Vraja-Katha program at the new Iskcon Cultural Centre in South Bangalore
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Vraja-Katha program at the new up and coming Iskcon Cultural Centre in South Bangalore (Album of photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: We had a wonderful Vraja-Katha program at the new up and coming Iskcon Cultural Centre in South Bangalore. A huge gathering turned out to enthusiastically hear harikatha and sing kirtan and Vaishnava bhajan. The center has beautiful Radha Krishna, Gaura Nitai & Nrisimhadeva Deities. Come join us through the colorful pics of my dear friend Arjun Bhattacharyya

Tamal Krishna Goswami’s Vyasa-puja
Giriraj Swami

“Vyasa was the spiritual master of Sanjaya, and Sanjaya admits that it was by Vyasa’s mercy that he could understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This means that one has to understand Krsna not directly but through the medium of the spiritual master. The spiritual master is the transparent medium, although it is true that the experience is still direct. This is the mystery of the disciplic succession.

“Actually there is no difference between hearing directly from Krsna and hearing directly from Krsna via a bona fide spiritual master like Vyasa. The spiritual master is the representative of Vyasadeva also. Therefore, according to the Vedic system, on the birthday of the spiritual master the disciples conduct the ceremony called Vyasa-puja.”

—Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 18.75 purport

 

In the Adi Purana Lord Krishna tells Arjuna, “Those who claim to be My devotees are not My devotees, but those who are devotees of My devotees are actually My devotees.” His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja was a most staunch devotee and disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada entrusted so much of his work to Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja. Seeing a picture of Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara before coming here, I recalled how Goswami Maharaja had assisted Srila Prabhupada in his pastime of practically stealing Radha-Londonisvara from one Hindu gentleman’s home and bringing Them to be the first large marble deities of Radha-Krishna in ISKCON. And as I began to think of Srila Prabhupada’s mission and how Goswami Maharaja had assisted him, I found that most of the history of ISKCON is filled with Tamal Krishna Goswami’s service to His Divine Grace.

But just as Krishna is more pleased when a devotee serves His other devotees than when he serves Krishna directly, sometimes I feel Srila Prabhupada also is more pleased when a disciple takes care of Srila Prabhupada’s other disciples and servants. And today I especially think of Goswami Maharaja’s most wonderful quality of taking care of Srila Prabhupada’s devotees.

Srila Prabhupada once told Tamal Krishna Goswami, “Do not let one inch of my property deteriorate.” He has explained that every endeavor requires land, capital, organization, and manpower, and they are all Krishna’s property—or Prabhupada’s property. And Srila Prabhupada said that we shouldn’t waste or spoil any of Krishna’s property. But of all the four items, Prabhupada said that the one we absolutely cannot afford to waste or misuse is the human resource. And although Goswami Maharaja was expert in looking after all of Srila Prabhupada’s mission and property, the most important part was the devotees.

I can speak of my own experience, how Goswami Maharaja has looked after me and taken care of me. Once, Tamal Krishna Goswami said that ISKCON is a family and that none of its members are more important than any others. And in one sense what he said is true. Still, the father’s elder sons have, in one sense, a more important position. Even the Bhagavatam explains that the eldest son can be regarded like the father.

tasmad bhavanto hrdayena jatah
sarve mahiyamsam amum sanabham
aklista-buddhya bharatam bhajadhvam
susrusanam tad bharanam prajanam

[Lord Rsabhadeva told His sons:] “My dear boys, you are all born of My heart, which is the seat of all spiritual qualities. Therefore you should not be like materialistic and envious men. You should accept your eldest brother, Bharata, who is exalted in devotional service. If you engage yourselves in Bharata’s service, your service to him will include My service, and you will rule the citizens automatically.” (SB 5.5.20)

