martes, 23 de agosto de 2011

Vrndavana Vinodini dd, Toronto, Canada: A Meager Offering








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"Planet ISKCON" - 39 new articles

  1. H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Wednesday 24 August 2011--Guru is as Good as God--and--Is Guru Guru and Nothing Else?
  2. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: FOREWORD BY KEN SHELTON TO A LEADERSHIP BOOK BY BHAKTI-TIRTHA SWAMI
  3. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Svarupa sakti mataji
  4. Japa Group: Japa Room Session
  5. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: READ THIS WONDERFUL BOOK
  6. Kurma dasa, AU: Buddha's Hand Citron
  7. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Vyasa-Puja offering to Srila Prabhupada...
  8. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: SRILA PRABHUPADA
  9. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Janmastami Celebrations
  10. Vrndavana Vinodini dd, Toronto, Canada: A Meager Offering
  11. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Govinda dasi on Srila Prabhupada
  12. ISKCON Orlando, USA: Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja – Trivikrama Swami offering – Orlando 2011
  13. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Sri Krsna Janmastami 2011
  14. H.H. Sivarama Swami: New Vraja-dhama Parikrama 2011
  15. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Janmastami-kirtana August 22nd
  16. ISKCON Orlando, USA: Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja, Orlando 2011
  17. Nitya Navina dd, New Jersey, USA: Krpa bindu Diya
  18. H.H. Jayadvaita Swami: BBT Africa publishes first book in Xhosa
  19. Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: 8.4 million species versus 8.7 million species
  20. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  21. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  22. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  23. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  24. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  25. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  26. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  27. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  28. ISKCON Orlando, USA: Sri Krishna Janmastami Orlando, 2011.
  29. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Krsna Janmastami Celebration
  30. Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: “The All Auspicious Day” by Krishna Dharma
  31. ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja - LIVE!
  32. Bhakti Lata, Alachua, USA: Searching the Stars
  33. David Haslam, UK: Offering to Srila Prabhupada (2011)
  34. Japa Group: Please Join The Japa Group
  35. Dandavats.com: Fulfilling Your Mission
  36. The Loft, Auckland, NZ: SURPRISE Talk!
  37. Gouranga TV: Abhishek Kirtan – Balarama Jayanti Festival at New Mayapur – August 13, 2011
  38. Dandavats.com: The World Acarya
  39. ISKCON Orlando, USA: Sri Krsna Janmastami Orlando 2011 H.H.Trivikrama Swami Lecture
  40. More Recent Articles
  41. Search Planet ISKCON
  42. Prior Mailing Archive

H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Wednesday 24 August 2011--Guru is as Good as God--and--Is Guru Guru and Nothing Else?

