Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Crimean Hare Krishna Festival 2016 at Simferopol, Ukraine (Album with 130 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)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/j2TweA
By Ajita dasa
A series of earth works have recently been completed at New Govardhana. By this venture the main lake, ‘Manasi Ganga’, has been cleaned and land reclaimed behind the Retreat Centre and the old dairy.
Manasi Ganga was excavated in the early 80’s during Ramai Swami’s management. The lake was then used for various water sports and festivals. It gradually became infested by a highly invasive lily called Nymphanea Mexicana. One characteristic of this lily is the strong smell emanating from the roots, resembling sewerage. Added to this, a large amount of Ecoli bacteria was also present at times.
Though the water quality remained safe throughout the decade, the time had come to undertake the huge task of emptying out the 60 million litres and scooping out the sludge. This task was time sensitive, requiring immediate attention just before the rainy season.
To siphon the water 60 metres of 150 millimetre pipes were installed. Priming such a voluminous pipe was a challenge. On the third attempt the outflow reached three million litres per day.
Unfortunately a storm ripped the pipe system before the end of the pumping. Unable to re-prime the system, a 1.5 ton pump was used with the farm excavator and placed near the edge of the remaining water.
Another week of pumping, racing against the five natural springs, and transferring a few hundred eels to another lake, was quite an experience.
Finally a 25 tonne excavator and two large mining trucks were hired to scoop out a two metre thick layer of sludge, analysed by the Gold Coast laboratories as a composition of sulphur and iron, hence the smell.
After two weeks of excavation 25,000 tonnes of unwanted materials were excavated. This is now being used for various fills and to re-establish pasture for cows to graze upon.
The lake has since refilled mostly with its own springs and stands now at three quarters full of its full capacity of 100 million litres, with an eight metre depth near the island. The water, though looking somewhat murky, is very clean and pleasant for swimming. It will take about one year to settle.
A ghat was built to allow swimmers to walk down the steps to bathe. Once full, the waters will reach the third step of the stairways.
Behind the stairs, the foundation for the temple of Manasi Ganga has been completed. It will hold a small but beautiful temple to honour the sacred place where pilgrims commence their walk around Govardhana Hill.
A couple of weeks later the same 25 tonne excavator accompanied by an 8 tonne bulldozer ripped through the jungle behind the school ridge and the old dairy. Some 30 acres of land were cleared in which to plant useful trees, such as tallowood, yellow stringy, iron bark and gum. Here they can grow unimpeded by the invasive camphor laurel, box and paper bark.
The land is now grassed up with fresh growth opening up large areas of pastures for the cows and bullocks, who seem to enjoy munching and discovering the new grounds which were previously inaccessible.
We are now regularly burning huge piles of timber that burn for days. On the upper side of the cleared land we have started another Cavendish banana plantation with 200 small plants already in and 800 more to go.
The total cost for the earth works was $63,000.
Krishna Bhakti and Vrinda Gleeson with Inspectors Hortz and Hanlon
Krishna Bhakti and Vrinda Gleeson with the heads of the QLD police commission and Jim Bellos, the organizer.
By Radharani Priya devi dasi Gold Coast Bhakti Centre
Local ISKCON devotees attended the second annual “Gold Coast Multi-Faith Community Dinner”. The event was hosted by the Queensland Police force at St Anna’s Greek Orthodox Church on the Gold Coast.
It was an evening to ‘share a meal and build a community.’ About 200 guests attended, including dignitaries from Queensland’s police force – local Superintendents, Inspectors, Officers, Police Chaplains, as well as the leaders and representatives of all faith groups here on the Gold Coast. Some of the faiths included Bahai, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, Hare Krishna, multiple Christian denominations and many more.
Representatives and Professors from both Griffith and Bond Universities attended “Natya Shakti” Oddisi dancers from New Govardhana, Krishna Bhakti and Vrinda Gleeson, performed as part of the evening’s entertainment. The ladies were warmly welcomed and very much appreciated by all.
As an offering to Srila Prabhupada on ISKCON’s 50th year anniversary, our prayer is that we continue to keep sharing Krishna Consciousness with others through dance, arts and culture. This leaves a very positive and favourable impression.
All glories to Lord Nityananda for showering His blessing on His appearance day.
Iskcon Pakistan: Hare Krishna
All Glories to Guru and Gauranga.
