Most recently I had a bit of an exchange with Bhakta Dave about the idea of “leaving ISKCON”.  In his post he was describing how he was advised to leave ISKCON and take shelter elsewhere as there are plenty of other places he could take diksa from much easier. In regards to this post I [...]

Mukunda Datta das singing the bhajan "Hari Haraye Nama Krishna".

2008-12-31
Dallas, TX

Download: 2008-12-31 - 12 - 12 hr Bhajans - Mukunda Datta das - Hari Haraye Nama Krishna.mp3

For the last few months, our Toronto Hare Krishna newsletter has been back up and running and copies can always be found at the front desk at our temple. We also now have our newsletters online and will try to keep archived copies of them available for our blog visitors!

We hope you enjoy this new feature of the blog and we thank the Pandava Sena youth group of Toronto for managing the responsibility of publishing the newsletters every month!

You can find the newsletters, available for download, in the sidebar of our blog along the right hand side.

Previous Newsletters:
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008

The Sunday Feast recording this week featured the debut concert by ISKCON Toronto's new kirtan band, Gaura-Shakti! In lieu of posting the webcam recording (which was broadcasted online), we will instead be posting high quality video highlights from the concert, along with a small report, later this week. Stay tuned!!!

Hare Krsna,

In the Japa Room, there is a lot of emphasis placed on chanting and hearing the Holy Names in an attentive mood, with great humility and just concentrating on the sound vibration.

I like the following short recollection, as it is somewhat humorous, but extremely serious at the same time. It is recalled in "Planting The Seed" by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami page 214:

A long-haired girl sitting close to Swamiji's dias raised her hand and asked, seemingly in trance, "When I am chanting, I feel a great concentration of energy on my forehead, and then a buzzing comes and a reddish light."
"Just keep on chanting, Swamiji replied. "it will clear up."

"Well, what does the chanting produce?" She seemed to be coming out of her trance now.
"Chanting produces chanting," he replied.

Haribol,

Chuck

I’ve been kind of slack lately about making my blog entries…

should be more active soon… watch this space!

The following is a Śrīmad Bhāgavatam class given by H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja on January 26, 2009 at ISKCON Ujjain.

To download the lecture, right click on the download link and choose either “Save link as” or “Save target as”

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.9.13- Chapter 9: Brahmā’s Prayers for Creative Energy

The following is a Śrīmad Bhāgavatam class given by H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja on January 26, 2009 at ISKCON Ujjain. To download the lecture, right click on the download link and choose either ldquo;Save link asrdquo; or ldquo;Save target asrdquo; Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.9.13- Chapter 9: Brahmā's Prayers for Creative Energy

I have been reading some lovely postings by Radhapriya Devva Dasa she has also highlighted a rather quirky youtube posting thats well worth watching you can find it here: Just to get everyone in the revelutionary mood Hope you all enjoy it as much as me

Chris Fici: Separating the Rhetoric from the Reality - An Interview with Tapahpunjah Dasa of The Small Farm Training Center as reported by Bhakta Chris Fici

Kesihanta dasa: January 26, 2009 marks the beginning of the Chinese year 4707. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, this is the Year of the Ox. The Ox, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, symbolizes prosperity through hard work, resolve, and tenacity.

By Satyaraja Dasa

What do yoga, spiritual music, and Hare Krishna have to do with Barack Obama? At first blush, not a whole lot. Sure, Obama carried around a Hanuman trinket for some time, as indicated by Time Magazine.

By Abhijit Toley

Applause. The kind that bursts out from the hearts of the audience after a moment of stunned silence. The kind that seems to last forever...

The sojourn of this spirit soul has made the most essential stop: camping down with the devotional all-stars at the Bhaktivedanta Ashram in the hippest spot on the planet, The East Village on the island of Manhattan in New York City.

Slinging books in the subway, curd subji for lunch, jokes and slokes, doing a little jig or two at the crack of dawn, screeching fire engines, faces of all colors, a little street-jazz....it already feels like home.

Following in the literal footsteps of Srila Prabhupada, we share and shape the cultural fabric of this fantastic urban wonderland.

Here's our website, and stay tuned for much more.

The Stepping Stones to Real Cow Protection
Separating the Rhetoric from the Reality
An Interview with Tapahpunjah Dasa of The Small Farm Training Center
as reported by Bhakta Chris Fici

Editor’s note: The Small Farm Training Center is a land based non-profit educational organization which organically farms and conducts farm tours on temple owned land in the heart of New Vrindaban Community. For information about apprenticeship opportunities, or general farm related information email Tapahpunjah dasa at info@farmeducation.org or visit www.farmeducation.org

Q: Give us a nutshell version of what you mean by “real “ cow protection and “the stepping stones” to achieve it.

A: Cow protection conveys an image within North American ISKCON of being a timeless truth which weaves together animal husbandry, food production, homesteading skills and vigorous preaching. Unfortunately, cow protection has morphed into a nostalgic maintenance burden in isolation from our day-to-day lives as rural Vaisnavas. What I’m suggesting is an approach to cow protection that first teaches the skills—practical and social—that gradually integrate cows and bulls into the fabric of rural Krishna conscious life.

Q: Are you suggesting that our attempt at cow protection is a failed paradigm?

A: Let’s call it a sleeping paradigm. Cows are to devotees what Toyota Priuses are to yuppies—something you wish we could have, but can’t figure out how it fits into your economic reality. The real question to ask is how to make cow care a relevant factor in shaping our rural communities. My reference point is what I saw happen in New Vrindaban when we leap-froged from hand-milking a few cows to maintaining more than 400 animals. The social, economic and spiritual ramifications are still being felt today, not just in New Vrindaban, but in other ISKCON rural communities where that pattern was copied.

Q: New Vrindaban’s present herd size has steadily decreased to about 90 aging cows and bulls. There seems to be ample pasturing grounds and hay fields so why make a fuss about decisions made years ago?

A: The impact of those decisions are still prevalent thirty years later. Cow husbandry has virtually dominated decisions about land policy and land usage. It has monopolized the use of farm equipment, over-shadowed food production and even set the tone and tenure of our preaching. As Prabhupada’s disciples expire or voluntarily retire from management, the next generation of Vaisnavas will hopefully avoid our mistakes.

Q: Srila Prabhupada often held up New Vrindaban as a model community for cow protection. Has the community lived up to those expectations?

A: Thanks to the determination of some extraordinary devotees and due to the generosity of the greater Indian community, goraksha-seva marches on. Our challenge has been to adjust the theory of cow protection to the reality of cow protection as we experience it in the cold Northern climates. You can’t imitate an Indian model. An Indian family keeps a cow or ox team behind their residence; a neighborhood cow herder takes everyone’s cows to government owned grazing lands and then returns in the evening in time for milking. Pasturing land is available all year long, and there are no snow blizzards.

Q: Given the difficulties inherent with sheltering and feeding cows through six months of cold weather, someone could easily question the practicality of keeping cows at all. Can the case be made that the kind of cow protection Srila Prabhupada sought is only applicable to places like India?

A: In a traditional village setting—East or West—cows and bulls are the ecological cornerstone of society. No one is questioning either their functional or spiritual significance. What is being questioned is cow protection based on sentimentality, cow protection based on a business plan to sell milk products, cow protection whose principle aim is Hindu fund raising and cow protection lacking a social and cultural support network.

Q: In Hare Krishna Dasi’s Srila Prabhupada on Varnashram and Farm Community Development, Prabhupada stated that a rural community’s first priority is ”to solve the food problem”… Elsewhere, Prabhupada said that the purpose of our farm communities was ”to grow food.” Most ISKCON rural communities only grow a small portion of what they eat, opting to buy bhoga from outside sources. How did food production become so divorced from cow protection?

A: Where do I start? Once you start down the road of over breeding, you’re locked into a maintenance merry-go-round that won’t stop for the 15-20 years lifespan of the animal. In a large herd, for every 1 cow copiously giving milk, there are 12 cows standing dry or idle, 50% of whom are bulls. Who’s going to work the oxen? Who’s going to shovel the manure? Who can fix the flat on the manure spreader? This is just the math and mechanical side of the equation. Then there’s the social dynamic percolating within managerially challenged ISKCON. In retrospect, the devotee farm leaders who could have shaped ISKCON’s first farming communities into beacons of food and energy independence, were also expected to raise families, perform sadhana bhakti, adjust to the challenges of living in a community and be subject to the dictates of absentee managers who held the purse strings. That’s quite a brew…not exactly your typical American family farm.

