Where’s the pic? Yeah I don’t do abandoned spots. ATM I’m just trying to do this Colab. You can help if you want. Then I know ppl who know legals we can do next. This sat Is krsna fest at urban yoga. :)
Consciousness is like a sponge. If you subject it to exploitative images of woman you get an exploitative mentality towards woman. This inhibits good qualities. This makes you see attractive woman as your sense objects and unattractive woman as irrelevant. This is polluted vision. Woman are not yours to accept or reject. mundaners judge a woman based on potentialilty to fulfill their genitals urges. Catch yourself sizing up the opposite. This disgusting habituated mentality is born from a false conception of the self as the body were in. It’s selfish and gives lots of mental pain. How did we take on this mistaken sense of proprietorship over the opposite? Media is a factor but we also choose to subject our consciousness to it’s preaching. The media spews tons of “your the body” propaganda into our our consciousness where ever it can, whether it be to our eyes, to our tongue or through our ears. How to not be victimized by it all? Krsna let’s us know exactly how in bhagavad Gita. 2.58
One who is able to withdraw his senses from sense objects, as the tortoise draws its limbs within the shell, is firmly fixed in perfect consciousness.
But How to withdraw the senses when we really think we ought to fulfill tem instead, Seems pretty plain.
The embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, though the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness.
It’s nesacary to control the senses. If we see woman as playthings. Our vision is impaired. Our senses are like wild horses so what’s the cure? Control them on all sides by the mind. In sanskrt the word trayate means to control and also translates to engage or have victory over thus control and engage are considered synonims. Therefore mantra means to control the mind by engaging it in spiritual chanting and hearing. Mantras are made up of absolute transcendental names of the absolute, krishna being the chief name carries immense power to dissolve our perverted taste for mere genital absorption by giving us a much much higher taste in selfless chanting of His supremely sweet names. Because it gives a much much higher taste it also gives realization of the pettiness of sexual obsession which helps to give up the unrealistic expectations that it will satisfy our hearts. Sri Yamuna acarya has said “”Since my mind has been engaged in the service of the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa, and I have been enjoying an ever new transcendental humor, whenever I think of sex life with a woman, my face at once turns from it, and I spit at the thought.” This is an inspiring testimony to the tangible superiority of Krishna Happiness over genital stimulation. The science of Krishna Bhakti is here in proven. You can judge a thing by it’s result. Hypothesis experiment and result. Enter the lab. Chant hare krsna and free your mind from me and mine. Awaken your selfless spirit. And see the get the results. It’s not normal to see others as yours. A devotee sees everything how god sees it - as his. this vision is called Brahman realisation. We see how god sees to by seeing it as ours but that’s not Brahman realisation that is called Maya or illusion. It’s simply not true. Chanting revives your love for krsna, when you love krsna you love every one equally because there his energies therefore wherever you look you see krsna in his energy and if you think of exploiting that energy you spit at the thought because lust is not love. there for persons who actually aspire for the divine love are indifferent to lusty things like pornography and thinking about woman as objects.
From the Panchakula Ratha Yatra, Kadamba Kanana Maharaja headed to the ISKCON temple in Dehli. On his way he gave a homeprogram at Patiala . He sang beautiful bhajanas and gave a lecture, establishing the supremacy of Krsna. After prasadam he again hit the road to Dehli.
Arriving there late, Maharaja still decided to take part in a program centered around book distribution at an auditorium in the temple area. He gave a short talk in Hindi and finished off by distributing around 50 of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gitas, straight from the Vyasasana.
The next morning than, after taking part in the darsana arati, greeting the local deities called Sri Sri Radha-Partha Sarathi, Maharaja went off to catch his flight back to South Africa
If you cannot view the slideshow, please visit flickr!
"The sweet, fragrant honey oozing from newly grown mango buds is again and again attracting groups of bumblebees, and this forest is trembling in the softly moving breezes from the Malaya Hills, which are full of sandalwood trees. Thus the forest of Vrndavana is increasing My transcendental pleasure..."
(Vidagdha Madhava)
When will we be fortunate enough to be present in that same luxuriant forest and have the darsana of Wonderful Krsna as He thinks thus to Himself.
