| Wednesday, June 2nd - Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 |
Today Sri Ramananda Raya Disappearance Tuesday, June 8th: Apara Ekadasi, fast from grains and beans. Break the fast the following morning between 6:18-10:08. Upcoming Kalachandji's Summer camp for children (June 10 - June 13), sign up in progress |
| | | | | | | | From Srila Prabhupada: So the Krsna conscious life is not very difficult. It is very easy. In one second, if he agrees: "Yes, Krsna, whatever You say, I shall do..." That Arjuna did at last, after hearing the whole Bhagavad-gita. When Krsna asked, inquired from him, "Now, what is your decision...?" Krsna never interferes with your decision. You have got little independence. Krsna has given you. But if you use your independence, do not like to obey the orders of Krsna, that is your business. You can do that. Krsna will not interfere with you. But Krsna says that "If you want actual happiness, liberation, then follow what I say." That is Krsna's request. -- "Follow What Krishna Says," Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.37, Los Angeles, June 3, 1976 |
| | | | | | Diary of a Traveling Preacher Vol. 3 Ch. 31, by Indradyumna Swami
April 1-6, 2001
While flying from Philadelphia to our next destination, Houston, Texas, I sat next to a gentleman who told me that Texans are "fiercely independent. " In a long southern drawl he said, "We're Texans first - before anything else. " He said that when Texas became an American state in 1845, it made a clause in its constitution that it could secede from the union whenever it chose to do so. That clause remains part of the Texas State Constitution to this day.
Upon arriving in Houston, I witnessed first hand that independent spirit as I saw the Texas State flag with its "lone star" flying alongside every single American flag we passed - and there were many! Several billboards on the way to the temple also reflected the mentality of the local people: "A man is only as rich as the beer he drinks," "Boot Camp: survival is for sissies," and a picture of the local football team with its coach in front read, "I've put the players on a diet - dirt and turf!"
The flags and advertisements failed to arouse any patriotic fervor in me; on the contrary, they made me reflect on the predictions for Kali-yuga given in Srimad-Bhagavatam:
asamskrtah kriya-hina
rajasa tamasavrtah
prajas te bhakasyisyanti
mleccha rajanya-rupinah
. . . not purified by any Vedic rituals and lacking in the practice of regulative principles, they will be completely covered by the modes of passion and ignorance. " [SB 12. 1. 40] Our driver, Krishna kripa dasa, told me that few Texans have joined the Krishna consciousness movement since its inception in 1966. Nevertheless, many Texans have come to appreciate Krishna consciousness over the years, due in part to my god-brother, Tamal Krishna Maharaja's preaching in the higher circles of Texan society. For example, Maharaja has several times addressed the Dallas City Council - at its invitation - and during his studies at Southern Methodist University he won the admiration of many students and professors. ISKCON's Kalachandji's Restaurant in Dallas has received numerous awards and has maintained a steady flow of customers through the years. Southerners are known for their hospitality, and in most cases devotees are respected whenever they interact with the local society. It was not an easy task for the devotees to develop Texans' respect, if only because Texas is right in the middle of the Bible Belt, those sections of the US in the South and Mid-west where Christian Protestant fundamentalism is deeply rooted and faithfully practiced. Nowhere else in the country have I seen so many varieties of churches. As we drove to our temple, I saw a church on practically every street corner. I noted the Christ World Family Church, the Abundant Life Church, the Holy Gospel Center, God's Prayers House, and the Southern Baptist Church, to name only a few.
Arriving at the Houston temple, I was surprised to see that there were even four or five churches in our own neighborhood, including the Living Faith Church directly across the street. The large signs on this church's lawn advertised "lively gospel singing three days a week. " Of course, there is certainly no harm in living close to our Christian brothers. If the world needs anything it is more spirituality, but I wondered if a temple and church so near to each other might be "too close for comfort" for some. When I inquired about this from Krishna Krpa, he smiled and pointed to the pastor of the Living Faith Church sitting in a chair outside the church. As we drove by he waved to us.
Krishna Krpa said, "He's been sitting there every day for years. He used to constantly curse us, but after many years he said he understood our people were even busier in the work of God than his people. He saw devotees coming and going day and night in their services, and finally concluded that we must be sincere. His realization was that when we get to heaven and see God, we'll find Jesus at His right side. In his mind, that will be the moment of our redemption, for Jesus will save us and make us good Christians!"
Having been shown to our rooms at the temple, I took a walk and chanted my rounds in a nearby park. A number of people nodded their heads in greeting as I strolled past. One elderly lady stopped me and asked if I had any questions about the beautiful park I was strolling through. I reciprocated by chatting with her, hoping I could leave her with a small drop of Krishna consciousness. I started off casually by mentioning the frequent change of temperature we were experiencing - from hot to cold and back to hot all in the same day. She smiled and said, "We have a saying here in Texas: If you don't like the weather just wait a minute longer!"
When I commented on the beautiful flower gardens, she paused and said that they were the only beauty left in life for her. Trying to comfort her I replied, "Then God is with you. My spiritual master once said that flowers are the smile of the Lord. " She responded by questioning the existence of God, saying she had experienced much suffering in her life. I began explaining the law of karma, and how ultimately suffering can be an impetus to take shelter of the Lord. She listened carefully, and when I finished she thanked me. Reflecting on my words she concluded by saying, "I suppose God gave weeds in the garden of life so we would better appreciate the flowers. "
Our party spent two days at the Houston temple, including the celebration of Ram Naumi, the appearance of Lord Ramacandra. On April 4 we drove north to Dallas where we were nicely received by the temple president, Nityananda dasa, a senior Indian disciple of Tamal Krishna Maharaja. A very qualified devotee, with a degree in law, Nityananda has faithfully served in a number of ISKCON temples. As we sat and took lunch that afternoon, I was intrigued with his story of how he came to Krishna consciousness.
