Happy New Year! For us, every day is a New Year!
→ Dandavats



Happy New Year!
HH Giriraj Swami: “For us, every day is a New Year. Nava-nava-rasa-dhamany. Our Krishna consciousness is so nice, the more you advance, the more you see new year, new year. That’s all. Nothing is old. People are seeing that ‘They are simply chanting the same old slogan, Hare Krishna.’ But we are feeling new pleasure in every moment. Take any other chanting, you cannot chant more than a few hours. But the Hare Krishna mantra we can chant perpetually. So, unless there is new enlightenment, how we can do that?”

Read More...
(This post has been viewed 1249 times so far)

Why do some bad habits stay on despite our devotional practice – how to deal with them?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

 

Transcriber: Dr Suresh Gupta

Edited by: Sharan Shetty

Question: Why do some bad habits stay on despite our devotional practice – how to deal with them?

Answer: Bad habits are a result of certain anarthas which are deep rooted and which may have come from our past life. By the initial practice of Krishna consciousness, some or many of those habits go away but some remain due to multiple reasons. One reason is that such impressions are deep, but another important reason is that we indulge in them quite often. For example, if a person has got rashes on his skin, the doctor may advise two things – avoid scratching it and apply some medicine. If the person follows both the instructions, the rash will be cured but if the person applies the medicine and at the same time secretly scratches the rash, then it will take much longer to cure. In general, habits persist longer when we also indulge in them. Before coming to Krishna consciousness, many devotees found it difficult to give up tea but after practising Krishna consciousness, they found that the temptation went away. If we minimise indulging on our indulgences then it is relatively easier for us to experience the purifying potency of Krishna consciousness, but when we indulge privately, then it will take a long time to cure.
Sometimes fault-finding is not necessarily bad. If we are in a leadership position where we have to train someone, then it may involve some fault finding to improve them. Thus, the problem is – when one finds faults all the time. If our relationship with others is based only on finding faults in them, then we strain the relationship.

His Holiness Satsvarupa Maharaj, in one of his books writes that once Srila Prabhupada was going for some TV programme. At that time, Prabhupada was little sick and had just recovered. In that state, he applied his tilak little twisted. So Satsvarupa Maharaj was wondering whether to tell Srila Prabhupada about this or not. He thought, “Should I tell my spiritual master that the tilak is twisted or should I consider that in the case of my spiritual master, the tilted is straight.” While thinking, he remembered that in the early days, once when Prabhupada was writing his book, he had stated a word while dictating that was not present in the dictionary. So all the devotees gathered and were thinking what to do in this situation. One of them said that since a pure devotee has used it rather than changing the pure devotee, we should change the dictionary and avoid using it in this case. One of the devotees suggested that we should ask Srila Prabhupada and hence they later changed the word as per Prabhupada’s instructions. This shows how eminently practical Srila Prabhupada was. The point here is that there are certain situations where fault finding is simply to facilitate or increase the service of Krishna.

The question may arise, how to avoid fault finding from becoming the basis or centre of our relationship? The answer is by trying to see the positive things in others. If we find it difficult to see good things in a person then we can talk with someone who has a good relationship with that person. Through them we can learn the positive side of that person which will help us see the good in them. So, fault-finding is definitely not the same as constructive criticism. Srila Rupa Goswami explains in The Nectar of Instruction Text 4 – guhyam akhyati pṛcchati which is one of the limbs of sadhu sangha (association of devotees) to share our heart with the other person and to hear from them. Therefore, it is not that all fault finding is bad, but when fault-finding becomes centre of relationship then it becomes a problem. There is a prayer in the Upanishads which says, “let good thoughts come to me from everywhere” and this is an exercise which we can try if we are having lot of relationship problems. It may sound simple but its practical application is very tough.

That is why, we should try to see the good in others first. It is difficult when we have a negative relation with the other person but if we put in conscious efforts then eventually seeing the good in others first becomes a habit. Lord Krishna uses the word manah prasadah (satisfaction) in Bhagavad-gita 17.16 to describe one of the austerities of mind. Interestingly, the word satisfaction is generally used as an emotion but a deeper understanding reveals that satisfaction is a conscious decision. Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport that the more we think of sense enjoyment, the more the mind becomes dissatisfied. The best course is to divert the mind to the Vedic literature, which is full of satisfying stories, as in the Puraṇas and the Mahabharata. Thus, we can see that satisfaction is not just an emotion that we feel but is also a decision that we make consciously.
Also, one very good object at which we can direct our fault-finding mentality is, at the mentality itself. This we can do by trying to find the cause of fault-finding and if we do that then the fault-finding mentality also gets utilised and we can distance ourselves from this mentality.

End of transcription.