Our Sankirtan general, H.G. Vaisesika Prabhu is returning to Toronto. A disciple of Srila Prabhupada, and a mentor to so many of us in Toronto and around the world, we are always looking forward to his visits. From inspiring classes and hitting the streets with spiritual books, to the rip-roaring kirtans, Vaisesika das keeps us all on our spiritual toes! We have an inspirational line-up of programs for you! While details are being finalized, some of the key events that you absolutely need to know are:
Friday (Dec 9) - Monday (Dec 12) - Srimad Bhagavatam Classes (7:45-9:00am) Sankirtan is for Everyone Sub-themes: Friday: Sankirtan is our Family Business - Power of Parampara Saturday: Sankirtan is All Inclusive - Fighting the Myths Sunday: Sankirtan and Sadhana - Sharing the Overflow Monday: The Power of Endeavour - Every ONE Matters, Every BIT Counts!
Friday (Dec 9) - 6:30-8:30 pm - Sankirtan Training - Handling Objections and Rejections (Top 10 tips)
Saturday (Dec 10) 11:00 am - 2:00 pm - World Enlightenment Day Special Sankirtan Festival All devotees are welcome to join Vaisesika das as we collectively hit the streets with our beloved spiritual books with the goal of sharing our beautiful spiritual heritage with the public. Stay tuned for more information!
Saturday (Dec 10) 6:30 pm - Bhajans with Marathon Memories, Stay tuned for more information!
Sunday (Dec 11) - 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Sunday Feast with Vaisesika das Our weekly Sunday extravaganza will include a special class by Vaisesika das. Toss in some amazing kirtan and mouth-watering vegetarian feast and your Sunday should be booked!
(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
Relationships, togetherness, connection, and sharing are not merely the spices of life, they’re the foundation of animation the juice and energy which sustains us beyond merely existing or maintaining, the celebration of we, us, our, the many, pointing us in the direction of selfless service.
Indradyumna Swami's lecture on the Importance of Initiation given at the "Festival of the Holy Name" held here in Dallas on May 2011 with Indradyumna Swami and Giriraj Swami.
My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, because of my association with material desires, one after another, I was gradually falling into a blind well full of snakes, following the general populace. But Your servant Narada Muni kindly accepted me as his disciple and instructed me how to achieve this transcendental position. Therefore, my first duty is to serve him. How could I leave his service?
PURPORT
As will be seen in later verses, even though Prahlada Maharaja was directly offered all the benedictions he might have desired, he refused to accept such offerings from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. On the contrary, he asked the Lord to engage him in the service of His servant Narada Muni. This is the symptom of a pure devotee. One should serve the spiritual master first. It is not that one should bypass the spiritual master and desire to serve the Supreme Lord. This is not the principle for a Vaisnava. Narottama dasa Thakura says:
One should not be anxious to offer direct service to the Lord. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised that one become a servant of the servant of the servant of the Lord (gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah). This is the process for approaching the Supreme Lord. The first service should be rendered to the spiritual master so that by his mercy one can approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead to render service. While teaching Rupa Gosvami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija: one can achieve the seed of devotional service by the mercy of the guru, the spiritual master, and then by the mercy of Krsna. This is the secret of success. First one should try to please the spiritual master, and then one should attempt to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura also says, yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado **. One should not attempt to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead by concoction. One must first be prepared to serve the spiritual master, and when one is qualified he is automatically offered the platform of direct service to the Lord. Therefore Prahlada Maharaja proposed that he engage in the service of Narada Muni. He never proposed that he engage directly in the service of the Lord. This is the right conclusion. Therefore he said, so 'ham katham nu visrje tava bhrtya-sevam: "How can I give up the service of my spiritual master, who has favored me in such a way that I am now able to see You face to face?" Prahlada Maharaja prayed to the Lord that he might continue to engage in the service of his spiritual master, Narada Muni.
Just as a beautiful painting can be appreciated only through refined aesthetic emotions – not through emotion-less scrutiny, the Bhagavad-gita reveals a beautiful conception of God that can be appreciated only through refined devotional emotions – not through emotion-less physical gymnastics or intellectual polemics (11.53-54). Before developing these refined emotions, the Gita recognizes that we need to first unglue our mind from worldly objects whose temporary beauty distracts us perpetually from the eternal beauty of God. For this intermediate purpose of curbing distracting material emotions, the Gita discusses multiple paths like the path of detached dutifulness (karma-yoga), the path of analysis (jnana-yoga) and the path of austerity (ashtanga-yoga). However, the Gita encourages us to associate with those who are relishing the beauty of God (10.9) and by their inspiration supplant our material emotions with refined devotional emotions. This refining of emotions helps us to develop easily and swiftly our devotional-aesthetic sensibility and relish the beauty of God, thus fulfilling the ultimate purpose of the Gita. That’s why in its concluding proclamation (18.65-66) the Gita overthrows all other paths and enthrones the path of love.
