Sell in bunches like bananas! (Album of photos)
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Sell in bunches like bananas! (Album of photos)
Today we set up a new record(for the next few weeks) for Harinama Ashram, distributing 11 sets of 7 maha books per day! Sapta rsi, Srila Prabhupada ‘s Lilamrita and CC sets were taken by random people in the subway today. We started doing these sets from December Prabhupada’s Marathon and till now it became so successful like never before.
There is a third law of book distribution which says “The more you show the more you sell. The more you show the more you sell!” And from my own experience, I would say it works a lot! In my case, this law is only one thing which works.
It is truly unbelievable and I personally feel very fortunate to be the smallest part of this.
Remember I read in OFB how devotees would go out and try to distribute Krishna book, and how if they did at least one(!) they felt great ecstasy. What would Srila Prabhupada say right now seeing this extremely dedicated devotees to Krishna and to Him…If they can do it, this means that He is very much pleased and empowers us to do more and more every day.
Thank you dearest Srila Prabhupada for unlimited mercy and inspiration! All glories to You! All glories to Gurudeva!
May everyone gets inspired by these photos and go out on the streets to preach about Krishna!

Uploaded transcriptions for QA on 25 Feb 2019.
→ The Spiritual Scientist

https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2018/06/bhakti-wisdom-help-us-become-tolerant//

https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2018/06/will-krishna-pleased-feed-hungry-offer-opulent-bhoga-deities//

https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2018/07/islam-violent-religion//

https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2018/05/god-cause-everything-free-will//

https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2018/07/shiva-puarana-say-shiva-source-brahma-vishnu//

The post Uploaded transcriptions for QA on 25 Feb 2019. appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

How intelligence and devotion interact on the spiritual path – 3 reflections
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[Bhagavatam class on 4.20.32 at ISKCON, Melbourne, Australia]

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Technology, Psychology, Spirituality
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[Talk to teenagers at Melbourne, Australia]

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The post Technology, Psychology, Spirituality appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Understanding the Left, the Right and the Bhagavad-gita’s vision
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

The post Understanding the Left, the Right and the Bhagavad-gita’s vision appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Srila Gour Govinda Swami Tirobhav Utsav!
→ Mayapur.com

HH Bhakti Gour Govinda Swami Tirobhav festival is being celebrated today at Sri Mayapur. Although 24th Feb is the disappearance day of Maharaja, being the celebrations happening at the temple for Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakura, the festival has been scheduled for today. HG Madhavananda das, one of the senior disciple of Maharaja is in […]

The post Srila Gour Govinda Swami Tirobhav Utsav! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

More Krishna conscious books for Iskcon in Pakistan
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More Krishna conscious books for Iskcon in Pakistan (Album of photos)
ISKCON Pakistan is pleased to inform that BBT Pakistan has printed One New small Book “Civilization and Transcendence”. And reprinted Two small books of Srila Prabhupada, (1) The Nectar of Instruction, and (2) Beyond the Birth and Death at 18 February 2019 on Nityananda Triodasi Festival 2019.
Bhagavad Gita As It Is (pocket size Urdu Edition) 1st time in Pakistan also Printed in Pakistan on the day of Sri Krishna Pusya Abhiseka festival 2019.

Bhagavata-pradhana / Бхагавата-прадхана
→ Traveling Monk

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead is so kind to the conditioned souls that if they call upon Him by speaking His holy name, even unintentionally or unwillingly, the Lord is inclined to destroy innumerable sinful reactions in their hearts. Therefore, when a devotee who has taken shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet chants the holy name of Krsna with genuine love, the Lord can never give up the heart of such a devotee. One who has thus bound the Supreme Lord within his heart with the ropes of love is to be known as bhagavata-pradhana, the most exalted devotee of the Lord.”

[ Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.2.55 ]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213768014537543&set=a.3707173840886&type=3&theater

Tractor-machine, means kill the Bulls
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By Dusyanta dasa

One of the main problems with today's modernity is the usage of machinery. And why so many Bulls are slaughtered is because there is no work for them to do. If we can understand the nature of today's farming activities it is apparent that we all follow and support an industrialized farming model. This means we support the use of tractors, the diesel they need to be powered, and we support the use of pharmaceutical artificial fertilizers to grow all the food. Once we have become fully integrated into this agricultural model and system it means as Srila Prabhupada is so eloquently pointing out, …" Bulls have to be killed." Continue reading "Tractor-machine, means kill the Bulls
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Tuesday, February 19th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Calgary, Alberta

Five Stops

Today I championed seven kilometres on the walking track. With me were companions Atmaram, Radha Madhava and Saci Pran. I found it advantageous to walk in socks, but to be a sport, I donned hiking boots for a photo. That was my first event of the day.  