The post Why do some bad habits stay on despite our devotional practice – how to deal with them? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Happy New Year
Giriraj Swami

“For us, every day is a New Year. Nava-nava-rasa-dhamany. Our Krishna consciousness is so nice, the more you advance, the more you see new year, new year. That’s all. Nothing is old. People are seeing that ‘They are simply chanting the same old slogan, Hare Krishna.’ But we are feeling new pleasure in every moment. Take any other chanting, you cannot chant more than a few hours. But the Hare Krishna mantra we can chant perpetually. So, unless there is new enlightenment, how we can do that?”

In this conversation in Los Angeles on January 3, 1974, Srila Prabhupada referred to a verse by Sri Yamunacharya:

yad-avadhi mama cetah krsna-padaravinde
nava-nava-rasa-dhamany udyatam rantum asit

“Since my mind has been engaged in the service of the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, and I have been enjoying an ever new transcendental taste.”

May you all have a wonderful, Krishna conscious New Year.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

GBC Organizational Development Committee OPEN POSITIONS
→ Dandavats

Gopal Bhatta das: The GBC Organizational Development Committee is a standing committee of ISKCON’s GBC. We strive to provide proper organizational structure designed to create global alignment and ensure devotional standards and ethos throughout the society. Global alignment will also provide a more unified society with clearer lines of authority, culture, strategy, and performance. We believe in “More Devotees, Happier Devotees”. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our team. This devotional opportunity offers service on a global level.
(This post has been viewed 334 times so far)

New Ahimsa Milk truck
→ Dandavats

New Ahimsa Milk truck. Love (and offer to Krishna) milk. Hate slaughter (of innocent cows). Raw and whole pasteurized milk are currently being delivered to doorstep/drop-point locations in the North London/within M25 area, and throughout the rest of the UK via mailorder. We already have a very long milk waiting list and therefore the list is closed to new submissions at this time. Sorry. Come and visit us at a farmers’ market if you are in London where you can still buy our raw milk.
(This post has been viewed 336 times so far)

Sunday, December 29th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

The Park Bench

We both sat on the park bench, trying to catch our breath, after having ascended to a higher elevation at Chorley Park.  A former Lieutenant Governor's mansion had been at this spot quite a few  decades ago, but fire hit the building, and thus it is no longer.  Gaura and I enjoyed the scene looking far to the east, and although leaves have abandoned their trees, the sumac bushes near us have held onto their reddish bobs.  It really was a nice view.  

Our minutes there lapsed, and we moved on to right next to the Rosedale United Church.  A handsome structure it is.  

"Have you ever been inside?"  Gaura asked.

"Yes.  Once when it was raining and I needed shelter."

We agreed to check it out, now that it looked like a service was going on.  "We can sit in the back pew and chant some japa," I suggested.  So we did.  

An elderly lady smiled and offered us a pamphlet, a welcome gesture.  The minister, a woman, was at the pulpit, in front of a gorgeous stained-glass portrayal of a non-crucified Christ. She was talking about sanctuary—a place of restfulness, a home, a real shelter.  Of course, she was mostly referring to the spiritual comfort that is ours to take advantage of.  

After that segment of the sermon, she encouraged all who sat there to speak to each other about their own experiences of sanctuary.  Gaura and I participated, and then, shortly thereafter, continued our walk back to our mandir, our temple.  It was my turn on the roster to speak to our crowd.  I used the theme of "sanctuary," quoting 18:66 from the Gita.  

May the Source be with you!
5 km

Saturday, December 28th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto/Brampton

For the Young Ones

Today was a day for families and children.  For starters, my good friend Dr. Rakesh from London, Ontario, arranged for a blessing for his twin grandkids, Hamsaraj and Abiranjan.  They are one year old and just had their mundan, first hair-cutting ceremony yesterday.  With help from Mangal Arati, visiting from Philly, and our own Aradhana, we pulled off a kirtan chant, an arati to guru, Srila Prabhupada, and a lesson from the Gita verse, "The humble sages by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision, a gentle wise brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a man who eats dogs."

We also included a lesson in devotional dance, which all forty family members took part in.  And for the young twins, an application of sacred tilak reached their foreheads in the third eye region.  And to the mouth, a few drops of the sacred liquid charanamrta came to their lips with help from their parents.  Yogi and wife (sorry, can't remember all names).

The group ate scrumptious blessed food and went about their way, while I made the drive to IB (ISKCON Brampton) for their first "Spiritual Fair."  With total backing and encouragement from parents again, this community pulled off an all-kids display of the holy land of Vrindavana, India.  

They had constructed mini temples, hills from the area (including Govardhan), games to play, and information all expressed vocally while in typical Braj-style, clothes with dhotis, saris and turbans.  

These kids are real charmers.  They are sharp, articulate, cute and spiritually centred.  I would give a high rating to this fair, for sure.  I have hope for the world when I see such expertise in action.

May the Source be with you!
0 km

Friday, December 27th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Brampton, Ontario

Get to Marketing

Vidyanidhi is a qualified architect, who has been rendering some drawings for our temple/ashram's renovations.  We have begun a project in our building which should improve our facilities for resident monks and nuns, as well as increase the number of classrooms we require for seminars on bhakti, the devotional sciences.  We appreciate the number of people who have come forward to support the effort of this prominent building project.  Our goal is to complete the project by September 2022, which is to include a solarium on the flat roof above our Govinda's Restaurant to accommodate the sacred basil plant, Tulasi.

