Yesterday was not a good day for me. Since Saturday I lost my bead bag! That is the bead bag with the beads I received at initiation, the same beads that my guru Maharaja had chanted on.
I felt it was a direct result of really bad chanting and that Krishna was telling to catch a wake up or loose more than what I have already. Fortunately, Krishna’s grace, I found it this morning as I was preparing to leave home for work, the one place I didn’t check struck me and there was my bead bag. shoo! close call…
Yesterday was also my birthday, not birthday into this material body but spiritual birth of formally receiving the holy name from my spiritual master. Yep, it’s been 5 years and as I sat at the initiation ceremony yesterday listening as the initiates got their new names I though about the sacrifice the spiritual master takes in accepting a disciple. Even if it takes several births to save a disciple the guru takes that risk.
My spiritual master is especially merciful, taking risks to save a fallen soul like me. Even at the time of initiation Maharaja knew I wasn’t hundred percent. But over the years since then maharaja has given me many opportunities to somehow gradually improve myself. I am forever grateful for that and I offer my deepest, most humble obeisance to Gurumaharaja, and I beg forgiveness for the multitudes of sin I commit daily at his lotus feet.
I beg the Lord to help me to overcome these offences and to help me become a good devotee.
All glories to Jagat Guru, Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Srila Gurudev!
Free to be
Monday, April 14, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Hiranyakashipu’s school
I know 'The Apprentice' has been showing on TV for a long while now, but somehow I never ended up watching it until couple of weeks ago. Every time I watch it though I am filled with disbelief that grown people and so called upper class people could behave so churlishly and so childishly.
One of the weeks, while I was watching one episode, I had a flash in my mind of a scene from the Nrsingadev plays that are often shown. You know the part where Sananda and Amarka, the school teachers of Prahlad, are trying to instil some demonic qualities in to Prahlad. And on 'The Apprentice' Donald Trump was showing approval to one of the teams who did some real shifty stuff that had me quite horrified! At that point I suddenly thought this is just like Hiranyakashipu’s school!
This made me understand why we are warned against getting too close with materialistic people. Here, where I work, there are nice people. But I also get plenty of exposure to back-stabbers and the like. Of course you learn how to block those kind of people out so that they don’t get too close. But still their behaviour and the behaviour of the ‘nice' people can influence you on a subtle plain. To counteract that effect, I need to hear (nicely) plenty of holy names of the Lord and I need to associate on a deep level with devotees.
The holy names one I’ve got to work on. For the association I also need to work on but this Monday night I had a really nice time at book club. We discussed Krishna Book and it was just great! If some how we can do more things like this hopefully at the time of death, that is what will shine instead of all the materialistic things I am involved in.
Jai Sacinandan Gaura-Hari!
One of the weeks, while I was watching one episode, I had a flash in my mind of a scene from the Nrsingadev plays that are often shown. You know the part where Sananda and Amarka, the school teachers of Prahlad, are trying to instil some demonic qualities in to Prahlad. And on 'The Apprentice' Donald Trump was showing approval to one of the teams who did some real shifty stuff that had me quite horrified! At that point I suddenly thought this is just like Hiranyakashipu’s school!
This made me understand why we are warned against getting too close with materialistic people. Here, where I work, there are nice people. But I also get plenty of exposure to back-stabbers and the like. Of course you learn how to block those kind of people out so that they don’t get too close. But still their behaviour and the behaviour of the ‘nice' people can influence you on a subtle plain. To counteract that effect, I need to hear (nicely) plenty of holy names of the Lord and I need to associate on a deep level with devotees.
The holy names one I’ve got to work on. For the association I also need to work on but this Monday night I had a really nice time at book club. We discussed Krishna Book and it was just great! If some how we can do more things like this hopefully at the time of death, that is what will shine instead of all the materialistic things I am involved in.
Jai Sacinandan Gaura-Hari!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Salted Bread
Hare Krishna! When Srila Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja arrived in SA, Maharaja brought boxes of a book called Salted Bread. I would urge every devotee to read this amazing book!
I must offer my heartfelt obeisances at the dust of the lotus feet of the devotees from the former USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), to HG Sacisuta Prabhu and the author HG Sarvabhavana Prabhu. Even before meeting devotees these two personalities were so incredible. How they tried to keep places of God clean, how at a very young age they questioned religion and the purpose of life, how they became vegetarian and kept to it despite jeers and pressures.
From this book I think the most important lesson for me is to take advantage of every Krishna conscious moment because you never know when we may not have access to even a simple thing like a book!
