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"Planet ISKCON" - 51 new articles
Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: New Baby!Not mine! I still have 9 weeks until my due date. But last weekend some new friends of ours became first time parents, after a very intense and long labor. Way to go, Lacie! You are all woman. Today Padi and I brought over some sustenance for the family of three. I found cooking for the new parents very enlivening. Honestly, there is nothing like the first experience of becoming a parent. Completely surreal no matter how the child comes to you. A new baby is a big deal and that transition from a family of two me’s to a family of three is huge. Must say, these guys make it look easy. Here are some pics from this morning’s cooking rush. Lacie and Gaura are very attentive and loving parents. And they’ve only been at it for a week! I am happy that our girls will be so close in age and pray they get on well with one another. Also, I’m interested to see how much hair my girlie has in comparison to this baby. Stiff competition! But it doesn’t surprise me considering we are working from a similar gene pool. That’s right–baby Rati is from Jewish Italian bloodlines as well. Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Vegan Seitan Turkey RoastMy vegan friend turned 27 this week and Saturday was her party. I volunteered to cook the turkey roast + gravy. I woke up at 5 to get things cooking before heading out to coach the kids’ soccer game in below 50 degree weather. Brrrrr. Here’s a pictorial play by play of my turkey execution.
Basted and covered, in the oven everything went. The roasts need 3 hours of cooking but mine were in the oven for only 2 before we had to head out the door. Of course, mayhem ensued during those last few minutes at home when my son discovered one cleat missing. We searched and searched franticly. The car. The laundry room. Porch. Shoe rack. Closets. It was nowhere. The kid had to squeeze his big feet into last year’s size. Off we went at 9:15 to our 10 am game in the windy shade. Off we went after the game to a birthday party at noon where a clown painted a snake on my daughter’s face and pulled a bunny out of a box. Off we went to ice cream at Sweet Dreams where even I who frequently experiences a sharp aversion to ice cream indulged in a scoop of pumpkin pie. Off we went, returning home at 3:30 in the afternoon, to my three roasts, left in the oven that was never shut off due to the last minute distraction of the missing cleat. Fortunately and unfortunately the party was cancelled. The birthday girl’s two year old had quite a fever. Maybe we’ll try again next week.
ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
Akrura das, Gita Coaching: LEADERS DON’T MAKE EXCUSESClick on the title. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Bhakti Sara PrabhuSrimad Bhagavatam 11.26.28 - Past sinful reactions are cleared completely by hearing Krsna's glories. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Srila Prabhupada and a drunkardSrila Prabhupada got off the stage and headed to the car that was to take him to Lakshmi Priya dasi's house. Suddenly, before anybody could do anything about it, this drunk staggering across the street came right through all of us, and was just about to run into Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada stopped, lifted his cane in the air and went whack right on the guy's head and laid on him out cold. And the expression on Srila Prabhupada's face was like nothing had happened. He was always cool. Rama Govinda dasa, describing a visit of Srila Prabhupada to Mexico Kurma dasa, AU: The Milk of Pampered Cows
The Daily Mail, Sunday, 7 November 2010 "Milked only by hand to the sound of sacred mantras, these garland-wearing cows could be the most pampered in the UK. But they are producing the most expensive milk in the land, costing £1.70 per pint - nearly four times more than usual. The animals are being reared on a farm run by Hare Krishnas meaning, as per Hindu rules, that none must come to any harm. As a result, none will ever be slaughtered when their yield dries up..." Read more... Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: Srila Prabhupada: be straightforwardDear Prabhus, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I recently sent out a sankirtan story by Madhumangala Prabhu called 'coming back.' When I first read it I felt a little uncomfortable about sending it out because it seemed to be a little shady. However, the exchange seemed to end alright so I sent it out. Then I received this letter from an old friend, Jayarama Prabhu, a devotee in Florida: "All glories to all book distributors, but I'm not so sure Madhumangala dasa's transcendental trickery is the way to change hearts. Brian could very likely have felt that he was cheated. Being direct, and depending on Krsna, instead of one's own shrwedness is the best to do things. Leave guile out of sankirtana." I think he's correct. In the past I saw so much trickery in book distribution and we paid for it by having a horrible reputation for many many years, but it's getting better