Newsletter Number #147  ( February issue 2005 A.D. Gaurabda 518)
http://www.hknet.org.nz/index.htm
http://welcome.to/hknetworks

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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:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2002-2003.html
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2003-2004.html
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2004-2005.html

Vaishnava Calendar for 2005-2006????
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2005-2006.html
(some selected locations are available already below)

The present year's calendar:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2004-2005.html

Download the Vaishnava Calendar software VCAL 4.01

Local temples

Words of Wisdom - Shastra & Shastrakaras speak:
... (Srila Prabhupad & the previous Acharyas)
... Coming Festivals
... Local temples
... Verses from Shastra
... Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
... Hare Krishna as ancient religion - NOT a cult
... Vaishnava Songs
... Samskaras and Agama Tantra
... Articles
... Topical links - etc
... Vedik revival - Vedik World Heritage

Advertisements - what's on where: check them out...
... Cyber Community Notice Board
...lastest important news items !!!!

... Hare Krishna School in Auckland
... Ayurvedic health - and seminars - Radiance Ayurved has new site
... Fire Safety - Water Safety - Internet Safety
... Singles - Hare Krishna Singles - Vegetarian Singles - Marriage Compatibility checking
... FREE CD Rom
... Sri Shalagram Tirtha Pradarshini web-site and new newsletter
... Vegetarianism and Beyond site gets re-vamped
... Gaura Yoga - Wellington
... The Loft Auckland
... The new Auckland Temple now open

... Boxing Day Asian Tsunami Disaster Food (prasadam) Relief Appeal

... and much more

At Grass Roots: Topical stuff
... Seasonal Greetings...Happy 2005
... Have a Happy Year - Gaurabda 518

Prasadam Recipes: To slake the thirst of body, mind & soul
... some really useful Vege links and support
... inspiring Vegetarian articles
... Eggless cooking - baking - cakes
... Vegetarian Cheeses - new page (try the Tuxford range...)(updated August 2004)
... Vegetarian clubs
... Hare Krishna Food For Life - local and international food relief
... check out the new Ekadasi recipes link
... 101 reasons to be a vegetarian
... Meat substitutes - Tofu - Soy - TVP - tempe recipes
... White Sugar free from bone char in NZ
... FREE Meet your Meat CDRoms
... How to offer your food to God
... You mean that's in the Bible?
... visit our Vegetarianism and Beyond Award winning web-site
... Kurma's new web-site
... The Meatrix
... Holiday Season & Xmas survival recipes

Krishna conscious - Vedikly acceptable jokes:
... cut loose have a laugh
... serious therapy in humour !!!
... did U ever wonder -  Ways of the world - Strange but true

Thanx 2 our sponsors and supporters:
... sponsorship and support
... add or remove - sub or unsub
... HELP !!!
... donations welcome

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:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2001-2002.htm
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2002-2003.html
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2003-2004.html
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2004-2005.html
Vaishnava Calendar for 2005-2006????
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2005-2006.html
(some selected locations are available already below)

The present year's calendar:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2004-2005.html

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

Sri Srivas Pandit - Appearance  - Avirbhav

Fasting for Fasting for Papamocani Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 5th April 2005  in NZ)

Sri Govinda Ghosa - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

9th April 2005 - Amavasya - Hybrid Solar Eclipse (do not cook, eat, etc. Only Chant Hare Krishna) see eclipses-page

Sripad Ramanujacarya - Appearance

Mesa Sankranti (Sun enters Aries)

Beginning of Shalagram and Tulsi Jala Dan

Sri Rama Navami: Appearance of  Lord Ramacandra (Fasting till sunset) (18th April 2005 in NZ)

Fasting for Fasting for Kamada Ekadasi- (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 20th April 2005  in NZ)

Damanaka-ropana dvadasi

Sri Balarama Rasayatra

Sri Krsna Vasanta Rasa

Sri Vamsivadana Thakur - Appearance  - Avirbhav

Sri Syamananda Prabhu - Appearance  - Avirbhav

24th April 2005 - Purnima - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse (do not cook, eat, etc. Only Chant Hare Krishna) see eclipses-page

Sri Abhiram Thakur - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

1st Sunday in May = 1st May 2005 - Mother's Day (NZ, Aus, USA, UK)

Srila Vrindavana Das Thakur - Disappearance  - Tirubhav

Fasting for Fasting for Varuthini Ekadasi- (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 4th May 2005  in NZ)

This year's also now available for viewing:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2004-2005.html

All Calender information HERE
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)
Find out about Dwadasi and Mahadwadasi here:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/dvadasi.htm

NEW EKADASI RECIPES:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/ekadasi-page.htm

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

Download yourVaishnava Calendar and make a hard copy for this
last year's ( 2003-2004 AD - 517 Gaurabda ) from our site:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2003-2004.html

This present year ( 2004-2005 AD - 518 Gaurabda ) from our site:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2004-2005.html

Vaishnava Calendar for 2005-2006????
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2005-2006.html

Vaishnava Calendar Program Vcal 4.01 FREE Download, and make your own Calendar for 2004-2005:
http://www.iskcon.org/calendar/vcal401.zip

or if you can't do that and you'd like a 2004-2005 Calendar for your longitude, latitude and time zone ANYWHERE in the world I can do that for you and e-mail it to you - FREE    Vaishnava Calendar Software 4.01

MAKE YOUR OWN CALENDAR FOR YOUR LOCATION,
no more dodgy calendars/panchangas/panjikas from India

...some already made for you http://www.hknet.org.nz/Cals2005-2006-World.html

Vaishnava Calendar maker for your region - on-line:
http://www.iskcondc.org/cgi-bin/vcalndx.pl

Astrologically/Astronomically Accurate and FREE

Please download the software from:
http://www.iskcon.org/calendar/vcal401.zip

How to use the VCAL calendar program:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/VcalHow2use.html

mailto:jtcd@xtra.co.nz

Vaishnava Calendar maker for your region - on-line:
http://www.iskcondc.org/cgi-bin/vcalndx.pl

Free Vaisnava Calendar Email Reminder Service
Website URL:  http://www.vaisnavacalendar.info

New service just launched - a Free Vaisnava Calendar Email Reminder Service (BETA) where devotees can sign up and receive automated location sensitive reminders of ekadasi's, festivals, appearance and disappearance days via email.

