Vrindavan Braj Parikrama – Day 6
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Day 6 – 17 November 2018

Written by Neil Bookseller

Prema Sarovar

Overlooking from the high steps of the spectacular Prema Sarovar, we gather to commence another day of meditations together. Maharaj begins with an ecstatic explosion of kirtan that gets all the devotees on their feet. It comes to a close, or so it appears, till Maharaj starts round two; such nectar!

As we all gaze around to appreciate the beauty of Prema Sarovar, Maharaj comically reminds us, “This beautiful architecture is connected with the land of Krsna, totally perfect for a Facebook profile photo!” Maharaj commences our reflections for the day by reminding us of the origins of Prema Sarovar, one that was created by separation, separation from Krsna (viraha bhava), “When you feel separation from Krsna, this is supposed to be the highest feeling, but how? Separation isn’t fun?” Maharaj continues that this is because when we are separated from Krsna, we are constantly thinking of Him, chanting His holy name, and through that He is present with us, giving us that nectar we are always craving. So, Maharaj neatly summarises how separation on the spiritual platform leads to remembrance, which thereby leads to the highest form of ecstasy!

We move on to the story of an opportune bumblebee, who at the sight of Radha and Krsna decides to circumambulate them three times. When Madhumangala offers his assistance in shoo-ing the bumblebee away, he celebrates by informing the divine couple, “This Madhusudhana is gone!” Mistaking the bumblebee (Madhu-sudhana) for Krsna (killer of the demon, Madhu), a disturbed Radharani lets a sea of tears to flow from her eyes at the thought of separation from Krsna. Upon seeing Radharani in such an emotional state, streams of tears also started to flow from Krsna’s eyes. These transcendental tears being a product of intense separation and love then formed the first waters of Prema Sarovar, following which all the holy rivers attended a pilgrimage to Prema Sarovar to purify themselves, further adding to these holy waters.

Maharaj introduces our theme for Prema Sarovar, being that Krsna is the best friend of all living entities. He continues that Krsna, being omniscient, is always present for his devotees, whether it is Radharani or a bumblebee. He never forgets His devotees, knowing our deepest desires and thoughts, he seeks to fulfil them, and is constantly looking to offer a path for us conditioned souls to return back to Him. So, we meditate on our individual relationships with Krsna and reflect on how close we truly are with Him. He is available to us. He understands our ordeals, regardless of how mundane they might be. He offers us a shelter. He cares for us.

Maharaj then brings together all the devotees in this year’s Vraj Parikrama, all 140 of us, to capture an iconic moment together on the steps of the Prema Sarovar. This causes us to remember that while we all originate from different countries and come from different walks of life, our hearts beat as one and we share a common purpose moving forward, to capture Krsna as our best friend. So, in this way the culture of the spiritual world manifests itself in the dhama and within our movement.

 

Sanket

As we walk up the stairwell to the temple room in Sanket, we witness a beautiful Shyam and golden Radharani resting in the shade. Right away we are brought to attention that this was a meeting spot for Radha and Krsna, and we realise the measures Krsna goes to in order to please his devotees. Devotees fill up the entire courtyard and soon the place is filled with the sounds of the holy name, so sweet that even the local children of Sanket run up to the temple to dance with the enthusiastic devotees. Maharaj highlights here that even if mukti (liberation) may seem like the easy route out, we must go after bhakti (devotion), whereby we must engage whatever talents and qualities we are best gifted with in the loving service of Krsna. So, Maharaj introduces his plan for Sanket, being to attract Krsna, not just for himself, but for everyone around him and he asks us a question that left us all reflecting, “What are you doing to attract Krsna?”

 

Ter Kadamba

A picturesque walk across the fields of Ter Kabamba where Krsna used to herd his cows, leads us to a sarovar behind the temple where we are first welcomed by a large black snake who crosses our path. We spread out the mats under the scorching sun and some technical difficulties later, we are all ready to begin our final meditations for the day.

Maharaj provides that it is understood that Srila Rupa Goswami wrote his Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu and proceeds to read about this book. He emphasises the need to steadily grow through devotional service and how material happiness means nothing to a Krsna conscious person. Some more pearls are passed on by Maharaj about the proper execution of devotional service through our senses. Shortly after, we were graced by a local baba to a skit and some prasadam, following which we walked back across the fields in one queue, with harinama along the way and meditations back to Vrindavan.

The article " Vrindavan Braj Parikrama – Day 6 " was published on KKSBlog.

