Planet ISKCON

Krishna Conscious HIP HOP ALBUM.
Milan Parmar is an individual who is part of the youth group ISKCON Pandava Sena. He has been practising Krishna Consciousness for over 5 years by reading and studying the Bhagavad Gita where he finds, what he likes to call - “every moment”, inspiration and in depth meaning to life. Milan became more involved with Pandava Sena late 2014 and found himself engaging in different services instantly such as, the Pandava Sena Janmashtami play and Something Spiritual (A creative arts group that aims to spread Krishna Consciousness in fun and dynamic ways). For over 10 years, he has been writing poetry and music lyrics where he finds he can express his inner thoughts and realisations to a wider crowd. He has released 3 Hip-Hop mixtapes over a 3 year period which were his experimental points to find himself within his musical field. On January 29th 2016, he released his first album called “When A Soul Acknowledges” through PandavaSena and aims to connect the World to Krsna Consciousness through Hip-Hop & music. When A Soul Acknowledges is a Hip-Hop album that portrays a story of an individual soul within a material lifetime. A journey that starts from birth into the material world, to growth of this body, experiencing the ‘pleasures’ of material life and finding no real essence in them, to becoming realised of the true self and finding a Guru who has shown this individual the truths of life, then taking on a spiritual life and finding the greatest love towards the Supreme and finally, the soul leaving the body and returning to the spiritual realm where the Supreme resides. This album is compiled of 10 tracks that allow you to immerse yourself in different stages of this individual’s lifetime and finding a deeper meaning through each chapter of their story. A symphonic book which many, if not all, can relate to and take on lessons that lie within each lyric, verse, song and the album as a whole. All proceeds for the album go to Pandava Sena. You can also view a video on the PandavaSena YouTube of the album highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2co-8jHUllQ When A Soul Acknowledges is available to download/stream from all digital media formats iTunes: https://itun.es/gb/TIvuab Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/music/album?id=Btlr3pwzqkq7lav2x3q4tyz25li Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7o3bYfrTHk3BPn6Czp1GGC Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01B6YOE7S?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Why Biology is Beyond Physical Sciences?
Abstract: In the framework of materialism, the major attention is to find general organizational laws stimulated by physical sciences, ignoring the uniqueness of Life. The main goal of materialism is to reduce consciousness to natural processes, which in turn can be translated into the language of math, physics and chemistry. Following this approach, scientists have made several attempts to deny the living organism of its veracity as an immortal soul, in favor of genes, molecules, atoms and so on. However, advancement in various fields of biology has repeatedly given rise to questions against such a denial and has supplied more and more evidence against the completely misleading ideological imposition that living entities are particular states of matter. In the recent past, however, the realization has arisen that cognitive nature of life at all levels has begun presenting significant challenges to the views of materialism in biology and has created a more receptive environment for the soul hypothesis. Therefore, instead of adjudicating different aprioristic claims, the development of an authentic theory of biology needs both proper scientific knowledge and the appropriate tools of philosophical analysis of life. In a recently published paper the first author of present essay made an attempt to highlight a few relevant developments supporting a sentient view of life in scientific research, which has caused a paradigm shift in our understanding of life and its origin [1]. The present essay highlights the uniqueness of biological systems that offers a considerable challenge to the mainstream materialism in biology and proposes the Vedāntic philosophical view as a viable alternative for development of a biological theory worthy of life.
Recently our Institute scientists published a paper entitled Why Biology is Beyond Physical Sciences? in the Journal Advances in Life Sciences. This paper discusses some of the points that are under discussion in this group. Details of this paper are given below.
Cite: Bhakti Niskama Shanta and Bhakti Vijnana Muni (2016) Why Biology is Beyond Physical Sciences?, Advances in Life Sciences, Vol. 6(1), pp. 13-30. doi: 10.5923/j.als.20160601.03
Full-text HTML: http://dx.doi.org/10.5923/j.als.20160601.03
Full-Text PDF: http://www.sapub.org/global/showpaperpdf.aspx?doi=10.5923/j.als.20160601.03

The post A new Law in Vrndavana appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Nityam Bhagavata-sevaya e-magazine#30 Lord Kapila’s Teachings.
This issue brings to light the teachings of Lord Kapila Muni, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Glories of Devotional service, which is the basis of bhakti yoga, is explained by Lord Kapila to His mother, Devahuti. Along with that, a fresh translation for Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur’s song from the book Saranagati has been included. We pray this issue brings some pleasure to the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. NBS # 30 Features: 1) Lord Kapila Intructs Devahuti Sri Maitreya Rishi 2) Bhakti-Pratikula-Bhava Varjanangikara A promise to give up attachments which are unfavourable to Devotional Service Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur 3) Unauthorized Sampradayas Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur 4) The Process Of Advancing In Krishna Consciousness His Divine Grace A .C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada 5) How To Attain Devotional Service Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami This issue can be viewed through these links: ISSUU: http://issuu.com/nbsmag/docs/nbs_30 Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/doc/297875116/NBS-30

