ISSUE 004

01 / / SEPTEMBER / / 2020

2

DEVOTIONAL QUOTIENT

Rekindling The Spiritual Spark

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DEVOTIONAL QUOTIENT

His Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupad What’s the goal of the magazine

Devotional Quotient is a sincere effort inspired by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, to present a cultural magazine to inspire the youth devotees to Consciousness.

Our Endeavor is: 1. To help all the people discern reality from illusion spirit from matter, the eternal from the temporary

2. To expose the faults of materialism

Pancha Deity Painting. 3. To offer guidance in the Vedic techniques of spiritual life

4. To preserve and spread the Vedic culture SPECIAL SUMMER EDITION! 5. To celebrate the chanting of the holy names of as taught by Lord Sri SHAURYA RAMESH KUMAR Prayers oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya 6. To help every living-being remember and see jñānāñjana-śalākayā This summer, a group of teachers cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena Sri Krishna, The Personality of Godhead. tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ have made the effort to start a summer class, taking advantage of I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my the current prohibiting situation to respectful obeisances unto him.

bring Krishna Consciousness to nama -padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale people across the globe. srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine

namas te saraswate deve gaura-vani-pracarine nirvishesha-shunyavadi-pashchatya-desha-tarine These classes offer the opportunity to educate children and parents on I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord the glories of the Lord. These classes Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet. Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, cover the story of the and servant of Bhaktisiddhanta Goswami. You are that of significant personalities from kindly preaching the message of Lord Chaitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with the Srimad Bhagavatam. impersonalism and voidism. sri-krishna-chaitanya -nityananda As well as that, these classes offer a sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda plethora of other fun and engaging activities, including , cooking, I offer my obeisances to Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu For monthly subscriptions, please mail us at Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasa and all others [email protected] artwork and more. in the line of devotion.

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By the Divine Mercy of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada (Founder of ISKCON – International Society for Krishna Consciousness)

Dedication: We humbly offer the “Devotional Quotient” to the compassionate hands of His Holiness Bhringa Swami Maharaj. He has been instrumental in inspiring and guiding not only our young devotees but many others all over the world with his benevolent and encouraging words. Year after year he has personally spoken to them about the importance of going deep into Krishna Consciousness. We thank him and hope that he will be happy to read the various contributions from all the children.

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Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Words of Wisdom From the origin

SLOKA OF THE MONTH

gurv-arthe tyakta-rājyo vyacarad anuvanaṁ padma-padbhyāṁ priyāyāḥ pāṇi-sparśākṣamābhyāṁ mṛjita-patha-rujo yo harīndrānujābhyām vairūpyāc chūrpaṇakhyāḥ priya-viraha- ruṣāropita-bhrū-vijṛmbha- trastābdhir baddha-setuḥ khala-dava- dahanaḥ kosalendro ’vatān naḥ

To keep the promise of His father intact, Lord Rāmacandra immediately gave up the position of king and, accompanied by His wife, mother Sītā, wandered from one forest to another on His lotus feet, which were so delicate that they were unable to bear even the touch of Sītā’s palms. The Lord was also accompanied by Hanumān [or by another monkey, Sugrīva], king of the monkeys, and by His own younger brother Lord Lakṣmaṇa, both of whom gave Him relief from the fatigue of

wandering in the forest. Having cut off the

nose and ears of Śūrpaṇakhā, thus

disfiguring her, the Lord was separated

from mother Sītā. He therefore became angry, moving His eyebrows and thus frightening the ocean, who then allowed the Lord to construct a bridge to cross the ocean. Subsequently, the Lord entered the kingdom of Rāvaṇa to kill him, like a fire devouring a forest. May that Supreme Lord, Rāmacandra, give us all protection.

S.B 9.10.4

Artwork by: Mrs Bela Bhatt

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Vaishnav

Each issue of Devotional Quotient will include one of these pages. We would like to dedicate these to our previous Acharyas. We must glorify our previous Acharyas so that we can learn from them and spread Krishna Consciousness in their footsteps. Each monthly edition will include one of these pages where we slowly go up the vaishnava Parampara. This time continuing to

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Maharaj

Sri Sachidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura appeared in 1838 in a wealthy family in the , West and was named Kedarnatha. He revealed that he is an eternal associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by his extraordinary preaching activities and prolific writing. Living as a maha Vaisnava, he stayed in the ashram until the last few years of his life. Then he renounced everything, and entered , totally absorbed in the loving service of Gaura-Gadadhara and -.

