Planet ISKCON

A 53-year old man who spent six days in the coma, still has no memory of his former life and can only speak… in ancient Hebrew!

https://flic.kr/s/aHskkwrQVE

The post Scenes from the Bhakti-fest in Turkey appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Noticias.iskcon.org, ISKCON News’ Spanish language website, is back in action after beating off a hacker attack which targeted the site back on April 26^th. “I received an email from an unknown sender asking for money in exchange for solving problems on the website,” says managing editor Baladeva Das, who also serves as the Communications Director for ISKCON Argentina. “I thought it was spam and deleted it.”

Hare Krishna! Celebrating Prabhupada’s Arrival in Boston at Bhaktivedanta Manor
Prabhupada’s vyasasana (seat) was surrounded by flower displays and many garlands adorned him. The prayers he wrote on arrival were sung as devotees meditated on his profound humility and compassion. In a special talk, temple president Sruti Dharma Prabhu, spoke of the many gifts of Srila Prabhupada. The observance was both joyful and sobering, as feelings of both appreciation and awe were expressed reflecting on the sacrifice andhumble beginnings of Prabhupada.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19868

Kirtan Fest 2015 - 24 hours of kirtan in the City of Leicester, UK.
ISKCON Leicester will host Kirtan Fest, 24 hours of Kirtan on 26-27 September, 2015, in celebration of Holy Name Week. Hundreds of devotees from all over the UK will participate in the two-day festival at the Centre at 31 Granby Street, Leicester, 9am-11pm on Saturday, and 9am-7pm on Sunday. The cream of kirtan leaders from around Europe will be attending this year’s Kirtan Fest, including Ananda Monet, Caitanya Cintamani Devi Dasi, Nitai Kirtan Das, Hari Kirtan Das, Nimai Gadhvi, Jay Krishna, Birju and Kishori Jani, Ravi Pattni, and many others.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19865

The post Discussion with a member of Turkish congregation on the three modes of nature (Part 1) appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Hare Krishna! “I do” (video)
By ABC TV (Australia’s national broadcaster) Can you imagine not meeting your husband/wife before the wedding? Hare Krishnas Jayasri (Janet) and Pratapana’s (Tony) first words to each other were “I do”, when they met at the altar of their arranged marriage in 1981. See how they’ve kept their marriage going in For Better For Worse on Compass Sunday, 6.30pm. Presented by Geraldine Doogue, Compass explores faith, belief and values in Australia and around the globe
Watch it here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19860

Hare Krishna! Where is My Free Will?
What is the meaning of this free-will? According to societal convention, it appears that a powerful person will be able to actualize his free will while a less privileged person in the society has less ability to actualize his/her free will. As per this convention, some have free will while others do not have. In another convention, what all I desire are expressions of my free will. Some are fulfilled while most of them remain unfulfilled. However, here is the contradiction. Something that is free – svatantra – cannot be subservient to any other extraneous situations.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19857

Grand Janmashtami Celebrations organized by ISKCON Mangalore , Kadri Tollgate
Janmashtami was done in Large Auditorium in heart of the city. About 5000 people participated in the Festival.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19854

Invitation for New Temple Inauguration at ISKCON Mira Road
I take great pleasure in inviting you and all the devotees in your temple for the Deity installation ceremony on Sept.23, 24, and 25.
Sri Sri Radhagiridhari Temple
Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg, Hare Krishna Dham,
Shristi, Sector 1, Near Royal Collage,
Mira Road (East), Thane 401107
Tel : 022-28453562, 9223183023
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19851

Hare Krishna! A Rain Of Mercy in the Gobi Desert (photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday was an historic day in the Mongolian yatra. We performed harinam samkirtan for the first time in the country since 1992. In the early morning, when the Gobi desert sun was still tolerable, we took to the streets of Sainshand, a town of 23,000 people, with mrdungas, kartalas and the sweet chanting of Krsna’s holy names.The people loved it and chanted and danced alongside us. In the afternoon we held the first Krsna conscious hall program in the town. Finally, in the cool air of the desert evening, we held a Hare Krsna concert in the town square. We pray that such pioneer preaching will satisfy Srila Prabhupada, who desired that the holy names be broadcast in every town and village of the world, in accordance with the will of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
See them here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19848

