The post Daily Darshan: January 23rd, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Daily Darshan: January 23rd, 2016
How to bring further auspiciousness into our lives
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An Interview with Krishna Dharma: Science And Religion
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As the Greek oracle proclaimed, ‘know thyself’, and this is the first instruction in the Gita. It tells us we are parts of the Supreme Spirit and therefore we have the same nature—not only of eternality, but also pure knowledge and bliss. There is evidence for this as well in that we can see how we are always aspiring to attain those three states. Take the first, eternality. We constantly strive to secure our ongoing existence, seeking good health, longevity and whatever security we can in what is, let’s face it, a rather insecure world. Knowledge is also constantly sought in so many ways, we want to know what is happening (such as all those desperately important FB updates), we want the news and don’t like to be in the dark. And of course everything we do is aimed at somehow increasing our happiness or decreasing our discomfort and suffering. Continue reading "An Interview with Krishna Dharma: Science And Religion
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13th Annual Sir J.C.Bose Memorial Award, 2015. Indian Science…
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13th Annual Sir J.C.Bose Memorial Award, 2015.
Indian Science Monitor, a non-profit organization has been working relentlessly for more than two decades in identifying and promoting great achievers. Sir J.C.Bose Memorial Award (previously as ISM Achievement Award) has been constituted 10 years ago and till now more than 40 eminent luminaries have been awarded and their contribution in the field of Science & Technology, Education, Environment Science, Agriculture, Social Sciences have been highlighted to the concerned public and to the Government.
This year award function is being held on 19th January at Bose Institute Main Complex, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata.
January 19, 2016, was a red-letter day for Bhaktivedanta National School The School, which is affiliated to the CBSE, was selected for an Institutional Award by Indian Science Monitor (ISM) for promoting education in the rural areas of Sridham Mayapur.
HG Radhakanta Gopala Das (A. S. Rajagopalan), the Principal received this award for his contribution in bringing up such a school that offers quality education in a spiritual atmosphere, where the students learn the principles of life and the Absolute Truth.
Two children from the School (1) Monidipa Ghosh of class X and (2) Sunay Kumar Panda of class VI received Talent Certificate.
Hon’ble Minister for Science and Technology, Government of West Bengal Dr Rabiranjan Chattopadhyay, graced the occasion and honored all the recipients of the Award.
January 23. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
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January 23. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavatam purports sometimes shift from one topic to another. For example, in his purport to Bhagavatam 10.1.17, we read that at one time the world was overburdened with demoniac kings who were harassing the people. The verse and purport are relevant to modern politics, where every nation is trying to build up its military power. Then in the next verse, we hear that Lord Brahma went with the demigods to the shore of the milk ocean and recited the Purusa-sukta prayers. Brahma received a direct message back from Lord Visnu. In that purport, Prabhupada writes mystically that you may get a direct message from Krishna when you meditate on Him. He says that this can be done even today, and he gives the example of how subtle communications go by television and other methods. When reading Prabhupada purports, we should be patient and happy to follow Prabhupada as he goes from one topic to another. Gradually, we may begin to understand, that for Prabhupada, Krishna is present everywhere, and the jurisdiction of Krishna consciousness is everywhere. If Prabhupada turns his attention to the world’s political situation with thoughts of lamentation or anger, that is Krishna consciousness. When he turns directly to Krishna and forgets this world, that is also Krishna consciousness. As Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita, “For one who sees Me everywhere, I am never lost and he is never lost to Me.” We should move with Prabhupada in his Bhaktivedanta purports from one topic to another. With each purport, he gives all that the previous acaryas have said, and he reflects on it based on his own experience. If we read Prabhupada with at least a little understanding of how he composed his purports, one after another, then we, too, will begin to see Krishna everywhere.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4
13th Annual Sir J.C.Bose Memorial Award, 2015
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ISM, a non-profit organization has been working relentlessly for more than two decades in identifying and promoting great achievers. SirJ.C.Bose Memorial Award (previously as ISM Achievement Award) has been constituted10 years ago and till now more than 40 eminent luminaries have been awarded and their contribution in the field of Science & Technology, Education, Environment […]
The post 13th Annual Sir J.C.Bose Memorial Award, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
New Year Drama – Mrigari
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New Year Drama – Mrigari
ISKCON 50 Meditations: January 23, 2016
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Gita 09.01 – Krishna’s glory can be appreciated by the devoted, not the envious
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Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast
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The post Gita 09.01 – Krishna’s glory can be appreciated by the devoted, not the envious appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Sunday Love Feast – January 24th,2016 – Philosophical Talk and Discourse by His Grace Subhavilas Dasa
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11:30 - 11:55 Aarti & Kirtan
11.55 - 12.00 Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers
12.00 - 1:00 Vedic discourse
1:00 - 1:30 Closing Kirtan
1.30 - 2.00 Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast

The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His Energy to give protection to the conditioned soul.japa, when performed with focus and attention, can subdue the agitating effects of one’s mind and senses. The senses, of which the mind is also one, are constantly being stimulated by the external world - by gross and subtle matter.
