Newsletter Number #140 -  (Tulasi - Saligram Vivaha issue2004 A.D. Gaurabda 518)
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ki jaya

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Please Accept My Respectful Obeisances & Best Wishes To All

_0____,

All Glories To Srila Prabhupad.

\o/
(_)
/ \ All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Welcome to the latest re-vamped edition of the on-line HKSRNewsletter, and our humble attempt to render some service to the devotee community. As you can see we've changed the format, and everything is here hyper-linked on-line, we hope it's now easier for you all. This newsletter now goes out to way over 2108 receivers. We trust that all is well with everyone by the Mercy of the Lord. However, if anyone would like to be removed please just send us a message requesting me to do so, and we will do it promptly. If you are receiving this from a friend, and would like to be added directly to the mailout please also let us know and we will do the needful there too. Removal and Subscription details at the very end of this newsletter.

Hare Krishna. =>B-) JTCd

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The Nectar in this Issue 

See the events on Interactive Calendar site for details:
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Words of Wisdom - Shastra & Shastrakaras speak:
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At Grass Roots: Topical stuff
... Have a Happy New Year - Gaurabda 518

Prasadam Recipes: To slake the thirst of body, mind & soul
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Now you can view the FULL years 1999-2000 & 2000-2001 & 2001-2002 & 2002-2003 & 2003-2004 & 2004-2005.
All Calendar entries are explained - Appearance or Disappearance
days, festivals, fasts, feasts, etc.

View previous years festival dates on the Calendar:
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http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2003-2004.html
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http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2005-2006.html Coming soon

Now available 2004 - 2005 Vaishnava Calendar starts March 2004
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2004-2005.html

Fourth month of Caturmasya (Karttika mase) begins. (Fast from urad dahl for one month.)

Damodara Masa, (Karttika mase) begins - singing of Damodarastakam, fasting from Urad, offering lamps.....

Vrscika Sankranti (Sun enters Scorpio)

Sri Gopastami, Gosthastami (20th November 2004 in NZ)
Sri Gadadhara Das Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Dhananjaya Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Srinivasa Acarya - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Jagaddhatri Puja

Srila Gaura Kishora das babaji - Disappearance - Tirubhav  (Fasting till noon)
Sri Bhisma Pancaka

Fasting for Utthana - Devotthani Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 22nd or 23rd November 2004  in NZ)
(Check locally for day to fast on - see list of locations below)

Sri Bhugarbha Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Kasisvara Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Sri Krsna Rasayatra
Sri Tulasi-Saligram Vivaha (marriage)
Sripad Nimbarkacarya – Appearance - Avirbhav
Chaturmasya vrata ends.

Sri Katyayani vrata begins

Sri Narahari Sarkar Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Fasting for Utpanna Ekadasi- (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 8th December 2004  in NZ)

Sri Kaliya Krsna dasa - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Sri Saranga Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Dhanus Sankranti (Sun enters Sagittarius)

Odan sasthi

Fasting for Mokshada Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 22nd December 2004  in NZ)

Advent of Srimad Bhagavad-gita - The day Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna - This occurs on Mokshada ekadasi day

Sri Katyayani vrata ends

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada - Disappearance  - Tirubhav (Fasting till noon)

Sri Devananda Pandit - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Fasting for Saphala Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 7th January 2005  in NZ)

Sri Mahesa Pandit - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Sri Uddharana Datta - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Sri Locana Das Thakur - Appearance  - Avirbhav

Srila Jiva Goswami - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Sri Jagadisa Pandit - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Makara Sankranti (Sun enters Capricorn)
Makara Sankranti all about Makara sankranti

Fasting for Putrada Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 21st January 2005  in NZ)

Sri Jagadisa Pandit - Appearance  - Avirbhav

Sri Krsna Pusya abhisheka

Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami - Appearance  - Avirbhav

Sri Jayadeva Goswami - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Sri Locana Das Thakur - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Fasting for Sat-tila Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 5th February 2005  in NZ)

Sri Ganga Sagara Mela

Sri Vasanta Pancami

Srimati Visnupriya Devi - Appearance  - Avirbhav

Srimati Sarasvati Puja

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi - Appearance  - Avirbhav

Sri Raghunandana Thakur - Appearance  - Avirbhav

Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami - Appearance  - Avirbhav

Kumbha Sankranti (Sun enters Aquarius)

Sri Advaita Acarya - Appearance  - Avirbhav (Fasting till noon)

Sri Bhismastami

Sripad Madhvacarya - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Sripad Ramanujacarya - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Fasting for Bhaimi Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 20th February 2005  in NZ)

Sri Varaha Dvadasi - Appearance of Lord Varaha deva
(The fast is observed till noon on the Ekadasi)(Feasting is done today.)

Sri Nityananda Trayodasi - Appearance of Nityananda Prabhu (Fasting till noon - 22nd Feb in NZ)

Sri Krsna Madhura utsava

Srila Narottama Das Thakur - Appearance  - Avirbhav

Sri Purusottama Das Thakur - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Srila Gour Govinda Swami -- Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupad - Appearance  - Avirbhav (Fasting till noon)

Fasting for Vijaya Ekadasi- (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 7th March 2005  in NZ)

Sripad Isvara Puri - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Sri Shiva Ratri - Appearance Day of Lord Shiva

Srila Jagannatha Das Babaji - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Sri Rasikananda - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Sri Purusottama Das Thakur - Appearance  - Avirbhav

Mina Sankranti (Sun enters Pisces)

Fasting for Amalaki vrata Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 21st March 2005  in NZ)

Sripad Madhavendra Puri - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Holi

Sri Krishna Chaitanya (Gauranga) Mahaprabhu - Appearance - ( 26th March 2005 in NZ )
Gaura Purnima - (Fasting Ekadasi style untill moonrise)

Jatakarma Festival of Srila Jagannatha Misra for Birth of Baby Lord Chaitanya

This year's also now available for viewing:
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http://www.hknet.org.nz/CalendarWhosWho-page.htm

http://panjika.pagehere.com/

Check out the Ekadasi pages with links to every Ekadasi:
(also find out from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada what is, and what constitutes a mahadwadasi)
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NEW EKADASI RECIPES:
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kasmad ekadasi jata tasyah ko va vidhir dvija
kada va kriyate kim va phalam kim va vadasva me

ka va pujyatama tatra devata sad-gunarnava
akurvatah syat ko dosa etan me vaktum arhasi

"Oh Gurudeva! When did Ekadasi take birth and from whom did she appear? What are the rules of fasting on the Ekadasi? Please describe the benefits of following this vow and when it should be followed. Who is the utmost worshippable presiding deity of Sri Ekadasi? What are the faults in not following Ekadasi properly? Please bestow your mercy upon me and tell about these subjects, as you are the only personality able to do so."

Find out what was said HERE:
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Download yourVaishnava Calendar and make a hard copy for this
last year's ( 2003-2004 AD - 517 Gaurabda ) from our site:
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This coming year ( 2004-2005 AD - 518 Gaurabda ) from our site:
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Vaishnava Calendar Program Vcal 4.01 FREE Download, and make your own Calendar for 2004-2005:
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Vaishnava Calendar maker for your region - on-line:
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Festivals on the Vrindavan Calendar
http://www.naturalnirvana.com/Braja-Mandala/Braja-Mandal-Files/Braja-Vrindavan-Festivals.htm

Time Zones and Countries World-wide:
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The Conch Newsletter is a subscription newsletter that is sent out in Word format either as a printable attached file through e-mail, or hard-copy by snail mail. The newsletter is monthly, and compiled by Amrita-pani devi dasi in conjunction with the editorial advisor HH Mukunda Goswami.

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This is Sydney Temple president's site. This site is meant to assist and inspire individuals in their spiritual development by keeping them in touch with a bona-fide spiritual authority.As well as detailing current and upcoming discourses and workshops we provide a forum for you address your questions on spiritual development to Atmaram dasa, who will try to answer all queries efficiently.

Appearance Of Shalagrama And Tulasi
http://www.bvml.org/contemporary/aosat.htm

by Padma Nabha Gosai of Radha Raman temple Vrindavan

Shastric evidence from Sri Hari-bhakti-vilas

The following history of the appearance of Shalagram and Tulasi is from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana. Though the description there is quite elaborate, we are presenting it here in brief.

There was once a king named Vrsadhvaja who, despite arriving in a dynasty of pious Vaishnava kings, was strictly devoted to Lord Shiva. He had no faith in Lord Vishnu or any of the demigods, and even began to criticize the worship of Lord Vishnu. Seeing the offensive behavior of Vrishadhvaja, Suryadeva cursed him to lose all his wealth and power. He and two generations of his descendants thus became destitute until the appearance of Dharmadhvaja. - Dharmadhvaja and his wife very devotedly worshiped Lakshmidevi to gain her favor and thus a plenary portion of Lakshmi entered his wife's womb.

On Kartika Purnima at a time marked with every auspicious sign, the wife of Dharmadhvaja, Madhavi, gave birth to a very beautiful daughter. She was decorated with all fortunate signs and grew to be an exquisitely beautiful young girl never aging beyond sixteen years. Her beauty stole the mind and heart of everyone, and being impossible to compare her with anyone else, She became known as Tulasi (matchless). - Leaving home, Tulasi went to Badrivan where she performed severe penance's with a desire in her mind that Lord Narayana himself become her husband. Pleased with her austerities, Brahmaji appeared before her and asked what boon she desired. Tulasi explained to him, "In my pervious birth, I was a gopi named Tulasi. By my wonderful good fortune, I was able to became the very dearly beloved maid servant of Lord Krishna. One day in the rasa-mandala, Radharani angrily cursed me to be born on the earth in human society. Thus leaving my divine body, I have taken my birth on the earth in this present form.

