Appreciate the spiritual masters

Hare Krsna Devotees

On Monday the 22nd of July, the members of the Blue Lotus Book Club met for there monthly review at Aarti matajis house. This month’s book was titled “Traveling in the service of Srila Prabhupada” by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami.

Even though not personally having completed reading the book, it was certainly worthwhile attending. What better way to increase your Krishna consciousness then being in the association of devotees and their preaching, for it was a wonderful inspiring discussion. This book certainly made us as devotees understand and appreciate the guru’s we are so blessed with. As devotees living in this material world we are so quick to complain …give up or loose hope.
By reading of our gurus traveling, only then did I realize just how petty we are, as they go through so much more then we do for our benefit and never ever show or tell of there struggle.
We take for granted how fortunate we are to have the association of these maharaja’s and fail to realize just how much they have been through allowing us to have Their association. They are well traveled and certainly most knowledgeable and as Sitala mataji said the least we can do as devotees is make an effort to attend their classes, appreciate them and try to put into practice their preaching.
A specific point I particularly found interesting and useful in hearing was when Gita Govinda Mataji had Mentioned a verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam that Bhakti Caitanya Swami explained. The lesson read ‘The lord already knows what we want, and we don’t need to harass Him by constantly praying for material things”, something most of us are guilty of.
All in all the book was gripping and many felt it difficult to stop reading once they had begun. The beautiful pictures complimented the book and was dearly appreciated by us all.

Thank you to Bhakti Caitanya Swami for His mercy, having provided us with this wonderful book. Thank you to our host Aarti, and for all the wonderful prasadam the devotees brought along. Thank you to Hemisha for our wonderful gifts, we certainly are encouraged to read more.

Another wonderful night of tasty prasadam… good company and great conversation.

The Next book club is scheduled for the 13th of July and titled “A Second Chance”

Hope to see you all there.

Your Servant
Reena

Our Eternal Purpose!

2 weeks back we had youth group at Manoj’s place and he lead us in a discussion...or rather several debates leading up to the answer of what is our eternal purpose! Between Caitanya Prabhu and Isvara Puri Prabhu several doubts were removed. The meaning of attachment and the value of yukta vairagya was discussed. How one becomes fortunate enough to meet a devotee is amazing. Are u going to take the staircase or are you going to take the elevator to the top?? The elevator of course! And what is the elevator to get to the top, to fulfil our eternal purpose? Manoj sang it to us as follows:

sarva-dharman parityajya

mam ekam saranam vraja

aham tvam sarva-papebho

mokshayisyami ma sucah

Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

Etavan sankhya yogabhyam
Sva-darma-paristhaya
Janma-labhah parah pumsam
Ante narayana smrtih

The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by complete knowledge of matter and spirit, by practice of mystic powers or by perfect discharge of occupational duty is to REMEMBER THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD AT THE END OF LIFE!

Something to remember!
Krishna is completely independent and self-satisfied, He accepts service from His devotees, and thus remains at the centre of their lives.

Last weeks youth group was held at Meenal’s place where we delved in to our favorite topic of PRASADAM! We’ve found new value is being a Krishnatarian instead of an ordinary vegetarian and the great value of ekadasi and why and for who do we follow it.

Thank you guys for leading these nice topics, it’s certainly been enlightening.

Blooming in the pond of love...

Haribol wonderful devotees
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances. All Glories To Srila Prabhupada!

We enjoyed yet another book club meeting last night. The beautiful bhajan Manah-siksha, Teachings to the Mind (from Präthanä) was sweetly sung by Sitala Matajee and cartels melodiously played by Kandarpa Matajee and Hemisha Matajee.

We read the Teachings of Queen Kunti, although many of us had not completed our books, we had read them before and whatever we read now we greatly appreciated and absorbed the lessons.

Gita Govinda Matajee discussed the point where Srila Prabhupada says that Krishna is the worshipable God and the spiritual master is the worshiper God, a very nice point.

Kandarpa Matajee spoke about the vision of the lotuses and how beautiful Krishna is and whose glance is cool as the lotus. She also mentioned that if we dress the Lord beautifully we feel spiritually satisfied which is far better than beautifying ourselves.

