The Mercy of the Lord, the Devotees, and the Holy Name
Giriraj Swami

At Kirtan50 today, Bada Haridas Prabhu and I spoke about the holy name, following the theme of this beautiful verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.55):

visrjati hrdayam na yasya saksad
  dharir avasabhihito ’py aghaugha-nasah
pranaya-rasanaya dhrtanghri-padma
sa bhavati bhagavata-pradhana ukta

“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.”

The audio of our talks can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/premasindhu/hh-giriraj-swami-hg-bada-haridas-prabhu

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Approaching The New Year By Making New Resolutions To Come Closer To Krishna
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By Radhanath Swami

Patanjali writes in the Yoga Sutras that attachment arises from remembering past pleasant activities. As we remember the pleasure of these activities, we become attached to doing them again. Detachment works in a similar way: we remember the pain of past activities and we thus detach from them. If your brain links pain with activity in the past, as well as in the present and the future, you will give it up. It then becomes a neural response because you feel the pain in your nervous system. It is no longer information; you simply can't act that way again. Continue reading "Approaching The New Year By Making New Resolutions To Come Closer To Krishna
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SRILA PRABHUPADA FESTIVAL – JAN 1, 2019
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On New Year's Day, Tuesday, January 1st, 2019, Toronto's Hare Krishna temple will be hosting our annual Srila Prabhupada Festival!  Promising to be a great way to start the new year, the festival is usually one of the biggest of the year.

The festival will feature plenty of kirtan, wonderful classes, a dramatic presentation by Bhaktimarga Swami and a sumptuous feast to help ring in the new year!  You won’t want to miss it!  There will be no better way to usher in the new year on an auspicious note!

Festival Schedule (Subject to Change):

4:00pm to 4:15pm - Kirtan (Arati)
4:15pm to 4:30pm - Tulasi Arati
4:30pm to 4:50pm - Guru Puja
4:50pm to 5:00pm - Welcome and Announcements
5:00pm to 5:20pm - Special Updates and Presentations
5:20pm to 6:00pm - Dramatic presentation by Bhaktimarga Swami
6:00pm to 6:30pm - Kirtan (Arati)
6:30pm - Vegetarian Feast (Prasadam)


Special Mercy In Shanghai (Album of photos) Indradyumna Swami:…
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Special Mercy In Shanghai (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: This afternoon on my last day in Shanghai we did a program in a popular yoga studio. Over two hundred mostly young people listened intently to the class and as always, chanted and danced ecstatically with us. I saw 6 people crying during the kirtan. In fact, I often see Chinese people cry during bhajans and kirtans. I can only conclude that Lord Caitanya and the holy names are showing special mercy to the people of the Khasa race as described in Srimad Bhagavatam:
”Kiratas, Hunas, Andhras, Pulindas, Pulkasas, Abhiras, Sumbhas, Yavanas and members of the Khasa [ Chinese ] races, and even others addicted to sinful acts, can be purified by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord, due to His being the supreme power. I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.”
Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.4.18
Find them here: https://goo.gl/B9izNo

An instrument of Krsna
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 22 April 2016, Radhadesh, Srimad Bhagavatam 7.8.14-16)

It is said sometimes that anger is the younger brother of lust. First, there is our desire to control. We want a world according to our desires and if people interfere with that then we become angry!

But it is not that people just interfere because you have to see Krsna behind it. So devotees accept, “Alright, so Krsna did not want this for me. Krsna has another plan for me. This is not destined to be.” One has to accept being an instrument of Krsna!

This is difficult. I know it is difficult. Tell me all about it. I find it very difficult also. But, when everything goes wrong, and you are sort of standing on shaky legs then we say, “Okay Krsna, I’m yours!” This is sort of how it is.

The article " An instrument of Krsna " was published on KKSBlog.

