by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 09, 2009 04:03 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 09, 2009 04:02 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 09, 2009 04:02 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 09, 2009 04:02 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 09, 2009 04:01 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 09, 2009 04:01 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 09, 2009 04:01 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 09, 2009 04:00 PM
By Matsyavatara dasa
Sublimation is the art of transferring our impulses to a superior level. It can therefore be defined as the art of transformation of the psychological contents.
It is fundamental to apply our willpower on superior ideal levels because if such strength goes downward, the result will not lead us to achieving our projects of cultural, psychological and spiritual growth. Instead it will lead us to dissatisfaction and we will risk many incidents in our path.
The process of sublimation happens at the highest level through prayer and meditation. It could also be favored by the aesthetic experience. Think of music or dance that is expressed through the body, mimic and rhythm. They could seem like simple aesthetic exercises, but, through them, a kind of energy of negative and sometime destructive nature, deriving from rancor, violence, hostility, etc., can regenerate into ecological and positive energy if what we do is done as an offer to the Divine.
The art of raising our psychological energy to superior levels is of great beneficial value.
Through this art, the levels of individual egoism can gradually be overcome through increasingly better evolutionary levels. It can spread from a personal level to a family level, from a group level to one that is increasingly extended to the entire social structure, until we give priority to the wellbeing of all creatures of any species.
The expansion of benevolence toward all the living beings leads to a cosmic fraternity and to the rediscovery of God as an origin, seed and sustainment of the universe in all of its forms and life manifestations.
Every experience should be considered as a precious opportunity for better oneself without distinction between friends and enemies because every creature should look at itself as a fragment of God like he would be able to look at a turf of dirt and at a gold nugget with impartiality (Bhagavad-Gita VI.8). The psychological tradition of Bhakti offers theoretical and practical instruments to acquire this capability and attitude toward life, by reaching that high level of consciousness that allows us to face in a constructive-evolutionary way, any event, even the most painful one without being emotionally overcome.
Managing ones emotions is much more difficult than managing ones thoughts. On contrary of our thoughts, emotions are psychological impulses produced by the interaction of external and internal stimulus that do not pass through the rationale process. Therefore they are not mediated, not sufficiently controlled by the buddy (intellect). As a flood of a river, they overflow from our subconscious level to the exterior.
Often, ones comprehension of the importance of sublimation is blocked at a merely rationale-theoretical level, without a significant exercise dedicated to its realization with the result of a flow of emotions that becomes unstoppable from the subconscious which work in a opposite direction that the individual would like to pursue.
To overcome such inner discrepancies and realize substantial improvements of the personality we should operate at the deep psyche level through instruments of meditative visualization and active imagination and overcome the merely emotional-intellectual level by reactivating the consciousness of the Self and ascending to consciousness and spiritual vision.
by noreply@blogger.com (Anantadeva dasa) at March 09, 2009 02:27 PM
After visiting the temple of Jiyara-nṛsiḿha, the Lord proceeded further south into India and ultimately reached the bank of the Godāvarī. While on the bank of this river, the Lord remembered the Yamunā River in Vṛndāvana, and He considered the trees on the bank to be the forest of Vṛndāvana. Thus He was in ecstasy there. After taking a bath on the banks of the Godāvarī, the Lord sat near the bank and began chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. While sitting and chanting, the Lord saw that the governor of the province, Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya, had reached the banks of the river accompanied by his associates, which included many brāhmaṇas. Previously the Lord had been asked by Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya to visit the great devotee Rāmānanda Rāya at Kabur. The Lord could understand that the man approaching the river bank was Rāmānanda Rāya, and He desired to see him immediately. However, because He was in the renounced order of life, He restrained Himself from going to see a political personage. Being a great devotee, Rāmānanda Rāya was attracted by the features of Lord Caitanya, who appeared as a sannyāsī, and he himself came to see the Lord. Upon reaching Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Rāmānanda Rāya prostrated himself and offered his obeisances and respects. Lord Caitanya received him by vibrating Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma Hare Hare."
