Planet ISKCON

February 6. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Prabhupada’s Intolerance of Maya.
Srila Prabhupada was especially uncompromising in his condemnation of materialistic activities. He used strong language to describe people who are devoid of the inclination for spiritual life, calling them dogs, hogs, camels, and asses. He also referred to them as rascals. He called the leaders of the countries cheaters. He said they were all going to hell for their impious activities. By any standard, this was harsh criticism.
Srila Prabhupada also protested against the government. He did it in a non sectarian way, favoring neither the communists nor the capitalists. According to the scriptures, he said, any political leader in this age is bound to be the lowest kind of man. And, in a sense, he protested against the material bonds that held families together. When his young disciples joined him, he created friction between ISKCON and the parents of the devotees. The anti-cult movement became prominent and made ISKCON one of its main targets. But Prabhupada was willing to put himself and his followers on the firing line for the sake of spreading Krishna consciousness.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=5

ISKCON Mayapur Deity Darshan on 31th Jan 2016

Prabhupada’s Intolerance of Maya

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 09.14 – See devotion not in ecstasy but in dedication appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The post Thursday evening Vrndavana kirtana with parikrama devotees appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

krsna-bhakti-janma-mula haya ‘sadhu-sanga’
krsna-prema janme, tenho punah mukhya anga

“The root cause of devotional service to Lord Krsna is association with advanced devotees. Even when one’s dormant love for Krsna awakens, association with devotees is still most essential.” (Cc Madhya 22.83)

bhavapavargo bhramato yada bhavej
janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samagamah
sat-sangamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau
paravarese tvayi jayate ratih

“O my Lord! O infallible Supreme Person! When a person wandering throughout the universes becomes eligible for liberation from material existence, he gets an opportunity to associate with devotees. When he associates with devotees, his attraction for You is awakened. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead — the highest goal of the topmost devotees, and the Lord of the universe.” (SB 10.51.53, Cc Madhya 22.84)

ata atyantikam ksemam
prcchamo bhavato ’naghah
samsare ’smin ksanardho ’pi
sat-sangah sevadhir nrnam

“O devotees! O you who are free from all sins! Let me inquire from you about that which is supremely auspicious for all living entities. Association with a pure devotee for even half a moment in this material world is the greatest treasure for human society.” (SB 11.2.30, Cc Madhya 22.85)

Giriraj Swami: “All of us are extremely fortunate to have come to this place where we can get the association of devotees. Here our inclination toward spiritual life will be encouraged supported. And only in spiritual life—Krishna consciousness—will we get actual happiness and satisfaction. Mundane association will reinforce the illusion that you are the body and that by getting material things you will be happy. In any endeavor, including spiritual life, we need support to be successful.”

1.29.2016, Success Through Association of Devotees, Gainesville

'How can I be certain that what you are telling me is true?' Every thinking person asks, and is asked, this question. Vedic philosophy arrives at certitude through pramana, which refers to sources of knowledge that are held to be valid. In the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Sampradaya, the school of Vedic knowledge that ISKCON represents, there are three pramanas: pratyaksa (direct perception), anumana (logical argument) and sabda (authoritative testimony). Of these, sabda is imperative, while pratyaksa and anumana are supportive. Therefore, when a devotee of Krsna is asked about the certainty of his beliefs he usually answers by quoting authority: guru (the spiritual master), sastra (the Vedic scriptures) and sadhu (other devotees respected for their realisation of the teachings of guru and sastra). Continue reading "Doubt and Certainty In Krishna Consciousness
→ Dandavats"

Famous Iranian actress visits New Govardhana.
Kisori Devi Dasi: An internationally famous, multi award-winning Iranian actress recently visited New Govardhana along with an Australian-award winning film-maker, Faramarz-alKahder. Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, one of the most significant actresses of Iranian cinema, came to Brisbane in early December to attend an award ceremony. Fellow Iranian Faramarz, who now lives in Australia, decided to show Fatemeh the sights. He contacted his friends Mandakini devi dasi and Aravinda dasa, who are involved in the film industry, and have known Faramarz for 10 years. Fatemeh, nicknamed Simin, along with being a famous actress, is an activist in Iran for the preservation of culture and has spiritual and charitable inclinations. She carries around in her handbag a dainty little trinket box which has a cover picture of Radha-Krsna and is broad-minded about spiritualism. She is also very well-known in India and has rubbed shoulders with the Dalai Lama and the Iranian President. After having a lovely prasadam meal at Mandakini and Aravinda’s home, they visited New Govardhana and she was enchanted by it. Kirtana was going on inside the temple and they absorbed the peaceful atmosphere. Simin expressed a strong desire to return to New Govardhana and plans to return and rent a cabin on the farm for a few weeks. Movies Simin has starred in include, Here Without Me, Nabat, Tales and The Blue-Veiled.

