Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Young Professional Serves Up Gita Wisdom.
“We have this focus on changing the externals, or trying to change things from the outside in, when actually what’s required is a change from within, a change from the invisible world, the eternal.” Ghanashyam Priya’s speed and rhythm builds as he talks, lending the poetic monologue in the latest video on his new Youtube Channel “Invisible World” a dynamic hip-hop flow.
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ISKCON New Vrindaban: Madhava Gosh Dasa, born October 25th, 1949, left his body peacefully at his home in New Vrindaban, WV, on January 2nd, 2016, at the age of 66.
Madhava Gosh was a pioneer New Vrindaban inhabitant, having lived in the dhama since 1973. Inspired by the instructions of his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, he was a lifelong activist of local agriculture and cow protection and implemented an endowment fund to care for the cows at New Vrindaban.
Serving as one of the farm hands at New Vrindaban since the early days, Madhava Gosh spent decades of his life gardening and working on simple living projects.
When asked a month before he passed away what he felt was his best accomplishment he said, “Planting the trees, because the fruits are not enjoyed by the planter, but by those to come in the future. And these trees will outlive most of us.”
Madhava Gosh had a 10 year plan to plant 1,000 fruit and nut trees in the New Vrindaban dhama area, as part of the program for sustaining the Deities and devotees in the future, to provide perineal “crops” to produce food, year after year after year. Madhava Gosh planted with an assistant well over 350 trees since 2010. 150 trees were planted by householders living in New Vrindaban who took take care for the trees. There are plans to resume this project in 2017.
Back in May 2006, Madhava Gosh had a liver transplant, due to his organ failing. His son Marken donated half of his own liver to sustain his father. Madhava Gosh did lots of service with his son’s gift and the “extra’ time.
The past two years Madhava Gosh has been struggling with post-transplant liver degeneration and other side effects. Both his kidneys failed and he had been on dialysis 3 times a week for over a year. With all the physical complications he was dealing with, he became weaker and weaker. He also came to understand that his lungs were already beginning to slowly deteriorate and filling with liquid.
Understanding that he was slowly dying and not wanting to be a burden on those caring for him,
Madhava Gosh chose to go off dialysis on December 24th, 2015.
The week before his departure, Madhava Gosh’s daughter, Vraja, looked after his physical care. Many community members as well as some local neighbors visited Madhava Gosh. Devotees came and shared old pastimes and laughed with Madhava Gosh and expressed their hearts. They played instruments and sang and read Krishna book to Madhava Gosh. Srila Prabhupada’s singing was played non-stop for the last week.
Then on January 2nd, it seemed as if Krsna took direct control of all the events that followed, as everything seemed to be perfectly coordinated. The sun shined through the window. Three devotees, including Vraja, sat peacefully chanting by Gosh’s bedside while a recording of Srila Prabhupada and the Hare Krsna Temple album played in the background. That morning the samsara prayers were sung and then the Govindam prayers and some of the Brahma Samhita. Srila Prabhupada’s garland had been placed at Madhava Gosh’s head.
His daughter swabbed fresh Tulasi leaves from Sri Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra’s lotus feet, sprinkled in the Ganges water into Madhava Gosh’s mouth. Madhava Gosh, who had not moved for 24 hours, suddenly lurched his right arm forward, and his right hand, which was inside his japa bag, grabbed his japa beads tightly. Gosh had a tear in his eye, took a labored breath. His daughter Vraja said, “It is OK, you can leave” and his next breath was his last. He left his body at 11:23 am, January 2, 2016. Srila Prabhupada’s garland was moved to encircle his face and neck. Shortly after his glorious passing, Srila Prabhupada was singing the Nrisimhadeva prayers of protection in the background.
Madhava Gosh is survived by his wife of 41 years, Vidya Dasi; five children, Manjari, Madhu, Vraja, Marken & Tulasi; three grandchildren, Mary, Gracie & Sydney; and many friends.
Those wishing to do something in honor of Madhava Gosh could plant a fruit, nut or flowering tree or contact ECO-Vrindaban at www.facebook/ECOVrindaban, which specifically funds the projects for the cows and garden care at New Vrindaban.
