Websites from the ISKCON Universe
The Prime Minister of Mauritius’ son meets Iskcon’s Gopal Krishna Goswami accompanied by other ministers. (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Instead of actively taking part in politics, saintly persons should engage in the chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. By the grace of Lord Caitanya, by simply chanting this Hare Krishna maha-mantra, the general populace can derive all benefits without political implications. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.14.12 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/qoTGnW
January 31. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Appreciating His Teachings.
Prabhupada can mediate between Krishna and the individual soul. For example, he explains how we can offer Krishna whatever we eat, and how the main ingredient in our offering is our devotion. Prabhupada comments, “If you offer something to Krishna: ‘Krishna, I have brought a very palatable dish for You to eat’ – no, Krishna will not take it. Nahamprakasah sarvasya yoga-maya-samavrtah. He is not exposed to everyone.”
There are different levels of understanding Prabhupada’s teachings. A newcomer will be amazed that Krishna will accept offerings of food. Someone who has been hearing and serving Prabhupada for more years will hear with added depth and richness. Such a person is trained to hear and consider more the subtleties of the philosophy. For example, Prabhupada quoted the verse “nahamprakasah” in the context of offering food to Krishna. The nahamprakasah verse tells us that Krishna places a curtain of maya between Himself and foolish persons. To quote that verse immediately after saying that Krishna accepts offerings made in devotion, produces an interesting contrast. Prabhupada’s point is that if we try to give Krishna something materially opulent to impress us, He will not accept it, because nahamprakasah sarvasya– Krishna puts a barrier between Himself and such fools.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4
Vaiyasaki Das Books are Bestsellers on Amazon!
For most devotees the name Vaiyasaki Das, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, is synonymous with ecstatic kirtans and bhajans along with his Kirtan Explosion Band. He travels the world year after year with his devoted wife Kishori Devi Dasi doing kirtan events and presenting bhakti yoga in various favorable venues including Yoga centers and ISKCON festivals. Little do they know that he is also a recognized Bestselling author on Amazon. His Blockbuster book, Cosmology On Trial: Cracking The Cosmic Code, became the #1 bestseller in its category several times over the past year. Now his newest addition to the “On Trial” series, Stephen Hawking On Trial: Confronting The Big Bang, has reached the same luminary status becoming the #1 bestseller in the Physics category on Amazon.
When Vaiyasaki prabhu surrendered his life to Srila Prabhupada he focused on spreading kirtan wordwide. Not long ago, he decided to serve the desire of Srila Prabhupada to expose the false claims of the Big Bang origin of the universe. His goal was to open the eyes of the general public who have accepted these claims as gospel truth.
Although not a trained physicist, he undertook the challenge of putting into writing arguments against these false claims, depending only on Krishna. He decided to use a legal trial format with judge and jury to put scientific concepts to the test beyond a reasonable doubt. He wanted readers to be on the ‘jury’ and judge for themselves from the evidence whether the Big Bang theory is based on genuine data or is simply ‘modern mythology’ based on mathematics. His books have met with unprecedented success beyond his wildest imagination.
Devotees would also do well to seriously read these books. As the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium rises and ISKCON reaches greater levels of public attention, it will be necessary for devotees to explain where science is right and where it is wrong. Sadaputa Dasa (Dr. Richard L. Thompson PhD), the architect of the planetarium design for the TOVP (www.youtube.com/SadaputaChannel) used to stress this point regularly that it’s not enough to just say that the Vedas are right and science is wrong. Srila Prabhupada also wanted devotees to understand the importance and power of seeing through the veil of illusion created by modern science through which it has presented itself as the authority on the universe.
Below are links to both of Vaiyasaki’s books and some Reviews. As a service to all, BOTH books are now on sale at the special price of .99c (U.S.) for a limited time only. For more information or to communicate with Vaiyasaki he can be contacted at:
Email: cosmologycrisis@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PierreStClairBooks
Stephen Hawking on Trial: http://amzn.to/1RSS1Ai
Cosmology on Trial: http://amzn.to/1UBj5ni
REVIEWS
Stephen Hawking On Trial: Confronting The Big Bang “Hawking and a few others are doing a disservice to science by exaggerating what we know and therein confusing the public. This book sets the record straight. It is well written, captivating and easily understandable by the general public.”
