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Jahnavi Harrison of Kirtan London and Jaya Jagannath Das, a teacher at the Bhakti Center NYC share their thoughts on the Bhakti Yoga Club at American University in Washington D.C. getting shut down after accusations of cultural appropriation.
As this was a Facebook live video, the quality may not always be ideal, however we feel viewers will find the interesting subject matter and intelligent presentation worth it.
On January 3, 1974, in Los Angeles, Srila Prabhupada spoke on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.6:
athavasya padambhoja-
makaranda-liham satam
kim anyair asad-alapair
ayuso yad asad-vyayah
“Or please speak of topics related to the devotees of the Lord, who are accustomed to licking up the honey available from the lotus feet of the Lord. What is the use of topics which simply waste one’s valuable life?”
I was struck by his explanation of the absolute nature of devotional service:
“Here it is said, kim anyair asad-alapair . . . Avyayah, asad-vyayah. What is the meaning of vyayah? Asat, ‘unnecessary waste of life.’ Unnecessary waste of life—we should be very careful. That is Krishna consciousness. That is the criterion of Krishna conscious life. We should not waste our time. That is advised by Rupa Gosvami also: avyartha-kalatvam. We should be very cautious not to waste a single moment, be without Krishna consciousness. We have got so many activities. If we have no activities, then we can polish the floor of the temple. That is not very difficult. If I am illiterate, have no interest in reading books, or have no interest in chanting or cannot do it constantly, then I should take something and mop the temple and cleanse the temple. That is also service. It is not that one who is engaged in Deity worship is better engaged and one who is polishing the floor is less engaged. No. Both of them will get equal benefit. Krishna consciousness is so nice. So, find out some business for Krishna. Don’t waste time. That is the perfection of Krishna consciousness.”
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
Even though Vaikunthaloka’s travels do not strictly fit the definition of a padayatra -he sometimes walked but mainly hitchhiked around the island- we decided to share his adventures with the Padayatra website readers since he has spent time on Padayatra India and took advantage of his Cyprus trip to meet priests and spiritually minded people . We can also see Krishna’s hand in his adventures, and that’s always the best part. 
Padayatra South Africa began eight years ago when Lokanatha Maharaja instructed ISKCON Durban temple president Svarup Damodar to launch the programme in KwaZulu-Natal, one of the country’s largest provinces. The idea was to get the project under way and then have it gradually taken up throughout the country, and indeed after observing our efforts in Durban the devotees in Johannesburg were soon motivated to follow suit. 
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 September 2018, Petite Riviere, Mauritius, Lecture)
Transcendental sound is echoing around the world. The world which is egg-shaped and hollow inside, consists of several layers. All these universes clustering together are flowing from the pores of Mahavishnu. Srila Prabhupada explains creation. Krsna expands himself in the form of Mahavishnu from whose breathing an innumerable number of universes emanate. In each of these universes, Mahavishnu enters as Garbodhakasayi Vishnu who lies on Sesa Naga on the Garbha Ocean. From his navel, Bramha is born and he creates all living entities. Krsna further expands himself as Ksirodakasayi Vishnu and enters everything – even into the minute atom.
We have nothing to be so proud of. Our mind is occupied, “I am the centre of the Universe.” Krsna is there but in the background. When will Krsna be the centre of our lives?
Kirtan carries us. Everyone is making noises on their various tools. Sound carries us. The Mahamantra carries everyone. During the early days of ISKCON, in 1966, everything was there. Krsna Consciousness was in the heart. The essence of Srimad Bahgavatam and spiritual life, even without the details, was in the heart. Now we have all the details – how to fast on ekadasi and how to break our fast on the next day. So many technical details. How to pay obeisances – 5/7 parts of the body touching the ground. Everything is mentioned in the Hari Bhakti Vilas.
During Srila Prabhupada’s time, no one knew anything. They only knew Swamiji. Srila Prabhupada brought the deities of Lord Jagannatha, Baladev and Subhadra to San Francisco. Shyamasundar Prabhu carved the deities and Srila Prabhupada told them to offer a candle in a clockwise direction and they thought is was fun.
ISKCON today has developed a lot. In 1966, there was an incredible focus on the essence, that is pure devotional service. I used to study the early editions of the Back to Godhead Magazine and it was all about Srila Prabhupada. Once, the devotees were waiting for Srila Prabhupada and Srila Prabhupada was in his quarters. They did a long kirtan and it was getting late but Srila Prabhupada did not come at all. Then Kirtananda Swami gave the lecture and he said, “Where were we one year or six months ago? And now we are here with our shining faces, in contact with a pure devotee where the essence is pure devotional service. Devotional service is what we are meant to practice.”