Lord Chaitanya and Ramananda Raya - Chapter 27 - TLC
Gaura Yoga will be closed on Wednesday the 11th of March, 2009 due to a special celebration.
We're all going to die. Chant Hare Krishna.
So, we think we know it all, do we? We may have earned our Iskcon degrees, or may be senior devotees, and therefore do not have to hear from ‘less qualified’ or junior devotees when they give class.
The present global turmoil is indeed much worse than most anticipate and nations will fall in collapse as history is quickly re-written before our eyes, never to be the same ever again.
Get ready to rock and roll! Its one of the biggest Festivals at the Loft this Sunday March 15th! Hilarious drama: “A Fish Out of Water”, rockout beats, and an out-of-this-world Vegan Feast. Koha, starts at 4:45pm.
Tear drop beads give a nice ending as seen above in these chokers. Sri Sri Nitai Gaura-Hari is the object of these endeavors. I use satin ribbons to fasten around the neck. These are secured with a knot to the beadwork. Drops of glue is dotted on the knot for greater security.by noreply@blogger.com (Dasanudas) at March 09, 2009 07:29 AM
Dear Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Door to door in New Papatoetoe New Zealand brought me to the home of an elderly Indian fellow who was all too enthusiastic to see me. After presenting the books he quickly ran into another room and came back with 51 dollars cash and explained that this money was in the pocket of his brother's pants when he passed away some time ago. He was waiting for an opportunity to give it Krishna, so he eagerly gave it to me in exchange for some books. His friend, who was present during the conversation, was so moved by the exchange that she donated another 20 dollars, allowing them to take two Srimad Bhagavatams, two Bhagavad Gitas, two Isopanisads, one Searching for Vedic India, etc... even after I had left their home, she came back down the street with more money to buy some small books for her friends.
I was sharing a spot in Henderson with a christian busker who was singing songs on his guitar and preaching from the bible. We maintained a congenial relationship by not speaking to each other, and things were moving along smoothly in this way. At one point he called me over and asked, "Are you one of those monks?" I said, "Yes, sir. We're all out here preaching about the Lord." We shared a short conversation about being completely dependent on the Lord's mercy to spread His glories around. As it turned out, he was a very simple fellow and probably less envious than myself. He suddenly interrupted the conversation by asking, "Do you want some money?" I said, "Sure, chip in a few dollars!", expecting him to give some small change. He quickly pulled 20 dollars out his own wallet, gave it to me and said, "The Lord told me to give this to you." Unfortunately, he refused to take a book in exchange...
your servant, Yosodev das
Dear Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Door to door in New Papatoetoe New Zealand brought me to the home of an elderly Indian fellow who was all too enthusiastic to see me. After presenting the books he quickly ran into another room and came back with 51 dollars cash and explained that this money was in the pocket of his brother's pants when he passed away some time ago. He was waiting for an opportunity to give it Krishna, so he eagerly gave it to me in exchange for some books. His friend, who was present during the conversation, was so moved by the exchange that she donated another 20 dollars, allowing them to take two Srimad Bhagavatams, two Bhagavad Gitas, two Isopanisads, one Searching for Vedic India, etc... even after I had left their home, she came back down the street with more money to buy some small books for her friends.
