Planet ISKCON

One of the closest associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Purusottama Acarya (Svarupa) knew exactly the heart of Sri Krsna Caitanya. Glorifying him as “the storehouse of all devotional mellows,” Lord Caitanya added the word Damodara to his name.

Svarupa Damodara revealed to the world the innermost emotions of Sri Caitanya’s mood of Radharani feeling separation from Krsna.

Sensing Lord Gauranga’s moods, Svarupa Damodara would perform kirtana to enhance the Lord’s internal sentiments. To soothe Lord Caitanya’s pangs in viraha bhava he would sing songs from Gita-Govinda, Krsna Karnamrta, and the poems of Candidasa and Vidyapati.

Transcending all obstacles and challenges, the TOVP team continues to triumph in constructing this timeless architectural masterpiece.His Holiness Mukunda Swami shares an uplifting message about the TOVP. Maharaja expresses his deep gratitude and appreciation for all the handwork and dedication that TOVP team has given towards raising the temple and the Mission of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

The post Mukunda Goswami Speaks About TOVP appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

10th anniversary of Kuli Mela (Album with photos)
The 10th anniversary of that Mela, which also took place in New Vrindaban from June 15th to 19th this year, took those themes further and showed new levels of maturity and stability amongst the Kuli community, while still being full of joy and celebration.
Around 700 people flooded into the emerald hills of New Vrindaban for the event. They included Kulis from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and across Europe and South and Central America; but also over 100 of the Kulis’ children, as well as a sizeable amount of first generation devotees. This was part of organizers’ efforts to broaden the meaning of the word “Kuli” which literally just means “community.”
Find them here: https://goo.gl/648A2Q

In 1885, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura wrote: “Lord Chaitanya did not advent Himself to liberate only a few men in India. Rather, His main objective was to emancipate all living entities of all countries throughout the entire universe and preach the eternal dharma. Lord Chaitanya states in Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, ‘In every town, country, and village My name will be sung.’ There is no doubt that this unquestionable order will come to pass… . Although there is still no pure society of Vaishnavas, Lord Chaitanya’s prophetic words will in a few days come true …

Bhaktivedanta Research Centre: In honor of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s disappearance day, BRC compiled an album of images, many of which include his original handwriting.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/J1yH3J

Sunday program at the Manor.

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Mukunda Goswami’s message for the TOVP (1 min video)
Sadbhuja Das: Hare Krsna. Please watch this encouraging message by His Holiness Mukunda Goswami.
Maharaja praises the advancement of the sacred architecture of the Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur and all of its success. Also, Maharaja expresses his great appreciation for all of the hard work and dedication that the servants of the TOVP are exemplifying in their efforts to fulfill Sri Krsna Caitanya’s Mission.
All Glories to the TOVP.

No matter whenever and wherever I happen to take birth, let my loving affection and attachment remain unshaken throughout each and every lifetime for the following things: for my divine spiritual master, for Sri Gauranga, for the detailed topics of pure devotional service (and the methods of its execution) as personally instructed by Him, for the holy places of pilgrimage such as Sri Navadvipa, Sri Kshetra, Sri Vrndavana, etc. , which are all blooming with divine sanctity due to His performance of wonderful pastimes therein, for the diksa mantra bestowed upon me by the divine grace of my spiritual master, for the holy name of Sri Hari, for the most beloved eternal associates of the Lord... Continue reading "The last instructions of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
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ISKCON's 50th anniversary committee launched a new look website last week with the aim of making it more user-friendly and to make up-to-date information much more accessible. "The ISKCON 50 website acts like a communication hub for all news and resources that can help our temples celebrate the 50th anniversary properly," explained Romapada Das, International Coordinator for the 50th anniversary. "In particular, we urge temples to visit the resources section of our website from where they can download logos, posters, exhibition panels, powerpoint slides and scripts for plays. These resources will help you create a big visual impact for the 50th anniversary for your local festivals and celebrations." Continue reading "New look website launched for ISKCON 50
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The 50th anniversary of ISKCON's incorporation falls on 13th July 2016. Although Srila Prabhupada signed the legal documents on 11th July, the actual certificate of Incorporation is dated the 13th July. Hence, it was from this day that ISKCON became a recognised legal entity. There is some confusion amongst the actual date as the Vaishnava calendar says that the Incoporation Day falls on 28th July. This date is according to the position of the moon (the tithi), and hence the Vaishnava calendar date changes every year in the same way that dates for Janmashtami move up or down every year. However, ISKCON GBC and the ISKCON 50th Anniversary Committee have decided that the 50th Anniversary milestones have to be observed according to the solar calendar, since most of our functions need to be external facing. Hence, we appeal to all temples to kindly celebrate the actual 50th anniversary of ISKCON on 13th July and not on 28th July. We submit below the programmes you can organise on the 13th July Continue reading "Has your temple planned its Incoporation Day celebrations for the 50th Anniversary?
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Mrdanga performance (6 min video)
Mrdanga performance during the Ratha Yatra in Holland, by famous kirtaniyas Varsneya, Devesa ...

