Talented Kirtaniya suddenly departs
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Deena Bandhu Das: Please join us in prayers! The pioneer of preaching in Bangladesh and a very dear disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami, Krishna Kirtan Prabhu, just departed last night! He was very famous for his wonderful sweet kirtans. He was one of the jewels of ISKCON kirtaniyas who knew all the traditional Padavali tunes of Vaisnava bhajans. HG Krishna Kirtan did a program last night near Dinajpur, Bangladesh, with kirtan and wonderful Hari Katha! Afterward, he honored prasadam, felt ill, and lay down. Close to midnight he departed!

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Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama 2021 Day 3!
→ Mayapur.com

From Mayapur main gate, devotees once again set out on parikrama for the 3rd day. The experience and mood one relish from going for parikrama is indescribable, every year it’s a different story, feelings, experience and altogether a different Bhava! Rushing down for Mangal-arati, I could tell the atmosphere is always different at this time […]

The post Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama 2021 Day 3! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Attraction for the Supreme Personality of Godhead Shri Krishna is the highest perfection of religion (video)
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Lord Brahma studied with great attention, concentrating on the purpose of the Vedas, and after scrutinizingly examining the whole process, he ascertained that becoming a pure, unalloyed devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the topmost perfection of all religious principles

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Teachings of Lord Chaitanya (video)
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HH Bhakti Prema Swami, born on 31st December 1967, came in contact with ISKCON in 1994 and joined as a full‐time devotee in 1995 in Mayapur. He received initiation in the family of Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada from His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami Maharaj. He came in Krishna Consciousness in 1994. Since 1994 , when he was 27, he is serving in the mission of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. He sings Vaisnav Bhajans melodiously and beautifully explains their purports. He focuses on establishing loving relationship with devotees and everyone else.

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Approaching Radha Krishna through Gaura Nitai (video)
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Maharaj joined ISKCON, in Bury Place London, 1973. In 1974, by the mercy of the devotees, Maharaj had been invited to South Africa to help propagate the teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Having been inspired by his spiritual master, Maharaj started the legendary tent campaign. Through the years, it has attracted thousands through kirtan, lectures, dramas, and sumptuous prasadam (sanctified food).

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Why I Decided That Getting Vaccinated Was the Right Choice for Me
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By Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Swami

Many times in life we have heard the saying, “A single twig will break, but the bundle of twigs is strong.” For practicing devotees the connotation was that we always live, practice, and teach in the society of like-minded Vaisnavas. Then we will maintain spiritual strength. Yet, this past year has given us a new perspective on the simple understanding that in unity we remain strong and withstand weakness. Continue reading "Why I Decided That Getting Vaccinated Was the Right Choice for Me
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Namo Maha Vadanyaya Meets Namo Brahmanya Devaya (video)
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By GBC SPT

What we are discussing today is from that time of Mahaprabhu where He was traveling for six years and He set off from Jagannath Puri towards south India. When Mahaprabhu set out for this journey, Srila Prabhupada has helped us understand there were many reasons that are why He set off for this journey. One of the reasons was that He wanted to visit all the holy places. Yes that's a reason that's expressed, but through the travel of the holy places, within this section that we'll be reading today, it is described that actually by His travel He made these holy places of pilgrimage, He actually was enhancing them to be higher and higher realms of pilgrimage, so that's another internal reason Continue reading "Namo Maha Vadanyaya Meets Namo Brahmanya Devaya (video)
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ISKCON Scarborough – Virtual multimedia class – HG Dravida das – Sunday 21st Mar 2021 – 11 am to 12 noon- "Prayers in Krsna Consciousness"
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Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Date: 21st Mar 2021
Day: Sunday
Time: 11 am to 12 noon
Topic: "Prayers in Krsna Consciousness"
Speaker: H.G. Dravida das

Link to join the class from your desktop or laptop:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9150790510?pwd=Wk5GYXVRMkJmdk84MzZJRXBKYUgwUT09


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

Finding happiness amidst struggles
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 22 November 2020, Simhachalam, Germany, Caitanya Caritamrta 9.36)

It is that pure devotional service that can completely satisfy the heart. Therefore, it is attractive. And therefore, the sankirtana devotee has absorbed himself in drinking this transcendental nectar. He is relishing it and then whatever is overflowing from his genuine enthusiasm, he is trying to hear about Krsna, to glorify Krsna, to serve Krsna – bhaje Krsna bolo Krsna kore Krsna sikha! Chant the Holy Name of Krsna and follow the teachings of Krsna. And when all that absorption if there, then it is possible to perform the sankirtana yajna. The sankirtana yajna, in other words, is very simple. Srila Prabhupada said that it is very easy, just show people how happy you are. Of course, that is a little challenging for us to actually experience happiness. But if we think about it, the material world is not an easy place. The material body is not an easy machine, the material body always does something, and over time, it gets more problematic. The material body has its limitations, and so it is said that the living being in this material world is prakrti-sthani karsati, struggling with the material energy.