The other night we were sitting talking with Stambhas friends and billy said nom chompski says we should question everything we hear from illegitimate authorities and I said well who’s a legitimate authority he said that’s the question. The answer is unless you have a reference point how can you question an authority. Let’s say Darwin says we come from apes then we must have a point of reference or some well established authority to turn to and verify if that’s true. Prabhupada said in science of self realisation that there’s no such thing as a false guru” cos guru means teacher of truth so if he’s not teaching truth hes not a guru. How to know if he’s teaching truth? The veda. Veda is like the mother. Only mother can tell you who the father is similarly only Veda can tell you who you ultimate source is because its writeen by vyasadeva who is an incarnation of that supreme source and it doesn’t say we come from apes. So were protected from the victimisation of cheaters speculations and there direct implications and ramifications, all because we have an all inclusive ligitimate authority. Krishna. It’s natural right every genioune teacher has a teacher if he doesnt hes either god or an imitation god. There are many self acclaimed philosophers and scientists who make big claims and cheat the innocent public into following them (and then that conclusion is changed in a few years) This is because the people didn’t question it or theyre only reference point or consultant was their own mind which they accept as the ultimate authority at the end of the day. So they heard from mr big scientist PHD say ” we were microbes and now we can be microbiologist in other words life comes from matter so there’s No Krishna, no designer, no alive source of life.. Therefore life does not have purpose. what ever u want it to mean..”Then they ask their mind because he’s always right and the materialistic mind says yeah if it’s all matter why should any thing natter I knew it life’s just a big party let’s do what ever. But i ask the question? if every thing comes from matter then why should anything matter? It shouldnt! But it does. If life is just interaction of chemicals then theoretically nothing Matters but practically so much matters to us. It matters if we feel love for a person it matters how that person reciprocates, it matters if they “die” doesn’t it? so inquiry into the personhood of the source of existance and service to that supreme source doesnt matter because it’s all mythology but our chemically concocted humaniarian and altruistic goals do..That’s the contradictory implication of the atheist scientists claim yet they are often humanitarian minded.The same scientist who claim were all just atoms often show a somewhat unselfish concern for the welfare of others. this is a strange thing, what’s the chemical formula for your compassion, your affection, care and concern for another chemical persons well being ?So theoretically they say were all chemicals but when thier chemical daughter dies they cry? Why cry over chemicals? Do they cry when they let the bath water go down the drain? Devotees can be irritating because there always right that’s why Krishna says in the Gita 3.29 Bewildered by the modes of material nature, the ignorant fully engage themselves in material activities and become attached. But the wise should not unsettle them, although these duties are inferior due to the performers’ lack of knowledge.”
The genius of the Bhagavad-gita is that it takes a specific real-life situation, examines it philosophically and offers a universal pragmatic solution. The Gita begins with Arjuna’s weak-hearted capitulation “I will not fight” and ends in his strong-hearted resolution “I will do your will.” Significantly, Arjuna doesn’t conclude with the specific resolution “I will fight” because by then his vision has been lifted far beyond the specific battlefield dilemma: “Should I fight?” to the universal existential perplexity: “What should I live for?” The Gita responds by urging us: “Live for love.” The Gita’s philosophy, when understood holistically, reveals divinity’s love for humanity and inspires a reciprocal humanity’s love for divinity. When, like Arjuna, we choose to respond to our specific dilemmas with the universal panacea of loving surrender: “0 Lord, I will do your will”, this attitude of surrender fosters a divine vision that causes not only the specific dilemma to dissolve, but also to reveal through the dilemma a pathway to the world of love that is beyond dilemmas.
Thus the Gita’s universal message goes beyond violence and silence to transcendence.
Kadamba Kanana Swami Govinda Valley, 2011) Lecture – Caitanya-caritāmṛta
The vacuum inside of our heart – that empty feeling is still not filled. Still there is a need for more, no matter how much we are experiencing in this world. So Lord Caitanya in this way came to drive out that ignorance. He also came to drive out the impersonalist concept. The concept that our identity, our sense of self is false, and when we come to spiritual realization, then we can actually realize that we are not that…..that we are not this temporary material energy, but that we are eternal beings!
Kadamba Kanana Swami Govinda Valley, 2011) Lecture – Caitanya-caritāmṛta
Srila Prabhupada was speaking about football (lets say soccer and not football) and the point was that people were playing with that ball, and they considered themselves the players. So Prabhupada said:
“They think they are the players, when they are in actuality the ball”.
