Planet ISKCON

Lively Saturday evening Harinama in London (3 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: It is the practice of the brahmanas conversant with ...

By Keshav Murari Das

India’s government-owned TV channel, Doordarshan National aired a one-hour programme about ISKCON on July 13th, featuring a studio interview with Keshava Murari Das, President of ISKCON Rohini (New Delhi), interspersed with several video clips about different activities of ISKCON. He explained how Srila Prabhupada started the movement and continued to speak about the achievements of ISKCON today such as the movement’s expansion into 650 centres, distribution of 300 million plates of free prasadam and 50 million books. The programme showed several clips such as the youth festival in Pune attended by 20,000 young people and the recent visit of the then Prime Minister David Cameron to Bhaktivedanta Manor in London to celebrate the 50th anniversary. Video of the interview included. Continue reading "50th Anniversary of ISKCON’s Incorporation on 13 July, Program aired on DD National Channel India
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Abhisekha on spiritual evolution, Samir the eternality of worldly relationships and Kovacs Timi on the cause of being unable to commit.

The post Questions from Babhru on sastra describing Vraja appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Auckland 50th - Arrival of VIPs (6 min video)
Our VIPs are greeted with a traditional Maori greeting, followed by a Haka. They ...

Preaching program in Bologna, Italy (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: 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)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/2qhNhV

Iskcon Amritsar, Punjab: World Of Krishna Consciousness - 50 Years Of Bliss & Celebrations (Album with 250 photos)
You hardly have seen so many people happy together at one place!
Srila Prabhupada: Srimad Bhagavatam 2.4.15: Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the all-auspicious Lord Śrī KRISHNA, about whom glorification, remembrances, audience, prayers, hearing and worship can at once cleanse the effects of all sins of the performer.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/WKSvbO

Second North American Sravanam Kirtanam Camp, Seattle, WA USA.
Devotees from ISKCON Seattle are pleased to announce the Second North American Sravanam Kirtanam camp in ISKCON Seattle temple this year from Aug 12-Aug 14, 2016 (Last year it was in Dallas). Please make it a priority to attend this and other Srila Prabhupada disciples’ programs this year in ISKCON Seattle. A similar camp was done in Damodardesh (https://www.facebook.com/SravanamKirtanamCampDamodardesh) Belgium and an event in Birmingham UK is planned later this year.
A key aspect of this event is continuous lectures and kirtans during the three-day period. The theme of this camp is Sravanam, Kirtanam, Vishnoh. Our hope is that this event becomes as popular as Sadhu Sangha in the east coast in the years to come.
For details click here: https://goo.gl/xU86Mz

Gita verse-by-verse podcast

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The post Gita 10.24 – Channel feelings of awe from giant things towards the source of all awe appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The Hare Krishna devotees preach to thousands in the famous Polish Festival (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Woodstock: the kirtans, the Ratha Yatra’s, the prasadam distribution, the association, the people - everything - was simply out of this world. O Lord Caitanya! Will we ever see such a flood of mercy again?
Find them here: https://goo.gl/V79han

Accompanying Swamiji

The Yamadūtas had considered only the external situation of Ajāmila. Since he was extremely sinful throughout his life, they thought he should be taken to Yamarāja and did not know that he had become free from the reactions of all his sins. The Viṣṇudūtas therefore instructed that because he had chanted the four syllables of the name Nārāyaṇa at the time of his death, he was freed from all sinful reactions. In this regard Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura quotes the following verses from the smṛti-śāstra:

nāmno hi yāvatī śaktiḥ
 pāpa-nirharaṇe hareḥ
tāvat kartuṁ na śaknoti
 pātakaṁ pātakī naraḥ

“Simply by chanting one holy name of Hari, a sinful man can counteract the reactions to more sins than he is able to commit.” (Bṛhad-viṣṇu Purāṇa)

avaśenāpi yan-nāmni
 kīrtite sarva-pātakaiḥ
pumān vimucyate sadyaḥ
 siṁha-trastair mṛgair iva

