Bhagavatam tenth canto study 80 – 10.14.13-18 – Brahma contextualizes his bewilderment in terms of his and others’ past bewilderment
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast

The post Bhagavatam tenth canto study 80 – 10.14.13-18 – Brahma contextualizes his bewilderment in terms of his and others’ past bewilderment appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Coffered Ceiling Mock-up Panel for Domes
- TOVP.org

Pictured here is the final mock-up of a panel for the TOVP domes. These panels will line the inside of the domes and are both aesthetically pleasing and practical.

The photo taken at the greatest distance away gives you a rough idea of what a panel will look like at 50 meters (164 feet) height.

Each shot brings the model closer in view so you can see the details of the actual panel.

The whole project was monitored and supervised by Jagadananda, Savyasachi and Radha vallabha prabhus. We are very satisfied with the results and we hope to start working on the inner main dome very soon.

The post Coffered Ceiling Mock-up Panel for Domes appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Jagannatha Gauranga Rathayatra
→ Ramai Swami

Every year, before the main Rathayatra festival in downtown Denpasar, each temple in Bali has their own celebration.

The devotees from Jagannatha Gauranga temple organised a procession for Their Lordships, Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi to the nearby beach.

The dieties were brought out and placed on individual palanquins and everyone headed out chanting and dancing all the way. On arrival there was bhoga offering, arati and more kirtan, before heading back.

Friday, July 5th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Montreal, Quebec

Magic in the Park

The usual, full, six-hour-allotted time was given for the ride to Montreal.  The local community is all hyped up for the weekend's chariot fest.  The afternoon and early evening time had me occupied in greeting everyone: some congregants, some youths from the Krishna Fest Bus Tour and more.  Everything is positive.

It was the late evening to early morning that became very endearing for me.  With the common insomnia issue I have, and weather that causes clothes to stick to the body with its humidity, I chose to roam Saint Catherine Street. where I came upon a newly renovated park.  There I planted myself for a bit, chanting on my beads, when a homeless fellow, who lives in the park, approached me.  His name is Hugo and he knows about Krishna. He lives, in some respects, like a monk with no real fixed address for a home.  He has lived life as part-junkie, and part-drunk.  He spoke coherently.

"My dad was a Canadian super-star in the sixties.  You can look him up—Marc Gelinas."  Sure enough.  There he showed up on my phone--the singer of many meaningful songs, and an actor.

There was a short gap between meeting Hugo, and then Juan and Ignatius, both from Chile. They saw me sitting there at the picnic table when they asked if I could answer a question and share some wisdom. In brief, I spoke about true identity. “We are not these bodies.”  I mentioned that we all have a dharma to fulfill and we must keep busy like a bee.  "Be prepared to get stung but to keep producing honey." I also encouraged these two good listeners to bear in mind two good injunctions: "Always remember the Divine. Never forget the Divine."

May the Source be with you!
2 km


Thursday, July 4th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

North York / Toronto, Ontario

Remembering "The Longest Road"

I came to the end of the day realizing that I hadn't set foot on the pavement other than a walk over the sidewalk to reach the grass in Avondale Park.  There, along with Connor, we spread out a mat for sitting on and chanting to the public.  I can't believe I did everything today that indoors could offer in a monk’s context, but I did not walk.

I did, however, dream of traveling.  Reminisce a bit, would be more accurate.  A couple that I know are contemplating the journey, on wheels, across the country, via the Trans Canada Highway.  They asked about hot spots since I ventured this longest road on the planet more than once. That is where the memories come into play.  I chanted on my meditation beads on that road, forever it seemed.

