Newsletter Number #150  ( Rama-navami - April 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
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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:
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 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

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:
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See Auckland's latest newsletter HERE:

Christchurch Temple Times:
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Wellington Temple Newsletter:
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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/

Bala Gopala's Mrdanga (formerly Ekendra's Mrdanga)
http://www.gopala.org/
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/

Vraj journal
http://www.vrajajournal.com/

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

Sri Rama Navami - Appearance Day of Lord Rama

Monday 18th April  2005 (in NZ)
Fasting till sunset

 http://www.hknet.org.nz/rama9.htm

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 64

                         raga-dvesa-vimuktais tu
                         visayan indriyais caran
                         atma-vasyair vidheyatma
                          prasadam adhigacchati

                             WORD FOR WORD
   raga--attachment; dvesa--and detachment; vimuktaih--by one who has become free from; tu--but; visayan--sense objects; indriyaih--by the senses; caran--acting upon; atma-vasyaih--under one's control; vidheya-atma--one who follows regulated freedom; prasadam--the mercy of the Lord; adhigacchati--attains.

                               TRANSLATION

   But a person free from all attachment and aversion and able to control his senses through regulative principles of freedom can obtain the complete mercy of the Lord.
 

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

   It is already explained that one may externally control the senses by some artificial process, but unless the senses are engaged in the transcendental service of the Lord, there is every chance of a fall. Although the person in full Krsna consciousness may apparently be on the sensual plane, because of his being Krsna conscious he has no attachment to sensual activities. The Krsna conscious person is concerned only with the satisfaction of Krsna, and nothing else. Therefore he is transcendental to all attachment and detachment. If Krsna wants, the devotee can do anything which is ordinarily undesirable; and if Krsna does not want, he shall not do that which he would have ordinarily done for his own satisfaction. Therefore to act or not to act is within his control because he acts only under the direction of Krsna. This consciousness is the causeless mercy of the Lord, which the devotee can achieve in spite of his being attached to the sensual platform.

 - 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
mailto:bhagavad_gita-owner@egroups.com

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...)

June 21

The following discussion took place between Srila Prabhupada and Satadhanya:
"How they say God does not exist? If they think God does not exist, then they can do as they like. But they cannot do anything they like; they are restricted in so many ways. So how they say God has no existence?"
"They say we have faith, but they don't have such faith."
"Faith or no faith, if a thief has faith in government or not, still he is beat with your shoes. Faith or no faith, you must abide by government's laws. So how they can say God does not exist?"
"They say we cannot see God."
"But they are controlled. If they say nature controls, not God. Nature, God, whatever you call it, they are controlled."
"Some scientists may concede God may exist."
"No question of may. He does!"
"They then say, 'All right, He is impersonal.'"
"How do they know? Everything they say is material; how can they say anything about spirit? So how they can say God doesn't exist?"
"Prabhupada, we cannot defeat you."
"How can you defeat me? I am sane and you are mad."
In this way, Srila Prabhupada challenged Satadhanya Maharaja: "How they can say God doesn't exist?"
Srila Prabhupada was appreciating the book distribution efforts of Ghanasyama in Yugoslavia. "My books are the real Communism. I am writing for the whole human society. My philosophy is to unite human society on the basis of Krsna consciousness. And that is actually happening. Why black man is working for me and white man also? How much potency he [Ghanasyama] has. Practically, he is preaching in the jungle; the people do not know the language and still persons gave standing orders. I never expected standing orders from the Communists. Now I can understand they have lost all sense, but still there is hope-Krsna consciousness."
"Srila Prabhupada, the whole world is expressing their indebtedness to you," I said.
"They must!" he replied. "I am giving real civilization. If they don't, they are ungrateful. There is no future hope for Western civilization. Hari-sauri's grandmother advised his mother to kill him. There is no culture, no God, no religion, no behavior; for women, no husband, no father, no son. From childhood to end of life, alone. And they declare independence! A woman alone is a prostitute. One of my Godbrothers' wife was an adulterer. When her son found her out, he said he would tell his father. So the mother poisoned him. And when the father found out his son was poisoned by his mother, he committed suicide. The only hope of Western civilization is to chant Hare Krsna. Otherwise, they are finished!"

- From the TKG's Diary by HH Tamal Krishna Goswami

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.

