Planet ISKCON

Harinama in Puno, Peru during their independence day parade (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The demigods are pleased when sacrifices are performed, just as prison officers are satisfied when the prisoners are turned into obedient subjects. Lord Caitanya, however, has recommended only one yajna, or sacrifice, called the sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of Hare Krishna, in which everyone can take part. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1.6.20 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/CLsklF

Perth devotees were invited to participate with a South Indian society to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lamps. This was held all day in a beautiful park off the esplanade in Fremantle.

MAHABHARATA The Condensed Version of the World’s Greatest Epic by Krishna Dharma Hare Krishna, We are happy to announce the release today of a new e-book of the condensed version of the great epic, The Mahabharata by the world renown author Krishna Dharma. Mahabharata: The condensed version of the world’s greatest epic, is now available on Amazon.com. As part of the release promotions, the book is free for 3 days from November 6 - 8 inclusive. Krishna Dharma says, “I have simply tried to make the work easily accessible. I have remained faithful to the original, often presenting the dialogue exactly as it appeared in the Sanskrit manuscripts, but I have endeavored to bring the text to life by the techniques of dramatization and characterization. The Mahabharata is without doubt the greatest spiritual epic of all time, at least in my humble opinion.”
Click here to download the ebook for free: http://goo.gl/38XCpY

Giriraj Swami: Today is Sri Rama-ekadasi. On this date, Srila Prabhupada completed his translation of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, at Hare Krishna Land, Juhu, Bombay, in 1974. He finished his work with his “Concluding Words,” a beautiful and profound glorification of his “beloved eternal spiritual master, guide, and friend,” Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. He was in an ecstatic mood and said that we should celebrate with a feast.

It is Srimati Radharani’s special month, the month of Kartika, also known as the month of Damodara. During this holy month, when devotees are converging in Radha Kunda from all over the world, we revel in the fact that we have been given the opportunity to do some small service in this most sacred of places day after day, year after year, 365 days a year. Since our service is here, our thoughts are here also. And what a blessing it is to have our thoughts, like busy bees, buzz from one place to another and one service to another in our Swamini Radhika’s holy land. Our happy news this month is that, finally, after a full year of endeavor, we have an India bank account in the name of Padma Charitable Trust! Now people residing in India can donate straight to PCT. The next step is to obtain the final architectural drawings for the kitchen, office, and a guest house for volunteers and donors so that fundraising can begin in earnest. Again and again we are recognizing the great urgency of having our own land and kitchen.

Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance
This document is a report of some of the details that occurred during the last five days of Srila Prabhupada’s presence with us in Vrndavan, India. It is a diary which was written everyday in Vrndavan at that time.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=21241

Hare Krishna! We Are Not The Body, But…
Because we think we are “not the body”, it can lead us to do so many wrong things in the name of Bhakti. It can induce false detachment and renunciation. That is, pushing oneself to be detached without spiritual taste to replace it – it becomes an off-the-body form of mind and body deprivation that does not last, because it is exerted by passion, not natural spiritual progress. An artificial renouncer might think, “I am denying myself of all trappings of sense gratification, so why should others also not share in my renunciation?” Because one is depriving oneself and demands others to do the same, is a reflection of envy. Self-punishment is not the way to get off the bodily platform. It can turn us into impersonalists by our actions and words. This is, because we think I am not the body and everyone else is not the body, we must not attach much importance to the body, meaning it is not important how others feel emotionally to our vigorous application of chastisement, strictness, conformity, and other demands. Bhakti is a voluntary offering of mind, body and words in love.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=21238

This document is a report of some of the details that occurred during the last five days of Srila Prabhupada's presence with us in Vrndavan, India. It is a diary which was written everyday in Vrndavan at that time. It herewith is delivered as it was written down 38 years ago in l977, with no additions. 11 November l977. I arrive at the Mandir (from California) at about 9:30 A. M. As soon as possible I enter Srila Prabhupada's room. He is lying on his back in his King-Sized bed, being massaged gently by his close associates. There is a kirtan in progress. Srila Prabhupada is incredibly thin, and his hands and feet are swollen. His limbs are supported by pillows. There is a discussion in progress between Srila Prabhupada and his close disciples. Srila Prabhupada has expressed his wish to go on parikram to Govardan Hill. Upon being asked if he will ride in a minibus, his answer is "Bullock Cart". (This discussion is being recorded and is on tape, I believe). Tamal Krishna is writing down on a pad what Srila Prabhupada's desires are. Srila Prabhupada is so weak that the only parts of his body that he is moving are the lower parts of his arms, and then only barely. He at most pushes against a cover slightly or raises a hand as a signal. If he wants to move a leg even slightly, he asks someone to do it for him. It just does not seem possible for a person to be so emaciated, but there He is, our Spiritual Master, in His transcendental body---that looks thinner than people who have been living under near starvation conditions. And in this unbelievably weakened condition he is proposing to go down the road 20 miles in a bullock cart. What to speak of then circumnambulating the hill, staying overnight, and then coming back the next day! Even in this unbelievable bodily condition, He remains our intrepid and enthusiatic devotionally courageous Spiritual Leader. He certainly isn't going to let any kind of bodily condition stop him from going to Govardhan Hill for Govardhan Puja. We, of course, are all worried, but start making plans for the parikram. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance
→ Dandavats"

