One of the main problems of life we all face is filling our bellies. We have to eat and this hard fact forces most of us out of bed and off to work every day. However, while almost a billion people worldwide are struggling to solve the eating problem and are suffering malnutrition, here in the affluent West many of us have found a new predicament in the shape of too much food. Eating disorders…
Continue readingRecently Prince Charles, an avid advocate of organic farming, took his holistic message to India. On a visit to the Punjab he promoted his own “New Food Foundation” and inaugurated its Indian equivalent, the ‘Bhumi Vardaan Foundation”. Brightly garlanded with marigolds, and to the accompaniment of a cacophony of assorted instruments, he strolled about in the hot Punjabi sunshine sharing his thoughts on agriculture with local organic farmers. Some might see a certain irony…
Continue readingPause for Thought on BBC Radio 2 My spiritual master Srila Prabhupada was once asked to speak to a group of school children. “Who is the most intelligent student here?” he asked. A sea of modest blank faces stared back but eventually one child was thrust forward by his obliging friends and Prabhupada said to him, “Please point to your head.” The bemused boy, expecting a sterner examination of his intellectual powers, duly complied. His…
Continue readingPause for Thought, BBC Radio 2, Sun 4th May Recently I took delivery of a new mobile phone. Quite a complex affair, boasting a range of amazing new features. Being a typical male with a stubborn resistance to being told how to do anything, I tossed aside the instruction manual and set about figuring it all out. Soon I had managed to have a conversation with the phone itself, take a close-up photo of my…
Continue reading1) kadacit kalindi-tata-vipina-sangitaka-ravo mudabhiri-nari-vadana-kamalasvada-madhupah rama-sambhu-brahmamara-pati-ganesarcita-pado jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me With songs and sweet music, strolling gaily through groves, by the Kalindi. A bee seeking nectar from the lotus-like faces of the gopis. Praising him are Shiva, Brahma, Indra, Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi. Jagannatha Swami, Lord of all beings, be visible to me. 2) bhuje savye venum sirasi sikhi-puccham kati-tate dukulam netrante sahacara-kataksam vidadhate sada srimad-vrndavana-vasati-lila-paricayo jagannathah svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me Sporting fine silken cloth,…
Continue readingVASANTA RASA By Srila Narottama das Thakur 1. Vrndavana ramya-sthana dibya-cintamani-dhama ratana-mandira manohara abrta kalindi-nire raja-hamsa keli kore tahe sobhe kanaka-kamala Vrindavan, resplendent abode, of transcendental touchstone, Jewelled temples divine, enchanting the mind Yamuna with gentle waves flows, where swans swim within shaded groves. A lotus of gold on that water shines. 2. tara madhye hema-pitha asta-dale bestita asta-dale pradhana nayika tara madhye ratnasane bosi achen dui-jane syama-sange sundari radkhika Golden altar within its whorl,…
Continue readingPrayers are of course a personal affair. Praying is a time for the soul to connect with God, offer him heartfelt praises and seek his mercy. Whilst this is certainly beneficial, in Vaishnavism it is also recommended that one offer the prayers composed by great saints. Such prayers always express appropriate sentiments, whereas in our conditioned state it is possible that material desires and sentiments will creep into our offerings. The Lord is pleased by…
Continue readingLinks to audiobooks can be found on book detail pages. View books here. Hey Govinda!
Continue readingThese days to argue against evolution is a good way to be labelled hopelessly ignorant of reality. Amongst the scientific community it has practically assumed the status of revealed truth. Even much of today’s theology somehow fits itself around the theory of evolution, although when first presented by Darwin it was hotly disputed by most religionists of the time. Some still do oppose the theory, but often only on the basis of scriptural statements, which…
Continue readingThe other day I popped into a local grocer to pick up a few things. The assistant, seeing me in robes, immediately said, “Your book is wrong.” Interesting greeting, I thought, but I merely smiled. Over the years I have become used to people reacting to my unusual appearance in all kinds of ways. Once a group of children in a small northern town asked me if I was from another planet. Of course, I…
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