Festivals on the Vrindavan Calendar
http://www.naturalnirvana.com/Braja-Mandala/Braja-Mandal-Files/Braja-Vrindavan-Festivals.htm

Time Zones and Countries World-wide:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

Here's a few Vaishnava Calendar locations around the World friends asked for us to post !!

Newsletters:
Do you get the Hare Krishna Newsletter from Auckland?
If not send a message to Mother Madri to add yourself to their list:
mailto:madri@pamho.net
mailto:harekrishnanews_auck-owner@yahoogroups.com

See Auckland's latest newsletter HERE:

Christchurch Temple Times:
mailto:nitail@zfree.co.nz

Wellington Temple Newsletter:
mailto:jagjeevandas.mvgm@paradise.net.nz

Gaura Yoga Centre (Wellington) newsletter:
mailto:gaurayoga-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

...and across the ditch in Aus': 
Brisbane temple newsletter
to subscribe - mailto:brisbane@pamho.net

Melbourne Temple F.O.L.K. News Daily Newsletter/diatrobe:
http://anitest.manilasites.com/

Sydney Temple Newsletter:
http://www.iskcon.com.au/Mailing_list.html

Other Journals, Newsletters, & KC Blogs:
Aisvarya prabhu's blog:
http://www.livejournal.com/~icemonger/

Aniruddha's blog:
http://www.iskcon.net.au/aniruddha/

Ekendra's Mrdanga
http://www.gopinatha.net/journalKC/index.php
This is my new journal where I hope to contribute something worth reading to the world. The inspiration for this comes from Nectar of Devotion wherein it is stated that to reveal one's mind in confidence is one of the loving exchanges between Vaisnavas. Ekendra dasa.

The Conch newsletter - Radha Giridhari temple Auckland
http://www.hknet.org.nz/TheConch-newsletter.html
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.

From the virtual pen of Sita-pati dasa http://blog.worldsankirtan.net/sitapati/
News and views from Sita-pati dasa in Brisbane Australia.

The International Society for Education in Krsna Consciousness http://www.isekc.com/ has a Blog called Vaishnava Sanga which one can access from the ISEKC home page.

News stories, articles, comment, insights, features, and Vaisnava perspectives available on-line from http://www.iskcon.com/new/

Mahakarta Dasa (Prabhupada's disciple) is the temple president of ISKCON Sri Lanka, and he is the coordinator of this Food for life relief program for the tsunami victims.
    The program started from 31st December 2004. The Temple President has gone to Trincomalee (worst affected area) this morning to directly supervise the program with some congregational devotees where prasadam will be cooked and distributed to the victims, beginning from 5000 plates per day and increasing rapidly to 20,000. We are starting from Trincomalee and it is the worst affected area in Sri Lanka.

The rate of prasadam distribution is now more than 30,000 per day, providing cooked meals and fresh drinking water as well as some medical aide http://www.ffl.org  See other articles in this issue.

This food for life program will continue for a long period and the program will expand to the other affected areas in the country and for this your help is very much needed.

Sri Lanka was among the worst affected by the recent earthquake in Sumatra (Indonesia) and the subsequent tidal wave which has affected many countries in this region. The tide was 40ft high. In the recent news this morning, the death rate has increased to more than 25000 and many thousands are still missing. Over a million are refugees. The refugees have taken shelter in hospitals, schools and temples. Hospitals have been washed out along with the patients and doctors. To continue this, we need assistance and we have to also go to different affected areas. Another rising problem is the thousands of orphans.

His Holiness Indradyumna swami and over 45 other Iskcon devotees are now in the area feeding over 30,000 prasadam meals a day and helping to heal the disrupted lives of the orphans.

So the food for life project by ISKCON (Sri Lanka) should provide a minimum of at least ten thousand plate per day or it will be insufficient for the victims.

How to donate

100% of the donations will be given to the tsunami victims. We will also supply medical items, sleeping mats, bed sheets etc as we receive.

We need assistance from you also for this humanitarian service. Please donate generously for this cause and inform your friends to donate for this purpose. Contact us for further information.

Mahakarta Dasa (Prabhupada's disciple) is the temple president of ISKCON Sri Lanka, and he is the coordinator of this relief program for the tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.

We are the only authorized ISKCON center in Sri Lanka :

Address:  Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple (ISKCON Sri Lanka)
               188, new chetty street,
               Colombo 13
               Sri Lanka

e-mail: iskcon@slt.lk
phone: (00941) 2433325
fax: (00941) 2471099

GBC: H.H.Jayapataka Swami
Co GBC: H.H.Bhanu Swami

Your donations could be sent by draft/cheque/ money order on behalf of the ISKCON account mentioned below to the ISKCON Sri Lanka address:

ISKCON Sri Lanka, 188, New chetty street, Colombo 13, Sri Lanka

Bank account name: ISKCON
Account no: 1050669901
Bank name and address: Commercial bank company Ltd
Kotahena branch
Colombo 13
Sri Lanka

Or,

If you deposit the cheques or drafts in any bank of your country (eg. western union) it will be transferred to the bank here.

Or,

If you wish to send the money through your credit card, you could also do that the same precedure via the bank in your country directing it to the ISKCON account here in sri lanka.

But you should mention the bank and the branch name and address where the money is to be transferred.

Please contact us via email for further information.

Thanking you
Your humble servant
Nandarani dd
Secretary
ISKCON Sri Lanka

Festivals Coming Soon

Appearance Day of Srila Advaita Acharya  - 15th February in NZ

Varaha Dwadasi - Monday 21st February in NZ
Appearance Day of Lord Varahadeva

Sri Nityananda Trayodasi - 22nd February in NZ
Appearance Day of Lord Nityananda

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada's Appearance Day
1st March in NZ

Srila Gour Govinda maharaj's Disappearance Day (1996)

Shivaratri - Appearance Day of Lord Shiva

Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami's Disappearance Day (1946 - 2002)

Sri Gaura Purnima - Advent of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
26th March in NZ

Sri Ramanavami - Appearance Day of Sri Ramachandra Bhagavan
30th March in NZ

Disappearance Day of Jayananda dasa Adhikari

Sri Nrsimha Chaturdasi - Appearance Day of Lord Narasimhadev

See you local temple to find out what's going on in your area and how to be part of it......


