Initiation Ceremony, April 15, San Diego
Giriraj Swami

During a blisful initiation ceremony in the San Diego Temple, Giriraj Swami performed the initiations of Bhakta Will Southall who received the name Vaisnava dasa, Bhaktin Usha Madan who received the name Urjesvari dasi, and Bhaktin Farida Sharafutdinova who received the name Saraswati Devi dasi.

 

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Kirtan (Right-click to download)
Initiation talk and name giving (Right-click to download)

To Whom Does this Earth Belong?
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In Canto Twelve of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhumi, Mother Earth, says this: “Although in the past great men and their descendants have left me, departing from this world in the same helpless way they came into it, even today foolish men are trying to conquer me. For the sake of conquering me, materialistic persons fight one another. Fathers oppose their sons, and brothers fight one another because their hearts are bound to possessing political power. Political leaders challenge one another: ‘All this land is mine! It’s not yours, you fool!’ Thus they attack one another and die.”
On the other hand, those who are enlightened use everything in Krishna’s service, knowing well that the world and everything in it belongs to Him.

Vaisesika Dasa

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Unconditional love
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Unconditional love.
BB Govinda Swami: We should be prepared to open ourselves up. We should be prepared to take down our guards. We should be prepared to dismantle our protective fences that we have around us. And we should say:
“I’m ready to serve You. So You just please do to me whatever is necessary so that I would serve You purely”.


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Beautiful Jayananda!
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Vishoka Dasa: Jayananda would often show a playful mood. He wasn’t just all work and no play. He would often say things and do things that reminded us that service to Krishna was fun and spontaneous, and just as Krishna has an amazing sense of humor, so do His devotees have a lively sense of humor.

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Thursday, April 19th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Become Light

Every morning is relishable for me—when not experiencing jet lag—as it begins with a mangal arati, a service involving chant and dance. It is at a surprising hour of 4:30 a.m.. Surprising—only for those who haven’t experienced that magical hour in a state of wakefulness.

Another special time this last week was just sitting down to hear a different speaker, each morning, delivering a class with discussion from the 10thCanto of the book Bhagavatam.  The topic involves the activities of the Divine Most High.  

What is God saying to souls who are pure?

What is that conversation all about?

To make the day even lighter, I opened my file cabinet—I’m on drawer Number 2—and pulled out irrelevant, dated material.  This is called ‘spring cleaning’.  It is like karmabeing lifted.  The sensation is great.

Finally, for the last few days I’ve gone out on that evening walk.  Tonight Tom accompanied me down Yonge Street.  I pointed out to him the corner of Yonge and Bloor, where forty-five years ago I was stopping people to get their attention and show them the Bhagavad-gita.  If they showed interest they would purchase and I would be thrown into ecstasy.

We walked further south to the corner of the iconic place of “Sam the Record Man.” In the sixties just everyone had to go to Sam’s.  I used to meet Sam, a prominent Jewish business fellow.  He was nice to me and would give a smile.

Nostalgia can also make you light (lit) when the memories are sweet.

What you do now will be nostalgia for tomorrow.

May the Source be with you!
4 km


Wednesday, April 18th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Choices of Trails

Before we go for that afternoon stroll we decide the route to take.  We have the options: a busy retail strip, a quiet residential area or a trail/path in the woods.  It’s one of those very important decisions in life, isn’t it?  Well, not really.  Where you go is not paramount but what is, is the fact that you go.

Guru Prasad, Tom and I were determined to go along the quiet streets of Rosedale, a neighbourhood of fine Victorian homes.  Thank God there is never a rush hour to deal with in this neighbourhood. There is no major thoroughfare. It is an enclave of winding roads, very conducive to a leisurely walk.

And that it was.  Also, the air was fresh and clean, a blessing after the freak storm.  The three of us were happy about the choice made for our walking venue.  There was shanti(peace).

The other day, at the Yoga Show, a fellow asked me something about choice in the realm of yoga.  He first asked what form of yoga I practise and teach.

“Bhakti yoga,” I said.

“Is that like raja yoga, dhyana yoga, astanga, etc…?  Aren’t they all different paths?”

When he asked that question I tried to clarify.

“These various paths are all on the same track, one leads to another and they culminate into bhakti yoga.  But if you can take a more direct trail then you can avoid taking all these trails that wind around and eventually loop back to the original, direct route.”

“Bhakti means devotion.  It is very beautiful.”

May the Source be with you!
4 km

Tuesday, April 17th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

In Awe    

Well, we walked by a gallery window
And what did we see
A painting of a bison
My mind was full of glee

I was transported to Alberta
Where a herd was close to me
Twas the walk of ‘96
Sacred herd, oh so free

I lie down in their grasses
Tired from the road
They gawked at me so curious
Right there in their abode

And I gave a good stare at them
Inquisitive as hell
The feeling was so mutual
We looked, as in a spell

The herd was awful big, my friend
And they stood there oh so still
Until I made a jerk, and then
The alpha feared, “Don’t kill!”

