zjj

Haribol, dear devotees.

I'd like to share with you the link to my book trailer for 'Follow the Cowherd Boy'. With the help of a friend I produced it and uploaded it to my youtube account. Let me know what you think of it.

Here's the link:

Haribol! Jai Mirabai!

Jai

Harimein... Mere to Girdhar Gopal, Dusra na koy... Payoji Maine Ram Ratan... simply mesmerizing.

Glory to the Universal Mother.

Haribol, Amleshji.

Thanks for your reminder of the beauty of her words.

Jai

Jai Sri Krishna, Jai Sri Radhe, Jai Mirabai.

 

I am really looking forward to get a new book on Mirabai. I cant just stop listening to her bajans. I read earlier 2 books on her, however i was not happy with them.

 

I am yet to order your book now. One question: Does your book have translation of some her bhajans?

Haribol!

Apologies for not posting sooner. I haven't been on the audarya forum for a long time.

I do have certain lines from Mira's poems in the book to illustrate what was happening to her in her life at the time of writing those poems and singing them with the devotees. I didn't feel worthy or qualified to completely translate the poems completely so I composed some lines myself to illustrate what I wanted to say about her words and how she touched people.

I hope you find my work worthy. Please forgive any mistakes.

Jai

PS: if you haven't ordered the book yet then you can get it online at http://www.amazon.com/Follow-Cowherd-Boy-J-Joshi/dp/1412086264/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240630218&sr=8-1 or from my publisher at http://www.trafford.com/4dcgi/dosearch

You can also order it instore at Borders, Waldenbooks, Hastings, or Barnes & Noble. The ISBN number is 1412086264.

Jai Shri Krishna, Jai Mirabai!

Haribol!

The Director of the Bauu Institute and Press posted a review of Follow the Cowherd Boy last week. The link is: <http://newgreatbooks.blogspot.com/2008/06/modern-take-on-classical-indian-story.html>

I was honoured.

Jai Shri Krishna! Jai Mirabai!

Jai

In the Mahabharat when Draupadi's sons were killed in their sleep by Ashwatama, Draupadi wept for them. She said that she did not grieve because they died but because they died in their sleep and thus could not remember Krishna at their last moment.

Jai

No no, Mataji. Please don't say that. I'm not worthy of that. It is Krishna and Mirabai who deserve the obeisance as it is they who are entering into people's lives and consciousness and inspiring love.

Jai Mirabai! Jai Shri Krishna!

I saw this documentary on the history channel too.

It was amazing and the documentary divers themselves were convinced that those structures were man-made. One of them said that it was so eerie, there was just no way those structures were naturally formed. And they were the ones who discovered the carving of the headress. It looks like a spectacular location.

It made me want to learn diving even though I've never yet had the inclination.

Haribol!

Jai

Because she loves him. She is selfless and devoted and therefore Krishna loves her the same way.

Jai

Haribol!

I just recieved the most wonderful email from a reader. This is an excerpt:

"I have never studied much about the Hindu religion but now I've had a taste of Krishna I will never forget. Thank you!"

How merciful is Krishna that he inspired this person to read about Mira and thus plant the seeds of a desire for him? My heart is feels so full today.

Jai

Haribol!

I completed my Heartland tour a couple of weeks ago and have been back home resting and getting back into a routine at home. I'm also working on my next book but that is slow going so I can't say much.

What was exciting about this last tour, and there were many exciting things, was that I generated interest from the local tv news. I made the evening news in North Dakota and also filmed a PBS program called Media Meet that will air in the Great Lakes region on July 12th. That was a great filming as the presenter Sonya Chrisman asked me questions about the book and the topic of Hinduism and Women. We discussed many issues that you will find interesting and I'll give details about the airing of the program closer to the time.

I met so many interesting people and was able to get darshan at some of the temples along the way too. Krishna is very merciful towards me and I know I don't deserve it.

Haribol!

Jai

Yikes!

Haribol Haribol Haribol.

Jai

I believe it was Vidur Maharaj who said that we should speak the truth but speak the sweet truth.

Just because we can and should speak the truth, that doesn't mean we should deliberately try to hurt or offend others. Speech is precious, "Vani" is said to be Mother Saraswati herself. We should therefore not offend her by using her indelicately.

Jai

This is the list of my next events. I'll be on tour in the heartland states for about 6 weeks.

Next Events

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:State>:

Thursday March 6<SUP>th</SUP> - Indian Culture Talk at <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Fulton</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Heath</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">TX</st1:State></st1:place>

11am.

