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Eagerness To See God

The gopīs are another example of great eagerness to see Kṛṣṇa. The gopīs came to Kṛṣṇa, being captivated by His beautiful features. They were young girls, and Kṛṣṇa was so beautiful. Actually they were lusty when they came to Kṛṣṇa, but Kṛṣṇa is so pure that they became first-class devotees. There is no comparison to the gopīs’ devotion, because they loved Kṛṣṇa with heart and soul. That is the qualification. They loved Kṛṣṇa so much that they didn’t care for family or reputation when they went out in the dead of night. Kṛṣṇa’s flute was sounding, and they were all fleeing their homes. Their fathers, their brothers, their husbands all said, “Where are you going? Where are you going in this dead of night?” But the gopīs didn’t care. They neglected their children, their family, everything. Their only thought was, “We must go to Kṛṣṇa.”

This eagerness is required. We must be very, very eager to see Kṛṣṇa. Many gopīs who were forcibly stopped from going to Kṛṣṇa lost their lives because of their great feelings of separation. So this eagerness is wanted; then you can see God. Whether you are lusty or a thief or a murderer or whatever it may be—somehow or other you must develop this eagerness, this desire: “I must see Kṛṣṇa.” Then Kṛṣṇa will be seen. (JSD 2.1)

Full chapter

Everyone Can See God

from: The Journey of Self-Discovery
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

The Vedic literature is unique among all the world’s scriptures because it details a practical process by which anyone can purify his or her consciousness and see God face to face. In this lecture, delivered in Los Angeles on August 15, 1972, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains, “One must actually be very eager to see God…. One must be very serious and think, ‘Yes, I have been informed about God. So if there is a God, I must see Him.’”

tac chraddadhānā munayo
jñāna-vairāgya-yuktayā
paśyanty ātmani cātmānaṁ
bhaktyā śruta-gṛhītayā

“The seriously inquisitive student or sage, well equipped with knowledge and detachment, realizes the Absolute Truth by rendering devotional service in terms of what he has heard from the Vedic literature, Vedānta-śruti.” [Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.12]

People sometimes ask, “Have you seen God?” or “Can you show me God?” Sometimes we meet these questions. So the answer is “Yes, I am seeing God. You can also see God; everyone can see God. But you must have the qualification.” Suppose something is wrong with a motorcar; it is not running. Everyone is seeing it, but a mechanic sees it differently. He’s qualified to see it with greater understanding. So he replaces some missing part, and immediately the car runs. But although for seeing a machine we require so much qualification, we want to see God without any qualification. Just see the folly! People are such rascals, they are such fools, that they want to see God with their imagined qualifications.

Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā, nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya yogamāyā-samāvṛtaḥ: [Bg. 7.25] “I am not exposed to everyone. My energy, yogamāyā, is covering Me from their vision.” So how can you see God? But this rascaldom is going on—this “Can you show me God?” “Have you seen God?” God has become just like a plaything, so that cheaters advertise some ordinary man by saying, “Here is God. Here is an incarnation of God.”

Na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ [Bg. 7.15]. Sinful rascals, fools, the lowest of mankind—they inquire like that: “Can you show me God?” What qualification have you acquired by which you can see God? Here is the qualification: tac chraddadhānā munayaḥ. One must first of all be faithful (śraddadhāna). One must actually be very much eager to see God. Not that one takes it as a frivolous thing—“Can you show me God?”—or as some magic. They think God is magic. No. One must be very serious and think, “Yes, I have been informed about God. So if there is a God, I must see Him.”

There is a story in this connection. It is very instructive, so try to hear. One professional reciter was publicly reciting the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and he was describing that Kṛṣṇa is very highly decorated with all kinds of jewels when He goes to tend the cows in the forest. So, there was a thief in that meeting, and he thought, “Why not go to Vṛndāvana and plunder this boy? He’s in the forest with so many valuable jewels. I can go there and catch the child and take all the jewels.” This was his intention. So he was serious. “I must find that boy,” he thought. “Then in one night I shall become a millionaire.”

The thief’s qualification was his feeling: “I must see Kṛṣṇa! I must see Kṛṣṇa!” That anxiety, that eagerness, made it possible for him to actually see Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana. He saw Kṛṣṇa in just the same way as the Bhāgavatam reader had described. Then the thief said, “Oh, You are such a nice boy, Kṛṣṇa.” He began to flatter Him; he thought that by flattering Him he would easily take all the jewels. Then he proposed his real business: “May I take some of these ornaments? You are so rich.”

“No, no, no,” said Kṛṣṇa. “My mother will be angry! I cannot give them away.” Kṛṣṇa was playing just like a child.

So the thief became more and more eager for Kṛṣṇa to give Him the jewels, but by Kṛṣṇa’s association he was becoming purified. Then at last Kṛṣṇa said, “All right, you can take them.” Then the thief became a devotee immediately, because by Kṛṣṇa’s association he had been completely purified. So somehow or other you should come in contact with Kṛṣṇa. Then you’ll be purified.

The gopīs are another example of great eagerness to see Kṛṣṇa. The gopīs came to Kṛṣṇa, being captivated by His beautiful features. They were young girls, and Kṛṣṇa was so beautiful. Actually they were lusty when they came to Kṛṣṇa, but Kṛṣṇa is so pure that they became first-class devotees. There is no comparison to the gopīs’ devotion, because they loved Kṛṣṇa with heart and soul. That is the qualification. They loved Kṛṣṇa so much that they didn’t care for family or reputation when they went out in the dead of night. Kṛṣṇa’s flute was sounding, and they were all fleeing their homes. Their fathers, their brothers, their husbands all said, “Where are you going? Where are you going in this dead of night?” But the gopīs didn’t care. They neglected their children, their family, everything. Their only thought was, “We must go to Kṛṣṇa.”

This eagerness is required. We must be very, very eager to see Kṛṣṇa. Many gopīs who were forcibly stopped from going to Kṛṣṇa lost their lives because of their great feelings of separation. So this eagerness is wanted; then you can see God. Whether you are lusty or a thief or a murderer or whatever it may be—somehow or other you must develop this eagerness, this desire: “I must see Kṛṣṇa.” Then Kṛṣṇa will be seen.

The first thing Kṛṣṇa is looking for is how eager you are to see Him. Kṛṣṇa will respond. If you are actually eager to see Kṛṣṇa—whether you are lusty, or you want to steal His ornaments, or some way or other you have become attracted to Kṛṣṇa—then it is sure your efforts will be successful.

