National Inter-Faith Prayer For Peace In the Spirit of Assisi Held in Hare Krishna Temple In Togo
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Hare KrishnaBy Varaha Das

Following in the footsteps of His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami, who was an exponent of bridge preaching and unity in diversity, his disciples in West Africa and in Togo particular have been participating actively in interfaith dialogue with other major religious faith in the country. It was decided that the Hare Krishnas should host the national day of Prayer for Peace this year by the Commision Permanent De L'espirit d'assise, the Commitee in charge of organising the annual Prayer for Peace in TOGO. The event which took place on the 27th of October was attended by many religious denominations, the government was represented by the Minister of Interior and Territorial Collectivities as well as the Mayor of Lomè. Continue reading "National Inter-Faith Prayer For Peace In the Spirit of Assisi Held in Hare Krishna Temple In Togo
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Bahulastami: Dipa Dana, Snana, and Cleaning 2018
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Hare KrishnaBy Bhaktisiddhanta Swami

In the Padma Purana, Kartika Mahatmya, it is stated that Radha-kunda is very dear to Sri Hari and is situated near Giri Govardhan hill. By taking bath in Radha-kunda on the eight day of waning moon in the month of Kartika[Bahulastami] one can greatly please Lord Hari who enjoys His pastimes there. This Kunda is as dear to Sri Krsna as Radha Herself. As a result of the killing of the Aristasura demon, a lila of mutual purification followed with the appearance of Syama-kunda from Krsna’s kick, and most importantly Radha-kunda from Radha/gopi’s dig, an invitation to all celestial rivers and then a bath; now this has become an annual midnight celebration. Continue reading "Bahulastami: Dipa Dana, Snana, and Cleaning 2018
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How can we know which spiritual path to follow?
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Answer Podcast

Transcription :

Question: How can we know which spiritual path to follow?

Answer: This is a valid concern by many who think of practising a spiritual path. We may think, there are so many teachers, books, paths – how do I know that my path is right? To understand what is good for us, we need to be pragmatic. If our conception of spirituality is – there is one right path and finding it will make my life successful and not finding it means failure – then such understanding of spirituality will make our life insecure. Instead we should see and understand that there is a purpose to life.

Look at our existence right now. While speaking, we formulate some thoughts and then speak. However, the entire mechanism of thoughts getting converted to voice is unknown. Similarly, how food gets digested and converted to energy is unknown. We can see that there is something beyond us which sustains our existence and enables our basic functions in life. We need air, water, food for survival which is provided to us. We need heat and light for functioning which is also provided to us. If such survival and functional needs of life are provided for then the need for a spiritual path should also be provided for by a similar arrangement.

If we use our intelligence and consider all the teachers, books, paths available around us we may get confused. How to choose between so many options? Whichever option we chose, we may think that there still might be a better option available. However, if we think that there is some higher divine being or force who is sustaining my existence and based on my intelligence take a step forward in that direction, we can have two possibilities. If my path is right, I will realize about that divine higher being. If my path is not right, I will not realize. Here we should understand that realizing that my path is not right should not be seen as a failure This should be seen as a step in my evolution. When we are sick, we do not explore all the possible treatments available. We take what is workable using our experience and intelligence. If the treatment works, we continue. However, if it does not work, we explore other ways. Similarly, if we do not get intended results after choosing a spiritual path, we explore other ways.

We do not have to wait for a mystical revelation to begin our spiritual journey. We can take small steps using our intelligence and experience and do a course correction if we realize that the teacher or the path is not the best for me. We will be given this intelligence from inside because, we are not just putting faith in a particular teacher, we are putting faith in the divine.
To summarize, we do not have to wait infinitely to choose a spiritual path. At the same time, we do not have to gullibly just jump into whatever comes in front of us. We use our God given intelligence to make the best choice and leave it to the higher force to guide us further.

End of transcription.

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Gita 01.27 The sequence of perception determines the consequence on our emotion
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Life, Afterlife and the Search for Meaning
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[Talk at Calgary University, Calgary, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

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Please distribute Srila Prabhupada’s nectar! (15 min…
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Please distribute Srila Prabhupada’s nectar! (15 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Vrindavan does not require to be modernized because Krishna’s Vrindavan is transcendental village. They completely depend on nature’s beauty and nature’s protection. The community in which Krishna preferred to belong was Vaisya community because Nanda Maharaja happened to be a Vaisya king, or landholder, and his main business was cow protection. It is understood that he had 900,000 cows and Krishna and Balarama used to take charge of them, along with His many cowherd boy friends, and every day, in the morning He used to go out with His friends and cows into the pasturing grounds. Letter to Hayagriva, June 14, 1968.

Red Cross Society appreciates ISKCON Food Relief Foundation’s exemplary efforts and humanitarian support to Faridabad flood victims
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Hare Krishna Due to heavy rains in the area, one of the villages of Faridabad (Haryana, India) was heavily flooded. In this time of distress, ISKCON Food Relief Foundation, branded as "Annamrita" offered humanitarian and generous support to the flood victims and provided nutritious and sumptuous meals to the victims in extremely short span of time. There has been both the online coverage and the offline coverage of the news.

VIHE Govardhan Retreat Promo-2018
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Hare Krishna In the sublime atmosphere of Giriraja Govardhana, immerse yourself in the magical world of Krsna’s pastimes in the association of HH Sacinandana Swami, HG Bhurijana Prabhu, HG Jagattarini Mataji, HG Madhavananda Das and HG Adi Purusha Prabhu during the annual VIHE Govardhana Retreat. Please join us for a unique opportunity to enliven your devotional life with unforgettable devotional experiences in Vraja. This year the retreat will be on Dec 6-13.

