Srimad Bhagavatam 10.49.12 - The consequences due to lack of spiritual education.

Lecture on “Bhagavad Gita” given by Indradyumna Swami at ISKCON Boston Temple on April 21, 2006.

Sunday Lecture given by His Holiness Niranjana Swami in ISKCON Boston (USA) temple, on October 23, 2005.

This amazing film is a documentary shot in 1966 by a CBS news crew on a “new swami” on the Lower East side of New York City. His name was … all » A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and from these small beginnings he went on to found the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It is a very historic film.

Vintage footage

This is an *amazing* lecture all about what Our Real Identity really is and how it has been covered up since time immemorial. Other philosophical topics are also discussed. This talk is given by His Holiness Sacinandana Swami…..you have to see this!

By Nayika devi dasi

Bhaktivedanta College in Radhadesh is offering a number of interesting courses for ISKCON devotees. Our program consists of three strands: Theology and Philosophy, Ministerial and Vocational, and Introspection and Devotion. We would like to draw your attention to some selected vocational courses in the upcoming months.

The fall of 2004 saw flooding from excessive rainfall. The rain continued into the winter of 2005, and there were over 400 slips on the road system of Marshall County, where New Vrindaban is located. They have been fixing them over the last two years, but not all of them are done yet.

One major one is on the way in from Route 250 to New Vrindaban between Tejo’s (Agnidhama) and Sudhanu’s (the old sankirtan house). What they have done is fix several on the “back way” out. I assume this is because the road will be closed when they fix the big slip and that will be the route into New Vrindaban and if something had happened to one of the ones on the back way to make it worse, we would have been isolated. So they secured on ingress and egress before working on the main entry road.

One slip they fixed wasn’t a new one. It is the one that has been there as long as I can remember. The one where you turn down towards Bahulaban after coming along the ridge top from the Temple.

The turn where if you went straight you would go up a little rise on a gravel road towards Kamsahanta’s/Chaits/Pitambar’s/mechanic shop/big girl’s ashram/Khadiraban/LeMaster’s. How you would think of the place is dependent on when you lived/visited here.

I was always suprised that nobody “put one over the hill” at that slip as it is quite a dropoff from the road and could have been a serious accident. The runoff has carved quite a steep place there that isn’t viewable in the picture, you just see the sides of the run. A vehicle that went over there could have disappeared.

This verse summarizes the mission of Lord Caitanya in a nutshell. Lord Caitanya is the self-same Lord Krishna, the foster child of Yasoda and Nanda Maharaja. vrajendra nandana yei, saci-suta hoilo sei. Lord Krishna demands in the Bhagavad Gita: sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja. He first of all demands unconditional surrender before He awards devotional service to anyone. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu awards the highest perfection of life, love of God, to a society devoid of God-consciousness. krsna-prema pradayate.

This year, the Gaura Purnima falls on the 3rd of March. Who is Caitanya Mahaprabhu? Rupa Gosvami composed a very nice verse when he first met Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Download (00:08:04) 5.2 MB

Guru Maharaja tegnap késô este érkezett Puriba és ma délelôtt az itt lévô magyar bhaktákat harinamával körbe vitte néhány szent helyre Jagannatha Puriban. Ellátogattunk az itteni ISKCON templomba, ami azon a helyen épült, ahol Bhaktivinoda Thakura végezte bhajanját utolsó éveiben. Aztán elmentünk Haridasa Thakura samadhijához, Jagadananda Pandit bhajan sthalijához, Brahmananda Bharati templomába, majd Chota Haridasa bhajan sthalijához. A parikrama Tota Gopinatha templomában ért véget, ahonnan mindenki az óceánnak vette útját s a szent folyók gyûjtôhelyéhez imádkozott további tisztulásért:-)

Mivel nagyon lassan lehet innen hangot feltölteni, nem tudom, hogy ma felkerül-e a parikrama hanganyaga, de elôbb utóbb mindenképp le tudjátok tölteni. Holnap Danda-bhangára kirándulunk, ahol Guru Maharaja szeretne találkozni az orisszai tanítványaival.

A helyi ISKCON templomban az oltárral szemben Srila Prabhupada mellet ott ül Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura.

Srila Haridasa Thakura samadhija

Puri porában vándorolva

Thoughts from Jagannatha Puri…

• Entrance to the holy dhama
• Reading Jagannatha-astakam (words below)

jagannathaishtakam punyam ya pathet prayata shuci
sarva-papa-vishuddhatma vishnu-lokam sa gacchati

The self-restrained, virtuous soul who recites these eight verses glorifying Lord Jagannatha becomes cleansed of all sins and duly proceeds to Lord Vishnu’s abode.

