Author Archives: Admin108

Love is in the Details.
Radhanath Swami: Bhakti is about detail, little things. Big things are wonderful, but even more wonderful are the little things within the big things. And if you don’t have a big thing, equally wonderful is the little th…

By Mahaprabhu das

Monday 16 November the Hindu Forum Europe (HFE) celebrated Diwali for the first time in the EU Parliament, Brussels. Host MEP, Neena Gill congratulated Hindus with this big success. The Ambassador of India, Mr. Manjeev Singh Puri, and the Ambassador of Mauritius, Mr. J. Koonjul, lit symbolically a dipa in the presence of other MEPs and staff of the Parliament. ISKCON devotees from Belgium, Spain, Hungary, Italy and Switzerland were among the more than 100 attendees of this historical event. According to key organizer, Mahaprabhu Das, HFE is planning to celebrate Diwali every year in the European Parliament. In the speeches of the various speakers, the recent acts of violence in Paris and other parts of the world were mentioned. They underlined the relevance of the Diwali festival in Europe’s dark times. There is a growing need to illuminate the world with the wonderful qualities of Lord Sri Ramacandra, glorified by millions as the greatest King

Govadhana puja photos from ISKCON SALEM (Album with 118 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Krishna consciousness movement supplies materially stricken people with the medicine of the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, and the diet of prasadam. The c…

Vrindavan’s Lovely Talavan Forest (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our parikrama party spent a wonderful day in Talavan – one of Vrindavan’s 12 major forests. The scenic beauty of the forest stole our hearts, as did the kirtans led by Bada Haidas Prabhu and the Katha we spoke about Krsna and Balarama’s pastimes.Talavan is a ‘must-see’ for all devotees who visit Vrindavan!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/L2MbQk

By Racitambara devi dasi

14 November 2015. 76 years ago today, a boy named John was born in an insignificant bump in the road called Moose Hill, Ontario, in Canada. He grew up on a farm where his parents raised cows for slaughter. Later, he left home and travelled to Port Hardy, at the north end of Vancouver Island. He was into all kinds of intoxication, But one day, a friend sent him Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is. After reading it, John decided to go to Vancouver and spend his Christmas holidays at the Hare Krishna Temple on 16th and Burrard. He went out every day with another new bhakta, named Roger. John soon became known as Krishna John and was a popular sight on the corner of Georgia and Granville, happily distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books and Spiritual Sky incense.

Goshala Cow Barn for the cows of New Ramana Reti, Alachua.
We are proud to present the new Goshala Cow Barn, one part of the eco-teaching farm project. Srila Prabhupada desired self-sufficient communities created by devotees, so that dependency on outside economic forces is minimized and a “simple living, high thinking” culture is promoted. Thanks to the generosity of many donors near and far, the new cow barn brings us a step closer to realizing this vision at New Raman Reti.
The barn is designed to milk two cows as well as be a space for various self-sufficiency classes, such as cow care and protection, growing food, natural building techniques, permaculture, textiles, and more. “It is basically a school for how to maintain cows and live a life based on agriculture,” Akuti devi dasi says. She provided the original design of the structure, with input by members of the “Cow Board” – Kesihanta das, Citralekha Morrill, Ram Gardner, Tapasvini devi dasi, Mukhya devi dasi, Kardama Muni das, Akincana Krsna das and Varuni devi dasi. Akuti prabhu provided much of the finishing and carpentry work, and Akincana Krsna prabhu worked closely with the contractor and sub-contractors overseeing the daily functions of the building process. The barn will eventually be solar-powered, and an outside pavilion with benches is also in the works. Akuti prabhu foresees summer educational camps, retreat cabins and gardens as part of the Eco Teaching Farm. Groups of volunteers, including many college student eco-groups, have already come and helped with farm projects and learning opportunities. Bhakta Nathan is also an important member of the Eco Teaching Farm.
New Raman Reti was purchased in1977, and cow protection was always an integral part of its mission. Cows played a role here from the early years, providing milk for our Deities and oxen were employed to till the land. Save the Cow, a program to maintain and protect older cows, has been active since 2003. Now New Raman Reti is entering another exciting phase of cow protection by developing a sustainable, long-term plan for a manageable herd of cows and oxen. This will again provide fresh milk for the Deities and create a facility where many can learn how to care for these animals. Cows are gentle creatures with a full range of emotions and, of course, a favorite of Lord Krishna. Their protection is the basis of brahminical culture. We look forward to our ongoing expansion of Go-Raksha (cow protection) here at Alachua Temple.
Sridevi dasi reporting

