Lecture on A Response to Ritvikism by HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami on 02 Feb 2008 at Banglore
(His Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Swami appeared in this world in 1957 in England. He joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in London in 1975 and was initiated in that year with the name Ilapati dasa by ISKCON's founder-acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.)
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Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HH Kadamba Kanana Swami at ISKOCN Czech on 25 May 2014
Srimad Bhagavatam Class (04.28.41)
(HH Kadamba Kanana Swami coordinated the construction of Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi in Mayapur. He took sannyasa in 1997 and is now an initiating guru.)
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New Bhajans by HG Anant Nitai Prabhu
Just few weeks before His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaj left this world, His Holiness had requested Srila Guru Maharaja to visit the West African countries and to care for His disciples there. Since the time His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami left this material world, Srila Guru Maharaja had visited Ghana and Nigeria once in the Year 2006 and 2007 respectively. Unfortunately, Srila Guru Maharaja had not visited the West African countries ever since Srila Guru Maharaja fell ill in 2008.
Now, after a gap of almost six years, Srila Guru Maharaja visited West African countries this year. Earlier, we were informed to visit Nigeria but due to the recent political situations there, it was best to avoid and instead, we were told to visit Accra, Ghana. Without wasting any further time, we landed in Accra on the night of 21st May. On the next day, 22nd May, His Grace Srivas Prabhu who is the Regional Secretary for Accra arranged for an evening house program in the city which is about 40mins drive from the place where we were staying. Srila Guru Maharaja together with all the servants, stayed in one devotee’s house which was located next to the Accra ISKCON Temple.
Srila Guru Maharaj wanted to pay His respects and take Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Govinda, who are the Presiding Deities of ISKCON Accra, before proceeding for the program, but it was already 7.45pm! All the servants reminded Srila Guru Maharaja and tried to persuade Him that we should leave for the House Programme immediately as it will take an additional 30 minutes (to go for darshan) and the house program starts at 8pm. However, who can stop Srila Guru Maharaj? Therefore, upon the insistence of Srila Guru Maharaja, we escorted Srila Guru Maharaj to the Temple for the Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Govinda before leaving for the house program. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the Temple, we noticed that the Altar was closed! Again, we insisted that Srila Guru Maharaj should leave without wasting any more time in the Temple. Srila Guru Maharaj made it very clear, with His stern voice he said “I am not leaving without seeing the deities. I will just take darshan from inside the car”.
Few local devotees who were around us also quipped that the Pujaris are changing Their Lordships Veshas (dress) and it may take another 10 minutes or so before the Altar curtain is opened for Darshan. Hearing this, Srila Guru Maharaj was quiet for a minute or two. We then asked the driver to move out from the Temple’s courtyard slowly. Just as the Driver moved the car slowly, we heard the sound of the Conch! The curtain then opened and Srila Guru Maharaj told the Driver to stop the car immediately. Srila Guru Maharaj then had a nice Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Govinda for about 3 minutes before we all finally took off for the House Program.
This was the first House Program for the day and it was arranged in the house of one of Srila Guru Maharaj’s aspiring disciple. The Program begun at around 9pm and ended about 11pm. After the Program, Srila Guru Maharaj was having his dinner in the car on the way back to where we were staying for the trip.
The time was almost 11.45pm, just about 2 kilometres before reaching the residence, one of the car’s tyres burst! The car went out of control. The car practically went zig-zag and spun 360 degrees for four times! While this was happening, all of us were all screaming Krsna, Krsna! Nrsingha Dev, Nrsingha Dev! The car then finally stopped moving and we were all totally shocked and were clueless.
Some of us then got out of the car and quickly checked the surroundings to ensure that we are not in the middle of the road. We also saw the whole back of the car was inside a 3 feet depth drain with the front of the car on the shoulder of the highway! We all knew that by the mercy of Lord Krsna and Nrsimha Dev, we were all saved that night! Not even a scratch on any one of us, yes not even a scratch! We then approached Guru Maharaj to make sure he is doing fine. He said, “I am ok.” Then he told Haridas Prabhu to give him a bread and little cheese on top. (He resumed his dinner while sitting so cool as if nothing happened) Several local people came running towards our car. We saw the completely surprised looks on their faces. They inquired if we were all fine and went on to say, . “Your god is great, Oh my god! We cannot believe this. We saw how the car was spinning and landed crashing into the drain. We thought you guys are finished. But not even a scratch? Uhhhh!” In less than a minute, out of nowhere, a tow truck arrived at the scene! It was middle of the night, somewhere at the outskirts of the city, in Accra and a tow truck appearing in less than a minute? Yes, totally unbelievable! The tow truck guys came and immediately sprang into action. They towed our Toyota Land Cruiser out from the drain while Srila Guru Maharaj was still sitting in the car. They also helped to change the tyre and left with some reasonable amount. All these, happened in less than 15 minutes!