A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Wednesday 24 August 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. (Click on photo to see a larger image.) Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. Special Announcement: Connect With Other Members of this Course. Join this Conference: http://groups.google.com/group/sda_students Today's Thought: Guru is as Good as God Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA I remember back in 1971 how amazed I was when His Holiness Vishnujana Swami told me, You have to accept the spiritual master as good as God. Although I did not express it externally, my first reaction to this idea was disbelief. But when I ignored my fickle mind and thoughtfully analyzed this concept with my intelligence, it began to make a lot of sense to me. Because every word and action of the spiritual master is a pure manifestation of Krishna's teachings and Krishna's mercy, why he should not be taken to be as good as God? Later on I found that this principle is confirmed by Lord Krishna Himself in the Srimad Bhagavatam, 11th canto, chapter 17, text 27 as follows: cryam mm vijnyn nvamanyeta karhicit na martya-buddhysyeta sarva-deva-mayo guruh "One should know the acharya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods." Sankarshan Das Adhikari Spiritual Master is a Direct Manifestation of Krishna http://www.backtohome.com/images/Prabhupada/sp_preaching.jpg Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Is Guru Guru and Nothing Else? Gurudeva, Namaste My questions are: Have you seen real life after this unreal life? and Who is a better guru, the internal guru or external guru, who can safely perfect your life and lead you to Godhead in the present life? Yours in yoga Janardan V. Mali Answer: No. Guru is a Manifestation of Krishna By the grace of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, I am constantly living in the real eternal life beyond this temporary material life. We cannot say that one manifestation of Krishna is better than another manifestation of Krishna. According to the Srimad Bhagavatam, 11th canto, chapter 29, text 6, Krishna Himself appears both as the Supersoul within the heart and externally as the acharya or spiritual master: naivopayanty apacitim kavayas tavea brahmyuspi krtam rddha-mudah smarantah yo 'ntar bahis tanu-bhrtm aubham vidhunvann crya-caittya-vapus sva-gatim vyanakti O my Lord! Transcendental poets and experts in spiritual science could not fully express their indebtedness to You, even if they were endowed with the prolonged lifetime of Brahma, for You appear in two features--externally as the acharya and internally as the Supersoul--to deliver the embodied living being by directing him how to come to You. In this connection it is also important to understand the following point explained by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in his purport to Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi 1.44: Every living entity is essentially a servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the spiritual master is also His servant. Still, the spiritual master is a direct manifestation of the Lord. With this conviction, a disciple can advance in Krishna consciousness. The spiritual master is nondifferent from Krishna because he is a manifestation of Krishna. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2011 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at:http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. Searchable archives of all of course material: http://www.sda-archives.com Receive Thought for the Day as an RSS feed: http://www.backtohome.com/rss.htm Unsubscribe or change your email address Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Daily_Thought Thought for the Day on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ultimate.Self.Realization Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. Simply we request you to acknowledge where it is coming from with a link to our sign up page: http://www.backtohome.com Our records indicate that at requested to be enrolled to receive e-mails from the Ultimate Self Realization Course at: This request was made on: From the following IP address:

 
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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: FOREWORD BY KEN SHELTON TO A LEADERSHIP BOOK BY BHAKTI-TIRTHA SWAMI



Visit Bhakti-tirtha Swami's website at:


btswami.com


It is full of audio seminars, photos, videos, etc.


FOREWORD BY KEN SHELTON TO ANCIENT WISDOM FOR MODERN TIMES (LEADERSHIP FOR AN AGE OF HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS NO 2), A BOOK BY BHAKTI-TIRTHA SWAMI


The Master As Servant

Ken Shelton is the Editor-in-Chief of the Executive Excellence magazine (www.eep.com), and the author of Beyond Counterfeit Leadership

One of the great "Spiritual Warriors" of our time, His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami Krishnapada, has done it again! His new work on leadership—one of about 10,000 titles on leadership to be published in recent decades—sets a new standard, expressly because it explores the spiritual dimension in ways that popular gurus like Stephen R. Covey (Principle-Centered Leadership), Kevin Cashman (Leadership from the Inside Out), and Ken Blanchard, (Situational Leadership) have not done.

While the topic of Servant Leadership has certainly been explored before, most notably by Peter Block in Servant Leadership and by Robert Spitzer in The Spirit of Leadership, Swami plumbs the spiritual depths and the spiritual roots. "The true servant leader," he writes, "assesses the primary needs of his followers and compassionately serves them, having a profound understanding of the highest good beyond material requirements and servicing the soul, the real identity, of each and every individual."

His profound insights, largely based on ancient India's Vedic literature, will assist readers in their work life and their leadership of others. His principles have universal application. For example, by defining leadership in terms such as "actions that attract followers" and "standards set by exemplary acts" that others wish to pursue, Swami helps us see that leaders set examples and patterns for us to follow, whether those paths be in political, economic, academic or social realms. Indeed, in a world of tabloid heroes and skin-deep virtues, Swami provides us laser-accurate core values. He gets to the bedrock, the absolute essence of authentic leadership. This is a guidebook for personal and professional integrity, the most significant issue of the century.

In his revealing work, Swami examines various forms of what I call "counterfeit leadership," and shows how to detect authentic leadership. "The ability to recognize good leadership," he writes, "is almost as important as good leadership itself." Since not everyone recognizes great messengers when they appear in human form, Swami advocates teaching how to recognize great teachers and leaders "to distinguish the bona fide from the deviant."

Real leadership is often hard to detect because of the rules and biases built into social, academic, and professional systems. Hence, we are short on leadership, long on counterfeit. Our coffers are filled with pyrite, and our offices are filled with pirates.

