Planet ISKCON

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!

Urban Devi Sanga Urban Devi Sanga explores meditations on Srimati Radharani, the original sacred feminine.  To watch this sanga please click here. During this sanga, Rukmini Devi references a special recipe said to a favorite of Sri Radhika, she shares it with us below: Dear Friends, This afternoon, we had our monthly Urban Devi Sanga online. I […]

The post Urban Devi Sanga – Meditations on Sri Radha: The Original Sacred Feminine appeared first on ISKCON News.

Source: Urban Devi 

Rukmini Walker shares Meditations on Sri Radha: The Divine Feminine

“We have to see that nobody goes hungry within a 10-mile radius,” Srila Prabhupada said during the Gaura Purnima Festival in Mayapur in 1973. Inspired by this statement, volunteers for the non-profit organization Hunger-Free Zone are ensuring that no one within ten miles of their kitchen in Baltimore goes hungry. It’s a much-needed service, as […]

The post Baltimore’s “Hunger-Free Zone” Ensures No One in Ten-Mile Radius Goes Hungry appeared first on ISKCON News.

“We have to see that nobody goes hungry within a 10-mile radius,” Srila Prabhupada said during the Gaura Purnima Festival in Mayapur in 1973. Inspired by this statement, volunteers for the non-profit organization Hunger-Free Zone are ensuring that no one within ten miles of their kitchen in Baltimore goes hungry.

Seeking prayers for Yajna Hotra who passed away on Sunday, September 5th,
2021 from heart failure.  He was born on May 26th, 1950 in Winnipeg. 

The celebrations to mark the 125th birth anniversary of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada were attended by many guests of honor. Srila Prabhupada, who passed away in 1977, founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also in Guyana knows as the Hare Krishna Movement. The festival spanned five days - from 27 to 31 August 2021, with the Guyanese President's visit and reception on 29 August being the highlight of the diverse program of celebrations.

Balaram Nityananda Das, a gurukuli who has been organizing retreats for several years, is looking to establish his house in the UK’s Lake District National Park as a “Bhakti Cottage” where people can stay and learn about Bhakti Yoga, Kirtan and conscious creativity amidst beautiful natural surroundings.   After attending Mayapur Gurukula for nine years, […]

The post Lakeland Bhakti Cottage to Facilitate Creative Sanga and Retreats appeared first on ISKCON News.

The Bhakti Cottage in the UK’s Lake District National Park will be a place where people can stay and learn about Bhakti Yoga, Kirtan and conscious creativity amidst beautiful natural surroundings.  

Hare Krishna!

Please accept our humble obeisances!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Date: 12th Sep 2021

Day: Sunday

Time: 11 am to 12.30 pm

Speakers: HH Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami and HG Dravida das 

Link to join the class:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9150790510?pwd=Wk5GYXVRMkJmdk84MzZJRXBKYUgwUT09

HH Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami:

H.H Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami is disciple of Gopal Krishna Goswami and in 2014, he was awarded sannyas initiation by Gopal Krishna Goswami. He has been preaching in New Delhi, Vrindavan and Philippines.

H.H Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami travels with HH Gopal Krishna Maharaja and has been assigned the work of preaching in Philippines. H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami is H.H Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami's mentor.

H.G. Dravida das

A disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Dravida dasa joined ISKCON in 1973 and has served as an editor and proof-reader for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust for over 45 years. From 1983 to 1989 he was part of the team that completed Srila Prabhupada’s magnum opus: a commentated English translation of India's jewel of Vedic wisdom, the 18,000-verse Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana). He also helped produce the revised editions of Srila Prabhupada’s Isopanisad, Krsna Book, Caitanya-Caritamrta, and Teachings of Lord Caitanya, and he is part of the team that produces Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja book every year. In addition to his editing work, he teaches Bhakti Yoga classes at ISKCON’s San Diego temple and other centres in North America.

Throughout all this immersion in transcendental literature, Dravida Dasa developed a love of the Sanskrit language, and especially the elaborate verses of the Bhagavatam and other works of bhakti literature.

His devotion and expertise in chanting form a marvellous combination. He has a been Brahmacari throughout his devotional career.

