Planet ISKCON

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, offers his homages to Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu during a recent religious gathering. If only other world leaders could follow his example there would surely be peace and prosperity for all nations of the world!
Srila Prabhupada: The Lord inaugurated this system of mass sankirtana, and leaders of all countries can take advantage of this spiritual movement in order to keep the mass of people in a pure state of peace and friendship with one another. This is now the demand of the present human society all over the world.
Read more: http://goo.gl/x5TTdn

The post Daily Darshan: March 13th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

March 13. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Faith in Prabhupada’s Instructions.
Srila Prabhupada is the topmost acarya, the representative of Krishna capable of delivering all conditioned souls. His disciples and followers seek release from the material world through bhakti yoga, engagement in Krishna’s service. If we accept Prabhupada’s instructions with faith, we can become fully Krishna conscious and go back to Godhead.
Unfortunately, a disciple doesn’t always measure up to the guru’s demands due to a heavily conditioned nature, and this may lead to doubts in his relationship with his spiritual master. Prabhupada is not unreasonable in his requests; he wants us to be perfect, to render pure, unmotivated service to guru and Krishna. He knows that bhakti must be unconditional, and his duty is to train us to perform that unconditional service. Whatever doubts we may still have in Krishna consciousness should not be about Prabhupada’s spiritual calibre, or about his disposition toward us. We doubt only our ability to respond to him. In other words, we doubt ourselves. Srila Prabhupada once said that even if we have the most expert guru, we may still fail unless we help ourselves.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6

07.03.2016_H.G. Prana Prabhu_SB 6.5.39

Faith in Prabhupada’s Instructions

Hare Krishna
After the positive feedback from my last small video, I thought another one sharing a remarkable client and his small wonderful act of devotion; and some personal thoughts on how amazing he is and what I and others can learn

I hope it inspires but also gives you pause for thought.

Yours Humbly

Presentation of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition at a meeting with graduates of the Master of Sretensky Theological Seminary in the temple of Krishna (Moscow) March 11, 2016 (Album with photos)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/SLNum2

By Sureswara Dasa

Bir Krishna the calf loves coconut fudge, and Sita the teamstress knows it. Her pockets bulge with the sweet as she and Bir walk to the training ring. Today the calf will learn his first call: “Get up!” The earth is soft from the recent rain. Sita carries a lash and leads Bir with a rope tied to a blue halter. The calf bounds through a cluster of gnats, then slows as they come to the ring. What’s this? The gate opens, and Bir walks in to explore. He treads the edge and sniffs the white hardwood boards. The ring is twenty- four feet in diameter. Hoofprints stud the grass and mud, the signatures of oxen training. The calf’s eyes blink and widen at his new surroundings. Sita wants to reassure her charge. She strokes his head behind the ears. “Good boy, Bir.” Continue reading "Krishna’s Kind Solution: Train Calves, Don’t Eat Them!
→ Dandavats"

Navadwip Mandal Parikrama: Day two (Album with photos)
Holy paces visited: 1. Gauradaha. 2. Svananda Sukhada Kunja: Gaura Gadadhara Temple, residence and Samadhi of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. 3. Bhajan Kutir of Gaurakisora dasa Babaji Maharaja. 4. Samadhi Mandir of Krsna Dasa Babaji. (Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s dear servant) 5. Surabhi Kunja: Lord Indra came with Surabhi and worshiped Lord Caitanya to seek pardon for his offense (it happened in Dvapara Yuga). Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura started the head office of the Nama-hatta preaching program here. 6. ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Arogya Asrama with deities of Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra and Sri Gaura Nitai.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/2ecbey

The post Dear devotees, because of an absence of internet where I am for the next two weeks, podcasts may be sporadic. My apologies. appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Avoiding improper behavior while residing in a holy place.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has listed ten offenses against the holy dhama that we must carefully avoid in order to be fully benefitted from our visit to or residence in the holy dhama.
To disrespect one’s spiritual master who reveals the dhama to the disciple
To think that the holy dhama is temporary.
To commit violence towards any of the residents of the holy dhama or to any of the pilgrims who come there, or to think that they are ordinary people. Srila Prabhupada writes: “All the inhabitants of Vrindavana are Vaisnavas. They are all auspicious because somehow or other they always chant the holy name of Krishna” (C.C.Adi 5.232, purport).
To perform mundane activities while living in the holy dhama.
To utilize the dhama for personal economic development by commercializing deity worship and sankirtana in the holy dhama.
To think that the holy dhama belongs to a mundane country or province, such as Bengal; to think that the Lord’s dhama is equal to a place connected with some demigod, or to attempt to measure the area of the holy dhama.
To commit sinful acts while residing in the holy dhama
To consider Vrindavana-dhama as different from Navadvipa-dhama.
To blaspheme the sastras that assert the glorious position of the holy dhama.
To be faithless and think that the glories of the dhama are imaginary.
Srila Prabhupada explained that the results of all devotional activities performed in the holy dhama are magnified a thousand times. Therefore, one can make rapid advancement if one lives offenselessly in the holy dhama. But if we commit offenses, the results of those offenses are also magnified one thousand times. Therefore, one is advised to carefully avoid committing any offenses in the holy dhama.

