Newsletter Number #179  ( NZ Winter issue 2006 A.D. Gaurabda 520 )
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 still goes out to way over 3008 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 

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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
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2005-2006.html
The present year's Vaishnava Calendar for 2006-2007
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2006-2007.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 2006
... Have a Happy Year - Gaurabda 520

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
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2005-2006.html
The coming year's Vaishnava Calendar for 2006-2007
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2006-2007.html

5th June - World Environment Day every year

Sri Baladeva Vidyabhusana - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Ganga Puja
Srimati Gangamata Goswamini - Appearance - Avirbhav

Fasting on Vyanjuli Mahadvadasi for Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 8th June 2006  in NZ)
 (Total fast, even from water, if you have broken Ekadasi)

Sri Panihati Cida Dahi Utsava

Snana Yatra (Sunday 11th June 2006 in Jagannath Puri)
Sri Mukunda Datta - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Sridhara Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Sri Syamananda Prabhu - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Mithuna Sankranti (Sun enters Gemini)

Sri Vakresvara Pandit - Appearance - Avirbhav

Father's Day - 3rd Sunday in June in US & UK - 1st Sunday in September in Aus & NZ

Sri Srivas Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Trisprsa Mahadvadasi - Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Yogini Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 22nd June 2006  in NZ)

Sri Gadadhara Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur - Disappearance  - Tirubhav (Fasting till noon)

Sri Gundica Marjana

Ratha Yatra - in Jagannath Puri 27th June 2006
Hera Pancami after 4 days
Return Ratha after 8 days
Sri Swarupa Damodara - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Sivananda Sen - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Sri Vakresvara Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Sayana Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 7th July 2006  in NZ)

 8 July Sayana Dwadasi

Sri Guru (Vyaasa) Purnima  - 11th July in NZ
Sri Sanatana Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav

First month of Caturmasya begins.(Fast from sak, green leafy vegetables, for one month.)
(Caturmasya is not observed during Purusottama Adhika Masa.)

Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Karaka Sankranti (Sun enters Cancer)

Sri Lokanatha Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav

The incorporation of ISKCON in New York

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Kamika Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 21st July 2006  in NZ)

Sri Raghunandana Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Vamsidas Babaji - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Pavitropana Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 6th August 2006  in NZ)

Sri Sri Radha Govinda Jhulan Yatra begins

Srila Rupa Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Gauridas Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Jhulan Yatra ends on the evening of the Purnima.
Lord Balaram - Appearance - Avirbhav  (Fasting till noon)
Second month of Caturmasya begins. (Fast from yogurt for one month.)

10th Auguest 2006 - Srila Prabhupada's departure for the USA 1965 AD.

Sri Krsna Janmastami: Appearance of Lord Sri Krsna - 16th August 2006 in NZ
 (Fasting till midnight - breakfast with Ekadasi style prasadam)

Sri Nandotsava - celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna

Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada - Appearance - avirbhav (Fasting till noon) 17th August 2006 in NZ

Simha Sankranti (Sun enters Leo)

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Paksa vardhini Mahadvadasi for Annada Ekadasi (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 20th August 2006  in NZ)

27th Aug 2006 Ganesh Chaturthi - ends 21:48 - do not look at the Moon

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

Sri Lalita sasti

Sri Radhastami : Srimati Radharani's Appearance - Friday 1st September 2006 in NZ  (Fasting till noon)

Father's Day -  1st Sunday in September in Aus & NZ - 3rd Sunday in June in US & UK

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Parsva Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 4th Sept 2006  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 (Fasting till noon)

Sri Ananta Caturdasi Vrata
Srila Hari Das Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav
8th Sept 2006 - Partial Lunar Eclipse (do not cook, eat, etc. Only Chant Hare Krishna) see eclipses-page

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.)

Srila Prabhupada's arrival in the USA 1965

Kanya Sankranti (Sun enters Virgo)

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Indira Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 18th Sept 2006  in NZ)

22nd Sept 2006 - Amavasya - Annular Solar Eclipse  (do not cook, eat, etc. Only Chant Hare Krishna) see eclipses-page

Sri Durga Puja

1st Oct World Vegetarian Day (every year)

Sri Ramacandra Vijayotsava (Vijay Dasami)
Sripad Madhvacarya - Appearance - Avirbhav mahotsav

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Pasankusa Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 4th October 2006  in NZ)

Srila Raghunatha Das Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sria Krsna Das Kaviraj Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Sri Krsna Saradiya Rasayatra
Sri Murari Gupta - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Laksmi Puja

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

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 - 18th October 2006  in NZ)

Tula Sankranti (Sun enters Libra)

Sri Dipa dan, Dipavali, Diwali (Kalipuja) - Sunday 22nd October in NZ

Sri Govardhana Puja, Go Puja, Go krda (Worship of Govardhana Hill) - Monday 23rd October in NZ
Sri Bali Daityaraja Puja
Sri Rasikananda - Appearance - Avirbhav

Sri Vasudeva Ghosa - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada - Disappearance - Tirubhav (Fasting till noon) Thurs 26th October in NZ

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 was on Ekadasi
(Fasting till noon)(Feasting is done tomorrow)

Sri Bhisma Pancaka

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Utthana - Devotthani Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 2nd November 2006  in NZ)

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

Sri Krsna Rasayatra - Kartika purnima
Sri Tulasi-Saligram Vivaha (marriage)
Sripad Nimbarkacarya – Appearance - Avirbhav
Caturmasya vrata ends.(have some urud dal kachoris and urid dal popadam)

This year's full panjikam also now available for viewing:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2005-2006.html
The coming year's Vaishnava Calendar for 2006-2007
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2006-2007.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)

A New Face Lift for the old VCAL program - info page

Vaishnava Calendar Reminder Services
http://www.vaisnavacalendar.info/programs.htm

GBC Vaishnava Calendar Committee - Vaisnava Calendar Calculation
http://vcal.iskcongbc.org/

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

Now available:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2006-2007.html

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.

New version 0.55a of Vaishnava Reminder is ready for use. (updated March 2006) (Click HERE for more details)
Check it at the http://vreminder.gauranga.in .

"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, I have it on my machine.

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

Moonrise tool Free Download

Check the time of the Moon Rise locally in your area

Moonrise version 3.5 is a very simple to use, yet very accurate program. If you put it in your Startup folder, it will greet you everyday with the day's sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, and twilight times. You can easily see the next series of moon phases, and see a graphic of the current phase. You can find the same information for tomorrow, next week, forty years from now, or the day you were born with a few clicks of the mouse.

Moonrise is available in either 32 or 16 bit versions. You may download a free trial version from the download page.

http://htdconnect.com/~bsidell/download.htm

You will need to enter the latitude, longitude and time zone for your location. If you don't know yours

Newsletters:

Our Archives http://www.hknet.org.nz/Newsletter.html

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

New Govardhan Newsletter (Murwillumbah)
contact Govinda Charan prabhu to subscribe - mailto:g.biswas@mullum.com.au

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

Other Journals, Newsletters, & KC WeBlogs:
Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad's Blogspot - All letters:
http://sangalog.blogspot.com/

Aisvarya prabhu's 'blog:
http://www.livejournal.com/~icemonger/

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.

CafeKrishna.com run by devotees from Pandava sena in the UK
http://cafekrishna.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/

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 (old)
http://www.iskconnz.com (The Auckland temple new site)
The Conch Newsletter is a subscription newsletter that is sent out in PDF 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

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/

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

ISKCON News.Net -  Blog Updates a compendium of news, with notices sent out by e-mail
http://www.iskconnews.net/

Jayadvaita Swami's blog - satyam param dhimahi
http://www.jswami.info/

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

Krishna conscious Podcasting
http://www.prabhupada.org/rama/?page_id=1405

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://www.gauranga.org/files/etav_02.PDF

You may need to install the latest version of Adobe's Acrobat Reader:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

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

Vaishnava Blog Feeds
http://www.prabhupada.org/rama/

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

Waves of Devotion | Journal - Writings and Realizations of His Holiness Dhanurdhara Swami
http://www.wavesofdevotion.com/journal/index.html

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 26
                         kama-krodha-vimuktanam
                          yatinam yata-cetasam
                         abhito brahma-nirvanam
                          vartate viditatmanam

   WORD FOR WORD
   kama--from desires; krodha--and anger; vimuktanam--of those who are
   liberated; yatinam--of the saintly persons; yata-cetasam--who have
   full control over the mind; abhitah--assured in the near future;
   brahma-nirvanam--liberation in the Supreme; vartate--is there;
   vidita-atmanam--of those who are self-realized.

                               TRANSLATION
   Those who are free from anger and all material desires, who are
   self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for
   perfection, are assured of liberation in the Supreme in the very
   near future.
                                 PURPORT

   Of the saintly persons who are constantly engaged in striving
   toward salvation, one who is in Krsna consciousness is the best of
   all. The Bhagavatam (4.22.39) confirms this fact as follows:

                 yat-pada-pankaja-palasa-vilasa-bhaktya
                karmasayam grathitam udgrathayanti santah
                tadvan na rikta-matayo yatayo 'pi ruddha-
                 sroto-ganas tam aranam bhaja vasudevam

   "Just try to worship, in devotional service, Vasudeva, the Supreme
   Personality of Godhead. Even great sages are not able to control
   the forces of the senses as effectively as those who are engaged in
   transcendental bliss by serving the lotus feet of the Lord,
   uprooting the deep-grown desire for fruitive activities."

   In the conditioned soul the desire to enjoy the fruitive results of
   work is so deep rooted that it is very difficult even for the great
   sages to control such desires, despite great endeavors. A devotee
   of the Lord, constantly engaged in devotional service in Krsna
   consciousness, perfect in self-realization, very quickly attains
   liberation in the Supreme. Owing to his complete knowledge in
   self-realization, he always remains in trance. To cite an analogous
   example of this:

                       darsana-dhyana-samsparsair
                         matsya-kurma-vihangamah
                         svany apatyani pusnanti
                          tathaham api padma ja

   "By vision, by meditation and by touch only do the fish, the
   tortoise and the birds maintain their offspring. Similarly do I
   also, O Padmaja"

   The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them. The
   tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of
   the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the
   eggs while in the water. Similarly, the devotee in Krsna
   consciousness, although far away from the Lord's abode, can elevate
   himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly--by
   engagement in Krsna consciousness. He does not feel the pangs of
   material miseries; this state of life is called brahma-nirvana, or
   the absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed
   in the Supreme.

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/

Bhaktivedanta Vedabase - Bhagavad Gita on-line http://bhagavadgitaasitis.com/

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Bhagavad-gita As It Is  http://vedabase.net/bg/en

Bhagavad Gita Multi Media Web-version http://chantandbehappy.com/gita/

Listen to Bhagavad Gita on line - http://www.Gitamrta.org

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...)

Trying to make the toilet a nice place is less intelligent

There was a very amusing incident in mid-morning, when Prabhupada had a visit from a yogini, Yogashakti Ma. She came smiling into Prabhupada's room, her long hair streaming over saffron clothing, accompanied by three male followers. She wanted to invite Prabhupada to a World Yoga and Peace Conference they plan to hold. The address they gave was an apartment in Calcutta.

She expressed her hope that leaders of various yoga and peace groups could get together and exchange their different experiences to everyone's benefit, so that the world could be a better place to live, where everyone could become happy. Of course, she would be at the center of it, as the organizer.

To this end she had issued a leaflet. One of her men read it out. It proclaimed "Health, Harmony, Happiness" through jnana, dhyana, bhakti, karma, and so on. In other words, it was a hodgepodge of ideas with no real focus. She finished by saying that their goal was to serve God and humanity.

Hearing the bit about serving God, Prabhupada called her bluff. "Who is God?" he asked her.

But neither she nor any of her followers could answer. One of them mumbled, "Hari Om." Another said something about the Creator and "love of us all."

Prabhupada continued in his matter-of-fact, simple, and direct manner. "If there is a toilet," he said, "and you go there and throw some scent, does that make it a nice place? Trying to make the toilet a nice place is less intelligent. Krsna says duhkhalayam asasvatam. This material world is temporary and full of suffering, so trying to be happy here is simply a waste of time."

He was going to continue but couldn't. His analogy visibly shocked them. Yogashakti Ma had conjured up an image of attaining bliss on earth, and Prabhupada frankly and abruptly shattered her sentimental vision.

They all took it like a slap in the face. One of the men became visibly disturbed. Speechless, he began to shake. Agitated and disturbed in mind, he wouldn't stay a moment longer. He simply offered his respects, uttered "Hari Om," and got up and left. Yogashakti Ma and the others followed.

Srila Prabhupada continued to sit at his desk, a smile gracing his face. He wasn't concerned that his words had disturbed their idealistic notions. They were typical Mayavadis -- in maya. He had spoken the truth as revealed by God Himself, Lord Sri Krsna. If they couldn't take it, it was no fault of his. He laughed. "By their yoga-sakti," he told me, "they have one flat in Calcutta. We have no such sakti, and we have a hundred centers like this [Mayapur]!"

