Lord Narasimha’s Appearance Day – May 9, 2017
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Tuesday May 9th, the Toronto Hare Krishna Temple will be celebrating Narasimha Caturdasi: the Appearance Day of Lord Narasimhadeva.  Lord Narasimhadeva is one of Lord Krishna's incarnations who appeared in the form of half-man and half-lion in order to protect his young devotee, Prahlada Maharaj, who was been persecuted by his evil father, Hiranyakashipu.

The festival will begin at 6:00pm and will include a discourse on the appearance and qualities of Lord Narasimhadeva, an abhiseka (bathing ceremony), a wonderful drama and enlivening kirtan!

We humbly ask everyone to join in on this auspicious celebration of Lord Narasimhadeva, who protects His devotees from peril.  The schedule for the program is as follows (subject to change):

  • 6:00pm to 6:30pm: Arati and Nrsimha Pranam
  • 6:30pm to 6:35pm: Welcome & Announcements
  • 6:35pm to 7:15pm: Discourse on Lord Narasimhadeva
  • 7:15pm to 7:30pm: Dramatic Presentation
  • 7:30pm to 8:00pm: Abhiskeka (bathing ceremony)
  • 8:00pm to 8:30pm: Arati
  • 8:30pm: Prasadam (vegetarian feast)


“You guys stopped a riot!”
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“You guys stopped a riot. There was a riot that was about to happen and you guys stopped it.”
Amarendra: In 1972 before the New Vrindavan festival, I went down to Miami Beach for the 1972 Republican convention.
With Mahavir, who was a good friend of mine, we put together a prasadam program for all the demonstrators who were camping out at Miami Beach at a place called Flamingo Park.
Every day we would bring prasadam and feed all the protestors who were there to disrupt the Republican convention.


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Sunday Feast – Vedic Discourse by HG Chaitanya Charan prabhu – April 30th,2016
→ ISKCON Brampton

Caitanya Charan Prabhu - Our temple will be welcoming Caitanya Charan prabhu on April /29 and April 30th. He is a monk, spiritual author, and associate editor of ISKCON’s global magazine, Back to Godhead. Chaitanya Charan is also the author of a daily feature where he writes inspirational reflections on Gita verses.






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
  1.30 -  2.00    Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast


COMING UP AHEAD

Mohini Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Sat May 6,2017
Breakfast................. on Sun May 7 ,2017 b/w 6.42am-10.33am

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 
Appearance Of  Narasimhadev(Fasting till Dusk)
Celebration on May 9(7pm-9.30pm)

Sri Narasimha Jayanti is the appearance day of Lord Narasimha, the half-lion half-man incarnation of Supreme Lord Krishna, who appeared to protect Prahlada from his demoniac father Hiranyakashipu.
We're looking for the sponsors for the program,if you're interested please contact Front Desk at the temple or donate online

**Detailed Program will posted shortly**
ONGOING PROGRAMS
Japathon-Congregational Mantra Meditation

Next program TBC

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!

Adult Education At The Temple
As part of our adult education at ISKCON Brampton, we would be conducting a series of seminars and courses at the end of every month.

Topic - "Nine Processes of Devotional Service"
Date/Timings-Apr 29, 9:30am to 2pm.
Facilitator- HG Caitanya Caran Das

To register ($10 per participant) please contact Mother PremaGaurangi premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com.
Prasadam will be included.

Upcoming Educational Course
An eight Week course will be starting at ISKCON Brampton on Nectar Of Devotion from May 6 to June 24,2017(9am-12pm).
HG Vaishnava Das will be facilitating the course.Registration is a must for this course.For registration and more details ,please contact mother Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi by Apr 16.

Lunch will be provided.
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, jewellery, 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












ISKCON GBC College
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Hare KrishnaBy Vrsabhanu das

HH Dayananda Swami (UK): The course was very advantageous and helped me to get a basic understanding of the skills required in order to be an effective leader. It was intense without being a burden. The lecturers were well versed in the subject matter and efficient in its delivery. Even though this was the first course everything went at least as well as can be expected. The on line courses were very effective allowing the course to be completed while performing my regular service. The environment at the eco village was perfect. Continue reading "ISKCON GBC College
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Statement from the CPO Regarding Drowning Death of Student in Vrindavana
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Hare KrishnaBy Kamalesh Krishna Dasa

London—ISKCON’s International Office of Child Protection (CPO) announced today that it has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Kartik Sharma, who drowned while swimming in the pool of the Bhaktivedanta Gurukula International School (BGIS) in Vrindavana, India, on April 24. Although preliminary reports have been unclear, what was reported to the CPO is that Kartik, 13, originally from New Delhi, was swimming with a group of classmates with an adult supervisor present. Kartik was a good swimmer and was swimming in the deeper end of the pool. Continue reading "Statement from the CPO Regarding Drowning Death of Student in Vrindavana
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Third Annual Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Retreat. …
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Third Annual Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Retreat.
September 21st (Thursday) to September 24th (Sunday)
• • •
To Register, Visit www.newvrindaban.com/register-for-bliaktivedanta-medical-association-retreat-2017
Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Akshaya Tritiya – The Ultimate Day to Give Charity
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Hare KrishnaBy Braja Vilas das

