Call for homages for Srila Prabhupada’s 2018 Vyasa Puja Book
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Hare KrishnaBy Dravida dasa

*Absolutely no offerings will be accepted after April 15, 2018.* Offerings must be in English. Please restrict the length to a maximum of 3,000 words. Please omit all diacritics on words that can be found in the VedaBase. It’s easier for us to put them in. If you quote a verse from outside the VedaBase or compose original Sanskrit, please include diacritics. Do not "recycle" an offering — no offerings from previous years will be accepted. The Vyasa-puja book is meant for glorifying Srila Prabhupada, not venting grievances. The BBT reserves the right to reject an offering it deems inappropriate or to ask for a rewrite. When writing an offering on behalf of a temple or other unit, please try to write in such a way that the other devotees in your unit can also identify with the offering. Continue reading "Call for homages for Srila Prabhupada’s 2018 Vyasa Puja Book
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New Center in Torino
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Hare KrishnaBy Abhirama das

In the previous months at the old center some neighbors were disturbing the programs in different ways, devotees could not have kirtans, and there were other obstacles that discouraged guests from visiting the old temple. Eventually Temple President Prabhu Das suggested to the community to find another place in which they could properly glorify Sri Krishna loudly, without restrictions. They then began to look for another place. A few short weeks later they found out that a nearby building, in which they had previously done some Food for Life programs, was now empty and that they were looking for somebody to rent it. Continue reading "New Center in Torino
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Canberra Kirtan Night
→ Ramai Swami

Adi Purusa Das, the TP of Canberra temple, invited me to a kirtan program on a Saturday night. Even though on that day it was nearly 40 degrees, quite a few devotees attended the evening of blissful chanting.

Apart from myself there were a few local kirtaniyas who led, such as, Gauravana das, Ananda devi dasi and Ayodhyadeva das. At the end everyone relished a wonderful feast cooked by Krsna Kirta das.

 

 

 

Mission Impossible (The Impossible Quest) “IMPOSSIBLE is a word…
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Mission Impossible (The Impossible Quest)
“IMPOSSIBLE is a word in fool’s dictionary.” Hope you have heard this statement oftentimes. Such inspiring statements invigorate one to do things that apparently seem to be beyond one’s capacity. But did you ever try to contemplate in what ‘context’ such statements could be used? And what could be the driving force that enables a person to make impossible things possible?
Scriptures proclaim that not a blade of grass moves without the permission and sanction of the Supreme Lord. Sure enough, this is no exaggeration, because every living entity is utterly dependent on the Lord in every walk of his life. So, without the sanction of the Lord, how does any insignificant mortal possibly achieve anything impossible?
Here is the formula to achieve the impossible. If one has a pure intent to render tangible service to the humanity selflessly, the Lord and His representatives help him in every possible way to make the impossible tasks possible. It’s the blessings and good wishes of great souls and the Lord that make one accomplish impossible missions, and not the individual’s determination inspired by one’s own whimsical desires. If one is obsessed to achieve one’s selfish ambitions that cause no good to others, his taking of so-called inspiration from such statements is merely passionate, if not imprudent. In fact, a selfish person’s desire to achieve impossible goals doesn’t cause any good to his own self. We see several examples in the scriptures like Hiranyakashipu and Ravana who tried to become immortal, which is impossible for any mortal being, causing great disturbance to people in general and ultimately ruining their own lives.

On the other hand we have an example from the Srimad Bhagavatam that describes the glorious sacrifice of a selfless soul who took up an impossible mission and made it possible by the power of his pure intent. Once upon a time there lived the great king Sagara, who was an ancestor of Lord Rama. He decided to perform a horse sacrifice. Indra, the king of heaven, being envious of Sagara had stolen the sacrificial horse and tied it near the hermitage of the great sage Kapiladeva. The 60,000 sons of Sagara went in search of the lost horse and found it near Kapila’s hermitage. They mistook Kapila as a thief and tried to attack him. The angry sage then burnt all of them to ashes. Ansuman, the grandson of Sagara then approached Kapila and begged for the deliverance of his forefathers. Kapila told that they could be delivered only when touched by the holy waters of river Ganges. Dilipa, the son of Ansuman tried to bring the Ganges to this world but died without success.