(to be continued......)
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Sri Ramananda Raya
Lord Caitanya had only 4 intimate associates that he would speak in detail about Radha and Krishna and Rasalila. One of whom was Ramananda Raya. He was the incarnation of the pandava prince Arjuna, and Vishaka Radharani's friend Sri Ramananda Ray was the viceroy of the east and west side of the Godavari River in the empire of Raja Sri Prataparudra. When Mahaprabhu was setting out on his tour of South India, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya especially requested him to meet Ramananda Raya.
Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya - "'Please do not neglect him, thinking he belongs to a sudra family engaged in material activities. It is my request that You meet him without fail. Ramananda Raya is a fit person to associate with You; no other devotee can compare with him in knowledge of the transcendental mellows.'[ C.c. Madhya 7.63-64] The next evening Ramananda again came to Mahaprabhu's lotus feet and offered his prostrated obeisances. Mahaprabhu firmly embraced him and after seating him began to again ask him questions: Here are some of the questions: 1) "What is the best education?" "Devotion to Krsna," answered Ramananda Raya.
2) "What is the greatest activity for a living entity?" "To be the servant of Krsna."
3) "What is the supreme wealth?" "Love of Radha-Krsna."
4) "What is the greatest unhappiness?" "To not have the association of devotees of Krsna."
5) "What is the highest liberation?" "The best jewel of all kinds of liberation is to develop love for Krsna." 6) "Where is the best place to live?" "In the place where Krsna has His pastimes." 7) "What are the destinations of those who desire impersonal liberation, and those who are gross materialistic enjoyers?" "The first attain bodies as trees and the second, demigods."
Ramananda Raya continued, "Those who are devoid of all mellows are like the crows that suck the juice from the bitter fruits of the nimba tree of knowledge, whereas those who enjoy mellows are like the cuckoos who eat the buds of the mango tree of love of Godhead. Ramananda Raya concluded, "The unfortunate empiric philosophers taste the dry process of philosophical knowledge, whereas the devotees reularly drink the nectar of love of Krsna.Therefore they are the most fortunate of all."
Thereafter Mahaprabhu revealed His form of Radha-Krsna, seeing which Ramananda fell unconscious. Regaining his senses he began to offer hymns and praises in glorification of the Lord. Mahaprabhu requested him to please not reveal any of these esoteric truths to anyone.
Ramananda Raya's house is still existing at Jagannatha-Ballabha Uddyan, on the Grand Road, Puri. |
| Appreciating Kalachandji's Community Recently, Food for Life has had many volunteers who come to help warm up and serve out the prasadam, and we'd like to thank them for their steady service over these past few months. Bhaktin Cassie comes from Euless every Wednesday and Thursday to help out, as this is her "weekend." She speaks spanish, which has come in handy quite often in distributing prasadam. Bhaktin Eileen is also a cheerful and helpful addition to our team. She comes every Thursday, and is endlessly enthusiastic. She often brings her friend Mara, whom we'd also like to thank for helping us out. When Bhakta Aksel is in town, he is also a mainstay on the Food for Life team. He takes the sankirtan approach to distributing prasadam, as he is expert at convincing people to take the prasadam who might not be willing to try something new. Many,. many thanks to these devotees for their steady and sincere help. Your humble servants, Jagannatha Krpa dasa & Lavangalatika devi dasi Our sincere thanks to the Food For Life Team, for all the dedication and good service rendered towards this program your humble servants, Congregation Office |
Kalachandji's Summer Camp (Jun 10 - Jun 13) Learn Vedic heritage through art, philosophy, music, dance, drama and more and more fun!!! Registration Fee: $100 Age group: 5-14 Picnic & Presentation on June 13th For more information contact: 214-454-3949 / 972-618-8280 or |
| Recipe Corner: North Indian Potato Salad
8 medium potatoes, unpeeled
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1½ tsp salt
2 tbsp yogurt
3 tbsp sour cream (fatfree / low fat or regular as per taste)
½ tsp green chilies, seeded and minced
1 tbsp safflower oil
1 tsp black mustard seeds
1 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves
Lettuce leaves for decoration
Boil the potatoes whole in lightly salted water until soft. Peel and cut them into 1 inch cubes. While the potatoes are still warm, place them in a bowl and add the lemon juice, salt, yogurt, sour cream and chilies.
Fry the mustard seeds in oil in a small pan over moderate heat until the seeds crackle. Toss the oil and mustard into the salad; add three-quarters of the mint leaves. Allow the salad to cool for half-an-hour. Serve it on a bed of lettuce leaves garnished with the remaining mint leaves. Serves six. Health Benefits: Potatoes are rich source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, copper, manganese, and dietary fiber. They also help regulate blood sugar levels, and good for cardiovascular protection Yoghurt/Sour Cream are good for helping in digestion |
| Contact Information | Main Temple phone: 214-827-6330, Congregation Services: 214-827-6330 x 216
Email for general questions and information
To schedule a tour, home or school program: Nityananda Chandra 214-669-3369, or email him
To place an item in next week's bulletin, please send it by Monday each week |
| | Patadia Family Sunil Patel Family Raghu Nathan & Family June 13th
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call 214 454 5267 214 827 6330 x 216 |
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