Sacinandana Swami: Throughout the year Krishna’s devotees pursue various projects: their devotional practices (sadhana), their various services (seva), work projects, various family projects, building projects, private projects, etc. Once a year comes a time when another project arises: the Karttik project, which offers a rare chance to come close to the Lord. Srila Prabhupada told his disciples that even ‘unserious persons’ who execute devotional service during this month of Karttik are easily awarded the Lord’s personal service (1)
What is the Karttik project?
It is a 30-day vow taken during the month of Karttik. (This year according to our sun calendar Karttik begins on 16 October and ends on 14 November.) During this time the Lord’s internal potency, who is the presiding deity of this month and who is therefore known as Karttika Devi, is pleased by serving the Lord of Her heart – Damodara Krishna. It is stated in the scriptures that during Karttik all the holy places of pilgrimage with their rivers and lakes also come to Vraja. It is certainly a very special time of the year…
In this world we know of special times of the year that bring certain gifts: the summer gives us warmth, the beginning of autumn many fruits, late winter gives us snow and early spring brings flowers, etc. According to the 16th chapter of Hari-bhakti-vilasa, Karttik gives us inexhaustible benefits. There are many descriptions how even little amounts of devotional service are regarded by the Lord as very special – because they are done during this month of His beloved Radharani.
For this special month the devotees take to various devotional practices, which bring them more in contact with Srimati Radharani and Krishna. Traditionally these vows are executed on the sacred land of Vrindavana, but are certainly not limited to Vraja. If you cannot be in Vrindavana physically during this time make sure your heart is there – by remembering the pastime places or looking at the many beautiful pictures of Vraja taken by the devotees on their many pilgrimages.
What can you do to observe the Karttik vrata?
The first point is that a personal vow should be something we do regularly and unfailingly each day of the month. Srila Prabhupada encouraged the devotees in all temples around the world to execute the Damodara vrata by offering a light to the Lord each morning or evening (or both).
Let me give you some suggestions based on what I do personally:
1) Rise early and offer a little aratik. You can choose how many items you wish to offer but certainly there should be at least a ghee lamp offered to Lord Damodara (by placing a picture or deity of the Lord on your altar)
2) Chant extra rounds – or you can at least make sure that you increase the quality of rounds
3) Increase your reading of Vaisnava scriptures – especially Srimad Bhagavatam
4) Recite various prayers, like the Saranagati Prayers
5) Worship Tulasi devi
6) An absolute must – recite the Sri Damodarastakam
These are minimal requirements, but of course you can add any devotional practice that brings you closer to the Lord. The main point is that it is done daily as a loving offering.
Additionally, it is recommended to observe some austerities with regards to eating. There is an absolute restriction on the consumption of urad dal. I always like to desist from all kinds of sweets, but this is optional.
Please know the main point is to increase positive devotional practices.
You can expect that your resolve will be tested – rest assured that you will pass all tests if you remember your priority: to please Srimati Radharani by engaging in devotional service to the Lord.
Let me end with a wonderful verse written by Raghunatha Dasa Goswami about the mercy of Srimati Radharani:
“From birth Srimati Radharani has been naturally affectionate to all… She is the protectress of the poor and unfortunate.” (2)
Special Karttik inspiration
Many devotees have requested me to give a regular audio message as a day-by-day Karttik inspiration. As a servant of the Vaisnavas, I have happily accepted this service. It is my desire to try to nourish devotees during this month with short inspirational messages. Thus, please be so kind to share these with anyone you know who would be interested to hear. These Karttik inspirations can be downloaded and heard from www.sacinandanaswamipilgrimage.com starting on Sunday 16 October.
Let us associate through sound at this most exciting time: Srimati Radharani’s month which carries the name of Her beloved Damodara.
Wishing you all the best and lots of spiritual strength
Your humble servant,
Sacinandana Swami

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32320

Recently I visited one very special temple named 'Gita Mandir' where all the verses of Bhagvad Gita were engraved on the walls of temple but I was also amazed to see that hardly anyone was reading it!! Visitors were busy with their cameras to have own photos. I also observed them putting photos immediately on social networking sites to tell others that they are at holy site. People forgot the purpose why they were at that place(to read Gita), they were taking advantage of place in other way.

Facebook has become addiction for many, as soon as they get up in the morning they look for notifications, before sleeping they check how many 'Like' my post, and throughout the day they are thinking which photo of mine should I post to get maximum likes and comments. Facebook is good way to get entertainment and some inspiration here and there but apart from that it only sucks away our energy and time that everyone of us knows very well, still we can't give it up why? Because we don't know that there is more advanced social networking site and that is 'Faithbook'. If we make account on Faithbook, then our taste for Facebook will automatically go down because Faithbook provides extraordinary benefits.

What's this Faithbook? It is Bhagavad Gita. Gita is not just some religious book but it's a book of inspiration, management and transformation. Facebook only shows our face value, how beautiful or handsome we are but Gita reveals our heart value, how much lust, envy, greed we have and how to deal with it. Lord doesn't bother about our face but about our heart and mind. Facebook virtually connects us to friends and hardly anyone one of them can help us in critical stages of life but Faithbook connects us directly to God and His unlimited powers which gives us strength to deal with any problem of life may that be as sever and critical as death.

But our problem is that we have never opened our account on this site of Faithbook in fact we kept it out of our sight fearing it will change our life. Yes it will change our life but positively. What did you receive from Facebook since so many years? Some knowledge but mostly junk, we have wasted our precious time, I don't find anyone who became successful reading Facebook posts apart from Facebook owner 'Mark'. Believe me open your account on Faithbook(open your packed Bhagavad Gita which you have kept as it is from so many years) start reading it carefully and just see how immense emotional, mental, physical benefit you are deriving out of it. There were many in past including Arjuna, Sun God, Manu, Isvaku received benefit of this immortal knowledge and became successful in life, then why should we waste opportunity??