I was sharing a spot in Henderson with a christian busker who was singing songs on his guitar and preaching from the bible. We maintained a congenial relationship by not speaking to each other, and things were moving along smoothly in this way. At one point he called me over and asked, "Are you one of those monks?" I said, "Yes, sir. We're all out here preaching about the Lord." We shared a short conversation about being completely dependent on the Lord's mercy to spread His glories around. As it turned out, he was a very simple fellow and probably less envious than myself. He suddenly interrupted the conversation by asking, "Do you want some money?" I said, "Sure, chip in a few dollars!", expecting him to give some small change. He quickly pulled 20 dollars out his own wallet, gave it to me and said, "The Lord told me to give this to you." Unfortunately, he refused to take a book in exchange...
your servant, Yosodev das
Random House Webster's give these as its first two definitions of the word unique:
I'd like to personally invite you to attend an important conference called "Building Bridges" to be held at the ISKCON of Washington DC temple from April 10th-12th, 2009. This conference focuses on the question: How can we best share the timeless wisdom of Krishna consciousness with increasingly diverse audiences? |
by Gaura-Nitai das (Eric Rush) (noreply@blogger.com) at March 09, 2009 06:09 AM
We are calling our new place the Gopa Cabana.
Our next housesit doesn’t start until June, so I found us this one-room schoolhouse to rent. The very charming German owners call the place a “cabana.” This (plus Barry Manilow and the Sanskrit word for “cowboy”) inspired the name.
We haven’t lived in one room together since we stayed at the Villager Lodge in Deerfield Beach back in 1996-97. A prostitute rented the room next door to us who used to shout, “I love you, Booby!” to her boyfriend.
We didn’t stay long.
Recently we’ve had the luxury of housesitting for friends with big houses, so we’ve had multiple rooms in which to avoid stepping on each other’s toes every seven or eight minutes. We value our space, man. We’re artists. We like to be left alone, and we expect the same.
Space management is now going to become a key issue, since there ain’t any.
As I write this, for example, we’re both typing away on our keyboards, in the same room. We might as well be in separate rooms, in one sense, but being actually physically separated by walls and doors and dozens of feet of intervening space sure makes intrusion more difficult.
In other words, I had better learn to mind my own business, or I’m going to drive us both nuts.
***
Speaking of space, I’ve always preferred sleeping in my own bed.
Practically the only time I remember my wife and I sleeping in the same bed was to keep from freezing to death during the ice storm (and total power outage) at Kutsher’s Kosher Country Club in Monticello, New York at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance in 2003.
By sleeping alone, I strive to guarantee a lack of disturbance caused by bumping into another person during the night, or being bumped into. I’m a light sleeper, and I like to throw my arms and legs around when I yawn, so if I’m too anxious about bumping into somebody, I won’t be able to sleep at all. And if I get bumped, forget it.
In college, I had a friend who was a girl, (though not my “girlfriend,” much as I would have liked) whom I would occasionally sleep with in her dorm room.
There was none of the usual business that goes on when boys and girls sleep together, though. We just listened to music until we fell asleep. Except I didn’t fall asleep.
I was too excited to get much sleep, being eighteen and in bed with the object of my attractions. (note: “excitement” does not guarantee “peace,” what to speak of “happiness.”)
Now that girl is practically the only memory I have from that college, except for student loans. Ah, the glories of coeducation—so conducive to the process of learning.
Anyway, better to train people in the art of brahmacharya. So much less anxiety. So much better your chances of getting a decent night’s sleep. BTW: Good night.
by course@ultimateselfrealization.com at March 09, 2009 02:30 AM
As announced during our weekly Sunday Feast celebrations, the Hare Krishna temple received notice that on Tuesday, March 10th, the same day as our Gaura Purnima festivities, a movie crew will be closing off part of Roxoborough Street to do some filming (unrelated to the temple). The street will be closed from 7:00am to 11:00pm. 
Gaura Purnima celebrations are less than 48 hours away and devotees at Toronto's Hare Krishna temple are preparing for an unforgettable Tuesday night festival! HH Bhaktimarga Swami, who will be attending Gaura Purnima festivities here for the first time in many years (he is normally in India at this time of year) will be pulling a very special treat from his bag of spiritual magic tricks.
by noreply@blogger.com (Devadeva Mirel) at March 09, 2009 01:15 AM
On Tuesday, March 10th, 2009, Toronto's Hare Krishna temple will be celebrating the Appearance Day of Lord Caitanya in grand fashion! Lord Caitanya is none other than Lord Krishna Himself. 
