Gita Coaching will help you succeed by:

1. Discovering together your worth and potential

2. Discovering together new options, opportunities, possibilities and advantages

3. Finding together solutions that exactly meet your needs

Coaching is weekly or fortnightly, focused conversation (face-to-face or on the phone), that helps you clarify what you want, make an inspiring plan and take dynamic, intelligent action.

It is focused on you and your needs, your goals, your dreams and your success.

You do most of the talking.

You may download my new music release here:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/28titl

Thanks to Bhakta Milos Radosavljevic from Slovenia for the music.

When animals are killed in a slaughterhouse, six people connected with the killing are responsible for the murder. The person who gives permission for the killing, the person who kills, the person who helps, the person who purchases the meat, the person who cooks the flesh and the person who eats it, all become entangled in the killing.

SB 4.25.8 Purport

"The word sarva-bhūteṣu is significant because it applies not only to species of life. The devotee can do good not only to humanity but to all living entities as well. Everyone can benefit spiritually by the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. When the transcendental vibration of Hare Kṛṣṇa is sounded, even the trees, animals and insects benefit. Thus when one chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra loudly, he actually shows mercy to all living entities. To spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement throughout the world, the devotees should be satisfied in all conditions."

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.31.19 Purport

Lord Caitanya was unique and in one sense exclusive of Vedas but He
always referred to them. In Nectar of Devotion we find: Srila Rupa
Gosvami writes in his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.101):
sruti-smrti-puranadi-
pancaratra-vidhim vina
aikantikiharer bhaktir
utpatayaiva kalpate

"Devotional
service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures like
the Upanishads, Puranas and Narada-pancaratra is simply an unnecessary
disturbance in society."

Skye from Northern NSW writes:

"Hello Kurma. I was in India last year and still can't forget the fluffy, spongy, savoury, steamed cakes sprinkled with tempered mustard seeds. They were just so delicious. I can't even remember their name! Can you help me to locate the recipe."

My Reply: "They are called Dhokla. There are many versions. Here's a mouthwatering picture just published on the site of a fellow blogger, Devadeva. I think that's a giant man-eating kofta in the background. Can you see its little face on the right hand side, with downturned mouth? You don't? Keep staring...see! There it is!"

I am not sure what recipe Devadeva uses. But here's mine:

Steamed Semolina Breads (Dhokla)

This savoury golden bread is a specialty of the State of Gujarat in western India. There’s practically as many recipes for dhokla as there are Gujarati housewives — and that’s a lot!

Some recipes for dhokla call for chickpea flour; there’s another version that uses semolina. Here’s a recipe that’s practically instant, using semolina with a little chickpea flour and rice flour added which requires no batter resting time and a short cooking time.

Because dhokla is steamed instead of baked, the top of the bread is soft and shiny rather than brown and crisp. Dhokla is usually served warm or at room temperature, with meals, or as a snack, with chutneys. It is usually cut into 3.75cm (1 1/2 inch) pieces and served with a colourful garnish of snowy white fresh coconut, fresh coriander and a fried seasoning of mustard and sesame. It’s delicious — once you’ve tasted dhokla, you’ll make it again and again. Makes about 30 pieces

1 cup semolina 2 teaspoons rice flour 1 tablespoon chickpea flour 1 teaspoon salt 1⁄4 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced 1 or 2 small fresh chilies, finely minced 10 fresh curry leaves, very finely shredded 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves 1 1⁄2 tablespoons oil 1⁄2 cup yogurt up to 1⁄2 cup cold water 1 teaspoon (5ml) Eno powder (I'm serious)

The topping:

1 tablespoon oil 1⁄2 teaspoon mustard seeds 1⁄2 teaspoon sesame seeds 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves 1⁄3 cup grated fresh coconut

Whisk together the semolina, rice flour, chickpea flour, salt and turmeric in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Drop in the minced ginger, chilies, the curry leaves and the coriander leaves. Pour in the oil, the yogurt and half the water, and whisk again. While whisking, add more of the water to bring the mixture to an almost pourable batter consistency. Depending on the variety of semolina and the thickness of the yogurt, you may require more or less water.

Place a few inches of water in a deep 5 litre/quart saucepan. Select a shallow 22.5cm (9-inch) cake tin that will comfortably sit inside the saucepan. Set it on top of an upside down bowl or container inside the saucepan, enabling the tin to sit above the water level and below the top of the saucepan, leaving room for a tight-fitting lid. This will ensure that the bread steams trouble-free. Place the saucepan over full heat and bring the water to a boil.

Spray or rub a thin film of oil in the tin. Set the tin in the steaming saucepan. When the water is fully boiling, the steaming tin is in place and the tight-fitting lid to the saucepan is on hand, quickly whisk in the Eno powder into the batter. This will aerate the mixture, an essential step in the steaming process. Quickly pour and scrape the batter into the oiled tin, level it briefly with a spatula and immediately put on the lid. Steam the dhokla over full heat for 15–20 minutes or until the dhokla is fully set and does not stick to a knife point when inserted.