Daniel Friedmann, author The Genesis One Code: Demonstrates a clear alignment between the times of key events described in the Genesis with those derived from scientific observation. (Inspired Studies Book 1) “This is the best Science book that I’ve read in quite a while…..For those people who want to know what Hawking said in his Larry King interview and the ‘Grand Design’ book I recommend a new book ‘Stephen Hawking on Trial, Confronting the Big Bang by Pierre St. Claire.” Howard Lipman, pen name PanOrpheus, author of the ‘Delphic Oracles’ Alternate History/Fantasy books, ‘Songs and Stories from Tesla’s Tower’, and The Mage and The Source Science Fiction books “I stayed up reading the book until I started falling asleep in my chair. St. Clair did a great job of making his points impartial. I enjoyed it immensely because it was well-written and informative. The links to the experiments were delightful, fun, informative little detours). “Dr. Quantum: Wave particle duality and the observer!” really got my curiosity stirred up. I have heard of many of the theories in this book but have never taken the time to study them, so the simple, short descriptions are very helpful.” Book Maven “Great format. Very logical and consistent. Sure to create a great debate. However I think the high priest of so-called science, Stephen Hawking, will stick to his opinion and blast these arguments with big fancy words meant to re-establish his so called authority rather than to answer the charges made in this book with true logic.”
Amazon Customer
Cosmology On Trial: Cracking The Cosmic Code “The writer got it right, and I hope the readers will also have the sense to comprehend what he is saying. This book is NOT about “science is wrong” or “the bible is right” or anything like that. This book simply makes the very strong point that (A) our cosmology of yesteryear was not based on solid evidence, and (B) our cosmology of today isn’t either.”
Vic DiCara “A well-researched, amusing to read book, yet a profound eye-opener of some fallacies taught in our school system as “science.”Previous to reading Cosmology on Trial my knowledge of the subject of creation was a blind belief in the Big Bang theory. After reading this book I’m able to say I received a true education that reveals inconsistencies of the “scientific version” presented as fact.”
Christiane Carrillo “This is a review of current Cosmology, presented as if at a trial. The author gives us details of the trial, as if he was a court reporter. He writes plainly and clearly…..It’s the kind of book you can read again and again, especially if, like me, you’re not a master of this subject…..This is a great introduction to this subject. I would recommend it not only to people like myself, who are new to the subject, but others more knowledgeable of science but new to this take on accepted university science.”
John Edwin Blastow “Scientific progress and complacency go ill together, and St Clair has done a superb job in actually advancing the cause of real science.”
M. Lyons “I highly recommend Pierre St Clair’s “Cosmology on Trial.” The penetrating questions raised by St Clair are part of the growing revolution in cosmology that threatens to overturn the prevailing materialistic conception.”
Amazon Customer
Sacinandana Swami’s Health Update.
By Krishna’s mercy I was discharged from hospital two days ago. This morning, I visited a local surgeon who changed my bandages and who checked if everything was alright. He had only good things to say about my condition and recommended that I take things easy and have ample rest. The body is still under shock, the cleansing organs need to eliminate all the toxins after the unusually long narcosis and many other medication. As expected I need to take pain-killers. Somehow I feel like an embryo who needs to build up all its organs. I am told that all this is perfectly normal and I am in good spirits. There is a little voice within me that even says: “Finally you have the time you always wanted for reading, reflecting and chanting.”
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/KZqCSu
Harinama in Auckland, New Zealand (6 min video)
May Lord Chaitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of dancers, appear s…
Invitation for Bhumi Puja and Ananta Sesa Installation.
For thousands of years sadhus have enriched the atmosphere surrounding sacred Govardhan Hill with their spiritual practices and realizations. We desire to offer the devotee community a retreat center on land we’ve acquired only 250 meters from Govardhan Hill. In Giriraja Govardhan’s sacred association, hearts can be soothed and spiritual desires fulfilled. Come and let Giriraja Govardhan work his wonders.
Read more: http://www.govardhancenter.com/
Caring For Cow Services At Iskcon Malaysia Farms.
Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the prime protector of brahminical culture and the cow. Without knowing and respecting these, one cannot realize the science of God, and without this knowledge, any welfare activities or humanitarian propaganda cannot be successful. (Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 4: Chapter 21, Text 38: PURPORT) The Vedic literatures repeatedly proclaim that for human beings to be happy the must care for animals, especially mother cows. ISKCON Malaysia has two farms. The first is a 20 acres’ farm specially to care for Dairy Cows and second, a 400 acres’ farm to care for retired cows and to cultivate orchards, vegetable farming with a simple facility to care for retired senior members. At both these farms cows and bulls are living a protected life until their natural death. Now you have the opportunity to help care for Sri Krishna’s most beloved animals – cows and bulls, the mother and father of humanity. To maintain our growing herd, we need your help. Adopt a cow and help make a difference.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/264Prw
New book: Krishna – Proofs Of Gods existence.
Foreword by Lokanatha Swami: Proof of God’s existence? Do we really need it? Do we require any proof for the existence of the Sun for example? However, a blind person may well question its existence. He may state, “I don’t believe in the existence of the Sun”. What is the value of such a statement by someone who is visibly challenged? There are so many others who are effectively seeing the Sun face to face in their existence and daily basking in its splendour. Similarly, the empiricists often demand “proof” of the existence of God, with questions such as, “Can you show me God?’. They also question the existence of God. Unfortunately, such questions seem to emerge with ever increasing frequency today by a growing number of people demanding convincing responses. There is therefore a compelling need for the presentation of authentic and authorised theistic concepts and ideologies in today’s scenario of growing atheism, as well as of unauthorised, misleading “scriptural ideas” that actually trace their genesis in the fertile minds and imaginations of many “religionists” and “philosophers”. The following anecdote illustrates how interpretations of truths and untruths can be experienced. Uncle Joe, a respectable middle-aged gentleman visits his friend John, who he has not met for some time now. Upon reaching his friend’s house, he presses the doorbell. He hears a patter of small feet running towards the door, and soon, finds himself face to face with John’s 5 year old son, Mark. “Yes? How can I help you uncle?”, asks Mark. Uncle Joe explains that he is a friend of his father, and would like to see him. Mark immediately runs inside and explains the situation to his father. However, John, in the midst of something, is not inclined to meet anyone, and so tells Mark to inform Uncle Joe that he is not at home. So, the innocent little Mark promptly returns and informs Uncle Joe, “My father said that ‘he is not at home’!” “Who told you?”, asks an incredulous Uncle Joe. “Yes, yes! My father himself told me”, repeats Mark. In much the same way, the atheists are deluded by God Himself, and this delusion leads to their lack of faith in His existence. All such instructions about remembrance, forgetfulness and the like emanate directly from God. As He Himself states, “I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness.” (Bhagavad Gita (15.15) So, here, Krsna (or God) directly states that all knowledge and remembrance as well as all ignorance and forgetfulness are His creations. In Bhagavad Gita, (16.8), He further states, “They (the atheists) say that this world is unreal, with no foundation, no God in control. They say it is produced of sex desire and has no cause other than lust.” No one is an eternal non-believer. Today’s cynical non-believer is tomorrow’s ardent believer and faithful follower. The world may be full of these non-believers today, but there are also many firm believers who have complete faith in and varying degrees of realisations of God’s existence. Such believers, or devotees of the Lord, rejoice in their experiences and naturally seek to share this wisdom with others. In this book, Proofs of God’s existence, co-authors Gauranga Premananda Dasa and Avadhuta Raya Dasa use indisputable and primordial texts to exemplify the existence of God. This endeavor is especially pleasing to the Lord, as it enables the reformation of the misguided and misdirected souls – His parts and parcels – to revive their original, pure and blissful relationship with the Lord, and thus achieve the perfection of human life. Gauranga Premananda Dasa and Avadhuta Raya Dasa were inspired by their personal experiences while preaching the glories of God and distributing authoritative literature. While preaching, they often came across questions relating to the very existence of God, and where there was an idea of God, these ideas were generally vague and nebulous, and at times, completely flawed. They therefore felt the need to address, in simple terms, the gaps in theistic understanding which are so rampant these days. This is but the first volume of an intended series of publications that they have planned. Their target is to present at least 1008 citations which they purport as Proof of God’s Existence. Writings on such sober and intense subject matter are encouraged as this enables the reader to open up his heart and mind to meaningful contemplation of the Supreme Lord. As is stated in the Srimad Bhagavatam (1.5.11), “That literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization.” The arguments presented in Proof of God’s Existence by the co-authors, are convincing and in line with the teachings and philosophy of the Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON), His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Proof of God’s existence is a timely contribution for both the believer and the non- believer. It includes elements of personal memoirs, spiritual vision, theology and faith building through insightful engagement with authentic Vedic literature. The chapters convey a practical commitment designed to compel believers to enhance their faith and to entice non believers into meaningful contemplation of God’s existence. My congratulations and best wishes on this publication and I pray that Srila Prabhupada may bless the authors and am certain that the Lord is pleased with their heartfelt effort.
