Newsletter Number #160  ( Janmastami issue 2005 A.D. Gaurabda 519)
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 (cyber pranams) & Best Wishes To All

_0____,

All Glories To Srila Prabhupad.

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

Welcome to the latest edition of the on-line HKSRNewsletter, and our humble attempt to render some service to the devotee community. The format of this newsletter is that of a continuous scroll, please see the table of contents where everything is hyper-linked on-line, we hope it's now easier for you all. This newsletter now goes out to way over 2508 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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"May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities become calm by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting devotional service they will think of each other’s welfare. Therefore let us all engage in the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord Sri Krishna, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him."(Srimad Bhagavatam 5:18:9.)

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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

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

...Download the Vaishnava Calendar software VCAL 4.01
...Ekadasi Information - fasting - breakfast times

Local temples
...Newsletters & Blogs

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

...Condolences to the family and friends of former New Zelanad Prime Minister David Lange

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

... and much more

At Grass Roots: Topical stuff
... Seasonal Greetings...Happy 2005
... Have a Happy Year - Gaurabda 519

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, and 2005-2006.
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
The present year's Vaishnava Calendar for 2005-2006
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2005-2006.html
(some selected locations are available already below)

(Chaturmasya is not observed during Purusottama Adhika Masa.)

Second month of Chaturmasya begins. (Fast from yogurt for one month.)

Srila Prabhupada's departure for the USA 1965 AD. - 20 Aug 2005 in NZ

Sri Krsna Janmastami: Appearance of Lord Sri Krsna - Saturday 27th Aug 2005 in NZ
(Fasting till midnight - breakfast with Ekadasi style prasadam)

Sri Nandotsava - Festival of Nananda maharaj for birth of Krishna - Jata karman

Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada - Appearance -  (Fasting till noon) Sunday 28th August 2005

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Paksa vardhini Mahadvadasi for Annada Ekadasi- (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 31st August 2005  in NZ)

Father's Day -  1st Sunday in September in Aus & NZ - 3rd Sunday in June in US & UK (4th Sept in NZ)

Ganesh Chaturthi  - Wednesday 7th Sept 2005 in NZ - DO NOT LOOK @ the MOON

Srimati Sita Thakurani (Advaita's consort) - Appearance - Avirbhav

Sri Lalita sasti

Sri Radhastami : Srimati Radharani's - Appearance Day  (Fasting till noon) (Monday 12th September in NZ)

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Parsva Ekadasi.- (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 15th September 2005  in NZ)

Sri Vamana Dvadasi - Appearance of Lord Vamandeva
(The fast is observed till noon on the Ekadasi.) (Feasting is done tomorrow.)

Srila Jiva Goswami - Appearance - Avirbhav

Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur - Appearance - Avirbhav Utsava
(The fast is observed till noon on the Ekadasi.)(Feasting is done today.)

Sri Ananta Caturdasi Vrata
Srila Hari Das Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Kanya Sankranti (Sun enters Virgo)

Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava
Acceptance of sannyasa by Srila Prabhupada 1959 AD.
Srimad Bhagavatam Day

Third month of Caturmasya begins.(Fast from milk for one month.)

This year's also now available for viewing:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2005-2006.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
All Vaishnava Calendar Information HERE (Downloads, Glossary, Calendars, Eclipses etc)
The present year's Vaishnava Calendar for 2005-2006
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2005-2006.html
(some selected locations are available already below)

or if you can't do that and you'd like a 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

Vaishnava Calendar Program Vcal 4.01 FREE Download, and make your own Calendar:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/vcal401.zip

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.hknet.org.nz/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/

Melbourne - Hare Krishna movement:
http://www.iskcon.net.au/

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/

Aniruddha's blog: There's more comes out of the beadbag than just the finger...
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.

Candidasa dasa' Deltaflow Blog
http://www.deltaflow.com/index.php

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.

Gauranga Sundara prabhu in Leicester (UK) Newsletter can be found at:
Current issue http://www.gauranga.org/files/newsletter_06.PDF
Back issues and all future issues can be found at: http://www.gauranga.org/newsletter_backissues.htm

Gopala Guru prabhu's blog on MSN - Religious Worship; Ever wonder what's it like to live the life of a Hare Krishna monk?
Visit this Space to find out.:
http://whatsyourstory.msn.com/
http://spaces.msn.com/members/gopalaguru/PersonalSpace.aspx

Indradyumna Swami's "Diary of a Travelling Preacher" blog:
http://blog.worldsankirtan.net/IDS/

Kavichandra Swami's Blog
http://www.kavicandraswami.info/

Kurma's Travel Diary Blog:
Hello there ! I have a new Blog (weblog) Travel Diary. Follow my very latest culinary travels: http://www.kurma.net and click on the blog link right side of page.
Hope all is well with you. Happy cooking, Kurma

Prahladananda Swami's Health blog: On the road, Journal, Audio, Health, Photos etc
http://prahladanandaswami.net/blogs/index.php

Rati Manjari mataji - Every Town & Village - newsletter, which consists of a collective contribution from preachers throughout the UK. To view or download it click the link below:
http://members.lycos.co.uk/etav/files/etav_01.PDF

Sit Properly dot com - go to extras 4 the blog - lots of useful info especially for new devotees throughout site
http://www.sitproperly.com/index2.html

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

Hare Krishna Cultural Journal - Krishna-Kirti dasa in USA - A commentary on the culture, views and progress of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
http://siddhanta.com/weblogs/culture/

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/

    The year beginning on Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja September 6th, 2004, and ending with his Vyasa Puja on August 28, 2005 marks the 108th anniversary of his birth. While everyone honors 100th anniversaries, Vaisnavas place great significance on the 108th anniversary, because 108 is a special number. Krsna enjoys with 108 principal gopis (cowherd girls), there are 108 Upanishads, and a round of japa on beads is 108 Hare Krsna mantras. ISKCON has created a special opportunity to glorify Srila Prabhupada on his 108th birthday and throughout the year afterwards. ISKCON's governing body commissioners in their annual meeting this year passed the following resolution.

Whereas: The 108th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's appearance can bring special inspiration to the devotee community by glorifying Srila Prabhupada.
Whereas: H.H. Lokanath Swami was successful in performing the service of Srila Prabhupada's Centennial Global Minister.

Resolved: ISKCON will make the celebration of Srila Prabhupada's 108th appearance anniversary year a highlight of its activities until Vyasa Puja 2005. H.H. Lokanath Swami will take up the service of global coordinator for this project.

    In 1996 ISKCON celebrated Srila Prabhupada's Centennial.  Participation in events far exceeded expectations.  Throughout the Centennial year, followers of Srila Prabhupada made extraordinary efforts to spread his glories world wide by inundating their countries, states, and cities with the holy name of Krsna, Krsna prasadam, and Prabhupada's books.  Temples world wide joined in celebrating many spectacular special events.  Streets were named in Prabhupada's honor, and several biographies about him were published.  There were also many wonderful special achievements and offerings by individuals and groups.  but why was the Centennial so successful?  We could only conclude that it was because Krsna wanted to glorify Srila Prabhupada.  Krsna wanted to show the world that He is know as bhaktanama mana vardhanah, "He who enhances the reputation of His devotees."
    Srila Prabhupada's teachings, which continue to be felt throughout all parts of ISKCON, are the universal inspiration for the 108 celebration.  All initiated devotees and all followers of Srila Prabhupada have a high level of awareness, appreciation, and remembrance of him.  They feel connected with him as their siksa guru, accepting as essential the teaching he gave in his books.  Inspired by his powerful presence, they follow his instructions in their own lives and are able to bring others to follow them too.
     The celebration of Srila Prabhupada's 108th anniversary will focus on a series of public events.  most of the international events that were so successful in 1996 will be held again.  The events will bring about a heightened appreciation for Srila Prabhupada and his movement in the public and increase ISKCON's member's awareness of being part of a united worldwide movement.
    The 108th Celebration is not limited to events.  The spirit of the Celebration is to encourage each ISKCON devotee, member and follower to make at least one personal offering to Srila Prabhupada during the year in one or more of the following areas:
1. Help spread Srila Prabhupada's mission by expanding the congregation, distributing books and chanting the holy name, especially at 108 events.
2. Dedicate oneself to glorifying Srila Prabhupada by personally meaningful special achievement during the 108th year.
3. Build personal internal strength by commitment to improving both personal spiritual standards and practices and those of your community.
    The 108th Celebration is a great time to introduce the whole world to Srila Prabhupada and his mission.  Let us all take seriously this very special opportunity, and wholeheartedly glorify Srila Prabhupada.

