Newsletter Number #164  ( Kartika - Diwali - Govardhan puja issue 2005 A.D. Gaurabda 519 )
http://www.hknet.org.nz/index.htm
http://welcome.to/hknetworks

---

ki jaya

---

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

---

"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.)

---

The Nectar in this Issue 

---

From time to time articles and shlokas (verses) included in this newsletter may require the Balaram font in order to view them nicely. If you don't have the Balaram font installed on your system you can download it for free from our fonts page.

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
... Other 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

... 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
...World Vegetarian Day & World Vegetarian Awareness Month of October links
... Religious Stands on Vegetarianism (Vaishnava - Hindu, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism)
... 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.)

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

Tula Sankranti (Sun enters Libra)

Srila Narottama Das Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Appearance of Radha Kunda prakat, snan dan
Sri Bahulastami

Sri Viracandra Prabhu (Virabhadra) - Appearance - Avirbhav

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Ramaa Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 29th October 2005  in NZ)

Sri Dipa dan, Dipavali, Diwali (Kalipuja) Amavasya - 2nd November 2005 in NZ

Sri Govardhana Puja, Go Puja, Go krda (Worship of Govardhana Hill)
Sri Bali Daityaraja Puja
Sri Rasikananda - Appearance - Avirbhav

Sri Vasudeva Ghosa - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada - Disappearance - Tirubhav (6th November - Fasting till noon)

Sri Gopastami, Gosthastami
Sri Gadadhara Das Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Dhananjaya Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Srinivasa Acarya - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Jagaddhatri Puja

Srila Gaura Kishora das babaji - Disappearance - Tirubhav
(Fasting till noon on the ekadasi - 12th November)
(Feasting is done tomorrow)

Sri Bhisma Pancaka
Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Utthana - Devotthani Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 12th November 2005  in NZ)

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

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

Vrscika Sankranti (Sun enters Scorpio)

Sri Katyayani vrata begins for those young maidens looking for a husband (17th Nov 2005 in NZ)

Sri Narahari Sarkar Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Utpanna Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 28th November 2005  in NZ)

Sri Kaliya Krsna dasa - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Sri Saranga Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Odan sasthi

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Trisprsa Mahadvadasi - Fasting for Mokshada Ekadasi
(Fasting from Beans and Grains - 12th December 2005  in NZ)
Advent of Srimad Bhagavad-gita - The day Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna

Sri Katyayani vrata ends

Dhanus Sankranti (Sun enters Sagittarius)

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

Christmas Day - Xmas Madness - 25th December 2005

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Saphala Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 27th December 2005  in NZ)

Sri Devananda Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Sri Mahesa Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Uddharana Datta - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Sri Locana Das Thakur - Appearance - Avirbhav

Srila Jiva Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Jagadisa Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Putrada Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 10th January 2005  in NZ)

Sri Jagadisa Pandit - Appearance - Avirbhav

Sri Krsna Pusya abhisheka
Makara Sankranti (Sun enters Capricorn) all about Makara sankranti

This year's full panjikam 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/
Free Downloadable Vaishnava Reminder for your Desktop
This Vaishnava Calendar Reminder is so simple, so nice and so practical
It has a huge data base of Towns to choose from, and facility to add towns too.
This can be used in conjunction with all other software and URLs mentioned above.

"This software aimed to be a personal information manager of anyone in Krishna's devotee community. Did you ever miss Ekadasi? With Vaishnava Reminder it will not be so easy - it alerts you about fasting days. Also it has built-in vaishnava calendar generator, to-do tasks, custom events, diary and panchang. And it is 100% free - just visit http://www.vreminder.tk and download it. It quietly sits in the system tray and alerts you when needed."

Vaisnava Reminder v.0.501a setup - 520 kb
http://vreminder.gauranga.in/setup-vr0501a.zip

Once you've downloaded it and installed it, you'll never want to be without it.

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 prabhu'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/

Srimad Bhagavad Gita AS IT IS

Bhagavad Gita:  Chapter 5 -  Karma-yoga : Action in Krsna Consciousness

                                 TEXT 11

                          kayena manasa buddhya
                         kevalair indriyair api
                         yoginah karma kurvanti
                       sangam tyaktvatma-suddhaye

   WORD FOR WORD

   kayena--with the body; manasa--with the mind; buddhya--with the
   intelligence; kevalaih--purified; indriyaih--with the senses;
   api--even; yoginah--Krsna conscious persons; karma--actions;
   kurvanti--they perform; sangam--attachment; tyaktva--giving up;
   atma--of the self; suddhaye--for the purpose of purification.

                               TRANSLATION

   The yogis, abandoning attachment, act with body, mind, intelligence
   and even with the senses, only for the purpose of purification.

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

   When one acts in Krsna consciousness for the satisfaction of the
   senses of Krsna, any action, whether of the body, mind,
   intelligence or even the senses, is purified of material
   contamination. There are no material reactions resulting from the
   activities of a Krsna conscious person. Therefore purified
   activities, which are generally called sad-acara, can be easily
   performed by acting in Krsna consciousness. Sri Rupa Gosvami in his
   Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2. 187) describes this as follows:

                          iha yasya harer dasye
                           karmana manasa gira
                         nikhilasv apy avasthasu
                         jivan-muktah sa ucyate

  "A person acting in Krsna consciousness (or, in other words, in the
   service of Krsna) with his body, mind, intelligence and words is a
   liberated person even within the material world, although he may be
   engaged in many so-called material activities." He has no false
   ego, for he does not believe that he is this material body, or that
   he possesses the body. He knows that he is not this body and that
   this body does not belong to him. He himself belongs to Krsna, and
   the body too belongs to Krsna. When he applies everything produced
   of the body, mind, intelligence, words, life, wealth,
   etc.--whatever he may have within his possession--to Krsna's
   service, he is at once dovetailed with Krsna. He is one with Krsna
   and is devoid of the false ego that leads one to believe that he is
   the body, etc. This is the perfect stage of Krsna consciousness.

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

Radharani Never Stops Dancing

Yamuna dasi was not sure of how Srila Prabhupada wanted the Deity of Srimati Radharani to appear. Often Radharani's right hand is raised with the palm facing outward, and Her left hand is at Her side holding a lotus flower. In Mayapur at Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's temple, however, Radharani's arms are bent and Her hands are at the same height. "Should She be like that?" Yamuna dasi asked Prabhupada.

