Planet ISKCON

By Vani Devi Dasi

Four years ago I got a phone call at three in the morning. Minutes later I couldn’t control my tears and the only thing I knew to do was to take shelter of Panca Tattva. Standing in front of their Lordships in a daze the tears came again as I felt your absence. My heart hurt, my heart still hurts. Your love for Krsna, Prabhupada, and all of us met no bounds, and a moment with you was like a hundred as time stood still and I couldn’t take my eyes from you. Your love was real, your spiritual vision was real, your taste for the holy name was real, your Bhakti was real, your loyalty to Prabhupada was real, and sitting at your feet experiencing all this I couldn’t move, completely overwhelmed.

But Aunty, four years later and I feel your absence less and less because my memories of you are ever strong. Whatever glimpses of taste you gave me burn ever encouraging in my heart, glimpses of a goal I one day desire to reach. I feel you present in my japa and kirtan. I feel you present in my relationship with my spiritual master, as your instructions guided me and your presence with Gurudev and I during those special moments completed my spiritual family. I feel your presence when I cook, you said to me:

“I’m so glad you are already tasting the Radharani Cooking Zone. Just gives me so much happiness to hear this.”

I will never forget those words when I’m in the kitchen, as I try to apply the principles of cooking for Krishna that you taught me.
I know you are with me and I pray the rest of my life can be lived in service to you. I love you Aunty Yamuna, how I wish I could sit at your feet again and hear you speak, but I am nonetheless overwhelmed with gratitude for the moments we’ve had together. As you once wrote to me: “Because we are separated by miles means nothing, for we are always together in heart.”
Aunty, even now I know we are connected in our hearts.

How I regret my foolishness and ignorance in your presence, the time I forgot to reply to your email, and that day I couldn’t go to Ambika Kalna with you, please please forgive me Aunty.
My love for you only increases every day. Please continue to guide and protect me by keeping me at your feet and enveloped in your strong intense embrace.
Your servant,
Vani dd

Nityam Bhagavata-sevaya#27. The Marriage of Kardama and Devahuti.
Dear Devotees, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! After the special issues on Radha Kund and Govardhana for the first anniversary of the NBS e-magazine, we are resuming to the topics of Srimad Bhagavatams Third Canto. In this issue, the Supreme Lord is arranging the marriage of Kardama and Devahuti. Additionally, a fresh translation from the Mahabharata, in regard to the conversation between Draupadi and Satyabhama, is done for this issue. We pray this issue brings some pleasure to the devotees of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. NBS # 27 Features: 1) Kardama Muni Glorifies The Supreme Lord Sri Maitreya Rishi 2) Lord Arranges For Kardama Muni’s Marriage Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakur 3) Lord Fulfills His Devotees Desires His Divine Grace A .C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada 4) Kardama Accepts Devahuti Sri Maitreya Rishi 5) Service Attitude of Devahuti Sripad Vallabhacharya 6) How Should a Wife Serve Her Husband? Conversation between Draupadi and Satyabhama.
This issue can be viewed here: https://www.scribd.com/doc/293763987/NBS-27

The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine, # 365, was just released. Devotional alliteration, a look at an aspect of the science of Sanskrit devotional poetry, plus more … This issue includes: * HEALTH COMES FIRST – Instructions to a disciple from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. * DEVOTIONAL ALLITERATION – A special article compiled especially for this issue of Bindu. From time immemorial, Sanskrit poets have been using a variety of alankaras, literary ornaments, to decorate their poetry. One commonly used ornament is anuprasa. The closest English equivalent for this term is “alliteration”, or the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. Anuprasa has been frequently employed by various Gaudiya acaryas in their prayers to Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. This article provides a brief perusal of the use of anuprasa in their writings with many things translated for the first time. It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu365

By Vrajendranandan Das

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Recently, we had a big networking opportunity as ISKCON was officially invited to attend the birth day celebration event of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, President of India, who turned 81 on Dec 11th, 2015.

The august gathering witnessed presence of many matteraties, including the Prime Minister and other dignitaries from far flung areas of the country. .As a gesture of mercy and blessing, we gave Mahaprasad of Shri Shri Radhaparth Sarthi and Pushp Guchcha of Lord Narshimha deva to the president which he warmly received and reciprocated with delight and appreciation.

