A Happy Conclusion
Giriraj Swami

By Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, I successfully completed my vratas (vows) for the sacred, extra month of Purusottama. I chanted extra rounds and read and recited the fifteenth chapter of the Bhagavad-gita (Purusottama-yoga) every day—and I finished the first draft of my book about Srila Prabhupada and Juhu (I’ll Build You a Temple). And, remembering how Dr. Patel brought Prabhupada a palmful of sea water on the last day of the month, for his auspicious bath, I also took some sea water on my head. So, by Srila Prabhupada and devotees’ grace, I feel a sense of accomplishment and internal happiness.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Vedic Cosmos – An Intelligent Design
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Vedic Cosmos- An Intelligent Design is a documentary that needs to be made. It is an art in-itself, can come to life through your help. Please see the trailer, visit the website and give for the making of this documentary! Please spread the word!

Thank you very much!—Danavir Goswami

Dedicated to: His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Founder Acharya International Society For Krishna Consciousness)




Website - www.vediccosmology.com

Hare Krishna

Book Distribution weekend of June 7-10, 2018 (Album of…
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Book Distribution weekend of June 7-10, 2018 (Album of photos)
Mohanasini Devi Dasi: What an amazing adventure….wandering about meeting people who already LOVE Srila Prabhupada’s books! Especially sweet to reconnect them with Bhagavad Gita. Please….take a minute to check out what they have to say!
Book Totals for this weekend: 12 Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers, 37 Perfection of Yoga, 14 Chant and Be Happy, 79 Higher Taste Cookbooks, 2 Science of Self Realization, 79 Bhagavad Gitas, and 5 Srimad Bhagavatams Total: 218 books
Find them here: https://goo.gl/oXJb1b

Radha Kunda Seva: May 2018 Photos and Updates (Album of…
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Radha Kunda Seva: May 2018 Photos and Updates (Album of photos)
Purusottama Masa, a special lunar month that appears in the calendar every three years is a time for increasing spiritual practice and for engaging in acts of charity. Our charity for this month has been to seek out other ladies in need in the Radha Kunda area with the goal of increasing our meals served to 150 daily starting in July. In the process of seeking out ladies, we have discovered some elderly gentlemen who are also in need. We are asking your help to find sponsors for our seventy new meal recipients. Please like and share this post! And please visit this page… https://radharani.com/widow-help/ to sponsor daily meals for a Radha Kunda resident. As always, through violent summer storms and scorching heat, the service continues. Please browse our latest photos and join our efforts by visiting www.radharani.com. Your servants, Campakalata Devi dasi, Padma Gopi Devi dasi, Sri Arjuna dasa, Urmila Devi Dasi, and Mayapurcandra dasa.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/mho52L

Радхика, даруя праздник служения Себе
→ Traveling Monk

 

“Даруя праздник вечного служения Себе, Шри Радхика – прекрасная царевна беседок Вриндавана – делает все духовные цели и практики незначительными. Совершая это, Она наводняет мир вестями о Своей нектарной красоте, и лик Ее сияет, будто неисчислимые осенние луны”.

[ Шрила Прабодхананда Сарасвати, “Шри Радха-раса-шудханидхи”, стих 62 ]

 

“Sri Radhika, the lovely queen of Vrindavan’s bower houses, makes all spiritual goals and practices insignificant when She bestows upon one the festival of Her eternal service. In doing so, She inundates the whole world with news of Her nectarian beauty and Her face shines like innumerable autumnal moons.”

[ Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati, Sri Radha Rasa Sudhanidhi, verse 62 ]

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10212049543496841&set=a.3707173840886.2134384.1321748113&type=3&theater

Respect for Individuality
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Hare KrishnaBy Urmila Devi Dasi

The individuality of the self is a central teaching in Vaisnava philosophy, but what is our practical understanding of this term? Individuality is present in all living beings on both a material and a spiritual level. This article translates how this concept needs to relate to education practices in ISKCON today. The author explores evidence in some of Srila Prabhupada' writings and scripture that deal with the issue of individuality together with some more recent research by academics in the field. With this data, the author builds a persuasive argument for devotees to become more aware of the individual, both in themselves and in others so that they may respond with respectful awareness to the individuals needs. Continue reading "Respect for Individuality
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How Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar and Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Manifested in Jaipur
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Hare KrishnaBy Sridevi Dasi

Sitala devi dasi, a resident of Mayapur Dham, had been ordering deities for ISKCON since 1975. Many temples around the world have used her services to obtain their deities. In the 1990’s the devotees of New Raman Reti asked her to order deities in India for our Temple. “It took a while for consensus to be reached among devotees here as to who should be the Lords of New Raman Reti,” she says. “Once the decision was made, Radha Shyamasundar manifested pretty quickly - about a year from order.” Sitala prabhu’s main service was to place the order with the murti wallah and ensure that the carving was in accordance with the desires of the Temple community. The Pandeys of Jaipur were Yamuna devi dasi’s choice for deity sculptors. She had ordered ISKCON’s first deities herself from them. Continue reading "How Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar and Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Manifested in Jaipur
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Bhaktivedanta Hospice: Aid for the Journey Home
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Hare KrishnaBy Vishakha Priya Devi Dasi