I am Lakshmi Bai student of BBA.
I am in Krishna Bhakti since 2 years. Before joining Krishna Bhakti I was very confused person because there were no one who can guide me But after joining Krishna Bhakti my life has been changed, I started getting knowledge of Sanatana Dharam according to Shastras Most importantly I know myself that who I am and what are my duties,what are the four principles. Within 2years of Krsna Bhakti I get enough authentic knowledge, I read Bhagvat Geeta daily and go for Bhagvatm puran classes on every Sunday. On early stage of Krishna Bhakti I was alone but now watching me my siblings have started to do Japaa and go with me for kirtan and Bhagvat Geeta classes. At start it was very difficult for me because Iwas only one from my family on this path,My relatives ask for everything what are you doing you are doing wrong but Krishna give me strength and my Bhakti so that today I’m on this stage and managing my study + home + spritual life.I also would like to thanks my father who never restrict me for Krishna bhakti and he always encourged me. Although at our home we never offer Prashadam but now with Krishna’s mercy we offer Prashadam daily. I do Japaa strictly and get afraid that if I don’t do I’ll be punished. I have no words to express my feelings that how much happy and satisfied I’m after joining Krishna Bhakti.
Thank you
Govinda Valley Retreat at New South Wales, Australia.
Ambika devi dasi: With a beautiful, tranquil setting, fantastic prasadam and great programs, twenty one local senior women felt blessed to spend time reconnecting and relaxing at Govinda Valley Retreat Centre. This retreat reunited Vaisnavis who served in ISKCON in the 70’s. Locals who attended included Mandakini, Rasarani, Krsna Premi, Surabhi, Ambika, Jaleyu and Visalini.
An ice-breaking session by Mandakini on arrival was great fun. Daily yoga sessions with Radha Kund kept us well stretched, a delicious picnic at nearby waterfalls was enjoyed by all and healing sessions were found to be very powerful. Mandakini outdid herself in a Saturday night skit, causing side-splitting laughter. Rasarani became Queen of the Whiteboard, amusing all with the daily schedules peppered with stick figure drawings. All kirtans and classes were led and relished by the women. The highlight for many was Lord Nityananda’s Appearance Day, when we had each woman remembering Srila Prabhupada. There will be a wider retreat for women who have served in ISKCON on Radhastami weekend. Atmarama dasa is the generous sponsor of the retreats.
Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Nasik
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Transcendental Journey: 50 Years of the Hare Krishna Movement.
Many devotees have been asking about the special ISKCON 50th Anniversary event to be held at the Sydney Opera House. Planning and rehearsal for the event is moving ahead. Here is some basic information.
Have any great suggestions? Know of any talented devotee artists? Please let us know. If you would like to make an earlybird discount group booking, contact our team. Your servant, Damodara Pandit dasa E. yakdas@hotmail.com M. 0415 190 313 FB. www.facebook.com/transcendentaljourney
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Harinama at Broadbeach (Gold Coast, in Queensland, Australia) - 17 April 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: As far as possible, therefore, the devotees in the Krishna consciousness movement gather to chant the holy name of Krishna in public so that both the chanters and the listeners may benefit. (Sri-Caitanya-Caritamrta, Antya-lila 1.101)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/D0mtbo
Harinama in Barnaul, Russia 4/17/16 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna movement is present in every millennium of Lord Brahma’s life, and the holy name is chanted in all the higher planetary systems, including Brahmaloka and Candraloka, not to speak of Gandharvaloka and Apsaroloka. The sankirtana movement that was started in this world five hundred years ago by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is therefore not a new movement. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.7.15 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/A0c5eZ
Initiation ceremony for 150 devotees during the auspicious day of Ekadasi, 17 April 2016, at ISKCON Mira Road (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna movement is also an incarnation of Krishna in the form of the holy name. Every one of us who is actually afraid of the asuric rulers and politicians must welcome this incarnation of Krishna. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.3.21 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/n37gM3
By Sri Nandanandana dasa It is natural that at some point in our lives we ask, "Why is there suffering?" Or "Why am I not happy?" "Why can't we simply go on with life and not undergo so many trials and tribulations? Why can't God make a universe or world where there is no suffering?" Well, my answer to that is He already has, but we are simply in the wrong one. Let me explain it a little more fully. First of all, we are all spiritual beings within material bodies. Most people at least understand that much. But that is also where the trouble begins. As soon as you are enclosed in a material body and interact with the material energy, you are going to experience various aspects of worldly existence which may not be the most pleasant. According to your interpretation of the experience, based on the dictates of the senses and mind, some of these incidents may be appealing and some will be less than desirable, or even appear to be troublesome to the extreme. Continue reading "Why is There Suffering?
