’s raping the world.

But this day, August 30, was going to be a day of reflection and fun as there exists no bars to the joy of Janmashtami, Krishna’s birthday. For me it kick-started in Toronto at 4:30 AM with the mangalarati ceremony in the temple.

Dozens of people turned up with their donations to honor the most important person in their life - The Supreme Person.

It was from here that I was brought to the airport where Ajamila, the super-funk bhajan Singer, along with finger-tapping-happy-drummer Jetu boarded a plane for Thunder Bay.

Now in the northern town the Krishna community assembled to inaugurate their new building, the Vedic Cultural Center. There we met Patty Hajdu, Federal Minister of Health, and unveiled this wellness facility which will now host cancer patients. The unique thing about this place is that in the inner core is a gorgeous temple and that, in part, is what we also came to celebrate. People from Winnipeg came, Toronto, Orlando and surrounding areas. The night was a long drawn-out atmosphere of love to Krishna.

An honorable mention must go to Prem Kishore and Suniti for establishing Krishna consciousness in this remote place of Thunder Bay.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Barrie, Ontario

At Sunnidale

At Sunnidale Park in Barrie, one hour north of Toronto, I could not manage even a mile of walking its great trails. Time didn’t permit. The group was waiting for us for a presentation on “Krishna’s Birthday.” What a turnout it was. The outdoor event allowed for more than just a cuddly group of singers, dancers and those who are wannabes.

I did, however, on my healing knee, put energy into the simple “Swami Step,” an amateur dance move. I rather surprised myself that I could do it. I was in the mood to engage everyone, and it worked. Initially we were set to more or less do a bhajan session and what some may call a performance. However, I could tell off the bat that the cohesion would be at a loss. After all, we’re outdoors. It’s Sunday. It’s the eve of Krishna’s birth.

Without skipping a beat the dance forged ahead and there were multiple happy faces. In that park we were a patch of a green toned quilt, only our spot was very colorful —an Indian type of colorfulness. Marg from Barrie Post noted that as well.

I regret not having walked a stretch but I gloated in my own ability to move my legs in a way that they like to do. I will never in this lifetime become a master of swing dance but I will, however, maintain some semblance of a monk’s move and demonstrate so at events like this.

May the Source be with you!

Happy Krishna’s Birthday!

0 km

High Park, Toronto

Where There’s Green There’s Magic

Wherever there is an emission of sacred sound you can expect some minor miracles or magical moments. We started off with just the four of us but interest grew amongst park pedestrians. I believe that analogy to be true for anyone who walks through green territory. It is the colour of wonder.

Tiki, who’s on crutches for the time being, decided to lean against the trunk of the majestic jack pine while his partner was content on the acorn covered grasses to join the rest of us on kirtan. The sound did attract a low hanging squirrel and a curious parrot. After all, Ajamila’s singing is rather funked-up and all the while he releases a smile that demonstrates the “fun of kirtan”.

We sat at the entranceway and it appears to be the best location for outreach. Mind you, we are not the only ones playing music. As soon as we broke for a much-needed break one guy on clarinet played so beautifully.

People are definitely the happiest 1) in green space 2) where there is peace 3) natural colours, textures, smells and sounds 4) where there is anticipation of adventure and 5) in a place where transcendence is possible.

The heroes of the Vedas such as Rama and Krishna placed themselves in the power of nature. Krishna was a cowherd as a youngster. He was in the pastoral green. And Rama let destiny place him in the wilderness where He, Sita and Laksman survived in the out-of-doors.

So, every Saturday 1 PM, High Park.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

The Annex, Toronto

New Couple and the 3 km

I feel blessed to meet fine people. Today it was a couple who found out about “Hare Krishna” through the internet. They are soul-searching and in that search they called up and agreed to meet personally.

He is from the Mauri tribe, from New Zealand and he grew up in a community where the boys would dive into the water to pull out clams and catch eels. She is a Toronto person raised in the Beaches area.

So, we had the talk of our life — all on the topic of spiritual matters. I treated them to a meal at Govinda’s. They admitted it was special and different from eating eels. I also handed them a copy of “Science of Self Realization” by author Srila Prabhupada. They were blown away by the murti or statue of Prabhupada in the temple room, seeing him from a distance. Also, the concept of God Masculine and God feminine, as Radha and Krishna, was very appealing to them.

After that gracious exchange I ventured off to the clinic for a shiatsu treatment. Carlos is the pious man who does the work. The walk is a mere 1.5 km so back-and-forth I got an extended physio out of it all amounting to a modest 3 km. It’s a start.

I came back feeling rested and refreshed. I must admit I was elated to me the couple whom I introduced to Krishna.

