When we serve Krishna lovingly, he gifts us the intelligence by which we can transform the pains of yesterday and the strains of today into the gains of tomorrow. This special Krishna-bestowed intelligence, which the Bhagavad-gita (10.10) calls as buddhi-yoga, enables us to not just go through, but to grow through, the pains and strains; Krishna guides us to intelligently take his shelter in such a way that those situations go, while we grow. And when we grow closer to Krishna in devotion, that growth is life’s ultimate gain.
The cave glow worm hangs silken fishing lines made of its own mucus from the roof of its cave to catch its prey. It then literally hangs from a mucus hammock and waits. There is a chemical reaction in a capsule at the end of its body that emits a blue glow. So, literally, the light shines out of its ass. When you stand at the bottom of a cave and look up at the mass of lights a colony of these glow worms make, there is little to distinguish one from the other. Each is insignificant in relation to the whole mass, let alone to the sun outside of the cave. But when you zoom into one of these unfortunate creatures, you will find an individual who thinks that the light shines out of its ass. Thus, the whole colony is made up of an en-mass unfortunate notion that the light shines out of my ass.
Somehow or other, insects are uncontrollably attracted to that glow worm ass-light and are snared before being eaten alive. The glow worm thus gains its audience and subsequently devours it. And so it subsists on the misfortunes of others who have uncontrollable senses that drag them to its ass-light. But in the end, it is unable to do anything that is of benefit for anyone while it maintains the notion that there is a light that shines out of its ass.
The analogies that can be drawn from this are eerily pertinent. For example:
“These so-called glow-worms, they'll not be able to do anything. That's a fact. Don't remain a glow-worm. Just become a sun and moon.” [SP: SB 1.15.1 Lecture NY 29/11/73]
UPCOMING EVENTS 2011: * Rajashree Behera Program – Saturday 19th November 2011 @ 6.30pm
Rajashree Chintak Behera is one of the brilliant exponents of the Odissi dance. Rajashree’s dance is marked by gaiety, lyricism and beauty. She is trained under Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and Guru Harihar Mohanty in the Odissi style of Late Guru Durga Debaprasad Das. She is a holder of Bisarada Purna in Odissi Dance from Akhila Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai, as well as a Master in Economics from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
Accolades
Widely acclaimed Solo Danseuse, Recognized as “A” grade Dancer by Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi
An ‘A’ grade artiste in DoorDarshan, Recipient of Govt. of India Scholarship (Junior and Senior), Department of Culture, Govt. of India Junior Fellowship in Classical Dance, 1993-1995.
Major Performances
India
Apna Utsav, New Delhi, 1986
Yuvs Utsav, Jaipur, 1988
Nritya Pratibha, New Delhi, 1988
Yuva Nritya Samaroha, Jodhpur, 1989
Ghungroo Dance Festival, Bhopal, 1993
Konark Dance Festival, Orissa, 1995
Barabati Nrityotsav, Orissa, 2005
Mukteswar Dance Festival, 2006
Dhauli Mahotsav, 2006
International Odissi Festival, Bhubaneswar, 2006
Abroad
Ethnic Center and Australasia House, Perth, Australia, 1987
China, 1989
North Korea, 1989
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 1990
Oxford, U.K., 1995
Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 1998 and 1999
International Folklore Festival, Bulgaria, 1999
Budapest Farewell Festival, Hungary, 1999
Performance in Germany, 1999
International Odissi Festival, USA, 2003
Lecture Demonstration and Performance, Indiana State University, USA, 2002
Performances and Choreography of Dance Drama for Oriya Convention in Maryland and New Jersey, USA, 2002 and 2003
Press Comments
The Times of India (New Delhi)
“…Confident and with a powerful presence. Rajashree was almost a natural in portraying the Rudra Roop of Shiva. For her, the effort was greater in depicting the peaceful Shankar. She used to advantage her flexible body for greater dramatic impact, especially in the end when the chanting of ‘OM NAMAH SHIVAYA’ was casting a hypnotic spell on the audience…”
The National Courier 5 (Sofia, Bulgaria)
“…Mrs. Rajashree Behera who is one of the famous, youngest and gorgeous performer of Odissi and who had carved out a place for herself in the world of classical dance in India…”
Rajashree resides in Moscow, Russia with her husband, Dr. Subhakanta Behera (I.F.S.) and two children, Ananya and Amruta, and serves as a cultural ambassador of our country, trying to spread the Odissi Dance among the Russian dance lovers.