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Here’s a picture of the wheel from the original Rath from Jagannatha Puri. ISKCON Los Angeles was able to secure it as prasadam. It has arrived in LA, will be on display soon.

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July 4. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Serving Swamiji in His Presence.
If you could actually be in the same place with Prabhupada, then your reward was to see his actual lila. On the other hand, if you served him, you had the advantage of actually attracting the pure devotee. By that attraction he would come to you. Prabhupada said that we should not try to see Krishna, but act in such a way that Krishna sees us. He gave the example of an office worker in a big company who does his job very nicely. One day the president of the company examines his file and is impressed at the man’s work. Then the president comes to that man’s desk and congratulates him. We attract Prabhupada by carrying out his orders.
Sometimes the happy combination occurred when we could please Prabhupada by rendering him service while in his personal presence. This happened the day that I was walking to work up Second Avenue in New York. I met Swamiji walking south toward the storefront. In those days, he didn’t usually take morning walks, but he had started this habit after his stroke.
I saw him coming around the corner and walking my way. It was a great relief to see him because I was feeling anxious. I was anticipating the difficulty of going to work that day. The caseworkers were on strike, and in order to enter the building, I would have to go through their picket line. I had not joined their strike because I was working for Swamiji. I was not interested in losing weeks of pay in the name of trying to get a higher salary. I knew they would all hoot and holler and threaten to hit me when I walked through their double file.
Swamiji knew about the welfare strike, and he had already passed the picket lines from the other side of the street that morning. The workers had yelled at him because they knew he was sending me to work. Swamiji was accompanied by Kirtanananda, and just before I reached them, I bowed down to Prabhupada, touching my forehead on the sidewalk. As I rose, I saw Swamiji smiling very beautifully. He reached out and touched me slightly. We exchanged only a few words at that time, and I went off to my task filled with his blessings. That was certainly a moment to treasure: service in Prabhupada’s shelter, approved by him.
Let us make our hearts pure and enthusiastic to receive him. Then when he comes to see us, we will have something to say to him. His coming will not occur just by our hanging out as a guest, with no particular service, in the temple where Prabhupada is visiting.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=10

Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Chowpatty

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Serving Swamiji in His Presence

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 July 2016, Czech Summer Camp, Srimad Bhagavatam 3.2.5)

Krsna does not derive any happiness from the material energy. He enjoys only his inner, eternal spiritual energy. However, the material energy can be connected to Krsna. By engaging the material energy in the service of Krsna it becomes transcendental because the ‘fruit’ becomes transcendental.

Of course, the material world is temporary and anything in the material world is temporary. The material energy is real but all variety of form is temporary. There is no lasting relationship, no relationship with the material world is real and thus everything we get will eventually disappear! There are six transformations of the material energy – things grow, flourish, give by-products, dwindle, seize to exist…

Maya works on living being by making us see things separate from Krsna. If we do not see a connection to Krsna in anything, this is maya. Hari-sambandha-vastunaḥ, connection to Krsna with all things is our business, to engage whatever and whomever we meet in Krsna consciousness, otherwise we remain unfulfilled.

Devotees look at the material energy and look for opportunities to serve Krsna. There are lots of opportunities! There is no more time to be captured by maya. If we think different places, other than Krsna, will give us happiness then we are in illusion. Sannyasa is the best position because there is minimum entanglement with material energy and maximum use of the material energy for Krsna!

Transcribed by Nimai

By Madhava Smullen

Devotees from the East Coast of the U.S. and beyond are warmly invited to attend the first ever Rathayatra festival in the city of Wheeling near New Vrindaban, West Virginia on Saturday July 16^th.

Previously, since 1973, New Vrindaban residents held their own local, rural Rathayatra, a sweet and bonding tradition with a certain rustic charm.

“Lord Jagannath had several different carts in the early years,” recalls Rupa Ramesvari Dasi. “One year, He had a stage coach like you see in cowboy movies; another He rode Radha-Vrindabanchandra’s teakwood chariot; and for a long time, He had a simple trolley car.”