Prabhupada is simply wonderful. Others may or may not appreciate, but he cannot compromise the truth for anyone. His only interest is in serving Krsna and Krsna's mission -- nothing else. By Krsna's grace he is enjoying world-wide success. He has neither the need nor desire to have his name associated with anything that deviates from the strict principles of bhagavata-dharma.

- From the "A Transcendental Diary Vol 1" by HG Hari Sauri dasa

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.

"Bodily Spirituality Exposed"

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk -- January 2, 1976, Madras

Listen to the entire lecture on-line:
http://www.temple.eurekanet.ca/M3U/Morning_Walks/m3u/MW187.m3u

Prabhupada: [break] ...fire, explain.

Harikesa: Oh, because people can't see life in fire, they think there's no life in it, so therefore there's no life in the sun. But it's just like the Tata factory. When you see it from a distance there's many planes and fires, but inside there's many people who are working. Therefore just because you can't see life in fire doesn't mean it's not there. We see life in the earth, we see life in the water, we see life in the air, so why not in the fire? Is that all right?

Prabhupada: Now question, answer.

Tamala Krsna: Well, one question is that the people in the Tata factory are not actually in the fire.

Prabhupada: So they are also not in the fire. I say even if it is in the fire, there is no harm because the living soul is not burned to fire. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita. Adahyo 'yam. Dahya. Dahya means burned. It is not burned. These are wrong conception. Because they have no conception of the soul, they think bhasmi bhutasya dehasya: "When the body is burned, then the soul is also burned." If the soul is burned, then where is the question of tatha dehantara-praptih [Bg. 2.13]? How? In the Hindu system they burn the body. So if the soul is also burned, then where is punar janma? You?

Tamala Krsna: We can accept that the soul is not burned, but what about the body?

Prabhupada: Body is burned.

Tamala Krsna: So how can any body live in the sun?

Prabhupada: So they are.... No, if.... They have got fiery body. As your body is made of earth, the fish body is made of water, and the so many others, different elements, so similarly, there the body is made of earth..., er, fire, fiery body. The so-called scientist, educationist, they.... Everything they conclude according to his own position. Therefore avajananti mam mudhah [Bg. 9.11]. They think Krsna also "like me."

Acyutananda: The fish is in the water, but the fish is not water.

Prabhupada: No, fish is not water, but he has got a body suitable for the water.

Acyutananda: So the people on the sun have earthly bodies...

Prabhupada: Yes.

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

TRANSLATION
Çrémad-Bhägavatam is the spotless Puräëa. It is most dear to the Vaiñëavas because it describes the pure and supreme knowledge of the paramahaàsas. This Bhägavatam reveals the means for becoming free from all material work, together with the processes of transcendental knowledge, renunciation and devotion. Anyone who seriously tries to understand Çrémad-Bhägavatam, who properly hears and chants it with devotion, becomes completely liberated.

PURPORT
Because Çrémad-Bhägavatam is completely free of contamination by the modes of nature, it is endowed with extraordinary spiritual beauty and is therefore dear to the pure devotees of the Lord. The word päramahaàsyam indicates that even completely liberated souls are eager to hear and narrate Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Those who are trying to be liberated should faithfully serve this literature by hearing and reciting it with faith and devotion.  (Srimad Bhagavatam 12:13:18.)
 
 

"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?

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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
http://www.mayapurmail.com
http://mayapur.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=5025
http://mayapur.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=11

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

New Calcutta (Kolkata) Guesthouse Near Airport

http://www.prabhupada.org/rama/?p=1560

Dear devotees, please accept our humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada.

PLEASE POST THIS ON YOUR TEMPLE’S NOTICE BOARD

Hare Krishna. We are pleased to inform you that there is now a comfortable, affordable and secure accommodation for devotees to stay overnight just 1 one minute drive away from the Calutta airport located on VIP Road. Now you can avoid the high prices and bad quality of hotels in the vicinity of Calcutta airport as well as the long expensive drive to downtown Calcutta.

ACCOMMODATION FEATURES:

1. Guest-house run by ISKCON devotees
2. Secure gated complex with 24 hr security
3. 24hr filtered water supply from private well
4. 24hr standby generator
5. Hot & cold water supply
6. Walking distance to Haldiram vegetarian restaurant
7. Own kitchen available for devotee cooking
8. Comfortable beds
9. Clean bathrooms and showers
10. Vehicle to and from Mayapur Dham can be arranged (car or bus etc)
11. Per night per person Rs 500/- (Compare to hotels Rs 1200-1500/- or more)

CONTACT & RESERVATION DETAILS:

1. In Mayapur Dham
Reservation available thru Mayapur Travel Seva
Bhadra Balaram Das email: bhadra.balaram.jps@pamho.net
phone: (3472)-245-468

2. Bhakta Amit email: iskcon_amit@yahoo.co.in
phone: 9932823574 (cell)

3. Bhakta Shivaji phone: 9231549376 (cell)

4. Caitanya Dasi & Paradhyeya Das
email: paradhyeya.acbsp@pamho.net
(in USA) phone: 916-568-1401

Note: Bhakta Shivaji will meet scheduled devotees arriving at Calcutta
airport and escort them to the guest-house.

Your servants,
Paradhyeya Dasa
Caitanya Dasi

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/

Iskcon Podcast live classes
http://www.podcast.net/tag/iskcon

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

Kayastha Matrimonial
http://www.Kayasthatokayastha.org

We Have the largest Collection of well educated Kayastha
brides and grooms from all over India and other
countries including US, UK, Canada, Australia etc. The
data base includes bio-data of Kayasthaboys and girls
from various fields of life i.e. Medicos, Engineers,
IT Professionals, Software Engineers, Professors,
Teachers, Entrepreneurs, Industrialist, Businessmen,
Self Employed, Employees in private

contact Rani Srivastav
kayastha_marriage1@yahoo.com

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
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http://mail.uk2.net ...........................10 mb
http://www.mail15.com .................15 mb
http://macnews.de .........................20 mb
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http://balls.com ............................100 mb
http://ukonline.net .......................200 mb

Get a FREE Gmail account today
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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

Click on this link to see how really short life is.

http://www.sastradana.com/video/lifeisshort.wmv

thanx again Shyam'

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

Creating an environment where individuals are not identified by caste, creed, religion or nationality

Dear All,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Since I last communicated with you all there has been no change on our situation here in Kazakhstan.

On Wednesday 24 May there was an ordered television report. I will attach a transcript of the interview. In the interview a government officer described us as "wolves in sheeps clothing."

A team of devotees from Europe and America has pulled together to discuss strategy for the Kazakhstan campaign.

The team consists of Anuttama Prabhu, Saunaka Rsi prabhu, Gauri and Romapada Prabhus, Sivarama Maharaja, and myself. We have been having discussions to develop our presentation for government agencies, religious, and human rights organisations.

AT THIS MOMENT THERE IS AN IMPORTANT WAY IN WHICH YOU CAN HELP US:

Kazakhstan wishes to become the Chairman of OSCE in 2009. Thus the Kazakh government is hosting an OSCE conference in Kazakhstan on June 12-13, 2006.

Prior to the event we want to create an international awareness of our issue so that it will be discussed during this important conference.

PLEASE HELP WITH THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

1. We are requesting that you look at the three documents that I will attach.

a. Appeal letter

b. Chronology of Events

c. Legal Injustice Brief

2. Next we are requesting that you will fax and email those three documents to Vienna, Austria to the OSCE Ambassador who represents your country.

3. We are also requesting you to fax and email these documents to the OSCE offices in your respective countries. I have attached a list of member nations of OSCE. You will have to search their email and fax address within your country. Then please send it to the appropriate person.

4. The next step will take place on June 6, 2006 when we request that you please fax and email the same package to different officers in the Kazakh government, Their names and addresses are as follows:

Abykaev Nurtay Abykayevich, Chairman of the Parliament's Senate Fax +7 3172 333892

Tokayev Kasymzhomart Kemelevich, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fax +7 3172 720293

Muhamedzhanov Ural Baygunsovich, Chairman of the Parliament's Majlis Fax +7 3172 243532

We hope that this attention will bring the Kazakh government to the point of helping us to peacefully resolve the issue with our project here in Kazakhstan.

With affectionate regards,

BB Govinda Swami

Read more about the Kazakhstan issue HERE and what to do to help

Dear prabhus

Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada.

As you may be aware the persecution of devotees is continuing in Kazakhstan. The international campaign is now in full swing. The Bhaktivedanta Manor Communications Team has produced a pack for UK temples, and indeed all organisations to use to imitate their own campaign at a local level. Please find PDF file attached. It includes up to date information, a petition and a letter writing campaign.

A hard copy and CD Rom can be sent on request. (see document for details)

Please act now.

Hare Krishna

Bhaktivedanta Manor Communications

Thank you

Your servant

Vinay Tanna

My internet connection works only at times, and for more than a week I couldn't get connected at all. I'm not sure, therefore, if I'm aware of the latest developments in the Kazakhstan-crisis. To me it seems, though, as if protests by Indian media and officials, ISKCON devotees, and Hindu-organizations all over the world are causing the central government of Kazakhstan to keep the local administration in Almaty in check ­ for the time being.

Kazakh authorities are known for their intolerance towards religious and cultural minorities; the human-rights organization forum18 documents many instances of persecution of minorities, including several articles about the ISKCON-property near Almaty, on their web site.

In order to gain recognition and trade-concessions from western countries the government of Kazakhstan likes to present itself as accommodating and liberal towards minorities, but the local administrations seem to be more influenced by communal interest groups and material greed.

In this situation it is very important, in my opinion, to maintain or better increase the public pressure we were able to generate, to continue to keep the local administration of Almaty in check, and finally arrive at a permanent solution for The Palace of the Soul.

In this article you'll find the latest updates from HH BB Govinda Maharaja and ISKCON Communications Director Anuttama das, suggestions how to support the campaign, reports of activities by Hungarian and Malaysian devotees, and a whole resource-kit with sample-letters and post- and email-addresses of Kazakh authorities.

India Post, News Report, India Post News Service, May 22, 2006

NEW YORK: Krishna devotees in Kashkhstan mounted their campaign against the Kazakhstan government to challenge religious persecution. The Kazakhstan government's attempt on April 25 to bulldoze five ashrams and private homes owned by Krishna devotees - followers of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) - has triggered protests around the globe.

In Hungary, two hundred protestors demonstrated in front of the Kazakhstan Embassy in Budapest on May 3, accompanied by a real bulldozer driven up to the steps of the embassy. Holding placards reading "Where is religious freedom," Krishna leaders and Ilona Szent-Iv?nyi, European representative of the International Association for Religious Freedom, appealed to an embassy representative to stop religious persecution. "It is obvious that they [Hare Krishnas] are being purposely forced out," Ninel Fokina, head of the Almaty Helsinki Committee rights group told the Associated Press. Fokina concluded that, despite the arguments that the Krishnas have failed to properly register the land, their real motivation was simply to usurp the Krishnas' land-property whose value has soared in recent years.

Authorities ordered the seizure without compensation on the basis of a court ruling in the government's favor.

Members of ISKCON claim that the seizure amounts to religious persecution and violates their religious and civil rights. India TV headlined the plight of the Krishna devotees, broadcast in India recently, with an interview of Kazakhstan Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov. The program drew immediate action from thousands of viewers, who sent SMS text messages to the station, requesting the Indian prime minister to intervene. "I can assure you that the rights of conventional or ethnic groups living in harmony at peace in Kazakhstan will be protected," the Foreign Minister promised.

In a two-hour meeting held with ISKCON leaders in New Delhi, the Kazakh Ambassador to India, Kairat Umarov, assured the Krishna leaders that he would personally work to find a solution to the volatile situation. Meanwhile, protests continue to build, with demonstrations planned in New York, Washington, DC, and other American and European cities within the next few days. "We are interested in working with the government of Kazakhstan to arrive at a reasonable solution," said ISKCON spokesperson Anuttama Dasa in New York. "The national government needs to intervene and act swiftly to ensure that religious and civil rights are not being violated on the local level. Unless that happens, there will continue to be an international outcry."

National Hindu organisations from UK, USA, Australia, Canada and other countries have come together to call upon the Kazakhstan Government to stop harassment and human rights abuse against Hindus living in the country. Hindus living at Karasai in Kazakhstan are currently awaiting a riot squad from the local government which has promised to invade, demolish and confiscate their homes simply because they are Hindus.

A previous attempt to demolish homes on 25th April failed because local Hindus gathered together to lock their hands in prayer, sat in the pathway and blocked the way leading to the building. At that time the local executives told the members of the Society for Krishna Consciousness that they had not been prepared but would come with riot police on a surprise visit next time to ensure that the houses were demolished.

When the members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness attempted to register their properties they were asked to sign a document stating that they were not followers of the Krishna branch of Hinduism. On the other hand, 265 other homes owned by non-Hindus in the same area had no problems in registering their properties. Eviction and demolition notices have been issued only against hand-picked houses of Hindus.

