Planet ISKCON

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The post ​Should we see adversities in material life as impetuses for practicing karmany va dhikaraste? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

And Caitanya-lila about the origin of the maha-mantra in Gauranga’s lila and more.

The post Nityananda-candra asks about our alleged first birth as Brahma appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Namamrita Program by Bhakti Brihat Bhagavatam Maharaj at Sri Mayapur International School (Album with photos)
During the first week of the Gaura purnima holidays, some of our teachers and high school students took part in the Namamrita course. It was an amazing opportunity to make our relationship with the holy name more deep and sweet.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ee88cv

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The Municipal Government of Stockholm city: Save the only Hindu temple and oldest vegetarian restaurant in Stockholm!
This Spiritual Centre is run by ISKCON, the world´s largest international Hindu institution based on the ancient Vedic scriptures. It contains a temple, shop and vegetarian restaurant, and has existed in Stockholm city for over 34 years. Over the years it has developed to become an established cultural institution.
The Centre is yearly visited by up till 100 000 people of
different categories: worshippers, spiritual seekers, teachers and students (for study visits), vegetarians/vegans, Hindus, global Indians etc. The visitors are benefitted by the variety of facilities and activities the Centre offers: worship, conduction of religious rituals such as marriage ceremonies, spiritual initiation etc, courses in spiritual philosophy, devotional yoga, mantra meditation, Indian music and dance, theatre, vegetarian cooking, ayurvedic health care, as well as festivals, vegetarian karma free freshly cooked meals, a shop offering a variety of products that harmonize with a holistic healthy spiritual culture.
The continued existence of the Centre is now in danger since the landlord, a property company owned by the Municipality of Stockholm, has cancelled the renting contract with no offer of proper compensation. If this will not change, the whole Centre will be forced to close down its activities. Many people have expressed that it will be a great loss if this will happen.
It is reasonable to claim that a municipal property company has a special responsibility to take into consideration the public benefit this Centre offers the population of Stockholm city.
Sign the petition online here: https://goo.gl/g61lkf

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Sri Harinam Sankirtan in Sydney (Album with photos)
One amazing incident happened!!! When we were standing in front of Microsoft Office near Pitt Street Mall and chanting, the boss of the Microsoft came and very nicely said, we love your song and appreciate, if you could kindly please move will be nice as we are doing some presentation and it’s very loud sound and we can’t present. He continued we love to give some donation. Then he open his wallet and took out $200 and gave it to Harinam Sankirtan team. We all got so excited that just doing Kirtan people have appreciated so much and donated good sum also. Our team have decided to use that fund for buying our new sound system for Harinam. We have posted some some photos from yesterday, please have a look. Since its night and we’re moving so quality is not that great. See you all next week Thursday.
Thanks to everyone who came forward to make this Harinam a great success this week. Compared to last week which was our first week when 12 devotees came this week we had around 20 devotees attending Harinam with 2 kids. Every one took turns for leading kirtan. As we went along many people appreciated clapped and joined us for chanting. Few books and temple invitation cards got distributed. Haribol !!!!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/JO2CUU

Remembering Aindra prabhu - program in Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one somehow or other chants the holy name of the Lord (Hare Krishna) when he meets with an accident and dies, he will be saved from hellish life after death. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.15 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lDfnue

Mahabharata event at University of Cincinnati (Album with photos)
Andy Fraenkel: It was a great pleasure for my wife and me to meet all the Cincinnati devotees and participate in your special event last Saturday. I was struck by the mood of cooperation of the group. When I see this I think how pleased Srila Prabhupada would be, and indeed, that Prabhupada is manifested thru such a cooperative spirit. Dandavats to the coordinators, promoters, greeters, cooks, chanters, photographer and flower garland maker, etc. Thank you, one and all.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Rrf14H

