Planet ISKCON

 Her Grace Narayani Devi Dasi:
Her Grace Narayani Devi Dasi joined ISKCON in Boston in 1970. She has done many services for Srila Prabhupada including Deity worship in Calcutta temple, traveling book distribution in Western India for the Bombay temple, and teaching Bhakti Sastri, Bhakti Vaibhava and Bhaktivedanta courses in the VIHE in Vrndavana. She helped write the VTE curriculum for Bhakti Sastri and has written three books: Srimad Bhagavatam At a Glance, Garden of Devotion and Bhagavadgita at a Glance. 


Pavitraropana
Fasting.....................on Tue Aug 25th,2015
Breakfast.................on Wed Aug 26th,2015 b/w 7.39am-11.04am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).


Gift Shop

Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewellery, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

Holy Name Festival in Spain (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Caitanya Mahaprabhu says: “I have brought medicine to awaken very living being from perpetual sleep. Please receive the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, and awaken. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.13.9 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/qxeNTq

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 26 June 2015, Gita Nagari, USA, Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.8)

Srila Kavi Karnapura, in his Caitanya Candrodaya Nataka, explains how there are two types of devotional service which are: devotional service with nectar and devotional service without nectar. Many get involved in the latter, in devotional service without nectar. But devotional service is not meant for that, it is meant for svādu svādu pade pade (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.19); it is meant for relishing at every step. So this is our challenge and the spiritual master is challenging the disciple.

One thing I learned from Tamal Krsna Maharaj, is that the duty of the spiritual master is to give the disciple a vision of what he can do with his life which is greater than what he would have thought of by himself! We see that Prabhupada did it. We see that Prabhupada would just literally blow the minds of his disciples by having ideas that were like much greater than they ever had.

Prabhupada generated that spirit by his purity, by his dedication, by his learning and by coming down to the level of people. Prabhupada did not, although he was also in his presence worshiped on great vyasasans and so on, Prabhupada did not stay on that platform. Prabhupada came down and lived with people, lived with hippies on the Lower East Side, stayed with them and gave so much personal attention so that people began to feel indebted. That is the only thing a spiritual master can do!

If it was so easy, just give some transcendental knowledge and the job is done, people will say, “Yeah, very nice.” But then how will they give their life? So Prabhupada pushed. He pushed. Prabhupada was very demanding. He would push devotees, push them to do things that were very difficult. Great struggle! Prabhupada wanted all these impossible tasks and because he was the spiritual master of the entire movement at that time, the whole movement just had to do what he said. His word was absolute for all.

Now, you know, it is different. Now we have so many spiritual masters and now in some temples, especially bigger temples more than one guru visits and each time, there are different people who come. When there is a certain guru coming, some people come out of the woodwork, otherwise, you do not see them so much. But when the guru is there, they all come and are around him.

When the next guru comes, again a whole new assembly is there. Otherwise, usually there are more deities than devotees in the temple. Maybe that is a little cynical from my side to say that but you know, you get the idea…

So, in that way, nowadays it is easier to sort of escape. There is more leeway for the mind to take advantage and to avoid the order on the head, that order of the spiritual master which is meant to be the jewel on the head, the jewel that the devotee carries on his head. The chudamani is the order of the spiritual master and whatever he wants, that we must do!

Hare Krishna! Lord Nrisimha: Protector of Devotees
Hiranyakashipu, the universal tyrant, wished to reverse the system of piety. He wanted the impious to be rewarded and the pious to be punished. Thus upon the death of Hiranyakashipu, all the demigods and inhabitants of various planets offered their prayers to Lord Nrisimha, expressing their gratitude for the Lord’s slaying the daitya, who had usurped all their riches, wives, and shares of sacrificial offerings. Only Prahlada Maharaja, however, could pacify with loving prayers the transcendental wrath of Lord Nrisimha, who is prepared to even appear as half-man, half-lion for the sake of His pure devotees.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19254

Radhadesh Summer Holi Festival: Kids Ratha Yatra (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One has to continue chanting the Hare Krishna mantra and preaching the chanting of this mantra because such preaching and chanting constitute the perfection of life. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.67 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/Bdx7P4

Hare Krishna! When Swami Met Sally
Satyaraja Dasa: He was the easiest guest I have had in my life, because when I couldn’t spend time with him he chanted, and I knew he was perfectly happy. When I couldn’t talk to him, he chanted. He was so easy, though, because I knew he was never bored. I never felt any pressure or tension about having him. He was so easy that when I had to take care of the children he would just chant. It was so great. When I had to do things, he would just be happy chanting. He was a very good guest. When the people would come, they were always smoking cigarettes, but he would say, “Pay no attention. Think nothing of it.” That’s what he said. “Think nothing of it.” Because he knew we were different. I didn’t smoke in front of him. I knew I wasn’t supposed to smoke in front of Gopal’s father, so I sort of considered him the same. He didn’t make any problems for anybody.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19250