When the bread is fully cooked, lift it from the saucepan while still in its tin, and set it aside for 10 minutes to cool and firm up. Cut the bread into 3.75cm (1 1⁄2-inch) squares or diamond shapes. For the final seasoning, heat the oil in a small saucepan. When hot, sprinkle in the mustard and sesame seeds. When the mustard seeds pop, crackle and turn greyish, and the sesame seeds are a few shades darker and fragrant, pour and spread the seasoning over the dhokla. Sprinkle with the freshly grated coconut and fresh coriander leaves. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This is to inform all that H.H. Radha Govinda Maharaja had a paralytic attack and bleeding in the brain (yesterday, 8th Jan, 2009 afternoon) Maharaj is currently in ICU in Tagore Hospital - Jalandhar and under 48 hrs Observation. As of today afternoon (9th Jan, 2009), Maharaja is improving and hopefully will be shifted to Apollo hospital in Mumbai by tomorrow. Dr.Amit of Apollo hospital noted that shortly Maharaja will be back to normal.

read more

The cow-shaped earth continued: My dear King, I am just like a strong ship, and all the paraphernalia of the world is standing upon me. If you break me to pieces, how can you protect yourself and your subjects from drowning?

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 4 Chapter 17 Verse 21

In depth reporting from our man on the spot...

I was there. And I never thought that there would be a time in my life, when I would spend my precious new year's eve with thousands of drunk, zapped, loud, sun burnt, lusty, scantily clad, meat loving, young rock fans. But Krishna Consciousness took me right to the middle of such a situation. During the beginning of this ordeal, I couldn't help wondering how this involvement was going to help me progress in my spiritual growth.

Mangala arotik in ISKCON Mayapur temple in Kartik mo…

Hare Krsna Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I'm on a little world tour to try to increase the distribution of Prabhupada's books.

The first stop is Fiji. The devotees here are mainly householders, with the corresponding responsibilities, but still they sometimes go out. The day after I arrived I gave a sankirtan class about the importance of spreading the knowledge of Krsna consciousness. Afterward I was pleasantly surprised to find sixteen devotees go out door to door distributing books. They all came back with bright faces, having met Lord Caitanya's sankirtan movement once again.

I also received some special mercy. I and another devotee went to a house where a nice lady had all the books we were offering. So I said, "It seems you like to read."

"Yes, I do." she replied.

"Well, then, I think you're ready for the spotless Purana, the Srimad-Bhagavatam."

We had one volume of the set and she showed interest, but she said she would have to discuss it with her husband because of the cost. That made sense. So we went on to distribute to some other houses. When we returned to the temple I thought, "How will this lady be able to discuss with her husband whether to buy the Bhagavatam set if he hasn't even seen any of its volumes?" So I talked with the devotee I had gone out with, Nityananda Prabhu (Could a sankirtan leader have a more appropriate name?), about bringing the set to their home the next day so both of them could see the whole jewel.

When we went there the next day, he wasn't there again. But she wanted to see what we had brought. She was very happy to see all the books spread out on her table, and so were her two children, who knew some of the lilas. She decided to call her husband; he would have to see through her eyes. He liked what he saw and they decided to take it.

I don't distribute many full sets, so when I do it's a real treat from Lord Caitanya.

Your servant, Vijaya das

Hare Krsna Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I'm on a little world tour to try to increase the distribution of Prabhupada's books.

The first stop is Fiji. The devotees here are mainly householders, with the corresponding responsibilities, but still they sometimes go out. The day after I arrived I gave a sankirtan class about the importance of spreading the knowledge of Krsna consciousness. Afterward I was pleasantly surprised to find sixteen devotees go out door to door distributing books. They all came back with bright faces, having met Lord Caitanya's sankirtan movement once again.

I also received some special mercy. I and another devotee went to a house where a nice lady had all the books we were offering. So I said, "It seems you like to read."

"Yes, I do." she replied.

"Well, then, I think you're ready for the spotless Purana, the Srimad-Bhagavatam."

We had one volume of the set and she showed interest, but she said she would have to discuss it with her husband because of the cost. That made sense. So we went on to distribute to some other houses. When we returned to the temple I thought, "How will this lady be able to discuss with her husband whether to buy the Bhagavatam set if he hasn't even seen any of its volumes?" So I talked with the devotee I had gone out with, Nityananda Prabhu (Could a sankirtan leader have a more appropriate name?), about bringing the set to their home the next day so both of them could see the whole jewel.

When we went there the next day, he wasn't there again. But she wanted to see what we had brought. She was very happy to see all the books spread out on her table, and so were her two children, who knew some of the lilas. She decided to call her husband; he would have to see through her eyes. He liked what he saw and they decided to take it.