For ISKCON, he has been supportive and largely appreciative of our initiatives. Occasions such as these help us mark our presence amongst those who matter. And by Srila Prabhupada’s grace we get recognized as a peaceful organization focused on spreading the Holy name.

December 21. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
In the first year in New York before he started ISKCON, Prabhupada’s life was full of risk and adventure. His coming to America was itself a risk. We can’t imagine what it was like for Prabhupada to be without money in a foreign country and yet to dare to present Krishna consciousness. If at any point he had gone back to India, after the robbery in his room on 70th Street, or on any of those Scindia return voyages, or after he had to leave the Bowery when Mr. Paul went crazy – if at any point he had gone back, then we would never have been born. Sometimes he had to abandon the strict regulations of sannyasa in order to stay and do the more important work of spreading Krishna consciousness. When he stayed in Carl Yeargen’s apartment, he had to keep his food in the same refrigerator where Carl kept cat food.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=3

His Risks on Krishna’s Behalf

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Sunday feast lecture at Radha Gopinath temple

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Krsi goraksya vanijya. Krsi means ploughing or agriculture and goraksya, cow protection. These are the staples of society, this is what people live on. All living entities subsist on grains. So the ksatriyas may direct and instruct people, the brahmanas may perform their yajnas, but if they don't eat then giving shelter or instruction is not going to work. That eating is therefore the most essential aspect of life and this is why the vaisyas and their assistants, the sudras, are so integral that the other castes think that they are the most important people, because it is actually they who are feeding. Of course the vaisyas think that the brahmanas are the most important because they are taking the result of their work and offering it back to the Lord. Srila Prabhupada said that this very common type of exchange was there but the responsibility of this goraksya, is it the duty of just some people? Some very very exclusive people? Is it the responsibility of all vaisyas, or is it for all grhastas or all devotees? Continue reading "What Are You Doing for Cow Protection?
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Gift a Van. Get the mercy of a million books!
Please help us to buy 2 new sankirtan vans and to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books in Germany.
Dear Devotees and Friends, approaching ISKCON’s 50th anniversary in 2016, we have one very special goal in mind: distributing ONE MILLION Shrila Prabhupada’s books from Simhachalam, our Prahlada Laksmi Narasimhadeva’s temple in Germany. And you could easily be part of it! Simhachalam temple is not only well known for the first Narasimha deity installed in the West, but also for its amazing distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books. Since 1987 till November this year devotees have distributed around 918 000 books from Simhachalam temple!
For two years now our book distribution is on the rise. In 2014 our three sankirtan teams distributed almost 50,000 books! Also the number of our book distributors is increasing now.
Unfortunately two of our three vans were not willing to be part of Prabhupada’s mission any longer and broke down several times during this year. Some of our book distributors had to spent more time repairing the engines than being active in the book distribution.
Read the entire article here: https://goo.gl/wahoIn

Radha Golokananda’s Boat Festival 2015 (6 min video)
Devotees in ISKCON Mauritius annually organize this beautiful boat festival for the pleasure of Radha Golokananda and Their devotees.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/udwDRw

$4.6 Million Endowed for New Hindu Studies Program in Berkeley, California.
Ajay Shingal – a Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur – said in a press statement announcing the endowment: “I have two kids, they don’t go to the temple without us. I truly believe if we want these temples to survive, our kids have to be very grounded in their religion through education.”
“To me the biggest contribution one can make is the gift of education; I truly believe that the institution we are forming at GTU will be transformative in its impact,” said Shingal, who serves on the Board of Trustees of the Dharma Civilization Foundation.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/VTnVJM

