Security Preparedness Community Meeting in Alachua
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Tamohara dasa: Many of you are aware of the recent increase in “active shooter” events in many different places and venues. Unfortunately, places of worship have not been immune from these attacks, which have recently occurred in churches, and synagogues. While the chances of such an attack in any one particular location are remote, it is better to be properly prepared for anything, including attacks, natural disasters, or any emergency situation.
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A Blessed Day (Album of photos)
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A Blessed Day (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday our parikrama group visited the pastime place ( Lilasthan) of Brahma Vimohana Lila. In that pastime Lord Balarama steals all of Krsna’s cowherd boys and cows. The sacred ground was deep in the Vrindavan countryside providing a wonderful atmosphere for Krsna katha and kirtan. It was a blessed day for all 350 devotees!

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Duty Has To Be Done
Giriraj Swami

“O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.” —Bhagavad-gita 2.14

In Los Angeles, on November 29, 1968, speaking on this verse, Srila Prabhupada said, “Now the question is that ‘Yes, I understand that my grandfather is spirit soul and this body is material. Still, by nature I’ll be unhappy if my grandfather is killed and my teacher is killed. I’ll be unhappy.’ So, Krishna is instructing Arjuna that this kind of distress, in this world, you cannot avoid. These are necessary distresses.

“In India and other parts of the Eastern countries, just like Arabia, during summertime, the temperature is 135. You cannot imagine 135. In India we have experienced such temperature. I have experienced up to 118 degrees. Not always—unusually. But 110 degrees is usual during summertime . . . The scorching heat, you cannot go out on the street. But still, one has to go to office, one has to go to work. There are some cases of heat stroke. Still, nobody can stop his duty.

“ ‘Similarly, even if you think that by discharging your duty as a warrior, as a kshatriya, your grandfather will be killed . . . Of course, there is no cause of lamentation; he’ll get another, new body. But even if you think, if your bodily concept is so strong, if you are sorry, you have to tolerate, just like one has to tolerate extreme heat and extreme cold.’ There is no cause of crying, ‘Oh, there is extreme heat, extreme heat.’ What you’ll do? That is nature’s law. Extreme heat—everyone is cooking. Nobody says, ‘Oh, today is extreme heat. I cannot cook.’ No. Everybody is cooking, although there is suffering. Similarly, there is extreme cold, but everyone is taking bath in the Ganges. Nobody says, ‘Oh, I’ll not take bath.’

“So duty has to be done. There may be some suffering, temporary. . . .

“You have to do your own duty—but [for the] result, depend on Krishna. This is Krishna conscious. You don’t be sorry if there is failure; you don’t be too much jubilant if there is success. Everything is done by Krishna. This is the attitude of Krishna consciousness. They have to do their own duty, never mind whether it is suffering or happiness. It doesn’t matter.”

Thus, as Lord Krishna says later in the Bhagavad-gita (2.27), “In the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.”

I pray for such determination.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Day 6 – Braja Parikrama 2019
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Yavat and Vrindakunda

Day 6 leads us to Yavat and Vrindakund. Yavat is the village of Abhimanyu, his mother Jatila and sister Kutila. This place is very much glorified by Shrila Rupa and Sanatan Goswami because this place facilitates the “Parakiya Rasa” or the mellow of paramour love in the loving pastimes of Shri Shri Radha and Krishna. There is a Radha Krishna temple in this village called the Radha Kanta Temple. This village is 3 Km northeast of Nandagaon.

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Yavat

Vrindakund

Photos

Photos by Svasti-Gopinatha, Tamala Krsna, Gauravani, Padmanabha, Zoltan, Gopali, Tamala Krsna and others

Braja Parikrama 2019 Schedule

  • 1st Nov – Govinda kund, Tribhuvanatha Samadhi, Nrsimha temple Puncari
  • 2nd Nov – Gosvami Temples Vrindavana
  • 3-5 Nov Jaipur
  • 6th Nov – Yavat, Vrindakund
  • 7th Nov – Sanket, Anjanoka
  • 8th Nov – Vrindavan Parikrama
  • 9th Nov – Unchagaon
  • 10th Nov – Rest
  • 11th Nov – Kamyavan
  • 12th Nov – Garuda Govinda, Rama Tala

The article " Day 6 – Braja Parikrama 2019 " was published on KKSBlog.

