Planet ISKCON

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Many years ago, H. H. Tamal Krsna Goswami asked me to accompany him to China, where he had been pioneering Krsna consciousness for some years. I was unable to go at the time so he said, “Promise me you’ll make it there one day.” I agreed. Goswami, this evening I am flying to mainland China [...]

What’s Happening in New Vrindaban Dham!

Please Read the Full Newsletter at

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In Sastra class, the Upper Elementary students have been relishing Krishna’s appearance and childhood feats through their study of the book Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead. Students take turns reading aloud daily, summarizing, sharing reflections, posing thoughtful questions, and answering philosophical inquiries. We have just completed our study of chapter thirty-five, and students are eagerly anticipating the beginning of Krishna’s pastimes in Mathura. We look forward to continuing our study in the months to come!

Our last stop in New Zealand was Christchurch in the south island. Still recovering from a major earthquake 5 years ago construction is going on everywhere in the city. Our temple, which was destroyed in the earthquake, is being rebuilt now as well. Our devotees have become a tight knit group as a result of [...]

Bharatpur Rathayatra (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Rathayatra for the first time in Bharatpur, Rajasthan! On Sunday, Radha Shyamasundara Prabhu arranged for Rathayatra and the people of Bharatpur opened their hearts to the devotees. Every block they arranged to distribute juice, water, and other cold drinks to the dancing devotees. For ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary, another Rathayatra for Srila Prabhupada! Relish the joy through Vittalrukmini’s pics!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/krDvTY

Back when I was at school we simply wrote book reports. I’m impressed by and appreciate Mother Syamali’s creative literature projects. As of lately, Upper Elementary students were asked to choose one of the major characters in their independent reading book, and plan a dynamic scrapbook. Using key events and characters from their novels, they made a collection of hand-drawn photos, representing special memories. Each photo was accompanied by a caption of at least three sentences, explaining the image’s connection to the story. Students also included a variety of different artifacts to represent the events and characters, decorating each page to match the theme of their texts. What a genius way of reviewing and representing the main events!

Most recently, students created unique board games to showcase their independent reading. The artwork, content, and overall theme of the board games was inspired by characters, conflicts, and events in their selected novels. Students were given permission to use any combination of hand-drawn and computer generated images and follow a specific list of requirements. The results were remarkable. Students designed and crafted the board and the counters. Some even made their own dice. They deliberated the rules of the game and its strategies. Some also prepared question cards based on the books. And the bonus? After presenting their finished products, students had the opportunity to sit together and put the games to the test! What an original way of reflecting on and expressing an understanding of literature!

Photoset not found

 

Tuesday, March 8th, 2016                         
Mayapur, India

Monday, March 7th, 2016                                                 
Mayapur, India

Sunday, March 6th, 2016                                                   
Mayapur, India

Saturday, March 5th, 2016                                                                                
Mayapur, India

Mayapur, India



was very difficult.  Walking the highways in Indiais no place for a lady or gentleman.
Some of the truck drivers are very rough – sometimes they go off the road or hit the
oxen.  We got malaria and dysentery.  When the devotees get ill, it’s difficult to
recover and keep moving at the same time.  They have to stay on the tractor. They
don’t have a private room.  Maybe once or twice a month we might get a private
room.  Usually we stayed in open schools, where there was no privacy at all.  People
watched you when you took your bath or passed stool. Sadhu means “open book” – it
is another definition of a sadhu – there is nothing to hide.  You have to learn to sit
down on your mat and be in your own mental world and do your own thing. 
Sometimes it’s hard to do it because you’re tired and you have people looking at you,
laughing at you, joking about you.  It’s a place to learn tolerance; it is not a joke.  I
have seen many devotees blow it or hit each other, not out of contempt but because
they’d just had enough.  I have seen lots of sannyasis go crazy with the kids.  It is very
difficult.  Some devotees got injured.  There were broken wrists and ankles, one
devotee was hit by a truck, and another from Finlanddied when he fell under the
tractor in South India.  Sometimes we present the rosy side of padayatra, but to pick
the roses there are many thorns, and sometimes you get pricked.  It’s not a piece of
cake.  In the long run it’s very purifying – the most purifying program in our whole
ISKCON society.”