Shortly before passing away in Vrindavan, a devotee requested her spiritual master to establish a “Back to Godhead” clinic there for Srila Prabhupada’s followers. The land is adjacent to the parikrama road trod by pilgrims during their devotional walks around Vrindavan. It is a sacred grove of mostly kadamba and tamala trees known as Giriraj Bhag (“Giriraj’s garden”). For five generations it belonged to the family of Sri Padmanabha Goswami, hereditary priests and caretakers of Vrindavan’s Radha-ramana Temple. Continue reading "Bhaktivedanta Hospice: Aid for the Journey Home
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Scripture glorifies association between seer and seeker – is association of equals also uplifting?
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Answer Podcast

The post Scripture glorifies association between seer and seeker – is association of equals also uplifting? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Chanting Before Srila Prabhupada
Giriraj Swami

This morning while chanting japa before my deity of Srila Prabhupada, I was struck by how merciful he had been to accept me as his disciple, appreciating that, despite all my failings, he will never let me go but would do whatever it takes to deliver me. As he said of his guru maharaja, “My spiritual master was no ordinary spiritual master—he saved me.” Thinking of Srila Prabhupada’s compassionate, selfless commitment, my hard heart melted.

Hare Krishna.

Your grateful servant,
Giriraj Swami

Curbing pride with intelligence
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 04 February 2016, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, UK, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.21)

After the Govardhana pastime, Krsna went to Govardhana Hill to inspect the damage done by Indra’s thunderbolts. During the seven days that Krsna held Govardhana Hill on his little finger like an umbrella, Indra, out of being disturbed, battered Govardhana Hill with thunderbolts. These thunderbolts were very serious and could smash mountains. So Krsna was concerned about Govardhana. But when Krsna went to check out the damage done to Govardhana Hill, Indra also appeared there.

When Krsna saw Indra, he said, “Indra, you are supposed to be a devotee. How could you act in such a demoniac way? That you were ready to kill. This is the behaviour of demons. If you are supposed to be a devotee, Indra, how could you come to this demoniac point of acting?”

Indra replied, “It is because I was proud.”

Krsna continued, “Yes, but Indra, a devotee is meant to curb pride with intelligence.”

Indra said, “Krsna, I was angry. So angry, that I lost my intelligence. Therefore, I was unable to curb my pride.”

So this is interesting. Sometimes, we may look at the sixteenth chapter of the Bhagavad-gita which describes the divine and the demoniac qualities, and think to ourselves upon reading the first part of the chapter (which describes the divine qualities) that, “This is us devotees!” And then we read the second part of the chapter (which describes the demoniac qualities) and think, “This is the neighbours.” (laughter) It is very easy to read this chapter and think in such a way, but actually, we need to consider how much of Kamsa there is in ourselves; how much of Kamsa is living in us. In that way, we can read the Srimad Bhagavatam in a more engaged way.

The article " Curbing pride with intelligence " was published on KKSBlog.

Everything for Krishna and nothing for me
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Hare KrishnaBy Giriraja Swami

After hearing so many complaints from so many devotees, Srila Prabhupada called a meeting of all the devotees. Practically all the devotees in the temple came into Srila Prabhupada’s room, and he listened very sympathetically to what every devotee had to say, and he was really concerned and wanted to improve things. At one stage the GBC for India protested: “Srila Prabhupada, my only intention was to execute Your Divine Grace’s will.” And Prabhupada replied a little sarcastically, “Is it My Divine Grace’s will that the devotees should be disturbed?” And he made a system. He named certain leaders—Tamal Krishna, Yamuna, me—and said that they should get together every week and discuss the problems, and whatever they decided they should write down in a minute book, and they should all sign and then do what they agreed. Continue reading "Everything for Krishna and nothing for me
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A dancing group joins the Harinama party in Ljubljana (5 min…
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A dancing group joins the Harinama party in Ljubljana (5 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna mantra is specifically mentioned in many Upanisads, such as the Kali-santarana Upanishad, where it is said: “After searching through al the Vedic literature, one cannot find a method of religion more sublime for this age than the chanting of Hare Krishna.” (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 3.40 Purport)

“Walk through fire”
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Hare KrishnaBy HH Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Swami