The community members are grateful that Madhava Gosh generously gave his time and energy to develop, maintain and preserve this New Vrindaban project. “Thank you Madhava Gosh Prabhu, your spirit will live on through the fruits of your work lifelong service contributions.”
Varnasrama series.
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To give or not to give? Answer by Radhanath Swami.
Question: While traveling by trains I see many children begging. They seem hungry and I can’t bear the sight. When they ask for money, one side of me says I shouldn’t give them the money, for they might give it to people who’ll misuse it. My other side says that I should. What should I do?
The post Daily Darshan : January 14th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Cooking Chapatis for Srila Prabhupada.
Harikesa das: I had been cooking for Prabhupada for a long time, but I really had a hard time making chapatis because we were always in places where there were no proper stoves. To make a good chapati you need a gas stove at least or coals, and here we are in Mauritius and I’m cooking in a closet on a one-burner electric stove that didn’t even have enough power to boil water and I have to make a full meal that he likes up to his standards. So Prabhupada was complaining and complaining about the chapatis and I said, “I can’t get any wheat, I don’t have any stove, it is impossible.” This was going on many times in many places, just having to cook in the worst facilities you can imagine. So finally we get to Bombay and there are good facilities and there is good wheat, Prabhupada knows it. However, the gas stove I had had such a low pressure there was only maybe a little flame like this. So I had made chapatis, and they didn’t blow up all the way. I was really trying my best. So then Prabhupada tells me, “You are so useless. Big, big brain, you can’t even make a chapati.”
I had been struggling with those chapatis for months now, and I was so fried with hearing about chapatis. I said, “Prabhupada, no one can make a good chapati in that kitchen.” Prabhupada said, “No one?” I said, “No one.” He said, “Get out of my way.” He stood up, he marched into the kitchen with me following behind him. He sits on the floor. He says, “Give me the dough.” He was making with the dough, rolls his chapati, puts it on the burner, takes it off the burner. And I’m just sitting there very peacefully, waiting for the outcome. And he’s looking at me, and then he puts the chapati on the flame, turns it over, it doesn’t blow up. I thought, “I got him now. He’s never going to get on my case about that chapati again.” Prabhupada looks at me like he’s going to burn me to ashes. He’s making with the dough, rolls his chapati, puts it on the burner, takes it off the burner, puts it on the flame, it blows up perfectly. He picks it up with the tweezers and throws it right in my face. It bounces off my nose. He stands up and walks out of the kitchen, and I’m sitting there. It was really funny. We had that kind of relationship sometimes. -
From “Following Srila Prabhupada - Remembrances” ISKCON Cinema
Undoubtedly, several senior women devotees in our movement are as learned, dedicated, and in other ways spiritually qualified as many of their godbrothers. Why then should there be any hesitation to induct them as diksa-gurus?
Iskcon Pakistan celebrations (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on ones having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krishna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 4.71 purport).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VlRE4N
“We have this focus on changing the externals, or trying to change things from the outside in, when actually what’s required is a change from within, a change from the invisible world, the eternal.” Ghanashyam Priya’s speed and rhythm builds as he talks, lending the poetic monologue in the latest video on his new Youtube Channel “Invisible World” a dynamic hip-hop flow.
Dear Prabhu, Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to your devotional services.
This year 2016 is a very special year for all of us, Srila Prabhupada’s followers. We are celebrating the 50th anniversary , the silver jubilee of ISKCON this year.
Iskcon took birth in 1966 and has just reached the 50th year of its manifestation on the earthly planet. Devotees all over the world are preparing to hold many celebrations for this 50th anniversary of ISKCON. In Mayapur, which has been considered by Srila Prabhupada as a place of worship, ISKCON is going to hold a grand celebration during the 2016 Gour Purnima festival in the presence of thousands of devotees from around the world who will come to worship Lord Gouranga.
We have a very special and unique plan to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON in a great vedic manner. There are several programs which will be the highlights of this year’s Goura Purnima festival. The most important one will be the special abhishek of Lord Gouranga with golden lotuses. There is a tradition of performing Kanak kamal abhishek during the 50th anniversary.