But you must desire Kṛṣṇa only. In this connection, Rūpa Gosvāmī has written a verse:

smerāṁ bhaṅgī-traya-paricitāṁ sāci-vistīrṇa-dṛṣṭiṁ
vaṁśī-nyastādhara-kiśalayām ujjvalāṁ candrakeṇa
govindākhyāṁ hari-tanum itaḥ keśi-tīrthopakaṇṭhe
mā prekṣiṣṭhās tava yadi sakhe bandhu-saṅge ’sti raṅgaḥ
The idea is that one gopī is advising another gopī, “My dear friend, there is one boy—His name is Govinda. He is standing on the bank of the Yamunā near the Keśi-ghāṭa, and He is playing on His flute. He is so beautiful, especially during this full-moon night. If you have any intentions to enjoy in this material world with your children, husband, or other family members, then please do not go there.” Bhaṅgī-traya: Kṛṣṇa always stands in a three-curved way with His flute. That is Kṛṣṇa’s tri-bhaṅga form, bending in three places. So the one gopī says to the other, “If you think that you’ll enjoy your life more in this material world, then do not go to see Kṛṣṇa. Do not go there.” The idea is that if you once see Kṛṣṇa, then you’ll forget all this nonsensical materialistic enjoyment. That is seeing Kṛṣṇa.

When Dhruva Mahārāja saw Kṛṣṇa, he said, svāmin kṛtārtho ’smi varaṁ na yāce: “My dear Lord, I don’t want anything else.” Dhruva Mahārāja went to see Kṛṣṇa to get the kingdom of his father, and when he saw Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa offered, “Now, whatever benediction you want, you take.” Dhruva said, “My dear Lord, I no longer have any desire.” That is seeing Kṛṣṇa.

So, if you’re eager to see Kṛṣṇa, regardless of whatever motive you have, somehow or other, due to your eagerness, you’ll see Kṛṣṇa. That is the only qualification.

In another verse, Rūpa Gosvāmī says, kṛṣṇa-bhakti-rasa-bhāvitā matiḥ krīyatāṁ yadi kuto ’pi labhyate. (I have translated the words Kṛṣṇa consciousness from kṛṣṇa-bhakti-rasa-bhāvitā.) So here Rūpa Gosvāmī advises, “If Kṛṣṇa consciousness is available, please purchase it immediately. Don’t delay. It is a very nice thing.”

Yes, Kṛṣṇa consciousness is available. You can purchase it from this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. But what is the price? It is such a nice thing, but you have to pay the price. What is that? Tatra laulyam api mūlyam ekalam: Simply your eagerness. That is the price. You have to pay this price. Then you get Kṛṣṇa, immediately. Kṛṣṇa is not poor, and the Kṛṣṇa-seller—the Kṛṣṇa devotee—he’s also not poor. He can distribute Kṛṣṇa free. And he’s doing that. You simply have to purchase Him by your eagerness.

Someone may say, “Oh, eagerness? I have eagerness.” Ah-h-h… but it is not so easy. Janma-koṭi-sukṛtair na labhyate: This eagerness cannot be achieved even by executing pious activities for millions of births. If you simply go on performing pious activities, still this eagerness is not available.

So, this eagerness is a very important thing, but it can be awakened only by the association of devotees. Therefore we are giving everyone a chance to invoke that eagerness; then you’ll see God, face to face.

This life is meant for seeing Kṛṣṇa. It is not meant for becoming dogs and hogs. Unfortunately, the whole modern civilization is training people to become dogs and hogs. It is only this institution—this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement—that is teaching people how to see Kṛṣṇa. It is so important.

Tac chraddadhānā munayo jñāna-vairāgya-yuktayā [SB 1.2.12]. By eagerness, you’ll automatically be enriched with knowledge and detachment. Knowledge does not mean “Now we have discovered this atomic bomb.” That is not knowledge. What knowledge is that? People are already dying, and you have discovered something that will accelerate death. But we are giving knowledge to stop death. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness; that is knowledge. Jñāna-vairāgya-yuktayā. And as soon as you get this knowledge, automatically you become detached from all this nonsensical materialistic happiness.

Thank you very much.

Source:https://theharekrishnamovement.org/2016/08/04/eagerness-to-see-god/

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Kadamba Kanana Swami: I have a cartoon

The first picture shows a child, you know, baby just born and the caption says, “Too young.” Next picture shows a couple in love, hand-in-hand, full moon behind them, “Too much in love.” Next picture shows a family, a few kids, you know, bags with groceries. He has got a phone, a computer, a drill and a screwdriver. I mean, they have six arms; they are, “Too busy.” Next picture, an old man; death, “Too old.” Last picture has cross on the grave, “Too late.”
So at every stage of life, we have an excuse. We always have an excuse. So, now you can say, “I always thought chanting Hare Krsna was very difficult and now I have the perfect excuse – children! So happy that I have children because I don’t have to chant Hare Krsna anymore. It is a relief, right, because now I have very good arguments not to chant.”
No, chanting must be done under any condition of life and no material difficulty can ever be accepted as a valid excuse for not chanting.
Yeah, you know, “Why didn’t you chant your rounds today?”
“I broke my leg.”
“That is not a valid excuse. You could have chanted in the hospital.”
“Yes, but I was unconscious.”
“Well, then you should have started chanting when you regained consciousness.”
So we do not accept any excuse when it comes to chanting. Sorry! That is the first point and that is how we have to deal with ourselves. You have to take charge of yourself with intelligence as if you are another person, looking at yourself then you see yourself coming with excuses.
RedAlarmClock“I’m too busy.”
“Sorry, that’s not an excuse.”
Make time. You manage to make time when you really like something… like for your favourite TV program. So yes, with our intelligence, we must take charge and make arrangements – make time to chant. And chant with a plan. Don’t just let chanting happen.
“I have to chant sixteen rounds. I’m really trying, I’m trying. But I’m so busy, I’m so busy. You can’t believe how busy I am, I just cannot do it. I just don’t have the time. I try and try, every day I try. Don’t have the time.”
Uh, uh. Get time management! You have a time management problem. Yes, you are chanting without a plan. How do you think you will get it done without a plan? You have to have a plan. You have to build chanting into your day. Say, “I’ll chant here, I’ll chant there, and I need so much time for sixteen rounds. So many rounds here, so many rounds there.” That is how it is done!
You know, I also have a plan to chant today because I just arrived in Australia. I am sort of still dizzy and disoriented and looking at like, “Where am I?” Seems to be Sydney and there are three programs today. Three programs. So, I have to chant some rounds on the drive back… I have to make sure that I don’t fall asleep and that the driver is not going to try to reveal his heart to me while driving. (laughter) So, make a plan for spiritual life and it will go well.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=30152