Now I desire the boon of attaining Lord Narayana as my husband." - Lord Brahma replied, "There was one cowherd boy named Sudama who also received Radharani's curse to be born on the earth. By that curse he has been born in the family of demons and is now famous on the earth as Sankhacuda. He has done extreme penance's to attain certain boons and to get you as his wife. Thus in this life he will become your husband for some time. Later by the influence of lila you will curse Lord Narayana, but accepting your curse, Lord Narayana will then become your husband. Lord Vishnu will love you more dearly than His own life, and without your presence all puja will be fruitless. By my boon, becoming the presiding deity of all the trees, you will freely enjoy unlimited happiness in the constant association of Lord Vishnu." - Sankhachuda, receiving his desired benedictions along with an all-auspicious protective shield (kavaca) from Lord Brahma, came to Badrivan where he met Tulasi. As they were conversing with each other, Lord Brahma appeared on the spot and said, " Sankhachuda, please accept this young maiden as your wife."

Turning to Tulasi he told her, "After the death of Sankhachuda, you will obtain Lord Vishnu as your husband." - The other boon that sankhachuda received from Lord Brahma was that as long as the chastity of his wife was not violated, no one would be able to kill him. Thus becoming very arrogant, he began to terrorize all the demigods and human beings. Severely afflicted by his attacks, the demigods approached Lord Shiva and begged him to protect them. Then Lord Shankara went there and personally began to fight with Sankhachuda. - Meanwhile, Lord Vishnu made a plan to destroy the chastity of Tulasi. While Lord Shiva and Sankhachuda were ferociously fighting, Lord Hari in the form of a brahmana arrived on the battlefield. He said to Sankhachuda, "Please give your kavaca in charity to me, a brahmana." Then Sankhachuda immediately gave Him the kavaca in charity . That same Lord Hari, disguising Himself as Sankhachuda then went to see Tulasi.

Deceiving her in this way, He began to enjoy with her as if He were her husband and thus broke her chastity. - The Bhavisya Purana goes on for great length to point out that there was certainly no fault on Lord Vishnu's part. He wanted to maintain the benediction given by His devotee Lord Brahma to Sankhachuda, and at the same time He wanted to protect the demigods and devotees. For this purpose He created this particular pastime with the appearance of improper behavior. But since Tulasi is the plenary part of Lakshmidevi, she is actually the wife of Lord Vishnu. - At that very moment Sankaraji killed Sankhachuda on the battlefield. When Tulasi understood all that had happened, she said, "By deceiving me, you have broken my chastity, and killed my husband. You're absolutely stone hearted! Thus I curse you to remain on earth as a stone!" - Lord Hari said, "For many years you underwent very difficult penance's to achieve Me. At the same time, Sankhchuda has also done severe penance's to get you. By the result of his austerity, he enjoyed you as his wife and has now gone to Goloka.

Now you will get the fruit of your penance's. Leaving this mortal body and taking a divine form, you will always remain with Me. Your present body shall turn into the river Gandaki, and from your hair will grow many trees famous as Tulasi.

To fulfill your curse, I will become a stone (Shalagram-shila) and will always live on the banks of the Gandaki River. The millions of worms who live in that place will adorn those stones with the sign of My cakra by carving them with their sharp teeth." After this Lord Vishnu began do dwell perpetually in the waters of the Gandaki River in the form of stones.

According to the Gautamiya Tantra, "a stone from any place other than the Gandaki River in Nepal can never be a Shalagram Sila." In Sri Hari-bhakti-vilas it is stated, "merely by touching a genuine Shalagram Sila one becomes free from the sins of millions of births, so what to speak of worshiping Him. By puja of Shalagram Sila one gains the direct association of Lord Hari." The Skanda Purana states that, "a genuine Shalagram Sila is directly a manifestation of the Supreme Lord Vishnu and does not require any installation."

It is further stated that, "the sale or purchase of a Shalagram Sila is strictly prohibited. Anyone who attempts to determine the material value of a Shalagram Sila will live in hell until the end of the universe. The area within a radius of twenty-four miles from where a Shalagram Sila is worshiped is considered a holy place (tirtha). Anyone who sees, bathes, worships, or bows to a Shalagram Sila will receive the same piety as doing millions of sacrifices and giving millions of cows in charity."

"Without having accumulated pious activities, it is very difficult to find a Shalagram Sila in this world, especially in the age of Kali-yuga." In the Padma Purana it is stated, "if a devotee who is properly initiated in prescribed mantras does the puja of Shalagram Sila, he will attain the Supreme Lord's spiritual abode without a doubt."

Sastric evidence from Sri Hari-bhakti-vilas translated by Sri Padmanabha Goswami, Sri Radha-ramana Temple, Vrindavan, U.P., India.

More Articles like this HERE:
http://www.salagram.net/sstp-ARTICLES.html
 
 

Srimad Bhagavad Gita AS IT IS

Bhagavad Gita:  Chapter 2 - Contents of the Gita Summarized

                                 TEXT 26

                         atha cainam nitya-jatam
                         nityam va manyase mrtam
                         tathapi tvam maha-baho
                          nainam socitum arhasi

                             WORD FOR WORD

   atha--if, however; ca--also; enam--this soul; nitya-jatam--always born; nityam--forever; va--either; manyase--you so think; mrtam--dead; tatha api--still; tvam--you; maha-baho--O mighty-armed one; na--never; enam--about the soul; socitum--to lament; arhasi--deserve.

                               TRANSLATION

   If, however, you think that the soul [or the symptoms of life] is always born and dies forever, you still have no reason to lament, O mighty-armed.

  PURPORT by HDG Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada:

   There is always a class of philosophers, almost akin to the Buddhists, who do not believe in the separate existence of the soul beyond the body. When Lord Krsna spoke the Bhagavad-gita, it appears that such philosophers existed, and they were known as the lokayatikas and vaibhasikas. Such philosophers maintain that life symptoms take place at a certain mature condition of material combination. The modern material scientist and materialist philosophers also think similarly. According to them, the body is a combination of physical elements, and at a certain stage the life symptoms develop by interaction of the physical and chemical elements. The science of anthropology is based on this philosophy. Currently, many pseudo religions--now becoming fashionable in America--are also adhering to this philosophy, as well as to the nihilistic nondevotional Buddhist sects.

   Even if Arjuna did not believe in the existence of the soul--as in the vaibhasika philosophy--there would still have been no cause for lamentation. No one laments the loss of a certain bulk of chemicals and stops discharging his prescribed duty. On the other hand, in modern science and scientific warfare, so many tons of chemicals are wasted for achieving victory over the enemy. According to the vaibhasika philosophy, the so-called soul or atma vanishes along with the deterioration of the body. So, in any case, whether Arjuna accepted the Vedic conclusion that there is an atomic soul or he did not believe in the existence of the soul, he had no reason to lament. According to this theory, since there are so many living entities generating out of matter every moment, and so many of them are being vanquished every moment, there is no need to grieve for such incidents. If there were no rebirth for the soul, Arjuna had no reason to be afraid of being affected by sinful reactions due to his killing his grandfather and teacher. But at the same time, Krsna sarcastically addressed Arjuna as maha-bahu, mighty-armed, because He, at least, did not accept the theory of the vaibhasikas, which leaves aside the Vedic wisdom. As a ksatriya, Arjuna belonged to the Vedic culture, and it behooved him to continue to follow its principles.

Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with permission.

 - His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Bhagavad Gita As It Is - http://www.asitis.com/

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Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with permission.

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Prabhupada Uvacha:
(here's some nectar, sometimes it comes in the form of Srutakirti prabhu's diary, other times from Govinda dasi's diary, or sometimes from a letter, but still nectar...)

Which do you want

After the Calcutta pandal we traveled to New Delhi for the first Delhi pandal, and from Delhi I went to Madras and arranged a public program for Srila Prabhupada there. And from Madras, I returned to Calcutta and Mayapur for the First Gaura Purnima Festival and cornerstone-laying ceremony.
At the time in Mayapur, Srila Prabhupada was living in a straw hut near the entrance of the property. When I entered his room he was in a very grave mood. With a choked voice he said, "Krsna is giving us everything now. Everything is the mercy of Krsna." He had tears in his eyes.
Soon Srila Prabhupada called me to his room again. After offering obeisance's on the cowdung floor, I sat on a grass mat at Srila Prabhupada's Lotus feet. Srila Prabhupada explained that when the British were ruling India they divided the country into three provinces - Bombay, Madras, Calcutta - each ruled by one governor.
"Which one do you want?" Prabhupada asked.
Prabhupada's words left me speechless. I had never made an independent decision about my service. I told Srila Prabhupada that I would do whatever he wanted me to do. But Prabhupada did not accept my answer. He wanted me to decide, so I asked if I could have time to think about it and he agreed.
I thought and thought but could not decide. The preaching in Calcutta was good, but Madras also had potential. And I already had contacts in both places. Then again, Bombay was the biggest field. Actually, all I really wanted to do was please Srila Prabhupada. But how? After Mayapur we came to Calcutta. There I would stand before the beautiful deities of Sri Sri Radha Govinda and pray to Them for guidance.
Soon I realized that Srila Prabhupada was forcing me to come to a higher level of Krsna Consciousness. To obey the order of the spiritual master required some basic submission, but to know the desire of the spiritual master without being told required much more spiritual advancement. I was being compelled to become sincere enough and pure enough to hear the guru in the heart.
Although I thought and thought and prayed and prayed, still no answer came. Where does Prabhupada want me to serve? Finally I decided to "trick" Srila Prabhupada into revealing his desire. Sitting before him in his room in Calcutta I ventured that I had decided to go to Bombay. Prabhupada's response was non-committal: "That's all right." His face was inscrutable. "But then again, the preaching potential in Madras is very good," I continued, hoping that either by word or gesture or facial expression, Prabhupada would indicate his approval or disapproval. But again he simply replied, "That's all right." "But then again," I said, "I was thinking of staying in Calcutta." "That's all right."
How could I try to trick Srila Prabhupada? I felt so ashamed- trying to cheat my spiritual master. But I also felt exhilarated- my spiritual master was so great and perfect that he could no be tricked.
Srila Prabhupada left Calcutta for Bombay. As I was preaching and making life members in Calcutta, and training Madhavananda, I thought, "Well, if I go back to Madras, I can preach on my own, but if I stay in Calcutta, I can help teach others to preach also." That was better. So I crossed Madras off the list.
After many days of thought and prayer, the answer finally came, I should go to Bombay. The most important program in India was life membership. Srila Prabhupada had written, "If you all get me at lest two life members daily anywhere in India, I shall do the rest." And he was pleased that I was making so many life members. But the life members were up in arms against us because we did not give them everything we promised.
I reasoned, "yes, we are making life members, but are we taking care of them? If we take nice care of them, they will be so pleased they themselves will make more members. But if we neglect them, they will feel cheated and speak ill of us. Then even when we ourselves approach people they will not agree." I felt I should go to Bombay and organize the life membership on all India basis. So I wrote Srila Prabhupada my conclusion: "Since Bombay has the most life members and is our head office, I should come and take care of the life members as Membership Secretary."
Srila Prabhupada seemed pleased and immediately cabled: COME BOMBAY IMMEDIATELY LETTER FOLLOWS.

