Planet ISKCON

Harinama at Burleigh Heads - 24 April 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “In Dvapara-yuga one could satisfy Krishna or Visnu only by worshiping Him gorgeously according to the pancaratriki system, but in the Age of Kali one can satisfy and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari simply by chanting the holy name.” (Narayana-samhita)
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From Csikó Gergely, Isvara Krsna Dasa, Balarama, Movva vhp, Gopala-raya Dasa and István és Arundhati.

The post A slew of questions – some answered, some referred appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

3rd Anniversary of the appearance day of Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Behari and Sri Sri Radha Ban Behari @ Govardhan Ecovillage (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “The essence of all Vedic knowledge—comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity, the Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the demigods—is included in the eight syllables Hare Krishna Hare Krishna. This is the reality of all Vedanta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience.” (Narada-pancharatra)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/w4UuHE

By Navakishori Devi Dasi

The Bhakti Women Team embarked on the project “ Bhakti Women Shakti: Portraits of Strength and Wisdom” during the Sadhu Sanga and Gita Nagari Retreats ( May 2015).

It is a living project with over forty short videos of wisdom from women who have been practicing Bhakti.

While we have presented the example of women from scriptures like Gandhari, Rukmini Devi, Sita, Kunti Devi, Devahuti, Vindhyawalli and others through our website we felt it was imperative to also present the wisdom of contemporary women living out Bhakti in their lives. Personal stories of wisdom and strength can be very inspiring to others in similar situations.

Portraits of Strength and Wisdom

It has been a great learning journey for our team as we did those video interviews. It was very special to see how all the women we interviewed were so unique and so inspiring in how they expressed Bhakti through their lives. Some of the women we interviewed were practitioners of Bhakti for over 40 years of their life and are direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada. It was wonderful to get their perspectives on different aspects of Bhakti and on Bhakti infused femininity.

Some others we interviewed had grown up in a Bhakti filled atmosphere and were now living out lives full of Bhakti through their motherhood, wifehood and through their professions as nurses, research scientists, teachers, school directors among others. These women also shared how they were influenced by the powerful Bhakti of their mothers as they raised them.

Some others were new to Bhakti but it was very powerful to capture how they held on to the principles through various challenges in their life be it during their pregnancy or marriage or illness in the family.

It was beautiful to see how each heart was so uniquely seeking Krishna’s shelter and deeply attempting to offer themselves in service at His Lotus Feet even when they felt that they were far from a finished picture of devotee-hood or womanhood.

We invite you to view these videos on our website through this link. You can go through the different pages through the page navigation bar at the bottom of each page. We pray that men and women from all ages and seasons of life will find these interviews helpful in their journey in Bhakti.

A Living Project

We invite similar contributions of videos, audios or articles that women from around the world would like to share. We are happy to receive your contributions to serve the wider ISKCON community. Also if you would like to interview other women from your community and share the depth of their inspiring Bhakti with others please send us an email at contact@bhaktiwomen.org. Personal stories of wisdom and strength are always very inspiring.

Gratitude

We are sincerely grateful encouragement of HG Harivilas Prabhu(ACBSP) for this project. We are also grateful to the management at ISKCON Seattle that sponsored, supported and encouraged this project. We are grateful for the encouragement we received from HG Kaisori Prabhu and HG Visakha Prabhu (ACBSP). We are also very grateful to the following women who were so open to sharing their wisdom and their stories of strength during difficulty.

