Goodbye My Friend (Album of photos) Indradyumna Swami: Three…
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Goodbye My Friend (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Three days ago I flew to Australia to pay my final respects and say goodbye to my godbrother, Venu Gopal dasa, who is dying of cancer. A senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Venu Gopal prabhu has been instrumental in pioneering the Krsna conscious movement in Australia since the early 1970’s. Each day a steady stream of devotees visit his home, situated near the beautiful New Govardhana farming community, to show their love and appreciation for this most wonderful devotee. Everyone remarks how fearless he is in the face of death and how jovial he remains despite the fact that he has only a couple of weeks to live. He is setting such a wonderful example for all of us. I brought him a very special gift from Vrindavan; a beautifully carved Tulasi necklace with numerous transcendental items contained in a box attached to it, including: the 700 verses of Bhagavad Gita, water from 1,108 kunds in Vrindavan, dust from many holy places in Vrindavan, the names of many great devotees of the Lord, remnants of clothes from the dresses of Radharani from all the prominent temples in Vrindavan, maha prasadam from Lord Jagannatha in Puri, clothes from Lord Jagannatha in Puri, the Chatur-slokas of Srimad Bhagavatam, dust from the forest of Naimisaranya and prayers in glorification of Srimati Radharani. The necklace was made by a famous devotee of the Lord who lives at Varsana. Venu Gopal prabhu was so happy to receive the gift. Venu, we’ll all miss you more than you’ll ever know ….

Find them here: https://goo.gl/xJwScF

Vaikunthanath: The Montreal temple was going very well, but we…
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Vaikunthanath: The Montreal temple was going very well, but we always had a difficult time paying the monthly rent, and there was some danger that they would lose the temple at one point because they just didn’t have the rent money.
Prabhupada actually proposed the idea to me and Pradyumna that we should go out and meet people in the Indian community and explain to them that we are trying to establish this Radha-Krishna temple here and maintain this temple and that we would like their support and help.

Govinda’s Restaurant among top vegan food places in…
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Govinda’s Restaurant among top vegan food places in London
Our restaurant, Govinda’s has been listed as one of the best vegan food places in London by London Evening Standard. If you haven’t tried it, check it out the next time you visit us.
“Tucked away in Soho Square, just around the corner from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, Hare Krishna restaurant Govinda’s is known for serving a wide range of delicious vegan curries. Its location makes it a pretty ideal lunch spot for shoppers in the area and the healthy, affordable menu is one to try out. 10 Soho Square, W1D 3DL​”
Source: https://goo.gl/qNxs4W

Sriman Kedarnath Dutta’s (Bhaktivinoda Thakur) Govt. Service records from 1866 – 1896
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Hare KrishnaBy Bhaktivedanta Research Centre

Sriman Kedarnath Dutta, later known as Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur (1834-1914), belonged to the kayastha community of Bengali intellectual gentry that lived during the Bengal Renaissance and attempted to revive key strands of Hindu tradition and practice. In his youth he spent much time researching and comparing various religious and philosophical systems, both Indian and Western, with a view of finding among them a comprehensive, authentic and intellectually satisfying path. He tackled the task of reconciling Western reason and tradition by exploring religion in its phenomenal and transcendent aspects, thus accommodating both modern critical analysis and the core tenets of Vaishnavism in his writings. KedarnathDutta's spiritual quest led him at the age of 29 to become a dedicated follower of Caitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1533). He applied himself to a deep study and committed practice of the teachings of the Chaitanya school, soon emerging as a reputed leader within the Caitanya Vaishnava movement of Bengal. Continue reading "Sriman Kedarnath Dutta’s (Bhaktivinoda Thakur) Govt. Service records from 1866 – 1896
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NASN December 2017 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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Hare KrishnaBy Mayapur Sasi dasa

For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of December 2017. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN December 2017 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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Mayapur – Where every word is a song and every step a dance
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Hare KrishnaBy Purushottam Nitai Das

The stars are still smiling in the sky, the birds are still sleeping in their nests, the big trees and the small plants are curiously looking around enjoying the spectacle, the water in the nearby Ganges are resting peacefully, the cool breeze is singing shyly occasionally touching the sacred river gently and immediately racing to catch up with the devotees who are quickly walking towards the temple. Men, women, children walk briskly lest they miss the momentous opportunity. When clock calls 4:30 a.m., pujari blows the conchshell reverentially and opens the gigantic curtain hurriedly. Hundreds of devotees raise their arms in jubilation when Sri Sri Radha Madhav along with eight gopis and Panca Tattva appears to enjoy the celebration. Their looks are from the spiritual sky, they are always full of smile, their stunning glance give devotees immense joy. Continue reading "Mayapur – Where every word is a song and every step a dance
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Recordings – Australia, December 2017
→ KKSBlog

Please find below, audio recordings of lectures and kirtans by Kadamba Kanana Swami captured during December and January in Australia.