“If one chants the holy name of the Lord, even in a helpless condition or without desiring to do so, all the reactions of his sinful life depart, just as when a lion roars, all the small animals flee in fear.” (Garuḍa Purāṇa)

sakṛd uccāritaṁ yena
 harir ity akṣara-dvayam
baddha-parikaras tena
 mokṣāya gamanaṁ prati

“By once chanting the holy name of the Lord, which consists of the two syllables ha-ri, one guarantees his path to liberation.” (Skanda Purāṇa)

These are some of the reasons why the Viṣṇudūtas objected to the Yamadūtas’ taking Ajāmila to the court of Yamarāja.

- Purport by Srila Prabhupada, SB 6.2.7

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 30 March 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.39.39)

Because we have been in the material world for many lifetimes, we have accumulated many desires that are stored within our subconsciousness and all these desires are still influencing us now. Again, we are trying to enjoy them one more time; again and again, although we were not satisfied in previous lives, not fulfilled but still, we try again! So this is where we are at. That is why spiritual life involves an element of struggle due to the influence of previous association with the material world.

But, just by hearing about Krsna, seeing Krsna in his deity form, chanting his name, taking prasadam or taking shelter of any other form in which Krsna manifests himself, is enough to burn up so much of that previous karma; therefore we do change!

There was a verse which I used to forget a lot. It happens that you forget one line of a verse and this one, I always used to always forget. Then one time, I was in Bombay and I took a taxi and the taxi-driver quoted the verse so then, I felt a little embarrassed. I got defeated by a taxi-driver so my false-ego got to me and that worked better than my devotion because since then I can remember the verse. So, I am going to try it now, let us see:

namno hi yavati saktih

papa-nirharane hareh

tavat kartum na saknoti

patakam pataki narah (Brhad-visnu Purana)

All glories to the taxi-driver! No problem, I can easily remember it! It is amazing that when you get motivated by false-ego, it is so easy and when you have to do something on the strength of pure devotion, it is a struggle! This verse says that if you chant the holy name once, you burn up more sin than you can commit in a life-time! Think about that…

 

Just Chant!
A short compilation of devotional Kirtan, Sanskrit chants of the Bhakti tradition, to uplift the spirit and create a blissful atmosphere.
Details:
Lead Vocals & Harmonium: Niranjana Swami (Purification & Ocean Of Bliss), Ananta Govinda (Awakening)
Background Vocals: Acyuta Gopi, Ananta Govinda, Akincana Krishna Dasa, Rati Manjari, Krishna Kishora (Kish)
Bass: Purusartha Dasa
Percussion: Ananta Govinda
Flute: Krishna Kishora (Kish)
Kartals: Acyuta Gopi
Recorded at: Butler Recording, Brooklyn, NY
Recording Engineer: Chris Butler
Mix Engineers: Chris Butler & Devananda Sadkin
Produced by: Niranjana Swami & Hrsikesa dasa (Harish Vaswani)
A very special thanks to Bada Haridas for his expert guidance.
Previews and details: https://goo.gl/Gbb810

Srila Prabhupada said, "This world is a horrible place, but Lord Krishna said to me, 'You come down and write those books.' And I said, 'Oh, I do not want to go there. It is a horrible place.' And Lord Krishna said, 'No, no, you come down and write those books. I will take care of everything.' And I said, 'No, no, I do not want to go there,' but He insisted, 'You come down and write those books. I will take care of everything.'" So he said, "You just see how Krishna has taken care of everything for me." And he said, "You know, the Goswamis slept under a different tree every night. So they had their tree, I have my temples. I can stay in a different temple every night. They had their light, I have my light. They were translating their books, I'm translating my books." That was a great revelation, an extraordinary thing that Prabhupada was saying. And I looked at Upendra and he looked at me and it was just electric, the atmosphere.