In the material world, people are suffering everywhere. They may project an image of great success and they may tell themselves so – yes, I am a success. I am very successful in my life, but it is very thin. Very thin. Thin eyes, very thin eyes. It is not very strong. Therefore, their conviction, their happiness, is not very strong. The vaisnava on the other hand is happy, happy because they are trying to be free from sinful activity. That is a cause for happiness because everything is auspicious there. Because we are walking on the path of purity, it leads to a perfect destination. Therefore, there is happiness. Yes, we are also suffering from cold feet. Yes, we are also suffering from a mask that suffocates us. Yes, we are not free from suffering as yet, but still, we are happy. Because that suffering is insignificant. We have the gift of Golokera prema dhana, harinama sankirtana. We have the wealth of the spiritual world; we have the gift of the fruits of love of God!

The article " Finding happiness amidst struggles " was published on KKSBlog.

Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Day 1, 17th March 2021!
→ Mayapur.com

Hare Krishna, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada “After having darshan of Mayapur in Antar-dvipa, learned devotees go to Simanta dvipa. Next one should go south of Mayapur to Godruma dvipa, then one should joyfully go to Madhya dvipa. After seeing these four islands on the east bank, one should reverently […]

The post Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Day 1, 17th March 2021! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson fed by Food For Life
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By Tarakanatha Dasa

The Prime Minister said he had a confession to make. "When I was about 17, I took my girlfriend who later became my wife. I was so poor. I didn't know where to take her for lunch." the Prime Minister revealed, "I took her to the Hare Krishna place in SoHo. I don't know if it still exists. They gave us some free curry and dal. It was very useful. I was able to treat her to lunch. It was such a wonderful thing." Continue reading "UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson fed by Food For Life
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New Gokula Farm – Newsletter March 2021
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Due to the cancellation of the Rathayatra festival devotees came together to perform a parikrama around the farm. The beautiful deities of Guara Nitai were taken on a tour of the picturesque New Gokula Farm. The mood of devotion was amplified as devotees exuberantly played instruments, sang and clapped for the pleasure of the Lord.

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Sri Purusottama Dasa Thakura
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Sri Purusottama Thakura had three main disciples: Sri Madhavacarya, Sri Yadavacarya and Devakinandana dasa, who were born in Kulina brahmana families. Madhavacarya married Nityananda Prabhu’s daughter, Ganga-devi. Devakinandana was the author of the book Vaishnav-vandane. Purusottama Thakura’s Sripat was previously at Sukhasagar. Now his Deities are at Candriya Gram.

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Approaching Radha Krishna through Gaura Nitai (video)
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By GBC SPT

In our Krishna conscious movement we should follow in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya and the six Goswamis of Vrindavan. They were always serving Krishna in the mood of separation, they never said now I've seen Krishna or last night I danced with Krishna no they were crying where is Krishna and they were always searching after Him wondering when they would finally be able to see Him we should also desire intensely to see and be with Krishna. But first thing is to become purified through devotional service, it is not possible otherwise so keep on helping me spread this Krishna conscious movement following the rules and regulations very carefully and your life will be perfect and you will see Krishna. Continue reading "Approaching Radha Krishna through Gaura Nitai (video)
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Deity Greeting and the “Govinda” Prayers
Giriraj Swami

HH Mukunda Goswami Maharaja relates:

There is an interesting story that I wrote about. It took place when “Govinda” first came out, when the recording was first released. I was in England, and Yamuna was in England, and we sent this recording to the devotees in Los Angeles to show how we were really preaching big time to the Beatles and had done this record. But the devotees in Los Angeles didn’t want Prabhupada to hear this, because they thought it was very strange that a woman’s voice would be leading the Hare Krishna mantra. And so they didn’t let Prabhupada hear it. So, one morning, just before the greeting of the Deities, Prabhupada was sitting on his vyasasana. When the Deity doors open in Los Angeles, there is a big billow of incense smoke from the charcoals. The devotees use a lot of incense, and when they open the doors, it kind of pours out like a big cloud coming out.

So, right before this, Prabhupada said, “What about that record that the devotees sent from London?” He had heard about it. So they told him, “It is just Yamuna singing; we don’t want you to hear it.” And they added, “There is no place to play it.” So he said, “Just play it on the system, the speakers.”

They said, “Okay” and very reluctantly went and fetched the recording and played it. And it was just at the right time, and the song is about five minutes long. As the Deity doors opened, Prabhupada was sitting on his vyasasana, and he didn’t say a word. He just listened with his eyes closed. And devotees got to see streams of tears coming down his cheeks. And that day Prabhupada ordered that the song be played in all temples all over the world at the time of greeting the Deities.