now. Srila Prabhupada said we should be known as perfect gentlemen. A gentleman is straightforward in his dealings. When people walk away from us after they've had an interaction we want them to feel that they have had a good experience. This is very important both for the people we speak to and ourselves. I'm sure Madhumangala Prabhu doesn't regularly use this style of book distribution, he's a very nice devotee and a dedicated book distributor. Krsna arranged this so that we can all stand back and think about how we want to be viewed. Your servant, Vijaya das Japa Group: Free From This HankeringThe taste of the Hare Krishna mantra can be tasted by one who is free from material hankering. Everyone in this material world is hankering for material enjoyment, but one who is free from this hankering can taste how relishable the Bhagavatam is. The word Bhagavata refers to anything in relationship to Bhagavan, the Supreme Lord, and the Hare Krishna mantra is also bhagavata. From Bhajan Kutir #124 Srila Prabhupada's Letters1970 November 7: "The big temple on the bank of the Yamuna at Kesighat is for sale. I know of this temple. I used to live next to it before living in the Radha-Damodara temple. We would like to get this temple at all costs." Srila Prabhupada's Letters1970 November 7: "Instead of Sankirtana if you, husband and wife, try to see so many ministers and other important men, that will be nice. You may try and see Indira Gandhi. And perhaps you can meet with this President Giri." Srila Prabhupada's Letters1972 November 7: "Just like in our ISKCON there are so many false things: 'Prabhupada said this, Prabhupada said that.' Do not be deviated by such ideas. Krishna is knowledge, He is the object of knowledge, He is the goal of knowledge." Srila Prabhupada's Letters1973 November 7: "Now my program is fixed up for going to Nairobi on November 23, instant, and from there I will return to Los Angeles via Rome. I will stop there for two days for meeting with the Pope." Srila Prabhupada's Letters1973 November 7: "I want that there be published one volume of Caitanya Caritamrta for Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Appearance Day. So please arrange for this." Srila Prabhupada's Letters1974 November 7: "Regarding Washington, D.C., that Damodara is also resigning, we are increasing in so many ways, but our men are deteriorating. What to do?" Srila Prabhupada's Letters1974 November 7: "N.B. I refer to the Direction of Management as follows: 'Removal of a Temple President by GBC requires support by the local Temple members.' Therefore you should take a vote of the Temple members." Bhakti Lata, Alachua, USA: Humility as a VerbHow Do I Listen? How Do I Listen to others? As if everyone were my Master Speaking to me His Cherished Last Words. - Hafiz (14th Century Sufi Poet)
This weekend at the 24 Hour Kirtan in New Vrindavan, I learned that one facet of humility boils down to a verb. Listen. No, not hear. Listen. I have realized that it is impossible to be proud and to listen. Listening is a verb of the heart - it means that I set aside my own life, my own chatter, and my own ideas to look into another's eyes and absorb what he or she says. There is no agenda, no plan. Just listen. So at noon on October 30th, I took a vow of silence. I chose to set aside my life, my chatter, and my own ideas for 24 hours to look into the eyes of the holy name with no agenda and no plan. I opened my ears to hear. Many kirtaniyas stepped up to the microphone to sing the holy name. I slowly set aside my inner music critic. Hour after hour passed and the holy name began to circle around and around in my head until it became the only sound I could feel - even the words to the mantra began to roll across my mind's eye. In the early evening, I remembered the Hafiz poem, and it began to echo in the halls of my strangely quiet mind. Each kirtan became transformed, as if each devotee who sang truly was my beloved master, and each mantra was the last words he or she would ever say. Each kirtan rested like a jewel upon the thread of the holy name. I was disarmed by surprise. I rarely ever feel such unconditional acceptance. When the clock struck noon on October 31st and the kirtans came to a tumultuous close, I slipped away from the templeroom and avoided crowds. Soon, too soon, the quiet of my mind would slip away, too, like water cupped in my hand. Maybe if I pray enough, I can listen with my heart beyond 24 hours... beyond one week... beyond years... decades... ...Or maybe I will leave this world tomorrow. Then I pray to listen to my master of the holy name when I speak my own cherished last words. "Silence means don't talk nonsense. Whenever you speak, you speak about Krishna. That is real silence." Srila Prabhupada, Vrindavan 1974 Subhvavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Okay, here are the pictures as promised.On Friday's post I promised some pics of Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar. After a couple of friendly reminders, here they are. These are low res just from my phone. However, I will post more hi-res pics when I have a chance to download.
