martes, 23 de noviembre de 2010

Kripamoya dasa, UK: South India Pilgrimage 2010: Tirupati



PLANET ISKCON


 
----- Original Message -----
From: FeedBlitz
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 7:53 AM
Subject: Planet ISKCON - 37 new articles

Your email updates, powered by FeedBlitz

Here are the latest updates for
"Planet ISKCON" - 37 new articles
  1. Australian News: Krishnafest @ Govinda Yoga
  2. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Candrasekhara Prabhu
  3. Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Vm’s 7th Birthday!
  4. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
  5. Kurma dasa, AU: The Most Beautiful
  6. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Devotees should be lions to kill impersonalist atheists
  7. Bhakti Lata, Alachua, USA: Amidst the Waves
  8. Japa Group: Association Is The Prime Ingredient
  9. Kripamoya dasa, UK: South India Pilgrimage 2010: Tirupati
  10. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  11. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  12. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  13. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  14. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  15. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  16. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  17. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  18. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 140
  19. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: One Hundred Prabhupada Poems
  20. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Praises to Krishna
  21. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Random
  22. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Srila Prabhupada in Newsweek!
  23. Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: KuliMela 2006 - Rajasi - Friend - 9/11
  24. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Monday, November 22nd, 2010
  25. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Sunday, November 21st, 2010
  26. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Saturday, Novemver 20th, 2010
  27. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Friday, November 19th, 2010
  28. Dandavats.com: Happy Happy Diwali 2010 Budapest
  29. Dandavats.com: New online course: “Essence of Srimad-Bhagavatam”
  30. Dandavats.com: A Rationale for the Gurukula System of Education
  31. Dandavats.com: Hare Krishna youth to perform for Thanksgiving concert
  32. Dandavats.com: Maha Mantra jAzz
  33. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Minimuni quotes from Bg 2.29
  34. Mayapur Online: Essence of Srimad Bhagavatam-Online Education Course
  35. Yoga of Ecology, Bhakta Chris, USA: Well's Vegetarian Thanksgiving
  36. Gouranga TV: Harinam Seattle November 13 2010
  37. Japa Group: Prime Religious Activity Of A Vaisnava
  38. More Recent Articles
  39. Search Planet ISKCON
  40. Prior Mailing Archive

Australian News: Krishnafest @ Govinda Yoga


Krishnafest is an evening of devotional meditation focusing on bhakti-yoga.
Bhakti yoga is in one sense the essence of all yoga. Yoga means “to link” and bhakti means “love”. By adding love and devotion to any yoga practice the essence of yoga is brought to the fore, and this harmoniously connects us to our original identity.
Through an understanding of our relationship with the Supreme Spirit (Krishna in His personal form), we discover a life of fulfillment and experience love in every action, be it work, play or yoga practice. Krishnafest is a unique experience centered on mantra meditation (kirtan yoga), personal development and good friends.
Experience rhythm as we chant mantras with musical accompaniment, thought as we look at bhakti-yoga in a modern-day context and flavor as we wrap things up with an awesome vegetarian meal, friendly discussion and good times. Bring an instrument if you have a musical side, and bring a friend!
Krishnafest runs every Saturday 5-7pm. We guarantee an uplifting spiritual experience and yummiest $5 vegetarian dinner available in Christchurch.
Share this story your way:PrintFacebookTwitterGoogle BookmarksStumbleUponYahoo! Buzzdel.icio.usDiggLiveMySpacePDF
  • Email to a friend

 

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Candrasekhara Prabhu

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.27.16-18 - We should be conscious of our actions in front of the Deities.
  • Email to a friend

 

Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Vm’s 7th Birthday!