So have we ever thought of ourselves as the ball in the game?
So Prabhupada said:
“As the player….. no everyone is the player in this world”.
Playing somehow or other, manipulating, arranging ….trying to get a good result – we know what we’re doing, but Srila Prabhupada said:
“No, in reality we are the ball and in any point in time we can be kicked. Kicked to a next destination!”
1968 December 5 : "Regarding my meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury, please arrange for this. We will talk on a religious basis and we may invite many respectable elites of the city to participate." Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
1970 December 5 : "One gentleman has offered us a small Temple in Vrndavana with room for about 20-25 men. It is in care of our friend. Please go there immediately and see it and do the needful." Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
1971 December 5 : "Upon the shoulders of you the leaders of this Movement falls the responsibility of saving this earth planet from the present dangerous position. So the work is in your hands. Let me be free now to translate books." Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
1971 December 5 : "MacMillan Co. should not change our Bhagavad-gita As It Is from our version. Examine the contract very thoroughly and consult. You may also send me a copy of the contract." Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
1972 December 5 : "Three years ago I asked Dai Nippon to print 20,000 copies of Back To Godhead and barely we could distribute them. Now your temple alone is distributing so many, so this is very, very encouraging to me." Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1972 December 5 : "It is the perfect form of preaching. Follow the line laid down by Prahlada Maharaja and try to take every one back to home, back to Godhead. And this is done by distributing our literature." Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1973 December 5 : " Thank you very much for increasing the book distribtuion. My Guru Maharaja was most pleased to see books distributed so continue to increase it more and more." Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
1973 December 5 : "We require men for India. Our programs there are important and there is a great need. I am requesting that you send at least one or two first class men from your zone. Kindly make arrangement for this." Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
THE FOLLOWING LECTURE ON SRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM, CANTO 1, CHAPTER1, QUESTIONS BY THE SAGES, TEXT 15, WAS GIVEN BY HIS HOLINESS BHAKTI CARU SWAMI ON 9 MAY 2008 IN ORLANDO, US. Transcription : Her Grace Ranga Radhika Dasi Editing : Ramananda Raya Dasa Audio reference: click here yat-pada-samsrayah suta munayah prasamayanah sadyah punanty upasprstah svardhuny-apo ‘nusevaya Synonyms: [...]
Article Sent By Their Graces Dvarkadish and Ramkinkar Dasa To see all pictures related to this article : click here Hare Krishna! On *6 December, Tuesday* is *GITA JAYANTI*, *The Advent of Srimad Bhagavad-Gita*, the day on which Lord Sri Krishna spoke * Bhagavad-Gita* to Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra. This is also the [...]
Sankarshan Dasa: Sometime back there was a article about the concept of Siksa Guru and one must only take diksa or siksa from within Iskcon. Which I think is not supported by shastra. I think HH Sivaram Swami supported this idea that Siksa only from Iskcon. But here is a shastric reference to refute that statement he made which I cannot agree
On the Vedic lunar calendar, today is Gita Jayanti, the holy ekadasi day that marks the anniversary of the time Bhagavad-gita was spoken by Sri Krishna to Arjuna over 5 millenia ago.
Incidentally I was born on Gita Jayanti / Mokshada Ekadashi in 1952 - it fell that year on December 26. I am happy to say that I indeed fasted on that auspicious day. At least all I took on that day, presumably, was my mother's milk.
Today is an appropriate day to read Bhagavad-gita. Here's a verse in glorification of Bhagavad-gita, from the Gita Mayatmya by Sripad Sankaracharya.
maline mocanam pumsam, jala-snanam dine dine, sakrid gitâmrita-snânam, samsâra-mala-nâsanam.
"One may cleanse himself daily by taking a bath in water, but if one takes a bath even once in the sacred Ganges water of Bhagavad-gītā, for him the dirt of material life is altogether vanquished." (Gita-mahatmya 3)
Click here to read all 18 chapters of Bhagavad Gita online.
A very wonderful Rathyatra festival was held on the Sunshine Coast at Bli Bli Parklakes Sports and Recreation Park. This historic event was organized by husband and wife team, Kisori Dasi and Nrsimhananda Prabhu. They were Supported by their mother Draupadi Mataji from NZ.
The family built the cart decorated and painted it with help from friends and relatives. The cart was nicely painted by Ambika Mataji.
On the auspicious day the festival was well attended by many local Devotees and guests. Also Devotees from the Gold Coast, New Govardhana and Brisbane attended. The festival was very well organized.
