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SB 03.18.24 Aboriginal Attitude 2004-03 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 3.18.24 Aboriginal Attitude 2004-03 Radhadesh SB 03.18.21 Our Desire Is Our Prayer 2004-03 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 3.18.21 Our Desire Is Our Prayer 2004-03 Radhadesh SB 03.18.10 The Supreme Terrorist In The Form Of Time 2004-03 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 3.18.10 The Supreme Terrorist In The Form Of Time 2004-03 Radhadesh Mohini, Padi and I had a jam making session Monday in preparation for the holiday gift thing. Orange Pineapple was the flavor du jour. We did some schmancier jams with Tahitian vanilla and cardamom. But not Tahitian vanilla and cardamom together. Hey, why didn't we do that? This year's theme: A Very Etsy Christmas. The majority of my gifts came from Etsy this year and were stuff that I would have loved to have received myself. You know, hand screened napkins and tea towels. And homemade jam! Well, that wasn't bought on Etsy. Here is a pic of my army of jam outfitted in a tea towel strapped on by a fabric tear. I have been blessed with undeveloped fine motor skills and therefore lack any ability, despite the small size of my hands, to execute aesthetically pleasing detailed things like elaborate cake decor or neat and tidy gift wrap. Oh yeah, and my handwriting is awful. And I hold the scissors incorrectly. All things considered, I definitely surpassed prior gift wrapping attempts. My two favorite Etsy shops this year were: The Full Spectrum Design and Oh Little Rabbit. In non-Etsy shopping, I loved the simple, *affordable* and very practical Ikea tea towel, which I distributed widely on the back of jam and wings of love. In other jam news, my very predictable jam thumbprint cookies were cranked out in tray after tray today for the children's school holiday parties as well as for the husband to bring to work. Strawberry and Meyer Lemon were my homemade jams of choice this session. These eggless cookies are very shortbready--nut and butter based with a low sugar content. The Meyer Lemon jam was made around this time last year. I was in the market today but did not see any of these most perfect of lemons in the produce department. Time is running out for me to work with these golden jewels in the crown of the citrus kingdom. Baby may come just as the Meyer Lemons are in, meaning I will miss out on this seasonal opportunity. Ho-hum. This baby better be worth it! ***LINKS*** THE FULL SPECTRUM DESIGN SHOP–TEA TOWELS & MORE OH LITTLE RABBIT SHOP–NAPKINS AND TEA TOWELS LAST YEAR’S MEYER LEMON FUN EGGLESS JAM THUMBPRINT COOKIE RECIPE Tagged: baking, dessert, food, homemade christmas presents, jam, lifestyle, recipes, shopping, vegan, vegetarian        
The Deities are giving us a prelude to Christmas in Their festive red, silver and white outfits.
May the unlimited kalpa vriksha of Their desire-fulfilling darsana grant us our heartfelt wishes to serve Them eternally.
www.sdgonline.org.  4:22 A.M.Excerpts from Sri Harinama Cintamani (spoken by Haridasa Thakura to Lord Caitanya and written by Bhaktivinoda Thakura):
“How to Serve the Spiritual Master:
“‘Never disrespect the articles used by the spiritual master: for instance, his seat, bed, shoes, vehicle, footstool, bath water, etc. Stepping on his shadow, worshiping another person in his presence, giving initiation while he is alive, trying to impress others with one’s spiritual knowledge in his presence and trying to control him should be totally rejected. Whenever and wherever one sees his spiritual master he should offer his prostrated obeisances to him with prayers. The guru’s name must be uttered with great reverence. His orders are never to be disobeyed. Always be eager to honor his remnants, and do not say anything that is displeasing to him. Falling humbly at his feet and beg shelter from him, and in this way act to please him. Simply by behaving thusly, one can develop a taste for chanting, which in turn offers all perfection. This is confirmed in the Vedas. “‘He who offends the nama-guru or the spiritual master, who initiates one into the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, falls into sinful company and adopts the viewpoint of unauthorized, sacrilegious scriptures. The nama-guru teaches scriptural conclusions and reveals the esoteric nature of the holy name. He initiates the disciple into the mantra of the holy name. The diksa-guru will generally be the nama-guru, and the diksa mantra is actually the holy name. The mantra loses its meaning and purpose if it is separated from the holy name; simply by uttering the holy name of the Lord, the mantra is automatically chanted. “‘The only way to be pardoned of this offense is to forsake sinful company, cast away the unauthorized scriptures, and throw oneself at the spiritual master’s lotus feet, repenting piteously. The spiritual master is a compassionate Vaisnava; due to his merciful nature, he’ll surely be forgiving. “I, the wretched author of Harinama Cintamani, am a sinner. My only hope of redemption is the dust of the lotus feet of Haridasa Thakur.” I woke up with the alarm at 3:00 A.M. this morning and began my chanting. I did all right and have chanted eight rounds by 4:45. I listened attentively to the holy names and did not fall sleepy. All reverence and respect
must be offered to the spiritual
master, the giver of the holy
name. One must never become
overfamiliar with his articles
of daily use or his paraphernalia
of worship. One who does this comes into contact with
sacreligious persons
and bogus books of behavior.
