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Daily Darshan: June 21st, 2016
Harinam in London, UK (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If…
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Harinam in London, UK (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one somehow or other chants the Hare Krishna mantra, he will immediately be purified, just as one who takes a potent medicine will feel its effects, regardless of whether he takes it knowingly or unknowingly. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.19 Purport)
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Vaishnava kids comment the verses of The Nectar of Instruction…
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Vaishnava kids comment the verses of The Nectar of Instruction (Upadesamrta by Srila Rupa Gosvami) according to their understanding. Playlist of brief videos.
Srila Prabhupada: Fire will act, regardless of whether handled by an innocent child or by someone well aware of its power. Similarly, one may or may not know the power of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, but if one chants the holy name he will become free from all sinful reactions. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.18 Purport)
Watch them below or here: https://goo.gl/nu7MVR
Surrender is not just exalted sentiment but also practical action – Gita 18.66
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June 21. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa…
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June 21. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Swamiji’s Writing.
Mostly he kept to his room, working. As he had said during a lecture when living on the Bowery, “I am here always working at something, reading or writing – something, reading or writing – twenty-four hours.” His mission of translating Srimad-Bhagavatam, of presenting the complete work in sixty volumes of four hundred pages each, could alone occupy all his days and nights. He worked at it whenever possible, sitting at his portable typewriter or translating the Sanskrit into English.
He especially worked in the very early hours of the morning, when he would not be interrupted. He would comb through the Sanskrit and Bengali commentaries of the great acaryas, following their explanations, selecting passages from them, adding his own knowledge and realization, and then laboriously weaving it all together and typing out his Bhaktivedanta purports. He had no means or immediate plans for financing the publishing of further volumes, but he continued in the faith that somehow they would be published.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=9
ISKCON 50 Meditations: June 21, 2016
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The spiritual world
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 26 April 2016, Radhadesh, Belgium, Vyasa Puja Address)
I was fortunate; I got the mercy of the dhama, of a world dedicated to Krsna. Of course, the external layer of Yogamaya covers the dhama but below it, there is a deeper level. When we go to Radha Kund, we may see amazing things but we do not see jeweled swings on the four corners. We do not see what Krsna das Kaviraj Goswami saw in Govinda Lilamrta. When he describes Radha Kund, it is different than what we are seeing. But even then, in that external layer of the dhama, so much of the spiritual world comes through. It was clear to us who were serving there, it was clear that we must be transparent to the nature of the dhama. With our own false ego, with our own desires, with our own activities, we should not obscure the transcendental nature of the dhama.
And such is the Hare Krsna movement – it is an extension of the dhama as Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura mentioned golokera prema-dhana, hari-nāma-saṅkīrtana. This entire Hare Krsna movement is basically the activity of the spiritual world and of the nature of the spiritual world. The purpose is to be residents of the spiritual world, gradually we have to change!
I have given my example of the person who takes a step forward, who stretches his leg and goes from the material world to the spiritual world. First, all the weight is on one leg – the leg in the material side. So we are reaching out to the spiritual world but all the weight is still on the leg in the material side. The spiritual world appears theoretical, the spiritual world appears far away – beautiful and certainly attractive, like a dream. Yet again and again, we hear about Krsna… we hear about his pastimes… we hear about endless cowherd boys… unlimited cowherd boys and unlimited calves and cows… we hear about the gopis… we hear how when Krsna goes to the forest the gopis all remaining behind in separation… we hear that the tallest gopi is put on a tower of the palace of Mother Yasoda in the lookout post and in the evening finally, “Some dust! Dust! Duuust!” Hmmm, the hooves of the calves and cows are throwing up dust and Krsna is returning! We hear these things again and again. Different stories, different descriptions and little by little, it starts to sound familiar.
We engage in service and in this engagement in devotional service, we have to put our own material desires aside. There is just no time! One who is busy in devotional service has no time for material things. In this way, everything just gradually changes and the weight goes from the material leg towards the spiritual leg, the weight now comes on the spiritual side and eventually we become residents of the spiritual world.
īhā yasya harer dāsye, karmaṇā manasā girā, nikhilāsv apy avasthāsu, jīvan-muktaḥ sa ucyate (Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.187)
We become jivan muktas (liberated) even though we are within this body, even though we are in this material world, we become liberated. It is not a mystic thing, it just happens, it is very practical. Srila Prabhupada was very practical. That is for sure. “Practical” generally speaking refers to “down to earth”. Someone said that I was practical and it is tiring to be practical, I tell you. It is better to be spaced out in some way. I always see all these people (yawning) totally in bliss and they don´t see that there is a fire somewhere. But I see it! I always see the fire, I always see the flower pot that is about to fall on someone´s head or something. God, it is tiring to be practical!
But Srila Prabhupada was practical and Srila Prabhupada showed that practical also means spiritual because he showed that actually as we step towards the spiritual world and as the weight shifts towards the spiritual leg then the entire world changes into the spiritual world, then we realize actually that the spiritual world is not far at all, that the spiritual world is here. We are already there! We are simply there. It is just a matter of an adjustment of consciousness. It is not a long journey all the way to the spiritual world. No, we are already there.