"Feeling Krishna's Presence"
Room Conversation With Three College Students -- July 11, 1973, London

Listen to the entire lecture on-line:
http://prabhupadavani.org/Conversations/RAMfiles_CNV/CNV061.ram

Student (1): Is that what you're trying to do in your movement?
Prabhupada: No, my movement... I am talking of yoga syst... What is my movement, that we shall discuss later on. First of all the question was the yoga. You asked me that. Yoga means to control the mind and the senses. So if one is not able to control the mind and senses, he does not know what is the meaning of yoga. That... You read Bhagavad-gita? Bring Bhagavad-gita.
Revatinandana: Do you understand the necessity of controlling the mind and the senses? Can you see why it is necessary?
Student (1): Yes. Sort of. Not to the full extent I don't see how it's necessary to a full extent, because I can't control the mind and senses.
Prabhupada: Hm. Call Pradyumna.
Student (1): Because I can't completely control my mind and senses.
Revatinandana: The thing that is covered when we are always acting on the sensual platform, agitated in the mind, is we do not experience our self, our eternal self, which doesn't change. We become locked on the temporary platform.
Student (1): In normal life, you mean? Most people, you're talking about.
Revatinandana: Yes. Because all of our attention is lodged in the mind and the senses, and we are lost to ourselves, so any kind of self-realization process means that you have to control the mind and senses or you cannot be self-situated. Beyond being situated in the self, there may be more, but that's the first point. That's the basic point of yoga.
Student (2): Where does Krsna fit into it? Where does Krsna fit into the yoga?
Revatinandana: He wants to know... If being self-situated is one thing, then where does Krsna enter into the system? That's his question.
Prabhupada: Self-situated. When you are self-situated... Just like in the water you are taking bath in a pool. Something has fallen on the water. Suppose your key has fallen. Now you'll have to find out. You are just trying to settle up the water and see where is the key. So when your mind and senses are controlled, then you can talk of Krsna. Before that you cannot talk. Because Krsna is missing, with uncontrolled mind, senses, you cannot capture Krsna. That is not possible. The same example. When the water is agitated, you cannot see where your things have fallen. You have to wait to make the water calm and quiet. Then you'll see, "Here is my key."
Student (2): What are the ways in which... How can we get to Krsna? How do you get to Krsna.
Prabhupada: You come here. Take this. Sixth chapter, the practice of yoga. The process.
Pradyumna: Should I read from the beginning?
Prabhupada: Hmm. You read. Read.
Pradyumna: "To practice yoga..."

sucau dese pratisthapya
sthiram asanam atmanah
naty-ucchritam natinicam
cailajina-kusottaram

tatraikagram manah krtva
yata-cittendriya-kriyah
upavisyasane yunjyad
yogam atma-visuddhaye

"To practice yoga, one should go to a secluded place."
Prabhupada: Now, first of all you have to find out secluded place. Yoga practice is not possible in a hotel or in a public place. It is not possible. You have to find out a secluded place. First condition. Then?
Pradyumna: "...and should lay kusa grass on the ground and then cover it with a deerskin and a soft cloth."
Prabhupada: Then there is process of making the asana, deerskin, kusasana, then cloth. You have to sit down in that asana. Asana, dhyana, dharana, pran... Then?
Pradyumna: "The seat should neither be too high nor too low."
Prabhupada: Yes, everything is there. "It should not be too high nor too low." Then?
Pradyumna: "And should be situated in a sacred place."
Prabhupada: A sacred place. Just like formerly those who were practicing yoga, they were going to Gangotri where the Ganges is coming down, in the Himalaya, in the Haridwar, in a secluded, sacred place. These are the condition, first condition. So where you are getting these conditions fulfilled? You cannot practice yoga in a hotel or in a club. That is not possible.
Student (2): How do you decide whether a place is sacred or not?
Prabhupada: Sacred place, generally we take as a lonely place, solitary place. If it is not solitary, it is not sacred.
Student (2): Is sacred the same as solitary?
Prabhupada: Yes, they used to sit down in the Himalaya where the Ganges is coming. That is a sacred place. If you go simply on the Ganges side on the bank of the Ganges, Yamuna, you will find immediately purified your mind, immediately. Or on a seaside where there is nobody disturbing. These are sacred places. Then?
Pradyumna: "The yogi should then sit on it very firmly."
Prabhupada: Then yogi has to sit down very firmly like this. Yes, straight, perpendicularly. Then?
Pradyumna: "And should practice yoga by controlling the mind and the senses."
Prabhupada: Then he has to practice meditation for controlling the mind and the senses. First of all asana place, sacred place, now, asana, secluded place, alone. That is stated. These are the yogic process.
Student (3): What do you mean by control your mind, I mean, control your senses? If your senses are controlled, can you see anything you wish or hear anything you wish? Or taste anything you wish?
Prabhupada: Just explain what is control, mind and senses.
Revatinandana: Well, controlling, being in control of your mind and senses, means that whatever destination you fix up with your intelligence -- you understand, you want a particular result -- then if you are in control of your mind and senses, then it means that it won't disturb you.
Prabhupada: First of all... First of all thing is the, what is the aim of practicing yoga? So to achieve that end, that purpose, you have to control the mind because mind is very flickering, going here, there, there, there. So first of all you must know what is the purpose of practicing yoga, why you should practice yoga. So in order to achieve that goal, you have to concentrate your mind, and therefore you have to control the mind going here and there. That is control. Mind business is acceptance and rejecting. This is mind's business. Immediately I accept, "It is very good;" again, next moment, "No, no it is not good. Reject it." This is called flickering mind. So by yoga practice you have to make your mind in such a way that whatever you decide, that is correct, not the state of rejecting and accepting. So first of all, you have to know why you are practicing yoga. As you asked the question, "Why control of mind?" Then the next question will be "Why you are practicing? What is your aim?" You are going to practice yoga. Why? What is the aim?
Student (1): Is it to realize God?
Prabhupada: That's nice. Therefore you must have to concentrate upon God; therefore you have to control your mind. You have to withdraw your mind from any other engagement, only concentrate on God. Then the... What is God?
Student (1): That's what I'm trying to find out.