The world is a resource to take us to the source
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Materialists answer that the world is a place for our enjoyment. This answer is problematic because distress and death pervade the world.
Some spiritualists, especially impersonalists, answer that the world is a place of illusion – it is just meant to be renounced. This answer too is problematic because it is largely impractical, and it renders meaningless most of the things we value: our talents, aspirations, contributions.


Read More...

Kirtan Standards Seminar – Saturday, January 5, 2019
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple is pleased to announce the next  Kirtan Standards Seminar with HH Bhaktimarga Swami on Saturday, January 5th, 2019 from 10:00am - 4:00pm at our lovely temple at ISKCON Brampton. This informative seminar will present the proper etiquette and standards that are meant to be followed at our temple with respect to leading kirtans.

Moreover, this will give an opportunity to ask questions and discuss various topics related to kirtan. This seminar is mandatory for all present kirtan leaders as well as anyone who would like to lead kirtan in the future.  We also encourage anyone who participates in kirtan (mrdanga and kartal players, etc.) to attend as well.

To attend the seminar, please fill out the simple registration by CLICKING HERE and please forward to anyone who may also be interested in this seminar! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@torontokrishna.com.  We hope to see you all there!



Ring in 2019 in Grand Fashion with Outdoor Kirtan!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

There are numerous busy times of year for the Hare Krishna Temple here in Toronto when activities and events come in abundance and the temple is buzzing with excitement. The end of the year is certainly one of those times and is always a fun time for everyone as Toronto's Hare Krishnas are known for closing the calendar in style and ushering in the new year on a transcendent note! The following is your guide to spending New Years Eve with Toronto's Hare Krishna Temple!

As we do every year, devotees gather at the temple on New Year's Eve and then head over to City Hall to join the tens of thousands of revelers, ushering in the new year. However, we come armed with our drums, karatalas (cymbals) and voices as well!

Here's all that you need to know about this evening:

8:00pm - Kirtan at the temple.
10:00pm - The kirtan will really pickup by this time!
10:30pm (approx) - Bundle up and off to Rosedale station.
11:30pm - We will start chanting in front of Old City Hall (NE corner of Bay & Queen)
12:00am - the kirtan will reach it's peak as fireworks set the sky ablaze!
1:30am (approx) - We'll get back on the subway and make our way back to the temple for hot ginger tea and snacks!


Some tips to keep in mind for this evening:
  • Dress warmly - it may be chilly, so dress in layers!
  • Don't worry about weather - whether it be snow, rain, hail or sleet, we will usher in the new year with kirtan!
  • Bring your voices - don't forget to chant with all of your hearts!

25-Creating Leaders, Taking Initiative and Krishna West with HH Hridayananda Maharaja
→ Successful Vaisnavas – Personal Development for Hare Krishnas

This episode we’re interviewing His Holiness Hridayananda das Goswami about preaching in the West and taking initiative to spread Prabhupada’s movement. Some of the topics we cover: How the movement has changed… Why we need to create leaders not followers… The extreme importance of acting according to our nature… What it means to be an […]

The post 25-Creating Leaders, Taking Initiative and Krishna West with HH Hridayananda Maharaja appeared first on Successful Vaisnavas - Personal Development for Hare Krishnas.

Uploaded transcriptions for Krishna Lila – aghasura, bakasura demons
→ The Spiritual Scientist

https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2018/11/demons-krishna-lila-5-aghasura-cruelty-violence//

https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2018/12/demons-krishna-lila-6-bakasura-appearance-substance-transcendence//

The post Uploaded transcriptions for Krishna Lila – aghasura, bakasura demons appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Monday, December 24th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Thunder Bay, Ontario

The Sex Change

At the quaint Vedic Cultural Centre, a cozy group of us reflected on the story of Vishnu taking on a gender-change as Mohini Murti.  Canto Eight of the Bhagavatam relays the story of what is now a popular topic.  To allure the demons and distract them from snatching the immortal elixir called amrta,Vishnu assumed the form of a Divine female. The staunch yogi, Shiva, was also wooed by this avatar.