(1) kadacit kalindi-tata-vipina-sangitaka-ravo
mudabhiri-nari-vadana-kamalasvada-madhupa
rama-shambhu-brahmamara-pati-ganesharcita-pado
jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

Sometimes in great happiness Lord Jagannatha makes a loud concert with His flute in the groves on the banks of the Yamuna. He is like a bumblebee tasting the beautiful lotuslike faces of the cowherd damsels of Vraja, and great personalities such as Laksmi, Siva, Brahma, Indra, and Ganesa worship His lotus feet. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision.

(2) bhuje savye venum shirasi shikhi-puccham kati-tate
dukulam netrante sahacara-katakisham vidadhate
sada shrimad-vrindavana-vasati-lila-paricayo
jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

In His left hand Lord Jagannatha holds a flute, on His head He wears peacock feathers, and on His hips He wears fine yellow silken cloth. From the corners of His eyes He bestows sidelong glances upon His loving devotees, and He always reveals Himself through His pastimes in His divine abode of Vrindavana. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision.

(3) mahambhodhes tire kanaka-rucire nila-shikhare
vasan prasadanta sahaja-balabhadrena balina
subhadra-madhya-stha sakala-sura-sevavasara-do
jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

On the shore of the great ocean, within a large palace atop the brilliant, golden Nilacala Hill, Lord Jagannatha resides with His powerful brother Balabhadra and His sister Subhadra, who sits between Them. May that Jagannatha Svami, who bestows the opportunity for devotional service upon all godly souls, be the object of my vision.

(4) krpa-paravara sajala-jalada-shreni-ruciro
rama-vani-rama sphurad-amala-pankeruha-mukha
surendrair aradhya shruti-gana-shikha-gita-carito
jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

Lord Jagannatha is an ocean of mercy and as beautiful as a row of blackish rain clouds. He is the storehouse of bliss for Laksmi and Sarasvati, and His face resembles a spotless full-blown lotus. The best of demigods and sages worship Him, and the Upanisads sing His glories. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision.

(5) ratharudho gacchan pathi milita-bhudeva-patalai
stuti-pradurbhavam prati-padam upakarnya sadaya
daya-sindhur bandhu sakala jagatam sindhu-sutaya
jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

When Lord Jagannatha moves along the road on His Rathayatra car, at every step large assemblies of brahmanas loudly chant prayers and sing songs for His pleasure. Hearing their hymns, Lord Jagannatha becomes very favorably disposed toward them. He is the ocean of mercy and the true friend of all the worlds. May that Jagannatha Svami, along with His consort Laksmi, who was born from the ocean of nectar, be the object of my vision.

(6) para-brahmapida kuvalaya-dalotphulla-nayano
nivasi niladrau nihita-carano ‘nanta-shirasi
rasanando radha-sarasa-vapur-alingana-sukho
jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

Lord Jagannatha, whose eyes resemble full-blown lotus petals, is the ornament on Lord Brahma’s head. He resides on Nilacala Hill with His lotus feet placed on the heads of Anantadeva. Overwhelmed by the mellows of love, He joyfully embraces Srimati Radharani’s body, which is like a cool pond. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision.

(7) na vai yace rajyam na ca kanaka-manikya-vibhavam
na yace ‘ham ramyam sakala jana-kamyam vara-vadhum
sada kale kale pramatha-patina gita-carito
jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

I do not pray for a kingdom nor for gold, rubies, or wealth. I do not ask for a beautiful wife. as desired by all men. I simply pray that Jagannatha Svami, whose glories Lord Siva always sings, may be the constant object of my vision.

(8) hara tvam samsaram druta-taram asaram sura-pate
hara tvam papanam vitatim aparam yadava-pate
aho dine ‘nathe nihita-carano nishcitam idam
jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

O Lord of the demigods, please quickly remove this useless material existence I am undergoing. O Lord of the Yadus, please destroy this vast, shoreless ocean of sins. Alas, it is certain that Lord Jagannatha bestows His lotus feet upon those who feel themselves fallen and have no shelter in this world but Him. May that Jagannatha Svami be the object of my vision.

Download (00:11:40) 10.8 MB

1966 March 1 :
"Received letter from Secretary of Indian Prime Minister. Disappointing. Saw the India office and Mr. L. L. Mehotra for extention passport. Still hopeful."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

1968 March 1 : "I have induced my younger son, Brindaban De, to supply ornaments, cloth, fine arts, dolls, saris, etc. on 10% commission, and he has agreed."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 March 1 : "When I first came to your country I passed through snow and severe cold still I continued to stay. Similarly you can stay always in India even in the most inconvenient condition if you have strength of mind."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 March 1 : "If one is determined to stay, things could be adjusted. By closing the door, making it complete dark and running on the fan, I was never in trouble."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 March 1 : "I am training local boys and girls and very soon we shall be out on world tour with our kirtana party. In India many rich businessmen may be ready to spend to spread the kirtana movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1972 March 1 : "Maintain to the highest standard and do not neglect for anything - rising early, cleansing, reading books, chanting, street Sankirtana, deity worship - then everything we try for will come out successful without fail."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 March 1 : "Flood this famous seat of learning with our books and literatures. If we can convince the intelligent class of men of our Krishna philosophy then our success for changing the world is assured."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 March 1 : "Instruct him to be always pure or suci. One's actions are not pure until the body is pure. By stressing all kinds of cleanliness habits, eventually one can become qualified to meet God face to face. "
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

By Madan Mohan dasa

I wrote the first draft of this one night while living in the Brooklyn temple, nearly 20 years ago. I was tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep, so I got up and went to the laundry room where this poem flowed like destiny onto paper.