Hare Krishna Festivals UK: Swindon Festival - 10th March 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: There is a need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Srimad-Bhagavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of the entire human society. Delhi, December 15, 1962
Find them here: https://goo.gl/TtO718

Iskcon Congregational Preachers Awarded In Sri Dham Mayapur (4 min video)
“On February 29th we held the Congregational Awards of 2016, presenting 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. The medallions were beautifully engraved with Gaura Nitai as well as the Congregational Development Ministry’s logo, all according to the design made by H.H. Jayapataka Swami, co-Minister of CDM. The event was hosted by Kaunteya Prabhu, who is also a Congregational co-Minister, and he glorified the particular services that each of the winners have performed in the area of congregational development. He emphasized that this event was an offering to ISKCON’s 50th anniversary campaign in celebration of Srila Prabhupada establishment of our movement.”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/7nXvHi

New Krishna Hip-Hop Album Tracks the Soul’s Journey.
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 29th 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.
At the same time, with tracks like “Pleasures of the World (Illusion),” “Wise Words From A Wise Man (Gurudeva),” and “Return to Godhead,” it’s clearly no ordinary hip-hop album.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/NJJ0Px

Lecture by HH Niranjana Swami at ISKCON Mayapur ON 2016-03-09

Date: 9/3/2016

Reading from SB 1.8. 26

janmaiśvarya-śruta-śrībhir

dhamāna-madaḥ pumān

naivārhaty abhidhātuṁ vai

tvām akiñcana-gocaram

Translation:

My Lord, Your Lordship can easily be approached, but only by those who are materially exhausted. One who is on the path of [material] progress, trying to improve himself with respectable parentage, great opulence, high education and bodily beauty, cannot approach You with sincere feeling.

Purport:

Being materially advanced means taking birth in an aristocratic family and possessing great wealth, an education and attractive personal beauty. All materialistic men are mad after possessing all these material opulence, and this is known as the advancement of material civilization. But the result is that by possessing all these material assets one becomes artificially puffed up, intoxicated by such temporary possessions. Consequently, such materially puffed up persons are incapable of uttering the holy name of the Lord by addressing Him feelingly, “O Govinda, O Kṛṣṇa.” It is said in the śāstras that by once uttering the holy name of the Lord, the sinner gets rid of a quantity of sins that he is unable to commit. Such is the power of uttering the holy name of the Lord. There is not the least exaggeration in this statement. Actually the Lord’s holy name has such powerful potency. But there is a quality to such utterances also. It depends on the quality of feeling. A helpless man can feelingly utter the holy name of the Lord, whereas a man who utters the same holy name in great material satisfaction cannot be so sincere. A materially puffed up person may utter the holy name of the Lord occasionally, but he is incapable of uttering the name in quality. Therefore, the four principles of material advancement, namely (1) high parentage, (2) good wealth, (3) high education and (4) attractive beauty, are, so to speak, disqualifications for progress on the path of spiritual advancement. The material covering of the pure spirit soul is an external feature, as much as fever is an external feature of the unhealthy body. The general process is to decrease the degree of the fever and not to aggravate it by maltreatment. Sometimes it is seen that spiritually advanced persons become materially impoverished. This is no discouragement. On the other hand, such impoverishment is a good sign as much as the falling of temperature is a good sign. The principle of life should be to decrease the degree of material intoxication which leads one to be more and more illusioned about the aim of life. Grossly illusioned persons are quite unfit for entrance into the kingdom of God.

Lecture

I was asked to select the verse which was relevant to the occasion which many devotees are taking part in, which is Kirtan Mela. Therefore I chose to speak on this very wonderful verse spoken by Queen Kunti. I thank the devotees for giving me the opportunity for rendering this service to all of you. I pray, with your blessings I can say something which is actually relevant especially in relationship to such a profound verse and commentary which is been given by Srila Prabhupada specifically about the holy name.

Srila Prabhupada brings out the important point in the commentary about this verse, that there are different ways to chant the name, he specifically states that, those who are aspiring to improve themselves materially, those who are materially satisfied cannot call out the names O Govinda, O Keshava, O Madhava in a helpless mood feelingly.

