2013-09-21 Bhakti Sangam #Russian #BookDistribution
Video – Book Distribution – His Words for His Mission
It was a lifestyle!
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Bhaktimarga Swami: Many of our crew members are quite ill with fever, but like real troopers they’re carrying on with the show. A number of them wouldn't mind participating in the walking events, called parikrama,but they see the need to reserve time for this valuable service, the service of ‘enterlightenment’. Two students meet again.
Both did B.Tech in Metallurgical…
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Two students meet again.
Both did B.Tech in Metallurgical engineering the same year (1992). One from IIT Kharagpur and other from IIT Bombay. One works for a company that helps people to search for content on the internet/web, the other gives company (association) to search God within and around us. One developed Chrome and the other developed Govardhana ECO village.
None other than Google CEO Sundar Pichai with HG Gauranga prabhu at Mukesh Ambani son’s (Akash Ambani) marriage.
Greed!
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The following is a chapter from Modern Culture–a Dangerous Experiment by DAYANANDA DAS ADHIKARY.
This section discusses human greed as the root cause of environmental disasters. Many consider the problem to be systemic,[1] and they advocate changing fundamental values to those that would provide genuine reverence toward nature.
The solution presented in this book is to adopt the essential values and practices of Vaishnava culture, specifically those related to yajna.
Read More...
HG Chaitanya Dasi’s memorial in Vrindavan
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HG Chaitanya Dasi’s memorial in Vrindavan (Album of photos)
Mahadevi Dasi: Yesterday in Srila Prabhupada’s House here in Vrndavana, Caitanya Dasi’s Godsisters n brothers sat in a family circle to glorify n remember Prabhupada’s dear disciple. Caitanya dasi has served Srila Prabhupada faithfully in ISKCON since 1969.
Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama:Day2 &3
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The last 2 days of Parikrama have been such an unforgettable experience for all the pilgrims. In the second day we visited Godrumadvipa, the island where kirtan is the process. This is where Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura gave comments on the Sri Caitanya Caritamrta and wrote all his songs. We were in Surabhi kunj where Sri […]
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Navadvip Mandala Parikrama 2019 – Day 4 (17 min. video)
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Navadvip Mandala Parikrama 2019 - Day 4 (17 min. video)
To experience ecstasy in the holy places is not as simple as buying a ...
Sunday, March 10th, 2019
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Mayapura, India
On the Rooftop
On the rooftop of the house, "Radha," local birds fly about—doves, cookoos, and more. Some land on the shrubs and any other object which would be perfect perches. Mahasrngha, a very amiable type of person from Poland, is the proud owner of this home, which I step into every year when I come to Mayapura.
This morning, a family from Vancouver is up on the flat roof sharing space with me in preparation for a diksha ceremony. One of the women, Satuja, took a seat by the havan and opposite her sat the priest, Krishna Svarup.
We opened up this initiation ceremony with a talk from The Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 9, regarding sacrifice for the pleasure of Vishnu (Krishna) which frees one from karma. Simply doing some yoga or some ‘good works’ is not enough. One must express gratitude to the Absolute Controller of things, or at least honour the Universe.
"That is what human life is all about—yajna—sacrifice. If we could balance our life with the practices of yoga and yajna,then our position, spiritually, would be established.
Satuja accepted the name I gave her—Satyabhama-lila. She was happy and so were her family. She wanted to receive from me some directives from the guru, and so I said to her, "Help the mission in your city." Vancouver is a very vibrant city in the world. A lot of work is to be done in the matter of sharing Krishna Consciousness.
"I wish you the best, Satyabhama." https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu3UYD_AbNl/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=xb6nkbylxiss
Our actor troupe drew the crowd and the applause.
May the Source be with you!
6 km
Saturday, March 9th, 2019
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Mayapura, India
Lifestyle
Many of our crew members are quite ill with fever, but like real troopers they’re carrying on with the show. A number of them wouldn't mind participating in the walking events, called parikrama,but they see the need to reserve time for this valuable service, the service of ‘enterlightenment’. https://www.instagram.com/p/BusClNfAYIX/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=vhwl8jadjx5m
Appreciations have been pouring in or just vocalized to actors and myself as we walk around the campus. "We love it." "You're outdoing yourself." "The best!" are common remarks about "The Queen's Secret."