The Difference Between Arjuna and Duryodhana
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Once when the Kurukshetra war was declared, Duryodhana sent messengers to every part of the globe to seek the assistance of various kings. But Krishna was so powerful that He warranted a personal request. Also Duryodhana knew that Krishna was the main support of the Pandavas, and if Duryodhana could get His assistance, then the Pandavas would stand no chance in winning the war. Arjuna also thought of Krishna, so both of them decided to go to Dwaraka.


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What is consciousness? (9 min video)
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What is consciousness? (9 min video)
By Drutakarma das (Michael Cremo)
Srila Prabhupada: A fish, when it is put into the land, it is unhappy, or death. Similarly, if you, the creature of the land, if you are put into the water, you are unhappy, and death. So because we belong to the spiritual nature, so long we shall remain in the material nature, we must be unhappy. Vrindavan, August 2, 1974.

(This post has been viewed 436 times so far)

Krsna’s Divine Veg Restaurant
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I was invited to a new restaurant in Perth run by two of our congregation members, Ravi and Vivek. Formerly it was an Italian restaurant but now it is a prasadam restaurant.

When I went I was served various preparations from salads, paneer subji to huge south Indian dosas. Everything was delicious and apparently the business is picking up nicely.

Gita 02.02 Fight against lower emotions by fighting for higher emotions
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Can’t thinking why something bad has happened help us to better address the situation?
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Answer Podcast

The post Can’t thinking why something bad has happened help us to better address the situation? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

All-India Padayatra enters Maharashtra’s Vidarbha Region. By…
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All-India Padayatra enters Maharashtra’s Vidarbha Region.
By Acarya dasa, All-India Padayatra Leader.
HOW DID THE LORD STEAL THE HEART OF AVINASH?
The last time we were in the village of Bori in the Yavatmal district of Maharashtra’s Vidarbha, or eastern, region was in 2009. On that occasion when the villagers came for darsana of Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurasundara, as I was honoring prasadam I called to a young boy who was just leaving to join me. As he accepted one morsel, he said, “Wow! I have never tasted such wonderful prasadam in my life. In our village prasadam means some sugar granules and a small piece of coconut.” As soon I heard this I exclaimed, “Zali krupa Nitai-Gaurasundaran chi,” meaning the Lord has showered His mercy upon you. Now this boy was the special guest of Their Lordships. As I sat with Avinash discussing the glories of the holy names, I told him about our daily programme and invited him to mangala arati. To my surprise, he attended the next day. After the arati, I gave him some beads and he began chanting, spending all day with us and even buying some books. He was soon chanting sixteen rounds daily. The Lord must have made me an instrument to reach his heart, inspiring me to call him for prasadam because from then on, he was constantly on the phone asking the whereabouts of padayatra. He served ISKCON in Yavatmal, staying alone there in the days when the area was isolated, and dealing with threating behavior from the local goons. He tolerated everything by his strong faith in Krishna.
To read the entire article please click here: https://goo.gl/59wf1x

Vrindavan Braj Parikrama – Day 5
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Day 5 – 16 November 2018

Written by Vasanti dd

Part 1- Vrinda Kund 

We greeted the beautiful Vrinda Devi deity who was looking out over a small, but powerful, Vrinda Kund (bathing ghat).  The green parrots of Vrindavan are said to be the messengers of Vrinda Devi, who debate among themselves whether Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead or whether Srimati Radharani is, in fact, Supreme since She completely controls Krsna.

Vrinda Devi is the stage manager of the Lord’s past times and she makes all arrangements for the lilas (past times) to take place. True to her nature as a past time facilitator, Vrinda Devi seems to be providing beautiful settings for the pilgrims to visit her to hear about and meditate on some of these divine happenings.

The area was welcomingly quiet and secluded. The trees provided shade for some and there was a gentle breeze blowing – a perfect, spacious setting. Devotees offered their respects, bathed their chanting beads in the Kund and then made their way to the soft, clean, gardens for kirtan and a talk from Maharaj followed by breakfast.

“Here in Vrindavan Dham, we are visiting the pleasure groves of Krsna and His associates…”

It was mentioned that in Nanda and Yasoda’s residence, if one entered the middle palace which seemed smaller from the outside, you’d find no limit of space in there. Time and space are only ingredients in facilitating rasa, or taste. In the spiritual world there is no time and the lilas are not following a sequence dictated by it.

