Planet ISKCON

Prabhupada is In Our Hearts

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, November 2015, Vrindavan, India, Video Interview)

Karma is the result of getting involved with the material energy for the purpose of enjoyment. When we try to enjoy the material energy, the result is karma – we get reaction for every action. But if we engage that same material energy in the service of Krsna then that same material energy will liberate us and then no more karma will be incurred! So, the key to accumulating karma is trying to enjoy the material energy but freedom from karma comes only from serving Krsna!

Ecstatic International Harinamas in Mayapur (Album with photos)
Devotees from all over the world chant and dance with local residents glorifying Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda in Iskcon Mayapur.
Srila Prabhupada: “it was the desire of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura that Europeans and Americans would come here and chant Hare Krsna mantra. That prophecy is now being fulfilled, and that is my satisfaction”
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On February 29th ISKCON's Congregational Developmdent Ministry presented medallions and certificates to over fifty devotees from around the world in recognition of their outstanding efforts in expanding and supporting their congregations. The ceremony took place at the main hall where all the attendees to the ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) had gathered during lunchtime.

Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Begins.
Sri Jiva Goswami started from his residence at Candradvipa to Navadvipa & throughout this journey, streams of tears were flowing from his eyes. While crying he called out with a loud voice, “O life of the living entities, O Sri Gauranga, O Nityananda Prabhu, when will You bestow Your mercy upon me and give me Your darsana? ( Navadvipa dhama Mahatmya)
This is the mood of Sri Jiva Goswami, when he set out to Navadvipa to visit pastime places of Sri Gauranga, under the guidance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. The same mood manifesting very much with every devotee that set out today for Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama- mood of a beggar begging for a drop of that mercy in a wonderful sadhu sanga. The powerful vibration of holy name resounding through the nine islands of Navadvipa! International group will be walking at the holy island of Kirtanam-Godrumadvipa, hindi group will perform kirtan at Koladvipa, Namahatta group will relish Jagannatha katha at Simantadvipa, Gita study group meditating on Nityananda’s namahatta at Surabhi kunj, i.e, you go anywhere in Navadvipa, you will meet up with devotees performing Gaura bhajana.
Sitting at any corner of the world, you too can take part in Navadvipa Parikrama, by watching it live in mayapur.tv, browsing through festival pictures at mayapur.com or by offering Prasada seva to devotees who are walking on Parikrama.
Imagine thousands of devotees, sanysasis and dhamvasis, take prasada together, sitting in the dust of the holy dhama, on the banks of Ganges, offer you blessings- a whole sale opportunity to receive mercy of Sri Pancatattva, Vaisnavas & the most merciful Navadvipa dhama.

“Forever indebted to Srila Prabhupada for the teachings of the Golden Avatar”
Varsana Swami: “In 1974, my spiritual enthusiasm increased as Srila Prabhupada inundated us with new nectar – the printing of the entire Caitanya-caritamrta which was then coming to light for the first time in the English language. Whenever a new volume arrived fresh off the printing press, I would read and relish it from cover to cover. I literally hid in the barn’s corn crib to avoid being detected or interrupted in reading during work hours, which was strictly prohibited by the management. Nestled in amongst the golden corn kernels, I imbibed the message of Lord Gauranga, the Golden Avatar.
The arrival of the seventeen volumes of CC within two months sparked such a revolution in consciousness by opening a dimension of Srila Prabhupada’s movement that had not been so clearly revealed before – the sacramental nature of agriculture. Being a plow boy from a farming background, I was so charmed by Srila Prabhupada’s translations and purports describing Lord Caitanya as a gardener, delivering His fruits and flowers of devotional service to this world.
In this context, “cultivating the field” means preparing the heart. “Planting the seed” means impregnating the fertile heart with the bhakti-lata-bija. “Humility” means humus, the fertile soil in which the seed can take root. The “necessary rains” are the spiritual sacrifices we perform. And the “wind, whispering through the growing vine” is the breath of life, the Holy Name. The “harvest festival” is the coming together to share the fruits of the spirit in nama sankirtana.
It has long been known even to western theologians that the pen of spiritual authors is an expansion of the original sacramental plow. In this light, creating lines on the page parallels the plowing of furrows in a field, which opens and softens terrestrial regions for cultivation prior to planting seed. The spiritual author softens and prepares the heart and then plants the seed, the Word of God. By the grace of the guru who uses his pen as a plow, we are able to experience the mercy of Sri Baladeva Who uses His plow to soften the hardness of our hearts.
True theologians are aware of this reality and thus submit their hearts, like the open field, to be impregnated by the seed of truth. The rare person who knows Krishna in truth loves his Lord, and wishing to share that love, draw others into the wake of the furrow. In doing so, they follow in the footsteps of Sri Guru Who guides the plow.
I found it intriguing that such a grasp of the sacramental dynamics of agriculture could be found in a sadhu from Calcutta. It was clear that the culture Srila Prabhupada represents is not of this world.
The culture of Vraja overflows with the flavor of bhakti and instills prema in those whom it touches. The essence of vraja prema is the life force flowing through the branch of Sri Rupa Goswami. Sri Rupa alone could detect the essence of love contained in the infinite depths of Lord Caitanya’s heart.
Srila Prabhupada is the perfect Rupanuga. He presents the crystallized form of the bhava flowing through that line, compiled in a scientific manner which even logical, rational minds can appreciate and follow.
It was in Srila Prabhipada’s spirit of humility, surrender, and sacrifice that the seed of Lord Caitanya’s love found the fertile soil it needed to establish roots for a world-wide movement. Srila Prabhupada came to deliver this mercy to us and for this blessing we praise him. We are solely and forever indebted to Srila Prabhupada for the teachings of the Golden Avatar. Without Srila Prabhipada’s contribution, who would have ever known the glories of the Golden Avatar, the most unique, merciful, and rare incarnation of Godhead?”
– Varsana Swami

