By Giriraj Swami
My dear devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
In a letter to me dated December 1971, Srila Prabhupada wrote, “Go on increasing books, and go on increasing my pleasure.” December is a special opportunity to focus on Srila Prabhupada’s desire that we distribute books—and thus increase his pleasure. As he wrote in the same letter, “I am most pleased especially to hear that you are distributing many books.”
tad-vag-visargo janatagha-viplavo
I think it’s just one of the best things the city has done—created a beautiful, slick but cozy dynamic on Bloor Street. The street is known for its expensive shops at the platinum strip, from Sherhbourne to the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). It’s a stretch where people just move, never loitering, never stopping to say “Hello!” It is tainted with corporate culture, more so than a leisurely space of realisation.
So what’s different now?
They have these net-looking curved benches that light up at nigh
By Madhava Smullen
After going part time with his communications service, ISKCON Communications Director for Australasia Bhakta Das is using his free time in “the latter part” of his life to realize an artistic dream years in the making.
He’s creating a series of twenty contemporary, expressionistic paintings, which will give an overview of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is chapter by chapter. At an impressively large 2 x 1.5 meters each, the astonishing pieces will go on a touring exhibition when the
After karthik, it’s time to get ready to visit Sri Kshetra Pui dhama!
ISKCON Mayapur has arranged for a special Virtual Puri Parikrama from 2nd Dec to 5th Dec.
If you are yet to register for Sri Kshetra Puri Parikrama, please DO NOW at https://www.mayapur.com/2020/sri-ksetra-parikrama-2020/
2nd December is the day of Adhivas. It means all of us together will assemble at the Maha Sagar ( sea beach) to take a vow or sankalpa to perform Parikrama. Do not miss to receive the full spiritual credit of
In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Vimala-kunda in Kamyavana, which was formed by the loving tears of the daughters of King Vimala. Krsna and His cowherd boys came here to play and water Their cows. Close to Vimala-kunda, is Dharma-kunda, where four out of the five Pandavas had died after drinking its water. It was not until Yudhisthira took part in a deep conversation with Yamaraja (Dharmaraja), that Yamaraja agreed to revive the remaining Pandavas. Check out Maharaja’s full
I took my hand at the culinary craft today, cooking the noon offering. I have this great privilege being on the Monday schedule now. I feel blessed.
It’s been a long time since doing this seva (service). I love it.
Cooking brown rice, dahl soup, two veggie preps, chappatis, popadams, halava and, am I missing something? It was so exhilarating. You really have to be sharp when every item is over the flame simultaneously. I like the creativity of it all. It is quite the balancing act but, with Kris
In 2017 and 2019, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Anjanoka, the birthplace of Indulekha, one of the asta-sakhis who intimately serves Radha and Krsna. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures, along with a few photos, during Parikrama 2017 and Parikrama 2019.
This is the birthplace of Indulekha, who is a left-wing gopi. She is fiery and hot-tempered, and she is rebellious and chastises Krsna. She wears garments the colour of pomegranate. In her grove, everything is white in c
Drutakarma Das (Michael Cremo), co-author of Forbidden Archeology, is at work on a new book, tentatively titled “Extreme Human Antiquity.”
The book, Drutakarma says, “Is composed of new cases of archeological evidence that are consistent with Vedic and Puranic accounts of very ancient human presence on this planet.”
Expected some time in Spring or early Summer 2021, each chapter of “Extreme Human Antiquity” represents a different geological epoch, starting with the most recent and going back to
In 2016 and 2019, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Yavat, where Srimati Radharani was residing in separation from Krsna, after her marriage to Abhimanyu. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures, along with a few photos, during Parikrama 2016 and Parikrama 2019.
The purpose of Abhimanyu, Jatila and Kutila was to increase the eagerness of Radha and Krsna to meet each other. Abhimanyu was never in competition with Krsna, but rather he was simply a shadow of Krsna. Radharani was a
In celebration of the holy month of Kartika, the Bhaktivedanta Players drama group of Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK, have made a seasonal audio play for children and families to enjoy.
The 16-minute drama with voices by many actors, beautiful sound effects and music depicts Krishna’s Damodara pastime in Vrindavana.