In his book, Swami explores the characteristics of authentic leadership. He reveals that true leaders share at least 10 common traits:

1. They love people and are sensitive to their  emotions and needs

2. They help people feel happy and secure

3. They create lasting value at all times

4. They are philosophers—they seek to convey ultimate abiding truth

5. They lead from the inside out, knowing that character is power

6. They are principle centered

7. They are powerful visionaries

8. They keep everyone engaged according to their propensities

9. They are experts at delegation and empowerment

10. They are servant-leaders who leave behind a culture of enduring excellence.

This is not the Tom Peters brand of here-today, gone-tomorrow excellence. Having been in search of excellence all his life, Swami has found more than a few secrets. He notes: "Improper leadership cause imbalances and crises in the lives of people. Under proper leadership, people are showered with adequate food, health and wealth." On the other hand, when leaders are weak, people are weak. "It is then a matter of the blind leading the blind. Society becomes a venture of tremendous speculation, frustration, and diminishing returns."

Those of us who deposit time, trust, money, and other forms of investment in leaders and their organizations always like to see at least a modest return on our investment. For this reason, Swami also sees leadership from an accounting point of view, calculating ROI. He suggests that when people invest resources and energy in someone or something, they expect a proportionately valuable profit. The best leaders deliver.

On the issue of power, Swami sees both the upside, "Power is wonderful when used properly," and the downside: "But, when used improperly, power is a tremendous deficit. When leaders try to gather opulence unto themselves we have an unhealthy situation. In a society of people who manipulate others to gain power, people lose their focus on the soul."

Bottom line, says Swami, the leader of high conscience creates a culture that stimulates people to do the right thing in the right way and the right time. That's his idea of "visionary" servant leadership providing spiritual leadership to heal the ills of a material society.

So, if you care about making a meaningful contribution with your life and work, I suggest you adopt Swami's principles of visionary servant leadership and apply them to your situation. Should you choose to do so, I suspect that your leadership will take on a whole new dimension. People will take you seriously and want to follow you. They will gladly sign up to help make your vision of great good a reality for the benefit and blessing of many, perhaps millions, of God's children on earth. Sounds like the real deal—the spiritual warrior rides again!

Ken Shelton
Editor-in-Chief of the Executive Excellence magazine (www.eep.com)
The author of Beyond Counterfeit Leadership
 
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Svarupa sakti mataji

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.23 - The Srimad Bhagavatam is the transcendental sound representation of the Personality of Godhead. 

 
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Japa Group: Japa Room Session


In the Japa Room this week, we had many devotees attending and some very varied discussions. We talked about the task for the week which was to identify the most important change we had made in our Japa and what inspired that change.


One devotee mentioned that they had slowed down their chanting and found they could hear properly with concentration and was able to pronounce alot better....the inspiration for this change was from participating in a Japa seminar with Sacinandana Swami.

Please come along and join us each week at mayapur.tv and click on the channel "TheJapaRoom" - the times are listed below:

1st session = Every Fri. 11.30pm GMT / 6.00pm EST
* To see the time in your city click here

2nd session = Every Sat. 1.30pm GMT / 8.30am EST
* To see the time in your click here
 
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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: READ THIS WONDERFUL BOOK


Click on the title to read the review of "Miracle on Second Avenue" by Mukunda Goswami. 
 
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Kurma dasa, AU: Buddha's Hand Citron

I was offered this intriguing fruit at a cookery class that I facilitated last weekend in Canberra.

Buddha's Hand Citron #1:

It's known as Buddha's Hand Citron, or fingered cirtron [Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis] and is also known as in Japan as bushukan.

Buddha's Hand Citron #2:

The origin of the Buddha's hand plant can be traced back to Northeastern India and China.

Buddha's Hand Citron #3:

I am thinking of making candied citron out of it, since it is purely peel without any fruit or juice inside, but not at all bitter.

candied-citron:

I'll keep you posted on the outcome.

 
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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Vyasa-Puja offering to Srila Prabhupada...