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

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

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

The new enhanced Prabhupada MP3 series
http://www.prabhupada.com/store/store.php?page=product.php&id=MP3AUDIOLIB

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

Srila Prabhupada's Final Lesson Video - Downloadable and viewing on-line
http://users.iskconludhiana.com/images/thumbnails.php?album=21


All Srila Prabhupada's original books
available for sale here.

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

The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust Srila Prabhupad Memorial Library
http://www.krishna.com/main.php?id=33


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

 The compressed "self extracting" file mentioned is now currently available for download
http://www.krsnaconsciousness.org/Gauranga/Folio/BhaktivedantaVedabase_DOS.exe
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 3 - Karma-yoga

                                 TEXT 3

   sri-bhagavan uvaca
   loke 'smin dvi-vidha nistha
   pura prokta mayanagha
   jnana-yogena sankhyanam
   karma-yogena yoginam

   WORD FOR WORD

   sri-bhagavan uvaca--the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; loke--in the world; asmin--this; dvi-vidha--two kinds of; nistha--faith; pura--formerly; prokta--were said; maya--by Me; anagha--O sinless one; jnana-yogena--by the linking process of knowledge; sankhyanam--of the empiric philosophers; karma-yogena--by the linking process of devotion; yoginam--of the devotees.

                               TRANSLATION

   The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O sinless Arjuna, I have already explained that there are two classes of men who try to realize the self. Some are inclined to understand it by empirical, philosophical speculation, and others by devotional service.

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

   In the Second Chapter, verse 39, the Lord explained two kinds of procedures--namely sankhya-yoga and karma-yoga, or buddhi-yoga. In this verse, the Lord explains the same more clearly. Sankhya-yoga, or the analytical study of the nature of spirit and matter, is the subject matter for persons who are inclined to speculate and understand things by experimental knowledge and philosophy. The other class of men work in Krsna consciousness, as it is explain in the 61st verse of the Second Chapter. The Lord has explained, also in the 39th verse, that by working by the principles of buddhi-yoga, or Krsna consciousness, one can be relieved from the bonds of action; and, furthermore, there is no flaw in the process. The same principle is more clearly explained in the 6th verse--that this buddhi-yoga is to depend entirely on the Supreme (or more specifically, on Krsna), and in this way all the senses can be brought under control very easily. Therefore, both the yogas are interdependent, as religion and philosophy. Religion without philosophy is sentiment, or sometimes fanaticism, while philosophy without religion is mental speculation. The ultimate goal is Krsna, because the philosophers who are also sincerely searching after the Absolute Truth come in the end to Krsna consciousness. This is also stated in the Bhagavad-gita. The whole process is to understand the real position of the self in relation to the Superself. The indirect process is philosophical speculation, by which, gradually, one may come to the point of Krsna consciousness; and the other process is directly connecting with everything in Krsna consciousness. Of these two, the path of Krsna consciousness is better because it does not depend on purifying the senses by a philosophical process. Krsna consciousness is itself the purifying process, and by the direct method of devotional service it is simultaneously easy and sublime.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

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

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

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

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, Hari Sauri prabhu's Transcendental Diary, or sometimes from a letter, or other related source, but still nectar...)

More Little Drops of Nectar

Srila Prabhupada displayed his tolerance and lenience in accepting the sometimes inexpert offerings of his disciples. He demonstrated this amply at the San Francisco Ratha-yatra in 1970 by accepting some unusual clothing which the devotees had sewn for him. Bhavananda had purchased imported silk, Nara-Narayana had purchased pearl buttons and set them in gold, and Dinadayadri and Citralekha had worked very meticulously on sewing Prabhupada a western-style cowboy shirt. The shirt had sewn pockets with pearl buttons on them. The dhoti was supposed to complete a matching set, along with a "Prabhupada hat" made for the occasion. When Prabhupada put on the dhoti, the cloth was so wide that the dhoti dragged on the ground. (This can be seen in a series of photos of Prabhupada at the 1970 Ratha-yatra.) The cowboy shirt had its own unusual appearance, and as for the hat, it was too small and stuck up on the top of his head. Prabhupada tolerantly accepted and wore the clothes offered by his American boys and girls.
 

While Srila Prabhupada was speaking in his room, his disciple, Rukmini devi dasi, who is left-handed, was busily writing notes on Prabhupada's talk. The left-handed phenomenon seemed strange to Prabhupada and he finally commented on it.

"You write like Gargamuni," said Prabhupada, "backwards and topsy-turvy." Prabhupada then said that he had once seen a man in Calcutta who played harmonium with his elbows, karatalas with his knees, and mrdanga with his feet. Prabhupada seemed to think that the "backwards and topsy-turvy" writing was in a similar category.

Citralekha-devi dasi, interview; Rukmini-devi dasi, interview. It is easy for the devotees to understand and relish how Prabhupada accepted ill-fitting or even unsuitable gifts from his disciples and yet utilized them just so the disciples' devotional service could be accepted by Krsna. Sometimes nondevotees, on seeing a photo of Srila Prabhupada, or seeing him with nondevotional eyes, thought that Srila Prabhupada was enjoying material opulence obtained from his disciples. Specifically, nondevotees have criticized Prabhupada's wearing of several rings, or his "gold" watches. At one point, when Srila Prabhupada wore two or three rings, one of them was an inexpensive high school ring a devotee had given to Prabhupada, which he simply wore for a while in recognition of the gift. When mass market technology first produced digital watches, Syamasundara dasa gave Prabhupada one, and it was considered a fancy item. Actually the watch never worked. Prabhupada carried it for a while in one of his cases and finally left it somewhere. His general system was to accept a gift, use it or at least carry it for some time, and then give it as a gift to one of his disciples. Even today, some fortunate disciples have in their possession various pieces of Srila Prabhupada's jewelry or possessions. Sometimes Prabhupada would give away the gifts so quickly that the donor became a little disappointed.
 

- From the Prabhupada Nectar by HH Satsvarupa dasa 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
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"Don't Make Krishna Unhappy"

Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.1
Mayapur, February 8, 1976

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.1 -- Mayapur, February 8, 1976
 

Listen to the entire lecture on-line:
http://prabhupadavani.org/Bhagavatam/RAMfiles2/SB567.ram

Prabhupada:

evam suradayah sarve
brahma-rudra-purah sarah
nopaitum asakan manyu-
samrambham sudurasadam
 [SB 7.9.1]

Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, if He is pleased upon somebody, nobody can annihilate him. Similarly, if He is angry upon somebody, nobody can protect him. There is a Bengali (saying) payara(?), rakhe krsna mare ke, mare krsna rakhe ke. If Krsna wants to kill somebody... Krsna does not kill, neither the living entity is ever killed. Just like father. If he chastises his son, it is not chastisement; it is favor. The devotees can understand that even sometimes we meet very reverse condition of life, it is also favor. Tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamanah [SB 10.14.8]. Anyone who can see that this unfavorable condition of life is also another favor of Krsna... Tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamanah. "Even there is some suffering, it is not given by Krsna. I am suffering on account of my past misdeeds, and Krsna is so kind that I would have suffered many hundred thousand times more than the present suffering, but Krsna is adjusting the whole thing by little suffering." This is the vision of devotee. Tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamano bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam. Atma-krtam vipakam. A devotee never accuses Krsna that "Krsna, I am serving You so nicely, and You are giving me so much suffering?" No. This is not devotee's view. Devotee will take that "This so-called suffering is also Krsna's favor." Tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamanah. So those who are going forward with Krsna consciousness, they should not be, I mean, a debtor to any condition of life.

