A pure devotee of the Lord never relinquishes the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, December 25, Dallas
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.8.6.

“In discharging such devotional service, as ordered by Brahmaji to Narada in the preaching of Srimad-Bhagavatam, sometimes a representative of the Lord engaged in preaching work meets various so-called difficulties. This was exhibited by Lord Nityananda when He delivered the two fallen souls Jagai and Madhai, and similarly Lord Jesus Christ was crucified by the nonbelievers. But such difficulties are very gladly suffered by the devotees in preaching because in such activities, although apparently very severe, the devotees of the Lord feel transcendental pleasure because the Lord is satisfied. Prahlada Maharaja suffered greatly, but still he never forgot the lotus feet of the Lord. This is because a pure devotee of the Lord is so purified in his heart that he cannot leave the shelter of Lord Krishna in any circumstances.” Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.8.6 purport

Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.8.6

Perth Harinama
→ Ramai Swami

Perth Temple has organised Harinama on Friday evenings for decades. Usually the kirtan starts at Northbridge, near our restaurant, and then goes over the walk bridge and through the train terminal to the city.

Perth has expanded over the years and there are new sections of town where the kirtan group goes. It’s always a nice experience to be with the devotees spreading the holy name to every town and village.

Observing Srila Jiva Gosvami’s Disappearance Day
→ Dandavats

Today is the disappearance day of Srila Jiva Gosvami, one of the Six Gosvamis of Vrndavana, direct disciples of Lord Chaitanya. Srila Prabhupada writes, “Srila Jiva Gosvami composed and edited at least twenty-five books. They are all very much celebrated . . . After the disappearance of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami in Vrndavana, Srila Jiva Gosvami became the acarya of all the Vaisnavas in Bengal, Orissa, and the rest of the world, and it is he who used to guide them in their devotional service. In Vrndavana he established the Radha-Damodara temple, where, after retirement, we had the opportunity to live from 1962 until 1965, when we decided to come to the United States of America.” (Cc Adi 10.85 purport)Read More...
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Fifty Years Ago—Coming Closer to Srila Prabhupada
Giriraj Swami

Fifty years ago, on December 26, 1969, Srila Prabhupada awarded me second initiation in Boston. He said, “Sucih means purified. And another meaning of sucih is brahman. A brahman means purified. Those who are going to be sacred-threaded today should remember that they are being accepted as sucih, as brahman. After chanting for six months or one year, it is supposed that he has already become purified. Now he should be recognized that he is purified. So this sacred thread means recognition. Sacred thread means one should understand . . . Just like one understands a man is learned by the degrees M.A., B.A. or Ph.D., similarly, when there is sacred thread, it is understood that he has undergone the purificatory process under superior management, or guidance of spiritual master. This is called upanayana in Sanskrit. Upanayana: bringing him more near. The first initiation is the beginning of purification, and offering the sacred thread means bringing him more near. The principle is that those who are ordinarily initiated should not touch the Deity. Only those who are in sacred thread, they should touch. This is the system.”

Hare Krishna.

Your grateful servant,
Giriraj Swami

Tuesday, December 24th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Etobicoke, Ontario

Coming to the Silent

Jaya and I had a Christmas (Krishnas) Eve dinner at Victor's place.  He made a typical Romanian salad.  Nupura, his friend, assembled a nice soup of rice, lentils and Italian spices.  The bread was a French olive bread.  Quite yummy!  Subtly-cooked brussel sprouts and broccoli added to the greens.  And Nupura offered the grande finale of the meal with a sweet potato halavah.

This meal, this kindness, made our day.  Lest we forget the kirtan which followed.  Victor's Persian cat just couldn't make heads or tails of our drumming, clanging and singing.  What is this?

Victor showed us his partial rock collection—stone specimens from Romania, Egypt and Italy.  They are stunning.  The amethyst I could recognize.  I guess you could say that Victor is a ‘rocker’.  Also a ‘rocker’ in the sense that he is taking the spiritual path more seriously than most others.  His friends don't understand why a cool guy would forsake booze and weed for God.

I recently cast him in our play, “The Gita" because he has the semblance of a fair-looking ksatriya (warrior).  I think he'll do well in that role, or service.

Jaya and I returned to our home, the temple ashram, and I suddenly realized I hadn't yet moved my legs in what we call ‘walking’.  So I went for an embarrassingly short walk.  (I was to participate in a conference-call with India).  

