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  1. Krishna-kripa das, Mayapura: Travel Journal#6.19: New York and Philadelphia Harinamas
  2. Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Simple Meal for Busy Times
  3. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
  4. Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: Library sankirtan in Fiji and SA
  5. Book Distribution News: Library sankirtan in Fiji and SA
  6. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Seminar Tonight!
  7. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Dina Bandhu Prabhu
  8. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: If you don't like the restriction, then go away
  9. Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: My Boss’s Take: Quality, Value, and Price
  10. Kurma dasa, AU: 25 Sleeps
  11. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: On the web
  12. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: ISKCON Leads Program In Ujjain
  13. Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: not so latest twitter updates – The Veronicas, Little Krishna, Ch 15, Keshi, SB install, babies and more
  14. Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: For Sale: Radhastami with The Mayapuris
  15. Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: KuliMela 2006 - The Fews - Sri Krishna Saranam
  16. Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: Search for the Truth
  17. Japa Group: The Rays Of The Holy Name
  18. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Canada's Newest MP & How Canada's Minister of Finance received the Bhagavad Gita.
  19. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Bhagavad Gita, Day Three, Vail, Colorado, US Seminar 2009.
  20. Dandavats.com: Silent Tears of Remorse
  21. Dandavats.com: Bangkok - The city to invade
  22. Dandavats.com: Bhakti in its Beauty hits Bankers
  23. Dandavats.com: Vraj Parikrama 2010 (13th to 15th days) Kamyavan Parikrama
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  25. Dandavats.com: 14″ Brass Deities For Sale
  26. Dandavats.com: House for sale at New Goloka, Hillsborough, NC
  27. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Wikileaks
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Krishna-kripa das, Mayapura: Travel Journal#6.19: New York and Philadelphia Harinamas

Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 6, No.19
By Krishna-kripa das
(October 2010, part one)
New York, Philadelphia, Albany, Gainesville
(Sent from Tallahassee, Florida, on November 27, 2010)

Where I Went and What I Did

I started out the beginning of October doing a couple of holy name events, the twelve-hour kirtana in Manhattan and harinama at Tompkins Square Park, which I described previously at:

http://krishnamonk.blogspot.com/2010/10/world-holy-name-festival-harinamas.html#manhattan12

I did few more harinamas in Manhattan, and then a few in Philadelphia, including one by invitation of the Mt. Airy Democratic Party office. On the way back to Albany to visit my relatives, my niece and I checked out some nice prasadam venues in Manhattan.

I share insights from Srila Prabhupada, Dhanurdhara Swami, Sacinandana Swami, Candrasekhara Prabhu, Mother Laksmimani, Mother Nanda, Sesa Prabhu, Vallabha Sena Prabhu, Mother Ali Krishna, Doyal Gauranga Prabhu, Gauranga Kisora Prabhu, Nanda Kumar Prabhu, Sanatana Goswami Prabhu, Yajna Purusa Prabhu, and myself.

My Itinerary

Tallahassee, FL:Nov. 27-Dec. 11
Gainesville, FL: Dec. 12-16
Philadelphia, PA: Dec. 18-19 (tentative)
Boston, MA: Dec. 20-22 (tentative)
Tallahassee, FL:Jan. 5-9
Gainesville, FL: Jan. 9-Feb. 4
Tallahassee, FL:Feb. 4-Feb. 10
Gainesville, FL: Feb. 11-16
Ocala Rainbow: Feb. 13

Harinamas in Manhattan

I was very happy to meet one devotee, Bhakta Dan, who was willing to go out each day on harinama. On the rainy days we did inside the subway stations. About twenty people or so appreciated our presentation enough to give a donation, and we gave them books accordingly. According to Bhakta Dan, that was less than usual, sometimes they had collected as much as eighty. Bhaktin Michaelle was also enthusiastic about harinama and came whenever she was not otherwise engaged. During good weather, we chanted at Union Square. Once Candrasekhara Prabhu came with us and had a nice encounter which he later described:

“On harinama at Union Square yesterday, one man came up to me and said, ‘Whenever I hear the sound your drum I become intoxicated!’ He explained his mother used to bring him to the market when he was a kid, and the devotees would be chanting there. He loved the chanting and wanted to become a devotee. I embraced him, and he was very happy. He also said other nice things.”

