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Vraja Kishor, JP: The Supreme Goal

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In this Eighth Chapter, Kṛṣṇa has explained that yogis endeavor to know the true self. Some yogis successfully realize that the true self is intimately linked to the super-self. They thus start to develop feelings of thankfulness, respect, and love towards the super-self.

All material goals and aspirations disappoint, but yogis attain a goal which is far beyond even the topmost heaven of this material world. Especially the yogis who develop love for the super-self attain an unparalleled goal.

Kṛṣṇa then clarified how even the topmost heavenly dimension of the universal creator, Lord Brahma, is perishable by nature, and therefore destined to disappoint us. Now, in the previous verse he contrasted that against the spiritual goal attained by devoted yogis. Though even Brahmaloka falls to ruin again and again, the devotional yogis attain Kṛṣṇa’s own abode, which is avyakta – “unmanifest.”

Now Kṛṣṇa speaks the 21^st verse to answer Arjun’s mental doubt about the word avyakta, “How can people attain a place which “does not exist” (avyakta)?”

So Kṛṣṇa says here, “avyakto ‘kṣara iti.”

The word iti in Sanskrit is similar to a quotation mark in English, and is very often used when giving definitions of words. Here Kṛṣṇa is more clearly defining for Arjuna, what exactly he means by the word avyakta (unmanifest). He says, “By ‘unmanifest’ I mean ‘infallible’.”

Our Prabhupada translates this as, “That which the Vendāntists describe as unmanifest and infallible.” The vedāntic definition of the spiritual world is that it is “unmanifest” in the sense that it is “infallible.”

To explain, anything which has a beginning has an end. But something that never begins will never end. And in fact, the only thing which can never end is something that never begins. “Unmanifest” means something that never began. This is why the spiritual world, unlike even Brahmaloka, never gets destroyed. It never ends because it never begins. “Infallable” literally means, that which does not fall. The spiritual world never falls to ruin, because it never rises to existence.

So Arjuna still is confused, “If something never begins, it doesn’t exist, right? How can spiritualists attain something that doesn’t exist.”

The spiritual world does exist. In fact it is the paramount of existence. So Kṛṣṇa calls it paramāṁ gati – the topmost reality, the topmost goal. Prabhupada translates that the spiritual world is the “Supreme destination.” However, the spiritual world does not exist within the confines of any timeline with reference to causality (karma) that effects beginnings and endings.

This may be a terse philosophical point, but since this is a part in the Gita where Kṛṣṇa is discussing vedāntic conclusions, I think it is our service and duty to put our minds into clear mode, high gear, and dig into the depth of the philosophy being expressed. I think that meditation and contemplation upon these thoughts in serenity will produce personal realizations of the subject being discussed.

Now Arjuna’s question becomes, “If a being from the timeline of begging and ends enters a place beyond the timeline of beginning and ends, what happens to him?”

Answering this Kṛṣṇa says, yam prāpya na nivartante – “When you leave the material timeline and enter that imperishable reality beyond cause and effect – you  too become freed from cause and effect. You too never again fall to run. Yam prāpya, when you get there… na nivartante, you never fall back.

We often attain goals, and later lose them. For example, for a while I was quite famous in a certain subculture. Now I am not as famous, and certainly after another generation or two I will be completely forgotten. Or in 2000 and around then I had a lot of financial wealth, which previously I did not, and now I also no longer have at all. The goals we attain in the material world of competing egos are always lost after some time. But the accomplishment attained by the devotional yogis is something they absolutely never lose.

You can consult the Katha Upanishad 1.3.11 for further confirmation of these points. Kṛṣṇa is paraphrasing that text very closely in the current verse of the Gita.

Now, Arjuna wonders, “What is that imperishable place?”

Kṛṣṇa answers, tad dhāma paramam mama – “That place is my own supreme abode.”

So, yogis who strive for self-realization, if very lucky, come to realize the intimate relationship between the self (ātmā) and super-self (paramātmā), and thus develop emotions and feelings of love for the super-self. We go to where our desires lead us – that is constantly true, in this world as well as in yoga and spirituality. If we develop loving desires for the super-self who intimately supports us, then we will actually go to where the super-self resides in a personal form that we can intimately relate with. So devotional yogis (bhakti-yogis), they attain the “dhāma” – the residence of Vishnu, the personality of the super-self. “Dhāma” is shorthand for Vaikuntha dhāma. Depending on the flavor of loving feelings the yogi develops for the super-self, he or she goes to a place where the super-self manifests a form and personality most appropriate to reciprocate those feelings.

The supreme abode of all supreme abodes is the place where the super-self manifests a form and personality most appropriate for reciprocating with the most supremely intimate of all intimate forms of affection developed by the devotional yogis. This is the ultimate meaning of tad dhāma paramam mama. This form is Kṛṣṇa and the place is Vṛṇdāvana.

The Brahma-samhita gives elaborate descriptions of what that place is like. One can read that book for more information. One particularly sweet line from that book is veṇuṁ kvaṇantam aravinda dalāyatākṣaṁ - In that sweet supreme abode, the devotees enjoy uninterrupted spiritual bliss as Kṛṣṇa plays his lovely flute, batting the long eyelashes on his crimson rimmed lotus eyes; peacock feathers adorning his hair, glistening saffron-yellow clothes flowing in the breeze, as he stands dramatically and sensually in a S like shape, hips thrown out lusciously; his hue the color of a mountain of sapphires lit from behind by the rising sun!

If you now read our Prabhupada’s full translation and commentary on the verse, I think you will deeply relish it: http://vedabase.net/bg/8/21/en

Śrī Śrī Guru Gauranga Jayatau.

Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare.
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

 

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 212 EJW: November 16 & 17, 1996

www.sdgonline.org.

February 4

Every Day, Just Write, Volume I: Welcome Home to the One Big Book of Your Life

November 16, 1996

You hoax,
hypocrite.
Nobody knows what you do in your shed.
Shed the skins and see the swans not through the curtain of nineteenth century music but now, and hear your own soul not covered by an extra unnecessary layer. (Stopped music here.)

Go back to house now and choose what to do if that’s possible. I’m tired of helping M. decide what hospital to go to or whether to put it off until next April or do it now. He’d have to go to U.S.A. to do it now. Hard for him to decide. Tends to put it off, like death, four or five months. Better to go for it? I don’t want to force him. I can’t stay back from India. Better he fix himself and join me again soon as he can. But if he thinks he can hold it in all that time . . .

Earlier today I thought how I’ll just tell the truth here. I thought of some specific things I’d tell but I forget it now. When I knew it and agreed to write it, it made me feel, “Yes, this is honest.”

You write not for show. You actually experience what you write.
But what? A cuddly, stuffed bear? Another bad news report? Attempt to escape.

Admit again you’re bored to read? Oh, I don’t know for sure. But I’ll keep on hoofin’.

November 17, 1996
12:30 A.M.

I’m a writer but now I’m sacrificing products in favor of the diary expression. I hope to also go beyond usual diary concerns of self. Writing exercise . . . and can you go deeper into self, into life, into sastra and holy name? I don’t seem capable now of a concentrated, sustained effort in reading or writing. This is partly due to health. We read of students writing their Ph.D. theses or a writer burning intensely as he creates his novel, etc. I do a little every day in this roomy form. It’s also a form. Other things to do, like writing letters, also occupy me.
Yesterday I stopped short while music-listening and said, “Enough” in renounced mood. Wanted to see swans without music in the way, feel what I can, and write what I can directly. Sure, there’s always a blank wall after a few sentences, but you can always keep going and reach a second breath. Hang in there and say what comes.

Just spent maybe twenty minutes with C.c., Lord Caitanya’s expressing direct meaning of Vedanta-sutra to Sarvabhauma. Brahman means Supreme Brahman. Absolute truth is both personal and impersonal, but personal is stronger. One must always favor direct meaning of sastra (brahma sabda) over interpretations, inferences, etc. Lord Caitanya is convincing him.
Read it, little turd
save your soul this way.
Abhaya dasi writes she is overwhelmed with material miseries. She has seen much suffering and death in her life. Wants to use this negative energy to push herself from all attachments and to attain the spiritual world. Wants me to instruct her how to make a dramatic leap forward. I don’t think I can, or I’d be leaping myself. Tell her, “Be patient.” She doesn’t think she will make it back to Godhead in this lifetime and fears being reborn, which she knows will be into a life of suffering again. Yeah. Yeah. She’s turning to japa and sometimes cries out but sometimes loses that feeling. Wanted to come to me and pour out all those feelings. I’m no rock to sustain all material storms. Neither do I know deep suffering with realized Vedic wisdom to overcome it right on the battlefield of sorrow. Krishna has spared me. I teach what I can, tossed in my teacup by slightest storms. But we know what Narada says, what Vyasa says—a wise man doesn’t lament for the living or the dead.

Okay mate, I dig you, kep going in roundhouse. Turn your train or ferry around in water (white sloshing) and head back in other direction. Each day from morning to night, sing a little song of sorrow and tepid joy and restrained senses. Hang in there.

With kirtana and joys
he hoisted his flag
opened sketchbooks of joy
the little men running hither
and thither.

3:30 A.M.

You are reluctant to write or do anything. I like to sit in a long temple room and read C.c. and comment. Clever opening. We are reading the story of Madhavendra Puri as told by Lord Caitanya because that’s His param-guru. Mostly C.c. is directly LC Himself, but in this chapter He tells a story He heard from Isvara Puri. And then you read of Madhavendra and try to think of something to say because a straight reading isn’t enough. They want to keep awake and you’re supposed to perform also. The big-time, small-time performer.

Got plans today if Krishna will let me carry them out. Do the Introductions section for Sketchbooks of Joy. Do it this afternoon in the shed if you get a chance. This morning is taken up going over to the lake-island. And trying to keep yourself calm in head before that. Flying wedge, wedge of chese, the cheese bureau, the diet-watcher, the word-spiller.

Oh, you’ve got plenty to do. You could keep yourself slim and trim and be a representative, not a jerk or a fool. Guru na sisyat. Don’t cheat the disciples.

 

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Bhakta Chuck, CT, USA: Friday Night Oxen #42

Hello Everyone,

a steady mind

 

Deep winter has set in here in the North East and the mind tries to find relief with dreams of Spring. But, it is far too soon for that and I try to remember;

“O son of Kunté, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.”

“One who is not disturbed in mind even amidst the threefold miseries or elated when there is happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind.”

Bhagavad Gita As it Is, chapter 2, texts 4 & 56

Have a nice weekend, in service to the Oxen,
ys, Chuck

Chant

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

 

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 211 Italian Concerto in F major

www.sdgonline.org.

February 3

Every Day, Just Write, Volume I: Welcome Home to the One Big Book of Your Life

Italian Concerto in F-Major
“Allegro”
Rain on green and brown, cant see repent my sores. I belong to the world but let off in retired days until they draft me again, pull me out of this solitude. SP says preacher’s life is not easygoing, he has to face obstacles and sometimes hurt by mudhas.

