Planet ISKCON

The post Daily Darshan: May 11th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Akshaya Tritiya parikrama (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: On Akshaya Tritiya, all the Saptadevalaya (Seven Goswami Temples) have their Deities completely covered in sandalwood paste for Chandan Yatra. Not all of them allow photos, but wherever Jaya Radhe could take pictures, we can relish the extraordinary darshans!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/EvstvJ

By Shanti Rupa Devi Dasi

In conjuction with ISKCON 50 celebrations ISKCON Malaysia has planned to conduct a cross country Mahabharatham Quiz contest in Tamil – A first of its kind in Malaysia.
Organised by ISKCON Malaysia, the first leg started off by Perak branch of ISKCON Malaysia on the first of May 2016. Tamil schools from ipoh, Taiping, Teluk Intan and Sungei Siput took part in this event. They all gathered at the Mahamariamman Temple hall in Ipoh . A total of 18 schools paticipated.
The event began by a welcome address by HG Param Brahma Das, the regional chairman for the state of Perak. Next HG Simhesvara Das, the regional Seceretary for ISKCON Malaysia inspired the students by highlighting the ill effects of this age which is trying hard to lure us away from god and that chanting of the the mahamantra and reading the classical epics is the best way to combat these ill effects.

Then came the spectacular official launch of the event – a Tamil song on Mahabharatham accompanied by 30 drums (tablas). The sweet yet bold and melodious voice of HG Gokula Lakshmi and the synchonised sound of the 30 tablas mesmerised the audience.

The quiz then began. This was a combined effort of a team of devotees from Kuala Lumpur. HG Atmaram pr, HG virabhadra pr, Bh. Kamalanathan were the main persons behind this. The quiz was conducted in 3 stages. The quarter finals , semifinals and finals .

Every student and all the teachers were fiven a Bhagavad gita cd and a Bhagavad Gita as it is book. Apart from this, every best student in each school was given a gift. Three shools were chosen as the best of the lot.They received a cash prize and books and other souvenir gifts individually.

The 3 best schools were : Chidanbaram Tamil School – Teluk Intan
Simee Tamil school
Mukim Pundit Tamil school

More than 400 people participated in this event including students, teachers , parents and local devotees.

Sumptious prasadam was served during the breakfast, lunch and evening after the end of the program.

Everyone immensely enjoyed the programs. the teachers and students, parents and even the devotees very much appreciated this program as this was very informative and everybody learned some new aspect /information on Mahabharatam.

There are plans for similar programs in Johor bharu, Penang and Klang valley including Negri Sembilan.

The final round to select the winner in this contest will be held in Kuala Lumpur.

The post Daily Darshan: May 12th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

May 12. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: ’66 Kaleidoscope.
A kaleidoscope is a tube-shaped optical instrument that you rotate to produce symmetrical designs by means of mirrors that constantly change patterns made by bits of colored glass. Memories of being with Prabhupada sometimes appear like that. This seems to especially happen when you travel a lot, because you tend to shake up your identity and your consciousness. It is different than when staying in the same place and following the same routine.
But a kaleidoscope is abstract. When you look into it, you do not see a meadow and cows; you see all the fragments of light, diamonds, and swirls and chips and sparks. When you shake it up again, hold it to the light and look in – there is another beautiful combination of fragmented colors. Similarly, I tend to get a jumble of images when I shake my “1966 kaleidoscope.”
A little flash of the movie, Happiness at Second Avenue – Prabhupada playing the drum there … the artificial colors of that film. You see yourself also with shaved head. Everyone looks young, but not so pretty or handsome. It is realism, or maybe the nature of the film that makes you look a little funny. There you are, and there is Swamiji playing the drum, reaching forward to get his karatalas.
When you look into the kaleidoscope, you see a lot of memory reels. You can look at them if you want. It is not an actual memory but a memory can that contains facsimile messages. It is something like that TV film, Happiness on Second Avenue, but this is your own film …
Here is a reel of going into Swamiji’s worship room. You go in there, sit down, and Swamiji sits down. He puts on his tilaka and you put on your tilaka … Say it tenderly and lovingly, even if it is “just words.” The scriptures are also words. Vaisnavas do not say that words are inadequate. Even if they cannot completely capture something, words do a service. So have a respect for them. Have a respect for the words in the memories of Prabhupada. And accept what you see in the kaleidoscope.
The floor of the storefront … Prabhupada playing the drum … I am being lifted out of the tragedy I was in. I am wearing an aquamarine shirt, which I later cut up and made into a beadbag. With him we could sit on the floor with our shirts of the past, our minds becoming cleansed by the cosmic sounds he described as “transcendental sound vibration,” delivering the mind from all that Lower East Side stuff and all the hurt of our previous lives …
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

’66 Kaleidoscope

Gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Question 1) In Raganuga bhakti we aspire for the passion present in an eternally perfected brajabāsī – a devotee like a cowherd boy/ gopī/ Krishna’s parents, not a perfected devotee in this world?

Rāgānugā is the method of striving for a specific type of passionate relationship with Krishna found in Vṛndāvana-līlā. People like Prabhupāda, Rūpa Goswāmī, and Śrī Caitanya are the ones who explain this, and guide us in how to do it. They are not the Rāgātmikās but they are the guides to the rāgātmikās. We follow their teachings and examples in our own worldly form, our sādhaka-rūpa. Their example is not the goal of sādhana, but it illustrates how the sādhana is to be done effectively.

Question 2) A very popular notion propagated by many senior leaders in ISKCON these days (one of the ways they “avoid Raganuga topics”) is that we are all practicing Raganuga sadhana already because we are following Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu who is Radharani and Radharani is the “perfect Ragatmika bhakta”, so we are following the topmost Ragatmika bhakta-Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Can you clarify this?

This is potentially half-correct. They may be doing the sādhaka-rūpa seva correctly, but that is not the complete picture. Rāgānugā sādhana has two simultaneous and complimentary aspects: the external practice (sādhaka-rūpa seva) and the internal significance (siddha-rūpa seva).

One thing that is perfectly correct is that Sri Radha “is the perfect Rāgātmikā bhakta.” Therefore the conclusion is that we should follow her for the internal significance of our devotional practices. Sri Krishna Caitanya, her manifestation, is “the perfect realized Sādhaka.” We should follow him for the practicalities of how to tangibly practice with cognizance of the internal relevance of our practice to the ideal bhāva we are inspired for.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu considered himself a follower of Radharani. So if you claim you are following him you have to also do so, or at least do something very similar and complimentary (like being a follower of another Vrajabāsī). Otherwise, you are only claiming that you follow Śrī Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s contribution to Vedānta is the Rāgānugā mārga. So, one who avoids the Rāgānugā-mārga is not Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s follower.

Question 3) Is it possible that a devotee first gets attracted to the passion of a sādhaka like Ramananda raya or Sri Rupa Goswami, and later, as a result, gets attracted to the passion of a corresponding siddha like Srimati Vishaka devi or Sri Rupa Manjari? Or should it always be the other way round (first having passion for mood of a Vrajabāsī and therefore emulating the sādhakas of Gaura līlā)?