Visit Your Local Hare Krishna Temple
See a full NZ list of contacts HERE under Communities:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/index.htm

See the Kiwi yatra HERE:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/NZKiwi-yatra.html

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

International here:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/index-int.htm

Iskcon World-wide @ a centre near you:
http://www.iskcon.com/worldwide/centres/index.html

Words of Wisdom - Shastra & Shastrakaras speak

For Books and shastra downloads see Main Index, under Books:
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

The Complete Works of Srila Prabhupada
All the books, the letters and conversations at your fingertips

Requirements: DOS or Windows, 173 MB free disk space, 286 PC or better.
http://wald.heim.at/sherwood/530002/

Srila Prabhupada's Audio lectures to listen to on-line:
http://www.hare-krishna.org/srila-prabhupada-lectures.htm

Listen to Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on-line - all 900 of his lectures are available HERE:
http://www.prabhupadavani.org/

Srimad Bhagavatam - the entire lecture series listen and read along on-line - Narrated by Amala Bhakta dasa:
http://www.prabhupadavani.org/SB_index.html

All Srila Prabhupada's books and more on one disk
http://www.vedabase.com

Visit "Prabhupada Connect" for all manner of Prabhupad Nectar:
http://www.prabhupadaconnect.com/Index.html

Download all the Hare Krsna teachings which includes all Vaisnava and
Vedic concepts by visiting one of the sites listed at the following address.
http://www.geocities.com/suci123/bookdownloadsites1.html


33 Books Online Including Srimad Bhagavatam!
http://www.geocities.com/freeprabhupadabooks

Download or Listen to Prabhupad Bhajans HERE:
http://www.prabhupadavani.org/web/text/Bhajans.html

On-line 1972 McMillan edition - Bhagavad Gita As It Is:
http://www.asitis.com/

Bhagavad Gita AS IT IS on-line through the Tirupathi Balaji site:
http://www.bhagavad-gita.us/

Bhagavad Gita Study guide on-line book:
http://chantandbehappy.com/gita/studyguide/StudyGuide-main.htm

Bhagavad Gita Study guides by numerous Iskcon devotees - FREE downloads:
http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/library/#3

All the Scriptures you'd ever need 4 FREE
http://www.hknet.org.nz/index-books.htm
http://www.hknet.org.nz/DDB.htm
http://www.hknet.org.nz/DDB2.html

last updated 4th August 2003

Srimad Bhagavad Gita AS IT IS

Bhagavad Gita:  Chapter 2 - Contents of the Gita Summarized

                               TEXT 60

                         yatato hy api kaunteya
                          purusasya vipascitah
                          indriyani pramathini
                         haranti prasabham manah

   WORD FOR WORD
   yatatah--while endeavoring; hi--certainly; api--in spite of; kaunteya--O son of Kunti; purusasya--of a man; vipascitah--full of discriminating knowledge; indriyani--the senses; pramathini--agitating; haranti--throw; prasabham--by force; manah--the mind.

TRANSLATION
   The senses are so strong and impetuous, O Arjuna, that they forcibly carry away the mind even of a man of discrimination who is endeavoring to control them.

PURPORT by HDG Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad:
   There are many learned sages, philosophers and transcendentalists who try to conquer the senses, but in spite of their endeavors, even the greatest of them sometimes fall victim to material sense enjoyment due to the agitated mind. Even Visvamitra, a great sage and perfect yogi, was misled by Menaka into sex enjoyment, although the yogi was endeavoring for sense control with severe types of penance and yoga practice. And, of course, there are so many similar instances in the history of the world. Therefore, it is very difficult to control the mind and senses without being fully Krsna conscious. Without engaging the mind in Krsna, one cannot cease such material engagements. A practical example is given by Sri Yamunacarya, a great saint and devotee, who says:

                 yad-avadhi mama cetah krsna-padaravinde
               nava-nava-rasa-dhamany udyatam rantum asit
                 tad-avadhi bata nari-sangame smaryamane
               bhavati mukha-vikarah susthu nisthivanam ca

   "Since my mind has been engaged in the service of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, and I have been enjoying an ever new transcendental humor, whenever I think of sex life with a woman, my face at once turns from it, and I spit at the thought."

   Krsna consciousness is such a transcendentally nice thing that automatically material enjoyment becomes distasteful. It is as if a hungry man had satisfied his hunger by a sufficient quantity of nutritious eatables. Maharaja Ambarisa also conquered a great yogi, Durvasa Muni, simply because his mind was engaged in Krsna consciousness (sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayor vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane).

 - His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

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/

View our Bhagavad Gita Overview:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/BG.html

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

Archive: http://www.cs.rice.edu/~vivek/btg/archive/
Home Page: http://www.cs.rice.edu/~vivek/btg/

Join Bhagavad Gita eGroups HERE
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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...)

Patience and tolerance

Almost Everyday, Haridasa Prabhu too would go to the city to make members and collect donations. One evening, after a long, hard day in the city. Haridasa returned to Juhu. Unfortunately nobody had saved prasada for him.
Frustrated and upset, Haridasa went upstairs to see Srila Prabhupada. He went into Srila Prabhupada's room, threw his beads on Srila Prabhupada's desk, and told Srila Prabhupada, "I quit."
"What happened?"
"I went out all day to make life members and no one was interested."
"Don't worry," Srila Prabhupada replied. "Just be patient. When the new temple opens, people will stand in queue to become life members."
Then Haridasa began to complain about the foreign devotees, how he was going out to preach all day and they didn't even save prasada for him. Prabhupada replied, "Practically only they have come forward to help me. They are giving service, so we have to tolerate. Sometimes when you go to milk a cow, the cow kicks you - but you tolerate, because you want the milk."

- 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.