Trying to help the kids with homework right after a busy few days... ~ Indresh Book Distribution News: Srila Prabhupada: be straightforwardDear Prabhus, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I recently sent out a sankirtan story by Madhumangala Prabhu called 'coming back.' When I first read it I felt a little uncomfortable about sending it out because it seemed to be a little shady. However, the exchange seemed to end alright so I sent it out. Then I received this letter from an old friend, Jayarama Prabhu, a devotee in Florida: "All glories to all book distributors, but I'm not so sure Madhumangala dasa's transcendental trickery is the way to change hearts. Brian could very likely have felt that he was cheated. Being direct, and depending on Krsna, instead of one's own shrwedness is the best to do things. Leave guile out of sankirtana." I think he's correct. In the past I saw so much trickery in book distribution and we paid for it by having a horrible reputation for many many years, but it's getting better now. Srila Prabhupada said we should be known as perfect gentlemen. A gentleman is straightforward in his dealings. When people walk away from us after they've had an interaction we want them to feel that they have had a good experience. This is very important both for the people we speak to and ourselves. I'm sure Madhumangala Prabhu doesn't regularly use this style of book distribution, he's a very nice devotee and a dedicated book distributor. Krsna arranged this so that we can all stand back and think about how we want to be viewed. Your servant, Vijaya das ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Sunday Feast Live!Kripamoya dasa, UK: South India Pilgrimage 2010I have just returned from India. This year I took my family for three weeks in the south where we visited many places of Vaishnava pilgrimage and other interesting sites. Starting with a flight down to Chennai in Tamil Nadu, we first travelled up to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh for my son Mali’s upanayanam samskara and darshan of Balaji; down to Sri Rangam; up to Bangalore in Karnataka; across the state on a long drive through to the ancient Jain site of Shravanabelagola and the Chola dynasty temple at Belur; stopped at a tiger reserve near Chikmagalur then on to Udupi the mediaeval home of Vaishnava saint Madhvacarya. After a few days there we took a train down through Kerala to Cochin, Trivandrum, and on to Tiruvattar, where Lord Caitanya discovered the Brahma Samhita on his own journey through the south in the early 1500s. Our trip was blessed with many memorable experiences, good health, warm hospitality everywhere we went, and spiritual invigoration. I’ll try to write something over the next few days. Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Pictures - Govardhan PujaPictures of Govardhan Puja
Dallas, TX
Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Udder madness! Pampered cattle produce Britain’s most expensive pint of milk… at a staggering £1.70By Daily Mail Reporter
Milked only by hand to the sound of sacred mantras, these garland-wearing cows could be the most pampered in the UK. But they are producing the most expensive milk in the land, costing £1.70 per pint – nearly four times more than usual. The animals are being reared on a farm run by Hare Krishnas meaning, as per Hindu rules, that none must come to any harm. As a result, none will ever be slaughtered when their yield dries up. Radha Mohan Das poses by one of the cow which produce the most expensive milk in the land, costing £1.70 per pint – nearly four times more than usual Mechanical milking pumps are banned from the manor. Instead, milking is carried out by hand so that the cows are not distressed Even male calves will be spared the butcher’s cleaver and not be fattened for their meat. They will live out their natural lives tilling the land and transporting food and waste around the farm. Their comfortable existences begin at birth. Each new arrival at Bhaktivedanta Manor, near Watford in Hertfordshire – which was donated to the Hare Krishna movement by George Harrison – is celebrated before a naming ceremony is held several days later. It seems like a business model doomed to failure but those producing Ahimsa Milk – Sanskrit for ‘without harm’ – believe the good karma, or perhaps cowma, that goes into their produce will win over British animal lovers. ‘This premium milk will offer consumers the chance to avoid buying from an industry which is based around slaughter and suffering and instead buy from a fresh, new, and compassionate alternative,’ said spokesman Radha Mohan Das. ‘People are prepared to pay extra for organic and more healthily produced milk and we think our products will appeal to anyone who cares about animals. ‘This premium milk will offer consumers the chance to avoid buying from an industry which is based around slaughter and suffering and instead buy from a fresh, new, and compassionate alternative,’ said Radha Mohan Das ‘Instead of taking calves away from their mothers early to yield more milk we allow them to suckle and take their fill as long as they like. ‘We also carry out all of our milking by hand because milking machines can be painful for dairy cows. ‘Sacred mantras are played whenever the cows are milked and we allow them to live out their natural lives even when their supply dries up. Normally, dairy cows are killed when they can no longer provide milk but in Hinduism cows are revered as a symbol of Mother Earth. ‘Although it won’t be the cheapest available it will be worth the cost because we will treat the cows with love and care throughout their lives.’ At present there are 44 Dairy Shorthorn cows. The females will not be given hormones to increase their yield and will produce just under 1,800 pints per week, generating a turnover of around £3,000. A pint of milk at a supermarket normally costs around 45p. One of the three barns in the £2.5million centre where the cows are being housed. The facility is being officially opened tomorrow by 30 priests chanting 5,000-year-old Vedic mantras Each new calf at Bhaktivedanta Manor, near Watford in Hertfordshire – which was donated to the Hare Krishna movement by George Harrison – is celebrated before a naming ceremony is held several days later They are being housed at a £2.5million centre, named New Gokul, which has taken five years to complete and is being officially opened tomorrow by 30 priests chanting 5,000-year-old Vedic mantras. It has three barns, constructed from imported French oak, an ox mill for grinding grain, and a milking area, all with viewing areas for visitors. The manor is home to 75 people, including 35 monks and nuns, as well as employees. It was donated to the Hare Krishna movement in the early 1970s by Harrison, along with 78 acres of land including formals gardens and a lake. It first hosted the Janmashtami festival, which celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, in 1973 and was attended by 250 people including the ex-Beatle and Eric Clapton. The festival is now the largest of its type in the UK and attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Filed under: Cows and Environment ISKCON Orlando, USA: Govardhan Puja – Trivikrama Swami ClassH.H. Sivarama Swami: If Chickens Could Speakby Andrew Kirschner I am a chicken.
The majority of humans show no regard for my life.
I am a chicken.
Factory farmers mislead you into believing I am treated humanely
My beak is cut off with a hot blade.
I am genetically altered to grow twice as fast as I’m supposed to grow.
You think you know what I taste like but you do not.
Unsanitary living conditions
A mechanical blade is also used to slash our throats.
I know you don’t see any of this happen
I am a chicken.