Four more visitations of sorts were to follow, beginning with a few minutes of feel-good talk at a Fijian home, then lunch at a couple’s house where several sacred Tulasi plants grow luxuriantly indoors. The person tending to this family of plants is Sarva Mangala. It’s impressive what she does.  https://www.instagram.com/p/BuGlGzEAb-D/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=3fyg0v7p0xi3  I then did another home visit to Yogendra’s. He is a Nova Scotian-born chap, and with an El Salvadoran wife raises three little angels for kids (no sarcasm implied with the word ‘angels’).

The last venture of the day was at a downtown community hall which has two spaces: one being used for seniors who were enjoying an old-style dance (perhaps the Tennessee Waltz? My guess.), while the second room is where I delivered a message on the theme of  “Warming Up With the Walking Monk.” Somehow I was in sync with the weather pattern of the day, when all was white and bright, and melting.  I referred to the warming up as an analogy for getting closer to the self, the atma.

In the present age in which we live, most of us have turned a cold shoulder to our spiritual side. The talk today then dealt with exploring your inner self and taking the practical steps to do so.  I was pleased with the attendance and the questions.

May the Source be with you!
7 km

Monday, February 18th, 2019
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Calgary, Alberta

Genesis

The walking track inside Genesis YMCA worked out just fine for us.  7.7 laps means you’ve put in one kilometre.  Okay, so if I’ve got my math right, a mere thirty-six circles will get me an hour’s worth of walking and leave me with five kilometres.  That’s BINGO for me!!  A winner, but still a minimum winner over the thirty-four to forty-two I used to accomplish.  It’s something.  Whether outdoors or indoors, it’s something.

I’m not that intimidated but the 28 below temperature outside, but I would likely be alone.  It was more important to bond with some of the prominent  members of the Radha Madhava Cultural Centre.  After all they had organized a sweet festival the day before and similarly a duplicate today.

With Family Day on in Alberta today, people had the time and interest to attend a diksha or initiation ceremony for Yogita, age nineteen, whose new name is Yugala Priti. Friends and family came to see her sit before the fire, make her vows, hear mantras and partake of that delicious Krishna food.  (Oops, it was a little hot.)

For a young person to come forward and show a solid commitment as Yugala has done, leaves others inspired to take such steps as well.  There is a senior gentleman of seventy-six who lives in the centre’s ashram.  Yes, Haresh is very enthusiastic to take vows on following what’s sometimes called “the principles of freedom.”

May the Source be with you!
5 km



Sunday, February 17th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Edmonton, Alberta

Don’t Quit a Good Thing

Madhava, age fourteen, came to the temple with his soccer uniform on.  No problem for me regarding dress code.  I’m glad he turned up for the tail-end of the program, which was in honour of Lord Nityananda’s birthday.  It was along the same theme as yesterday—take care of your physical self in order to serve others better and for a longer period of time.  So, Soccer Boy, keep up the good work!

Madhava did mention that their team had lost every game, yet he didn’t feel defeated or discouraged.  He’ll go out there and play again.  That was in Calgary.

I also met Ben who came to the Festival for Nityananda.  He explained to me his dark past—heroin and a victim of  abuse on several levels.  He has gone through re-hab and is now in a good space.  In other words, he didn’t give up.  He struggled but fought to win.  He also really enjoyed the program, the food, the chanting and my talk.

Also in the morning, I met Ella, who came to Edmonton’s version of the Festival.  I’m always concerned when a newcomer visits because they can sometimes experience culture shock, due to a certain style of worship, and the oddities that arise from traditional behaviour. Also everyone trying to help a newcomer by over-helping and sometimes not doing anything at all can be off-putting.  Well, Ella passed the test of our sometimes dysfunctional abilities in the greeting department.  She had a nice time, I’m told, And she said she’ll come back.  She won’t quit and is not a defeatist, hopefully.

By the way, Nityananda was a great spiritual luminary in 15thcentury India.

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Saturday, February 16th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Edmonton, Alberta

Full Day in Edmonton

We sang a song for Heta, age ten and going on eleven on Monday.  Today was the celebration.

“Hare Krishna to you!  Hare Krishna to you!  Hare Krishna dear Heta! Happy Birthday to you!”

Heta was all smiles as we sang with feeling. She was sitting there, as we surrounded her, giving her the kind of moral support required for a young person, these days.  Family and friends seated in the clan’s suburban home was nice, but our crew of two vehicles full, made it a fifteen minute only stopover.  Heta was happy and that’s what mattered.

Our group from the Radha Madhava Cultural Centre was in between visits.  We had come from a workout (rather a walk-out session) at Meadows Community Centre. Physical exercise should always be a component in the life of a bhakti yoga practitioner.  If we want to serve others, then we must include ourselves as well.  Recreation is not a sin.