Govardhana Puja 2015 Festival in San Diego, USA (Album with 88 HR photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “If one only chants, with some slight faith, the holy names of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda, then very quickly he is cleansed of all offences. Thus as soon as he chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, he feels the ecstasy of love for God.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.31)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/PiakpT

Celebrating Govardhan Puja in Hare Krishna temple of Ariel, Israel, 2015 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “As a result of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates and he receives love of Godhead. The holy name of Krishna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.28)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VLVKlC

Brijlata Dasi: RESPONSIBILITY: Produce and sell quality food and drink (Prasad) items to a growing community of happy customers from the surrounding area, temple visitors and the temple community.

Vaishnavanghri Sevaka das: For Hare Krishna movement (ISKCON) this year 2015 is very important as it marks the beginning of golden jubilee celebrations, which started from Jaladuta yatra in August 2015

AFFCAP November – December Newsletter.
AFFCAP is an independent, third party, non-profit organization which certifies goshallas to a basic standard of care and protection. It does so by registering and inspecting goshallas, while keeping records of every animal for life. This undertaking ensures that: “No animal is being made available, knowingly or unknowingly, for Slaughter”.
Download it here: http://goo.gl/5xpLo0

By Rsiraja Das

The law of karma in Vedic philosophy (and indeed in numerous Eastern religious philosophies) is a moral law that judges a person’s actions. All judgments are based on whether an act is right or wrong, and these judgments are in turn based on comprehending the meanings of actions. For instance, before you can judge whether an act of shooting is right or wrong, you must first comprehend a physical sequence of events as “shooting”, which itself requires associating meanings with facts. If meanings are in our minds, then judgments too must be only in our minds, and not factual. However, when meanings become objective, then their judgments also become objective.

Struggling to feed innocent children in Nepal (Album with photos)
It is almost about two months that basic necessities such as food items, medical items and petroleum items have been blocked in Nepal.
Most of the peoples have been badly affected by this blockage. But the case of students is worst among all. These students are deprived of their daily meal, clothes, education, health etc. Thousands of children are not been able to go to their schools since schools are being closed down.
Food For Life Nepal requested few schools (where FFLN is conducting mid-day meal program) to not shut down school. Teachers are running schools with difficulty. And, Food For Life Nepal is feeding mid-day meal to 650+ innocent children in those schools.
FFLN staffs cook hygienic food in firewood, transport to those schools by walking and carrying pots personally.
On 11th November while we were distributing meal to those student one student named ALOK came forward and told something. He said “Thank you uncle. I had not eaten anything for last two days.” Tears were profusely falling from his eyes. Our volunteers also cried. He is just a sample and almost every child is facing similar problems. Their parents are not been able to fulfill basic necessities due to overall condition of nation.
He thanked to our volunteers and donors who are feeding mid-day meal even in this hours of severe difficulties.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/zrPyIo

Srila Prabhupada Disappearance Day 2015 (Album with photos)
Iskcon devotees from all over the world gathered at the headquarters of Iskcon in Mayapur to celebrate the disappearance of the society’s Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. A glorious ceremony!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/JjtZJx

By Hari Narayana Das

The peak of the 259th Anniversary celebrations of Yogyakarta was flooded by millions of people who wanted to see the cultural parade on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. Four thousands participant participated in the parade. They performed traditional dances, classic dances, and modern dances attractively along the main street of Yogyakarta. The participants were not only from the areas of Yogyakarta but also from other areas in Nusantara. The committee also invited groups of art and communities in Yogyakarta. They also invited the Narayana Smerti Asram to participate in the celebration because they impressed to the performance of the devotees last year on the last Ratha yatra in commemorating The World Tourism Day.

Final Yatra of Sri Gaur Krishna Goswami (Album with photos)
Done in the Banks of the River Yamuna today in the presence of HH Radha Govinda Goswami Maharaj, HH Lokanath Swami, HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami, HH Bhakti Anugraha Janardana Swami, HH Bhakti B…

By Madhavananda das

We are shocked and deeply pained today to hear about the sudden departure of one of the bright moons of our society. H.H. Gaura Krishna Das Goswami, a beloved disciple of Srila Radha Govinda Maharaja suddenly passed away in the sacred land of Vrindavan. I don’t know any other details except that he had a sudden heart-attack and that it was somewhere in Vraja. Our phone has been ringing this morning with devotees contacting us and pouring out their hearts in grief. Gaura Krishna Maharaja was a very simple and powerful devotee, a genuine sādhu uninterested in politics or position. Always speaking about Krishna and doing kirtana, Maharaja was a very learned and famous speaker on Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. His kathā brought good fortune and inspiration to thousands of persons.

