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13451375452?profile=RESIZE_584xSo today is the transcendental appearance day of Lord Varaha. We have got the regular Bhagavatam verse on the board from Prthu Maharaj’s going back to Godhead. However we are not going to read that this morning. We are going to talk about Lord Varahadev instead because it is an interesting narrative.

There are different incarnations or appearances of Lord Varahadev. Previously the white boar incarnation has been described. The one that is in the Bhagavatam as we receive it is the story about the

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13451373899?profile=RESIZE_584xVarahadeva’s Appearance Day

Sri Varaha deva mahatosav ki

 

Let us begin by considering the philosophical truth of Krishna’s incarnations, so that way we will get the perspective on His descent to this material world.

 

Srila Prabhupada spoke about this in 1977. This is exactly 40 years ago in Bhubaneshwar, right? He spoke about Varaha’s appearance. He said “Ramadi murti su kala niyamena.” Krishna, the original adi pursua, is taking various forms. Ramadi murtisu, especially three Ramas, Parasuram

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13451342469?profile=RESIZE_584xThe TOVP Team is pleased to provide the schedule for the historic Grand Opening of the A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Legacy Museum on February 18, 2025. All devotees are invited to attend this auspicious occasion glorifying ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada either personally or online on Mayapur TV or the TOVP YouTube Channel.

The museum will be developed in three phases: Phase 1 will be 1000 sq. ft., Phase 2 will expand to 6000 sq. ft., and in its fully deve

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13451340281?profile=RESIZE_584xISKCON Melbourne released a video of Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Swami’s presentation to a select audience at the Parliament in Victoria on February 6, 2025.

The event was organized in cooperation with Nina Taylor, a member of the Australian Labor Party, and other members of Parliament. Taylor was elected to the Legislative Assembly in November 2022 and serves as the Parliamentary Secretary for Education.

During her brief remarks before SB Keshava Swami’s talk, she said, “This special event will hig

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SOME THURSDAY YOGA by Bhaktimarga Swami

13451337696?profile=RESIZE_584xMy good friend from Montreal, Anubhava, who managed our ashram temple for 7 years in Montreal, came for a breath, a break, and a change for four days.  There was a problem with the train midway through, but eventually, all worked out.  Actually, it was myself who suggested he give himself a little vacation.  He took up the suggestion.

 

Since the time of his arrival, I dined with him and talked all about the marvellous things happening at the temple in Toronto with books being distributed, ce

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Our consciousness is a very important factor. The most important factor in anything we do is our consciousness. And if we have material consciousness we will suffer, for sure. And if we have vaisnava consciousness we will be able to assimilate and digest different situations.

It may be one of those situations like walking through fire; and when you come out the other side you’ll be a new person. Many times with think if we walk through fire we will just get burned to ashes. And sometimes Krishn

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13450714693?profile=RESIZE_584xA winning team receives its prizes.

On January 19th, ISKCON Detroit – The Devasadana Mandir hosted the 7th annual Bhagavad Gita Sloka Recitation Competition. This program provides children, ages 4-18, with an opportunity to memorize verses and learn about the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is.  Depending on the age group, they were assigned different amounts of verses from the 17th chapter of the Bhagavad-gita. The 17th chapter holds particular importance because it speaks of the types of

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13450713095?profile=RESIZE_584xOn February 22nd-23rd, 2025, Mandakini Devi Dasi, the author of the children’s book Nimai’s Adventures, will offer a virtual camp for children online. Mandakini Publications’ free, interactive camp is designed to immerse young hearts in the extraordinary life and teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

This two-day camp promises to be a blend of fun, learning, and devotion. Activities include storytelling sessions that dive into the enchanting pastimes of Lord Chaitanya, crafts and hands-on acti

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Bhaktivinoda Thakura:

From “Siksastakam”, Song 4, in Gitavali:

“In whatever birth I take, wherever my karma leads me, let me sing the glories of Your holy name birth after birth.”

“In danger or success, good fortune or disaster, let me remain in equipoise. And let my affection for You increase day by day by the influence of the holy name.”

From “Worship of Hari Must Begin from Childhood” in Prabandhavali:

“Because they cannot see God with their material eyes, they think that there is no such th

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FILING THE SNOW by Bhaktimarga Swami

13450111452?profile=RESIZE_584xI was really proud of the fact that I did a major cleanup with my filing cabinet of scripts.  People know me as a walker, dancer, teacher, but I’m also a director of plays who writes scripts for drama.  Well, it was time to clean up that one big drawer, put everything in order, and eliminate bulky bunches of too much paper.

 

 With the help of Nityananda, the assistance went a long way to clearing the anarthas (unwanted accumulations). The project grounded us somewhat.  So, that was one proje

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13449473875?profile=RESIZE_584xEach single verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam tastes like transcendental condensed milk of a Surabhi cow mixed with kesar, simply delicious and a nectar most satisfying to even conditioned souls (although it is meant to be tasted by paramhansas – liberated souls).  No wonder that, along with Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam is the specific scripture meant for kali-yuga.

