Planet ISKCON

 

Mahasrngha das is initially from the USA. He has been seriously ill from the Covid virus for 10 days now. He currently resides at Iskcon Jaipur temple. There is no hospital nearby that has oxygen. He is thus reconciled to departing this life, and has stopped eating. Please pray that his suffering is soon over - and if he is to depart this life, that his soul is comforted, and led to his next destination by the sweet sounds of the Lord's holy names.

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Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

The Things I Saw and Heard Today

 

Before Zoom classes began I took advantage of the beckoning sun. I was sure this was not a singular thought. Sure enough the craving for sun, green-ness and crisp air was apparent. My favourite bench was available and only good things I could see. Hither and thither: walkers. A dog park replete with happy humans and canines. Men, women and children; black, white and brown. Not one person with a cigarette. Kids playing. Adults talking.

 

A relatively young dad was carrying a bundle of the gathered tree branches which had fallen from yesterday’s wind. His son, about five, pitched in, carrying a second but minor pile. Wood for a bonfire outside at their home? Or is it for their indoor fireplace?

 

A robin yanked out a fat worm, too big to swallow. He flew off. His neighbouring robin did the same pull and tug. This worm was smaller — very stubborn. It was a wrestle. The robin won. In it’s belly it went.

 

I was at my beads, fingering them and chanting while this went on.

 

One last short walk and I met the only person who approached me today. I was just about to turn a corner when I stopped for a voice that shouted, “Hey!”

 

“Yes?” I turned around to see a tall and strongly built but shabby-dressed fellow who wanted to know if I had any empty beer bottles for recycling. “Liquor bottles?” He then asked. “How about empty wine bottles you use in your services?” I was sorry to disappoint him. I kept walking. He went in another direction.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

It Dawned on Me

 

It was quite the humid day; cool to the feel. The wind was up and trees were dancing with their upper bodies while their trunks, as usual, were anchored stiff.

 

When my services were completed for the day, which included a Zoom chat with our Halifax crew and another on plans for our next film production, I took the opportunity to walk a stretch. It wasn’t long but it was…

 

The other day when I did a walk the length of Ramsden Park, I took a gayatri mantra break right next to the tennis courts. I realize something I hadn’t noticed about the maintenance of that facility. It was already dark and I heard two people, a couple, rummaging around in the court. They were talking. I presumed they were the last tennis players of the day but when they walked by me while I was on the park bench, I realize they were maintenance people. First she, then he, passed by carrying a load. She held a stack of tennis balls in her arms and as she passed by she gave a “Hi!” Because I gave a Hi!” Then he, dragging a baby carriage, for practical reasons I suppose, was taking the balance of paraphernalia back to a nearby storage. He also said, “Hi!” After I did.

 

It dawned on me that we just assume everything in this world is automatically there for the taking and using. We don’t realize that someone is in charge, set things up, maintaining the place and eventually may destroy and re-do the place. It must be the way of the Creator as well.

 

May the Source be with you!

2 km

 

Room at 243, Toronto

 

Two Verses

 

While keeping indoors from ongoing showers, the real shelter for me for the afternoon was a Zoom call with our weekly Gita study group. We dove into chapter nine of this dialogue of a masterpiece. Krishna and Arjuna are communicating on an important subject matter.

 

Firstly, we examined text twenty-seven which is about the spirit of giving and doing all things in the right consciousness. “Do all things for me,” is Krishna’s direction, or, as I would put it, to offer everything to the Universe; implying the Creator. My choice of words depends on my audience. It’s easy to say “Do for God!” But if I’m speaking to environmentally conscious folks I might say “Do for the cosmos!”

 

Our group on the call are all Krishna-lovers and seekers, so using Krishna terminology is appropriate. I believe that all those on the weekly call are relishing it. The discussions are great. Questions and comments are a beautiful experience for participants. It only goes for an hour and I believe those who come on board, especially from more remote sections of the US or Canada, feel most connected.

