Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.45 - In Bhagavan feature of the Absolute Truth, opulence of full knowledge is covered with the sweetness of Krsna's pastimes.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.43-44 - The wonderfully smiling face of Krsna.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.34-42 - The ornaments are ornamented by Krsna.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.34 - The real yoga is to realize oneself & Krsna.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.32-33 - The result of bhakti-yoga surpasses that of astanga-yoga.

It's November 6: day three of the annual Vaishnava Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) Japa Retreat at Varshana.

ISKCON devotees from five continents join each other in buses to go from Neroli to Vilasa Gar (roughly: pastime hill). Bhurijana Prabhu reveals that Vilasa Gar is accepted as a incarnation of Lord Visnu. Still we are allowed to walk there. In fact we spend the day on the peaceful slopes hearing from our japa guides, chanting together in kirtan or in japa, or taking shelter of the quiet bushland to chant alone.

As the sun moves across the sky warming everything in its path, the atmosphere of Vilasa Garh is punctuated only by wind in the trees and by birdsong.

Occasionally the echoes of kirtanas or of vehicles can be heard, their sounds rising the villages and fields below us.

At one point a tiny Vrajabasi boy herds his flock of goats through the trees...how young and tender Sri Krishna must be as He herds the calves with His brother and friends.

Here's a slideshow.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.31- We can be encouraged in our devotional service by understanding the superexcellence of this path over all others.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.30 - Anyone who knows the science of Krsna is good association, independent of their external situation, and such association guarantees our spiritual success.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.29 - Whether a celibate student or a householder, to maintain one's spiritual progress one must restrict association with the opposite sex.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.28 - Constant thinking of Krsna favourably, reduces the ocean of material suffering to the water in calf's hoofprint.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.27 - Constant remembrance of Krsna is possible for one who always chants and hears the glories of Lord Krsna attentively.

On Sunday 8th November we participated in the annual festival of Sri Rama Pattabhishekam at the Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs.
 
The event commemorates the coronation of Lord Rama on His return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and being re-united with Srimati Sita Devi. It is a time to ask the Lord for spiritual upliftment and blessings. The highlight of the celebration was a horse-drawn cart procession of the Lord's Crown around the Temple complex.

The Iskcon devotees performed Kirtan for part of the procession and the Holy Name lifted everyone to transcendental heights. Other groups such as Swami Shankarananda and his disciples from the Shiva Ashram in Mt Eliza also participated in the chanting. It was a fantastic intra-faith experience.  Later we performed more Kirtan in the main Temple complex.
 
We extend our warmest thanks to the Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple management for their invitation and look forward to many more opportunities to praise the Supreme Lord together in the future. In the meantime, here are some pictures.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.26 - Hearing & chanting Krsna's glories is the medicine to treat our contaminated consciousness.

Go to part 5 of the post by clicking the link above...

I want to end by sharing a small incident. The night before the release of 2 States, I was super tense. I went to the ISKCON temple in Chowpatty and met His Holiness Radhanath Swami, an American gentleman who moved to India several decades ago and devoted his life to serve God. I told him I couldn’t sleep because of the anxiety over the fact that there will be a million judgments on my work, both positive and negative, in the coming days. He told me this...

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.25 - Why not place yourself in the fire of devotional service, which purifies and brings bliss, rather than in the scorching fire of maya?

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.24 - The loving propensity within every living creature is misdirected in the material world.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.23 - Pure devotional service is without any personal consideration.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.22 - Krsna consciousness gives definite answers to life's mysteries.

Now that we are moving into the business end of the year involving Le Carnaval Spirituel, Parliament of World Religion and the Book Marathon, we have several service obligations that have to be met. Therefore, please note the following -






The temple morning program from Monday to Sunday:

•    Guru puja & kirtan have to end no later than 7:30 AM

•    Srimad-Bhagavatam class has to end no later than 8:30 AM

•    Breakfast prasadam has to be ready by 8:30 AM

Thank you for your cooperation.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.21 - Performing austerities, study of Vedas or renunciation alone, without the motive to reach Krsna is fruitless.