Astrological compatibility. Kadamba Kanana Swami: If you do…
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Astrological compatibility.
Kadamba Kanana Swami: If you do marry, then be careful that whoever you marry is a devotee. Whatever you do, do not marry a non-devotee. That would be the worst thing to do because then it will be goodbye to yourself! You can say goodbye to the self you were because that is surely a way to go down!
People spend hours and hours matching astrological charts and sometimes you get a ninety percent match! Anyway, that gives you ten percent opportunity to give each other hell; that is also there. But beyond that ninety percent match, are you both chanting Hare Krsna? That is more important than all the astrology and all the karma. Even if the charts do not match, if you are both serious about being devotees, about vaisnava etiquette and if you are willing to offer obeisances and approach each other like devotees, then you might just transcend those bad charts, even if there is Rahu! Prabhupada said that Krsna can kick out millions of Rahus. So, the real criteria for compatibility is how serious are we about devotional service.

Sometimes, a few planets collide, create a little fireworks and almost the destruction of the universe; that can happen… But, what if your planets match really well and you are so happily together, in maya! It can be a great match and you have never had an argument at all, okay great, but how Krsna conscious was it? “Well, we are trying!” When anyone says they are trying, it means that they are not doing. Trying means that we are not doing it!

So, we should make a realistic choice and we fill in the grhasta ashram with Krsna. Our house is a holy place. Our house is a place that reminds us of Krsna and in the house, there is so much prasadam and in the house, there are always guests and in the house, we have many things but they are all Krsna conscious things so whenever we come home, we get so much nourishment. In that way, the grihasta ashram is very nice because one can very nicely make spiritual advancement.

Listen to the full lecture by clicking here: https://goo.gl/AVJxRQ

New Updates from the Bhaktivedanta Archives. Published on the…
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New Updates from the Bhaktivedanta Archives.
Published on the Auspicious Appearance Day of Jagadīśa Paṇḍita, December 30th, 2017.
The Bhaktivedanta Archives is pleased to offer two new releases:
1. The VedaBase™ 2017.2 update.
2. Original unedited audio for the year 1968.
The 2017.2 VedaBase™ Update Includes:
Prabhupāda Memories Chapter 61 – Siddhānta Dāsa
1968 Reverified Transcriptions Against Original Audio.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/R3Rbgz

Happy Birthday
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Hare KrishnaBy Chaitanya Kishore Das

People, in general, wish the Birthday boy or girl that they may live many more years, and this day may come again and again, and Devotees sing “May you never take Birth Again” . This may seem odd and strange to a common man the whole process of devotee’s celebration of this Day which is so special and dear to a common man. However Devotees are aware of the importance of this birth in the human form, based on the teachings of the Vedic Literature like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, this birth in the human form is extremely rare and has a purpose behind it. Continue reading "Happy Birthday
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United We Stand – Yuga Dharma
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Hare KrishnaBy Navasi Dasi

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura indicates that rather than trying to separate conditioned souls by materialistic distinctions, one should bring them together to chant the holy names of the Lord and propagate the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya. A nondevotee, or even an envious third-class devotee, is not interested in uniting people on the platform of love of Godhead. Instead he unnecessarily separates them by emphasizing material distinctions like “communist,” “capitalist,” “black,” “white,” “rich,” “poor,” “liberal,” “conservative” and so on. Continue reading "United We Stand – Yuga Dharma
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Why don’t we make the Bhagavad-gita compulsory in schools in India?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

 

Transcription :

Transcribed by: Keshavgopal Das

Question: Why don’t we make Bhagavad-gita compulsory in schools in India?

Answer: This is a question we should be asking from the Government of India. Let me try to answer it based on how I see it.

We live today in a multi-cultural world, where people are opposed to the idea of imposing any one faith on them. People believe that faith is a personal matter which should be chosen by an individual. These days, Bhagavad-gita is seen as a religious book; a book of Hindus. As long as Bhagavad-gita is seen as a religious book, it will be difficult for the government to make it mandatory. May be in future, if we have a government which rules by different principles then it is possible. However, it does not mean that nothing can be done to popularize Gita. What need to present Bhagavad-gita not as a religious book but as a book of wisdom. When it will be viewed as a book of wisdom in the Indian tradition that will make people more open.

