A visit to the beautiful Iskcon Temple of Juhu Beach (Album of…
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A visit to the beautiful Iskcon Temple of Juhu Beach (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday, on my way to ISKCON’s Eco-Village, just north of Mumbai, I made a short stop at our temple near Juhu beach. I sought the blessings Sri Sri Radha Rasa Bihari to spend 3 months at the Eco-Village, starting today, to rest and recuperate from a long period of active preaching. I also plan to spend significant time reading and chanting. My first break in many years! While taking darshan of the deities I had the good fortune of meeting Gopal Krsna Maharaja. An auspicious start to a new adventure for me!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ej4PrB

Vyasa-puja Book 2019
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The Vyasa-puja book is an excellent opportunity to share your dealings, thoughts and experiences with HH Kadamba Kanana Swami. Those who write each year are hereby encouraged to again contribute, and for those who have yet to express their hearts, to reveal some of that secluded nectar, be it a past time with Maharaj or some realisations in the course of service, please now share that mercy with the others. This is our process.

You can now send your writings, poems, audio and video recordings to us! The deadline for sending is the 01 Feb 2019 so start writing…

Send your offering

The article " Vyasa-puja Book 2019 " was published on KKSBlog.

Living in Sri Dham Mayapur
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Hare KrishnaSrila Prabhupada: “… in the whole Nadia, this part is very sacred, Mayapur Candradoya Temple. So by Krishna’s grace, you have got this opportunity to live here. Take advantage, full advantage of this opportunity, spiritually fortunate”. (From lecture on Caitanya Caritamtita Adi 1.15, Mayapur, April 8, 1975)

Interview with Gurukul boys Video!
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Bhaktivedanta Academy, established in 1984, is an educational institution based in Śrīdhāma Māyāpur, India, which provides education for boys and adult students on the principles of the Vedic Gurukula system. In this video, some of the Academy’s junior students talk about their experience in Gurukula.  

The post Interview with Gurukul boys Video! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Mantra-Yoga: A Necessity for this Age, by Stephen Knapp
→ Stephen Knapp

Using mantras or prayers is a means of doing a number of things, depending on our purpose. First of all, it is a method to raise our consciousness and prepare ourselves for perceiving higher states of being. It can also help us enter into the spiritual dimension, or to invoke the blessings of the Divine. It is also a means to call on the positive energies to help us overcome obstacles, enemies, or to assist in healing our minds and bodies from disease or negativity.

 
There are two basic kinds of mantras, those for spiritual and inner progress, and those for outer or more material needs. Concentrating on a mantra is also called mantra-yoga, especially when it is for our spiritual upliftment, or to unite us with the Supreme. Mantra-yoga, or the art of focusing on the sound vibrations in mantras or prayers, is actually a mystical tradition found in almost every spiritual path in the world. It may involve the softly spoken repetition of a prayer or mantra for one’s own meditation, or it may be the congregational singing of spiritually uplifting songs, prayers, or sacred names of the Supreme Being. It all involves the same process, but in the Eastern tradition it is called mantra-yoga because it is the easy process of focusing our minds on the Supreme through His names, which helps spiritualize our consciousness. In the word mantra, man means the mind, tra means deliverance. Therefore, a spiritual mantra is the pure sound vibration for delivering the mind from material to spiritual consciousness. This is the goal of any spiritual path. Although all spiritual traditions have their own prayers or mantras, the Vedic Sanskrit mantras are especially powerful and effective in uniting us with the spiritual realm. However, a complete yoga process is generally a blend of a few yoga systems, such as ashtanga-yoga with bhakti-yoga, and bhakti-yoga with mantra-yoga. Therefore, some yoga systems also include mantra-yoga, or the process of concentrating on the sound vibration within a mantra. This is especially important in this age of Kali-yuga, the age of quarrel and confusion.

 
Many years ago the brahmana priests could accomplish many kinds of wondrous deeds simply by correctly chanting particular mantras. Many of these mantras still exist, but it is very difficult to find those who can chant them accurately. This is actually a safety measure because if the wish-fulfilling mantras were easily chanted, there would no doubt be many people who would misuse them. But other mantras that are available can easily help purify one’s consciousness, give spiritual enlightenment, and put one in touch with the Supreme.

 
In Bhagavad-gita (10.25) Sri Krishna explains that He is the transcendental om mantra and that the chanting of japa (chanting a mantra quietly for one’s own meditation) is the purest of His representations and sacrifices. It is understood that by chanting japa and hearing the holy sounds of the mantra, one can come to the platform of spiritual realization. This is the process of mantra-yoga. However, even though the mantra is powerful in itself, when the mantra is chanted by a great devotee, it becomes more powerful. This is also the effect when a disciple is fortunate enough to take initiation or diksha from a spiritually potent master who gives him a mantra for spiritual purposes. Then the disciple can make rapid progress by utilizing the mantra.

 
Sanskrit mantras often consist of eternal sound energies that have always existed, both within the universe as well as beyond it, and before its manifestation and after its annihilation. Such special mantras are part of the eternal sound vibration called shabda-brahma.

 
When it comes to mantras, the Vedas mention three types: vedic, tantric and puranic. These can be further divided into sattvic, rajasic and tamasic. The mantras that are sattvic or in the mode of goodness are chanted for light, wisdom, compassion, divine love, or God realization. They help bring peace, destroy karma, and bring one to perfection after death. The mantras that are rajasic or in the mode of passion are chanted for material benedictions, like blessings for a healthy child, prosperity, successful business, and so on. However, such mantras do not help one rise above karma, but force one to take rebirth in order to acquire the results of their karma. The mantras that are tamasic or in the mode of ignorance or darkness are also called “black magic.” These are used for the deliberate manipulation of the material energy for one’s own purpose. Thus, they are what could be called sinful, and are often used to call spirits or to assist one to perform deeds that may bring harm to others for one’s own benefit.