This year we will perform abhishek to Lord Gouranga with 50 Kanak( Gold) kamal( Lotuses). Only 50 most fortunate souls on this earthly planet will get the opportunity to participate in sponsoring Kanak kamal Abhishek. You can sponsor one Golden Lotus to be used for doing abhishek to the Golden avatara – Lord Gouranga – just by donating Rs 111,111.($1700 apx) One lac eleven thousand one hundred and eleven rupees. As a sponsor of this Kanak kamal, you will be our special guest during the last three days of the Goura Purnima festival to participate in the abhishek festival and you will get the golden lotus as Prasad which you can keep on the altar of your home as a most auspicious and memorable souvenir for many generations.
There are a few other opportunities to serve during the upcoming Goura Purnima festival. We will offer 50 special gold plated silver lamps to Lord Gouranga on the most auspicious appearance day , Goura Purnima day itself. You can sponsor one lamp for Rs55,555 ( $ 900 ).There will be a special golden kalash abhishek also for which one can sponsor by donating Rs22,222( $ 350). You will get a kalash and lamp as Prasad. As we have very limited items to sponsor, I would like to request you to let me know as soon as possible if you desire to sponsor any of the above items for this most auspicious and memorable once-in-a-life-time program. Please announce about this great news to other devotees. If you know of any other devotee who would like to participate, then please let us know.
Thank you so much for your devotional service.
Your servant Bhakti Purusottama Swami M – +91 9434 406 434 E mail – bps@ pamho.net
We all know that there are things in the world that we need to change. We live in a paradoxical society with conflicting priorities, messages and opinions. It is quite overwhelming when we are trying to bring about change in a society where there is a lack of trust in leadership, where we are sceptical about the integrity or organisations we consume from and are worried about who owns our data. The video features Jay Shetty (Ghanashyam Priyā Das), and was produced by Filmwork Studios, UK.
January 14. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
By Satsvarupa dasa Goswami.
The Process of Memory Memories slow down and fade, just as the physical body slows down with old age. Aging, though, can be checked so that it does not deteriorate so quickly. If you begin an exercise program and improve your diet, you may feel rejuvenated. Similarly, memories do not have to wither and die if you exercise them. As a singer grows older, he or she loses the wonderful timbre and range of the peak years, but sometimes a singer develops a personal phrasing that substitutes for lack of power. These artists go right on to the very end making poignant expressions. In this way, our memories of Prabhupada may continue as long as we live. As we serve, we get fresh realizations. We want to go back without obstruction to whatever memory is there and accept it. We want to go back and ask, “Memories of Prabhupada, please come forward.” When the memories come forward, we meet them halfway. When events in the world push us to take shelter of Prabhupada, then we can remember him best. Humility and gratitude help us here. In the Nectar of Devotion, we read that remembrance of Krsna may be invoked by hearing someone play a flute, or just by seeing a darkish cloud. These impetuses help us to remember Krsna and become flooded with krsna-prema. It works like that with Srila Prabhupada also.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4
Just some small pieces of the beautiful event of social cohesion that took place on the Durban beachfront celebrating 25 years of the Festival of Chariots, with the motto: "We are culturally many, but spiritually one!" A video by Shruti Sheth
A video by Indradyumna Swami's team.
An Evening Chasing Rhinos with HG Shyamasundara Prabhu 2015
The Process of Memory
Question: In the purport to Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.12.48, Śrīla Prabhupāda writes:
Unless one is twice-born one cannot understand the transcendental characteristics of the Lord and His devotees. Study of the Vedas is therefore forbidden for śūdras.
What does it mean that being twice-born is the qualification for understanding transcendental knowledge?
My reply: The verse itself says, “celebrate the story of Dhruva by narrating it amongst cultured people (dvi-janamana).”
The reason for narrating to cultured people is twofold: (1) Cultured people are an educated audience who will really benefit from hearing the narration. (2) Cultured people are educated, so if some part of the narration is not right, they will correct it.
In this purport, Prabhupāda uses the term “twice born” to means someone with dīkṣā. He is not talking about traditional caste when he says śudra. He uses the terms to mean someone who has not gotten dīkṣā.
See, immediately before the section quoted above:
Anyone can join the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and be initiated to become twice-born. As recommended by Sanātana Gosvāmī, by the process of initiation and authorized training, any man can become twice-born.
