Tuesday, January 26, 2021

The Balcony, Toronto

Fight the Real Storm

I wait by the storm till my driver will arrive.

So intense is the snow, I hope he’s still alive.

Wicked is the weather, the vision is obscure.

Fearless he appears, that is him for sure.

 

I’m grateful he penetrated the white wind, the storm.

And hopeful nature’s wrath comes down to some norm.

Behind the wheel is Nanda with nothing to impede.

Our mission — an essential — to address a dental need.

 

I was pensive for a moment; the world is just like that —

Perilous and precarious, we must admit the fact.

We hit low points, high points, valleys and hills —

Good times, bad times, hot ones and chills.

 

What’s to learn from all this natural disturbance?

It’s best to bite the bullet and make the day a dance.

Is the real battle the elements or something very subtle?

Krishna speaks of culprits, lust and the mind, as His rebuttal.

-Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk ©

 

May the Source be with you!

1 km

I invite you to view our new film, Rolling the Dice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF3legHdMgI

 

 

Monday, January 25, 2021

Ramsden Park, Toronto

In the Jaws

The king of elephants, Gajendra, found himself in a difficult spot. After spending some leisurely time in the water with his female friends, the fun stopped when one of his legs was locked by the jaws of a menacing crocodile. Recalling his habit of prayer from his former life as a human, he suddenly took to such supplication, calling on help from Vishnu. Vishnu responded to the devotional plea of the elephant and set him free from the perilous mouth of the reptile.

 

The above story, outlined in Canto 8 of The Bhagavatam, I detailed to a group of devotees in Montreal and God was kind to give a second opportunity in the evening to tentative listeners in Georgetown, Guyana. This time we reflected on the story as well as the kindness of two super humans, Chaitanya and Nitananada of Bengal. Like Vishnu, they offered help to those in trouble. Their approach and their scope were very broad. During the middle ages of Europe, which was embroiled in so many socio-political issues, India had its own issues being in the jaws of Kali Yuga, the age of darkness.

 

The Guyanese community was celebrating its 12th anniversary since the installation of the deities of Krishna by the names (get this) Parama Karuna Nitai Gaurasunder. They are a pair of murtis shaped in the image of the two Lords.

 

What is their contribution? They saved many lives. People who were apparently destined to a dark existence were turned around to positive approaches. A prime example is the characters (or criminals) Jagai and Madai, who were so degraded, the two Lords, Chaitanya and Nityananda, were very merciful and gave the rascals a chance.

 

May the Source be with you!

3 km