"No," said Srila Prabhupada, "She should stand like this," and Prabhupada struck a pose. He raised his right hand and cupped his palm, and he bent his left arm and held the palm downward. He then turned his head and tilted it slightly. To Yamuna dasi, Prabhupada appeared to be in a classic and very graceful pose of Srimati Radharani dancing. Then Prabhupada said, "If Radharani were to stop dancing, the whole business would be finished." He then explained that in Vrndavana, Radharani never stops dancing, and that of all Her superexcellent qualities, Radharani's cooking and Her dancing are particularly outstanding. Prabhupada said that no one can excel Radharani in Her ability to please Krsna by cooking and that She cooks for Him eternally without ever making the same preparation twice. In this way, Prabhupada explained, She keeps Krsna under Her control. Then he said that even above Her cooking skill is Her dancing skill. Therefore, Prabhupada said, in the Krishna-Balaram Mandir in Vrndavana, Srimati Radharani will be dancing. Later he said, "Radharani is the color of sindura powder and hinglu powder mixed with milk."

Yamuna-devi dasi, interview. Everything Prabhupada did was for serving Krsna. This shows Prabhupada as a wonderful teacher who would actually take the pose of Radharani without any tinge of sahajiya imitation just to show his disciple how Radharani looked, using his own transcendental form to strike the pose, and then speaking some realized appreciation of Srimati Radharani.

There are other examples of how Prabhupada would use his transcendental form to strike different poses to instruct his disciples. An artist-devotee reports that Prabhupada once put on an extra piece of cloth to demonstrate for the artist how the folds in Krsna's dhoti looked. He then struck the tribhanga pose and showed how Krsna plays His flute. Many devotees have seen Prabhupada make different expressions while lecturing. For example, he might widen his eyes to look like Nrsimhadeva. He would also use many gestures and mudras.

Prabhupada was also able to speak in an intimate way about Krsna and His eternal associates, as shown in this memoir. It is interesting to note that Prabhupada usually made very intimate disclosures only to answer practical questions on devotional service. He posed as Radharani to show Yamuna how the Deity should be sculpted, and he posed as Krsna to show the artist how to paint Him. It was not for some idle reason or to simulate rasas in an artificial way. Prabhupada has said that when one needs to know something intimate about Krsna, then only will Krsna reveal that to the person. Similarly, if a devotee qualifies himself through service, then Prabhupada will reveal to him in the course of his work more intimate pastimes.

- 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
....a different lecture, morning walk, conversation or class daily.

"Svaha For Krishna Or For Maya"

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Initiations -- San Diego, June 30, 1972

Listen to the entire lecture on-line:
http://prabhupadavani.org/Lectures/RAMfiles/042LCT.ram

sri bhagavan uvaca
mayy asakta-manah partha
yogam yunjan mad-asrayah
asamsayam samagram mam
yatha jnasyasi tac chrnu
 [Bg. 7.1]

Translation: "Now hear, O son of Prtha [Arjuna], how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt."

Prabhupada: So this yoga system is very simple and the sublime. You have to simply engage your mind only on Krsna, on the form of Krsna, meditation. Simply you think of Krsna. And how? Asakta, asakti, with attachment. Just like if you love somebody, you want to see him, and attachment is so strong that without seeing him, you become restless. That is called asakti. Asakti. We have got asakti, attachment, for so many material things. So we need not explain what is meant by asakti or attachment. So different people have different attachments, but attachment is there. Somebody may be attached to a dog, and somebody may be attached to God, but the attachment is there. Rupa Gosvami has explained this attachment, very simple. He says, "My dear Lord, as a young man awakens his attachment immediately by seeing a young girl, or a young girl increases her attachment immediately seeing a young boy..." This is natural. Nobody wants to learn in the university how to love a young man or young girl. That is natural. So Rupa Gosvami says that "When my attachment unto You will becomes such naturally and simultaneous?"

This is very nice explanation. Simply by seeing, "Oh, here is a nice, beautiful girl," "Oh, here is a nice, beautiful boy," similarly, "Oh, here is Krsna, here is Krsna's katha, here is Krsna's topics, oh, here is Krsna's temple." Just like, another example is given. Just like the waves of the river. It goes down. We have seen that little river... What is that? Varta? Always going down. In Japan also, I have seen that little river, with sound, going down, going down. So similarly, as the river is going after the sea spontaneously, without any artificial attempt, so such spontaneous love for Krsna, or God, that is the perfection of yoga. This is yoga. Yoga means connection. So that connection... In the beginning we may make, revive that connection artificially, but when the connection will be spontaneous, without any check, just like the river water is going down incessantly... Nobody can check it. Ahaituky apratihata. And why the river is going there? There is no cause. It is going there. Similarly, when our love for Krsna will be gliding down like that, without any cause... Without any cause... Generally... The same example again, that spontaneous love does not depend on any cause without. Cause is there. Cause is there, love. There is no other cause. So it is called ahaituky apratihata. Ahaituki means without any cause. Just like we generally go to the temple, to the church, with a cause. Just like in Christian church they go. There is cause: "God, give us our daily bread." The cause is bread. "Therefore I have come to church." But when you go to church without any cause, that is real love. "God will give me bread; therefore, let me go to church," this is also nice, but this motivated faith may be lost. If we approach God for some material benefit, for personal sense gratification, that may break at any time. So that is not real love. Real love is without cause. And apratihata. Apratihata means which cannot be checked. My love for God cannot be checked by any material condition. Nobody can say that "Because I am poor man, I have to work so hard, I cannot love God now." People say like that. "We shall wait. When I get millions of dollars in my bank balance, then I shall take to Krsna consciousness. Now let me earn money." You see? This is not bhakti or attachment. Mayy asakta. Mayy asakta manah partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. Mad-asrayah means "under My protection." Krsna says. So taking shelter of Krsna or His representative... Mat means "My man" also. Mad-asrayah, take shelter of Krsna or His representative, and try to practice the yoga by which you will have spontaneous love for Krsna.