In spite of such targeted human rights abuse that violates the United Nations Charter on Human Rights, the chairman of the Department of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Justice, Mr. Yeraly Tugzhanov tried to mislead the public by saying that the events were purely economic and not religious. Local Hindus from Karsai have pointed out that the land owned by Hindus had appreciated from fifty thousand dollars to nearly two million. They have pointed out that the targeting of homes belonging just to the Hindu community could be linked to demand by real estate developers who wish to occupy the land and develop urban properties.

Kazakhstan is seeking to become a member of the OCSE in the near future, and its human rights violation against minority religious communities does not bode well for such membership. We are deeply concerned by the human rights violations against Hindus in Kazakhstan, and request the President of Kazakhstan to intervene in this matter and take the following actions:

1.Immediately stop any action or order to demolish the houses belonging to the followers of the Hare Krishna section of Hinduism
2.Facilitate registration of properties legally occupied and owned by local Hindus in Karasai
3.Stop harassment and misinformation campaigns directed against Hindus in Kazakhstan

MosNews

The city government in Moscow has agreed to allot land for the construction of a Krishna temple, ending a longstanding controversy over whether Hindus should have a place of worship in the Russian capital, The Hindu newspaper reports.

The paper quoted Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit as saying that the Moscow Mayor had assured her he would allot land for the temple. This promise was also registered in a joint statement issued at the end of Ms. Dixit’s talks with the Mayor.

In 2004 Moscow’s Hare Krishna temple was demolished under a city development plan, and the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKON), which was in charge of it, was offered another piece of land to build a temple. However, the offer was withdrawn following protests from the Russian Orthodox Church against plans to build a temple that would eclipse the Christ the Saviour Cathedral, the main Orthodox church in Moscow.

ISKON later scaled down its temple plan, but it is only now that the Mayor has cleared the project.

The Chief Minister was in Moscow for a cultural festival held under a twinned-city accord between the two capitals. She described the three-day festival as “a roaring success.” Performances by vocalist Kalapini Komkali, sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, dancer Astad Deboo and others drew full houses.

The festival featured a fashion show, traditional Indian dances, a recital of poetry by Indian authors and the screening of Bollywood films. The rock band Euphoria also performed. ’Days of Moscow’ will be held in Delhi next year, ahead of a Year of Russia festival in India in 2008.

The Chief Minister held wide-ranging discussions with the Mayor of Moscow on ways to enhance trade and economic cooperation between the two capitals.

She invited Moscow to bid for a contract to supply trolley-buses to Delhi, while Moscow asked for Indian software for its metals stock exchange.

The two sides agreed to launch an educational and student exchange program, encourage tourism between the two capitals and hold an Indian fashion week in Moscow.

Delhi is seeking Moscow’s expertise in water purification and recycling, while the Russian capital is keen to learn from Delhi’s experience of becoming an international health tourism hub.

Nearly 20 executives of a Delhi-based IT company and other companies participated in an Indo-Russian business forum organized as part of the ’Days of Delhi’.

The Chief Minister identified IT, mechanical engineering, education, food processing and ecological waste recycling as priority areas for business ties between the two cities.

Dear friends and members,

Hare Krishna.

We invite you all to read the following letter from Ambarisa Das, who was instrumental in setting up the Braj Foundation to protect and preserve the sacred places of Lord Krishna's pastimes.

The letter explains the current situation, and invites you to look further online.  Members of our congregation have already signed a petition which we have sent to the Indian High Commission in Wellington to be forwarded to the Prime Minister of India.  We attached 156 signatures from our last Sunday Feast (from Auckland), but now we ask you all to sign the petition online, and to inform your friends also.  All temples world wide are joining in this protest which will surely, by the Lord's grace, achieve its purpose.

Thank you all for your assistance.
 
 

Dear Maharajs and prabhus,

Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I believe that many of you are already aware of the critical threat to the environment of Braj Dham by illegal mining close to Barsana. In a nutshell, here is the problem:

In the last 10 years, illegal mining of the hilly terrain in the Braj region has grown nearly 25 times.  The focus of this activity is in the sacred groves of Kamavan where Sri Krishna had many pastimes with his cowherd boyfriends.  In addition to the brutal destruction of these sacred hills, the extensive use of dynamite has damaged some prominent sites of Krishna's pastimes, like Phisalini Shila a natural rock formation over which Krishna used to slide with his friends.

Inspired by the dedicated resistance that has grown up amongst the local Brijbasi community, I joined with other devotees to fund a Public Interest Litigation suit in the Supreme Court of India. The suit was successful and the Supreme Court ordered a complete ban last January. I also joined in forming the Braj Foundation to stimulate regeneration of the environment of Braj.

However, despite the ruling of the Supreme Court,  backed up by several other Central government rulings and a ruling from the Rajasthan High Court, the Rajasthan government has been dragging its feet on stopping this illegal activity under the apparent sway of the mining "mafia."

This collusion of unscrupulous businessmen has gone so far as to threaten the lives of senior activists and has succeeded in orchestrating the murder of one of the dedicated volunteers.

To try to bring more pressure on the government, the local Brijbasis have mounted a demonstration, conducting continuous Harinam at the Jantar Mandir in Delhi since April 22nd  and will submit their petition to the Prime Minister on May 11. (it is an on going thing though....)

I'm writing to ask you to support this effort with your own petition, signed by members of your congregations, and faxed to the Prime Minister care of the Indian Embassy of your country.

I also ask you to join the online version of this petition at (http://www.petitiononline.com/braj/petition.html). Please announce this to your congregation as well so they can join online and forward it to their friends and associates, helping create a wider awareness about this important issue.

The success of this effort will strengthen the foundations for increased action to stem the rapid environmental degradation of the entire Braj region. Your support today could mean the difference for our children tomorrow - a renewed Braj filled with sacred groves, forested hills and beautiful kunds, instead of a devastated and barren land.

I thank you for your support.

Your servant,
Ambarisa das
Trustee
Braj Foundation
(http://www.brajfoundation.org/)

http://www.dailypioneer.com

NEW DELHI, INDIA, April 30, 2006: Common ayurvedic formula triphala strengthens tissues, prevents ageing, and promotes health and immunity by scavenging free radicals and inhibiting formation of uric acid in the body, a new research has discovered. When triphala was tested for superoxide radical scavenging activity, it was observed that in addition to reacting with superoxide radical, it also inhibited uric acid formation, reported Current Sciences, a magazine.

Triphala, which is made from fruits of three medicinal herbs - amalaki (Emblica officinalis), haritaki (Terminalia chebula) and bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), is non-habit forming and widely prescribed by ayurvedic practitioners. It strengthens tissues, prevents ageing, promotes health and immunity, the study claims. The study also shows that triphala inhibits formation of uric acid. A small amount - 20 to 126 microgram per milliliter of triphala - can effectively inhibit uric acid formation by 5 to 86 per cent. It cures constipation problem, cleanses and tonifies the gastrointestinal tract.

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

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-India-Disappearing-Bananas.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

NEW DELHI, INDIA, May 7, 2006: Wild banana species are disappearing in India, the world's biggest producer of the fruit, due to shrinking forests and rapid urbanization, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization has said. India is the world's biggest banana grower, with an annual production of 18.52 tons, or more than 20 percent of the total world output of 80.03 tons in 2005, the FAO said in a recent press statement. "But over-exploitation and the loss of forests as a result of encroachment and logging, slash-and-burn cultivation and urbanization are causing a rapid loss of wild banana species that have existed in India for thousands of years," it said. Bananas are the world's most exported fruit, and the fourth most important food commodity after rice, wheat and maize, the food agency added.

India, as the largest producer of the fruit, had contributed significantly to the "global genetic base of bananas," said NeBambi Lutaladio, FAO's agriculture officer. "But due to ecosystem destruction, it is probable that many valuable gene sources have now been lost," Lutaladio said. "That could cause serious problems because bananas, particularly commercial varieties, have a narrow genetic pool and are highly vulnerable to pests and diseases," he said. Historically, it was Alexander the Great who put bananas on the map in 327 B.C. when, during his invasion of India, he reported eating and enjoying the fruit, the statement said.

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

http://www.hinduvoice.co.uk

LONDON, ENGLAND, May 22, 2006: The on-line magazine, Hindu Voice UK, has posted its May issue. Some excerpts:

Hindu in Holland: "After the United Kingdom, the second largest Hindu community of Europe live in the Netherlands. There are between 150,000 - 200,000 Hindus currently living in the Netherlands, the vast majority of who migrated from Surinam - a former Dutch colony in South America. There are about 50,000 Hindus living in the Hague, the Dutch capital, while the other concentrations of Hindus are in the cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Most Dutch Hindus trace their ancestry back to India from about 5 to 6 generations ago. Their ancestors were mainly from the Bihar and Uttar Pradesh areas of India."

Other stories include "An Alternative Look at the Caste System," "If Hanuman Dies" and "Drug Trials, The Dark Side" about secret drug experiments carried out by Western countries in India--an unanticipated application of "outsourcing."

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

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/20/AR2006052000953.html

GOLDFIELD, IOWA, May 21, 2006: The pungent liquid called ethanol, made from corn, has Iowa farmers giddy. Inspired by high oil prices and changing sentiment in Washington, thousands of investors are pouring tens of millions of dollars into new facilities, such as the US$90 million plant here. Ethanol prices are surging across the country as legislators add incentives to spur usage and fleet owners rearrange their fuel orders to cope with $3-a-gallon gasoline. The boom has meant profits for early investors, corn farmers, truckers and suppliers, even as financial analysts and government officials hurry to assess the fuel's staying power and its impact on such matters as farm subsidies and national security. With national capacity more than doubling in the past three years and set to grow an additional 50 percent by the end of 2007, the wave is moving fast--from New York, where construction of the state's first ethanol plant is set to begin, to California, whe re Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates recently invested $84 million in Pacific Ethanol Inc. Iowa, the top corn-producing state, is the nation's ethanol leader, generating 25 percent of the U.S. ethanol. In addition to 22 ethanol refineries in operation, the state has seven under construction and at least 20 are being planned. The boom here has largely been a grass-roots phenomenon, fueled by clusters of growers, bankers and small-town professionals. Aspiring biofuel plant owners have been barnstorming the state, delivering investment pitches in firehouses, schools and community centers.

The state legislature this year passed incentives designed to increase the percentage of ethanol and biodiesel in Iowa fuel sales to 25 percent by the end of 2019. Three of every four gallons of gas sold in the state contain at least 10 percent ethanol, although most of the state's production is shipped elsewhere. Ethanol is the fuel Henry Ford originally envisioned for his mass-produced Model T automobile. It is blended into three of every 10 gallons of gas sold in the United States, although its percentage of the overall national fuel supply remains tiny (approximately 3-4 percent of the country's liquid fuel). The clear liquid burns more cleanly than gasoline and, unlike that of crude oil, the potential supply is virtually unlimited and close to home. Illinois-based agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland Co. recently announced a large expansion, while car makers are increasing their commitment. General Motors Corp. says it will manufacture 400,000 more flex-fuel vehicles, which will join more than 5 million on the road. To read the article in its entirety, click on "source" above.

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

I have been listening to some of the lectures that my Gurumaharaja gave in relation to his style of urban city preaching. One major point that comes up often is just how degraded the lives of the average young adults have become. Quite often, while trying to explain what it's like growing up in the western world to devotees of different cultural backgrounds, I think this point is often misunderstood.

It sometimes seems to come across that the current atmosphere of the western world is one that offers incredible sensual enjoyments all the time. With this in mind, devotees may assume "Oh it is so hard for young people to come to Krsna consciousness, after all, they have so much opportunity for material enjoyment, so many allurements, how can we compete!" The idea is that the allurements of the western world are so sparkling that they constantly fill a person up with hopes of enjoyment, and thus it's impossible for them to escape and come to Krsna consciousness.

Actually, there are several things wrong with this mind set, but I'm just going to mention one. The problem with the current western world, and the situation of young westerners, is not that they are constantly allured by the trappings of the western world, but that they have already been victimized by them from a young age, and thus carry such deep scars that doing anything is actually difficult for them. As my Gurumaharaja explains, it is incredibly common for a young westerner to start a life of illicit sex and intoxication at the ages of 12 and 13. This constant self abuse starts sometimes even before puberty properly kicks in, yet already they are carrying out irrepairable damage to their bodies and minds.

The long term psychological effects of teen promiscuity are well recorded. Sexually active youth have much higher rates of depression in later life, and are much less likely to be able to develop proper relationships as they get older. People's hearts are thrashed at a young age, and as a result, they don't have a clue what real love is, nor are they capable of pursuing it. Drug use carries heavy effects. Use of the drug Ecstasy results in permanent damage to neuro-pathways, in particular to the cells which control release of seritonin, the neuro-chemical which is said to be responsible for ones ability to love and feel loved.

The rise of internet usage amongst the young has given rise to an unexpected phenomenom of porn addiction at young ages. Before even having the mental and emotional capacity to understand the full effects of sexual activity, young kids are fully aware of every physical side of the issue. John Stoltenberg, author of such books as "Refusing to be a Man" makes many solid arguments showcasing the psychological effects of such indecent exposure at such a young age. Such images stay with the youth their entire lives, and transplant themselves into the world of reality, so that never again can a person be seen as much more than a potential object of enjoyment.