Our attraction to a sādhaka devotee leads us to become attracted to what they are attracted to – a perfect, passionate relationship with Krishna in Vṛndāvana Līlā. Our attraction to those passionate relationships with Krishna will attract us to sādhaka devotees who very perfectly aspire for them. So, it goes both ways.

Question 4) We feel forced into the understanding that we have to develop attraction to Gauranga Mahaprabhu, but unfortunately, we are attracted to Radha-Krishna lila. 

It is essential to study from the source material rather than relying on heresay. From heresay you may develop misshapen ideas that it is unfortunate to be attracted to Radha Krishna līlā. The truth is there is nothing more fortunate than being attracted to Rādhā Krishna līlā! It is the rarest fortune in existence.

Question 5) Where exactly does the sadhana-siddha first go, after achieving perfection in this life, Gaurlila or Vraja līlā?

The sadhakas who have attained bhāva take birth from gopīkās in the pastimes of Krishna manifest in this world. When that manifestation de-manifests from this plane, they go with it into the eternal manifestation of Krishna līlā. 

Question 6) ISKCON propagates the understanding that in Goloka Vrindavan there is a subset or section or a part where Caitanya Mahaprabhu is having his pastimes eternally and devotees who are attracted to Gaur Lila will go there and others who are attracted to Krishna, will end up in Vraja. Is this correct?

Frankly, I don’t know if this is “correct” or “incorrect”, but I know that it is not said in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam nor have the Goswāmīs of Vrindavana said it in any literature that I have had the fortune to study so far.

My understanding is that Gaura-līlā is an aspect of Vraja-līlā. They are not two separate things. When the angle on Vraja-līlā is to relish the sweetness, it manifests as gopīs, etc. When the angle is to share the sweetness, it manifests as very advanced sādhakas like Śrī Caitanya, Ramananda Raya, Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī, etc.

“Sharing the sweetness” implies that it is given to those who don’t yet have it – so how would this manifest in a perfect environment like the “spiritual world”? It doesn’t seem relevant or even possible in that setting. It necessarily manifests where consciousness is bereft of Krishna – this world. This does not mean it is not eternal, this world is also eternal. But in the “spiritual world” it is an intrinsic part of the Vrindavana-bhakti, not distinctly or separately manifest.

Look at the cover of Aindra’s book. If you look at it from one angle you see Gaurahari and his associates. If you look at it from another angle you see Śrī Rādhā and her associates. This is how it really is, as far as I am able to grasp the subject.

Question 7) For a new bhakta like us, who lacks specificity in our attraction to a particular relationship with Krishna, we should go on reading and hearing Krishna Lila until we are eager/greedy to aspire in the footsteps of a particular passionate Vraja-jana, is this right?

Yes, that is in the third of the three verses we are discussing. While you are still developing a specific attraction, then rely on your intellect and wisdom to keep hearing about all of them.

Question 8) Why it is sometimes said that only the āsakti sādhaka (very advanced sādhaka) can appreciate Rādhā Krishna līlā? 

People who are very advanced and conversant with any subject are the only ones who can fully appreciate that subject, but this doesn’t mean no one else can appreciate the subject at all.

We develop āsakti, in fact, by beginning to appreciate Krishna from whatever śraddha we initially have. We will develop āsakti for Rādhā Krishna by cultivating our śraddha for them.  It’s not that by hearing about Varāha-līlā somehow we suddenly get intense attraction to gopī-bhāva. Yes, a person with gopī-bhāva can nourish their gopī-bhāva even by hearing Varāha-līlā, but a person without gopī-bhāva is not at all likely to get it by hearing about Varāha or Nārāyaṇa. If you want a relation with Gopīnātha, you have to hear about Gopīnātha.

Question 9) What role does hearing play in developing an aspiration for a particular passion?

Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī explained that hearing Krishna līlā is the crucial foundation of developing an aspiration for its passion.

Question 10) Whom should we hear from?

We should hear about it from a person who sincerely appreciates its passion and also clearly understands its tattva.

Hear at least from Śrī Śukadeva Goswāmī and Śrī Vyāsadeva by hearing the verses of Srimad Bhagavatam from beginning to end. This is absolutely essential. It is one of Sri Rupa Goswami’s “five most important aspects of sādhana.”

Question 11) How do we find such classes that are focused on arousing our attraction to Krishna?

Oh, this is the biggest problem in the universe! We are wandering through the universe life after life, until by some incredible luck, we finally get an answer to this question. Such kathā is the rarest thing to find anywhere.

Hear about the wives of the brāhmaṇas of Vraja, they got their intense aspiration for Gopīnātha as a result of hearing the “classes” of the gopīs themselves.

At least we can hear the verses of Srimad Bhagavatam.

Question 12) In ISKCON, we find the classes are more universal and general in order to suit the needs of everyone which arise from variation in the advancement.

In my opinion, this is the biggest flaw of ISKCON. Krishna consciousness cannot exist without Krishna Kathā, but I have found the Krishna Kathā in ISKCON to consistently be extremely dissapointing (although on rare occasion it can be very good). It is the greatest dissapointment and the worst failure. A “society for Krishna consciousness” is such in name only if it is not a society of Krishna Kathā. Our Krishna consciousness cannot possibly be deeper than our Krishna Kathā.

Question 13) How does one generate the “lobha” (the qualification) to practice Raganuga bhakti? 

Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī explained that. We generate the aspiration for a passionate relationship with Krishna by hearing about passionate relationships with Krishna.

Vraja Kishor das

www.vrajakishor.com

Tagged: ISKCON, Raganuga, Raganuga Bhakti, Rupa Goswami

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Written by Nandan

Wednesday, 27 April

It feels like yesterday that we were on the last Kingsday parade. Already a year gone…. This may have already been said umpteen times but one can’t emphasize enough how different it felt without Kadamba Kanana Swami being here! As we were getting ready for the parade, Maharaj was already making plans to leave that day to go to Amsterdam. Not for the parade, but to get ready for India. We started off early in the cold morning, on our coaches to Amsterdam. Most of the devotees were still half asleep including myself.

The drive was interesting but not in an obvious sense. After leaving the last few hills and valleys of the Ardennes behind us, it was pretty much a seamless road from Belgium to Holland. It was hard to even decipher when one is even in Holland. But the road signs were a giveaway. As per its reputation, you couldn’t get much of a flatter landscape than Holland. Nothing much stands out naturally, no hills, no bump in the ground; just damp, green, flat fields. The deeper we were getting into Holland, field after field after field, were outlined with waterways; the only things punctuating the monotony were the various factories, offices and pylons along the way.

A landscape can tell quite a bit about a nation. Everything about the Dutch countryside was neat and clean but in a rather controlled, clinical manner – the numerous pylons across the fields, the buildings that were basically big boxes with no aesthetics and the eerily uniform fields. It is as if every blade of grass was trimmed to the last millimetre and the entire landscape was sterilized. Efficient and utilitarian, that is what came to one’s mind looking at the landscape. Nothing was left to just flourish by the grace of Mother Nature… Although we need to give the Dutch some credit, they did dredge up a lot of the land from the sea and made it into a country. So I guess the land had to be controlled to a ‘T’.