So this practice, according to Vedic instruction... Because we have no attachment. So for making attachment, there are some regulative principles by which you can increase the attachment. Just like we say, "No illicit sex." That means... Illicit sex means those who are too much attached to sex; otherwise, there is no question of illicit sex. According to Vedic system one is married, and married means the girl has got a husband, and the boy has got a wife. So living on religious principles, they can satisfy their sex life for begetting nice children. So there is no prohibition. That is allowed. But illicit sex means your attachment for sex is increased, not for Krsna. Therefore it is forbidden. No meat-eating. Meat-eating or fish-eating or egg-eating, nonvegetarian diet, it is simply attachment of the tongue. Nobody dies without meat-eating. That's not a fact. When we were children, we were babies, we were depending on milk, either mother's breast milk or cow's milk. Therefore cow is also our mother. Just like we drink breast milk from my mother, similarly, we drink milk from mother cow. Therefore meat-eating is prohibited. You cannot kill your mother. That is a great sin. You cannot. But people have become so sinful that they have no consideration that "I am going to kill my mother. I am so ungrateful that the mother who supplied her blood to feed me, to keep me living, now I am grown-up, I am going to kill my mother." This is my advancement of education, that "I have learned how to kill my mother." Therefore, in every religion the killing is prohibited or very much restricted. So in your Christian religion, the first item is, "Thou shalt not kill." But everyone is violating this first commandment. Then where is your claim to become a Christian? If you violate the injunction given by Lord Jesus Christ, then where, how you become a Christian? That is our question. Either Christian or this or that, killing is most sinful. This should be avoided.

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

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

(Every Town & Village, album cover)

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

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

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

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

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

40+ 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

New to Krishna Consciousness - these topics 4 you
http://harekrishnaworldnews.blogspot.com/2005/08/new-to-krishna-consciousness.html

For those who are new to the Krishna Conscious philosophy,
here are a series of FLASH presentations introducing the philosophy to beginners.

What is Krishna Consciousness? (172k)
How can we become Krishna Conscious? (144k)
What is the Soul? (412k)
What is Yoga? (396k)
What is the Maha mantra? (216k)
What is Sanskrit? (64k)
What is the syllable Om? (312k)
Who is the girl with Krishna? (200k)
What are the Incarnations of the Lord (1.2mb)

http://www.iskcon.com.au/New_to_Krishna.html

Are You Tired Of Suffering?

Unlimited Bliss Is Your
Constitutional Birthright.

Now You Can Regain It With
The Ultimate
Self-Realization Course

Enroll Today
For Your Free E-Course!

http://www.backtohome.com/

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

Vrindavan Art
http://www.vrindavanart.com/index.php?gallery=gal14

Mayapur Darshans

http://www.mayapur.com
http://www.photo.net/photos/Vrindavan Lila
http://www.maphoto.tk
http://www.mayapur-katha.tk
http://www.dipika.org/mainpages/contributors/vrindavan.lila.dd.htm
http://www.geocities.com/mayapurkatha1

Radhastami photo-gallery:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=528023

Nrisimha Deva's photo-gallery:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=500789

Also we are sending out mailing lists with regular postings of video clips,
photos and PDF jornals.

to SUBSCRIBE to our FREE MAILING LISTs:

- MAYAPUR KATHA for web-magazines (PDF) send request to
  "Mayapur Katha Magazine" <Mayapur.Katha.Magazine@pamho.net>

- MAYAPUR DARSAN, video clips of Mayapur, send reqest to
  "Mayapur Darshan" <Mayapur.Darshan@pamho.net>

- Second SUNDAY MAILING LIST - photos of Mayapur, send request to
  Padmalochan.ACBSP@pamho.net / vrindavanlila@photo.net

Iskcon Mayapur are looking at starting a new WWW web-site, and are looking for a sponsor
if you are interested is assisting this great project please contact
Padmalochan.ACBSP@pamho.net or his wife vrindavanlila@photo.net

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

Hare Krishna Media Library
http://www.harekrishna.org.au/

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.)

Hindu Gods, Goddesses & Devas Wallpaper - 22 different ones, and screensavers too.
http://coolbuddy.com/wallpapers/Religious/hindu_god_home.htm

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.mail15.com .................15 mb
http://macnews.de .........................20 mb
http://xms.ms ..................................20 mb
http://balls.com ............................100 mb
http://ukonline.net .......................200 mb

Get a FREE Gmail account today
HERE  or HERE
Gmail give you 2000+ Mb of free space

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

Hare Krsna!

In the download section of my website  http://tinyurl.com/9er95 you will find a copy of Ganguly's complete English translation of the Mahabharata (originally in 13 hardback volumes) in HTML format. It is in a 7.5 MB zipped file.

The Mahabharata explains by example how Lord Krsna's Vedic culture and Varnashrama Dharma are meant to work. Where the Manu Smriti is a concise book of laws for Mankind the Mahabharata shows how those laws are applied. The Mahabharata along with the Ramayana have been the main foundation for the continuation of Vedic culture because they are easily accessible to the masses. The Mahabharata was actually written for the unfortunate people of the Kali Yuga to help uplift them. A close study of the Mahabharata and Ramayana in conjunction with the Manu Samhita would serve as a good guide on how to implement Varnashrama Dharma. And, in conjunction with the Srimad Bhagavatam, insight into Daivi Varnashrama Dharma. The Mahabharata is thus an essential text for anyone interested in implementing VAD.

The Mahabharata is a vast treasure house of Brahminical knowledge and as the Mahabharat itself says: "What is found in the Mahabharata may be found in other texts; whatever is not found in the Mahabharata is not found anywhere."

You will also find a PDF copy  of a canto of Agnivesa's Caraka Samhita (an Ayurvedic text) entitled Sarirasthana, a fascinating account of how the body is formed starting with philosophical details, conception, karmic details, embryology etc. I once gave this text to an obstetrician to read while she was waiting to see me and she was astounded at how much knowledge was contained in such an ancient text. Size 14 MB

Yours faithfully,

Shyamasundara Dasa

http://www.ShyamasundaraDasa.com
"krsnas tu bhagavan svayam"

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.......