Few years ago, a big attempt was made to make Bhagavad-gita as national book of India. It led to a lot of violent opposition from people saying that it will make India a theocracy or a radical Hindu country. In today’s world, religious pressure will not work. Bhagavad-gita needs to be repositioned as a book of wisdom. There are devotee scholars who are working in mainstream academia for this purpose. Beyond that, we, at our individual level, can do our part in sharing Gita’s message. However, we should be careful that we do not present Gita’s message as mandatory. When we present things as mandatory, people do it as ritual and they do not take it very seriously. For example, I sometimes do a class on Bhagavad-gita in colleges in India, where the authorities make it mandatory to attend. Such an arrangement can lead to five hundred or thousand students coming to the class. The number of students attending the class can appear impressive, but to such a crowd even if we give the best class, we find that the students are just not interested. The students are chatting on their phones, looking here and there. When we make things mandatory, people just switch-off. It is much better to share the message at an individual level. Change at a grass-root level is much more sustainable compared to when brought in a top-down fashion. In a top-down approach, we can have a lot of resources, but that will not necessary mean acceptance from others. In today’s ethos that will only lead to resistance.

In my childhood, I participated in Gita shloka recitation competition and won a prize. I thought Gita is only meant for memorizing some shlokas and win prizes. I never saw it as a book having practical relevance to me. When a friend came and gave me Bhagavad-gita, he requested me to read it. My first reaction was, I have already read it. However, when I saw him transformed I was surprised. My friend was a very materialistic person, but after transformation he appeared very sober, gentle, and cultured person. I thought that if he got so much transformed by reading the Gita, probably I missed something in my reading. Such lateral sharing of Gita is going to transform people in a much more sustainable way. Such an approach on sharing is very much within our control right now.

Yes, Bhagavad-gita has come from India, it is a national heritage, but unfortunately it is not being studied at all in India. Unfortunately, that is the way government’s situation and cultural trend is today. If we try to impose something it will be resisted and will not be accepted open mindedly or whole heartedly. Rather than waiting for something to come from top down, we just focus on doing what is in our power.

Srila Prabhupada, before he went to America, he had practically no resources. Bhagavad-gita was known but it was not known as it is now. When I recently met one of the editors of Srila Prabhupada in the early days of ISKCON, he told me about how Srila Prabhupada would give him manuscripts of his books for typing. He saw manuscripts were written with no margins on the pages. Srila Prabhupada was in such financial crisis in those days, that he had hardly any money to have paper. He would write on the paper from top left corner to the bottom right corner. Many of the papers he had written were the inside of the envelopes which he had received as letters. However, he did what he could. Now from that, a global movement has emerged. Millions and millions of Bhagavad-gita has been distributed and thousands and thousands of lives have been enriched by that wisdom. Krishna had its plan, he empowered Srila Prabhupada in an extra-ordinary way. However, it all started with Srila Prabhupada doing what was in his power. Surrender at one level means doing what we can with what we have right now. Just like you are sharing your appreciation of Gita here, you may share the same appreciation with others. There are many people who are naturally and voluntarily willing to take the wisdom of Gita if this is presented as wisdom to them. As Gita starts to be seen more of a wisdom book and the number of people viewing Gita in such a light increases, then there will be greater openness to accepting Gita.

End of transcription.

Transcription in Hindi

प्रश्न – हम भगवद्गीता को स्कूलों में अनिवार्य क्यों नहीं करते?