Unfortunately, we encountered a glitch when recording our live broadcast of the Sunday Feast today and so we are unable to post a recording this week. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Saturday was spent at Govinda's in Darlinghurst. From the booking list it was looking like the smallest class ever, so Pratapana, the Main Man, persuaded me to cut my shopping list down by 60%. By class time, however, we had over 10 extra attendees, and the biggest class ever. The amazing thing was, there was ample lunch for all.
Peggy has scooped out a whole batch of anise-scented doughnuts with my all-time favourite scooper-thingy.
What better final resting place for all those doughnuts than a giant vat of fresh berries and Greek-style yogurt? Annie strikes a charming pose with spoon.
Seems like I've been here before. Same place, different time and a whole different crew. Cookery class number #3000 is looming. Is that what they call an "illustrious career?" Well, at least I've found my niche.
Sunday's class was a surprise. It was actually held beachside on the boardwalk adjoining Rose Bay harbour - my first ever outdoor class! That's Scott chopping the macadamias for the pesto.
Maxine, Jackie and Willow absorb themselves in mis-en-place as looming storm clouds rumble over Sydney Harbour. A few raindrops fell into my hot wok of frying oil (it was a vegan class) in the concluding moments of the afternoon session.
Soon after the class was over and I was safely home, those massive black rainclouds opened up over the eastern suburbs. In fact, Rose Bay was inundated for 5 hours, recording the highest rainfall in the whole of New South Wales. Cracker timing old chap, say what!
We are grateful that we have been given the good fortune of being involved in such a revolutionary movement. It is a movement with the soul purpose of distributing genuine compassion and care to all living entities.
Let's go the kirtan is beginning...
sri-krsna-caitanya-daya karaha vicara
vicara karite citte pabe camatkara
If you are indeed interested in logic and argument, kindly apply it to the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. If you do so, you will find it to be strikingly wonderful.
Gauranitaidas.com
by Gaura-Nitai das (Eric Rush) (noreply@blogger.com) at March 08, 2009 09:15 PM
by Gaura-Nitai das (Eric Rush) (noreply@blogger.com) at March 08, 2009 09:12 PM
PURPORT By the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, even an inexperienced boy with no educational culture can be saved from the ocean of nescience, which is full of various types of philosophical doctrines that are like dangerous aquatic animals. The philosophy of the Buddha, the argumentative presentations of the jnanis, the yoga systems of Patanjali and Gautama, and the systems of philosophers like Kanada, Kapila and Dattatreya are dangerous creatures in the ocean of nescience. By the grace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu one can have real understanding of the essence of knowledge by avoiding these sectarian views and accepting the lotus feet of Krsna as the ultimate goal of life. Let us all worship Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu for His gracious mercy to the conditioned souls.
Cc Adi 2.1
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 08, 2009 06:01 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 08, 2009 05:59 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 08, 2009 05:58 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 08, 2009 05:56 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 08, 2009 05:53 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 08, 2009 05:50 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 08, 2009 05:45 PM
by letters (wmdean@btopenworld.com) at March 08, 2009 05:39 PM
 |
Bangalore, INDIA – Is the longstanding feud between the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and a breakaway group of devotees who took over the prominent ISKCON temple here finally nearing a resolution? A recent exchange between the leader of the splinter group and ISKCON leadership opens the door to such a possibility—although significant conditions, including the withdrawal of all pending litigation, the acceptance of GBC authority, and a thorough hashing out of doctrinal disagreements, would first have to be met. |
The following statement was issued in response to a proposal submitted earlier by Madhu Pandit Dasa. For an explanation of the background and underlying issues it discusses, please read Bangalore Splinter Group Proposes Truce, GBC Responds. |
by Anuradha Keshavi (rt.kanna@gmail.com) at March 08, 2009 05:11 PM
by Bhakti lata (noreply@blogger.com) at March 08, 2009 05:11 PM
for Mangala arati....by Anuradha Keshavi (rt.kanna@gmail.com) at March 08, 2009 03:48 PM
by Subuddhi Krishna das, Chicago (noreply@blogger.com) at March 08, 2009 03:43 PM
For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way computers have enhanced our lives, read on.