Download ALL (Zip file, 2.4 GB)

KKS_Australia_07Jan2018_Brisbane_Programme_QandA

KKS_Australia_07Jan2018_Brisbane_Programme_Kirtan

KKS_Australia_07Jan2018_Brisbane_Lecture_SB_1.7.20

KKS_Australia_07Jan2018_Brisbane_Programme_at_Govindas_Short_Lecture

KKS_Australia_07Jan2018_Brisbane_Programme_at_Govindas_Kirtan

KKS_Australia_04Jan2018_New_Govardhana_CC_Anta_Lila_7.4

KKS_Australia_03Jan2018_New_Govardhana_SB_1.2.15

KKS_Australia_02Jan2018_New_Govardhana_SB_1.2.14

KKS_Australia_02Jan2018_Home_Programme_Lecture

KKS_Australia_02Jan2018_Home_Programme_Kirtan

KKS_Australia_30Dec2017_Gold_Coast_Bhakti_Centre_Lecture_BG_8.20

KKS_Australia_29Dec2017_New_Govardhana_Krsna_Village_Kirtan

KKS_Australia_28Dec2017_New_Govardhana_SB_1.2.10-12

KKS_Australia_28Dec2017_New_Govardhana_Krsna_Village_Lecture

KKS_Australia_28Dec2017_New_Govardhana_Krsna_Village_Kirtan

KKS_Australia_26Dec2017_Sydney_Programme_at_Govindas_Ashram_Kirtan

KKS_Australia_26Dec2017_Govinda_Valley _Initiation_Lecture

KKS_Australia_25Dec2017_Govinda_Valley _Kirtan

KKS_Australia_24Dec2017_Sydney_Lecture_BG_1.1

KKS_Australia_24Dec2017_Sydney_Kirtan_1

KKS_Australia_24Dec2017_Sydney_Kirtan_2

KKS_Australia_24Dec2017_Sydney_Kirtan_3

Saturday, January 13th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Vaughn, Ontario

Application of Our Faculties

As Doctor prescribed, I need to relax those legs, apply the Ayurvedic oil and take digestive aid in capsules (organic).  “With that, you’ll get better.”  And so I’ve been complying.

In the meantime things must go on.  Correspondence.  Counselling.  Planning.  Leading a chanting session before a crowd in Vaughn.  Also, there was an appreciation lunch for the cast of “Many Mothers, Many Fathers.”  We watched a video of the January 1st performance.  Not bad.  A one camera angle shooting doesn’t do justice but we thank Sati for putting it together.  We see the embellishments that the play carries, and many saw where there is need for fine tuning.

For the pleasure of guru and God, one puts their best effort forward and keeps striving for excellence.  Endeavouring toward improvement keeps a person alive, otherwise you are facing dry routine.  It’s a matter of application of the heart that brings us beyond the mechanics.

When leading the chant at the large home of one particularly sizeable and extended family, we asked participants to use their voice, hands, heart and smile.  That combination of our faculties seems to work.

We also applied leg power—dance—and got the crowd to form circles of fun.  After all it was Saturday and you’re supposed to have a fever—“Saturday Night Fever,” is how the Toronto Star described our ecstatic dance procedures at the Sunday Love Feast back in the early 80s.  A John Travolta film, if I'm not mistaken.

May the Source be with you!