These are the anartha's our civilisation has left us with. As Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu points out,'We're messed up. Society, our parents, our upbringing have all done a very thorough job of messing us up.' Thus there is a neccessity in our society for Krsna consciousness. In the words of my Gurumaharaja, on the day of my initiation ceremony, "Without Krsna consciousness there is no hope".

These are major anarthas, our senses have been incredibly contaminated with so many things. But as Sukadeva Goswami points out in the 10th Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, the senses can be purified by austerity. And believe it or not, but one of the most potent types of austerity one can engage in as a Kali-yuga refugee is sadhu-sanga, devotee association.

I know that not that many people are often willing to admit that devotee association is an austerity, most devotees will keep such sentiments to themselves, thinking that acknowledging it will expose them as envious neophytes. But it's a fact, it's tuff hanging out with devotees, but it is certainly worth it! Austerity means voluntarily accepting difficult things for a higher cause, and this is certainly devotee association. Actually, anything that rips out our anartha's is going to be an austerity, because these things are so cemented in our hearts, it's like ripping off band-aids. It's painful.

But this is what Vallabha Bhatta had to go through. He was starting to find it tuff to hang out with Lord Caitanya's devotees, because he didn't feel they were listening to him. At first he thought they were angels, with shinny faces. Isn't that how it is when we first meet devotees? They seem so pure. Put as time goes on, as our familiarity sets in, and our pride comes back, suddenly the devotees don't look so great anymore. Suddenly we see what we think to be flaws. This is what happened to Vallabha Bhatta.

But still, he kept coming to the devotees, trying to get them to listen to his commentary. And the devotees just kept revealing his anartha's, pointing out that his pride was preventing him from actually understanding Lord Caitanya and devotional service properly. Vallabha Bhatta one day came to the assembly of Lord Caitanya's devotees and said "Hear me! Krsna is the supreme husband, the purusa, and everyone else in relation to him is his wife, prakrti. It is the duty of the wife, according to religious principles, never to say the name of her husband in public. Why then are you all chanting the names of Krsna constantly?"

In this way Vallabha Bhatta was trying to show that his understanding of the scriptures was greater then the other devotees. But Advaita Acarya pointed him in the direction of Lord Caitanya for an answer to his question. Lord Gaurasundara replied "Actually, you don't have a clue what you are taking about. The first religious principle in this matter is that the wife should carry out the orders of the husband, and since Krsna has instructed that everyone chant His name constantly, it is the duty of everyone to do so."

Vallabha Bhatta was humiliated! His anartha of pride was constantly being battled. But it was gone yet. He came back the next day and said "Hear me! I have rejected the commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam by Sridhara Swami. He is always commenting according to the situation, and thus he is never consistent, therefore I have rejected him."

Lord Caitanya simply smiled and said "Whoever rejects the authority of the swami (which also means husband), I consider to be a prostitute." He then became very grave, and all of the devotees were very much pleased by this answer.

Vallabha Bhatta again was totally humiliated. But this time, something was different. This time, he understood what was going on. "Lord Caitanya is showing His mercy upon me, by trying to purify me of this false pride. Although I interpret His actions as an insult, actually He is acting for my benefit." With this realisation, Vallabha Bhatta went back to the Lord in a humble mood, asking forgiveness, and for the opportunity to serve the Lord. Through the austere assocation of the devotees, and their ability to bring to the surface all of our poisonous anarthas, gradually we will be purified by their mercy, and thus be qualified to directly render service to the Lord and His devotees. At which point, all the negative side effects of growing up in this age of Kali will be nullified.

The VedAs are our paramANam

The VedAs are "the edifices of eternal knowledge". They has timeless relevance to the practioners of Sri VisishtAdhvaitham and other darsanams based on Vedic Doctrines. There is a lot there that is absolutely relevant to our contemporary life. As such, the VedAs have "everlasting appeal and "applicability for all times and nations "for men, women and children as the fundamental units of the family.

VedAs take a humanistic approach to life. An individual relation to his or her own family is dwelt at length in the VedAs. The relationship between man and woman, the parents and the children are taken very seriously by Vedas, since It ties in very closely with the health and well being of Society and the preservation of DharmA The need to develop Social consciousness with the family as an elemental unit of society is very important one taught by the Vedas.

Material civilization generates a lot of wealth, but is found wanting in social consciousness and a dharmic way Of life stressing one's obligation to the different members of society. DharmA encompasses "the entire gamut of life".

Pursuit of a dhArmic way of life elaborated by Sruthis and SaasthrAs creates a sound infrastructure to build a sound and stable society that enjoys all the benefits of a higher order of civilization.

The MAN-TO-WOMAN relationship is one of the most important subject dealt with by the VedAs instructing us on how to  build a sound and stable society, where righteousness  prevails. VedAs show a keen interest in the unity of man and woman and spells out their duties, responsibilities and rights. GeethAchAryan elaborates them further.

They point out the important role of women in building a fair, stable and just society. Satapatha BrahmaNA passage states unblushingly that only woman fulfills the purposes of human life. It extols the divine aspect of women and declares that women are the embodiment of Sri Devi (SriyA vA yEthath rUpam yathA patnaya :).

The modern women may not be familiar with the high status given to women in our religious world and its scriptures.  Contrary to the popular belief that VedAs deny freedom to women, it stresses the underlying duty and THE RIGHTS of WOMEN, while focusing on the stability of the family as a unit, which then strengthens the society.

It is in this context, Vedic thought gave ample room for a personal God to be conceived as divinity in male or female form. Vedic Gods like Ushas (dawn) are adoringly saluted by the manthrams of Ushas sUktham in Rg Vedam. There are many Rishi pathnis and wives, who have been equally revered in PurANAs (AnusUyA, Kausalya, Damayanthi, Saavithri et al).

Vedam describes the wife to be the best friend of the husband AT ALL TIMES. The Vedic obligations are recognized as SamAna (equally moving), since married men and women move freely in society in pursuit of their complimentary duties, VedAs and Manu Smruthi vividly describe the responsibilities of women in the house as yajamAnis. The importance of women in the economic aspect of the family is fully emphasized and asks men to give the women the responsibility of looking after the family budget. Similarly, maintaining family tradition and strengthening the spiritual affairs of the family is entrusted with the women.

IN THE EYE OF THE VEDAS, WOMEN AND MEN ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT

I will quote now verbatim from AgnihOthram Sri RaamAnuja TatachAr's monograph on the Eternal relevance of VedAs Dealing with the role of women in Hindu Society:

"In the early years of marriage, love has a sexual importance. But with the advance of years, it mellows into a great attachment and affection. No one can disturb this mutual love. Marriage is not made for sexual purpose, BUT FOR A REAL UNITED LIFE. . . .

The VedAs say that the wife is the only friend of her husband. . . . Their comradeship is strengthened by day-to-day movements. She never claims superiority over her husband and she is never treated as inferior by her husband. She is the mistress of the house. . . . She is a real friend and closely follows her husband in the good and bad of domestic life and takes keen interest in his welfare. She also advises him at times. Smruthi following the direction given by the Vedas states clearly that it is the duty of a wife to correct the mistake of her husband ". SitA piraatti did just that in a famous pasage in Srimadh RaamAyaNam in Her conversation with HanumAn inAsOka Vanam.

AgnihOthram TatachAr swamy points out a special Vedic term: Purandhi and explains its significance.

According to the VedAs, women are more intelligent than men (i. e.) she is a purandhi. In AsvanEdhA, there is a prayer that women must be "purandhi". By that term, Women's superior intelligence is indicated. "According to the VedAs, Woman is a karma yogi. She does duty for duties sake. She sacrifices her individual pleasure and pain and serves the family.

The early lives of all children depend on the care of the mother. She brings them up as intelligent and pious ones. The stability of her integrity is brought out in one MantrA, which points out those women are to be strong as a rock in the family so that the family can survive. Her integrity not only keeps the family in a high order, but it overcomes all enemies as well ". She is the queen of her husband's house.

She maintains the customs and traditions of the house strictly, with vigilance. The house may be built by bricks and wood, but it is not the real house. In fact, the wife is only the real house. VedAs never confine a woman to the house. Many brilliant women have reached out with their husbands and attained a spiritual status equal to or higher than that of their husbands, who are revered as Manthra dhrushtAs of the various Veda Manthrams.

The names of the women Rishis (RishikAs or Lady Seers) are etched in the annals of the Veda manthrams. None of the Rishis or the Rishi pathnis are recognized as the composers of the Veda manthrAs, but as samhithAkarthAs, who assisted in the collection of the Veda manthrams through the power to "see" them as manthra dhrushtAs. Angirasa, Gautama, VasishtA, ViswAmithrA, Bhrugu, Athri, Marici, KasyapA, AgasthyA and BharadhvAjaa belong to the rich set of Rishis in this category.

Every Veda manthram has a Rishi or RishikA, Chandas and DevathA. We invoke them prior to the recitation of the individual mathrAs of the different Vedas. Each of these Rishis has a distinguished wife well versed in scholarship, AchAram and anushtAnam. These  rishikAs or Lady Seers took an important part in SamaadhikaraNam. YajnavalkyA's wife and her tight questioning of her husband gave birth to a great Upanishad. There are abundant references to the RishikAs in the Tenth Canto of Rg Vedam besides the other Cantos.

LopamudhrA is one such RishikA as the wife of AgasthyA, known for his command over Sanskrit and Tamil. The meaning of the word "LopamudhrA " is one,who is totally absorbed in herself (i-e)., she is one of the BrahmavAdhini RshikAs. Two manthrAs of the Rg Vedam (Canto I. 179. 1-2) are attributed to her.

RoamasA the wife of SvanyA, VisvavArA belonging to the Athri family, AangirasI Sarasvathi of Angirasa family, ApAlA of the Athri family, YamI Vaivasvathi, SraddhA, Vasukra pathni, GhOshA, SooryA, IndrANi, Urvasi, Sarama, Joohu, VagAmbhruNi and PoulOmi Sachi are well Known RshikAs, who are revered and are associated with individual Rg Veda ManthrAs.

There are selected Rg Veda manthrAs linked to the individual RishikAs to illustrate the importance of Vedic Women, who are models for us even today. The women in many Indian households along the length and breadth of Bharatha Varsham have imbibed these rich and resonant values in their bone and blood and keep their family strong and righteous.

Sri Vaishnavite households have had such exemplary Women, who quietly served as the living examples of these Vedic Values and cherished them as their kula dhanams.

Some of them are ANDAL (the mother of ParAsara Bhattar and the wife of KuratthAzhwAn), Devaki Piratti,the spiritually advanced ( jn~Adhikai) daughter of ThirukkOshtiyUr nampi.,She was a disciple of AchArya RaamAnujA. The incident associated with the 18th Thituppaavai is linked to her. At the time of her father's ascent to Parama padham, her father asked his daughter as to what she was thinking about. She replied with all sincerity that she was thinking about her father ataining Sathgathi due to his association with HER ACHARYA,Sri RaamAnujA. That is the measure of Her AchArya Bhakthi.

The joyous father blessed her with AchArya RaamAnujA's ancient vigraham obtained by Naathamuni from NammAzhwAr before RaamAnujA's birth. That mUrthy was worshipped in turn by UyyakkonDAr, MaNaRkkAL nampi, AlawandhAr. The grateful father asked his daughter to give that vigraham to his Sishyan, Sri RaamAnujA. This is the quality of relationship between the anuvrutthi prasannAcchAryar like ThirukkOshtiyUr nampi and the KrupAmAthra PrasannAcchAr like Sri RaamAnujA.

One of the links here is through the Bhagavathai, Devaki Pirratti. AthtuZhAi, the daughter of Periya Nampi was another example of these illustrious Sri VaishNavite women.

The five AchAryAs of Sri RaamAnujA - Periya nampi, ThirukkOshtiyUr nampi, ThirumAlai AanDaan, Periya Thirumalai nampi, ThirukkOshtiyUr nampi, Thiruvaranga PerumAn Araiyar --recognized AchArya RaamAnuja, their disciple as their own UttAraka AchAryan and entrusted their  Brothers, sons and DAUGHTERS as his sishyAs. Devaki PirAtti and ANDAL belong to this group of exemplary women. Sri VaishNava kulam grew out of such dedicated,modest, spiritually rigorous women, who were like kalankarai viLakku ( lighthouses).

The WIVES AND DAUGHTERS of the men of the ten branches of KaimkaryaparALs assigned by AchAryA RaamAnujA for Sri RanganaathA's daily kaimkaryam were also shining lights in their own rights.

Parutthik Kollai AmmAl, Kongup PirAtti (AchArya RaamAnujA's Sishyai), Vangipuratthu Aacchi (the disciple of AlawanadAr), Ammangi (ThirukkaNNapuram Nampi) are other shining examples of illustrious Sri Vaishnava Bhagavathais, who spread the darsanam of Sri RaamAnujA. Ammangi, another disciple of AlavandhAr is the one, who instructed AchArya RaamAnuja with the five pointers of proper code of conduct for a Sri Vaishnava Achaarya as she (?)Learnt it from her Acharya, Alavandar These five codes of conduct are deep in meaning and are like aphorisms for us to reflect as well even today. The most merciful AchArya, Sri RaamAnujA was very receptive to great Bhaagavathais and their upadEsa vAkhyams as well. His respect for his AchArya pathnis is legendary.