Vidyanidhi invited me to his home in Brampton for a meal with the family, so I got to know everyone better.  What was so kind of them was to pull together a beverage (and not a brew) which is a favourite of mine.  It is simply a drink of lemon, water, ginger and jaggery, a natural sweetener.  It's delicious and healthy.  I indulged.  It goes with almost any meal.  I recommend it to anyone.  I think it should be marketed.

My evening activity went in two parts: drama practice, which is coming along, and a nighttime walk into the 4 degree Celsius weather.  It was good all around, both the drink, and then the walk, both excellent for the health.  Isn't that just about everything? Good physical and health conditions, in order to execute services to Him and to all.

May the Source be with you!
4 km

Thursday, December 26th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

I See in Your Body

From the script, "The Gita," wherein Krishna reveals His Cosmic Form, Arjuna observes:

 ARJUNA: I see in your body hundreds of thousands of divine and multicoloured forms.  I see creatures of the water, creatures of the air and creatures of the land.  I see various demigods.  I see Brahma sitting on a lotus flower.  I see Shiva who rides on his bull.  I see divine serpents. 

I see in your body many, many arms, bellies, mouths and eyes expanded everywhere without limit.  I see your glaring effulgence spreading everywhere like blazing fire.  The sun, the moon, are your eyes. The host of demigods are entering into you.  They are afraid.  They are praying!  SWASTI! SWASTI! SWASTI!

Your incredible form is creating fear in the hearts of all.

I see Duryodhana.  I see Bhisma.  I see Drona.  And other chief soldiers rushing into your terrible jaws, their heads smashed between your fearful teeth.  I see you devouring people from all sides.

Oh Lord of Lords.  Please tell me who you really are?

KRISHNA: I am time, destroyer of the worlds.  I have come to annihilate the wrong.  With the exception of you, the Pandavas, all soldiers on both sides will be slain.

Arise!  Prepare for duty.  Your enemies are already put to death by my arrangement.  Be an instrument in the fight.

The above is recited while our actors play it out in our upcoming drama, "The Gita," on January 1st.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ktt-8gR1d/?igshid=1n1jxbkrzcmg1

May the Source be with you!
0 km

Wednesday, December 25th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Mississauga/Toronto

More Depth

Dharma just had his birthday, and to celebrate, Rajasuya conducted an agnihotra, a mild version of a fire sacrifice.  Actually, this time he gave training to Surabhi, his wife, and so the ceremony went on in what you might say was a Vedic version of honouring Christmas.  That was in Mississauga.

Back in Toronto, I had a chat with Billy, and I asked him his feelings about the Christmas season.  It can be joyful for some.  For others—a time of depression.  He suggested that we try to deepen our feelings of devotion before trying to go up or out.  https://www.instagram.com/p/B6iE7H3AsVC/?igshid=1cbdg6763p988

I then asked him for a favour.  "Maybe you can make this a Christmas gift."

"Sure," he said.

"Drive me to a spot about seven kilometres from my home base, here at the temple, and I'll walk back."

"I can do that; I'm going to North York," he said with an eagerness to execute.  

At that moment, Durjoy, whose birthday was today (he turned twenty-eight) passed by.  He came over specifically to find me and to go for a birthday walk.  Durjoy also climbed into Billy's car, and drove with us to Glengrove and Yonge, where Billy left us to amble along, going in a gradual downhill fashion.

I would say that Durjoy and I were dipping and deepening that hour and a half by walking and chanting.  The rule was: as little talk as possible.  We completed our mission.  It was good because less chat can mean more depth.

May the Source be with you!
7 km

WSN November 2019 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats

By Vijaya Das

Generally people reach the ages of 55 to 65 and gradually retire. But two devotees in the Los Angeles temple, Bhrgupati Prabhu and Sacitanoy Prabhu, now 68 and 67, respectively, are a sankirtan team. They go out daily on book distribution, except on weekends, and do huge. Recently, these two non-decrepit book distributors were in the top twenty worldwide. Brghupati is No. 6 for November, with 4,328 book points, and Saci Tanoy is No. 19, with 1,270 book points. They are good examples of what Srila Prabhupada wanted: devotees who dedicate their lives to the spreading of Krsna consciousness. Bhrgupati has been distributing since 1973 and Sacitanoy since 1979 (in Spanish and English). When you see Bhrgupati distributing, it's amazing. He has the energy of a teenager and ageless enthusiasm. I hope that they both continue for more years being great examples of devotees who give their all, from youth through old age, for Krishna's pleasure. Continue reading "WSN November 2019 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats"

When Ram Dass visited the Hare Krishna temple
→ Dandavats



When Ram Dass visited the Hare Krishna temple.
Narottamananda das ACBSP: 1969, a beautiful spring day: almost 2 years after the summer of love. Many of the students at the University of Buffalo were gathered outside enjoying the sun and good weather, some throwing, some chasing Frisbees, others chatting and lounging on the grass. Perhaps only 50 or 100 students out of 20,000 came to the hall to hear the speaker, Richard Alpert, Baba Ram Dass, who had worked with Timothy Leary at Harvard and who was known for his experimentation with psychedelics.

