Planet ISKCON

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Epiphanies often occur when we somehow see the common in an uncommon light. The question “Can you keep a secret?” is almost always a rhetorical question – the hearer hardly ever gives a negative answer.

Lord Vamanadeva appeared within this world from the womb of Aditi, the mother of the gods. He appeared at midday on the shravan-dvadasi, the 12th day of the lunar month of Shravan when the moon is waxing.

There are many lessons for Vaishnavas to learn from the narration of His activities, as found in the 8th canto, 18th chapter of the Bhagavat Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam). Amongst the lessons are these:

1. That God comes to this world in many forms; not just once, in one form, or even many times in the same form, but many times in many forms. He is never limited by the form, but remains all powerful.

2. That all other gods are meant to offer homage to Him. They did this when, appearing as a young child, he was awarded the sacred thread by Brihaspati, the guru of the gods. The sun god gave Him the Gayatri mantra and His father, Kasyapa Muni, a straw belt. Mother Earth gave Him a deerskin and Lord Brahma gave Him a waterpot. Kuvera, the heavenly treasurer gave Him a monk’s begging bowl, and the wife of Lord Shiva gave Him the first alms. In this way, the gods all offered the best of what they had to the Supreme God. Each of us, in our own way, must also give the best of what we own – our talents, intelligence, words and wealth – as a gift to that same God. He gave it to us along with our birth, and we can offer ot back to Him.

3. Upon seeing the lad from a distance, King Bali noticed his remarkable sun-like effulgence. He welcomed Him and washed His feet. Thinking of himself as a great proprietor of the Earth, Bali then asked Vamanadeva what He would like to be given in charity, as this was the custom of the king. Vamana replied that He only wanted three paces of land, as measured by His own short steps. The king smiled at the thought of such a small request. He was soon to discover that just as God comes in disguise, so His requests to us are often disguised as simple acts of devotion. Many people smile at the thought that God asks us for only three words: Hare, Krishna, and Rama, spoken as a mantra. But as we speak those three small words we begin to realise that He is changing our life forever from within our hearts.

4.Vamanadeva teaches Bali that enlightened human beings are meant to be satisfied with what comes to them. Those who are not satisfied with what they actually need will never be satisfied, even if they gain the whole Earth. And a man or a woman practising the spiritual life must never be dissatisfied, for by such dissatisfaction they sprinkle water on the inner fire of their spiritual potency.

5. Bali Maharaja’s guru, Sukracarya. was perceptive enough to understand what was happening, who the young boy was, and what was about to happen. But he counselled the king to deny the request, even though he knew that it was Vishnu Himself asking. Thus Sukra was an atheist, even though learned in the Vedas. Such a guru, who stands in the way of his disciple’s emancipation, is fit to be rejected.

6. Bali turns to his guru and says that telling lies, or not keeping a promise once spoken, is the most sinful act. He explains that Mother Earth once said:  ” I can bear any heavy thing except a person who is a liar.” Therefore, a person living according to dharma must scrupulously avoid lying.

7. He explains that the opportunity to give in charity to a qualified, saintly person is very rare. It must never be regarded as a time of loss, but as a moment when auspiciousness is drawn towards the giver. When we give we don’t lose, rather God – and the universe – gives us even more in return.

8. Sukra curses his own disciple, thus revealing the actual relationship that sometimes exists between an official religious priest and a member of the faith.

9. Vamana responds to Bali’s promise by expanding his size. Although God may appear as a child, He is the oldest of the old, the immeasurably largest of all large things, and the most powerful of all. This lesson would later be learned by Lord Brahma, who tested the Lord’s power when He appeared as child Krishna. God is also the ultimate owner of everything since everything emanates from Him.

10. Vamana takes His first two steps which, due to His size, encompass the entire cosmos. When He asks where He should place his third promised step, Bali realises that there is only one thing left to give Him – his very self. The king surrenders fully to God at that moment. The surrender of Bali, although offered in a moment of abject desperation, is nonetheless to be emulated by all of us. We don’t own countries, but we do regard ourselves as proprietors of our domestic domains. Most of these, in truth, never quite belong to us legally, and in the grand scheme of things we can claim no factual ownership at all. Death will come very quickly and take everything away from us, so better to give it all to God now. We do this by dedicating everything we own to His service. The result? Curiously enough, the same result that Bali achieved: that we are given everything back and that God draws us nearer to  Him and His eternal abode.

