World of mine

Krishna's welcoming soul

2009-02-10T19:38:00.004+01:00

"O friend, I have been carefully holding this storehouse of rasa for you. You alone have rights to it. Rejecting Me, you fell under spell of My energy of illusion. Continuosly I have shown great regard for you. As you have attained this by your own efforts, I am extremely pleased. Serve My everfresh pleasurable form and play with Me in an endless ocean of bliss. For My sake, you have cut all chains of material attachment. I will never be able to repay the depths of the love you have shown. Be naturally satisfied in your service."

(Sri Caitanya Siksamrita, concluding words)

Flower garments

2009-01-20T17:55:00.004+01:00

In Mayapur on the occasion of Pushya Abisheka Purnima Sri Sri Radha-Madhava were offered a flower garment. A lot of flower patterns, flower crown, flower bracelets... They look gorgeous!!!

Noble suffering

2009-01-15T20:23:00.002+01:00

World is more and more crazy and people are every day more illusioned. Kali yuga is progressing rapidly by each our breath... Few days ago I got an email - another petition. Usually I immediately delate such things but this one caught my attention. It was about an european campaing for the welfare of animals. Definitely I am interesed in welfare of all living entities, including souls in an animal body.

I was reading it and could not belive my eyes. I am quoting from the web site where this project is presented (www.8hours.eu) : "For a long time, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, concerned citizens and politicians have argued that something has to be done. Animals for slaughter should never be transported for more than eight hours."

It's soooooo ironic. Animals should not be transported more than 8 hours but they can be killed afterwards? They want to show their compassion to the animals by providing them better, more confortable last ride? They will give them a "noble suffering"? Well I think animals are not so much concerned about a long drive but for sure they are concerned what comes after the drive.

I am so happy that Srila Prabhupada gave us proper understanding and clear intelligence. "In modern human society, spiritual knowledge is neglected, and cow killing is encouraged. It is to be understood, then, that human society is advancing in the wrong direction and is clearing the path to its own condemnation. A civilization which guides the citizens to become animals in their next lives is certainly not a human civilization. The present human civilization is, of course, grossly misled by the modes of passion and ignorance. It is a very dangerous age, and all nations should take care to provide the easiest process, Krishna consciousness, to save humanity from the greatest danger."
Real cow protection ki jay!

On the street

2009-01-13T18:18:00.001+01:00

Last weekend of Srila Prabhupada's marathon I spend in the temple. Each day I joined harinam group and spent time distributing cookies on freezing cold streets of Ljubljana.

It's such an irony that people in general think about us how poor we are that we have to sing and sell books in such an extreme weather conditions. But in fact we are doing the austerity for their benefit, their welfare (and of course also our purification :)) because we know that they are actually poor in spirit and we feel compassion for them. Looking from a material point of view we look odd and crazy but from spiritual - Krishna appreciates so much each and every minute spend on freezing cold chanting His names.

Harinam group is continuting with going on the streets and distributing mercy. They are really amazing. Every day. Day by day. Whenenever I'm not too mental I try to go along with them. On one Sunday morning I joined them again. It was sooo sooo cold but warm from inside. One photographer from magazine Mladina made this photo which turned one quite nice....

O my dear Krishna! Please ever dwell in the temple of my heart. I shall sing songs about You for Your pleasure and You will be pleased. Please accept my devotion, love, flower garland and chandan which I have brought, for You are my life and death. This is my offering at Your worshipable feet.

Sitting harinam in downtown

2008-12-22T17:18:00.012+01:00

After two weeks of lying in bed, drinking tee and trying out all possible ayurvedic medicines I needed some action. As everyday also yesterday devotees went for harinam to the center of Ljubljana. Usually on Sundays there is 'second hand market' on the streets. Crowds of people are coming. The best thing to do before going to the 'battlefield' is to pray to Krishna and chant rounds nicley... On sundayfeast lecture Vasudeva Datta Prabhu shared wonderful thought with us. If you ignore Krishna while calling for Him then also while going on harinam or sankirtan people will agnore you in the same way. On the other hand if you give Him your full attention also people will be interested in what you are and what you are presenting. If I would hear this before :)

Well, with Manjari Svarupa we were working on this before our departure...

Madhavi lila showered blessing upon us
This looks like a nice spot to be at
I wonder where is the rest of the group?!
They've finnaly arrived... including little Gadai and his mother

New paraphernalia for sitting harinams - small chairs

Musicians

Technical support

and wannabe dancers :)
Time for spiritual weapon - coconut cookies

Anyone who is willing gets the mercy

even Santa Claus

Bhaktin Karmen with other kind of weapon

For some of people the spiritual spark started sparkling again after many many many lives

and one lady after receiving SF invitaton she came for program. Preaching ki jay!

All glories to all harinam sankirtan devotees!

Photo session with Lord Jagannatha

2008-12-19T08:47:00.011+01:00

Some time ago I asked my dear friend Betka to make one service for the Lord. Since her young age she's been sewing and tailoring her garments. I suggested her to use her talent and do outfits for my Sri sri Nitai Nadia Bihari. She did it. Then I requested to do same for Jagannatha, Baladeva and lady Subadra. And she did it again. What a wonderful service! Last time we met she brought me the new outfits.

For last Ekadasi, Krishna Balaram dasi put the new outfits on our Master. I promised to Betka that I will send her photos so that she can have virtual darshan of Jagannatha in the new dresses. :) Since I don't have a camera on my own and my health is still not good I asked Kamala Manjari to take photo of the deities. In two days she's leaving Slovenia for New year's holidays. I begged her to do before she leaves. She could not do it immediately so she asked me to remind her again. My passionate nature could not wait any longer. But what to do?! Practicing patience...

In the evening before going to bed I was reading from Bhurijan's book about Srila Prabhupada. Then I turn off the light. I heared some sounds which were coming from the near by room. If you live with 10 other devotees that is quite normal thing. I get up and with all possible humility I asked them to be quiet since I am trying to fall asleep. What do I see? A huge professional camera in bh. Rok's lap. This was the subject of their conversation. He took few photos and I also tried to take few. Really it was the best camera I ever hold in my hands. Beautiful photos.

After few minutes I return back to my room hoping I can finaly have some rest. After lying in bed for few minutes I see the situation that Krishna arranged. Few hours before I was begging for a camera and just now Lord of the universe send professional camera (worth of 5000 EUR). Again I got up and run to Rok with proposal that we have small photo session with our deites. Of course he immediately agreed. Since we already put deities to sleep we awaken Them and had an evening photo session. The following is the result. I hope you will enjoy in Lord's beauties.

Setting up the scene

Sri sri Nitai Nadia Bihari

Jay Nitai

Lord Gauranga

Lord Jagannatha

Sri Balarama

Lady Subhadra

Hiding behind the veil

Dressing: Krsna Balarama dasi

Styling: Bhn. Betka

Photography: Bh. Rok

Song about Srila Prabhupada

2008-12-16T08:30:00.006+01:00

I WONDER

( written by HG Laxmimoni Pr.)

If Srila Prabhupada visited you,
Maybe just for a day or two.
and came by unexpectedly,
I wonder what you'd do.
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room,
To such an honored guest,
And all the food you'd offer,
Would be the very best,
And you would keep assuring him,
you're glad to have him there,
That serving him within your home,
Is a joy beyond compare.
BUT If you saw him coming,
Would you meet him at the door,
With arms outstretched to welcome,
this honored visitor?
OR ...
Would you have to change your clothes
Before you let him in ?
Or hide some magazines
And put the Gita where they'd been ?
Would you watch those mundane movies,
upon your TV set ?
Would you have to answer e mail while
he was taking rest?
Would you run to turn your music off,
before it reached his ears ?
and put telok on your forehead
Or bind or shave your hairs ?
Would you hide away your gameboy,
-- take your posters off the wall ?
Would you have to hide the dvds,
you just bought at the mall ?
AND, I wonder ...
If Prabhupada spent A day or two with you, Would you go right on doing The things you always do ?
Would you go right on saying
The things you always say ?
Would life for you continue
As it does from day to day ?
Would you gossip with your partner
about devotees' faults ?
Would you have to re-cook dinner
Without the garlic salt.

Would you put kunti on your neck
And have to find your japa beads?
And wake up in the morning before the
Sun peeks through the trees.
Would you sing the songs you always sing And read the books you read ?
And let him know the things on which
your mind and spirit feed ?
Would Prabhupada be invited
Everywhere you planed to go ?
Or, would you, maybe, change your plans, Just for a day or so ?
Would you be glad to have him meet
your very closest friends?
Or, would you hope they'd stay away
Until his visit ends?
Would you be glad to have him stay
Forever on and on?
OR ...
Would you sigh with great relief,
When finally he had gone ?
It might be interesting to know
The things that you would do
If Srila Prabhupada, or the Lord,
came to spend some time with you.

Any questions?

2008-12-16T08:26:00.000+01:00

Most important moment in many lifetimes...

2008-10-20T16:29:00.016+01:00

also came to meet me... It happened more than 2 weeks ago but I needed to diagest the whole thing before writing anything. Well by unexpected mercy I had my second birth (2 weeks before my birthday:)) - I got initiation... and shelter of most caring and loving spiritual father.

How it happened? Even myself I do not know. Gurumaharaj came to Vila Vrindavana and group of devotees went there to have his association. The last thing that I expected was to get initiation. Krishna really gave me a lesson. I was keeping sari and beads for intiation for about two years. Devotees specially brought them to me from India. I even had matching earings to go with the sari... ahhh ... material attachements. Krishna showed me that initation is not at all about externals but what it matters is my heart.

Along with other forteen devotees we gathered around sacrifice fire and gave our vows in the essembly of devotees, Gurmaharaj, Srila Prabhupada, Sri Radha Vrajasundara, Jagannatha Baladeva and Subadra and Sri Gaura Nitai. We could not have better association. In my mind I was also with our dear Panca Tattva. Blessing were coming from all directions :)

Gurumaharaja gave such a profund speach on awarance of importance of initation. We can sit in front of sacrificiral fire, chant mantras and even receive spiritual name. But if we haven't deceided in our heart to trully show our seriousness on spiritual path and keep our vows for the rest of our lives then the initation did not actually happen. Then it is just formality... I sincerly hope my heart was there! Beautiful surroundings around vila...

Serious moments with our TP who investigated our spiritual lives a day before the historical event :) Waiting for D-moment...

and receiving the beads from our beloved spiritual master...

Jambavati-priya dd

Madhavi lila dd

Bhagavat-dharma das

and myself

Most extatic kirtans are going on in Vila Vrindavana. You have to experiance this!

Servants in front of Srila Prabhupada: Prema-gopi dd, Madhavi-lila dd, Gopi-prema dd:)

Praying for your blessing!!!
From now on in your service as

Prema-gopi dd

The only safe place to be in...

