Lord Chaitanya's moon is rising!!! I personally witnessed it....

On April 24th, a dream close to my heart came true. I had been having this desire ever since I had started going to ISKCON. It was to see devotees leading a nice ecstatic kirtan in my colony and imbuing everyone with great bliss of hearing and chanting the beautiful names of Lord Hari. Frankly, it was just a desire that I kept close to my heart, but never ever practically did anything to make it come true. But Lord is so merciful. Being inside my heart in his paramatma form, he knew my desire and mercifully reciprocated by fulfilling it. Who can be more kind than Krishna? Who in this world can be more compassionate to a fallen person like me except the supreme personality of Godhead Krishna. Though I had no qualification, yet he lovingly without considering much, like a loving parent chose to satisfy me. It was an occassion of great joy for me. Finally the moon of Lord Chaitanya has risen in the colony I live. The pastimes have begun.......Now we will wait an watch, the miracles manifesting, the mercy of Lord Caitanya overflowing and flooding the people, the saving of people from the most miserable and hellish conditioned life. It will all come true...Chaitanya Mahaprabhu himself predicted that his name will be spread all over the planet. In every town and every village, his name will be chanted. I pray that by mercy of my Spiritual master I get an opportunity to be an instrument in this preaching movement.

Harinama Diksha

Srila Prabhupada writes in BG 13.8-12, Purport:
Simplicity means that without diplomacy one should be so straightforward that he can disclose the real truth even to an enemy. As for acceptance of the spiritual master, that is essential, because without the instruction of a bonafide spiritual master one cannot progress in the spiritual science. One should approach the spiritual master with all humility and offer him all services so that he will be pleased to bestow his blessings upon the disciple. Because a bonafide spiritual master is a representative of Krsna, if he bestows any blessings upon his disciple, that will make the disciple immediately advanced without the disciple's following the regulative principles. Or, the regulative principles will be easier for one who has served the spiritual master without reservation.

March 27, 2010 is going to be the most important day of my life. (It should, right?) On this most auspicious day, my spiritual life started as a very dear devotee of the Lord, His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami kindly accepted me as his disciple. He gave me the spiritual name: Satsvarupa Shyam Das.

Both my mother and father also got initiated and their names are His Grace Ajatshatru Das and Her Grace Madhurya Kadambini Devi Dasi.

Initiation ceremony started at 9:00 AM in the morning where all he candidates sat around the sacrificial kundas in the courtyard, right in front of temple hall. The are was beautifully decorated with fruits and flowers by the pujari department devotees. We were all given Harinama Chadars and a new Tulasi neck beads. Guru Maharaja arrived and took his seat and then gave a lecture on 10 offences against holy names. he made it clear that our advancement in spiritual life will not be dependent on our spiritual names but rather our dedication in following the principles of devotional service.

Maharaja first gave initiation to the temple residents and then the prabhus, and lastly matajis. In all he initiated around 200 devotees from New Delhi, NOIDA, Gurgaon and faridabad congregation and many IYF devotees.

Each devotee after paying obeisances to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Guru Maharaja took vows of following 4 regulative principles, chanting 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamanra daily and 25 rounds on Ekadasi and other auspicous days. Also Maharaja asked us to read Srila Prabhupada books daily and take regular association of devotees. He then gave the beads and also awarded a new spiritual name to the disciple.

After this procedure was completed, HG Jaya Mukunda recited the invocatory hyms and started the fire sacrifice. this went on for half an hour. Then all newly initiated devotees circumambulaed the area 7 times.

Personally it was a very humbling experience. It was like a dream that had come true. The only thing I remember is when I was vowing before Guru maharaja and other senior Vaishnavas. After that it is all blank. Don't remember when Maharaja gave me the beads and the name. 

Phew! Finally i now have some hope of getting saved. That is if I now strictly follow the instructions my spiritual master gave me. I request all of you who are reading this to give me your blessings and pray to Krishna so that I get strength to satisfy my spiritual master, which is the key to success in spiritual life.