Hare Krishna! 50 Years Of The Hare Krishna Movement – One Man’s Journey To A Million Hearts
In the UK, Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in Boston will be celebrated by Bhaktivedanta Manor and ISKCON London, who are hosting a day of special educational talks and kirtan to commemorate this epic journey. In Boston, thousands will gather at the Commonwealth Pier where Srila Prabhupada disembarked the ship, to mark a full day of remembrance, contemplation and celebration. On Saturday 19th September, the day Srila Prabhupada reached New York, celebrations will continue at Bhaktivendanta Manor with a special film screening about his journey. In addition, ISKCON London will transform three London tour buses into a stage for hundreds of people of all ages to take part in a Hare Krishna music marathon across central London.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19844

The post Daily Darshan – September 17th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

HG Radha Govinda Mataji at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-09-08, Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 06.14.30-40

Amala Bhakta Swami Initiation (Album with photos)
Amal Bhakta Swami still resides near the same temple in Los Angeles, teaching, counseling, and lecturing regularly, but he also travels extensively to other states and countries, performing similar services. He has also written the four published books displayed on this website, and has produced, directed, and narrated hundreds of hours of audio books, both dramatic and non-dramatic, mostly written by his spiritual master, for Krishna Productions. Amal Bhakta Swami’s books are about India’s divine incarnations and saints, and are designed to assist truth-seekers in viewing ideal devotees of God to model their lives around.
See them here: https://goo.gl/O59FYr

Hare Krishna! Join in the fantastic ISKCON 50th Anniversary from home through Mayapur.tv!
Some very special live broadcasts coming up on MayapurTV for the anniversary.
The main broadcast for Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the USA. will be from ISKCON Boston. With: H.H. Niranjana Swami , H.H. Jayadvaita Swami, H.H. Trivikrama Swami, H.H. Romapada Swami, H.H. Radhanath Swami, H.H. Bhaktimarga Swami, H.H. Janananda Goswami, H.H. Giriraja Swami, H.G. Guru Gauranga Prabhu, H.G. Malati Mataji, H.G. Rukmini Mataji, H.G. Anuttama Prabhu, H.G. Garuda Prabhu and others.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19839

Today marks the 50th anniversary of ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya Srila Prabhupada’s arrival at Boston carrying the message of peace and goodwill of the Indian culture.
In his honor, for the first time the Indian Flag would be raised at Boston City Hall Plaza by Culture Chief Julie Burros in the presence of several leading dignitaries and Embassy officials. The nearly 1000 participants are expected to take part in this historic event.

Hare Krishna! ISKCON Prison Ministry – My Faith in Prabhupada and Krishna is Set in Stone
I have been helping some inmates here to learn about Krishna. I believe one has written to you, Mr. Van Peterson. He’s a recovering heroin addict and is only eighteen or nineteen years old. He is in my cell. I share books with him and taught him how to chant on a Catholic rosary I got from the chaplain. I have made arrangements with the chaplain for inmates here to be allowed to have japa malas for chanting rounds. My social worker here, Elizabeth, is very interested in Krishna Consciousness and I have given her some BTGs. I plan to leave the books you sent to me with her to use in her AODA groups. She feels it will relieve the high level of stress her inmates deal with. Elizabeth asked me to give a group presentation on Krishna Consciousness and the Hare Krishna mantra before I leave here.
(The drawing was made by inmate Bhakta Burl D., Coleman, Florida)
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19836

Hare Krishna! Sannyasa initiation ceremony for Amala Bhakta Prabhu now Amala Bhakta Swami
Today 17th Sept 2015, HH Radhanath Swami gave Sannyasa initiation ceremony for Amala Bhakta Prabhu, and now new name is Amala Bhakta Swami. Amala-bhakta Swami was born in New York City and attended New York University. He moved to Santa Monica, California in 1954 and worked in motion pictures for three years. Then, after an epiphany, he embarked on a journey to find the true purpose of life. On discovering it, he returned to New York in 1957 to study and then later teach the science of ashtanga yoga. In 1963 he directed a yoga center, gradually building it up from a few regular students to about 400. He also lectured regularly, wrote articles on yoga in national magazines, occasionally demonstrated yoga exercises on TV, and counseled students privately.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19833

“What benediction should I ask from you?” He said. “What would a wise person ask from a master who can fulfill any wish?”

Viṣṇu might suggest that he imagine the most wonderful thing in the world and ask for it, so Pṛthu explained, “I won’t ask for anything that exists in this world, for all such things are just transformations of the same material that the denizens of the hells experience.”