So suradayah. Suradayah means demigods headed by Lord Brahma, Lord Siva. Yam brahma-varunendra-rudra stunvanti divyaih stavaih. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped even by Brahma. Yam brahma-varunendra: Indra, Varuna and Indra... There are big, big stalwart demigods. They also offer their respect. They think themselves as subordinate, humble servants of Krsna. Siva-virinci-nutam [SB 11.5.33]. Krsna is offered obeisances even by demigods like Lord Siva, Lord Brahma. Siva-virinci-nutam.

yam brahma-varunendra-rudra(-marutah) stunvanti divyaih stavair
vedaih sanga-pada-kramopanisadair gayanti yam sama-gah
dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yogino
yasyantam na viduh surasura-gana devaya tasmai namah

So the anger is there, Krsna, but His anger is worshiped. And our anger is different. That is the distinction between spirit and matter. So here suradayah sarve brahma-rudra-purah sarah na upaitum asakan manyu. There is anger. Krsna, to kill Hiranyakasipu, He became so angry that even big, big stalwart demigods, brahmadaya... Because demigods... The list of demigods begins from Lord Brahma. He is the original father of the demigods and all other living entities. He's therefore known as praja-pati or called pita-maha, grandfather, praja-pati. He is the origin of everything. The Darwin's theory, a rascal theory, that there was no life, but according to Vedic knowledge there were the best life, Brahma. From there begins life, and gradually they become degraded, material contamination. Not that there was no life. From low type of living condition one is elevated higher and higher. That is a wrong theory. The real theory is that life begins from the most exalted person, Lord Brahma, praja-pati. So in any auspicious matter they are forward, because you cannot approach God in your lower condition of life. You see? Lower condition of life means sinful reaction. In that condition you cannot approach God. Param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan [Bg. 10.12]. (aside:) Who is talking? Pavitram paramam bhavan. Krsna is the supreme pure, pavitram paramam. Paramam means extreme. So nobody can approach Krsna while He is impure. That is not possible. Just like some rascals, they say, "It doesn't matter what you are eating, what you are doing. There is no hindrance for your spiritual advancement." These rascals, these fools, misleading the whole world that in the matter of understanding the Supreme Person one can behave like the low-grade persons. No. That is not possible. Param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan [Bg. 10.12].

So if you have to approach the supreme pure, you have to become pure. Otherwise there is no possibility. Without being fire, you cannot enter into the fire. Then you'll be burned. Similarly, although you are also Brahman... Part of Parabrahman is also Brahman. Aham brahmasmi. This is our identification. But what kind of Brahman? But minute particle of Brahman, small particle. Just like spark and the whole fire. Both of them are fire, but spark is spark, and the big fire is big fire. So the spark cannot become big fire. If he wants to become so, then he falls down. Then whatever little light was there, fire, it becomes extinguished. If the spark out of impudency wants to try to become the big fire, then he falls down. Aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah patanty adhah [SB 10.2.32]. Aruhya krcchrena, by severe austerities and penances you can rise up to the impersonal Brahman, but you'll fall down again. That is the fact. So many persons, they are trying to become merged into the existence of the Supreme Brahman, but the result is they are falling down. They must fall down. It is not possible. Aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah patanty adho anadrta-yusmad-anghrayah [SB 10.2.32]. Without taking care to worship the lotus feet of Krsna, they are falling down. So we should be very, very careful not to try to become equal or greater than Krsna. There are some rascals, they say that "Such and such rascal is greater than Krsna." I do not wish to mention their name. That rascals, they say that "Aurobindo is greater than Krsna." They say like that. Do you know that? So this, the world, is full of rascals and fools. We have to... Very cautiously and intelligently we have to make progress in spiritual life. Don't take it very insignificantly. We should be very much careful. Otherwise there is falldown, and once falldown means a gap of millions of years. You have got this human form of life to complete Krsna consciousness, but if you are not serious, then again the gap will be millions of years.

Therefore our duty is tandera carana sevi, bhakta-sane vas. We should live with the devotees and be engaged in the service of the acaryas. Acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit [SB 11.17.27]. One should understand acarya as Krsna Himself. Don't disregard him. Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau [SU 6.23]. These are the statement. So we must be very cautious. Just like here also. The brahmadaya, big, big demigods, they could not pacify, appease the Lord. He was angry. Evam suradayah sarve brahma-rudra-purah sarah. Big, big personalities, rudra, na upaitum. Na upaitum asakan manyu. They could not pacify Hmm, and samrambham sudurasadam. Sudurasadam, very, very difficult. Once we are condemned by Krsna, it is very, very difficult to rise up again. Mudha janmani janmani [Bg. 16.20]. Life after life we shall be condemned. That is our punishment. So don't do anything which will make Krsna unhappy. Simply engage yourself in the service of the Lord. Very simple thing. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Simply always think of Him. Do not think anyone, anything else. Sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. Anyabhilasita-sunyam [Brs. 1.1.11]. Just try to maintain your service for Krsna. There is twenty-four hours' engagement, and try to follow it. Do not neglect it. That will make your life successful.

Thank you very much. (end)

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

Sri Krishna Janmastami - Appearance of Lord Sri Krishna (Fasting 'till Midnight)
http://www.hknet.org.nz/calendar-janmastami.htm
Ekadasi style breakfast for Janmastami at midnight
http://www.hknet.org.nz/E-prasad.htm

Nandotsav - Jata karman of Sri Krishna by Nanda maharaj
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Nandotsav.htm

Krishna is God, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This fact is stated and corroborated in the Vedic scriptures and by various authorities. Lord Brahma in Brahma Samhita says, "Krishna who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin and He is the prime cause of all causes" (BS 5.1). In the Bhagavata Purana Krishna becomes the chief object of devotion. After describing various incarnations of the Lord such as Rama, Balarama, Vamana, Nrsimha, and Vishnu, Srila Sukadeva Goswami states, "All of the above mentioned incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead" (SB 1.3.28).

Lord Shiva in Gita Mahatmya, states that "only one God - Krishna, the son of Devaki" (Verse 7). In the Padma Purana it is stated, "By scrutinizingly reviewing all the revealed scriptures and judging them again and again, it is now concluded that Lord Narayana is the Supreme Absolute Truth, and thus He alone should be worshipped". Similarly it is said in the Skanda Purana, "In the material world, which is full of darkness and dangers, combined with birth and death and full of different anxieties, the only way to get out of the great entanglement is to accept loving transcendental devotional service to Lord Vasudeva. This is accepted by all classes of philosophers".

The position of Krishna as God is confirmed by great personalities like Narada, Asita, Devala, Vyasa, Parasara, Brahma and Shiva. Finally Krishna Himself confirms this fact in the Bhagavad-gita to His friend and devotee, Arjuna. He clearly says that He is "the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods" (BG 5.29), that "there is no truth superior to Me" (BG 7.7) and - "I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me" (BG 10.8).

What is the position of Krishna?
As God, there is no one equal to or greater than Krishna. He is the original, unborn, eternal person, the most ancient, completely independent, and the cause of all causes. Parasara Muni, the father of Srila Vyasadeva and a great scholar who had himself held the position of Vyasa in a previous kalpa, very nicely defines the position of Bhagavan (God) as one Who is complete in six kinds of opulence namely - wisdom, beauty, fame, power, wealth and renunciation. While there are many great personalities who are very famous or very wealthy, only Krishna as God is replete in all six opulence.