All agreed it was a grand success. After the parade Gunarnava Prabhu, Mandapa Prabhu, Vishalini Mataji and Sitapati Prabhu spoke about the history of Rathyatra, Srila Prabhupada Bringing Rathyatra to the west, Jayananda Prabhu and many other Rathyatra pastimes.
After Arotik and Kirtan an excellent Prasadam feast was served. The feast was sponsored by Krsna Balarama Prabhu, Kishori’s brother. All glories to the assembled devotees who worked so hard to bring Rathyatra to the Sunshine Coast. They promised it will become a yearly event.
‘Look – here’s a table covered with a red cloth. On it is a cage the size of a small fish aquarium. In the cage is a white rabbit with a pink nose and pink-rimmed eyes. In its front paws is a carrot-stub upon which it is contentedly munching. On its back, clearly marked in blue ink, is the numeral 8.
Do we see the same thing? We’d have to get together and compare notes to make absolutely sure, but I think we do. There will be necessary variations, of course: some receivers will see a cloth which is turkey red, some will see one that’s scarlet, while others may see still other shades. (To color-blind receivers, the red tablecloth is the dark gray of cigar ashes.) Some may see scalloped edges, some may see straight ones. Decorative souls may add a little lace, and welcome – my tablecloth is your tablecloth, knock yourself out.
Likewise, the matter of the cage leaves quite a lot of room for individual interpretation. For one thing, it is described in terms of rough comparison, which is useful only if you and I see the world and measure the things in it with similar eyes. It’s easy to become careless when making rough comparisons, but the alternative is a prissy attention to detail that takes all the fun out of writing. What am I going to say, “on the table is a cage three feet, six inches in length, two feet in width, and fourteen inches high”? That’s not prose, that’s an instruction manual. The paragraph also doesn’t tell us what sort of material the cage is made of – wire mesh? steel rods? glass? – but does it really matter? We all understand the cage is a see-through medium; beyond that, we don’t care. The most interesting thing here isn’t even the carrot-munching rabbit in the cage, but the number on its back. Not a six, not a four, not nineteen-point-five. It’s an eight. This is what we’re looking at, and we all see it. I didn’t tell you. You didn’t ask me. I never opened my mouth and you never opened yours. We’re not even in the same year together, let alone the same room…except we are together. We’re close.
We’re having a meeting of the minds.
I sent you a table with a red cloth on it, a cage, a rabbit, and the number eight in blue ink. You got them all, especially that blue ink. We’ve engaged in an act of telepathy. No mythy-mountain shit; real telepathy. I’m not going to belabour the point, but before we go any further you have to understand that I’m not trying to be cute; there is a point to be made‘ –Stephen King, On Writing, p.97-98
The following is our Shastra Dana report for the month of September - October: I am humbly asking for your blessings so that we may develop this book distribution program more and more.
On Thursday, December 1, along with Jasomatinandan Prabhu, ISKCON Gujarat Zonal Secretary, Acharya Dharmendra, famous (in North India) Vishwa Hindu Parishad (part time - he resides at Jaipur in his own temple) preacher and my "Sanskrit guru", Acharya Samskritananda Hari (of "Kaushalya Pitham", Baroda), we visited the "Bansi Gir Goshalla", on the outskirts of Ahmedabad
That is the second platform of devotional life. In the second platform, not only to love God, but to make friendship with devotees who is loving God. That is society. Our Society is devotees. We should not only practice to love God, but we should make friendship and love the devotees also
For the full month of Karttik the campaign to Save and Bring Back Holy River Yamuna Ji to Braj has been going on at world famous Krishna Balaram Mandir, Vrindavan. During the campaign 30 000 petitions to the government of India have been signed
Ever since his Divine Grace, Swami Prabhupada put his lotus feet on the friendly Fiji Islands of the South Pacific, Krsna consciousness has been spreading exponentially. Under the guidance of our GBC, HH Bir Krsna Maharaj, various Krsna consciousness activities are taking place. On 11/11/11, the last day of Kartika Vrata, devotees celebrated the first anniversary of the monumental Sri Sri Radha Damodar temple in Sigatoka
Isvara dasa: Described as a coinsure of all books related to Vrindavan, "Vrindavan the Playground of God" captivated the District Magistrate of Mathura and the local media. The launch took place at the Krishna Balarama Temple with an audience of international devotees on 28 October 2011
Radha Mohan Das: George Harrison Remembered in Liverpool on the Day of His Passing. With the participation of ISKCON devotees and local musicians, two concerts were held in Liverpool on the 29th November to mark ten years since the passing of George Harrison
Jaya Gouranga das: Due to a family emergency I am forced to sell one of Srila Prabhupada's personal copies of the Srimad Bhagavatam which I've had in my possession for more than 30n years. The particularly copy that I have is the 8th Canto part one originally kept in Srila Prabhupada's house in Vrindaban, India where Srila Prabhupada would some times pick it up and read from it
The new "Church Law" in Hungary will take away ISKCON Hungary's church status as of January 1st requiring us to re-apply for the same next year. However the government has not provided any legal stipulation for the society's continued ownership of Krsna Valley's lands in the interim period until we are again re-registered. In short we risk losing Krsna Valley with no pasture for our cows or land to grow our food
We are pleased to invite you, your family and friends to the ISKCON Brampton Centre this December 5th @ 6PM for celebrating Gita Jayanti.