- From the "Watering the Seed" by HH Giriraja Swami Maharaja

To receive little snippets of nectar like this on a daily basis subscribe HERE: or If you want to introduce anyone else in reading Srila Prabhupada Nectars, please send their eMail addresses to mailto:krpamaya_gauranga@hotmail.com

Please Chant:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Listen to Srila Prabhupad on-line
....a different lecture, morning walk, conversation or class daily.

"How Can There Be Peace "
Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 20.154-157
New York, December 7, 1967

Listen to the entire lecture on-line:
http://prabhupadavani.org/Caitanya_Caritamrta/RamFiles/CC70.ram

So Lord Caitanya has explained the particular features of Krsna, and He's giving evidence from Brahma-samhita and other authentic Vedic literatures. So we have concluded that Krsna is the origin. Origin. There are many demigods, gods, and living entities, energies, millions and millions. Parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate [Cc. Madhya 13.65, purport]. There is no estimate. But He is the origin of all. Just like in your New York City there are so many manifestation of electricity, but the origin is the powerhouse, similarly, He is the origin, powerhouse. Sarvadi, sarvamsi. He is the whole, and everything is part. And He is always just like a young boy of sixteen years old. And His body is transcendental, spiritual, full of bliss, eternity, and He is the shelter of everything. On Him everything is resting, and sarvesvara, He is the Supreme Lord.

svayam bhagavan krsna, 'govinda' para nama
sarvaisvarya-purna yanra goloka-nitya-dhama

Now, that Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna... Krsna is the original name of God, and Govinda is the qualitative name, transcendental qualitative. This Govinda, we have explained. Go means land, go means senses, and go means... Land, senses...

Devotee: Cow.

Prabhupada: Cow. Yes. This we have explained. And because He gives pleasure to all these things especially, cows and land and the senses, He is known as Govinda. Sarvaisvarya-purna. He is full of all opulences. There is definition of God in the Parasara-sutra. Parasara Muni, the father of Vyasadeva, he was a great sage. So he has given the definition of God. After consulting all Vedic literatures, he has given his, delivered the definition of God. What is that? Sad-aisvarya-purna: full of six opulences. And what are those six opulences? Aisvaryasya samagrasya: "He is the proprietor of all wealth, everything." So aisvaryasya samagrasya viryasya: "He is the reservoir of all strength." Viryasya yasasah sriyah: "And He is the supreme famous." Nobody can be more famous than Krsna. Aisvaryasya samagrasya viryasya yasasah sriyah (Visnu Purana 6.5.47). Sriyah means beauty. Nobody can be more beautiful than Krsna. And jnana, knowledge. Nobody can be more knower and full of knowledge than Krsna. And renunciation. And He is also, at the..., having so many opulences. He is renouncer of... He has nothing to do with all these things. He does not depend for His Godheadship on these qualifications. He is renouncer at the same time. So here also Lord Caitanya substantiates that sad-aisvarya-purna: "He's full of six opulences." Sad-aisvarya-purna yanra goloka-nitya-dhama. Nitya-dhama means He's homely. Homely. He's the proprietor of all land, but just like a king. A king is the proprietor of the whole state; still, he has got his personal residence, which is called palace, royal palace. So similarly, although Lord is the proprietor of everything, every land, every space, every, any, anywhere... This is the proprietorship of Lord, of God's.

So we are seeking after peace, but we do not know that where we are living. We are claiming proprietorship for the time being. We come here under different shapes, in different body, and claim proprietorship for the land where we are born. But we do not know by freaks of nature, any second, we can be driven away from this land and put another land. So where is my proprietorship? If I am staying for some time here, some time there... Bhojanam yatra yatra sayanam hatta-mandire: "I eat wherever eatables are available, and I sleep on the marketplace." Then where is my home? Where is my home? So this is our position. We are circumambulating under, in the cycle of birth and death. Sometimes I am claiming, "America is my land," sometimes claiming, "India is my land," sometimes claiming, "China is my land," sometimes claiming, "Moon planet is my land." No land belongs to you. Everything belongs to God. Isavasyam idam sarvam [Iso mantra 1]. He is the proprietor. Bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram [Bg. 5.29]. That misunderstanding... We are falsely encroaching upon and falsely claiming proprietorship. Therefore there is no peace. You are searching after peace. How can there be peace? You are falsely claiming something which does not belong to you. So here it is said, sarvaisvarya-purna.

...............continued

"You are the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate, the supreme abode and purifier, the Absolute Truth and the eternal divine person. You are the primal God, transcendental and original, and You are the unborn and all-pervading beauty." (Bhagavad-gita 10:12 )

"As one regularly hears the Bhagavatam or renders service unto the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is practically destroyed, and loving service unto the glorious Lord, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact." (Srimad Bhagavatam. 1.2.18)

"May the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who bears the Srivatsa on His chest, protect me after midnight until the sky becomes pinkish. May Lord Janardana, who carries a sword in His hand, protect me at the end of night [during the last four ghatikas of night]. May Lord Damodara protect me in the early morning, and may Lord Visvesvara protect me during the junctions of day and night." (Srimad Bhagavatam 6:8:22)

padau yadiyau prathamadvitiyau trtiyaturyau kathitau yaduru
nabhistatha pa-cama eva yastha bhujantaram doryugalam tathanyau
ekadaso yasya lalatapattam siro'pi tu dvadasa eva bhati
tamadidevam karunanidhanam tamalavarnam suhitavataram
aparasamsara samudra-setum bhajamahe bhagavata-svarupa

"I worship that Supreme Lord Sri Krsna, the origin of all the gods, the abode of mercy, who transcendental form is black like the tamal tree, and who has appeared in the form of His sound avatara - Srimad-Bhagavatam. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the literary incarnation of Krsna, and so is a bridge by which lost souls can cross over the ocean of repeated birth and death.
    Srimad-Bhagavatam has twelve cantos, which correspond to the twelve different parts of Sri Krsna's holy form. The first two cantos of Srimad-Bhagavatam are the two lotus feet of Krsna. The third and fourth cantos are His two lotus thighs. The fifth canto is His lotus navel. The sixth canto is His torso and chest. The seventh and eighth cantos are his two lotus arms. The ninth canto is his throat. The tenth canto is his beautiful lotus face. The eleventh canto is His forehead, and the twelfth canto is His crown." (Padma-Purana )

"Glory to the Sri Krishna Samkirtan which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years together. Thus the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death, is extinguished. The Samkirtan Movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction Moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge, it increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it helps us to have a taste of the full nectar for which we are always anxious."

(Every Town & Village, album cover)

On-line Virtual Arati to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai - check it out
http://www.in2-mec.com/GNpuja.html

http://www.hknet.org.nz/harernam-page.htm
http://Harinam/rulestheweb.com

What's So Special About Chanting Hare Krishna?
By Stephen Knapp (Sri Nandanandan dasa ACBSP):
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/chanting_hare_krishna.htm

Hare Krishna is NOT "a Cult":
Is ISKCON a Cult or part of the "Hindu Culture" or Something Else?
http://www.hknet.org.nz/not-a-cult.html

Hare Krishna is NOT a Cult letter by Kunti dd editor of Hare Krishna World:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/HK-no-cult.html

38 Years of Krishna Consciousness through Iskcon.........
http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa081201a.htm

Very nice articles and numerous links on the About Hinduism web-site.

What is ISKCON ???
http://www.iskcon.org/main/twohk/iskcon/what.htm

Is Iskcon a Cult?
http://www.hknet.org.nz/not-a-cult.html

Iskcon and Hinduism
http://www.hknet.org.nz/IskconHinduism.html

SONGS AND MANTRAS by Vaishnava spiritual masters:
http://web.tiscali.it/no-redirect-tiscali/gopala/Vaishnava-Songs/index.html

Vaishnava Song Book:
http://www.iskcon.org/sastra/f_vs.html
http://www.iskcon.org/sastra/vs_other.html

Vedic Art Publications
http://www.vedicarts.net/catalogmain.html

.........this library is temporarily not working

Listen to or download Prabhupad lectures and bhajans
http://chantandbehappy.com/prabhupada/index.html

Devotional Bhajans and kirtans
http://chantandbehappy.com/bhajans/index.html

Hundreds of devotional songs by various artists - singers - performers - and many more coming soon:
http://www.radiokrishna.com/modules.php?name=NukeView&file=index&query=http://www.radiokrishna.com/rkc_archive_new/index2.php

Download songs
http://www.harekrsna.cz/mp3/folk/

Krishna Vision of Krishna Prema dasa ACBSP Sound Track Vol. 4 samples:
http://www.krisnavision.narod.ru/

Sydney temple Audio page
http://www.iskcon.com.au/Audio.html

Leicester Temple UK Audio page - many bhajans and kirtans
http://www.gauranga.org/audio_page.htm

Listen to Krishna Radio on various subjects on-line:
http://www.krishna.com/newsite/main.php?id=260

Agama Tantra and the Vaishnava Samskaras as a way of life:

Recently I was asked, "Don't you find it an inconvenience to always be checking to see when is the right time to do this or the best time for that?"

In simple terms my answer was and still is; if you go to the bus or railway station or airport it is probably an intelligent venture to enquire about the times and routes of vehicles than to just hope that one will be along soon, or one is going in your direction.