Names of some of he IYF devotees are now as follows:

Sahil Prabhu:            Sacinandan Nimai Das

Jogesh Prabhu:          Jayadev Gauranga Das

Milan Prabhu:            Parampara Prana Das

Gaurav Anand Pr:      Gadadhar Pran Das

Dharmender Pr(Fbd):  Devahuti Suta Das

Rama Navami - 2010

Ram Navami was celebrated wih great enthusiasm in ISKCON Delhi - East of Kailash. Beautiful Abhisheka of Lord Ramacandra, along with Mother Sita, Lord Lakshana and Hanuman ji was done amidst ecsatic kirtan by devotees. This was followed by sumptuous prasadam feast.

His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja was also there and led the fesival.

In evening he Vaikuntha Players enacted a beautiful drama based on the pastimes of Lord Rama.

Rama Navami is coming up!!

This 24th March. This day marks the auspicious appearance of Lord Sri Ramacandra. Son of King Dashratha in Ayodhya.

This day is also the day when our Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir, ISKCON Delhi was inaugrated in 1998.

Every year this festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm across many ISKCON centers. Especially in New Delhi and Mumbai-Juhu.
So if you are reading this you are most welcome to attend this great occassion and get unlimited blessings from Lord Rama



PS: This is my 5th post today within an hour. 3 posts were pending from long time.

Gaura Purnima - 2010

Will update this post soon.....!!!

Pic: Grand Abhisheka of Their Lordships Gaura Nitai.

Holi - IYF's color of Festival

IYF celebrated Holi on Gaura Purnima Day. After this we went to temple hall to take part in the abhiseka ceremony of the two merciful Lords. Lord Gauranga & Lord Nityananda. That will be covered in the next post.

Back from Mayapur Yatra

Went to Mayapur for Navadvipa Mandal Parikrama. Left Delhi on 14th Feb and returned on 24th. The parikrama was scheduled from 18-24 Feb. This time it was much easier and less taxing on my body. Was able to cope up with all the daily physical routine, which we city dwellers are so unused to.

Few of IYF devotees went ahead of others to Puri on 10th and joined the rest in Mayapur on 15th Feb. On 17th was the adhivasa ceremony or the day we take sankalpa to complete he parikrama. It rained that day.

Mayapur is a spiritual city, especially one gets that feeling inside the ISKCON campus. The evenings are brilliant, with all the devotees around, dancing and singing jubiliantly. The market that was put up behind the new Govindas was also very enchanting. There were evening kirtans by HH Loknath Swami, HH BB Govinda Swami and HH Radhanath Swami.

On 18th the Parikrama started. Got lots of association of Cakravarti prabhu and Nand Gopal Jivan Prabhu.
Many devotees from Pune were also there in yatra like HG Jugal Kishore Pr, Ravindra Caitanya Prabhu and others from our Bhakti Vriksha Program.

This time by inspiration from JKP, CVP and NKP, I approached Guru Maharaja's room for serving him, but unfortunately, already there were 2 devotees. So Maharaja asked us to take rest.

One of the saturdays, I witnessed the Chhota Radha Madhav's procession. It was grand, with all the gurukulis chanting vedic hymns and drums being beaten created a very outwordly ambience. The kirtan that followed Radha Madhav's re-entrance into the temple hall was also soul stirring.

Parikrama ended on 24th and I flew back to delhi the same day from Kolkata. On our way to Kolkata we also stopped at Shantipur for 15 mins for darshans of Advaita Prabhu's house.

Navadwipa Mayapur Yatra ki Jaya!!

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura instructed Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura: “Develop Sri Navadvipa-dhama parikrama, for by its performance all people of the world can be liberated.”

Nityananda Trayodasi - 2010

Nadiya Godrume Nityananda Mahajana Patiachhen Namahatta Jivera Karuna
-The mercuful Lord Nityananda walks through Godruma opening up Namahatta to bestow mercy upon fallen conditioned souls of this world. In other Vaishnava Song, Nityananda Prabhu is referred to as one who is situated in transcendental happiness and is requested to bestow mercy on the suffering conditioned soul. Yet another song glorigies the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda giving cooling effect to the burning of the conditioned soul in the fire of material existence.

Also on a personal note, the Appearance Day of Lord Nityananda was the first festival I ever attended in ISKCON. Even though I had got associated in Sept 2005, yet this day in Jan 2006 was officially my first festival. As it was a working day I could not attend it completely, but definitely managed to sneak out during lunch to catch the glimpse of the merciful lord. I still remember the dress their Lordships were wearing that day. A blue dress with swans on it. The altars were so opulently decorated beyond my wildest imaginations. Whoa! Melons hanging here n there. Along with strings of apples and oranges. Where else would one get to see things like that?