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ISKCON Vraj Mandal Parikrama 2016

2015 was the 500th anniversary year of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s visit to Vraj Mandal and 2016 being ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Come for Vraj Mandal Parikrama on this special occasion and immerse yourself in Krishna katha and kirtan by devotees from around the world.
There will be special facilities for international group. Visit www.vrajmandalparikrama.com for details on booking and facilities available. For more information contact us
VRAJ84@Pamho.net, Brajbhoomi.lok@pamho.net, shyamrupdas.lok@gmail.com.
Brajbhoomi Das :-+91- 9415113744
Istadev Das:- +91-9593648074
Shyamrupa Das:- +91-8087115554
Paramdham Das:-+1(301)906- 3598
Fees
A) Rs. 5000/- Bramhachari, Fulltime Devotees,Namhatt Devotees ( with recommendation letter )
B) Rs. 7000/- Regular Indian devotees
C) Rs.11000/- International Group
D) Rs.12000/- shuttle Group
E) Rs. 21000/- Special Group
Below is the schedule.
October 2016
16th:- Vrindavan Parikrama – Ishtagoshti
17th:- Vrindavan To Mathura
18th:- Mathura Parikrama
19th:- Mathura to Madhuban
20th:- Madhuban To Shantanu Kund
21st:- Shatanukund to Radhakund
22nd:- Radhakund – Goverdhan Parikrama
23rd:- Radhakund – Bahulaashtmi Radhakund
24th:- Radhakund to Deeg
25th:- Deeg to Badrinath
26th:- Badrinath Parikrama – Indira Ekadashi
27th:- Badrinath to Kamavan
28th:- Kamavan Interior Parikrama
29th:- Kamavan External Parikrama
30th:- Kamavan to Barsana – Deepavali
31st:- Barsana – Goverdhan Puja
November 2016
01st:- Barsana
02nd:- Barsana to Nandgaon
03rd:- Nandgaon to Kokilavan
04th:- Kokilavan – Prabhupada Disapp Day
05th:- Kokilvan to Sheshashyai
06th:- Sheshashyai to Shergarh
07th:- Shergarh to chirghat
08th:- Chirghat to Bhandirvan – Gopastami
09th:- Bhandirvan to Mansarovar
10th:- Mansarovar to Lohavan
11th:- Lohavan to Dauji – Utthan Ekadashi
12th:- Dauji to Brahmand Ghat
13th:- Bramhand Ghat to Raval
14th:- Raval to Mathura – Kartik Purnima

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=30162

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Printable Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-puja Posters for download (about 170MB each)

“We should celebrate Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja on a very grand scale and invite all our devotees to the Vyasa-puja celebration. We should encourage every devotee to write an offering to Srila Prabhupada.”, H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami

Exalting the festivities of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja would provide more opportunities for present and future generations of devotees to nurture and strengthen their individual relationship with His Divine Grace, and further secure the understanding of Srila Prabhupada’s pre-eminent position in our movement.
By producing a Vyasa-puja pack, with its booklet, posters, postcards, banners, videos and more (www.founderacarya.com/vp), the Srila Prabhupada Position Committee aims to inspire and facilitate ISKCON temples and communities worldwide to enhance the celebration of Srila Prabhupada’s annual Vyasa-puja festivities for years to come and to encourage ongoing exchange among devotees.

A series of new ISKCON 50 Vyasa-puja posters, designed by Bhaktivaibhava Swami has been released.

“Please make good use of the help offered for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada”, Bhakti Charu Swami

Please visit https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B19tTcWhh_lYTXhMaFdGSDlOVjg and download the Vyasa-puja posters in high resolution printable format and smaller resolution for internet use.

If you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us or provide inspirational feedback at sp.vyasapuja@gmail.com

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Kamala Sundari devi dasi

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=30156

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‘Walking Monk’ heads across Iowa

Bhaktimarga Swami, known as “The Walking Monk,” says “the walk before” encourages him to keep walking, which got him started on his most recent walk, a walk across America.

Bhaktimarga Swami (formerly John Peter Vis) is a Hare Krishna monk who is walking across America to promote a healthier global lifestyle, a strong spiritual foundation and a simple meditative life.

“I’m also out here to integrate with people,” the 63-year-old Canadian said. “It’s kind of like a workout and a workin … to take time to process life.”

He is also walking to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the Hare Krisna movement.

On this particular day (Wednesday, July 20) he started just outside of Brooklyn on Highway 6 and was stopped just east of Grinnell.

Born in 1952 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, Bhaktimarga Swami adopted the monastic lifestyle of the Hare Krisna order in 1973.

Traveling on foot is a common practice in various traditions, he said, and it’s an effective way to reach out and communicate the importance of morality and ethical priorities.

“You learn to take it all in,” Bhaktimarga Swami said. “The heat, the wind, the rain, the traffic, the cold, the black flies, the mosquitos, the public attention or none. With all of that you learn detachment from the externals and how to go within to be happy.”

Bhaktimarga Swami said that during his travels he has had a number of different experiences. He usually starts a walk very early each day – recently to beat the heat in Iowa he has started around 4 a.m. And with wearing an orange robe he has been mistaken for a number of different things in the dark, including an escaped convict.

That normally brings the police, but after a brief discussion, he continues on his way.

In Iowa, Bhaktimarga Swami had only good to say for the law enforcement community.

“The police have been terrific,” he said. “The cops are nice here in Iowa.”

This tour is made of three parts – he started last fall in Boston, went to Bulter, Penn., then into New York. The second leg started in Butler and brought him to Grinnell. He plans on stopping near Grand Island, Neb., before continuing on the third leg next summer.

This isn’t new to him, he has trekked across Canada four times, Ireland, Israel, Guyana, Trinidad, the Fiji Islands, Mauritius and other countries. He was featured in a National Film Board of Canda’s documentary titled “The Longest Road.”

He averages about 20 miles a day, he said.

“While I walk I also meditate,” Bhaktimarga said. “As a monk you have that obligation to yourself – take to the elements and toughen up inside.”


Source:http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/brooklyn/2016/07/20/walking-monk-heads-across-iowa/87342848/

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Monk among speakers at expo

JAPANESE monk His Holiness Srila Bhanu Swami, who has translated 29 books from Sanskrit into English, will be one of the speakers at the Hindu Civilisation and Heritage Exhibition at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Kanhaiya Temple of Devotion and Understanding in Seberang Jaya, Butterworth.

