The complex relationship between appearance and substance in spiritual life
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[Bhagavatam class at Krishna House, Gainesville, USA]

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The post The complex relationship between appearance and substance in spiritual life appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Gita insights for managing the mind – Chapter Ten Analysis
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[Talk at University of Cincinnati, USA]

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The post Gita insights for managing the mind – Chapter Ten Analysis appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Govardhana-puja, Evening Program, October 28, Houston
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.7.32.

“Children play with an umbrella generally known as a frog’s umbrella, and Lord Krishna, when He was only seven years old, could snatch the great hill known as the Govardhana Parvata at Vrndavan and hold it for seven days continuously with one hand, just to protect the animals and the inhabitants of Vrndavan from the wrath of Indra, the heavenly King, who had been denied sacrificial offerings by the inhabitants of Vrajabhumi.”—Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.7.32

Govardhana-puja, Evening Program (Right click to download)

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Govardhana-puja Morning Class, October 28, Houston
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Antya-lila chapter 14

hantayam adrir abala hari-dasa-varyo
yad rama-krishna-carana-sparasa-pramodah
manam tanoti saha-go-ganayos tayor yat
paniya-suyavasa-kandara-kanda-mulaih

Translation
“[Lord Caitanya said:] ‘Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Krishna and Balarama, as well as Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities — water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respect to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant.’”—CC Antya 14.86

Govardhana-puja Morning Class (Right click to download)

GBC College Launches Zonal Supervisor Training in North America
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By Rupanuga dasa

The GBC College for Leadership Development finally opened its doors in North America on 24th October 2019 after having started Zonal Supervisor training around the world since 2015—five cohorts of leaders in India, one in Russia, one in Latin America, and one in Central Asia. Continue reading "GBC College Launches Zonal Supervisor Training in North America
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Srila Prabhupad’s Sankirtan Procession in Vrindavan (Album of photos)
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Srila Prabhupad’s Sankirtan Procession in Vrindavan (30 Oct 2019) (Album of photos)
Every year the day before Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance, we take his divine murti form on a Sankirtan Procession to the Saptadevalaya, seven Goswami temples, of Vrndavan. We take him in the very same palanquin that he was taken in 42 years ago! A huge number of devotees joined us this year in this amazing sankirtan procession.

(This post has been viewed 298 times so far)

The Forest Of Monkeys (Album of photos)
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The Forest Of Monkeys (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our parikrama party visited Chamelivan, the forest of jasmine flowers, where Radha and Krsna meet often for Their pastimes. One time Mother Yasoda came there searching for Krsna. Hearing she was coming Krsna jumped into a lake and came out looking like Hanuman. When Mother Yasoda saw “Hanuman” she offered obeisances and left. A playful pastime! A unique feature of the forest is the many thousands of monkeys that live there.

(This post has been viewed 316 times so far)

WSN September 2019 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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By Vijaya das

New York Harinama has now moved up to the second position in the USA, with 10,568 book points in September. New York harinam and book distribution have become an ever-increasing ocean of transcendental bliss in the Big Apple. How pleased is Srila Prabhupada with this sankirtan team in New York City? Unlimitedly pleased. Continue reading "WSN September 2019 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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TOVP Update – October, 2019
- TOVP.org

In this short update video Braja Vilasa prabhu, TOVP Director of Development, focuses on the forthcoming historic Grand Opening of the completed Pujari Floor on February 13 and Rooms of Worship sponsorship campaign, as well as a few other aspects of the current temple progress.

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
View us 360° at: www.tovp360.org
News & Texts at: https://m.tovp.org/newstexts
RSS News Feed at: https://tovp.org/rss2/
Buy from us at: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/
Support us at: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post TOVP Update – October, 2019 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Govardhana puja celebration at ISKCON Dnipro Ukraine (Album of photos)
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Govardhana puja celebration at ISKCON Dnipro Ukraine (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If we simply place ourselves at the lotus feet of Krishna by taking to Krishna consciousness and keeping always in touch with Him by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, we need not take much trouble in arranging to return to the spiritual world. By the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this is very easy. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.15.53 Purport)

(This post has been viewed 342 times so far)

Ecstatic Govardhan Puja celebration in ISKCON Vrindavan (2019) (Album of photos)
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Ecstatic Govardhan Puja celebration in ISKCON Vrindavan (2019) (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If with the arrow of chanting the holy name of the Lord one pierces Lord Vishnu’s lotus feet, by dint of performing this heroic activity of devotional service on receives the benefit of returning home, back to Godhead. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.15.42 Purport)

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Krishna Comes Under the Control of His Servant’s Pure Love, October 27, Houston
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke on Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.9.18-19.