Thursday, March 3rd, 2016                                                      
Mayapur, India

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016                                   
Mayapur, India










7 Km

Tuesday March 1st, 2016
Mayapur, India

Monday Feb 29th, 2016
Mayapur, India

Sunday, February 28th, 2016
Mayapur, India

Saturday, February 27th, 2016
Mayapur, India


administrative meetings.  The seminars were stimulating.  Lokanath Swami and Hari Bhakti led one on proper Sanskrit pronunciation and traditional melodies.  I had dreamt that such an arrangement would materialize.

Friday, Feb 26th 2016
Mayapur, India

Thursday Feb 25th, 2016
Mayapur, India




guru/discipleship.  I also received, from the maze I was talking about, a copy of the annual Padayatra news.  From a booth, Gaurangi, from Francehanded me the glossy journal.

conducting padayatras (walking festivals) in Indiaand around the world.  There’s a forty-year history of these events which usually includes a bullock cart and a party of walking chanters.

Wednesday, February 24th, 2016
Mayapur, India



expectations.  Suffering continues for people as a residual effect from karma in the past.  As we sometimes hear Christians say, 'Accept Jesus and all your sins will go away.'  Now that may happen but it may take some time.

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016
Mayapur, India







encouragement. You do not advance on just your own strength.

Monday, February 22nd, 2016                                       
Mayapur, India

Sunday, February 21st, 2016                             
Mayapur, India

Saturday, February 20th, 2016                                      
Mayapur, India

Friday, February 19th, 2016                                                                          
Mayapur, India

Thursday, February 18th, 2016                          
Dubai, UAE

Wednesday, February 17th, 2016                         
Toronto, Ontario

Tuesday, February 16th, 2016                           
Toronto, Ontario







“The Afternoon/Forever Afternoon”

                                         I’m just beginning to see,
                                          It doesn’t matter to me,
                                          Chasing the clouds away.

                                           Something, calls to me,
                                    The trees are drawing me near,
                                           I’ve got to find out why
                                         Those gentle voices I hear
                                            Explain it all with a sigh.

                           I’m looking at myself, reflections of my mind
                            It’s just the kind of day leave myself behind,
                          So gently swaying thru the fairly-land of love,
                        If you’ll just come with me and see the beauty of

                                                 Tuesday afternoon.

Monday, February 15th, 2016                                 
Scarborough, Ontairo





             - Martin Luther King

                                                       
“Open your mouth only if what you are going to say is more beautiful than the silence.”

Sunday, Feb.14/2016                      
Montreal, Quebec

Speaking to Yudhisthira, the sage Vyasadeva said: “O child, there is nothing more difficult to practice than charity… It is extremely difficult to part with hard-earned wealth. But, O hero, properly earned wealth should be given away with an open heart to worthy persons.” (Mahabharata, by Krishna Dharma, P.329)

It is with deep gratitude that we receive the generous contributions from our donors. Out of kindness they choose to share their gain with our TKG Academy students. For this selfless act we are greatly thankful.

Sridhara-syama Prabhu (Sanjay Goel) and his wife Lalita Sakhi Mataji (Dr. Lalita Gupta) have been steady monthly donors of TKG Academy since several years now. When I asked Lalita Sakhi Mataji if we may write about her family for the “Donor Spotlight” she humbly declined. They have no interest in showcasing their donations or getting any recognition for it. Only when I insisted and convinced her that by doing so she will further serve our school, she reluctantly consented.

Sridhara-syama Prabhu and Lalita Sakhi Mataji met the devotees and attended classes while living in Omaha, Nebraska. In 2006 they received some books and their chanting beads and became dedicated practitioners. They have been attending the Dallas Radha Kalachandji temple since moving to Richardson in 2008.

Some years ago they considered moving closer to the temple and enrolling their son, Dhruv at TKG Academy. Plans didn’t work out as expected, and they decided to offer their support to the school by giving monthly donations instead. Lalita Sakhi Mataji also got involved with the Sunday school and enjoys sharing Krsna consciousness with the children. Her hope is that those teachings will have a strong and lasting impact on their lives.