There are subtle influences in the Universe that, for thousands of years gone by, advanced cultures have honoured, respected and utilised. Before the corruption of the Vedik literatures by the Christian and Moslem invaders to India all these things were used; Ayurvedik Medicine; Vedik Astrology; etc. Today there's a rennaisance among many to revive these arts.

We have been trained and studied to be able to provide these services. See some of my sites:

http://www.hknet.org.nz/jtcd-samskaras.html
http://www.iskcon.net/nz-namahatta/jtcd/1-homepage.html

or contact me directly: mailto:jtcd@xtra.co.nz

aham kratur aham yajnah
svadhaham aham ausadham
mantro 'ham aham evajyam
aham agnir aham hutam

"But it is I who am the ritual, I the sacrifice, the offering to the ancestors, the healing herb,
the transcendental chant. I am the butter and the fire and the offering."(Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita 9.16)

Krishna conscious affirmations:

 Always remember Krishna and never forget Him

Join and receive Krishna conscious affirmations:
mailto:Sravana.SPGTSI@pamho.net

Topical Articles:
Abortion - http://www.hknet.org.nz/index-abortion.htm
Genetic Engineering ( GE or GM ) - http://www.hknet.org.nz/GE.html
Environment - http://www.hknet.org.nz/Environment.htm
Encroachment - http://www.hknet.org.nz/WE-Day2004.html
Cloning - http://www.hknet.org.nz/cloning.htm
Science - http://www.hknet.org.nz/science2KC.html
Cow Protection - http://www.hknet.org.nz/Cow-protection.htm
The Four Regulative Principles of Freedom - http://www.hknet.org.nz/Regs-4page.htm
seX-files - http://www.hknet.org.nz/seX-files.htm
Mundane Knowledge - http://www.hknet.org.nz/mundaneknowledge.html
Death (Yamaduttas - Terminal Restlessness etc)- http://www.hknet.org.nz/death.html
Near Death Experience - http://www.hknet.org.nz/NDE.htm
Ghosts - http://www.hknet.org.nz/ghosts.htm
Reincarnation again here - http://www.hknet.org.nz/Reincarnation-page.htm
Gain some insights in the TV culture  - http://www.hknet.org.nz/television.html
The aweful Truth about softdrinks - http://www.hknet.org.nz/theREALthing.html
Changing the face of the Earth - http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1390/index.html
UFOs - http://www.hknet.org.nz/UFOs.html
Vegetarianism & Beyond - http://turn.to/Vegetarianism
Articles for newcomers to Krishna consciousness - http://www.krishna.com/newsite/main.php?id=87
Self Help and Motivational pages - Deals and Affiliate programs: - http://www.hknet.org.nz/index-selfhelp.html
Myth of the Aryan invasion by Dr. David Frawley: - http://www.hknet.org.nz/Aryan-invasion-mythDF.html

.........many other articles - http://www.hknet.org.nz/index-articles.htm

and from there go to the Main Index http://www.hknet.org.nz/index.htm

“I worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda [Kåñëa], who is always situated in various incarnations such as Räma, Nåsiàha and many subincarnations as well, but who is the original Personality of Godhead known as Kåñëa, and who incarnates personally also.” (Brahma samhita 5:39.)

The Devotee List - Iskcon and Gaudiya math(s):
(It's still being developed, and a lot of devotees are not here......)
http://devotee.s5.com/index.html

Still waiting for an internet company to come forward
and give you a massive mailbox for FREE like it's been rumoured for months.

HELP IS HERE AT LAST.

Tired of that wimpy 2mb mailboxs?  rejecting important emails cause
its always overflowing but still too cheap to spring for a "real" ISP..
No computer but need an email address? Need a stealth email address? Got
a friend who fits that description?... Well here are some other free
options for you. Note that a couple of these offer HUGE 100-200mb mail boxes...

http://www.hotmail.com   ..................2 mb
http://www.yahoo.com ....................4 mb
http://www.freeserve.com ..............5 mb
http://www.myownemail.com ........5 mb
http://www.lycos.com ......................5 mb
 http://www.softhome.net ................6 mb
http://www.bigmailbox.com ...........7 mb
http://mail.uk2.net ...........................10 mb
 http://www.gmx.net
http://www.graffiti.net
http://www.hotpop.com
http://www.mail2world
http://www.mail.com
http://www.mailandnews.com
http://www.mail15.com .................15 mb
http://macnews.de .........................20 mb
http://xms.ms ..................................20 mb
http://balls.com ............................100 mb
http://ukonline.net .......................200 mb

Vedik World Heritage pages

Read enlivening articles
See pictures of exhumed relics
Understand conspirital deceptions...
Join the renaissance to rebuild the Golden Age in the Kali-yuga
Find out about Vedik heritage items all around the world.....

Send in your articles and news:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/VWH.html

See more similar pages and links http://www.hknet.org.nz/VWH.html and http://www.hknet.org.nz/index-Vedik.htm

Vedik Culture list
 mailto:vediculture-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

A selection of interesting Krishna conscious articles from New Panihati - Atlanta temple USA:
http://newpanihati.tripod.com/NewsGroup/KCNectar/KCNectarMain.htm

Paradigms - where things are not all they seem

Krishna conscious Dramas and plays:
A collection of 88 transcendental dramas assembled and presented for the pleasure of
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
http://www.cedarpost.com/krsnaconsciousplays/default.htm

Wonderful modern Krishna conscious plays:
http://www.cedarpost.com/krsnaconsciousplays/TableOfContents.htm

These are great for Sunday feasts, or school programs or street presentations, or just for our own understanding.

Read here what Prabhupad says about such plays and dramas:
http://www.cedarpost.com/krsnaconsciousplays/PlaysP2SPquotes.htm

The Formidable Audio page - Bhajans, Kirtans, Lectures many Iskcon devotees:
http://www.iskcon.com.au/Audio.html

and

Bhajans and Kirtans
http://chantandbehappy.com/bhajans/index.html

and

Download latest Real Player for Free:
http://software-dl.real.com/22e4968a89f121132020/windows/mrkt/AUN03D/RealOnePlayerV2GOLD.exe

Listen to audio and view videos on-line here:
http://www.prabhupada.org/prabhupadadesh/a_deposito_oggetti/Archivio_Audio-Video/index.php?q=t&t=EN
http://www.prabhupada.org/prabhupadadesh/a_deposito_oggetti/Archivio_Audio-Video/index.php?q=f&f=%2FAudio
There's literally hundreds of bhajans, kirtans and videos segments to check out.............try all the folders too.......

Nectar for kids and adults alike:
http://www.rasa-music.com/Bodies/body-shop.html

...........more Audio sites linked HERE

Kerry Receives Bhagavad-Gita As It Is/ Krsna Prema dasi/ Fort Myers, Florida

" Krsna Prema dasi reads Bhagavad Gita As It Is to Senator John Kerry"

During a recent trip to Southwest Florida to survey hurricane damage, US Presidential candidate Senator John F. Kerry met with Krsna Prema dasi on the tarmac along side the Kerry/Edwards campaign jet at Southwest International Airport in Fort Myers, Florida. Krsna Prema and her husband Bala das drove in the Senator's motorcade on a trip to talk to victims of Hurricane Charley.  Krsna Prema dasi gave Senator Kerry a reprint of the original copy of Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad Gita As It Is and read to him from the famous passage in Chapter 3 Verse 21, "Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all of the world pursues."

Senator Kerry listened intently, holding the sacred book, following along as she read. He said, " That is very good. I like this."

Krsna Prema dasi explained that President Carter had also received an exact copy of this book and quoted this passage during a speech. She told Mr Kerry that he was considered a great man and this book would be very helpful to him as a leader. Senator Kerry gladly received the gift and thanked Krsna Prema.  He took it with him as he fly off to his next campaign engagement in his bid for the White House.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, November 7, 2004: It was the first time ever the Hindu Festival of Lights, Deepavali, was celebrated in the New Zealand Parliament, in Wellington on November 2 and the Indians are grateful to the government for recognizing their contributions towards the nation. The Prime Minister, Helen Clark, lit a lamp in the traditional style and created history by taking the renowned festival to the stately corridors to the majestic and imperial Parliament complex, "the Beehive." The Foreign Affairs Minister, Phil Goff, and Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Chris Carter, were present along with other Ministers. Among the 500 strong gathering were also Members of Parliament, the new Indian High Commissioner, Harish Kumar Dogra, Judge Anand Satyanand, the president of the Central Indian Association, Ashok Darji, and a large number of prominent business and community leaders participating on this auspicious occasion.

It is believed that there are about 65,000 Indians living in New Zealand. Deepavali became popular during the past several years. In her message, Prime Minister Helen Clark, greeted the people with a "Namaste." "Deepavali is one of the most auspicious festivals for Indians all over the world," she said. "The Indian community is of long standing in New Zealand and it is wonderful to see the celebration of Deepavali becoming a significant event in New Zealand's cultural calendar. I have just returned from a very exciting visit to India - the first New Zealand Prime Minister to go there in almost 20 years. New Zealand and India have traditionally had a close relationship, and I want to see these ties grow even stronger. I acknowledge the efforts and dedication of Indians to making a new life and contributing to New Zealand society. Indians now represent a significant proportion of New Zealand's ethnic minority community and of all the Asian ethnic groups, Indians have the highest number of New Zealand-born members. It is important that ethnic communities have their views heard in Government. It is the role of our Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Chris Carter, to ensure they are."

Thousands of people of many races supported Auckland's vast Indian community to celebrate Deepavali at Auckland's Town Hall, in Queen street, in the heart of the city, hosted by Asia 2000 foundation. "The annual festival is fast becoming a must do event for Aucklanders of all cultures", says the weekly, Aucklander. More than 40,000 people took part in last year's activities and this time around, it turned out to be even bigger and better, attracting more than 50,000 people of all races. The Bollywood dance competition is always a major highlight and as always there were hundreds of lights and spectacular decorations. There was non-stop, free family entertainment by international and local performers, delicious Indian food, a rangoli contest, craft stalls, cultural activities and a fireworks display. The Rangla Punjab Cultural Youth Club from India entertained the huge gathering in Auckland with their Bhangra dances and later they performed in Hamilton and Wellington. "Deepavali is among the most important and colourful Indian festivals and is celebrated enthusiastically throughout  India and by Indians all over the world," says the Aucklander. New Zealand's media, including the television, gave wide publicity for a fortnight for the Deepavali celebrations at various centers.