Read More...
(This post has been viewed 677 times so far)

Where do we get our individuality from – matter or spirit?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

 

Transcriber: Dr Suresh Gupta

Edited by: Sharan Shetty

Question: Where do we get our individuality from – matter or spirit?

Answer: The spirit soul is said to be sac-cid-ananda (sat means eternal, cit means knowledge and ananda means bliss). The principle of sac-cid-ananda is very lofty because to understand that something is made of eternity, consciousness and bliss is very difficult since all three of them appear to be unquantifiable.

In general, the nature of spiritual existence is not easily comprehensible. Krishna confirms in Bhagavad-gita 2.25 with the word acintyo ’yam (soul is inconceivable) which means not only Krishna is achintya (inconceivable) but the soul is also achintya. The shastric description of sac-cid-ananda explains the composition or the defining characteristic of the soul. Along with that, the Vedic scriptures also explain that each of us are a part and parcel of Krishna.

In Bhagavad-gita 15.7, Krishna says, mamaivamsho jiva-loke jiva-bhutaḥ sanatanah (the living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts).
Each of us is a unique individual and we all have our original spiritual identity. We are not just a spark of consciousness or a small atom made of sac-cid-ananda. We have our individuality as a spiritual person. However, from a material point of view, our individual personality comes both from our subtle body (mind, intelligence, false ego) and our gross material body. Our individuality can be known by the fact that we all think differently and look different. Even if we look same, we still think differently. For example, twins may physically appear same, but they have individual personality and thoughts.

It cannot be known if there is a relationship between our material individuality and spiritual individuality and it is not necessary that there has to be a relationship. For example, those who are manjari (maidservants) in Lord Krishna’s past-times, they became Goswami in Lord Chaitanya’s past-time. If we look at the role of manjaris and the lives of the Goswami, they seem very different from a material point of view, but they are the same person manifested in a different way. Hence, there may or may not be any similarity between our present individuality and our eternal individuality. However, important point is that bhakti means the willingness to serve Krishna with whatever we have now.

In future, if we have something better then we can definitely do something better for Krishna but right now what we have, can and should be used in Krishna’s service. Thus, we see our present individuality also as a gift from Krishna and we try to use it in his service to the best of our capacity. Even if the present individuality is coming from our subtle and gross bodies, still it is in some way reflection of our original individuality. We are originally spiritual individuals and we have spiritual desires which may get reflected, refracted, distorted due to material contact because of which we manifest our material individuality. Therefore, from a material or a spiritual point of view, we are unique individuals and we should use what we have in Krishna’s service. Thus, by using our present individuality to serve Krishna, gradually our spiritual individuality will be manifested.

End of Transcription.

The post Where do we get our individuality from – matter or spirit? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Ready for 2020?
→ KKSBlog

Before we welcome 2020, here is a quick summary of 2019.

We got a new editor of KKSBlog, released new (and free) e-books, introduced a new online shop manager, published less articles but live-streamed more videos of kirtans and lectures from Maharaj’s travels across the world. With the shift in management, there has been a greater focus on free items and streaming videos on our YouTube channel, which quickly gained over 1000 subscribers in December 2019. Exciting times!

A new editor

Ragalekha Dasi has been our in-house editor for many years. She personally set the high standard of editing and tremendously improved the quality of materials published on KKSBlog. She has been an invaluable part of our team as an editor, a transcriber and, last but certainly not least, providing most of the regular media articles with audio recordings, which she personally edited. This suffices to say that we still miss her as an integral part of the KKSBlog team and we take this opportunity to thank Ragalekha Dasi for all the hard work she put into KKSBlog over the years. Haribol!

Our new editor obviously had some big shoes to fill in. As Krsna would have it, He arranged for the perfect candidate. Already in May 2018, a sincere devotee offered his services to KKSBlog as an assistant editor. And as of May 2019, we welcomed Nara Nārāyaṇa Dāsa from Australia as our new in-house editor. Together as a team, we will try to live up to the standards set by Ragalekha Dasi!

Giving

From 2019 and going forward, we are releasing more free media starting with e-books. You can download them directly from the ebook page.

