PLANET ISKCON

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Here are the latest updates for "Planet ISKCON" - 37 new articles Hari Sauri das, Mayapura, IN: Mayapur’s newest resident H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Saturday, March 27th, 2010 H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Friday, March 26th, 2010 H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, March 25th, 2010 H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Aniruddha Prabhu Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: simple life and artificial life ISKCON News.com: New GBC Paper Clarifies Relationship Between Srila Prabhupada and Narayana Maharaja Kripamoya dasa, UK: He’s not the Messiah Madri dd, South Africa: Japa and Kirtana Program in Johannesburg, South Africa HH. Satsvarupa das Goswami: '391' from The Yellow Submarine HH. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 'Cookies of His Divine Grace' from The Yellow Submarine HH. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 'I Can’t Do It On My Own' from The Yellow Submarine HH. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 'The Ambassador' from The Yellow Submarine Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Pictures - Ram Navami 2010 Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: Ramayana – the drama - performed at Kalachandji’s Kaunteya das, Mayapura: A Phone Call to God? Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Garden Progress Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: Râmânanda Das, Born March 19th 2010 Japa Group: It Will Be Good Every Day Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: my latest twitter updates ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Hanuman's Grand Entrance to Save the Day! Gouranga TV: Gaura Purnima – Lecture – Mukunda Datta das – Evening Dandavats.com: International Friendship Festival at Vrindavan Dandavats.com: Lord Rama – An example for today’s politicians Dandavats.com: Vanipedia ecstatically applied Dandavats.com: Hundreds gather for religious festival at Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple, Aldenham David Haslam, UK: Japa More Recent Articles Search Planet ISKCON Hari Sauri das, Mayapura, IN: Mayapur’s newest resident At about 8.00 AM on March 30 2010 Mayapur received its newest resident– Vishnu-priya the baby elephant. After a tortuous 2 years of negotiation Hrmati dasi performed the practically impossible task of bringing a new companion for Laxmi-priya from Assam to her new home in the holy dhama. Its not possible to write here what she had to go through to achieve this, it would require a whole book. But all glories to her service, she deserves an accolade! After five days on the road, Vishnu-priya arrived and was unloaded from the truck at our elephant sanctuary just next to the Taranpur road. Hrmati was a bit worried about how Laxmi-priya would receive her new companion. Laxmi is nine years old and Vishnu is four. It was quite amusing in the event. Laxmi approached the baby with some trepidation, as if she had never seen such a creature before. She came up close, then gave a little jump back; then again she came up, again she skipped back. Finally she came up, sniffed around, and then put her trunk around her little sister and embraced her. Within minutes they were inseparable and had formed a strong bond. Elephants are very social creatures and in fact it is illegal to keep an elephant by itself. Not only that, recent government laws forbid even zoos to keep elephants anymore. A few months ago a directive was issued to all zoos and circuses to immediately send their elephants to the jungles. So we are very fortunate that Hrmati gained the special permissions needed to bring these two special servants of Sri Sri Radha Madhava from the jungles to a life of devotional service. Here’s a few photos taken about an hour after arrival. As can be seen, they have become great friends: • Email to a friend • Related • • H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Saturday, March 27th, 2010 “Some good signs” Dubai, U.A.E Dharmendra, a member of the local community, took me to Jumeirah Beach, a really clean place off the Arabian Sea. It’s a haven for walkers and joggers. From there we scooted back to the guest house for a change to devotional clothes and a drive to the local Nathaji Temple. Apparently the country donated a hall to the Pusti Marg Society, a Hindu organization hailing from West India. It’s the only temple in the country that’s approved apart from the next door Shiva Mandira, which is situated next to a Sikh Guru dias. So there is some level of tolerance demonstrated by the Islamic dominated area. By spending two brief days in Dubai I got the sense that there is law and order in this rather modern city, which recently declared bankruptcy due to the current recession. I had asked Dharmendra at the beach about the sign that read, “No cameras allowed.” His response was that it’s a safeguard for someone who might photograph a woman. There are people who take advantage. It’s to protect women. I thought that was not a bad restriction. I went to a flashback…on my second cross Canada walk, a young woman walked next to me in Victoria. She asked, “Are you a monk or something?” My brother who was just in front turned around and flashed a photograph of me and the pretty young woman. She became highly defensive. She explained that she was photographed some time in public and before she knew it her face was all over the internet with a digitally affixed torso (in the nude). Needless to say she was upset with my brother’s flash. He apologized and expressed he had no such intention. Now, a little more about the tolerance level in Dubai. On our sixth floor guest house facility, the Arabic neighbour has a five year old autistic boy who comes to our door clapping hands in response to the kirtan. We met her in the elevator where she wore her traditional Islamic