Newsletter Number #135 -  ( Radhastami issue 2004 A.D. Gaurabda 518)
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ki jaya

Please Accept My Respectful Obeisances & Best Wishes To All

_0____,

All Glories To Srila Prabhupad.

\o/
(_)
/ \ All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga.

Welcome to the latest re-vamped edition of the on-line HKSRNewsletter, and our humble attempt to render some service to the devotee community. As you can see we've changed the format, and everything is here hyper-linked on-line, we hope it's now easier for you all. This newsletter now goes out to way over 2108 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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The Nectar in this Issue 

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
Have you got your Vaishnava Calendar for 2004-2005 ???
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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 links
... Vedik revival - Vedik World Heritage

Advertisements - what's on where: check them out...
... Cyber Community Notice Board
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... 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 new Auckland Temple now open
... and much more

At Grass Roots: Topical stuff
... Have a Happy New Year - Gaurabda 518

Prasadam Recipes: To slake the thirst of body, mind & soul
... 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
... World Vegetarian Day & Vegetarian Awareness Month

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

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Now you can view the FULL years 1999-2000 & 2000-2001 & 2001-2002 & 2002-2003 & 2003-2004 & 2004-2005.
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
Now available 2004 - 2005 Vaishnava Calendar starts March 2004
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2004-2005.html

Kanya Sankranti (Sun enters Virgo)

   Sri Ganesh Chaturthi - 18 Sept in NZ (Do Not Look @ the Moon)

Srimati Sita Thakurani (Advaita's consort) - Appearance - Avirbhav

Sri Lalita sasti

Sri Radhastami : Srimati Radharani's - Appearance (Fasting till noon - 22nd September in NZ)

Trisprsa Mahadvadasi (Fasting for Parsva Ekadasi) - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 25th September 2004 in NZ)

Sri Vamana Dvadasi - Appearance of Lord Vamandeva (The fast is observed till noon on the Ekadasi)(Feasting is done tomorrow.)

Srila Jiva Goswami - Appearance - Avirbhav

Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur - Appearance - Avirbhav Utsava
(The fast is observed till noon on the Mahadvadasi)(Feasting is done today)(see calendar for details)

Sri Ananta Caturdasi Vrata

Srila Hari Das Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava

Acceptance of sannyasa by Srila Prabhupada 1959 AD.

Srimad Bhagavatam Day

Third month of Chaturmasya begins (Fast from milk for one month.)

World Vegetarian Day ( 1st October every year)

Srila Prabhupada's arrival in the USA (6th Oct 2004)

Fasting for Indira Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 10th October 2004 in NZ)

14th October Partial Solar Eclipse (do not cook, eat, etc. Only Chant Hare Krishna)
see eclipses-page

Tula Sankranti (Sun enters Libra)

Sri Durga Puja

Sri Ramacandra Vijayotsava (Vijay Dasami)
Sripad Madhvacarya - Appearance

Fasting for Pasankusa Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 24th Oct 2004  in NZ)

Srila Raghunatha Das Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Srila Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sria Krsna Das Kaviraj Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Sri Krsna Saradiya Rasayatra
Sri Murari Gupta - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Laksmi Puja

Fourth month of Caturmasya (Karttika mase) begins. (Fast from urad dahl for one month.)

28th October - Total Lunar Eclipse (do not cook, eat, etc. Only Chant Hare Krishna)
see eclipses-page

Damodara Masa, (Karttika mase) begins

Srila Narottama Das Thakur - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Appearance of Radha Kunda prakat, snan dan
Sri Bahulastami

Sri Viracandra Prabhu - Appearance - Avirbhav

Fasting for Ramaa Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 9th November 2004  in NZ)

Sri Dipa dan, Dipavali, Diwali (Kalipuja) (Friday 12th Nov 2004)

Sri Govardhana Puja, Go Puja, Go krda (Worship of Govardhana Hill) (Saturday 13th Nov 2004 in NZ)
Sri Bali Daityaraja Puja

Sri Rasikananda - Appearance - Avirbhav

Sri Vasudeva Ghosa - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada - Disappearance - Tirubhav  (Fasting till noon) (Tues 16th Nov 2004 in NZ)

Vrscika Sankranti (Sun enters Scorpio)

Sri Gopastami, Gosthastami (20th November 2004 in NZ)
Sri Gadadhara Das Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Dhananjaya Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Srinivasa Acarya - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Jagaddhatri Puja

Srila Gaura Kishora das babaji - Disappearance - Tirubhav  (Fasting till noon)
Sri Bhisma Pancaka

Fasting for Utthana - Devotthani Ekadasi - (Fasting from Beans and Grains - 23rd November 2004  in NZ)

Sri Bhugarbha Goswami - Disappearance - Tirubhav
Sri Kasisvara Pandit - Disappearance - Tirubhav

Sri Krsna Rasayatra
Sri Tulasi-Saligram Vivaha (marriage)
Sripad Nimbarkacarya – Appearance - Avirbhav
Chaturmasya vrata ends.

This year's also now available for viewing:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2004-2005.html

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:
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Download yourVaishnava Calendar and make a hard copy for this
last year's ( 2003-2004 AD - 517 Gaurabda ) from our site:
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This coming year ( 2004-2005 AD - 518 Gaurabda ) from our site:
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar2004-2005.html

Vaishnava Calendar Program Vcal 4.01 FREE Download, and make your own Calendar for 2004-2005:
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or if you can't do that and you'd like a 2004-2005 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

MAKE YOUR OWN CALENDAR FOR YOUR LOCATION,
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Astrologically/Astronomically Accurate and FREE

Please download the software from:
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How to use the VCAL calendar program:
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mailto:jtcd@xtra.co.nz

Here's a few Vaishnava Calendar locations around the World friends asked for us to post !!

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Melbourne Temple F.O.L.K. News Daily Newsletter/diatrobe:
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Other Journals & KC Blogs:
Aniruddha's blog:
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Ekendra's Mrdanga
http://www.gopinatha.net/journalKC/index.php
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.
 
 

Srimad Bhagavad Gita AS IT IS

Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 1

Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra

                                 TEXT 9

                        anye ca bahavah sura
                        mad-arthe tyakta-jivitah
                         nana-sastra-praharanah
                         sarve yuddha-visaradah

   WORD FOR WORD
   anye--others; ca--also; bahavah--in great numbers; surah--heroes;
   mat-arthe--for my sake; tyakta-jivitah--prepared to risk life;
   nana--many; sastra--weapons; praharanah--equipped with; sarve--all
   of them; yuddha-visaradah--experienced in military science.

   TRANSLATION
   There are many other heroes who are prepared to lay down their
   lives for my sake. All of them are well equipped with different
   kinds of weapons, and all are experienced in military science.

   PURPORT by HDG Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada:
   As far as the others are concerned--like Jayadratha, Krtavarma and
   Salya--all are determined to lay down their lives for Duryodhana's
   sake. In other words, it is already concluded that all of them
   would die in the Battle of Kuruksetra for joining the party of the
   sinful Duryodhana. Duryodhana was, of course, confident of his
   victory on account of the above-mentioned combined strength of his
   friends.

Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with permission.

 - His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Bhagavad Gita As It Is - http://www.asitis.com/

View our Bhagavad Gita Overview:
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Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with permission.

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Prabhupada Uvacha:
(here's some nectar, sometimes it comes in the form of Srutakirti prabhu's diary, other times from Govinda dasi's diary, or sometimes from a letter, but still nectar...)

Look! You Have Broken the Floor!

In Hawaii, one woman disciple went in to see Srila Prabhupada and brought her one-year-old daughter with her. The temple president introduced her, telling how they were trying to arrange that this woman could earn money for her needs without unduly straining the temple's finances.
The woman said that she heard there was a job picking guavas available on the island. Prabhupada said no, a woman with a child should not take such strenuous labor. When she said that as an alternative she could distribute his books, Prabhupada smiled and approved, "Yes, do that."
While this talk was going on, the woman's young child began to play with papers on Prabhupada's desk.
"No," said Prabhupada, shaking his finger at the child.
The woman picked up her child and placed her beside her, but the little girl crawled forward and started to touch Prabhupada's feet.
"No!" the mother called out, and she began to drag her child away, but Prabhupada said, "My papers she should not touch, but my feet, that is all right. You must learn how to instruct the child properly."
Knowing that her time in the darsana was soon up, the mother tried to introduce a philosophical question to get some spiritual benefit from the rare opportunity of talking to Srila Prabhupada. She asked, "How do you become free from fear?" Prabhupada replied by giving the example of Prahlada Maharaja. For him, Prabhupada said, he saw everything as coming from Krsna, whether it was good or bad, whereas for the demon, there was only fear.
Prabhupada then drank water and held the cup out to the small child. By now, however, the child was getting tired and cranky. She refused the water and threw herself on the ground, hitting her head in a temper tantrum. Before she actually began to cry, Prabhupada interrupted her and said, "Look!" pointing to the floor. "You have broken the floor!" The child immediately got up, stopped crying, and looked at the floor. Then Prabhupada gestured that they should leave.