The scriptures not only give us the unique position of Krishna but also give us a detailed description of all His aspects. They tell us that above this temporary material universe is an eternal spiritual world called Vaikuntha, and Krishna lives in the topmost planet of this universe called Goloka Vrindavana which is full of palaces made of touch-stone (cintamani), with trees that are capable of fulfilling all desires (kalpa-vraksha) and cows that are called Surabhi.

Here Krishna eternally resides, served by hundreds and thousands of goddesses of fortune. He sports with His most confidential and intimate devotees, headed by Srimati Radharani. He has a form just like us but His body is spiritual and thus eternal. His complexion is dark-blue, like that of a rain-filled cloud and His eyes are like lotus petals. He is ever youthful, full of bliss and His beauty excels that of thousands of cupids. He likes to play the flute, He sports a crown with a peacock feather and He is adorned by the exquisite kastuba jewel.

What is Krishna avatar?
In Chaitanya-charitamrita (2.20.263-264) it is stated that the "avatar, or incarnation of Godhead, descends from the kingdom of God for creating and maintaining the material manifestation. And the particular form of the Personality of Godhead who so descends is called an incarnation, or avatar. Such incarnations are situated in the spiritual world, the kingdom of God. When They descend to the material creation, They assume the name avatar."

The Srimad Bhagavatam states that there are countless incarnations just like the waves of the oceans. They fall in various categories like lila (pastime), yuga (period of yuga), manavantara (period of Manu), purusa (Vishnu expansions) and shaktivesa (empowered). These avatars perform various pastimes based on the time, place and circumstances, but their purpose is always the same - "to attract the conditioned souls back to their eternal spiritual abode".

The incarnations emanate from Vishnu. Maha-Vishnu is the original cause of all material creation and from Him Garbhodakashai-Vishnu expands and then Ksirodakasayi-Vishnu. Generally all incarnations appearing within the material world are plenary portions of Ksirodakasayi-Vishnu (also known as Hari).

However only once in a day of Lord Brahma (which lasts for 4.32 billion of our years), does Krishna descend in His original form, as the avataree, the cause of all avatars. When Krishna appears all the incarnations join with Him. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the complete whole and all the plenary portions and incarnations always live with Him. So when Krishna appeared, Lord Vishnu was always with Him, and while Krishna enjoyed His pastimes in Vrindavan, the killing of the demons was actually carried out by the His Vishnu portion. Since Krishna eternally resides in Vrindavan, when He left Vrindavan at the age of ten, it was His Vasudeva expansion that actually left.

Appearance of Krishna
In the era of the Svayambhuva Manu, prajapati Sutapa and his wife Prsni were instructed by Lord Brahma to have progeny. They performed severe austerities for twelve thousand years of the demigods to have the Lord as their child. Pleased by their austerities the Lord appeared and granted them this benediction. Since He gave them this benediction three times, in Satya-yuga He first appeared as the son of Prsni and Sutapa and was called Prsnigarba. In Treta-yuga they were Aditi and Kasyapa Muni and the Lord appeared as Vamanadeva. Finally in the Dvapara yuga, Krishna in His original form, appeared as the child of Devaki and Vasudeva.

Krishna appeared specifically on the request of Bhudevi, the presiding deity of the Earth planet. Distressed by the burden of many demons who had appeared as powerful Kshatriyas and were ruling the planet impiously, she assumed the form of a cow and pleaded to Lord Brahma for help. Lord Brahma with all the demigods prayed to Lord Vishnu in Svetadvipa by chanting the Purusa-sukta prayers. At this time the Lord informed Brahma that in order to establish religiosity and destroy evil, He would soon appear as His original Self. In the meantime the various demigods were instructed to take birth in various families in the Yadu dynasty and prepare for the appearance of the Lord.

Lifeline of Sri Krishna
Historically, Lord Krishna appeared in the Dvapara yuga, on the midnight of the 8th day of the dark half of the month of Sravan. This corresponds to July 19th in the year 3228 BC. ( important NOTE) He exhibited His pastimes for a little over 125 years and disappeared on February 18th 3102 BC on the new moon night of Phalgun. His departure marks the beginning of the current age of corruption known as Kali.

The great scholar Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti neatly outlines Lord Krishna's activities in this way. He was born in Mathura in the prison cell of Kamsa and carried to Gokul. The first three years and four months were spent in Gokula, then equal lengths of time in Vrindavan and Nandagram. At the age of eleven He left Vrindavan for Mathura where He lived for eighteen years and four months, and finally ninety-six years and eight months in Dvaraka totaling about 126 years of manifest pastimes. At the time of Mahabharata, when Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-gita, He was about ninety years of age.

Pastimes of Krishna
The tenth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam describes the activities and transcendental pastimes of Sri Krishna. They are also described in the epic Mahabharata, specially in the Bhishma parva which also contains the Bhagavad-gita. The pastimes of Krishna appeal to the liberated souls, those that are trying to get liberated and also to the gross materialists.

The pastimes of Sri Krishna, known as Krishna-katha fall into two categories. Words spoken by Krishna, as the Bhagavad-gita, and words spoken about Krishna, as in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Souls in the liberated stage derive great pleasure in relishing anything and everything related to Krishna. For those that are trying to be liberated, Krishna-katha makes their path of liberation very clear. By studying the Gita one becomes fully conscious of the position of Sri Krishna; and when one is situated at the lotus feet of the Lord, he understands the narration's of Krishna as described in the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Even the gross materialists are attracted by the pleasure pastimes of Krishna with the Gopis and His wives. Even though the loving affairs of Krishna have nothing to do with the gross, mundane sex affairs, they attract the people engrossed in sense-gratification and gradually elevate them to higher levels of spirituality.

Causeless mercy of Krishna
Even though Krishna is completely self sufficient and self satisfied, He descends for the benefit of all the conditioned souls. His most endearing quality is that of "bhakta vatsala". His pure devotees are always trying to please Him, and He is always trying to please His devotees. Just as He lives in the heart of His devotees, His devotees constantly reside in Him.

Krishna is so merciful that He not only helps His devotees, but also those who are envious of Him. Krishna destroys evil by providing them with an opportunity to take up devotion.

On the greatly auspicious day of Krishna-Janamashtami, let us all pray to Sri Krishna for a drop of His causeless mercy, for only that alone is sufficient to take us out from this material word, back home, back to Godhead.

All glories to the appearance day of Lord Krishna ! All glories to Sri Krishna and His devotees !!

Courtesy of http://www.acbspn.com/festivals/janmastami.htm (2002)

See more on our Janmastami pages http://www.hknet.org.nz/calendar-janmastami.htm

Sweetest Description of Janmastami-lila
from Ananda Vrindavan Champu by Srila Kavi Karnapura
Translated by Bhanu Swami & Subhaga Swami
Published by Mahanidhi Swami

Now we will discuss the truth about the transcendental birthplace of Bhagavan and the appearance of Lord Sri Krishna. Once upon a time, Bhumi, the predominating deity of the earth, felt overburdened by different demons posing as members of the royal order. Feeling aggrieved upon seeing her miserable condition, the lotus-born Brahma appealed to Ksirodakasayi Visnu, the maintainer of the universe, saying, "Please deliver Goddess Bhumi who is feeling greatly distressed by these demoniac kings. Only You can remove this terrible influence from the earth."

The time for an appearance of the Lord coincided with two internal desires of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. First the Lord desired to descend on earth to increase the fortune of Yasoda and Nanda. Also at that time Krishna wanted to relish the sweet mellow of smgara rasa (paramour love) while enacting His worldly pastimes. For these two reasons the Lord appeared within the material creation on Bhuloka, (earth planet), along with His parents, friends, and other eternal associates.