Then in the early 2000s, Malati Devi, one of the organizers of San Francisco’s 1967 Rathayatra – the first outside India – commissioned a proper traditional chariot to be built. Along with a small cart for the children, and American-style prasadam, the festival grew in popularity as a kind of spiritual family picnic.

Lord Jagannath Baladeva and Subhadra on chariot with pujaris Jayasri dasi and Vani dasi.

But of course, the Lord of the Universe is for everyone, and when Srila Prabhupada transplanted Rathayatra to the Western World in the 1960s, he focused on cities to reach the most people possible.

“So we thought the 50^th anniversary of his ISKCON would be a wonderful opportunity to reach out to our neighbors, particularly the people of Wheeling,” says organizer Vrindavan Das. “For years, we’ve been a bit isolated, and there’s been a gap between the people of Wheeling and New Vrindaban. We want to bridge that gap, share what we have with them, and educate them about our culture and beliefs.”

Wheeling authorities and the Wheeling-Ohio County CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) agreed, excited about adding a “Festival of India” to their already-existing roster of Greek, Lebanese, and Italian festivals.

“We are looking forward to July 16^th’s Festival of India as the latest addition to Wheeling Heritage Port’s summer schedule of events,” says CVB marketing assistant Michael Biela. “This inspirational festival will bring the wonders and enchantments of New Vrindaban and the Palace of Gold to downtown Wheeling for a unique experience that the entire family can enjoy!”

Ratha Yatra 2015 in New Vrindaban

Some three thousand people are expected for the event, including about 500 devotees from many locations such as New Vrindaban, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cleveland, and New York City.

Beginning at noon, the two-and-a-half-hour Rathayatra parade will make its way from Water Street at the WesBanco Arena through the main streets of busy downtown Wheeling and back.

It’s bound to be quite an eye-catching sight for locals, most of whom will never have seen anything like it before. New Vrindaban’s five-foot tall Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra Deities will beam out from Their hand-carved chariot, its vibrant red and yellow canopy topped with a gold spire rising thirty feet into the air. Srila Prabhupada’s murti will also be on board, with a huge banner above him showing his photo and proclaiming “ISKCON: 1966 – 2016, the Joy of Devotion” and “Celebrating 50 Golden Years” in sparkling golden letters.

Devotees pulling Lord Jagannath’s chariot in New Vrindaban 2015

Below, hundreds of devotees will be pulling the cart with thick ropes, dancing and chanting in ecstasy, and waving bright, multi-colored flags and balloons in the air. And to refresh the crowd, they’ll be distributing prasadam watermelon, milk sweets and drinks.

Following the parade, there’ll be a cultural spectacular from 3pm to 6pm at the amphitheater in Heritage Port Park, a beautiful space with the magnificent Ohio River as its backdrop.

Lokah Bhakti, a regular favorite at New Vrindaban’s Festival of Colors, will bring his unique brand of energy and Bhakti dance music, along with mantra rock by local New Vrindaban devotee bands. A “color throw” of dyed powders every hour will add to the live music experience and tie in with Festival of Colors, the event for which New Vrindaban is best known locally.

Meanwhile there will also be Bharat Natyam dance by Mansee Singh from Columbus, Bhangra Dance by the Carnegie Mellon University Bhangra Group, and bhajans and kirtan by kirtaniyas from New Vrindaban and Queens, New York.

Adding extra depth will be dramatic storytelling about Lord Jagannath’s appearance by award-winner Sankirtan Das. Sankirtan, who speaks at various universities, has been described by audience members as narrating “with such vivid enthusiasm that one can ‘see’ the scenes as if they were staged.”

Wheeling Mayor Andy Mackenzie will also attend and give a speech. Other VIPs, such as the county commissioner and CVB directors, have been invited and are yet to confirm.

Lokah Bhakti, yoga instructor and entertainer, on stage at Festival of Colors 2015 in New Vrindaban.

Creating a lively festival vibe, there will also be a number of activity tents hosting a “mantra meditation” japa chanting experience; yoga classes by Lokah Bhakti and New Vrindaban’s own Ananga Manjari; face-painting, music, clowns and yoga for the kids; and a Gita Walk where people will take steps while reciting verses on the soul, reincarnation and devotion.

Finally, for the palate there will be food booths selling Indian, Italian and Mexican prasadam cuisine from New Vrindaban’s Govinda’s Restaurant, as well as smoothies and drinks. And as with most of ISKCON’s spiritual public festivals, there will also be a charitable aspect, with about one and-a-half-thousand free plates of rice, dahl, subji and halava to be distributed.

