martes, 29 de junio de 2010

Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: “Out of Metropolis” by Lynn Emanuel



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"Planet ISKCON" - 44 new articles

  1. Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Simple Cooking, Good Eating
  2. ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Deity Darshan: Sunday, June 27, 2010
  3. ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Toronto Sankirtan Team's First Anniversary!
  4. ISKCON Klang, Malaysia: Battling it Out with Kali
  5. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami
  6. Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: “Out of Metropolis” by Lynn Emanuel
  7. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Srila Prabhupada enlivened by disciples' preaching
  8. Dandavats.com: The glories of Keli-kadamba
  9. Dandavats.com: Vanamali Das
  10. Dandavats.com: Vaishnavi Retreat 2010
  11. David Haslam, UK: In memory of Betty Brett a very special soul
  12. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 481
  13. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Indian Airlines airplane
  14. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Stavavali and the Swinging Blues
  15. Japa Group: Traditional Way Of Improving
  16. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Stavavali Readings
  17. Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Gaudi’s Kitchen
  18. Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: Govinda Dasa recollects how it all began in the trains of Mumbai:
  19. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  20. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  21. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  22. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  23. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  24. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  25. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  26. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  27. Book Distribution News: Govinda Dasa recollects how it all began in the trains of Mumbai:
  28. Dandavats.com: Prabhupada’s instructions
  29. Dandavats.com: A Teacher’s Humility
  30. Dandavats.com: Deep Changes in Recent Social Structures
  31. Dandavats.com: Bhaktivedanta College Student Profiles of the Class of 2010
  32. Dandavats.com: European Brahmacari Convention
  33. Dandavats.com: Torchlight book is Finalist in Book Awards
  34. Dandavats.com: Australian Society for Krishna Culture
  35. Dandavats.com: Hari Naam Samkiratan In Graveyard
  36. Dandavats.com: 38th Annual Festival of India (Ratha-Yatra) - Toronto - July 17-18, 2010
  37. Dandavats.com: Free Download - Appearance of Lord Jagannatha on Jyestha Purnima
  38. ISKCON Klang, Malaysia: Snana Yatra – Deities in a tub
  39. Mukunda Charan das, SA: Spinach And Soya Chicken Pie
  40. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Bhakta Nimai asks
  41. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Trying out the piano (sounds nicer than a harmonium)
  42. Yoga of Ecology, Bhakta Chris, USA: The End Is Nigh
  43. H.H. Bhakti Caitanya Swami: Photos from Palanga
  44. Gouranga TV: Lokanath Swami – Hare Krishna kirtan – ISKCON Vrindavan 2009
  45. More Recent Articles
  46. Search Planet ISKCON

Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Simple Cooking, Good Eating

Yesterday was my little Petunia’s birthday and it also marked the return of my neighbors from their trip to the Motherland–England. To honor the daughter and make the lives of jet lagged friends a little easier, we had an intimate gathering of 7 wild kids, four adults, dinner and cake.

Countertops go in tomorrow so all I have to work on is a sheet of pressure treated plywood. No faucets yet in the kitchen. Still, it is a thousand times better than what was previously in place. And that is an understatement. Nevertheless, kitchen stuff is still packed up. I purchased an Oster stick blender at Target Saturday for 20 bucks because I *really* wanted to make tomato soup (t’is the season!). Bought lots of veggies at Ward’s and even picked up some scary real looking fake shrimp from the local health food shop (more on that later).

Our fridges were full, my tofu pressed and stick blender unboxed and washed. I had a menu and a plan. The only thing I didn’t have was a bevy of spices. No matter. Simple cooking, good eating was the theme and I definitely pulled it off.

The Menu:

Braised Artichokes (vegan and butter versions)
Fresh Tomato Soup (vegan)
Vegetable Fried Rice with Tofu & Scary Real Looking Mock Shrimp (vegan)
Salad of Romaine Hearts & Red Leaf Lettuce w/Roasted Pears and Beets dressed in a Vinaigrette (vegan)
Chocolate Cake (vegan)

The cake was, as my daughter said, “from a factory.” Or, more accurately, from a local baker who happens to live about three blocks from us. Without countertops, I refuse to bake. Despite my intense craving for fresh bread.

Although I don’t have recipes to share since I was just kind of cooking on the fly, I will let you in on the simple ingredients that went a long way, allowing me to create a wonderful meal of varied flavors and textures while using the same basic spices and herbs over and over again. I do think the intense heat of my wonderfully majestic Fivestar Ranges helps a bit–I couldn’t have stir fried without it.

So, let me break it down for you….