Hot spots? Well, since the couple is going west, I suggested they keep their eyes peeled at Lake Superior.  There's the centre point of the highway where cascades of water merge into this great lake.  Check out the sensational view at Old Woman's Bay near Wawa.  At Agawa Bay, via canoe, view the Pictographs of the indigenous people on the rock.  I encouraged a visit to see wild bears in Emo, Ontario, and chat with the gentle bear man.  Take a swim in Lake of the Woods.  Enjoy the sunrises and sunsets of the Prairies.  Open your ears and eyes to the birds that are in the plenty.  Then in the Rockies, you have Banff, bears, moose, cougars, mountain goats.  They may want to hear you chant.  Don't forget Drumheller and the dinosaur remains.

I reflected on my travels when thinking about past pilgrimages on that highway. I forgot to tell them of the book, "The Longest Road" and the stories within.  I'm in it.

May the Source be with you!
0 km




Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Okay!

Okay! It became a strain to find a driver to take us to Bellevue Square Park.  In our ashram, there are lots of drivers, and vehicles in the driveway, but no one was available to carry our instruments for a kirtan to any park.  Often times the things you search for are right under your nose. I looked out the window to where there is a city-block-long green space.  Problem solved.  "That park, although not as dense with people as we would like, does have some foot traffic.  I say we carry our instruments across the street and we are good to go."

I mustered up interest from Ananda, and that was all we then had for musicians—Ananda and I.  On the way along through the dog-park section, we found Jai Sri, who’s in his 60s, one of our other ashram dwellers, on the park bench reading the newspaper next to his bicycle.  Cycling in a daily routine for him.

He closed the paper quickly upon seeing us.  "Oops!"  Monk looking at the news?  Is it allowed?

Yes, it's alright.  Scan the articles.  Capture their essence.  Avoid getting too sucked in.  So for the first time in twenty-five years, I saw Jai Sri sit down on the grass with us chanting.  https://www.instagram.com/p/BzhIYX2g9sK/?igshid=123xf6a5p65lh

Ten minutes into the chanting and a local guy, middle-aged Erin,  is walking by.  He notices us, approves of us and shows it with a thumbs up.  I ask him to come forward with a gesture of my hand and he responds.  He sits down, pulls out bongos and joins us.  https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzj5u9jARLj/?igshid=1icjwserriiz9    When our session was complete, I invited him over to our Govinda's for dinner.  He agreed.  We made a friend.  He probably reads the newspaper.

May the Source be with you!
8 km

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Three In A Row

Gaura, Ananda and I took to the ravine at Brickworks.  Each time I come here I see new developments.  For instance I saw a switchback—a zig-zag hiking trail that wasn't there before.  It was lined with large limestone slabs which I imagine will hold the trail in place, because on any hillside, such as this one, erosion from water can re-shape the hill's form.  New shrubs and trees have also been planted to check erosion and add to the greenness of the place.  In ten years, we will see a forest that wasn't there before.

These trails bring out the best in everyone.  They give a break from the passion of a growing city.  Everyone was so nice.  We looked interesting.  Ananda was in a rather stylish grey-blue yogiattire.  Gaura sported a white dhoti with white T-shirt, while I was in brand-spanking-new saffron swami duds.  Basically our pacing was abreast.  While in stride we just chanted on our beads too loud for each other, especially Gaura. Please don't mind me saying that, Gaura, my friend. 

Speaking of friends, we did make new ones from the canine community.  One that let me stroke and massage it, from a bench at break-time, was a Siberian husky, a lovable two-year old, and spoiled rotten.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzeQEYiAU1H/?igshid=153vvmo8yja4z

After our two-hour trek, Gaura was a wreck—meaning tired—but it was a good kind of fatigue he admitted, as did I.  I have never noticed such a strong scent of diversity of flowers.  It must be all the rain that's coming.

The balance of the day was administrative, but I felt no less an appreciation for the alternative service.

May the Source be with you!
8 km

Monday, July 1st, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Ottawa, Ontario

Can't Satisfy

Today's walking encompassed two treks—one by the Rideau River and the second by the Rideau Canal, which run parallel through the university section of Ottawa.  The majority of the time was spent near the War Memorial, and a short stroll from Chateau Laurier, with participants from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.  We had the shelter of shady trees, and our presentation was one of "dance, chant and be happy."