Knowing what you know now,
I was a chicken. Dear Friends, More than 100 billion animals are slaughtered worldwide every year. This is
313,570 marine animals
If you eat meat, you are eating dead animals that have lived miserable lives and died horrible deaths. No matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise, you are complicit in the process. In the depth of your conscience, not even in a culture where it has become second nature to eat animals, can you deny the existence of this reality. Please consider making a lifestyle change. A vegetarian diet is healthier, better for the environment, and does not support animal torture. This isn’t about assessing blame; it’s about saving animals’ lives and the planet and helping you to live a healthier life. Please search your hearts and minds and give it some thought. It’s much easier than you think. Dandavats.com: More GBC Thoughts On……ORGAN DONORS/RECEIVERS: The Srimad-Bhagavatam describes Maharaja Sibi, who was known as the greatest protector of surrendered souls and donor of charity. He selflessly gave his own flesh to Indra and Agni, who disguised themselves to test him, and was thus glorified by Narada Muni. When Maharaja Pariksit was born, it was foretold that he would be "a second Maharaja Sibi in charity and protection." H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 1253:43 A.M.Namamrta by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada: ‘Even without recitation of kama-gayatri, the chanting of Hare Krishna is sufficient to elevate one to the highest spiritual platform’
“Lord Krishna is worshiped by the gayatri-mantra, and the specific mantra by which He is worshiped is called kama-gayatri. Vedic literatures explain that the sound vibration which can elevate one from material concoction is called gayatri.…This kama-gayatri is received from the spiritual master when the disciple is advanced in chanting Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. In other words this kama-gayatri mantra and samskara, or reformation of a perfect brahmana are offered by the spiritual master when he sees that his disciples advance in spiritual knowledge. Even then, the kama-gayatri is not uttered under certain circumstances, and in any case, the chanting of Hare Krishna is sufficient to elevate one to the highest spiritual platform.” (Teachings of Lord Caitanya) In the Bhagavad-gita [9.32] it is stated “Oh son of Prtha, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth—women, vaisyas, as well as sudras—can approach the supreme destination” If one actually wants to serve Krishna it doesn’t matter whether one is a sudra, vaisya or even a woman if one is sincerely eager to chant the Hare Krishna mantra or diksa-mantra he is qualified to be initiated according to the pancaratrika process. So according to Vedic principles only a brahmana who is fully engaged in his occupational duties can be initiated. Sudras and women are not admitted to the vaidika initiation. But Srila Prabhupada has given second initiation and gayatri-mantras to women, and he has also accepted persons from mleccha backgrounds and initiated them into the Hare Krishna mantra. The Hare Krishna mantra is so potent that it can be chanted by anyone, starting from any platform and bring purification. Usually initiation depends on the bona fide spiritual master, who directs the disciple. If he sees that the disciple has become competent and purified by the process of chanting, he offers the sacred thread to the disciple…by the process of the initiation by the spiritual master, a person is accepted as a brahmana and is purified by chanting of the holy name of the Lord. This morning I woke up only when the alarm went off at 2 A.M. I had no headache. I did not have full time for chanting and also chanted slowly due to a certain lethargy. By passed 3:30 I had not even chanted twelve rounds. I kept count of the numbers of chanting and did not chant with much distraction, but the slowness was a disappointment, and I will have to make them up later. The Hare Krishna mantra
H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: One Hundred Prabhupada Poems# 82
Prabhupada’s morning walks,
I know it’s not so bad. Prabhupada is
So is it good that the truth has come out?
Here they come down the road now called
Subhvavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: A comment by Srila Prabhupada is spinning in my head.I posted about Govardhan Puja yesterday, however as I was at ISKCON Toronto yesterday a comment by Srila Prabhupada about Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill when Srila Prabhupada came to our house in 1976 was spinning in my head again and again. (reference: 760619LE.TOR)
So this morning I taught I would share it. Prabhupāda: This is not good. Everyone wants to become Kṛṣṇa. Indian man: Or they’re seeking for Kṛṣṇa in material world. Prabhupāda: As Kṛṣṇa lifted the Govardhana Hill at seven years old, so can he do that? Then how he’ll become Kṛṣṇa? Simply by imagination. (Hindi) Hindu society. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Wonderful KrishnaToday is Govardhana Puja.
The elders were satisfied.
He who hears it can
I’m looking forward to our celebration.
Dear readers, may the sight
H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: In Search Of The Greatest VaishnavaArticle Sent By His Grace Mukunda Dasa The following, very interesting article, substantially related to Ujjain, consists of the “Astrological Newsletter” written by His Grace Patita Pavana Prabhu. ALL GLORY TO SHRI GURU AND SHRI GAURANGA His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder Acharya: International Society for Krishna Consciousness (l to r. Bharadwaja, Vaikunthanath, [...] H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: The FestFree WriteI turned at random to Canto 3, chapter 25, text 26. “Thus consciously engaged in devotional service in the association of devotees, a person gains distaste for sense gratification, both in this world and in the next, by constantly thinking of the activities of the Lord. This process of Krishna consciousness is the easiest process of mystic power; when one is actually situated on that path of devotional service he is able to control the mind.” In all the scriptures people are encouraged in a pious way so that they can enjoy sense gratification not only in this life but in the next. For example, one is promised promotion to the heavenly kingdom of higher planets by pious fruitive activities. But a devotee in the association of devotees prefers to contemplate the activities of the Lord. There are full literatures recording these activities. The devotee gets the opportunity to hear and contemplate this subject of the pastimes of the Lord and the result is he feels a distaste for happiness in this or that world, in heaven or other planets. The devotees are simply interested in being transferred to the personal association of the Lord. This sublime situation is very easy obtained by the easy process, bhakti-yoga. Not only is it the easiest process but the result is sublime. Everyone should take to the process of Krishna consciousness and reach the highest perfection of life. We had a very nice festival at Saci and Keli’s house in the yoga studio. About twenty-five adults and twenty-five children attended. At the climax, Kirtana-rasa’s wife, Beth, stood up and began dancing around Govardhana Hill and everyone followed her. I got up from my chair and joined the circling. Round and round we went. We bathed Kaulini Mataji’s Giriraja. Everyone took a turn pouring liquids from a conch shell onto the little stone. Kirtana Rasa’s fourteen-year-old son told me a joke but I didn’t get it. Then Kirtana Rasa told me a joke, and I didn’t get that either. Keli-lalita led strong kirtanas. The feast was good. We didn’t throw prasadam, but people kept going up to the hill and picking off sweets. I lead the prema-dvani prayers with enthusiastic confidence that I would remember the words. Now I’m upstairs trying to recapture some of it. But it is elusive. People are talking loudly downstairs, and I can hear them. About the elections, Kirtana Rasa said Americans have a short memory and no sense of history. He said Americans think the country will last forever, but the Roman Empire and other empires fell. It can fall in ten years. Of course that’s up to Krishna. Jayadeva das, USA: The Empirical Strikes Back
Australian News: The Worship of Govardhan HillWe just observed the celebration of Govardhana-puja or the worship of a special mountain in Vrindavan, India (the land of Krishna’s birth or appearance) which is considered non-different from Krishna. It is a festival of simple, though elegant pomp and gaiety that teaches us many practical lessons about living in balance with Nature and God. For the festival a hill of sanctified food (prasadum) is created with Krishna on the top to recreate the hill. These festivities commemorate this occasion, and help us meditate on its meaning. We hear about what happened, along with plays reenacting it, worship of the cow, and circumambulating the hill as was done 5,000 years ago. We also pray to enter into the deep, yet simple, essential message of this blessed event. Click her to read the rest the rest at Karnamritas blog Share this story your way:Caitanya Mangala, CA, USA: Kulimela Australia: Limited Time Registration DiscountI’m going to keep this short and sweet! It’s time to get excited as we are only 8 WEEKS AWAY from Kulimela Australia!
The dates are from the 27th of December 2010 through the 9th of January 2011, with the 4 day Kulimela part running from Thursday the 6th of January to Sunday the 9th. You have only until Nov 14th to register yourself at the discounted “Child’s” booking rate. This means AU $64 per week, which is almost half off the regular adult registration fee (AU $108). We are on track to set the standard of these events with world class Kirtan leaders and the ideal location. Plus, of course, Seminars, Workshops, Japa Walks, Kuli Association, Sports Activities, Arts, Fashion, Music, Performances & Amazing Prasadam! For all you internationals, there has never been a better time to come to Australia. Please, come for Kulimela! Please RSVP now to let us know you’re coming and pay your registration at www.kulimela.com.au. Your Friend & Servant, Nitai – Festival Coordinator “Any questions – Just ask! I look forward to meeting you all!” Caitanya Mangala, CA, USA: KulimeLA 2009: Bhajan Kutir – Volume 3 CD now available at Krishna.com!KulimeLA 2009: Bhajan Kutir – Volume 3 CD is now available from the Kuli Mela Outlet @ Krishna.com! Heartfelt Kirtans with Krishna Kishor & Visvambhar (Mayapuris), Radhanath Swami, Bada Haridas, Aniruddha das, Gopal Krishna and more… These Kirtans were recorded live in the KulimeLA 2009 Bhajan Kutir at the ISKCON New Dwarka Temple in Los Angeles California. CLICK HERE to hear previews of the tracks and to check out the growing Kuli Mela video and audio selections… In ancient Sanskrit, “Kirtan” is the sacred, joyful, and spontaneous congregational singing and dancing for the glorification of God. A “Bhajan Kutir” is a special place dedicated to Kirtans. “Kuli” refers to a member of a “Community” and “Mela” means “Festive Gathering.” Combined, “Kuli Mela” tranforms into “A Celebration of Community.” The Kuli Mela Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving an international community by supporting and encouraging its members to come together in service, association and empowerment, with a strong emphasis on spirituality. All proceeds from the sale of this album go to Kuli Mela Association and help facilitate future gatherings and recordings. Please support us by purchasing this album! Mayapur Online: Govardhan Puja Celebrations in MayapurToday we had a pleasant surprise at Darshan Arati where Sri Madhava who is holding His flute, today gave darshan with His left hand little finger lifting the Govardhana hill. Govardhan Lila is a sweet pastime where Lord lifted Govardhana hill to protect His devotees. The Lord assumed a gigantic form and accepted all the offerings made by His devotees. Sri Giriraja-sila, who normally resides in the Radha Madhava altar, came out and the pujaris performed an Abhishek ceremony for Him. Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: "Coffee talk" KrishnaMany times, I have seen that people are forthcoming in discussions about Krishna. They acknowledge His Supremacy so on and so forth. But when it comes to accepting Krishna into their day-to-day world, they start to push back. In other words, people in general like to keep discussions on Krishna or God at a coffee-table level. Lets have a cup of tea and perhaps discuss albeit intensely on the "reality" of Krishna. Once the tea cup empties so is my energy to discuss. Krishna says in the Gita that as one approaches me accordingly I return. In other words, if we want to keep Krishna at a distant just at the coffee table, then Krishna kindly reciprocates our gesture. He will not be a real person but simply a symbolic representation of "a truth" among the many. He will not appeal to us in a manner that will invoke within us a desire to seek Him in truth. A desire strong enough to change my world to fit Krishna's world. My world which consists of career, family life, entertainment, friendship, civic responsibilities etc will not accommodate the world of Krishna. We will see and think that because both worlds are clashing at some point, let me give up Krishna on the grounds of "impracticality" to continue mine.
Hari Sauri das, Mayapura, IN: Govardhan Puja in MayapurJust got back from a wonderful Govardhan Puja in the temple, and for once I managed to not over-eat and come back feeling like a helium filled balloon (not easy at Mayapur feasts as you will see). On display since early morning was a transcendentally attractive replica of Govardhan hill, made with love and devotion by our Mayapur-vasis. It featured the main kundas, complete with turtles (look carefully in the water) with lots of cows, and real grass, caves and Lord Giriraja Himself Morning darsana was at 8.30AM but well worth waiting for. Lord Madhava had raised his left hand to carry Govardhan Hill and give shelter to the gopis Clouds gathered ominously at the sides flashed with lightening and Giriraja sat resplendently in an extra large turban, His eyes glancing appreciatively at the assembled devotees In front of the altar a beautiful murti of Govardhana-dhari smiled reassuringly at the gathering There was an abhisek at 10.30AM and then
high curtains went up around the front of the altar. For an hour the bhoga keep coming through the temple room doors and disappearing behind them. Finally at 12.30PM the curtains were thrown back to reveal a huge mountain of rice featured as Girigovardhan, and literally hundreds of pots of delicious prasadam of every variety you can imagine. After the arati and chanting of the Bhaktivinoda bhajan ‘yasomatinandana braja bara nagara…’ it was time to enjoy the feast. A small army of men transported the huge tubs of rice basket loads of clay pots filled with every variety of subji and sweets and multiple stainless steel buckets of subji Both temple rooms filled rapidly with eager and hungry devotees Srila Prabhupada’s disciples (surprisingly less than a dozen of us) were given a little respite from the crowd on the Panca-tattva darsana mandap and before you know it there was nothing left but a few empty broken pots to tell the tale. That’s Mayapur! Subhvavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Non-Vegetarian Sweets. A Cautionary note for devotees and temples.During this festive season I wanted to caution you on the use of silver foil or what is reffered to as Varak (Varakh) on India sweets. Even sweets from "100% vegetarian shops" sometimes use this material on their sweets. During the process of making this foil it becomes non-vegetarian since the intestines of bull/ox are used to hammer this thin layer of foil out. For devotees the same animals that we love and protect are being used in this way and unfortunatly during the month of Damodar the demand for sweets and thus silver foil is at the peak.
Well meaning Hindus bring these sweets to temples to offer to the deities, Govardhan Hill and Giri-Govardhan and ultimately into the mouths of innocent devotees. So it is imperative that devotees know this information so they can act accordingly. According to information readily available and reposted below: They are made by hammering thin sheets of silver in middle of booklets made of a bull's intestines. In other words, after slaughtering a bull, quickly his intestines are removed, and sold to the manufacturers of foils. The skins made of old intestines are of no use. Even one-day-old intestines can not be used, because within a few hours they stiffen. The foil manufacturer removes blood and stools from the intestines, and cuts them into pieces. Then he puts one piece over another, making a booklet out of it. He puts one silver sheet in-between each page. Then he hammers it hard until those metal sheets turn into thin wafers. The intestines of bulls are so strong, that even repeated hammering do not destroy them, or they do not let the foils move around inside. Because of the hammering, some tissues of the intestine mix with the foils. After that the foil manufacturer sells the bundle of foils to the sweets manufacturers. This foil is not only dirty, it also is non-vegetarian. Even the meat-eaters do not eat intestines. Use of these foils turn even sweets into non-vegetarian food. A few years ago the Indian Airlines learned about this, and since then stopped using them on the sweets served in their planes So...next time you are offered a silver laced sweet, please turn it down and when you see it being offered to the deities, congregation or Govardhan Hill please politely inform the giver and discard the sweets. Sorry, if I spoiled anyone's appetite :-) H.H. Sivarama Swami: Govardhana Puja Festival pictures
H.H. Sivarama Swami: How much do we value our principles and the quality of life that they represent?Are we willing to pay and sacrifice for them? Gouranga TV: Seattle HarinamH.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Guru Maharaja In LondonBy Ramananda Raya Dasa After two weeks of intense GBC meetings in ISKCON Juhu, Mumbai, past Friday Guru Maharaja had arrived in London. Diwali celebrations are being held by all Hindu people and streams of them are visiting the Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire. When I myself arrived there on Saturday morning the inauguration of the [...] H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Temple News From RussiaHis Grace Dvarkadish Prabhu Dear Devotees: Hare Krsna! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Diwali and New Year! I received this email from Bhakti Vijnana Maharaja. His main preaching areas are Russia and Ukraine. He [...] H.H. Sivarama SwamiWithout preaching you’ll not feel enthused to continue temple worship. And without temple worship you cannot keep yourself pure and clean. These two things must go on in parallel. Then there is success. - Srila Prabhupada ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Sri Damodara-astaka - Sri Yasoda MatajiJapa Group: Japa PoemA person who chants From Bhajan Kutir #123 ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Gopa-Vrndesa PrabhuSrimad Bhagavatam 11.26.27 - Glories of Giriraja Sri Govardhana. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Gangesvara PrabhuClass given on Saturday 06-11-2010. More Recent Articles
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