Planet ISKCON

Lakhs of Pilgrims throng Braj for Govardhan Puja.
Over one lakh pilgrims thronged the ghats in Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh on Friday and took a dip in Yamuna river on the occasion of Bhai Dooj, officials said. Thousands of brothers and sisters congregated at the Vishram Ghat in Mathura for the special bath meant to appease the Hindu god of death, Yam Raj. Priest Yamuna Das Chaubey said the river is believed to be the sister of Yam Raj, and brothers and sisters should take a dip together on the day. “Only in Mathura, you have a temple of brother and sister,” he said. The Yamuna ghats in Vrindavan and Mathura were swept clean and barricades put up to regulate crowds. “Over one lakh pilgrims, including many NRIs, reached the ghats on Friday,” an official said. A shopkeeper near the Dwarkadheesh Temple said all hotels near the ghats were packed with devotees.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/MUL7DU

Over the years I’ve found that sometimes that best way to understand the word’s of Srila Prabhupada is to have a practical experience that brings the simplicity of Krishna Consciousness home; making you appreciate the wealth of knowledge and the ability to put things into place.

So here goes.

Two days after my previous months visit to the Manor I was asked to put up a shower curtain & rail as they had knocked it down and were unable to put it back up themselves. Not a problem; however I had removed my shoes (this being one of a few client’s who upon entering their home I remove my shoes). Standing up on the bath to put the shower rail up I took a rather nasty tumble, yes socks and baths don’t go well.

It didn’t take long before the bruising came out and the whole left leg became an interesting shade and somewhat uncomfortable; it would be easy to feel down and despondent; however I was reminded of the words from Srila Prabhupada “if we cut our finger then the devotee understands that their karma should have been they lost the finger and see the cut as Krishna’s mercy.

Reflecting on the fall it should have been a lot worse, indeed it was definitely Sri Krishna’s mercy as without a shadow of a doubt several bone’s should have been broken. Looking at the bruising I could see how even though their was some adversity when you look at it in the light of the teaching’s from Srila Prabhupada the temporary nature and realization that thing’s could have been much worse makes the whole event appear much more trivial, indeed a great positive out of what could have been very negative.

I’m also reminded that Srila Prabhupada always reminded us of the need to put devotional life first, it’s easy to be sidetracked given how much material nature has to offer. So the other week I had an unexpected day off, the following day I was due to take my monthly trip to the temple so what to do?

As the opportunity was their to go early I decided best to take this up and enjoy an extra day with some amazing devotees; their was as always plenty to do along with the opportunity for association and also seeing the latest production by the Bhaktivadanta Players which was amazing.

On my return I was informed that several cars had been written off it happened on the night I had decided to visit the temple; if I hadn’t gone guess were my car would have been Yes right in the path.

Putting service first and taking the opportunity to have some amazing devotional service was indeed a wise move; reminding me that I should never dismiss or refuse the opportunity when it comes.

I was also reminded that Sri Krishna provides us with our needs not necessarily our wants and that humbleness means were happy with this simplicity; the car which I rely on is not the greatest but it meets the need and thankfully passed the MOT so all being well will be able to continue to whisk me from Wales to the temple in London each month.

But most of all it made me grateful for the knowledge Srila Prabhupada has given us all, it answers and solves the many problems and difficulties we face in material life; even though it may take many many years and lots of different experiences before we realize it.

Message from the french devotees: Hare Krishna dear Friends
Thank you so much for your concern for the devotees in Paris. We are situated in some distance out of the city, so all the temple devotees are safe. This is another reminder to become serious....

Govardhan Puja 2015 - ISKCON Mayapur (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Vedic scriptures say: “Even if one distributes ten million cows in charity during an eclipse of the sun, lives at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuma for millions of years, or gives a mountain of gold in sacrifice to the brahmanas, he does not earn one hundredth part of the merit derived from chanting Hare Krishna.” (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 3.79 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/zV8sAf

The devotees perform Sankirtana Yajna in Paris, France.
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna mantra is specifically mentioned in many Upanisads, such as the Kali-santarana Upanishad, where it is said: “After searching through al the Vedic literature, one cannot find a method of religion more sublime for this age than the chanting of Hare Krishna.” (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 3.40 Purport)

Shobha Yatra around Vrindavan with Srila Prabhupada (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada’s murti is taken around Vrindavana on a palanquin followed by many of his disciples, grand-disciples, followers. friends and well-wishers.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/DKcq8g

The Sacred Land Of Kurukshetra (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our parikrama party visited Kurukshetra, where we took darshan of the exact place where Lord Krsna spoke the Bhagavad Gita. We also had an ecstatic harinam around the sacred lakes t...