Srila Virabhadra Prabhu – Appearance
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Hare KrishnaBy Srila Krsna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami

After Nityananda Prabhu, the greatest branch is Virabhadra Gosani, who also has innumerable branches and sub-branches. It is not possible to describe them all. Although Virabhadra Gosani was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He presented Himself as a great devotee. And although the Supreme Godhead is transcendental to all Vedic injunctions, He strictly followed the Vedic rituals. He is the main pillar in the hall of devotional service erected by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He knew within himself that He acted as the Supreme Lord Visnu, but externally He was prideless. It is by the mercy of Sri Virabhadra Gosani that people all over the world now have the chance to chant the names of Caitanya and Nityananda. I there take shelter of the lotus feet of Virabhadra Gosani so that by His mercy my great desire to write Sri Caitanya-Charitamrta will be properly guided. Continue reading "Srila Virabhadra Prabhu – Appearance
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Sri Radha-kunda’s Appearance Day
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Hare KrishnaBy Giriraj Swami

Another event that took place during Kartik was Lord Krishna’s killing of the demon Arista, who had assumed the form of a bull. Thereafter, Lord Krishna manifested Syama-kunda and Radha-kunda. Because today is celebrated as the appearance day of Radha-kunda, we shall read a relevant verse from The Nectar of Instruction, an authorized English presentation by Srila Prabhupada of Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Sri Upadesamrta. Continue reading "Sri Radha-kunda’s Appearance Day
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The appearance of Radha-kund
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Hare KrishnaBy Kadamba Kanana Swami

Wherever in this world there were great manifestations of love between Radha and Krsna, not only was it an extraordinary experience for those who were present there, but actually that entire place also became transformed. Various places in Vrindavan, where Radha and Krsna had great exchanges of love, are very potent with powerful mercy that becomes available to us as well. The appearance of Radha-kund, the lake of Srimati Radharani, is a most special occasion, as it is said that Radha kund is the most sacred space in the entire universe – because it is made of liquid prema, pure love of Radha and Krsna who perform many pastimes on the banks of those sacred waters. Continue reading "The appearance of Radha-kund
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Sri Radha-kunda’s Appearance Day
Giriraj Swami

Kartik is a very auspicious time for spiritual advancement. Another name for Kartik is Urja-vrata. Urja means power. The supreme power, the original power, is Srimati Radharani. So Urja-vrata, or Kartik-vrata, is for Srimati Radharani. Many important pastimes took place in the month of Kartik. On the full moon night, Lord Krishna played on His flute and enjoyed the rasa-lila, which is considered the best of Krishna’s pastimes. Also during Kartik, Lord Krishna saw that the residents of Vrindavan were preparing to worship Indradeva, and He convinced them not to worship Indra but to use the same paraphernalia to worship Govardhana Hill, the brahmans, and the cows. When Indra saw that his worship had been stopped, he became furious and wanted to take revenge against Krishna and the Vraja-vasis. So he sent torrential rains and hail. And to give protection to the residents of Vrindavan, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhana Hill and kept it aloft for seven days on the little finger of His left hand. Thus King Indra’s pride was shattered and he came to beg forgiveness from Lord Krishna.

Also in the month of Kartik, our beloved founder-acharya, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, left this world and entered the eternal pastimes of Krishna.

Another event that took place during Kartik was Lord Krishna’s killing of the demon Arista, who had assumed the form of a bull. Thereafter, Lord Krishna manifested Syama-kunda and Radha-kunda. Because today is celebrated as the appearance day of Radha-kunda, we shall read a relevant verse from The Nectar of Instruction, an authorized English presentation by Srila Prabhupada of Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Sri Upadesamrta.

The Nectar of Instruction, Text Ten:

karmibhyah parito hareh priyataya vyaktim yayur jnaninas
   tebhyo jnana-vimukta-bhakti-paramah premaika-nisthas tatah
tebhyas tah pasu-pala-pankaja-drsas tabhyo ’pi sa radhika
   prestha tadvad iyam tadiya-sarasi tam nasrayet kah krti

 karmibhyah—than all fruitive workers; paritah—in all respects; hareh—by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; priyataya—because of being favored; vyaktim yayur—it is said in the sastra; jnaninah—those advanced in knowledge; tebhyah—superior to them; jnana vimukta—liberated by knowledge; bhakti-paramah—those engaged in devotional service; prema-eka-nisthah—those who have attained pure love of God; tatah—superior to them; tebhyah—better than them; tah—they; pasu-pala-pankajadrsah—the gopis who are always dependent on Krsna, the cowherd boy; tabhyah—above all of them; api—certainly; sa—She; radhika—Srimati Radharani; prestha—very dear; tadvat—similarly; iyam—this; tadiya-sarasi—Her lake, Sri Radha-kunda; tam—Radha-kunda; na—not; asrayet—would take shelter of; kah—who; krti—most fortunate.

TRANSLATION

In the sastra it is said that of all types of fruitive workers, he who is advanced in knowledge of the higher values of life is favored by the Supreme Lord Hari. Out of many such people who are advanced in knowledge [jnanis], one who is practically liberated by virtue of his knowledge may take to devotional service. He is superior to the others. However, one who has actually attained prema, pure love of Krsna, is superior to him. The gopis are exalted above all the advanced devotees because they are always totally dependent upon Sri Krsna, the transcendental cowherd boy. Among the gopis, Srimati Radharani is the most dear to Krsna. Her kunda [lake] is as profoundly dear to Lord Krsna as this most beloved of the gopis. Who, then, will not reside at Radha-kunda and, in a spiritual body surcharged with ecstatic devotional feelings [aprakrta-bhava], render loving service to the divine couple Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, who perform Their astakaliya-lila, Their eternal eight-fold daily pastimes. Indeed, those who execute devotional service on the banks of Radha-kunda are the most fortunate people in the universe.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

At the present moment almost everyone is engaged in some kind of fruitive activity. Those who are desirous of gaining material profits by working are called karmis, or fruitive workers. All living entities within this material world have come under the spell of maya. This is described in the Visnu Purana (6.7.61):

visnu-saktih para prokta
   ksetrajnakhya tatha para
avidya-karma-samjnanya
   trtiya saktir isyate

 Sages have divided the energies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead into three categories—namely, the spiritual energy, marginal energy, and material energy. The material energy is considered to be the third-class energy (trtiya saktih). Those living beings within the jurisdiction of the material energy sometimes engage themselves like dogs and hogs in working very hard simply for sense gratification. However, in this life, or, after executing pious activities, in the next life, some karmis become strongly attracted to performing various kinds of sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas. Thus on the strength of their pious merit, they are elevated to heavenly planets. Actually those who perform sacrifices strictly according to Vedic injunctions are elevated to the moon and planets above the moon. As mentioned in Bhagavad-gita (9.21), ksine punye martya-lokam visanti: After exhausting the results of their so-called pious activities, they again return to the earth, which is called martya-loka, the place of death. Although such persons may be elevated to the heavenly planets by their pious activities and although they may enjoy life there for many thousands of years, they nonetheless must return to this planet when the results of their pious activities are exhausted.