In some parts of the world, it is quite a norm where tow-truck guys will throw some sharp objects on the roads and sit in hiding waiting for their next victim to drive through the sharp objects. As soon as they do, their tyres will go flat and tow-truck guys will spring into actions. They will do everything and give a very hefty bill at the end. This is how most of them make a living! We were hoping the guys who helped us to fix the car were not like these unscrupulous ones. The locals were still amazed and were unable to believe that we were all saved without a scratch despite the car turning and crashing so violently. They were convinced that it was only possible through some miracle and by God’s act that we were saved. We were all of course knew that Lord Krsna had taken charge of the whole incident and it was through His mercy only that all of us escaped without even a scratch on our bodies.
The next morning, I was still pondering over the accident. Most of us were still in the state of shock and we were still talking about it. More than anything, it was unbelievable how we all escaped the whole crash without even a scratch on our bodies. I told Guru Maharaj that, Ruci prabhu and I were discussing how we felt the car was wobbling and we said to each other that hopefully the tyres will stay in and not come out while we were on the road. Srila Guru Maharaj interrupted our conversation and chastised us “You guys are Brahmins, and Brahmins should never speak with negative words.” You see, “hopefully the tyre would not come out”, is negative in nature and it did almost become true!
Brahmins should always talk positively even though situations may seem to be negative. Srila Guru Maharaj went on to give an example that we should have said “By Krsna's mercy hope nothing happens to the tyre and we would reach safely." Also Srila Guru Maharaj said, “Radha Govinda saved us. I told you guys to take Darshan of the Lord before leaving for the program, and hope now you know how important it is to have Darshan of the Lord?!”
Your Servant,
Maha Varaha das
(on Behalf all the servants)
Read more about Srimati Gangamata Goswami on www.gaudiyahistory.com
Read more about Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana on www.gaudiyahistory.com
Read more about Ganga Puja on www.harekrishnacalendar.com
Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Class (02.09.36) by Vedavyasapriya Swami on 26 May 2014 at ISKCON Melbourne
(His Holiness Vedavyasapriya Swami Maharaja, born in an Audichya Sahasra Brahmana family on 1st August 1944 in the town of Kadod, Gujarat, India, on Sravan Sud Dwadashi, also celebrated as Pavitra Dwadashi, that follows Pavitraropana Ekadashi.)
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Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Class (08.24.06) by Pankajanghri Prabhu on 29 May 2014 at ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor
(Pankajanghri Prabhu has served in Sri Dham Mayapur since 1971. He and his twin brother, Jananivasa Prabhu, have become world famous as the exemplary “pujari brothers”. For nearly forty years, they have been serving the Deities in Mayapur with steady dedication as instructed by Srila Prabhupada.)
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Lecture on Finding Krishna in the five material elements by HG Urmila Mataji on 08 May 2014 at Germany
(HG Urmila Mataji has mainly served ISKCON since 1973 till the present time as book distributor, assistant secretary for the BBT, pujari, temple cook, actress, writer, traveling preacher, editor of BTG since 1990, primary and secondary teacher for 27 years, school principle for 18 years, member of Sastric Advisory Council to the GBC. )
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Lecture on Narsimha Chaturdasi by His Holiness Prabodhananda Sarasvati Swami at ISKCON Mira Road on 13th May 2014
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Stars have captured our attention from our very childhood but unfortunately maayavad is so deeply rooted in our psyche that we have looked upon them as 'it' and not 'he'. This book helps break that misconception of viewing the seven stars as 'non-living' and 'inanimate constellation' called Ursa Major or Ursa Minor to respecting them as living entities as Saptarsis, with individual names and as interesting personalities. As we read their pastimes, we not only become more personal but also learn to revere them for their role as one of the patriarchs of Vedic civilization, as the establisher of dharma, one of the cosmic managers deputed by the Lord, as humble devotees who have participated very intimately in the eternal pastimes of the Lord. Interestingly the Supreme Lord has appeared and chosen them as one of the crucial parts in His pastimes. For instance, He appeared as Jamadagni's son (Parasuram), as Atri's son (Dattatreya), Kasyapa's son (Vaman), Vasistha's disciple (Sri Ram), Visvamitra's disciple (Sri Ram), Gautam's guest and the liberator of his wife Anasuya (Sri Ram) and Bhardvaja's guest (Sri Ram) and even grandson (Veda Vyasa).
When we read the interesting pastimes of the Saptarsis we get an insight into their devotional quotient, as sattva-pradhan entities, their hard work in not just populating the world according to the divine desire but also establishing the definition of dharma, their sacrifices as the protectors of the dharma and as tools to take us back to our ultimate destination - back to Godhead.
Saptarsis orbit round the Dhruva star (Pole star), therefore their study is incomplete without knowledge about Dhruva Maharaja. This book is first of its kind and contains different pastimes of the Saptarsis along with that of Dhruva Maharaj. It will fascinate both children by its story format, lucid language supported by several illustrations sketched by young children and grown-ups; and also adults with its interesting mixture of philosophy drawn from Srila Prabhupada's purports and other scriptures.