Courtesy of http://www.HinduismToday.com/

Chinese Lamps Overtake Traditional Lamps For Deepavali in Kolkata
http://in.news.yahoo.com/041104/139/2hp3m.html

KOLKATA, INDIA, November 4, 2004: Chinese lamps have taken over the market of traditional Deepavali diyas (oil lamps) and candles in Kolkata. These "Made in China" bulbs are cheaper compared to the indigenous lights, and they are also available in a wide variety of designs like grapes, flowers and rice that give a psychedelic effect. This is affecting local artisans who are getting unemployed as they cannot cater to the customer's demand of new items. The Chinese lamps have a dazzling effect to mesmerize the customers. Unlike traditional diyas and candles, these lights last much longer. "The Chinese lamps are selling well because they are cheaper and have varieties. The local items have almost stopped selling," said Mohammad Salaam, a lamp seller. Now, customers are also demanding Chinese lights with a variety of symbols available in lights like Om, Ganesha, Star, Diya and Swastik. People are fascinated by the new look and prefer it to the traditional lamps, which are difficult to maintain. "The designs of the Chinese lamps are very good, one is better than the other one and suits the ambience of my house. I like the lamps of the grapes and rice design the most. It looks good and is much cheaper," said Rehan Kamar, a customer. Customers are thrilled that these lights are reusable. "Traditional lamps and candles are very expensive and do not work fora very long time and on top of that it is not reusable. The Chinese lamp works longer, is reusable and is also much cheaper," said Asish Mukherjee, a Chinese lamp distributor.

Courtesy of http://www.HinduismToday.com/

Hindu Objects Discovered In The Thames
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5983_1088512,00430005.htm

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, November 3, 2004: The banks of the river Thames has yielded many exotic items, including a series of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, some of which could be more than a century old, says this article. The four Deities discovered include Durga, Ganesha, Vishnu and Hanuman. the statues are made of stone or metal. Other discoveries include two metal plaques called yantras, one of copper alloy and the other silver plated. Nikola Burdon of the Museum of London wrote in the London archaeologist that the copper yantra has details of the nine planets. Some of these Hindu objects are modern, but three of the statuettes and the copper yantra "could possibly date back to the late 19th century," Burdon says.
 

Burdon says: "As the Ganges is not very accessible to the Anglo-Hindu community, it could be that they are utilizing the next best thing--a river that has an impact on their lives and their surrounding. She also says: "Another explanation is the disposal of damaged religious objects. A Hindu has a responsibility to dispose them in a respectful way, by returning them to the earth: this is often done by submerging the object in running water that flows to the sea. But not all the Hindu objects found on the Thames foreshore are broken or damaged." The Museum of London has consulted Hindu leaders, who seemed surprised by the discoveries. It is not known for how long the deposition of Hindu objects has been going. Some date to within the past 20 years. But they have been reported only within the past decade. "Deposition and discovery reflect a long tradition in the use of the Thames as a spiritual site," says Burdon.

Courtesy of http://www.HinduismToday.com/

LONDON, ENGLAND, November 8, 2004: Back home, the festival may still be a few days away but thousands of Indians living in Britain poured into Trafalgar Square here on Sunday evening to celebrate Deepavali with fun, fireworks and food. As the actual festival day falls on a weekday, Indians living here celebrated the occasion Sunday at an open air function that was wished well by London mayor Ken Livingstone. About 5,000 Indians and South Asians gathered at the sprawling Trafalgar Square to watch a display of fireworks and a scintillating cultural program that featured traditional Indian dances like the garba performed by youngsters. Young Indian performers, speaking in accented Hindi, greeted the people and dished out songs. People danced to the music, undeterred by a light drizzle. "This celebration at Trafalgar Square has been on for the past six years. Before that it used to be held in a much smaller manner elsewhere," said Jagdish Patel, a 56-year-old businessman who moved to Britain from Gujarat 26 years ago. A huge stage was put up for the cultural troupes to perform on. In front of it, hundreds of people gathered to cheer the performers and participate in the dancing. "We are enjoying this very much. Such festivities are our connection with India," said Sam Malhotra, a college student.

The programs began around 4 p.m. and continued till about 8 p.m. Curious tourists and passers-by stopped to watch the colorful spectacle. "Indians are always colorful. So are their festivals," said Chris Palos, a Briton who stayed there for a while to watch the dancing on the stage. "The British are very encouraging when it comes to other cultures. They know how to assimilate other cultures," said Pushpa Patel, who has been living in London for 33 years. After the fireworks and the fun, people queued in front of food stalls that gave away free Indian vegetarian meals of puris, rice and curries.

Courtesy of http://www.HinduismToday.com/

LONDON, ENGLAND, November 11, 2004: The House of Commons celebrated Deepavali with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Home Secretary David Blunkett lauding the contributions made by the Non-Resident Indian community to the British society. In a message on the occasion, Prime Minister Tony Blair, said "Deepavali is now celebrated by different communities across the UK and its growing popularity helps to strengthen bonds between them." "I am deeply touched by the unity, warmth and joy this festival brings each year and the spirit with which it is celebrated," he added. The event on Wednesday transformed the packed dining room of the Commons into a spectacle of color with traditional Hindu decorations, rangoli designs, Hindu Deities, exquisite Indian costumes, food displays and devotional music.

After lighting a Deepavali lamp, Blunkett said, "The Hindu community in Britain has set an example by their adherence to peace, discipline and family values. Deepavali, which symbolizes the victory of good over the evil, has become one of the key festivals of Britain. It brings us joy and happiness." Echoing his sentiments, Straw said the Indian community was prospering due of its adherence to principles and family values. Keith Vaz, former minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said over 100 MPs from different parties were participating in the celebrations, and it had helped bring together parliamentarians and community leaders.

Courtesy of http://www.HinduismToday.com/

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 11, 2004: US President George W Bush has sent his greetings to the Indian community on the occasion of Deepavali, the festival of lights, the first celebration to be held in the White House after his re-election. "I send greetings to all those celebrating Deepavali, the Festival of Light. Observed by millions round the world, Deepavali is a time for the Hindus to give thanks for their knowledge, happiness and other blessings received," Bush said in his message. "Laura joins me in sending our best wishes. May the coming year be filled with goodwill and prosperity," he said.

Several Indian community leaders attended the White House festivities yesterday, during which former US Ambassador to India and a senior official in the National Security Council Robert Blackwill assured the community that President Bush plans to visit India next year. During the invocation, Deepavali blessings were bestowed upon President Bush, his family, and the people of the USA and the prayer was offered for the world peace and the prosperity of the mankind. Praising the Indian American community, he said Indians must now move beyond writing the checks to the politicians and start asking for return on their investment and begin to participate in the political process more than what was being done currently. The traditional lamp was lit in the presence of about 150 invited guests by Ambassador Blackwill, and the Community leaders.

Courtesy of http://www.HinduismToday.com/

DHARAMSALA, INDIA, November 5, 2004: Although the Buddhists and scientists who met for five days last month in the Dalai Lama's home in Dharamsala, India, had different views on the matters of reincarnation and the relationship of mind to brain, they set them aside in the interest of a shared goal. They had come together to discuss one of the hottest topics in brain science: neuroplasticity. The term refers to the brain's recently discovered ability to change its structure and function, in particular by expanding or strengthening circuits that are used and by shrinking or weakening those that are rarely engaged. In its short history, the science of neuroplasticity has mostly documented brain changes that reflect physical experience and input from the outside world. Lately scientists have begun to wonder whether the brain can change in response to purely internal, mental signals. That's where the Buddhists come in. Their centuries-old tradition of meditation offers a real-life experiment in the power of thoughts to alter the physical matter of the brain.

In Dharamsala, the resulting brain scans compared brain activity in volunteers who were novice meditators to that of Buddhist monks who had spent more than 10,000 hours in meditation. The task was to practice "compassion" meditation, generating a feeling of loving kindness towards all beings. In a striking difference between novices and monks, the latter showed a dramatic increase in high-frequency brain activity called gamma waves during compassion meditation. Thought to be the signature of neuronal activity that knits together far-flung brain circuits, gamma waves underlie higher mental activity such as consciousness. The novice meditators "showed a slight increase in gamma activity, but most monks showed extremely large increases of a sort that has never been reported before in the neuroscience literature," says neuroscientist Richard Davidson of the University of Wisconsin, suggesting that mental training can bring the brain to a greater level of consciousness.

Using the brain scan called functional magnetic resonance imaging, the scientists pinpointed regions that were active during compassion meditation. In almost every case, the enhanced activity was greater in the monks' brains than the novices'. Activity in the left prefrontal cortex (the seat of positive emotions such as happiness) swamped activity in the right prefrontal (site of negative emotions and anxiety), something never before seen from purely mental activity. A sprawling circuit that switches on at the sight of suffering also showed greater activity in the monks. So did regions responsible for planned movement, as if the monks' brains were itching to go to the aid of those in distress, says this article. The study will be published next week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Courtesy of http://www.HinduismToday.com/

A boy wanted to seize the moon. Though his parents explained that this desire could not be fulfilled, he insisted that it must be fulfilled. They finally brought him to the top of a high building. Though he stretched his arms out as much as he could, he could still not catch the moon in his grip. Then he started cursing the sky for being too high. "Damn sky! Let go of the moon! Why do you keep it out of my reach? Rascal!" He began spitting into the sky, and of course it all fell back into his own face.