We want this kind of reality, to manifest the spiritual world here. This is our business together!
Transcribed by Tattvavati dd
Is It Weird Being a Hare Krishna? – Joe DeGise II
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Jagannath Snana Yatra 2016 Rajapur (Album with photos)
A small…
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Jagannath Snana Yatra 2016 Rajapur (Album with photos)
A small selection of photos from today’s ecstatic festival.
Srila Prabhupada: If one wants success in practical yoga practice, it is advised that he take to the chanting of Hare Krishna and he will actually feel himself making progress. In Bhagavad-gita this practice of Krishna consciousness is prescribed as raja-vidya, or the king of all erudition. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.15.45 Purport)
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About one million people connect with Krishna’s devotees!…
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About one million people connect with Krishna’s devotees! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: This morning myself and several disciples were on, “Wake Up!” Moldova’s most popular morning talk show. For over an hour we discussed Krishna conscious philosophy, did a cooking demonstration and much to the delight of our hosts, decorated them with flower garlands, henna and gopi-dots. Afterwards I asked one of the cameramen how many people were watching. He replied nonchalantly, “About one million people. And that’s not including Romania, where the show was also aired.”
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ZZiYv2
ISKCON Nellore Extension: An offering to Srila Prabhupada for ISKCONs’ 50th anniversary
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By Sri Krishna Purusottama Das
On the occasion of Pani-hati cida dahi festival, His Holiness Sukadeva Goswami Maharaja has announced the offering of a new project for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada in this 50th year of ISKCON’s incorporation. Earlier this year, 10 acres of land with an existing ashram building in Tatipatri village, Andhra Pradesh, were donated to ISKCON Nellore. The land and ashram were cleared and prepared to take shape as a temple, which is now named ISKCON Tatipatri Village Ashrama, an extension of ISKCON Nellore.
Following these preliminary preparations, on 15th June 2016, deities of Sri Gaura Nitai were installed in the ashram with elaborate abhishekam, go-puja, tree plantation, aarti, sankirtana & lunch prasadam for all. Henceforth, daily temple programs will continue & gita prachar will be conducted for the benefit of all the villagers in that area. His Holiness Sukadeva Goswami Maharaja gave a talk on the occasion and invited one and all to participate in the upcoming Gudur Rath Yatra.
One Mr. Krishna Reddy donated a cow and calf to the temple for the service of the deities. In tandem with the Gau-gram prachar yatra and Om Sri Surabhi campaign led by His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaja, ISKCON Tatipatri Village Ashrama is all set to engage in cow protection and village preaching for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada, beginning in this glorious 50th anniversary of ISKCON.
The Ultimate benefit – Sreya
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In many of Srila Prabhupada's lectures he exclusively explains about the two topics sreya and preya. He explains that sreya means the ultimate benefit and preya means immediate profit. Just like children want to play all day long that is preya, but the parents know that they must go to school and learn in order to become educated, which in the long run will be beneficial for them, so that is sreya. In Bhagavad Gita Lord Sri Krsna talks about sreya and preya in terms of happiness, he says according to the modes of material nature acquired by a living entity there are different kinds of happiness by which sometimes he comes to the end of all miseries Continue reading "The Ultimate benefit – Sreya
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Jayapataka Swami speaks on Panihati festival
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My plans for this year
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Disciples’ Istagosti.
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Happy Father’s Day
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We are indebted to all our fathers, biological and preceptorial. Srila Prabhupada expressed his appreciation for his father in his dedication to his book Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead: "To My Father, Gour Mohan De (1849-1930) A pure devotee of Krsna, who raised me as a Krsna conscious child from the beginning of my life. In my boyhood ages he instructed me how to play the mrdanga. He gave me Radha-Krsna vigraha to worship, and he gave me Jagannatha ratha to duly observe the festival as my childhood play. He was kind to me, and I imbibed from him the ideas later on solidified by my spiritual master, the eternal father. As devotees, we try to encourage and facilitate our children's Krsna consciousness, as Prabhupada's father did with him - an effort that is solidified when our children find their eternal spiritual masters. Continue reading "Happy Father’s Day
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Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent charge)…
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Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent charge) Tourism and Culture, Government of India recently visited the temple of ISKCON Budapest, Hungary.
To Srila Prabhupada, I give my life. I owe him…
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To Srila Prabhupada, I give my life. I owe him everything!
MadanMohanMohini dasi: After graduating from high school in 1966, my friend and I went to the Village in New York City to check out the scene. While there, we heard a, ‘ching, ching, ching, ching, ching, ching’ and turned around. Looking through the intense heat waves we saw, in double file, a group of somebodies or somethings in saffron orange clothes, singing, playing instruments, and floating down the hot sidewalk. I turned to my friend and said, “New York sure is a weird place. Let’s get out of here!” She and I crossed the road. To this day, we clearly remember the incident.