They followed him in awesome haste
Shaking earth with hooves
The dust stirred up so high, oh yes
They vanished by the hill of blues.

© Bhaktimarga Swami 2018 

May the Source be with you!
5 km 

Preaching in North Florida, Albany, Philadelphia, DC, NYC. By…
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Preaching in North Florida, Albany, Philadelphia, DC, NYC.
By Krishna-kripa das.
One should not be envious of those less advanced but should be compassionate toward them.
Serving is the best way to counteract envy.
Forgetting the source of our qualities and achievements causes us to be proud.
Our envy of others derives from our envy of Krishna, and that can be removed by service.
If we are not compassionate to those who do not have Krishna consciousness and give them the opportunity then we are acting enviously of them.
Sometimes on book distribution we want to benefit the people but they deal with us in such a way we give up on them, and we find our compassion has a limit, but if we were completely not envious that would not be.
Bhakti Tirtha Swami said that if you are not envious you will go beneath someone and push them up, not considering advancing your own position.

Helping someone comes from appreciating their value not from thinking we are superior and have something to give.

Glorifying those we are envious of counteracts the envy, but it is hard to do.

The Christian saint Theresa describes the most elevated persons see themselves as least qualified just as we understand from our tradition the maha-bhagavata, highest devotee, does.

Someone may have done so many things, but they are all insignificant compared to Krishna’s mercy.

It is not that we just offer respect to the Supersoul in others and neglect the souls themselves.

If I am superior and I am happy about it, or if I am inferior and I am unhappy about it, it is really the same thing.

Every soul has the potential to please Krishna eternally, so how valuable they are! Thus I should serve them.

We are not just receiving from superiors, but we receiving in all our relationships.

Relationships that are give, give, give, or take, take, take, are imbalanced.

When you are envious of someone you are distant from them, but when you serve them you start developing affection for them, and then they start developing affection for you.

Attention is the beginning of love.

Although Srila Prabhupada hated Mayavadis, when Dr. Mishra was sick, Srila Prabhupada cooked for him, and Dr. Mishra said that Swamiji had saved him by his love.
To read the entire article click here: https://krishnamonk.blogspot.it/2018/04/travel-journal147-north-florida-albany.html

Appreciating Radhanatha Maharaj’s contributions towards helping devotees practice bhakti sustainably
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[God-family meeting]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Appreciating Radhanatha Maharaj’s contributions towards helping devotees practice bhakti sustainably appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Why do others have power over us?
→ SivaramaSwami.com

How to ignore others opinion of us? Kumārī Devī Dāsī asks.

  • Some people talk too fast and too forcefully
  • Get the other person to change his approach or leave
  • The example of Sanātana Gosvāmī and of Jaḍa Bharata
  • Inner strength comes from Kṛṣṇa consciousness
  • Worrying about what people think of you is material consciousness
  • Only people who are clear of where they want to go get somewhere
  • Inventions come from thinking for yourself and no caring about what others think
  • We need to be situated in our own identity

TOVP Euro Tour Days 4 and 5: Wroclaw, Poland
- TOVP.org

Lord Nityananda and Lord Nrsimhadeva in the forms of Their shoes and helmet respectively, continue to guide our tour and perform miracles. Although we were only scheduled to visit the Sri Sri Gaur Nitai temple in Poland, a last minute arrangement was made to also visit the Nava Navadvipa temple.

Each temple had about 25-35 devotees in attendance, and as usual the Lord was greeted with an arati, abhisheka and kirtan. Jananivas and Braja Vilas prabhus both spoke and presented an inspiring video. But the real miracle began when devotees started making their pledges. Each temple raised over $30,000 U.S. for a total of $60,000 in pledges, an unheard of amount for any program in this region.

Both programs were history making for these temples from the spiritual point of view, but also because no one ever expected there to be such a surge of financial support coming from the small number of devotees at these temples with limited resources. The maximum temple managers have ever collected was 2,000 Euros or about $2,500 U.S. for a Janmastami program. The Euro is a currency that is smaller than the U.S. dollar and doesn’t buy as much either in the European countries. For devotees to make large pledges in these countries is a great sacrifice and a sign of the devotion and love these devotees have for the Lord and His TOVP project.

We want to thank Their Holinesses Prahladananda Swami and Bhaktivaibhava Swami, the GBCs of this area for their cooperation and support, Krishna Kirtan das the temple president of the Sri Sri Gaur Nitai temple who also organized the program, Dwaraka Acyuta das the temple president of the Nava Navadvipa temple, and Kishor Kishora who, at the last minute, organized the Nava Navadvipa temple program and himself pledged 4,000 Euros ($5,000 U.S.).

All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Lord Nrsimhadeva! All glories to all the devotees of the Lord!

Note: The photos are only from the Sri Sri Gaur Nitai temple.

The next stop on the tour is Slovakia where the temple of New Ekachakra Dhama is established. Lord Nityananda will undoubtedly be most merciful here upon visiting His own home. The complete Euro Tour schedule is below.