There, the sequence of events is dictated by rasa (taste). So as long as Krsna is enjoying breakfast time, it remains breakfast time.  When He is ready for the forest, that time arrives. Maharaj said that it is difficult to understand the spiritual reality through thought… he said one cannot capture Krsna by thought.

I was reminded of something I’d recently read by Bhaktivinoda Thakur in his biography The Seventh Goswami where he said, “Rational aspects of man are not capable of approaching the Divine sphere of spirit. Reason is quite incompetent in such a matter. Ruchi [taste]has the power to comprehend it.”

Rasa is the driving force.

It is said that Mother Yasoda is expert at churning butter…

And it is said that Vrinda Devi is expert at churning rasa.

All glories to Vrinda Devi, the expert facilitator of divine past times.

Part 2 – Pavan Sarova

The devotees settled down on or near the big stairs leading down into the Pavan Sarova bathing ghat. It was incredibly soothing to look out over that tranquil body of water. The kirtan seemed to echo and bounce off of the liquid surface.

“When we obtain our spiritual bodies, we also obtain our spiritual families. In this world, gradually our spiritual family becomes more important than the material.”

Maharaj told of his Mexican disciple, a grhasta with something like 13 children who each have various roles such as temple commander, temple treasurer etc. in the family home/temple. A well run spiritual family!

For his daughter Srimati Radharani, Nanda Baba constructed a palace at Pavan Sarova so She always had a place to meet all Her needs when She visited there. Maharaj explained this as a place where everyone would meet with Krsna. Cows drank water there as the cowherd boys played.

The devotees also got into the family spirit at Pavan Sarova.

Some brave devotees from the group had ventured out to sit in the sheltered ‘catris’ that were a little way into the water. It was a thin, slippery, moss-covered slab to walk across to get to the structures and the water was waiting readily on each side of the path to catch anyone who lost their grip with a splash.

Maharaj appreciated that they’d ventured out there in a spirit of transcendental fun and once he had put the spotlight on them, they had the daunting task of making it back to the other side without falling in.

There was a camera recording on standby to catch the excitement and the devotees started cheering and jeering, some hoping the brave ones would make it and some hoping they would fall into the water and add to the excitement to the day. A typical family affair!

There were a few close calls, but they all made it back to the other side safe and dry – much to the relief of some and the disappointment of others.

Reunited once again, we packed our things and moved on to our final destination for the day.

Part 3 – Moti Kund

“There once was a time where pearls grew on vines. Now they grow in oysters.”

The scene and mood were nicely set with sand that glistened unusually brightly as if made from layers of crushed pearls. I also noticed a god sister with a pearl hanging off of what looked like a small flute ornament sticking out of her turban.

The last part of the day found the devotees settling down around a shaded tree at Moti Kund to hear Maharaj narrate the story of Krsna  (who was described as a very delicate blue lotus which grew from the womb of Mother Yasoda)  telling Satyabhama the sweet past time from His childhood where He grew pearls on vines with which to decorate His cows because the gopis,  whom Krsna called “hills of pride” for doing so, refused to donate Him even one of their pearls and instead rebuked him with gentle sarcasm.

Krsna then decided to plant some of Mother Yasoda’s finest pearls and grow His own vines. It is said that Krsna watered those pearl vines with the best milk from Nanda Baba’s cows.

Maharaj once again made his famous analogy that at the time of initiation the disciple receives the pearls of vows and instruction from the spiritual master. He said these are gifts we receive which must be nurtured and watered with offerings of devotion.

In order for the initiation vows not to become dry, Maharaj advised watering the pearls with the devotion of our energy, words, wealth, etc. all as offerings toward Krsna.

He said that if this is done, many other pearl bushes will grow, and we might be able to share them with others. The full description of Krsna and Satyabhama discussing the  past time can be found in Ragunath Das Goswami’s Sri Mukta Carita.

All glories to the divine pearl-growing past time.

 

The article " Vrindavan Braj Parikrama – Day 5 " was published on KKSBlog.

Being grateful to my first teacher
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Being grateful to my first teacher.
Hari-kirtan das: I try to make gratitude a part of every day: the preamble to my morning meditation practice begins with a simple yogic breathing exercise followed by a four-part prayer that includes an expression of gratitude.
But like most people, my mind moves - or gets pushed - a little further in the direction of gratitude.
This morning I remembered one of my first teachers, Urjasvat das, and how grateful I am for his generous tutelage, cheerful disposition, and catchy witticisms. He taught me, among many other things, that there are three steps to understanding transcendental knowledge: learning it, living what you’ve learned, and sharing what you’ve learned.

