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- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 68
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Prabhupada Smaranam
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Poem from Under Dark Stars
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- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Free Write
- H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: First Day Ujjain Seminar 2010
- David Haslam, UK: My Guru Maharaja is the only way (for real)
- Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: all are expected to become guru by following parampara
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- ISKCON News.com: Becket Fund to provide free defense for religious hospitals against government-ordered abortions
- Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Lecture - Prahladananda Swami & Braja Bihari das - BG 9.22 - Krishna's Grateful Love
- ISKCON News.com: The Rathayatra That Started Them All Comes to DVD
- Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: “Transcience” by Sarojini Naidu
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- Gaura Nitai das, Mayapura, IN: Such a sad reality...
- Giridhari das, Brasilia, Brazil: Pandavas Paradise in Top Brazilian Travel Magazine
- Australian News: Help Bhaktivedanta Hospital's annual Barsana eye camp to save the eyesight of as many Brajbasis as possible
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- Australian News: Radhastami: New Govardhana.
- Australian News: Melbourne… Pre-Janmastami: The Photo's!
- H.H. Sivarama Swami: Cleanliness is next to godliness
- Australian News: This is PERTH: Don't miss out on the pictures from JANMASTAMI!
- H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, September 9th, 2010
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You can read many of Prabhupada’s books online at the Vedabase network. The full text of many books are available in HTML format which, acording to recent reports, make it the Vedabase.net site fast and easy to use.
You can access the Vedabase.net site where ever you have internet access. It will work equally well on a computer as it will in a smartphone. It looks great on iPad.
The following link takes you to the main site where you can see all the books that are available and find links to access them.
http://vedabase.net/en1
One of the things I like about this site is that you can read through all the verses alone and click to see the purports, or you can see each page after the other like they are in the books. For example, click on this link and you can see all the verses to the Nectar of Instruction. http://nectarofinstruction.com/en1 If you click on the link to the left of the first verse you will se the vers and the purport. If you scroll to the bottom you can seethe arrows that will take you to the next verse and purport, or back t the previous one. If you click on the book title you can go back to the top of the book or click on Bhaktivedanta Vedabase to go to the top of the site.
The following links take you to some of the books available, there are more available and more to come. Check it out I’ll bet you’ll be there for a long time.
http://bhagavadgitaasitis.com/en1
http://srimadbhagavatam.com/en1
http://caitanyacaritamrta.com/en1
http://lordcaitanya.com/en1
http://nectarofdevotion.com/en1
http://nectarofinstruction.com/en1
So click here and be transported to the Vedabase Network, you might never come back.
Share this story your way:
www.sdgonline.org. 
1.
This poem is all about
escape. I will clarify the
different things I am trying to
escape from. You tried to run away
from the evil influences
and seek shelter in Krishna.
2.
Here is the poem:
"escape … they were afraid of the
consequences and ran into the church.
Escape the prostitutes and gundas on the corner.
"Build a temple and escape karma
of capitalism. Escape the Holy
Ghost. There is no escape from
death. This is Jody's poem. He worked
on it for nine minutes only because
he … didn't bother. Wasn't a good
student, put his energy into the oration.
"Escape getting an "F."
The long arm of Bacchus
read more from SDGonline - daily updates Viraha Bhavan journal
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.23.59 - Let our false ego be smashed by becoming Krishna conscious.
No one can live within this material world eternally. The phenomenal world
is created, maintained and destroyed by the finger signal of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. Therefore a devotee does not desire anything in this
material world.
- Srila Prabhupada
www.sdgonline.org.
4:00 A.M.
From Namamrta by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada:
"The holy name brings faith in Krishna consciousness:
"A faithful man who is absorbed in transcendental knowledge and who subdues his senses quickly attains the supreme spiritual peace."
"Such knowledge in Krishna consciousness can be achieved by a faithful person who believes firmly in Krishna. One is called a faithful man who thinks that simply by acting in Krishna consciousness he can attain the highest perfection. This faith is attained by the discharge of devotional service, and by chanting "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare," which cleanses one's heart of all material dirt. Over and above this, one should control the senses. A person who is faithful to Krishna and who controls the senses can easily attain perfection and a knowledge of Krishna consciousness without delay" (
Bg. As It Is, 4.38-39).
I try to put my faith in the chanting of Hare Krishna. I want to believe in all the exalted statements of the scriptures about the power of Nama Prabhu as contained in Siksastakam. There are many achievements that can be attained by chanting. Haridasa Thakura said that just one utterance of the namabhasya stage of chanting can liberate one from all sins. A puffed-up brahmana who was present when Haridasa said this challenged him, and that brahmana fell into terrible condition. So not to have faith in the chanting of the holy name is offensive. But here in the Bhagavad-gita purport we hear that it is not simply that you have to put your faith in chanting but that chanting itself creates faith. Faith is attained by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. We experienced that right from the beginning, we first devotees who came to Prabhupada in 1966. We didn't know anything about Krishna or Swamiji, but when he engaged us in kirtana and gave us beads to chant on we developed faith in Krishna. The chanting has that power. It is inexplicable by material reasoning. It can't happen by chanting of another kind of mantra. Other mantras may develop faith in demigods or faith in material results, but chanting Hare Krishna brings you faith in Krishna Himself, and that is the highest attainment.