Another distinction of Lord Krishna's earthly pastimes is that when the eternally liberated gopis such as Srimati Radharani, Candravali, and others appeared, the Srutis personified also appeared in the homes of other gopis, because they had previously cultivated the desire to serve Sri Krishna as Vraja gopis. The Dandakaranya sages, upon seeing the svakiya bhava (the sweet conjugal relationship) of Lord Ramacandra and Sitadevi, desired to have the same relationship with their Lord Madana Gopala. Upon attaining perfection in their sadhana they achieved the fortunate position of appearing as gopis in Vrindavan. Yogamaya, Lord Krishna's pastime potency who possesses unlimited abilities, appeared invisibly in Gokula to arrange this, and perform other difficult tasks on behalf of the Lord.

Sri Nanda, Yasoda, and others appeared in Brhadvana (Mahavana) before the Lord. The gopas, gopis, and other eternally liberated associates appeared after the Lord. Then those who had attained perfection by sadhana, namely the sruti-caris and muni-caris, took birth in Vrindavan.

Learning of Krishna's imminent appearance, the earth personified, feeling like a wife happily greeting her husband after a long separation, immersed in unlimited joy. At the time of Krishna's birth the general mass of people tasted the inner bliss that devotees forever relish. Auspicious signs abounded everywhere. As Visnu's conchshell Pancajanya opens in a clockwise fashion, similarly, auspicious sacrificial fires glowed in all directions. Pure gentle breezes brought a refreshing coolness like devotees who satisfy and sanctify everyone with their calm, sweet, and affectionate behavior.

The whole atmosphere became as completely purified as the heart of a devotee. The devotees once again found peace and prosperity in worshiping the lotus feet of Lord Hari. Fruits filled the jubilant trees. But the envious demons exhibited various inauspicious signs of degradation such as rapidly aging bodies and symptoms of imminent death. The desire vines of the celestial denizens seemed to be hanging in the air as if eager to produce fruits. At that time all the directions became felt as pure and joyful as the mind of a devotee who has received the mercy of Lord Hari. Just as gems, mantras, or medicines can a remove a poisonous disease from the body of a man, the advent of the Lord relieved the world from the contamination of material existence and the sinful effect of the demons. Happiness gradually replaced the distress in everyone's hearts.

The bodies of all creatures manifested extraordinary beauty and youthful vitality. Men felt extremely joyful and displayed virtuous qualities. Throughout the world people behaved cordially and interacted amicably. Happiness twinkled in everyone's eye. At the end of Dvapara-yuga, which completely destroys faults and doubts, an auspicious, favorable, obstacle-free time appeared on the eighth day of the waning moon in Bhadra month. Just at that sweet moment the Rohini Naksatra, along with the good qualities of the moon and an auspicious conjunction of stars called Ayusman, appeared in the sky to give shelter to gentle persons.

As the living entity comes out from the womb of his mother and the moon appears on the lap of the eastern direction, Yogesvara Sri Krishna, the personification of complete bliss, appeared amidst great festivities. As the moon appears in the lap of the eastern direction, which is like a beautiful bride, Krishna manifested the wonderful pastime of His appearance out of His love and compassion for the conditioned souls.

Due to austerities performed in previous lives, Vasudeva and Devaki received the opportunity to momentarily relish parental affection for Lord Sri Krishna when He appeared before them in His form as Vasudeva. Thereafter in fear of Kamsa, Vasudeva brought Vasudeva Krishna to Gokula. There the Supreme Lord appeared as Govinda before Nanda and Yasoda, His eternal parents who have been smothering Him with the sweetest form of parental love since time immemorial. The four symbols of Visnu (sankha, cakra, gada, padmd) adorned His hands and feet. The flute, flower garland, and kaustubha mani, although present within Him, had not yet manifested.

In fear of cruel Kamsa, Vasudeva decided to transfer all his wives except Devaki to Gokula. He sent Rohini to the house of Vrajaraja Nanda. By the sweet will of the Lord, Yogamaya arranged for the seventh child of  Devaki (Balarama) to enter the womb of Rohini. As a result, Balarama appeared in the home of Vrajaraja Nanda before the birth of Krishna.

Lord Hari, who is bliss personified, appeared in the home of Nanda Maharaja, the king of Vrindavan for three reasons: to engage the self satisfied sages in devotional service, to please the devotees by performing sweet transcendental pastimes, and to relieve the earth's burden caused by the demons. At the time of His majestic birth Krishna employed His inconceivable powers to appear in a body of eternity, bliss and knowledge. Everyone in the maternity room swelled with joy upon seeing the Lord's exquisite transcendental form that looked like a creeper of beauty.

Mother Yasoda resembled a lake of spiritual ecstasy in which a brilliant blue lotus of personified bliss had appeared. Neither the wind nor the bees relished the fragrance of that blue lotus. That unborn lotus was never touched by the waves of the modes of nature. Even Lord Brahma could not see it, what to speak of ordinary men.

After Yasoda and her family members fell asleep in the maternity room, Hari cried beautifully like a newborn baby. His crying sounded like the maha-vakya omkara announcing the auspicious arrival of His pastimes. Omkara is a transcendental vibration that had previously emanated from the mouth of Lord Brahma. When the ladies of Vrindavan heard the sweet sound of Krishna's crying, they woke up and ran to see the Lord. With the mellow of their matchless overflowing affection they anointed His body.

The natural fragrance of Krishna's body smelled just like musk. After the ladies bathed Krishna hi sweet ambrosia, He looked cleansed and beautiful. Then they smeared His body with fragrant sandalwood pulp. The presiding deity of the house sent a campaka flower resembling the flame of a lamp into the maternity room to worship that ornament of the three worlds. With the strength of His little arms, delicate as the tender leaves of a tree, Krishna made all the lamps in the maternity room look like a garland of lotus flower buds.

The ladies of Vrindavan saw baby Krishna like a blossoming flower made of the best of blue sapphires, or like a newly unfurled leaf of a tamala tree. Krishna looked like a fresh rain cloud decorated with the musk tilaka of the goddess of fortune of the three worlds. The ointment of the greatest auspiciousness lined His eyes. His presence filled the maternity room with good fortune. Although a mere baby, Krishna had a head full of curly hair. To hide the unique signs on His hands (goad, fish, conch etc.) the Lord folded His delicate petal-like fingers into His lotus palm. At that time Krishna laid on His back with His eyes closed.

Mother Yasoda awoke amidst the joyous chattering of the elderly gopis. Leaning over the bed she admired her gorgeous son. But upon noticing her own reflection on Krishna's body, she imagined it another woman. Thinking that a witch had assumed her form to kidnap Krishna, Yasoda became bewildered and yelled, "Get out of here! You go away!" Spontaneously she cried out to Nrsimhadeva to protect her precious son. Beholding Krishna's tender face, Yasoda showered tears of affection that looked like an offering of a pearl necklace.

Yasoda saw Krishna's body as a mound of dark blue musk, softer than the butter churned from the milk ocean. Overflowing with nectar, His charming body appeared like the foam of milk, but being dark blue in color it seemed the foam was full of musk juice. Admiring the supremely delicate form of her son, Yasoda worried about His safety and feared the touch of her body might hurt his tender body.

As she leaned over the bed Yasoda bathed Krishna with the milk dripping from her breasts. The elderly gopis instructed Yasoda how to caress the baby in her lap, and affectionately push the nipple of her breast into Krishna's mouth to feed Him. Due to Yasoda's intense love, personified bliss flowed from her breasts as steady streams of milk. When milk sometimes spilled out of Krishna's bimba fruit red lips onto His cheeks, Mother Yasoda would wipe His face with the edge of her cloth. After feeding her son, Yasoda gazed affectionately at Him in wonder.

She saw her child's body as made of dazzling blue sapphires. His mouth resembled a red bimba fruit and His hands and feet looked like exquisite rubies. Krishna's nails shone like precious gems. In this way, Yasoda thought her child was completely made of jewels. Then she perceived that His naturally reddish lips looked like bandhuka flowers, His hands and feet resembled Java flowers, His nails looked like maJlika flowers. Yasoda then thought, "Krishna's whole body seems to be made of blue lotus flowers. He does not appear to be mine." After thus deliberating within herself Yasoda became stunned in amazement.

