Newsletter Number #176  ( Mid-April 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

Beginning of Shalagram and Tulsi Jala Dan  (northern hemisphere)

Sri Abhiram Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Srila Vrindavana Das Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Varuthini Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 24th April 2006  in NZ)

Sri Gadadhara Pandit - Appearance - Avirbhav

Aksaya Tritiya, Candana Yatra starts, continues for 21 days

Jahnu Saptami

Srimati Sita Devi (consort of Lord Rama) - Appearance - Avirbhav
Sri Madhu Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Srimati Jahnava Devi - Appearance - Avirbhav

Mother's Day (NZ, Aus, USA, UK)

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Mohini Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 9th May 2006  in NZ)

Srimati Rukmini Dvadasi

Sriman Jayananda Prabhu - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Sri Nrsimha Caturdasi -  Appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva (Fasting till dusk) (Friday 12 May in NZ)

Krsna Phula Dola, Salila Vihara - Purnima
Sri Paramesvari Das Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Sri Radha Ramana Devji - Appearance - Avirbhav
Sri Madhavendra Puri - Appearance - Avirbhav
Sri  Srinivasa Acarya - Appearance - Avirbhav

Buddhadev Purnima - Buddha Jayanti - Lord Buddha's Appearance day

End of Jala Dan  (in the northern hemisphere)

Vrsabha Sankranti (Sun enters Taurus)

Sri Ramananda Raya - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Fasting on Suddha Ekadasi for Apara Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 23rd May 2006  in NZ)

Srila Vrindavana Das Thakur - Appearance - Avirbhav

World No Tobbaco Day - World No Smoking Day - 31st May every year

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.)

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:
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/

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 23
                         saknotihaiva yah sodhum
                         prak sarira-vimoksanat
                        kama-krodhodbhavam vegam
                        sa yuktah sa sukhi narah

   WORD FOR WORD

   saknoti--is able; iha eva--in the present body; yah--one who;
   sodhum--to tolerate; prak--before; sarira--the body;
   vimoksanat--giving up; kama--desire; krodha--and anger;
   udbhavam--generated from; vegam--urges; sah--he; yuktah--in trance;
   sah--he; sukhi--happy; narah--human being.

TRANSLATION

   Before giving up this present body, if one is able to tolerate the
   urges of the material senses and check the force of desire and
   anger, he is well situated and is happy in this world.

PURPORT by HDG Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad:

   If one wants to make steady progress on the path of
   self-realization, he must try to control the forces of the material
   senses. There are the forces of talk, forces of anger, forces of
   mind, forces of the stomach, forces of the genitals, and forces of
   the tongue. One who is able to control the forces of all these
   different senses, and the mind, is called gosvami, or svami. Such
   gosvamis live strictly controlled lives, and forgo altogether the
   forces of the senses. Material desires, when unsatiated, generate
   anger, and thus the mind, eyes and chest become agitated.
   Therefore, one must practice to control them before one gives up
   this material body. One who can do this is understood to be
   self-realized and is thus happy in the state of self-realization.
   It is the duty of the transcendentalist to try strenuously to
   control desire and anger.

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
mailto:bhagavad_gita-owner@egroups.com

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...)

Humorous

One who has got knowledge is humorous also. (Conversation, 20 May 1975)

A gentleman should be humorous. (Letter, 26 September 1975)

Srila Prabhupada was simultaneously grave and joyful, serious and jolly. He had a good sense of humor and often laughed, joked, or told comical stories. But although funny, Prabhupada was never frivolous. Even his lighter mood was fully Krsna conscious. He did not laugh, joke, or perform antics for cheap popularity or just to pass the time of day. He had a transcendental purpose in everything he did. Unlike the joking of mundane comedians, Prabhupada's wit did not leave us feeling empty. Rather, it helped us on the path of fulfillment, because he gave Krsna consciousness along with the laughs.

- From the "Jaya Srila Prabhupada!" by HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami

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.

"Dedicated To Supreme Scientist"

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk -- June 22, 1975, Los Angeles

Listen to the entire lecture on-line:
http://www.temple.eurekanet.ca/M3U/Morning_Walks/m3u/MW134.m3u

Prabhupada: Brahmananda is not come? Nobody knows why? [break]

Devotees: He was in mangala aratik.

Tamala Krsna: He was not dancing very much, though. So maybe he was not... [break]

Radha-ballabha: Here comes Brahmananda.

Prabhupada: How he comes? (laughing) He is running. Oh, another car?

Bahulasva: Yes. [break]

Tamala Krsna: This not like Juhu.

Prabhupada: Yes. [break] ...Maharaja feeling separation of mayapur.

Tamala Krsna: It's transcendental.

Prabhupada: He has constructed Mayapur. This is very good. Asaktis tad-vasati-sthale. If one becomes attracted in the place of Krsna -- place of Krsna everywhere -- especially where His lila was performed... So Brahmananda, why late today?

Brahmananda: I was in the temple, chanting.

Prabhupada: Oh.

Brahmananda: I didn't think you would come so early.

Prabhupada: It is early?

Brahmananda: Well, earlier than yesterday.

Prabhupada: No, I don't think. What is the time?

Tamala Krsna: Ten minutes to six.

Jayatirtha: Yesterday you left about 5:40 and today you left exactly at 5:30. So...

Brahmananda: I came just after you left.

Prabhupada: I think your watch is slow. (laughter) [break] ...actual time now?

Jayatirtha: It's 5:51.

Prabhupada: Hm? What is my?

Jayatirtha: Your's is about one minute faster.

Prabhupada: And what is your?

Brahmananda: 5:53.

Prabhupada: Fast. [break] ...in my childhood, I remember, I went to see football match in the Maidan.

Tamala Krsna: Calcutta Maidan.

Prabhupada: Yes. So when I was returning -- of course, I was walking -- throughout the whole... At that time our house was that Mullik's house. So from Maidan to Mahatma Gandhi Road I came. And all the watches throughout the road, the same time. Means every watch was, every clock was wrong. But I was going, so I, suppose I saw 5:10 here, then few steps away, 5:10, 5:10, 5:10, like that.

Bhavananda: Not any more.

Prabhupada: Huh?

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

"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?

Unlimited Bliss Is Your
Constitutional Birthright.

Now You Can Regain It With
The Ultimate
Self-Realization Course

Enroll Today
For Your Free E-Course!

http://www.backtohome.com/

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

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
http://www.yahoo.com ....................4 mb
http://www.freeserve.com ..............5 mb
http://www.myownemail.com ........5 mb
http://www.lycos.com ......................5 mb
 http://www.softhome.net ................6 mb
http://www.bigmailbox.com ...........7 mb
http://mail.uk2.net ...........................10 mb
http://www.mail15.com .................15 mb
http://macnews.de .........................20 mb
http://xms.ms ..................................20 mb
http://balls.com ............................100 mb
http://ukonline.net .......................200 mb

Get a FREE Gmail account today
HERE  or HERE
Gmail give you 2000+ Mb of free space

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

Can you Please Help Us
------------------------------------------
Join The Campaign ... Try to Appeal For The Kazkhstan Temple

---------- Forwarded Message -------------------------------
Text PAMHO:11445083 (129 lines)
From: (Bhakti Bhrnga) Govinda Swami
Date: 20-Apr-06 07:54 (14:54 +0700)
To: Free Forum (Announcements) [10034]
Subject: X all com users
------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Vaisnavas,

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

In 1999 the devotees in Kazkhstan purchased a beautiful farm outside of the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Since that time substantial strides have been made in creating an agricultural community, a home for many vaisnavas, and the venue for a wonderful summer yearly festival attended by devotees from Central Asia and Russia.