The event will be held from Saturday to Aug 14.

Canada-born Bhanu Swami joined the Hare Krishna movement in India in 1970.

Bhanu Swami will give a talk on ‘Science and Vedas (Unlocking Secrets of Left Brain, Right Brain)’ from 9.15am to 10.45am and ‘Soul - The Last Frontier of Science’ from 8pm to 10pm on Saturday.

Then on Sunday from 9.15am to 11am, he will give a talk on ‘The Yoga Ladder (Science of Yoga)’.

Other speakers are lawyer-cum- author Datuk V. Nadarajan who will talk about Bujang Valley on Saturday (6pm till 7.30pm), Prof Dr Surash Ramanathan on Ayurveda on Saturday (11am to 12.30pm) and Dr Sridevi Sriniwass on ‘Panini and the Discovery of Sanskrit’ on Sunday (11.15am to 1pm).

On Aug 13, Dr Ranjeev Hari will speak on ‘Consciousness before and after Death - Science and Vedic views’ (9.15am to 10.45am) and Dr Suhanya Parthasarathy on ‘Bhakti Yoga, The Incredible Science of this Age’ (11am to 12.30pm).

Cinematographer and motivator J.K. Wicky will discuss ‘Untold Mysteries of the Great Tanjavur Temple’ on Aug 14 (9.15am to 10.45am) and after that, International Society for Krishna Consciousness Malaysia (Iskcon) regional secretary Simheswara Prabhu will talk on ‘Cow Protection’ (11am to 12.30pm).

The exhibition will highlight records of Bujang Valley, Kedah Tua, Gangga Nagara, Langkasuka, the Hindu history of the Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Prambanan (Indonesia), and places in China, Korea, Japan, Australia, North America, South America, Russia, the Vatican and Egypt.

The event is organised by the Bhaktivedanta Science Unit of Iskcon.

Iskcon assistant secretary-general Santhira Kumar Madhavan said the exhibition would also feature records of contribution and discovery by Hindu sages with scriptures in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Metallurgy, Astronomy, Linguistics, Architecture and Culture.

“The exhibition also aims to promote the scientific contribution of Hindus in various fields in Malaysia and all over the world,” Santhira said in a press statement yesterday.

For more details, contact Kalesa @ Lim Kok Chye (019-4411008) or Dr Surash (013–4357649). Admission to the event is free.

Source:http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/08/03/monk-among-speakers-at-expo/

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Sri Vrindavan Dham has a lot of traditions related to Radha and Krishna, the temples and ashrams, through which they bless their devotees.
One of these amazing traditions is the “eternal” fire in Shri Radha Raman Lal Ji’s kitchen, which hasn’t gone out in 450 years. Sewayats use kande (cakes made from dried cow dung) only to bring the fire to the surface for cooking purpose. No match box is used in the entire temple premises.
450 years ago Gopal Bhatt Goswami, who revealed Radha Raman Lal to the world, ignited this fire using his Vedic mantras. While chanting the mantras, he rubbed wooden sticks together to bring forth the flame, which he took to the kitchen and kept it burning for the entire time he was alive.
Raman’s kitchen on the 450 years old fire.
A priest cooking inside Radha Raman’s kitchen on the 450 years old fire.
His descendants followed the same tradition and have never let the fire go out in the past four and half centuries.
Sewayats also keep special care of the purity because of which no outsider is allowed in the Lord’s kitchen. Only the descendants of Gopal Bhatt Goswami and temple sewayats cook food for the Lord. Also, no sewayat is allowed to leave the kitchen without having finished cooking the whole offering. If he does, he is not allowed to re-enter without first taking a proper bath.
The Radha Raman temple follows some of the highest standards and strictest rules for deity seva in Vrindavan.

Source:https://www.facebook.com/rbgdjps/posts/10209527251835994

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On July 31st padayatra camped on the outskirts of the Manalmedu Village, 10 kilometers away from Karrur. There was an old age home nearby where many disabled, diseased and elderly people lived. We thought because they could not walk to come see us that we would go to them. So, we went there and had a wonderful kirtana and katha for the residents. When we were leaving the old age home we noticed a man very cruelly dragging a cow to his village. It was painful to watch and we understood by the manner in which he was treating her that he was going to kill her for sure. A few of us followed him as he entered his village. When he reached his house we saw a large pile of cow flesh.  It was very evident that he was preparing to kill the cow that he had hauled to his home. We were both horrified and really scared when we saw that he had a big sharp instrument that he was going to use to cut the cow’s head.

Sometimes when people see sadhus or devotees they tell us to ‘go away’ or ‘get lost’ but we could not just stand by and let this heinous act occur. However, to our surprise he saw us watching and called out to us, “Hey Maharaj! Come here. What are you doing here? What do you want?” Parthasakha Dasa from Tamil Nadu had once instructed us to be very careful in certain areas here, especially in areas where there are dacoits and robbers. He even said that some people would not allow us to do kirtana in their area –therefore we were really terrified when this man called us. We took the name of the most merciful Nitai Gaurasundar and went to talk to him. We told him that we were padayatris and that we were doingparikrama of Char Dhama[1] and that we were preaching the message of Lord Krishna all over India. We told him that we travelled with Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar deities on a bullock cart. We then asked him if we could come to his village to dosankirtana. He listened attentively as we spoke and said, “Yes, of course, please come.” I then said to him “Okay, we will come but please clean this pile of flesh before we come here.” Whilst we were speaking he had forgotten about the cow that he was going to slaughter and when we left he was busy making arrangements for the padayatra’s arrival.

When we arrived at the village the man we had met earlier had informed everyone there that we were coming. There was 150 people gathered around us and all of them participated in the kirtana singing and dancing.  When we asked them to raise their hands they would raise their hands, and when we said chant the mahamantra loudly they would chant in a thunderous way.  They simply did whatever we asked of them like innocent children . It was indeed the causeless mercy of the Lord, because nothing else could allow for this to happen.  After the kirtana everyone took darsana of the Lord and then we had katha. I quoted a verse from Caitanya Caritamrta:

kali-kale nama-rupe krsna-avatara[2]

Which translates as, “In this age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krishna.” I explained to them that Krishna descends in the form of his name in the age of kali yuga. This holy name is the maha-mantra:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

I went on to say that only by harinaam will we be delivered from all the sins we have committed in this lifetime. I then narrated the pastime of Lord Ram when the monkeys were building a bridge to Lanka. The monkeys wrote “Ram” on each stone and tossed them into the ocean. When the stones hit the water they started to float. So, I explained the Lord’s name can deliver even a stone –we are just like these stones heavy with sin but if we chant the holy names we can be delivered.  Some of the people listening to the katha had tears in their eyes. I encouraged them by saying, “You are good people.” I then asked them, “How can you kill cows. Killing a cow brings a lot of sin.” We later found out that every Sunday the village would buy a cow, slaughter it and eat it. It had become a sort of tradition that they were just following for years without any real reason behind it.