Oh, I did that when younger. Give me some days to write to the lords of Boston Commons, to the new, almost-born bhaktas and bhaktins who may wander to Inis Rath or get one of my books in the shadow of oaks Pretoria, Wisconsin, back street, back wooden porch, Czech Republic, China hideout, streets of Tokyo on the way out.

May I give them what my master gave us—love and chapatis, with bread balls and chaunced dahl—eat with whole self the mercy of God food steaming Indian menu my master.

I failed. I succeeded.

“Andante” (Harpsichord Solo)

The cows run home. Skinny cows of India, fat of Ireland (to be slaughtered).

The andante pace. It’s like a delicate Christmas toy music box turning with a little mechanical ballet dancer catching reflections of light.

Say it is a cowherd boy
bugling for Sri Krishna—Please come out and play with us. The sun is on the horizon red, the cows and calves await You, Dear Friend. O Mother Yasoda, give us Krishna for the day. I must come into the house and see Him as He hits His pal playfully with flute while Mother Yasoda dresses him with last ornaments, delaying the time when she has to leave him.

There is no recourse for the sins we have committed except to chant Hare Krishna.

You now go back into the house and proofread, work, as head allows. And Madhu readies himself to leave, and I say

Oh, oh, I’m going to get the schedule onto . . .

2:30  Shed

What is the most KC thing I can do—easily– and
not waste time? Listen to Wagner operas, go to local pub?
No, no. Tell a make-believe story? How about compiling your dreams. What do you think, man? Oh, ISKCON readers ain’t ready for that, and neither am I. Give them some pabulum or regular savories—cooked dahl, spinach, bread, yellow rice (like today)–and one piece of burfi afterwards.

Icy but smooth, the cold white-blue ripples of the lake. You want something sensational to do or begin? There’s nothing like that, man. Krishna Book you could do again or just stick to C.c. I’m asking you to decide and smooth ride. You already produced a lot today—proofread an A.F., answered some letters, wrote here to music in A.M.
Which leads us to ask, “Do you think it would be too addictive to play your Late String Quartets of L.B. and go into that writing quickly? “If you don’t,” do you know how to quiet down and do something else suitable for this retreat in KC time?

Ugh. Ugly vision of Sharon Olds, cocks and vaginas, penises and tortures, it’s the world of course, and Ms. Olds is just seeing it eye-on, poets’ mold, compassion (big word, three syllables) for her poems. “Pope’s penis” and the rest. She’s a good gal, faces it without God. Can’t believe in God because He should have come down and stopped the adult tortures. She stops loving Him there and goes on in her own body and mind, belonging, loving the world incomprehensibly, tough vision of what it is to the belly and eye and
esophagus
don’t judge her
but I hear my master say those who don’t believe in God, such as scientists, are biggest sinners and rascals—that one failure, the failure of Ravana, caused the ruin of their golden city and families. Hanuman finishes them off,
or Shiva or Yama.

Decide, man, decide what to do and do it.

String Quartet #13
Back in October in Campground Italy I heard and wrote the first three movements of this, “Andante” was the last. Now comes “Alladanza Tediscia”—some kind of dance? (“Allegro Assai”).

Confess it. I don’t say puke it up. Don’t feel guilty. Just go for it and come out on KC note trip, please. This isn’t a ferris wheel-hurricane whip ride or going into a pub or whorehouse. But it’s a kind of sneaking around.
Slippin’ and a’slidin’
peepin’ and a’ hidin’
you been told,
baby, you been bold–

While they danced, the Nazis burned down in another place
and a monk prayed tapasya. It’s not easy to go back to Godhead, Prabhupada said. Goswamis came to Vrindavana to minimize almost to nil –“practically”—eating, sleeping, mating
and the other, defending.
The mouse rocks in his sleep.
The engine I could turn off, bored, don’t hear music that compels him, knows he’s wasting his precious time. Turn it off, then.

But if you were a mere music aficionado, you’d dig it more, relax and resign. They play away their time, and I got no better things to do. Sense-gratifier. I’ll go one more minute on this rockabye melody to a child in crib lovingly, then see if this next “Adagio Molto Expressivo” will be better.

Harbinger of my downfall. The music stands. The alibi sheet. They read and draw bows across strings. I wonder why I am here in the darkness of this music theater? I could be somewhere with hoarse, crass, deep-souled purpose ISKCON-ites. I could be chanting holy names beyond bare minimum.

 

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: February 3rd Poem

www.sdgonline.org.

I sat intermediate
the kind who does not
exercise much but once
a day goes out for
a walk in the snow.

Things are looking up.
He doesn’t want to leave here.
Neither do I. Pray
into your chair, one thousand seven hundred and thirty-two
beads sixteen times, he eats
them and then you go to sleep
for a while. Don’t give
up the count.

I wanted all day and then
I finished my quota and kissed you.
I was through for the day. Now
you can do any damn thing you want.

He prefers a poem or the autobiography
of a longer-sika man.
When evening comes you rattle your fingers and there’s nothing to be afraid of
at seventy one as far as sex
is concerned.

Other fears like diseases
and lack of inspiration,
lack of expiration,
still drool in the moonlight,
wait for Krishna to answer when
He comes, to resume my farming
this grub of buckwheat
and delivered in the place of
bliss with Krishna.

 

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Prahladananda Swami Yoga Retreat

Here are some pictures from last weekend's Yoga Retreat at Hare Krishna Valley.

It seems that the hosts and guests have been sweating a lot... no fun at all!!!

See for yourself how "eventful" those retreats can be!

 

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Australian News: Please Help the Mayapur Academy.

To house the wonderful new books that we are collecting for our library Mayapur Academy library needs a new bookcase. The library currently has over 5000 books in over 50 languages and there are so many new books waiting for shelving. Our latest acquisitions came from the World Sanskrit book fair and were chosen for us by Vidvan Gauranga Prabhu. A new bookcase will cost around $3000 so any any assistance you can give will be greatly appreciated….Thank you!