King Bhagiratha, the son of Dilipa, was determined to bring the Ganges to this world, and underwent severe austerities. Mother Ganges, being fully satisfied by his austerities, appeared before him. Bhagiratha then requested her to deliver his forefathers. But Gangadevi expressed her concern that her waters would be very forceful that the flow would pierce the surface of earth. She therefore asked Bhagiratha to find someone who is capable of checking her force. Bhagiratha then prayed to Lord Siva who agreed for this task, and thus helped the descent of Ganga devi. Simply by the touch of the holy Ganges, Bhagiratha’s forefathers were delivered and allowed to go to the heavenly planets.

Thus Bhagiratha with his determined will accomplished the impossible mission of bringing Mother Ganges to this planet. Thus, he not only delivered his forefathers but also every living entity that would come in contact with holy waters of the Ganges for the rest of eternity.

Similarly in our journey of life, we face many ups and downs and many missions that may seem impossible. But the lesson we learn from the descent of Ganga is to remain fixed in the goal of life, by the strength of higher virtue. Life is not worth living without seemingly impossible challenges. If one takes up challenges with pure motivation and determination, in a spirit of doing good to others, Lord favors him in all his movements and makes every circumstance in life favorable to him.

Empowered
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 02 January 2018, Murwillumbah, Australia, House Programme)

It is said that the pastimes of Lord Caitanya are like the sky and different birds are flying on different levels in that sky. But some birds do not fly at all, for example, chickens; they do not fly. But I tell you, by this kirtan, we are becoming flying chickens!

Prabhupada said, “Impossible is a word in a fool’s dictionary.” That is a fact. Nothing is impossible. We think we know our limitations. We think we know how far we can take it but with the mercy of Lord Caitanya, it is no longer like that. We astound ourselves. We can do things that were impossible, that we could have never done.

So in this way, we can have faith that somehow or other we will do it. We will make it. That is empowerment. This whole principle of empowerment is just wonderful. We are not restricted by our limitations because we can be empowered to rise above. That is what this kirtan is actually doing: it is empowering us to go beyond anything we ever thought possible – to experience things that we never thought could be.

 

Krishna katha kept everyone captivated for more than two hours…
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Krishna katha kept everyone captivated for more than two hours (Album with photos)
On 11th Nov 2017, Gaur Gopal Das was invited to speak at Artha Forum on the topic of ‘Living in the VUCA world,’ at RELC International Hotel, Singapore.
Smart and well-informed group of entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, professionals, and students gathered to hear from him, seeking for new perspectives on dealing with the mayhem around us. Filled with deep wisdom and realizations, the talk and follow-up Q&A kept everyone captivated for more than two hours.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/6yy8op

Great news for Sankirtan devotees
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Hare KrishnaBy Visnu Murti das

On January 2nd in a conference call, the Global BBT unanimously voted to *continue* the special augmented book points for Arabic and Farsi books! So it did not stop at the end of the year, and is still active right now and for the whole of 2018 (at least)! This is also nicely timed for the long awaited launch of the new Arabic Gita which will be awarding the book distributors with 6 (six) points for each sale instead of the normal 2 points for a Gita. So please feel free to get this good news out to all the sankirtan devotees of your area. Continue reading "Great news for Sankirtan devotees
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Our Secret Weapon
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Hare KrishnaBy MCO

To this day, the ISKCON Mayapur Food for Life strives and, by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, succeeds in fulfilling this instruction. Over the last eight years, the ISKCON Mayapur Food for Life program, under the Sri Mayapur Food Relief Trust, has distributed over three million, nine hundred and twenty-five thousand, seven hundred plates of prasadam (3,925,700 plates). By the end of this year, the number of plates will have reached four million. Continue reading "Our Secret Weapon
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Monks of Mount Athos – is there something we should learn from them?
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Hare KrishnaBy Sitalatma das