If you have not chanted before, and would like to participate in this program, we will be very happy to show how you can do this.All welcome. We’ll loan you a set of Beads!

Fasting For Sattila Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Thu Feb 4,2016
Breakfast................. on Fri Feb 5,2016 b/w 7.30am-10.51am
Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.

To register,contact usEmail:sundayschool108@gmail.
The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. School
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).

Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewellery, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy
Work to Live – Avoid Work That Eats You Alive!
Chaitanya Charan…
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Work to Live – Avoid Work That Eats You Alive!
Chaitanya Charan Das: Work is essential for survival, as the Bhagavad-gita (03.08) acknowledges. Yet the same work that is vital can become vitality-sapping if done excessively. When work becomes the sole definer of our self-identity and self-worth, it degenerates to an indulgence, even an addictive indulgence.
Just as alcohol can become an obsession that devours everything else in an alcoholic’s life, so too can work become an obsession that devours everything else in a workaholic’s life. Whereas alcoholism’s harms – physical deterioration, financial drain and behavioral lapses – are usually hard to hide, workaholism’s harms are often hard to notice. It inebriates us with a heady sense of success while silently sidelining things that make life worth living.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/IGgrjj
Welcoming Brahma Muhurta das to Toronto this Weekend
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At the age of 14 Brahma Muhurta das first read the Sanskrit philosophical text Bhagavad-gita. Inspired by its teachings, he devoted himself to more fully understanding classical Indian philosophical and religious culture. At 17 he received initiation from Bhakti Tirtha Swami and a few months later received second initiation. While a brahmachari (celibate monk), he served as the Head Pujari (Priest) in the Gita-Nagari temple and the personal servant of his guru. He later received his BFA from Tufts University and and MFA from the University of Florida, as well as a Fulbright Fellowship to India to support his work on art and India Ritual.
Brahma Muhurta das’ endeavor to study classical Indian rituals has lead him to seek the tutelage of various teachers. He began his Sanskrit studies under Professor Michael Witzel of Harvard University. He developed curriculum on rituals at the Sri Rupanuga Vidyapitham, Mayapur, West Bengal and studied under Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami. He later continued to study temple rituals and the pancaratrika agamas under Gaura Keshava Prabhu of Sri Rangam and Maui, and did research under the guidance of Sri Ramana Bhattar of Sri Rangam.
In Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s final days, he requested Brahma Muhurta das to return to his home in the US and perform his last rites where Brahma Muhurta was given the instruction and blessing to dedicate his life to studying and teaching ritual. In addition to his art and academic career where he has taught at RISD and Boston College, and in accordance with this, Brahma Muhurta das has been officiating weddings and myriad other Hindu rituals, including the opening of temples, for nearly 20 years, in the Americas, Europe, and India.
“Keep up the good work.”
-Alex. From the UK. Somehow…
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“Keep up the good work.”
-Alex. From the UK. Somehow or other I got the attention of her and her future husband, and they came over to the table. She told me she already had and read the Bhagavad Gita, but she hadn’t seen this version of the translation. Srila Prabhupada’s translation, I began to explain, was from a traditional lineage of over five thousand years, personally handed down from one spiritual master to the next. So the potency of this translation is unbroken from when it was spoken by Krsna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. I was trying to show her the authenticity of this particular translation. That’s when she began to tell me that she is actually a Hindu. “Wasnt expecting that response!” I thought to myself, most souls that I have met who are Hindu are in Indian bodies. But not this gem.