COMMENT by Giriraj Swami

The lowest category mentioned here is the karmi. The principle of the karmi is to work to get money for sense gratification. Ninety-nine percent of the people in the world are karmis, and they fall into two categories: those who are regulated according to Vedic principles and those who are not regulated. Those who are not regulated are like animals, cats and dogs and hogs. They simply want to eat, drink, and enjoy. They engage in all sorts of sinful activities, and as a result they are pushed down into hellish conditions. Those in the other category, the regulated, follow the Vedic injunctions in order to enjoy a higher standard of material happiness. By performance of pious activities, such as Vedic sacrifices, such persons can be elevated to the heavenly planets, where they enjoy the results of their pious deeds. But after their pious credits are exhausted, they again fall down to earth.

One time on a morning walk in New York City, Srila Prabhupada pointed to some blades of grass growing up between the cracks of the concrete pavement. “What is this?” he asked, and a devotee replied, “It’s grass, Srila Prabhupada.” “Yes, I know it is grass,” he said. “But how did it come up here between the cracks?” Nobody could answer. Then Srila Prabhupada explained that after the fruitive workers exhaust their pious credits on the higher planets, they fall down to earth. And how do the spirit souls get here from the higher planets? They come in the rain. The rain falls on the earth, between the cracks of the sidewalk, and the living entities who were enjoying life in the heavenly planets take birth as blades of grass or sprouts of grain on earth. This is because their pious credits have been exhausted.

From the point of view of one in Krishna consciousness, that happiness of sense gratification is not real happiness. But even if someone is on a lower level and thinks that material enjoyment is happiness, still he cannot enjoy for long. As soon as his pious credits are finished, he will have to suffer. Therefore, intelligent persons do not try to enjoy the material world.

PURPORT (continued)

This is the position of all karmis, including those who act piously and those who act impiously. On this planet we find many businessmen, politicians, and others who are simply interested in material happiness. They attempt to earn money by all means, not considering whether such means are pious or impious. Such people are called karmis, or gross materialists. Among the karmis are some vikarmis, people who act without the guidance of Vedic knowledge. Those who act on the basis of Vedic knowledge perform sacrifices for the satisfaction of Lord Visnu and to receive benedictions from Him. In this way they are elevated to higher planetary systems. Such karmis are superior to the vikarmis, for they are faithful to the directions of the Vedas and are certainly dear to Krsna. In Bhagavad-gita (4.11), Krsna says: ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham. “In whatever way one surrenders unto Me, I reward him accordingly.”

COMMENT

In shastra, Lord Krishna states that “the injunctions of the Vedas are My orders, and one who goes against the injunctions of the Vedas goes against Me.” So, one who follows the Vedic injunctions follows the orders of Krishna, and he tends to be dearer to Krishna than one who goes against them.

PURPORT (continued)

Krsna is so kind that He fulfills the desires of the karmis and jnanis, what to speak of the bhaktas. Although the karmis are sometimes elevated to higher planetary systems, as long as they remain attached to fruitive activities they must accept new material bodies after death.

COMMENT

In the Bhagavad-gita (8.16) Lord Krishna says, a-brahma-bhuvanal lokah punar avartino ’rjuna: from the highest planet in the material world, Brahmaloka, down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein there is repeated birth and death. So even if one is elevated to a heavenly planet, he still has to die and take birth again. As stated in the Gita (2.27), “For one who has taken birth, death is certain. And for one who has died, birth is certain.” He remains caught in the repetition of birth and death.

PURPORT (continued)

If one acts piously, he can attain a new body among the demigods in the higher planetary systems, or he may attain some other position in which he can enjoy a higher standard of material happiness. On the other hand, those who are engaged in impious activities are degraded and take birth as animals, trees, and plants. Thus those fruitive actors who do not care for the Vedic directions (vikarmis) are not appreciated by learned saintly persons. . . .

One should therefore be eager to understand the science of the soul (atma-tattva). Unless one comes to the platform of atma-tattva, by which one understands that the soul and not the body is oneself, one remains on the platform of ignorance. Out of thousands and even millions of ignorant people who are wasting their time simply gratifying their senses, one may come to the platform of knowledge and understand higher values of life. Such a person is called a jnani.

COMMENT

Higher than the karmis are the jnanis. The karmis are bound to remain in the material world to enjoy and suffer the fruits of their work. They may enjoy for a while, but mainly they suffer. The jnanis are more intelligent because they see that fruitive work causes one to suffer, but they don’t know about devotional service. They know only material activity, and that material activity brings material misery. So, to become free from material misery, they resolve to refrain from all activity. But the soul by nature is active. The soul cannot remain inactive for long. So, the jnani too must engage in activity, and having no knowledge of spiritual activity, he will again engage in material activity, and thus he will fall down. Therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam says that although jnanis imagine that they are liberated, actually they are not, because they neglect the service of the lotus feet of the Lord.

ye ’nye ’ravindaksa vimukta-maninas
   tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha-buddhayah
aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah
   patanty adho ’nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah

“O lotus-eyed Lord, although nondevotees who accept severe austerities and penances to achieve the highest position may think themselves liberated, their intelligence is impure. They fall down from their position of imagined superiority because they have no regard for Your lotus feet.” (SB 10.2.32)

Because they neglect the Lord’s service, they fall down. Such impersonalists, after renouncing material activities, become restless. They want some activity. And because they are unaware of the spiritual activities of bhakti-yoga, devotional service, they fall into material activities and become karmis again. There are many examples of impersonal jnanis and yogis who went to the Himalayas to become one with Brahman, declaring, brahma satya jagan mithya: Brahman is truth, and the world is false. They left the world to engage in impersonal meditation, but they could not maintain it; they fell down. They come back to the world they declared was false, back to the cities, and engage in material welfare activities such as opening schools and hospitals, and sometimes they fall so low that they become involved in politics. So, patyanti adah: they fall down.

The impersonal philosophers don’t have real knowledge. If someone actually has knowledge, he surrenders to Krishna and engages in devotional service.

bahunam janmanam ante
   jnanavan mam prapadyante
vasudevah sarvam iti
   sa mahatma sudurlabhah

 “After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Gita 7.19) After being a jnani for many lifetimes, when the jnani actually becomes wise, he surrenders to Krishna and becomes a bhakta, a rare great soul.

The bhakta is superior to the karmi and the jnani. The bhakta begins with the process of sadhana-bhakti, but even the sadhaka is considered higher than the best of the karmis and jnanis. And when the sadhaka becomes more advanced, he attains krsna-prema. Among the devotees, he who has prema is the best. And among the devotees who have prema, the active servants are better than those who have neutral appreciation; the friends are higher than the servants; the fathers and mothers are higher than the friends; and the lovers, or the young gopis, are the best of all. And among the gopis, Srimati Radharani is the best. She is the best of all.

