Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Meet the future pure devotees presently under training in Iskcon’s Sri Mayapur International School (Album 22 photos)
Vaishnavas do not require to practice any yogic power to become materially powerful. Simply his surrender to Krishna makes him all-powerful. That is the position of Vaishnava. Vrindavan, August 4, 1974.
http://goo.gl/syYYCZ
Does Religion Cause War? (24 min video)
HH Jayadvaita Swami answers to the question we have probably all faced on occasions whether religion is the main cause of war, with the suggestion being made that the world would be a much more peaceful place if … Read more ›
Below is a video of a Western devotee speaking in Tamil and distributing books to pilgrims at Kattaragama, the lagest religious gathering in Sri Lanka. This year more then 1.500.000 people attended the festival. Disciples of HH Bhakti Vikasa Swami were… Read more ›
ISKCON-London’s 45th Anniversary Celebrations (Album 91 photos)
Odana Sasthi, the date on the Vedic calendar on which the original
installation took place, falls on Thursday 27th November this year.
A further celebration will take place at the ISKCON-London Radha-
Krishna temple on that date.
http://goo.gl/JgdsNb
Historical photos from New Govardhana, Australia (Album 36 photos)
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 centres of the Kr… Read more ›
In Focus: Go Govardhana Girls!
By Mandakini devi dasi For the very fist tie in the history of New Govardhana, Australia, an offial women’s ashrama is rapidly unfolding. Ajita dasa has given his consent for the transformatin of the top guest house into a women’s ashrama, thanks to Padma devi dasi, who moved on to the farm a couple of months ago. Padma is organising the ashrama, delegatig mentors for the girls and generally overseeing the project. With impressive qualifiatins, Padma is more than up for the task. The fldgling ashrama, which is almost at full capacity, is soon to take in more aspiring devotees including bhakties from the WWOOFer program. We now have bhakties and brahmacharinis also coming to New Govardhana from other ISKCON centres. The ashrama girls have a plethora of services, including temple dutis; cooking; bhajanas; cultural actiitis; and garland-making. Notably, the girls were especially busy serving guests and VIPs during the recent retreats and festials. A training program to learn how to preach is also under way. Padma’s aspiratin is to help create a pleasant Krishna conscious environment for her spirited charges. The girls are enthusiastially coming on board and currently joining forces to organise their new ashrama.
http://goo.gl/5Dl3Dj
The Mayor of Tweed Shire, Cr. Gary Bagnall
Tweed Shire is a local government area located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia.
Gary and wife, Linley, have operated the New Leaf vegetarian restaurant in Main Street for 12 years. Linley has been a vegetarian all her life, and Gary for the last 35 years. The couple’s sons, William, 17, and James, 13, were both raised as vegetarians, and count many young devotees among their circle of friends.
Eight years ago, Gary requested devotees travelling to India to bring back Deitis for the restaurant, along with ‘costumes’. Sri Sri Gaura Nitai appeared, and the daily offrings began.
http://goo.gl/aT40XD
Deity worship and cooking classes for the students of Mayaur Academy (Album 18 photos)
“Oh Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from My eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in your absence.” This is the perfectional stage of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra.
(Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.51 Purport)
http://goo.gl/X4CvQm
Sunday feast: November 23, 2014, Iskcon Guyana Crane Temple (Album 24 photos)
“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)
http://goo.gl/mKgGDR
Wedding Glimpses (Album 84 photos)
A few memories from the wedding that we wanted to share with everyone and relive ourselves ! Thank you once again to everyone for the kind words ..prayers and blessings. A special thank you to Hg Ananta Vrindavan prabhu was capturing these memories so beautifully…. !
http://goo.gl/vJUnFC
Los Angeles Harinam Party – Venice Beach (Album 38 photos)
Narada Muni is very expert in delivering all the conditioned souls back home, back to Godhead. Therefore the materialistic experts do not agree with the spiritual expert Narada Muni, but this d… Read more ›
College of Vedic Studies, Bhaktivedanta Manor
The College of Vedic Studies got off to a flying start last September with more courses and more attendees than ever before. The array and quality of the sessions have attracted hundreds to cram into rooms on Sunday mornings to learn about life’s important questions in the ‘Explore’ course and a summary of the Bhagavad-gita in the ‘Gita Life’ course. For those a little more experienced, the ‘Bhakti Shastri’ course (lasting 1 year) proves more of a challenge, taking students through a more in-depth study of the Bhagavad-gita and other related texts.
http://goo.gl/Hw3GRt
German Mayor joins ISKCON farmers
The last ISKCON European Farm Conference took place in Simhacalam, an ISKCON temple and farm project in Germany. It was organised by Syamasundara das, who is now the ISKCON Global Minister of Cow Protection and Agricul… Read more ›
Bhagavatam for Toddlers
You can never be too young to get a taste of Krishna consciousness! Groups of mothers and their children aged from anything from 4 months to 4 years are gathering on a weekly basis at the Manor for story-telling, fun activities,… Read more ›
Many Faiths, One Family!