Harinamas in Philadelphia

The day I arrived in Philadelphia, Bhagavatananda Prabhu and I went out on harinama in Chestnut Hill, nearby our temple, but the place was completely dead. As we walked toward the temple, we found one place to stay and chant for some time. One middle-aged lady, stopped her car, and told us she was going to a party of the opening of the Democratic Party office in Mt. Airy, and she invited us to sing at the event. It was not clear to us where it was, so we asked if she could give us a ride, as it would bring us closer to the temple. We checked out the place, but the party was not till later in the day, so we decided to sit on the steps of the Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church, and chant until Bhagavatananda Prabhu had to leave to wake the deities in the afternoon. We chanted for a while when a lady come out, curious about what we were doing. She said someone heard us playing a drum, and so she came out to see. She introduced herself as the pastor of the church, and I was worried we were going to get in trouble, but she was happy we were there. Bhagavatananda Prabhu talked to an older man, who had some previous connection with the Hare Krishnas. The man told how he resided at 55th St. for a couple of months, and I think around that time Srila Prabhupada departed, so he was there to hear the news . . . then he shared some reflections about how it all impacted upon him. Later, after Bhagavatananda Prabhu’s evening deity service, we came out to chant at the Democratic Party office, but much of the party was over. Still we distributed all maha-prasadam sweets I had brought, and some of the other prasadam. We chanted about half an hour in front of the office, and one videographer took some footage of us. I invited her to the temple. We learned from the Democrats that U.S. President Obama was coming to Philadelphia that Sunday and found out what was required to attend the event, hoping to do harinama there.

Prasadam in Manhattan

I decided to introduce my eighteen-year-old niece, Fern, a lifelong vegetarian, to prasadam in New York. We went to the Doughnut Plant, an incredibly popular doughnut shop at 379 Grand St. in the Lower East Side. Only half customers in the queue to purchase doughnuts could fit in the shop, the others extending onto the sidewalk. I counted 33 people in the line, about a half hour’s wait, when we visited, just before noon on a Saturday. I got the peanut butter and jelly doughnuts which those next to us in the line said the Doughnut Plant is famous for and got glazed chocolate for Gwen and her husband, Matt, two other relatives. Then we went to the Bhakti Café at 25 1st Avenue on the first floor of the Bhakti Center. There Fern, Gwen, Matt, and I all liked what we ordered. Fern said they had the best pesto she ever had encountered in a restaurant. I could not resist getting a side order of vegan Canadian bacon, and was surprised it tasted like the real thing, or at least as far I could remember after forty years. On the whole, it was a nice experience introducing my relatives to prasadam venues near them.

Insight from Lectures

Srila Prabhupada:

If one’s father is a high court judge does that mean his son will automatically become a high court judge? No sane man will accept this idea. This idea that one’s social position is determined by birth has crippled Vedic civilization. It is clearly said in Bhagavad-gita, guna-karma-vibhagasah, society is divided by qualities and work.

In the beginning, Maya will test you to see how much you are serious to serve Krishna and not disturb Krishna. It we are very steady in our practice, we will succeed.

One who knows Krishna is the center of all activities, not just theoretically, but practically, is a paramahamsa.

We do not have a very strong desire to go back to Godhead. We are very stubborn. We do not wish.

No kind of material prosperity will satisfy the soul.

It is the duty of every Krishna devotee to enlighten everyone in human society with Krishna consciousness.

Although the living entity is the son of the most opulent Supreme Lord, he has created this bread problem. Even if he goes to the church, he prays for bread. If we know our father is the richest man, we have no economic problem. Krishna is purnam, complete. His stock is never depleted. You simply become sincere servant of Krishna, and there will be no want.

In the spiritual world, the gopis are dancing with Krishna. There is no limit to the sense gratification there, but it is not the same as this third-class happiness of the material world.

The Bhagavata saptaha (seven-day recitation) is a concotion. The scripture says nityam bhagavata sevayaone should always hear the Bhagavatam.

Dhanurdhara Swami:

The tracks of the train of bhakti are association of devotees. Bhakti is independent of other paths, but the other paths are dependent on bhakti.

The tracks of the train of jnana are vairagya.

When Srila Prabhupada noticed some of his disciples were getting married, he decided that to create rural communities for them would be the best way to keep them focused on devotional service.

Srila Prabhupada described this age surcharged with opposition to spiritual life.

Some people tend to think that material enjoyment will make them happy. Others tend to realize no amount of material enjoyment will make them happy.

When people ask me if there is one thing they can do to improve their spiritual life, I tell them that is sadhu-sanga, association with devotees.

Good association means three things: (1) one who is more advanced spiritually, (2) likeminded (svajatiya, with one in the same spiritual family), and (3) sneha (relationship of affection).

There are two kinds of samkaras, impressions in the mind, klista and aklista. [torturous and nontorturous].

Hridayananda Goswami describes austerity as “Despite the irrational impulses of our mind and senses, we keep ourselves steady in our service.”

By jnana or vairagya you cannot avoid the allurement of sex desire, but by bhakti, it is possible. We have the strong objective, the goal of love of Godhead, which keeps our attention fixed. Even in the beginning, we have sraddha, which is the appreciation of the goal of love of God, and that just grows as our practice progresses.