1 km

Naimisharanya Yatra – (Day-4) (Album of photos) ISKCON…
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Naimisharanya Yatra - (Day-4) (Album of photos)
ISKCON Kurukshetra extends blessings & best wishes to all its viewers & supporters straight from the land of penance - Naimisharanya. Today we’re sharing pictures from that exact place from where Lord Krishna’s Shakta Vesha Avatar (Knowledge distributor) Srila Veda Vyasa started to preach. Srila Veda Vyasa compiled the entire Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads etc. in Badrinath, Uttrakhand, India As He completed compiling all the Vedic scriptures He came to this place in order to spread this topmost Knowledge for the benefit of the entire human mankind. Let’s all fall in the lotus feet of Srila Veda Vyasa & beg that we may all become powerful preachers in the mission of Srila Prabhupada.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Hp1K8J

Why are we not fainting when we see the Deities? Kadamba Kanana…
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Why are we not fainting when we see the Deities?
Kadamba Kanana Swami: Another point that I find is very nice in the purport of Gajendra, the elephant, is how Srila Prabhupada speaks of when Gajendra assumed a spiritual body when his body was touched by the Lord. We see how Srila Prabhupada’s mind works as he describes, “Gajendra assumed a spiritual body when his body was touched by the Lord,” and immediately he writes, “Similarly, Dhruva Maharaj assumed his spiritual body in this way,” and then goes to the arcana-paddhati, the process of deity worship. He is thinking of the deity and we can see that he is so much appreciating that the deity is the Supreme Personality of Godhead that he immediately makes the association that in deity worship, we are allowed to touch the lotus feet of the Lord. For example, when waking up the deity, one can touch the lotus feet of the Lord and thus attain a spiritual body. Prabhupada is consistent. When one touches the deity, one touches the Lord; the deity is non-different from Krsna – there is no hesitance in Srila Prabhupada on this matter.

Whereas in our case, although we know that the deity is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we are not fainting! Maybe we would faint if Krsna personally would step in front of us. We are just taking darshan in this kind of casual way. Do we really believe that the deity is the Supreme Personality of Godhead? Yes and no, if we really think about it. But for Srila Prabhupada, there is absolutely no question, there is no hesitance in Gajendra being touched by the Lord is similar to arcana-paddhati – touching the deity’s feet in devotion. I thought it was nice to see here how Srila Prabhupada’s mind worked and how the purity is just coming through; these things have just struck me in that way. Then Prabhupada expands on it and says, “Not only by touching the body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead but also hearing his pastimes, chanting his glories, offering worship and any other type of devotional service is sufficient to purify us from material contamination. And we might again attract the mercy of the Lord.” So, this is wonderful!

Invitation to the VIHE International Vaishnavi Retreat….
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Invitation to the VIHE International Vaishnavi Retreat.
Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE), is heartily inviting you to take part in the forthcoming 8th Annual International Vaishnavi Retreat, which will be held on March 20-25, 2018 at Govardhana.
Our beloved teachers for this year will be Her Grace Yasomati Devi Dasi, Her Grace Kisori Devi Dasi, Her Grace Damodara Priya Devi Dasi and Her Grace Prasanta Devi Dasi
The aim of the event is to facilitate spiritual association among women in bhakti. Focused on hearing and chanting, it offers a wonderful opportunity to female sadhakas from all over the world who are eager for sadhu-sanga. The program is enhanced by the participation of many disciples of Srila Prabhupada, who generously share the lessons they have learned from him. The retreat is held under the banner of “Celebrating Srila Prabhupada’s Mercy.”

We wish to encourage you to come and experience for yourself the marvel of Vaishnavi association in this intimate and safe setting, in the Holy Land of Vrindavana. You may come for the entire program or for a few days. We shall stay all together at a welcoming guesthouse right on the lap of Sri Giriraja at Jatipura, overlooked by the temple of Gopala once established by Srila Madhavendra Puri.

Krsna-katha, philosophical presentations and practical workshops by senior vaisnavis, sharing of realizations by Srila Prabhupada’s disciples, kirtana, inspirational readings before japa, mridanga and karatala lessons, dramas, dance and more have been the regular highlights of the previous retreats.

This year the theme of the retreat is “The Art of Deity Worship.” Her Grace Damodara Priya Devi Dasi, who has been for many years the head pujari at the ISKCON temple of Goloka Dhama in Germany, will lead us through classes, demonstrations and workshops. In connection with this theme we are preparing an exhibition of pictures of Deities worldwide.

We hope that it will be possible for you to attend and are looking forward to your association.