garb, and she referred to her boy as, ‘my Krsna.” She had heard of Krsna’s childhood antics and she has become totally charmed. It appears she has no qualms with exploring outside her own culture. This was a good sign. • Email to a friend • Related • • --> H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Friday, March 26th, 2010 “They love kirtan” Dubai, U.A.E Night went by swiftly. It was an early rise at 3AM. A shower. Some pranayama. Some stretches. A read from CanAsian Times. It said that according to Swedish research and consulting firm Kairos Future, that Indian youth are the world’s happiest lot with career being their top priority. The study found that even though family in a strong focal point, youths here showed little interest in having a family and children of their own. For those in Europe, a good living environment comes on top. It’s interesting. At 5AM Topi Manahar came to our guest house room. It was walking time by the Creek. It’s not really that much of a creek but a lengthy salt water inlet. Topi’s feet were burning after our 10 Km jaunt. Salt water through desalination is the drinking water for the millions of people in the U.A.E. The figure is that 300 million people are serviced by water from the sea on this planet. It is a thirsty world. I became rather parched myself after being crammed by hundreds of devotees at their regular Friday gathering. Sri Vallab, the facilitator of the program thought that a talk about spiritual walking would go over well. And so it did. A second gathering in the evening, a celebration for the Vyasa Puja of Jayapataka Swami, a senior monk in or society whose birthday was today. It was again a packed house. At this time my topic for speaking was “Guru Tattva, “the principle of teaching the science of the self. I opened up quoting 10.32 from the Gita where Sri Krsna identifies Himself as the original guru. “Of science I am the science of the self.” For these events I successfully wore my swami robes but I was cautioned to not be caught in the saffron by walking to the hall from the guest house, although a short two block distance away. What a happy bunch here in Dubai! They love kirtan, chanting. • Email to a friend • Related • • H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, March 25th, 2010 What and Where? Dubai, U.A.E This is a curse. For a second straight day in a row there was no room or time to walk although a great distance was covered (by air). Another thing unique about today was it jumped ahead a few hours due to different time zones. But even more awkward was the fact that I could not don my usual dress code. I was fore- warned that saffron robes “will not fly” in a Muslim country. So plain clothes it was. My companions with me enroute to South Africa, Radha Gopinath and Yashomati, purchased a blue shirt and grey pants. Even a base ball cap came with it. I was re-incarnated. It’s my intention that on the flight leaving Dubai I will do the Clark Kent routine. It won’t be a telephone booth to change in but I will use the aircrafts washroom. I’m missing those robes. It’s known however, if you change the attire the heart remains the same. It's one of the more profound things said in “The Bhagavad-Gita” wherein Sri Krishna expresses the principle of transmigration. The soul changes bodies just as a person changes his dress. Chapter 2 of the Gita makes it very clear. At the airport in Dubai we are greeted by Vijay and Jaya Rasesvari, known to us as they have been living some years in Canada. One of my first curiosities here for the two day stay is in which vastra or dress will I go and secondly where can I walk in this new place for the coming morning? I had a thought….. contrary to the saying “the clothes make the man”. According to the Gita the clothes are not the man and similarly the body is not the soul nor does the body make or shape the soul. • Email to a friend • Related • • H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 The Hairdo Toronto, Ontario David Miller is a professor at the University of Toronto. He had invited some monks for kirtan, chanting and an explanation of Krishna consciousness to his class on the theme of Hindu Modernity. His class was an attentive group and I liked one question asked about the tuft of hair monks sport at the back of the head under the location of what is called brahma-randra. Both Dvija, our star renunciant at the Toronto ashram, and I took turns answering questions. I took the liberty to explain about the sheeka (tuft of hair on male members). In the Buddhist tradition there is no scope for accepting god as a deity, rather everything is shunyavadi (void).”There is no god”. The totally shaven head of a Buddhist monk reflects this nihilistic concept. The Vaishnavas or devotees of Vishnu, on the other hand, have embraced the concept of the Absolute as a “person” or a being a deity or divinity that one can communicate with. The mark of hair reflects this identity of the supreme as a person. A Vaishnava depends on the will of the supreme and agrees to engage in the sweet surrendering process of Bhakti, devotion. He will not resist. The sheeka is a symbol of this surrender. The students’ questions continued to come our way but I had to apologize to the group as I was to embark on a flight to South Africa via Dubai. You couldn’t ask for a better “send off” than speaking to a group of enthusiastic students before taking off on a long trip. What really was crazy was that the schedule was such that I just flew in from Miami in the early afternoon. Oh well, all is well in His service. “His” refers to Rama as today is the birthday of Rama, an avatar in the category of “Leela Avatar”. “Avatar” means one who descends from a higher sphere, the spiritual realm. “Leela” refers to endearing pastimes. • Email to a friend • Related • • H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 The Lotus Opens Coconut Grove, Florida “Better late than never” said the guru to his