So, what he means is that dīkṣā and the corresponding śikṣā that follows (“authorized training”) is a requirement for effectively performing sādhana (śravaṇa, kīrtana, etc.). This is practical. It’s not strange. Dīkṣā is the acceptance of a teacher and school. Without dīkṣā there is no solid connection to the teacher and school – so who will reliably and solidly guide you (śikṣā)? Without a solid, consistent, reliable guide how will you always correctly understand these sophisticated topics? So, dīkṣā is mandatory for gaining transcendental knowledge by the process of sādhana.
This doesn’t necessarily mean one has to “take initiation” in the common sense that we often think of it in ISKCON. But it does most certainly mean that one needs to fully and clearly accept and be accepted by a teacher who has realized Krishna-bhakti-tattva to a much, much greater extent than we have.
Question: In the same purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda also writes:
Simply by academic qualifications a śūdra cannot understand the transcendental science. At the present moment, throughout the entire world the educational system is geared to produce śūdras. A big technologist is no more than a big śūdra.Kalau śūdra-sambhavaḥ: in the Age of Kali, everyone is a śūdra. Because the whole population of the world consists only of śūdras, there is a decline of spiritual knowledge, and people are unhappy. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement has been started especially to create qualified brāhmaṇas to broadcast spiritual knowledge all over the world, for thus people may become very happy.
What does it mean when it says that the education system is geared to produce sudras? Does that mean individuals who can’t think for themselves or are only interested in sensual satisfaction by making money working for someone else, or does it mean that their inherent propensities of being brahminical or ksatriya or vaisya like are simply not recognized and encouraged?
My reply: We have said that advanced subjects should be discussed with highly cultured people. Now there is a clarification of who is to be considered “highly cultured” (dvija). Prabhupāda says that conventional modern education does not make a person highly-cultured when the subject of discussion is bhakti-tattva.
Modern education primarily trains people how to perform certain tasks and operate certain technology (śudra). It often involves training in business and agriculture (vaiṣya), management and politics (kṣatriya), and even the principles of teaching and learning (brāhmaṇa). But Prabhupāda is not really taking about śudra in this vocational context. He is speaking of śudra as a person who is not cultured in bhakti, who has not been accepted and educated by a bonafide Vaiṣṇava school. Modern schools teache people various vocations, some of which are indeed the vocations of non-śūdra varṇas, but it very rarely involves significant wisdom about life itself, and almost never involves any bhakti-tattva. Therefore having a modern education does not make one a dvija (cultured person) in this context. Acceptance by these schools and teachers does not constitute “dīkṣā” and “śikṣā” relevant to bhakti-tattva.
Having or not having an academic degree or background doesn’t make one or prevent one from being “highly cultured” (dvija) in relation to bhakti. People who are highly cultured in relation to bhakti are people with Vaiṣṇava dīkṣā and śikṣā. Maybe they also have modern academic degrees, maybe they don’t. That’s irrelevant. Maitreya here recommends that we discuss Bhāgavatam with them. For they will benefit most and we will benefit most, because they will be able to correct our errors. Narrating Bhāgavata-kathā to those with no educational background in bhakti (specifically, those without a functioning guru-disciple relationship) isn’t ideal, because they won’t be able to understand much, and they won’t be able to correct us accurately.
Vraja Kishor
No one likes to lose. When we find ourselves losing, we often try to connect with someone stronger to emerge victorious. When people start worshiping God, they hope that he will help them win their battles. And the world’s scriptures contain celebrated narratives of how the devoted overcame herculean odds by divine grace.
Still, scriptures also contain alternative narratives wherein the devoted are defeated. How are such narratives to be understood? By expanding our conceptions beyond the material to the spiritual.
Such narratives compel us to recognize how our own existence and God’s protection extend beyond the material level of reality. If we expect that God will ensure our constant success at this level, then our faith will be shaken, even shattered, by worldly reversals. More importantly, we will deprive ourselves of the many eternal blessings available at the spiritual level of reality.
Doomed yet determined
To understand how spiritual vision can change our perception of reversals, let’s look at the Ramayana story of the vulture Jatayu. He is best known for having attained martyrdom while trying to stop Ravana from abducting Sita. That lecherous demon had conspired to abduct Sita by sidetracking her protectors. As he was carrying Sita through the airways in his mystic chariot, Sita desperately called for help. Though Rama and Lakshmana couldn’t hear, being too far away, someone else heard and acted.