By Mandakini devi dasi

Preaching Krishna Consciousness in a largely atheistic, impersonal and demigod worshiping society who shun organised religion is a special skill. Devotees in the province of Taiwan are yielding positive results with a well- established and easily digestible approach.

The pioneers in this field have determined that success will surely reach the inner core of the population with the regular distribution of lunch boxes, spiritual books and Harinama. However, particularly by offering Hatha-yoga classes, the devotees experience a high success rate and respectful reciprocation with the people. Divya Purusha dasa also makes tangible devotional inroads in this area by offering popular courses on Astrology twice a year.

Several yoga classes each week take place at the largest Iskcon centre in the country, which is located in Taichung. The practice is followed by melodious call and response Hare Krishna mantra meditation. Many participants move on to more involvement in spiritual life.

Presiding Deities Sri Sri Gaura Nitai oversee a group of enthusiastic devotees in a large, well-maintained fourth floor area of an office building which includes an impressive restaurant space.

The highlight of our trip to Taiwan was the visit to the local prison to minister to the convicts. One of the devotees, Payee (who spent a month at New Govardhana one year ago) works in the hospital there dispensing medicine.

Six hundred shaven-headed, grey-clad men filed into a huge auditorium and listened intently as dynamic temple president Jahnava devi dasi expertly delivered her very wise system of preaching, ‘in like a needle and out like a plough’. She was accompanied by Niranjana Maharajah and local devotees who soon had the inmates clapping and chanting.

Taiwanese devotees are most kind and welcoming and are always keen to hear philosophical discourses from overseas visitors.

Taiwan temple authorities are considering a group tour for at least 10 devotees to visit New Govardhana in the not too distant future. We look forward to their spirited association and offer them a very warm welcome.

Ekachakra Dham is Lord Nityananda's birthplace. ISKCON's new temple innauguration on the 14th of February, 2016 is an offering to Srila Prabhupada on ISKCON's 50th Anniversary.

The Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA) in Radhadesh, Belgium, has just published two lusciously illustrated books for devotees to feast their eyes on: “Illuminations from the Bhagavad-gita” and “Prabhupada Meditations.” The Gita-book is the fourth edition of the classic 1980 work by artist Kim Waters and Chris Murray, after the original by Harper and Row, and two in the 1990s and 2000s by Mandala.

Iskcon devotee saves man from drowning in the river.
‘I AM NOT A HERO, BUT I’m happy I was able to help somebody.’ Brave Filip Čargonja jumped into the river Sava and rescued a man who wanted to commit suicide.
(Translated automatically)
I’d like to talk to this man, I hope you will take advantage of a second chance for life, says Philip Čargonja, from Rijeka living in Zagreb
I sat on the stairs along the Sava. I put the glasses, drank in the sun and meditated. Suddenly I heard a 'plop’.
I thought someone threw garbage into the water. The bridge is noted laughing girl, but there was no panic and I thought someone was playing. But in the middle of the riverbed saw my leg to be fidgety. It was an older guy in a black suit, who did not bother to swim. I told him 'Come on, man, swim! Enough kidding! ’ I encouraged him, and when I realized that there is no intention to swim, passed me the creeps. His head is no longer out on the surface - recalled the rescue Filip Čargonja (34), from Rijeka to Zagreb address, filmography and a member of the Hare Krishna movement, which is January 27, around 15.50 hours bravely jumped into the cold river and rescued the man planned to kill himself. Since the river carried the man, so the Čargonja moved along the edge, and when he reached for his cell phone from confusion failed to think of the number of emergency. Seconds seemed to him like an eternity, a blessing in disguise is that the river is man dragged to his side of the coast.
There wife and son
- I was hoping I’d catch him at the railway bridge. But Sava was fast but is still floating. I took the bag, ran into the water to his waist and grabbed her arms to suit. His head was blue. I have not managed to completely get away because the big man and the coast is steep. I’m banging his chest, gave him mouth-to-mouth, but in vain. Clogged his nose and blew air is to breath. I held his tongue 15-20 minutes that is not choked and cried walkers on the bank to call an ambulance - recalled more Čargonja your venture. Soon came the doctors of the ambulance, the police, or the wife and son of the unfortunate man, a former defense attorney.
Life is precious
Čargonja is not considered a hero.
- I am pleased that I helped someone. At home they took me to the police because I was wet. His wife did not know what to think when she saw my wet clothes after I came home. And with this man I’d like to talk. I know that life can be so difficult that you can not see out, but I hope that this man take advantage of a second chance at life and realize how precious life is and a great opportunity for the development of the soul - concludes brave and humble Čargonja.
Source: http://goo.gl/QtRRAV