The most heroic thing for me was how all these devotees maintained there sadhana of chanting 16 rounds every single day. Their beads were always taken away, they were beaten, they did not have sufficient food (salted bread for 2 years straight!), they were living in unclean places. Yet despite this, whatever they knew about Krishna they told others about it and at the same time kept up there own faith. How many opportunities they got to escape these horrible conditions but they would rather die then sign papers claiming that ISKCON was not a bona fide religion.
THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON, DON’T COMMIT VAISNAV APARADHA AND TRY YOUR UTMOST TO DEVELOP LOVING RELATIONSHIPS WITH DEVOTEES.
What is interesting from the political sense is that the thirst the former Soviet devotees had for spiritual knowledge was practically speaking a direct consequence of the communist culture forced upon them. The government forcefully rejected and discouraged religion which they though were based on sentiment only, thus the harassment of ISKCON devotees. Read Srila Prabhupada’s letter, http://society.krishna.org/Letters/2000/07/L00001.html, where it is described how serving or loving God is the natural proclivity of man. From that we can see how the suppression on the people of the USSR made the pure knowledge given by Srila Prabhupada all the sweeter to them.
Reading this book, particularly the hatred the KGB had for devotees reminded me of conflict between Germans and Jews. I remember hearing one class by Radhanatha Maharaja and Sacianandan Maharaja where one of them were describing how Radhanatha Maharaja is a from a very strict Jewish family and HH Sacinandan Maharaja is from Germany and his father was actually an officer or something like that in the German army. Materially speaking they should actually be great enemies but the fact is they are the greatest of friends.
I was also watching this movie of twin sisters born in Germany, when there parents died the 2 were separated at a very young age one going to Holland and the other remaining in Germany. They did not meet each other for a very long time, until they were much older. At that time the sister in Holland rejected her sister because her husband was an officer in the Nazi Army and the sister from Holland’s husband had been captured by Nazi soldiers. But actually all these young men were forced to act in these ways. The sister from Germany tried to show her sister how they were servants of their situations but the sister didn’t see this until the last days of her life.
Krishna consciousness crosses all boundaries and saves a lot of time and energy that is normally spent on being angry and hurt.
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!
Devotees of the former USSR Ki Jai!
I must offer my heartfelt obeisances at the dust of the lotus feet of the devotees from the former USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), to HG Sacisuta Prabhu and the author HG Sarvabhavana Prabhu. Even before meeting devotees these two personalities were so incredible. How they tried to keep places of God clean, how at a very young age they questioned religion and the purpose of life, how they became vegetarian and kept to it despite jeers and pressures.
From this book I think the most important lesson for me is to take advantage of every Krishna conscious moment because you never know when we may not have access to even a simple thing like a book!
The most heroic thing for me was how all these devotees maintained there sadhana of chanting 16 rounds every single day. Their beads were always taken away, they were beaten, they did not have sufficient food (salted bread for 2 years straight!), they were living in unclean places. Yet despite this, whatever they knew about Krishna they told others about it and at the same time kept up there own faith. How many opportunities they got to escape these horrible conditions but they would rather die then sign papers claiming that ISKCON was not a bona fide religion.
THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON, DON’T COMMIT VAISNAV APARADHA AND TRY YOUR UTMOST TO DEVELOP LOVING RELATIONSHIPS WITH DEVOTEES.
What is interesting from the political sense is that the thirst the former Soviet devotees had for spiritual knowledge was practically speaking a direct consequence of the communist culture forced upon them. The government forcefully rejected and discouraged religion which they though were based on sentiment only, thus the harassment of ISKCON devotees. Read Srila Prabhupada’s letter, http://society.krishna.org/Letters/2000/07/L00001.html, where it is described how serving or loving God is the natural proclivity of man. From that we can see how the suppression on the people of the USSR made the pure knowledge given by Srila Prabhupada all the sweeter to them.
Reading this book, particularly the hatred the KGB had for devotees reminded me of conflict between Germans and Jews. I remember hearing one class by Radhanatha Maharaja and Sacianandan Maharaja where one of them were describing how Radhanatha Maharaja is a from a very strict Jewish family and HH Sacinandan Maharaja is from Germany and his father was actually an officer or something like that in the German army. Materially speaking they should actually be great enemies but the fact is they are the greatest of friends.