At a recent computer expo (COMDEX),Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, ‘If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon.’
In response to Bill’s comments, General Motors issued a press release stating:
If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part ):
1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash……..
Twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.
6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single ‘This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation’ warning light.
I love the next one!!!
7. The airbag system would ask ‘Are you sure?’ before deploying.
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.
10. You’d have to press the ‘Start’ button to turn the engine off
PS - I’d like to add that when all else fails, you could call ‘customer service’ in some foreign country and be instructed in some foreign language how to fix your car yourself!!!!
Posted in Jokes
As time goes by and ISKCON continues global expansion as the world's only genuine path to a true conception of religion, it becomes clear just how important was the spotless personal example of our beloved founder-acharya His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
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 the month of March and for this Gaura Purnima time of year, I’ve decided to tackle the chatur shloki. The chatur shloki are the four verses that pretty well sum up the contents of the Bhagavad-gita. If you’re only going to read four verses from Bhagavad-gita, these are the four to read.
Last week, Krishna revealed to Arjuna that He is the source of everything. The wise realize this and adore Him, feeling great joy in their hearts.
This week, Krishna continues…
Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 10, Verse 9
mac-citta mad-gata-prana
bodhayantah parasparam
kathayantas ca mam nityam
tusyanti ca ramanti ca
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me.
-Srila Prabhupada
Those whose minds are fixed on me and whose live are absorbed in me derive satisfaction and delight from enlightening one another and always speaking of me.
-Tripurari SwamiThose whose minds are absorbed in Me and whose lives are wholeheartedly devoted to My service, derive great satisfaction and bliss from constantly enlightening one another about My tattva and performing kirtana of My nama, rupa, guna and lila.
-Narayana Maharaja"With their thought on me, with their life-breath offered to me, enlightening one another And conversing about me continuously, they are satiated and they feel rapturous love. -Garuda dasa (Graham M. Schweig)
The first line describes two traits of “the wise” (or “enlightened”) from last week’s verse. First, mat-cittah, means “those whose minds are fixed on Me [the speaker, in this case, Krishna]. All four of our translators basically agree on this.
Srila Prabhupada substitutes “pure devotees” for budhah, which is generally translated (even by Prabhupada in the previous verse) as “the wise.” He glosses the phrase as “minds fully engaged in Me” in his word-for-word section, but translates it as “The thoughts of My pure devotes dwell in Me…” in his verse.
It does have a bit of a different connotation than the rest. Tripurari Swami uses the phrase “minds are fixed on me,” while Narayana Maharaja uses, “minds are absorbed in Me.” Garuda dasa uses simply “thought on me…”
Secondly, mad-gata-prana, means “those whose lives (or ‘life-breath’) are devoted to me [the speaker, again, Krishna].”
Rather than “absorbed” (as Tripurari Swami puts it), both Srila Prabhupada and Narayana Maharaja focus upon devotional service.
In Srila Prabhupada’s word-for-word, as in Narayana Maharaja’s verse, devotional service is mentioned. Prabhupada puts it, “their lives are surrendered to Me,” and Narayana Maharaja puts it, “whose lives are wholeheartedly devoted to My service…”
Garuda dasa seems to translate gata as “offered.” He writes, “with their life-breath offered to me…”
The second line, bodhayantah parasparam, is basically, as Garuada dasa translates: “enlightening one another.” All translators completely agree, all using the word “enlightening.”
All (except for Garuda dasa) also translate the third line before the second. This line (most of it), “kathayantas ca mam” is a very basic and easy to translate line: “conversing about me.” That line, however, is pushed to the end of the verse to make way for a bit of exposition.