For his in-school treat to share with friends this year, my boy chose homemade lassi. Banana + raspberry. Madhumati was home sick Thursday and Friday, my designated prep days. Here she is helping me juice limes. I bought these mini muffin wrappers from Michael's. They are terrible. Don't buy them. The color leached off the wrappers and onto the cake and made everything smell like molten toxic metal. I had to throw out all the mini cupcakes because of the potential hazard. The first cakes I baked weren't completely, well, baked. I was using the vanilla cupcake recipe from the PPK girls but used whole wheat spelt and whole wheat pastry flour. Anyway, I am not sure how well those cupcake recipes translate to cake form. These cakes were not fully baked. It was sad. My son woke up early and thought they were tasty. Eggless brownies. So sweet and fudgey. This was the departing gift for guests. Parting gifts, wrapped and stationed near the door. My daughter was still a little sick come Sunday. Here she is peacefully sleeping despite all the noise of the preparations underway. Vm's birthday cake, topped with organic raspberries and fresh whipped cream. A star is born. Our bo-bo homemade pinata. Here I am, ready to party at 33 weeks pregnant. Our neighbor friend, Ez, enjoying the homemade pizza. I think I made enough for about 80 people. Ooops. I love her. This was her fourth outfit change of the day. Vm and some of his friends eating pizza. Obviously. Vm taking first swing at the pinata. Mohini, Krsna Jivani and Kanch watching the pinata takedown. Gabe inaugurated the javelin approach. Mm gathering up disgusting candy (that I bought) post-pinata destruction. Shyam enjoying a quiet moment on the other side of the azaleas, diving into his candy. This was sad. Mm had a hard time with the My assistant soccer coach, Brooke, helping out with the candle lighting. Vm waving out the birthday candles. Kids enjoying birthday cake. Shhh...don't tell them it's whole wheat & spelt! Vm psyched to open presents. He was not the emblem of grace and courtesy but he didn't do too terribly. Because we don't own gift wrap, we shoved our present to him in the same box that grandma and grandpa's present arrived in. Here the kids are assisting Vm tear it open. Weepy eyes. This was the smallest, most low key party we've had for our kids. And my good friends helped tremendously with the clean-up. Still, the next morning I noticed quite a few more gray hairs. It just be's like that sometimes.
  • Email to a friend

 

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

23/11/10

Day-2 for the book-marathon.

Lord Krsna is showering us with the mercy of His lotus feet today to help us spread His Sankirtan movement far and wide.

Here's a
slideshow.
  • Email to a friend

 

Kurma dasa, AU: The Most Beautiful

decorated_indian_elephant:
"Courage is the most splendid quality in an elephant; high-spiritedness is the most splendid quality in a horse; the moon is the most beautiful ornament of the night; the sun is the most beautiful ornament of the day; cleanliness is the most beautiful ornament of the house; gentleness in words is the most beautiful ornament of speech; virtuous children are the most beautiful ornaments of families; so too is modesty the most beautiful ornament in a woman, and justice the most beautiful quality in kings." - Niti Sastra (Moral Stanzas)
  • Email to a friend

 

Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Devotees should be lions to kill impersonalist atheists

I wish that every one of you should be Lion's descendant. Our Lord Krishna assumed the form of Lion & killed the atheist, Hiranyakasipu, & by disciplic succession we shall also kill all impersonalist atheist. Absolutely there is no Krishna Consciousness for the impersonalist.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Madhusudana -- Navadvipa 2 November, 1967
  • Email to a friend

 

Bhakti Lata, Alachua, USA: Amidst the Waves

I write this in Madhava's kirtan at Radha Govinda Mandir. My pen moves to the throb of the mridanga drum which reverberates like the most powerful heartbeat. Voices fill the room in ocean waves that rise and fall, rise and fall in the full moon rising tide. The tide of the holy name keeps rising.The waves wash over me. I am the sharpest, roughest stone, but the waves wash over me, again and again... over, above, around... over, above, around... if I stay in these waves, they will wash my heart, smooth my heart, wash away the rock that surrounds the diamond of my soul.
  • Email to a friend

 

Japa Group: Association Is The Prime Ingredient


In the last few days I have been able to chant in my friend's house - he has a temple room and we are able to chant in front of his Deities.

Association is the prime ingredient for our advancement...whether with devotees or with the Deities - by association, we can inspire each other to chant with more devotion. If we chant with others who are also trying to be serious about Japa, then this association will help us to improve.

Let's give our association and inspire each other to make progress towards Krsna.
  • Email to a friend

 