Viṣṇu might suggest that he ask for something beyond experience, so Pṛthu said, “You are the master of enlightenment, so maybe I should ask you to allow me to merge completely into consciousness itself, so that I never again experience anything except consciousness itself? But no, I do not want even that, my dear. I would never want to exist in a state in which I could not drink the experience of your lotus feet.”

Viṣṇu, in shyness, would run out of suggestions – so Pṛthu would speak his mind in all honesty. “The benediction I ask from you is this: give me infinite senses to experience you! Give me unlimited ears to hear what comes from the heart, through the mouth of the greatest souls.”

What sound comes from the heart of the greatest souls? Pṛthu explained, “The breeze of their breath carries the pollen of their love for you from the lotus of your feet, which they embrace in their hearts. It becomes honey as it passes through their vocal chords. The ear drinks this honey in the form of the supreme poetry. This nectar-honey grants every boon, even to we who are without spiritual discipline and have no idea about the paths of philosophy. Any other benediction is completely unnecessary!”

Viṣṇu might ask, “Wouldn’t you eventually become tired of drinking it? Even the sweetest honey eventually becomes tiresome. So, in the end, wouldn’t it be better to merge peacefully into pure consciousness?”

Pṛthu exclaimed, “If, somehow, someone even once winds up hearing attentively about your auspicious fame from those who really comprehend it, how would that person ever ‘get enough’ of it – unless they are like a dull animal who cannot appreciate the difference between fine food and common garbage? Even the Goddess of Fortune herself, Śrī, wants only this blessing!”

Viṣṇu might test Pṛthu by trying to discourage him. “You are a powerful man, emperor of the world! Why would you ask for the same thing that an emotional woman wants?”

Pṛthu declared, “I desire exactly what she wants! I want to become exactly like her, the Lotus-handed Goddess of Fortune! I want the same relationship with you that she has! I want to love you as the Supreme Male, the storehouse of all attractions and qualifications!”

Viṣṇu would test further. “I already have my wife! Taking you as a second might cause problems!”

Pṛthu explained, “She and I will not quarrel or compete over our shared husband – we will cooperate to serve your feet as one!”

Viṣṇu would ask, “But what if she doesn’t feel the same way?”

Pṛthu explained, “O Master of the Universe, I am dedicated to you, so I am not afraid of her! Even if the mother of the universe gets mad at me for my desire to share in her fortune by assisting her, I know that you will calm her down. I am nothing compared to her, but you especially love the lowly and you consider even their insignificant efforts to be great accomplishments.”

Viṣṇu was speechless. His heart stunned and bound in the ropes of emotion, he could not speak or wipe the tears that flowed from his beautiful eyes.

“By worshipping you,” Pṛthu concluded, “great souls dispel all confused fascination with the glamour of external existence. I know that they desire nothing from this worship except to constantly remember your All-Attractive feet.”

Then, in the great intimacy of love, Pṛthu chastised Viṣṇu. “When you say, ‘Ask me for a benediction,’ the whole world becomes deluded. Such words are like ropes that will only bind us to misery – for what can we possibly ask for except the ordinary, toilsome things that we are already so intoxicated with? We have divorced our identities from you and given ourselves to your external existence. We have no idea of our true identity. So, you should not ask us to choose our own benedictions! You should be like a father who does what he knows is best for his children.”

“What benediction should I ask from you?” He said. “What would a wise person ask from a master who can fulfill any wish?”

Viṣṇu might suggest that he imagine the most wonderful thing in the world and ask for it, so Pṛthu explained, “I won’t ask for anything that exists in this world, for all such things are just transformations of the same material that the denizens of the hells experience.”

Viṣṇu might suggest that he ask for something beyond experience, so Pṛthu said, “You are the master of enlightenment, so maybe I should ask you to allow me to merge completely into consciousness itself, so that I never again experience anything except consciousness itself? But no, I do not want even that, my dear. I would never want to exist in a state in which I could not drink the experience of your lotus feet.”

Viṣṇu, in shyness, would run out of suggestions – so Pṛthu would speak his mind in all honesty. “The benediction I ask from you is this: give me infinite senses to experience you! Give me unlimited ears to hear what comes from the heart, through the mouth of the greatest souls.”