When traveling between different countries, a passport is required to gain access and cross the country’s borders. The purpose of a passport is to show other nations that you are a legal citizen of your particular nation of origin. Visas are another document designed to allow people access into other countries. The difference between a visa and a passport is that a visa specifies certain reasons why that person will be staying in the country.

Someone may ask, I don't want to go to foreign land why do I need passport or visa? But scriptures remind us that we are all tourists here, we all are always travelling from one specie of life to other. Body is temporary covering over soul, sometime we get body of animal, sometime of demigod and sometime human body according to our activities in present life. Soul is always touring from 84 lacs of species. Juts like we need passport and visa to go to some another country similarly if we want to have higher birth we need to have passport and visa to reach and dwell in those places where demigods live happy life.

Where can we get such visa and passport? As we discussed earlier our next birth depends upon our activities(karma) of present birth, it acts like passport and visa, we are creator of our own passport. If we do good pious activities we will be given a chance to elevate to higher planets(heavens) where demigods dwell, and if our life and activities are sinful then we won't get any passport therefore we will be thrown into lower life of animals where facilities are meagre. Till now we have talked about going to higher planets but there also exists time which throws us away at the end of our visa which means we will be back to our country after some period of time(BG 9.21).

Is there any place where we can only enjoy without time restrictions? Yes, there is planet beyond this material creation, called  as Vaikuntha Loka, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. How to go there? Which kind of passport and visa is required to go there? One can go to this planet of God only by doing Devotional service, which includes hearing and chanting about God and serving Him with love. Passport(material activities) of this earthly planet and heaven won't help us to reach Vaikuntha(place where anxiety doesn't exists), entry here will be given on the basis of activities which are done for the pleasure of God. So if we are only engaged in our own things without bothering for our purpose of life which is to develop love for God then we will not get entry to eternal spiritual world. In conclusion we must try our best to obtain this special visa to reach abode Lord by doing loving devotional service unto Him!!

Kartik is the time to tighten up the loose screws, of all the loose ends, and to bring it back to the real standard. Kartik, is our chance! It is only one month but of course, after that month, it becomes a habit! Habits are like that. If you do something for one month then it is easy to keep on doing it. So in this way, we can take so much advantage.

I thought my main objective in this month would be meditation, to increase my remembrance of Krsna and to increase my service, both in quantity and quality. I thought I will focus on quality especially because quantity is not so easy. Already there is so much to do in a day, already such a hectic life, how much more can I physically manage? And I do not want Kartik to become a total stress situation where I am just doing these very intense vows, the kind of vows that drive me to the edge and that at the end of the month, if I make it till the end, I just hate Kartik and may be even Krsna!

Not like that! No, I will not make it a month full of stress. Therefore, I thought, this year I will not do something huge, I will not take one really big vow. I have a different strategy; I will take many little vows! Also, Krsna gave me some ideas about chanting. I thought, I am going to chant extra rounds but I am not going to fix it that every day I must chant so many extra rounds but I will just fix a number for the whole month and then I can adjust it. I will have my busy days when I may chant less and on days that I have the opportunity, I will chant more; and in this way, it averages out. In this way, I will survive and I will still be chanting extra rounds. I thought it was a good idea, really!

Then I thought…Yes, I’ll read something! I thought, every night I will read for five minutes something about Krsna. I will read Krsna Book for five minutes a night. That is nice. It is not a big Kartik vow but it is something that you know is nice but that you just get slack in! It is one thing that you do not always do! But I said, in this month of Kartik, I will do it.

So, many such things… I will not tell you everything that I am going to do but I told you this much just to kind of inspire everyone of how we can do something. It is still early enough! After this lecture, you can quickly jot down a few things that you are going to do this month. Just a few things. And if we do that, if we really do it… then you will be surprised! You will surprise yourself! Really! You will find that your Krsna consciousness would have so much increased just from one month of practising, in the month of Kartik. 

Source:https://www.kksblog.com/2016/10/kartik-part-2/

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada: When one is situated on the neophyte platform, one cannot understand the devotional ingredients of a pure, unalloyed devotee. However, when the novice engages in devotional service — especially in deity worship — and follows the order of a bona fide spiritual master, he is a pure devotee. Anyone can take advantage of hearing about Krishna consciousness from such a devotee and thus gradually become purified. In other words, any devotee who believes that the holy name of the Lord is identical with the Lord is a pure devotee, even though he may be in the neophyte stage. By his association, others may also become Vaishnavas.
KK Bindu #385: With first time translation of a little known song glorifying Srila Raghunath Bhatta Goswami. CONTENTS INCLUDE:
* NEOPHYTE BUT PURE – His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada speaks about the power of someone following the process of bhakti.
* ALL GLORIES TO RAGHUNATH BHATTA GOSWAMI – A first time translation done especially for this issue of Bindu of a Bengali song by the medieval poet Radha Vallabha Das.
* VRINDAVAN SADHUS AND BHAGAVAD-GITA – Another first time translation done for this issue of of an excerpt from a little known book by a disciple of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami.
* IDEAL RESIDENCE IN VRINDAVAN – Another fresh translation from Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati’s Vrindavan-mahimamrtam. This issue can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu385

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32241

Merciful devotees request the people they meet in the streets to chant a whole maha-mantra while they are video-recording them. In this video you will see an animated compilation of such recordings.
Watch it below or here: https://goo.gl/3EoxJ1