Goswami Maharaja expertly trained the people around him. One time, he really broke through some layers of false ego in me. Goswami Maharaja had come to India as the GBC, and at a certain stage we were going out together and collecting funds for the Vrindavan project, as the Juhu project was delayed because of legal complications. So the two of us used to work as a team, and I was the one to make the appointments. And he was very insistent that I make a lot of phone calls. The best time to phone was early in the morning before people went to the office, but sometimes I wanted to chant more and would go to phone later. And Goswami Maharaja would always ask how many phone calls and appointments I had made. One day I had hardly made any phone calls, and when he asked what had happened I was afraid to tell him, so I told a few little lies, that I tried some people but couldn’t get through. Somehow, by Krishna’s arrangement—or my good or bad luck—Goswami Maharaja spoke to one of the gentlemen I had falsely said I had tried to reach, and Goswami concluded that I had lied to him. So he was very angry—transcendentally angry—and he really helped me. He said, “You pretend to be very pure and innocent, but you are not innocent at all,” which was and is true. He exposed the truth that I was a liar, and the experience was actually very purifying—although it took me a few days to fully appreciate the value of what he had said. But eventually I did, and it helped me in my service.

Another incident I remember, which shows Goswami Maharaja’s deep love for

Srila Prabhupada and his great care for us, as well as his noble character, took place after Srila Prabhupada left. Actually, Goswami Maharaja is a very noble person. Anyway, after Srila Prabhupada left, Tamal Krishna Goswami and I were serving together in Juhu, and we had some disagreement over how best to serve Prabhupada. Then Goswami Maharaja withdrew from his involvement with Juhu. One or two years later, he returned to India, and one of his disciples in Juhu, Veda Vyasa dasa, met him in Mayapur. Only later did Veda Vyasa tell me what had happened. He had met Goswami Maharaja in Mayapur and proposed, “Now you are back in India, so why don’t you come back to Bombay?” And Goswami Maharaja had replied—and this is his greatness, because he thought if he came back to Bombay I would be disturbed—“Giriraj is very dear to Srila Prabhupada. Anyone who causes pain to Giriraj is causing pain to Prabhupada. So I don’t want to come back to Bombay now.” (Later, Goswami Maharaja became the GBC for Bombay, and I was delighted to work with him again.)

I really cannot express how much Goswami Maharaja’s caring for me, as an expression of his love for Srila Prabhupada, has meant to me. And so many other disciples of Srila Prabhupada’s, all of whom are dear to Srila Prabhupada, have experienced Goswami Maharaja’s love and affection and care and assistance.

In my relationship with Goswami Maharaja I have the added fortune of having accepted the renounced order of life from him. Although the initial instruction to take sannyasa came from Srila Prabhupada, it was actually fulfilled after Srila Prabhupada’s departure through His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja. And I am glad Srila Prabhupada arranged for my relationship with Goswami Maharaja to be enhanced by Goswami Maharaja acting as my sannyasa-guru.

I feel very strongly that my relationship with Goswami Maharaja is eternal, that we are eternally servants of Srila Prabhupada together; he is like the older brother and I am the younger. But we are meant to serve Srila Prabhupada together, and actually Srila Prabhupada saw us together—though I am sure it is not unique to the two of us that Srila Prabhupada saw us together.

It was like the mystery of disciplic succession Srila Prabhupada explains at the end of the Bhagavad-gita, that one approaches Krishna through the spiritual master, although the experience is still direct. In a similar way, Goswami Maharaja would help me in my relationship with Srila Prabhupada, but at the same time my relationship with Prabhupada was direct. So receiving first and second initiation from Srila Prabhupada indicates the direct relationship, and then accepting sannyasa, in one sense also from Srila Prabhupada but through Tamal Krishna Goswami, indicates the other aspect—how I was approaching Srila Prabhupada through Tamal Krishna Goswami and how Srila Prabhupada was giving mercy and caring for me through Tamal Krishna Goswami. So I feel confident that our relationship is eternal and will continue.

I feel blessed because so many fortunate souls have also been connected with Goswami Maharaja—godbrothers and godsisters, diksa and siksa disciples—and because of my connection with Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja, I will also be connected with them. Although I am not very qualified, I pray to remain in his service and association and in the association and service of those connected with him. I hope you will accept me.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

[Adapted from a talk by Giriraj Swami on Tamal Krishna Goswami’s Vyasa-puja, July 3, 1999, Houston, Texas]

If someone is facing with a life-threatening disease, how can we explain to them that life has a higher purpose?
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Bhagavatam tenth canto study 67 – 10.12.12-17 The inability to tolerate others’ happiness defines the demonic
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Beautiful and Effulgent
Giriraj Swami

When my chanting is going well and I’m feeling some love for the holy names, the physical representation of the holy names, the maha-mantra, on my altar strikes me as extraordinarily beautiful and effulgent.