HH Lokanath Swami Pandharpur,24 July, 2015
You can order at avadhutaraya@gmail.com
January 39. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: The East Snowstorm. January 30, 1966. The East Coast was hit by severe blizzards, seven inches of snow fell on the City, with winds up to fifty miles an hour. The City of New York offered warm rooms and meals for people living in tenements without heat. JFK Airport was closed, as were train lines and roadways into the City. For the second time within eight days, a state of emergency was declared because of snow. As a lone individual, Srila Prabhupada could not do anything about the snow emergency, or the international warfare – he saw these as more symptoms of the age of Kali. Always there would be misery in the material world. But if he could bring Radha and Krishna to a building in New York … nothing was impossible for the Supreme Lord. Even in the midst of Kali-yuga, a golden age could appear, and people could get relief. If Americans could take to Krishna consciousness, the whole world would follow. Seeing through the eyes of the scriptures, Srila Prabhupada pushed on through the blizzard and pursued the thin trail for support for his Krishna conscious mission.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4
Celebrating ISKCON’s 50 Years (6 min video)
“The 50th Anniversary offers a once-in-a-life time opportunity that provides us a unique chance to get the public of every country in the world to recognise Prabhupada’s achievements and the growth and contribution of his society that changed the face of the planet,” said Anuttama Das, GBC Minister for Communications who is part of the International Executive Committee for the 50th Anniversary. “While celebrating this important milestone, we can also educate people about ISKCON and appreciate the contribution of devotees who have worked hard in the last 50 years to spread the Sankirtana movement.”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/q3Dvmg
Vedic village in the mountains of the Caucasus. Reconstruction of the Temple (31 min video)
Amazing result of the loving cooper…
A Rabbi was once asked to describe the difference between heaven and hell. By a wave of the hand he manifested a vision of hell; a group of hungry, emaciated men sitting at the dining table eagerly awaiting their lunch. The bowls of soup appeared. Problem was, their hands were shaped like unusually long spoons – as they attempted to eat they just couldn’t get the food into their mouth. It was agony! Nobody could eat. The rabbi then waved his other arm and manifested a vision of heaven. Interestingly, it was the same dinner table, the same cuisine and the same long spoon-shaped arms. In heaven, however, everyone seemed happy and healthy. As they began their meal, the secret was revealed. In heaven, everyone utilised their long spoons to feed the person opposite, and they were being fed in return. Perfect cooperation! He had graphically revealed the lesson: selflessness versus selfishness – that’s the difference between heaven and hell. In the urban jungle, survival of the fittest is the name of the game. Our happiness is often founded upon the exploitation, mistreatment and detriment of others. If we are winning, it usually means someone else is losing. Spiritual communities of bygone ages, however, were based upon diametrically opposed ideals. Cooperation, respect and genuine concern for others were the cardinal principles underpinning social intercourse. Sharing, after all, is caring. Wisdom teachers explain how one can decipher the degradation of such community: first you will have to buy food, then you will have to buy water, then you will have to buy air! Previously, these commodities were freely exchanged amongst everyone. Nowadays people make a small fortune from them. Selflessness even makes sense on a practical level. If every person in a community of 50 people is thinking about themselves, then everyone has one person looking after them. If we selflessly focus on others, however, then everyone has 49 caretakers! It may sound idealistic and utopian, but it really does work – for individual relationships, families, organisations and entire communities. The depth and quality of any interaction is based on the degree of selflessness employed. Until we change the ‘me’ to the ‘we,’ genuine relationships, inner fulfilment and deep spiritual experience will remain elusive. At every moment we are challenged to chip away at miserly selfishness, and become kind, open-hearted and generous souls.
Watch the video here: https://goo.gl/kw3m57
Who are these Hare Krishna anyway? (3 min video)
Public sharing their feelings about the most remarkable people of the 21st cen…
Occupations For Women – Krishna’s Society and Current Culture
(video) Presented by Navakishori Dasi
Historical Changes in Society that changed how men and women work. Conditioning and Mindsets. Solutions- What’s a woman to do?