“So you are good Vaisnava. You do not find fault with anyone.”
“So in your letter you are not finding fault with anyone. So you are good Vaisnava. You do not find fault with anyone. This is the qualification. We should always think ourselves very humble and meek. This you must know.

So we have to all cooperate amongst ourselves, otherwise what will people think if we ourselves fight with one another? A devotee is always ideal in behavior.”
(Srila Prabhupada letter, December 12, 1974)

Ayodhyadeva dasa: If with devotees we
become like flies
and feel the “need” to criticize
tell outrageous lies
their “faults” advertise
falldowns publicize
or we heavily chastise
dislike or even despise
stigmatize
demonize
scandalize
minimize
polarize
or want to terrorize
maybe even ostracize
it may come as a surprise
but
the wise
advise
and emphasize
that we have to realize
and recognize
the need to apologize
with tears in the eyes
otherwise
as our enthusiasm dies
and our own problems arise
this attitude will cause our demise,
the boat we are on is going to capsize
our spiritual life we will surely jeopardize
anything we have achieved will vaporize
and thus we can wave our own bhakti bye byes

“In this program, our aim is to distribute 5,000 copies of Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and to have recipients take an oath during a fire ceremony to read at least one page daily,” says organizer Vikrama Govinda Das. “We also plan to distribute prasadam – sanctified vegetarian food -- to 10,000 people, and to reach out to a minimum of 20,000 people through Harinama Sankirtana, chanting on the streets.”

Milan Parmar, a member of ISKCON youth group Pandava Sena in the UK, has released an introspective hip-hop album that tracks the soul’s spiritual journey throughout one lifetime in the material world. Out on January 29^th on Pandava Sena’s own label, “When a Soul Acknowledges” features smooth production by Deva Deva Das, uplifting melodic hooks by female vocalist Sobia Khan, and Parmar’s mesmerizing unbroken flow. It’s a professional effort that clearly has its finger on the pulse of current UK rap styles.

HH Tamal Krishna Goswami Disappearance Festival 10-03-16 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: I am aware that you are feeling my absence just as I am feeling the absence from you. But in the meantime this must be so and Krishna will provide for you as long as you keep chanting Hare Krishna. Letter to Devotees, March 30, 1967.
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2016-03-09 Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 01-08-26 by HH Niranjana Swami at ISKCON Mayapur

In Srimad Bhagavatam in ninth canto, there is a story of Shaubhari muni. He was a very powerful yogi. Millions of time more powerful than any materialist today in his ability to fulfill his material desires. He had attained very great mystic powers. And of course when one becomes very powerful spiritually or materially, the tendency is to become very proud and in pride, the greatest danger is that we can offend saintly persons. So Shaubhari Muni, as it is described, somehow offended the great devotee Garuda. By doing this, although he was very respected for his very high position, if Krishna does not protect us then nobody, however, great we are, however advanced spiritually we are, we cannot control our senses even from the grossest activities. It is not possible. The greatest illusion even in spiritual life is to think that by spiritual advancement we can protect ourselves from falling into clutches of Maya Continue reading "The Story of Shaubhari Muni
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Romapada Swami: Is there anything that exists that we can say is ours? We can’t say that the body is ours because it can be taken away. Our mind is not ours because it is not under our control. Our possessions are certainly not ours. Even the soul itself is the property of Krsna. So what can we say is ours? Our acharyas give us the answer: the one thing we can say is ours is our relationship with Krsna. It can’t be taken away from us, just like the free-will of a living entity. Our relationship with Krsna is constitutionally given to us. So one of the statements or declarations of full surrender unto Krsna is to declare that nothing is mine. Another is to say that, “Krsna, I am Yours, and You are mine”. That is the platform of full self-surrender, wherein one thinks himself as Krsna’s property. That is declaring our dependence upon Krsna.