The beautiful, soft curly hairs on the right side of Krishna's chest resembled the tender stems of a lotus. Seeing the mark of Srivatsa on His chest, Yasoda thought it was breast milk that had previously spilled out of His mouth. She tried unsuccessfully to remove these 'milk stains' with the edge of her cloth. Struck with wonder, Yasoda thought this must be the sign of a great personality. Observing the sign of Laksmi (a small golden line) on the left side of Krishna's chest, Yasoda thought a small yellow bird had made a nest amidst the leaves of a tamala tree. Could this be a streak of lightning resting on a rain cloud, or could it be the golden streaks marking a black gold-testing stone? Krishna's delicate, leaf-like hands and feet, glowing pink like the rising sun, looked like clusters of lotus flowers floating in the Yamuna.

Sometimes Yasoda saw the curly, dark blue locks of baby Krishna as a swarm of bumblebees surrounding His face. Intoxicated from drinking too much honey nectar, the bees just hovered in the sky. His thick, beautiful blue hair appeared like the dark night. The two lotus eyes of Krishna looked like a pair of blue lotus buds. His cheeks resembled two huge bubbles floating in a lake of liquefied blue sapphires. Krishna's attractive ears looked like a pair of fresh unfurled leaves growing on a blue creeper.

The tip of Krishna's dark nose appeared like the sprout of a tree, and His nostrils looked like bubbles in the Yamuna River, the daughter of the sun god. His lips resembled a pair of red Java flower buds. Krishna's chin rivaled a pair of ripe, redjambu fruits. Seeing the extraordinary beauty of her son fulfilled the purpose of her eyes and submerged Yasoda in an ocean of bliss. The elderly Vrajavasi ladies addressed Vrajaraja Nanda, "O most fortunate one, you fathered a son!" Previously Nanda Maharaja had felt deeply aggrieved over his long-standing inability to obtain a son. His heart was like a small lake that had completely dried up during a long hot summer. But when Nanda Maharaja heard of his son's birth he felt as if the dry lake of his heart had been blessed with a sudden downpour of nectar. The gentle sound of Krishna's voice removed all his grief and lamentation. Now he bathed in the rains of bliss, swam in the ocean of nectar, and felt embraced by the joyful stream of the celestial Ganges.

Eager to see his son, Nanda's body thrilled with astonishment and waves of ecstasy as he stood outside the maternity room. Because he had accumulated heaps of pious activities, it appeared that the King of Vrindavan was now shaking hands with the personification of pious deeds. Anxiously standing in the background, Yogamaya induced Nanda Maharaja to enter the maternity room. He rushed in to see his son, the personified seed of condensed bliss. It seemed that all the auspiciousness of the three worlds now resided within Krishna, the original cause of everything. Nanda saw his son as a perfectly charming person. The kajala around Krishna's eyes looked like lines on a black creeper of beauty. As the very embodiment of Nanda's good fortune, Sri Krishna bloomed like a beautiful flower in a garden of desire trees.

The aparajita flower is compared to the body of the Queen of Vrindavan. Her son is like the representative of the Upanisads that are compared to the fruit of the desire creepers. By seeing his glorious son Nanda felt that he had attained happiness, perfection, and the fulfillment of all his desires. Meeting that embodiment of bliss overwhelmed Nanda with immeasurable satisfaction. He stood motionless, stunned; his hair stood erect and tears flowed from his eyes. He appeared like a person carved in stone or a figure drawn in a painting. For some time Nanda Maharaja remained in this semi-conscious state like a sleeping man about to awaken.

Upananda, Sunanda, and other relatives felt extremely joyful while observing the best ofbrahmanas perform the rites of purification for Krishna's birth. To insure his son's welfare Nanda Maharaja donated newborn calves to each and every brahmana, thus turning their homes into abodes of surabhi cows. These cows had gold and silver plated horns and hooves, and jeweled necklaces adorning their necks. In addition, Vrajapati Nanda filled the courtyards of their homes with hills of gold, jewels, and sesame seeds. While Nanda distributed charity, the kamadhenus, touch- stones, and desire-trees lost their power to produce valuable items. Even the jewel-producing oceans lost their stock of jewels, and the goddess of fortune, the abode of lotuses, had but one lotus in her hand. The auspicious news of Krishna's wonderful appearance spread in all directions by word of mouth. Delight danced in the hearts of Nanda, his brothers Upananda and Sunanda, and all the other gopas. The gopas brought many varieties of delicious dairy products such as milk, yogurt, butter, wet cheese, and hard cheese in jewel-studded pots. The pots were tied to the ends of bamboo poles with jute straps and carried on their shoulders. Bedecked with many precious jeweled ornaments, the gopas appeared very handsome. They dressed in beautiful yellow cloth defeating the brilliance of lightning, and held staffs topped with gold and jewels in their lotus hands. As a great ocean spreads its waves in all directions, the birth of Krishna filled the Vrajavasis with unbounded bliss. The gopas and gopis enjoyed a grand festival by happily eating and by splashing each other's bodies with a mixture of yogurt, butter, milk, and condensed milk. The society girls visiting Nanda Maharaja's house experienced more happiness than they had ever felt since their birth. Their minds saturated with joy and satisfaction. Hearing the delightful description of Krishna's birth carried away the chariots of their minds and made them abandon all other duties. They became possessed with the desire to see Krishna.

Sparkling rubies hung from the necklaces adorning the society girls. Their diamond-studded armlets shown more beautifully than drops of crystal clear water. Their jewel inlaid golden bangles boasted unparalleled elegance. For this unique festival they took out some highly ornamental waist-belts from their jewel boxes and tied them around their hips. The sweet jingling of the waist-bells resting on their broad hips enhanced the beauty of these society girls. They attracted the minds of everyone with their bulky golden anklets, loosened hair braids, and graceful gait, which resembled the smooth gliding of swans. Their minds entered a state of enchantment as they gazed upon the captivating beauty of Krishna's transcendental body. To worship Krishna they brought golden trays full of auspicious articles such as fruits, flowers, yogurt, durva grass, uncooked rice, and jewel bedecked lamps. They covered the offering plates with splendid yellow silk cloth and held them in their soft lotus hands. Their jeweled ankle-bells vibrated pleasantly as they walked.

Beholding the astounding beauty of the delicate baby, the society girls considered the purpose of their eyes fulfilled. They perceived Krishna's perfect birth to be like the appearance of the leaves of an important herbal medicine. Krishna resembled a blue lotus floating hi the lake of His parent's affection. After bestowing their blessings for Krishna's prosperity, they worshiped Krishna with fresh flowers and a constant shower of loving glances. With great enthusiasm the society girls glorified Vrajesvari Yasoda since she had attained the essence of all good fortune by having Krishna as her son. Leaving the maternity room, the society girls entered the assembly hall of Nanda Maharaja's palace. Their faces looked exceedingly beautiful as they sung melodious songs, which resembled the soft sweet humming of bees moving amidst a cluster of lotus flowers. All the guests bathed in a nectar shower produced by these soothing sounds. Overwhelmed with love, they filled then- lotus palms with fragrant oil, turmeric paste, and fresh butter and started smearing each other's faces and bodies. They looked very attractive with then* smiling faces and glittering white teeth.

Then: red lips seemed more beautiful than red bandhuka flowers. This incredible display of elegance smashed the pride of the goddess of fortune of the three worlds. Carried away with joy over Krishna's birth, they fearlessly threw cheese balls, butter, and yogurt at each other. One could mistake the white balls of cheese for hailstones, solidified moonlight, or white mud from the floor of the milk ocean. Then they showered each other with buttermilk, aromatic oils, and water mixed with turmeric.