• He had a responsible government position as the District Magistrate (high court judge), maintained a Krishna conscious family, and wrote almost one hundred books on Krishna consciousness. • He had ten sons and he always prayed to Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Maharaj Krishna that he wanted at least one son who would be a pure devotee of Krishna. And Always anxious to use every moment in loving Lord Krishna blessed him with service of Krishna, he followed a strict austere Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, who was daily schedule: a staunch devotee and a powerful preacher. 8 p.m.-10 p.m. Rest (two hours) One of his disciples was AC Bhaktivedanta 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Write Swami Prabhupada. 4 a.m.-4:30 a.m. Rest • Kedaranatha took formal Vaishnava 4:30 a.m.-7 a.m. Chant from Bipin Bihari Goswami, who 7 a.m.-7:30 a.m. Correspondence was descended from the Jahnava family of 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Study sastras Baghnapara. Within a few years after his 9:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Bath,prasadam initiation, Kedaranatha was awarded by the (half-liter milk, fruit, 2 chapatis) Vaishnavas the title "Srila Bhaktivinoda 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Court Duties

Thakura" in appreciation for his tireless 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Refresh at home propagation of the philosophy of devotion 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Court Duties (bhakti) to Sri Krishna. 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Translate sastras • He used to go to Navadvipa and search for to Bengali Jaganath Das Babaji Maharaj - Shiksha of the birthsite of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Bath,prasadam (half-liter Bhaktivinod Thakur. exact location of which had been lost in milk, rice, 2chapatis) time. One night he was sitting on the roof of Summary Daily Schedule: the Rani Dharmasala in Navadvipa chanting Sleep 3 hours on his beads, when he spotted in the distance Write 8.5 hours a very tall tala tree; near the tree was a small Japa,study 4.5 hours building that gave off a remarkable Work 6 hours effulgence. • In 1887 he discovered that the place he'd Biographers list three major preaching achievements seen from the dharmasala rooftop was in fact of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura: the birthplace of Mahaprabhu. This was (1) Wrote 100 authorized spiritual books. confirmed by , the (2) Discovered appearance place of Lord Caitanya. head of the Gaudiya Vaisnava community in (3) Introduced preaching innovations. Besides books Navadvipa. A great festival was held there. (in Bengali, Oriya, English) reviving and explaining Bhaktivinoda published the Navadvipa Mahaprabhu's message, he wrote hundreds of poems Dhama Mahatmya, which elaborated the and songs full of spiritual sentiments and sastric glories of the birthsite of Sri Caitanya. siddhanta (philosophical conclusions). He initiated preaching on a global level by sending his books to • In October 1894, at age 56, he retired from Mcgill University in Canada (in 1896, the year the his post as Deputy Magistrate, though this founder acharya of ISKCON Srila Prabhupada move was opposed by his family and the appeared). government authorities. He stayed at In 1914, on the tirobhava (disappearance day) of Svarupa to worship, lecture and Sri Gadadhara Pandit (the incarnation of Sri Radha), revise his old writings. Sometimes he went Thakura Bhaktivinoda entered the eternal pastimes of Gaura-Gadadhara and Radha-Madhava. to Calcutta; there he begged door to door for

funds to construct a Yogapitha temple.