 

Some mantras hold certain powers in their vibratory formulas that are directly related to particular deities, divine personalities, or forms of God. In fact, they may represent the deity in full. When they do, they are considered non-different from the deity and the sound vibrations are spiritual in nature. By the repetition of the mantra, the person who chants it invokes the energy and mercy of that deity. Thus, the deity reveals Himself or Herself to the sadhaka or practitioner, who then overcomes illusion and realizes the spiritual position of the deity and his or her relationship with the deity. The six kinds of mantras used in this connection are:
1. Dhyana Mantras–mantras for meditation to mentally invoke the deity’s form, abode or pastimes.
2. Bija Mantras–the seed mantras or seed words that are used for meditation and purification of the articles used in worship. Mantras often begin with these. They include such bijas or seed mantras as Aim and Shrim, which are often connected to the feminine or Devi. Or Klim which helps arouse the force of attraction to the object addressed in the mantra. Or Krim which is often connected to Kali or Devi, or Gum which is in association with Ganesh. The bija or seed mantras are derived from the 50 prime sounds which invoke various levels of energy and also the nature of the elements, such as water, air, earth, fire, etc., and are related to om.
3. Mula Mantras–root mantras are the essence of the deity, used when offering certain articles during the worship to address the Lord or deity.
4. Stutis and Stotras–mantras or prayers chanted before, during and after the worship to glorify the Lord’s name, form, qualities, and pastimes.
5. Pranama Mantras–prayers offering obeisances to great personalities or to the Lord, often used at the end of worship.
6. Gayatri Mantras–Vedic or Pancharatrika mantras used to worship or invoke the blessings of the Lord, or to focus the mind on God, and for invoking different moods, energies, or powers.

 
The Vedic mantras, such as those coming from the four samhitas of the Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas, are eternal or spiritual sound vibrations. They are not composed by any man at some particular point in history. They are part of the shabda-brahma, the eternal sound vibration. These mantras are like seeds of vast amounts of power and knowledge that are held within them. Thus, many scriptures explain that such powers cannot be fully revealed to someone unless such mantras have been received through the process of diksha or initiation from a spiritual master.

 
Besides this, the results of chanting a mantra depend on the chanter’s conception or intent in the mind while chanting it. Thus, one must know the meaning or purpose of the mantra while reciting it. If one thinks the mantra is for attaining material goals, the person may get that. But if the inner purpose of the mantra is known to deliver one to the spiritual world, and a person chants it sincerely for that purpose, then that will be the reward rather than something minor or material, as long as the person does not prematurely give up chanting it.

 
Most Sanskrit mantras have several principles that you find in them. First, they are often handed down or revealed by sages or authorities who have attained self-realization by its use. They also generally use a particular meter or rhythm while chanting it. Plus, the mantra often represents a certain deity. It also has a bija or seed word that gives it additional power, and the sound formula it contains has a special shakti or energy. And finally, constant repetition of the mantra will open or activate the key of it which then can reveal pure consciousness in the one who has been initiated into its use. The practice of repeating or chanting it for one’s personal use is called japa. The japa or chanting it a required number of times is often what triggers its power within the consciousness of the chanter in which it reaches its siddha, or perfection and goal.

 
The mantra is thus a point of meditation for the mind, but also a formula or transcendental sound vibration, like the holy name of God, that releases its energy into one’s consciousness. Thus it prepares one for perceiving higher states of reality. With constant practice of the appropriate mantra, and with the proper pronunciation and devotional mood, the mantra can reveal the Absolute Truth to the practitioner as well as one’s own spiritual form and relationship that you may have with the Supreme Being.
This is why it is best that one should receive and be initiated into the chanting of the mantra by a qualified guru. Then the mantra will be especially effective and powerful, and carry special means of invoking realizations into the devotee who uses it.

 
Mantras can be divided into two additional categories, namely saguna and nirguna. Saguna mantras (those that describe personal traits) often are like prayers that invoke certain deities or characteristics of the deity or Absolute. Nirguna mantras (those that refer to the nature of the Absolute without qualities) describe the person’s identification with the Absolute.

 
Mantras can be used in different ways. They can be chanted in whispers, or out loud, or silently within the mind. Generally each mantra has a recommendation as to which way works best. Some mantras, like the Hare Krishna mantra, can be used in any of these ways, as well as sung as a song with a group or congregation. Generally, this is done with a lead singer who sings the mantra in a particular melody, and then everyone else sings in response.

 
Some mantras are meant to be chanted only within the mind because their vibration or wavelength is beyond ordinary sound. So the silent method helps invoke the energy within the consciousness. However, to first whisper it or softly speak the mantra correctly may help one be able to chant it silently and make a stronger connection with the mantra.

 
The repeated chanting of a mantra is called japa. It is explained in the Vedic texts that in this age of Kali-yuga the process of chanting japa or mantra meditation is much more effective than practicing other spiritual paths that include meditating on the void or Brahman effulgence, or trying to control the life air within the body as in raja-yoga. Plus, only a very few can become perfect at raising the kundalini force up through the various chakras, or moving the life air up to the top of the head for enlightenment, and then get it to leave the body at the right time to achieve full liberation. And meditating on the void becomes useless as soon as there is the slightest external distraction, which in this age of Kali-yuga is a continuous thing. Therefore, the most effective means of focusing the consciousness is to concentrate on the sound vibration of a mantra.

 
Using a mantra for japa meditation is a process to help rid ourselves of unwanted thoughts and to retain the one thought upon which we are concentrating. It helps us purify the mind of that which obstructs knowledge of our true self. As our concentration on the mantra frees our mind from random thoughts, and as the sound vibration of it raises the frequency level upon which we operate, our consciousness can become clear to observe our real nature. In the word japa, the letter “pa” stands for that which removes or destroys all impurities and obstructions. The letter “ja” stands for that which puts an end to the cycle of birth and death. Japa, therefore, is a means of liberation when the proper mantra is used for destroying the mental impurities and negative and materialistic desires and impressions that exist in the mind and consciousness.

 
There are two mantras that are especially recommended in the Vedic literature to accomplish this. One is omkara or the om mantra, and the other is Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, which is known as the maha or great mantra. It is explained that these two mantras can deliver one to the realm beyond material existence. But there are ways to use these mantras. There are specific instructions for chanting om for it to be effective, but there are no hard and fast rules for the conditions in which one can engage in chanting Hare Krishna. So, the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is especially recommended for this age as the easy process that anyone can do.
[This is a chapter from my latest book, Prayers, Mantras and Gayatris.]