Devotional bhajanas, kirtans and mantras:
http://www.sudarshana.org/

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

The Peace Formula - (By HDG Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada) http://www.hknet.org.nz/PeaceFormula.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

Iskcon News Articles now available - many topical insights
http://www.iskcon.com/new/index.html

The National Council of Hindu Temples (UK)

Resources > Sexuality and Hinduism
http://www.nchtuk.org/content.php?id=70

Sexuality is  a natural part of every living entity’s genetic makeup. It plays a vital role in peoples’ lives; in fact for most people, life without it would not be enjoyable. Hinduism recognises this inevitable requirement of the human body.

References are found in the Hindu scriptures in connection with human sexuality, but above all, this aspect of human life has been elaborately covered by prescribing a balanced approach between four ‘pursharthas’ (goals of human life) i.e. ‘dharma’ (religiosity), ‘artha‘ (economic development), ‘kama’ (sense gratification), and ‘moksha’ (liberation).

‘The Kama Sutra’ would feature at the top of these references for most. Certain sections of this book talks of just not of heterosexuality but also of homosexuality in graphical detail. However, many Hindus do not recognise the Kama Sutra to a part of the vast collection of sacred books called the Vedas. Kama Sutra may be the oldest book on the topic but it is just regarded as a sex manual and has nothing to do with spirituality.

Tantric sexual practises may also be referred to by many in this discussion. But this type of sexual practices are also not recognised by most Hindus to be bonafide since they do not lead one towards spiritualism, but rather towards materialism.

One may raise a point about erotic iconography on the outside of various temples in India such as Khajurao and Konark. There are many explanations for this. One such explanation points out that to filter out people with unscrupulous consciousness i.e. those captured by the allurement of sense pleasure (mode of ignorance) so they would not enter the temple (the spiritual world) but rather stay out (the material realm) being attracted to the imagery.

Many teachers have also proclaimed emancipation from the material world by the practice of unrestricted sex.  They may have made or continue to make many direct or indirect references  to the Vedas to support their ideas, but this type of philosophy, according to most practitioners, also does not find any basis in Hinduism.

One of many indubitable sources of reference on sexuality is the Bhagavad-Gita where Lord Krishna tells Arjuna ‘ … I am sex life which is not contrary to religious principles’ (7.11). Before we try to understand what are the religious principles Lord Krishna is referring to we have to understand the goal of one who is on the spiritual path in Hinduism.

Contrary to popular perception, Hinduism is a monotheistic religion believing in one Absolute Truth who is known by various names, depending on His activities, such as Krishna, Rama, Brahman, Hari, Vishnu, etc. The aspiration of a practising Hindu is to achieve liberation from the bondage of the material world, which is temporary and full of miseries of birth, death, old age and death, and to attain Love of God (Bhagavat Prema).

To achieve this aim, Hinduism prescribes many processes by which an individual can achieve that spiritual goal. All the processes start when the aspirant begins to revive certain qualities, which are inherent in all of us, namely  mercy, truthfulness, austerity and cleanliness. To cultivate these qualities, certain rules and regulations are followed i.e. to cultivate the quality of mercy one abstains from eating meat, to cultivate the quality of truthfulness one abstains from gambling, to cultivate the quality of austerity one abstains from intoxication; and although total abstinence from sex is recommended for the cultivation of the quality of cleanliness, if one unable to follow this then one is advised to abstain from illicit sexual activity.

So when Lord Krishna talks about ‘sex life not being contrary to religious principles’ it is understood that sex is only meant for procreation, otherwise this act becomes illicit and is therefore against religious principles.

It is important to note that Hinduism does not exclude anyone, from practising ‘religiousness’ and believing in God because of their sexual orientation, since it believes that ultimately one has to take the spiritual journey individually. In other words, everyone is responsible for his or her own actions and will thus face respective reactions ­ positive or negative. But to advance in the spiritual process and to achieve the desired goal one has to adhere to prescribed scriptural regulations, otherwise progress is virtually impossible.

In conclusion, Hinduism views homosexuality as incompatible with spiritual advancement and heterosexuality is restricted to procreation.

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

For more articles on sex in Krishna consciousness see the seX-files

Rajasthan's Mud Sculptors Facing Gloomy Day

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1475374,00470001.htm

JAIPUR, INDIA, 6 September 2005: Rajasthan's age-old art of sculpting beautiful mud toys once considered the most lucrative economic activities in the state because of the extensive use of mud products like water pots, utensils, toys and other ceremonial items is fast receding into oblivion. But potters now say their future is uncertain as demand for their products has fallen drastically. The longevity of this trade can be estimated from the fact that it has survived for thousands of years, as evidence found in the Indus Valley civilization. Potter Ram Lal says that although it has been his family business for the last eight generations, these products have lost their relevance in today's society. Clay products once widely used in marriages and other occasions are considered stale and out of tune with the changing times and have been replaced by plastic. Though the decline in business is causing a serious economic crisis for the potters, they always loo k forward to festive seasons in Rajasthan. "Today we earn only during festivals like Gangaur, Holi and Diwali. In these festivals we make good money by selling diyas (mud lamps), but then we have to wait the entire year for such times," said potter Durga Devi. A majority of the potter community has taken to other jobs in the cities. "The government's reluctance to work out schemes to promote pottery also makes us feel vulnerable," said Ram Lal.

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

October 22, 2005

LONDON: A man stunned shoppers in a British high street by handing out his savings to "make people happy", a newspaper said on Friday.

Chris Aljaradat withdrew £10,000 ($23,600) from his bank on Wednesday before dishing out the cash to gobsmacked passers-by in Worcester, central England.

He lobbed £20 notes into the air before thinking of something better to do and wandering away - £2000 pounds the worse off.

"I am not really sure why I did it, but I just decided to help other people for a change and to try and make people happy," Aljaradat told the Worcester News daily.

"I was actually quite shocked at some people's reactions and had to say 'Go on, take it' to some. I don't think they thought it was real money."

The police waded in but found Aljaradat's notes were genuine and left him to it.

Aljaradat was wearing a sticker reading "Gouranga", the Hare Krishna word for be happy.

Now he wants to hand the remaining £8000 to charity.

The bizarre decision may have put a smile on many a face - but the cash-chucking Aljaradat admitted the smile may soon get wiped from his.

"It was my own money, I haven't won the lottery or anything, although I'm not sure my girlfriend will be too pleased when she finds out - she's broke."

sent in by Guru Chaitanya dasa, Madras

...............AND WE SAID OKAY

This one will make you think

In light of the many perversions and jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attacks on Sept. 11).