Since October 2004 there have been many attempts from the government of Kazakhstan to push us from this property. This has been done by smear campaigns in the media and ongoing litigation in the courts.

On March 29, 2006 a case was conducted in the Almaty Oblast Court. Prior to issuing the ruling the judge declared that the legal arguments of the government land agency had no substance and that the arguments presented by the advocates representing our society were correct and in accordance to the Kazakhstan legal code.

But after private discussion in their chambers the judges emerged and issued a ruling against our society in which it is stated that the land be confiscated and returned to the government. This ruling was illegal and not based on legislation of the government of Kazakhstan.

We purchased the land at the market value in 1999. In 2004 we privatised the land according to the laws of Kazakhstan in. Since this time the value of this land has increased dramatically. The situation we have is that the powerful government land barons want to eliminate us by any illegal process that they may possess the land, again sell, and make astronomical profit.

We have neither time nor options left. Our last option is the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan, but need-less-to-say, the legal system does not work in this country. It is either a matter of paying for the decision or having a powerful person order the decision.

Thus we are requesting devotees throughout the world to assist us in different ways:

First, we are requesting you to send this letter to all the contacts you have.

Second, we are requesting you to print the following letter and send to the Administration of the President of Kazakhstan requesting him to intervene in this case.

Third, we are requesting you to contact the heads of religious organisations, the foreign ministries in your countries, international human rights agencies, and register an appeal that they will voice concern to the government of Kazakhstan.

And at last, we are humbly requesting that you will all pray that this situation may be reversed and our farm, Sri Vrindavan Dham, will not be stolen by the government of Kazakhstan.

The President of Kazakhstan has gained international respect for having hosted an international religious forum in 2003. Yet, despite the talks of religious equality and openness, he is allowing a religious society to be illegally evicted from their legally acquired property. It is an injustice performed in the name of religious equality.

With affectionate regards,

BB Govinda Swami

...........................................................................

To the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Mr. N.A. Nazarbayev

Government palace, Levoberezhye,

Astana, 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan.

Or ...

Presidential Residence:

To the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Mr. Nazarbayev N.A.

Akorda, Astana, 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan.

President's e-mail: sitePRK@global.kz

Dear President Nazarbayev,

It is with deep regret that we have been informed of your government's attempted confiscation of the land which is owned by the Kazakhstan Society for Krishna Consciousness.

The land has been legally purchased and privatised according to the land codes of Kazakhstan.

But since 2004 there has been ongoing litigation in an attempt by government officials to steal the land where the Kazakhstan Society for Krishna Consciousness has been officially registered, and situated, for the past seven years.

On March 29, 2006 a hearing was conducted in the Almaty Provincial Court.

The judge in charge of the case explained that he had carefully studied the case and that there was no substance in the arguments of the Government Land Committee and District Hakimat.

Yet, when the decision was read it was ruled that the land at issue be returned to the land reserve of Kazakhstan. The decision of the court was enacted due to executive pressure as it violates legislative and procedural rules of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Mr. President, you want that your fine country come into the rank of the leading nations of the world.

You have shown your open mindedness by conducting your International Religious Forum in 2003. Yet in this case we have a glaring example of a religious society being destroyed by the greed of self motivated officers.

Sir, we are respectfully appealing to you to intervene in this case.

Please stop the abuse and destruction of the one element of Indian religion which is active in your nation.

Please allow these people to live peacefully on their property in accordance to the vision of religious equality that you have presented for the nation of Kazakhstan.

Sincerely,

Bhagavad-gita describes three kinds of austerities in the mode of goodness. Practicing these austerities may give strength to any spiritual leader for pursuing his leadership and preaching duties successfully.

We may practice the austerity of the body by forcing our body to rise early and go to the full temple morning program every day.

Austerity of the mind may be done by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books every day to learn the art of caring and leading others, and being a good example; also thinking always of doing good to others and how to help them start or develop their spiritual life.

Austerity of speech may be practiced by making sure that we speak uplifting and wise words, based on sastra and emanating love, patience and care. One has to genuinely want to help others, otherwise they will feel it when we speak to them. “I don’t care how much you know until I know how much you care.”

Daily conscious practice of these austerities will give us strength to face many challenges that we encounter. And above all, attentive chanting of 16 rounds every day (no “preaching excuses”) is the most important purificatory and empowering austerity. These austerities are purifying for the intelligence and so by practising them one can serve with the help of spiritual intelligence.

It's TV Turnoff Week

http://tvturnoff.org

April 23, 2006: It's TV Turnoff week from April 24-30, 2006. Tips are given for parents to use such as placing the TV in a "hard to get to" place, phasing out cable and then limiting watching to videos and DVD's, or leaving the TV behind when you move. Curious about how excessive television viewing affects your psyche, then check out the "Facts and Figures" page at the URL above. Excessive TV watching often takes away from precious family time, it may hamper your children's education, it often results in obese children, and the most obvious, it can promote violence. If you are not too sure how to replace television watching in your home, the American Academy of Pediatrics has provided a link with some ideas. Teachers can use this site as a valuable resource to encourage students to read more.

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

visit our pages on TV also

Walking south along the inner road Srila Prabhupada inspected the boundary-wall rooms. Some were being used for living quarters, and some were being used for storage.

At the dispensary Prabhupada said that he would give some herbal formulas for minor ailments. He also suggested that the devotees keep a stock of general medicines for curing common complaints without the need for a doctor.

At least five or six rooms were being used for weaving. Looking in at the looms, Prabhupada revealed a little of his vision of a spiritual society in Mayapur. He said, "Some envious persons might criticize, 'Oh, this is temple and they are weaving. They are not worshiping?' And yet others may accuse us as religionists-parasites. But in the Bhagavad-gita Krsna says sva-karmana tam abhyarcya siddhim vindati manavah. Whatever a person knows, he can work in that way and get perfection, provided he is Krsna conscious. Because they are preparing the cloth for the devotees and not for business, they are therefore serving Krsna."

Prabhupada suggested that some of the rooms be turned into shops where cloth, books, prasadam, mrdanga drums, and karatalas could be sold.

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

Remember if people talk behind your back, it only means you're two steps ahead!

Do your duty, that is best leave unto the Lord the rest.

A leader is someone who helps improve the lives of other people or improve the system they live under.