When Srila Prabhupada was thrashed by a bull
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When Srila Prabhupada was thrashed by a bull.
From 1960-65 HDGSP would wander these lanes at Chippiwada, Delhi performing His service of publishing His 3-volumes of SB-purchasing paper, checking the book-binder, proof-reading at the printer, etc. One day HDGSP was thrashed by a bull. HDGSP relates this lila—[see the sign ISKCON where HDGSP resided] “In the beginning, it appears to be very bitter. When I took sannyasa, when I was living alone, I was feeling very bitter. I, sometimes I was thinking, "Whether I have done wrong by accepting?” So when I was publishing this Back to Godhead from Delhi, one day one bull thrashed me, and I fell down on the footpath and I got severe injury. I was alone. So I was thinking, “What is this?” So I had many days of very tribulations, but it was all meant for good.
So don’t be afraid of tribulations. Go forward. Krsna will give you protection. That is Krsna’s promise in the Bhagavad-gita. [Bg 9.31]
[He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.]


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The original ISKCON “CONSTITUTION OF ASSOCIATION”
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The original ISKCON “ CONSTITUTION OF ASSOCIATION ” prepared by HDGSP and signed by Himself as acharya and co-signed by Rayama-Mukunda-Ravindra Swarup and Jagganath. Notice that all of the statements expounded by HDGSP became realized by HDGSP’s Supreme Purity and Spiritual Power and Knowlege.
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Vraj Mandala Padayatra 2019
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Parasuram das: Each night the Kartika Moon grows, when the moon becomes full, the Purnima, another 6 days to go, that will be a sad day, as it means the end of the Vraj Mandala Padayatra and the team will be heading back to their respective countries.
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Sunday, November 3rd, 2019
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St. John's, Newfoundland

To Embracing Madness

"The Great Trail is the longest recreational trail in the world,” reads the plaque, "spanning 24,000 kilometres from coast to coast (in Canada) and connecting over 15,000 communities. “

What is significant, to Marshall and I, is we managed to be there at the start of this "Great Trail" and it wasn't my first time.  Marshall remarked it has the feel, when you're here at its beginning, that  you just want to travel on it forever.  I guess he was saying there's a feeling of infinity.  We came upon many runners, walkers and cyclists despite the light frosty weather, mostly Newfie friendly. 

When our small portion of the trail ended at one kilometre, we made our way to the Hindu Temple on Penny Lane Drive.  Just before we entered, we checked out the lyrics to the famous Beatles song, "Penny Lane."  Interesting. 

I was asked to speak to the community, and I did so with an initial request: "Do you know the words to Penny Lane?"  No one responded except for a few westerners in their sixties and beyond.  Another question:  "Do you know what is the essence of the sacred tests, the Vedas?"  From that query, an interest was aroused. 

Anyway, we got very interactive during our presentation, in an effort to warm everyone up to Vedic knowledge and the coming event Gita Jayanti, the anniversary of when Krishna spoke the science of self-realization.  

An evening program was then held in the district of what's called "The Battery," where Marshall and I have been accommodated (thanks to Jan).  Our casual discussion centred on "Embracing Our Madness."  I opened up by describing the ecstasies of monk Chaitanya.  His love for God was profound.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4c1aDog8Ge/?igshid=hwto97q52oa7

May the Source be with you!
1 km



Saturday, November 2nd, 2019
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St. John's, Newfoundland

Today in Newfoundland

I had the good fortune to get onto the East Coast Trail. It's rugged and rocky.  You have to watch your step.  There's a cold ocean next to you, way down.

Marshall and I had spent a brief time at Memorial U., in the food court.  It's astounding how many students are from India.  They favourably responded to our harmonium and mrdunga playing.  They are respectful and warm.  My advice to them is: "Don't sacrifice what you know spiritually over your studies.  Gain that balance."

I think it's appreciated.

Jan, Gordon and Susan took us to Quidi Vidi Village, always a favourite spot.  Both Jan and Susan stayed on with us for kirtan chanting at the corner of George and Water Streets.  Good response!  There's a constant flow of pedestrians.

Now the streets in St. John's are interesting.  They curve, go up and down, even sideways (so it seems).  It's a bit like San Francisco.  We were playing our instruments sitting or standing, on an angle.  Furthermore, next to us was a soapstone carver.  His device was blowing stone dust in the air which created a slippery dynamic on the sidewalks.  On top of that, his buddy sat puffing out clouds of marijuana.  You can imagine how we chanters felt—high and slippery.  It was a unique location, just across from "The Yellow Belly Brewery."