Dubbed “The Land of the Eternal Blue Sky,” Mongolia is a large and rather wild country divided between deserts, steppes, and mountains. About fifty-three per cent of the population are Buddhist, and about forty per cent continue to live the traditional nomadic lifestyle.ISKCON devotees first came to Mongolia in the 1990s.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, October 2009, Vrindavan, India, Lecture)

Love means to put our ideas aside for someone else. When we love someone, we will put our own agenda aside and just try to please that person and we will only do for that person what he desires. So, our love for Prabhupada has to show in how much we are ready to put our own agenda aside and embrace his agenda and do what is dear to him. That is where our love will show…

Hare Krishna! The Appearance of Lord Vamanadeva
Radhanath Swami : Bali Maharaj performed a hundred Aswamedha yajnas when he was ruling very powerfully. So little Vamanadev, just by himself, walked with his bare feet and came upon the arena of the sacrifice on the banks of Narmada River. When Bali Maharaj saw him, this little dwarf – he was so effulgent, so beautiful, he radiated such purity and compassion – Bali Maharaj’s heart filled with joy. He stood up, and all the brahmins who were performing the yajna with him, they all stood up to offer honor and welcome to Lord Vamanadev. Bali Maharaj bowed to him and with deep affection he gave him a very, very honorable seat.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20045

All of us are like Arjuna in so many ways. We stand on the battlefield of life faced with all kinds of challenges which often seem overwhelming. Sometimes we too don’t know which way to turn but the message of the Gita is also there for us.

Dear Devotees and Friends,

On the occasion of “World Holy Name Week“, Perth Kirtan Team would like to invite you for “PERTH KIRTAN MELA – 2015”  on Sunday, 27 September at Kalamunda Temple.

Schedule :
1:00 pm Kirtan Mela Begins
4:30 pm Sunday School Children perform Kirtan
5:00 pm Short Drama on “The Importance of Harinaam ”
7:00 pm Gaura Arati
8:00 pm Conclusion

Major Attractions:
* Guest Kirtaneers
* Our Temple Kirtan Specialists:
HG Sri Radha Raman Prabhu
HG Ameyatma Prabhu
HG Stoka Krsna Prabhu
HG Nitai Prem Prabhu
* Group Kirtans
* Free Flow of Prasadam

Don’t miss PERTH KIRTAN MELA – 2015!

Looking forward to seeing you there.

If you would like to sponsor a feast or help in any service, please contact:
Stoka Krsna Das – (0401843690)
Bhakta Akshay – (0401414172)
Bhakta Sasi – (0431959596)

—
Hare Krishna

Dear Devotees and Friends,

In order to commemorate Srila Prabhupada’s arrival anniversary in the United States, all ISKCON Temples and Centres throughout the world are gearing up to celebrate the World Holy Name Week 2015 between 24th September and 4th October this year. Srila Prabhupada’s greatest desire was to spread the chanting of the Holy Names as much as possible all over the world. This year’s celebration also marks the 50th anniversary of that event.

In this connection, ISKCON Perth is launching this worldwide event by inviting you to participate with us in the following activities:

• Maha Harinama Sankirtana Processions in the City
  • Friday 25th September and 2nd October
  • 5:45 PM till 7:00 PM
  • Corner of James and William street near Govinda’s restaurant in Northbridge
• Japa Seminar
  • Sarturday 26th September 
  • 5:00 PM till 7:00 PM
  • Hare Krishna Temple, Kalamunda
• 6 Hour Kirtana
  • Sunday 27th September 
  • 1:00 PM till 7:00 PM
  • Hare Krishna Temple, Kalamunda
• Special Sunday Feast 
  • Sunday 4th October 
  • 4:00 PM onward
  • Hare Krishna Temple, Kalamunda

If you would like to sponsor the festival in part or full, or help in some service please call:
Sitaramalaxman Das (0422 045 525)
Syama Sarana Das (0439 969 002)
Narottama Das (0424 565 108)

