We wish you all a happy Diwali. Diwali, or Dipavali, marks the end of the year, and by the year’s end we want to pay our debts, rectify our relationships–and then try to do better the next year.
The Vedic literatures inform us that in the present age, Kali-yuga, the recommended process for self-realization, or God realization, is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. Of course, we know that Lord Krsna appeared about five thousand years ago and spoke the Bhagavad-gita. At the end of the Bh
In 2016, 2017 and 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Prema-sarovara, where Radha and Krsna once met, and in a moment of separation, They shed so many tears that it formed the waters of this sarovara. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures below, along with a few photos, at Prema-sarovara during Parikrama 2017 and Parikrama 2018.
In the Prema-sarovara, all the holy rivers manifest. There is a story explaining how all the holy rivers came here on a pilgrimage. This place ca
My cousin, Corry, her hubby, Eric, and our young Muslim friend, Victor, came together to talk spiritual. And it wasn’t a conversation devoid of opinions about the American election. Political opinions often tend to polarize people. It occupies many peoples’ lives. Spiritual conversations can do the same—occupy and polarize. At least our group succeeded in hitting common ground when talking stayed on the other-worldly thoughts.
I had shared my realizations with Gabriel of St. Mary’s. We dwelt on
In 2016 and 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Varsana, the village of Srimati Radharani. It is here that various deities such as Lord Brahma and Lord Visnu have manifested themselves in the form of hills, as they carry the Lord and His devotees on their heads. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures below, along with a few photos, at Varsana during Parikrama 2016 and Parikrama 2018.
There is Goloka Vrndavana, Bhumi Vrndavana and a third Vrndavana – the internal Vrndavana.
By Giriraj Swami
Today, Sri Rama-ekadasi, is a very special day. It is the first Ekadasi in the month of Kartik, or Damodara, and it has special significance as the day on which Srila Prabhupada completed his translation of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, the most important book on the life and precepts of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, which was originally published in seventeen volumes. Every devotee should read it. Actually, every devotee should read every book of Srila Prabhupada’s, from Sri Iso
Through the arched window
I see a couple crossing
The road of intensity
No pleasant walk night here
Through that lofty window
Men are thinning the tree
I don’t know why
I wish I did though
Through this broad window
I can view four homes
Sheltering good families
Our neighbours and friends
Through the part-frosted window
I admire binds in flight
Not destined for the south
They wish to stay here
Through that wood-framed window
I am blocked from the air
I hear leaves are rustling
And people
By Madhava Smullen
Around forty-five women from Sweden, Switzerland, Brazil, Chile, and across the U.S. and Canada attended the fourth annual Urban Devi Retreat on October 17th, entitled “Welcoming Transformation” and held virtually on Zoom.
Co-hosted by Urban Devi and the Bhakti Center in New York City, the inspirational all-day event ran from 7:30am to 5:30pm EDT. It was organized by Urban Devi founder Rukmini Devi Dasi along with Brajarani Devi Dasi, Lila Devi Dasi, and Champakalata Sakhi Dev
Back at the temple ashram, downtown Toronto, movers came over to empty out the excess paraphernalia thus freeing up the building from potential danger, such as the fire hazard it had created. A kind member of our community, Mukesh Gelda, allowed space in his warehouse, the new home of this paraphernalia; materials that are used in North America‘s largest Ratha Yatra, the Chariot Fest. We are grateful for the service he is offering and I want to thank Rudradev for organizing the move, as well as
In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Ter Kadamba, which is famous for Srila Rupa Gosvami’s bhajana-kutir. It is also here where Krsna would climb onto a Kadamba tree and call out the names of the leaders of the various herds of cows. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtan and lecture below, along with a few photos, at Ter Kadamba during Parikrama 2018.
In one sense, Ter Kadamba is the most important place for us because it is where Rupa Gosvami resided for quite some time. Ter Kadamb
In 2017 and 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Sanket, the meeting place for Srimati Radharani and Krsna. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures below, along with a few photos, at Sanket during Parikrama 2017 and Parikrama 2018.
Sanket is the place where Radha and Krsna meet. They reside at Varsana and Nandagrama but Sanket is in the middle at the half-way point, and this is where They meet. Sanket is representative of where Krsna meets His devotee half-way. So like Radha
I went for another shiatsu session with my yogi friend, Devananda, a.k.a. Marc Handelman, and it was a job well done. From there I had a great opportunity to walk back to the ashram via the Cedarvale ravine. Trekking in these ravines changes hearts.