Sita saw the vulture Jatayu rising from a tree. This elderly bird had been a friend of Dasharatha, Sita’s late father-in-law, and was residing in the Dandaka forest. When Rama, Sita and Lakshmana had come to the Dandaka forest, Jatayu had welcomed them with paternal affection. He had assured Rama that he would help protect Sita in the dangerous, demon-infested forest. True to his word, Jatayu was now flying to her rescue.
Being the wife of a warrior, Sita quickly assessed the comparative strengths of Ravana and Jatayu. She realized that the aged bird would be no match for the younger and stronger demon. So, she called out to him, asking him to inform Rama about her abduction and cautioning him against intervening, lest Ravana kill him.
But Jatayu found heeding Sita’s warning impossible. How could he live with himself if he did nothing to stop her abduction? Despite knowing that he would be hard-pressed to match Ravana, he felt driven to protect her by doing everything within his power. Determinedly, he flew by the side of Ravana, rebuking his irreligiosity in abducting a married woman. As expected, that discourse on virtue didn’t deter the vile demon. Jatayu promptly changed tack and challenged him to a fight. When the demon kept flying on, Jatayu goaded him by calling him a coward who had kidnapped Sita behind Rama’s back. When Ravana still didn’t respond, Jatayu resorted to the only option left for him: attack.
He pierced Ravana’s arms with his talons, caught his hair in his beaks and pulled him around. Ravana roared in fury, feeling humiliated at being dragged thus by a mere vulture – that too in front of the woman he wanted to impress and have as his new chief-queen. Initially, he had neglected the vulture, thinking him to be a powerless interferer. But when Jatayu attacked him so fiercely, he decided to fight and kill him.
Ravana soon found that Jatayu, far from being an easy prey, was a seasoned fighter. Jatayu’s plan was to first immobilize the demon, then attack and kill him. If Ravana managed to fly off in his chariot, Jatayu would have no chance of saving Sita. Accordingly, he forcefully targeted and finished the mules moving Ravana’s chariot. With just one hit of his bill, he felled the charioteer. Then, with repeated blows, he shattered the chariot.
Meanwhile, Ravana had been counter-attacking Jatayu with arrows discharged from his gigantic bow. But the bird had shrugged off the arrows and continued his attack. As his chariot fell to pieces, Ravana was forced to descend to the ground, holding Sita in one hand and his bow in the other. From the ground, the infuriated demon showered so any arrows on Jatayu that they covered him like a nest covering a bird. Though wounded, Jatayu kept attacking Ravana, eventually breaking his bowstring. But Ravana quickly strung another bow and counter-attacked.
Evading some arrows and enduring others, Jatayu swooped down on Ravana. With astonishing strength, he ripped off one of the demon’s arms. But to his consternation, that arm grew back right away. Ravana had received a benediction from Brahma that whenever his limbs would be cut, they would grow back. Though Jatayu dismembered Ravana repeatedly, the cut limbs grew back within moments.
Over time, Jatayu started tiring and his movements became slower. Soon, Ravana, while parrying the bird’s attack, sensed his opportunity. As the bird flew away from him, Ravana moved with lightning speed, using his sword to lop off one wing. In no time, he had lopped off the other wing too. Bleeding profusely, Jatayu fell to the ground. Crying in dismay, Sita, who had shrunk away from the gruesome fight, ran towards Jatayu to comfort him. With a victorious roar, Ravana dragged her by her hair. By his mystic power, he rose into the sky and flew away, leaving Jatayu, writhing in helpless agony.
The last service with the last breath
Though mortally wounded, Jatayu grittily maintained his life. Sita had asked him to inform Rama about her abduction. He had tried to do more, but had failed. Nonetheless, he was determined to fulfill Sita’s request. Despite being in severe pain, he waited, calling out the name of Rama and finding solace in that sacred chant.
Meanwhile, Rama, along with Lakshmana, was frantically searching for Sita. In due course of time, he came to a forest clearing that had evidently been the arena of a brutal battle. With upraised bow, he looked around grimly, dreading that Sita might have met her end here. Noticing a creature lying on the ground nearby, Rama thought that it was Sita’s demoniac abductor in bird form and prepared to shoot it with his bow. Jatayu was so badly mutilated that Rama couldn’t recognize him.