Of all the faiths in the UK, Hindus are the happiest, scoring well above the UK national average.

Michael Snyder reports, A new video has just been released in which Pope Francis very clearly expresses his belief that all of the major religions are different paths to the same God. He says that while people from various global faiths may be “seeking God or meeting God in different ways” that it is important to keep in mind that “we are all children of God”.

C.C. White - This IS Soul Kirtan!: The Maha Mantra (Reggae Style), and It's About Love* (Live) in Joshua Tree, at Bhakti Fest 2012.

And why only devotees who chant suddha-nama are worthy of service.

The post Bhakta Anton and Vrsabhanu dasa ask who one should accept as guru if one’s siksa guru doesn’t give diksa appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Bhakti Without Borders Producers to Attend Grammys.
Four people are set to represent Bhakti Without Borders, only the third kirtan album ever to be nominated for a Grammy, at the 58th annual Grammy Awards on February 15th. Main artist Madi Das – who duets on the album with eleven Vaishnavi co-vocalists – and producer Dave Stringer will attend as the Grammy nominees. They will be joined by KMA record label representatives Chaitanya Mangala and Kamal Vyas. With the exception of Stringer, who is a well-known kirtan artist outside of ISKCON, all are second generation Hare Krishna devotees. The award ceremony will be held at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, and will be televised live at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 5pm PT on CBS. It will also be streamed online at live.grammy.com or through the GRAMMY Live app.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/qlc5iV

Four people are set to represent Bhakti Without Borders, only the third kirtan album ever to be nominated for a Grammy, at the 58^th annual Grammy Awards on February 15^th. Main artist Madi Das – who duets on the album with eleven Vaishnavi co-vocalists – and producer Dave Stringer will attend as the Grammy nominees. 

Italy’s ISKCON 50th anniversary celebrations commenced on November 25^th, 2015 with the planting of a sacred Banyan tree in the historical garden of Piazza Vittorio in Rome. The Bhaktivedanta Cultural and Educational Library donated the tree to the city of Rome on the occasion, which was auspicious as it was also the 500^th anniversary of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s arrival in Vrindavana.

School to Work Program.
Damodara Pandit dasa: This year the Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula (Hare Krishna School in Australia) began a Careers Program for the Year 9 students. The program aims to provide direction and focus for senior students as they begin the transition from school to work. During term 4, 2015 the year 9 students had three lessons which introduced basic vocational foundations. Students were involved in discussions and presentations about the various types of vocations. The aim was to introduce a balanced vision for the students which combined spiritual wisdom with the dharmic and practical outlook needed for transitioning into responsible adult life. We had a few exemplary members of the community visit the class and present their own work-life / careers. All students completed an online vocational inventory or careers test. The results of these tests provide a basic understanding of the types of vocation students may be inclined towards. After completing the test all students had a personal consultation with our careers adviser about their personal direction. This information is compiled for future reference and follows up when choosing vocational educational training (VET) courses, work experience and academic pathways. The students were also guided in developing their own personal resumes. These resumes can be used by the students if they wish to seek holiday or after school work and will be expanded as students develop more skills and experience. The year 9 class also had a careers excursion where they visited the Kingscliff TAFE. The students had a personalised tour of the TAFE during their annual open day on November 19, 2015. Especially notable was the talks in the construction workshop, the motor mechanical workshop and the IT/design classroom. The partnership with the TAFE opens a number of VET and careers options for our students. Design workshop at Kingscliff TAFE. More here: http://www.krishnaschool.org/

Harinama in Mount Maunganui, New Zeland (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Age of Kali, there is no religious principle except chanting Krishna’s name. It has been ascertained from all the scriptures that Krishna’s holy name is the essence of all mantras. (Renunciation Through Wisdom, 5.1 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/pWlBBx