Braised Artichokes

Vegan version was made with olive oil. Butter version made with…butter. Added a splash of balsamic to the vegan, along with a splash of Bragg’s. Other than that, straight forward salt, pepper, hing, paprika and a handful of fresh herbs (basil, dill, flat parsley). At the end, before serving, I added a generous amount of freshly squeezed lime juice to the sauce. Delicious.

Fresh Tomato Soup

I would have loved for this soup not to be vegan–the things I do for friendship! A chunk of butter and a splash of cream would have made my growing baby in my tummy happy. But to be honest, this soup rocked and I can’t stop eating it despite my gut feeling like it is going to split open and baby is going to slosh out. Okay, gross.

Soup was simple. Lots of big fat fresh tomatoes, red potatoes, water (duh), salt (much), pepper, hing, a spoonful of sugar and a dash of Braggs. After it was all cooked and blended I added lots of fresh herbs from our garden–oregano, basil, flat parsley, dill. See, I don’t care what herbs they are, just throw them i the pot and the effect is awesomeness.

Vegetable Fried Rice with Tofu & Scary Real Looking Mock Shrimp

I didn’t eat any of this the night of the dinner but plated some leftovers today and let me tell you, so good. The tofu. Mmmm, the tofu. I pressed the tofu, marinated for a few hours in balsamic and Braggs and then pan fried in a super hot cast iron skillet with a scant amount of oil. Smoky bliss.

The broccoli, celery, red pepper, mock shrimp and bean sprouts were stir fried at the highest heat I could muster and then tossed with the tofu and rice. The only spicing was fresh curry leaf (lots), pepper, hing, paprika, salt, Braggs, balsamic. That’s it. Are you starting to notice a trend?

Salad of Romaine Hearts & Red Leaf Lettuce w/Roasted Pears and Beets dressed in a Vinaigrette

Pears and beets were pan roasted (separately to avoid color bleeding) and then sprinkled with turbinado and splashed with balsamic and Braggs. Dressing was 1/2 balsamic vinegar, 1/4 olive oil, 1/4 flax oil, salt, black pepper, hing and italian seasoning. Simply good

Because I varied the produce from dish to dish and the cooking methods were also varied, I don’t think my guests had a clue that the same spices and herbs were used to flavor each preparation over and over and over again. I wanted to share the repetitive details of the menu with you to inspire your own table of colorful, healthy dishes. And notice that not a single preparation relied on the overpowering, lingering taste of onion or garlic.

vegan fried rice

salad of romaine hearts and red leaf lettuce with roasted pears and beets

IMG_1137 IMG_1140 IMG_1138 IMG_1142 IMG_1139
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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Deity Darshan: Sunday, June 27, 2010


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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Toronto Sankirtan Team's First Anniversary!

Sankirtan is a Sanskrit term which means the congregational chanting and sharing of the names and glories of Krishna, which is the recommended process for spiritual success. In the Hare Krishna tradition, sankirtan is associated with sharing our spiritual culture with the public via the timeless books, translated by Srila Prabhupada.

For the past one year, the Toronto Sankirtan Team has been organizing monthly sankirtan festivals (MSF), where enthusiastic Bhakti Yoga Practitioners go out on the streets to share spiritual books, prasadam (karma-free food) and the holy name. This month marks the one year anniversary of the MSF, and on this special occasion, Toronto Sankirtan Team invites you to join in for a memorable sankirtan outing at Niagara Falls on July 3rd, 2010.

Tentative Schedule:
7:45am Srimad Bhagavatam Class
9:00am Depart from temple
10:30am Arrive at Niagara Falls
11:00am-2:00pm – Street Sankirtan
2:00pm – Lunch Prasadam
4:00pm – Drive back to temple

A nominal contribution of $15/person applicable if transportation is required.Pre-registration is mandatory (deadline: June 30, Wednesday). For registration / questions, please fill the form or email toronto.sankirtan@gmail.com. In the email, please specify if you would require transportation.

We look forward to seeing you on the 3rd!

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ISKCON Klang, Malaysia: Battling it Out with Kali

BY SANKARSHAN DAS ADHIKARI WE ARE PRESENTING IN ONE OF KALI’S CAPITALS KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA 14/June/2010 KUALA LUMPUR – At the present moment the personality of Kali has taken charge of this planet in every nation around the globe. Therefore there is nothing more important for the welfare of the human society than to spread [...]