Q: What’s the lesson learned?

A: No subsidy, no farm. It’s hard enough to find people who have the physical stamina and mental discipline required for farming. Farm communities can’t develop if the farming is under funded and the farmers are pauperized. In North America, the farming aspect of our rural communities is an amusing sideshow to the main event which is elaborate city temple Deity worship amidst a backdrop of gentrified country living. Management’s focus is cash flow, resolving personality conflicts and who’s dressing the Deites….never mind mobilizing anyone for planting, harvesting, weeding etc. The result is no farmers, no vision for the cow program , no development of farm based skills, no real food production beyond hobby gardening and utter dependence on Hindu fundraising. The rural environ is really the city temple environ transplanted to the countryside and characterized by the same urban attitudes and tastes. Devotee families live on the land but not really with the land. None of their occupations are land based. They reside within walking distance of the cow barn and organic garden but buy their milk and veggies in town. By way of example, New Vrindaban has spent roughly $800,000 on bhoga in the past 14 years. While it’s fair to note that New Vrindaban hosts thousands of hungry guests, it’s also accurate to say that almost nothing has been invested to create a farming infrastructure to stabilize and secure a home grown food supply. That’s an embarrassment. Imagine standing before Srila Prabhupada and explaining that uncomfortable fact of life.

Q: You’re basically saying that agriculture requires temple subsidy to survive?

A: Subsidy sounds like a give away. Let’s call it investment in authentic land based culture. As devotees, we have to become natives to our place. How do you stabilize a community food supply when there are no granaries, silos or root cellars dotting the farm landscape? Our conditioning is to think of land as a commodity. We think first of its ownership before we consider it’s use in Krishna’s service. We don’t acquire land by inheriting it and assuming the duties of farm stewardship. Devotees acquire land through purchase and sale. Land is a quantifiable measurable entity. Our only personal responsibility is to ourselves (what’s my bank balance?) by protecting the resale value of the land. Land means equity and equity means money and money means travel and the ability to buy exotic things from faraway places. This mentality is a far cry from the honor extolled on farming as given by Srila Prabhupada. He called farming and cow protection “the gifted professions” and “the most noble occupations.”

Stay tuned Friday for Part 2!

Lord Brahmâ, the supreme person within this universe, said: My dear Priyavrata, kindly hear attentively what I shall say to you. Do not be jealous of the Supreme Lord, who is beyond our experimental measurements. All of us, including Lord S'iva, your father and the great sage Mahârishi Nârada, must carry out the order of the Supreme. We cannot deviate from His order.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 5 Chapter 1 Verse 11

Radha-Madhava going around ISKCON Mayapur compo…

Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 5, No. 1
By Krishna-kripa das
(January 2009, part one)
Montreal, Albany, Orlando, Gainesville
(Sent from Gainesville, Florida, on 1/25/09)

Where I Am and What I Am Doing

On entering Canada I was more harassed by the border security than I was in any country I have ever visited, even Russia. They threatened to detain me overnight for coming to Canada for six days with only $30 cash, 10 British pounds, $50 in the bank and no health insurance. The experience was hard on my false ego. Fortunately the U.S. border guard on my return was lenient. I visited my mother in Albany, helping by cleaning and replenishing her fireplace, cleaning her room, and fixing her TV. I cooked many preps there and at my sister’s place, and the oatmeal with fruit and nuts, the pancakes with strawberry syrup, curd kofta balls, and cardamom milk were winners. Only my niece liked my speculation of split pea soup with spaghetti in it, though. While home I called a friend from high school I hadn’t talked to for thirty years, who now writes poetry on art, a second career. I flew from Albany to Orlando, and took a bus, for just $6.75 with an advanced purchase ticket, from there to Gainesville. When I was twenty minutes late for the bus, but still was able to get the last seat, I felt that Krishna was looking after me.

I was happy to be back to a warm climate where we can sing in public without getting sick from the cold. At University of Florida in Gainesville, a variety of people join together for the chanting. One day there were nineteen people, some initiated Hare Krishna devotees, some children of devotee parents, and some students with an interest in Krishna consciousness, both from America and from India. One time there were eleven playing some kind of musical instrument.

Here Adi Karta Prabhu leads singing, Pancagauda Prabhu (left) plays cymbals, Sri Rama, Mother Jaya Sita, and Bhakta Sam play the drum (left to right). Students in the background eat Krishna lunch, with their friends, and hear.

Once a student eagerly invited us to “Museum Night”.

We played for an hour and a half in the Hahn Museum lobby,
near a statue of Lord Buddha.

One young boy accompanied his mom, who was looking around the museum. From time to time the boy watched us with curiosity. Once they both left but returned ten minutes later, the boy carrying a small one-headed drum, and the mom asking if he could play with us. We said yes.

 The boy played the drum happily, his smiling mother kneeling beside him, for five or ten minutes. When she was ready to go, he wanted to stay. She had to put him in his stroller, and wheel him away, carrying the drum in her other hand. I gave her a copy of “On Chanting Hare Krishna”, which she accepted. I wonder what fortunate activities the boy did in his past life to desire to participate in the devotional chanting so much!

The museum staff liked our program and said we could come every month. Other museum venues include a stage in an auditorium and the lawn outside the entrance, and we may try these to expand our audience in the future.

Srila Prabhupada Nectar

From Srila Prabhupada’s books:

The Supreme Lord spoke to the Pracetas. “Always engaging in the activities of devotional service, devotees feel ever-increasingly fresh and new in all their activities. The all-knower, the Supersoul within the heart of the devotee, makes everything increasingly fresh. This is known as the Brahman position by the advocates of the Absolute Truth. In such a liberated stage [brahma-bhuta], one is never bewildered. Nor does one lament or become unnecessarily jubilant. This is due to the brahma-bhuta situation” (SB 4.30.20).

In his purport, Srila Prabhupada writes, “A devotee is inspired by the Supersoul within the heart to advance in devotional service in a variety of ways. The devotee does not feel hackneyed or stereotyped, nor does he feel that he is in a stagnant position. In the material world, if one engages in chanting a material name, he will feel tired after chanting a few times. However, one can chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra all day and night and never feel tired. As chanting is increased, it will come out new and fresh. Srila Rupa Gosvami said that if he could somehow get millions of ears and tongues, then he could relish spiritual bliss by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. There is really nothing uninspiring for a highly advanced devotee” (SB 4.30.20, purport)

Insight from Lectures

From Hridayananda Das Goswami’s Religions of India Course (part one, part two):

If you see God in this world, are you dragging down God or exalting matter to a position of being connected with God? The Vedic idea is everything is good because it is connected with God, although it could be misused.

Both the monist and the dualist do not like the world. Nor do they like to deal with the world. The monists say the world is illusion, and the dualists say that it is completely divorced from God. In bhakti, as an act of good will, God accepts products of the world as offerings, thus exalting them.

If we take away our issue with God being an authority figure and just see God as He is, we would be attracted.

The desire to exploit the creation of God for our own enjoyment keeps us from seeing God and the world as they are.

Do you want to fix it or throw it away? Everything can be exalted by being engaged in God’s service.

Sadhana bhakti (devotional service in practice) jump starts our devotion for God.

From Kalakantha Prabhu:

The beauty of the Bhagavatam is that pastimes and philosophy are blended so nicely. Bhagavad-gita, on the other hand, is mostly philosophy.

Bhismadeva had the same dilemma as Arjuna, but his sense of duty kept him going.

Among the mahajanas, the great authorities on religion, there are quite a variety of individuals, yet all manifest pure devotion to Krishna.

We experience that practical service is more pleasing than merely reverential appreciation, and so does the Lord.

When Arjuna asked Krishna to drive his chariot in between the armies, Krishna, the Supreme Lord, didn’t think, “Don’t you know who I am?” He liked the friendly relationship.

From Sesa Prabhu:

Blind following can take us far in devotional service, but not to the point of love of God.

Suffering is ignorance of the plan of the Lord.

Krishna enjoys saving His devotees from distress.

From Adi Karta Prabhu:

Q: Why did the married couples who were followers of Srila Prabhupada succeed in introducing Krishna consciousness to London when his guru’s renounced sannyasis had failed?
A: The time was right, their preaching spirit was strong, and Krishna was merciful to them. Without being empowered by Krishna, no one can spread Krishna consciousness.

As devotee householders we should never give up the desire that our children become devotees. Why? Because we experience life with Krishna is satisfying and life without Him is incomplete.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes the varnasrama social structure to be like a net underneath a tight rope walker which keeps the spiritual aspirant from falling down and getting seriously hurt.