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“Vanity Karma: Ecclesiastes, the Bhagavad-gita, and the meaning of life,” by Jayadvaita Swami, has won the 2016 Benjamin Franklin gold award for the year’s best book in the “religion” category. The award was announced by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), the authority for the awards, at a ceremony on March 8 in Salt Lake City.I am grateful that my book has received this distinguished award. But I can’t claim the credit for it. The credit belongs not to me but to the sages whose wisdom the book brings together in dialogue.
The biblical book of Ecclesiastes asks in the clearest terms what the point of our life is and for what it is that we work so hard, day after day, in our lives under the sun.
And the Bhagavad-gita, the jewel of India’s ancient texts of wisdom, examines these questions with the understanding that each of us, though struggling in a world of birth and death, is a spiritual spark of consciousness, immortal and imperishable.
From the Gita we learn how our karma — what we do in our lives, and what comes back to us as a result — can be not for vanity — for nothing — but for the perfection of spiritual realization. And we learn how, under the sun, such realization gives meaning to our lives.
The Gita’s divine speaker, Sri Krishna, says, “This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.”
So I owe the credit for this book, Vanity Karma, to the sages who have given us the wisdom of Ecclesiastes and the wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita, and most especially to my spiritual teacher, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Acknowledging where the credit rightfully belongs, I gratefully accept this award.
April 19. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Cutting the Knot of Ignorance and Illusion.
Speaking vigorously in the Bowery loft, even until he becomes physically exhausted – sometimes shouting, sometimes pleading, sometimes laughing – he gives his audience as much as he feels they can take. As the emissary of Krishna in the disciplic succession, he can boldly shout that everyone should dovetail with the Supreme. He can speak as strongly as he likes for as long as they are willing to listen. He is a sadhu (the Sanskrit word means “saint” and “one who cuts”) and he repeats the same message that for thousands of years sadhus of the original Vedic culture have spoken. He is reviving the eternal spirit of Vedic wisdom – to cut the knots of ignorance and illusion.
Everything is illusion. From the beginning of our birth. And that illusion is so strong it is very difficult to get out of. The whole thing is illusion. Birth is illusion. The body is illusion. The bodily relationship and the country are illusion. The father is illusion. The mother is illusion. The wife is illusion. The children are illusion. Everything is illusion. And we are contacting that illusion, thinking we are very learned and advanced. We are imagining so many things. But as soon as death comes – the actual fact – then we forget everything. We forget our country. We forget our relatives. We forget our wife, children, father, mother. Everything is gone.
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Cutting the Knot of Ignorance and Illusion
The first vilāsa of Haribhakti Vilāsa explains quite a bit about the qualities of a guru.
It begins with the most essential, core quality… HBV 1.35 quotes the Upaniṣads, “tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet…” The essential qualifications of the guru is…:
1) to personify the conclusions of the Vedas,
2) to be expert in explaining those conclusions,
3) and to be fully dedicated to pursuit of those conclusions.
HBV 38-40 give more details about important qualities of a true guru, quoting from Mantra-Muktāvalī. The guru…:
1) has a pure lineage (referring to the parampara more than the birth family)
2) is pure (isn’t blamable for serious things)
3) is dutiful (doesn’t abandon their responsibilities)
4) is “in āśrama” (may clarify #3, and/or may mean that they pursue spirituality)
5) gives up anger
6) is very knowledgable
7) knows every śāstra
8) is faithful/convinced (of śāstra’s conclusions)
9) does not hate or envy anyone
10) speaks with endearment/ pleasantly (“is nice to hear”)
11) is pleasant in gesture and body language (“is nice to see”)
12) is clean / honest / innocent
13) dresses well (i.e. makes endeavor to please others by appearance)
14) is youthful (may also mean “young”! May also mean youthful-spirit)
15) loves to help every creature
16) is pensive, introspective, intellectual
17) humble character
18) is content
19) is not selfish
20) is deliberate and careful
21) has other good character traits (forgiveness, etc.)