Srila Prabhupada was once translating at 11 pm. He was speaking into the dictaphone and then a devotee came. Srila Prabhupada said to him, “Come sit next to me.” He said to Srila Prabhupada, “It is 11 pm, please go to bed!” But Srila Prabhupada did not go to bed. Then the devotee told Srila Prabhupada, “You are a pure devotee but I am not,” and Srila Prabhupada asked him, “Why do you say you are not a pure devotee?”
There are so many reasons to justify this statement. What we will do tomorrow. Surrender tomorrow. No, not tomorrow. NOW! The choice is ours. We have to choose again and again. We have to choose moments of pure devotional service. We have to think of what to do and then do it – not just lip service.
We have different species of living entities – plants, animals, human. Very few are civilized and have a connection with the Vedas. Most practice only lip service. Rupa Goswami said that 500 years ago, India was different. There was no Bollywood, no chai – nothing. Now we think that because of these things, we are very Indian. But 500 years ago nothing existed.
This movement offers the opportunity, the eagerness required to become a pure devotee. We have the opportunity of beginning the day with an offering to the Lord. No day is ordinary, everyday is special. Different days are linked to different planets. All that matters is what we really want to do. Come to that stage of pure devotional service. Create an inventory of what we have tried today. Have we read enough sastra or it could have been more, have we finished our rounds and how nice they were? Through all these things, we can see what have we offered to Krsna and like this, we go to sleep. We should try again and again, each day to have the opportunity to do something. In this way, we should take advantage of all the opportunities. Not wait, “Oh, when? When will Krsna Prema come?” In the Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu, it is mentioned that when the cowherd boys wake up in the morning, their hairs stand on end in ecstasy. Our mornings in spiritual life should not be like an old car where a push is needed, it should be able to start with enthusiasm.
The article " Enthusiasm " was published on KKSBlog.
PADAYATRA IN WEST AFRICA!
Theme:
Peace Procession (La Procession pour la Paix)
Location: Lomé, capital of Togo
Dates: Saturday, December 22nd and Sunday, December 23rd
Distance: 125 km
Procession:
A motorcycle will be used as a chariot, followed by the participants and a few vehicles, as it’s not easy to get trained oxen.
Participants:
Around 100 devotees will come from different countries in West Africa (Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin and Nigeria )
Towns to visit:
Lomé, Adidogome, Zanguera, Akepe, Noepe, Dagbe, Keve, Badja, Azanhoun, Tove, Tovegan, Amoussoukope, Agou, Kpalime.
Special Guests:
– Indian consulate in Togo for the padayatra opening.
-Mayor of the district of Lomé for an opening speech.
Contact : Bhakti Carudesna Swami : “carudesnabts108@gmail.com »
Spiritual Amnesia
Imagine a millionaire’s son traveling in a car on a hill.
Suddenly his car skids and falls hundreds of feet down. Somehow he jumps out of the car before it explodes. Fortunately, he falls on a sand dune in the valley. He survives but gets amnesia due to a blow on the head.
Rathyatra festival 2018 in Auckland NewZealand (Album of photos)
Giving out the mercy! Wednesday night.
Srila Prabhupada:...
Srila Prabhupada’s Legacy (video)
Seminar by HG Visakha Mataji at ISKCON SYDNEY Radha Gopinatha, 11 Dec 2018.
Becomes devotee and distributes books with the book distributor who made him devotee.
Sutapa Das: Get and Give!
Introduc...
By Sesa Dasa “The definition of renunciation, according to the Bhagavad Gita, suggests that leaders must practice selfless giving and strive for the common good. This concept is ironic in today's context as leadership in general is shrouded with deceit, dishonesty and selfish acts. “Practicing renunciation requires focusing on people and demonstrating compassion toward them. Today, we know servant leadership as a popular leadership concept. Servant leadership is similar to the concept of leadership renunciation. “If we look at the lives of effective leaders, they have demonstrated these characteristics. Mother Teresa left her homeland to serve the poor people of India. Dr. King spent his entire lifetime advocating racial harmony. Albert Schweitzer left a good life in France to serve the poor people in Africa. Henry Dunant gave up his wealthy business to serve the war victims, and established the Red Cross movement. Nelson Mandela spent twenty seven years in prison to fight against South African apartheid. The fourteenth Dalai Lama became the messenger of world peace and harmony while remaining in exile away from his homeland Tibet.” Continue reading "“Share with your brother … don’t boss others around”
→ Dandavats"
Answer Podcast
The post When the holy name is self-fulfilling, why do we need other things such as elaborate analysis of the mind? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The best way to travel from Kolkata to Mayapur and back?
Ajamila Dasa Acbsp: In Mayapur, a very comfortable Ganga boat ride ha...
Take Two!
Sutapa Das: Met these “transcendental twins” in Norwich. They were with devotees in 80’s and one of them lived at Radhadesh. Over time they had lost touch. One of them asked for some beads - I said take two. Another asked for a book - I said take two. They looked at me and said - maybe this is take two of our spiritual journey!
Magical, mystical, memorable, miraculous and moving… what more can I say? The mission goes on… Sankirtan forever.