Kripamoya dasa, UK: South India Pilgrimage 2010: Tirupati

ISKCON Tirupati is a beautiful traditional south Indian temple nestled at the bottom of the Venkata hills. The majestic red brown hills form a magnificent backdrop and the early morning sun picks out the lush green foliage and the sculptured white gopurams peeping above the tree line.
From early in the morning there is a continuous line of vehicular traffic coming down the side of the hill in long swinging hair-pin bends. You can’t hear the traffic from the temple, but the sun glints on the vehicles as they form a shiny, moving necklace. Each one is filled with pilgrims, descending from the Venkateswara temple atop the hill. 40,000 people a day, some who wait for up to six hours, take their sacred darshan of a form of God who has been worshipped there for thousands of years.Known by all as ‘Balaji’ the form of Lord Vishnu stands atop the hill within black marble chambers ensconced deep in a golden temple. There are so many pilgrims that only a few precious seconds for darshan are given to each one.
We were combining our family trip to Tirupati with a Vedic coming-of-age ceremony for our son Mali, 13. A friendly young priest from the temple on the hill, by the name of Balaji, conducted the upanayanam samskara. He had previously conducted the installation of the ISKCON temple deities, the beautiful Radha-Govinda along with eight gopis. Adi-Guru Das, his wife Arcana, and their son 12 year-old son Krishnananda, were also there, and we joined our brahmana and his two assistant priests in chanting all the Sanskrit mantras for more than two hours. At the completion of the ceremony, both our boys had officially begun their brahmacari life.
Two fathers, two sons: Krishnananda and father Adi-Guru dasa; Mali and Kripamoya Das during upanayanam samskara
The same afternoon we were taken on the 40-minute jeep journey up the long, winding road to Tirumala. The road cuts through jungle forest and there are dramatic panoramas of the surrounding countryside all the way up. We were fortunate that our waiting time was mercifully short, and we had entered the first of two holding areas after only two hours. The crush begins there, as pilgrims who have been waiting longer all surge forward to be the first to enter the second holding area. While waiting for a few minutes, we were able to read hand-painted signs that announced that the utsava-murtis of Sri Ranganatha were protected and worshiped in this place for many years while an oppressive regime prohibited their proper worship in Sri Rangam, way off to the south.
Tirumala Hill from down below
Panoramic view of surrounding country from the hill
Finally, we entered the second holding area and were able to see the fabulous golden dome and the temple itself. Pilgrims began excitedly chanting: “Govinda, Govinda, Gooovindaaaa!” and pushed forward even more. Everywhere I looked there were human beings straining to put an end to their waiting, eager to see their Lord. We all inched forward, sometimes lifted up by a sudden surge, carried along by a river of bhakti. As we rolled along in that river we all became separated from one another. The symbolism was not lost on us, as we reflected that each of us is indeed on our own journey to see Krishna, and that He reciprocates with us all in different ways, just as we need and just as we desire. As we all came before Govinda we all made our prayers and felt that He heard us and reciprocated with us, to each one in a unique way.
It was over very quickly, and the never-ending stream of pilgrims spat us out into the daylight where, laughing, we all came back together again. The entire history of the Balaji lila and the temple is displayed in wall sculptures, and there are are shrines dedicated to great devotees as well. To the side of the temple of Lord Narasimha is a large circular granite stone, and we joined the other pilgrims as they each inscribed their heartfelt desires on the stone using their index finger. Six or seven people standing around a waist-high slab, all ‘writing’ furiously – it was a sight to see.
Down the hill with kirtan all the way, fresh breezes blowing in the open windows. We arrived back just before nightfall, to a roaring brahmacari kirtan at the ISKCON temple. The devotees are gentle and very hospitable, and we feel very welcome. The temple was built entirely on the proceeds from book distribution, from the enthusiastic young devotees selling the books of Srila Prabhupada over many years to interested pilgrims. They were given permission by the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam, the Tirupati temples organisational body, to sell books at most of the main religious sites in the town. The TTD has been so impressed with the ISKCON management, they have now asked them to manage one of the most prestigious services to Sri Venkateswara: the distribution of the world-famous luglu prasada. This announcement was made while we there and we congratulated Revati Ramana Prabhu, the very competent temple president.
The ISKCON temple has an excellent guest house and is easy to reach from Chennai; a train journey of three hours will bring you to the Tirupati town railway station, just two miles from the temple.
Below: Helicopter showers rose petals on the Deity; now that’s creative ceremonial!

  • Email to a friend

 

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1967 November 22: "A bonafide Spiritual Master never lets go a devotee once accepted. We shall silently pray for them to Krishna and shed tears for them for our inability to save them. Let us honestly pray and go forward with our Krishna Consciousness."Prabhupada Letters :: 1967
  • Email to a friend

 

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1968 November 22: "Your father and mother are very good souls. We are trying to educate our disciples to produce Krishna Conscious children, but your father and mother, without being Krishna Conscious, have produced such nice Krishna Conscious devotees, so I am very much obliged to them."Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
  • Email to a friend

 

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1968 November 22: "Prahlada never protested against his father, but he never agreed either. That should be your policy also. I am always praying to Krishna to protect you because I know purposefully I have sent you into a fiery condition of maya."Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
  • Email to a friend

 

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1968 November 22: "Arjuna sacrificed all his good sentiments and accepted the order of Krishna thus he came out victorious. Follow this principle and you will be never disturbed by any frightening condition of maya. We are neither renouncer nor enjoyer. We are simply servitor of Krishna."Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
  • Email to a friend

 

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1971 November 22: "So if this sannyasi does not speak, then he can fool everyone. If you force him to speak he will expose himself, therefore he is silent. Even he remains silent, we shall speak very loudly and expose these bogus men."Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
  • Email to a friend

 

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1971 November 22: "Let people judge who is better by the results: so many centers, happy devotees, big books, strong conviction - like that. Let our philosophy be challenged by anyone and we shall defeat them."Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
  • Email to a friend

 