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.

And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbour as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they WILL think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in!!

For a very different take on 9/11 go to the following link. It is a well  written article.

http://www.krishna.com/main.php?id=659

sent in by Shyamasundara prabhu ACBSP

Dining with compassion
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3451463a7773,00.html
22 October 2005

People are being urged to be more thoughtful about animal cruelty when choosing what to eat, writes Jill Stark.

Twenty-five years after Anna Mumford got a job in a slaughterhouse, it's not the smell or the blood that she remembers. It's the fear. She's haunted by the look in the eyes of petrified cows being herded into sheds to be shot in the head.

It's an image that changed her life. Overnight she stopped eating meat, and soon after became a strict vegan, masticating nothing derived from animals and using no animal-based products.

Mumford's story is typical of many who choose to adopt a vegan or vegetarian life-style. It could be described as a "lightbulb" moment - a defining event from which there is no turning back.

Mumford grew up in a typical English farming community and was an unquestioning meat-eater when she made the change. For her it was a simple choice to live cruelty-free, but it didn't seem enough. She wanted to arm the public with information on animal cruelty in the hope that light-bulbs might go on all over the world.

As the organiser of Australia's only Cruelty Free Lifestyle Expo, she's achieved much in the way of raising awareness. Thousands have attended the event since its inception three years ago, and each year more businesses with a vegan or vegetarian ethos have jumped on board with workshops and sponsorship.

Mumford, who is a member of the expo's two main sponsors, Choose Cruelty Free and Animal Liberation Victoria, believes the event is an invaluable tool for those who already follow a plant-based diet, as well as those looking to change to a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. It's also, she says, a chance to "gently" show people why a vegan diet is the only way to live a truly cruelty-free life.

"This is an expo about how to help yourself, the animals and the environment. If we eat better and live better, we're going to feel better," Mumford says. "We're saying, help yourself by looking at the alternatives, then you can help the animals by being aware about all the products that are tested on them, and all the foods that contain animal products.

"Something like gelatine, for example - people don't realise that it's ground-up bones and tendons. It's in so much. It's in biscuits, it's in confectionery.

When people want to go vegan, it's overwhelming if you think there's not only the food to think about, but the clothes and household products, cosmetics, toiletries. "People don't know where to start and they become paralysed. We want people to be informed, because the majority of people are compassionate. They have a conscience, and that will take them where they want to go."

Mumford, a mother of four from Wantirna South (her children and husband are vegans) is fiercely passionate about the issue and maintains that the "logical conclusion" to a cruelty-free lifestyle is becoming a vegan. She reserves her harshest criticism for animal husbandry, but she believes even vegetarian food can reach our table through cruel practices.

"You might think, ‘Oh, eggs are fine', but what about battery cages where the poor bird can't even stretch, and there's three to a cage and they peck each other and have no means of getting out so they're stressed. With free-range you still have to kill the male chicks, because they're no good for the egg producing.

"On a larger scale you've got a company like KFC who now want to get their chickens ready much quicker, so they're giving them special growth - promoting hormones, and they're building them up with certain foods so that when they're six weeks old they're the size and weight of a three-month-old, but they can't stand up because their bones are too weak. So their bones are broken, they're deformed, and these are the chickens that are being sold for people to eat.

Like born-again Christians who want to spread the word after they've been "saved", there's a risk that Mumford and her peers could alienate the public they're trying to reach. It's a pitfall she's all too aware of, but insists that no holier-than-thou preaching or shock tactics are being employed in conveying the cruelty-free message.

"I'm not telling people what to do. We believe that the more information someone has, the better their ability to make a decision. They might think they'd like to stop eating meat, but they don't know what to eat, so they just go and buy the meat again.

"It seems we're really on the cusp of something at the moment. The news is appalling with bird flu and everything that's happening with global warming, and people are slowly starting to see the cost of the massive destruction we're causing to the earth."

"There are so many shops full of vegan products. If you want to have a mock schnitzel or mock nuggets or you've got meat-eating friends coming around, serve them that; they'll barely know the difference. It's got that fibrous texture, but it's all made from soy. If you arm people with the knowledge, they can think, ‘Hey, I don't have to have that'.

In Melbourne, a city that's embraced the soy latte, there's no shortage of vegan and vegetarian outlets. Few suburbs are without options for those following a plant-based diet, but Smith Street in Collingwood is perhaps one of the most vegan-friendly shopping strips. Pronto Brontos serves a vegetarian fast-food feast of burgers, schnitzels and nuggets, the Las Vegan Bakery offers six kinds of vegan cakes and 10 vegan muffins, and Feast On Vegan is a fish-and-chip shop with a difference.

Mumford recently organised a Vegan "shopping" tour of Melbourne that took day-trippers to 30 vegan and vegetarian outlets in the city.

The proliferation of veggie businesses in Melbourne is a result of simple economics: the market supplying what the consumer wants. Sienna Blake, the editor of national magazine Vegan Voice, says world events and growing levels of sickness are prompting a trend towards veganism.

"It seems we're really on the cusp of something at the moment," Blake says. "The news is appalling with bird flu and everything that's happening with global warming, and people are slowly starting to see the cost of the massive destruction we're causing to the earth.

"We don't have time to sit back and wonder what we're going to do about it. Heart disease, cancer and the obesity epidemic are all linked to a meat-based diet. As people get sicker and fatter, the information about a plant-based diet will gradually get out there."

The popular belief that humans require meat in their diets to remain healthy is, Blake maintains, a misconception fuelled by those with vested interests. "Our diets are not lacking from anything animal-based - we're suffering from excess. We've been led to believe that as soon as someone says the word ‘protein' we think meat, and it's simply not true.

"But we're up against groups like the meat and dairy industry with massive amounts of money and huge subsidies," Blake says.

Visitors to the expo will receive advice and information not only on changing to a cruelty-free diet, but on how to apply the principle to other aspects of their lives. Consumers may be unaware that many household products, cosmetics, clothing or medicines have involved some degree of animal cruelty before arriving on shelves.