I woke only when the alarm went off this morning at 2:00 A.M. so I felt a little rushed. My chanting went quickly, but I haven't chanted even 12 rounds yet. Narayana Kavaca is back from Trinidad, and it's nice to see him again. I have a new electrical heater in my room, which makes it more comfortable for chanting. So I have no real excuses for not chanting nicely in the early morning. This morning I paid attention to the sounds. Yesterday we read in the Caitanya-Bhagavata that loud chanting is better than silent chanting. But I'm handicapped, and I have to chant softly for fear of headaches. But japa is itself a kind of soft chanting in contrast to kirtana, which is the yajna for the age. I should engage in both kinds of chanting, as I did on Janmastami. But of all the instructions of the spiritual master, the instruction to chant 16 rounds daily is essential. So I chant my rounds quietly in the morning and don't feel guilty about it. Unless I become purified by japa, I won't be able to preach. And to encourage others in their japa is itself a form of preaching. I can't do that preaching unless I myself practice it well. So the most important part of my day is early rising and chanting japa nicely.
Faith grows by chanting
Hare Krishna, like a plant
grows by watering the
root. It's the root
of our devotional service.
I am an early-morning
gardener with my equipment
of beads and sitting in
a quiet place repeating
over and over building
numerical strength which
builds faith in Krishna
which is the greatest
goal of life.
www.sdgonline.org.
From One Hundred Prabhupada Poems, #25
"I entered the temple and sat before Srila Prabhupada.
Later I got to sing "Jaya Prabhupada"
at the end of the Nsrimha arati.
Call out the names of our spiritual master,
how else will Lord Nsrimha and Prahlada Maharaja
know me? I am afraid, yet I am protected
by the dark inner sanctum lit with ghee lamps–
I can see the Lord's eyes and His bhakta's eyes
and it is appropriate for me to sing out ,
"Jaya Prabhupada, Jaya Prabhupada."
"He taught us to
chant Hare Krishna,
don't be attached to the mind's demands,
stay shaven-headed with other symbols of the
Vaisnavas,
stay in their association…
He taught us to sing Tulasi's song, circumambulate,
bow to her. He says, "It is very important,"
and so it is very important to me.
Now that I have exclusively surrendered
to the teachings of His Divine Grace,
everything works fine,
when you practice with faith.
"Do I see him personally
sitting on the vyasasana?
While singing, I thought,
"You have written a book called My Relationship with
Lord Krishna. Why not do another, My Relationship
with Srila Prabhupada? It could be
about what you know,
your own particular relationship,
as when we say, my Lord
my spiritual master, my Prabhupada."
www.sdgonline.org.
1.
This poem is all about
escape. I will clarify the
different things I am trying to
escape from. You tried to run away
from the evil influences
and seek shelter in Krishna.
2.
Here is the poem:
"escape … they were afraid of the
consequences and ran into the church.
Escape the prostitutes and gundas on the corner.
"Build a temple and escape karma
of capitalism. Escape the Holy
Ghost. There is no escape from
death. This is Jody's poem. He worked
on it for nine minutes only because
he … didn't bother. Wasn't a good
student, put his energy into the oration.
"Escape getting an "F."
The long arm of Bacchus
read more from SDGonline - daily updates Viraha Bhavan journal
Hare Krsna dear devotees, I hope your chanting is being focused and your rounds are bringing you joy. Today I was listening to a lecture from H.H. Sacinandana Swami on a japa retreat and he was asking the devotee who was the Holy Name to them and each devotee gave a personal answer, saying that the Holy Name was their protector, opportunity, shelter and so on - giving the reasons and how was their personal relationship with them.
This shows me we all have our own relationship with Krsna when we are chanting and we are developing this relationship or maybe missing this change to develop it. When we chant , our rounds offensively, we are not taking this opportunity to relate to the Lord because He is not there. If we chant with love, affection and in a prayer mood trying to hear and pronounce the mantra properly we are developing this relationship, we are giving the Lord our respect and our our time and trying to put our heart in it.
One of these days I asked a friend how could I chant and do everything I need to do in my life, how can I concentrate knowing I have so many things to do. Sometimes this idea of not chanting because we may chant with offenses come to the mind, so my friend said, when you see your japa as the most important thing in the day, when you give attention to this everything works nicely, all the other things are easier to do.