उत्तर– ये प्रश्न वास्तव में भारत सरकार से पूछा जाना चाहिए, पर यहाँ हम अपना मत आपके साथ साझा कर सकते हैं।

हम एक बहु-सांस्कृतिक जगत में रहते हैं, जहाँ लोग किसी एक मत को अन्यों पर थोपने के पक्षधर नहीं होते। लोग सोचते हैं कि विश्वास अथवा श्रद्धा एक निजी विषय है जिसका चुनाव करने का सबको अधिकार है। वर्तमान समय में भगवद्गीता को हिन्दुओं की एक धार्मिक पुस्तक के रूप में देखा जाता है। जब तक गीता को धार्मिक पुस्तक के रूप में देखा जाता रहेगा, सरकार के लिए इस अनिवार्य करना कठिन होगा। किन्तु इसका यह अर्थ नहीं है कि इन सब परिस्थितियों के होते हुए भी गीता की शिक्षा का प्रचार नहीं किया जा सकता। गीता को एक धार्मिक पुस्तक के रूप में देखने के बजाय इसे ज्ञान की पुस्तक के रूप में देखा जाना चाहिए। जब इस पुस्तक को भारतीय संस्कृति की एक ज्ञान एवं दर्शन की पुस्तक के रूप में देखा जाने लगेगा तब लोग इसे स्वीकार करने में अधिक उत्सुक होंगे।

कुछ वर्षों पूर्व जब गीता को राष्ट्रीय पुस्तक बनाने का प्रयास हुआ तो बड़ा विरोध हुआ था। लोगों ने कहा ऐसा करने पर भारत एक गणतंत्र की बजाय एक धर्मतंत्र अथवा एक कट्टर हिंदुवादी देश बन जाएगा। वर्तमान जगत में धार्मिक दबाव बनाने से बात नहीं बन सकती। हमें गीता को एक ज्ञान के ग्रंथ के रूप में प्रस्तुत करना होगा। हमारी संस्था के कई विद्वान भक्त विश्व में मुख्यधारा से जुड़े शैक्षणिक संस्थानों में इस प्रकार का प्रयास पहले ही कर रहे हैं। किन्तु साथ ही साथ हम भी अपने निजी स्तर पर प्रयास कर सकते हैं। किन्तु हमें ध्यान रखना होगा कि हम गीता के संदेश को अनिवार्य शिक्षा के रूप में न प्रस्तुत करें। जब हम किसी बात को अनिवार्य बना देते हैं तो लोग उसे बोझ समझने लगते हैं और गंभीरता से नहीं लेते। हमने अकसर देखा है जब किसी विद्यालय में गीता पर कोई वार्ता रखी जाती है तो अधिकारीगण विद्यार्थियों का उसमें आना अनिवार्य बना देते हैं। ऐसा करने पर पाँच सौ, हजार बच्चे तो आ जाते हैं किन्तु अच्छी से अच्छी वार्ता प्रस्तुत करने के उपरांत भी बच्चे संदेश में रुचि नहीं लेते। वे इधर-उधर देखते रहेंगे, आपस में बतिया रहे होंगे पर ध्यान नहीं देंगे। कहने का अर्थ है कि जब किसी बात को अनिवार्य बना दिया जाता है तो लोग उससे भागने लगते हैं। अनिवार्य बनाने की बजाय हमें गीता के संदेश को व्यक्तिगत स्तर पर अन्यों तक पहुँचाना चाहिए। जब व्यक्ति इसके संदेश को जीवनोपयोगी एवं चेतना के उत्थान का माध्यम समझकर ग्रहण करेगा तो ऐसा बदलाव अधिक टिकाऊ होगा।

हमने अकसर देखा है कि कई बार बच्चे गीता के श्लोक उच्चारण प्रतियोगिता में भाग लेते हैं। वे श्लोकों को स्मरण करते हैं और पुरस्कार जीतते हैं। एक तरह से देखा जाए तो गीता के श्लोकों का स्मरण करना हमारे आध्यात्मिक कल्याण के लिए अच्छा है किन्तु इससे भी अच्छा है इस ज्ञान पुस्तिका में अन्तर्निहित ज्ञान को आत्मसात कर उससे अपने जीवन में सुन्दर बदलावों को लाना। इसके ज्ञान को आत्मसात कर हम एक भौतिकतावादी, मानसिक रूप से अशांत व्यक्ति से एक सभ्य, शांत, सुसंस्कृत व्यक्ति बन सकते हैं। इस प्रकार जब लोग गीता को ऐसी पुस्तक के रूप में देखने लगते हैं जो जीवन में बड़े सुंदर बदलाव ला सकती है तब वास्तव में लोग इस पुस्तक को सीखने में स्वतः ही रुचि लेने लगेंगे। ऐसा बदलाव लाना बिल्कुल भी कठिन नहीं। यह हमारे, आपके, हम सबके बस में है।