Click on this link to signup for TOVP News and Updates

https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/mayapur.tovp
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/
Download the TOVP phone App here: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/

The post TOVP Euro Tour Days 4 and 5: Wroclaw, Poland appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Temple Room Walls
- TOVP.org

We have some very good news. We have begun the walls all around the internal areas of the temple. The first area is the temple room. We started 3 walls with white marble and in the next few days we will commence with the red marble decoration.

After, we will also start the festival wall (center wall in the image).
This is a very beautiful decorative work with the marble. You can see how slowly the temple room is coming to life.

The post Temple Room Walls appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

When the abducted Sita was not the real Sita, why was Rama distressed by her abduction? (Ramayana)
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post When the abducted Sita was not the real Sita, why was Rama distressed by her abduction? (Ramayana) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sun Love Feast – April 22nd, 2018 – Vedic discourse by Her Grace Jayrasheshwari Mataji
→ ISKCON Brampton



Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare And Be Happy!!

ayur harati vai pumsam
udyann astam ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-ksano nita
uttama-sloka-vartaya

Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.
 ~ Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17




11.00 - 11.15      Tulsi Puja
11.15  - 11.30     Guru Puja                          
11:30 - 11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                        
11.55  - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers 
12.00 - 1:00     Vedic discourse
  1.00 - 1.30      Closing Kirtan
  1.30 - 2.00     Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast


COMING UP AHEAD


Mohini Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Wed Apr 25th,2018
Breakfast................  on Thu Apr 26th ,2018 b/w 6.17am – 10.56am
Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 



Narasimha Caturdasi (Fasting till Dusk)
Celebration on Sat April 28th
The fourth incarnation is Nrisimhadeva. Nrisimhadeva appeared to save Prahlada Maharaja, who was five-years-old boy and he was being tortured by his atheistic father. His only fault was that he was Krishna conscious. He was devotee of Krishna.  Hiranyakasipu took benediction from Brahma that he’ll not be killed by any man or any animal. So the Lord appeared neither man nor animal. Hiranyakasipu was one of the stalwart materialistic and he wanted to live forever to enjoy.

Program details will follow shortly!



ONGOING PROGRAMS

Adult Education At The Temple
ISKCON Brampton offers various courses and Seminars for adults. The courses take a personal approach to learning. It encourages the student not only to study thoroughly the contents of Srila Prabhupada’s books but also to clearly understand the philosophy and practically apply it. The course focuses on behaviour and character, nurturing students in appropriate Vaishnava values. Professionally designed and presented, it draws on the principles of Krishna consciousness and the best of progressive education. In this way, it is true to ISKCON’s heritage and at the same time relevant to its mission in contemporary society.

For further information, please contact HG Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi @ premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com


Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. School
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).


Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions)


The Mentorship Program

Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It

1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.
2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis.
3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes.

To find details please click here


Gift Shop

Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your loved ones for festivals or many other occasions??
Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewelry, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

Appearance Festival of Gadadhara Pandit, April 15, San Diego
Giriraj Swami

“In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (147-53) it is stated, “Sri Krsna’s pleasure potency, formerly known as Vrndavanesvari, is now personified in the form of Sri Gadadhara Pandita in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Svarupa Damodara Gosvami has pointed out that in the shape of Laksmi, the pleasure potency of Krsna, she was formerly very dear to the Lord as Syamasundara-vallabha. The same Syamasundara-vallabha is now present in Lord Caitanya’s pastimes as Gadadhara Pandita. Formerly, as Lalita-sakhi, she was always devoted to Srimati Radharani. Thus Gadadhara Pandita is simultaneously an incarnation of Srimati Radharani and Lalita-sakhi.” In the twelfth chapter of this part of the Caitanya-caritamrta there is a description of the descendants or disciplic succession of Gadadhara Pandita. (Cc Adi-lila 10.15 purport)

COMMENT by Giriraj Swami

“Gadadhara Pandit in Krishna-lila was Srimati Radharani. But, because Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had adopted the mood of Srimati Radharani, Gadadhara Pandit did not exhibit the mood of Srimati Radharani but he took the role of supporting Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in his attitude as Srimati Radharani.”

Jaya Radha Madhava (Right-click to download)
Gadadhara Pandit Appearance Talk (Right-click to download)

Appearance of Sita Devi
→ Ramai Swami

Sita devi, the wife of Lord Rama, was not born in the normal way, but of the Earth Goddess, Bhumi devi herself. In Maharishi Valmiki’s own words, Ramayana is known as the noble story of Sita — “Sita-Ayah Caritam Mahat”.

Janaka Maharaj, the king of Mithila, was ploughing a piece of land to prepare it for conducting a yajna. While ploughing, he unearthed a golden casket in which he found a beautiful girl, which caused him to be greatly overjoyed. Because land ploughed by the yoke is called ‘sita’, he named the baby, Sita.

Sita devi was to be given in marriage to anyone who could bend the powerful bow given to Janaka by Lord Siva. Lord Rama succeeded in bending that great bow and he married Sita. Their later, inconceivable pastimes are presented throughout Sri Ramayana.