Additional stories of gender adjustment appear in the epic, The Mahabharat, when in the thirteenth year of the Pandava's exile, Arjuna, the warrior friend of Krishna, became a eunuch who taught dance.  We also read about Ambha, the princess, who became an effeminate male warrior by the name of Shikandi, and who ultimately posed as grandsire Bhisma's arch enemy in a role of vengeance.

The question I sometimes get asked is, "In your movement do you accept people of different orientations?"  This is mostly referring to same-sex individuals. The answer is that all persons are welcome to participate in devotional activities.  Emphasis goes to encouraging acts of devotion and reducing acts of sensuality.  May we be reminded that we are not these bodies.  We are spirits.

The discussion was brief enough, while clarifying our stance on people of various natures.  Ananda and I then went on a journey, on foot, to explore newer trails, one of which was a branch of "The Great Trail," that runs right across the country.  We also delighted in the wildlife tracks we discovered on the snow-laden forest floor. One small creature, it must have been a mole or a mouse, left mini prints and then tunnelled his way through the snow, leaving a furrow and then a tunnel.  Sweet!

May the Source be with you!
8 km


Sunday, December 23rd, 2018
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Thunder Bay, Ontario

Get Over It!

He finally gets it.  Ananda, who's from Maharastra, India, and accustomed to a hot climate, came to terms with a reality.  Bravely he accepted my offer.  It's a short trek to the Vedic Centre, a mere six to seven kilometres from Prem's home.  It was the night before that he decided: "I'll go with you even though it's cold."  On top of that he has a bit of a limp which manifests after a short trek; the result of a past accident.

Well, Ananda crossed over a threshold, a barrier. "Like last night at the Marina Park I was hesitant, because of the cold, but then ten minutes into the walk (with a bay breeze off Lake Superior coming at us) I liked it.  I didn't want to go inside."

I always say, first of all, that it's purely psychological, this apprehension people have about walking, and then secondly, they are hesitant to do so in more extreme hot or cold weather conditions.  We are quite adaptable as humans.  You just have to dress for the occasion and become a hero.

Ananda and I trekked the light powdery snowfall of the morning.  We began in the dark but the snow itself, for the most part, lit the way along the creek. We conducted a morning sanga,and then again in the evening.  No walking to the Vedic Centre that second time.

In attendance were Angie and also Rich from Los Angeles.  They are good musicians and have some ties with the Sivananda society.  In came a slew of sharp students from Gujarat. Both Ananda and I took advantage of chanting, drumming and exquisite dance.  We had a blast.

In any event, I wish all people would adopt the attitude of Ananda as mentioned above.

May the Source be with you!
7 km

Saturday, December 22nd, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Meet Pete

It was such a pleasure to meet Peter, along with the few others who came to hear our discussion from the book Bhagavatam. Angie came with her daughter, Sarena. Satyam, a student at Lakehead University, sat listening with rapt attention.  We also had our local pujari(priest) by the name of Balvan Krishna, and host, Prem, there.

Peter is originally from Winnipeg and moved to the area to go to Lakehead in 1986, deciding then to stay with his wife, way out in the bush.  They come into town to the Farmer's Market to display and sell their artwork.  Today, Peter came by to see if any small icons or pictures of Shiva were for sale in the Vedic Cultural Centre, and he happened to notice us in the middle of our discussion.

We were speaking about the episode where a mother-to-be, Uttara, approached that master of mystics, Sri Krishna, out of a sense of urgency.  She sensed a fiery but subtle brahmastrahad been hurled at her child in the womb.  She cried out for help, "Pahipahimahayogin..." and Krishna came to the rescue leaving the male heir, Pariksit, in a protected condition.

Peter goes to India often, loves the place, and has picked up some of the customs.  "Namaste!" he addressed, and followed with a host of questions, both cultural and philosophical.  Just before departing, the tall goatee-bearded fella asked something unusual for a westerner.  He said, "Swamiji, can I touch your feet?" as a way to receive some blessings. 