While out, I noticed how mystically quiet the streets were becoming.  Oh, yes, it's Christmas.  "Silent night!  Holy night!  All is calm.  All is bright!"

May the Source be with you!
2 km


Monday, December 23rd, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

My Driver and My Driving

My driver from yesterday is doing really well in his devotional life, in the aspect that he is a good driver.

Sometimes I'm asked if I drive, and my answer is, "I used to.  I did so much service for the mission by way of running errands with some vehicles."  I wasn't always so lucky with driving, though.  I don't want to say I had a bad reputation as a reckless driver like John Lennon, but by some circumstance, I found myself in the throes of a few accidents, one involving a train.  That I'll explain in greater detail in my forthcoming book.

At some point in my life as a monk, on a mission, I let my driver’s license expire so that I could highlight walking. 

For walking today, I hit the neighbourhood streets including the back alleyways.  It was so nice, and temperatures were up at ten degrees Celsius.  At junctures, I could not avoid traffic.  Those convenient monsters are always something to look out for.  Such is life.  One does have to turn one's head in at least two directions before making a move forward.  Caution is always a watch world in the mind of a walker when motorists are involved.

After a mere three kilometres, duty, and not nature, was calling.  Drama practice.  Our Toronto crew was all set for drama practice.  We are getting ready and set for our take in English on the play, The Gita.  Always fun.  Always disciplined.  Always learning! 

May the Source be with you!
3 km

Sunday, December 22nd, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Scarborough/Milton

I Left for Yonge

I left for Yonge at 8:00 a.m., and walked a small piece of this longest street in the world.  You can check it out with Guinness.  It's just under 1900 kilometres long, or 1,178 miles in distance, taking you to Rainy River, where on the other side of the waterway you have Minnesota in the U.S.A.

Yes, I walked a chunk of it on foot.  Beautiful day.  I was en route to Scarborough to be the Sunday Open House speaker, when a driver picked me up near Eglinton.  He was quite the far-out guy. 

As we drove along, he pointed to the grocery store in his neighbourhood.  "I was on cocaine and I used to steal my food from there."

"What happened?"

"They finally caught me and asked, "Why are you doing this?"

"Then what?"  

He explained that it gave him a reality check.  "I stopped doing it from then on."

We arrived at our destination. Got inside. Spoke. Sang. Ate.  I persuaded attendees to sponsor Bhagavad-gitas—160 hard-bound books for hospitals, prisons and hotel/motels.

We drove to Milton and arrived early.  Santa was charming the kids at Grace Church in the downtown.  We had time to kill so we walked through the historic town.  

The driver talked more about himself. "I dance to kirtan in my apartment, which has no furniture, and the guy below me bangs on the ceiling,” he said, with a wholesome pride.

"You're interesting," I said.  

The driver danced at Milton's Open House.  We managed to get 111 Gitas sponsored.  A good day!

May the Source be with you!
7 km



Is any part of Krishna consciousness not practical – what does being practical in our preaching mean?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post Is any part of Krishna consciousness not practical – what does being practical in our preaching mean? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

HG Vaikuntha Murti Dasi, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, passed away
→ Dandavats



HG Vaikuntha Murti Dasi, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada passed away.
The few days at her home was filled with many well-wishers and video chats with a couple of her very dear friends. So, she left knowing that she was loved and appreciated.
Although she suffered physically for many years her passing was quick and peaceful.

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Saturday, December 21st, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

I Burst Out

I burst out the door eager for that winter air.  I had been inside all day dealing with ‘inside’ things.  It was 7:00 p.m., and I headed for Bloor Street, but the ‘inside’ was now ‘outside’ following me around.  I mean to say, that when walking, if you have a cell phone with you, you're still carrying an office with you.  It was a meaningful dialogue, with Rajasuya educating me on all the crime that occurs around the e-world.  I experience it, and with all my naïveté, I become a victim like so many other users.

Anyway, we ended our conversation, closing down my office for a more freeing walk, while appreciating the lesson.  I made my way west to Christie and back, and while passing by "Lee's Palace," a place of music, out came a young man, who noticed me, and asked, "Are you the Walking Monk?"

So I answered him, "I'm a monk and I'm walking."

"I know Emma," he said.

"Oh, from Edmonton?"

And he said, "Yes!"