So 2010 Trayodasi is my 5th one. How fast time passes by? Though getting senior in number of years, my heart is still far far away from making any advancement. How unfortunate I am. Only by Nityananda Prabhu's causeless mercy can I hope to achieve some gain in my devotional life.

The day started early with a quick trip to flower market. Then came back and decorated the altar, simultaneously prepared for the abhisheka of the lord. Then after it was performed, my mother performed the arotik offering all the 6 items (Only on festival days, the lord gets to enjoy the full arati, other days its only incense, lamp and flowers). After this we dashed off to temple to attend the main festival.

We reached in time to see the most beautiful view where the two merciful lords were being bathed with various liquids. His Grace Mohan Rupa Prabhu was leading devotees into an ecstatic Kirtan. After this the Lord were offered grand Bhoga, and then a grand arati, while all the devotees danced while HG Sriniket Prabhu and HG Ram Bhadra Prabhu led the Kirtan.

Thereafter was a feast awaiting all. I got the opportunity to do little seva there, making it a complete day for me. And then amidst company of devotees, I enjoyed feast prasadam. By the way it was Ekadasi feast, so all the more delectable.

Came back home and then in evening helped Mithilesh in preparing a small feast bhoga for Gopinath.

Indecisive.....

Now that I have started writing for THT, I feel less inspired to put my thoughts and articles like I used to over here!!!

No doubt I have been posting all the updates about what's happening in ISKCON Delhi and IYF. But it seems to me that I am simply putting it there because I dont have the time or energy to put in my own thoughts/realizations/views.

Hope I come out of this soon.....

Umang - Festival of Joy and Inspiration

Feb 08, 2010

Delhi IYF celebrated the Umang Festival on 24th Jan 2010, after a long gap. His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja gave the lecture to a gatherin of more than 300 youth. He elaborated on the real purpose of human life and that real happiness is different from temporary illusory happiness of the material world derrived from sense gratification.

Vaikuntha Players also performed a play titled 'God on Trial'. This was followed by ecstatic dancing kirtan in the prasadam hall(for the lack of space in auditorium). Then devotees honored Feast prasadam.

A bus had been arranged to the nearest Metro station for all who wanted to avail this facility.

Here are a few pics !!!

Sri Advaita Acarya Appearance Day

Didn't do much seva. Dressed up the lord in new clothes. Few pics attached

IYF Update

IYF Delhi is planning to acquire a vehicle which will help in quickly and economically transport devotees across various locations in and around Delhi. Already 4.7L have been pledged by the earning IYF members.

Tata Winger has been proposed as a viable option.

Some contributors have generously donated 50 thousand to even 1 lakh rupees.

Contributing their hard earned money for propagating Krishna Consciousness has been authorised in Vedic Scriptures as well.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Verse 11.

Translation

If, however, you are unable to work in this consciousness of Me, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated.

Purport (by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada)

It may be that one is unable even to sympathize with the activities of krsna consciousness because of social, familial or religious considerations or because of some other impediments. If one attaches himself directly to the activities of krsna consciousness, there may be objections from family members, or so many other difficulties. For one who has such a problem, it is advised that he sacrifice the accumulated result of his activities to some good cause. Such procedures are described in the Vedic rules. There are many descriptions of sacrifices and special functions of punya, or special work in which the result of one's previous action may be applied. Thus one may gradually become elevated to the state of knowledge. It is also found that when one who is not even interested in the activities of krsna consciousness gives charity to some hospital or some other social institution, he gives up the hard-earned results of his activities. That is also recommended here because by the practice of giving up the fruits of one's activities one is sure to purify his mind gradually, and in that purified stage of mind one becomes able to understand krsna consciousness.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All Glories to IYF Devotees

Everything meets its end

Every thing in this material world has a life ending with death or destruction, including mobile handsets.

My previous handset has been rendered useless as a result of falling (slipping) out of my hand. What to say? 'Laws of Nature' at work.

Latest addition to my overgrowing number of digital gadgets is Samsung Corby Txt Handset.

Here is how it looks !!!

