A Facelift for Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold – May/June 2016 Issue BTG Magazine
ECO-Vrindaban Launches an Array of Exciting Efforts for ISKCON’s 50th
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit
By Madhava Smullen
Evo-Vrindaban members Krsna Nama das, Nitai Chandra das, Lila, and Chaitanya Bhagavat das begin planting this year’s strawberry patch in New Vrindaban’s Community garden.
With ISKCON celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2016, ECO-Vrindaban – New Vrindaban’s self-sufficiency wing – is making many special efforts to honor Srila Prabhupada’s desires for the community.
One of these is to put a special focus on growing grains, which Prabhupada instructed his New Vrindaban disciples to do early on. “These duties are there in New Vrindaban, and we shall have to live there self independently, simply by raising cows, grains, fruits, and flowers,” he wrote in 1969.
“So we researched what grain best suited the local environment, and found that traditionally corn was grown here by Native Americans hundreds of years before European settlers,” says Garden Manager Nitaicandra Das. “It’s also being grown very successfully by locals today.”
To begin with in this first year, Nitaicandra plans to dedicate about five acres to corn production at the Nandagram farm recently acquired by ECO-V. He also aims to grow oats, barley, spelt, wheat, quinoa and amaranth in quarter-acre test plots.
In keeping with Prabhupada’s desires, a large variety of vegetables will be grown too, in the New Vrindaban community gardens. And of course, the Deity Flower Garden crew, headed by Vidya Dasi, will be busy producing tons of flowers for Sri-Sri Radha-Vrindabanchandra.
“Produce. Make the whole field green,” Srila Prabhupada said during a conversation in Vrindavana, India in 1977. “Therefore I am asking so much… ‘Farm, farm, farm, farm.’ That is not my program—Krishna’s program.” He even later added, “Krishna is the Farm Acarya. Baladeva is holding a plow, and Krishna is holding the calf.”
Another 2016 goal of ECO-V’s, that was also a priority for Prabhupada, is to teach its growing herd of oxen to pull carts.
“We now have a state-of the art ox training facility at Nandagram,” explains Nitaicandra, who serves as the ox trainer too. “My goal is to train our oldest ox team, Hari and Priya, to pull a cart and help transport vegetables and tools in the garden this year. By New Vrindaban’s 50th anniversary in 2018, we aim for them to be ready to pull Prabhupada’s murti on a tour of Govardhana Hill.”
Ananda Vidya das and Lalita Gopi devi dasi serve the cows in a freshly painted goshala.
The cow care program is also getting special attention, with Ananda-Vidya, Lalita Gopi and other staff members freshly painting the milking goshala near the temple and insulating it to ensure the cows and their caretakers stay warm. The cows themselves are producing around twenty-six gallons of milk per day, which is made into butter and ghee for the temple and its presiding Deities and residents.
ECO-V Project Manager Mukunda Das, meanwhile, is also busy with offerings to Srila Prabhupada for ISKCON’s 50th. He is renovating and re-purposing New Vrindaban’s former brick factory and milk parlor as facilities for cleaning, canning and storing vegetables and grains.
“We want to improve ECO-V’s capacity to supply ISKCON New Vrindaban with as much of its food supplies, and for as much of the year as possible,” he says.
The facilities are already being used, and will store this year’s harvest beginning in July; although the full conversion will be a multi-year project.
Chaitanya Mangala das reports on the above earth-based home built by devotees in Madhuban during the spring INV Board Meetings tour.
Another exciting effort is the restoration of special sites of Prabhupada’s pastimes. One of these is a small, off-the-grid, earth-based home built by devotees in Madhuban from Prabhupada’s own design. Prabhupada visited the home in 1974, appreciating the construction and the simple life of its householder residents. Sitting on a rocking chair, he said, “You should make thousands of these nice houses.”
“It’s in major disrepair right now, so we’ll start by assessing its condition, and preventing further decay,” says Mukunda. “Then we’ll gradually restore it as a sacred historical site, with a picture of Prabhupada on a rocking chair. It will be a place where visitors can spend a moment with him, and see what simple living in New Vrindaban used to be and what it could be again.”