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.21.38-40 - Whoever you meet just try to get them to love Krishna and Lord Caitanya will cover the bases.
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Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: “Out of Metropolis” by Lynn Emanuel

We’re headed for empty-headedness,
the featureless amnesias of Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada,
states rich only in vowel sounds and alliteration.
We’re taking the train so we can see into the heart
of the heart of America framed in the windows’ cool
oblongs of light. We want cottages, farmhouses
with peaked roofs leashed by wood smoke to the clouds;
we want the golden broth of sunlight ladled over
ponds and meadows. We’ve never seen a meadow.
Now, we want to wade into one—up to our chins in the grassy
welter—the long reach of our vision grabbing up great
handfuls and armloads of scenery at the clouds’
white sale, at the bargain basement giveaway
of clods and scat and cow pies. We want to feel half
of America to the left of us and half to the right, ourselves
like a spine dividing the book in two, ourselves holding
the whole great story together.

Then, suddenly, the train pulls into the station,
and the scenery begins to creep forward—the ramshackle shapes
of Main Street, a Chevy dozing at a ribbon of curb, and here is a hound
and a trolley, the street lights on their long stems, here is the little park
and the park stuff: bum on a bench, deciduous trees, a woman upholstered
in a red dress, the bus out of town sunk to its chromium bumper in shadows.
The noise of a train gathers momentum and disappears into the distance,
and there is a name strolling across the landscape in the crisply voluminous
script of the title page, as though it were a signature on the contract, as though
it were the author of this story.


Filed under: Poetry
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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Srila Prabhupada enlivened by disciples' preaching

I have personally seen that Srila Prabhupada is enlivened and feels obliged to remain with us when He hears the preaching activities of devotees throughout the world.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter From: Tamal Krishna - SL_770807_A1

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Dandavats.com: The glories of Keli-kadamba

Lakshman (das) Vrindavan (IN): The keli-kadamba resembles the mood and complexion of Srimati Radharani. Whenever Sri Krishna thinks of Radharani, He saw the Keli-kadamba in Vrindavan.

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Dandavats.com: Vanamali Das

Vanamali Das: I am vanamali das from karachi,pakistan.In paksitan many hare krishna centre but not till than by GBC and many devotees.we celebrat all vaishnva festewel very well by Guru and Krishna mercy.i have been 9 years spend in krishna counsciouness.please be kind me than we do better serve to Guru and Krishna

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Dandavats.com: Vaishnavi Retreat 2010

Malati dasi: Dear Vaishnavi's: This is to let you know the dates of our annual Vaishnavai Retreat. We are looking for accomplished presenters as well as "first timer's."

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David Haslam, UK: In memory of Betty Brett a very special soul

I would like to mark the passing away of Betty Brett a kind soul who although she would not class herself as a devotee was very favorable to the devotees and ISKCON I met this kind and gentle soul whilst looking after her grandson and when he passed away we remained in touch and we had [...]

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 481

www.sdgonline.org. SDGonline Daily updates

3:52 A.M.

During the night I was dreaming. I did not have enough blankets on, and I felt cold so I was dreaming that I was sleeping outdoors. I was with a group of people who were camping. We had to take exams in the morning at some distant place. I was confident that because I was Prabhupada’s disciple I would do well on the exams. These dreams went on for a long time. I woke up about 2:15 A.M. with a headache. I took medicine, but only slowly did the headache go down. Despite the pain I chanted extra fast and extra wide awake. I was also in a good mood, mostly due to the readings yesterday from Stavavali. In particular I felt thoughts in my mind from the poem Sri Vilapa-kusumanjali. In that poem Raghunatha Gosvami writes from the viewpoint of a gopi-manjari. In his earlier poems such as “The Desire Tree of Prayers to Lord Gauranga” he writes from the identity of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. For example in one verse he says “Although I am a fallen soul, the lowest of men, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu delivered me from the blazing forest fire of great material opulence by His mercy. He handed me over in great pleasure to Svarupa Damodara, His personal associate. The Lord also gave me the garland of small conch shells that He wore on His chest and a stone from Govardhana Hill, although they were very dear to Him. That same Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu awakens within my heart and makes me mad after Him.” I was astounded by how personal this prayer is. But in Sri Vilapa-kusumanjali he does not write from the identity of Ragunatha dasa Gosvami but from the identity of Rati Manjari. He makes appeals that he could please do personal bodily service to his worshipful Srimati Radharani. The poem then details his services of bathing Her, drying Her, dressing Her and ornamenting Her and bringing Her to pastimes with Lord Sri Krishna. The aroma of these poems was in my mind as I chanted my japa and blotted out any mundane thoughts. I did not imitate any raganuga practice, but nevertheless I felt myself near the sweet and sublime poems of Stavavali. Thus my chanting went very well, and I have completed twelve rounds. Yadunandana Maharaja came up at 3:35 and began doing the Deity worship. He does it in a very nice mood. He touches the lotus feet of each of the Deities before he begins waking Them up. He then worked quickly which I like, filling the glasses with new water and taking each of the Deities out of Their beds and placing Them upright. I told him how I appreciated his efficiency. Now I’m free to do my writing.