An Act of Compassion

Sannyasa Acceptance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Today is 500th anniversary of the Acceptance of Sannyasa (Renounced Order) by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

He took initiation at the age of 24 from Sriman Keshava Bharati at Katwa, Bengal.

Gauranga or Vishvambha Mishra who is non-different from Krishna himself accepted this order so as to deliver the fallen conditioned souls of the present degraded age of Kaliyuga. It was then that he got the name 'Sri Krishna Chaitanya'. He travelled for 6 years all around India spreading the glories of the chanting of Holy name of Lord Hari and distributing love of Godhead to everyone. It was an act of extreme compassion towards the conditioned souls. Perhaps the reason, why Mahaprabhu is known as 'mahavadanyaya'

After this Mahaprabhu spent most of the 18 remaining years of his manifest pastimes in Jagannatha Puri.

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, The Founder Acharya of ISKCON comes in direct disciplic succession of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Prabhupada fulfilled the prophecy of Mahaprabhu by spreading the chanting of Holy Name all over the world.

In view of this, a great festival is being celebrated in Mayapur and many other places by ISKCON.

Check out http://www.mayapur.com/

IYF Update - 25 December Celebration

Owing to the Christmas holiday, IYF hosted a festival at Seminar Hall. Many boys regularly coming to Sunday evening 'Discover YourSelf' program were invited to relish a day in Krishna Consciousness. Festival included a small talk by His Grace Ram Bhadra Prabhu on "Chanting Hare Krishna". Of course Kirtan remained the highlight of the program.

Since the day also marked the birthday of our very dear IYF Devotee 'Sahil Prabhu', we also celebrated the same. Photos below are posted for your pleasure.

His Grace Sundar Gopal prabhu sang Vaishnava Bhajan and then spoke encouraging words for Sahil Prabhu. Then we were joined by Sahil Prabhu's parents who also appreciated the wonderful transformation ISKCON has made in their son, and how they feel blessed to be his parents.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. All Glories to ISKCON.

A Brief Introduction to Sahil Prabhu:

Sahil Prabhu hails from an affluent family based out of Delhi. He came to be associated with ISKCON some 2 years back, i.e in 2007. Since then he has made a lot of progress in cultivating Krishna Consciousness. His behaviour is always gentle and simple. because of this friendly demenour he attracts lot of new people. Many IYF devotees got introduced to KC by his association. He is also very expert at doing Kirtan. He expertly plays Mrdanga and now is learning to play Harmonium also. You will never see him sitting idly or resting when he is in temple but always engaged in service or doing kirtan. I pray to their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi that Sahil prabhu may get their mercy and eternal shelter at Their Lotus Feet.

IYF - Delhi: The Future

Just an impromptu group photo.

Stalwarts in the mid: NKP;SGP;RBP;AmoghaLila Prabhu (wearing tie)

Akshay Keshav Prabhu (next row, the extreme right)

Pic taken on 29-November-2009, Sunday

His Grace Sankarshan Prabhu in Delhi

Hi Grace Sankarshan Das Adhikari, the most prolific internet preacher through his Self Realization Course was in New Delhi recently. On Sunday 29th November, he gave Srimad Bhagavatam lecture and also initiated 3 devotees. Devotees were given names as follows: Madhurya Lila Devi Dasi, Guru Vandana Devi Dasi and Hari Krishna Das.

ISKCON Delhi Update - That Time of the Year

Few happenings in temple, I thought of sharing.

Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir, ISKCON, Delhi Update : Novemeber 27, 2009

Its that time of the year when Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi themselves start handing out the Bhagavad Gitas to people. That is the spirit of Book Distribution in Delhi.

The morning Bhagavatam lecture is shortened to half an hour so that devotees can immediately leave for book distribution after honoring breakfast prasadam. No doubt Delhi is standing 1st in Book Distrbution for last 5 years.

New Addition to ISKCON Delhi temple, East of Kailash. Yes, this beautiful deity of Kaliya Mardan Krishna has finally been installed. It is situated just below the fountains. This beautiful pond is also slated to be hosting the Radha Krishna Naukavihar festival.