2008-10-09T20:17:00.002+01:00

The more power you have to do the right thing, the more you are held responsible when you do not do it; as they say the bigger you are, the harder you fall; the higher you go up, the more it hurts when you hit the ground…. So whenever we get something, there is also a responsibility that comes with us, materially that is the karmic law and spiritually that is the law of God.

Therefore a devotee does not want a high position. We were explaining yesterday Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thaukra said do not try for a higher position, just always try to take a low position…….when you are always trying to take a low position then that attracts Krsna and it attracts vaishnavas and then they put you in a high position, when you are always trying for low position and you get into the higher position you will never fall down, but if you are trying for a high position then you will be a victim of false pride, because why does any one try for a high position - name, fame and all the bags that come with it. Mahaprabhu said offer all respects to others, expect none in return, be the servant of the servant of the servant, that is the only safe place to be in, it is to be in this consciousness of das, das, das, anu das.

HH Radhanatha Maharaja

Fortunate mothers

2008-09-14T11:03:00.016+01:00

Saturday is time for sangas so we visitied Krsna Balaram's mother. Her mother Marta has been coming to the temple for quite some time and she is very much favorable to Krishna consciousness. Also mother of Audarya-candrika came to see the devotees. It is said that by practicing devotional service the devotee is benefiting so many previous generations . Of course special benefit is getting his present family as we can witness from these two mothers.

Well I wish and pray that one day also my mother would understand that we are glorifing and praying to the same God. In past few years I can see there is some improvement - she is becoming more tolerant and understanding. All credits go to Krishna's mercy in form of prasadam! One nice lila happened with my father. When I was in India I got sari as a gift from Srirangavati's family (Anita's & Shyamalata's) and I had to promise her to wear it for Janmastami. I gave sari to my father so that he will shorten sari on his sewing machine. Few days before Janmastami I call home and explain to him I need sari in few days since Krishna is having birthday. My sister supposed to pick it up on the way to the temple. I call her and explain. She answered: "I already have sari and you know what. Father was talking something about you and then he said: "So on Sunday it's a birthday?" My sister was wondering wheather she forgot about my birthday and asked: "Who's birthday it is?" Then father said in amazment: "You don't know? You are celebrating Krishna's birthday." It is funny how my father was remembering my sister who is a devotee about Krishna. Definitely devotee's parents are very fortunate and we also :)

Our wonderful hosts - Krsna Balaram dasi and her mother

On this occasion even the Lord of the universe visited their house.

First we sang bhajans who were led by Lalita Govinda prabhu. He really puts his heart into singing and it is contagious - we also gave little of our hearts to the Lord while singing. All the instruments came with him and before his arrival we tried to have bhajans using spoons and other similar paraphernalia. It was fun...

Carefully singing Prabhupada's pranama mantra.

Then Lalita Govinda pr. read from Caitanya Caritamrita and accompanied verses with his own realizations and examples from our lives. He inspired us to think what we do NOW will influence what will happen in the future. Lecture was very basic and simple but it went deep in my heart. By listening him I could understand that real transcendental knowledge comes from practice not by reading books and knowing our philosophy perfectly.

Mothers fall into extasy, determined to surrender to Krishna immediately :)

Then we read poems and sang happy birthday to Krsna Balaram and Kamala Manjari who had birthdays recently. For the end wonderful prasadam was served - it was so delicious that nobody even thougth about exchanging the spoon with photo camera - that's why no photos were taken during this auspicious moments :)

In the same house also Krsna Balaram's sister family lives and she joined us at time of prasadam. When seeing the scence she dissopointed asked if she missed our music. For her pleasure (and Krishna's ) we continued with chanting of the Holy name.

Despite the fact that prasadam was going to our bellies without any difficulites there was enough of it to take home.

My breakfast...

Sadhu sanga ki jay!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

2008-09-09T17:48:00.002+01:00

Find more videos like this on The Krishna Lovers Network

Most merciful Srimati Radhika

2008-09-05T18:59:00.004+01:00

… Love of Krishna is the exclusive property of Srimati Radharani. The only means of approaching Krishna is through the grace of Srimati Radharani. Even if you happen to be the most fallen if Srimati Radharani is pleased with you, She will approach Krishna and with heart full of love She will say to Krishna: «Please accept this devotee. This devotee is very dear to me.» Then Krishna may say: »What about all the sinful activities that this person has done in so many lifetimes? « With tears in Her eyes Srimati Radharani will reply: » He has sacrificed so much to serve my servants. This devotee is better than me. Please accept him.» Srila Prabhupada explains that Srimati Radharani is actually feeling like this - that the devotee is better than Her. Humility is the spiritual world is beyond comprehension. When Sri Radharani prays in this way, Krishna must accept the devotee. He has no power to refuse her request...

H.H. Radhanatha Swami on Glories of Srimati Radharani

Ready for heart surgery?

2008-08-29T18:11:00.012+01:00

One of the reason for taking break from work and going for our Slovenian retreat in mountains was association of Srila Prabhupada's disciples - HH Candramauli Swami, HH Paramgati Swami and HG Urmila Prabhu. Not many times happens that we host female disciple of our beloved Srila Prabhupada. Definitely I did not want to miss this opportunity. I knew that this time I can also render some insignificant service to these special souls. This was my main motivation – doing seva for them and get purified. Sounds selfish a?! :) I was meditating on the story of Narada Muni how he got association of sadhus, did some service, took some of their food remnants and attained love of Godhead. I was sure this will not happen in my case but there is certain degree of purification even for such contaminated soul as I am. I was remembering words of HH Radhanatha Maharaja saying that by rendering menial service our purification will be greater. If you want the blessings you have to show service attitude. Although sometimes you may feel that by doing simple menial service you are not doing much for them. I do feel sometimes like that. But this service is powerful. Even Lord Caitanya when he saw his servants washing their laundry He started washing them.

HH Candramauli Swami

HH Paramgati Swami - so simple but so deep!

While being in the mountains vaishnavis got much opportunities for nice services for Urmila Prabhu. I felt even more enthusiastic to be somewhere around here because her seminar was really heart transforming. In ISKCON we have many seminars but this one is by my humble opinion very high quality and it goes deep inside. Like heart surgery - can be painful but you know you cannot avoid it to start functioning properly. In order to reawaken our true love for Krishna by His mercy we have to see these unnecessary things in our heart and slowly give them up. I was wondering from where she is getting such an empowerment to preach and teach in such an inspiring way. Well of course from Krishna but what is her role in receiving this blessing. Somehow the answer came that empowerment comes because she ‘walks her talk’. She is not speaking just philosophy but she is really trying hard to change our conseptions and speak something that is relevant for our spiritual life. I like it so much.

Her Grace Urmila Prabhu

She stayed few more days in Ljubljana and I had great fortune to be somewhere around her. Govinda’s opened after having one month of vacancies. With my friend Betka who is prasadam addict (Betka if you are reading I hope you don't mind calling you like this :)) we planned a week before to go for lunch the very first day of opening. The evening before I ask Madhyahna lila if there is something that I can do for Urmila prabhu. She says: "Yes actually there is you can take her for lunch to Govinda's. " I saw it as a nice arrangement. I was trying to reach Betka on mobile and invite her for SF since Urmila Prabhu had given lecture but I unsucesful. Still Krishna took care that she got some of her inspiring association.

During lunch she was answering our question and revelating to us how to give us attachment and desires. After that we took her for a walk in parc Tivoli and I've made an interview with her on one of the benches. It was sweet but at the same time she was giving me lessons which for which I was not ready yet. Also later on when I did some seva for her I realized that being humble and dettached servant is sooooo hard if you have such biggggg false ego as I have. I also felt I am too sensitive for all these lessons but at the same time I knew I will have to take them sooner or later. The conclusion was that you have to be qualified to know how to appreciate, take advantage of such an association and eager to learn in any way is given. Hopeful one day I will go beyond my ego and do my heart surgery.

Caitanya's soldiers declaring war against maya

2008-08-27T05:56:00.002+01:00

One of my favourite photos from our yatra

Bee-mind

2008-08-19T19:06:00.002+01:00

O my Lord Krsna, I beg to offer my prayers unto You. My mind is like the bee, and it is after some honey. Kindly, therefore, give my bee-mind a place at Your lotus feet, which are the resources for all transcendental honey. I know that even big demigods like Brahma do not see the rays of the nails of Your lotus feet, even though they are engaged in deep meditation for years together. Still, O infallible one, my ambition is such, for You are very merciful to your surrendered devotees.

O Madhava, I know also that I have no genuine devotion for the service of Your lotus feet, but because Your Lordship is inconceivably powerful, You can do what is impossible to be done. Your lotus feet can deride even the nectar of the heavenly kingdom, and therefore I am very much attracted by them. O supreme eternal, please, therefore, let my mind be fixed at Your lotus feet so that eternally I may be able to relish the taste of Your transcendental service."

By Rupa Goswami

Drops of nectar from slovenina yatra

2008-08-13T07:10:00.006+01:00

Our slovenian summer camp started and by great mistery I managed to catch internet connection. Since we just singing Jaya Radha Madhava I will only give you some nectar from yesterda' s Urmila Prabhvi's seminar:

Dealing properly with vaishnavas

Vaishnava

Every LE is a vaishnava. What to speak of those who are acting as vaishnavas. Grass in the tenth is missing sun and becoming yellow whereas we are missing Krishna. Grass is yearning to connect with Krishna as a hunger for sunlight. Trying to get satisfaction in a lower form through food – anna maya. That's how souls yearning for Krishna is manifesting. Natural desire to serve Krishna is manifesting as a hunger for sunlight. Everyone is looking for Krishna, some don't realize it, some not. Some living entities have awakened and know that what they want. Mahatmas – soul is not bigger in size, they are bigger in positive way. The way that grass is looking for Krishna is not in category for yoga with Krishna (anakulyena). Those who follow this are called vaishnavas. I want to have my loving union with God in a way that pleases Him – this is one category of vaishnava.

LE above this line are 3: advanced, middle, neophyte. Top: full loving union with Krishna, bottom: I think I want to do this. Neophyte devotee: Dhruva Maharaj – not pure devotee, by his mother’s advising he became a devotee. Suruci thought about Dhruva he is neophyte. But still this is not the reason to make offences. Some are saying you are just being sentimental and on ego and they mistreat you. If I am mistreating LE (my family) I will not be invited to diner to Goloka. :)

We can understand Krishna by observing ourselves says Šrila Prabhupada - family member understanding each other. Love God Love your neighbour. We are mistreating devotees in same asrama vs. being kind to pigs by not eating them.

