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VIHE Audio Ministry by Mahabhagavata das, VIHE Posted February 2, 2010 The Audio Ministry of the Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education is hosting on our web site, www.vihe.org, a variety of audio seminars recorded during the last 20 years. This unique collection of well-researched and inspiring lectures, given by senior Vaisnavas, serves to infuse us with faith, conviction and shastric knowledge of devotional service, Gaudiya Vaisnava philosophy, Krishna's holy name, His pastimes, His dhama and so on. Among them are the Bhaktivaibhava and Bhaktivedanta Courses, which have been hosted by the VIHE for the past ten years. They are a verse by verse study of Srila Prabhupada's Srimad Bhagavatam taught by Bhurijan Prabhu Narayani Mataji. The presentations also includes the commentaries of our previous acaryas. Over the years our staff has worked hard to organize and record these classes. We would like to offer you this wonderful chance to enliven your devotional life by listening to these recordings and sharing your inspiration with others.
Your servants in VIHE
Please see the link below for the November 2009 issue of B.T. Swami Reflections. IN THIS ISSUE: "Three Types of Devotees" by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada "I Am your Eternal Servitor" by His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami "The Full Time Devotee" by His Grace Acyuta dasa
For those of you interested in receiving this quarterly e-newsletter through e-mail, please send your address to btsreflections@yahoo.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
A complete online Bhagavad-Gita As It Is and Science of Self realization course, presented by the grand disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. The first batch of the online course commence on Nov 1st, 2009. 19 Complete Lessons · Chapter 1 - Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra · Chapter 2 - Contents of the Gita Summarized Part 1 · Chapter 3 - Contents of the Gita Summarized Part 2 · Chapter 4 - Karma Yoga · Chapter 5 - Transcendental Knowledge · Chapter 6 - Karma-yoga-Action in Krishna a Consciousness · Chapter 7 - Dhyana-yoga · Chapter 8 - Knowledge of the Absolute · Chapter 9 - Attaining the Supreme · Chapter 10 - The Most Confidential Knowledge · Chapter 11 - The Opulence of the Absolute · Chapter 12 - The Universal Form · Chapter 13 - Devotional Service · Chapter 14 - Nature, the Enjoyer, and Consciousness · Chapter 15 - The Three Modes of Material Nature · Chapter 16 - The Yoga of the Supreme Person · Chapter 17 - The Divine and Demoniac Natures · Chapter 18 - The Divisions of Faith · Chapter 19 - Conclusion - The Perfection of Renunciations Curriculum § We Teach One Lesson Per Week § Web-site to download BG and SSR § Summary Of Each Chapter Available § There Will Be An Elaborate Explanation of Each Verse § 10 Multiple Choice Questions on Each Chapter § 10 Fill In Blanks Questions on Each Chapter § Tips To Memorize Verses Will Be Shared § Video shows: explaining the meaning of verses commented by six Vaishnava acharyas § You Will Receive The 'Spiritual Result' Of Reading Each Chapter Of Bhagavad-Gita § There Will Be An Exam After Every 6 Chapters § Home Work Will Be Required § A Certificate of Completion Will Be Given § Students Will Be Given Free 15; minute' Phone Discussion On All Texts Between 5:00p.m. And 7.30 p.m. Monday to Friday We Answer To All Email Philosophical Questions New Vrindaban Moundsville, WV, USA
bgitalesson@gmail.com
The site features analyses of several much-loved Vaishnava bhajans. Here is an example of a verse from Gauranga Balite Ha'be, by Srila Narottama das Thakur:
ara kabe nitai-cadera karuna haibe "ara = and; kabe = when; nitai = Nityananda prabhu; cadera = moonlike; karuna = mercy; haibe = will bestow; samsara = material world; vasana = desires; mora = mine; kabe = when; tuccha = small, insignificant; ha'be = will become." "And when will the moon of Nityananda Prabhu bestow His mercy on me? When will my material desires become small and insignificant?"
For more information you may write or visit www.bhaktistudies.ning.com
Listen to tele-classes based on the Spiritual Warrior books written by HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaja. Hosted by M. Indrani dd the tele-classes take place every Wednesday evening at 7:00pm EST. Dail in number: (518) 825-1400 Access code: 87-36-85
For more information go to: www.GitaYoga.net
Sadhusanga.com recorded Chapters 29-33 of Srimad Bhagavatam Tenth Canto describing The Rasa Dance from both Krsna Book and Sarartha Darsini, a commentary on each verse by Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura. The entire reading lasts 10 hours, so if one listens to 20 minutes each day, he not only absorbs his mind in Radha-Krsna's divine lilas each day during the month of Kartika, but will complete the entire reading on the 30th day. We also suggest listening with headphones for deeper absorption in these transcendental topics. Hearing Srimad Bhagavatam daily is further recommended during the month of Kartika in the same section of Hari-bhakti Vilasa: "Hear Srimad Bhagavatam daily, especially Radha and Krsna pastimes in Vrndavana, in association of exalted Vaisnavas if possible. By regularly reading Srimad Bhagavatam during Kartika month, one gets the benefit of reading all the eighteen 18 Puranas. All other duties should be given up in favor of hearing the scriptures from sadhus during this month."