Online shop

The shop and its sales has been the lifeline for KKSBlog to cover the yearly costs. This year, under the expert guidance of Gopali Devi Dasi, we distributed over 600 CDs, many e-books and created new digital download cards. The latest release is the New York kirtan album and Part 2 is already planned! If you would like to help with the distribution or have any questions regarding the sales, please contact Gopali Devi Dasi by sending all your sales & service questions to sales@kksblog.com

Spotify & Youtube

Over 1000 subscribers on YouTube, 1200 listeners on Spotify and lots of room to grow. Did you know that all recent music albums are available on iTunes, Apple Music, Google Music, Spotify and even Amazon?! Launch your favorite streaming app on your mobile device and search for Kadamba Kanana Swami. Every stream will generate revenue for us, so we can grow even bigger!

Podcasts?

We plan to add all classes, seminars, kirtans, bhajans and other media as podcasts. Check out our new SoundCloud account or take your smartphone, start your podcast app and search for Kadamba Kanana Swami. Bliss guaranteed!

Favorite articles in 2019

The Vyasa-Puja and Braja Parikrama articles always attract their fair share of views, as do the golden oldies. Luckily, we have a new contender for the Number 1 spot, and that is the new e-book page with all the freely downloadable books in PDF, EPUB and Kindle formats. Launched a few months ago, and already going up the list! Check it out for yourself.

  1. Vrindavan Parikama 2019
  2. Quotes from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
  3. Jaipur – Braja Parikrama
  4. Media VP2019
  5. The Prayers of Prahlad
  6. Vrindavan Parikrama nov. 2018 – audio recordings
  7. PDF e-book collection
  8. The Demons represent Anarthas
  9. Loneliness is Maya
  10. The Age of Forgiveness

Which city are you from?

The question you get asked a lot while travelling in India. Well, here is the answer.

world map visitors

United Kingdom has beaten the United States of America this year with almost 3000 views more than in 2018! (see last year’s article). When will they beat India?

Financial Report 2019

At the beginning of 2019, the online shop management was changed and it is now taken care by Gopali Devi Dasi. Going forward, per request of Kadamba Kanana Swami, the financing of KKSBlog will be covered by the yearly Vyasa-Puja donations.

Before 2 Mar 2019
Hosting, security & Software (KBH)€ 579.85
Shipping costs (KBS)€ 0.00
Bank, PayPal, Bandcamp fees (KBF)€ 0.00
Streaming platform costs (KBST)€ 134.44€29.96
Hardware investments (KBI)€ 339.10€765.85
Product costs (KBP)€ 0.00
Other costs (KBO)€ 0.00€110.00
Total Costs€ 1,053.39€905.81
Total Income*€ 64.10€132.10
Balance€ -989.29€ -773.71

* These were sales from Q1 2019. The balance will be covered by the donations received from Vyasa-Puja.

Thank You

From all of us here at KKSBlog, we thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm throughout 2019 and wish you all a safe holiday season!

The article " Ready for 2020? " was published on KKSBlog.

Offerings to Srila Prabhupada by Sri Sri Vishveshwara Tirth Swami of Udupi (23 min. video)
→ Dandavats



Offerings to Srila Prabhupada by Sri Sri Vishveshwara Tirth Swami of Udupi during the annual yatra of HH Radhanath Swami to Udupi (23 min. video). Great Slokas of Sri Vishveshwara Tritha Swami talking on Chaitanya Mahaprabhu! The most beautiful video I ever saw. It is beyond words. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to all the vaishnavas.

(This post has been viewed 433 times so far)

ISKCON Congregation Newsletter December 2019
→ Dandavats

“I am the only gardener. How many places can I go? How many fruits can I pick and distribute? It would certainly be a very laborious task to pick the fruits and distribute them alone, and still I suspect that some would receive them and others would not. Therefore I order every man within this universe to accept this Krishna consciousness movement and distribute it everywhere.” - Lord Caitanya (C.C, Adi. 9.34-36).
(This post has been viewed 357 times so far)

Harinama in Sydney, Australia during Christmas (Album of photos)
→ Dandavats



Harinama in Sydney, Australia during Christmas (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is the easiest process of meditation in this age. As soon as one chants the Hare Krishna mantra, he sees the forms of Krishna, Rama and Their energies, and that is the perfect stage of trance. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.8.53 Purport)

(This post has been viewed 334 times so far)

PHP / Laravel Developer Needed
→ Mayapur.com

PHP / Laravel Developer – Mayapur.com Are you an highly experienced, ambitious Fullstack developer looking for a challenging role where you can learn lots more? We are looking for a motivated PHP / Laravel developer to come join our agile team of professionals. If you are passionate about technology, constantly seeking to learn and improve […]

The post PHP / Laravel Developer Needed appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Why does India have such a lofty philosophy and a filthy living conditions?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

 

Transcriber: Dr Suresh Gupta

Edited by: Sharan Shetty

Question: Why does India have such a lofty philosophy and filthy living conditions?

Answer: There are two main reasons for the decline of India’s prosperity –
(i) Fall of the kshatriyas.
(ii) brahmanas becoming too self-righteous.