* Vyasaki & Kishori – mid Dec to early Jan (exact BCGC date & time TBA) Please mark your Calendars. All Welcome!
4:46 A.M. Out of His causeless mercy, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave the following instructions to the brothers Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya and Vidyavacaspati: “Lord Jagannatha is the Supreme Lord Himself in the form of wood, and the River Ganges is the Supreme Lord Himself in the form of water. Sarvabhauma, you should engage in the worship of [...]
From Begging for the Nectar of the Holy Name “April 15, 2:07 A.M. “If this were a thorough manual on japa, I would teach everything from the basics to the most advanced states. In Harinama Cintamani, thirteen chapters are devoted to the ten offenses to be avoided, then the fourteenth chapter describes other offenses in [...]
We have completed our pilgrimage to New Orleans, to the ISKCON Centre on Esplanade Ave and the Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival) at Washington Square Park.
I asked the boys accompanying me for an assessment on our trip as we stopped over in Cleveland. Dhruva, Yogendra and Sing Lung gave their contributions while Nitai Priya stayed on in New Orleans for additional days.
Dhruva offered to say: "We were bumped off of the stage schedule to do our drama. We could have been upset but we saw it as an opportunity to do some other service. We went for public chanting."
Yogendra offered to say: "I made some mistakes in not getting the directions so firmly so our driving took so much time. I felt bad, guilty but guilt isn't always bad. It's part of being humble."
Sing Lung offered to say: "Wherever and whenever I go to temples and festivals I witness a genuine interest to serve and take care of others."
Dhruva offered to say: "We arrived late at the hotel to deliver prasadam (food) to other visiting devotees. They were not in the least bit disturbed, but grateful. That impressed me."
Yogendra offered to say: "Bhaktimarga Swami initiated this slow motion exercise. I learned that it takes a great amount of control and focus. It was good."
Sing Lung offered to say: "The weekend provided nice family feelings. Bhakti yoga is where I belong."
Dhruva offered to say: "When we were chanting on the streets we were giving people an alternative way to approach life. Was all the booze they were consuming really giving them happiness."
My remark: "I've always found it helpful to do a summary review on such programs. Such reflection is enriching to one's spiritual life."
Second remark: "I regret to say that I was restricted from walking. Storms rerouted our plane to Pittsburgh from Cleveland. We spent the whole evening making our way back home. We did everything but canoe and walk back to Toronto."
Actually local people pronounce the name of this City of Love as "N'awlins" I stood to be corrected on my southern drawl version of it. Once again our little drama troupe took to the streets, N. Peter's and others and what to speak of Bourbon. Some people were telling us that the chanting is really needed on that street.
N'awlins really does pride itself in its music, partying and the certain flavour of voodoo culture they speak about.
We were fortunate to present our play "The Jagannatha Story" at Day Two of the Chariot Festival. Well received. It was fabulous bonding with peers like T.K., Nirantara - both from L.A. - and monk Bhakti Caru Swami from India. He in particular is always a real gentleman with me.
To say a small mention of this - behaviour is almost everything. The way one acts or treats others is the fruition of real culture, of training and of assimilating the true understanding of things.
I would also like to express appreciation to a godbrother, Visvakarma, from Canada. It was he who, as servant-leader of our temple/ashram in Toronto, took the time to help a new immigrant to Canada in the 70's. Mr. Ashok Patel called me on the phone expressing his thanks for being made to feel at home while so far away from his motherland, India. Ashok, who owns and runs the Hotel (yes, a Patel Hotel) where we are staying as guests. He has flourished with life's prosperities, while not excluding his devotion to Krishna. Because of Visvakarma's kindness thirty-plus years ago, Ashok has hung in there with us for all this time.
Please refer to chapter two, verse forty of the Gita for inspiration along this line.
Below is a media file to download, containing Part IV
of the Nama Tattva lecture given by Kadamba Kanana Swami earlier this year in Helsinki, Finland. This lecture emphasises on the purport of the Maha Mantra. Just simply download and drink all that nectar!!
"Could you please let me know what the difference is between tomato paste & tomato puree when consulting your recipes; I have a feeling that it could make an enormous difference in taste."
My reply: "Thanks for your letter regarding the difference between tomato puree and tomato paste. Yes there is indeed a difference.
There is some confusion in tomato product terminology according to what part of the world you live. In USA for instance, the term 'tomato paste' is an almost unknown term. In Australia, tomato paste refers to tomato concentrate. It is cooked - reduced down, a little sweet, and thick - almost like smooth peanut butter in consistency. You can get it in jars or cans or tubes. In Italy this is sometimes referred to as 'triplo concentrato di pomidoro' (pictured below).