Kavicandra Swami reports the news from the preaching of the Sankirtana movement in many Asian countries (19 min video)
China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Bali, also Israel and west Africa. Watch it here: https://goo.gl/nK0Sx7

Dallas Plans 50 Hours of Kirtan for ISKCON’s 50th.
For the past seven years, Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji Mandir in Dallas has rung in the new year with an epic multi-hour community kirtan organized by second-generation devotees. From twelve hours in its first year, it has grown to twenty-four hours, and even featured a thirty-six-hour marathon for its fifth anniversary. This New Year’s Eve, the community is going above and beyond with fifty hours of kirtan in celebration of both the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the US in 2015, and the 50th anniversary of ISKCON’s incorporation in 2016.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/9VBMrh

The post Talk at Srivasa-angan for Kartika-parikrama appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Little Conch: ‘Breaking News: Shootings and explosions in Paris’
Last night as I laid my head to the pillow, a red notification popped up on my phone. ‘Breaking News: Shootings and explosions in Paris’, it announced. The disaster had just happened, mere minutes earlier. There was very little information, just a handful of facts and speculations. I closed my eyes with a sigh and a prayer. Earlier that evening at home we had sat around a live stream from Wembley Stadium of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dazzling welcome reception to the UK. There was a sparkling stream of dancers, a full symphonic orchestra, giant rangolis in national colours, and much general hoo-ha. Modi spoke from the podium on India’s bright future, painting a vision of a country energised by solar power and high speed trains.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/1PZzml

November 14. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
One of my favorite lines from the poems that Prabhupada wrote is, “Make me dance, make me dance, O Lord make me dance as You like.” Prabhupada declared himself a puppet in the hands of Krishna, and he asked Krishna to please fulfill the actual meaning of the name Bhaktivedanta. That poem wasn’t written as the musings of a reclusive scholar, it was written on board the Jaladuta, a freighter with one Indian-style passenger cabin. The one passenger, Bhaktivedanta Swami, had no money, yet he was striking out for America. The poem was written by a preacher, who although fearless, appeared to be momentarily overcome by his first sight of an American city. Even Lord Krishna hesitated when He faced the Aghasura demon. Srila Prabhupada didn’t hesitate in his purpose or waver in his determination, but he realized and admitted his helpless situation to Krishna, his friend.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490

The post Daily Darshan – November 14th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

HH Bhakti Vidyapurna Swami at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-11-08
Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 06 16 43

After starting his mission in New York and San Francisco, Srila Prabhupada suffered a stroke, and after all efforts to recover in America had failed, he decided to return to India to recoup his health. Before his departure, he visited the San Francisco temple. No one had expected him, in his condition, to speak, but he asked for the microphone. He spoke about his mission, how under the order of his spiritual master he had brought Lord Caitanya’s movement to America and how Krsna had kindly sent so many sincere souls. He told the devotees, “I have a few children in India from my family days, but you are my real children. Now I am going to India for a little while.” One of Srila Prabhupada’s early disciples from San Francisco suddenly entered the room. The devotees knew that he wanted to leave Krsna consciousness, that he hadn’t taken his initiation vows seriously, and that he wanted to move on—he didn’t want a spiritual master any more. The other devotees tried to discourage him, but he had persisted. Now they were incredulous: how could he do such a thing on the night before Swamiji’s departure? Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day
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The Hare Krishna devotees in London (3 min video)
We spent a week with a group of modern day samaritans. We wanted to know what they believed in and how they function in modern society. Watch it here: https://goo.gl/rFXpuh

“Make Me Dance”

Many students search for ways to connect with God on campus and the UNF Hare Krishnas do it through sung prayer and meditation. Sura, a club member was singing the Hare Krishna mantra, a 16 word mantra composed of three Sanskrit names of the Supreme Being; “Hare,” “Krishna,” and “Rama.” The mantra is chanted in order to create vibrations which connect the consciousness with God.