My parents wanted me to go to college. I went, hated it, and quit before the first trimester was finished. I became a secretary in a huge corporation, which soon went against the grain of my wild desires that were brewing inside me. So I decided the best way to really become happy was not by earning a lot of money
ALL-CANADIAN FESTIVAL for the 50th Anniversary: JOY OF DEVOTION – SRILA PRABHUPADA IN MONTREAL
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The ALL- CANADIAN FESTIVAL – to honor SRILA PRABHUPADA and the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON – will be held here in Montreal on the Labor Day weekend of Friday Sept. 2nd to Monday Sept.5th. – 2016 – entitled :
JOY OF DEVOTION – SRILA PRABHUPADA IN MONTREAL.
The festival is actually divided into TWO PARTS:
1. The SPECIAL CULTURAL EVENT of Friday and Saturday Sept.2-3 for the GENERAL PUBLIC as well as our devotees and members -entitled JOURNEY to the HEART of INDIA, will be held in the huge centre court of COMPLEXE DESJARDINS , one of downtown Montreal’s most well-frequented office and shopping landmarks. Please SEE the 3 ATTACHMENTS below for all the detailed features of this COLORFUL EVENT meant to attract large numbers of the Montreal population.
2. The second part of the Grand Festival will be held AT THE TEMPLE on Sunday and Monday Sept.4-5 , with the theme : JOY OF DEVOTION – SRILA PRABHUPADA IN MONTREAL, with our special guests of honor: Shyamsundar, Guru das, Malati mataji, Suresvara, and Srutirupa mataji. SUNDAY Sept.4th – Besides the regular morning program, there will be an elaborate evening program at the temple, starting with the 4 – 5 p.m. kirtan, then a Maha-Abhiseka of Srila Prabhupada with the special kalashas, followed by testimonials and remembrances (from 6- 8 p.m.) by our many guests of honor, centered on Srila Prabhupada’s historic stay here in Montreal for 3 months in the summer of 1968. During that summer, the 3 couples from San Francisco – Mukunda andJhanavi, Guru das and Yamuna, Shyamsundar and Malati -also came to visit with Srila Prabhupada, who personally trained them in the art of kirtan. He then sent them off, with his special blessings and empowerment, to amazingly conquer England and much of Europe with ecstatic waves of harinam. We will thus be privileged to hear firsthand how Srila Prabhupada set in motion so many of his miraculous achievements and his major impact on countless lives, including all of us attending this historic gathering.
Monday, Sept.5th: A special Maha-harinam of 3-4 harinam parties all converging on the exact place of residence of Srila Prabhupada, during his prolonged stay here in the summer of 1968 (next to the original Hare Krishna Temple near the McGill U. campus). We are also attempting to have a special commemorative plaque inaugurated at this historic place.
For this special cultural event of Friday and Saturday in downtown Montreal, we have also invited many VIPs – including our newly-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , and some of the local Members of Parliament, and the Mayor of Montreal.
p.s. Accommodations for visiting devotees will be at a quality hotel near our Montreal temple.
For more details, please inquire from myself or MadanKishore Das 438-877-1259 radhikaabhay@hotmail.com
Your eager servant, Gokulananda das, ISKCON Montreal secretary 438-876-1008 gokul1008@yahoo.com
London
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NEW BOOK: Sri Sarasvati Sanlapa: Uncommon Dialogues
Dear…
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NEW BOOK: Sri Sarasvati Sanlapa: Uncommon Dialogues
Dear Devotees,
It is our great pleasure from Touchstone Media to present to you our newest publication, Sri Sarasvati Sanlapa: Uncommon Dialog
The long awaited book has finally being released. Sri Sarasvati Sanlapa are conversations of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura with the eminent scholars, theologians and religious leaders of his time. “Sri Sarasvati Sanlapa or Uncommon Dialog, the title of this book is so named because the contents are not ordinary conversations of this mundane world. It is uncommon as the sound vibration coming from the mouth of an empowered devotee of Lord Krishna takes us far away from this world of miseries to the land of eternity and bliss.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanata Sarasvati Thakura had written as follows:
“Mundane sounds are generally received by the ears and the other four knowledge acquiring senses. The sounds that the four other knowledge-acquiring senses are unable to receive are called alaukika, or uncommon, transcendental, sounds. The transformations of bodily limbs that manifest while uttering alaukika sounds is unintelligible to ordinary people. In this regard, one should carefully discuss the statement, vaiṣṇavera kriyā mudrā vijñeha nā bujhaya — “Even a very intelligent man cannot understand the activities of a pure Vaiṣṇava.” The language and internal sentiments of a Vaiṣṇava are not accessible to ordinary mundane people.
hari-rasa-madirā-madāti-mattā
bhuvi viluṭhāmo naṭāmo nirviśāmaḥ
“Thoroughly maddened by the ecstasy of the intoxicating beverage of love for Kṛṣṇa, we shall enjoy life running about, rolling on the ground and dancing in ecstasy.” This statement of a Vaiṣṇava is not understandable by ordinary people.”