Picture
VyasaPuja 2011
Richmond Hill  

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine

namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine


Dear Srila Prabhupada,
 
Srila Prabhupada, on this day so auspicious,
We desire to reflect on what you mean to us.
Without you, where would we be?
In the clutches of maya, most certainly.
 
We were wandering around clueless,
Pursuing nescience in this age of darkness.
 
You, Srila Prabhupada, are the only reason,
That we have a chance to get out of maya’s prison.
 
You took your Guru Maharaja’s instruction,
And followed through with unlimited success and precision.
 
You worked constantly day and night,
To save us from our plight.
 
Srimad Bhagavatam, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Bhagavad Gita As It Is,
Without deviation or misrepresentation – you gave us all this.
 
You showed us the path to true happiness,
The path we must pursue in order to achieve success.
 
What you have accomplished is nothing short of miraculous,
The gift of bhakti-yoga so precious.
 
Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur  foretold of an acharya so great,
For you to come in our lifetime, we are so fortunate.
Lord Chaitanya predicted that the holy names would spread in every town and village,
And you came and accomplished that with boldness and courage.
 
You gave us the genuine treasures,
Certainly worth immensely more than gems, jewels, and material pleasures.
 
You, Srila Prabhupada, are our saviour,
You exemplified perfect Vaishnava behaviour.
 
You gave us hundreds of temples worldwide,
Giving us Lord Krishna personified.
 
You wrote scores and scores of books,
Encompassing everything we need if we’d only look.
 
You explained everything in thousands of lectures,
Cared for us like a father with your loving gestures.
 
Your lotus feet travelled around the globe fourteen times,
Opening our hearts and minds to Krishna’s pastimes.
 
You started the Back to Godhead magazine,
Giving everyone the opportunity to see what life should mean.
 
You are perfect in every way – you are bonafide,
Your instructions we wish to follow and abide.
 
You wrote personal letters in the thousands,
Your words more valuable than diamonds.
 
You accurately answered every doubt and question,
Explaining and answering with purity and perfection.
 
We humbly wish to follow your request,
Although we are not qualified we want to try our best.
 
You want to take us back home, back to godhead,
And gave us all the tools to put us in good stead.
 
Krishna Consciousness has been and will be exposed to generations upon generations,
Your vani continues through your books, lectures, and instructions.
 
You provided us with the true meaning of life,
Saving us from material misery and strife.
You are our spiritual master,
We bow down at your feet forever.
 
You are our guru,
We truly are among the lucky few.
 
Srila Prabhupada, by your divine grace,
We have been given this nectar so great.
 
Actually, it will take too many words to describe what you mean to us,
We hope this humble attempt will be accepted by you – so gracious.
 
Thank you for having mercy upon us fallen souls,
Thank you for giving us the highest priorities and goals.
 
Please allow us to continue to serve you and Srimati Radharani and Krishna,
Please help us continue in the realm of the beat of the ISKCON Mrdanga.
 
Jaya Srila Prabhupada! Jaya Gurudeva!
Your humble servants Subhavilas Dasa, Ashalata Devi Dasi and all your faithful servants of Sri Sri Radha-Shyamasundara in  Richmond Hill Canada.

(written by Minakshi Devi Dasi)

Picture
The author, Minakshi devi dasi is the little girl in pink at Srila Prabhupada's Guru puja in Toronto - 1976.
 
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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: SRILA PRABHUPADA


Srila Prabhupada was first and foremost someone who truly cared, who completely sacrificed his own comfort to work for the good of others.

- Mukunda Goswami
 
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Janmastami Celebrations

KJ2011.2

 

 

 

...and here is the last slideshow from the Janmastami 2011 series.

 
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Vrndavana Vinodini dd, Toronto, Canada: A Meager Offering

Dearest Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept my humble obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to your divine appearance!
All glories to your causeless mercy!

It's 10:54pm on the most auspicious occasion of your appearance and I am still in the process of composing what will probably remain an inadequate offering. My problem lies in the fact that it is impossible to express my gratitude in words and even harder to choose amongst your unlimited good qualities!

I was trying so hard to eloquently compose something beautiful when now, at this late hour, I am realizing I can only hope to convey what is in my heart. Srila Prabhupada, this summer, what to speak of this past year, has been so interesting. So many lessons, so many opportunities, so many challenges and most importantly so much mercy to absorb.