Hare Krishna.

May this find you well.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Boat of Transcendental Knowledge
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Life in this material world is just like an ocean of ignorance. We are in the midst of this terrible ocean, which has been tossing us in the repeated cycle of birth and death from time immemorial. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu addresses this ocean as “bhavāmbudhau”, ocean of birth and death, in His siksastakam prayers. Ignorance […]

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24hr Kirtan New Vrindavan 2019 (Album of photos)
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24hr Kirtan New Vrindavan 2019 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: A devotee always thinks of the Lord continuously. While chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, the words Krishna and Hare immediately remind him of all the Lord’s activities. Since his entire life is engaged n the service of the Lord, a devotee cannot forget the Lord at any time. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.1.6 Purport)

If someone has been betrayed repeatedly and has become cynical, how can they recover?
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Bhagavatam tenth canto study 66 – 10.12.1.12 That the extraordinary appears ordinary is extraordinary
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Don’t Starve Your Beads / Не уморите свои четки голодом
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В новых четках ощущается легкость и воздушность. Древесина новая, скорее светлая, поверхность шершавая. После воспевания день за днем кажется, что происходят чудесные преобразования. Их вес начинает меняться. Это необъяснимо, но кажется, что они стали тяжелее, будто они каким-то образом наполнились, насытились силой мантры. Их цвет меняется, как будто сама Туласи Деви хочет обрести темный цвет лица ее Шйама. Жесткость нити ослабевает, и ощущение скольжения через  пальцы само по себе становится гипнотическим. Это чувство заставляет меня изо дня в день возвращаться, стремясь раскрыть запредельные тайны Святого Имени. Перебирание сглаживает текстуру, пока наконец бусины не приобретают блеск и сияние, становясь похожими на ряд мини-божеств. Нама-мурти.

 

Напитайте их нектаром Святого Имени, и они начнут изменяться и трансформироваться. Как и мы. Мы снова и снова возвращаемся к нашим четкам и Святому Имени, надеясь обрести покой, надеясь обрести облегчение, надеясь обрести радость и утешение. Все это, как и многое другое – нам доступно.

 

Я с нетерпением жду того дня, когда наполню свои четки достаточным желанием и тоской, чтобы Говинда услышал мои молитвы и открыл двери в Свое царство Любви.

 

Гурудев наставлял нас: не уморите свои четки голодом. Этот образ остается со мной. Образ мешочка с заброшенными бусинками джапы, оставшимися нетронутыми, оставленными без ежедневного приношения любви и шепота грез, проникающих в каждую бусину – всякий день, когда мы готовимся воспевать, и неважно, насколько долго… Этот образ буквально преследовал меня.

 

В те дни, когда мой разум бунтует, в дни, когда губы не хотят мне подчиняться, сердце закрывается, а все мое существо стремится спрятаться за чувством ложного контроля, образ голодных бус побуждает меня вставать. Идти к ним. Дотрагиваться до них и вспоминать. Вспоминать ощущение от перебирания их, их гладкую поверхность, что соединяет меня с мантрой, высвобождающейся с каждым выдохом.

 

Эти бусины джапы – мои врата к Любви. Я надеюсь и горячо молю, чтобы они всегда указывали мне путь. Молю, чтобы они никогда не оставили меня, чтобы были моими неизменными спутниками. Удивительно, как нить, казалось бы, обычных деревянных бусин стала одной из моих самых дорогих подруг. В них, этих четках – какая-то магия. Я напитываю их – а они напитывают меня. Они наполняют меня заботой, они наполняют меня благодатью и они наполняют меня чудесами Любви, которые извечно хранятся в губинах верховнейшей из мантр. Я молюсь напитывать их так, чтобы однажды я могла придти туда, где не смогла бы остановиться. Место, где Имя будет всем. И это Святое Имя – моя жизнь.