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32255

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32259#prettyPhoto

Citraka dasa: Recently the renown and expert devotee cook Kurma dasa answered an inquiry about the use of the common meat substitute product known as soya chunks or soya mince. He concluded that “these products are made in an elaborate industrial process using industrial solvents. They are in the worst category of soya products” and also that “Soy was not considered suitable by Srila Prabhupada”
You can read the whole post here: https://goo.gl/cSevA2
It may be helpful to know that there is a very similar dumpling, traditionally made in India for centuries, which was liked and eaten by Srila Prabhupada.
They are the well-known mangodis or wadas or baris, badis, vadis, wadiyan etc. which are basically sun dried split mung or urad dal dumplings.
Here Yamuna devi, a personally trained by Srila Prabhupada cook, describes how he would ask for these South Indian wadas [urad dal dumplings] or have Punjabi badis: https://goo.gl/9E2GwD 
These are healthy, tasty, nutritious, economical and simple to make them at home, although available in the market too.
Once made they can be stored for months and can be used practically with everything: sabjis, rice, soups, salads or eaten by themselves in a tomato or other sauce, yogurt etc.
Some strict vaishnavas will avoid urad dal because it contains a great amount of protein, but it is not necessary to use it.
Here is a basic and simple way to make mangodis: Soak split mung dal in the water all night after having it washed properly.
Next day you drain all the water, add salt (and hing) and grind it into a paste with your mixer. With the help of a spoon you take small, equal portions of the paste and you place them on a tray which then you expose to the sun until they dry completely. That is all!
Ready for storage or use! 
It usually takes 2 days under the sun. If there is not sun you can place them in your oven, setting it in the lowest temperature possible and leaving its door half open; it will take 4 hours like this. 
If you google “mangodi” or any of its other names you will find hundreds of videos or articles about how to prepare it and/or use it.
Much much better than the soya chunks under any point of view!

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32286

One may ask why Indra was so angry? There are 1000s of Indra yajnas all over the world. No one in the Svarga has ever seen him so angry. Though he has 1000 eyes he was blinded and could not see Krsna. The intoxication that blinded him was not wine or honey, but false ego.

The moment you are proud, you lose your vision.

Humility grants perception of reality.

In the words of the Bhagavatam, “the earth appears spinning due to one’s spinning his eyes around” – that happens due to pride. Pride comes from a form of lust.

Maybe that would be interesting to the ladies, if they wander here, how to recognize men infected with lust.

Canakya Pandit says that a lusty person gives inappropriate punishment to subordinates. In this way Indra also over-reacted.

Judging from Indra’s reaction we can clearly see he was not a Supreme Being. In the Bhagavatam there was a test (Bhrgu Muni was chosen) to find out the person who is the Supreme – one who is not in need of respect. That is how the test was designed. If you are needy of respect, if you are a swami or a guru and needy that others pay you obeisances. If you are a senior devotee and need a special seat to feel integrated properly – it shows you want the poisonous food of respect.

Bhrgu approached first Brahma without offering obeisances. But Brahma, much more qualified than Indra, just swallowed his anger. Bhrgu could guess his mind only. Then Bhrgu approached his brother Siva who came with stretched arms, but Bhrgu decided to be even more rough and stopped him, “Stop, brother, have you taken your bath today?” Sages were around, but Siva also lost his temper and chased Bhrgu with trisul, if Parvati had not stopped him, that would be the murder of Bhrgu.

Then Bhrgu Muni decided to go to Vaikuntha. The gates were heavily guarded, but as a renowned brahmana he was just waved throught. So he went directly to Visnu’s room and kicked Visnu in His chest. “You are always sleeping, how indecent”. Lord Visnu immediately got up and said, “O saint, I am so sorry, you must have hurt your foot.” Then he put Bhrgu on His throne and started pressing Bhrgu’s feet to relieve any possible pain. In ecstasy Bhrgu returned to Sarasavati, dancing, “I have found the Supreme Lord”. … Indra said, “These abhiras deserve suffering. In the end everyone finds reasons for what he does. Indra called the clouds and winds, “”Only after Krsna has suffered seeing all the Vrajavasis die, only then I will kill Him also”.

< SB 10.24.31

Krsna is time and He desires to destroy all the obstacles for devotees. Especially pride.

Once I told you a story about a king asking a minister, “What is God’s daily work?” … Then priests were asked…. Finally a shepherd, seeing a fleeing, asked the priest about the question… “Let me give the answer”. Before answering the kings question, the shepherd said, “First I have to correct the incongruity, you are sitting on the throne and asking me a question as a teacher, so we need to change seats”. Boiling king did, and the shepherd said, “That is the constant work of God, being done right now: He puts the proud people down, and humble people up”.

Let’s go back to Vraja. The Vrajavasis were frightened! No one could see a path any longer in the darkness. … “Yes, this is Indra’s revenge! Tell Krsna to call Giriraj and let Giriraj help” – that is what the Vrajavasis felt.

Gargamuni gave a prediction, “By Krsna’s grace all the difficulties will be crossed”. They all turned to Krsna and chanted one mantra. I would like all of us to chant it:

SB 10.25.13 [The cowherd men and women addressed the Lord:] Krsna, Krsna, O most fortunate one, please deliver the cows from the wrath of Indra! O Lord, You are so affectionate to Your devotees. Please save us also.

Weak people take shelter in other people and things, medical arrangements. We have medical Braj care. In an interview one old devotee said how he was attracted to Vrindavan, then Radha-kunda – “But don’t you need a blanket, medicine” – “Don’t you think that after I have taken shelter at Radharani’s feet, I will lack something”.

We were awe-struck how the poor widows said, “Since we have taken shelter in Srimati Radharani, we are completely peaceful and have no worries”.

Only a person who has found _shelter_ will be easily agitated. Look at Indra!

Looking shelter is the main focus of this Govardhan-katha, but now let’s go back to the Vrajavasis.

krsna krsna maha-bhaga tvan-natham gokulam prabho tratum arhasi devan nah kupitad bhakta-vatsala

[The cowherd men and women addressed the Lord:] Krsna, Krsna, O most fortunate one, please deliver the cows from the wrath of Indra! O Lord, You are so affectionate to Your devotees. Please save us also. SB 10.25.13

Let us do an exercise. Do you have a problem. No, it is not very good to focus on problems. Let us chant. … Let us practice this here at Giriraja’s lotus feet. “I have a problem of turning away from you for so many lives, now I am looking for your shelter” … Hare Krsna Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare … Are you still in the mind? Or are you already in the fortress of the Lord’s shelter… Please sing taking full shelter in Giriraj. … Like many who tried, if successful, you might have felt … Sadhana is very important, but more important are the blessings of the residents of the dhama. … I would like you to take just one word with you into the day: SHELTER. The Vrajavasis were in the dark attack of Indra and his Samvartaka clouds, but they found shelter in Krsna.

