Jaya and Vijaya Coming to the TOVP (Album of photos)
→ Dandavats



Jaya and Vijaya Coming to the TOVP (Album of photos)
Our murti department is making much progress on the various deities being sculpted for the TOVP.
Sadbhuja Das: These pictures are just an upgrade of the beautiful work of the Bengali artist sculpturing Jay&Vijay.
It’s amazing the dimensions and the great skills that the local artists are able to display. They are masters when it comes to murtis.

ISKCON Leicester’s Head Pujari, Visnu Murti Das, was invited…
→ Dandavats



ISKCON Leicester’s Head Pujari, Visnu Murti Das, was invited tonight to lead prayers at Leicester City Council’s full council meeting.
He spoke about the deep divisions we are currently seeing in politics, and how public servants must remember their duty to serve the very people that put them in power. He also discussed some of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita on the principle of servitude. Visnu Murti concluded with Sanskrit prayers and the mahamantra.
More photos: https://goo.gl/VwXuj8

NASN January 2019 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats

By Mayapur Sasi dasa

For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of January 2019. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN January 2019 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats"

Celebrating 50 Years of ISKCON UK at our New Temple in Birmingham
→ Dandavats

By Praghosa dasa

Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK with over 2 million jivas residing in human bodies. It is the most multicultural city in the western world, as only half of those human jivas are in white bodies. So it is a wonderful city for delivering the message of Lord Caitanya and now with our new temple in the city centre, next to the university, it gives us a fantastic opportunity to do just that. Great devotees have come from Birmingham in the past such as HH Subagh Swami and HH Bhakti Vrajendranandana Swami Continue reading "Celebrating 50 Years of ISKCON UK at our New Temple in Birmingham
→ Dandavats"

World Heritage Center at Mayapur
→ Mayapur.com

Renowned industrialists Sri Sajjan Jindal Chairman of JSW group of companies, Sri B.K. Goenka Chairman of Welspun group and Sri Ashok Goel Chairman of Essel group along with Sri Devakinandan Dasa, visited the world headquartes of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness on Sunday 17th Feb, Mayapur Nadia, regarding the proposed plan of ISKCON to […]

The post World Heritage Center at Mayapur appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Appearance day Anniversary of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura
→ Dandavats

By Bhakti Caitanya Swami

Narottama Dasa Thakura appeared in Kheturi which I believe is in current day Bangaldesh. Eventually in his late youth or so he went to Vrindavan and in Vrindavan he met Srila Jiva Goswami and took shelter of him. Then he met Srila Lokanath Goswami and was very deeply struck by the character of Lokanath Goswami and his standards as a devotee and just who he was as a devotee Continue reading "Appearance day Anniversary of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura
→ Dandavats"

Not Feeling the Bliss? Here’s the Cure
→ Dandavats

By Sri Nandanandana dasa

Sometimes I hear devotees say that they have been chanting Hare Krishna for thirty or forty years or more, and are still waiting to feel the taste for it, or the ecstasy from chanting, or from doing devotional service. I even heard where some devotee workshops were saying that it is not uncommon that devotees do not feel this bliss even after years of chanting, and that sometimes people leave the movement because they don’t feel the higher taste. They did not get what they expected. But the cure for that is clearly explained. Continue reading "Not Feeling the Bliss? Here’s the Cure
→ Dandavats"

Srila Narottama dasa Thakura
Giriraj Swami

Today is the appearance day Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, of whom Srila Prabhupada said, He was “a great acharya of the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya. He has written many songs about the Vaishnava philosophy, and they are approved as completely corresponding with Vedic instructions.  .  .  . So, we should relish the instruction of Narottama dasa Thakura.”

At the original Gaura-purnima festival held in Kheturi, in the presence of Srimati Jahnava-devi, Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, and Srila Srinivasa Acharya, six pairs of Radha-Krishna Deities were installed, and one pair, Radha-Braja-mohana, was sent to Vrindavan.