Because we think we are “not the body”, it can lead us to do so many wrong things in the name of Bhakti. It can induce false detachment and renunciation. That is, pushing oneself to be detached without spiritual taste to replace it – it becomes an off-the-body form of mind and body deprivation that does not last, because it is exerted by passion, not natural spiritual progress. An artificial renouncer might think, “I am denying myself of all trappings of sense gratification, so why should others also not share in my renunciation?” Because one is depriving oneself and demands others to do the same, is a reflection of envy. Self-punishment is not the way to get off the bodily platform. It can turn us into impersonalists by our actions and words. This is, because we think I am not the body and everyone else is not the body, we must not attach much importance to the body, meaning it is not important how others feel emotionally to our vigorous application of chastisement, strictness, conformity, and other demands. Bhakti is a voluntary offering of mind, body and words in love. Continue reading "We Are Not The Body, But…
→ Dandavats"

Nitaicandra Das has always sought the simple life. It was while living in the forests of Trinidad, remarkably enough, that he received a copy of Srila Prabhupada’s “Science of Self-Realization.”

“Living off the forest wasn’t working out for me,” he says. “And once I read Prabhupada’s book I realized, ‘This is it, it’s all here – this society can fulfill my need to live simply.’”

As an ISKCON devotee, Nitaicandra has been growing organic vegetables for around twenty years, including previous stints at New Vrindaban in 1993 and 1999.

For the past four years, he and his wife Sri Tulasi Manjari were caretakers at the ISKCON Escondido farm in California, supplying the San Diego and Laguna Beach temples with flowers, protected cow milk, and thirty different varieties of vegetables.

“At peak time in the summer,” he says, “We were providing the two temples with about 300 pounds of vegetables, 2,000 flowers – mostly marigolds – and 42 gallons of milk per week.”

From his construction and remodeling business, Nitaicandra also feels that he brings a knack for problem-solving – and a lot of experience working with different types of people – to his new role as ECO-Vrindaban’s ox training and local agriculture manager in New Vrindaban.

But perhaps most importantly, he brings a real love for Srila Prabhupada’s first farm project. He’s pumped about the exciting new energy flowing through the community, and glad to get the opportunity to serve in New Vrindaban once again. It is, after all, home to his guru Varsana Swami, who initiated both him and his wife on Nityananda’s Appearance Day in 2014.

Nitaicandra has moved on his own for now, while Sri Tulasi Manjari – who is an advisor to the board of Eco-Vrindaban – stays in California to see their daughter Syama Sundari through her last year of high school and off to college, like her older sister Gaurangi. After that, Sri Tulasi and their fourteen-year-old son Sri Gopa Vallabha (aka Gopa) will move to New Vrindaban next summer.

Meanwhile Nitaicandra – always the hands-on type – started his new service during the second week of September, and is already out working with the ECO-V crew who have been training the oxen.

“It’s a long process,” he says. “It takes a few years to get them into the fields and working.”

Then there’s the local agriculture, which he sees as interconnected and working cohesively with the ox program. Food production, of course, is interdependent with the ISKCON New Vrindaban Deity, devotee, and restaurant kitchens, whose staff Nitaicandra hopes to develop and maintain a close relationship with.

“I’ll be working with them to find out what they need, and will try to supplement the produce they’re using,” he says.

He also hopes to collaborate on developing a menu more suited to local and seasonal crops, although he says that this will take some time as it will require a gradual cultural shift.

In the long term, the goal is to provide ISKCON New Vrindaban’s presiding Deities and residents with most of their fresh vegetables throughout the growing season, and to preserve enough by canning, freezing and drying to meet much of their needs during the winter too.

Finally, Nitaicandra will also be overseeing the flower gardens, which are providing more and more of the flowers used to decorate the Deities during the growing seasons.

He is excited about everything that’s ahead of him.

“When I hear about what the pioneer devotees did here, how pleased Srila Prabhupada was with this project, and how much he loves New Vrindaban – that’s what gives me enthusiasm,” he says. “So I’m just really happy to have this opportunity, and I hope that others will also be inspired to come to New Vrindaban, live simply, help with growing our own food and make a go at it.”