Her story is that she was studying journalism and which facilitated her to travel abroad to study in India where she fell in love with the culture and philosophy of Hindu life, so she said that’s when she decided to “convert.”
So then I told her that Bhagavad Gita, although used by the Hindu as their holy text, is actually not a Hindu text, but a scripture written for the platform of the soul to realize self, beyond designations. The reason being is that anyone being born in a non-Hindu family is experiencing the same material reality as one who was born into a Hindu family, therefore Sri Krishna speaks this transcendental knowledge to Arjuna for the behalf of humanity as a whole. The reason I began to explain this was for the case that maybe some translations of the Bhagavad Gita don’t stress the importance that we, the soul, are not these bodies.
We had a nice talk and it was pleasant to hear about her spiritual life and attraction to ancient India and all that is continuing to offer. For more: http://www.tattvadarsi.com/
Kids Altar In Petersburg Center!
Srila Prabhupada: The…
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Kids Altar In Petersburg Center!
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.
Vrinda Kunda Festival Schedule
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Deena Bandhu dasa: 6 February, Varaha Dvadasi will be 17 years since the opening of our Vrinda Kunda Temple! To celebrate, we will do special parikramas to the Holy Places of Braja. The program will culminate with our famous Kalash Yatra, an ecstatic Sankirtan procession with the ladies carrying water pots with coconuts on their heads on 16 Feb. Programs will be going on from 6 - 22 Feb-3.
Motivation in Krishna Consciousness
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Somehow, it happens that our motivation in Krishna consciousness may falter. Usually that faltering comes in the form of lacking the desire to do some practical service, associate with devotees, or develop our spiritual practices, such as improving the quality or quantity of our chanting or of our reading of Srila Prabhupada's books. Whenever this happens to me or a friend, I realize the urgency and fragility of devotional service and the importance of remaining inspired. How can we proactively and practically manage our own level of motivation in our devotional lives? How can we inspire ourselves and others in moments when our inspiration is lacking? This article humbly attempts to provide practical insights into how to maintain one's enthusiasm and motivation in Krishna consciousness. Continue reading "Motivation in Krishna Consciousness
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How Do We Know?
Ananda Devi Dasi: We may sometimes ask…
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How Do We Know?
Ananda Devi Dasi: We may sometimes ask ourselves, rather we should regularly ask ourselves, how are we doing in our spiritual life? Is our consciousness changing and developing? Is our love for Krishna growing? Are we becoming less affected by our life, our karma, and the world in general? Are we developing a strong sense of who we are that lives within our body?
Prabhupada suggests we take test. In the purport to verses 8-12 in Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 13 he writes – “As for actual advancement in spiritual science, one should have a test to see how far he is progressing.” He invites us to judge ourselves by the 20 items listed in these verses.
Before taking the test, read the verses and purport as they are filed with insights to help us answer as honestly as we can. It’s just between us and Krishna or if we are brave, we can do it as an exercise with others. It’s a great guide to our inner journey – a journey more important than anything else we will work for in our life.
Turn the 20 items into questions by prefacing each with “How am I doing with…? We can use numbers between 1 – 10, or mark ourselves good, not so good, or terrible. Don’t be too hard on yourself, but not too easy either! Acknowledging where we are is the best way to get where we want to go. Good luck!