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

Never underestimate the debt that we all owe to Srila Prabhupada
by Vidyapati dasa http://xmeatlessx.livejournal.com/16973.html

when i was living in wellington, with the devotees, in 2004, i once got the opportunity of being the personal servant of my Gurumaharaja for three days. the devotees in wellington generally rent out a private appartment for my Gurudeva to stay in while he is in town, which has two rooms in it, one for his servant, and the bigger one for himself. essentially, all i had to do was sit in the doorway of the smaller room all day and read, occasionally getting something for him, or cleaning the bathroom, gathering his laundry, and getting as much maha-maha-prasadam as possible. once, while i was in the middle of an unbroken four hours of reading Krsna Book, Gurudeva asked me to get a pen and paper, and write a quote down, which he was going to base his evening discussion on.
"insanity means repeating the same thing, but each time expecting a different result"
the power of the material energy cannot be over-estimated. it's actually really scary when you try to analyse just how subtle maya can operate. just watching the lives of people, you can see this occuring constantly. people will get themselves into some of the most horrible situations ever, somehow escape, only to willingly re-enter the same source of misery again and again.
maya still works like this on devotees sometimes.
recently, i have been trying to understand fully the suffering that people are going through in their lives, and how Krsna consciousness actually has the answer to that suffering. this is a vital exercise for any devotee aiming at long term preaching endeavours. preachers of Krsna consciousness always have to analyse their motivation, and the prime motivation of a preacher should be to alleviate the anxiety that ones Guru feels when he sees the suffering of conditioned souls. in an e-mail i recieved from my Gurumaharaja, he asked me to try to understand the importance of spreading Lord Caitanya's message.
to this end, i have been trying to understand, and evaluate within my own life, how my coming to Krsna consciousness has decreased my own anxiety in life. now, this is actually a tricky thing, because memory of suffering is never very reliable, especially when you consider just how strongly the control of maya is on our memories. the job of maya is to make us forget. and she does a good job at it.
but i know, if we look deeply at our lives now, and really dredge our memory of how we felt previously in our lives, you can see a very marked difference. in fact, depending on the clarity of ones consciousness, and their attentiveness while chanting the holy names, one can see an incredible change in the quality of ones life upon properly practicing the science of Krsna consciousness.
so, a devotee wanting to be a long-term preacher has to have this faith, through realisation, that by taking up the process of Krsna consciousness, all perfection is available. a preacher also has to know this science thoroughly in order to encourage others to take it up. how can one be guided to take up a process if those presenting it do not properly understand the process themselves?
Lord Caitanya explains this process, while at the same time giving us a few hints at what can go wrong, how we can again believe the lies of maya, and allow maya to again cover us.
While on His pilgrimage to Vrndavana, Lord Caitanya ended up in Prayaga. Prior to this, Rupa Goswami had arranged for messengers to inform him of when Lord Caitanya was planning on leaving Jagannatha Puri. Rupa Goswami had wanted to ensure he could meet up with Lord Caitanya while He was on His trip. So, in this way, Rupa Goswami managed to catch Lord Caitanya while they were both in Prayaga. it was here that Lord Caitanya instructed Rupa Goswami in explicit detail all about the science of devotional service. Lord Caitanya explained to Rupa Goswami how one begins their devotional life. by the mercy of the spiritual master, the pure devotee of the Lord, a neophyte recieves a seed of devotional service within their heart. by carefully watering this bhakti-lata-bija, through the process of hearing and chanting, gradually this seed sprouts and the creeper of devotional service grows and grows. but there is one natural enemy of this devotional creeper, and that is the mad elephant of Vaisnava aparadha, offenses against the devotees of the Lord. an expert gardener, however, is able to act to prevent this enemy from gaining entrance into the garden of devotional service, by building a strong fence based on steady, regulated devotional service to the Lord, in the positive association of the Lords devotees. this is the only protection against this enemy. and it is practically seen, one who decreases their engagement in devotional service opens themselves up to this attack by the mad elephant of vaisnava aparadha.
Rupa Goswami was instructed in the entire science of devotional service, and as a result he was able to compile many literatures detailing this science. Krsnadasa Kaviraja quotes a verse from the Caitanya-candrodaya by Sri Kavi-Karnapura, which explains that it is by the mercy of Lord Caitanya that Rupa Goswami was able to compile such literature. Lord Caitanya has specific saktis, energies with which to empower His devotees. and actually, any devotees practicing Krsna consciousness on any level must have recieved the empowering mercy of Lord Caitanya, or His devotees, in some form or another. Lord Caitanya has a specific sakti which He bestows on qualified personalities to be able to spread the chanting of the Holy Name, which it is clear to say that Srila Prabhupada was empowered with. but even just to be able to understand the importance of taking to Krsna consciousness is a sign that one has recieved the mercy of Lord Caitanya, and the motivation to stay in the association of devotees is a product of being empowered, to some degree, by the mercy of Lord Caitanya.

so, maya is trying to make us forget, to make our previous lives and activities seem appealing again. this is a dangerous combination. if we forget how badly we suffered previously, we won't be able to compare our present situations. and then, if we don't understand how great our present situations are, we may just be attracted to the illusion that maya holds up to us. in order to see through this lie of maya's requires us to actively cultivate our devotional creeper, which is a manifestation of the mercy of Guru and Krsna. and this means actively engaging in serious, steady devotional service, in the association of the Lords devotees.
otherwise, what happens is we lose that special mercy of the Lord, which allows us to have some vision of the real situation we are in. how is it that devotees can fall back into the lap of maya? because through becoming slackened in their devotional service, because of laziness and pride, they fall into the path of the mad elephant of vaisnava aparadha. automatically the mercy of the Lord, which allows us all of our realisations, instantly leaves us, and we are then handed over to maya for a thorough, and repeated smashing.

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Srila Prabhupada's Purport
CC Madhya 19.157
"The human being is a social animal, and if one gives up the society of pure devotees, he must associate with nondevotees (asat-sanga). By contacting nondevotees and engaging in nondevotional activities, a so-called mature devotee will fall victim to the mad elephant offense. Whatever growth has taken place is quickly uprooted by such an offense. One should therefore be very careful to defend the creeper by fencing it in—that is, by following the regulative principles and associating with pure devotees.
Even if one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or nondevotees in the Krsna Consciousness Society, still one should stick to the Society; if one thinks the Society’s members are not pure devotees, one can keep direct company with the spiritual master, and if there is any doubt, one should consult the spiritual master. However, unless one follows the spiritual master’s instructions concerning the regulative principles and chanting and hearing the holy name of the Lord, one cannot become a pure devotee. By one’s mental concoctions, one falls down. By associating with nondevotees, one breaks the regulative principles and is thereby lost."