KK Bindu #368, “The Ornament of Equivocal Phrase”, plus more. The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine was just released. This issue includes: * PREACHING IN INDIA – In this letter from 1968, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada speaks about the only solution for the problems of India. * THE ORNAMENT OF EQUIVOCAL PHRASES – A collection of first-time translations done especially for this issue of Bindu on the subject of vakrokti, or crooked talks that have indirect or unintended meanings. An excerpt: Radha: Who are you, dark fellow? Krishna: I am Hari! Radha (interpreting “hari” as “lion”): But this Vrindavan forest has become devoid of such ferocious animals. How can a lion be present here? Krishna: O Radhika! I am Madhava! Radha (interpreting “madhava” as the month of Madhava, also known as Vaishakh): How has the Vaishakh month arrived untimely? Krishna: O charming lady! I am Janardan! Radha (interpreting “janardana” as “he who gives all people trouble”): Oh! It’s nice that a troublesome person like you is staying here in the forest, away from the city and people in general. It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu368

February 4. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Letter to Tirtha Maharaja. February 4, 1966. He wrote again to Tirtha Maharaja, who had agreed to try for the government sanction if he first received written confirmation from a responsible donor pledging the funds for a temple. Prabhupada informed him that the donor would be Sri Badampat Singhania, and he enclosed Mr. Singhania’s favorable letter of the fourteenth. Prabhupada reminded his godbrother: “Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta wanted such temples in foreign countries such as New York, London, Tokyo, etc., and I had personal talks with him when I first met him at Ulta Danga in 1922. Now here is a chance for me to carry out his personal order…. I am just seeking your favor and mercy in making this attempt successful.”
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=5

Mangal Arati Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath;1st February 2016

Letter to Tirtha Maharaja

The Vedic Encyclopedia, Srimad Bhagavatam, like an ocean, is expansive with its nominal and phenomenal subject matters and deep in its spiritual and philosophical insights, making it a text for both research and relish by many. On 21st September 2015, Radhastami, Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha at Govardhan Ecovillage, launched the first volume of the Bhagavata Subodhini, an inspirational study guide to the Srimad Bhagavatam. This book published by the Tulsi books featured verse-by-verse overviews of Cantos One and Two. It also contained a variety of thematic compilations and resource material suited for educator. For ordering a copy, please visit www.tulsibooks.com

Observing my own life, it seems there are key enemies which stagnate our growth and development. We slide into mediocrity and averageness when we are too busy, too arrogant or too comfortable to really invest in our life.

Can you imagine one city holding 500 Harinamas or distributing 500,000 of Srila Prabhupada’s books in one year? That’s exactly what ISKCON of Pune in Maharashtra, India is doing as they ambitiously set out to 50^th-ize the year 2016. And much, much more besides: the plan is to set higher-than-usual goals for all of Pune’s outreach efforts in multiples of five or fifty.

A video by Blaiseus. Music by Gunagrahi Das and the Kirtan for the Soul group (Hungary).

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 9.12 – Rejecting real currency as fake leaves one impoverished appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, May 2010, Simhachalam, Germany, Nrshima Caturdasi)

Our movement did well in the beginning with strictness but sometimes lacked in human kindness. Now, in the Iskcon of the new millennium, we have more kindness but have lost our strictness. Before, because of a lack of kindness there was fanaticism but now, we are missing the strictness that will keep us away from maya and keep us making progress. So we need to come to a situation of strictness with kindness.

Why is Lord Shiva considered the greatest Vaishnava? Because he is always absorbed in thought of Vasudeva (Krishna). The state in which one can always be absorbed in Krishna consciousness, in thought of Vasudeva, is called vasudeva, or suddha-sattva, a state transcendental to the material modes of nature. When one is completely freed from the influence of material nature, he comes to the stage of suddha-sattva, or vasudeva, in which Vasudeva, or Krishna, is revealed. Vasudeva is also the name of Krishna’s father, and in a very literal, transcendental way Krishna (Vasudeva) appears from His father (Vasudeva). This fact is explained, and elaborated on, in a profound purport by Srila Prabhupada, in the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Chapter Two: “Prayers by the Demigods to Krsna in the Womb.” Continue reading "Siva, Krsna, Guru, and Sisya
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Harinamas in Allahabad, India (33 min video)
Sri Sacitanayastakam: I salute the Son of Mother Saci, Whose heart is in a state of rapture, transformed by feelings of intense love. In His pastime of loud roaring, before the mischievous and malicious rascals, He removes all fear of the vast ocean of material existence, by the effect of His unlimited compassion.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/19isOf

Preaching program in Zurich (Album with photos)
Kurma Dasa: A Night at Radha Kripa’s
Last night we were invited to her lovely apartment just outside Zurich (transformed from a barn) for a program of kirtan, Prabhupada katha and delightful prasadam. Radha Kripa and her husband Jaya Gopal are kind and thoughtful hosts. Jaya Gopal attended my first cookery courses here almost 20 years ago, and drove me to Germany for a huge catering program.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/skUDvc

What is the practical value of these Nama Stotras? Why and when should they be chanted and in what mood?