I was apprehensive in the beginning, but then I felt perhaps I could connect him in some way to the pilgrimage culture, a topic we had discussed.  These feet have walked over thousands and thousands of kilometres as a pilgrim's duty.

May the Source be with you!
4 km



Preaching program in Izhevsk, the capital city of western…
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Preaching program in Izhevsk, the capital city of western Russia’s Udmurt Republic (Album of photos)
Bhakti Chaitanya Swami: Every year over the Xmas time we visit the city of Izhevsk in Russia. There is a wonderful group of devotees there, and among other things, they are extremely expert in dance and drama. While we were there, every evening we had a full program, with kirtan, a class, and usually two dramas, with nice dances.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/yXftgw

Digesting the False Ego
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Digesting the False Ego.
Sacinandana Swami: “When an intelligent person engages constantly in worshiping Me through loving devotional service as described by Me, his heart becomes firmly situated in Me. Thus all material desires within the heart are destroyed. The knot in the heart is pierced, all misgivings are cut to pieces and the chain of fruitive actions is terminated when I am seen as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 11.20.29-30)


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Visiting Iskcon Melbourne, Australia (2018) (Album of photos)…
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Visiting Iskcon Melbourne, Australia (2018) (Album of photos)
Arjun Bhattacharyya: Melbourne is located at the head of Port Phillip Bay, and it is Australia’s second largest city and the capital of the south-eastern state of Victoria. Serving as Australia’s undisputed cultural capital, Melbourne is bursting with Victorian-era architecture, museums, galleries, theaters, street arts, large parks and gardens. Srila Prabhupada visited Melbourne many times. In 1973, he installed Melbourne’s presiding Deities, Sri Sri Radha Ballabha. And in May 1975 he attended the opening of the current temple at 197 Danks Street, Albert Park, installing the Deities of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and naming the temple Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir. We were surcharged by the wonderful enthusiastic spirit of the devotees. We had huge program attendance for all temple and house programs. We saw beautiful parrots flying around in huge numbers just outside the temple. Please relish the pictures of our visit to one of the most amazing Krishna conscious temples.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/5mZGAA

Sun Love Feast – Dec 30th, 2018 – Vedic discourse by HG Radha Gopinath Prabhuji
→ ISKCON Brampton






Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare 

And Be Happy!!

ayur harati vai pumsam
udyann astam ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-ksano nita
uttama-sloka-vartaya

Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one
who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.
 ~ Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17




11.00 - 11.15      Tulsi Puja
11.15  - 11.30     Guru Puja
11:30 - 11:55     Aarti & Kirtan
11.55  - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers
12.00 - 1:00     Vedic discourse
  1.00 - 1.30      Closing Kirtan
  1.30 - 2.00     Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast


COMING UP AHEAD



Dec 31st 2018 7pm onwards 
New Year Eve & Devotee Appreciation Celebrations 

















Saphala Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Tue Jan 1st,  2019
Breakfast................  on Wed Jan 2nd, 2019 b/w 7:52am – 10:52 am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or
simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures
and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through
regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 

ONGOING PROGRAMS

Adult Education At The Temple
ISKCON Brampton offers various courses and Seminars for adults. The courses take a personal approach to learning. It encourages the student not only to study thoroughly the contents of Srila Prabhupada’s books but also to clearly understand the philosophy and practically apply it. The course focuses on behaviour and character, nurturing students in appropriate Vaishnava values.
Professionally designed and presented, it draws on the principles of Krishna consciousness
and the best of progressive education. In this way, it is true to ISKCON’s heritage and at the
same time relevant to its mission in contemporary society.

For further information, please contact HG Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi @ premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com


Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates,
quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed
to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).


Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna
consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make
Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions)


The Mentorship Program

Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It

1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.
2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis.
3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes.