Cymbals, damru drums, bherries, and big drums vibrated auspicious sounds hi specific melodies. A celestial concert of precise poetical meters, proper rhythms, and metrical compositions suddenly manifested there. The musical ensemble inspired the society girls to sing and dance in mirth and merriment. Though not good singers, by the will of the Lord they sang with great virtuoso. Then" wonderful songs filled Nanda Maharaja's heart with joy. The combined vibrations of brahmanas' chanting Vedic hymns, the recitation of Purank lore, and the panegyrists' prayers transformed the ethers into sabda brahman,

The joy of Krishna's birth celebration taxed the drains of Nanda's capital city as they swelled to the brim with milk, yogurt, and other auspicious liquids. Soon rivers of this nectar flooded the streets of the town and permeated the entire atmosphere with a sweet fragrance. Disguising themselves as birds, the demigods descended to Vrajapura to happily drink the flood of nectar. The Vrajavasis decorated their cows with gold and jeweled ornaments. Then in great excitement they smeared them with oil, fresh butter, and turmeric paste. Beholding Krishna in their hearts, these fortunate cows looked like the essence of the earth's auspicious-ness. The whole world resounded with their jubilant bellowing. Absorbed in the ecstasy of Krishna's birth, they forgot about eating and drinking.

The festival drowned the gopis in an ocean of joy. After offering oil, vermilion, garlands, and utensils in charity to all the assembled gopis, Rohini, the wife of Vasudeva, asked them to bless Krishna, Upon completion of the sacrifice, Upananda and the other relatives felt constant happiness while taking their baths. Keeping the King of Vrindavan in the front, Nanda's relatives offered opulent cloth, jeweled ornaments, tambula, garlands, and sandalwood pulp to the guests. Then they humbly requested all in attendance to bless that wonderfully auspicious boy who had just appeared in Vrindavan.

Hare Krishna!

"O Lord, You are the personification of all religion. Therefore You manifest Yourself in three millenniums, and thus You protect this universe, which consists of animate and inanimate beings. By Your grace, which is of pure goodness and is the bestower of all blessings, kindly drive away the elements of rajas and tamas for the sake of the demigods and twice-born."

"'The transcendental form of Krsna is shown to the world by Lord Krsna's internal, spiritual energy, which is a transformation of pure goodness. This jewellike form is the most confidential treasure of the devotees. This form is manifested from Krsna's eternal pastimes.'"

"`When devotional service is executed on the transcendental platform of pure goodness, it is like a sun-ray of love for Krsna. At such a time, devotional service causes the heart to be softened by various tastes, and one is then situated in bhava [emotion].'"
Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 23.5

"Simply by appreciating the Vaisnavas you can go back home back to Godhead."- Srila Prabhupada

If you study what Srila Prabhupada has given us then it's nothing but appreciation. Right from Mangala Arotik, Narsingha Prayers, Tulsi Arati upto Prema Dhvani prayers it's nothing but appreciation. One should always appreciate his spiritual master, whenever he meets him.

How does appreciation help us in our Spiritual life?

We can strengthen our relationships with devotees by appreciation. Appreciation is an art, which should be practiced privately and exhibited publicly. We find in the Caitanya Caritamrta that Caitanya Mahaprabhu is always appreciating the devotees and the others relish hearing this appreciation.  We can judge how much we have advanced in spiritual life based on how much we relish other devotees being appreciated.

We are working so hard to please Krishna and the best and easiest way to please Krishna is by appreciating His devotees. Krishna's love for His devotees is beyond compare. Which master agrees to become a chariot driver of his servant? Which master does not reject his servant, inspite of being abused and rejected again and again? Krishna has been accompanying us for millions of lifetimes in the form of the Paramatma, though we have not only been neglecting Him but also abusing Him, envious of Him and trying to usurp His Supreme Position.

A couple of incidents display Srila Prabhupada's compassion and his art of appreciating even the minutest of details. Once a sanyasi sent back his danda along with a letter mentioning that he could no longer continue in the sanyasa ashram. Srila Prabhupada appreciated the fallen sanyasi for his sincerity in sending the danda back.

On another occasion, there was this lady who would always visit the temple in the weird of dresses and the weirdest of hairdo. The brahmacaris tried to explain to her about her style of dressing but to no avail. When she was severely reprimanded by the temple leader, she decided never to sit the temple again. One day she heard that Srila Prabhupada was visiting the temple. She decided to visit the temple for the last time, because she always had a desire to meet Srila Prabhupada. When she reached the temple Srila Prabhupada was about to start the class. When she entered with her weird dress and hairdo, Srila Prabhupada glanced at her and to the surprise of the local devotees, said `You look very beautiful today.' She was dumbfounded and amazed at Srila Prabhupada's compassion. She understood that Srila Prabhupada was not looking at her body, but at her soul. At that instant she decided that henceforth she would dress up in proper vaisnava attire.

Devotees appreciate because they see that quality in the devotee and when a devotee is appreciated, he understands that the devotees expect him to become like that.

His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur would regularly carry out this exercise with his disciples whenever they quarreled. He would seat the quarreling devotees in his presence and ask them to appreciate each other. He would ask them to appreciate genuinely and not to flatter. The quality should actually be present in the devotee. Thus when the devotee would probe into the other devotee's character, he would find that there are so many good things in that devotee and that there was no need to quarrel.

We also have the classic case of H.G.Jayananda Prabhu, who would always treat everybody equally. He never saw their background or their negative qualities. He had the knack of engaging all kinds of people in devotional service.

As one spiritual master said `it's an act of cruelty if a devotee does not appreciate another devotee.'

One devotee has shown us how to act when another devotee is criticized in our presence. Whenever anybody comes to him criticizing a particular devotee, he will immediately start glorifying that particular devotee's good qualities. This would not only silence the criticizing devotee but even he would end up appreciating that devotee. Only one in a superior position can criticize another devotee. Like a spiritual master criticizing his disciple. This is for the disciple's benefit. A relationship develops by starting with appreciation.

Like they say in the school of Psychology, ` In a positive environment, a marginal performer's output goes up. In a negative environment, a good performer's output goes down.' So let's create a positive environment by appreciating the devotees around us, so that we can please the Supreme Positive - Krishna.

Usually we get to hear the good qualities of a devotee only after he has departed from this material world, especially during the sraddhanjali ceremony. At that stage we lament for not having associated properly with that devotee. Let's not wait till the sraddhanjali ceremony - LET'S START APPRECIATING FROM TODAY ITSELF.

[Based on the discussions held in the councilor's meeting in Pune 2003]
http://newpanihati.tripod.com/NewsGroup/KCNectar/KCNectar103001.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------
Appreciating Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada:

Excerpt from Srila  A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's disciples Vyaasa-puja homage 1986

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svaminn iti namine

namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine

Dear Srila Prabhupada,
Another year has passed, and it is again time for the anniversary of your most auspicious appearance day. This year is especially significant because all year the devotees have been celebrating your Centennial. By your mercy, this year we are all trying to stay more focused on spreading your glories to every country, town, and village. Your International Society for Krishna Consciousness is known practically everywhere, but you were such a humble servant of the Lord that, unlike so many other so-called gurus, you never promoted yourself for name, fame, wealth, and following. Others put themselves up on high pedestals, but you never took any credit for yourself; instead, you would say it was all the mercy of your spiritual master and Krsna. You were bold and forceful for guru and Krsna, not for your own aggrandizement; this is what distinguishes you from so many others. You are the true Jagat-guru, the spiritually empowered world acarya.

 It is said that Krsna is more pleased when His pure devotee is glorified, and we can see that He is making all arrangements to establish you in a pre-eminent position. Your disciples and grand-disciples have been working very hard over the last few years assisting the Lord in this endeavor. Many prominent people, even in Western countries, where they are very averse to praising anyone other than themselves, have come forward in appreciation, some very spontaneously. Recently one very well known critic in Australia, who for years had been making fun of the Hare Krsna movement, announced to his radio audience that A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami was the only one he considered a genuine guru out of so many. We saw a film that showed the chief minister of India’s Maharashtra state calling out "Prabhupada ki jaya! Prabhupada ki jaya! Prabhupada ki jaya!" after a speech he gave to thirty thousand people. Mayors in New Zealand have planted trees and put up plaques in your honor. We have made dioramas, arranged photo exhibits, shown films, and given lectures and speeches describing your great spiritual leadership and qualities. Western and Eastern academics are appreciating more than ever your unparalleled literary contribution. Still we should never be satisfied until A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada has become a household name all over the world. This may happen overnight, or it may take many lifetimes; it is all up to the desire of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the desire of your disciples, granddisciples, and future generations of disciples.