“If the devotee offers something to the Lord, it acts for his own interest because whatever a devotee offers the Lord comes back in a quantity a million times greater than what was offered. One does not become a loser by giving to the Lord; one becomes a gainer by millions of times.” (Krsna Book Ch. 81) Continue reading "Akshaya Tritiya – The Ultimate Day to Give Charity
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Gita 14.05 – The modes comprise objective reality and color subjective perception
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Talk in Toronto, Canada]

Podcast

The post Gita 14.05 – The modes comprise objective reality and color subjective perception appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Chandan Yatra begins- Day1!
→ Mayapur.com

Akshaya Tritiya also marks the beginning of Chandan Yatra festival. At Mayapur, for 21 days, 21 different veshas depicting pastimes of the Lord Krishna are offered to Sri Radha-Madhava. Big deities of Sri Madhava and Sri Narasimhadeva are anointed fully with sandal wood paste whereas all the members of Panca-tattva, Srimati Radharani and Astasakhis were […]

The post Chandan Yatra begins- Day1! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Sri Gadadhara Pandit Appearance
→ Ramai Swami

Sri Gadadhar was the constant companion of Mahaprabhu from the time of their childhood. His father’s name was Sri Madhva Misra and his mother’s name Sri Ratnavati devi. They lived very near the house of Sri Jagannatha Misra in Mayapura. Ratnavati-devi thought of Saci-devi as her own sister, and always used to visit her.

During their childhood, Sri Gaura Hari and Gadadhara would play together, sometimes at Mahaprabhu’s house and sometimes at Gadadhara’s house. They both studied together at the same school. Gadadhara was a few years younger then Nimai. Nimai couldn’t remain without Gadadhara even for a moment and Gadadhara likewise couldn’t stand to be separated from Nimai.

In the Gaur-ganoddesa-dipika, it is described that that person who in Vraja was the daughter of Sri Vrsabhanu Raja, namely Srimati Radharani, is now celebrated as Sri Gadadhara Pandita.

Wednesday, April 26th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Dubai / Toronto 

Give me Walking Songs

Emirates play flying songs or tunes that carry that theme.  Frank Sinatra sings, “Come Fly With Me,” over the speakers as you enter the aircraft in Dubai.  I don’t care to hear that message after a four hour stay in the airport in Mauritius, then a six hour flight, followed by a five hour stopover in Dubai before embarking on a thirteen hour flight to Toronto.

Give me some “walking” songs, please!

To kill time I watch Richard Attenborough’s “Chaplin” film.  Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, liked Charlie and enjoyed watching him on the screen on the plane.  Charlie does make you laugh.  He produced films for five decades.

Personally, I like the people who break what could be routine.  They give sparkle to your day although they themselves don’t often share a happy life.  Look at Robin Williams.

The persons who make me laugh amongst my colleagues are Achyutananda from New York (now Florida), Badrinarayana Swami (when giving a class, but not at meetings), Brahma Tirtha and Pushkar, both from North Florida, and also Ekendra from Philly.  Ekendra does this comedic routine on a right-wing fanatical Krishna monk from the Black Sea.  He’s a favourite.

I also like to call Murari Gupta, a doctor in the States who exudes this optimism.  His laugh gets me going.

I have come to appreciate that every town has a clown.  God, also has a sense of humour.

It’s important to laugh even when you live in the spirit.

May the Source be with you!


0 km

Tuesday, April 25th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Blue Bay, Mauritius 

Mauritian Wrap Up 

Highlights of Mauritian stay:

1)    A mongoose crosses in front of us as we walk.
2)    A swim to the coral reef at Belle Mare.
3)    A trail of sand and snails became our walking zone.
4)    A swim at 11 p.m. amidst flying fish.
5)    Making friends with a 150 year old tortoise.
6)    Drama practices under a grass-roof veranda.
7)    Knowing the enemy is not the huge cockroach, but the mind.
8)    Presenting the drama “Mr. Puri” to a full house (750).
9)    A magician pulling a rabbit out of the box at my request.
10)The walk through the botanical gardens with friends.
11)A chat with godbrothers, Sri Nekatan and Arjuna.
12)The meals of a low purine nature at Amar’s.
13)The meeting with the youth, discussing their issues.
14)Giving classes from the book Bhagavatam.
15)Playing charades using chapters from the book, Krishna.
16)Having the company of Kala, Balarama and Bishma.
17)Honouring first and second initiations to followers.
18)Hearing a good, professionally played-out, tabla recital.
19)Ball tossing in the water with community members.
20)Writing these blogs on a daily basis, thanks to Dhruva and Abhidheya Prabhus—bless you honey childs!
21)Receiving successful reports from our travelling monks.
22)Bonding with the local Krishna devotees.
23)Meeting and making new friends.
24)Viewing the Bon Accueil and Phoenix deities of Krishna.
25)Enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of Mauritius.
26)Keeping busy writing, and reading, but with some recreation.
27)Sweating, which is good for the health, cause it’s humid.
28)The visit to Le Morne and the cliffs of suicide.
29)Feeling the love of the people—lots of Hindus!