From Jayananda Prabhu:

We may think [in a limited way], ISKCON has just a couple hundred temples, some with managerial problems, but actually Krishna consciousness is being spread all over the universe in all planets.

Sometimes we may become a little empowered and think that we are a first class devotee coming down to the second class platform to preach. Srila Prabhupada, on the other hand, when he came to America, felt unable to do anything, and prayed to Krishna to empower his words.

Initiation for me means that Krishna will not let me go away. It is a lifelong commitment. It is meant for those serious about going back to Godhead.

From an email from a friend:
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.—Confucius

Lord Krishna says, “Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination. He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes (Bg. 9.30-31).

================================================================== Thought for the Day--Monday 26 January 2009 ================================================================== Dedicated with love to you, our treasured readers, and to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Our purpose is to help everyone awaken...

Live internet broadcast of lectures by H.H. Bhakti Charu Swamai Maharaj from Ujjain is resuming from 26th January.

Time: 07:45 AM India - Srimad Bhagawatam (English)

Current local time in India :

Questions can also be asked through the chat frame.

If you are encountering any audio/ video problem or buffering please feel free to report us at iskcon.ujjain@pamho.net

South Africa Retreat - Day 5

South Africa Retreat - Day 5

The following is a Śrīmad Bhāgavatam class given by H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja at South Africa Retreat.

To download the lecture, right click on the download link and choose either “Save link as” or “Save target as”

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.25.21-Chapter 25: The Glories of Devotional Service

The following is a Śrīmad Bhāgavatam class given by H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja at South Africa Retreat. To download the lecture, right click on the download link and choose either ldquo;Save link asrdquo; or ldquo;Save target asrdquo; Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.25.21-Chapter 25: The Glories of Devotional Service

Feb 6-8 Waitangi Weekend

The Path of Yoga

 

Yoga is the science of the soul, made practical. Working with the body, it can stop the mind’s sabotaging effects, turn it into a friend & open a door to the soul. A weekend of bliss comes together with different aspects of yoga including yoga psychology, mantra chanting & karma yoga (active work).

 

Students/unwaged:$90. Waged: $150

(Includes 3 nights accommodation, all meals, classes, & transport)

 

 

Feb 20-22

Wilderness Walking

 

A weekend jaunt into the bush refreshes the mind & clears the path for new inspiration. But almost the best thing about these retreats is that they bring together an eclectic mix for the journey. You will never taste anything better than the food you get on these retreats!

 

Students/unwaged: $60. Waged: $100

(Includes 2 nights accommodation, all meals, classes, & transport)

 

 

March 6-8

Secrets of the Sacred Kitchen

 

 Food has a secret power, which can have a profound effect on the consciousness. The art of cooking in meditation, as taught by the ancient sages of India, has been passed down for centuries. The spiritual revolution begins in your kitchen. This weekend involves hands-on cooking classes & yoga psychology.

 

Students/unwaged: $60. Waged: $100

(Includes 2 nights accommodation, all meals, classes, & transport)

 

 

March 20-22

Eco-Yoga Retreat

 

As Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. In Eco-Yoga we learn the secret to sustainability, & develop environmental consciousness. This weekend will involve getting your hands in the dirt, yoga, walking in mother nature, & discussions in how we can make a real change in our attempts at a more sustainable lifestyle. Its all based on the ancient yogic teachings & is cutting edge intelligent!

 

 

April 3-5

Inspired to Respond – Spiritual Activism.

 

The deep caring so many of us feel for the land, people, and creatures of our planet can, in this present day and age, bring a heaviness to our hearts. We want change, but how can we truly make a difference, and live our lives joyfully in the process? Workshops this weekend draw upon wisdom from the ancient Krishna teachings.

 

Students/unwaged: $60. Waged: $100

(Includes 2 nights accommodation, all meals, classes, & transport)

 

 

 

Yess!! It’s a public holiday!

Monday the 26th of Jan, but come join us for yoga this evening

and the best meal in town. It sure ends the day off nicely. ;o)

"Oh, let me check him." This is material. That is going on. The whole world, enviousness. I remember in, long ago, about sometimes in 1936, my eldest son in Bombay--he was in school--he stood first. So his class friends became envious that ``Here is a boy, he is coming from Bengal, and he has stood first.'' They wanted to fight with him. My son came and complained to me that ``This is the position.'' Just see. Children even, envious. You see. That means this is the nature of this world. If you prosper, then your brothers and your neighbors, your friends, will be envious.

Prabhupada's Lectures Srimad-Bhagavatam 1971 710818SB.LON

"Oh, let me check him." This is material. That is going on. The whole world, enviousness. I remember in, long ago, about sometimes in 1936, my eldest son in Bombay--he was in school--he stood first. So his class friends became envious that ``Here is a boy, he is coming from Bengal, and he has stood first.'' They wanted to fight with him. My son came and complained to me that ``This is the position.'' Just see. Children even, envious. You see. That means this is the nature of this world. If you prosper, then your brothers and your neighbors, your friends, will be envious.

Prabhupada's Lectures Srimad-Bhagavatam 1971 710818SB.LON

In war times the Germans would suspect that English spies had entered their camp and were leaking information. They would use a trick to find out. The person would be put into a situation where their finger got jammed in the door, and experiencing the excruciating pain they would shout out to God... but in their mother tongue! In this way they exposed many spies.

In the same way, provoking circumstances in life reveal our true character. We see great personalities like Jesus Christ, who, even when mercilessly tortured, begged for the Lords mercy on his perpertrators, humbly submitting "please forgive them - they do not know". In the Vedic scriptures we find the story of Haridas Thakur, a great saintly devotee of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who was beaten for the practice of his faith, yet remained peaceful, equipoised, and incredibly devoted to God. One's greatness is truly measured by their ability to tolerate provoking circumstances.


The single biggest philosophical argument (and emotional disposition) accounting for atheism, is the problem of evil and the reality of day to day suffering. Ancient concepts within the Vedas deal with these live issues and provide insight into how such 'suffering' is actually a vital part of ones character development and spiritual growth. Suffering is viewed from a much broader perspective than the immediate cause and effect, and thus one is able to make a much more mature judgement on it.

The easy life may not be the most rewarding life... the easy life may not be the most fulfilling life... and most importantly, the easy life may not be the life where we discover real happiness.

Jaya Haridasa Thakur! We were fortunate to visit Siddha-Bakula, the place where Srila Haridasa Thakura used to chant his rounds. There is special tree who was hearing our namacarya chanting his 3 lakhs of nama, and Lord Caitanya was daily embarrasing that most glorious tree, what a fortunate living entity!
We heard some katha about holy name, prayed for the mercy of the tree and Haridasa and chanted some japa there.
We also got Dhanurdhara Maharajas new book "Japa Meditations", full of valuable jewels.

Mukunda Datta das singing the bhajan "Gaura Haribol".

2008-12-31
Dallas, TX

Download: 2008-12-31 - 11 - 12 hr Bhajans - Mukunda Datta das - Gaura Haribol.mp3

The mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu are unlimited and make almost everything possible, as it has been happening with the recovery of HH Jayapataka Swami

Each week I select a verse from the Bhagavad-gita and compare/contrast four different translations. These translators all subscribe to the Gaudia-Vaisnava philosophy. This examination isn’t to prove one more superior to another, but to highlight the similarities and learn from the differences in ideologies.

The four Gitas are:
-Bhagavad-gita: As It Is by Srila Prabhupada (1972 edition)
-Bhagavad-gita: It’s Feeling and Philosophy by Tripurari Swami
-Srimad Bhagavad-gita by Narayana Maharaja
-Bhagavad-gita: The Beloved Lord’s Secret Love Song by Garuda dasa (Graham Schweig)

Though I’m hardly qualified to do so, I dissect each translation, sometimes interjecting my own unsolicited commentary. More on this can be found here.

For this week’s verse, we’re dipping back into Chapter 4, generally titled “Jnana Yoga” (”Yoga of Knowledge), but titled “Transcendental Knowledge” by Srila Prabhupada.