 

In the verse that follows, text twenty-eight, was also a message to savour. It tells about Krishna’s character and how he impartially offers his assistance to all entities. The thoughts and remarks which came out of our discussion were on how in one verse He asks for His full attention and in the next He tells what He’ll do in reciprocation as His service to the individual. Yes, God (the universe) offers services.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Davisville, Toronto

 

David Drove

 

David drove me to the clinic for my vaccine. I told him to move along, that I’ll take the 4 km hike back. There I was filling out a form. The questionnaire was easy, especially when it asks, “Are you pregnant?” And the next one, “Are you breast-feeding?”

 

I proceeded to the queue and submitted. “Oh! I love that color! You made my day!” Said the woman at the medical desk. It was a short wait, a prick and I was off, south-bound.

 

I came to the Davisville area and the Beltline Trail. Hey, I know this park. I know people in the nearby high-rise. I called two of them. They were making their way down. While waiting on a bench I started talking to a young dad with his young daughter. Nice. Then, while waiting, a young woman came along.

 

“Are you a monk?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“I have some questions about spirituality.”

 

“Please!”

 

Then we talked. To capsulize, I suggested she probe into real identity. We are not these bodies. We are spirits. Then identify the function of the spirit. To serve! To appreciate all that’s around. To cultivate a relationship with the Source. Contentment will come back. Loneliness fades. But don’t mistake the machinery for the soul. There was more. She was happy. I was happy.

 

My acquaintances came by one by one. At a distance from each other we spoke. I got a ride back, masked. I got in 2 km today.

 

May the source be with you!

2 km

 

Room at 243, Toronto

 

Mayapura Meditation

 

When rain comes, as it does now as I write, it sets a mood for meditation. I was thinking about Mayapura in India as those raindrops hit the window panes of my room.

 

Mayapura has been bursting with energy, with so many pilgrims coming daily, families moving there to take up residence and a new temple arising. We get reports that while international travel has been slow, fueled by the virus restrictions, attendance from all over India has been good, especially during Holi/Gaura Purnima time in Feb/March.

 

Sadly, the aftermath of the big festival in March took its toll. Many residents and visitors became victim to Covid. One of the larger guest facilities, Bamsi Bhavan, has been turned into a clinic for the sick. That changes the mood right there. Utter caution and fear permeate the campus. It’s no time to play God and think you can transcend.

 

I contemplated on the peaceful morning; when walking and chanting on the trails through the mist becomes an absolute pleasure. That was pre-Covid. There’s this nice walkway with date trees dripping with sap, which is so excellent for enhancing the tranquil mind.

 

Is there a cure for Covid? Well, here’s something that helps. Our cook here in Toronto uses the following ingredients for tea: cardamon, bay leaves, cinnamon, jaggery, black pepper and ginger.

 

May the Source be with you!

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Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

That’s Hanuman

 

With his birthday yesterday I formatted a poem on this beloved hero.

 

That’s Hanuman

 

He has the power of devotion

Weather still or in motion

Assistant to Sri Ram

And his brother Laksman

A warrior, up to serve

A person of solid nerve

And of bodily strength

He would go to any length

To recover Rama’s princess

Circumstantially in distress

He came to her in small size

To take her back, no compromise

But she held to her principal

Though suggestion was irresistible

Ram was her only man to touch

Hanuman understood very much

Though a warrior, also a monk

His value would never ever be sunk

Only compelled to take her back to him

While Ram stood at the ocean’s rim

At first she took him as adversary

A monkey to trust is so contrary

On presenting Ram’s ring token

That gesture said more than anything spoken

The celibate warrior soared back to Ram

And told of her waiting for him to come

With club in hand the primate was up to attack

Rascal Ravan being doomed for a broken back

To the one we love, everyone’s man

In part an ape, that’s Hanuman

-Composed by Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk ©

 

May the source be with you!