The rich Gaudiya Vaisnava Heritage beheld its true herald, when Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur appeared on the face of the Earth. He was a path-breaking revolutionary, courageous visionary, perfect hermeneutic, enriched intellect, personified energy of Lord Chaitanya, erudite leader, lion-like Gaudiya Vaisnava preacher with impeccably profound knowledge and complete surrender unto the Lord.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur was initially guided by his father, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur and later he took initiation from the Vaisnava stalwart, Srila Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji Maharaj. With the onset of Gaudiya Mission, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur became the fountainhead of a sublime era of Krishna Consciousness all over. He re-established the foundational axiom of Gaudiya Vaisnava principles through rigorous preaching and his bonafide authoritative dissemination of knowledge permeated swiftly within all. His discourses, conversations and lectures were carefully preserved by his dear disciples.
‘Sarasvati Sanlap’, The Uncommon Dialogues is a nectar trove of intricate Vedic knowledge, sheer spiritual inspiration and guidelines for all to become spiritual warriors. Every person reading this book will definitely be boosted to fight the odds in devotion. Apart from being the living encyclopedia, Srila Sarasvati Thakur was a living embodiment of the teachings of Lord Chaitanya and the six Gosvamis, and a valiant Acarya.
Isvara Dasa, the publisher and compiler of the book proudly flaunted the book by quoting:
“Being very pleased to have heard Śrīla Prabhupāda’s words, Professor Johanns began to say as he took his leave that he had met many Hindus, saints, sannyāsīs, and learned scholars in India, but all of them, more or less encourage anyābhilāṣa, or the desire for material enjoyment, and that their honesty and learning is borrowed – that is, it is only book knowledge used to impress people. But today he was very, very glad to have met with a genuine and practical paṇḍita and saintly person. “Śrīla Prabhupāda spoke from the heart,” he said, “and it was clear that he believed his own words so much that without being a self-realized soul such self-confidence could not arise. I also found in him the unique capacity to make others believe the truth he has realized. This is possible only to a great personality who is empowered by God.”
According to the entire Publication team, this book has the potency to fire up and energize the readers to face and overcome many hindrances in devotion and further impel them to inculcate devotion with unfathomable love and true sincerity. This edition is an exclusive corroboration of essential and uncommon instructions of Srila Sarasvati Thakur which is a truly fructified fruit of devotion. The readers will get a guaranteed dose of spiritual impetus.
The book is now available for purchase. It is 280 Pages. Harbound Print, E-book in PDF, Epub and Kindle Format.
Hence make the best of the opportunity available before you! You can also order the book directly if you are in India by calling us at +91-8336916108 or through our website:
https://touchstonemedia.com
just by writing to us at info@touchstonemedia.com!
Get the real matter for your soul-nourishment today!
Your servant,
Isvara Dasa
Bhagavata Ratnamala – a new release by Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha…
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Bhagavata Ratnamala - a new release by Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha (@ Govardhan Eco Village)
Bhagavata Ratnamala - a handy pocket sized compilation of nectar verses from Cantos 1-6 of the Srimad Bhagavatam. Compact and complete with all the most vital, power packed and reslihing verses, this book is brought to you by the same makers of Bhagavata Subodhini – the Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha Team.
Come and get to know the 200 jewel-like verses from Cantos 1-6!
MRP: Rs. 50/- No. of pages: 208, Soft bound.
For ordering information, kindly contact 9167204667/ 9869671478/ 9167780573 or mail us at ratnamala.bvvp@gmail.com or visit vidyapitha.in.
For more information about the book visit http://www.vidyapitha.in/bhagavata-ratnamala/
Vrindavan – the place to worship
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 26 April 2016, Radhadesh, Belgium, Vyasa Puja Address)
I spent time in Vrindavan by Krsna´s grace. I had not deserved it but somehow or other, I joined there. I had the good fortune of being in the place where Krsna was so present and where Prabhupada was so present. In the Krsna Balarama mandir in every nook and corner, there was such a strong focus on Prabhupada that I understood: IT IS about Prabhupada. I saw the leaders of the movement coming to Vrindavan and I heard from them too. I heard Tamal Krsna Maharaj say, “In Vrindavan we cannot accept a lot of worship. This is the place to worship, not the place to be worshiped!” But Prabhupada is worshiped.
All the leaders of our movement came to worship Prabhupada and Krsna in Vrindavan and to become more simple. One of our leaders asked, “But what will I do in Vrindavan?” In one sense there is nothing to do, nothing other than to chant Hare Krsna. Vrindavan is not the place to walk around with a big danda; the vrijbhasis are not impressed by that. Everyone is a devotee and everyone has some attributes but the essence is the glorification of the name, the glorification of Krsna, service to Krsna somehow or other. That is what is respected and that is what gives someone a position in the society in Vrindavan.