“It’s going to be a great day of good clean family-friendly fun,” says Vrindavan. “We look forward to developing friendships with the people of Wheeling, and sharing our culture with them.”

Overlooking some of the farm’s most picturesque countryside, eight new cabins provide comfortable accommodation consisting of a double bed, two single beds, a small kitchenette and en-suite bathroom. Two meals a day are also included in the price – breakfast and dinner. In addition, there are nine rooms available for visitors in the current Guesthouse Retreat located on the hill facing the temple. These are of various sizes, and are suitable for singles, couples and family groups. Other features of the guesthouse include a charming communal living room with space for yoga or meditation and shady verandas with spectacular views. If you have a special yoga event you want to host, it is available for hire. Continue reading "The Many Facets of New Govardhana
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How do we maintain self-confidence, yet feel ourselves a fool before our spiritual master? How can we be confident and simultaneously feel unqualified to serve Krishna? Aren’t self-confident people somewhat proud or arrogant? We are ordinary people engaged in an extraordinary process, a process that will make us extraordinary. Thus, our confidence lies not in ourselves, but in the power of the process of bhakti. With Krishna’s divine power and intelligence guiding us, we know we will succeed. In the Caitanya Caritamrita, a brahmana from Avantidesa confidently states, “I willcross over the ocean of nescience.” Why is he so confident? He believes he is assured of success because those who have already traveled the bhakti path have succeeded. His confidence is, “I am walking the same path, so I will also succeed.” I can feel lowly, even useless, yet still be confident that Krishna can use me to do wonderful service. It’s even possible, by the grace of the guru, that a disciple can do more than his spiritual master, even though feeling totally unqualified to serve (actually, he does so much because of feeling unqualified to serve). Externally, Prabhupada achieved more than his guru. Yet, he always gave credit to his spiritual master. Continue reading "The Apparent Paradox: Self-confidence and Humility
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HH Bhakti Charu Swami recently gave a profound seminar on “Krishna’s pastimes outside Vrindavan” at Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadhish Temple, New Dwarka, Los Angeles from 27th June to 30th June 2016. (Playlist with all the 8 videos)
Watch them here: http://goo.gl/crTuHo

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The tale of how one boy decided to bathe in the morning.
Yulia Shevchenko: I wrote that really to highlight the theme of cleanliness, in an accessible form explaining it to children. I had an idea to try to compose small Vaishnava tales on the theme of cleanliness to inspire young Vaishnava bathe, brush their teeth and wash their hair.
The basic idea in this case is that our body is the Lord’s temple and we should try to keep it clean, because in our hearts is the Lord who resides, always loving us, taking care of us and helping us.
One day before going to bed we started to compose such a fairy tale which I now share with you.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/Bbjc7I

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Live longer and healthier with the advices of Bir Krishna das Goswami and Dr. Radharadhya (21 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: We should always remember that our body is not for sense gratification; it is for Krishna’s service only. And to render very good sound service to Krishna we should not neglect the upkeep of the body. Letter to Rayarama, February 9,1969.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/IrxsCD

ISKCON holds Iftar gathering.
To celebrate the over 400-year-old amity between the Hindu and Muslim communities in West Bengal’s Nabadwip, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Mayapur on Wednesday organised an Iftar party with elected Muslim panchayat members as its guests inside the temple premises.
The event upholds the legacy of brotherhood between the two communities, the seeds of which were sown in the 16th century by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and his relationship with the then magistrate, Chand Kazi, through his sankirtan (congregational chanting) movement.
At the Geeta Bhavan premises of the temple in Mayapur in Bengal’s Nadia district, elected panchayat members of the Muslim community of Mayapur Bamanpukur Panchayat participated in the ‘Iftar Samabesh’ along with presidents and secretaries of several mosques and one madrasa, said HG Jagadhatri Prabhu, public relations coordinator of the temple.
“Just like last year, in 2016 Jagannath Rath Yatra and Eid have fallen on the same day. So the ‘Iftar Samabesh’ is aimed at sending a strong message to the universe about peace, harmony, love and trust among communities,” said Prabhu.
Source: http://goo.gl/vRBhD4

The Hare Krishna devotees go to the Glastonbury Festival, UK 2016 (12 min video)
It was indeed a very wet one this year but the...

Little Drops Of Nectar (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Despite it being a very rainy afternoon the second day of our fe...