"Go To The Dogs Or Gita"
 Morning Talk -- April 25, 1977, Bombay

Listen to the entire lecture on-line:
http://prabhupadavani.org/Conversations/RAMfiles_CNV/CNV071.ram

Prabhupada: ...said that "This is our mission. Now whether you'll cooperate?" We cannot make any compromise. [break]
Tamala Krsna: He's going to have to hold regular kirtanas and arati.
Prabhupada: You have to teach them. But so far the young boys who were there, they were very much impressed.
Tamala Krsna: But they won't change their lives, I'm sure. They...
Prabhupada: Why not?
Tamala Krsna: They're impressed to the point of hearing, let's say, yes.
Prabhupada: If they hear more, they'll change.
Tamala Krsna: Yeah. It's just that I... You know, from our experience here in India, practically the only place that we've made devotees regularly is in Bengal. Other than there, we have not been able to make people give up their ways.
Prabhupada: Why don't you say that "We could not preach"?
Tamala Krsna: Yeah, it's our own fault.
Prabhupada: Why do you blame the other party?
Tamala Krsna: Yes, it's our own fault.
Prabhupada: It is preaching. Preaching means to make Jagai-Madhai a devotee. That is preaching. Simply talking big, big words...
Tamala Krsna: So I'm enthusiastic to go there and to try and get these people to be devotees. I mean, I'm enthusiastic to do that. I'm just... I know that in order for it to work, they have to take it themselves. That...
Prabhupada: Otherwise it is not possible.
Tamala Krsna: No. That was my only point.
Prabhupada: Yes. Where we shall get men?
Tamala Krsna: No, that's the one thing we cannot...
Prabhupada: That I have already clearly said.
Tamala Krsna: But I'm very keen to go there and to associate with the workers there, teach them as much as...
Prabhupada: I am also going there for that. Otherwise...
Tamala Krsna: I think it's a real good challenge. I mean, I feel it's a nice challenge.
Prabhupada: Now the... We can see practically how the system of civilization is bad, that this Indira Gandhi, raksasi, she became exalted in the topmost rank, and she thought... A person who is equally good or more than her, he was imprisoned. Then how the system is bad, that a rogue comes to the topmost post and a good man is put into the prison? Is not the system defective? Imperfect? Some way or other, you can become very important, and the actually important man you can cut down.

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

"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

By popular demand - Looking for a devotee husband or wife?
&
Marriage Synastry

Devotee Meeting-Place Web site - FREE Service:
http://www.angelfire.com/ab7/devoteesmeet/home.html 

or HERE

BHAKTI YOGA SINGLES:
This list is for Bhakti Yoga singles. Those who practice Bhakti Yoga are known as Vaisnavas.
This list is therefore called Vaisnava Singles.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vaisnavasingles

Post a Message: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vaisnavasingles/post

Vegetarian Singles:
This list is for vegetarian singles. I know it can be difficult to get to know someone. There may not be anyone who can help us to get to know that special someone. We've got the computer now. So signup and start letting people know you're lonely.
Don't keep it a secret any longer.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vegetariansingles

Post a Message:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vegetariansingles/post

Post your singles ads here.
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/devoteesingles

.....think you've found someone special......
Marriage Compatibility Checking - Synastry

For marriage compatibility analysis bookings
http://www.hknet.org.nz/3-synastry.html

For more information about the system of analysis - the Vedik Kuta system
http://www.hknet.org.nz/synastry9page.htm

For more information about Vedik Marriage Compatibility
http://www.hknet.org.nz/MarriageSynastry4U.html

......and the process of Vaishnava Vivaha - sacred marriage

Gurukuli.com
A positive, safe environment to meet and chat
http://youth.rupa.com

BRITish CREW - Gurukuli forum
http://britcrew.com

Young F.O.L.K. 
Young Friends Of Lord Krishna
 http://www.hknet.org.nz/YoungFOLK.htm

ete cäàça-kaläù puàsaù
kåñëas tu bhagavän svayam
indräri-vyäkulaà lokaà
måòayanti yuge yuge

“All the lists of the incarnations of Godhead submitted herewith are either plenary expansions or parts of the plenary expansions of the Supreme Godhead, but Kåñëa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.28)

rämädi-mürtiñu kalä-niyamena tiñöhan
nänävatäram akarod bhuvaneñu kintu
kåñëaù svayaà samabhavat paramaù pumän yo
govindam ädi-puruñaà tam ahaà bhajämi

“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

Mail box full - over quota - newsletters bouncing.......

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

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

Indradyumna Swami from food distribution in Sri Lankha
http://blog.world-sankirtan.net/IDS/

Silver lining in a dark cloud:

January 2005 - Sri Lanka

I have been quite moved by what I have seen and experianced during my two weeks of disaster relief work here in Sri Lanka. I have travelled the world as a monk ( sannyasi ) for 35 years and have seen many disturbing situations; war in Grozny, the aftermath of war in Sarajevo, hunger in Sudan. But to echo the recent words of Colin Powell, I have never seen anything as devastating as the tsunami disaster here in Sri Lanka.

I traveled along the coast from Colombo to Galle yesterday and saw devastation worse than war. Whole villages had disappeared. Hardly a home was left standing. Bridges were destroyed, train tracks uprooted. Everything was rubble - for hundred of kilometers. I was stunned by the force of the Tsunami wave.

Myself and party were going to do food relief in the refugee camps. When we arrived the army assisted us. However, I soon saw that the refugees, for the most part, were not hungry. Soon after the disaster the government, aided by generous donations from around the world, had began providing food for the victims of the tragedy. I inquired further and learned that there is no scarcity of food in any of the refugee camps throughout the country.

Neither have there been any epidemics. There are medical personel available in all refugee camps.

I must say that it is a credit to the people of the world, who reacted so swiftly and with such generosity, that hunger and disease have been avoided here in Sri Lanka. I have heard that the situation is the same in the other 10 countries affected by the Tsunami. It is wonderful that so many barriers have been broken down ( at least temporarily ) as a result of the disaster. I believe it is unprecedented. If only such sentiments of cooperation could continue in the world. History has shown they often don’t.

I believe the real issue now at hand - as regards relief work - is the many orphaned children in this country. Personally, I am redirecting ISKCON’s efforts here from food relief, to taking care of orphaned children. It simply breaks my heart to see them crying in the refugee camps.

Here in Colombo, our local Hare Krsna temple runs a successful orphanage with 100 children. My efforts will now be to raise funds to expand that orphange so that it can accept another 100 children whose parents died in the disaster. I will even request the orphanage to take several children I have personally met in my travels; kids whose big eyes, sad faces and desire for love have captured my heart.

I am not sure what the media is reporting these days, as I have no access to television. But I have been to the ravaged coast and cried my tears of sympathy for the dead, the dying and the injured. I have walked through the refugee camps, spoken to the people, heard their stories and given them my shoulder to lean on. And significantly, I seen first hand the result of unprecedented world sympathy for the victims. People are being taken care of - as best one can under such circumstances. Food is here, medicine is here and homes are slowly being built for the people to return to. Of course, no one can replace their loved ones. And only time may help them to recover from the trauma they experienced.