Friday March 14<SUP>th</SUP> - Indian History Talk with <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Home</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> History Co-op,

Austin TX

*Time as yet unset

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oklahoma</st1:place></st1:State>:

Sunday March 16<SUP>th</SUP> - Book signing at <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hastings</st1:place></st1:City>, 104 Sunset Plaza,

Enid OK 73703

12-3pm

Sunday March 16<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at <st1:City w:st="on">Hastings</st1:City>, 316 North Main,

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Stillwater</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">OK</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">74075</st1:PostalCode></st1:place>

4:30-7pm

Monday March 17<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Hastings, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">3005 East Frank Phillips Blvd</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Bartlesville</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">OK</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">74006</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

5-8pm

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kansas</st1:place></st1:State>:

Tuesday March 18<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at <st1:City w:st="on">Hastings</st1:City>, 2806 North Broadway,

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Pittsburg</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">KS</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">66762</st1:PostalCode></st1:place>

6-9pm

Thursday March 20<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Hastings</st1:City></st1:place>, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">416 East 30<SUP>th</SUP> Street</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Hutchinson</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">KS</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">67502</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

5-8pm

Friday March 21<SUP>st</SUP> – Book signing at Hastings, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">1646 Industrial Rd</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Emporia</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">KS</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">66801</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

7-9pm

Saturday March 22<SUP>nd</SUP> – Book signing at <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hastings</st1:place></st1:City>, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">626 Tuttle Creek Rd</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Manhattan</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">KS</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">66502</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

12-3pm

Saturday March 22<SUP>nd</SUP> – Book signing at <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hastings</st1:place></st1:City>, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">5317 SW 22<SUP>nd</SUP> Place</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Topeka</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">KS</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">66614</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

4-8pm

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nebraska</st1:place></st1:State>:

Thursday March 27<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hastings</st1:place></st1:City>, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">1041 East 23<SUP>rd</SUP> St</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Fremont</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">NE</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">68025</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

4-7pm

Saturday March 29<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Hastings, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">2250 N. Webb Rd</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Grand Island</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">NE</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">68803</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

12-3pm

Saturday March 29<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hastings</st1:place></st1:City>, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">9 West 39<SUP>th</SUP> St</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Kearney</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">NE</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">68848</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

5-7pm

Sunday March 30<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hastings</st1:place></st1:City>, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">919 South 20<SUP>th</SUP> St</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Norfolk</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">NE</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">68701</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

2-5pm

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Dakota</st1:place></st1:State>:

Friday April 4<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Little Professor Book Center, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">3315 6<SUP>th</SUP> Ave SE</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Aberdeen</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">SD</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">57401</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

5-8pm

Saturday April 5<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Prairie Pages Bookstore, <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">321 South Pierre St</st1:address></st1:Street>,

Pierre SD 57501

11am-2pm

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Dakota</st1:place></st1:State>:

Tuesday April 8<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Main Street Books, 106 South Main,

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Minot</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">ND</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">58701</st1:PostalCode></st1:place>

4-7pm

Wednesday April 9<SUP>th</SUP> – Women and Hinduism Talk at YWCA Luncheon, Women’s Heritage Meeting, Minot State University,

Minot ND

*Time as yet unset

Wednesday April 9<SUP>th</SUP> – Publishing Follow the Cowherd Boy Talk with English Club students, <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Minot</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Minot</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">ND</st1:State></st1:place>

*Time as yet unset

Friday April 11<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing and Talk at NDSU Bookstore, Student Memorial Union, North Dakota State University, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Fargo</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">ND</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">58105</st1:PostalCode></st1:place>

7-9pm

Saturday April 12<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Waldenbooks, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">2800 Columbia Rd</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Grand Forks</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">ND</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">58201</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

1-4pm

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Minnesota</st1:place></st1:State>:

Sunday April 13<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Waldenbooks, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">1600 Miller Trunk Hwy</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Duluth</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">MN</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">55811</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

3-5pm

Saturday April 19<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Waldenbooks, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">575 North Town Drive</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Blaine</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">MN</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">55434</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

1-3pm

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iowa</st1:place></st1:State>:

Wednesday April 23<SUP>rd</SUP> – Book signing at Borders, 1200 South Duff,

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Ames</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">IA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">50010</st1:PostalCode></st1:place>

4-6pm

Thursday April 24<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Borders, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">4100 University Ave</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">West Des Moines</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">IA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">50265</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

5-8pm

Friday April 25<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Waldenbooks, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Crossroads</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">2060 Crossroads Blvd</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Waterloo</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">IA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">50702</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

5-7pm

Saturday April 26<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Waldenbooks, Sycamore Mall, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">1650 Sycamore St</st1:Street>, <st1:City w:st="on">Iowa City</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">IA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">52240</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