Hare Krishna! Spiritual Television: Is the World Ready for a True Spiritual Network
Yogesvara dasa: A Native American storyteller named Ron Evans tells a tale that warms the heart of all who agonise over the effects of contemporary media. Ron visited Africa some years ago and was present the day electric lines were installed for the first time in a tiny village. Along with wiring came a gift from the local government: the village’s first television. Ron describes how the entire village sat mesmerised for three days watching every programme. Then as if on cue, rose, turned off the set, and went about their business. Curious as to their motives, Ron approached the village chief and asked, ‘Why did you stop watching the television?’ The chief smiled and replied, ‘We don’t need the television. We have our storyteller.’ Delighted but not completely satisfied by the reply, Ron commented, ‘The television knows many stories, too.’ The chief bowed his head thoughtfully, then looked up with a smile and said, ‘Oh, no doubt the television knows many stories. But our storyteller knows us!’
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19246

CC daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post CC daily 204 – 7.33-35 – More important than our desire for the Lord’s proximity is his pleasure appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavtam-daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Bhagavatam-daily 308 – 11.13.41 – Enlightenment is not just accepting the reality of the spiritual but also accepting its primacy appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Lecture Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Lord Chaitanya’s momentous victory in Puri – Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya Chp 6 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

"One must come to the understanding that the Holy name of the Lord and the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself are identical. One cannot reach this conclusion unless one is offenseless in chanting the Holy name."

Chaitanya Caritamrta Adi Lila 8.16

Mantra-japa (meditation on a mantra) is fun, relaxing, and easy – particularly in bhakti-yoga, where the mantra describes the object of our love.

Don’t look at mantra chanting as a chore, or a task, or a challenge. Look at it as an opportunity to rest, relax, and enjoy the happiness, peace and bliss that comes naturally and automatically from the ultimate core of the self, param-ātmā – who, ultimately, is Krishna.

Chanting mantra right would feel as restful as sleeping without dreams, because you would be physically still, and your mind would stop imagining things that it worries about or wants. This is why people who practice mantra-japa effectively wind up feeling like they naturally need less sleep. All the time they put into mantra-japa rejuvenates their body and mind just like deep sleep.

Often we have a hard time falling asleep, or getting a really restful sleep. This is, in many ways, the same reason why we have a hard time doing deep, effective mantra-japa: we are unable to let go of our worries and wants. We need some motivation to set aside the things that constantly occupy our mind. This motivation can come from simple exhaustion and the need to relax, and it can come from seeking svānanda (the bliss inherent in simply being conscious, without needing to worry about what to do with it), and it can come from seeking bhaktyānanda (the bliss inherent in focusing consciousness upon an fearless, stable object of divine love – Krishna).

When chanting, don’t try to create the mantra. That is work. And it is hopeless. You cannot create this thing which is so categorically greater than and fundamental to your self. You can’t create the mantra with your voice or your mind or even your heart.

The mantra already exists, and it already exists in you. All you need to do is tune in to it, by tuning out from all the noise made by the wants and worries of the mind. Allow the mantra to be discovered within you, by your curious contemplation of its words.

Curiosity is an absolute necessity for successful mantra-japa. If we are not curious about something, we will not ever really pay attention to it! You must be curious, “What is this word, ‘Krishna’? What does it indicate? What does it sound like? What does it feel like?” Don’t answer, just incite your curiosity and let the name answer. “What are these words, ‘hare’ and ‘rāma’? Why do they come in this curious, rhythmic pattern?”

In time, successfully curious mantra-japa will begin revealing incredible detail contained within the words of the mantra. All of Rādhā-Krishna’s names, beauty, qualities, associates, and activities are enveloped within the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra. This things unfold to those who set aside their normal wants and worries for at least some time, and focus their consciousness on the mantra existing within their consciousness.

With curiosity as fuel, pay attention to the mantra manifest by its own self-sustained existence within your own eternal consciousness. Then mantra-japa will be stress-relieving, health-improving, restful, and most importantly of all, spiritually potent!

Tagged: hare krishna mantra, Japa, Meditation, nama-japa, relaxation

Hare Krishna! NASN July 2015 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of July. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19243

Harinama in every city and village! (Album with photos)
Sri Nama Prabhu, the Holy name, likes to be distributed. Especially in kali yuga, Sri Nama Prabhu wants to go to every village and every person. Every devotee should be a distribution outlet for the holy name.
See them here: https://goo.gl/eSFJcx