The Mayapur Academy is a joint educational initiative of the Mayapur Deity Department and ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry. Our goal is to train brahmanas that are capable of fulfilling the needs of ISKCON communities. Our complete website can be found at http://www.mayapuracademy.org and our blog at http://mayapuracademy.wordpress.com/

The Mayapur Academy is located at ISKCON Mayapur, situated on the beautiful banks of the Ganges River, in Sridhama Mayapur, West Bengal.

to visit our CAUSE at www.causes.com any assistance, however small, is greatly appreciated

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Australian News: Friday Mantra Dance Night: You Got to get Fired Up

Friday Mantra Dance Night Friday 25th February.

7:00 – 8:15pm – kirtan up tempo mantra beats

8:15 – Vegetarian dinner

Cost: $10 inclusive of the dinner

Bring your dancing shoes and get it on for the the Friday Mantra dance Night at Govindas Lotus Room on Friday 25th February.

Dancing to an up-beat lrtan is sure to bring on the bliss. Don’t miss this dinner and dance combination. You never knew yoga could be so much fun. Soak yourself in the spiritual sound, move your body to the music, fill yourself with the delicicious dinner. You will not be dissapointed.

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Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Master Planners Heads Up: Green Builders

“What Is Green Building?

“Green building integrates natural resource, human health, and community concerns into building design, construction, and operation that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact on the environment and occupants by addressing energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, waste reduction and occupant productivity and health.”

Anyone doing any long range planning in ISKCON (or outside it for that matter) should watch this DVD.

Buy it here:

“A quiet green revolution in the building world is evolving. Green Builders profiles green building pioneers who have taken the leap into making their part of the “built environment” a more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly place. Their homes and offices are the proving grounds for green building; revealing that building greener is less complicated and expensive than you probably thought, and more rewarding in the long run.”

Watch it here:

“Green Builders, a one-hour high definition special, profiles a cast of green building pioneers who have taken the leap into making their part of the “built environment” a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly place.

“There is no single way to build green. Green Builders takes a wide-ranging look at a variety of approaches and levels of commitment and at the individuals who have helped turn green building theory into reality. These individuals are not just builders and designers; they’re teachers and homeowners, corporate leaders and academic specialists, leaders of institutions and universities as well as renegade inventors. From The Willow School to PNC Bank to the first solar-hydrogen home called The Hopewell Project, people talk about why they made the move to go green, what the challenges were, and how their project has fared.

“In most cases, one finds that a green building project has more to do with smart planning and a mindset change about energy use than expensive technologies or consumer sacrifice. Innovation helps, and there are plenty of innovations included in Green Builders that are making green technology effective and affordable. Geothermal storage, wind farms and extensive solar array systems are examined in the program. As the stories in the documentary demonstrate, it is crucial for us to change our perspective on how we build, recognizing the wasteful impacts of the traditional mode of building and operating our structures, and realizing the environmental and economic benefits of building green. Only then will the green building movement be successful.

“The individuals in Green Builders have made the move to building green without suffering, sacrificing, or experimenting with a wispy might-happen. These are real projects on the ground, working businesses and college campuses that prove you can change your carbon footprint once you change your way of looking at how a structure operates. Collectively, the green builders are building the foundation for a more widespread movement toward making America’s built environment less harmful to the dwindling supply of healthy natural resources and even less expensive to operate. Their homes and offices are the proving grounds for green building, and their personal experiences reveal that building greener is less complicated and expensive than you probably thought, and more rewarding in the long run.”

Filed under: Cows and Environment

 

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Japa Group: Please Join The Japa Group

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

rasa108@gmail.com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

 

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Australian News: Bhakti Vishramba Madhava Maharaj Visiting New Zealand

HH Bhakti Vishramba Madhava Maharaj Visiting New Zealand. All the detail is there in the picture.

visit the web site at www.harekrishna.org.nz

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Australian News: Brisbane Sunday Feast: A reminder

Hare Krishna!

Just to remind you that this is Sunday Feast week (first Sunday of the month)….6th February.

Held, as usual, on 1st floor, 99 Elizabeth St, City. Starting 5pm. All welcome!

Click here to see the web site

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

Bhakta Prabhu did a wonderful job on Sri Sri Gaura Nitai this morning, don't you think?
After many years of dressing Their Lordships Their servant and dear devotee, 'Bhakta Dasa', is very much in touch with Their moods one could say!

"Glory to Sri Caitanya and Nityananda!
Glory to Advaitacandra!
And glory to all the devotees of Sri Gaura...

...jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda
jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda..."

(Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi 1.18)

Here's the darsana of the Sun and Moon who have arisen simultaneously on the horizon of Gauda to bestow Their undiscriminating benediction upon all, whether devotees or not.

 

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H.H. Sivarama Swami

Without being empowered by Krishna, nobody can preach Krishna Consciousness. It is not academic qualification or financial strength which helps in these matters, but it is sincerity of purpose which helps us always.

- Srila Prabhupada

 

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Jagannatha Ram Prabhu

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.30.1 - Learning the importance of relationships in Krishna consciousness.

 

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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: our movement will very soon become the world religion

That is predicted by Lord Caitanya, that in every town and village Hare Nama Sankirtana will be well received. It is now an established fact that wherever we go, we will be well received. People are appreciating how pure are our devotees that they are able to abide by the regulative restrictions. Even in your country where sinful activities are the common practice, never the less people are respecting the fact that we are able to follow these principles, while they themselves cannot. So stick very strictly to these principles and chant regularly daily sixteen rounds and you will always remain the topmost position. Have nice Deity program, always have lots of Kirtana, serve ample Prasadam very sumptuously and speak something from my books. If this is done in every center our movement will very soon become the world religion as has now been predicted by one prominent Japanese philosopher in a newspaper here.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Vamanadeva, Indira — Bombay 4 January, 1972

 

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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 11.29.45-49 Darkness Cannot Put Out The Light 02-04-2011

SB 11.29.45-49 Darkness Cannot Put Out The Light 2011-02-04

Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 11.29.45-49 Darkness Cannot Put Out The Light 02-04-2011 Melbourne

Krsna establishes Himself as the goal of Vedic knowledge.

 

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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 11.29.40-44 Krishna Doesn’t Say Surrender At The Start Of The Bhagavad Gita 02-03-2010

SB 11.29.40-44 Krishna Doesn’t Say Surrender At The Start Of The Bhagavad Gita 2010-02-03

Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 11.29.40-44 Krishna Doesn’t Say Surrender At The Start Of The Bhagavad Gita 02-03-2010 Melbourne

 

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H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – BG 5.29 Inconvenient Jail 12-12-2010 – Video

Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 5, Text 29 titled “Inconvenient Jail (Evolution).

Dallas, TX
2010-12-12

Bhagavad-gita As It Is 5.29

bhoktaram yajna-tapasam

sarva-loka-mahesvaram

suhridam sarva-bhutanam

jnatva mam santim ricchati

TRANSLATION

A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries.

PURPORT

The conditioned souls within the clutches of illusory energy are all anxious to attain peace in the material world. But they do not know the formula for peace, which is explained in this part of the Bhagavad-gita. The greatest peace formula is simply this: Lord Krishna is the beneficiary in all human activities. Men should offer everything to the transcendental service of the Lord because He is the proprietor of all planets and the demigods thereon. No one is greater than He. He is greater than the greatest of the demigods, Lord Siva and Lord Brahma. In the Vedas (Svetasvatara Upanishad 6.7) the Supreme Lord is described astam isvaranam paramam mahesvaram. Under the spell of illusion, living entities are trying to be lords of all they survey, but actually they are dominated by the material energy of the Lord. The Lord is the master of material nature, and the conditioned souls are under the stringent rules of material nature. Unless one understands these bare facts, it is not possible to achieve peace in the world either individually or collectively. This is the sense of Krishna consciousness: LordKrishna is the supreme predominator, and all living entities, including the great demigods, are His subordinates. One can attain perfect peace only in completeKrishna consciousness.

This Fifth Chapter is a practical explanation of Krishna consciousness, generally known as karma-yoga. The question of mental speculation as to howkarma-yoga can give liberation is answered herewith. To work in Krishna consciousness is to work with the complete knowledge of the Lord as the predominator. Such work is not different from transcendental knowledge. Direct Krishna consciousness is bhakti-yoga, and jnana-yoga is a path leading tobhakti-yoga. Krishna consciousness means to work in full knowledge of one’s relationship with the Supreme Absolute, and the perfection of this consciousness is full knowledge of Krishna, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A pure soul is the eternal servant of God as His fragmental part and parcel. He comes into contact with maya (illusion) due to the desire to lord it over maya, and that is the cause of his many sufferings. As long as he is in contact with matter, he has to execute work in terms of material necessities. Krishna consciousness, however, brings one into spiritual life even while one is within the jurisdiction of matter, for it is an arousing of spiritual existence by practice in the material world. The more one is advanced, the more he is freed from the clutches of matter. The Lord is not partial toward anyone. Everything depends on one’s practical performance of duties in Krishna consciousness, which helps one control the senses in every respect and conquer the influence of desire and anger. And one who stands fast in Krishna consciousness, controlling the abovementioned passions, remains factually in the transcendental stage, or brahma-nirvana. The eightfold yoga mysticism is automatically practiced in Krishna consciousness because the ultimate purpose is served. There is a gradual process of elevation in the practice of yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana andsamadhi. But these only preface perfection by devotional service, which alone can award peace to the human being. It is the highest perfection of life.

BG 05.29 Inconvenient Jail 2010-12-12

 

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Kurma dasa, AU: Panir Butter Masala

I receive more recipe requests for the famous Panir Butter Masala than any other.

Unfortunately it's one of those recipes that I haven't published. It was tagged to go into my last book, but I never decided which of my four quite different untested versions I should transform into a finished Kurma recipe. And quite frankly, its richness sort of scared me.

So my recipes for the unctuous delight stayed in my 'yet to test and publish' box, and time slipped by.

Then I decided that my next book would be Light & Healthy Vegetarian Dishes, and poor old Panir Butter Masala slipped completely off the list. Slipped is a pretty accurate verb in this case since it's one of those recipes you cook when you need to get seriously comforted. It's oozing butter and cream, and not for anyone on a diet, queasy about dairy products, or short-listed for a liver transplant. Quite frankly, it's unabashedly naughty.

And, in case you're wondering Light and Healthy Vegetarian Dishes has not yet seen light of day.

So I was delighted to bump into a nice version of this lip-smacking dish on one of my fave food blog sites. If, like me, you don't use garlic, just miss it out, or better still, replace with a spritz of seasoned asafetida. Bazinga!

Here's Sanjana's recipe.

 

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New Vrndavan, USA: Master Planning Team

Dear North American Leaders,

Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

New Vrindavan has begun a new phase of development and is looking for talented individuals who could contribute to a Master Planning team. We are seeking trained and experienced architects, engineers, city planners, etc. who may have the time and interest to join a professional team with a strategic approach to community planning.