1. Humility
2. Pridelessness
3. Nonviolence
4. Tolerance
5. Simplicity
6. Approaching a bona fide spiritual master
7. Cleanliness
8. Steadiness
9. Self-control
10. Renunciation of the objects of sense gratification
11. Absence of false ego
12. Perception of the evil of birth, death, old age & disease
13. Detachment
14. Freedom from the entanglement with children, partner, home, and the rest (if these people and things do not support your spiritual advancement)
15. Even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events
16. Constant and unalloyed devotion to Me
17. Aspiring to live in a solitary place
18. Detachment from the general mass of people
19. Accepting the importance of Self-realization
20. Philosophical search for the Absolute Truth
Courage
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Work to Live – Avoid Work That Eats You Alive
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Czech, January 2016
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Written by Klara
In Czech, the whole month of December was relatively warm. But just when Kadamba Kanana Swami was to arrive, it started to snow! An overlay of snow has a certain touch of romanticism (especially from behind a window) however to travel about in it, is not the greatest experience. Moreover, Maharaj prefers warm weather…
Maharaj arrived in Prague on Tuesday, 12 January, and he immediately set-off on a 350 km journey to the Bhakti Yoga Centre in a village called Studenka, where he spent three days. He was accompanied by about twelve devotees and at the Bhakti Yoga Centre, there are eight devotees staying permanently. Maharaj’s visit there was very exciting. He gave morning and afternoon lectures, led wonderful kirtans, met with devotees and went out for walks in nature.


On Friday afternoon, Maharaj moved on to Nava Nandagram. The temple boasts the biggest temple room in the Czech Republic and it was crowded with devotees from around the country and various corners of Europe. At the evening program on Friday, Maharaj first led a long kirtan for the pleasure of Sri Sri Krsna Balarama, Gandharvika Giridhari, Laksmi Nrsimha, Gaura-Nitai and all present vaisnavas.
In his lecture, he mentioned how Krsna does not take away the suffering of the material world from our lives but instead, he fills the emptiness in our hearts which gives us inspiration and then suffering becomes insignificant! Thereafter, devotees asked various questions regarding finding balance in life. He answered all these questions with one common answer and published “A solution of Kadamba Kanana Swami” which was as follows, “Just simply add more Krsna! The more Krsna we add, the more life will be balanced. If we are asking questions regarding balance, it means that we are not satisfied. But when we add Krsna, we will be satisfied and everything will be in balance. Just add more Krsna at every moment – when you are worshipping the Deities or driving a car, alone or as a couple, when you are painting or playing the electric guitar… and the balance will be there.”


A nice surprise was an unplanned lecture on Saturday morning, where Maharaj mentioned that we are servants of Krsna not only on a part-time basis but full-time, and that we have to give preference to Krsna over anything else. We have to be determined to continue in our service despite whatever happens, in any circumstances, and if we do so, we will be those who survive!
Before noon that day, Maharaj set-off to Harinam Mandir in Prague. He was travelling in a Skoda and was followed by another two cars of the same brand, which is often the object of Maharaj’s jokes when he is in Czech! Harinam Mandir is a preaching centre in downtown of the Czech capital and it is well known for being nice and warm. This was noted by Maharaj as he mentioned that the best heaters are bodies and in Harinam Mandir, it was really jam-packed that some devotees had to stand in the corridor!
The Sunday morning lecture was given at the temple in Luzce as part of an initiation ceremony. Bhaktin Karin is now Kavita Devi Dasi. The lecture was based on Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.13 and dealt with the twenty-six qualities of a devotee. The typical Sunday afternoon program consisted of ecstatic kirtan, lecture and feast with a full-house in attendance.


On Monday, Maharaj had planned to take rest but he suddenly changed his mind and he left for Amsterdam. What more to add – the time with Maharaj was filled with amazing moments that you never wanted to end. Videos and mp3 from lectures and kirtans will be published soon! Visit Flickr to see all the photos.
Art of living is to master art of Dying
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Once when Pandavas, great devotees of Lord were in exile they were extremely thirsty while nomadic in the forest. Yudhistir asked his brothers to search some lake nearby. When after long time they didn’t return he himself went in search of them. No sooner he found them near a lake in unconscious state than a supernatural voice resonated, “Your brothers didn’t care to answer my questions before drinking water from my lake hence their current state. If you too don’t answer you will follow them.” Yudhistir nodded solemnly. One of the many questions asked by the supernatural voice was “What is most astonishing thing in this world?” Yudhistir impeccably replied “One sees death everywhere around but he thinks he is an exception. This is most astonishing.” Continue reading "Art of living is to master art of Dying
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Ratha Yatra in the land of sandalwood, Malaysia
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By Mathura Lilesvari Devi Dasi
Hundreds of devotees dancing down on one of the busiest streets in Kuala Lumpur was probably one of the best ways to kick start ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary in Malaysia, a country which Prabhupada referred to when speaking of Candan wood. Then known as Malaya, Malaysia had the good fortune of having Srila Prabhupada’s feet touch its soil in 1971.