Bhavatarini-devi dasi, interview.

- From the Prabhupada Nectar by HH Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
 

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.

" Stool Is Sublime - Materialists "
Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 1.14
Hyderabad, April 7, 1975

Listen to the entire lecture on-line:
http://prabhupadavani.org/Caitanya_Caritamrta/RamFiles/CC13.ram

Pradyumna: "I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord Krsna, who is nondifferent from His features as a devotee, devotional incarnation, devotional manifestation, pure devotee, and devotional energy."

Prabhupada:

So Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, has five features. Krsna has five features. Krsna means these five features. What are those? Krsna, Krsna's manifestation, Krsna's incarnation, Krsna's different potencies, in this way. And Krsna, the source of devotional service, He is Krsna Caitanya, bhakta-saktikam. To advance in devotional service requires spiritual strength. It is not so easy thing. That spiritual strength is also Krsna, bhakta-saktikam. There is nothing except Krsna, ekam brahma dvitiya-nasti. So we have to understand Him especially in these five features for advancing in devotional service. Therefore His name is panca-tattvatmakam, with five features, krsnam, bhakta-rupa-svarupakam. Krsna is so kind upon us that... He is coming as He is. Krsna is original, and trying to convince us about the necessity of our life, or the goal of our life. Prayojana, prayojana: it is necessary. It is not optional -- compulsory. If you don't take to Krsna consciousness, then you will continue to suffer; therefore it is necessity. It is not that if you like, you can take it; if you don't like, you reject it. If you reject it, then you will suffer. And if you take it, then actually you will enjoy life.

So maya is very strong. Although it is necessary, maya is always dictating that it is not necessary. The real necessity is materialistic way of life, this is maya's dictation. Maya... We are now given a chance of maya's jurisdiction. So maya wants to punish us more and more, because we have forgotten Krsna. Great punishment.

Maya means to give sufficient punishment to the living entities who have forgotten Krsna and wants to enjoy material life independently. They are called conditioned soul. Bhutva bhutva praliyate [Bg. 8.19]. This conditioned life means we accept one type of body, we suffer sufficiently. It is simply suffering. There is no enjoyment. Where is enjoyment? To remain in the womb of the mother for ten months, is that enjoyment? Packed up in airtight bag? Just imagine, if you were put in airtight bag at the present moment, within three seconds you will die. You cannot live without air, even for three seconds. This is our position. And by maya's arrangement, we have to remain at least for ten months within the airtight bag, embryo, within the abdomen of our mother. So if we cannot live for even three seconds without air, how it was possible to remain in that airtight bag for ten months? That is also Krsna's mercy, to allow us to develop the body, so that coming out of the mother's womb we can live independently. To make us strong in the body. But the maya is so strong that even within that position, the mother is also killing the child. This is Kali-yuga...............continued

That in Varsana we are under Srimati Radharani's shelter, here is Her janma-lila. He mentioned how Srila Prabhupada was very reserved whenever he talked about Radharani - She is so special, all happiness expands in Her, and Krsna expands Himself in Her, She is the source of all fortune and the original angel. Krsna does not tolerate any offenses against Her. . .
    Saying this, let us remember the pastime about how Srimati Radharani appeared. She came just to serve Krsna. . . She wanted to make devotees for Him, just like Gadadhara Pandit (who is Her expansion), also came to make devotees for MahaPrabhu's.

When King Vrshabhanu offers his Beautiful, blind baby girl to Narada Muni for blessings, Narada Muni became overwhelmed in ecstasy, his hair stood on  end, tears were flowing  from his eyes, all his body was shivering. . .Narada Muni took that girl baby and put her on his lap. He started to think :'I have gone to all the places in the entire universe, no where I had found such a beautiful girl like this. NOWHERE!!
I am very fortunate.' Then he tells King Vrshabhanu that he is very very fortunate to have this baby girl as daughter. Wherever this girl is, this place resides the Goddess of Fortune. So your duty is just to take care of this baby and nothing else. Narada Muni prayed to Radharani with very pleasing prayers, having Her on his lap. He asked Her to give darshan of Her Youthful Kishori form. Radharani being very pleased appeared before him with all Her sakhis and told Narada Muni to meet Her in Kusum Sarovar. Accordingly Narada Muni got darshan of Srimati Radharani in Her Kishori Form which is very very pleasing, which attracts the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

 “Since so many Puranas already depict Krsna’s pastimes, it was not necessary to retell Lord Krsna’s pastimes in the SRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM.  What was the special reason for writing the SRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM?  The SRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM was written to introduce and describe the glories of the gopis; and especially to establish Srimati Radharani’s supremely elevated position as the most beloved of the Supreme Lord Krsna”. (SVMP)  According to Srila Visvanatha Cakravati Thakur, in the SRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM verse (10.83.42) the word “sriyah” refers to the supreme goddess of fortune, Srimati Radharani.”  “The transcendental goddess, Srimati Radharani is the direct counterpart of Lord Sri Krsna.  Radha is the central figure for all the goddesses of fortune.  Radharani possesses all attractiveness to attract the all-attractive Personality of Godhead.  Radharani is the internal potency of the Lord”. (BGT)

Sri Radha’s Gold and Flower Ornaments

 Srimati Radharani wears twelve different ornaments on Her transcendental form.  These ornaments which include Radha’s crown, earrings, belt, ankle-bells, finger and toe rings, armlets, and jewel necklaces that look like strings of stars are all fashioned from pure gold; they appear like myriad shining suns.  Sri Radha wears a locket containing a picture of Sri Krsna and a signet ring that is engraved with "Radha".  Radha’s Syamantaka jewel is also known as Sankhacuda-siromani” (Sankhacuda’s crest jewel).  Srimati Radhika’s ankle-bells stun Sri Krsna with their tinkling sounds.
 Besides jewels and gold, Radha wears a variety of flower crowns, necklaces, armlets, sashes, earrings, bracelets, anklets and blouses.  Radha taught Lalita-sakhi how to make these flower decorations, which Radharani prefers over the jeweled variety.  Srimati Radhika’s favorite crown is made from flowers and buds of five colours arranged in five points.  The gopis also artistically arrange flowers to create five different kinds of earrings; resembling objects like a peacock, lotus, shark or half-moon. (RKG)
 “The glaringly effulgent tiara’s shimmering halo; beautifully sports in all directs stretching to the horizon.  Glistening, sleek armlets, bracelets and necklaces refract a collective, flickering of jewel-like coronas.  Hip-spanning belt of softly tinkling bells.  Anklets charming musical chimes embellishing the majesty of Her divine lotus feet.  Oh, my dear mind! Just worship the effulgence known as ‘Radha’”. (RRS)

Srimati Radharani’s Clothing

 Wearing light-colored clothes during the full moon and dark colours in the moon’s absence, Sri Radha dresses to please Her beloved Krsna, and to facilitate Her nightly meetings with Her gallant lover, Sri Syamasundara.  Radha’s favourite outfit is a “Krsna-blue” sari and shawl matched with a pink blouse that delights Sri Krsna.
 “Radharani’s upper garment is red like a ruby, and it is the favourite of Lord Hari.  Radha’s lower garment is the color of a blue cloud, and it is Her favourite.” (RKG),  “Sri Krsna said to Sri Radha, ‘All glories to Your wonderful ruby-red silk sari.  O Radha, this sari has doubled the passionate love I bear for You in My heart’”. (UN)

Glorification of Srimati Radharani’s Indescribable Beauty

 Sri Krsna praised Srimati Radharani, ‘My dear Radha, Your curling locks of hair, long restless eyes, firm breasts, slender waist, shyly lowered head, creeper-like arms and jewel-like fingernails are all exquisitely beautiful.  The jubilant festival of Your beauty makes the three worlds tremble in transcendental bliss’”. (UN)
 “The beauty of Srimati Radharani’s eyes forcible devours the beauty of the newly grown blue lotus flower, and the beauty of Radha’s face surpasses that of an entire forest of fully blossomed lotuses.  Radha’s bodily luster seems to place even gold in a painful situation.  Thus the wonderful unprecedented beauty of Srimati Radharani is awakening in Vrndavana”. (Vidagdha-madhava)
 “Entwining this way and that with decorations of fresh forest flowers, and bound and tied up with jewel-threads; Adorned with jasmine garlands of exotic fragrance and hanging down very best of noble gemstones; Your hair style arranged by the hand of Hari, will I ever see it, Oh Radhe?
 “Teeth like rows of pearls and lovely lips like bimba berries; Thin waist, wide hips and a deep navel like a whirlpool of newer youth; This indescribable lover – the very heart of the cleverest maidens – May Radha protect us!
 “Oh moon-faced one! O doe-eyed one! O Goddess! Oh lovely-nosed one! O one with reddish lips! O sweet smiler! O Supreme Laksmi! O creeper-armed one! O lustrous one of conch shell-smooth neck! O one with plantain tree shaped thighs! Oh whose collection of lotus toenails brightly illuminates all directions! When, Oh Radhe, will You be worshipped by me?” (RRS)