In addition to its own local efforts, ECO-V is taking ISKCON 50 as an opportunity to support simple living throughout ISKCON. It will provide a grant for Kalakantha Das, the ISKCON Minister for Agriculture and Cow Protection, to travel to four farm conferences he has organized this year in South America, Europe, Asia and North America.
ECO-V will also sponsor the registration fees for fifteen devotees to attend the North American conference in Gita Nagari this August, and will send its own representatives to talk about New Vrindaban’s efforts.
These will likely be Nitaicandra and Mukunda, who are thrilled at the opportunities they’ll get this year to connect with Srila Prabhupada, by spending ISKCON’s 50th anniversary serving a project so close to his heart.
ECO-Vrindaban Launches an Array of Exciting Efforts for ISKCON’s 50th
→ New Vrindaban
By Madhava Smullen
Evo-Vrindaban members Krsna Nama das, Nitai Chandra das, Lila, and Chaitanya Bhagavat das begin planting this year’s strawberry patch in New Vrindaban’s Community Garden.
With ISKCON celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2016, ECO-Vrindaban – New Vrindaban’s self-sufficiency wing – is making many special efforts to honor Srila Prabhupada’s desires for the community.
One of these is to put a special focus on growing grains, which Prabhupada instructed his New Vrindaban disciples to do early on. “These duties are there in New Vrindaban, and we shall have to live there self independently, simply by raising cows, grains, fruits, and flowers,” he wrote in 1969.
“So we researched what grain best suited the local environment, and found that traditionally corn was grown here by Native Americans hundreds of years before European settlers,” says Garden Manager Nitaicandra Das. “It’s also being grown very successfully by locals today.”
To begin with in this first year, Nitaicandra plans to dedicate about five acres to corn production at the Nandagram farm recently acquired by ECO-V. He also aims to grow oats, barley, spelt, wheat, quinoa and amaranth in quarter-acre test plots.
In keeping with Prabhupada’s desires, a large variety of vegetables will be grown too, in the New Vrindaban community gardens. And of course, the Deity Flower Garden crew, headed by Vidya Dasi, will be busy producing tons of flowers for Sri-Sri Radha-Vrindabanchandra.
“Produce. Make the whole field green,” Srila Prabhupada said during a conversation in Vrindavana, India in 1977. “Therefore I am asking so much... ‘Farm, farm, farm, farm.’ That is not my program—Krishna’s program.” He even later added, “Krishna is the Farm Acarya. Baladeva is holding a plow, and Krishna is holding the calf.”
Another 2016 goal of ECO-V’s, that was also a priority for Prabhupada, is to teach its growing herd of oxen to pull carts.
“We now have a state-of the art ox training facility at Nandagram,” explains Nitaicandra, who serves as the ox trainer too. “My goal is to train our oldest ox team, Hari and Priya, to pull a cart and help transport vegetables and tools in the garden this year. By New Vrindaban’s 50th anniversary in 2018, we aim for them to be ready to pull Prabhupada’s murti on a tour of Govardhana Hill.”
Ananda Vidya das and Lalita Gopi devi dasi serve the cows in a freshly painted goshala.
The cow care program is also getting special attention, with Ananda-Vidya, Lalita Gopi and other staff members freshly painting the milking goshala near the temple and insulating it to ensure the cows and their caretakers stay warm. The cows themselves are producing around twenty-six gallons of milk per day, which is made into butter and ghee for the temple and its presiding Deities and residents.
ECO-V Project Manager Mukunda Das, meanwhile, is also busy with offerings to Srila Prabhupada for ISKCON’s 50th. He is renovating and re-purposing New Vrindaban’s former brick factory and milk parlor as facilities for cleaning, canning and storing vegetables and grains.
“We want to improve ECO-V’s capacity to supply ISKCON New Vrindaban with as much of its food supplies, and for as much of the year as possible,” he says.
The facilities are already being used, and will store this year’s harvest beginning in July; although the full conversion will be a multi-year project.
Chaitanya Mangala das reports on the above earth-based home built by devotees in Madhuban during the spring INV Board Meetings tour.