An interfaith presentation evening was held at Watford’s Church, UK, of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on the topic of “ways to strengthen families.” Speakers participated from a number of local faiths, including Bhagavati dasi and Radha Mohan das from the Manor. Bhagavati spoke of how faith strengthens and unites families, and Radha Mohan das added that faith communities themselves are also our families.
http://goo.gl/gACZTv
Krishna conscious program in Lenin’s birth place,
Ulyanvsk, Russia (Album 62 photos)
Even if in the beginning one chants the Hare Krishna mantra with offenses, one will become free from such offenses by chanting again and again. Papa-ksayas ca bhavati smaratam tam ahar-nisam: one becomes free from all sinful reactions if one chants day and night, following the recommendation of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.3.24 Purport)
http://goo.gl/mKSfs0
Preaching Program in Samara, Russia, 23 Nov. 2014 (Album 40 photos)
By chanting the Hare Krishna mantra without offenses, one increases his love for Krishna. As stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, preme pum-artho mahan: one’s main concern should be to increase one’s attachment to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and to increase one’s love for Him.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.3.24 Purport)
http://goo.gl/dZ0fc9
Preaching program and Harinama in Banyuwangi East Java, November 2014 (Album 50 photos)
In the sastras it is said that if a person only once chants the holy name and completely surrenders unto the lotus feet of the Lord, the Lord immediately considers … Read more ›
Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita workshop by Cyril Wohrer (video)
Cyril Wohrer, aka Chandrasekhara Acharya dasa gives a very concise presentation about Yoga & Bhagavad Gita
http://goo.gl/8A6T3O
Pictures from a Bhagavad-gita reading event held in Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, the 23rd of November 2014. Hindu religious organisations, such as ISKCON, participated in the reading of all 700 slokas of the Gita with another 8,000 people, breaking a nat… Read more ›
Tribhuvanatha Prabhu Appearance Program in UK (Album 36 photos)
Tribhuvanatha Prabhu’s last two wishes were that the festivals would continue and that devotees would care for one another. Right up to the last he was meditating on the orders of his spiritual master and the welfare of others.
http://goo.gl/HZC8Yy
Escondido Hare Krishna Farm in San Diego, California, Nov 22 2014 (Album 36 photos)
The Lord does not say that one should give up his prescribed duties or engagements. One can continue them and at the same time think of Krishna by chanting Hare Krishna. Bhagavad-Gita 8.7 Purport.
http://goo.gl/52BxAV
Why We Tithe.
Yamaraja das and Raga devi dasi are long time devotees and disciples of His Holiness Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja. Their gurudev always emphasized that his disciples should be loyal to their local temples by giving service and/or donations. He … Read more ›
Indian festival in Prague, Czech Republic (Album 23 photos)
21 November 2014 – Visit rate: 150 people.
The special guest: HH Danavir Goswami
http://goo.gl/xK11ZJ Read more ›
Chant,chant,chant: Harinama in Queen st Auckland NZ.
The easiest way to control the mind, as suggested by Lord Caitanya, is chanting “Hare Krishna,” the great mantra for deliverance, in all humility. Bhagavad-Gita, 6.34 Purport.
http://goo.gl/TGIJ0r
UK Sankirtan Tour 2014 (13 min video)
Footage from the Summer Sankirtan Tour conducted by Manor Brahmacari ashram, teaming up with UK temples, Hare Krishna Festival Team and Food For All.
http://goo.gl/pb2nKJ Read more ›
Nama-Yajna, 22.11.2014, Krasnodar Yatra, Russia (Album 40 photos)
Others, who are not devotees, may think, “How can people devote so much time simply to talks of God?” The chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is simply the repetition of three words, Hare, Krishna, Rama, but still devotees can go on chanting this Hare Krishna mantra twenty-four hours a day without feeling fatigued. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.13.1Purport)
http://goo.gl/DbtV53
Improving skills in Mayapur Academy (Album 18 photos)
Muci haya suci haya yadi krsna bhaje. It is said that even a cobbler or person born in the family of a cobbler can be elevated to the position of a brahmana (suci) if he takes to Krishna consciousne… Read more ›
A visit to ISKCON Rohini, Delhi (Album 45 photos)
Chanting is the medicine, and prasada is the diet. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.7.24 Purport)
http://goo.gl/ilMC4w Read more ›
Crow Collection of Asian Art.
A Night in India from 6pm to midnight. Step into the world of famous painter B.G. Sharma with the exhibition Seeing and Believing: Krishna in the Art of B. G. Sharma and a full schedule of activities, dances and performanc… Read more ›
Japa Marathon During Bhishma Panchaka at Bhaktivedanta National School – Sreedham Mayapur
The unending enthusiasm of the children was much inspiring. As many as 2,600,000 holy names of the Lord were chanted by the students in JUST 5 days! Towards the end, in appreciation of the enthusiasm exhibited by the students by Chanting the name of Lord a small celebration was held and cakes were distributed to all the children and gifts were awarded to 19 students who chanted maximum number of rounds.
http://goo.gl/ynhZs2
ISKCON India Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Prabhupada’s Leaving for U.S
ISKCON is ramping up for its mega 50th anniversary celebrations, with events to be held all over the world throughout the year 2016. These will commemorate the day Founder-Acharya Srila Prabhupada officially registered the society in New York on July 11th, 1966. But ISKCON will warm up for that by celebrating another 50th in 2015. They’ll commemorate both Prabhupada’s leaving Kolkata on the steamship Jaladuta on August 13th, 1965, and his arriving in Boston, USA on September 17th. ISKCON India’s Eastern temples have banded together with chairman Sankarshan Nitai Das to organize events centered around the first part of his journey.