Ananga Sakhi Dasi

Aruddha Devi Dasi

Campak Lata Dasi

Gopi Gita Dasi

Gopisvari Devi Dasi

Krishna Nandini Das (ACBSP)

Krishna Bhava Dasi (ACBSP) and her daughter Krishna Priya Dasi

Madhurya Lila Dasi

Mangal Gopi Dasi

Mohini Sundari Dasi

Radha Padavi Devi Dasi

Sudha Venkat

Syama Kumari Dasi

Visakha Dasi( ACBSP)

We look forward to receiving contributions for the “Bhakti Women Shakti: Portraits of Strength and Wisdom” Project from many more women on contact@bhaktiwomen.org

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Hand Sewing Tutorial

One hears so much about renunciation in our movement and many times as grihasthas (householders) we become confused as to what is actual renunciation for us and how can we practically apply it in our daily life. I searched on this topic and found some gems which I am sharing below. We should be aware that as long as we remain attached to material enjoyment we will not be able to remain properly fixed in the process of bhakti yoga. As householders our goal should be progressive renunciation of material enjoyment and not the dry renunciation from family life as practiced by jnanis or yogis, that is not our path. It was Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, a great disciple of Lord Caitanya, who said that Caitanya Mahaprabhu descended to teach detachment from whatever does not foster devotional service to Krishna. Continue reading "Devotees can renounce renunciation!
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ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 03/20/2016

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya, Ranaka and Sri Tulasi Manjari.

Participating Advisors: Jaya Krsna, Radha-Krishna, Vraja

Participating Managers: Mukunda, Nitaicandra

Recording Secretary: Jamuna Jivani

1. Exploring ECO-V’s Future Role

Kripamaya raised some general questions regarding the future role of ECO-V in the continued evolution of the New Vrindaban village. After an initial discussion, the Board members concluded it would be best to discuss these broad range of topics in person and to include more people in the discussion.

2. ECO-V Brochure

Kripamaya expressed an interest in reviving the ECO-V brochure project in time for the 2016 festival season. Some Board members felt that the project should wait until the organization has put more substantial work into its current projects before doing so. Also, to reduce potential confusion with pilgrims to New Vrindaban, INV previously requested ECO-V to hold off promoting itself with a separate brochure. As an interim step, Jaya Krsna proposed including information about ECO-V in a new INV brochure that would highlight some of ECO-V’s activities. Meeting participants appreciated his suggestion and requested Jaya Krsna to move forward with this.

3. New Vrindaban Folklorist

Kripamaya, Radha-Krishna, Jaya Krsna and Chaitanya Mangala formed an ECO-V sub-committee to begin exploring options for this project and will present recommendations when ready.

4. Mukunda’s Monthly Report

Mukunda is currently in Florida finishing up a construction project this week and plans on being back in New Vrindaban by the end of March.

5. Nitaicandra’s Monthly Report

Nitaicandra reported on the previous month’s projects:

• Recently arrived back in New Vrindaban.
• Purchased approximately 20,000 heirloom seeds and 1,200 lbs of seed potatoes.
• No fruit trees will be planted this year in anticipation of the 17 year cicadas.
• Two calves were born.
• Moved tractor implements to Nandagram.
• Vidya hired Kacey to run the Teaching Garden & grow flowers.

6. ISKCON Ministry Grant Request

The ISKCON GBC Minister for Agriculture and Cow Protection, Kalakantha dasa, requested funding for the four upcoming continental farm conferences held in 2016 by the ISKCON Global Ministry and the Sustainable Vaisnava Communities Committee.

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support and encourage self-sufficiency and cow protection throughout ISKCON.

RESOLVED: The Board approves a grant up to $4,620 as follows:

1. $3,000 for the Minister’s travel expenses to participate in the four conferences, and,

2. $1,620 to sponsor the $108 registration fee for 15 attendees at the North American ISKCON Farm Conference to be held at Gita Nagari in August 2016.

For regular updates, visit the ECO-V Facebook page.