Another exciting effort is the restoration of special sites of Prabhupada’s pastimes. One of these is a small, off-the-grid, earth-based home built by devotees in Madhuban from Prabhupada’s own design. Prabhupada visited the home in 1974, appreciating the construction and the simple life of its householder residents. Sitting on a rocking chair, he said, “You should make thousands of these nice houses.”
“It’s in major disrepair right now, so we’ll start by assessing its condition, and preventing further decay,” says Mukunda. “Then we’ll gradually restore it as a sacred historical site, with a picture of Prabhupada on a rocking chair. It will be a place where visitors can spend a moment with him, and see what simple living in New Vrindaban used to be and what it could be again.”
In addition to its own local efforts, ECO-V is taking ISKCON 50 as an opportunity to support simple living throughout ISKCON. It will provide a grant for Kalakantha Das, the ISKCON Minister for Agriculture and Cow Protection, to travel to four farm conferences he has organized this year in South America, Europe, Asia and North America.
ECO-V will also sponsor the registration fees for fifteen devotees to attend the North American conference in Gita Nagari this August, and will send its own representatives to talk about New Vrindaban’s efforts.
These will likely be Nitaicandra and Mukunda, who are thrilled at the opportunities they’ll get this year to connect with Srila Prabhupada, by spending ISKCON’s 50th anniversary serving a project so close to his heart.
Advancement in Krishna Consciousness is 90% Association, May 29, Sadhu Sanga Retreat, North Carolina
Giriraj Swami
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 22.83.
“krsna-bhakti-janma-mula haya ‘sadhu-sanga’
krsna-prema janme, tenho punah mukhya anga
Translation: “The root cause of devotional service to Lord Krishna is association with advanced devotees. Even when one’s dormant love for Krishna awakens, association with devotees is still most essential. (Cc Madhya 22.83)
“Sacinandana Swami was making the point that if we are in a humble mood, we will see our godbrothers and godsisters—people who are superficially similar to ourselves—as being more advanced. And that would fulfill the condition; sadhu sanga sato vare. He gave the example of the two of us; Superficially we appear to be equals. But he is thinking. ‘Oh, Giriraj Swami is more advanced than I am, I can learn from him.’ And Giriraj is thinking—and this part is true. ‘Sacinandana Swami is more advanced than I am and I can learn from him.’ In that mood we are getting sadhu-sanga.”
Kitan, Sadhu Sanga
Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 22.83, Sadhu Sanga
Fear and doubt
→ KKSBlog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 20 July 2013, Cape Town, South Africa, Spirit Matters Program)
Question: Do you have any nice words to remind us not to have doubt whenever we have fear or doubt?
There are two types of doubts. One type of doubt comes from sinful activity and attachment to sinful activity. The other type of doubt comes from intelligence because we are also investigating something and cannot just accept everything blindly. So, there is also a healthy doubt. In the third canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Kapiladev explains to his mother these two types of doubt. About the other doubt, the one coming from sinful activities, one senior vaishnava said that instead of thinking about my doubts, I think about my faults and when I try to improve my faults then my doubts go away!
Vedic Discourse by very special guest His Holiness Kratu Maharaj this Sunday – June/05/2016
→ ISKCON Brampton
While in West, he worked as professional engineer for five years in Toronto.In Chicago he worked for Chicago temple as director of congregational preaching. He then became temple President of Vancouver temple in 1987. In 1993, he moved to Baroda, Gujarat and conducted college and school preaching. He also started a book distribution program by Bullock Cart for every town and village. In 1997, he became temple President of ISKCON, Delhi and continued house and pandal preaching programs.
In 2002, he became an initiating spiritual master in ISKCON and is ever since vigorously travelling and preaching all over the world and regularly visiting USA, Canada, UK, Europe and continuously preaching in India, conducting pandal programs, educational programs and devotional tours.
Japathon-Congregational Mantra Meditation Next meeting on June 4 ,2016(5.30am-9.30am) at ISKCON Brampton
The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His Energy to give protection to the conditioned soul.japa, when performed with focus and attention, can subdue the agitating effects of one’s mind and senses. The senses, of which the mind is also one, are constantly being stimulated by the external world - by gross and subtle matter.
If you have not chanted before, and would like to participate in this program, we will be very happy to show how you can do this.