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 November 22: "We find great shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Ramanujacarya which are the strongest fort for combating mayavadi philosophy. Personally, following the footsteps of my Guru Maharaj Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, we accept the principles of all Acaryas."Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
  • Email to a friend

 

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 November 22: "This Krishna Consciousness Movement is universal, anyone in any place can chant Hare Krishna and it cannot be checked by any means. So far your becoming initiated, it is alright provided you have the recommendation of the temple president."Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
  • Email to a friend

 

H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 140

3:44 A.M.
Excerpts from Sri Harinama Cintamani spoken by Haridasa Thakura to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as written by Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
Excerpt #7: Vyavadhana or disruption causes offense. “Chanting should be free from any form of disruption because this will result in offenses against the holy name which in turn pose an insurmountable obstacle on the path of success. Vyvadhana or disruption is of two kinds. The first type is known as varna-vyvadhana or disruption in the syllables. For example, in the Bengali word hathikari, the first syllable ha and the last syllable ri can be put together to give hari, a name of Krishna. But because the syllables thi-ka are inserted in the middle, the repetition of hathikari will not give the actual benefit of chanting the holy name, i.e. krishna-prema. Yet the Islamic word haram is not perverted by such disruption of the syllables of varna-vyavadhana. In the word haram the syllables comprising the holy name rama are uninterrupted; hence speaking haram gives liberation because it is namabhasa.”
As long as we chant as we have been taught we will not commit the first type of disruption, varna-vyvadhana. But a subtle form of this disruption occurs when we don’t pronounce the mantra properly. Srila Prabhupada refers to a “hissing sound” that is sometimes produced by a poor chanter and in a lecture he made a caricature of slurred chanting, and said “hurkrish hurkrish krishkrish” and said “Not like that. But with priti, with love.”
“The second type of vyvadhana is called tattva-vyvadhana or disruption in the philosophy or conclusions. This is a very heinous offense. Lord Krishna’s name and Lord Krishna Himself are non-different. But someone who is polluted by the mayavadi philosophy imagines them as two dissimilar entities. Such offensive conclusions will totally destroy his spiritual life; it is clearly against the Vedic teachings. It is impossible to obtain krishna-prema from such chanting.”
This second kind of disruption is not committed by the practicing devotee because we are not mayavadis. We theoretically accept that the name is the same as Krishna Himself. But as long as we lack full realization of this truth we are subtly committing the disruption of tattva-vyavadhana.
“The devotee who chants Krishna’s name purely, free from both the vyavadhana offenses, is to be considered a very elevated Vaisnava. He must be worshiped with great care and affection.”
I woke up this morning at one o’clock with no pain. I chanted at what seemed a regular pace but for some reason the numbers accumulated slowly. By 3:40 I had chanted only a little over thirteen rounds. I will easily be able to make up the balance later in the morning. My chanting was somewhat mechanical but not guilty of the vyavadhanas mentioned in the Harinama Cintamani. I was saying the syllables in the correct order and not slurring them. I was not dwelling in the misconception that the name is different than Krishna Himself, although I did not chant with full realization of this tattva.
There are two types of
disruption in chanting which
cause offense and prevent
krishna-prema. One is when
you say the syllables in a
mixed-up order. Perhaps
by my second visit to the
storefront I had corrected
this fault and memorized
the maha-mantra once and
for all. Never again do
I commit varna-vyavadhana.
The second disruption is the
mayavadi abomination
which thinks the name is not
actually Krishna or that the
Supreme Person is not
present in His name. I
don’t believe in this
perversion, but I don’t
chant in full ecstasy of
golokera-prema-dhana,
knowing the names come
straight from Krishnaloka.
I am seeking to make
the connection.
  • Email to a friend

 

H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: One Hundred Prabhupada Poems

# 97
Too much devotion denotes a thief.
You said it, Prabhupada.
And here I am writing your glories,
my professed love.
I am the fool.
I am not a thief—I wish I were so bold.
You and your master, Lord Caitanya,
want to give us krishna-prema,
but I quote, “too much devotion denotes a thief.”
Lord Caitanya says, “Join Me
as gardener, pick fruits of love of God
and distribute them with Me in sankirtana.”
Prabhupada is the party leader,
and we are going out with him.
But too much devotion denotes a thief.
I may be after name and fame
as a sadhu in this movement—
a place to eat and sleep without much work.
Steal for myself worship due to him—
too much devotion denotes a thief.
But it’s better to try Prabhupada poems
than silence as a virtue.
  • Email to a friend

 