 Among Radha’s innumerable transcendental attributes, She has twenty-five principal qualities.  1) Radharani is very sweet and most charming to look at;  2) Radha is adolescent and always freshly youthful;  3) Radhika’s eyes are doe-like and restless;  4) Sri Radha’s face is smiling and every blissful’  5) Auspicious, beautiful lines adorn Sri Radha’s lotus hands and feet;  6) Radharani maddens Krsna with Her fragrant bodily aroma;  7) Srimati Radharani is the most exceptional singer and vina player;  8) Radha’s words are charming and pleasing;  9) Radha is expert at telling jokes that delight Krnsa;  10) Srimati Radhika is exceptionally humble;  11) Radha is the embodiment of mercy and compassion;  12) Sri Radha’s intelligence and wit surpasses all;  13) Radharani is expert at performing all activities of love:  14) Shyness is the shining gem in Radha’s character’  15) Srimati Radharani is the beacon light of modesty and never swerves from the path of honesty;  16) radha is never perturbed by worldly sorrow or misery;  17) Sri radha has unbounded gravity and sublimity;  18) Radhika is ever fascinated to unite Herself with Krsna;  19) Radha possesses Mahabhava, the highest sentiments of love;  20) Radharani is the reservoir of loving affairs in Gokula;  21) Radha’s transcendental glories are shining in all the worlds;  22) Sri Radha is most affectionate to her superiors;  23) Radhika is submissive to the love of Her senior girlfriends;  24) Radharani is the chief among Krsna’s gopi lovers;  25) Radha always keeps Sri Krsna under Her control.  Krsna submissively obeys Radha’s command. (CS)
 “Srimati Radharani always keeps Her hand on the shoulders of Her friends and Radha always talks and thinks of the pastimes of Krsna.  Radharani forever offers Krsna a kind of intoxication by Her sweet talks.  Sri radha supplies all the demands of Sri Krsna, and Radharani possesses unique and uncommon qualities meant for Krsna’s satisfaction.  Srimati Radhika is able to fulfill all the desires of Krsna.  No one else can do so.  Radha is so expert in all affairs that the damsels of Vraja come to learn the arts from her”. (TLC Chap.31)

Prabhupada: So our request is... Everyone who is present here... Today is Rädhäñöamé. So pray to Rädhäräëé. And She is hare, harä. This hare, this word, is Rädhäräëé. Harä, Rädhäräëé. Rädhä or harä  the same thing. So Hare Kåñëa. So we are praying to Rädhäräëé, “My Mother, Rädhäräëé, and Kåñëa.” Hare Kåñëa. “O Kåñëa, O the Lord.” Hare Kåñëa Hare Kåñëa, the same thing, repetition. “O Rädhäräëé, O Kåñëa.” “O Rädhä-Kåñëa.” “Rädhe-Kåñëa” or “Hare Kåñëa,” the same thing. Hare Kåñëa Hare Kåñëa Kåñëa Kåñëa Hare Hare. Again addressing, “O Kåñëa, O Kåñëa, O Rädhäräëé.” Hare Räma. The same thing, again. Hare Räma. Räma is also Kåñëa. Räma is Räma, Räma is Balaräma. They are all Kåñëa. Hare Räma Hare Räma Räma Räma Hare Hare. So this repetition of addressing Rädhä and Kåñëa or Hare Kåñëa is to pray, “My dear Lord, the, and the energy, the spiritual energy of the Lord, kindly engage me in Your service.” That’s all. “I am now embarrassed with this material service. Please engage me in Your service.”
    This is good sense. We are servants here. We are engaged in so many services. But it is not giving us comfort. Na trapä nopaçänti. The service which we are rendering to others, they are not satisfied, I am not satisfied. This is material service. But if you give service to Kåñëa... Svalpam apy asya dharmasya träyate mahato bhayät. A little service can save you from the greatest danger. This is the formula.
    Just like Ajämila. Ajämila, in his boyhood, he was brähmaëa. He was giving service to Viñëu. But in young age he became a victim of a prostitute, and he fell down. But at the end, ante näräyaëa-småtiù, when Yamadüta was coming and were so fearful, he did not know whom to take shelter, but he was attached to his youngest son, whose name was Näräyaëa. So he thought, “This Näräyaëa would give me protection.” So he asked him, “Näräyaëa!” But at the same time he remembered that “That Näräyaëa, oh, hm, I sometimes gave service.” So immediately Näräyaëa saved him. Svalpam apy asya dharmasya träyate mahato bhayät.
    So it is our duty therefore... That is the duty of human life, to become Kåñëa conscious. And that is stated here. Véta-räga-bhaya-krodhä man-mayä mäm upäçritäù, bahavaù. It is not that one or two. Many. Jïäna-tapasä. Jïäna. That is required, knowledge and tapasya. That is human life. If, if we remain just like cats and dogs, eat, sleep and have sex life, beget children and die someday, this is cats’ and dogs’ life. This is not human life. Human life is different. Man-mayä mäm upäçritäù. Jïäna-tapasä pütä. To become purified by knowledge and tapasya. Tapo divyaà yena çuddhyet sattvam. That is the statement of Åñabhadeva. Everywhere. We have to purify our existence, and get out of this repetition of birth and death. That is success of life.
    So we shall pray to Rädhäräëé... What is Rädhäräëé? Rädhäräëé is the pleasure potency of Kåñëa. Pleasure potency. Paräsya çaktir vividhaiva çrüyate. The Supreme Lord has many potencies. Na tasya käryam karaëaà ca vidyate. Therefore He has nothing to do. He has got so many potencies. Just like big man, a rich man. He’s sitting. But his energies, his potencies, are working. Big, big factory. And he knows everything. Similarly, paräsya çaktir vividhaiva çrüyate. He has got many multi-potencies. One of them is this pleasure potency. Pleasure potency...

He also wants pleasure. So when Kåñëa wants... Kåñëa is Paraà Brahman. He cannot enjoy anything material. He has to create the source of enjoyment by His own spiritual potency. That is Rädhäräëé.
    So Rädhäräëé is described in the çästra: rädhä-kåñëa-praëaya-vikåtir hlädiné-çaktir asmäd. That is Kåñëa’s hlädiné-çakti. She gives pleasure to Kåñëa. So She is very kind. And today is Rädhäñöamé. If we pray to Çrématé Rädhäräëé... Therefore in Våndävana you’ll see. They are first of all glorifying, “Jaya Rädhe!” Everywhere you’ll hear. “Jaya Rädhe.”

Guest: Jaya Rädhe.

Prabhupäda: To glorify Çrématé Rädhäräëé. So if Rädhäräëé’s pleased, he’ll be able to approach Kåñëa very easily. And that is the goal of our life. That is the goal of life. Véta-räga-bhaya-krodhä man-mayä mäm upäçritäù. Mäm upäçritäù means you have to take... You cannot take shelter of Kåñëa directly. You have to take shelter of His potency.
Kåñëa is therefore trying to help us. Guru-kåñëa-kåpäya päya bhakti-latä-béja. He is within. He is called caitya-guru. If you are purified... Kåñëa... Buddhi-yogaà dadämi tam. He’ll directly speak you. And so long you cannot, then He sends His representative, the spiritual master, the guru. You can ask through the spiritual master about Kåñëa. Yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädaù.
So in this way we have to be absorbed in the thought of Kåñëa. We have to take shelter of Kåñëa. Then... If you take shelter of Kåñëa, this jïäna...

väsudeve bhagavati
bhakti-yogaù prayojitaù
janayaty äçu vairägyaà
jïänaà ca yad ahaitukam

The same thing. Kåñëa will speak. Kåñëa is within you. Simply you have to take shelter of Kåñëa, always thinking of Kåñëa, chant Hare Kåñëa Hare Kåñëa Kåñëa Kåñëa Hare Hare, Hare Räma Hare Räma...
Guests: Hare Räma Räma Räma Hare Hare.
Prabhupäda: Thank you very much. That’s all. (end)(A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 23rd September 1974. BG 4:10. class. Srimati Radharani's Appearance day lecture excerpt. Calcutta.)

dämodara-rati-vardhana-veçe
hari-niñkuta-våndä-vipineçe

våñabhänudadhi-nava-çaçi-lekhe
lalitä-sakhé guëa-ramita-viçäkhe

karuëäà kuru mayi karuëä-bharite
sanaka-sanätana-varëita-carite
rädhe jaya jaya mädhava-dayite

