Saturday, February 17, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapura, West Bengal

Soon To Close the Gate

Today was our last full day in Mayapura.  It is wrap-up time, in terms of getting my luggage together, the last day of voting amongst the Governing Body members, and there was one last piece of business to deal with.

A young man from Trinidad, Omkara, has been faithfully following the regimen of Krishna Consciousness for two years.  Now it was time to award him diksha initiation.  For all his studying  endeavours, and sticking to a monk’s principles, this morning he sat by the ceremonial fire, accepted new neck beads, new japa meditation beads, and also a new Sanskrit name, Umpati.

A small group of us were stationed at the bhajan kutir, the straw hut inhabited by our guru, Srila Prabhupada, in the early seventies.  Mantras were recited, seeds and spices were offered to a fire fuelled by ghee.  I asked Medhavi, a godbrother originally from Tennessee (now South Africa), to say a few words in addition to mine.

As is the usual case, I spoke about the importance of communicating with the Divine and in the purest way possible.  The culprit to all pure chanting is when contempt or jealousy sets in.  It is referred to as the first aparadh or offence.

I also stressed the importance of seeing the founder of our mission as everyone’s guide.

Being Saturday, the place gets packed.  Pilgrims come from all around. The elephants, highly decorated, draw the multitudes, and the procession with resounding drum beats, keeps everyone riveted,

May the Source be with you!
4 km


Friday, February 16, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapura, West Bengal

Good Formulas

Kitchari is just the best food for many cures.  It is simple, tasty, medicinal and has everything in it.  Believe me, it beats pizza.  I’m taking kitchari to address my illness.

Kitchari is a a combination of rice, dahl, veggies and a host of healthy items, such as ginger, turmeric, and a dab of great ghee.  It’s what I’m consuming.  It is offered to Krishna and is transformed as prasadam, consecrated food.

At the Lotus Building on campus, kitchari is served at lunch along with an entire additional array of quality food, but I’ve been sticking to just my kitchari. Bael juice, also known as wood apple, I find to be most helpful for a cold.  That drink sustains me and pushed me through five hours of meetings.

Special today was kirtan.  First it was kitchari, then it was kirtan.  I was slotted to lead kirtan, chanting, and as usual, I encouraged the dance.   

Many kirtaniyas resort to sitting on the floor and chanting, swaying perhaps to the sound of the drum, the mesmerizing harmonium and a catchy tune.  The tradition of Chaitanya and the Gaudiyas is to get off the laurels and to dance and sing.  It’s a smooth workout.  When kirtan starts off slow and mellow, you can move almost as if doing tai chi.  https://instagram.com/p/BfRyBSvl2kW/

Try it! You’ll like it!

May the Source be with you!
4 km 

Devotional service is key
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 20 September 2017, Flacq, Mauritius, Lecture)

The mind fluctuates but we cannot do anything about that but everything is overcome by devotional service. Some people say that spiritual life is a struggle. No, that is not the problem. The problem is that we don’t do enough service. The gap between service gives rise to lust, anger and greed. How difficult it is to overcome envy!? So many difficulties and we struggle to overcome them. The solution is always to do more service and more chanting. Developing attachment to service and chanting is key.

6 Hour Kirtan – Saturday, March 3rd, 2018!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

ISKCON Toronto will be hosting a 6 Hour Kirtan
on Saturday March 3rd, 2018 from 2:30pm to 8:30pm to celebrate the Appearance Day of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Please join us for a wonderful Kirtan and prasadam (vegetarian feast) to celebrate the glories of Lord Caitanya!

We will be chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra for 6 hours in a variety of melodies. It will be a wonderful opportunity for both music lovers and aspiring yogis to keep their senses engaged in the Holy Name of the Lord!




Europe – The TOVP World Tour 2018
- TOVP.org

The TOVP World Tour continues and is now being organized to visit nine European Countries in the Spring of 2018. Led by Lord Nityananda Prabhu’s divine lotus shoes (Padukas) and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s sacred helmet (Sitari) from the Mayapur Chandodaya Mandir, They will be accompanied by His Grace Jananivas prabhu (head pujari of Mayapur), His Grace Ambarisa das (TOVP Project Chairman) and his wife, Her Grace Svaha mataji, and His Grace Vraja Vilas Das (Global Fundraising Director).

This is the first TOVP Europe Tour, bringing the darshan and blessings of Lord Nityananda and opening the door of opportunity for every devotee to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime service of assisting Srila Prabhupada to manifest this historic temple predicted by Lord Nityananda Prabhu, the “adbhuta mandir”.