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

 O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who haze assumed the form of Ramacandra! All glories to You! In the battle of Lanka You destroy the tenheaded demon Ravana and distribute his heads as a delightful offering to the presiding deities of the ten directions, headed by Indira. This action was long desired by all of them, who were much harassed by this monster.

"(Sampathi predicted) 'spare no efforts, you will surely find Sita. The fact that I have regained my wings portends success in your enterprise'." (Valmiki Ramayana 4:62:12.)

"(Jambavan nominated Hanuman) 'Rise, O best of the monkey warriors! Leap across the mighty waters, for you ability, O Hanuman, goes far beyond that of all other beings'."  (Valmiki Ramayana 4:65:34.)

"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

The day after returning to Colombo from our trip to Matara we quickly busied ourselves for the relief work ahead. We used funds donated from overseas to purchase the basics required for cooking: tons of rice, dhal, and vegetables, as well as spices, five huge new pots and various cooking utensils. Ten devotees loaded everything on a government lorry, piled in a van and returned to southern Sri Lanka, ready to begin serving daily prasadam to five thousand displaced persons.

The same day I took three devotees in another van to the east coast of Sri Lanka, scouting for opportunities to distribute prasadam there. The thirteen-hour drive would take us through a hilly area and across a 100km plain to the ocean.

Much of Sri Lanka's east coast is controlled by the Tamil Tigers. The rebel force had fought the Sinhalese government for thirty years before agreeing to a ceasefire three years ago. The ceasefire had held, but the government had recently warned that it could not guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers going into rebel-controlled areas.

"If you go to distribute prasadam and have kirtan they won't bother you," said Mahakarta dasa, the Colombo temple president. "In fact, they'll welcome you. Most of the tsunami world aid given to Sri Lanka is being distributed in the southern region, controlled by the government."

The horrors that I had witnessed in the southern coast seemed far away as we drove through the picturesque interior jungle. The winding road took us through some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. The well-maintained road serviced the many tourists who flocked to Sri Lanka before and just after the war. An astonishing variety of colorful birds soared through the humid air, their beautiful colors clashing splendidly with the deep green jungle foliage. A tropical climate and diversity of habitats endow Sri Lanka with an abundance of bird life. "There are more than four hundred different species," said our driver .

We passed nearby Kandy, the second biggest city on the island and the Sinhalese cultural and spiritual headquarters. In the center of the city is a beautiful lake, and on its northern shores sits Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Tooth. This temple enshrines an original tooth of Lord Buddha, reputed to have been snatched from His funeral pyre in 543 BC and smuggled into Sri Lanka in the hair of a princess some nine hundred years later.

Driving further, we saw hills carpeted with the glowing green of large tea plantations. Two hours into our journey we passed a sign advertising an elephant orphanage.