Appreciation vs. Criticism

Criticism has its root in envy. We like being envious – does Krishna want us to be envious? We want to be envious. What does it to us? When we criticise? Thinking we are better. I am a good person. It doesn’t not make any logical sense. No matter how bad you are it does not make me good. If I say that everyone in this room is bad that does not mean that I become better or if I say you are ugly does this makes be beautiful? We are programmed to be always doubtful and critical.

In our life we see that even if we admire someone we still find some area that we are better at. First way to get rid of anarthas – you have to see to be able to remove (cleaning floor, carpets - dirt)

Instead of becoming good from the beginning good we try to achieve this through criticism.

Humility – does not mean I am always depressed. There is a spiritual way of feeling good about yourself. Criticising others does not make sense and it does not really work (it’s like sweet rise mixed with sand). When we do criticize we get a funny feeling – as tighten our heart.

I am feeling pain because I am paining Krishna (we are His parts). So called pleasure we are getting from criticism: I am better, more powerful.... & at same time questioning Why am I doing that? Krishna will not make me feel happy at other people’s expense. The same as mother wouldnot allow her son to hit his brother because he is having fun doing that. No mother will say Go away from your brother. When we are envious on His part and parcel He also says Go and in such a way we separate ourselves from Krishna.

The only way to give up envy is to find better way to feel happy about ourselves, to be a good person. Envy is our way of doing this. Feeling good about ourselves without being envy means :

- Serving in the way that Krishna likes. How do I know He is happy? Scripture and guru

- Whatever I have is a gift from Krishna - having talent, or opulence - all are coming from Krishna – we should be grateful for all this and use it in His service (example: someone giving you a cadar, this person will feel happy upon seeing you wearing it). If you don't use it you are not grateful. Gratefulness will win envy.

Externally appreciating others - envy will still remain in the heart – it will not work. We have to find satisfaction. When we feel Krishna's love we can love ourselves.

? If I were humble and forgives wouldn't people hurt me

Does being venation, revengeful keep you from being hurt? No it's keeps going. When I am angry and revengeful does it keep me save? Is our desire for safety bad? No it's part of the soul. Eternal! (BG 2.13)

If someone hurts me how can we protect ourselves? Knowing that we are not body and mind – nobody can hurt me. Law of karma – applies for others, not for me (we often times say I would never do something like that).

Do an experiment: Next time when someone hurts you try asking Krishna Please show me how I did this to someone else. Not doing in exactly in same way, maybe in different way, that’s why we do not recognize it. What I am getting I must be giving. (I am doing this)

Forgiveness does not mean you are saying that this person has right. It's not stupidity! I want the person to learn for my sake because I want to be saved. Real forgiveness is I want this person to be saved. Suniti: Whatever you wish for others you will get for your selves. If you like others will learn through suffering then you will also get this. Have desire: I want them to learn through joy – forgiveness.

Hare Krishna.

Appreciating the nature

2008-08-11T14:39:00.006+01:00

With every visit of my hometown my appreciation for nature increases. I am trying to direct this attraction into appreciation for Lord who created all these wonderful surroundings. It is true that people in countryside are more pious and have deeper relationship with the nature. Every day they witness how the crops, vegetables and fruits are growing and they become aware that someone is behind all these perfect natural processes. Wheras on the other hand people in cities are surrounded by high sky scrapers, roads and ither aftificial objects. Living in conviction that whatever is around them was created by them only.

Seeing high mountains with wide sky above makes a person feel little and insignificant. What we truly are in comparison with the universe? Just a tiny little spot in eternity. But still we are spiritual spark which is in its true state full of bliss, knowledge and eternity. The consciousness of the Superior is already the first step on path of God realization. People who are in contact with nature, earth tend to be more in sattva guna. Going to the nature relives you from distress and you can better focus on the essence – Holy name.

I had a whole stock of sattva guna this weekend. I spend almost all Saturday walking, relaxing and meditating in the forest and hills of popular spot in my area called Slivnica. Of course not alone but in a good company of Mangala Candrika who came from Belgium to Slovenia for summer vacations. Both of us really enjoyed every step on green grass with beautiful scene of cows and horses that naturally remained us on Govinda and Gopal.

After reaching the peak we had prasadam refreshment while sharing thoughts about japa retreat that we attended but at different times. Later we did some pranayama, read some nectar about chanting and then tried to focus with our whole attention to the Holy name. Even though surrounded by satvic environment there had to be some disturbances otherwise we would forget we are in material world. Some ticks attacked Mangala Candrika but Krishna took care of her and saved her :)
Signing our 'accomplishement'
On the way back we met big group of students where camping nearby. Their heads were kneeling down as if they had lost something. Intrigued by the scene we approached them with questions. We got to know that there is lode of rock crystal and now they are searching for these precious stones. Because in last days there was a heavy rain these stones showed up.

Next day I went riding bike with my friend Betka who really surprised me with this proposal. We drove together around three hours. On half way we stopped and had lunch at my sister’s place – it reminded me on my visits many years ago when I got to know Krishna in the form of prasadam. Before becoming a devotee I was vegetarian and trying prasadam for the first time was a whole new dimension in my eating repertoar. Every Sunday I would be going on their Sunday feast which was sometimes followed by ‘ the real’ Sunday feast in the temple. Definitely I do not belong to the category of devotees who become devotees because of the books. In my case it was prasadam. My only hope is that I will eat my way back to Godhead JBoth my sister and her husband Vishnu prabhu are amazing cook and we had lovely lunch. After doing so many activities for the body I quickly drove back to Ljubljana for Sunday feast – second feast :)

For the end I would like to write nice thought that Betka shared with me: “Yesterday is a history, tomorrow is mystery today is a gift that’s why it is called present.” By becoming grateful you are never frustrated because whatever comes you remain satisfied. Our life are precious gifts that we should properly use.

Visiting devotees at Nava Ekacakra

2008-08-09T17:23:00.011+01:00

Our little country is so small that almost in every town and village you can find devotees. One of these places is a house of grihasta couple which is home of Lord Krishna (sila), Jaganatha Baladeva and Sudhadra, Gaura Nitai, Nrisimhadev, Hanumanji and is called Nava Ekacakra. The reason why they choose name New Ekacakra is because our main temple is called New Yoga Pith. Under deities you can see Their main servant little Gadhai. :)

We came to sanga earlier in order to help our host Sravana Ramaniya with cooking, cutting etc. While preparing paprika the conclusion was that our plastic paprika can not even compare with macedonian vegetables from where two main cooks are coming. Maybe it's time to start thinking about home grown vegetables.

Macedonian dream (cooking) team

While matajis are engaged in cooking prabhu is doing his duties :) Little Gadhai is playing and learning how to do arati. I remembered how Srila Prabhupada said that Gaura Nitai deities don't accept any offences and that little children should play with Them. Also in his own childhood we can see that his father always engaged him in KC activities. Impressions that child gets in his early years are very powerful and have tremendous influence on his grown up life. Definitely Gadhai's parents (Sravana Ramaniya and Mahibharta) know very well how to give their child the best.

Singing Hare Krishna and playing accordion on the stairs while waiting for Hare Krishna prabhu - his rolemodel :)

Great musician Hare Krishna prabhu came with Ananta prabhu and was received according to vaishhnava culture - with flower garland.

Very soon after coming he took harmonium and we entered the land of the Holy Name

Like father like son

Sweet and salty ending - prasadam.

Looking for...
Hare Krishna girls

Beautiful Sri Panca Tattva

2008-08-05T17:46:00.002+01:00

When will that day come when there will be shivering of the body as soon as I chant Lord Gauranga's name? And after the shivering, while I chant Hare Krsna, when will there be tears pouring down from my eyes?

Coming back...

2008-08-04T16:21:00.009+01:00

It's summer time. It looks like my blog also needed a break. And me also. Busy world... Somehow or rather I deceided to continue with my blogging. Well will see for how long my enthusiasm will last. Vedas say that it is not so difficult to create and destroy things, what is really difficult is to maintain them. I am not soo good at this but I will have to learn.

Among all things that were happening two were really inspiration for my spiritual life. First was Bhaktivaibhava course which really give another perspective in life. Every one of us could experiance amazing power of regular reading of sastra. At such momemnt you think that you have wasted your time not doing such enlightning things as reading but eventualy these inspiration goes somewhere. Again same problem - the problem of maintaining. Today at Srimad Bhagavatam class Bhaktivikasa Swami said that in old times there was a standard of reading Srila Prabhupadas book regularly but today it seems not to be stressed so much . I reflected on my last days, months in KC and my reading... I love to read but just can't find time. And always giving excuses as like - well you listen the lectures and this is also hearing philosophy and it is sufficient. But it is different. I deceided to give more time to reading and association with Krishna and Prabhupada through books. READING REFORM ki jay. :)

The second hightlight was Japa retreat with Sacinandana Swami. Learing how to chant Lord's names with whole body, mind and heart, taking responsibility for my own spiritual life, becoming attracted to Krishna in form of His Name, deepening my relationship with Krishna and so on. Just wonderful. Theory is here - 1/5 of my notebook is written and now the practice comes. After coming back my chanting is not as I would expected. Knowing so much of what proper chanting is and what is the reality in my case means facing a huge, terrifing gap in between. I realized that I have to endeavor for each and every mantra to be chanted with attention and with feelings. It is not an easy task but I have hope that one day Krishna will shower His blessing upon me. JAPA REFORM ki jay. :)

I promised some more photos from retreat. Here they are...

Slovenian chanting crew on the boat

Always blissful Sacinandana Maharaja

Radhe - Shyammmmm

Maharaj with my umbrella - now I have transcendental maha umbrela :)
Listening about Haridas Thakur in monestary church (which is otherwise very rarely used). At first it was very strange feeling to chant Hare Krishna in a church and listen vaishnava philosophy but eventually I entered another space. I never ever though that I will do this in a church. I wonder what would my mother thought about it :)

My friend Manditangi was helpinh Maharaj with tighting the sankalpa rope. We had special sankalpa ceremony - with aim to help us fullfiling our desires and giving us strenght to follow wows regarding chanting.

But no words and no pictures can describe the transformation of the heart. That each of us has to experiance on our own.

Devotee's heart

2008-06-14T17:52:00.003+01:00

The Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi Menu

2008-06-14T15:48:00.011+01:00

Fasting is on the menu for today.

Feast Ingredients:

...a little japa

...a little chanting in kirtan and sankirtan

...a smidgen of hearing

...prayers to suit taste

...a relish of remembering the pastimes of the Lord and His devotees

...a pinch of reading

...a healthy amount of associating with the Lord's devotees

...a good amount of practical service to the Lord and His devotees

...both eyes full with the darshan of the Deities

...filled with the essence of full surrender in pleasing the Lord and His devotees You can break fast tomorrow, and begin a different feast....