The devotees from the Govinda restaurant and Patisserie of Benesov, Czech Republic organize home delivery of their prasadam!
Srila Prabhupada: You said that your job is maya, but you must know that maya is illusion. As soon as there is absence of Krishna Consciousness—that is maya. But you are working just to help and push Krishna’s interest; therefore, it is not maya. Anything used in Krishna Consciousness is real renouncement. Letter to Jayagovinda, February 3, 1970
For more information: https://goo.gl/ddGXDJ

Whatever position one may have, if he is fully conversant with the science of Krsna, Krsna consciousness, he can become a bona fide spiritual master, initiator, a teacher of this science. In other words one can become a bona fide spiritual master if he has sufficient knowledge of the science of Krsna, Krsna consciousness. The position does not depend on a particular position in society or on birth. This is the conclusion of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and it is in accordance with the Vedic injunctions….In ancient days there was even a hunter named Dharma, who became a spiritual master for many people. Continue reading "Unflinching Faith in Spiritual master
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By Romapada Das, International Coordinator, ISKCON 50^th Anniversary

Over 20000 students attended a mega youth festival organized by ISKCON Pune on 20^th March to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of ISKCON. The event, which was attended by principles of various colleges, political leaders from the youth community, the education commissioner of Pune and several other VIPs, was widely covered by several newspapers and broadcast on Indian’s national TV channel, Doordarshan. The theme of the event was ‘Drishti – Bharat leads the world’ and showcased India’s real spiritual wealth by means of which the country has the capacity to lead the entire world

The Pune temple formed a steering committee of 12 youth preachers headed by Antardvipa Das who heads the city’s VOICE preaching centres for young people.

“Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON 50 years ago to fulfil the prediction of Lord Chaitanya that the holy names of Lord Krishna will be chanted all over the world,” explained Radheshyam Das, President of ISKCON Pune.

He explained that ISKCON had flourished and grown rapidly all over the world in just a few years because Srila Prabhupada was supported by many young people who had flocked to hear him in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

“Srila Prabhupada was an expert in harnessing the power of youth,” he continued. “Therefore, we decided that the best offering to Prabhupada in the 50^th year of ISKCON was to bring together a large number of young people and harness their enthusiasm and energy to provide real direction and spiritual values to make their life successful.”

“Many of our working youth contributed salaries of a month or two to organize this event,” said Antardvipa Das. “We collected over 2 million Rupees from our youth congregation to organize this remarkable event, which is probably the largest gathering of young people in one city in the 50-year history of ISKCON.”

When devotees started publicizing the event, they handed out more than 135,000 passes to over 70 colleges in Pune in the very first week.

“When we approached Principals and heads of educational institutions with VIP invitations, they welcomed us wholeheartedly,” recollected Radheshyam Das. “It was almost as if they had rolled out a red-carpet for us, and gave us full access to their students. Many of them urged us to hold such events and programmes within the precincts of their campuses.”

India’s premiere ticket booking websites such as bookmyshow.com and townscript.com had facilities by which students could book their passes online. Students registered their attendance through a ‘missed call service’ by ringing a number mentioned on the free pass.

“We received almost 27,000 unique missed calls,” explained Antardvipa Das. “Our publicity also included social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp. We sent several videos and pictures out on several Whatsapp groups through which we reached out to thousands of young people. The result was that even before we opened the gates to the venue, we found 4000 students already waiting outside to be let in. With 20,000 students in attendance, this must be a record of sorts within ISKCON.”

Students were treated to a special cultural programme on a 40×60 feet stage which included a drama by Bhaktimarga Swami’s “Vande Arts”, a shadow drama on the Bhagavad-gita by students of IIT Kharagpur, short Videos on ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada, kirtans by the Vrajvadhus band from Vrindavan, and a dance-drama called “Mauli” which depicted a dialogue between the mediaeval saint Tukaram and the great Maratha warrior-king, Shivaji Maharaj.

ISKCON leaders including Gopal Krishna Goswami, Lokanatha Swami, Gauranga Das from IIT Mumbai and Gaura Gopala Das who is a Whatsapp celebrity spoke at the event. Other ISKCON leaders who attended the event included Hanumant Preshaka Swami and Bhaktivinoda Das.

