Websites from the ISKCON Universe
At present, the rainwater pipes are being put in place for the TOVP. These are the main drainage pipes, which will collect rainwater from the roof of the main temple.
They will all be underground, underneath the utility floor. All water will run out to major outside areas, like gardens etc. This gives you an idea of the size of the pipes.
[See image gallery at tovp.org]
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Harinam In Macapa-Amazonia with Bhakti Narasimha Swami (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Kali-kale nama-rupe krsna-avatara (Cc. Adi 17.22): In this age, Krishna has appeared in the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. The Krishna Consciousness movement is spreading like wildfire all over the world, and it will go on doing so. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.20 Purport)
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TOVP updates. (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: At present, the rainwater pipes are being put in place for the TOVP.
These are the main drainage pipes, which will collect rainwater from the roof of the main temple.
They will all be underground, underneath the utility floor.
All water will run out to major outside areas , like gardens etc.
This gives you an idea of the size of the pipes.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ENFcu6
ISKCON Nairobi - Muslim And Christian Students Get The Mercy (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The performance of sankirtana-yajna is a special concession for human society to save people from being affected by known or unknown sinful activities. We are surrounded by unlimited sins, and therefore it is compulsory that one take to Krishna consciousness and chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 9.16.23 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/photos/GxDXUiYhDB8iwUVDA
Iskcon Auckland New Zealand: Rathayatra day! (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna chant is called the maha-mantra, the great, exalted mantra above all other Vedic mantras, because simply chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra brings so many beneficial effects. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.1.17 Purport)
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May 25. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: 26 Second Avenue Kaleidoscope.
All glories to that 1966 kirtana which is still going on and is available any time. I think that those kirtanas were very special because of the degree of reciprocation and attention and focus. Back and forward he chants and we hear. We chant and he hears. The holy name is merciful. Pay attention and hear. It is a transcendental sound vibration. Try it, there is no tax.
Swami pounds the drum. He sings in almost relentless delivery, again and again giving the mantra as if he could go on forever, except the time and place don’t allow. We sing back to him. He is patient and convinced. “Just hear.” He knows we will take to it if we can only hear it. He has no doubt. The heart of everything is right there even now, even in the beginning, even in 1966 – the books, Gaudiya Vaisnavism, India, the sacred Yamuna, Radha-Krishna Deities, Sanskrit … Everything is here, present in the sound vibration of the holy name and in his own presence.
Remembering early times in New York is nice because it gives us an idea of what Krishna consciousness always is and what it should be today – the excitement and ecstasy to get together and chant. When the rhythm starts to build, the many karatalas sound like waves. It’s a crashing surf of happy emotions.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8
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26 Second Avenue Kaleidoscope
Every year the devotee leaders from around New Zealand come to Auckland for the annual general meeting. This is held in one of the classrooms at the Hare Krsna School at New Varshana.
This year, along with other matters, there was a strategic planning session facilitated by Nitya Priya Devi Dasi. The main topic was was how to implement ideas to spread Krsna Consciousness in a combined way throughout New Zealand.
From a Russian jail.
I worked as a senior flight attendant with a good salary and roamed freely around the world. I had a beautiful pregnant woman and everything seemed complete, but in my heart I felt a terrible emptiness.
The world had no attraction, as nothing made me happy. I started to smoke marijuana and take drugs. The grass and drugs made me feel better for a while, but finally began to make me feel worse. With all my strength I tried to abandon drugs, but I could not. The grass held me in her arms, and I did not have the strength to leave her.
One morning I got up and began to pray: “O Lord, in my life, nothing brings me joy, though you have given me everything I wanted. I am very unhappy. As a child I was happy! Please let me feel that way again and again!”
In my head I listened to a clear thought: “It will not be easy.”
I prayed earnestly and understood that I will have to pay quite a price.
Two months later the friend who supplied me drugs was seized by the police on the street, and to save himself, he told the police where I lived. Police found drugs in my house, and my “friend” was released on bail, after which he fled to another country and the whole case crashed down on me.
Suddenly I found myself in jail. The investigators denounced me, and I could not prove I was only taking drugs. Although an expensive lawyer was employed, I got a ten-year sentence for what I’d not done.
Now I know that this was a plan of Krishna’s, but then I did not understand it. Because Maya would not let me go, this was how Krishna cut my attachments.