Chanting in the
neighborhood of Stavavali,
I move very quickly
through the mantras and
my eyes are wide open.
I’m attentive as I silently
pass the names through
my mind and finger the
beads. The dull pain in
my head does not prevent
me from decent japa
on this morn. Quickly
I move through twelve rounds
and thank the Lord for
His mercy.

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Indian Airlines airplane

www.sdgonline.org. SDGonline Daily updates

Prabhupada Smaranam

Srila Prabhupada was a jet-age mahabhagavata. He stepped down from the mahabhagavata level to act as a middle class devotee and traveled widely to preach to different levels of people. He did not travel in an airplane until he was 71 years old when He flew from New York City to San Francisco. After that he traveled almost constantly, moving more than once a month. He said for his writing service it was better to stay in one quiet, regulated place, but he felt he had to personally travel to preach Krishna’s message to his disciples and to make new disciples for Lord Caitanya’s mission. It was physically inconvenient for him to travel in old age, increasingly so, but he accepted the austerity with detachment and spiritual strength. It is said that he traveled around the world eleven or twelve times in about ten years.

When he was in the air he was usually not talkative but would chant on his beads or read. There were occasions when curious flight attendants and even flight officers sought him out and sat beside him to inquire from him personally about Krishna consciousness. Prabhupada was always gracious and informative to such persons. He would never eat the airplane food but would take prasadam that devotees had prepared for him. As with any frequent traveler he had to sometimes endure long delays on the ground and even in the sky, due to weather conditions. He underwent all this stoically, and lived with Krishna within.

Here Prabhupada is smiling to see the devotees waiting for him at the air terminal. He always considered it worthy and necessary to travel. We thank Srila Prabhupada for all the trouble he undertook and all the miles he logged just to save fallen souls on the order of his spiritual master.

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Stavavali and the Swinging Blues

www.sdgonline.org. SDGonline Daily updates

Yadu Maharaja gave me a
copy of Raghunatha Gosvami’s poems,
Stavavali. I will read them and
see if they help me to write, but
they will probably be too classical
and exalted for my capacity.

I need something that allows
me to open my cupboard to
Krishna-praise and find things
I know and do originally.
Like believing in His existence,
preaching His sweetness,
and acknowledging His power.

He is almighty and unfathomable.
All the lectures you can give
from Bhagavatam are good
ways to reach Him, they
are authentic and tell the
stories of His avatars.

Krishna is present in the wail
of the sax of Charlie Mingus’
sideman. He’s present in
the tears and broken hearts
of the USA soccer team
and its fans and in
the leering painted mask
of the triumphant fans
from Ghana and all
Africa. He’s present
in the pit-bull dog on
the wired leash that we
see fearfully on our walk.

Krishna is present in chaos
and peace. He is in my
healthy heart and will
travel with me and be
waiting for me in my
house in upstate New York.

I will leave Him behind
in this townhouse called
The Yellow Submarine, and
I’m thankful for all the
inspirations He
gave me here.

How does Krishna figure
into the world political scene and the oil
spill disaster in
the gulf of Mexico and
president Obama’s sagging
popularity? I can’t figure
it out except disobedience
to the Lord causes all misfortune.

The small Hare Krishna movement
could not manage the world,
but they are doing the right
thing by singing Lord Hari’s
names and obeying His principles.
Whatever they achieve will never
suffer loss or diminution and
will save them from the
greatest fear at death.

Tapana Misra had to live in Varanasi,
the town of the impersonalists
because of his past activities,
but Lord Caitanya came to visit
him and stayed ten days uplifting
Tapana from the dreadful atmosphere
where all he heard was “maya” and
brahman”.

Boy, when we swing,
it’s a good thing, we
feel the fun of good
times and I think Krishna
consciousness is like that
swinging blue, a bright melody,
great artists, and the
Lord of all, unreachable
above it all.
This is not Stavavali,
but I like that too.

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Japa Group: Traditional Way Of Improving

Often the restless mind pushes a sadhaka to engage in "sightseeing Japa" When this happens the Holy Name transforms into background music to accompany one's primary engagement of surveying the various "colors and shapes" of the landscape. The inattentive chanter thus slips into distraction and commits nama-aparadha.

Fixing the eyes on a "mantra card" helps prevent this. This traditional way of improving concentration entails chanting the holy name while gazing at a written form (usually Devanagari or Bengali) of the maha-mantra.