This is a class given on 28 Feb. 2007 in Ujjain, India. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 2.1.21 - Chapter 1: The First Step in God Realization Click here to download (duration: 1h21m, filesize: 18.5mb) (Right click the link and choose either “save link as” or “save Target as”)

By ISKCON of CNJ

You are cordially invited to join us at ISKCON of Central New Jersey to celebrate the upcoming Gaura Purnima Festival.

By Radha Mohan das

On Sunday 4th March 2007 are the combined full moon festivals of Holi and Gaura Purnima at Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna temple in Aldenham near Watford. The festivities will include: a traditional bonfire at 7.30 pm and the throwing of Holi colours (coloured powders).

Yesterday I heard something I hadn't heard in a number of years - so long in fact that I'd forgotten it.

I had to make a phone call. Previously I had a phone at my desk, but currently I sit in a meeting room converted into office space. The company has been growing so fast that we've doubled our staff, but not our space. There is only a single working phone jack in the meeting room, so someone else has the phone.

There is something wrong with the airconditioning in the room and no matter how much we complain and how many times the engineers come they just can't fix it. As a result we have a heater in there, and I wear my Goretex Fairydown snow jacket, from back in the day in NZ. This is in 25 + degrees Celsius tail end of summer heat. This particular day I'm also wearing shorts because all my long pants are in the wash. So I look like quite a sight when I go over to another part of the office with normally functioning airconditioning to use a phone - with my snow jacket and shorts in Queensland's heat.

Anyway, at least I get to use the snow jacket after years of having no opportunities. And I prefer cold - it must be my Germanic heritage. If I had to spend all my time outside an airconditioned environment in Queensland, Australia I might not be able to handle it.

So back to the story - to make a phone call I walk around the office until I see a desk with no one sitting at it - maybe they're out to lunch, working from home, or maybe it's a "hot desk" with no one currently using it. We have more people than desks, so some people take turns to come into the office, working from home on alternate days.

So yesterday I find a phone, pick it up and dial the number. It picks up an outside line, gives me the dialtone, dials, and then gives me a funny signal. I do a double take. Could I have dialled it wrong? I look at the display - it seems right. Could the network be acting up? I hang up and redial, double checking the display. Same result. Could his phone have been cut off? Unlikely. Things like that don't happen in Australia. People pay their bills. The phone company delivers service. People don't get cut off.

I walk back to my desk, puzzled, and think about sending an email. No, I'll try again in an hour and see what happens. I'm working away at another task, when suddenly my subconscious mind works it out: "It was a "busy signal". It means he is talking on his phone with someone else!"

I usually dial a limited number of people, and either the phone call goes through and is answered or unanswered, or it goes straight to voice mail.

Here is a phone with no network-provided voicemail. First one in three years, maybe seven - I didn't use the phone much at all in South America, and when I did mainly I was calling cellular phones.

I haven't heard a busy signal in almost a decade. Long enough to have completely forgotten what it sounds like.

"Busy signal"... How old school is that?

Bhaktivedanta Manor 23.06.06

2006 október Krisna-völgy

1967 February 29 : "On Sunday afternoon there was Kirtana in Golden Gate Park and there was about 300 to 400 audience and most of them danced in ecstasy. It reminded me of our activities in Tompkins Park."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

Vrajaloka from Surfers Paradise writes: "Needing a Vegan Thai Curry and Tofu recipe. Thanks heaps."

Kurma replies: "Here's one from my latest book, in the style of a Massaman Curry."

.........................................

Green Curry of Vegetables & Fried Tofu

This is a delicious Thai-inspired curry with an easy homemade curry paste that can be whipped up in a few minutes in a blender. Although the curry paste is green, the curry itself will end up being more of a yellow colour from the turmeric. As with all curries, this one is perfect served with a big batch of steaming hot rice. Serves 6.

750g potatoes, peeled and cut into 2.5cm cubes oil or ghee for deep-frying 2 tablespoons oil green curry paste (recipe follows) 600ml coconut cream 3 tablespoons lime or lemon juice 375g fried bean curd (tofu) 500g Chinese cabbage, sliced and steamed or stir-fried until just tender 2 cups green peas (thawed frozen peas or cooked fresh peas) 2/3 - 1 cup rich vegetable stock, heated ¼ cup chopped fresh coriander leaves

Deep-fry the potatoes in the oil or ghee in a wok or deep frying pan until golden brown and tender. Drain and set aside, covered.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy saucepan over moderately high heat. Stir in a bit more than half of the curry paste (or more for a spicier curry) and fry it in the hot oil for 2 or 3 minutes, or until it starts to stick on the bottom.