What a test of faith it must have been for Jatayu when he saw Rama’s arrow pointed at him – the very same person for whom he had risked his life was about to take his life! Yet he faithfully continued chanting Rama’s name, his voice faint due to his diminishing strength. But Rama heard that faint chant. Intrigued, he lowered his bow and observed carefully. When he recognized the bird to be Jatayu, he ran forward and embraced him. With his last few breaths, Jatayu explained what had happened. Having performed his final service of informing Rama about Sita’s abduction, he fell silent forever.
Grief-struck, Rama personally performed the last rites for Jatayu – an unprecedented act of divine grace that trumped social convention and guaranteed Jatayu life’s supreme success.
Auspiciousness amidst inauspiciousness
Spiritual wisdom helps us understand that we are indestructible souls on a multi-life transmigratory journey towards eternal liberation: a life of spiritual love with God. We are all fighting a war against the illusions of worldly existence that allure us with temporary pleasures and deprive us of everlasting happiness.
In this war, more important than succeeding in avoiding death – an avoidance that can’t anyway be continued forever – is succeeding in remembering God, the highest reality beyond the world of death. The Bhagavad-gita (08.05-06) explains that our mentality at death determines our post-mortem destiny. If our consciousness is fixed on God at the time of death, we attain his eternal abode. Therefore, remembering God at death is life’s crowning success. This success gives a reward far greater than the reward from many victories in life’s various battles, which will anyway be undone with the final defeat at death. Though Jatayu lost his battle with Ravana, he achieved the supremely rewarding success by dying in Rama’s presence, absorbed in his remembrance.
And that he achieved such sterling success while being in a vulture body is all the more remarkable. In the Vedic tradition, vultures often symbolize ignorance, for they feast on corpses, which are considered extremely impure.
But Jatayu, despite being in such a vulture-body, achieved the supreme fortune of dying in the presence of the Lord. In the bhakti tradition, the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, Bhishma, is celebrated for having achieved the ideal death because Krishna was right next to him during his final moments. Long before Bhishma, Jatayu too achieved a similar ideal departure by leaving his mortal shell not just in the Lord’s presence, but also on his lap.
And Jatayu’s fortune didn’t end there. After he departed, Rama, performing his last rites, offered him the same honor that a son offers his father.
The ambit of the gambit
War strategists know that accepting defeat in a small battle to win a big battle is no loss. Spiritual vision helps us see defeat at the physical level to be like losing one battle in a war. But if that defeat impels us to increase our remembrance of God, then that increased remembrance is a significant spiritual gain. And if it inspires us to remember Krishna at the time of death, then losing the battle of survival in this life to win the war for attaining eternal life is a winning gambit.
Of course, it’s unlikely that we will be asked to make such extreme sacrifices, but whatever challenges we need to face or losses we need to sustain in our service to the Lord, we can be assured that we will ultimately be the supreme gainers.
However, if victories at the physical level make us believe that we can be successful and happy in this world, and that we don’t need to raise our consciousness to the spiritual level, then worldly illusion has scored a major victory over us, for we are now proudly situated in her clutches. Though we may have won the battle in this world, we have sustained one more defeat in our multi-life war against illusion.
In contrast, Jatayu lost the battle against Ravana, but he won the war against worldly illusion. He was victorious in defeat.
