Sri Sri Nitai Saci-suta
Chota Sri Sri Nitai Gaura-Hari
Sri Giriraj
Jai Nitai
Jai Gaura-Hari
Sri Sri Nitai Gaura-Hari [Iskcon in Johanessburg, South Africa]
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Sri Sri Nitai Gaura-Hari Darsan 18th July 2010
Sri Sri Nitai Saci-suta
Chota Sri Sri Nitai Gaura-Hari
Sri Giriraj
Jai Nitai
Jai Gaura-Hari
Sri Sri Nitai Gaura-Hari [Iskcon in Johanessburg, South Africa]
Monday, July 12, 2010
Darsan @ Iskcon, Johannesburg; South Africa Sri Sri Nitai Gaura-Hari
"When the rising sun appeared in the East, the jewel of the twice-born, Lord Gaurasundara, awakened, and, taking His devotees with Him, He went all over the countryside towns and villagesand played the mrdanga, and the cymbals chimed in time. Lord Gauranga's shimmering golden features danced, and His footbells jingled." [SVA 2: Arunodaya-kirtana I (udilo aruna)]
"All the devotees chanted the names Mukunda, Madhava, Yadava and Hari, their mouths being filled with the vibrations. They would announce to the still sleeping people, "You spend your nights uselessly sleeping and your days decorating your bodies!" [2: Arunodaya-kirtana I (udilo aruna)]
"
"You have achieved such a rare human body, but you do not care for this gift. You remain not serving the darling of Yasoda and slowly fall through your last moments to death." [SVA 2: Arunodaya-kirtana I (udilo aruna)]
"With every rising and setting of the sun, a day passes and is lost. Then, why do you remain idle and not serve the Lord of the heart?" [SVA 2: Arunodaya-kirtana I (udilo aruna)]
"This temporary life is full of various miseries. Take shelter of the holy name as your only business." [SVA 2: Arunodaya-kirtana I (udilo aruna)]
"To penetrate the darkness of ignorance and bless everyone's heart, the holy name has risen like the shining sun.Drink the pure nectar of the holy name. There is nothing but the name to be had in the fourteen worlds. It has filled the soul of Sri Bhaktivinoda Thakura." [SVA 2: Arunodaya-kirtana I (udilo aruna)]
The above darsan was on the Disappearance day of Sri Gadadhara Pandita and Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Namamrta Program in Midrand, Johanessburg, South Africa
Recently Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture [BCEC] facilitated another enlivening Namamrta program in Midrand, Johanessburg, South Africa. A group of devotees wishing to associate with each other for mutual spiritual upliftment gathered despite very low temperatures and focused on improving their Japa. In Bhagavad-gita Sri Krishna explains, "The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me." [Bg 10.9] Indeed I can say as co-facilitator that we were all feeling great bliss from engaging in this sublime process. Immersing oneself in such devotional activity in the association of sincere devotees gives one complete satisfaction. The attendees were completely oblivious of the world cup events or any other need.
Biraj Naidoo attended the course and said,"This course is extremely beneficial and is the changing point in my life."
Their Lordships Sri Sri Gauracandra are the presiding Deities [cast in brass and painted] at the house where this program was held. These Lordships have survived a house fire last year on Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa-puja night, where the entire house and its possessions were turned to ashes - including granite shelves. They have been expertly restored after the fire and continue to bestow Their mercy on us all.
Above: a happy group of devotees who attended together with co-facilitator HG Nrsimhananda Prabhu seen here far right of top row. Shereen who attended said, "I really enjoyed everything. I am an aspiring neophyte but the language used was easy to understand. I was kept captivated and did not even notice the hours and days go by. The prasadam was also sumptuous." Priya said, "I feel completely spiritually motivated by the dynamic facilitation and indept knowledge." Pariksa said, "This program left me with a greater appreciation for Srila Prabhupada and the Holy names." Saridiya rasa devi dasi said, "No words can do justice to the brilliance, knowledge, spiritual intensity, sincerity and professionalism in which the program was offered....."
As simple post-people of the divine message of the parampara we can take no credit. Rather we offer our deepfelt gratitude to all the Vaisnavas who have touched our lives in various ways either by accepting us as your students, by making available your audio lectures, by inspirational blogs and articles or by personal friendship and example.
Should you feel inspired to hold a similar program in your country or area please read more about us in the last journal http://bhaktivedantacollegeofeducationandcu.blogspot.com/
and contact a director near you or write to us at head office and we shall try to help facilitate you.
Biraj Naidoo attended the course and said,"This course is extremely beneficial and is the changing point in my life."
Their Lordships Sri Sri Gauracandra are the presiding Deities [cast in brass and painted] at the house where this program was held. These Lordships have survived a house fire last year on Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa-puja night, where the entire house and its possessions were turned to ashes - including granite shelves. They have been expertly restored after the fire and continue to bestow Their mercy on us all.