Tomato puree is more liquid and is uncooked, not concentrated or reduced, and is usually found either as a smooth thin liquid with no seeds, as crushed whole peeled tomatoes with the seeds inside. You can also find tomato puree in tall glass jars labeled 'passata' meaning tomato puree without the seeds.
In Italy, Passata literally refers to raw tomato puree that has been passed through a sieve. Depending on the degree of sieving, the pulp can be perfectly smooth (polpa di pomodoro) or slightly chunky (passata rustica). So passata usually refers to skinned, seedless, unflavoured, uncooked tomato pulp, either slightly chunky or smooth. Sometimes a little salt and/or basil is added.
So cooked tomato paste/concentrate is not interchangeable with uncooked tomato puree. They are both quite different and the difference is in consistency and taste.
In my recipes, I suggest to add a spoon or two of 'tomato paste' when it is needed, otherwise I say 'crushed tomato' or 'tomato puree'. My recipes make it quite clear.
When life makes us demoralized, we need both enlightenment (knowing what to do) and encouragement (feeling confident that we can do it) to regain our morale. Those who encourage without enlightening often end up delivering shallow, cosmetic or insubstantial platitudes. Those who enlighten without encouraging often end up delivering holier-than-thou, impractical or unappealing sermons.
Lord Krishna blends enlightenment and encouragement endearingly in his message of love, the Bhagavad-gita. Therein, he first gives encouraging reassurances of the indestructibility and invincibility of the self (2.11-30), then proceeds with enlightening analyses that make self-evident for Arjuna the best course of action among the bewildering multiplicity of options open for him (2.31-18.63) and concludes with encouraging promises of his all-round loving help when Arjuna takes up the best course of action (18.64-72).
So next time we feel demoralized – or better still, even before we feel demoralized, let’s empower ourselves with the morale-boosting doses of Gita wisdom.
Kulimela Association and ISKCON of Alachua: Join us for two days of kirtan on November 25 and 26, 2011 at ISKCON New Raman Reti in Alachua, Florida. If you have a taste for kirtan, please come and immerse yourself in the transcendental sound vibration of the holy name of Krishna
There always remains in my mind many questions, in many ways this is good it keeps me searching and focused. The moment you stop questioning and searching then comes complacency, Yes Yes I know it you don’t have to tell me; finished end.
It is always lovely to wake up each morning and have things to do, even on a day off or late start in work there is always plenty to do, especially if we keep deities at home as directed by Srila Prabhupada. It is not that they are there, sat in a corner of the house and at large ignored , that we quickly show them to guests before entering into another part of the house to get on with the important things in life.
The whole point or this is my personal understanding is that they become the central focus, that the house function revolves around the deities. We invite them into our house they are the greatest of guests so do we then ignore them?
Each morning preparing fruits and getting the arati tray ready is not a chore but a pleasure, spending time with the deities first thing in the morning, offering, singing and dancing is the most amazing way to start the morning. For this I am personally convinced of and for a certainty the one thing that has kept me focused on devotional life for sure.
But there is always a question lingering in the back of my mind, could I do more?
At times I am asked how often I change the cloths, and answering truthfully I have to say only once a week as this for me personally is a very special time one I like to savour and really enter into. Taking down each deity on the alter, cleaning the alter and rearranging things, choosing the cloths and making sure fresh flowers are there. It takes, needs and demands quality time.
So I know that at a set time each week I can simply concentrate on one thing and one thing only making sure it is done to the highest standard I can manage; but I desire that may be more often, as it truly concentrates the mind.
But there is a need or desire that this be quality time, making sure everything is done as nicely as possible and to increase at this time will mean that at times it will be rushed, and should we rush time with our deities.
Which brings me back to the fundamental question how important are the deities we invite into our home?
During his recent, very fruitful visit to Australia, Kadamba Kanana Swami also gave a seminar Become A Champion Chanter in Melbourne, 8-9th October. As we already reported, “Kadamba Kanana Swami explained different aspects of chanting the Holy Name e.g. the actual meaning of Hare, Krsna and Rama, as well as different techniques and meditations to enter deeper into the chanting.”
Thanks to the local devotee Bhakta Russell, the seminar is now available to be seen.
4:19 A.M. Lord Caitanya continued to praise His devotees. He asked Sivananda Sena to become the financial manager of Vasudeva Datta who could not save money. He asked Sivananda Sena to come every year and bring all the devotees and maintain them. Then Lord Caitanya invited the inhabitants of Kulina-grama. Satyaraja Khan submitted a question: [...]