It was on the 2nd of January and the devotees were all prepared to bring in the year with the great Jagannath parade, Ratha Yatra 2016.
Guest of honour, YB Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam, Minister of Health Malaysia, spoke very highly of ISKCON and was proud to be part of the festival. Other chief guests were Regional Secretary – HG Simheswara dasa, HH Bhakti Vrajendranandana Swami – President of ISKCON Malaysia, HH Janananda Goswami, HG Prabhavishnu Prabhu and YB Senator Dato’ Dr. Loga Bala Mohan (HG Loka Bandhu Gauranga dasa JPS) – Deputy Minister of Federal Territories.
Under the expert guidance of Temple President – HG Kripa Sindhu Krishna das and Festivals Organizing Chairman – HG Siddhi Sadhana Das, the congregation worked together in putting the festival for the pleasure of Their Lordships.
Many tourists and passers-by joined the devotees and danced to the tunes of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra with joy. The main tent where the chariot of Their Lordships Sri Sri Jagannatha Baladeva and Subadhra arrived was smack in the middle of the road. This provided the opportunity for everyone driving or walking pass the main road to catch a glimpse of the Lord. It was a street festival that engaged with the public effectively. Thousands heard the holy names.
Prasadam was served to more than 3000 guests.
Nama-sankirtana (Part 2)
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Substance and Shadow (Video)
Citisakti Mataji interviewed and…
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Substance and Shadow (Video)
Citisakti Mataji interviewed and challenged HH Sivarama Swami on the authority of the Vedas and personal form of God. It was a great discussion and appreciated by many devotees who were present at the program.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/Zv4Zol
January 22. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
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January 22. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Snowstorm in New York City. January 22, 1966. While Srila Prabhupada prayed to receive Radha-Krishna in New York, a snowstorm hit the City. That morning, Srila Prabhupada, who had perhaps never before seen snow, woke and thought that someone had whitewashed the side of the building next door. Not until he went outside did he discover it was snow. The temperature was ten degrees. The City went into a state of emergency, but Prabhupada continued his daily walks. Now he had to walk through heavy snow, only a thin dhoti beneath his overcoat, his head covered with his “swami hat.” The main roads were cleared, but many sidewalks were covered with snow. Along the strip of park dividing Broadway, the gusting winds piled snowbanks to shoulder height and buried the benches. The Broadway kiosks, plastered with layers of posters and notices, were now plastered with additional layers of snow and ice. But despite the weather, New Yorkers still walked their dogs, the pets now wearing raincoats and mackinaws. Such pampering by American dog owners left Prabhupada with a feeling of surprised amusement. As he approached West End Avenue, he found the doormen blowing whistles to signal taxis as usual, but also scattering salt to melt the ice and create safe sidewalks in front of the buildings. In Riverside Park, the benches, pathways and trees were glazed with ice and gave off a shimmering reflection from the sky.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4
Daily Darshan : January 22nd, 2016
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Aspiring To Take Shelter Of Lotus Feet Of Krishna-Dinabhandhu Prabhu 2016 01 12 SB 10 73 15
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Aspiring To Take Shelter Of Lotus Feet Of Krishna-Dinabhandhu Prabhu 2016 01 12 SB 10 73 15
ISKCON 50 Meditations: January 22, 2016
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TOVP Domes Completed, Finishing Work Underway
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The superstructures of all three domes of ISKCON’s upcoming flagship temple – the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur, West Bengal – have been completed, and finishing work is now underway. At its highest point, the temple will stand 113 meters (370 feet) tall, higher than the Taj Mahal and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
The God Delusion Debate – Sivarama Swami and Dr Chetna Kang
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Gita 08.28 – Yogi gets what other paths offer and gets more too
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Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast
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Did Prabhupāda know things that the Six Goswami’s Did Not?