Why is that thousands of these Orthodox monks can chant day and night non-stop but we can't? Now that many of our devotees are retired from active duties and call themselves vanaprasthas perhaps it's time for our society to start talking about increasing the number of our daily rounds. Not compulsory, of course, but for those who can it could be encouraged. Another important aspect is that in Orthodox Christianity following preceptors is the only way of spiritual progress. There's no democracy on Mt. Athos, you can't just show up and claim the right to be taught - one must be selected and accepted by a known teacher. Likewise, one can't practice on his own - guidance must always be there. One can't approach Jesus Christ on his own either - only through what we'd call a parampara. Continue reading "Monks of Mount Athos – is there something we should learn from them?
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Giriraj Swami: In anticipation of the fortieth anniversary of of…
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Giriraj Swami: In anticipation of the fortieth anniversary of of the Juhu temple, Rasa-sundari dasi wrote about serving there:
Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay from 1990 to 1992 was sometimes a real challenge, because we had hardly any facilities.
In the beginning there were only three of us, not even initiated then: Bhakta Juan, Bhaktin Manju, and myself, Bhaktin Flor.
Cooking was done on the second floor in a small kitchen connected to the Bhaktivedanta Institute. Guru Maharaja always took his prasadam in his office, and as he liked hot chapattis, we were cooking them on the second floor and then running down the hall with them, one by one, to the office.
There were no mobile phones at that time, so lots of time was spent trying to find each other to get the messages through.
Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant to be able to go with him to visit all those wonderful devotees who were present during Srila Prabhupada’s time—Mrs. Nirmala Singhal, Dr. C. P. Patel, Mr. P. L. Sethi, Srimati Sumati Morariji. They all received Guru Maharaja like a long-lost son who finally had come home.
Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant witnessing how he gave himself fully to each and every person who wanted to see him, and everyone wanted to see him. He never showed any concern for himself, whether he had eaten, taken rest, or had some time for himself.
Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant being the lucky first three devotees that received initiation from him under the loving glance of Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihariji, and we became Vrindavan das, Janaki devi dasi, and Rasa-sundari dasi.
After our initiation, Guru Maharaja allowed us to collect guru-daksina in front of the restaurant. At the end of the day, when Vrindavan das told Guru Maharaja that because of his service, he had not been able to collect anything and so he had nothing to give to him, Guru Maharaja looked at him and said, “You need not worry about that—you have already given me your life.”
Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant being able to see him many mornings on the altar doing the mangala-arati for Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihariji.
Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant seeing him so expertly supervise the cleaning and maintenance of Srila Prabhupada’s quarters. He wanted us, the devotees, to do the cleaning and everything else there.
Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant watching him go almost every morning after mangala-arati to Srila Prabhupada’s quarters and chant his rounds there.
Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant meeting and serving so many of his wonderful godbrothers and godsisters who had served together with him during Prabhupada’s times, and seeing the love they all had for him.
Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant realizing that you are not this body, when after ten or twelve hours of intense service you fell on your bed, the body completely exhausted and the soul inside completely blissful, wanting to do more.
Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay was one of the happiest times in my life!
—Rasa-sundari dasi

Serving in Bombay — One of the Happiest Times of My Life
Giriraj Swami

In anticipation of the fortieth anniversary of the Juhu temple, Rasa-sundari dasi wrote about serving there:

Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay from 1990 to 1992 was sometimes a real challenge, because we had hardly any facilities.

In the beginning there were only three of us, not even initiated then: Bhakta Juan, Bhaktin Manju, and myself, Bhaktin Flor.

Cooking was done on the second floor in a small kitchen connected to the Bhaktivedanta Institute. Guru Maharaja always took his prasadam in his office, and as he liked hot chapattis, we were cooking them on the second floor and then running down the hall with them, one by one, to the office.

There were no mobile phones at that time, so lots of time was spent trying to find each other to get the messages through.

Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant to be able to go with him to visit all those wonderful devotees who were present during Srila Prabhupada’s time—Mrs. Nirmala Singhal, Dr. C. P. Patel, Mr. P. L. Sethi, Srimati Sumati Morariji. They all received Guru Maharaja like a long-lost son who finally had come home.

Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant witnessing how he gave himself fully to each and every person who wanted to see him, and everyone wanted to see him. He never showed any concern for himself, whether he had eaten, taken rest, or had some time for himself.

Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant being the lucky first three devotees that received initiation from him under the loving glance of Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihariji, and we became Vrindavan das, Janaki devi dasi, and Rasa-sundari dasi.

After our initiation, Guru Maharaja allowed us to collect guru-daksina in front of the restaurant. At the end of the day, when Vrindavan das told Guru Maharaja that because of his service, he had not been able to collect anything and so he had nothing to give to him, Guru Maharaja looked at him and said, “You need not worry about that—you have already given me your life.”

Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant being able to see him many mornings on the altar doing the mangala-arati for Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihariji.

Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant seeing him so expertly supervise the cleaning and maintenance of Srila Prabhupada’s quarters. He wanted us, the devotees, to do the cleaning and everything else there.

Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant watching him go almost every morning after mangala-arati to Srila Prabhupada’s quarters and chant his rounds there.

Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant meeting and serving so many of his wonderful godbrothers and godsisters who had served together with him during Prabhupada’s times, and seeing the love they all had for him.

Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay meant realizing that you are not this body, when after ten or twelve hours of intense service you fell on your bed, the body completely exhausted and the soul inside completely blissful, wanting to do more.

Serving Guru Maharaja in Bombay was one of the happiest times in my life!

—Rasa-sundari dasi

 

 

Sunday Love Feast – 7th Jan 2018 – Special Vedic Discourse by His Grace Ananda Gauranga Prabhuji
→ ISKCON Brampton


About His Grace Ananda Gauranga Prabhu :His Grace Ananda Gauranga Prabhuji is a disciple of His Holiness Radhanath Swami. He has been serving at ISKCON Scarborough in various capacity along with his whole family. He always inspire us with the nice Vedic discourses and the way he personally practices Krsna Consciousness.




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
  1.40 -  2.00       Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast

COMING UP AHEAD

Sat-Tila Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Fri Jan 12th,2018
Breakfast................  on  Sat Jan 13th ,2018 b/w 7.49am – 10.54am

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 


Inauguration Ceremony Of New Temple Place

Sun Jan 21st,2018
Program details would follow shortly!



ONGOING PROGRAMS


Japathon-Congregational Mantra Meditation

Next date is to be announced shortly!

The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His Energy to give protection to the conditioned soul.japa, when performed with focus and attention, can subdue the agitating effects of one’s mind and senses. The senses, of which the mind is also one, are constantly being stimulated by the external world  - by gross and subtle matter.
If you have not chanted before, and would like to participate in this program, we will be very happy to show how you can do this.
All welcome. We’ll loan you a set of Beads!


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.

Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Vancouver, British Columbia

“Chants To Dance To” CD

The recording for a CD, “Chants To Dance To,” occurred at the Kolkata ISKCON, twenty-two months ago.  Sorry for the delay.  It was done live in the temple of Radha-Govinda by Ekalavya.  It was decided that the voice of my humble self, the ‘Walking Monk’, was not up to par in a professional studio.  The recording did well amidst an excited group of brahmacharis—monks—at the devotional facility on Albert Road.

Nimai Nitai from Brampton is the project co-ordinator and Nitai Priya from Vancouver did the cover art design.

It’s not perfect.  It was not rehearsed.  Spontaneity would be the way I would describe it.  Ekalavya, my dear friend, held a recorder to tape my voice, and here it is—a burst of enthusiasm.  May listeners be compelled to dance.

Dancing and walking are some things I’ve been limiting to a minimum.  I’m in a limp for some reason or other.  So when arriving in Vancouver I thought to hammer it out in my Kyboot shoes.  It helped.  Once healed I probably won’t dance to the CD.  I’m just not fond of hearing myself, even though the project was completed in dedication to guru and God.  I know I should try to see it that way.  A lack of self-confidence may be a factor in it all.