I considered what a broad minded spirit Maharaj is… no wonder he left this place to seek something different!! After a few hours, we finally got to Amsterdam. Despite the unimpressive, staid buildings coming into Amsterdam; the city centre was quite picturesque with elegant, statuesque buildings that seem to be straight from the 17^th Century. Quaint lanes criss-crossed with wide boulevards, and of course what would Amsterdam be without her canals!?

So it was the 2016 Kingsday parade… People were out and about but it wasn’t buzzing like last year. Probably due to the weather; like the rest of the week, it was cold and drizzly. I’ll be honest; it wasn’t an easy start for us – the weather, Maharaj not being there and then to cap it all; we found out that Lokanatha Swami couldn’t make it due to feeling sick! Some of us probably had to dig a little deep to get that motivation and stay focused. Nonetheless we ploughed on and got the harinama going. And of course, the legendary Parashuram Prabhu and his gang of devotees from the UK were there to help fire things up. Without Maharaj, the main devotee organizing us and giving us the energy was Vraja Krsna Prabhu (senior Bhakti Tirtha Maharaj disciple from Bulgaria who lives in South Africa) but more about him later.

Gurudas started off and was really good. He was surprised that he got picked to sing. He considered himself a little fish amongst all the ‘big guys’, but he certainly delivered. Once he got going, the devotees felt rejuvenated. In between his singing, he would periodically shout out “Kadamba Kanana Maharaj ki jai!” Admittedly some of the devotees were a little bemused but then they got the spirit in which he intended it. Gurudas had this innate ‘Gothic style’ of singing which really appealed to the Western crowd. His kirtan went from the start point near the Kennedylaan station up to the Apollolaan which was the first crowded street we came to. From there, veteran kirtaneer Parividha Prabhu took over.

Naturally he knew how to work the crowd in his inimitable theatrical style. As we were coming near the famous Rijksmuseum (the Rembrandt themed museum with the big grassy plain), Nrsimha Caitanya Prabhu commenced his kirtan. It was wonderful! Prabhu is a talented, young kirtaneer from Czech and he happens to be one of the most appreciative devotees of Maharaj’s jokes I’ve ever seen. Whenever Maharaj would crack a joke, witty comment or wisecrack, he would break into one of the most infectious laughs ever. The best is when he is laughing so much at a joke, that no sound is coming from his mouth; his head is just moving, the shoulders bobbing and he has the widest grin stretching from ear to ear. Naturally his kirtan was high-spirited and fired up, a bit like him! Unfortunately this year, the police barred us from going under the arch of the museum. The sound effect of the kirtan under there is just incredible, and the majesty of the arch itself adds another empyreal angle to the experience. But never mind, the show must go on!

Our route continued through some of Amsterdam’s famous landmarks such as Leidseplein, then going onto Koningsplein. Soon Vraja Krsna Prabhu took over and that’s when things really got going… Incroyable! This was harinama! Prabhu was a total tour de force of kirtan potency. He knew how to take the kirtan to the next level, then off the hook for extra measure. One of the special things about the Kingsday parade was how many non-devotees immersed themselves and got into the kirtan. But it was dependent to a great degree on the kirtaneer’s potency; in this regard Vraja Krsna Prabhu potency was like molten lava. At one of the town squares, he got so many devotees and non-devotees, of every race, age, shape and size to go nuts on the kirtan, going round in spiralling circles, dancing around in intricate formations. Beautiful, simply beautiful! The power and passion he was bringing was staggering – hot, perspiring, face becoming beetroot red and eyes wide open like saucers… it didn’t matter. He was belting out the maha mantra with everything he had, often right in people’s faces out of pure inspiration. Personally I feel the word ‘ecstasy’ is one of the most overused words in Iskcon, but in this case he really did look like he was in ecstasy.

One couldn’t help but be moved by his effort. Thankfully he did quite a few kirtan slots during the whole day as did the other devotees. After this first one, I went up to him saying how much I loved it. Prabhu replied that since Maharaj isn’t here, he was just doing what he could to bring that energy through. No doubt Maharaj would be very happy with his endeavour today… he captured the raison d’etre of the event. When we were moving away from the town square, Sesa Prabhu pointed up at a huge Ferris wheel looming behind us. He commented that it was the cycle of samsara (material existence) which all the people around us are on. They did not know it but this holy name we were singing is what was releasing them from the clutches of this wheel. Well said Sesa!

The harinama carried on with great gusto and the weather seemed to be reciprocating as well. It was a lot warmer and sunnier now. The Kingsday revelers with their orange hats, wigs and plastic bottles of beer were also getting in on the fun more, joining us in kirtans wherever they saw us. There was also the ubiquitous whiff of ganja all around us, this is Amsterdam after all. The wonderfully audacious Gita Govinda Mataji (Maharaj’s disciple from Holland) remarked to me that this is what you call the ‘Heineken’ mantra miracle. The people have got beer in their hands and at the same time they were singing the maha mantra. They think they’re having a laugh, having fun, singing along with the beer in their hands. Little do they realise, they are cutting the karmic knots of the beer drinking and accessing the highest gift anyone can ever have! All with a beer in their hands… the ‘Heineken’ mantra miracle.

Soon we sang our way to the river side to have lunch. Some of us sat on a bench opposite the river and there were celebration boats going past blaring out techno music, guys and girls boogying on the boats, downing their beers, smoking their ciggies, toking their joints. The ladies inevitably were dancing quite provocatively. A Prabhu sitting next to me said the ladies here were very feminine! I thought about it and disagreed. I guess this shows the effect the holy name is having on the consciousness of someone as degraded as me. Whereas before, I would have happily agreed with him in great appreciation; now I realise it wasn’t really an expression of femininity. The postmodern culture of the Western world has led to an increasingly blurred line between masculinity and femininity. Coming from a Western nation, I know that that the classic ‘femininity’ that Prabhu was referring to is not so much there anymore. What we were witnessing on the boats looked like ‘hyper-femininity’. The young girls seemed to be over emphasising, overcompensating for some authentic feminine grace that may have been there in more traditional setting. But now it was more of a performance of projecting femininity. Some of the gyrating girls may have even been fully aware of what they were doing. The guys… maybe not so much!!

After lunch, the harinama continued on route to Vondelpark. This was where we would have the famous tunnel experience. Every year, this is undoubtedly the piece de resistance of the whole parade! It is always hard to describe this part of the parade because it really is beyond words. Vraja Krsna Prabhu and Parividha Prabhu were spearheading the kirtans and giving everything they had to the holy name. Every iota of their being was fully focused on raising this kirtan underneath the tunnel to higher and higher levels of euphoria! It may well be Krsna’s arrangement that the acoustics in the tunnel were perfectly made for this harinama. Every syllable sung; gloriously reverberating in one’s ears and ribcage. And practically everyone, devotees and non-devotees alike were going completely insane! Never mind that most of them didn’t know what they were singing. The holy name is beyond mundane logic and rationality, it is said to be Krsna himself and is invested with all of his potencies. Right now, underneath that tunnel one could witness those statements in practice. The holy name was taking hold of everyone on a primal level.  They were all dancing madly and yet in complete unison, in voice and body. Moving in perfect synchronicity up and down and across the tunnel in tune with the sacred sounds. Sometimes the chanting would rise to a crescendo, and sometimes descending to a diminuendo. Everyone would similarly rise and descend accordingly, completely at one with the sound vibration. A perfect example of ekatvam; as specified in the Sri Isopanisad.