So listening to maharaj made me more aware of this personal relationship with Krsna and give more of myself to my japa, actually I can remember the days I did that and I used to feel much better and my life was easier in many ways, I could do everything and I felt protected by the Lord in anything I did in my life. I am eager to feel this again, but this means more dedication and more commitment to my japa and my spiritual life.
May the Lord bless our lives so we can have this relationship with the Him and enter in this heart chanting atmosphere.
your servant,
Aruna devi
www.sdgonline.org.
Picked out at random from Srimad Bhagavatam a verse from the Third Canto, Chapter Nine, Verse 25: "I am now engaged in manifesting his diverse energies in the form of the cosmic manifestation. I therefore pray that in the course of my material activities I may not be deviated from the vibration of the Vedic hymns."
These are Lord Brahma's prayers to Lord Vishnu for creative energy. He was bewildered atop the lotus emanating from the Garbhodaksayi Vishnu's navel and was being tossed by the waves of the Causal Ocean. He practiced austerities and prayed to the Lord for intelligence how to create the universe. In the course of creation, Brahma would have to meet many vicious living entities, and he wanted to be protected by the Lord. An ordinary brahmana may fall down from his power of brahminical excellence due to bad association. “This is a warning to one and all in the spiritual advancement of life." (Srimad Bhagavatam 3.9.25, purport)
We have to constantly pray for protection and blessing to carry out our duty. The path of spiritual life is like a razor, and a little inattention can cause havoc. If you are completely surrendered to the Lord, you have no fear of falldown.
The fickle mind and senses are always tempting us to deviate. In Kali-yuga we are surrounded by enemies to brahminical life. The whole atmosphere is polluted with illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. Associating with Krishna conscious persons protects us from indulging in sinful activities. Devotees will always only eat vegetarian prasadam and will avoid the other sinful activities as well. They will fully occupy themselves with Krishna conscious activities so there will be no room for deviation. The idle mind is the devil's workshop. Devotees are always occupied with projects of devotional service and creative preaching.
The room is cold. I'm shivering. Soon we'll have to get some kind of heat in here.When the sun comes out it will get warmer. You can think of something to write. I used to do writing sessions and just write what came to the mind. I used to hear many birds chirping in the summer. I don't hear so many now. The poets have things to say about life. Some of them make no sense. John Ashbery is one. They make up words, and you can do that too. The curliques of painting I don't do anymore. You can't paint in a cold room. You would paint sadhus in gamshas and chanting on their beads. Mathematics and chemistry were hard subjects for me. I took two semesters of geology at Brooklyn College. There were many students in the class because all Liberal Arts students took geology as their science course. It was the easiest science course. I studied the book but don't remember if I got a "B."
You have to write with bigger, clearer penmanship. Haridasa Thakura was a great saint, and the Lord had him expose his power so people could see how great he was. He chanted 300,000 names of Hare Krishna a day. Krishna is the center of existence. He is a beautiful, bluish cowherd boy. A headache makes it harder to write. You want to say something that will enliven people, make them think seriously, and entertain them. This is kichari-writing. You want to say more. We had lunch with T.J. and Brian. Now I'm up in my room feeling chilly. The sky is gray and breezy, "San Francisco weather." But soon it will be colder than that. In Krishna's abode it is always warm and sunny, with pleasant scented breezes from the Yamuna. Only when Indra sent a storm was it uncomfortable, and when Trnavarta caused a dust storm. But these were pastimes which were rescued by Krishna's intervention.
*Ujjain update 11th September, 2010* Sent in by His Grace Mukunda Prabhu *The seminar started from today and devotees have started converging from various places like South Africa, London, Holland, Malaysia and various parts of India. We expect more devotees to come in the next couple of days.* * * *Early morning during mangal arati [...]
Ok! so there’s no misunderstanding and to make things quite clear to anyone reading my blog here is the facts; unless your initiated by my guru maharaja and go to the centers set up and run pacifically by him neither shall you have any understanding or pure bhakti, nor an understanding of Krishna and defiantly [...]
So every one of us, those who have come to this Krsna consciousness movement, expected to preach in the future and to become a spiritual master also in the future. But first of all you must spiritualize yourself; otherwise it is useless. So krsna-sakti vina nahe. Without... Just like without being red hot, you cannot burn any other thing. Similarly, without being fully spiritualized, you cannot make others spiritualized. Therefore we have to follow the parampara system. The disciplic succession, as we get the knowledge, as we get the power, as we get the instruction, so we have to follow. That will help me to spiritualize myself. And when you are spiritualized... You'll have to wait for that time. Then, wherever you will preach, the result will be there.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.1 -- New York, April 10, 1969
By ISKCON New Vrindaban Staff on 11 Sep 2010
| On Wednesday, September 15, New Vrindaban Community will celebrate Radhastami, which is Radha's Appearance Day or birthday.
|
| It will be a draining week for the three devotees, particularly Charan, considered the spiritual leader of Hamilton's 16 initiated Hare Krishna.
|
| The odd paradox is that food insecurity--not knowing where the next meal is coming from or not having enough money to adequately feed your family--leads to obesity, diabetes and chronic disease.
|
| Nearly half of all Americans now use prescription drugs on a regular basis according to a CDC report that was just released.
|
 | A would-be armed robber who held up a mobile phone shop repented during the raid and left as a rescued soul after a sermon from a Christian shop assistant.
|
1965 September 11:
"Today the ship ran on very smoothly. The sky was clear and there was sunshine all the day. At about 7/30 in the morning we passed on the Azore Islands under the Portugal Republic."
