HARI HARI’S VEGETARIAN OASIS, Official Launch, Morningside, Sandton, Monday 7 December 2009

We launched HARI HARI’S VEGETARIAN OASIS at THE CODFATHER VILLAGE 1 1st Avenue, Morningside, Sandton, on Monday the 7th of December with a spiritually inspiring concert by devotional singing sensation KARNAMRITA DASI.

My dear friend Rupa-Raghunatha prabhu said something very pertinent to me on the day of the concert. He said that a lot of people think spiritual life is about themselves; spiritual life is, in actual fact, about everybody. And Karnamrita proved that with her open heart and her all-inclusive wisdom. Karnamrita was most gracious. She encouraged me by saying that, for a brahmacari, I had great sensitivity to detail. Karnamrita liked the venue: ‘It was sattvic, romantic, peaceful and private’.

Rocky informed me that his guest, a young muslim girl who is interested in Krishna consciousness, postponed her flight to hear the concert. Another gentleman, Kishan, saw Karnamrita’s picture on the flyer and could tell from her face and hand gestures that this was a very accomplished artist in the Indian Classical tradition. Our original intention was to host a small concert and restaurant launch, but there was so much interest in the concert that I had to, unfortunately, turn people away. It was a sell-out.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude, first and foremost, to Karnamrita Dasi. I honestly think you are the next major force in contemporary music. In saying this, I wish you well in your career. May you carry the wealth of Bhakti to whomever you may meet.

I would like to thank Robyn George, from the Organic Markets, for always being there for us and for having faith in our ablilities. I would like to thank George and Mary-Anne Sinovich of “The Codfather” for providing the facility for “Hari Hari’s” and for providing the wonderful facility for the concert. I would to thank Mortaza Morton for encouraging us to arrange concerts for Karnamrita in Johannesburg. I would also like to thank Gaura Sakti Das, Jacques, Mukesh and Jerry for supporting Karnamrita musically. Rupa, you did a wonderful job as MC. And, thank you for fetching Karnamrita from Lenasia. Jacques, I would also thank you for providing the sound on a day’s notice (I’d also like to extend that thanks to Matthew Fink of The Black Hotels).

I would like to thank all the cooks and kitchen crew for providing wonderful snacks: Gaura Sakti, Madhumangal, Nicole, Vinodhani, Arne, Hansa, Estelle and Karabo. Thank you, Pralambari, for moral support and helping with everything. I would also like to thank Mary-Anne and her staff for assisting us on the night. I would like to thank Anil, Raj and Mala for sponsoring the greenpeppers for the kebabs and butternut for the pakoras. Thank you Urvashi and her husband for sponsoring the wonderful watermelons! Thank you, Charlie, for the wonderful sign-board. I am so stoked with the sign! It made my year! Thanks, Karabo, for the customized aprons. Thanks to the Zoo Lake club for loaning us their cushions; to Mynhart for pick-up, delivery and dry-clean (at discount); and to Paul for helping transport them from the venue (and for transporting the sign to the restaurant). Thank you, Rocky, for your constant support and encouragement. Thank you Prem-Kishore for your consistent friendship, emotional support and encouragement. The same applies to my dear friends and mentors, Govardhana and Tribhanga prabhus. Thanks to all our friends and well-wishers for being there (including you, Teresa). It is your journey too! Thank you all for a stratospheric launch!

All I can say is that Karnamrita’s concert was very touching and very soulful. She has actually re-infused my spiritual life with faith and spiritual longing and, for that, I am most grateful.

My facebook status summed up the concert for me: ‘Beaming faces/Nice to see/Karnamrita/Ecstacy’. Everyone was smiling. And everyone was happy with the concert and the snacks. Here is some of the feedback we received on facebook and via e-mail:

Yashoda Dulal – ‘Awesome Programme! Thank you for inviting us! Inspirational!’

Estelle Crowngold – ‘Thank you for a stunning night’

Reshma Mistry (to Karnamrita) – ‘What an Honour to have you here in SA! Thanks for such a beautiful, soulful concert on Monday Evening I Loved it to bits!’

Jacques Fourie – ‘The Ritz would have been happy with a launch like that!’

Michelle Clifford – ‘Thanks for the lovely evening on Monday. Pete and I so enjoyed it!’

