Motel Gita (Album of photos) Mr. Harish Agarwal and Nandini…
→ Dandavats



Motel Gita (Album of photos)
Mr. Harish Agarwal and Nandini Kishori dd recently attended Nashville AAHOA Regional convention. The response was stellar. Mr. Pete Patel stopped by. He is really touched by MotelGita project and donated nicely! We feel that we’ve found a Motelgita advocate in Nashville, TN area. Mr. Chip Rogers, AAHOA CEO, stopped by at the booth and appreciated the non-profit work we do. A college student stopped by, he said his parents (motel owners) had shown him Motelgita TV interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwv4eaVxg7Y. Another hotel owner stopped by, he said he has read all Gitas, Vinoba Bhave, Gandhi etc, however, there is no Gita as clear and concise as Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita As It Is. Therefore Srila Prabhupada is the most intelligent person on the planet. Met Ms. Nancy, who has already read Gita, so I informed about Srimad Bhagavatam. She emailed me today that she is definitely going to buy it. Mr. Vinay Patel (current AAHOA secretary and future AAHOA President) stopped by and really appreciated MotelGita project. His wife Tina Patel had stopped by at an annual convention and had placed an order for all of their hotels. See the enclosed photo, which was posted on Facebook by another Hotelier (Mr. Naresh Bhakta).
Find them here: https://is.gd/z0yNLF

What’s Wrong with Sex?
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Chaitanya Charana Dasa

When the media assault our eyes with images of half-naked bodies, lawmakers fight back with anti-obscenity laws, and the media complain that the government is policing personal morality. "Who are you to restrict our sexual enjoyment?" cry the libertines. "Ubiquitous sexuality," say the cultural conservatives, "degrades society." Everyone cherishes the right to enjoy life, and libertines, to defend themselves, appeal to this right. But could they be defeating the very purpose they claim to champion? Could moral restrictions on sexuality uphold, rather than impede, our right to enjoy life? Continue reading "What’s Wrong with Sex?
→ Dandavats"

The Extra Plants
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Karuna Dharini Devi Dasi

I am only starting to understand that I was an enemy to the gardener. Whatever prestige I maintained in the garden is just so much rotten mulch. I hereby permanently drop it as garbage! Pride which is not for the satisfaction of Krishna is only a false path of repeated self-defeat, with an ugly tree named Fear at the end of the trail. I am fascinated by all that has happened, the way the garden is transformed, the sounds of soft sweet praises for God as given by the spiritual expert. The gardener’s voice grows very satisfied and forgiving at this time. I am surrounded by sweet mellows and I am disarmed. Continue reading "The Extra Plants
→ Dandavats"

Relativity and the Path to the Absolute
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Arcana Siddhi Devi Dasi

Later, after becoming a devotee, I discovered that according to the Vedic teachings my assertions were right. But now I could understand something about the nature of that absolute reality: It is Krishna. Everything we see in this world comes from one of Krishna's many energies. But His illusory energy (maya) keeps us from perceiving things properly. Just as a magician can make us think we're seeing something that's not there, Krishna uses illusion to create our supposed reality. One might wonder why God would want to prevent us from seeing the truth Continue reading "Relativity and the Path to the Absolute
→ Dandavats"

Bhagavatam tenth canto study 22 – 10.4.10-16 Kamsa’s self-recrimination is self-serving
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


 

The post Bhagavatam tenth canto study 22 – 10.4.10-16 Kamsa’s self-recrimination is self-serving appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Gita 18.65 Promises in a close relationship reflect and affect the closeness of the relationship
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 18.65 Promises in a close relationship reflect and affect the closeness of the relationship appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Science, Spirituality and Wellness – Existence, Emotions and Ethics
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Seminar at Maylands Community Center, Perth, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Science, Spirituality and Wellness – Existence, Emotions and Ethics appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Lord Balarama Appearance Day
→ Ramai Swami

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, is the fountainhead of all incarnations. Lord Balarama is His second body. They are both one and the same identity. They differ only in form. 