Jaladuta Diary :: 1965
1965 September 11:
"At night there was profuse moonlight and considerable lurching also but it did not affect me very much as it did on the Arabian Sea. So far the Atlantic is more kind to me than other seas. It is all Lord Krishna's Grace."
Jaladuta Journal :: 1965
1968 September 11: "Simply by understanding Krishna, one understands everything. Therefore, Krishna being the Supreme Spirit, one who tries to understand Krishna, he can understand everything else."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
1968 September 11: "It is my duty to open your eyes so I am trying my best to do my duty, and if you cooperate with me, fully, certainly both yourself and myself will be successful in our missionary work."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
1974 September 11: "Why there should be any misunderstanding between a Krishna conscious husband and wife? So whether you are alone or with husband you must continue to follow the regulative principles. And wherever you get place, you should always remember Krishna and never forget Him for a moment."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
1975 September 11: "The system for calculating is as follows: the first day of birth is the first birthday. The next year that day is the second birthday; i.e. the second birthday means that one year has been completed. So it is my 80th birthday, and I have completed 79 years."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
1975 September 11: "Siddhasvarupananda and his group, whenever they see me they give me money. So they are not against me. So it is a natural thing for the brothers to fight, as long as they all stay obedient to the father."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
1975 September 11: "Patron Life Members can live in a Guest room for three days free of charge. If they want to stay longer they may move to the Devotee Rooms, where they must live as we do. Those who live in the Devotee rooms must attend mangal arati or starve."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
| The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty threatened to sue the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) if it tried to force religiously affiliated hospitals to perform abortions against the conscientious objections of their doctors and nurses.
|
Lecture on Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 9, Text 22 given by both Prahladananda Swami and Braja Bihari das titled "Krishna's Grateful Love".
Dallas, TX
2010-07-10
TRANSLATION
But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form -- to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have.
PURPORT
One who is unable to live for a moment without Krishna consciousness cannot but think of Krishna twenty-four hours a day, being engaged in devotional service by hearing, chanting, remembering, offering prayers, worshiping, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, rendering other services, cultivating friendship and surrendering fully to the Lord. Such activities are all auspicious and full of spiritual potencies, which make the devotee perfect in self-realization, so that his only desire is to achieve the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such a devotee undoubtedly approaches the Lord without difficulty. This is called yoga. By the mercy of the Lord, such a devotee never comes back to this material condition of life. Kshema refers to the merciful protection of the Lord. The Lord helps the devotee to achieve Krishna consciousness by yoga, and when he becomes fully Krishna conscious the Lord protects him from falling down to a miserable conditioned life.
Download:
2010-07-10 - 4 - Prahladananda Swami and Braja Bihari das - BG 9.22 - Krishna's Grateful Love.mp3 
By Madhava Smullen on 11 Sep 2010
| As Rathayatra season comes to a close, devotees can immerse themselves in the one that started them all in ISKCON film-maker Vasudeva Dasa's new English language version of his little-seen 1992 classic, Pulling Krishna Home.
|
Nay, do not grieve tho’ life be full of sadness,
Dawn will not veil her splendor for your grief,
Nor spring deny their bright, appointed beauty
To lotus blossom and ashoka leaf.
Nay, do not pine, tho’ life be dark with trouble,
Time will not pause or tarry on his way;
To-day that seems so long, so strange, so bitter,
Will soon be some forgotten yesterday.
Nay, do not weep; new hopes, new dreams, new faces,
The unspent joy of all the unborn years,
Will prove your heart a traitor to its sorrow,
And make your eyes unfaithful to their tears.
Filed under:
Poetry 
The most auspicious appearance of Srimati Radharani will be celebrated this Wednesday, Sept 15.
Besides the splendid morning darshan of Her Lotus Feet and an Evening Abhisheka and Feast at the RVC Temple, there will be a special program at Radha Kunda at HH Varsana Swami’s place. The program will be from Noon until 2pm. Their Lordships Sri Sri Radhe Shyam will receive a Swan boat ride and then enter into their newly constructed Summer Temple for Their bhoga offering and arotika.
All devotees are invited to a delicious lunch prasadam picnic at Varsana Swami’s place.
There will be no lunch served at the RVC Temple.
See you there!
Such a sad reality.
The basis of every religion is to love God with all your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself; and ultimately everyone is our neighbor.