This song was sung by Rüpa Gosvämé. He is the real person, actual person, to understand Rädhä and Kåñëa. So he says, “All glories to Rädhäräëé.” Rädhe jaya jaya mädhava-dayite. “She’s so dear to Kåñëa.” Kåñëa, everyone is trying to love Kåñëa, but Kåñëa is trying to love somebody. Now how great She is. Just try to understand. Everyone, the whole world, the whole universe, all living entities, they are trying to love Kåñëa. Kåñëa-prema. Lord Caitanya describes, prema-pumärtho mahän. And Rüpa Gosvämé described that “You are distributing kåñëa-prema.” So kåñëa-prema is so valuable, but Kåñëa is after Rädhäräëé. Just see how Rädhäräëé is great. Just try to understand the greatness of Rädhäräëé. Therefore She is so great, and we have to offer our respect. Rädhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite. How She is? Gokula-taruëé-maëòala-mahite. Taruëé, taruëé means young girls. You’ll see the pictures, they are all young girls. But of all the young girls, She is the most beautiful. She is enchanting to the young girls also. She is so beautiful. Gokula-taruëé-maëòala-mahite. Dämodara-rati-vardhana-veçe. And She always dresses Her so nicely that Dämodara, Kåñëa, becomes attracted by Her beauty. Hari-niñkuta-våndä-vipineçe. And She is the only lovable object of Kåñëa, and She is the queen of Våndävana. This queen of Våndävana... You’ll find in Våndävana, if you go to Våndävana, everyone is worshiping Rädhäräëé. Räëé means queen. They are always speaking, “Jaya Rädhe!” Rädhäräëé. All the devotees in Våndävana, they are worshiper of Rädhäräëé. Hari-niñkuta-våndä-vipineçe. Våñabhänudadhi-nava-çaçi-lekhe. And She appeared as the daughter of King Våñabhänu, and Her companion, Lalitä-sakhé and Viçäkha-sakhé, and the devotees... So on behalf of the pure devotees of Kåñëa, Rüpa Gosvämé is praying, karuëäà kuru mayi karuëä-bharite. “Oh, my worshipable Rädhäräëé, You are full of mercy. So I am begging of Your mercy because You are so merciful, very easily You offer, bestow Your mercy. So I am begging Your mercy.” Karuëäà kuru mayi karuëä-bharite, sanaka-sanätana-varëita-carite. Now somebody may say, “Oh, you are so great, learned scholar, you are so great saintly person, and you are begging mercy from an ordinary girl? How is that?” Therefore Rüpa Gosvämé says, “Oh, this is not ordinary girl.” Sanaka-sanätana-varëita-carite. “This girl’s description is possible to be made by great saintly persons like Sanaka-Sanätana. She is not ordinary.”
    So the lesson is that we should not treat Rädhäräëé as ordinary girl, or Kåñëa as ordinary man. They are the Supreme Absolute Truth. But in the Absolute Truth, there is the pleasure potency, and that is exhibited in the dealings of Rädhä and Kåñëa. And Rädhä’s expansion all the gopés, and Kåñëa is the Supreme Lord.
    Thank you very much. Chant Hare Kåñëa. You can chant? Can you chant? Janärdana? All right, you can chant. What is that? No, I have explained that one çloka from this Räma-carita-manasa. Chant Hare Kåñëa. (end) (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 30th August 1968. Srimati Radharani's Appearance Day. Montreal.)

SRI RADHAKUNDASTAKA - Eight Prayers Glorifying Radhakunda

SRI RADHIKASTAKA - Eight prayers Glorifying Sri Radhika

"I constantly remember Shrimati Radharani`s foot dust which is a fragrant transcendental powder possessed of unlimited potency, able to immediately subdue the Supreme being, Shri Krishna Who is not so easily seen even by great devotee-leaders like Brahma, Shiva, Shukadeva, Narada and Bhishma."

gaurange mradima smite madhurima netrancale draghima
vakshoje garima tathaiva tanima madhye gatau mandima
shroNyam ca prathima bhruvoh kutilima bimbadhare shoNima
shri radhe hridi te rasena jadima dhyane'stu me gocarah

"O Sri Radhe! May the softness of Your transcendental golden body, the sweetness of Your smile, the wideness of Your eyes, the abundance of your bosom, the slimness of Your waist, the lightness of your gait, the wideness of Your hips, the crookedness of Your eyebrows, the redness of Your cherry-lips and the numbness of Your heart saturated with aesthetic loving sentiments, be present in my meditation."

"Although Krishna is the pleasure giving like cooling moon for all the inhabitants of Vraja, still Srimati Radharani is the resting place for all of His senses which She completely maddens with the two syllables of Her name Radha.”

"May the two strikingly wonderful syllables "Ra-dha”, that immediately attracts the Lord of Gokula (Krishna) when they are pronounced even once, that reveals the insignificance of all human pursuits (other than bhakti sadhana and prema) when there is love for Them, that are included in the mantra-formula repeated with great love by Lord Madhava (Vishnu) and even by Sri Krishna himself, appear in my heart !”

"May the surprisingly fine, bliss giving, spiritually tastfull, endowed with the flavour of absolute transcendental shringara-love, wish fulfilling and charming two syllables of Radha’s name, which represent the highest supreme cognition and are muttered by Sri Hari (Krishna) who like a great yogi sits in a bower’s temple on the bank of the Yamuna, meditating on the effulgence of Shri Radha’s lotusfeet with streaming tears of love, be always revealed in my heart !

"The divine ambrosial transcendental name of Sri Radha, that remains difficult to utter by the demigods, the devotees in general, the liberated souls and Krishna’s friends, is even repeated and described with love by Hari (Krishna). He listens this name of Radha being sung to him by the sakhis and also chants it congegationally with them in ecstasy. This name of Radha that consists of the greatest spiritual love, gusto and bliss, is my very life.”

"If one can simply get into the habit of daily chanting only the holy name of Radha, millions of best spiritual practises (exept the different limbs of bhakti sadhana) will be naturally depreciated and given up. Millions of greatest human goals of life just worship the transcendental nectar of Sri Radha ‘s lotusfeet, and are thus of no interest for those worshipping Them. There are Millions of wishyielding trees in Sri Radha’s playground (Vraja) which is always decorated by Her foot marks, and millions of wonderfull mystic perfections roll at the feet of Sri Radha’s manjaris, but are simply uncared for by them.”

"O Sri Radhe! Madhupati (Krishna) doesn’t take into consideration the innumerabile offenses commited to Saints by anyone who relished even once the sweetness of repeating your delicious holy name, but rather considers, overwhelmed with great ecstatic love, to bestow the highest gift of Your personal service to such a person. Then how can we ever think to understand the greatness of someone whose mind always dwells on Your service.”

"Glory, glory to the holy name of Radha, that permanently dwells everywhere in Vrindavana, and that is the ocean of Krishna’s blissful transcendental pastimes. Due to my bad luck I didn’t hear the glorification of such a Radha.”

"O brother ! (Sister !) By singing Krishna’s name you will reach Radhika’s lotus feet, and by singing Radha’s name you will reach Krishna-chandra. Now that I have told you this in brief, follow this advice and you will be relieved of your mental ditress.

"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

38 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

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

Listen to or Download for FREE numerous other classes on all kinds of inspiring topics by
advanced devotees in the Krishna Consciousness Movement:

http://www.harekrishna.org.au/speakers/

Listen to Krishna Radio on various subjects on-line:
http://www.krishna.com/newsite/main.php?id=260

Watch Krishna Conscious Devotional and Educational Videos
http://www.harekrishna.org.au/video.htm

Watch for FREE
Life After Life (A Metamorphisis)
Mysteries of the Sacred Universe
Vegetarianism
Madhvacarya meets with Srila Vyasadeva
Kurukshetra: Land of the Bhagavad-Gita
Are you a Carnivore?
Meet Your Meat (Warning! Very Graphic)
Near Death Experience
..............and much more.
http://www.harekrishna.org.au/video.htm

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

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

.........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

“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.)

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

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...

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http://www.mail.com
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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

updated 21st February 2004

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

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.......

Nectar for kids and adults alike:
http://www.rasa-music.com/Bodies/body-shop.html

...........more Audio sites linked HERE

Articles of Interest

Scientists Confirm Benefits of Turmeric Against Leukemia,  Alzheimer's and Other Diseases
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5983_998910,00430005.htm

LONDON, ENGLAND, September 10, 2004: The growing popularity of Indian food is evident from the increasing number of Indian restaurants opening up across the UK. But it is not merely the lure of the palate that ensures the success of the cuisine, now health benefits will add to the charm of a well-cooked dish. Scientists have found that spicy food could protect the body against damage that leads to cancers, in particular leukemia. Most children in India grow up with the knowledge of the benefits of turmeric, but on Thursday, a childhood leukemia conference in London was told that the root that gives yellow color to Indian dishes is an antioxidant which can protect against environmental chemicals that damage DNA. Scientists now increasingly believe that lower rates of leukemia in Asia may be due to the difference in diet. Turmeric is also said to slow the rate of diseases such as Alzheimer's and to possess anti-inflammatory properties that could help with Crohn's Disease. Speaking at the conference, Professor Moolky Nagabhushan, of Loyola University Medical Centre in Chicago, said turmeric blocks some of the harmful effects of cigarette smoke, protects against chromosome damage and prevents dangerous chemicals forming after eating processed food. It has been seen that curcumin, the compound that gives turmeric its yellow color, stops leukemia cells multiplying. He said: "Our studies show that turmeric - and curcumin - in the diet mitigate the effects of some of these risk factors." Ken Campbell, of the Leukaemia Research Fund, said leukemia was rare in people of Asian descent. He said: "This suggests that lower rates of childhood leukemia in India, China and Japan may, at least in part, be due to differences in genetically determined susceptibility."