Add the coconut cream and the lime or lemon juice, and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce is fairly reduced.

Stir in the fried bean curd, and mix well. Heat through for 5 minutes. Mix in the cabbage, cooked green peas, and the fried potatoes. Add enough vegetable stock to form rich gravy. Simmer for a further 5 minutes. The potatoes will soak up a fair amount of juice, so be prepared to add more stock. Fold in the fresh coriander. Serve hot with lots of hot rice.

Kurma's Green Curry Paste

2 small fresh red chilis, sliced 1 teaspoon yellow asafetida powder 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger ½ teaspoon black peppercorns, ground 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 tablespoon ground coriander 2 teaspoons chopped coriander root 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves 2 teaspoons sweet paprika powder 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 2 tablespoons grated dark palm sugar

Process all the ingredients in a blender to form a smooth, green paste. If necessary add a few teaspoons water. You'll need a bit more than half of this paste for the curry. Spoon the remaining curry paste into a clean, screw-top jar and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

"Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm; it moves stones, it charms brutes. Enthusiasm is the genius of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no victories without it." - Edward Bulwer-Lytton.

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.49.1-2 - Strong faith is the basis for advancement in Krishna consciousness.

Well I've been back home for a couple of days now, mostly just resting and relaxing, all the traveling finally caught up with me in Gita nagari and I got a cold that I was probably long overdue for considering the really hectic schedule I've been on. I must say it is really really nice to be back home. I love the space here in New Vrindban, it is so quiet, The accommodations for the brahmacaris and temple devotees are quite spacious, I share a room with one other devotee, Chaitanya Prabhu, to give you some idea, in New York there are about 15 people living in a space not much bigger than our room. I've become quite accustomed to the personal space, having my own bookshelf and desk for studying, now it is tough to go back to the classic ISKCON style brahmacari ashram living. Radha Vrindabancahndara have spoiled me.

It has been so nice to be back home thatI almost feel like an ordinary person who's attached his house and place of residence, it has made me reflect a little on my attachments. Certainly there is part of my attachment that is spiritual, but of course in my conditioned state attachments are mixed, some attachment to Krishna, more to maya, either way it's nice to be back.

I was thinking about one story I heard in Mayapur during a celebration in honor of the disappearance of Gaura Govinda Swami. In the early days of the Bubaneswar project that Prabhupada order him to start a temple, it was basically just a jungle, the conditions were beyond austere. At that time they were just building a road nearby so Maharaj was living in a tent with the road workers. I can't really imagine it could get too much worse than that. We can imagine that these people were not the type of people Maharaj would normally have any desire to associate with, but when one devotee saw how Maharaj was living he exclaimed "How horrible," maharaj replied "No, this is what my Gurumaharaj has given, therefore is it wonderful." So ofcourse anyplace is wonderful if we have the opportunity to serve Guru and Gauranga there, but for now I am happy to have the opportunity to serve them here in New Vrindaban.

Top 10 things I love about New Vrindaban:

10. A leisurely stroll around the lakes. (The swans can be a little territorial but if you can tolerate them it is a great way to unwind)
9. A nap in the barn with the calves. (Keshava and Madhava are my new best friends)
8. My room (sometimes you just need to dis-appear for a little while and have some quiet time to yourself, I must admit I'm attached to my room, it's hard to imagine living out of a small locker with no room for my books, or my desk to study at, I did it for a couple of years but I think as you get older that becomes much harder to do and you need a little more space)
7. The association of devotees (I love the shelter of not having to deal with material energy and materialistic people, such a relief when you are come back after being away traveling)
6. The Dham itself (Prabhupada writes in Chaitanya Charitamrita that New Vrindaban is non-different form Vrindaban)
5. Palace of Gold (The only Samadhi of Srila Prabhupada outside of Vrindaban and Mayapur, you can feel Srila Prabhupada and all the acaryas there)
4. Giriraj (He is amazing, you have to serve Him to understand, He is really like a self manifested deity, because he really has the shape of a face with eyes and a nose)
3. Nrsimha deva (one of only three Nrsimha deva dieties in ISKCON, and the only one in North America)
2. Radha Vrindabanchandra (arguably the worlds most beautiful deities)
1. An opportunity to serve all those who come to visit the dhama (especially all the vaishnavas)