12-4pm

Sunday April 27<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Borders, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">555 John F Kennedy Rd</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Dubuque</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">IA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">52002</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

1-3pm

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wisconsin</st1:place></st1:State>:

Thursday May 1<SUP>st</SUP> – Book signing at Waldenbooks, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">3347 Kohler Memorial Dr</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Sheboygan</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">WI</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">53081</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

11am-3pm

Friday May 2<SUP>nd</SUP> – Book signing at Waldenbooks, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">833 W Johnson St</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Fond Du Lac</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">WI</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">54935</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

3-5pm

Saturday May 3<SUP>rd</SUP> – Book signing at Waldenbooks, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">661 Bay Park Square</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Green Bay</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">WI</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">54304</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

12-3pm

Saturday May 3<SUP>rd</SUP> – Book signing at Waldenbooks, Fox River Mall, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">4301 West Wisconsin Ave</st1:Street>, </st1:address>

<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Appleton</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">WI</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">54913</st1:PostalCode></st1:address>

4-7pm

Sunday May 4<SUP>th</SUP> – Book signing at Waldenbooks, A-104 Wausau Center,

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Wausau</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">WI</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">54403</st1:PostalCode></st1:place>

2-5pm

Tuesday May 6<SUP>th</SUP> – Home

If any of the forum members here live close by to these locations and are free to meet me then please come along. You're under no obligation to buy a book either, it would simply be nice to meet devotees as I travel the country. Krishna has been kind enough to allow me to meet his devotees in so many parts of the country, I've been blessed.

Haribol!

Jai

Kheer Mohans are a very rare bengali sweet.

They are basically gulab jamuns but inside is kheer. Extremely yummy!

Sometimes they are actually broken in halfs so you can taste the kheer on top and the gulab jamun portion on the bottom. Here is a picture:

 

Hari Haribol!

Kheer mohans sound lovely! I'm drooling as we speak.

Jai

Wow, thats wonderful! Keep up this great preaching seva!

Only suggestions I have is to make the emotions apparent- Lakshman's anger at Janak, Janak's anguish, Sita's longing, and Rama's confidence!

Thanks for your encouragement. I will try my best to relate the story so that the children feel the true emotions of the katha. Storytelling is a great joy for me and I'm humbled that I get the chance to tell these stories.

Haribol!

Jai

My favourite sweets are gulab jamun and shrikand. So rich and yummy!

Indulekhadasi Mataji, what are kheer mohans? I've Gujarati and have never heard of them.

Jai

As I recall, when Surya Dev gave Kunti his baby who later became known as Karna, she protested and said that she couldn't have a child as she was unmarried. He told her that her virginity would remain intact and her chastity would never be doubted.

Jai Kunti Maharani!

Jai

What is the topic you will be speaking on when you speak to the kids? I would be interested to know!

 

Jai Nitai

indulekhadasi

Haribol, Mataji!

I was contacted by one of the teachers of that school to give a talk on the culture of India so I'll be speaking of India's history, beliefs, dress, food. I"ll also being explaining to the children that it's important to be open minded and curious about other cultures because they have much to teach us. I'm going to end it with a story from the Ramayan to give the talk a spiritual feel and also heighten their interest in the stories and culture of India. I've done several storytelling sessions with kids and they love the story of Rama and Sita's wedding.

Do you have any advice for me? I would be happy to hear any suggestions.

Haribol!

Jai

Haribol!

I just wanted to post the next couple of events I'll be doing. The first is a book signing and the second is a talk with a kids in a school in Texas. I'm really looking forward to the school event as I always have fun with the kids.

Thursday February 21st, Book signing at Borders, Morrocroft Village Shopping Center, Charlotte NC 28211, 12-3pm.

Thursday March 6th, India Culture talk with 1st-4th grader at The Fulton School, Heath TX, 11am-12noon.

I'll soon be posting a list of my next major tour but am still working on that. I'm waiting to confirm a few dates before I post the list. If anyone is in the Charlotte NC area while I'm there then please come along and meet me. I love to meet with devotee's along my travels! Krishna is most kind to me that he gives me these opportunities.

Haribol! Jai Shri Krishna!

Jai

What could be more successful that to be in Krishna's presense regularly? To have him save her sons when he didn't save the sons of his own mother Devki? To have him protect her daughter-in-law Draupadi when no one else would?

Kunti's sons were beloved to Krishna, who always stood by their side and helped them solve their problems. Even Karna, who stood on evil Duryodhana's side, was treated affectionately by Krishna.

Kunti overcame great hardship and pain and still her heart remained pure with love of Krishna.

That's success.

Haribol! Jai Kunti Maharani!