After the katha we served kitchari prasadam to everyone. When we normally do prasadam distribution people gather all around us but this did not happen here.  They surprised us by forming a queue and then sitting in a line to honor prasadam,just like how we devotees do. A few people bought Bhagavad-gitas and we gave them free japa mala beads with every book. The ladies came to us crying, they expressed how fortunate they were that we had came to their village with the Lord. The man that we had met earlier came up to me after the program. He thanked us for coming to his village and reached out to shake my hand. I was wondering, “Should I shake his hand after all he has killed so many cows?” I then took the name of Sri Nitai Gaurasundar and shook his hand anyway. He was so pleased. I said to him, “You are a good man why are you slaughtering cows. If you want to eat meat, eat goat.” He replied, “But killing goats are also sinful.” I responded, “But if you kill a cow you will take birth the number of times equal to each hair on the cow’s body.” Since he appeared to be the leader of the village we invited him to join us for managal arati the next morning. I thought of this verse in Bhagavad-gita:

yad yad acarati sresthas
tat tad evetaro janah[3]

Which translates as, “Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps.”

Sure enough the next morning he came and he also brought 20 people with him to attend managal arati. Afterwards he took a sankalpa or solemn vow in front of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar to never slaughter cows or eat meat from that moment on. He then asked us to teach him how to chant. He chanted with us, purchased 6 Bhagavad-gitas, gave a donation and walked with us to our next destination. I asked him to please chant the holy names and took down his telephone number. I told him that I would call him and follow up with him. He was very glad. He paid obeisances to us and returned to his village.

This whole arrangement was due to the mercy of Srila Prabhupada. It was Srila Prabhupada who ordered Lokanath Swami, my beloved Gurudev to start padayatra. Now padayatra goes with Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar to places where no one else reaches. What we had experienced in the village was a miracle. The people were hypnotized by the darsana of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundar and never objected to anything we said –they just listened with rapt attention. We were all surprised how these people who were slaughtering cows so ruthlessly could be so virtuous. This was the Lord’s way of displaying the power of the holy names. After all He delivered Jagai and Madhai, He can deliver anyone.

We are celebrating ‘World Holy Name Week” this month and so we are intensifying all our preaching programs and doingsankirtana everywhere we can to spread the holy names.  We were inspired by the incident that occurred in this village and by Lokanath Swami’s mercy we were instrumental in changing the hearts and minds of the village folk.  This has increased our faith in the holy names. Gobhakshaka (one who eats cows) turned into gorakshaka (one who protects cows) that day.

Patitapavana Nitai Guarsundar ki! Jai!

Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada ki! Jai

World Holy Name week ki! Jai

Book Scores – July 2016

NB: All books distributed were in the Tamil language as padayatra is currently in the state of Tamil Nadu

Small books (soft cover)                   6684

Medium books (soft cover)     42

Big books (soft cover)             146

Maha Big book (hard cover)   2808

Total :                                     9680

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Begin Your Journey of Joy

As long as we think, even mildly, that material situations are important, we are in the trap of deadly illusion. This illusion causes us to mistake the unimportant as important, the inessential as essential, the temporary as permanent. It makes us despair in unfortunate times; it makes us fearful about losing the good ones. It makes us struggle to accumulate more and even to just maintain status quo.

Unfortunately the world situation today forces us to struggle even for basic necessities and securities even if we are unattached to material situations. Gone are the days where one could lead a peaceful spiritual life away from the rigmarole of the general life of the masses. Life has become a struggle for all.

Most seek respite in the shallow entertainment of this world which leads them into denser fogs of illusion. But the wise seek respite in focussing on the essential ingredients of happy living even while the world conspires to allure them away into the sinister fogs of illusion.

Focussing on unchanging universal wisdom principles leads to a peaceful and fulfilled heart. Break the shackles of materialistic life, stop being impressed by material accomplishments.

When the mundane stops interesting you, your journey of joy begins.

Source:http://thebandwagonofmoltengold.blogspot.in/2015/10/begin-your-journey-of-joy.html

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Acid Test

Sometimes I pause for thought – “what is motivating my spiritual journey?” The fact that one continues on with a seeming enthusiasm, year after year, may not tell the full story. When we receive appreciation, respect, encouragement and a plethora of impending opportunity, it’s somewhat easy to carry on with a gusto and drive. There is, after all, an immediate sense of achievement, value and purpose. The defining moments, however, often occur when that reciprocation is not so forthcoming. That’s the acid test to measure the sum and substance of our spirituality. In those difficult times we witness where we are actually drawing our enthusiasm from. Is the driving force a genuine spiritual connection or more based upon material gratification? What happens when all the results are taken away? 

Periodically, we'll all be confronted with situations where people are oblivious to our sacrifices, unappreciative of our endeavours, and seemingly unimpressed with our contributions. People may even misunderstand our purpose and cuttingly criticise us. Swami Prabhupada talked about a period of his life where he was "crying alone in the wilderness." Few who heard, even less who genuinely appreciated, and scarcely anyone who actually helped. He nevertheless continued on with no loss of enthusiasm. In such testing times, the level of our spiritual purity is exhibited and developed. One must be fixed in the consciousness that there is divine appreciation for our sincere endeavours, even if the individuals around us aren't so forthcoming. When Mother Teresa scribed her poem entitled "Do it Anyway," she concluded with a poignant reminder - "in the final analysis its between you and God, it was never between you and them anyway."

Thus, in the rollercoaster journey of life, the ‘good times’ and ‘bad times’ all have their part to play. Whatever encouragement we receive is being willed by providence because it’s the ‘need of the day’ in our spiritual journey. Those times of stability, prosperity and recognition, should be utilised for spiritual immersion so we can build up assets of inspiration, gratitude, strength and unbreakable faith. And when the acid test comes, when we’re stripped of that encouraging support, crying alone in the wilderness, then we exercise the internal muscles by practicing resilience, humility, patience and tolerance. The test will expose us, educate us and hopefully inspire us. It’s a learning curve and I’m trying to remain alert – surprise tests are always around the corner.