What sound comes from the heart of the greatest souls? Pṛthu explained, “The breeze of their breath carries the pollen of their love for you from the lotus of your feet, which they embrace in their hearts. It becomes honey as it passes through their vocal chords. The ear drinks this honey in the form of the supreme poetry. This nectar-honey grants every boon, even to we who are without spiritual discipline and have no idea about the paths of philosophy. Any other benediction is completely unnecessary!”

Viṣṇu might ask, “Wouldn’t you eventually become tired of drinking it? Even the sweetest honey eventually becomes tiresome. So, in the end, wouldn’t it be better to merge peacefully into pure consciousness?”

Pṛthu exclaimed, “If, somehow, someone even once winds up hearing attentively about your auspicious fame from those who really comprehend it, how would that person ever ‘get enough’ of it – unless they are like a dull animal who cannot appreciate the difference between fine food and common garbage? Even the Goddess of Fortune herself, Śrī, wants only this blessing!”

Viṣṇu might test Pṛthu by trying to discourage him. “You are a powerful man, emperor of the world! Why would you ask for the same thing that an emotional woman wants?”

Pṛthu declared, “I desire exactly what she wants! I want to become exactly like her, the Lotus-handed Goddess of Fortune! I want the same relationship with you that she has! I want to love you as the Supreme Male, the storehouse of all attractions and qualifications!”

Viṣṇu would test further. “I already have my wife! Taking you as a second might cause problems!”

Pṛthu explained, “She and I will not quarrel or compete over our shared husband – we will cooperate to serve your feet as one!”

Viṣṇu would ask, “But what if she doesn’t feel the same way?”

Pṛthu explained, “O Master of the Universe, I am dedicated to you, so I am not afraid of her! Even if the mother of the universe gets mad at me for my desire to share in her fortune by assisting her, I know that you will calm her down. I am nothing compared to her, but you especially love the lowly and you consider even their insignificant efforts to be great accomplishments.”

Viṣṇu was speechless. His heart stunned and bound in the ropes of emotion, he could not speak or wipe the tears that flowed from his beautiful eyes.

“By worshipping you,” Pṛthu concluded, “great souls dispel all confused fascination with the glamour of external existence. I know that they desire nothing from this worship except to constantly remember your All-Attractive feet.”

Then, in the great intimacy of love, Pṛthu chastised Viṣṇu. “When you say, ‘Ask me for a benediction,’ the whole world becomes deluded. Such words are like ropes that will only bind us to misery – for what can we possibly ask for except the ordinary, toilsome things that we are already so intoxicated with? We have divorced our identities from you and given ourselves to your external existence. We have no idea of our true identity. So, you should not ask us to choose our own benedictions! You should be like a father who does what he knows is best for his children.”

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 23 September 2012, Durban, South Africa, Radhastami Lecture)

Mother Yasoda wants only the best for her son so she grows very special grass which is fed to very special cows who then produce very special milk. Then early in the morning, she calls for Srimati Radharani. Srimati Radharani, at that time, is staying with her in-laws in the village of Yavat, some two kilometers away from Nandagrama, a little further from Varsana where her parents, Vrsabhanu and Kirtida, are still living.

Srimati Radharani, from the house of her in-laws, is brought to the house of Yasoda in the morning. Although Jatila, her mother-in-law, is not so eager to let her go, she is forced to do so by her elders. The elders were saying, ‘How can you disobey the queen of Vrndavana?’ And mother Yasoda wants Srimati Radharani to cook for Krsna because Srimati Radharani had pleased Durvasa Muni once and she got the benediction that whatever she cooks will provide long life to whoever eats it plus it will taste like nectar! So mother Yasoda is very eager that Krsna will get a long life because like any mother, she is always worried. That is the nature of mothers, they always need something to worry about; something can possibly go wrong and mother Yasoda is not any different. So she is reciting all kinds of different mantras on the body of Krsna and in different ways, trying to protect him from all possible dangers and she wants him to have a long life. Therefore, she insists that Radharani has to cook for Krsna.

So early in the morning, Srimati Radharani leaves home, carried in a palanquin by various gopi servants, who are carrying her along the pathway, fanning her and transporting her to the house of Yasoda. Rohini has already started the fire early in the morning and started some preparations and is cooking away when Radharani arrives. Then Radharani begins to prepare so many of Krsna’s favourite preparations! She is very expert in making various sweet preps like kheer and rasagula for the pleasure of Krsna, who is very fond of such sweets. That is the nature of Krsna and Radharani is there every day.