गीता भारत की पुस्तक है, यह इसकी राष्ट्रीय धरोहर है, किन्तु दुर्भाग्यवश भारत में इसका अध्ययन अधिक नहीं होता। वर्तमान में भारत में सरकारों की स्थिति और सांस्कृतिक ढर्रा कुछ ऐसा ही है। यदि किसी बात को थोपा जाएगा तो उसका विरोध होगा और उसको हृदय से स्वीकार्यता नहीं मिलेगी। इस बात की प्रतीक्षा करने की बजाए कि यह एक दिन स्कूलों में अनिवार्य रुप से पढ़ाई जाएगी, हमें अपनी ओर से इस पुस्तक की शिक्षा का यथासंभव प्रसार-प्रचार करने में आगे आना चाहिए।

हमें श्रील प्रभुपाद के जीवन से भी प्रेरणा लेनी चाहिए। उन्होंने बड़ी कठिन परिस्थितियों को झेलते हुए गीता पर अपनी टीका (भगवद्गीता यथारूप) लिखी। उनके पास धन का बड़ा अभाव था। उनको जो पत्र आते थे वे उनके लिफाफों के भीतर की सतह का भी प्रयोग कर उन पर अपना लेखन करते थे। आज उसी भगवद्गीता यथारूप से एक विश्व-व्यापी आंदोलन (इस्कॉन) खड़ा हो गया है। करोड़ों गीता की पुस्तकों का वितरण और इसके पठन-पाठन से लाखों लोगों का जीवन परिवर्तित हुआ है। किन्तु ये सब आरम्भ हुआ श्रील प्रभुपाद के एक विनम्र प्रयास से। इस प्रकार हम भी अपना छोटा-मोटा प्रसास कर सकते हैं। सर्वप्रथम हम स्वयं गीता के एक अच्छे विद्यार्थी बनें और फिर अन्यों को इसके ज्ञान का उपहार दें। जैसे-जैसे गीता को लोग जीवन में ज्ञान का प्रकाश लाने वाली पुस्तक के रूप में देखेंगे वैसे-वैसे लोगों में इसको स्वीकार करने के प्रति अधिकाधिक तत्परता दिखेगी।

End of transcription.

Interview with Ranaka das
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

 

Where is your hometown? 

I was born in Norfolk, VA where my father was in the Navy.  After his discharge from the duty, we relocated to my family’s home town in NW Iowa when I was 2 weeks old.  I lived in my family’s farm near Paullina IA until I graduated from High School at the age of 17 & moved to Denver CO in 1972, and then in the mountains near Evergreen until 1977.

What initially attracted you to Krishna Consciousness? 

I was  interested in Eastern Philosophy and had been going to lectures by different swamis, I became friends with a devotee who directed me to the Denver Temple.

When did you first meet devotees? 

I became friends with a devotee who had left the temple, he was living down the road from my place in the Evergreen, Co area in 1976. I visited and met the devotees at the Denver temple around December of 1976.

When & where did you first join ISKCON? 

I joined New Vrindaban in February 1977.

When & where did you get initiated? 

I was initiated in New Vrindaban in August 1977.

When & where did you get married? 

I got married with Elena, at the Wheeling Court House in August of 2000, and had a reception afterward at the Palace Restaurant, with many devotees in attendance.

When/where did you first hear about New Vrindaban? 

I heard from the devotees at the Denver Temple.

When did you move to New Vrindaban? 

I moved to New Vrindaban in Feb 1977.

What is your favorite part of New Vrindaban? 

Radha Vrindaban Chandra!

What were your main services in each decade, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, current? 

I was taking care of the cows and agriculture, from beginning to present.