A few years ago, after Indradyumna Swami told me about the poor condition of the temple, I gave a donation to support the Deity worship, and in reciprocation, Maharaja gave me the conch shell that Narottama sent to Vrindavan for the worship of Braja-mohana. Maharaja said that it may have been blown by Jahnava-devi, Narottama, or Srinivasa, but in any case, it was part of the paraphernalia that Narottama sent to his disciple in Vrindavan.

In this photo, you can see the conch.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Джая и Виджая явятся в ХВП
- TOVP.org

Наш отдел мурти значительно продвинулся вперед в изваянии различных божеств для ХВП.

На данной фотографии – один из бенгальских скульпторов, работающий над фигурами Джая и Виджая, которые будут расположены в крыле Нрисимхадева. Данные мурти изготавливаются местными скульпторами с большим мастерством и вниманием к деталям прямо на территории храма.

 

НОВОСТИ ХВП – БУДЬТЕ В КУРСЕ

Посетите ХВП: www.tovp.org
Читайте о ХВП: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Смотрите о ХВП: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Загрузите приложение ХВП для мобильного телефона: www.tovp.org/ru/announcements-ru/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Подпишитесь на новости ХВП: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1
Поддержите ХВП: www.tovp.org/ru/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post Джая и Виджая явятся в ХВП appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Jaya and Vijaya Coming to the TOVP
- TOVP.org

Our murti department is making much progress on the various deities being sculpted for the TOVP.

Pictured here is one of our Bengali artists working on Jaya and Vijaya who will be placed in the Nrsimha Wing of the temple. These murtis are made with great skill and attention to detail by local artists right on location.

 

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
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Mailing List at: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities

The post Jaya and Vijaya Coming to the TOVP appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Lust when unfulfilled leads to anger – does that mean the short-tempered have excessive lust that is unsatisfied?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post Lust when unfulfilled leads to anger – does that mean the short-tempered have excessive lust that is unsatisfied? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

WHAT WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR ABOUT INDIA, By Stephen Knapp
→ Stephen Knapp

    Recently I read some reports on a conference in which India’s history was discussed with the conclusion that there is little reason to be proud of India’s past 1000 years for what some people call the enslavement by invaders. But I have a different view.

Of course, we know and recognize that India has been attacked and in many ways dominated over the past 1000 years by invaders of all kinds. It has cost India millions of lives and the loss of the great esteem that India had been known for. But now things have changed. We do not have to live in those memories, nor base India’s identity on those times. We can be thankful for the tolerance, durability, perseverance, and flexibility that India and its people are known for, and that the culture of India still exists, and the intellectual character of its society is not only still intact but is blossoming now more than ever.

It was only a matter of becoming free again from the dominance of outsiders, those invaders and the exploitation they imposed on India’s people and its resources, to finally allow India to again flex its intellectual wings to become a major force with which the world must recognize and engage and reciprocate. As we can see, even India’s economy is surpassing the economy of England, which was one of India’s dominating forces for a few centuries. It was only a matter of time when India’s superior culture and the ingenuity and intellectual capacity of India’s people would again shine forth.

Therefore, I say there is much to be thankful for to be where India is now. But there are lessons we need to remember. India needs to remember that one of the prime reasons for the last 1000 years of attacks and dominance by outsiders was the lack of unity among the princely states to defend themselves from the invaders. When the Muslims first entered India, they were repelled. By they returned with a bigger force and cut through. But if other princely states would have joined in to help, they could have easily fought off the invading forces. But that did not happen. So, one by one, the princely states were attacked and defeated, which lead to the domination over India by outsiders for so many years. This should not be allowed to happen again.

Other lessons we should learn is to make sure we do not become apathetic to the need to defend India’s culture. Apathy is one of the most dangerous symptoms that allows you to be defeated by those who hate you or want to exploit you. Secondly, the divisions among the Indians should be viewed as superficial, and not very relevant to the ongoing existence of the  cooperation and respect we need to show each other for our future development. Thirdly, the secular media, when secular in many cases means to be anti-Hindu or even anti-India, needs to be recognized as a major challenge to our unity and to the future well-being of India and its people. To have a press which amplifies or magnifies anything that can be interpreted as anti-Hindu is obviously working against the very culture and vibrancy and unity of Indian society.