Bon appetit :)

Japa at Braj :)

2008-06-12T19:31:00.007+01:00

By Krishna's mercy I attended japa retreat facilitated by HH Sacinandana Swami which I call modern nama acarya. We all went through process of deep transformation and strong realizations about our chanting... For now I will just write small inspiration for better chanting and few photos. More coming soon.. :)

When one only chant from tounge it will not go beyond the ears of Krishna.

Chant from the heart it will reach the heart of Krishna.

Happy birthday Lord Nrsimhadeva :)

2008-05-18T11:15:00.000+01:00

ugram viram maha-visnum

jvalantam sarvatomukham

nrisimham bhishanam bhadram

mrtyu-mrtyum namamy aham

May my head be protected by the moon-colored one, who is the greatest among humans. My obeisances unto the ferocious and powerful, the great Visnu, the fiery one, who’s faces are on all sides, the fearful one, Nrsimha, who causes the death of even death personified, or the one who can overcome death.

Walking the path of Lord Caitanya

2008-05-18T10:15:00.000+01:00

Mayapur festival officialy started with special inaguration ceremony

where senior devotees and Maharajas offfered a cocconut for auspicious beggining.
Next day boarding of more than thousand devotees on boats .

Parikrama always starts in Yoga Pith - place where Lord Caitanya took birth

under this holy neem tree.

Siva lingas - Lord Siva is known as protector of the Holy Dham. Every pilgrim should come here before parikrama and pray to this deity and gaura-prema will be revealed within their hearts.
Lord Caitanya with His two wifes (Laksmipriya on His left, Vishnupriya on His right)
In front of every temple you can buy garland for few rupees and offer it to deities
Jayapataka Maharaja who is main organizator of Mayapur festival was with us all the time

Gopal Krishna Maharaja was also with us most of the time

Just in case...

Taking prasada

Sravanam

Getting the dust of lotus feet on head

Distributing water from Holy Kund

Free cocconut refreshment

There are two tree at Chand Kazi samadhi who grow tight to each other. Campaka tree represents Chand Kazi and neem tree represents Lord Nityananda.

Gentlement in the middle is a successor of Chand Kazi

Sweet Tivra Bhakti mataji from Estonia

Beautiful deity of Madhan Gopal was worshiped by Nilambara Cakravarti Thakur, the father of Sacimata

On parikrama we also had 'Krishna' dressed in yellow dhoti with peacock feather and a sleeping bag :)
Walking the path with Ranga devi

Drama performance

Rolling in the Navadvip dust

'Factory of saris'

Self manifested Deity of Nrsimhadeva from Satya yugaBhaktivaibhava Swami and Gopal Krishna Goswami distributing Nrsimha maha prasad
Nrsimha pali - lake where Nrsimhadeva washed His hands after killing Hiranyakasipur
Distributing mercy
Always fired up Guru Bhakti distributing BTG in Bengali
On parikrama I met two Slovenian devotees - Devendra Gopal pr. and Tapta Kancanadi pr.

Together we took riksa from Jagannatha Mandir to Mayapur. Next day I headed for Bombay.

Parikrama with Ukrain devotees

2008-04-29T19:37:00.000+01:00

On the way to Modrumadvip - one of 9 islands of Navadvip - which is nondifferent from Lord Rama's Ayodya... In Satya yuga, Lord Rama along with Sita Devi and Laksman came here during Their exile. Lord Rama built a hut here under a huge banyan tree. This tree can not be seen at the present time. Lord Rama told Sita that he would come here in Kali yuga with a yellow complexion, from the womb of Mother Saci in the house of Jagannatha Misra. He told her that she would take birth as His wife Vishnupriya, and that Navadvipa was very dear to Him and that not even Ayodhya could equal it. He told her that Kausalya, who is His mother now, would take birth as Mother Saci. He told her that this was a great secret and that she should not reveal it to anyone.On the boat in association of ukrain matajis.

Specially during monsun season Ganga floads. Smart villigers put heavy bags in order to prevent Her coming too close.

Washing cloths at the bank of Ganga mata

Temple in Katwa where Lord Caitanya accepted a renounced order of life from Kesava Bharati

Footprint of Lord's lotus feet

Traditionaly when person accept sannyasa order his hair are cut off. Also Lord Caitanya's beautiful hair were cut and here is shire of his hair.

Great vaishnava acarya Locana Das Thakur wrote Mangala Caitanya at this very spot.

Indian people are by nature very artistic. This man is making murti Durga devi.

The divine tree of kantaknagar where under Lord Gauranga took his seat.

Jaganatha Mandir near Mayapur which is now maintaind by ISKCON devotees. Lord Jagannatha daily receives a large food offering called Chapana Bhoga - 56 preparations.

Siva linga - Mahadeva is protector of Holy Dham

Visiting Bhaktivinoda Thakura's house which I experianced as spiritual very potent place. At one time in history 4 great souls met here - Bhaktisidhantaji, Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Jagannatha das Babaji and Gaura kisora das Babaji. He discovered Lord Caitanya’s appearance place while living here.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura's bed

Receiving mercy from Bhaktivinoda Thakura's cane

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's bed

We visited Vishunpriya's temple. When Lord Gauranga took sannyasa his wife Vishnupriya was devastated. In order to comfort her hE manifested deitiy of Himself which she worshiped in His separation. Her life is amazing. She used to count the beads, chanting the holy name. Counting the name, she put some rice aside. With the recitation of the mantra, she put some rice aside. One recitation, one piece of rice was put aside. One chant, one piece of rice. In this way, she counted while chanting. Then she boiled the rice and offered it to Lord Krishna and she used to take that much prashadam for her sustainance. So, her body became emaciated, gradually. But she continued that sort of life of austerity.

Lord Gauranga's shoes

In front of temple sadhus begging for small change

Lord Gauranga embrance this dry, dead tree and bring it to life. I was praying that by His potency I also become alive again. :) Jagannatha das Babaji samadhi

This more than 100 yers old sadhu (left) is successor of Jagannatha das Babaji

Deities of Madana Gopala worshipped by Vasudeva Datta

Visiting birthplace of Nityananda Prabhu

2008-04-26T12:17:00.005+01:00

Quite near Mayapur in terms of India (5 hours of drivng by bus) is a birthplace of Lord Nityananda Prabhu - Ekacakra which is beautiful, peaceful village. People here are much more simple and they don't boder you at all; ok except children :) The whole drive was almost 10 hours in one day but it was definitely worth it. Immediately after caming there Nityananda started to play with us. After coming from the bus we just followed devotees in front of us. When we came to the first place they started speaking in Russian and we realized that we are in Russian group and that we are missing our guide. Anupama mataji commented that we have to 'follow devotees with inteligence not blindly as we did :) We went back and on the way we met our guide on a motorcycle. Behind him is Srila Prabhupada's disciple from France who also joined our group. On the bus he was sitting next to be so I got some Prabhupada nectar. Somehow we make an agreement about how to continue wheather take villige guide or just follow our 'little space ou guide' and we went around Ekacakra. First we took darshan of Nityananda Prabhu in the main temple. Since it is forbiden to take photos I don't have any. Then we walked around this auspicious place while hearing different pastimes.

Holy kund Radha Kund at EkacakraShyama Kunda at Ekacakra
Playing games on the street With village children

Funny scene - Westerner helping little child to tie his dhoti

Rice field
This is a place where the Bakasura demon lived, who terrorized the people of Ekacakra for many years. The demon used to eat one human being each day from the local villages in the area of Ekacakra. The people set up a system where one person from a different family was sent to Bakasura each day. Queen Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas requested Bhima, who had the strength of 10,000 elephants to kill this demon. Bhima then killed this demon after a furious fight.
Children really like to pose...
and they know very well that it is possible to see the photo on the camera

Village scenes

Digging out the potato

Making cow dung paddies which they use for making their huds - it is well know antiseptic and it .... away all kind of incects.

Matajis are thought from young age method of Carrying different things on their heads.

Worshiper of Lord Shiva

Selling Nityananda & Jagannatha deities

Love

2008-04-19T10:15:00.001+01:00

Belive it or not :)

2008-04-16T07:18:00.002+01:00

Who is the actual lifter?

2008-04-13T19:49:00.006+01:00

The Lord is described as one who resides in everyone's body and who directs everything for one who is a soul surrendered to Him. Those who are not surrendered souls are put under care of material nature; therefore they are allowed to do things on their own account and suffer concequences themselves.

Rather than remaining under the care of the material nature, devotees depend on the superior strenght and visin of Krishna. An example can be offered to aid our understanding. A young boy tries to lift a heavy weight. His father assists the boy's atempt, and his adult strenght makes him the actual lifter.

Similarly, a devotee's attempt to please Krishna, like the attempt of a child to lift weight, inspires Krishna to complete the task. Thus the ultimate doer is Krishna. Because devotees desire to please Krishna, acting only for His pleasure, they can accomplish wonders.

Bhurijana das: Unveiling His Lotus Feet

Everyday in Mayapur

2008-04-12T16:25:00.002+01:00

Every day I had great fortune of seeing beautiful Radha Madhava - during day...

and in the evening in Their night dresses

I desired to render for special, personal service to the deities and by merciful devotees I could help in pujari room. When you are hold and then washing huge lap from Urga Nrsimhadeva it really is special feeling. Thank you for this mercy.

There are different means of transport but in Mayapur complex most common is bicycle. Women at the back and the child in front.

Many devotees from West live here. Among them are Teja Gaurangi and her husband who are both from Bosnia. Her sister Santi Rupa Radhika has a strong desire to stay there forever. For now she is coming there for few months every year. She is very pleasant and sincere devotee. Here we were celebrating her birthday.

Santi Rupa Radhika - always in the company of the Lord ;)
Teja Gaurangi made delicious birthday cake

I also had an opportunity to have an interview for Svet Bhakti with Srutakirti prabhu's son Mayapur Candra prabhu and Urmila's daughter Campakalata mtj. They are both disciples of Bir Krishna Maharaja and they came from Govardhan to serve their spiritual master.

If anyone has been questioning if there is some place in Mayapur left for other devotees. Yes, there is. They are just building two near blocs with apartments.

During my stay in Mayapur I went to take realy dip in the Ganges only one time. It was on auspicious Ekadasi.

Offering Ganga to Ganga

Still there are some who prefer fishing...

Radha Bhakti and her husband were also there. Here we went together to Navadvip to buy parafernalia for the deities and some things for devotees.

And not very surprising we end up with riksa full of bags

Carefully counting rupees :)

Hankering after Him

2008-04-05T16:14:00.006+01:00

Just after I came back from India we started Bhaktivaibhava course. This year again Adi Purusa Prabhu is our respected teacher. It you take time and realy try to go deep in Bhagavatam and try to understand Srila Prabhupada's purports you can realy relish the nectar. I was very much inspired by verse 2.2.6, Prabhupada's powerful purport and I would like to share it:

Thus being fixed, one must render service unto the Supersoul situated in one's own heart by His omnipotency. Because He is the Almighty Personality of Godhead, eternal and unlimited, He is the ultimate goal of life, and by worshiping Him one can end the cause of the conditioned state of existence.

As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (18.61), the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna is the all-pervading omnipresent Supersoul. Therefore one who is a yogé can worship only Him because He is the substance and not illusion. Every living creature is engaging in the service of something else. A living being's constitutional position is to render service, but in the atmosphere of maya, or illusion, or the conditional state of existence, the conditioned soul seeks the service of illusion. A conditioned soul works in the service of his temporary body, bodily relatives like the wife and children, and the necessary paraphernalia for maintaining the body and bodily relations, such as the house, land, wealth, society and country, but he does not know that all such renderings of service are totally illusory. As we have discussed many times before, this material world is itself an illusion, like a mirage in the desert. In the desert there is an illusion of water, and the foolish animals become entrapped by such an illusion and run after water in the desert, although there is no water at all. But because there is no water in the desert, one does not conclude that there is no water at all. The intelligent person knows well that there is certainly water, water in the seas and oceans, but such vast reservoirs of water are far, far away from the desert. One should therefore search for water in the vicinity of seas and oceans and not in the desert. Every one of us is searching after real happiness in life, namely eternal life, eternal or unlimited knowledge and unending blissful life. But foolish people who have no knowledge of the substance search after the reality of life in the illusion. This material body does not endure eternally, and everything in relation with this temporary body, such as the wife, children, society and country, also changes along with the change of body. This is called samsara, or repetition of birth, death, old age and disease. We would like to find a solution for all these problems of life, but we do not know the way. Herein it is suggested that anyone who wants to make an end to these miseries of life, namely repetition of birth, death, disease, and old age, must take to this process of worshiping the Supreme Lord and not others, as it is also ultimately suggested in the Bhagavad-gita (18.65). If we at all want to end the cause of our conditioned life, we must take to the worship of Lord Sri Krsna, who is present in everyone's heart by His natural affection for all living beings, who are actually the parts and parcels of the Lord (Bg. 18.61). The baby in the lap of his mother is naturally attached to the mother, and the mother is attached to the child. But when the child grows up and becomes overwhelmed by circumstances, he gradually becomes detached from the mother, although the mother always expects some sort of service from the grown-up child and is equally affectionate toward her child, even though the child is forgetful. Similarly, because we are all part and parcel of the Lord, the Lord is always affectionate to us, and He always tries to get us back home, back to Godhead. But we, the conditioned souls, do not care for Him and run instead after the illusory bodily connections. We must therefore extricate ourselves from all illusory connections of the world and seek reunion with the Lord, trying to render service unto Him because He is the ultimate truth. Actually we are hankering after Him as the child seeks the mother. And to search out the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we need not go anywhere else, because the Lord is within our hearts. This does not suggest, however, that we should not go to the places of worship, namely the temples, churches and mosques. Such holy places of worship are also occupied by the Lord because the Lord is omnipresent. For the common man these holy places are centers of learning about the science of God. When the temples are devoid of activities, the people in general become uninterested in such places, and consequently the mass of people gradually become godless, and a godless civilization is the result. Such a hellish civilization artificially increases the conditions of life, and existence becomes intolerable for everyone. The foolish leaders of a godless civilization try to devise various plans to bring about peace and prosperity in the godless world under a patent trademark of materialism, and because such attempts are illusory only, the people elect incompetent, blind leaders, one after another, who are incapable of offering solutions. If we want at all to end this anomaly of a godless civilization, we must follow the principles of revealed scriptures like the Srimad-Bhagavatam and follow the instruction of a person like Sri Sukadeva Gosvami who has no attraction for material gain.

Mayapur and all its beauties

2008-04-04T14:08:00.021+01:00

Few devotees asked me when I will post something on my blog from my pilgrimage to India . It is though to choose what to write and which pictures to share. Since I've spend 5 weeks in India and taken more than 1000 photos I will write in few parts. Well I don't know where to start... hum maybe at the beginning :)

As already said my first destination was Sri Dham Mayapur where I spend three weeks. As they say it is like spiritual oasis. Many wonderful devotees serve Lord there. Among there are also Abhinanda Nitai Prabhu (Slo) and his wife Vraja Prema (Fiji) which kindly let me to stay in their apartment. Many family devotees from western countries live there and they have special complex of houses – grihasta area. Half of year they spend in Mayapur and the rest in the West earning money in different ways and of the year they spend (in summer temperature are 40, 50 degrees).

View on Prabhupada's samadhi from the top of the roof

Each appartment bloc is named. I was staying in Narasimhadev.

Raising children in such a nice spiritual environment is really great blessing.

Children follow their parents and turn into sweet vaishnavas serving devotees. Every day they distribute carinamrita...

Laxmimoni mataji

The center of Mayapur are deities of Lord Narasimhadeva

Sri Panca Tattva

And most sweet Radha Madhava and eight gopis

Every day matajis make soooo many beautiful garlands for Them

After evening Bhagavad-gita lecture Pankajangri Prabhu distributes Narasimhadeva maha prasada. Mercy at every step. In the morning you can hnour maha pizzas and many other sweets.

The first person that I’ve met whom I’ve known from before was Bhn. Kristina. She was just finishing her Bhakti Sastri course. Next day she took me around Mayapur and gave me some practical advices.

Lotus garden

Entrance to the temple

Beautiful sunset

My first close darshan with holy river Ganga at Prabhupada Ghat who mercifully appeared just to be close to the Lord. This time I just put three drops on my head and offered obeisances.

One of my first days I also met Gauranga Lila who is second generation devotee and I know her from Radhadesh. We talked for a while about many things, also about Mayapur deities and their amazing outfits. She told me that her father (SP’s disciple) wanted her to become a pujari in their temple in Spain. That’s why she wanted learn how to make such a nice outfits. When I was leaving Bharata Prabhu also asked me just to check how they are stitching this wonderful outfits hoping that one day we can also offer something like this to our Panca tattva. So together with her husband we went to check out… Hum it's not so simple as it looks like. Actually it takes half of year just to learn first step in this special method of stitching. And this men they are working even 14 hours per day before big festivals (like Gaura Purnima). This part is Radharani’s sari which she wear on Gaura Purnima.

India is also know by ayurveda – vedic medicine. Definitely I didn’t want to miss opportunity of visiting real ayurvedic doctor. He is very nice vaishnava gentlemen and many devotees visit him. Well I left with 2 kgs of medicines. With doctor and his wife
Just across the street Vraja Prema was bargaining with one of the sellers at sabji market

To come to island of Navadvip you have to take boat and then riksa

Have you ever wondered how they make mridangas?

For a week GBS's had meeting and also our GBS - HH Bir Krishna Goswami was there. We had great forute to offer some service since Maharaj was staying and having meals in Abinandana's apartment. I have to say I was impressed by his perfect sadhana - every day he goes to bed at same time withoul fail. He eats only raw food just to keep his body fit for preaching. He invented 'donation machines' (somethink like ITM) which are places in few temples in USA where people can donate to Krishna just by pulling their credit cards. Among many GBC's also HH Paramgati Swami was there. Always faithful serving Srila Prabhupada.
Before the ‘big parikrama’ which consisted of 4000 devotees I wanted to see holy places of the eight islands of Navadvip in more intimate mood. I joined Ukraine group of devotees who were every day going to some other island. Here we went to Navadvip and visited many places… To be continued... :)

Mercy at every step

2008-03-02T14:45:00.003+01:00

Since my last blog post so many things happened that I would need hours to write down everything. Definitely holy place is something that everyone is experiencing in different way. For me first two days were very much purifying and I somehow by mercy of vaishnavas figured out why – I wanted to experience and enjoy the Dham write here right now. Than I approached it in more serving and submissive mood and then my consciousness changed.

It really is like spiritual world. Whatever you do wherever you are someone remember you on Krishna. When you are taking shower you hear harinama outside, when you go the the Ganges Bengalis scream after you Hare Krishna… everything is surcharged with Kris\hna consciousness. Krishna is in the center not us. If you want to be in center then you suffer. Every Saturday (fron Kartik to Gaura Purnima) they have a big parade with cota Radha Madhava. Gurukulis sing mantras, other vaishnavas play drums, kirtan party… The parade has several stops – at each vaishnavas bring bhoga (food or flowers, incense). People here really have personal relationship with the Lord. One other event shows this. Gaura Nitai deities were followed by harinama group. When we came to one samadhi one ‘coconut man’ immediately started cutting one. At first I thought maybe he will give it to Maharaja or just offer to some devotee. But I was wrong he brought it in front of Caitanya and another coconut one in front of Nityananda. So personal…

Few days ago we had harinama with Janananda Goswami and it was special event. We went with boat over the Ganges singing maha mantra. Our destination was Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s house (and at the same Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati’s house). When I become conscious that Lord Gauranga was having huge harinama parties here I became so moved… Here is mercy at every step… and it is said that every step in Navadvip Dham is same as performing 10 millions asvameda yajnas and sleeping is like dandavat (paying obeisances). Well I try to avoid paying this kind of obeisences :)

There are so many things but I don’t want to spend my precious time sitting in cyber café… When I come home I will publish photos and wrote everything.

Sri Dham Mayapur ki jay!

Coming to the lotus feet of Gauranga

2008-02-25T12:56:00.001+01:00

After many tribulations I managed to come to the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya. If you have the eyes to see then it really is spiritual world. In Mayapur you can really feel save.

I traveled with Abinandana Nitai Prabhu to Delhi airport and I continued alone my way to Calcutta. At first I was scared to death – the fact that you are the only white person amongst 300 Indians in can be frightening. Yes I know we are not these bodies… but still. After checking in I wanted to go to the right gate but there was no number on the boarding pass. Even Indians did not really know where to go. So I went to the wrong gate for two times. Finally when I managed to get the system I peacefully sat down. When I become accustomed to the whole environment I get sms from Urukrama Prabhu saying there is general strike in Bengal. That means that it is possible that taxi will not wait for me. O my God… what now? He suggested not going to Calcutta. Well I was already waiting for the boarding and also what other option I have. What I could do at that moment was to check for taxi. I asked gentlemen sitting by me to lend me his mobile so I call taxi driver. He kindly gave it but as expected the taxi drive did not understood me what was I saying and I also did not understand him. I explained the situation to the gentlemen and he spoke with him. He confirmed that he was coming. Don’t believe until I see. At least in India is like this. I managed to take some rest during the flight and after landing I was prepared for another adventure. When I came out from the airport a whole bunch of taxi driver were shouting and showing there boards with names. I was looking their boards and praying to Krishna there will be also one with my name. Welcome to Mayapur Petra… Yes I am saved. No strike in Bengal. The first hour of drving with taxi through Calcutta I was just observing the scene. So many people doing whatever you can imagine – eating, sleeping, shaving, feeding animals, driving, walking in the street… The whole scene is quite amazing.

I tried to chant my rounds but you can hardly hear your voice because of all the notice coming from vehicles and horns. Then taxi driver says we are coming closer to Mayapur. It is quite a big thing to come to the land where 500 years ago God Himself was performing his pastimes. Wonderful feeling. For so many years listening glories of this Dham and now having chance to experience it.

Since arrival many thing happened. Highlights are definitely all the deities here and wonderful association of all Srila Prabhupada’s disciples and senior devotees. Today’s morning class was given by HH Radhanatha Swami. Since it is Bhakti Tirtha’s Swami dissaperance day he spoke his glories. Also he was speaking about importance of giving protectiong to devotees – physical, mental and spiritual. He was giving example how Srila Prabhupada take care of all this aspects. The first Gaura Purnima festival devotees celebrated with Srila Prabupada in Mayapur Dham was many years ago. When devotees fall asleep Srila Prabhupada would go to each and every devotee and check if everyone has a mosquito net. Maharaja also told his experience. Once he in New Vrindavan he was going through forest and he pick up a rose. He gave it to Prabhupada and Srila Prabhupada thanked him in such a way as if he just built a temple of distributed thousands of books. All lectures can be found in www.mayapur.com (at least they announced so).

Fortunately I can not upload any photos… but I hope I will manage to write some more.

Gaura Gaura

India here I come :)

2008-02-20T09:36:00.002+01:00

Finally The day came - in few hours I will be flying to Krishna's land. After going through so many tests, Krishna showered mercy upon me. With every minute I am becoming more nervous which I guess is natural sice it will be the first time for me. But deep inside of me I am peaceful and sure that Krishna will take care of me because actually I am doing all this just to deepen my faith in Him. After talking and consulting with many devotees I can see that two things are most important while visiting Holy place.

First one is an appropraiate level of the consciousness. If I will see things with material eyes I will easily comitt offences to Holy Dham and their residents. That's why my consciousness has to be fixed on spiritual side, on Krishna without thinking how can I be cheated, robbed or even worse than that.

Second thing is very much connected with consciousness - my desires. Everyone who ever visited Holy Dham has experienced how you get immediate reaction on your desires. Hopefully this will be my second guideline - to desire to please vaishnavas, guru and Lord and for few weeks forget about my false ego and enjoying mentality. Please pray for me I will be sucessful in my endevaour. I already feel I have good wishes and blessing of many devotees. Thank you for that.

Yesterday we celebrated Nityananda's appearence day. I didn't take many photo since I wanted to be more in mood of an observer. I was so happy that I could be present - now I have His mercy and blessing so I can enter Mayapur Dham. I said it was a day for most fallen and most miserable. There are many lilas which represent Nityananda Prabhu as being so merciful to fallen souls. And his name - Nityananda (nitya=always, ananda=blissful) tells that He is always joyful and happy and only he can make as trully happy.

ha ha prabhu nityananda, premananda sukhikrpabalokana koro ami boro duhkhi

My friend Betka also came and although she was in temple several times before it was first time for her that she bathed the Lord (in any form).

Two robbers who wanted to steal jewerly from Nityananda. Of course nobody escaped Nityananda mercy - in the end they surrenderd. It was a nice play.

Last group photo before my departure... Vaishnavis supposed to be sad because I am leaving. Well it seems it is right opposite ;)

My dear friends and blog readers hopefully I will be able to put some photo or realization during my pilgrimage in the Holy Dham. If not, I will tell everything you in real. Hare Krishna.

Darsan of Sri Panca Tattva

2008-02-17T11:00:00.008+01:00

Pet dog of Krishna

2008-02-16T08:13:00.006+01:00

"Yes, if one simply comes to that platform of spontaneous love for the spiritual master, then very quickly he will get love of God, or Krishna, and his all hankerings and lamentations of life will be finished. That is the process. Just like when two friends meet and, if the friend is also with his dog, the gentleman pats his dog first, is it not? So the friend becomes automatically pleased, his dog being patted. I have seen it in your country sometimes when I used to walk in the Regents Park early mornings. So it is like that, the spiritual master is the pet dog of Krishna, and if he is pleased so Krishna is also pleased. That is the process."

Srila Prabhupada, Letter to George, Bombay, 4 January 1973

Public program in Stari trg

2008-02-15T18:47:00.002+01:00

Last weekend we had public preaching program in town called Stari trg. Speaker was HH Smita Krisna Maharaja who is staying with us for more than two weeks. During his visit he gave seminar Unity in diversity and attended few sangas.

Organizing public program is not a small thing. It has to be well planned and person has to have some managerial capabilities. As saying goes: Do your best and let Krishna do the rest. Here is some insight in preparing prasadam for guests. Vishnu prabhu with help of other devotees prepared around 90 kalzonas.

Bhn. Mirjam fried them.

After the offering was done Nitai carefully washed Krishna's plates.

When the scene was set we were ready to start with program. Master of the ceremony -bh. Uroš kindly welcomed guests and presented program.

First - chanting of the Holy Name

Reciving Maharaja with flower garland

then inspiring speech followed,

and for the end dance performance - Ganesh.

Preaching ki jay!

The cooking challenge

2008-02-14T20:46:00.012+01:00

Vaishnavis decided to make Sunday fest prasadam for the pleasure of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates

and our dear Srila Prabhupada

Everything was going on under guidence of Lalita Sundari mtj.

It all started with pealing potatos. We were joking that this is our karma and not dharma :)

And peeling other vegetables for sabji...

The idea was that only vaishnavis prepare feast but I guess manpower was needed for the big and heavy pots.

Krishna send empowerment from Dravograd - bhn. Natalija

and bh. Matej.

Also Indulekha mtj. - our Slovenian Mayapurvasi came to help with Alu Patras.

and Krisna Balaram mtj.

We've made it on time. And not only on time also devotees appreciated our service.

Hopefully we satisfied hungry bellies of devotees.

Vedic predictions coming true

2008-02-11T11:30:00.000+01:00

All of us can experience strong influence of Kali yuga and just by looking around us we can see that whatever is written in Bhagavatam is so true. Not long ago I was talking to the secretary of company where I work as a student. I was telling her a bit about 4 yugas and how it was inconceivable in Satya yuga for saints to even think about people eating cows. Everyone in that age had spiritual vision and cow was sacred and was treated as their mother. Therefore killing cow is inhuman, immoral and especially against the principles given by God. Unfortunately today a situation is everything but this. For example there are families who live on farm and have many cows for slaughter. Most ironically is that their little children play with calves, cows they give them names and at the end they eat their play friend from their plates. What a cruel world.

I also told her about descriptions in 11th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam about our future. It is predicted that people will have children with purpose of eating them. It sounds horrible and inhuman. While listening a doubtful look appeared on her face. The same as it was eating cows inconceivable for saints in Satya yuga, is now inconceivable eating children or fetuses for people (who still have some moral values) .

Then something interesting happened. Few days ago I got her mail. In the subject it was written Petra you were right. The text was saying: “In Taiwan, dead babies or fetuses could be bought at $50 to $70 from hospitals to meet the high demand for grilled and barbecued babies…” And there were terrifying photos attached little fetuses packed in jars and a man eating them. So it’s not that I was right just predictions of Bhagavatam are coming true.

Lenart's birthday

2008-02-07T15:12:00.000+01:00

Yesterdays a few devotees from Nimai Nivas visited bh. Lenart in his little appartment, the home of 'little' Lord Jaganatha, Baladeva and lady Subadra. Some time ago he lived in Nimai Nivas and he wanted Nimai Nivas devotees to come for a cake. Definitely we didn't want to miss his famous 'raw cake'.

He has been eating raw food prasad for some time and he became an expert in making this cake. Look at this one...

So, where is the cake now ?

Waiting for the mercy

Jagannatha maha for Jagannatha devotee :)

Nice conversation while honoring and glorifly the cake.

Sanga at Martin's place

2008-01-28T20:10:00.000+01:00

This weekend I went home and as every Sathurday devotees from that part gathered for a sanga. Martin and Nina were our hosts. Lalita Govinda Prabhu led such a wonderful and inspiring bhajans which lasted for 2 hours. He suppose to give lecture but we were so much in 'the bhajan mood'. Between bhajans he spoke glories of the Holy Name. And after each bhajan devotees begged for more.

Isana Prabhu and Bh. Slavko

Blissful faces

Even cat was attracted and came to have a look.

And after that loving exchanges followed...

Giving and receiving prasadam

Bhn. Mira - our newly member of Slovenian yatra (from Chowpatty)

Motherly instinct :)

And revealing our minds...

Sadhu sanga ki jay!

Opening the season

2008-01-27T20:19:00.000+01:00

Spring time is coming and that means also many visits of spiritual masters. One time one guru said that in our little, unimportant Slovenia we have more visits of Srila Prabhupada's disciples than in Los Angeles. His Holiness Jayapataka Swami opened the season by coming on Friday and leaving Saturday morning. He is definitely famous for his unconditioned mercy and enthusiasm for giving Krishna consciousness all over the world. One day he is preaching in India, next day in Malaysia, then in U.S.A., then Africa...

One devotee nicely said how all spiritual master they actually have nothing with this material world. They come down from spiritual world just to help lost souls to find their way back to their real home. Unconditionally they are giving themselves – they are available for everyone anytime. I heard Maharaja had darsans until early in the morning, took few hours of rest and then continued with spreading mission.

Lecture was about preparing for death and how we should always be ready to leave our body. About importance of focusing our mind on Krishna so that we will return back to him. He made us laugh by saying that we can even be fish conscious – we can chant Fish Fish Fish, have photos of fish all over our house and become fish in our next life. :)

After the lecture he was distributing samosas to each and everyone. And before that he showed us some slides from his preaching tour in last years.

Early in the morning he left us.

And before leaving he gave his maha garland to his spiritual daughter.

Last wave to the devotees...

Already on Wednesday we are expecting another guest - HH Smita Krsna Swami. We will have association for almost three weeks. Gaura bhakta vrinda ki jay!

In separation from the Holy Dham

2008-01-25T10:18:00.001+01:00

Sometimes it happens that I have difficulties with understanding situations in which I am at. Great desire of visiting Holy Dham in India came out while I was talking with one vaishnavi who was planning to go for pilgrimage. I already started planning to join her and in great excitement I told everyone about my plans. I couldn’t wait to tell my mother so I gave her a phone call. She was shocked about the thought of her little daughter going to India and she just passed phone to my father. Definitely a big thing for her!