Early in the morning, Krsna rises and the very first thing that Krsna does, even before bathing, is to milk the cows because the udders of the cows are full in the morning and they cannot wait so that must be done first.

Then when Krsna takes his bath, it is a festival because the gopis are assisting in the bathing as well as the cowherd boys. In that way, the spiritual world resembles the deity worship which we are performing here in this world. Behind the altar, there is a whole crew of devotees who are preparing things for the worship of Krsna. So in the same way, that is going on also. The dressing of Krsna is done by many in the spiritual world. Krsna is not dressing Himself.

By some higher arrangement, I will be joining His Holiness Radhanath Swami for saintly Amala Bhakta Prabhu’s sannyasa ceremony today—the first sannyasa initiation in New Dvaraka in more than three decades. Then tomorrow morning Radhanath Swami and I will fly together from Los Angeles to Boston for the fiftieth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in America there, which ultimately led to us all coming together and being engaged in devotional service to His Divine Grace, his guru maharaja, the Panca-tattva, and Sri Sri Radha-Krishna.

bhavapavargo bhramato yada bhavej
janasya tarhy acyuta sat-samagamah
sat-sangamo yarhi tadaiva sad-gatau
paravarese tvayi jayate ratih

“O my Lord! O infallible Supreme Person! When a person wandering throughout the universes becomes eligible for liberation from material existence, he gets an opportunity to associate with devotees. When he associates with devotees, his attraction for You is awakened. You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the highest goal of the topmost devotees, and the Lord of the universe.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.51.53)

Hare Krishna.

Your aspiring servant,
Giriraj Swami

Hare Krishna! HH Gopal Krishna Maharaj’s Vyasapuja a Grand Success for the TOVP!
Due to the mercy of their spiritual master, HH Gopal Krishna Maharaj’s disciples enthusiastically made commitments to support the construction of the TOVP. More than 700 devotees made pledges that day, totaling more than 2.5 million dollars. The willingness of Maharaj to open his doors to the TOVP fundraising team, despite the fact that he has five major temple projects of his own to complete, encouraged everyone present. The leaders of ISKCON have shown great appreciation for the effort Maharaj has made to assist the TOVP Project. For this act of devotion to the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha Madhava and Srila Prabhupada, we congratulate and offer him our heartfelt gratitude.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19826

Destination Mongolia – A Visit To A Monastery (7 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday we journeyed to Kharkhorin and visited Erdene Zuu, an ancient Buddhist monastery. There we discussed philosophy with the monks and how we could work together to increase interest in spiritual life amongst the youth of Mongolia. Towards the end of our visit the head of the monastery invited all the resident monks to come and hear us chant Hare Krsna. Before leaving we presented the leader of the monastery with a copy of Srila Prabhupada’s, Bhagavad Gita As It is. It was an historic occasion.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/V4qUSl

Reception for Prime Minister of India
Bhaktivedanta Manor: We are delighted to confirm that ISKCON – Bhaktivedanta Manor is one of the Partners for the forthcoming Reception at Wembley Stadium to honour His Excellency, the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. The event will take place on 13 November 2015.
Read more: http://goo.gl/Y8SJ7c

This month, the ISKCON Disciple Course – a program introduced in 2012 to help devotees better understand the guru-disciple relationship – became a requirement for initiation into ISKCON. And now, the straightforwardly-named The Guru and Disciple Book, by Prabhupada disciple Kripamoya Das, adds to the complex age-old topic and makes it even more accessible.

The post Bh. Alexey asks what is the qualification that is required for devotees to not search for Krsna consciousness outside of what Srila Prabhupada gave and ISKCON appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Last seminar in Turkey.

The post The importance of organization to realise the purposes of Krsna consciousness appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Hare Krishna! Bhaktivedanta Research Centre Newsletter
BRC Digitizes Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s Handwritten Letters. BRC recently digitized several never- before- seen letters that were personally written by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur to Mahendra Nath Datta. BRC Bengali Section Librarian, Bharati Roy Mataji has translated them into English for the first time. Gratefully, we accepted the permission of Niranjan Roy, whose wife is Mahendra Nath Datta’s granddaughter. Niranjan Roy is currently the head of Bhaktivinoda Gosthi, a committee of devotees from Birnagar that help manage Bhaktivinode Thakur’s birthplace.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19823