The only way to be forgiven
for disrespect of the spiritual master
is to give up all bad association
and to fall down at the feet
with tears of repentance
begging for mercy. The
spiritual master is forgiving
and will release one from
his sins.
www.sdgonline.org. 
“‘We think that we have met Your Goodness by the will of Providence, just so that we may accept you as captain of the ship for those who desire to cross the difficult ocean of Kali, which deteriorates all the good qualities of a human being.’ (Bhag. 1.1.22) “Prabhupada’s purports provide the best meditation. It is Prabhupada who meditates on Krishna, and we get to share his direct realizations in the form of the Bhaktivedanta purport. In this case, our part in the meditation is to submissively ponder over what he has said and apply it in our lives. “We also like to meditate on how Prabhupada composed his purports—how Krishna worked through him, how he consulted the previous Vaisnava commentators, how he deeply felt the anomalies of the age of Kali, and how he desired to broadcast Srimad-Bhagavatam as the remedy to all ills. The depths of his realizations are beyond us, but we can detect their force in all of Prabhupada’s work. He heard from his Guru Maharaja, he thought about it, he waited, he wrote, he worked, and Krishna empowered him as saktyavesa-avatara. “The ideal person has given us his personal ecstasies in the shape of the Bhagavatam purports. The challenge is whether we can read them in a pure and simple way. Compared to former methods of meditation, reading the purports is very easy. You don’t have to sit for thousands of years in yogic trance and endure severe austerities. But you have to be humble and blessed by guru and Krishna. Desiring deliverance from the vices of the age of Kali, who is not willing to submissively hear the Bhaktivedanta purports? “In the verse quoted above, Prabhupada is the captain of the ship and the ship is the message of Lord Krishna in the shape of Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam. In another Bhagavatam verse, Lord Kapila recommends that the messages of Godhead are best heard in the company of pure devotees: ‘In the association of pure devotees, discussion of the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is very pleasing and satisfying to the ear and the heart.’” (Bhag. 3.25.25)
www.sdgonline.org. Krishna is my Lord. I know Him from the
sastras and my spiritual master,
I have faith in them. I have faith in those far-away
fantastic adventures and superhuman
feats. He is close to me. I feel Him
in my heart. Yesterday Narayana was talking to me about
my time of death. He said it was the
last accomplishment that I’ll make. It gave
me an eerie feeling but normal
still the same. There will
be no denying I will do it.
I will have to go somewhere and
maybe not mear Beethoven.
I don’t know what it will be like. He joked and said I’d be ninety-seven
years old, but it’s not certain I will live
that long and whether I will be realized.
I have no realization what the place will be like,
no realization where you’ll go,
no realization where the beyond will be. Everyone goes up in a flame.
Krishna greets you.
Here we go.
www.sdgonline.org. 