Therefore he makes distinction between chanting of the names which is executed or performed by those who are materially satisfied or trying to improve themselves materially, and those who have the quality, which is described by Queen Kunti in this verse, those who are materially exhausted, who no longer see any need to pursue such mundane pursuits. Therefore because they have no interest in this world they are feelingly calling out the name, Krishna, and that quality of feelingly chanting Krishna’s name of course is that which attracts the Supreme Lord by the qualities the devotees has in chanting.

First point of course which is important to take note of is, Prabhupada says that those who are intoxicated by wealth janma, aisvarya, suta, shri, intoxicated by these, are generally proud of their wealth. Therefore such proud persons also cannot call out the name feelingly.

There is a verse in 4^th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam spoken by Shiva to Sati, where he describes although the six qualities of education, austerity, wealth, youth, beauty and heritage are highly elevated, but one who is proud of possessing such things loses all sense and the result is they become blind and cannot appreciate the qualities of great personalities. Lord Shiva was speaking this point to Sati trying to explain to her the good reason for not attending the Daksha yajna. He was trying to explain to her the result of those who are proud, puffed by six qualities like wealth, austerity, aristocracy, heritage, youth and beauty they lose all good sense they can’t really deeply appreciate the Lord and they cannot actually approach the Lord. They cannot approach the Lord feelingly which is the point Prabhpada is making in this purport.

This is one of the results of pride which arises from possession of these things. It doesn’t mean that sometimes when we read this verse a person thinks if I give away all these things or I don’t have these things then automatically I am spiritually qualified. Not like that, that is not the criteria and we are going to discuss some of these points if there is sufficient time.

There is another verse also in 4^th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam spoken by Narada Muni, he says the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna is very dear to those devotees who have no material possessions and who are fully satisfied and possessing only one thing: devotional service to the Supreme Lord. Indeed the Lord relishes the activity of these devotees. He takes great pleasure in these activities. He gives his attention to these devotees who are hankering not for improving themselves with bodily beauty, respectful parentage. He actually relishes those devotees who are only interested to possess service, devotional service to Krishna. And then Narada Muni goes on to explain those who are puffed by their wealth, their aristocracy, by their beauty, they are generally proud of possessing such things and they often times deride genuine devotees of the Lord.

And then Narada Muni says something profound. He says even if such persons offer worship to the Lord, the Lord will never accept it. Not inclined, He is not inclined to accept their worship. Due to their pride they can’t appreciate these great personalities or they deride such devotees who manifest genuine humility, who genuinely cry out for Krishna’s name.

There are so many examples you can find in the shastra. It happened to Haridas Thakur when he manifested ecstatic symptoms by hearing Krishna’s name being chanted, and then one proud brahmana thought he would, when he saw all attention the people gave to Haridas Thakur, they were offering respects to him when he fell on the ground and he lost external consciousness. So the proud brahmana was thinking why is he getting so much attention and the result is he is thinking I will try to steal the attention away, he fell on the ground starting crying out Krishna!!!, Krishna!!! manifesting ecstatic symptoms (laughter..) and then the snakebite physician who is chanting the mantras immediately started beating him with the stick.( Laughter…) he ran away in complete fear and everybody asked him why did you do that?…He answered because he is proud.

Haridas Thakur when he saw what was happening woke up from external consciousness. He was feeling embarrassed it happened and tried to slip away and avoid any recognition for the manifestation of the symptoms. The proud brahmana could not recognise such quality therefore he was thinking, Oh! let me get some attention. And therefore the snakebite physician could understand and started beating him and he began to explain this to many people when they asked him why did you do this? Why is that Haridas Thakura fell down and then when this brahmin fell down, the elevated brahmin fell down and you beat him?

Then he began extolling virtues of Haridas Thakur and glorifying Haridas Thakur, his qualities were total humility, total dependence in excessive chanting of holy name of the God, crying out, not wanting to improve anything about his own material situation and even thinking himself unqualified. He wouldn’t even think about entering Jagannath temple and he would stay at the distance. He thought himself to be lowest of the lowest and that is what attracts the Lord.

If we want the Lord to manifest and to actually give attention to our chanting then these feelings , these feeling will actually make the Lord manifest in his names and enter into our hearts and purify us. The Lord will really come forward and lift us up and help us as he did for Haridas Thakur. When Haridas Thakur came to Jagannath Puri, all the devotees came to receive the Lord and Haridas Thakur was keeping a distance offering his obeisance. And Lord Chaitanya was looking where is Haridas? and then he said, Oh! There is Haridas at a distance thinking himself unqualified. Then what did He do? The Lord went over to Haridas Thakur, lifted him up and then embraced him.