The Srimad Bhagavatam tells that the greatest service that gives pleasure to God is to show compassion to other living beings.
The purpose of all religion is to teach universal selfless love.
sa vai pumsam paro dharmo
yato bhaktir adhokshaje
ahaituky apratihata
yayatma suprasidati
(Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.6)
The supreme dharma, or the supreme religion for all humanity, is not to be a Hindu or a Christian or a Jew or a Muslim or a Jain or a Zoroastrian or a Buddhist. The supreme religion for all humanity is that which awakens from ones heart, love, love for God, compassion for all living beings.
And that love must be unconditional and unmotivated to actually satisfy our self, because that is our nature.
So if this is the purpose and the basis of every religion, how is it that we find.. and it's been there through history.. that religion is provoking bigotry, sectarianism, division, hatred, violence?
Because various religions manifest to teach the same principles in different times and different places, they have different rituals, sometimes different ways of explaining..
..and when people identify and attach themselves with the external, superficial aspects of religion, then they will see so many differences..
..and it can provoke such type of arrogance, ego, and even hatred and violence.
The violence in the name of religion is really in the name of the false ego, it's not in the name of religion.
People extend their egos through nationalism, through racism, and even through religion.
We want to be the greatest. We want to be right, and everyone else is wrong.
What that means is we are not understanding the essence of religion.
In Sanskrit there is a word "Bhava-grahi"; a truly spiritual person is one who is always seeking the essence.
When we understand the essence, then we can understand the real purpose of the ritual and the forms that are meant to facilitate and accommodate knowing the essence.
But all too often we have a very superficial, external, unrealistic conception of our own religion.
Long ago when I was living in India I had a very dear friend who was an 85 year old man. He was a Hindu, devotee of Lord Rama, and his best friend was a Muslim.
And they used to have inter-religious dialogues between themselves every few days and I would go and discuss with them.
And one day while sitting on the bank of the Ganges I asked him "In a country where there is so much conflict, and so much suspicion between Islam and Hinduism, how is it that the two of you are such good friends?"
And he gave me an answer which I've never forgotten.
He said "If a person has a dog, if that person stands before the dog in a three-piece suit, or in a t-shirt, or in pajamas, or in underwear, or if he stands before the dog naked, the dog will always recognize his master… even in different clothes, in different settings."
He said "If we cannot recognize our God when He comes in different dresses, in different forms, in different ways, and teaches through different traditions..
..if we can't recognize our God in these different ways, then we have so much to learn from a dog."
Thank you very much.
One of Brazil’s top travel magazines, Viaje Mais, has published a six page article about Pandavas Paradise. The article was written by a reporter who participated in our June retreat. The article is mentioned on the cover (above), with the title “Zen Retreats in the Chapada dos Veadeiros”. Here in Brazil, “zen” is an adjective used for all things spiritual and peaceful and doesn’t imply that we practice Zen Buddhism!
I couldn’t have written a more favorable article myself! She expertly captured the mood in our retreats, glorified the peace and natural beauty of the place, the loving reception she got, the great food, beautiful waterfalls and our comfortable rooms. The article also posted useful information on how to get there, our website, phone numbers and future retreats. It explains clearly that this is a Hare Krishna retreat centre and the word Krishna is used in the article about 6 times.
You can see the article (in Portuguese) here: http://bit.ly/9G240p!
Help Bhaktivedanta Hospital's annual Barsana eye camp to save the eyesight of as many Brajbasis as possible.
By Antony Brennan: The Barsana eye camp is gets underway every year. Your donation to this cause will help save the sight of villagers and farmers now arriving at Barsana from around the Vrindavan region. This year a team of 12 qualified ophthalmologists from Mumbai, more than 30 doctors, 5 nurses and around 150 volunteers from various fields have all converged n Barsana to offer their services to those in need.
Prem Manjari Devi Dasi (Dr. Niketa Chotai), is a gold medal radiologist from Mumbai University. Prem served in Bhaktivedanta hospital for 8 years as Consultant and head of the radiology department, and now works in Singapore.
"When I was at Bhaktivedanta Hospital I got involved in Barsana eye camp," Prem Manjari says. "The first year I assisted Dr. Deepak Gupta to take care of pre and post operative ward patients. This touched my heart and from then on I took it as a mission to serve Brajbasis and other devotees of Krishna in any capacity I could."
"Since then I have come to the camp almost every year as head of the post operative ward," Prem says. "We receive the patients coming out of the cataract surgery and take care of their medical and other needs during their 1 to 2 days stay with us. We carry out the ophthalmologists' instructions for each patient." Prem also organizes the shifts and duty roster for the volunteers.
"Barsana eye camp has become an integral part of my life and devotional service" Prem says. "For me it is an opportunity to serve Brajbasis, and my Gurudev’s mission. When I see smiles on the faces of the people of Braj I get a deep sense of satisfaction, as if I have been able to please Radharani."