What was your favorite service? 

It’s all been good.

Anything specific you’d like to mention about your family? (spouses, children, siblings, parents, etc.) 

My eldest son Kyle (Rama) is a high school math teacher, lives & teaches in SLO CA. He is married to Dara and has a one year old son named Riley.

My second son David (Raktak) has a vegan restaurant business, he also lives & works in SLO CA. He is married to Sarah and they have a 1.5 year old son named Arjuna and a newborn daughter named Amrita.

My third son Bryce (Ramesh) graduated from Wesleyan College in Middletown CT last year and is now enrolled in a tech school in Seattle WA, where he is seeking employment after graduation.

My fourth son Joshua Rama is 13, and is finishing his last year at Gopal’s Garden. He will move onto High School next year.

Any advice to newer and future residents?

Chant Krishna’s name and depend on Him in all circumstances, you will never be the loser.

 

Chakra Installation Invitation Flyer
- TOVP.org

Below is the official TOVP Invitation flyer for the Chakra installation ceremony on February 7th, 2018. You may print it for your temple and post it on the internet as you wish to help get the word out.

This historic and momentous occasion is probably one of the most important in ISKCON’s history. It heralds yet another milestone of achievement in our progress towards the fulfillment of Srila Prabhupada’s deepest desire to build the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium and establish Sridhama Mayapur as the spiritual capital of the world from where the distribution of Krishna prema emanates and the Yuga Dharma of Harinama samkirtan began. And it represents the end of a phase and the beginning of a new phase of construction as we march towards the Grand Opening ceremony of the TOVP in 2022.

You can also take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime event by sponsoring an abhisheka for one or both Chakras. Please go here to find out how:
https://tovp.org/donate/once-in-a-lifetime-chakra-abhisheka-seva-opportunity/

Installation Ceremony Invitation can be downloaded by clicking the button below.
 

DOWNLOAD PDF  

The post Chakra Installation Invitation Flyer appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Prayers for Venugopal Dasa. Kurma Dasa: I received this…
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Prayers for Venugopal Dasa.
Kurma Dasa: I received this Facebook Message from my dear Godbrother Venugopal Das this morning:
“I feel the time is nearing. To all my friends and loved ones, please do not lament. Be happy under Prabhupada’s shelter. Take the Holy Name with full faith and attention. Care for each other and try to serve the Vaisnavas in any way you can. Oh….and I have no intention of stopping off in heaven. My Home is elsewhere.”
Alarmed, I wrote to his devoted wife Nikunja Seva devi.
She confirmed the worst.
“Yes prabhu.. he has a few weeks at the most.
He has an aggressive type of Cancer.
Had Colon surgery on 2nd Nov but cancer was already in his Liver & Lymph nodes. Chemo was not an option as it was not going to solve the problem. Since then, the tumours have grown rapidly. He is pretty yellow. There was talk of seeing if there was a blocked duct in the liver and perhaps putting a stent which would have alleviated his jaundice but the scans last night showed that it was pretty futile to try anything.
He is in great consciousness - cutting jokes and counselling grief stricken devotees. He is pretty weak. He has lost at least 15 kgs recently but his focus and attention on what he needs to do is steadfast and strong.
We have been overwhelmed with the love and support from our devotee family all over the world.
Prayers are his main medicine so your heartfelt prayers would be most appreciated.
With respect and thanks
Nikunja Seva dd ”
SO please dear readers, send your prayers for Sriman Venugopal dasa ACBSP🏽

Catching frogs after church
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Hare KrishnaBy Mayesvara Das

Any parent who has raised a child knows they will sometimes get into mischief that may even be dangerous or problematic. In my case, I drove my mother crazy because I loved to play in the water. It was readily available in the stream that flowed down behind the neighbor's house and in a swamp located on the other side of the church parking lot. Simply telling me not to play in the water with my Sunday clothes on was never as dissuasive as my Dad calling me to go with him downtown to the local bakery after church. Continue reading "Catching frogs after church
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Boiling down the milk – Goodbye 2017
→ KKSBlog

With our Kartik memories fading and Vyasa Puja anticipation setting in, we approach the conclusion of a very energetic year. This is a good moment to reflect and share with you our 2017 FACTS AND STATS…

Although we are not starting a trend ? the number of published articles in 2017 (232 articles) dropped again compared to last year (278 articles). As was the case in 2016, our focus was on quality new stuff and re-editing older published articles. On top of that, most of our team took a well-deserved break during the Vrindavan parikramas but even then, we managed to publish a ton of live videos on Facebook.

