Wednesday, October 18th, 2017
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Indore, India

Diwali Day

Our meetings are over.  God-brothers / sisters are now dispersing, going to their respective lands.  We will meet again in February to carry on with our on-going dreams for attempting to improve on our own initiatives.  I use the word ‘dream’ because the world as we perceive it is rather topsy-turvy, going in a direction that is many-branched.

Really, it’s a scary world, and it’s sometimes hard to envision some level of harmonious interaction between men / women and nature.

At least here in Indore, Madhya Pradesh’s largest city is rated as the cleanest one in all of India.  Kamalaksha, of Indore, drove me around for a second installment of theatre-costume shopping.  I could see through the vehicle’s window that it’s true.

Another piece of good news, of hope, is that in the capital, Delhi, fire crackers have been banned.  Being Diwali, the festival of light and the New Year for many in this land of dharma, there has been a concerted effort to put a halt to the noise and air pollution from the noise-makers.  It’s a step, isn’t it?

In the ultimate aim toward improvement in the world, whether it be within India or outside, there is the need for humans to reach out and help each other.  Sri Chaitanya, the great luminary of the early 16th century, had these long arms that he extended up into the air, summoning Krishna and surrendering to Him in the form of kirtan.  He reached out to all He met and enthused a culture of Supreme praise, not self-praise.

On this Diwali day celebration I had the good boon to speak to a crowd at Kamalaksha’s apartment.  They wanted to hear about some of my walking ventures which, in my experience, is always a good way for reaching out.

May the Source be with you!

5 km



Tuesday, October 17th, 2017
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Ujjain, India

The Seasoned and the Young

I’m always amazed by the sacrifice of the other older monks, swamis, brahmacharis and grihastas (householders).  When we meet, we discuss what is relevant.  Part visionary, part strategic and part problem solving would be the categories of topics that we go over.  Meetings can be long but they are important.

I was requested to give an extra class, in Q and A format, to the younger men.  The room became filled with souls of the ashram.  Their hearts were also filled—with questions.

“How do you stay enthusiastic?”

Answer simplified:  “Stay in the company of those who are zealous.  It is contagious.”

Second answer:  “Just do it.  Pondering too much is hesitation.  Act more, think less.”

“Can you clarify the difference between principle and detail?”

Answer: The overall principle is sweet surrender.  All the little steps taken to get closer to perfection are the details.  The principle or concept is the same for everyone.  The approach varies.  One example is Arjuna was to surrender to Krishna, but his approach was as a ksatriya, protector, and that is not for everyone.  Someone functions as a moralistic mentor, someone as police, someone as a producer of goods, someone as a physical labourer.

“Can you tell us of one of your walking experiences?”

Answer: I detailed my encounter with the grizzly bear.  They liked that one too.

I also learned one thing from those monastic students.  When they go out in public, they wear white.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because although people respect the saffron, they don’t want to see their sons become renunciants.

May the Source be with you!
6 km

Monday, October 16th, 2017
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Ujjain, India

One of My Heroes 

My actual walking while in Ujjain is the pacing I do in the corridor of the guest house I’m in or the circumambulation on the walkway around the temple.  This second location is interesting enough.  I begin pacing and one person joins me, then another and another… In this way it builds up to the point of an army.

Someone said I’m the Pied Piper.  Another exaggeration came from a sannyasi (swami), a godbrother.  “If you stayed in India for a while, you’d have millions of disciples!”  That was flattering, as he was referring to the hundreds of people who cling to the kirtan/chanting led in the evenings.

My response was, “The chanting belongs to the One whose name we are referring to.  It is Krishna’s name and it’s good to see people hooked to the practice.”

When Lokanath Swami leads, it also draws the crowds.  He can go on forever.  If I can also say something else in his favour, he is a committed walker.  It is he who began the padayatrasthroughout India and the world.  He told me that his padayatra (festival on foot) has been going on since the ’70s.  Every five years, the group returns to the same spot, referring to the rotation they follow.  His presentation also includes chanters and deities carried by two oxen.  He’s definitely one of my heroes.