Plaque installed in honour of H.g Surabhi Prabhu (Album with photos)
ISKCON Vrindavan Find them here: https://goo.gl/1nJoS3

Sweet Hill Party on Sunday 22 November 2015 from 5pm. Loads of Sweets! + Kirtan music + Wise Words + Amazing food just $5 ($8 after 5:30pm)

The post Sweet Hill Party Sunday 22 Nov appeared first on The Loft Yoga Lounge Auckland.

Giriraj Swami and devotees celebrated a small but beautiful Govardhana-puja in Carpinteria.

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, August 2016, Goloka-dhama, Germany, Lecture)

Prabhupada was real, Prabhupada was genuine, Prabhupada loved Krsna, Prabhupada saw Krsna and because Prabhupada said God is blue, He is blue! It is as simple as that! Therefore Prabhupada is the living proof of Krsna consciousness, that it all works. Prabhupada is not only our inspiration, not only the source of our faith but Prabhupada is also our anchor. Whenever we have a doubt, Prabhupada is the anchor, our saving grace as we are riding on the waves of our individual nature. He is the safe ground to which we always return. We trust him for the person he was, for his teachings and we know that in his teachings we will find our answers; we find the basis of our Krsna consciousness. This is where we return, to the safe connection with Krsna. We meet him in everything he left – we meet him in his devotees, we meet him in his books, we meet him in his instructions and so on.

So I published my book in August, just a modest run of 500 copies. They’ve almost all gone. Thank you to all those who showed me support and bought one. And congratulations to you if you bought one as a gift for a friend.

Just to stimulate discussion, and to perhaps interest you, dear reader, in buying one before they all go, here are the Contents pages. You’ll see I have not flinched in discussing some controversial topics, chiefly because there’s a readership for those types of subjects. The Guru & Disciple Book is available on Amazon – now at a reduced rate – in both UK and USA.

Contents

Part One: Putting first things first

1. You are Here – Why our home-made map of life may require updating.
2. Five Tales – Classic tales from the Upanishads suggest that a change of perspective may be necessary before spiritual life can begin.
3. Understanding the Vedas – There are two classical ways of gathering knowledge; only one is good enough for spiritual transmission between the guru and the disciple.
4. What are the Vedas? – A look at the numerous components of a vast library of wisdom.
5. The Vedas and other religions – Ultimate reality is one, perceived differently only due to the different consciousness of the seers.
6. Discussing and understanding the Sources – Original texts, commentaries and mystical revelation. How to avoid fuzzy thinking.
7. Postmodern Views – Postmodernism affects everything – even the guru-disciple relationship.
8. The Necessity of accepting a Guru – Why other ways of gaining higher knowledge are incomplete.

Part Two: The ancient culture of learning

9. A is for Acarya – The meaning of the word and the ancient culture of how acaryas lived and taught.
10. Siksha, Diksha, and Semantic Drift – More meanings of words and how they’ve gradually changed.
11. Diksha – The history of giving mantras; what happens at the diksha ceremony; and what has changed in a thousand years.
12. Qualities of the Guru and the Disciple – A classical description from the Nyasa Vimsati, the lifetime experience of the mediaeval Vaishnava saint, Vedanta Deshika.
13. What does a guru teach? – Guru means ‘teacher,’ but what is he supposed to teach you, and how often? How do you know if he is teaching you correctly? How do you know if you are a good student?
14. Teaching techniques of the gurus – Gurus employ a diverse range of time-tested techniques in order to help their disciples on their spiritual journey.
15. The Reprehensible Delusions of Guruship – Four ways the guru should not think about himself – or his disciple. Wisdom from the ancient sage, Pillai Lokacarya.
16. Where can you find a guru? – Lord Krishna told Arjuna to ‘approach’ a guru. But where can you find one? Here is what Krishna said years later, as recorded in the eleventh canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam.
17. Within You, Without You – How God manifests as the guru, both inside and out.
18. Little Ants on a Leaping Lion – Who is more important for the disciple – the physically manifest guru or the historical acarya? The discussion continues after 900 years.
19. The Parampara Family Tree – How the best fruit is gently carried down through the branches of the tree.
20. A Very Different Diksha – Misconceptions and movements. How the grandfathers of contemporary Vaishnavism tackled ‘mission drift.’