I am leaving here soon. I will take with me an enduring impression of the cruel face that material nature sometimes shows, but the assurance that sometimes, if ever so rarely, the human race can work together in a spirit of love to help each other. This can only be God’s grace.

Yours,
Indradyumna Swami

PS If you would like to assist in some way you are welcome to donate directly to our ISKCON Colombo Temple. For more information write to mailto:iskconsrilanka@pamho.net

click here to enter the FFL newsletter site

Reporting from Colombo, Sri Lanka

Serving Food "Military-style"

On Saturday we traveled down South to meet our food relief team in Matara. On the way we witnessed the incredible scale of the destruction as literally hundreds of miles of coastlines was wiped out. At one point we stopped to view a train that had been hit by the wave. As I surveyed the area I came across hundreds of personal items, including a child's shoe. Nothing more needs to said.

Our team in Matara have been cooperating with the Sri Lankan military to provide hot meals to various refugee camps in the area. The people down here have a very particular taste -- they love chilies, salt and loads of rice cooked a very particular way. So our team made the adjustments and began serving thousands of meals daily. The other unique feature of this program was how the meals were served. Rather then sit everyone down or have everyone line up in front of our pots, the local soldiers and some villagers helped us to scoop the rice, dhal and vegetable curry into plastic wrap and then package them with newspaper.

Major General Kulatunga told me, "this is military style." And I must say it was very efficient under the circumstances. The meals stayed hot for a long time while we traveled to each refugee camp to distribute them.

Food for Life Relief Coordinator, Indradyumna Swami (Maharaja) meets with Major General Kulatunga in Matara. 

Afterwards we gave out Food for Life Volunteer T-shirts to all the children that helped us. Talk about enthusiasm, the kids swarmed us like a Rugby scrum pleading for one of our bright yellow t-shirts.

The next day the military suggested we move our operations to more needy areas on the island. We had to agree, it was becoming clear now that the military had done an excellent job of providing food for these camps. Food for Life was instrumental in making sure no one went hungry during the early stages of the relief, but it was time now to move on. Our team packed up, loaded the truck with our rice and headed back to Colombo. Next stop, Batticaloa, on the far east side of the Island and one of the hardest hit areas, where we will join our other relief team.

Since the beginning days of the Tsunami relief, Food for Life has been operating in the East in the main port of Trincomalee Our teams continues to provide much needed food and counseling in this area, and soon our team from the South will join them in the nearby city of Batticaloa. We expect to also close down these operations in one month as the situation continues to normalize and go from relief to reconstruction.

Food for Life Action Shots

Many villagers like this man lost everything. Food for Life's hot meal was greatly appreciated. Vaikuntha Vijay stirs the huge 200 gallon pot used to cook the vegetable stew. Volunteers place the cooked meal into plastic wrap and then newspaper to be handed out later at the relief camps.

Foundation Laid for New Orphanage Buildings

Children at the orphanage offer pranams and song to the visiting dignitaries. 

On Monday, local representatives from the United Nations and Lions Club joined other local dignitaries in the inauguration of the construction of new buildings at the Bhaktivedanta Children's Home (Orphanage). Mr. Mahakarta Das, the director of Food for Life in Sri Lanka, greeted the dignitaries and thanked them for their ongoing support for the project. The Lions Club recently donated $30,000 towards the expansion.

The children looked very happy and healthy as usual and entertained the crowd with singing. The facility currently cares for 80 orphan children but the new expansion will enable 170 more children, of which 100 will be Tsunami orphans. See: http://www.gokulam.org/

Fund Raising Office in Colombo

Sita Devi, the youngest and most popular orphan at the Bhaktivedanta Children's school

As mentioned in our last newsletter, Food for Life Global is planning to finance the expansion of the Bhaktivedanta Children's Home (orphanage) by gifting a major portion of the Tsunami relief donations we received over the last month and also setting up a fund raising office in Colombo.

Already some volunteers from abroad have expressed interest in helping Food for Life Global in this endeavor. Two in particular have experience in film production and have offered to produce a documentary on the orphanage.

We are all very excited about the potential of this orphanage and are confident that many people will step forward to help the Bhaktivedanta Children's Home to realize its dream of creating a haven for 250 needy orphans.

Food for Life Global will soon be setting up an "Orphan Sponsorship" program and posting details on our website. Yesterday we had a professional photographer take a photo of the beautiful children who range from 2 to 18 years of age.

The Future of the Children

Food for Life volunteer, Devala das, comforts the children at the orphanage.

As with every shelter program like an orphanage, at some point in time the child has to stand on its own and start a life independent of the orphanage. The thought of this however has been worrying Mr. Mahakarta das, as to the best way to do that. We discussed at length possible transition initiatives and a couple of interesting ideas came up. I want to share them with you and get your feedback.

One idea would be for the Orphanage to start its own set of cottage industries, whereby the older orphans could be trained by local professionals in building a business that could give back to the orphanage. They could earn a living and at the same time be participating in a business that could support the orphanage.

Another idea I felt had a lot merit, would be to start a Children's Home Food for Life service and engage the elder orphan children in distributing free meals to the needy. In this way, the program could not only help the poor, but would be very therapeutic as the children reach out to other less fortunate people.

Volunteer Coordinator Urgently Needed

Food for Life Global continues to receive applications from volunteers wishing to assist FFL in its worldwide projects. We desperately need the expert help of an experienced Volunteer Coordinator. The ideal person needs to have the following qualifications:

Familiarity with Food for Life projects
Familiarity with ISKCON
Vegetarian
Enthusiastic, determined and straight-forward in dealings
Able to communicate with a wide range of personality types
Can work virtually as well as on-site when needed
Good team player
Ability to "Rally the troops" and inspire people

If you or someone you know possess these traits, first I would like to say "Wow" and then ask that you please write to us with references to volunteer@ffl.org

Food for Life volunteers (left to right) Vaikuntha, Jake From and Ursula Kreb cut potatoes. Food for Life Relief Team in Matara, Sri Lanka

How to Contact Food for Life Global in Sri Lanka

The Food for Life base camp is situated at:
ISKCON
188, New Chetty Street,
Colombo 13
Sri Lanka

Bhaktivedanta Children's Home
http://www.gokulam.org/

email: iskcon@slt.lk
Office phone: +94 11 2433325
fax:+94 11 2471099
Paul Turner Cell: 94 77 302 0495

Volunteering Offshore

Food for Life is encouraging people to give their time in their local area to help raise awareness of FFL's activities and thus raise much needed money. Many students have emailed to ask if they can organize a fundraising drive at their campus. The answer is a resounding "Yes." Please help in whatever way you can, whether it is selling t-shirts, approaching your local businesses, or writing an article. We just ask that you keep Food for Life Global informed of all your activities.