This story is meant to illustrate the folly of criticizing one's own spiritual master. Whatever criticism one may make in foolish self-righteousness, it all flies back in his own face.

http://www.gopinatha.net/journal/mrdanga.php?cat=26

Courtesy of Ekendra's Mridanga:
http://www.gopinatha.net/journalKC/

HYDERABAD, INDIA, November 4, 2004: Farmers in the state of Andhra Pradesh from the village of Punukula have tried a different approach to farming in an effort to make a living. The article explains, "They have raised crops like chilli, pigeon pea and paddy spread over 600 acres minus agri-chemicals, helping the village become pesticide-free and save a lot on input cost." Avoiding using chemical pesticides, the farmers have been using a non-pesticidal approach to control pests by switching to what the news release calls the use of hormone traps, trap crops, sprays of chilli-garlic, neem seed, cow dung and urine. G.V. Ramanjaneyulu, executive director of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture says, "The strong no-pesticide, no-pests campaign was effective. It struck the right chord as it obviated the need for using costly pesticides bought on credit from shopkeepers. In return, shopkeepers procured the farm produce at rates lower than the market price, adjusting the same against credit." Ramanjaneyulu also adds, "It makes better sense for the small and marginal farmer who has labor but not the capital investment. These farmers can compete in most markets due to the low cost of cultivation. The bonus was escape from health hazards inbuilt in spraying of pesticides. Another spin-off was improving the credit-worthiness. He cites the example of how the application for loan of the local women's self-help group was approved by the bank after turning it down, a year ago."

Courtesy of http://www.HinduismToday.com/

Ayurveda Popular in Spas Throughout North America
Edmonton Journal

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, November 7, 2004: Many Americans enthused with the yoga craze that has swept across North America are now turning to Ayurveda for more consolation and relief from their stressful lives. This news release quotes a website explanation of the Hindu form of medicine, "Ayurveda originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. Derived from the Hindu words for life (Ayur) and knowledge (Ved), it focuses on balancing body, mind and spirit through the use of herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, aromas, tantras, mantras and meditation. The body is seen as a balance of four elements -- air, earth, fire and water -- and illness is an excess or deficiency in one of these elements." Wendy Warburton describes her experience at the Holy Spa in Ottawa, "I'm lying on my back in a darkened room and Christine O'Grady is pouring hot sesame oil over my forehead. Back and forth, back and forth, the oil streams down in steady, soothing waves, feeling heavier and heavier until I think I might float away on a slick, warm sea. In a minute O'Grady switches to room-temperature oil, which feels cool, then warm; later she switches back to the warm oil, but I hardly notice. It's all I can do to remain awake and try to remember what is happening so I can write about it later." The news release adds, "This is Shirodhara, a 20-minute treatment to soothe the mind, ease stress and anxiety and reduce insomnia. It's an Ayurvedic treatment, and Ayurveda is the latest thing to hit the spa world. Practised in India for millenniums, the natural method of healing has ridden on the public's interest in yoga to become wildly popular in spas in Europe and Asia." Warburton says, "Before my treatments, I take a test to determine my dhosha or person type. My dhosha will influence how my treatments will be administered. There are three dhoshas, and everyone falls into one of them or into a mix of two. After answering 18 multiple-choice questions ranging from 'How would you describe your skin?' to 'How is your digestion?' I determine I'm a Pitta. Pittas are typically fair-skinned (check) with a medium build (check). The other dhoshas are Kapha and Vata." After the treatment Warburton comments, " I really did have 'resounding' energy that lasted throughout the rest of that Friday evening -- a time when I usually feel zonked after a busy week. Plus, this frequently awakening Pitta slept like a log."

Courtesy of http://www.HinduismToday.com/

Rebirth of River Sarasvati: a moment to cherish in the history of human civilization
Date: Sat, 06 Nov 2004 09:03:14 -0000
   From: "Vrin Parker" <vrinparker@yahoo.co.in>

I met Dr. VMK Puri, glaciologist of 33 years' experience, last week. He has inventoried the 1500 Himalayan glaciers as part of the World Glacial Inventory based in Zurich, Switzerland. He explained the differences between a glacial flow in the Himalayas and a river run-off in the plains. The former cuts a U-shaped channel; the latter a V-shaped channel forming terraces on the river banks.

At Adi Badri, while archaeological work was proceeding on 3 sites, he requested for a deep trench to be dug on the terrace close to Adi Narayan temple, on the banks of River Sarasvati and close to River Somb. To his surprise, he found that the river sediments in the Terrace 1 layer (earliest layers) contained metamorphic rocks drawn from the Central Himalayas as distinct from the typical riverine rounded pebbles found in Terrace 2 and Terrace 3 layers (later layers). According to him, this establishes that a Himalayan glacial flow had entered the plains through this channel attested by the embankment before the flow got choked up because of the lateral shift of the Shiwalik ranges creating a Yamuna-tear at Paonta Saheb. This  is confirmed by the Himalayan river sediments found in Ghaggar downstream, dated to between 10,000 and 12,500 years BP. So, he says Adi Badri is the Hardwar of River Sarasvati. Geomorphological and dating work is ongoing.

This is history.

Now, let us talk of history in the making. A Sarasvati Sarovar (80mX80m square and 11 ft. deep -- a Pushkarini with gentle sloping steps as bathing ghats) which dominates the entire Adi Badri valley abutting the Somb river, is now ready for dedication to the nation  and to world civilization. About 8 lakh pilgrims who reach Kapalamochan for Rinamochan mela, will also have a punyasnanam at this Sarovar, on Karthik Purnima day immediately after Deepavali on Nov. 22, 2004, in Sarasvati glacial waters (through a perennial spring trickling  through the Shivalik slopes) augmented by water harvesting during monsoon  with 11 check-dams built for the purpose of afforestation and build-up of  a Vedic herbal garden nearby. We are living through historic times; a new tirthasthana has emerged. All are welcome to celebrate the  rebirth of River Sarasvati as a perennial flow, along the old channel shown in Survey of India toposheets and village revenue records of Kapalamochan, Bilaspur, Ajatashram, Bibipur lake, Pehoa -- a stretch of 200 kms.

The day is not far off when Balarama's pariyatra will be re-enacted  by the children of the world along the reborn River Sarasvati from Dholavira to Ropar, since the Sarasvati Mahanadi Rupa Nahar (800 kms. from Harike reservoir off the Bhakra-Nangal dam and Pong dam on  Rivers S'utudri and Vipasa -- Sutlej and Beas, arterial streams of Vedic River Sarasvati) is now flowing beyond zero-point Mohangarh (55 kms. west of Jaisalmer, near Pakistan border) through Danan into Gedra  Road in Barmer Dist. Another 100 kms. the waters of the 40 ft. wide, 12  ft. deep torrential channel will reach Rann of Kutch, close to Surkotada, another archaeological site of Sarasvati Civilization. This will provide an impetus to create a National Water Grid to bring Brahmaputra glacial waters to Kanyakumari.

Adi Badri can be reached from Kurukshetra (2 hours drive through Jagadhri and Bilaspur) or from Hardwar (2 hours drive through Dehra Dun, Paonta Saheb, and Bilaspur). Bilaspur is Vyasapura, close to Som Sarovar where the Rinamochan mela is held annually on Karthik Purnima day.

This is anubhu_ti in a quest (veda, root: vid- 'to know') sequence following s'ruti and yukti.

Dhanyavaadah.

Kalyanaraman

See our pages supporting these views HERE:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/VWH.html (Vedik World Heritage)
Western Indologists been exposed page:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/WesternIndologists-page.htm
How British Misguided World on Vedic History
http://www.hknet.org.nz/MotiveBritishRajMissionaries.html

http://www.be-free.org/b-media/market-bfree03/cinema.php

Grandfather and The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son.  "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather sat & ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner together. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the child glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless.  Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.  For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family.  And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth got soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives.

The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future.

Let's be wise builders and role models.

See similar inspirational snippets HERE:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/parables.htm

See more on Darwin and Evolution HERE:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Darwin-out-page.htm

Articles from Back to Godhead Magazine:
http://krishna.org/?related=Back%20to%20Godhead%20Magazine

Listen to Krishna Radio on various subjects on-line:
http://www.krishna.com/newsite/main.php?id=260

Hundreds of devotional songs by various artists - singers - performers - and many more coming soon:
http://www.radiokrishna.com/rkc_archive_new/

Amala Bhakta dasa reciting Srimad Bhagavatam on-line:
http://www.prabhupadavani.org/SB_index.html

---

Seeing is believing...

Cheapest and best web-hosting - click on the banner above

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Transcendental Visions Videos
Two new items being offered by Prananath prabhu in CHCH

Auckland Temple Opening Video & DVD
Puspa Samadhi Festival of HH Tamal Krsna Goswami - Double DVD only

see covers below

WWW.NECTARBOOKS.COM

Dear Prabhus,

  Please accept our respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 With thankfulness to our Founder Acharya Srila Prabhupada, Sri Gaura-Nitai, and the inspiration of all of you, we announce the Grand Opening of "NECTARBOOKS.COM". This website contains rare, wonderful Krishna Literature by our Vaisnava Acharyas, beautifully and carefully translated by Dasaratha Suta Prabhu, a scholarly disciple of Srila Prabhupada, long known for his translation work.

It was a desire of Srila Prabhupada to give all of us, his children and grandchildren, the entire Vaisnava Library of devotional writings, and we are  blessed by His Divine Grace to recieve some of this literature with which to further water our creepers of devotion.

Please consider forwarding this email to your address list in the mood of going for the mercy of Lord Chaitanya by assisting His missionary desires.

http://www.nectarbooks.com

Your aspiring servants at NectarBooks.Com

Dasaratha-suta Dasa and Dina Sharana Dasa

********
Letter to: Hayagriva
Tokyo April 27, 1972

.. It is my serious desire to devote the fag end of my life to translating Srimad Bhagavatam and so many other Vaisnava literatures so by assisting me in this regards you will be performing the highest service to Krsna....

UNITED STATES, October 20, 2004: Are you fascinated by the many things in life that cannot be scientifically explained? Do you seem to have a "sixth sense" that sometimes allows you to know what is going to happen? Do you sometimes feel so connected to nature that everything seems to be part of one living organism? To find out how spiritual you are, click on "source" above. The short test is adapted from a personality inventory devised by Washington University psychiatrist Robert Cloninger, author of "Feeling Good: The Science of Well-Being."