We continued talking, and then I, and he, continued walking our own ways, happy to have met, and for me, relishing the ‘small world’ in which we live, and also feeling liberated by not having that phone stuck to my ear.  

He might have ignored me had he seen me busy doing something.  I cannot think of anything more important than seeing faces and noticing walking paces, then connecting with some of what you observe.  You should avoid cars, but you should not avoid people. 

May the Source be with you!
7 km

Friday, December 20th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

A Piece of Himself

Nirakula comes to visit us every six months, along with her husband, Vaisesika, to encourage the sharing of wisdom.  It is significant at this time of year in December, when the ‘giving spirit’ is the strongest.  Classes are lined up, beginning with today, to express the joy of giving.  Some devotees from different cities have come to hear how to best achieve the act of giving.

It was today, before I went for a five kilometre walk, that I received a call from a bhakti follower from Canada, who is visiting in India, and, in particular, Govardhan, where a good number of pilgrims walk to circle around the iconic hill.  He explained how it was nice but not without a challenge.  The story had to do with giving.  

"We were walking in one area where the monkeys surrounded us.  They were aggressive, and I couldn't find a stick.  So I found a rock and threatened them because they were pulling my wife's saree... I realized at some point that I had picked up a gift from the hill itself.  The rock had the features of a shila.  (Shilas are revered in some places in India and they are characteristic of certain fine features.)  I felt blessed."

The pilgrim-caller asked what he should do with this special stone and I suggested he bring it back to Canada, to bless his small shrine at home.  It would adorn the shrine, and he could then adore the stone.  God had given a little piece of Himself.

While walking on the Danforth, I dwelt on the story of the monkeys, the saree and the stone.  I could imagine the scenario.  I was wondering if monkeys would be intimidated by a snowball if they tugged at my dhoti robe.

May the Source be with you!
5 km


Thursday, December 19th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Walking the Quiet Streets

Last evening, a small group of us met with the Honourable Raymond Cho, MPP and the Ontario Minister of Seniors and Accessibility, at the home of a Mr. Vijay Sharma.  I offered him a copy of the children's book, The Walking Monk, written by Anna Milagrits and illustrated by Olena Yanko, for his grandchildren whom he will visit in Houston tomorrow.  https://samhitapress.com/shop/138/

Nice person!  He travels.  So do I.  It's good to be back though.  The air is fresh.  Lots of real prana in the air—life force.  The snowfall came down today like magic crystals.  It certainly was pulling me out of the building.  I just made sure that my walking course was going to be off the busy Christmas grid, as I stuck to serene streets in a residential area.

I sometimes do wonder if there is peace within these dwellings.  It is hard to perceive what goes on within these walls.  At a time of the year which proclaims calmness, the opposing element could actually be the reality.  There’s a lot of financial strain put on people who are shoppers.

Oh, how I hated Christmas.  Not Jesus.  It is all this commercial humbug that is rather irritating.  The superficiality of it all, was for me at age twenty, a catalyst for searching deeper into life's actual purpose.  I met my monks and my existence changed thereafter.

I wish people could capture the essence of Christmas, which is love, and not be enamoured by all the externals.  Renounce the expensive paraphernalia as gifts.  Spare yourself the anxiety of debt.  Make the change.

May the Source be with you!
4 km




Sun Love Feast – Dec 29th 2019 – Vedic discourse by Her Grace Kamala Mataji
→ ISKCON Brampton




Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare 

And Be Happy!!

ayur harati vai pumsam
udyann astam ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-ksano nita
uttama-sloka-vartaya

Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one
who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.
 ~ Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17




11.00 - 11.15      Tulsi Puja
11.15  - 11.30     Guru Puja
11:30 - 11:55     Aarti & Kirtan
11.55  - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers
12.00 - 1:00     Vedic discourse
  1.00 - 1.30      Closing Kirtan
  1.30 - 2.00     Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast

COMING UP AHEAD

 Putrada Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Mon 6th, 2020
Breakfast................  on Tue 7th Jan, 2020 b/w 7:51am – 10:53am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we follow a complete fast from eating and drinking. We spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra. By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.

ONGOING PROGRAMS


Vedic Education & Learning For Grownups

ISKCON Brampton offers various courses and Seminars for adults. The courses take a personal approach to learning. It encourages the student not only to study thoroughly the contents of Srila Prabhupada’s books but also to clearly understand the philosophy and practically apply it. The course focuses on behaviour and character, nurturing students in appropriate Vaishnava values. Professionally designed and presented, it draws on the principles of Krishna consciousness and the best of progressive education. In this way, it is true to ISKCON’s heritage and at the same time relevant to its mission in contemporary society.