Our most merciful AchArya Sri RaamAnuja was visiting at one time ThirukkOLur, the birth place of Madhura Kavi AzhwAr. He met a young girl there, who came to offer her praNAmams and entered into a conversation with her. He was so delighted with this girl's divya Prabhandha Jn~Anam that he blessed her and her family. Our AchAryAs follow that way of life and care equally for the spiritual well being of our men, WOMEN and the entire family.

Lit from those lamps, our women persevere joyously with the steady diffusion / dissemination process by personal code of conduct and serve as the Sheet Anchor for our SampradhAyam. They tend to their other duties and continue today at India and the distant households in America through the efforts of the organizers of NaamA Sathsangams at Dallas, Denver, Singapore and elsewhere. May those efforts grow and flourish !

Rg Veda manthrams that came our way through the intercession of great RishikAs or the women manthra drushtAs

A)The first and foremost set of manthrAs of Rg Vedam from this perspective is the manthrams housed in the 10th Canto of Rg Vedam dealing with the Marriage Ceremony. Sri VilliputthuR ANDAL transformed them into Sundara Tamil in Her NaacchiyAr Thirumozhi ( VaraNamAyiram Paasurams).

The manthra dhrashtA of Rg Vedam's 10th canto, soktham 85 most appropriately is a Rishi pathni by the name Saavithri SooryA. This 85th Sooktham has 47 manthrams, number of which are used in the different phases of Hindu Marriage Ceremony.

I will focus on these important manthrAs first which houses the prayer and the vision of the RishikA as revealed to her as instructions from the Veda Purushan.

The first manthram of 10. 85 is a profound one:

satyEnOtthabbhithA Bhumi: SooryENOtthbhithA Dhyau:
R*thEnAdhithyasthishtanthi divi sOmO adhi sritha:

Rg Vedam: X. 85. 1

(Meaning): Our Earth is upheld by truth, heaven is upheld by the Sun; the solar regions are supported by the eternal laws (r*tham); the elixir of divine love reigns supreme in heaven.

The 27th manthram distills the thoughts housed in the previous posting of this two part series:

iha priyam prajayA --- vadhAta:

Rg Vedam : X. 85. 27

(Meaning): In this new family of your husband,May you be happy and prosperous along with your off springs. Be watchful over your domestic duties in this house. May you unite your person with your lord, your husband; thus may you both,growing in age together, manage your household affairs according to gruhasthAsrama rules.

Rg Vedam: X. 85. 33

SumangalIriyam VadhUrimAm samEtha pasyatha
SoubhAgyamasya dhathvAyathasthAm vi parEtana

(Meaning); blessed indeed is this bride; come one, come all of you; meet, behold and bless her. Convey to her your felicitations and then RETURN to your homes.

Rg Vedam: X. 36

GrubhNAmi --dEvA:

(Meaning); I accept your hand for good fortune, that you attain old age with me as your husband. Our Lord of grace, cosmic orders, creation and wisdom has given you (purandhi) to me that I may be the yajamaanan of a household to practice our assigned dharmAs.

Rg Vedam X. 85. 42

May you both reside here together; may you both never be separated; may you live together all your lives sporting with sons and grandsons; and thus rejoice in your own home.

Rg Vedam X. 85. 43

May the supreme power grant us progeny, may the ordained unite us together until old age. May that protector free us from evils, may you the bride enter your husband's household and be the bringer of prosperity to our bipeds and quadrupeds.

Rg Veda manthram: X. 85. 44

O Bride! May you never look your husband with an evil eye; never be hostile to him; be tender to animals (sivA pasubhya :); may you ever be amiable and cheerful; may you fulfill one of your roles as the mother of brave children, loving to the divine powers, be the grantor of happiness, and usher prosperity to our bipeds and quadrupeds (dhvipadhE sam chathushpadhE).

Rg Veda manthram: X. 85. 45

O Generous Lord! Make the bride blessed with children! Make her blessed with fortune! Give her ten sons; and then her husband becomes the eleventh one (son) (dasAsyAm puthrAn dEhi pathimEkAdasam krudhi).

Rg Vedam X. 85. 46

Be a sovereign to your father-in-law; be a queen to your mother-in-law; be a queen to your husband's sister, be a queen to your husband's brothers (SamrA~Jni svasurE bhava; samrA~jni svasravam bhava; nanAndhAri samra~jni bhava;samrA~jni adhi dEvrushu)

Rg Vedam X. 85. 47

"May the entire assembly of the invited guests unite the hearts of both of us; may we be calm and united like the mixed waters. May we be united like the vital breaths; may both of us be in unison like the Creator and His creation; may we be one like the preceptor and his disciple; may we be loving to each other!"

B. Indrasnusha Vasukra-pathni Sooktham

Another illustrious RishikA is Vasukrapathni, who has given us Rg Vedam X. 28. 1, 6, 8, 10 and 11).

The First manthram is set as the invocation of the Goddess of Dawn (to her supreme Lord) in a symbolic way:

(Meaning): Now all other divine forces accept you (including the Sun) have arrived, but you, the Sovereign Lord, my sire-in-law has not arrived; may Thou accept my oblations of parched grains and the elixir(SomA) and return home fully satisfied. (Rg Vedam X. 28. 1)

The 1oth and the 11th manthrams are glorious tributes to the power of Gayathri by this RishikA:

"The gloriously shining Self (sEshi) is thirsty for the divine elixir, as a thirsty buffalo for water. For this, Yajamaanan, the sEsha soul, invokes Gayathri metre, which becomes a she-hawk and fastens her claw in the divine realm, just as a lioness confined in a cage places one foot over the other (X. 85. 10).

Gayathri without difficulty brings the divine elixir, which is enjoyed by the Self, and whatever is left over is shared by the sense organs. With the help of this elixir, the enemies (the aasura svabhAvam) are retaliated and finally destroyed "(X. 85. 11).

C. RishikA ApAlA: A Human Prayer

The Fourth manthram of Rg Vedam 8. 91 is symbolic and humorous at the same time. There is a lot of legend going with this. Apala is a maiden - Rishika desirous of marrying the beautiful prince SomA and the 7th manthram of this Sooktham is used in Hindu marriages even today during mangala snanaam for the bride for ceremonial cleansing. Here we will focus on the Fourth manthram of X. 91.

Rg Vedam VIII. 91. 4: Dream & Prayer of a Wedding-ready Maiden

Kuvicchath kuvith karath-- samgamAmahE

(Meaning): May the Lord of illustrious luster and glory bless us, the family to be powerful. May He Make us (the family and the future husband)) wealthier repeatedly. May He support us and work for us (in our favor). may he unite me with my (future) husband, who has been indifferent (as a courtier), unconcerned and unfriendly with me so far !

D. RishikA VisvavarA, Agni DEvathA, Four Metres

This Lady Seer is a great poet as well. She sets her Six manthrAs of Rg Vedam Canto 5. 28 in four different metres( Tr*shtup, JagathI, Anushtup and GayathrI chandas).

The name VisvavarA according to Sayana (Vedic commentator: Saayana Bhaashyam) relates to one who repels all sins. She belongs also to the family of Sage Athri. She is conducting a Vedic ceremony, which we would think today would have been the domain of the male seers. Not so! She is invoked with the Ladle in hand transporting the Soma rasam. So much goes for the legend about women subdued/inferior role in YaaagAs. She specifically prays for the concordance of relations between men and women through their complimentary roles to perform assigned tasks (the opposite of male chauvinism!).

We will study the first two manthrams of X. 28 here.

Rg Vedam : X. 28. 1(Tr*shtup metre)

SammiddhO agnir dhivi-- havishA gruthAchI

(Meaning): The incomparable glory of the revered Lord, when enkindled spread its luster throughout the firmamnet, and shines far and wide and transforms itself into the supreme light of divine intelligence. Eastward the ladle! Let knowledge that repels all sins and worries proceed to advance! Let that diffusion of knowledge honor the nature's bounties with reverence and oblations!

Rg Vedam X. 28. 2: JagathI metre

SamidhyamAnO amruthasya rAjasi-dhatta ithputhra:

(Meaning): O Revered Lord! Whilst your glory is eulogized, you are recognized as the king of immortals. You take total care of the offered of the havis (oblation) for his well being. He, whom You favor, acquires universal wealth; he sets before You, O Lord, the gifts that (Your) guests may claim.

On this note of moving salutation to the Lord eulogizing His glories by the RishikA VisvavarA, I conclude this set of two postings on the important and nourishing role of Women in the Vaithika Mathams like  Sri VaishNavam, where every thing is rooted in the Ubhaya Vedams.

NamO Veda NaarAyaNAya,
V. Sadagopan
http://www.india-forum.com/articles/113/1

http://www.miami.com

BOMBAY, INDIA, May 27, 2006: As this city of 16 million becomes the cosmopolitan main nerve of a booming Indian economy, real estate is increasingly intersecting with cuisine. More middle-class Indians are moving in, more of them are vegetarian, and the law is on their side. "Some people are very strict. They won't sell to a non-vegetarian even if he offers a higher price than a vegetarian," said real estate broker Norbert Pinto. Vegetarianism is a centuries-old custom among Hindus, Jains and others in India. The government estimates India has some 220 million vegetarians, more than anywhere else in the world. "Veg or non-veg?" is heard in restaurants, at dinner parties and on airlines. And the question has long been an unwritten part of the interrogation to which house hunters must submit. But it's becoming more open, and the effects more noticeable, all the more so in Bombay, which attracts immigrants from Gujarat and Rajasthan, strongly vegetarian states, as well as followers of the Jain religion. In constitutionally secular India, there's no bar to forming a housing society and making an apartment block exclusively Catholic or Muslim, Hindu or Zoroastrian. Vegetarians say they too need segregation. Rejected home seekers have mounted a slew of court challenges to the power of housing societies to discriminate, but last year India's highest tribunal ruled the practice legal.

Courtesy of Hinduism today
 

INDIA 100% VEGGIE
Meat eaters are increasingly unwelcome in upscale Bombay housing
BY RAMOLA TALWAR BADAM
Associated Press
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/international/14680755.htm

BOMBAY, India - Never mind pets, smokers or loud music at 2 a.m. House hunters in Bombay increasingly are being asked: ``Do you eat meat?''

If yes, the deal is off.

As this city of 16 million becomes the cosmopolitan main nerve of a booming Indian economy, real estate is increasingly intersecting with cuisine. More middle-class Indians are moving in, more of them are vegetarian, and the law is on their side.

''Some people are very strict. They won't sell to a nonvegetarian even if he offers a higher price than a vegetarian,'' said real estate broker Norbert Pinto.

Vegetarianism is a centuries-old custom among Hindus, Jains and others in India. The government reckons India has some 220 million vegetarians, more than anywhere else in the world.

''Veg or non-veg?'' is heard constantly in restaurants, at dinner parties and on airlines. And the question has long been an unwritten part of the interrogation to which house hunters must submit.

But it's becoming more open, and the effects more noticeable, all the more so in Bombay, which attracts immigrants from Gujarat and Rajasthan,

strongly vegetarian states, as well as followers of the Jain religion.

In constitutionally secular India, there's no bar to forming a housing society and making an apartment block exclusively Catholic or Muslim, Hindu or Zoroastrian.

Vegetarians say they too need segregation.

''I live in a cosmopolitan society,'' said Jayantilal Jain, trustee of a charity group. ``But vegetarians should be given the right to admit who they want.''

Rejected home seekers have mounted a slew of court challenges to the power of housing societies to discriminate, but last year India's highest tribunal ruled the practice legal.

''It's just not fair. It's a monopoly by vegetarians,'' said Kiran Tal-war, 49, a prosthetics engineer who has seen vegetarianism take over restaurants and groceries all over his childhood neighborhood on posh Nepeansea Road.

''If you step out to eat, there's nothing for miles because everything around is veggie,'' he said.

Suburban supermarkets have been known to dump their non-veg foods overnight because of complaints from shoppers.

''We cleared our shelves of tuna tins and frozen chicken. We don't keep any nonvegetarian items now,'' said Neelam Ahuja, owner of the K-value supermarket. ``Many customers don't like non-veg, so we stopped stocking it.''

K-value took the action even though it's in a heavily Christian neighborhood, and Christians in India aren't known to have particularly many vegetarians among them.

While Indians are accustomed to housing societies demarcated by religion, separation by diet has meat-eaters worried. Bombay likes to think of itself as a city wide open to the world, and some worry that the vegetarian tide goes against that trend.

Vikramaditya Ugra, a young Bombay banker in search of an apartment, said vegetarian colonies were fine in neighboring Gujarat, a state dominated by vegetarians. ''That's in tune with local sensitivity,'' he said.

``But to impose this restriction is not right in a cosmopolitan city like Bombay.''