PURPORT (continued)

Of all these devotees, the gopis are recognized as superior because they do not know anything other than satisfying Krsna. Nor do the gopis expect any return from Krsna.

COMMENT

The gopis are the best because they have no personal desire for enjoyment. They want only Krishna’s happiness. Srila Prabhupada told the story of the time Krishna declared that He had a headache and that only the dust of the feet of His devotee could cure Him. He sent His messenger to so many devotees, but they all said, “If the dust of our feet goes on the Lord’s head, we will commit a great offense and have to go to hell.” So they all refused. The messenger became discouraged. He went back to Lord Krishna, and the Lord said, “You should go to the gopis of Vrindavan and ask them.” So he went, and all the gopis gathered around him and inquired, “How is Krishna?” The messenger replied, “Krishna is not well. He has a headache.” The gopis immediately became disturbed. “Krishna has a headache! What can we do? What can we do?” The messenger said, “The only thing that will cure Krishna’s headache is the dust of the feet of His devotee.” “Oh, then take as much dust as you like, take it all!” “But if the dust from your feet goes on Krishna’s head, you will be committing a great offense and could go to hell,” the messenger said. And the gopis replied, “As long as Krishna’s headache is cured, we don’t care if we go to hell.”

This is the standard of the gopis’ love. They have no desire for personal happiness. They want only Krishna’s happiness, and if their unhappiness gives Krishna happiness, they consider their unhappiness to be the greatest happiness. We cannot experience such feelings in the material world. Only someone who has come to the stage of bhava- or prema-bhakti can know, to some extent, what such selfless love is. “Of all these devotees, the gopis are recognized as superior because they do not know anything other than satisfying Krishna.”

 Srila Prabhupada often gave the example that Krishna would go into the pasturing grounds and the gopis would be at home, crying. Why were they crying? Because they were thinking that the paths of Vrindavan are filled with so many thorns and stones and that if the soft lotus feet of Krishna were pricked by some pebble or thorn, He would feel pain. And thinking of Krishna’s pain, they would cry.

 “Nor do the gopis expect any return from Krishna.” Srila Prabhupada said that when Krishna returned from the pasturing grounds in the afternoon, the gopis would not approach Him and say, “Krishna, You have been working all day. What have You brought for me? Let me look into Your pocket and see if You brought something for me.” Generally, in the material world the husband goes to work all day, and when he returns in the evening the wife asks, “Well, what did you bring for me?” Indirectly, Srila Prabhupada says that the gopis are not like that.

PURPORT (continued)

Nor do the gopis expect any return from Krsna. Indeed, sometimes Krsna puts them into extreme suffering by separating Himself from them. Nonetheless, they cannot forget Krsna.

COMMENT

In the material world we may think that we love someone, but after some time we may forget. Somebody will die, and we will cry for some days, but gradually we may forget. But the gopis can never forget Krishna.

PURPORT (continued)

When Krsna left Vrndavana for Mathura, the gopis became most dejected and spent the rest of their lives simply crying in separation from Krsna. This means that in one sense they were never actually separated from Krsna. There is no difference between thinking of Krsna and associating with Him.

COMMENT

Krishna is absolute. Therefore Krishna’s name, Krishna’s form, Krishna’s qualities, and Krishna’s pastimes are all Krishna. So when one remembers Krishna’s name, form, qualities, or pastimes, one is in Krishna’s association. In the extreme mood of separation from Krishna, the gopis actually experience Krishna’s presence. And they feel great ecstasy. The bodies of the gopis are ananda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhavitabis (Bs 5.37). They’re made of ananda cinmaya-rasa, or mahabhava. Their constitution is ananda-maya, full of bliss. It cannot be anything but bliss. And not only bliss, but the highest ecstasy of mahabhava. Their feeling of separation appears externally to be misery, but actually it is not miseryit is ecstasy. Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives the example for extreme separation, that ice acts like fire. For example, dry ice. Dry ice is so cold that if you touch it you get burned. It’s cold, but it produces the opposite effect—burning. So, the mood of the gopis’ separation is so extreme and intense that in separation they experience meeting Krishna, and they experience ecstasy in Krishna’s association.

PURPORT (continued)

There is no difference between thinking of Krsna and associating with Him. Rather, vipralambha-seva, thinking of Krsna in separation, as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did, is far better than serving Krsna directly.

COMMENT

We should try to develop Krishna consciousness in the mood of separation. We are not liberated now, not in Krishna’s pastimes now. And if we imagine that we are meeting Krishna and serving Krishna and not factually realizing it, we can become sahajiyas. Srila Prabhupada didn’t want us to become sahajiyas. He wanted us to worship in the mood of separation, like Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the Six Gosvamis.

PURPORT (concluded)

Thus of all the devotees who have developed unalloyed devotional love for Krsna, the gopis are most exalted, and out of all these exalted gopis, Srimati Radharani is the highest. No one can excel the devotional service of Srimati Radharani. Indeed, even Krsna cannot understand the attitude of Srimati Radharani; therefore He took Her position and appeared as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, just to understand Her transcendental feelings.

In this way Srila Rupa Gosvami gradually concludes that Srimati Radharani is the most exalted devotee of Krsna and that Her kunda is the most exalted place. . . .

yatha radha priya visnos
   tasyah kundam priyam tatha
sarva-gopisu saivaika
   visnor atyanta-vallabha

 “Just as Srimati Radharani is dear to the Supreme Lord Krsna, so Her bathing place is equally dear to Krsna. Among all the gopis, She alone stands supreme as the Lord’s most beloved.”

Therefore everyone interested in Krsna consciousness should ultimately take shelter of Radha-kunda and execute devotional service there throughout one’s life. This is the conclusion of Rupa Gosvami in the tenth verse of Upadesamrta.

COMMENT

We’re not really qualified to discuss Radha-kunda, but because today is Radha-kunda’s appearance day, we may say something about the appearance of Sri Radha-kunda, which we can respect and appreciate from a distance—not too close.