Now from the morning class, I noted a few good points.  Yoga is defined as ‘equality’.  “Wit” comes from the Sanskrit vid (knowledge).  And “that” comes from the Sanskrit tat (something real).

May the Source be with you

8 km

Pishima – the sister of Srila Prabhupada. Ananga Manjari: At the…

Pishima – the sister of Srila Prabhupada.
Ananga Manjari: At the last stages of Pishima’s (Prabhupada’s sister) life, I took it upon myself to care for her.
She had deteriorated so much so that when I woke up one morning, I went around Prabhupada’s samadhi and I prayed,
“What can I do for her? Take her because she only wants to be with you. I can’t stop her suffering anymore. I can’t make her comfortable anymore. I can’t even make her laugh anymore. Please take her. Even if this is offensive I just want relief for her.”
Afterwards, I went to her room and she was unconscious.
She wasn’t responding at all.
There were a couple of Bengalis in there testing her heart and trying to give her some Horlicks and milk but she wasn’t responding.
When I came in the room they just shook their heads, crying and they left, leaving me all alone with her.

She was sitting on the edge of the bed slumped over and I was rubbing her back a little bit and chanting japa with the other hand trying to figure out what to do.

As I started chanting I noticed her fingers move as if she was chanting japa.

Then I knew she could hear me.

I asked her in my broken Bengali, “Pishima, do you need to go to the bathroom? Do you need water or milk? Can I do anything for you?” No answer.

But I knew she could hear me, so I put on Prabhupada’s recording of “Nitai-pada-kamala” because that was our relationship.

I went up to her and asked, “Pishima, you hear Prabhupada?” Pishima grunted, “Ha”.

Then I knew that’s all she wanted.

I propped her up with lots of pillows trying to make her as comfortable as I could.

I put the mosquito net around and I kept playing Prabhupada’s music.

Every once in a while I’d go up to her and ask if she needed anything and got no answer.

Then again I asked if she wanted to hear Prabhupada and again I got the same response, “Ha”, every time.

In the evening, the Bengali devotees had called her relatives since they knew this was going to be her last days.

They all came in the room and someone brought all the gurukulis into the room.

They were singing a loud kirtan jumping up and down and others were howling and crying.

It was such an extreme from Prabhupada’s singing all day to this raucous carnival.

I got the feeling this wasn’t what she wanted.

I felt she needed peace and calm.

I ran outside trying to look for someone to help and ran into Nitai Chand who was a big sannyasi everyone was afraid of.

In my passion I just blurted out to him,

“You have to go to Prabhupada’s room and you have to tell everyone to sit down and be quiet. They can play kirtan but it has to be subdued.”

With a surprised look he said, “Okay”, and he ran to the room.

I thought, “Woah, I didn’t expect that.”

He went into the room and commanded everyone to sit and be quiet which they did.

The kirtan then went on nicely as I held her hand on one side and her youngest son held her hand on the other side quietly sobbing.

Then Pishima’s eyes started fluttering and her mouth started moving.

I thought maybe she was going to say something or that she needed something.

I went very close to her face and she whispered, “Hare, Hare, Hare, Ha”, and that was it.

I just stood there in stillness and thought, “Oh, my God. That was her last breath.”

Right away in my mind’s eye, I saw this vision of her actually moving up, her subtle body, just like you see in films where you see the ethereal see-through body.

The physical body is still lying there, but the ethereal body rises up.

Then her eyes started to open.

She was looking up at the ceiling of the room and she started raising her hand.

I had to actually move out of her way.

I was still holding the other hand as she was looking up at the corner of the room with her hand reaching out and Prabhupada came down with a big smile on his face.

His hand was held out in the same way as her hand was reaching out and they held hands.

Prabhupada was also ethereal but it was Prabhupada as we know him.

He came down with a smile on his face, she looked at him, and I could see their backs as they started floating up to the corner of the room.