Indymedia is a collective of independent media organizations and hundreds of journalists offering grassroots, non-corporate coverage. Indymedia is a democratic media outlet for the creation of radical, accurate, and passionate tellings of truth.

To see the Online 2004 Vyasa Puja Book visit:
http://www.krishna.com/vyasapuja

http://www.dipika.org/2004/05/20/13_online_vyasa_puja_book/

Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa pujan in Mayapur 2003 pictures:
http://64.28.101.188/2003/08-26-03/

Go to Links to Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Pujan

HH Bir-Krishna Goswami's site
http://www.bkgoswami.com/

HH Devamrita Swami
http://www.devaswami.net/home.htm

HH Gopal Krishna Goswami:
http://www.geocities.com/gopalkrsna/

HH Indradyumna Swami
http://www.traveling-preacher.com/
http://www.harekrishna.asn.au/speakers/indradyumna_swami/indradyumna_swami.htm

HH Jayapataka Swami
http://www.hearjps.com/
http://www.jpsoffice.com/
http://www.harekrishna.asn.au/speakers/jayapataka_swami/jayapataka_swami.htm
http://www.victoryflag.com/
Many lectures by HH Jayapataka Swami and HH Radhanath Swami
http://www.radiokrishna.com/rkc_archive_new/

HH Kadamba Kanana Swami
http://www.geocities.com/kksaudioministry/

HH Prabhavishnu Swami
http://home.iprimus.com.au/naractl/Biographys/ISKCON_Gurus/Srila_Prabhavisnu_Swami_Biography.html#Prabhu

HH Prahladananda Swami
http://home.iprimus.com.au/naractl/Biographys/ISKCON_Gurus/Prahladananda_Swami_Maharaja.html#mod

HH Romapada Swami
http://www.prastha.com/cgi-bin/uncgi/renderphilo.pl?ndx=2

HH Sacinandan Swami
http://www.saranagati.net/

HH Sivaram Swami:
http://www.sivaramaswami.com/

HH Sridhar Swami (the late Sridhar swami)
http://www.jollyswami.net/home.php

HH Suhotra Swami
http://www.use.cz/ss-archives/index.htm
http://www.in2-mec.com/
This takes the surfer to the startpage where they can see the cool animation.

HH Trivikram Swami
http://www.tvswami.sotiko.pl/

HG Vaiyasaki dasa Adhikari
http://www.kirtan.org/index.html

If you know of any other senior Iskcon devotee web-sites please send their URL to us to share with others through this media mailto:jtcd@xtra.co.nz

Here's a short list with some links - sadhu sanga ki jaya
http://krisna-volgy.hu/sadhu/

What's Going On Where &Adds

FESTIVAL EVENTS AND VENUES:

SNANA YATRA AUCKLAND
Sunday 21st November 2004

Traditionally, Lord Jagannatha’s bathing festival is held two weeks before His Ratha Parade, and so this coming Sunday (November 21) has been chosen to celebrate this event.  Come and join with us  - the programme commences as usual at 12.30pm and everyone will have the opportunity to bathe Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balarama and Lady Subhadra before They retire from the altar to rest for two weeks in readiness for the Rathayatra.

We invite any of our congregation to cook and bring extra sweets on this day to offer on the altar for Their Lordships.

AUCKLAND RATHAYATRA

A Reminder that the Annual Rathayatra (Lord Jagannatha’s Chariot Festival) will be held this year on
SATURDAY DECEMBER 4th.  Just two weeks away!

Rathayatra is an amazing transcendental event.  There will be hundreds of devotees joyfully singing and chanting as they pull the huge Chariot carrying Lord Jagannatha (Lord Krishna in his form as the Lord of the Universe) up Queen Street.  This is the one day of the year when the Lord mercifully leaves the temple so that all the people can see Him and offer Him some service.  Anyone who helps to pull the great Chariot will undoubtedly achieve liberation and go back to Vaikuntha at the end of this lifetime.

Bring your friends and assemble at 11.00am on Saturday December 4th, in Beach Road, Downtown Auckland, in the Quay Park area.  The Deities and Srila Prabhupada will arrive at 11.30am and the Parade will start at 12.00 noon.  Prasadam sweets, books and flyers will be distributed to the public as Their Lordships proceed slowly up the main street to Aotea Square, reaching there at 1.15pm to 1.30pm, when a Harinam kirtan will be held.

SPONSORSHIP FOR RATHAYATRA
This festival requires funds.  It is expensive to transport the great Chariot by house movers into the City.  With traffic and Council costs, decorations, advertising etc. the total cost is approx. $6,000.00.  Any contributions towards this festival, large or small, will be most appreciated.  All donations are tax-deductible, and donors certainly receive the Lord’s blessings.  Please contact the temple.

See this Rathayatra link
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/ratha-yatra_photos_group_one.htm
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/ratha-yatra_photos_group_two.htm

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
 

The New Iskcon Auckland temple

.....is now open

for more information and some wonderfrul pictures of the event see our page:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/HKAuckland-page.htm

photos updated 12th March 2004

Hare KrishnaSchool & Playgroup

Krishna Conscious education for children

Hare Krishna School in Riverhead, Auckland is a government funded school that runs from 9am – 3pm five days a week. We cover all core subjects in the New Zealand Curriculum and in addition teach Sanskrit, Sastra and Vedic arts. Children who come to this school get everything that children at state schools get plus Vedic culture and values in a serene rural environment.

We also run a preschool program for children 3 and up.

A school bus service provides transport from Auckland suburbs.

For enrolment information please contact:- HKSchool@xtra.co.nz

Ph: 09-412-6325
Mob: 021-265-7587
Fax: 09-412-6325
Find out what the NZ Government Education Review Office thinks of the Hare Krishna School. Click the link below.
http://www.ero.govt.nz/publish/reppub.ns4/Institution/98CA326F2C53BF0CCC256B7500174198/$File/4204.htm?OpenElement
 

Balgopal Krishna Conscious Preschool in Henderson Auckland prepares children for school with a nurturing academic and character development program founded on Krishna consciousness.

 For details please contact-

Vishnupadi dasi Ph.836-1214

Gaura Yoga Centre
First floor
175, Vivian Street,
Wellington

Phone:  (04) 801-5500

Learn about the Krishna conscious life-style
Learn Yoga
Learn about Vegetarianism
...all in a non-threatening friendly atmosphere.

http://www.gaurayoga.co.nz

Contact us: mailto:info@gaurayoga.co.nz

Subscribe to newsletter: mailto:gaurayoga-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Sunday Love Feasts - contact your local temple, or community for details
http://www.hknet.org.nz/index-int.htm

http://www.hknet.org.nz/NZKiwi-yatra.htm

http://www.hknet.org.nz/aussie-yatra.htm

Harinaam Kirtan and Bhajans in Tauranga BOP.
Every Saturday in the Red Square by the Strand (or Mt. Maunganui)

Come and join the throng 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

...for more details contact Trivikrama dasa

mailto:touchstone@clear.net.nz (for Trivikram prabhu)

Vegetarian Clubs
Waikato University - Hamilton campus

2 days per week serving about 100 plates each day.

for more information contact Mangala Vaishnava dasa
mailto:bhaktamark@hotmail.com

Auckland Veda club.
Auckland University - Wellesley St. campus

Its a simple weekly program thats been running for a few years, at Clubspace,
where we have a vegetarian prasadam lunch and sometimes show a video.
Srila Prabhupada's books are available to browse or buy.

For more information contact Auckland temple:
mailto:radhik@e3.net.nz

Otago University - Dunedin - Vege Club
Room 2., Clubs & Societies Building
Albany St.,

contact Jambavati dasi (03) 477 8277
mailto:jambavati85@hotmail.com

http://www.hknet.org.nz/HKDunedin-page.htm


Auckland
http://www.hknet.org.nz/AuckFFL-page.htm

Christchurch
http://www.hknet.org.nz/CHCH-FFL-page.htm

See more about Food For Life and how you can help HERE:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/HKFood4Life-page.htm

Food For Life - Auckland
Monday to Friday  11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturday  11:00am to 3:00pm

Catering for students, shoppers, office workers, and the needy - all will find full satisfaction for the body, mind and soul.

Saturday Evenings at “Food for Life” from 4.00pm to 6.00pm.
Come along to join in an evening of Chanting,
Philosophy and a Vegetarian Dinner.

On alternate Monday nights H.H. Mukunda Goswami will be present to speak and answer your questions.

Phone Food for Life, 268 Karangahape Road (K-rd), Auckland, for more information, (09) 300 7585

Higher Taste
Amazing Vegetarian Cuisine At Down to Earth Prices!

Salads
Organic Fruit Juices
Delicious Curries
$ 5.95
$ 7.95
$ 9.95

Hare Krishna Higher Taste Restaurant
Level 1 Will Bank Court 57 Willis St Wellington

 Phone: 0-4-472 2233
mailto:jagjeevandas.mvgm@paradise.net.nz

New CD of Bhaktivinoda Thakur bhajans

by Ashok Krishna das and Syamabiharini dasi

By the mercy of Guru, Gauranga and Radha Krishna, (after our first bhajan album Bhajanamrtam) we have managed to produce a new CD entitled "Bhaktivinoda", a collection of bhajans of Saccidananda Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur and other Vaisnava acaryas in Orissi classical ragas.