Prem Manjari says those volunteering at the camp come always come away changed by their experience. "I have also seen many newcomers coming and serving at Barsana having their heart transformed before they leave."
"At the eye camp I have had many touching experiences which I treasure in my heart," Prem says. "Every year many patients would hold my hand. They make me sit next to them and lovingly put their hand on my head like their own child. They would offer me their home made prasadam from their tiffins. Many times they fed me rotis with their own hands."
Prem tells the story of an elderly patient who was crying whilst being discharged. "She was holding my hand and requesting me to keep her in the camp for few more days, saying that the care being given to her was even more than her own children gave, and she wanted to be with us longer."
Your donation will enable Bhaktivedanta Hospital to expand and provide more health care and eye surgeries. They will be able to transport more special cases and family members back to Bhaktivedanta Hospital to receive more complex procedures restoring their eye sight and health.
To view the video and make a online donation, visit the web site: http://www.barsanaeyecamp.com/
Other ways to donate:
US / Canada:
Please mail check favoring ‘Share Your Care’ to get tax benefit (EIN:56-2340917) Share Your Care Inc. PO Box 13353, Pittsburgh, PA 15243.
India:
Your can send check favoring ‘Sri Chaitanya Seva Trust – Barsana eye camp’ at the following address – Share Your Care (Attn: Amol Kulkarni), Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Srishti Complex, Sector-1, Mira Road (E), Dist. Thane, Maharashtra – 401104.
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All you ganstas come get down wid me
I got something here you might never see
The guy wid the mike and the guy wid de hat
Day are doing some wicked kinda Krishna RAP
So scroll on down and get ready wid you mouse
To spill this nectar all over de house
Click on the arrown and off you’ll go
To the Ratha Yatra Boston now get on wid the show
AighT?
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Srimad Bhagavatam 11.23.58 - The hard struggle for existence.
Have a look at the web site for New Govardhana
Sri Radhastami is almost upon us. Check out the web site of your temple or centre to find out more details.
The following from an article by Stephen Knapp
Srimati Radharani is the Supreme Goddess. She is most always seen with Lord Krishna. It is described that She is the Chief Associate and devotee of Lord Krishna, and topmost of all Goddesses. Her name means the She is the most excellent worshiper of Lord Krishna. However, She is also an expansion of the Lord’s energy. Since She is also an extension of Krishna, She is the feminine aspect of God. Thus, in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, God is both male and female. They are One, but Krishna expands into two, Himself and Radharani, for the sake of divine loving pastimes. If They remained as One, then there is no relationship, there are no pastimes, and there can be no dynamic exchange of love. (Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila, 4.55-56) Actually, if we all remained merged or amalgamated into one single force or light, then there is no further need of anything else. There certainly would be no need for the material manifestation to provide the innumerable conditioned souls with the means to seek out the way to satisfy their senses, minds, emotions, desires for self-expression, intellectual pursuits, and on and on.
So, similarly, the spiritual world is the manifestation wherein all souls have the opportunity to engage in a multitude of pastimes in loving relationships in full spiritual variety, without the many hindrances we find in this material world. The only difference is that the spiritual world is centered around the Supreme Being. And that Supreme Personality has expanded Himself into Radharani for exhibiting the supreme loving relationship, in which so many others assist Them.
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Everyone knows that a great deal of effort goes into every festival at any of our temples or centres. Many people pitch in to hang, build, clean, move, paint, rehearse, cook and organise.
Here are some photos from the day preceding Sri Krishna Janmastami in Melbourne, Aniruddha Prabhu was playing the paparazzi.
Those are the photos he took of the dedicated servants in Melbourne, busying themselves at this appearance day better than ever before. The last few pictures in the slideshow are from the Krishna Janmastami midnight darshan.
Check out the slide-show on Flickr by clicking here
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Reflections on the standards that Srila Prabhupada gave us in the mater of cleanliness.
ISKCON Perth celebrated Janmastami, the appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna. Perth devotees welcomed one and all to come and celebrate the advent of our beloved Lord's birth in an evening filled with fun and festivities!
There was Kirtan, abishek, a drama, dance, discourses, cultural Programs, a midnight candlelit Aarti, a special Midnight Feast and prasadam was served from 7.30pm onwards.
Look at all the devotees gathering to glorify Lord Krishna on his appreance day. It’s always heartwarming to see.
Check out the rest here at the ISKCON Perth Facebook Page
Follow this link to check out the web site for ISKCON Perth
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Response to Islam Growth
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
I read in the paper about the growth of Islam in the world and the Christian response to it. In an article by Simon Coldwell, a Vatican official is quoted saying that European Christians must have more children or face the prospect of the Continent becoming Islamized.