In all relationships we find some element of dependence. However the dependence is voluntary. The desire for freedom or independence remains ingrained within us. It may not be a physical struggle against slavery. It may be our financial or physical constraints, relationships or just plain boredom etc, but the quest for freedom continues to haunt us. We have human rights and laws to protect them. We have the United Nations and many organizations dedicated to preserving peace. We have lotteries and casinos feeding off the hope of financial well being. We have jobs which never give us what we deserve. We have clubs, movies and other places of entertainment for people wanting express their independence. All this is available but still the quest for independence remains. Actually we find that the very means people use to gain independence causes them to become dependent. Continue reading "Real Independence
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Dependent on Krishna

We are opposed to the atheists alone who live and enjoy for themselves. Those who are anxious for the blessing of God are our brothers in faith, whatever error there may be in their ideas and forms of worship. Love of God, however misdirected it may be, does by force of its own natural strength, rise higher and higher in the scale of spiritual progress. Its want is the degradation of the soul alone. Those who do not love God have an opposite course from us and are objects of pity with all classes of theists. God save them. We were led to these remarks by a desire to show that we are candid examiners of the institution of Jagannatha without that hatred to the idolatrous (who are not prepared to understand the philosophy of Purushottam Tattva) which is perceivable in the short sighted and rash reformers of our country. Continue reading "The Temple of Jagannath at Puri
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Distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books in Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We can ask favor from anyone, but we must know that nobody can favor us unless sanctioned by the Supreme Person. Suppose we approach a rich man to favor us with some contribution. Krishna is there within, and if He says, “You give him this money,” the man will give us. If he is not so fortunate now; therefore Krishna did not dictate him. So there is nothing to be sorry. This should be our principle. Mayapur March 22, 1976.
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There are two approaches to sādhana. One is motivated by an intellectual conception, the other is motivated by an emotional conception. Intellect and emotion are involved in both approaches, but the intellectual approach has intellect as the prime motive and emotion as the supporting instrument, while the emotional approach has emotion as the prime motive and intellect as the supporting instrument.

The intellectual approach is called śāstrik or vaidhik because intellect is born from śāstra (“śāstra yonītvā”). Therefore the intellect-motivated sādhana depends heavily on the depth of ones comprehension of śāstra, especially the depth of the comprehension that all the conclusions point towards bhakti (love) being the supreme morality, the supreme rule, the supreme goal, and the Divine (Viṣṇu) being the supreme beloved.

Clear knowledge of these conclusions of śāstra is also essential in the emotionally-motivated approach to sādhana – because intellectual conceptions are important supporting instruments of the sādhana. The primary requirement, however, is the force, clarity and specificity of the emotional attraction to Divine Love, bhakti. 

March 11. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Dependent on Krishna.
He would record every amount received; yet Prabhupada didn’t worry about the money at all. When he moved from one place to another in 1966, he didn’t worry about the rent money, but simply depended on Krishna. American hippies were accustomed to living as mendicants too, but their renunciation was more an act of irresponsibility, and therefore, simply another variety of materialism. Prabhupada was purely renounced in Krishna’s service.
It is an amazing feature of Prabhupada’s surrender and dependence on Krishna that he came to the West completely alone with no material backing. Because the Gaudiya Matha had become divided after his spiritual master left this world, there wasn’t enough solidarity among his godbrothers to fund him from his Guru Maharaj’s institution. If someone pressed him about what religion he was representing, or about who sent him, he couldn’t claim anything other than a philosophical and spiritual connection with the Gaudiya Matha.
Prabhupada didn’t demand his disciples to do what he did – to go alone to a new place without any income – but it inspired us to think that he founded the movement on his complete dependence on Krishna.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6

Sri Purusottama Thakur

Dear Brijabasis, Gaura Purnima Festival is coming soon on Tuesday March 22nd, 2016. Please join us to celebrate this auspicious appearance day of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu! Please invite your friends and family. Gauranga!