One who has faith in love of God and can communicate that faith to others, can really save one’s spiritual life.

Q: When is tapasya [austerity] good? Sometimes it is said to be good, and other times it is said to be bad.

A: When the austerity comes naturally in the course of performing devotional service, to accept it is good.

We are promoting love of Godhead, so we have to have people who are attaining it.

I know one person who did many different austerities for personal purification during the month of Karttika over the course of many years. Once he asked me to suggest a new austerity, and I said, “Why don’t you preach?” He took it to heart, and for a Karttika vow went into Sarajevo during the war, when people in general were trying to leave, and assisted the devotees who were doing food relief and other outreach programs in such a perilous circumstance, just to get the mercy.

Sacinandana Swami:

Fifteen years ago I made an unexpected and amazing discovery. I went to the Himalayas with the desire to get free of all kinds of unwanted things, including getting disturbed with relationships. I was with a Swiss surgeon, an Italian free thinker, and a Indian organizer. We nearly lost the Swiss surgeon who fell in an abyss, and was caught by a yogi using his mystic power. I prayed to the Ganga that the members of my group lose there disagreements. Soon after that I got a real sense of my eternality and the spiritual reality by the grace of Ganga Devi and that never left me.

I have seen people in New York walking around and talking to themselves, and I think it is because the pace is so fast they have difficulty processing it all.

The Chandogya Upanisad describes the body as town which has nine gates. The most valuable building in the town of the body is the heart. In the heart is a room that houses the individual soul and God, and one who finds this room is never again disturbed by that which is temporary. Whatever one desires in this room comes to pass. Everyone has an unconscious experience of this when they have a dreamless sleep, but because they are not conscious of God they do not remember it.

Kierkagaard writes that living entity is attached to living in the basement and becomes indignant if invited to move the vacant space on an upper floor that is waiting for him.

Every human being needs to find this inner space.

In Puri, when the Lord had not yet appeared for Ratha-yatra some time after He was scheduled, I asked some official when the Lord would come out. I was given the answer “when He wants.” I felt a little embarrassed about my lack of faith. I entered my inner space and prayed for the Lord to be visible to me, and just then I heard the banging of gongs, and the doors flew open and Lord Jagannatha appeared.

How to find this inner space? By whole-hearted prayer. By chanting. By association of the enlightened and their blessings. By finding a suitable inner and outer environment.

We have learn to yearn for a direction in our inside life. We have to aspire for a relationship with Krishna above other things.

In modern times people lose themselves in external world, going out of their body, out of their heart, and out of their sacred space.

Each day, for many years, I have prayed, “I am an eternal soul. I live in the house of the heart. With me lives the Lord. I want to serve You, O Lord, and serve others. I am praying that You lift me up from the ocean of birth and death.” As a result, I find my desires are being fulfilled without any self-help literature or therapists.

Kirtana is a way of losing your false self and finding your real self, losing your false voice and finding your real voice.

In a holy place, the outer place can enter you and help manifest your inner space.

Always ask the question, “How do I ask the sacred space today?” Then you find roads will open up. Krishna, who is in that sacred space, will whisper to you, “Go in this direction.”

Like no one can eat or breathe for you, similarly no one can find your sacred space for you.

Krishna blessed Brahma that his four heads could manifest as four hills surrounding Varshana so he would be blessed by the dust from the feet of His beloved Radharani and thus become empowered to create the universe.

Radha claimed that only because Krishna had stolen the gopis butter did he have the strength to lift Govardhan Hill.

The ungrateful disciple who tries to steal spiritual secrets from his guru is compared to a monkey, who is never satisfied.

Candrasekara Prabhu [of the prison ministry]:

I did traffic lights. I hated lights. We would collect donations and give whoever gave something a book. On Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s appearance day, I told the people, “Today is Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s appearance day, and we are asking everyone to pitch in.” It was my biggest day. I did over $300.

Mother Laksmimani:

By listening to the qualities of great souls in Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Srimad-Bhagavatam we learn to discriminate right from wrong.

Lord Rama was given Indra’s chariot along with Matali, Indra’s chariot driver. He began to instruct Matali how to drive the chariot. Then he considered, actually this is Indra’s driver, how can I instruct him.

Children are blank slate and what you write is what you see. So children should hear about the pastimes of the Lord, and in a very detailed way. Not Lord Rama’s pastimes one day, Cinderella, the next day, and the Wizard the Oz the day after.

There was one devotee in this community, Raghunatha, who already carried around a deity of Hanuman and talked about Rama-lila. His parents encouraged him. Now he dresses the Deities and teaches in our schools.

We should remember the essential truths of the holy days not just get involved in the details of the festival.

Formerly in communities every evening there would be talk of the Lord and His pastimes.