Balarama is the first bodily expansion of Krishna, and He assists in Lord Krishna’s transcendental pastimes. He is the source of the entire spiritual world and is the adi-guru, the original spiritual master.

He assumes five other forms to serve Lord Krishna. He Himself helps in the pastimes of Lord Krishna, and He does the work of creation in four other forms called the catur-vyuha (four armed) forms known as Vasudeva, Sankarshan, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. 

He executes the orders of Lord Krishna in the work of creation, and in the form of Lord Sesa He serves Sri Krishna in various ways. In all the forms He tastes the transcendental bliss of serving Krishna. No one can approach Krishna without first getting the mercy of Baladeva.

Lord Balarama exemplifies the service attitude to Krishna. His only mission is to please Krishna by rendering service to Him, whether it is in the creation of the material worlds, maintaining the spiritual world or as His personal paraphernalia.

Thursday, August 23rd, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

To Where Cabbages Were

The invitation was on for lunch at the home of two pujaris, priests, by the names of Rupa and Sanatana. They have this old Victorian home renovated into a gorgeous house in what’s called Cabbagetown.  I decided to walk there to greet fellow ashram monks. They drove.

In the course of my walk, a mere 3.9 kilometres, one man on a park bench spoke. “This is a religion?”

“An old tradition is what I follow, with roots from India. I’m a monk, a Hare Krishna monk. Here’s my card and a mantra for protection.”

“Thanks!”

I moved on, and on Parliament Street four men were on a bench. One of them stopped me with his question.  “Where can I get a set of clothes like that?”

“I’ll have to take you to India to get a batch.”

That drew a great amount of laughter from all four.  Two of them offered pranams—palms together—knowing the gesture.

“They are comfortable.  You’ll like them.  Are you sure I can’t take you there?”

“I’m not going to be able to.”

“You never know.”

I arrived at the house at the same time as the monks who drove. Walking is always superior.  You meet people.  You chant in peace.  You admire plants and buildings.  There’s much excitement in the air.

The meal was to die for.  Thanks Rupa and Sanatana!

May the Source be with you!
4 km

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Montreal / Toronto

On Track

Damodar and I were feeling the same relief walking through Montreal’s east end near downtown.  There  was a break from the heat.  There was also some rain last night.  Oh and how we appreciated the work of some of the city planners.  An old railway line and industries were converted into these neat and affordable dwellings.  The tracks are now curved walkways.  So cool!

My train ride to Toronto was fine—time to go over Gita verses somewhat lost in memory, but easy enough to revive.   https://www.instagram.com/p/BmzoIEGln7G/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=q3l8cg731854

At Union Station I made the decision to walk to my host’s home for an Ekadashi(grain-less) meal. Adi Kurma and Amala have this charming home, and I reached there after trekking through foot traffic, which was thick. I believe Torontonians were also joyful, like the Montrealers, for the excellent weather.

I was blessed to pass through a section of the business district, the entertainment district, and the boogey-hip section of Kensington, past churches and cozy homes.  The meal was mighty fine with kale and broccoli.

At the same time, Adi, Amala and I reflected on a troubled world—with concern for the people in the multiple fires out west, concern for technology takeover world-wide, and dependency on so many drugs.  I cautioned my friend Durward on the phone today. “Get the gist of what the news is saying.  Don’t get too absorbed in the bad reporting!  You have your Krishna who’s always with us!”

May the Source be with you!
11 km

Tuesday, August 21st, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Montreal, Quebec

Sweet Day

The many trees’ branches and leaves were rustling in a light wind.  Wow! It was so pleasant to feel. Everyone who was out there—like me, on a stroll just west of Pie IX Boulevard—was sensing a relief from an intense summer, which finally felt as if it were over.

I saw lots of young families taking advantage of a perfect, late afternoon in this very established francophone district.  It was nice.