“Krishna is served by hundreds and thousands of goddesses of fortune. Nonetheless, He steals butter like one who is poverty-stricken. Yamaraja, the controller of all living entities, fears the order of Krishna, yet Krishna is afraid of His mother’s stick. These contradictions cannot be understood by one who is not a devotee, but a devotee can understand how powerful is unalloyed devotional service to Krishna; it is so powerful that Krishna can be controlled by an unalloyed devotee. This bhrtya-vasyata does not mean that He is under the control of the servant; rather, He is under the control of the servant’s pure love.” —Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.9.19 purport.

Dipavali Evening Houston (Right click to download)

ISKCON Diwali
→ Ramai Swami

In Iskcon, we celebrate Diwali, which commemorates the return of Lord Rama, with his wife Sita and brother Laksmana from Ayodhya, after a 14 year exile. He had just battled and killed the demon Ravana.

It is believed that the people of Ayodhya lit ghee lamps along the way to light Their path in the darkness. Since Lord Rama traveled from South India to his kingdom in North India, he passed through the south earlier. This is the reason why the festival is celebrated a day earlier in South India.

Devotees around the world visit the temple and offer candles and ghee lamps to the deities on this day.

Thousands of vaishnavas gather in Vrindavana for Kartik (1 min. video)
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Thousands of vaishnavas gather in Vrindavana for Kartik (1 min. video)
This is the group of devotees that HH Radhanath Swami brings together yearly for the collective glorification of Lord Krishna in His holy land of Vrindavana during the sacred period of Kartik. They perform parikramas, kirtans, hear Krishna katha and relish sadhu-sanga, associating with other saintly vaishnavas performing Lord Chaitanya’s Sankirtan.
It is a very large group. watching them they look like a sea of transcendental bliss!

(This post has been viewed 391 times so far)

Avery old deity of Lord Caitanya donated to Iskcon (Album of photos)
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Avery old deity of Lord Caitanya donated to Iskcon (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Today our parikrama party celebrated Govardhana Puja with an abhiseka of a large Govardhan-sila, as well as a very old deity of Lord Caitanya that was recently given to us by a family in Bengal. The atmosphere was electric with kirtan as devotees chanted and danced in great ecstasy.

(This post has been viewed 334 times so far)

ISKCON Sannyasa Ministry Newsletter
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By ISKCON Sannyasa Minister

"We Vaisnava sannyasis carry three danda, or three sticks, combined together. The one stick is the symbol of understanding oneness. The monists only accept cinmatra, there is only one spirit soul; they do not understand the varieties of the spiritual world. And so far our three sticks are concerned, we take it for granted that we have dedicated our life for Krishna's service in three ways, namely, in our body, in our mind and in our words. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has Continue reading "ISKCON Sannyasa Ministry Newsletter
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Govardhana – The King who could devour Mountains
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hantāyam adrir abalā hari-dāsa-varyo yad rāma-kṛṣṇa-caraṇa-sparaśa-pramodaḥ mānaṁ tanoti saha-go-gaṇayos tayor yat Pānīya-sūyavasa-kandara-kanda-mūlaiḥ “Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O My friends, this hill supplies Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, as well as Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities-water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. […]

The post Govardhana – The King who could devour Mountains appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Diwali Morning Class, October 27, Houston
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.10.

“One feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Ramacandra is omnipotence. The Lord can act without regard to material impediments or inconveniences, but to prove that He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and was not merely advertised as Godhead or elected by popular vote, He constructed a wonderful bridge over the ocean. Nowadays it has become fashionable to create some artificial God who performs no uncommon activities; a little magic will bewilder a foolish person into selecting an artificial God because he does not understand how powerful God is. Lord Ramacandra, however, constructed a bridge over the water with stone by making the stone float. This is proof of God’s uncommonly wonderful power. Why should someone be accepted as God without displaying extraordinary potency by doing something never to be done by any common man? We accept Lord Ramacandra as the Supreme Personality of Godhead because He constructed this bridge, and we accept Lord Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead because He lifted Govardhana Hill when He was only seven years old. We should not accept any rascal as God or an incarnation of God, for God displays special features in His various activities.”—Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.10.15 purport.