 

[ отрывок из «Према-малы», книги Шримати Ачьюты Гопи даси, известной ученицы Его Святейшества Радханатхи Свами ]

 

 

Cultivating through generosity
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 31 December 2018, Simhachalam, Germany, Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.21)

When Srila Prabhupada started the Sunday love feast, there were about fifteen preparations where each one was outstanding. There was nothing ordinary, everything was special. In the Lilamrtra, it is said that Satsvarupa wanted to be renounced. So when Prabhupada was serving out and asked, “Any seconds?”, Satsvarupa did not want to say “More sweet rice!“, so he instead said, “Just some rice please.” But even the sweet rice had little cheese balls in it and cashews and all kinds of other incredible things. Even that rice was like yummy rice to have; so filled with devotion!

The Sunday love feast was basically like this: one would come to the Sunday feast, load up the packages, store it in the fridge and it would last till Thursday. On Friday, it was a miserable day. But Saturday there was hope because the Sunday love feast was just around the corner again. Devotees who joined the temple would live from Sunday feast to Sunday feast; the only reason they did not leave was because devotees would say, “You are not going to miss the Sunday feast? Are you? You could not do that!”

So this was Prabhupada’s generosity and it was his way of purchasing people – all this amazing prasadam, all for free, taking as much as you want. And this made people indebted and it created an attitude of service within those people. This is the way to preach and this is the way to convince and cultivate new devotees. This is the way that people will actually take up Krsna consciousness – through generosity. Otherwise why else would they take it?        

The article " Cultivating through generosity " was published on KKSBlog.

The names of Srimati Radharani and Sri Krishna being chanted for the first time in the history of Indian parliament
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The names of Srimati Radharani and Sri Krishna being chanted for the first time in the history of Indian parliament (1 min. video)
BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura, Hema Malini took oath as a Member of Parliament at the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. She concluded her oath with ‘Radhe Radhe! Krishnam Vande, Jagat Guru.’ She won second consecutive time from Mathura.

TOVP Weekly Inhouse Progress Report
- TOVP.org

Every week we create an in-house TOVP Progress Report on different aspects of the temple construction.

This week’s report was focused on art in the temple and we decided to share it with all of our donors and supporters. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Click here to see it in your browser or download a copy to your desktop for offline reading.

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If Sita in Lanka was Vedavati, why do we say Sita, not Vedavati, prayed for Hanuman?
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Bhagavatam tenth canto study 65 – 10.11.50-59 Huge demons become like moths on coming before the Krishna-fire
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Bhagavatam tenth canto study 64 – 10.11.41-49 For Krishna, killing demons is all in a day’s play, that too before breakfast
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Iskcon Leicester: ‘Raising the Roof’ sponsored walk at Town Hall Square this Sunday
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Temple President, Pradyumna Das says: “I am deeply grateful to the children and their families for their commitment to preserve this jewel in the heart of our City. Unfortunately, the situation is dire and this building cannot see another winter. Though we have done some patchwork, the roof will not last. These children are making a valuable contribution for theirs, and this wonderful building’s future.”

Thursday, June 13th, 2019
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Toronto, Ontario

I Walked.  I Prayed.

The rain spoke to me during most of the afternoon: "You ain't goin' out there now; walkin' will come later."  So, that's how the bulk of the day played out. But the evening said, "You can come out now."

Karuna and I listened.  The first step outside practically knocked us over.  A whiff of plant power hit our nostrils.  It was rather overwhelming—the freshness of the air.  Though we are both tiring of all the dismal grey wetness, as of late, some consolation reminded us of this water going to our green friends—the bushes and the trees.

"Which way to turn?" asked Karuna as we set off for a well-deserved outside experience after being so confined to indoors.

"I feel like heading in the Casa Loma direction. (which is the castle nearby).” We were whimsical about which streets to tread.  We came up to trails not known to us, but whatever they were, they were blessed byles fleures fragrant.  The perfumed emissions were incredible.