The fourth line, nityam tusyanti ca ramanti ca, (which also incorporates the last word of the third line) is “they always” (nityam) “derive (or experience) satisfaction” (tusyanti), “and also rejoice/take delight” (ca ramanti ca).
Srila Prabhupada and Narayana Maharaja both put it, “they derive great satisfaction and bliss.” Tripurari Swami also says the same, substituting “delight” for “bliss.” Garuda dasa changes it up a bit and says, “they are satiated and they feel rapturous love.”
“Rapturous love” seems a bit intense when compared to “delight.” But Srila Prabhupada glosses ramanti as “enjoy transcendental bliss.” Bhaktivinoda Thakura, in his translation/commentary of Bhagavad-gita says, “In this way, by sravanam [hearing] and kirtanam [chanting, talking] they attain the happiness of bhakti [love of God].” And what is more rapturous than love of God?
Going back to the third line, kathayantas ca mam nityam, always speaking of me [Krishna], the translators end their respective verses.
Garuda dasa, whose translation tries to follow the actual flow of the Sanskrit poetry, keeps the lines in order. The way he puts it makes sense, which is odd when translating poetry. That the other three translators didn’t put the lines in this order is interesting. All four, however, make perfect sense. When reading one after another, they all seem to agree and you hardly notice that some lines are rearranged.
Narayana Maharaja, however, tacks a bit of commentary onto his verse. Instead of ending it with “always speaking of me” or “conversing about Me” (as he himself glosses in his own word-for-word), he writes: “constantly enlivening one another about My tattva and performing kirtana of my nama, rupa, guna and lila.”
If you do not know what these six Sanskrit words mean, reading his purport doesn’t help. These words are not mentioned in the original Sanskrit, nor are the defined in the purport. The use of the words, to me, seems incredibly unnecessary.
Often times both Srila Prabhupada and Narayana Maharaja will add bits to their translations. Srila Prabhupada did this in the first line when he switched out “the wise” with “pure devotees.” Whenever they do this it raises a flag. Why are they doing this? Is there an agenda? Are they hiding something?
While you can often read the word-for-word and figure it out what they were saying pretty easily, I simply cannot understand Narayana Maharaja’s use of six Sanskrit words that weren’t in the original text. Why not simply include that description in the purport?
Tattva basically means “the real being of something, “performing kirtana” here means chanting. Nama means “name,” rupa means “form,” guna means “tenancies” or “methods” and “lila” means “pastimes.”
What he’s saying is true, but it’s not part of the verse. It’s true that devotees derive great satisfaction and bliss from constantly enlightening each other about God and by talking about His name and form, about what He is like and His pastimes. But going on to describe that in the purport seems more appropriate.
This verse is a fine example of how all four Gaudia Vaisnava translators are in concert. Yet, it’s also a fine example of how some translations are a bit more than translations and sometimes move into the realm of adaptation. There’s, of course, nothing wrong with that. Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s translation/commentary of the Bhagavad-gita was just that. It was written like a translation would be written (meaning when Krishna was speaking, Thakura would write “I”), but it was also a commentary, expanding on the teachings of the Gita.
However, Bhaktivinoda Thakura didn’t call his book “Bhagavad-gita.” It was called “Rasika-ranjana,” and I’m still looking for a copy of it (hint-hint!).
By talking about God, we are satiated. Not only that, we also feel blissful, ecstatic love of God when talking with like-minded folks about God. This is community. It’s not just love of God that we feel, it’s love of each other that enlightens us when our thoughts, our conversation and our lives dwell in the spiritual.