H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Praises to Krishna

1.
I was feeling a little depressed
yesterday from watching
football. But this morning
I am up and at ‘em.
My rounds are mostly done,
and I chose a good random
quote from Srimad-Bhagavatam
to be published tomorrow.
The quote says the guru shouldn’t
be judged whether he’s liberated
by material or “spiritual”
symptoms but by his
activities in devotional service.
In Nectar of Instruction, Rupa
Gosvami tells us not to judge
the pure devotee by his complexion
or whether he is ill or what
caste he’s in. He shouldn’t
be judged at all, not by
his disciples or peers.
Krishna protects him and
keeps him dear. That’s a
pure devotee.
The kanistha-adhikari may
have some faults and the
one who chants in
nama-
bhasa
. But they are also
eligible for liberation.
The only thing they lack
is love of Krishna. Love
of Krishna is the rare
commodity, available only
to those who are chanting without
offenses, suddhanama.
I am love on the scale
but keep pace of chanting
the number of maha-mantras
I say mechanically. Some
devotion is there. You can measure it; you
don’t know how good you
are, only Krishna and His pure
devotee can say.
You keep trying, you write your daily poems.
You listen to music and
try to pick up an inspiration
for krishna-bhakti in the
improvisational lines.
2.
Robinson Jeffers writes about
the pre-ancient stones. He
loves stones. He built a home out of stone and built his
deathbed in a corner of a room. “Come, Jeffers”
it will say to him when it’s
time. I have not picked out my
deathbed. Will it be here in New York or will
you make a dash to Vrndavana? Where will you feel most
at home and most prone
to spiritual thoughts?
How many years from now
will that be? No sense
speculating. You develop a tumor or stroke or
heart attack. Something will wear out or collapse
suddenly.
In the meantime you want
to write about Krishna.
Tell how He killed
Aghasura and Trinivarta.
He is the Lord of the gopis.
Keep writing the poems
to Krishna and save the pages.
They will turn to dust
or flames. But they can
save them for awhile
if they’re deemed
worthy, praise to Krishna
tales of the little life
that tell of praising Krishna.
  • Email to a friend

 

H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Random

Free Write
I turned at random to Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 3, Chapter 33, text 10. “If one has full faith in the spiritual master and follows his instructions one will be liberated. Sometimes doubts arise in the minds of neophytes about whether or not the spiritual master is liberated, and sometimes the neophytes are doubtful about the bodily affairs of the spiritual master. The point of liberation, however, is not to see the bodily symptoms of the spiritual master. One has to see the spiritual symptoms of the spiritual master. Jivanmukta means that even though one is in a material body (there are still some material necessities since the body is material), because one is fully situated in the service of the Lord, he should be understood to be liberated. Once a devotee asked Srila Prabhupada if the spiritual master makes any mistakes because sometimes it seems he incorrectly quotes a Sanskrit verse and he may not know everything perfectly about the material world. Prabhupada replied that this was a faulty way of perceiving the spiritual master. His perfection is that he is fully engaged in Krishna’s service, fully surrendered to Him. One must understand whether or not he is liberated by his activities of devotional service, not by other symptoms.
The Aghasura chapters starts with details of the boys playing together in the forest. One boy will say to the others, “I shall be the first to run up and touch Krishna.” And the other boys will take up the challenge and run after Krishna. Great sages and yogis try to realize Krishna for hundreds of years but these boys are so fortunate they were playing with Krishna as a boyhood friend, after heaps of lives of pious activities. While they were enjoying themselves imitating the animals and sporting with balls, one Aghasura demon grew very impatient to attack Krishna and the boys. He was the brother of Putana and sent by Kamsa so he was out for revenge. He took the shape of a gigantic python and lay down on the path with his mouth open. The top of his mouth touched the sky and the bottom lay on the ground like a reflection of the sun. He had huge teeth like plows. His tongue was like a highway and a fishy odor came from his intestines (the half-digested bodies of creatures he had eaten). At first the boys thought he was not a real python but a statue of one, suitable for their play. But as they discussed it they decided he was actually a real serpent lying in wait to swallow them up. The boys acted very boldly and recklessly and thought “If we all go at once he won’t be able to swallow us. And even if he does, Krishna will save us just as he saved us from Bakasura.” With these daring thoughts in mind the boys marched into the mouth of the serpent. Meanwhile Krishna acted somewhat oddly. He stood apart and when the boys entered Aghasura’s mouth He became aggrieved. Why aggrieved? He was also amazed at the wonderful action of His own material nature. So He just paused for a while and tried to think of what to do. The demigods and the crowds cried out “Alas! Alas!” and Krishna finally acted. I don’t know why He hesitated and a reason is not given. But He decided to enter into the serpent’s mouth—to the delight of Aghasura and his friends such as Kamsa. Once inside the body of the serpent Krishna began to expand Hid body by mystic potency. He stretched the body of Aghasura until his eyes popped out and his spirit soul had no way to escape but out of the hole of his forehead. The people outside could observe the glowing effulgence of Aghasura’s soul hovering in the air. Krishna then brought the boys back to consciousness and they all ran out of the python’s mouth. When Aghasura saw Krishna his soul ran up to Krishna and merged with His body. To merge ones soul with the body of the Supreme Lord is a feat desired by great impersonalist yogis yet they cannot do it. How is Aghasura able to do it? By the fact that Krishna had entered his body and walked inside it with His lotus feet, Aghasura had become free from his sins and eligible to merge into the body of the Supersoul.
Sukadeva casually mentions to Maharaja Pariksit that the boys didn’t tell their mothers about this pastime until a year had passed and until the boys had grown from kumara age (five years old) to pauganda age. This remark was not lost on Maharaja Pariksit and he humbly asked why the boys didn’t tell their parents. Vyasadeva takes the opportunity to remark that krsna-katha inquires are very fascinating and curious. The enthusiastic devotee wants to hear more what is happening and why and to whom. Material stories become hackneyed when repeated once or twice. But spiritual life is ever fresh and become newer and newer on every hearing. So at the request of Maharaja Pariksit, Sukadeva Gosvami told what happened. It is a long separate story which requires a separate chapter with separate characters. In Boston, when I was the first one to hear the Krsna book by typing Prabhupada’s dictation, I repeated what he had said in classed to the devotees. I felt very special and took pleasure in giving pleasure to the devotees. I tried not to be puffed up about it and not to over-dramatize the stories but I was very happy to be the first to tell what Prabhupada had said about wonderful Krishna and the devotees and the demons.
Day’s end scribble:
You learned your lesson in life by following the green line. So stay on it. On thanksgiving some devotees will gather here. In some temples the devotees speak of what they are thankful for.  Narayana Kavaca said he used to do that as a child at his family’s dinner table. We may not do that. We may just get together, have a kirtana and honor prasadam. You say your prayer to God, these are unconscious thoughts. Krishna is in every thought. He is the protector of the devotee. He didn’t fell well so he gave me the wheel but I didn’t have much experience in driving, it was so rusty. They had a piggy bank that kept expanding and then they popped it with a needle like popping a balloon. This means you have enough money to pay and serve for a free item. It is all krsna-prasadam. I don’t have much of a taste for this kind of lunch. But I will be dutiful and eat some. My doctor often asks me if my appetite is good. I say yes because Baladeva cooks so well but I don’t like gaining weight. Who will pay the bill. There is only one person who can pay. You should plan ahead to bring enough money for your expenses. You are saving in your envelope. Now it is time for lunch. He calls it “Runch”. I follow the path of sadhana, no breaking of rules. But winter may bring depression when there are many freezing months and you can’t go out much.
  • Email to a friend