Repeated attacks on India by foreigners led to collapse of the kshatriya (warrior class) structure who were responsible for managing the country. Also, over a period of time and during medieval ages, most of the kshatriyas had become decadent. They had some nominal notion of dharma but were engaged in sense enjoyment and were not really dedicated to their citizens. Also they were under continuous attack from others and were fighting continuous wars because of which they were not taking much care of society. Thus, the decline in morality and integrity of the kshatriyas was one reason which led to a societal collapse.

The second reason was due to the brahmanas (priestly class) becoming too self-righteous. Based on their birth in a brahmana family, they started considering themselves much higher and purer than the lower class. When many Hindus converted to Christianity, the brahmanas did not preach them to not convert, thinking them to be low class out of self-righteousness. They preserved the knowledge of shastras (Vedic scriptures) for themselves and maintained their own external purity but did not care for others. All this led to the disconnection of these two elite centres of power – brahmanas being the spiritual power and kshatriyas being the political power – from the rest of the society.
Beyond all this, India was plundered heavily and repeatedly by infiltrators and invaders generation after generation which led to poverty and disorder. Even under the Mughal rule when the plundering was going on, India was attacked by Islamic invaders from Turkey and various other places. Although they could not reach the capital, Delhi, yet they heavily raided other parts. Later, India came under the British rule who although brought some organisation (in the form of railways and other things) but at the same time looted India off its riches and also broke its spiritual backbone.

That is why, Srila Prabhupada said that we need brahmanas with a kshatriya spirit because if devotees are only brahmanas then they will be satisfied only with shastras and will not be really concerned about the society. Similarly, if they are only kshatriyas, then the transformation that they will bring will be based only on material systems; there will be no spiritual component to it. Without spiritual connection, even the best material system is not an ultimate solution. This is what we see in the Western world who are although very good materially but lack spiritual substance. In India, we lack material system, but we can still find genuine spiritual substance. Although there are a lot of spiritual counterfeit things, but still there genuine and bonafide spirituality can be found.

End of transcription.

The post Why does India have such a lofty philosophy and a filthy living conditions? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Mayapur Times: Sept-Oct 2019 Newsletter
→ Mayapur.com

Mayapur Times is a newsletter of the Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir. The newsletter aims to inform and inspire the local ISKCON community by reporting monthly activities, events, developments and news. You can download the September – October, 2019 issue here: Click here to download the Sept-Oct 2019 issue!

The post Mayapur Times: Sept-Oct 2019 Newsletter appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Kirtan 50 Evening Class, December 28, Dallas
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Sr? Caitanya-caritamrta Antya-lila 4.71.

“Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on one’s having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krishna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. Therefore if one becomes very humble and meek, he can easily attain the lotus feet of Krishna in this Age of Kali. That is the fulfillment of all great sacrifices, penances and austerities because when one achieves ecstatic love of Godhead, he attains the complete perfection of life. Therefore whatever one does in executing devotional service must be accompanied by the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.” Bhakti-sandarbha 270 – Cc Antya 4.71.

Sr? Caitanya-caritamrta Antya-lila 4.71 (Right click to download)

Kirtan 50 Evening Class, December 28, Dallas
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Sr? Caitanya-caritamrta Antya-lila 4.71.

“Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on one’s having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krishna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. Therefore if one becomes very humble and meek, he can easily attain the lotus feet of Krishna in this Age of Kali. That is the fulfillment of all great sacrifices, penances and austerities because when one achieves ecstatic love of Godhead, he attains the complete perfection of life. Therefore whatever one does in executing devotional service must be accompanied by the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.” Bhakti-sandarbha 270 – Cc Antya 4.71.

Sr? Caitanya-caritamrta Antya-lila 4.71 (Right click to download)

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 12/01/2019
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

ECO-Vrindaban New Vrindaban ISKCON cows gardens Prabhupada ISKCON

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 12/01/2019

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Founder-Acharya.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Chaitanya Mangala, Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara (chair), Ranaka, and Vraja.