Many congregational members have such experience and expertise but are connected to temples that cannot take advantage of those talents. This may provide them with the opportunity to apply their skills in devotional service to Krishna. We expect to build a team composed of volunteers and paid professionals.

Our search is an occasion for temples to identify talented members to participate in building a Hare Krishna community. Direct participation while applying personal experience and skills in devotional service could lift an ISKCON member’s local commitment to a higher level.

Questions or Interested parties please contact: Jaya.Krsna.sns@pamho.net [Community President] and gopisa108@gmail.com [Board Chairman].

Please post and promote this opportunity. Thank you.

Your servant, Kuladri das

On behalf of the New Vrindavan Board of Directors

 

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David Haslam, UK: School Preaching, finding balance

Ever thought of school preaching? No, me neither. But by a number of events I’ve been invited to and have been going to a number of schools here in Wales and this is set to expand even further. It is not by my own personal endeavor I can take no credit, although putting together the [...]

 

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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Just Surrender

We recently came across this beautiful track, "Surrender" performed by the talented Gaura Vani and As Kindered Spirits at a yoga studio in Australia. This is a live rendition of the track from their latest album, "Ten Million Moons".

We hope you like it!

 

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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Radha Damodara Travelling Sankirtan Party and Srila Prabhupada's mercy. Part 1.

In the 70's there was a highly visible sankirtan force in America called the Radha Damodara Sankirtan Party. Buses full of devotess, primarily bramacaris would criss cross regions to mercifully distribute the transcedental literature given to us by Srila Prabhupada to take us back home, back to Krishna. So many young men sacrificed their time and energy in this great service to Srila Prabhupada and to Their Lorsdhips Srimati Radharani and Sri Krishna and they certainly reaped huge karmic benefits.

Radha Damodara Sankirtan buses 1975 at North Western University Chicago with Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada's sons including Visnujana Swami, Tamal Krishna Goswami, Tripurari Swami, Vaisesika Prabhu, Brahmananda Prabhu, Satsvarup Goswami and so many other exalted devotees.

In 1975 Srila Prabhupada was in Chicago at the same time as the Radha Damodara Sankirtan buses. It was a glorious time with their Guru Srila Prabhupada and it was decided to take a group picture. So all the devotees gathered at North Western University and the buses were strategically parked at the NWU parking lot for a stunning picture. I had the great fortune to accompany Srila Prabhupada and after a short drive we went for a morning walk which would end at NWU. I was visiting from Toronto and did not have my devotional attire on.

When we got to the parking lot I stood in the distance and well away from the photo shoot because I was not part of the sankirtan team and I was not wearing devotional clothes. Once again in a demonstration of how personable and so very merciful Srila Prabhupada is, he waved me over. I saw Srila Prabhupada waving but did not immediately react or realize he was calling me to come over. A minute later a devotee came running to me saying that Srila Prabhupada wanted me and to stand in the photo. So hesitantly I stood in the picture, trying to hide myself and my pants behind other dedicated devotees in dhotis.

And thus it was Srila Prabhupada's direct mercy that I was in the famous Radha Damodar Sankirtan Party picture. Thank you Srila Prabhupada for showing so much mercy to this useless servant!  

Subhavilasa in shirt and pants and might be only servant of Indian origin in picture.

Now it has crossed my mind a few times that it would be wonderful to have a Radha Damodara Sankirtan Party spreading Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabu's message through Srila Prabhupada's books. Wouldn't it be absolutely wonderful to see a group of devotees travelling by bus and doing sankirtan?

Well...maybe that can happen...
Well...maybe that is happening...
Well...maybe that is the perfect segway to tomorrow's post!

 

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ISKCON News.com: Healthy, Loving Marriages in ISKCON

By Krishnanandini Dasi on 4 Feb 2011

Marital problems amongst devotees were also prevalent during Srila Prabhupada’s time with us. Even the Pope recently admonished his American congregations for having too many divorces and too many annulments. What are the real reasons that marriages are not doing well?

 

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Dandavats.com: Makhancora Class at Sri Mayapur International School

By Gunacuda dasi

Meet Makhancora (Nursery) class at Sri Mayapur International School Makhanchora class has devotee children from all over the world aged 3 and 4 years old. It is taught by Nailya mataji, a trained teacher from Russia, along with a local teaching assistant, Mukti mataji and broadly follows the Early Years Foundation Stage programme of England and Wales, with a special emphasis on spiritual development

 

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Dandavats.com: Are Economic Development and Bhakti Mutually exclusive?

By Vrndavanlila Dasi

The beauty of Vedic life lies in recognizing difference in the nature of different human beings, in their proclivities and natural capabilities (that is why varnasrama) and further sanctifying everything, including the carnal requirements (that is why daivi-varnasrama); therefore the pursuit of artha and kama was also defined by dharma or morality

 

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Dandavats.com: Three Levels of Devotees Which One Are You?

By Abhaya Mudra Dasi

This is the one question left unanswered in the epic conversation between Shri Krishna and Arjuna. The reason is because a Vaishnava is never to be judged by his exterior manifestations

 

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Dandavats.com: Donate Miles to Food for Life Global

Food for Life Global: Do you have unused miles that you'd like to donate to Food for Life Global? Typically, making a donation of your miles is a three-step process. First, you login to your airline mileage web site, then choose a charity to receive your donation from a drop-down list of organizations that your airline has provided. Next, choose the number of miles to donate and then donate

 

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Dandavats.com: Sri Sri Jagannatha Ratha Yarta, Radha Madahvji Annual Festivals and The Auspicious Commencement of Construction of the New Temple

Madhavendu das: We feel extremely happy to announce that we are completing two years of establishing the most exquisite and attractive deities of Sri Sri Radha Madhav here at ISKCON Kanpur, in a temporary temple situated on ten acres of land on Mainawati marg

 

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ISKCON News.com: Bhakti Yoga From Beyond the Grave

By Keshava Krishna Das for Dandavats.com on 2 Feb 2011

Is this a ghost story? It could be if we consider how many of us are nitya-baddha wandering spirits searching for a permanently settled situation. But now we have human occupancy we still like to be scared and awed by graveyard tales.

 

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ISKCON News.com: Upcoming Farm Conference in the UK

By Syamasundara Das on 4 Feb 2011

The fourth European farm conference will be held at Bhaktivedanta Manor on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of May 2011. This conference is for those ISKCON devotees who are actively involved in farming, cow protection and agriculture

 

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ISKCON News.com: International Vaishnavi Retreat in Govardhana

By Mitra Dasi for ISKCON News on 4 Feb 2011

Fostering a spirit of love and care between devotees is on the agenda for the up-coming International Vaishnavi Retreat. This special event is aimed at generating peer support between female devotees dedicated to Srila Prabhupada’s mission.

 

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H.H. Sivarama Swami: B. Sanjaya asks why the surname “devi” is not longer used with “dasi”

Shaurya dasa about reviving the spirit of the good old days with nama-sankirtana, and Ramananda dasa about whether we can take full body bath in Radha-kunda or not.

 

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ISKCON News.com: Muslims Seek Change In Their Hollywood Story

By Gillian Flaccus for The Washington Post on 2 Feb 2011

After years of watching Muslims portrayed as terrorists in mainstream TV and movies, an advocacy group hopes to change that image by grooming a crop of aspiring Muslim screenwriters who can bring their stories - and perspective - to Hollywood.

 

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ISKCON News.com: Egypt, Democracy and Islam

By Richard Auxier for Pew Research Center on 31 Jan 2011

With massive protests threatening to upend the three-decades-long reign of President Hosni Mubarak, the world has been captivated by the events in Egypt. In a survey conducted recently, the Pew Research Center's Global examined the views of Egypt and six other Muslim publics about politics and the role Islam should play in it.

 

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ISKCON News.com: UN launches first World Interfaith Harmony Week

By UN News Service for un.org on 1 Feb 2011

The United Nations launched the first World Interfaith Harmony Week with a broad range of activities around the world, including interfaith breakfasts, film screenings and talks between the UN and the civil society.

 

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 210 EJW: I Want More Memories, Part II

www.sdgonline.org.

I Want More Memories, Part II

I could try to remember all those kids
from grade school and how we were cruel
to each other and how I managed to survive
by conniving tactics of the short and weak-bodied,
the clever chipmunk smile I made to the camera
in our class photo.

I survived but was not a hero
or a scholar. I could have gotten
better grades the teacher said,
but hung out with lower-
class kids because I was afraid to be mocked
for being a good scholar or a sissy.
Out of fear I held back
in academics. I didn’t want the
mob to get me.
I became a mediocre mocker
and punk. Wore Levis to school.
Don’t blame the other kids.
It’s your own weak heart
made weak and corrupt from eating M&M candies
and you hadn’t even reached puberty.
But almost.

8:30
The shed is a little too dark for comfortable reading. Fog. Overcast. Here I am. Thoughts from letters in mail. What do I think of what my Godbrother did? Isn’t there a limit to self-honesty? Shouldn’t we just hang in there and do our duties, even if not satisfied? In order to be self-honest, we must not hurt the faith of many people. But for him, he thought (it seems) the breaking of his hypocrisy was compulsory and although painful to others had to be done, best for him and somehow best for them. Or if not best, inevitable.
I say blow off steam by some safety valves that are harmless. Write. Hear Bach. Find emotional needs and wants released without giving up crucial duty.

Fog.

M. will be going to Italy for the operation. I’ll stay here alone, or with supportive devotees here, but more alone than usual. I’ll look forward to it, on a temporary basis.

Last movement of Vivaldi’s “Autumn.”
They saw away and the violinist goes
mad.
Oh, passionate Antonio
Vivaldi–you blaze, call it
autumn or winter or summer.
You are the rockin’, rollin’
Elvis of Italy.

You are the joy-bearer of
my own impoverished heart.
May it call to Lord Krishna,
who brings the autumn. Oh
friends
oh lonely hearts
buzz buzz bees
Vivaldi’s all-girls orchestra
in white gowns, sawing on violins and he—I don’t know him—but here is the harpsichordist–did he love his lead violinist? Oh, must lust intrude in all places in material world? Not in the heart of pure lovers of God. God, give us him, give us her. Happy sawing of fall leaves, berries, fires in
fireplace, safe–
God, he’s good and fired up!

 

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: EJW: Winter

www.sdgonline.org.

Winter

Indoors in snowtime, things slow down, oxen draw cart over frozen earth, haiku priest of Japan walks in blind snow, but Antonio Vivaldi says hearts in hearthside.
We play violin while icicles drop from eaves.
Christmas too, and bad times can be overlooked with a little wine and warm food—vegetarian, please. And offered to Krishna. In the world
this is not marathon book distribution
music. But the opening movement of winter,
comin’ in cold, heavy blankets, heavy coats, and that scholar’s solitude, if I can get it, to read my master’s books. O Lord of heaven.

Second Movement (Winter)

You can go ice skating with the lead violinist’s tune
in your head
so hearty and healthy
swooning
swooning
(hot chocolate drink in pewter cup with puff of marshmallow cream on top)
Icy slopes, down you go. Fire and ice. The music of the world to dissuade us from suicide, while away our time,
warm up, rev up.
Rub hands together in prayer, the monks in stone-cold monastery warmed by flames of love
to Christ who is our lord.

And in Vraja it gets cold
and no heat available.
Cling to beads and master’s words
keep Deity warm in blankets
of stylish quilt.

I walk or run, keep warm in Krishna’s grace.
Race to end of year.
End of life! God save us.

9:00 A.M.
Rain a little on roof. Not content to hear that? You’ve got to hear classics on tape? Oh, safety valve. My head, please don’t build up pressure. I push to write sonnets and jet-set and crank-crank oxcart set
football Vraja parikrama
Westerner thinks of going there in January, no less.  So now in Northern Ireland, no less on edge of Lough Erne, I saw a swan in weeds before lake starts. I am ex-reader of Dick Tracy, who is on the front page of comic section, do dedicate this writing while hearing Bach to my spiritual master who knows me, wry. I am gonna praise God. Lord Krishna, speaker of Gita.

 

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Groundhog Day Poem, 2011

www.sdgonline.org.

It’s Groundhog Day
and he didn’t see his shadow.
That means six weeks
more of sleet and snow?
Today it’s like that,
snow piling. Kirtana
in the yoga studio,
try to find your heart
in harinama.
You’ve finished all your
rounds, got them done
though not in suddha-nama.
You’ve got a headache
and pray the mantras
Hare Krishna; it’s good
that you managed to
say them all do or die.
I completed the quota
and want to thank you
for the effort.

 

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H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: ISKCON Ujjain Update 3 February 2011.

Sent By His Grace Mukunda Dasa India celebrates its complete independence from British domain on 26 January 1949 and is celebrated as Republic day which is also a public holiday. On this day our mid-day meal project situated at the Jagannath temple distributes very delicious prasadam to the school children they feed every day. This [...]

 

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Hari Sauri das, Mayapura, IN: The Eagle has landed

At the BRC here in Kolkata we live in a small 5th floor flat with a nice open veranda which gives a good view across a largely uncluttered skyline. As the day begins the sky fills with birds, mainly crows and pigeons. But there is a surprising number of eagles as well. 20 meters away there are a couple of very tall palm trees.

In the palm trees there is an eagle’s nest. Last year a couple of eaglets were born and now they own the roost.

Sometimes in the mornings when we are chanting japa on the veranda we suddenly get a light (or not so light) bump on the head from one of the eagles, swooping down to deliver what I assume is a warning that we are in its territory and to stay at a distance. They catch rats and other lesser beings and like to sit up in the branches to eat.

This morning one of them decided to pay us a closer visit, happily posing on the wall and checking us out.

 

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Gouranga TV: 24 hour Japathon in Unison

24 hour Japathon in Unison

 

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Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: A young monk and transcendental teamwork

Here is some nectar about traveling book distribution in New Zealand, from the 2010 Prabhupada marathon.

I was in Hastings-in-Taranaki, around 6 or 7 in the evening. There were only a few people walking on the street, and one of them was an elderly lady. I approached her. When I said I was a monk, to my surprise she became very delighted and took in her hand the soft Gita I was presenting. After less than a minute of my telling her about the Gita, she said "Can I buy this book?" I said yes, and she gave $10 and sincerely said, "You have just made a young boy very happy."

I asked her, "Who is he?" and the lady replied, "He's my grandson. It is his eleventh birthday and he wants to be a monk."

I thought, "Wow, an eleven-year-old boy who wants to be a monk gets a 'Bhagavad-gita As It Is' from his grandmother for a birthday present. Nice."

Another day, I and two other devotees (Hriman Krishna Prabhu and Bhakta Chi, a practicing medical doctor) visited two small towns called Hawera- and Stratford-in-Taranaki. Two went to one place, and one to the other.

On the second day I was in Stratford and stopped a lady. She was very favorable. The day before she had gotten an "Easy Journey to Other Planets" from Bhakta Chi and read the whole book that night. So she happily gave $20 and took a Bhagavad-gita. That is what I call teamwork. I took her details and plan to get in touch.

The same day in Stratford I approached a lady with children and told her I was a monk. She asked, "Are you from Cambridge?" (Cambridge is a small town outside Hamilton.) I told her I wasn't, but after speaking to her for awhile I learned that six years ago in Cambridge she'd met Mahavana Prabhu, a devotee who now runs a brahmacari ashram in Wellington, and had had such a positive impression of him and the prasadam he gave her that she now happily gave me $20 and took a Bhagavad-gita.

My realization is that book distribution is really a team effort, especially in a small place like New Zealand. Each devotee is responsible for leaving every person they meet with a good impression. A person may not get a book from the first devotee they meet, but because they are left with a good impression, the next devotee they meet can distribute a book to them.

Ys Damodara Krsna dasa

 

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Get 'Musical' on Sunday 6th February!

World famous Parividha Prabhu will grace us with his highly acclaimed musical performance about the ups and downs of devotees on their spiritual path.

It will be a 90-minutes performance of the extensive repertoire of Parividha Prabhu; starting at 7.30pm in the Theatre Room.

These acts will especially appeal to you if you have lived in a temple/ashrama; you will recognise yourself and your peers in many of the songs.

You can also attend the workshop that Parividha Prabhu will conduct on Saturday; see poster attached.

 

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More Recent Articles

• H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Friday 4 February 2011--Don't Be Carried Away by Phantasmagoria--and--Krishna Conscious Twenty-Four Hours
• Book Distribution News: A young monk and transcendental teamwork
• ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Prahladananda Swami
• Japa Group: By Hearing This Transcendental Sound
• Kurma dasa, AU: The Usual Suspects