As I mentioned earlier, Krishna killed the bull demon, Aristasura, and after killing him He approached the gopis for pastimes, but they refused. “You have killed a bull,” they said. “So you are contaminated. We do not want to associate with You.” Krishna asked, “What do I have to do to become purified from the sin?” The gopis replied, “You must take bath in all the sacred rivers in all the sacred places in all the three worlds.” Then Krishna thought, “Better I call all the holy places here.” He pushed His heel in the ground and immediately all the personified holy places came before Him and started offering prayers and obeisances. Srimati Radharani said, “I don’t see any holy places.” So Lord Krishna told the holy places to identify themselves, and the holy places personified did so: “I am Yamuna,” “I am Ganga,” “I am Sarasvati,” “I am Sindhu,” “I am Prayag,” “I am Puskhara,” and so on. Then, on Krishna’s indication, they became liquid and flowed into the kunda created by the impression of Krishna’s foot and filled it up with water. Thus Krishna-kunda, or Syama-kunda, came into existence. Krishna took His bath and then announced to the gopis, “Now I am completely pure. I have taken bath in all the sacred places in all the three worlds. But you are not pure. You are contaminated, because although Aristasura was in the form of a bull, still he was a demon. You took the side of a demon, so you are contaminated. So you also have to take bath and become purified. Take bath in My kunda, and you will be free.”

Srimati Radharani said, “No, no. Your kunda is contaminated by the terrible sin of killing the bull. I am not going to take bath in Your kunda. I am going to make My own kunda.” Aristasura’s hooves had made a shallow ditch just west of Sri Krishna’s pond. So the gopis began digging up lumps of soft mud with their hands, and very quickly they manifested a beautiful kunda. Srimati Radharani had said from the beginning, “I will make My kunda more beautiful than Krishna’s.” Now Krishna said, “Well, Your kunda is very beautiful, but it has one defect: it has no water in it. So why don’t You take some water from My kunda?” “No, no, no, no. Your water is contaminated by your sin. We will bring our own water.”

There were thousands and millions of gopis. On Srimati Radharani’s indication, they made a long chain from Manasi-ganga to Radha-kunda, filled pots with water, and passed the pots from one gopi to the next to the next, all the way from Manasi-ganga to Radha-kunda. But Lord Krishna, seeing the labor of the gopis, was not happy, because He cannot bear to see even one drop of perspiration on the face of Srimati Radharani. So He appealed to Her, “Please take water from My kunda.” But She refused—“No!” Then Lord Krishna called the representative of all the holy places, who began to offer prayers to Srimati Radharani: “Even Krishna likes to serve Your lotus feet, and He rejoices and feels most fortunate simply by satisfying the tips of the toes of Your lotus feet. So we also want to serve Your lotus feet. If You fulfill our desire, our lives will be successful.”

Srimati Radharani was pleased, and, glancing at Krishna from the corners of Her eyes, She smiled and replied, “Please come.” So, the holy waters in Syama-kunda broke through its boundary walls and quickly filled Radha-kunda. Then Sri Radha and the gopis took bath, and in the end Krishna was so pleased that He told Her, “Your kunda will become even more famous than Mine. I will always come here to bathe and enjoy My water pastimes. Your kunda is as dear to Me as You are.” Srimati Radharani was pleased, and She said to Lord Krishna, “I will also come and take bath in Your pond, even if You kill hundreds and thousands of Aristasuras. Anyone who has devotion for Your lake and bathes or resides there will become very dear to Me.” Both Sri Radha and Krishna became so pleased after the formation of Syama-kunda and Radha-kunda that They inaugurated a great festival of rasa dance.

I’ll mention just one more point from the verse. The Sanskrit in the verse concludes, prestha tadvad iyam tadiya-sarasi tam nasrayet kah krti: “What fortunate person will not take shelter of Radha-kunda?” This is what the Sanskrit says. But what does Srila Prabhupada say? “Who, then, will not reside at Radha-kunda and, in a spiritual body surcharged with ecstatic devotional feelings, render service to the divine couple who perform Their eternal eight-fold daily pastimes?” In other words, this is what it really means to take shelter of Radha-kunda—not to go there and live like a monkey. Once, when a disciple told Srila Prabhupada that he wanted to go and stay in Radha-kunda, Srila Prabhupada replied that there were already enough monkeys at Radha-kunda; they didn’t need another one.

So, taking shelter of Radha-kunda doesn’t mean going there and living like a monkey, thinking of the demands of the body. Monkeys appear to be very renounced because they don’t wear clothes, eat only fruits and berries, and live in the jungle in trees. But Srila Prabhupada says that each monkey has two dozen girlfriends. So they actually are not renounced. Now, if someone goes to Radha-kunda without being able to take shelter of the holy name as described by Srila Prabhupada in the translation, he may become just like a monkey—outwardly appearing renounced but internally full of desires for sense gratification. Therefore, we go step by step. Srila Rupa Gosvami describes the exalted position of Srimati Radharani and Radha-kunda and asks, “What fortunate person will not take shelter of Radha-kunda?” But here we are at the end of Rupa Gosvami’s instructions. There are so many instructions earlier in the book, and to take shelter of Radha-kunda properly, we have to follow all the other instructions, from text one to text nine—not jump like monkeys to texts nine, ten, and eleven.

What is the first instruction? Vaco vegam manasah krodha-vegam/ jihva-vegam udaropastha-vegam—we have to control the urges. First is the urge to speak. We speak so much nonsense. Whenever we get the chance, we discuss politics, we discuss boy-girl affairs, or still worse, we criticize devotees. So, vaco vegam, and then manasa krodha-vegam: we have to control the mind. Anyway, I need not elaborate. We all can assess our present positions. And we should proceed step by step from the first verse up to the last ones—nine, ten, and eleven.

By the mercy of Srimati Radharani, Srila Rupa Gosvami, and Srila Prabhupada, we have had the opportunity to remember Sri Radha-kunda and discuss the conclusions of Srila Rupa Gosvami given here in Sri Upadesamrta, so kindly explained by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

Hare Krishna!

[A talk by Giriraj Swami on Radha-kunda’s appearance day, November 7, 1993, Bombay]

Gita 01.26 When we can’t fight the circumstances that make us fight against our loved ones, we have to fight against our loved ones
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Developing service attitude 2 – How to see reciprocation in our service
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[Talk at ISKCON, Calgary, Canada]

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Podcast Summary


 

Video:

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Developing service attitude 1 – Service attitude transforms knowledge into realization
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[Talk at ISKCON, Calgary, Canada]

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Podcast Summary


 

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How to develop self-confidence
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[Talk at University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada]

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Podcast Summary


 

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Sunday, October 28th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario

Running Krishna

Walking these last few days involves mainly pacing back and forth at a decent speed. Since coming back from steamy hot India, I’ve found the damp coolness of late October somewhat intimidating, but I’ll get over it.  Locking oneself into a cabin for a period seems sometimes necessary as long as you can keep active.  Nowadays most folks who care for an upkeep of the body use their treadmill indoors. Outdoor stuff is no doubt superior.