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/chtt5P
Reaching Out to Perlavaripalem Village.
On January 8, 2016, the Yatra bus reached the lively village around 4.30 pm, welcomed …
January 29. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Krishna’s Great Orator. Srila Prabhupada was a dramatic orator, a real communicator. He communicated on Krishna’s behalf as the medium for Krishna’s love to the conditioned souls who had not yet developed their desire to go back to Krishna. His voice was tempered and his points balanced, yet his lectures were powerful. They were quite different from his ordinary speech. His lectures were full of feeling – strong, loud reprimands of the non devotee, and soft, loving expressions of bhakti. His voice rose and fell in sonorous tones. “You cannot understand Krishna with these blunt senses,” he said, and his voice keyed, both to his audience and to his own sense of delivering the message. He spoke from the heart. He spoke to wake us up. Prabhupada lectured mainly from the Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita. He didn’t title his lectures, and they didn’t have a specific subject, other than a commentary on a particular verse he was speaking on. He took advantage of the wealth of material in the Vedic scriptures and taught us to lecture. Prabhupada had to lecture frequently, but he had such a great command of the Vedic scriptures that he was free to speak on a wide variety of topics within the realm of Krishna consciousness. We should try to follow his example.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4
Ahmedabad Holds 5-Day Padayatra for ISKCON’s 50th!
Between March 2014 and the end of 2016 – ISKCON’s 50th anniversary year – the Padayatra Worldwide Ministry is aiming to hold 50 padayatras, a kind of journey on foot accompanied by kirtan. The first one in 2016 was a five-day affair held in the Indian state of Gujarat. Between January 15th and 19th, devotees walked from the ISKCON temple in Ahmedabad to Dakor, a Vaishnava pilgrimage site known for its grand temple of Ranchod Rai (a form of Lord Krishna).
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/G3Lflv
Where is the question of free will?
Question: We say that Krsna is all knowing and He knows past, present and future. And not a blade of grass move without His sanction. So where is our free will coming? We say the living entities has free will to surrender to Krsna or to Maya but Krsna is all knowing then He must know how each living entities going to use their free will. So Krsna already knows the entire depth of every living being. He knows when the person goes Back to Godhead, when he become purified from material desires, how many billions of life times it will take. He must know all these things if He knows everything. So therefore He already knows so therefore it’s predestined. Everything is going to happen so where is free will coming?
Answer by Radhanath Swami: He knows every question you are going to ask for in the rest of your life. And He knows that you will not understand the answer. But still He will not interfere. Krsna is better than you. Krsna is the supreme.
Krsna knows everything in the past about everyone. Krsna knows everything in the future about everyone and everything and Krsna knows all things in the present there is nothing unknown to Krsna but Krsna’s greatness is that He can know everything without in any way interfering with your minute independence. He knows when you will surrender to Him and go Back to Godhead but He knows when you will make the right choice to do so. And He will give opportunity after opportunity after opportunity to gradually purify you and He knows when you will accept it and when you reject it. But it is in your hands to accept it. We should not justify that Krsna is the doer so why should I try because until make up your mind to really try with your heart and soul you will never make any spiritual progress.
Krsna is Avijna Swarat. Avijna means who knows everything and as His part and parcel you know something. Swarat means He is completely independent. As part and parcel you have minute independence that means at every movement you have the free choice to either accept Krsna or Maya at every movement and surrender is a movement to movement process. At the present movement I will accept Krsna and you have to continue for the rest of your life at every present movement to accept Krsna i.e. your free choice and i.e. how we will make spiritual advancement. He knows when you accept or reject. But He is so powerful and so wonderful that He can know without in any way interfering with your freewill. We were singing the song by Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur about Lord Nityananda Prabhu how He opened up the market place for the Holy Name and He was whole sale distributing the Holy Name of Krsna and through the Holy Name He was whole sale distributing love of God the ultimate desire of every soul and He was begging the only price you have to pay is your faith. But you have to use your free will to be willing to pay that price of your faith to accept it.
Hari Bol…
A visit to Govardhan Eco Village (Album with photos)
We visited the most marvelous place, Govardhan Eco Village, HH Radhanatha Swami’s project north of Mumbai. Beautiful peaceful forests, replicas of the seven Gosvami Temples, beautiful cows, organic gardens, and amazing Temple!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/n281Fx
Pearl Festival Sankirtana at Silicon Valley.