Sheeshan is just wonderful.   He usually goes out on the street solo, chanting fearlessly.  The whole town seem to know him.  He is a Mauritian.  It's a country no one has even heard of until they meet him.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ahRjZg7c-/?igshid=4zzud04o2ay7

May the source be with you!
5km





Friday, November 1st, 2019
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St. John's, Newfoundland

High Winds

The winds were high but warm, and coming from the south.   It was 18 degrees Celsius in the evening when we did our session at the Shambala Centre.  That is warm, for this time of year.  The windows were wide open during the whole session, and we were loving it.  Sarah, yoga instructor and Friday night coordinator, arranged it that way. 

The reason for open windows was that my conducting of the chanting and dancing heated everyone up.  It was a good sweat.  Justin and Lorna, in particular, were physically giving a heavy output. Everyone else joyfully worked hard at the dance steps. 

"You all are going to have a good sleep tonight," I suggested. 

When I said, "You all," it meant the room full of people.  The turnout was great, thanks to our man, Sheeshan.  He comes regularly to play the drum.  The group, whom Sarah describes as ‘loyal’, all seem to know the maha-mantra quite well. That is so because Sheeshan regularly sings it. 

Absent was our dear Miranda Squires, whom I've now known for twenty-five years. She is an interesting woman.  She told me she grew up in a lighthouse on the coastline.  A yoga instructor, herself, she was quite busy this weekend. 

Often times while dealing with yoga people, it involves women. Yet, at our program tonight, a good number of men came out to dance and chant with us.

Sheeshan arranged a seven course meal for everyone.  The guy is stupendous. 

May the Source be with you!
4 km




Thursday, October 31st, 2019
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St. John’s, Newfoundland

To the Atlantic

I’m certain that passengers on the 8:00 a.m. flight to St. John’s, considered Marshall and I—who were in devotional apparel—to be connected to the omnipresent scene of Hallowe’en.  But no, both of us were, and are, genuine monks.  Jon Peters, who picked us up at the airport, knew me all too well. Thanks to Krishna, Marshall came in from Montreal with a mini harmonium strapped over one shoulder, and a mrdangaover the other.

Off to the campus of Memorial University, we went, to meet one of the chaplaincy’s members of the Jesuit order.  To him, we were true-blue Hare Krishnas.  We had a good chat.  He recalled seeing a group of us chanting at a Pro Life event in Queen’s Park, Toronto, in the early eighties.

“You were all chanting, and you had your food,” he recalled.  (I’ll refer to him as ‘Father’ from here on.)

Father asked about our community in Canada, and I was able to explain that, both here and in the U.S., our society went through its share of struggles trying to get established after our guru, Srila Prabhupada,  initiated the movement in 1965. “We were a curiosity then, tolerated, but now we are accepted. And that has been in a large part due to endorsements from theological academia, the support of the Hindu community, and our own endurance.” 

I was interviewed on the campus radio station, CHMP 93.5 FM.  “At Halloween, people dress to be someone else. But in truth, we will always remain as the self, the soul, despite even the reincarnations,” I expressed to the listeners.

Jon, Gordon, Marshall and I took to walking at Quidi Vidi Lake.  A pigeon on the path appeared to be leaving its body.  Jon picked it up and put it in the bushes. Then, I chanted mangala charana mantras.  Notably, today is the anniversary of the passing of our guru, Prabhupada.  Marshall and I made this our meditation.

May the Source be with you! 
3 km 




Wednesday, October 30th, 2019
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Toronto, Ontario

Night Stroll

The day was meaningful, but a night stroll on the street was necessary to top it off.  For my vegan raincoat—it was a first time.  Yes, the rain had to be addressed. Easy, soft-going drops fell from the clouds.  I was refreshed. 

For a last event before tucking myself in, I picked up Ranchor Prime’s Bhagavad Gita. The subtitle read, Talks Between the Soul and God.  I randomly opened up to Chapter 14: verses 21-25.  I’ll share what I read.

21. Arjuna said, 
​“What are the signs and behaviours of one who has risen above the three qualities, Lord, and how does one transcend these three (goodness, passion, darkness)?”