"An elephant orphanage?" I asked in surprise.

"There are many wild elephants on the island," our driver informed us. "Because of the war, many baby elephants were orphaned. So the government started an orphanage. It's open to the public."

"Let's go see it!" one devotee suggested.

"That's not what we're here for," I said. "We're not tourists. We're on a mission to help the victims of the tsunami; don't forget that."

Everyone in the van became silent.

After several hours I spoke up. "How do we know when we're in Tamil Tiger territory?" I asked the driver.

"You'll know," he said with a laugh.

Hours later, as twilight was settling in and just as I had drifted off to sleep, I was rudely shaken awake by the jerking motion of our car bouncing up and down on the road.

"What's going on?" I asked the driver.

"We're now in Tamil Tiger territory," he grinned.

Sticking my head outside the widow, I saw potholes in the road every few meters. The asphalt was cracking everywhere and there were few road signs giving proper directions.

"It's a different world from here on," our driver said. "Some parts of the area are patrolled by government forces . . . and others by Tamil Tigers."

Sure enough, within minutes we came to a government army checkpoint barricaded in barbed wire. Soldiers came over to our van and shined their flashlights in. Not knowing exactly what to do, I simply smiled. To my surprise they all smiled back.

"They know you're here for relief work," said the driver. "Few tourists come this way anymore."

"I can understand why," I replied.

The soldiers let us pass. As we bounced along the road I strained my eyes to see the jungle outside. Suddenly, our driver slammed the brakes to avoid hitting a huge form laboring on the road before us.

"Hare Krsna! It's an elephant!" one devotee exclaimed.

Speeding up again, our driver calmly drove around the beast.

Some time later we descended out of the hill country and onto the plains that stretched towards the sea.

"How many more hours to go?" I asked. It seemed like we'd been driving for days.

"Five," he answered.

"Five! Okay, then pull over; I have to answer nature's call." As the driver pulled over I stepped out and started walking towards a field.

Just as I stepped on the grass a devotee screamed out, "Maharaja! Stop! It's a minefield!"

Immediately I stopped and carefully backtracked, only then noticing several red signs nearby painted with skulls and crossbones, reading, "Danger! Landmines!"

"Come back," said the driver. "We'll find someplace else."

As we drove on he explained that many areas in the region were mined during the war by both government and Tamil Tiger forces. "Hundreds of thousands of land mines and tons of explosives are buried in this part of the country," he said. "Be careful where you walk. Stick to the main roads. And watch out for snakes too. Sri Lanka has five venomous types."

Reaching beneath his seat, he pulled out a vial containing some dirt. "You'll be protected if you carry this," he offered.

"What is it?" I asked curiously.

"It's from the town of Madhu, up north," he replied. "That's where the statue of Our Lady of Madhu is located. She protects us from snakebites, just as earth taken from around her shrine protects us. Would you like some?"

"No, that's okay," I declined, waving my hand. "I'll just stay on the beaten path."

Darkness fell as we drove on through the plains. I noticed there wasn't a single person on the streets in the small villages through which we passed.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

"Most of the fighting during the war took place at night," the driver replied, "so these people are accustomed to going inside just after nightfall."

"But there's a ceasefire in effect now," I said.

"Ceasefire doesn't mean the war is over," he said. "There are still skirmishes from time to time. Recently a top Tamil Tiger politician was assassinated nearby."

Again silence prevailed inside the van, and I dozed off. I awoke in a village and saw a building with a sign that read, "Tamil Tiger Regional Headquarters."

Surprised, I turned to the driver who in a serious voice said, "They're in control here."

Just after midnight we arrived at our final destination: a small village near Batticaloa on the far-eastern shore of Sri Lanka.

After being in the stuffy van all day, I wanted some fresh air. I was about to ask the driver if he could take me the short distance to the beach so I could take a walk. Then I remembered that it would be a terrible scene of devastation, like most other places along the coast.

We soon met a local Hindu priest with whom we had a prearranged meeting. He took us to a wedding hall across from a Ganesh temple where we were to rest that night. Inside there was a small light shining, and I was surprised to see many men sleeping on the floor.

"They're fisherman who lost their homes and families in the tsunami," the priest said.

As I set up my mosquito net huge clashes of thunder pounded outside. Soon rain started pouring down. I quickly fell asleep, exhausted by the day's long journey.