Monday, January 7th, 2019
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Burnaby, British Columbia

Walking Around In History

Mathura Lila, who is from the Philippines but has rooted herself in Burnaby for a long time, remarked, "You brought the sunshine," but I countered it with, "I believe it's the reverse.". In truth the Greater Vancouver area has encountered rain, rain and more rain. 

Taking advantage of the clearness of the day, I headed for what was once the Japanese Encampment.  Yes, the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan, even had Canada looking suspiciously at its Japanese citizens.  Because Britain declared war on Japan, English Canadians supported the same action.  But these encampments where people were practically held prisoner are no more. The place where one was established is now a community garden zone—a great walking place.

I came upon an empty lot where a school stood only ten years ago. It serviced the local rural area.  The area, however, is not rural as of late.  Burnaby, like many places in Canada, is bursting with condos. I'm lucky to have the freedom to be amidst gardens, fields and some empty lots.

At Meadow and 12th Avenue is where the school was located.  There I met Radhika, who recently moved from Alberta.  I led her to a nearby mini-park and a playground which has serviced the local families for decades.  We talked briefly.  I'm a swami. I hope I encouraged her somewhat in her spiritual life.  She had actually driven around looking for me.

May the Source be with you!
5 km


Sunday, January 6th, 2019
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Toronto / Milton

Wedding Card

I had received their wedding card, an invitation, quite some time back.  "Sweta Weds Ashvin," is what it read on the cover.  Ashvin, the bridegroom, whom I'll refer to as Anuttama, his initiated name, set the day's date for when I'd be around.

Oh, the ceremony went fine.  He's from Calgary.  Sweta is local.  Their family and friends came for support, and the thrill of two people coming together to make a team effort in life.  Out of such a union comes strength in satisfying the two basic needs of the physical and the spiritual.

Now, externally, Anuttama is terribly serious looking.  At one point, when there was a pause in the priest's mantras, I blurted out, "Smile!" which brought out laughter, especially from the cameramen.  But I must say that Anuttama is truly a good and happy man.  Inside he is truly a lucky and ‘happy chappy’.  My contribution to the ceremony was to keep a focus on the spiritual.

Excellent arrangements were made by Raj, the co-ordinator.

I then had the pleasure of making a trip to Milton where a group of bhakti yogiscome together weekly in an Anglican Church basement.  I sat down to say that we are all warriors battling the vices within.  One person recently mentioned he was a warrior, and I tried to steer him in the direction of being a spiritual one. He really liked that concept.

Now, a married couple cannot or should not become warriors on each other.  As far as possible, they should try to work things out.

May the Source be with you!
5 km

Saturday, January 5th, 2019
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Brampton, Ontario

Standards

New music students, forty or so, came to our seminar on kirtan standards at ISKCON Brampton.  It was a full six hours of learning, with an enthusiastic group hearing about traditions in the matter of the mood and technical approach to chanting. A portion of the seminar engaged students in the playing of harmonium, mrdunga and kartals.

Why are these lessons so important?

They provide guidance and engagement.  People feel the social need to project, interact and make their hearts happy.  It is through chanting, stream-lined through devotion (bhakti), that the human's needs can be met.

I believe the populous is looking for a deeper fulfillment in life, and that is sometimes hard to come by in the world in which we live.  We have become very secular, mundane and materialistic.  You can ‘talk dirty’ in practically any venue, but don't dare talk spiritually.  If something is indeed sacred and beneficial in so many ways, shouldn't it be shared?

Later in the evening, I attended a sangha in Brampton.  The couple, Sanatana and Kamala, stocked up their home for the night with people.  We indulged in the Gita9.6.  "Understand that as the mighty wind, blowing everywhere, rests always in the sky, all created beings rest in Me."  We had an amazing time there in dance, chants, sweat and sweets.  

I had little to no energy when I entered their door but in due course, energy came to me.  It's like I tell people when they ask, "Don't you get tired from walking?"  The answer is, "No I get energy from walking."  Output is input.  However, for today, no walking but lots of driving.

May the Source be with you!
0 km

Friday, January 4th, 2019
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Toronto, Ontario

Stretch A Bit

I told Billy, "I'll be north on Yonge. Just pick me up whenever you're ready. I'll be walking on the east side of the street."

"But is there a particular place where I can meet you?"

"No, I'll just continue going north."

Billy is not aware that the street known as Yonge just keeps going until it reaches the U.S. border in Rainy River at just under two thousand kilometres.  Anybody can check it out.  It's official.  The longest street in the world.  I won't accomplish that in one night.  That'd be stretching it.

Incidentally, speaking of stretching or reaching great lengths, the intention for Billy and I was to eventually meet somewhere along Yonge, then pick up his good wife, Amala, and then proceed to a meeting of young leaders who are identified as the ‘outreach’ group, the group which encourages and leads various persons or audiences in spiritual life.  The target audiences are the yoga/kirtan crowd, the young unmarried east Indian males (the women's group is yet to come), the young western crowd, the Russian community and the group of individuals who have been involved in the past but who have waned somewhat in their spiritual endeavours.

Billy spotted me at Yonge and York Mills, a mere eight kilometres up the road from my starting point.  Our venue was the home of Parama and Rukmini, who treated us to a sublime vegan prasadam meal.  They certainly stretched their kindness for tongue and belly.  Our discussion went well.  The vision I shared with the group was to shift directions of our current location downtown from less of a temple to more of a cultural centre.

May the Source be with you!
8 km

ISKCON Scarborough – "Perfecting Balance" – Seminar by HG Sankarshan das Adhikari prabhu and HG Vishnupriya DD – Saturday 12th Jan 2019- from 9.30 am
→ ISKCON Scarborough

Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!



The Centre of Gravity of an object is defined as that spot where the entire object acts, if you balance at that spot, the objects stay balanced. The idea is that if we balance on our own true centres, we will be balanced also, in all respects.