Some statistics from Europe point out that 2.4 percent of Muslim population has doubled in the past 30 years and is predicted to double again by 2015. According to US Migration Policy Institute, Muslims will account for more than 20 percent of the EU population by 2050. Mohammed is expected to be the most popular boy's name in England and Wales when figures are released by the office for National Stats in October.
Quoting on Italian priest Father Piero Gheddo "Certainly from a demographical point of view, as it is clear to everyone that Italians are decreasing by 120,000 or 130,000 persons a year because of abortion and broken families -- while among the more than 200,000 legal immigrants a year in Italy, more than half are Muslims and Muslim families, which have a much higher level of growth."
I read another article in the same paper of Saskatoon's "Star Phoenix" before I took off for an evening trek about an extreme reactionary church in Florida. On Sept. 11, the anniversary to mark the perceived terrorist attack of 2001 the church's plan under pastor Terry Jones directions, is to burn thousands of copies of the Qu'ran. Many groups of people are fearing a backlash in the US and beyond.
Not to discuss figures of growth or responses to it, I found it interesting that in the late afternoon myself and three companions Nitai, Goura and Nitai Priya were by divine arrangement being driven to Edmonton for our next stop by a man from the Middle East and he was a Muslim. I'm going to call him Ken and not defer to his actual name.
Ken, who is rather moderate in his views on things, asked me many questions, respectfully. For instance, for classification he wanted to know what category I belong to when it comes to religion. I mentioned that religious scholars, who prefer to put everyone in some box, refer us to in the Hindu context although in essence I believe I'm not following a religion but spirituality.
Another question Ken asked was "What about statues in temples? What role do they play?" My answer was, "If you are a Catholic you pray to Jesus via his statue to provide the eyes a focal point and a remembrance of him just like Muslims who worship the Kaaba in Mecca. It is a stone resembling very much the Hindu Shiva lingam. These images, either the Christan ones or otherwise, are referred to as sacred due to some consecrated event. They are powerful and serve to purify the worshiper."
In general, Ken was satisfied with these and other explanations. I showed him my meditation beads and gave him a sample of chanting. our discussion was great as we got to know each other better.
Although not discussed, my personal opinion on aforementioned topics is that some groups should cut down on child production, others should step up but most of all we should invest more into our individual spiritual growth and establish common ground.
8 KM
Toons in Saskatoon
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The two Penn boys, Goura and Nitai, were zealous enough to take strides with me along a trail in the Erindale section of Saskatoon in the morning. Other walkers who were passersby reacted with that polite and yet surprised look. Out of our trio I stood out due to the monks' apparel. It is my hope that some day monks will be a familiar sight on the Prairie landscape.
For the evening gathering of youths I handpicked a verse from the Gita. Chapter 5 text 18 "The humble sages see with equal vision the indwelling paramatma within all; the Brahmana, cow, elephant, dog and dog-eater." We had discussed this passage amongst the group and it appeared to all that it was a salient statement. Kirtan and dance was included in the experience.
I also had the pleasure to make two home visits in addition to two sankirtan (chanting sessions) with the boys and Nitai Priya, who were great teamsters in this endeavour held downtown at the university. We sat on the grass outside a prominent student building when a fire drill took place. All occupants of the buildings were to dash out. It could not have been timed better. Their ears caught the tunes to the sound vibration.
The final visit of the day was at the home of a young couple. Vishal and Jackie. Jackie, who is pregnant, due soon with a boy, had remarkable questions about the real essence of Krishna and Vishal had me on Skype with his mom all the way to Mauritius.
"I have plans to walk Mauritius in the spring," I told her.
"Then you must come to my house," she expressed in so many words.
9 KM
Thoughts at Arbor Creek
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
I am not the hermit type of monk who doesn't deal with people. People who cross my path are always on the mind. I woke up at 2:30 AM with one particular person on my mind, a person recently struck with illness, and it caused worry enough to deter me from further sleep. I then dedicated the next tow hours to that person in my thoughts. I offer mantras, prayers and thoughts for the individuals well being.
Those two really quiet hours near Arbor Creek walking in wonder left me in a state of ambivalence. I become pacified to the extent that some positive thoughts went her way but I did sustain a worry because any attempts to communicate have failed. "Is she too ill to respond? Has she lost faith?" Some anxiety lingers.
Our evening was lively. Young families come to partake in prasadam at our hosts home and they sat to listen . Since it was the first day back at school for some children we dwelt on the theme of returning to one of the unique classrooms of all time – the chariot of Arjuna. At Kuruksetra, a northern plain in India, Arjuna, the warrior, sought counsel from Krishna. "Life is troubling when direction is not clear. The uncertainty of responsibility haunted me. Is it better to sit and ponder as I sulk? Forward action doesn't seem to be an option. Help! " These were Arjuna's thoughts.
So Krishna helped him.