I turned at random to Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 4, chapter 20, text 11:
“Anyone who knows that this material body, made of the five gross elements, the sense organs, the working senses and the mind, is simply supervised by the fixed soul is eligible to be liberated from material bondage.” Purport: “This verse describes how one can become liberated from material bondage. The first point is that one must know that the soul is different from his body. The body is changing at every moment, but the soul is fixed; the change of body is enacted by the reactions of the three modes of nature. One who has understood the fixed position of the soul should not be disturbed by the incoming and outgoing interactions of the modes of material nature in the form of happiness and distress. In Bhagavad-gītā also, Lord Kṛiṣhṇa recommends that since happiness and distress come and go due to the interaction of the modes of nature on the body, one should not be disturbed by such external movements. Even though one is sometimes absorbed in such external movements, he has to learn to tolerate them. The living entity should be always indifferent to the action and reaction of the external body.” You write what comes to mind. But you want it to be a bhakti-yoga topic. Cliff Lee shocks the baseball world by choosing to go to the Philadelphia Phillies. Strange to think of Krishna divided into competitive teams. There is Radharani’s team and Candravali’s team. But the division of teams is not inimical. Then there is no duty. Everyone has to preach and work on behalf of the spiritual master against the Mayavadis. Caitanya Candrodaya will pretend he doesn’t understand the English language: “You mean I have to do that work?” I also pretend I didn’t hear that I have to lecture, and I plead that I have a headache. The newcomer says he did not understand what he had to prepare himself to do so he doesn’t offend someone. The stars and stripes forever. I am having trouble reading my handwriting. I am rehearsing my Vyasa-puja lecture. “You did not sufficiently praise Krishna.” It’s like saying you didn’t love Him. You didn’t remember to go back and rescue your own buddies. You didn’t educate the students, without which, devotional service is useless. Don’t act selfishly. Act to help others. Give them Krishna consciousness. You have to go back and help your buddy and see if he is surrounded by new enemies. You have to go back to him, but don’t do it without suitable reinforcements. Is this making sense to you? I am begging for relief but almost too late. Krishna can come and get you in an instant. He’s racing from the south to join you, but is it too late? Narada taught Vyasa you need devotional service. But you know this already, Vyasa, because you are a learned literary incarnation. Yet in his previous births he didn’t behave. He asks Narada how to learn about it. Narada tells his life story, that he died and so did Vyasa, and both came back in the next creation of Brahma. Narada and Vyasa. They helped the father. And they went away. Vyasa had a vision of Krishna, and Maya was on His back side, and he saw the jivas. Then he composed the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Mortar-fire continued, but they composed the Bhagavatam. They are very brave to continue work. I beg to be forgiven for my trespasses, as I forgive you yours. My handwriting has gotten so bad that I have decided to dictate material directly into the dictaphone, except for the poems and a little comment about chanting and the japa poem.
A kind reminder that those elaborately painted pots will be auctioned on Snana Yatra, 26th of this month.
The Panihati program has been an integral part of our 'boxing day' celebration at Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir.
What's sensational news is that we will have a special guest;
a great soul whose absence has been deeply felt for 2 years or so.
Yes, it is none other than Jayapataka Maharaja himself!!!
Now, that is something.
Therefore, you what it implies:
"Melbourne Mahapabhu Mandir is THE place to be on Boxing day".
As an aside, Jayapataka Swami will be in Melbourne from the 25th till the 30th December.
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.28.13 - The essence of illusion is the mentality of lording it over material nature. The peace formula is to understand that Krsna is the Supreme Enjoyer, Supreme Controller and Supreme Friend.
More Quilted Pastry! My son loves these. Filling: organic heavy cream, arrowroot powder, ground walnuts, anise, cinnamon, turbinado sugar, organic cherries. A little pre-Christmas spice to get us in the holiday mood. For a holiday we don't celebrate! For the original Quilted Pastry post, click here. For the laminated pie dough recipe used in this cookie, click here. I have been buying produce from the discount carts at Ward's lately. You can tell I am in Florida because everything is pre-packaged. What is up with that, I have no idea. But it occurs at epidemic proportions. Anyway, these organic cherries were massively reduced. They weren't firm for eating but they weren't squishy rotten either. Just a little imperfect here and there. No matter. Baked fruit is forgiving. Cherries, thank you for accepting my apology. I had leftover pie dough from when I made the pumpkin pie for The Client*. Organic whole wheat pastry flour and organic butter pretty much sum up the ingredients here. For my own family, I rolled it out using organic white spelt. *By the way, this blog has been graced by The Client’s own remarks! He loved the pie. Thought you should know.