With the indoor mode, I was fortunate to participate in a seminar as a listener. Then, to our congregation, I delivered a message about Krishna, the Butter Thief, and also Krishna, The Runner. When He was a mere toddler, He ran from His mother, who was in pursuit, to protect Himself from her threatening stick. Her intent was not to use it physically but to help keep Him in line.

We know that Krishna is reputed for His outstanding flute-playing, His frivolity, His childhood antics and so on.  We rarely hear of His walking or fleeing, but He definitely does those things.  He’s a jack-of-all-trades and a master of them all. This is the actual meaning of the word Bhagavan.

It is important to reflect on the positive traits of an individual, and Krishna, to His followers, means everything to them.  His movement and even His words are to be listened to for the sake of spiritual progress.

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Saturday, October 27th, 2018
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Woodbridge, Ontario

Longer Live Fall

Jessica held a great program at her home where her dad, Sam, and mom, Anna, cooked pasta and pesto, and everything Italian.  They pleased everyone’s palate and delivered their jovial hospitality. They arranged for various singers to come and lead kirtan.  With their place packed with people, it made for a cozy autumn night.  However, upon leaving their Woodbridge home, we witnessed the most moist snow ever. Personally, I would like to view fall colours just a little longer.  “My Lord, do as you like, but if I had the choice I would side for a lingering colour of fall.”

Sonnet 73 by William Shakespeare:

That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou seest the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west.
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death's second self, that seals up all in rest,
In me thou seest the glowing of such fire
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed whereon it must expire,
Consum'd by that which it was nourished by.
This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.

From, The Picador Book of House Poems.

May the Source be with you!
6 km

Friday, October 26th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario

The Swami in Montreal

I love reading about our guru in the early days of the mission.  Author, Mukunda Goswami, tells of the time in Montreal on an August day in 1968:


“The swami was staying in an apartment building a few blocks from the temple. That afternoon, I decided to walk past the building; I knew the swami would want to see us eventually, so I thought at least one of us should know where it was. It was a hot, claustrophobic afternoon in Montreal, suffocating and without a breath of wind. I was tired and slightly headachy from the flight. Usually I loved the heat, but today it wasn’t helping my fatigued condition. As I trudged down the street, I saw a knot of people outside a building, and as I got closer, I saw they were devotees. Well, that had to be the swami’s building, I thought, and turned to walk back to the temple. I looked back at the group and, on second thought, decided to go and see what they were doing loitering around on the sidewalk. 

There were four devotees, I saw as I approached, and in the center sat the swami perched on a chair on the sidewalk, soaking in the sunlight. I looked up at the building: no verandas, and this facade was facing south. This was obviously the place the swami came to get his daily sunshine. 

“So, we can practice Krishna consciousness in any condition of life,” the swami was saying. I sat down on the pavement next to one of the Canadian devotees and tried to look inconspicuous. This extemporaneous outdoor class was a bonus I hadn’t counted on.
“Whether one is rich or poor, anyone can practice Krishna consciousness and perfect one’s life.”

May the Source be with you!
0 km


Thursday, October 25th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario

He Walked In

The morning class had just ended when an eighteen-year-old York University student walked in.  Don is from Nigeria, and arrived in Canada when he was nine.  “I was religious, close to Jesus, before I migrated with my family.  What is this place anyway?” he asked.

“Well, you walked into a Krishna Temple.”

“I’m not sure how I got here!”

“You mean you were just drawn or pulled in?” I asked for clarification.

“Yes, it seems like it.”

“How did you get here?”

“By bus.”

In any event, although his coming had come mystical overtones to it, I proceeded to show him the deity of Krishna, spoke some philosophy to him about true identity, and got him to chant with me the entire maha mantraseveral times.  I even picked up the mrdungadrum and played it while singing, again with him.

“Our identity is as a spirit soul.  We are not these bodies.  We are spirits, and our obligation is to serve.”

“So we are meant to serve?” Don asked.

“Yes!” I said.

“We are spirits?”

“Yes.” I confirmed.

Don seemed to enjoy his visit to the temple.  “I’ve got class at 10.  I’ve got to go.  What time is it?”

“ 9:09.”

“I’ve gotta go!”

“Do come back.”

“I’m gonna try,” he said.

May the Source be with you!
5 km

Wednesday, October 24th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario

To Get Serious

It was certainly nice to be home, which means roll up the sleeves and be some kind of coach.  With Billy, our temple coordinator, we went through the men’s ashram—inspection time. It wasn’t so thorough but it was meaningful to go and do more than peek into some of the rooms, for now.  

“Too many possessions!” was my thought concerning some of the paraphernalia a few students have accumulated.  Mostly it’s devotional material.  For example, if everyone has one set of Bhagavatambooks, plus a personal copy of each BBT publication, it tends to take up space.
These days with digital reality, it may not be necessary to be voluminous with paper occupying space.

In any event, an overhaul is due for the future, and that includes a renovation of sorts.  It’s been decades now since attention went to how to use the space effectively.  We will start approaching the women’s ashram first—also needing to catch up to millennial needs.

We do not have a great number of residents: eleven men, three women. Our facilities are not huge, but a redefinition of space usage is needed, and it’s my passion to see to a change. God help us to achieve such improvements.  With the month of Kartik on the lunar calendar, which is in our midst, we begin to concentrate more on Krishna, who becomes serious with childhood antics.  In that reflection on His bhaktipranks, His followers are moved to get more devotionally augmented. That is always our meditation and our desired implementation—to make improvements.  

My day ended with tweaking, or improving, our drama, which is to be performed at the Parliament of World Religions.  That’s a different crew.  They are volunteers from outside— congregants who are devotional, all the same.  https://www.parliamentofreligions.org/parliament/2018-toronto/schedule

May the Source be with you!
4 km

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018
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Amsterdam / Toronto

On Ground In Air

Long day.  Long waits. Delhi.  Amsterdam.  Then Toronto Airport.  New computers at customs.  No paper. Just pressing some buttons.  A long enough indoor walk to the outside. Time to think.  What did I think?  I remembered several brahmacharis coming to me on the last day at Kanpur. Those monks were saying, “We’ll miss you,” because we had the best times before the deities of Krishna.  We were singing and we were swinging with new moves—for them and me—dancing for God.