Hare Krishna prabhus,by Jagannatha dasa (jbruner.1@go.ccad.edu) at March 08, 2009 11:15 AM
"If, due to some righteous activities which provoke devotional service, one is influenced by the service attitude and takes shelter of the good association of pure devotees, he develops attachment for hearing and chanting. By developing chanting and hearing, one can advance further and further in regulative devotional service to the Supreme Lord. As one so advances, his misgivings about devotional service and his attraction for the material world proportionately diminish. By advancing in hearing and chanting, a devotee becomes more firmly fixed in his faith, and gradually his initial faith develops into a taste for devotional service, and that taste gradually develops into attachment. When attachment becomes pure, it exhibits the two characteristics of bhāva and rati. When rati increases, it is called love of Godhead, and love of Godhead is the ultimate goal of human life."Chapter 13 - Devotional Service In Attachment - TLC
Saturday, 7th March.
The ride from Kolkata to Mayapur was a speedy, nerve wrecking one, not too mention the loud and almost continuous horns from my car driver. I think he doesn’t like to see anyone else on the road in front of him. He wanted everyone out of the way. Anyways, I checked in, washed myself and crashed to the bed. That was around lunch time. And woke up at 4pm. Fresh and happy! Got ready and was at the temple by 5:30pm. Aahh..so nice to step into the huge temple complex again.
The bright Pancha-tattva deities
One of the first things I did in front of the pancha-tattva was pray for the well-being of all my Melbourne devotee friends, rest of my devotee friends from around the world and also for all the senior vaishnavas who have been offering advice every now and then for my Krishna Consciousness advancement. The idea for praying for all the above came when Gopa Vrindesh prabhu from the Melbourne temple had called me a few days ago. When he discovered that I was on my way to Mayapur and not in Australia, he asked me to pray for him as well.
After a few of my chanting rounds, I decided to check-in on some other Melbourne devotees who are here. Nothing like meeting friends from home.
Uddhava prabhu
First on the list was Uddhava prabhu - the Melbourne temple energy pack. He was one of the first western devotees I had set my eyes on when I walked into the Melbourne temple. He is so active, full of energy and in some capacity, naughty. But this evening, he was very quiet and a bit withdrawn and tired. He wasn’t feeling too well. I also met the devotee brothers from my post 121. They weren’t feeling too well either. After some half and hour of catching up on world events (related to KC of course), I decided to take leave. I offered my service to them in case they needed anything in their hour of poor health. Hope they get better soon for the Gaura Purnima festival.
There were plenty of people around as I wandered out of the Conch building that housed many of the western devotees. The night was warm and perfect for completing my final round of chanting. Something I would enjoy even more over the next few days.
A dance show related to Sri Narasimha
There was a big tent put up with a poster announcing the screening of the Krishna Consciousness activities in Brazil. The movie focused particularly on the Indian festival that a group of devotees conduct every year, pretty much like the Le Carnival Spirituel. The movie was well made with beautiful songs, photographs, interviews, memories and testimonials. They had a few more programs like the dance show pictured above but I wanted to go to my room as it was 8:30pm already. Wanted to wake up in time for the Sunday Mangal arti.
Hard at work
On the way, I saw preparations going on everywhere for the festivities that will happen here over the next few days. People were constructing stages and other decorations. All the trees and buildings adorned necklaces of lights. Shall get you some snaps of those in the next set of posts. The whole placed swarmed with hundreds of devotees of all sizes and ages. What fun ! So much t write. But for now, I go. See you soon with more coverage.
Inspired by my reading of "Vaisnava Compassion" by HH Satsvarupa Maharajaby Club 108 (noreply@blogger.com) at March 08, 2009 08:00 AM
We, the members of the Governing Body Commission of ISKCON, wish to express our most heartfelt condolences to you for the passing of Srila Bhaktivaibhava Puri Maharaja. He was a dear friend of our Srila Prabhupada and well-wisher of ISKCON
Above are some anklets that I made for Them also. The purple piece is made from buying ready-made jewelry and breaking up, then restringing to suit our needs as pujaris.