 

Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Srila Prabhupada in Newsweek!

Picture
Picture
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, Founder of the Hare Krishna Movement
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada's spiritual journey began early in life, but it wasn't until he went to New York from India in 1965 that the Hare Krishna phenomenon went global. Prabhupada, 69 years old at the time and holding about $7 to his name, made the trip alone from India to America on an ocean freighter. Soon after, he founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the organization through which he recruited more followers to the denomination known as the Hare Krishna Movement. The movement was rooted in Hindu culture but embraced the idea of a single God. Prabhupada began touring the world on lecture tours, circling the globe 14 times in 11 years. In the photo, he speaks in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in 1969. He eventually wrote more than 70 books before he died in 1977 at 81. Today the ISKC says it has more than 1 million followers worldwide.
http://www.newsweek.com/photo/2010/11/15/successes-that-were-late-bloomers.html

Above is a link and copy of an interesting article found in Newsweek, complete with typo and picture of Srila Prabhupada which was included. It features "late bloomers" who made a big difference in the world and were influential. Of course it is an American magazine so it featured many faces and names familiar to Americans however it listed Srila Prabhupada even ahead of Mahatma Gandhi! All of us know how Srila Prabhupada has personally affected us and we are now at the cusp where Srila Prabhupada's instructions can and will become part of the mainstream thought process.
  • Email to a friend

 

Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: KuliMela 2006 - Rajasi - Friend - 9/11


Rajasi performing the song "Friend" at the KuliMela 2006 event held at New Vrindavan.
  • Email to a friend

 

H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Monday, November 22nd, 2010

Consider the Best

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Last evening's kirtan (chanting) was just from another world. Led by Ajamil of Bengali origin the locals gave it the Spanish spunk. It was preceded by a second presentation of our play, "El Testigo." The actors were marvellous in their performance. Imagine, they were given their scripts two days prior to Saturday's presentation. Lines were to be memorized, dance steps to be learned and stage blocking was also from scratch. It's a 50 min play. They were empowered.