In prison, Krishna began to send me the books of Srila Prabhupada.
Another detainee gave me the Bhagavad-gita and said: “This is the most valuable book for you.”
I read a few pages, but understood nothing and instead began to read gospels in the Bible. I read a lot about Christianity, but felt frustrated, as I had many unanswered questions. I had the feeling that something was hidden from people seeking God.
After six months in prison my condition was horrible. My relatives accused me. I felt bad. But Krishna took care of me and created a new situation.
Among the many books in the library I chose the Science of Self Realization.
I devoured the book. I reached the end and wanted more of these books, and knowing that I was in jail, I was very upset.
But Krishna continued manifesting through the librarian. She brought new books. Among them was Srila Prabhupada’s biography. I jumped for joy. For the first time I felt happy in jail! Reading it, I totally fell in love with Krishna and my dear Srila Prabhupada with all my heart and soul.
And this was not the end. All-attractive Krishna didn’t stop there,
knowing that I wanted to know more and more about Him. He sent a prisoner who had the First Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. I could not believe my eyes.
After three days, the new prisoner was moved to another cell but let me keep the book. At that moment I understood that I hold in my hands the very same Krishna I had been reading about. I studied the book very carefully, taking detailed notes. I did not understand it all, but tried to assimilate every last word, stretching out in time the pleasure of reading, knowing that I had no more books of Srila Prabhupada.
I tried to get more books. I asked my mother, the only person who helped me, to please get me more books about Krishna. But she refused, because she was a sworn Christian. Later, I felt the presence of Krishna, and a week after that my mom agreed! I ordered five books. Amazingly Krishna convinced my mother. I knew that to change her mind was practically impossible.
I started to tell her with all my heart about the inspiration of Krishna, quoting Srila Prabhupada. She listened with interest.
Krishna gave me this knowledge, and I began to search on the internet for a guru. I grew to love Krishna with all my heart.
Reading about Him and His devotees and companions, I did not feel that I am in prison, because I constantly thought about him, and thus He did not leave my head.
I feel immense pleasure when I speak to other people about Krishna. Echoing japa, I smile.
I started to feel disgusted with the meat I ate.
Sometimes remembering where I am, I feel worried because I don’t know what awaits me in the future. Krishna took away everything. But then I think about Him again, and I become happy.
Now some questions torture me that I have no answer for. Why did they give me so many years, if even only one year was enough so that I never forget Krishna.
* * *
Bhakti Vijnana Goswami answered:
My dear friend, Krishna not in vain gave you ten years in prison, because if you got freedom now, you would lose everything. When you truly accept Krishna in your heart, his name can delete all other samskaras and free you from all material desires. This depends on only one condition: understanding that in this world nothing else can save me. Not money, wealth, wife, home,
doctors … nothing. Srila Prabhupada says that this condition is true humility. We are looking for protection, but only Krishna can protect us. If we love Krishna, He will come to us! Here we see how Krishna came to you in the form of the wonderful books by and about Srila Prabhupada!”
Book distribution in a small village of Czech Republic (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One should invite people, chant Hare Krishna, and then distribute prasadam. This yajna will satisfy all the demigods, and thus there will be peace and prosperity in the world. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.6.53 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/d07x0v
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Friendly Fire!
Sutapa Das: With genuine spiritual advancement comes the capacity and capability to have friendly relationships with one and all. Equipped with spiritual vision that penetrates beyond externals, one remains undisturbed by annoying idiosyncrasies, ideological differences, unpredictable personalities, and sticky character traits. We’re able to see something deeper, see the spirit, the underlying sincerity. We can see the heart. At this stage, we have no enemies, even if others view us as such. Indeed, the Bhagavad-gita explains that such friendly persons are spontaneously engaged in beneficial acts towards all living beings (sarva bhuta hite ratha). We could do with a few more people like that in the world.
Lofty, utopian and unattainable? Admittedly, although we desire these friendly connections with everyone around us, it just doesn’t seem to work out in real life. Fighting and friction seem an integral part of social intercourse. Why can’t everyone be friends with everyone else? Is the fact that we don’t get on with everyone a sign of our spiritual deficiencies? What could be the reason for people not liking us?
Our Problem – often, breakdown of friendships are due to underlying selfishness within us. When people smell agendas, duplicity and exploitation, to a greater or lesser degree, they run a mile. Lesson: examine yourself and avoid blaming others.
