| Wednesday, August 4th - Tuesday, August 10th , 2010 |
This week: Friday, August 6th: Kamika Ekadasi (fast from grains and beans) Break the fast the followingmorning between 6:45 - 7:52 Upcoming:
Tuesday, August 10 - Thursday, August 12: Altar curtains closed Wednesday, September 1st, Sri Krishna Janmastami
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| | | | | | | | | From Srila Prabhupada: As it is stated in the sastras, utsahad dhairyat niscayat tat-tat-karma-pravartanat. These are disciplines. The more we become advanced... And naturally we get the mercy of the spiritual master and Krsna. Through the mercy of spiritual... Guru-krsna-krpa. There must be mercy both of them, guru and Krsna. Without guru's krpa, one cannot reach Krsna, and without Krsna's krpa, one cannot get a bona fide spiritual master. This is correlative terms. So we should follow the disciplinary methods sincerely under the guidance of spiritual master. Then it will be very, very easy to go back to home, back to Godhead. -- "Great Devotee - Great Discipline,"Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.24, Vrndavana, August 5, 1974 |
| | | | | His Holiness Radhanath Swami - Entering the Border of India
The following series are excepts from stories from the book, "The Journey Home." This book shares  Radhanath Swami's journey which is filled with bizarre characters, mystical experiences, and dangerous adventures. The sun shone clear and bright in the fresh winter air. I had set out from Lahore at sunrise, walking and hitchhiking fifty-five kilometers down a single-lane dirt road that cut through stretches of wheat, cotton, and yellow fields of flowering mustard. Acacia trees lined the roadside and sometimes a few rose between fields as markers. Otherwise, trees were scarce. More scarce still was the traffic along this road. The few vehicles that did occasionally pass were as exciting to Radhanath Swami's senses as the traditional turbans and robes of the people in them. Decrepit trucks rumbled by, each as brightly and intricately painted as a wealthy rock star's psychedelic mobile. An occasional bullock cart, hay-lined and piled high with wheat, livestock, and whole families, creaked along. It was on conveyances such as these, and Radhanath Swami's own feet, that Radhanath Swami reached the Hussainiwala border crossing into North India. Only a stout woman seated alone behind an immigration desk stood between Radhanath Swami's destiny and him. Her stern glance was not at all inviting. In drab military attire, she sat under the Punjab sun. Radhanath Swami stood before her full of hope and covered in dust. Radhanath Swami handed her his passport. India's Border Security Forces flanked her on both sides, rifles slung across their shoulders. While she was examining each page of the document, his thoughts whisked him back to the moment on the mountaintop in Crete that set Radhanath Swami's feet to follow his heart to India. Something had happened to Radhanath Swami on that mountaintop. Some, Radhanath Swami knew, would dismiss it as an aberration of the mind brought on by hours of solitary prayer or some kind of hallucination brought on by fasting. But Radhanath Swami felt that God had appeared to him in his heart, and Radhanath Swami had heard His words loud and clear: "Go to India." From that moment on, Radhanath Swami'd believed that the Lord was calling Radhanath Swami to Him in India.Three months and over three thousand miles had passed since then on his journey through the Middle East, each moment unlike any Radhanath Swami had ever imagined as a boy seeing the world through the ill-fitting lenses lent him by suburban America. And with each mile, Radhanath Swami's heart was flying toward the sacred soils of India and a rendezvous Radhanath Swami knew that he could not live without. Radhanath Swami longed for India. There Radhanath Swami's heart's deepest desire might become real. Radhanath Swami's heart and soul was already with the yogis in their mountaintop ashrams. For months and through unimaginable hazards, Radhanath Swami had pressed forward to reunite with them. Now, a step from his goal, Radhanath Swami stood waiting before the border guard who gripped Radhanath Swami's passport to India in her bureaucratic hand. She looked up after some minutes of scrutinizing it, her face expressionless. "Show me how much money you have." She asked As Radhanath Swami reached nervously into his cloth bag, she leaned forward in her chair. There were only a few coins to show her. Disgust crept across her face. "You require two hundred dollars minimum to enter." She leaned back and folded her uniformed arms across her chest, eyeing Radhanath Swami with suspicion. "Where is your money?" Looking at the ground, Radhanath Swami stammered, "This is all I have now." "You cannot enter then." She slapped the passport down on the table that now stood like a wall between them. "Go back to your own country."
Her words were like arrows that pierced Radhanath Swami's heart. Radhanath Swami said "But I've traveled overland for months, risking my life to see your country. I burn with a desire to study your religions from the holy people." From far away, Radhanath Swami pleaded with her. "I have abandoned the comforts of an American home out of love for India. Please, give me a chance." She glared at Radhanath Swami now. "We have beggars enough in India. We don't want another one." She motioned to one of the guards, and he raised his rifle. "You will not enter India. You are rejected. Now go back to where you came from." "But-" "That is final. No more discussion." She stood up from the table, turned her back on Radhanath Swami, and marched over to a small barracks. Radhanath Swami followed her, trying to change her mind, but she shut Radhanath Swami out. Her final edict, "You cannot enter India," lacerated Radhanath Swami's heart. Her colleagues, who until that moment had seemed stiff and impassive, suddenly, upon her declaration, hoisted their rifles and ordered Radhanath Swami to leave at once. Shaken, Radhanath Swami walked back some distance along the road behind him and sat in the shade of a large neem tree. As Radhanath Swami gazed out across the flat green Punjabi countryside, his mind reeled. Where to go? What to do? How long Radhanath Swami sat there stunned, He did not know. But when awareness of his surroundings broke through again, Radhanath Swami knew that he would not turn back. If that gatekeeper would not grant him entry into the land of his heart's desire, Radhanath Swami then resolved to remain in the dust under that tree. Never once did Radhanath Swami dream that entry to India would be denied him.