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Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

Meeting Hugh Smiley

 

Today I walked to a different park bench, plopped myself down and began chanting with the aid of my beads when a neighbor walked by and stopped. He has seen me around. Hugh Smiley is his name.

 

“So, you’re chanting? I chant sometimes. I learned it from the Park Avenue bowling alley in Montreal. It became a Krishna Centre.”

 

“Nice to meet you, Hugh!” I said this to the nice guy who became a Baha’i teacher living in South America for seven years on that mission. Hugh never forgot the pranam mantra to our guru, “Namah om Vishnu padaya...” since he heard it first in 1971. He also sang the invocation to the text Isopanishad right there in the park, “Om purnam adah purnam idaim...” He even delivered the translation, not verbatim, but close enough.

 

It was great meeting you Hugh.

 

“If you forget my name, it’s HUG with an H and SMILE, with a Y, if you can remember that.”

 

“And if you forget how to say my name, ‘Bhaktimarga Swami,’ just remember The Walking Monk, because it practically means that.”

 

I stayed on the bench reflecting on two good days of Zoom calls. Yesterday, a class on the heroism of Rama with a school in the UK, and an interview on the topic of “Mindfulness Versus Mindlessness,” with Vaishnavi Caran in South Africa. A few moments of pensive gravity set in, thinking about our temple’s breakfast cook. Davya Radha lost her husband to cancer yesterday. She needs our prayers and love.

 

May the Source be with you!

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Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

I Spooked Him/He Spooked Me

 

He was fully, thickly-masked when he approached me at the park bench. His name is Indrajit and after talking to him for a bit I got the impression he was at least raised in Canada, judging by his speech.

 

“Do you have a minute?” He asked in the beginning.

 

“Sure!”

 

“Is this you?” He held up his phone for me to look at and I saw myself on a chair, indoors, talking to someone.

 

“Yes, that’s me all right!”

 

“I was just trying to look up “house warming” and this popped up. Then you walked into the park, The same person. What are the chances?” He asked.

 

“What do you want to call it? Coincidence? Divine intervention?”

 

He didn’t commit to either. He was just surprised. Our conversation ensued. It turns out he was a student, and now teacher, at Seneca College on the topic of special effects. He expressed his desire to take some of India’s epics and film them, animation or feature-film, with effects and to make it relevant as well as marketable to the general public, not just the Indian public.

 

I cheered him on for including everyone and, most importantly, to leave the message of virtue.

 

It was a great dialogue. He moved on to his friend in the park. I looked away for a second, grabbed my beads and my phone. I looked up. He was gone — vanished. Special effects? Divine efforts?

 

May the Source be with you!

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McPherson Street, Toronto

 

Gently Weeps

 

The sun captivated everyone. Motorists rolled down their windows to take in the good air as they moved along slowly; as is usual on a Friday afternoon. I had my window down also. I could hear pedestrians and music blaring from the autos.

 

One guy did it deliberately — had his music pumped up and loud — as he coasted along near our temple. It was “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by George Harrison and the boys, the Beatles. I was actually having my lunch at the time and I had an additional tantalizer for the ears. This song was desert as it joyfully dragged on because the motorist was approaching a stop sign.

 

Quickly I scurried down after the meal, to meet Dharma on the temple floor. As is custom for most noon time aratis (rituals) Dharmaprana and I sing for the deities of Krishna. It’s a happy time for both of us.

 

Actual quality time came ever later when I ventured out of the building to take in the good air once again. People are fortunately strolling about. Those that don’t brave the out-of-doors may possibly be gently weeping, like George’s guitar, and for whatever reason. It could be because they are deprived of social interaction, or they may have lost their job due to Covid, feel cooped up, whatever. Perhaps a spiritual component is missing in life.

 

From the lyrics: I look at the world and I noticed it’s turning / with every mistake we must surely be learning / still my guitar gently weeps.

 

May the Source be with you!