Sweet Kirtan in Kazakhstan (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: We are spending a week with BB Govinda Maharaja at his Sri Vrindavan Dhama community just outside of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Springtime has revealed the natural beauty of the property and Maharaja’s sweet kirtans bring out the spiritual beauty of the Kazakhstan devotees!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tcVFya

April 24. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: David Allen Goes Crazy on LSD,
At first David and the Swami lived together peacefully in the large hall, the Swami working concentratedly on his side of the partition and David ranging throughout the large open space. David, however, continued taking marijuana, LSD and amphetamines. Prabhupada had no choice but to tolerate it. Several times he told David that drugs and hallucinogens would not help him in his spiritual life, but David would look distracted. He was becoming estranged from the Swami.
But Prabhupada had a plan to use the loft as a temple – to transform it into New York’s first temple of Radha-Krishna – and he wanted David’s cooperation. Although the neighborhood was one of the most miserable in the world, Prabhupada talked of bringing deities from Jaipur or Vrindavana and starting temple worship, even on the Bowery. He thought David might help. After all, they were roommates, so there could be no question of David’s not cooperating, but he would have to give up his bad habits.
Prabhupada was trying to help David, but David was too disturbed. He was headed for disaster and so were Prabhupada’s plans for the loft. Sometimes, even when not under the influence of a drug, David would pace around the loft. Other times, he appeared to be deep in thought. One day, on a dose of LSD, he went completely crazy. As Carl Yeargens put it, “He just flipped out and the Swami had to deal with a crazy man.” Things had been leading to this – “he was a crazy kid who always took too much” – but the real madness happened suddenly.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

David Allen Goes Crazy on LSD

The Sydney West Temple project has steadily been gathering momentum over the last few years.

It will include a temple hall, restaurant, 40 -50 accommodation, function and office rooms and nicely landscaped gardens.

To help raise funds for the project, the devotees organise 4 dinners a year where they give an update to everyone and ask for donations.

I attended the last one with Bir Krsna Maharaja as a special guest.

President Obama on Hanuman Jayanti.
A statuette of Lord Hanuman is among few items that US President Barack Obama always carries in his pocket and seeks inspiration from whenever he feels tired or discouraged.
President disclosed this on a YouTube interview which the White House scheduled as a way to reach younger audiences as it promotes Obama’s final State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Read more: http://goo.gl/rA7t8u

RESPECT: esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability: I have great respect for her judgment. / deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment: respect for a suspect's right to counsel; to show respect for the flag; respect for the elderly./ the condition of being esteemed or honored: to be held in respect. I think respect is really a way of life—a consciousness of the sacredness of all life and in fact everything that exists as it relates to God. In how I see the word, it is what Krishna consciousness is all about. We are learning to respect and honor God—Radha Krishna, Gaura-Nityananda and all their expansions and devotees—great teachers or gurus, devotees in general, but in fact all living beings and everything that exists. Although honor is not given as a synonym for respect, to me it could be. Given synonyms are deference and reverence.. Continue reading "I Don’t Get No Respect
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Ramayana Drama 2016 by ISKCON Malaysia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If with the arrow of chanting the holy name of the Lord one pierces Lord Vishnu’s lotus feet, by dint of performing this heroic activity of devotional service on receives the benefit of returning home, back to Godhead. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.15.42 Purport)
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Hare Krishna Festivals UK: ISKCON 50 Conference - Bath Spa University - April 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: When the living entity understands the target of his life, he takes the arrow of his purified life, and with the help of the bow – the transcendental chanting of pranava, or the Hare Krishna mantra – he throws himself toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.15.42 Purport)
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The post Daily Darshan: April 24th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

By Yadava Hari Dasa

Six Nuns from Santikari Catholic Dormitory visited ISKCON’s Youth Ashram, Narayana Smrti Ashram Yogyakarta, Indonesia. They would learn about Bhakti Yoga and Hare Krishna movement. At night, they read Bhagavad Gita and discussed about Bhakti Yoga. They followed all daily programs at ashram nicely.
After decided to stay in the ashram for one night, they continued to ask about Bhakti Yoga and Hare Krishna movement. Subananda prabhu and Surya Locana prabhu, who are the authorities of the ashram gave them nice explanations about those topics. Fortunately, the nuns stayed at brahmacarini ashram which near from Goshala. Automatically they got opportunity to darsan with cow there. We have one cow is named Kishora.