Rossana Pancaldi – ‘Thank you again for organising such a wonderful concert and lovely food last night. Please pass on to Karnamrita Dasi that the evening was truly inspiring and beautiful, and we will be sure to look out for her albums if they are available here in future…I also have a yoga teacher who is about to go to India for a short stay to study singing in the Carnatic tradition, and thought she might like to hear Karnamrita Dasi too. Thanks. Kind Regards. Rossana Pancaldi’

HARI HARI’S VEGETARIAN OASIS WILL BE FULLY OPERATIONAL IN FEBRUARY 2010

Thank you everybody.
We are here to serve you.
Mukunda Charan Das, Gaura Sakti Das and Bhakta Arne

 

A Spiritual Revolution

‘When Krishna and His eternal servants descend in His many lilas, they come in a very revolutionary mood. Their lives and examples go against the grain of material culture, because they bring the culture of the spiritual world. They come to create the atmosphere of the spiritual world, to share the culture of our original home with us’
(Bhakti Tirtha Swami, Reflections on Sacred Teachings, Vol. VI, Radha-Sunya: Missing Mercyp.112)

‘Spiritual life is not a matter of reform; it is a complete revolution’
(Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Maharaja)

‘Conversion’ means ‘the other way around’. Genuine spiritualists are not interested in attracting followers, wealth or fame to themselves. They are not interested in converting the masses so-to-speak. They want to change the hearts of worldly persons, to fan the spark of spirituality that is there. They want to convert material consciousness to spiritual consciousness and, in this sense, create a revolution within this material world.

 

KARNAMRITA DASI CONCERT at ‘HARI HARI’S’ Restaurant Launch At ‘THE CODFATHER VILLAGE’, Morningside, Sandton, Johannesburg, 7pm Monday 7 December 2009

The VEDIC CITY PROJECT TEAM is proud to announce the launch of ‘HARI HARI’S Vegetarian Oasis’ at ‘THE CODFATHER VILLAGE’ – no. 1, 1st Ave (off Rivonia Road, 400m past the ‘Morningside Centre’), Morningside. Doors open at 7pm on 7 December 2009. World-renown kirtan singer KARNAMRITA DASI will launch ‘HARI HARI’S’ with a concert of heart-melting devotional chants. Tickets are R100. FREE SNACKS, refreshments and chai tea will be served after the concert in the area in front of ‘HARI HARI’S’.

For a preview of some of the songs Karnamrita will be performing, please see www.karnamrita.com.

For details of how to get to the concert, please see www.vediccity.org.za, ‘Events’ page.

For enquiries about the launch and purchase of tickets please contact Mukunda Charan Das at 078 114 6785 or 011 447 0235 and mukunda.charan@gmail.com.

Yours in service,
Mukunda Charan Das
Director, Vedic City Project Team

 

The Proper Use Of Power

‘To try to transform the world and its institutions, which are engaged in a struggle for power resulting in the misuse of power; to try to create a culture of responsibility where people are literally trying to facilitate others; and to reach out and care is the real point of our preaching. Real leaders are not those who want to lead because they feel they have to dominate, coerce and impose. Real leaders are those who are not even interested in leading, but at the same time they are not willing to stand back and watch things happen while complaining from the sidelines. They get involved because they want to guarantee that the processes of facilitation and caring go on. They are trying to see to the welfare of others. That kind of leader is very rare because generally a leader imposes in some way.’

His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Swami, Reflections on Sacred Teachings Vol. 6, Radha-Sunya: Missing Mercy, p.103

 

‘Thirty Five Years In Mayapur’, Jananivas Prabhu, Pune Yatra, 27 January 2007

Jananivas prabhu sharing his realizations on Mayapur and Devotional Service at the Pune Yatra, Mofatlal Bungalow, January 2007