disciple. Vishal who is now 72 relayed to me that that was the line given to him by our guru, Srila Prabhupada. Vishal was 30 years old when most others joined the monkhood in their late teens or in their 20’s. Vishal resides in Miami by the main temple. The main point is that we are all encouraged to begin our spiritual path regardless of age. As the heroic boy, Prahlad, had expressed to his classmates in their kaumar stage (ages 5, 6) the time is now to get serious about real progress. That entity (the soul) which is very difficult to perceive is privileged to become more soulful or filled with spiritual nourishment. Any small endeavour is the greatest gain. As stated in the Bhagavad Gita, “There is no loss or diminution and a little advancement can protect one from the greatest type of fear.” Fear is a form of uncertainty. Everyone wishes for a sense of security. Well let’s take advantage of that spiritual obligation and get rolling. Roxanne is a Miami woman entering into her middle age and as she explained “Krishna does it for her.” She had been looking for this for a good long time until she started going to regular astrology classes by Garga Muni, a member or our community. The Bhagavat philosophy teaches that there is a divine entity above all other beings and that we have this dormant love for that personality. It was this morning that Roxanne decided to come out of dormancy, at least in a formal way, by accepting diksha, or initiation. Dharma, the head pujari, or priest lead this rite of passage with a ceremonial fire and a small group of well wishers witnessed something like a lotus flower opening. Roxanne made her commitment to move forward. 5 KM • Email to a friend • Related • • ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Aniruddha Prabhu ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Aniruddha Prabhu Aniruddha Prabhu SB 11.18.42: The main religious duties of a sannyāsī are equanimity and nonviolence, whereas for the vānaprastha austerity and philosophical understanding of the difference between the body and soul are prominent. The main duties of a householder are to give shelter to all living entities and perform sacrifices, and the brahmacārī is mainly engaged in serving the spiritual master. SB 11.18.42: Los deberes religiosos principales de un sannyāsī son la ecuanimidad y la no violencia, mientras que para el vānaprastha la austeridad y la comprensión filosófica de la diferencia entre el cuerpo y el alma son prominente. Los deberes principales de un cabeza de familia son dar abrigo a todas las entidades vivientes y realizar sacrificios, y el brahmacārī se dedica principalmente a servir al Maestro Espiritual. Srimad Bhagavatam 11.18.42 - It's not a Vedic culture anymore. The real challenge is to give Krishna Conciousness to others. 13.1MB Posted by Kanapathy Ramasamy at 31/3/10; 8:32:26 AM to the Daily Class dept ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Aniruddha Prabhu • Email to a friend • Related • • Now, this place I see, although I have not seen all, is a nice place. And the grhasthas may come here, have some small cottage, and grow your own food grains, vegetables, and have your cow's milk. Get nice foodstuff, save time. Why should you go in the city, hundred miles in car and again hundred miles come back and take unnecessary trouble? Stick to this spot and grow your own food, your own cloth, and live peacefully, save time, chant Hare Krsna. Very nice program. This is actual life. What is this nonsense life, big, big cities and always people busy? If he wants to see one friend, he has to go thirty miles. If he has to see a physician, he has to go fifty miles. If he has to go to work, another hundred miles. So what is this life? This is not life. Be satisfied. The devotee's life should be yavad artha-prayojanam. We require material necessities as much as it is required, no artificial life. That is spiritual life. Simply increasing artificial life, even for shaving, a big machine is required. What is this? Simply wasting time. Devil's workshop. Make life very simple. And simple living, high thinking, and always conscious to go back to home, back to Krsna. That is life. Not this life, that simply machine, machine, machine, machine. So if you show practical example that how you are living simple life and how you are advanced in Krsna consciousness, then people will learn from you. You American people, if you show example, people will try to follow you, and they will be happy. So I am very glad to see this farm. Develop it nicely, live peacefully, and chant Hare Krsna. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.49 -- New Orleans Farm, August 1, 1975 • Email to a friend • Related • • ISKCON News.com: New GBC Paper Clarifies Relationship Between Srila Prabhupada and Narayana Maharaja By Madhava Smullen on 30 Mar 2010 ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission has just released a forty-page document that clarifies the relationship between Srila Prabhupada—ISKCON’s founder—and His Holiness Narayana Maharaja, a prominent leader of the Vaishnava group the Gaudiya Math. • Email to a friend • Related • • The other day I wrote about the phenomenon of spiritual people grinding down their own personal ego mountains by becoming the leaders of their own own separate movements. Here is the reverse phenomenon: the story of a man who has been chosen to be the leader of a spiritual movement – but who doesn’t want to be. For as long as I can remember, the members of Share International, headed up by Mr. Benjamin Creme, have been waiting for a world messiah named Maitreya. I’ve seen their advertising for at least 30 years and always wanted them to find at least somebody they could identify as Maitreya. It seemed to me that you couldn’t really have a movement where the members were all perpetually waiting for a leader to come. They might all die before it happened. Mr. Benjamin Creme, the ‘messenger’ is now 87 so it was about time. So now they’ve found him. But he doesn’t want to be a messiah: Read about it here • Email to a friend • Related • • Madri dd, South Africa: Japa and Kirtana Program in Johannesburg, South Africa Long weekends are always a benediction for devotees trying to make the most of good sanga. Recently such an opportunity was afforded to us here in Johannesburg. Forty devotees attended the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture's Japa and Kirtana Program which was held over three days. The goal of the program was to relish the association of devotees and to reaffirm the need for chanting attentive japa and kirtan. The temple room at the Sri Sri Nitai Gaura-Hari Mandir - our local Iskcon Branch provided a very apt atmosphere. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda came to propagate the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra in this age of Kali. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, ISKCON has written in this regard, "Lord Caitanya preached this method of yajna and it is understood from this verse of Srimad Bhagvatam that anywhere and everywhere the sacrificial method of sankirtan-yajna may be performed in order to drive away the personality of Kali and save the human society from falling a prey to the influence of the age." (Ref. VedaBase => SB1.17.33) For three full days the devotees gathered in all seriousness and studied together Srila Prabhupada's instructions on the importance of chanting attentively. Part of the learning was to also engage in kirtans. Seen below with yellow mrdanga HG Nrsimhananda Prabhu, co-international director of Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture - BCEC was the co-facilitator and organiser of the program. HG Prema Sakti dasi comments after attending the program, "The japa and kirtan program was a powerful experience which has inspired me not only in my chanting but in my saddhana overall. It was introspective, interactive, light-hearted and also provided many tools to improve the quality of my chanting to develop a relationship with Sri Nama Prabhu. Both senior and newer devotees who attended expressed their sincere appreciation of the sessions." HG Madhuri dasi wrote in appreciation after her attendance, "The japa and kirtan program was very blissful and highly appreciated. I have gained something valuable for a lifetime, the power of the holy name. The tools given at the japa and kirtan program has given me a more positive meaningful understanding of the power of chanting. The workshop is very effective, the techniques given were to my eternal benefit. This methods applied will opened up my heart to hear the holy name and increase devotional service. My third day of japa and kirtan program was very blissful. Chanting amongst all the congregation was awesome. I could go on chanting and never felt tired sleepy or the need to go home, the holy name is so powerful. I hope we have these workshops often to keep us on track." As co-facilitator I was very moved to see the effect of the maha-mantra on these 40 devotees. Each one shared unique experiences and felt very sad to leave when it ended. On the day dedicated to personal bhajan the devotees chanted a japa together for many hours. Most completed 64 rounds and more. During this day I saw the power of association. One normally overactive three year old devotee child accompanied her father to attend the midday arati. Normally she scampers around the temple but on that day when asked if she would want to chant like the rest of the devotees she willingly agreed and completed 1 round of japa without interruption and clearly pronounced each mantra much to all of our surprise. All guests who came for darsan were also offered japa beads and joined in the chanting. It was such an amazing thing to behold. The enthusiasm of the 40 devotees sincerely and seriously chanting was definitely contagious. Indeed it reminded me of Srila Prabhupada's words in the Nectar of Instruction, "One should always engage in the service of the Lord in the association of the Lord's devotees. Association with those engaged in a similar line of business is very conducive to advancement in that business. Consequently materialistic persons form various associations and clubs to enhance their endeavors. For example, in the business world we find such institutions as the stock exchange and chamber of commerce. Similarly, we have established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to give people an opportunity to associate with those who have not forgotten Krsna. This spiritual association offered by our ISKCON movement is increasing day by day. Many people from different parts of the world are joining this Society to awaken their dormant Krsna consciousness." (NoI: verse 2) "Not only is the chanter of the maha-mantra purified, but the heart of anyone who happens to hear the transcendental vibration of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is also cleansed. Even the souls embodied in lower animals, insects, trees and other species of life also become purified and prepared to become fully Krsna conscious simply by hearing the transcendental vibration." (NoI: verse 4) We look forward to more such opportunities of association. Hare Krishna. • Email to a friend • Related • • www.sdgonline.org. We have to be at the airport to check in at 3:30 A.M. So I have no time to write about my japa this morning. I’ll be chanting on airplane and in the car ride to the house in Guyana. It is not ideal. I hanker for the bhajana-kutir situation that I will return to before too long. • Email to a friend • Related • • HH. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 'Cookies of His Divine Grace' from The Yellow Submarine www.sdgonline.org. Prabhupada Smaranam Prabhupada’s giving out of cookies to little toddlers and their parents was a heartfelt gesture of kindness to the children and an endorsement of the grhastha-asrama. As long as the children were safe in the arms of their parents and approaching Prabhupada for mercy all went well. But the institution of the boarding school system, gurukula, where the young children were sent away to live under the care of asrama teachers and instructors did not go so well. There were cases of incompetent and even ill-motivated asrama teachers and cases of harsh discipline and even sexual abuse. The gurukula grew into a disaster. There were finally GBC reforms, break-ups of the dormitory system and a vigilance system to avoid abuse of children. But there were children who grew up bitter of their mistreatment and rejected ISKCON when they grew up. There were also others who survived the system and grew up maintaining their Krishna conscious roots and became a second generation of devotees. The abuse in schools no longer occurs and parents either opt to send their children to private or public nondevotee schools or existing reformed gurukulas. Prabhupada is not responsible for the misconduct of what went on in gurukula. He never wanted the children mistreated. But he was not omniscient and was not aware of the incidents that took place. When a devotee wrote to Prabhupada that a child had been hit by a teacher he wrote back, that if such a case occurred it was the teacher who should be hit, not the child. Gurukula misconduct is a sad chapter in the growing of the Krishna consciousness movement, and misguided persons were held accountable. It should never have happened, and it should never happen again. Pictures of Prabhupada giving out cookies to children is not an embarrassment but a testimony of his love and good intentions towards his spiritual children and the children of his children. • Email to a friend • Related • • www.sdgonline.org. 1. My poems aren’t being published, the internet doesn’t work, so I write them just for myself, and to You. No one can read my words of love, they are not tested. They just go out to the air. But You know I wish to love You like Vrajavasi. My head is hurting again, and I’m feeling weary. I wish I could prove myself to You. I can’t make beautiful words or metaphors or tell of things I’ve done in Your service that were mighty and sacrificing. Somehow, though, I’ll find the way. You always let me come through with an angle to approach You or to at least say what the difficulty is in approaching You. You then become real in a poem. You become my beloved, “The Absolute is sentient, thou hast proved.” I recall Prabhupada and what he wants of me. I lament that I cannot give it to him, but I make a partial claim that I have worked for him on attempts to walk through the fire. Nothing new from this old man. He proclaims his desire to serve, and he puts his mind where his mouth is, and the amount of money is growing (they are giving me donations), and I give the money back to You in the form of books and words of praise. 2. I go to the scriptures and tell about Saksi Gopala as Lord Nityananda told it. The old man made a promise before the Gopala Deity that he would give his daughter to the young man, but the young man knew there would be much difficulty in the old man keeping his word. But in the end Gopala walked thousands of miles to witness on behalf of the young man and the wedding took place. Lord Nityananda was not interested in talking about a marriage, but they were talking about the Deity and the promise He kept and the pastimes between the two pure devotees. By hearing stories of this I can restore my mind and head to better consciousness and the day will pass by. Tomorrow we travel to Guyana and maybe my poems will be published again and maybe You will give me something to write about like “Chasing the train.” I mean chasing the train to catch it, to catch the ride that goes all the way to Goloka. I don’t want to miss it, but I’m broken down and wearisome. Please help me to revive a poets spirit and find words like Tukarama’s simple praise of Vitthal or Mary Oliver’s belief in God when she sees the river rising. There are many ways to make a poem to God, and You will teach me how. I cannot do it on my own. • Email to a friend • Related • • www.sdgonline.org. Free write Patita Pavana is a wonderful, African descent eccentric ambassador of Hare Krishna in Trinidad. He is a “world class” musician and goes out into the streets by himself interacting with people, playing rhythms spontaneously with sticks on a big cymbal, on a drum and on a harmonium. He improvises songs and interacts with people of all religions and creeds. He points to the sky and tells a lady “The sun is so hot it’s burning up the devotion.” She says, “You’re a Hare Krishna.” He bends his ear towards her, “What did you say?” “You’re a Hare Krishna.” “No I’m not,” he smiles. She repeats, “Yes, you’re a Hare Krishna!” “Dere!” he says, “I got you to say Hare Krishna three times,” and he gives her a book by Prabhupada. When the queen of England visited Trinidad, he walked right up to her Rolls Royce. “The police were all standing at attention with their guns,” he said. “If one of them had shot me he could have gotten a medal and said that I was a terrorist trying to give poison to the queen. I waved to her and played my drum, and she rolled down her window. Everyone says “Hello Your Majesty,” but I said something extraordinary. I said “You are a beautiful angel,” and she smiled and laughed. When the people saw her response they applauded, and the police did not touch me.” I said, “Prabhupada loves you” and gave her a book.” Patita is so cheerful and loving, he’s invited to eat in the homes of Christians and Moslems. He gives them flowers and sings improvised songs and dances. He collects forty thousand Trinidad dollars a year and puts it in the temple donation box. He is illiterate, but I put my signature on my two new books and wrote “To Patita Pavana, the mystic musician” and “To Patita, the ambassador of Hare Krishna in Trinidad”. He’s been living in the