Ravi Bhandari, a 68-year-old retired businessman, said he tried to lease his apartment to an Indian oil company but the housing society bluntly nixed the deal.

''They said the first tenant is vegetarian, but who knows who will replace him?'' said Bhandari, himself a vegetarian who confesses that he had a soft spot for chicken in his youth. ``I respect their concerns, so I didn't lease my flat.''

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

See our World Vegetarian Day Newsletters 2004 - 2005 - World Vege Day

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

by V SUNDARAM
NewsToday

'The Christian God is cruel, vindictive, capricious and unjust'
-President Thomas Jefferson

'Missionaries are perfect nuisances and leave every place worse than they found it'. -Charles Dickens.

        Pope Benedict XVI hails from the land of Hitler and Nazidom. He is now living in a country which produced another great man of compassion like Benito Mussolini. It is not therefore surprising that he has warned the government and the people of India on the question of enactment of laws against conversion by duly constituted authorities under the law in India. By virtue of the fact that a woman from the country where Vatican is located happens to be temporarily in a position of supreme and unchallenged strength and power in India today like that of Queen Elizabeth I, Pope Benedict XVI seems to have derived the ballast power to come out with the following statement: 'the disturbing signs of religious intolerance which have troubled some regions in the nation (India), including the reprehensible attempt to legislate clearly discriminatory restrictions on the fundamental right of religious freedom, must be firmly rejected'.

        Henry VIII in order to marry the woman of his choice called Anne Boleyn divorced his catholic wife Catherine of Aragon from Spain. He took this extraordinary decision after he had failed to persuade the Pope to give his consent to marry Anne Boleyn. Not only did he marry Anne Boleyn, but also broke away from the Church in Rome because he could not put up with the tyrannical authoritarianism of the Pope and his blatant interference in what Henry VIII considered a personal matter. Thus was born the 'Anglican Church' in England. This was almost a few years later than Martin Luther declared his independence from the authority of the Pope in Germany in 1519.

        Pope Benedict XVI seems to be under the mistaken impression that he is living in 16th century Europe, if not England. He seems to think that he can control the duly elected President of India, even as the Pope in the 16th century tried to control Henry VIII with catastrophic consequences for the Catholic papacy and ludicrous consequences for the Church in England.

        I am very amused by what Pope Benedict XVI has described as 'religious intolerance' in India. The record of Christianity in India in the field of tolerance and compassion is well-known. I would like to give a few 'snap shots' from certain moments in the history of Hindu-Christian encounters in India. Coming to facts of history, the first encounter between Hinduism and Christianity took place not in India, but in those parts of West Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe which comprised the Roman Empire at the dawn of the Christian era. There is evidence, archeological as well as literary, that Hinduism had made its presence felt in Graeco-Roman Religions and philosophies long before Jesus was born. It was widely believed in the ancient Western world that the Greeks had learnt their wisdom from the Brahmanas of India. Evidence of Hindu colonies in some leading cities of the Roman Empire is also available. Hindu temples had come up wherever Hindu merchants and traders ! had established their colonies. Christianity did not fail to notice this Hindu presence as soon as it became a force in the Roman Empire. We find Saint Hippolytus attacking the Brahmanas as a source of heresy as early as the first quarter of the 3rd century.

        Right from the very early days of Christianity, Hindu Temples were viewed by the Christian Priests as the most vibrant and visible symbols of what they called 'Brahmana Religion'. They became targets of Christian attack like all other Pagan temples. To quote Dr R C Majumdar, the eminent historian: 'According to the Syrian writer Zenob, there was an Indian colony in the Canton of Taron on the upper Euphrates, to the west of Lake Van, as early as the 2nd century B.C. The Indians had built two temples containing images of Gods about 18 to 22 feet high. When about A.D. 304, St. Gregory came to destroy these images, he was strngly opposed by the Hindus. But he defeated them and smashed the images, thus anticipating the iconoclastic zeal of Mahmud of Gazini'.

        Historians of the Roman Empire have documented the large scale destruction of thousands of Pagan temples by Christianity from the 4th century onwards. According to Majumdar it cannot be ruled out that many of these temples were places of Hindu worship. The word 'Pagan' is a comprehensive term in Christian parlance and covers a large variety of religious and cultural expressions which are non-Christian in character.

        The next important encounter between Hinduism and Christianity commenced with the coming of Christian missionaries to Malabar after Vasco da Gama found his way to Calicut in A.D. 1498. It took a serious turn in A.D. 1542 when Francis Xavier, started his inquisition in India.
The proceedings have been preserved by the Christian participants. They make the most painful reading in the history of Christianity in India.
Fancis Xavier had come with the firm resolve of 'uprooting Paganism from  soil of India and planting Christianity in its place. His ayings and doings have been documented in many biographies and cited by every historian of the Portuguese period in the history of India.

        Francis Xavier came to the conclusion that Hindus are an 'unholy race and they are liars and cheats to the very backbone. The Indians being black themselves, consider their own colour the best. They believe that their gods are black. On this account the great majority of their idols are as black as black can be, and moreover are generally so rubbed over with oil as to smell detestably, and seem to be as dirty as they are ugly and horrible to look at.' So much for Francis Xavier's civilized and humane tolerance of the Hindus. He wrote to Rome to install inquisition in Goa immediately and it all started in an organized way in 1560 and continued till 1812.

        In 1560 Viceroy's building in Goa was modified to become the 'palace of inquisition' with 200 cells with residence of the first inquisitor, house of secret, house of doctrine, any number of cells, and other special ones: of secret, of penitence; of perpetual confinement; of the tortures etc. Those officially responsible for inquisition were endowed with powers higher than those of Viceroys. I would like to present below a summarized calendar of events under the umbrella of Inquisition from 1560 to 1812.

        Apr-2 1560: Viceroy D Constantine de Braganca ordered that all Brahmins should be thrown out of Goa and other areas under Portuguese control.

        Feb-7 1575: Governor Antonio Morez Barreto, issued orders that the properties of those Hindus whose 'presence was prejudicial to Christianity' should be confiscated.

        1585: The Third Concilio Provincial adopted a resolution asking the king of Portugal to banish from Goa 'the Brahmins, physicians and other infidels' whom the Church finds as an obstacle to convert the 'the heathens' to the 'only true faith'.

        Jan-31, 1620: Portuguese government ordered that '...no Hindu, of whatever nationality or status he may be, can or shall perform marriages in this city of Goa, nor in the islands or adjacent territories of His Majesty...'

        1625: Governor Francisco Barreto, issued orders to 'bar Hindus from seeking employment' in the Portuguese held Indian territory and Portuguese officials were ordered not to 'use the services of any infidel in matters of his office anyway'

        To quote from the pages of Joao Felix Pereira (19th century) in Historia de Portugal, '..This Portuguese inquisition, this tribunal of fire, thrown on the surface of the globe for the scourge of humanity, this horrible institution, which will eternally cover with shame its authors, fixed its brutal domicile in the fertile plains of the Hindustan.
On seeing the monster everyone fled and disappeared, Moguls, Arabs, Persians, Armenians, and Jews. The Indians even, more tolerant and pacific, were astounded to see the God of Christianism more cruel than that of  Mohammed, deserted the territory of the Portuguese...'

        Hitler and his compassionate men, cleverly connived at if not  guided by the Pope in Rome from 1940 to 1945, exterminated the Jews in Europe in a cold-blooded manner. But perhaps Hitler got his seminal

ideas from the Portuguese pirates who were responsible for the Holy

Inquisition against the Hindus in Goa from 1560 to 1812. Portuguese Judges Magalhaes and Lousada in Vol 2 of their Annaes Maritimos e Coloniais have given a graphic account of Portuguese Catholic cruelty, bestiality, brutality, inhumanity and savagery: '...The terrors inflicted on pregnant  women made them abort....Neither the beauty or decorousness of the flower of youth, nor the old age, so worthy of compassion in a woman, exempted the weaker sex from the brutal ferocity of the supposed defenders of the religion. There were days when seven or eight were submitted to torture. These scenes were reserved for the inquisitors after dinner.

It was a post-prandial entertainment.'

        The Goan inquisition is regarded by all contemporary portrayals as the most violent inquisition ever executed by the Portuguese Catholic Church. It lasted from 1560 to 1812 though in Europe it ended by  1774. Historian Alfredo De Mello has described the Directors of Goan Inquisition as 'nefarious, fiendish, lustful, corrupt religious orders which pounced on Goa for the purpose of destroying paganism and introducing the true religion of Christ'.

        This story presented by me of the Roman Church's record of  organised cruelty in India during the last 2000 years, is not an end; not  even the beginning of the end, but only the end of the beginning.

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

How much do you make an hour, daddy

"'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?'  With a timid voice and idolizing eyes, the little boy greeted his father as he returned from work.

"Giving his boy a glaring look, the father said:  'Look, Son, don't bother me now, I'm tired.'

"'But, Daddy, just tell me please!  How much do you make an hour?'  the boy insisted.

"The father, finally giving up, replied: 'Ten dollars an hour.'

"'Okay, Daddy.  Could you loan me five dollars?' the boy asked.

"Showing his restlessness and positively disturbed, the father yelled:  'So that was the reason you asked how much I earn, right?  Go to sleep and don't bother me anymore!'

"It was already dark and the father was meditating on what he said and was feeling guilty.  Maybe, he thought, his son wanted to buy something. Finally, trying to ease his mind, the father went to his son's room.  'Are you asleep, son?' asked the father.

"'No, Daddy. Why?' replied the boy, partially asleep.

"'Here's the money asked for earlier,' the father said.

"'Thanks, Daddy!' rejoiced the son, while putting his hand under his pillow and removing some money. 'Now I have enough!  Now I have ten dollars!
Daddy, could you sell me one hour of your time?'"

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

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

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

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

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

Assorted Audio Lectures from Senior Iskcon Devotees:
http://www.harekrishna.org.au/

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

Seeing is believing...

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

Starting at 1Gb or 2 Gb space for one or two years @ just US$7.50 per month

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

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

see covers below

WWW.NECTARBOOKS.COM

  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....

HG Amal Bhakta dasa ACBSP
http://www.amalbhakta.com/

(the late) HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami
http://www.btswami.com/ (UK)
http://www.ifast.net/  (Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology)
http://home.iprimus.com.au/naractl/Biographys/ISKCON_Gurus/Bhakti_Tirtha_Swami.html#mod (Perth Aus)

HH Bhaktivaibhava Swami
http://www.vyasapuja.com

HH Bhakti Vikas Swami
http://www.bvks.com/

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

HH Devamrita Swami
http://www.devaswami.com/main.php
http://www.devaswami.com/main.php?&displayPage=home
Lecture Catalogue - free downloads:
http://mp3cd.gaurayoga.co.nz/cat/

HH Gopal Krishna Goswami:
http://www.geocities.com/gopalkrsna/
http://www.fortunecity.com/millenium/quarrybank/78/news/news.htm

HH Indradyumna Swami:
http://www.Gurudeva.ru/eng
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

Iskcon Auckland's new official web-page

Hare KrishnaSchool & Playgroup

Krishna Conscious education for children
http://www.harekrishna.school.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.

A school bus service provides transport from Auckland suburbs.

For enrolment information please contact:-

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

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

Vegetarian Clubs
Waikato University - Hamilton campus

2 days per week serving about 100 plates each day.

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

visit the Panihati festival page

Panihati Chida-Dadhi Pots

Ingredients:
Clay pots (or halved small coconuts), 2 per person
Banana Leaves, As needed
Chipped Rice (chida), 8 Cups
Milk, 1 Gallon
Heavy Cream, 1 Pint
Yoghurt (dadhi), 2-1/2 Quarts (10 Cups)
Sugar, 7 Cups
Bananas, just ripe, 15
Ghee, 4 Tablespoons
Camphor, Two Pinches
Nutmeg, powder, 1/8 Teaspoon
Cinnamon, powder, 1/8 Teaspoon
Cardamom, 1/4 Teaspoon

Clay pots can be gotten at many Indian grocery stores today. Most are meant for puja, so they’re not necessarily ‘food grade’. If needed, you can lightly steam banana leaves to make them pliant, then shape them so they fit nicely as liners in the clay pots. This is particularly helpful if a lot of time will elapse between arranging the chida-dadhi bowls and offering them. If clay pots aren’t available, you can use small coconut shells that have been halved. Shave a little slice off the bottom so they’ll sit flat.

Heat the milk in a heavy bottom pot, then add the chip rice. Let it soak just long enough to soften, but don’t let it get mushy or begin to break down. Pour the pot contents through a fine sieve, separating the rice out and setting aside. Put the milk back in the pot, add the heavy cream, and continue cooking at a low boil until the volume of milk is reduced to the desired consistency (1/2 to 1/3 the original volume). When the kheer is ready, and just before offering, divide the chip rice into two portions. Blend the sugar, ground nutmeg and cinnamon well with the yoghurt. Thin slice half the bananas and fold gently into yoghurt. Add ½ the rice to yoghurt and put in pots, ready to offer. Mix the ghee, sugar, cardamom and camphor into the kheer. Thin slice the remaining bananas and gently fold into the kheer. Put in clay pots and offer.