Source:http://sutapamonk.blogspot.in/2015/10/acid-test.html

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Current ponderings

I like chanting Hare Krishna. It’s great & a good means to bring out the best in people. Yet within the society of ISKCON I wonder if there is a place for people like me?

Let me explain what I mean, by people like me. I really want to be a good person in the sense that I want to treat everyone with love, respect & kindness. We’re all birds of a same feather – we are all spiritual beings at different places in our journey. Even the most apparently horrible person say for instance a cannabalistic serial killer; is on their path back to Godhead. It’s not that I would seek such a person’s association but, I truly believe that we’re all going back to the spiritual world…eventually. It’s simply a question of how many lifetimes or other reformatory births that stand in our way from our arriving there, I may be a million away & you may be only a few. Keeping this thought in mind helps me to treat people better by understanding whatever bad behavior they may exhibit just means that they’re working through some funk to prepare themselves for the return to their true home.

I want to associate with persons who are asking important questions in life – existential ones (why am I here, what is my purpose, what is the purpose in life, etc.), difficult ones ( what is truth, of that what I’ve been taught – what is fact what is fiction, what is reality, etc), moral ones (what is right, what is wrong, etc) & lifestyle ones (how can I make the most out of this life, how can I make a difference in this world, how can I relate with people in the most meaningful, compassionate way possible, etc).

I’m not interested in simply regurgitating answers that come from a particular book or teacher. I want to find answers & teachings that deeply resonate with every aspect of my being. On the controversial subjects within ISKCON, I lean to the side of what feels right within my heart. For instance, gay marriage or monogamy – I believe people have the right to love & live as they choose to do so provided their lifestyle choices aren’t harming others. If that is with someone of the same gender – who am I to say that is right or wrong? They’re doing what it is they need to feel loved, happy, connected & authentic – which I think is absolutely essential to one’s growth & development.

To put it simply, I believe firmly in equality. From my understanding, no material designations (gay, straight, woman, man, black, white, yellow, sudra, brahmana, Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, etc) have any bearing on one’s ability to make spiritual advancement. I don’t believe that a straight, white, Hindu brahmana has any better of a shot than an illiterate, gay, sudra woman when it comes to achieving pure love of God. I also like to think in terms of difference more so than superiority/inferiority. For instance, generally speaking people have various strengths & weaknesses in terms of material designations but, that doesn’t make one person better than the other – it simply makes them different. Also, since we are all unique individuals I like to think/act according to that. Just because someone is in a black, female body – it doesn’t mean that person fits the stereotypes assigned to that race or gender.

To deny one’s intelligence & feelings of the heart because of what some Holy books say or some supposedly self-realized master says or because of thoughts like what will the devotees think seems to be the opposite of what I’m seeking. I’m seeking to be authentic & happy. From years of experience indulging the senses in a wide spectrum of their objects, I find only fleeting happiness or relief from the harsh realities of this world. Which to some extent, I feel may be God-given as a vehicle to take a break from all the hard truths that are out there. Are they the way, in & of themselves to find the answers I’m seeking? Most certainly not – but a mere distraction. Am I advocating or condemning sense gratification? Not so much – I’m simply trying to see it for what it is – a distraction which perhaps may even be necessary or therapeutic at times or could be completely destructive. It all depends on time, place & circumstance.

I’ve attempted to fit myself into the cookie cutter mold of what an ISKCON devotee looks like…at best it was simply an external show. I’ve arisen the 1.5 hours before dawn, wrapped myself up in a sari, applied the finest tilak, chanted my 16 rounds and gayatri mantras, worshipped Deities, engaged in service until my body was physically exhausted yet, it still hasn’t given me the certainty in the answers to my deepest questions – I haven’t had that one-on-one association with God that many devotees seem to be privy to. I ask the Lord for answers to my questions yet I don’t have any bright lights or a booming voice from the sky that tells me for certain, what I am to do. It would be a hell of a lot easier if I did.

That said, where I’m at now is attempting to find what feels true to myself, what satisfies the heart. It’s a tough road to walk on as the Gita says what tastes like poison in the beginning is nectar in the end & vice versa. So it seems we have to be willing to put ourselves out there & engage in that which may not seem right at first to later realize that – that thing was indeed what we needed. I find that with chanting a lot – the mind gives so many excuses not to chant or read scripture or do service or whatever else, once I ignore it & engage my heart feels happy.

So I think it comes down to the concept of the key to rapid progress is to always push yourself just beyond your comfort zone. I don’t claim to have any certain level of purity or realization. I simply aim to do that which seems to be the best thing I can do to find that authentic, blissful, honest, compassionate, kind, open-minded, loving person that I’m seeking to be.

Am I a member of ISKCON ? I don’t know. I don’t even know what that really means. One may carry out all the formalities or externals that show I’m a good ISKCON devotee – yet, the inside could be completely rotten & vice versa. So when it comes down to it, the way I see it is that’s between the individual & God. It is not bound to one society, sect or path. If there are teachings, teachers or persons of different traditions both secular & spiritual that deeply resonate with my heart & seem to offer answers or association that are leading me towards my goal – why would I ever deny them? I simply want truth, love, peace & happiness. I really want to be a good person & even if I don’t reach that goal in this lifetime, if I can feel that I’ve made even one step closer to that goal then, I can confidently say that this lifetime was a success.


Source:https://strugglingsadhaka.wordpress.com/2015/10/14/current-ponderings/

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Srila Prabhupada Receives the First Big 1972 Original Bhagavad Gita As It Is
by Nanda Kumar Das

One day, when I was first with His Divine Grace in L.A., Brahmananda Prabhu came from New York and they were talking about the printing of a Bhagavad Gita with Sanskrit included. Evidently, there was a question as to whether the western people could pronounce the transliteration with diacritic marks.

Srila Prabhupad rang his bell, and I came into his room. Brahmananda was there. Srila Prabhupad handed me a paper with Sanskrit transliteration and said “Read this!” I have been able to read since I was three, so evidently, I made the pronunciations close enough. Srila Prabhupad said to Brahmananda, with great enthusiasm, “See! I told you they could do it!” He was very happy.

So the printing went on, and in New York, when His Divine Grace was there, Brahmananda brought in the first edition of the big Gita with all the Sanskrit in it. Remembering the LA experience, he very kindly gave the Gita to me, and said “Here, you can give this to Srila Prabhupad.” I was overjoyed, and went to His room to offer it to Him, followed by a photographer. I gave it to Him and said “Here is the first copy of Your new Bhagavad Gita, Srila Prabhupad.”