GITA JAYANTI marks the day when LORD SHRI KRISHNA spoke the holy BHAGAVAD GITA to His most dearest n closest friend ARJUNA.
Program Schedule: 6:00 pm - 6:15 pm Guru Puja 6:15 pm - 9:00 pm Recitation of all verses of Bhagvat Gita( Lead by HG Jay Rajeswari DeviDasi and HG Vaishnava Dasa ) 9:00 pm - 9:30 pm Prasadam Distribution
By Krishna-lila Dasi for ISKCON News on 5 Dec 2011
In order to protect their land and their cows, on December 13th, 2011, Hungarian Krishna believers will hold a peaceful demonstration in front of the Parliament in Budapest.
A friend of mine, Barry Brown, aka, Baladev, whom I used to travel with in the States while we were both brahmacharis (monks) in the seventies, sent me this poem. It reflects the way many of us feel:
Was the Month Before Christmas
Twas the month before Christmas When all through our land, Not a Christian was praying Nor taking a stand. See the PC Police had taken away The reason for Christmas - no one could say. The children were told by their schools not to sing About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things. It might hurt people's feeling, the teachers would say December 25th is just a 'Holiday'. Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it! CD's from Madonna, and XBOX, and i-Pod Something was changing, something quite odd~ Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa in hopes to sell books by Franken and Fonda. As Targets were hanging their trees upside down At Lowe's the word "Christmas" was nowhere to be found. At K-Mart and Staples and Payless and Sears You won't hear the word "Christmas", it won't touch your ears. Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty Are words that were used to intimidate me. Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen On Boxer, on Harper, on Watson, on Clinton! At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter. And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith Forbidden to speak of salvation or grace The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded The reason for the season, stopped before it started. So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree" Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me. Choose your words carefully, choose what you say Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, Not Happy Holiday!
I've felt so few encumbrances the last four days and I had to wonder why? Then it came to me. An inner voice spoke, "Hey, Swamiji, you haven't been in a car for that length of time." And you know, the voice was right. I've felt so liberated as of late.
If I had my way, "If I was mayor of town," as I put it to a table of people sitting around it, "I would eliminate all automobiles." Some heads bobbed as nods of approval. My confession is that I will not enter into the political field, not in this life. It's alright to dream.
For practical reasons, I and a small team of two other monks from India, a veteran vaishnav Subuddhi (our fabulous temple coordinator and cook) and one tall Gujrati pujari (priest), Guhya, made utility the principle. We used a van to drive through a superficially laid out urban sprawl. It was in Markham. What we perceived as our feat to achieve this Saturday evening was the obligation to attend three functions at once, or at least to squeeze them into a decent time frame.
Miracles, be what they are, make their ways into our life every day. Our time management played in concert with the miracle and we somehow or other covered all three venues in one evening. On top of that our inclusive Sastra Dhan (scripture sponsorship) program for the Bhagavad-gita was exhausted after the second program. It's a great program designed to engage people in the giving mode of delivering something so precious.
The words of Sri Krishna are indeed precious and it may be worthy to mark on one's calendar the advent of the Gita. December the 5th is the day by lunar movements and the best way to celebrate this master book of yoga is by reading a section and then sharing it.
On this day, the warriors assembled Where, generations before, Virtuous Kuru sat in meditation. The warriors made ready For victory or the afterlife, Yet they did not know How thirsty the fields Would be for their blood.
On this day, seeing Friends, relatives and teachers Opposed before him, Arjuna felt the burden of his actions, And his heart ached for them As the mighty Gandiva Slipped from his hands, And tears flowed from his eyes.