From the Art Of Chanting Hare Krsna by Mahanidhi Swami

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Stavavali Readings

www.sdgonline.org. SDGonline Daily updates

Free write

Today, this morning, I had a crisis of repeated headaches. I had one when I woke and subdued it rather easily but not completely. Then I fell asleep in my chair around 10 A.M. and while dreaming a sharp headache arose. It was a surreal disjointed dream. I was in the company of TKG, Syamasundara, Yamuna dasi and other early disciples of Prabhupada. We were at Yamuna dasi’s house. I wanted to play an alto saxophone and had one in my hand, but knew I couldn’t make nice sounds come out of it and I couldn’t find a solitary place to play it. TKG was saying the best place to live is India. (After the dream I disagreed with this point of view.) Then I felt very sharp headache pain during the dream and tried calling out to Yadunandana Maharaja for help. But I couldn’t make any sound come out of my mouth. I changed my mental attitude and was able to break my paralysis. Then I woke up, but the headache was about six on a scale of ten. I took three kinds of medicine and went to bed. After a while the pain went down.

I then called for Y. Swami and asked him to read to me from Kusakratha Prabhu’s translations of three poems from Stavavali. They uplifted my spirits. I spoke to him about the fascinating life of Raghunatha Goswami which I had read from the introduction to Stavavali. I felt good speaking and went on doing it for some moments. Y. Swami is sweet association. I just receive a letter from a devotee at Radhadesh who said about Y. Swami, “Everybody likes his sweet nature and innocence.” Yes, we sometimes say he is like one of the four Kumaras; he seems ever young and eternally boyish and brahmacarya.

I have accompanied this free write with a close up of the face of Lord Jagannatha. This is the season of Ratha-yatras in North America. In Stavavali there is a poem dedicated to Lord Caitanya, and it says He stood at the Garuda-stamba in Nilacala and gazed upon the face of Lord Jagannatha. He saw Lord Jagannatha as Krishna of Vraja and felt the separation of Radha from Krishna. I mentioned in my poem that I thought Raghunatha Gosvami’s poetry would be too exalted for me, but I like it very much. I cannot imitate him, so he doesn’t influence my writing directly but maybe some of his ecstatic devotion will rub off on me. He was always in weak health, because of his austerities of little sleep and little eating, but he never complained. He was transcendental. In the introduction to Stavavali, the editor Purnaprajna dasa writes, “These prayers are especially to be relished by devotees on the platform of raganuga-bhakti and thus eager to follow the footsteps of the residents of Vrndavana. Still, here is pure glorification of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna and Their abode, and thus it is relishable for all classes of devotees.”

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Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Gaudi’s Kitchen

My friend Lavanga just returned from a jaunt about Spain, where she and her renowned typographer husband looked at beautiful things, searched for vegan restaurants and basically set the cities aflame with Ken’s baffling lettering expertise.

From the looks of Lavanga’s Facebook photos, the two fell in love all over again at Casa Milà, an early 20th century building designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí–my new dead crush. And who wouldn’t? The place is a dream of organic curves and gothic grandeur.

Although I never get to go anywhere, I was touched that Lavanga thought of me while standing in Gaudi’s kitchen, surrounded by swathes of white marble, plain tile and simple spigots. What to speak of the charm of the bread box!

Lavanga’s pictures of La Pedrera, as Gaudi’s apartment building is more commonly known, are a great resource for anyone interested in seeing the beauty of old white marble countertops. Enjoy!

bread box


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Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: Govinda Dasa recollects how it all began in the trains of Mumbai:

Some of the most exciting book distribution incidents have taken place at the Mumbai Central Railway Station. It all began in the mid 80Õs, when book distribution as a part of regular service in the Radha-Gopinatha temple in Chowpatti was still at a nascent stage. With very few devotees distributing books, nobody had ever thought of going to the railway station.

One day Krishnananda Prabhu decided to take the initiative and told me to accompany him. I had just joined the temple. As a teenager coming from a small town, I felt the big city to be overwhelming. I was definitely nervous, and with one glance at the confident, smart-looking men of Mumbai, always on the move, I was put off. I was convinced I couldn't do book distribution. Impossible. But Krishnananda Prabhu was adamant. He was the temple commander, and since he had ordered me to pack my book bag, I had no choice but to comply. For a new bhakta, there was no question of personal likes or dislikes.

