I went to Jail today.

It was fun. I went there to get fingerprints, as it is one the steps to getting my name legally changed to Nityananda Chandra Granger. They do a background check just to see if you are wanted by the FBI.

As I was invited to walk in the secure office one the officers asked about my dress. I told her that I was priest. She asked what the tilak meant and the śikha as well. She was very happy with the answers. I told her about our temple and restaurant and she immediately took a virtual tour on our website http://Kalachandjis.com

Bought a KRSNA book and loves it

Bought a KRSNA book and loves it, originally uploaded by NityanandaChandra.

BBT books distributed yesterday

Dec 26 Sankirtan at the mall, originally uploaded by NityanandaChandra.

At the mall. Tons of fun. Bringing a tray of maple cake today.

Santas, the saints, on sankirtan, book distribution

The devotees of the Supreme Lord, or the persons who are in Krishna consciousness, are called santas, and they are always in love with the Lord as it is described in the Brahma-samhita (5.38): premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah sadaiva hridayeshu vilokayanti. The santas, being always in a compact of love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda (the giver of all pleasures), or Mukunda (the giver of liberation), or Krishna (the all-attractive person), cannot accept anything without first offering it to the Supreme Person. – purport to Bhagavad-gita As It Is 3.13

Yesterday was another ecstatic day of distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books.   We have our own nice table set in the main entrance of the mall in the main hallway in front of the place where you go to get your photos with Santa Claus.   We had that day a total of nine devotees distributing numbers of books in the this wonderful mall.  It was great.   We also sold a lot of books using Square credit card terminal on iPhone and iPad.  We had seasoned veterans such as Narottamananda Prabhu and Radha Vinod Prabhu and many other devotees such as Mother Sucharya, Bhaktin Elizabeth.  We also had many devotee who were getting on the job training such as Mother Githa Narayana and the Madana Kisor Prabhu and his whole family, as well as Muraleedharan Prabhu.  All the devotees did wonderfully.  Because the books very easily flowed out of their hands it was a very nice place to learn how to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books.  Devotees felt enlivened and satisfied in heart, even one devotee was crying tears of happiness.  Hare Krishna.

Distributing Srila Prabhupada's books at the Irving Mall

TEXAS FAITH 54: Why is music central to Christmas -- or any religious story?

Dallas Morning News,

Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.

We are now full bore into the Christmas season, where parties are being held, presents are being bought and Santa's sleigh is about to reappear as a mystery to young children.
At the same time, churches are rolling out classic hymns, malls resound with music from the season and the drive home from work is made less tense by the car radio playing Christmas carols. Even for those who do not participate in this unique time on the Christian calendar, music is a way to share in the season.
Which leads to this week's question:

Why is music so central to Christmas - or any other religious story?

In Brahma's work, the Śrī Brahma-saḿhitā, a very detailed description of the kingdom of God, the following description is given, "kathā gānaḿ nātyaḿ gamanam." Meaning that in the kingdom of God every word is a song, and every step is a dance.

Kirtan, singing God's glories with music, is the easiest form of religious practice. It requires no wealth, or austere vows. One does not need to be a great scholar or season practitioner. All one needs is to sing God's glories with unwavering devotion. Therefore the father of kirtan, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, has recommended that in this Age of Quarrel, the most effective means to bring about God-consciousness is by chanting His holy names, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, or any actual name of God.

 

NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas 

To see all responses of the TEXAS Faith panel click here.

If the dress is superficial, why should you change your dress to please people who are so serious about the superficial?

Prabhupada: Why your dress is not as a sannyas?

Tusta Krsna: The robes make people uncomfortable, Prabhupada. They see you as different and can’t relate. They won’t relax enough to listen when I wear robes.

Prabhupada: But sannyasis must dress in saffron with robes and shaved head.

Tusta Krsna: I am following all the principles, but the dress is external and superficial. Why should we let it hamper the preaching?

Prabhupada: If the dress is superficial, why should you change your dress to please people who are so serious about the superficial? [Pause.] You understand my point? Superficial people become controlled by superficial and external things. Why do you dress to please superficial people? You should dress to please Krsna.

Tusta Krsna: So you would like me wear saffron and shave up?

Prabhupada: Yes, I want you to promise this. Only wear saffron and keep your head shaved. This is sannyäsi dress. You should promise.

Tusta Krsna: Yes, Prabhupada. I promise.