Tattva-viveka
Picture essays from NC visit
Karnamrita Das - December 7, 2005 3:32 pm
I wasn't sure if I should just add to the other posts on the NC visit thread. I don't have the time today to put all the pictures and my thoughts about the visit on the post so I thought it better to create a new topic.
I have a lot of pictures of the visit which should give a sample of the visit.
This is the 10th time we have hosted Swami, and the 3rd here in NC. Every visit has a certain flavor and sweetness.
I drove GM to the airport yesterday and we combined a visit to a breeder of miniature zebu cows with a local devotee who is interested. It was a fun way to end the visit, seeing the zebus and other animals. We wetnt in two cars so more devotees could come along.
Checking out the zebus. Zebu and Llama parade.
Devotees gather around.
Baby bulls.......so cute!!!!
I have to run, but more soon!!!
Karnamrita Das - December 7, 2005 5:58 pm
Smoore at the Lazy Five Ranch......that is a good name for me......zzzzzzzzzzzz
One of the many animals. Here is Hare Llama (just kidding---when I first heard the devotees chanting I thought they were saying Harry Llama)
Swami talks to the Zebu "acharya's" daughter while Arcana and Narayana listen. These Zebu's have all the official paperwork to prove their ancestry and we heard about the various lines (offspring of which bulls) they have there.
Swami liked the looks of this one. Their heard has many nice looking cows with this red color.
Karnamrita Das - December 7, 2005 6:12 pm
I guess I will go backwards in the visit just to be different.
The last nice we had a "program" or get-together at Arci and Dulal's home. They have a large living room very suitable for large gatherings.
Swami had a great seat like a Vyasana.....actually they have many oversize type coaches in this room.
Chant the Holy Name!!!!
Karnamrita Das - December 7, 2005 6:39 pm
On Sunday we decided to take a walk at the local park, called "Hanging Rock Park" an ancient holy site of native Americans. We were at first going to walk to the top of the peak, but ended up walking to a cool waterfall with impressive rock formations.
Here we look at the falls at one of the many gazing areas.
The falls flow under this huge boulder.....looks like some petrified monkey!
Arcana is always ready for a question as we realish our time with GM.
Swami leads us up the stairs of our sadhana towards Goloka Vrindavana!!
Karnamrita Das - December 7, 2005 9:08 pm
Saturday morning at Madan Gopal and Panca-tattvas home, we decided to visit the local Temple in Hillsborough where Bir Krsna Goswami stays, before returning to our home in Sandy Ridge, aka Prabhupada Village (PV). He was away at the time, but Kamalini (Panca's mom) showed us around. We first when into the Dome Temple of Radha (?) Krsna.
Here is the outside of the Temple.
Swami takes darshan of the Deities and visa-versa.
Upfront and personal!
We walk all around the property, but my camera is full so you will have to imagine a "countryish" with woods all around. We walk in view of a large river on the property where BKG old house was. You can hear the whoosh of a near-by freeway which lets you know that you are not really in the country----at least by Audarya standards.
Karnamrita Das - December 7, 2005 9:16 pm
Friday evening lecture at Madan and Panca's. It was a receptive crowd of maybe 20 devotees.....I really wasn't focused on the number. Swami had a good impression of the area and devotees who came. We will make this a regular part of his visit in NC.
GM speaks next to the Altar.
We listen with rapt attention.
There are many angles of vision. Whatever is favorable for KC should be accepted!
Karnamrita Das - December 7, 2005 9:25 pm
Back in "Dodge" (PV) we were having classes morning and evening, when we were not other places.
One of our evening talks.
Our Swami tells the real truth.
Karnamrita Das - December 7, 2005 9:38 pm
I lost some pictures due to space concerns in my camera, but here are some of the cast of characters:
Bhakta Jim(bo)
Gauravani caught in the act of being blissful!