When we reached the platform, Krishnananda Prabhu was in his element. Tapping a traveler on the shoulder, he introduced himself as a Master of Science (MSc.) and Master of Technology (Mtech) from the U.S.A. The English-speaking, smart sadhu baffled all of them and induced them to take Prabhupada's books. Well, he could do it in that style and with good success. For me, this was a nightmare. My worst fears came true when all of a sudden he put a few books in my hand and pushed me inside a compartment, "Go, just give Prabhupada's books to all. Come on!" As I heard his firm voice, I almost fainted. I was trembling, and seeing the passengers seated in the train, with all eyes on me, I was on the verge of tears. Not able to muster up enough strength, I gave up, went to a vacant seat in a corner and sat down all alone. I began sighing, "Krishna, why are You doing this to me? Please take me out of this mess.Ó With no one to share my tale of woe, I was miserable.

Just then a complete stranger came up to me, smiled, and asked me what I had in my book bag. Sitting up straight, I clumsily showed him the books. He exclaimed aloud, ÒOh! These books are wonderful" and immediately took a few big books and a dozen small books. I was ecstatic. I ran looking for Krishnananda Prabhu, hardly able to contain my excitement. Sharing my joy and seeing the sparkle in my eyes now, he commented, ÒYour days are numbered. You will be hooked on this.Ó

Today, more than two decades later, book distribution is one of the main activities of the Chowpatti temple, with three bus parties going out during the marathon and many devotees engaged full-time in book distribution. (Text D:3106626) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1969 June 28: "I don't wish that anyone should interfere with the recording of Hare Krishna by the Beatles. Everything should be carefully done so that our friendship with the Beatles may not be disturbed. They are gradually coming to cooperate and we shall not do anything which may disturb this cooperation."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1971 June 28: "In this way we are getting support gradually in the U.S.A. Maybe our movement will be supported in the future by United Nations. So we Krishna Consciousness people have accepted a very important and responsible task in the whole world. Therefore our principle work must also be very serious and responsible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1972 June 28: "You are a great President of a great nation. In this age of quarrel, your strength, as well as the strength of your nation, will be lasting only if it is built upon the pillars of spiritual knowledge and Absolute Truth. My disciples will assist your aides to arrange a suitable time and place for a meeting."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1972 June 28: "I have entrusted you as the leader of this project to see that it is always going on at full capacity, that the men are working, that the money shall be collected and spent wisely and timely, and in all respects take full responsibility. But I do not find even any mention how the work is going in your letters. Neither I find any photos. Why you are not mentioning?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1973 June 28: "Re your questions: During Krsnadasa's time there was no Radharani deity, Madan Mohan was alone. Radharani was later introduced. I am very glad to hear you have begun paintings for Caitanya Caritamrta because we will require many illustrations. If you sincerely pray to Krishna, He will help you to paint quicker and better."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1973 June 28: "By the Grace of Krishna my health has improved very much, about 90%. Invite all members of our European centers and make the festival very very successful by combined effort. Thank you very much for your enthusiasm. Offer my blessings to all devotees who have signed the invitation. I shall enjoy their company when I meet them."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 June 28: "I can only stay a few days in San Francisco after the Festival. I am due back in Vrindaban by the end of July, and I wanted to visit Los Angeles as well as other cities in America, so that does not leave me much time for staying in one place."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1975 June 28: "I have given two lakhs of Rupees but I have not heard anything. How has it been spent? Why you are not completing the negotiation? He did not send any message so I do not think that he is able to negotiate. If it is ready, then settle up. The money is there in the bank."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

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Book Distribution News: Govinda Dasa recollects how it all began in the trains of Mumbai:

Some of the most exciting book distribution incidents have taken place at the Mumbai Central Railway Station. It all began in the mid 80Õs, when book distribution as a part of regular service in the Radha-Gopinatha temple in Chowpatti was still at a nascent stage. With very few devotees distributing books, nobody had ever thought of going to the railway station.

One day Krishnananda Prabhu decided to take the initiative and told me to accompany him. I had just joined the temple. As a teenager coming from a small town, I felt the big city to be overwhelming. I was definitely nervous, and with one glance at the confident, smart-looking men of Mumbai, always on the move, I was put off. I was convinced I couldn't do book distribution. Impossible. But Krishnananda Prabhu was adamant. He was the temple commander, and since he had ordered me to pack my book bag, I had no choice but to comply. For a new bhakta, there was no question of personal likes or dislikes.