SHELTER.

—–

The full recordings (without my mistakes, omission, and miscomprehensions:-) will be available at http://vihe.org under “Audio”, in a few weeks time.

Please check Dandavats.com and http://govardhanretreat.com for updates.

Begging for your kind blessings, on behalf of your servants at VIHE, Das Adi Purusha

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=11095

Their comes a time when one feels somewhat saddened and the struggle in Krishna Consciousness appears so futile one believes that the solution is to just give up; however each morning one sits before the home deities, offers prasadam, gives a small class and chants.

One simply cannot give up, even though the mind says that it is by far the most logical course of action.

So what went wrong?
How did one get to the stage of giving up?

A mentor system that was so indexable it killed the joy of seva
An institution that put emphasis on course’s, tells you not to go to someone who charges to depart bhakti, then presents you with a bill and trys to disguise it as donation
A committee that judges without knowledge as they never sat with you, spoke to you, shared prasadam with you or even sat in any of the classes
Or having to pay to see your own Guru Maharaja

For me that’s the straw that broke the camel’s back

Not the 290 mile journey to do seva each month, after negotiating an ongoing agreement to allow extended weekends each month

Not the apparent insult, your qualified enough to give Srimad Bhagavatam class in the morning but somehow my knowledge is not good enough for the committee members

Not even the mentor system that dispite my plea to the head instigator and temporary mentor to not leave devotees like me behind and find a way to make us feel needed, was ignored to the point one became deeply unhappy

No this wasn’t the straw that broke the camel’s back

It was the change of relationship, from one of friendship to one of business; yes the feeling that one is just a commodity a way of gaining laxmi, and at every turn their is a bill and a smiling devotee who is convinced that I am convinced the asking of laxmi is alright.

The final nail in my enthusiastic pursuit of bhakti was my last visit by my Guru Maharaja, I could only make it to one date due to work commitment (something many forget); it meant a bill to see my own Guru Maharaja, yes a bill and apparently this was a good thing.

For me it signalled the end of the personal relationship to one of business as long as the laxmi flows my progression is guaranteed.

I was so upset and bewildered I wrote this email to my own Guru Maharaja:-

Dear ==== Swami Maharaja
Please accept my humble obeisance
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

It was so nice to meet you if not briefly the other month, although I noted our relationship and that of my relationship with ISKCON has changed somewhat; to the point were one is no longer enthusiastic.

I have received several emails reminding me of the need to write a Vyasa-Puja offering and how Imminent the deadline is, however I found myself empty and unable to write a single word; drowned and confused by the new corporate impersonal way things are done.

One is further saddened that the only way to see you or even speak to you means a monetary exchange, I’m left empty wondering if you would be more willing to speak to me if I pay in advance and worked out that as our conversation last less than half and hour that the accepted amount is £60.

That I’m judged by a committee that doesn’t even know me, and marked by results from paid courses and forms; when all one wants is the personal relationship as was found in those early days with your disciplines in Manchester, things seemed a lot simpler then and I never had to pay to see you.

I’m guessing ISKCON has moved on and I’m just a sentimentalist of the simpler personalism and the joy of just being around devotees and helping them in a simple way

It would have been nice to tell you about the video of me the council uses, and the community and school visits and to hear how I can improve and look at long term aim; but I’m guessing in the new corporate ISKCON which appears to be more interested in pursuit of laxmi than devotees this probably won’t be applicable.

I want to write a nice offering this year but given our relationship is now simply business relationship I’m confused as to how to achieve this.

So what to do?

I was hoping that maybe as I’ve an opportunity to visit ==== to look at wildlife and countryside management that it would allow me the opportunity to reconnect, to again realise the joy of seva; without feeling it is simply business transaction. But I noticed you were little enthusiastic.

So my question is what is one to do?
How does one reconnect with what one felt was real, when one feels that all ISKCON is interested in is my wallet?
How does one regain the joy of seva, and the joy of sharing love of Krishna, when the mentorship system beat it out of me; leaving an empty shell, where happiness once was but smothered in corporate courses and forms?
And more importantly where do I stand with you? Is it too only business, do I have to continue to pay to see you?

One is saddened by it all, and simply prays for the simple days to return

Humbly Yours; discipline or not discipline as I’m unsure

Dhirabhakta Das

Sadly I didn’t receive a reply and a bit of me thought maybe it would have come if I had given big donation at the same time.

The personal relationship, the relationship I felt were real now feels empty one personally feels cheeted by ISKCON

Given that I’ve only ever experienced the reverse were a business relationship has changed into a personal friendship, were once I was seen as an income of sorts is now family discount or free

For me ISKCON was a real family, my motivation was because I loved the devotees and I thought they intern loved and liked me; but the reality is it feels to me like I’m being cheeted and that the only thing ISKCON is interested in is laxmi

And simply that makes me weep
And the regection cannot be put into word’s

Apart from this,

I now truly appreciate the one thing those early devotees showed and gave to me, the understanding of real love and friendship and the reality of what Krishna Consciousness is and not how it now has become.

And for that little insight of real devotional love, I thank you

I thank you because it’s the only thing that keeps me going

And I pray each and every day that one day I’ll experience that pure unconditional love of devotees once again

Source:http://david.deltaflow.com/?p=3396

In the Bhagavad-gita 10.35, Krsna says that of all the months, “I am marga-sirsa,” which is a name for the November-December period. It is said that before Krsna, first comes Radha – Radha-Krsna,Radha-Syam, Sita-Ram, like that. First the consort of the Lord is mentioned. Therefore the month of Kartik, which comes before this month of marga-sirsa, is a month of Radharani. It is a month when we are meditating on pure devotional service because she is the proprietor of pure devotional service! No compromise at all, no self-interest whatsoever, only the interest of Krsna in mind and nothing but the interest of Krsna.