Sridhara-syama Prabhu and his family are always engaged in service. He himself is a dedicated “Prison Ministry” preacher, going out weekly to share Krsna consciousness with inmates. He also spends several hours daily reading the philosophy and studying Srila Prabhupada’s books. He is a very renounced and enthusiastic devotee, though always maintaining a very humble mood.
His wife offers much medical advice and assistance to the devotees and has been involved in designing and sewing new outfits for the deities. Together they organize and host the Richardson Bhakti Vrksa group in their home and have thus inspired their friends on the path of devotional service.

I, too, feel inspired by their association and offer my sincere appreciation for their kind service and support.

By Jivan Mukta Dasa

When a family adheres to a spiritual program and cooperates to manage the household, the burden of stress and frustration is lightened. A disciplined devotional routine creates a more gentle flow to family life and an atmosphere where Krsna consciousness can flourish. We should regulate our play, rest, exercise, and worship in a way that will help us develop our attitude of service toward guru and Krsna. Although following a sadhana program as strictly at home as one would in a temple may be a challenge, we can stick to a modified program. Your schedule may prevent you from waking up at three or four in the morning, but your aim should be to get up before sunrise. The brahma-muhurta period, one and a half hours before sunrise, is most conducive to spiritual practices. Continue reading "Overcoming the Stumbling Blocks in Family Life
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From Back to Godhead

We can learn to love the 
early-morning hours – the 
best time for spiritual practices.

By Urmila Devi Dasi

“No school!”

My student’s excitement ripples through his arms, which boast the muscles of early youth.

“I can sleep late!”

He smiles.

I sigh.

School for my students means not just academic study but also rising before sunrise to worship Krsna. Why doesn’t this student love the pre-dawn hours?

I look back on my life as a small child. Each morning my father would rise by 5:00 A.M. and wake me soon afterwards. Or did I wake spontaneously just to be with him? I would play in his office in our home while he showered. When I was very young we would play together, each of us with a doll. His doll told me stories of his life and taught me lessons of ethics and morality. As I got older, the play became a time to talk of the important things in our lives. My father squeezed fresh orange juice, made our breakfast, and forged our friendship. He made the early morning a time of peace, beauty, love, friendship, and understanding.

Mentally traveling forward, I remember sitting in a temple president’s office so many years later.

“I’d like to live here and dedicate myself to serving Krsna.”

“We wake up early in the morning,” he says. “Very early. Can you do that?”

I smile. “I’ve done that all my life.”

How easy now to spend the early mornings with my ultimate father, the Supreme Lord, Krsna! I sing His glories, dance to please Him, and study His philosophy. When chanting His names, I am personally with Him.

All day my father worked for our family, but the time we spent together, sometimes simply enjoying each other’s company, was often the most significant and satisfying. Now my sweetest time is spent in the morning just being with Krsna in His name, in His deity form on the altar, in the descriptions of His activities and philosophy. On days when I miss that time, I feel incomplete, even though I chant Krsna’s names and read His stories and instructions later in the day.

Rising early for prayer and study may become a chore, an obligation, as my student felt, and I wonder if I can give him the sense of wonder that my father gave me. I have read of medieval monks who woke each night at midnight for prayers and then slept a bit more until the next prayers before sunrise. They struggled sometimes, in those cold stone monasteries, to drag their sleep-heavy bodies and minds to the chapel. Some of them write of these practices as austerities or penance. We might similarly describe our Vaisnava devotions, yet are they not really rather a joy?

The ancient study of Ayurveda teaches us why the early morning so helps one’s spiritual advancement toward pure love of God. The controlling forces of the creation the three modes of nature: goodness, passion, and ignorance affect our consciousness, activities, and even the time of day or year. In early morning we more easily achieve goodness and, beyond that, transcendence. Passion increases with the day, as we consume our time with occupations and making money. At night, ignorance prevails, inciting inclinations toward degradation and crime.