An extract from the book “My Glorious Master” by HG Bhurijana Prabhu

Mercy Upon Entry 

I wrote Prabhupada from Hong Kong and told him I would attend the Mayapur festival as he desired. I also mentioned that I would bring several Hong Kong devotees, some of whom were Chinese.
We purchased the least expensive plane tickets to Calcutta — on Air Burma. There was a one-night stopover in Rangoon. It was easy to get transit visas for Burma, but we hit a snag with the one Indian visa we required. At that time, British Commonwealth citizens didn’t require Indian visas. Four of us carried Commonwealth passports, and as an American, I could enter India for one month without a visa.
Yeung Pak Hei, however, carrying only Hong Kong identity papers, required an Indian visa. He applied to the Indian Consulate, but the Consulate, after a month of “call back tomorrows,” did not comply. We decided that Yeung Pak Hei would try to enter India without a visa.
Our flight and stopover in Burma went well. The friendly and lackadaisical Air Burma officials in Rangoon didn’t bother to check for valid Indian visas before we boarded our Rangoon-Calcutta flight. “Krsna’s mercy,” I thought, but I wondered about the next and most crucial step.
We landed in Calcutta and stood in line. One by one, we refugees from Hong Kong’s intense materialism passed through immigration. I stood behind Yeung Pak Hei. He handed his papers to the white-uniformed immigration official, who intently flipped through each page. He looked surprised and called over a second official. As they conferred, they jointly flipped through the pages of Yeung Pak Hei’s papers. They then called over two officials from Air Burma, and all four again flipped through each page of his identity papers. Finally concluding that he had no visa, they prohibited his entry.
We had come so far. Could Krsna possibly be allowing Indian immigration to refuse Yeung Pak Hei to see Prabhupada, Sridhama Mayapur, and Sri Vrndavana-dhama?
Yeung Pak Hei was Chinese, with almond eyes and straight black hair. He was dressed in a dhoti and kurta. I said to an official, “Preaching Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s message throughout the world is your duty, but we have taken it up. You should let him in. He is a devotee of your religion. See how he is dressed? See? He has japa-mala, kanthi-mala, and tilaka. He is chanting Hare Krsna. He is a devotee of your Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You must let him in.”
By this time, a host of white-uniformed immigration officials with black shoulderpads and an array of gold bars and stars had arrived. Several spoke loudly and others walked off in a huff and then quickly returned. Others stood at a distance, pointing at the two of us. Official after official flipped through each page of Yeung Pak Hei’s papers, passing them from one to another.
I remembered the BBT newsletter that was sent to all temples from Los Angeles. Although the information was basically meant for Americans, it nevertheless advertised that landing permits would be granted on arrival. Visas were not required. I pulled out the paper and thrust it into the group of immigration officers, who passed it around, each holding the paper close and carefully reading, “Landing permits will be granted upon arrival; visas not required.”
We argued our case again with fresh energy. “We have done nothing wrong. Why we should be penalized? We were simply following instructions. Please, we are requesting you.”
The officials again spoke loudly among themselves. Their animated discussion continued, until the group gradually drifted into a nearby office.
We were then directed to a couch and requested to “wait for some time.” Both Yeung Pak Hei and I chanted on our beads, wondering how Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy would be manifest. Could it be the Lord’s desire that Yeung Pak Hei be refused entry? We could not say, but we sat, chanted, and tried to be patient.
Through the glass window in the immigration hall, we viewed a large group of devotees from the West. Their flights had arrived both earlier and later than ours, and they milled about, waiting for us to clear immigration so that the buses could leave for Mayapur. I saw Jagadisa, my old college friend from Buffalo, Jayatirtha, whom I had met years ago in Los Angeles on my way to Japan, Kirtanananda Swami, who had arrived loaded with milk sweets for Prabhupada from New Vrindaban, and tens of others. I felt like a ghost as I observed the devotees through the window — viewing life and possessing desires, but unable to interact with the real world and my fellow ISKCON devotees.
The bus drivers finally decided not to wait. “We will all meet soon in Mayapur,” I thought. We were now alone, dependent on Krsna’s mercy, waiting for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s decision to be delivered through the immigration officials.
We sat and chanted for hours. Finally, the two Air Burma officials walked toward us. They were smiling.