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Ramsden Park, Ontario

 

Comfort With Discomfort

 

I took to the back alley as my walking route. Back alleys in our neighborhood are nothing foreboding. They are neat, tidy, safe and hardly a person you’ll see.

 

Now I’m not being antisocial by taking to the garage trail. I’m just trying to be obedient. The restrictions on Covid in Ontario are some of the most stringent in the world. On top of that whatever is being enforced as part of a lockdown, timeline wise, has now been extended to last into the month of May.

 

It is uncertain as to where all this will lead to. The reset in post Covid era will reveal a different world. Will it be a social-economic disaster? We shall see.

 

One thing is for sure, is that there is need for change. Over a phone call with a friend, Wade, from New Brunswick, we were concurring on the direction the world was taking prior to COVID-19. It really didn’t look rosy as far as we were concerned. For instance, obedience to the laws of nature and a seeking to the harmonization of our natural world were close to nil. That leaves much to be desired. We cannot see a world that is too happy.

 

And it will always be a place of imperfection and discontentedness. Somehow or other within the gloom of it all we are to find tranquility by going inward. We are to find comfort within the discomfort merely through a connection with the spirit. I am the spirit. I am not the body.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Here is a little report about my condition. Now I have been tested Negative, which is very good. I am at home in Mayapur and everything is going quite well. I am still weak, but my strength is returning and I feel an improvement every day. I take vitamins, do pranayama and look forward to the time when I can fully return to my service. Thank you all for your prayers.

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Hare Krishna, and today in honor of the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia - Srila Prabhupada's ′′ Food of Life ′′ mission special porridge with Irish milk, very filling and delicious and wonderful buckwheat. Thank you very much for serving on May Day also on TuesdayRead More...

This video outlines how important succession was to Srila Prabhupada and the plans he put in place for the same. Those plans were exclusively based on the instructions of his own spiritual preceptor Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. In addition it was a succession plan that was pretty revolutionary, as it ushered in a system of governance that was completely new for spiritual organisations that follow the teachings of the Vedas.

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By Praghosa dasa

As I am sure you will know, India is going through a very severe wave of Covid 19 at the present time. Many have referred to it as a tsunami as opposed to a wave and our ISKCON communities have been badly affected too. The GBC members are deeply concerned by the suffering of our fellow Vaishnavas in India, Bangladesh and beyond. Hundreds of devotees are now infected and some have left this world while others are seriously ill. Continue reading "Helping Devotees Breathe
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By GBC Executive Committee

HG Pankajanghri Prabhu, ISKCON's most beloved Nrsimhadeva pujari, has departed from this world in Sri Dham Mayapur. Having joined ISKON in the footsteps of his twin brother, HG Jananivasa Prabhu, in 1973, the two brothers dedicated their lives to serving the Lordships of ISKCON's International Headquarters in Lord Caitanya's divine abode of Sri Mayapur. Continue reading "HG Pankajanghri Prabhu has Departed
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Realizations by HH Bhakti Ratnakar Ambarish Swami

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Pankajanghri Prabhu's situation remains the same as past few hours, critical.

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By Vijaya Dasa

Here's a surprise: Ambarish Maharaja, a sannyasi from Russia, is No. 17 in the world, with 1,850 book points. I think that this is the first time I've seen a sannyasi do such a huge score in the category of regular person-to-person book distribution. Before taking sannyasa, he was a full-time book distributor. Along with being a good book distributor, he's one of the nicest devotees I’ve ever met. Continue reading "WSN March 2021 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats"

The Governing Body Commission of ISKCON, in conjunction with ISKCON leaders in South Asia, has launched a Covid Relief Appeal to provide funds to aid devotees and others in need in the Mayapur region and Bangladesh. Below is an appeal letter from the GBC, as well as PDF and PPT files with more specific information about the relief efforts and where to send your donations.