Rathayatra in St Pierre on Reunion Island (Album of photos)
Bhakti Chaitanya Swami: Photos from our Rathayatra in St Pierre on...
Harinam in Dublin (Album of photos)
Kurma Dasa: Yesterday’s Harinama Sankirtana all around Dublin Fair City with 40 sweet devotees.. What a blast!
Hundreds of pieces of prasadam distributed and many books.
The perfect finale to a spectacular Kirtan Mela Weekend.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/HZteo3
“At the beginning of winter, there is a ceremony known as the Odana-sasthi. This ceremony indicates that from that day forward, a winter covering should be given to Lord Jagannatha.” – Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya-lila16.79, purport “. In Rajapur Jagannatha Mandir in Sri Dham Mayapur, Lord Jagannatha is beautifully dressed in starched cloth on Odana-sasthi. […]
The post Odana Sasti Festival Invitation: 13 Dec appeared first on Mayapur.com.
A lame man can cross mountains!
Photos from Saturday night Harinama in London.
This gentleman has at least twice now joined in our Saturday Night Harinama Sankirtan. Although about to turn 80 and having walking problems, he will hold his stick in the air and dance along with the devotees.
“By remembering the lotus feet of the Pañca-tattva, a dumb man can become a poet, a lame man can cross mountains, and a blind man can see the stars in the sky.” (CC A-di 8.5)
Slideshow (please turn on sound): https://davidc.zenfolio.com/saturday_night_harinama_sankirtan_08122018/slideshow
Gallery: https://davidc.zenfolio.com/saturday_night_harinama_sankirtan_08122018
Your servant, David
Denpasar Rathayatra (Album of photos)
Ramai Swami: There are between 25 to 30 Rathayatra parades held every year in Indonesia...
[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Washington DC, USA]
Podcast
The post Demons in Krishna-lila 6 – Bakasura – From Appearance to Substance to Transcendence appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
[Talk at Manama, Bahrain]
Podcast
Video:
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The post Responsible Relationships (4) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
[Seminar at ISKCON, Bahrain]
Podcast
The post Responsible Relationships 4 – Look up before you look around appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
[Vyasa-puja celebration at Manama, Bahrain]
Podcast
Video:
The post GURUDEVA acronym – Vyasa-puja offering to HH Radhanath Maharaj appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
[Seminar at ISKCON, Manama, Bahrain]
Podcast
Podcast Summary
Video:
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[Seminar at ISKCON, Manama, Bahrain]
Podcast
Video:
The post Responsible Relationships 2 – Make judgments, but don’t be judgmental appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post How can we share bhakti wisdom in the world today? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
There are between 25 to 30 Rathayatra parades held every year in Indonesia, even though it is a predominantly Muslim country. This is because devotees work with local committees in different areas and enter as a cultural participant.
Bali is a little different because it is mainly Hindu, but besides our own big Rathayatra in July, we usually work in with other groups. Smaller carts are used for these types of events.
When I last visited there was a yoga group function in Krathalangu Park, which is a cultural place in the centre of Denpasar. Part of the activity was a parade and, of course, the devotees entered one of our Ratha carts as a special added attraction.
Srimati Jahnavi Dasi ACBSP, the author of “Letters to My Oldest Friend by Janavi Held”, which won a prestigious literary prize, departed this world yesterday afternoon. She surely lives on in her beautiful, devotional poems and artwork!
Read more: https://goo.gl/82ajCB
On Tour in Nepal (15 min video)
Titiksava Karunika Das: Somewhere in Nepal…..December 1, 2018, Dharan, Ratha Yatra.
Good time by chanting Hare Krishna!
Children's Rathayatra in Surabaya, Indonesia in August 2018.
Balance is a key component of the bhakti practice - the art of remembering Krishna and our relationship with him. When our life goes to the extremes - it can overwhelm us and move us away from that remembrance.
Our "Paramahamster" comic strip follows an enthusiastic devotee as he navigates a 9 - 5 work day in the corporate world. Please check back weekly for new episodes!
*MARATHON MEDICINE*
By Janananda Gosvami. Well, feeling a bit slow and down in old age. Digestion problems, sleep probs, things ain’t what they used to be in ISKCON either and I got no taste for chanting and hearing. Where’s the movement going so many ask.
SOWETO FOREVER !! (2 videos)
Devotees from Iskcon Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa in the fire of chanting and dancing.
...
Kirtan In South Africa! (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: “I am so glad to hear that you would like if we could open one branch of our International Society for Krishna Consciousness there in Cape Town, South Africa. That would be very nice. So if you can arrange for our reception, we may go there immediately, and even I may go on my way back from India and establish one center there [ in South Africa ]. Undoubtedly this movement is very sublime and anyone who takes to it becomes happy.”
[ Srila Prabhupada letter, July 3, 1971 ]
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tHZvsz