Everyone in this world is after some sort of fame, although it is temporary and fickle. But because you are such a surrendered servant of the Lord, fame will follow you for unlimited thousands of years. Even the demigods in the higher planetary systems must be astounded at what you have accomplished in a comparatively short time. Your achievements have brought together devotees and will ultimately unify the universe! This is not an exaggeration: what can a great acarya not accomplish? If one simply has faith in guru and Krsna, then not only can Kali-yuga be controlled, but everyone can cross over the ocean of Kali and his agents very easily and go back home, back to Godhead.

 You are the compassion representative of the most compassionate Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and all the Panca-tattva. We can see that they are manifesting their mercy through you and your followers all over the world. Who else has given so much without wanting anything in return? Generally everyone wants to take and take without much consideration for giving, but you gave us more than we could ever offer you in return. One special quality in you that I always noticed was your ability to engage practically anyone in devotional service, even those who some of your disciples thought were completely "out of it." You are so kind, Srila Prabhupada, that you are still engaging multitudes of living entities even after your disappearance from our vision. Let there be no doubt that it is through your movement that this is going on. You once said that there is no difference between yourself and your movement. If all of us can just remain strong, sincere, and fixed in our determination to always serve you and your mission, then the desire of Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityananda, and all Their associates will surely be fulfilled. You once said in Australia that sincerity was not enough: one had to be strong in one’s spiritual principles as well. We have to pray to you, Srila Prabhupada, to give us that strength, and we have to try very hard to please you. If we think "Is Prabhupada pleased by this activity?" or "How would Prabhupada have done this?", then this is the proper consciousness for a disciple.

 As far as I am concerned—well, what can I say? I am not much of a disciple. I think the only thing for me is to follow your real disciples. It is only through your mercy manifested through them and their kindness that I am still hanging around somehow or other. There are not enough letters in the alphabet or words in the dictionary to properly glorify you, Srila Prabhupada. This year we see a strong spirit to rally, combine together, and try our best to push this Krsna consciousness movement even to the remotest regions of the world. By your mercy, it will happen.

Your fallen servant,
Ramai Swami
http://home.earthlink.net/~jagadish/vyasa/RamaiS.html
 
 

About 500 years back there was a king Raghvendra Ray in Bengal. His son was Chand Ray who became a defamed murderer & robber. His entertainment was to torture & murder people. He had very big army of more than 5000 horses & men involved in attacks, violence, rapes & all abominable acts. People even avoided to hear about him & he even surpassed Jagai/Madhai in the sinful activities. He was a devotee of Goddess Durga & used to offer her thousands of animals in sacrifice.

But later on he was possessed by a brahmin ghost who tortured him from within & without. He used to just keep rolling on the ground suffering miserably & no one could help him. The father out of compassion for the son tried all the possible options to relieve him from that condition & finally an astrologer suggested that he can be relieved only with the help of a great devotee named Narottamdas Thakur. So this king sent message to Narottamdas Thakur, but it never reached him.

Finally when the son was on the verge of death he cried for Goddess Durga & she appeared "I have never accepted any offerings from you & I am consort of Lord Shiva (the topmost Vaishnava). So the only hope for u is to take shelter of Lord Krishna. Only thru His devotee Narottamdas Thakur can you approach Him".

Narottamdas Thakur received the message & began to pray to Lord Chaitanya for His mercy & guidance. Lord appeared, "there is no problem for me to deliver anyone thru you, so kindly initiate him with the name Krishnadas".

So Narottamdas Thakur traveled there & reached near the body of Chand Ray. Seeing Narottamdas Thakur the ghost began to speak, "please deliver me from this most abominable body & let me take a birth in the village of Kheturi". So he was delivered & Chand Ray surrendered himself at the lotus feet of Narottamdas Thakur.

Narottamdas Thakur instructed him in the science of Krishna consciousness & initiated him to chant the Holy Names. So Chand Ray went with Narottamdas Thakur along with all his associates. Later Chand Ray came back with saintly qualities back to his kingdom & seeing this opportunity an envious king attacked him & arrested him to collect taxes from him. He even beat him up & imprisoned him underground till death. Seeing this helpless condition of the son father offered rewards to anyone who can rescue him from the prison. One mystic accepted the offer & thru his mystical tricks he reached the prison cell underground to Chand Ray. He told Chand Ray to go out from the mystical way chanting one particular mantra of Kali, Chand Ray replied in anger, "get out of here. My spiritual master has rescued me from this miserable world & you want to entangle me again. I deserve much more that what I am suffering now. just go & tell my father that my only anxiety is the separation from my spiritual master - Narottamdas Thakur."

Then Chand Ray was to be trampled under an elephant, but somehow he just opened his hands & pulled out the trunk of the elephant making the elephant dead. Seeing this the surprised king asked from where did he get this power & Chand Ray replied, "my spiritual master has saved me & it is only his powers to protect me in all these days without any food or water". Hearing this even that envious king also surrendered himself to Narottamdas Thakur.

(From a lecture by H H Radhanath Swami Maharaj)

from Sridama prabhu CHCH

Take a mini-pilgrimage to Mathura and Vrindavan on-line - you will not be disappointed:
http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/general.php

The wonders of Vraja Mandala Parikrama
http://www.touruniversal.com/

Take a Transcendental Pilgrimage here to many sacred places
http://www.vaisnava.cz/index_en.php3

Sacred places in India
http://www.vaisnava.cz/ind_en.html

Where to stay in Sri Vrindavan Dham?

(MVT) Mayapur  - Vrindavan Trust Guest House
http://www.mvtindia.com/mvt.htm
MVT - Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg,
Raman Reti, Vrindavana - 281 124 (U.P.) INDIA
Tel: (0091)-565-2540050, 2540078, 2540079
Fax: (0091)-565-2540073

Dhananjaya dasa ACBSP
email: mvt@pamho.net

Sadhana Kunj Guest House (beside MVT)
Raman Reti, Vrindavan Dham 281 124

ph: 0091 - 565 2540670

Madhu Kanta dasa
e-mail: Sadhana.kunj.Mkd@pamho.net
e-mail: onkarnathdas@sancharnet.in

Pictures of Prabhupad in Australia and Indonesia:
http://www.iskcon.net/gauranga/ppad.htm

taken by Amogha prabhu ACBSP

Prabhupad photo gallery - US:
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/srila_prabhupada_photo_gallery.htm
compiled by Srinandanandana prabhu ACBSP

Prabhupad in Vrindavan picture Gallery
http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/prabhupada-vrindavan.php

Krishna Balaram temple and huge amount of links to all Vrindavan sites
http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/iskcon/

Krishna Balaram mandir Festival Photo galleries
http://www.vrindavan.com/darshan/albums.php

Mayapur Vrindavan Trust - Vrindavan
http://www.mvtindia.com/

Mayapur Chandradoya mandir - Festival etc 2005
http://www.mayapur.info/

http://64.28.101.188/iskcon_mayapur/iskcon_mayapur.html

European Krishna conscious festivals - photo galleries:
http://www.bharatavarsa.net/Gallery/albums.php

Foto galleries of Latino America with Rasananda Swami
http://www.rasanandaswami.com.br/fotos.htm

Picture galleries from India - totally wonderful
http://www.touruniversal.com/album/india.htm

Krishna conscious instructive dramas - plays:
http://www.cedarpost.com/krsnaconsciousplays/TableOfContents.htm

"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

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