The post Jatayu: Victorious in defeat (Ramayana Reflections 8) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast
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The post Gita 08.20 – The spiritual is not just non-manifest but also nonmaterial appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
By Mahatma das Fault finding is natural for the conditioned soul. We don't have to learn how to do it or take training to get better at it. In fact, for many people it is an addiction which gives them some form of perverted pleasure. We could call this the Ramacandra Puri complex. Ramachandra Puri was a contemporary of Lord Caitanya. He had an intense need to fault find. He took delight in finding faults in others, even where there were no faults. Fault finding was his life and soul. Fault finding can be so addicting that some people have to get their daily fix. And it's easily available everywhere. You can get a fix from all kinds of radio talk shows, news magazines, comedians, and TV shows (fault finding sells). Or you might seek out friends or co-workers to feed the addiction. As Elanor Rosevelt said, "If you don't have something nice to say about someone, sit next to me." Continue reading "Amend Yourself
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By Janananda Gosvami A Revolution? The solution. Let's make a resolution! So what's your solution? A simple formula. What did Srila Prabhupada himself follow on with in Mayapura in 76. What did Srila Prabhupada request as medicine in his last days. "Amala Harinama, amiya bilasa". Add the chanting of Hare Krishna more and more to our lives. Okay here's the suggestion. Let's go beyond the mechanical process of minimizing the chanting - 16 rounds finished. Thank god. Kirtan - maybe a few minutes a day. Harinama Sankirtan - forget it. Chant while I work - no way. In the bathroom, the car .... UUUh. No more - I did my bit this morning. Come on that's to simplistic. Agreed many practical mthings have to be dealt with intelligently. However Mahaprabhu has made the process simple in this age. Chant Hare Krishna. All of our activities should lead to our awaken of our attraction for chanting. Continue reading "Let’s have a revolution – a solution – and a resolution
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Japa Retreat by HH Romapada Swami at ISKCON of Central New Jersey, Jan. 2016 (video)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya never tried to be the master of the holy name; rather He taught us how to be servants of the holy name. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.95-96 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/knE98w
On Fear.
Radhanath Swami: Fear is the most prominent human quality. Its either behind the scenes or very much in front motivating people in so many ways. Fear of disappointment, failure, disease, death, poverty – and the more you have the more you have to fear losing. But if we just pray to our mind to take shelter of Krishna, this beautiful cowherd boy who charms us into the realm of love beyond the temporary conditions of this world, then we become fearless.
When we recognize the beauty of God and love God, then we actually see that loving beautiful hand behind every situation. And that doesn’t make us hard hearted, it makes us very soft hearted on every level – body, mind and soul. It equips us to serve people in the highest most comprehensive way. Not only to resolve the suffering of the physical and mental state, but to help people to resolve suffering forever, so that they can see through the lens of truth that the soul is eternal and nothing can destroy it.
Even in this world, where there is danger at every step, our nature is to find complete shelter and complete happiness in remembering Krishna. In this age of Kali Yuga Krishna has made himself so available to everyone and anyone, whoever we are, by chanting the holy names. Krishna is non different from his name and He has given us complete love and shelter in his name. If we love God we will understand that even the fear will be an incentive to help us to love and to be instruments to help others to love.
Harinama at Byron Bay - January 2016 (Album with photos)
Byron Bay is a coastal town in the southeastern Australian state of New South Wales.
Srila Prabhupada: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu never considered the holy name of the Lord to be a material vibration, nor does any pure devotee mistake the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra to be a material musical manifestation. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.95-96 Purport)
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Transcendental Dance in the Courtyard of Lord Shiva.
How is Lord Shiva and Durga considered the Father and Mother of the Universe is explained as follows. Since it is the glance of the Supreme Being over the energy of Durga, maya, which sets in motion the creation of the universes, Durga is therefore known as the universal mother. This is why when people speak of the material nature, it is always referred to as a female, as “she,” Mother Nature, and as the goddess. And the essence of Mother Nature is represented as Durga. She is united with her husband, known as Lord Shiva, who is then considered the father of the universe.
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2016 Japa Retreat at ISKCON of Houston with HH Romapada Swami.
I am glad to inform you that 2016 Japa Retreat with HH Romapada Swami will be held at ISKCON of Houston.
Conversation in Glasgow.
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“The Gateway Effect”
This computer science student from Saudi Arabia saw some of our English books on the table, said he was not very good with English, and then showed little interest.
However as soon as he caught sight of the “Perfection of Yoga”, staring back at him in his native Arabic, his eyes went wide in amazement, his jaw dropped open a bit, and he just had to have it! Then he suddenly seemed fascinated by the whole scene. And it was at that very moment that he changed his mind and insisted on getting some of the English books as well.
This phenomenon has happened so many times in various languages, that we’ve coined a term for it: The Gateway Effect!