22) worships
23) resolute (follows through on intentions and conclusions)
24) is respectful
25) is like a mother or father to students
HBV 41 suggests that a guru must instruct the disciple using a balance of both praise and correction.
HBV 42-44 quote Agastya-Saṁhitā about the guru’s qualifications. The guru…:
1) worships divinity
2) is peaceful
3) has no interest in external objects of pleasure
4) understands spirituality
5) can explain the Veda
6) expertly understands the meaning of the Veda
7) both corrects and encourages as appropriate
8) is dedicated to spirituality
9) understands reality
10) understands the true essence of things, understands the heart
11) understands mysteries and secrets
12) can perform rites and rituals with perfect mantra
13) understands how to accomplish things (how to accomplish “yoga”)
14) is minimalist and spartan in personal habits
15) speaks only the truth
16) maintains a household
HBV 45-46 quote Viṣṇu Smṛti, explaining that even if someone has all these qualifications, they shouldn’t go out looking for disciples or advertise themselves. They must only accept disciples out of compassion for and affection for the students.
HBV 47-55 clarify that for Vaiṣṇava dīkṣa the most important qualification is that the guru recieves a Viṣṇu mantra from a proper lineage, and uses that mantra faithfully to worship Viṣṇu.
In his comment on HBV 54, Śrīla Sanātana Goswāmī quotes the pañcarātra stating that it is advisable to reject dīkṣa from a person who is not a Vaiṣṇava, and take the opportunity to receive dīkṣa from one who is.
HBV 56-58 quote Tattva-Sāgara to illustrate additional circumstance in which it is not advisable to accept a person as guru, or in which is may be advisable to reject the guru. These may be taken as evidence that the person is not truly a Vaiṣṇava. This is when the guru…:
1) desires excessive sex and other greeds for external pleasures
2) espouses mundane philosophies justifying vile behavior devoid of good character
3) pursues behavior not fit for their āśrama – which could be evidenced in physical ways like their becoming too hairless or hairy (a gṛhastha being too renounced or a tyāgi becoming too opulent), and/or in their developing bad teeth, discolored lips and bad breath.
4) becomes full of bad traits (lying, stealing, anger, hatred, etc.)
5) who accepts donations even though already well-off
HBV 59-72 clarify that a guru can also refuse to accept, or can reject a disciple under circumstances where the disciple displays refusal to learn, etc. In fact, if a guru does not reject such people, it is evidence that the guru wants the prestige of having many disciples, and is a sign that the guru is fallen.
HBV 73 – 78 clarify that a guru must not accept a disciple before the two of them actually live together for one to three years and mutually decide on their compatibility.
As I see it, if a person has all the above qualifications, they are a perfectly qualified guru and it would be extremely easy to be a very good disciple of such a person. Therefore we should try to find a guru with all the qualities, or at least a great many of them. The core property (as evidenced by the Upaniṣad quote at the outset) is a very clear understanding of the Veda, and ability to clearly explain that. Without this core quality, even with the other qualities, a person is not qualified to be guru.
Thus, the main quality of a guru is the ability to explain the Vedas and clear up doubts various people will have about their conclusions and meanings.
Vraja Kishor das
Tagged: diksa, diksha, Guru, initiation, reinitiation 
By Vraja Vilasa dasa Srila Prabhupada instituted the daily Srimad Bhagavatam class as an essential pillar for ISKCON’s preaching movement. He also left us with many instructions on how we can best benefit from this class. The importance of hearing properly from proper sources is always emphasized by Srila Prabhupada. The first duty, of someone who wants to get the right information in the right way, is to select a proper speaker to hear from: “Therefore, first one should select a competent and bona fide speaker and then hear from him.” (SB 1.8.36). However, we see many different types of speakers of all kinds in ISKCON temples and, because many devotees remain unaware of the necessary qualifications for selecting a speaker for Srimad Bhagavatam class, they may fail to select speakers of the appropriate standard. So, in order to remind everyone of Srila Prabhupada's merciful instructions on this matter, here are some references to inform their decisions on who exactly should be selected to speak to the assembled devotees in ISKCON temples. Many devotees may be surprised at the standard required. Continue reading "Who Should Give Bhagavatam Class?