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"Glories of Abhirama Thakur & Krsna-Lord of Opposites" (SB-4.30.26) by Badrinarayana Swami 5/2/2021

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O Partha, happy are the ksatriyas to whom such fighting opportunities come unsought, opening for them the doors of the heavenly planets.

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The Book ''Gargamoney'' is now available

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When Nanda Mahārāja saw Garga Muni present at his home, Nanda was so pleased that he stood up to receive him with folded hands. Although seeing Garga Muni with his eyes, Nanda Mahārāja could appreciate that Garga Muni was adhokṣaja; that is, he was not an ordinary person seen by material senses.

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The Governing Body Commission of ISKCON, in conjunction with ISKCON leaders in South Asia, has launched a Covid Relief Appeal to provide funds to aid devotees and others in need in the Mayapur region and Bangladesh. Below is an appeal letter from the GBC, as well as PDF and PPT files with more specific information about […]

The post GBC Launches Covid Relief Campaign–Appeals for Help for Mayapur and Bangladesh appeared first on ISKCON News.

The Governing Body Commission of ISKCON, in conjunction with ISKCON leaders in South Asia, has launched a Covid Relief Appeal to provide funds to aid devotees and others in need in the Mayapur region and Bangladesh. Below is an appeal letter from the GBC, as well as PDF and PPT files with more specific information about the relief efforts and where to send your donations. 

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Sri Abhirama Thakura was known as Abhirama Gopala and also as Rama dasa Bhirama dasa. He was previously known as Sridama, a gopa during Krsna-lila,  and was the favourite of Nityananda Prabhu.

One day, Krsna, Balarama and their cowherd friends were playing a game of hide and seek. In the middle of their game, Krsna decided to go to Nadia to enjoy His pastimes there, and so, taking with Him Balarama and all their friends, He appeared in Navadwipa. Somehow or other, He forgot Sridama, who remained in his hiding place in a cave. After a while Krsna noticed that Sridam had been left behind and sent Balarama as Nityananda, who found Sridam and told him: “Come on! We’ve all gone to Nadia to play there!”

Sridama asked, “Who are You?”

“I’m your Lord Balarama. Can’t you recognise me?”

“You can’t be my Lord Balaram. You’re too small.”

[In Kali Yuga the measurement of the body is 3.5 hands, whereas in Dwapara-yuga it is 7 hands.]

“If you don’t believe Me, then take off running. If I can’t

catch you within ten paces, then you’ll know I’m not Balarama.”

“All right! Catch me if You can!”

Sridama took off running, but Nityananda Prabhu immediately caught him. But now Sridama told Him, “Now look here, You left me behind, so I am not going to your Nadia or whatever it is called.”

Nityananda Prabhu kept coaxing him but Sridama was adamant. Finally he manifested an expansion of himself, Rama dasa, who agreed to go. But Sridama still wanted to remain behind as his feelings were greatly hurt.

Rama dasa was also dissatisfied and very prone to anger. When Nityananda Prabhu’s first child was born, Abhirama Thakura came to offer his obeisances to the child, who died on the spot. In this way, seven of Nityananda’s children had to depart from this world just after taking birth. 

Finally a daughter, Ganga-devi, was born to Nityananda Prabhu and Vasudha devi. When, after offering his obeisances to the child, Abhirama Thakur saw that the baby was unaffected he exclaimed, “This time we haven’t been deceived!” Then he immediately composed one hundred verses in praise of Ganga-devi. 

When Viracandra Prabhu took his birth, Abhirama again came to offer his obeisances. When he saw that Viracandra was unaffected, he composed Sri Birbhadrastakam.

If Abhirama Thakura offered his obeisances to any stone other then a Shalagram-sila, that stone would crack. One time, Abhirama Thakur came to Sri Khanda, wanting to meet Raghunandana Thakura. Mukunda dasa was aware of his reputation and thus told the Thakura that Raghunandana wasn’t there. Feeling disappointed, Abhirama departed. 