I remember my eyes were moving and they both turned around smiling and gave me a nod and a look as if to say, “Everyone’s coming. Come on. We’re all going to go.”

And then they disappeared. The first thing I thought was,

“They left me here. They left me here.”

I wanted to go with them.

I looked down and I realized that I was still holding her hand but she wasn’t there anymore.

I could feel the difference of energy because while she was still in her body, I was praying,

“Whatever youthful energy I have, whatever strength I have, whatever goodness or piety or anything I have, let her have it now. Give it to her. Give her this strength and comfort.”

I was giving her everything I had in my heart and when it stopped, I realized that energy was coming back to me.

She was giving me so much and she was now with Prabhupada where she wanted to be.

A little later on, after putting a fresh sari and tilak on Pishima, everyone came back to have another darshan with her by putting flower petals around her and offering prayers.

I was standing there looking at her body thinking, “She looks effulgent.”

Earlier she was looking like a dried up prune just withering away.

But now there was light coming from her body and I said to myself, “She’s glowing!”

Normally as devotees we don’t use the word “glowing”.

We’d say “effulgent” or “bright faced”.

I thought I was hallucinating because there were so many emotional things going on.

As soon as I thought that, two pujaris walked into the room and one said to the other pujari, “She’s glowing”.

Immediately I thought Krishna had let me hear that for a reason because I doubted what I saw.

I thought it was my imagination.

But when they used the same word, “glowing”, I knew it was true.

It was all true.

Krishna, Prabhupada and Pishima allowed me to see that and that is another experience that has kept me going as a devotee.

I have great enthusiasm that at the time of our death, for everyone who tries to do something for Prabhupada, he’ll come and take us by the hand; anyone who’s been touched by him.

Later on I had experiences with my father and mother who weren’t too fond of the devotees.

My father deep in his heart was a devotee but my mother was against the devotees.

But when my mother was about to pass, she said, “Is Krishna going to help me?”

Then she said, “Krishna is here now. I am going to go and have a picnic with him.”

She left with the devotees chanting.

This is the amazing mercy and it’s all coming from Srila Prabhupada.

We’re all taking part in his movement and these stories that devotees have of him, glorifying him, their emotions with him, their instructions from him, are going down in history through these tapes, videos and books and I am very grateful for that.

I believe this is the Caitanya-caritamrita and Bhagavatam being expanded.

And thank you.

—Ananga Manjari

Most charming and mysterious place in the universe: Govardhana…
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Most charming and mysterious place in the universe: Govardhana Hill in Vraja Mandala!
Vaisesika Dasa: There’s not a more charming or mysterious place in the universe than Govardhana Hill in Vraja Mandala. Apparently, the word is spreading because nowadays, during Karttika season, millions of pilgrims come here to perform parikrama.*
[*Literally, “parikrama” means “walking around.”]
Only by the mercy of the Vaisnavas have I been allowed to stay for a while here in this magical place under the shelter of the Bhaktivedanta Ashrama, nestled at the base of Govardhana Hill, presided over by HH Keshava Bharati Das Goswami.
For my own purification, I’ve been making some notes. Today’s are as follows:
The precious powder clinging to the feet of the pilgrims who walk around Govardhana Hill is Cintamani dust. One particle of this dust is more valuable than all the wealth in the material world.
See the varieties of pilgrims who come to walk around Govardhana!
Staunch and silent, a swift sadhu wrapped in saffron cloth flies by, his gaze fixed forward. Making this journey daily he knows every pebble, tree, and cow, having passed them hundreds of times before.

Three women, two young and one venerable, have banded together and sing songs to Giriraja as they go; they seem to float around the hill, carried by the divine sound of their own voices.

A householder with dark brown skin, wearing brown pants, a smudged white shirt and slick, jet-black hair, walks proudly along the marg with his wife and kids in tow. The kids march, taking two steps to every one of their father’s, looking noble as they keep up the pace. Their sari-clad mother dutifully carries a bag brimming with water bottle and biscuits and probably some other refreshments.