His Grace Rasaraja Prabhu gave Srimad Bhagavatam lecture on Sunday. He stressed on deeply understanding Srila Prabhupada’s books and not just superficially. On two accounts he illustrated how superficially I have been reading Srila Prabhupada Books –

1. What does it mean by nouminal and phenomenal world and

2. Body is source of senses or otherwise.

He then shared a considerable time with IYF devotees after the lecture and clarified many doubts. He also gave fitting replies for usual questions/responses people give when devotees try to give them Srila Prabhupada books.

Srila Prabhupada Book Distribution Marathon

Also known as Bhagavad Gita Marathon or December Marathon, started in early ISKCON days. The Christmas holidays see a heavy shopping trends, and devotees used this to their advantage for mass book distribution. Since then it has become a part of our heritage. From 3 days, it expanded to a week and then to a whole month.

The month sees a great surge in devotees to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books. In India, since the Gita Jayanti occurs in the month of December, and the popularity of Gita among Indians, the marathon is now known as Bhagavad Gita Marathon.

The temples start taking seminars orienting devotees to take up this service, which pleases Srila Prabhupada the most. All in all everyone gets engaged in getting inspired and inspiring others for Book Dstribution.

Will keep on updating !!

P.S. This year Gita Jayanti fell on 28 November, Saturday

Kartik-2009 in Vrindavan - Day3

Kartik Yatra
Day 1 - Diwali

Day 2 - Goverdhan Puja

Day 3 - Goverdhan Parikrama 

18-Oct-2009, Monday

The 3rd Final day, we woke up early and somehow made it to Mangala Arati. Surprisingly the trend had reversed. My parents were the first ones to leave for temple as I was still getting ready.

I locked the door and ran to temple hoping to be there on time for standing at the front line for darshans of Krishna Balarama. When I reached, Samsara prayers were almost over and hare krishna kirtan was going on at Samadhi Mandir. I paid obeisances and ran inside. Sounds childish, huh? Guru Maharaja Passed by on his way to altar. Had never seen him like this before. He had a shawl all wrapped around his head and shoulders. We were supposed to leave back for our rooms as we were to Join Guru Maharaja for Goverdhan Parikrama. However as I learnt that Maharaja will not leave before 5:30, I tried my luck and extended untill the announcements ended. I was in for some strong words from my father whom I had kept waiting.

On reaching the ashrama, I realised I didnt have the keys. Maybe I dropped it somewhere in temple. Parents were furious. I ran back to Krishna Balarama Mandir to enquire. Just as I reached I saw Maharaja's shining white car taking a turn and GM rolling down the window to talk to some devotee. There goes our plan to catch him. My search went in futile. I returned to ashram, finding that my dad had broken the lock. We packed our stuff back in car and zoomed to Goverdhan.

We parked our car near Kusum Sarovar. One big group of devotees had come there led by I guess Dina Bandhu Prabhu. But Guru Maharaja had already left with the group of devotees from delhi. We hired a rickshaw to escort us till we find our group. As we proceeded to Manasi Ganga, we found out that Maharaja was ahead of Dan Ghati and then even further passed ISKCON temple. We kept on sitting on the rickshaw slowly moving towards Maharaja. There we saw across a big patch of thorny forest between the main road and the inner sandy way a person in red cardigan and a red muffler. It could undoubtedly be none other than our dear Guru Maharaja. We stopped the cart and paced across the big arid field to join devotees. I joined but my parents left behind. And somewhere they lost track. After a whole lot of ruckus, we decided that lets rendezvous at the next intersection. I joined Maharaja at Govind Kunda , where he sat to speak about glories of that place. After honoring nice kheer prasadam which the local babaji lovingly offered us, we set back on the journey.

Chakravarti pr was there. I walked slowly chanting japa. Radha charan Pr bestowed his mercy by giving me his sweet Gaura Nitai on my head. I carried them for a while. After a long walk, I saw mom and dad paying obeisances from far to Guru Maharaja and then joining us. Then we kept on walking, reached Mansi Ganga - went to Chakaleswara Mahadeva.

Proceeding to the Radha Kunda - Shyama Kunda area, we first visited ISKCON centre there, which also houses Samadhi of HH Bhakti Swarup Damodar Sripad Maharaja, the scientist disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Thwn proceeding to Raghunath Das Goswami's Samadhi, we came to banks of Radha Kunda. As is practice Maharaja sat there to chant his Gayatri, while devotees chanted there Japa. After a long time, we stood up again and started moving.