(Approaching is Moksada Ekadasi, the anniversary of Krsna speaking Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna on the first day of the Kuruksetra battle; often incorrectly referred to as "Gita Jayanti.") Lord Krsna and Arjuna, the Lord's eternal friend, had no need to fight in the Battle of Kuruksetra, but they fought to teach people in general that violence is also necessary in a situation where good arguments fail. Before the Battle of Kuruksetra, every effort was made to avoid the war, even by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but the other party was determined to fight. So for such a right cause, there is a necessity for fighting. Although one who is situated in Krsna consciousness may not have any interest in the world, he still works to teach the public how to live and how to act. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Bg 3.20
Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:
rasa108@gmail.com
ys
Rasa Rasika dasa
If one is advanced in knowledge, he must always be prepared to sacrifice anything for a better cause. At the present moment the entire world is in a dangerous position under the spell of a godless civilization. The Krsna consciousness movement needs many exalted, learned persons who will sacrifice their lives to revive God consciousness throughout the world. We therefore invite all men and women advanced in knowledge to join the Krsna consciousness movement and sacrifice their lives for the great cause of reviving the God consciousness of human society. SB 6.10.6 purport
Christopher Peacock, move over! Horton Brasses is having a huge-O liquidation sale on their current stock of period-style cabinet latches. *While supplies last*! Read more…
Here's a last minute Christmas menu idea - especially good for meat-eaters! 
Succulent Eggplant & Panir Cheese in Spicy Tomato Glaze An opulent dish that showcases the incredible meatiness of fried panir cheese. Serve with plenty of rice or bread to mop up the rich juices. Serves 6 ghee for deep-frying, 1½ teaspoons black mustard seeds, 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon minced fresh green chili, ¼ teaspoon yellow asafetida powder, 2 cups tomato puree, ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, panir cheese from 2½ litres milk, pressed and cut into 1.5 cm cubes, (recipe follows), 1 large eggplant, cut into 1.5 cm cubes, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 2 teaspoon brown sugar, 1½ teaspoons salt. Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a large frying pan over moderate heat. When the ghee is hot, sprinkle in the mustard seeds and fry them until they crackle. Add the minced ginger and chilies, and fry them until aromatic. Sprinkle in the yellow asafetida powder, saute briefly, and pour in the tomato puree. Stir in the turmeric powder and ground coriander. Cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until a little reduced. Heat ghee for deep-frying in a wok or pan over moderate heat. When fairly hot, deep-fry the cubes of panir cheese in batches until they are a light golden brown. Remove the fried panir from the ghee, and set it aside to drain. Deep-fry the cubes of eggplant in batches in the hot ghee until golden brown and tender, and set them aside to drain in a colander lined with paper towels. Fold the garam masala, sugar and salt, the fried panir cubes and eggplant into the tomato sauce. Serve hot, with fluffy rice or crusty bread. 
Making Homemade Curd Cheese (Panir) You need little by way of equipment to make curd cheese: a 2 – 6 litre pan, or larger (depending on the quantity of milk), a stirring paddle or wooden spoon, a colander, and some new cheesecloth. You will need the following ingredients for an easily manageable home batch of panir. 4 litres fresh milk, 3-4 cups yogurt, or 4-6 tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar, or 2 teaspoons citric acid dissolved in ¾ cup water. Pour the milk into a heavy-bottomed pan that allows plenty of room for boiling. Set it over high heat and bring the milk to a full foaming boil, stirring often to prevent scorching and sticking. Reduce the heat to low, and, before the foam subsides, drizzle in the lemon juice, vinegar, citric acid solution, or spoon in the yogurt. Very gently and slowly move the spoon through the milk in one direction. After 10 or 15 seconds, remove the pan from the heat and continue to gently agitate the milk until large lumps of soft curd form. If the cheese has not formed after 1 minute, place the pan over the heat momentarily until the casein (milk protein) coagulates and leaves pale yellow-greenish whey. If necessary, add a little more acid agent. As soon as the cheese has formed, remove the pan from the heat, cover it and set it aside for 10 minutes. If you want a very soft cheese, gently pour in 1 or 2 cups of hot water. When the cheese has settled under the surface of the whey, it is ready to drain. Line a colander with 2 or 3 thicknesses of cheesecloth or some clean white cloth that has been dipped in water and wrung dry. Drape the corners and edges of the cloth over the sides of the colander. If you want to collect the whey, set the colander over another pan; otherwise place it in a sink. (Many sweet-makers in Bengal use this soured whey to make further batches of cheese, but you need a significant amount more than lemon juice to do the job – you need one part whey to four parts milk). Remove the large lumps of cheese with a slotted spoon and place them in a colander. Gently pour the smaller pieces and remaining whey into the colander. Add any fresh herbs now, and fold in well. Gather up the corners of the cloth and twist it around. Hold the bag of cheese under a gentle stream of cold running water for 5 to 10 seconds. Gently twist the cloth to squeeze out the excess whey. Drain the whey slowly, allowing the curd to compact under its own weight, by hanging the bag over a bowl to drain. Otherwise, for a quicker result, you can place the bag of cheese under a weight until firm. Unwrap the cheese and use as directed, or wrap in paper-towel-lined plastic wrap, zip-lock bags or plastic containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
If one is advanced in knowledge, he must always be prepared to sacrifice anything for a better cause. At the present moment the entire world is in a dangerous position under the spell of a godless civilization. The Krsna consciousness movement needs many exalted, learned persons who will sacrifice their lives to revive God consciousness throughout the world. We therefore invite all men and women advanced in knowledge to join the Krsna consciousness movement and sacrifice their lives for the great cause of reviving the God consciousness of human society. SB 6.10.6 purport
found the download section here.