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By Kesava Krsna Dasa To become knowledgeable just for the sake of being learned, will look poor if such raw jnana is not balanced by practical experience – vijnana. In Krishna consciousness, it is not what we know, but what we understand, and how we apply such understanding to our daily lives. “Taking a straw between my teeth and falling at your feet a hundred times, I humbly submit, “O great personality, please give up all mundane knowledge that you have learned and just submit yourself at the lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’ (Prabhodhananda Sarasvati – Chaitanya Candamrta). One may protest that learning in Krishna consciousness cannot be mundane in any way. True. But if our learning makes us proud and brittle, and prejudiced against ‘lesser’ devotees, then our learning becomes mundane because it causes us to act in mundane ways. Continue reading "Too Proud To Hear
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By Mohini Radha Devi Dasi In the interactions between the Lord and His devotees, both relish the highest happiness. Bhagavad-gita and other scriptures praise Arjuna for his close relationship with Krishna. Arjuna is known for his mood of friendship (sakha-bhava). Since relationships are by definition reciprocal, not only is Arjuna known as Krishna’s friend, but Krishna is known as Arjuna’s friend. Krishna drove Arjuna’s chariot and is therefore called Partha-sarathi, the “charioteer of Partha.” This name shows Krishna’s special relationship with His devotee Arjuna. Continue reading "Exchanges Of Love
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The amazing Bharatpur Ratha-yatra and other adventures!
Krishna-kripa das: I could write a whole article just about all the different items they gave us to eat or drink during the course of the procession. There were bottles of water and bags of water. There was a mango drink. There was an amazing red lassi that tasted like rose water, and there was another lassi as well. There were bags of a papaya shake. There were little cups of khichri. And there were three kinds of ice cream. There were also sweet balls. I have a feeling there were probably more things too, but that is all I can remember. You definitely did not have to worry about being hungry or thirsty during the Ratha-yatra procession.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/VUWM0n
Ahmedabad Rathayatra (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Last week, we took part in one of two Rathayatra festivals that are celebrated by ISKCON Ahmedabad in honor of the 19th Anniversary of the Temple Opening. This was actually the 20th Rath Festival of ISKCON Ahmedabad. Relish this very colorful and lively event through the pics of Vittalrukmini!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/vTP3ub
Varnasrama series.
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Sunday lecture in Moscow.
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Harinama in Smila, Ukraine (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on ones having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krishna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 4.71 purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/e9cjrz
Here’s some of the latest news/updates at our GRC / GRG factory:
The production of the segments which will support the kalashes, on top of the domes, and a successful first sample of GRG (glass reinforced gypsum).
[See image gallery at tovp.org]
The post Latest Updates From Our GRC/GRG Factory appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
TOVP updates (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Here’s some of the latest happenings at our GRC/ GRG factory: The production of the segments which will support the kalashes, on top of the domes, and a successful first sample of GRG (glass reinforced gypsum).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/vAiHSL
Sravan Kirtan Camp (Album with photos)
A Sravana kirtana camp was organized in the holy dham of Sri Rangam on 14th -17th April 2016. As this period also included the Tamil New Year (a public holiday in Tamil Nadu) and Sri Rama Navami, there was a sizeable crowd of about 500 registered persons. Besides Tamil Nadu there were also attendees from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and UAE. Daily Kirtana sessions were ecstatic with hundred of devotees packing the program hall and roaring the mahamantra for over an hour. Nagara sankirtan was also organized where Krsna conscious literature was distributed to passers-by.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/U0aZZM
The 2nd Vaisnava Film Awards Festival (THIRD of four parts) (13 min video)
The 2nd Vaisnava Film Awards Festival in Mayapur took place on 18, 19, and 20th March 2016.
Seventeen golden Nityananda Awards were granted to recipients of special achievements and lifetime achievements, in an exciting 90 minutes ceremony, on the stage of Mayapur Festival’s main entertainments pandal.
Ground-breaking new videos were shown, each before it’s respective producer/director was honored by this rare event’s formal recognition.
No doubt this 2nd Award’s Festival is setting a trend that is likely to perdure and grow in popularity in ISKCON. So is the wish of organiser Nrsimhananda Das of Iskcon Television, who was assisted this year by Vasudeva Das, of BhakTV and VANDE (Vaisnava Arts For A New Devotional Era).
The Awards Night was filmed by Subuddhi Ray Das, and edited with the original HD clips by Vasudeva Das.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/0Rhh7K