Diwali Morning Talk (Right click to download)

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019
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Grafton, Ontario

Groovy

Jay and I decided to stop in at the farm in Grafton, but just prior to that,  Jay expressed that he was tired, and so I said, “Take a nap. I’m walking.”  I proceeded to do this loop on Old Shelter Valley Road. The sun was out and after a full day of rain, yesterday, the leaves on the trees were dripping with life. Also the wild grapes were heavy with overnight drops.   I thought this walk was “groovy.” Then I pondered on the origin of that word. Google tells me it evolved in the late ‘50s. Of course, the “beat’ generation brought that on.

When Jay and I returned to Toronto, I received a call from Billy Kabino. “I’m sending you the promo for “Temple Groove” on Sunday morning.”

“Thanks! I’m behind it,” I reassured. Billy is the brainchild behind the “Temple Groove” initiative. It will be the second time running. It includes chanting, yoga, sacred bowls, ecstatic dance and vegan prasadam. All lyrics are drenched in bhakti(devotion) and Billy himself will do some DJ-ing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3-w1WJggPV/?igshid=csq5ojh8ngak

I really appreciate the creative approach which is being held in “Govinda’s” at 243 Avenue Road, in Toronto. When I saw the promo (which I’ll share on instagram) I thought, “Oh yes. This is how it started when Prabhupada came to New York and San Francisco. Local youth were coming. They were dancing in interpretive ways, singing from their hearts, relishing all that was heard philosophically, and all that was tasted. He successfully took an ancient culture and fed it to the ‘flowers’ of the nation—the youth—the whites, blacks, Orientals, Indians, and everyone. It was totally “Groovy”.

May the Source be with you!
3 km



Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019
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Ottawa, Ontario

Traffic, Weather, People, Politics

Initially, I thought it might not be worth fighting traffic into the downtown core of Ottawa at 8:30 a.m. Apparently, that’s normal. All that Jaya and I wanted to do was to walk along the Ottawa River on both sides and cross two bridges, touching two provinces by doing so—Quebec and Ontario. Clouds made the day dreary and eerie, but the mood eventually became cheery. Once we parked and got on the trail of bushes of beauty, with a mighty river to our side, and some of the better architecture, old and new, it altered our spirits.

As for tourists who shared the trail with us, well, they were taking their selfies. The local corporate folks appeared a little glum. The election campaign for federal leadership was completed yesterday. Votes were tallied nationwide, revealing a victory for the Liberals. Justin Trudeau’s government would be reigning for a second term. It seemed that the city, the capitol, or the place where it all matters, was not necessarily in a great party mood.

I’m sometimes asked if I vote. I’ll say, “As a monk I don’t get terribly involved, but I don’t mind giving advice, like a guru, to the Prime Minister.”

Anyways, we bhakti-yogis usually pull party-time off successfully. This evening, we celebrated King Krishna as a young child. He engaged in some wild antics while on Earth, five millennia ago. Our program of chanting, discussing and eating at Surendra’s home was just so uplifting, despite the persistent dullness of the weather beyond its walls.

May the Source be with you!
5 km



Monday, October 21st, 2019
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Ottawa, Ontario

We Met Bradley

Jay and I drove east on scenic Highway 7.  When we arrived in downtown Ottawa, I asked Jay to just drop me off at Parliament Hill so I could walk to the ISKCON Centre along the Rideau Canal.  It was awesome in the Autumn air, with water next to me—although water levels were very low.  I was told the canal gets dredged, and then soon after the Rideau River flow will replenish it, leaving enough water to prepare for the first real freeze, thus transforming  the canal into a popular skating rink.  I actually hankered for more sauntering but I didn’t want to be late for a Board of Directors meeting on Somerset Street East.  It was only two kilometres to get there.  https://www.instagram.com/p/B39Ec83AuAz/?igshid=1cdt4qvtci1gx 

The meeting went well; it’s a good crew running it here.

Just before dinner, Bradley, from Alberta, walked in.  He is one of those genuine yogi types.  At about forty years of age, with blond hair and a beard, he expressed to us his general life experience and how he had made a turn.  He travels on foot, hitchhikes to get around, and sometimes sleeps outside, all with a purpose.