A sadhu on the path, wearing only a saffron lungi, kneels next to a pile of smooth stones and then suddenly lunges forward, his lean back muscles rippling as he places one stone at a time on a pile of stones that lies before a simple shrine of Radha and Krsna. An incense stick stuck in the ground below the shrine billows fragrant smoke. He will throw 108 stones, one at a time, landing face down in the dust with each toss. After advancing his full pile of 108 stones he’ll move his entire operation forward one body length, only to start the ritual again. Nine months later, this sadhu will complete his parikrama of Giriraja and will probably begin again.

To a man rushing to work on a freeway far away from this place, these pilgrims might seem to be mad. (After all, they are going in circles around a hill.) But, the freeway monger runs his circuit too.

Every soul in the universe wants wealth and happiness and has been wearily searching for it behind every corner. But, “Alas!” says Prahlada Maharaja, “People are searching in vain, running after a mirage.” Every promise for happiness has been broken.

But at Govardhana, all these pilgrims have the same gleam in their eyes. They are connected to a spiritual current that runs through the marg — they feel solace in it.

As a cook laboring to grind fresh spices soon relishes their scent and flavor, similarly the pilgrims here feel Govardhana’s sweetness entering their souls with each step. It shoots up through the soles of their feet and into their hearts as they walk barefoot along this path. They become greedy for more of this ambrosia and so they walk in circles around the Hill.

These souls are fortunate, for they have discovered the secret of life: The happiness that we have been so feverishly searching for — all over the universe — is hidden, like a treasure, within our own hearts.

To find this treasure is the Raja vidya, the king of all sciences. But the amazing fact is, this science is an open secret!

Let those who have ears hear:

Lord Krsna reveals in the Bhagavad-gita 4.30 that by performing yajna, sacrifice to the Lord, we will taste eternal happiness and will go back to Godhead:

“All these performers who know the meaning of sacrifice become cleansed of sinful reactions, and, having tasted the nectar of the results of sacrifices, they advance toward the supreme eternal atmosphere.”

In Kali yuga, Lord Caitanya has brought the supreme dharma of the age, Sankirtana Yajna. Yajna is the wellspring of happiness. Drink there by performing Sankirtana on the order of Lord Caitanya, following the footprints of the Six Goswamis. Please Srila Prabhupada by distributing his books throughout this short lifetime. Focus on this and try to increase it all over the world as Srila Prabhupada did, and even the Supreme abode of the Lord, Vrndavana, the ultimate abode of all happiness, will open to us by the mercy of the Lord.

Sankirtana Yajna is life.

Govardhana parikrama, ki Jaya!

Sri Rasikananda deva Goswami
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Hare KrishnaBy Rasikananda das

Sri Rasikananda Deva appeared in this world in 1590 A.D. (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik. His father was Sri Achyuta Deva, the king of Rohini. The village of Rohini was situated within the country known as Mallabhumi, encompassed on one side by the Suvarnarekha River. In the village of Royni, Rasikananda Deva was dearly beloved by the people. He was also known as Murari. At a very young age he became quite proficient in all of the scriptures. He was very devoted to his parents, especially his mother, whose name was Bhavani. His father married him at a very young age. Murari's wife Syamadasi was of good character who hailed from the village of Ghonta Sila, not far from Royni where the Pandavas had lived in exile long ago. Continue reading "Sri Rasikananda deva Goswami
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Jagannath Ratha Yatra on Jatim Specta Night Carnival
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Hare KrishnaBy Hari Narayana Das