Why?
Well, one reason I can think of is that you are removed from cars. These nice ravines, which are like tight green valleys, restrict the automobile. In that natural setting you are in a sattvic environment, which allows you to feel safe. I believ
By Kadamba Kanana Swami
In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Talavana, where Lord Balarama killed the demon Dhenukasura. We come here in prayer to Lord Balarama as He prepares the heart and gives spiritual strength. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtan and lecture below, along with a few photos, at Talavana during Parikrama 2018.
Lord Balarama is very much on our mind today. He carries a plough, used to prepare the ground for planting. Balarama is the one who prepares the heart. Krs
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.17.
“This verse indirectly confirms the greater importance of utilizing the human form of life to realize our lost relationship with the Supreme Lord by acceleration of devotional service. Time and tide wait for no man. So the time indicated by the sunrise and the sunset will be uselessly wasted if such time is not properly utilized for realizing identification of spiritual values. Even a fraction of the duration of life wasted cannot be co
These evenings, when not shooting footage for “Rolling the Dice” I’m enwrapped in compiling either one of two books. The Saffron Road is a publication that I’m hoping to have materialized soon. It’s an account of my walking ventures and I’m currently in the proofreading stage. Krishna in the Maple Leaf is also a work in progress, capturing the early pioneer years of the Hare Krishna’s in Canada.
In both books I’m running into a thematic parallel—gratitude. I’m very passionate about expressing th
By Shyama Sakhi Devi Dasi
Diagnosed Covid-19 cases and deaths as of October 30th, 2020.
Shyama Sakhi Devi Dasi (Shivani Agarwal, PhD Biotechnology, MSc Biochemistry) She is a Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois (UIC), Chicago, Illinois.
277 days ago, none of us had heard of coronavirus and everything we did was not shrouded with the specter of COVID-19. We welcomed the new decade, filled calendars, planned events and t
I hadn’t met Juhi’s parents before and I was honoured to participate in her pre-engagement program. Nice folks she has, from Punjab originally.
Her fiancé is Rishab, whom I’ve known since he was a kid. His parents, Rajasuya and Surabhi, of South Indian descent, are sishyas, or students of mine. At their home two families came together, and I, for an impromptu engagement. There were no engagement rings, but two pieces of ladhoo, sweet-balls made of chickpea flour, were exchanged lovingly between
In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Moti-kunda in Nandagaon, where Krsna performed his pastime of planting pearls in the ground and watering them with cow milk to sprout vines of pearls. Check out Maharaja’s full lecture below, along with a few photos, at Moti-kunda during Parikrama 2018.
In Moti-kunda, there is mercy. Without mercy, how can we chant? We have to look for mercy so that we can chant. It is the only way. We have to beg for mercy wherever we can! We have this metap
Appearing as the son of a king, Shri Narottama Dasa Thakura (Shri Thakura Mahasaya) showed all the bodily symptoms of a mahapurusha (an exalted divine person). He had long arms, a deep navel, golden-complexioh, beautiful eyes shaped like the lotus petals. In school, he was a sruti dhara (able to memorize whatever he hears) Although he quickly mastered Sanskrit and the Vedas, he hankered to serve Krishna. He was a lifelong brahmachari. By the mercy of the Holy Name Gaura-Nitai, Narottama became
By Madana Gopala Dasa
ISKCON is in the process of constructing a grand Hare Krishna Temple in the city of Parsippany, New Jersey, USA. On October 24th, they celebrated an important milestone in this project - the commencement of the construction of the first walls marking a visible rise in the soon-to-be temple structure.
As part of this celebration, covered by a number of media outlets, a special kirtan was conducted followed by a presentation outlining the project as well as a series of media
By Kadamba Kanana Swami
In 2017 and 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Madhuvana, specifically at Dhruva-tila, where a young Dhruva Maharaja endured great austerities in his quest to find the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures below, along with a few photos, at Dhruva-tila in Madhuvana during Parikrama 2017 and Parikrama 2018.
When Dhruva Maharaja desired to sit on his father’s lap, where his step-brother Uttama was already seated, his s