Nayan Matajee mentioned how she admired Queen Kunti who had beared so much as a single parent but always had the mercy of Krishna, Prabha Matajee and Indira Matajee agreed.

Aarti Matajee mentioned how Queen Kunti would pray to Krishna for calamities so that Krishna would always be near and Hemisha Matajee also agreed.

Sitala Matajee mentioned that Krishna is so attractive and described how Srila Prabhupada says that when we do devotional service we also become attractive. She also mentioned how Krishna and Radharani are not envious so it’s really wonderful to love Them.

I mentioned how insignificant our problems are compared to what Queen Kunti and her family had to face. Krishna protected them from poisoned cake, a great fire and cannibals!

We would like to thank Hemisha Matajee and Indira Matajee for hosting our book club meeting and for the scrumptious prasadam. Thank you to the other Matajees who also provided prasadam. Maha prasadam ki jai!

Sitala Matajee had a surprise for us; she was so kind and took the time and effort to make a bracelet and a note for each of us out of Maha beads. We all deeply appreciated her loving gesture.

Our blue lotuses are blooming in the pond of love at our meetings and are blossoming in the loving exchanges and association of each precious blue lotus flower.

TEACHINGS OF QUEEN KUNTI KI JAI!
SRILA PRABHUPADA KI JAI!
BLUE LOTUS BOOK CLUB KI JAI!
ALL GLORIES TO SRI SRI NITAI GAURAHARI!

Your loving servant
Hema

Why we do the things we do

Last youth group, 9 May 09, Sunaina and sisters came up with this topic and led the discussion in describing what it was like for them coming to the temple and seeing all sorts of things being done but not knowing why it was being done and generally just following what everyone else was doing.

There were some important ones and some funny ones:

We spoke about why we need a guru. Isn’t the scriptures enough?
Why 16 rounds? should we push for 16 or go slow until we are ready?
Why be vegetarian? Isn’t killing plants also a violent act? Is it better to be a potato in Bengal or a human being in South Africa?
What does it mean when someone puts their hand on you and then puts their hand to his head? Is that person calling you or what?

The discussion was good especially since Caitanya Prabhu was able to join us after a very, very, very long time. Between him, Isvara Puri, Sunaina and Mehul there was lots of laughter and fun.

We ended the day playing transcendental treasure hunt.

namaste narasimhaya!

Last youth group, 2 May 09, was at Mehul and Meera’s place, the topic, with Nrsingadev’s appearance day just few days away, was naturally “Nrsingadev!” Mehul and Meera researched unusual aspects and sweet pastimes of this attractive Lord and His dear devotee, Prahlad Maharaja. We all read these out and shared realizations, pastimes and important points that we can take back into our own lives. Jai Nrsimha!




Under the caring guidance of Reshma Matajee the Bhaktivedenta College kids together with our youth group guys arranged a play for Nrsingadev’s festival. As we discussed sound, props and actors there was much excitement to have everything ready in time.

The result on the auspicious day was truly enchanting! With a smooth blend of humor and seriousness the actors captivate their audience and had them clapping and jiving to Prahlad Maharaja’s kirtan, shouting out in surprise at Nrsinga dev bursting out of the pillar and laughing at the funny antics of the demon teachers.

All in all a super festival and a super, super play! Thank you, dear youth group members for your great enthusiasm and just for being great people.

“Glory to Lord Nrisimha,Lord Nrisimha with mother Laksmi. All glories,all glories all glories to Sri Sri Laksmi-Nrisimha. I offer my humble obeisances to Lord Mahavisnu in the form of Lord Nrisimhadeva. He is the furious hero, Who's mouth is blazing in all directions. Lord Nrisimha is tremendously auspicious and He is death for the death personified All glories to Nrisimhadeva! All glories to Nrisimhadeva,who is the Lord of Prahlad Maharaj and, like the honeybee,is always engaged in beholding the lotus-like face of the goddess of fortune."

We sure got the crowd laughing :o)

For Rama Naumi our youth group volunteered to perform a play for the pleasure of the Lord and His sweet devotees.