Most of us feel out-of-balance in one way or another. If we focus on our job, our family could get neglected. Focusing on the children could mean neglecting the spouse. If we focus on our family, our community could get neglected. If we focus on service to humanity, we could end up neglecting our own health. A strong focus on our own health might end up making us callous to others. Even if just focusing on ourselves, focusing on the physical could end up neglecting the emotional and mental aspects... It seems hopeless! Is there a solution? What is the solution? How to find and focus on our true centre? HELP!

Enter 2 souls who have mastered the essence of balance.

Join us at ISKCON Scarborough to learn from two advanced specialists of balance... His Grace Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari, and Her Grace Vishnupriya Devi Dasi have been focused on finding and focusing on our true Centre for over 5 decades each.

They travel around the world, visiting more than 40 destinations each year, tirelessly speaking, writing, guiding, and practically helping souls all over the world in being fully and practically centred.

Come hear from them! Ask them your questions! Get clear, concise, and practically applicable answers!


 Jan 12 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM Perfecting Balance - ISKCON Scarborough (3500 McNicoll Ave Unit 3, Toronto, Ontario M1V 4C7, Canada) - Breakfast and lunch will be served

Sankarshan Das Adhikari: Initiated by Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1971, Sankarshan Prabhu has been tirelessly working in Srila Prabhupada's movement for nearly 50 years. He serves as an initiating spiritual master, or Diksha Guru, within ISKCON, with disciples all over the world with an unceasing travel schedule that covers more than 50 destinations each year. He is well known for the Ultimate Self Realization Course, which has over 31,000 subscribers from over 100 countries, featuring a daily thought for the day, the video for the day, Q&A based on Srila Prabhupada's instructions, a weekly Bhagavad Gita lesson, thousands of online lectures and a lively online community of students. To join, please head to www.joincourse.com.

 Vishnupriya Devi Dasi: Having led a very pious life right from her childhood, she was initiated by Tamal Krishna Goswami in the seventies shortly after Srila Prabhupada's departure. She has been serving ISKCON tirelessly for over 40 years now. She travels with Sankarshan Prabhu assisting him and intently serves self-manifested deities of Sri Sri Radha Damodar in each place in a true spirit of "yukta vairagya". She helps devotees around the world practically apply the principles of Krishna consciousness in their lives in an endearing and honest manner. She is referred to affectionately as "Gurumataji" by many around the world. She is well known for her Bhagavad Gita readings and concise answers even to difficult questions.

Both Sankarshan Prabhu & Vishnupriya Mataji, at the time of their wedding, decided not to enter into family life, but instead, help push forward Srila Prabhupada's movement as Grihasthas, and later Vanaprasthas. Despite their advanced age, they dedicate over 18 hours of their day in service of Srila Prabhupada and Krishna. Please make the best of their personal presence at ISKCON Scarborough.

Their entire GTA schedule is as follows

  • Jan 9-11 4:30 AM - 9:30 AM Meditation & Bhagavatam in North York (contact for details)
  • Jan 9 - 11 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Diving into the Gita in North York (contact for details)
  • Jan 12 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM Perfecting Balance - ISKCON Scarborough (3500 McNicoll Ave Unit 3, Toronto, Ontario M1V 4C7, Canada)
  • Jan 12 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Perfecting Relationships, leveraging conflict to grow closer - ISKCON Brampton (173 Advance Boulevard, Unit#41 Brampton, ON, L6T 4J4)
  • Jan 13 12 Noon - 1 PM Knowing our Common Objective - ISKCON Brampton (173 Advance Boulevard, Unit#41 Brampton, ON, L6T 4J4)
  • Jan 13 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Krishna, our True Center - ISKCON Toronto (243 Avenue Rd, Toronto, Ontario M5R 2J6, Canada)


HG Sriman Sankarshan das Adhikari prabhu has conducted 7 fascinating seminars at ISKCON Scarborough in the past which had changed many devotee’s lives:

  • Nectar of Devotion - 2012 
  • Present day Paramahamsa - 2013 
  • Stop worrying- start living - 2014 
  • Bhagavad Gita is for everyone - 2015 
  • Progress in Krsnsa consciousness - 2016 
  • Karma, Destiny, Free will and reincarnation - 2017
  • Peace in adversity - 2018


ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7

Email Address: 

iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

website:

www.iskconscarborough.org

Sri Sri Radha Londonishvaras’ 40th Anniversary (video)
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Smara Hari and Karanodaksayi Visnu - Sri Sri Radha Londonishvaras’ 40th Anniversary (video)
Srila Prabhupada: There is a need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Srimad-Bhagavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the re-spiritualization of the entire human society. Delhi, December 15, 1962

Vyasa-puja and Kingsday 2019
→ KKSBlog

An invitation

From Dawn till Dusk; singing and dancing on the murky streets of Amsterdam to transform it into a transcendental party.

Introspect and remembrance; sharing our connection and stories with Kadamba Kanana Swami during his Vyasa-puja.

You are warmly invited to join us in Radhadesh and partake in the annual birthday party of Kadamba Kanana Swami which comes with an extra surprise harinam in Amsterdam! Get your party hats (orange ones), dancing shoes and make your way to Radhadesh!

Festival dates

  • Fri 26 Apr – Arrivals & start of festival
  • Sat 27 Apr – Kinsgday in Amsterdam
  • Sun 28 Apr – Vyasa-puja festival
  • Mon 29 Apr – Workshop “Bridge preaching” & Initiations
  • Tue 30 Apr – Departures

Your support

Like every year we aim to make the festival and prasadam for free. But this is not possible without your financial contribution. Fundraising will be handled by Gopali dd and she will be contacting you again to help make our goal a reality.

Donate by PayPal
Donate by bank (EU)

Festival fee

Organising two festivals (Vyasa-puja and the Kingsday) costs a lot of money. To give you an idea; accommodation costs are almost €6000, prasadam €9000, bus rental €5200, Kinsdag €2000 and other costs. In total approx. 23.000 euro. To cover these expenses we still have to charge a fee. See below the proposed fees for 2019.