Happy we were as crowd pleasers.  Some of us went at it for a full six hours straight, with our voices, our instruments and our limbs.  One of the musicians, Gaura, mentioned, "Before the Beatles made it big, they would be in practice sessions for eight hours."  Well our impromptu bhakti band,with members merged together from several cities, will probably not become great like the Beatles, who were worked at it "in places like Germany for hour after hour.”  I do believe that practice is essential and that bhakti (feelings) are also essential.  Combine the practical and the spiritual, and it makes for a good presentation for the heart.  https://www.facebook.com/355740139339/posts/10157007181884340?s=100001647982652&v=e&sfns=mo

"Inclusive and blissful" were the words that Connor used to describe this outing. However there was one sourpuss in the crowd.  The look on his face showed his displeasure.  It was the face of a classic  "humbugger."  Scrooge-ish, if anything.  https://www.instagram.com/p/BzbeRPPAys_/?igshid=1l9t3o1t7894i

Oh well, what can be said?  Our guru, Prabhupada, said on one of those morning walks I attended that, "You can't satisfy all of the people all of the time."

May the Source be with you!
5 km






Sunday, June 30th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Ottawa, Ontario

At the Dawn of a Birthday

I had had a good night's rest at Surinder's home, with the window wide open, and at a comfortable 16 degrees Celsius, or thereabout.  The twelve kilometre walk on the Great Trail, and the dance lessons with demonstrations at the Kirtan Yoga session, made for a good straight six-hour slumber.  This is rare.

Now it is the last day of June, and the community of ISKCON Ottawa is gathered for the weekly Sunday sangha.  There is also a strong spirit of enthusiasm, in anticipation of tomorrow's big birthday party for Canada.  Under the current regime, the country will turn 152.

I took the opportunity to speak to the group about the Krishna/Canada connection. "The first historical link between this land of the maple leaf and Krishna Consciousness, in more recent times, was the arrival of Bhaktivinod's book, The Life and Precepts of Sri Chaitanya.  It arrived as a parcel at the library doors of McGill University in Montreal." https://www.amazon.ca/Sri-Chaitanya-His-Life-Precepts/dp/1886069522

https://www.amazon.com/Sri-Chaitanya-His-Life-Precepts/dp/1886069522

Sri Chaitanya, being the father of kirtanthat is currently spreading throughout the world, had become noticed, but only by a few theologians of the time. "The seed of bhakti (devotion) had been transplanted from India to Canada in the form of that book, and it happened right here in this country."  There was a response by way of proud applause.  "And it is Sri Chaitanya whom biographers say is an incarnation of Krishna."  

After the talk and meal, Fernando and I went to the nearby Rideau River at dusk. The air, since morning, had maintained a freshness.  Or as we might say in yoga parlance, prana stayed in the air.

May the Source be with you!
2 km



Saturday, June 29th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Kaladar, Ontario

An Extra Long Stroll

It was a distinct and utterly surprised tone of a male voice that projected out from this three-storey residential building.  As audible as could be were the words: "What the hell!"

I was certain that these three words of shock were in reference to myself, as they were delivered just minutes after I began a short trek on "The Great Trail," which actually spans across the whole of Canada.  I looked like a pink Arab with my Indian monk's lunghi(lower robe), kurta(Indian shirt) and utariya(shawl) on my head, in a faded saffron tone due to too many washings. https://www.instagram.com/p/BzVp931gosN/?igshid=ns33dseh94kt

This is small-town Ontario.  People don't see people like me passing through their backyards.  I could not see the source of the sound: "What the hell!"  I cast a wave of my hand to the anonymous man, and kept silent, although I wanted to say: "What the heaven!"