Panihati Chida dahi - Buttermilk in Leaf Cups

Ingredients:
Buttermilk, 1 Pint
Banana Leaves, As needed

Chill the buttermilk. Lightly steam the banana leaves so they’re pliant enough to work with. You can shape the leaf cups in various ways. One way is to make a cone shape, then reinforce the bottom to block the hole. Another way is to criss-cross several rectangular shapes to form an enclosed bottom, then wind pieces around to form the sides of the cup. Since the cup will be holding buttermilk, it needs to pretty watertight. The cups can be fairly small, holding only a few ounces of buttermilk. You can also offer/serve the cups by nestling them down into the Upma. That way, any leakage will only be a good thing. Soft, slightly damp banana leaves crimp nicely. If needed, you can finish off the cup construction with a toothpick to hold pieces together.

Panihati Chida dahi - Gunja-Mala Malpoora

Ingredients:
Flour, self-raising, 2-1/8 Cups
Powdered Sugar, 1 Cup
Ghee, For frying
Yoghurt, 5 Cups
Sugar, 3/4 Cup
Red Raspberries, 1-1/2 Cup
Black Raspberries (or Blueberries), 1/2 Cup
Celery Stalks, 6

To make the gunja-mala garlands, carefully strip long threads off the celery stalks and set aside. The threads should be six to eight inches long, and have one end that’s fairly thick or stiff. Gently wash, drain and pat dry ½ cup of each type of berry. Thread the berries onto the celery string, like beads on a necklace, alternating colors as you go. Create garlands just long enough to settle snugly around the fried Malpooras. Tie them off, or double thread one end to hold the circle.

Sift the flour and powdered sugar, and add up to 1-1/4 cups chilled water, as needed, to get a batter that’s thick, but pour-able. Mix in two tablespoons of yoghurt. The batter should cling to your spoon. Set batter aside to rest for 15 minutes, covered. Heat the ghee in a wok or deep pan. Using a tablespoon, put heaping spoonfuls of batter into the hot ghee, frying until they increase in size. Gently roll over, and fry the other side for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and drain.

Puree remaining 1 cup of the Red Raspberries and force through a sieve. Set the fruit pulp aside for later use in another prep. Add the strained raspberry juice to the yoghurt, add granulated sugar and mix well. Set the fried Malpooras in a serving dish and cover with the yoghurt mixture. Gently place a berry mala on top of each, and offer.

Panihati Chida dahi - Ganges Curd Upma

Ingredients:
Cabbage, 1/2 Head
Brussel Sprouts, 8
Yam, orange, 1 Large
Peas, 1 Cup
Tomatoes, 1 Cup
Semolina, 4 Cups
Water, 7 Cups
Butter, 3/4 Pound
Coriander seeds, 2 Teaspoons
Cumin seeds, 2 Teaspoons
Red Chili flakes, 1 Teaspoon
Asofoetida, 1/2 Teaspoon
Turmeric, 1 Teaspoon
Rosemary, 1/2 Teaspoon
Cinnamon, 1/4 Teaspoon
Nutmeg, 1/8 Teaspoon
Salt, To Taste
Black Pepper, medium grind, 4 Tablespoons
Yoghurt, 4 Cups
Ghee, 2 Tablespoons
Curry leaves, fresh, 6
Coriander powder, 1 Teaspoon
Cumin powder, 1 Teaspoon
Garam Masala, 1 Teaspoon

Coarsely shred the cabbage and chop all the other vegetables into small bits. Chaunce the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, red peppers, and asofoetida. Add all the vegetables and fry until just cooked. Add 2 Tablespoons butter along with turmeric, rosemary, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook until the cabbage is done, then add all remaining butter and let melt. Next add the semolina and stir well. Should become the consistency of halvah. Stir and cook on medium heat until grains are lightly toasted, to darken a few shades.

Add warm water and bring to a boil. Add salt and black pepper (don’t be shy with the pepper), then the semolina. Continue stirring until all water is absorbed, and lumps are out of the grain. Cover and set aside.

Make a chaunce with curry leaves, coriander and cumin powder and garam masala. Once spices are darkened, add to the yoghurt and blend well. Put a nicely shaped mound of upma in a small dish, pour a stream of yoghurt around the bottom, and offer.

Panihati Chida dahi - Cracked Urad Dal

Ingredients:
Urad dal, cracked, 2 Cups
Water, 10 Cups
Tomatoes, 2 Cups
Turmeric, 1 Teaspoon
Ginger, fresh, 1 Inch
Salt, To taste
Black Pepper, 2 Teaspoons
Cumin seeds, 2 Teaspoons
Anise seeds, 1 Teaspoon
Asofoetida, 1 Teaspoon
Red chilis, flakes, 1/2 Teaspoon

Cook the dal in the usual way, adding chopped tomatoes, turmeric, minced ginger, salt and black pepper to the water. Bring to a slow boil and cook, covered for 4 to 5 hours. Stir occasionally and add ghee or water (scant water) as needed to keep from sticking. Just before offering, make a chaunce with the remaining seeds and spices, and add to dal, mixing well.

Panihati Chida dahi - Banana Chapatis with Orange Cardamom Butter

Ingredients:
Whole Wheat Flour, 4 Cups
Bananas, ripe, 2
Milk, As needed
Ghee, 2 Tablespoons
Butter , 1/2 Pound
Cardamom powder, 1/2 Teaspoon
Orange juice, 1 Teaspoon
Orange zest, 2 Tablespoons

Put the flour into a mixing bowl. Mash the banana and add to bowl. Add warm milk, as needed, to the flour and banana and knead it into a dough. Add a tablespoon of ghee to the dough, and knead for 8 minutes or so, until pliant and non-sticky. Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 minutes. Make chapatis in the usual way, rolling dough into balls, heating a griddle or tawa. Roll out balls to flat chapatis, sprinkle a little flour on and re-roll and flatten as needed, because the banana makes the dough sticky. On final roll-out, brush the chapati with ghee then fry until it puffs. Take off griddle and toast over a grill for a moment, then butter and cover until ready to offer.

Panihati Chida dahi - Cauliflower & Red Pepper Sabji

Ingredients:
Cauliflower, 2 Large
Red Bell Peppers, 4 Large
Cream Cheese, 16 Ounces
Cilantro, 3 Bunches
Black Pepper, coarse ground, 3 Tablespoons
Ghee or Olive Oil, 1/4 Cup
Jaggery, 1/8 Cup

Clean the cauliflower and break down into large florets. Spread out on a baking sheet and coat well with ghee or olive oil (spray or brush on). Put under the broiler and turn the florets every 10 minutes or so, until all sides of the florets are toasty brown (or black-ish). In a heavy bottom pot, put 1/8 cup of water, add the cauliflower, the bell peppers cut into long strips (about ¼” thick), and two or three handfuls of chopped cilantro. Cut the cream cheese into chunks and toss on top, then sprinkle the jaggery. Cover pot and put on low heat for about 2 hours. Stir occasionally to help break the cream cheese up, but try not to break the cauliflower florets apart. Swishing the liquid around the pot, up into the sabji, will also help melt the cream cheese. This sabji can sit and slow cook with almost no attention, and the least stirring the better.

Panihati Chida dahi - Dry Peas and Paneer in Lemon

Ingredients:
Chenna, 1-1/2 Pounds
Milk for Chenna, 1 Gallon
Lemon Juice for Chenna, 1/2 Cup
Peas, fresh or frozen, 2 Cups
Sour Cream, 1/2 Cup
Ginger, fresh, 1 Inch
Cumin Seeds, 2 Teaspoons
Curry Leaves, 10
Turmeric, 3/4 Teaspoon
Cayenne, 1/4 Teaspoon
Coriander leaves, fresh, 3 Tablespoons
Salt, To taste
Lemons, 12

Make chenna in the usual way. Press at heavy weight for 40 minutes. Fry in ghee until crispy and golden. Set aside. Cut all the lemons in half and carefully take a small slice off the bottom so the half will sit evenly, like a cup. Using a melon baller or small sharp knife, remove all the membrane from all the halves, so they’re relatively empty. Turn upside down and set aside.

Make a chaunce with the cumin seeds, then the curry leaves and brown. Add the minced ginger and brown. Add the turmeric, cayenne, and half the coriander leaves, then add the chenna and fry till fully coated, for about 5 minutes with pan covered. Add the peas and sour cream, reduce heat and cook, covered, for another 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep from sticking, and cook until all the liquid has evaporated. Stuff each lemon half full of the chenna/pea mixture, sprinkle with a little fresh coriander, and offer.

Panihati Chida dahi - Rava Idli

Ingredients:
Basmati Rice, parboiled, 2 Cups
Urad Dal (black gram), 1 Cup
Salt, To taste

Soak the rice and dal separately for 5 hours. Soak the rice in four cups of water, and the dal in two cups of water. Again separately, drain the dal and blend in a food processor to a fine paste, using scant water as needed. Then do the same for the rice. Now mix the two together into a blended batter. Add salt to taste, cover, and let sit in a warm spot for 8 to 12 hours, to ferment. When ready to cook, gently make balls and flatten between your hands (grease hands with ghee, if needed). Don’t stir the batter, as the air trapped in it makes the idli a nice, fluffy consistency. Steam the idli in a pressure cooker without weight, or in a steamer pot, for 15 to 20 minutes and offer.

Panihati Chida dahi - Aloo Kerala Fry

Ingredients:
Potatoes, white or Yukon, 3 Large
Bitter Melon (kerala), 2 Medium
Ghee, 3 Tablespoons
Cayenne, 1/2 Teaspoon
Horseradish, 1 Teaspoon
Coconut, grated, 2 Tablespoons
Lime Juice, 1/2 Tablespoons
Salt, To taste
Flour, pastry, 2 to 3 Tablespoons
Ghee, For frying

Clean the seeds and membrane out of the bitter melon and slice or dice them. Salt well and let sit under weight for about 20 minutes. Wash all salt off, drain, and pat dry. Peel and boil the potatoes until they’re fork soft. Mash the potatoes just to break down, and mix the bitter melon in. Add all other ingredients except the ghee for frying. Mix well, and form into patties. Put a little ghee in a frying pan and pan fry the patties until reddish-brown on both sides. Remove, drain, and offer.

Stuffed Baby White Eggplant

Imgredients:
Baby white eggplant, 15
Almond butter, fresh ground, 4 Cups
Red Chilis, flakes, 1-1/2 Teaspoons
Basil, fresh, 2 Cups
Ginger, 3 Inches
Lemongrass, 5 Stalks
Ghee, 2 Teaspoons

Choose eggplants that are pure white, if possible, about the size and shape of a large egg. Slice in half, leaving the step cap on the top half. Using a small melon baller or spoon, scoop out a small area in the center, about the size of a unshelled walnut. Save the discarded eggplant for later use. Wash the lemongrass, and carefully peel off as many individual leaves as you can, keeping them as intact as possible. This gets difficult the close you peel down to center, but working with 5 stalks, you just need enough to have one leaf for each complete eggplant.

Heat the ghee and fry the red chilis until a little brown. Add the minced ginger and fry until crisp. Chop the fresh basil into small pieces and add, frying for just another minute until soft and flavor has released into the ghee. Remove from heat and add to the almond butter, blending in completely. Use this mixture to fill the hollow spaces in each eggplant half. Don’t overfill, because you’ll want to put the two pieces snugly back together. Hold two halves together (it helps if you match them up as you cut them) and wrap a band of lemongrass around the center cut tightly. Wrap the stuffed eggplant in tin foil, pressing tight to keep the lemongrass in place. Seal the foil closed, but leave the top edges accessible so the bundle is easy to open later. Stand upright in a baking dish and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40 to 45 minutes. Don’t open the foil until ready to offer.

Panihati Chida dahi - Baigan Sarson

Ingredients:
Mustard Greens, large leaves, 30
Eggplant, 2 Medium
Mustard seeds, 1-1/2 Teaspoons
Asofoetida, 1 Teaspoon
Cumin powder, 2 Teaspoons
Ginger powder, 1 Teaspoon
Turmeric, 1/2 Teaspoon
Salt, to taste
Black Pepper, 2 Teaspoons
Ghee, For frying

Blanche the mustard greens just enough so they’re pliant to work with. Drain, pat dry, and set aside. Make a chuance with the mustard seeds until they splutter, then add the turmeric and black pepper. Finely dice the eggplant and fry in the chaunce, stirring often, until the eggplant is soft inside and crispy outside. Set aside to cool. Lay the mustard leaves out flat, dab off any extra moisture. Lightly sprinkle with ginger powder on one side only (the ‘up’ side). When eggplant has cooled enough to handle, evenly distribute the eggplant mixture onto each of the leaves. Form the stuffing in a rectangular shape, then roll the leave up around the filling, tucking the corners into make as compact and sealed a bundle as possible, without tear the leaf. Use toothpicks (uncolored) to hold the bundle together. Drop into hot ghee and fry for a few minutes, turning at least once. When the leave has crisped nicely, and before the stuffing begins to escape through any cracks, remove gently with a slotted spoon and drain. Offer hot or at room temperature.