In His amazing way of innocence and childlike excitement, He took it and held it to His head, saying “Jai! Jai!” It was awesome to be present for such an important and empowering moment. Srila Prabhupad was so kind to me. Even though I was/am a deeply entrenched rascal, He has engaged me so many times in wonderful service. All Glories to Srila Prabhupad!

Nanda Kumar Das

Source:https://theharekrishnamovement.org/2016/08/02/srila-prabhupada-receives-the-first-big-1972-original-unrevsied-bhagavad-gita-as/

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Good night...

It is funny how we devotees always can find something to occupy ourselves with. If I was a karmi, staying here at the ayurvedic center I would have left screaming for being bored out of my mind. Benefits of being a devotee, Radha rati mataji and me are occupying ourselves with singing kirtans, reading the Bhagavatam (we have an aim to finish the first canto before we leave) and generally exchanging our realizations.

Last night I was particularly lamenting on my separation from Panihati Dham and the deities there. Deity worship is something that I miss truly from the core of my heart. You have to be a pujari to know what I'm talking about....a pujari who has no deities at the moment to serve. A small temple like Panihati dham where during the weekdays, it is just you and the deities....prabhupad singing softly in the main temple room, there is so much bliss that it really hurts knowing that it is highly impossible for me to go back to that kind of service.

Prabhupad's bhajans are the most soothing sounds in this world. Getting absorbed in Prabhupad's deep voice, removing Panihati candra's mukut pieces, scrubbing gopi dots off of Madan mohan, giving jagannath some fresh water for the night, sweeping and mopping the altar with some eucalyptus oil.....

Bringing in their beds....tucking Krishna's flute under his pillow...

"agaccha sayana-sthanam priyabhih saha kesava divya-puspatya-sayyayam sukham vihara madhava"

"Now come, O Kesava, along with Your beloved Srimati Radharani and Her friends, to the bed covered with transcendental, aromatic flowers. Now happily enjoy Your pastimes, O Madhava."

and then chanting the respectful mantras for everyone else , switch off the lights on the altar,
and then whisper a,
"Good night...".....and slowly tiptoe out the back locking the doors...

...until I see them the next morning glowing softly for Mangala arati....

So, Caitanya Mahāprabhu is very kind. Parama karuna, pahū dui jana.Two Lords, Nitāi-Gauracandra, Nityānanda Prabhu and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, They are very kind, you see? They have appeared just to reclaim the fallen souls of this age. So They are more kind than Krishna. Krishna, He is also very kind. He comes to deliver. But Kṛṣṇa demands that first of all surrender. Caitanya Mahāprabhu even does not demand surrender. He is so kind. (voice choking) So take shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and be happy. Thank you very much. (weeping) (end)

-Srila Prabhupada, Arrival Address, February 28, 1975, Atlanta, Georgia.


You made Prabhupada weep...will I ever gaze at your merciful eyes again? scrub the chandan off your feet?.... 

Source:http://walksatdawn.blogspot.in/2009/03/good-night.html

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To serve

In our current experience so far, to serve others is not very glorious position. In fact people like to be served but not serve others or people serve only if there is some sort of return. So generally speaking, to serve is not popular or done with some motive. So when pure devotees pray to the Lord for service, it is not very appealing to the common man.

Therefore very few people actually pray like this – “oh my Lord, please engage me in your service as the servant of your servant!”. However, to serve the Lord or His devotees is not the same as serving people of this world. In fact serving the Lord or His devotees is higher than the position of Lord Brahma or Siva who are the masters of this universe. Service to Bhagavan Sri Krishna is the pinnacle of all austerity, charity, prayer and religions principles. It is the highest position a soul can achieve in his or her journey towards God.

Let me always desire only one thing “oh my Lord, let me always be engaged, if you so desire,in your service as the servant of your servants”, for there is nothing greater than this!

Hare Krishna


Source:http://servantoftheservant-ananda.blogspot.in/2016/08/to-serve.html

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TOVP Kalashes – One of a Kind

The TOVP Kalash is the only one of its kind in the world owing to its sheer size and magnitude. It is 23 meters (75 feet) tall and 19 meters (62 feet) wide, and sits atop a mammoth dome at a height of 84 meters (276 feet) from ground level. Being the topmost architectural feature of the temple dressed in resplendent gold, it will be visible from far and wide. Hence, considerable efforts have gone into its complex and intricate design as well as execution.

According to sacred architecture, the Kalash is the axis mundi; the connection between the spiritual and material worlds. Therefore, it is one of the most important parts of the temple. The dome tapers upwards towards the Kalash and blends in harmoniously with it. Following the laws governing proportional form in nature, the Golden Proportion rules the relationship of the Kalash to the dome and to the temple as a whole.

kalash-2-new

The Kalash is designed as a stable hollow structure in Stainless Steel. Externally, different parts of the Kalash are adorned with beautiful lotus petal motifs. The ornate gold finish will be achieved by coating the Kalash with Titanium Nitride. It will be supported at the base by massive brackets that will be intricately moulded in the GRC factory.

One of the most phenomenal features of the Main Dome will be the more than 5 meter (16 feet) diameter Chakra that will sit on top of the Kalash. To design this arrangement it took attentive and intelligent strategic planning from the engineers. Also, many elements had to be engineered to support the lightning arrester, aviation light, and flag pole on the Kalash. The Kalash was engineered to withstand hurricane force winds that travel at 250 kilometers (155 miles) per hour. It was also engineered so that each level of the Kalash includes an ingenious outlet that will ensure proper drainage of rainwater from its heights. Jagadananda Das Prabhu, one of the TOVP engineers, has been collaborating with the Chakra manufactures in Moscow for the last few months to perfect the engineering.

kalash-3-new

The TOVP Kalash has actual human access from inside. This has been made possible by a complex combination of ladders and support frameworks. These ladders lead up to a door that opens out into a terrace on the top of the temple. This is a feature that has never been attempted before. This was engineered with the aim of aiding service and maintenance of all the topmost features including the Chakra, lightning arrestor, aviation lights, and so forth. This feature will allow us to change the Flag on the Chakra every day.

Lastly, the bell speakers placed at the foot of the Kalash will further promote the profound impact of the temple through the medium of sound. This sound of ringing bells will resonate in the souls of everyone around, near and far, across the universe.