To download the mp3 audiobook, go to: www.sadhusanga.com/featured-downloads
His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada condemned the social setup based on industrialism, materialism and a perverted value system. He called for a spiritual overhaul of society and also began the process by teaching the world the profound principles of love and submission to God — Krishna consciousness. Spiritual growth is everybody's right; Krishna consciousness is not just for the elite but for everybody. As H.H. Bhakti Raghava Swami says, "All spirit souls are meant to progress towards Godhead, and no matter what one's material situation, the most challenging and binding obstacle in this material world is the living entities' perverted reflection of pure love, material sex desire, which all devotees have to work on." How to come out of this illusion and control the material senses? The two different methods of controlling material senses as recommended in the Srimad Bhagavatam are the processes of jnana — the path of philosophical understanding of the Supreme as Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan — and of bhakti — direct engagement in the transcendental loving devotional service of the Lord. The latter one happens to be easier, as the devotee does not have to wait for the attainment of the fruitive results of pious activities. Reviving our original relationship with the Lord is crucial, but how? - Hari nama.
Harer nama, harer nama, harer namaiva kevalam We have wasted enough lifetimes (84 lakhs!) in pursuing our concocted ideas of 'pleasure' and 'happiness'. Now that we have this body, let us give this one birth to Him, just one lifetime. But in this age even this is difficult, despite its inherent simplicity, so creating a conducive atmosphere for practicing Krishna consciousness is essential. Citing Bhagavad-gita, Srila Prabhupada and other acharyas advocated varnasrama dharma, a social institution in which people ensure spiritual advancement by following their basic proclivities — a life centred around land, cow and Krishna. The setup trains everybody's sensibilities in a manner that we are more disciplined and detached. In Srila Prabhupada's own words:
The Vedic principle is to reduce attachment, not to increase it. Therefore the whole system is called Varnasrama dharma. The Indian system calls for varna and ashrama — four social orders and spiritual orders. Brahmacharya (celibate student life), grhastha (married life), vanaprastha (retired life) and sannyasa (renounced life) — these are the spiritual orders. And the social orders consist of brahmans (intellectuals), kshatriyas (administrators), vaishyas (merchants and farmers) and sudras (ordinary workers). Under this system, the regulative principles are so nice that even if one has the tendency to enjoy material life, he is so nicely moulded that at last he achieves liberation and goes back home, back to Godhead. This is the process. Sex life is not required, but, because we are attached to it, there are some regulative principles under which it is maintained.However, Srila Prabhupada faults the modern caste system that is prevalent in India presently, calling it as a perversion of scriptural injunction — asuric varnasrama. What we require is daivi varnasrama, where Krishna is at the center of activities; it is a society where occupations are determined by character and training, not by birth and wealth — guna-karma-vibhagasah — and one that is based on mutual appreciation and cooperation between classes, not on force and greed. Economic progress, pursuit of material comforts and sense aggrandizement are not the goals. The guiding principle of life remains "simple living, high thinking." Since varnasrama happens not to be a much-travelled road, it is an area which offers childlike pleasure. In digging the goldmine there is so much to explore, know and do. Since it is a way of life, it touches all the aspects of life — from family life, administration, agriculture and cow protection to devotion for Him. There is a lot happening because of the untiring efforts of so many. Varnasrama Research Teams are satellite localized research units working towards spreading the message of varnasrama and thus to help in preparing ourselves to come out of the material conditioning and take to the lifestyle created by Lord Krishna and recommended by various acharyas, including Srila Prabhupada. One Varnasrama Research Team has tried to make its small contribution with the recent launch of a newsletter titled The Eight Petals: VRT Newsletter to Attain the Lord's Feet. The first issue was published on the auspicious day of Lord Krishna's appearance this year, August 14, 2009. The newsletter is planned to be a monthly, with one bonus annual issue. Everybody is welcome to be a part of it by reading it, commenting on the articles or on the newsletter itself for improvement, and to send their articles sharing their experiences and realizations in the context. While this was the introductory issue, the following issue is planned to be Farming-centric. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Isn't it beautiful to chant the mantra in the verdant environs of fields, rivers flowing with clear water, the cooing of the birds, the mooing of the cows, and fresh breezes carrying the fragrance of unknown flowers? While sitting in an air-conditioned room with no ventilation and fresh air, does this seems to be a pipe dream? It can be translated to reality through our adoption of varnasrama. Let us make a move, if nothing else by emotionally supporting those who are already trying to do it. Hare Krishna.