Karuna parted after the forty-five minute walk, but I continued on, and realized before long that at the retail and commerce areas where there were pubs with screens, people were more than huddled, they were crammed with eyes glued to those screens.  The playoffs for the basketball championship were on.  Where I walked I could hear outbursts of joy.  That meant the Toronto Raptors scored.  After arriving back at the ashram and heading to bed, when the game was over, the car horns and humans cheering resounded.  The Raptors had won.  I called Rajasuya.  I woke him for victory.  "You asked me to pray.  I prayed."

May the Source be with you!
5 km

Wednesday, June 12th, 2019
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Grafton, Ontario

Old Shelter

From Montreal, Ananda, Kishor and I headed west on Hwy 401 and took a break at the rural area of Grafton to visit Jai, Rasa and family, as well as to see their new calf.  That went well.  The visit included talks of relevance over soup and bread.  It was time to depart as we were under pressure to meet a timeline for chanting at Toronto's downtown Kensington.

"Pick me up," I softly recommended to our driver, Kishor. "I need to get some walking in."

"Okay," said Kishor, and I then had the pleasure to trek the Old Shelter Road, which is edged by farmland on both sides.  I could not help but notice the mustards by my side, the large lilacs bursting with fragrance, and the lowly, notorious poison ivy—a green companion there to respect but no more.

During that rather brief time on the rustic road, an occasional motorist would zip by somewhat surprised at the sight of a man in robes.  I can't always see the drivers through the tinted glass, but through a subtle perception I can feel something stirring inside—a curiosity perhaps. I really do wish the drivers, whoever he or she may be, would slow down, stop, roll down the window, and begin a chat. The nature of modern conveyance is that you move so fast there almost isn't the time, because of the speedy nature of things, to interact.  That's sad, in my opinion.

Oh, here comes Kishor and Ananda.  Goodbye country road!  Hello, smooth pavement, the 401, and the fast and furious madness until we reach Oshawa at that rush hour, when all becomes confined to turtle traffic.

May the Source be with you!
5 km



Tuesday, June 11th, 2019
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Montreal / Mascouche

Mostly Outdoors

A good amount of time was spent outside today, including a good park-bench talk with monk, Hayagriva, who's in France these days, and then a chat about our mission in Cuba with Nanda Tanuja on his balcony.  For these two souls, a jacket was necessary (this is the coolest June I've ever known).  We then joined the chanting party on streets Mont Royale and Ste. Laurent.

Our chanting procession was received with warmth.  It was Kishor's first time.  He liked it. He's a natural at bhaktiyoga.  As our chanting party was moving along, one unknown-to-us person pulled out a conch-shell and blew out a resounding call.  Unexpected nice touch.

Oh, and there was one more outdoor event—a visit to Nandagram farm at Mascouche. Progress is underway with the garden, now expanded to ten times what it was last year.  Into its second year, the farm project looks promising. Renovations are also in stride for the residents in the farm house which we took shelter of.  We hit that despicable hour while admiring the garden. It was mosquito hour—dawn.  It was an onslaught and we hastened to get back inside.

Anubhava, who had the vision for the rural project in the first place, presented to me a canned jar of organic tomatoes from last fall's harvest.  You can't get a better gift.  It will go to our main cook in Toronto. Dwarkanath will be thrilled. https://www.instagram.com/p/BynV_gYgHmG/?igshid=1a0a8y0edh4mg

The half-hour drive brought us to the point of resting back at the downtown temple, but for me I had letters to complete—correspondence that would take me to midnight.

May the Source be with you!
4 km

Monday, June 10th, 2019
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Toronto / Montreal

Spike

Spike came around today, just to drop in, and have some prasadam at Govinda's, where I test the food every day before it's served out to lovers of a different kind of food.

Spike is a different kind of fellow, by the way.  I haven't seen him for about fifteen years.  I’ve known him for about thirty.  I knew him as a Deadhead, which means he's an avid follower of the rock band, "The Grateful Dead."  I mean that literally; many Deadheads would follow the band's circuit to listen to them at concerts.

"So Spike, are you still a fan?" I asked.