We see in the Lord’s pastimes that His devotees took their duties and their services seriously.

Q: How can we encourage children but avoid forcing them?

A: If you have a good community of likeminded people that practice what they speak, that is the best situation for children.

Comment [by Premananda Gaura Prabhu]: When my children were young, I asked Kalakantha Prabhu how to teach my children that this material world is miserable but that Krishna consciousness is wonderful. He replied, “Children do not hear what we say, they see what we do.” So I tried to follow that. [His children, now in their twenties, are really into kirtana, Kishora being one of the Mayapuris.]

Mother Nanda:

Rasayana has an Ayurvedic meaning–herbs mixed with honey and ghee as a preservative. Similarly bhakti preserves progressive spiritual qualities.

It is Dhruva’s amazing quality that despite his great anger, he immediately stopped killing the Yaksas upon hearing from Manu.

When we start devotional service, we may not be free material desires. That is why the story of Dhruva is so encouraging. In the beginning his motivation was completely material, but because he strictly followed Narada Muni’s instruction, he attained the state of pure devotional service.

Lord Caitanya’s whole life was the perfection of manifesting the eagerness to chant and hear about the Lord.

If we are alive in devotional service, we will inherit a place in the kingdom of God, just a son inherits his father’s property if he simply remains alive.

Sesa Prabhu:

As a king, it not that Prthu personally did the puja [worship], but he arranged for it, and thus is considered the example of attaining perfection by arcana [worship].

What Krishna is saying in Bg. 7.14, is that we have a relationship with Him, and for conditioned souls, it is through His material energy. Maya does not mean we have no relationship with Krishna, but rather that we have an inferior relationship with Krishna.

As we surrender to Krishna, by accepting our relationship with him, we become free from the material energy.

In yogamaya whatever we do for Krishna becomes greatly magnified. If we take one step toward Krishna, He takes ten steps toward us.

Krishna is always reciprocating with us, even if we do not want to reciprocate with Him. He does not change that reciprocal attitude in the face of our indifference.

Our difficulty is that we are not serious, not that Krishna is not reciprocal.

Surrender means accepting what Krishna gives you, when He gives it to you.

In the Damodara lila, Krishna did not want to be bound because He had his own desire to play (sankalpa-sakti). But Mother Yasoda wanted to teach Him a lesson so He would not longer misbehave. Krishna appreciated His mother’s pure maternal love, thus He became merciful and allowed Yasoda to tie Him. Thus, it is can be analyzed that His kripa-sakti defeated His sankalpa-sakti.

Vallabha Sena Prabhu [on Jagannatha Ratha-yatra]:

From Pankajangrhi Prabhu’s description of the history of Lord Jagannatha:

The Lord explained that He assumed the form of Lord Jagannatha to confirm the statement of the Vedas, “Without legs I move, and without hands I accept the offerings of My devotees.”

The explanation the forms of Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra, as manifestations of ecstatic transformations of love of God, is described by Lord Caitanya in a book by Sikhi Mahiti.

Utkala-khanda of Skanda Purana describes the whole pastime of Lord Jagannatha.

The Ratha-yatra began during the reign of the second Manu, and it will continue under the end of Lord Brahma’s life.

Mother Ali Krishna:

The essence of the Bhagavad-gita, or pure devotional service, is described in the middle six chapters. The essence of the middle six chapters is chapter nine, and the essence of chapter nine is its final verse, thirty-four, “Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.”

Doyal Gauranga Prabhu:

Srila Prabhupada was successful because he prayed to Rupa Goswami and the other acharyas [previous spiritual teachers] for their mercy, and we can learn from him how to become empowered.

“If the spiritual master is displeased by our actions, they are not spiritual.” (Cc. Antya 14, purport)

Srila Prabhupada said that love is attention to details.

I was very late for the raja bhoga offering for many days and one devotee finally said to me, “How do you know that Krishna accepted your offering? You could be serving bhoga to all devotees!”

If we decorate the deity so people will praise us for our decorating abilities, then we are not actually decorating the deity but decorating our false ego!

All people can offer their hearts to the Lord for no one is better than anyone else in His eyes.

Gauranga Kisora Prabhu:

It was commonly understood in the Vedic culture that human existence is simply meant to reconnect with the Divine.

Tolstoy had the idea that we have thousands of lives until we attain our eternal life with God.

Everyone cannot live at the same standard of living found in America, which is based on the idea that possessions will make up happy. There are just not enough resources.

Nanda Kumar Prabhu:

Main arguments of Arjuna for not fighting:

1) it is sinful to kill relatives

2) the men will die, their wives will be unprotected, and unwanted children will be produced.

3) Offerings to the forefathers will not be done.

Comparing Lord Krishna’s strategy to Lord Caitanya’s strategy, it is as if Krishna is inviting people to come to Krishna Lunch while Lord Caitanya is giving them a plate of prasadam.