This is what actually makes the Lord inclined to His devotees when he chants feelingly for the Lord, but a proud person can’t chant feelingly and can’t recognise those who do chant with feeling, those who do actually experience genuinely. And those do genuinely experience, they are not looking for any recognition they don’t even think they are Vaishnavas.

Bhaktivinoda Thakur explains that, if I think I’m a Vaisnava then what happens is I begin to look for respect from others and then my heart becomes completely polluted by desire for respect and fame and surely I will go to hell. He doesn’t even think he is a Vaisnava, he is not thinking that he is satisfied and nor is he thinking that I am advanced.

I was reading recently Prabhupada was saying in one lecture the mood of the devotee which was taught by Lord Caitanya, taught by six Goswamis was they were never thinking that I have seen Lord Krishna, I am experiencing Krishna. They were, he radhe vraja devike, ca lalite, they were always thinking I can’t find, where is Radha, where is Krishna, where are the devotees? I’m not qualified. Lord Chaitanya said this to himself and Prabhupada was saying in this lecture how can anyone say I have love for Krishna, He says actually I have no love for Krishna actually I ‘m simply doing it for some cheap attraction to others, if I had actually love for Krishna then how can I actually stay and live in this body? How could I actually have that love?

The Lord was feeling this way to teach by His example. This is feelingly calling out. Not so called material satisfaction, nor so called thinking that I’m an advanced Vaisnava but feelingly means one is calling out hankering, the quality is that hankering for the Lord. Prabhupada brings out an important point in the commentary one which, I mean I may not have adequate time to elaborate on but I will try to address it briefly, he brings out the point that it is said in the sastras that once uttering the holy name of the Lord the sinner gets rid of the quantity of the sins that he is unable to commit. Such is the power of uttering the holy name of the Lord. There is not the least exaggeration and I think this verse was quoted the other day by Sivarama Maharaja:

madhura-madhuram-etan mangalam mangalanam

He is quoting the verse the holy name of the Lord is always auspicious, holy name of the Lord is always sweet, this is the ripened fruit of Vedic literature, if anyone just once chants the holy name of the Lord whether in complete faith or even indifference certainly he can get relief from material bondage, such is the power of the holy name of the Lord.

So we say well, if I were to once chant the holy name of the Lord in this way then I can get relieved from all my reactions I may have to get from becoming materially wealthy or being proud or I may get relief from all the distresses that may come as a result of my material attachment. This point is very nicely explained by Kaviraj Goswami in discussing about our namacarya Haridas Thakur. Haridas Thakur was invited by Balaram Acharya to the home of Govardhan Majumdar. Govardhan is father of Ragunath das as we know, and Balaram Acharya, the family priest was very eager to bring Haridas Thakura to that assembly. And when Haridas Thakur appeared in the assembly then all of them began discussing, as they know Haridas Thakur was chanting 300,000 names daily of the holy name of the Lord. They started talking about the glories of the holy name and of course, Bhaktivinoda Thakur explains in Jaiva Dharma he says, Govardhan Majumdar is vaisnava-praya he wasn’t pure Vaishnava, because he still had some attachment. Bhaktivinoda Thakur says Lord Chaitanya himself considers Govardhan Majundar as Vaishnava-praya. He’s still chanting on the platform of namabhas. Therefore because he was a vaisnava-praya all those who assembled began describing about the glories of the holy name of the Lord.

What were they talking about, they said glories of the holy name of the Lord is one can get relief from all sinful activities. The glories of holy name of the Lord is that one can get liberation from material world. And then when Haridas Thakur heard them speaking this way, he said what do you speak? Don’t you know that to get from material suffering, to get relief from sinful reactions, to get liberation, these are secondary, don’t you know the true glory of the holy name of the Lord? The true glory of the holy name of the Lord is when one chants the holy name of the Lord, ecstatic love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead manifests, one becomes deeply attached to the Lord and rendering service to the Lord is the true glory.

Then he began to explain that relief from sinful reactions and liberation from material existence are by-products of chanting the holy name of the Lord, not the real essence or true purpose of chanting. He said this can be simply understood by the appearance of the gleam of the sunshine. He quoted one verse: as the rising sun dissipates the darkness of this world which is deep like an ocean, similarly once chanting the name of the Lord without offenses immediately dissipates the reactions of sinful life.

This is the true auspiciousness. Such is the nature of the auspicious holy name of the Lord which is auspicious for everyone in the world. Then Haridas Thakura explains that actually liberation from matter and relief from sinful reactions appear even in Namabhasa stage, even when one gets a slight glimpse of the holy name of the Lord.