  • Lord Nityananda’s divine lotus shoes and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s helmet will travel to Belgium – Germany- Poland- Slovakia – Hungary – Austria – Slovenia- Italy- Switzerland
  • The Tour will begin April 10th, 2018 in the ISKCON Europe headquarters at Belgium (Radhadesh) and will continue until April 30th in Switzerland.
  • The TOVP Europe Tour can be viewed live on many Europe temples’ live broadcasts available through Mayapur.TV.

We welcome every devotee to come accept the blessings of Lord Nityananda and Lord Nrsimhadeva. Please see your local temples’ Noticeboard for local arrangements throughout this tour. For countries that the TOVP Team will not be visiting on this tour, those devotees are warmly invited and welcome to come and participate at your nearest TOVP Europe Tour event . You can contact the local TOVP organizers for more info.

Please visit the TOVP Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
and stay in touch for more updates on the TOVP Europe Tour 2018.

TOVP Europe Fundraising Coordinator 
Sukanti Radha devi dasi
*protected email*

The post Europe – The TOVP World Tour 2018 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

2018 Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Day 2 (Album of photos) Hare…
→ Dandavats



2018 Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Day 2 (Album of photos)
Hare Krishna, Dear Gaura Bhaktas, today the devotees left Harihara ksetra towards Gauradaha. Then they visited the abode of our beloved acarya Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura also known as svananda sukhada kunja. Srila Gaura Kishora das Babaji Maharaja’s bhajan kutir, the Thakur’s samadhi and Gaura Gadadhara deities are all to be found there. There is a place which is regarded as one of the most sacred places in Navadvipa, a place where Lord Nityananda Prabhu performed and still performs pastimes, a place where all preachers gain inspiration from, that is Surabhi Kunja. It was this very place where Lord Nityananda Prabhu started His Namahata or the market place of the Holy Name. There HH Bhakti Dhira Damodara Maharaja spoke about the glorious character and pastimes of Gaura Kishora Das Babaji Maharaja. After visiting this best of holy places, dancing and singing the devotees visited Hamsa Vahan and Naimsaranya which will be giving them shelter for this night. HH Prahladananda Maharaja described Vrindavan Dham and the beauty of Lord Krishna in a such an enchanting way and thus guided the devotees to perform smaranam , remembering the Lord which is the processes of this island Madhyadvipa. Tomorrow parikrama shall enter Navadvipa town and there will be maha harinam.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/pLzp6t

Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama : Day2
→ Mayapur.com

Hare Krishna, Dear Gaura Bhaktas, today the devotees left Harihara ksetra towards Gauradaha. Then they visited the abode of our beloved acarya Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura also known as svananda sukhada kunja. Srila Gaura Kishora das Babaji Maharaja’s bhajan kutir, the Thakur’s samadhi and Gaura Gadadhara deities are all to be found there. There is a […]

The post Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama : Day2 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

How does Bhagavad-gita help?
→ Dandavats



How does Bhagavad-gita help?
An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bhagavad-gita. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way that he could.
One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa! I try to read the Bhagavad-gita just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bhagavad-gita do?”

Read More...

Fortunate people (Album with photos) Come stroll with me down…
→ Dandavats



Fortunate people (Album with photos)
Come stroll with me down Nectar Lane. Every day I meet fortunate people who appreciate these amazing books. Don’t miss the bliss….click on the pic to see what they have to say!
Five things to tell yourself daily:
1. Keep trying.
2. Keep praying.
3. Stay positive.
4. Be awesome
5. Become better—not better than anyone else, but better than the person you were yesterday!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/qaVFfQ

Gita 17.04 Our level of consciousness determines who we feel is worshipable
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 17.04 Our level of consciousness determines who we feel is worshipable appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Mayapur GBC meeting
→ Ramai Swami

The GBC members again came to Mayapur for the annual general meeting, which lasted around eleven days.

Different topics were discussed and ministers gave their reports in the areas of health and welfare, devotee care, deity worship, book distribution, communications, cow protection, etc.

The ecstasy of love of God
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 20 September 2017, Flacq, Mauritius, Lecture)

The Panca Tattva descended to this world. They broke the lock of the storehouse of love of God and they were relishing the love of Godhead. As they were drinking the nectar of Krsna Prema, their thirst was increasing. This is the nature of chanting the Holy Name. One should drink from the cup of the ears for transcendental pleasure and attain laya, nearly fainting in love of God. Lord Caitanya used to jump very high in kirtan and spin wildly. Sometimes he would chant the same line of a kirtan for nine hours; he would be so absorbed. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would always chant in great ecstasy.