ISKCON Scarborough

3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,

Scarborough, Ontario,

Canada, M1V4C7

Website: www.iskconscarborough.org

Email:

iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

scarboroughiskcon@gmail.com

Podcast:

Summary podcast:

Video:

Giriraj Swami is present until 1:35:35.

 

Karuna Care Education invites you to participate in a virtual Radhastami celebration in three international time zones. 
Please join us and bring a quote, story, song, picture, or anything that has inspired you about the glories of Srimati Radharani!

Srimati Sita Thakurani is to be worshiped just as much as Sacidevi herself, as the mother of the universe. She is the eternal wife of Sri Advaita Acharya. She was the daughter of Sri Nrishinga Baduri. She was married to Sri Advaita Acharya in Phuliya Nagara. After their wedding, Advaita Acharya went to Nadiya, to […]

The post Srimati Sita Thakurani’s Appearance 11th Sept 2021 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Podcast:

Summary podcast:

Video:

Podcast:

Video:

Over 30 speakers are explaining sustainable development from a Krishna conscious point of view at the Congress on Conscious Sustainable Development, which is running from September 6^th to 10^th and is entirely in Spanish. 

By Sri Krishna Chaitanya Swami

A glorious, inspirational, and potentially globe-shifting occasion is coming in just a few days! We hope you have already started planning your participation and the ISKCON Kirtan Ministry is here to support you. The holy names of Krishna are the banner under which we are all united and Srila Prabhupada is undoubtedly their foremost ambassador. Here is a golden opportunity to glorify them both - by celebrating the 25th World Holy Name Festival in the 125th Birth Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada. Continue reading "10 – 23 September – WORLD HOLY NAME FESTIVAL 2021 – 25 years and counting…
→ Dandavats"

The Ekadasi Tithi in the month of Bhadrapada, Shukla Paksha (bright phase of the Lunar cycle) is known as Parivartini Ekadashi or Parsva or Vamana Ekadasi. On this day, Lord Vishnu, who is in a state of yogic sleep (Yoga Nidra), changes his posture. Hence, it is referred to as Parivartini Ekadasi (which literally means the Ekadasi of change).

It is also observed as Vamana ekadasi on account of recognizing the appearance of Vamandeva and His taking three steps of land from Bali Maharaja that covered the entire universe, as well as his head.

It’s recommended to chant extra rounds and stay up all night chanting and hearing the Lord’s glories. It is also auspicious to donate to Vaishnavas and Lord Krishna’s service on ekadasi and we invite our readers to consider this Parsva ekadasi to donate towards either the new Pankajanghri Das Seva Campaign to complete Lord Nrsimha’s Wing in the TOVP, or sponsor an abhisheka for the Welcome Ceremony of Srila Prabhupada’s new murti to the TOVP in October. You can also make a pledge payment towards your TOVP donation pledge.

  NOTE: Parsva ekadasi is observed on September 16 in the US and on September 17 in India and other countries. Please refer to an authorized ISKCON calendar for your local date.

Below are links to both campaign pages and to make a pledge payment on the TOVP website:

Prabhupada Murti Abhisheka and Welcome Ceremony
Pankajanghri Das Seva
Pledge Payments (Pledge Payments for Indian residents)

The Glories of Parsva/Vamana Ekadasi

From the Brahma-vaivarta Purana

Sri Yudhishthira Maharaja asked of Lord Sri Krishna, “What is the name of that Ekadasi that occurs during the light fortnight (shukla paksha) of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September “Hrishikesha mass”), who is the worshipable Deity for this Ekadasi, and what merit does one attain in observing it? Kindly reveal all of this to me my Lord.”

The Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna addressed His devoted Yudhishthira as follows, “This Ekadasi, Oh Yudhishthira, is called Vamana Ekadasi, and it bestows upon those who observe it both great merit and ultimate liberation from material bondage. Therefore, because it removes all one’s sinful reactions, it is also called Jayanti Ekadasi. Just hearing of its glories frees one from all his past misdeeds. So auspicious is this fast that observing it bestows the same merit as that earned by performing a horse sacrifice. There is no better Ekadasi than this, because it awards liberation so easily. Thus, if one truly desires freedom from the punishing material world, one should fast on Vamana Ekadasi.