All welcome. We’ll loan you a set of Beads!
Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make Srila Prabhupada happy.
Please contact:
Rasaraj Dasa-rajrushika@yahoo.com/ 647.887.5736(Mississauga and Brampton regions)
Narahari Dev Dasa- naraharidev@gmail.com (
region)
The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His Energy to give protection to the conditioned soul.japa, when performed with focus and attention, can subdue the agitating effects of one’s mind and senses. The senses, of which the mind is also one, are constantly being stimulated by the external world - by gross and subtle matter.
If you have not chanted before, and would like to participate in this program, we will be very happy to show how you can do this.
All welcome. We’ll loan you a set of Beads!
Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make Srila Prabhupada happy.
Please contact:
Rasaraj Dasa-rajrushika@yahoo.com/ 647.887.5736(Mississauga and Brampton regions)
Narahari Dev Dasa- naraharidev@gmail.com (
region)
COMING UP AHEAD
Celebrampton-Flower City ParadeSaturday, June 11, 2016,11 am - 4 pm in Down Town Brampton
This free event attracts more than 35,000 Brampton residents and visitors with a variety of activities and fun for the entire family.We would like to encourage our members and their families to come out to sing and dance with us during the parade and represent ISKCON Brampton. You may dress up traditionally in colourful outfits on a flower theme.You are requested to assemble in temple at 1 pm.
Find more details of Celebrampton here or contact Amoghalila Dasa.
Fasting For Bhima Ekadasi(Nirjala)Fasting.....................on Wed June 15,2016
Breakfast.................on Thu June 16,2016 b/w 7.00am-10.44am
Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
**This time it would be complete fast,no drinking,no eating**
Sunday SchoolTo register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.
Call:647.893.9363
The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. School
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).
Gift ShopOur boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewellery, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy
Here is another way to have people pronounce the holy name with…
→ Dandavats
Here is another way to have people pronounce the holy name with commotion and broadcast it to many thousands others who are listening! (4 min video)
There is this famous football player named Roy Krishna and every time he gets the ball the commentator tells his name, especially when he makes goals. Hear with how much intensity they pronounce the name of the Lord, unknowingly doing heaps of advancement!
[Sukadeva Gosvami to King Pariksit]: Even if he chants the Lord’s name jokingly or by chance, he and anyone who hears him are freed from all sins.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 5.25.11
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/gqQwls
REMEMBERING WHAT’S AMAZING:
→ Karnamrita's blog
The Gita teaches us that the soul’s amazing!
Though when I am trying to get up
I don’t feel very amazing.
It’s 20 before 3 in the morning—
I should get up before the alarm rings.
It’s 5 before 3 in the morning—
I should get up like I say I want to.
The alarm annoyingly rings at 3:15 am.
I want to leap out of bed like I used to,
though I’d rather sleep more.
I throw off the covers.
When I bow down to Prabhupada
I want to sleep, but I can’t, I must arise.
Feeling tired and not very amazing
I still push myself up, helped by the wood chest.
Walking to the toilet to relieve myself,
I say, “At least I’m up before 4 am.”
Back in my room I fold my bedding
thinking that even in my foggy condition
being alive and trying to wake up is amazing!
New Bhagavad-gita Exhibit Opens at MOSA Belgium
→ ISKCON News
A brand new exhibit of artwork from Kim Waters and Chris Murray’s classic 1980 book, Illuminations from the Bhagavad-gita, opened at the Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA) in Radhadesh, Belgium on May 28th. The exhibit features all Kim’s original illustrations from the book, which is illuminated with translated verses from Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
ISKCON Hosts 2nd European Yoga Congress
→ ISKCON News
ISKCON of Radhadesh, Belgium hosted the 2nd European Yoga Congress from May 27th to 29th, sharing insights and techniques with thirteen different yoga schools from twelve countries. The seeds of the event were sewn in November 2014, when many different yoga organizations met at Yoga Vidya in Germany, Europe’s largest yoga ashram, to explore commonalities and possibilities for cooperation.