I woke up late. The fishermen were already up and cooking their breakfast in a corner of the hall. When everyone was up we bathed at the well outside. After chanting most of our rounds we went with the local priest, our translator, to check the camps for displaced persons.

As we approached the first camp, I asked the priest if the people were getting enough food.

"Food is not the problem here," he told us. "Although the government has done little to help us, our people from the interior, unaffected by the tsunami, have been giving sufficient rice and dhal. The Indian government has also sent several shiploads of the same.

"The real problem here is that most of the victims of the tsunami are suffering from trauma. People are still in shock. At least twice a week rumors circulate that another tsunami is coming, and people panic. They grab their children and belongings and run out of the camps screaming.

"Are you trained in dealing with trauma?" he asked me.

"No," I replied, "but we have a special medicine for such things."

"A special medicine?"

"Yes, wait and see."

As we walked into the first camp I noticed a distinct difference from those on the south coast. Some seven hundred people milled about. Things appeared much less orderly. There were no Red Cross representatives or army personnel. People seemed disoriented. A number had bandaged injuries. One woman's face was just beginning to heal from a bad burn. Sadness seemed to hover over the camp like a dark monsoon cloud.

Walking straight into the middle of the camp, I asked for a chair and sat down. The people, curious, started to gather around us. The devotees sat around me, and taking our mrdanga in my hands I started to chant Hare Krsna. Within moments the whole camp was listening carefully. As the tempo built up I indicated that the people should clap along, which they began to do enthusiastically. After ten minutes I stopped. Turning to the priest I said, "They're clapping, but they're not chanting."

He leaned over and whispered, "They don't know Krsna here. But they know Ramacandra. After all, this is Lanka, where Ravana lived."

Smiling, I began kirtan again, singing "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram, Patita Pavana Sita Ram." Immediately the people responded by smiling and chanting along. As the kirtan got faster some people started dancing. After twenty minutes I brought the kirtan to a close. The atmosphere was like Vaikuntha.

Astonished, the priest said, "They all look so happy!"

Turning to him with a smile, I said, "It's the medicine of the holy names."

After the crowd settled down I began telling stories from the Ramayana. It was obvious by the way they nodded their heads that they knew the pastimes, but they drank the nectar of Rama-katha as if it was their first taste. After forty-five minutes I called all the children forward and asked a few simple questions: Who is Lord Rama's wife? What color is Lord Rama? Who is His most faithful servant? When a child answered correctly, I would give him or her a little card with a picture of Radha and Krsna and a calendar on the back. From the enthusiasm of the children, it seemed that those colorful cards were as good as gold.

Then I taught them the Hare Krsna mantra, and the blissful atmosphere expanded as they chanted along.

As we got up to leave, many of the women came rushing forward to put their babies in my arms. I wasn't exactly sure what to do, so I just chanted Hare Krsna in each infant's ear. There were many babies and it took quite some time.

As we walked toward the gate, the entire camp followed us. They appeared very grateful: everyone waved and some even cried as we got into our van to go to the next camp. It was more evidence for me that kirtan and Hari-katha are the panacea for all problems in Kali-yuga.

aho ahobhir na kaler viduyate
 sudha su dhara madhuram pade pade
dine dine candana candra sitalaà
 yaso yasoda tanayasya giyate

"One who daily sings the glories of Yasoda's son, Krsna, which are cooling as sandalwood and camphor, is not troubled by the days of Kali-yuga. For him every step is a torrential flood of the sweetest nectar."

[Srila Rupa Goswami - Padyavali, Text 41]

As we drove to the next camp I got a call from Tara das, who was directing the prasadam distribution in the Matara district to the south.

"It's going well, Maharaja," Tara said. "Yesterday we distributed four thousand plates. It's just the beginning. Many people in the camp enjoy helping us gather wood for cooking, and they also help us cutting up vegetables. The major has arranged trucks for us to go out and distribute prasadam to several camps in the area each day.

"More devotees will be arriving from Russia soon," he continued, "and we'll begin distributing prasadam in other parts of the country as well."

As we continued driving to the next camp the priest turned to me and said, "The most traumatized are the people still on the beach. Although their homes were destroyed, some won't leave. Do you think you could visit there before we go any farther? They really need help."

"Okay," I said. "Let's go."

Within a few minutes we were at the beach. As we got out of the car I felt as if my eyes were tricking me. Everything was devastated as far as one could see. It seemed even more extensive than the southern part of the country. The tsunami had flattened practically every house. Cars, bicycles, chairs, sofas, toys, and clothes--a seemingly unlimited assortment of paraphernalia--were strewn everywhere. And there was the awful stench of death. I covered my mouth with a cloth.