I’ll miss the readings in the morning.  The leader, Devakinanda, usually reads a page, a verse, a purport, to the assembly, but he just handed the Bhagavatamto me each morning.  A different voice I guess.

Also, special soup was made for me each day since I fell sick the first day.  Good soup. Good prasad.

From Kanpur to Lucknow, I had the good company of Australian monk, Ramai Swami, as a companion. We reflected on the week of talks.  ‘Constitution’ was one topic.  Yamala from Delhi was with us, too.  We made the drive over the Ganges to a quaint airport—the kind we like.

I walked little this long day.  With no baggage, I can do the long corridors of Amsterdam, but the wheels on a suitcase won’t take it.  While there, I met these groups of acquaintances from Toronto who were on their way to Delhi—not known to each other, but now they are; since they saw my saffron, it pulled us all together.

What did we say? Well, everyone’s not that happy about the lax Canada cannabis rules.  There’ll be problems.  Always in this world, there’ll be problems.  Know how to ride them.

May the Source be with you!
2 km


Music as Meditation-the kirtan experience. Laksmi Nrsimha Das:…
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Music as Meditation-the kirtan experience.
Laksmi Nrsimha Das: I’m sure many musicians have had a meditative experience while playing in a band or orchestra or even playing one’s instrument alone. Long ago, in the early 70’s, I was a percussionist for a well-known NYC folksinger named Steve Baron. Steve and I had a music connection that ran deep. We never rehearsed, yet many of our concerts, small and large, would catapult us into an almost meditative trance, free of anxiety or loss of focus. Our audience would similarly get swept up in our sometimes joyful, sometimes melancholy songs. It was this type of performance experience which led me to the conclusion that music can be a profound meditative experience.
Even as a listener or appreciator of music, the act of attentively listening to one’s favorite form of music can cause moments, minutes or hours of rapture. Music is so captivating that it induces pleasant concentration with blissful ease. With that said it comes as no surprise that the ancient yogis developed a form of music that is a powerful meditation; a meditation made easy through melody and rhythm. This form of meditation is known as kirtan.
A dear friend of mine, Swami Dhanurdhara, wrote about kirtan-“The test of any meditational practice is its ability to facilitate focus on the object of one’s mediation, usually a mantra that is heard. As proper melody and rhythm spontaneously allure the mind, mantra couched in music naturally makes mantra meditation easier. And as the focus in kirtan is the very object of the practitioner’s devotion (the divine names of God), extraordinary feelings, such as devotion and joy, naturally arise as one’s meditation deepens.” This in short describes the kirtan meditation. As the setting for a precious jewel enhances the beauty of the jewel, the setting of melody and rhythm in kirtan enhances the captivating beauty and concentrative power of the mantra in focus. through continued experience of kirtan, gradually the participant connects with an inner dimension of simultaneous joy and heightened awareness of the true nature of the self.

The Anatomy of Bhakti – Garuda das (audio)
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The Anatomy of Bhakti - Garuda das (audio)
We will hear about the overall structure of Bhakti Yoga but we will also learn about little-understood aspects of the subtle nature of Bhakti’s dynamics. Yoga is not something static and Bhakti is not preoccupied with perfection; rather, especially, in this harvest season, they both strive to harvest greater and greater levels of loving service, and loving connections with the divine and all beings.

Bhakta Omkar gets his Srimad Bhagavatam set. Shastrakrit Das:…
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Bhakta Omkar gets his Srimad Bhagavatam set.
Shastrakrit Das: After reading 5 books by Srila Prabhupada Bhakta Omkar chants japa daily. Today on the occasion of his mother’s birthday he requested his parents to get him a set of Srimad Bhagavatam. His father was worried about Omkar’s grades in school if he buys him all these 18 volumes of books. I assured his father that his son will do a hundred times better in school and life in general if he reads these books and his pious father became pacified. Such wonderful supportive parents this lucky boy has. Bhagavath says parents duty is not just to feed, clothe and give some mundane education to their children, real parents should give their children genuine spiritual wisdom.

Kartik in the capital of South Africa (Album of photos) Bhakti…
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Kartik in the capital of South Africa (Album of photos)
Bhakti Chaitanya Swami: After the Sunday program in Lenasia we went to our ISKCON Pretoria temple and took part in the program there. Pretoria is the capital of South Africa, and our center has been established there for many years. The congregation is diverse, and it’s nice to see that in South Africa, where previously there was a great divide between races, devotees from all different backgrounds are coming together to practice Krishna consciousness.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/f5AaDf

A Visit to the Kingdom of Bharatpur
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Kartika Parikrama in Bharatpur

Our Kartika parikrama took us to Bharatpur, a town within the sacred boundaries of Vraja Mandala, that is rich in the history of Vaisnava culture. A former king, Maharaj Suraj Mal, protected Bharatpur from foreign invaders, while at the same time inspiring his subjects in their spiritual lives. There are a number of beautiful temples of Radha and Krsna in Bharatpur. Our parikrama party of 420 devotees performed harinam throughout the city, much to the delight of the citizens.

Another angle of our amazing parikrama to Bharatpur, which was the kingdom of the famous Krsna conscious king, Suraj Mall. The palace, the temples, the deities and the people of Bharatpur were all amazing. Our harinama through the streets was especially blissful.

Radha Kund Appearance day – November 1, 2018
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There are many places of pilgrimage for Krishna devotees, especially in India. Devotees visit them to become inspired in their spiritual lives. Devotees of Krishna observe the appearance of Radha Kunda, also known as Bahulashtami. This Thursday, November 1, 2018 the Hare Krishna Centre will be celebrating this auspicious occasion beginning at 6:00pm and will include kirtan and a wonderful discourse.

Radha Kunda is a reservoir of water located in Vrindavan, India, where Krishna and Srimati Radharani had Their pastimes. It is mentioned in Sri Isopanishad and other Vedic texts as one of the most sacred places in the universe. Be sure to come out and be transported to this amazing place!


ISKCON Scarborough – upcoming seminar by HG Chaitanya Charan prabhu on 3rd Nov 2018
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Hare Krsna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

We are extremely happy to inform you that HG Chaitanya Charan das will be conducting a seminar at ISKCON Scarborough coming Saturday.