Above: a happy group of devotees who attended together with co-facilitator HG Nrsimhananda Prabhu seen here far right of top row. Shereen who attended said, "I really enjoyed everything. I am an aspiring neophyte but the language used was easy to understand. I was kept captivated and did not even notice the hours and days go by. The prasadam was also sumptuous." Priya said, "I feel completely spiritually motivated by the dynamic facilitation and indept knowledge." Pariksa said, "This program left me with a greater appreciation for Srila Prabhupada and the Holy names." Saridiya rasa devi dasi said, "No words can do justice to the brilliance, knowledge, spiritual intensity, sincerity and professionalism in which the program was offered....."
As simple post-people of the divine message of the parampara we can take no credit. Rather we offer our deepfelt gratitude to all the Vaisnavas who have touched our lives in various ways either by accepting us as your students, by making available your audio lectures, by inspirational blogs and articles or by personal friendship and example.
Should you feel inspired to hold a similar program in your country or area please read more about us in the last journal http://bhaktivedantacollegeofeducationandcu.blogspot.com/
and contact a director near you or write to us at head office and we shall try to help facilitate you.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Harinam in Johannesburg City Centre
On Saturday mornings Johannesburg City Center is swarmed with a buzz of shoppers. On one Saturday every month a small group of us do harinam in the streets. It enlivens us to chant and dance amidst the African people. Below HG Mayapur Chandrodaya Prabhu distributes some books to passersby. I also do books on the harinam and find that Srila Prabhupada's books are well received. People give small donations. We sponsor the books and accept whatever contribution they give. Most Africans that I encounter speak English. So we distribute books in English. To survive in the working environment English literacy is important. Indeed even in our neighborhood young children converse in fluent English. It seems like soon native languages will be a thing of the past.
Below a group of youngster from Soweto joined in the harinam under the guidance of HG Mahaprabhu Dasa. Mahaprabhu and his good wife Malini devi dasi are originally from Soweto but have lived as full time devotees in asrams for many years. They moved out to start their own preaching center at Mother Malini's dad's house which she inherited after his demise. There they operate a Sunday program and do Food for Life. Many school children are attracted and attend these programs.
Mother Svaha who also works in the co-operate environment joined us for harinam and is seen with the hailer in hand. She led and ecstatic kirtan and many danced as her voice resounded the holy name.
Hg Nrsimhananda Prabhu is seen with a yellow mrdanga. He is also in the co-operate world and is my husband. He serves as the co-international director of the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture. Most evenings after work he teaches Srila Prabhupada's books at varying venues. He served as temple president for many years as was responsible for growing the congregation long before Namahattas were established. Actually the namhatta council was established only earlier this year or perhaps late last year. BCEC has been operational since the last 18yrs and continues to do so. Most initiated devotees in this area have been introduced to Krishna consciousness through the College classes. As a person preferring to act he remains an active preacher and follower making himself available to the devotee community at large at all times. The Iskcon News in its coverage of Iskcon in Johannesburg seems to create project a different perspective of how the congregation development took place here.
An enthusiastic bystander adds a few beats to the kirtan with an empty bucket.
hare krsna hare krsna
krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama
rama rama hare hare
Below a group of youngster from Soweto joined in the harinam under the guidance of HG Mahaprabhu Dasa. Mahaprabhu and his good wife Malini devi dasi are originally from Soweto but have lived as full time devotees in asrams for many years. They moved out to start their own preaching center at Mother Malini's dad's house which she inherited after his demise. There they operate a Sunday program and do Food for Life. Many school children are attracted and attend these programs.
Mother Svaha who also works in the co-operate environment joined us for harinam and is seen with the hailer in hand. She led and ecstatic kirtan and many danced as her voice resounded the holy name.
Hg Nrsimhananda Prabhu is seen with a yellow mrdanga. He is also in the co-operate world and is my husband. He serves as the co-international director of the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture. Most evenings after work he teaches Srila Prabhupada's books at varying venues. He served as temple president for many years as was responsible for growing the congregation long before Namahattas were established. Actually the namhatta council was established only earlier this year or perhaps late last year. BCEC has been operational since the last 18yrs and continues to do so. Most initiated devotees in this area have been introduced to Krishna consciousness through the College classes. As a person preferring to act he remains an active preacher and follower making himself available to the devotee community at large at all times. The Iskcon News in its coverage of Iskcon in Johannesburg seems to create project a different perspective of how the congregation development took place here.
An enthusiastic bystander adds a few beats to the kirtan with an empty bucket.
hare krsna hare krsna
krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama
rama rama hare hare
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