We filled the house again, the Samadhi auditorium, and received, once again, a standing ovation. I was delighted to see that at least five of our senior monks attended. Devamrta Swami, who hails from New York said, "It was part of life in New York to go to the theatre on a regular basis. We need this kind of thing in our society." He was implying that with the hustle and bustle of life, entertainment was like an exhalation, that seeing something on broadway gave colour. "It was a lifestyle." https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu05vNigPMr/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=9fvb0p2nypcd
Such encouraging words.
In the meantime, pilgrims come and go to this sacred sight. They come for darshan (deity viewing). They enter the temple and offer prostrate obeisance as a gesture of humility. People come to Mayapura from many different countries. They are wise to do so; some are on foot from afar or if not, on foot when they arrive. There's lots to see and do. Most remarkable is to see no one smoking, drinking or gambling. Pick-pocketing does go on, so we are told, but all the hearing and all the chanting make all nefarious dealings so minor.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Friday, March 8th, 2019
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Mayapura, India
Female Inclusiveness
Our topic was "guru." I will paraphrase what I said—in regard to women being empowered as gurus—to the assembly of senior men and women. All others who commented on the topic are to be confidentially honoured.
"I read the Bhagavad-gita first at the age of twenty. In Chapter One, Prabhupada purports that women are less intelligent. I struggled with that. I read on and came to Chapter 10, text 34, where our guru, Prabhupada, comments that intelligence is a feminine trait. My mind struggled in dealing with these two contradictory generalizations. How was I to reconcile these two opposing statements?
I read all of the books and found other contradictions, and even found contradictory instructions in his personal letters. But I found consolation in accepting that you have to look at the context in which a message is delivered. What is the intent? What are the conditions around a remark that formed the conclusion? I had to remove myself from my black-and-white views from western upbringing. This helped.
I also found it necessary to grasp from the readings and writings the spirit of the message; the way in which our guru thought and dealt with people. The spirit or intent was the most important. This is what I explored about our guru. He was so empowering, so inspirational, so inclusive, not exclusive.
Where women traditionally had not been allowed in temple participation, our guru did allow, and he spoke to Professor O'Connell, in the room where I live in Toronto, that tradition has it that women have been gurus. 'Some, not many!' Again he was inclusive and broke many barriers.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Thursday, March 7th, 2019
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Mayapura, India
Every Year
Every year we arrange a lunch for the Canadian pilgrims. This year, Gauranga's Garden became our venue for bhakti-yogis from the Great White North to assemble. Monks/swamis well known like Sivarama, BB Govinda, Gopal Krishna and Bhanu Swami came, either on foot, or by rickshaw, to bless the occasion of eating. We also saw some happy cooks.
We are also in the swing of what is called "Kirtan Mela," which takes the shape of a five-day marathon of chanting with instruments. Traditionally kirtan is done while dancing, but on most occasions I've seen, people sit around the lead singer who usually plays a harmonium. This means the attendees are inclined to sit down. I am more of a traditionalist in this regard. With my time slot of 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., I insisted on the stand-up-and-sway method. The reciprocation was great. The moving of bodies was dynamic. The smiles were oceanic. https://www.instagram.com/p/BuxS_tsgjIa/utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1qt4j0lh9o6cf
From the kirtan hall, I reached the samadhi in preparation for our premier of "The Queen's Secret." https://www.instagram.com/p/BusClNfAYIX/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1kvt20iuvd7ep Crowds poured in. With lights out, the sound of the conch blew, and the show began. After an hour-plus of telling the story of a queen and her lost son, the standing ovation came. Then, outside, in the lobby you can say, the actors met the audience. There was an outburst of appreciation.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Wednesday, March 6th, 2019
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Mayapura, India
Good Guru / Bad Guru
Basically when it comes to eating, you have to watch what you eat, when you eat, and how much you eat when on a retreat like the one in Mayapura. This you learn from experience. To stay in good shape, some exercise is wanted. Some sun. Some bathing, in the Ganges perhaps, and being careful regarding diet.