Vaisesika das: While finishing my book, Our Family Business, I noted how meticulou…
Pushya Abishek in Mayapur: Millions and trillions of flower petals alling from the sky!
In an over crowded temple , Mayapur Chandra started the evening program with a very sweet kirtan which set the peaceful mood… Radha Madhava all dressed in a breath taking flower outfit complete with flower jewelry, were proudly standing on their altar surrounded by the beautiful Gopis. Their Lordship seemed to be overlooking the crowd bestowing blessings on all the devotees gathered to glorify the Lord of their heart. It was such a touching moment to see HH Jayapataka Maharaj appear on the altar platform to participate in the abishek. My heart melted at the sight of his lotus feet…Such a great amazing soul… A few minutes later, gracefully, Radha Krsna came to take place on their specially made full flower altar ready to allow their devotees to perform puspa abhisek for them. For some time, it seemed like everyone had stopped breathing and time had stopped, it felt like a dream, unbelievable… Then, abishek started, wow….colorful flower petals falling from all sides, then all white… it was suddenly snowing in Sri Mayapur Dham, gorgeous, so beautiful! Yellow, red, orange, pink, even green…what a sight, how close we all feel to the Lord in those very special moments he so mercifully allows us to share with him. Sometimes, sweet Radharani was so covered in flower petal, it was scary , I thought “please someone save her, she needs to breath…” Thank God for the pujari who had the service of saving Radharani… Millions and trillions of flower petals were falling from the sky, obviously the Demi Gods got involved in this evening’s abishek, how can so many flower petals fall everywhere at the same time? Devotee eyes didn’t move fast enough to look at both Radha Madhava and Lord Nrsimhadeva who also got a puspa Abishek! Now that really proves that this whole celebration is not from this world. Then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, it started snowing on Our Large Deities… no more words……….. i can only look now, with a few tears blocking the view… After some time, ecstasy took over the crowd, showers of Maha flower petal were somehow or other thrown from the altar and soon were covering the entire temple room, no one was spared, all were covered in spiritual …bliss. I don’t think anyone present will ever forget that incredible evening in Sri Dham Mayapur. Sri Mayapur Dham Ki Jay!
You can see all the high-resolution photos here: http://goo.gl/Q2LwIc
The Yoga of Construction and Community.
Madhavananda das: Once there was an expert carpenter who had spent his entire life building houses for other people. When he informed his boss that he planned on retiring, he was requested to complete just one last home. The carpenter reluctantly agreed. Eager to finish the job, he worked quickly and did not put his heart into the work. Consequently the quality of the construction was very poor.
When he informed his boss that the house was finished, to his surprise he was told, “Actually, this house is a gift for you. You have worked hard for so many years, I wanted to give this to you.”
The purport is that whatever we do, we should do it to the best standard.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/Oe9EdI
January 28. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: The Wealth of Prabhupada’s Lectures.
A devotee can sustain his spiritual life by hearing Prabhupada’s lectures. They are not intended as background noise. We should listen to Prabhupada lecture tapes with the same attention we would have if Prabhupada were personally in the room. To ignore Prabhupada is an offense.
There are always times throughout the day when we can listen to at least part of a lecture. In the old Christian monasteries, the monks used to observe silence while they ate, while one monk read aloud from the scriptures. In one monastic refectory, I saw a sign over the door, “Man lives not by bread alone, but by every word that issues from the mouth of God.” We can also honor prasadam, while hearing the scriptures directly from Srila Prabhupada.
A spoken lecture is an important medium for the Vaisnava acarya. Speaking Vedic truth requires specific, special qualification. The more purely the message is spoken, the more potent the result. For example, unless one has memorized and assimilated Sanskrit slokas, he cannot cross-reference and prove his points. And for the audience, what strength is available by hearing transcendental sound vibration from a realized devotee! He calls to us with his knowledge and realization of the scriptures, and our souls respond, leaving the critical mind and sleepy body behind. Transcendental sound cuts through matter.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4
Harinama at Coolangatta – 24 January 2016 (Album with photos)
May Lord Chaitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of da…
Meet Dimyana, a happy recipient of Srila Prabhupada’s books. She studies neuroscience and pre-Medical. Wears shirt that says ‘Yogi Namaste’. Her grandmother is from Egypt. She approached the table, she had already Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita, which she started. Not only Gita but also most of the other books I had on the table. We spoke about where she comes from, the bay area, and how her experience is down here in southern California. She’s into philosophy and wants to help society to her full capacity. Before she left I gave her a garland that I brought from the temple. I could see that she is a very grateful person. She even gave me tips on where a more optimal place to set up a meditation book table on campus.