I was also watching this movie of twin sisters born in Germany, when there parents died the 2 were separated at a very young age one going to Holland and the other remaining in Germany. They did not meet each other for a very long time, until they were much older. At that time the sister in Holland rejected her sister because her husband was an officer in the Nazi Army and the sister from Holland’s husband had been captured by Nazi soldiers. But actually all these young men were forced to act in these ways. The sister from Germany tried to show her sister how they were servants of their situations but the sister didn’t see this until the last days of her life.
Krishna consciousness crosses all boundaries and saves a lot of time and energy that is normally spent on being angry and hurt.
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!
Devotees of the former USSR Ki Jai!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Seekers of Truth
5 seekers
Average guy
Business women
Scientist
Gothic
Peace loving Rastafarian
“Seekers of Truth” was the play we did for the Pre Gaura Purnim Festival.
Where else would 5 complete different types of people be able to stand being in each others company? Only ISKCON!
Jai Srila Prabhupada!
Average guy
Business women
Scientist
Gothic
Peace loving Rastafarian
“Seekers of Truth” was the play we did for the Pre Gaura Purnim Festival.
Where else would 5 complete different types of people be able to stand being in each others company? Only ISKCON!
Jai Srila Prabhupada!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Gaura Lila
Jaya Jaya Sri Caitanya Jaya Nityananda Jai Advaita Candra Jaya Gaura Bhakta Vrnda!
Over Monday and Tuesday Srila Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja lead us in the most inspiring and instructive seminar on Lessons from the Pastimes of Lord Caitanya.
Who is Lord Caitanya? He is Krishna who has come in the form of His own devotee. Interestingly all the incarnations of Krishna are in the mood of servant. If you ask Krishna, “What or who is the absolute?” Krishna will very simply say “Me” but if you ask the incarnations starting from Baladev, they will answer, “Krishna!”
What did I learn?
1)
Things happen to you all the time but how if affects you depends on your consciousness. For example, Madavendra Puri chastised Ramachandra Puri. Because Ramachandra Puri was envious he could not accept this chastisement and thought, “how can he speak to ME like that” this kind of attitude is not good and led to Ramachandra Puri continuing his offensive course. The chastisement of the spiritual master is his mercy and if we take it in a submissive, humble way it will be of great benefit to us.
Once Srila Prabhupada also got chastised by Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur when Srila Prabhupada was listening to a lecture of Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur, he was sitting next to a gentleman who could not hear very well and who would keep asking Srila Prabhupada what Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Maharaja was saying. Finally Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Maharaja asked Srila Prabhupada if he would like to give the class! Whoa! But Srila Prabhupada never felt resentful for this rather, he told his disciples, he cherished that moment for the rest of his life.
2)
Searching for recognition and fame is like taking bath in the Urine of a donkey! Oh yeah, I think this lesson was especially for me as I heard just read the same thing on the same day that Maharaja spoke about it. Twice in one day – definitely a sign from Krishna. This is like Gopala Chakravati who had great envy for Haridas Thakur just because Haridas Thakur was born a Muslim and he, Gopala Chakravati, was a “great” brahmana. Like this he lost he nose from leprosy.
3)
The devotee is never offended by the blasphemy on ignorant persons and Krishna never forgets the blasphemy done to His devotee.
I hear so much of this but am still prone to so much blasphemy! Don’t be like the fly be like the bee. When you blasphemy you don’t feel good.
What about constructive criticism?
Maharaja said practically there hardly anything like constructive criticism. One can give advice but not to criticise and get on someone’s case. Actually only the spiritual master and the father are justified in getting on someone’s case.
4)
Gopala Chapala left the paraphernalia of Durga worship on the doorstep of Srivas Thakur. When Srivas Thakur saw this he said, “Now you know my actual position” he did not defend himself. Maharaja explained we have 4 propensities: eating sleeping, matiung and defending. Defending is the most subtle. We mustn’t be in this defensive spirit.
Nice hey!!
Jaya Jaya Sri Caitanya Jaya Nityananda Jai Advaita Candra Jaya Gaura Bhakta Vrnda!
Over Monday and Tuesday Srila Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja lead us in the most inspiring and instructive seminar on Lessons from the Pastimes of Lord Caitanya.
Who is Lord Caitanya? He is Krishna who has come in the form of His own devotee. Interestingly all the incarnations of Krishna are in the mood of servant. If you ask Krishna, “What or who is the absolute?” Krishna will very simply say “Me” but if you ask the incarnations starting from Baladev, they will answer, “Krishna!”
What did I learn?