For further information, please contact HG Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi @ premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com



Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates,
quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed
to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).


Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna
consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make
Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions)


The Mentorship Program

Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It

1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.
2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis.
3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes.

To find details please click here


Gift Shop

Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your
loved ones for festivals or many other occasions??
Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your
visit. It offers textiles, jewelry, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs
inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

Hare Krishna returns to Abbey Road Studios!
→ Dandavats

Giridhari das: In July 1969 George Harrison produced the Radha Krishna Temple album with the first group of devotees in London. Fifty years later In December 2019 a group of devotees are back in the iconic Abbey Road Studios to record the Maha Mantra once again. The producer, known as Youth from the band "Killing Joke", is a highly accomplished award-winning musician and producer who shares spiritual interests and also has connections with Beatles members - working alongside Sir Paul McCartney to produce Paul's recent albums.
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ISKCON Scarborough – Srimad Bhagavatam Katha- Interactive presentation- Wonderful pastimes of the Pracetas – 28th Dec 2019 4 pm to 6 pm
→ ISKCON Scarborough

Hare Krsna 
Please accept our humble obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Our 30th-month interactive, multimedia SB katha will be held at ISKCON Scarborough from 4 pm to 6 pm. Admission is free and prasadam will be served.
You will also get printed notes to take home with you for your future reference of the pastimes.
All are welcome and there are no pre-requisites.

Topic: The wonderful pastimes of the Pracetas

Date: 28th Dec 2019 (Saturday)

Time: 4 pm to 6 pm

Summary (SB 4.24, SB 4.25, SB 4.30, SB 4.31 and SB 6.4): The 10 Pracetas are taught the Rudra Gita (Taught by Lord Siva that glorifies Lord Krsna), the Pracetas chant these mantras and see the 8 arm Lord face to face and get married to the girl that the Lord wanted them to marry and beget Daksa (original Daksa from 4th canto is born again). The Pracetas in between try to burn the trees of the world to ashes and later get wonderful instructions from Narada muni and return back to the Spiritual world.

SB 7.1.4/5: The great sage Sukdeva Goswami said: My dear King, you have put before me an excellent question. Discourses concerning the activities of the Lord, in which the glories of His devotees are also found, are extremely pleasing to devotees. Such wonderful topics always counteract the miseries of the materialistic way of life. Therefore great sages like Narada always speak upon Srimad Bhagavatam because it gives one the facility to hear and chant about the wonderful activities of the Lord. Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Srila Vyasadeva and then begin describing topics concerning the activities of Lord Hari.

Benediction from SB for hearing this pastime: SB 4.31.31: O King, those who hear these topics about kings who are completely surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead obtain without difficulty a long life, wealth, good reputation, good fortune and, ultimately, the opportunity to return home, back to Godhead.



ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough, Ontario,
Canada, M1V4C7

website:www.iskconscarborough.org

email:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com
scarboroughiskcon@gmail.com

Jagannath Ratha Yatra, Batam, Indonesia 2019
→ Dandavats



Jagannath Ratha Yatra, Batam, Indonesia 2019. This year marked the7th of annual Jagannath Ratha Yatra in Batam Island. Along with the annual event Batam International Culture Carnival 2019, Batam devotees organized the Batam Jagannath Ratha Yatra festival on Sunday, 8th December 2019. The festival was conducted in the central tourist area Nuvansa Bay - Nongsa Resort Batam.

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Message from the TOVP Chairman – A 2019 Overview and Beyond
→ Dandavats

By Ambarisa Das

2019 has been another wonderful year for the TOVP. And next year will mark another milestone on the march to the 2022 opening. On February 13, 2020, we will be inaugurating the Pujari Floor of the TOVP. It is the largest pujari space on the planet measuring over 100,000 square feet with over 20 specially designed rooms! We have been able to get to this occasion by the diligent support of all of you, as well as with the professional management expertise of our Project Management Consultancy, Cushman & Wakefield. Many ISKCON leaders have also put themselves out to help the TOVP in the final stretch. We are especially grateful for the gurus who gave access to their Vyas Pujas and disciples. Continue reading "Message from the TOVP Chairman – A 2019 Overview and Beyond
→ Dandavats"