temple as a brahmacari for thirty years, and his face is getting a bit worn, but he still has all his energy for song, dance, rhythm and good cheer words for whoever he meets. • Email to a friend • Related • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1971 March 30: "The mercy of the bona fide Spiritual Master is there equally for everyone just like the sun. Yet there are those who refuse to come into the light. Simply you rigidly follow the regulative principles without fail and your rapid advancement in Krishna Consciousness will be certain." Prabhupada Letters :: 1971 • Email to a friend • Related • • 1966 March 30: "Dashami. Today one letter received from Rockefeller Foundation denying any help for starting the International Institution for God Consciousness. Evening meeting was held and seven ladies and gentlemen attended. It is settled that Susman and Paul will come on Friday 1st April to take me to Paul's loft." Prabhupada Letters :: 1966 • Email to a friend • Related • • 1967 March 30: "You are feeling my absence just as I am feeling the absence from you. But in the meantime this must be so and Krishna will provide. If you chant always Hare Krishna, read my books, and preach this philosophy sincerely, then Krishna will provide you with all facility, and you will not fall down into material entanglement." Prabhupada Letters :: 1967 • Email to a friend • Related • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1968 March 30: "I was just thinking about you since you departed and was anxious to get your letter. By Krishna's Grace you are finding everything favorable. Please don't feel lonely. Krishna is always with you and I shall pray for you and to Krishna also that you may make progress more and more in this faithful discharge of duties in Krishna Consciousness." Prabhupada Letters :: 1968 • Email to a friend • Related • • 1969 March 30: "We should everyone of us try to work as hard as possible for Krishna's satisfaction. This material body can be adjusted with practice. If we adjust these bodily activities towards Krishna's side, then the labor is fruitful, but if we adjust towards maya's side, then the labor is useless. A little labor done for Krishna is never lost. But the greatest labor done for Maya is simply a waste of time." Prabhupada Letters :: 1969 • Email to a friend • Related • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1970 March 30: "I have initiated her as you have advised. So train her up nicely in Krishna Consciousness and when you find a nice brahmacari she may be married. Then after some time she may go with her husband for starting a new center. My idea is to train up many devotees and as soon as they are ready send them out for starting new branches." Prabhupada Letters :: 1970 • Email to a friend • Related • • 1970 March 30: "By the grace of the Spiritual Master and under the direction of the Spiritual Master one makes progress and revives his original Krishna Consciousness in full. So you know very well all these facts, and while preaching you have to explain all these things nicely. Then you become a good preacher." Prabhupada Letters :: 1970 • Email to a friend • Related • • Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1974 March 30: "I saw both the lands in Vrindaban and if they are available arrange immediately for their purchase. My money will be ready the second of May. In Bombay we are meeting the opposition peacefully and I hope things will come out successfully." Prabhupada Letters :: 1974 • Email to a friend • Related • • Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Pictures - Ram Navami 2010 We had a great time putting on a Drama for Ram Navami. You can see all the pictures here. • Email to a friend • Related • • Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: Ramayana – the drama - performed at Kalachandji’s Mother Gopi Gita and Gopi Krishna got to few weeks ago brainstorming about doing a drama. They wanted to do something that incorporated all the different elements of our temple. This the Gurukula youth, Gurukula alumni, temple staff, and congregation. Spring break was coming up so they thought lets give it a shot. Gopi Krishna suggested Ramayana because it had not been done at the Dallas temple before. However this was done without some serious challenges. Krishna likes His devotees working hard in spiritual endeavors. They had two weeks, just two weeks to get everything together, despite having so many other priorities to manage. They had to write the script, pick all the sound and music, they had to direct and at the same time act in the play! An inspiration of the play was Bhaktimarga Swami. One of the ideas was to develop all the characters individually. The production turned out wonderful, and sparked a passion in many to continue to share Krishna & Rama with the public in this fashion. Plans are now being made to bring our plays to other venues reaching a wider audience. here great excerpt from Gopi Gita letter to all the actors: I'm sooo buzzed/jaaazzzed/pumped... It was such an excellent endeavor!! From this little play, we accomplished soo much. Four things come to mind. 1. the MOST IMPORTANT: camaraderie and devotee friendships and vaishnava relationships. - How to work together, even in high stress environments and continue on towards one goal, serving alongside each other, even if communication styles and personalities clash. The more we work together with people we may generally not be able to do so, the more we are able to serve all together under Srila Prabhupada's roof. - Finding lasting and deep friendships, based on serving Krishna, not based on temporary things as who gives you more attention, or who praises you the most, but based on our service and common goal. - these friendships are what bring us to the temple again and again and what will inspire us to continue to serve. 