“While observing this holy fast, a Vaishnava should lovingly worship the Supreme Lord in His form as Vamandev, the dwarf incarnation, whose eyes are like lotus petals. By doing so, he worships all other Deities as well, including Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and at death he undoubtedly goes to that abode of Sri Hari. In all the three worlds there is no fast that is more important to observe.The reason this Ekadasi is so auspicious is that it celebrates the day when the sleeping Lord Vishnu turns over on His other side; thus it is also known as Parivartini Ekadasi.”

Maharaja Yudhishthira then asked of the Lord, “Oh Janardana, please clear up a question I have. How is it that the Supreme Lord sleeps and then turns over on His side? Oh Lord, when You are asleep what happens to all the other living entities? Please also tell me how You bound the king of the demons, Bali Daityaraj (Bali Maharaja), as well as how one may please the brahmanas. How does one observe Chaturmasya, which You mention in the Chaturmasya-mahatmya of the Bhavishya Purana? Kindly be merciful to me and answer these questions.”

The Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna replied, “Oh Yudhishthira, lion among Kings, I will gladly narrate to you an historical event that, simply by hearing, eradicates all one’s sinful reactions. In the Treta-yuga there once was a king of the name Bali. Though born in a family dynasty of demons (daityas), he was very devoted to Me. He sang many Vedic hymns to Me and performed the homa rituals (fire sacrifices) just to satisfy Me. He respected the twice-born brahmins and engaged them in performing sacrifices daily.

This great soul had a quarrel with Indra, however, and eventually defeated him in battle. Bali took over his entire celestial kingdom, which I Myself had given to Indra. Therefore, Indra and all the other devas (demigods), along with many great sages, approached Me and complained about Bali Maharaja. Bowing their heads to the ground and offering many sacred prayers from the Vedas, they worshipped Me along with their spiritual master, Brihaspati. Thus, I agreed to appear on their behalf as a dwarf Vamanadev, My fifth incarnation.”

King Yudhishthira further enquired, “Oh Lord, how was it possible for You to conquer such a powerful demon, and only by coming in the form of a dwarf brahmin? Please explain this clearly, for I am Your faithful devotee.”

The Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna replied, “Though a dwarf, I was a brahmana, and I approached that pious king Bali to ask him for alms in the form of land. I said, ‘Oh Daityraj Bali, please give Me just three steps of land in charity. Such a small piece of land will be good as all the three worlds for Me.’ Bali agreed to grant My request without lengthy consideration. But as soon as he vowed to give Me the land, My body began to expand into a gigantic transcendental form. I covered the entire Earth with My feet, all the Bhuvarloka with My thighs, the Swarga heavens with My waist, Maharloka with My stomach, Janaloka with My chest, Tapoloka with My neck, and Satyaloka with My head and face. I covered the entire material creation. Indeed, all the planets of the universe, including the Sun and the Moon, were encompassed by My gigantic form.

“Seeing this astonishing pastime of Mine, all the demigods, including Indra and Shesha, the king of the snakes, began to sing Vedic hymns and offer prayers to Me. Then I took Bali by the hand and said to him, ‘Oh sinless one, I have covered the whole Earth with one step and all the heavenly planets with the second. Now where shall I place My foot to measure the third step of land you promised Me?’

“Upon hearing this, Bali Maharaja bowed down in humility and offered Me his head to place My third step. Oh Yudhishthira, I placed My foot on his head and sent him all the way to Patalaloka. Seeing him thus humbled, I became very pleased and told Bali that henceforth I would permanently reside in his palace. Thereafter, on Parivartinii Ekadasi, which occurs during the light part of the month of Bhadra (August-September), Bali, the son of Virochana, grandson of Prahlad, installed a Deity form of Me in his residence.

“Oh king, until Haribodhinii Ekadasi, which occurs during the light part of the month of Karttika, I continue to sleep in the ocean of milk. The merit one accumulates during this period is particularly powerful. One should therefore observe Parivartini Ekadasii carefully. Indeed, it is especially purifying and thus cleanses one of all sinful reactions. On this day the faithful devotee should worship Lord Trivikrama, Vamanadeva, who is the supreme father, because on this day I turn over to sleep on My other side.