ISKCON Leadership Sanga 2020 – REMINDER TO REGISTER
→ Dandavats

By Gopal Bhatta das

The ISKCON Leadership Sanga 2020 is almost here – only two months to away! Have you enrolled yet? Don’t worry there is still time to register for this wonderful event. ILS 2020 promises to be the largest gathering of ISKCON leaders to date. Five hundred devotees attended ILS in 2012 and the numbers have been steadily increasing. This will be our 5th ILS gathering, and we are anticipating 1,500 leading devotees from all over the world. Continue reading "ISKCON Leadership Sanga 2020 – REMINDER TO REGISTER
→ Dandavats"

SRILA PRABHUPADA FESTIVAL – JAN 1, 2020
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On New Year's Day, Wednesday, January 1st, 2020, Toronto's Hare Krishna temple will be hosting our annual Srila Prabhupada Festival!  Promising to be a great way to start the new year, the festival is usually one of the biggest of the year.

The festival will feature plenty of kirtan, wonderful classes, a dramatic presentation by Bhaktimarga Swami and a sumptuous feast to help ring in the new year!  You won’t want to miss it!  There will be no better way to usher in the new year on an auspicious note!

Schedule (Subject to change):

4:00pm-4:30pm: Kirtan
4:30pm-4:40pm: Welcome and Announcements
4:40pm-5:00pm: Guru Puja
5:00pm-5:15pm: Special Announcement
5:15-6:00pm: Dramatic Presentation by Bhaktimarga Swami
6:00pm-6:30pm: Arati
6:30pm: Free Vegetarian Feast



Simple Spirituality with HG Sankarshan Das Adikari and HG Vishnupriya devi dasi
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

HG Sankarshan Das Adikari and HG Vishnupriya devi dasi will be visiting the Greater Toronto Area and conducting various events under the theme of simple spiritual solutions for the problems of your life. The following programs will be conducted at ISKCON Toronto:


  • Sun 29 Dec 2019 7:45 AM – ISKCON Toronto – Srimad Bhagavatam Class
  • Tue 31 Dec 2019 6:00 PM – ISKCON Toronto – Tuesday Sanga
  • Fri 3 Jan 2020 7:45 AM – ISKCON Toronto – Srimad Bhagavatam Class
  • Sat 4 Jan 2020 7:45 AM – ISKCON Toronto – Srimad Bhagavatam Class
  • Sun 5 Jan 2020 5 PM – ISKCON Toronto – Sunday Feast Class
For more information about these about other events please visit: https://dasadas.com/simple/ and https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/simple-spirituality-tickets-86974064769


New Year’s Eve Harinam
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

As we do every year, devotees gather at the temple on New Year's Eve and then head over to City Hall to join the tens of thousands of revelers, ushering in the new year. However, we come armed with our drums, karatalas (cymbals) and voices as well!

Here's all that you need to know about this evening:
6:00pm-8:00pm - Tuesday Sanga (Our Weekly Tuesday Gathering)
9:00pm-10:00pm - Informal Kirtan
10:30pm (approx) - Bundle up and off to Rosedale station.
11:30pm - We will start chanting in front of Old City Hall (NE corner of Bay & Queen)
12:00am - the kirtan will reach it's peak as fireworks set the sky ablaze!
1:30am (approx) - We'll get back on the subway and make our way back to the temple


Some tips to keep in mind for this evening:

  • Come early to the temple - enjoy the kirtan and association of devotees before we head out to City Hall.
  • Dress warmly - it will be chilly, so dress in layers!
  • Don't worry about weather - whether it be snow, rain, hail or sleet, we will usher in the new year with kirtan!
  • Bring your voices - don't forget to chant with all of your hearts!

Message from the TOVP Chairman – A 2019 Overview and Beyond
- TOVP.org

Dear Devotees and Supporters of the TOVP,

Hare Krishna! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

2019 has been another wonderful year for the TOVP. And next year will mark another milestone on the march to the 2022 opening. On February 13, 2020, we will be inaugurating the Pujari Floor of the TOVP. It is the largest pujari space on the planet measuring over 100,000 square feet with over 20 specially designed rooms! We have been able to get to this occasion by the diligent support of all of you, as well as with the professional management expertise of our Project Management Consultancy, Cushman & Wakefield. Many ISKCON leaders have also put themselves out to help the TOVP in the final stretch. We are especially grateful for the gurus who gave access to their Vyas Pujas and disciples.