I had come to Montreal from Ottawa to participate in a swing ceremony. Tradition has it in the Vaishnava community that five days are reserved for performing a sweet pastime of placing small deities of Radha Krishna on a julan(swing) and then pulling gently the swaying platform forward for a back-and-forth motion.  This happens during a mellow kirtan. All the attendees got involved as it offers pleasure to Her and Him.

What followed was also a good experience of the gathering of the old guard, so to speak, and the new guard of our managers in ISKCON Montreal. Yesterday I helped facilitate a restructuring of the management team in Ottawa.  Today it was here that we more formally recognized and empowered a more youthful group to assist in the mission.  Overall the procedures, in both locations, went very smooth.

I will not fail to mention that upon my arrival in Montreal I was driven to “Nandagram,” our new farm community, just outside of the city. We harvested some of the veggies, cooked and ate them.  The taking of that prasadam, in many ways, crowned the day.

May the Source be with you!
4 km

Kirtan Sound Engineers Raise Awareness About Harmful Sound…
→ Dandavats



Kirtan Sound Engineers Raise Awareness About Harmful Sound Levels!
Sacinandana Swami once joked: “The scriptures predict that as Kali Yuga progresses, devotees will play musical instruments so loud that people will not be able to hear the maha-mantra anymore.” That might make you crack a smile, but the background isn’t so funny. ISKCON devotees, and in particular kirtan leaders, suffer from a high level of hearing loss. Some parents are afraid to bring their babies into the temple room. Arjuna Das, an electrician who lives with his wife and two-year-old son on the New Varshana farm in New Zealand, is one of those concerned about the issue. Arjuna does sound for his temple’s kirtan events. His father has been an acoustical engineer for over thirty years.
To read the complete article please click here: https://goo.gl/iS8wJU

Monday, August 20th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Ottawa, Ontario

I Said, “Hello!”

I said, “Hello!”

“Hi!” she said.  “What are you?”

“A monk; a Hare Krishna monk.”

She introduced herself as Sally, and then asked, “So, what do you think of the world?”

“Confused! Always is.  History proves it.”

She persisted.  “Why is it that way?”

“There was a time when the powers that be would take advice from virtuous thinkers,” I said.  “But no  more.”

“It’s corruption, isn’t it, that’s making this world what it is?  It’s the corruption that runs our world,” said Sally.

“Ah! Greed has gripped us.  We can’t make the world better unless we clean ourselves.”

Sally agreed that there’s a dark side in all of us.  Sally was not quite ready for a book by our guru but receptive to take a mantracard and let us know that she’ll try our Govinda’s once it opens in the school season.  Sally was good.

Krishna Dulal and Vraja drove me to their home in Russell, for an evening sangawith kids in Krishna.  More than half were attentive.  It’s hard to anchor the minds of the little ones.

May the Source be with you!
0 km


Sunday, August 19th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

St. Catherines, Ontario

Fifth Day on the Bruce

It was dark.  I got a head start on Avenue Road.  I met a couple—he, a chef, and she, just interested.  

“Are you a monk?” She spoke with curiosity.

“Yes, and I live there,” I said, pointing to our building, our temple.  “Do come by.  We have a restaurant.”

The couple will visit us somewhere, someday.  At least, it’s my job to invite.

Now, as the daylight was beginning to be a reality, I ambled by on Avenue Road.  My ride arrived and off to the Bruce Trail we went, right next to the Shangri-La Campsite, to reconvene the walk.  The count was thirty.  Yes, thirty of us.  We were like a safari making our way, first along orchards, then into the trees.

Balls Falls was alive with actual water making a drop.  Awesome!   https://www.instagram.com/p/BmrqGbdAJUs/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1qwczbl4jexr1

Our safari continued going through the terrain of up-down.  Rocks on the trail were rather slippery due to a recent rainfall. Choke cherries and wild grapes were in abundance.

The group of thirty were wonderful, respectful and willing to learn.  With two eating breaks and a great swim at Port Dalhousie in Lake Ontario, and some reading about our guru, Prabhupada, our day’s aspirations were fulfilled.