Devotees Express Distress Over Decreasing Level Of Water In Ganga

http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=42270

HARIDWAR, INDIA, April 16, 2006: Devotees bathing in the Ganga are worried about the decreasing water level of the river. They claim that the construction of the Tehri Dam in Uttaranchal (now being filed) has contributed to this development. People, who have come here from various parts of the country, experienced difficulty while having a bath on the occasion of Baisakhi. "There is no fun in bathing here. We have to collect water, instead of having a dip. It is inconvenient and doesn't satiate our feelings," said Surinder Soni, a Ludhiana resident. Besides the decreasing water levels, devotees are also concerned about the unhygienic conditions that prevail at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar. "The holy River Ganga provides employment to the people. It is a means to attain salvation. People have no existence without the Ganga. The river is not getting adequate water due to the construction of the Tehri Dam, which is obstructing flow. The sentiments of the devotees are affected when they watch the polluted Ganga. We informed about this to Home Minister Shivraj Patil on March 16. We requested him to provide water to the Ganga. He said that he will convey our message to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Ganga is the backbone of agriculture and the economy of this state. Life is impossible without this river. Since it has no water, development is at stake. The Chief Minister, Narayan Dutt Tiwari, talks so much about the development of the state. I would like to say that without basic necessities like water we can achieve nothing. The development of the Ganga should be foremost," said Mahamandaleshwar Swami Hansdas, member of the Juna Akhara.

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

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/14/AR2006041401737.html

WASHINGTON D.C., April 15, 2005: LaVonne and Bernard Snowden have three children in private school, two flourishing careers and an elegant house in Mitchellville. As thanks for those blessings, the Snowdens say, they give 10 percent of everything they make to their church. Tithing, an ancient practice described in the Bible, is particularly strong in African American communities, where it is reinforced by centuries of family tradition. That has helped propel Prince George's into the top five counties in the nation for charitable giving, as documented by a Chronicle of Philanthropy study based on donations as a percentage of income. A Washington Post analysis using the same data found that 14 of the top 20 Zip codes for per capita giving in the region were in Prince George's. Across the spectrum of faiths, religious institutions draw much of the nation's charitable money, accounting for three out of every four dollars given, the chronicle's study of 2002 IRS data found. In African American communities, the figure is close to nine out of every 10 dollars.

Many churches of various denominations emphasize gifts of "time, talent and treasure," allowing some members to meet their obligation with volunteer hours or other services. One of the five pillars of Islam is zakat, which calls for contributing 2.5 percent of income. In the Jewish faith, the tradition of tzedakah focuses on "giving to be just or right" and not on meeting a specific goal for giving, said Rabbi Fred Reiner of Temple Sinai in Northwest Washington. Kenneth Page, stake president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints churches in the District and Southern Maryland, said Mormons must tithe 10 percent of their "increase." The church lets individuals decide whether to tithe gross or net income. (HPI note: It is also traditional in Hinduism to donate a portion of one's income to religious work.)

Many African American ministers believe the custom is so strong among their congregations because of the historic role of the church in social and political activism and because of generations of family tradition. Long before government programs were put in place to help the poor and the needy, black churches were responsible for assisting their congregations with everything from food and shelter during Reconstruction to legal help during the civil rights movement. Black churches paid to help poor and disenfranchised citizens at a time when no other help was available, experts said.

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

Opinion: Hot Milk

http://www.iskcon.com/new/050318_opinion.htm

Uh-oh, there's trouble in the laboratory. Those starched lily-white lab coats may project a prime and proper picture of scientists, but those bad boys are all fight on the inside. They rumble big time.

Milk is the latest hot topic. What's at stake? Our money and our health, in that order, are two things that come quickly to mind.

The March issue of the premier medical journal Pediatrics features a study conducted by researchers of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine that debunks the idea that regularly drinking milk helps growing children develop stronger bones. "Under scientific scrutiny, the support for the milk myth crumbles," (read - don't waste your money) said Amy Joy Lanou, the group's nutrition director.

The National Diary Council immediately retorted by calling the study an "opinion piece" (read - not science), and here is where it gets nasty, written by "an animal rights organisation that has only 5 percent physician membership" (read - they're radicals).

This is advancement of civilisation? Human beings were profitably drinking milk long before Louis Pasteur started scientifically heating up with milk in the 1860s. Now, nearly 150 years later these vanguards of modern civilisation are still fighting over spilt milk.

Well, perhaps I'm too harsh. After all, modern civilisation is primarily focused on corporeal and corporate profits, and the scientists are leading where we want to go, right? So why not let them duel, best scientist wins? Unfortunately, neither side can promise us that this body, healthy or unhealthy, will live forever, or that we will have enough money to satisfy our bodily demands.

"Something old, something new," this old saying provides much needed guidance. Taking something from the profitable use of milk in ancient civilisations perhaps we can mold something that holds the promise for our future that modern scientists cannot guarantee.

Vedic civilisation focused on spiritual advancement as the purpose of human life. Their life-style was centered on God consciousness, as opposed to materialism, and is captured in the phrase, simple living and high thinking.

How did milk aid that civilisation achieve its objectives? Milk was useful as a bridge between our bodily existence and spiritual consciousness.

Robert E. Svoboda, a chemistry graduate from the University of Oklahoma, and the first Westerner ever to graduate from a college of Ayurveda (the Vedic science of medicine) and be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India, writes, “Milk helps to integrate the consciousness. Other animal protein is derived from flesh and drags the consciousness down into the flesh, discouraging that breaking free of early restraints which is required for spiritual advancement. Plant protein is sometimes insufficient to ground the consciousness firmly enough in the physical body. Milk is the one food that combines the uplifting essences of plants with the firm groundedness of animals.”

According to the Ayurveda, all foods have medicinal benefits. Milk is particularly noted for its anabolic or tissue building properties, both in terms of new and rejuvenative tissue growth.

The Founder of the Hare Krishna Movement, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada writes, "If we really want to cultivate the human spirit in society we must have first-class intelligent men to guide the society, and to develop the finer tissues of our brains we must assimilate vitamin values from milk. Devotees worship Lord Sri Krishna by addressing Him as the well-wisher of the brahmanas and the cows. The most intelligent class of men, who have perfectly attained knowledge in spiritual values, are called the brahmanas. No society can improve in transcendental knowledge without the guidance of such first-class men, and no brain can assimilate the subtle form of knowledge without fine brain tissues. For such important brain tissues we require a sufficient quantity of milk and milk preparations. Ultimately, we need to protect the cow to derive the highest benefit from this important animal. The protection of cows, therefore, is not merely a religious sentiment but a means to secure the highest benefit for human society."

This is advancement of civilisation.

Niika Quistgard of Inside Ayurveda Journal has written a very comprehensive article entitled "Milk: To Drink or Not to Drink." I highly recommend it. Her article contains two sections I specifically recommend to the scientists at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and the National Dairy Council:

1. An Experiment

Drinking milk cold is not advisable, as milk is already cool and heavy in nature. Before drinking, boil milk briefly in a non-aluminum vessel until it produces a foamy head, then cool to warm or room temperature. It is best to do this over a heat source, not in the microwave oven.

2. Some Advice

Milk is effective in calming you when intensity and aggression call out to be soothed.

So, come on fellas, get together over a nice cup of hot milk and work out your differences in a civilised manner.

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

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

Over the years we have all heard about the many attempts that have been made in India to convert various sections of society from Hinduism to either Christianity or Islam. Many Indians, are not fully aware of how the war against Hinduism is happening, nor how serious it is. It is taking place on many levels, and because of this, in some areas, the practice of Hinduism is declining rapidly.