Source:https://tovp.org/construction/tovp-kalashes-one-kind/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tovp-kalashes-one-kind

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Gopidots

Gopidots.
Scent of rosewater making me heady
bathing your glowing white body
The silence of the altar
Hum of the mahamantra
It is just you and me
as I play with your skirts
Which earrings would you like today ?

The ache is back my dear Rani
Is some of that mercy saved for me?
One desire.
One day again....just to hold that brush
be absorbed in those patterns.......just to paint gopidots on your moonlike face.....When?

Source:http://walksatdawn.blogspot.in/2009/12/gopidots.html

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Excuses, Excuses

I have a cartoon. The first picture shows a child, you know, baby just born and the caption says, “Too young.” Next picture shows a couple in love, hand-in-hand, full moon behind them, “Too much in love.”Next picture shows a family, a few kids, you know, bags with groceries. He has got a phone, a computer, a drill and a screwdriver. I mean, they have six arms; they are, “Too busy.” Next picture, an old man; death, “Too old.” Last picture has cross on the grave, “Too late.”

So at every stage of life, we have an excuse. We always have an excuse. So, now you can say, “I always thought chanting Hare Krsna was very difficult and now I have the perfect excuse – children! So happy that I have children because I don’t have to chant Hare Krsna anymore. It is a relief, right, because now I have very good arguments not to chant.”

No, chanting must be done under any condition of life and no material difficulty can ever be accepted as a valid excuse for not chanting.

Yeah, you know, “Why didn’t you chant your rounds today?”
“I broke my leg.”
“That is not a valid excuse. You could have chanted in the hospital.”
“Yes, but I was unconscious.”
“Well, then you should have started chanting when you regained consciousness.”

So we do not accept any excuse when it comes to chanting. Sorry! That is the first point and that is how we have to deal with ourselves. You have to take charge of yourself with intelligence as if you are another person, looking at yourself then you see yourself coming with excuses.

“I’m too busy.”
“Sorry, that’s not an excuse.”

Make time. You manage to make time when you really like something… like for your favourite TV program. So yes, with our intelligence, we must take charge and make arrangements – make time to chant. And chant with a plan. Don’t just let chanting happen.

“I have to chant sixteen rounds. I’m really trying, I’m trying. But I’m so busy, I’m so busy. You can’t believe how busy I am, I just cannot do it. I just don’t have the time. I try and try, every day I try. Don’t have the time.”

Uh, uh. Get time management! You have a time management problem. Yes, you are chanting without a plan. How do you think you will get it done without a plan? You have to have a plan. You have to build chanting into your day. Say, “I’ll chant here, I’ll chant there, and I need so much time for sixteen rounds. So many rounds here, so many rounds there.” That is how it is done!

You know, I also have a plan to chant today because I just arrived in Australia. I am sort of still dizzy and disoriented and looking at like, “Where am I?” Seems to be Sydney and there are three programs today. Three programs. So, I have to chant some rounds on the drive back… I have to make sure that I don’t fall asleep and that the driver is not going to try to reveal his heart to me while driving. (laughter) So, make a plan for spiritual life and it will go well.

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Do You Really Care?

 People are unhappy. Someone has lost their dear one, someone has not yet settled down in life. Someone still yearns for affection and appreciation, or that elusive recognition. Someone still looks back at what could have been and some heart burns at a lifetime of limited success. Someone has classmates more accomplished than them, someone has friends who pity them. Someone struggles for daily bread and someone dreams for a stable job. The list is unending. Eyes moisten if you care to look.

Most times we are too busy or unhappy to notice. Or the thoughts are replaced soon by something less disturbing to the mind. But great souls notice. It moves them to action. They wish to see everyone happy.
Great souls work tirelessly to mend, soothe, strengthen, and protect the heart. They spread the message and culture of true love, the only real need of the crying heart. A loved heart feels safe and satisfied; external circumstances affect it less. Deep selfless love is what the heart yearns for. Such love isn't to be found in temporary relationships with the imperfect people of this world.
No one can satisfy the heart except the one who created it. If you truly care, spread this message. Dispel the illusion that something else can make one happy.
Do you really care?

 

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ISKCON Vraj Mandal Parikrama 2016

2015 was the 500th anniversary year of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s visit to Vraj Mandal and 2016 being ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Come for Vraj Mandal Parikrama on this special occasion and immerse yourself in Krishna katha and kirtan by devotees from around the world.

There will be special facilities for international group. Visit www.vrajmandalparikrama.com for details on booking and facilities available. For more information contact us

VRAJ84@Pamho.net, Brajbhoomi.lok@pamho.net, shyamrupdas.lok@gmail.com.

Brajbhoomi Das :-+91- 9415113744

Istadev Das:- +91-9593648074

Shyamrupa Das:- +91-8087115554

Paramdham Das:-+1(301)906- 3598

Fees

A) Rs. 5000/- Bramhachari, Fulltime Devotees,Namhatt Devotees ( with recommendation letter )

B) Rs. 7000/- Regular Indian devotees

C) Rs.11000/- International Group

D) Rs.12000/- shuttle Group

E) Rs. 21000/- Special Group

Below is the schedule.

October 2016
16th:- Vrindavan Parikrama – Ishtagoshti
17th:- Vrindavan To Mathura
18th:- Mathura Parikrama
19th:- Mathura to Madhuban
20th:- Madhuban To Shantanu Kund
21st:- Shatanukund to Radhakund
22nd:- Radhakund – Goverdhan Parikrama
23rd:- Radhakund – Bahulaashtmi Radhakund
24th:- Radhakund to Deeg
25th:- Deeg to Badrinath
26th:- Badrinath Parikrama – Indira Ekadashi
27th:- Badrinath to Kamavan
28th:- Kamavan Interior Parikrama
29th:- Kamavan External Parikrama
30th:- Kamavan to Barsana – Deepavali
31st:- Barsana – Goverdhan Puja

November 2016
01st:- Barsana
02nd:- Barsana to Nandgaon
03rd:- Nandgaon to Kokilavan
04th:- Kokilavan – Prabhupada Disapp Day
05th:- Kokilvan to Sheshashyai
06th:- Sheshashyai to Shergarh
07th:- Shergarh to chirghat
08th:- Chirghat to Bhandirvan – Gopastami
09th:- Bhandirvan to Mansarovar
10th:- Mansarovar to Lohavan
11th:- Lohavan to Dauji – Utthan Ekadashi
12th:- Dauji to Brahmand Ghat
13th:- Bramhand Ghat to Raval
14th:- Raval to Mathura – Kartik Purnima

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