Nov 24, CANADA (SUN) — The auspicious Disappearance Day of Srila Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji is observed on November 25th.

Paramahamsa Srila Gaura Kishora Das Babaji Maharaj was born into a Vaishya family on the banks of the Padma River in Bagayana village in Faridpur district in what is now Bangla Desh. The names of his parents are unknown. His given name was Vamshi Das. He was born sometime in the middle of the nineteenth century. He is important to us because he was the diksha guru of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada, founder of the Chaitanya Math and the world-wide Gaudiya Maths.

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Sadhu-vritti: Following in the Footsteps of the Previous Acaryas, Part 3

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 24, CANADA (SUN) — From 'Sri Bhaktyaloka' by HDG Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur.

"His mind was absorbed in great ecstatic love day and night. He ate and bathed simply out of habit."

The symptoms of a psuedo-renunciate are stated by the Lord in the Caitanya-caritamrita (Antya 2.117-118, 120, 124, 5.35-36):

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Sri Vedanta-sutra 6

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 24, CANADA (SUN) — Sri Vedanta-sutra - Volume One by Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana.

Adhikarana 6

The Supreme Brahman is Full of Bliss

Let us place our faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is supremely pure, all-powerful, all-knowing, and full of transcendental bliss. He is perfectly described in the anandamaya-sutra and the other statements of Vedanta-sutra.

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Utthana Ekadasi

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 24, CANADA (SUN) — Utthana (Haribodhini) Ekadasi from the Bhavisya-uttara Purana, observed November 25th in LA, 26th in Mayapur.

Lord Brahma said to Narada Muni, "Dear son, O best of the sages, I shall narrate to you the glories of Haribodhini Ekadasi, which eradicates all kinds of sins and bestows great merit, and ultimately liberation, upon the wise persons who surrender unto the Supreme Lord.

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The Liberation of Nalakuvara and Manigriva

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 22, CANADA (SUN) — When the childhood pastime places of Sri Krsna are enumerated, such as in the Brahmanda Purana, Braj-Bhakti-Vilas and Bhakti-Ratnakar, one of the foremost tirthas is Yamalarjuna-uddhara-sthal, where the Yamala-arjuna trees were delivered by Damodar.

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Allegations Against Akshaya Patra

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 22, CANADA (SUN) — A recent article entitled "Explainer: The Allegations Against Akshaya Patra, and Why a Probe Is Needed" by journalist Sugata Srinivasaraju for The Wire, describes in detail the controversy regarding corporate governance, financial accountability, and related allegations being leveled against the Akshaya Patra Foundation and its allegedly close operational association with Ritvik temple, ISKCON-Bangalore.

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Sadhu-vritti: Following in the Footsteps of the Previous Acaryas, Part 2

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 22, CANADA (SUN) — From 'Sri Bhaktyaloka' by HDG Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur.

The Lord has explained the duties of householders in the Caitanya-caritamrita (Madhya 15.104):

prabhu kahena-`krishna-seva', `vaishnava-sevana'
`nirantara kara krishna-nama-sankirtana'

"Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied: Without cessation continue chanting the holy name of Lord Krishna. Whenever possible, serve Him and His devotees, the Vaishnavas."

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Sri Vedanta-sutra 5

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 22, CANADA (SUN) — Sri Vedanta-sutra - Volume One by Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana.

Adhikarana 5

Brahman Is Knowable

1. Vishaya (statement): Now, by the use of logic and scriptural quotation, we shall refute the misconception that Brahman cannot be described. One may argue, however, that many scriptural passages support the theory that Brahman cannot be described by words. For example:

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Gopastami

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 22, CANADA (SUN) — The glories of Gopastami are observed on November 22nd.

The celebration of Gopastami during Kartikka marks the day when Sri Krsna and Balarama are honored by Nanda Maharaja, who advanced their duties of caring for the calves to now giving them the charge of caring for the cows. Advancing to the role of transcendental Gopa marks Krsna's boyhood transition from His kumara period, from birth to age five, to His pauganda period, from six to ten years old.

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Parishads: Sri Gadadhar das, Srinivas Acarya,
and Dhananjaya Pandit

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 22, CANADA (SUN) — The Disappearance day of Sri Gadadhar das, Srinivas Acarya, and Dhananjaya Pandit is observed on November 22nd.