At the beginning everything seemed to be going smoothly. So smoothly that I was even proud about the greatness of my desire and Krishna mercifully fulfilling it. Then all of a sudden problems came – devotees which I supposed to travel with changed their plans. I was devastated. What now? I can not travel alone! Especially not for my first visit. I started thinking why is Krishna not fulfilling my SPIRITUAL desire? More or less I have pure motive. The purpose of visiting the Holy Dham would be to increase my faith in Him, to increase attachment for His Name, to serve the Dham and His beloved devotees. Why Krishna is not allowing me to enter His Dham?! Never before I ever wanted so much to go on a pilgrimage.

As they say for everything there is a certain time. To admit I don’t like to hear this sentence. My mentality is to get everything right here, right not. I really became attached to the idea of going to India. Although it is attachment for a spiritual thing if I don’t get it, I suffer. In theory I know about going beyond ignorance and understanding situation with intelligence and act accordingly. But to put it into practice is something different. I was joking with my mother yesterday that her desire for me not to go was greater than mine. :)

One interesting thought I heared on yesterday’s Bhagavatam lecture give by Lalita Govinda Prabhu. Guess what was the main topic of the lecture? Visiting Holy places! There are signs that are telling me: GO (like this lecture) and there are signs that tell DON’T GO.

He was speaking about when Dham will be revealed to us. It goes step by step – through chanting of maha mantra – first name, then from, pastimes... and eventually also Dham. Well, definitely my chanting is not as good as it should be and I need to work on my japa. It seems I don’t have yet qualification for entering Lord’s Dham. For inspiration here is expert of amazing article written by Mahatma Prabhu about chanting (http://namahatta.org/en/node/5620) :

"Without the holy name I would practically have no spiritual life, no real happiness, no intimacy with Krishna, no peace of mind, and no ability to control my senses. My entire relationship with Krishna, the most important relationship in my life, is revealed through His holy name. Without the holy name I would be lost, miserable, spiritually weak and destitute. Yet sometimes I treat this most valuable relationship as a botheration, something that gets in the way of me doing "more important" things or "more desirable" things. What helps me in these times is to remember that I get to chant, that I want to chant, that I love to chant (deep down inside). To think I have to chant reinforces the idea that chanting Krishna's lovely names is something I'd rather not be doing. "

Word's of a saint

2008-01-19T08:47:00.003+01:00

Thinking of ...

2008-01-13T12:05:00.002+01:00

These days merciful Lord Krishna is teaching me detachment - my lap top broke down. That is the reason why I did not posted anything for some time. I was reading in Srimad Bhagavatam how He gives material facilities to those who are not attached and how He takes from those who are attached. I guess that means I fall into the last category. :) I confess - I am attached to my IMB but at the same time I am using it in His service. He knows this very well that’s why I have faith that He will arrange something for me.

Did you ever had en experience of intensely thinking about a person and then you met him/her the same day or got message or gift from that person? It happened to me twice in the last few days. On Friday I went to see my dear friend Tina and the rest of the devotees who came on sanga. I didn’t even ring a bell and she already opened the doors with a surprised look on her face. She said: “I was thinking about you today and I was planning to call you and invite to come.” But she did not and I was there without her inviting me. It’s true that other devotees told me to come but she was not aware of it. Amazing how are our thoughts powerful. If you had a chance to see the movie Secret you know what I am talking about – it is called law of attraction. She was thinking about me and I just appeared there.

The second thing happened yesterday morning when I was checking my email. Just a day before I was thinking about very special vaishnavi who recently left Slovenia for some time. I was wondering how she is doing, whether she is happy in new environment, how is her spiritual life etc. I thought about writing her an email but since she is not so much into emailing (in whole life I probably exchanged five emails with her) I changed my mind. And then I see that she wrote me wonderful email explaining me everything and giving me answers to all questions that appeared in my mind the day before. Very nice experience.

What about thinking about Krishna? Will He appear in front of me? Yes, of course He will! He is promising us this in Bhagavad-gita in His famous verse:

“Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.”

It would be strange if we imagine that the law is working when we thinking about particular jiva (part and parcel of the Lord) and it does not work in case or The Supreme Personality of Godhead who is The Supreme controller of everything.

It sounds so simple but if I tried to think about Him 24 hour a day as Sri Isopanisada suggests it is not an easy task. Mind is flickering and attracted to so many other things. Personally what helps me is reading spiritual literature. In such a way mind gets impressions of spiritual things and also after ending with reading this impressions remain there. Then it is so much easier to see Krishna in my daily life. Maybe He does not come personally but I can feel His loving hand in my relationships with other devotees and actually with all living entities. But in fact Krishna will personally appear if we dedicate all our life to think about His name, qualities, pastimes… And one day when I come to the spontaneous level my mind will without any diversion take shelter at Krishna's lotus feet.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura is saying in his song that he is surrendering his mind body, and family and whatever may be his at Krishna’s lotus feet - mānasa, deho, geho, jo kichu mor arpilū tuwā pade, nanda-kiśor! He contiunes: "In good fortune or in bad, in life or at death, all my difficulties have disappeared by choosing those feet of Yours as my only shelter " - sampade vipade, jīvane-maraṇe dāy mama gelā, tuwā o-pada baraṇe.

Hopefully I can one day identify with his deep words.

Anandini's 1st birthday

2008-01-07T17:44:00.001+01:00

Living KC life really means endless festivals and always having wonderful association of devotees. ISKCON is like one big happy family. Yesterday we had very good reason to celebrate since it was Anandini's first birthday. On this occasion special Vedic samskara called nama karana was done. It was the first time for me to witness such a samskara. When I was invited I was very happy since I love to be present at yajnas.

When I was driving on the high way I called Tina to check for the exact instructions how to get to their house. I was there few times but because I was never a driver I didn’t pay much attention on the road. I left home earlier to be there on time. When she picked up the phone she asked: “Where are you?” I replied happily: “I am on my way.” There she said: “I can not speak because I am on yajna,” and she passed phone to Bhadra Madhavi. She informed me that yajna was almost over. I could not believe my ears – it started at 11 and not at 1 as I thought. Illusory energy covered me. When I finally arrived and entered their house I could feel amazing energy from the sacrifice. For a moment it was like on Vaikuntha – beautiful and new house full of vaishnavas nicely dressed and decorated with tilaka and a happy smile on their bright faces. Somehow or other I needed more time to stop lamenting about missing the whole thing. Devotees try to comfort me saying that I didn’t miss the best part – prasadam.

Later on devotes told me few things that had been going on.

While the priest - Mahibharta Prabhu was reciting mantras for protection of different parts of the body, the father was touching this parts with holy kusa grass.

Then bathing the child...

I also had to go through this...

Interesting

On this occasion also twins Yamuna and Nimai joined the yajna - for Nimai it was samskara for cutting hair for the first time.

Bhajans

Sri Vishnu

Getting auspicious signs

Choosing the object which indicates a partucular nature of a person. Each item represents one of varnas: swards - ksatriya, Srimad Bhagavatam - brahmana, money-vaisya, earth - sudra. We were anctiously waiting what will be her choosen item. Waiting and waiting...

But she didn't show any interest for any of those things. She was continiously giving dandavats. Tina (her mother) commeneted she never did this before. The conclusion was that she is vaishnavi - beyond all varnas.

And at the end prasadam which was prepared by Mrigendra Pr. Delicious...

If Krishna would give me 4 arms...

Cheerful grandmas

All together

Sweet Anandini and me :)

Answered prayers

2008-01-05T16:43:00.001+01:00

I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity and God gave me brains and strength to work.

I prayed for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome.

I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help.

I prayed for favors and God gave me opportunities.

I asked for humility and God gave me experiences not to be proud of.

I asked for patience and God said "No".

Suffering draws you apart from the worldly cares and brings You closer to me.

I received nothing I wanted.

I received everything I needed.

My prayer has been answered.

With the Holy Name into New year

2008-01-02T19:06:00.000+01:00

This was slogan of this year's festival that was going on in the temple. What is better way to celebrate than to chant Krishna's names?! For the first time I heard one of our devotees singing. Actually he done this service very good and it helped us to enter the land of the Holy Name. If I compare with last years bhajans they were much more in the mood of goodness and I was really able to go deep into meditation.

Bhadra Madhavi mtj. was also leading amazing bhajans. You can really see that she is going for mangala arotik every day - she is totaly empowered. To tell you the truth I think I never met a person who would have such a taste for singing. Every day after morning program she stays in temple room and sings for Sri Panca Tattva even for hour and a half. I wander Kabe habe bolo se dina amar for me?!

It was special festival also because one of my friends since high school joined us. One day before she told me she was dreaming that we went togehter skiing and that there was one shop like we have it in our temple and that she wanted to buy pink (she loves pink) japa. For New year I surprised her with a present - pink japa. Now her New year's resolution is to dedicate some time to Krishna and chant on japa. All the best!!!

Also Kisori Priya mtj. came from most remoted place in our little country. I still don't understand why she agreed to go living there? Well, the answer is of course love :) First day of the new year I was working and she volunteerd to go with me. I was really happy to have her association. On our way there while driving my new car she said: "This car is quite good." I replied: " Of course it is, it can take us anywhere except to Goloka." Then she says: "But in fact you don't want to go anywhere else than to Goloka." Hum, that means it is useless. We were laughing. For now I will have to go also to some other places before going back to my real home.

In New year I wish you all those things that will help you to become even more Krishna consciouss!

Hare Krishna!

Behind the curtains

2007-12-31T09:11:00.001+01:00

In temple we have standard that deities of Sri Panca Tattva are dressed every Sunday. This Sunday vaishnavi team was dressing Them up and decorating altar, bathing Gaura Nita and other ecstatic services. I thought it would be interesting to look what is going on when the curtains are closed, so I took a few photos.

If you ask any pujari he/she will say that pujari service it is not an easy service. Once I heard that amongst all services there are two where there is even greater danger of committing offences. This two services are being a personal servant of spiritual master or of deities. Because of such close and intimate association with guru or Lord you can easily perceive them in a wrong way. You can start seeing your spiritual master as ‘normal human being’ or see the deities made up from material elements or as dolls. Despite this danger many pujaris or servants would tell that they would never exchange their service for anything in this world since the Lord is reciprocating with them in so many ways.

Here are few photos from behind the curtains:

Special new years flower arrangements were done by Audarya Candrika mtj. who really puts her heart in this service.

Like every day for the last 10 years mtj. Marinna was making garlands for Gaura Nitai.

Bhn. Anita was remembering her garland seva in Cowpatty while doing them for Panca Tattva.

Before mangala arotik I had to prepare few things - also this sandalwood paste which is used for massage of the deities.

After Mangala arotik Sri sri Gaura Nitai come to pujari room where pujari starts bathing them,

putting on tilaka,

crowns and peacock feather

and then arotik is offered to Them.

The Lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are as cooling as a million moons.

In the meantime few vaishnavis are taking care for Panca Tattva. Kamala Manjari mtj. is in charge of picking an appropriate outfits and carefully selecting the jewerly for the deities. A sense for estetic is very much welcome and she definitely has this. And not only that, she is also an amazing cook (http://www.prasadamkitchen.blogspot.com/). If you never tried her croissants you wasted half of your life :)

Bhadra Madhavi mtj. dressing Gadadhara Prabhu (I call her my mangala friend since we are trying to be at mangala arotik every day) and Audarya Candrika helping her.

Beautiful Sri Panca Tattva

and gorgeous Sri sri Gaura Nitai glittering in Their beauty.

Maybe many of you have been wondering where maha-balarams are coming from. From Goloka? Noup, Madhyahna Lila mtj. is making them with great care and devotion. That’s why they are so divine and addicting. Personally if I don’t get at least few per week I have abstinent crisis.

By special mercy I am also part of pujari team – my service is cleaning up all paraphernalia that is used in puja or arotiks. Ceto darpana marjana… :) Madhyhana Lila mtj. is trying to impart in my mind and heart a basic principle - that Krishna's paraphernalia is nondiferent from Him. If my consciousness is focused on personal relationship towards Krishna's paraphernalia the service really becomes so much more extatic.

Determination :)

2007-12-30T13:34:00.001+01:00

Walking the japa

2007-12-26T10:07:00.000+01:00

One of great advantages of living outside of Ljubljana is amazing nature, landscape. Beeing at my parent's home everything around me seems to be in the mood of goodness. Yesterday I went on a snowy japa walk. It was freezing cold but I kept walking over white fields while softly begging the Lord to hear me.

Every few minutes I met either happy family walking their huge dog or old lady walking her puddle or young man walking his shepard dog. Everyone was walking their dogs. I thought if I wouldn’t come in contact with spiritual knowledge I would probably do the same. But by the great fortune I was ‘walking my japa’. I remembered Srila Prabhupada calling this society dog society instead of God society - serving dog instead of God. We have a big mission to fulfill - to give all souls diferent perspective and focus in their lives.

At the same time I thought how simple Krishna Consciousness is. You don’t have to give up your desires. If you like nature you can still go on a walk or do so many other things that make you happy. Just instead of walking your dog you 'walk your japa' – and a simple activity as walking becomes transcendental. Isn’t KC wonderful?!

He who is great is the servant

2007-12-25T12:56:00.001+01:00

Since coming from a Christian family all my life I was in a way connected to Jesus. For Christmas Eve I like to go to church for the mass and honor Jesus in such a way. I was planning to go with one other mataji who unfortunately got sick and then also I wasn’t so much inspired to go on my own. So instead of going for the mass I was listening wonderful lecture of Radhanatha Maharaja where he speaks about Jesus’ humility. Here is an excerpt of it:

….

Srila Prabhupada would sometimes tell Christian that Jesus is our guru. Prabhupada also know that Jesus was saktyavesa avatara. He would call him Lord Jesus. As far as I can understand this principle of trinad api sunicena and tvam akincana gocaram was the very essence and basis of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. We understand that root of every virtue is the humility. The root of all evil and sin is false pride, the lack of humility.

When Jesus was giving perhaps his most famous lecture – his first words were: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed is the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” What does that mean? That the pathway which is the only mean to enter the kingdom of God is humility. One who is humble is also exalted by God on this earth. Jesus said about Himself, he said: “Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart. This is my spirit and it is this spirit that I have come to give to my followers - to be meek and feeling oneself lowly in heart.” But still his disciples were very much wondering amongst themselves who is the greatest in the kingdom of God. So they had a dispute and they all decided Let us ask tour master. Who amongst us in the greatest in the kingdom of God? Lord Jesus brought a little child: “Whosoever will humble himself as this child that same person is the greatest in the kingdom of God. He who is great is he who serves. He who feels himself the least amongst you is the greatest of all.” On another occasion two of the apostles, Saint John and Saint James they asked Jesus: “When we enter kingdom of heaven will we be sitting on the left and right side of You (which is the most exalted position)? His reply: “The chief amongst all of you is he who is the servant of all.” Then he said about himself: “Myself, the son of man has not come to be served but I have come only to serve you.” This is universal spiritual principal - the highest position is to be the servant of the servant of the servant.

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Srila Prabhupada is many times giving Jesus as an example of forgiveness. It is very important for our spiritual lives to beg forgiveness for all offences, bad things done toward devotees and also people in general. At the same time, we should also be prepared to forgive others that had hurt us. Jesus Chirst remained forgiving despite of his immense suffering caused by the nonbelievers. He even asked the Father to forgive them, since they were ignorant and they were not aware what they were doing. So from everyone – especial from such a saints as Jesus we can learn a lot and follow their way.

Merry Christmas to all spirit souls :)

Christmas gift

2007-12-24T16:23:00.000+01:00

For me as a devotee December is very significant month of the year – it's Srila Prabhupada's marathon. Giving souls transcendental knowledge should become the essence of my life. Every year I am telling myself next year I will join sankirtan devotees full time. This desire showed up also this year. Few vaishnavis were planning to go out with transcendental nectar this year at least for a week. Definitely we would find some free Saturday and go. But I had different meditation – either going at least for a week or nothing. One sankirtan devotee once said that going on sankirtan for a day it's like licking closed jar of honey from outside. I felt little insulted at that time since vaishnavis were regularly going out on Saturdays door to door with books. Definitely I wanted to get the honey this year. I was planning to go out that week when there were holidays so I wouldn’t skip much of my job. Then one time while honouring prasad one vaishnavi mentions : "Next week it’s last week of the marathon." I was surprised to hear this and I said: “No, there is one more week.” She replied: "Noup next one is the last one." That meant that also this year I will not be able to go since there are many things to be done at my workplace. I felt sorry but at the same time a relief because going out with books is not an easy service - ego suffers a lot. Anyway there is another year coming :)

Today on Christmas day I had to finish some tasks at work. Well in one way or another I had to surrender and do it. Straight after job I was rushing to catch my train to go home and spend Christmas with my family. As I was rushing down the street a confused girl approaches me. In broken French English she’s explaining me how she wants to go to the train station to visit her grandma in Trieste. I was thinking well that’s nice I am going the same way. Then she continues explaining that someone stole her documents in a hostel where she was staying. With tears in her eyes she is begging me to help her. Her wallet was also stolen and she does not have money to buy train ticket. Of course she will repay me as soon as she reaches her grandma.

Otherwise I am very skeptical to this kind of requests but this time I felt deep in my heart she really needs my help. I was looking for a pen and paper in my bag to write down the address where she would send money. When I open my bag I see Sri Isopanisada – in French!!! In the morning when I was packing for home I was choosing which book to take with me. I already had Bhagavatam at home but I wanted also something else. Among all the books I have Paramatma inspired me to choose Sri Isopanisada. I was surprised about this choice as I was doubting how much will I really understand it anyway. But now in front of me there was a person who will definitely understand it (at least from linguistic point of view).

Seeing Sri Isopanisada and looking at this poor girl a big smile came to my face. I told her that I have a special Christmas gift for her and I showed her book. She was astonished; she took the book and kissed it. After opening it and seeing Prabhupada’s picture she smiled and gave me a big hug saying: "Merci merci merci."

It was one of those special moments that Krishna is giving me time to time. He really is the best arranger and always fulfilling sincere desires which surprising occur also in my heart. Thank you Srila Prabhupada for allowing me to be insignificant tool in this year’s Marathon for a few minutes.

Moj prijatelj um :)

2007-02-02T15:12:00.002+01:00

Iz dneva v dan se bolj zavedam, da je prav vsak moj bodoči korak odvisen od zavesti, od meditacije, ki jo imam. Že tisočkrat sem slišala, da misli krojijo prihodnost. Karkoli mislimo to ustvarjamo. Bolj, ko razmišljamo o eni stvari hitreje bo postala resničnost. Zato je tako pomembno, da se naučimo kontrolirati misli in se prepričati, da ustvarjamo tisto kar zares želimo v življenju.

Torej če so misli pozitivno usmerjene potem avtomatsko privabljamo pozitivne stvari oziroma ravno obratno. Kot pravi Bhagavad-gita je lahko um naš prijatelj ali pa največji sovražnik. Dana nam je svobodna volja, da izbiramo med enim in drugim. Optimist bo vedno videl kozarec vode na pol poln, pesimist pa na pol prazen. Zatorej je zavestno mišljenje ključ uspeha, da spremenimo svoje življenje.

Prabhupada o kontroli uma reče naslednje: ''One who cannot control his mind lives always with the greatest enemy, and thus his life and its mission are spoiled. The constitutional position of the living entity is to carry out the order of the superior. As long as one's mind remains an unconquered enemy, one has to serve the dictations of lust, anger, avarice, illusion, etc. But when the mind is conquered, one voluntarily agrees to abide by the dictation of the Personality of Godhead, who is situated within the heart of everyone as Paramatma.'' BG 6.6. purport

Ko nam uspe obvladati um se popolnoma naravno predamo Vsevišnjemu Gospodu. Včasih se še tako nemogoče stvari spremenijo v realnost. Razlog se skriva v pravi meditaciji, trdi veri in odločnosti. Ko Krišna vidi, da smo vložili prav ves trud in izčrpali prav vse naše kapacitete, potem odpre svojo pipico milosti in nas blagoslovi.

''At the time of death, the mind carries one on the path to a new life.'' In ravno zaradi tega ker misli krojijo mojo prihodnost se zavedam, da moram še ta trenutek postati zavestna Krišne. Življenje pa je preizkušanje različnih metod kako postati in ostati zavesten Krišne in priprava na tisto zadnjo preizkušnjo… Služenje… Potapljanje v ocean svetega imena… Druženje z bhaktami…

Mangalacarana

2007-02-01T09:54:00.000+01:00

I am falling down before the lotus feet of all the vaishnava acaryas who are engaged in serious study of the Vedic jewels for benefit of all sleeping souls. Dear Srila Rupa Goswami without your full dedication to the mission of Lord Gauranga I would still remain in the darkest shade of the ignorance. Please help me to clean my stone hard heart of the unlimited anarthas so I will be capable to understand just a tiny bit of your enlightening words. I beg you to bestow your mercy so I can for a second taste the real nectar of bhakti rasa and in such a way develop greater attraction for serving without any material motives.

My dearest Srila Prabhupada allow me to become your eternal servant by giving this exalted treasure of spiritual science to the miserable souls waiting for eternal happiness in reuniting with The Supreme Lord. Please let me follow your footsteps in following my Guru Maharaja.

For auspicious beginning of my brand new blog :)