November 17. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Prabhupada could see the motive behind questions, but he always entered the breach to give the Vaisnava conclusion. Sometimes questions were too personal. “Are you happy?” Prabhupada replied, “If I told you ‘yes’, would you believe me?” Prabhupada was expert at not getting trapped by questions and being able to turn them around to put the question back on the person who asked it. Prabhupada was especially exposed to challenges, and both sincere and insincere questions in public lectures. Over the years he had heard practically everything there was to hear. It wasn’t possible to shock him. Prabhupada was responsive to intelligent, sincere questions. Like Sukadeva Gosvami who became more enthusiastic to speak due to the intelligent questions of Maharaj Pariksit, so Prabhupada appreciated solid inquiries.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490

With a heavy heart we have to let all of you know a sad news. H.H. Gour Krsna Swami, Disciple of H.H. Radha Govind Maharaj passed away due to heart attack today morning in Sridham Vrindavan. He was well versed dynamic preacher. He was well known for hi…

Govardhan Puja Panamá 2015 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “For one who wants liberation from the fruitive reactions of material activities, the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, or glorification of the name, fame and pastimes of the Lord, is recommended as the most perfect process of atonement because such chanting eradicates the dirt from one’s heart completely.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.12)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/0AwlTO

Caitanya Simha das, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and friend and well-wisher to so many devotees, left his body today in the early morning hours at Sri Mayapur dhama, on the disappearance day of Srila Prabhupada,( also happened to be his birthday) to continue his journey back home to Godhead. He started so many on their path, built temples and opened farm communities, worked on Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi and at present with TOVP. The funeral procession, attended by Mayapur Community devotees took place in the afternoon and his body was laid to rest on the banks of Ganges. Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for saving this soul, for saving all of us.

By Kesava Krsna dasa If crying is the preserve of advanced devotees steeped in devotional mellows, should it bother us to display a show of apparent weakness? Shedding tears in lamentation, as a plea for sympathy, as ostentatious syrupy hype or as a t…

By Praghosa Dasa

I recently heard a somewhat humorous exchange between two devotees. The first devotee in a mood of perhaps legitimate grumpiness said; “I have given the best years of my life to ISKCON” [therefore surely ISKCON owes me] The second devotee replied; “Well if you’ve given your best years then you might as well give the rest of your years!” This exchange is interesting for a number of reasons, not least because of the two apparent conflicting positions taken by the devotees quoted above. One devotee is clearly feeling that having served ISKCON for many years, ISKCON has perhaps not reciprocated accordingly, while the other devotee seems to be taking the view that come what may, better that he stick to with ISKCON regardless of any real or imagined lack of reciprocation. ISKCON is somewhat at a disadvantage, simply because it is an institution, although I’m not sure when history determined that institutions in and of themselves are negative. Still for sure some shudder to the bone at the very mention of institutions and in many ways that is the biggest challenge that faces those who find themselves charged with the service of maintaining the institution of ISKCON. It is no easy task to overcome the connection that is often made between institutions and how they apparently stifle individualism and encourage ‘group think’ etc.

Sankirtana in the land of Aztecs! (Album with photos)
Aztecs in Mexico, Mexico City, dance in the pace of Harinama!
Srila Prabhupada: Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat: even a little devotional service can save one from the greatest danger. Devotional service, which begins with chanting of the holy name of the Lord, is so powerful that even if one falls down, he can be saved from all calamities if he somehow or other chants the holy name of the Lord. This is the extraordinary power of the Lord’s holy name. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.1.63 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/X1r45T

By Niranjana Swami

And especially what was also very, very satisfying to me was seeing that not only we are preserving the parampara by manifesting these three symptoms but that these events are also wonderful opportunity for distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. For me that is the icing on the cake. That makes it so sweet. These events are very, very good opportunities to inspire people to want to know more about this. And therefore these are very, very, good opportunities for making Srila Prabhupada’s books available, so not only these people will hear the holy names but they will carry the embodiment of the holy names in their hands. Srila Prabhupada followed in the footsteps of Haridas Thakur and manifested these three symptoms of strictly following the path of the previous acaryas.