The entrusted given by the tourism department was followed up by Trivikram das, one of H.H Subhag Swami Maharaj who live in Malang and always search for the opportunity to present the Hare Krishna Movement in public in Malang by invited the devotees in all over in Indonesia to participate on the Ratha yatra. Continue reading "Jagannath Ratha Yatra on Jatim Specta Night Carnival
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A visit to Vrinda Kund (8 min video)Indradyumna Swami: Vrinda…
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A visit to Vrinda Kund (8 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Vrinda Kund is the eternal abode of Vrindadevi, Krsna’s Lila potency. Early every morning she, Purnamasi and Nandimukhi meet at this kund to arrange Radha and Krsna’s pastimes. By Her grace, we were fortunate to spend the day there with our parikrama party to hear and chant her glories and beg for her divine mercy.
Vṛnde! Namas Te Caraṇāravindam!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/rGKxj5

Gita 15.02 We are bound by action and knowledge can guide us to action that leads to liberation
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Demystifying Reincarnation 19 – Reincarnation reveals justice amidst injustice
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Podcast

 

The post Demystifying Reincarnation 19 – Reincarnation reveals justice amidst injustice appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

My husband doesn’t oppose my bhakti, but he wants me to take interest in worldly things that I have lost interest in – what should I do?
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Answer Podcast

The post My husband doesn’t oppose my bhakti, but he wants me to take interest in worldly things that I have lost interest in – what should I do? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Equality beyond equality
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[Talk at “Krishna and Peace” program at Krishna House, Gainesville, USA to counteract white supremacist rally at Florida University]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

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Month of Damodara
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Kartik (Damodar) is the best, the purest of purifiers, and most glorious of all months. Kartik month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krishna. This month is full of bhakta vatsalya. Any vrata, even the smallest, will yield huge results.

The effect of performing a Kartik Vrata lasts for one hundred lifetimes, Kartik or the festival of offering lamps to Lord Krishna, glorifies Lord Krishna’s pastime of being bound with ropes by Mother Yashoda.

Every night at ISKCON Ujjain, thousands of visitors came to the temple to pray and offer lamps to Their Lordships.

Celebrating the King of Mountains!
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hantayam adrir abala hari-dasa-varyo yad rama-krsna-carana-sparasa-pramodah manam tanoti saha-go-ganayos tayor yat paniya-suyavasa-kandara-kanda-mulaih “Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Krishna and Balarama, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities—water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In […]

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Go Matsya Project Sees Resurgence in Distribution of Full Srimad Bhagavatam Sets
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An innovative new project called “Go Matsya” has instigated fast growth in distribution of full sets of Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the idea is catching on around the world. BBT Trustee and Sankirtan Strategist Vaisesika Das created the project, which aims to “preserve Vedic culture through mass distribution and education.”

Tulsi Gabbard’s Diwali Greeting 2017 (2 min video)Tulsi…
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Tulsi Gabbard’s Diwali Greeting 2017 (2 min video)
Tulsi Gabbard: Today we celebrate Diwali the festival of lights in remembrance of Lord Rama’s return to his kingdom of Ayodhya after a grueling 14 years of Exile.
Today we remember Lord Rama’s unshakeable courage and selflessness as he left His family and His home to honor His duty or Dharma.
Just as Lord Rama faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles we, as people, face immense challenges.
Whether it’s war, poverty, disease or countless other adversities it is our duty to find ways to work together to break down the walls that divide us and to build bridges that connect us and thus show love and compassion for all of our brothers and sisters in this world.
We look to Lord Rama to remind us that we too have the ability to put the well-being of our communities and our world before our own interests and to treat everyone with love and respect.
Lord Rama’s bravery and conviction should inspire us all even in the face of great hardship.
We each have the choice to choose the path of justice and respect and to do our part to make our world a better place for all so, as we light our lamps this Diwali, let us remember that it only takes one flame to light a thousand lamps and the light and love in each of our hearts has the ability to touch those far and near.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/LZsr2G