Panihati Chida dahi - Roasted Okra Raita

Ingredients:
Okra, fresh, 1 Pound
Chickpea Flour (Besan), 1/2 Cup
Garam Masala, 2 Teaspoons
Cayenne, 1/2 Teaspoon
Coriander powder, 3 Teaspoons
Ghee or olive oil, 3 Tablespoons
Yoghurt, 1-1/2 Cups
Cumin, roasted and ground, 1/2 Tablespoon
Salt, To taste
Black Pepper, 1 Teaspoon
Parsley, fresh, 2 Tablespoons

Cut the fresh okra into 1” pieces. Mix together the besan, garam masala, cayenne and coriander powder. Coat the okra in this spice mixture, then set on a baking sheet, spray with ghee or olive oil, and bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit until brown and crispy. Remove and let cool. Blend together the ground cumin, salt, pepper and yoghurt. Gently fold the okra into the yogurt, sprinkle with parsley, and chill until ready to offer.

Panihati Chida dahi - Rhubarb & Dried Cherry Chutney

Ingredients:
Rhubarb, fresh, 1 Pound
Green Apple, tart, 1
Dried Cherries, 3/4 Cup
Jaggery, 1-3/4 Cups
Jalapenos, 2
Ginger, fresh, 2 Inches
Mustard seeds, yellow, 2 Tablespoons
Salt, 2 Teaspoons
Coriander powder, 2 Teaspoons
Lemon juice, 1 Cup
Corn Syrup, light, 1/8 Cup
Asofoetida, 1/4 Teaspoon

Chop the rhubarb and apple into small pieces. In a heavy bottom pot, combine all ingredients except lemon juice and corn syrup. Heat to a slow boil then reduce to a simmer. Continue cooking, partially covered, for about 30 minutes. Add the lemon juice and corn syrup, stir well, and cook uncovered over medium-high heat for another 20 to 30 minutes, stirring often. Chutney should get thick and somewhat glazed. Remove from heat, let cool for 10 minutes, and offer.

Panihati Chida dahi - Lime Cooler

Ingredients:
Limes, 60
Sugar, 1-1/2 Cup
Honey, 1-1/2 Cup
Ginger, 3 Inches
Anise, 5 Stars
Mint, fresh, Handful

Zest a dozen of the limes, and set the zest aside. Squeeze the fresh lime juice and remove all seeds and large bits of membrane. Make a small bag of clean linen or several layers of cheesecloth, and put the minced ginger, anise stars and lime zest inside. Mix the lime juice, sugar and honey together, submerge the spice bag in the liquid, and let sit for 5 or 6 hours. Remove the bag and discard (or use later in another prep). Put ¼ cup of the lime syrup in an 8 ounce glass (or less, proportionate to cup size), fill with crushed or cracked ice, and top off the glass with chilled water. Add a sprig of fresh mint on top and offer.
 
 

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)...

CAST: Narrator, Professor, Boatman. PROPS: The professor wears a long coat and hat, small wire-framed glasses and carries a briefcase. In the briefcase is a copy of Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 1. He also carries an umbrella.

SCENE ONE

Narrator: Our scene opens on the bank of the Ganges river, opposite to the city of Benares. The professor is in a hurry to cross the Ganges in time for his scheduled lecture as a guest speaker at the prestigious Institute of Futurology.

Professor: (irritated, in a hurry, talking to himself) I can't believe it! The bridge is destroyed from the flood last week! Typically India! Typical, typical! How am I supposed to get across this blasted river now? I simply must be at the university on time! (sees Boatman sitting and mending something) Hey there, you! Tell me, how on earth and heaven is one supposed to get across this river when the bridge is out, huh?

Boatman: (detached) Well, you could take a boat.

Professor: A boat. Not a bad idea. (still irritated) And where might one find a boat under these conditions? No doubt there are thousands of people trying to get boat rides across the river under these conditions!

Boatman: Well, I've got a boat for hire.

Professor: Really? I do say? (feigning indifference) What's your price?

Boatman: One way, or round trip?

Professor: One way.

Boatman: One person?

Professor: One person. (emphasizes words in his impatience)

Boatman: Five rupees, fifty paisa.

Professor: (astonished) Five rupees, fifty paisa!? That's insane! Forget it. I'm not going to pay that much. In my country that's called thievery...

Boatman: As you like. (continues mending) But I don't think you'll find anyone cheaper. That's the price these days. A man has to earn a living to support his family...

Professor: Okay, okay, just show me your boat.

Boatman: Just five minutes and I'll be finished mending this life-jacket.

Professor: No! Let's go now! I'll be late for my appointment at the university. I must deliver a very important lecture... (looks at his watch) ...in exactly one hour.

Boatman: Alright. Here's my boat — please get in, sir.

Professor: (hesitant) Is this boat navigable?

Boatman: Navigable? What does that mean?

Professor: It doesn't leak?

Boatman: No, sir! I've had this same boat for twenty years. No problem!

Professor: (doubtful) Alright. Let's go.

Boatman: (holds out hand, expecting payment. Professor pays him hurriedly) You climb in, please, and I will push off. (Professor climbs in clumsily, forgetting his umbrella) Your umbrella, sir. (Boatman hands him his umbrella)

Professor: Oh yes, thank you. (Boatman pushes off, beginning to row, showing great endeavor) Tell me, boatman, if you don't mind my asking, what is your age?

Boatman: My age? Fifty-two last week.

Professor: Hmmm, fifty-two, and I suppose you have been rowing boats across the Ganges your whole life, eh?

Boatman: That's right.

Professor: Did you ever consider investing in a motorboat?

Boatman: Invest?... Motor...?

Professor: Sure. If you had started saving money when you were young, by now you could have bought a first-class motorboat. Not only would you not have to work so hard in your old age, you could carry a lot more passengers and make a lot more money. And with that extra money you could buy more boats and rent them out... and by now you could be a rich man. Money makes money, they say!

Boatman: (gravely) Hmmm... money... I'm certainly not a rich man, but I get by. And whatever excess money I have, I use for Krishna-seva.

Professor: Krishna-what?

Boatman: Krishna-seva — service to Krishna. Worship of Krishna.Professor: You don't mean to say you belong to that Hare Krishna sect, do you?

Boatman: My family has been worshiping Krishna for generations. I don't know what you mean by "sect." In Bhagavad-Gita Krishna says "bhoktaram yajna tapasam, sarva-loka-mahesvaram" — He says, "I am the Supreme Lord, the Supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices." Therefore I worship Him. I simply accept the statements of Bhagavad-Gita.

Professor: Ach! This religion nonsense! Nothing more than an opiate for the people, if you ask me! It is one thing I have to agree with Karl Marx about: "Religion is the opiate for the people." Have you ever heard of Karl Marx?

Boatman: He is a movie actor, isn't he?

Professor: (turns to audience) Just see! He doesn't know anything! He hasn't the slightest idea about economics, neither for his own economic advancement nor in theory. He has no idea about the great theories of economics, by which this whole world moves! Typically India! (turns to Boatman) I must say, Boatman, 25% of your life is wasted!

Boatman: Wasted?

Professor: Wasted! Simply wasted.

Boatman: Well, I wouldn't say "wasted." I may not be so well educated as far as book learning in school goes, but every evening I hear stories read by our village brahmanas from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. You have heard of these books, sir?

Professor: Of course, of course — mythology, all my-tho-lo-gy! Just some stories compiled for maintaining a stable and complacent society. As the rest of the world marches onward to greater and greater frontiers of advancement, India hobbles behind, worshipping her "sacred" cows. You probably don't even know that we have landed men on the moon, do you?

Boatman: Yes, someone was telling me about that, but quite frankly, I have my doubts.

Professor: (flabbergasted) DOUBTS!?

Boatman: Yes, doubts. After all, what did they find there? A few rocks, I heard.

Professor: Not "a few rocks" — a LOT of rocks!!!

Boatman: Okay, a lot of rocks. Anyway, according to the Vedic description of the moon, there is much more than rocks to be found there. Actually it is a very beautiful, heavenly place. The people there live for 10,000 years, with each day being equal to our six months. If you ask me, they didn't land on the moon. Maybe some other planet. Anyway, they couldn't stay there, so what is the use?

Professor: (indignant) Use? For advancement of human knowledge, of course! Man has an intrinsic need to explore the vast reaches of the unknown, to leave no stone unturned, as the saying goes.

Boatman: That's alright, but what is the use if you know so much about moon rocks and film stars, but do not know who you are?

Professor: (offended) You think I don't know who I am!? Of course I know who I am! I am the famous, one and only, Professor Swagalot, with degrees in several subjects, including Astro-physical-biology, Political-economic-simplistics, and Ontological-paleo-cryptology. And I've studied so many subjects thoroughly and written hundred of papers and articles and books and I'm so busy with speaking engagements, that I simply have no time...

Boatman: No time to consider who you actually are... after all, that is what human life is for. That is what the Vedas say — the goal of life is to realize who you really are — as an eternal spirit soul...

Professor: Look, Boatman, that's quite enough. And why are you slowing down? It is getting late. Hurry up, for God's sake!

Boatman: Yes, okay. (resumes rowing, singing quietly to himself the Hare Krishna mantra)

Professor: With your cows and Vedas and all that, you don't even believe that we have landed on the moon! Ha! I say 50% of your life is wasted! I... my God, I almost forgot, I have to prepare my address to the Institute of Futurology about human genetic perfection. Where is my notebook? (digs in his briefcase, pulls out Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 1) What is this book? Oh yes, some young lady sold me this book in the New York airport. I told her I wouldn't have time to read it, but she wouldn't take "no" for an answer. (opens book, reads one verse aloud) Hmmm... Sanskrit — very old language... srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah... Ha! Krishna! I thought so! (addresses Boatman) You Krishnas are everywhere! (opens book randomly, reads aloud) "In the revealed scriptures, the ultimate object of knowledge is Sri Krishna, the Personality of Godhead. The purpose of performing sacrifice is to please Him. Yoga is for realizing Him. All fruitive activities are ultimately rewarded by Him only. He is supreme knowledge, and all severe austerities are performed to know Him. Religion (dharma) is rendering loving service unto Him. He is the supreme goal of life." That's 1.2.28 and 29. (forgets himself for a moment)

Boatman: Jai! Haribol, Haribol!

Professor: (resuming attitude of irritated impatience) Oh, no! Again this Krishna! Why me?! Anyway, look here Boatman, just get me across this accursed river, fast!

Boatman: Excuse me, sir, but this river is none other than the sacred mother Ganges, whose waters emanate from the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu. Please don't offend her in that way.

Professor: (exaggerated apology) Oh, I'm so sorry. And I suppose you want to tell me that the water is completely pure, huh? If you only knew how much disease-carrying micro-organisms these rivers in India carry! Sometimes I wonder what is the use of this country at all. After all that the British did for you, you still insist on keeping your antiquated ways. Boatman, tell me what you know about the British colonial time in India.

Boatman: Not a whole lot. I know they came and built railroads all over the place so that many people left the land and went to the cities to work in factories in squalorous, inhumane conditions...

Professor: 75% of your life is wasted! I say there, where did you hear this propaganda? What nonsense. Simply nonsense. If it weren't for the British... Hey, what's going on? (opens his umbrella) It's raining and getting cold and blowing like anything! (a little humble) Boatman, can't you be quicker?

Boatman: I'm trying my best. But the current is very strong. (rows intently, chanting "Jaya Govinda, Jaya Gopal, Keshava Madhava Dina-dayal") The weather is very unpredictable at this time of year. A heavy rainstorm can come at a moment's notice.

Professor: But, but hurry up... (shows panic) This can't be — I have to deliver my lecture on Futurology. Look, I'll even pay you five rupees extra to hurry up!

Boatman: That is all right. I don't think it will help at this point. You can keep your money. (takes off shoes, shirt)

Professor: What are you doing now?

Boatman: Getting ready to swim.

Professor: (panicking, tearful) Swim?! You are going to swim?

Boatman: What else is there to do? (boat capsizes) Excuse me sir, but we'll just have to swim for it now; it's not so far, but... can you swim, by the way?

Professor: Nooooooooooooooooo!

Boatman: Then 100% of your life is wasted!

Narrator: The life of our unfortunate Professor was not actually 100% wasted. After all, he had read a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam, heard the Hare Krishna mantra, and even drowned in the sacred Ganga — no doubt freeing him from all sinful reactions of his past misdeeds. As for his so-called advanced learning, we see that it was not sufficient to defend him from the jaws of death. Our simple boatman, on the other hand, despite his lack of book-knowledge on material subjects of so-called advancement, had sufficient knowledge not only to save himself from a physically dangerous situation, but also to bring him to realize the goal of life — going back home, back to Godhead.We urge you to read the books mentioned in this play — the ancient Vedic literatures translated into English by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. The Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-Gita are available today from the devotees here. Thank you very much.

Purport:

sent in by Pauline Archell-Thompson in the UK

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

You might like to check out Krishna-conscious jokes - http://vedaveda.com/anglais/joke/deux.html
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