That is pure devotional service and that is found in Srimati Radharani, so this month of Kartik is about that. So everyone who is ordinarily sort of compromised in his devotional service, in the month of Kartik, will try for pure devotional service. In this month, one can take vows to perform some special service because this month is the month of Srimati Radharani. She is especially noticing the service that we render and when she recommends us to Krsna, then Krsna will also be inclined towards us. Radharani is very compassionate and soft-hearted. Therefore, this month is especially a very favorable time to try and attract the mercy. In that way, we prepare for the month of Kartik and see what special service can we offer?

Source:https://www.kksblog.com/2016/10/kartik-part-1/

Chaitanya Charan Das: In India, I usually speak on topics related to science & spirituality at colleges and youth centers, practically never in temples. 
During this trip to America, I am increasingly appreciating that speaking to Indians in America is substantially different from speaking to Indians in India. Indians in America are among the most materially intelligent Indians who have passed through rigorous competition with flying colours in order to make it to America.
Among our movement’s leaders in the West, there is great concern that not many Western people are coming to our movement, only Indians are taking it up. While the lack of Western participants is a matter of great concern, that concern shouldn’t lead to minimising of the Indians who are coming. These Indians are often high-caliber people, the kind whom we would be proud to welcome in our temples in India.
Whereas in India a science-spirituality topic in a Sunday class would often be met with many blank stares, in America it was met by most attendees with avid interest, thoughtful questions and enthusiastic appreciation.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32181

Dear prabhus,
Please accept my obeisances. Jaya Srila Prabhupada.

To avoid cows eating them and litter the Holy dham with them:
Please try to avoid accepting plastic bags, while in the Holy dham,
and if you have to, please don't throw them in a bin,
but recycle them or take them with you to the airport and dispose of them
there.
Hope this meets you well.
Hare Krishna.
Your servant in Srila Prabhupada’s service,

Parividha das

Lord Vishnu imparted the knowledge of reaching Him to four great personalities – Lakshmi Devi, Lord Shiva, Sri Brahma, and the four kumara. These four personalities imparted the knowledge to four great devotees who started the four Sampradayas. Lakshmi to Ramanujacharya – Sri Sampradaya, Shiva to Vishnuswami – Rudra Sampradaya, Brahma to Madhvacharya – Brahma sampradaya and the four Kumaras to Nimbarka – Kumara Sambradaya.

Today is the appearance day of Sri Madhvacharya. Madhvacharya (acarya means “one who teaches by his life”) lived in thirteenth-century India and appeared in the Brahma-Madhva – Gaudiya-Vaisnava-Sampradaya—the disciplic chain now represented by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. In this long disciplic chain of pure teachers, Madhvacharya is a most important link.  The Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya originates with the Madhvas. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His followers thoroughly studied Madhva’s works before compiling their philosophy. For the Sat Sandarbhas Shri Jiva Goswami drew heavily from Madhva’s writings. Jiva Goswami found ‘the Gaudiya philosophy of acintya-bheda-abheda tattva in Madhva’s Bhagavat-parya. Shri Chaitanya Himself visited Udupi, the seat of Madhva’s sect. The Lord introduced Hari Nama sankirtana into their sect.

In Vaishnava Siddhanta Mala, Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ordered all Gaudiya Vaishnavas to carefully observe the nine instructions of truth given by Shri Madhavacharya through our guru parampara.

Shri Madhvacharya’s Nine Teachings

   (1) Bhagavan Shri Krishna alone is the Supreme Absolute Truth, one without a second.

   (2) He is the object of knowledge in all the Vedas.

   (3) The universe is real, satya.

   (4) The differences between Ishvara (God), Jiva (soul) and Matter are real.

   (5) Jiva souls are by nature the servants of the Supreme Lord Hari.

   (6) There are two categories of jivas; liberated and illusioned.

   (7) Liberation (moksha) means attainmg the lotus feet of Bhagavan Krishna, in other words, entering an eternal relationship of service to the Supreme Lord.

   (8) Pure devotional service to Krishna is the only way to attain this liberation.

   (9) The truth may be known by pratyaksha (direct perception), anuman (inference or logic), sabda (spiritual sound or Vedic authority.

Shri Madhvacharya serves as Madhavi-gopi in Radha-Govinda’s eternal Vrindavana pleasure pastimes.

Here is a short life history and some pastimes of Sri Madhvacharya.

Madhvacharya took his birth in a brahmana (priestly) family at Udupi, a South Indian town on the Arabian Sea. There are some amazing stories surrounding Madhva’s early life. It is said that his father piled up many debts and that to pay them off, Madhva converted tamarind seeds into coins. It is also said that near Madhva’s house a demon named Maniman lived in the form of a snake. Madhva killed him with the big toe of his left foot. We are further told that whenever Madhva’s mother was feeling anxious, he would come before her in one jump—from wherever he happened to be playing.

Even as a young boy Madhva was renowned as a scholar. When he was only five he received spiritual initiation, and when he was twelve he accepted sannyasa,the most renounced order of spiritual life. At that tender age Madhva gave up all family ties to travel the length and breadth of India in quest of spiritual knowledge.

http://www.mayapur.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Madhvacharya-2-150x113.jpg 150w, http://www.mayapur.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Madhvacharya-2.jpg 450w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />

In the course of his travels Madhva visited Badarikashrama, a place of pilgrimage high in the Himalayas. There he met the great sage Srila Vyasadeva—Lord Krishna’s literary incarnation and the author of the Vedic literatures. By studying under Srila Vyasadeva, Madhva grew even greater in his scholarship.