Krishna, with your help I will stay connected with them and I’ll do my best to bring them to the lotus feet of the Lord.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

The Annex, Toronto

Discovery in 10.15

I was walking back from a shiatsu treatment. As I left the clinic Carlos and I both remarked how it would be good for a weather adjustment. Consecutive days have been brutal with sun blasting. Today was no exception. For me the exposure is like saying, “Hey sun! You’re hot but my encounter with you is brief.” I chose streets of high shade and relished the growl of the sky. It sounded threatening and then glancing up to view the rolling of clouds I was anticipating a sudden burst of cool rain. I was hoping for those big drops that begin to poke it out the surface of asphalt and then the explosion of moist dirt to hit the nostrils.

Well, the rain did come, and just upon my arrival to the ashram. The ominous clouds from minutes before and the incredible rebounding thunder just didn’t measure up too much. There appeared to be just a light spitting. I was hoping for more.

I did make it back in time for the weekly Zoom call hosted by a gracious couple from Florida, Ananta Sesa and Vaishnavi. What came out of this week’s discussion based on the Gita, chapter 10, verse 15 was fun. There we have a list (numbering five) of names to imply the opulence is of the Absolute; names that indicate the powers of God; the one ultimately responsible for the sun, wind and rain.

Here’s the list including the Sanskrit and their translations: purusottama- the greatest person, bhuta-bhavana- origin of everything, bhuta-isa- Lord of everything, deva-deva- God of gods, jagat-pate- Lord of the universe.

As an assignment I asked one of the persons who called in — Rasaraj— to list for us all the names of Krishna in the entire Gita. I’m sure we will find plenty.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Toronto General West

I Married a Couple

I married a couple today and I won’t announce the names as it’s a private affair. What I can say is that they are very devotional. My role is as a blesser. The ultra fancy reception takes place later on. It was so good to see the making of a couple and a future family.

Visitors came from Calgary also to attend a wedding — a different one. They came to visit their guru, myself, as a second reason, I suppose. This family is grounded and they specialize in special care of the sacred plant, Tulsi. Sales of Prabhupada’s books is also a soft spot for them, as a service to humanity. All praise to them.

Another visitor who came around after a year and I may reveal his name — Mahamantra, from the Pickering area. I had taken him to India, South Africa and Buenos Aires. That was a surprise to see him as he’s busy. In the past we have done dramas together and that was the reason for the travel. He expressed to me that although he took some leave of absence, he had always held Krishna in his heart. Yes, this higher consciousness does tend to occur in the heart of sincere seekers and remain there.

Enough of beautiful visitors. Just to turn the tables, I became a visitor with my weekly obligation to the hospital for Physio. I was examined and got a good verbal report. The only thing is at the end of a busy day I sat at the edge of the bed, rather tired. I held in my hand my beads, chanting, then dozed off, lost my balance and fell on my bad knee. Fortunately, it didn’t split open and I swung back in action, which was no action. I actually had a decent sleep.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

The Annex, Toronto

Summer Creatures

According to the Vedas there are 8,400,000 groupings or classifications of living beings in this world. When we use the word “species” the figures don’t necessarily match up to the claim of our modern scientific world. However, the principle that “many” entities inhabit this world still holds true. This reality of “many” is very evident with our experience, especially during the summertime. Creepy crawlies start coming out of the woodwork, literally.

I have plenty of uninvited creatures, not of large magnitude, that come to the indoors of what we call Prabhupada’s Quarters. Some of them have prehistoric looks about them. And outdoors it’s the cicadas that give off that shrill sound from the trees sounding like millions of tambourines being shaken all in unison. That’s in the day. Now, in the night time, you have these green tree crickets in great multitudes. I guess their sound vibrations create a great backdrop for chanting the maha mantra.

These sounds are much to do with the mating calls.

Frankly I find their calls to be exotic compared to the drab sounds of revved up engines from cars and trucks. They are not at all appealing but then I will always hold a begrudging attitude towards all that machinery; clunky or sophisticated.

With cooler weather around the corner, hibernation for the multitudes will cause an avyakta state (unmanifest). We will approach a quieter autumn until the winter snow comes to buffer sounds of some engines.

May the Source be with you!

3 km

243 Avenue Rd., Toronto

Krishna: His Birth and Escape

There has never been a day like this, nor night

Planets repositioned to create a heavenly sight

Prominent was the star, Rohini, so bright

A proceeding peace kept at bay any tendency to fight

Such was the cosmic sky on that day, and what of the Earth?