- Memories of Srila Prabhupada by Bhavananda das

Book distribution is life!
Krishna consciousness is not possible without reaching out to the conditioned souls by distributing Srila Prabhupada books. That is the fastest way to spiritually advance. As Srila Prabhupada famously said, “If you want to please me, then distribute my books.” Also, my guru, His Grace Vaisesika Prabhu, always preaches the importance of book distribution. So it is my heart and soul.
Just before my trip to Vrindavan this year, I heard my guru say in a class that when he goes to India on pilgrimage with His disciples, they go in the mood of service, not enjoyment. So I went to Vrindavan in the mood of service.
I had no idea I would be able to distribute so many books in Vrindavan! When I arrived, I of course had some money with me for shopping, but instead I bought some books and started distributing. So many Indians were interested to take books and give donations–almost every person! For four days I distributed right next to Prabhupada’s samadhi and at the entrance gate. I could feel how pleased Prabhupada was with this service. I felt that he was watching me from His samadhi and blessing me. It was as if he was speaking to me from within: “Don’t mind quarreling and misdoings by others. Just continue distributing my books.”
Before my trip to Vrindavan I was feeling a little down and confused, but Prabhupada clearly showed me how important it is to serve him by distributing his books–no matter where I am–and to never stop no matter what others are doing or not doing. Book distribution is not something we do just once a month or once a week. It should always be in the forefront of our consciousness. No matter where we go, we should always have Srila Prabhupada’s precious books in our bag and be ready to save the fallen, suffering souls by distributing them.
Maya can swallow anyone, and very fast, but if we follow in the footsteps of the previous acaryas, we will be protected. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, Srila Prabhupada, and all of Srila Prabhupada’s sincere disciples emphasize the importance of book distribution. There is not much time left in any of our lives. So we should not waste a moment. We should distribute the mercy wherever we go and whenever we can, so that we can progress from neophytes to advanced devotees who love Lord Krishna and therefore every living entity. And the best way to do this is to always have books with us and distribute wherever we go.
Your servant,
Gopi Gita dd

Hare Krishna Temple Going Strong In East Hartford, Connecticut, United States, As U.S. Movement Turns 50.
EAST HARTFORD — The modest house at 1683 Main St. would draw little attention during the week, but on Sundays, the unassuming yellow building attracts dozens of Hare Krishna devotees singing mantras, dancing, chanting and, finally, partaking in a vegetarian feast.
To many in the U.S., the words Hare Krishna conjure images of the 1960s and ‘70s, long-robed devotees handing out flowers in airports, and musician George Harrison, but the movement has survived to celebrate 50 years since Swami Bhaktivedanta founded the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in the United States in 1966.
Temple President Pyari Mohan Prabhu, 68, said the East Hartford congregation has been steadily growing since he became president in 1981 and the temple was officially incorporated.
Established in 1978, the temple is the only one in Connecticut. Originally, the movement rented a house on Silver Lane but after a few years bought the 1909 house on Main Street.
“When we first started the building was also very rundown … and we were getting probably about 10 people coming, maybe 15, and now we’re getting at least 70 people on Sundays,” Pyari said. “If we had a bigger place, we’d get more people.”
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/G43AGn

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“Ocean of Mercy” - Book launch by Bhakti Charu Swami
“Ocean of Mercy” is a book by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaj about his time with Srila Prabhupada.
In his book, ‘Ocean of Mercy’, HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj takes us by the hand and brings us into Srila Prabhupada’s private quarters and at times to his bedside during the final year of his physical presence. (Excerpt from Foreword by HH Radhanath Swami)
This work describes how the author developed a humble love and dedication to Srila Prabhupada who gave him a life of Krishna-bhakti, and thus revealed himself to be truly an “ocean of mercy”. (Except from Preface by Graham H. Schweig, Ph.D. (HG Garuda Das)
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OceanofMercyBCS/
Book launch at Los Angeles on 27th July 2016: https://www.facebook.com/events/1764582283821315/

Paradox! A recent lecture by Brahma Tirtha Das at ISKCON of DC.
Studying and seeking to understand sastra (spiritual literature) can sometimes be a challenge – especially for the science minded. We may come across things that are hard to grasp or full of paradox. Join us as we explore this topic in search of spiritual truths.
Listen to it here: https://goo.gl/0rg9Ni