After coming down from the Himalayas, Madhva at last returned to his birthplace, Udupi. Once, when he was sitting at the seashore and meditating on Lord Krishna, Madhva saw a huge merchant ship in danger and signaled the crew safely to shore. Since the boat’s owners wanted to reward him, Madhva agreed to accept a chunk of gopi-candana,clay from Krishna’s land of Vrindavana. As the crew members were bringing the big chunk before him, it broke apart and revealed a Deity form of Lord Krishna, with a stick in one hand and a lump of food in the other. At that moment Madhva composed a beautiful prayer to express his gratitude. Although the Deity was so heavy that not even thirty ordinary people could lift Him, Madhva carried Him back into town all alone. The people of Udupi still worship that Krishna Deity in the way Madhva established.

Madhva showed his overwhelming physical and spiritual strength on still other occasions. While he was walking on the road a band of thugs attacked him, but he killed them all. Another time a tiger attacked Madhva’s companion Satya Tirtha, but Madhva pulled the fierce animal off with his bare hands. People began to say his strength had no limit.

Madhvacharya’s learning and devotion to Krishna were famous throughout India. His life’s mission was to defeat the views of the impersonalist philosophers. They say that God’s form is simply illusion (maya), and thus they are called Mayavadis. “Even if God was a person in the beginning,” these people say, “He has distributed Himself throughout the creation and thus lost His individual identity.” Madhvacharya smashed this monistic (“all-is-one”) idea with the philosophy of shuddha-dvaita—pure dualism. He proved logically that God is always a person and is always distinct from His creation. As anyone can see, the sun is producing volumes of energy but remains the same sun. Similarly, a tree may produce many fruits, but it remains the same tree. Likewise, Lord Krishna produces the material world, but He Himself remains separate from it—He remains the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Here is the real teaching of the Vedas.Thus, Madhvacharya ‘s teaching is called tattva-vada—tattva means “truth,” and vada means “philosophy.”

The Mayavadis go on to say that the soul’s unique and individual identity is also an illusion—that in the end the soul will merge into an impersonal light. But Madhvacharya taught that the soul is actually the eternal servant of Krishna and that by practicing bhakti-yoga—devotional service—each of us can return to our original position in the spiritual world. Madhvacharya especially emphasized that even after the individual soul returns to the spiritual world, he and the Supreme Soul, Krishna, retain their separate identities. They do not become “one.”

Source:http://www.mayapur.com/2016/sri-madhvacharya-appearance-day/

On the occasion of Vijay Dasmi, HH Bhakti Charu Swami gave a wonderful class on Giving Up the Ravan Mentality at ISKCON Ujjain.
Listen to it here: https://goo.gl/8lVQvh

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32186

Antivirus is a computer software used to prevent detect and remove malicious software. Some products also include protection from other computer threats, such as infected and malicious URLs, spam, scam and phishing attacks, online identity (privacy), online banking attacks, social engineering techniques, advanced persistent threat (APT) attacks. Nowadays all computers come with installation of antivirus, we just need to update it after some period of time, to overcome updated threats and malware. 

Just like computer gets attacked with viruses, our human mind also get succumbed to the viruses in the form of depression, stress, anxiety, anger, frustration, lust, greed, lethargy etc. we also need antivirus to deal with these viruses else our hard disk may get crashed (we call it as psychiatric problems). What's this antivirus for contaminated human mind? It's a Love of Godhead, which purifies our heart and frees us from material conditioning which is strongest malware to deal with and keeps us bound to this miserable world. But the amazing thing is that we have this antivirus already installed within, we just need to update it, off course it is not deactivated but it has stopped working due to our negligence.

It's said in our scriptures, 'nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-prema ‘sādhya’ kabhu naya', Love of godhead is already within our heart, but due to our contact of material energy since time immemorial we have forgotten to activate and use it and that's why we are getting troubled so much by these viruses. 2 things are necessary to update antivirus, first we need internet connection and other is product key, similarly to awaken our dormant love we need connection and product key to make the installation easy.

In the life of spiritualist this connection and keys are provided by Guru(spiritual guide or teacher) in the form of instructions. Next stanza explains the process of updating antivirus, 'śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya', just by hearing and chanting the glories of God this love naturally awakens in the heart. But after updating once you can't say now I have done it, no...everyday newer and newer viruses maya keeps introducing and if we want to be safe we also need to update this antivirus everyday by taking shelter of Holy name in the association of devotees. So let's update our antivirus before our hard disk get crashed!!

“So far your thinking about things and making so many plans, that is all right, but our first business is Krishna’s plan. That is the only plan, and no matter how many schemes we employ to adjust things in this material world, if they have no solid basis in Krishna’s plan, they remain merely dreams of phantasmagoria. So in this Krishna Consciousness Movement, I am training boys and girls all over the world how to act nicely by practically serving Krishna in their everyday lives. That is more important than trying for something which I may like to do but which will never happen.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, April 10, 1972)

“Our plan should be to accept Krishna’s plan, that’s all. Approved, authorized plan. That is very easy. Take any words of Krishna, it is very easy.” (Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, Tehran, August 12, 1976)

“If you follow Krishna’s instruction, you’ll always be happy. And if you create your own plans, then you’ll be unhappy. This is the whole instruction. Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: (BG 18.66) ‘You give up your own plans, nonsense plan. You take My plan. You’ll be happy.’ This is the whole purpose of Bhagavad-gita. You take Krishna’s plan and you’ll be happy.” (Srila Prabhupada Conversation, April 22, 1976, Melbourne)

“We should stop all rascal plan and should take the plan given by God. Then it will be… Everything will be all right. Simple solution. The God’s plan is there in this book. Let us take it. Then everything solved. But ‘No, we are scientist. We are philosopher. We are big man, politician. We shall make our own.’ Do, and suffer. God has given freedom: ‘All right.’Yathecchasi tatha kuru (BG 18.63). Krishna said in theBhagavad-gita after explaining Arjuna everything, then He asked, ‘What you have decided? Your plan or My plan?’ So Krishna said, ‘I am giving you freedom. Whatever you like, you can do.’ The plan is there. Now it is up to us to accept it or reject it. If you reject, you suffer. If you accept, you become happy. So we are requesting people, ‘Accept it.’ This is Krishna consciousness movement. ‘Then you’ll be happy.’ But who cares for us? He is making his own plan. Therefore he must suffer. Nature’s law he cannot avoid. That’s not possible.” (Srila Prabhupada Conversation, Nov. 6, 1976, Vrindavan)

“Krishna is in everyone’s heart. So Krishna has to satisfy so many prayers. The burglar and the thief and the householder — so many prayers. So Krishna’s adjustment… But He’s still… That is Krishna’s intelligence, how He adjusts. He gives everyone freedom. And everyone is given facilities, but still He’s in botheration.