22. The Blessed Lord said,
​“One who is not averse to illumination, hard work or delusion when they are present, nor desires them when they are absent…

23.
​Who is detached, undisturbed by the different qualities, firm in the knowledge that the qualities alone are active…

24.
​Who is centered on the self, equal to happiness or distress, to earth, stone or gold, to the desirable or the undesirable, to praise or blame…

25
​Who is unaffected by honour or dishonour, neutral among friends and enemies, who gives up all selfish endeavours…such a person, Arjuna, is said to have transcended the qualities of nature. 

I recited one more thing before laying down to rest—the Damodara Song, in English rhyme. 

May the Source be with you!
4 km


Tuesday, October 29th, 2019
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Toronto, Ontario

A New Trail for Them

It was rather spontaneous, but I urged both of them, David and Pariksit, to check out the Brickworks Trail.  “This is where I did my training for the long walks, back in the early nineties.  For you, David, your bike will like it. Pariksit, if you want to get the feel of ruralness within the big city, this is the path to take.”  With but little coaxing, they were convinced to go with me on foot. 

We were not the only people who had the idea to go down the ravine.  The trail was visited by others riding their own waves of spontaneity.  It was, for me, the first time passing by pedestrians of an international flavor—Orientals, blacks, whites, Hispanics, browns.  People are catching on to the wonder of the place.

After going through some autumn foliage, a ramp to a road was by our side.  “What’s this street?” asked David.

“Bayview. It’ll disappear soon. We’ll be entering a wetlands area,” I explained. 

Pariksit was enthralled by the many goldfish in the pond. 

“Look, and there’s turtles!”  David pointed out. 

Both David and Pariksit took to the trail with eagerness that I didn’t expect.  The colours were to behold.  The scents of the leaves on the ground and the needles on the trees were ‘nostril rousers’.  

“Do yourselves a favour.  Whether I’m in town, or not, hit this trail!” I encouraged. I thought of the tunnel of graffiti on the Bruce Trail, which we traversed the other day.  We chanted in there. https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Pz3rKBl8R/?igshid=4u2e2h831onc

Whether the trail funnels to a tunnel or not, take to a trail and bring sound with you!

May the Source be with you!
8 km






Monday, October 28th, 2019
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Caledon, Ontario

Was Appropriate

It was appropriate to connect with the land, cows, and bulls, and to admire the many rolling hills, because today was Annakuta, also known as Govardhan-Puja: the worship of the hill called Govardhan.  To be more in touch with the imagery mentioned above, Jaya, David and I set out for Vishal’s farm, which is north of the city.

On this most perfect day of autumn warmth, the sun shone upon various Halloween displays at the homes of residents in the Forrest Hill community.  People go all out with elaborate exhibits of ghostliness.  Everyone needs to have something to celebrate.

Beyond the city and Holland Marsh, we came upon Tottenham, and the home of Vishal, Yasomati, and their children, for a meal of absolute delight. Then, we forged ahead to the farm for a puja, or worship of the bovine.  We took diyas (flames made from ghee wicks) and made circular motions around the physical forms of the cows and bulls, who number around a dozen or so.

Kristen, who usually oversees the farm, was absent at the time. However, Joel, who recently arrived from the Waterloo area, was present, and seeing to the chores.

Vishal and I took a meaningful walk along the edge of the sixty-plus-acre farm lot, where plans are set to build a new house on the property. Vishal was speaking like a visionary, regarding the need for a return to the land, animals, and overall, a life of simplicity.  You can’t help but fall in love with those concepts and their application.   https://www.instagram.com/p/B4NnEMnAYSm/?igshid=8iszvvvudw8m

Back at homebase in Toronto, Govardhana Puja was celebrated in grandiose style.