To find details please click here


Gift Shop

Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your
loved ones for festivals or many other occasions??
Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your
visit. It offers textiles, jewelry, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs
inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

Uploaded transcriptions for Krishna Lila – trinavarta,vatsasura demons
→ The Spiritual Scientist

https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2018/10/demons-krishna-lila-3-trinavarta-giving-useless-argumentation//

https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2018/10/demons-krishna-lila-4-vatsasura-weakness-forgivable-wickedness-isnt//

The post Uploaded transcriptions for Krishna Lila – trinavarta,vatsasura demons appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Meet Devotee Baker Nitaipriya Dasi and her fantastic…
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Meet Devotee Baker Nitaipriya Dasi and her fantastic creations!
Nitaipriya rises to the challenges that stereotypical cake ingredients present to those following Vaishnava principles. She uses yoghurt and baking soda, lemon juice with soda, flax seeds, or banana instead of egg, depending on the flavor and style of cake. She can even make royal icing without eggs, using chickpea water to surprisingly delicious results. To make flowers and figurines she uses candy clay instead of chocolate, as well as gum paste and fondant. One of Nitaipriya’s most impressive feats is making grain-free Ekadasi cakes that are still incredibly sumptuous offerings. “It’s tricky because you can’t even use icing sugar on Ekadasi,” she says. “For a recent Ekadasi I made a tiered cake with Rajgira flour, which comes from the seeds of the Amaranth plant and follows Ekadasi. The filling was berries and banana, and the ‘frosting’ was made from caramel mixed with Rajgira flour so that it applies like real icing.”
To read the entire article please click here: https://goo.gl/X9q29S

Emerson, Merton, and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta. Madhavananda Das: I…
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Emerson, Merton, and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta.
Madhavananda Das: I find it very interesting how similar the thinking is in the following excerpts of these three famous philosophers.
The Vaishnava Guru Vs Bankrupt Rationalism by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada.
Tradition Vs Convention by Thomas Merton from “No Man is an Island”
Consistency is the Hobgoblin of Little Minds by Ralph Waldo Emerson from “Self-reliance”.
To read the entire article please click here: https://goo.gl/mXmHMF

Srila Prabhupada MARATHON 2018 in Slovenia (4th week) Devotees…
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Srila Prabhupada MARATHON 2018 in Slovenia (4th week) Devotees on the battlefield (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Once cannot capture the blowing wind. And it is even more difficult to capture the turbulent mind. One must engage one’s mind fully in Krishna. Only then will there remain no other engagements to agitate the mind. (Bhagavad-gita 6.34, purport).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/HJdZda

ISKCON Scarborough – Initiation ceremony by HH Bhaktimarga Swami coming Sunday – 30th Dec 2018
→ ISKCON Scarborough

Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

We are happy to inform you that an initiation ceremony will be conducted at ISKCON Scarborough, under the patronage of H.H.Bhaktimarga Swami, the spiritual master of ISKCON, who is a disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder acharya of ISKCON.

We are inviting you and your family members personally to ISKCON Scarborough to be part of this wonderful occasion.

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

Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com
website:
www.iskconscarborough.org


Ratha-Yatra in New Orleans (Album of videos) Drumila Dasa: Our…
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Ratha-Yatra in New Orleans (Album of videos)
Drumila Dasa: Our last Rathayatra was rained out last month, so today we tried again. It was supposed to rain, 100% chance the weather station said. But by the grace of the prayers of all the Devotee’s, and the Lord himself, for the better duration of the parade, we had no rain. Only at the near the very end did it rain, and that is after we had gone by the most populated sections of the French Quarter. I was busy handing out tons of fruit in the form of oranges tangerines and apples(Prasadam of course), books, and pralines which were offering to the Lord. But I managed to stop a few times just to film some of the nectar scenes. So here they are from the beginning of the parade to towards the end love of it.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/hnhtzw