I don't distribute many full sets, so when I do it's a real treat from Lord Caitanya.

Your servant, Vijaya das

1973 January 9 : "That is the secret of my success, those who are helping me are sincere, they have done the work. A little sincerity is very difficult thing in this age of hypocrisy and bluff."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 January 9: "If you take the royalty it will be personal interest in money and trade, and this will deviate your principle of sannyasa. Sannyasi lives by begging alms for the bare necessities of life."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

The official photographer's photos of November's Yoga Asana Chapionship Finals here in Australia are now online. You can view them, including my set, on picasa.

These photos are invaluable for me, because they allow me to evaluate what I did well, what I did wrong, and how I can lift my game and improve my form for this year.

I hadn't intended to enter in 2008. I was going to go and watch and make my cup challenge in 2009. I'm glad I did enter in 2008, with only a couple of months preparation. It's given me a huge headstart on 2009.

1975 January 9: "Everyone should adore our members as honest. These dishonest methods must be stopped. It is hampering our reputation all over the world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 January 9: "Money collected for feeding people in India should be collected under ISKCON Food Relief. Not any other name. Every farthing collected for that purpose must be used for that purpose."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 January 9: "Everyone must be full-time engaged and the best engagement is to sell books. All should attend classes 2 or 3 times daily, chant 16 rounds, and go out for street sankirtana."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

My plans to make the peddaha for dinner were dashed by a dearth of dairy in the fridge. All out of sour cream and cottage cheese is never in stock because it simply grosses me out. After picking the kids up from school I intended to go to the store to get the missing ingredients but was sidetracked by the social plans of my son. With an additional kid in tow, we headed to the ice cream shop instead of the dairy aisle at the local supermarket.

BY JEYANTHY PILLAI I came across this information from the Vegetarian Society website recently, and I thought it will be best for devotees to be aware of this as well. Did you know that Gardenia bread produced in Malaysia contains Vitamin D3 and it is obtained from fish oil or the wool of  the sheep [...]

Sunday, 21st Dec, 2008. I struggled out of bed before my alarm. I was pleased to not have to hear the English accent of my robotic voiced mobile phone. I spent the morning preparing for the our show on a boat (a boat cruise), and learning how to say “how are you?” in Polish. We rocked off to the docks to set up. We stocked a van full of junk and decorations across a dock yard, a wharf and some how jammed it onto the boat. Once the food had loaded itself on board we started up. We had to pick up the passengers from another wharf and there was time pressure to finish decorating. I was stuck banging in micro nails into stage decorations with a pair of pliers?? I had about -10% concentration level due to lack of eating and just as I was coming close to finishing, and the boat was coming close to the dock, it started to rock. I smacked everything together and then fled downstairs. While the people got excited and enjoyed the kirtana I got stuck into the finger food and veged out. I chewed down enough finger food for ten people and was fully satisfied. I sat talking video game pajalpa to a young Janardhana, catching me off guard in my totally exhausted state. After wasting valuable time talking nonsense I made my way upstairs for Indradyumna Swami’s lecture. He talked on the manasi ganga and boat pastimes. I was in bliss. I had only just this year been back to Govardhana and had also read Madhurya Dham, a book all about the places of pilgrimage around Govardhana. Maharaja pointed out spots around the Sydney harbour and informed us that they were all holy places on the manasi ganga which we all laughed at. After the lecture it was feast time. I took the opportunity to hook into more finger food. After some kind of transformation I became very excited about one of my ideas to create a travelling sankirtana party in Australia. I realised on this occasion that it was more than a pipe dream and was a totally plausible idea. I ran it by Nimai and Udhava. They were pretty keen on talking about it. We flipped it past Pratapana who gave us a cost price on the van he purchased as it was similar to what we would have to look at. He joked that I should just come down to Sydney to do sankirtana with the boys. After this everyone returned upstairs for kirtana and I sat down stairs and read. After an hour we dropped off everyone onto the dock and head back to dock in the boat itself. After a quick break down we managed to have our own little cruise. The stage staff and kitchen staff kicked pack and enjoyed the ride. When we got off it was a battle between us trying to empty the boat and the next group trying to fill it up for their party. It was a world of difference between the spiritual cruise and a sense enjoyers cruise, and I think there was superior sense enjoyment in our spiritual cruise anyway. When I got back to the ashram it was siesta time. Udhava was chillin out with us while his friend, Sastra Krit, who had done books on our festivals a few times before mentioned, downloaded some nectar off my computer. I discussed with him the idea of me coming down to do some sankirtana with the boys and it seemed to be more of a real idea. I would have to sacrifice my millage time in NG for the month after tour and rock back down to Sydney. It was all written and signed as quickly as the idea manifested. For me this meant that my adventures were assured all the way till after Mayapur in march. I introduced Udhava to Domo as they debated, “Domo this is gurukuli, gurukuli this is Domo”. We were all off in a car to Govindas for a self claimed feast. I travelled off with the boys to the sankirtana ashram to get comfortable and let off the idea of me possibly joining up with them. We all met up with Domo and headed off to Govindas for a feast. I mentioned how Gaurnak, who worked at the restaurant, liked me. The boys noted he liked everyone. I then had to note that he especially liked me. My point was proved when we met him in the kitchen and he gave me a “donation” and said like he did on numerous occasions that I was like a son to him. I was totally unsure whether to feel bad for taking the money or totally ecstatic for receiving such a nice gift. I felt bad I didn’t know how to reciprocate such kindness. It was late when we returned and I had some rounds to finish. I was finding all sorts of distractions. I caught up with Nimai before he went, competed for the Australian hand ball championship with the children, and made my way around the temple looking for other things. Eventually I came to the door and Rohini was holding it open for me. I took it in my hand as a joke and teased him. Just as I did Indradyumna Swami rocked up and I just casually stayed there as if I was holding it open for him. I stole the mercy. I spent the remainder of the night distracting my japa with conversations with Gaura. We had a good ole late fest talk up. He was talking about devotee writers and different things. I was also bringing in ideas of travelling sankirtana and coming to Sydney. Domo came in and spoiled the party with some pessimistic comments (I think that’s the word, increasing my vocab here). I could tell Domo was a bit chewed up by the big day. The boat cruise was a big success. I’m sure everyone felt it met their worth and I hope it earned some good cash to support Indradyumna Swami’s travelling on for some time more. For me it pushed the lesson that prasad should never be missed. Or maybe I could have been a bit more advanced and noted the point of Indradyumna Swami’s lecture and see everything as Krsna’s energy.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.14 - Constant war in the world is the result of animal slaughter.