1. Ranaka’s Monthly Report:

  • Lalita Gopi (Temple Barn):
    • There are eight cows being milked: Surabhi, Subhadra, Parijata, Cintamani, Vamsika, Sita, Jaya Radhe, and now Sriya, who came fresh with a heifer calf named Yasoda on October 23.
    • Usa has been moved to Nandagram to spend time with the bull, Madhu. 
    • The milk production is between 18-20 gal/day. 
    • 20 gal of yogurt and 30 lb of butter are being produced weekly
    • Lalita has replaced some of the fence in the back of the barn and is finishing the painting of the back area. 
    • There are five calves at the barn. Three (Satyabhama, Puspavati, and Prahlad) have been weaned at six months or older. Prahlad has undergone castration and is doing well. The other two calves, Dhruva and Narada Muni, are still nursing. 
    • There are five unconfirmed expectant mothers. Gopikatyayani, Lalita, Usa, Lakshmi, and Gaurangi
    • There was a festival for the cows on Govardhana Puja. Nityodita gave a class for 10 children. The children made butter, which they used on their chapatis, and also cow dung patties. They helped milk the cows. There were also 30-40 other devotees in attendance.
    • Some ECO-V representatives participated in the North American ISKCON Farm Conference: Ranaka, Jamuna Jivani, Kalakantha, Ananda Vidya, and Lalita Gopi. Many volunteers helped in the barn that weekend. 
  • Ray (General Farmhand):
    • Finished attaching the side netting on Valley High Tunnel #1.
    • Finished moving manure into and roto-tilled Valley High Tunnel #1.
    • Spread limestone behind Valley High Tunnels.
    • Cut, baled, and stacked an additional 25 second-cutting bales in the barns. 
      • total hay baled and stored in Valley Barn is now 492 first cutting and 147 second cutting 800-lb round bales 
      • total hay baled and stacked in Nandagram barn is 162 bales 
      • grand total is 801 bales produced in 2019.
    • Moved the 26 cows, consisting of 17 females and nine males, from Bahulaban to the Valley Barn. Caitanya Bhagavat assisted with loading the cow trailer.
    • Harvested potatoes from the Valley Bottom and the Community Garden with the help of Angie. 1,000 lb have been washed, bagged, and delivered to the temple kitchen. 125 lb have been sold to devotees, 700 lb of B-size potatoes were put in storage to be used as seed for next year’s planting, and 2,400 lb have been washed, bagged, and put into storage for delivery to the temple kitchen, as needed
    • Finished brush-hogging Nandagram pastures.
    • Winterized vacuum pump at Temple Barn by constructing an insulated box with heat.
  • Caitanya Bhagavat (Nandagram & Bahulaban):
    • Daily general cow care and monitoring the herd numbers for the 17 Nandagram cows (six females, 10 males, and one bull), plus the 26 Bahulaban cows (17 females and nine males).
    • Daily feeding of hay to supplement the pasture for the Bahulaban cows.
    • Facilitated veterinarian visits.
    • Checked and maintained fence lines at Nandagram and Bahulaban.
    • Mowed and weed-whacked at Nandagram and Valley Barn.
    • Cleaned out the Nandagram barn for the winter with Tripada. 
    • Stocked the Nandagram feeding area barn with hay for the winter.
    • Assisted the veterinarian in castrating the bull, Prahlada.
    • Brush-hogged the Nandagram pastures.
    • Repaired the Valley Barn fence.
  • Suchandra (Community & Teaching Garden):
    • Harvested dahlias, marigolds, zinnias, green peppers, jalapenos, tomatoes, green beans, and squash at the Teaching Garden and Community Garden
    • Pulled green beans, cucumber plants, squash plants, and the green beans that the deer had started eating from the Community Garden
    • Mowed and weeded the Teaching Garden weekly
    • Trimmed back lilies and pulled dead gladiola stems at the Teaching Garden
    • Produce and Flower totals for September and October for both gardens:
      • Zinnias – 105
      • Dahlias – 234
      • Big Marigolds – 5,370
      • Small Marigolds – 7,600
      • Bitter Melon – 6 
      • Bell Peppers – 3 lb
      • Hot Pepper – 53 lb
      • Tomatoes – 77 lb 
      • Green Beans – 45 lb
      • Butternut Squash – 103 lb
  • Angie (Vidya’s Garden):
    • Vidya Garden Harvest Totals for the Month of September 2019:
      • Carnations – 85
      • Tuberoses – 25
      • Small Marigolds – 11,240
      • Large Marigolds – 15,805
      • Zinnias – 96
      • Sunflowers – 153
      • Asters – 110 
      • Banana Peppers – 18lb
      • Bell Peppers – 10 lbs.
      • Habenero Peppers – 3 lb 
      • Green Beans – 44.75 lb
      • Cherry Tomatoes – 2 lb
      • Small Tomatoes – 9 lb 
      • Large Tomatoes – 126.5 lb
      • Bitter Melon – 184 lb
      • Loki – 5 lb
    • Vidya Garden Harvest Totals for the Month of October 2019:
      • Zinnias – 10
      • Big Marigolds – 4,700
      • Small Marigolds – 6,138
      • Tuberoses – 165
      • Carnations – 87
      • Bittermelon – 79 lb 
      • Bell Peppers – 25 lb 
      • Banana Peppers – 5 lb
      • Habanero Peppers – 6 lb 
      • Tomatoes – 8 lb
      • Green Beans – 3 lb
      • Cherry Tomatoes – 2 lb
    • Valley High Tunnel #1
      • Transplanted (Transplants started by Elena in her greenhouse)
        • Marigolds – 288
        • Radish – 144
        • Lettuce – 144
        • Kale – 216
  • Lila (Nandagram Garden):
    • Took up ground cover and pins
    • Removed tomato cages stored them for winter
    • Removed old plants
    • Readied beds for manure
    • Harvested and delivered to the temple kitchen during September and October (all quantities reported in pounds):
      • Zucchini – 14.5
      • Apple – 18.75
      • Green Beans – 40
      • Cherry Tomatoes – 31.25
      • Hot Pepper – 37.75
      • Tomatoes – 385.5
      • Butternut Squash – 308.5
  • Ranaka (General Manager):
    • Valley High Tunnel #1 is fully complete and has had marigolds, radish, lettuce, and kale transplanted in it.
    • Progress has been made on the Bahulaban apartment project. Electric has been run into the building, along with water and sewer lines. 
    • Gintras rebuilt the exterior wall on the east side of the building which was in very bad condition.
    • A 14-year-old Jersey named Yamuna died on 10/30/19 of old age.
    • With the birth of Yasoda on 10/23/19 and the death of Yamuna on 10/30/19 the herd count remains at 66.