found the download section here.
Please click on the picture for enlarged version
 For our upcoming December kirtan, we're fortunate to be having the young kirtaniya, Chakrini, visit us and lead us in chanting. Chakrini, singer, songwriter and musician, has just released her new kirtan CD, Songs of the Soul. As her website (where you can also hear excerpts from the CD) describes: "A childhood and a lifetime spent immersed in sacred chants and music, has given Chakrini's devotional singing a depth that goes straight to the heart and the soul." We hope you can come and join us for and enchanting Christmas kirtan on 19th December.
 Thank you Srila Prabhupada! In our house everyone has a bit of a dynamic when it comes to a few possessions, what most would call "attachment". Unfortunately, we have not reached the stage of being detached and materialisticly aloof, however I do count our blessings that one of the items we are "attached" is our individual Bhagavad Gitas.
In the Preface of the Bhagavad Gita, Srila Prabhupada writes, “When Krishna says, man mana bhava madbhakto mad-yaji mam mamaskuru, etc, we, unlike the so called scholars, do not say that Krishna and His inner spirit are different. Krishna is absolute, and there is no difference between Krishna’s name, Krishna’s form, Krishna’s quality, Krishna’s pastimes, etc. this absolute position of Krishna is difficult to understand for any person who is not a devotee of Krishna in the parampara (disciplic succession)”
~ His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada
May 12, 1971
Since Krishna's name is no different from Krishna Himself, it is nice to keep the gift and treasure of the Bhagavad Gita delivered by Srila Prabhupada close. And just like everyone has unique love and relationship with Krishna, the book that delivers Him to us is unique for each person. To reflect that thought, below is a fun and interesting glimpse into our family and how each individual takes delivery of Krishna.
 Subhavilasa das' well worn Macmillan '72 edition. Peacock feathers for bookmarks, pictures taped in open spaces.  Ashalata devi dasi's Collier '72 Edition. Pencil highlights everywhere.  Loved the bookmark in Ashalata's Gita  Indresh's travelling version. Very compact but also out of print.  Indresh home version from '89 print.  Kishori's from India BBT '99 Brinda's new Gita, after her last one was given to the Minister of Finance. She has not marked it up this time! Since this is a personal family blog, we thought this was a bit of a fun idea and something different. Took longer than expected to gather, photograph and post, so hope you enjoyed.
Most importantly Happy Gita Jayanti and Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
A view of the military phalanx on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra. The chariot of Krsna and Arjuna in the midst of the armies. 5000 years ago...
Two great armies assemble at the scene of Kurukseta, flying banners, drawn up opposite one another on the field, poised for battle. Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna are carrying their conversation between the two armies reflecting the indecision of Arjuna about the question; should he fight against and kill his friends, kinsmen and teacher?
And thus the greatest dialogue in history, the Song of God, is spoken by Krishna Himself to Arjuna. This dialogue will go on to be studied by the greatest leaders, philosophers, religionists and most importantly devotees of Lord Krishna. Although studied by many, the spirit of the Bhagavad Gita is not understood by all. It is mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita itself that, if one wants to take medicine, one must simply follow the instructions at the label. We cannot take the medicine according to our own whim or direction from a friend. It must be taken according to the direction of the given by the physician.
Also, the speaker of the Bhagavad Gita is Krishna himself, He is mentioned in the Gita as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is not a mystical, mythological or normal person but as confirmed by great acharyas such as His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, He is the Supreme Personalty of Godhead. He is the charioteer of Arjuna, the Hero of the Battlefield of Kuruksetra.
While seeing the two armies assembled, Arjuna instructs Krishna to drive the chariot so he can see the personalities of the opposition. After viewing his friends, kinsmen and teachers from the other part, Arjuna simply become confused and bewildered. He cast down his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief.