Breakfast can't be too heavy. Some fruit is best. Lunch is great here but choose your items. I'm off rice these days—sweets, almost no dairy (everything here is of ahimsa milk) and I minimize deep fry. All this in moderation, and it's best to avoid eating at night.
I was quite strict on these rules today and it showed. A massage therapist, Bilva, worked on me for a third session since I came to Mayapura, and he noticed the difference in my overall condition today. He noted that kidneys, prostate and general relaxation were stronger. I must admit I really liked the fact that not only is he working on muscles but he is also monitoring me.
For the last day of our Sanyasa, GBC, Guru Sangha (SGGS) sessions over three days, our facilitator, Braj Vihari, steered us in some good directions. We had a stimulating reading segment in the program. And according to some, another good item was a skit performed by colleagues Anuttama, Kala Kanta and included your humble servant. It was in two parts. Kala played the local temple president, Anuttama was my disciple and pick-up driver from the airport, and I was the visiting monk. We demonstrated good co-operative skills between us. A segment also showed poor communication, while I was the bad guru, arrogant and eager for followers and dakshina (donations).
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Tuesday, March 5th, 2019
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Mayapura, India
A Monk...
A monk from the Orient, China, I suppose, excitedly and hurriedly ran to me with a gift. It was a gamsha, a short lower garment for sleeping in, or to be used as a towel after bathing. He doesn't know me very well, but he extended himself for that devotional touch.
"What is your name?" I asked him.
"My name is ??? Swami," he answered, with a name that was the length of the Ganges.
"Is there a short form to that?"
"Haridasa," he replied.
"Thanks. I can handle a three syllable word."
He was all smiles.
I walked to the samadhi auditorium for the morning drama session. When I came out, the Russian pilgrims were sitting, partly on stone, partly on the grass. A senior monk of the brahmacaris was delivering a class. All eyes came my way when I stumbled upon the group. The class was interrupted. The listeners offered obeisances in my direction, as is done in a place like Mayapura. I threw everyone a kiss. Laughter followed.
I walked to my room, Number 505 in the Gada Building and there on the bed was a copy of the latest "Padayatra Newsletter," an actual glossy magazine. I was thrilled that my article entitled, "The Bruce Trail in Canada," made it into the 2019 edition.http://www.padayatra.com/padayatra-newsletter-2019/
High points—these brief encounters were, but there's more. Another day of converging with monks of guru or teacher-status devotees was really special. Then there was the dress rehearsal for, "The Queen's Secret." The troupe expressed being tired, but they worked on, nevertheless. https://www.instagram.com/p/BupjPteAsVM/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=z4ru0ff0b8xh
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Lord Krishna is everyone’s wellwisher. He is equal to all and extremely dear to everyone
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Lord Krishna is everyone’s wellwisher. He is equal to all and extremely dear to everyone (video)
Srimad Bhagavatam class by H.H. Bhakti Gauravani Goswami in Vrindavan, Mar 9, 2019.
Inauguration of the 2nd Mayapur Goshala Bullock Cart on 11 March (Album of photos)
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Inauguration of the 2nd Mayapur Goshala Bullock Cart on 11 March (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada once wrote to Nityananda Prabhu, head of New Talavan Farm Community: “We can introduce many millions of such carts all over the world.” This prophetic statement reigned true again today as HH Lokanath Swami Maharaja inaugurated the second Mayapur Goshala Bullock cart.