Listen to the audio drama here:
In 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Adi-Badarinatha, where Krsna once brought the residents of Vrndavana instead of going to the Badarinatha in the Himalayas. Present here at this temple also are the sages Nara Narayana. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtan and lecture below, along with a few photos, at Adi-Badarinatha during Parikrama 2018.
One day, all the residents of Vrndavana wanted to go to Badarinatha. They were getting ready to go on the long journey to the Himalayas and i
If we are at all aware of how dependent we are on God—for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and our very ability to eat and drink and breathe, to think and feel and will, and to walk, talk, and sense—we will feel grateful and want to reciprocate God’s kindness. We will want to do something for He (or She or They) who has done, and continues to do, so much for us.
We often take things for granted until we lose them. I use my right hand to chant on meditation beads, and one
In 2016 and 2017, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Rama-ghata, where Lord Balarama performed various pastimes with his gopis, including his rasa dance near the banyan tree where we gathered. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures, along with a few photos, during Parikrama 2016 and Parikrama 2017.
Lord Balarama is known as the first servant because He is always serving Krsna in so many ways. We read in the Krsna book how Balarama is always in support of Krsna. He becomes anyt
Real snow covered rooftops, car tops, tree branches, roads and everything else. It was white, wet and wonderful. However, it left a slush dynamic; somewhat unfavourable for driving and walking. It was pretty though, as it descended, prettier than Hollywood snow.
I was not discouraged from taking that stroll to The Pits. After all it was late—10 p.m.—who would be out at this hour? Well, there were a few pedestrians. One homeless person recognized me. I was in my snow clothes, so how could he? It
In 2016, 2017 and 2019, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to Unchagaon, the birthplace of Lalita Devi, who is the most intimate associate of Srimati Radharani. Check out Maharaja’s full bhajans, kirtans and lectures, along with a few harinamas and photos, during Parikramas 2016, 2017 and 2019.
Lalita is older than Srimati Radharani and has a strong left-wing nature. As the protector and dedicated servant of Srimati Radharani, she is always ready to rebuke Krsna for His lack of faithfuln
It was somewhere near Oakland in California
Where people drive everything from a Harley to a Porsche
Anuttama and I were ambling on our humble feet
As traffic whizzed by like a roaring missile fleet
We got to talking about an absolute need
We had this idea that manifest like a seed
A retreat for conscious men who will open up
Get drunk on nectar brimming to the top of the cup
The bonding, we thought, would be most valuable
A feeling that would rub most palpable
There was a very good reason t
Listen Here!
(Friday, November 20th– Los Angeles, CA)— Double-platinum recording artist, WILLOW, and British musician Jahnavi Harrison release their brand-new collaboration R I S E today! The six track EP featuring timeless Sanskrit mantras and original lyrics inspired by sacred texts of the bhakti tradition.
Listen to R I S E here!
In the search for a deeper connection and inner calm, WILLOW and Jahnavi have combined their musical influences to create a spiritual, meditative and uplifting coll
In 2017 and 2018, His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami took us to the Sudevi Mandir in Kamyavana, where we meditate on Sudevi, one of the asta-sakhis. Sudevi was an expert in training male and female parrots and she always remained at the side of her dear friend, Srimati Radharani. Check out Maharaja’s full kirtans and lectures below, along with a few photos, at the Sudevi Mandir in Kamyavana during Parikrama 2017 and Parikrama 2018.
At Sudevi Mandir, we pray that we are able to cultivate our mind
The first day of the MANtra Retreat was a smashing success. Anuttama is just the best host. Tomorrow will be most exciting—a good speaker from the UK, Bhuta Bhavana, who raises the topic of empowerment. Check it out, 10 AM. Register if you haven’t, gentlemen.
At noon today one of my good friends from Vaughn came over and accepted two garlands for his Ganesh deity. He was proudly letting me know that he lost 35 lbs due to diet change and walking 10 kilometres per day.
I later came upon a tall fel
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu teaches us, na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagad-isa kamaye. (Siksastaka 4) Dhanam means wealth . . . But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says, na dhanam: “I don’t want money.” Just the opposite. Everyone wants money. He says, “No, I don’t want money.” Na dhanam na janam: “I don’t want many men as My followers.” Just the opposite. Everyone wants. The politicians, the yogis, the swamis, everyone wants, “There may be hundreds and thousands of my followers.” But Chaitanya Maha