Transcribed by Tattvavati dd
June 20. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa…
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June 20. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Boarders.
As Prabhupada retired to his apartment and his guests disappeared through the front door, back into the city, Don and Raphael would turn out the lights, lock the front door, and go to sleep on the floor in their blankets. Don and Raphael had needed a place to stay when they heard about the Swami’s place. Prabhupada had a policy that any boy who expressed even a little interest in becoming his student could stay in the storefront and make it his home. Of course, Prabhupada would ask them to contribute toward the rent and meals, but if, like Don and Raphael, they had no money, then it was still all right, provided they helped in other ways. Don and Raphael were the first two boys to take advantage of Prabhupada’s offer. They were attracted to Swamiji and the chanting, but they weren’t serious about his philosophy or the disciplines of devotional life. They had no jobs and no money, their hair was long and unkempt, and they lived and slept in the same clothes day after day. Prabhupada stipulated that at least while they were on the premises they could not break his rules – no intoxication, illicit sex, meat-eating, or gambling. He knew these two boarders weren’t serious students, but he allowed them to stay, in hopes that gradually they would become serious.
Don and Raphael were the Swami’s steady boarders, although during the day they also went out, returning only for meals, sleep, and evening chanting. Occasionally they would bathe, and then they would use the Swami’s bathroom in his apartment. Sometimes they would hang out in the storefront during the day, and if someone stopped by, asking about the Swami’s classes, they would tell the person all they knew (which wasn’t much). They admitted that they weren’t really into the Swami’s philosophy, and they didn’t claim to be his followers. If someone persisted in inquiring about the Swami’s teachings, Don and Raphael would suggest, “Why don’t you go up and talk to him? The Swami lives in the apartment building out back. Why don’t you go up and see him?”
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Reflections on Father’s Day
Giriraj Swami
Today, on Father’s Day, some devotees thought of me and wrote to me. I thought of Srila Prabhupada and a letter he wrote to a disciple: “You have accepted me as father, so I have also accepted you as my dear and real son. Relationship of father and son on spiritual platform is real and eternal; on the material platform such relationship is ephemeral and temporary. Although I cannot give you anything as father, still I can pray to Krishna for your more and more advancement in Krishna consciousness. Your sincerity and service mood will always help you in advancing your genuine cause.”
I also thought of a verse and purport from Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.24.13):
etavaty eva susrusa karya pitari putrakaih
badham ity anumanyeta gauravena guror vacah
“Sons ought to render service to their father exactly to this extent. One should obey the command of his father or spiritual master with due deference, saying, ‘Yes, sir.’ ”
Srila Prabhupada explains, “Two words in this verse are very important; one word is pitari, and another word is guroh. The son or disciple should accept the words of his spiritual master and father without hesitation. Whatever the father and the spiritual master order should be taken without argument: ‘Yes.’ There should be no instance in which the disciple or the son says, ‘This is not correct. I cannot carry it out.’ When he says that, he is fallen. The father and the spiritual master are on the same platform because a spiritual master is the second father. The higher classes are called dvija, twice-born. Whenever there is a question of birth, there must be a father. The first birth is made possible by the actual father, and the second birth is made possible by the spiritual master. Sometimes the father and the spiritual master may be the same man, and sometimes they are different men. In any case, the order of the father or the order of the spiritual master must be carried out without hesitation, with an immediate yes. There should be no argument. That is real service to the father and to the spiritual master. Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has stated that the order of the spiritual master is the life and soul of the disciples. As a man cannot separate his life from his body, a disciple cannot separate the order of the spiritual master from his life. If a disciple follows the instruction of the spiritual master in that way, he is sure to become perfect. This is confirmed in the Upanisads: the import of Vedic instruction is revealed automatically only to one who has implicit faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead and in his spiritual master. One may be materially considered an illiterate man, but if he has faith in the spiritual master as well as in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then the meaning of scriptural revelation is immediately manifested before him.”
On this occasion, I pray to become a proper servant of my spiritual master, or spiritual father, Srila Prabhupada, and of all his other servants.
Hare Krishna.
Your aspiring servant,
Giriraj Swami
ISKCON 50 Meditations: June 20, 2016
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New Semester of Online Classes
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I am prepared to begin new semesters of my online courses. I currently offer three courses. Please follow the links for more information:
The Role of Sacred Text in Gauḍīya Bhakti
Bhagavad-Gita – In Essence and Detail
An Ocean of Nectar (Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu)

Harinam at the “Vivid Festival”
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The Vivid festival in Sydney has been going for the last 2 or 3 years and it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the down town area.
It spans a 23 day period and engages lighting artists, designers and manufacturers from around Australia to illuminate Sydney’s urban spaces.
The devotees took the opportunity to have 2 or 3 hours of kirtan every night and were received with smiles and appreciation from both the organisers and the huge crowds of people.
Introducing the twenty root verses of Varnasrama
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Varnasrama series.