Mexico City! (Store in a Mall!) Centro comercial Santa Fe.
Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Odana Sashti Festival In Rajapur.
Being in Mayapur and very close to Rajapur, home of Lord Jaganath, Baladeva and Subadhra, we all jumped in a car and went to take part of the festivities that were organized for the very sweet pastime of Odana sashti. This yearly Rajapur festival is a rare opportunity for the devotees to all sit in front of Lord Jaganath and listen to some of his very delightful pastimes this year told by HG Jananivas prabhu.
The weather in Mayapur is very pleasing at that time which gives a break from the intense heat that devotees usually have to tolerate, so it makes it easy and cozy for everyone to join the festivities and peacefully enjoy the narratives of the sweet pastimes. Odana sashti being the first day of winter, all the Mayapur Deities are from that day onward, dresses in winter clothes.
Lord Jaganath,Baladeva and Subadhra, receive special treatment as they are given new starched cloth and beautiful handmade new mukut pieces. Young Mayapur devotees worked hard to shape 26 new mukut pieces to share between Lord Jaganath and his brother Lord Balaram and Subadhra was prowdly wearing a new splendid crown also made with love by young devotee girls. This tradition helps the devotees remember the pastime of Lord Jaganath and his great devotee, Pundarika Vidyanidhi, who once became critical of the Lord’s servants.
“Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi, a close associate of Lord Chaitanya’s, once upon seeing that the Deities were being offered starched garments, became critical towards the servants of Lord Jagannatha. When Pundarika was thus speaking in this way, Svarupa Damodara tried to explain that the characteristics of the Supreme Lord are beyond the jurisdiction of worldly etiquette, and encouraged Pundarika not relinquish his critical thoughts. Svarup Damodara’s advice fell on deaf ears, so Lord Jagannatha and Balarama enacted the pastime of appearing to Pundarika in a dream that evening and slapping him on his cheeks nonstop, leaving him with red marks on his face. Thus Jagannath destroyed the sinful mentality of criticizing the behavior of the Supreme Lord’s servants by his supreme mercy.”
In the forenoon, sweet graceful Kirtan was lead by HG Narahari Nityananda prabhu which brought about a soft but still festive mood that was ideal for that auspicious day.
And of course the festivities ended with a Prasadam feast which was appreciated and relished by hundreds of pilgrims and devotees.
Lord Jaganath,Baladev and Subadhra Ki Jay

Harinama in the Islands of mercy, Fiji (Album with photos)
Ecstatic Celebration of Prabhupada’s 50th Anniversary of coming to the Western World.
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna chant is called the maha-mantra, the great, exalted mantra above all other Vedic mantras, because simply chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra brings so many beneficial effects. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.1.17 Purport).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/SxjhMK

In the Ramayana, Rama was chasing the golden deer and realizing that it was a demon in disguise, He shot it down. The demon died calling out to Sita and Lakshmana mimicking the voice of Rama. Sita panicked while Lakshmana remained calm. When Lakshmana didn’t budge even an inch to help his brother, Sita insulted him, mercilessly assassinating his character. Though hurt very deeply, Lakshmana paused to ponder over the sudden change of conduct and vocabulary of his sister-in-law. A moment of thinking gave him clarity that her concern for Rama was taking the shape of hateful words simply to instigate him to take timely action. Keeping his screaming ego encaged within the framework of logical thinking, Lakshmana decided to focus on her concern for Rama rather than on her hatred expressed towards him. Words of hate are usually a desperate call for attention towards a hurt heart. Exhibition of anger in such situations is due to a rise in insecurity levels. Holding hatred in the heart is like holding super-toxic acids in a flimsy bag. Very soon they will corrode your peace of mind. Continue reading "Qualitative upgradation through forgiveness
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The post Daily Darshan : December 20th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

As I cleaned Srila Prabhupada’s rooms, I noticed the clothesline in the kitchen was still there, but not much else, except my memories and the sense of his presence. Then, unexpectedly, I saw a small Indian print on the counter. Picking it up, I saw that it was Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Sri Gadadhara, and Srivasa, also known as the Pancha-Tattva. "Five Truths in One." I was charmed by the unique composition of the figures and surrounding architecture; as well as the delicate lines and bright colors; and most importantly, the devotional mood of the transcendental picture. A few years later, I had the good fortune to reside at the Bhaktivedanta Manor in England, which had been donated by George Harrison. Srila Prabhupada lived at the Manor for most of that summer of 1973, as well as attended the successful Rathayatra in London. While Srila Prabhupada was at the Manor, I worked on a large 4 by 5 foot oil painting of the Pancha-Tattva. Who would have ever guessed that the little print from the small storefront on 2nd Avenue would manifest as a large painting housed in the elegant Bhaktivedanta Manor in Great Britain, presented as a gift to His Divine Grace and his devotees. Continue reading "Bhaktivedanta Manor Pancha-Tattva Painting
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December 20. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Prabhupada meditation transcends time and place, although it can happen in any time and place. He can be with you even in a hot cubbyhole in a cheap hotel. When he does come to you, your place becomes transcendental. Rupa Gosvami has stated that everything can be used in the service of Krishna. Even the botheration of travel can evoke a fond meditation. Whatever our ongoing situation, we can always dovetail it with Prabhupada meditation of one sort or another. Give respects to the memories of Swamiji. Just hold them in your mind, worship his lotus feet. You do not have to be a radio broadcaster telling everyone about it. It is a moment of remembrance for you. For your own benefit. Appreciate that you were there; worship the minutes and hours. “Prabhupada, I loved you. I do love you. I appreciate the Krishna consciousness that you have brought. I want to be carried out of this material world; please save me. Please let me remember that I am your menial sisya who learns from you, practices Vaisnavism under your direction.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=3