Graham M. Schweig (Garuda das), a devotee and professor of religious studies, has been invited to write for the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Television Series entitled, “THE STORY OF GOD.” He will write six “discussion guide” essays covering the perspective of Hinduism (along with four other writers representing the other major traditions) to be posted on the program’s website that will guide the content for the series, a series produced by Morgan Freeman, et. al., a series to air in the U.S. and globally in 171 countries and 45 languages beginning June 2016.
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Source: http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/morgan-freeman-story-of-god-nat-geo-1201517341/
By Whitney Friedlander
TV News Editor
Morgan Freeman has been the voice of God. Now he will be the face of a series that explores our quest to understand the divine.
Freeman, who has frequently shared his own opinions on the subject, will host and exec produce Nat Geo’s “The Story of God.”
“The story of God is one of the greatest mysteries and most important ideas in the world,” said Freeman. “For me, this is a personal and enduring quest to understand the divine, and I am humbled by the opportunity to take viewers along on this incredible journey.”
Described as an “epic adventure and profoundly personal journey into the eternal mysteries of the divine,” the series will follow Freeman as he embarks on an epic exploration and intimate reflection on God, immersing himself in religious experiences and rituals all around the world, as well as becoming a test subject in scientific labs to examine how the frontiers of neuroscience and cosmology are intersecting the traditional domain of religion.
“God is arguably the most important topic of our time,” said Lori McCreary, Freeman’s producing partner at Revelations Entertainment and an executive producer on the series. “National Geographic’s unprecedented inside access will allow us to explore the global mystery behind God and religion. With Morgan as our storyteller, we’re going to produce a visually stunning and thought-provoking series that will spur meaningful conversations about God and faith, by believers and nonbelievers alike.”
The series will also include Freeman’s own opinions on the matter, as he ponders and shares his personal reflections from the back of a taxi leaving the Vatican or hiking through the Guatemalan jungle on the way to an abandoned Mayan temple.
“We’re partnering with Revelations Entertainment and the talented, multifaceted Morgan Freeman to produce an epic and very personal journey to understand mankind’s religious devotion,” said Courteney Monroe, CEO, National Geographic Channels. “Blending science, history, anthropology and personal experience, we’re harnessing the power of the National Geographic brand and our unparalleled global reach to tell a meaningful and awe-inspiring story of religion and spirituality, across disciplines and faiths.”
“The Story of God” will be produced by Revelations Entertainment for National Geographic Channel. For Revelations Entertainment, Freeman, McCreary and James Younger are executive producers. For National Geographic Channel, Michael J. Miller is executive producer; Kevin Mohs is vice president, production and development; Alan Eyres is senior vice president, programming and development; and Tim Pastore is president, original programming & production.
“The Story of God” is slated to air in 2016 on National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Mundo in the U.S. and globally in 171 countries and 45 languages.
January 13. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
By Satsvarupa dasa Goswami.
On the same day he wrote Mr. Hartman, Prabhupada received a letter from Sri Padampat Singhania, the director of the very large J.K. organization in India. Prabhupada had written Sri Padmapatji for financial support, and this reply gave him hope. Not only was the Singhania family fabulously wealthy, but its members were devotees of Lord Krishna. My dear Svamiji, I have gone through your letter. I am very glad to know your idea of erecting a Sri Radha-Krishna temple in New York. I think the proposal is a good one, but the following are the difficulties … Mr. Singhania pointed out two difficulties. 1) He had to get government sanction to send money and foreign exchange to America. 2) Mr. Singhania doubted whether with this small amount of seven lakhs [$110,000] that Prabhupada was asking a temple could be built in New York. He said he was thinking of a temple, a nice construction with Indian-type architecture. For this he would have to send a man to America. These were the two difficulties, “otherwise your idea is very good.” Srila Prabhupada and Mr. Singhania had a basic disagreement. A magnificent temple in New York would cost many millions of dollars to construct. Prabhupada knew, of course, that if Padmapat Singhania wanted, he could provide millions of dollars. But then how would he get so much money out of India? Prabhupada therefore again suggested that they only spend seven lakhs. “After purchasing the house,” he wrote, “we can build another story upon it with a temple dome, cakra, etc.” Prabhupada had his own line of reasoning:
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Bhakti Vidyapurna Swami S.B.6.18.74 – Jan 10th 2016
Letter from Mr. Singhania