“They will let you in,” the shorter and more official of the two began, “but they have one emergency fund that they keep in case some difficulty comes among them. They said they will appreciate if you could make some contribution to that fund.”
“How much contribution?” I asked. “As you like,” he replied. I quickly pulled out the two hundred-rupee notes I had acquired in Hong Kong and expressed that the officials had been so kind. Both Air Burma men shook their heads back and forth in appreciation and accompanied us through the immigration channel to freedom.
“India! We’re home, Yeung Pak Hei!” I said, as I wondered about the peculiarity of our entry. We decided to spend the night in the Calcutta temple and travel to Mayapur the following morning. We hailed a taxi and sped to ISKCON on Albert Road. As soon as we arrived in the small temple, we were informed that Prabhupada was there — in his rooms. We raced passed the temple room and saw him sitting behind a low wooden desk. Cushions extended over the entire floor and were covered in clean, tight, white sheets. A middle-aged Indian man, a guest, sat opposite Prabhupada. I offered Prabhupada my obeisances from outside the door.
Prabhupada saw me and immediately waved at me to enter. “How many have you brought?” he asked, his enthusiasm like that of a young boy.
* * *
Prabhupada was pleased that we were successful in bringing devotees from Hong Kong to ISKCON’s first international Gaura-Purnima festival. He proudly informed the Indian gentleman that even the Chinese were becoming devotees.
MGM 14-2: Walk Along with Prabhupada
Walk Along with Prabhupada
Yeung Pak Hei and I journeyed to Mayapur the following day. We had traveled from afar, our lonely Far-Eastern preaching outpost in Hong Kong, and suddenly found ourselves surrounded by hundreds of exuberant devotees from around the world. The following morning, after mangala-arati and japa, we for the first time heard of greeting the Deities, which was accompanied by a tape of Yamuna dasi singing the Govinda prayers. We then heard, also for the first time, of daily guru-puja, an arati which devotees now offered to Prabhupada as they sang sri-guru-carana-padma. Remembering that I had left the United States when no official ISKCON morning program had yet existed, I began to understand that I had been away for a long time.
One other morning, I sat on the steps of the Mayapur guest house feeling quite lonely amidst the crowds of devotees. Prabhupada suddenly appeared atop the guesthouse stairs with sannyasis and ISKCON leaders crowded around him for his morning walk. As soon as Prabhupada saw me, he waved his hand as an invitation for me to accompany him.
MGM 14-3: A Fragrant Flower is Born
A Fragrant Flower is Born
Yeung Pak Hei decided that he was ready to take initiation. When Prabhupada called him to his vyasasana on Gaura-Purnima day, he instructed Yeung Pak Hei to offer his obeisances with his left side to his spiritual master and his right side to the Deities of Radha-Madhava. Yeung Pak Hei recited the four prerequisite prohibitions: no meat-eating, no illicit sex, no gambling, and no intoxication, and Prabhupada handed him his beads, requesting him to promise to chant sixteen rounds each day. He then gave him the name Yasomatisuta dasa. After Yasomatisuta offered his obeisances and was returning to his seat, Prabhupada announced into the microphone, “Just as one sandalwood tree in a forest makes the whole forest fragrant, similarly, because of this one boy, the whole Chinese race has become glorious.”
* * *
Prabhupada had confided in me during a walk on the Hong Kong Peak that he wanted one Chinese boy to take initiation in Mayapur during Gaura-Purnima. Even before that instruction, he had written and assured me that there was at least one boy in Hong Kong who would come to Krsna consciousness. Prabhupada’s vision and blessing came to fruition on Gaura-Purnima day in 1974, when the first Chinese devotee, Yasomatisuta dasa, took Vaisnava initiation from Srila Prabhupada. Had I the vision, I would have seen demigods showering flowers of congratulations on both spiritual master and disciple.
Yasomatisuta has served steadily over the years in Southeast Asia, especially in Taiwan and Hong Kong. He has also translated many of Prabhupada’s books into Chinese and he currently manages the Chinese BBT.
MGM 14-4: Sweet Transcendental Sound
Sweet Transcendental Sound
Just after his initiation, Yasomatisuta translated the Introduction to Bhagavad-gita As It Is. We decided to bring it to Prabhupada as soon as one page had been completed. Both of us entered Prabhupada’s room with the Chinese translation in hand and told Prabhupada what Yasomatisuta had done. “Would you like to hear it, Prabhupada?” I asked. Beaming, Prabhupada asked Yasomatisuta to read to the Indonesian wood carving of Radha-Krsna on the wall. After Yasomatisuta had read for several minutes, Prabhupada turned to us, still beaming, “Is it not sweet?”
He then turned to the room full of aristocratic life members from Calcutta and said, “In Bengal, they are trying to turn others to become Communists, but we are going to China and making the Communists into Vaisnavas.”