When he quoted this verse he told everybody, now please you explain what does the verse mean? Then everyone said we can’t explain you need to explain, we couldn’t understand. Why? Because they thought the glory of the holy name was liberation they thought I won’t have to suffer material reaction, but that is not the true glory. The true glory is what Haridas Thakur explains, he gives an example just like the sun appears, the first glimpse of the sun in the morning appears, and the result is all the fear of demons and the ghosts and the dacoits they all go away. And when the sun is fixed in the sky then everybody can go about all their religious duty for the day.

Actually whenever I think of this I often reflect, I don’t want to digress, I remember in the olden days I used to come to Mayapur I was always told that never leave in the middle of the night, wait until the first rising of the sun. At that time in the seventies there was problem at the rail road crossing when the devotees would leave in the middle of the night. Sometimes the devotees couldn’t see anything, sometimes there would be dacoits at the railway crossing so wait for the first glimpse of the sunlight before leaving.

Similarly Haridas Thakur is using the analogy of the first glimpse of the sun appearing and fear going away. I have no fear there will be no reactions to sinful life but I said the first appearance of the sun. When the holy name is fully manifest, when one chants without offense, when one chants feelingly with the desire to serve Krishna, then he is always hankering for Krishna. Then the result is the person can go about his daily duty. Similarly, the devotee is fully engaged in the holy name in the same way the devotee is engaged in the service of the Lord.

And the Lord is very much attracted by such chanting. So therefore Haridas Thakur explains that devotee never even aspires for liberation salokya, samipya, sarsti they may be offered to the devotee but the devotee, as Krishna says in the Bhagavatam, he is only interested in service to Me. That’s all he hankers for, that is his desire, he simply hankers for service. He doesn’t think I’m serving, so much service I’m doing but he only thinks I can’t do enough service, I don’t have any love for Krishna, I’m not qualified for Krishan’s mercy but even though I’m not qualified for Krishna’s mercy I’ll never give up chanting, I’ll never give up chanting.

Bhaktivinoda Thakur explains in Sri bhaktyaloka that is the qualification of the devotee, he is patient. He says that the karmis, jnanis and bhaktas all desire some results, the karmis they want fruitive gain, the jnanis want liberation and the bhaktas want Krishna’s pleasure . That is the mercy they aspire for. Therefore the bhakta who wants Krishna’s pleasure must be patient. He says patience means that I will go on chanting Krishna’s names, I will go on serving Krishna, I will someday get his mercy whether it’s now or 10 years from now or 100 births from now, I will never give up chanting.

When a devotee actually chants in this mood, with the desire to please the Lord, knowing that someday I will get this mercy even though I’m unqualified to get the mercy, he can chant feelingly. He doesn’t chant feeling satisfied that I have done enough, he never thinks he has done enough. He never thinks I’m a Vaishnava. I’m simply aspiring to become a Vaisnava he thinks.

Recently I was reading a pastime about Mukunda who was a Vaidya, a physician. One day he was sitting giving prescription to the Mohammedan king and then what happens is the servant came in to offer a fan to the king. Mukunda saw the peacock feather in the fan and he fell off from the chair in ecstasy because immediately he thought of Krishna and lost consciousness. And the king was thinking what has happened has he left his body? Has he died? And he went and began sprinkling water on his face trying to bring him to consciousness.

Then he asked him what happened? What happened? What did Mukunda say? Oh, I have this tendency for epilepsy,(..laughter) he immediately dismissed it, he wouldn’t say what it was. He didn’t want to be recognised. Sir! I have this tendency and sometimes I have this epilepsy and asked for forgiveness. But immediately the king could understand, appreciate and recognise his quality.

This is the quality of the devotee, he never thinks just see how ecstatic I am, just see tears coming from my eyes (..Laughter) tears may manifest but even when a devotee manifest tears he tries to hides them. Prabhupada did that. Prabhupada once manifested tears in his class and he tried to hide them. Doesn’t want to show them, he thinks if other people think I’m a Vaisnava then I immediately I think I want respect and if there is desire for respect and fame in my heart, then surely I will go to hell.