For those of you who were there, surely you’ll identify with what I’m trying to describe. For those of you who weren’t, do not rely on my paltry verbal descriptions of the tunnel experience. Next year, just go there and experience it for yourself. The proof is in the pudding. That’s enough from me for this year’s Vyasa Puja celebrations. I’ll leave you with an excerpt from Bhakta Michael (poet, preacher and scholar from the UK) on his feelings about the Kingsday harinama…

What can I say? The whole experience was brilliant, exhilarating and exciting. For my mind, body and soul. The kirtans were inspiring and the opportunity to have philosophical discussions with new people over lunch was nourishing because it allowed me to share wisdom of Krsna with others and actually practice Krsna consciousness by chanting Hare Krsna aloud for my benefit and others.

 At a certain point the kirtan even inspired me to take an internal vow to chant more attentively in my japa. For the future, unless I’m not in Europe, there will never be a year that I won’t attend Kingsday to participate in the harinama!

 HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaj ki Jai!!

2016 Vyasa Puja and Kingsday ki Jai!!

Visit Flickr to see all the photos.

Perth Temple has been having regular Bhakti Vrksa programs for some years now and I usually participate on my visits there.

It’s always enthusing to see fortunate souls who want to have kirtan, read and ask questions about verses from Bhagavad Gita.

If you find yourself, as a parent, spending much time and effort coming up with various engagements and gadgets for your children, you should have seen our group of 30 students, ages 4 to 14, happily and deeply absorbed for over an hour in playing and creating with what you would normally call “trash”!

John Bush, the father of our student Ember, is the owner of Adbongo, a resource efficiency consulting business. What you consider your garbage and scraps, he sees as endless possibilities of creations.  In his pocket, he carries a wallet made of juice boxes. The soles of his shoes are made of tires. He came to our school to present his ideas and increase awareness for reusing and repurposing waste. With him he brought a wreath made of what you’d simply call “junk”. Within minutes, all the children were busy creating, constructing, painting, cutting, gluing. “The only limitation is your imagination” John said. One student, inspired by this idea, went home and gathered some boxes to create a model of “TKG Academy” building.

We are hoping together to improve our use of our resources and reduce the waste. Certainly, we will not look at trash the same way again…

Photoset not found

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Bhagavad-gita 2.41 during the Sunday Krishna Fest.

“Keep in mind that when Srila Prabhupada was reading this verse in the Bhagavad-gita with the commentary, that was the moment that his firm resolution took place that. ‘Yes, now I must leave everything and follow the orders of my spiritual master and go to America.’ And, because of that order and his faith in that order we are all here, this temple is here and Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji is here.”

“Srila Visvanatha Cakravati Thakura instructs us, in his famous prayers for the spiritual master, as follows:

yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ’pi
dhayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandhyam
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

“By satisfaction of the spiritual master, the Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes satis?ed. And by not satisfying the spiritual master, there is no chance of being promoted to the plane of Krishna consciousness. I should, therefore, meditate and pray for his mercy three times a day, and offer my respectful obeisances unto him, my spiritual master.” (Bg 2.41 purport)

“This process of developing faith obviously has to extend to the spiritual master. Because if one doesn’t have faith in the spiritual master then how will he satisfy Krishna? This faith must be based on knowledge and not sentiment or fanaticism. What to speak of other considerations like false prestige or fashion.”

Kirtan, Dallas
Bhagavad-gita 2.41, Dallas

Harinama in Yoga Vidya Musik Festival, Germany, in one of the biggest Yoga centers in Europe (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is the root of everything. If He is pleased, everyone will be pleased. If you pour water on the root, the water will be distributed all over the tree. This is the best service to humanity. Letter to Mr. Karsan, December 2, 1976.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/q4XPz2

Perception of animals.
Question: What divides animals and humans in Hinduism? How are animals perceived in Hinduism? Are they treated differently?
Romapada Swami: First I would like to offer some background on the word “Hinduism”.
Srila Prabhupada, the founder-Acarya of ISKCON, explains, people from Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and Persia mispronounced the name of the river “Sindhu”, calling the river “the Hindu” and the people living in and beyond its valley “Hindus.” (Please refer to Science of Self Realization).
There is actually no such word as “Hindu” in the Vedic texts, nor in a Sanskrit dictionary.
According to the Vedic teachings all living entities are spiritual equals, i.e. eternal spiritual souls, fragmental parts of the Supreme Soul, some of which are occupying different bodies within this created realm. See Bhagavad-gītā 14.4 and 15.7. All life therefore has equal value and is entitled to protection under the law of material nature. Heads of State governments are duty-bound to provide this protection, according to the codes of the Vedic scriptures.
Drawing upon information revealed in the Vedic literature, Srila Prabhupada teaches that just as all human beings are embodied spirit-souls, equal in the eyes of the Lord, so too are animals. As such, he explains, the human being who kills an animal must be held morally and karmically responsible for that death under the laws of God and nature, just as one would be for causing the death of a human being. According to the Vedic instruction, he says, human society should protect the animals’ right to live and be protected.
Bhagavad-gita 5.18 “The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmaṇa, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater (outcaste).”
What divides Animals and Humans:
Animals are largely controlled by natural instincts, arising from impulses born of the modes of nature. Due to the fact that their consciousness is less evolved than the soul occupying a human form of life, animals are not held responsible karmically for these actions; they do not incur any new karma.
Humans on the other hand have received their life form as a result of naturally occurring evolution of consciousness, including the ability of rational thinking, thus making choices of behavior beyond the level of animalistic impulse. With this facility of higher consciousness comes responsibility for their actions, thus resulting in Karma.
By design, human life is ultimately meant for reviving our lost relationship with God by following the instructions of God contained in religious books like the Bhagavad-Gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, etc. Animals do not have the capacity or developed intelligence by which they can understand the process of self-realization and God realization (including understanding why are we suffering, who am “I”, what is the goal of my life, etc.).
These are some of the major differences between the animal and the human form of life.