ISKCON Celebrates the 500th Anniversary of Lord Chaitanya’s visiting Vrindavan
→ Dandavats
By Yudhistir Govinda Das
On May 28, 2016, ISKCON celebrated the 500th anniversary of Lord Chaitanya’s visit to Vrindavan at the famous Talkatora Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
The Festival of Inspiration, which was attended by nearly 8,000 people from Delhi-NCR and other parts of India, saw the presence of several senior vaishnavas such as:
HH Gopal Krishna Maharaja
HH Bhanu Maharaja
HH Lokanath Maharaja
HH Navayogendra Maharaja
HG Basu Ghosh Prabhu among many others
The festival was inaugurated by India’s Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Dr Mahesh Sharma. While addressing the audience he praised the contributions of Srila Prabhupada for taking the message of India all around the world and congratulated the devotees for the 50th anniversary of ISKCON. He also spoke with appreciation for Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s movement.
The Hon’ble Minister later released a book on Vraja Mandala Parikrama authored by HH Lokanath Maharaja and was presented a memento by ISKCON India Chairman HH Gopal Krishna Maharaja.
The event showcased several presentations by national and international devotee artists who captivated the attention of the audience many of whom were donors and well-wishers of ISKCON.
Participants were treated to the likes of Bhaktivedanta Academy (Mayapur) who chanted mantras for bringing in auspiciousness and was followed by Dasavatar Odisi dance, Shadow Play on Bhagavad Gita by the students of IIT Kharagpur and Kirtan by the Mayapur International Preaching group along with talks by the visiting devotees.
The festival allowed the devotees to introduce Lord Chaitanya and Gaudiya Vaishnavism to many people who didn’t know about these subjects otherwise. The response, in terms of attendance and engagement, has been exceptionally good, beyond the expectations of the devotees.
The photographs of the event can be viewed by accessing the below link:
https://goo.gl/h5Z96j
Thank you.
Your servant,
Yudhistir Govinda Das
PS: Some other dignitaries who had confirmed their participation couldn’t make it due to the last minute celebrations organized by the BJP to celebrate their second anniversary in power.
Food for Life Vrindavan
→ ISKCON News
Food for Life Vrindavan (http://fflvrindavan.org) is a humanitarian aid organisation officially recognized by the Indian government. For the last ten years, we have worked in the poorest villages in the Vrindavan area (120 Km south of New Delhi).
Panihati Chida-Dahi Festival and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami
→ Dandavats
By Chandan Yatra Das Panihati Chida-dahi Mahotsav, also known as the Chipped Rice Festival, is a yearly celebration of the pastimes of Srila Raghnnatha dasa Gosvami and Lord Nityananda Prabhu. This astonishing pastime took place on the banks of the Ganges at Panihati, which is about 1 hour drive from Kolkata airport. (Ask for ‘Panihati Boat Ghat’, Sodepur.) Lord Caitanya and His associates enjoyed many transcendental pastimes here. Chida-Dahi Mahotsav remembers how Lord mercifully reciprocated with His devotees by arranging, through Nityananda Prabhu and Raghunatha dasa, to provide an ecstatic feast of yogurt and chipped rice, along with various other nectar foodstuffs. At Panihati, Raghunatha dasa obtained interview with Nityananda Prabhu. Sitting on a rock, Lord Nityananda seemed as effulgent as hundreds of thousands of rising suns. Many devotees sat on the ground surrounding Him. Seeing the influence of Nityananda Prabhu, Raghunatha dasa was astonished. He offered his obeisances by falling prostrate at a distant place, and the servant of Nityananda Prabhu pointed out, “There is Raghunatha dasa, offering You obeisances.” Hearing this, Lord Nityananda Prabhu said, “You are a thief. Now you have come to see Me. Come here, come here. Today I shall punish you!” Continue reading "Panihati Chida-Dahi Festival and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami
→ Dandavats"
What exactly is the eternal treasure of bhakti (Hindi)
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Brahmachari class at Nasik
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post What exactly is the eternal treasure of bhakti (Hindi) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Can doing PhD help devotees in their outreach?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Can doing PhD help devotees in their outreach? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
How do we counter the many misconceptions about dharma in today’s mainstream society? (Hindi)
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post How do we counter the many misconceptions about dharma in today’s mainstream society? (Hindi) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
How do we see philosophical differences among acharyas of different sampradayas? (Hindi)
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post How do we see philosophical differences among acharyas of different sampradayas? (Hindi) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
How do we understand which section of scripture is literal and which poetic? (Hindi)
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post How do we understand which section of scripture is literal and which poetic? (Hindi) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Small Dome ‘Ribs’ Mock-Up
- TOVP.org
Here are some pictures of what the ‘ribs’ on the outside of the (small) dome will look like. We’ve used gold paint as a ‘mock-up’ on the sides, but in the final stage it will be a lot more golden as it will be made in Titanium Nitrade. Gauranga!!