Sadbhuja prabhu and his entire crew have been working feverishly to add elements to the temples’ exterior which will beautify the temple for the upcoming public unveiling. Vilasini devi dasi and the Design Department have finalized the design and details of the temple, and Svaha devi dasi has finished the design for Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasasana. Locan prabhu has been finalizing the work for the new Srila Prabhupada murti, which is jaw-dropping in its beauty.

We are continuing to fundraise around the world and in India. Now is the optimum time for those who have pledged to fulfill their obligation. In 2021 we will present a custom-designed, gold-embroidered masterpiece book made by Madhusevita prabhu to Srila Prabhupada on his 125th Vyasa Puja, inscribed with the names of all the TOVP donors who have completed their pledges by Gaur Purnima 2021. Don’t miss this opportunity! Complete your pledge by 2021 to be included.

Also of importance is the release of our New and Improved TOVP App. The unique feature of the App is that donations and pledges can be made directly on the App for easy giving. And the new TOVP texting program gives us another layer of communication to stay in touch with donors worldwide and provide updates and news.

The TOVP is gaining a higher profile, even in the eyes outside of ISKCON. In 2018, the Chief Minister of West Bengal visited Sridham Mayapur. It was the first visit of a CM ever! She has promised to help make Mayapur a recognized tourist hub for India. The government is helping untangle some land issues, expanding road access, and will be doing major promotion to bring tourists to Mayapur. This is what Srila Prabhupada wanted, and as he told me once, ” better late than never.”

Lastly, in January, 2020 we will be rolling out the Steps of Surrender Campaign as part of our New Year’s Resolution promotion. Through this campaign the 108 steps leading to the main entrance of the TOVP will be made available for sponsorship. But more importantly, the New Year’s Resolution initiative is to remind all of us to keep our commitments to our pledges and to the fulfillment of Srila Prabhupada’s TOVP project to complete the long-awaited new home of our beloved world Deities Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva and Sri Nrsimha, and the life-changing, historic Vedic planetarium by 2022.

I offer my humble dandavats to all of you and thank you sincerely for helping make the TOVP a reality. And I personally wish you a very Krishna conscious and blessed year ahead in the service of the Lord. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and the previous acharyas!

Your servant,
Ambarisa das

 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

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The post Message from the TOVP Chairman – A 2019 Overview and Beyond appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

TOVP New Year’s Resolutions 2020
- TOVP.org

As 2019 comes to a close, we at the TOVP are becoming ever more conscious that in two years we will be opening the TOVP to the world. This is cause for great celebration and anticipation as the long-awaited new home of our world Deities at ISKCON’s World Headquarters in the most sacred place of Sridham Mayapur, on the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON Mayapur becomes a reality. And the great Vedic chandelier of the universe manifests to challenge the materialistic and unauthorized cosmic model of modern science.

At this time we humbly beg every donor and supporter of the TOVP make one or all of the following New Year’s Resolutions to ensure that we can fulfill this solemn responsibility to our acharyas, and further expand the mission of Lord Caitanya to every town and village:

Resolutions

  • Make a sankalpa to complete your TOVP pledge this year
  • Make another pledge according to your means
  • Tell your friends and relatives to help
  • Pray every day for the successful completion by 2022

TOVP Prayer

Oh Radha Madhav, Asta-sakhis, Sri Mahaprabhu,
Oh Pancha-tattva, great acharyas! If it pleases You,
Build Your temple, born of Srila Prabhupada’s heart.
Oh Lord Nrsimhadev, please help me. Let me do my part.

As part of the New Year we are launching the new Steps of Surrender Campaign. 108 steps lead from the ground floor to the entrance of the TOVP and now you can sponsor one of those steps and serve the lotus feet of all who come to visit for thousands of years to come. For more information go here.

 

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The post TOVP New Year’s Resolutions 2020 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

The Greatness of Ancient Vedic India’s Developments
→ Dandavats

By Sri Nandanandana dasa

When we talk about the planet's earliest civilization, we are talking about the world's earliest sophisticated society after the last ice age. This means that according to the Vedic time tables, various forms of civilization have been existing for millions of years Continue reading "The Greatness of Ancient Vedic India’s Developments
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