After Heta’s birthday experience, we headed straight for a healing facility at the edge of downtown.  Jagajiwan is our host for a program called “Spirit Matters.”  He’s a good host.  Currently, he’s taking massage therapy lessons and is on his way to becoming certified.  In any event, I conducted another one of those “Tales from Trails” sessions, and it was well received by a small gathering.  It is flu season and a number of people just couldn’t make it.  They had a few good laughs, especially when I mentioned about the officer who checked out Dave, my support person, who explained I’m doing this power walking for the healing of the nation.  

“Is it working?” the officer queried.

To which Dave replied, “Sure, can’t you feel it?!”

May the Source be with you!
8 km


Friday, February 15th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Edmonton, Alberta

Back at the Ed

Chandan, an economics teacher, picked me up at the airport.  He was kind. I couldn't resist asking him something about oil-rich Alberta.

"How is the province's economy?"

Chandan shook his head and said, "It'll take a couple of years before things get more stable."

The mood that ensued in our conversation was one of, "Oh well, such is the world with all of it's dualities." He added, "When the unemployment is high the education and liquor industries are on the rise, studies show."

That's an interesting observation.

Chandan had his family also as passengers in the van as we were talking.  Their two children are actually a set of twins at four years of age.  We drove to their home for a grainless meal on this ekadasi day, a day known for a fast of sorts. Every two weeks, followers of Vishnu keep our diet minimal.  There are reasons of a spiritual nature that keep this tradition alive.  This abstinence from grains and legumes has its physical benefits as well.  Digestive powers are given a relaxing break.

On the following day, we talked about the walking we're all missing, especially my craving for it.  With temperatures at -25 celsius, it wasn't too enticing, and time was also becoming a factor.  "We will go to Meadows Community Centre and hit that walking/running track," said one of the congregants at my final destination, the RG Cultural Centre. I agreed to that, and so plans are in the making for a trek and a chant for the next day. Can't wait!

May the Source be with you!
0 km


Adding Unicode Support to the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase. Now, text…
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Adding Unicode Support to the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase.
Now, text you copy and paste text from the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase® can come out right — diacritics and all — for anyone you share it with. A simple, free plugin for the desktop VedaBase program makes your text come out in Unicode. That means you can paste your text in an email, on Facebook, or wherever and the diacritic marks will come out right: Kṛṣṇa, not Kåñëa.
The update comes in the form of a small file (a “plugin”) you can easily download and install. Simple instructions come with it.
The plugin gives you three ways to copy text:
Copy with Unicode
Copy as plain text (no diacritics)
Copy with diacritics the old way (no longer recommended)
For each of these three ways, you also have the option to include a reference.
You can download the file here: https://goo.gl/puQ8kB

Radha Kunda Parikrama (23 Feb, 2019) (Album of photos)
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Radha Kunda Parikrama (23 Feb, 2019) (Album of photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: By the mercy of Srimati Radharani, we entered Her Holy Dhama of Radha Kunda, the most sacred place of the universe. Not only did we offer our prayers and obeisances at Sri Radha Kunda and Sri Shyama Kunda, but we visited many sacred places around the banks, such as Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami’s Samadhi, Bhajan Kutir and Sri Krishna Das Kaviraja Goswami’s Bhajan Kutir where Sri Caitanya-Caritamrita was written. We were delighted to find renovation in full swing at Raghunatha’s Bhajan Kutir.

May he kindly correct me / “Пусть он милостиво меня поправит”
→ Traveling Monk

I very much appreciated this post today by Giriraj Swami!

“Today is the appearance day of Srila Prabhupada’s spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. He was very kind, but also very strict. He said of himself, ‘I am not only a proofreader of the press; I am a proofreader of men—-I see their faults and try to correct them. I am also a proofreader of religion. I have appeared in the zodiac sign of the crab, so whenever I see anything undevotional, I act like a crab. If I see any so-called devotion, not actually in the true unalloyed spirit, I shall pierce it!’

May he kindly correct me as he sees fit.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami”

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213757482314244&set=a.3707173840886&type=3&theater

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura on Pure Chanting
Giriraj Swami

“We will not be able to chant purely as long as we are absorbed in material thoughts. How can we chant Krishna’s name if we are not inclined to serve Him? A person interested in sense gratification, who is fond of cheating and who is a hypocrite, can never chant the holy name. Those who do not understand that the Lord’s holy name and the Lord Himself are nondifferent will face obstacles in chanting. Chanting begins when we are inclined to serve the Lord. Unless we are convinced that the holy name is directly the Lord Himself, how will we chant? The Lord’s sacred name does not manifest on the tongue if the heart is filled with the current of mundane thought. Therefore, it is not possible to chant the holy name until the mind is spiritualized. Only a person whose material conception has been destroyed is able to chant Hari’s name constantly.