Poster - Please Distribute

Please print and post this new poster around your city. You can also print this flyer and place it in vegetarian restaurants or hand them out at your church or shopping center.

For the webmasters among you, we humbly ask that you place one of these banners on your web site with a link to our home page (www.ffl.org).

Donations by Check

Send to:
Food for Life Global
PO Box 59037
Potomac, MD 20859, USA

All donations are tax deductible.

Where You Can Donate

JustGive and Network for Good, both of which are prominently displaying Food for Life on their hunger relief pages and of course at the FFL web site using PayPal. (Note: PayPal does extract a very small percentage of the donated money for transaction fees. Typically $3 for a $100 donation).

Thank you for your friendship.

On behalf of all the Food for Life volunteers, we hope this meets you in the best of health and happiness.

The Food for Life Global Friends Newsletter is distributed to more than 20,000 vegans and vegetarians worldwide.

Paul Rodney Turner (Priyavrata das)

Food for Life Global
PO Box 59037
Potomac, MD 20859, USA
phone: (571) 277-2329
http://www.ffl.org  Go to FFL web site
SUPPORT Food for Life

Diary of a Traveling Preacher
(HH Indradyumna Swami)

Volume 6, Chapter 3

January 12 - 20, 2005

"When Will It End?"

 As my flight made its descent towards Colombo, the capitol of Sri Lanka, I gazed out at the tropical scenery below. Sri Lanka looked much the exotic land described in the in-flight magazine. It seemed all the more so when, after landing, I drove into the city with the local ISKCON temple president, Mahakarta das. The humidity, the endless array of rich green foliage, the luxuriant swirls of the Sinhalese alphabet, the multi-colored Buddhist flags and the variety of fruits on sale all made for what seemed a paradise. Indeed, Marco Polo described Sri Lanka as the finest island of its size in  the world.

But like anywhere in the material world, Sri Lanka also has had its fair share of misery, which recent events have only confirmed. Just two weeks before I had arrived, a tsunami, a 10m wall of water created by an undersea earthquake thousands of miles away, ravaged much of the country's beautiful 1,340km coastline.

I had come to assist local devotees in the relief effort, not to enjoy the beauty of the island, which attracts an annual 400,000 tourists. As we stepped out of the car and into our small temple in the center of the city, Mahakarta said, "Since the tsunami hit we have been distributing prasadam in several towns along the coast. But it's presently beyond our capacity to reach out effectively to the many victims of the catastrophe."

"How many people have been affected?" I inquired.

"More than 33,000 have died," Mahakarta replied, "and 835,000 have been made homeless, mainly in the southern and eastern coastal regions. The United Nations and numerous humanitarian organizations are working to give food, shelter and badly needed supplies in these districts, but relations between the Sinhalese government and the Tamil Tiger rebels is hampering aid distribution to some areas."

Researching Sri Lanka before arriving, I had an idea of the political situation. For more than 30 years the country has been embroiled in a civil war between the minority (18%) Tamils in the north and the majority (74%) Sinhalese in the south. More than 60,000 people had died until a ceasefire was agreed in 2002. The fragile truce has been threatened, however, due to Tamil disatisfaction with alleged inaction over their demands for autonomy.

The tension evaporated with the tsunami. Although bickering broke out when the government was accused of giving more foreign aid to the Sinhalese, both sides are now preoccupied with burying their dead and caring for the survivors.

"We have to increase our prasadam distribution," Mahakarta said. "Donors are sending a lot of funds."

I agreed, but I was at a loss how to begin. Many relief organizations were already at work and the government had recently complained that some of the smaller groups were actually getting in the way. As destroyed roads were repaired and washed-out bridges rebuilt, tons of supplies were being shipped into the affected areas. Army personnel and doctors from around the world were setting up camps along the coast to help victims. Those that survived the tragedy were temporarily being moved into schools, sports stadiums, government buildings, or tents. Plans were already under way for the reconstruction of villages. But a law was quickly passed that no structures could be built within 500m of the shoreline - a precaution against future tsunamis.

It wouldn't be easy to just jump into such a professional, well coordinated operation. It couldn't be the usual American Food for Life program of driving to a downtown area and feeding the homeless. In Sri Lanka we would be working in a disaster zone.

I phoned Priyavrata dasa, director of Food for Life Global in America. Together we came up with the idea of calling the Red Cross and offering our help. It seemed wise to join in already-successful efforts. I could understand that we weren't the first to offer help when the Red Cross secretary on the phone asked, "What particular contribution does your organization have to offer, Sir?"

I had to think quickly. "We're prepared to cook and distribute hot meals, Ma'am."

There was a short pause, then the secretary said, "Give me your number and I'll call you back in an hour."

Forty-five minutes later my cell-phone rang and the secretary said, "I have made an appointment for you with the president's secretary at 4pm today."

"The presidential secretary of the Red Cross?" I queried.

"No, Sir, with the secretary of the President of Sri Lanka."

"Oh, yes, of course," I replied, trying to hold back my excitement.

That afternoon, accompanied by Mahakarta das, I met the president's secretary, Mr Krishnan. Needless to say, he was a little surprised when we entered his office in our robes.

Standing up and shaking my hand, he said, "I am in charge of organizing the present relief work in our country. I am dealing with the main disaster relief organizations, such as Oxfam, Care, Red Cross, Medicine sans Frontier, UNICEF, etc."

Squinting at me, he said, "Which organization do you represent?"

"Food for Life - Global," I replied. "A branch of the International Society for Krsna consciousness."

"Food for Life - Global?" he said.

Again I had to think quickly. Seeing a computer on his desk, I said, "Yes, Sir. Please look at our website: http://www.FFL.org."

He typed in the address, and when the website came up he studied it carefully.

"I see," he said after a few minutes. "Very impressive. So your people can distribute hot meals to the victims of the tsunami?"