Their Problem – other times, people project their own struggles onto us and thus prevent a meaningful connection. Deep rooted issues of insecurity, envy and pride, naturally distance them from others. Lesson: be patient and don’t take it personally.
No Problem – sometimes, two people fall out simply because of misunderstanding and miscommunication. Random unsavory incidents can block what would otherwise be a healthy friendship. Lesson: don’t take things too seriously and learn to forget.
Natural Problem – since we are all unique individual characters, it is impersonalistic and utopian to expect that everyone will perfectly gel. Even pure souls have their differences, though it doesn’t block their appreciation of each other. Lesson: celebrate diversity and find atleast something to appreciate.
So, at the risk of sounding cheesy and cliched, lets make more friendly connections. Its a short life after all. As Abraham Lincoln said, “the best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.”
Read more: https://goo.gl/VhfU7C
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Preaching program in Kalachandji’s Hare Krishna Temple, Dallas (Album with photos)
Last night we were blessed to have taken the association of HH Jayapataka Swami. Such and amazingly surrendered devotee of Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. All glories to his service! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/w8wEHg
Gajendra had been forcefully captured by the crocodile in the water and was feeling acute pain, but when he saw that Nārāyaṇa, wielding His disc, was coming in the sky on the back of Garuḍa, he immediately took a lotus flower in his trunk, and with great difficulty due to his painful condition, he uttered […]
The post Gaja Uddharana – Deliverance of Gajendra – Chandan Yatra Day 16 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Karatalas: Weapons of mass inspiration!
The Sanskrit word “kara” means hand and “tala” - a rhythmic pattern. Literally, karatalas - a hand tool to maintain the rhythm. However, this instrument is considered to be a divine instrument. Cymbals sound can be compared with the bell ringing - so big is its cleansing effect. This clears the sound and the one who plays the kartalas, and those who hear it said that God himself death Yamaraja and his servants yamadutas can not go to the one who plays the kartalas.
Patron Saint of cymbals is the gopi Sudevi. She needed to pray to learn to play this wonderful instrument. Before start playing them, favorably pronounced this pranama mantra:
“I will defeat death, I will defeat Yamaraja, and I happily will win over all his servants (yamadutas). Hearing the sound of cymbals from afar neither death, nor any of his servants of Yamaraja, certainly will get close to someone who engages in kirtan. ”
Prabhupada stressed that for the devotees there is no need to learn any oter musical instruments to lead kirtan. Lord Chaitanya gave us the easiest method, and all you need for chanting.
“I think that we have no need to use different musical talents to spread Krishna Consciousness. It is better that people strictly follow the path of Lord Caitanya and His sankirtana devotees. We use mrdanga and karatalas, and that’s enough. We are not musicians. We are Krishna bhaktas. Therefore, we are not interested about all these different musical talents. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is God Himself. If He believed that it would be better to spread the Krishna Consciousness in an other way, He would have done it. No, our process - it’s just play on mrdanga and kartalas, travel and chant Hare Krishna and ask everyone to chant Hare Krsna and just preach the philosophy of "Srimad Bhagavatam”. We do not need to try to add anything to this simple method.“
Srila Prabhupada, letter to Jagadisha, 28.12.1974
(Translated automatically from Russian) http://goo.gl/hDrJFH
The post Daily Darshan: May 24th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Beautiful Festival “The culture of India in Russia 2016” in Moscow (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Anyone who carries Krishna within himself, constantly, can go anywhere and turn the place into a sacred pilgrimage. Letter to Rupanuga, July 3, 1968.
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A few improvements to Krishna Lounge: new curtains and painted kitchen.
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Mayapur Institute: 23 students from different parts of the world successfully completed their Teachers Training Course-1 and receiving the certificates (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: As God is good, we are also good. But due to our material association, we have become bad. So if we revive our old position, Krishna consciousness, then automatically we shall become all-good. Calcutta, June 30, 1973.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/RDrVtY
Travel Adventures of a Krishna Monk.
Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, by Krishna-kripa das.
