THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

SOME CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS ARE
STRANGE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD

www.washingtonpost.com - Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world. But it's also among the most diverse and varies from country to country. In central Europe, many towns set up cozy Christmas villages. Many European towns and cities set up Christmas markets and small Christmas villages that attract visitors and locals alike. They're typically open from the beginning of December until Dec. 24. Some of them exhibit stages, merry-go-rounds and other attractions for children. But there's usually plenty to fascinate adults, too, such as mulled wine, beer and food specialties. 
Some Portuguese people open presents twice - This is a custom in Portugal and many people open presents twice: First, parents give their children a selection of gifts on Christmas Eve. But the excitement is far from over: The next morning, more gifts await, ready to be opened.

Russians, Greeks and Bulgarians prefer the cold and jump into rivers and lakes - This tradition is common in Orthodox Christian countries. Young men (and sometimes women) jump into cold rivers and lakes as soon as a priest throws a cross into the water. The aim is to be the first person to reach the cross. They believe that those who win the contest will be lucky in the new year. In Germany, children collect money for charity - In the more Catholic south of Germany, it is common that children (called Sternsingers) collect money for charity by knocking on people's doors to perform songs. They are usually dressed as the three wise men. 
In Argentina, lit paper decorations are sent into the sky on Christmas Eve - This colorful celebration lights the sky over Argentina on Christmas Eve. Many people in the South American country make their own paper decorations, sort of like balloons and equipped with lights. The so-called 'globos' are usually released into the sky shortly after midnight.

This article is about traditions which seem quite strange to the rest of the world. It was written by Rick Noack, from Washington, D.C. Buth there are many other examples: South Koreans like money as a present. It's true that money might not seem like a very elaborate Christmas gift, but many South Koreans prefer it over more creative presents. The South Korean version of Santa Claus (Santa Haraboji, which means Santa Grandfather), sometimes wears a blue suit instead of a red one. Winter in Finland is dominated by the cold temperatures and thick layers of snow that cover forests and houses. For this, many Finnish have a solution: They celebrate Christmas in saunas.  And in Nova Scotia, in the southeast of Canada, some locals dress up as Santa Claus, then they walk to their neighbors' houses and make them guess their real identities. As we all know, the celebration of Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, and the Western Church celebrates it on December 25. Many countries around the world follow this tradition; however, no one is really sure of what day Jesus' birth was, and it is little that we know about His historical being; however, more important is the message that he came to deliver to all humankind. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Jesus has shown the power of love, and He became immortal because He was such a great example. It is a pity that there are so few people following him. Many people repeat the name of Jesus, but they are not vegetarians; they even do not admit that the animals have a soul, and in reality not themselves also, because they do not live for the good of the soul. It is not easy to follow a pure devotee of God. ... Let’s hope that on the day of Jesus, more than one soul remember him and not give most attention to the ridiculous Father Christmas. It is a great sadness to see how this day, which should be so sacred for the Christians, has become more and more profane each year. Who will give a present to Jesus? Who will sing to him on his altar? Just a few people are doing it! But we shouldn’t be surprised, this is the effect of Kali yuga. Well the devotees of Krishna, they certainly do celebrate and sing your glories in your divine and wonderful eternal and progressive immortality.

Śrīla Atulananda Ācārya :
“Jesus and His Message of Universal Love”
http://www.atulanandadas.cl/
http://www.vrindanews.com/nectar/christmas.html

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

RADHA ASHTAMI 2013

TRADITIONAL FERVOUR MARKED 
HOLY RADHASHTAMI CELEBRATION

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com - Traditional fervour marked Radhashtami celebrations in the city of Kanpur last Friday. Special puja along with 'bhandara' (huge gathering of people) and community events were organized at various temples to mark the occasion. The birth of Srimati Radharani, the consort of Krishna, is celebrated as Radha Ashtami. The day is celebrated 15 days after Krishna's birth celebrated as Janmashtami. 
The idols of Radha and Krishna were traditionally dressed with flowers. The devotees chanted bhajans and many observed fast on the occasion. Special puja was organized at International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple, at Bithoor where the main attraction of the celebrations was the 'charan darshan' of Radha followed by 'mangal arti'.