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Gyanamritam

Learnings from the Ramayana

BY H.G. CHAMPAKALATA DASI

The power of stories has been recognized for centuries, and even today storytelling is a multi-million dollar • Danger of listening to vicious counseling • Showing mercy even to the enemies affair. Stories are a natural mode of thinking; even before , essentially a good natured woman, ’s younger brother Vibhishan was an our formal education begins, we are already learning meekly allowed her very loyal maid servant extremely righteous person who was bold from Aesop’s fables, grandma tales, or family history. Manthara to brainwash her into enough to warn and advise Ravana against This has been the Indian culture from time immemorial demanding two atrocious boons from his act of immorality in abducting the wife of where the , our ancient texts tell kathas of Dasaratha. Though she was not enthusiastic another to satisfy his desires. When the celestials, aristocrats and common people. These were in the beginning, she gradually allowed furious Ravana showed the doors to his shared by people in different art forms to inculcate Manthara’s venomous words to pollute her brother, came and surrendered to culture and values in society. The and mind. Did she gain anything finally by asking Rama. Despite reservations from and others, Rama accepted Vibhishana into Ramayana have influenced people for centuries and these boons? No. She lost her beloved his fold. The Lord does not differentiate continue to do so. These epics are related to the supreme husband Dasaratha who died very soon, on between friend and foe, man account of the shock and the pain of Lord and thus have a transcendental appeal beyond or animal, cast or creed. He accepts those perception of the senses, besides the benefits one has in separation from his beloved son Rama. who surrender to Him with faith, as He did their everyday dealings of life. , Kaikeyi’s son, for whom she with Gajendra, Prahlad and . Most stories can be enjoyed once, sometimes twice after obtained the very kingdom, reprimanded her • Service with humility is the greatest which they lose their novelty. But unlike regular stories for her atrocious act and he never ever took virtue: appears in front of Sri Ramayana grows more interesting with every reading. charge of the kingdom. Rama as a messenger of Vanar King Not only does it have all the ingredients of adventure, • Not accepting any gains coming in an Sugriva. Hanuman’s entire life is a life of romance, mysticism , struggles, sinister plots but also unjust way dedication, devotion and total commitment eternal values and much more. Characters in the story Bharata, the son of Kaikeyi, is another to the mission of Lord Rama. This is the appear different, at different stages of one's life! When a sterling personality in Ramayana, who just greatest qualification of any individual soul; book presents realities of life in the most could not tolerate the very idea of accepting loyal dedication by shedding exciting manner with time tested rooted values, then the throne that rightfully belongs to his elder one’s ego. From Hanuman’s life and how can we not give this rich book to our next brother Rama but wrongly acquired for his teachings we can see him as a person with generation. sake by his mother. He took Rama’s highest knowledge, patience, intelligence, Learnings from this precious book are countless but here padukas, and placed them on the throne valour, vigor, strength and unimaginable are some important ones that can be imbibed in our lives. and took care of the administration of achievements all due to the blessing of his as a representative till the lord master Lord Rama and his humble service • Qualities of a leader - long before management returned. attitude. Hanuman, the intimate servant of schools were talking about leadership qualities, • The futility of getting swayed by dubious Lord Ramacandra executed all of Ramayana recorded what these qualities are. attractions Sri Rama’s orders despite all kinds of Sixteen great qualities and characteristics of Mother , in the forest, got very attracted difficulties, he is thus considered the epitome of Dasyam in the nine processes of Lord Rama are described in the beginning of the by a beautiful golden deer. She refused to devotional service. book to establish an ideal personality. heed to her husband’s counsel that such a Veeryavan(brave) Krtagna(grateful) are two of deer could not be a natural one and it could those qualities. Can you find out which other be a demon in disguise. It was on her qualities that Lord Rama possess? incessant demand to acquire the deer as It takes a lot of love and trust, to fully give • or duty of an individual. Rama, Sita, a play-mate that forced Rama to go after it. one’s heart to another. And the ultimate , Bharata, Shatrugna, Hanuman, It paved the way for her getting separated expression of faith is the act of surrendering Vibheeshana....all of them followed Dharma. from him by being abducted by Ravana, the to God, which is the basis supporting divine Given that the definition of Dharma is very demon. love. subjective, reading and understanding Ramayana For those who are courageous enough to surrender to the Personality of God, a vast will give a view of why different people • Divine love transcends all barriers of caste unlimited fortune awaits them. The followed different aspects of Dharma. For e.g. and creed following verse from Ramayana Lakshmana chose to follow Rama to the forest The lowly fisherman Guha, who was full of (Yuddha-kanda 18.33) portrays a very sweet and serve him, whereas Bharata decided to rule devotion to Rama, who helped Rama, current of love between and the kingdom as his servant and Shatrugna stayed Lakshmana and Sita to cross the river Ganges bhakta. Here Lord Rama promises to reward back serving Bharata. Each of them displayed in a boat, was accepted as a brother by Lord His surrendered devotee. varied interpretations of Dharma according to Rama for his devotion. Likewise, Sabari, an Sri Ramachandra said, 'It is My vow that if their positions. old woman, became a staunch devotee of one only once seriously surrenders unto Rama, just by hearing about Rama’s Me, saying, "My dear Lord, from this day • Adherence to truth and the need to honour greatness. I am Yours," and prays to Me for one’s word-. When Rama was wandering the forests in courage, I shall immediately award When Dasratha’s favourite wife Kaikeyi wanted search of Sita, the Lord arrived at Sabari’s courage to that person, and he will always remain safe from that time on.' the throne of Ayodhya for her own son Bharata hut and the old lady, overwhelmed with love and wanted Rama to be sent in exile to the forest, for Rama offered berries to her beloved sakṛd eva prapanno yas it was nothing short of a deathly blow to Lord. Rama treated Sabari as though she was Dasaratha. But still, he could never use his tavāsmīti ca yācate his own mother and blessed her with pure abhayaṁ sarvadā tasmai kingly authority to veto her request, because of devotion. the promise he had made long ago to Kaikeyi, to dadāmy etad vrataṁ mam grant her two boons whenever she chose to ask.

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How did the power of prayers help What does Lord Rama say about anyone seeking his Gajendra? shelter? Gajendra used all his strength to get Even if a bad person came to seek Rama’s shelter rid of the crocodile’s clutches but He would protect him without a second thought failed. When he surrendered himself because He is extremely generous and merciful . to Lord Vishnu, the Lord

Rama is the protector of the weak and does not immediately rescued His devotee. discriminate against anybody. He is a tolerant and This shows the power of devotion is generous king. superior to the power of physical Shaurya strength. Age 13 Joshith Jalluri Age: 9 It doesn’t matter about your sins if you say “Rama I am yours”, and seek his shelter then Rama will accept you as His servant even if you have The power of prayers is very great committed great sins. After you have sought His shelter engage yourself with devotional service. and it helped Gajendra when his leg was caught by a crocodile. His Rhea prayers and pleading to Lord Vishnu Age 10 brought the Lord in front of him and the Lord was greeted with a lotus Lord Rama says that anyone who seeks His shelter flower from Gajendra. Gajendra's will always be forgiven for his/her mistakes and true devotion to the Lord is what always be successful in their work . He says that under His shelter , everyone will be peaceful freed him. with no problems . Jahnvi Siya Kiran Dharwadkar Age: 11 Age 13

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Bhagavad Gita Section Wise:

SECTION 4 –

CHAPTER 2 (TEXT 1 TO 10)