“One of the highlights of the event was the number of free gifts that were given to students,” said Antardvipa Das. “Vodaphone sponsored free simcards with talktime and a data pack. Another company sponsored free fruit jellies, while others sponsored discount coupons for rental cars. We also distributed a small book by Srila Prabhupada to each participant.”

Revatipati Prabhu, Vice President of ISKCON Pune NVCC felt attracting a record number of young people to ISKCON through a single event was a significant achievement by the team of devotees that worked together so efficiently. “With our outreach programme that was a part of this event, more than 500,000 people learnt about the fiftieth anniversary of ISKCON. We certainly achieved our target,” he said.

“The hard work in areas such as fund-collection, planning, publicity, sound, lighting, stage set-up, celebrity attendance, and the hours of meetings with the core-committee was an incredible learning experience for me,” described Sonar Gauranga Das, a member of the organizing team. “I am sure that the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna will bless the entire team for their efforts to glorify Prabhupada in such an amazing manner.”

Feedback received from students who attended the event was positive and appreciative.

“I liked all the parts of the event,” said Vikrant Wadekar, a student from Pune. “But what I liked best was the fusion music performance in the end. It was electrifying.”

Mayank Jalan, a student participant who had attended an ISKCON event for the first time said, “It was simply an amazing event from start to finish. I enjoyed every single moment of this incredible conference.”

Summarising the outcomes of the conference, Toshan Nimai Das said that they had distributed one book of Srila Prabhupada to every student who attended, besides handing out thousands of Back to Godhead magazines.

“Over 1000 thousand students registered for ‘Gita Youth Society for Transformation’ an ISKCON Pune initiative for wider outreach to the student community,” he described. “More than 200 students bought copies of Bhagavad-gita as it is. We sent text messages to many of these people. Almost 500 students replied back and told us they wanted to attend future programmes. One of the best outcomes of the event was that the heads of many colleges and educational institutions became very favourably inclined to ISKCON. They have sent us invitations to host our lectures and other events in their premises.”

“I wish to thank the Conference team for their hard work, dedicated planning and powerful execution,” concluded Radhe Shayam Das. “We received many calls from ISKCON leaders in India appreciating this program and admiring its grand success.”

Young people who wish to participate in the youth activities of ISKCON Pune can contact Antardvipa Das by sending an email to antardvipadas@gmail.com

Photos of the event can be seen by clicking here.

Videos of the event can be accessed by clicking here.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 29 October 2014, Vrindavan, India, Srimad Bhagavatam 5.13.22)

In the beginning of our spiritual life, we come with lots of enthusiasm. Then, after some time, we lose that initial fire and we come into a realm of struggling with all the high standards of Krsna consciousness. We do not feel the same inspiration that we had in the beginning. Then, what do we do? At that point, what can we do?

Srila Prabhupada explains that one must chant in a mood of a helpless child.  So, when we become helpless, when we realize, ‘Actually, I am not a great devotee, I am struggling, it is not easy! It is very challenging, maybe too challenging!’  Then, all we have left is to look for mercy, as much mercy as possible, because it is mercy that can change us. On our own strength, we are lacking, we do not have the determination and conviction to just act on the level of pure devotion even after hearing all the good instructions. Then, all that is left for us to do is to look for as much mercy as possible. Because, through that mercy, we will change and we will get a desire!

It is not difficult to be a pure devotee if we would want to be, the problem is that we do not want to be. We are holding onto our material conditioning and therefore we do not get nourishment from devotional service. But, by mercy, we can go beyond! Therefore, with time, as we are realizing more and more how much we are falling short in being pure devotees, more and more, we become eager for mercy. That mercy is available in so many ways: in service, in hearing from the vaisnavas, in prasadam, in giving donations – in so many opportunities and so many forms. One has to be eager to look for it, to take it and to look for opportunities.