When we reached the platform, Krishnananda Prabhu was in his element. Tapping a traveler on the shoulder, he introduced himself as a Master of Science (MSc.) and Master of Technology (Mtech) from the U.S.A. The English-speaking, smart sadhu baffled all of them and induced them to take Prabhupada's books. Well, he could do it in that style and with good success. For me, this was a nightmare. My worst fears came true when all of a sudden he put a few books in my hand and pushed me inside a compartment, "Go, just give Prabhupada's books to all. Come on!" As I heard his firm voice, I almost fainted. I was trembling, and seeing the passengers seated in the train, with all eyes on me, I was on the verge of tears. Not able to muster up enough strength, I gave up, went to a vacant seat in a corner and sat down all alone. I began sighing, "Krishna, why are You doing this to me? Please take me out of this mess.Ó With no one to share my tale of woe, I was miserable.

Just then a complete stranger came up to me, smiled, and asked me what I had in my book bag. Sitting up straight, I clumsily showed him the books. He exclaimed aloud, ÒOh! These books are wonderful" and immediately took a few big books and a dozen small books. I was ecstatic. I ran looking for Krishnananda Prabhu, hardly able to contain my excitement. Sharing my joy and seeing the sparkle in my eyes now, he commented, ÒYour days are numbered. You will be hooked on this.Ó

Today, more than two decades later, book distribution is one of the main activities of the Chowpatti temple, with three bus parties going out during the marathon and many devotees engaged full-time in book distribution. (Text D:3106626) -------------------------------------------

------- End of Forwarded Message ------

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Dandavats.com: Prabhupada’s instructions

Krishna kirtana dasi: We are today sending more excerpts of Srila Prabhupada's lecture, given on August 1973, in London, on verse 9 of the second chapter of Bhagavad-gita

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Dandavats.com: A Teacher’s Humility

By Ananta Ram das

My doctoral advisor once surprised me with a peculiar revelation. He was a man in his mid seventies who had studied mathematics education for the gifted in over forty countries and who was known for his sharp intellect

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Dandavats.com: Deep Changes in Recent Social Structures

By Lenko Slavov

The traditional British social culture of the early Twentieth century, their expression of intrinsic human values and awareness of the society for “their own unimportance in the scheme of things”[1] had been weakened by multiple forces of deep structural changes.

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Dandavats.com: Bhaktivedanta College Student Profiles of the Class of 2010

By Bhaktivedanta College

After three academic years of intensive yet gratifying study of Vaishnava texts -- which included analysis, research, and listening to lecturers who travel worldwide and teach various aspects of Caitanya Vaishnavism -- the third-year students of Bhaktivedanta College were regretfully relieved to complete their course work...

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Dandavats.com: European Brahmacari Convention

By Caitanya Jivan das

Thank you so much for all your support and well wishes during our second brahmacari convention. We would like to thank all the support services especially the kitchen devotees, everyone was so happy with the prasadam served

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Dandavats.com: Torchlight book is Finalist in Book Awards

By Dharmasetu das

Badger, CA - In May The National Indie Excellence Awards 2010 announced the winners and finalists for this year's competition. Torchlight Publishing's Where's Hanuman? was chosen as one of the Finalists in the Children's Picture Book category

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Dandavats.com: Australian Society for Krishna Culture

Yadavendra das: This is to announce that the Australian Society for Krishna Culture, created under the direct guidance and inspiration of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of Iskcon and Institutor of the BBT is purchasing a most wonderful and valuable 50 acres country Ashram, near the world famous Noosa Resort, Queensland, Australia, by the will of the Supreme Brahman

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Dandavats.com: Hari Naam Samkiratan In Graveyard

Vanamali Das: i am vanamali das from karachi,pakistan last sunday me and my Godbrother went to graveyard with Atmaram prabhu.he spoke about Bhagwat Gita and we devotees done hari naam sankirtan all graveyard.This is hindu graveyard

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Dandavats.com: 38th Annual Festival of India (Ratha-Yatra) - Toronto - July 17-18, 2010

Mahasundari Madhavi dasi: New Remuna Dhama, ISKCON Toronto, would like to extend a warm invitation to devotees around the world to experience our 38th Annual Festival of India (Ratha-Yatra) on July 17-18, 2010!

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Dandavats.com: Free Download - Appearance of Lord Jagannatha on Jyestha Purnima

Dhruva Maharaja dasa: Sadhusanga.com produces audiobooks of Srila Prabhuapda and other previous acarya's works, and we are offering a free download of Gour Govinda Swami's explanation of Lord Jagannatha's appearance in honor of Snana-yatra

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ISKCON Klang, Malaysia: Snana Yatra – Deities in a tub

BY JAI SITA RANI DEVI DASI KUALA LUMPUR - It’s time again for Their Lordships, Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhatra mayi to take Their yearly bath. But there was a difference, instead of taking bath in their usual manner, They were placed in a tub and abhisheked with milk, yoghurt, honey and fruit juices. [...]