When I was traveling, I had gone on a lecture tour, speaking every night at places like Mumbai, Nagpur, Warangal, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Hyderbad, Bangalore, Trivadrum, and Chennai. So I had the chance to meet with many of the intellectuals and some of the spiritual leaders in these areas, and learned how conversion was a very hot issue.

Now I don't have anything in particular against Christianity itself. I was born and raised a Christian, so I know what it is, but also how they work. My main contention is when the teachings that are said to come from Jesus are twisted and misinterpreted into something that does not spread the genuine love of God and humanity that we are all supposed to develop, but becomes the dog-like barking and criticism against every other religion that is not Christian. This does not only go on toward every religion outside of Christianity, but also within it between Catholics and Protestants and other denominations. It seems that this faith has become not something that promotes our similarities for cooperation, but our differences in that everyone who is of a unrelated Christian denomination are all going to hell.

In regard to India, there is a great number of missionaries of various denominations who are working there right now, all competing for the most number of converts. The Southern Baptists alone are a group that has nearly 100,000 career missionaries in North India, all working to spread the "good word." We also find that in order to make converts from Hinduism some of the numerous Catholic priests in Southern India dress like sannyasis, and call their organizations ashramas. This is to make Christianity more similar to the Vedic traditions. Bharat Natyam dance is also taught in the Christian schools, but with Christian symbols and meanings replacing the Vedic. This is all in the attempt to actively sway Hindus over to Christianity.

Some of the tactics that the Christian missionaries have used to help make converts is to offer cheap polyester pants to the tribals of the Northeast if they become Christian, or even offer motor bicycles if they help convert their brothers, which also means their wives and family. In Madhya Pradesh, as noted in the Neogy Report, the missionaries give small loans on interest to the tribals, who cannot pay back such loans easily. However, if they become Christian, then such loans and the interest are dismissed. This is what goes on in the democracy of India, and under the tolerance of the Hindus, while if one such incidence would ever occur in a Muslim country, the result would be an immediate expulsion of the missionary from that nation.

Another trick that has been done is that missionaries, while treating the sick, will give medicine of no value and ask the tribal to take it while offering prayers to his local deity. Naturally, no cure of disease is likely to occur with the useless medicine. Then the missionary gives the tribal real medicine and asks the tribal to take it while offering prayers to Jesus. Then when there is a recovery, it is attributed to the power of Christ and not to the medicine. Such conversion activities take place these days more often in the tribal areas under the guise of social service. However, true social service should be done without expecting anything in return, including conversion.

Another thing that takes place is mass healings at meetings similar to revivals. What they do is pay people to attend the healings portraying themselves as being sick, or invalids on crutches, etc., who then get called up and are miraculously cured of their disease. This is attributed to the power of Christ, which then convinces many tribals that they too can benefit in various ways if they become Christian. This has not had much of an effect amongst the Brahmin classes, but the lower classes who attend are more vulnerable and are impressed by such things, and are then swayed toward Christianity. This is why Christian conversion tactics have been focused more toward the tribal areas than other regions of India. So these conversions are not taking place due to pure preaching of the Bible or the message of Jesus, but are accomplished by trickery and the emphasis on material facility. This is, of course, what is being objected to by the general Hindu population. However, when or if people convert for purely spiritual reasons, then there is no objection.

Another way conversions are accomplished is with the promise to the Dalits or the lower caste Hindus that they will not have any more caste recognition by becoming Christians. However, after conversion many find out that this is not true. Even amongst the converted Christians there is found to be a caste mentality, with the lower castes forced to use separate doorways, separate seating, or have marriages performed only among equal caste Christians. When this becomes obvious to those who are newly converted, some of them want to come back to being Hindus again, which has been facilitated by such organizations as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

An interesting point is that in spite of these duplicitous ways of converting that the Christians have used, the Christian churches have threatened violence against the process of reconversion back to Hinduism that had been launched by the VHP. It was Rev. V. K. Nuh, secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Convention who said, "If someone tries to impose their faith, Christians in this region will not surrender. There will be a battle and we shall have no option. There will be a physical and religious war if attempts are made to propagate Hinduism by forceful means in the Northeast." In this same line of thinking, Rev. M.D. Oaugma, head of the Garo Baptist Convention of Mehgalaya said, "It could be a threat to Christianity if we remain silent to the VHP's game plan of mass conversion. We shall have to fight, we shall have to resist." ( Maharashtra Herald, July 11, 1998)

Of course, it is easy for Hindus to be nonchalant toward other religions because they feel that each spiritual path takes you toward God. So in this light, it is alright to be tolerant of them or let them thrive. But the problem is that not all religions feel the same way toward Hinduism. Some feel that Hinduism is a culture that should be removed or destroyed. An example of this is that in Northeast India, in countries like Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur, they have witnessed a surge of nearly 200% in their Christian population in the past 25 years due to the wily tactics of foreign missionaries. Their grasp is so strong now that practicing Hinduism is forbidden in some areas. Hindus can no longer do worship or arati in the open because of the fanaticism in parts of the land. Durga puja has become almost obsolete as deities are destroyed or stolen in broad daylight. This confrontational climate has led to numerous militant outfits sponsored by the Church who are fighting for secession from India. So now the Eastern portion of India wants to secede from it, and another part of India will be lost if this should happen.

If the Catholic Church in particular is supposed to espouse the message that God is love, and that it is by love of God and neighbor that mankind is saved, it certainly hasn't shown much of that kind of love toward any other religion. With the Pope's recent call for conversions in Asia, it certainly shows that it is not a friend of other religions, but still holds the goal that other spiritual paths should be brought down to be replaced by Christianity. This should be clearly understood. This is also the case with the Baptists and other denominations.

While I was in New Delhi, I also met with Mrs. Shanti Reddy, a member of a government agency called the National Committee for Women. She revealed that another thing that missionaries have done was to kidnap young Indian children. What one Christian missionary couple in Chennai was doing before they were arrested was to bride tribals into giving their young baby girls to them. They would pay the tribals as little as 2000 to 5000 rupees for baby girls, and then turn around and sell the girls to foreigners for as much as $30,000 to $40,000. According to the records that had been confiscated from the missionaries' home, this had been a thriving business, and nearly 25 of such transactions had already taken place. The Indian authorities said they probably saved 300 baby girls from such a fate from the indications on the records they found. So this has been another one of the forms of activities that such missionaries do for their own benefit and profit against the real interest of India. However, whenever Hindus react with force against such people, they are labeled as fundamentalists, antagonists, or worse.

Another way that India is slowly losing its Vedic culture is through the process of secular or English and Christian education. Of course, in public schools all Vedic books have been removed from the curriculum. So there are no possibilities to study the ancient Indian literature or art. So Vedic values are no longer part of what the children are taught. Furthermore, the Christian schools, often staffed by Christian missionaries, can teach Christian values in their classes, and include a short study of the Bible everyday, or the Koran if it's an Islamic school. The so-called secular government has even helped them with free land and facilities. Since these schools offer English in their education, along with good discipline, many of the middle classes of Indians are favoring sending their children to these schools. Today, in the Indian cities, many of the parents of children are the graduates of Christian schools, who also send their own children to such schools. As this trend continues, there will be a decreasing number of Hindus in the educated sector. Thus, children in India, with the help of the secular government, are learning Christian values and perceiving their own history and culture as something less than honorable. They are taught that such important books as the Bhagavad-gita, Ramayana, Bhagavat Purana and other Vedic texts are nothing more than mythology, and not a result of one of the most profound civilizations in the world. They are also taught that their own God is but a demon and the only real way to God is through Jesus.