Therefore Krishna advises to his devotees that ‘Don’t plan anything. You rascal, you nonsense, you don’t give Me trouble. Please surrender unto Me. Just go under My plan; you’ll be happy. You are making plan, you are unhappy; I am also unhappy. I am also unhappy. So many plans are coming daily, and I’ll have to fulfill.’ But He’s merciful. Ye yatha mam prapadyante tams… (BG 4.11).

So except the devotee of Krishna, everyone is simply giving Krishna trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble. Therefore, they are called duskrtina. Duskrtina, most miscreant, the miscreants. Don’t make any plan. Accept Krishna’s plan. That will be simply giving trouble to Krishna. Therefore, a devotee does not pray even for his maintenance. That is pure devotee. He doesn’t give trouble to Krishna even for his bare maintenance. If he has no maintenance, he’ll suffer, fasting; still, he’ll not ask Krishna, ‘Krishna, I am very hungry. Give me some food.’ Of course, Krishna is alert for His devotee, but a devotee’s principle is not to place any plan to Krishna. Let Krishna do. Simply we have to do according to the plan of Krishna.

So what is our plan? Our plan is… Krishna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam (BG 18.66). Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji. So our plan is the same thing. We are simply canvassing for Krishna, that ‘You become Krishna conscious.’ We have to show our example, how we are becoming Krishna conscious, how we are worshiping Krishna, how we are going on the street for vibrating Krishna’s name, transcendental name.

Now we are distributing Krishna’s prasadam. As far as possible, our business is to induce persons how he becomes Krishna conscious. That’s all. For that reason, you can make your plan, because that is Krishna’s plan. But that should also be sanctioned by Krishna. Don’t make your own manufactured, concocted plan. Therefore, to guide you, a Krishna’s representative required. That is spiritual master.”(Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s Appearance Day Lecture, Gorakhpur, February 15, 1971)

“Krishna said, ‘My dear Arjuna, you are thinking that you’ll save your relatives, but you are wrong. It is already planned. Those who have come here, they must be killed. That is already My plan. You simply become a instrument.’ Nimitta-matram bhava savyasacin. So when Arjuna understood that ‘It is the Krishna’s plan. Then I am servant of Krishna; I must satisfy Krishna,’ Krishna therefore asked Arjuna, ‘Now, after hearing My instruction in the Bhagavad-gita, what you are going to do?’ Krishna said…, Arjuna replied, nasto mohah smrtir labdha: ‘My Lord Krishna, my illusion is now over.’ Smrtir labdha, ‘I have got my remembrance. Everything belongs to You. For Your satisfaction everything must be done.’ Karisye vacanam tava(BG 18.73). ‘Yes, I’ll fight.’

This is Krishna consciousness. So long you think it is for your satisfaction, that is material. And as soon as you think, as soon as you understand that everything belongs to Krishna and everything should be used for the service of Krishna, that is spiritual. That is the distinction between material and spiritual.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Bombay, September 29, 1973)

“Krishna never said to Arjuna that ‘You haven’t got to fight. You sit down, I shall do everything.’ He never said that. ‘You have to fight.’ Nimitta-matram bhava savyasacin (BG 11.33). ‘And the result is already created by Me, but you have to make a manifestation of fighting.’ Just like our Krishna consciousness movement. Within eight or ten years we have developed so much. Is it humanly possible? It is Krishna’s plan. But Krishna says that ‘You go and preach. Take the credit.’ Yes. It is His plan. Actually everything is done by Krishna. He gives the credit to His devotee, that’s all.” (Srila Prabhupada Conversation, New Vrindavan, June 24, 1976)

“Our plan should be to accept Krishna’s plan, that’s all. Approved, authorized plan. That is very easy. Take any words of Krishna, it is very easy.” (Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, Tehran, August 12, 1976)

“So this abodha-jatah, this rascal civilization, whatever they are planning, whatever they are doing, that is simply defeat. He does not know what is the aim of life. They are being defeated. So this time, this life I have become prime minister, and making so many plans and so many things and so many things. Next life I become a dog. That you cannot check. Karmana daiva-netrena (SB 3.31.1). The God’s law, nature’s law, will not take account of your premiership, prime ministership. What you are actually — that is nature’s law. Krishna is there within your heart. Outwardly you become a very big man — minister, president and so on — and God is seeing within what you are. Within.Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese ‘rjuna tisthati (BG 18.61). Within you are a dog, and outside if you are a president, that will not help you. That will not help you. Abodha-jatah.

Therefore whatever plan they are making, that’s all defeat. Plan-making is already there. Krishna has given plan gradually. The last plan is sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja (BG 18.66). This is real plan. Krishna has given so many plans: karma-yogi, dhyana-yogi, this yogi, that. But everywhere He has concluded that the real plan is how to become Krishna conscious. That is real plan.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, October 27, 1976)

“We chant Hare Krishna, everything will come out very good. But the rascals will not do that. That is the difficulty. They will make plan. Krishna’s plan they will not take. That is the difficulty.” (Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, Ahmedabad, Sept. 27, 1975)

“Man-made laws cannot work any rupture in Krsna’s plan. Better let us remain now under Krsna’s shelter fully dependent, and we shall remain unaffected by all the man-made difficulties.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, December 1, 1974)

“I am so pleased that you are feeling for me and listening to my old tapes with pleasure. As you are remembering our old meeting days on the second avenue, when I first started my lectures there, similarly I also remember the incidents and speak to so many friends and disciples. So our meeting was Krishna’s desire. Apparently it was accidental but actually it was Krishna’s plan. So we should always remember this plan of Krishna and must continue to work jointly for advancement of Krishna Consciousness movement in this part of the world. I shall always pray to Krishna to give you more and more strength and confidence in this great responsibility and I shall pray for your long life to execute this mission.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, November 18, 1968)

“So do not feel discouraged at all. By Krishna’s Plan everything will come out for the best. We have only to work very sincerely, depending fully on the Mercy of the Lord, and in this consciousness we can make very quick advancement in Krishna Consciousness.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, July 31, 1969)

Source:https://theharekrishnamovement.org/2016/10/07/accept-krishnas-plan/

The fourth Sydney Temple fund raising dinner for the year was attended by about 150 devotees and guests.