Jananivas prabhu spoke on thirty-five years of service in Mayapur, the birthplace of Lord Chaitanya. He said, ‘Ganga was right on our doorstep.’ Prior to his coming to Mayapur, he had attended the Gaura Purnima (Appearance Day of Lord Chaitanya) in Calcutta. Jananivas just wanted to be absorbed in devotional service. The pujari (priest of the Deity) in Mayapur left, and he had to do everything. He thought he was just going to spend two years as pujari Maypur…but twenty years passed. Jananivas, ‘If we engage ourselves in devotional service, we become timeless.’ ‘Everything goes by’ wherever devotional service is going on. The essence of Sri Mayapur Dhama and the essence of the Appearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Devotional Service. Our project is to build a spiritual city in Mayapur. This was predicted by Lord Nityananda in Navadvipa Mahatmya. Lord Nityananda’s exact words were that service to Lord Chaitanya will spreacd all over the world from this Temple in Mayapur. And the main service He has given is nama-seva, the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. The chanting of the Holy Names of Krishna can be done anywhere, anytime and by anyone.

What is the best thing you can do for others? Birth, death, disease and old age are solved by chanting. The body is only a symptom of the problem. Therefore, hospitals and schools etc. cannot solve the problem (of the body). This is the simple method Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has given to solve the problems of life. Our business is ‘to give others what we have been given.’ Srila Prabhupada (the founder of the Hare Krishna Movement) has set up ISKCON for people to take to this simple process…and give it to others. Anyone can go back to Godhead if they follow this process according to their capacity.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is not considering our disqualification, He’s offering, He’s giving it freely – we just have to accept it. If we think we need siddhis, to go back to Godhead, we’ll get them. Krishna says, ‘as you surrender unto Me, I reward you accordignly.’ Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s not seeing that. He’s seeing, ‘Here’s an eternal servant’. We simply have to accept the yuga-avatara’s (incarnation of God for this modern age, the Age of Kali) ‘wonderful gift’. Srila Prabhupada said, ‘The process is simple. But I didn’t say it was easy.’

Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya noted that it was not mentioned in the Vedas. As a result of this, he hit his head against the wall. Just accept the service of Lord Chaitanya. It’s not written in the Vedas. It is freely given.

In the Siksastakam (the 8 prayers written by Lord Chaitanya), it is stated: You can show Your affection for Me, or, You may never show Your affection. So, whatever Your situation, Lord, I am still Your enternal servant. Please accept me.

When Prabhupada wanted Harikesh to preach in Russia, Harikesh said, ‘They eat only meat in Russia.’ Prabhupada responded, ‘Then eat meat.’ Harikesh retorted, ‘What about my consciousness?’ Prabhpuada replied, ‘To hell with your consciousness! Go and preach!’ This is the message of Pancha Tattva. This is the message of Mayapur. Nothing else can counteract the Age of Kali. Only Krishna Himself. But He has come – as His Holy Name.

‘This is the only thing they need – and you’ve got it!’ If you have this conviction, then you can have compassion for other living entities.

‘Radhanath Maharaja has got me out of my resting place. Go, and preach!’

 

Restoration Of The Icon

In his essay Real and Apparent, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur makes the following cogent remarks on the hypocrisy of impersonalist who denounce Deity worship:

‘The worship practised by avowed or covert impersonalists and abstractionists is in principle indistinguishable from oppostion to worship itself under a hypothetical concern for the preservation of its purity. The fury against idolatry often masks this sentiment of inveterate hostility to the very principle of worship’

He caps this off beautifully by saying:

‘The prayers of impersonalists offend the Lord more than the denunciations of His avowed enemies’

 

The Greatest Gift Is A Gift Of Love

‘Who is more fond than You of giving, or of serving even at a cost to Yourself, when there is someone open to receive? May it please Your Majesty that I render You some service and that I not have to render an accounting for all that I have received’

St. Teresa of Avila, Foundations 2.7

 

Update – October 2 to October 11 2009

While Bhakta Arne is saturating himself in bliss in Sri Vrindavan Dhama, MCD and G-Man (Gaura Sakti Das) are holding the fort here in Rosebank. We are still cooking up a storm with ‘Krishna’s Vedic Emporium’ foodstalls at the Killarney Mall Organic Market on Thursdays and The Wholefood Market at Blu Bird (Atholl Oaklands) on Sundays. Actually, we held a stall at Blu Bird today and Yelena, the wife of Branco, who sometimes fetches me from the airport, bought a Bhagavad-gita and took a whole lot of pamphlets on Krishna Consciousness. Another lady, Corinne, bought a Spiritual Warrior IV by Bhakti Tirtha Swami and another took a Higher Taste.