May the Source be with you! 
1 km 




Sunday, October 27th, 2019
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Flamborough, Ontario

Nine More

Our group of six, consisting of Christopher, Jaya, Gnan, Oksana, and David, began the hike along the Bruce Trail from what some people call the “Dundas Peak”. We were initially greeted by fog and early morning darkness. Soon, however, that dissipated. The terrain on the Escarpment Trail was pleasantly smooth, up to a point.
With a generous supply of rain that had descended overnight, rivers and creeks had been replenished, and waterfalls, like the Borer’s Falls, were full.  Colours of foliage were vivid, rich.  We felt blessed.  During our three-and-a-half hours of hiking, rain was staved off.  Leaves spiraled down, creating a blanket of multi colours over the forest floor.
Eventually, our trail became wavy. It was the usual Bruce dynamic of valley and hill.  Wet rocks were slippery.  Fallen leaves added to the ‘slip’, and whatever soil we tread upon was near-mud.  We all did quite good in keeping our balance.  Christopher told me he lost it more than once.  I also went for a grand fall, but with a soft landing.  Much mud ended up on my backside. 
It happened in one ravine, where leaves were coming down like snow.  It reminded me of souls falling from the spiritual realm, and descending to this mundane world.
We have all been there, I thought. With all integrity, we may call on the helpful affirmation that, “I will not fall lower, morally, than I already have.”
After a successful nine kilometres of trail walking, our group made it to Lynden, and the home of godbrother Girijadhava, and his daughter, Krishna Prem.  We were hosted so sweetly.  We all indulged in the meal Giri had drummed up, some kirtan, and talk about Diwali—the “Festival of Lights”. 
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4LTKYvgzh_/?igshid=u6t7e1ik9n8s

May the Source be with you!
9 km 



Saturday, October 26th, 2019
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 Toronto, Ontario

Everyone Must Find Their Fit

Security cameras are being installed in our temple.  It makes a thief think twice about lifting something of monetary value, or otherwise.  Some people have no qualms about taking from a spiritual place.  It is desperation that leads a person to such wrongdoing.  The decision to go the length of drilling into walls and in-laying another set of cables for cameras was made as a pro-active measure. 
While the workmen were going about their business, some of the members of our community were honoring their guru’s birth anniversary with song, praises, and prasadam.  This high-spirited event was followed by “An Evening of Bhakti”, held in the same temple room.  Seventy to eighty people came to participate in a mellow version of kirtan.
About two months ago, I asked Amala Purana, a music teacher by profession, to take the lead with the musical arrangements and be the main person behind the mic.  She has been doing a marvelous job.  It is just the service she has needed.  There is a place for everyone in the area of seva, service. She has found her perfect fit.
In our morning discussion, the topic was brought up that Krishna, with all His wisdom, has designed the world in such a way that everyone has a function and a particular contribution to make.  Krishna’s contemporary, Uddhava, became a noted advisor and counsellor to many of the nobility in the time of Vedic culture. 
This particular point became obvious during the “Bhakti” evening, when our master cook, Dwarkanath, demonstrated his expert culinary skills.  “Try this,” he said, as he poured some coriander coffee from a pitcher. I sipped. It was divine.   

May the Source be with you!
1 km 



 

Srila Gaura-Kisora Dasa Babaji
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By Chandan Yatra Das

Srila Gaura-Kisora dasa Babaji was a renunciation personified. He had very few possessions: Tulasi-mala (Tulasi beads) around his neck; another Tulasi-mala on which he chanted; and a few books such as Narottama Dasa Thakura's Prarthana and Prema Bhakti Chandrika. He refused service from anyone and would not let anyone serve him, though many tried Continue reading "Srila Gaura-Kisora Dasa Babaji
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Bondi Beach Harinama
→ Ramai Swami

The devotees in Sydney regularly go out on Harinamas all over the city and suburbs. These are organised by the North Sydney temple, western suburbs devotees and Govindas Asrama in Darlinghurst.

I was invited by my godbrother, Pratapana, to go to Bondi beach, which is famous in Australia. We went out on a Saturday afternoon and the beach was crowded with locals, people from the suburbs and tourists from overseas.

Many people clapped and danced to the kirtan, with some even joining in feeling the ecstasy of the holy name.

One Who Loves God Must Love Everybody
Giriraj Swami

At a lecture that Srila Prabhupada gave on April 6, 1972, at Tarrawarra Abbey, in Melbourne, one of the members said to Prabhupada, “Swami, in the Christian history, one of the people that many of us look up to is a man called Francis of Assisi, and he talks about knowing God, and he rates it up with experiences such as on the occasion when he embraced a leper. And he says, ‘If we turn away from our fellow, then we are not reaching God, or God consciousness.’ And this is in line with one of the central teachings of the Christian scriptures, which is that if any man says he loves God and does not love his neighbor, then that man is a liar.”