It was a hectic time for me and so the bulk of the play planning and organising was left to these young members who took up the task with enthusiasm and a level of commitment that was pleasing to witness.





The result was a performance filled elements of these guys own enduring natures.




Vivek as the hot-tempered Lukshman had the crowd laughing as he portrayed Lakshman with some serious aTTiTude!





Meenal as sage Vishvamitra looked regal as she besieged Dasaratha to give Rama to him. Manoj played the part of grave, noble Rama perfectly… urm … at least until he couldn’t get his plastic arrows into his bow and then had to throw the arrows to kill Tataka!




Kamsa played by Roshan brought out more bursts of laughter from the crowd as he boasted the pride of his demon prowess. Deepan and Trusheel played there parts of kings and demons perfectly, thoroughly enjoying themselves.





Gentle Meera can’t help but look sweet even when she is playing the male part of King Janaka.





And our saving grace, Radha, who at the last moment was asked to play the demoness Tataka portrayed her part so well with only a last minute rehearsal, we will definitely be calling upon her acting capabilities again!



Jai Rama!

A special thanks goes to these 3 actors who did the bulk planning.


Manoj headed up the co-ordination of the play.



Mehul looked after the sound side of it.


Meenal took care of the props and costumes.


All glories to your service! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Lord Ramachandra!

BLUE LOTUS REPORT - TKG's DIARY

Haribol wonderful devotees
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances. All Glories To Srila Prabhupada!

What a fantastic book club meeting we had last night? It left us all inspired and high spirited. We read the book TKG's Diary" by HH Tamal Krishna Goswami. We started by singing Sapärñada-bhagavad-viraha-janita-viläpa Lamentation Due to Separation from the Lord and His Associates (from Prärthanä) a beautiful bhajan lead by Sitala Matajee who sings very sweetly and plays the mrdanga very well. Gita Govinda Matajee and Kandarpa Matajee played the kartels so melodiously not to mention little Gopi who was also playing so nicely.

All the Vaishnavis were highly inspired by HH Tamal Krishna Goswami’s dedication to Srila Prabhupada. Nayan Matajee, Daksha Matajee and Aarti matajee were feeling especially sad for Srila Prabhupada’s suffering and expressed their sincere admiration for Srila Prabhupada’s determination and high standard ensuring that everything was in order before he left his body. Gita Govinda Matajee shared her experience when she went to the Bhaktivedanta Manor in London and how by Srila Prabhupada’s mercy that she actually got to see his rooms even though they are normally closed during festival time. Vishaka Matajee also described how Srila Prabhupada’s rooms are still so well preserved in Vrindavan and also made mention of how particular Srila Prabhupada was about the paintings that his disciples used to complete. Sitala Matajee was describing when she visited Srila Prabhupada’s samadi and the potency that one feels there and also made mention of the following point further elaborated by Kandarpa Matajee who read the extract where HH Tamal Krishna Goswami told Srila Prabhupada that he is a fool and Srila Prabhupada then replied to him that as long as he thinks himself a fool Srila Prabhupada can instruct him but as soon as he thinks that he knows everything then nothing can be taught. Kandarpa Matajee said we should adopt this attitude to for advancement in our spiritual lives and we all happily agreed. We also had two surprise guests which we warmly welcomed and they will be visiting our temple more often which pleased all the blue lotuses.

We all felt so blessed by HH Tamal Krishna Goswami who was so compassionate for sharing his diary with us and the entire world. Only by his mercy ordinary people like us could know the truth as it was about the greatest leader who walked on this earth, Srila Prabhupada. We were feeling so blissful and started to appreciate all of Srila Prabhupada’s amazing disciples. Srila Prabhupada was truly an outstanding spiritual father who had so many dedicated and loving sons who has followed/follows him exactly, that is why ISKCON still stands so firm with proper standards, highly maintained and always will, continually growing from strength to strength!

"Srila Prabhupada lives with those who live to fulfil his desires. We take shelter beneath the lotus feet of our beloved Guru Maharaja, whom we eternally serve" HH Tama Krishna Goswami from TKG’s diary pg 357. We see this statement is practised by all of our ISKCON leaders and we can only try to follow in their footsteps.

SRILA PRABHUPADA KI JAI!!!!
HH TAMAL KRISHNA GOSWAMI MAHARAJA KI JAI!!!
BLUE LOTUS BOOK CLUB KI JAI!

We would like to extend our gratitude to all for providing delicious prasadam.

Your loving servant
Hema Patel

For and on behalf of The Blue Lotus Book Club
(31 March 2009)

Vraja’s Goddess

kyaham parah sata-nikaty-anuviddha-cetahsankalpa esa sahasa kva su-durlabhe’rtheeka kalpaiva tava mam ajahaty upadhi-sunyeva mantum adadhaty agater gatir me

O Srimati Tulasi-devi, how low I am, my heart pierced by hundreds of offenses! How exalted and difficult to attain is my aspiration! Your causeless mercy is my only hope. It is by Your mercy that I, who am so fallen, can have these desires in my thoughts.

( Sri Sankalpa-kalpadruma,Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

Srimati Tulasi devi is a dear most servant to Radha Krishna and under Purnamasi’s guidance arranges the pastimes of Radha and Govinda. For this reason she is a great shelter for devotees who are aspiring to reside and serve the Lord in Vraja. But she has another special characteristic making her mercy so freely accessible to all! And that is her form within this material world is a plant. Just by watering and singing prayers to Tulasi devi we are able to receive the highest perfection. Tulasi devi, Vrinda devi ki jai!

For such a special personality as this devotees, Mother Radhakunda and Damodara Prabhu, painstakingly over a few months arranged for a beautiful house and garden for Tulasi devi to reside in. The opening for this special place took place last weekend and the mood was incredibly sweet.

Our youth group and book club arranged the décor and assisted in the gift bags.

This here is Neha accompanied by her mum, Prabha Matajee, and aunt, Daksha Matajee.



They created a beautiful Vrinda devi backdrop for the stage.


It was very nice to be able to mediate on the different names of Vrinda devi that they had scribed to the backdrop.


Daksha Matajee also took care of the Tulasi skirts that were arranged for each and every tulasi plant.


This here is my dear friend, Hemisha, and my sweet sister, Gita Govinda devi dasi, who are also the local décor gurus.

For years they have been dedicated to the service of decorating the temple and Lord Jagannath’s cart and tent at the annual Ratha Festival in Lenasia. Their devotion and meticulous service to the Lord is inspiring.

Hema Matajee and Syamarani devi dasi prepared fancy gift bags holding ekadasi sweets, Maha Tulsi leaves, Tulasi devi info pamphlet and Tulsi book marks. All the guests so much appreciated this thoughtful gesture.

Once again the true bliss of the festival was everyone working so nicely together at such short notice on all of this to make the day special for Tulasi devi and all her guests.

We hope the Lord and devotees engage us more and more in divine service.

Thank you to all the youth group members and mothers who assisted so willing in all our endeavors.

Hare Krishna Food for Life

Last Saturday we joined the Lenasia Food for Life team in distributing sanctified food in Kliptown, an African township, a 10 minute drive from the temple.

Hare Krishna Food for Life (FFL) is different to other welfare organisations as it does not only provide physical relief but spiritual relief as well. Supplying food to the body is temporary as one again becomes hungry but by providing spiritual relief (of Krishna prasadam and the Holy Name) one is given the opportunity to never again take birth in a material body, thus providing permanent relief from the pangs of material existence.

FFL is a truly satisfying experience. We distributed at an orphanage that is part of an informal settlement. Several young kids and older ladies came inside the clean and neat dining area.

This here is Minesh Prabhu, the head organiser, getting an energetic kirtan started up.

With the enthusiastic encouragement of Sharad Prabhu and others the ladies began clapping their hands and the kids danced to the rhythms of the holy Name.



Some of the youngsters brought out their African drums taking the whole experience to another level.



While others were overjoyed to play some of our instruments



All glories to Srila Prabhupada’s perfect solutions to all troubles! Global Food for Life Ki Jai!



FFL in Lenasia takes place from the temple every Tuesday and Maha (big) FFL takes place every last Saturday of the month. You are most welcome to be a part of it!