By Sri Nandanandana dasa

There have been some people who have declared that the worship of Deities or images or the murti in the temples is but a recent invention of Vedic culture. However, that is not an accurate point. It is true that according to the different yugas or ages (such as Satya-yuga, Treta-yuga, Dvapara-yuga, and Kali-yuga) there are different processes for spiritual development that have been more recommended than others. For example, meditation was the recommended process for Satya-yuga, when people lived much longer and could sit in meditation for long periods of time. Then in Treta-yuga it was best to engage in various and extravagant rituals, havans, yajnas, or fire ceremonies. Then in Dvapara-yuga it was best to engage in elaborate worship, with opulent offerings to the Deities and prayers and mantras sung to the Deities. So, all of these processes have continued down through the ages to some degree or another. However, in Kali-yuga, though we still see all of these processes used, it is now the chanting of mantras, especially the Hare Krishna mantra, that is the most highly efficient and recommended process of spiritual growth in this age. Continue reading "The Antiquity of Deity Worship in the Vedic Tradition
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Job Advertisement – Principal of SMIS for Sri Mayapur International School. (Sridham Mayapur, West Bengal, India)
Starting from August 2016. Sri Mayapur International School (“SMIS”) is a popular and highly regarded Cambridge International Examinations-affiliated school, situated at the world headquarters of ISKCON in Sridham Mayapur.
With thousands of resident Indian and foreign-bodied devotees, a thriving community has developed at Mayapur. Further growth is imminent - ISKCON is building the world’s largest Vedic temple and plans have been approved to build a “Vedic City”.
Now in its third decade, SMIS has established itself as one of the leading Krishna Conscious schools in the world, and caters for children from Pre-school to Year 13. Examination results at IGCSE & A-Level and student numbers are rising each year.
The Board of Governors is seeking to appoint a Principal with an excellent track record and educational experience, fully committed to inclusive education in this spiritual environment. The position will be highly impactful and dynamic, as SMIS plans to undergo a transformational period of change – with new systems, processes and resources.
SMIS is an equal opportunities employer. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. The deadline is 24th May 2016. A detailed information pack, job & benefits description and application instructions are available by emailing careers@mayapurschool.com or on +91 3472 245 363 / www.mayapurschool.com

By Acintya Caitanya Dasa

Jananivas Prabhu’s service was to bring frankincense to Srila Prabhupada’s room in the evening. He mentioned that usually after you fill a room with frankincense, you open the doors and windows so that the mosquitos go out with the smoke. Srila Prabhupada however liked to keep the smoke within the room and stopped Jananivas Prabhu from opening the doors and windows. Since it was Srila Prabhupada’s darshan time, there would usually be many western devotees in the room and these western devotees would begin to cough and their eyes would water since they were not used to the smoke. Continue reading "An unexpected encounter
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Wheat Alternatives.
Kurma das: Sheila from New York writes:
“Can you suggest some flours that I can use instead of wheat, especially for the grain-fast on the sacred Ekadasi day?”
My reply: “Yes. Here’s my list of non-wheat flours, some you may not have encountered.”
Amaranth flour: Milled from the seeds of the amaranth plant, this flour boasts a higher percentage of protein than most other grains, and has more fibre than wheat and rice. It is also higher in the amino acid lysine, which some food scientists believe makes it a more complete protein than flour made from other grains. Amaranth flour can be used in cookies, crackers, baking mixes, and cereals.
Arrowroot flour: The root stalks of a tropical plant are the source of this flour, often used as a thickener for sauces and desserts; the finely powdered arrowroot turns completely clear when dissolved (giving gloss to sauces), and adds no starchy flavor. Because of its easy digestibility, it is also an used as an ingredient in cookies intended for infants and young children. I use it as a grain-free substitute to corn flour (cornstarch for all US readers).
Buckwheat flour: A common ingredient in pancake mixes, buckwheat flour is also used to make Japanese soba noodles. It is available in light, medium, and dark varieties (the dark flour boasts the strongest flavor), depending on the kind of buckwheat it is milled from. You can make your own buckwheat flour by processing whole white buckwheat groats in a blender or food processor.
Chestnut flour: This tan flour is made from chestnuts, the meaty, lowfat nuts that are often served as a vegetable. The flour is a little sweet and is traditionally used in Italian holiday desserts. Italian shops sell it.
Potato flour (potato starch): Steamed potatoes are dried and then ground to a powder to make this gluten-free flour, which is commonly used in baked goods for Jewish Passover (when wheat flour may not be used).
Quinoa flour: Higher in fat than wheat flour, quinoa flour makes baked goods more moist. You can make your own quinoa flour by processing whole quinoa in a blender; stop before the flour is too fine – it should be slightly coarse, like cornmeal.
Tapioca flour: Milled from the dried starch of the cassava root, this flour thickens when heated with water and is often used to give body to puddings, fruit pie fillings, and soups. It can also be used in baking.
Water-chestnut flour (water-chestnut powder): This Asian ingredient is a fine, powdery starch that is used to thicken sauces (it can be substituted for cornstarch) and to coat foods before frying to give them a delicate, crisp coating.
I am sure this is not a complete list. I also encountered flatbreads made from banana flour whilst in India. Last time I posted this information I received this letter from Gandhari dasi:
“I also have some more flours used by Gujarati Krishna Devotees.
1) Ragigara (or Ragigaro or rajgira/rajgeera) flour – Very small – is a very small tiny seeds like yellow mustard seeds but much smaller. The seeds can be used to make popcorn and these popped seeds are used to make khir with milk and sugar. The flour is used to make halavah which turns out to be a brown and sticker than regular halavah. The flour is used to make vada, parathas, puris, rotis and small pakoras with mashed potatoes using herbs, ground black pepper and salt added. (note from Kurma: this is amaranth, as described in my list above.)
2) Singado flour. Pakoras are made using ground peanuts and mashed potatoes, little baking power, salt and coriander leaves and ground black pepper. (note from Kurma: this is another name for Water Chestnut flour, as described above.)
3) Cassava grits and flour. (very starchy but sweet tasting roots). Boil the grits with 2 to 3 times the water. It turns into mashed potato consistency and any chopped vegetables can be added. These can also be used to make halavah and base for the Ekadasi Pizza. Boiled Cassava makes excellent subji with lots of fresh tomatoes. Boiled – sliced (one inch thick sticks) – Fried sticks sprinkled with black pepper and salt and a little lemon, make amazing chips that far surpass potato chips. Hope this helps. Gandhari Dasi”

Harinama in Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Our relationship with Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is eternal. Nitya-siddha Krishna-prema. The pure souls are eternally in love with Krishna. Simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra one revives his original relationship with God and thus becomes so happy that he does not want anything material. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.7.39 Purport)

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Written by Nandan

Srimad Bhagavatam 7.8.19-24

The temple deities were stunning as always. It never fails to astonish me how the pujaris can dress the deities so beautifully every day! It is like there is never an off-day, the deities are on form, every day, day after day. And this is not just in Radhadesh, every Iskcon temple one sees the same phenomena. The most attractive deities one can imagine, in the most striking clothes, every day, all year around. No wonder, even followers of other spiritual groups come to visit our temples and seek advice on deity worship.

On this morning (26 April), the temple room was full but not overflowing like yesterday. No doubt, many devotees were still resting from the previous night’s kirtan. Following on from yesterday’s morning class, Maharaj continued with his outstanding exposition on Hiranyakashipu’s consciousness.