Varnasrama series

The post Answering questions from our recent Bhakta-sanga appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Around 200 ISKCON devotees from all over the United States’ East Coast celebrated the 50^th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in Butler, Pennsylvania on October 24^th, along with yoga practioners and locals who had spotted news of the event in the paper.

Our emotions are a big part of who we are, but they are not all of us. We are bigger than our present emotions, most of which relate with our external material shell, not our spiritual core.

Delicately sweet yet crunchy and delicious cashew nut is packed with energy, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. 

Rama Raya Das wraps up an intense Halloween evening kirtan and costumed passersby dance with devotees and later offer lamps to Damodara. Rama Raya then offers his concluding speech.

ISKCON deevotees in London have been going out to do public harinamas every day for decades. The biggest party has traditionally been the Saturday night harinamas. The procession starts in front of the Govinda's Restaurant, then goes around in the theater and party district and the famous Chinatown. On Halloween night, Saturday, October 31st, devotees gave the public something to really lift their spirits!

Someone recently referred to me as a 'man of faith'. I detected the condescending tone in his speech. It was, I’m pretty sure, a subtle put-down. Faith is often frowned upon in today’s society – savvy people consider it unscientific, sentimental, primitive and a sign of weakness.

Forget to Remember (official trailer) (1 min video)
The movie “Forget to remember” tells us an amazing story of a man, who coming to be in Moscow, by the will of fate loses his memory. This unexpected turn of events will lead him to the culture of Kirtan and will help him to find… his true self.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/XcBB8Q

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 October 2013, Melbourne, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.8)

One should never think that we possess anything in this world, not even our children. Our children are independent from us. They are living beings with their own destiny who are placed under our care for sometime, that is all. It is not that they are part of us, “Something of me lives in my child.” That is illusion.

Genetically, it can be proven, fine! But genes have nothing to do with our identity, absolutely nothing; they are simply part of our bodies. The soul is not determined by genetic clumps in any way. The soul is completely aloof and therefore, why single out one living entity over another and get very affectionate towards one particular living entity and not affectionate towards another.

Maybe if it is based on devotional service that we feel particularly affectionate towards one living being because that living being is very much eager to serve Krsna then that criteria is right. That is when we are free from illusion otherwise we are bound by all kinds of different affections in this world and we are in illusion, we are in maya!

The post Daily Darshan – November 6th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Our Indian cooking class is coming on Friday (13 Nov. 2015) at 6pm till 8pm. Contact us now & save yourself a spot. Bookings essential, please email theloft.akld@gmail.com to book Cost: $20 Student ID $25 waged Please visit the Cooking class details!

The post Cooking Class coming Friday 13 Nov! appeared first on The Loft Yoga Lounge Auckland.

Sivaram Swami S.B.6.16.39 – Nov 2nd 2015

This baobob tree in Africa is 6000 years old. It was present when Lord Krishna was enacting His pastimes on this planet!

November 6. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Prabhupada, having obtained an extension on his Visa, stayed on. America seemed so opulent, yet many things were difficult to tolerate. The sirens and bells from fire engines and police seemed like they would crack his heart. Sometimes at night he would hear a person being attacked and crying for help. From his first days in the City, he had noted that the smell of dog stool was everywhere. And although it was such a rich city, he could rarely find a mango to purchase, and if he did, it was very expensive and usually had no taste. From his room he would sometimes hear the horns of ocean liners, and he would dream that some day he would sail around the world with a sankirtana party, preaching in the major cities of the world.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490

Prabhupada, having obtained an extension on his Visa, stayed on.  America seemed so opulent, yet many things were difficult to tolerate.

Photos from Kartik 2015 at Bhaktivedanta Manor (Album with HR photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Pure devotees chant the Hare Krishna mantra, and simply by hearing this chanting from a purified transcendental person, one is purified of all sinful activities, no matter how lowborn or fallen one may be. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.126 Purport)
Find them here: http://goo.gl/NtJaaS

The Glories of Sri Radha Kund – by TKG Academy! (4 min video)
Gopi Gita Schomaker: They did it! TKG Academy Middle and Upper Elementary students have memorized the oh-so-very-long and beautiful verses from the Nectar of Instruction, Sri Upadeshamrita. Prayers in glorification of Sri Radha Kund. Happy Radha Kunda’s Appearance Day, everyone!
Watch it here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=21221

When you are used to working with children, it shows! Dr. Devika Rao, MD. is a Pediatric Pulmonologist (as well as a mother), and being around young children comes naturally to her.  She came very well prepared for her visit with our Preschool and Lower Elementary classes. She was equipped with an inhaler, an airway clearance “Vest”, a model of the lungs, an otoscope and an ophthalmoscope,  a doctor gown and a young patient’s gown. She introduced herself, explaining why she chose to be a pediatrician and the path she took in obtaining her education and experience. She then taught the students the role and location of the lungs, as well as possible complications and their implications. She demonstrated the use of the various tools she brought and gave out decorated disposable face-masks to each student. She also brought along some relevant books and her important message for staying healthy was: wash your hands thoroughly and frequently! How long? As long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday”  The visit was concluded with stickers for all the “patients”.