Amongst all that, one theme keeps coming up- unwavering determination and faith. Determination to serve for the sake of service without any preference or expectation for recognition. Determination to always behave like a vaisnava, which is actually extremely difficult for uncultured individuals such as myself. Determination to do one's duty and carry out the orders of the spiritual master without any expectation for the outcome of the results. And most importantly, faith that Krsna always knows what's best and to put full trust in Him.

You, my dear Srila Prabhupada, exemplify all this. You personify what Krsna speaks to Arjuna in the Bhagavad-gita:

vyavasāyātmikā buddhir
ekeha kuru-nandana
bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca
buddhayo 'vyavasāyinām


Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched. Bg. 2.41

In the translation, you give us a beautiful definition of what vyavasāyātmikā means- resolute in Krsna consciousness. You personify this. Your resoluteness in Krsna consciousness is the reason why we are all here today. You faced what seemed to be countless insurmountable challenges, but you never wavered. You took so much shelter in the instructions of your spiritual master HDG Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami. In fact, you always said "My spiritual master is always with me."

Such faith and determination does not come cheaply. It is a result of great realization, trust and surrender. It is no doubt that you are a pure devotee who is so dear to Krsna and yet you came to the material world, undergoing all types of trials and tribulations just to save ungrateful individuals like myself who have no idea, even after so many years, what it actually means to be Krsna conscious.

My dear Srila Prabhupada, on this day of your glorious appearance, please first of all forgive me for procrastinating and only writing this offering at the last minute! Secondly, please give me that determination and faith you had in your spiritual master so that I too can follow in your footsteps and the footsteps of those who follow you. Please allow me to see every challenge or obstacle as a gift and allow me to feel gratitude and imbibe the lessons that Krsna is trying to teach me. Please allow me to have complete trust and faith in the Holy names of Krsna. I long for the day when I can say with full confidence and realization that everything is in Krsna's holy names.

Your aspiring servant and granddaughter,
Vrndavana Vinodini dasi

 
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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Govinda dasi on Srila Prabhupada

Sometimes I would think, "Who is he? Nobody knows who he really is or where he really came from or how great he really is." Especially in Boston I began to feel very strongly that he was such a great personality and that I was viewing only a very, very minute glimpse of him, and that actually much, much more was going on than I could realize.

from Srila Prabhupada-lila 7-3: A Visit to Boston, 1968

 
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ISKCON Orlando, USA: Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja – Trivikrama Swami offering – Orlando 2011


ISKCON Orlando, USA: Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja – Trivikrama Swami offering – Orlando 2011




 
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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Sri Krsna Janmastami 2011

 
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H.H. Sivarama Swami: New Vraja-dhama Parikrama 2011


 
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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Janmastami-kirtana August 22nd


H.H. Sivarama Swami: Janmastami-kirtana August 22nd

Sivarama Swami
August 23rd, 2011
Radha-Syama’s 15th installation anniversary.

H.H. Sivarama Swami: Janmastami-kirtana August 22nd

Radha-Syama’s 15th installation anniversary.

 
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ISKCON Orlando, USA: Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja, Orlando 2011

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

 
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Nitya Navina dd, New Jersey, USA: Krpa bindu Diya

Dear Srila Prabhupada please accept my humble obeisances. Today on your appearance day I feel most fortunate to be connected to the movement of Sri caitanya mahaprabhu through the threads of your causeless mercy. Till 2008 you were the spiritual master of my spiritual master and I could not imagine that I could have a personal connection to you. At A retreat by HH Bhakti charu swami, we were

 
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H.H. Jayadvaita Swami: BBT Africa publishes first book in Xhosa

On the occasion of Lord Krishna’s appearance day, the African BBT has released its first book in Xhosa, one of the eleven official languages of South Africa. Xhosa is the native language for about 8 million people. The book is a translation of Srila Prabhupada’s Beyond Birth and Death. Tota Gopinatha DasaTota Gopinatha Dasa First printing: 5,000 copies. The translator: Tota Gopinatha Dasa. The graphic designer: Khotso Kholopane.

read more

 
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Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: 8.4 million species versus 8.7 million species

The Padma Purana from the Vedic literatures (which by the way are millions of years old) say that there are 8.4 million species on this planet and that the soul can take birth in any species according to one's karma. The definition of species is different from the modern classification of species.