Part Three: Creating and sustaining community

21. The Guru spreads his Arms – His ashrams, sanghas, missions and movements.
22. Not Everybody likes Organisations – Why we don’t like ‘organised religion,’ and prefer small groups to big ones.
23. Sustainability and Governance – Why hierarchy and ‘due diligence’ are essential – even in spiritual movements.
24. Are you Church or Chapel? – Religious groups constantly divide and splinter, but by keeping a tradition spiritually dynamic, we can avoid the temptation of separation.

Part Four: Shades of saffron

25. Sannyasa Dharma – Ancient rules for a renunciate and the ten vows he must make.
26. Sannyasa – the Real and the False – Real sannyasa is internal, and goes beyond the wearing of saffron robes. So why was it important for Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Thakur?
27. Undercurrents – The Gaudiya Mission was enormously successful, yet beneath the surface there were already swirling currents.
28. White Skin, Orange Cloth – The many challenges in setting up a western sannyasa order from 1967 to 1977.
29. Saffron Cardinals – An order of renunciates as ecclesiastics, and the phenomenon of ‘clergy burnout.’
30. Reflections and Reforms – Sannyasis who became gurus share their private thoughts.

Part Five: Gurus, scandals and issues

31. Why would anyone be a guru? – Discussing why, and how, the decision is made to accept disciples.
32. Gurus of the Future – Srila Prabhupada speaks clearly on how he wants his disciples to become gurus after him.
33. The July 9^th Letter – In the 1980s certain members of ISKCON raised this one letter to the level of a religious text.
34. So what went wrong? – The turbulent years after the passing of the founder-acarya threatened to wrench his movement apart. What mistakes were made?
35. Stepping into their father’s shoes – Some of the complications of being a young guru in an even younger spiritual movement.
36. Diksha Lite – In a bid to attract followers, some gurus offer initiation without training.
37. Diksha and Drugs – In the name of ‘compassion,’ some gurus try to have disciples without discipline.
38. Guru and Disciple in Therapy – In which we subject the guru-disciple relationship to an hour on the therapist’s couch.
39. When the Wise become Weak – It does happen, sadly, so what should be our response? How can it be avoided?
40. Loyal Disciple…or a mouse? – The guru repeats what he’s heard or loses his power.
41. Leaving a Guru – Can you ever leave? What are the legitimate reasons?

Part Six: Becoming a disciple today

42. Steps towards the Big Step – Spiritual life is a journey of a thousand steps. Where is initiation on that journey, and how do we prepare for it?
43. Are you ready for a guru? – What should you look for within yourself before initiation? What doubts and myths about the guru have to be dissolved first?
44. Serious to find a guru – Srila Prabhupada and his own guru write on how to find one.
45. Testing the guru – No-one should blindly accept a guru. The candidate is first meant to test the guru. But how, exactly, and for how long?
46. The Path to Initiation – How to become initiated in ISKCON today. Stages in the procedure and the support you’ll need to have in place.

As every year this time also ISKCON Ahmedabad celebrated Govardhan Puja in a very fabulous way. All the devotees enterprisingly fabricated the replica of Govardhan in the temple. Govardhan Hill was adorned with various kinds of fruits, dry fruits and many other preparations like different kinds of sabjis, sweet items, rice, etc. Gujarat Chief Minister Smt. Anandiben Patel also honored this festival and took the blessings of Giriraj. Honorable Chief Minister was welcomed by Temple President H G Jashomatinandan Pr. Along with Chief Minister, Ahmedabad Mayor Smt. Minaxiben Patel also took the blessings of Giriraj. Honorable Chief Minister offered Garland and Aarti to Their Lordship Sri Sri Radha Govindji and Sri Srinathji. H G Jashomatinandan Pr. Offered Srila Prabhupada Books and photo frame of Sri Sri Radha Govindji to Honorable Chief Minister and Mayor.

Launch of Lokanath Swami’s Vraja-mandala Darsana at Govardhan Eco-village.
During the recently held midterm GBC meetings and on the inauguration of the Twelve forests of Vrindavan, HH Radhanath Swami also Lokanath Swami’s Vraja-mandala book with the following: Lokanath Maharaja, Haribol!! Lokanath Swami Maharaja has been going for decades taking hundreds and hundreds and thousands of devotees on Vraja mandala Parikrama and he has compiled this book with all the information that he has researched and all the realisations that he has and all the enthusiasm is incredible and all the devotees had been with him. And now here I, we, have Vraja-mandala Darsana, a thirty days Parikrama series. Haribol!! I don’t have to ask you to purchase a book. I don’t think you could resist. We all thank you Lokanath Swami Maharaja . Thank you for your wonderful encouragement here at Govardhan Eco-village. Then Maharaja gave a tour of the Vrindavan project to the assembled devotees.