I again was asked to speak from Canto One of the Bhagavatam centered around the story of a bull, a cow, a king, and a culprit. Basically you get a good notion of what is the primordial Kali-yuga from the text. The age of the present time, Kali, is dark. I saw symptoms of it on the last two morning treks. Not far from our temple, in a very decent neighbourhood, outside and under a condo's awning was a baby, a mother and father all fast asleep on the sidewalk. They had blankets and little else. I almost stepped on them accidentally.

Yesterday I saw families with cardboard boxes and fires being lit just outside a massive fortified cemetery wall. They live there. I'm still having a hard time getting over my very sheltered 50's up-bringing to wake up to this reality of Kali-yuga. These images are creeping up more and more. On my last visit to Mumbai a local man told me that 50% of the population there lives in these conditions.

It simply makes you feel grateful that you have such wonderful prasadam to eat every day. Still you wish you could do something about the deplorable conditions of others.

I didn't bother to mention about the images seen during the class. I only stressed the need to appreciate, to be grateful and counter non-productive habits of complaining and self-imposing harm. So much can be said about the self-indulgences of today. Sure it feels good when you indulge. It feels just great! That greatness eventually gets crushed like powder and gets tossed into the air and into oblivion.

Please! Please consider the rhapsody of kirtan. Por favour! Please, oh members of the age of Kali!

5 KM
  • Email to a friend

 

H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Sunday, November 21st, 2010

Things Fall

Buenos Aires, Argentina

From the temple address at Ciudad De La Paz 493 I decided to head straight south for my walking route. I came upon an area of large trees. Because it was morning many drops of dew landed for a soft splash. One drop that was rather large, of substance and colour came down to target my shoulder. A bird! It meant I had to change attire before delivering a message from the Bhagavatam book.

Okay! Let's talk about my fall from the spiritual world. Or let's speak on something divine- God's descent to the material world. Things are falling all the time. Autumn leaves leave their branches to plummet down. The law of gravity is always in full swing.

But when an avatar makes his appearance to this world of naughtiness it is for a mission- to pick up souls who have fallen and to help them ascend to their original position.

Sometimes we use the term "fall down" or "to be fallen" in reference to an individual who was on the spiritual path but who then went off track. These phrases are a type of lingo we use in ISKCON circles. It is possible to endeavour spiritually but a casuality could visit us to the point where we are weakened. We say, "He fell down!"

One brahmacari (monk) whose name is Prem asked me how I remained single and celibate throughout my life. He is serious about that path. "It's in my blood- the monk thing. My father wanted to be a priest and my mother wanted to become a nun, until they met each other." He is hoping not to meet a nun.

I responded to his willingness "to keep it simple" by mentioning three things.
1) Be shy of worldly things.
2) Always keep busy, engaged in devotional service.
3) Render a service that keeps you happy.

These items will help you to succeed.

6 KM
  • Email to a friend

 

H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Saturday, Novemver 20th, 2010

Fun and Security

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Ratha Yatra (Festival of Chariots) is growing in Buenos Aires. So claims the organizers. It is my fourth consecutive year attending and I can see the expansion myself. Each year at spring, which is now, in Placa Francia park, joyful and soulful people come for the procession and a stage events capturing what life is truly meant for- recognizing the greatness of Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe.

And since the terminology speaks for itself the festival is a global reality. I was asked to deliver a message from the stage. To inform the public that Ratha Yatra once was a program limited to South East Asia. With the introduction of Ratha Yatra to the west, San Fransisco in '67 to be specific, by our guru Srila Prabhupada, the festival caught on like wildfire to spread internationally.

It is events like these that demonstrate love. "Love and trust" were the term he used to express what should be the cultural norm for his fledging movement. Indeed pilgrims who came, and some from Paraguy, Brazil and elsewhere, have their trust raised.

Most unfortunate it is at these events that rogues take advantage. I've seen it time and time again. You get a bunch of pilgrims attracted to a sacred event and theft to be the concomitant factor. One of our monks got robbed. It is a given that there's always someone to spoil the party. You might call it party bashing or pilgrim pirating. It's something inauspicious.

It's times like this that reminds me of the value of a "Ksatriya" element- security. Wherever there are people, protection is needed.

I cannot say that spirits were brought down totally because one of our seniors had an incident, but caution needs to be applied in all circumstances.

"Si?"

9 KM
  • Email to a friend

 

H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Friday, November 19th, 2010

Presence

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Some night clubs are still going strong here at 6 or 7 AM. Dhruva and I accidentally stumbled upon some of these joints when some party goers were making their exit from a rave cave. "Hare Krishna!" screamed the happy bunch of girls who high-fived us. Some of the boys remained more sedate but didn't refrain from saying the same- "Hare Krishna!" I will bet you that Krishna Consciousness was the most popular religion on the street for at least two city blocks during the time we trekked through.