  • Accommodation fee: €50 (shared room), €32 (dorms), €30 (ashrama)
  • Prasadam fee: €35 (kids from 1-10 years : €17,50)

Festival Registration

Registration for both festivals is mandatory and will start on the 1st of Feb 2019!

More info…

You will find all the festival details, travel info and frequently answered questions on the official Vyasa-puja website. Click here…

Or join the Vyasa-puja facebook group and/or newsletter.

The article " Vyasa-puja and Kingsday 2019 " was published on KKSBlog.

Viplavah Revolution Through Education – A Journal of the ISKCON Ministry of Education
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Hare KrishnaBy ISKCON Ministry of Education

Vision statement: To provide Krishna conscious education of high quality to everyone through temples, educational institutions and various global initiatives. Mission statement: To develop comprehensive educational systems globally, that foster higher spiritual values, fulfill the needs of ISKCON members and the larger society bringing about excellence in all areas of human life. Continue reading "Viplavah Revolution Through Education – A Journal of the ISKCON Ministry of Education
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Ramayana wisdom – How devotion frees us from doubt and dissension – Hindi
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Talk at ISKCON, Belgaum, India]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Ramayana wisdom – How devotion frees us from doubt and dissension – Hindi appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Using Extraordinary Abilities in Devotional Service
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Chowpatty, Mumbai]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

The post Using Extraordinary Abilities in Devotional Service appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Canberra Temple Visit
→ Ramai Swami

Canberra is, of course, the capital city of Australia and has a growing population. Our temple is a small residence in the suburb of Ainslie.

The devotees organise regular Sunday and midweek programs, as well as festivals, Food for Life and Harinama. I always enjoy visiting.

Devotees Circumambulate Deities by Boat During Mauritius Boat…
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Devotees Circumambulate Deities by Boat During Mauritius Boat Festival.
ISKCON Mauritius’ 11thannual Rathayatra at Mahebourg, in the south-east of the island nation, featured a unique offering that truly befits the tropical setting – a boat festival in a vivid blue lagoon.
The festival took place over the weekend of December 15thand 16th. At least 10,000 people attended the two-kilometer Rathayatra procession on Saturday afternoon. Passing right through the center of Mahebourg, it ended on the beachfront, on the edge of a five-kilometer wide lagoon.
To read the entire article please click here: https://goo.gl/YZF2wv

Baroda Devotees Hold Three-day Walk To Dakor Dhama
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Hare KrishnaAbout sixty padayatris attended Rupa Raghunath Maharaja’s early morning arati to Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, but as soon as the padayatra departed at 6.30am more devotees joined for the first leg of the walk, almost doubling the number of participants. Dakor is about 60km from Baroda and as we had only three days, we arranged to travel much of that on the first day and thus passed through eight villages distributing Srila Prabhupada’s literature and performing harinama sankirtan.

Interview with Small Boys from Gurukula (6 min…
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Interview with Small Boys from Gurukula (6 min video)
Bhaktivedanta Academy, established in 1984, is an educational institution based in Śrīdhāma Māyāpur, India, which provides education for boys and adult students on the principles of the Vedic Gurukula system.
In this video, some of the Academy’s junior students talk about their experience in Gurukula.

Harinama and Books Distribution in Negara, Bali – Indonesia…
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Harinama and Books Distribution in Negara, Bali - Indonesia (Album of photos)
Harinama Sankirtana and Srila Prabhupada Books Distribution by ISKCON Devotees. Celebrating the New Year 2019 in Hindu public Market, Negara, a village of Bali, Indonesia. Numbers of big and small books ware distributed to the villagers and public. Devotees loudly chanting the holy name in the mid of heavy rain. Welcome 2019 and be happy in Krishna Consciousnesses.
“Distribution of books and magazine is our most important activity. Without books, our preaching has no solid basis.” – Srila Prabhupada
Find them here: https://goo.gl/TK2EdA

Meeting with Ambassador of India to Ireland
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Hare KrishnaBy Praghosa Das

We were very happy to accept the kind invitation of the new Ambassador of India to Ireland to meet with him at the embassy in Dublin this January. It was a most rewarding meeting, not least to learn of Ambassador Sandeep Kumar's strong support and indeed deep appreciation of ISKCON. He offered us an open door and encouraged us to approach him whenever we needed any help or support and he also requested us permission for him to invite us to any events that are being hosted or sponsored by the embassy. In closing he glorified ISKCON's contribution to the world in the form of promoting vedic culture, raising awareness of the importance of spiritual practices and most of all our leading role in advancing pure vegetarian cuisine. We hope Sandeep is not transferred anytime soon so we can look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship! Continue reading "Meeting with Ambassador of India to Ireland
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Srila Jagadisa Pandita – Disappearance
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“Sri Jagadisa Pandita is the savior of the world. He distributes the nectar of love of Krsna just like a dense mass of dark clouds in the sky distributes rainfall.” [C.C. Adi 11.30]. Sri Jagadisa Bhatta took his birth in the region of Gauhati. His father’s name was Sri Kamalaksa Bhatta, who was the son of Bhatta Narayana, who hailed from Goyghar Bandyaghata. Both the mother and father of Jagadisa were very devoted Visnu-bhaktas. After his parents passed away he came with his wife to live on the banks of the Ganges. His wife’s name was Dukhini devi. (His younger brother Mahesa also came with him to reside on the banks of the Ganga.)They built their house near the home of Jagannatha Misra.

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Srila Jiva Goswami Disappearance Jiva Goswami (1513–1598) was…
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Srila Jiva Goswami Disappearance
Jiva Goswami (1513–1598) was the nephew of Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami. He received initiation from Rupa Goswami and became the acharya (spiritual master) after Rupa and Sanatana. Jiva Goswami was a Sanskrit scholar par excellence. Some contemporary Sanskritists call him the greatest philosopher and scholar who ever lived. The youngest among the six Goswami followers of Lord Chaitanya, Jiva Goswami was also the most prolific writer. He wrote some twenty-five books, including the Sat-sandarbha, Gopala-champu, and Hari-namamrita-vyakaranam. His samadhi stands in the Radha-Damodara temple compound, in Vrindavana.