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

Janmashtami Celebrated at England's House of Commons
Jay Lakhani, Vivekananda Centre, London

LONDON, ENGLAND, September 8, 2004: Today we were invited to a special Janmashtami celebration at the House of Commons promoted by Tony McNulty a Member of Parliament and sponsored by NV Lakhani foundation. The guest speakers included the deputy prime minister, cabinet ministers, and a host of other Members of Parliament as well as Ken Livingston the Mayor of London. The unique feature about this gathering was the fact that the parliamentarians thanked the Hindu community for taking Janmashtami celebrations into the House of Commons thus infusing a spiritual message into the politics of UK. It was wonderful to hear the Members of Parliament commending the role of the Hindu community in the United Kingdom and suggesting that such celebrations should be a yearly event. What we are seeing is a serious shift of emphasis in the UK of not just tolerating other religions but 'accepting other religions' as equally valid. We were very impressed by what we saw and heard.

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

Special Darshan in Vrindavan

The day after Balaram Purnima in Vrindavan there are very special darshans in the Saptadevalay (Seven Goswami Temples). Padmanabha Goswami of Radharaman Temple explained to me that the last few days Jhulan Yatra has been going on and Radha and Krishna have been swinging in the cool rainy season breezes and are in a funny mood, so the Divine Couple manifests all these funny Darshans the day after Purnima.

We took all the devotees on kirtan procession to all the Saptadevalay. First we came to Madan Mohan Mandir where the darshan was Radharani Rai, Radharani as a King. After dancing in Rasa Lila, the gopis and Krishna were tired and they took rest in a grove of Kadamba trees. When He awoke, Krishna could not find his flute or mukut (crown). Lalita and Visakha told Him, "Kanha, we will only give them back when you become the darwan (guard) of our King." So here we see Radharani standing high dressed as a king and we get the merciful darshan of her divine padaravinda, two lotus feet. At her feet are Krishna's mukut and flute. Madan Mohan is standing down below and instead of flute, he is holding a silver sword and shield as the darwan of Radharani Rai!

Then we proceeded to Damodar temple to see the darshan of Shyam Sakhi. In order to get close to Srimati Radharani who is upset with Him, Damodara has dressed as a Kinnari holding a beautiful gold and silver vina. The sakhis then ask the Kinnari what is her name and if she can sing a song to cheer up Srimati Radhika. "She" says Her name is Shyam Sakhi, since "She's" blackish and sings a song that plunges the gopis into ectatic bliss. To reward Shyam Sakhi, Radharani is about to give her the jewel locket from Her own neck. Lalita notices that this "sakhi" is bent in three ways and points it out to Sri Radha. But seeing her beloved dressed up this funny way, She can no longer maintain her anger. Tonight even Krishna Chandra, Madhava, and Chalchikan have joined the fun and are also dressed as sakhis with even pots of yogurt on Their heads!

We came next to Radha Shyamsundar Mandir, where Nauka Bihar (boating) pastime is taking place. They placed a beautifully decorated boat in front of the altar and brought the small Deities of Radha Shyamsundar of Shyamananda Prabhu forward and raised them up like They are sitting in the boat. Many other sakhis have joined them and are manning the silver oars. The large Radha Shyamsundar Deities of Baladeva Vidyabhusana are presiding from behind. Even they have made a small pool of water in front of the boat.

Chanting through Loi Bazaar and around Nidhivan, we arrived at Radharaman Mandir. As there is no Radharani Deity here, there is no special darshan, but then Radharaman darshan is always special. Radharaman is the self-manifested Deity of Gopala Bhatta Goswami and this night He is outside the temple chamber on a beautiful silver singhasana and we were able to very nicely observe His divine features while a traditional kirtan party was singing sweet bhajans on the platform in the rear of the temple.

From there we went nearby to Radha Gokulananda Mandir. On the way there is a small Sad Bhuja Mahaprabhu Deity. We enter and found to our surprise that Mahaprabhu is dressed up as Radharani! We know that Radha bhava dyuti sulalitam, Mahaprabhu has taken the bhava and luster of Radharani, but tonight, that bhava has burst out.

At Gokulananda Mandir the darshan is Raval Rai. Raval is the birthplace of Radharani just near Gokula, so here again She is dressed as a king and She is on a throne and have placed some extra feet coming out from under Her sari in such a way that She is sitting. They have used the large Deities of Radha Vijay Govinda of Baladeva Vidyabhusana for this darshan. Govinda's flute and mukut are resting at Radharani's lotus feet and Govinda is standing below with His silver sword and shield as the darwan of Radharani.

Going back past Radharaman Mandir, we chanted our way to Radha Gopinatha Mandir. Here the darshan is Van Bihar, forest pastimes in the night. The whole altar is covered with greenery with parrots, monkeys, and fruits. There are extra gopis and gopas besides the Deity of Ananga Manjari who traditionally presides here with Radha Gopinatha. After Nrsinga Caturdasi, there is Purnima and then two days after that, on the dwitiya day, all the Brijbasis do a Vrindavan Parikrama at night known as Van Bihar Parikrama. Here a small kirtan party sitting to one side, is sweetly serenading Radha Gopinatha in the forest.
 

Then there was a fired up Parikram through Gopinatha Bazaar on the way to Radha Govinda Mandir. But first we stop at Mahaprabhu Mandir, where there is an astonishing seven-foot Deity of Mahaprabhu known as Amiya Nimai. Here again, the Radha Bhava as burst forth and Mahaprabhu is dressed like Srimati Radharani. Seeing this wonderful display, the kirtan became very ecstatic with devotees dancing like firebrands. Suddenly as we went up to the upper darshan mandap to get a closer view, a small harmless snake appeared and frightened everyone. All the devotees jumped and all the video cameras focused in on him as he tried to hide behind some pillar.

Finally going around the back side of the stately dark red carved sandstone temple of Govinda Deva, we reached new Govinda Deva Mandir. All the devotees were amazed to see the incredible Subal Vesha Darshan. Krishna wanted to meet Radharani, but she was in Javat with her mother-in-law Jatila. On some pretext, Subal sent Jatila and Kutila to the forest to look for his calf. Since his features are very similar to Radhika, they exchanged dresses and She dressed up as Subal. But certain female features were still quite obvious. Subal said that there's no problem, I told everyone that I was looking for my calf, so just hold this calf on your chest and no one will notice. So here we see Radhika dressed as Subal with Her dhoti between Her legs and we also get darshan of Her supremely Divine Padaravinda! She is holding a beautiful white calf on Her chest.

We have arrived just in time for aratka so we have a very enthusiastic kirtan of Govinda Jaya Jaya Gopala Jaya Jaya. Before the temple closes for the evening, we had a boisterous kirtan in the sunken courtyard of the temple with all the visitors joining in. Then we all left and by Krishna's grace, we found just enough tongas (horsecarts) to take everyone back to Krishna Balaram Mandir doing kirtan along the way.

In service of Sri Sri Krishna Balaram,
Deena Bandhu dasa

If you'd like to receive similar messages like this on a regular basis subscribe to HH Bhakti Visrambha Madhava maharaj's list HERE mailto:Bhakti.Visrambha.Madhava.Swami@pamho.net

80% of the Rakhis in India are made by Muslim artisans
http://www.nri-worldwide.com/cgi-local/ts.pl?action=fetch&area=happensonlyinindia

When Hindu women tie 'rakhis' on the wrists of their brothers on the joyous occasion of Raksha Bandhan (Aug 29), they would do well to remember the toil and tears of hundreds of down-and-out Muslim women of Ahmedabad who create these wonderful wristbands. Few know that 80 per cent of these decorative cords used all over India are designed by Mulsims living in Millat Nagar, a sardined shanty town on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

Traders in Gujarat from all over the country strike a hard bargain with these hapless women living in the 1,200-odd ramshackle dwellings in the slum, to buy the beautiful bands at throwaway prices.

Rakhi-making is a year-round home trade for Millat Nagar residents who work for hours on end in their dim-lit houses, churning out hundreds of eye-catching products using plastics, cotton, sponge, fibre, silk, artificial pearls and other gingerbread materials.

The nimble-fingered designers include not only young, unlettered Muslim girls but also grey-haired grannies.