In the Caitanya Caritamrta, there is a famous story of Gundica marjana, the cleansing of the temple, where all the devotees were cleansing and competing with each other. Some did very well and others did little less well, and Lord Caitanya would chastise those. But there was this one Brahmana, who suddenly saw the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in front of him, and he took the pot of water which was meant to wash the temple and instead, he washed the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya and drank that water!

Lord Caitanya complained to Svarup Damodar, ‘Look what your Bengali vaisnava has done!’  Svarup Damodar, being the senior most of Bengali devotees, took him and threw him out of the temple, but that devotee danced the whole way because he drank the water from Mahaprabhu’s feet. No one else saw that opportunity! So we have to be awake to see the opportunities – ample opportunities – here and everywhere in the world created by Srila Prabhupada. Let us take advantage!

April 8. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Harvey Offers Prabhupada His Studio on the Bowery.
Prabhupada had lost his spirit for living in Room 307. What would prevent the janitor from stealing again? Harvey Cohen and Bill Epstein had invited him to relocate downtown and had assured him of a more interested following among the young people there. It had been an attractive proposal, and he began to reconsider it. Then Harvey offered Prabhupada his studio on the Bowery.
Harvey had been working as a commercial artist for a Madison Avenue advertising firm when a recently acquired inheritance spurred him to move into a loft on the Bowery to pursue his own career as a painter. But he was becoming disillusioned with New York. A group of acquaintances addicted to heroin had been coming around taking advantage of his generosity, and his loft had recently been burglarized. He decided to leave the City and go to California, but before leaving he offered the loft for Prabhupada to share with David Allen.
David Allen had heard that Harvey Cohen was moving to San Francisco if he could sublet his loft. Harvey hadn’t known David very long, but on the night before Harvey A.I.R. was supposed to leave, he coincidentally met David three different times in three different places on the Lower East Side. Harvey took this as a sign that he should rent the loft to David, but he specifically stipulated that the Swami should move in.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

Ramanujacarya was born in India during the year 1017 A.D. His parents were Asuri Keshava and Kantimati, both from aristocratic families.

Ramanuja was a great acarya in the Sri Sampradaya.

Prior to Ramanuja, the Sri Sampradaya was already an established organisation under Yamunacharya, and bhakti songs and devotional ideas already a part of south Indian culture because of the twelve Alvars (great saints).

Ramanuja’s fame grew because he was considered the first thinker in centuries that disputed Sankacarya’s theories, and offered an alternate interpretation of Upanishadic scriptures.

Into the Mouth of The Red Dragon (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: This afternoon myself and a team of 14 devotees arrived in Beijing, China. We were greeted at the airport by a small contingent of devotees who drove us to a facility outside the city which will act as our base for 18 days. The devotees have arranged for us to meet many important Chinese dignitaries and hold numerous public programs throughout the city. Many cherry trees here are now in full bloom here - a signature mark of China in the springtime. [ All photos by Ananta Vrindavan dasa ]
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ps4qVe

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​Home program at Singapore

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Post-modern Perspectives on the Guru-disciple Relationship.
Kripamoya Das: Despite the success of Vaishnavism as a worldwide phenomenon, there are yet some persistent difficulties faced by converts in understanding and implementing the ancient guru-disciple tradition. Partial understandings of source texts combined with highly selective use of quotes has only served to exacerbate the divisions of thought. This is particularly true of the writings on the delicate subject of guru-disciple.
This is probably as much as can be expected considering the prevailing climate. Whether we term it ‘post-modernism’ or not, the current intellectual and philosophical climate in the industrialised world has contributed to a particular perspective on the Vedas and the guru-disciple culture which is at its heart. The post-modern paradigm has several elements which may be helpful to the spirituality required to fully understanding the guru-disciple relationship. Conversely, it has some that directly militate against it:
1. Relational rather than hierarchical – Post-modern people are suspicious of the mainstream in any area of life and much prefer flat or networked organisations to hierarchies. Post-moderns want to humanise the world and are drawn to marginalised people; they are relationship centred. They give a higher priority to building a relationship than maintaining a building or structure. This view of the world probably helped to create the Hare Krishna movement back in the 1960s and 1970s.
However, as the role of the guru in the Hare Krishna movement has become augmented with organisational position and corollary power, there have been more complaints about the ‘position of guru’ being used to preserve the ‘institutional hierarchy.’ As the movement has gone from the social fringes to a more ‘mainstream’ position, the post-modern observers have re-categorized it from a ‘spiritual movement’ to a ‘religious institution.’ Although there is only a difference in size and complexity, that is enough for some to regard the guru-disciple relationship as an instrument of a religious hierarchy – and to react against it.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/jnOXgn

Letting out of the Cows!
Each spring, the Bhaktivedanta Manor’s New Gokul farm goes through the “letting out of the cows” ritual, whereby the cows and bulls are overjoyed to be let out again in the fields after being kept sheltered inside for the winter. Everyone laughs and cheers as the herd race across the fields, jumping and moo-ing in happiness. A truly delightful and entertaining experience for both cows and humans alike!
When: Sunday 10th April at 9.45am
Where: At New Gokul (The Manor’s farm - UK)

There are many things which we aspire for and even worship, which have no intrinsic value. They have value inasmuch as they are attached to values, and thus can serve perverted or promoting aims. Thus, though they have no value, they have a use. These things which we attach value to, are actually tools for values to be attached to. For example, a knife is neither good nor evil, but can be used for good or evil. It has a use, but no value. What is it that we worship as human beings that is essentially without value, but is merely a tool? Intelligence is in this category, as is its effect- knowledge. Wealth, also. Fame. Beauty, definitely. Strength, physical and psychological. All these desirable things have been used to further human happiness and evolution, or to retard it. And yet, though they are essentially valueless, we strive for these things and worship people that have them, whom we call “celebrities”. Am I going too far when I say that we worship them? In the temples of India, people line up to get a glimpse of the Lord in His deity form-similarly people will line up to get a glimpse of their favorite celebrity. Continue reading "What is essential anyway?
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An inspirational video by Jay Shetty (Ghanashyam).

​Home program at Singapore

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The current intellectual and philosophical climate in the industrialised world has contributed to a particular perspective on the Vedas and the guru-disciple culture which is at its heart.

If we are at all aware of how dependent we are on God--for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the very ability to eat and drink and breathe, to think and feel and will, and to walk, talk, and sense--we will feel grateful and want to reciprocate God's kindness. We will want to do something for He (or She or They) who has done, and continues to do, so much for us. Often we take things for granted until we lose them. I use my right hand to chant on meditation beads, and one morning I found that I had severe arthritic pain in my hand and could no longer use it for chanting. I had taken the use of my hand for granted, but when its use was lost, I resolved to never take my hand for granted and to always use it in the best way in God' service. How, in a general sense, can we attempt to return some of God's favor, some of God's care--and love--for us? In a talk, my spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, gave one answer: "Whatever you have got by pious or impious activities, you cannot change. But you can change your position, by Krsna consciousness. That you can change. Other things you cannot change. If you are white, you cannot become black, or if you are black, you cannot become white. That is not possible. But you can become a first-class Krsna conscious person. Either you are black or white, it doesn't matter. This is Krsna consciousness. Therefore our endeavor should be how to become Krsna conscious. Other things we cannot change. This is not possible. Continue reading "Gratitude for God’s Gifts
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A new inspirational video produced by Prananatha das shows a current view of the TOVP construction site. 3 of the 8 chatris have been completed with blue tiles and kalashes. More segments have been put onto the 3 domes, in preparation for the kalashes. The 4th stage (out of 6) of the decorative sandstone features has been completed.

The American team of Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) will be opening a new office in Alachua, Florida to manage their fundraising and promotional operations in America. The office is a house donated for this purpose by Ambarisa Das. Along with the office, a newly formed Foundation, TOVP Foundation, Inc. has been set up with Sesa Das as its chairman. Sesa is also the 2016 appointed GBC Chairman, as well as the ISKCON Minister of Education.