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Mukunda Charan das, SA: Spinach And Soya Chicken Pie

Learnt this from my friend Gaura-sakti das. Modified a bit with the help of Madhumangala das

1. Wash 2 and 1/2 bunches of spinach, then add to boiling water. Add salt. In the meantime, turn oven to full heat, then down to 180C.

Defrost two puff pastries – for the base and the top of the pie.

2. The White Sauce.

Bring 500 ml milk to boil. Add 5 tablespoons (tbsp) butter to milk. Thicken with maizena (thickening agent), until it starts to thicken. Add tbsp crushed black pepper, a small punnet of sweet basil (my addition) and 1 teaspoon (tsp) hing/asofoetida. Allow sauce to simmer and get thick. Add tbsp salt at the end and five or six tbsps of eggless mayonnaise (“Knorr” makes a nice on in South Africa). Allow to cool.

3. Shallow fry soya chicken strips in oil, ghee or butter until crisp. Stir spinach into the sauteed soya chicken strips. Add white sauce to spinach and chicken.

4. Place one of the puff pastries on a smooth surface. Roll it out a little, so it can amply fill the baking tray. Place the pastry at the bottom of the baking tray (the large ones that we usually use to roast vegetables in) and bring the pastry up to the of the tray. Fill the pastry base with the spinach/soya chicken mix.

5. Cover the pie with the second rolled-out puff pastry. Seal the pie by joining the top pastry with the bottom one. Brush milk over the covered pastry (to give it a golden appearance and to make it less crispy) and puncture the top with a fork.

6. Place in the oven at 180C for about half-an-hour. Turn the top grill on for the last few minutes (be careful you don’t burn the top of the pie). Turn off the oven. Allow to cool a bit. Offer to Krishna.

7. Serving suggestion (from Madhumangala prabhu): serve with mash potato and baby carrots cooked in butter with a little cinnamon. It is also nice with date and tamarind chatni.


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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Bhakta Nimai asks

“We are told that guru takes us to Krsna. Sometimes we hear literal examples of this. How do we understand this in our tradition? Does Srila Prabhupada or his disciple – whom we have taken shelter of as our guru – take us?”

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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Trying out the piano (sounds nicer than a harmonium)

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Yoga of Ecology, Bhakta Chris, USA: The End Is Nigh

A fascinating and confronting article from author, educator, and speaker Richard Heinberg on the realities of the end of the age of petroleum. Click here to read the whole article.

Once again, I must repeat: we’re not even close to running out of oil, coal, gas, or most minerals. But we face a convergence of entirely predictable but severe consequences from the depletion of the concentrated, high-grade resources at the top of the pyramid: less affordable and more volatile commodity prices; worse environmental impacts—cumulative, mutually reinforcing impacts—both from accidents and from “normal” extraction operations; declining resource quality; declining EROEI for fossil fuels; and the need for massive new investment both to grow production levels, and to keep environmental consequences at bay.

And all of this is happening just as investment capital (needed to fix all these problems) is becoming scarce. In short, the monetary and non-monetary costs of growth have been rising faster than growth itself, and it looks as though we have now gotten to the inevitable point where growth may in fact no longer be an option.

The Deepwater Horizon disaster reminds us that, of all non-renewable resources, oil best deserves to be thought of as the Achilles heel of modern society. Without cheap oil, our industrial food system—from tractor to supermarket—shifts from feast to famine mode; our entire transportation system sputters to a halt. We even depend on oil to fuel the trains, ships, and trucks that haul the coal that supplies half our electricity. We make our computers from oil-derived plastics. Without oil, our whole societal ball of yarn begins to unravel.

But the era of cheap, easy petroleum is over; we are paying steadily more and more for what we put in our gas tanks—more not just in dollars, but in lives and health, in a failed foreign policy that spawns foreign wars and military occupations, and in the lost integrity of the biological systems that sustain life on this planet.

The only solution is to do proactively, and sooner, what we will end up doing anyway as a result of resource depletion and economic, environmental, and military ruin: end our dependence on the stuff. Everybody knows we must do this. Even a recent American president (an oil man, it should be noted) admitted that, “America is addicted to oil.” Will we let this addiction destroy us, or will we overcome it? Good intentions are not enough. We must make this the central practical, fiscal priority of the nation.


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H.H. Bhakti Caitanya Swami: Photos from Palanga

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Gouranga TV: Lokanath Swami – Hare Krishna kirtan – ISKCON Vrindavan 2009

Lokanath Swami – Hare Krishna kirtan – ISKCON Vrindavan 2009

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