An example of this is that a few devotees from the New Delhi Iskcon (Hare Krishna) temple go out and give presentations to the children's classes in schools. Some of the questions that are asked by the children are, "Who is your God?" and "What can your God do for me?" and so on. Obviously, these questions are nothing but a direct result of the Christian and English oriented education that these children are receiving. Now I ask anyone, isn't this practically a covert form of conversion? This form of education indoctrinates the children to doubt their own culture, and disrespect their own history and traditions. As a result of this form of education, the Hindu population is slowly forgetting the unique history and lofty culture of their homeland.

As I traveled around, it was not unusual to see elementary schools around India with the name something like "Saint Xavier's School." People should know that this Francis Xavier, who is now one of the greatest so-called "saints," feverishly declared, "When I have finished baptizing the people, I order them to destroy the huts in which they keep their idols; and I have them break the statues of their idols into tiny pieces, since they are now Christians. I could never come to an end describing to you the great consolation which fills my soul when I see idols being destroyed by the hands of those who had been idolaters." (From " The Letters and Instructions of Francis Xavier," 1993, pp 117-8) This was his goal, to destroy Indian culture and make India a Christian nation. So it is ironic that now India embraces the schools that honor him in this way. How could they not know his true intention?

What is often not recognized is that, up until recently, for the last 50 years the politicians who have been directing the destiny of India are the ones who have an anti-Hindu attitude. They have set the economic direction and the educational policies that the country has been forced to follow. They have also promised the protection of the religious minorities with the hopes of acquiring votes. This has been one of the reasons why the secularists in the Congress party have treated everything that is Hindu with disdain.

Another aspect of the loss of Vedic culture in India is that the younger Indian people, especially ages from 15 to 25, are readily giving up Vedic customs to follow the more decadent so-called freedoms of the West. They see the western movies, they read what the celebrities say in the papers, and they admire them and want to adopt their forms of dress and lifestyles. Thus, in the big cities like Mumbai you have Indian couples living together without marriage, which is something you never would have seen before a few years back. Now the Vedic principles are looked upon as something obsolete, something that restricts the style that those who look to the West want to adopt. Thus, they are leaving Indian traditions behind and losing respect for anything Vedic. In this way, they adopt foreign standards, or lose so much respect for Indian and Vedic values that they become embarrassed to admit their Hindu background and heritage. Furthermore, Sanskrit scholars at the temples are also slowly dying out, and the modern Indians view the Ramayana and Mahabharata as merely myths or gaudy television shows.

Although India has been invaded by outsiders so many times and has always survived, what we are talking about is more than mere property or geography. What is actually being threatened is the basis of Indian culture itself. As younger generations give up their Vedic heritage, even if they return to it later when they are older and looking for more philosophical support, with whatever percentage of loss occurs with each generation, time has shown that it is never fully recovered. A portion of it is lost forever.

How many more generations will go by before we see a big drop in this percentage due to the process of secular (meaning Christian or English, or even Islamic) education, or with the present rate of conversions by tactless Christians? This percentage could easily drop well below 50% in only several more generations at the present rate of change.

How many more generations will it take before the Hindu majority is no longer a majority, but a minority in its own country? As Hinduism declines, you will see that the demands on the government and those voted into politics will also change, and the laws will also alter more in favor of the increasing minority religions at the expense of declining Hinduism. Then as the years go by there will appear only small clusters of Hindu or Vedic communities, most likely centered around prominent holy places, until the more aggressive religions act in ways to diminish these as well, in the same way that they are presently doing in other countries.

The point of all this information is that it is time for all Hindus and followers of the Vedic culture, Sanatana-dharma, to realize what is actually happening and give up your timidness or nonchalance and speak out while such freedom still exists. We must become more pro-active for defending this culture. The point is that if you do not take it seriously, I can assure you that there are others who take this inaction and tolerance extremely seriously to promote their own goals and religions in India. It is because of this that India may not always remain the homeland of an active and thriving Vedic culture as it is now. We need to protect whatever is left of it and maintain the present liberties that Hindus still have in India. Then we all can continue to engage in Vedic traditions without hindrance, and with full freedom. For this, we need to unite ourselves in a concerted effort to make this happen. And it most certainly is possible.

Recently, as told to me by Professor Subash Kak, it was noted in a reputable publication that now 1% of the Russian population claims that they are Hindu. The article stated that this was primarily due to the preaching efforts of Iskcon. This shows a major social impact. This shows what is possible if we can work together in a concerted effort. This is why I am convinced that if we all work in a pro-active way under the banner of a united family of Vedic followers, we can keep and even expand the present freedoms that we now have to practice Vedic traditions, and keep India as the homeland of Vedic culture, the most ancient roots of humanity.

India must be protected and kept as the homeland of the Vedic heritage, Sanatana-dharma, Hinduism. Without it, what is its value, in spite of whatever else it accomplishes? The value of Hinduism and India are clearly expressed in the words of the famous English theosophist Dr. Annie Besant. She put great emphasis on the value of India, its history, the Vedic culture, and its importance to the world. As written in the cover notes from the book, Hindus, Life-Line of India, by G. M. Jagtiani, she says: "After a study of some forty years and more of the great religions of the world, I find none so perfect, none so scientific, none so philosophic, and none so spiritual as the great religion known by the name of Hinduism. The more you know it, the more you will love it; the more you try to understand it, the more deeply you will value it. Make no mistake; without Hinduism, India has no future. Hinduism is the soil into which India's roots are struck, and torn of that she will inevitably wither, as a tree torn out from its place. Many are the religions and many are the races flourishing in India, but none of them stretches back into the far dawn of her past, nor are they necessary for her endurance as a nation. Everyone might pass away as they came and India would still remain. But let Hinduism vanish and what is she? A geographical expression of the past, a dim memory of a perished glory, her literature, her art, her monuments, all have Hindudom written across them. And if Hindus do not maintain Hinduism, who shall save it? If India's own children do not cling to her faith, who shall guard it? India alone can save India, and India and Hinduism are one."

In this light, it is absolutely necessary that as followers of Sanatana-dharma, Vedic culture,  we realize that we need to repair whatever differences we have between us regarding whatever issues there may be. This is necessary in order to work with some cooperation with whomever we can if we expect to be a substantial force in defending the Vedic cause. Otherwise, all the issues that invariably come up, although these should not be ignored, should not take so much of our attention that our preaching stops. Otherwise, we will only serve as contributors to the continuing deterioration of all spiritual standards as the age of Kali progresses. This preaching, of course, means that we must all stay in touch with and practice the Vedic standards.