Contact: silentlyflowstheriver@gmail.com
An 11-year-old girl, Amrita Geddam of Waukesha, Wisconsin, has written a beautiful poem ("Birth of the Destroyer of Darkness") told from the viewpoint of Krishna's father Vasudeva, on Krishna Janmastami. I have made a small video featuring this poem accompanied by images of Lord Krishna. The poem is uploaded on YouTube I invite all devotees to enjoy it. Here area few lines of the poem:
His skin was dark blue, a colour of the night sky, We're pleased to announce our new website for ISKCON Suriname: Please visit! A Guestbook and Photo Gallery will be added very soon... Hare Krsna ! your servant,
Ananda Jita Das |
Care for Cows February, 2010 by Kurma Rupa dasa Posted February 2, 2010 The February 2010 issue of our Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience. (careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0). In this edition of 22 pages (1.6 MB) we present reports on: 1. Naga Baba's rescue of more cows from the hands of butchers. 2. Who won the Calf Beauty Contest along with an interesting interview with the winner. 3. The four beautiful new calves born this month. 4. An encouraging update on our broken tibia patient. Since many people have requested high resolution color prints of Care for Cows photographs we have added a feature to our web site that facilitates the ordering of prints. At present there are four albums with a total of sixty images for ordering. We will also attend to specific custom orders. Thanks for your participation and support. I hope this finds you experiencing the happiness and inner satisfaction that accompanies cow protection. Jaya Sri Gopal!
Your friend and servant,
May cows stay in front of me; may cows stay behind me; may cows stay on both
sides of me. May I always reside in the midst of cows. Care for Cows Newsletter January 2010 by Kurma Rupa dasa Posted January 2, 2010 The January 2010 issue of our Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience. (careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0). In this edition of 24 pages (2 MB) we present reports on: 1. The rescue of an injured cow from a garbage alley. 2. How our calves are competing for attention and affection. 3. How Vrindavan cows are becoming more prominent in the family of Madhava Dasa. 4. The five new arrivals we accepted this month. 5. Cows in the News. Thanks for your participation and support. I hope this finds you experiencing the happiness and inner satisfaction that accompanies cow protection. Jaya Sri Gopal!
Your friend and servant,
May cows stay in front of me; may cows stay behind me; may cows stay on both
sides of me. May I always reside in the midst of cows. Care for Cows Newsletter by Kurma Rupa das Posted November 6, 2009 The November 2009 issue of our Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience. (careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0). In this edition of 30 pages (2.5 MB) we present reports on: 1. The rescue of a cow who fractured her pelvis on the Parikrama Path. 2. The Govardhana Puja and Gopastami festivals held at CFC. This year we had the largest turn-out of guests in our history. An 18-page spread demonstrates how Go Seva is spreading like an epidemic. 3. The seven new arrivals we took in this month. Thanks for your participation and support. I hope this finds you experiencing the happiness and inner satisfaction that accompanies cow protection. Jaya Sri Gopal!
Your friend and servant,
May cows stay in front of me; may cows stay behind me; may cows stay on both
sides of me. May I always reside in the midst of cows. Gita Nagari News by Ortrun Gates Posted October 27, 2009 The newest edition of Damodara Rati and AaC News is now available. It has been a very busy and productive summer as you will learn on perusing the newsletter. Please click the link below.
Click Here
Download the FREE Damodar Astakam here.
Our October 2009 Care for Cows Newsletter has been posted. Please review it at your earliest convenience. (careforcows.org/downloads/newsletters_0). In this edition of 23 pages (5 MB) we present reports on: 1. Surabhi Kunj: An ideal cow protection project in Australia where cows live in natural opulence. 2. The departure of Van Krsna, the first Neel Gai to reside at CFC; and the appearance of three others. 3. Yamuna, one of the most satisfied and friendly cows in Vrindavan. 4. Our new admissions this month. 5. The birthday party of the most pampered calf at CFC. Thanks for your participation and support. I hope this finds you experiencing the happiness and inner satisfaction that accompanies cow protection. Jaya Sri Gopal!
Your friend and servant, Have you ever wanted to brush up on your knowledge of Bhagavad-gita? Study and discuss its topics point by point as you go through the book in the association of like-minded devotees? Do you know someone else who might also want to take part in something like this; family member, co-worker, friend to learn Bhagavad-gita? We've created the perfect opportunity for this with an online correspondence course at Krishna.com, and it doesn't matter if you've been reading Bhagavad-gita for forty years or forty days to get involved.
The course takes place in a Virtual Classroom, so anyone from anywhere at anytime can participate, and is structured to cover one chapter per week for twenty weeks. We also have a Bhagavad-gita Introduction Course that covers Srila Prabhupada's Preface, Introduction, Chapter One and Chapter Two, and after completion participants have the option to upgrade and continue with the remaining fifteen chapters. Click here to learn more: www.krishna.com/ecourse
Please see the link below for the August 2009 issue of B.T. Swami Reflections. IN THIS ISSUE: "A Soft Heart" by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada "An Attitude of Gratitude" by His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami "Enlightenment by the Grace of Vidura" by His Grace Karnamrita dasa "Devotee Spotlight" His Grace Akrura dasa All back issues are available here: For those of you interested in receiving this quarterly e-newsletter through e-mail, please send your address to btsreflections@yahoo.com with subscribe in the subject line.
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The Center for Bhakti Studies announces a course, "Sanskrit Bhajans Memorization Made Easy." Accompanied by sung MP3 files, the word-by-word translation of each of several bhajans is provided. Starting on December 1, the free course includes approximately 10 hours of instruction.
Chakra is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.