“If possible, on this day one should give a qualified person some yogurt mixed with rice, as well as some silver, and then remain awake throughout the night. This simple observance will free one of all material conditioning. One who observes this sacred Parivartini Ekadasi in the way I have described will surely attain all kinds of happiness in this world and the kingdom of God in the hereafter. One who simply hears this narration with devotion will go to the abode of the demigods and shine there like the Moon itself, so powerful is observance of this Ekadasi. Indeed, this observance is as powerful as the performance of a thousand horse sacrifices.”

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Parivartini Ekadasi, or Vamana Ekadasi, which occurs during the light part of the month of Bhadrapada, from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

This article has been used courtesy of ISKCON Desire Tree).

  NOTE: The next day after Ekadashi is Sri Vamana Dvadashi: Appearance day of Lord Vamanadev. Ekadashi fast is observed till noon. The fast is broken after noon with Ekadashi prasadam. Next day (Sri Vamana Dvadashi), observe Lord Vamanadev’s appearance by again fasting till noon and by chanting extra Mahamantra japa praying to the Lord for His shelter. Break this fast with joyful feasting of Lord Vamanadev’s appearance day mahaprasadam!

 

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On October 14 and 15 the landmark historic occasion of the Welcome Ceremony of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, to the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in the form of his divine murti will take place: Prabhupada Vaibhava Darshan Utsav.

Commemorating Srila Prabhupada’s 125th Appearance Anniversary Year, this unprecedented event is happening in our very lifetime, right before our eyes, giving us yet another opportunity to participate in the sankirtan pastimes of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates. Fortunate are those who recognize this most sublime lila and allow themselves to become a part of it.

The TOVP management and team would like to extend a most sincere and heartfelt invitation to every ISKCON devotee and well-wisher to attend this grand ceremony, either personally or online through Mayapur TV. We also request that you help to get the word out to the devotee community far and wide. You can use the official Invitation Card link below to share with others.

This is also an opportunity for seva to Srila Prabhupada and the TOVP, his most dear project. Five kinds of abhishekas are available to sponsor for the Welcome Ceremony starting with the Sacred Water Abhisheka (water from 125 sacred rivers) for $25. This will help us reach our $1 million Guru Dakshina goal to offer His Divine Grace. Click the link below for more information.

Please keep your eyes and ears open for more announcements regarding this most auspicious occasion.

The official Prabhupada Welcome Ceremony Invitation Card.

Prabhupada Welcome Ceremony Abhishekas.

 

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Conceiving the Inconceivable: A Scientific Commentary on the Vedanta Sutra

By Ashish Dalela (Rishiraja Dasa)

Are life and the universe a mindless accident—the blind outworking of laws governing cosmic, chemical, and biological evolution?

That’s the official story many of us were taught somewhere along the way. But what does the science actually say? Drawing on recent discoveries in astronomy, cosmology, chemistry, biology, and paleontology, Evolution and Intelligent Design in a Nutshell shows how the latest scientific evidence suggests a very different story.

 
Author: Ashish Dalela
Published: September 15, 2020
Book/File size: Kindle, Paperback pages
Formats: Kindle, Paperback

 
BUY ON AMAZON  

  Residents of India will have to search for this book on www.amazon.in

  View other books by Ashish Dalela and other authors at the TOVP Book Marketplace.

 

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The following is an excerpt from the book, The Glories and Pastimes of Srimate Radharani by His Holiness Bhakti Purushottama Swami. It is amazing recounting of the origin and creation of Sri Mayapur-dhama by Radharani Herself, for the pleasure of Lord Krishna.

This gives us an inkling into the inconceivable purity of Sridham Mayapur where Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared to taste the love Radha has for Sri Krishna. It is the highest of all abodes and holiest of sacred places in both the material and spiritual worlds.

We are most fortunate to be able to even touch or walk upon the holy dust of Sridham Mayapur, and with the rising of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium we are giving that rarest opportunity to countless souls on the Earth. Please use this auspicious day of Radhastami to assist with the completion of the TOVP construction by making a donation, large or small, through the many options available on the TOVP website.

This excerpt appears in our own published pamphlet, Mayapur is My Place of Worship, available to read at the TOVP Flipbook Collection.

The Wonderful Glories of Sridham Mayapur

Sri Mayapur-dhama, however, was Srimati Radharani’s own creation, to lure Krishna away from another lover. In the Ananta-samhita, Siva explains to Parvati why Srimati Radharani created merciful Sri Mayapur-dhama.