First and foremost, we would like to acknowledge the people who work behind the scenes to make KKSBlog possible:

  • Uddhava (Netherlands) – Webmaster
  • Ragalekha (South Africa) – Editor
  • Harsarani (England) – Transcriber
  • Naimisaranya (Netherlands) – Transcriber
  • Rai Kaisori (Mauritius) – Transcriber
  • Bhakta Vatsala (India) – FB live and audio recordings
  • Sesa (England) – Travel reports and audio recordings

Insights for 2017

You came and went in 2017. At the date of writing this post, we had 41720 visitors who read 232 published articles. The visitor count dropped slightly and this correlates directly to the number of articles published. But even with the slight drop in visitors, you viewed more articles (with an average of 2.8 views per visitor, the same as in 2016). So overall, with fewer articles we managed to catch your attention better and keep you glued to the content and that, in any sense, is the best way forward…

Throughout the year our strongest months were March, April and May most likely due to the Vyasa Puja and Kingsday festivals. October spiked a bit in the last quarter, probably due to the many Vrindavan parikrama posts published in that month.

And Facebook rules again as the source of where you came from, together with search engines like Google and Bing. Also, Dandavats is strong again this year for sending us traffic.

We are very happy with the continuous traffic that we are getting. That means we provide you with interesting content and is a stimulus for us to continue doing so.

Top 10 most viewed articles for 2017

Some quotes/stories of Kadamba Kanana Swami really stand out. The story about Kartik and Lokanath Swami who approached him during his already too full schedule is a fine example of that. And it seems you liked it too since its number 1 on the list. And the stars really ‘predict the future’ as it is again high on the list at number 6. (Last year it was on number 4!)

  1. Kartik – for the busy people!
  2. Recordings – July 2017
  3. A special initiation ceremony in Radhadesh, May 2017
  4. Recordings – March 2017: Updated
  5. Quotes from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
  6. Astrological compatibility
  7. Health Update: 17 March 2017
  8. Bhakti-tirtha Swami
  9. The Demons Represent Anarthas
  10. Recordings – April 2017

Top 10 most viewed articles of all time

Very interesting article topics pop up here! Compared to 2016 the top 10 is exactly the same except number 10. Last year at number 10, we had “Sexual Entanglement” instead. It seems like this top 10 is also a bit “entangled” ?

  1. Astrological compatibility – (3835 views)
  2. Health Situation of Kadamba Kanana Swami – (2177)
  3. Quotes from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura – (2114)
  4. To be or not to be… vegan? – (1751)
  5. Sex in Vedic culture – (1526)
  6. Health Update, 09 March 2016 – (1358)
  7. What’s wrong with sex? – (1276)
  8. Kirtan Mela Mayapur 2015 Videos – (1231)
  9. The brahmachari and the grhasta – (1114)
  10. Kirtan Standards by Jayadvaita Swami – (1099)

The New Order

India is again on top in 2017 followed by the United Kingdom and South Africa. The United States follows and Australia closes the top 5 visiting countries. Even Germany and Canada are also keeping up this year!

Financial overview 2017

Total Sales / donations €1,574.26
Total Costs €866.47
Transaction fees €38.89
Balance €746.68

 

All of our sales and donations are not-for-profit. Most of the income is generated by the online shop and from spontaneous donations by visitors. Our annual costs are made up of hosting & software costs, shipping fees and product costs. PayPal and other service providers (like Bandcamp) charge us fees for using their services. This is covered in the transaction fees post. This year we managed to decrease the transactions fees by more than 50%! Overall it has been a good year financially and we are going into 2018 with a positive balance…

What will 2018 bring?