I am sharing another transcendental verse and its nectarean purport by Srila Prabhupada, for the pleasure of devotees, describing caus

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13449431252?profile=RESIZE_584xNikunja Vilasini in her home studio.

Nikunja Vilasini Devi Dasi is a Bhakti-based artist, graphic designer, and muralist whose work bridges the worlds of devotion and creative expression. Originally from Russia, she has made her home in New Vrindaban, West Virginia, where she has contributed to numerous projects that enhance the spiritual ambiance of her community. Her art, spanning book illustrations to Bhagavad-gita-inspired greeting cards, reflects her steadfast dedication to combining aesthe

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A WALK ON YONGE by Bhaktimarga Swami

13449422871?profile=RESIZE_584xThe day was done as far as giving classes and cleanup on various levels at the temple.  Digging up an old script, which I still haven’t found, is giving some anxiety.  I’m not sure where that is going, but I’m getting ready for India, a trip coming up soon.

 

 It was 10 to 10 PM, and I had not yet met the outside air.  Let’s see what an hour stroll can do to make the day truly done.  I took to Yonge St.  The wind showed some might, and it had been playing with cardboard pieces that were strew

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“Is chanting all that your religion does? Don’t you do welfare or anything like that?”

Alex, my barber, works at the Pilatos salon in Queens, New York, on the cusp of a Hispanic neighborhood. The salon has mostly Latino hairdressers and clients, and it is bright and upbeat, with salsa music often playing softly in the background. On a recent visit there, instead of salsa, I heard the chanting of om namo bhagavate vasudevaya, which means “obeisance to the Supreme Lord Krishna.” I remarked to Ale

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13444760484?profile=RESIZE_584x(LtoR) Masha, Sita Rani Dasi, Yulia, Krsna Abhishek Das, Ishani Devi Dasi, Keith Eustace, Ivan Demiashkin (with mridanga), Manu Das, and Praghosh Das.

ISKCON Dublin recently concluded its participation in the 2024 Srila Prabhupada Book Distribution Marathon, surpassing expectations with a total of 12,781 books distributed across Ireland. The initiative, which took place throughout December, saw devotees tirelessly engaging in the sacred mission of sharing spiritual knowledge through the distribu

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13444751292?profile=RESIZE_584xMahaprahu Dasa, Director of MOSA, welcoming dignitaries and esteemed guests to the opening.

On January 30, 2025, the Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA) opened a new exhibit entitled “Mystic Paths: Living Traditions of Indian Art from MOSA” at the Museo de Antropología of Madrid in Spain’s capital. Over 150 special guests, including many professors, intellectuals, and artists from the area, attended the opening.

MOSA is an international visual arts initiative dedicated to supporting art and artists from

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13444744459?profile=RESIZE_584xHare Krishna Devotees!
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

On Tuesday, February 4th, we will be celebrating Advaita Acharya’s appearance day! Please join us at the temple on this special day for the program at 4 pm. We will have space blocked off for all the devotees so that everyone can gather comfortably and take part in the program. We will have the space reserved for Sandhya Arati as well so devotees can participate.

We will hear the glories of Sri Advaita A

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13444737273?profile=RESIZE_584xA farewell from a fine Bangladeshi family, my hosts in Tampa.  Arjuna from Dominican Republic bid me goodbye at the airport.  I flew off with perfect walking weather behind.  As I have written, swimming was another dream.

 

 At Air Canada Jazz flight 1245, I reached my seat.  I didn’t anticipate to use the screen in front of me, but I couldn’t resist watching a documentary, 500 Days In the Wild by filmmaker Dianne Whelan.  She embarked on a journey paddling, cycling, and walking the longest t

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2515047425?profile=RESIZE_710xMany people think that science and spirituality will always be at odds, but true religion must be supported by science, and true science must be supported by religion.

Real religion is sanatana dharma, or eternal duty. It is based on universal truth rather than rituals or superstition. Real religion is about truth because God is truth. When religion is true, it is applicable to the material world and can be used to explain natural phenomena. Here’s how by taking three science courses (astronomy,

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Chanting with Feelings

13443746259?profile=RESIZE_584xExcerpt from a lecture by HH Nirañjana Swami

The following is a partially-edited transcription of an excerpt of a lecture given at the Baltics Winter Festival – Chanting with Feeling

Today I wanted to read and speak from a few quotes about the Holy Name. Some of them I have read recently and found a lot of significance to them, not only to myself but those with whom I shared them. A lot of times the devotees struggle to make their chanting relevant. The previous speaker, Dhīra-śānta Prabhu was u

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