It All Starts With Giving Attention
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By Sacinandana Swami The degree to which you are able to turn to Krsna while chanting reveals the depth of your relationship with Him and how healthy you are spiritually. If you are unhealthy, you simply cannot turn to Krsna. Your mind will dislike the idea of chanting. It will be very rebellious and everything but Krsna will appear in your mind at that time. Every relationship starts with giving attention, and your relationship with Krsna is no exception. Therefore, you must learn how to chant with attention. It is said in the scriptures that inattention to Krsna is the root cause of all other offences and problems. Thus, inattention to Krsna embodies our main problem in this material existence. We need to fix that – it is most important. Continue reading "It All Starts With Giving Attention
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Srimad Bhagavatam class in Mayapur, March 12, 2019
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By Radhanath Swami Prema is within the heart of every being. It’s who we are. It’s what we are, it’s how we are. But we can’t find it unless it’s awakened and there is nothing we can do to awaken it. Even we gain all the eight mystic siddhis of being supernatural yogis or any other means, it doesn’t awaken. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu told Sanatan Goswami, that, love for Krishna is very rare because one who loves Krishna, Krishna becomes subordinate to that love. He becomes indebted forever to one who has that love and who serves in that love. But it can be easily achieved by one who is sincere, serious and has no ulterior motives and that sincerity is in how we, Continue reading "Srimad Bhagavatam class in Mayapur, March 12, 2019
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Gaura Purnima (Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Appearance) Festival – Special Program – Wednesday March 20th, 2019
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Sponsorship Opportunities
(contact - 647-834-3937)
(contact - 647-834-3937)
Prasadam $351
Deity Dress $351
Flowers $201
Abhishekam $108
Decorations $251
Sun Love Feast – Mar 10th, 2019 – Vedic discourse by HG Anant Prabhu
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Adult Education At The Temple
Sun Love Feast – Mar 17th, 2019 – Vedic discourse by HG Aindra Prabhu
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If aspiring disciples feel that they can’t get their guru’s association, what can we tell them?
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Answer Podcast
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Paramahamster: Gayatri
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Our "Paramahamster" comic strip follows an enthusiastic devotee as he navigates a 9 - 5 work day in the corporate world. Please check back weekly for new episodes!
Radha’s Abode (Album of photos)
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Radha’s Abode (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: On my first day back in Vrindavan I went to Varsana, the home of Srimati Radharani, in the early morning hours with a small group of devotees. As we traversed the trail up the mountain to the magnificent temple on top, family after family invited us into their humble homes to take prasadam. I am so happy to be back in this transcendental abode in the association of the wonderful people who live here!
New York Brooklyn and Bhaktivedanta Institute Reports Headline March 7th Afternoon GBC Session
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The first topic up for discussion in the afternoon March 7th, was ISKCON’s Radha-Govinda Temple in Brooklyn, NY. The last few years have seen conflict over the managerial authority of the temple, prompted by an earlier proposed sale of the property.
Jayadev Das to Release Dance Album “The Original Superheroes”
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In response to the current superhero craze, the album will be called “The Original Superheroes” and will feature songs about spiritual personalities and role models.
Pranada Dasi’s “Wise-Love” Nominated for Prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award
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One of the largest international awards for independent books published by small or academic presses, the Eric Hoffer Book Award is given in honor of the American philosopher Eric Hoffer, who reflected on the human condition.
Food For All Opens ‘Pay As You Can’ Café in Watford, UK
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Food For All took it over two years ago. “I began giving out free meals every Monday, and it became very popular,” says Parasurama. “130 homeless people came the first time.
Singing in the streets of Navadvipa!
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International devotees performed harinam in the streets of nadvadvipa town today, as on the Navadvip Mandal Parikrama 3rd day parikrama, devotees after walking to the holy places of Pushkara and Kuruksetra, crossed Ganga and entered Koldvipa, the present day town of Navadwipa. “One day during the afternoon , Lord Nityananda reached Koladvipa along with Sri […]
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Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama: Day1
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All glories to Sri Navadvipa Dhama, the birth place of Harinama sankirtan! Sri Caitaya Mahaprabhu said: “This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon.” Kali Yuga it is an hopeless age in all respects, chanting the Holy Name is the only means to […]
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“Pretend Play” about Krishna versus “Pretend Play” about Peppa Pig: the impact of non devotee association on the lives of devotee children
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By Caitanyacandra das The Independent online news reports that this weekend (24th of February) the animated cartoon Peppa Pig has attained 10 years of being broadcast for the entertainment of young children. The Independent mentions that Peppa Pig is being shown in 180 countries and has been translated into 40 languages. One might ask why does the show has so much success among little children. Basically because the episodes use children´s ordinary interests as main topics and show children natural ability to do imaginative play also call “Pretend Play”. Continue reading "“Pretend Play” about Krishna versus “Pretend Play” about Peppa Pig: the impact of non devotee association on the lives of devotee children
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Holy Name Retreat for the youth at Ekachakra Dham
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By Devaki Devi Dasi In February, the leaders of the Sri Mayapur International School had requested me to spend quality time with their pupils aged 11 to 18. We had decided to first welcome the boys with a group of teachers for two days to Nityananda's abode, and then a bus-load of girls and their teachers. What a wonderful excursion!