Krishna Castle takes shape
→ simple thoughts

Share

Hari Bol,
Please accept my humble obeisance
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Here is the latest pictures from inside the castle:

The last cookers arrive tomorrow and the builder is coming to connect up the gas (they are not charging money); so by next week we will relocate from Bhaktivadanta Manor to Krishna Castle in Holborn, Central London.

We have bought two new rickshaws for the two extra Universities and we plan to cook 2,500 meals daily.
Temple room also ready for the Pancha Tattva Deities.

Food for All team

Harinama in New York, Sunday, February 18, 2018 · Taken at MTA -…
→ Dandavats



Harinama in New York, Sunday, February 18, 2018 · Taken at MTA - Times Square-42 St Station (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Kali-yuga continues for 432,000 years, of which only 5,000 years have passed. Of the balance 427,000 years, the 10,000 years of the sankirtana movement inaugurated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu 500 years ago provide the opportunity for the fallen souls of Kali-yuga to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and thus return home, back to Godhead. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 8.5.23 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/jtmh2u

Heliocentricity
→ Servant of the Servant

The distance to the closest stars has been measured by astronomers using an effect called parallax (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax). This measurement depends on the assumption of the heliocentric model because one measures the position of a star at two times while earth rotates around the sun. (Parallax can be observed with a simple example. One can see the position of one’s outstretched finger will appear to be different relative to the background when you look through your right or left eye.) For example, parallax measurements suggest that Sirius (Mrgavyadha) is about 8.6 light years away. If the stars are so far away, then they have to be irradiating light like our sun. A distance of 8.6 lights years is much larger than the diameter of the universe given in the Bhagavatam (i.e. 4 billion miles, equivalent to approx 8 light minutes).

Using parallax, one can measure the distance to only the nearby stars. For the more distant stars, astronomers have developed a scale using the “magnitude” (brightness) of the stars. But this scale depends on knowing the absolute magnitude of specific stars, whose distance has been measured by parallax. In summary, the astronomers have assumed the correctness of the heliocentric model in calculating the distances to all of the stars.

If the heliocentric model is wrong and the earth is stationary, then the parallax measurements are wrong, and the stars are much closer than the scientists think.

-Bhù-gola tattv- Science of the Round Earth – Introduction, edited by H.H.Danavir Goswami

Hare Krishna

From thinking Krishna of having a questionable character to becoming His devotee: Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s journey
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Khonika Gope-Kumar

“By 10 o'clock the night was very dark and cloudy. Across the Ganges, in a northern direction, I suddenly saw a large building flooded with golden light. I asked Kamala if he could see the building and he said that he could. But my friend Kerani Babu could see nothing. I was amazed. What could it be? In the morning I went back to the roof and looked carefully back across the Ganges. I saw that in the place where I had seen the building was a stand of palm trees. Inquiring about this area I was told that it was the remains of Lakshman Sen's fort at Ballaldighi.” Taking this as a clue, Thakur Bhaktivinoda conducted an investigation of the site by consulting old maps matched against scriptural and verbal accounts. He concluded that the village of Ballaldighi was formerly known as Mayapur, and later Miyapur. He confirmed Mayapur from Bhakti Ratnakara as the birth site of Mahaprabhu. Continue reading "From thinking Krishna of having a questionable character to becoming His devotee: Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s journey
→ Dandavats"

Insights from lectures of Iskcon devotees
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Krishna-kripa das

I share many quotes from Srila Prabhupada’s books and lectures. I also share notes on talks by Varsana Swami, Rtadhvaja Swami, Adikarta Prabhu, Akhandadhi Prabhu, Madana Mohan Prabhu, Nagaraja Prabhu, Garuda Prabhu of Tallahassee, Murali Gopal Prabhu, and Hanan Prabhu. I share quotes by Prishni Devi Dasi and Nama Kirtan from conversations and by Jagannatha Misra Prabhu from his latest book, The Book III. Continue reading "Insights from lectures of Iskcon devotees
→ Dandavats"

Kali Yuga: An Ocean of Faults
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Bhanu Swami

Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.51in Mayapur on 17-02-2018. Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults but there is a great benediction given to the people of this age: the congregational chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord. There is no way to overestimate the potency of this Sankirtana-Yajna! The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna Bhagavan Himself descended on this planet as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to establish this Yuga Dharma which is available to all without limitation of sex, race, nationality, age, varna, asrama etc. Continue reading "Kali Yuga: An Ocean of Faults
→ Dandavats"

Gita 17.03 The relationship between our existence and our faith is causal, constitutional and consequential
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 17.03 The relationship between our existence and our faith is causal, constitutional and consequential appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.