BY: SRI NANDARANI DEVI DASI

At this point, does not know which is better; conquering or being killed. He is confused about his In the previous chapter, concluded that Arjuna duty, and thinks that victory is also defeat, as he will was not inclined to fight. This made Dhrtarastra joyful, as not be able to live happily after killing his relatives. this would mean that the would be renouncing Arjuna’s intelligence got bewildered in trying to the kingdom. In the second chapter, Sanjaya begins to understand the implementation of dharma. Therefore, describe how Krsna inspires Arjuna to fight. This chapter he surrenders himself as Krsna’s disciple, speaking the describes the subject matters of yoga, yoga, words; “Now I am confused about my duty and have and also a glimpse of . Moreover, these topics lost all composure because of miserly weakness. In this will be discussed throughout the ; condition I am asking You to tell me for certain what is therefore, this chapter is entitled; “Contents of the Gita best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul summarized”. surrendered unto You. Please instruct me.” A guru has Seeing Arjuna full of compassion, Krsna asks him about to be approached to solve the perplexities of life and to how these impurities have come upon him. This is understand the solution. Arjuna realized that so-called because they do not befit a civilized man who values knowledge, wealth and material comforts are useless in liberation, this does not lead to higher planets, but to solving his problems. He wants to stop friendly talks infamy. In addition, He says that this so-called with Krsna and become His disciple, as no one is magnanimity and non-violence is petty weakness of heart, superior to Him. Being overwhelmed with false grief therefore, he should give it up and arise. due to family affection, he surrenders unto the Supreme guru, Sri Krsna, and he would soon be Arjuna does not consider it suitable to counterattack in enlightened about his dharma. Krsna being Hrsikesa, battle with men like Bhisma and , who, being his the controller of the senses, will now make Arjuna superiors, are worthy of worship. This is because manifest intelligence to fight, and Krsna will make superiors are always respectable, and not to be offered Arjuna accept his dharma to fight. even a verbal fight, even if sometimes harsh; that is general etiquette. Arjuna considers it better to live by Arjuna has deep faith in the words of Krsna. As a begging than to kill such great souls, who are his teachers devotee, he has complete control over his mind and and superiors, though they desire worldly gain. He does senses, he is tolerant towards dualities and has firm not want to enjoy the kingdom that will be tainted with faith in the instructions of Sri Krsna. This is Arjuna’s their blood and sin of killing them. We should understand qualification to receive spiritual knowledge. Then that a teacher who does an abominable action and has lost Krsna smiled and spoke to Arjuna because His friend discrimination is fit to be abandoned. Bhisma and Drona had chosen to become His disciple, but at once were obliged to take the side of because of assumed the role of a guru and talked with gravity, his financial assistance, and thus lost their responsibility. chastising His student, Arjuna. Krsna was previously Yet Arjuna denied killing them because of his continued controlled by the words of Arjuna (out of love for acceptance of them as . him), and now He became the controller of Arjuna’s mind (again out of love) for the benefit Arjuna.

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How Sravanam and Kirtanam can Lead to Smaranam

BY JAISHREE CHAWLANI

By chanting the holy name of the Lord, one’s heart is cleansed in śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ the material conception of life. And when the heart is clean one smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam can realize the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ Chanting of the holy name of the Lord should be done loudly. sakhyam ātma-nivedanam Loud chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra can even

penetrate the ears of trees and creepers what to speak of humans One must regularly participate ‘Sravanam’- hearing and and animals. A devotee can very peacefully chant the holy name ‘Kirtanam’ - chanting about the pastimes and activities of the of the Lord by behaving more humble than the grass, being Lord. Simply by hearing the glories of the Lord one can be soaked tolerant like a tree and offering respects to everyone, without in transcendental pleasure, therefore not being attracted to material expecting honor from anyone else. Such qualifications make it sense gratification. Acharyas recommend that one must regularly easier to chant the holy name of the Lord. hear mainly from two scriptures -- Srimad Bhagwatam and Bhagvat Gita- The song of the Lord. Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is a great example, who repeatedly listened to the glories of Narasingha Dev and Prahlad Maharaj narrated by Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Gadhadhar Pandit . Also, another example is the way Maharaja Parikshit heard the glories of the Lord from Sukadeva Goswami for iti shodashakam namnam, -kalmasha-nashanam; seven days and seven nights continuously, as soon as he knew that natah parataropayah, sarva-vedeshu drishyate. he was cursed to die in seven days. (Kali-Santarana Upanishad text 6 ) Hearing of the holy name of the Lord (śravaṇam) is the beginning of devotional service. It is only when we hear with determination “The sixteen words-Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna and eagerness about the Lord can we chant with submissiveness. Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-are especially meant for completely destroying all the The function of the ear can be perfected simply by engagement in contamination of Kali. To save oneself from the contamination of hearing the transcendental activities of the Lord. This chanting Kali-yuga, there is no alternative in all theVedas except the should be heard from the mouth of a pure devotee, submissively we chanting of this sixteen-word . should try to hear from an authorized source. We must not hear from speculative philosophers but must hear from a pure devotee Similarly one’s mind can be peaceful only when one simply who has completed the process of self-realization. thinks of Krishna in full Krishna consciousness. One who regularly performs sravanam and kirtanam, who hears and sings ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi the glories of the Lord... his heart is completely cleansed, therefore smaranam, remembering the lord, is achieved. na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ Simply by repeatedly hearing and chanting the glories of the Lord, sevonmukhe hi jihvādau one gradually remembers the Lord throughout the day. After svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ continuously chanting and listening about the names and glories of the Lord. By remembering the glories of the Lord, you will Cc Madhya Lila (17.136) automatically be protected and surrender yourself to the Lord. Take the example of Prahalad Maharaj. Even when people were Rendering service, by using his tongue to chant the Lord’s holy trying to kill him, he still remembered the Lord. This is why he name and taste the remnants of the Lord’s food, the tongue is survived even when he was being put under what would be purified, and one gradually comes to understand who Krishna excruciating pain. We should all make an active endeavour to really is.’ remember the Lord throughout the day so that we can further our Krishna Consciousness. The ability to talk can be perfected by describing the transcendental qualities of the Lord. As stated by Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in his Siksastakam, ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ bhava-mahā-dāvāgni- nirvāpaṇaṁ śreyaḥ-kairava-candrikā-vitaraṇaṁ vidyā-vadhū-jīvanam ānandāmbudhi-vardhanaṁ prati-padaṁ pūrṇāmṛtāsvādanaṁ sarvātma-snapanaṁ paraṁ vijayate śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtanam

[Cc. Antyalila 20.12]

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What is important in service, and What did we learn from the different Kands in Ramayana? Write how was this proved by the squirrel? in detail about any one that touched your heart It is always important to try and be of some service to the Lord. Be it a small thing or a mountain of help, the service you do is the Teachings learned from different Kands only thing that matters. The squirrel proves this by helping Hanuman Bala kand : To take utmost care of siblings and and the other monkeys to build the bridge with respect each other. stones to . The squirrel also joined them Ayodhya kand: To always listen to elders without and added some small stones that he could questioning carry. Aranya kand : To face the difficulties to keep up Jahnvi your promise Age: 11 Kand :The devotion of towards Lord Rama Sunder kand : The beautiful glories of Hanuman Even if your service is small you can still and his devotion to Lord Ram. perform devotional services to the Lord. This Yuddha kanda: Good triumphs over evil was proven by the squirrel by writing Lord

Rama's name on the stones even when the Joshith Jalluri vanaras told him he couldn't, he still did.

Age: Yuvika Gunani Age: 10

I liked the Yuddha Kanda the most as that was when Lord Rama went and saved Sita Devi from No matter how small is the service it’s the Raavana by defeating all the including service that matters this is what the squirrel Indrajeet, Kumbakarna and Raavana. taught us. He was very tiny and had a really tiny stone and wanted to help Lord Rama. Jahnvi Arnav Madhwani Age: 11 Age: 7

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Ṣuka’s Corner

Write a Haiku About Lord Krishna

Children Artwork

Look at Radha’s eyes,

They are adoring Krishna, Oh Radharani!

Quick get their blessings, Radha and Krishna’s

blessings,

Please do not be late!

By Arnav Madhwani Age 7 By Rhea Ranganthan Age 10

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Ṣuka’s Corner

Previous Issue Correction

Last time we accidentally mixed up the First place and Third place winners of the Children’s Art competition. These are the actual places.

Radhika Bhavsar Age 9 Madhavi Vichare Age 6

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What are the Effects of Hearing and Chanting?

How did Maharaj prove himself BY NAMISH JOHAR AGE: 12 a good ruler? Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

He did many yagnas and he grew food so that everyone will be healthy. He was a devotee of the Lord which rsayo duduhur devim inspired many people in the kingdom to also be indriyesv atha sattama devotees. He always prayed to the Lord and he was vatsam brhaspatim krtva Krishna conscious. payas chandomayam suci

Diya Ranganathan All the great sages transformed Brhaspati into a calf, and making the senses into a pot, they milked all kinds of Vedic knowledge to purify words, mind and hearing. Age 10 Purport extract: In Kali-yuga, if the Vedic maha mantra is chanted regularly and heard regularly by the devotional process of sravanam kirtanam, it will purify all societies, and thus He chased mother earth so that she would produce humanity will be happy both materially and spiritually. enough food and grains for his people so that they wouldn't starve. He also performed ninety nine horse -Shrimad Bhagwatam 4.18.14 purport sacrifices and then the final horse was stolen by The easiest way to control the mind is by chanting the Hare but Lord Vishnu still appeared and upon seeing this Krishna Maha Mantra. Chanting is a spiritual discipline which improves our listening skills, heightens energy and compassion Indra returned the horse and asked Prithu Maharaj for towards others. Since the consist of the Holy Names of forgiveness. the Lord, we get devotionally stimulated individually or in a Sharan Hinduja group setting through . During the Kirtan, the lead singer sings to the audience and they sing back. Audiences play a vital Age 13 role in the Kirtan through their singing, clapping, dancing and the devotional energy that they bring to the experience.

There are more advantages in chanting and listening to the holy names of the lord than one can count. It makes a person blissful and righteous, it helps in developing sense control, mental peace and more focus in our daily activities. One becomes indifferent to the pleasures and pains, honor and dishonor, and other dualities of this world. Chanting also affects our breathing, it slows down and deepens it and a slower breathing improves heart and lung functions. Chanting and Hearing the Holy Names helps in purification of the heart, which explains its increasing popularity throughout the world.

Apart from these, chanting the Holy Names of the Lord is the only way a person can go . If one continues to practice it diligently, carefully avoiding offense against devotees, one will, in due course of time, attain pure love for Krishna, the ultimate goal of life.

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\\ Activities

WINNERS OF ENTIRE RAMAYANA FAMILY KAHOOT

In the very last day of our Ramayana Summer Class, we had a Kahoot of the entire Ramayana that the students were allowed to compete with their family.

These are the winners

Saanvi Bhattacharya and Family Saishaa Agarwal and Family

Yakshit Agarwal and Family

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x

SUMMER CLASS ACTIVITIES

Role Play Pics

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Special Event

Caturmasya- Four Months (July-November)

Caturmasya means "four months", which is the duration that Vishnu sleeps. "The Caturmasya period begins in the month of Āshādha (June-July) from the day of Ekādaśi called Śayana-ekādaśi, in the fortnight of the waxing moon. The period ends in the month of Kartika (October-November) on the Ekādaśi day known as Utthāna-ekādaśi, in the fortnight of the waxing moon. This four- month period is known as Caturmasya. Some Vaishnavas also observe it from the full-moon day of Ashadha until the full-moon day of Kartika. That is also a period of four months.

This month we will be fasting from milk

Artwork by Diya Patel

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Saatvik Food

What is ? Ekadashi is the eleventh day of the moon cycle, both Offering food to Krishna from the Purnima (full moon) and from the , the more than 5,000 year old system of science and healing classifies food into sattvic, Amavasya (new moon). Well-known as the day of rajasic and tamasic categories. Lord , this is celebrated as one of the highly • Preparing and offering food to the Lord auspicious days suitable for fasting. shows Him our devotion and gratitude. Who should observe Ekadashi ? According to Bhagavad Gita, sattvic food gives life, Krishna doesn't need to eat, of course, but purity, strength, health, joy, and cheerfulness. He accepts the love with which we offer Ekadashi should be observed by all classes of food to Him. Food that is fresh and pure is known to have “prana” people. According to scriptures, from the age of or positive energy in it. And sattvic food is known eight to the age of eighty, a person should fast on to be full of “prana” and life giving properties. When • As far as possible, use fresh, natural Ekadashi days. food is cooked with fresh ingredients with love, the ingredients for cooking. Krishna accepts What are the foods forbidden on Ekadashi? prana quotient in the food increases. Like wise if the only vegetarian food, and packaged, store- food is cooked by someone who is upset, the prana bought products may contain meat, fish, or ▪ Food grains, cereals and beans (pulses) in the food is reduced. And this is just one aspect of eggs, so read the labels carefully. must be avoided on Ekadashi. the sattvic food philosophy. ▪ While spices can be used for cooking, mustard seeds should be avoided. • Cleanliness is important in cooking for ▪ You cannot use powdered asafoetida (hing), Sattvic food is always freshly made and along with Krishna. Wash your hands before you begin. since it generally contains grains. the body it also nourishes the mind. Sattvic food has And don’t taste the food while cooking; the ▪ As far as sesame seeds are concerned, they many health inducing properties. Fresh fruits, dry meal is for Krishna’s pleasure, so He should may be used only on Sat-tila Ekadashi. fruits, grains and legumes like rice and dal, milk and taste it first. ▪ Take care not to use any cooking milk products are all examples of sattvic foods. ingredients which may be mixed with grains. For example, avoid reusing ghee Eating sattvic food promotes the three necessary • It’s best to have a new set of dinnerware ingredients for vitality ojas (responsible for overall which you have used to fry , and spices used only for Krishna’s offerings and not which you have touched with hands dusted health, energy, immunity and liveliness) tejas used by anyone else. (intelligence) and prana (energy levels). with chapati flour. Food cooked according to the principles of sattva ▪ You cannot take even Vishnu-prasadam guna is devoid of meat, fish, eggs, alcohol, onions containing the above forbidden foods. But • Place the plate in front of a picture or deity such prasadam may be kept to be honored and garlic. Vegetables, fruits, grains, milk and milk of Krishna and ask Him to accept the products play a major role in Sattvic cuisine. the following day. offering. Then offer the preparations to Different levels of observing Ekadashi Krishna. Ekadashi may be observed in different levels as given below and one may choose a particular level of fasting depending on one’s age, health and various other factors pertaining to one’s lifestyle.

▪ The real way to observe Ekadashi is to fast completely without even taking water. This is called nirjala fast. ▪ If you cannot observe a nirjala fast, you can take just water. ▪ If you cannot do that, you can also take a little fruit and milk. ▪ The next option is that you can also take other non-grain foods like vegetables (except onion and garlic), roots, nuts, etc., only once during the fast. ▪ The last option is to take the above items three times like on a regular day.