2. The Gurukuli Youth working together with the Temple Devotees with the gurukula children and with the Plano kids. Somehow there are so many devotees in their groups working separately, and this drama service was able to combine all of those different types of devotees, which gives a major sense of Group Identity and helps in morale and sense of belonging. The more we feel we belong to the temple and the devotees, the less our desire to belong to those who may not be good for our spiritual lives. 3. Preaching! We were able to glorify the Supreme Lord Shri Rama and share His wonderful activities with all of those who watched!! And even for ourselves, those of us who were continuously at the play practices for the past two weeks have been living, breathing, I'm sure even dreaming the pastimes of Lord Rama and in doing so purifying our hearts in unimaginable ways. The Supreme Lord's pastimes are so POWERFUL!! We have to have the faith, that just by enveloping ourselves in them, we can get soo much spiritual advancement! and give it to others!! Someone might have a hard time going to a Bhagavatam class, but a drama... for sure they'll sit there and watch gladly, for upto two hours. and 4. Of course, hopefully by this drama, aalll of us, individually, pleased Srila Prabhupada and HH Tamal Krishna Maharaj. We pray that they are smiling down on us and giving us all their blessings. Hare Krishna Your humble servant, Nityananda Chandra Das • Email to a friend • Related • • Kaunteya das, Mayapura: A Phone Call to God? Below, a prayer booth in Kansas city, right on the street, just outside the front door of the Rivercity Community Church. How could we use such an idea? Perhaps a "japa bench," with a japa (fixed on the armrest so that people can't take away) and simple instructions? Perhaps a "first-aid spiritual kit" sort of thing, with a japa, a few inspirational quotes, a packet of prasadam and directions to the closest Hare Krishna temple? See and download the full gallery on posterous Permalink | Leave a comment » • Email to a friend • Related • • Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Garden Progress “Springtime then appeared in Markandeya’s asrama. Indeed, the evening sky, glowing with the light of the rising moon, became the very face of spring, and sprouts and fresh blossoms virtually covered the multitude of trees and creepers.” Srimad Bhagvatam 12.8.21 I still haven’t finished pruning my various trees and shrubs which with a warm spell in the offing has acquired a sense of urgency. The bad weather in February is biting my backside now as I got no pruning done then. I also try to do some pruning on friends or temple properties but I am not getting too much of that done this year and feeling a little guilty about it. There is an ocean to do. If anyone wants to help with that let me know and we can go together, my progress is relatively slow on those projects but I can direct more energetic persons and get a lot done if someone wants to help. I still have some work on my veggie garden fence. It is fine for deer but not raccoon, possum, and ground hog proof yet. I made a little progress on that yesterday but more to go. There is a lot of neglected cleanup work on my property from years of being out of the loop. One thing I am hacking away at is a pile of windows I had accumulated for cold frames that weren’t stored properly and most of the glass has broken due to the freeze/thaw cycle. I am taking some of the broken glass and putting it into trash bins for the weekly collection, but it is heavy so only so much can be put out at a time. All in all though, I am accomplishing some things and that is satisfying, though in a garden or on a farm, there is always an ocean of possibilities so always more to do. Meanwhile the forsythia and crocus are blooming, so spring is no longer a wish or an illusion, it is manifest. Filed under: Cows and Environment • Email to a friend • Related • • Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: Râmânanda Das, Born March 19th 2010 Devotees such as Lavanga Latika, Bob, Bhaktin Alex and so many others helped with prasadam and so many other things. Here at the Dallas Hare Krishna community when a couple has a child the community cooks for the family for several weeks just to make it easier on the family. I love it here. Hare Krishna Your humble servant, Nityananda Chandra Das • Email to a friend • Related • • Japa Group: It Will Be Good Every Day Why is it a struggle on some days to concentrate while on other days it is easier This is the very definition of unsteadiness. When you become steady, it will be good every day. You can make advancement in japa when you always look forward to doing it, feel pleasure when you do it, and do it with steady consciousness. Another measure is that you will feel less material desires. That symptom is more important than exactly how much bliss you feel while fingering the beads. From Japa Reform Notebook by SDG • Email to a friend • Related • • Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: my latest twitter updates Posted: 28 Mar 2010 08:54 PM PDT The Râmâyana play was great, everyone did so well. Jâya Ärî Ärî Sîta Râma! (03:54:38) Posted: 28 Mar 2010 11:48 AM PDT http://twitpic.com/1bl0rr http://twitpic.com/1bl0wl http://twitpic.com/1bl14f more play practice pics http://twitpic.com/1bl19hbabies (18:48:02) Posted: 28 Mar 2010 11:34 AM PDT http://twitpic.com/1bkxef http://twitpic.com/1bkxhc http://twitpic.com/1bkxo6 Siva's bow & other decor (18:34:09) Posted: 28 Mar 2010 09:06 AM PDT Play practice for the Ramayana play tonight, Sri Rupa cut his thumb nail during a plastic sword fight & Oh man the bow of Shiva is amazing! (16:06:51) Posted: 27 Mar 2010 07:27 PM PDT Krishna Mangala was changing Ramananda diapers and Visakha was watching, she said, "Mom, baby has a tail" She said yes boys have tails LOL (02:27:47) Posted: 27 Mar 2010 05:26 PM PDT coming up next saturday, Harinam @DeepEllumArtsFair http://bit.ly/9dYNgg (00:26:43) Posted: 27 Mar 2010 02:51 PM PDT 108 http://bit.ly/cr1eJ8 (21:51:13) Posted: 27 Mar 2010 11:53 AM PDT Unfaithful Lovers - lecture by Nityananda Prabhu http://bit.ly/amVgg7 (18:53:58) Posted: 26 Mar 2010 06:50 AM PDT Shaved a baby yesterday named Raghav. Shave babies! I also distributed a KRSNA book to his parents. :) (13:50:44) Posted: 25 Mar 2010 09:26 AM PDT assisted in giving a temple tour for dozen travelling Muslims from 1/2dozen different countries.Visiting the Gurukula & chanted Koran verses (16:26:34) Posted: 24 Mar 2010 06:29 PM PDT did a tour for a theology major from SMU and 12 literature students from Eastfield College. Lots of fun! (01:29:09) Posted: 24 Mar 2010 04:47 AM PDT I had a dream that I was preaching to Bill Cosby about the futility of the eternal soul finding substantial happiness in a temporary world (11:47:46) Posted: 23 Mar 2010 03:33 PM PDT Smile of Krishna » Blog Archive » Radha Damodara http://bit.ly/dhAO9H (22:33:47) Posted: 23 Mar 2010 03:27 PM PDT Lessons from Hanuman, Lord Rama’s Greatest Servant | ISKCON News http://bit.ly/cestCR Hanuman's simple sindhur (22:27:36) Posted: 23 Mar 2010 03:25 PM PDT I rated a YouTube video (4 out of 5 stars) -- The Chain of Screaming http://youtu.be/ih4XyS_zemw?a (22:25:56) Posted: 21 Mar 2010 05:18 PM PDT http://twitpic.com/1a4hr2 http://twitpic.com/1a4hu1 http://twitpic.com/1a4hxu (00:18:46) Posted: 20 Mar 2010 07:44 PM PDT So Râmânanda Das passed all of his latest blood sugar exams. Lavanga & Bob brought some great prasad from Mother Sucarya & now it is snowing (02:44:29) Posted: 20 Mar 2010 03:37 PM PDT Baby in a bag.She laughed histerically then said "I happy" http://twitpic.com/19v4jd http://twitpic.com/19v4qahttp://twitpic.com/19v4xy (22:37:13) Posted: 20 Mar 2010 01:41 PM PDT Bob & Lavanga brought us some amazing prasadam yesterday.In the hospital & all are doing well.Ram has somespells of lowbloodsugar, bless him (20:41:19) Posted: 20 Mar 2010 12:48 PM PDT IMG_2838 http://bit.ly/cEcvVI( 19:48:13) Posted: 19 Mar 2010 01:47 PM PDT Râmânanda, Rama Ananda Granger was born today 10am 5lbs 13oz & healthy http://twitpic.com/19lj8v http://twitpic.com/19ljbg (20:47:31) Posted: 18 Mar 2010 04:09 PM PDT Krishna Mangala is due to give birth tomorrow @ 9:30am please pray that we may have a nice little Vaishnava (23:09:22) Posted: 18 Mar 2010 05:49 AM PDT http://twitpic.com/19bi0t HILTON OR BAYLOR POST PARTUM we visited the room on Tue & there really nicely remodeled & very spacious as well (12:49:10) Posted: 18 Mar 2010 05:41 AM PDT http://twitpic.com/19bgur http://twitpic.com/19bgxl http://twitpic.com/19bh0m http://twitpic.com/19bh2uhttp://twitpic.com/19bh91 (12:41:52) Posted: 17 Mar 2010 09:06 PM PDT Studied Ärîmad Bhâgavatam 1.9.1-49 "passing of Bhîshma" http://bit.ly/aAAndi (04:06:18) Posted: 17 Mar 2010 05:10 PM PDT Going to give class on Bhagavad Gita 13.13-19 the Object of Knowledge. Http://Krishna.com/dallas text me if you have ?s (00:10:29) Posted: 16 Mar 2010 05:08 PM PDT Watching Women, Men and Sexuality in Krishna Consciousness http://bit.ly/d45GOX LIVE by Mahatma Prabhu (00:08:30) Posted: 16 Mar 2010 03:57 PM PDT Today I met the members of the Mantra Rock Band PRINCE RAMA http://bit.ly/cWFRrF Brooklynites who are originally from Alachua. :) (22:57:44) • Email to a friend • Related • • For those who were present for both Wednesday and Sunday festivities for Rama Navami, celebrating the appearance of Lord Ramacandra, one of the many highlights of the festival was Hanuman's grand entrance to save the day after Laksmana had fallen unconscious (read about the festival by clicking here). Checkout the video of Hanumana saving the day (including his returning to the stage to show off his tail)!!! Hanuman Saves the day Hanuman Saves the day • Email to a friend • Related • • Gouranga TV: Gaura Purnima – Lecture – Mukunda Datta das – Evening Gaura Purnima - Lecture - Mukunda Datta das - Evening Gaura Purnima - Lecture - Mukunda Datta das - Evening Subido por rupagopi el 02/03/2010 Evening lecture given on Gaura Purnima (Lord Chaitanya's appearance day) by Mukunda Datta das. Dallas, TX 2010-02-28 Gaura Purnima – Lecture – Mukunda Datta das – Evening • Email to a friend • Related • • Dandavats.com: International Friendship Festival at Vrindavan By Lakshman das A very wonderful cultural program held in Vraja called "international friendship festival" devotees from India and Russia doing this presentation for the pleasure of Krishna and His devotees. • Email to a friend • Related • • Dandavats.com: Lord Rama – An example for today’s politicians By Radha Mohan das On Sunday 28th March Bhaktivedanta Manor Krishna Temple near Watford held its annual Rama Navami celebration, which observes the birth of Lord Rama • Email to a friend • Related • • Dandavats.com: Vanipedia ecstatically applied Ramananda Raya (das) BCS (Radhadesh - B): Last week we had practical experience when the anti-cult people challenged us. They were kind, in that respect, that they sent us their own prepared materials. • Email to a friend • Related • • Dandavats.com: Hundreds gather for religious festival at Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple, Aldenham Chris Hewett: The Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple, in Hilfield Lane, opened its doors to celebrate the annual festival of Rama Navami, celebrating the appearance of Lord Rama. • Email to a friend • Related • • David Haslam, UK: Japa I was thinking do we put as much effort into our japa as we do looking after the needs of the body? • Email to a friend • Related • • More Recent Articles ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Five Days of Celebrating Ramacandra! Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Bhajan - New Year's Eve 2010 - Kapil das - 3/22 H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Monday, March 22nd, 2010 ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Devamrita Swami Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: conquering Krsna by submission