Prema Kishore prabhu led us on our third regular Harinam though the streets of Melville last Friday (see www.vediccity.co.za for details). I rounded off our very successful Cooking Course on Saturday with Pizza, Khichari, salad and salad dressing. We sponsored the chef, Joseph, from St James (a vegetarian school) and the headmaster wrote a letter praising Joseph’s new cooking skills. I realized that what we take for granted, in this case our training as chefs, is of great value to others. That evening we cut vegetables for Sunday’s market. On Sunday we sold Prashadam at Blu Bird again and held our weekly Sunday programme. It was very encouraging for me to have Gaura Das and some of his friends at the programme. Another friend, Marcelle, arrived just as the guests were leaving. Gaura Shakti showed her some basic mridanga beats, then she sat and chanted a round of the maha-mantra with us. Oh…and we also gave her some chickpea fudge (which she’d had before).

Monday. We teamed up with Nandarani – who was in the Temple with me in Cape Town – at the University of Johannesburg Bhakti Yoga Society (BYS) from 12-2:30pm. We taught the students how to chant on beads last time. This time we held a basic cooking demo: Simply Wonderfuls and Nimbu Pani. The demo went well. Prema Sarovara Mataji’s friend, Grace, bought a Bhagavad-gita. Seven students bought chanting beads at the previous session. That they took beads was a very positive sign from the point-of-view of chanting. They told me at this session that the chanting was really helping them find peace and happiness. I returned to the flat, took a brief nap, then Gaura Shakti and I went to Dwarakadish prabhu’s place for the Marlboro Namahatta. It was humbling to be with such hospitable and respectful devotees.

Tuesday. Market and shopping for the stalls in Fordsburg. We dropped in at “Cater Commercial” to pick up some kitchen utensils kindly sponsored by Bhakta Rakesh and his family. We got in at around 4pm. Gaura Das came in the evening for a Mantra Meditation Session. He brought some of his friends and people he’d met on book distribution – Lebohang, Matthew, Claudia and Mortaza. I delivered 30 pieces of Laddhu (Chickpea Fudge) to a juice-bar in Woodmead on Wednesday morning, rushed back to the flat, then gave a talk on ‘Jyotish And Its Relevance To Spirituality’ (Jyotish is Indian Astrology) at the Wits BYS at from 1-3pm. I bought some slop-chips at “Kara Nicha’s” before trundling back home, back to Pancha Tattva. That night Gaura Das invited us over to his mom’s place for supper (in honour of his wife Jamuna’s birthday). I still had to cut veg for Thursday’s stall when we got back to the flat. Thursday means Killarney Mall Organic Food Market. Self-explanatory. Mother Prema Shakti came to the stall and informed me that there was a GAD (Gauteng Administration and Development) Sub-Committee meeting about Education at her flat with Keshava Krishna prabhu and some other devotees. The meeting touched on various important areas of education – for children, youth and adults. Another late night. Friday, I went on Sankirtan at the airport and Eastgate. Saturday, Sankirtan at Menlyn. Sunday, Blu Bird and Sunday programme.

Tonight we read from Bhagavad-gita and then chanted Damodarastakam Prayers. This week has been quite a busy one, compounded by Arne’s absence. (All the guests left with Chickpea Fudge). We are offering lamps every night to Lord Damodara and chanting the Damodarastakam. Kartik is a month of mercy. May the Lord be kind upon us.

Your servants at the Vedic City Project.

 

Pizza, Salad, Salad Dressing and Avocado Milkshake

PIZZA (Preparation time 40min, makes two trays of pizza, 6-8 people)

1. The Base

Ingredients: 3-4 cups cake flour, 3/4 packet instant yeast, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 cup hot water, 1tbsp sugar, 1/4 cup amasi/buttermilk/yoghurt, 2tbsp fennel seeds and 1tsp salt

Pre-heat oven at 230C while preparing the base.

(i) Mix flour, fennel seeds, salt and yeast.
(ii) Mix hot water, sugar and olive oil.
(iii) Add wet mix to dry mix, until consistent.
(iv) Knead pizza dough for about five minutes, adding more water or flour if necessary.
(v) Roll out into two bases. Place into greased trays, and place in oven until bases are light brown (about 20 mins).