The hard-working women are paid only Rs.10 (US$ 0.22) for 12 dozen 'rakhis' which are then sold at ten-fold prices in retail.

Report dated August 28, 2004

Protestant Christian Ministers Uneducated in Other Faiths
Religion News Service

USA, September 1, 2004:   (RNS) Most Protestant ministers expressed  little familiarity with the key beliefs of a number of non-Protestant  religious groups, a survey has found. The findings by Ellison Research,  a marketing research company in Phoenix, were first reported in the  September/October edition of Facts & Trends, a magazine published by  LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. More  than half were familiar with related faiths, such as Catholicism and  Judaism, but just 28 percent with Buddhism, 27 percent with Hinduism  and a scant 5 percent with Sikhism The survey was based on a sample of  700 Protestant minsters in 50 states.

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

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 World on Vedic History
http://www.hknet.org.nz/MotiveBritishRajMissionaries.html

http://www.be-free.org/b-media/market-bfree03/cinema.php

As the lady handed it to them,; suddenly the tea-cup spoke, "You don't understand." It said, "I have not always been a tea-cup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me, pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, "Don't  do  that." "I don't like  it!" "Let  me  alone," but he only smiled, and gently said; "Not yet!!"

Then. WHAM!  I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. "Stop it !  I'm getting so  dizzy!  I'm going to be sick!",  I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly;  'Not yet.'   He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then......

Then he put me in the oven.  I never felt such heat.  I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. " Help! Get me out of here!" I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, 'Not yet'.

"When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened.  He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool.  Oh, that felt so good!  "Ah, this is much better," I thought.

But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over.  The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Oh, please; Stop it, Stop it!!' I cried. He only shook his head and said. 'Not yet!'.

Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven.   Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate.  I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried.   I was convinced I would never make it.  I was ready to give up.  Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering "What's he going to do to me next?"

An hour later he handed me a mirror and said 'Look at yourself.' And I did.

I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me.  It's beautiful.  I'm beautiful!"'

Quietly he spoke: "I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up.

I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled.

I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked.

I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened.  You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held.

Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you."

The moral of this story is this:

God knows what He's doing [ for each of us ]. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mould us and make us, and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will.

So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control;  when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this....  Brew a cup of of your favorite tea in your prettiest tea cup,  sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter.

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

---

Seeing is believing...

Cheapest and best web-hosting - click on the banner above

Starting at 1Gb or 2 Gb space for one or two years @ just US$7.50 per month

Transcendental Visions Videos
Two new items being offered by Prananath prabhu in CHCH

Auckland Temple Opening Video & DVD
Puspa Samadhi Festival of HH Tamal Krsna Goswami - Double DVD only

see covers below

WWW.NECTARBOOKS.COM

Dear Prabhus,

  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....

HH Bir-Krishna Goswami's site
http://www.bkgoswami.com/

HH Devamrita Swami
http://www.devaswami.net/home.htm

HH Gopal Krishna Goswami:
http://www.geocities.com/gopalkrsna/

HH Indradyumna Swami
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

HG Prithu Prabhu:
http://iskconworldwide.com/pda/

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)
http://www.jollyswami.net/home.php

HH Suhotra Swami
http://www.use.cz/ss-archives/index.htm
http://www.in2-mec.com/
This takes the surfer to the startpage where they can see the cool animation.

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

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

.....is now open

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

Hare KrishnaSchool & Playgroup

Krishna Conscious education for children

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.

We also run a preschool program for children 3 and up.

A school bus service provides transport from Auckland suburbs.

For enrolment information please contact:- HKSchool@xtra.co.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
 

Balgopal Krishna Conscious Preschool in Henderson Auckland prepares children for school with a nurturing academic and character development program founded on Krishna consciousness.

 For details please contact-

Vishnupadi dasi Ph.836-1214

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

mailto:touchstone@clear.net.nz (for Trivikram prabhu)

Vegetarian Clubs
Waikato University - Hamilton campus

2 days per week serving about 100 plates each day.

for more information contact Mangala Vaishnava dasa
mailto:bhaktamark@hotmail.com

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

Food For Life - Auckland
Monday to Friday  11:00am to 8:00pm
Saturday  11:00am to 3:00pm

Catering for students, shoppers, office workers, and the needy - all will find full satisfaction for the body, mind and soul.

Saturday Evenings at “Food for Life” from 4.00pm to 6.00pm.
Come along to join in an evening of Chanting,
Philosophy and a Vegetarian Dinner.

On alternate Monday nights H.H. Mukunda Goswami will be present to speak and answer your questions.

Phone Food for Life, 268 Karangahape Road (K-rd), Auckland, for more information, (09) 300 7585

Higher Taste
Amazing Vegetarian Cuisine At Down to Earth Prices!

Salads
Organic Fruit Juices
Delicious Curries
$ 5.95
$ 7.95
$ 9.95

Hare Krishna Higher Taste Restaurant
Level 1 Will Bank Court 57 Willis St Wellington

 Phone: 0-4-472 2233
mailto:jagjeevandas.mvgm@paradise.net.nz

New CD of Bhaktivinoda Thakur bhajans

by Ashok Krishna das and Syamabiharini dasi

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]

"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 )

 
 
 

Prasadam Recipes

World Vegetarian Day 1st October each year

World Vegetarian Awareness Month - October

http://www.hknet.org.nz/VegeWVD.html

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

http://www.hknet.org.nz/Calendar-glossary.htm#Chaturmasya
 

Bengal Royal Rice
Preparation and cooking time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 persons (or two Bengalis)

Ingredients:
1 ½ Cups Basmati rice, white or brown
1/2 tsp Saffron threads
3 Cups Purified water
2 tsp Sea salt
3 tsp Nutmeg
1/3 Cup Ghee (clarified butter)
1/4 Cup Cashew bits, or halves
1/4 Cup Almonds, slivered
3 Tbsp Raisins
1 tsp Fennel seeds
1 Cinnamon stick
1 tsp Cumin seeds
6 Pods, Cardamom, bruised
6 Whole Cloves
1 tsp. Black pepper
1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. Asafetida, (a spice similar in flavour to onions and garlic), can be found in most natural food stores.
2 Tbsp Coconut, shredded
1/3 Cup Green peas, frozen
1/4 Cup Raw sugar

Method:
 1.Wash, drain, and dry the rice.
 2.Boil the water, salt, saffron and nutmeg in a 2-quart saucepan over a moderate heat. Keep it covered to avoid evaporation.
 3.Heat 2 tablespoons of the ghee in a 4-quart saucepan over moderate heat. Add the cashews and almonds and toast. Remove with a slotted spoon and add the raisins for a couple of seconds  until they swell. Remove and place them in a bowl with the cashews and almonds.
 4.Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in same pan. Sauté the rice for 2 to 3 minutes over moderate heat; then add the boiling water. Stir, raise the heat, and bring the water to a full boil. Immediately reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight fitting lid, and gently simmer, without stirring, for 15 to 20 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender and flaky.
  5.Remove the rice from the heat, leaving the lid on for another 5 minutes to allow the rice to become firm.
 6.Place the remaining ghee in a heavy pan over moderate heat.
    Stir-fry the fennel seeds, cinnamon stick, cumin seeds, cardamom pods and whole cloves for 1 minute. Add the black pepper, cayenne, asafetida, and dried or fresh coconut. Sauté for 1 minute and then add the peas, sugar, nuts and raisins. Remove from the heat.
 7.Carefully combine the cooked rice with all the other ingredients.
          Serve in a beautiful bowl befitting this beautiful rice.

Cauliflower and Potato Supreme (Gobi Alu Bhaji)
For best results with this North Indian favourite, use pure ghee as the frying medium. Serve this rich vegetable dish for special occasions.

PREPARATION AND COOKING TIME: 35 minutes
YIELD: enough for 5 or 6 persons
Ingredients:
2 large baking potatoes peeled and cut into 21/2 cm (1-inch) cubes
ghee or oil for deep frying
1 medium cauliflower cut into flowerets
1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) ginger powder
1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) turmeric
1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
1 cup (250 ml) plain yogurt or sour cream at room temperature
1 tablespoon (20 ml) chopped fresh coriander or parsley

1. Rinse the potato cubes in cold water. Drain and pat them dry.
2. Place enough ghee in a deep wok or pan that will well-cover the quantity of potatoes. Heat the ghee to 190°C/375°F. Fry the potatoes until golden brown (8 - 10 minutes). (You might need to fry in 2 batches). Remove and drain the potatoes. Deep-fry the cauliflowers until they're cooked but slightly firm. Remove and drain them.
3. When all the vegetables are deep-fried, drained, and still warm, place them in a large bowl, add the spices, salt, and yogurt or sour cream. Add the fresh herbs and serve immediately. If not serving immediately, when you are ready to serve, warm the spiced vegetables in a low-heat oven and add the yogurt or sour cream.