"Mostly dead animals," the priest said, "but we are still finding human bodies. They're under the rubble of the houses and also wash up periodically on the shore."

On my drive along the southern coast I had seen the destruction only from a distance. Now I was walking through it. We had to step carefully through the decimated area, over shards of broken glass, chunks of concrete, and jagged pieces of wood and wire--and bones, already bleached white by the tropical sun. Nearby I saw volunteers from a humanitarian organization spraying everything in sight with disinfectant.

"By God's grace there has been no epidemic yet," said the priest.

Walking through one neighborhood completely destroyed by the tsunami, we came across two distraught men sitting in the rubble of what used to be a house.

As we approached, one of them looked up and sobbing uncontrollably, said, "I was on top of the house, and I saw my mother swept away before my eyes."

"I lost both my children," said the other man, standing. "They were torn from my arms as I sat right here."

Grabbing my kurta, he screamed, "Why has God allowed this? I am not a bad man!"

For the moment there was nothing to say; no words could offer reason to one in such distress. I simply put my arm around him. After two minutes, as our group turned to go, I said to him softly, "Hare Krsna." Nodding his head, he looked to the sky, silently accepting his destiny and the will of providence.

A few minutes later we approached a severely damaged temple that was completely deserted. "Where is the priest?" I inquired.

"He died in the tsunami," said our priest. "Hardly anyone survived in this area. We burned his body and spread the ashes over there near the sea."

Just then I saw a young man wandering aimlessly through the rubble nearby. I asked the priest to call him over.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him. "School started a few days ago."

"I'm looking for the bodies of my mother, father, three brothers, and four sisters," he said with a dazed expression. "The terrible ocean took them away."

I sat him down and put my hand on his shoulder.

"The body is temporary," I said, "but the soul is eternal and never dies."

Those few words calmed him, so I continued. "Your mother, father, brothers, and sisters are elsewhere now. You won't see them again in this life."

I asked where he was living.

"With my auntie," he replied.

"Don't come back here," I said. "Your mother would have wanted you in school now. Am I right?"

"Yes," he agreed, and as he turned to go he said, "Thank you."

Just as he left, a distressed woman came running up to me and grabbed my arm. She was speaking in Tamil, so I couldn't understand her.

"She said she lost her husband and eight-year-old daughter in the tsunami," the priest said. "And her three-year-old boy is in the hospital. She has no money to feed him. She's asking if you can give her some."

I reached into my pocket, and taking out two thousand rupees put it in her hand. Still crying, she went to sit in the ruins of her home.

We spent several hours among the devastation near the beach, talking to people and trying to comfort them as much as we could. Sometimes I would offer transcendental knowledge, but more often it was a simple embrace that gave a person the solace they needed.

On the way back to our van we stopped at the local school, which was not much more than a steel frame left standing after the tsunami. Going inside, I watched as the teachers gave thirty or forty kids a lesson in mathematics.

When the children noticed me they all ran up close, staring. I spent several minutes shaking their hands, asking them their names and pulling on the girls' pigtails. One boy was wearing a hat, and I took it off and put it on my own head, making all the kids laugh. Suddenly I saw the reason he was wearing the hat: he had a horrible skin infection on his head. As I took the hat off I thought, "I'll probably pay a high price for that trick."

I taught the children to chant Hare Krsna and after a short kirtan we departed.

As we left, the teacher said, "Thank you. They'll never forget your visit."

Walking back to our van, I said to the priest, "There's years of work to be done, just in this one village."

"Can you stay a little longer?" he asked.

"I'm afraid I have to move on," I replied, "but I'll be sending a group of devotees here in a few days to distribute prasadam and chant with the people. And I'll spread the word. Perhaps there are devotees overseas who can spare a little time and come here as well."

Stopping, the priest took both my hands and said, "Tell them we would be most appreciative. Even if they came for just a few days."

We visited several more camps and the next day started the long drive back to Colombo.

As we neared our base in Colombo late that afternoon, our driver reminded me of a promise I had made to visit an orphanage just outside the city, run by the local ISKCON temple. Seeing that I was tired and so a little hesitant, he said, "They're wonderful little devotees."

"Devotees?" I asked.

"Yes. It's more than just an orphanage. Shall we go?"