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When discussing certain topics – like the answer to the essential question, “Where do I come from?” – I have a few times heard senior disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda suggest that Prabhupāda told us things that are different from what Śrī Jīva Goswāmī told us. If asked how Prabhupāda could teach something different from what he was taught, they explain that he could do so because Krishna directly gave him this new information. If asked which version we should accept and adopt, they explain that it is our duty as followers of Śrīla Prabhupāda to accept only his opinion, and reject the opinion of the previous ācārya.
I can accept that Prabhupāda may have known more than his gurus, or better understood how to explain certain things to the people he was teaching, because this is not unprecedented and doesn’t go against the fundamental principle of guru paramparā. (For example: Śuka is glorified as being even more capable of fully revealing the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam than his father and guru, Vyāsa.) However that’s not exactly what is being suggested in the above scenario. What is being suggested there is that Prabhupāda can contradict his gurus’ conclusions – because Krishna told him to.
I disagree. First of all, it goes against everything I learned from Prabhupāda about guru paramparā. Secondly, it definitely seems unrealistic that Prabhupāda received fundamental information from Krishna that contradicts what his own guru received from Krishna, what Śrīla Bhaktivinoda received from Krishna, and especially what the founders of Gauḍīya Siddhānta – Śrī Rūpa, Sanātana, and Jīva Goswāmīs – received from Krishna. Did Krishna change his mind about reality recently?
When I find Prabhupāda saying something that seems to contradict his gurus, I have two options:
(a) conclude that Prabhupāda doesn’t purely represent his guru-paramparā.
(b) conclude that I misunderstood Prabhupāda.
Everyone will surely agree that b is a whole lot more likely than a. Especially since so many of the quotes brought out from Prabhupāda are not even from his books, but are from far more contextually-sensitive recordings, conversations and letters to very specific individuals, at very specific times, in very specific circumstances – making it very easy to misunderstand Prabhupāda.
But somehow a lot of senior devotees seem to insist that they understand Prabhupāda correctly, even though their understanding paints an absolutely unacceptable picture of Prabhupāda as someone who does not represent his own gurus on fundamental principles like the answer to the question, “Where do I come from?”
To insist on interpreting Prabhupāda’s statements in a way that would put them at odds with Śrī Jīva and the Goswāmīs is an inadvertent insult to Śrīla Prabhupāda, because it indirectly says, “he doesn’t purely represent the Six Goswāmīs. He has different opinions.”
I wish more people would adopt this point of view and “choose option b,” desisting from insisting that Prabhupāda has a “second opinion” on tattva. Because that insistence means he doesn’t represent his guru-paramparā and therefore isn’t a bona-fide guru. Insisting that Prabhupāda could reach a different conclusion from an absolutely essential ācārya like Śrī Jīva Goswāmī inadvertently turns out to be an insult to the most important and compassionate Vaiṣṇava in our contemporary world: A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swāmī, because it indirectly says, “he doesn’t purely represent the Six Goswāmīs.”
This causes such a problem for everyone.
There are infinite possible ways to illustrate, explain, clarify, and apply a tattva, but there are never multiple, contradictory versions of a tattva. If we think there are two versions of tattva to choose from, we are wrong.
In guru pamaparā there are never “two opinions” on any fundamental subject. There is one opinion, with infinite ways of expressing, explaining and applying that opinion. If someone has an opinion different from the opinion of Bhāgavata Purāṇa as explained by Śrī Jīva, that person is simply not a representative of Śrī Jīva’s Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava school. Maybe their opinion is brilliant, maybe its ridiculous, that’s unsure. What is sure is that, if it differs from the opinion of the Six Goswāmīs it is not a gauḍīya vaiṣṇava opinion.
There are infinite possible ways to represent, illustrate, explain, clarify, and apply a siddhānta (a philosophical conclusion), but there cannot be two contradictory siddhāntas in the same school.
If we think there are two to choose from, we are wrong.
Vraja Kishor das

Why is there the conservative-liberal divide everywhere, including even in spiritual organizations?
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ToVP Report From Russia
- TOVP.org
Hare Krishna dear Jayapataka Swami,
Please accept our obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
It is a letter from the Russian team of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium construction project.