Srila Jiva Gosvami’s Disappearance Day
Giriraj Swami

A talk by Giriraj Swami on Srila Jiva Gosvami’s disappearance day, January 14, 1994, Mauritius.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, Chapter Ten describes the branches of the tree named Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

TEXT 1

sri-caitanya-padambhoja-madhupebhyo namo namah
kathancid asrayad yesam svapi tad-gandha-bhag bhavet

TRANSLATION

Let me repeatedly offer my respectful obeisances unto the beelike devotees who always taste the honey of the lotus feet of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. If even a doggish nondevotee somehow takes shelter of such devotees, he enjoys the aroma of the lotus flower.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

The example of a dog is very significant in this connection. A dog naturally does not become a devotee at any time. But still it is sometimes found that a dog of a devotee gradually becomes a devotee also. We have actually seen that a dog has no respect even for the tulasi plant. Indeed, a dog is especially inclined to pass urine on the tulasi plant. Therefore the dog is the number one nondevotee. But Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s sankirtana movement is so strong that even a doglike nondevotee can gradually become a devotee by the association of a devotee of Lord Caitanya. Srila Sivananda Sena, a great householder devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, attracted a dog on the street while going to Jagannatha Puri. The dog began to follow him and ultimately went to see Caitanya Mahaprabhu and was liberated. Similarly, cats and dogs in the household of Srivasa Thakura were also liberated. Cats and dogs and other animals are not expected to become devotees, but in the association of a pure devotee they are also delivered.

TEXTS 2–7

jaya jaya sri-krsna-caitanya-nityananda
jaya advaitacandra jaya gaura-bhakta-Vrindavannda

All glories to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaita Prabhu, and all glories to the devotees of Lord Caitanya, headed by Srivasa!

ei malira-ei vrksera akathya kathana
ebe suna mukhya-sakhara nama-vivarana

The description of Lord Caitanya as the gardener and the tree is inconceivable. Now hear with attention about the branches of this tree.

caitanya-gosanira yata parisada-caya
guru-laghu-bhava tanra na haya niscaya

The associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu were many, but none of them should be considered lower or higher. This cannot be ascertained.

yata yata mahanta kaila tan-sabara ganana
keha karibare nare jyestha-laghu-krama

All the great personalities in the line of Lord Caitanya enumerated these devotees, but they could not distinguish between the greater and the lesser.

ataeva tan-sabare kari’ namaskara
nama-matra kari, dosa na labe amara

I offer my obeisances unto them as a token of respect. I request them not to consider my offenses.

vande sri-krsna-caitanya-premamara-taroh priyan
sakha-rupan bhakta-ganan krsna-prema-phala-pradan

I offer my respectful obeisances to all the dear devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the eternal tree of love of Godhead. I offer my respects to all the branches of the tree, the devotees of the Lord who distribute the fruit of love of Krsna.

PURPORT

Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami sets the example of offering obeisances to all the preacher devotees of Lord Caitanya, without distinction as to higher and lower. Unfortunately, at present there are many foolish so-called devotees of Lord Caitanya who make such distinctions. For example, the title “Prabhupada” is offered to a spiritual master, especially to a distinguished spiritual master such as Srila Rupa Gosvami Prabhupada, Srila Jiva Gosvami Prabhupada, or Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada. When our disciples similarly wanted to address their spiritual master as Prabhupada, some foolish people became envious. Not considering the propaganda work of the Hare Krsna movement, simply because these disciples addressed their spiritual master as Prabhupada, they became so envious that they formed a faction with other such envious persons just to minimize the value of the Krsna consciousness movement. To chastise such fools, Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami very frankly says, keha karibare nare jyestha-laghu-krama. Anyone who is a bona fide preacher of the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu must be respectful to the real devotees of Lord Caitanya; one should not be envious, considering one preacher to be very great and another to be very lowly. This is a material distinction and has no place on the platform of spiritual activities. Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami therefore offers equal respect to all the preachers of the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who are compared to the branches of the tree. ISKCON is one of these branches, and it should therefore be respected by all sincere devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

COMMENT by Giriraj Swami

Even among Gaudiya Vaishnavas, we must be careful to avoid offenses. We must respect and recognize the service of all Vaishnavas. As Srila Prabhupada once said, if we do not give credit where credit is due, we will become envious.

TEXT 85

tanra madhye rupa-sanatana-bada sakha
anupama, jiva, rajendradi upasakha

TRANSLATION

Among these branches, Rupa and Sanatana were principal. Anupama, Jiva Gosvami and others, headed by Rajendra, were their sub-branches.

PURPORT

In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (195) it is said that Srila Jiva Gosvami was formerly Vilasa-manjari gopi. From his very childhood Jiva Gosvami was greatly fond of Srimad-Bhagavatam. He later came to Navadvipa to study Sanskrit, and, following in the footsteps of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, he circumambulated the entire Navadvipa-dhama.

COMMENT

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has described Jiva Gosvami’s Navadvipa parikrama, and the parikrama of Nityananda Prabhu and Jiva Gosvami forms the basis of the Navadvipa parikrama we perform now, under the guidance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.