Find Your “Jaladuta-Mission”
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Find Your “Jaladuta-Mission”
Sacinandana Swami: Recently we celebrated Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance festival at the Bhaktivedanta Ashram, just by the side of Govardhan Hill. Several Prabhupada disciples were present and spoke about their offerings to Srila Prabhupada and their realizations. Interestingly, a golden thread ran through the individual minds and realizations, this was “Find your Jaladuta”.
Srila Prabhupada had received an instruction to go to the West from his spiritual master and he took a ship called “Jaladuta” (“water messenger”) and no matter the obstacles he encountered, both on the journey to America and once he got there, he held on tightly to the instruction of his spiritual master.

Gita 02.01 The intensity of Arjuna’s emotion conveys the potency of Krishna’s solacing wisdom
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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The theatrical Krishna takes us to the transcendental Krishna
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[Congregation program at Towaco, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

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Monday, November 19th, 2018
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Buenos Aires, Argentina

By the Rivers

The local brahmachari monks, in addition to many friends made, took to a walk along the popular rivers that come to confluence, one of them bearing the name “Tigre.”  It was a holiday called “Islas Malvinas,” and in memory of lost lives—remember the Falkland Islands War. So many people were out along the waterfront.  We received many mixed reactions, mostly favourable, toward our unique and exotic dhotis,the attire of some of us.

At one spot where two rivers meet, we decided to sit under shady arched vines and have an impromptu chat.  We were determined for a ten minute kirtan which was just too much to handle for a couple of local, middle-aged ladies.  They let us know, in Spanish of course, that they didn’t approve of our sound which in our estimation was soft and sweet.  Meanwhile boats with powerful and boisterous engines were constantly flying by and I guess their “noise” was okay for our two agitated people, who went away in a huff and a puff.

It was a six kilometre trek which began from DakshaVegetarianoRestaurant, and ended there after a loop of a trail.  Daksha is the owner and operator of the cozy facility, where she treated forty of us to an amazing gesture of kindness—a grain-less ekadasifeast.  What a fine way to end my visit, which included an extensive massage circle at the outdoor section of the café.  https://www.instagram.com/p/BqZRbhpgssq/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=icd99dlz3316

It was also departure day for a number of us.  The walk, the meal were garnished with some tears.

May the Source be with you!
6 km

Sunday, November 18th2018
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Buenos Aires, Argentina

They Wanted More

The crowds wanted more.  “Kirtan! Kirtan! Kirtan!” was repeatedly shouted. It was 8 o’clock at night, the end of the stage show.  Merudevi, the prime organizer of the Festival of India (year after year) asked me to close the show.  I was given a half-hour.

So, there we were at the location of Plaza Mitre with its amphitheatre dynamic, putting a closure to a fine and exhilarating event for the day.  Mrdunga and djembe drummers were behind me. Women dancers in traditional garb were to my left, demonstrating the movement I established for the animated crowd.

All that our guru taught us, the mantra, the dance, the joy (feliz) of the Jagannath culture is what we were immersed in. It was most satisfying.  With the grand finale now over, came all these folks, one-by-one, with their smart phones, wanting a photo and giving congratulations for the kirtan and the play: “Mucho Madres, Mucho Padres.”

By the way, our drama crew was splendid.  To get an outside crowd to remain focused on a tearful, emotional piece is not easy, but somehow or other the magic worked. Coming an extra day early, paid off.  It allowed for a tighter more practised production, one that I feel Prabhupada, our guru, would be proud of.

Also, I had such a nice group to work with.  Mostly devotees from the radical punk scene.  I am usually surrounded by an Indian, immigrant-based community. Here it’s a hard-core, soft-hearted bunch of people.  Both are wonderful. https://www.instagram.com/p/BqR-J8nAnhC/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=6jv34bzhhrqg

May the Source be with you!
8 km



Saturday, November 17th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Stir It Up

I find the trees rather tall in Buenos Aires, and during my walk in the city they appeared very plentiful.  Today I discovered that these jolly green giants are perched and climbed on by birds and squirrels and also quite frequently by man.  They have a system here where a company comes to thin the tree branches.  Guys in green were really at it with the cherry pickers, pulleys and chainsaws.