The post Small Dome ‘Ribs’ Mock-Up appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
When the soul is liberated, is the subtle body spiritualized or abandoned? (Hindi)
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post When the soul is liberated, is the subtle body spiritualized or abandoned? (Hindi) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Inner Dome Ceiling Coffer Mock-Up
- TOVP.org
Some exciting new artwork has been happening. The first picture below shows you a real ‘mock-up’ of a coffered ceiling piece in GRC, painted by one of our Russian artists.
From this we took a photo which we copied and pasted to see the effect on a bigger scale. Although the colors may slightly change, this is what the inner main dome & Nrsimhadeva’s inner dome will look like. Next stage, we’ll do a 3D mock-up on the inner dome.
The post Inner Dome Ceiling Coffer Mock-Up appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Revati-ramana Prabhu talks about guru-tattva
→ SivaramaSwami.com
The post Revati-ramana Prabhu talks about guru-tattva appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
New study online by SadhusangaOnline.com
→ Dandavats
June 13th — July 11th SadhusangaOnline.com will conduct a study of one of the most relevant sections of Srimad Bhagavatam for anyone regularly chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, the first three chapters of the Sixth Canto.
Topics:
How Can One Uproot the Desire for Sinful Actions?
How Candidates for Hell are Determined
Was Ajamila Fit to Go to the Hellish Planets Due to His Sinful Lifestyle?
How Can One Atone and Gain Freedom from Past Sins?
A Taste for Chanting Requires Freedom from Past Sinful Reactions
Suddha-nama, Namabhasa & Namaparadha
Instructions by Yamaraja, the Lord of Dharma
Dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītaṁ
Mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ
Enroll at: SadhusangaOnline.com
Watch eCourse Overview: (http://sadhusangaonline.com)
How to Use Our Website: (https://youtu.be/hx6nLIeQqas)
Family Love and Affection: Very Necessary for Healthy Krsna-Conscious Families
→ Dandavats
By Krsnanandini devi dasi Sometimes devotees, especially in the neophyte state, misunderstand the meaning of detachment and attachment. And we erroneously conclude that showing affection or attachment is “maya” or material. Warm, loving interactions with other “bodies” may be taken as unnecessary or even as an impediment to spiritual growth. However, such thinking is a great misunderstanding. When we recognize that all things, all people and all living beings in general (as well as their bodies) belong to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we will see that we have nothing to renounce and nothing to be detached from because it all belongs to Krsna. Then we will aspire to use everything in His service and treat all with loving care. Srila Prabhupada exemplified this understanding in all of his interactions with everyone. Whether famous or not, a dignitary or a child, he treated each person with a sincere heartfelt caring. Continue reading "Family Love and Affection: Very Necessary for Healthy Krsna-Conscious Families
→ Dandavats"
Daily Darshan: June 3rd, 2016
→ Mayapur.com
The post Daily Darshan: June 3rd, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Judging Others and Jumping To Conclusions
→ Dandavats
Judging Others & Jumping To Conclusions.
Purnacandra das Goswami: Westerners, in general, take too much for granted and are not careful enough in social dealings.
Modern Western society conditions one to artificially come too close, too soon without respect for one another.
Read More...