Bringing ethical and scientific arguments against the use of animals in research to the public's attention is the aim of the Australian Association for Humane Research. Its CEO Helen Rosser says there's now greater awareness about animal testing, but that hasn't put an end to the practice.

"The public are generally of the view that animal research is a necessary evil, because pro-vivisectionists use the emotive argument of choosing between your child and the dog, but this is a totally invalid argument," Rosser says.

In a world with ever-increasing demands on our time, it could be argued that it's just too difficult to read every label and seek out cruelty-free products. But Sandy Anderson, who started her own business, Veganpet, creating vegan-friendly food for cats and dogs, believes that the more the public's conscience is pricked, the more products like hers will flood the mainstream market.

"We could all consume a lot less meat and we could all take a damn good look at how we are killing and what we're doing," Anderson says. "People are really looking around and looking at their own food and what's in it. They're opting for organic or natural food, and I can see a big future for vegan products.

"You need the bigger companies to come on board, and at the moment it's not financially viable for them. The bottom line for them is always going to be the dollar. As public attitudes change, it will push the big companies into looking at themselves."

The Cruelty Free Lifestyle Expo is at Prahran Town Hall in Melbourne on Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Details: www.livecrueltyfree.org

See our World Vegetarian Day Newsletters2004 - 2005 - World Vege Day

See similar articles at Vegetarianism & beyond:
http://turn.to/Vegetarianism

Afghanistan's Historic Hindu Temples Busy For Navaratri
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 19:18:36 -0000
   From: "vrnparker" <vrnparker@yahoo.com>
Subject: Afghanistan's Historic Hindu Temples Busy For Navaratri

source:http://www.hindu.org

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN, October 5, 2005: With the onset of the nine-day festival period of Navaratri, Kabul's ancient Hindu temples are buzzing with a record number of devotees of all faiths. The focal attraction is Asamai temple. Hundreds of Afghanistan's Hindus and Sikhs as well as Indians employed in reconstruction projects pay their obeisance there every day. The hill is named Asamai after Asha, the Goddess of hope said to be residing on the hilltop since time immemorial. Legend goes that the Akhand Jyoti or continuous fire there has been burning uninterrupted for over 4,000 years. Amazingly, both the temple and the jyoti have survived numerous bloody wars for supremacy over Kabul, says this article. Two large halls with a capacity of about 1,000 persons form part of the Asamai complex, commonly used for religious congregations on festivals like Navaratri and Diwali. Kabul boasts another ancient temple complex--Harshri Nath--with temples devoted to Hindu deities Siva, Saraswati and Ganesha. The Harshri Nath temple attracts several Hindu families who returned to Kabul over the past four years. Several Sikh families also visit the temple every week to pray alongside Hindus. Kabul's third temple is located in the Shor Bazaar area once the hub of the trade in clothes, currency and dry fruits that is dominated by Hindus and Sikhs. Dedicated to God Siva, the small temple miraculously survived severe shelling during the Civil War, even as the entire Shor Bazaar was reduced to rubble. Though the local Hindu and Sikh population has dropped to about 5,000 from close to 20,000, the temple is a favorite with scores of Indians currently engaged in reconstruction work.

About Afghan Hindus

visit

http://www.afghanhindu.info/
http://www.afghanhindu.com/

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

Vedic World Heritage links:

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

World Smoke Free Day
31st May Every Year 

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

yeah kick the butt
...and remember from 10th December 2004 no more smoking in public places in New Zealand by law

THE MAN WHO WAS GOING TO THE PROSTITUTE

There is a story that one man who was very rich was visiting a prostitute.  His wife inquired, "What is there wanting in me that you are going to the prostitute?"  "I go there because she dances and sings," replied her husband.  So the wife learnt dancing and singing.  In this way, one after another, she learnt dancing, singing, drinking etc.  Still he was going.  Then she asked him, "I have learnt everything that the prostitute goes.  Why are you still going?"  "There is still one thing," the husband replied.  "What is that?"  "You do not abuse my father and mother.  That you will not do."  These prostitutes, they abuse the father and mother.  In Bengal it is known as rakta kedara vega.  Then she said, "All right.  Stop.  I am no longer your wife.  I cannot abuse your father and mother.  That is not possible.  I have learnt these things for your satisfaction, but I cannot learn this thing."

MORAL: The prostitute will not only abuse the paramour, but also his father, mother, family, culture, everything,  So if you create prostitute in society, where is the hope of Brahminical culture.

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

Dear Prabhus,

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

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

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

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

http://www.nectarbooks.com

Your aspiring servants at NectarBooks.Com

Dasaratha-suta Dasa and Dina Sharana Dasa

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

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

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

HH Devamrita Swami
http://www.devaswami.com/main.php
http://www.devaswami.com/main.php?&displayPage=home

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HH Suhotra dasa Tapa Vanacharin
http://www.suhotraprabhu.com/

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

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

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

See the Blogs above also for some interesting reads:

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

What's Going On Where &Adds

FESTIVAL EVENTS AND VENUES:


The New Iskcon Auckland temple

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

photos updated 12th March 2004

page updated September 2005

Hare KrishnaSchool & Playgroup

Krishna Conscious education for children
http://www.harekrishna.school.nz
http://hkschool.orcon.net.nz/

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

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

A school bus service provides transport from Auckland suburbs.

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

admin@harekrishna.school.nz

Ph: 09-412-6325
Mob: 021-265-7587
Fax: 09-412-6325

Find out what the NZ Government Education Review Office thinks of the Hare Krishna School. Click the link below.
http://www.ero.govt.nz/publish/reppub.ns4/Institution/98CA326F2C53BF0CCC256B7500174198/$File/4204.htm?OpenElement

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

 For details please contact-

Vishnupadi dasi Ph.836-1214

Gaura Yoga Centre
First floor
175, Vivian Street,
Wellington

Phone:  (04) 801-5500

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

http://www.gaurayoga.co.nz

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

...for more details contact Trivikrama dasa

mailto:touchstone@slingshot.co.nz (for Trivikram prabhu)

Vegetarian Clubs
Waikato University - Hamilton campus

2 days per week serving about 100 plates each day.

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

Auckland Veda club.
Auckland University - Wellesley St. campus

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

 268., Karangahape Road., Auckland

Delicious hot inexpensive Vegetarian Meals !