“I want to help people. This body is a vehicle. I’m for sharing with others the simple life. Money means so little.”  Bradley is a firm believer in the Almighty.  His destination is anywhere and everywhere, yet he talks about “going home,”not to Alberta, but an abode, that as he puts it, “We all know about.”

Bradley is a rare backpacker.  He sat with us as we sang the praises of Krishna as a baby.  When I mentioned to the group that George Harrison wrote in the introduction of the book, Krishna, “It might sound strange, but you can actually play with God.” That really rang true with him.  Bradley, we want to see you again.

May the Source be with you!
2.1 km


Sunday, October 20th, 2019
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Dundas, Ontario

Let Nature Be

There is so much power contained within a forest.  Those of us who hit the Bruce Trail, once again, could feel it.  David, Jaya, Oksana, Pariksit, and myself started at Governor’s Road and were able to put in another seven kilometres, winding up at a gorgeous lookout overseeing a lush valley at the edge of the small city, Dundas.  The management of the Bruce Trail still have 32 percent of the trail to financially secure before developers’ greed could spoil a treasure forever.  The management is bent on protecting trees, valleys with creeks and gorges, areas of limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and a unique eco-system of plants and wildlife.  (By the way, deer are the first takers to the Apple trees.) https://www.instagram.com/p/B36bwqiAgZl/?igshid=11at2li6w07cg 

No one can really understand what I mean by the “power of the forest” until they walk through one, absorbing the shakti energies of such an envisionment.  Those whom we meet along the trail are there for perhaps the same reason we are there.  We take that energy and come out stronger than before we entered.  There is always a synergetic connection felt between pedestrians along the way—an openness.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B36qiS4APNP/?igshid=tdi9upqlk1xh

Right at the end of the trail we met nature lovers, Rudy Fecteau, Margaret Ann, and Shannon. Rudy is an archaeologist and has a wealth of information in that field, as well as in child studies.  I would call these folks brahmanas,  meaning sensitive, wise, and broad-minded.  In fact, it was Margaret Ann who mentioned about the encroachment of buildings into the area.

May Krishna shield the glory of the trail from the greed of humans, and their often-times unscrupulous projects.  Let nature be.

May the Source be with you!
7 km




Saturday, October 19th, 2019
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Frankfurt, Germany

Four Hours in Frankfurt

The layover in Frankfurt wasn’t too long—a mere four hours.  I went through security at Terminal One and eventually made my way to Gate B23, where in one corner you have these swivelling bubble-type units (called silent chairs) to relax in. I had just plopped myself into one when a Muslim woman in the next unit asked, “Are you on pilgrimage?” in her British accent.

“Yes, I am.”

“Your first time?”

“Oh, no. I go to India every year; this time, the South.”

“I’m on my way to Mecca…for the first time. I’m really looking forward to it,” she remarked.

“Well, I’m really happy for you.”

“Hare Krishna?” she asked.

“Oh, yes!”

“Some say that Krishna and Jesus are the same person.” (She said nothing of Mohammed.)

My brief clarification was: “Well, it’s certainly a wise sentiment.  At least Jesus and Krishna share the same qualities.”

Our conversation pretty much ended there when, whether by choice or chance, her bubble swivelled in the opposite direction.  I was happy to have talked to someone, since everyone else in that corner was enveloped in their own realm or ‘their own little bubble.”

The woman did get me thinking.  I had heard that Paramahansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, equated Krishna to Jesus, in intent.  If so, I would regard the notion as a speculation, and resign myself to the term ‘different avatars’. Anyway, glad to have made a Muslim friend.

May the Source be with you!
0 km






Friday, October 18th, 2019
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Tirupati, India

So Long Souls

The last day in Tirupati stirred up emotions for Victor, Yamala Arjuna, and myself, as well as the sannyasi and brahmacari monks who have also been visiting here.  Then, of course, there were Revati Raman—the main manager here—and the resident monastics, who also felt the same.  We had gotten to know each other through the activity of bhakti/devotional service.  It was going to be hard to depart.  Victor and I, along with our assistant, Balaji, would soon be en-route to Chennai. Later,  Victor would travel on a flight to Delhi, while Balaji would eventually return with the cab driver back to Tirupati;  I would be carrying on to Frankfurt and Toronto. Our respective destinations would all have the same thing awaiting us—service.  https://www.instagram.com/p/B3wFAO6AVeo/?igshid=1t0h1vwvaerax

Those last few minutes had me immersed in reading from the book Chaitanya Bhagavat, which covers the three phases of Chaitanya's life.  His charisma, physical attractiveness, divine words and rhythmic moves had everyone stunned.  Radical Muslims also took a liking to Him.  On His travels, His entrance into a district meant that all those villagers of the area would cease their duties to come and see the celebrity.  Upon His exit and onward travels, newly-made friends would feel the weight of separation.

