Like I have said before in Africa beat is in the blood. Watch this kirtan my husband sings. I got this mail today.
Hare Krishna,Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.We always knew Pretoria kirtans were world famous :) well here's the proof on YouTube ! ECSTATIC kirtans led by none other than His Grace Nrsimhananda Prabhu !http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7qGyvqnAnQ&feature=related(make sure you go till the 5 min mark !)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyasUYy9LO8Word of caution: Be prepared to get 'ecstatic-fied'.. I was literally dancing out of my chair as I watched this, with my colleagues wondering what's happening ! :)All glories to the kirtaneers of Pretoria, who fire us up every week !Your servant,Aditi
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Festival of love in Soweto, South Africa
There is a statement by Lord Siva in the Padma Purana:
aradhananam sarvesam
visnor aradhanam param
tasmad parataram devi
tadiyanam samarcanam
[SB 11.2.45]
"O Devi, the most exalted system of worship is the worship of Lord Visnu. Greater than that is the worship of tadiya, or anything belonging to Visnu." [SB 11.2.45]
On May 16th, 2009, Iskcon Soweto hosted a festival of love celebrating the birth of a very dear devotee of Lord Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada, HH Bhakti Nrsimha Swami(GRS). Maharaj has always been a well-wisher, close confidant, counsellor, friend and mentor to the devotees. A disciple of HH Giriraj Swami Maharaj, he is the first second generation sannyasi from the South African yatra having been initiated into sannyasa in Easter 2008 at Ratha Yatra, Durban South Africa. Below is a picture of him during the festival celebrating his birth. His attire being a blend of Africa and Vaisnava generally attracts the local native African people and does not make him appear too foreign in robes.
He joined at Iskcon Durban in the 1980's, served in the Food for Life department, helped translate the first of Srila Prabhupada's books into Zulu. He was instrumental together with other devotees in arranging the huge Festival of Rainbow Children in a stadium in Durban in 1996 which was attended by Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela publicly announced that that was the happiest day of his life during his address at the festival. Maharaj travels through small towns in South African preaching and mentoring devotees. He aslo travels to Poland, Mauritius, Russia, Scotland, Europe, America, India, East Africa, Nairobi, (where he served as Temple President for six months) India and Swaziland(where he pioneers the preaching and establishment of an Iskcon centre.)
He was born a Seventh Day Adventist Christian and was thus vegetarian from birth. His father was a priest. Maharaja's insightful lectures in English and various other languages are known to inspire many individuals. His kirtans are also very melodious.
Above Nrsimhananda Prabhu (In grey jacket to the left of the saffron clad devotee) leads kirtan while others dance at the festival of love. This was attended by many native African guests who clapped and chanted spontaneously also. In Africa beat is in the blood!
Above Maharaj talks to guests and his newphew Moosa, (Wearing garland and seated to Maharaja's left.) a university graduate who came all the way from Natal to attend this glorious event.
The talks by the devotees expressed so much of love and gratitude to Maharaj for being so easily accessible to everyone without discrimination. Although Maharaj is not an initiating Guru the devotees showered so much of love in gratitude for his valuable siksa. Above Mahaprabhu das, the leader in Iskcon Soweto lovingly feeds Maharaj birthday cake cooked and decorated by his amazing wife Malini devi dasi. Mother Malini together with her team of grand devotional cooks also cooked an amazing feast of Butter-masala paneer, green beans and potatoes, corn and paneer samoosas, Greek salad, gulabhs, puris, fancy rice and lots of other sumptuous preparations. For many of the guests this was a unique experience in savouring vegetarian cuisine.
Above the devotees loving carry Maharaj during the kirtan. Maharaj was so unsuspecting as he gracefully danced with his danda.
The program was held in a grand hall in Soweto and was beautifully decorated. Bhakta Matsya, a school teacher and Mahaprabhu were the chief organizers. 95% of the attendees were of native African origin. Many guests were fascinated to watch the exchange of love between the devotees and Maharaj and were encouraged to want to be part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Being not far from the horrible past when apartheid was prominent it was indeed very refreshing for them to see a native African being offered so much love and respect. All glories to Srila Prabhupada who built a house in which the whole world can live. Jai Srila Prabhupada!
aradhananam sarvesam
visnor aradhanam param
tasmad parataram devi
tadiyanam samarcanam
[SB 11.2.45]
"O Devi, the most exalted system of worship is the worship of Lord Visnu. Greater than that is the worship of tadiya, or anything belonging to Visnu." [SB 11.2.45]
On May 16th, 2009, Iskcon Soweto hosted a festival of love celebrating the birth of a very dear devotee of Lord Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada, HH Bhakti Nrsimha Swami(GRS). Maharaj has always been a well-wisher, close confidant, counsellor, friend and mentor to the devotees. A disciple of HH Giriraj Swami Maharaj, he is the first second generation sannyasi from the South African yatra having been initiated into sannyasa in Easter 2008 at Ratha Yatra, Durban South Africa. Below is a picture of him during the festival celebrating his birth. His attire being a blend of Africa and Vaisnava generally attracts the local native African people and does not make him appear too foreign in robes.