Pure Vegetarian Restaurant

$5 Combo Meal

Open Mon-Fri 11am-7.30pm

Sat 11am-2.30pm

Phone (09) 300 7585

SPIRITUAL MASTER INSPIRES FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Seven hundred plates of free prasadam (food offered to the Lord) were distributed to an appreciative public and to 50 devotees who took part in a central city Harinam (chanting in the streets).

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

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

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

Account number 3125628, Ashok Jagram, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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

- HEALTHY ISSUES - Ayurveda:-
Visit Vaidya Yolande Manson's Ayurvedic practice - in Hamilton:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/YM-Ayurved.html

dhanvantaris cha bhagavan svayam eva kirtir
namna nrnam pururujam ruja asu hanti
yajne cha bhagam amrtayur avavarundha
ayusya vedam anusasty avatirya loke

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

Sacred Vegetarian Recipes - Prasadam

World Vegetarian Day 1st October each year

World Vegetarian Awareness Month - October

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

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

see what we hear is to be happening this year

See our previous World Vegetarian Day issue of the newsletter for a wide range of Vegetarian issues
2005 World Vegetarian Day newsletter
Shaligram Tirtha Pradarshini newsletter October 2005 - Theme Prasadam

Vege update:
Social scientists and law enforcement officials have identified animal abuse as a symptom of emotional illness and a precursor to violent crimes against human beings. To allow individuals guilty of perpetrating such cruel acts to go unpunished or not sufficiently punished would be to sanction these horrific crimes and would permit them to go on to possibly commit violent crimes against humans.

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

This list is about vegetarian kitchen crafts. This list is created for postings regarding back to basics vegetarian kitchen crafts. When we say vegetarian we mean no meat, fish or eggs. When we say back to basics, we mean tips on making yeast, bread, gluten, tofu, sprouts and so forth. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vkcrafts   Post a Message: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vkcrafts/post
 

ALOO PASTRY PUFFS

Ingredients
1 pastry puff sheet (this is found in the frozen foods section) (or see the receipe below)
1 big potato (Aloo)
Some cumin seeds
Some fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon of garam masala
A pinch of turmeric
Salt to taste

Method

Boil the potato, peel the skin and mash it, but not like a paste.
Take the pastry puff sheet and cut into 9 small squares.
In a kadai (wok), put a little oil and add the cummin seeds. When they splutter add the fennel seeds. Fry for about 30 seconds and add the smashed potato. Add garam masala, turmeric and salt. Mix everything well and keep on flame for about a minute. Remove from gas and allow it to cool a little bit, say for about 5 minutes.
Now take the square piece of the pastry puff sheet and put some of the potato mixture in the centre.
Dip your finger in water and apply water on all the four sides of the sheet so that the sides can be stuck.
Now fold the square piece diagonally, in the shape of a triangle. Make the remaining squares pieces in the similar way.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the made pastries in a baking tray and bake it for approximately 20 minutes or until the puffs are golden in color. Once they turn slightly golden then turn it over and allow the other side to cook too.

Basic Puff Pastry
Ingredients :
1/4 cup Butter
1 3/4 cup All-purpose flour chilled
1/2 cup Water cold
3/4 cup Butter softened
1/4 cup All-purpose flour chilled

Method :
Preparation Time: 1:00
Cut 1/4 cup butter into 1-3/4 cups flour with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle cold water (1 tablespoon at a time) evenly over surface; stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened. Shape into a ball, and wrap in waxed paper. Chill 15 minutes. Combine 3/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup flour; stir until smooth. Shape mixture into a 6-inch square on waxed paper. Chill 5 minutes.
Roll pastry into a 15-inch circle on a lightly floured surface; place chilled butter mixture in center of pastry.
Fold left side of pastry over butter; fold right side of pastry over left. Fold upper and lower edges of pastry over butter, making a thick square. Working quickly, place dough, folded side down, on a lightly floured surface; roll dough into a 20- x 8-inch rectangle. Fold rectangle into thirds, beginning with short side. Roll pastry into another 20- x 8-inch rectangle; again fold rectangle into thirds. Wrap dough in wax paper, and chill about 2 hours.
Repeat rolling, folding, and chilling process 2 additional times. Chill for 2 hours.

Carrot Salsa Recipe

Ingredients:
1/2 cup baby carrots, diced
1   tablespoon red cabbage, diced fine
1   tablespoon red bell pepper, diced fine
1   tablespoon yellow bell pepper, diced fine
1   tablespoon cilantro (coriander), chopped
1   green chile pepper, diced fine
1   tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon Hing

In a glass-mixing bowl, you want to combine carrots, red cabbage, red and yellow bell pepper, cilantro (coriander), green chile, lemon juice, salt, hing and pepper.  Cover with plastic wrap and and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Honey-Mustard Dip Recipe
(ready in 30 mins)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sour cream  (Tararua lite sour cream is okay for vegetarians)
3 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
3 tablespoons honey

Directions:

Combine sour cream, mustard, and honey in a small bowl until blended.

Yogurt Salsa

Ingredients:
1 pound Plum tomatoes
1 cup finely chopped raw cabbage
1 jalapeno Pepper
1/4 cup Plain Low-Fat Yogurt
1/2 cup Fresh cilantro (coriander) -- chopped
1 pinch Salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Hing

Skin, core and chop tomatoes. Peel and chop onion. Seed and chop jalapeno.  Combine tomatoes, raw cabbage, pepper, yogurt, cilantro (corinander), salt, pepper and hing in food processor. Process by pulsing until just coarsely chopped. Chill.
 