Moving along, I found it necessary for the head cover, as the cloth flapped so, keeping deer flies off.  They are nasty buggers.  I strode for two and a half hours on a walk that was only intended to be a 45 minute job. Somehow or other, my driver, Fernando, must have misunderstood directions through language barrier—he's originally from Brazil.  I had suggested: "Just pick me up at the first crossroads from the first road that meets with the trail." I should have been more precise because he drove and parked the car just one long block at the first crossroads.  By the time he got there, I was well on my way.  

Two and a half hours later, with twelve kilometres on my feet, we found each other. Our cellphones helped us.  And so did the watchful eyes of God staying with us on that lonely trail."

May the Source be with you!
12 km


Friday, June 28th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Sweet Walk

William Wordsworth was one of those poets with a skill, who also liked to walk. One day, at noon, he ambled along a narrow lane thinking of his past.  I came upon his poem some hours after I took a five kilometre walk with Godbrother Gaura.  It's called, "Sweet Was the Walk."

Sweet was the walk along the narrow lane
At noon, the bank and hedge-rows all the way
Shagged with wild pale green tufts of fragrant hay,
Caught by the hawthorns from the loaded wain,9
Which Age with many a slow stoop strove to gain;
And childhood, seeming still most busy, took
His little rake; with cunning side-long look,
Sauntering to pluck the strawberries wild, unseen.
Now, too, on melancholy’s idle dreams
Musing, the lone spot with my soul agrees,
Quiet and dark; for through the thick wove trees
Scarce peeps the curious star till solemn gleams
The clouded moon, and calls me forth to stray
Thro’ tall, green, silent woods and ruins grey.

William Wordsworth 

From what I know, Wordsworth was on a solo walk, whereas my companion, Gaura, and I did a duet.  It was sweet nevertheless.  Our walk was completed with a tall slender glass of lemon water and maple syrup, complete with ice cubes / on the rocks.  Also sweet.

May the Source be with you!
5 km


Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura – The Saviour of the Disciplic Succession
→ ISKCON News

It is the 19th century, the British have already colonized India and western influence has already started taking its shape in Bengal. The British along with Bhadralok (the members of social elite) have already belittled Hinduism and Gaudiya Vaishnavism was no exception. In this period of chaos a great personality - Kedarnath Dutta - took birth amongst the Bhadralok.

Bridging the Gap – Connecting the Older and Younger Generations
→ Dandavats



Bridging the Gap - Connecting the Older and Younger Generations.
Bridging the Gap is a program in which our youth can have a chance to spend some quality time with the pioneering first generation of the New Raman Reti community. The idea is to create an avenue where we can create relationships, ask questions, and get to know the first generation, all in an informal setting. We’ve had two programs so far, the first with Bada Hari Das as our guest speaker and the second with Yadubara Das and Vishaka Devi Dasi. They spoke about their life and beginnings in Krishna Consciousness and shared their advice and wisdom for the next generation. We had over 25 youth attend, many who agreed it was the type of nourishing sanga they were looking for. It’s also a great way to find mentors in the community!

Acceptance of our destiny
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 24 February 2019, New York, United States of America, Bhagavad-gita 7.7)

It is said that when it comes to the material energy, Krsna is not directly controlling this energy. He is jagad avyakta murtini (Bhagavad-gita 9.4) – He is the form in this universe who is non-manifest. Yet He is also known to be mayadekshana prakrti suyate sa caracaram (Bhagavad-gita 9.10) – He is still known as the one who is controlling everything! But He controls by His desires and He controls by His energies. Scientists like to discover how the nature works and how there are laws in the universe and how the whole thing is predictable and so on. They spent their entire time discovering systems and laws and how things work. But ultimately, we understand that it is Krsna who is behind all these things and so understanding that Krsna is behind everything, one can simply come to acceptance of their destiny. Of course Krsna has also given us the ability to act and do something by which we can apparently influence our destiny, and not that we are simply waiting around. But ultimately, we depend wholly on Krsna.