The Vedas are compared to a desire tree because they contain all things knowable by man. They deal with mundane necessities as well as spiritual realization. The Vedas contain regulated principles of knowledge covering social, political, religious, economic, military, medicinal, chemical, physical, metaphysical subject matter and above all specific directions for spiritual realization. The real essence of Vedic literatures can be categorized into three headings:   Sambandha: Understanding the answers to the questions, "Who am I? Who is God? What is my relation with God?" Abhideya: The process of reviving our relationship with God Prayojana: The mature result: attainment of love of God.   Continue reading "The Antiquity of Vedic civilization
→ Dandavats"

Back To Godhead magazine Reaching Prison Inmates.
Hardik Kaswala: I am a second-generation Indian-American devotee. I was born in Gujarat state and raised in Atlanta. I have been in prison for almost 3½ years and have about 3½ years to go, unless I am paroled earlier.
I cannot express in words what BTG means to me and what impact this magazine has had on people’s lives in prison. There are so many testimonials of “BTG-lila” in prisons that I could give you. Here are just a few:
Once, a South American inmate started chanting and dancing when he saw my BTG and found out that I am a devotee. The other Latino inmates smiled and listened attentively as he told us how his old girlfriend in his native Uruguay was a devotee, how he went to the temple, ate prasada, etc. He told me, “You have a real good culture, real good religion.”
Another time, at another prison, another Latino inmate saw the BTG in my hands and immediately started chanting Hare Krishna and dancing in ecstasy. I hadn’t mentioned a thing, and we hadn’t even introduced ourselves to each other. He told me how he used to go to the Laguna Beach temple, how nice the devotees were, how he liked the programs and the food. He immediately took the BTG. Srila Prabhupada’s BTG has a transcendental life of its own.
Another time, I was moved into an open dorm, where I knew only one person out of eighty or so inmates. I had the BTG issue of Shri Pancha-tattva in Mayapur and another issue, which had His Holiness Shridhara Swami’s life story. I hadn’t even set my mattress and belongings down when a crowd of people immediately started picking up and looking through the BTGs, saying they wanted to read them. They felt a spontaneous attraction.
It seems that no matter what religion, viewpoint, opinions, background, experiences, culture, or knowledge a person has, there is something for everybody in BTG. I want to thank you and the staff Vaishnavas for writing and producing such an excellent, interesting, spiritually entertaining, and enlightening magazine.
Hardik Kaswala. Calhoun State Prison, Morgan, Georgia

February 5. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Discouragement from Singhania. February 5, 1966.
Discouragement came to the plans Prabhupada had formed around the promise of support by Badampat Singhania through Dvaraka-vala, who wrote to express his dissatisfaction with the Seventy-second Street building:
“I am afraid that I cannot agree with your suggestion that you should buy a small house and erect something on top of it. Unfortunately, such a kind of proposal will not suit me. The temple must be a small one, but it must be constructed properly. I quite agree that you cannot spend a lot of money at present, but within the amount the government may sanction, you should build something according to the architecture of Indian temples. Then only will we be able to create some impression on the American people. This is all that I can write to you in this connection. I am grateful for you taking the trouble of writing me.”
Prabhupada did not take this letter as final. He maintained hope that Sri Badampat Singhania would still give money for the temple, if only the transfer of money could be arranged. He continued writing his godbrothers and other devotees, asking them to try to secure the government sanction. He maintained his same aspirations, even though his sole prospective donor had rejected his scheme of a cakra and dome atop a conventional two-storey building.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=5

Bhakti Vidyapurna Swami S.B.7.1.12 – Jan 31st 2016

Sorry, the loft is closed on Waitangi day, Monday 8th February 2016.

The post The Loft is closed on Monday 8 Feb appeared first on The Loft Yoga Lounge Auckland.

Because I speak in my own words, what I say often seems brand new or different than what you’ve heard before. I like this because it encourages people to think.

Sometimes what I say may seem different than what you’ve heard Śrīla Prabhupāda say.

I consider myself a grateful follower of Śrīla Prabhupāda, so I don’t intentionally say or teach anything that contradicts him. But, depending on your current idea of what Śrīla Prabhupāda said on a given subject, you may sometimes have to be willing to do a lot of thinking with an unbiased mind if you want to see that harmony for yourself.

You may well find this unnecessary, after all I am no one’s “guru,” but if so, I humbly request that you not express an un-investigated judgement of my supposed disharmony with Śrīla Prabhupāda. Just leave me as “undecided” and turn your attention to something more essential.