2. Tomato Puree

Ingredients: 6-8 tomatoes (jam tomatoes are the best) or canned tomato puree, two cups finely chopped fresh basil, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1tbsp thyme, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1tsp salt, 1tbsp black pepper and 1tsp hing/asafoetida.

Method:

(i) Place pot with two cups of water on high heat. Place colander on top. Fill colander with tomatoes once water is boiling. Cover with a lid, and steam.
(ii) Remove tomatoes when skins burst (10 mins). Allow to cool.
(iii) When tomatoes are cooled, puree in blender or crush with potato masher.
(iv) Place pureed tomatoes in small pot and bring to boil on medium-heat.
(v) Add other ingredients. Cook for 15 minutes or until thick. Remove.

3. Toppings

Ingredients: 3 peppers, 2 medium brinjals, 3 tomatoes, 500g mozzarella cheeze and 1 cup olives.

Method:

(i) Cut peppers into cubes or thin strips.
(ii) Cut brinjal into thin slices and deep fry in oil on high heat.
(iii) Cut tomatoes into thin slices.
(iv) Cut olives in half.
(iv) Grate mozzarella (or combination of gouda and cheddar or gouda and tasser’s cheeze).

4. Final Preparation

(i) Brush tomato puree onto 3/4 baked bases.
(ii) Sprinkle cheeze over puree.
(iii) Place tomatoes, olives, green peppers and olives over cheeze.
(iv) Sprinkle salt and black pepper over toppings.
(v) Place in oven at 230C. Bake for 10 mins or until cheeze is fully melted.
(vi) Remove from oven (at this stage you can add avocado).
(vii) Allow to cool for five minutes and cut into slices.

GREEN SALAD AND SALAD DRESSING (Preparation time: 5 mins/serves 10)

1. Salad

Make a green salad out of the following ingredients: 1 lettuce, three tomatoes, 2 green peppers, 2 medium carrots, 1 cup finely cut fennel and 1/3 cucumber. Cut vegetables to your suiting, but leave lettuce and tomatoes aside (as they make the salad soggy otherwise).

2. Dressing

Ingredients: 1 avocado, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup amasi/yoghurt, 1 squeezed lemon, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 cup water 2tsp hing, 1tsp salt, 1/4 cup honey and 1tbs cumin and/or coriander powder.

Method:

Blend ingredients together in blender

AVOCADO SHAKE (Preparation time: 5min/ Serves 4)

Ingredients: 2 ripe avocados, 385g condensed milk (tin), 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar.

Method:

(i) Boil water and sugar together until it makes a sticky syrup.
(ii) Add syrup to avocados and condensed milk, and blend.

 

Six Questions By The Sages (Of Naimisaranya)

What is the absolute, ultimate good for everyone?

The ultimate good for everyone is pure love of God achieved by constantly hearing about, glorifying, remembering and worshiping the Personality of Godhead.

What is the essence of all scriptures?

The essence of all scriptures is to please Lord Krishna by all one’s activities.

Why did Lord Krishna appear Himself?

Lord Krishna appeared in order to attract the living entities to His original form and pastimes, so that the living entities may go to his own abode, called Goloka Dhama.

Please decribe the pastimes of Lord Krishna

The Lord appeared as the son of Devaki. He was nourished in the house of Nanda Maharaja. He killed many demons like Putana and Kamsa. He took the side of the Pandavas and enabled them to win in the Mahabharata war.

Please tell us the purpose of the ten best-known incarnations

1 – To save the Vedas – the Fish Incarnation
2 – To uphold the Mandar Mountain – the Tortoise incarnation
3 – To lift the earth – the Boar incarnation
4 – To kill Hiranyakasipu – the Half-man/Half-lion incarnation
5 – To show mercy to Bali Maharaja – the Dwarf incarnation
6 – To kill the sinful kings – Parashurama
7 – To kill Ravana – Lord Rama
8 – To kill the demons like Dvivida – Lord Balarama
9 – To stop animal sacrifice – Lord Buddha
10 – To kill the plunderers – Lord Kalki

Where has religion taken shelter now that Krishna has left this world?

Religious principles have taken shelter of the Shrimad Bhagavata Purana