So Bhagavad-gita is thoroughly showing us dependence on Krsna. When we see verses saying – Everything is resting upon Me as pearls strung on thread … I am the taste of water … I am the original fragrance of the Earth … I am the heat in fire … I am the life of all that lives and I am the penance of all the ascetics. Here we see how everything is connecting with Krsna. How do we see, when we see the Earth? When we see, when we smell … this is all Krsna’s arrangement. Just when there is someone in a room and you know who it is by seeing the shoe of that person outside the room and you think, “Oh, he is here!”. So in this way we can see everywhere Krsna’s energy is present and Krsna’s mercy is also present.

The article " Acceptance of our destiny " was published on KKSBlog.

New Temple Safety Committee Formed at New Raman Reti
→ Dandavats

Tamohara das: The New Raman Reti Management Board recently approved a new Anti-Harassment Policy for the Temple. This new version updates and expands the policy, and gives focus to procedures for dealing with any instance of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment has no place in a community of devotees and the Temple Board and Management wish to ensure that it will not be tolerated.

Bhagavatam tenth canto study 79 – 10.14.7-12 – Practicing devotion gratefully while accepting responsibility for our difficulties opens the door to liberation
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Podcast

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Fire at Govinda’s
→ Dandavats

At this point we do not have electricity, gas or hot water to the restaurant and temple building. We are working with local authorities, inspectors and our insurance to assess the damage and come up with a plan for reconstruction.

When people don’t get what they desire, they sometimes become angry and sometimes depressed – are anger and depression twins
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Podcast

The post When people don’t get what they desire, they sometimes become angry and sometimes depressed – are anger and depression twins appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sun Love Feast – Jul 7th, 2019 – Vedic discourse by His Grace Rohini Priya Prabhu
→ ISKCON Brampton

About His Grace Rohini Priya Dasa
Once again we have the opportunity to get the association of His Grace Rohini Priya Dasa at ISKCON Brampton. His Grace Rohini Priya Das Prabhu graduated as a doctor of Medicine from Mumbai University but decided to dedicate his life in the service of Lord Krishna.  He is a senior Brahmachari (monk) at ISKCON's Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir at Chowpatty, Mumbai, India. He is currently serving as the Vice President at ISKCON Chowpatty in Mumbai.

For more than 19 years, he has not only been practicing Krishna Consciousness but has been actively distributing the message of Bhagavad Gita to thousands of engineering, medical students and other professionals all over India.

He also travels widely to USA, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal and Canada and delivers various seminars on Krsna Consciousness.  He also delivers various seminars in Universities and other ISKCON centers.

                     


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

 Sayana Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Fri Jul 12th,2019
Breakfast................  on Sat Jul 13th, 2019 b/w 5.48am – 10:52am

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
Next Seminar will be announced shortly.

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

Adult Education At The Temple
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.

Best ever photos from Rathayatra in Puri 2019
→ Dandavats



Best ever photos from Rathayatra in Puri 2019.
The biggest Rathyatra festival of the world is the Rathyatra in Sri Jagannath Puri. Lord Jagannath, Baladev, Subhadra and Sudarshan come out of the main temple and adorn Their respective chariots. The chariots are huge and amazingly beautiful. This event of the Lord coming out of the temple is known as Pahandi. After Pahandi, the King of Odisha comes to greet Their Lordships on the chariots and various rituals are observed. Then an ocean of millions of people pull the chariots to take the Lords to Gundica Temple. That’s the most spectacular thing to witness. In Gundica, the Lord resides for seven days and then again They come back in another amazing procession. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, during His time in Puri used to attend this Rathyatra festival, whose description is found in details in Sri Caitanya Caritamrita. Please come along and witness one of the biggest annual religious events of the world and be blessed. Jay Jagannath!

Krishna explains in Bhagavad-gita that one who distributes His message is most dear to Him – Vijaya Prabhu
→ Dandavats



Krishna explains in Bhagavad-gita that one who distributes His message of Bhagavad-gita is most dear to Him.
Vijaya Prabhu: One Muslim boy was reluctant to take a book from me because it was from outside his tradition. I saw him another day, and he said, “I had this dream the Bhagavad-gita came to me glowing.” I again encouraged him to get the book, and after repeated attempts, he finally accepted it.