He joined at Iskcon Durban in the 1980's, served in the Food for Life department, helped translate the first of Srila Prabhupada's books into Zulu. He was instrumental together with other devotees in arranging the huge Festival of Rainbow Children in a stadium in Durban in 1996 which was attended by Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela publicly announced that that was the happiest day of his life during his address at the festival. Maharaj travels through small towns in South African preaching and mentoring devotees. He aslo travels to Poland, Mauritius, Russia, Scotland, Europe, America, India, East Africa, Nairobi, (where he served as Temple President for six months) India and Swaziland(where he pioneers the preaching and establishment of an Iskcon centre.)He was born a Seventh Day Adventist Christian and was thus vegetarian from birth. His father was a priest. Maharaja's insightful lectures in English and various other languages are known to inspire many individuals. His kirtans are also very melodious.
Above Nrsimhananda Prabhu (In grey jacket to the left of the saffron clad devotee) leads kirtan while others dance at the festival of love. This was attended by many native African guests who clapped and chanted spontaneously also. In Africa beat is in the blood!
Above Maharaj talks to guests and his newphew Moosa, (Wearing garland and seated to Maharaja's left.) a university graduate who came all the way from Natal to attend this glorious event.
The talks by the devotees expressed so much of love and gratitude to Maharaj for being so easily accessible to everyone without discrimination. Although Maharaj is not an initiating Guru the devotees showered so much of love in gratitude for his valuable siksa. Above Mahaprabhu das, the leader in Iskcon Soweto lovingly feeds Maharaj birthday cake cooked and decorated by his amazing wife Malini devi dasi. Mother Malini together with her team of grand devotional cooks also cooked an amazing feast of Butter-masala paneer, green beans and potatoes, corn and paneer samoosas, Greek salad, gulabhs, puris, fancy rice and lots of other sumptuous preparations. For many of the guests this was a unique experience in savouring vegetarian cuisine.
Above the devotees loving carry Maharaj during the kirtan. Maharaj was so unsuspecting as he gracefully danced with his danda.
The program was held in a grand hall in Soweto and was beautifully decorated. Bhakta Matsya, a school teacher and Mahaprabhu were the chief organizers. 95% of the attendees were of native African origin. Many guests were fascinated to watch the exchange of love between the devotees and Maharaj and were encouraged to want to be part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Being not far from the horrible past when apartheid was prominent it was indeed very refreshing for them to see a native African being offered so much love and respect. All glories to Srila Prabhupada who built a house in which the whole world can live. Jai Srila Prabhupada!Thursday, May 14, 2009
Please pray for HG Mahaman Prabhu
Devotees Injured in Traffic Accident, Indore
BY: BASU GHOSH DAS (ACBSP)
May 12, BARODA, INDIA (SUN) — Mahaman Prabhu progress report - May 11, 2009 - Good news
Here is a progress report on the condition of Sriman Mahaman Prabhu that I just wrote [to a godbrother] after speaking on the telephone with Mahaman Prabhu's wife, Paramahamsa Mataji, just a few moments ago:
Home Base: ISKCON-Baroda Dear Prabhu,Namonamaha. Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
Received your message:
How is Mahaman Prabhu's condition? Our prayers are for his speedy recovery. I tried to contact that mobile number of his wife which you gave, but no response. Just now I phoned his wife -- it's 8:00 AM IST on Monday, May 11, 2009 -- on that very same mobile number: 93004-74043, and she answered immediately.
Maybe there was a "glitch" (problem) with the "line" when you phoned? This is a "Reliance" number and it's not unusual for there to be problems connecting to such numbers from other SP's ("service providers"). My phone is BSNL, the Government telecom here and at least today it went through! ;-)
The report is good. Although Mahaman Prabhu's condition is "serious" (she didn't state that, but it was "critical but stable" before, so I conject that the improvement "upgrades" his condition, thus), and he's still in the ICU, they've removed oxygen support (he was NOT intubated, at least) and he's able to breath normally, on his own. There is a constant drain of fluids from his lungs -- or an infection or collection of blood & fluid (I won't know exactly what the doctors are calling that till I go there -- and I'm now planning to do so after he's out of the ICU) in that area.
Mataji said that it will be a few more days before he's shifted out of the ICU. They allow visitors only a few minutes with him in the ICU, so my feeling is that it's best to let the "major healing" take place, and then visit him when I can spend more time with him.
HH Gopal Krishna Maharaj visited him last Tuesday. Ganga Narayan Prabhu, TP of ISKCON Ujjain visited him again yesterday. Otherwise, there haven't been other "out of town" visitors, yet.