In any event, the CD is released and it is a devotional offering.  I hope you like it.  Proceeds go to the grand opening of a new ISKCON Cultural Centre in Brampton, a place of higher learning and culture.  The community will be moving from the current rental unit.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Monday, January 1st, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

On Day One

The New Year started early and with a bang, for a number of us.  The fireworks exploded overhead, heard but not seen.  Our group of chanters were stationed in the front of the Old City Hall, and in that position it’s hard to see the sky getting lit up with momentary sparkle and colour.  Our kirtan, amplified with two marching drums, obscured the sound of the fireworks.  Like usual, we began making our sound before the countdown.

As people poured in—headed for the sight of the explosive noise which emanated from the New City Hall—they passed by us and knew we were having fun and that they were invited to join in the elation once the count-down ceased.  Many were chipper.  Booze and weed invaded our space.  That was okay. We were drunk on the holy name.  We were even, and we were one in the sound.  Everyone, whether follower or not, was immersed.

That was our morning, which started early at midnight.

Nighttime was with another crowd.  Our own.  We staged our drama, “Many Mothers, Many Fathers,” about the life of Chitraketu.  In Krishna’s name, I would say our cast did marvellously.  Feedback was very positive.  It was such a morale booster and such a sense and brain pleaser.  The story ends on a note of forgiveness.

And that’s the way to start the New Year, with a clean slate.  We all commit many wrongs throughout the year, but if we can crawl into January with straw between our teeth—in humility—we have a better chance to make the coming twelve months bright. 

Let’s have a good beginning to our year.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Sunday, December 31st, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Brampton / Toronto

New Year Messages

This was my final visit to the Brampton ISKCON centre on George Street.  It will be relocated to 173 Advance Blvd., Unit 41/42, near Dixie and Steeles, in our very own facility.

I spoke to the group of New-Yearlings, and proposed that, as a resolution, we all make concrete efforts to build and maintain good relationships amongst ourselves and in general, humankind.

I proposed the same idea to a Toronto crowd.  Here are some of the points I made in the class:

What does it mean to be devoted?  It means we are clean in our relationships.  We must endeavour for that clean heart.

Build relationships with people.  Knock down some walls here and there.

Krishna is like a magnet and He is attracting the iron filings—the devoted.

Krishna is the ultimate weight-lifter—Govardhan.

Part of our adventure is to be knocked around a little bit, then we take the humble position.

Don’t let a disagreement turn into an argument.

My mountain of ego is blocking my sight of Guru and God.

If you want to get strong in your Krishna Consciousness then get deep into sadhana.  Sadhana, spiritual regimen, protects us.

To deal with human nature we have to be strong.  We have to be kind.  Let’s display strength in strong relationships.

May the Source be with you!

Happy New Year!

7 km

Movie Stuntman Finds Joy in Krishna Consciousness. Devotees…
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Movie Stuntman Finds Joy in Krishna Consciousness.
Devotees from ISKCON’s Soho St temple began visiting Jason and bringing him maha-prasadam and more books. “I read Chant and Be Happy, and the idea of self-realization through chanting really appealed to me,” he says.
“Next, I read Prabhupada’s biography, ‘Your Ever Well Wisher.’ I started to become very interested in the person of Srila Prabhupada. I read more and more about his mission, and the history of how he founded ISKCON in the United States. That’s when I became vegetarian. Step by step, my consciousness was changing.”
La Shard began to look for devotee association. He visited the Soho St. temple, and then took the three-month Veda course, an introductory program to Krishna consciousness, at Bhaktivedanta Manor. There, he studied the Gita chapter by chapter, and learned about Vedic culture, Vaishnava saints, the history of ISKCON and more.
In the summer, he joined Parasurama Das’s team of preachers, putting on Rathayatra festivals all over Scandinavia as well as Northern England and Scotland. Parasurama, delighted to make the acquaintance of the “biggest devotee in ISKCON,” warmly nicknamed La Shard “Bhima.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/DST2YD