Prabhupada: Similarly, the GBC member means they will see that in every temple these books are very thoroughly being read and discussed and understood and applied in practical life. That is wanted, not to see the vouchers only, ‘How many books you have sold, and how many books are in the stock?' That is secondary. ... Now, suppose you go to sell some book and if somebody says, ‘You have read this book? Can you explain this verse?' then what you will say? You will say, ‘No. It is for you. It is not for me. I have to take money from you. That's all.' Is that very nice answer? Devotee: No, Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada: Then? ‘We have written this book for your reading, not for our reading. We are simply collect money.' That's all.

(Lecture on Bhag. 2.9.2: Melbourne, 5 April 1972)

Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

The climb up Royal Oak Avenue was not easy as I headed for the evening destination - a satsang at Caitanya and Manoharini's home. Royal Oak is a rather steep incline. Pare of the sidewalk has slatted concrete to gripe a pedestrian's feel in place.

I vowed not to bring up the topic again, but just a slight mention about the slidy white stuff: it made for a perfect episode of hard-working sweat going through ankle and calve-deep snow. A fall usually means a soft landing. It's all accidental of course and no kid's play intended. Once arrived I charaded our evening group through a chapter of Krishna Book. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Then time for questions. Out of a host of them, one youth expressed a dissatisfaction.

"I do not go to our local temple because I find little community spirit. So why don't we change things?"

In a nutshell, I responded by saying that I believed that morale could be raised but that as a mature youth he had so much to offer.

"The young ones look up to you, being gifted musically, being intelligent, strong and competent. your actions impress them. While the community is there to give we must ask ourselves, 'what can I give?'"

Basically I was encouraging him to get involved, to be active. Space will be provided. He is welcome. If we go anywhere with an attitude to give, then we will receive.

5 Km

Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

I will not speak of snow any longer. The weather here on the west coast insists on not freezing but only near-freezing. The end result is a world of slush, a wet mud and snow substance. Routine has it that I must trek through whatever the ground offers. Only rarely do I get discouraged. A brave entourage accompanied me this morning.

When you think about what our feet traverse over in one lifetime, we contact many substances. Today it's slush. Other days it's ice, snow or mud, sand, gravel, pavement, grass, rocks, etc. I remember being raised on the farm and how Jerry, my brother, and I slid on those rubber boots and would spend hours pitching manure onto the manure spreader while stepping in the soggy stuff all day. These are all very diverse forms of ground that support us.

In the evening I was asked to speak about ground. To be more specific I was asked to speak to our Burnaby congregational gathering about the land of Kuruksetra. Chapter One, Verse One of the Bhagavad-gita identifies the sacredness of this vast tract of land south of the Himalayan Foothills. It was there that major spiritual functions took place, a major combat that created a blood-drenched land. More significant is that here was the ground upon which Krishna Himself spoke delineating on the subject of inner healing.

For me, speaking about philosophical and moral truths makes me a happy chappy. I'm right at home there enjoying it as much as a slush walk.

5 Km

By Karnamrita dasa

I know where I want to go in my head, yet part of my heart is still attached to the flesh and trying to love matter. We will see how I fare in the years to come. I will continue to explore that quest in my writings.