Even if we don’t understand the workings of nature’s modes, most of us find focusing the mind difficult when pressed with the day’s demands. The early-morning hours can clear our consciousness, mellow our actions.

The challenge of focusing on spiritual practices at other times of the day is like trying to travel during a traffic jam, when arriving at our destination is a protracted business at best. When everyone else is on the road, we don’t want to be there. But during the off times, the same journey is fast and easy. Similarly, while we can spend time with Lord Krsna at any time and place, the early morning is an open highway. Our devotional thoughts can move freely, unimpeded. While nothing material, including time, can hinder spiritual life, if we’re sincere about spiritual progress we’ll aim to build our day and life around the favorable circumstances.

Logic and knowledge alone may not be enough to sustain us through a lifetime of daily practice. We’re part of the Lord, the reservoir of pleasure, so we also seek pleasure. To throw off the bedcovers each morning and embrace the day, our early-morning chanting and study must be a source of pleasure.

One can say, dogmatically, that the early-morning devotions are pleasure, and that one who practices regularly will surely come to feel the pleasure. The great spiritual teacher Rupa Gosvami tells us that even if devotion to Krsna tastes bitter, by practice it will turn to sweetness. But while waiting to feel that joy, we may become discouraged, like the shopper at the end of a long line who decides to shop elsewhere. Therefore, we cannot hope to achieve perfection simply by following a formula because it is the formula. We must feel a real connection with Krsna, which is joyful even in the stage of practice.

Is the practice hard? As I look at the young student who thinks it is, I’m not sure. I pray that Krsna will awaken him to the feeling that he is truly and completely with the Lord.

We can come to love worshiping Krsna early in the morning as naturally and easily as I loved being with my father. After all, Krsna is the most lovable person. All good qualities reside unlimitedly in Him, His love for each of us is unbounded, and we know enough about Him from the Vedas to saturate our minds and hearts with love for Him and with thoughts of His greatness. If we just look at Him fully, and hear Him fully, with focus and dedication, will we not find joy in His presence?

Urmila Devi Dasi and her family run a school in North Carolina. She is the major author and compiler of Vaikuntha Children, a guide to Krsna conscious education for children.

The Early Morning Practice of Devotion

This is the general program Srila Prabhupada gave us, in line with the traditional practices of saintly, pure devotees of Lord Krsna.

• Rise before sunrise, preferably by 4:00 A.M.

• Bathe and dress in clean clothes.

• Gather with others, if possible, and spend half an hour in responsive singing of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and other glorification of the Lord. Generally, devotees gather in a special room in their home where there are pictures or deity forms of Krsna, Lord Caitanya, and Srila Prabhupada. (Many devotees travel daily to a temple outside their home.)

• If possible, worship the sacred Tulasi plant.

• Chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra quietly to oneself. Devotees usually count the number of mantras they chant on a string of 108 beads. Initiated devotees in ISKCON chant at least sixteen times around the beads daily.

• Read the scriptures and discuss their meaning and application according to the teachings of great devotees. Our main scripture for morning study is the Srimad-Bhagavatam.

By Sridhara Swami

Sex is the highest material pleasure, and love of God is the highest spiritual pleasure. For some people it's disheartening to learn that they have to make a choice. The real thing to understand is that the pleasure of sex life has a heavy downside. There's an old saying that if you pick up one end of the stick you pick up the other end of the stick too. If you want sense pleasure, then you have to take sense pain sukha and duhkha, happiness and distress. Some of us have been to the school of hard knocks and have gotten a little realization. I'm not perfect in my understanding of it, but in my heart of hearts I know that when I'm free from lust, anger, greed, envy, that kind of purity will bring me happiness beyond compare. I want that. And I'm prepared to be patient, determined, and enthusiastic to achieve it, because I've seen that in this world, practically speaking, there is only suffering. You can say something brings less suffering and therefore it's enjoyable. But I want a pleasure that is ever increasing. That plea-sure exists, but it requires effort to attain. By the process of sankirtana by chanting and taking spiritual food and living a simple life and associating with other devotees and practicing sincerely you can attain the perfection of pleasure. Continue reading "Practice Loving Krsna
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