While we cannot predict the future and our astrological qualities are severely limited, we do intend to keep publishing exciting content, improve and update older articles. Time permitting we are thinking about publishing a series of articles with older audio recordings (1996 and older) that are currently only available on cassette tapes. Also, we are ramping up the publication of audio albums on iTunes, Amazon and other streaming media! Be sure to watch out for that!

Everything is possible, only time separates us…

From KKSBlog, we wish you a spiritually enlivening 2018! Regular blogging will resume next week.

“Hare Krishna!” – The legend of a spiritual warrior
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Hare KrishnaBy Purushottam Nitai Das

I was reluctant. What will be new in it? “I know the story, have seen multiple videos about him and moreover it will be available on youtube in few months.” But none of my arguments cut the ice with my wife, she was so eager to watch the “Hare Krishna!” movie that I had to finally relent. I was skeptical when I was entering inside the hall but was thrilled while coming out. My wife was too happy. We both soon started inquiring about the possibility of buying the next show tickets. It was a perfect wedding anniversary gift for both of us. The memory of the movie will remain with me for a very long period, may be till my last breath. It is a must watch for those who want to know how an old man struggled all alone to create a worldwide movement. Continue reading "“Hare Krishna!” – The legend of a spiritual warrior
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Harmonious Coexistence: Religions and Philosophies (Album with…
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Harmonious Coexistence: Religions and Philosophies (Album with photos)
Gaur Gopal das spoke alongside His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 28th Dec 2017, at the Ideas of Harmonious Coexistence: Religions and Philosophies of India Conference at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Dehli today to an audience of 400 people.
It was an interfaith conference to highlight the diverse religious backgrounds that exist in India and what can be done to increase appreciation, acceptance, and tolerance of them.
“My gratitude to His Holiness Syedna Taher Fakhruddin Saheb, one of the prominent leaders of the Bohra Muslim community for organizing the event.”
Find them here: https://goo.gl/mc9sdh

Tuesday, December 26th, 2017
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Toronto, Ontario

Thank you!

After hours of drama practice on a newer production, “Many Mothers, Many Fathers,” about the life of King Chitraketu, I needed to go for that—guess what?—walk, of course.

Ranesvara and I set out for Yonge Street.  The cold blast was initially like some monster biting off our faces, but then our bodies adjusted and we were okay.  After all, we live in a world of adjustment and it is on these terms or within this state of mind which allows me to keep going.

For fun, we also trekked through the Eaton’s Centre, Nordstrom’s and the Hudson Bay stores, all one long strip of allurement.  Most of what we see are clothing outlets.  I find it strange that youth put so much energy into attire and yet everyone often ends up wearing very drab and dull, greys and blacks.

Fashion should mean colour, frills, accentuated shapes and designs.  I find sarees and even Indian men’s wear to be stylish, but that’s not what I see.  Most people here are dressed up as if in mourning.  As if, “Are you going to a funeral?”  That’s today’s modern fashion, as far as I’m concerned.

I would like to take this opportunity, now that the year’s end is near, to thank wholeheartedly the following people who have been so helpful, this year, aiding in my personal efforts to advance the cause of Krishna via the Walking Monk network: Rajasuya, Abhidheya, Nitai Priya, Dhruva, Nick Pereira, Ananda Rupa, Vivasvan, Hayagriva, Marshall, Dharma, Manasi Ganga, Curtis, and more.

May the Source be with you!

7 km


Monday, December 25th, 2017
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Mississauga, Ontario

Baby Blue

I went to visit Gelda’s residence. The family runs a food business that supplies Walmart, some airlines, and other outlets.  Of particular interest to me is their business supplies great alternative sugar substitutes, brown rice and a line of other pro-health products.

“The demand is on,” said Mukesh Gelda, one of the managers whose birthday happens to fall on mine, “People want to go more organic and wholesome.”  Sounds like food fit for God.

While at his home, he brought me to his altar where daily prayers take place.  We also looked outside the window to view the baby-blue vista—a fresh snowfall, icicles and a bright clear sky to give pleasure to the mind.