Gaura Vani and Hari Kirtan joined Gladys Brooks for the From the Vault for the Community radio show on WPFW. What were they doing there? Kirtan, of course! Check out these pictures or download segments of the show. (more…)

New Remuna Dhama, the temple in Toronto, holds a Prabhupada Festival on the 1st of January every year.
In a lot of temples, either there is a celebration at midnight or on the 1st itself, but rarely both! So it was great to bring in the New Year with darshan of Radha Damodar along with a sweet Guruvastakam kirtan at midnight (in the warmth of the Brampton temple, whilst the Toronto devotees braved the -12 degree iciness during their downtown harinam), and then go on to associate with devotees and chant Hare Krsna later that same day.

We put on a drama, The 8th Boy, under Bhaktimarga Swami's direction. It was an updated version of the first one we put on on Janmastami. Unfortunately technology wasn't really on our side that evening, as the sound came and went as it pleased, and the audience missed some of the best music of the drama. Nonetheless, all the devotees worked really hard, giving up alot of their personal time to work on the drama and I hope that the devotees, along with Srila Prabhupada, were pleased.

This is pretty pathetic but...

Vani, one of the smart, talented and beautiful kids from my recent cooking classes, sent me this lovely pic of a savory she made for her family's Christmas dinner. It is called "Peddaha", and this is what Vani has to say about it:

Vani also recommends using lots and lots of flour on your work surface and rolling pin when rolling out this treat. To view Aunt Rangavati's recipe, follow this link.

There is also a similar recipe in Sriman Kurma Prabhu's Great Vegetarian Dishes (page 100).

Maybe we will have a little peddaha tonite. It doesn't really go with what else I am serving (leftover birthday cake) but if I add a green vegetable to the menu and a little salad, everyone should be satisfied.

In relation to my last post (The Story about the Gospels), Sita Pati prabhu had a comment and I thought this could be a post in itself. I have given below my response.

Q. Will you also publish an academic account of the origin of Vedic texts such as Bhagavad-gita and the Bhagavat Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam)? Or will you insist that they be understood from "within the tradition"?Because Western academics will be equally unkind to your story of the origin of your scriptures.Be careful to throw stones if you live in a glass house.

A. Dear Prabhuji

Thanks for your comments. Please allow me to respond.

My intention is not to throw a stone or for that matter support a western academic viewpoint. I am talking about the gospels not becuase it does not conform with a Vedic view or a popular academic view but questioning the gospels based on how it speaks for itself as a scripture or "word of God".

I do not take an evaluation stand on the Gospels or for that matter the Vedas simply because I lack the in depth knowledge enough to evaluate both. I also can care less on how scholars interpret data. I know this because I have seen how they work up-close. Vedas, according to them for most part is mythology or mysticism. Therefore my post was not solely based on their interpretation of the data but rather on the scholarly presentation of the archeological finds and literature review of the old and New Testament. I framed my opinion based on that presentation.

My fundamental view point is this, if the people themselves who support the early Jesus Movement cannot ascertain the whereabouts of the authors of the gospels and thus establish their credibility, how then am I to understand (as a third person) after 2000 years that the canonical gospels indeed is the true representation of Lord Jesus. After all, Lord Jesus is the central figure in the entire New Testament.

One does not have to take any political position or any type of position (for or against) to pose some fundamental questions-

• who wrote the canonical gospels and why should I read or adhere to their interpretation of Jesus story and not the others (like the other Gospel of Thomas, or the Gospel of Phillip or Mary Magdalene or anybody else!)?

• Why did the early Church leaders only concentrate their story telling to the death and resurrection of Jesus (the Passion of Christ) and not giving equal importance to all of Jesus’s life teachings? If we look at the prominent gospels written at that time including the Canonical gospels, there is not only contradiction about when the incidents took place but also the entire image, persona and teaching of Jesus has been presented differently depending on the gospel.

If I am studying the Gita, it is one thing to interpret Krishna's words differently but it is another thing if I attribute a whole set of new slokas in the name of “Bhagavan uvaca”. I think this is a serious deviation and hence begs the question who wrote the Gita in the first place and the author’s original motivations.

This is the issue with the Canonical gospels. They all show Jesus and his teachings differently. The Gospel of Thomas completely shows the teachings of Jesus Christ differently from the other canonical gospels and better yet Thomas is characterized as a twin brother (Didymos) of Jesus and one of the 12 apostles who closely associated with the Jesus. The plot thickens, Thomas is called "doubting Thomas" because he questions the importance of resurrection of Jesus. If a close associate is questioning the canonical gospel central theme, then I am confused as an outside person intersted to know about Jesus Christ as to what he stood for and how he actually lived?