Read More...

Bhagavatam tenth canto study 78 – 10.14.1-6 Krishna is known by devotional hearing, not by intellectual probing
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast

The post Bhagavatam tenth canto study 78 – 10.14.1-6 Krishna is known by devotional hearing, not by intellectual probing appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Mayapur.com 2019-07-06 03:57:14
→ Mayapur.com

It is Lord Jagannath’s festival in Mayapur. In the beautiful Gundicha Mandir offered to Lord lovingly, He is enjoying His Vrindavan Pastimes ! This year a grand Ratha Yatra Mela is put up to attract everyone to festival. Everyday evening, Jagannath Astakam kirtan is sung along with lamp offering . We request everyone to take […]

The post appeared first on Mayapur.com.

A wonderful celebration of Ratha Yatra festival at ISKCON Salem, Tamilnadu, India (Album of photos)
→ Dandavats



A wonderful celebration of Ratha Yatra festival at ISKCON Salem, Tamilnadu, India (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s transcendental mission is to distribute love of Godhead to everyone. Anyone who accepts God as the Supreme can take to the process of chanting Hare Krishna and become a lover of God. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 4.41 Purport)

When love for Krishna is so far away for most of us, should we even talk about it in our classes?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast

The post When love for Krishna is so far away for most of us, should we even talk about it in our classes? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Causeless Mercy: Fifty Years
Giriraj Swami

Fifty years ago, out of his causeless mercy, Srila Prabhupada accepted me as his initiated disciple and wrote me the following letter:

My dear Giriraj,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 2, 1969, sent along with your beads. I have chanted on them, and your initiated name is Giriraj. Giriraj is the name of Goverdhan Hill, on which Krishna used to tend His cows. In Vrindaban Goverdhan Hill is worshiped as a representation of Krishna. Sometimes devotees take stone from Goverdhan Hill and keep it at home as a representation of Krishna, and they worship in this way.

I am very glad to understand that you have relished at least some of the transcendental bliss of Krishna consciousness. It is a great fortune for you. Living entities are roaming within the universes in different species of life and in different planetary systems, enjoying or suffering the reaction of pious or impious activities. But they have no information how to get out of this entanglement of repetition of birth and death. Due to the darkness of ignorance, most living entities have no idea about the values of life. Therefore, one who understands the importance of Krishna consciousness must be a very fortunate soul. So I marked it in your person when I was in Boston, and I prayed to Krishna that this good soul may be aware of the importance of Krishna consciousness.

With my blessings, I am sending herewith your beads, duly chanted upon by me. You should avoid the ten offenses as far as possible, and follow the four regulative principles, as Satsvarupa will instruct you. I know your good godbrother Satsvarupa will always help you in this connection.

Regarding your $2,000, which you promised to send me within three weeks, I beg to thank you for this.* Actually, a brahmacharishould contribute whatever he has got to Krishna, through the spiritual master. The spiritual master does not accept anything for his personal use, but he employs everything for Krishna’s service. Therefore the spiritual master is accepted in the renounced order of life. So far as householders are concerned, they may contribute at least half of their income to Krishna. Then life is sublime. After all, everything belongs to Krishna, and the sooner we return whatever we have got to Krishna, the better it is. That is our normal life. Regarding your stocks, you can keep them for yourself for the time being, and if need be I may ask you to deliver them in the future. Your engagements there are nice, so continue to follow rigidly.

You may inform Satsvarupa that I have sent the Krsna tape #13, so he may transcribe it and send me a copy. I will be sending further tapes henceforward, because my Nectar of Devotion is now finished and I shall concentrate on the Krsna tapes.

I hope this will meet you in very good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

*You can directly transfer this amount to my a/c No. 12410 with the Equitable Savings & Loan Association, Fairfax, Los Angeles, California.