The nuns were so corious about glorifies of cow. One of all nuns asked about that in the morning program, Srimad Bhagavatam Class. Subananda prabhu and Surya Locana prabhu gave Veda based explanations. She was happy to accept those explanations. After that, we gave her a book, Sacred Cow. We also introduced our Om Sri Surabhi Campaign. She was happy and she said that actually she doesn’t like meat. That’s why she likes cow and asked about cow from Veda.

Julia Burroughs about abhiseka and Visvambhara about the penance performed for Yasoda to become Krsna’s mother.

The post Toth Zoli asks about Garudaji appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Harinam At Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia (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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By Hari Narayana das

The Ogoh-ogoh festival commemorates the starting of the New Years day of Hindu Community in Indonesia. it takes place almost in every villages in Bali and some places in Indonesia. This festival invites many visitors to see the various kinds of demons in form of ogoh-ogoh.

“To implement this transcendental bliss to the people of your country there is immense work to be done ahead and this Ratha-yatra festival is only a bit of sample. If we get opportunity we shall be able to overflood your country with the waves of transcendental bliss, by the grace of Krsna. SPL to Aniruddha, 7th July, 1968

This national holiday was a great opportunity for the devotees in Indonesia to spread the mission of Gauranga Mahaprabhu where every people in villages and towns will glorify chant Hare Krishna Mahamantra. This year the the festival was held on March 8, 2016. Devotees in different parts of Indonesia such as Lombok, West Nusa Tengara, Jember, East Java, and Tolai, Central Celebes participated in the festival. The did Ratha Yatra on the festival.

Lombok Ratha Yatra: the devotees in Lombok already participated in festival for the 4^th times. This year was very special because the Lord Chariot was New. The chariot was constructed by the chariot team lead by Brajanagara prabhu. The altar and the ornaments of the chariot were donated by H.H. Subhag swami Maharaj. The local committee made preparation started from making proposal to participate in the festival. Many times they did meeting with the ogoh-ogoh festival committee. A day before the festival many devotees from Bali arrived. They came to Lombok just to participate and do devotional sevice to the Lord jagannath. The preparation of the chariot was done in the area of the festival, because the distance festiva and the temple is quiet far.

On the day of the festival, the participants gathered in the main street of Mataram, The capital city of West Nusa Tenggara. The came to see the ogoh-ogoh and indirectly they got mercy by seeing the Lord on the chariot. there were 200 participants of the festival. While waiting festival started, the devotees sung Hare Krishna Mahamantra loudly in front of the chariot that every people could hear the Maha Mantra. At 16.00 pm the parade was started. Every participants performed their attraction in front of the the stage. The matajis danced gopi dance in front of the chariot for the pleasing of the Lords. The chariot that was pulled by the devotees while singing Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Everybody was happy and felt blissful. A ton Indonesian fruits, Rambutan fruits that were donated by Dina Darini mataji, were distributed along the way and srila Prabhupada’s Book were distributed to the audience. After arriving in the finish, then the pujari offered bhoga and arati to The Lord. The devotees took rest and honored the prasadam before they returned to their house to celebrate Nyepi day.

Meanwhile in Tolai, Central Sulawesi, was the Fifth Ratha yatara. T he devotees prepare the festival the day before festival. The local committee lead by Subala prabhu organized the preparation nicely along with the devotees of Sri Sri Radha Kunjavihari Temple. They decorate the chariot that donated by H.H. Subhag Swami Maharaja day before the festival. On the day of the festival the devotees gathered in front of the chariot to participate in the homa yajnya to invoke auspiciousness. Then the Lord put on the chariot and headed to the place of the festial. At 15.30 PM, the festival started and the Lord Chariot attracted more than 4000 people who enthusiastically saw the festival. The devotees with their melodious Hare Krishna mahamantra tune steal the audience attention. The dancer with their grace movement enchanted the audience and made them could not stop their body to move along. Packed rice, cookies, and fruits that already offer to the Lord were distributed to the mass of people.