Now the conversations begin as questions and answers rose while the two armies and all present in the battlefield vividly hear the talks between Krishna and Arjuna.
Krishna has spoken, “While speaking learned words, you are mourning for what is not worthy of grief. Those who are wise lament neither for the living nor the dead.”
“Never was a time when I did not exist, or you, or all of these kings, nor in the future shall any of us cease to cease to be.”
“As the embodied soul continually passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul continually passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change." Krishna described to Arjuna about one’s real identity. We are not this temporary body; we are the life force or the living entity inside this body. Our original position was we are not the controller of all energy around us but instead we are the minute parts and parcel of the Supreme Person and our original function is to serve in devotion for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
Krishna imparts to Arjuna the most confidential knowledge. “Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisance and worship me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to me.” (Ch. 9 text 34)
He describes all things that represent the Supreme Lord. “Of all creations I am the beginning and the end and also the middle, O Arjuna, Of all sciences I am the spiritual science of the self, and among logicians I am the conscious truth.” (Ch.10 Text 32)
Krishna goes on to display the mystery of His univeral form.
So, Arjuna’s illusion is now gone, and he is acting according to Krsna’s instructions. Krsna, the driver of countless universes, is driving the chariot of Arjuna
So in perfect conclusion to the Bhagavad Gita and the perfection of renunciation, “Arjuna said, My dear Krishna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy, and I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.” (Ch. 18 Text 73)  Krishna reveals Himself to Arjuna and “Arjuna said, My dear Krishna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone.”
Fpr your enjoyment and inspiration here is ISKCON news report videos. Click on the link below and be transported to the player at Dandavats.com and see inspiring stories from Krishna’s devotees around the world. If you have a story or a video you would like to share click on the contact up on the menu bar here at Brihadmrdanga.com and send us a link to the video or web site or tell us your story so we can share it with the electronically assembled devotees. http://www.dandavats.com/wp-content/iskconnews.htm Hare Krishna Share this story your way:          
 B. Paris about the mrdanga being Krsna’s flute and a worshipful deity; B. Peter what Sivarama means; Rupesvara Gauranga about protecting devotees from bad examples and Abhinandana about the difference in the significance of initiation when you are surrendered or not.
 | Many people consider stress to be the underlying cause for all health issues. One simple way to reduce stress is to take a hot mineral bath one to three times a week. Mineral baths have long been considered a way to deal with stress, inflammation, aches, and pain.
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Dec 16, 2010 is the auspicious celebration of the advent of Bhagavad-gita, delivered by Sri Krishna to Arjuna in Kuruksetra more than 5000 years ago.
This is the annirversary day commemorating the day that Srimad Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Lord Sri Krishna to His dearmost devotee Arjuna at the place now known as Jyotisar Tirtha amid the waring families of the Kurus and the Pandavas at Kurukshetra. If one wishes one can still go and visit that place and see the monument erected there with Krishna as Parthasarati (the chariot driver) and Arjuna the warrior on their chariot. It is claimed by the ashram who maintain the shrine that the tree that is next to Them is a continum growth of the original tree witness that was there at the actual day of speaking.
Traditionally devotees come to Kurukshetra (Dharmakshetra) and recite Bhagavad Gita from early morning until the next morning, perform arati to Bhagavad Gita and to Krishna and Arjuna upon the chariot, offer lamps 'deep daan' at Brahma Sarovar, shloka recitals, shobha yatras and seminars on the significance of the Gita today.
Devotees who cannot get to Jyotisar Tirtha remember the blessed event by reciting Bhagavad Gita, performing Bhagavad Gita ahuti of each verse or selected chapters into the sacred fire, and discussing the subject matter of Bhagavad Gita in the association of devotees. Distribution of Bhagavad Gitas' on this day is also a very auspicious activity to perform.
THIS DAY IS MOST AUSPICIOUS IF YOU DISTRIBUTE BHAGAVAD GITA TO YOUR FRIENDS/COLLEAGUES/OR ANYONE WHO YOU MEET ON THIS DAY. Online edition of the renowned Bhagavad-gita, “The Song of God.” Translation and commentary by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. -
Read Bhagavad-gita online. -
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Buy the book, with color illustrations, at our Krishna.com store. -
Learn more about the Bhagavad-gita through an E-course.
By Staff writer for AFP on 13 Dec 2010  | Archbishop Fabriciano Sigampa of the northern city of Resistencia, Argentina said in mass, insisting that children should not confuse celebrating the birth of Christ "with a fat man dressed in red."
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By Staff writer for RNS News Service on 14 Dec 2010  | It's a true story about one man's crossing over to the Other Side in September of 2005, when, after an out of control heart arrhythmia at 1:15am, he wakes up dead in the afterlife, and comes back thirty minutes later to tell about it.
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 | Inder Bedi has often told the story of how he built a handbag empire on compassion. The 37-year-old founder of Matt & Nat vegan accessories was asked at age 18 by a Hare Krishna priest to go vegetarian for 30 days: "And it changed my whole life," he says.
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 Over five thousand years ago, Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna, discussing the fundamental principles of life. The Gita lucidly explains the nature of consciousness, the self and the universe. It contains both the essence of India's spiritual wisdom and the answers to questions that have been posed by philosophers for centuries.
Today, that same Bhagavad-gita has been translated to numerous languages and is read by millions of people around the world, revered in academic circles, and studied by spiritualists of all backgrounds.
Thursday, December 16th marks Gita Jayanti, the day when Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna. We will be celebrating this occasion by reading the entire Gita in Sanskrit. The reading will begin at 6:00pm and will take aproximately two hours.
Drutakrama das (Michael Cremo) recently gave an interview for the History Channel`s new show The Ancient Aliens. The clip below shows highlights of the part where Underwater Worlds presented the story of Lord Krishna's sunken city Dvaraka. It's definitely worth watching!
ISKCON scholar and popular author Drutakarma Das recently gave an interview for the History Channel`s new show Ancient Aliens. The episode "Underwater Worlds" presented the story of Krishna`s sunken city Dwaraka. If the selection above is hosted by YouTube then after the video plays there will be several links presented to other videos. ISKCON News Weekly has no control over the selections presented and is not responsible for their contents.
 | Ancient underwater cities can be found around the globe, but could these aquatic worlds be the ruins of unknown civilizations--or even proof of extraterrestrial visitations? The infamous tale of the long lost city of Atlantis may be a preserved memory of an ancient alien metropolis. One of the most interesting recent underwater discoveries is that of Krishna`s sunken city Dwaraka.
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Dear friends of the Loft, We are closing over the Christmas & New Year Holidays. The last day we will be open this year is Wed 22nd of December for Yoga and Soul Talk. We re-open on Sun 23rd for Krishna Fest at 5pm. Thank you for supporting The Loft through 2010 and we look forward to seeing you all again in the new year!
By Gunacuda Dasi for ISKCON News on 16 Dec 2010  | There are vacant positions for Grade 6 primary school teacher (start by March 2011) and high school English teacher (to start January/February 2011).
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They Hike US, We hike Them
St John's, Newfoundland
Jaya Kesava, our monk from Liberia agreed with me that the waves going constantly in sound all day long within earshot of our host's home is a very pleasing audio reality. When we stepped outside the condo and inched our way right next to the stony shoreline the receding wave dragged its water over the well worn stone to create a sound like that of an applause. Jaya concurred, "yeah it does sound like people clapping."
Since coming to Newfoundland the reception for myself and Jaya Kesava, who preceded me, has been rather positive. And if it wasn't the sound of hands clapping, it would be people with rapt attention listening to our message. We both had several opportunities to speak to grade 12 students of Gonzaga Secondary School. The buzz word around the school was " there're monks in the school." The teachers who welcomed us, Neil and Kathy, who happened to be neighbours of our host, Rikin, had given us the invite.
One former student Approached Kathy: "Miss, why didn't we have monks when I took the course last year?" One autistic pupil, a boy heard Jaya Kesava speak, ran down the hallway practically knocking people over and not explaining his behavior. He came back a few minutes later with his palms full of coins from his locker.
"Where's the monk?" He asked the teacher
"He's gone!" was the reply
" I brought my coins for the monk," he said lamenting.
Students especially liked our talks and the chanting.
The Lotus Center downtown filled up this evening. The fee was $25 per head for a mini seminar on "The Bhakti Method - 9 Devotions. No power pointing was used; we facilitated and involved people in interaction. Participants here were the best ever. I experienced the taste of Newfie warmth. My heart sends its applause to them. They were great and grateful for the transformational experience undertaken.