“Ocean of Mercy” is a book by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaj about his time with Srila Prabhupada. In his book, ‘Ocean of Mercy’, HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj takes us by the hand and brings us into Srila Prabhupada’s private quarters and at times to his bedside during the final year of his physical […]

The post “Ocean of Mercy” – Book By Bhakti Charu Swami appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

In Summer of 2016,  His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj organized a spiritual retreat for the devotees of UK. We are sharing here the complete audio / video / photo media of classes / kirtans and harinama from 2016 Croatia Spiritual Retreat. Youtube Video Media: Croatia Spiritual Retreat 2016 – Lord Krishna’s Pasttimes out of […]

The post 2016 Croatia Spiritual Retreat with HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

Rathayatra in Nairobi, Kenya (2 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: This Krishna consciousness movement insists that everyone take to ...

Huge, highly successful London Rathayatra 2016 (Album with photos)
Lively, multiple, kirtans during the parade, large participa...

By Srigarbha das

With over ten thousand people taking part, this year was the biggest ever Ratha Yatra held aa Netrakona, Bangladesh. Jagannath Vallabh Temple, ISKCON Netrakona celebrated its 6th Jagannath Ratha Yatra festival from the 6th till 14th of July with grand success. Around 8 years back this centre started with only three brahmacharis- Jayram Das, Tulasi Das and Anantadev Das, simply distributing Srila Prabhupada books. No facilities for accommodation, practically going hungry at times having nothing to eat or surviving for days on puffed rice and boiled potatoes. By their hard work and beacse of their firm faith in Srila Prabhupada words and strict adherence to the instructions of their Spiritual Master Srila Subhag Swami, today the Jagannath Vallabha temple has over 35 enthusiastic brahmacharis serving full time, a moderate temple hall with a sitting capacity of 100 or more, a kitchen that can serve more than ten thousand plates of maha prasadam at a time last but not the least, a contingent of sincere and simple hearted devotees which keeps the very temple bubbling with life. Continue reading "6th Jagannatha Ratha Yatra in Netrakona, Bangladesh
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By Dharmatma Das

It takes an incredible effort to cook for 16,000. Parasuram prabhu and a stellar crew have been doing this faithfully for over 12 years. Titiksu prabhu expertly procures the required donations and Parasuram goes about assembling the massive amounts of ingredients. Vonunteers beging cutting up, frying, steaming and roasting on Saturday and the heavy duty cooking done by Para, Acintya Rupa and Arjuna prabhus begins at midnight. Ony the best for Lord Jagannath's Feast; Ghee, cream, Panir, and first class fruits and vegetables. Over one ton of Prasadam offered to Their Lordships.They were served, Rice, Halavah, Curd/Chickpea Subji, Srikand and Fruit Juice. Quite remarkable down to the loading, transporting and serving the huge crowd. It was a pleasure serving with these dedicated devotees. There were many other devotees working equally as hard taking care of so many other aspects of this wonderful Festival. All glories to them all... Continue reading "Unsung Heroes of the London Rathayatra
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By Zayani Bhatt

As a continuation of the celebration of Incorporation Day – the day Srila Prabhupada received the certificate stating that ISKCON was officially incorporated – and the 50th year anniversary of ISKCON, Bhaktivedanta Manor held the grand opening ceremony of the Srila Prabhupada garden to honour the spiritual leader and founder of ISKCON along with his disciples. Devotees from across the country and many of Srila Prabhupada’s direct disciples from around the world, gathered on the 16th of July 2016, for a day dedicated to expressing gratitude to Prabhupada, for making the perilous journey to the west, and changing the lives of people for generations to come. Continue reading "50th Anniversary Garden Opening and Dedication to Srila Prabhupada and his Disciples
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Gita verse-by-verse podcast

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The post ​Gita 10.23 – The heavenly treasurer’s treasure comes from the supreme appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Dressing for Prabhupada’s Pleasure

0 miles

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, October 2014, Mayapur, India, Siksastakam Seminar: Verses 1&2, Part 1)

I have a story of my spiritual master, Jayadvaita Swami. He comes up with good titles of seminars and he came up with the title: The hopes and horrors of household life. Even before the seminar, there was a storm of discussion and people were saying all kinds of things, “The hopes and horrors of household life – what does he know about it? He has never been married. Why doesn’t he speak of the hopes and horrors of sannyasa!” There were all kinds of comments going around. So it was a good title as it got people going even before the seminar started.