“Large number of devotees participated in the event to seek the blessings of Radha Rani,” said Dinesh Singh, media coordinator, ISKCON. At JK Temple, the celebrations began with aarati and was followed by bhajan and abhishek. Local communities organized bhandaras for the people to mark the occasion. According to astrologer Atul Mishra, “'Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami', the eighth day of the brighter half of Bhadrapada month of the Indian calendar, is celebrated as Radhashtami.”
He explained: “The adya-shakti (primal divine energy) of Lord Vishnu was incarnated as Radhaji in Dvapar age at village Barsana of Brij region as daughter of Kirti and Vrishbhanu in Abhijit muhurta (considered as an auspicious time) in Anuradha nakshatra (a lunar mansion in the Indian vedic astrology).”

Sri Radha Ashtami, or Radhashtami (the birthday of Radha) also known as Radha Jayanti, is a major festival celebrated by Lord Krishna devotees. It falls on the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha (Ashtami on waxing phase of moon) in the month of Bhadrapad (August-September). This year Radha Ashtami was on September 13 (last Friday). Special prayers and pujas were held in temples all around the world. In their previous lives, Raja Vrishabhanu and Queen Kirtikumari (the parents of Radha) were King Suchendra and Queen Kalavati. They had obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that in the Dwapara Yuga, Goddess Lakshmi will be born as their daughter in the form of Radha. According to this boon, King Suchendra and Queen Kalavati took rebirth and Laxmiji was incarnated as Radha. The highest order of devotional service is represented in Srimati Radharani. If we want to render devotional service to our Guru we must learn to be servants. And Sri Radha is our example, because She is the queen of surrender. She is the queen of those going in the right direction, in the good direction. She is the Queen of those dedicated to serve the will of Krishna. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

As Srila Sridhar Maharaj very beautifully says, Srimati Radharani is the bigger victim of the  exploitative power of Sri Krishna. Before her, He is the biggest exploiter and She is the most exploited. She is declaring this: “yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato” I want Him to do with me what He wants to do. In this world, we usually go just in the opposite direction: we want to exploit the Lord. We were dazzled by the mystical power of a yogi, we get surprised by his ability to exploit. But this kind of inclination must be stopped and we must approach the sector of those who surrender. Of those who learn to depend. ... We pray for the continued deep absorption into the lotus feet of Sri Krsna. Oh, Sri Radha! You're the queen of those feet, they are Your property, and today is the day of Your supreme appearance. Under those feet we will find you busy, and in the service to the Yours feet, we will find our identity and true satisfaction.

Śrīla Atulananda Ācārya :
“Sri Radhastami”
http://www.atulanandadas.cl/
http://www.copiapomandir.blogspot.com.ar/
http://www.copiapomandir.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/radhastami-por-srila-atulananda-acarya.html

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

PALESTINIANS MARK 65 YEARS SINCE DISPLACEMENT

THOUSANDS OF PALESTINIANS MARK
'NAKBA DAY' IN GAZA, WEST BANK

www.reuters.com - Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday during demonstrations to mark 65 years since what they call the Nakba (Catastrophe) when Israel's creation caused many to lose their homes and become refugees. A shell fired from Gaza, which is ruled by the Islamist movement Hamas, exploded in an open area of Israel but caused no injuries, according to an Israeli military spokesman. There was no immediate claim of responsibility from militants in Gaza.
Protesters skirmished with Israeli forces outside a refugee camp near the West Bank city of Hebron and at a prison near Ramallah, leaving several Palestinians injured. Israeli police in Jerusalem scuffled with Palestinian protesters, tossing stun grenades and making several arrests.

Thousands also rallied in the main square of Ramallah, the Palestinians' de facto capital while Jerusalem remains under Israeli control, holding up placards with the names of villages depopulated in 1948 and old keys, symbols of lost homes. Arab states failed in a 1948 war to stop the Jews settling in Palestine, who cited biblical ties to the land and a need for a Jewish state, which up to that time was under British colonial control. 
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is to return to the region on Tuesday in another bid to revive peace talks frozen since 2010. But a resolution remains elusive and many Palestinians cling to a desire for refugees and descendants to return to ancestral lands now in Israel - an idea Israel rejects, saying it would spell the end of the Jewish state.