It used to be that to be accepted as a Newfoundlander, you had to bite into a live fish. This method has been modified to giving a kiss to a fish from the freezer. Both of us monks were welcomed without the traditional formality called "screeching." It looks like we got a lenient initiation through our presentations.
So, for the friendliest North Americans around I salute them - the Newfies. (Just to comfirm; when 911 occurred many US planes landed in Newfoundland. Residents opened their arms to the flood of unexpected guests by accommodating people into their homes. People were stunned by the warmth and hospitality of Newfoundlanders.)
10KM
Quote Quotes
Conception Bay, Newfoundland
Outside of the Bhagavad-gita some of your best quotes are found on people's refrigerators. At the home of our host, Dr. Rikin Patel, a young pediatrician, is a quotable magnet on his cool food box which reads:
“Many people will walk in and out of your life,
But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
To handle yourself, use your head;
To handle others, use your heart.
Anger is only one letter short of danger.
If someone betrays you once, it is his fault;
If he betrays you twice, it is your fault.
Great minds discuss ideas,
Average minds discuss events,
Small minds discuss people.
He who loses money, loses much;
He who loses a friend, loses much more;
He who loses faith, loses all.
Beautiful young people are accidents of nature,
But beautiful old people are works of art.
Learn from the mistakes of others.
You can't live long enough to make them all yourself...
There is no beginning or end.
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is mystery.
Today is a gift.
That's why they call it the 'present' “(Unknown)
No doubt these are words of inspiration but I find a greater charge comes from just reciting a Sanskrit verse as was done at the evening Lotus Center on Prescott St. To commence my talk on pilgrimage pastimes I recited a verse from the gita, 2:13 about the soul's journey from body to body.
Dehino' smin yatha dehe
kaumaram yauvanam jara
tatha dehantara praptir
dhiras tatra na muhyati
The soul travels in this life from boyhood to youth to old age, and then at death transfers to a new body. From this, tolerance is understood by the wise.”
Accompanying me on the coastal walk was Jaya Kesava, an outgoing monk from Liberia. Always an inspiration!
5KM
By Sesa Das on 16 Dec 2010  | For those of you would keep track of such things, last week’s celebration of Human Rights Day in Reno, Nevada was another indication of the growing acceptance of Vedic Culture around the world.
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By Keshava Krishna Das for ISKCON News on 16 Dec 2010 | | Has anyone heard the story of a devout atheist who became convinced that he was God after meeting a Hindu? While certain free-thinkers and skeptics are susceptible to changes of belief, many of them are intelligent and caring people, in the material sense.
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Srimad Bhagavatam 11.28.12 - The discrimination of hogs & dogs is of no use.
3D Temple Project is an initiative to inspire a push for collaboration and direction into exploring the field of Krishna Conscious Video Games. We’ve started to create a virtual simulation of the Brisbane Hare Krishna Temple, including all the sounds, objects, tastes and colours you’d normally experience during your visit. There are several reasons why we’ve chosen to recreate the Temple experience: * Build up assets (models, sounds, scripts) to assist future KC game development.
* It will be a lot more cleaner then the real life Temple (huhuhu).
* It’s a great learning curve for everyone.
* All aspects of development will be documented and released openly to assist other aspiring game developers.
* Yes, it will be free. Models, sounds, everything. Free for everyone! Wow!
* Multi platformed, for PC and Mac. Playable inside the browser or available for download.
* Other projects are now happening from the assets created, exciting Come and look at the website and see how you might be able to contribute to the project Share this story your way:
Bada Hari Dasa kirtana
I was reading an interesting article today....it talks about how we should organise our time around our Japa and not organise our Japa around the time that we have left in the day. Here is a quote from the article:
I Have No Time to Chant Most of us who are raising families are challenged to find two undisturbed hours a day to solely focus on our rounds. Yet many of the activities that take our time away from chanting are activities that we specifically have chosen to do. Afer the second retreat I thought that the reason I have so much on my plate that takes me away from chanting is simply because I don't like chanting enough. It's what Prabhupada calls the "self created burden." If I am finding it difficult to finish my rounds because of a lack of time, I am ultimately the one who chose to do all the activities that are getting in the way of my chanting. Even when I can't really avoid all the work and responsibilities, still I am the one who is organizing those activities in a way that chanting often takes a back seat to the other things I do.
http://www.harekrsna.de/artikel/japa-chanting.htm
You cannot appreciate transcendental matters with the reasoning of the world. It is sheer nonsense to decry them with the measuring stick of your intellect. - Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
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