We completed our safari at some obscure road with vineyards all around and our park / beach fun at the Port.

There is nothing like a safari sanga.

May the Source be with you!
12 km


Saturday, August 18th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Scarborough / Brampton

Didn’t Know

I didn’t know Aretha Franklin passed away.  I only heard about it today.  God bless her.  Her voice was inspirational.

Today was the 6thAnnual Chariot Fest for Scarborough.  Congratulations to the organizers!  Great magic show by Brent and Sarah.  They drew in the crowds.  One other item on the stage was Dhira Grahi.  I got up there with him to get the crowd moving their arms, legs, body and especially their mouth, for chanting.

From the Fest a kind Rasaraj drove me to Brampton for a ‘feast to behold’.  A group here launched a garden program in late May.  Several families committed to growing, from seed or sapling, vegetables.  Today was an opportunity for the group to come and show off their veggies in the form of dinner.  They brought their prepared food, sourced from their gardens at home. On the menu was raita, subjis, salads, chutneys (red and green), tomato soup, pickle and more.  Host, Murali Manohara, welcomed us to his garden of beans, eggplant, tomatoes, karela (bitter melon), squash and even marigolds.

The families had a good time reflecting on the difference it made in their home to regularly check on their babies—the veggies.  “Therapeutic,” describes Anandamayi in reference to her tending to what grew in her garden bed.

The flavours were out of this world, everyone agreed.  The preps were presented as food to the deities of Krishna, and then, in turn, we partook of, in the transformed, pure prasadam.  We are proud of the group who launched this program toward a greener society.

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Balaram Purnima Abhishekam 2018 in Vrindavan! (Album of…
→ Dandavats



Balaram Purnima Abhishekam 2018 in Vrindavan! (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “Sri Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma (Supersoul) in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who relishes His messages, which are themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1.2.17).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/KjRUaE

Balarama Purnima celebration at Temple of Vladivostok, Russia,…
→ Dandavats



Balarama Purnima celebration at Temple of Vladivostok, Russia, “New Jagannath Puri” (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat: even a little devotional service can save one from the greatest danger. Devotional service, which begins with chanting of the holy name of the Lord, is so powerful that even if one falls down, he can be saved from all calamities if he somehow or other chants the holy name of the Lord. This is the extraordinary power of the Lord’s holy name. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.1.63 Purport).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/8GhfS3

Srila Prabhupada’s departure for the USA
→ Dandavats

By Satswarup dasa Goswami

At his father's request, Gopal Agarwal had done as he had done for several other sadhus, none of whom had ever gone to America. It was just a formality, something to satisfy his father. Gopal had requested a form from the Indian Consulate in New York, obtained a statement from his employer certifying his monthly salary, gotten a letter from his bank showing his balance as of April 1965, and had the form notarized. It had been stamped and approved in New York and sent to Delhi. Now Bhaktivedanta Swami had a sponsor. But he still needed a passport, visa, P-form, and travel fare. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada’s departure for the USA
→ Dandavats"

Flowers: the representation of the smile of Lord Krishna
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Iskcon LA

For the past 42 years, on the first Sunday in August the Los Angeles Hare Krishna Temple (ISKCON) hold a parade and festival at the famous tourist destination of Venice Beach, California. The festival is called Ratha Yatra - The Festival of the Chariots. Whilst thousands enjoy the day's festivities, few will see the days, weeks and months of planning that take place behind the scenes to create this event. Among the numerous departments responsible of bringing this festival to life, are the flower team. Consisting entirely of volunteers, this team's service starts weeks before the event itself, however the action really kicks in for the days leading up to the festival. This video is a humble offering to praise the wonderful volunteers who dedicate their time to decorating the ratha carts of Lord Jagannatha (the Lord of the Universe), His sister Lady Subhadra, and brother Baladeva. Flowers are the representation of the smile of Lord Krishna, and these wonderful devotees are beaming with smiles, as they create these decorations. Continue reading "Flowers: the representation of the smile of Lord Krishna
→ Dandavats"