Hiranyakashipu may be the prototype demon but the Lord outdid Hiranyakashipu not just in terms of strength but also in intelligence. And he appeared before Hiranyakashipu neither as a human or an animal, not during the day or night or inside or outside….that’s supreme intelligence. And Krsna gifts us our intelligence as he declares in the Bhagavad-gita.

But then Maharaj had enough of talking about Hiranykashipu and wanted to focus on Prahlad Maharaj. We have to really embrace Prahlad’s mood, he said. It is not just trying to conquer lust and anger but about positive engagement. Prahlad was always fully absorbed in ecstasy despite all the trials and tribulations. This state is not found through determination but through building up of taste by sato vritteh (following in the footsteps of the acharyas) and regularity of spiritual practice. Of course, sato vritteh does not mean we imitate the Goswamis but we embrace their spirit. Maharaj said in this regard, “… like when I had shingles, I was only sleeping one hour a night and I realized I ain’t no Goswami!!!” But regularity must be there. So we need to get absorbed like Prahlad and if we feel a vacuum; then we know we have to put in more. But Maharaj made it clear that to get ecstasy from Krsna, we have to make the first step.

Vyasa Puja Ceremony

Finally, we got to the event of the day. We were in the community room and it was packed to the brim and beyond, as expected. Tulsi Prabhu started of singing the Guruvastakam prayers in a melody that no one but he and Maharaj seemed to know of.  Right till the end of the prayers, a lot of the devotees were still trying to get a handle on how the melody was going! And during the melody, Sesa Prabhu went to present the Vyasa Puja book to Maharaj which he had so painstakingly put together. Everyone had that mood of reverence and sobriety. Maharaj himself was actually looking pretty chilled out with his limbs casually stretched out.

Gurudas soon came to the front and started off with a few jokes just to relax the atmosphere. He went onto recollecting various life experiences and crisscrossing paths with Maharaj. After the introduction, Krsna Kirtan Prabhu came on and narrated a sober, deeply touching Vyasa Puja offering made by HH Sacinandana Swami. Sacinandana Swami spoke of how he loves and cares for Kadamba Kanana Swami and also told him not to neglect the needs of the body. Really moving and tender and so inspiring to see the loving feelings exalted vaishnavas have towards each other. It was like being privy to something precious that you are not really qualified to witness.

Gurudas then recited a beautiful Celtic prayer in honour of Maharaj. It was gifted to him by a Scottish church. Soon the offerings by the disciples were being shared one after another. Too many to count but all full of sincerity and heart. Srila Prabhupada disciple, Jaya Badhra Mataji mentioned how she pictured Maharaj as this principled, exuberant but kind personality who was boldly leading a battalion of fearless, exhilarated kirtaneers. It was a nice image to conjure.

Then young Nimai (Maharaj’s plucky, German servant) came up and recalled how he was making a right ‘balls up’ of putting up a mosquito net and then he quoted Maharaj’s priceless response… every German isn’t an engineer after all! This brought out some hearty chuckles, particularly from the European devotees. Nimai went onto reminisce how Maharaj was in poor health once and promised that he would lead a kirtan for only 45 minutes in Soweto. Of course, he believed Maharaj and Maharaj ended up leading the kirtan for 2 hours and everyone started dancing on stage, so the stage effectively became a trampoline!! He then finished off by saying, “Traveling with you has been the best experience of my life!”

To hear a lot of the offerings was quite humbling and not always easy for a reprobate like myself to relate to. There was talk of seeing his holy feet, thanking him for giving them life, taking the sacred dust of his feet and living to please him! Scripturally one understands this is the mood but to hear it from a modern day devotee is something else. If anything, it made me realise I have nowhere near that level of devotion!

One offering that particularly stood out for me was Sutapa Prabhu’s. He started off by stating that the Guru disciple relationship is like a tennis match. He hits the ball in your court and you have to work with it. Otherwise if you don’t hit it back, the match will become a little stale.

After the offerings Gurudas announced the commencement of Maharaj’s kirtans and speech.

Vyasa Puja Address to Disciples

Maharaj then started explaining that when Rama and Sita crossed the river, the bees were also crossing the river but after being intoxicated with honey. Hence they couldn’t fly straight. But there was one bee who wasn’t intoxicated, he didn’t drink the honey but simply took them across, like a Guru. That was what he was, the Guru…..

Our purpose is to become residents of the spiritual world, to bee with the gopas, gopis, the cows and the dust. We hear these things again and again. We serve and we hear and little by little we start to get familiar with the pastimes. Then the weight starts shifting from our material leg to the spiritual leg… As the weight shifts to the spiritual leg, the entire world becomes spiritual and then we realize we were already there.

Maharaj pressed upon the need to give to the community of the devotees. Initially we come to the movement and we start hoarding the prasadam but eventually, we must turn around and give to others. Then that recurring theme came out in Maharaj’s message about caring for each other. He confessed to burning out a few devotees in the past and the problem is that there are only a few devotees in the world as it is. We may call ourselves the “international society” but really, after a year you start to recognize everyone! Like in a village, so it’s imperative that we make a contribution to the vaishnavas….

Maharaj elucidated on the topic of real freedom, stating that he was born a Dutchman with a rebellious spirit and he seems to attract a bunch of rebellious people. So naturally rebellious people need space, so he is here to create that space for us in Lord Caitanya’s movement.

But this was balanced with the principle that one who wants freedom must take responsibility for themselves. So ultimately the ball is back in our court. Particular stress was given to not getting attracted with pretty things like sex desire. Let’s be real; it won’t fulfil us. So let’s not make too much of it. The world is oversexed now and makes far too much of it… Maybe some people need a bit of romance but then keep it within the boundaries Krsna lays for us. Don’t go beyond that; as it’s the same script again and again…

In reference to the recent health scare, Maharaj expressed how he would like to be with us for many more years. Even though he could not attend the Kingsday parade the next day, he heartfully requested all of us to go for it in the harinam and to pass on the message to Lokanath Maharaj to really ‘cook it up’ in the tunnel….

The talk was followed by the ceremonial flower offerings and the Guruvandana prayers keenly led by Gour Mohan Prabhu (a young, witty sankirtan devotee from Germany) and then we were off to the tent for the famous Vyasa Puja feast…

The Feast

Due to the difficult weather, the tent was quite chilly and it took some getting used to. But when the feast came, such discomforts were easily overlooked. The feast was magnificent. Even after being vegetarian for six years now, I am still sometimes amazed at how delicious vegetarian food can be. Notwithstanding the spiritual effect of it being prasadam; this feast really bought out that feeling. There weren’t so many dishes as other Iskcon feasts, but this was a good thing. It meant one could focus on and relish what was there instead of getting bewildered by too many items. There were these fried, squidgy, lentil cubes with tamarind chutney; fried rice with herbs and creamy vegetable sabji. But the dish that really smashed it was the spinach and paneer curry. The paneer chunks were huge – the size of babies’ fists and so soft and succulent. For dessert there was an assortment of sweets such as the Vyasa Puja sponge cake with cream and srikand with sweet fritters. The one thing that could’ve been better was the drink. Frankly, it was too sweet a but it was an incredible feast regardless… and thanks to Pradyumna and Mahibarta Prabhus for their effort.