On this day, Sri Krishna Drove Arjuna’s chariot And laid before him the secret teachings, And revealed His fearful, cosmic form And encouraged him to fight, And yet, see friend and foe alike. In one instance as He blessed Arjuna, Krishna blessed us all.
“And I declare that he who studies this sacred conversation worships Me by his intelligence.” Bhagavad Gita 18:70
Yeah sure I’m trying to organize a colab mural on the lane wall on the back of the temple. Do u have pics of Yr work. Where are the legal day spots? Are u comin Saturday? Hare krsna.
(1) He who studies this Gita scripture with humility is freed from fear and misery and attains the feet of Lord Vishnu.
gita adhyaana-shilasya pranayama-paraasya cha naiva santi he paapani purva janme kritani cha
(Gita-mahatmya 2)
(2) That person who is in the habit of reading the Gita and who is also devoted to practising pranayama (breathing exercises) is not touched by sins, even those done in his previous birth.
mala nirmochanam pumsam jala snanam dine dine sakrid gitambhaasi snanam samsara mala nashanam
(Gita-mahatmya 3)
(3) Human beings must bathe in water every day to get rid of the dirt (of the body), but bathing in the water of the Gita once is enough to get rid of the dirt of this samsara (cycle of birth and death).
gita sugita kartavya kim anyaih shastra vistaraih ya svyam padama nabhaayasa mukha padmad vinih srita
(Gita-mahatmya 4)
(4) This Gita which has come out of the lotus-like face of the Lord (He who has the lotus in His navel) and which is so melodious, should be studied. There is no need to study any other scriptures in detail.
(5) After drinking the water of the Gita which is the nectar of the entire Bharata (the epic Mahabharata) and which has come out of the mouth of Vishnu, there is no more birth (in this world).
(6) All the Upanishads are the cows, the one who milks the cows is Krishna, Arjuna (Partha) is the calf. Men of purified intellect are the enjoyers; the milk is the great nectar of the Gita. The only scripture is the song of the son of Devaki. The only deity is the son of Devaki. The only mantra is His Names. The only action is the service of That Deity.
ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam eko devo devaki-putra eva eko mantras tasya namani yani karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva
(Gita-mahatmya 7)
(7) In this present day, people are very eager to have one scripture, one God, one religion, and one occupation. SoTherefore, ekam sastram devaki-putra-gitam: let there beone scripture only,one common scripture, for the whole world-Bhagavad-gita. And Eko devo devaki-putra eva: let there be one God only for the whole world-Sri Krsna. Eko mantras tasya namani: And one hymn, one mantra, one prayer only-the chanting of His name: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Karmapy ekam tasya devasya seva: And let there be one work only-the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Lord Shiva in Gita Mahatmya, states that "only one God - Krishna, the son of Devaki" (Verse 7).
Any ideas for comics? the purpose of the comic is to shine light on the faults and dualities of material life, to raise awareness of the miseries of living in mass consensual trance other wise known as normal life by way of funny comics. This is very effective in waking up the mundane conformist and helping them to turn away from the herd and toward genioune spiritual life, which ever path that is. Atleast Christianity for gods sake but just stop following the ways of dogs and cats by being a work buy die hard atheist!
A view of the military phalanx on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra. The chariot of Krsna and Arjuna in the midst of the armies.
Happy Gita Jayanti everyone! A re-post from last year.
5000 years ago... Two great armies assemble at the scene of Kurukseta, flying banners, drawn up opposite one another on the field, poised for battle. Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna are carrying their conversation between the two armies reflecting the indecision of Arjuna about the question; should he fight against and kill his friends, kinsmen and teacher?
And thus the greatest dialogue in history, the Song of God, is spoken by Krishna Himself to Arjuna. This dialogue will go on to be studied by the greatest leaders, philosophers, religionists and most importantly devotees of Lord Krishna. Although studied by many, the spirit of the Bhagavad Gita is not understood by all. It is mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita itself that, if one wants to take medicine, one must simply follow the instructions at the label. We cannot take the medicine according to our own whim or direction from a friend. It must be taken according to the direction of the given by the physician.
Also, the speaker of the Bhagavad Gita is Krishna himself, He is mentioned in the Gita as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is not a mystical, mythological or normal person but as confirmed by great acharyas such as His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, He is the Supreme Personalty of Godhead. He is the charioteer of Arjuna, the Hero of the Battlefield of Kuruksetra.
While seeing the two armies assembled, Arjuna instructs Krishna to drive the chariot so he can see the personalities of the opposition. After viewing his friends, kinsmen and teachers from the other part, Arjuna simply become confused and bewildered. He cast down his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief.