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Flowers festival Surabaya, Indonesia, meets Jagannath in Ratha…
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Flowers festival Surabaya, Indonesia, meets Jagannath in Ratha Yatra!
21 May, 2016, the annual Carnival of Surabaya city, also famous as the annual Flower Festival, was one special offering to Lord Jagannath. This year marked the third ratha yatra festival in Surabaya and as all the other ratha yatra festivals being celebrated in all the major cities of Indonesia, this too was no less special.
“Make the Ratha-yatra festival very great success. This will be a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it.“ (SPL to Syamasundara, 4th May, 1967).
Following the instructions of our previous acaryas under the directions of Srila Prabhupada is the foundation of our lives and therefore organizing ratha yatra festivals in a country like Indonesia is a humble means to please Srila Prabhupada. It is challenging and at times appears to be an almost impossible uphill task that devotees come almost to the point of giving up the whole idea. Who would travel hundreds of miles by flight, by car, train or even ship to attend ratha yatra in a place so far away from the cozy comforts of home? The results of such a challenging task is so much rewarding that devotees become so much blissful and ecstatic. And they are able to percieve that Jagannath is always upto doing something wonderful….just to inspire His wonderful devotees.
Various departments of Surabaya Government authority along with many other art communities participated in the carnival and somehow, amazingly, Lord Jagannath also decided to follow the carnival with third Ratha Yatra in Surabaya city. Surabaya, being a multi-ethnic community, is home to people of Indian Origin, Chinese, Buddhists and many other people of different faiths. Attractive arrangements of different flowers was the main feature of the carnival but the real attractive feature here were the people coming from so many different communities yet working together peacefully. More attractive than all others was the presence of Lord Jagannath in the carnival. And more attractive was the reciprocation of Lord Jagannath with His devotees. Devotees try whatever little they are able to do for the pleasure of Jagannath and in return, the Lord Himself would give His devotees overflowing bliss.
The organizers of the Carnival this year passed a resolution that each float could be accompanied by a maximum of 75 persons only. Hearing this many devotees changed their mind to come to Surabaya ratha yatra. Still around a hundred devotees joined the parade with Jagannath with no complaints from the authorities. HH Kavicandra Swami joined the devotees sometimes leading kirtan inspiring them all the way throughout the parade.
"For the present you endeavor to make Ratha-yatra festival grand and successful. You should arrange the procession and procedure so nicely that all the neighborhood people may be attracted to join the procession.” SPL to Upendra, 1st June, 1968
Lord Jagannnath, along with His brother Balarama, and His sister Subadra devi took a long journey from Jember to Surabaya to join the parade. The chariot also came along from Jember. Many devotees from other parts of Indonesia also came to join the Ratha yatra, doing whatever seva they could do for the pleasure of the Lord.
The Ratha-yatra started at 7.00 am. The chariot was pulled to the place where all participants were to gather. The route of the festival started from Tugu Pahlawan (Hero Monument) - Kramat Gantung - Gemblongan - Tunjungan - Gubernur Suryo - Yos Sudarso- Walikota Street Mustajab - Jaksa Agung Suprapto Street - Taman Surya.
After arriving at Tugu Pahlawan, the devotees did kirtan while waiting for the parade to commence. When the devotees started pulling the chariot the kirtan lead by Sesa das Prabhu and the singing Mahamantra started filling the air. The visitors at the parade were happy to hear the Maha Mantra and joined with devotees’ chanting and dancing even though they belonged to other faiths. And Jagannath again did something wonderful to inspire the devotees. Some of the onlookers expressed their amazement upon seeing a chariot so wonderful, fully decorated with ample amount of flowers and whose dome could be raised up and down. On another occasion, a girl from another faith came up to our devotees and said, “Oh! Who are there seated on the chariot? I can see one beautiful girl there and beside her I can see a very handsome young boy. They are looking so beautiful.” The devotees were left utterly amazed and at a loss of words.
At the finish line of the parade, Agastya Muni prabhu, on behalf of the devotees had a chance to present a flower garland from Lord Jagannath to the Mayor of Surabaya. The devotees also distributed the prasadam and Srila Prabhupada’s books along the parade.
His Holiness Kavichandra Swami took part in two of the ratha yatras just to inspire the devotees. Maharaj along with His Holiness Ramai Swami, both GBCs of Indonesia, are immensely instrumental in developing the sankirtan strategies in Indonesia. We are extremely grateful to both Maharaj for their continued guidance and inspiration. Our humble obeisances to H.H. Subhag Swami for inspiring us with the life and dedication of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu, for helping us realize the importance of Srila Prabhupada in our lives and keeping us united in family of ISKCON. Subhag Maharaj always encouraged the devotees saying it is Jagannath who is doing everything. We are simply instruments in His hands. All the credit goes to Jagannath. All credit goes to Srila Prabhupada. We also offer our humble gratitude to all our wonderful devotees who worked tirelessly to make this festival successful. Jai Jagannath. Jai Srila Prabhupada.