Our children are very special, and they start chanting in japa and kirtan already at a very young age. If we can inspire them to develop good chanting habits from the very beginning of their life, it will give them a wonderful start to their way back home, back to Godhead.
Continue reading "Holy Name Retreat for the youth at Ekachakra Dham
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Life Of A Devotee – Hayagriva Das (video)
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Life Of A Devotee - Hayagriva Das (video)
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna maha-mantra gives liberation and at the same time...
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One Day Vaishnavi Padyatra – Women’s Day – ISKCON Amravati…
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One Day Vaishnavi Padyatra - Women’s Day - ISKCON Amravati (3 min. video)
Srila Prabhupada: If the surface of the globe is overflooded with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, the people of the world will be very, very happy. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.10 Purport)
Presentation on ToVP by senior speakers in Mayapur
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By Suvilasi Madhavi Devi Dasi So the purpose of the program today is to increase the awareness and the importance of all of us participating to complete the TOVP project in time. Whats our deadline? 2022! And how many years are left? Three years! We don’t have a lot of time left! Only three years! So we have to go a real marathon to increase the awareness and the urgency of this project. Prabhupada had a great desire to build this temple to fulfil the desires of the previous acharyas Continue reading "Presentation on ToVP by senior speakers in Mayapur
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Srila Prabhupada’s care for the devotees (video)
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Srutakirti prabhu, who served as a personal servant of Srila Prabhupada for several years, narrates several episodes from his experience, highlighting the personal protection and care Srila Prabhupada provided for his disciples.
Tulsi Gabbard on CNN yesterday about being a Gaudiya Vaishnava,…
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Tulsi Gabbard on CNN yesterday about being a Gaudiya Vaishnava, a devotee in Krishna Consciousness.
(It’s a two-minute fraction of the whole interview)
The link will bring you to the exact point of the relative discussion.
New souls chanting full Hare Krishna mahamantra for the first time
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By Rohininandan dasI have been distributing Srila Prabhupada's books for more than 12 yrs.
This is the part of my book distribution that I have started for the last 2 years now, and this has been successful. I give Srila Prabhupada's books, I explain to them about Peace mantra for their mind, body, and soul. I request them if they like to participate with me in chanting Hare Krishna Maha-mantra, they happily do it. You can see the clips to believe it. Continue reading "New souls chanting full Hare Krishna mahamantra for the first time
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Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama 2019 Day 2 and 3
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By Nitya Kishore dasiThe last 2 days of Parikrama have been such an unforgettable experience for all the pilgrims. In the second day we visited Godrumadvipa, the island where kirtan is the process. This is where Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura gave comments on the Sri Caitanya Caritamrta and wrote all his songs. We were in Surabhi kunj where Sri Nityananda prabhu started His first Namahatta and from that very place the incredible mercy of Lord Nityananda crossed the whole world and touch the hearts of millions of living entities. So walking in that place, listening to the lectures and chanting gives us the chance to build a very strong connection with the Holy Name. Continue reading "Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama 2019 Day 2 and 3
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Srimad Bhagavatam class in Mayapur, March 11, 2019
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By Badrinarayan Swami The materialists spend their whole time fixing petty problems. We should appreciate the scope, the depth, the value of Vedic wisdom. It goes to the heart of the matter. What is the first thing that’s essential for a good doctor? What is the first thing to get cured? Medical, good insurance? No. You have to have a good diagnosis, you have to know the cause of the disease is, and otherwise you might as well be taking colored water for medicine. Continue reading "Srimad Bhagavatam class in Mayapur, March 11, 2019
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Should devotees fast on Mahashivaratri?
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Answer Podcast
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