Modern scientists define species purely based on the morphology of a creature whereas the Vedic science delineates species based on the combination of three modes of material nature with the living being. Depending on the combination of material nature and consciousness of the living being, a body is allotted by material nature to the living being.

Modern science purely designates a species based on external features.

Interesting enough modern scientists estimate that there are totally 8.7 million different species on earth, a number very close to the Vedic counterpart (which is 8.4). Anyways, I take the Vedic science as truth as the number will not change, modern estimates change with time which therefore diminishes its value.

The full report can be read here.

Hare Krishna
 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1968 August 23: "Pondicherry was made famous on account of press work. The sound of press goes long long distance, long distant places, so the organization of press and literature and public sales, should be our main business."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1973 Auugst 23: "Whoever joins us they are not under any obligation - our only tie is Love of Godhead. We recruit a person to join us after spending gallons of blood. It should be our definite policy that nobody is ill treated that he may go away."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 August 23: "I am the same Spiritual Father and Guide of you all. Without being empowered by Krishna nobody can preach the glories of His Holy Name, that is the verdict of all Scriptures. And the only means for acquiring this spiritual strength is to abide by the orders of the Spiritual Master."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 August 23: "I came to your country at a very old age and within four or five years we have expanded beyond expectation. Now if all you work with the same zeal and establish another set of 30 to 40 branches with necessary influx of devotees, then I am sure our Krsna Consciousness Movement will prove a solid fact."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1965 August 23:
"Today Annada Ekadashi. We started towards Red Sea at about 12/30 noon. The sky is almost clear, there has been sunshine since the starting of the trip from Cochin port. We are floating now on the Arabian sea. The whole night passed. My sea sickness again began."
Jaladuta Journal :: 1965

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1968 August 23: "I have decided to publish Srimad-Bhagavatam in 12 volumes, naming them differently in this way; 1st vol., Creation; 2nd vol., Cosmic Manifestation; 3rd vol., Status Quo; 4th vol., Mercy of God; 5th vol., Creative Energy; 6th vol., The Rulers of the Universe; 7th vol., Activities of God; 8th vol., Dissolution; 9th vol., Liberation; 10th vol., Ultimate Goal; 11th vol., General History; 12th vol., The Age of Deterioration."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1971 August 23: "Regarding Indira Gandhi there is no hope. The high commissioner has informed. So it is Lord Caitanya's desire that a Vaisnava shall lay down the cornerstone instead."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1972 August 23: "Yes, President Giri can open the foundation ceremony. Let us invite many responsible persons - the Prime Minister, Governors. Let us place our philosophy before a very respectable assembly. People have not yet understood how glorious is our philosophy."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

 
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ISKCON Orlando, USA: Sri Krishna Janmastami Orlando, 2011.

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

 
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Krsna Janmastami Celebration

KJ2011.1

 

Here is the first batch of pictures of the Janmastami fever at Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir

 
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Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: “The All Auspicious Day” by Krishna Dharma

Then spangling dark night's velvet cloak,
in time and place divinely meant,
stood stars in silent lines that spoke
how here is love incarnate sent.

Marking the all-auspicious hour
that for an age shall yet be marked,
predicting that the purest power
has here with us to earth embarked.

Speak, mystic seer of the skies,
that we the wretched joyful be,
how one free from all hate and lies
has come to lead humanity.

And all you gods, let cry with might,
that all the worlds may wakened be,
to gaze with wonder on the sight
of man's departing misery.

Today forgiveness does descend
to walk among us: Gurudeva.
The thralldom of transgression ends
in freedom that you freely gave.

Until this day shall be proclaimed
in every quarter of the earth,
and every man shall know your name,
we yet shall take repeated birth.

The legend of a long lost land
made real today, as you have shown
how they who take your outstretched hand
shall find it, our forgotten home.

O Prabhupada, we can but pray
that you might throw your sidelong glance
on us, and thus, by grace we may
enter the everlasting dance.