Similarly, our connecting and disconnecting with such sweet souls was somewhat hard to bear in Tirupati.  All the good times will be stored as good memories. They will remain as a hankering for some future reunion.

But at those moments of departure, "Obeisances!" And as we traditionally say in our greeting and parting with one another:

Vancha kalpatarubhyas ca / krpa sindhubhya eva ca / Patitanam pavanebhyo / Vaishnavebhyo namo namah

Translation: "I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaisnava devotees of the Lord.  They can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and they are full of compassion for the fallen souls."

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3tLdSYAs9c/?igshid=sj4wtxftkch1

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Thursday, October 17th, 2019
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Tirupati, India

Awesome Day!

It was awesome seeing Lokanatha Swami climb up the bullock cart. Two massive oxen were tethered to it, poised to move forward.  Lokanatha Swami, our Minister for Padayatra (festival on foot), was inaugurating the team with Gaura Nitai deities, for a journey destined to go all over the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Many devotees were assembled, chanting the mahamantra with excitement and using a Bollywood tune.  Revati Raman, the man behind this mobile event, saw me and thrust the mic into my hand.  "You lead."  So I did, switching to a more down-home village melody.

Coconuts were broken open before the cart by seniors including Malati, the Krishna movement's first female member from America's west coast.

Today also became a day of glory for ladies in our movement.  A public announcement was released saying that women would now be permitted to play the role of diksha guru.  This is a milestone, and it is fair and good for all of us.  I have always rooted for an equitable deal.  The policy of having women take this responsibility was a message our guru, Prabhupada, expressed in June of 1976, in Toronto, while speaking with Professor Joseph T. O'Connell. And, it happened right there in the room where I live.  Jayho!  Victory!

May the Source be with you!
3 km





Wednesday, October 16th, 2019
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Tirupati, India

Sensitive

It has become a daily affair—my walking back and forth along the lengthy veranda.  It is a safe place to amble along, however, at that early hour of 2:00 a.m.,  a number of creepy-crawlies find it not so.  I'm the culprit, but only by accident if I happen to step out of place and crush one.  Luckily the tiles are an off-white colour, making it easier to spot the tiny souls in order to dodge them.  If you are cultivating saintliness, then you must develop sensitivity.

Speaking of sensitivity, one of our Russian boys was granted darshan of VIshnu as Balaji, and very naively used his smart phone to snap a shot.  The guardians of the dhamgot very upset.  Security and police got involved.  It did challenge ISKCON’s good relationship with the priests of the place.  It got intense.  The rule is: "No cameras!”

Meanwhile, our meetings—which are confidential—seemed to have a leak of information.  Suspicions are that our room is bugged.  Indeed sensitivities are on the rise.  Even in such a place of peace, passions become a reality.

Now, I was asked to deliver, for the Bhagavatam class based on Canto One, and the story of Narada.  It went well because of the fact that it was highly interactive.  I also attended a class, between meeting sessions, by Kalakanta of Gainesville.  My good friend spoke to the young monks about monastic life in the early days.  I really enjoyed listening.

By the way, Kalakanta so generously gave, as a gift, copies of his new hard-bound publications, The Saint Within andBhagavad-gita - The Rap of God.

May the Source be with you!
4 km



Tuesday, October 15th, 2019
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Tirupati, India

Humbled by Nature

Thunder!  Lightning!  Throughout the night.  Showers followed.  And through the day.  Despite the soaking conditions, life must go on.

I encouraged Victor to go with the crew that had planned to view one of the most famous deities in India—Balaji, a form of Vishnu.  I had to pass because of the condition of my feet.  I wanted Victor to experience stepping into a realm of the great past.  When you reach the top of Balaji's mountain, either by vehicle or the 3,500 step stairway, you do indeed touch another era.  The campus and buildings have been there for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.  All visitors must wear dhotis, and many don no sewn clothing at all.  No pants allowed.  The idea is to preserve a glorious age centred around a purity of worship.