2. External Grant Request: $6K to ISKCON News

WHEREAS: ECO-V wishes to support ISKCON News with their ongoing coverage of ECO-V’s cow protection and local agriculture projects, as well as reporting on other similar efforts throughout ISKCON.

RESOLVED: The ECO-V board approves a grant up to $6,000 to ISKCON Communications for 2020.

3. Ishana Dasa as an Advisor

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to maintain a team of advisors.

RESOLVED: The Board designates Ishana dasa as an advisor for a one-year term. 

4. Olivia’s Resignation

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to acknowledge the contributions made by one of its directors.

RESOLVED: The Board accepts Olivia’s resignation as a board member.

The Board expresses their deep appreciation for her three years of service to ECO-V, and plan to send her a letter of appreciation. 

Bhagavatam Family tree NOW IN ONE SINGLE PDF
→ Dandavats

Bhakta John: This Family-Tree chart starts at the left with Brahma's birth, thus, It is read left-to-right. Each vertical column contains descendants who are (approx) contemporaries. Each horizontal line shows the lineage of names of a particular Dynasty. All women's names start with the word 'Mother', shown abbreviated " M." The name of a spouse (male or female) are shown within parenthesis along with the 4-9 sign, ie: All lineages are 'parent-to-child' —unless otherwise noted as a spouse, thus: (+Spouse's name) A line shown across the top of closely adjacent names indicates a family of siblings.
(This post has been viewed 333 times so far)

What is the best way to study shastra in a group with devotees?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

 

Transcriber: Dr. Suresh Gupta

Edited by: Sharan Shetty

Question: What is the best way to study shastra in a group with devotees?

Answer: Basically, there are three broad methods for studying shastra in a group of devotees:
(i) come together to read some pages
(ii) simultaneously read and share understanding
(iii) one devotee prepares in advance and leads the discussion on a rotational basis.

In terms of absorption, the first method is least while the third one is most effective.

In the first method, although there is some reading of the shastra, but there is not much absorption. In the second method there is some absorption, but a deeper understanding of shastra may not develop. In the third method, there is an opportunity to get a deeper understanding of shastra at least for some time for everyone because shastra is studied thoroughly.
The third method is very beneficial amongst equals and those who are committed to studying shastra. The effectiveness of the third method will go down if everybody in the group is unprepared. Then the quality of discussion is not very enriching. We need to be watchful if there is someone senior in the group. If the senior person starts to lead the discussion everyday out of seniority, then others may eventually loose spirit.
Group reading with one person leading the discussion can be very fulfilling. If such an arrangement continues for two or three months, then subject gets deeply churned and everyone gets to read and understand the subject from different perspectives. Such studies should have some time limit or else the discussion will just go on. During study, if a debatable issue comes up then some discussion can happen on the spot but if it remains unresolved then clarify with some senior devotee later. Decide a fixed amount of time for debate and move ahead if the debate exceeds the time limit.

It is good to have a sense of momentum in the study. Although our philosophy recommends lifestyle in the mode of goodness, but our mind at present is in mode of passion where we are driven by achievements. That is why, at least in the initial stages, if we set some targets and achieve them, then it will inspire us to move onwards. It is good to be time and target bound especially when it is a group activity. That way, it will not feel like a study which will go on eternally. It will also help maintain consistency.
These methods can also be tailored according to occasions. For example, if Narsimha Chaturdashi is coming up, then devotees can meet to study the entire Prahalad section of Srimad Bhagavatam.
At times when we get busy in services, the study activity may get disrupted but there is no need to stop it permanently. That way, when the festival arrives, everyone will be filled with more devotional consciousness, shastra understanding, purification and absorption.

Also, these studies should be voluntary and not mandatory (except when it is a formal brahmachari class) because some devotees might be able to study better when alone. However, sometimes neophyte devotees, who tend to study alone, may engage in studying something which might be bewildering for them. Hence, they should be guided but such guidance should be provided with good intentions. That way, some amount of allowance for individuality can be given in the study groups.

In general, group study for most devotees is a good idea because it forms a cohesive team where everyone is centred on Krishna and shastra. It also gives an external structure for the activity of studying shastra otherwise we may keep saying that we will study shastra someday but eventually that someday never arrives.

End of transcription.

The post What is the best way to study shastra in a group with devotees? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.