I humbly request that you not express an un-investigated judgement of my supposed disharmony with Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Even if you find it unnecessary to discover the harmony between my words and Prabhupāda’s, you will certainly find it necessary to discover the harmony between his words and his other words – because, like every guru, he often says things that appear to point in contrary directions.

To discover harmony in apparent contradictions, we have to  abandon the safety blanket of rushing to conclusions based on isolated quotes.

If you survey everything Prabhupāda said, in the context of when, where, why, and how he said it, and the context of his behavior and character – you will surely come to profoundly deep conclusions about his teachings. I think you would then find complex harmony in all his words and deeds, and (if you care to) would also discover how what I say is in service to and harmony with Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Vraja Kishor

www.vrajakishor.com

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 09.13 – Krishna’s attractiveness is original and inexhaustible appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 14 March 2009, Stockholm, Sweden, Lecture)

We encounter so much envy in the world. Envy is a major driving force which we really cannot ignore. We see different aspects of envy. There is the normal envy – the jealousy of a neighbour who wants what you have. But we also see a different kind of envy, like the example of a wolf and a lamb. It is not that the wolf wants anything that the lamb has. It is not like that! He is not envious of the possessions of the lamb at all, he simply does not want allow the lamb any existence because of his own feeling of dissatisfaction. The wolf takes it out on the weaker entity. The wolf has a feeling of hatred which comes from his own frustration, and he takes it out on someone else. People get married for similar reasons. Not all marriages are based on LOVE! Some marriages are simply there to take relieve frustration. Like that, envy exists in so many ways and in all kinds of relationships.

Gunagrahi das Goswami Health Update: Maharaja is following a very strict daily regimen of herbal remedies and other bodily treatments. He was in very good spirits and eager to hear all the good wishes and news of the devotees. Although he looked great and was feeling optimistic about life, he has been experiencing some discomfort from the tumor near his spine. He is supposed to experience the healing impact of the treatments after about two months. So for now the tumor has not changed much. Once again it is uncomfortable to walk and spend long periods of time sitting up.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/1QR6qU

Beholding the unlimited opulence of Krishna and feeling dwarfed by the manifestation of other Brahmas, our universes Brahma felt like a rabbit amidst many elephants. I love what Brahma says, 'There are people who say, 'I know everything about Krishna.' Let them think in that way. As far as I am concerned, I do not wish to say very much about this matter. O my Lord, let me say this much. As far your opulences are concerned, they are all beyond the reach of my mind, body and words.' [SB 10.14.38] The 'Law of Contrast' is very important for all of us. Thinking of those greater than our self can help us to realize our true position, as tiny and insignificant. We all have a little bit of 'Isha' or controlling power, yet in comparison to the many powerful people on this planet what is our position? Then there are the devas, and the Supreme Isvara, Lord Shri Krishna. We are never the doer, but have to be empowered to do any even simplest thing'what to speak of large accomplishments? We may appear great or devout to others and have influence, power, bhakti, wealth, education, good looks etc, yet as devotees we have to remember that whatever opulence or Krishna consciousness we have been blessed with are given to us for service, not for any selfish purpose. We are all on the path of realizing this fact: We are givers or servants, not takers or masters. Continue reading "Which Brahma are you?
→ Dandavats"

So Srila Prabhupada gave us the perfect example from which to follow and this year I pondered having a small Sunday feast program, putting into action rather than just talking.
Planning is the key and having little experience I decided on simplicity.
A poster in the window and a poster on the local community notice board.
Program is simple, kirtan, prasadam and a small talk from The Gita
And a small preparation of the house, and dressing the deities ready and a beautiful flower decoration.
Three people who have been studying the Gita with me came and two turned up after reading the poster, although I’m not to good at kirtan somehow it was nicely received and with encouragement each person attending had a small go at leading.
Simple prasadam, their was plenty so more than one helping was had.
Discussion was lively not what I had planned but that was alright, before you knew it three hours had passed.
The plan is to hold one every month to start, going to fortnightly then weekly.
Their was one piece of feedback and it wasn’t a surprise to me, I was nervous about coming as their is no women in the house; I had noted and already acknowledged that house programme and Sunday feast is easier if their is one or two mataji’s
But I remain hopeful that it will become a vibrant place of association.
And as always I’m open to suggestions and thoughts.
Hare Krishna