"All right," I agreed.

When we arrived at the orphanage, I met Nandarani dasi, Mahakarta's wife, who started the project seven years ago.

"We have seventy-nine children at the moment," she said, "most of them orphans from the war. But recently the government has asked us to take seventy-five more children orphaned by the tsunami. We've just begun construction on a new dormitory for that purpose."

As she took me on a tour of the property, I was amazed at the clean and well-organized facility.

"We also run a school for the children," she said with a smile.

"It must be difficult raising orphans who've experienced the horrors of war," I suggested.

"Many saw their parents killed," she said soberly. "It was a technique used by soldiers on both sides. But through the years, these children have come to terms with all they saw in the war."

"How is that?"

"Through Krsna consciousness," she replied. "Come, I'll show you."

She took me to the temple room, where all the children were anxiously waiting to meet me. When I walked in, they all paid obeisances and then eagerly gathered around me.

"They want to hear stories about Krsna," she said, "and then have kirtan. It's their life and soul."

I immediately began telling them Krsna conscious stories, and after an hour I picked up a drum and started kirtan. Once again, I witnessed the all-merciful nature of the holy names as the children danced wildly with abandon, their big smiles radiating with youthful enthusiasm. I took the kirtan outside, and we chanted and danced all over the property. They were beside themselves with happiness. After an hour and a half I was exhausted and brought the kirtan party back into the temple room. But they wanted more, so I kept going, praying for the strength to fulfill their taste for the holy names. When we finally finished, I sat on the floor with all the children around me, blissful smiles still decorating their innocent faces.

"Am I in a war-torn country, recently ravaged by a tsunami--or am I in Vaikuntha, the spiritual world?" I wondered to myself in amazement. Looking again at the blissful children, I knew: "For the moment, I'm in Vaikuntha."

As our group continued back to Colombo, I said to the devotees in the van, "This is something new in our movement: a Krsna conscious orphanage!"

That night I began making the final touches on the infrastructure I had set up for our relief work on the island. I would be leaving in a few days, but devotees who had come with me from overseas would continue the work for at least another two months.

Before taking rest, I remembered my promise to the priest on the east coast. I wrote emails to several godbrothers, asking if they could spare some time to come and help the villagers deal with the tragedy of the tsunami.

I got an instant reply.

"I don't know how much help I could be," one godbrother wrote. "I don't have money, I'm not a doctor, and I don't have experience in counseling."

I wrote back, "Just come with the holy names. They're what's needed most here now."

"May Krsna's holy name, which is a reservoir of all transcendental happiness, the destruction of Kali-yuga's sins, the most purifying of all purifying things, the saintly person's food as he traverses the path to the spiritual world, the pleasure-garden where the voices of the greatest saints, philosophers, and poets play, the life of the righteous, and the seed of the tree of religion, bring transcendental auspiciousness to you all."

[Srila Rupa Goswami, Padayavali - Text 19]

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The Hindu Forum of Britain, the largest umbrella body for British Hindus, today launched a national campaign to reclaim the Swastika, regarded as a holy symbol by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains from its Nazi connection. The campaign has been started as a result of German members of the European parliament calling for a Europe-wide ban on the symbol, which has been the subject of much debate after Prince Harry wore the Swastika on a Nazi uniform to a fancy dress party.

“We want to restore it to the symbol of universal goodness, fortune and life that it originally stood for,” commented Ramesh Kallidai, Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain. “A symbol we have used for more than 5,000 years is now on the verge of being banned because of association with the Nazis over which we had no control. Hindus wish to continue to use this symbol as part of their religion, but they risk being labelled a Nazi or, in the case of a ban, risk breaking the law. We need to educate people about the historical context of the symbol, its wrong use by the Nazis and its importance to Hindus.”

Hindus in Britain expressed alarm after Franco Frattini, the European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, had indicated earlier in the week that he was considering the possibility of a ban. Nazi symbols including the swastika are already banned in Germany.

Explaining the scope of the national campaign to reclaim the Swastika, Ramesh Kallidai, explained that they were appealing to the national media to help spread awareness of the importance of the symbol to Hindus worldwide. “We are planning meetings across the country and a major conference in London to promote awareness about why Hindus use Swastika,” he explained. “We will also be writing to every MP in Parliament and printing information booklets that can be distributed to faith communities and other stakeholders.”

Hindus use the Swastika in a number of ways during religious ceremonies ­