Therefore I would like to know the significance of the canonical gospels and its central themes but I am not able to find anything beyond human intervention. If the gospels are indeed just a story or just one version among the many, i rather be told as is and read it as such rather than the "absolute word of God".

Hare Krishna

Basu Ghosh Das: On January 3, 2009, the fifty second Vyas puja of H. H. Bhakti Vikas Swami was observed by almost eight hundred disciples, Sriman Haripada Prabhu and his wife, Phalini Mataji, both disciples of Srila Prabhupada, congregational devotees and others.

Krishna consciousness is like a razor's edge. The proverb often quoted by Srila Prabhupada states, "Suci haya muci haya yadi Krsna bhaje, muci haya suci haya yadi Krsna tvaje?everyone
can become a devotee and anyone can fall." Here's an excerpt from a
Srila Prabhupada lecture in Boston on 26 December 1969: "So Vrndavana

read more

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108@gmail.com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

1970 January 8: "There is no question of doubting, the whole world is in need of Krishna Consciousness. Krishna inspired My Guru Maharaja, and He inspired Me, and I am trying to inspire you all because Krishna wants it."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970:

1970 January 8: "My ambition is to open centers as many as possible. Now you have seen how practically our students are opening centers here and there. All the new centers recently opened are improving very much. It is very much encouraging."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 January 8: "To accept you as guide in spiritual matters is not objectionable if they are sincere. Best thing is you become a regular disciple of me and teach your followers the same principle."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1970 January 8: "There is no question of doubting, the whole world is in need of Krishna Consciousness. Krishna inspired My Guru Maharaja, and He inspired Me, and I am trying to inspire you all because Krishna wants it."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970:

1970 January 8: "My ambition is to open centers as many as possible. Now you have seen how practically our students are opening centers here and there. All the new centers recently opened are improving very much. It is very much encouraging."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 January 8: "To accept you as guide in spiritual matters is not objectionable if they are sincere. Best thing is you become a regular disciple of me and teach your followers the same principle."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1971 January 8 : "Chant Hare Krsna Mantra loudly and hear it when you may feel morose. That will reestablish you on the platform of transcendental bliss."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

Just as a man cannot escape the cruel hands of death, the cow-shaped earth could not escape the hands of the son of Vena (King Prithu). At length the earth, fearful, her heart aggrieved, turned back in helplessness.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 4 Chapter 17 Verse 17

1970 January 8 : "There is a railroad station in Navadvipa Dhama called Samudragarh, and it is said that sometimes the ocean was there. So, on the Pacific Ocean, if you can establish New Navadvipa, that will be a great achievement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 January 8 : "Krishna is very kind upon us. Actually, I was thinking of you from London and by the grace of Krishna my anxiety was televisioned to you in your dream."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 January 8 : "Chant Hare Krsna Mantra loudly and hear it when you may feel morose. That will reestablish you on the platform of transcendental bliss."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1974 January 8: "Your emphasis on book distribution is quite right. Our program as we have received it from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is perfect, now you simply have to implement it without any changes."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 January 8: "My idea in forming the GBC is that I may be spared from the management and use my time for translating. So please continue to correspond and visit the centers in your zone occasionally to see how they are doing."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 January 8 : "I have no objection of your coming to India. But if you can stay there in England and continue your festival program, that will be best. You should increase it as much as possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

During Kartik month devotees offer lamps to the Lord…

There's no reason to suffer in material existence any longer. All we have to do to become free forever from all suffering is take complete shelter of Lord Sri Krishna, the original person, the source of all existence. He is our ever well-wishing benefactor. He wants only the best for us because His love for us is unlimited. Even if we are caught up...

December 31 2008 - January 1 2009

Another year gone, another year started. As the poet Bob Dylan sang, “The times they are a changing…”

But are they?

Here’s a very appropriate question considering the time of the year. This is from Acyuta prabhu in the CIS:

“In the spiritual world there is no factor of time. In the material world there is a past, the present and the future.
In spiritual world only the present. I cannot understand it.”

“How it is possible to understand, that in the spiritual world there is no past and the future? For example, if I have drunk a glass of water, it means, that process of drinking has remained in the past! This process cannot be all time in present time?!… Even if this process will occur in the spiritual world, if I have jumped in water or I sit down on a chair, this action has already come to pass, that is remains in the past. How these actions can be all time in present time? Please, explain to me it is in the detailed image!”

(more…)

Please tell me you're Laughing Out Loud. 