At the beginning of this chapter, Arjuna asks Krishna how he (Krishna) taught Vivasvan, even though Krishna was born much, much after Vivasvan was born. Krishna explains that we’ve all had many lives and while we can’t remember them, Krishna can. He manifests Himself for specific reasons when He comes to the material world. He explains a few verse prior that He comes to protect the saintly. He explains that those who understand this do not have to take birth again - they are liberated if they take refuge in Him.

ye yatha mam prapadyante
tams tathaiva bhajamy aham
mama vartmanuvarttante
manusyah partha sarvasah

All of them - as they surrender unto Me - I reward accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O Son of Prtha.
-Srila Prabhupada

In whatever way people take refuge in me, I reciprocate with them accordingly. Everyone in all circumstances, O son of Prtha, follows my path.
-Tripurari Swami

O Partha! As all surrender to Me and perform My bhajana, I reciprocate accordingly. Every follows My path in all respects.
-Narayana Maharaja

In the way they offer
    themselves to me,
    in just that way
    I offer my love
    to them reciprocally.
Human beings
    follow my path
    universallly,
    O Partha.
-Garuda dasa (Graham M. Schweig)

To understand what Krishna meant as “they” and “all of them,” we have to look to the previous verse. “They” refers to those who have been purified by the light of knowledge and have attained love of God.

The first line, ye yatha mam prapadyante, is nicely translated by all four of our authors. It is interesting that both Srila Prabhupada and Narayana Maharaja gloss the word yatha as “as” while Tripurari Swami takes it to mean “in whatever way.” Garuda dasa seems to have it as “In the way.” In this context, they all mean about the same thing.

There are many different paths to God. Here, Krishna is saying “however you worship, if you surrender to Me (God)…” and then continues to the next line.

Tams tathaiva bhajamy aham. I like how Garuda dasa puts this: “in just that way I offer my love to them reciprocally.” The other translators keep it simple with “I reciprocate (or “reward” according to Srila Prabhupada) accordingly.” The Sanskrit word bhajami was translated by Narayana Maharaja and Garuda as “love and reciprocate.” Those who have love of God, receive love of God.

In last week’s verse, I (and others) claimed that there seemed to be a contradiction between the first half and second half of the verse. Of course, that’s not actually so, but it appears to be. This verse in similar in that respect.

The first half is speaking about those who have (and thus receive) love of God. The second half, deals with everyone else.

Srila Prabhupada and Narayana Maharaja both translate it exactly as “Everyone follows My path in all respects…” Tripurari Swami replaces “respects” with “circumstances.” Garuda dasa translates it as “universally.” We all follow God’s path.

But that’s clearly not the case. Some of us are Hare Krishnas, some are Christians or Jewish or Muslims. Some follow Buddhism, which is atheistic. Some are just atheists.

Of the theists and even folks like the Buddhists, it isn’t too difficult to understand that we are all following some path that eventually leads to God. As Srila Prabhupada says in his purport, “all kinds of spiritual processes are but different degrees of success on the same path.” There are many religions that don’t believe that, that believe their way is the only way, but I disagree and so, it seems, does the Bhagavad-gita.

According to Bhaktivinoda Thakura (as related by Narayana Maharaja in his purport), Krishna reciprocates “with whatever intention or faith they have in relation to Krishna. Everyone can certainly attain Me, because I am the ultimate objective of all paths.”

Dedicated to Srila Prabhupada and my Guru Maharaja.

Mental Health Assessment

It was time for my post deployment mental health assessment. I really don't like going to this appointment. It involves me and a doctor sitting down and talking about what happened in Iraq. I walked in and the doctor greeted me. He asked me to sit down. I placed my backpack down and grabbed a seat.

He asked, "So how ya doing?"

I said, "Good, how are you?"

The doctor replied, "Good thanks."

I said, "Yes, but can you be better?

He replied, "Yes, I guess I can be."

At this point I decided to turn the tables on him. He started telling me all about his life. I asked him if he has an interest in spiritual life. He said no. I explained to him, the reason why your unhappy is because of your lack in God consciousness. As the session went on we discussed more and more about spiritual life. I reached into my bag and brought out a Bhagavad-Gita and asked him. "Have you ever seen this book?"

He said, "No, but the cover is very interesting."

I went on to explain about Arjuna being a soldier and the situation he was in. The doctor was looking on with a very intense look. He held the book and scanned through the pages as I explained the philosophy. Finally our time was up. He looked up and asked if he could have the book, I said" Yes, no problem. but most people just give a donation." He thanked me for the nice talk and gave a nice donation.

I got a call that evening, seems I have to go back to the doctor because of the "stunt" I pulled today. I walked into the office and was greeted by a serious looking man. He said, 'I'm your doctor, and you won't pull what you did yesterday on me.'

"Ok, I will take this serious." I sat down in his office and he went over my post deployment health survey. He looked surprised, and I asked "What's wrong?"

He said, "I don't understand, usually when I have to evaluate someone that has seen so many horrific situations as you; they are a mess. But you're smiling, happy, focused. How are you dealing with all this?"

Again I explained, "I'm a Hare Krsna, and by reading these ancient vedic texts and by chanting the Maha Mantra, I am able to deal with all the death I have seen." For the next twenty minutes I explained the science of Bhakti Yoga to him. I pulled out a Bhagavad Gita and a Chant and be Happy from my bag and gave them to him. I gave him my email and said I would do a reevaluation of him in a week, to see what he learned, and walked out. I looked in his window from the outside and there he was deeply absorbed in reading Srila Prabhupada's books.

Finance Brief

I had to go to a mandatory finance brief. The women walked in and commanded everyone being chaptered to move to the front. She had a very heavy personality and I of course followed her instructions. She said, "No sergeant, only chapter cases sit there."

I said, "Ma'am I am also a chapter case." She looked puzzled. The brief was long and boring I was reading verses from the Cc on my ipod.

She called us up one at a time. When I got to the desk, I looked and saw I was the very last one. She closed the door and said you're a Sergeant First Class, what are you in this room with all these privates for? I read your file, are you the Hare Krsna they are talking about?"

I said, "Yes Ma'am."

She asked, "What is your deal, why would you give up that rank to be a monk. I don't understand, my husband is trying to get promoted and here you are, young, a fast tracker and you're walking away."

I explained to her, "We all have a calling. While the military gave me many skills, this life is meant for God Consciousness. These books, are not ordinary books, they change peoples lives, they are the literary incarnation of God, and they will give you a new understanding in life."

She listened and asked many nice questions. She asked about Srila Prabhupada and expressed that she heard form others about this soldier that is becoming a monk and the books he gives to people are really powerful. She had been curious about these books. I asked her if she would want a book and she smiled and said "Oh why you have one?" I took out a Perfection of Yoga and a Bhakti book and handed them to her. She was smiling ear to ear and thanked me for the books. As I was walking to my next appointment I was thinking how kind Srila Prabhupada is. We have no ability to give out his mercy, but he is so merciful that these books distribute themselves, after all Krsna is all attractive. How can we resist Him?

labdhv2 su-durlabham ida° bahu-sambhav2nte m2nuDyam artha-dam anityam ap´ha dh´raº tÂrÔa° yateta na pated anu-mÎtyu y2van niº3reyas2ya viDayaº khalu sarvataº sy2t

After many, many births and deaths one achieves the rare human form of life, which, although temporary, affords one the opportunity to attain the highest perfection. Thus a sober human being should quickly endeavor for the ultimate perfection of life as long as his body, which is always subject to death, has not fallen down and died. After all, sense gratification is available even in the most abominable species of life, whereas Krsna consciousness is possible only for a human being. (The Avadhuta brahmana to King Yadu; SB.11.9.29)

Partha-sarathi das

Dedicated to Srila Prabhupada and my Guru Maharaja.

Mental Health Assessment

It was time for my post deployment mental health assessment. I really don't like going to this appointment. It involves me and a doctor sitting down and talking about what happened in Iraq. I walked in and the doctor greeted me. He asked me to sit down. I placed my backpack down and grabbed a seat.

He asked, "So how ya doing?"

I said, "Good, how are you?"

The doctor replied, "Good thanks."

I said, "Yes, but can you be better?

He replied, "Yes, I guess I can be."

At this point I decided to turn the tables on him. He started telling me all about his life. I asked him if he has an interest in spiritual life. He said no. I explained to him, the reason why your unhappy is because of your lack in God consciousness. As the session went on we discussed more and more about spiritual life. I reached into my bag and brought out a Bhagavad-Gita and asked him. "Have you ever seen this book?"

He said, "No, but the cover is very interesting."

I went on to explain about Arjuna being a soldier and the situation he was in. The doctor was looking on with a very intense look. He held the book and scanned through the pages as I explained the philosophy. Finally our time was up. He looked up and asked if he could have the book, I said" Yes, no problem. but most people just give a donation." He thanked me for the nice talk and gave a nice donation.