To see the gallery with more photos: https://goo.gl/XFDJ63
Merciful and Funny—The Story of the Panihati Festival
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The word markata-vairagya, indicating false renunciation, is very important in this verse. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, in commenting on this word, points out that monkeys make an external show of renunciation by not accepting clothing and by living naked in the forest. In this way they consider themselves renunciants, but actually they are very busy enjoying sense gratification with dozens of female monkeys. Such renunciation is called markata-vairagya—the renunciation of a monkey. One cannot become really renounced until one actually becomes disgusted with material activity and sees it as a stumbling block to spiritual advancement. Renunciation should not be phalgu, temporary, but should exist throughout one’s life. Temporary renunciation, or monkey renunciation, is like the renunciation one feels at a cremation ground. When a man takes a dead body to the crematorium, he sometimes thinks, “This is the final end of the body. Why am I working so hard day and night?” Such sentiments naturally arise in the mind of any man who goes to a crematorial ghata. However, as soon as he returns from the cremation grounds, he again engages in material activity for sense enjoyment. This is called smasana-vairagya, or markata-vairagya. Continue reading "Merciful and Funny—The Story of the Panihati Festival
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Does My Spiritual Master Care For Me?
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The worldwide preaching mission of Iskcon is still a novelty in historical vaisnava terms. This is the first successful attempt, and still very much work in progress. Often we hear that other religious organisations have old-age homes, hospices, hospitals, schools and the rest, and they have been around for many centuries. We have a few of these amenities already, after just 40 odd years, so we’re not doing too badly so far. For a preaching mission that supposedly has little regard for “Home comforts,” it is doing even better. We again often hear the comparison that our worldwide expanse fares poorly with the traditional localised system of guru/disciple relationships. Is this true? The majority of traditional gurus were grhasthas, who for family reasons stayed local. The renounced sannyasa gurus usually wandered like mendicants and so their disciples would expect long periods of separation. It so happens that the majority of our initiating gurus are sannyasis who travel the world preaching. Even the relatively few grhastha gurus also travel and are not always localised. This difference in comparison is not a poor one. Why did Srila Prabhupada set this standard himself? There were times when communities of his disciples waited for long periods before his return from preaching duties elsewhere in the world. Continue reading "Does My Spiritual Master Care For Me?
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Rainmakers, Big and Small
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"Scientists say that water is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen," writes Srila Prabhupada, the founder and spiritual guide of the Hare Krsna movement, "but when they see a vast ocean they are puzzled about where such a quantity of hydrogen and oxygen could have come from. They think that everything evolved from chemicals. But where did the chemicals come from? We actually see that chemicals are produced from living entities. For example, a lemon tree produces many tons of citric acid. The citric acid is not the cause of the tree; rather, the tree is the cause of the acid. Similarly, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the cause of everything. He is the cause of the tree that produces the citric acid. He is the cause of the chemicals." Jaded by an impersonal, mechanistic view of nature, materialistic scientists deny that rain is ultimately an energy of God. Ultimately, they say, we cannot be certain about rain or anything else. And ultimately, if all we do is listen to them, they certainly seem to be right. During a bad drought in California a few years ago, one scientifically-minded politician proposed towing in icebergs from the Arctic. In the meantime rain mercifully came. And when it did I happened to be in Santa Barbara, where I met a man named Zeus. He worked with the local weather bureau. "Man is a function of his genes and environment," Zeus told me, "but [whispering] he has incredibly more potential to control them than he knows." "And now man is also going to control the weather?" I asked. "Going to! Why, just last week we seeded some clouds over Catalina, and it rained buckets." I pointed to the tempest outside. "Can you make it stop?" Zeus opened his eyes and mouth wide, raised a forefinger high and sneezed and sneezed and sneezed. He could no more stop the rain than he could the common cold. Continue reading "Rainmakers, Big and Small
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Distributing books in Parramatta, Sydney.
Me and my godbrother…
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Distributing books in Parramatta, Sydney.
Me and my godbrother Yasodeva prabhu, the perfection of Vaishnava dealings, were distributing in Parramatta, Sydney (Srila Prabhupada called this place pramada, because its full of crazies :-)).
I was off like a rocket. There was a lot of charity workers on the street so I was walking from one end of the Church street to the other trying so hard to be the doer. Even with all my expertise nothing was happening. On my own I could hardly distribute even one book.
So I thought, “I’m just going to stand here in this spot under the rail bridge near Yasodeva and if Krishna wants he will send someone to take a book.”
People were rushing by. I tried to stop a small Italian lady. She caught a glimpse of the book as she brushed me off. She must have got about ten meters away and turned around saying, ” Is that Bhagavata Gita!?”…….. I said yes and she came running back. “Oh I’ve been looking for this book.” She said that back in Italy her father had the Bhagavat Gita and when she was eight years old she was reading it and her father told her not to. I get the impression that it was because she was too young. She said “I’ve been looking for it ever since, on the Internet, everywhere.” She must have been about thirty years old now. She gave a nice donation and happily walked away reunited with her long lost friend Krsna.