“We are suffering because we serve our material desires. If our material desires are strong we will become Maya’s servants and may even take birth as ghosts or evil spirits. When by serving guru and Krishna the heart becomes purified, the Lord’s pure name will appear in the heart. Otherwise, we will continue to commit offenses against the holy name.”

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Preaching program in Istanbul, Turkey (Album of photos) 70…
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Preaching program in Istanbul, Turkey (Album of photos)
70 guests attended the Nityananda Trayodasi festival.
Srila Prabhupada: In the Adi Purana Krishna tells Arjuna: “Anyone who is engaged in chanting My transcendental name must be considered to be always associating with Me. And I may tell you frankly that for such a devotee I become easily purchased.” (Nectar of Devotion, 12)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/jo4xah

The Gita’s transformational power explained through four special words in its last verse
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Talk on Bhagavad-Gita 18.78 at Melbourne, Australia]

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Video:

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Understanding what is contextual and what central in scripture
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[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Melbourne, Australia]

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Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura’s three quotes on preaching – Purpose, perspective, process
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[Bhagavatam class on Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura appearance day at Melbourne, Australia ]

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Podcast Summary


 

Video:

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Sri Vyaspuja Mahotsav of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad at Sridham Mayapur.
→ Dandavats

The Sri Saraswat Gaudiya Vaishnav Sangha that includes all the important Gaudiya Mutts of Nabadwip, Swarupgunj , Mayapur along with International Society for Krishna Consciousness ( ISKCON) celebrated the 146th divine appearance day of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad at Mayapur on 24th Feb as Sri Vyas Puja Mahotsav. The Sangha consists of senior members from all the temples.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Appearance
→ Ramai Swami

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura appeared at Jagannatha Puri on 6 February 1874 as the son of Srila Sacidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura. In his childhood he quickly mastered the Vedas, memorised the Bhagavad-Gita, and relished his father’s philosophical works. He became known as “The Living Encyclopaedia” for his vast knowledge.

He preached convincingly against casteism and philosophical deviations from Gaudiya Vaisnavism. He tried to unite the four Vaisnava sampradayas by publishing their teachings. Srila Sarasvati Thakura earned the title Nrsimha Guru for his fearless and powerful delivery of the Vaisnava siddhanta. Mayavadis would cross the street to avoid confronting the “lion guru.” Besides being a courageous preacher, he was ornamented with all divine qualities and full of ecstatic love of God. He established 64 Gaudiya Math temples in India and centres in Burma, England, Germany.

His three “Brhat-mrdangas” (printing presses) in Madras, Calcutta, Krishna-nagara used to pump out books, magazines, and newspapers to spread the message of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

When asked why he printed a daily spiritual newspaper entitled Nadia Prakash, Srila Sarasvati Thakura replied, “If an insignificant city can produce five daily newspapers, then why can’t we publish a newspaper every ‘Second about the eternal, ever-fresh transcendental activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His unlimited spiritual planet, Goloka Vrndavana?” 

Apart from his father’s writings, he published many authorised sastras: Bhagavad-Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya Bhagavata, Caitanya Mangala, Prema-bhakti-candrika, and his favourite book Sri Caitanya-Caritamrita. He predicted that foreigners would learn Bengali to relish the nectar left by Srila Krishna Dasa Kaviraja in the Caitanya-Caritamrita.

 He introduced many innovations to expand preaching. All over India he staged free theistic exhibits and dioramas depicting the pastimes of Sri Krishna and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Employing the latest technology, he even had animated dolls. To commemorate the many holy place

In Radha-Govinda’s eternal pastimes in Goloka Vrndavana, Srila Sarasvati Thakura serves as Nayana-mani manjari. His puspa samadhis are at Radha-kunda and Radha Damodara


The VedaBase Unicode plugin
→ Jayadvaita Swami

The VedaBase Unicode plugin makes diacritic marks come out right
Now the VedaBase
can do it right

Now text you copy and paste text from the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase® can come out right — diacritics and all — for anyone you share it with. A simple, free plugin for the desktop VedaBase program makes your text come out in Unicode. That means you can paste your text in email, on Facebook, or wherever and the diacritic marks will come out right: Kṛṣṇa, not Kåñëa.

To find out more, to get the plugin, and to find out how to plug it in and use it, go to https://vedabaseunicode.wordpress.com.

The post The VedaBase Unicode plugin appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
Giriraj Swami

Today is the appearance day of Srila Prabhupada’s spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. He was very kind, but also very strict. He said of himself, “I am not only a proofreader of the press; I am a proofreader of men—I see their faults and try to correct them. I am also a proofreader of religion. I have appeared in the zodiac sign of the crab, so whenever I see anything undevotional, I act like a crab. If I see any so-called devotion, not actually in the true unalloyed spirit, I shall pierce it!”

May he kindly correct me as he sees fit.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami