Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Newsletter 12/08/04

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This newsletter can be viewed at http://www.iskcon.org.au/newsletters/newsletter_2004_08_12.htm


Main points.

Ekadasi
Istagosthi this Sunday
New Temple Update
Appearance of Lord Balarama
Appearance of Lord Krishna - Janmastami
Appearance of Srila Prabhupada - Sri Vyasa Puja

Ekadasi fast is observed today

In devotional service there are certain activities which are called determined, such as fasting on certain days, like the eleventh day of the moon, Ekädaçé, and on the appearance day of the Lord. All these rules and regulations are offered by the great äcäryas for those who are actually interested in getting admission into the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the transcendental world. The mahätmäs, great souls, strictly observe all these rules and regulations, and therefore they are sure to achieve the desired result.

Explanation:-

Ekadasi, the eleventh tithi, has special importance. In the scripture Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya-lila, chapter 24), Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructs Sanatana Gosvami regarding the Vaisnava regulative principles. In text 342 Lord Caitanya says:

"You should recommend the avoidance of mixed [viddha] Ekadasi and the performance of pure Ekadasi. You should also describe the fault in not observing this. One should be very careful as far as these items are concerned. If one is not careful, one will be negligent in executing devotional service."

As described in the book Hari Bhakti Vilasa, viddha (mixed) Ekadasi takes place when the eleventh tithi starts before sunrise but the tenth tithi still presides at the beginning of brahma muhurta (the auspicious period that starts an hour and a half before sunrise). On Ekadasi it is traditional to fast. But under certain conditions, called mahadvadasi, one fasts not on the Ekadasi but on the next day, the dvadasi, even though the Ekadasi is suddha, or pure, and not viddha, or mixed. There are eight mahadvadasis. The Ekadasi fast should be observed on the day called suddha (pure) Ekadasi, or alternatively on Mahadvadasi, even if the previous day is called Ekadasi.

Istagosthi

This Sunday Istagosthi will be held at the temple between 9 am and 11.30am. If you have a report please bring a concise report for the pleasure of the deities and the vaishnavas. If you would like a topic discussed please email us at brisbane@iskcon.org.au so we can include it on the agenda.

New Temple Update

We have just had the good fortune to have had a visit from Mr.Isvara Reddy a qualified Vastu architect from Hyderbad in India. He spent several days reviewing the master plan and in consultation with our Design Team finalised the Building application that is to be lodged with Brisbane City Council as soon as the elevation plans have been completed and the reports from the various professional persons such as the civil and hydrolics engineer, quantity surveyor etc have been completed.



Appearance of Lord Balarama

Lord Balarama is mentioned as one of the lila (pastime) incarnations of the Lord. His actual appearance day is on Monday 28th August although the Saturday Feast will be held in his honour to allow everyone to attend.

Lord Balarama is Lord Krishna's elder brother and getting his mercy will help us in overcoming all the obstacles in our service and also give us the strength to continue with our devotional service. If you would like to sponsor the feast program or the altar or temple decorations please contact Sakhi Roy at shreeji@in.com.au

Appearance of Lord Krishna and Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja celebrations

The festival program will be posted in a separate email shortly.