Filed under: Poetry
 
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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja - LIVE!

 
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Bhakti Lata, Alachua, USA: Searching the Stars



(I wrote this about a month ago, before I left for the Bus Tour.)

Ever since I was a young teenager, I remember gazing up at the glittering stars in Hawaii and I would feel this empty space in my heart. Naturally, I dreamed of stargazing with my husband one day. I felt that if I could share the stars with someone, especially my husband, I would feel complete.

Back in February, one evening I was driving home from school and I began to sob and sob because I felt such a deep pain and loneliness. I didn't know who I could talk to, I felt so alienated from everyone and everything. I had communicated this loneliness to my spiritual master a couple weeks before. He had looked into my eyes with such understanding and said, "Bhakti lata, that loneliness you feel? It is actually a great gift. Not everyone feels that loneliness. It is your heart searching for Krishna, the Lord."

I began to look for Krishna when I gazed at the stars, but still I felt that loneliness.

This evening I met up with my friend Mia at the temple, and she asked me, as many people are asking me lately, "So what are you up to in life?" Somehow when she asked me that question, it really struck through to my core, and it's even the seed of the reason I am writing this now. I smiled and replied as I've replied all summer, "Spending lots and lots of time with myself."

"How are you keeping busy, though?"

"Well, I teach writing classes, I dance, come to the temple, but mostly I'm spending time with myself and spending time with God. You know, I'm really enjoying my own company. For so much of my life I'm always running around, and now I'm just... being."

We spoke for a bit more. When we walked out to our cars, I said, "I'll always remember your prayer when you offer obeisance when you come in to the templeroom... what are the exact words?"

"God, please fill me with your presence," she said.

"God, please fill me with your presence," I murmured.

We bid goodnight and I headed out to the sandy temple road to chant the Lord's name. I began to meditate on how for this summer I feel such a deep stillness within, such an ocean of quiet. Realizations come to me in waves. I'll spend hours writing in my journal, or I'll listen to the same song 20 or 30 times in a row in meditation. On days when I'm not teaching, sometimes I don't speak with a single other person. I am not lethargic; I am active - I dance, write, interact with friends, sing, teach, etc., but I don't feel frantic. I feel quiet.

This evening I meditated on one of the qualities of Krishna - that he is atmarama, or self-satisfied. He does not need anyone's love, but He wants our love. As Eric Fromm would say: "I need you because I love you."

More than ever this summer I am reflecting on marriage, and the significance of sharing my life with someone. I want to be a whole person to share myself with another whole person. To be truly self-satisfied, I realize that I need the Lord.

I walked for a long time under the stars, barefoot in the sand. The universe seemed to open up tonight in such breathtaking silence.

Just as I was about to head home, I remembered Mia's prayer. I murmured it to myself in obeisance: "God, please fill me with your presence." I searched for that empty feeling in my heart, but I did not feel it. I only felt peace, and such deep gratitude to be chanting the Lord's holy name, barefoot, under the stars. And one day my husband will not fill that space in my heart, but share it with me.

***

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The Essence of Marriage: "A man must be willing to die for his wife." - Radhanath Swami...
The Wedding of Jackie & Parama Karuna: Yesterday at the wedding of Indradyumna Swami's brother, Maharaj spoke some cool stuff about marriage. Once he was on a plane and encountered a couple in their 90's and they were heading out to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary. 75 YEARS...
 
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David Haslam, UK: Offering to Srila Prabhupada (2011)

Sat meditating on the appearance day of Srila Prabhupada my mind wondered to last year as I awoke from sleep, a cold shiver ran through my back, what if. What If: Srila Prabhupada didn’t follow his own Guru Maharaja’s instructions What if he never took that perilous journey to the states What if he gave [...]

 
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Japa Group: Please Join The Japa Group

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108@gmail.com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

 
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Dandavats.com: Fulfilling Your Mission

By Indradyumna Swami

Today on the occasion of your Vyasa Puja it is with great pleasure I report to you that once again hundreds of thousands of people have received the great mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu on the Baltic Sea coast in Poland. That mercy has taken the form of your books, the holy names, prasadam distribution, and the blissful association of many wonderful devotees

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