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Instructions Ekadashi recipe

1. Place kadai on medium low flame, add By H.G Radha Kinkari Devi Dasi ghee, cumin seeds, green chilli and ginger paste. Stir it for a minute or so. Then add PALAK PANEER cabbage. Once the cabbage is cooked Ingredients nicely which takes 2 to 3 minutes, add chopped tomatoes to it along with coriander powder, turmeric powder, cumin -2 Palak- (Chop Palak. Wash it nicely. Put it powder. in the blender..add very little water and blend it -Palak puree is ready) 2. Cook it until the tomatoes are cooked -2 to 3 tbsp of ghee nicely and it starts losing ghee and is -1tsp Cumin seeds blended well with the cabbage. This takes -3/4 cup finely chopped cabbage like 3 to 4 minutes. Once this is done add -1 green chilly + small piece of ginger ( palak puree to it. Mix it well. Add paneer grind together) and salt to it. Allow it to cook for 10 to 12 -3 to 4 tomatoes finely chopped minutes on low flame. -1+ 1/4 tbsp Coriander powder ( ground at home) 3. In a small pan on medium low flame add -1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 1tbsp of ghee To it add 1 tsp of kasuri -1/2 tsp cumin powder methi. Cook it for just a few seconds and turn off the flame and pour this tadka on -Salt to taste palak paneer. Add 1tbsp of cooking -250 to 300 gms Paneer cream. Mix it nicely. Grate a little amul -1 to 2 tbsp of Puck cooking cream cheese on it. -1 tsp Kasuri methi -Little grated amul cheese for garnishing. 4. Place a clean tulsi leaf and offer the Palak Paneer to the Lord.

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Instructions Saatvic recipe

BY: Preeti Haresh 1. Take a bowl, mix Semolina, ghee and salt. Add water as per requirement to make a PAAL POLI/ MILK PURIS dough. Knead well and keep aside for Ingredients 15mins.

2. Meanwhile, prepare the milk by boiling it. Add sugar and keep boiling the milk until the -Semolina / Rava/ sooji – 1 cup sugar is dissolved. -Ghee – 1 tsp -Salt – to taste(1/4 tsp) 3. Soak saffron in warm milk and add it to the -Milk – 2 cups boiling milk. Then add cardamom and boil the milk in low flame for 2 minutes. -Cardamom(powdered) - 1 tsp -Saffron – few strands 4. Finally add a pinch of edible camphor as -Sugar – 1/2 cup well as some chopped nuts in the milk. -Edible camphor - A pinch -Almonds or Cashews or any nuts 5. Now knead the dough again for 5 minutes of your choice, chopped – 1 tbsp to make it smooth. Divide into equal sized -Oil – to deep fry balls. -Wheat Flour - 1 tbsp 6. Dust the dough balls with wheat flour and -Water - as required roll into pooris.

7. Heat oil and deep fry the pooris, both sides.

8. Press the excess oil out of the pooris and pour the hot milk on the pooris. Finally, garnish it with some nuts.

9. Place a clean tulsi leaf and offer the Paal poli/Milk Pooris to the Lord.

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KEYWORD Festival of the month MONTH August Vedic Calendar Purushottama, the holy month, occurs once every three years - a period believed to be the most favourable for spiritual upliftment. It is called adhika (extra) masa because Sri Krishna has placed all His potencies, mercy, blessings in this month, and also because one gets more results from any pious act. Only devotional service (Krishna- bhakti) gives results in this purushottama month. 01 Sept 2020 - Caturdasi Vrata : Appearance Day of Krishna’s Favourite Month Padmanabha Of all months, Purusottama is Krishna's favorite month. In the Gita, 01 Sept 2020 - Disappearance Day of Srila Thakura Krishna says: "I am celebrated both in the world and in the as 02 Sept 2020 - Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava that Supreme person: Purushottama" (15.18). The Lord of the 02 Sept 2020 - Acceptance of by Srila Prabhupada Universe, , is also known as Purushottama. His abode, 03 Sept 2020 - Third Month of Caturmasya Begins , is known as Purushottama-Dhama. 09 Sept 2020 - Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the USA Just as Krsna is the supreme among all incarnations, Purusottama is 14 Sept 2020 - Indira Ekadasi the supreme and holiest among all the months. 18 Sept 2020 - Purusottama-adhika Masa begins 27 Sept 2020 - Padmini Ekadasi The Glories of Purushottama month based on authoritative bonafide Vedic scriptures (from Padma Purana and Skanda Purana) 1. Lord Sri Krishna declares: "Purushottama month has all the power I have to bless its observer. One who follows Purusottama vrata will destroy all his past sinful reactions. Without performing Purusottama vrata, one cannot perform pure devotional service. The value of Purushottama month is far more valuable than all other types of austerities and religious activities mentioned in the Vedas. Anyone who observes Purusottama vrata will return to my abode, , at the end of his life". 2. Muni pronounces: "Just by bathing in a holy river during Purushottama month, one becomes sinless. The glory of all other months is not equal to one-sixteenth of the glory of the Purushottama month. By bathing in a holy place, giving charity and chanting the Holy Name of Krishna during Purusottama month, all miseries are destroyed, one attains all kinds of perfection and fulfills all his desires". 3. Valmiki Muni remarks: "By observing Purusottama vrata, one attains more benefit than performing one hundred horse sacrifices. All holy places live within the body of a Purushottama month vrati. Anyone who faithfully performs Purusottama vrata will go to Goloka Vrndavana".

4. Muni vocalizes: "Purushottama month is the best of all months, and austerities. Just by faithfully hearing the glories of Purushottama month, one attains Krishna-bhakti and immediately nullifies his sinful reactions. One who performs Purusottama vrata properly will attain unlimited sukriti and go to the spiritual world". 5. Naimisaranya Sages unitedly speak: "Merciful Purushottama month acts like a desire tree to fulfill a devotee's desire". The Significance/ Benefits of Purushottam Month Purusottama month is worshiped all over the universe by devotees, sages, demigods and even Laksmi Devi Herself. If one sincerely worships The Lordships Radha and Krishna in Purushottama month, he attains everything, all pious credits and virtues. Purushottama month is the best month for all - for spiritual advancement because in this highly auspicious month Lord Krishna overlooks all the aparadhas. Devotional practice during the month is said to bring to offenders the chance to be forgiven. One who observes Purusottama vrata, burns up the reactions of all his bad and attains the direct service of Srimati Radha and Krishna.

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\(1) vraje prasiddhaḿ navanīta-cauraḿ gopāńganānāḿ ca dukūla-cauram Chaurashtakam aneka-janmārjita-pāpa-cauraḿ caurāgragaṇyaḿ puruṣaḿ namāmi

(2) This prayer is to be chanted every day in the month of Purushottama (18 Sep – 17 śrī rādhikāyā hṛdayasya cauraḿ Oct) navāmbuda-śyāmala-kānti-cauram padāśritānāḿ ca samasta-cauraḿ Click the Link to listen to the tune caurāgragaṇyaḿ puruṣaḿ namāmi

(3) akiñcanī-kṛtya padāśritaḿ yaḥ karoti bhikṣuḿ pathi geha-hīnam kenāpy aho bhīṣaṇa-caura īdṛg dṛṣṭaḥ-śruto vā na jagat-traye ’pi

(4) yadīya nāmāpi haraty aśeṣaḿ giri-prasārān api pāpa-rāśīn āścarya-rūpo nanu caura īdṛg dṛṣṭaḥ śruto vā na mayā kadāpi

(5) dhanaḿ ca mānaḿ ca tathendriyāṇi prāṇāḿś ca hṛtvā mama sarvam eva palāyase kutra dhṛto ’dya caura tvaḿ bhakti-dāmnāsi mayā niruddhaḥ

(6) chinatsi ghoraḿ -pāśa-bandhaḿ bhinatsi bhīmaḿ bhava-pāśa-bandham chinatsi sarvasya samasta-bandhaḿ naivātmano bhakta-kṛtaḿ tu bandham

(7) man-mānase tāmasa-rāśi-ghore kārāgṛhe duḥkha-maye nibaddhaḥ labhasva he caura! hare! cirāya sva-caurya-doṣocitam eva daṇḍam

(8) kārāgṛhe vasa sadā hṛdaye madīye mad-bhakti-pāśa-dṛḍha-bandhana-niścalaḥ san tvāḿ kṛṣṇa he! pralaya-koṭi-śatāntare ’pi sarvasva-caura! hṛdayān na hi mocayāmi

TRANSLATION 1) I offer my respectful obeisances to that foremost of thieves – who is famous in Vraja as the butter-thief and He who steals the ’ clothes, and who, for those who take shelter of Him, steals the sins which have accrued over many lifetimes.

2) I offer my respectful obeisances to the foremost of thieves – who steals Srimati Radhika’s heart, who steals the dark luster of a fresh raincloud, and who steals all the sins and sufferings of those who take shelter of His feet.

3) He turns His surrendered devotees into paupers and wandering, homeless beggar – alas! Such a fearsome thief has never been seen or heard of in all the three worlds.

4) Mere utterance of His name purges one of a mountain of sins – such an astonishingly wonderful thief I have never seen or heard of anywhere!

5) O Thief! Having stolen my wealth, my honor, my senses, my life and my everything, where can You run to? I have caught You with the rope of my devotion.

6) You cut the terrible noose of Yamaraja, You sever the dreadful noose of material existence, and You slash everyone’s material bondage, but You are unable to cut the knot fastened by Your own loving devotees.

7) O stealer of my everything! O Thief! Today I have imprisoned You in the miserable prison-house of my heart which is very fearful due to the terrible darkness of my ignorance, and there for a very long time You will remain, receiving appropriate punishment for Your crimes of thievery!

8) O Krsna, thief of my everything! The noose of my devotion remaining forever tight, You will continue to reside in the prison-house of my heart because I will not release You for millions of aeons.

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Feedback

This Magazine was written by children aged 6-15 as a sincere effort and we seek your good wishes and blessings for the future issues. We request you to send in your comments and feedback to help improve. Should you have any question regarding the contents of the magazine, please send those also and we will consult our seniors and reply in the next issue. If you wish to connect with us through any of our classes (children’s, ladies, family), please send us an e-mail and we will suggest the suitable class according to your convenience.

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Artwork by: Mrs. Mili Ahuja

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