"Yes, Sir. We're experienced in the matter. It's vegetarian food - no meat, fish or eggs. Will people be inclined to eat that? I heard most of the tsunami victims were fishermen."

"For now it's not a problem," he replied. "At the moment, the fisherman are not eating fish because they say the fish are eating the dead bodies of their relatives washed out to sea by the tsunami."

"Oh, I see," I said grimmacing.

"How many can you feed daily?" he asked.

"Five thousand to begin with," I replied. "And more later."

He picked up the phone and dialed a number. My eyebrows went up as he began to speak.

"Major-General Kulatuga? This is the presidential secretary. I understand you need help with food relief in the Matara district. I have a group of people here who can cook and distribute food for 5,000 people a day. They can increase that number as the weeks go by. Are you interested?"

The reply must have been immediate, for Mr Krishnan said, "Yes, Sir, I'll send them down immediately to discuss the details with you."

Foreseeing that any relief work we would do in Sri Lanka would be a major operation, I had requested several devotees from my Polish festival tour to join me. Tara das and his fiancee, Radha Sakhi Vrnda dasi, flew from Greece where they were distributing books, Santi Parayana das and Rasamayi dasi came from Mayapura, Niti laksa das from London, and Laksminath das (who runs Food for Life in Durban, South Africa) also made the journey.  Dwijapriya dasi and her two sons, Dhruva and Devala, joined us from America.  With several of the men, we set out the next day in a van along the coastal road south towards the district of Matara, one of the worst affected areas.

The mood in the car was upbeat. Within 24 hours of arriving in the country we had met the president's secretary, who had given us government authorization to distribute food in a designated area, and we were about to meet the military to discuss the logistics of distributing food to refugees. The mood switched from upbeat to light when a devotee mentioned the bad weather in Europe and how we were in the tropics. But we were soon reminded that this material world is a fool's paradise at best.

Forty-five minutes into our journey we rounded a bend on the winding coast road. Suddenly all of us became silent. An entire village had been reduced to rubble. As our driver instinctively slowed down, we saw the destructive power of a tsunami. Not a house in the village was left standing, the entire place a pile of broken concrete, twisted steel, and splinters of glass and wood.

"My dear Lord!" one devotee exclaimed.

"I can't believe what I am seeing!" said another.

The worst thing I had ever seen was the destruction in Sarajevo, Bosnia, just after the end of the Balkan War. I thought I would never witness anything more terrible. An entire city had been ravaged. But as we drove through more villages and towns leveled by the tsunami, I realized it was unprecedented in recent history: 33,000 people had been killed in just under 30 seconds. That's how long it took the 10m wave, moving rapidly as it hit the shoreline, to devastate the villages. Witnessing it first hand certainly had a more pronounced effect on me than seeing it in the media.

As we continued driving my heart broke seeing people,  20 days after the tragedy, sitting dazed in the ruins of what used to be their homes or businesses. Some were crying. We passed one home that was partially standing. The facade of the house had been ripped away revealing several bedrooms. Inexplicably, despite the force of the tsunami, children's clothes were neatly folded on shelves in one room.

Mesmerized, I hadn't even taken my camera out to take pictures for an article I had been asked to write for Back to Godhead magazine. Grabbing the camera, I now clicked away kilometer after kilometer, trying to capture the destruction. Suddenly, I stopped the photographic frenzy and put the camera away. "There's no hurry, " I thought. "You'll be seeing scenes like this every day for the next month."

Every 2-3km I noticed fresh graves alongside the road. "There was no time to transport the bodies elsewhere," said our driver. "All of these roads were closed because of debris."

In some places we passed lines of survivors standing by the road. I inquiredfrom our driver what they were doing.

"They've lost everything," he said. "They're standing there hoping people will stop and give them anything - cooking utensils, clothes, toys, some comforting words."

Although Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita that a devotee does not lament for the living or the dead, at that moment I felt genuine saddness for those people. Unable to offer any practical assistance, I prayed to Srila Prabhupada that they would have the opportunity for devotional service, the panacea for all suffering in this material world.

Struggle for existence
 A Human race,
The only hope
 His Divine Grace.

[ From Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa-puja offering, 1932 ]

After three hours of driving past crumbled homes, smashed cars, upturned boats and piles of rubble with untold pieces of household paraphernalia, I couldn't watch any longer. I took out my Bhagavad-gita and began to read. I thought, "From this day on, if you entertain even the slightest desire to enjoy this world you're simply a fool and the greatest hypocrite."

While passing through one village, our driver said, "In this town 11,000 people died and 230 cars were washed out to sea."

I looked up briefly to see a little girl crying next to her mother on the steps of what must have been their home. I also noticed that the traffic was moving slowly. There was none of the usual speeding and passing cars, the sound of engines roaring and the continuous honking that one generally experiences on Asian roads. Seemingly out of respect for the tsunami victims - living and dead - the traffic moved at a funereal pace.

A slight respite came sometime later, just before we turned off the road towards the army camp. Looking up from my reading, I saw a large black dog sitting in the ruins of a decimated house. I had noticed very few animals along the coast. Obviously some had been swept away, while many seemed to have instinctively anticipated the tsunami and run in search of shelter. Somehow this dog had survived and looked quite well. I asked the driver to slow down and I called out "Hare Krsna!" to the animal. He heard me and ran excitedly towards the car. I waved as we passed him. A moment later I looked back and saw him sitting by the road wagging his tail - eyes still fixed on our car.

Somehow our little exchange in the midst of all the sorrow had encouraged us both. "In the worst of times," I thought, "a little love goes a long way."

A few minutes later we pulled into the army camp. The sergeant-at-arms was waiting for us and quickly escorted us into a room with a large oval table surrounded by 12 chairs. A few minutes later Major-General Kulatuga entered, accompanied by six of his staff. Like Mr Krishnan the day before, he looked surprised to see our robes. As we stood to greet him, I shook his hand and remained standing until he was seated.

The mood was formal as the Major-General began his briefing. Standing with stick in hand, he pointed to the wall full of maps and charts.

"Here in Matara district there are 1,342 confirmed deaths, 8,288 people injured, 613 missing and 7,390 families have lost their homes and are living in camps for displaced persons."

Turning around and looking at me, he said, "We prefer not to call them refugee camps." Then, with emotion in his voice, he continued, "They are our people, not refugees. Do you understand?"