Sanatana Goswami Prabhu [on Facebook]:

Srila BhaktivinodeThakur states the effects of different types of preachers. Prema-bhakta can uplift anyone to prema; bhava-bhakta lifts devotee to bhava and nondevotee to ruci; sadhana-bhakta can bring faith to faithless. All just by association, therefore it behooves us to ensure we are both boiling the milk and distributing it.”

Yajna Purusa Prabhu:

At a japa retreat when I was chanting 64 rounds, one devotee was wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Krishna that really captivated my mind. Sacinandana Swami had been talking about chanting in relationship with Krishna, and I chanted the second, third, and fourth sets of sixteen rounds while looking at that picture, and it was the best 64 rounds I ever chanted.

The beauty of Krishna and the sound of Krishna can captivate us so we will not be bewildered by the beauty and sounds of this material world.

Krishna-kripa das:

Bg. 15.7: All beings are part of Krishna.

Because we are part of Krishna, when we please Krishna, we are automatically pleased.

Yatha taror mula” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.31.14): Just as watering the root of the tree nourishes the whole tree and putting food in the body nourishes all the senses, by worshiping the Lord we satisfy all living beings including ourselves.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.22 confirms this: Since time immemorial sage have been doing devotional service because it is satisfying to the self.

We must understand only pure devotional service can ever satisfy the soul:

“The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.6)

Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami appreciated this lila of Vyasadeva not being satisfied until he directly glorified Lord Krishna and so was inspired, as an author, to write 140 books about Krishna.

We may have a similar problem as Vyasa if we avoid glorifying Krishna in the course of our attempting devotional service.

From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.22.16:

1) Kardama Muni wanted to marry according to scripture
a. scripture is a manual for the material world

b.
scripture is meant for human beings, one who doesn’t follow is animal
c. SP says in Bg. 16, one may believe in God, but if he ignores scripture he is demoniac.
d. Bg. 16.23: “He who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination.”

2) Need for marriage.
a.
There in all scriptures.

b.
Animal propensities: eating, sleeping, mating, and defense must be regulated so as not to impede self-realization. Illicit sex increases bodily identification.
c. Wedding ceremony helps the couple take seriously the vows.

d.
So good children are produced there is marriage which makes for:

i.
a stable family

ii.
good role models

iii.
mothers having time for children

e.
as in other ashrams based on duty

3) Dowry
a.
consists of

b.
because daughters do not inherit

4) Raksasa marriage is not an option.
a.
Not recommended in this age, we have to take scriptures in the right way.

5) Varnasrama duties regulate human society to save time and to create a peaceful mind for self-realization.

-----

ato vai kavayo nityaḿ
bhaktim
́ paramayā mudā

vāsudeve
bhagavati

kurvanty
ātma-prasādanīm

“Certainly, therefore, since time immemorial, all transcendentalists have been rendering devotional service to Lord Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, with great delight, because such devotional service is enlivening to the self.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.22)

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Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Simple Meal for Busy Times

Today marks my 34th week of Bindu’s pregnancy. She is big and squirmy.

My kids are surprisingly sympathetic, but still–they want to be fed. Here’s a simple, minimal fuss dinner I threw together in shifts throughout the late afternoon/early evening. They didn’t go for the asparagus or tofu, but had a blast with the soup and pooris. My son ate 5. F-I-V-E. I had to fry up another batch for the husband before he got home from work.

Vegetable Barley Soup + White Flour / Besan Pooris Pan Fried Tofu w/ Tomato Chutney Asparagus w/ Eggless Hollandaise Sauce
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15% off Holiday Flowers & Gifts (min $39.99). Ends 12/18/2010.

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

1/12/10
The Deities look mouth-droppingly outstanding today.

Srimati Radharani's beauty goes beyond words.

Even Deena Bandhu Prabhu acclaimed today's most wonderful darsana.

Here's a
slideshow.

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Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: Library sankirtan in Fiji and SA

Thankyou to devotees in South Africa and Fiji for their reports of library sankirtan. It is pertinent to note that the original BBT Library Party, which was formed under Srila Prabhupada's direct guidance, would sell, not donate, books to libraries. At least one centre I know (ISKCON Salem, South India) nowadays also sells many sets to college libraries and also arranges formal presentations of Srila Prabhupada's books to the students and faculty by which many individual Bhagavad-gitas are sold.

hari-guru-vaisnava dasa, Bhakti Vikasa Swami

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Book Distribution News: Library sankirtan in Fiji and SA

Thankyou to devotees in South Africa and Fiji for their reports of library sankirtan. It is pertinent to note that the original BBT Library Party, which was formed under Srila Prabhupada's direct guidance, would sell, not donate, books to libraries. At least one centre I know (ISKCON Salem, South India) nowadays also sells many sets to college libraries and also arranges formal presentations of Srila Prabhupada's books to the students and faculty by which many individual Bhagavad-gitas are sold.

hari-guru-vaisnava dasa, Bhakti Vikasa Swami

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Seminar Tonight!

vrinda

This morning His Grace Deena Bandhu confirmed that he will hold a seminar on:

"The Glories of Sri Vrindavana Dhama"

starting from tonight,

7.30pm till 9pm,

in the Temple room.