I got a call that evening, seems I have to go back to the doctor because of the "stunt" I pulled today. I walked into the office and was greeted by a serious looking man. He said, 'I'm your doctor, and you won't pull what you did yesterday on me.'

"Ok, I will take this serious." I sat down in his office and he went over my post deployment health survey. He looked surprised, and I asked "What's wrong?"

He said, "I don't understand, usually when I have to evaluate someone that has seen so many horrific situations as you; they are a mess. But you're smiling, happy, focused. How are you dealing with all this?"

Again I explained, "I'm a Hare Krsna, and by reading these ancient vedic texts and by chanting the Maha Mantra, I am able to deal with all the death I have seen." For the next twenty minutes I explained the science of Bhakti Yoga to him. I pulled out a Bhagavad Gita and a Chant and be Happy from my bag and gave them to him. I gave him my email and said I would do a reevaluation of him in a week, to see what he learned, and walked out. I looked in his window from the outside and there he was deeply absorbed in reading Srila Prabhupada's books.

Finance Brief

I had to go to a mandatory finance brief. The women walked in and commanded everyone being chaptered to move to the front. She had a very heavy personality and I of course followed her instructions. She said, "No sergeant, only chapter cases sit there."

I said, "Ma'am I am also a chapter case." She looked puzzled. The brief was long and boring I was reading verses from the Cc on my ipod.

She called us up one at a time. When I got to the desk, I looked and saw I was the very last one. She closed the door and said you're a Sergeant First Class, what are you in this room with all these privates for? I read your file, are you the Hare Krsna they are talking about?"

I said, "Yes Ma'am."

She asked, "What is your deal, why would you give up that rank to be a monk. I don't understand, my husband is trying to get promoted and here you are, young, a fast tracker and you're walking away."

I explained to her, "We all have a calling. While the military gave me many skills, this life is meant for God Consciousness. These books, are not ordinary books, they change peoples lives, they are the literary incarnation of God, and they will give you a new understanding in life."

She listened and asked many nice questions. She asked about Srila Prabhupada and expressed that she heard form others about this soldier that is becoming a monk and the books he gives to people are really powerful. She had been curious about these books. I asked her if she would want a book and she smiled and said "Oh why you have one?" I took out a Perfection of Yoga and a Bhakti book and handed them to her. She was smiling ear to ear and thanked me for the books. As I was walking to my next appointment I was thinking how kind Srila Prabhupada is. We have no ability to give out his mercy, but he is so merciful that these books distribute themselves, after all Krsna is all attractive. How can we resist Him?

labdhv2 su-durlabham ida° bahu-sambhav2nte m2nuDyam artha-dam anityam ap´ha dh´raº tÂrÔa° yateta na pated anu-mÎtyu y2van niº3reyas2ya viDayaº khalu sarvataº sy2t

After many, many births and deaths one achieves the rare human form of life, which, although temporary, affords one the opportunity to attain the highest perfection. Thus a sober human being should quickly endeavor for the ultimate perfection of life as long as his body, which is always subject to death, has not fallen down and died. After all, sense gratification is available even in the most abominable species of life, whereas Krsna consciousness is possible only for a human being. (The Avadhuta brahmana to King Yadu; SB.11.9.29)

Partha-sarathi das

After Burning Man 2007 AJ moved to Berkeley and opened up a bike shop, having earned hands-on experience with hundreds of Burning Man bikes. He's systematic, methodical, attentive to detail and a smooth talking salesman. AJ is always smooth, even his rough drafts inspire awe. Rasik and AJ worked together with the Avatar Studios crew on The Simple Temple: Chowpatty, check it out for your enlightenment pleasure.





This is AJ's shop. I took the snap a blink too late.

This is the Land Rover our buddy Madhavendra purchased for Burning Man 2007. He swapped it with us for a slick Macbook Air. We decked it out at REI's blowout sale (a $450 roof rack for $20!!)



The discount roof-rack had a few minor problems which we easily fixed with AJ's assistance.





We've just fried up some nummy tofu for the road, and said our farewells to Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan, Sriman Mahaprabhu, Laksmi Nrsimha and Srila Prabhupada at ISKCON Silicon Valley (ISV).

Gaura Krishna das: I am happy to tell you that we are now almost ready to receive all of you here in Aravade for the grand temple opening of our new Sri Sri Radha Gopal Mandir. We have worked hard to bring as many devotees together here as possible for a big Harinam Sankirtan Yajna.

By the desire of one individual we see an amazing reciprocation from Krishna to which I was fortunate to have been a part off; it also constantly reminds me that the mercy of Krishna remains inconceivable (well to individuals like me any way). I have been pondering an incident that happened a few years ago and [...]

Inspired by my reading of "Vaisnava Compassion" by HH Satsvarupa Maharaja

Spiritual life, from beginning to end, is an opening of our hearts in divine, dramatic, and dynamic selfless acts and ways. Your neighbor, your dearest friend, and the nearest stranger are all spirit souls trapped in bodies and minds full of nonsense, and we have to drop our doors and walls that keep us trapped in our own heads and help each other!

The basic principles of compassion, tolerance, and nonviolence are essential to any sadhu, whether neophyte or enlightened. Maharaja focuses on the nonviolent principle, ahimsa, in the 2nd section of the book, stating quite clearly that unless one learns to honor all life as being part and parcel of God, limiting the harm done to them, then one remains hopelessly stuck on the material platform.

Ahimsa means much more than not frying the insignificant ants with a magnifying glass. It is the expression of our duty in helping others free themselves from the shackles of lifeless matter. Prabhupada writes in the purport to SB 11.3.24:

"Ahimsam indicates that one should not committ violence against any living entity...Ultimately the material world is full of violence, and the laws of nature, which impose old age, disease and death upon every living creature, are themselves filled with violence. Therefore, if somehow or other one can convince others to surrender to Krsna and thus release themselves from the violent laws of material nature, that is the perfection of ahimsa."

Walking the walk-we can't convince the fickle others if we don't show, beyond just faith and ideas, that we are practically alleviating the suffering of all of the living and breathing.

This is why it's so important we remain in open communication and collaboration with progressive-minded peoples in the fields of environmentalism and consciousness expansion.

We all share the problems of our specfic planetary situation. What we offer as devotees of Krsna is specific answers to the questions we all have. But we must apply this gift of the Absolute Truth in ways and hows that link us up with the nonviolent movements of our time.

We must share and even lead, and this is the defining objective of the next generation of devotees who push forwards Prabhupada's movement.

live appearance!

Recordings of lectures given in Los Angeles, USA in December 2008:

[ download ] Celebrating the Krishna Experience
[ download ] Inconceivable information in the Bhagavatam

================================================================== Thought for the Day--Sunday 25 January 2009 ================================================================== Dedicated with love to you, our treasured readers, and to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Our purpose is to help everyone awaken...

The Mongols of Gengis Khan were very good at conquering places. They reached from Mongolia all the way to Europe. Preaching is a form of conquest: conquering minds and hearts, shaping and transforming lifestyles.

The Mongols weren't very good at maintaining and ruling the territories they conquered; very soon their empire collapsed. In China they might have lasted longer, but because they connected with the Chinese style of administration.

In preaching we might have an early success in changing people's life and/or in establishing places of worship; but later we might experience that the people go away, internally and/or externally, migrating to other groups or becoming cold, inactive. Temples that were vital and vibrant become sometimes empty and poor.

Have we something in common with the Mongols?

Another feature of the Mongols' expansion was that they were very good at one type of terrain and warfare. They were most successful in the steppes, where they could appear with practically no notice, attack and pillage a city, and move on. When they've got to Europe they found hills and mountains. Their mount, the fast Asiatic horses, were not anymore a sufficient edge. New strategies and approached were needed. Their seemingly unstoppable advance stopped.

Srila Prabhupada's early followers focused on the hippies, but when the hippies disappeared teh movement faced a critical stasis. It then focuses on the Indians, and it gained some oxygen, but in a few places where there aren't any Indians the movement often struggle for a voice (and sometimes for survival). We need to adapt to a changing historical and social terrain, to the changing human landscape of the twentyfirst century to remain/become relevant and keep growing.

The British (I don't have a great spontaneous affection for the Brits and their attitudes, especially toward Vedic culture, but credit should be given were credit is due) were good examples of both conquering territory and managing it, and this in places as diverse as North America, the Caribbean, Africa, India, Oceania, Hong Kong or Northern Ireland.