The European Sankirtan Festival in Simhachalam, Germany will take place from Wednesday, 30 December to Sunday, 03 January. This festival recognizes and honours the effort of those devotees who participated in book distribution during the month of December from all over Central Europe. We are happy to announce that Kadamba Kanana Swami will be attending as well on 30 and 31 December! Be part of this wonderful event of enlivening kirtans, seminars and sadhusanga. See the following newsletter for more information.

Continuing The Legacy

Prayer in Practice

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ISKCON DAIVA VARNASRAMA MINISTRY of India

(IDVM-India)

Date : December 19, 2015

Subject : ISKCON’s Golden Jubilee, Global Go Puja – January 1, 2016

To : ISKCON Leaders and ISKCON Centers

OM SRI SURABHYAI NAMAH! OM SRI GURAVE NAMAH!

Dear GBC Members, Deputy GBCs, Sannyasis, Temple Presidents, ISKCON Leaders and devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

As we all know, we are about to embark in a most commemorative period in the history of our Society, the Golden Jubilee (1966 to 2016) Year Celebration of ISKCON, beginning January 1, 2016.

The ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry for India (IDVM-India) wishes to contribute its might, as all of you, in promoting this unprecedented and most glorious historical event.

One of the Ministry’s main offerings to Srila Prabhupada, in addition to the Sri Govinda Gau Gram Prachar Yatra covering 108 villages, is the 12-year OM Sri Surabhi Campaign inaugurated on January 1, 2015.

To invoke global auspiciousness and increased awareness about the need to protect Mother Cow and to gradually introduce the culture of Cow Care in our daily lives, we would like to invite all ISKCON Temples and ISKCON Centers to perform a special Go-Puja to Mother Surabhi on January 1, 2016, in addition to perform Harinam.

In order to carry this mood during the Golden Jubilee year of 2016, I would like to further submit the following 3 proposals to ISKCON Leaders and ISKCON Temples within our Society:

1. That on January first of every year we all perform a Go-Puja.

2. That all temples perform a Monthly Go-Puja on every Purnima day.

3. That all ISKCON centers offer only pure milk (ahimsa) from protected cows to the presiding Deities in our respective temples/centers.

For your information and pleasure, I herein enclose a report of the IDVM-India Annual Meeting held a few days ago on December 12-13 in Hyderabad, India.

I invite you to visit our two websites dedicated in promoting both the Mandate of IDVM-India and the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign.

I thank you for your kind attention and support,

Trusting this finds you well. Krsne matir astu.

PS: Kindly share with and forward to appropriate and interested contacts, especially devotees/temples having Goshalas and caring for cows.

Yours in service to Srila Prabhupada

RP Bhakti Raghava Swami Minister, IDVM-India

Ram Ghat - Chir Ghat Karttika (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Some more pics from Karttika Parikrama. Come along with us to places we don’t often go. Ram Ghat, where Dauji did Rasa Lila with His gopis, and Chir Ghat, where Krishna stole the garments of the gopis. A few other places along the way! And the most astounding Deity of Dauji in Braja at Khelan Van (Shergarh)! Pics thanks to Vittalrukmini Das!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/pFvyDU

The post Going from the pilgrimage place of crows to that of swans appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The chilean music band Krishna Sambandha performed in massive Indian Festival in Centro Cultural Chimkowe. This vaisnava song is named Nacare Nacare Mora related to the pure love that Yasoda Mah feel for Krishna and Balaram. (6 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/tJYghA

When I say I’m vegetarian, a common reaction from some religious people is, “But didn’t God put animals on Earth for us to eat?” As they have grown up believing that animals are food and not friends, they seem genuinely confused as to why anyone would refuse to eat something granted to them by God. I was equally confused by their reaction: why would God want humans to harm any of his other creations?