Thank you, Dr. Devika Rao for sharing your knowledge and friendliness!

Its always interesting to see how word’s are interpreted or understood depending on either the individual’s or societies perspective of the word. And for those who are interested in the history of words will not how the meaning of some words have changed over the years, even in my short 40+ years there is a number of words who’s meaning has drastically changed.

However one word that has been on my mind over the past few months is STUDY and more to the point what does it mean to study?

It’s interesting that Srila Prabhupada spoke about his book’s and how a number should be studied, the interpretation of this is class room academia based study, with assignments and testing; once finished a nice certificate and a credibility above those who haven’t done or completed the course.

Is this real study?

Srila Prabhupada’s books are the basis for self realization, and although guidance is needed is this emphasis on academia making it a bit like a university/college degree; we learn enough to qualify and then mostly forgotten after hanging the picture of our achievement’s on the wall.

Now I can be perfectly frank here in my blog, as it’s a personal space not a definitive insight into ISKCON but I’ve learnt more not by attending classes or doing some online course, indeed personally speaking this is the best way to get me to permanently leave RUN AWAY.

No what has been most effective is when I’ve done personal study, when I read all of Srila Prabhupada’s purport’s on initiation and guru/disciple relationship; when I’ve been asked a question that has got me searching for an answer, and most importantly when giving class no matter what the setting is [schools, community groups or at the temple].

For me it allows time to really explore the subject, look at it from many angles and then see how best to present the amazing wealth of knowledge. Most importantly it has also been more personal when faced with personal problems and the exploration of Srila Prabhupada’s words to gain insight and the answer.

It’s also been of benefit to speak to devotee’s with years of practice in bhakti for further insight, this has also proved more valuable; were would I be without these amazing soul’s who know me enough to give the best advice and direction.

For me personally it’s not about if this or that course is completed.

For me it’s has it made a change, has it moved from head knowledge to heart knowledge, this for me personally is more important.

To study Srila Prabhupada’s books it’s not about ticking a box or filling out a questionnaire, ow I see they have understood; anyone who have done a university/college course learns quickly the art of studying and pleasing the tutor. But real study comes when the individual is totally inspired by the subject matter.

It reminded me of a television show MasterMind, the contestant’s are initially quizzed on a subject matter they have chosen, it’s a subject close to the person’s heart; their knowledge is not empirical class learnt but motivated by a love of the subject. I found this always fascinating. The second was a general knowledge section.

The motivation was love, love of the subject.
For me study of Srila Prabhupada’s books is not empirical class room, question answer assignment, but a study of personal exploration learning how each question and situation faced by myself and others is simply answered; this makes it more heart than head knowledge.

Like a university/college course most of the knowledge is lost, as it was simply head knowledge to complete the course and get a good score.

But upon leaving the student learns the most as they enter into the field.

Srila Prabhupada’s books can only be understood through service, so all courses should be service based; the individual finding their place in bhakti devotional service. Then the greatest learning is their.

But modern day interpretation of study is just based on mind knowledge, as long as the form is filled out nicely then that’s all that matters.

My fear is this; emphasis on academia above all else will eventually lead to the end of the diversity of individual’s we see in ISKCON, our strength has been the diversity of people; and not everyone are classroom/IT study based academics but moved by Srila Prabhupada’s words are amazing devotees. But not having a qualification may mean as we have seen in many fields these individual’s will be sidelined of devalued becoming second rate.

Their is more than one way to study, so why make it one way, remains the question in my mind.

The November issue of “The Conch” the New Govardhana Hare Krishna Community in Australia Newsletter.
Find it here: http://goo.gl/c7sOzY

Karttika in Vrindavana (video)
Lokanath Swami Leading Damodarastakam at Iskcon Vrindavan
To the supreme controller, who possesses an eternal form of blissful knowledge, whose glistening earrings swing to and fro, who manifested Himself in Gokula, who stole the butter that the gopis kept hanging from the rafters of their storerooms and who then quickly jumped up and ran in retreat in fear of Mother Yasoda but was ultimately caught - to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/kOHTqr

“I am sailing, I am going back home, back to Godhead!” (11 min video)
Jayadeva Prabhu turns another popular song, “I am sailing”, into a maha mantra melody, engaging everybody into a happy chanting and dancing!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/J44GVw