ISKCON’s annual Interfaith and Communications Conference…
→ Dandavats
ISKCON’s annual Interfaith and Communications Conference in Florence (Album with photos)
ISKCON’s annual Interfaith and Communications Conference was this year held in Florence. 16 countries participated and we were visiting most interesting and beautiful places like: Il Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore; Santa Croce, with the tombs of Michelangelo, Dante and Galileo Galilei, and the robes of St Francis of Assisi. We also visited the Great Synagogue of Florence where we got a tour with the present Rabbi. And finally we met a politician where the discussion included the importance of interfaith in Florence (May 2016).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/piUhK3
Govindas vivid street kirtan by the Sydney Opera House: (Album…
→ Dandavats
Govindas vivid street kirtan by the Sydney Opera House: (Album with photos)
Kalasamvara Das: 1.7 million people flock to this event each year to see a visual feast of light and images staged over 23 nights. This year they also get a transcendental bonus, the ecstatic sound vibrations of the holy names as many join in, twirling, clapping and dancing along with our street Harinam party.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ae9Hs5
Bhaktivedanta Gurukula Excels in ICSE / ISC Board…
→ Dandavats
Bhaktivedanta Gurukula Excels in ICSE / ISC Board Results.
Nirmala Krishna Das, Vice-Principal (Admin): The management of Bhaktivedanta Gurukula & International School, Vrindavan is pleased to inform that our students of classes 10th & 12th have performed very well in the ICSE & ISC Board examinations.
The following are the top scorers
GRADE: 12 SCIENCE
SANCHIT LAKRA: 93.5
KRISHNA MURARI : 90
ABHISHEK MISHRA: 90
GAURAV LAKRA: 90
GRADE: 10 SCIENCE
GAUTAMESHWAR : 92.8
ARJUN GUPTA: 91.6
HARDIK GUPTA: 91.2
GRADE: 10 COMMERCE
MAYANK DUBEY : 93.8
DIVYANSH GUPTA: 92.2
We wish our teachers and students for this great success. In Bhaktivedanta Gurukula although the emphasis is on spiritual education we also see that our students perform well in material education, so that we full fill the motto of the school “To prepare fine citizens of the world, men of character and competence who can lead and inspire others”.
Australian Iskcon Annual General Meeting (Album with…
→ Dandavats
Australian Iskcon Annual General Meeting (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: At the end of May the leaders around Australia assembled at Melbourne temple for the annual general meeting.
Every year the AGM is held at different centres and after many years it was graciously hosted by Aniruddha and his team of capable devotees.
There were lots of topics discussed, among them, an update on the 50th anniversary celebrations around Australia, including the festival at the Sydney Opera House in August.
Find them here: http://goo.gl/ebdRiS
Unravelling the Mystery of Karma with QA
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Talk at Murugan temple in Melbourne
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Unravelling the Mystery of Karma with QA appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Hare Krishna devotees in town! (Album with photos)
Devotees of…
→ Dandavats
Hare Krishna devotees in town! (Album with photos)
Devotees of Hare Krishna came to Eastbourne, UK, this week during a five day walking festival from Hastings to Brighton.
The Pilgrimage for Peace saw a group walking with a bullock cart along the seafront.
Find them here: http://goo.gl/jOwFss
Bhakti Charu Swami at ISKCON New Jersey
Bhakti Charu Swami
Please find the video of the class given by HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj on 17th May 2016 at ISKCON Central New Jersey and also the launch of The Journey Within book by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
The post Bhakti Charu Swami at ISKCON New Jersey appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.
“Transcendental Journey” at the Sydney Opera House sells out in 3 days
→ Dandavats
Click on the player below to watch the promo video.
By Damodara Pandit das
The special global event to celebrate ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary at the Sydney Opera House has sold out in record time. The show entitled ‘Transcendental Journey: Hare Krishna Celebrate 50 Years’ was quite an ambitious and optimistic project but with overwhelming support from devotees and Australian public the show sold out in just 3 days. Transcendental Journey is a theatrical, musical and multimedia spectacular showcasing how Srila Prabhupada’s extraordinary journey transformed the lives of millions.
The performances scheduled on Saturday 20 August, 2016 follows the life of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as he journeys west to introduce the Krishna Movement in United States in the mid 1960-70’s. The show then presents the Hare Krishna explosion World-wide and the wonderful achievements to date.
Showcasing devotional music, dance and drama, the show will explore the challenges a young Bhaktivedanta Swami faced, as well as sojourning back to the era of Sri Chaitanya and then Krishna’s time some 5000 years ago. The show presents the cultural roots of Gaudiya Vaisnavism and celebrates the development of the movement in the West over the past 50 years.