The 65th anniversary of Nakba Day was commemorated today by Palestinians throughout Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Palestinian diaspora. The “Nakba (the catastrophe) Day” marks the day Israel was founded. In Palestinian towns, at exactly noon a memorial siren was sounded, its length 65 seconds, one second for every year Israel has existed. In the afternoon hours, Palestinian youths began clashing with IDF soldiers. They hurled stones at security forces who returned fire with riot dispersing equipment. Clashes are taking place among people and nations due to our mistaken sense of propriety; in fact we are not the owners of anything in this world.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Śrīla Prabhupāda said we must teach all over the world that Lord Krishna is the Owner and the Supreme Enjoyer.  The sense of ownership is extremely dangerous since it confuses us in our relationship with God.  When we believe to be the owners of something, we believe to be the enjoyers of that, for this reason to believe that something belongs to me is a great illusion; nothing is ours, not even our own body, that to say of others, or the things related to the body, such as children, family, money, facilities, etc.. Krishna often repeats in the Bhagavad-Gita that we must understand that nothing is ours, everything belongs to Him. ... Krishna says: “When you understand that I am the owner of all, everything belongs to Me and I am the enjoyer, then even you'll be My owner and enjoyer.”

Śrīla Atulananda Ācārya :
“Sense of Ownership”
“Words of Gurudeva”
http://www.atulanandadas.cl/
http://www.atulanandadas.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50
 

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

TOP HEALTH RESOLUTIONS FOR NEW YEAR

NEW YEAR HEALTH RESOLUTIONS
WHICH IS BETTER NOT TO BREAK

www.boldsky.com - It’s  New Year. Thus, it is the time to make some resolutions. We all make many types of resolutions however, there are very few who consider health as a major concern. The only health resolution that people take on New Year is to lose extra weight and quit some bad habits in the process. As the New Year has started today, why not take some health resolutions for a healthy and active you? Here are the top 6 health resolutions of New Year that you must take today itself.
Look at the diet: This doesn't mean that you need to go on a crash diet. If you are on a weight loss plan, you need to exclude some high calorie and fatty foods from your diet. Green leafy vegetables, fruits, salads, soups and healthy snacks like nuts must be included in the diet. Workout: We all take this health resolution every New Year. You can try any type of exercise. If you do not get time, try some walking, climbing stairs and running. These are simple aerobic exercises that can keep you fit and healthy. 

Sleep: To stay healthy, we must take the resolution this New Year. Stop watching late night movies and grab some sleep. It will help you get over stress and also relax your mind and body. Other health problems like indigestion and sleeplessness can be troublesome. Quit bad habits: Smokers and drinkers take this resolution every New Year. However, it is very difficult to quit some bad habits. But, nothing is impossible. 
Drink healthy fluids: Instead of drinking alcohol, go for some healthy fluids like juice, soups and most importantly, water. It keeps you hydrated, flushes out toxins from the body and also keeps you fit. Fight stress: These days, stress has become a major concern among people. To avoid mental disorders like depression, meditate regularly and try to stay happy. These are the 6 health resolutions that you must make this New Year. Apart from these, you should stay happy. Keep smiling and be satisfied.

New Year’s resolutions are common commitments to lose weight, do more exercise, eat healthier, quit smoking, stop drinking, organize your time and spend more time with family. Amrisha Agarwal, author of this article, pointed that New Year resolutions are always broken as it becomes very difficult to keep for the whole year, so she mentions few health resolutions that you must stick to as health is a primary concern. Health hazards have increased due to a raise in stress levels and keep bad habits, so if you want to have healthy years ahead, do exercises to keep you fit, include healthy and nutritious foods in your diet and quit smoking and drinking. Most resolutions are things we resolve to do and others not do. Our gurus advice two primordial things to do’s and don’ts - always remember God (Krishna) and never forget Him.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Do not waste your time. A whole year has passed, have you seen how quickly it passed? We use the pretext of the new year to take new energy in the service, since the devotee is always renewing his vows. In fact, in each moment he does so, because frequently the mind proposes to him to leave his vows. Therefore there is continuous renovation of vows. ... This is a special moment that we use for singing more Hare Krishna. We should have much confidence in the mantra; the mantra is everything to us. We do everything in order to chant, since sankirtan is the dharma for this age. Then this meditation is very important, so that we can serve from our heart. Well, let’s not forget our responsibility for the world. Krishna expects much from us. He expects everything. He has chosen us; we don’t know why, but it is so. Now there is nothing else remaining than to help and try to please our gurus.