Nepali Nimki (Flour Crackers)

Ingredients
250 g flour
1/2 teaspoon cumin
2 oil cups
Salt to taste

 Preparation
1 Roast the cumin in low oven heat for some time. (If it is seed form, grind it)
2 Mix cumin and salt with flour.Knead the flour mixture with 2-3 teaspoons of oil and water (as needed) to a dough.
3 Roll the mixture dough flat. Fold it. Roll it flat again. Repeat the process one more time.
4 Cut dough in diamond shape (2 triangles on top of each other). Make them around 1-inch in size or whatever you feel like.
5 Heat the oil in skillet or Chinese wok on medium heat.
6 Fry the diamond shaped Nimki until they become of a brownish.
7 Serve it hot or store in air tight container for days

Kashtha Nimki   (Flour Cracker)

Ingredients:
250 g Flour
1/2 teaspoon Mangarel seeds (Kalanji seeds)(not onion seeds)
1/2 teaspoon Ajwan seeds
juice of two big lemons
2 cups Ghee
Salt to taste (1 tsp)

Method:
Mix spices and salt with flour.Knead the flour mixture with 2-3 teaspoons of ghee and water (as needed) to a dough.
Roll the mixture dough flat. Fold it. Roll it flat again. Repeat the process one more time.
Cut dough in diamond shape (2 triangles on top of each other). Make them around 1-inch in size or whatever you feel like.
Heat the ghee in a skillet on medium heat.
Fry the diamond shaped nimkis until they become of a brownish. They will smell cheesey.
Serve it hot or store in air tight container for days, hahaha if they last that long, they are addictive

Soul’s Cake with Butterscotch Sauce

A great winter-warming cake that works well as a Bonfire night pudding too.

Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
For the cake:
225g/8oz butter
450g/1lb black treacle
350g/12oz fine oatmeal
350g/12oz plain flour
225g/8oz soft dark sugar
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cream of tartar
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
100ml/3½fl oz full cream (full fat yeah) milk

For the sauce:
25g/1oz butter
2 tbsp light brown muscovado sugar
1 tbsp golden syrup
55ml/2fl oz double (heavy) cream

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 170ºC/325ºF/Gas 3. Grease two 24x19cm (9x8in) roasting tins or one larger roasting dish.

2. Warm the butter and treacle in a saucepan, to melt them together.

3. Mix together the oatmeal, flour, sugar, ginger, salt and cream of tartar.

4. Dissolve the bicarbonate in the milk.

5. Pour the melted butter and treacle into the dry ingredients and then add the milk mixture. Stir thoroughly, turn the mixture into the tins and level off the top.

6. Bake the cakes in the oven, allowing 1 hour 15 minutes for the two smaller ones or 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours for the larger tin. Test whether the cakes are cooked by inserting a skewer; if it comes out dry the cake is cooked through.

7. Cool the cakes in the tins. To enjoy the cakes at their best, keep them well wrapped in a clean cloth for around two weeks before cutting into squares or bars.

8. Serve the cake with the sauce. Warm the butter, sugar and syrup together in a saucepan until well-blended. Bring to the boil and boil for 1 minute.

9. Allow the sauce to cool for 30 seconds then stir in the double cream. Pour the sauce over the cake and serve at once.

Cinder Toffee

Christine Grimshaw shares her favourite recipe for glossy toffee – perfect for passing around .

Ingredients:
100g/3½oz golden syrup
200g/7oz caster (refined granulated) sugar
40g/1¾oz butter
½ tsp vinegar
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tbsp water

Method:
1. Line a 15cm/6in square tin with greaseproof or parchment paper.

2. Put the syrup, sugar, butter and water into a large heavy-bottomed pan set over a medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, before turning up the heat and bringing to the boil.

3. Cook, without stirring until a teaspoon of the hot toffee mixture becomes a hard ball when dropped into a jug of cold water. If you have a sugar thermometer, it should register 138C. Remove the pan from the heat.

4. Add the vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to the pan – take care as the toffee mixture will bubble up and rise in the pan. Pour immediately into the lined tin and leave on one side.

5. After about 15- 20 minutes, when the mixture has begun to set, score the toffee in square shapes, using a sharp knife. Break along the lines when it has completely set. The toffee will keep in an airtight tin for up to two weeks if there's no one around.

Instant Banana Ice Cream

A speedy ice cream - frozen banana chunks whizzed to a tangy puree with delicious buttermilk and vanilla.

Makes about 1 Litre/35fl oz
Ingredients:
4 bananas
½ tsp vanilla extract
3-4 tbsp sugar
150ml/5fl oz buttermilk

Method:
1. Peel the bananas and cut into chunks. Arrange in a single layer on a baking tray lined with baking parchment, leaving space between the chunks. Put in the freezer for a few hours until frozen hard.

2. Tip the frozen banana chunks into a food processor. Add the vanilla, sugar and most of the buttermilk.

3. Process to a chunky purée. Then, with the machine still running, pour in the remaining buttermilk in a thin steady stream. Let the machine run until the mixture is beautifully smooth and creamy. Serve at once.

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

The book "Living a Good Life" normally selling at $21.95 is now going at the $14.95 price, .http://vegsoc.wellington.net.nz/livingGd.htm

 Krishna Conscious - Vedikly acceptable Jokes

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

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

To read more about Hasya visit our pages

FOR YOUR INTEREST: This one is not a joke but I thought you might like to know. These are the names of Lord Caitanya taken from the book "Sri Caitanya Sahasra Nama Stotra", i.e. "A Thousand Names of Lord Caitanya" by Srila Kavi Karnapura (as translated by HG Kusakratha Prabhu from the Krsna Institute)...

Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the other monkeys with cold water. After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result - all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.

Now, put away the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and  attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he willbe assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm! Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth.

Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked.  Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.

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

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

A Grateful Word to ourSupporters

to all the readers who have one way or another subscribed to N.Z.H.K.S.R.Network.
Your interest and support makes this work possible.

Thank you to The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International (BBTI) for allowing the kind use of their pictures found in this newsletter; Copyright ©2005 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, on the web at http://www.krishna.com. Used with permission.

A special thanx for the devotees who are sponsoring the site over 2004-2005, and to Yagnesh Rajani prabhu for taking it up to 2007

Also a more than special thanks to those devotees who helped us on the India yatra, you know who you are. Thanx

Those wishing to contribute to this Net-work, send articles, and or information please do so by contacting me here ...

Similarly if anyone would like to send donations to help maintain this and similar work,
especially on a regular basis please contact me here also ...

Every little is VERY much appreciated, and is what allows the service to continue regularly. Thanx

Donations can be made on-line at http://www.hknet.org.nz/ through our PayPal account.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

*DISCLAIMER: All information featured in this newsletter is verified with the original source. I cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or for the consequences of its use.

*COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. Section 107, and International Copyright law, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under "fair use" without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for nonprofit research and educational purposes only.