The post In our Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition we have many Astakas, Stutis and different Stotras like Visnu Sahasra Nama appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

An exceptional presence today in the subway :-)
Srila Prabhupada story: Srila Narada Muni came!!!
One night an extraordinary thing happened. Prabhupada led the first kirtan and then gave a lecture. I sat on the floor just to his right with the harmonium, and after the lecture, I began leading the second Hare Krishna kirtan. All of a sudden, Srila Prabhupada’s voice cut through the auditorium with the potency of Lord Nrisimha, right in the middle of my chanting. I had never heard Prabhupada do that, nor had I heard the words he chanted. ‘Narada Muni bhajaya vina radhika ramana namne,’ he sang. And then again he repeated it. I looked up, and he looked down at me, signaling me to carry on. So I continued chanting Hare Krishna, and he continued singing his prayer to Narada Muni into his microphone. I closed my eyes and carried on, not knowing what was happening. Then he started leading with me. We could all understand that something inexplicable but amazing was happening. Everyone was literally jumping off the ground, leaping in the air; even little baby Saraswati was two feet off the ground, and the audience was leaping into the air. We jumped off the stage and all of us began running around the perimeter of the auditorium with the audience. It was one of those Krishna magic moments. Just amazing! The next morning I asked what had happened the previous night. “Didn’t you see?” Srila Prabhupada said. “Narada Muni came to our kirtan.” “No, I didn’t see him,” I answered. “Yes, Narada Muni came.” ( Yamuna devi dasi – London 1969 )

TOVP: A few updates of the floor screenings at the Nrsimhadeva wing and the iron grill work. (Album with photos)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/xoZ6zg

Radhadesh Mellows 2016 at ISKCON Radhadesh, Belgium (Album with photos)
Sri Sacitanayastakam: I prostrate myself before the Son of Mother Saci, Whose radiant lotus face and body shine with the splendour of molten gold. This transcendental body is the playground for the continuous expression of variegated moods and ecstatic symptoms, that carry His consciousness to the realm where He is no longer aware of that transcendental body. By only a particle of His mercy He has delivered the three worlds.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/kmY2TD

By Zayani Bhatt

Temple Presidents and communications teams from ISKCON temples across the UK gathered at Bhaktivedanta Manor to mark National Communications Day 2016 on Saturday 30th January.

The day was dedicated to workshops, presentations and discussions centred on the communications strategy for the year, ideas for the 50th year celebrations and essential media training.

The national communications team intends to enhance cohesion across ISKCON temple communications throughout the UK and provide media support to both devotees who give interviews and those who write about ISKCON. The long-term aim is to unify the branding and messaging of all centres whilst maintaining the individuality and creativity of each.

The day also included a talk from special guest The Reverend George Pitcher, a journalist, author, public relations pioneer and Anglican priest. He spoke to the assembled devotees about the common barriers religious organisations face when communicating with the secular public and media.

The UK’s national co-ordinator for ISKCON 50, Devaki Dasi, led a brainstorming session on how devotees could creatively observe events (ranging from ISKCON-organised occasions to international events such as World Book Week) to make them bigger and better, emphasising the inspiring vision ISKCON has for its 50th year celebrations.

Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Managing Director Gauri Das explained “There is considerable interest in the Hare Krishnas and what they do, as well as continued stereotyping of us that goes back to the 60’s. Things are very different now and its good for devotees who speak to the media or write articles to compliment the skills they already have to communicate our message in a way better understood by the public.”

ISKCON UK’s Head of Media and Communications Mina Sharma led an interactive media workshop in which the team were given interview practice and viewed previous interviews given by ISKCON devotees to better understand where progress can be made.

In the words of Praphupada Prana Das, ISKCON Scotland’s temple president: “It has given us the inspiration to prepare ourselves to present our philosophy in the most acceptable way.”

Vrindavan Parikrama in Govardhan Eco Village (Mumbai)! (Album with photos)
One day HG Deena Bandhu Prabhu took us all for Vrindavan Temple Parikrama and the next day Govardhan Parikrama at Govardhan Eco Village!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/PLsMVT

February 3. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Krishna’s Dutiful Preacher.
Srila Prabhupada was not a rebel-rouser. He didn’t get any particular joy out of people trying to harass; he simply knew that he had to preach seriously and accept the consequences from the materialists who became disturbed. And of course, he pointed to the long tradition of Vaisnavas who were grateful for all troubles that came as a result of their preaching. They knew it was bringing them closer to Krishna and accepted it as proof that their preaching was effective. Prabhupada sometimes gave the example of Jesus Christ on this point of opposition. He called it “the favorite example,” that Jesus was willing to disturb people, even at the risk of his life. But he also spoke of those in the Vedic tradition – Lord Nityananda, Haridasa Thakura, and many others – who were willing to give up their lives for the cause of spreading Krishna consciousness. Prabhupada was in the same mood.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=5

Vaishnav Means No Envy -Radhanath Swami Maharaj 2016 01 31 SB 10 74 36 ISKCON Chowpatty

Krishna’s Dutiful Preacher