Do you need a break from our mind? Bhagavad-gita insights for inside-out change
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Talk at the Hindu Society for Western Australia, Perth, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Do you need a break from our mind? Bhagavad-gita insights for inside-out change appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

What makes relationships unsteady – and how to make them steady
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Perth, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post What makes relationships unsteady – and how to make them steady appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavatam tenth canto study 21 – 10.4.1-10 Heartless Kamsa rejects Devaki’s heartfelt plea
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


 

The post Bhagavatam tenth canto study 21 – 10.4.1-10 Heartless Kamsa rejects Devaki’s heartfelt plea appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Learning from Dhritarashtra – Does destiny make us or de we make it – 2?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Seminar at ISKCON, Perth, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Learning from Dhritarashtra – Does destiny make us or de we make it – 2? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

If we feel inspired to do a service other than what we are instructed, what should we do?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post If we feel inspired to do a service other than what we are instructed, what should we do? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Gita 18.64 Krishna’s tone rises from informational analysis to impassioned advocacy
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 18.64 Krishna’s tone rises from informational analysis to impassioned advocacy appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The incarnation of beauty
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 05 June 2016, Radhadesh, Belgium, Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 25.57)

The all blissful Supreme Personality of Godhead is eternally young and not plagued by any imperfections, not plagued by an old cranky body and not ugly either. Some incarnations of God are certainly not the most beautiful. It is said that various incarnations of the Lord have different qualities of the Lord. Maharaj Pritu had the pālana-śakti, he was empowered with the power to protect the earth. Mohini-murti and Balarama represent the beauty of the Lord. Nrsimhadev is the protector of the devotees. So different incarnations represent different features of the Lord. 

The article " The incarnation of beauty " was published on KKSBlog.

Ecstatic USA Sankirtan Fire
→ Dandavats

Hare Krishna It is now 2018. Thousands of books are landing on the laps of the conditioned souls every day. As you read this, someone somewhere is donating Laxmi to get a boom from a sankirtan devotee. For those who are out there on the front line, im sure you can agree with this statement " Many people have our books, are reading our books, have already read our books, who love our books, and want to make the next step in their spiritual lives and are looking at us for guidance."

CONGRATULATIONS to Nandapriya Sikdar, who took diksha initiation…
→ Dandavats



CONGRATULATIONS to Nandapriya Sikdar, who took diksha initiation recently from His Holiness Jayapataka Swami via Skype! (Before his operation) His Holiness Jayapataka Swami is such a magnanimous devotee, he can initiate a whole village at once, or just one girl on the other side of the world in Alachua. Maharaja asked her if she’d like to keep her name, which she has been called since birth (when Nandapriya was born, her father asked His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, his guru maharaja, to name the baby, so he named her then also!). Nandapriya sweetly replied, “Whatever you like.” Her initiated name is Nandapriya Prema devi dasi! Ki Jaya! The house was filled with loving disciples and great happiness. We know Srila Prabhupada is so pleased also seeing the children born into the Movement grow up and choose to become serious devotees. It is a very special kind of pleasure indeed!

WSN July 2018 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Vijaya das

When Rama Raya Prabhu returned to New York from Vrindavan after Aindra Prabhu passed on, he decided to go to New York City and just do harinama 365 days a year. He thought that his good friend Aindra would be pleased if he did that service. At first, he would get one or two devotees to go with him, but eventually the number grew and grew. Now there are always ten or twenty people with him. Wherever there's harinama, it's not long before book distribution naturally follows. Today, on average, the Union Square harinama is the No. 4 temple in the USA in book distribution. In July, the group was the No. 13 temple in the world, with 5,602 book points, though these devotees aren't a temple. They're devotees and friends of Krishna who like to do harinama and distribute books six hours every day. I'm sure that Sri Krsna and Srila Prabhupada are very pleased with this combo of harinama and book distribution: the mrdanga and the brhat-mrdanga. Continue reading "WSN July 2018 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats"