miércoles, 9 de febrero de 2011

Giridhari das, Brasilia, Brazil: São Paulo Gita Course and Trip



PLANET ISKCON

Your email updates, powered by FeedBlitz

 
Here are the latest updates for you


 

"Planet ISKCON" - 70 new articles

  1. H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Wednesday 9 February 2011--Don't Be Carried Away by Maya--and--How to Choose My Guru?
  2. Sita-pati dasa, AU: Sri Chaitanya and James Taylor: You've got a friend
  3. Australian News: Ratha Yatra 2011, Sydney Style, with HH Kadamba Kanana Swami
  4. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.27.9 Reflective Rasas
  5. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.27.7 Don’t Have Lazy Intelligence
  6. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.27.6 Streets Lined With Garbage
  7. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.27.01 Extreme’s In Men’s & Women’s Intelligence
  8. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.26.26 Looking For A Victim
  9. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.26.25 The Allegory Of The Planets
  10. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.26.24 Place Of Offences
  11. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.25.12 Fire Burns No Matter Who Handles It
  12. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.25.07 Practical Results
  13. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Parividha Prabhu
  14. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Last Sunday's "Showtime" !
  15. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
  16. Sri Nandanandana dasa: What is Vedic Literature, By Stephen Knapp
  17. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Joining devotees in Prayers for Her Grace Bhadra Priya Devi Dasi
  18. David Haslam, UK: Maintaining Krishna Consciousness with limited association
  19. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Raghunatha dasa's strictness
  20. Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Join CHAD - CHapter A Day!
  21. Maddy Jean-claude Durr, New Govardhana, AU: What Is Your Motivation?
  22. Japa Group: Hearing The Vibration Very Distinctly
  23. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  24. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  25. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  26. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  27. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  28. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  29. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  30. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  31. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.25.03 Nicely Packaged Elements
  32. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.24.76 Where Is Our Attention Going
  33. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.24.73 Grandfather Void
  34. Dandavats.com: Radhadesh Boutique goes online!
  35. Dandavats.com: Opening for the position of Course Director for the new degree in Business Administration at Bhaktivedanta College Radhadesh
  36. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.24.29 Different Varieties Of Svadharma, Varnashrama
  37. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.23.29 Pinch In The Heart
  38. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.23.28 Hunting For Misery
  39. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.23.14 Fortunate To Hear & Chant
  40. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.22.54 Question Of Faith
  41. Kripamoya dasa, UK: A young Hare Krishna monk at Knebworth, 1975
  42. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 215
  43. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Navy Memory, Feb 7, 2003
  44. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: EJW: November 19, 1996
  45. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Poem
  46. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Gurumaharaja’s Pictures- 7th Feb
  47. Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Accept Credit Cards On Any Smart Phone
  48. Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: Ghost Versus Hare Krsna!
  49. Ekendra das, Alachua, USA: I. B. Snortin’
  50. New Vrndavan, USA: Bad Karma Is Not Sustainable… or The Day Farmer Joel Met an 800lb Gorilla Named Karma
  51. H.H. Sivarama Swami
  52. H.H. Sivarama Swami
  53. ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Flashback Photographs - In Memory of Badra Priya devi dasi
  54. Australian News: Kirtan is not just spiritual music – it is a philosophy. and way of life.
  55. H.H. Sivarama Swami: To the devotees living beyond Krsna Valley and Budapest city I say
  56. Giridhari das, Brasilia, Brazil: São Paulo Gita Course and Trip
  57. ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Prayers for Bhadra Priya devi dasi
  58. Mayapur Online: Vasanta Pancami darshan of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava
  59. Madri dd, South Africa: Harinam sankirtana ki. Jai!
  60. Dandavats.com: Sankirtana Pastimes
  61. Yoga of Ecology, Bhakta Chris, USA: Helping Veterans Trade Their Swords For Plows
  62. Hari Sauri das, Mayapura, IN: BRC: Manuscripts-the search begins
  63. Manoj, Melbourne, AU: 204. Now we have our own big one too !
  64. Mukunda Charan das, SA: Spiritual Aspirations
  65. Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: Magical slokas!
  66. Book Distribution News: Magical slokas!
  67. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 214
  68. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Her Husband Preaching (February 6, 2011)
  69. Gouranga TV: Bhajan – Amala Purana das – Hare Krishna
  70. Japa Group: Does Not Earn One Hundredth Part
  71. More Recent Articles
  72. Search Planet ISKCON
  73. Prior Mailing Archive

H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Wednesday 9 February 2011--Don't Be Carried Away by Maya--and--How to Choose My Guru?

A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course(tm) Wednesday 9 February 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. Today's Thought: Don't Be Carried Away by Maya Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA The illusory energy is always there testing our determination to be Krishna conscious. Just as a boat on the water can be swept away by a strong wind, if our mind becomes attracted by a material sense object, our intelligence can become completely carried away. Therefore, just like a soldier on the battlefield, we must always be vigilant not to fall under the sway of Maya's charms. In this world of many dangers we must beg Krishna to keep us always in the shelter of His divine lotus feet. In this way we will be safely situated on the transcendental platform, and Maya will not be able to allure us. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Choose My Guru? How to choose one's spiritual master from amongst a large number of ISKCON sannyasis who being staunch disciples of Srila Prabhupada are more or less equally qualified. Does one's inclination have any role to play in this regard? Look forward to receiving your blessings in the shape of valuable guidance. Thanking You. Your Servant Sumit Answer: Who Best Facilitates Your Krishna Consciousness? You mention choosing an ISKCON guru from ISKCON's sannyasis. What makes you think that only a sannyasi can be a guru? Krishna's guru, Sandipani Muni, was a married man. Being a sannyasi is not the qualification to be a spiritual master. The qualification for being a bona fide spiritual master is given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that one must know the science of Krishna. In ISKCON there are many spiritual masters who are not sannyasis, who are married men. For example, I am initiating disciples all over the world, even though I am a married man. So kindly do not think that it is required for the spiritual master to a be sannyasi. Regarding your dilemma, I understand that it may not be easy nowadays in ISKCON to select a spiritual master because ISKCON has so many spiritual masters. In the early days of ISKCON when one wanted to become initiated it was very simple. One would get initiated by Srila Prabhupada because he was the only initiating guru. But since he instructed us that after his disappearance the new devotees should take initiation from one of his disciples, now there are so many gurus from whom one can take initiation. So what to do? How to decide which one? In my traveling and preaching all over the world, this is a question that I am often asked. Therefore the answer to this question should be widely propagated throughout ISKCON so that the devotees are not confused. The simple answer is to accept whichever guru will best facilitate your Krishna consciousness. By associating with different gurus, hearing their lectures, and reading their writings you can see which one inspires you the most to be Krishna conscious. He is the one from whom you should take initiation. Simply be sincere to become a pure devotee of Krishna and Krishna from within will clearly guide you, Here is your guru. In this regard Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita: tesm satata-yuktnm bhajatm prti-prvakam dadmi buddhi-yogam tam yena mm upaynti te To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me. --Bhagavad-gita 10.10 So in this way, if you will deeply absorb yourself in devotion to Krishna 24 hours daily, Krishna from within will clearly reveal to you who is your guru. I wish you well in your search. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2011 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. Searchable archives of all of course material: http://www.sda-archives.com Receive Thought for the Day as an RSS feed: http://www.backtohome.com/rss.htm Unsubscribe or change your email address Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Daily_Thought Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. Simply we request you to acknowledge where it is coming from with a link to our sign up page: http://www.backtohome.com Our records indicate that at requested to be enrolled to receive e-mails from the Ultimate Self Realization Course at: This request was made on: From the following IP address: 

Email to a friend

Sita-pati dasa, AU: Sri Chaitanya and James Taylor: You've got a friend

Last night Gaura Vani sang a version of James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend".

Introducing it, he explained that Sri Caitanya, the 15th century inaugurator of the bhakti kirtan movement, had brought sacred music into the street and public life. In this way he spiritualised the world by bringing the sacred into the mundane. With merging this song of James Taylor with the maha-mantra, Gaura explained that he was doing the same thing, in reverse: spiritualising the mundane by bringing it in touch with the sacred.

Actually, there is precedent for this in the life of Sri Caitanya.

During the Ratha Yatra festival, a once-a-year public procession of the Deities who are otherwise kept in an exclusive temple, Sri Caitanya recited a verse in ecstasy:

"That very personality who stole away my heart during my youth is now again my master. These are the same moonlit nights of the month of Caitra. The same fragrance of mālatī flowers is there, and the same sweet breezes are blowing from the kadamba forest. In our intimate relationship, I am also the same lover, yet still my mind is not happy here. I am eager to go back to that place on the bank of the Revā under the Vetasī tree. That is my desire."

- Caitanya-caritamrita Madhya-lila 1.58

This verse is actually a verse 2.272 in the Rasarnava Sudhakara, a treatise on Sanskrit drama and poetry written by Simhabhupal.

Rupa Goswami understood the meaning of this in the context of Sri Caitanya's inner mood, and he composed a further verse to explain it within the context of Sri Caitanya's transcendental ecstasy.

So this is a precedent, or parallel, in the life of Sri Caitanya for seeing Vrindavan everywhere, even in contemporary secular arts, and for bridging the gap between the two.

Of course, the traditional Sanskrit arts are never far away from transcendental topics to begin with. And some contemporary Western arts are easy to harmonise than others. This song by James Taylor seems like an especially low-hanging fruit for such an endeavour.

As Srila Prabhupada liked to say: "Just add Krishna".

 
Email to a friend


Australian News: Ratha Yatra 2011, Sydney Style, with HH Kadamba Kanana Swami

Last year the Ratha Yatra wove its way, like a garland of spiritual devotion, through the heart of Sydney.

This year, on 19 March, 2011, we aim to do the same with HH Kadamba Kanana Swami to lead the way.

Come and meet us at the Maquarie St end of Hyde Park, in Sydney, on March 19th and from 12:30pm – to approximately 3:30pm we will sing and dance our way to Darling Harbour. Come along and join the Festival of The Chariot and celebrate the annual Ratha Yatra parade.

Click here to get on to Facebook and let us know you are coming.

last year the weather participated in the festival by providing a great day and the people of Sydney joined in as usual with their enthusiasm and appreciation. The Ratha Yatra is a great opportunity for the wider community to come into contact with the deities of Lord Jagannatha, Subhadra and Baladeva and with the devotees of Lord Krishna.

During the parade in 2010 books about Krishna consciousness and sanctified food, or prasadam, were distributed to people who are attracted by the sights and sounds of a Ratha Yatra.

Parked at the entrance to Sydney’s Hyde Park the Rath cart was profusely decorated with flowers and balloons. Srila Prabhupada’s murti and the deities arrived and great care was taken to make sure their dress and jewellery was just right so everyone looked their very best for the festival. Much care was also taken to help Srila Prabhupada and the deities aboard the cart.

Last year HH Kadamba Kannana Swami and Sri Prahlada started the kirtan and the crowd began to build. Many people who were passing began to participate in the worship of the deities who have pride of place on the cart with Srila Prabhupada. HH Bhakti Charu Swami also joined the parade singing and dancing along the entire route.

Singing the Mahamantra, and dancing to the transcendental sound of the music, devotees and friends pulled the cart through the streets of Sydney, immediately attracting the attention of people everywhere.

Members of the public had cameras, phones and video cameras out and all the way along the parade route people line the street taking photos. Before the sun has set on the day Facebook joins into the Ratha Yatra festival as onlookers and devotees alike upload what they’ve captured of the days proceedings to share with their friends and family.

Bystanders cheered and waved as hundreds of devotees showered the city streets with sound and colour. Many people joined in singing and dancing along. Everyone is encouraged to take a turn pulling the cart by the ropes, and quite a few people have a go.

Some people get really happy when they see the cart carrying deities and devotees singing and dancing joyfully. On the way a construction worker caught up in the transcendental moment danced in front of his co-workers, jumping up and down. All the people on the street began to take photos of him.

Each year devotees are involved in many ways to ensure the Sydney Ratha Yatra is a success. For the last few years Prananatha Dasa has organised the security team. To obtain a permit for the parade the authorities require the organisers to assist with directing the participants and ensuring things go as safely as possible.

“People respond to the security team very well,” Prananatha says. “They listened to us and carried out any instructions we gave. It’s really exciting to be able to do this service and ensure that the Ratha Yatra goes smoothly and without incident.”

The police are always very happy with the Ratha Yatra. “The head policeman even shook my hand,” Prananatha says. “It seemed to me everyone was very happy. Srila Prabhupada seemed happy, the devotees were happy, the general public were happy and I think Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subahdra were also happy, I am looking forward to next year and the chance to organise security again.”

Each year as the parade reaches its destination at Sydney’s Darling harbour it signals the beginning of the annual two day Holi festival, organised by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Last year Bhakti Charu Swami led a kirtan and gave a talk on Krishna consciousness to Holi festival audience. A very long line formed as soon as the prasadam distribution began.

Ratha Yatra is celebrated at various locations in the Sydney region. Srila Prabhupada attended the first Ratha Yatra festival in Australia, held in Melbourne, in June, 1974.

Click here to see last years photos on Facebook.

Share this story your way:PrintFacebookTwitterGoogle BookmarksStumbleUponYahoo! Buzzdel.icio.usDiggLiveMySpacePDF

 
Email to a friend

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.27.9 Reflective Rasas

SB 04.27.09 Reflective Rasas 2010-04-02 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 4.27.9 Reflective Rasas 2010-04-02 Radhadesh 

Email to a friend

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.27.7 Don’t Have Lazy Intelligence

SB 04.27.07 Don’t Have Lazy Intelligence 2010-03-31 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 4.27.7 Don’t Have Lazy Intelligence 2010-03-31 Radhadesh 

Email to a friend

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.27.6 Streets Lined With Garbage

SB 04.27.06 Streets Lined With Garbage 2010-03-30 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 4.27.6 Streets Lined With Garbage 2010-03-30 Radhadesh (Education) 

Email to a friend

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.27.01 Extreme’s In Men’s & Women’s Intelligence

SB 04.27.01 Extreme’s In Men’s & Women’s Intelligence 2010-03-19 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 4.27.1 Extreme’s In Men’s & Women’s Intelligence 2010-03-19 Radhadesh 

Email to a friend

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.26.26 Looking For A Victim

SB 04.26.26 Looking For A Victim 2010-03-18 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 4.26.26 Looking For A Victim 2010-03-18 Radhadesh 

Email to a friend

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.26.25 The Allegory Of The Planets

SB 04.26.25 The Allegory Of The Planets 2010-03-17 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 4.26.25 The Allegory Of The Planets 2010-03-17 Radhadesh Mentioned here – You can’t be Spiritual and eat your Brother 

Email to a friend

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.26.24 Place Of Offences

SB 04.26.24 Place Of Offences 2010-03-13 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 4.26.24 Place Of Offences 2010-03-13 Radhadesh 

Email to a friend

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.25.12 Fire Burns No Matter Who Handles It

SB 04.25.12 Fire Burns No Matter Who Handles It 2007-12-11 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 4.25.12 Fire Burns No Matter Who Handles It 2007-12-11 Los Angeles 

Email to a friend

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.25.07 Practical Results

SB 04.25.07 Practical Results 2007-12-05 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 4.25.7 Practical Results 2007-12-05 Los Angeles 

Email to a friend

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Parividha Prabhu

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.30.5 - How to reciprocate with devotees according to their levels of advancement.
 

Email to a friend

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Last Sunday's "Showtime" !

soultime
Parividha Prabhu's performance was a smashing success on Sunday 6th. The audience flooded him with positive feedback at the end of the show.

Those, who have not witnessed his performance, shouldn't miss the opportunity to see his last performances of his Melbourne's visit on Rathayatra. Indeed this coming Sunday, Parividha Prabhu will be staging a few of his songs from 5.00 till 5.15pm and from 6.45 till 7.00pm in the Catani Gardens, St Kilda.

In the nineties, Parividha Prabhu recorded many musicals and dramas, which are available from him on CD and Mp3.

You can listen to songs and scenes of these productions by clicking on a title on the left of his website.


 

Email to a friend

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

09/02/11

Their Lordships have been meticulously attended to this morning.
It rightly said that love is in the details!

Gokula Rani Mataji has mounted a shiny flower ring on Srimati Radharani's delicate finger and encircled Her fine wrists with diamanted bracelets.

Even Krishna's conchshell on Lord Jagannatha's side has been beautified with pearls and jewelry.
May Sri Krishna blow His mighty Pancajanya and shatter the anarthas in our hearts.

Here is today's sparkling darsana that will keep our spirits high throughout the day.

 

Email to a friend

Sri Nandanandana dasa: What is Vedic Literature, By Stephen Knapp

To begin explaining what is really Vedic we can understand that the word Veda has its root in the Sanskrit vid, which means “to know”, or simply “knowledge”. The word Veda also has three root meanings, representing its connection with the power of God, namely 1) that Vedic knowledge is eternal; 2) Veda is the essential knowledge itself, which means that it provides knowledge of God, or that we can know the Supreme through the Veda; and 3) Veda gives the most desirable thing to the souls, which is the Divine Bliss that comes from our connection with God.

According to Vedic tradition, when the Supreme Lord created this material world, His transcendental energy pervaded every corner of it. This spiritual energy was the pure vibration, shabda-brahma, in which the Supreme Himself can be found. It is explained that first there was the subtle vibration of spiritual sound, the eternal and spiritual vibration called the shabda-brahman. It is explained that through the worship of this subtle form of the Vedas, mystics can cleanse their hearts of all faults and impurities caused by the association of various material substances and actions. Thus they can attain liberation from further cycles of birth and death. From this spiritual sound vibration, Srila Vyasadeva compiled the Vedic literature. (Bhag.12.6.37-38)

As most scholars on Vedic philosophy know, when you say Vedas you refer to the original four Vedas: the Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Vedas. From the four main Vedas are branches or appendices called Brahmanas, which relate to rituals and ceremonies. From these are derived the Aranyakas. The Upanishads are the appendices (the secret and esoteric knowledge” secret and esoteric knowledge) of the Aranyakas. When you say Veda (without the s) you not only refer to the four Vedas, but also to the Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads, or all the texts that are considered Shruti. Shruti is considered the original revealed knowledge which was unveiled to self-realized sages. Shruti also means that which is heard as an oral tradition. It was first heard from God and then was heard in the association of other sages. In this way, it was protected from being misunderstood or misused. It is this sound vibration that will awaken mankind’s higher awareness and inclination to attain the spiritual dimension, thus providing the means for mankind’s liberation from material existence.

The remaining parts of Vedic literature, besides the Tantras and Agamas, consist of the Mahabharata and Bhagavad-gita, the Ramayana, and the Puranas. These are the Itihasas or histories and supplemental portions of the Vedic literature, which is called Smriti, or that which is remembered. The Puranas are especially an elaboration of the original Vedic concepts and philosophy of the four Vedas and Upanishads. So when we say “Vedic literature,” it refers to both Shruti and Smriti in a general way. However, some scholars think that the Shruti is more important than the Smriti. So some may object to the way I alternately use the words “Vedas” and “Vedic literature” to refer to the same thing, which includes all of the Vedic texts, both the early Shruti and later Smriti.

The reason I do this is that I present Vedic evidence from any portion of the Vedic literature, and I often use quotes from the Puranas. To leave out the supplemental portions of the Vedic literature would deprive the reader of an enormous amount of Vedic knowledge and elaborated explanations. Furthermore, some of the greatest of spiritual authorities, like Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, and others, have presented Smriti as valid evidence of spiritual truths and wrote commentaries on Bhagavad-gita. In fact, Madhvacharya, in his commentary on the Vedanta-sutras (2.1.6), quotes the Bhavishya Purana, which states: “The Rig-veda, Yajur-veda, Sama-veda, Atharva-veda, Mahabharata, Pancharatra, and the original Ramayana are all considered Vedic literature. The Vaishnava supplements, the Puranas, are also Vedic literature.” Even the Chandogya Upanishad (7.1.4) mentions the Puranas as the fifth Veda. The Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.4.20) also clearly agrees with this, saying, “The four divisions of the original sources of knowledge (the Vedas) were made separately. But the historical facts and authentic stories mentioned in the Puranas are called the fifth Veda.” Thus, they are all a part of the authorized Vedic literature meant to elaborate on and more fully explain the essential spiritual truths.

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (4.5.11) also relates: “The Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Vedas, the Itihasas, Puranas, Upanishads, verses and mantras, sutras, and the spiritual knowledge and explanations within, all emanate from the Supreme Being.” It not only says it once, but the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says it again (2.4.10), “As from a fire kindled with wet fuel, clouds of smoke issue forth, so, my dear, verily, from this glorious great God has been breathed forth the Rig-veda, the Yajur-veda, the Sama-veda, Atharvanagirasa, Itihasas, Puranas, science of knowledge, mystic doctrines or Upanishads, pithy verses, aphorisms, elucidations, and commentaries. From Him, indeed, are all these breathed forth.” Thus, they all have importance in presenting Vedic information, and one should not be biased toward one set of shastra or scripture to exclude the other.

The Mahabharata (Adi Parva 1.267) explains the necessity of understanding Vedic knowledge with the help of the Puranas: “One should expand and accept the meaning of the Vedas with the help of the Itihasas and Puranas. The Vedas are afraid of being mistreated by one who is ignorant of the Itihasas and Puranas.” This is quite similar to what is related in the Prabhasa-khanda (2.93) section of the Skanda Purana, where it is said, “I consider the Puranas equal to the Vedas. . . The Vedas feared that their purport would be distorted by inattentive listening, but their purport was established long ago by the Itihasas and Puranas. What is not found in the Vedas is found in the smritis. And what is not found in either is described in the Puranas. A person who knows the four Vedas along with the Upanishads but who does not know the Puranas is not very learned.” In this way, we should understand that one’s education in Vedic culture and science is not complete if one excludes the understanding and knowledge given in the Puranas.

To further verify this point, in the Naradiya Purana Lord Shiva is quoted as saying to his wife Parvati that, “I consider the message of the Puranas to be more important than that of the Vedas. All that is in the Vedas is in the Puranas without a doubt.” So I relate this simply for those who feel that there should be some further distinction between Shruti and Smriti and may object to the way I use the terms “Vedas” and “Vedic literature” to mean the same thing, although many parts of the Vedic literature point to the need for using the Puranas and other portions of the Smritis to more fully understand the depths of Vedic knowledge.


 
Email to a friend

Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Joining devotees in Prayers for Her Grace Bhadra Priya Devi Dasi

Another of Srila Prabhupada's spirtual daughters has left this material world. We join the Toronto, Canadian, North American and worldwide brotherhood and sisterhood of devotees in praying for her. She returned back home to her ISKCON family in recent years and now we pray that she  takes darshan of her spirtual master Srila Prabhupada and goes Back Home Back to Godhead. 

Hare Krishna Bhadra Priya Devi Dasi.  
 
Email to a friend

David Haslam, UK: Maintaining Krishna Consciousness with limited association

How do you survive in Krishna Consciousness when there is little or no association? Firstly I will start by saying that this is not ideal, this is borne out by the words of Srila Prabhupada that reminds us that to be in a solitary place the mind turns to sex life and money; it’s easy [...] 

Email to a friend

Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Raghunatha dasa's strictness

TRANSLATION Who could list the unlimited transcendental attributes of Raghunatha dasa? His strict regulative principles were exactly like lines on a stone. PURPORT The words pasanera rekha are very significant. Raghunatha dasa Gosvami followed the regulative principles so strictly and rigidly that they were compared to the lines on a stone. As such lines cannot be erased at any time, so the regulative principles observed by Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami could not be changed under any circumstances.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Antya 6.309

 
Email to a friend

Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Join CHAD - CHapter A Day!

One of the three goals of the Toronto Sankirtan Team in 2011 is to encourage "Strict and Sincere Sadhana" amongst the team members. Towards this goal, our first initiative is CHAD! CHAD is a worldwide alliance of devotees who chant at least one chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is every day. 

“And I declare that he who studies this sacred conversation of ours worships Me by his intelligence.” (B.G. 18.70)

Please join us!

Here’s how to join CHAD:

1. Make a vow to *chant at least one chapter of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is every day.
2. Register your name at the CHAD googlegroup for support and inspiration CHAD_toronto@googlegroups.com (Optional).

*Chanting at least one chapter means chanting all the Sanskrit slokas within one chapter; or chanting all the English in an entire chapter; or chanting both the Sanskrit and English in within one chapter.

Inspired by our Sankirtan guide and Mentor Vaisesika Prabhu, we launched this initiative on Sat-tila Ekadasi. In Vaisesika Prabhu's words, the benefits of joining CHAD:

1. You’ll feel impetus to chant Gita everyday knowing that others are doing it with you.
2. You’ll gain superior strength and knowledge in devotional service by reciting and hearing the divine conversation between Krsna and Arjuna.
3. You’ll be cleared of offences you’ve committed in worshiping the Deity.
4. You’ll automatically learn multiple Bhagavad-Gita verses through repetition. (“Repetition is the mother of learning.”)
5. You’ll develop skill in citing important slokas as evidence from Bhagavad-Gita.
6. You’ll awaken a sweet relationship with Krsna Who reveals Himself to those who daily chant the Bhagavad-Gita.

For more information - toronto.sankirtan@gmail.com
 
Email to a friend

Maddy Jean-claude Durr, New Govardhana, AU: What Is Your Motivation?

YEAR (Photo courtesy of: Person, Place)

Description/justification/story.

As a writer I tend to write a lot of words. As a talker I tend to talk even more. As a listener I tend to hear so many things. And as a reader I am constantly skimming pages. This is the Information Age, the Iron Age and it has so many other titles. There is so much going on but it’s not really going anywhere. We’re all looking for someone to trust, we’re all looking for real relationships and we’re mostly all being sold short. The tastes and experiences in this world culminate in ups and downs but there is nothing ever constant. We jump from platform to platform but they all fall from underneath us.

I often wonder what drives people but we know, from philosophy that people want and strive for happiness. This is the nature of the very soul. It’s just so sad to see how the world translates this awesome pursuit. People exploit one another and turn to awkward violence. Surely there is an ethical, moral and sound way to achieve ultimate satisfaction and not simply be caught on the hamster wheel? Why is it that, even when we find it, we reject it? Why can’t we throw away the touchstone of temporary wealth?

There comes a time in our lives, in our spiritual lives, in our Krsna conscious lives, where we start to wonder: what drives me? Krsna is there, Krsna is reciprocating and we have so much mercy flowing towards us. How do you take advantage of that mercy? Where do we go from here? Do we ask Krsna “give me some more distractions” or do we ask Him for surrender? It only takes a moment, why does it take us lifetimes? It’s there for us to reach but do we want it? Do we like the struggle? Does it make us feel like we’re worthy of something? These are now my questions. “Krsna, do I want to surrender to You?” This is now my question.

Read original post: [http://maddmonk.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/what-is-your-motivation]

Subscribe: [http://maddmonk.wordpress.com/subscribe]


 
Email to a friend

Japa Group: Hearing The Vibration Very Distinctly


Loudly or silently, everything is all right. There is no such restriction. Only thing is that we should chant very attentively, hearing the vibration very distinctly.

Letter to Satsvarupa - March 8th, 1969 
Email to a friend

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1969 February 8: "Material entanglement is no problem; if Krishna was not so powerful that He can easily undo our material entanglement then there would be no need to follow the path of Krishna Consciousness. If you are sincere of purpose, there is no problem."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

 
Email to a friend

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 February 8: "First one should dedicate his life for Krishna's service; that is very nice. If he cannot dedicate his whole life, then let him devote his money; if he cannot devote his money, then let him devote his intelligence; and if he cannot devote his intelligence, then let him devote his voice by uttering Hare Krishna. Hare Krishna Mantra is the greatest common factor for self-realization. Preach this philosophy whole heartedly and Krishna will be very much pleased upon you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

 
Email to a friend

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 February 8: "You say that no one can deal with the devotees except Visnujana; that is not a good proposal. There are so many old and experienced devotees; if there is no one to look after the other devotees , that does not sound very good."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

 
Email to a friend

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 February 8: "Just now it is not possible to give you the two missing points. So without waiting further for these minor discrepancies, you can finish the subject adding "etc." Use your best discretion as Krsna will dictate from within you. You are a good and scrutinizing editor. I can rely on you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

 
Email to a friend

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1972 February 8: "Your big brother has assured me he will come here and take full charge to make this the first ISKCON City and immediately we shall raise up a grand Temple and form a cooperative housing society for devotees of Krishna. We shall plan everything out nicely when we meet later this month."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

 
Email to a friend

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 February 8: "So they have accused you as bad because you are Indian, yet they have accepted a bad Indian as guru. Why be affected by these bodily relationships? Come back and if you feel inconvenience, it doesn't matter whether from Indians or Americans, you can live with me."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

 
Email to a friend

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 February 8: "I am glad you are now concentrating on improving the regulative life of the temple rather than so much advertising. This is what I want. A good example is better than precept. The pamphlet is precept - but if we don't follow the precepts ourselves then such advertisement is not good."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

 
Email to a friend

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 February 8: "He said personally to me that under dictation of Srimati Radharani he has given the land to us in charity, now if he uses the front portion for other purposes there will be great damage to the view. Kindly treat this as very urgent and reply."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

 
Email to a friend

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.25.03 Nicely Packaged Elements

SB 04.25.03 Nicely Packaged Elements 2007-11-30 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 4.25.3 Nicely Packaged Elements 2007-11-30 Los Angeles 

Email to a friend

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.24.76 Where Is Our Attention Going

SB 04.24.76 Where Is Our Attention Going 2007-11-24 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 4.24.76 Where Is Our Attention Going 2007-11-24 Los Angeles 

Email to a friend

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 4.24.73 Grandfather Void

SB 04.24.73 Grandfather Void 2007-11-21 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 4.24.73 Grandfather Void 2007-11-21 Los Angeles (Evolution) 

Email to a friend

Dandavats.com: Radhadesh Boutique goes online!

Anasuya devi dasi: Radhadesh now offers many items in its new E-shop to assist you in your spiritual quest. It was designed for those who do not get to visit us as often as they would like, and for first timers in the world of *bhakti*-yoga. Radhadesh’s E-shop is a non-profit online shop, all its proceeds go directly to Radhadesh’s maintenance and development

Correo Vaishnava

Mi foto
Spain
Correo Devocional

Archivo del blog