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Give her a garland!
→ Servant of the Servant

One time Jadurani painted a picture of Krishna/ Radha Krishna, and Radharani is holding a garland for Krishna and Krishna is playing his flute, but when Prabhupada saw the picture, he saw that Radharani is not looking towards Krishna. So Prabhupada said what is this? he said, 'it looks like Radharani is looking for another boyfriend?.

But seriously you know, Prabhupada was like criticizing this picture, that, this is not correct. And of course she worked hard on this picture and she was crushed, you know, I did all this to please Prabhupada and Prabhupada is rejecting it. When Prabhupada would say something like that, looking for another lover, that means like biting sarcasm. Not like that, you know, funny joke. It means that you know you are nonsense, you painted Radharani like she is looking for another lover or something. He rejected the picture. So, not so quite harshly but then he said this is not good. So Jadurani was very naturally unhappy.

Then the next day Prabhupada called her and said actually the picture is alright. Krishna told Radharani that that girl Jadurani is a nice girl; you should give her a garland!!

- From "Lecture on pastimes of Srila Prabhupada" By HH Jayadvaita Swami

Even for Cutting a Mango, One Requires a Guru
Giriraj Swami

Prabhupada smiling on Juhu terraceIn Juhu Srila Prabhupada would go on the roof in the evening and give darshan. One evening there were five or ten devotees around him, and a few Indian guests, including a famous movie star and his wife. Somebody had brought mangoes for Prabhupada, and at one point he called for a knife and told a devotee to cut a mango and distribute it as prasada. So a brahmacari got a knife and sliced the mango, but it was dripping juice all over—it was a mess.

“You cannot cut it?” Prabhupada asked.

“The knife is not very sharp,” the brahmacari replied.

“That is not the way to cut it,” the movie star’s wife interjected. “Give it to me.”

“Yes,” Prabhupada agreed. “You do not know how to cut. One who knows, let him cut.”

So, the woman took the mango, cut it into two neat halves and scored the flesh into crisscrossed cubes. Then she popped the insides out, and it was a simple matter to pick the cubes off the peel.

Prabhupada laughed at how expertly and neatly she had done it. “Just see,” he said, “even for cutting a mango, one requires a guru. ” Then he quoted from the Mundaka Upanisad (1.2.12): “Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet”—“To learn the science one must certainly approach a spiritual master.” The guests and devotees all laughed, and Prabhupada told the brahmacari to distribute the prasada, one piece to everyone.

“Everything requires a guru,” Prabhupada repeated. “Otherwise one remains a fool, rascal—that’s all. In every item you require a guru. And to understand Krishna, or God, everyone thinks they are independent. Just see the foolishness. Yata mata tata patha. ‘Ah, you consider about God in your own way. It doesn’t require any guru.’ This foolishness is going on. For cutting a mango one requires a guru, and to understand Krishna, he doesn’t require a guru. This foolishness is going on. And Krishna says,

tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti tad jnanam
jnaninas tattva-darsina
           [Bg 4.34]

[“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.”] Krishna says you have to understand like this. But everyone is thinking, ‘Why shall I go to guru?’ ”

Prabhupada saw everything in the light of Krishna consciousness, and he shared his vision with others—to their great delight.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Understanding how Krishna is everything and controls everything even amidst worldly sufferings
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Montreal, Canada]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

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If Prabhupada knew that certain projects weren’t going to succeed, why did he encourage devotees to do those projects?
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Answer Podcast

The post If Prabhupada knew that certain projects weren’t going to succeed, why did he encourage devotees to do those projects? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

If karmic reactions come on earth itself, what is the need for sufferings in hell?
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Answer Podcast

The post If karmic reactions come on earth itself, what is the need for sufferings in hell? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

A vaisnava
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 11 September 2010, Newcastle, South Africa, Lecture)

A vaisnava has to be someone with a heart. A vaisnava is not just someone who chants many rounds of japa or someone who knows many slokas (sastric verses) or someone who always gets up really early when the whole world is still asleep. This is all wonderful but if that person, in spite of all these wonderful qualities, does not show a heart and does not have a heart, then he is not a complete vaisnava!

Soft Love
→ ISKCON News

Don’t be surprised to catch yourself playing ‘God’ even when you know better. The scientist wants the credit of universal explanation. The philosopher bathes in the credit of insight, originality and wisdom. The celebrity enjoys the credit of fame, fortune and adoration. The politician wants the credit of power and control. Even an ‘average Joe’ will clutch onto something unique which, at least he thinks, makes him stand out from the crowd.