From Human at Best “The influence I create on others through wordplay, clown-play, or as the critics put it, irresponsible gibberish. They want the straight stuff. I do too. But I give straight stuff along curvy lines. I beg Krishna to protect me while I explore all this. Whatever we do can drive us to [...]
4:27 A.M. At Jagannatha Puri, the devotees celebrated the festival of Janmastami. Having dressed up like cowherd boys, all the devotees arrived at the festival grounds chanting the holy name of Hari. At this time Advaita Acarya said, “I shall know that You are a cowherd boy only if You can circle this rod about.” [...]
From Japa Reform Notebook “July 30, 1981 Gita-nagari “Today I begin a new, serious attempt to increase my chanting of rounds. I feel significant hope of progress. Externally this is only a vow to increase the number, but my hope is to make a far-reaching improvement. “Prabhupada states that the tenth offense in chanting is [...]
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Nama Tattva Lecture, part 3, Japa Workshop, Helsinki 2011)
Life is short and we don’t want to miss the boat, also… So, Lord Caitanya was not just in the mood of a psychotherapist, and it’s not that it says in Caitanya Cartitamrita: … and then Lo
rd Caitanya went up and held the hand of the people and said: “Do you feel like chanting maybe? I mean, if you are really motivated…Yeah?” I didn’t find that in Caitanya Caritamrita, there is no chapter like that.
It’s sort of like: “Jiv jago, jiv jago, Goracadra bolo”… “Wake up, sleeping soul, you’re sleeping in the lap of the witch Maya.” That’s there… “Chant, chant!” There is some element of urgency. “You’re drowning in the ocean of nescience. Take the rope!” It’s not like: “Well, ok. You can first put one hand on the rope and then…” No! “You’re drowning! Take that pole before the sharks eat you, take it!”
"All glories to Radha and Girivara-Dhari! He is Sri Nanda-Nandan, and She is Vrsabhanu-Dulari. He wears a peacock feather crown, and the flute placed to His mouth shines. Her braid appears brilliant, and Her mouth displays a gentle smile..."
(Jaya Radha Girivara Dhari)
Together, Sri Nanda-Nandan and Vrsabhanu-Dulari are granting us Their darsana.
Dhruva Maharaja dasa & Samapriya dasi: The internet is the new frontier for learning and studying Krsna consciousness.When one sits down at their computer they are a captive audience, paying attention, interested in what is on the screen. Whether reading emails, studying, doing research or being entertained, one is focused. One feels safe, in his or her own space, and not intimidated or embarrassed by foreign concepts or culture -- and all of Srila Prabhupada's books are at one's finger tips
A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Tuesday 15 November 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: Krishna Consciousness is Simply Wonderful uploaded from New Delhi, India Krishna consciousness is simply wonderful because Krishna is simply wonderful. How can He not be simply wonderful when He is God? As the Supreme Personality of Godhead He must be simply wonderful because He is source of all wonderfulness. Therefore He cannot be anything but simply wonderful. And if you will fully surrender unto Him, you will become simply wonderful and live a simply wonderful existence in His simply wonderful association for all of eternity. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Simply Wonderful Mangala Arati--New Delhi, India ISKCON Radha-Parthsarathi Temple--14 Nov 2011 http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/New.Delhi_M.Arati1.JPG http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/New.Delhi_M.Arati2.JPG Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Challenge: Criticism of ISKCON Refuted ISKCON is like a ship without a captain. Try and be more broad minded and don't be in illusion, by thinking that you are on the best path. R.R Answer: Prabhupada is Guiding Us to Success Whatever problems ISKCON has faced have been due to forgetting Srila Prabhupada's instructions. But in spite of this, there is great hope now for the powerful spiritual society he created because thousands and thousands of devotees all over the world are now scrutinizingly reading his books and fully dedicating their lives to serving his mission. Therefore it is not proper for us to think that ISKCON is a ship without with a captain. Because of the wonderful devotion of the ISKCON devotees, they are being guided at every minute by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada's departure is only superficial. Just as it said that Krishna never steps one foot outside of Vrindavan, it is also a fact that Srila Prabhupada never leaves ISKCON. He resides eternally in the hearts of those who are sincerely trying to make his mission a success for the respiritualization of the entire human society. 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: {contact_address e
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Whether the living entities share the male and female aspects present in the Supreme Lord
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