Creating Empowered Spiritual Leaders. One of the most ambitious…
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Creating Empowered Spiritual Leaders.
One of the most ambitious and universal purposes Srila Prabhupada set for ISKCON is the very first one “To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world”
How can this be realized?
Creating partnerships and alliances with emerging spiritual networks, government, corporate and non-governmental organizations, providing spiritual solutions to material problems. Become instrumental in establishing the Golden Age in the social, educational, cultural, environmental, spiritual and welfare fields around the globe.
Read more: https://goo.gl/wzaFYL

The glory of deity worship
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 17 August 2017, Radhadesh, Belgium, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.4.5-6)

Another point that I find is very nice in the purport of Gajendra, the elephant, is how Srila Prabhupada speaks of when Gajendra assumed a spiritual body, when his body was touched by the Lord. We see how Srila Prabhupada’s mind works as he describes, “Gajendra assumed a spiritual body when his body was touched by the Lord,” and immediately he writes, “Similarly, Dhruva Maharaj assumed his spiritual body in this way,” and then goes to the arcana-paddhati, the process of deity worship. He is thinking of the deity and we can see that he is so much appreciating that the deity is the Supreme Personality of Godhead that he immediately makes the association that in deity worship, we are allowed to touch the lotus feet of the Lord. For example, when waking up the deity, one can touch the lotus feet of the Lord and thus attain a spiritual body. Prabhupada is consistent. When one touches the deity, one touches the Lord; the deity is non-different from Krsna – there is no hesitance in Srila Prabhupada on this matter.

Whereas in our case, although we know that the deity is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we are not fainting! Maybe we would faint if Krsna personally would step in front of us. We are just taking darshan in this kind of casual way. Do we really believe that the deity is the Supreme Personality of Godhead? Yes and no, if we really think about it. But for Srila Prabhupada, there is absolutely no question, there is no hesitance in Gajendra being touched by the Lord is similar to arcana-paddhati – touching the deity’s feet in devotion. I thought it was nice to see here how Srila Prabhupada’s mind worked and how the purity is just coming through; these things have just struck me in that way. Then Prabhupada expands on it and says, “Not only by touching the body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead but also hearing his pastimes, chanting his glories, offering worship and any other type of devotional service is sufficient to purify us from material contamination. And we might again attract the mercy of the Lord.” So, this is wonderful!

The Best Utilization of Time, January 13, Houston
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17.

“A living being, especially the human being, is seeking happiness because happiness is the natural situation of the living entity. But he is vainly seeking happiness in the material atmosphere. A living being is constitutionally a spiritual spark of the complete whole, and his happiness can be perfectly perceived in spiritual activities. The Lord is the complete spirit whole, and His name, form, quality, pastimes, entourage and personality are all identical with Him. Once a person comes into contact with any one of the above-mentioned energies of the Lord through the proper channel of devotional service, the door to perfection is immediately opened. In the Bhagavad-gita (2.40) the Lord has explained such contact in the following words: “Endeavors in devotional service are never baffled. Nor is there failure. A slight beginning of such activities is sufficient even to deliver a person from the great ocean of material fears.” As a highly potent drug injected intravenously acts at once on the whole body, the transcendental topics of the Lord injected through the ear by the pure devotee of the Lord can act very efficiently.” SB 2.3.17 purport

Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17 (Right-click to download)

The Bhagavad-gita as a leadership guide
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Artha Forum Home Program at Singapore]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post The Bhagavad-gita as a leadership guide appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Changing ourselves by changing our situation, standpoint and self-identification
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Seminar at the Arsa-kesari temple, Singapore]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

The post Changing ourselves by changing our situation, standpoint and self-identification appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Screening of "Hare Krishna" Film – January 22, 2018
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple is very excited to announce that the hit film "Hare Krishna! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami who started it all" is having another screening in Toronto on Monday, January 22 at 7:00pm at the Cineplex Theatres at Yonge and Dundas.

TO BOOK TICKETS PLEASE CLICK HERE! 50 tickets must be booked before the screening is confirmed so please book as soon as possible!

The following is a synopsis about the film, from the official website:

1965: America is in turmoil. Unprecedented introspection and questioning of societal norms roil the country. Prabhupada, an unassuming 70-year-old Swami from India, arrives in New York City alone and without support or money. He carries only the ancient scriptures he has translated, and the firm faith in his teacher’s request: “offer spiritual wisdom to the people of the world!”

Suddenly thrust into the raging counterculture movement, Prabhupada speaks of the world’s real need, which is not necessarily satisfied by political or social revolutions, but by a revolution of consciousness. This divergence from the status quo successfully captures the attention of a generation of youth seeking answers to life’s existential questions. From a tiny storefront on 26th 2nd Avenue, Prabhupada shares with them the idea that the way to find real happiness, love and freedom is to search within and connect to your true self. All this, the Swami says, begins by simply chanting a rhythmic, meditative 16-word mantra – Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

This universal message resonates with more and more people, including musician George Harrison whose hit song ‘My Sweet Lord’, features the Hare Krishna chant. From there, Prabhupada’s movement explodes, and his followers – now known as the Hare Krishnas – become infamous for chanting and dancing in the streets.