“It’s Never Too Late” (Album with photos)…
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“It’s Never Too Late” (Album with photos)
Dharmatma das: When I came to the Temple in Vancouver in early ‘72 Harinam Samkirtan and book distribution was the priority, as per Srila Prabhupada’s desire. Bahudak prabhu was expert in getting everyone out right after breakfast until evening program then an hour door to door then back for hot banana milk and Krishna Book. Those were my wonderful early days in Krishna Consciousness.
Fast forward 45 years and by Srila Prabhupada’s grace and Lord Krishna’s mercy I’ve been fortunate to get back to these basics. Connecting with Harinam Ruci SKP Party a few years back was a Godsend and being in the association of such dedicated book distributors such as Mahavishnu Swami, Kavichandra Swami, Vaisesika Dasa, Visnu Jana prabhu, Gourakarunadas Frantisek Stichauer , Harinamananda Das, Sandipani Muni Krsna, Vrajendra Kumar prabhu, Sundar Nitai Dasa, Adikarta Das, Balavanta Das, Riksaraja Dasa, Jyoti Das and so many more great SKP warriors. The program is 3-5 hours of street Harinam along with book distribution, seven days a week. Simple living and great association traveling to different parts of the world spreading Krishna Consciousness. It’s not easy for this 74-year-old body but it’s so rewarding and satisfying knowing Srila Prabhupada would be pleased.

For those of you who need a recharge in your spiritual life, take the risk, pray to Krishna (He will help you), find someone you’re inspired by, watch Vaisesika Dasa Book Distribution Seminar and find a way to get Srila Prabhupada’s books out to the masses. You won’t regret it.

After 8 days in Mexico City my totals were 212 small books and Mucho Pesos to be used in Krishna’s service. Viva Mexico!

Remember it’s never too late !!!!

Hare Krishna training centre graduation 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya
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Hare KrishnaBy Bhakta Wilfred

The Hare Krishna training centre (HKTC) was officially opened in 11th January 2017 by HH. Krishna Gopal Maharaja. Prior to its official opening, the Programs had been in operation since April 2011. With an initial population of 5 students, the centre has seen steady and consistent growth since then and now the total population stands at 43 full time residents and a number of part time weekend only residents. There is emphasis on early morning meditation on the Holy name of Krishna and also heavy discussion on spiritual topics to make better the lives of the students. The students go through morning Srimad Bhagavatam classes and evening discussions on Morality and living a simple life while maintaining higher thinking. Continue reading "Hare Krishna training centre graduation 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya
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Happy Diwali
Giriraj Swami

“The Diwali ceremony can be observed in the temple by illuminating hundreds of candles, in different parts of the temple, and offering special prasada to the Deity. This ceremony was observed by the inhabitants of Ayodhya, the kingdom of Lord Ramachandra, after Lord Ramachandra was out of His kingdom due to His fourteen years banishment by the order of His father. His younger stepbrother Bharata took charge of the kingdom, and the day on which Lord Ramachandra took back the charge from His brother and was seated on the throne is observed as Diwali. This is the original idea of Diwali, or Dipavali. Dipavali means the same thing—Dipa means candles, and vali means numerous. When numerous candles are lighted it is called Dipavali. In India, this Dipavali function is celebrated as a special auspicious occasion. This Dipavali function can be observed on 21st October, and prasada can be distributed on the 22nd October, during daytime, which is known as the Govardhana Puja and Annakuta ceremony. In India, in all Vaishnava temples, this ceremony is observed, and hundreds of people are given prasada according to the capacity of the temple.”

—Srila Prabhupada letter, October 10, 1968

 

Govardhana Puja – October 20, 2017
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The Toronto Hare Krishna temple will be celebrating Govardhana Puja on Friday, October 20, 2017. Govardhana Puja is an especially "sweet" festival!

During the time of Lord Krishna, the villagers of Vrindavan used to honour King Indra, the demigod responsible for providing rain for harvest. One day, young Krishna convinced the villagers to celebrate Govardhana Hill instead of Lord Indra because it was the soil of the hill that provided grass for the cows and bulls to graze and then they provided milk. Thus, the hill should be worshiped. King Indra got infuriated and sent massive thunderstorms as punishment. Lord Krishna calmly lifted Govardhana Hill with his little finger to provide shelter for Vrindavan’s residents. After seven days of continuous thunderstorms and rain, King Indra surrendered and asked for forgiveness from Lord Krishna. He realized his true position as a servant of Lord Krishna.