Lotus flowers, trees and rivers were welcoming a new birth

Unbounded joy, lightness and expression of mirth

Were centered around a bundle of Absolute Worth

Tucked away in a royal prison was a woman, a man

And a person, blue in hue, from whom a glow began

It was Vishnu, par excellence, there is no greater than

Moreover, the woman, Devaki, asked Him to disguise if He can

In compliance, an infant boy, as charming as could be

Was manifest as Krishna Himself, yet few could see

While all was calm, Devaki sunk into a panic degree

For the child’s life was in danger, therefore, He had to flee

The father, Vasudeva, was mystically mobilized to make

A great escape with babe in arms, all for his sake

It was the power of yoga mayaallowing the two to break

Barriers of shackles, gates and guards unawake

Just minutes after midnight with all the power behind them

Father clutched and held high his tender, fragile gem

While traversing River Yamuna, usually a problem for crossing

The great getaway led to the village named Gokul Vrindavan

The destination point was a modest, rural home

The place of Nanda, Yashoda, a newborn; a safe zone

Vasudeva did the unthinkable, seemingly on his own

With all Vasudeva switched babies, actions were unknown

The return journey back to the prison was unique

There was a girl now in Vasudeva’s arms, in the night so bleak

Guards under spell were bypassed on his quiet technique

As the baby was lain to rest, all things came to a peak

The infant girl let out a cry which broke utter silence

And triggered attention to the tyrant of violence

King Kamsa was suffering from impulsive defiance

He rushed to the prison and the infant of innocence

He mercilessly grabbed the sweet child

But she leapt from his hand, entering the sky so wild

Transformed as a beautiful goddess, she chastised and defiled

This man of disgust who reacted to make even the gods smile

Kamsa relented and fell on knees, begging forgiveness

Atrocities diverted to Devaki and Vasudeva was his business

But now in a humble way his spirit was less ambitious

He was a different man, leaving the couple less suspicious

But always not settled in dealing with this impulsive man

Kamsa’s associates were a bad breed with another plan

Darkness does not end easy for the nefarious, the bad master

Who murdered Krishna’s six brothers, while Krishna was set free in greener pastures

Bhaktimarga Swami: The Walking Monk©

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Q Gardens, Toronto

Fun for Balarama

It was only befitting that our day with the KC boys (mostly youth) was all in full for we were wishing Balarama, Krishna’s brother, a Happy Birthday. There are many aspects to Balarama’s life including a long pilgrimage he took during the fateful war of Kuruksetra. However, in the spirit of high energy and youthfulness did we play out the afternoon at Woodbine Beach.

What a lineup of a mix of frivolity and gravity we had — first off was yoga led by Krishna Chandra, kirtan, picnic prasadam, water sports and katha or a talk on “Who is Balarama actually?”

After eighteen months of minimal social interaction, finally, in the outdoors, the group came together. Parama Gauranga coordinated the event. It was so liberating.

One highlight in the afternoon for me was, after I gave a short intro on the green around us, when we met Paul. Paul came forward as I was still on my chair and said with eagerness, “I guess you were teaching lessons. I saw you point at the grass, then the tree we’re now standing under.”

Indeed, I was pointing and pulling out dandelion greens and mentioned a good edible quality. Then I pulled out a plantain leaf and said that this is an incredible natural laxative. I looked above to address the maple tree that gave us shade.

Paul revealed much about his life history. Yes, he’s suffered but he grew spiritually from there and learned simplicity and detachment. Paul was happy to be with us.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

An appreciation spoken by His Holiness Sridhar Swami Maharaja on Giriraj Swami’s Vyasa-puja, September 23, 2001, Carpinteria, California.

We are here not by our good qualities, not by our pious credits, not for any reason except that His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada came here and blessed us. He exposed us. He opened our eyes, our darkened eyes, and he exposed us to this transcendental knowledge, transcendental culture, transcendental way of life, and he is continually guiding us and encouraging us. We all belong to Srila Prabhupada’s family. He is our father or our grandfather; he is our friend, our guru. His mercy is all that we are made of.

Prabhupada’s books are there—his tapes, his lectures, ITV—but my feeling is that we need something more to push us over the edge into the divine realm. We need association with a person who is a servant of Srila Prabhupada. And especially we are connected by the association, or by the mercy, or by the kindness of a diksa-guru, who acts as a surrogate. A surrogate is a substitute—not exactly a substitute, but sometimes a mother and father are not able to produce a child, so another woman, a surrogate mother, agrees to receive the seed of the man, and a child is produced. A better example is a viceroy. We need someone to show us Srila Prabhupada in action, in emotion. We are very much persons, emotional persons. We have intellect and we have emotions, and bahunam janmanam ante, in the end it is our emotional, devotional service—purified devotional service, prema-bhakti, loving devotional service—both to guru and to Krishna, that will bind us.