The dynamic duo of controversy. Last Swami visit, Gauravani was the talk of the village, and this visit, it was Jim. And the question is, who will be next? Like during the cold war it was said "better Dead, than Red", so you can apply that here in some devotees minds......just a little exaggeration.
A new singing sensation, "The Dasi Sisters". They didn't have on their "Sunday best", but Devahuti (to your left) and Jagannath dasi (center) were leaving so I had to get their picture together with Arcana. I lost some other ones.
There is always time for a good chat to share the good cheer of Swami Sanga. Jagannath dasi caught!
Karnamrita Das - December 7, 2005 9:52 pm
And preciding at our home to witness it all were "The Supremes".
Our whole altar. Yeah, you have seen it before elsewhere, but can we ever see them enough, or have we ever REALLY seen them? I do like 'em myself, so I like to show and tell. In any case it is a different outfit! They are actually our family, and they are here to see Swami and us dases and dasis.
Nimai-Nitai
Radha Gopinath
more next reply.
Karnamrita Das - December 7, 2005 10:08 pm
Radha Nila Madhava
Prabhupada and some of our siksa Gurus. Our Swamis is our primary Siksa Guru, but we want to acknowledge others and make a point of the importance for anyone---even Prabhupada disciples to be under the care of Siksa Gurus. I told one godbrother about our pictures of siksa gurus beside Prabhupada, and he remarked, surprized, that he has never thought of such a thing.
Our Shilas. Giriraja in front, with Vamana in rear. Sri Dvarka-sila to right.
To the best of my limited knowledge this is Nrishimha-Anantadeva.
Sri Prahlad-Nrishimhadeva
Karnamrita Das - December 7, 2005 10:26 pm
Now we see GM with us----- to give us his direct presence and siksa......
and now we don't. We are left with our memories of his being with us, and being able to serve him directly. Now we have some semblance of "separation", which fosters our again meeting. We know we will see him here again, so that makes his absense tolerable. At least it seems likely, and if we don't we can remember these times. With whatver happens we can feel him within....sometimes more than others, but at least for today he is still here. The CD's still play, and his energy is still here. And we can speak to the other devotees, and endeavor to our best ability to be Krsna conscious, and be an informed non-fanatical devotee. Then he will be pleased and truly with us.
So his empty room and chair are only as empty of his presense as our consciousness is devoid of his siksa.
The perfection of our lives and homes is to serve the Sadhus, hear from them, and put into practice what they teach. Only time is separating these chairs and this room from being filled with devotees who will hear from Swami. We are now looking forward to our next visit from our affectionate benefactor!
Madangopal - December 7, 2005 10:31 pm
This is a very nice thread prabhuji. You speak very sweetly of times that I shared with you and I was so happy to be in your association with our guru. Thank you and Archana so much for facilitating these wonderful times for all of us. Pancha and I thank you both sincerely. We are in your debt.
MG
Panchatattva - December 7, 2005 11:42 pm
Thanks Karnam Prabhuji for posting all the pics. We miss you all and we are so grateful to you for bringing Swami to us here in NC. You are doing such a great service. Thanks for all the prasadam and all the hosting Arcana.
Bhrigu - December 8, 2005 2:02 pm
Thank you Karnamrita for the picture essays! I seems Swami's visit was hugely successfull, on many planes. And what a beautiful altar you have!
Babhru Das - December 8, 2005 5:59 pm
Thanks so much, prabhu, for the pictures and commentary. You provided a very sweet impetus for progressive surrender. Y'know--your house and furniture seem as though they'd fit right in here. Just bring 'em on over, move 'em onto the lot across the road from us--and, oh, bring their favorite guest, too! (Maybe that's the wrong direction for me, though . . .)
Igor - December 8, 2005 6:14 pm
Thank you so much for this nectar!
Jay Radhe! 
Jay Krsna! 
You have wonderfull deities!
Bijaya Kumara Das - December 13, 2005 10:45 am
as our consciousness is devoid of his siksa.
This would only be true if your mind forgets the siksa given, but you will have the eternal imprint given even though.