India was one of the greatest and most developed and wealthiest countries in the world, and gave the planet inventions and developments for which the world enjoys the fruits of today. These were such inventions as in metals, textiles, medicine, surgery, rhinoplasty, and mathematics, and on and on, which were way ahead of the rest of society, and without which the world would be devoid of many of the developments that came from these inventions. (Anyone can read more about these in my book, “Advancements of Ancient India’s Vedic Culture.”) Furthermore, we should recognize how the Vedic philosophy and its spiritual understanding and the wisdom of India’s great rishis and sages were so well accepted and respected that it influenced many other cultures throughout the world. (Anyone can read my books “Proof of Vedic Culture’s Global Existence” and “Mysteries of the Ancient Vedic Empire” for lots more information on this point of view.) As a foreigner, I constantly count my blessings that I came across the Vedic philosophy and culture of India.

So, now that India is again free to chart its own course and destiny, Indians should be proud of what it has offered in the past and use that as a sign of what it can offer in the future.

However, we should dedicate ourselves to what works now. We can see how well India gave contributions to society in the past, but also how the invaders interfered with India’s continued progress, because if the last 1000 years of slavery, as some call it, did not happen, who knows how much farther ahead in progress India might be today. So, we should also reject those foreign influences that have the power to be a hindrance to what India and its people were and what they are today. We should reject the foreign influences and recognize the way they slaughtered so many Indians and destroyed so many of its temples, and forcefully converted so many people, and imposed such events as the horrible Goan Inquisition, and still today inflict the feeling and politics of division. (My book, “Crimes Against India” describes much more of this history.)

We should reject those cultures or religions that are outrightly opposed to Vedic and Indian values, or that have a history of slaughtering millions of Indians or destroying thousands of temples, or forcefully converting people to foreign or invader’s religions. If they have had such little respect and so much disdain for us in the past, that is not likely to change any time soon. They may, in fact, simply look at what they do now as conducting unfinished business–the continued conquest of India.

What benefit is there to cater to these outside, anti-Indian and anti-Hindu forces and organizations? At the time of this writing, the ex-CM of Mizoram wants to declare it as a Christian country that should separate from India. How many more times is this going to be allowed to happen?

We should also reject things like communism and see it as an outside force that does not and has never worked, and which in India is now only a distraction in its attempted implementation.

Am I proposing nationalism? No. I am only proposing that India depend on what actually works, what actually benefits all of India as a people. And we can find that what actually produced the higher consciousness, intellectual capability, flexibility, etc., is what had always been a part of India’s Vedic lifestyle and culture.

That does not mean we reject everything that comes from the west or outside of India. We can take whatever actually benefits India. But we take the best and leave the rest. Nonetheless,  we should use the proven formulas of what comes from India, what we know works best for India.

Actually, India should try to become as self-sufficient as possible, especially agriculturally, technologically and philosophically.. That is what India was over 1000 years ago, which attracted so many people, including all of its invaders, to come to India. But if India becomes more self-sufficient, then whatever difficulty happens to the rest of the world, India is least affected by it. It remains a contributor to the world, not a taker, and remains in control of its own destiny. The more you depend on others, the more you depend on their approval, and then their dictates. India should be above all that. This will really show the flexibility and versatility of India, which Indians should value. It’s India’s system, culture and lifestyle that has protected it all these years, and that is what we must be thankful for.

A good lesson in this regard is Britain. It was once a great empire, but now has become reduced to a small island. And even what is left of its own culture is gradually disappearing and changed by the inflow of immigrants into the country that are not assimilating. We need to make sure that does not happen to India. We should have learned our lessons very clearly from the last 1000 years to plan India’s destiny wisely, and for that we should be very thankful.