With scenes of people sitting hopelessly in their devastated homes still fresh in my mind, I replied, "Yes, Sir. I do understand."

Still looking at me, he emphasised the need of the hour. "We are professional soldiers. We fought the Tamil Tigers for years. But now we are busy clearing the roads of debris, cleaning wells and repairing buildings."

"And we are here to help you," I said.

Pausing for a moment, and with less formality, he said, "Thank you."

Turning back to the maps and charts, he said, "Our priorities are reopening the hospitals and schools, rebuilding the bridges, and restoring communication. Seventy-five percent of all telecommunication, 80% of all contaminated water supplies, and 87% of electricity have been restored."

Looking at me again, he said, "Your contribution will be to feed the people in camps for displaced persons. Mr Krishnan told me you can provide hot meals. Is that correct?

"Affirmative, Sir."

Pausing again, he looked at me curiously and said, "You were a military man?"

"Yes, Sir," I said with emphasis, as a soldier does when addressing a superior officer.

Smiling, he nodded his head, obviously more comfortable with our cooperation.

"Now you will visit one of the camps so you can get an idea of what is happening." Turning to one of his staff he said, "Major Janaka, take them to Rahula College. I believe we have over a thousand displaced persons there."

Following in our van behind the Major and six armed soldiers in a truck, we drove for 30 minutes to the camp for displaced persons. Getting out of our vehicles, we walked into the camp and were immediately the object of everyone's attention. Due to the humidity, only the children were active. Most adults sat about talking in small groups. I noticed a huge pile of clothes on the campus lawn, obviously donations, through which several women were rummaging. There was an improvised medical clinic in one classroom, where three members of the Red Cross were attending to a few infants. Five army soldiers, obviously present at the camp for security, sat casually nearby.

It was a sober scene. Though the horror of the devastation was kilometers away on the beachfront, the reality that these people had lost family members, homes and professions was close at hand in the looks on their faces. When I smiled at one elderly couple sitting on the lawn, they stared back at me with no emotion. I saw many such people. Others expressed their loss when I spoke with them. The Major told me that most people in the camp had lost one or more relatives - and everyone had lost their home. Once again the magnitude of the tragedy hit me.

"You can cook over here," the Major said, pointing to a nearby shed. As we approached the site, I noticed a number of people cooking rice and subjis.

"Where are they getting their foodstuffs to cook?" I inquired from the Major.

"We are providing them," he replied.

I was a little surprised. "Is that the case with all the camps in this area?" I asked.

"Yes, it is."

"And throughout the country?" I inquired further.

"For the most part."

I was taken aback. The media in the West had given the impression that victims of the tsunami were in desperate need of food.

"I thought people here were hungry, Major."

"They were in the initial stages of the disaster - for the first week," he replied, "but we have things under control now. The world has given us ample food, medicine and other supplies."

"Then what part do we have to play?" I asked.

"You can take some of the burden. My men are overworked delivering supplies to the 35 camps in this region. We've been here for three weeks. All relief organizations have a part to play and every effort helps in serving the people who survived the tsunami."

As I reflected on his words, he stepped closer and said, "The government will be grateful for anything you can do, I assure you. "

I looked around and surveyed the camp again. "It's no small thing if the government acknowledges our support in relief work at this difficult time," I thought. "It will surely bear fruit in the future. And, what's more, we'll be distributing prasadam, the mercy of the Lord. Such mercy is the best of all forms of welfare."

Breaking my meditation, I shook his hand and said, "We'll play our part. We'll begin in three days."

Quickly jumping into our van, we headed back to Colombo to pick up the rest of the team and supplies. Making a quick calculation, I realised we'd require tons of rice, dhal and vegetables. I called Mr Krishnan and requested a large truck to carry the goods south. He replied it was ready anytime.

As we journeyed, I watched again in disbelief at the destruction. At one point we ran into a huge traffic jam. As we waited, our driver pointed to an  empty battered train with 15 coaches, standing still on the railway line just 30m away.

"That train was hit broadside by the tsunami," he said. "Over 1,000 people died. No one survived. They are still finding bodies in the area."

As I looked closer I could see men with white masks around their mouths and noses, digging in the mud nearby.

"The masks are for the stench of death," the driver said. "It's been almost three weeks and any corpses remaining are very deteriorated."

It was yet another stark reminder of the cruel face of material nature. I turned my eyes from the scene. I'd had enough for one day. Enough tales of death. Enough scenes of descruction. Enough of the tsunami.

"Move on!" I shouted at the driver as the traffic cleared.

He looked back at me.

"I'm sorry," I said. "It's been a difficult day."

As he accelerated, I thought, "Tomorrow will bring relief, for we'll begin distributing prasadam."

But just 2km down the road we witnessed yet another reminder of material existence: the aftermath of a head-on collision between two cars.

"Don't look," one devotee said turning from the scene.

"Don't worry, I won't," I replied as I closed my eyes and started to chant japa. "When will it end?" I thought.

It must have been only two minutes later that Krsna showed me the final and most painful lesson of the day. We rounded a bend and suddenly a dog ran into our path, pausing just 10m in front of our car. I immediately recognized it as the dog I had waved to earlier in the day.

"Watch out!" I yelled.

But the poor creature never had a chance. Just as he turned his face towards us, our van ploughed into him with a loud thud. Disappearing under the vehicle, I heard his body being crushed under the wheels. The driver had failed to slow down.

It was dusk, so no one saw the tear that glided down my face and dropped silently onto the floor of the van. But I guessed they could sense I was affected.

"It was just a dog," the driver said.

"He was more than that, " I said softly.  "He was a spark of life among all the death and destruction I saw today."

"The day's almost over, Maharaja," one devotee said.  "We'll be home soon."

"Yes," I said under my breath, "I want to go home, to the spiritual world, and never return to this world of birth and death."

etam sa asthaya paratma nistham
adhyasitam purvatamair maharsibhih
aham tarisyami duranta param
tamo mukundanghri nisevayaiva

"I shall cross over the insurmountable ocean of nescience by being firmly fixed in the service of the lotus feet of Krsna. This was approved by the previous acaryas, who were fixed in firm devotion to the Lord, Paramatma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

[Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.23. 57 - One of the sannyasa mantras given by the guru at the moment of initiation into the renounced order of life.]

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