Victor came back after the visit and thanked me immensely for the opportunity.

The other room-guest whom I had, Yamala Arjuna, was not able to attend.  Permission to enter the inner sanctum of Balaji's domain requires a submission of your government ID.  Even though he's from India, they are very strict about anyone who enters.

Back to the rain.  You would think the rain would cool temperatures.  That may be true, yet the humidity only gets escalated.  May we always be humbled at the reminders of nature.

May the Source be with you!
2 km




Monday, October 14th, 2019
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Tirupati, India

Outside the Meetings

"We would like to do a short video, a promo, for Govinda's Restaurant, and we would like you to be the host," expressed this brahmachari monk from Pune.  Mahatma Priya Das is putting out a video every day, during his stay in Tirupati, to highlight the features of this very mystical destination.

I agreed.  The shoot was only one take.  I hope it works out.  https://youtu.be/5cekVUkoPCo

Today, I gave my third class to these new monks—about thirty-five of them.  The subject was: "Tales from Trails."  It is certainly a refresher for me.  I am forced to dredge up the memory of experiences along the path.

Kirtans are phenomenal in the temple room, and the month of Kartik has begun when dhiyas/ghee lamps are offered to the deities; in this case, their names are Radha Govinda.  I'm one to relish the class in the morning.  From Canto One, we hear of the meeting of Narada and Vyas, two well-established sages of devotion.

To my surprise, a new challenge came of a physical nature.  Humidity in heat really does get to me.  Even in Canada if I'm walking in heat, I encounter inflammation of my hands and feet.  The toes also get enlarged.  That, plus the massage at night with mustard oil, is creating a fiery situation and breaking up the skin.  On one toe, cracks appeared, and then blood.

One doctor advised (and I should have known this) to use coconut oil, as it cools.  Drinking sugar cane is not advisable.  Again the coconut comes to the rescue.  "Drink coconut water," said the doctor.

May the Source be with you!
5 km






Iskcon New Govardhana – Govardhana Puja – 27 October 2019 (Album of photos)
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Iskcon New Govardhana - Govardhana Puja - 27 October 2019 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna movement is present in every millennium of Lord Brahma’s life, and the holy name is chanted in all the higher planetary systems, including Brahmaloka and Candraloka, not to speak of Gandharvaloka and Apsaroloka. The sankirtana movement that was started in this world five hundred years ago by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is therefore not a new movement. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.7.15 Purport)

(This post has been viewed 327 times so far)

Seeing Krsna
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 31 October 2018, Murwillumbah, Australia, Home Program Lecture)

Everybody close your eyes and take a deep breath – breath in and then breath out. Now, in your mind, go to your favourite place, wherever that is. Now in that place, try your best to see Krsna. Do you see Krsna? Maybe, maybe not. This is difficult. What we see is usually a picture of Krsna that we may have seen of Krsna, maybe even in the form of His deity. That is what we try to remember when we see Krsna. So we have this mental image of Krsna, but can we actually see Him? Can we see His face or we just see the contour? Do we see His flute? How much of Krsna can we actually see?

It is said that in bhava, it is no longer us thinking about a form of Krsna, but Krsna Himself actually appears. So that is something special. Can you imagine? Krsna appearing! And then as we go deeper, more and more things happen. There are Krsna’s pastimes which start to unfold. And it has got the life of Krsna going and all we are doing is watching, seeing Krsna perform His transcendental pastimes. There, we can see Him play his flute and we can see Him herd the cows.

The article " Seeing Krsna " was published on KKSBlog.

The Village of Champakalata and the Samadhi of Vrajranabh (Album of photos)
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The Village of Champakalata and the Samadhi of Vrajranabh (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: A few days ago we visited Kharala, the village of Champakalata, one of Srimati Radharani’s 8 special girlfriends. Full of cows, buffaloes, peacocks and other animals, it very much resembled the Vrindavan many of us first came to in the early 1970s. We all relished hearing of Champakalata’s unique transcendental qualities and her service to Vrindavan’s queen. Afterward, we visited the samadhi of Vrajranabh, the great-grandson of Krsna, who installed a number of Deities of Krsna around Vrindavan, soon after the Lord’s departure for Goloka, 5,000 years ago.

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