“If actually one loves God,” Prabhupada replied, “he must love everybody. That is the sign. Just like my mouth is now thirsty. I am quenching with drinking water and putting here. As soon as I put the water here, immediately the energy is distributed all over the body. So a God conscious person cannot be neglectful or envious of anyone. That is the test. Sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah (SB 5.18.12). [All the demigods and their exalted qualities, such as religion, knowledge, and renunciation, become manifest in the body of one who has developed unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.] All good qualities. So, this is a good quality—to love your neighbor, to give them service. So, if a person is actually God conscious, he must be sympathetic with the troubles of his neighbor, or anyone—not only human beings, animals also. They are also living entities. A God conscious person makes no discrimination between human being and animal or trees or plants, because they are also living entities.”

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Karttika is a sale like Black Friday. Everything is given away for nothing!
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Kadamba Kanana Swami: Kunti was so interested in Krishna she did not care about anything else. She said, “My Lord, Your Lordship can easily be approached, but only by those who are materially exhausted. One who is on the path of [material] progress, trying to improve himself with respectable parentage, great opulence, high education and bodily beauty, cannot approach You with sincere feeling.” (SB 1.8.26)

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Kanak Vrindavan (Album of photos)
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Kanak Vrindavan (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: During our Kartika parikrama in Jaipur we visited Kanak Vrindavan where Radha Madhava, the original deities of Jayadeva Goswami, are worshipped. We relished hearing from Mukunda Datta prabhu about the history of Kanak Vrindavan, as well as his comments on the Gita Govinda written by Jayadeva Goswami. We also appreciated the beautiful gardens and old architecture that make Kanak Vrindavan so famous.

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Day 3-5 – Braja Parikrama 2019
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Jaipur trip

Day 3, 4 and 5 takes us out of Vrindavan and to the city of Jaipur in Rajasthan. This 3-day trip passes through Karoli in the search for the original deities (Radha Madan Mohan and Govindaji) of the Vrindavan temples that were moved during a Muslim invasion.

Videos

Videos from Karoli and Jaipur. If you cannot see the videos below go to our youtube channel.

Madan Mohan, Karoli

Govindaji

Gopinath Mandir

Morning class 5 nov Jaipur

Photos

Braja Parikrama 2019 Schedule

  • 1st Nov – Govinda kund, Tribhuvanatha Samadhi, Nrsimha temple Puncari
  • 2nd Nov – Gosvami Temples Vrindavana
  • 3-5 Nov Jaipur
  • 6th Nov – Yavat, Vrindakund
  • 7th Nov – Sanket, Anjanoka
  • 8th Nov – Vrindavan Parikrama
  • 9th Nov – Unchagaon
  • 10th Nov – Rest
  • 11th Nov – Kamyavan
  • 12th Nov – Garuda Govinda, Rama Tala

The article " Day 3-5 – Braja Parikrama 2019 " was published on KKSBlog.

The mantra to attain perfection in our chanting
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The mantra to attain perfection in our chanting. Krishna is self-sufficient because all the ingredients for creation are within Himself. First Krishna creates time, for without time there cannot be a beginning of anything. Sukadeva Goswami speaks to Maharaja Pariksit Krishna’s pastimes to bring Him to the point of complete resolute faith and absorption in Krishna.


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A visit to the ISKCON Temple Guest House Vrindavan – Shri Krishna Balaram Mandir Darshan
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By Arti

I do not know if the Krishna Balaram ISKCON temple in Vrindavan is among the best ISKCON Temples in the world or not but after having spent a few days here, I can say that it is definitely one of the best. A must-visit for every devotee visiting Vrindavan, it is not to be missed for anything! Built in an ornate architectural manner, the temple was inaugurated by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in the year 1975. Spread in a huge expanse, the ISKCON complex today houses a guest house, Govinda’s restaurant, a bakery, a gift shop, Prabhupadji’s house/ museum and his Samadhi Mandir besides the main temple hall. Continue reading "A visit to the ISKCON Temple Guest House Vrindavan – Shri Krishna Balaram Mandir Darshan
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How to stop overthinking -Attribute, Analyze, Anchor, Act
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Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post How to stop overthinking -Attribute, Analyze, Anchor, Act appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Srila Prabhupada – The transcendentalist who embodied the best of traditionalist, existentialist and utopianist
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[Prabhupada disappearance day celebration at Fort Lauderdale, USA]