Below: The Scottish Church College, where Prabhupada was educated as a young man
http://goo.gl/QDV4eF
Harinama in Melbourne
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s transcendental mission is to distribute love of Godhead to everyone. Anyone who accepts God as the Supreme can take to the process of chanting Hare Krishna and become a lover of God.
(Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 4.41 Purport)
http://goo.gl/syAV8F
Ayurveda Daily
The term Ayurveda is derived from two Sanskrit words: ‘ayus’ meaning life and ‘vid’ meaning knowledge. The “science of life”, Ayurveda, is increasingly popular the world over, as people look for alternatives to allopathic care. The Ayurvedic teachings have huge amounts of valuable insights into all aspects of our lives, from the food we eat, to the times we sleep and rise. Did you know that with just a few simple changes to your daily routine, you can make a big difference to your health, well-being and effectiveness in all aspects of your life? Come and find out more at the College of Vedic Studies, as we continue with the Ayurveda Series.
http://goo.gl/qGNQnP
TOVP cake at friend raising party in Dubai recently (Album 50 photos)
There may be so many impediments for a person who is chanting Hare Krishna. Nonetheless, tolerating all these impediments, one should continue to chant so that at the end of one’s life one can have the full benefit of Krishna consciousness. Bhagavad-Gita 8.5 Purport.
http://goo.gl/bh0iLC
Harinama Perth City – 21 November 2014 (Album 41 photos)
The easiest way to control the mind, as suggested by Lord Caitanya, is chanting “Hare Krishna,” the great mantra for deliverance, in all humility. Bhagavad-Gita, 6.34 Purport.
http://goo.gl/j6abaM
The Jewel of Humility
A crystal-clear look at one of the priceless ornaments of the transcendentalist.
The underlying basis for humility must be knowledge of our humble position in relation to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. When we perceive how insignificant we truly are, and when we understand how we have foolishly identified with our temporal bodies and minds, then we can humbly conclude that we are indeed fallen. We need guidance to understand ourselves as spiritual and to learn to position ourselves in a devotional exchange with God. Such stirrings, or realizations, constitute the beginnings of the wonderful humility described by Lord Caitanya.
Every day we are humiliated here in the material world. Just to be here is embarrassing. For the pure soul to fall into this state is shameful. What are these bodies we hold so dear, anyway? A thin sheath of skin encasing an assortment of foul-smelling ingredients, a breeding ground for disease, and an open invitation to pain, senility, and death. Yet the bewildered spirit soul is content to build a complex identity on this arrangement of flesh and bone, thinking, “I am a white Anglo-Saxon American male,” or whatever. We spend an entire lifetime serving these bodies with constant feeding, grooming, and rest, and in the end they simply become shriveled and useless.
http://goo.gl/nVMVrl
Where do they take Srila Prabhupadas books like hot cakes?
(Album 71 photos)
Mexico, for sure this is one of best places for spreading Yuga Dharma Harinam Sankirtan. People here are very open and taking Mahaprabhus mercy with full enthusiasm. They are … Read more ›
The Art of Devotion
In the artistic traditions of India, which are rooted in its spiritual heritage, a devotee of Krishna finds inspiration for her spiritual practices. ” . I worship that transcendental seat, known as Svetadvipa … where every word is a song, every gait is a dance, and the flute is the favorite attendant.” . (Sri Brahma-samhita 5.56) What is the purpose of art? In art college I learned that it is a way to express something about oneself, something original. Fair comments, but what about the point of it all? What should be the reason for a work of art, a dance, or a piece of music? For many, it is the creation itself, or even the desire for the fame that comes with making something never created before.
http://goo.gl/A6hjVl
I Lost My Heart in Vrindavana!
The first time I entered the ISKCON temple in Mumbai – it was in February 2012 something caught my attention, besides, of course, the Deities and the beautiful architecture inside: I noticed many devotees wearing T-shirts carrying the slogan “I Lost My Heart in Vrindavana.” What’s so special about Vrindavana? I wondered. I had some faint idea about this place – how it was related to Lord Krishna’ s childhood activities – but nothing much.
After beginning to associate with devotees, I started to realize how this place is extremely special. Visiting such holy places, I learned, is an integral part of devotional service, and so devotees made regular pilgrimages to Vrindavana and meditated on its glories. Rupa Goswami, the sixteenth-century saint of medieval India, has described in his writings the exalted position of Vrindavana and the immense spiritual benefit one can derive by staying there. I hoped and prayed that I too would get an opportunity to go to Vrindavana.
http://goo.gl/y1hgJ9