I have just now come to Mayapur and am very hopeful to regain my strength and health on account of being in this transcendental atmosphere. Every moment we are passing here in great delight.

- Srila Prabhupada

Download (00:07:48) 6.2 MB

1966 February 28 :
"Engagement with the First Secretary of Permanent Commission of Nepal State to the United Nations at 2 pm. Saw the First Secretary Mr. Kedar P. Kairala and it is hopeful. He will let me know very soon. Expenditure: Bus fare .30"
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

1969 February 28 : "I am pleased how you six boys and girls are doing more than my expectation. You are so anxious to see me in London and I am also very anxious to see you all."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1970 February 28 : "We wish to print at least sixty books, so it will take ten years. If we finish 15 tapes in a month it comes to 300 pages per month. Therefore, every 2 months we produce a book, or six books every year."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 February 28 : "I am very glad to learn that although 60 years old, you are enthusiastic to help me. I am 74 years old but also still working by the Grace of Lord Krsna. There is great need of your valued service."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 February 28 : "We require many pairs of Deities. One gentleman donated our London Deities - see photo enclosed. Will you kindly take the trouble to find out someone in Jaipur who can supply us such Murtis regularly."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1972 February 28 : "We should always pray that Krishna may kindly provide the intelligence to kill all demons of doubt, and because He understands the heart of His sincere devotee, immediately He gives assistance."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 February 28 : "The best remedy is to discuss amongst yourselves regularly all our books in classes, then these doubts will be killed. Without reading the books such obnoxious ideas trouble us."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 February 28 : "Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has advised us to be very tolerant. This means there will be so many impediments but we have to face them and push on."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

The final podcast from the rooftop of the Vaisnava Academy…

• The beautiful surrounds of Sri Mayapur Dhama
• The sad decline of the Gaudiya Math lineage
• The rarity of surrender
• Black Lotus: Satyaraja prabhu’s biography of HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami

Download (00:09:56) 7.9 MB

One final night of kirtan that continued until mangalarati …

Download (00:17:58) 14.5 MB (SRS)

Download (00:32:08) 24 MB (BBGS)

Download (00:09:50) 8 MB (SriPd)

by Vrindavan Lila Dasi

Dear readers, you are welcome to contribute articles and coments to this site, but please note the guide lines:

- articles and coments should be signed with YOUR REAL NAME;
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please note that from now on Anonimous coments will not be published.

Even though our path is completely different from the warrior arts of the past, it is not necessary to abandon totally the old ways. Absorb venerable traditions into this Art by clothing them with fresh garmets, and build on the classic styles to create better forms.

- Morihei Sensei, Art of Peace 37

Western society today is geared around the acquisition of material wealth. There seems to be some unspoken and unconscious equation of wealth with happiness, although this is not so. Research by Clive Hamilton from the Australia Institute found that wealth correlates to happiness on a j-curve; that is that poor people are unhappy because of material deprivation and rich people are unhappy because of the anxiety brought about by their material abundance. Middle-income people were found to be the happiest group. Most government policy is driven by the objective of increasing gross national product, thereby increasing wealth and (presumably) making everyone happier. As Clive pointed out to me a few years back, if I am in a terrible road accident and die, someone has to clean up the wreckage, the ambulance drivers, doctors and nurses get paid, there is a funeral director, a lawyer to settle my estate and so on. All of this increases GNP.

In Bhutan, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck dictated that all government policy should aim towards increasing gross national happiness instead of a purely financial metric. He made this decision at the age of just 17 and it has been lauded internationally as a successful program, preserving the traditional culture and values of Bhutanese society. It is interesting to note that under this dictate, television was banned in Bhutan until 1999 - not to censor it - but because it was deemed to make people less happy.

Spiritual knowledge makes clear that material wealth is but bondage. Scientific research and the example of Bhutan make this similarly clear on the mundane platform. Why, then, are we so attached to it? Is it not insane to pursue money over happiness? The best answer I can offer is that it constitutes subtle sex life. Of what value is the accumulation of wealth, particularly of ostentatious displays? Birds of paradise attract a mate with a beautiful plume, by performing a courting dance or by building a well adorned bower. Humans have their fancy cars and nice clothing, it is no different really.

So much misery comes from our grasping. The correct way to hold anything is like a coin on an open palm. If you tilt your hand to the side, it may slip off, but your hand is not changed. It is only when we grasp at things with a clenched fist that we squeeze misery and bondage from them.

A new Podcast from H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami. Srila Prabhupada in my life - part 22 Click here to download (Right click the link and choose either “save link as” or “save Target as”) Transcription by bhn. Rischma One day all of a sudden the weather turned very, very stormy. It was storm and rain, and due to the storm, [...]

Schoolchildren at a Tyneside school are being kept calmer during break times with the help of soothing music.

Calming sounds are being played at St Mary’s RC Comprehensive and Longbenton Metro Station in hope of improving pupils’ behaviour.

The trial, playing soothing music during breaks and home time, has been running for nine weeks. Staff at the 950-pupil school said pupils appear calmer. Metro operator Nexus is helping to fund the project.

The project is based on playing soundscapes - pieces of ambient background music and sounds made from nature created by consultants Soars & Co. The same soundscapes are also being played at Longbenton station, creating continuity with the sounds pupils hear as they pass through the school gates in the hope of stopping rowdy behaviour.

In recent years Nexus pioneered the use of classical music at stations to stop groups of youths congregating - a scheme which was taken up by London Underground.