It's powerful. Presence means power. Wherever you go, stand, or walk you are likely to have influence and if there is no personal gain or hidden agenda you are likely to make a positive impact. At least, I would say the people we met became pre feliz (happy) more so than the effect that the booze and pot were having on them. Who knows, as they were parting for their individual beds, Krishna, or at least two of his monks might pop up as images from the mental mix up of their dreams.

Later in the day I again dwelt on the theme of the power of presence when a man from the community here, a journalist, volunteered as an actor for our play "El Testigo." Like the title, many people will testify what lasting impressions dramas have on their lives either by viewing or performing in it. The fellow told me that the story about a person having difficulty establishing a relationship due to the family objection is the story of his life. "It could not have come at a better time for me to participate in the play."

The story was close-to-home for our friend and the way his problem became resolved was adding Krishna. Allow Him to be present. Make Him inclusive. Permit Him to factor in. That makes the difference.

I was in a state of feliz knowing that the actor was benefitting from the lesson in the story as well as getting a few tips on stage acting.

5 KM
  • Email to a friend

 

Dandavats.com: Happy Happy Diwali 2010 Budapest

bh. Tibor: The row of Dívali, the tea light garland, lights - the Sanskrit says it - the abundance, the growth, the holiday of the cleanness of the light, the consciousness.
  • Email to a friend

 

Dandavats.com: New online course: “Essence of Srimad-Bhagavatam”

Vidvan Gauranga Das: Mayapur Online Education has launched a new course on the Srimad-Bhagavatam, "Essence of Srimad-Bhagavatam", based on Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura's systematic and thematic compilation of selected verses from the Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavatarka-marici-mala)
  • Email to a friend

 

Dandavats.com: A Rationale for the Gurukula System of Education

Krishna Kirti Das: A gurukula is a traditional school that is run by an acharya, a brahmana who teaches young boys both primary educational topics and moral behavior. Gurukula literally means the “house of the guru.”
  • Email to a friend

 

Dandavats.com: Hare Krishna youth to perform for Thanksgiving concert

Houston Chronicle: Houston's Tyagaraja is a mystical kind of musician, with long hair, robes and "transcendent soul-laced rock." For his upcoming free Thanksgiving show — renamed Thankstaking - Tyagaraja has invited a youth chanting group from the local International Society of Krishna Consciousness to perform in between sets
  • Email to a friend

 

Dandavats.com: Maha Mantra jAzz

Bhakta Carlos: Hello!! please accept my humble obeisances my name is Bhakta Carlos. I just want to share this video of mantra jazz i performed with devotees from nicaragua
  • Email to a friend

 

H.H. Sivarama Swami: Minimuni quotes from Bg 2.29

And asks who is Brahma’s teacher and how could the oldest being have a teacher at all.
  • Email to a friend

 

Mayapur Online: Essence of Srimad Bhagavatam-Online Education Course

Mayapur Online Education has launched a new course on the Srimad-Bhagavatam, "Essence of Srimad-Bhagavatam", based on Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s systematic and thematic compilation of selected verses from the Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavatarka-marici-mala). In this course students will study these verses along with the explanation of Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Prabhupada’s purports.
  • Email to a friend

 

Yoga of Ecology, Bhakta Chris, USA: Well's Vegetarian Thanksgiving

Special thanks to Caitanya Mangala for the link!
Celebrate Thanksgiving with vegetarian and vegan dishes from some of your favorite chefs and cookbook authors. Find all the recipes from Well’s Vegetarian Thanksgiving series below or go to the Well blog to learn more about the series. New dishes will be added daily until Thanksgiving Day.
  • Email to a friend

Gouranga TV: Harinam Seattle November 13 2010

Harinam Seattle November 13 2010

  • Email to a friend

Japa Group: Prime Religious Activity Of A Vaisnava



Therefore chanting the holy name is the prime religious activity of a Vaisnava. From the holy name gradually blossom the Lord’s form, qualities and pastimes. The entire panorama of Lord Krishna’s pastimes is present in the holy name.

From Sri Harinama Cintamani - Haridasa Thakura to Lord Caitanya
  • Email to a friend

More Recent Articles





 


Your requested content delivery powered by FeedBlitz, LLC, 9 Thoreau Way, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA. +1.978.776.9498

 










TABLA - FUENTES - FONTS

SOUV2 BalaramScaGoudyFOLIO 4.2Biblica Font





free counters

Disculpen las Molestias

Planet ISKCON - 2010  ·  Planet ISKCON - 2011

No hay comentarios:

Correo Vaishnava

Mi foto
Spain
Correo Devocional

Archivo del blog