Not everyone is enamored by the enthusiastic, and at times overzealous, fervor of Prabhupada’s young followers. As more people join the movement, parents and community leaders begin to view it as a dangerous cult. Devotees are charged with brainwashing and are taken to court in a controversial case that threatens to undermine everything that Prabhupada has worked for...

Hare Krishna! is the true story of an unexpected, prolific, and controversial revolutionary. Using never-before-seen archival verite, Prabhupada’s own recorded words, and interviews with his early followers, the film takes the audience behind-the-scenes of a cultural movement born in the artistic and intellectual scene of New York’s Bowery, the hippie mecca of Haight Ashbury, and the Beatle mania of London, to meet the Swami who started it all.

bhaki yoga in three steps
→ Servant of the Servant

Srila Prabhupada in simple English explains the process of Krishma Consciousness in three steps;

  1. In the beginning one must have a preliminary desire for self-realization. This will bring one to the stage of trying to associate with persons who are spiritually elevated. 
  2. In the next stage, one becomes initiated by an elevated spiritual master, and under his instruction the neophyte devotee begins the process of devotional service. 
  3. By execution of devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master, one becomes freed from all material attachments, attains steadiness in self-realization and acquires a taste for hearing about the Absolute Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. 
 - purport Cc Antya 3.251

Hare Krishna

Preaching program in the Supreme Court of Justice (Santiago-Chile)
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Hare KrishnaBy Sri Bhakti Das

For the second time in the history of Chilean Courts Krishna Sambandha made a cultural preaching program in the Supreme Court of Justice. This time the President, Mr. Hugo Dolmestch received the biography of his Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. The activity consisted of a concert with devotional dance by the renowned maestra Usha Vikas, a brief talk on Vaisnava philosophy, a prasad cocktail and free distribution of Srila Prabhupada's books to all attendees. Krishna Sambandha was the first band in the history of Chile to perform a concert in the Hall of Honor of the Supreme Court, a very solemn and reserved place for the most important functions of the judiciary. (that was in 2016). That time everyone was so grateful and happy that they decided to do a second version, now in the new Conference Room of the Supreme Court. Continue reading "Preaching program in the Supreme Court of Justice (Santiago-Chile)
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The launch of “Bombay Is My Office”
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Hare KrishnaBy Lokanath Swami

Today, 14 January, on the eve of Makar Sankranti and the 40th anniversary of Juhu Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari temple, the most awaited book launch of Bombay Is My Office took place amidst a respected gathering of nearly 10000 devotees, congregation members, friends and well wishers who had gathered on Jamnabai Narsee School Ground, Juhu Mumbai to celebrate the occasion. Continue reading "The launch of “Bombay Is My Office”
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The Cowherd Boy
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The Cowherd Boy
Once there was a little boy called Gopal who lived in a rural area with his mother, who was a widow. When he was five years old his mother sent him to school.
The road to the village school passed through a forest and seemed very long; at first the little boy thought he had lost his way. He walked on and on, until he saw the other village boys going to school and at once joined them on the path and finally reached the school.


Read More...

Chanting And Dancing With Abandon (Album of photos) Giridhari…
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Chanting And Dancing With Abandon (Album of photos)
Giridhari Swami: The third day of Kirtan 50 started just after Bada Haridas Prabhu’s kirtan on Dec. 30, ending at 11pm. The youth then cleaned the temple room and chanted enthusiastically until Mangala-arati. Many talented kirtaniyas continued to chant throughout the day. I was honored to be present during the kirtans of Gopi Gita Mataji and Bada Haridas Prabhu in the morning. After Gaura Arati, Niranjana Swami Maharaja, Geethika Dasi, Kirtan Premi Das, Akincana Krishna Dasa, and Kalindi Dasi chanted beautifully until 11pm. B.B. Govinda Swami Maharaja took over and ended up chanting until 2:30am on Jan. 1. That’s when things went completely wild with devotees chanting and dancing with abandon! We offer our most humble obeisances to Srila Prabhupada, who most mercifully gifted us the Holy Name on behalf of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Hare Krishna maha-mantra ki-jaya!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/h8zysC