Special speakers were HH Bir Krsna Maharaja, Gaura Gopal from Mumbai and myself.

The evening went well with kirtan, dance, progress report and construction commencement dates. Many gave generous donations for the new project.

Source:http://www.ramaiswami.com/new-sydney-temple-project-2/

Spiritual life starts with Sadhana - regulated practices under the guidance of an authentic spiritual teacher for purifying the mind and increasing our attachment to the Supreme. In it's maturity, spiritual life goes beyond regulations into the realm of constant spontaneous engagement. Regulation is required to deliberately engage the mind in spiritual ways when the mind is not completely spiritualised. But when the mind is fully attached to the supreme, it never wanders into non-spiritual or anti-spiritual thoughts.

On the spiritual path those that are most inclined to lead a peaceful existence that respects the value of all life often adopts the vegetarian lifestyle. It is in accordance with the yogic principle of ahimsa, which is to observe nonviolence and abstain from injuring any being in any way. However, in the process of bhakti-yoga, devotion goes beyond simple vegetarianism, and food becomes a method of spiritual progress. In the Krishna temples, food is offered to the Deities in a special sacrament, after which it becomes prasada orprasadam. This means the mercy of the Lord. Thus, the food we eat after it is offered to the Lord becomes a means for our purification and spiritual development. 

      Devotional service or Krishna consciousness is often described as a process of singing, dancing and feasting. But the feasting is done with spiritual food, Krishna prasadam. 

      In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna says, “All that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me.” So offering what we eat to the Lord is an integral part of bhakti-yoga and makes the food blessed with spiritual potencies. Then such food is called prasadam, or the mercy of the Lord.

      The Lord also describes what He accepts as offerings: “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” Thus, we can see that the Lord does not need anything, but if one offers fruits, grains, and vegetarian foods, He will accept it. The Lord does not accept foods like meat, fish or eggs, but only those that are pure and naturally available without harming others. So we offer what Krishna likes, not those items which are distasteful to Him. We also do not use garlic, onions, or mushrooms when we prepare food for Krishna.

      The Lord is fully satisfied in Himself. He is the creator of all so everything is already His. He supplies us with food through nature, but we give thanks to Him by offering it back in a mood of loving devotion. So if His devotee offers something with love, out of His causeless mercy Krishna accepts it. The Lord is never hungry for our food, but for the love and devotion we offer. And then He reciprocates with that love. 

      So on the spiritual path eating food that is first offered to God is the ultimate perfection of a vegetarian diet. The Vedic literature explains that the purpose of human life is reawakening the soul’s original relationship with God, and accepting prasadam is the way to help us reach that goal.

      The food is meant to be cooked with the consciousness of love, knowing that it will be offered to Lord Krishna. In the spiritual world, Radharani cooks for Krishna and She never cooks the same preparation twice. The temple kitchen is understood to belong toRadharani.

      The ingredients are selected with great care and must be fresh, clean and pure vegetarian. Also, in cooking for Krishna we do not taste the preparations while cooking. We leave the first taste for Krishna when it is offered.

      After all the preparations are ready, we take a portion of each one and place it in bowls on a special plate and take it to the altar to offer it to the Deities or pictures of Krishna.

      Then the preparations are presented with special prayers as we ask that God accept our humble offering. The Lord accepts it with the most important part being the love with which it is offered. God does not need to eat, but it is our love for God which attracts Him to us and to accept our offering. Even if the most sumptuous banquet is offered to God but without devotion and love, Krishna will not be hungry to accept it. It is our love which catches the attention of Lord Krishna who is then inclined to accept our service.

      After He glances over and tastes that loving offering of vegetarian preparations, He leaves the remnants for us to honor and relish. Krishna’s potency is absorbed in that food. In this way material substance becomes spiritualized, which then affects our body and mind in a similar way. This is His special mercy for us. Thus, the devotional process becomes an exchange of love between us and God, which includes food. And that food not only nourishes our body, but also purifies our consciousness.             

      By relishing the sacred food of Krishna prasadam, it purifies our heart and protects us from falling into illusion. In this way, the devotee imbibes the spiritual potency of Lord Krishna and becomes cleansed of sinful reactions by eating food that is first offered in sacrifice to God. We thus also become free from reincarnation, the continued cycle of life and death. This process prepares us for entering the spiritual world since the devotees there also relish eating in the company of Krishna.

      Not only do we make advancement, but also all of the plants that are used in the preparations as an offering to God are also purified and reap spiritual benefit. However, we become implicated in karma if we cause the harm of any living being, even plants, if we use them for food without offering them to God. Thus prasadam also becomes the perfect yoga diet.

      Therefore, the cooking, the offering and then the respectful eating or honoring of this spiritualized food all become a part of the joyful process of devotional service to the Lord. Anyone can learn to do this and enjoy the happiness of experiencing prasadam. The Sunday love feast in the Hare Krishna temples is the opportunity in which everyone can participate in this opulence of Lord Krishna. So we invite you to attend as often as you like and make spiritual advancement simply by relishing Krishna prasadam.  

[This article and more information at  www.stephen-knapp.com]

Source:http://www.stephen-knapp.com/prasada_the_power_of_sacred_food.htm