PURPORT

After visiting Navadvipa-dhama he went to Benares to study Sanskrit under Madhusudana Vacaspati, and after finishing his studies in Benares he went to Vrndavana and took shelter of his uncles, Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana. This is described in Bhakti-ratnakara. As far as our information goes, Srila Jiva Gosvami composed and edited at least twenty-five books. They are all very celebrated, and they are listed as follows: (1) Hari-namamrta-vyakarana, (2) Sutra-malika, (3) Dhatu-sangraha, (4) Krsnarca-dipika, (5) Gopala-virudavali, (6) Rasamrta-sesa, (7) Sri Madhava-mahotsava, (8) Sri Sankalpa-kalpavrksa, (9) Bhavartha-sucaka-campu, (10) Gopala-tapani-tika, (11) a commentary on the Brahma-samhita, (12) a commentary on the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, (13) a commentary on the Ujjvala-nilamani, (14) a commentary on the Yogasara-stava, (15) a commentary on the Gayatri-mantra, as described in the Agni Purana, (16) a description derived from the Padma Purana of the lotus feet of the Lord, (17) a description of the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani, (18) Gopala-campu (in two parts), and (19–25) seven sandharbhas: the Krama-, Tattva-, Bhagavat-, Paramatma-, Krsna-, Bhakti-, and Priti-sandharba. After the disappearance of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami in Vrndavana, Srila Jiva Gosvami became the acarya of all the Vaisnavas in Bengal, Orissa, and rest of the world, and it is he who used to guide them in devotional service. In Vrndavana he established the Radha-Damodara temple, where, after retirement, we had the opportunity to live from 1962 until 1965, when we decided to come to the United States of America. When Jiva Gosvami was still present, Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami compiled his famous Caitanya-caritamrta. Later, Srila Jiva Gosvami inspired Srinivasa Acarya, Narottama dasa Thakura, and Duhkhi Krsnadasa to preach Krsna consciousness in Bengal. Jiva Gosvami was informed that all the manuscripts that had been collected from Vrndavana and sent to Bengal for preaching purposes were plundered near Visnupura in Bengal, but later he received the information that the books had been recovered. Sri Jiva Gosvami awarded the designation Kaviraja to Ramacandra Sena, a disciple of Srinivasa Acarya’s, and to Ramacandra’s younger brother Govinda. While Jiva Gosvami was alive, Srimati Jahnavi-devi, the pleasure potency of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, went to Vrndavana with a few devotees. Jiva Gosvami was very kind to the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, the Vaisnavas from Bengal. Whoever went to Vrndavana, he provided with a residence and prasada. His disciple Krsnadasa Adhikari listed all the books of the Gosvamis in his diary.

The sahajiyas level three accusations against Srila Jiva Gosvami. This is certainly not congenial for the execution of devotional service. The first accusation concerns a materialist who was very proud of his reputation as a great Sanskrit scholar and approached Sri Rupa and Sanatana to argue with them about the revealed scriptures. Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami, not wanting to waste their time, gave him a written statement that he had defeated them in a debate on the revealed scriptures. Taking this paper, the scholar approached Jiva Gosvami for a similar certificate of defeat but Jiva Gosvami did not agree to give him one. On the contrary, he argued with him regarding the scriptures and defeated him. Certainly it was right for Jiva Gosvami to stop such a dishonest scholar from advertising that he had defeated Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami, but due to their illiteracy the sahijiya class referred to this incident to accuse Srila Jiva Gosvami of deviating from the principle of humility. They do not know, however, that humility and meekness are appropriate when one’s own honor is insulted but not when Lord Visnu or the acaryas are blasphemed. In such cases one should not be humble and meek but must act. One should follow the example given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Lord Caitanya says in His Siksastaka (3):

trnad api su-nicena
taror iva sahisnuna
amanina mana-dena
kirtaniyah sada hari

“One can chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking himself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.” Nevertheless, when the Lord was informed that Nityananda Prabhu was injured by Jagai and Madhai, He immediately went to the spot, angry like fire, wanting to kill them. Thus Lord Caitanya has explained His verse by the example of His own behavior. One should tolerate insults against oneself, but when there is blasphemy committed against superiors such as other Vaisnavas, one should be neither humble nor meek: one must take proper steps to counteract such blasphemy. This is the duty of the servant of a guru and Vaisnavas. Anyone who understands the principle of eternal servitude to the guru and Vaisnavas will appreciate the action of Sri Jiva Gosvami in connection with the so-called scholar’s victory over his gurus, Srila Rupa and Srila Sanatana Gosvami.

COMMENT

In the olden days in India, Sanskrit scholars used to try to show their proficiency by traveling and challenging other scholars and learned persons to debate, and if one was successful, he would be the champion. And if the person could actually go throughout India and defeat all of the other scholars, he was digvijaya, the greatest champion in Sanskrit knowledge or in scriptural arguments. Just like today there is competition among the cricket teams: they go all over the world and face rival cricket teams, and there is fierce competition to win the match. So, in the olden days, there used to be competition to win debates about Sanskrit and shastra.

But Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami were pure devotees of the Lord. They had no desire to waste time arguing and debating, to gain name and fame. So when the scholar came to debate, Rupa and Sanatana said, “You want to claim that you have defeated us? All right, you can tell people.” And they gave a certificate: “You have defeated me.” But when the same scholar came to Jiva Gosvami, Jiva Gosvami did not like the fact that the scholar was falsely advertising that he had defeated Rupa and Sanatana. Therefore, to uphold their honor, Jiva Gosvami engaged in debate with the scholar and defeated him.

Sahajiyas disrespect genuine acharyas. Generally, sahajiyas lack knowledge of scriptures. They think that study of scripture and discussion of siddhanta are for lower–class Vaishnavas. They want to hear krsna-lila, talks of the pastimes of Radha and Krishna in Vrindavan, not philosophy. Once, when Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura visited Radha-kunda, the babajis became excited because they thought that, as an acharya, he would speak about krsna-lila. But to curb the sahajiyas’ pride, he spoke on the Isopanisad—not even the Bhagavad-gita—to establish the fact that the sahajiyas should first learn the basic knowledge of the revealed scriptures.

Some sahajiyas think that initiating disciples is another form of materialism. And they blaspheme genuine acharyas for having many disciples. They cannot understand that the discussion of shastra and the training of disciples are transcendental, and so they blaspheme bona fide spiritual masters like Srila Jiva Gosvami. When Jiva Gosvami defeated the scholar, the sahajiyas thought that he was being proud and wanted to show that he knew more than others. They could not understand his real motives—to defend the names of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Sanatana Gosvami, and to curb the false prestige and false propaganda of the scholar. One of the basic principles of devotional service is that one should not tolerate blasphemy of the Lord or the devotee. The sahajiyas think that being humble means to tolerate all sorts of insults, and personally we should tolerate insult. But when there is insult to the spiritual master or the Vaishnavas or Krishna, we should not tolerate. If we are able, we should defeat the opposing party. The sahajiyas like the verse trnad api su-nicena taror iva sahisnuna/ amanina mana-dena kirtaniyah sada harih. But Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the author of the verse, Himself showed the example that although for one’s own sake one can be meek and humble and tolerate all sorts of insults, in relation to the spiritual master and the devotees one should not tolerate. Therefore, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came to the place where Jagai and Madhai had insulted Nityananda Prabhu, ready to kill Jagai and Madhai. And thus He showed the real meaning of trnad api su-nicena.