A beautiful dancing rendition by Srimati Campakalata Devi Dasi and her team of the Yadi Prabhupada Na Hoita song written by HH Jayapataka Swami (9 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/01bMA0
Lyrics:
(1)
(yadi) prabhupada na haita tabe ki haita
(e) jivana bahita kise?
nitai-gaurera apara karuna ke dita sakala dese
If Srila Prabhupada had not come, what would have happened? How could we have passed our lives?
Who else would have distributed the unlimited mercy of Lord Nityananda and Lord Gauranga all over the world?
(2)
pascatyera yata papi duracari sunyavadi mayavadi
tadera uddara karibare mana hena kon dayanidhi
Which other compassionate person would have endeavoured to deliver the miscreants , sinful, impersonalistic and voidistic people in the West?
(3)
tadera nikate kon jana asi bilaita harinam
sabhya jiva rupe gadite tadera ke haita aguyan
Who else would have come to distribute Harinama to them? Who else would have come forward to transform them into civilized beings?
(4)
dese dese hari-vigraha seva arati ratri-dine
ratha yatradi mahotsava saba sikaita kon jane
Who else would have taught them how to worship the Deity form of Lord Hari day and night with arati-kirtana, and how to conduct the Ratha-yatra and
other grand festivals
(5)
gita-bhagavata caitanya carita premamrta rasasara
kata na sundara sarala kariya ke bujhaita ara
Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam and Caitanya-caritamrta contain the essence of the nectarean mellows of love of Godhead.
Who else would have explained these scriptures so clearly and beautifully?
(6)
kata kasta sahi prita mane rahi ke va dita harinam
ke dita modera puri vrndavana mayapura mata dham
Who else would have tolerated all difficulties, and distributed Harinama with a pleasant heart?
Who would have given us the dhamas such as Mayapur, Vrindavan and Jagannatha Puri?
(7)
parama mangala sricaitanya maha-prabhura siksa dhana
acare pracare sada amadere ke karita niyojana
The teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu constitute the greatest and most auspicious treasure.
Who else would have engaged us in constantly practicing and preaching it?
(8)
premakalpataru nitai-gaurera krpa kana labhibare
niravadhi jaya-pataka hrdaya tomare sarana kare
Sri Sri Nitai Gaura are desire trees of love of Godhead. Desiring a drop of Their mercy, Jayapataka’s heart incessantly takes shelter of Your Divine grace.

A Dozen, Yet More to Come.
Vrindavanlila Devi Dasi: “Agriculture and cow protection are the way to become sinless and thus be attracted to devotional service.”
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/6811uy

Children Taste the Nectar of Harinam.
Vrindavanlila Devi Dasi: This was the 11th day of Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra devotees. Their next and also the eleventh village (the eleventh bead of the garland of 108 villages) was Kandibanda. All these d…

The Forest Of Talavan (8 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Talavan is one of the12 major forests of Vrindavan. Nestled in the paddy fields of Talavan is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Balarama, who killed the ass-demon Denakasura there. We enjoyed a…

November 16. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Were there some questions we should have asked Prabhupada but didn’t? Were some questions taboo? Were there some questions he didn’t like to answer? Were there some questions he couldn’t answer? What was his general attitude towards answering questions – was he very open, or limited? In general, I think we can safely say that Prabhupada was very open and willing to discuss almost any subject from the Krishna conscious point of view. He might point out an impertinent or illogical question, but he would answer it anyway. He considered questions that did not relate to the points he raised in his lecture as improper. Questions after the lecture should be asked to clear up doubt. So many topics can be discussed in questions, but Prabhupada chose one area of the philosophy to discuss in his lectures and he preferred the questions to be relevant to that. Even if someone asked something off the topic though, Prabhupada would answer it.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490

Lokanath Swami is elaborating about the ISKCON Outreach programs (22 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Sometimes it is very risky to give great philosophical instructions to ordinary people, but Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, for the benefit of the fallen souls o…

Harinama in Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Haridasa Thakura was born in a Mohammedan family. From the very beginning of his life he was never trained in the karma-kanda system, but because he was always chanting the holy name of the Lord…