I was impressed and wondered what else Krsna had planned for the day.
Next there was a group of disabled persons driving by in their motorised wheel chairs with their caretakers walking with them. I decided not to try to stop the caretakers as I have done in the past and they have always politely said no because they were too busy taking care of their dependents. So I was careful not to be noticed as I was glancing at one of the disabled persons trying to absorb the danger of taking birth again. As they walked and rolled past I was holding the Bhagavat Gita at ease with the back showing, in a way almost impossible to recognise. I looked back at them and one of the female caretakers turned around….
I thought she was going to get angry at me for looking at them. She came walking back to me looking at the book in my hand with the back showing not the cover. I was stunned when she said timidly “Is that Bhagavat Gita?” I said yes we are monks, while quickly revealing the cover. She said she had heard about it & had been searching for it while her dependents were rolling of in the distance. It was like Krsna was right there in her heart telling her to take the book. BG 15.15. She Thanked me and run back to her group.
Then while I was talking to some people an Indian man entered the circle and was eager to receive the mercy. The others left and I handed him a hard cover SSR. I had a polite conversation with him about practicing Krsna Consciousness in society today. He said he was a financier and his company had lost nine million dollars of investors money. Still he was so happy to meet a devotee he gave me fifty dollars and said “We need people like you to become politicians.” He also gave me his business card but something tells me not to invest with him.
Now nearing the end of the day I was getting more books from my box under the tree and two favourable youths come over to express their appreciation of the books they had received a few weeks ago. So I was encouraging them when a Council Ranger appeared on the scene. “Whats going on?” he said. Thinking he was there to bust me, as they usually do, I just tried to make out that we were all friends talking and there was definitely no book selling going on. He politely waited as I invited the young bhaktas to our loft program. The Ranger got in on the conversation and said that he had got a call about some people flooding the street with flyer’s. Relieved I realised he wasn’t after us he was after the six back packers in bright orange shirts with their city parking vouchers. All day they had been right next to us. With great vigilance I told him “yes they just moved down there. See you can’t miss them.” The ranger walked off on his business. After five minutes he came back happily asking ” So what are you guys doing anyway? Are you the Hare Krsnas?” I said yes. He was in ecstasy reminiscing all his encounters with devotees over the years. He said he has become good friends with Shantiparayana prabhu. “Yeah tell Shanti you met Ranger Sam. He will remember me. I’ve been to the temple for a feast. Yeah you guys are great!” This was a bit unusual for me but I just asked him why don’t you take a book then. He claimed he wasn’t a big reader. I said “then take a little one.” He said he was a Muslim but he grew up in Australia, being taught that life was about making money not bowing down five times a day. I just smiled and asked for a donation and he gave what he had and insisted I say hello to Shanti prabhu from him. He said he is known as the Parra Ranger Sam so I called him the Power Ranger and we all laughed.
So the moral to this story is we can try so hard to be the doer but if we just stand back and let Krishna do His thing amazing things will happen.
Thank you for your Patience. Your servant,
Uddhava Das
A belated video of Book Distributors’ and Gurukulis’ NVD parikrama
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Victory! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our first…
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Victory! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our first festival of the summer season in Chisinau, Moldova, was a grand success. Over 5,000 people attended. Our new theater entitled “Vrindavan” was greatly appreciated. The stunning costumes, the soundtrack and the professional acting had the entire audience mesmerized. Seeing so many people enjoying and appreciating Krsna conscious for the first time gave great satisfaction to all the devotees. Srila Prabhupada, we are pleased to offer you yet another victory in the sankirtan movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/5HjCyp
Daily Darshan: June 19th, 2016
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Bhagavad Gita Class, Ch. 2 . v.13 given by 7 years old Radha…
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Bhagavad Gita Class, Ch. 2 . v.13 given by 7 years old Radha Padma Devi dasi (8 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Always remember Krishna Who is your dear most friend and always serve Him just to please Him, and He will give you all intelligence how to be a first-class devotee. Letter to Mr. DDD, March 3, 1970.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/J7NdfO
Iskcon of Silicon Valley: Harinaam, June 2016 (Album with…
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Iskcon of Silicon Valley: Harinaam, June 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In this age, hearing is more important than thinking, because one’s thinking may be disturbed by mental agitation, but if one concentrates on hearing, he will be forced to associate with the sound vibration of Krishna. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.24.35)
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Harinama in Haifa, Israel, 18.06.2016 (Album with photos)
Srila…
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Harinama in Haifa, Israel, 18.06.2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Those who are advanced and highly qualified and are interested in the essence of life know the good qualities of Kali-yuga. Such people worship the age of Kali because in this age, simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one can advance in spiritual knowledge and thus attain life’s goal. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 11.5.36)
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Three types of austerities – Gita 17.14-16 (Hindi)
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