PURPORT (continued)

Another story fabricated to defame Srila Jiva Gosvami states that when Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami showed him the newly-completed manuscript of Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Jiva Gosvami thought that it would hamper his reputation as a big scholar and therefore threw it in a well. Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami was greatly shocked, according to this story, and he died immediately. Fortunately a copy of the manuscript of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta had been kept by a person named Mukunda, and therefore later it was possible to publish the book. This story is another ignominious example of blasphemy against a guru and Vaisnava. Such a story should never be accepted as authoritative.

COMMENT

Mundane people are so envious that they do not hesitate to criticize such a great personality as Srila Jiva Gosvami. They even manufacture stories. Here the story is that Jiva Gosvami was afraid that Sri Caitanya-caritamrta would diminish his reputation as a devotee and scholar and therefore out of envy he threw the manuscript in a well so that the book would be lost. Indirectly, they charge that Jiva Gosvami was responsible for the death of Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami. Such a claim is absurd—and offensive.

PURPORT (continued)

According to another accusation, Srila Jiva Gosvami did not approve of the principles of the parakiya-rasa of Vraja-dhama and therefore supported svakiya-rasa, showing that Radha and Krsna are eternally married.

COMMENT

Svakiya-rasa means relationship with one’s own wife. And parakiya-rasa means relationship with someone who is not one’s wife, who is either not married at all and thus belongs to her parents, or who is married to someone else and thus belongs to her husband.

PURPORT (continued)

Actually, when Jiva Gosvami was alive, some of his followers disliked the parakiya-rasa of the gopis. Therefore Srila Jiva Gosvami, for their spiritual benefit, supported svakiya-rasa, for he could understand that sahajiyas would otherwise exploit the parakiya-rasa, as they are actually doing at the present time. Unfortunately, in Vrndavana and Navadvipa it has become fashionable among sahajiyas, in their debauchery, to find an unmarried sexual partner to live with to execute so-called devotional service in parakiya-rasa. Foreseeing this, Srila Jiva Gosvami supported svakiya-rasa, and later all the Vaisnava acaryas also approved of it.

COMMENT

Once, a man asked Srila Prabhupada, “Krishna enjoyed with the wives of others. So did He not commit adultery?” Srila Prabhupada replied, “Everyone and everything is the property of Krishna. Your wife is also Krishna’s property. So who is committing adultery?” Because all souls belong to Krishna, Krishna’s relationship with them is svakiya.

PURPORT (concluded)

Srila Jiva Gosvami was never opposed to the transcendental parakiya-rasa, nor has any other Vaisnava disapproved of it. Srila Jiva Gosvami strictly followed his predecessor gurus and Vaisnavas, Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami, and Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami accepted him as one of his instructor gurus.

COMMENT

If Jiva Gosvami had actually deviated from the line of Rupa and Sanatana, how could Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, who has elaborately described radha-krsna-lila in parakiya-rasa, especially in Sri Govinda-lilamrta, have accepted him as siksa-guru? All the acharyas in the line following Rupa Gosvami accept the transcendental parakiya-rasa, and they also accept Srila Jiva Gosvami as siksa-guru. When they accept Srila Jiva Gosvami as siksa-guru, there cannot be any fault or deviation in him. He argued in favor of svakiya-rasa simply to pacify some ignorant disciples who could not appreciate the transcendental parakiya-rasa, and to curb the sahajiyas, who would falsely try to imitate parakiya-rasa and thus go to hell. Jiva Gosvami is faultless, and bona fide followers of Sri Jiva, or of any acharya, will defend the acharya from false accusations. Jiva Gosvami did it for his gurus, Srila Rupa and Sanatana Gosvamis, and here Srila Prabhupada is doing it for Srila Jiva Gosvami.

We too should follow this principle. We should not tolerate blasphemy of the acharyas and pure Vaishnavas; we should defend them to the best of our ability. And if we are not able to defeat the criticism, then at least we should not hear it. We should leave the place.

Hare Krishna.

Are there any questions or comments?

Devotee: [inaudible]

Giriraj Swami: The spiritual master may not protest, because he is following the principle of humility, but the disciples can. When Sisupala blasphemed Krishna, none of the Pandavas could tolerate the insults, and they were ready to kill him. But Krishna said, “No!” He tolerated. Then finally He Himself killed Sisupala and delivered him. But the Pandavas were bound to become upset, and they were bound to take action.

Devotee: [inaudible]

Giriraj Swami: The associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are in the highest grade. Among devotees in the highest grade we shouldn’t distinguish between big and small in a material way, just as we shouldn’t distinguish between the leaves of the tulasi tree—“That one is big so it is better” or “This one is small so it is lesser.” All are the same because they are parts of the tulasi plant. We may distinguish between a tulasi leaf and another type of leaf, which is not sacred like tulasi, but among the tulasi leaves we should not distinguish.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!
Gaura-premanande hari-haribol!

Increasing the Spiritual Family
Giriraj Swami

On Sunday, January 6, Srila Locana dasa Thakura’s appearance day, in the presence of Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji, Srila Prabhupada, and their followers, I was pleased to officially connect five devotees to Srila Prabhupada and the guru-parampara through hari-nama initiation. Jeff Janock became Jaya Chaitanya dasa, Nishant Mehta became Nitai dasa, Sakar Panta became Shyama Gopala dasa, Rosie Panta became Radharani dasi, and Ambika Gurung became Amrita Gopi dasi. Please bless them and support them in their service to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and their mission.

(The video of the ceremony can be seen on my Facebook page.)

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami