Archive for May, 2007
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007
Wetlands, Water, Oil
May is National Wetlands Month, and wetlands arise from the presence of water. This month has seen an unending upward surge in the price of gasoline. Therefore, the following quotes from David W. Orr are appropriate:
“Oil and water have had contrary affect on our minds. . . […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Ms. Rural
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007
Peony
“This morning the green fists of the peonies are getting ready
to break my heart
as the sun rises, . . .”
—-Mary Oliver, from Peonies
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Ms. Rural
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007
And Now, A Word From Our Sponser
Most of you readers never actually visit my blog — you see it in feed readers.
Thus, you may not be aware that, at no cost to you, you can help support this blog.
If you are going to buy something from Amazon.com, click through on the Bhagavad Gita in the sidebar of my blog and then […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007
The Heart of a Vaishnava
This weekend has been really wonderful, Friday night we drove to D.C. and Stayed with Manish and Nisha, then the next mornining we headed up to Baltimore for the Ratha Yatra, and Saturday and Sunday Night we Stayed with Pradyumna Prabhu, Damodara Mataji, and Vinaya (Manish’s parents and brother).
This family is a such an amazing example of vaishnava etiquette, humility, and service attitude. For over thirty years Pradyumna Prabhu and his wife Damodar Mataji have been hosting great exalted vaishnavas in their home(and showing mercy to rascals like us), and both of their children have learned this wonderful culture from their parents.
The most amazing thing for me was on Saturday night after the whole Ratha Yatra festival was over and we finally got home it was about 9:30, Damodar Mataji insisted on cooking for us. After a full day of intense service during the Ratha Yatra she was still eager to serve. After we honored the wonderful meal I thanked her, and she replied, “It’s nothing.”
That is the true heart of a vaishnava, no other desire except to serve, and considering every opportunity to serve a special blessing of the Lord. For myself I find that I have to struggle to see opportunities for service as a blessing rather than a burden, and someday I pray that I may develop the wonderful service attitude of Pradyumna Prabhu and Damodar Mataji.
Throughout our visit they served us in every way possible, with wonderful prasadam, kind words, ice cream for breakfast. One night while returning from D.C. the tire in our civic blew out. And immediately “as a service to Radha Vrindabanchandra” Pradyumna Prabhu agreed to sponsor two new tires for us and even gave us a donation “to cover gas and tolls.”
What really astounded me was that during the Sunday Program in Baltimore they announced that there were some prasadam containers that needed to be cleaned that were left over from the previous days festival. And a few minutes later I saw Damodar Mataji over there scrubbing these large coolers. I was amazed at her eagerness to serve, and especially at her age. I really felt ashamed of myself. Being in the association of advanced vaishnava clearly reveals one’s own inadequacies in spiritual life.
They way they take care of thier dieties Shri Shri Radha Damodar is something very special.
I truly learned so much about vaishnava culture in their association, and I pray that by their blessing and mercy I may attain a drop of their humility, service attitude and devotion.
Last night we stayed in New Jersey with a dear friend Tara Rajput Prabhu, he is also always very kind to us in so many ways, and after lunch he will give us a ride into Manhattan where, Krishna willing, we will be able to see our beloved spiritual master Srila Radhanath Swami.
Should be a really wonderful upcoming week, spending time at the Bhaktivedanta Ashrama in Manhattan with Yajna Purusha Prabhu and all the wonderful devotees there, as well as all the other wonderful NY devotees, as well as all the devotees that will be coming from all over the country to see Radhanath Maharaj, and of course Radhanath Maharaj himself. Krishna is so kind to give us the wonderful association of his devotees.
maj-janmanah phalam idam madhu-kaitabhare
mat-prarthaniya-mad-anugraha esha eva
tvad-bhritya-bhritya-paricaraka-bhritya-bhritya-
bhrityasya bhritya iti mam smara loka-natha
O enemy of Madhu and Kaitabha!
O Lord of the universe!
My fervent prayer to you,
Your unlimited mercy to me,
Please always think of me as,
The servant of the servant,
Of the servant of the servant,
Of the servant of the servant,
Of Your servant,
This is certainly,
The perfection of my life.
Mukunda Mala Stotra by King Kulashekar verse 25
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007
The Price of Krishna Consciousness
Sridhar swami in his commentary, he explains that the word sattvena, which means the mode of goodness, in practical application means that we must be patient. This is one of the most essential items of devotional service. Patience.
