This weekend the 40th anniversary of the installation of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Ksirchor Gopinatha is being celebrated at New Remuna Dham along with a reunion of many of the early devotees of the Toronto Yatra.
Events kick off in a few hours with a maha-kirtan that promises to be beyond ecstatic. So if you are one of our Toronto readers or can somehow reach here for this evening or anytime this weekend...then do it. You will love once in a lifetime, massive dose of Krishna Conscious nectar!
Schedule is as follows:
Friday, August 31, 2012
6:00pm to 9:00pm Maha-Kirtan with HH BB Govinda Swami
Saturday, September 1, 2012
11:30am to 12:30pm - Arrival of Devotees
12:30pm to 1:00pm - Welcome & Announcements
1:00pm to 2:00pm - Lunch
2:00pm to 2:30pm - Break
2:30pm to 3:00pm - Celebrating Sri Sri Radha Ksira-Chora Gopinatha
3:00pm to 5:00pm - Slideshow & Remembrances
5:00pm to 7:30pm - Double Decker Bus Tour of Toronto (very limited space)
7:30pm to 9:30pm - Kirtan Evening for Srila Prabhupada with HH BB Govinda Swami
Sunday, September 2, 2012
9:00am to 10:00am - Breakfast
10:00am to 11:00am - Special Morning Class
11:00am to 11:30pm - ISKCON Toronto Today
11:30am to 12:00pm - Break
12:00pm to 2:30pm - Lunch Banquet***
2:30pm to 4:15pm - The Early Days of ISKCON
4:15pm to 5:00pm - Break Out Sessions
5:00pm to 6:00pm - Light Dinner
6:00pm to 9:00pm - Special "Reunion" Sunday Feast *** - denotes events which will be held for just the Srila Prabhupada disciples
Beautiful pictures of Srila Prabhupada on his vyasa puja and a few pictures of us making our offerings in an humble attempt to glorify our spiritual master and saviour who has given us his causeless mercy...
Hare Krishna! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Sri Sri Radha Ksirchor Gopinatha! New Remuna Dham ki Jai!
Here is an upload of a few pictures from the very special midnight darshan of Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha in Their Janmastami flower outfit.
{Minakshi has them in high res images...contact: minakshidevidasi@hotmail.com}
Just catching up on filing pictures and postings :-)
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svaminn iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
Dear Srila Prabhupada,
Please accept my most humble obeisances on to your lotus feet again and again.
You are an extraordinary personality; direct messenger of Lord Sri Krishna.
Today is a very auspicious day; you came on this earth planet to deliver mankind without discrimination.
To follow the order of your Guru Maharaj you took charge to go to the Western world to spread Krishna Consciousness. Not only in the Western world but you spread Krishna Consciousness across the whole globe.
No one could have done it except you, Srila Prabhupada.
Your ISKCON is very special. In contrast, we have been going to various Non-ISKCON temples on Sankirtan to distribute your books. Those temples do not have what ISKCON has - Deity worship, devotional service, book distribution, preaching, Harinam, the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra and philosophy.
When we go to other ISKCON centres I see people are tending towards ISKCON more and more. More and more centres are being opened. It is all because of you Srila Prabhupada. Your purity and power is still spreading ISKCON.
Your glories are unlimited. I don’t know how to describe them. With one mouth how much can I say? I can say only that until the moon, sun and stars remain, your glories will spread in the three worlds.
Your greatness is great, Srila Prabhupada. You had a very busy schedule to propagate Krishna Consciouness. Yet, whenever we wanted to see you or talk to you, you had all the time for us. How great! You are matchless.
Day in and day out, so many years are gone by, but your memories are always fresh. Srila Prabhupada, truly that is the only reason that we are still in ISKCON and Krishna Consciousness.
Thank you for accepting and keeping me in your lotus feet. Please make me always serve you and Sri Sri Radha Krishna no matter what the circumstances may be.
Thank you so much for all the mercy. I am always seeking your mercy.
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jaya! ISKCON Ki Jaya!
Your worthless servant,
Ashalata Devi Dasi
Talking with Srila Prabhupada as Subhavilasa Prabhu washes Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet.
nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svaminn iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine
om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah
Dear Srila Prabhupada,
O Most Glorious Srila Prabhupada,
O Most Merciful Srila Prabhupada,
O The Greatest Spiritual Master,
O Most Perfect Master,
O The Greatest Vaishnava,
O The Most Important Messenger of Lord Chaitanya,
O My Gurudeva,
O Most Important Teacher to all the world in this Kali Yuga,
O Teacher of the Srimad Bhagvatam,
O Deliverer of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is to the Western World,
O Instructor of Deity Worship,
O Creator of Bhakti Inspiration within us,
O Translator of So Many Vedic Texts,
O Perfect Provider of Transcendental Knowledge,
O Saviour of Your Disciples,
O Saviour of the Most Sinful of Sinners,
O Most Dear Servant of Lord Krishna,
O Giver of Matchless Gifts,
O True Messenger of the Supreme Lord,
O Introducer of the Ratha Yatra Festival all over the world,
O Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness,
O Spreader of Harinam in Every Town and Village,
O Benefactor of Beautiful Temples all across the world,
O Giver of Krishna Consciousness Philosophy which we can understand,
O Provider of The Chanting and Hearing Process and Devotional Service,
O Flooder of Hari Nama All over the World,
O Srila Prabhupada, you have opened the door Back to Godhead for everyone,
O Gurudeva, You have given me your causeless mercy and I am always indebted to you.
O Prabhupada, I live with the memories of your personal Association and kind mercy on me and the whole family,
O Srila Prabhupada, please keep me bound to your Lotus Feet so I can serve you always.
Your worthless servant,
Subhavilasa Das
 Srila Prabhupada giving instruction to Subhavilasa das at our home in 1976.
Below is an article from Brantford of our very own HH Bhakitmarga Maharaj who is currently on his 4th cross Canada walk...
Bhaktimarga Swami, "The Walking Monk," heads west out of Paris, Ontario on Monday, Aug. 13 along King Edward Street as he continues his fourth trek across Canada to promote better health, spiritual awareness and pilgramage. MICHAEL PEELING/THE PARIS STAR/QMI AGENCY
 Monk finds walking therapeutic and addictive
By Michael Peeling, Sun Media
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 7:24:04 EDT PM
Bhaktimarga Swami, a Hare Krishna monk, freely admits to be an addict.
His drug of choice: walking.
The Chatham, Ont. native also known as John Peter Vis loves walking so much, he’s in the middle of his fourth walk across Canada since 1996.
Hi first walk was featured in the documentary “The Longest Road.”
The Swami has a lot of fun terms for his walks, but he calls this one a “get up off your butt-a-thon” with a smile.
“It’s a great way to clear the cobwebs in my mind,” he says. “Walking really helps create clarity of thought. When I think about what it does to improve me psychologically, physically and spiritually, I think people should reconsider the idea of walking.”
The Toronto-based monk says walking also provides a positive way to deal with identity crisis, stress and faltering relationships and a chance for self-discovery.
Very much in keeping with being a monk, Bhaktimarga Swami is also promoting the notion of pilgrimage.
“That’s the type of things monks do – go on long treks for inspiration and that exactly how I feel when I walk; in fact, it gets better each time” reads a brochure he hands out to anyone who is interested in his story and motivation.
The brochure also invites others to join the vegetarian monk for part of his journey.
When he isn’t walking, Bhaktimarga Swami is a yoga instructor and director of morality plays.
Although he might not be everyone’s image of cool, he’s hoping one day people will think of walking as where it’s at, instead of disturbing the peace in a muscle car and blasting music. He doesn’t even have an MP3 player to keep him company, just a man named Daruka who follows him in a blue sedan with his parrot Billy.
“I think when we walk, we should listen to what’s around us,” said the Walking Monk. “I’m going for simplicity.”
Not only does he believe walking can be cool, he think it can help quell the turmoil of a troubled mind.
“I say more walking, less squawking,” he said. “A lot gets cleared up in my mind when I walk.”
Once all your worries are cleared up on two feet, the monk believes an uncluttered mind can come up with its best ideas and “beautiful innovations.”
Vis embraced an eastern monastic life in 1973 as a student of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
The seasoned cross-country walker made a point of starting his journey at Cape Spear, Newfoundland, the first point east in North America, instead of the 0 km marker in St. John’s.
Bhaktimarga Swami has also been sticking to secondary highways such as #4 in Nova Scotia and Highway 2 through Paris, a path which will take him to his hometown.
While some might find the Prairies boring, he finds something inspiring.
“The Prairies are totally awesome,” he said. “It’s a great place to step into infinity.”
Lord Balarama ki Jaya!
It is noon on this auspicious day of Balarama's appearance day...so this meditation and nectar....  duryodhana uvaaca
gopibhyaam kavacam dattam
gargaacaaryena dhimataa
sarva-rakshaa-karam divyam
dehi mahyam mahaa-mune
Duryodhana said: O great sage, please give me the transcendental Balarama-kavaca, which wise Garga Muni gave to the gopis, and which gives all protection.
 shri-praadvipaaka uvaaca
snaatvaa jale kshauma-dharah kushaasanah
pavitra-paanih krita-mantra-marjanah
smritvaatha natvaa balam acyutaagrajam
sandhaarayed dharma-samaahito bhavet
Shri Praadvipaaka Muni said: After bathing and dressing in clean cotton garments, a person should sit on a kusha-grass mat, purify his hands with mantras, bow down, and with fixed intelligence meditate on Lord Krishna's elder brother, Lord Balarama.
 goloka-dhaamaadhipatih pareshvarah
pareshu maam paatu pavitra-kirtanahbhu-mandalam sarshapavad vilakshyate
yan-murdhni maam paatu sa bhumi-mandale
May Lord Balarama, who is the master of Goloka, who is the supreme controller of all controllers, and whose fame is spotless, protect me. May Lord Balarama, who on His head holds the earth as if it were a single mustard seed, protect me in this world.
 senaasu maam rakshatu sira-paanir
yuddhe sadaa rakshatu maam hali ca
durgeshu caavyaan musali sadaa maam
vaneshu sankarshana aadi-devah
May Lord Balarama protect me when I am surrounded by many armies. May Lord Balarama, who holds a plow, always protect me in battle. May Lord Balarama, who holds a club, always protect me in many fortresses. May Lord Balarama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead protect me in the forest.
 kalindajaa-vega-haro jaleshu
nilaambaro rakshatu maam sadaagnau
vaayau ca raamo 'vatu khe balash ca
mahaarnave 'nanta-vapuh sadaa maam
May Lord Balarama, who wears blue garments and who stopped the Yamunaa, always protect me in fire. May Lord Balarama protect me in the wind. May Lord Balarama protect me in the sky. May Lord Balarama, who is Lord Ananta Himself, always protect me in the great ocean.
 shri-vaasudevo 'vatu parvateshu
sahasra-shirshaa ca mahaa-vivaade
rogeshu maam rakshatu rauhineyo
maam kaama-paalo 'vatu va vipatsu
May Lord Balarama, who is Vasudeva's son, protect me on mountains. May Lord Balarama, who has a thousand heads, protect me in great disputes. May Lord Balarama, who is Rohini's son, protect me from diseases. May Lord Balarama, who fulfills desires, protect me from catastrophes.
 kaamaat sadaa rakshatu dhenukaarih
krodhaat sadaa maam dvivida-prahaari
lobhaat sadaa rakshatu balvalaarir
mohaat sadaa maam kila maagadhaarih
May Lord Balarama, who is the enemy of Dhenukaasura, always protect me from lust. May Lord Balarama, who killed Dvivida, always protect me from anger. May Lord Balarama, who is the enemy of Balvala, always protect me from greed. May Lord Balarama, who is the enemy of Jaraasandha, always protect me from illusion.
 praatah sadaa rakshatu vrishni-dhuryah
praahne sadaa maam mathuraa-purendrah
madhyandine gopa-sakhah prapaatu
svaraat paraahne 'vatu maam sadaiva
May Lord Balarama, who is the best of the Vrishnis, always protect me at sunrise. May Lord Balarama, who is the king of Mathura' City, always protect me in the morning. May Lord Balarama, who is the friend of the gopas, always protect me at midday. May Lord Balarama, who is supremely independent, always protect me in the afternoon.
 saayam phanindro 'vatu maam sadaiva
paraat paro rakshatu maam pradoshe
purne nishithe ca duranta-viryah
pratyusha-kaale 'vatu maam sadaiva
May Lord Balarama, who is the king of serpents, always protect me at sunset. May Lord Balarama, who is greater than the greatest, always protect me in the evening. May Lord Balarama, whose power is invicible, always protect me in the middle of the night. May Lord Balarama always protect me at every sunrise.
 vidikshu maam rakshatu revati-patir
dikshu pralambaarir adho yadudvahah
urdhvam sadaa maam balabhadra aaraat
tathaa samantaad baladeva eva hi
May Lord Balarama, who is the master of Revati, protect me from every direction. May Lord Balarama, who is the enemy of Pralamba, protect me from every direction. May Lord Balarama, who is the best of the Yaadavas, protect me from below. May Lord Balarama always protect me from above. May Lord Balarama protect me from near and far. May Lord Balarama protect me everywhere.
 antah sadaavyaat purushottamo bahir
naagendra-lilo 'vatu maam mahaa-balah
sadaantaraatmaa ca vasan harih svayam
prapaatu purnah parameshvaro mahaan
May Lord Balarama, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, always protect me from within. May powerful Lord Balarama, who enjoys pastimes as the king of serpents, protect me from without. May Lord Balarama, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul residing in everyone's heart, always protect me.
 devaasuraanaam bhaya-naashanam ca
hutaashanam paapa-cayendhanaanaam
vinaashanam vighna-ghatasya viddhi
siddhaasanam varma-varam balasya
Please know that this kavaca of Lord Balarama is the best of armors. It destroys the fears of the demigods and demons. It is a blazing fire that burns up the fuel of a host of sins. It is the death of a host of obstacles. It is the abode of spiritual perfection.
Jaya Lord Balarama!
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