Book distribution is needed! (Album of photos) Mohanasini Dasi:…
→ Dandavats



Book distribution is needed! (Album of photos)
Mohanasini Dasi: You can’t argue with success! When you click on the pics…you’ll see that book distribution is wanted, that book distribution is needed! I pray that this will inspire you to distribute books….for me, it is my life and soul!
Book totals for Feb 1 - Feb 17: 17 Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers, 28 Perfection of Yoga, 21 Chant and be Happy, 246 Higher Taste Cookbooks, 6 Science of Self Realization, 271 soft bound 72 Bhagavad Gitas, 16 Hard bound 72 Bhagavad Gitas, and 10 Srimad Bhagavatams Total: 616 books
Find them here: https://goo.gl/FUwK1D

Srila Narottam Das Thakur’s Appearance Day in Vrindavan…
→ Dandavats



Srila Narottam Das Thakur’s Appearance Day in Vrindavan (2019) (Album of photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Today was Maghi Purnima, the Appearance Day of Srila Narottam Das Thakur. We had a wonderful program at Sri Sri Radha Braja Mohan Mandir where one of the Kheturi Festival Deities now presides. We sang many bhajans written by him and had katha remembering his life’s story. Then we had a super delicious feast. Hundreds of devotees showed up for the event. We are very thankful to all our facebook donors for such a blissful program! Relish the pics of Vittalrukmini.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/XRGpfo

Bangladesh preaching program 2019
→ Dandavats

By bhakta Ankit

Srila Prabhupada wanted Krishna Consciousness to be preached in Bangladesh. Preaching there is really risky, however, pure devotees take the risk. HH Subhag Swami has been continuously preaching in Bangladesh for the past 45 years. In the early days, Maharaj used to preach wearing a formal dress and take shelter at some Hindu family homes. Continue reading "Bangladesh preaching program 2019
→ Dandavats"

Visiting Sri Mayapur for Gaura Purnima Festival 2019? Don’t miss…
→ Dandavats



Visiting Sri Mayapur for Gaura Purnima Festival 2019?
Don’t miss out the bliss of travelling in Jaladuta Cruise!
The bookings for Jaladuta boat service from Kolkata to Mayapur has started now! No more bumpy &
risky roads & pollution, enjoy the relaxing cruise, passing through villages & countryside beautiful
scenery around, fresh air and a sattvik mood on the whole with kirtan and devotional videos on. It is an
unique experience to travel in Ganga, capturing the mood of Mayapur all through your journey!
Jaladuta Cruise offers:
Reclining comfortable seats
2 washrooms on board
Krsna Conscious entertainment
Breakfast prasadam
Extra seats in the front gallery for passengers to stretch and move around. Passengers can feel the nice cool fresh breeze of Ganga. Devotees can chant their rounds here in association with
Ganga devi who is filled with Krsna Prema by Gauranga Mahaprabhu’s touch.
The cruise will leave from Millennium Park 2 which is situated across Howrah on the other side of Ganga.
Book your seat now! Only limited seats available. Each trip 30 seats only!!
For Special offers on group bookings call 9733578071.
Dates of Operations:
Kolkata to Mayapur -Feb 28th, March 4th, 7th, 20th

Mayapur to Kolkata - March 2nd, 6th, 17th & 23rd Price: Rs.2000/- (US $ 30/-)
Travel time Kolkata to Mayapur 6hrs, Mayapur to Kolkata 4hrs.
For inquiries & bookings, write to us at reservations@mayapur.com or
call or whatsapp to 6383832530.

Jaladuta Cruise to Mayapur!
→ Mayapur.com

Visiting Sri Mayapur for Gaura Purnima Festival 2019? Don’t miss out the bliss of travelling in Jaladuta Cruise! The bookings for Jaladuta boat service from Kolkata to Mayapur has started now! No more bumpy & risky roads & pollution, enjoy the relaxing cruise, passing through villages & countryside beautiful scenery around, fresh air and a […]

The post Jaladuta Cruise to Mayapur! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The Main Point of Gaudiya Vaisnavism
→ Dandavats



Sacinandana Swami: Once there was a lady in India called Kamabai. She lived in a small straw hut and materially speaking she was very poor. However, she had strong love for our Lord, Jagannatha, in her heart. Every morning before the Lord received His over 30 food preparations from the first-class priests in the temple, she cooked a simple stew called kitchari which traditionally consists of rice, beans and if you have enough money also vegetables. It is easy to digest and the main food of the money-less.