Exploring the many dimensions of Caitanya-caritamrita (video)
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By GBC SPT

I wanted to create places where after people received the book they could come and be cultivated and I perceive that for the non-Indian audience the temple seen as the first stop most of the time doesn't make it and so how did kind of a lounge or bhakti nightclub type of atmosphere a place that I as a New Yorker back in my non-devotee days would feel like "hey this is a cool place let me drop by", good food, good music, good people, nice books yeah, okay! I wanted to create that kind of scene and so I've over the years so many persons from all over the world have come to bhakti through these kind of centers. Continue reading "Exploring the many dimensions of Caitanya-caritamrita (video)
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8 Steps for Prayerful Reading of Srila Prabhupada’s Books
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By Payal Shah

In older civilizations, it was possible to conceive, understand and retain spiritual knowledge by simply hearing from a spiritual master. In today’s day and age, however, the majority of us need to read scriptures alongside hear in order to learn, digest and remember spiritual knowledge. The foundation of the Krishna consciousness movement is predicated on the principles presented by Lord Krishna in Bhakti literatures such as the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and Chaitanya Charitamrita. Continue reading "8 Steps for Prayerful Reading of Srila Prabhupada’s Books
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Sri Rasikananda Disappearance
→ Ramai Swami

Around 1590 AD (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik, during the night of the festival Dipamalika, when the houses are decoratedwith rows of lamps, Sri Rasikananda Deva made his appearance in this world. His father was Sri Acyuta Deva, the king of Rohini.

At a very young age he became quite proficient in all of the scriptures. He was very devoted to his parents, especially his mother, whose name was Bhavani. His father married him at very young age. Murari’s wife Syamadasi was a treasure chest of good character who hailed from the village of Ghonta Sila, not far from Royni on the banks of the Suvarna Rekha, where in earlier ages the Pandavas had lived in exile.

One day, Murari was sitting in a lonely place, wondering when and where he might become so fortunate as to get shelter at the lotus feet of a spiritual preceptor. Just then a voice from the sky addressed him, “Don’t be in anxiety, you will become the disciple of Sri Syamananda.” Having heard this proclamation, Rasik Murari became very jubilant, and began to repeatedly murmur the name Syamananda, as though chanting japa.

After some time Syamananda approached from the distance, looking as effulgent as the sun and surrounded by his disciples like Sri Kishora dasa and others. His smiling face was like the lotus flower that opens to greet its friend- the sun, and his chest was as broad as a door. His captivating appearance was made all the more irresistable by the sweet sounds of ‘Sri Krsna Caitanya-Nityananda’ emanating from his lotus mouth.

Absorbed in intense love he moved along the path like the clouds move in the sky. When Rasika caught sight of this divine form, he fell down in front of him to touch his lotus feet. In great ecstasy Shyamananda embraced him and began to bathe him with his tears of ecstatic love.

Sri Rasika Murari then felt himself to be one of the most fortunate living beings within this universe. On an auspicious day Syamananda initiated Rasika and his wife in Radha-Krsna mantra. After that, Rasikananda began to travel with his guru, during which time he became a very intimate disciple. Syamananda then bestowed upon him the service of Sri Radha- Govinda Deva at Sri Gopiballabhapur. Rasikananda became totally engaged in their Lordships service, and the devotees were charmed by his excellent services. 

Accepting the order of his guru, Sri Syamananda, on his head, Rasikananda preached the message of Sri Gaursundar in the world for approximately 16 years. Thereafter he entered into his eternal pastimes through the lotus feet of Gopinatha at Remuna.

On the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Phalguna, Sakabda 1574 (1652AD), Rasikananda quietly slipped out of the village Santa without anyone’s notice and walked to Remuna. Arriving there, he discussed Krsna-katha with the devotees there for a while and instructed everyone to serve Sri Krsna with devotion. T

Then, after requesting them to begin sankirtana, he entered the temple of Sri Gopinatha, and after touching Kshira-chora Gopinatha’s lotus feet, which bestow complete fearlessness, he entered into their ultimate shelter.

Saturday, March 13, 2021
→ The Walking Monk

243 Avenue Rd., Toronto

 

If We Were Prisoners

 

Some folks know how to spend time during the lockdown. One real nice Punjabi family forwarded me their little kirtan, rendered with keyboard, mrdunga drum and voices to the maha mantra. It’s very nice and I’m sharing it. Nanda Maharaj Das, Ananda Mayi and family put some time into showing their uptime during downtime. Thank you!

 

It was today at 12:30 p.m. that our group of three, Dwarkanath, Karuna Sindhu and I, got into the groove for an hour-long chanting session; for a Kirtan Mela. Since the pandemic began, many such chanting programs have been afloat throughout the globe. It really is the superlative way to spend time when movement and interaction is restricted. Imagine you are in prison, what would you do to keep sanity intact? The best method is that the prisoners organize song, music and dance. There is no better way to pass the time. I sometimes reflect on how our indigenous people up north would pass hours in darkness, during winter months. They actually would tell of ancient stories, legends, and even break into singing.

 

I should not fail to mention that one fine lady, Indulekha, in her middle-age, came forward to accept her second, or Brahminical, initiation. She is from our Milton community and her guru, Krsnadas Goswami, had passed away, therefore I did the honours at her request. Congratulations!

 

May the Source be with you!

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Please view our new film, Rolling the Dice:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF3legHdMgI