So a Vaisnava never thinks this way, he never chants for recognition, he chants feelingly.Not that he chants to get relief from suffering because he knows relief from suffering is insignificant in comparison to opportunity to serve.

kṛṣṇa-bhakta-niṣkāma ataeva śānta

bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kāmī-sakali aśānta

Krishna bhakti niskama, the devotee of the Lord he has no material desires therefore he can be peaceful. Bhukti, those who desire material wealth. Mukti, those who desire relief from sufferings, Siddhi, those who want mystical yoga perfection, they are still kami, still feel lusty desires. They cannot be peaceful. Prabhupada often many times quote the verse

bhukti-mukti-spṛhā yāvat

piśācī hṛdi vartate

These two desires, bhukti and mukti, are like two witches which will hunt one like a ghost. As long as these desires are in the heart one will never be able to understand what pure devotional service is and it always will remain a mystery. Therefore devotees are always eager when they chant, they are hankering for pure devotional service, that is what they aspire for. They are not aspiring for wealth, they are not aspiring for higher education, not aspiring for bodily beauty. They know, they are exhausted they know there is nothing to be obtained by these things, they are looking for pure devotional service and therefore because they are always eagerly hankering for the opportunity to obtain pure devotional service they are also eager to hear the glories of pure devotional service. Right?

In the CC when Haridas Thakur, we will use the example as Haridas Thakur is our Namachraya, when he heard Rupa Goswami recite the verse how much nectar is there in two syllables Krish-na, when he heard what Rupa Goswami composed, he immediately fell down in ecstasy and then Kaviraj Goswami says this is the nature of devotee, one has to learn about true beauty and true position of Lord’s holy name by hearing the scriptures from the mouths of Vaisnavas. This is where you taste sweetness in Krishna’s names. One has to hear the glories of pure devotional service.

I will end with one verse which really captured my attention lately. It’s the wonderful verse which is spoken in 11^th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. I quoted it many times as I can relate as it’s relevant to me because this verse also gives me hope. It is spoken by Narada Muni to Vasudeva. When Vasudev was asking about how to become free from fear, he wants to hear about pure devotional service and Narada Muni was pleased to hear his enquiry.

He said that pure devotional service is so transcendentally potent even by hearing about such service, even by glorifying such service, even by meditating on it, even by faithfully and respectfully accepting that it exists, and even by praising the service that is rendered by others, even a person who hates the demigods and all other living beings in the whole universe can immediately be purified by the power of hearing, such is power of hearing the pure devotional service, such is the power of hearing the glories of the pure holy name.

This should actually waken within the heart that even though I don’t have pure devotional service even though I can’t, it could be a lifetime, hundreds of lifetimes before I can achieve but still I can glorify it, I can glorify it, hear about it from others, still I can mediate on it, I can respectfully faithfully accept it exists, yes it does exist!

Look at all the devotees and the examples in Srimad Bhagavatam, look at all the devotees who chants with such enthusiasm, such sincerity, feelingly with their heart and look at how the Lord is so much attracted to them and how they make advancement in spiritual life.

I can praise the service of others because this gives me hope and therefore even a person who hates the demigods and all living beings can become purified by the glories of pure devotional service. Therefore Prabhupada in his commentary to this verse is making a distinction between those who chant with some material satisfaction and puffed up, occasionally, he also says they may occasionally chant, and those who feelingly chant, Oh Krishna!, Oh Govinda! This should be the aspiration of a devotee when he chants and this should be the mood of kirtaniyas and kirtanees, or how to call it, those who are chanting together, chanting with feeling, calling out He Govinda! He Krishna!

Surely they will actually be able to obtain the mercy of the Lord and the mercy of the devotees of the Lord. I think I’ve covered the amount of time allotted to me, I thank you for this opportunity to speak. . . .

I have 5 mins? But it says here I am over by 10 mins, what to do!!!(laughter) . Hare Krishna I think I better be 10 mins late, please don’t let me go over 15 mins. Thank you.

“A Month in the Life of Srila Prabhupada”–excellent 50th resource.
Ananda Tirtha das: Thanks to Visnu Murti Prabhu and the Vanipedia team, we can now easily follow Srila Prabhupada’s life from 1966 all the way to 1977 here: http://vanipedia.org/wiki/A_Month_in_the_Life_of_Srila_Prabhupada Please visit this link and share widely. Each month covered includes all of Srila Prabhupada’s letters, lectures, etc. day by day, including audio clips. For example, did you know that today, March 11, 1966, Srila Prabhupada gave one of his very first recorded BG lectures? Visit the site to read and hear more! We owe a debt of gratitude to Vanipedia and the best way to show that is to take advantage of their efforts by following Srila Prabhupada.
Nitya-Trpta devi dasi: Once you find some audio or quote you are into, the entire audio and full transcript may be downloaded freely from: https://prabhupadavani.org/transcriptions/?content_type=Transcripts+with+Audio Each year the Bhaktivedanta Archives makes available all audio and transcript updates available to all. This site is a method of free distribution.
Your grateful servant at the Bhaktivedanta Archives.