The CD includes 8 bhajans and a 12-page booklet with all lyrics and a translation of the songs:
Gurudeva! Kabe Mora Sei Din Habe
Hari Hari, Kabe More Hoibe Sudina
Kabe Sri Caitanya More
Radha-Kunda-Tata
Narada Muni
Janama Saphala Ta'ra
Brajendranadana, Bhaje Jei Jana
Kabe Ha'be Bolo

Price, inclusive of shipping, is 15 Euros per CD. If you want to order this CD, please transfer the amount to the following account (and send us your shipping address by mail or email):

Account number 3125628, Ashok Jagram, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Bank details: Postbank, Foreign operations, P.O. Box 1800, 1000 BV Amsterdam [Swiftcode: PSTB NL2]

"The Lord in His incarnation of Dhanvantari very quickly cures the diseases of the ever diseased living entities simply by His fame personified and only because of Him do the demigods achieve long lives. Thus the Personality of Godhead becomes ever glorified. He also exacted a share from the sacrifices, and it is He only who inaugurated the medical science or the knowledge of medicine in the universe." (Srimad Bhagavata Purana 2.7.22 )

 
 
 

Sacred Vegetarian Recipes - Prasadam

World Vegetarian Day 1st October each year

World Vegetarian Awareness Month - October

http://www.hknet.org.nz/VegeWVD.html

see what's already happening this year http://www.hknet.org.nz/VegeWVD2004.html

See our World Vegetarian Day issue of the newsletter for a wide range of Vegetarian issues

The Animal Spirit Newsletter - Issue #2 -  4/21/03-4/27/03

http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar-glossary.htm#Chaturmasya
 

Kathal Curry - Curried green jackfruit.

Serves : Four -  Six
Time required : 25 minutes

Ingredients
1 kg green jackfruit (kathal)
4 tbsp (60 ml) oil
4 medium-sized (250 g) potatoes, peeled and cut into 3 cm cubes
1/2 tsp (2.5 g) sugar
salt to taste
1 tsp (5 g) garam masala powder

Grind together with a little water:
3 dry red chillies
1 tbsp (15 g) cummin seeds
1 tbsp (6 g) coriander seeds
1/2 tsp (2 g) turmeric powder

For the tempering:
1 tbsp (15 g) ghee
2-3 bay leaves (tej patta)
1/4 tsp (1 g) cummin seeds

Method
Peel the outer skin of jackfruit. Remove seeds, if any. Discard the fibrous portion, retaining only the meaty portion. There is a layer of skin between the seed and the fruit. Ensure that this is also removed and discarded. Cut jackfruit into bite-sized pieces. Place in a pan with water and boil for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Drain well.

Heat oil in a kadai (wok) or deep frying pan. Fry potatoes until lightly browned. Remove from pan, drain and set aside.

Add jackfruit and saute for a few minutes. Remove from pan, drain and set aside. Add ground paste, sugar and salt to pan. Stir well and fry for several minutes, sprinkling water when necessary. Stir in 1 1/2 cups water and add jackfruit and potatoes. Simmer gently until both are cooked and there is gravy in the pan.

Heat ghee for tempering in a separate pan or kadai. Add bay leaves and cummin. Stir-fry until they stop spluttering. Pour on to the vegetables and sprinkle in the garam masala powder. Stir well and cook for a minute longer. Serve hot with rice or chapati.

Put into an oven preheated to 200oC (400oF) and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Serve with a salad.

 CAULIFLOWER IN CREAM CHEESE

 Servings: 4 Serving size: 1 serving Preparation time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
1 large cauliflower, head
1 medium zucchini
2 cups panir ( or ricotta )
4 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon asafetida
2 tablespoons coriander, fresh
1 teaspoon salt to taste
¼ teaspoon pepper

 Wash the vegetables. Mince the fresh coriander leaves, set aside. Cut the cauliflower in slices, about ½ cm thick, make sure you have a good slice, try not brake it in small pieces. In a non-stick frying pan heat the oil, add asafetida, when is golden brown lower the heat to very low,, add the cauliflower slices flat, don’t stack them, you may have to cook them some at time.. Cover. Check it often and carefully turn it around when one side is slightly brown. Keep turning until they are tender and ready. Cook the rest of the cauliflower, add more oil if you need , to prevent sticking to the pan. At the end cook any small pieces you have left.

While the cauliflower is cooking, grate the skin off the zucchini (save the zucchini for some soup or dal). In a blender mix the panir (the panir should be freshly made because you need it hot and wet), the zucchini peel, salt to taste, a pinch of black pepper, add some whey from the panir to make a smooth, liquid like yogurt cream cheese. ( The zucchini peel will add some cool greenish hue). Blend for few minutes until smooth. Pour still warm over cooked cauliflower. Sprinkle some coriander leaves. Offer, serve, enjoy it!

This recipe come from Arthia, one of my cooking mentor. (Govardhan lila devi dasi)

ALOO MATAR PULAU (RICE+ VEG)
(Govardhan lila devi dasi)
Servings: 6 Serving size. 1 serving Preparation time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
½ Tablespoon ginger root, minced
2 teaspoons green chilies, minced
¼ piece Cinnamon stick
1 piece Bay leaves
1 teaspoon Salt
6 pieces Cloves, whole
½ cup Peas
2 medium lemon
¾ teaspoon Turmeric, ground
1-1/2 teaspoons Cumin seed
2 tablespoons Coriander, fresh
¼ cup Coconut shredded
3 tablespoons Yogurt Plain, low fat
1 tablespoon Ghee
1 cup Basmati rice
2-1/4 cups water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 medium Potatoes

Wash rice Wash peeled potatoes and cut them evenly in small cubes.
Combine ginger root, green chilies, coconut, coriander and yogurt in a bowl. Mix well. Drop potato cubes. Stir and allow to marinate.

Heat ghee over moderately high heat. Drop in the whole Cloves, cinnamon stick, bay leaves and cumin seeds. Fry until brown and add the marinated potatoes. Stir fry until browned.

Add rice, salt turmeric, lemon juice, water and sugar. Stir and bring to a full boil.

Reduce heat to a very low and let simmer covered. Add defrosted peas about 5 minutes before the end of cooking.

Add ghee (or butter). Cover and let rice sit for few minutes. Fluff and serve. Decorate with a wedge of lemon.
 

CHEESE-NAISE
(Govardhan lila devi dasi)
 Servings: 4 Serving size.1 piece
Ingredients:
2 cups Panir, (or ricotta)
4 tablespoons Sour Cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons Lemon juice
1 tablespoon Olive oil

Mix all the ingredients in a blender. Blend for few minutes, until the mixture is smooth. Use as mayonnaise in sandwich, or anything you like.

Gulabi sandesh
Ingredients
500 gms - chenna/paneer
100 gms - khoya/mava-
1/4 sp - rose water
1/4 tsp - green elaichi powder (cardamom)
100 gms - powder sugar

Method:
Prepare the fresh chenna/cottage cheese by using approximately 2 litres milk. Curdle the milk using 1/2 tsp. lemon juice.
Mash up the chenna immediately and mix with the crumbled up khoya, add in rose water, elaichi powder, sugar, and mix until smooth.
Shape them into small walnut sized balls and steam for 10-12mins. Garnish with rose petals and serve.
 

Mawa barfi

 Preparation time:5 mins, Cooking time:50-60 mins
Ingredients:
1 cup milk
1½ cups sugar
½ cup rava/semolina
1 cup mawa/khoya crumbs
1 cup dessicated coconut
2 tbsp pure ghee/clarified butter
½ tsp cardamom powder
chopped nuts and raisins

Method:-
Heat a thick bottomed pan on low heat.
Add the milk, sugar, rava, mawa and coconut.
Mix well with 1 tbsp ghee. Keep stirring till the mixture is thick and leaves the sides of the pan.
This might take 45-50 minutes.
Add more ghee and crushed cardamom.
Remove on to a greased flat plate. Garnish with nuts and raisins.
Let cool and cut into squares.
Store in an air tight container.
Note : If you are using sweet khoya/mawa,  reduce quantity of sugar to ½ cup. Check and adjust taste accordingly.

Makes: 20-25 barfi pieces

Anjeer (dried fig) barfi
 Preparation time:30 mins, Cooking time:60 mins

Ingredients:
100 gms anjeer (dried fig)
200 gms Mawa
150 gms sugar
2 tbsp ghee
25 gms pistachios & nuts(almonds) sliced

Method:-
Soak the anjeer in warm water for ½ water or till considerably soft.
Drain, chop into small pieces and crush.
Heat mawa and sugar in a non stick vessel. Stir well.
When the sugar melts reduce heat to minimum and add the crushed anjeer and 1 tbsp of ghee.
Stir continuously.
Add the pistachios and badam(nuts).
Keep mixing and turning over till the mixture starts to thickens.
The mixture is done when it starts leaving the sides of the pan without sticking.
This might take 30-45 minutes.

Grease a tray with little ghee/fat and spread the mixture.

Cut it into desired shape and allow the halwa/dessert to cool.

Note: Dessert can be served either hot or cold.
Makes: 10-12 barfi pieces/ Serves 4

The Animal Spirit Newsletter - Issue #2 -  4/21/03-4/27/03

The book "Living a Good Life" normally selling at $21.95 is now going at the $14.95 price which lasts until Xmas, although we could consider extending it if anyone were to approach us after them with this reference.http://vegsoc.wellington.net.nz/livingGd.htm

 Krishna Conscious - Vedikly acceptable Jokes

Healing with humour: Taking better care of ourselves  =>;-))
http://www.hknet.org.nz/healthNhumour.html
Visit our Hasya Rasa pages

Laughter Therapy - its no joke:
http://www.healthlibrary.com/reading/yod/march98/news.htm

In her memoirs, Barbara Bush described one of those most embarrassing moments that inevitably occur, even on the most carefully planned of foreign trips.  Along with her husband, then the Vice President, Mrs. Bush was lunching with Emperor Hirohito at Tokyo's Imperial Palace.
Sitting next to the Emperor, Mrs. Bush found the conversation an uphill task.  To all her efforts at verbal engagement, the Emperor would smile and say "Yes" or "No," with an occasional "Thank You" tossed in for good measure.
Looking around her elegant surroundings, she complimented Hirohito on his official residence.
"Thank you," he said.
"Is it new?" pressed Mrs. Bush.
"Yes."
"Was the old palace just so old that it was falling down?" asked Mrs. Bush.
In his most charming, yet regal, matter, Hirohito replied, "No, I'm afraid that you bombed it.in 1945"
Mrs. Bush turned to her other lunch partner.....

and always remember (don't forget...)

You might like to check out Krishna-conscious jokes - http://vedaveda.com/anglais/joke/deux.html
Also check out the Humour section of the Main Index: http://www.hknet.org.nz/index.htm

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