Download (00:08:51) 5.9 MB

Hare Krsna! This is one of my favourite bhajans. I find this translation on a website, hope it’s ok. Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu ki jaya!!! ys bhakta mirek

by Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya

LYRICS:

(1) ujjvala-varaṇa-gaura-vara-dehaḿ vilasita-niravadhi-bhāva-videham tri-bhuvana-pāvana-kṛpāyāḥ leśaḿ taḿ praṇamāmi ca śrī śacī-tanayam

(2) gadagada-antara-bhāva-vikāraḿ durjana-tarjana-nāda-viśālam bhava-bhaya-bhañjana-kāraṇa-karuṇaḿ taḿ praṇamāmi ca śrī śacī-tanayam

(3) aruṇāmbaradhara-cārū-kapolam indu-vinindita-nakha-caya-ruciram jalpita-nija-guṇa-nāma-vinodaḿ taḿ praṇamāmi ca śrī-śacī-tanayam

(4) vigalita-nayana-kamala-jala-dhāraḿ bhūṣaṇa-nava-rasa-bhāva-vikāram gati ati-manthara-nṛtya-vilāsaḿ taḿ praṇamāmi ca śrī śacī-tanayam

(5) cancala-caru-caraṇa-gati-ruciram manjira-ranjita-pada-yuga-madhuram candra-vinindita-śītala-vadanaḿ taḿ praṇamāmi ca śrī śacī-tanayam

(6) dhṛta-kaṭi-ḍora-kamaṇḍalu-daṇḍaḿ divya kalevara-muṇḍita-muṇḍam durjana-kalmaṣa-khaṇḍana-daṇḍaḿ taḿ praṇamāmi ca śrī śacī-tanayam

(7) bhūṣaṇa-bhūraja-alakā-valitaḿ kampita-bimbādhara-vara-ruciram malayaja-viracita-ujjvala-tilakaḿ taḿ praṇamāmi ca śrī śacī-tanayam

(8) nindita aruṇa-kamala-dala-nayanaḿ ājānulambita-śrī-bhuja-yugalam kalevara-kaiśora-nartaka-veśaḿ taḿ praṇamāmi ca śrī śacī-tanayam

TRANSLATION

1) I prostrate myself before the Son of Mother Saci, Whose radiant lotus face and body shine with the splendor of molten gold. This transcendental body is the playground for the continuous expression of variegated moods and ecstatic symptoms that carry His consciousness to the realm where He is no longer aware of that transcendental body. By only a particle of His mercy He has delivered the three worlds.

2) I salute the Son of Mother Saci, Whose heart is in a state of rapture, transformed by feelings of intense love. In His pastime of loud roaring, before the mischievous and malicious rascals, He removes all fear of the vast ocean of material existence by the effect of His unlimited compassion.

3) He is wearing garments the color of the eastern sky during the dawn, and His lovely cheeks shine with the same radiance. The nails of His hands and feet have the same pleasing effect of the moon, shining in the sky. His pleasure diversion consists in discussions and glorification of His own wonderful qualities and names. I offer my obeisances to the Son of Mother Saci.

4) His lotus eyes are always wet with tears. His ornaments are the new and ever-fresh transformations of ecstatic love that decorate His transcendental form. His gait is slow and majestic, yet His dancing is a wonderful pastime of enjoyment. I bow down before the Son of Mother Saci.

5) The movement of His lovely, yet restless, lotus feet captivates the mind, and His ankle bracelets sweeten that charming scene all the more. His face, which defeats the beauty of the moon, is very cooling and pleasant. I offer my salutations to the Son of Mother Saci.

6) He wears a cord around His waist and carries in His hands a water pot and staff. His divine appearance is complemented by His shaved head. The sins of the wicked are annulled by the rod of chastisement that he carries. I salute the Son of Mother Saci.

7) His ornaments are the dust on His body and His radiant tilok, prepared with sandalwood. The beautiful sight of His trembling reddish lips brings delight to the mind and heart. I offer my obeisances to the Son of Mother Saci.

8) His lotus eyes defeat the color of pink lotuses. His two lotus hands are very long, reaching down almost to His knees. He appears to be a mere adolescent, dressed as He is, ready to dance. I prostrate myself before the Son of Mother Saci.

The following Indian Organic Vegetables are for sale at the Sunday Feast or can be home delivered.

To order please contact: Govinda Caran Das, Phone:(02) 66726385, E-mail: buyindianvege@aapt.net.au or visit: http://www.indianvegetables.tripod.com/

Corela ( Bitter Melon)

Okra (Lady Finger)

 

Lauki ( Indian delicious Marrow)

 

Bengali Spinach/ Cylon Spinach

Tarai ( Lofa)

 

Cicinga( Kushi)

 

Bengali Red Spinach(Full of calcium & iron)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hare Krishna tour along the Baltic Sea Coast in Poland. Featuring Indradyumna Swami.
Directed by bh. Ezequiel

Janmastami festival in New Vraja Dham Hungary with Tamal Krishna Goswami, Shivaram Maharaja, Radhanatha Swami, Kesava Bharati Swami, and many more… (more)

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.48.32 - Pastimes from the Mahabharata.

(http://mayapur.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=19033)Seventh day of Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama –Maha Harinam Sankirtan at Yogapith by more than 3,500 devotees. Today was...