Our Love and Prayers For The People of Paris.
Radhanath Swami: Terrorism is born of false ego. Strife and friction are caused when we understand only the letter of the religious law but ignore the spirit behind it. Unity and brotherhood of mankind can happen when we transcend the external differences and focus on the spiritual essence of all great traditions.
The essence of every religion is sincerity in cleansing our own hearts, and cultivating humility by honouring every living entity as a child of God. We must educate the youth about these universal principles which teach us to love God and love every
living being as a child of God. – Radhanath Swami

Tel Aviv, Israel, come with us to chant Hare Krishna 🙂 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The liberated sage Kardama Muni could see Garuda carrying the Lord on the way to Vaikuntha and hear the flapping of his wings vibrating the sound of Hare …

Maha Harinama Sankirtan Lifts London (Album with photos)
David: There was a subdued atmosphere in London on Saturday night, with fewer people on the streets and a visible police presence after the events in Paris the previous evening.
The devotees were out as usual though, in fact with an even larger sankirtan party than normal as we celebrated ahead of Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day the following day.
One lady stopped me, mentioned the diversity of our group, and
commented about the positivity and happiness we were generating. She contrasted it to the mood of the previous two days and said they should put a clip of us on TV. There were tears in her eyes; clearly she had been touched by the devotees and (unbeknown to her) the power of the maha mantra.
Sri Harinama Sankirtan Yajna Ki Jaya! Srila Prabhupada Ki Jaya! Nitai Gaura Premanande! Hari Haribol!
Find them here: http://goo.gl/jpM37s

By Urmila Devi Dasi

Krishna speaks all languages and accepts prayers in any one of them. Still, Sanskrit, which is the language of His own abode and the planets of the demigods in this universe, is especially suitable for understanding and glorifying Him. So, when we started a gurukula, we first looked for a Sanskrit teacher. Over many years, we had several teachers who used varying methods, achieving mixed results. I suppose we included Sanskrit in the gurukula simply because Prabhupada told us it was compulsory (letter Gopala Krsna 76-06-24). Then we couldn’t find a teacher. Reluctantly, with great doubt as to possible success, I surrendered to Krishna’s clear demand: to learn some Sanskrit and teach it myself.

Bringing the Holy Names to schools.
By Acarya Dasa (assisted by Jayabhadra Dasi)
The ‘All India Padayatra’ travels to many different parts of the country and on their journey they also try to visit schools. The aim of visiting schools is to give the children the transcendental taste of the holy names. During the month of October the padayatra party visited as many schools and colleges as they could.
One school we visited was in Venkatampalli located in the district of Anatapur. Akhiladhara Prabhu gave a special class to the school children –he explained the importance of chanting the holy names and how beneficial it is for children to do so. After the class we had kirtana with all the children, who danced and thoroughly enjoyed the transcendental happiness that comes when chanting. Our padayatris asked the students if they were enjoying themselves and many responded by saying that they had never had so much fun at school before and that they really enjoyed the chanting. We were happy to play a part in introducing the holy names to these children and to see them dancing blissfully. Soon after we served prasadam to all the children. Everyday around India, the ISKCON Food For Life program distributes prasadam to almost 1000 children, all of whom get the mercy of the Lord as a result. We were glad to add our humble contribution to this program started by Srila Prabhupada in Mayapur. More photos: http://goo.gl/pBwFAa

Vrindavan: Srila Prabhupada Abhishek on His Disappearance Day – 2015 (40 min video)
“The devotee is also dying, and the nondevotee, sinful man, is also dying. What is the difference?” So there is much difference. The example is given: just like a cat catching a rat in his mouth and at the same time carrying his cubs in the mouth. Superficially, we can see that the same mouth is being used, but one is feeling comfortable being carried by the mother, and another is feeling the death knell. Similarly, at the time of death, the devotee’s feeling that they are being transferred to Vaikuntha, whereas the ordinary sinful man is feeling that the Yamaraja, the dutas, the constables of Yamaraja are dragging him to the hellish condition of life. So one should not conclude simply by seeing that he is dying.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/UX8t0T

Go Puja and Govardhana Puja in Almvik! (7 min video)
ISKCON Stockholm
ISKCON Stockholm
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommended five items of devotional service, namely to serve the devotees of the Lord, to chant Hare Krishna, to hear …

By Gaurangi Devi Dasi The Padayatra Worldwide Ministry headed by Lokanath Swami started to work on its offering of 50 padayatras on Gaura Purnima 2014. To this day 22 padayatras have taken place, 8 are planned and 20 remain to be done by all of …