Srila Prabhupada from a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.24 in Mayapur on October 4, 1974: Danger we must meet so we learn that this material world is a miserable place. Do not take this material existence as comfortable at any moment. As soon as you think you are comfortable in the material world, you are spiritually fallen. We are always in danger, and therefore, we should always think of the lotus feet of Krishna. That is the lesson to be learned from the Pandavas.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/FpHIi9
By Krishna-kripa DasLokanath Swami, Candramauli Swami, Sacinandana Swami, Agnideva Prabhu and Vaiyasaki Prabhu share their realizations during the Birmingham 24-Hour kirtana, carefully collected by Krishna-kripa Prabhu. Gopal Guru Goswami:. With the first Krishna, we call on Krishna to attract us. Then we call on Radha to attract us by Her sweetness. With the “Hare Hare” we beg to be engaged in service. The last “Rama Rama” means “please let me be fixed in your name, form, qualities, and pastimes.” The last “Hare Hare” means “please consider me as your own and deal with me as part of your pastimes.” Continue reading "Five kirtaniyas talk about the Holy Name
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By Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura “Worship of Krishna without Radha is not worship but pride. It is another unauthorized philosophy nourished by the concept of an impotent God. Krishna is alone the enjoyer; all others are to be enjoyed. The origin of all the enjoyed, or the asrayas (abodes of love) is Sri Radhika. To serve God under the subordination of His servant is the core of Vaishnava philosophy. Other philosophies devoid of subordination to the original shelter, or asraya, are simply covered atheism or some kind of pseudo philosophy.” “Speaking hari-katha is real rest – it removes all fatigue. Any endeavor other than kirtana, performed even for a moment, is averse to God. Exalted personalities and their followers always engage in glorifying topics about Hari in all respects. They have no other duty. Sri Caitanyadeva also instructed us, kirtaniyah sada harih: always chant the glories of Hari. The symptom of liberated persons is that they only chant the glories of Hari at all times with body, mind, and speech.” Continue reading "Amazing insights from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s conversations and discourses
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By Hari Narayana Das
Cilegon is a major coastal industrial city in Banten province, Indonesia. Also known as the “Steel City” due to its being the largest steel producing city in Southeast Asia. The annual Ciligeon Ethnic Carnival (CEC) took place on April 26th this year. Commemorating the 17th anniversary of Ciligeon, a variety of performances and arts were displayed in front of the Government Office. The theme of the event this year was “Ethnic Multi Cultural in Harmony”. Participants from schools, art groups and interfaith communities gathered for the event. Seeing this golden opportunity, devotees approached the Indonesia Hindu Parisad (PHDI) of Cilegon to participate in the event by holding a Ratha Yatra festival. The PHDI immediately accepted the proposal and arrangements started for the Ratha Yatra.
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“To implement this transcendental bliss to the people of your country there is immense work to be done ahead and this Rathayatra festival is only a bit of sample. If we get opportunity we shall be able to overflood your country with waves of transcendental bliss, by the Grace of Krishna.” Letter to Aniruddha,7 July, 1968
At present there are only a couple of devotees, Bhakta Putu Parwata and his wife, who reside in Cligeon. They have a good relationship with Mrs . Wira who works as secretary in government office. She also communicated the ratha yatra to the local Hindu community and got the support of the local Hindus to help participate in the festival under the banner of Balinese culture. Hearing the good news from Cligeon, Indonesian leaders spread the word to all Indonesian devotees and requested all those who could to attend.
“This Rathayatra is one of the activities of Krishna. Therefore to take part in the Rathayatra festival means to associate with Krishna directly.” London, July 13, 1972
Depok is situated around a 2 hours drive from Cligeon. Here at the house of Tapan Misra das, devotees from Bali, Malang, Kendari and other parts of Indonesia assembled to start preparations for the festival. The chariot was taken to Cligeon but unfortunately on the way there was a small accident. Devotees met up with the chariot and waited for the mechanic to repair the damaged car. Finally reaching Cligeon at 1 am, the chariot team reassembled the chariot.
The next day after Mangal arti, devotees finished last minute arrangements. The devotees wanted to surprise everyone by presenting Lord Jagannath on the CEC but it turned out that it was the devotees who were in for a surprise. The logo of the CEC Commitee had the Lord’s lotus face on! After questioning the Committee members about why they chose to put the Lord’s face on the logo, they answered that they were inspired from within!
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Lord Jagannnath, Balarama, and Subhadra devi took a 4 hour journey from Lampung and arrived in Cilegon at 7am. After being beautiful dressed in new outfits, bhoga and arati was offered. Coconuts were then broken in order to remove any inauspiciousness. The Lord was then pulled besides the stage of honour, as if He were a VIP!