By Madhava Smullen

In July 1966, after braving thirty-five days at sea on a cargo ship, two heart attacks, and months of struggles in New York’s Bowery with little money to his name, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Some of his main purposes for the Society included “to systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large,” and “to bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna.”

Fifty years later, residents of his first rural community, New Vrindaban, are celebrating his Society’s Golden Jubilee with a packed year of events that intend to spread spiritual knowledge and deepen connections with devotees, the general public, and local municipal leaders.

Senior Prabhupada disciples, Soma das and Jaysri dasi, bathe Nrsimhadev and Prahlada Maharaj on Nrsimha Caturmasi 2015.

The first event will be a two-day festival on May 20^th and 21^st celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the installation of New Vrindaban’s Nrismha-Prahlad Deities, the only full-sized such Deities in North America.

Sculpted and molded by local devotee artists and installed in 1986, the ferocious half-man half-lion Lord with His deep black skin and golden mane stands seven feet tall.

“We plan to invite devotees from all over North America to come celebrate this unique festival with us,” says ISKCON New Vrindaban president Jaya Krsna Das. “Together, we’ll bathe the full-size Deities of Lord Nrsimhadeva and Sri Prahlad in an abhisekha ceremony. And we will ask senior devotees to come and share their memories of the installation.”

The first stage reading of The Ramayana by Kripamaya Prabhu, June 2015

Next, on June 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th will be the premiere of a two-hour epic Ramayana musical by longtime New Vrindaban resident Kripamaya Das.

Devotees from neighboring cities will join New Vrindaban residents and students in the audience, packing out West Liberty University’s 230-seat Kelley Theater in nearby Wheeling.

“I’ve been working on this off and on my whole life,” says Kripamaya Das, who began his dramatic career with New Vrindaban’s Brijabasi Players in the early 1980s. Currently enrolled in a music and theater program at West Liberty, he is delighted to finally see his dream come to fruition. And on a professional stage, with a cast of some fourteen students and devotees, no less.

“We plan to invite some theater directors and producers to see it, and if they like it, we hope to go on to have it produced in Pittsburgh or enter musical festivals in New York,” he says.

Kulimela 2016 Schedule

From June 15^th to 19^th, meanwhile, will be one of New Vrindaban’s biggest festivals of the year. The tenth anniversary of the first Kuli Mela will be celebrated back-to back with an event that was born from its bhajan kutir — the 24-Hour Kirtan festival.

Kuli Mela will epitomize New Vrindaban’s aim to build deep relationships during the 50^th anniversary year, with “celebrating family” and “building community” as its main themes. Around 1,000 people from the first, second, and third generations of ISKCON are expected to attend for three days full of seminars, activities, bhajans, and entertainment.

Radhanath Maharaj playing mridanga at 24 hour kirtan 2013

For the 24-Hour Kirtan festival on the weekend, attendance is expected to remain high, with Kuli chanters like Amala Harinama and the Mayapuris joining senior Srila Prabhupada disciples such as Bhakti Charu Swami, Radhanath Swami, and Agnidev Das.

Of course, for ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary, New Vrindaban devotees are also looking to do a large outreach event to connect with the local public. Residents have celebrated their own Rathayatra at New Vrindaban since 1973, but this year will see the first Festival of Chariots in local town Wheeling on Saturday July 16^th.

Ratha Yathra Celebration in New Vrindaban 2015

Organizer Vrindavana Das will give interviews about the event with newspapers and TV stations in advance, emphasizing the importance of ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary year and highlighting Srila Prabhupada’s achievements. On the day, New Vrindaban’s over five-foot tall Jagannath Deity will parade through Wheeling on his 30-foot high chariot, followed by a stage show on the Ohio River waterfront.  The show will include a welcome and lecture, a dance, a drama, and kirtan, followed by prasadam.

“This is about making ourselves visible to the public again,” says Jaya Krsna. “We already have the Festival of Colors on September 17th where they come to us, but with the Rathayatra we’re going to them. It’s our offering to the city and its residents.”

Srila Prabhupada visiting New Vrindaban in early 1970’s

ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary is also the perfect time to reintroduce the “Prabhupada Festival” that was celebrated at Prabhupada’s Palace over Labor Day Weekend from 1979 until the mid ‘80s.

Hundreds of previous residents of New Vrindaban from its early days will be invited for the September 30^th to October 2^nd weekend event, and hosted as honored guests.

“It will be a revival of giving special attention to Srila Prabhupada and to the devotees who helped build his Palace and first developed New Vrindaban,” says Jaya Krsna.