Śrīla Atulananda Ācārya :
“Resolutions for a New Year”
http://www.atulanandadas.cl/
http://vrindanews.com/chat/newyear.html

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WORLD

CHRISTMAS MARKED
AROUND THE WORLD

Agencies - Today Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus around the world. People are celebrating Christmas in ways both spiritual and secular. Here's a look at some of the ways the holiday is being marked around the globe. Thousands of Christians from the over the world packed Manger Square in Bethlehem Monday to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the ancient West Bank town where he was born. For their Palestinian hosts, this holiday season was an especially joyous one, with the hardships of the Israeli occupation that so often clouded previous Christmas Eve celebrations eased by the United Nations' recent recognition of an independent state of Palestine. 
Festivities led up to the Midnight Mass at St. Catherine's Church, next to the Church of the Nativity, built over the grotto where tradition says Jesus was born. Hundreds of people greeted Twal in Manger Square, outside the Church of Nativity, with children dressed in holiday finery or in Santa costumes, and marching bands playing in the streets. 

In the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI lit a Christmas peace candle set on the windowsill of his private studio. Pilgrims, tourists and Romans gathered below in St. Peter's Square for the inauguration Monday evening of a Nativity scene and cheered when the flame was lit. Later, the pope led Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, prayed that Israelis and Palestinians live in peace and freedom, and asked the faithful to pray for strife-torn Syria as well as Lebanon and Iraq. In Iraq, Christians gathered for services with tight security, including at Baghdad's Our Lady of Salvation church. 
Winners of Spain's cherished Christmas lottery celebrated Saturday in more than a dozen locations where lucky tickets were sold, a moment of uplift for a country enduring another brutal year of economic hardship. It is an annual tradition in Thailand - elephants dressed as Santa Claus on parade, handing out toys to school children. In Mexico, Santa takes a human form, going for a swim with the fishes, delighting children at a zoo or the streets.

Christmas is being celebrated around the world, with Christians exchanging gifts and greetings to mark the traditional date of the birth of Jesus Christ. Wherever Christians live around the world, the routines of daily life are coming to a stop as people pause to celebrate Christmas, sometimes in unique ways. While thousands of pilgrims are gathered in Manger Square in the Palestinian town of Bethlehem, the town where Jesus is said to have been born, others go to pray at various ceremonies and Christmas church services in their local churches. However, many people around the world enjoy the celebration just shopping, going to family reunions or wearing Santa Claus costumes, eating, drinking and sharing gifts.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Jesus is a consciousness of God. Of pure delivery to the Lord. Therefore he is a master to these days,  because he has delivered something eternal. ... Thus, remembering Jesus, we also remember all the genuine gurus who have illuminated us on our way, as all form a same family dedicated to bring us to God. ... Let’s hope that on the day of Jesus, more than one soul remember him and not give most attention to the ridiculous Father Christmas. It is a great sadness to see how this day, which should be so sacred for the Christians, has become more and more profane each year. Who will give a present to Jesus? Who will sing to him on his altar? Just a few people are doing it! But we shouldn’t be surprised; this is the effect of Kali yuga. Well the devotees of Krishna, they certainly do celebrate and sing your glories in your divine and wonderful eternal and progressive immortality. Jay, Merry Christmas!

Śrīla Atulananda Ācārya :
“Jesus and His Message of Universal Love”
“Merry Christmas in Krishna Consciousness”
Santiago, Chile - 22 Dec 2005
http://www.vrindanews.com/nectar/christmas.html
http://www.atulanandadas.cl/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/