They did lose their empire, but gradually, and their administrative capacity wasn't based on a single outstanding king or queen; it was a culture of organization. A few thousands of them ruled the whole India!

What can we learn from them?

We need adaptable strategies for diverse environment. We need systems that allow for growth, a culture of maintenance and not only of conquest.

Srila Prabhupada requested: "Don't make me Alexander the Great" (who conquered from Greece to India but who then rapidly lost all the lands he had gained).

Sattva-guna generates staying power (and happiness, satisfaction and illumination); passion brings excitement and short-lived success (which turns into pain and resentment); ignorance... well, ignorance it's just darkness and nightmares.

We can graduate to world religion status once we assimilate and apply the fundamental principles of community planting, community building, community keeping and community living.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.35 - Krishna comes to this material world to reclaim the fallen conditioned souls

Because it is Kali-yuga. Nobody is reading, cultivating Vedic mantras. So in this age, this mantra is called maha-mantra, chant Hare Krsna. That's all. All Vedic mantras are now gone to hell. You see? Nobody can properly chant Vedic mantras and take the benefit out of it. But this mantra, any way you chant, neglectfully or properly, chant Hare Krsna and the result is there. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha. There is no other alternative, no other alternative, no other alternative, kalau, in this age. So the Vedic mantra is now gone. This is also Vedic mantra, but this is Vedic maha-mantra, the greatest of all mantras. Yes. So sacrifice everything and chant this mantra and go to Krsna, back to Godhead.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.13-17 -- Los Angeles, November 29, 1968

I’ve had quite a few devotee-made pizzas. Some are pretty good, some are … interesting. See, the “problem” lies in the garlic issue. Devotees don’t cook with garlic or onions. But most pizza sauces contain garlic and/or onions. That means that we have to make out own. This is where it gets interesting.

Many devotees make pizzas with a lot of toppings. Personally, I’m a traditionalist. I like a plain old cheese pizza (vegan cheese, in my case). No fake meat, no cauliflower, no eggplant or bittermellon (seriously, I’ve seen a few pizzas with bittermellon as a topping).

But that’s not the point of this. The point here is pizza sauce. And pizza sauce is not pasta sauce. There’s a difference. At least, there should be. With me there is. Pasta sauce should be an outspoken flavor. Pizza sauce should be noticeable, but only in a “hey! this pizza sauce doesn’t make me barf!” sort of way.

And here’s how I make mine…

Ingredients…

- 1 14ish ounce can of crushed tomatoes
- little olive oil for frying
- 1/4 t hing
- 1/2 t basil
- 1/4 t oregano
- 1/8 t marjoram
- 1/8 t thyme
- 1/4 t black pepper
- 1/4 t salt
- 1/2 t sugar

how to…

1) oil in pan, medium heat - wait till hot, add hing and fry
2) add can of crushed tomatoes
3) add spices
4) let simmer for about 20 or so minutes.

This should make enough for two pies.

I make the sauce and Smartz makes the dough. I don’t know what she does to that though. It’s always really good though. For cheese, we use Follow Your Heart.

So whatever you like to put on your pizza… even if it’s bittermellon, give this pasta sauce a try. The folks who have had it seem to really like it.

Hare Krsna everyone. I hope your week has been blessed by the Lord and you have had nice realisations with chanting. Recently I wrote an email to H.H. Sacinandana Swami, being grateful about the nice preaching he does on the Holy Names....his retreats usually inspire me to write and his realisations enthuse me to go on with my practice of improving my japa.
He replied to me, sharing a nice realisation he had in the bank of the Yamuna river:

One of my fondest memories of Krsna's subtle hints during my recent pilgrimage to Vraja came during the time I spent at the banks of the river Yamuna. One evening as I chanted and prayed I wished so much that Yamunaji will take me to Krsna. At that time a good sadhu arrived and offered a light in a clay cup to the holy river. Then he left. For a long time I looked after the light as it was carried into the increasing darkness. A little steady light on the holiest of the rivers. All of a sudden Krsna changed the situation. I had a clear vision: I saw that my soul was the light in the darkness of this world, carried by Yamunaji's hands to the safe shelter of Krsna's lotus feet. And then I felt an overwhelming certainty that Krsna had accepted me, since I was brought to Him by His dear devoteee.
No fear was left, no uncertainty.
It was clear - so clear. I was accepted, embraced and brought home. Such hints come very frequently in the Holy Dhama. At the time when one can 'read' and understand them, they leave no doubt and produce ecstatic visions of the Lord. They are not products of wishful thinking, but answers from the transcendental realm. Nectar.

I hope this transcendental experience has brought you nice thoughts and the feeling that chanting nicely really comes with the Lord's reciprocation and the purifying effects take us to an experience with Krsna that is beyond our desires.
May our time with the Lord be full of love and affection towards Him and we are able to give more of us to japa, aligning our senses to make our body fully absorbed in the potency of the Holy Names.

Hare Krsna.

your servant,

Aruna dd

Despite tight economic times, guests and dignitaries at the prestigious 8th Annual Asian Achievers awards reached into their hearts and wallets to pledge help Food for Life Vrindavan (FFLV) build its third school for desperately poor children and their families in Vrindavan, India.

The Ganga Sagar Mela is an annual festival that takes place in the area known as Ganga Sagar where Lord Kapiladeva instructed his mother Devahuti under a tree about the Absolute Truth. His temple still standing, far away from the original site, but nonetheless a sacred place. Almost a million people during Makara Sankranti, a very auspicious time of the year, come to worship mother Ganga by offering puja and taking bath in her salty waves.

I was a convinced believer of evolution from childhood and never doubted it. I was trained in science in college and was absolutely, even militantly, atheistic. But instead of continuing my science studies at home in Denmark, I travelled around the world for a few years. My experiences with nature and other people finally convinced me that God does exist, and from then on I was completely into spiritual life.

Munching contentedly on a carrot and surrounded by besotted admirers, two-year-old Aditi may be one of Britain's luckiest cows. A fortnight ago, she was just another ordinary member of the bovine family, facing a life of servitude on a dairy farm, or worse, heading towards the abattoir.

Devotees in the sacred town of Vrindavana, India, will be celebrating the sixth anniversary of the new temple at Vrinda Kunda this February 9th to 22nd. The sacred lake’s history goes back a long way – Lord Krishna’s own grandson Vajranabha first installed a Krishna deity beside it five thousand years ago, while the site was excavated by Lord Chaitanya’s disciples in the 1500s.

A popular Hare Krishna Sunday School curriculum, used successfully over the years by ISKCON temples, gurukula schools, and homeschools, has just been made available online. The idea first came to teacher and homeschooler Tapasvini Dasi many years ago while running a small gurukula in Houston, Texas.

The entrance to Kapaleeshwarar temple in Mylapore turned into a sea of humanity, as the devout Hindus turned up to pay obeisance to Lord Jagannath on the occasion of the annual Ratha-yatra organised by ISKCON on Tuesday.