Above are more anklets that I made and offered. May you find patterns helpful if you are a beginner in beading.by noreply@blogger.com (Dasanudas) at March 08, 2009 07:17 AM
By Romapada SwamiI'd like to personally invite you to attend an important conference called "Building Bridges" This conference focuses on the question: How can we best share the timeless wisdom of Krishna consciousness with increasingly diverse audiences?
Srila Prabhupada informs us that we learn from Bhagavad-gita 8.17 that 12 hours of demigod life is equal to six months of our time on earth. In other words, time in svarga loka is 360 times slower or longer than hour time.
The idea of time being relative was posited only in the last century by modern science. Yet this 'discovery' was written thousands of years ago in the Srimad Bhagavatam.
by course@ultimateselfrealization.com at March 08, 2009 03:30 AM
Hare krishna
Dandvat pranams….
Here is the recording of 08 March 2009 satsanga.
Please click below links….
download (Downloads 6)
Servant of Servants.
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This week, Gopal Agarwal, who resides in USA, and his son Brij spent a couple of days in Mumbai. One of their first trips in the city was to ISKCON's Juhu Center to see the presiding deities Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari. On 19 September 1965, when Srila Prabhupada had arrived for the first time in USA and exited the Jaladuta steamship at the Brooklyn pier, one of his contacts in the new land was Gopal Agarwal, the son of a Mathura businessman who had requested his son to host Prabhupada to America. |
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A two-week festival celebrating the sixth anniversary of ISKCON’s temple at Vrinda Kunda, a sacred lake in Vrindavana, India, culminated in a grand finale this February 22. ISKCON built the current temple in 2003 to replace the old, dilapidated one that Vaishnava scholar Baba Madhava Dasa constructed in the 1980s for Vrinda-devi, one of Krishna’s most beloved servants. |
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When His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada set sail for the West in 1965, he carried with him the conviction that India's ancient tradition of devotion to Lord Krishna must be shared with the world. Today, more than forty years since Prabhupada's fateful journey, many devotees of the organization he established -- the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) -- grapple with how to stay true to Prabhupada's mission, and at the same time be relevant to the needs of the particular times in which we live. |
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Mayapur, India -- Disciples and well-wishers of the late and much-loved ISKCON guru Bhakti Tirtha Swami arranged a full-day “Vyasa Puja” celebration in honor of his birthday this March 4. Kavicandra Swami, now ISKCON’s sole Governing Body Comissioner in West Africa with Bhakti-Tirtha Swami gone, began the day with a lecture honoring the late guru. |
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At 9pm IST on March 3, 2009, Srila Bhakti Vaibhava Puri Goswami left this world at Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where he had been brought for medical treatment. He had just reached his 96th year two months before. Known as Puri Maharaja by devotees and followers, B.V. Puri Goswami was one of the most notable Gaudiya Vaishnava teachers of the 20th century. |
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DELHI - The Federation of Indian Chambers Of Commerce and Industry's (FICCI) Ladies Organization along with women from the Inner Wheel Club and Divya Chaya Trust kept their date with the ISKCON Food Relief Foundation on February 28th. A group of fifty ladies reached the internationally certified kitchen of the foundation well in time for the afternoon tour and presentations. |
“God personally came to me! I even gave Him a beautiful flower! It was such a touching experience; so much of my pain is gone. I already feel half cured!” This may sound like an addict hallucinating under the influence of drugs, but no; it is the soulful outburst of a patient (suffering from post operative depression) eulogising the customary practice of bringing a mobile temple, daily, right to the bedside of every single patient at Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mira Road. |
Maharaja is recounting Le Carnaval Spirituel's visit to Melbourne in January:
Calling all devotees (especially the youth)!Here’s a very informative video prepared by Sony, with some curious facts about the world now, on how fast things are changing and how much information we are being exposed to. Srila Hridayananda Das Goswami warns that, as society is moving so fast today, people in general are “intellectually hydroplaning.” In other words, people are becoming incapable of deep thought due to the speed in which they have to go through life.
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