Please attend these coming classes to get a first-hand experience of the Land of Vrajabhumi from one of Her dearest residents.

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Dina Bandhu Prabhu

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.27.30-31 - One can complete the nine processes of devotional service simply by chanting the holy name (nava-vidha bhakti purna nama haite haya).

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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: If you don't like the restriction, then go away

Madhavi-lata, she revolted. She revolted. She was always trying to plead, "Why this restriction? Why this restriction?" So I had to tell, "If you don't like the restriction, then go away. You don't associate with us." What can be done? So they do not want restriction.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.9-11 -- New Vrindaban, June 6, 1969

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Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: My Boss’s Take: Quality, Value, and Price

Some interesting new posts up over at the  Horton Brasses Blog.

Bossman Orion

 

Interested in the intersection of the economy, personal values and personal consumption?

Read more….

Ever thought  about becoming a blacksmith. This is a great post for the blacksmith-curious as well as homeschooling families.

Read more…



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Kurma dasa, AU: 25 Sleeps

Yes that's right, just 25 sleeps until Christmas. Have you bought all your Chrissy presents yet? I didn't think so. Vanilla Icecream with Fresh Blackcurrants:

How about getting a few Kurma cookbooks and DVD sets for your deserving loved-ones? Then they might make you some of this Homemade Vanilla Icecream with Fresh Blackcurrants.

book_qveg: book-cwk:

book-vwf: book_veg:

These are my books. I'll personally sign them for you.

the kurma dvd:

This is the 11-disc 20-hour Kurma TV cookery show DVD compendium.

To order:Contact Kurma now: kurma.acbsp@pamho.net

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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: On the web

Posted: November 23, 2010 by maddmonk [32] New Year’s Eve 2009 (Sydney) Thursday 31st, January 2009. I awoke. It was the final day of the year so there was some means to celebrate, at least sentimentally. Prahladananda Swami gave a brilliant class. It was so witty and impacting that, at the end, everyone was speechless. The sweetness [...]

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H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: ISKCON Leads Program In Ujjain

Article by HG Krishna Balarama Dasa sent by HG Mukunda Dasa Ujain, as a place, not only famous for its rich, ancient spiritual heritage but also its outstanding contribution in culture and education. Beginning from the aspect of Lord Krishna and Balaram’s schooling, Ujjain has introduced different unique approaches in the very particular field to [...]

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Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: not so latest twitter updates – The Veronicas, Little Krishna, Ch 15, Keshi, SB install, babies and more

I uploaded a YouTube video -- Viśakha & Puppy 12/09/2009 http://youtu.be/91n3XkODjhE?a [17:12:05] I uploaded a YouTube video -- Vaishnavi Baby program kirtan 12/09/2009 http://youtu.be/GdOCcaKs14Q?a[16:28:45] I uploaded a YouTube video -- Ring around the Tulasi Trees, (Ring around they Rosy) 12...http://youtu.be/2x01Gs_LeLk?a [16:28:08] I liked a YouTube video -- Bhakti Fest 2010 Joshua Tree -


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Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: For Sale: Radhastami with The Mayapuris

DVD ImageOn Radhastami, The Mayapuris performed an incredible bhajan and dance program.  The program was done in the temple room at Radha Kalachandji Dham - Dallas, TX.

This DVD contains over 3 hours of that performance.  You can purchase this DVD for just $15 plus shipping ($5 in the US, $15 International).

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Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: KuliMela 2006 - The Fews - Sri Krishna Saranam

The Fews (Gaura Vani singing) performing the song "Sri Krishna Saranam" at KuliMela 2006 held at New Vrindavan.

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Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: Search for the Truth

 

Do not try to discover the nature of truth by the exercise of your imagination. Do not endeavor to attain the truth through experience of this world. Do not manufacture truth in order to satisfy your erring inclinations, or hastily accept anything for the reason it satisfies such inclinations. Do not regard as truth anything that has been "built up" or has the support of a majority of people like yourself, nor as truth anything that is rejected by the overwhelming majority. According to the scriptures there will be found hardly one in a crore of human beings who really worships the truth. What is proclaimed by the united voices of all the people of this world as truth may turn out to be false. Therefore, cease to confront the truth in a challenging mood. The truth is not brought into existence by such arrogance. One has to approach the truth in the spirit of absolute submission. It is necessary to listen to truth. Truth is self revealing, and only when it is pleased to reveal itself can its actual nature be known to us, and not otherwise.


- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Takur
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Japa Group: The Rays Of The Holy Name


One has to realize his relationship with Krishna and expose himself to the sun of the rays of the holy name. As I chanted I did not do so in the perfect stage, and so I will carefully read each of the offenses and the anatomy of their debilitation of perfect chanting. Then I will try to take the tips, even if they are not fully developed, on how to avoid the offenses.

From Viraha Bhavan #43
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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Canada's Newest MP & How Canada's Minister of Finance received the Bhagavad Gita.

Picture
Julian Fantino with Indresh at official launch.
Yesterday, Julian Fantino won the byelection in Vaughan (near Toronto) and became Canada's newest Member of Parliament. Of course, this is not really all that important to devotees so there is a story behind the headline.  In October, we were asked to come to his launch and we intially turned it down since we had the kid's skating lessons and promised to go out with friend's afterwards. Anyhow, after a number of calls that evening and the fact that  the Minister of Finance was coming, other MPs and some other contacts we knew personally, we changed our mind and we decided to go. We had my dad take the kids from the arena and we tried to dewrinkle our office wear of the day.

During the launch there were the normal speaches, elbow rubbing and chit chat. In the chit chat, we found out that some of us had the opportunity to chat with Jim Flaherty, the Minster of Finance. Earlier, I had seen Brinda's "copy", so on a bit of a whim I grabbed that Bhagavad Gita. It was the only one we had on us and that only by chance. Upon inspection it was actually marked up by my daughter Brinda where she wrote her name on one page and across the thick portion/pages opposite to the spine of the book. So I grabbed an eraser from the kids back packs and did some erasing. I handed it to Kishori and told her to stuff it in her purse and got a bit of a weird look from her :)

So as promised, there actually was an oppurtunity for a few of us to meet with the Minster of Finance and after the intros, I had Kishori whip out the Bhagavad Gita and I presented it as a gift to Jim Flaherty. He was appreciative and said he has heard of the Bhagavad Gita but has never had one. He flipped through it and upon seeing the sanskrit joked that he can't read that and I assured him there were English translations. I told him it was a good read for his trip back to Ottawa and for his travels and then conversation moved on from there... So that is how Canada's Minister of Finance recieved  the Bhagavad Gita "As It Is".

Later on we met and congratulated Julian Fantino for his elction bid launch, I told him I had a book I wanted to give to him but gave it to Jim Flaherty instead. I promised to drop by with one. Anyhow, it has been a crazy month and did not get a chance to get to his offices. So a congratulatory visit is due anyhow and when I see him, I shall take a very special book and what better month than December (Gita-Jayanti & Prabhupada Marathon) to give it.

On a final note, some local Torontonians may know that Julian Fantino is known as the "Top Cop" since he was the Chief of Police for Toronto and the for the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) most recently before he retired. I mention this since thanks to the opportunity granted by the Toronto Sankirtan team, last year around this time of the year, was the first time I went on book distribution since going when I was kid in Chicago. We got stopped by cops for making a traffic infraction and ended up distributing the first books, including a Bhagavad Gita  to the police officer. Perhaps, I will leave the rest of that story for another post, but it seems that there is some synergy with book distribution and cops :) 

~ Indresh
Picture
Kishori with Julian Fantino. We were posing for official photos but these were taken with our iPhone and thus the lack of clarity.
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H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Bhagavad Gita, Day Three, Vail, Colorado, US Seminar 2009.

Transcription : Arcana Dasi, Charu, Bharata Srestha, Shyama Mohini, Ranga Radhika. Editing : Ramananda Raya Dasa His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami : Hare Krsna. So did you all go through the 7th chapter at your leisure? What? No. Everyone, No. or some, Yes. Anyway you came to Vail to have a retreat so take your [...]

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Dandavats.com: Silent Tears of Remorse

By Kesava Krsna Dasa

We sometimes think of ourselves as being good adjudicators of who is serious in Krishna consciousness, and who is not. Who is pure, or not. Expecting that “More people will leave Krishna consciousness than stay,” we easily become proud of being one of the “privileged few” to remain.