We cannot allow ourselves to be led into the danger of endless debate that leads to inaction. We all must be pro-active in some way to help defend and spread Vedic culture. Then we can work together to keep the freedom we presently have to practice the Vedic traditions and keep India as the homeland of a thriving, dynamic, and still living tradition. Such freedom does not come without its challenges, and we must be prepared as a society to meet those challenges. To take such freedoms for granted means that it's only a matter of time before they are lost. And that is exactly what some people want to happen. So we must be willing to work all the harder to prevent such a decline of our Vedic heritage.

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

Imitating Guru is as dangerous as death:

Once Sripada Sankaracarya was touring India. As they walked through one village an outcaste woman approached him and gave him some sweets. He accepted and ate them. His disciples seeing the behaviour of their guru also accepted sweets from her and ate them. Seeing that his disciples were imitating him, Sankaracarya then walked to a blacksmith's shop and asked the the man if he had any molten lead. He did. Sankaracarya took the molten lead, tilted his head back and drank some like one would drink water. After taking a good gulp he offered the ladle of hot lead to his amazed disciples asking "who is next?" No one stepped forward. He said, "I can see the atma in the heart of that woman therefore I took her offering to remove her sins. You can not do that. Rather by eating her offering you took on her sins and became contaminated."

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

  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
 

SINGARA POORI WITH CURD POTATOES
For Paste:
In a bowl add singara 1/2 kg. add 1 tsp oil & water & make soft dough. Make small balls & make poori through poori maker & deep fry it till Golden brown.

Curd Potatoes
Ingredient :
Curd 1 Cup
Potatoes 1/2 kg.
Green Chillies 2 to 3 finely chopped
Cumin seed 1 tsp.
Mustard seed 1 tsp.
curry leaves 2 to 3
Green Corriender For Garnishing
Kasturi Methi 1 tsp. (Fenugreek leaves)
Salt to taste
Cumin Powder 1 tsp.
White Pepper Powder 1 tsp.
Ghee 2 Tbsp
Turmeric Powder 1 tsp.

Boil potatoes & cut with knife into small pieces. In a pan add ghee then add curry leaves, cumin seed, Mustard seeds, chopped Green Chillies, then add beated curd, when boil comes. Add turmeric powder, white pepper powder, Cumin powder, Kasturi Methi then add potatoes. Keep in slow flame for about 5 to 7 mins. then add 1/2 cup water & again keep it for 5 mins. in slow flame & in the end add salt. Transfer in a bowl & garnish with green corriander leaves. Serve with Singara Poori.

SABHUDANA POHA
Ingredients :
Sabhudana 1/2 Kg.
Green Chillies 2 to 3 finely chopped
Curry leaves 4
Green Coriander leaves for garnishing
Peanuts 1 Tsp.
Mustard seeds 1 Tsp.
Lemon 1
Salt to taste
Oil 1 Tbsp.
Black Pepper Powder 1 Tsp.

Wash Sabhudana. In a kadhai add oil then add mustard seeds, when it begins to crackle add curry leaves, Green Chillies & peanuts then add Sabhudana. Stir well then add salt & Lemon Juice, Black Pepper Powder. Garnish with green corriander. Serve Hot

STUFFED EGGPLANT
Ingredients :
2 eggplants (cut in half. lengthwise)
1 small can of tomato puree (8 oz.)
1 cup bread crumbs
2 zucchmi (chopped in ¼ inch cubes)
1 pound mozzarella cheese (grated)
1 1/2 cups oil or ghee
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon hing
1 teaspoon lemon Juice
1 tablespoon basil leaves
1 tablespoon oregano flakes
Pinch of sugar

In large skillet heat 1 cup oil or ghee. Cut eggplants lengthwise in equal halves. Place all four halves of eggplants face down in hot oil. Adjust to low heat. Cook eggplant for about 10 minutes on each side or until very tender. It's ready when you can push a knifepoint through easily. Turn off flame and set aside.

In l-quart saucepan add 1/2 cup of oil or ghee. When heated add 1 teaspoon black pepper, hing, and lemon juice. Quickly add tomato puree. Add 1/2 cup water, pinch of sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and basil leaves. Cook on medium heat for 1/2 hour, stirring often.

In small skillet add last 1/2 cup of oil or ghee. When hot add Vi teaspoon black pepper. Quickly add chopped zucchini, add 1/2 teaspoon salt, and fry at high heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add breadcrumbs and lower heat. (Spiced breadcrumbs may be used, but then refrain from using salt.) Cook for 2 more minutes.

Return to skillet with cooked eggplants. Divide zucchini stuffing in four parts, put evenly on lop of eggplants, and cover with sauce and grated cheese. Cover and put on a low flame until cheese is melted. Garnish with parsley and oregano. Serve hot.

SABHUDANA CUTLET WITH COCONUT CHUTNEY
Ingredients:
Sabhudana 1/2 Kg.
Curry leaves 4 leaves
Green Chillies 3 to 4 finely chopped
Coriander leaves for garnish
Peanuts 50 gms. (Powder)
Lemon Juice 1
Black pepper powder 1 Tsp.
Salt to taste
Oil for Frying
Pototes _ 4 big size (boiled & mashed)

Wash Sabudana and soak in water for one hour. Drain for one hour. In a bowl add sabudana and add all the ingredients. Make a dough. Make small balls from the dough. Deep Fry.

For Chutney (Coconut) :
Ingredients :
Green Chillies 6 - 7
Coconut 1
Green corriander 1/2 bunch
Cumin seed 1 Tsp.
Lemon Juice 2
Add salt to taste

In a mixie add chopped coconut & all the other Ingredients. Transfer it in a bowl.

For Teadka :
In a small pan add 1 tsp oil & then add 1 tsp mustard seeds, when mustard seeds began to crackle add 2 to 3 curry leaves, then garnish this tadka over chutney.

KADDU KE PAKODE
Ingredients:
1 cup (120 Gms) Singhare ka atta (Waterchestnut flour)
2 teaspoon Sendha namak (Rock salt)
1/2 teaspoon Chilli Powder
1 teaspoon Green Chillies, finely chopped
250 Gms. Kaddu (Pumpkin) peeled, coarsely grated
1 Potato (small), peeled, coarsely grated
1 teaspoon Ginger, sliced
1 teaspoon Hara Dhania (Green coriander), chopped optional
Ghee or Oil for deep frying

Mix together all ingredients (expect oil) and add enough water to make a thick batter with dropping consistency.

Heat the oil, to the point, when a bit of batter dropped in comes up at once. Drop spoonfuls of the batter in to fry.

Turn once and remove from oil when firm and slightly coloured. Drain on an abdorbent paper and keep aside till ready to serve.

To server, fry in hot ghee or oil until golden and crisp (over high flame)

KESARI KHEER (SAFFORN KHEER)
Ingredients :
Milk 6 cups
Rice 75 gms.
Ghee 4 tsp.
Sugar 2/3 cup
Green Cordomom Powder 1 tsp.
Almond 3 tsp. (Boil in hot water & remove the skin)
Raisins 5 tsp.
Saffron 2 tsp. (dissolve in warm milk)
Milk to dissolve saffron 2 tbsp.