Srila Prabhupada wrote in a letter “ For the present your endeavour should be to make rathayatra festival grand and successful. You should arrange the procession and procedure so nicely that all the neighborhood people may be attracted to join the procession.” (SPL to Upendra, 1stJune, 1968).

The final place of the Rata yatra was Jember. The devotees attended from around cities in Indonesia such as Bali, Banyuwangi, Malang, Rembang, Surabaya, and Probolinggo. They came by train, bus and other small car with their family and friends. The devotees started pulled the Lord at 07.00 pm. local time. The melodious kirtan brought people from all directions. Very soon the route became full of people, mostly from other faiths; there were people everywhere – young and old, and the chariot with the Deities of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra stood magnificiently. Everyone was eagerly gazing at Gaura Nitai on the palanquin and Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra on the chariot. Everyone present came forward and pulled the chariot to the main road. Security for the Ratha was provided by local authorities and a group of local musicians playing nice tunes followed the chariot. The route of the ratha yatra was crowded by people who wanted to get darsan from the Lord. The devotees distributed the prasadam to the people along the route. They ran out of prasadam to distribute because more people eagerly took prasadam, even the fruits decorated the chariot also ran out taken by the people. They believed that by taking the food offered to the Lord it would bring a fortune in their life. Devotees also did book distribution and many took Prabhupada’s books and everyone happily honoured mahaprasad. It took 4 kilometers around the village.

We hope that Prabhupad is pleased and bless the devotees who worked so hard and organized such a wonderful Ratha-yatra. Srila Prabhupada mentioned in his letter that “ I thank you all very much for making the rathayatra festival so successful. Please convey my gratitude to all the boys and girls who participated in this great transcendental service.”(SPL to Upendra, 4th July 1968). He also blessed all devotees as he stated in his other letter that “…may Krishna bless you all for your sincere service that you may all go on making more and more advancement in Krishna Consciousness.” (SPL to Jayananda das, 19th July, 1976).

On behalf of all the devotees involved, we express our sincere feelings of 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.

Hollywood Harinam (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Intelligent men decide to solve all problems by adopting the devotional service of chanting the holy name of the Lord, who is situated in everyone’s heart and who is a mine of all auspicious qualities. Such persons are not within Yamaraj’s jurisdiction for punishment. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.3.26 Purport)
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Harinama and book distribution in Iskcon of Silicon Valley (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: A devotee knows how to engage himself and others in the service of Krsna completely, as well as all the wealth of the world in the matter of propagating Krishna consciousness. Rest assured. Letter to Gurukripa Das September 1, 1974.
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Answer Podcast

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The post ​If I serve my mother because of my bhakti, am I serving her or serving Krishna? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Giridhari Mandir Rathayatra 2016 (Album with photos)
ISKCON Sri Narasimha-Giridhari Mandir
(Sri Nava Narasimha Temple) Bangalore, Karnataka.
ISKCON Narasimha-Giridhari Mandir also popularly known as Sri Nava Narasimha Mandir, is the house of Sri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha & Sri Sri Gandharvika Giridhari. A temple with lot of festivities & activities! Our campus has a beautiful Goshala, Gifts & Prasadam outlet. We have weekend school for children, Gita Course a systematic study of Vedic Science.
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The post ​How does Shivananda Sena exemplify the three great strengths in bhakti? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Vaishnava marriage ceremony in Bhaktivedanta Manor with Ghanashyam and Roshni! (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: A grihastha or householder like you, you are also tridandi. Because you have sacrificed everything, your life, your home, and your child, so you are a tridandi sannyasi, in fact. Continue this attitude seriously and sincerely, so you will be also as good as a sannyasi even though you are in the dress of a grihastha. Letter to Rupanuga, August 30, 1968.
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The post How can we avoid taking things for granted in bhakti? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.