Gopal’s Fun School – Goa. Mission: Train Children of our…
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Gopal’s Fun School - Goa.
Mission: Train Children of our society in the spiritual field with a view to awakening God consciousness in them so that over a period of time they become divine law-abiding citizens and consciously make the correct decisions in life to keep away from everything any caring parent would want them to avoid. Above all they are provided with a sense of responsibility towards themselves and society as a whole. Most importantly this all has to be done in a FUN way. 90% FUN + 10%.
GFS is a weekend FUN program for kids to create wonderful memories of their childhood and KRISHNA using a lively blend of art, stories, quiz, drama, games.
Read more: https://goo.gl/boRKA7

Kirtan by HH BB Govinda Swami, Dallas Kirtan50, 29.12.2017…
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Kirtan by HH BB Govinda Swami, Dallas Kirtan50, 29.12.2017 (video)
Srila Prabhupada: We are not afraid of maya because Krishna is there. Krishna says, “My devotee will never be vanquished by maya.” Maya cannot do anything if we become strong. And what is that strength? Chant Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare loudly. (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita, 3.6.10, Los Angeles 1968).
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/rrrQjz

Expected vs Actual result
→ Servant of the Servant

When I read the Karma yoga part of the Bhagavad Gita initially I understood that we should not be attached to our results or outcomes of our work. However, somewhere I had a feeling this is not practical at all. How can one not be attached to the result? When we begin our work we work towards our goal or result. We meditate very much on trying to do a good job so we can achieve what we set out in the beginning so naturally the result or the goal is very much in our minds. How then can we be not attached to what we originally set out for? As I meditated more and inquired, in my head I split the results into two - "expected result" and "actual result".

When I set out to work, I have a work plan and expectations as a result of the plan. I work hard to fulfill that work plan/expectations with the desire to achieve the result. So this expected result should always be in my radar otherwise I can slack or go astray. In fact this is necessary in this competitive world. But not everything in the real world is in my control. This is also common sense. Actually it is detrimental to my work to think I can control everything. In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says that He is the Supreme controller of everyone and everything which means He alone controls the final outcome. Therefore it is sensible to not be attached to the actual result but work towards my expected result.

Therefore when Krishna says do not be attached to the result, I take it to be the actual result - the final outcome. So even if the actual result equals my expected result, still I will not be passionate about it knowing very well that not everything is done by me!

Expected Result = per my work plan
Actual Result = my work + extraneous real world variables that is beyond my control

Hare Krishna

Attending Jagruti 2018 (Album with photos) ISKCON Goa: Two days…
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Attending Jagruti 2018 (Album with photos)
ISKCON Goa: Two days of Annual Spiritual festival JAGRUTI ended today. While 1000 of participants got benefitted by two great topics given by Bhaktirasamrita Swami ji during the discourse time, lot of participants also tested their SQ (Spirituality Quotient) post-session. Among 100+ participants across 2 days, 8 were able to get 100% SQ score. As a promise to them, here are their pictures. Congratulations to winners. Please consider seriously in taking your spiritual journey to next level by going through “Journey of Self Discovery Course”.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Zmgkqp

Fulfilling our longing for love
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By Chaitanya Charan das

Love is our innermost longing. Gita wisdom declares that our longing for love is best fulfilled when we learn to love Krishna. Let's understand this central Gita teaching in five parts: Loving Krishna enables our love to break free from all limitations, Krishna is eminently lovable, Krishna loves all of us impartially, Krishna's love for us is unconditional and Krishna engages his omnipotence to help us when we choose to love him. Continue reading "Fulfilling our longing for love
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Nayati Hospital Medical Camp at Krishna Balaram Temple
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Hare KrishnaBy Aradhika Radha Devi Dasi