Pick, wash rice in running water & soak for an hour & drain.
Boil milk in a handi & remove. Heat Ghee in a separate handi, add rice & stir until it begins to colour. Transfer the milk & bring to boil, stirring constantly reduce to low heat & simmer until the rice is cooked. Then add sugar & continue to cook until reduced to a custard constinency. Now add the remaining ingredients & serve for a minute, Remove to a silver bowl & serve hot.

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)...

Srila Prabhupada told us that as a young boy he used to enjoy watching Charlie Chaplin movies. Later, as the world acarya flying from New York to London, he enjoyed watching a Charlie Chaplin movie on the plane. The devotees accompanying him were confused. Why would Prabhupada laugh through a Charlie Chaplin movie? Srila Prabhupada replied, "Krsna is the source of all humor. Charlie Chaplin's humor is very original. When I saw that movie, I was seeing Krsna through Charlie Chaplin."

Mr. Chaplin never knew it, but among the millions of people whom he caused to laugh, one was a pure devotee of Krsna. So by Prabhupada's grace even Charlie Chaplin got to perform unknown devotional service.

- From the "Jaya Srila Prabhupada!" by HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami

Mail continues to flow in steadily from around the world. One letter came from Pusta Krsna Swami in South Africa about the Mercedes car that he had promised to purchase for Prabhupada. He said that although he intends to pay for it himself, for now he has taken the money from Srila Prabhupada's book fund to finance the purchase. He intends to repay it later.

Hearing this, Prabhupada shook his head. Smiling, he told us the story of the disciple who invited his guru to his home and gave him a grand reception with nice decorations, elaborate prasadam, and all. The guru was delighted and amazed at such expenditure.

"Oh, it is all coming from you, O Spiritual Master. It is all your mercy," said the disciple.

The guru was pleased at this, until he returned home to discover that it really was coming from him. For when he looked in his bank book his balance was now zero!

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

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church.
It was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it.

The seven year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, "Good morning, Alex."

"Good morning, Pastor," replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. "Pastor, what is this?"

"Well, son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service."

Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque.

Little Alex's voice was barely audible, trembling with fear, when he asked, "Which service, the 8:30 or the 10:45?"

Irish Admission

Reilly went to trial for armed robbery.

His lawyer was a real wrangler with words and managed to convice the jury beyond a doubt that Reilly was in fact innocent.
In the court all was tense, and then the jury foreman came out and announced, "Not guilty."

"That's grand!" shouted Reilly. "Does that mean I can keep the money?"

Moral:

        I have always felt mildly funny when people say that they are shifting their residence.

        How on earth can you do that, when in reality you are only shifting yourself and not the other way round, I would ask. But that is the usage, isn't, they would counter. And I would laugh away at the imbecility of it all, nodding vaguely at the unconvincing explanation.

        But today I am a changed man.

        Last week I moved to a new place. And I am now wondering whether I have actually.

        'I have got a new address for myself. I want you to make the necessary corrections in your files', I went and told my bank manager, moronically thinking that he would just take the new details and see me off.

        Well, he drawled like Lawrence Oliver would before breaking into a lengthy dialogue, where is the proof? Proof for what, I asked. Proof that you live there. 'I haven't lived there, I have just moved my things last night,' I told him innocently.

        'Okay, Get me your telephone bill', he asked non sequitur. I quickly pulled it out of my bag and he lazily scanned the address and said 'so, this is where you live?' No, this is not where I live. This is where I used to live,' I told him, pointing to the relevant portion in the bill.

        'But why are you giving me this?' he came back at me. 'But you only asked for it,' I went back at him even more strongly. No, no, he waved his chubby fingers. 'Get me the telephone bill with your new address on it'.

        But I don't have a telephone there to have got a bill on it later, I said.

        He didn't obviously answer, but just looked at me with increasing irritation. He began to contort his face in enigmatic geometry as words began to fail him. 'Okay,' he finally conceded, 'go to the telephone department and formally apply to move your telephone to the new address. Get an acknowledgement for that.'

        Like an innocent lamb sent to a slaughter house, I meekly went to the telecom office and asked what should be done to get the phone shifted. A man of imposing girth and an even more imposing moustache, sitting behind what was scrawled boldly as 'help desk', continued to pick his teeth with leisurely gusto. He seemed so involved with the exercise that I thought it was his all-consuming hobby. I repeated what I told him first, just in case he had failed to grapple with what I had said. He began to dig his teeth with even more intensity than his colleagues show while pickaxing the roads avowedly for laying writhing cables. I stood there sheepishly, unable to decide what to do further. Luckily whatever that was struck in the man's teeth must have given way and he deigned to acknowledge my presence as he arched his bushy eyebrows as if to ask what. I went through the entire thing like a silly parrot on overtime. He casually pulled a yellow form from under a sheaf of precariously placed papers, and said: 'Just get it filled and get the attestation of your bank manager'.

        I felt like somebody had slammed shut the phone on me. 'But he was the one who sent me here in the first place', I protested weakly. The man by then had lost all interest in me and switched to a new pass time ?picking his nose, leaving me uncared and uncovered like a dug up pit.

        Any way, wherever I went to inform about my address change, the unfailing response was 'where's the proof?'

        Quite simply, I don't have anything to prove that I live in the place where I live. Since I haven't established that, logically, I think, I demonstrate the opposite ? my non-existence. If my presence is absent, then my absence is present, nah?

        This breaks new ontological ground.

        I should thank my bank manager and the teeth-and-nose-picking sincere worker of the telecom department for helping me in that.
- K BALAKUMAR http://www.newstodaynet.com/crank/2202co1.htm(India News Today Chennai)

The school master, not fluent in English, asked the local priest if he knew the meaning of WC. Together they pondered possible meanings of the letters and concluded that the lady wanted to know if there was a "Wayside Chapel" near the house . . . a bathroom never entered their minds.

So the schoolmaster wrote the following reply:

Dear Madam,

I take great pleasure in informing you that the WC is located 9 miles from the house. It is located in the middle of a grove of pine trees, surrounded by lovely grounds. It is capable of holding 229 people and is open on Sundays and Thursdays. As there are many people expected in the summer months, I suggest you arrive early. There is, however, plenty of standing room. This is an unfortunate situation especially if you are in the habit of going regularly.

It may be of some interest to you that my daughter was married in the WC as it was there that she met her husband. It was a wonderful event.

There were 10 people in every seat. It was wonderful to see the expressions on their faces. We can take photos in different angle. My wife, sadly, has been ill and unable to go recently. It has been almost a year since she went last, which pains her greatly.

You will be pleased to know that many people bring their lunch and make a day of it. Others prefer to wait till the last minute and arrive just in time. I would recommend your ladyship plan to go on a Thursday as there is an organ accompaniment. The acoustics are excellent and even the most delicate sounds can be heard everywhere.

The newest addition is a bell which rings every time a person enters.

We are holding a bazaar to provide plush seats for all since many feel it is long needed. I look forward to escorting you there myself and seating you in a place where you can be seen by all.

With deepest regards,

The Schoolmaster
 

The woman fainted reading the reply........ and she never visited India!!!!

 sent in by Vishaka dasi (Yishy Yashi) in Wellington

.......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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