When Raghunandan heard that Abhirama Thakura had come to meet him, he ran to catch up with the Thakura. Finally he met him at Bor Danga, where they danced together in ecstasy. When Raghunandana was dancing his nupur (ankle bracelet) came off and fell down at Akaihat, where Kaliya Krsna dasa used to do his bhajan. 

This nupur is still being worshiped along with Kaliya Krsna Thakura’s Deity at Karvi, not far from Katwa.

Gopala Guru Gosvami was also similarly tested by Abhirama Thakura when he was only a small boy living with Mahaprabhu in Puri. By the mercy of Mahaprabhu, Who invested His potency in Gopala guru, the boy emerged unscathed.

Abhirama Thakura’s Sripat is at Khanakhul Krsnanagar. Khanakhul Krsnanagar can be reached by bus from Tarakeshwar, which is connected by train from Bandel station. It can also be reached by bus from Atapur, the Sripat of Patameshvari dasa Thakura.

His wife’s name was Sri Malini-devi. His worshipable Deity Sri Gopinathji Who, after first appearing to him in a dream, manifested Himself at Khanakhul Krsnanagar. The legend is that He appeared in a dream to Abhirama Thakura and said, “I am within the earth here. Please take Me out and worship Me.” 

Abhirama dasa excavated that place and found within the womb of the earth the all-enchanting form of Sri Gopinathji. That place where the deity was found became known as Ram Kund. “In the place where Sri Gopinathji appeared a lake was formed, and the water contained therein was sweet as nectar. Whoever bathed in or drank that water became beside himself with ecstasy. Thereafter, this land has become famous as Ram Kund. Having heard of these divine pastimes of Sri Gopinathji an incessant flow of people descended on that place like the waters of the Ganges River.” [Bhakti-Ratnakar Taranga 4]

One day while in a state of rapture in remembrance of Sri Krsna, Abhirama Thakura, in the mood of cowherd boy, desired to play the flute. In the madness of ecstatic love he began to search in all directions for one. Then he saw before him a large trunk of a tree which not even sixteen men could lift. Out of this he fashioned a flute and began to play it. “Rama dasa, one of the chief branches, was full of fraternal love of Godhead. He made a flute from a stick with sixteen knots.” [C.C. Adi 11.16]

Sri Abhirama Thakura had a celebrated whip, whose name was Jaya- Mangala. Whoever was touched with that whip had the symptoms of love of Krsna awakened within their person.

One day, Srinivasa Acarya came to meet Abhirama Thakura. After touching him three times with his whip, his wife Malini-devi exclaimed, “Thakura, don’t beat him anymore! Restrain yourself! He is just a boy. He’ll become overly excited by the touch of your whip.” Meanwhile, Srinivasa had become completely drowned in Krsna-prema.

When Sri Gaurasundara ordered Nityananda prabhu to preach in Gaudadesa (Bengal), he sent with him Sri Rama dasa, Sri Gadadhar dasa and others. The atheists trembled in fear at the sight of Abhirama Thakura. He was a learned scholar of the scriptures. According to the desire of Nityananda Prabhu he married. His disappearance is on the seventh day of the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra.

The descendants of the disciples of Abhirama Thakura are still living within the districts of Hugli and Bankura, at Krsnanagar, Amta, Visnupur and Kotalpur.

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To Love God is a short English article written in 1871, describing bhakti (love) as the religion of the soul. The piece is based on Christ Jesus’ teaching “Love God with all thy heart, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, and love man as thy brother.

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San Diego Hare Krishna Temple Schedule

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Books are the Basis. Srila Prabhupada: “The books are just like sugar doll. Anywhere touch - it is sweet”

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The latest issue of 243Review has just been released! This monthly community newsletter includes in-depth information, intriguing content, and compelling articles

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Does God become angry? Can He be fearsome? – Why not! The simple answer to these questions is that – “God becomes angry when His dear devotees are troubled by demoniac people, towards whom He becomes very fearsome.”

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