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The Most Sacred Path! (10 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: The parikrama marg, the path around Vrindavan, has been traversed by pilgrims daily for thousands of years. The 10 kilometer walk takes 3 hours. Unlimited spiritual benefit is incurred by walking around Vrindavan’s thousands of temples, samadhis, sacred cows and people. This is especially true during the month of Kartika, when one’s devotional practices are enhanced a thousand times over.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/ANg533

The post Govardhan Puja Gallery appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Biggest Ratha Yatra In Mathura!
In keeping with Srila Prabhupada’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations, ISKCON Vrindavan’s namahatta department is organizing the biggest RathaYyatra in 20 years in Lord Krishna’s birthplace, Mathura.
A host of dignitaries, sadus and international devotees are expected to be pulling the Lord of the universe with His Brother Lord Balarama and Sister Lady Subhadra in to His birthplace.
His Grace Radha Shyamsundar, head of ISKCON Vrindavan Namahatta Department said: “ This is truly a momentous occasion for ISKCON in Vrindavan. We are delighted to say that we had the full cooperation of the authorities concerned. Top class arrangements have been made to welcome Their Lordships to Mathura. The cultural programs will certainly melt the hearts of our guests. Best prasadam arrangements have been made. We invite everyone to come and participate in glorification of our founder-acharya, Srila Prabhupada.
DATE: 16 NOVEMBER 2015
TIME: 09:00AM
ROUTE: KEDARNATH DHAM, MASANI CHAURAHA
Read more: https://goo.gl/y0NTSJ

It is often difficult to keep secrets, especially about one’s health, so after due consideration (so you don’t hear this second or third hand) I am publically sharing that after preliminary tests, secondary cancer has been discovered in a swollen lymph node in my neck. There is at least one more test in conventional medicine that could be performed—a PET or full body scan—to try to find the primary cancer. Unfortunately, I have found that just mentioning the word cancer freaks everyone out, as if this is a death sentence. However, this is not necessarily so. There are many alternative treatments with a high success rate—much better than the conventional radiation and Chemo. Although many who are reading this don’t know me personally, this could be your story just as easily, or it may already be, since in the USA, cancer strikes 1 in 2 men, and 1 in 3 women in their lifetime. In 2015, there will be an estimated 1,658,370 new cancer cases diagnosed and 589,430 cancer deaths in the US.

I don’t like to give anyone any pain or discomfort by telling them this news, but I bring it up as an educational experience for all of us and to document my travels through what may be a long journey of recovery. There is much to learn about what cancer is, what it means when it grows in the body, and what the best way to treat it is. We have found this the following site very helpful in our both our education about cancer and quest for the best treatment. http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/

At the same time, I do appreciate all the loving I am getting from my friends and families! I get the most amazing hugs and those looks of disbelief like I might disappear at any moment. If only we could all appreciate one another like this all the time!

read more

The post Daily Darshan – November 13th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

November 13. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
In 1965, Srila Prabhupada had no Movement to manage. He was relatively free to work on the Srimad-Bhagavatam, but he had other things that took up his time. Every morning he had to take a long walk from the yoga studio room on 72nd Street to Dr. Mishra’s apartment on Riverside Drive where he cooked his lunch. He also was involved in trying to buy a building as a temple and writing many thoughtful letters to India seeking support. He also washed his own clothes daily and sometimes spoke to a few young men who would come to his room and had to instruct them in Krishna consciousness. Today’s meditation describes how throughout his career Prabhupada had to sacrifice time in writing his books to execute other activities in his mission.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490

Parikrama in Vrindavana (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: A walk around Vrindavan during Kartika reveals the beauty and sanctity of it’s ancient culture.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/8fD13c

Govindaji!

My Mother Made Us Feel Valued and Included (6 min video)
Gopisvari Dasi shares how her mother raised her and her siblings in the most beautiful way. She made each one of them feel included and valued. Because she was always happy even with very little ...