We are grateful to you for engaging us in fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s personal desire – construction of the magnificent Temple of the Golden Age! Please accept our efforts as an offering.
For 2015, we collected and transferred to a bank account in Mayapur over USD 160,000. This money was collected by many different ways. Particularly, we invited donors to pay for square feet and bricks. They paid for 300 square feet, 37 Nrisimhadeva bricks, 54 Mahaprabhu bricks, 12 Radha-Madhava bricks and one silver coin. We hold talks about the New Temple at many big festivals, did promotions on the Internet, as well as presentations in different cities.
We are asking for your blessings to be able to collect at least double the amount we did this year, in 2016 for Srila Prabhupada’s pleasure.
Thank you for bestowing upon us such a mercy to participate in this way in the New Temple construction.
Your servants from ToVP Russian Team
The post ToVP Report From Russia appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Dasha Mula Tattva 4 – Hari is the Absolute Truth concealed and revealed in the Vedas
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Podcast:
Download by “right-click and save”
The post Dasha Mula Tattva 4 – Hari is the Absolute Truth concealed and revealed in the Vedas appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Dasha Mula Tattva 3 – Understanding the necessity and focus of Vedic knowledge
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Podcast:
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The post Dasha Mula Tattva 3 – Understanding the necessity and focus of Vedic knowledge appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Recent debate in the UK
→ SivaramaSwami.com
Substance & Shadow https://youtu.be/47SwKs6rm_M
The post Recent debate in the UK appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Meet Bhrigupati Prabhu!
H.G. Bhrigupati Prabhu spent over 40…
→ Dandavats

Meet Bhrigupati Prabhu!
H.G. Bhrigupati Prabhu spent over 40 years in ISKCON distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books. He has distributed 2,000,000 books and has been the top distributor in North America for numerous years. In 2005 at the Gaura Purnima Festival in Mayapur, he was awarded the Global Excellence Award for book distribution. He is currently the Sankirtan leader for Los Angeles, California. He regularly gives classes on the philosophy of Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita.
“Best Ever” ISKCON North American Leaders Meetings Highlight…
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“Best Ever” ISKCON North American Leaders Meetings Highlight ISKCON 50!
Many of the more than sixty temple presidents and GBCs attending this year’s ISKCON North American Leaders Meetings called the event “the best ever.” This was largely owing to the upbeat mood brought about by ISKCON’s 50th anniversary, increasing book distribution successes, and the inspiring association at the meetings. “It was very, very positive and full of proactive presentations,” says GBC and ISKCON Communications Director Anuttama Das. “The focus was on how so many wonderful things have been accomplished over the past fifty years, and yet there’s so much more to do to try to expand Prabhupada’s movement and fulfill his vision.” The meetings, which were held from January 14th to 16th and were the first to take place at the newly opened mandir in Houston, Texas, began with a keynote address by academic and author Yogesvara Das (Joshua M. Greene).
Read more: http://goo.gl/qPGCxK
Cape Town, December 2015: Recordings
→ KKSBlog
Kadamba Kanana Swami visited Cape Town from 18-30 December. Below are recordings of lectures and kirtans from the various programs.
Download ALL the files by clicking here.
KKS_CPT_20Dec2015_CC_Madhya_1.47
KKS_CPT_20Dec2015_SnanaYatra_Kirtan_Abhisek
KKS_CPT_20Dec2015_SnanaYatra_JayaRadhaMadhava
KKS_CPT_20Dec2015_SnanaYatra_Lecture
KKS_CPT_20Dec2015_SnanaYatra_Kirtan
KKS_CPT_22Dec2015_Evening_Kirtan
KKS_CPT_22Dec2015_EveningLecture_The_Glories_of_Lord_Jagannatha
KKS_CPT_24Dec2015_EveningLecture_CC_Madhya_Ch12
KKS_CPT_24Dec2015_Evening_Kirtan
KKS_CPT_25Dec2015_HouseProgram_Kirtan
KKS_CPT_25Dec2015_HouseProgram_Lecture
KKS_CPT_27Dec2015_Inititation_Lecture
KKS_CPT_27Dec2015_SundayFeast_Lecture