1)
Things happen to you all the time but how if affects you depends on your consciousness. For example, Madavendra Puri chastised Ramachandra Puri. Because Ramachandra Puri was envious he could not accept this chastisement and thought, “how can he speak to ME like that” this kind of attitude is not good and led to Ramachandra Puri continuing his offensive course. The chastisement of the spiritual master is his mercy and if we take it in a submissive, humble way it will be of great benefit to us.
Once Srila Prabhupada also got chastised by Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur when Srila Prabhupada was listening to a lecture of Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur, he was sitting next to a gentleman who could not hear very well and who would keep asking Srila Prabhupada what Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Maharaja was saying. Finally Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Maharaja asked Srila Prabhupada if he would like to give the class! Whoa! But Srila Prabhupada never felt resentful for this rather, he told his disciples, he cherished that moment for the rest of his life.
2)
Searching for recognition and fame is like taking bath in the Urine of a donkey! Oh yeah, I think this lesson was especially for me as I heard just read the same thing on the same day that Maharaja spoke about it. Twice in one day – definitely a sign from Krishna. This is like Gopala Chakravati who had great envy for Haridas Thakur just because Haridas Thakur was born a Muslim and he, Gopala Chakravati, was a “great” brahmana. Like this he lost he nose from leprosy.
3)
The devotee is never offended by the blasphemy on ignorant persons and Krishna never forgets the blasphemy done to His devotee.
I hear so much of this but am still prone to so much blasphemy! Don’t be like the fly be like the bee. When you blasphemy you don’t feel good.
What about constructive criticism?
Maharaja said practically there hardly anything like constructive criticism. One can give advice but not to criticise and get on someone’s case. Actually only the spiritual master and the father are justified in getting on someone’s case.
4)
Gopala Chapala left the paraphernalia of Durga worship on the doorstep of Srivas Thakur. When Srivas Thakur saw this he said, “Now you know my actual position” he did not defend himself. Maharaja explained we have 4 propensities: eating sleeping, matiung and defending. Defending is the most subtle. We mustn’t be in this defensive spirit.
Nice hey!!
Jaya Jaya Sri Caitanya Jaya Nityananda Jai Advaita Candra Jaya Gaura Bhakta Vrnda!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
What’s happening?
It’s been a long time since I’ve posted not because nothing has been happening but because too much has been happening! :o)
Last Tuesday was the Appearance day of Sri Nityananda Rama. We are fortunate to have Deities of Gaura Nitai at our temple and Lord Nityananda is especially sweet and merciful.
The theme for the festival (like that of my blog) was “more cooling than a million moons”. We had cut out “millions” of silver moons and hung them all over the temple. The effect with just the blue lights was brilliant! In addition Veemal had arranged these 2 HUGE banners of the lotus foot of Nitai on each. We made the symbols glitter by painting on tinsel.
Govardhan Prabhu gave an amazing class of the meeting of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda described in the CC. It is mention at one point that Lord Caitanya felt that day to be the best day. It is so amazing that Lord Caitanya has a “best” day :o) Prabhu than went on to describe the misfortune that falls upon one who has attachment for Lord Caitanya but no attachment or affection for Nitai. Several personalities fell from there position due to this offence and several received unlimited mercy due to being loyal to Nityananda. One those personalities were Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj the writer of the CC who received the mercy to write about Lord Caitanya from Lord Nityananda.
I am a fool whose heart is as solid as rock, I have no affection for any of These amazing Lords yet I am here in ISKCON. I pray Nitai will be merciful to me and will melt my heart so that I may awaken love to His Lotus feet and compassion to myself and all those around me.
Jai Nitai!!
Last Tuesday was the Appearance day of Sri Nityananda Rama. We are fortunate to have Deities of Gaura Nitai at our temple and Lord Nityananda is especially sweet and merciful.
The theme for the festival (like that of my blog) was “more cooling than a million moons”. We had cut out “millions” of silver moons and hung them all over the temple. The effect with just the blue lights was brilliant! In addition Veemal had arranged these 2 HUGE banners of the lotus foot of Nitai on each. We made the symbols glitter by painting on tinsel.
Govardhan Prabhu gave an amazing class of the meeting of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda described in the CC. It is mention at one point that Lord Caitanya felt that day to be the best day. It is so amazing that Lord Caitanya has a “best” day :o) Prabhu than went on to describe the misfortune that falls upon one who has attachment for Lord Caitanya but no attachment or affection for Nitai. Several personalities fell from there position due to this offence and several received unlimited mercy due to being loyal to Nityananda. One those personalities were Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj the writer of the CC who received the mercy to write about Lord Caitanya from Lord Nityananda.