On Friday, October 31, 2017, the temple will build a Govardhana Hill replica, made of prasadam, to worship Lord Krishna as the lifter of Govardhana HIll and worship the cows and bulls who are so dear to the Lord.

The program will take place from 6:00pm to 9:00pm!  We hope to see you there!

Honouring Srila Prabhupada – Monday, October 23, 2017
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The Hare Krishna Temple warmly invites one and all to join us for a reflective evening as we observe Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance Day on Monday, October 23th, from 6pm to 8:30pm. On this day, we reflect on the remarkable life of Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on the anniversary of his passing (known as the Disappearance Day).

ISKCON is now a worldwide movement and is comprised of more than 350 centres, 60 rural communities, 50 schools and 60 restaurants around the globe. This day will provide a great chance to meditate on what Srila Prabhupada means to us.

Please join us for the festivities that will start at 6:00pm with arati and will continue until approximately 9:00pm. Please join us as we glorify Srila Prabhupada on this very important day.

How I Became a Hare Krishna: Karuna Sindhu Dasa
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The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple is featuring an ongoing series on our website about how active members of our community became practitioners of the Hare Krishna faith.  Written by Krishna Rajesh, a young high school student in our community, this series will share devotees' personal stories of how they became Hare Krishnas!  Please share your encouraging words and feedback with a comment!

How I Became a Hare Krishna - Karuna Sindhu Dasa
By: Krishna Rajesh

“Intelligence, knowledge, freedom from doubt and delusion, forgiveness, truthfulness, control of the senses, control of the mind, happiness, and distress, birth, death, fear, fearlessness, non-violence, equanimity, satisfaction, austerity, charity, fame and infamy—all these various qualities of living beings are created by Me alone”
--Bhagavad-Gita As It Is 10.5

“Sankirtan” is the process of conducting outreach to those who may not know of the power of the divine names of Krishna (God). People mistakenly think that this movement, which was originally started by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (who is none other than Lord Krishna Himself), does not have a major impact in this world. But what they fail to understand is the deep and profound impact that it has on those who are involved and to those who are being reached out to. In fact, sankirtan is one of many outreach tools that have an impact!  Every festival, every kirtan, every sanga, and even just the smiles that are given by devotees make a huge difference. Such, is the story of Karuna Sindhu Dasa and his journey to Krishna Consciousness.

In 1994, Karuna Sindhu Dasa, then known as Kunal Benjamin Kugel, visited the ISKCON temple in Toronto for the first time. He had visited with a friend to eat at the restaurant known as Govinda’s. Struck by the ambience of the temple, Kunal immediately felt a connection. He was drawn to the vegetarian food and the high ceilings in the temple room. He was surprised to see how much things differed from the other Indian restaurants that he had visited.

“It was a special experience that I never forgot. I especially liked the karela (bitter melon) preparation they had that day. It is something you never see in other Indian restaurants.”

In 1996, Kunal had the opportunity to attend the annual Ratha-Yatra festival in British Columbia, Canada. It gave him a deeper insight of ISKCON’s values and he saw how devotees practiced Krishna Consciousness. Kunal then began to regularly attend the Sunday program at the temple, which was four hours away from his residence. He gradually began to make friends within the devotee community and he soon got involved with the temple in many events.  As one thing led to another, Kunal was soon initiated and given the spiritual name, Karuna Sindhu Dasa.

With respect to his reflections on his faith, Karuna Sindhu Dasa said, “It helps me become more peaceful and understanding of others because the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is that we are all children of the same father, in other words that we are all souls; spirit souls. Due to our previous activities we are in different situations, but we are all children of the same father. That understanding helps me appreciate all those around me. Whereas before, I used to be more intolerant of others and more self-absorbed.”

As you can see, Karuna Sindhu Dasa is one of the many jewels in the devotee community of ISKCON Toronto.

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