Evening time

Later there was more revelry as devotees from the British yatra put on a drama based on the famous ‘Narada Muni and the cobbler’ pastime. It was a hoot! Soon after, Maharaj decided to retire to his room and practically those same devotees who were in the drama decided to follow him back! Everyone was feeling quite relaxed in Maharaj’s room. There was that feeling of just being with Maharaj that was nice. Not asking loads of questions or having deep, intense conversations but just being in Maharaj’s company. That was nice. There wasn’t even that much talking, the conversations were quite sporadic, a few words here and there, then gaps of comfortable stillness where Maharaj would just lean back on his chair and the devotees would quietly meditate on what Maharaj had said or simply bask in his association.

Tulsi Prabhu’s Guruvastakam prayers came up. Maharaj joked how no one got the melody… at all! But he really appreciated it, being familiar with that melody. In fact, he clarified that it was the correct Guruvastakam melody to be sung at that time of day. While on the subject, Maharaj clarified another thing; during the foot wash there is no need to sing the Guruvandana prayers. Instead that is the time to be singing the Guruvastakam prayers!

Another topic that was raised was how Maharaj would boldly stop a kirtan if the devotees were not singing the melody properly or missing some beats etc. Whilst devotees had a little giggle at this, Maharaj did assert that the deeper issue is of not listening properly. As a movement, we are trying to transfer knowledge and communicate with others. At the same time, good listening is also required. This applies to following instructions and listening to classes as well. A lot of the time Maharaj noticed that people just associate what they are hearing with their own pre conceived notions. For example, if there is a class on varnasrama; they wouldn’t actually hear what was being said. They would go away, just knowing that the topic was varnasrama and their own stereotypical version of it. A very relevant point which a lot of us have to be mindful of….

Before winding down for the night, Maharaj encouraged all the disciples assembled to have fun tomorrow. He admitted that for such an event, some spiritual leadership is certainly required. But even though he won’t be there, there will be other stalwart devotees such as Lokanath Maharaj to build up the energy and strength.

Visit Flickr to see all the photos!

HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaj ki Jai!

Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education newsletter.
The VIHE in Vrindavan was established to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desire for an educational institute in Vrindavana. The VIHE in the holy Dhama provides an ideal facility and atmosphere for you to improve your sadhana, develop your devotional qualities, engage in serious study, associate with senior devotees, and receive training in practical skills relevant to management and preaching.
The VIHE also aims to preserve and disseminate standards Srila Prabhupada set for acting in Krishna consciousness and to deepen devotee’s understanding, realization and appreciation of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and movement. Thus, the Krishna conscious culture and values that Srila Prabhupada gave us can be passed on to successive generations. All courses are well researched and taught by senior devotees who have a deep understanding of the subject.
Please find the VIHE newsletter, fresh and new: Three secrets by HH Sacinandana Swami, HG Bhurijana Prabhu on the new Govardhan Retreat Center, testimonials from the alumni and well-wishers, announcements and more:
https://goo.gl/bwiyu7

Deities installation ceremony in Ukraine (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We have to work sincerely, and because Krishna is in everyone’s heart, there will be no difficulty to have the necessary facilities. Letter to Satsvarupa, September 14, 1969.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lOyx7j

By Visakha devi dasi

On Saturday morning, April 9, 2016, the quaint Florida costal town of St. Augustine hosted the Lord of the Universe, Jagannatha, along with His sister Subhadra and brother Balarama, for Their traditional, annual Rathayatra parade and festival. The weather was perfect, the townspeople curious and friendly, and the devotees jubilant to be participating in the first Rathayatra of the year.

The mayor of St. Augustine, Nancy Shaver, was delighted to attend. She said, “The Festival of Chariots is a moment of joyful peace for me, I am invited to attend many programs but this festival gives me inner peace.” She was given Kurma’s cook book & she said “I will definitely try using the recipes.” She inaugurated the event by breaking a fresh coconut before the Rathayatra cart, and the procession began. Seven mridungas accompanied the lead kirtan singer, as Adikarta das played a harmonium and a newcomer played a base drum. The hari- nam party, flanked on both sides by the thick ropes of the Rathayatra cart that was being pulled by many hands, walked through St. Augustine’s main streets as Lord Jagannatha and His divine family members watched with wide-open eyes.

The Rathayatra procession was followed by a feast, free to all comers, and then the devotees sent off on a roaring hari-nam through St. Augustine’s elite shopping district. The Vaishnavis from Gainesville’s Krishna House were in the front of the hari-nam party, dancing together in a spontaneously choreographed step. Sri Vrindavan devi and her team of book distributors offered Srila Prabhupada’s books to all takers. Happily, there were many takers. The color, the gaiety, and the uplifting mood induced many, many people to stop and listen, watch, photograph, and wonder, and make this festival a sweet success.

May 11. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Keeping a One-Two-Three Kirtana Beat.
People came to the storefront seeking consciousness expansion, which they had been getting on LSD, and Srila Prabhupada promised that they would find it without drugs, by chanting. Prabhupada taught the rhythm, one-two-three, one-two-three. When he gave some of the hippies the karatalas, they wanted to play their own beats. But Prabhupada stopped them and said, “No! Keep this beat: one-two-three.” Although we did not accept him in the beginning as our spiritual master, he insisted that we keep this beat, and so we agreed. He asserted his authority on the beat of the mantras; if you wanted to stay in the storefront and participate, you had to do it his way or confront him. But aside from the one-two-three beat, Prabhupada was very lenient and allowed all kinds of musical instruments to be played. Even piano innards were brought inside and strummed.
The people in the storefront would leave after the kirtana. Maybe only half would stay for the lecture. On a good night there might be many people, and after the kirtana half would leave.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

Keeping a One-Two-Three Kirtana Beat

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 12. 187 – 198

“The philosophy of monism is an adjustment of the Buddhist philosophy of voidism. In a mock fight with Sri Advaita Acarya, Sri Nityananda Prabhu was refuting this type of monistic philosophy. Vaisnavas certainly accept Lord Sri Krsna as the ultimate “one,” and that which is without Krsna is called maya, or that which has no existence. External maya is exhibited in two phases — jiva-maya, the living entities, and guna-maya, the material world. In the material world there is prakrti (material nature) and pradhana (the ingredients of material nature). However, for one who becomes Krsna conscious, the distinction between material and spiritual varieties does not exist. An advanced devotee like Prahlada Maharaja sees everything as one — Krsna. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.4.37), krsna-graha-grhitatma na veda jagad idrsam. One who is in full Krsna consciousness does not distinguish between things material and spiritual; he takes everything to be related to Krsna and therefore spiritual. By advaya-jnana-darsana, Srila Advaita Acarya has glorified pure devotional service. Srila Nityananda Prabhu herein sarcastically condemns the philosophy of the impersonal monists and praises the correct nondual philosophy of Sri Advaita Prabhu. (CC Madhya 12.194 purport)

Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 12.187, Dallas

Gita verse-by-verse podcast

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20 August 2016

H.H. Mukunda Goswami is visiting Sydney to attend a world-class show celebrating ISKCON’s 50th anniversary entitled “Transcendental Journey: Krishna 50 Years On” is set to play at the iconic Sydney Opera House in Australia.