Wednesday, 31st Dec, 2008. I awoke about two or three meters from my bed. I had been rolling all over the room, maybe fighting bhutas or something. Gaura said apparently I had kicked him at one point. This either meant he was also rolling around or I had managed to roll around 5 meters in his direction and lashed out at him. I had a very deep sleep but I was soooo tired from the build up of the festivals. To much working, driving and not enough sleeping. Me and Gaura got a little distracted talking Kuli Katha, ie talking about Kulis and their wild lives, as well as our own. We realised eventually that spare time was gone and it was time to move. I showered and head off to pick up the Gleeson girls. We had changed the seating to suit some epic plans. I picked the two matajis up and some ice cream for the trip back to temple and we were off. I got back to the temple and found Sri Prahlad in Gurudeva’s room. I took darshan on both their deities and Sri P elaborated on his deities. Eventually I assembled the troop and we were off. I had the Gleeson girls, Sri P and Tribi. I decided to do one of my epic tour traits and get ourselves incredibly lost. We were supposed to be the early crew but I managed to make us the moderately on time crew. I some how ended up being the sole driver to Peat’s Ridge without a tomtom. Normal circumstances I follow blindly, like a neophyte, Gaura and his tomtom. I used my sense of direction to get us slightly unlost but it was not enough to correct my major disaster syndrome. Some how, by the beard of Zeus, we found our way to the right road and got there just in the nick of time. I was very happy to see Mala Man sitting in the tent, absorbing the holy name. Krsna was looking after him for me. I scooted off to the med tent to get my epic flesh wound redressed. It looked pretty ghastly with all the moister and turmeric stains. The first time I had it done the lady put some serious lovin into dressing it up. It was enough bandage to hold my life together. This man was not much of a lovin mother type-a guy. He patched me up pretty scabby but it was all dandy. He also took my sympathy wrap away. I now looked about as capable as I secretly was, maybe even more. I scooted back to tent for breaky. I was plotting along, hooking into my subji and watching the show. I thought to myself “wow I haven’t seen Sanatani and Sivanjali dance like this in ages. What is different about today?” I then realised that normally I was back stage getting make up done! I rushed back stage just in the nick of time. The girls slapped my make up on while I tried to fuss about my Prasadam. We had another epic and funny play jam and then I went back to my halava, the one thing I had yet to finish on my breaky plate. I sat back at the book table and amused myself watching the volunteers of Carmela’s Voice Yoga session. Carmella had a seriously cool voice yoga thing going down. It was full of vocal, hearing and breathing exercises as well as some other pretty amusing stuff. It was two days running and the participation was excellent. Our crew was also getting into it pretty good. Mathur and Sri P were active participants. After the workshop we were back into another play. Before the play we were mucking around. Sanatani and Sivanjali were doin their dance thang and we were mocking Chandra’s statement on them being aliens. We were doing cosmic, robo, UFO, ray gun dances back stage simultaneously to the girls act. After this we did the last play for Peat’s Ridge and it was a blast. We had Domo on the side playing instruments and dancing with Sadhu and it was quite clear that the crew had all their nuts loose. We had cracked under pressure. At this point, due to lack of sanity of the crew, we thought it was most beneficial to make like a tree and get the hell outa Peat’s Ridge. We had done our thang. We had made our endeavour. Now it was time to make pace and run. We knocked out a wild end of festival kirtana smack bang in the middle of the afternoon. We even did our second show early as anything in the day. It was run for the hills time. The kirtana was about as prolonged as a star jump and we packed the basics and left the rest for another day. Goodbye Peat’s Ridge! We did the epic spin climb out of the site. Then we got to a sign that said “road closed”. NOOOOO! WE WANT TO GO! LET US FREE! I spoke to a volunteer. “Oh yeah you can go but if you go you cant come back.” He made it sound like people would WANT to come back. I doubly agreed to the decision to never let me return to the Peat’s Ridge festival and drove my butt outa there. We were almost out of the valley and we were stopped again. PLEASE LET US FREE! They were cutting our wrist bands on. It was like being released from handcuffs. As we came over the lip of the valley me and Tribi looked at each other. We both conquered that we felt a great weight of ignorance being lifted off us. The weight of Tama had built over 3 days and it was at it’s heaviest as we bailed out. After a bit of casual getting lost we were on our way to the temple in Sydney. After avoiding Etolls I found myself in North Sydney, in total GRID LOCK. The New Year’s fireworks traffic was in town. This sucked for me cos I DON’T EVEN LIKE FIRE WORKS! After reaching the temple I dropped the main troop off and then took a non-grid lock way across the city to drop off Vraja Kumari. She traded me a junk food stash of chippies and chockies for my efforts and then I returned home. I was in my bed. I was avoiding the New Year celebrations. It wasn’t my thing. I wanted some SLEEP. I was well deprived of it for the last few days. I tried to check my emails before hitting the hay but the net was on the brinks. Domo came in, took one look at me and got on my case. “We’re going to have a kirtana in the park with the Vaisnavas and you’re on your computer?” He was right. I closed my computer and hit the covers. I slept knowing there was a dandy group of Vaisnavas and Vaisnavis busting out sweet melodious holy names for the people. It was the end of Peat’s Ridge, the end of our touring of Southern NSW and the end of another year in service of Krsna. Tomorrow was a new era to look forward too. What did 2009 have to offer?

When I first joined the Hare Krishnas, the phrase “plain living high thinking” would inevitably make me think of yogis in the Himalaya Mountains who meditate on the Absolute Truth while staying in caves, surviving freezing temperatures without central heating and living on nothing but water and air.

Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him for his mighty acts:

praise him according to his excellent greatness.

3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:

praise him with the psaltery and harp.

4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance:

praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals:

praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.

Praise ye the LORD.

      

Along with millions of others, I watched Barack Hussein Obama swear the oath while laying his left hand on the Bible. Not just any Bible in this case, but the self same Bible that Abraham Lincoln used back in 1861.

If the selection above is hosted by YouTube then after the video plays there will be several links presented to other videos. ISKCON News Weekly has no control over the selections presented and is not responsible for their contents.

If the selection above is hosted by YouTube then after the video plays there will be several links presented to other videos. ISKCON News Weekly has no control over the selections presented and is not responsible for their contents.

Malati dd: There will be a series of work-shops, seminars, presentations, classes covering a wide range of topics related to Krishna Conciousnes, from the beginning levels to more advanced esoteric topics. Serious kirtans, along with other forms of transcendental entertainment will take place.

Many years ago whilst nearing the end of a long day shift I was finalising some discharge letters and paperwork ready to close the ward, only three more clients to go hopefully in the next hour and then we can go home. As we talked about the pans a clients partner popped his head out,” I’m [...]

S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued: My dear King, Prince Priyavrata was a great devotee because he sought the lotus feet of Nârada, his spiritual master, and thus achieved the highest perfection in transcendental knowledge. With advanced knowledge, he always engaged in discussing spiritual subjects and did not divert his attention to anything else. The Prince's father then asked him to take charge of ruling the world. He tried to convince Priyavrata that this was his duty as indicated in the revealed scriptures. Prince Priyavrata, however, was continuously practicing bhakti-yoga by constantly remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thus engaging all his senses in the service of the Lord. Therefore, although the order of his father could not be rejected, the Prince did not welcome it. Thus he very conscientiously raised the question of whether he might be diverted from devotional service by accepting the responsibility of ruling over the world.

Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 5 Chapter 1 Verse 6

US President Barack Obama will lift restrictions on U.S. government funding for groups that provide abortion services or counseling abroad, reversing a policy of his Republican predecessor George W. Bush, an administration official said.

The Church of England is to be asked to ban clergy from joining the British National Party (BNP). The general synod - the Church's parliament - will be urged to adopt a similar policy to other bodies which forbid BNP membership, like the police.

Kathmandu: Close on the heels of a power tussle over Nepal's Pashupatinath shrine revered by Hindus worldwide, the Hindu holy book Bhagavad Gita has come under attack in the former Hindu kingdom.

The clergy were Protestant, and so was the new head of state. But the inauguration Tuesday of President Barack Obama aimed for a much broader audience: an increasingly diverse America, where people want their beliefs acknowledged in the nation's most important ceremony.

No one knows how many Australian teenagers turn to their parents one day and announce that- like Lisa from The Simpsons they're now vegetarian. But the guess is that it's no rare event - especially among girls. But in the US they've crunched some numbers and, based on interviews with 9000 parents, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that around one in 200 American teenagers has taken a pledge to veg.

By now most everyone has seen ads from the Corn Refiners Association, claiming that our fears about high-fructose corn syrup are misplaced. Since our kids will soon be loading up on Halloween treats laden with the substance, it’s a good time to consider why so many people find corn sweeteners so scary.

My family is headed out this morning to Tampa to visit with the in-laws visiting from DC, but in response to my porn posts, I just wanted to quickly add this link for an NPR story I heard a while back about a chaplain who ministered to men about to be executed in Texas. The movie, which I have not seen, is called At the Death House Door. To read more about it, or to hear Terry Gross's interview with Revered Carol Pickett,click this link.

The interview is very compelling and complicated and even haunting.

I have no time to get deep about it. Listen and feel. Soul to soul. Lifetime through lifetime.

Devotees perform Hare Krishna kirtan in crowdy …

There are four different yugas or ages, which rotate like the seasons of the year in a cyclical fashion: Satya yuga, Treta yuga, Dvapara yuga, and Kali yuga, the present age. Satya yuga is like the spring. Treta yuga is like the summer. Dvapara yuga is like the fall. And Kali yuga is like the winter. So out of the four yugas the Kali yuga is the worst....

I am currently in Belém, at the mouth of the Amazon river in the North of Brazil. Belém is in the state of Pará, famous for its Brazil nuts (which are actually known as Pará nuts here in Brazil).

I am here with my husband (aka Giridhari Das, aka GD) as he is speaking at the World Forum on Theology and Liberation this weekend, and the World Social Forum later next week. He´ll also be giving various presentations at the local Hare Krishna Centre while we are here. Today we had the day off and did some sight-seeing.