It was really the only Christmas outing for me today and that’s fine.  I needed time to write and to pace—it so happened that it had to be indoors, just one more day.

I am truly drawn to the snow and the crisp challenge of it.  One call I received from Saskatchewan was their forecast for tomorrow, -51°C.  The one good thing about plummeting temperatures is that it brings everyone close together.  Body heat comes in handy at times.

As pointed out by Krsnadas, my good friend whom I’ve spent much time traveling with as monks, “This Christmas Day is the quietest day of the year.”  He’s right.  Fewer cars.  That is like heaven.

Could we have just one day without cars except for emergencies?  For Planet Earth’s sake?

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Sunday, December 24th, 2017
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Toronto, Ontario

J & K

Christmas Eve, for the Krishna followers, means Krishna carolling.  Our usual Sunday community converged on the temple for singing, dancing and feasting.  We were singing the praises of Krishna, although we do love Jesus, too.

Jesus came to the world as the Prince of Peace.  He traveled on foot from place to place, like a swami.  He is sometimes depicted as one carrying a staff, much like a walking stick.  He was determined to spread mindfulness and overall wellness.

Krishna had a similar agenda.  Three thousand years before Jesus descended, He was born in a prison, then transferred for his safety to a quiet village near a manger.  In Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad-gita, He  explains His purpose for coming—to establish dharma and finally prema (chapter 18).

As a babe, He was protected from the evils of King Kamsa.  In the life of Jesus, we hear that His foster parents, Joseph and Mary, fled with their infant to escape the atrocities of King Herod.

In the traditions of both Christianity and Krishna-icity, there is emphasis given to the power of sound, the name of the Divine, by the usage of words like ‘holy’ or ‘hallowed’.  In Sanskrit, the language of Krishna, the term used is shabda brahman, to denote spiritual sound vibration.

We encouraged our group of people to sing and chant as a way to purge the heart.  This is as Jesus and Krishna would have it.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

When neither distress nor taste motivates us consistently in bhakti, how can we become consistent?
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Answer Podcast

The post When neither distress nor taste motivates us consistently in bhakti, how can we become consistent? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Our beloved Srila Prabhupada conforms to the sastric description…
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Our beloved Srila Prabhupada conforms to the sastric description of who exactly is a perfect devotee. His behavior is flawless, as his every word and deed is meant to glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna. He never deviates from that full attention to the Absolute Truth and he cannot be seen at any moment engaged in any frivolous talk or momentary material idleness. Each and every moment in a fully surrendered devotee’s life, even up to his last breath, is connected in some way to Krsna’s Name, Form, Instructions, or Pastimes.
Also, since he is no longer affected in any way by the three modes of nature, he is never forced to act, even for a moment. Everything is being directed personally by Krsna by His Internal Potency. Therefore, no one can ever find any fault because he is as good as Krsna Himself, and is completely under His care and protection at every moment. Krsna has all strength, all power, all everything. And He is never for a moment separate from such a perfect devotee but is eternally united with him through love and devotion.

So as we understand through hearing what transcendental characteristics describe a cent percent pure devotee, and as we see how he is spreading Krsna’s message all over the world, we gradually develop faith in such a rare soul. And if we are sufficiently blessed by Srila Prabhupada and by Krsna from within our hearts, we can develop unshakable faith in both Krsna and our spiritual master, at which time all the imports of the scriptures will be revealed to us. with all respect to the devotees, Mahananda dasa

Yet I hold back
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Hare KrishnaBy Madhumati Pushkarini Devi Dasi

Yes I hold back. There is every reason to surrender to You, every reason to hold on to You. Yet I hold back. This is my precarious condition, dear Lord. While I keep trying to coax my mind to understand what is good for me and what’s in it for me in surrendering to You, I come across this beautiful song by Purandara Dasa, Your unalloyed devotee. This is the song that helps me realize that indeed I have nothing really worth offering to You but still if I offer whatever I have, it is actually in my favor. Yet I hold back. Continue reading "Yet I hold back
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