For further information or order contact: Gour.Gopal.Brs@pamho.net
Mob: +91-9949698296
Hare Krishna
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Epics like the Ramayana have been recounted infinite times. Is it still relevant to our ever-changing lives? Yes, it is! Every character, every story from Ramayana not only captivates hearts but opens the mind to life’s deepest questions. Stories like the Ramayana present the realities of life in the most exciting manner.
Tulsi Books invites you to a 3 day seminar based on the timeless epic Ramayana (The Game of Life).
‘Decoding the Labyrinth of Life’
A 3 day seminar based on the timeless epic Ramayana (The Game of Life)
Fri 13th June - Lord Rama – The Spiritual Pilot
Sat 14th June - Unwind your Mind
Sun 15th June - Rings of Love - Secrets to Healthy Relationships
A good game is full of twists and turns at every stage and promises to thrill with its absolute unpredictability of results. But no one wants the same to happen in real life. Life should be extremely predictable and smooth – this is what most of us are comfortable with.
Decoding the Labyrinth of Life is one way to understand how we can incorporate the lessons of Ramayana in our life; how we can learn from Rama who possessed all qualities of a true hero; understand the principles that underlie healthy relationships in our lives - between parents and children, between husband and wife, between brothers, between a leader and his followers.
The Ramayana is not a book; it is a way of life. We invite you to decode the labyrinth of your life…
Date – 13th, 14th, 15th June, 2014
Time - 7-9 pm followed by prasadam
Speaker – HG Shubha Vilas das
Venue - Sri Patidar Samaj Hall, 6 Mafatlal Baug, Nest to French Bridge, Girgaum Chowpatty, Grant Road West.
Registration Fee – Rs. 500/- Includes dinner prasadam and a complimentary copy of the book Ramayana – The Game of Life
For registration :
SMS/CALL on: 9833157047 / 9819555984
Email to : ramayana@radhagopinath.com
Newly-elected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi swears in on May 26th in New Delhi.
The May 26th grand swearing-in ceremony of India’s new Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, in the capital city of New Delhi, turned out to be a high-profile event with several head of states, leading businessmen, scholars, spiritual leaders, movie stars and sports players participating in it. ISKCON was also specially invited to this carefully tailored event and was represented by its Indian Communications Director, Vrajendranandan Dasa.
The ceremony, held in the official residence of the Indian President, began with the Indian national anthem, followed by the President officiating the oath to the Prime Minister and the union cabinet of ministers.
The unprecedented event was the first time ever when the head of states participated in the swearing-in ceremony of the Indian Prime Minister. Guest included Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr Nawaz Sharif, President of Afghanistan Mr Hamid Karazi along with the leaders from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The 4000 invitees from around the world were sent out by the President of India’s office. Due to Mr Modi being a strict vegetarian, were served over 200 vegetarian delicacies.
Several members of Indian parliament greeted Vrajendranandan Dasa recognizing him from their earlier meetings over the years and appreciated ISKCON for its contribution towards the betterment of the society. They expressed their interest to visit ISKCON’s Delhi temple soon and participate in its functions.
The grand ceremony came to an end with the national anthem and was followed by a dinner with over 200 vegetarian delicacies being served as Mr Modi is a strict vegetarian.
Lecture on The Power of Sadhana by HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami on 16 May 2014 at California
(His Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Swami appeared in this world in 1957 in England. He joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in London in 1975 and was initiated in that year with the name Ilapati dasa by ISKCON's founder-acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.)
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Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Class (08.24.04-05) by HG Pankajanghri Prabhu
(His Grace Pankajanghri Prabhu has served in Sri Dham Mayapur since 1971. He and his twin brother, Jananivasa Prabhu, have become world famous as the exemplary “pujari brothers”.)
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Lecture on Asking for the best thing by HG Urmila Mataji on 26 Mar 2014 at New Delhi
(HG Urmila Mataji has mainly served ISKCON since 1973 till the present time as book distributor, assistant secretary for the BBT, pujari, temple cook, actress, writer, traveling preacher, editor of BTG since 1990, primary and secondary teacher for 27 years, school principle for 18 years, member of Sastric Advisory Council to the GBC. )
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Lecture on The Qualities of a Sadhu by Giriraj Swami on 25 May 2014 at North Carolina
(Giriraj Swami has also taught at the Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education and continues to lecture and to give presentations at japa retreats and workshops around the world.)
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Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Class (10.43.15-17) by HH Radha Raman Swami on 30 May 2014 at ISKCON Alachua
(His Holiness Radha Raman is a famous for his Vraja parikramas. He is a very good orator and speaks non stop on the pastimes of Lord Sri Krishna. He is very simple and humble. He is brother of His Holiness Radha Govinda Swami.)
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