So we need to find a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who carries Srila Prabhupada in his heart and who will help us. He will share with us his love, his realization, his joy, his ecstasy, so that we also can be inspired. We need this—it’s very important—and we find this person by our intelligence and by our faith. It is a business of the heart, very much a business of the heart, that we are attracted. And disciplic succession is such a sacrosanct principle that we have to protect it. We have to involve ourselves to make ourselves recipients of that descending mercy, and we have to protect ourselves from all sorts of naysayers and envious persons and obstacles.

Of course, as I said, we are in a family, and we have our diksa-guru, but we are also not a personality cult. We have many people who help us in our spiritual lives, and wherever you find Srila Prabhupada in the heart of a devotee, you should bow down there—wherever you find him and wherever you receive genuine siksa. You can have many siksa-gurus, and of course officially people talk about receiving permission from your diksa-guru to accept so-and-so as your siksa-guru, and that’s well and true. But just as the first initiation does not become formalized until later but appears first in the heart, similarly, whenever we hear anything nice about Srila Prabhupada, we can take it with joy and appreciate it.

It is a difficult time in our family; Kali-yuga is such a difficult time. I am amazed how anyone can be Krishna conscious. Srila Prabhupada told us, “You should not be surprised when someone falls down. Everyone is fallen. You should be surprised when someone is able to follow nicely.” So, it is a difficult time, and we are weak. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” And we are bombarded with so many stimuli agitating our senses and mind, and we are surrounded by people who are suffering, who are in ignorance, and some of them are even belligerent, demoniac. It is a very difficult time, and we need all the help we can get; at least I need all the help I can get, and I try to get help from my godbrothers. I really need their mercy. And I have many friends among my godbrothers, but for me, since the very early days in Bombay, ’72, ’73, Srila Giriraj Swami has been my siksa-guru. I am not a very good disciple, but still he is my siksa-guru. I feel like that. And I hope that all of you will enjoy Krishna conscious life by following Srila Prabhupada and by following Giriraj Swami and all of the nice Vaishnavas and Vaishnavis in ISKCON.

One symptom of progress in devotional service is that one should become jolly, brahma-bhutah prasannatma. We should become prasanna, joyful, na socati na kanksati. How will we give up our attachment to material life? By becoming joyful, jolly. Prabhupada said a brahmachari becomes jolly. So we have to judge by the result.

Everything about Krishna consciousness is wonderful—every kind of devotional service. There is no need to be envious of anyone else for any kind of devotional service. Cleaning the bathroom for Krishna is so ecstatic. I offer my obeisances to the bathroom cleaners of Krishna, because they are wonderful devotees. In fact, some of our best devotees in Pakistan are bhangis. Recently someone remembered me from Pakistan, Ranchore Line. Giriraj Swami and I went there one time, and we preached to all the Pakistani people, to intellectuals, but in Ranchor Line, Narayanpur, our devotees come from that line, bathroom cleaners. Whatever service you have, it is the service mood, the service attitude that “I am prepared to do anything to serve Krishna and to serve His devotees,” that will keep us happy and help us to develop that house that people talk about, where everyone can live. But it is based on love and trust. A devotee has no interest in politics or even in polemics.

So, please carry on as you are doing. I know a number of you, and you can tell a tree by its fruits. You are all nice servants of Vaishnavas. For me, in my stage of life, if I have learned even one little lesson, it is dasa-dasanudasah—cultivate service to the Vaishnavas and you will get everything. We need a family in which we can love and trust each other and not fear. We have to preach to so many materialistic people, and their very aura is permeated with lust and greed and anger, and there is a possibility of getting infected. But if we can come to a community of friends, of brothers and sisters, in which we love each other, care . . . I am not talking of superficially saying something, but really caring deep down inside that this person is suffering, even materially. Prabhupada cried when he saw people suffering in the material world, so, what to speak of exalted Vaishnava devotees. We should care for them and love them. This is our family.

Thank you, Giriraj Swami, for being there for all of us, for guiding us. And thank you for producing so many nice boys and girls who are helping you in your preaching work and also preaching nicely all over the world—in India, in Africa. I pray that more and more books will be forthcoming from your wonderful, powerful pen, from your heart, and that people will . . .  I am just so anxious, because Giriraj  Swami has a nickname. Probably you all know it, but for those who don’t, we call him “Mr. Prabhupada Stories,” because he is an ocean of Prabhupada stories. I have heard many of them over the years, but I want to hear more and more. And I know the nectar is coming. So please give us more and more books. We pray that more and more devotees will come to your lotus feet and learn about how to become softhearted and pure.

Hare Krishna!