Now the conversations begin as questions and answers rose while the two armies and all present in the battlefield vividly hear the talks between Krishna and Arjuna.
Krishna has spoken, “While speaking learned words, you are mourning for what is not worthy of grief. Those who are wise lament neither for the living nor the dead.”
“Never was a time when I did not exist, or you, or all of these kings, nor in the future shall any of us cease to cease to be.”
“As the embodied soul continually passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul continually passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change." Krishna described to Arjuna about one’s real identity. We are not this temporary body; we are the life force or the living entity inside this body. Our original position was we are not the controller of all energy around us but instead we are the minute parts and parcel of the Supreme Person and our original function is to serve in devotion for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
Krishna imparts to Arjuna the most confidential knowledge. “Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisance and worship me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to me.” (Ch. 9 text 34)
He describes all things that represent the Supreme Lord. “Of all creations I am the beginning and the end and also the middle, O Arjuna, Of all sciences I am the spiritual science of the self, and among logicians I am the conscious truth.” (Ch.10 Text 32)
Krishna goes on to display the mystery of His univeral form.
So, Arjuna’s illusion is now gone, and he is acting according to Krsna’s instructions. Krsna, the driver of countless universes, is driving the chariot of Arjuna
So in perfect conclusion to the Bhagavad Gita and the perfection of renunciation, “Arjuna said, My dear Krishna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy, and I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.” (Ch. 18 Text 73)
Krishna reveals Himself to Arjuna and “Arjuna said, My dear Krishna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone.”
Devamrita Swami is back! After another stint of international traveling over the last three months, this world renound speaker and author will speak at Soulfeast on Sunday the 11th December. Come and hear his latest realisations and reflections at the Loft, 105 Beach Rd, 11th deecember, 5pm cost $5 ($8 after 5.30), Vegetarian Dinner included.
A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Monday 5 December 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. For Transcendental Association Connect With Other Members of this Course. Join this Conference: http://groups.google.com/group/sda_students Help Popularize Our Message By Liking Today's Thought on Facebook: Today's Thought: We've Got to Get Our Message Through uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA The entire Planet Earth has been plunged into a suffering condition, which is becoming more and more intolerable with the passage of time. Everyone is poisoned by the influence of the Kali Yuga, the Age of Kali, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy. The good news is that we have the antidote for this Kali poison. We have the message which can save the world. Therefore the great challenge which is now facing us is how to get this message of pure love of Godhead through to the entire human population so that they can properly understand and implement it. There is no challenge greater than this. All other challenges pale into insignificance in the presence of this challenge. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Editor's Note: The Kali referred to in the above is not the female goddess Kali, who is a great devotee of the Lord. This Kali is the male personality, who is the personification of wickedness. The two names are pronounced differently. The a in name of male Kali is a short a and is pronounced like the u in but. The a in the name of the female Kali is a long a and is pronounced like the a in far. Kali Yuga vs Krishna Consciousness. Who Will Win? http://www.backtohome.com/images/Kali.jpg Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Paramatma in the Heart of Sinful Men? Dear Spiritual Master, I doubt that there is the Supersoul, the Supreme Lord's form known as Paramatma, situated within the heart of the human body. If the Paramatma, who is eternal, full of knowledge, and bliss, was actually there inside the human body, how could a man commit crimes such as murder, stealing, rape, sexual assault, molestation etc etc? Please guide me. Regards, Pankaj M. Answer: Paramatma Impartially Facilitates Everyone The Paramatma, the form of the Supreme Lord situated within the heart of the living being, plays a neutral role. If the living entity wants to remember God, the Paramatma will help him do that. And if the living being wants to forget God, the Paramatma will facilitate him in that way as well. This is confirmed by Krishna as follows in the Bhagavad-gita: sarvasya cham hrdi sannivisto mattah smrtir jñnam apohanam ca I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. --Bhagavad-gita 15.15 Therefore a man's misuse of his free will is not an indication of the absence of the Paramatma. Rather it indicates that the Paramatma, like an affectionate father, is facilitating the desires of His naughty child. This does not mean, however, that the Lord is neglecting the ultimate well-being of His child. To deliver His lost child the Lord also appears as the Paramatma's external manifestation, the bona fide spiritual master, whose only business is to remind the forgetful soul of his eternal identity as a servant of the Lord. The spiritual master's mission is to deliver all the fallen souls of this planet back to their original home in the wondrous Spiritual Sky. 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. 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And update on the Church Law in Hungary.