ISKCON Juhu will be shortly arranging for a collection of contributions to help cover the hospitalization costs of his care. ISKCON Baroda VP Nityananda Ram Das was there last Sunday & Monday, and we contributed on the spot a cash donation of approximately US $400 (Rs. 20,000/-).
Details will be sent out on the internet shortly (of how to send the contributions to Juhu temple), so that those who wish to help cover the expenses of his hospitalization and treatment, may do so. It's anticipated that the costs may go up to about Rs. 5 lakhs, that's approximately US $ 10,000. Around a lakh of Rupees has already been spent by his wife on his treatment... (US $ 2,000).
Thanks for you kind message and prayers. I'm copying this to Mahaman Prabhu's e-mail address, so that when he gets better, he'll see how many devotees were thinking of him and praying for him!
Hope this meets you well.
das,
Basu Ghosh Das
BY: BASU GHOSH DAS (ACBSP)
May 12, BARODA, INDIA (SUN) — Mahaman Prabhu progress report - May 11, 2009 - Good news
Here is a progress report on the condition of Sriman Mahaman Prabhu that I just wrote [to a godbrother] after speaking on the telephone with Mahaman Prabhu's wife, Paramahamsa Mataji, just a few moments ago:
Home Base: ISKCON-Baroda Dear Prabhu,Namonamaha. Jaya Srila Prabhupada!
Received your message:
How is Mahaman Prabhu's condition? Our prayers are for his speedy recovery. I tried to contact that mobile number of his wife which you gave, but no response. Just now I phoned his wife -- it's 8:00 AM IST on Monday, May 11, 2009 -- on that very same mobile number: 93004-74043, and she answered immediately.
Maybe there was a "glitch" (problem) with the "line" when you phoned? This is a "Reliance" number and it's not unusual for there to be problems connecting to such numbers from other SP's ("service providers"). My phone is BSNL, the Government telecom here and at least today it went through! ;-)
The report is good. Although Mahaman Prabhu's condition is "serious" (she didn't state that, but it was "critical but stable" before, so I conject that the improvement "upgrades" his condition, thus), and he's still in the ICU, they've removed oxygen support (he was NOT intubated, at least) and he's able to breath normally, on his own. There is a constant drain of fluids from his lungs -- or an infection or collection of blood & fluid (I won't know exactly what the doctors are calling that till I go there -- and I'm now planning to do so after he's out of the ICU) in that area.
Mataji said that it will be a few more days before he's shifted out of the ICU. They allow visitors only a few minutes with him in the ICU, so my feeling is that it's best to let the "major healing" take place, and then visit him when I can spend more time with him.
HH Gopal Krishna Maharaj visited him last Tuesday. Ganga Narayan Prabhu, TP of ISKCON Ujjain visited him again yesterday. Otherwise, there haven't been other "out of town" visitors, yet.
ISKCON Juhu will be shortly arranging for a collection of contributions to help cover the hospitalization costs of his care. ISKCON Baroda VP Nityananda Ram Das was there last Sunday & Monday, and we contributed on the spot a cash donation of approximately US $400 (Rs. 20,000/-).
Details will be sent out on the internet shortly (of how to send the contributions to Juhu temple), so that those who wish to help cover the expenses of his hospitalization and treatment, may do so. It's anticipated that the costs may go up to about Rs. 5 lakhs, that's approximately US $ 10,000. Around a lakh of Rupees has already been spent by his wife on his treatment... (US $ 2,000).
Thanks for you kind message and prayers. I'm copying this to Mahaman Prabhu's e-mail address, so that when he gets better, he'll see how many devotees were thinking of him and praying for him!
Hope this meets you well.
das,
Basu Ghosh Das
Monday, May 11, 2009
His beauty is His weapon
"Sangopangastra-parsadam further indicates that Lord Caitanya is Lord Krsna. His body is always decorated with ornaments of sandalwood and with sandalwood paste. By His superexcellent beauty He subdues all the people of the age. In other descents the Lord sometimes used weapons to defeat the demoniac, but in this age the Lord subdues them with His all-attractive figure as Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Jiva Gosvami explains that His beauty is His astra, or weapon, to subdue the demons. Because He is all-attractive, it is to be understood that all the demigods lived with Him as His companions. His acts were uncommon and His associates wonderful. When He propagated the sankirtana movement, He attracted many great scholars and acaryas, especially in Bengal and Orissa. Lord Caitanya is always accompanied by His best associates like Lord Nityananda, Advaita, Gadadhara and Srivasa.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 11.5.32
Darsan - 10th May 2009 - Iskcon in Lenasia, Johannesburg, South Africa
>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 11.5.32
Darsan - 10th May 2009 - Iskcon in Lenasia, Johannesburg, South Africa
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