I was supposed to go to the first session but I got stuck in traffic somewhere, so I was late and I missed it. I just arrived as people came out of the room. There was someone else who had also missed it and he asked another devotee, “So, how was it?”

The devotee said, “Oh, it was all theoretical, just quotes from the scriptures!” I thought that was such an amazing statement, really, because when the quotes from the scriptures are just theoretical it means that you are not following the scripture! I mean, when you live by the scripture, it is not theoretical anymore, then it becomes realised and it becomes very relevant… as simple as that!

Ratha Yatra in Barcelona, Spain (Album with photos)
It was an amazing experience to participate in the Ratha Yatra of Barcelon...

Polish tour Brhat mrdanga is heard in Los Angeles!
While distributing books at the Los Angeles airport I approached a man who said he was from Poland. When I showed him the Bhagavad Gita he said, “I know that book, when I was in Poland last year at a concert called,"Woodstock” I saw it at the Hare Krsna site. I wanted it because it seemed very interesting, but I didn’t have any money. But now I do, so can I give you a donation for it?“
I said, "Alright, if you insist” :-)
your servant, Vijaya das
P.S. All we have to do is get some books, go out with some sincerity and we’ll find people that want Prabhupada’s books.

Rathayatras in Bali (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: The celebration of Rathayatra in ISKCON is popular all over the world. In...

Conversation.

The post Remembrances of ISKCON Montreal appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

By Kalasamvara Das

Dignitaries and well-wishers spent the afternoon at the local hare Krsna temple as part of the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON movement receiving the mercy of the Deities, placing Garlands and performing the abhiseka of Srila Prabhupada. They all spoke with great Enthusiasm about being in the Association of devotees and expressed how we have something very special, something they don't find at other programs they attend. They appreciated the spiritual contribution ISKCON has made through the distribution of spiritual knowledge in the form of Bhagavad Gita and the millions of people feed world wide. Dignitaries attendance: Mr Sanjiv Kohli- Indian high commissioner, Dame Susan Devoy NZ Race relations commissioner, Hon Phil Goff, and Mr Bakshi members of Parliament, Hon Mayor, Cheryi Mai, Vinoda Kumar- President of the Hindu Council and Trustee of Chinmaya Mission, Dr.Kanthibhai Patel, And members from the New Zealand Police Force, and their wives. Continue reading "ISKCON Auckland NZ: 50th years on!
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By Radhanath Swami

I was born and raised in the United States, and I saw all around me so much wealth, so much luxury, such nice telephone system and road systems, and televisions and everything else, and I saw so much power, but to myself and so many people of my generation it was so hollow, it was so shallow, because you see greed could never satisfy the heart. Bhagavad-Gita tells that greed is like fire, the more you feed it, the hungrier and more it needs. When people are trampling on each other, exploiting each other due to greed, ‘Do I want to be a part of this?’ And then I heard of verse, that in many ways is the essence of the Bible, it was spoken by a great personality of Jewish descent who founded Christianity, Jesus Christ, and to me this statement is what a Christian is, what is Jew is, with what a religious person is. And I just saw that it was so rare all around me. The verse is – what profit of a man who gains the whole world but loses his eternal soul? That’s what I saw happening, and it’s happening today more than ever, even in the name of God. I was seeking my soul. I was seeking a meaning and purpose in life that would make whatever I did of actual value. Children in so many parts of the world, if we don’t give them a meaning, a spiritual purpose to live for, then they are so vulnerable to greed, to arrogance, to exploitation. Continue reading "Conscious Leadership seminar at BSE Event
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