In the morning we visited the Rodrigues Alves Botanical Garden with our tour guide, Sridhar Prabhu.

GD and Sridhar admiring the greenery:

There were many Amazonian plants and animals. Here are some of the animals we saw:

There were some interesting telephones too:

We had a quick lunch at the Hare Krishna Centre before visiting the historic centre of the city.

This region of Brazil is famous for its fruits. Here are some of the more exotic looking ones we found in the city´s famous open market, Ver-O-Peso:

One of the most popular fruits here is Cupuaçu:

It has a strange taste, but I like it.

Here you can also buy your Brazil nuts. They are not easy to open, but the locals seem to have mastered it with a really big knife:

There was a good selection of local Amazonian crafts for sale, and rows upon rows of local herbal medicine for a variety of purposes such as curing diabetes, attracting love, getting rid of bad spirits, and even some natural Viagra:

Later we visited some old churches, including the Igreja da Sé:

Brazil is a very religious country. The Catholic churches we visited today were very beautiful. Once a year, for the day of the “Nossa Senhora” (Virgin Mary) festival, Belém gets about 2 million pilgrims. Belém is also the Portuguese name for Bethlehem.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.34 - Importance of book distribution

Mukunda Datta das singing a Hare Krishna bhajan.

2008-12-31
Dallas, TX

Download: 2008-12-31 - 10 - 12 hr Bhajans - Mukunda Datta das - Hare Krishna.mp3

What’s on the other side of the bridge?
What lies beyond the unknown?
Only the brave will find out.
Only those who reach beyond their comfort zone will see
What’s on the other side of the bridge?
We can imagine, we can dream, we can believe….
But only the adventurous will see and report back
To those who remain on the first side of the bridge

On our weekly walk, we questioned together - what lies on the other side of the bridge?
We decided to venture over, to explore, to see.
What did we discover?
A magical play land - children running, jumping, swinging, and laughing. Some crying, but all in a child’s play land.
We observed at first, and then joined the children.
We swung, jumped, ran, laughed, imagined… and smiled inside.
Why do we stay on the first side of the bridge, where we feel boredom, loneliness, confusion, or comfort? It’s because of the comfort.
But alas, on the other side of the bridge lies magic. But only those who explore will find it.

Break beyond the barriers of the mind.
Go beyond what we think are our limitations
Go beyond the rituals and routines
Follow the spirit
Follow the intelligence
Trust our instincts
Hear our inner guiding voice
Open the heart and the soul
Reach to our highest potential
Take an extra step to help others in need
Don’t stay in the comfort zone -
God helps those who help themselves
I think He is waiting on the other side of the bridge
If we are willing to trust and go there

Toronto, Ontario

I have mentioned it before that a monk should be out and about. There are many reasons for this. Especially where there is foot traffic new friends are made and old acquaintances connect again. Coming around the corner at Spadina and Bloor headed for the gym was Jivan Mukta, a man who takes pride in his family, and former monk whom I used to share my devotions with. I hadn’t really seen him for some time and years had lapsed since he pulled up stakes to leave the city for the better small town life. Well, he’s back in the city with clan and ventures by the temple from time to time.

It was god to converse, although brief. After an amiable talk I pondered on how well arranged is the Vedic system. What I mean by that is when one is young and learning responsibility one obtains the benefit of happy restraint as a brahmacari, celibate monk. At the mature time one fixes himself or herself in married life with blessings from all. After journeying through the role as spouse and parent one may lean again towards the simple life of monk hood. I’m speaking about the maturing years. One may choose the happy restraint again and concentrate on simple devotion as before. This has been the tradition in India for years.

Had I not set foot on Bloor st. to chant on my beads I would have missed Jivan Mukta, a monk from the past and perhaps a monk for the future.

8 Km

> Please forgive me I have unintentionally > committed any offenses in the process of trying to offer some > glorification.

Absolutely no trace of offense. I certainly had no objection. I am blessed to be considered connected to such an exalted devotee as Sri Madhva.

My thanks also to all devotees who kindly offered kind words to me, and I pray always to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Madhva, and all the acaryas to properly represent them.

Hare Krsna.

hari-guru-vaisnava dasa, BVS

Every plan is made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but He is so kind and merciful to His devotees that He wants to give the credit to His devotees who carry out His plan according to His desire. Life should therefore move in such a way that everyone acts in Krsna consciousness and understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead through the medium of a spiritual master. The plans of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are understood by His mercy, and the plans of the devotees are as good as His plans. One should follow such plans and be victorious in the struggle for existence.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bg 11.34

> From: Internet: "Mahat Tattva Dasa" > Date: 23-Dec-08 08:35 -0800 > For: BVKS Sanga > Subject: King Nrga's brahmins > ------------------------------------------------------------ > The brahmins who cursed king Nrga....how is it that they were so upset > over one cow? Was the whole thing Krishna's arrangement to give mercy to > the king? Or they were not too pure? Perhaps it is another multi-layered > pastime? What do our acaryas say? > > Your servant, > Mahat-tattva Dasa

The following from Brhad Bhagavatamrta part 2 ch. 3 is relevant to these queries.

TEXT 171

All the devotees of the Lord are freed from contamination and misery simply by the sankirtana of His names. Yet some devotees, as disturbed by compassion as the Lord Himself, act in these ways to teach people civilized behavior.

COMMENTARY: Shouldn't advanced devotees, in order to deliver the world from ignorance, let everyone see their greatness? Yes, but the so-called anomalous behavior of Vaisnavas like Bharata Maharaja is in fact their way of teaching sad-acara, civilized human behavior. By the examples of their own lives they show the consequences of violating the laws of God and material nature, for if people fail to learn how to act according to civilized standards their hearts will remain contaminated by sinful desires and they will never become inclined toward the Lord's devotional service.

TEXT 172

As Bharata and others showed the fault of bad association, Yudhisthira and others the fault of gambling, and Nrga and others the fear caused by taking a brahmana's property, pure souls generally use their own behavior to teach the people.

COMMENTARY: Bharata Maharaja showed by his own life the danger of wrong association. Although almost perfectly devoted and renounced, he was distracted into caring for a newborn deer and therefore had to suffer birth as a deer. A similar case is that of Saubhari Rsi, who was deviated from meditation by seeing two fish engaged in sex. In the opinion of the Vaikuntha-dütas, however, in reality these elevated souls were faultless.

1966 January 25 :
"Lectures delivered in the studio on the test of spiritual realization. People appreciated. Decided today to purchase one Martel Tape Recorder from the New York Times advertisement. No expenditure."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

1969 January 25: "Your Sankirtana Movement is growing in popularity, and you must immediately have a nice place. The five-story building is quite suitable. If the Beatles come forward, you can take the risk."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1970 January 25 : "I want to send daily one tape. Transcription and editing takes about one week. If there are four or five transcribing, then at least four finished manuscripts come out per week. Please give me your directions about this."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1972 January 25 : "Whatever conditions increase your facility to preach should be accepted. Adopt this principle and all these discouragements etc., will disappear."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1966 January 24: "Saw Mr. Larry Boghart in his office. He advised me to write to Mr. Felix Morrow for an appointment to see. So I am writing him & sending some literature of Srimad Bhagwatam."
Prabhupada Journal ::1966

1969 January 24: "There are two kinds of Spiritual Master, initiator and instructor. Anyone who can give instructing in spiritual life is treated as Spiritual Master. So the husband can help the wife as instructor."
Letters :: 1969

1970 January 24 : "All the Goswamis and Acaryas chanted, my Guru Maharaja chanted, and following all their footsteps we are also chanting at least 16 rounds daily. We should not be carried away simply by all the other duties."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1966 January 23 : "Due to snow fall the whole day, today I did not go either to Dr. Mishra's apartment nor outside the studio. I managed my things here in the studio. No expenditure."
Journal :: 1966

1968 January 23: "Regarding the other books; keep them very nicely, and I shall see when I go there. You might have received another book perhaps, by Bhaktisaranga Goswami. This book by mistake was sent: it has to be returned."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1970 January 23 : "By hearing this transcendental sound through the ear our heart becomes spiritually purified, and we can realize at that stage the transcendental Name. That is the way of descending process."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1974 January 23: "What will be the program at this farm? How will people be attracted there? Who will work it? What about the present temple? He has asked for a decision, but until I know what is his plan, I cannot decide."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1968 January 22: "Immoral sex life and spiritual advancement are incompatible proposition. A determined person tolerates such sex urges as one tolerates the itching sensation of eczema."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968