[I am still looking for an editor! And whoever can help put paragraphs onto this blog for Planet ISKCON that would be greatly appreciated by the readers. Thank you. Hare Krsna.] Thursday, 18th Dec, 2008. I awoke with mixed feelings. The good news was it was Prasad and the bad news was Maharaja had left to New Zealand. Gaura had just released his blog in competition to mine (not really, he just wrote one for his friends). I was happy to have a chilled morning. I finally finished the first part of Lilamritta today and so was totally ecstatic. It was inspiring to hear the story of Prabhupada who struggled so hard with such fixed determination to create this wonderful movement. Midday was supposed to be when we left for our PARTY. It was a traditional food fest. After I had almost finished driving and dropping off the first crew I was asked to turn back, we had forgotten Tribi. I spent the majority of the food party driving…I must have killed a brahmana in a previous birth to suffer such treatment. My righteous sense of duty had me taking Tribi as apposed to the option of leaving him to totally miss out. When I FINALLY MADE IT Kusha was waiting at the door. I unofficially invited him. I constantly asked KK, the chef and a friend of mine from New Govardhana, where the chocolate moose was for me. I could tell by his reluctance that it was all but finished. I presumed if I hadn’t spent my time driving I might have got one. Apart from all the driving and complaining I still managed to feast. I gorged down on 2-3 servings of lasagne and curd steak, plus ice cream and gulab jamins. After the driving party..woops sorry I mean food party..I was off for another….DRIVE. Me and Tomtom. I was to drop off the alleged faulty 3 phase to single phase gismo back in its natural environment and ask for a full refund due to a phase failing in the show leading to a very worried sound technician (Domo). I returned to work on my diary while the boys (Domo & Gaura) were crashed out. After this it was the initiation ceremony of me into the bald clan and our new tour catch phrase “I shave you!” into action. I kneeled on a meditation seat while Gaura open razored all my pretty locks of dazzlingly shinny, immaculate hair off my scabby head. I now looked like a full blown fanatic cultist. On attempting to enter the bathroom we were in, Gaura would yell at people “I shave you!” and they would flee in fear of their life (or hair). I was pleased to finish the third part of the third canto of Srimad Bhagavatam today. It was a double whammy having finished Lilamritta part 1 this morning. After the good reading session I delved into the online forums for Kuli Mela 2010. I had much need to express my opinion and challenge the attempts to host it in cold and far away Sydney (current location). I put a serious show of inclination towards hosting the festival in New Govardhana. While delving online I managed to have my first solid encounter with Jammie Furgison, a net friend of mine from Cairnes and frequent reader of this epic diary. After this I spent a little time ease dropping Sri Prahlad and Domo’s conversations before finally admitting to the need to FINISH MY ROUNDS. I took some time off this to deliver the boys some burfis, Sadhu and Domo were pleased to accept. Before I could finish my rounds I found myself up late in a back room with 3 Polish men, non alcoholic beer (I skipped after being scarred from my 18th b’day) and a laptop packed with foreign camera pranks. This was not the expected ending for my night but an interesting one none the less. Friday, 19th Dec, 2008. I awoke to some sad news. The internet had been officially depleted of the 50 gig download limit for the month. We had managed to cause some serious carnage with our 4 laptops and constant usage. As soon as Gaura broke the news I got on and it was speeding along and I unofficially deemed it reset but it was totally questionable. The only thing I know is the whole ordeal has never been the same since. Today was beach day (yay) but for Gaura and I it was puss jewel popping time (blerk). We took Jhotis, the Manipuri boy to the doctor as he had developed an epic boil on his chin. The doctors were strangely nice and convenient, none like I have ever seen before. They seemed to care more about the patient than money, giving us a Medicare discount without a Medicare card. After quickly dropping Jhotis to the temple me and Gaura hit the road. We were packed in traffic. Gaura got confused in his role in life, normally Krsna in the play he became like Arjuna in the car and so I instructed him: “As the traffic continually passes from one set of lights to another similarly when we get to the beach we will continue from one wave to the next.” Gaura felt totally enlightened and so we cranked Transcendence and weaved through the traffic. Upon reaching the beach we were totally satisfied but just out of principle we had to get in. We jogged the whole beach looking for the gang and failed to find them. We surrendered to the surf before sacrificing ourselves to the sun. We caught a couple epic surfer waves and then got outa there. When we returned to our car we found the troop. They were hiding in the area with the lame waves and flags. It was questionable what fun they could have in such harsh material conditioning like this. I managed to loose the race home and we curled up in our room. After a short while Sri Prahlad had taken hold of my harmonium and began to play. I flipped Gaura a set of kartalas and I lazed behind on another set. Domo came in with two more sets of kartalas and handed one pair to Sadhu. Eventually it got a bit crazy. More guys came in, Dina and the twins. Me and Domo renounced our kartalas to them and started improvising instruments. Domo had plastic bottles on locker cabinets and I had my take away tiffins. It was a ruffle of sounds, clangs and high off pitch notes. We rocked Falcon street like it had never been rocked before. After the wild and inspiring bhajan we were off to the street for harinam. We were powering a long for a good time. I was struggling with some…battle wounds from the beach so had to conveniently retire as the parking meter ran out. I payed the van’s parking and sat in my car staking out parking attendants. After a strange session on skype, whence Gaura, Sadhu, Sri Prahlad and I chatted on a single forum, me and Gaura decided to take the level of insanity and pure internet nerdiness to the next level. I had previously passed on the knowledge to Gaura on how to comment bomb someone. Upon learning such skills he went from Jedi to Sith lord and used his new skills to attack me. We battled by depositing large amounts of pointless and lacking comments on each others internet profiles until we ran out of interest in the pointless pajalpa task. It became late all of a sudden. I was short with everyone. I wanted to, for once in my life, get an early nights sleep. I still had my reading to do. Domo was doing what he did best, engaging me needlessly and consuming my time (this is how I felt in that moment). Eventually after getting my reading done and hiding away I found I was a silly goose and missread a 24 hour clock (or something like that). Three cheers for being an idiot! I scored some early rest (or at least I thought that). Saturday, 20th Dec, 2008. I awoke after a fair bit of bhuta activity. My alarm woke me and I scuttled off to the shower. When I returned I found my phone dismantled on the ground. “Did I drop my phone?” I thought but then realised I had not switched it off properly after my alarm. I snoozed it! It would have went off 10 mins later while I was in the shower and, for once in my life, I was one of the first up. Domo had pulled my phone to pieces to end its reign of terror and I tread carefully around the troop for the rest of the early morning. Gurupuja was ecstatic. A Bengali brahmacari living in the temple was leading. He was singing all sorts of melodiour bhajans. I was totally transformed when he started to sing “Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu…Doya koro morrrrreeee”. I was whisked away to Mayapur within my mind and was so happy. I was singing loudly, with my eyes closed (looking like a fanatic) and blissing out on the nectar. Prahlad gave an uba class on different moral injunctions. He explained Artha Sastra, which is used to manipulate people into becoming your ally. He also told some cool Mahabharata stories on moral kings starving themselves and cutting off their own flesh for the name of duty and justice (I know the stories, just cant remember the names). Today was the nectar program. Could it get any better? Was breakfast going to let us down? No, of course it wouldn’t. Bhrigu cooked up another epic Saturday feast and the morning was totally complete. Today I was officially deemed “The Mind” although it was already obvious in tour that this was my title. Today was somewhat total unanimous agreement and acknowledgment of this fact. After a lazy morning in the temple it was time to head out and work off the Prasadam. We hurled out to harinam and belted out the good stuff. I had recovered from my beach “wounds” and was ecstatically pacing along. The boys noted I looked like a new fanatic cultist, with my bald head and robes and overly joyful smile. There was one cool looking guy who tagged along the WHOLE harinams. Chandra was talking to him and showing him a few cool books. We stopped at one point, across from the police station and positioned ourselves next door to a protest in progress. There was a large punk/emo crowd next to us with character masks and gas masks protesting towards to police station about Scientology. I was curious to get one of their fliers but didn’t seem to get the chance. Some of them joined in the dancing for a bit and seemed to be dancing along to the music a lot of the time also. It was a hungry scene back at the temple. Me and Dulaba raided the 4 o’clock food offering. We packed out the milk sweets and icing sugar. After an epic snack fest feast we rushed outside for a greetings kirtana. Indradyumna Swami was returning from New Zealand. When he arrived we took the kirtana into overdrive and then sat with him in the lobby for his New Zealand story time. Indradyumna Swami told his epic battle with customs. New Zealand has the harshest customs I know. I was stuck there for almost 2 hours on my first visit and I could imagine how he felt to a small extent. I had heard rumours previous from the boys about what had happened but it was much worse than I realised. First Indradyumna Swami was stopped. They claimed his passport was fake. They were threatening to deport him back to Australia (I will note this is not the most pleasant experience, especially after a late flight). After finally convincing them he went off. He went to the bathroom to put on some tilak. 4 police officers burst in and said they saw him on camera washing his drugs down the toilet. After another massive search and interrogation with dogs and everything they let him go. While still in the restricted area Indradyumna Swami opened his phone, a camera phone. They told him it was illegal to take photos in the restricted area and took him again. After searching his camera and laptop they finally let him go! Sorry guys in NZ if Swami doesn’t come back. Very soon after the arrival of Indradyumna Swami HH Bhakti Visvambara Madhava Maharaja arrived also. After some prasad and a bit to much pajalpa I came to realise he was giving his class EARLY, as in RIGHT NOW! I rushed in to catch some nectar. The class was all about tulsi and was told in his typical hilarious and light style. When I got back to the room Nitai had sent me a message with the sankrit maha mantra. He instructed me to comment bomb Gaura with it. Being my older brother and therefore in the position of a guru to an extent, I obeyed his order. I smashed Gaura with spiritual nectar. Just after this Dina did the same by smashing me with two maha milk sweets. I noted his amazing ability of scoring maha. The joy of the day just never seemed to stop. It was full of maha, kirtana and swamis. After all this joy I posted out a new diary entry for the people and finished off another for later, like I have just done now.