Rupa Goswami says that we must be enthusiastic with patience and confidence. Patience is a symptom of surrender. Without patience, our surrender is hollow and incomplete. We must execute Krishna conscious principles with great great enthusiasm. But we are not fruitive workers. We are not doing business with Krishna. When Lord Nrsimhadeva offered Prahlad maharaj benedictions, he could have chosen to go back to Godhead or anything.
But he said, my Lord, I am not here to do business with you. I am not a fruitive worker that I have performed my service and remained faithful with the expectation that you’ll give me something. I have done it for your satisfaction. The one thing a devotee wants is a pure heart.
narayana-parah sarve
na kutascana bibhyati
svargapavarga-narakesv
api tulyartha-darsinah
(SB 6.17.28)
For the devotees of Lord Narayan, whether they are in heaven, hell or in mukti, it makes no difference. Their only concern is to serve. So we want a pure heart. Because purer the heart, the more pleasing our service will be. Whether Krishna wants to send us to heaven or hell to Goloka or Vaikuntha, wherever He wants me to please Him, I’ll be there. But just give me a pure heart, so I just have that motive, that sincerity of purpose.
But after years of hearing and chanting, after years of working so hard, after years of giving up so much of what is precious to ordinary beings - our health, our youth, still the ego is there. The lust, the anger, the envy the pride, the illusions are there. Why? I’ve tried once, I’ve tried twice? How many times have I dressed Radha Gopinath? How many times I’ve completed my 16 rounds? How many times have I bowed down and said Vancha Kalpa tarubhyas ca to the Vaisnavas, How many books have I distributed? How many risks have I taken? How many people have I brought to Krishna Consciousness? How many times have I become sick, invalid, and gone on with my service? But still my heart is not pure.
Patience means Krishna, “I am going to be always examining and re-examining the quality of my service and the intentions of my service. Because if I am not pure, perhaps I am not doing it right. Perhaps there is some flaw. Perhaps I am making offensesâ€. So we can’t just be patient. If you’re making aparadhs, if you’re negligent of certain vaisnava principles, you could be patient for millions of births.
So we always have to be scrutinizingly examining and re-examining what is the quality of my sadhana, my bhajana, my seva, my relationship with Vaisnavas, and what is the inner content of my heart when I am performing it. Am I doing it for pratistha? For recognition? Or am I doing it to please Krishna, to please Guru, to please Vaisnavas. And while carefully practicing this way, if it takes our whole life, if it takes hundreds of millions of births, it doesn’t matter, because I know, when it is pleasing to Krishna, He will deliver me. I am His servant.
na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isa kamaye
mama janmani janmanisvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi
[Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]
“O Almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor to enjoy beautiful women. Nor do I want any number of followers. What I want only is the causeless mercy of Your devotional service in my life, birth after birth.â€
I do not want money, I do not want women, I do not want followers, disciples. I don’t even want liberation. I only want to serve you birth after birth after birth unconditionally. Unconditional service means patience. Whenever Krishna desires, He will deliver me. It is His promise:
man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo ’si me
(BG 18.65)
Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me, and offer homage unto Me and in this way you’ll come to Me without fail.
Srila Prabhupada explains the essence of patience. “Patience is necessary for developing the confidence that Krsna will certainly accept me because I am engaging in devotional service. One has only to execute service according to the rules and regulations to insure success.â€
We worship the Deities as Krishna Himself. We honor every living entity as part of Krishna. We worship and respect every Vaisnava with maturity. And we carry on this way, chanting the holy name, hearing the glories of the Lord, serving His devotees, with patience and faith. Never to give up. If ever we give up, that means, we are not worthy of Bhakti. If our intention is clear, I’ll go on as long as you want Krishna and when you want to purify my heart, that’s Your business, I’ll never give up. It is that consciousness, that is the price of Krishna consciousness.
Thank you very much.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007
Deep in the Woods
By Bhavisyat dasa (from June 1981 Issue of the Brijabasi Spirit)Â
   We learn from Bhagavad-gita that the material world is a combination of the three modes of material nature. A liquor shop is in the mode of ignorance, a city is in the mode of passion, and the forest is in the mode of goodness. […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by jm
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007
Hey Bigfoot…
What is your ecological footprint? Take the quiz.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by AR
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007
The Unexpected
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Bhakta-Chris
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007
Searching for herons, came up with shells.