During the festival, devotees will spend a whole day at the original New Vrindaban farm. There are plans over the summer to renovate the farmhouse where Srila Prabhupada stayed for one month in 1969, and to decorate it with photographs of old times. The festivities will take place under a pandal nearby, including devotees telling many stories of their experiences in those pioneering years.

Communications Director Vrindavan das welcomes the Marshall County Convention Bureau to New Vrindaban in September, 2015.

As well as deepening relationships with devotees and the general public, ISKCON New Vrindaban also wants to connect with local municipal leaders and dignitiaries.

Many will be invited to a VIP Dinner on October 27^th, including the mayors of Wheeling and Moundsville, church, business, and law-enforcement leaders, deans of local universities, and celebrated artists in their fields. The event will include a delicious prasadam meal and a cultural presentation.

 “As we work hard to follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and gradually improve the image of his New Vrindaban village,” says Jaya Krsna, “We want to be good citizens, to connect with our neighbors. And in the process, we want to let them know about ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary and Srila Prabhupada’s achievements.”

After ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary, more celebrations are to come with the 50^th anniversary of New Vrindaban in 2018. Plans include a book and film on the history of New Vrindaban, more efforts at reconnecting with current and previous residents, and a recreation of Srila Prabhupada’s famous Bhagavat-Dharma Discourses from 1972.

“As we celebrate the 50^th anniversaries of ISKCON and New Vrindaban, we remember that Srila Prabhupada is our spiritual founder,” says Jaya Krsna. “He established New Vrindaban as a sacred village, he gave us so many grand visions and bold instructions, he visited four times, and it’s clear that this community is important to him. And today, of course, we can feel his presence so strongly in his Palace. Therefore our intention should be that everything we do here, we do it for him.” 

Sivarama Swami Brihad Bhagavatamrita 2.3.184 – March 6th 2016

Parikrama Adhivas plus First day (Album with photos)
After 4 days of wonderful Sravana Utsava, 5 days of blissful and amazing kirtan Mela, we left the temple room and the boundarie of ISKCON Maypur campus to make Connections. What does it mean?
Make connections with the Kalpa Vriksha trees, the birds, the cows, squirellss and dhamvasis. Having prasada in open air and share the holy name around to have an inner experience by walking in the sacred land of Navadwipa Dham.
This Parikrama we have many good speakers like the powerful Bhakti Dhira Damodara Maharaj, the steady Bhakti Vijana Vinas Narasimha Swami, Rajendranandana prabhu, Pancharatna prabhu and others. HH Jayapataka Maharaja came and gave an amazing speech in Nrisimha Palli, Pancharatna prabhu put a drama on Nrsimhadeva lila, and one devotee recite a very powerful prayer to the Lord Nrsimha. The devotees loved.
In the morning peacefully the crossed the Jalangi river. Our Kirtan leader Sulocana prabhu is doing and and amazing service, always following vaishnava etiquette he engages those who are senior and qualifed to leade kirtan, making kirtan an ecstatic experience for the devotees on Parikrama.
In Parikrama if we can put Katha and Kirtan as the main activities it completely enhances the spiritual experience of the pilgrim devotees.
The first day we visited Amghata, Suvarna Bihar temple, Nrsimha palli and we end up in Hari Hara Ksetra with the beautiful deities of Hari Hara.
We are around 1300 devotees, and the kirtan is very enlivened, powerful.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/YBbeAQ

March 12. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada is In Our Hearts.
Prabhupada expands in each of our hearts. He is present simultaneously with his many followers as they worship him in his murti, or read his books, and when they remember his exchanges, his intense desire to preach, his book distribution or the way he took prasadam. If we panic when Prabhupada seems distant, then it is meant to be an impetus to propel us forward in our remembrance of him. There are so many ways to be with Prabhupada, we should be grateful to him that he has made himself so available to us and pray to be recognized by him out of his infinite kindness.
Prabhupada, please relieve me of my forgetfulness. I offer my obeisances to His Divine Grace, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He is very dear to Lord Krishna. His goal was to absorb the minds and hearts of his disciples in love of God, and in this, he represented the Six Gosvamis of Vrindavana.
If Prabhupada is shining in each of our hearts, we will automatically love each other more. As a result, people will be drawn to take part in this mystic sanga, which will increase tenfold when we chant and hear together. Prabhupada will be approving us, and we will all feel accepted and purified in his presence.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=6

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”
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Xddpp8

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.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/TCPDLQ

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2016-03-09 Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 01-08-26 by HH Niranjana Swami at ISKCON Mayapur

By Radhanath Swami

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.

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By Kaviraja Shanti Prakash Dasa

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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