Read More...

Ecstatic Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra in Canberra, the capital of…
→ Dandavats



Ecstatic Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra in Canberra, the capital of Australia (Album of photos)
Jagannatha Rathayatra @ Multicultural Festival 2019
Enthralling Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra in Australia’s Capital - A Fabulous Day of Devotion n Joy
We had enthralling Rathayatra as part of National Multicultural Festival. Lord Jagannatha, His brother Baladeva & sister Subhadra majestically rode on Their beautifully bedecked palanquin through the Central Business District of capital, blessing one and all with Their merciful darshans.
Hundreds of people including ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and other dignitaries had opportunity to witness this Festival, as Hare Krishna devotees danced & chanted enthusiastically. All devotees participated contributing with great synergy for pleasure of Lord Jagannatha.
Very grateful to our ISKCON Founder-acarya Srila Prabhupada, to be fortunate to do some services to enumerate in West this age-old 12th century’s devotional Festival originating from holy Jagannatha Puri Dhama in Orissa.
Jagannatha Rathayatra Mahotsav ki jai!! Srila Prabhupada ki jai!!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/3Y8P

Ecstatic Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra in Canberra, the capital of…
→ Dandavats



Ecstatic Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra in Canberra, the capital of Australia (Album of photos)
Jagannatha Rathayatra @ Multicultural Festival 2019
Enthralling Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra in Australia’s Capital - A Fabulous Day of Devotion n Joy
We had enthralling Rathayatra as part of National Multicultural Festival. Lord Jagannatha, His brother Baladeva & sister Subhadra majestically rode on Their beautifully bedecked palanquin through the Central Business District of capital, blessing one and all with Their merciful darshans.
Hundreds of people including ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and other dignitaries had opportunity to witness this Festival, as Hare Krishna devotees danced & chanted enthusiastically. All devotees participated contributing with great synergy for pleasure of Lord Jagannatha.
Very grateful to our ISKCON Founder-acarya Srila Prabhupada, to be fortunate to do some services to enumerate in West this age-old 12th century’s devotional Festival originating from holy Jagannatha Puri Dhama in Orissa.
Jagannatha Rathayatra Mahotsav ki jai!! Srila Prabhupada ki jai!!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/3Y8P

World Heritage Centre at Mayapur
→ Dandavats

By Subroto Das

Spread over 700 acre ISKCON has decided to set up a 3000 crore (420 million US dollars) World Heritage centre at Mayapur , Nadia, birth place of Sri Chaitanya MahaPrabhu and spiritual headquarter of the institution. The construction of a 500 crore grand temple , Temple of Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) is the first step towards it. The temple is expected to be inaugurated in 2022 On Sunday morning , Mr Jindal along with other industrialists arrived at Mayapur on his private chopper at 11.00 am. They were warmly greeted and welcomed as per the Vedic traditions by senior devotees of ISKCON. Continue reading "World Heritage Centre at Mayapur
→ Dandavats"

You have got a short duration of life / Жизнь коротка
→ Traveling Monk

“Instead of contemplating what will happen to this world, you have got a short duration of life, say fifty, sixty years. You chant Hare Krsna and go back to home, back to Godhead. Don’t consider what will happen to this world. Nature will take care of it. You don’t puzzle your brain with these thoughts. You utilize whatever time you have got in your possession and go back to home, back to Godhead. You cannot check it. Best thing is that you mold your life and go back to home, back to Godhead. Because people will go on with their rascal civilization, natural consequences will be there. You better take advantage of whatever time you have got and become fully Krsna conscious and go back to home.”

[Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk, February 21, 1975, Caracas]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213728198862176&set=a.3707173840886&type=3&theater

When our prayers are unanswered
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Talk at Radha Krishna Cultural Center, Goldcoast, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post When our prayers are unanswered appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

How to deal with uncomfortable emotions – 5 Ds
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Talk at Goldcoast, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post How to deal with uncomfortable emotions – 5 Ds appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

When Dhruva already had darshan of Vishnu, how could be become disproportionately angry at the Yakshas?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post When Dhruva already had darshan of Vishnu, how could be become disproportionately angry at the Yakshas? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Lord Nityananda Appearance Day
→ Ramai Swami

I celebrated Lord Nityananda’s appearance festival with the devotees at Brisbane temple. Although a week night, hundreds came for the abhiseka, lecture, drama, kirtana and feast.

Lord Nityananda is, of course, the incarnation of Lord Balarama who came to assist Sri Krsna in the form of Lord Chaitanya, in spreading the samkirtan movement to liberate the fallen souls of Kali Yuga.

He appeared as the son of Hadai Pandit and Padmavati Devi at Ekachakra, West Bengal in 1474, twelve years before Lord Chaitanya, who appeared in 1486.

Sri Nityananda-trayodasi, February 17, New Dwaraka, Los Angeles
Giriraj Swami

Vrindavan Kartik Parikrama, November 2018 – Audio Recordings
→ KKSBlog

Download Part 1 (zip file, 593 MB)

Download Part 2 (zip file, 276 MB)

Download Part 3 (zip file, 413 MB)

Part 1

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day1_12November2018_Madhuvan_Kirtan

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day1_12November2018_Madhuvan_Lecture

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day1_12November2018_Talavan_Kirtan

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day1_12November2018_Talavan_Lecture

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day2_13November2018_Moir_Kutir_Kirtan

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day2_13November2018_Varsana_Kirtan1

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day2_13November2018_Varsana_Kirtan2

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day2_13November2018_Varsana_Lecture1

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day2_13November2018_Varsana_Lecture2

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day3_14November2018_Kusum_Sarovar_Kirtan

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day3_14November2018_Narada_Kund_Lecture

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day5_16November2018_Moti_Kund_Lecture

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day5_16November2018_Pavana_Sarovar_Kirtan

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day5_16November2018_Pavana_Sarovar_Lecture

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day5_16November2018_Vrinda_Kund_Kirtan

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day5_16November2018_Vrinda_Kund_Lecture

Part 2

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day6_17November2018_Prema_Sarovar_Kirtan

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day6_17November2018_Prema_Sarovar_Lecture

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day6_17November2018_Sanket_Kirtan

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day6_17November2018_Sanket_Lecture

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day6_17November2018_Ter_Kadamba_Lecture

Part 3

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day7_18November2018_Kirtan

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day7_18November2018_Lecture-with-BVAS

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day8_19November2018_Brahmanda_Ghat_Kirtan

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day8_19November2018_Brahmanda_Ghat_Lecture

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day8_19November2018_Raval_Kirtan

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day8_19November2018_Raval_Lecture

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day9_20November2018_Lecture

KKS_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day9_20November2018_Surabhi_Kund_Lecture

KeshavaMadhavaDas_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day5_16November2018_Moti_Kund_Kirtan

Ramanaji_GourKishor_Vrindavan_Kartik_Parikrama_Day8_19November2018_Raval_Kirtan

The article " Vrindavan Kartik Parikrama, November 2018 – Audio Recordings " was published on KKSBlog.

Thursday, February 14th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk


Saint John, New Brunswick

Strolling & Meeting

At the intersection, the light turned red.  I was standing there waiting for a green.  The red hand that was before me and the man with a coffee clutched tightly gave me some talking ammunition.  "In the culture I come from that open palm gesture means we are getting a blessing."

"If you move forward," said the tall gent who smiled, "it won't be a blessing," indicating a car could come and flatten you.  I agreed.

"The open palm would indicate 'be patient the blessings are forth coming.'"  We crossed.

"Have a good one," he said.

I meandered through the snow-ridden but now ploughed streets.  I was enjoying that older architecture that is so abounding in this historical Loyalist city.  On one street, two fellows, one with a snow shovel, were chatting, with the one instructing the other.  "Hello," one said to me.

 I returned the gesture. 

But then the instructing fellow looked back and scolded the shoveler for not doing as directed.  "Throw the snow against the building," he said, harshly.

 I thought he could have done a better job of community, given that it's Valentine's Day.  A little more love goes a long way.

After trekking through residential neighbourhoods, I came upon that Uptown park, and then commerce area.  A man and woman were stationary in conversation.  It seemed to me it was like church-talk because the woman ended the conversation with a "just keep up the faith... just keep up the faith."

They parted, but I kept up the conversation, feeling slightly like an eavesdropper.  "That word 'faith' is powerful," I said.

"Yes, I'm a believer!" she said as she veered off in another direction.

May the Source be with you!
4 km


Wednesday, February 13th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk


Saint John, New Brunswick

Stranded

Due to nasty weather conditions, Nakula and I were grounded in his apartment for the entire day.  Strong winds blowing snow, and then ice pellets, made it impassible and impossible to take those legs out on the street.  Outside Nakula's place you have this inhibitive hump of glossy ice.  Anyway, enough of all this winter blues.  How do others deal with this dynamic?  Some people don't go anywhere.  Some shops did not open up.  That is a real storm.  How our northern people handled these severe challenges, I don't know.  All flights were cancelled today—all of them.  My earliest get away is Friday morning.

Fortunately at the St. John Airport, I met Anurag from Toronto.  It pays off to have friends in different places.  Anurag, now a banker, was formerly one of those little devotional spirits at the temple and sangha programs.  Kindly, he booked me a room for the night.  Thank you! God be with you!

It was Roy Flowers, 75, a local cab driver, who took us to a downtown hotel.  Roy appears to be a natural tour guide.  He said a bit about himself and mentioned he's related to the famous, "Buffalo Bill," the showman who put on all these wild western shows with horses, cowboys and Indians.

Cab drivers, I've found, are often colourful characters like Roy.  I do believe that somehow they have a connection to the Supreme.  After all, one of the most revered drivers of them all is Krishna himself, known as partha-sarati, which means the chariot driver of friend, Arjuna.  Come to think of it, Krishna may also have a bond with Buffalo Bill.  Long before Buffalo Bill hit the stage, Krishna drove on two wheels with four horses in the front.

May the Source be with you!
0 km



Tuesday, February 12th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk


Saint John, New Brunswick

Not Deadbeat

The Vedic warrior, Bhisma, known for his virility, heroism and saintliness, was honoured today.  On this day, his birthday, we reflect on his devotional performances which include his renunciation.  Yes, the mighty warrior was also a celibate.

Well, I went off, destined for New Brunswick, and while on the plane, sitting next to me, was a man who asked about my japa meditation beads.  Other questions followed such as: "Why the colour orange?" and, "Why did you become a Krishna monk?"  Once those initial questions received their answers, I asked him about what he does?

"I'm a Catholic priest with a parish in Rothesay."  That was my intro to Father Stan.

That was interesting.  From there we got to sharing common beliefs about the world—the drugs, alcohol, broken homes, pornography, and the lost souls that lurk.  Also, what about the evangelism?  Is there competition for the older traditions like Catholicism and the Anglicans?  And what about media and its very negative take on the church re: sexual abuse?  He and I both agreed that it's an issue—a serious one—and has taxed both of our communities.  Then he mentioned it's all over the news that a huge percentage of sports trainers are accused of sexual misconduct with young trainees.

Wow! What else about this Kali Yuga, Age of Darkness, madness?

Unfortunately media rarely speaks of religions who have helped people with their problems.  Another matter.  Much work is to be done towards rectification.

By evening, I had arrived at a wellness centre with the message, "Be upbeat, not deadbeat!"

May the Source be with you!
0 km