“For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me.” -Bhagavad Gita, As It Is (6.30)
New Vrindaban is full of tiny surprises. Jaya Murari Prabhuji gave me a tip off on some giant sycamore trees and heron nests down by the creek, so I took the sunny afternoon’s suggestion to do some exploring. Not a one heron was spotted but a single river otter came by for a quick hello and goodbye. Unfortunately, the camera was not in hand. I decided instead to focus on some of the forgotten and abandoned homes of New Vrindaban’s aquatic community. Pictured are some of the more modest accommodations, but palm-sized mansions laid nearby.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by strictlymedicinal
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007
Death in the Afternoon
   Yesterday afternoon we came upon a dead creature in the yard, in the grass just on the edge of the driveway. It had no visible marks upon it. At first I thought that it was was a mole, but its feet did not seem as prominent as other moles I’ve seen. Upon observing it […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Ms. Rural
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007
The Baltimore Ratha-Yatra
Big ups to the devotees of ISKCON Baltimore for staging a wonderful parade and festival for the pleasure of Their Lordships and the enlightenment of all those who shared in the sights, sounds, and tastes.
Here is our dear Bhakta-Dan getting his first opportunity at one of the highest transcendental pleasures, distributing Prabhupada’s books. Within minutes, he had that unique taste that comes from this very special service and passing out books left and right with all the gusto he could muster. From what I saw, I think this kid’s gonna make it back to Goloka sooner rather than later. As you can see in the photo below, he was feeling the true mellow of self-satisfaction in the divine loving service of the Lord.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Bhakta-Chris
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007
Morning Gayatri
“Prabhupäda: (sound of bird chirping) …take the fruits and singing morning. They are happier.
Just see the birds and bees. They have no anxiety for maintaining the body or fulfilling the necessities of life. Early in the morning they are not anxious. They dawn and they chirp and they fly to somewhere, in any tree, and […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Monday, May 21st, 2007
Help Wanted At New Vrindaban Lodge
Jobs available in housekeeping & laundry department of the Lodge. Please contact Parampara das at 304-843-1600 ext 107 or paramnv@gmail.com,
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by mg
Monday, May 21st, 2007
Vishwa Gou Sammelan (World Cow Conference)
A rescued bull attended all events at the main pandal
We received a personal invitation to attend the World Cow Conference in Hosanagar, India. After much debate, we decided to attend. An experience of a lifetime followed. On this page we write a little about the event to just keep you informed of our activities. We have also included a slideshow of the event at the bottom of this page. More information will follow in additional articles.
Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamaji, the spiritual leader of Shree Ramachandrapuramath has dedicated himself to the preservation of the indigenous breeds of Indian cows. Part of his mission is to prevent cruelty and slaughter of cows, restore love, dignity and respect to cows, conduct scientific research on different aspects of cow rearing and breeding, educate Indian farmers and general public about the benefits of rearing Indian breed cattle, promote cow centered organic agriculture, health care and therapy, and establishment of cow centered industries.
At the conference there were scientists, doctors, lawyers, farmers, cow protectors, and others from around the world presenting their knowledge and understanding of cow protection. We felt that it was important that our spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, be represented as it has been his long term vision of cow protection that has inspired us for years to protect cows. To this end we were able to speak publicly of Srila Prabhupada’s vision before a thousand people, many more by press coverage, and presented our literature to many individuals.
We want to thank all the other devotees that attended to increase Srila Prabhupada’s presence. Special thanks to Govindanandana and Radha Kanta from Hungary, and Hrimate from Mayapur for their contribution of photos and assistance in making sure the devotees had a strong presence.
So much information was made available at the conference that it will take us some time to absorb fully. It was tremendously inspiring to attend such a mega event where approximately a 1/2 million people attended to just learn, share their knowledge, and see the cow.
You may view some pictures of the event by either:
World Cow Conference
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Balabhadra das
Monday, May 21st, 2007
Who Knew? Heliocentrism Worse Than Evolution
 Where is a devotee scientist when you need one to whip out a theory of Intelligent Heliocentrism?
From: Heliocentrism is an Atheist Doctrine
“What’s even worse than the debate raging in American schools about the teaching of the soulless doctrine of evolution, is the non-debate over an issue that rational Americans have foolishly conceded to the […]