Gadadhar das Goswami

She who during Krishna's incarnation was Candrakanti, the manifestation of Radharani's opulence, has become Gadadhara Das by Gauranga's side. Balaram's beloved Purnananda has also entered into him for some special purpose. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 154-155)

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Nov 22, CANADA (SUN) — The Sun's weekly cartoon series.

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Nanda Bhavan

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 20, CANADA (SUN) — A few kilometers south of Gokula is the sacred tirtha Mahavana, which is home to the Nanda Bhavan temple. On on the left bank of the Yamuna, sitting atop a small hill, Nanda Bhavan is the abode of Nanda Maharaja, Mother Yashoda, Balarama, and baby Krishna. The pillars in this temple are said to have come from Nanda Maharaja's original palace. One old structure that overhangs the Yamuna, 9 kms from Mahavan, is said to have been Nanda's building.

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Sadhu-vritti: Following in the Footsteps of the Previous Acaryas

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 20, CANADA (SUN) — From 'Sri Bhaktyaloka' by HDG Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur.

I have already written separate essays regarding utsaha, niscaya, dhairya, tat-tat-karma-pravartana, and sanga-tyaga. Now I am writing this essay on sadhu-vritti. There are two kinds of sadhus - householders and renunciates. I will separately describe the vritti, or occupation, of each. Although householders and renunciates have different occupations, there are some they have in common. These will be discussed separately. There are two meanings of the word occupation-propensity and lifestyle. Propensity means one's nature, or svabhava.

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Sri Vedanta-sutra 4

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 20, CANADA (SUN) — Sri Vedanta-sutra - Volume One by Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana.

Adhikarana 4

This is Confirmed by the Vedic Scriptures

1. Vishaya (statement): That the Supreme Personality of Godhead is described in all Vedic scriptures is described in the following scriptural quotations:

yo 'su sarvair vedair giyate

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead is glorified by all the Vedas."
Gopala-tapani Upanishad

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Disappearance Day of His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

BY: ROCANA DASA

Nov 18, CANADA (SUN) — Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance day is observed on this day.

On November 14, 1977, in Vrindavan, India, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada departed from this world. As Srila Prabhupada explains below, the appearance and disappearance of the Lord and his pure representatives from this world is a cause for celebration. While there is no need to lament the disappearance of the Lord's pure nitya-siddha representative, at the same time the devotees feel great pangs of separation due to the manifest physical absence of His Divine Grace.

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The Description of Krsna's Becoming Damodara

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 18, CANADA (SUN) — Srila Prabhupada's Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.31, October 11, 1974 in Mayapur.

Nitai: "My dear Krsna, Yasoda took up a rope to bind You when You committed an offense, and Your perturbed eyes overflooded with tears, which washed the mascara from Your eyes. And You were afraid, though fear personified is afraid of You. This sight is bewildering to me."

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In another place in this book (anuccheda 19), sri Jamtata Muni has described the nature of the individual spirit soul. The soul's nature is also described in these three verses of Srimad- Bhagavatam (3.25.16-18):

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Prabhupada Padma-vakya

November 24, 1966, New York
Bhagavad-gita 9.4-7
"Now, if some electrician is there he can take electric power from anywhere and utilize the electricity. Similarly, His energy is spread all over the universe. When we are transcendentally situated, just like when we become the electrician, then from anywhere we can see God eye to eye."

November 24, 1966, New York
Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 20.119-121
"Krsna will take hundred pounds of flours, hundred pounds of rice, and deliver you. Just be Krsna conscious. In ordinary home you don't find more than five pounds. You see in our stock, all hundred pounds."

November 24, 1974, Bombay
Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.24
"You cannot force a living entity by force. Gradually... The same example: a child has got attachment, but by some system, its attachment is turned over."

November 24, 1975, Bombay
Morning Walk
"Everyone is living at the cost of master, but foolishly."

November 24, 1975, Bombay
Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 20.112
"Jiva, the living entity is a very small particle, one ten-thousandth part of the top point of hair."

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

Lord Caitanya's Prasadam Pastimes, Part 5

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 22, CANADA (SUN) — The Sankirtan travels and prasadam pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Traveling through Jharikhanda

"After attending the Ratha-yatra ceremony of Sri Jagannatha, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu decided to start for Vrndavana. Sri Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara Gosvami selected a brahmana named Balabhadra Bhattacarya to personally assist Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Early in the morning before sunrise, the Lord started for the town of Kataka. North of Kataka, He penetrated a dense forest and visited many tigers and elephants, whom He engaged in chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.

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The Divine Love Trip, Part 49

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 22, CANADA (SUN) — Excerpts from "The Divine Love Trip".

CHAPTER 14 - The Devotee

Honoring the Devotee

It is essential in Vaisnava culture to worship and glorify the devotees. Devotees, with respect for one another, address each other as prabhu (master). The greatest devotee is offered prostrated obeisances and reverently referred to as Prabhupāda, one at whose lotus feet many prabhus take shelter.

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Sri Paramatma Sandarbha, Part 35

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 22, CANADA (SUN) — Sad Sandarbhas by Srila Jiva Goswami

PART THREE

Anuccheda 44

The reason why the individual spirit soul and the Supreme Personality of Godhead are different is given in these words (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.22.10):

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Lord Caitanya's Prasadam Pastimes, Part 4

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 20, CANADA (SUN) — The Sankirtan travels and prasadam pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Taking Prasada at Sarvabhauma Battacarya's

"Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya's wife was known as the mother of Sathi. She was a great devotee of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and she was affectionate like a mother.

After returning to his home, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya gave orders to his wife, and his wife, known as Sathira Mata, the mother of Sathi, began cooking with great pleasure.

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The Divine Love Trip, Part 48

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 20, CANADA (SUN) — Excerpts from "The Divine Love Trip".

CHAPTER 14 - The Devotee

Prayer to Lord Nrsimhadeva

The Lord declared with a mighty roar,
as He pulled the demon through the door,
"My devotee cannot be terrorized,
without the culprit being penalized."

Upon His sacred lap He strewn
the villain's body in late afternoon.
And with His nails He ripped apart
that dreadful brute of blackened heart.

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Sri Paramatma Sandarbha, Part 34

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 20, CANADA (SUN) — Sad Sandarbhas by Srila Jiva Goswami

PART THREE

Anuccheda 42

Now will be explained the truth that the individual spirit soul and the Supreme Personality of Godhead are, because they are both spiritual nature, qualitatively one. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.22.11) it is said:

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Lord Caitanya's Prasadam Pastimes, Part 3

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 18, CANADA (SUN) — The Sankirtan travels and prasadam pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Mother Saci and Raghava Pandita's Coconut Offering

"Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered Nityananda Prabhu,"Go to Bengal and, without restriction, manifest devotional service to the Lord, Krsna consciousness."

PURPORT: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu thus ordered Nityananda Prabhu to deliver all the Bengalis to devotional service. In Bhagavad-gita (9.32) it is said:

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The Divine Love Trip, Part 47

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 18, CANADA (SUN) — Excerpts from "The Divine Love Trip".

CHAPTER 13 - Accepting Krsna's Plan

Six Processes of Surrender

My dear Lord Śrī Krsna I seek Your protection,
there's no other shelter in any direction.
I cannot survive without Your affection,
cast Your mercy upon me and not Your objection.

Are You not the supreme maintainer?
You are to me my life-sustainer.
I know I am a big complainer,
but see what I've given You as a retainer:
I accept only what You like.
Everything else can take a hike.

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Sri Paramatma Sandarbha, Part 33

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 18, CANADA (SUN) — Sad Sandarbhas by Srila Jiva Goswami

PART THREE

Anuccheda 40

To describe the way in which the individual spirit soul and the Supreme Personality of Godhead are not different, the Srimad- Bhagavatam (4.28.62) gives the following explanation to those persons who desire impersonal knowledge:

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Sri Vedanta-sutra 3

BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 18, CANADA (SUN) — Sri Vedanta-sutra - Volume One by Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana.

Adhikarana 3

The Supreme Personality of Godhead May be Understood by the Revelation of the Vedic Scriptures

1. Vishaya (Statement): The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the creator, maintainer and destroyer of the material universes. Because He is inconceivable to the tiny brains of the conditioned souls He must be understood by the revelation of Vedanta philosophy. This is confirmed by the following statements of the Upanishads:

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BY: SUN STAFF

Nov 18, CANADA (SUN) — New items in the Sun's Classified ads section.

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