Ignorant as Radhanath Swami was of politics, how could he have known then that India and Pakistan were on the eve of their third war since the Partition of India? How could Radhanath Swami have guessed that one year later in December of 1971, bloody war would break out along this very border where Radhanath Swami now found himself ? No one had warned Radhanath Swami that he was hazarding one of the tensest borders in the world, second in notoriety only to Berlin's Checkpoint Charlie. At Hussainiwala two armies stood poised, one in Pakistan and one in India, each facing the other in military standoff across the divide. All this was unknown to Radhanath Swami on that sunny winter afternoon as Radhanath Swami trudged along the road back toward Pakistan. There, from a seat on the dusty ground, Radhanath Swami could see his frustrated antagonist pacing beyond the window of her small barracks. Was she expecting a bribe from Radhanath Swami, a soul she had mistaken for one possessed of the affluence derived from a Western birth and white skin? Could she even guess all Radhanath Swami'd been through to reach this lonely border post? Will i ever get to India? Radhanath Swami wondered. After hitchhiking all the way from London, could it really be possible that Radhanath Swami would be turned back at the Indian border for want of money? Feeling like an exile, Radhanath Swami's thoughts turned to his best friend and traveling companion. At their parting Gary, too, had looked like an exile. Radhanath Swami Started thinking Where was Gary now? What had become of him? Did he ever make it to Israel? As Radhanath Swami sat in the dust of that Punjabi plain watching the breeze ripple through a stand of blooming mustard nearby, Radhanath Swami missed his old friend. Over a period of hours, Radhanath Swami kept getting up from beneath his tree and returning to the border, but each time, the official ignored Radhanath Swami. Finally, as a last resort, Radhanath Swami pleaded with her again. She stomped the ground with her military boot. "You are testing my patience." She jabbed her stubby finger toward Radhanath Swami's face, her lips trembling. "You are rejected. Do you hear me? This is my last warning. Don't disturb me again." Radhanath Swami turned back to his tree and passed the day in turbulent thought. As the sun was setting, Radhanath Swami observed that a shift was about to take place at the immigration desk. An elderly man had come to relieve the woman from her duty. He was a tall Sikh in an elegantly wrapped turban the same drab beige color as his military uniform. The female official pointed to him, making sure he understood that Radhanath Swami was not to enter India. Then an army jeep carried her away. Not knowing what else to do, Radhanath Swami meekly approached the new officer, praying in his heart of hearts. Radhanath Swami handed him his passport and pleaded, "Please allow me entrance into your great country." Officer's voice was cold and disinterested. "I was warned that you are a nuisance. I have been given strict orders to reject your entry. Now show me sufficient money or go back." Tears sprang to Radhanath Swami's eyes as he explained his life and his spiritual aspirations. "I have left behind the comforts of America to search for India's spiritual treasures. Risking my life, I've hitchhiked all the way from London to reach your homeland. I yearn to find the way to God. Please be kind to me. Someday, I promise, to do something good for the people of India. Honestly, sir, I will help your people. Please give me a chance." Tears filled officer's eyes. "Give me your passport." As the light of day was fading, he thumbed through Radhanath Swami's document then gazed into his eyes and said, "Sometimes a man must follow his heart. I believe in your words." Reaching down to the table, he lifted the stamping tool by its wooden handle. Then he pressed the rubber script into an ink pad and with a thump, stamped Radhanath Swami's legal entrance into India. "It is done," he said, closing the passport and handing it back to Radhanath Swami. With an affectionate smile, he placed his hand on Radhnath Swami's head, "Son, I give you my blessings. May you find the truth you are crying for. Welcome to India." |
Appreciating Kalachandji's Community: Spanish Bhakti Program
Her Grace Megharupa Devi Dasi along with Madhavi Madhava Devi Dasi have been hosting wonderful Spanish Krishna Conscious programs such as Bhagavad Gita classes and cooking classes for several years. In particular, over past year these programs have been gradually increasing in size and very nice group of more than 10 devotees has developed. They have even had Spanish programs hosted by sannyasis and other senior devotees. The devotees who attend these programs are very enlivening to our community, and they render much valuable service.