One local devotee, Seva Kunj, mentioned to me that the storms here cause major damage with falling branches on cars, homes and even people.

I was thinking that pruning or a weeding of sorts is a personal undertaking we should always apply to our varying levels of contempt, anger, lust and so on.  I’ve always found mantrameditation to have a good effect in this area.  It is a way to surface the poisons within.  It reminds me of the story of the churning of the ocean of milk, by gods and demons.  They stirred up all the contaminants that lay beneath before the great treasures were to be enjoyed.

The message is: “Stir it up!” and “Get to the essence!”

Outside of hearing a nice class from Bhakti Gaura Vani Swami, eating and some greeting, another day was spent in the drama practice.  It’s a meditation in itself.  What talent there is in the form of these volunteers!  Such patience too!  I am blessed as director.

May the Source be with you!
4 km

Friday, November 16th, 2018
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Buenos Aires, Argentina

Long Day, Fine Night

It had been a long day of immersion into the story of King Chitraketu through drama practice.  It involves twenty-five volunteers plus, and we all work hard.  That, and e-mail correspondence, brought me to beyond midnight. I began my committed chanting of sixteen rounds on my meditation japabeads, while pacing back and forth in the courtyard under a fun sky, where whitish clouds appear and move on, at play with a glowing moon.  The air and wind are very alive at this time of year, full of prana, life force.  It is spring here.

My walking was in a shape of eight, just to add an extra feature to the already beautiful and peaceful moments that were passing.  At one point, I walked to the entrance of the courtyard by the wrought-iron gate, only to see or hear people active in the party-mode.  Loud voices, especially, filled the atmosphere, and I questioned, of what value is most of the boisterous conversation?  Not worth much, I concluded.  Under the influence of substance, what priceless parlance could there actually be?  Especially if it rattles on and on.

God, I thank you for sparing me from the lifestyle I am hearing outside the gate.  I was there before.  I reflected on the verse that I spoke from in the Bhagavatamclass earlier, yesterday.  It is a well-quoted one, spoken of by our guru, Prabhupada.  From 10.14.8 it reads as such: tat te’nukampāṁ susamīkṣamāno… Translation: Oh Krishna, one who constantly waits for Your causeless mercy to be bestowed and who goes on suffering the reaction of past misdeeds, offering You respects from the core of the heart, is surely eligible for liberation for it has become his/her rightful claim.

I guess I better get eligible.
https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-members-participate-in-parliament-of-the-worlds-religions,6753/

May the Source be with you!
6 km

TOVP: Inspection of the GRG factory (Album of photos) Sadbhuja…
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TOVP: Inspection of the GRG factory (Album of photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Today we had a visit on the ToVP site from Ambarisa prabhu on his tour around the ToVP construction site. He’s inspecting the GRG factory (glass reinforced gypsum), which is going to be used for the coffered ceiling in the inner domes. He checked the quality strength and ability of the production and he was very satisfied with what we are doing.
Thank you very much,
Hare Krishna!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/kp4dFU

Iskcon devotees’ harinama in Puri completely captivated…
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Iskcon devotees’ harinama in Puri completely captivated the people (Album of photos)
Bhakti Chaitanya Swami: Yesterday we went on a big harinama around the Jagannatha temple. There were close to 200 devotees, and many thousands of other pilgrims. It was Purnima so everywhere was completely packed. There was a television crew there and they extensively interviewed various of us and took about 20 or 30 minutes of video of the harinama. The ladies were dancing with nice paraphernalia, and it was quite a mind-blowing experience for the people.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/NHjE4W

Perfect explanation of the “summary of all scriptures” (1 min video)
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Perfect explanation of the “summary of all scriptures” (1 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: In this age, no one is expected to be highly educated in the Vedic ways of understanding because people are very slow, lazy and unfortunate. Therefore Lord Caitanya has recommended the sound vibration Hare Krishna. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.4.6 Purport)

Home Deity Worship Seminar at the London College of Vedic Studies
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Hare KrishnaBy London College of Vedic Studies

The seminar concluded with a live demonstration of bathing and dressing small Gaura-Nitai deities. Undoubtedly, this part of the seminar was greatly appreciated by the attendees, who asked several questions pertaining to their specific life situations that affect their home worship and also on general, desirable guidelines of worship. Continue reading "Home Deity Worship Seminar at the London College of Vedic Studies
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Gita 01.46 The significance of our actions depends not just on the actions but also on the situations in which we do those actions
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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