Increase the quality of your chanting. Increase the quantity of your chanting. Read more Srimad Bhagavatam. Read Caitanya Caritamrita. Read prayers. Acaryas have written so many prayers. Read prayers of acaryas. Pray to Krishna. Krishna will hear you, when you read the prayers of acaryas - He hears you. When you speak in your own words: “Krishna, help. Krishna, save me”, Krishna will hear you. Continue reading "“Walk through fire”
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When we the prisoners fall in love with our captors
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Hare KrishnaBy Purushottam Nitai Das

To control the elephant is humanly impossible. So as soon as the baby elephant is born, the elephant trainer ties him with a rope to a pole. Initially the baby elephant tries his best to break the rope but because of his tender body he fails. The newly born elephant tries again and again but every time he fails. The baby elephant gets convinced that he is not strong enough to break it. He accepts it to be his destiny and continues to be tied. And even when he grows up acquiring a gigantic form he can still be tied by a rope. Although he can now easily break the rope but remains bound because since his infancy days his mind has been programmed to believe without any doubt that he does not have the strength to free himself from the bondage. Continue reading "When we the prisoners fall in love with our captors
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Saturday, June 9th, 2018
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Moundsville, West Virginia 

More Medicine

The concluding day for the Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Retreat included grainless meals to honour the bi-weekly Ekadashi.  (That was #1.)

2)   Improving japachanting
3)   Financial Planning for seniors (I led this discussion)
4)   Asanas/ postures and stretches
5)   Physical / mental foundation ofMahamantrayoga
6)   How to grow your own food
7)   Medical updates
8)   Spiritual Jeopardy
9)   Spiritual journaling
10)How well do you know your spouse (a workshop)
11)Breathing Exercises
12)Raising Conscious Children
13)(Finally) A Swan Boat Festival with Kirtan

In addition to the above, we also made a visit to the first old barn where the community began in ’68.  It is quite the vintage home.  Inside we sat, discussed and explored the contributions that our guru, Srila Prabhupada, gave to the world.  Here is what the group came up with:

Srila Prabhupada was the one…

1)   To introduce kirtan to the world
2)   Who mass-propagated Vedic philosophy
3)   Who fought war on drugs throughbhakti
4)   Who mass-propagated vegetarianism
5)   Who encouraged the back-to-land lifestyle
6)   Who mass-propagated reincarnation
7)   Who introduced to the West, ancient rites from the East
8)   To promote peace through mantratherapy.

This was to name but a few.  https://instagram.com/p/BjyharMATx4/  https://instagram.com/p/Bj2X90iAL_m/

May the Source be with you!

5 km











Friday, June 8th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Moundsville, West Virginia

With Doctors

Here were some of the activities that doctors and healers, who had converged in New Vrindavana, took part in.  I witnessed and partook of the education and fun, too.

1)   A full morning sadhanaof chanting, a lesson from the Bhagavatam,and a wholesome breakfast
2)   Pranayama / good breathing
3)   Surya Namaskar
4)   Cooking demo on an oil-free meal—quick enough and easy for doctors on the go
5)   Lunch from the demo—chili, quinoa, oat and banana cookies and asparagus
6)   Stroll to Palace of Gold and temple cleaning
7)   Kartalplaying lessons—by yours truly
8)   Family bonding games—charades
9)   Hearing from a youth’s perspective
10)Heart 2 Heart Panel discussion
11)Dinner
12)Campfire kirtan,and, in the rain

Most activities were held in the Yoga Shala.

Many interesting subjects came out of the sessions.  Sad, but true, a high percentage of doctors in America suffer from doctor’s burn-out.  Suicide is high in the profession.

We did discuss some factors that could alter the figures, such as boosting spirituality, a better pacing of oneself in the profession, and making families strong through communication input.

Simple statements, but much work needs to be done, for medical students, as well.

May the Source be with you!

3 km



Thursday, June 7th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Moundsville, West Virginia

Next to Me

Next to me on the Air Canada flight was Justin, a cradle/born Catholic, and a medical practitioner in the field of radiology in a hospital in Pittsburgh.  He struck me as being a nice caring guy—caring enough that I could have a conversation with him about life for almost the entirety of the plane ride, which was only an hour or so, but still.

Justin told me he has a friend from India and that he heard about karmafrom him.  Indeed he also learned of dharma,and, in my analysis, couldn’t put the two rhyming words together.

“If we pay attention to our dharma, we would produce a much better karma,” is what we both concluded from our conversation; that in performing duty (dharma) well and then inherent reactions (karma) will be of a greater ease.

Justin agreed with me that Krishna and Jesus walk in parallel, and are not opposed to each other, so to speak.  They are for elevating the consciousness.  They embrace and convey the same universal principles.

Our conversation started with talking about the poor and not pure quality of food, and the less than good performance in life, which for many people is no performance—meaning sedentary.  We eventually evolved into talking about spirituality, so all was good, and it warmed me up for the retreat I’m attending at New Vrindavana, the countryside haven near Moundsville.  The event is called “Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Retreat.” I am honoured to be invited.

May the Source be with you!
5 km