To better understand this sentiment, I decided to research a couple of key scriptures: the Christian Bible and the Hindu Gita. Here are a few choice quotations.

The Bible

Here is a quote from Genesis 1:29: “And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.'”

Romans 14:21 purports vegetarianism even more clearly: “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

There is also the Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.” It doesn’t say “Thou shalt not murder.”

Many people claim that the Bible frequently mentions that humans have “dominion” over the animals, but this means that we should protect and care for them. They are not to be killed or eaten.

The Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita (17:8, 17:10) describes the types of foods preferred according to one’s qualities: “Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one’s existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart,” and, “Food that is tasteless, decomposed and putrid, and food consisting of remnants and untouchable things is dear to those in the mode of darkness.”

The Gita is aligned with the Bible’s assertion that flesh is unhealthy and “weakens” the human body, while juicy, fatty, wholesome foods (fruits, nuts, grains, etc.) promote vitality because they are full of life; meat is dead matter that elicits darkness as it contains no life force (“praan” in Sanskrit).

What kind of food does God himself prefer? In 9:26 He tells us, “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.”
Note that the Sanskrit word for “accept” is “asnami,” which also means “eat.”

Moreover, Chapter 5 of the Gita acknowledges animal (and human) rights, with the statement: “The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].”

According to the spiritual texts of two of the world’s major religions, God did not put animals on Earth for human consumption, but to live in harmony with us as we are both a part of nature.

To kill is the ultimate act of disrespect, and we should therefore do no harm to any of God’s creations. He loves us all.

Note: This post also appears on The Huffington Post and my personal blogs, www.cowsofcanada.com and www.samitasarkar.com.

The post Daily Darshan : December 19th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

(English/Russian) https://youtu.be/-kqLUQ-031A

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Mayapur: Sri Radha-Madhava Elephant Procession!
Saturdays around 5:00 pm in Mayapur… Magical moments of Sri Radha-Madhava Elephant Procession. Mystical sounds could be heard by every single living entity anywhere near ISKCON Mayapur campus. Very intense thundering of large drums beating to the rhythm of two elephant’s hearts, was the best way to bring back to mind some very sweet pastimes of our dear Lord Krsna in Dwarka.
Every Saturday evening, Sri Radha Madhava leave their altar carried by one of our leading Pujari, HG Jananivas prabhu and are reverently placed on the head of a magnificent elephant.
Two devotees beautifully decorated, have the service of carrying their Lordship on elephants along with some devotees around the Mayapur campus. The fire lanterns being the only source of light during the procession, create a fascinating and kind of mysterious atmosphere which bring everyone to an enchanted mood. The roads are so colorful and beautifully decorated with breath taking Rangoli designs, it is hard to walk without stopping to take a longer look, but we have to follow the procession with hundreds, if not thousands of devotees and pilgrims chanting and dancing with raised arms.
Kirtan lead this week by the Pandav Sena, was amazing and made everyone’s heart melt and voices merged into a one unison sound. All of us present could feel how once again, these pastimes performed by the Mayapur devotees are incredibly powerful and help so much to bring everyone into a good spiritual mood. Krsna consciousness is serious business but, Oh my God… How fun and heart cleansing it can be. So every Saturday evening, we can all really do what Srila Prabhupada said “ Just chant and be happy!”

Pujari Course in Mayapur.
For the pleasure of their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Pancatattva, Prahlad Nrisimha Dev, Srila Prabhupada and for all the readers Mayapur Bhakti Vriksha happily informs that, for the first time there was a Training class arranged by Mayapur Bhakti Vriksha on ‘Bhoga offering and Aroti performance’ for one day (2 times class) on 6th December, 2015 to facilate those upcoming Bhakti Vriksha members in order to help them regarding daily Bhoga offering and Aroti performance in their home.
It took place in Mayapur Pancatattva extension hall and 130 bhakti Vriksha members participated with great enthusiasm. The class divided into two sessions. The first session from 10:00am-12:00pm (theoretical) and second session 3pm-5pm (Practical). After first session a delicious lunch Prasadam were served to all. The class ended with auspicious Harinam Sankirtan and they returned home with joy. Haribol!
Thank you very much.