Great Vegetarian Dishes - Kurma Cookbook 1
 

SabudaniThali-Peet (Tapioca thali-peet)

Ingredients:
     2 cups of soaked tapioca(sabudani)
     1 cup of Peanut powder
     1/4 cup of cooked mashed potatoes
     2 to 3 Green chillies
     1 tsp of Cumin seeds
     1 tbsp of chopped cilantro
     a pinch of hing
     salt to taste

Preparation:
Mix the above ingredients in a mixing bowl with 1 tbsp of oil.Make a dough(like Chapati dough) and it will be sticky.

Heat the pan(tava)on the stove top. Take the ball size tapioca mix and pat it to a size of a thali on the tava. It shoudn't be thin nor thick. Pat it evenly. Make 4 to 5 holes in the thalipeet and put a drop of oil in each of the hole. After 5-8 min flip it over for a min or so. Then transfer it to a serving dish.

Paneer Tikkis

The ever popular paneer tikki, made richer with dry fruit stuffing and spiced with green chillies.

Cooking Time :  10 min.
Preparation Time :  10 min.
Serves/Makes :  Makes 20 tikkis.

Ingredients
400 grams paneer mashed
2 tablespoons chopped coriander
2  green chillies, finely chopped
2 pinches sugar
2 tablespoons cornflour
1 teaspoon chopped cashewnuts
2 teaspoons raisins, chopped
oil for shallow frying
salt to taste

Method

Mash the paneer thoroughly.
Add the coriander, green chillies, sugar, cornflour and salt and mix very well.
Mix the cashewnuts and raisins.
Shape the paneer mixture into small balls. Press a little in the centre of each ball, fill some cashewnut- raisin mixture and close.
Roll the tikkis in some cornflour.
Shallow fry in oil in a tava.

Serve hot with mint chutney.(or hot Radha red chutney)

Recipe Source
Tava Cooking by Tarla Dalal http://www.tarladalal.com

'Radha Red’ Plum Chutney
This is a version of the famous "Radha Red" plum chutney that has been a favourite at many Hare Krishna multi-course feasts throughout Australia for decades. It features the subtle and exotic flavour of pure camphor, sometimes available at Chinese and Indian grocery stores. The plums should, if possible, be the Damson variety or the red plums referred to as a "blood plums".

PREPARATION TIME: about 1 hour
YIELD: about 3 cups (750 ml)

Ingredients:
1.4 kg (3 pounds) ripe red plums,
pitted and cut into eighths
a pinch of raw camphor crystals
2 cups (500 ) sugar
3 tablespoons (60 ml) finely shredded
fresh coconut
4 tablespoons (80 ml) butter
11/2 teaspoons (7 ml) ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) powdered cardamom seeds

1. Heat the butter over low heat in heavy 5-litre/quart saucepan until it froths. Add the coriander, cardamom, and coconut, saute for one minute, and add the plums. Raise the heat and bring the chutney to a boil; then reduce the heat and simmer covered for about 15 minutes or until the plums lose their shape.
2. Add the sugar and continue to simmer uncovered for another 40 - 45 minutes or until the chutney is fairly thick and glazed, stirring occasionally. Add the camphor crystals and mix well.
Serve at room temperature or refrigerate covered for up to 4 days.

Great Vegetarian Dishes - Kurma Cookbook1

Nippattu

Ingredients
     1 cup of rice flour
     1/4 cup of maida
     2 tbsps of soaked chana dal
     2 tsps of chilli powder
     1 tbsp of freshly grated ginger
     salt to taste
     a pinch of hing

Preparation
Mix all the above ingredients except chana dal and make a dough. Heat the oil in a frying pan on a medium setting. Take a small ball of dough on a greased sheet of aluminum foil. press the ball gently and take 5 to 6 chana dal and place it on the dough patti. Now pat it gently. Now, gingerly flip the foil and transfer the patti in the oil. Deep fry it and remove them as they turn to a brown color.

RADHABALLABHA KACHORIS
Ingredients:
ghee for deep frying
cayenne pepper
1 cup of cleaned, split urad dahl
asafoetida
2 cups white flour
salt
2 T. freshly ground anise seed
butter or ghee solids

Wash urad dahl thoroughly. Soak in water overnight. Drain, leaving a tiny bit of water. In a blender, grind urad dahl until it is a smooth paste, adding a little more water if necessary. The paste should be very thick. Set aside.
Add anise seed to paste. Using white flour, butter or ghee solids and water, make a soft dough, like puri dough. (Not wet.) Let the dough sit for one hour under a dampened cloth. Meanwhile prepare three very small bowls in the following manner:

1.      Put in a mixture of 1 T. water and 1/2 t. asafoetida.
2.      Put plain salt in the second.
3.      Put cayenne pepper in the third.

Pinch off balls of dough one inch in diameter. Roll them out into circles of 21/2" in diameter. Pinch off a ball of kachori paste about one inch in diameter; dip into each of bowls in succession, and place in the center of the circle of kachori dough. Gather up the dough around the paste as you would gather a paper bag. Make sure all the urad dahl is covered, and seal the top edge very well using a little water. Flatten the sealed kachori with a rolling pin, and then roll gently as you would a puri or chapati.

Be very careful not to break the surfaces. If necessary, pat them out by hand. Deep-fry the kachori in fairly hot ghee as you would a puri. Stand up kachoris on paper toweling to drain. Before offering them, refry very quickly, but do not brown.

This preparation is one of Srimati Radharani's favorites and is always prepared for Her appearance day. There is nothing in the material world to compare with the flavor of Radhaballabha Kachoris.

Rajasthani Spicy Dal-Stuffed Bread
(Urad Dal Poori)
These spicy, fried breads called Urad Dal Pooris (and sometimes called Urad Dal Kachoris) are a popular roadside snack in Rajasthan. Uraddal can be obtained at any Indian grocer. Serve these tasty breads with hot Pumpkin and Potatoes Marwari Style, Date and Tamarind Sauce, or as a snack with a dab of fresh yogurt.

DAL SOAKING TIME: 4 hours
PREPARATION TIME: 45 minutes
COOKING TIME: 30 minutes
YIELD: about 20 dal pooris

Ingredients:
1 cup (250 ml) urad dal
2 cups (500 ml) sifted chapati flour or half-wholemeal and half-unbleached plain flour
1/2 cup (125 ml) ghee or oil, warmed
3 teaspoons (10 ml) salt
water
1 tablespoon (20 ml) coriander seeds
1 tablespoon (20 ml) fennel seeds
1 tablespoon (20 ml) cumin seeds
8 whole black peppercorns
4 large dried red chilies
ghee for frying

1. Place the urad dal in a bowl, cover with cold water, and leave to soak for 4 hours. Drain, place in a blender or food processor with a sprinkle of cold water, and grind coarsely to a paste. Transfer to a small bowl.
2. In another bowl, combine the flour, 4 tablespoons (80 ml) of warm ghee, 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of salt, and enough water to make a stiff but smooth dough. Knead well and put aside, covered with a cloth, for 20 minutes.
3. Sprinkle the coriander seeds, cumin, fennel, black peppercorns, and chilies into a heavy pan and dry-roast them over moderate heat until they darken a few shades and become aromatic (a few minutes). Transfer them to a coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle, and grind them to a powder.
4. Heat 1 tablespoon (20 ml) of ghee or oil in a heavy pan over moderate heat. Add the dal paste and stir-fry it, stirring constantly over moderate heat until it starts to stick on the bottom. Remove from the heat, add the powdered spices and 1 teaspoon of the salt, and mix well. Transfer onto a plate or dish to cool.
5. Divide the dough into 20 portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball. With a rolling pin on a slightly oiled surface, roll out each ball into a thick patty about 5 cm (2-inches) wide. Place 1 tablespoon (20 ml) of cooled filling in the centre of each one, gathering the edges of the dough back over to completely enclose the filling. Pinch the excess dough together and press it back into the centre of the patty. Flatten slightly; then with a rolling pin roll out seam side down (carefully avoiding puncturing the pastry) into a disk 5 -  71/2 cm (2 - 3 inches) wide.
6. When all the dal pooris are rolled, heat the ghee or oil in a pan or wok to 180°C/355°F and carefully slip in 3 or 4 dal pooris. They will immediately sink then rise to the surface. Press them down with a slotted spoon until they inflate. Fry them until lightly browned on one side (about 2 minutes) then turn them over and fry on the second side for another 1 or 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a triple-thickness of paper towels. Cook all dalpooris and serve hot.

Great Vegetarian Dishes - Kurma Cookbook 1

Vegetable Fritters (Pakoras):
Pakoras are popular spiced, batter-dipped, deep-fried, vegetables that make perfect snacks or hors d'oeuvres. Ghee is the preferred medium for frying pakoras, although you can use nut or vegetable oil. Serve hot pakoras with you favourite chutney or dip.
Try batter-frying various types of vegetables. Cauliflower pakoras are probably the most popular, but equally delicious are potato rings, zucchini chunks, spinach leaves, pumpkin slices, eggplant rings, baby tomatoes, sweet potatoes, red or green pepper slices, asparagus tips, and artichoke hearts.
Cook pakoras slowly to ensure that the batter and the vegetables cook simultaneously. You needn't precook the vegetables.