November 30

H.H. Mukunda Goswami has been released from the rehabilitation facility and is now back at his residence on the Murwillumbah farm. 

For current status check the twitter feed:  https://twitter.com/Mukunda_Goswami

Dear Devotees,
Dandavats. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
It is with great pleasure that we can offer another oral history for the pleasure of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami and his followers to help celebrate the 50th year of ISKCON.
This 2 hour video was recorded on Gaura-Purnima in Mayapur on March 23, 2016 and features Ajamila das, Rama Shraddha das, Jaya Gaursundara das and Sikhi Mahiti das. There are many lessons to be learned and inspiring stories you can share with friends and family.
Enjoy the trailer below:

This festival was dedicated to ISKCON’s 50th anniversary. There were special presentations covering various topics i.e. ISKCON 50 year ago, ISKCON’s future in North America and a special presentation on Srila Prahbupada’s new biography by Yogesvara Prabhu. An inaugural kirtan was held on Thursday evening. Three consecutive days of: sadhu-sanga, tumultuous world-class kirtans, ecstatic chanting & dancing, sumptuous prasadam, transcendental entertainment,engaging presentations & so much more! (150 photos by Arjun Bhattacharyya)
Please note there are several pages of photos. To navigate them use their links in the bottom of the page

Please note there are several pages of photos. To navigate them use their links in the bottom of the page

Gaura-Nitai Installation in Prabhupada Village, North Carolina, USA!!! (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna is living everywhere, that is the vision of the higher devotees. Actually He’s living, but still because we are in the lower condition, we should know that here is Krishna in the temple. Krishna is everywhere, but for us, because we have no such vision to see Krishna anywhere and everywhere, therefore we should come here in the temple and see Krishna. “Here is Krishna. Krishna has kindly appeared here in a manner in which I can see Him. That is Krishna’s mercy.” That is temple. Los Angeles, April 29, 1973.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Iwj0sv

News from Iskcon Russia.
Vijaya Dasa: As I travel around Russia giving sankirtan classes, I inevitably ask how many have joined by receiving a book.
In other countries when I ask this, about three-fourths of the devotees in the room raise their hands, but in Russia usually only one-fourth.
Then I ask, “How many of you have joined because of the preaching of Audarya Dham Prabhu?” usually about three-fourths raise their hands, and this takes place wherever I go in Russia.
This devotee is such an amazing preacher. He’s a doctor, so he attracts people by his knowledge on healthy living. Then he focuses on what real health is: spiritual life. He has over 500,000 people on his mailing list, and he sends out information about Krsna consciousness. He may well be the best devotee at making devotees in ISKCON.
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While I was in Omsk, Aditya Varna Prabhu, a devotee who is also a science professor at a medical college, told me how he joined. He received a book from a devotee and visited the temple, and after a few visits he decided that Krsna consciousness was for him.
What’s interesting is what took place after he joined.
His aunt was visiting Spain, and there she met devotees, got books, and also gradually became a devotee. When she went back to Omsk she found out where the temple was and visited. She was surprised to find her nephew at the temple. He was also surprised to see his aunt at the temple. And it gets more interesting.
Krsna Dasa took initiation from Caitanya Caran Prabhu, a widely accepted guru in Russia who is a disciple of Jayapataka Swami. Krsna Dasa’s aunt is a disciple of Jayapataka Swami. So again in his spiritual life Krsna Dasa is her nephew.
Now I’m in Almaty Kazakstan. An hour ago I attended an initiation ceremony in which Caitanya Caran Prabhu initiated 24 devotees into the Vaisnava tradition. By Krsna’s mercy things are going on quite well in these former Communist countries.
Your servant,
Vijaya Dasa

The BBC-channel, Russian edition, shows the Harinama of the local devotees, dedicated to the victory of second world war (1 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: The Lord’s holy name is called sravana-mangala. This means that one receives everything auspicious simply by hearing the holy name. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.7.15 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/KvppQf

Kumbha Mela’s Akshaya Tritiya Shahi Snan with HH Lokanatha Swami (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: KUMBHA MELA IS HARINAM HEAVEN! History was made 12 years ago in Ujjain when we managed to get HH Lokanatha Swami to be a Sri Mahant and we got our authorized place in the Royal Procession! Let Vittalrukmini take you on the Harinam procession through pics in this Kumbha Mela’s Akshaya Tritiya Shahi Snan with HH Lokanatha Swami and all the devotees!
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We were on an airplane from Mexico City to Caracas and Prabhupada started taking his puffed rice, puffed rice and peanuts. He ate for about 10 minutes or so, and then he just looked and said, "OK." So I moved the puffed rice over and I gave half to Paramahamsa, the other half I had in front of me. After a few minutes, there was this stewardess, she was walking down the aisle and she stops right in front of us and she reached over, put her hand in my plate and grabbed a handful of puffed rice and threw it in her mouth. She says, "Oh, this is wonderful. What is it?" I said, "Puffed rice." She said, "Why are you eating this?" I said, "We have our own diet and we're vegetarian." She said, "Oh, is there anything else I can get you?" I looked at Prabhupada and he looked at me, he said, "Hot milk." She said, "Fine." So after about 10 minutes she comes back with three plates. She left and I turned to Prabhupada, I said, "Prabhupada, that's amazing, isn't it?" Prabhupada said, "No, women, they have a natural propensity to serve." Of course, I was thinking it was amazing that she took Prabhupada's mahaprasadam right off of my plate. Somehow or other, she got what all of us were mad after was Prabhupada's remnants. So when I travel, it's always one of my favorite stories.

One day I was giving class and I told this story, and after class a devotee boy came up to me and he said, "That's an amazing story. Can I tell you a sankirtan story?" I said, "Yes." He said, "We would go out to the villages far from all the cities in Brazil in different places. You have to go by four-wheel drive. One day we were in the rain forest really far away from everywhere, and we found this village and we did our Harinam. Then we began going door to door to distribute books. Then I went to this one house and I knocked on the door and a woman answered and tried to distribute books. As soon as she saw me, I was in dhoti and kurta, and she invited me in. I went in, and I started seeing that there were pictures of Krishna on the wall and she had an altar, she had Deities," and he was so surprised. Then he said, "You're a devotee," and she said, "Yes, yes. It's so wonderful to see a devotee here." And he said, "How did you become a devotee?" She said, "Well, the first time I met devotees was I met Prabhupada on an airplane. I was a stewardess." So this was the woman, it was 10 years later from that time after she took the mahaprasadam. Then she met devotees again and got a book and that was it. That was the beginning of her spiritual life. Just seeing what Prabhupada has done, it's mind-boggling to understand how Prabhupada has made devotees, and it just goes on and on.

 -Srutakirti das (Srila Prabhupada secretary)
-From "Following Srila Prabhupada - Rememberances" ISKCON Cinema