I am a fool whose heart is as solid as rock, I have no affection for any of These amazing Lords yet I am here in ISKCON. I pray Nitai will be merciful to me and will melt my heart so that I may awaken love to His Lotus feet and compassion to myself and all those around me.
Jai Nitai!!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Make 2008 a year of spiritual adjustment
(this is the article i wrote for the temple newsletter)
Make 2008 a year of spiritual adjustment
For the first Sunday Love Feast program of 2008 we were fortunate to be in the midst of HH Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja. Maharaja gave an awe-inspiring class and the theme was “Make 2008 a year of spiritual adjustment.”
Maharaja gave us the key to quick spiritual advancement: devotional service in the association of loving devotees. If we do this consistently through out 2008 we will find our lives transformed!
Even before hearing this transcendental class devotees brought in the New Year doing the best devotional service: Kirtan. Singing to the sweet melodies of HH Maha Vishnu Maharaja’s accordion devotees gathered at the ISKCON Lenasia temple on New Year’s Eve night.
On New Year’s Day Maharaja again graced us with his association at a picnic at Emmerentia Dam. Devotees came bearing prasadam, cricket sets, games, etc. Maharaja in his natural mood of a preacher spoke to people passing by and encouraged devotees to do the same. The evening ended in sweet kirtan which included throwing grapes into each others mouths!
Last month the glories of the Deities were brought more in to focus as HH Bhakti Visrambar Madhava Maharaja gave a seminar on “Appreciating the Deities.” Despite the heavy rain showers many attended and Maharaja gave us tips on how to better appreciate and worship the Lord. Maharaja explained every service we do is so that we can chant better. Deity service is the same and as we worship the Deity it is important we sing Their glories as well. Maharaja gave us a short cut to perfection and that is the worship of Tulasi Devi. Tulasi Devi is amazing, if any offering is offered to Krishna with a Tulasi leaf, due to the great love Krishna has for Tulasi, He can not refuse it. Maharaja then went on to describe how we can include Tulasi in everything we offer.
Many of you may have noticed a beautiful little garden taking shape in the temple parking area. Mother Radha Kunda has been steadily working on it for the past month and half. If you would like to assist in cash or labour please feel free to contact Matajee at 083 283 7660.
Thank you to all who participated in the December Book Marathon.
To prepare for the year ahead a special Planning Meeting will be taking place on the 16th of February. Please come forward and be a part of it all.
Happy New Year!
Make 2008 a year of spiritual adjustment
For the first Sunday Love Feast program of 2008 we were fortunate to be in the midst of HH Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja. Maharaja gave an awe-inspiring class and the theme was “Make 2008 a year of spiritual adjustment.”
Maharaja gave us the key to quick spiritual advancement: devotional service in the association of loving devotees. If we do this consistently through out 2008 we will find our lives transformed!
Even before hearing this transcendental class devotees brought in the New Year doing the best devotional service: Kirtan. Singing to the sweet melodies of HH Maha Vishnu Maharaja’s accordion devotees gathered at the ISKCON Lenasia temple on New Year’s Eve night.
On New Year’s Day Maharaja again graced us with his association at a picnic at Emmerentia Dam. Devotees came bearing prasadam, cricket sets, games, etc. Maharaja in his natural mood of a preacher spoke to people passing by and encouraged devotees to do the same. The evening ended in sweet kirtan which included throwing grapes into each others mouths!
Last month the glories of the Deities were brought more in to focus as HH Bhakti Visrambar Madhava Maharaja gave a seminar on “Appreciating the Deities.” Despite the heavy rain showers many attended and Maharaja gave us tips on how to better appreciate and worship the Lord. Maharaja explained every service we do is so that we can chant better. Deity service is the same and as we worship the Deity it is important we sing Their glories as well. Maharaja gave us a short cut to perfection and that is the worship of Tulasi Devi. Tulasi Devi is amazing, if any offering is offered to Krishna with a Tulasi leaf, due to the great love Krishna has for Tulasi, He can not refuse it. Maharaja then went on to describe how we can include Tulasi in everything we offer.
Many of you may have noticed a beautiful little garden taking shape in the temple parking area. Mother Radha Kunda has been steadily working on it for the past month and half. If you would like to assist in cash or labour please feel free to contact Matajee at 083 283 7660.
Thank you to all who participated in the December Book Marathon.
To prepare for the year ahead a special Planning Meeting will be taking place on the 16th of February. Please come forward and be a part of it all.
Happy New Year!
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