Various participants presented their cultural performances in front of the stage of honour. It was as if they were presenting their acts as an offering to the Lord of the Universe, who was seated on His chariot next to the stage! During the performances, clouds started to gather and it started to rain. After the performances had finished the parade began with Jagannath and His entourage joining in.
Soon after the chariot was pulled, lighting was seen and thunder was heard, with the rain falling more heavily. Many people came forward to take Prasad from the devotees and within a short time the stock of Prasad ran out but still people wanted more! The melodious kirtan led by Sridhar das amazed all and inspired them to chant and dance along the whole route of the parade. When HH Kavicandra Swami got up on the chariot the kirtan turned up a notch. The sound system in charge commented, “Where do these guys get the energy to sing throughout the whole parade? I can’t believe it!”
“You will be glad to know that we draw no distinction of caste, creed, or nationality. So if there is any possibility of uniting the whole human race under one religion, under one scripture, under one mantra, under one activity, then this movement will be active. Our mission is one God, Sri Krsna; one scripture Bhagavad-Gita; one mantra, Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and one activity, namely to serve Lord Krsna with life, wealth, intelligence, and words.” Letter to Sri Hare-Krishna Aggarwal, 1st February, 1968
On behalf of all the devotees , we express our sincere gratitude to H.H. Kavichandra Swami and H.H. Ramai Swami, the GBCs of Indonesia for their support, guidance and encouragement at all times to increase the sankirtan movement in Indonesia. 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. We offer our humble obeisances to Srila Prabhupada again and again for showering his unlimited mercy upon the devotees and keeping us engaged in the movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
(Please note there are several pages of photos. To navigate them use their links in the bottom of the page)
May 24. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: The Krishna-ized Storefront.
Swamiji is a bold performer. He is expert at creating excitement. His foreignness is charismatic – his golden complexion, his yellow tilaka, his shining teeth, lips and eyes, delicate fingers. Nothing showy. Our attraction is natural. He is plain and yet scintillating. His paraphernalia: a pocket watch put up so that he can see the time as he speaks, a glass of water (because he usually starts to cough), the nearby sink for throwing apple cores at the end of the evening, the noiseless tape recorder moving from reel to reel, his dhoti and khadi cadar wrapped around his shoulders. He gives a few directions to his followers: “Bring this light here. Is this tape recorder working? Where’s the book?”
He lectures – India, that far-away place – Swamiji’s India, which he says is spiritual and eternal – sages, yogis, pure devotees. We are simply listening. Hearing about India in New York. “Why are you going to India? India has come to you.”
People look in the big storefront window. Swami holds the audience as people stop and read the sign in the window.
A fragile, little, transcendental light within the dark world of New York City, the dark world of the universe in Kali-yuga. That storefront with its slightly tilting floorboards; ragged, Oriental-style rug; posters of Panca-tattva, Hanuman, Sadbhuja and the circular Radha-Krishna over Swamiji’s head – that storefront is dear to Krishna. It is compact. Krishna conscious. Everything is here in a small storefront on the Lower East Side.
I was there.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8
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The Krishna-ized Storefront
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 May 2016, Vrndavana, India, Bhagavad-gita 3.34)
We may say that we do not love chanting so much but if I, as the government, would give an order, “You are not allowed to chant! Chanting is forbidden.” Suddenly, you will have a lot more love for chanting than you think. Whereas now, chanting is like, “Oh… I have to chant again.” But if it would be forbidden, then suddenly we are very Krsna conscious.
I also experienced it like that because I am a freedom lover by nature. When I read Prabhupada’s Gita, the purports were hammering me. They were basically telling me that the purpose of life was to surrender to Krsna and if I do not, then I was not sincere. So, reluctantly, I accepted it. But then there was the Hare Krsna movement which was another thing. To accept the teachings and the philosophy was one thing, but to accept a movement with its authority structure and so on was very difficult for me. I was an independent spirit and still am a little bit.
Anyway, a few weeks after I joined, I took a vacation from the temple. But then I found that I had become so Krsna conscious. In the temple, I was not in Krsna consciousness at all but as soon as I was out of the temple, I could not stop talking about Krsna… all the time, with everybody, I did not want to talk about anything else. I was much more Krsna conscious than I thought I was. So actually, we love Krsna more than we think we do.
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