More here: http://tattvadarsi.com/blog/
Devotees Hall of fame.
Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra (SGGGPY) entered Konne village, a part of Bachannapet mandal on 27 De…
Iskcon Tribal Preaching Programme.
-Mahaprabhu told “Grihe thako vane thako sada Hari bole dako” Srila Prabhupada also had that dream which is a success in so many towns, but now only by his blessings a dream to make a difference in the lives of the tribal people of India is coming true.
These tribal people are simple but with a great sense of intimacy with Mother Nature and thus they can easily personally get close to God if shown the right path.
They are, like everyone else, clearly falling prey to the ways of the modern world and it was necessary to make them realize the beauty of their own culture and lifestyle in order to pull them out of the strong clutches of the greedy modern world. With this vision in mind a journey started, the journey of ISKCON Tribal Care Initiative.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/ScnZIL
TOVP Update. Blue Tiles. 360 degree Fly Around (3 min video)
This is a glimpse of the finished super-structure, with some close…
Harinama in Fiji (Album with photos)
Lord Krishna’s Holy Name extends a hand to deliver the conditioned souls fallen into the ocean of birth and death. No one is as able as the Holy Name about saving lives.
Srila Prabhupada: “In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.” (Brhan-naradiya Purana)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Ydh7fI
January 27. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada Gave At All Levels.
The mixture of basic and advanced Krishna consciousness appears constantly in Prabhupada’s purports. In his Bhagavatam purports, he does not always stick to a storyline. In his explanation of the verses, he feels free to lecture in each particular purport, expanding on the themes in different directions. There may be an occasion when one wants to read only the verses as translated by Prabhupada or his followers, in order to get more involved in the story flow. However, we should never think that a careful study of the Bhaktivedanta purports may be avoided or skipped over in our reading of the Bhagavatam. Rather, the more we study the purports, the more we will appreciate Prabhupada’s relationship with Krishna. As Prabhupadanugas, we want to understand Prabhupada’s Krishna consciousness as much as we can. This will help us to understand our own relationship with Krishna.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4
Burlavaripalem, India, Offers its Green Turf for Preaching.
Burlavaripalem village happened to be the 47th one in the Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra series. It is a sleepy village situated at a distance of about six kilometers from the ocean. It’s a small village with around 2000 population. The village has a mix of modern and old mud-and-straw houses. Agriculture is the main occupation of the villagers here. One very special feature of the village people is their self-sufficiency in the growth of vegetables. Here almost everybody grows their own vegetables and the extra is sold in other villages and towns. It seems even a millionaire in the village grows his own food and goes to sell them as a custom. This village is known for growing many varieties of leafy vegetables.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/yutYdn
Is sincerity based on our past karma?
Question: Is sincerity based on our past karma, our circumstances as the living entities traveling through different bodies and certain situations?
Answer by Radhanath Swami: Certainly our present condition is deeply influenced by our past karma and whatever sincerity we have is due to how we have cultivated in the past but most important is that we have free choice now. And what we do with that free choice determines how this seed of the devotion and the sincerity required to nourish that seed of devotion develops. Someone may come to Krishna Consciousness and even the slightest rules and regulations are extremely difficult to follow. Someone may come and has no taste for chanting the Holy Name and someone else may come in the first day following the rules, following the regulations, chanting sixteen rounds is just easy and natural. This is obviously due to our previous spiritual development in previous life but if a person wants it you have the free choice to want however difficult it is. And if you choose to put your self in association with those who are sincere and to follow the instructions and serve those who are sincere then you can become the most sincere.