Jai

Rich or poor, I don't like rasgoolas but I love Gulab Jamun. I don't like the plasticy texture of rasgoolas and often think about the lovely saag panir that could have been made if someone hadn't used the panir in the rasgoolas, hehe. I much prefer the softness of gulab jamun and how it melts in the mouth, hmmmm.

Haribol!

Jai

sopatel,

 

So you live in the midwest. Nice approach to offer them some chai and congenial conversation. I become more and more convinced that to make friends with these people is far more important then debating philosophy or theolgy. Jehovah witnesses are very receptive to our emphasis on the Supreme Father Lord as being a separate individual than Jesus the Son. That is something they don't also get from fellow Christian types.

 

The evangelical brand of Christians are most often a different story so I just give them distance.

 

Have you followed the relationship Utah Iskcon has developed with the local Mormons in Salt Lake? It's amazing. The Mormons helped build the temple and attend events at the temple. I believe the presidents name is Caru das but I'm not sure. Really inspiring story.

Theist, you're right. The Iskcon temple in Utah is so beautiful. When I saw the gorgeous deities I was struck dumb and so thankful that I'd had a chance to take darshan there. The temple there has developed a truly awesome relationship with the local people and it is because they have focused on the similarities between the two faiths, not the differences. That's a much more constructive way of relating to people.

I met a Mormon lady while traveling in Atlanta. We had a two hour long conversation about the similarities in our beliefs and she ended up telling me things she never told others because she felt that I would understand. We parted by saying that we respected each other's beliefs and wished the best for each other.

I did a couple of book signings in Utah (my novel is based on the life story of Mirabai) and sold many books there. I had a great time meeting those people and discussing philosophy with them.

We had some Jehovah's Witnesses come to our house and my father answered the door. I was listening from my bedroom upstairs and groaned when I heard the man ask my father "have you heard of the Kingdom of God?" My father replied: "Yes, it's called Ram Rajya." The man stuttered and asked what that meant so my father explained who Lord Ram was and why he came to earth. He explained that if we were all devotees and lived lives of Bhakti then our time on this earth would become Rama Rajya and the Lord would be pleased. Then my father ended by saying "Jai Shri Rama!" The Jehovah's witness was stunned and asked what that meant. My father said that it meant "Praise Lord Rama!" and taught the man how to correctly pronounce the words. The man thanked my father for explaining all of that and left us saying "Jai Shri Rama".

Ancient Mariner, I think that the best way is for you to be honest about what you believe and thank them for showing you their literature. Who knows, maybe Krishna led them to you so that they could learn a little about Him through you.

Haribol!

Jai

I am lost in your quotations. Why would wealth take one away from Krishna when wealth is also another aspect of Srimati Radharani? If you could, please explain in your own words , it would help simpletons like me. Any time spent is much appreciated.

The problem, redsox, is that you are equating wealth with money. Wealth (or fortune) is not money. Wealth is Bhakti. That is what Radharani is and what Lakshmi is too.

To equate Lakshmi with money is to insult her. Material wealth is one aspect of her strength but if misused, it takes us away from Krishna. To see Lakshmi as money is to be drowning in maya because then we want to control Lakshmi and exploit her. We want to abuse her for our own enjoyment. This was the major mistake that Ravana made. He wanted to abuse and exploit Sita, who is Lakshmi incarnate, when he should have served her as his mother instead. By contrast, Janak (Sita's father) gave her to Rama, who is Vishnu. In other words, he gave his wealth, his bhakti, to Rama and because he did that, he achieved a close relationship of love with Rama.

If you have material wealth then it should be used in the service of Krishna, this is the proper use of material Lakshmi and you will please her if you do this. This is the equivalent of giving your daughter in marriage to Vishnu, as Janak did. But if you exploit her for your own enjoyment then she will give you only pain and distress in the form of maya as she did with Ravana.

I hope this helps with your question.

Jai

What a sad and shocking event. I'm sorry for her family and hope that Krishna eases their grief.

The only positive is that she passed on the holy earth of Vrindavan, where Radharani showers devotees with blessings and love.

Jai Shri Krishna!

Jai

Yes, Ramayan is a great topic to talk about. Since your audience consists of young people keep it short and sweet. You probably know this, I am just giving you a quick reminder.

 

Thank you so much for all your preaching efforts.

Haribol Indulekadasi.

Thanks for the tip. I was thinking of telling the story of Rama's wedding, the storytelling session isn't set up yet but I might work on sorting that out this winter.

I'm doing a talk in Berea KY in a couple of weeks so I'm excited about that. I've fallen in love with public speaking and I'm really grateful Krishna gave me the opportunity to do this through my book marketing because otherwise I would never have known how enjoyable public speaking it.

Haribol!

Jai