‘Transcendental Journey’, will feature live on stage narration and recount from Mukunda Goswami, Bhakti Charu Swami, Radhanath Swami, Shyamasundara Prabhu and Malati Mataji. Grammy Nominated kirtana band ‘Bhakti without Borders’, Sri Prahlad and the Bhaktivedanta Gurukula Mantra Choir will add the musical segments and the ‘Natya Shakti’ Odissi dance troupe will feature throughout the story.
We hope this highly ambitious show will inspire everyone and expand the appreciation of Srila Prabhupada and the ISKCON Movement. We encourage all centres to use the talented devotees in ISKCON and create such wonderful events. And what is the future of ‘Transcendental Journey’? Well we would love to take the show to major venues in London, New York, Moscow, New Delhi, and of course Mayapur. It is the story of Prabhupada, Lord Chaitanya and Radha Krishna and the devotees – it should be played at every major city every night.
The special event in the Sydney Opera House will be framed by events in Sydney in days prior and after the event. Thursday will see a special Foundation Stone laying ceremony at the new Temple project in Sydney’s western suburb of Vineyard. Govinda’s Restaurant Darlinghurst will host a special 50th Celebratory Bhakti Film Fest on the Friday night and on Sunday there will be a special events; ‘Sadhu Sanga Sunday’ and ‘Journey Within – Kirtan Concert’ in Darlinghurst, Sydney.
Contact us.
Damodara Pandit das
Email: dpddas@hotmail.com
Ph: +61 415 190 313
Skype: dpd108
How can we help those who are sincerely following an unauthorized spiritual path?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post How can we help those who are sincerely following an unauthorized spiritual path? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Why doesn’t ISKCON distribute books free?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Why doesn’t ISKCON distribute books free? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Does spiritual advancement make one materially lethargic?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Does spiritual advancement make one materially lethargic? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
If spiritual advancement remove our worldly cravings, does that mean spiritualists can’t progress materially?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post If spiritual advancement remove our worldly cravings, does that mean spiritualists can’t progress materially? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The spiritual is beyond the social, national cultural and traditional
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Youth meeting at Nasik
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post The spiritual is beyond the social, national cultural and traditional appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
June 3. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa…
→ Dandavats
June 3. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: The Bowery Bum Offers Service.
Suddenly a Bowery derelict enters, whistling and drunkenly shouting. The audience remains seated, not knowing what to make of it.
Drunk: How are ya? I’ll be right back. I brought another thing.
Prabhupada: Don’t disturb. Sit down. We are talking seriously.
Drunk: I’ll put it up there. In a church? All right. I’ll be right back.
The man is white-haired, with a short, grizzly beard and frowsy clothing. His odor reeks through the temple. But then he suddenly careens out the door and is gone. Prabhupada chuckles softly and returns immediately to his lecture.
Several minutes later, the old derelict suddenly returns, announcing his entrance: “How are ya?” He is carrying something. He maneuvers his way through the group, straight to the back of the temple, where the Swami is sitting. He opens the toilet room door, puts two rolls of bathroom tissue inside, closes the door, and then turns to the sink, sits some paper towels on top of it and puts two more rolls of bathroom tissue and some more paper towels under the sink. He then stands and turns around toward the Swami and the audience. The Swami is looking at him and asks, “What is this?” The bum is silent now; he has done his work. Prabhupada begins to laugh, thanking his visitor, who is now moving toward the door: “Thank you. Thank you very much.” The bum exits. “Just see,” Prabhupada now addresses his congregation. “It is a natural tendency to give some service. Just see, he is not in order, but he thought that, ‘Here is something. Let me give some service.’ Just see how automatically it comes. This is natural.”
The young men in the audience look at one another. This is really far out – first the chanting with the brass cymbals, the Swami looking like Buddha and talking about Krishna and chanting, and now this crazy stuff with the bum. But the Swami stays cool; he’s really cool, just sitting on the floor like he’s not afraid of anything, just talking his philosophy about the soul and us becoming saints and even the old drunk becoming a saint!
After almost an hour, the dog still barks, and the kids still squeal.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=9