I was surprised to hear: "Not any more.  I listen more to jazz and classical stuff."

"You're maturing, Spike.  Isn't it a good feeling?  You calm down—get more relaxed?"

Spike, whose got that kind of handsome Jewish look, admitted that to some degree he is enjoying the slowed-down-more-experienced way of being.  I was thrilled to hear that.  He always struck me as being a wild child with a smooth chat.

He loved the food at Govinda's—the kofta balls, the veggies, the soup and pakoras. Prasadam was always a draw for him and other people as well, including the occasional monk.  http://www.krishna.com/blog/2012/04/17/craving-koftas

I left Spike to continue his meal while I headed for Montreal.  Between the two cities, Toronto and Montreal, moving by car, there's lots of great countryside.  I can't help but remembering the towns I’ve walked through. It's nostalgic for me. It was nostalgic also to see Spike again, who is always a character, but a cool one.  He likes Krishna also.

May the Source be with you!
3 km



Sunday, June 9th, 2019
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Scarborough / Toronto

Walk and Peace

Given the perfect weather, with sun, moderate temperature and a fresh wind, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to go north on Yonge Street to the ‘uptown’ region.  The morning showed itself to be so optimistic, judging by the upbeat-ness of fellow pedestrians.  The greetings on peoples faces and lips were precious—just precious—as they made their way to individual destinations.  They were places you would expect—Tim Hortons, Starbucks, even church.  Tennis rackets would indicate a courtyard nearby.

I walked the street's gradual upward ascent until Vinod picked me up for the trip to ISKCON Scarborough, where I was to lead everyone in a verse from the Gita. Chapter Eleven reveals the Lord's universal form which had the demigods up in arms.  They were frightened.  With palms together they shouted, "Swasti!" which means, "Peace!"

We discussed and explored the topic of fear which we concluded is a natural feature of life.  "Fear," we said, "helps to humble us and to keep us in check." The aspect of the universal form opens up with majesty and inspires awe and reverence.  Nearing the end of its display, it transitions to horror, and for the demigods it became too overbearing.  In the context of Chapter Eleven, fear was felt, but it stirred up the universal administrators, who are generally too relaxed, to the point of reaching a calm in the end, perhaps comparable to the sweetness of my morning walk on Yonge.

May the Source be with you!
8 km



The Science of a Smile
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By Srimati Dasi

Smiling in which the teeth are slightly visible is called hasita smiling. One day Abhimanyu, the so-called husband of Radharani, was returning home, and at that time he did not know that Krsna was there. But Krsna immediately changed His dress to look exactly like Abhimanyu and approached Abhimanyu's mother, Jatila, addressing her thus: “My dear mother, I am your real son Abhimanyu, but just see — Krsna, dressed up like me, is coming before you!” Jatila, the mother of Abhimanyu, immediately believed that Krsna was her own son and thus became very angry at her real son who was coming home. She began to drive away her real son, who was crying, “Mother! Mother! What are you doing?” Seeing this incident, all the girlfriends of Radharani who were present there began to smile, and a portion of their teeth was visible. This is an instance of hasita smiling. Continue reading "The Science of a Smile
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Sri Syamananda Disappearance
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Syamananda Prabhu, a disciple of Hrdaya Caitanya, established the temple of Sri Radha-Syamasundara in Vrndavana.

Sri Syamananda, Srinivasa and Narottama Dasa Thakura are eternal associates of Sri Gaurasundara. For the purpose of preaching the holy message of Sri Caitanya all over the earth they appeared in this world.

Sri Syamananda father’s name was Sri Krsna Mandal. His mother’s name was Sri Durika. 

After some time the boy took initiation from Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu and was named Krsna das. He was ordered by his guru to go to Vrndavan and study the sastras under Jiva Goswami.

One day in Kanana Kunja, he found an ankle bracelet that belonged to Srimati Radharani. Krsna das was brought before Radha and She marked him on the forehead with the bracelet.

She said, “From now on you will be known as Syamananda das.”

If kshatriyas were allowed to eat meat, why is meat-eating considered wrong for everyone?
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