Lord Siva told Parvati, “As a bee plays in a lotus, Krishna was enjoying with Viraja in the pleasant forest groves of Vrndavana. Moon-faced, doe-eyed Radhika heard this news from one sakhi and hastily ran to find Krishna. Seeing that Radha was coming, Krishna suddenly disappeared and Viraja became a river. When Srimati Radharani arrived there, She could not find them. Absorbed in thoughts of Krishna, Radha began to think of how to attract Him away from Viraja. She gathered her sakhis together between the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers.

“She created a beautiful place, decorated with creepers and trees and filled with male and female bumblebees. Deer and bucks were happy enjoying as they wandered about, and the whole area was filled with the fragrance of jasmine, mallika, and malati flowers. That transcendental abode was adorned with tulasi forests and decorated with various groves. On Radha’s order, the Ganga and Yamuna, with their pleasant water and banks, acted as a moat to protect the garden. Cupid himself, along with springtime, eternally resides there, and the birds constantly sing the auspicious name of Krishna.

“Radha, dressed in colorful cloth, then began to play a beautiful melody on a flute in order to attract Krishna. Attracted by that melody, Krishna appeared in that enchanting place. Radha, the attractor of Krishna’s mind, seeing that Krishna had come, held His hand and experienced ecstatic delight. Then Krishna, understanding Radha’s mood, spoke in a voice choked with love.

‘O lovely-faced Radha, You are My very life. There is no one more dear to Me than You. Therefore, I will never leave You. Just for Me You have created this wonderful place. Staying with You, I will transform this place, filling it with new sakhis and groves. The devotees will glorify this place as New (nava) Vrndavana. As this place is like an island (dvipa), the wise will call it Navadvipa. By My order, all the holy places will reside here.

‘Because You have created this place for My pleasure, I will live here eternally. Those people who come here and worship us will eternally attain our eternal service in the mood of the sakhis. O dear Radha, like Vrndavana, this place is extremely pure. If anyone comes here just once, he will obtain the results of going to all sacred places. He will quickly attain devotional service, which satisfies us.’

“O Parvati,“ Lord Siva continued, “I have described to you the reason for the appearance of Navadvipa. When heard by mankind, this narration removes all sins and bestows devotional service. Whoever rises early in the morning and with devotion to Gaura recites or hears this story of Navadvipa’s creation will certainly attain Gauranga.”

 

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• 

• 

Srimati Sita Thakurani was the wife of Sri Advaita Acarya Prabhu, and she lived in Santipur. She had three sons: Achyutananda, Krishna Mishra and Gopala Mishra were devotees of Mahaprabhu. 

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu came to visit Santipur and met Advaita Acharya and Sita Thakurani. They held samkirtan festivals, and when Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu moved to Jagannatha Puri their visits to Santipur were more regular. 

Srimati Sita Thakurani would make Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s favourite food and offer lunch prasada to Him.  She loved Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as her son and He loved her as His mother.

Srimati Sita Thakurani was always absorbed in (vatsalya-prema) paternal love for Sri Gaurasundara. When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born in Mayapur, Srimati Sita brought a basket full of dresses, ornaments, silken clothes for children, jewellery and a whole lot more. 

For the new-born-golden-baby she brought fresh grass, turmeric, kum-kum and sandalwood. The name ‘Nimai’ was given to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by Srimati Sita Thakurani.

• 

• 

There are two main defects in this activity, whether they’re done regularly or even occasionally. The first is that this media always includes intoxication, graphic sex life, violence, and gambling. Therefore watching it means to break the regulative principles. What reason do we have that we should go out of our way to observe and watch these activities of Kali-yuga when it’s already difficult enough to stay away from them? So why would I want to bring these things into my own home, to give ideas to children? Answer: because people have material desires and they give into them.

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By Krishna Dharma Das

Back in 1972 I was a 17 year-old sea cadet. My ship had docked in Bombay and I stepped onto that exotic shore in search of reasonably priced souvenirs. Under the intense encouragement of a shopkeeper I came close to purchasing a fine ivory chess set costing most of my week’s wages before I spotted a little figurine of Krishna. He exerted a strange attraction over me and after handing over my hard-earned rupees I left with him in my pocket. The god of love, I thought. I could do with a bit of love Continue reading "My first Janmashtami
→ Dandavats"