When I take a stroll or walk spritefully with mantra in motion it is my day's time to ask for help. I know that the name is pleasing to Him but my mood is basically a cry for help. Before the day ended I received a call from someone asking if I could put out prayers for a couple who are struggling with the failing health of their new born baby. I said "Yes, I will chant in prayerfulness that the parents be strong to accept whatever fate is to come."
Karma is too difficult to comprehend. Acceptance of it is also not easy. Act to become strong and don't let emotions consume you.
11 KM
Time for Yourself
Regina, Saskatchewan
"We haven't had a summer here," was a remark I heard of weather in the province. Saskatchewan is usually a sun-drenched place, even though hitting extreme cold fronts in winter. This morning the weather was overcast and dripping, with winds to intimidate even more. I looked out the window to a miserable pronouncement of weather and looked at my sleeping crew of co-travellers who probably could use a bit of coaching with my very presence inside. The outdoors are frankly almost always enticing for me but for today I thought let's not be too selfish. Let's stay inside and encourage the others. "Some walking can be squeezed in later," I thought.
That time never came. A trip to Regina was a planned program for a presentation, some words of encouragement to the community there. Our drama "Lonely People" and a kirtan (chanting session) was to be the balance of the program for an eager group on this Labour Day. We were to meet up with the eight monks from Halifax as well. All had transpired with a great response and reunion. Post program chats with the boys consumed well-spent time.
But as daylight dwindled little opportunity come to mobilize those legs. The three hour drive back to Saskatoon left me only minutes to squeeze out time as our van was being loaded. A very embarrassing 1.5 Km came out of this as Nitai, one of the actors came to catch some Prairie air with me.
I do sometimes struggle within. "Am I selfish to escape crowds to have a chill-out for myself or to be with one companion? Does there always have to be people about?" And I resolved with a subliminally resounding, "No!" You have to have some time for yourself.
1.5 KM
A Good Change
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
A flight, a drive, a hike and a sit down constituted the movement of the day. Passengers, kids at play with field hockey, kids at play on outdoor basketball, people at a Hindu temple, and home owning hosts were the causes of interaction of the day.
At the Hindu temple which was fully capacitated, we had a very different audience compared to the Iskcon temple of the night before in Calgary. However, people responded so well to the message spoken in both places. The message was about sweet surrender.
What really was significant about our visit to Saskatoon was the progressive changes made by the family here now spearheading the mission. Last December I came to visit Kasyapa in Saskatoon when temperatures were reaching 50 below celsius. Kasyapa moved to the city from Toronto to establish himself in a new employment. His family recently arrived and now are in a nice home ready for action.
The action plan referred to is a duplication of what the family so well executed back in Toronto. Kasyapa and wife, Panchami, conducted weekly gatherings of what's called "Bhakti Vrksha", where guests are invited into the home for discussion and learning about the science of the self. While adults carried on in a formal but lively manner on one floor of the house. Their children were given attention to training as if in a kind of kids for Krishna camp on another floor of the home.
This Saskatoon couple are now poised to do what they did so successfully elsewhere for their fist gathering on September 17th. Six months ago virtually no enlightenment of full on Krishna Consciousness was being presented in this city and now a great benefit is to become a reality here. This is all some kind of mercy.
I am grateful to the couple who by the way, have a supportive son, Jaya, and dughter, Radhika.
6 KM
Time Measured By Soap
Calgary, Alberta
I stay at a place long enough until my bar of soap wears out. That's at an average three showers a day – standard for those who follow the model of the Brahman. In other words, when the soap gets low, you know it's time to move on.
I've been asked, "What brand do you use?"
"Something that is natural and environmentally friendly; also something not too smelly or fragrant. That attracts bears." I do find myself in their turf from time to time. Not today. I'm in the bustling city of Calgary, here to make my round , so to speak. As a member of the Governing Body Commission I have an obligation, a privilege and a pleasurable commitment to visiting Krishna centres across Canada. I've landed here with our drama troupe. In Inglewood, the oldest section of town, a pioneer, homesteader haven well before Calgary became an oil rich mega city of sorts we were set to perform drama and kirtan (chanting). This is a formula which has been operating well like two people arm in arm at a waltz.
Collen, one of the employees at Alexandra Centre Society stayed to see our performance of "Lonely People". She loved it.
"I'm a social worker and what I saw is that you covered everything when it comes to therapy for loneliness," she said.
That remark was a great endorsement for our actors who co-authored the piece. Good stuff! I cannot wait to perform this drama before other members of the Governing Body Commisioners, many of whom are swamis (monks). The earliest opportunity is several bars of soap away.
3 KM
Prabhupada kirtan 2010
It isn’t the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it.
- Eileen Elias Freeman
Nrsimha Krsna das: This is Nrsimha Krsna das from Istanbul, Turkey. I am a disciple of Srila Sivarama Maharaja. We have a small but happy :) yatra here connected to New Vraja Dhama in Hungary. We are having regular namahatta programmes weekly, that we generally organize in the houses of the devotees