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Podcast Summary


 

Video:

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Damodarashtakam 4 – Seeing God as the supreme desirable, not just as the source of all desirables
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[Talk at Fort Lauderdale, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary
icon


 

Video:

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Gopastami
Giriraj Swami

Today is Gopastami, the day on which Krishna and Balarama and other boys Their age, who previously had tended the calves, were given charge of the cows. This event is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.15.1):

tatas ca pauganda-vayah-sritau vraje
babhuvatus tau pasu-pala-sammatau
gas carayantau sakhibhih samam padair
vrndavanam punyam ativa cakratuh

“When Lord Rama and Lord Krsna attained the age of pauganda [six to ten] while living in Vrndavana, the cowherd men allowed Them to take up the task of tending the cows. Engaging thus in the company of Their friends, the two boys rendered the land of Vrndavana most auspicious by imprinting upon it the marks of Their lotus feet.”

As stated in the purport, “Since Lord Krsna’s spiritual body had apparently grown slightly in age and strength, the senior men of Vrndavana, headed by Nanda Maharaja, decided to promote Krsna from the task of herding calves to the status of a regular cowherd boy. He would now take care of the full-grown cows, bulls, and oxen. Out of great affection, Nanda Maharaja had previously considered Krsna too small and immature to take care of full-grown cows and bulls. It is stated in the Karttika-mahatmya section of the Padma Purana:

suklastami karttike tu
smrta gopastami budhaih
tad-dinad vasudevo ’bhud
gopah purvam tu vatsapah

‘The eighth lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Karttika is known by authorities as Gopastami. From that day, Lord Vasudeva served as a cowherd, whereas previously He had tended the calves.’

“The word padaih indicates that Lord Krsna blessed the earth by walking on her surface with His lotus feet. The Lord wore no shoes or other footgear but walked barefoot in the forest, giving great anxiety to the girls of Vrndavana, who feared that His soft lotus feet would be injured.”

On this occasion, in temples in Vrindavan and elsewhere, Srimati Radharani is dressed as a cowherd boy—Subala.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Yoga Society of Greater Dallas, November 2, Dallas
Giriraj Swami

“The Lord created this material world to enable the conditioned souls to learn how to perform yajnas (sacrifices) for the satisfaction of Vishu, so that while in the material world they can live very comfortably without anxiety, and after finishing the present material body they can enter into the kingdom of God. That is the whole program for the conditioned soul. By performance of yajna, the conditioned souls gradually become Krishna conscious and become godly in all respects. In the Age of Kali, the sankirtan-yajna (the chanting of the names of God) is recommended by the Vedic scriptures, and this transcendental system was introduced by Lord Caitanya for the deliverance of all men in this age. Sankirtan-yajna and Krishna consciousness go well together.”—Bhagavat-gita 3.10 purport.

Bhagavat-gita 3.10 (Right click to download)

Day 2 – Braj Parikrama 2019
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Gosvami temples in Vrndavana

The second day of the Braj Parikrama 2019 takes us around Vrndavana to visit the temples of the six gosvamis; Imli Tal, Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda & Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan.

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Madana Mohan temple

Imli Tal

Radha Gokulananda

Photos

Braja Parikrama 2019 Schedule

  • 1st Nov – Govinda kund, Tribhuvanatha Samadhi, Nrsimha temple Puncari
  • 2nd Nov – Gosvami Temples Vrindavana
  • 3-5 Nov Jaipur
  • 6th Nov – Yavat, Vrindakund
  • 7th Nov – Sanket, Anjanoka
  • 8th Nov – Vrindavan Parikrama
  • 9th Nov – Unchagaon
  • 10th Nov – Rest
  • 11th Nov – Kamyavan
  • 12th Nov – Garuda Govinda, Rama Tala

The article " Day 2 – Braj Parikrama 2019 " was published on KKSBlog.

Future of Cow Care in Iskcon (video) Oct 4, 2019 New Vrindaban – 3rd North American Farm Conference
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Future of Cow Care in Iskcon (video)
Syamasundara is the manager of the goshala (cow sanctuary) at Bhaktivedanta Manor in England since 1993. Syamasundar Das arranged with European devotees and founded the Farm Conference circuit which is now on its 3rd year. In this discussion, he expounds on the future of cow protection in North America and the resolutions the GBC is making for the production of offered milk to the deities

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