—
Hare Krishna

Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada on Lord Vamanadeva
So when Vamanadeva appeared, Bali Maharaja was attracted by His beauty as a Dwarf Brahmin, and as he was charitably disposed, he wanted to give Him some charity. But Sukaracharya, being elevated in mystic yogic powers, he could understand that Vamanadeva was Visnu. And in order to favor the demigods, He had come there to cheat Bali Maharaja in the shape of begging some charities. Bali Maharaja was puffed up with his material vanities, and Vamanadeva as He is Visnu, all-peaceful, without interrupting his attitude, just approached him in the form of a Brahmin, Who has a right to beg something from the princely order. And the principle orders also are always disposed, to make charities to the Brahmins.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20042

Vipralambha Bhava: Love in Separation (52 min video)
Vipralambha Bhava, a drama performed on Sri Krishna Janmastami 2015 in New Raman Reti Dham ISKCON Alachua. Please watch in HD: https://goo.gl/JHvT69

New ISKCON Indore Temple, MP (4 min video)
Under the guidance of His Holiness Radhanath Swami, ISKCON Indore is home to a loving community of practicing Hare Krishna devotees and over 200 resident monks.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/0wpM7k

Harinama Sankirtana in Israel (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Lord’s holy name is called sravana-mangala. This means that one receives everything auspicious simply by hearing the holy name. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.7.15 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/UMN2xD

Vancouver Harinama Passes 200 Consecutive Days
A small yet growing crew of dedicated devotees have been doing Harinama Sankirtana in downtown Vancouver, Canada, for over 200 days in a row now, chanting the Holy Names of God for two hours every week day after work and for three hours on weekends.
“The method works,” says the program’s organizer Ishvari Jahnava Dasi, who has not missed a single day. “It develops taste for the Holy Name really, really fast. It’s like a pressure cooker.”
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/Xb1WI0

Drama – Janmashtami 2015 – 05.09.2015
Iskcon London

This is a brisk two-minute drop of nectar from Srimati Radharani's magic abode. The use of drone technology to rise into the air in Varshana's sunset creates a perfect mood for darshan of the supreme Feminine Godhead. The devotional ascension, in synergy with the superb score by grammy award-winner Ilan Chester, takes the viewer up the palace's fortress with an ease that bhakti alone can provide. A video by Vausedva Das.

“So we have a great responsibility.  when we think of all the sacrifices that Srila Prabhupada made, and all the risks he took to come to America and deliver Krishna consciousness to us, I get great inspiration in my own efforts and I think that anyone of us will feel the same. How much he sacrificed and his mood of complete surrender and dependence on Krishna, is a good example to follow. So I am very grateful to all of you for coming forward to help Srila Prabhupada with his mission”

Houston Vyasa-puja via Skype

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Srimad Bhagavatam class at New Ramana Rati, Alachua
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Lecture at New Ramana Rati, Alachua

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Meet bhakta Heidelberg!
A professional pre-owned German Drum Scanner was recently acquired, due to a generous donation from the BBTI, is now part of the photo scanner arsenal of the Bhaktivedanta Archives photo division.

Vaishnava wedding near Pisa, Italy (Album with photos)
Sriman Keshava Das (the son of Matsyavara Prabhu ACBSP) and Srimati Bhadra Devi Dasi.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/E2pVAu

Vaishnava initiation in a traditional Mongolian “yurta” (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Two days ago we did a public program in a hall in Ulaanbaatar and then an initiation in a traditional “yurta” in a forest outside the city. Krsna consciousness is slowly taking root in Mongolia.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/wdYC5j

Kartik starts on the 27th October!
Parasuram dasa: Kartik is a special time for spiritual advancement, service performed during Kartik gives 100 times more reward and in Vraj again is another 100 times more reward. And as we know the distribution of Books, Prasad (spiritual food) and the Holy Name are the backbone of the Yuga Dharma. We are printing 50,000 small books and we can distribute them in your name, one book costs 5 pence, that means for £100 you can have 2,000 books distributed in your name.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20038

Ratha-yatra in Agra (Album with photos)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lXc2os