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August 10-12 Altar Curtains Closed for Deity Repainting The altar curtains will close at 8:45 p.m. on Monday, August 9th, and will re-open at 4:30 a.m. on Friday, August 10th. During this time, the Deities will be repainted. We apologize for any inconvenience. |
Prayer Request
On Thursday, August 12th, Bhaktin Linda's husband, Barry will be undergoing a quadruple bypass surgery. Please pray for his protection and his speedy recovery. |
Ratha Yatra DVD Available for SaleA DVD of this year's Ratha Yatra parade, the initiation by H.H. Giriraja Swami & H.H. Rtadhvaja Swami, as well as all of the dancing and entertainment afterwards is available. This is a 2-DVD set. To purchase a copy, please go to Rupa Madhurya's blog. |
Recipe Corner Vegetarian Chili by Kurma Dasa This nourishing combination of beans and vegetables is given an extra protein boost with the addition of crumbled home-made curd cheese (panir). To make this a dairy-free dish, add frozen tofu that's been thawed and crumbled instead of the curd cheese. Chili is delicious served with your choice of breads or rice. Serves 6-8. Ingredients - 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 hot green chilies, seeded and minced
- 1/4 teaspoon yellow asafoetida powder
- 1/2 cup diced green peppers
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup cooked corn pieces
- 3 cups tomatoes, blanched, peeled and chopped
- 3/4 cup tomato paste
- 3 cups cooked kidney beans (reserve the bean liquid separately)
- 1 cup crumbled curd cheese or frozen tofu that's been thawed and crumbled, or chunks of fried tempe
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Heat the oil in a heavy 3-litre/quart saucepan over moderate heat. When the oil is hot, add the minced green chili and saute for 1 minute. Add the asafoetida powder and saute momentarily. Add the diced peppers and celery. Saute, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until the vegetables soften. Add the cooked corn and the chopped tomato and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 10 minutes. Add all the remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the chili is too thick, add some reserved bean liquid. Serve hot. | 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 |
| | August Feast Sponsorships Aug 1st
Talati family in memory of Umesh Talati & Ganga Ba
Aug 8th Chasmawala Family Malik Family Aug 15th 2 Sponsorships Available Aug 22nd
2 Sponsorships Available Aug 29th
2 Sponsorships Available Kindly come forward and sponsor a feast |
Sincere thanks to all our July Monthly Sponsors | Business | | Omega Travels Ltd | | KISU LLC DBA Executive Inn | | Surrey House Inn | | Texas American Bodyworks | | | | Congregation | | Anonymous (SG) | | Amal & Ranu Baidya | | Ambala & Jyoti Panchal | | Anil chourasia | | Anil Kumar Uttarker Sureshrao | | Ashish N Puri | | Atul Srivatsava | | Atul Vohra | | Bobby Jivnani | | Debu Dhar | | Dipak & Jyotsna Gupta | | Dwaraka Iyengar | | Jain Pooja | | Jack Curtis | | Jennifer Bess | | Ketankumar & Usha Patel | | Kirti D Naik | | Mahendra Roy chowdhury | | Manish Raikundalia | | Manish Vanodia | | Mukesh K Patel | | Nalini & Dinesh Deva | | P.P. Mangrola | | Purvi Patel | | Ranjini & Sarojini Min | | Ravindra & Beena Kurup | | Ritesh Kumar | | Ruma & Roy Jahor | | Sangeetha Mukund Patel | | Sanjay Goel/Lalitha Gupta | | Sanjiv/Neetu Agarwal | | Santosh B Rahalkar | | Sant Giridher (FFL) | | Sarup Chowdhury | | Sashi Purohit | | Subhendra N Sarkar | | Sudayana Paul & Family | | Swapan & Mita Saha | | Tracy & L G Roach | | Upendra Charugundala | | Vaidhei Mutyala | | Vasdev S. & Kiran Rai | | Venkat Rangaswamy | | Venkataraman A | | Voldomyr Yefimov | | | | Devotee community | | Arpita Basu (Gurumayi DD) | | Dan Bearden (Dharma Das) | | Daniel Neighbors (Danakeli Das) | | Danny Thomas (Durasaya Das) | | Diana Clark (Dhiralalita DD) | | Hrishikesh Shinde (Rasaraj Das) | | Jayshree Radhe DD | | Laura Schlette (Lavanga DD) | | Liz/Mike Meyer (Mathurnath Das) | | Lynda M Van Nus (Kunti DD) | | Manoj Bagchi (Madhavahari Das) | | Pawan Sabarwal (Prema caru Das) | | Robert A Schoenmann (Gopal Das) | | Ron Gleaves (Radhanath Das) | | Ronald Robinson (Rupanuga Das) | | Sukumar Natarajan (Deva Darsana Das) | | Troy Granger (Nityanandachandra Das) | | William Tansey (Sri Rupa Das) | | |
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Sri Krishna Janmastami Wed, Sept. 1st, 2010 We Invite all of you to take part in the festivities Available
Sponsorpships 1) Deity Dresses (4 in #) $2,501 2) Kalash Abhisheka $2,501 $1,001 $501 3) All Day Festivities $2,501 4) Flowers $1,001 5) Prasadam $501 Please kindly come forward to help us celebrate Sri Krishnas Appearance in a grand celebration To sign up call 214 454 5267 Email |
call 214 454 5267 214 827 6330 x 216 |
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