So we are not so concerned with the condition that has been created by our past. We are concerned with receiving the mercy of the Lord now. Jagai and Madhai they were totally insincere souls. They were thieves, murders, drunker but just by coming into the association of Lord Nityananda Prabhu and Lord Caitanya and understanding the necessity of surrendering to them they receive the mercy of the Lord and with that mercy they became the supreme most sincere devotees of the Lord. So we should not compare our selves to others because every two devotees are different. Every devotee has previous sinful activities that are influencing your mind and previous devotional activities that are influencing your mind. We should not be envious that this person Krishna Consciousness is so easy and natural and for me it such a hard struggle. I have been a devotee for fifteen years and I am struggling this devotee has been for six months and he is just so Krishna Consciousness, so naturally advanced why should we compare our selves. You are thinking you have been for fifteen years and she is been for six months but actually she may have been a devotee for six life times and you may have been for fifteen years. So we shouldn’t even try to calculate or compare our selves with other because we don’t know what’s in the background but what we should know with complete faith that whatever our level of sincerity is if we associate with people who are sincere. We submissively hear from them and we try to serve them then Krsna will give us all the sincerity i.e. required to perfect our lives.
So yes, the particular condition that you are in now is due your past. But the particular condition that would be before you in the future is according to what you do now. If you associate with sincere devotees you become sincere. If you associate with insincere devotees whatever sincerity you have will be lost. And Krsna sees how you make that choice who to associate with. And how you associate with them by hearing submissively, by serving, by following their example Krsna can give us everything i.e. required to perfect our lives in Krishna Consciousness. And at the present movement our sincerity is simply based on how we are willing to associate with devotees. If we want to become Krishna Conscious, however difficult it may be, if we just follow this principle Krsna will help us. But if we are critical or if we are envious then we are lost Krsna will not recognize our endeavor.
Indian Gov’t taking steps to help Vrindavan widows.
Scale Industries Kalraj Mishra, while expressing great concern for the condition of Widows of Varanasi and Vrindavan, said that BJP government was all set to initiate several measures to ensure their dignity and welfare in the near future. The Minister was addressing a large number of widows, who came here from Vrindavan and Lucknow to take part in a programme on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose here, today. Pointing out the mindset of society towards the widows in general and Vrindavan in particular, he said they have been ignored, so far. Mr Mishra said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed for the welfare of Widows and he promised to take steps soon. Mr Modi, during his yesterday’s visit to Varanasi, referred about the condition of Widows and promised to make provisions for their welfare. On the occasion, Mr Mishra lauded the efforts taken by s Sulabh International for the welfare of widows in Vrindavan and Varanasi. He said other organisations should come forward to extend a helping hand to the old-aged widows.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/TBhXw2
Jake Emlyn – Sleepy Souls (3 min new musical video)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is everywhere. Simply you have to catch Him. And He’s also ready for being caught. Yes, if somebody wants to catch Him. Suppose you are a devotee. If you want to catch Him, He comes forward ten times than your desire. He’s so kind. Therefore, we have to simply receive Him. London, August 21, 1973.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/8HHG0h
Iskcon Escondido, California: Transforming a bus into a preaching lounge! (Album with photos)
Mahat Tattva Dasa: Bus re-convers…
New Malden Bhakti Vriska, 7 girls distributed 3000 books during the book marathon in UK (7 min video)
We are a small group under the name of New Malden Bhakti Vriska. It is our aim with Krishna’s mercy to spread the glories of the holy name by motivating people to get involved and possibly join us.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/pSbPQz
January 26. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada’s Heart. The gift of an artist is his ability to feel something with love and then convey it in an interesting way. The art should infect others with the exact same sentiment that the artist felt. A God-conscious teacher is able to do that, too. He has love of God, and he has the gift of conveying it. It was Lord Caitanya’s desire to convey Krishna-prema by chanting Hare Krishna. Prabhupada was empowered to do that – to chant Hare Krishna and to explain Hare Krishna. He was generous in interspersing his basic Krishna conscious talks with direct introductions into the topmost sphere of Goloka Vrindavana. Furthermore, he did it in plain language. Goloka Vrindavana is itself down-to-earth. The earth is cintamani, but nevertheless, it is earthy. It is not like Vaikuntha, with emphasis on the celestial. Vrindavana’s emphasis is on the humanlike. When Prabhupada talked about Krishna-loka, he did it like that, speaking as a resident and telling us what it was really like.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4
Are all religions equal?
Question. I have been pondering the unity of religions or the universality of religions, specifically …
One of the results of the Sankirtan movement: 16 Million People in the US are Now Vegan or Vegetarian!
In 2009, a tiny one perc…
Gita Nagari Farm latest Newsletter.
Gita Nagari: The Gita-nagari will be therefore the main preaching center of the Supreme Aut…