Seminar details:
Facilitator: HG Chaitanya Charan das
Topic: Practical applications of Bhagavad Gita
Date: Saturday, Nov 3rd, 2018
Time: 10 am to 12 noon
Location: ISKCON Scarborough, 3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Prasadam: 12.15 pm – Sumptuous Ekadasi prasadam will be served
Admission: free

Additional chairs will be rented on that day for devotees to comfortably sit and take part in the seminar.
If devotees feel inspired to donate towards the expenses for that day, please do so and tax receipts will be given.
We humbly welcome you, your family & friends to ISKCON Scarborough on 3rd Nov to immensely benefit from this enlivening seminar.

About HG Chaitanya Charan das:
Chaitanya Charan is a monk and spiritual author.
He has done his Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering from the Government College of Engineering, Pune. He subsequently served as a software engineer in a prominent multinational software corporation. He also secured 2350 out of 2400 in GRE, gaining the top rank in Maharashtra.
Seeing the prevalent problems of stress, depression, addiction, and overall misdirection – all caused by a lack of spirituality – he felt inspired to dedicate his life to the cause of sharing the spiritual wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita under the aegis of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna consciousness).

He is a member of ISKCON’s leading intellectual body, the Shastric Advisory Council, and is the associate-editor of ISKCON’s global magazine, Back to Godhead.

He is the author of the world’s only Gita-daily feature, wherein he writes daily a 300-word inspirational reflection on a verse from the Bhagavad- Gita. Till now he has written over seventeen hundred Gita meditations that are posted on www.gitadaily.com and are read through daily feeds by thousands from all over the world.

He also answers questions by seekers on his site www.thespiritualscientist.com, where his over three thousand five hundred audio answers and several hundred articles are available.
He travels all over the world from Australia to America, giving talks on spiritual subjects in temples, universities, and companies.

His articles have been published in many national newspapers including Indian Express, Economic Times and Times of India in the Speaking Tree column.
His writings in English have been translated into several foreign languages including German, Chinese and Romanian and several Indian languages including Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, Hindi, and Marathi.

HG Chaitanya Charan das is the author of several books including the following:
ENERGY – Your Sutra for Positive Thinking
Science and Spirituality; The Spiritual Scientist series, volumes 1
Science and Spirituality; The Spiritual Scientist series, volumes 2
Recession – Adversity or Opportunity?
Why do we need a temple?
Frequently Unanswered Questions
Idol Worship or Ideal Worship?
The Gita for Daily Enrichment
Oh My God! Re-answering the Questions
My Little Bhakti Companion
Timeless Insights on Today’s Issues
10 Leadership Sutras from Bhagavad-gita
GK for PK!
Prabhupada: The moments that made the movement
The Eye to see the I: 121 reflections on Bhagavad-gita
Belong: 121 reflections on Bhagavad-gita

ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough, Ontario,
Canada, M1V4C7
Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com
Website:
www.iskconscarborough.org

If the mind pushes us forcefully towards wrong, how can the mind be directable?
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Answer Podcast

The post If the mind pushes us forcefully towards wrong, how can the mind be directable? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Kartik Home Program, November 27, Ojai, California
Giriraj Swami

Srimad-Bhagavatam mentions two words: parisram which means hard labor or great endeavor and Krishna krpa or Krishna’s mercy. Our acharyas explain that the two finger gap preventing Mother Yasoda from tying the rope around Krishna can be bridged by a combination of parisram — our hard labor and Krishna krpa or Krishna’s mercy. Whatever we do in our spiritual endeavors requires these two ingredients — our sincere efforts and Krishna’s mercy. By that combination we can bind Krishna or we can say Krishna allows himself to be captured and bound by us.”
———————
Kirtan by Radhika
Talk by Dhananjay Dasa
Talk by Giriraj Swami

A FLURRY OF SPECIAL GUESTS & EVENTS!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

With fall upon us, many special guests are making their way to Toronto to enliven and inspire everyone with seminars and more!

Parliament of the World's Religions: Nov 1-7, 2018

The 2018 Parliament of the World's Religions is taking place in Toronto. On November 2nd Our very own HH Bhaktimarga Swami and his drama troupe will be performing "Many Mothers and Many Fathers". HG Anuttama Prabhu & HG Rukmini Mataji will be also be participating in the event. 

To register please visit: https://parliamentofreligions.org/webform/2018-parliament-canadian-registration {For special discount, please use Code GRPFLASH}

HG Caitanya Charan Prabhu: Nov 1 - 5, 2018 

Chaitanya Charan prabhu will be making another visit to the GTA and will be giving the Sunday discourse at both ISKCON Brampton and ISKCON Toronto on November 4th. Prabhu will also be conducting a seminar at ISKCON Scarborough on Saturday, November 3rd; click HERE for more information. 
He is a member of ISKCON’s leading intellectual body, the Shastric Advisory Council, and is the associate-editor of ISKCON’s global magazine, Back to Godhead. He is the author of the world’s only Gita-daily feature, wherein he writes daily a 300-word inspirational reflection on a verse from the Bhagavad- Gita. He has written over seventeen hundred Gita meditations that are posted on www.gitadaily.com and are read through daily feeds by thousands from all over the world.

HG Gauranga Prabhu: Nov Nov 2 - 4, 2018 

Gauranga prabhu will be conduction a seminar on Four Principles of Community Development, click HERE for more Information. HG Gauranga prabhu will also be giving the morning Srimad Bhagvatam class at ISKCON Toronto On Saturday, November 3rd and Sunday, November 4th. 

HG Gauranga Prabhu is a Co Temple President of ISKCON Chowpatty temple, Director of Govardhan Ecovillage, Global Duty Officer of GBC, Trustee of ISKCON GBC College and member of GBC Organizational Development Committee and GBC Nominations Committee.

HG Vaisesika Prabhu and HG Nirakula Mataji: Dec. 14 - 19, 2018

Making one of their many trips to Toronto's Hare Krishna Centre are none other than His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu and Her Grace Nirakula mataji! They are truly members of our large community and we are very excited to have them once again to encourage our many sankirtan initiatives. Sankirtan refers to the process of sharing our spiritual culture through book distribution. Stay tuned for more information. 

New Sunday Program Timings
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Please note the change in the timings of our weekly Sunday Program. The Sunday program will now be held between 4:30-7pm . The details are as follows :

4:30 pm - Kirtan
5:00 pm - Announcements & Class
6:00 pm - Arati 
6:30 pm - Sunday Feast ( vegetarian feast will be served)
7 :00 pm - Program Ends 

(All other Sunday services will remain unchanged including the 8 pm Arati)