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 13 May 2015, Melbourne, Australia, Lecture: Mindfulness and Meditation)

Love will follow when we are attracted; when we admire; when we see amazing qualities; when we see a wonderful nature; when we see mercy, kindness and compassion; when we see strength; when we see beauty… Love will follow. Love will follow naturally. Love cannot be pushed, “You have to love!” You have to love your country. Well I don’t, I am sorry, I like it but I don’t love it. In Sydney there is this plaque and it says, “The greatest good a man can do is to give his life for his country.” Well I don’t think so; I am not convinced about that.

Yes, so love, love will go where there is admiration; where we see great qualities; where we see great kindness, great compassion, mercy, determination; where we see an incredible example, where we see someone who is just greater than we are… then love will automatically awaken, it is not difficult! Then love will come there.

“Bhava” in Sanskrit means “ecstasy; the stage of bhakti just prior to pure love for God”. Today, the Lower Elementary class had the great fortune of having an art lesson from Krishna Bhava Devi, a very talented artist and devoted disciple of Srila Prabhupada. She is also the dear grandmother of Vara, our Kindergarten student, and a long-time resident of New Vrindaban.
Mother Krishna Bhava taught the young students a step-by-step method for creating a beautifully colored lotus flower. What a nice meditation on Lord Krsna, who lives in a land abounding with lotuses and whose limbs are compared to the beautiful and gentle lotus flowers. She further enhanced the mood and meditation with the accompaniment of soft Kirtan.
May our art and hearts lead us closer to the Lord with feelings of love, of bhava.

For Roger Siegel, the last half-century has been the proverbial long, strange trip. It started in New York, where, as an idealistic college dropout in the early 1960s, he tutored Harlem schoolchildren. It included civil rights marches in Alabama and peyote hikes in the Nevada hills.

It took a major turn in San Francisco in 1967, when Mr. Siegel became Gurudas, a disciple in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or Iskcon, a.k.a. the Hare Krishnas.

Read the rest of the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/06/business/retirementspecial/krishna-devotees-look-to-provide-for-this-life.html?_r=1

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Dear Devotees, Well wishers

Please accept my most humble obeisances

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

All glories to Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga.

It is with very sad and heavy heart, that I convey the news that HG Vraja Bhakti Vilas Prabhu (53 Years), senior disciple of HH Lokanath Maharaja and one of the most profound Vaishnava Purohit of ISKCON has left his body on Tuesday 8th March at 7:40 am in Vraja Mandal Dham at Kosi Kalan. He left the world with all auspiciousness around him – Srila Prabhudpada Japa playing in his ears, devotees chanting around him, and having Vraja-raja and Ganges Water in his mouth and over his head.

He was being treated for liver failure at ILBS hospital Delhi under the care of devotees of Delhi-NCR. His sudden departure has left the devotee community across the world in great sorrow. The last rites were performed on the banks of Yamuna at Kesi Ghata in Vrindavan.

He was presently serving as Co-President of ISKCON Ghaziabad Temple
(INDIA). He is survived by his wife, a daughter, and a son. He had dedicated his entire life in serving the mission of Srila Prabhupada.

Born in a Vaishnava Brahmin family of South India, he joined ISKCON at a very young age in mid 80s. He received his Harinam Diksha in 1991 and Brahmin Diksha in 1992. He had served in many capacities in ISKCON Delhi which includes Sankirtan department, Head Pujari, Life Member preaching, and as Vice-President. He then served as Temple President of ISKCON Noida and contributed significantly with great determination and vigour for building the project. He is remembered by devotees as being soft spoken, caring, and as one of the most profound devotee for Bramhinical services like performing vaishnava Yagna, Deity installation, and diksha ceremonies. He was the head priest during the deity installation and opening festivals of many temples such as ISKCON Delhi, Aravade, ISKCON Kanpur, and ISKCON Alachua. We are all blessed to have such exalted souls on the planet with us.

As Krishna says in Bhagvada Gita “antakale ca mameva smarana muktva …”, One who remembers me at the time of death comes to my personal abode. The devotees who were closely serving HG Vraja Bhakati Prabhu in the hospital, could hear him chanting the shlokas and remembering the Lord of Tirupati, and this was when externally he was in great pain. This showed his mood of surrender towards Lord.

Let’s pray to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Govind to give Their eternal service to Vraja Bhakti Prabhu and give strength to his immediate family to bear this great loss. Also let’s join hands in serving the remaining family of this Great Vaishnava devotee of Lord.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Your servant, Krishnabhakta Das

New Temple opening ceremony (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The difference between a devotee and a nondevotee is this, just like the bee and the fly: the bee always is attracted by the honey and flies go to the open sores. So the devotee is only attracted by the good qualities in other people and does not see their faults. Letter to Badrinarayana, November 7, 1971.
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