One year ago Nayati Hospital opened it doors to Brijasi of Vraj. So Community Service Centre went to connect the temple with Nayati. Today the heads of different departments of ISKCON Vrindavan sevites got an opportunity for qualified medical check-ups. There were 5 kinds of doctors: orthopedist, gynecologist, general physician, child specialist and pain relief therapist. The Nayati Hospital also provided the devotees with special silver id cards which give 10% discount for any hospital procedures, except medicine. The executive director of the hospital, P. Sagar Tuteja and the operations manager, Vivek Dave came to share their experience and get to know more about ISKCON Vrindavan. They are willing to take care of any devotee of our community and provide their best service. After the medical program delicious prasada was served to all the 18 doctors of the Nayati Hospital and our own volunteer doctors that serve in our Devotee Care Clinic. Anyone who would like to get more information about the medical facilities can contact the director of “Devotee’s Care”, Prem Prakash Das. The office of “Devotee’s Care” is situated nearby Balarama hall. Later, another medical camp will be organized for devotee who did not attend. It will be announced soon. Continue reading "Nayati Hospital Medical Camp at Krishna Balaram Temple
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His Grace Hari Sauri Prabhu’s resignation from active duty at Bhaktivedanta Research Centre BRC
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Hare KrishnaBy Pushti Devi Dasi

Hari Sauri das: As you know the BRC has for the last nine years emerged as one of the most important projectsin ISKCON, and indeed in the Vaisnava community as a whole, by collecting and preserving important historical documents of our Gaudiya Vaisnava lineage. I have had the privilege of serving as the managing co-director along with our academic co-director Pranava Prabhu. Most of you will know that in recent years my health has gradually been seriously affected by Parkinson’s disease which is ongoing. It has now progressed to the point where I feel I can no longer function effectively enough to fulfil the requirements of the service. Continue reading "His Grace Hari Sauri Prabhu’s resignation from active duty at Bhaktivedanta Research Centre BRC
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Vrindavan’s Parade Of The Year (Album of photos)…
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Vrindavan’s Parade Of The Year (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday we participated in one of the biggest parades Vrindavan has ever seen. Over 2,000 performers, devotees and local spiritual leaders wound their way through Vrindavan’s narrow lanes and streets with kirtaYn parties from Bengal, shehnai bands from South India, Punjabi bagpiper groups, local dance troupes … and our kirtan party representing ISKCON. It was all arranged by Pundrik Goswami in glorification of Radha Raman, on the auspicious occasion of the appearance of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami. People lined the streets to watch the 6-hour parade and greeted the participants with flowers, garlands and prasadam. It was simply amazing. Special thanks to Ananta Vrindavan for so expertly capturing the moment with his cameras!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/6FxQeL

Time Passing and The New Year, January 4, The Darshan Room, Dallas
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17.

“This verse indirectly confirms the greater importance of utilizing the human form of life to realize our lost relationship with the Supreme Lord by acceleration of devotional service. Time and tide wait for no man. So the time indicated by the sunrise and the sunset will be uselessly wasted if such time is not properly utilized for realizing identification of spiritual values. Even a fraction of the duration of life wasted cannot be compensated by any amount of gold.” SB 1.2.8 purport.

“This is a fact. Our life is made of time and when the time of death comes — even if a person is willing to spend any amount of money to purchase one minute, he cannot do so. That means that every minute, every moment, is of incalculable value because you can never buy it. You can never buy it back and you can never buy more that you are allotted. It is very serious. And therefore one of the qualities of an advanced devotee is that he utilizes every moment in Krishna Consciousness. He never wastes any time and it is very easy to waste time.”

Time Passing and The New Year (Right-click to download)

Lord Jagannatha is coming to town
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Hare Krishna. Lord Jagannatha is coming to town again this year at Brickfilelds, Kuala Lumpur on 6 January at 5PM. So please you too come to town, a real reason to come to town and join the Lord, His brother Lord Balaram and His sister Lady Subadra who will be riding on Their chariot. It is special mercy we get when we get to see the Lord on His chariot. Call 03 7908 7355/60 for more information or read previous posting.

60 million people in India watch Krishna conscious festivities…
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60 million people in India watch Krishna conscious festivities from Vrindavana (video)
Indradyumna Swami: We are participating in the morning program at the Radha Raman temple in Vrindavan. We have been asked to lead kirtan in 30 minutes. Great mercy. National TV will be filming as it’s a special day here. 60 million people will be watching the festivities. Jaya Radha Raman! Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/y3CGat