PREPARATION TIME: 10 minutes
BATTER SITTING TIME: 10 - 15 minutes
COOKING TIME: 30 minutes
YIELD: 2 dozen large or 3 dozen medium pakoras

Ingredients:
2/3 cup (165 ml) chickpea flour
2/3 cup (165 ml) plain flour
2/3 cup (165 ml) self-raising flour
21/2 teaspoons (12 ml) salt
2 teaspoons (10 ml) yellow asafoetida powder
11/2 teaspoons (7 ml) turmeric
2 teaspoons (10 ml) cayenne pepper
11/2 teaspoons (7 ml) ground coriander
2 teaspoons (10 ml) green chilies, seeded and finely chopped about 21/2 cups (625 ml) cold water, or enough to make a smooth batter bite-sized vegetable pieces of your choice ghee or oil for deep-frying

1. Combine the flours, salt, powdered spices, and green chilies in a bowl. Mix well with a wire whisk.
2. Slowly add cold water while whisking the batter until it achieves the consistency of medium-light cream. When you dip the vegetable in the batter, it should be completely coated but neither thick and heavy nor runny and thin. Have extra flour and water on hand to adjust the consistency as required. Let the batter sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Heat fresh ghee or oil, to the depth of 61/2 - 71/2 cm (21/2 - 3 inches, in a wok or deep-frying vessel until the temperature reaches about 180°C/355°F. Dip 5 or 6 pieces of vegetable in the batter and, one at a time, carefully slip them into the hot oil.
4. The temperature will fall, but try to maintain it between 173°C - 180°C/345°F - 355°F  throughout the frying. Fry until the pakoras are golden brown, turning to cook them evenly on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Continue cooking until all the pakoras are done. Serve immediately or keep warm, uncovered, in a preheated cool oven for up to 1/2 hour.
Great Vegetarian Dishes - Kurma Cookbook 1

Apple and Blackberry Crumble:
This version of the famous English dessert has delighted customers at Gopal's Restaurant in Melbourne for many years. Succulent stewed apples, folded with fresh blackberries, are baked with a buttery, crunchy topping and served with cream or hot custard.

PREPARATION AND COOKING TIME: 15 minutes
BAKING TIME: 20 minutes
YIELD: enough for 6 to 8 persons

Ingredients:
6 medium green apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
11/2 cups (375 ml) fresh blackberries (or try raspberries, loganberries, or boysenberries)
1 tablespoon (20 ml) sugar
1 tablespoon (20 ml) fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup (185 ml) raw oats
1/2 cup (125 ml) unbleached plain flour
1/2 cup (125 ml) wholemeal flour
1/2 cup (125 ml) raw sugar
1/2 cup (125 ml) brown sugar
1/2 cup (125 ml) melted butter

1. Place the sliced apples along with a sprinkle of water in a heavy 4-litre/quart saucepan. Cook covered over moderate heat until the apples soften. Fold in the fresh berries, one tablespoon (20 ml) sugar, and lemon juice. Remove from the heat.
2. In a bowl, combine the raw oats, unbleached plain flour, wholemeal flour, raw sugar, brown sugar, and melted butter, rubbing in the butter until a coarse meal-like consistency is achieved.
3. Spread the cooked apples and berries in the bottom of a 20 cm (8-inch) ovenproof baking dish. Without pressing down, spoon on all the topping.
4. Place the dish in the top one-third of a preheated 180°C/355°F oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. Serve hot.

Great Vegetarian Dishes - Kurma Cookbook 1

Soft Cakes in Strawberry Yogurt (Malpoora):
This luscious version of the well known Indian sweet Malpoora is not traditional but rather something that has been developed over 2 decades in the Sunday Feast kitchens of Hare Krishna Temples around the world. Spoonfuls of thick batter are deep-fried in ghee to produce doughnut-like soft cakes, which are suspended in sweetened, fruit flavoured yogurt. You can substitute any fresh ripe berry for the strawberries, or try banana, passion fruit, papaya, mango, or kiwifruit.

PREPARATION TIME: 15 minutes
BATTER RESTING TIME: 15 minutes
COOKING TIME: 20 minutes
YIELD: about 2 dozen
Ingredients:
21/4 cups (560 ml) self-raising flour
1 cup (250 ml) icing sugar
11/4 cups (310 ml) cold water
ghee for deep-frying
5 cups (11/4 litres) plain yogurt, chilled
3/4 cup (185 ml) caster sugar
11/2 cups (375 ml) strawberries, washed and quartered

1. Sift together the flour and icing sugar in a bowl. Add the water gradually, while stirring with a wire whisk, until the mixture reaches a consistency somewhere between batter and dough. Spoon in one tablespoon (20 ml) of yogurt and whisk again. The finished batter should cling to a spoon. Allow to set for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat the ghee to a depth of 6.5 - 7.5 cm (21/2 - 3 inches) in a wok or deep-frying pan over moderately low heat 160°C/320°F.
3. Spoon out a tablespoon of batter from the bowl. With the aid of a second spoon, deftly slide the batter into the hot ghee. Quickly repeat the procedure for about 8 spoonfuls of batter. Allow the cakes to inflate in the ghee. Then turn them over with a slotted spoon and fry them, turning occasionally, for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until they are light golden brown all over. Remove and drain. Repeat until all the batter is used up.
4. Combine the yogurt and caster sugar in a large bowl. Crush a few berries through your fingers into the yogurt. Add the rest of the berries and combine well.
5. Carefully fold the fried cakes into the fruit yogurt and refrigerate, allowing the cakes to soak for about 30 minutes before serving. Serve the malpoora in individual dessert bowls with strawberry yogurt spooned on top.

Great Vegetarian Dishes - Kurma Cookbook 1

Brahmin bagels by Devadeva dasi

Although we devotees like to restrict ourselves to homemade breads, every once in a while some of us get that certain yen for a little bagel nosh. Instead of submitting ourselves to the karma and disappointment of store- bought supermarket bagels, why not make our own? I have seen some pretty good bagel recipes by devotee chefs and feel it is my dharma to continue the bagel parampara.

By following a few easy steps, devotees can achieve the bagel-jyoti. While they probably will not replicate the bagels of one's youth (unless one grew up in Kansas) they are an acceptable replacement.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Use your favorite bread dough or use mine:

Ingredients:
Combine 12 cups flour (white, wheat, or any ratio of integration of the two)
1/4 cup oil
3 tablespoons sugar (white or brown, it's up to you)
3 tablespoons yeast
1 teaspoon salt
3-4 cups of hot water or whey

Method:
Now knead!
On an oily work surface, grab some dough and form rings that look like, you guessed it, bagels! Craft stores such as Michael's (if you are in the USA) sell doughnut/bagel shaped cookie cutter rings that work perfectly for shaping the dough. Usually there are two sizes of these cutters. I recommend the smaller size for the stability of the bagel throughout the bagel-making process. Lay each bagel on an oiled baking sheet and cover with a cloth. Allow the bagels to rise in a warm area. Brush with a little milk or keep it pareve* by brushing with plain soymilk.

The next step in the bagel making process involves good old-fashioned steam. Bagel makers can choose between boiling your bagel in a big pot of water for five minutes or steaming bagels on wax paper in a covered colander or bamboo steamer. Make sure not to turn the bagels over, and leave room for them to expand upon boiling. After boiling or steaming, drain bagels in a sieve and then place on baking sheet prepared with farina or cornmeal. I have found my boiled bagels to remain mushy in areas when boiled, therefore I personally prefer the steaming method.

Bake until bagels are brown. Allow bagels to cool and shmear with butter or cream cheese. Many of you may have a strong urge to say a brachah** over the bagels, but I know Krishna would prefer us to simply recite the standard offering prayers. Now that Krishna has eaten, it's your turn. Mmmmm. Delish!

This recipe makes 22 large size bagels or 44 small size bagels.

* "Pareve": a term used in Jewish cooking, not necessary for prasad. The bagel is a traditional Jewish bread.

** "Brachah": a Hebrew prayer.Ed.

© CHAKRA 27 March 2002

 Krishna Conscious - Vedikly acceptable Jokes

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The young Marine took a seat in the front row and sat silent. The class fell silent...waiting.
Eventually, the professor came to, shaken. He looked at the young Marine in the front row.  When he regained his senses and could speak he asked:  "What's the matter with you?  Why did you do that?"
The Marine quietly replied, "God was busy.  He sent me."

The examiner shows him a card with the letters C Z J W I X N O S T A C Z

"Can you read this?" the examiner asks.
"Read it?" he replies, "I know the guy."

and always remember (don't forget...)

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