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Dandavats.com: Bangkok - The city to invade

By Radhikakrpa Devi Dasi

“I will never come back to Bangkok” were the words I uttered to myself way back in the year 2007 on the journey home from a preaching trip to Sydney, Australia. I was upset and annoyed as I had forgotten my copy of Caityana Caritamrta in the taxi to Bangkok airport. Frankly I detested the place for that

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Dandavats.com: Bhakti in its Beauty hits Bankers

By Radharaman dasa

n the heart of UK’s financial district of Canary Wharf, over 200 bankers and traders assembled 512 feet high in Barclays skyscraper for an evening event to celebrate the message of Diwali with His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami

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Dandavats.com: Vraj Parikrama 2010 (13th to 15th days) Kamyavan Parikrama

By Lakshman das

In the Adi Varaha Purana it is stated "The fourth forest is Kamyavan, the best of all. O goddess, a person who goes there is glorified in My abode." Kamyavan fulfills all desires By bathing here one is freed from all distress

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Dandavats.com: ISKCONResolve announcement

ISKCONResolve: This service provides confidential, impartial, informal assistance to devotees who have concerns, conflicts, complaints, or disputes arising from or affecting their participation in ISKCON

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Dandavats.com: 14″ Brass Deities For Sale

Jason Lambert: If you have been seeking a set of high quality, large Gaura-Nitai deities online then you know it doesn't take long to realize the futility of your search. Murtis like this must be special ordered

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Dandavats.com: House for sale at New Goloka, Hillsborough, NC

Jagannath Dasa: Our house is for sale at 1106 Dimmocks Mill Rd, Hillsborough, NC. The house is adjacent to the New Goloka temple property

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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Wikileaks

A real confirmation that Democracy degrades into what Srila Prabhupada called it “Demon crazy.”

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Sita-pati dasa, AU: Kirtan and Yoga retreat with Gaura Vani

Wednesday 26 January - Sunday 30 January

Nuture your body, your mind, and your soul on a five day retreat in the rainforest Springbrook Theosophical Society Retreat Centre, nestled atop the Gold Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia.

Days:

  • Deep, relaxing yoga workshops
  • Nature walks
  • Yummy organic nourishment

Nights:

  • Sacred Song
  • Divine Dance
  • Special guests Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits (USA)

Cost: $750 incl. all meals and accommodation.
Early bird special: $650 before 26 Dec, 2010*.
* non-refundable deposit for early bird price: $250. Balance due 15 Jan, 2011.

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Yoga of Ecology, Bhakta Chris, USA: For Eagles, A Winning Mix Of Wind, Biodiesel, And Solar

 

Click here to read the full article from the New York Times

Sports arenas and stadiums are all about getting the most number of people to spend the maximum amount of money in the shortest amount of time possible.


Another rendering of Lincoln Financial Field, scheduled to be completed by September 2011.

But a growing number of sports buildings from Boston to Los Angeles are becoming efficient in other ways, by saving energy and reducing waste with solar panels, low-flush toilets and composting.

On Thursday, the Philadelphia Eagles announced perhaps the most ambitious green initiative yet: the installation of about 2,500 solar panels, 80 20-foot-high wind turbines and a generator that runs on natural gas and biodiesel so that Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles’ home, will be the first stadium capable of generating all its own electricity.

Becoming self-sufficient in energy is the latest in a string of environmentally friendly measures the Eagles have taken since they opened their stadium in 2003. (Coincidentally, the team’s primary color is green.) Since then, many teams have introduced similar efficiency programs, and the four major sports leagues have set up programs to help their teams share information about how to use less energy, reduce waste and save money.

As large as they are, sports stadiums consume just a sliver of the nation’s energy and produce a fraction of its waste. But they are seen and used by millions of Americans every day, which has helped leagues counter the perception that sports teams are wasteful enterprises and in fact can convey socially responsible messages to fans of all political and economic stripes.

The Eagles’ green efforts “underscore the position that we are all very visible and can make a significant effort in our communities,” said Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the N.F.L. “We think it’s smart business and the right thing to do.”

To become self-sufficient, the Eagles have hired Solar Blue, a Florida-based company that will spend more than $30 million to install the solar panels, wind turbines and dual-fuel co-generation plant by the start of next season. Solar Blue chose vertical wind turbines because they produce less noise than bladed ones. They will also capture energy at night. The panels and turbines will meet about 25 percent of the stadium’s energy needs, with the generator covering the remainder, and will be visible to fans in the stadium, on television and to drivers passing by.

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Japa Group: Chant, Chant, Chant


The mind says "Can't, can't, can't" - it's the nature of the mind to accept and reject and sometimes we find our mind will reject the idea of chanting the Holy names.

Each day the mind may come up with many excuses and reasons not to chant or to put it off "Don't worry about this chanting, you can do it later...there are more important things right now" - heard your mind preaching like this?
What we can do is to ignore this internal dialogue and remember the importance of making Japa the number one priority and to act on this knowledge.

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Gouranga TV: Bhajan – Kalachandji’s Kirtan Group Hare Krishna (Swami Step)

Bhajan – Kalachandji’s Kirtan Group Hare Krishna (Swami Step)

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15% off Holiday Flowers & Gifts (min $39.99). Ends 12/18/2010.



 


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