Bhagavtam-daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Bhagavatam-daily 306 – 11.13.40 – Purification is not the depriver of happiness – impurity is appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavtam-daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Bhagavatam-daily 305 – 11.13.39 – Unity of purpose underlies diversity of processes appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavtam-daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Bhagavatam-daily 304 – 11.13.38 – Krishna questions the question before answering the question appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavtam-daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Bhagavatam-daily 303 – 11.13.37 – Austerity is meant not to torment the body but to transcend the body appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavtam-daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Bhagavatam-daily 302 – 11.13.36 – Devotion is the ultimate intoxication appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavtam-daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Bhagavatam-daily 301 – 11.13.35 – Dont equate the temporarily real with the eternally real appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

CC daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post CC daily 203 – 7.30-32 – The Lord’s seeming hard-heartedness is due to his soft-heartedness appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

CC daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post CC daily 202 – 7.27-29 – The Lord tastes the devotees affection while reproaching their action appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

CC daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post CC daily 201 – 7.25-27 – Neglect of etiquette can be due to disrespect – and due to love too appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

CC daily Podcast:

Download by “right-click and save content”

The post CC daily 200 – 7.23-24 – Non-expression of emotion conveys depth of affection appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Hare Krishna! The complete list of videos from the epic 50th Anniversary celebration at Kolkata
From August 13th to 16th a massive event in Kolkata – celebrating the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s journey to the U.S. – drew 35,000 people, including representatives of 125 countries and many prominent politicians and VIPs. All were coming to pay their respects to the great spiritual teacher, who left his home alone at age 69, braved two heart-attacks during a month-long voyage on the cargo ship Jaladuta, and struggled with little help in one of the roughest parts of New York City for nearly a year before establishing ISKCON on July 13th, 1966.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19239

Worship of Lord Nrsimhadeva (5 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Each day I worship Lord Nrsimhadeva for protection in spreading the glories of the holy names far and wide, as well as for removing all obstacles on the path of pure devotion to the divine couple, Sri Sri Radha and Krsna.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/dBx1ZW

The post Gaura Krsna asks whether devotees can chant and teach others to chant Hare Krsna by also emphasizing cultivating love for Krsna along with listening to the holy name appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Please forgive the sound quality – wasn’t the technicians dharma. https://youtu.be/TehQlZKbGXg

The post Here is the Varnasram seminar given in Budapest to a Chicago audience appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

As the main dome structure is almost complete, a lot of preparation has been going on to commence the next step, the Kalash.

We have seen the Kalash mock-up from McCoy industry made in titanium nitrite coated stainless steal, being fabricated in Mumbai. Our latest addition is a life size bracket that will support the Kalash. It’s made from GRC and measures 3/4 of an inch thick (1.9 cm) and 14 feet (4.5m) tall. This frame is being built in house, right here in Mayapur.

Next week we are planning to start fabrication of mold for the bracket using fiber glass and polyurethane. There will be total of 24 brackets and each one will weight 1.2 tons (2,646 lbs).

The post Kalash Support Structure appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Hare Krishna! The Art and Culture of Leadership Succession (video)
Anuttama dasa and Tamohara dasa. Class at Iskcon Chicago, Sri Kishore Kishori temple streamed live on Aug 20, 2015. All authority in ISKCON is derived from the order and directions of His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Thus to the degree a member of ISKCON is following Srila Prabhupada’s order and direction he/she carries authority. In general spiritual matters, this authority is naturally manifest. It does not need to be officially conferred. However based on Srila Prabhupada’s direction to cooperate for a unified preaching endeavour the members agree to cooperate in the practical exercise of all authority, whether self-manifest (as in spiritual authority) or conferred (as in management positions) within the management system of ISKCON under the direction of the Governing Body Commission.
Watch it here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19232

GBC Mayapur Meeting 21-8-2015.
Ramai Swami : The GBCs of Mayapur were supposed to go to Mayapur for the summer meeting. However, because of severe flooding, the meeting was held in Kolkata.
Bhakti Caru Maharaja graciously organised everything at the last minute and everyone was hosted at guest houses near the temple. A conference room at the nearby Hindustan Hotel was used for discussion.
Read more: http://goo.gl/5mkyf5

About Varnasrama and the Need to Establish it in ISKCON (video) Presentation by Sivarama Swami to the North American GBC on 18 August 2015. We have a three-fold psychological typology. The mode of goodness is manifest by an attitude that is detached, dispassionate and interested in knowledge for its own sake. The mode of passion is evident in the hankering and longings that impel strenuous efforts to obtain objects of desire. The mode of ignorance is manifest in apathy, indifference, obliviousness and bewilderment. When, for example, consciousness is conditioned by sattva-guna, it will be alert and attentive (toward nearly any subject presented) and, at the same time, detached and disinterested. Consciousness conditioned by rajo-guna is excited and narrowly focused upon the object of desire. Consciousness conditioned by tamo-guna is unaware, inattentive, easily distracted and disposed toward chronic misperception. Watch it here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19229

Hare Krishna! Whatever Happens, Don’t Stop Chanting
Giriraj Swami: At her initiation ceremony yesterday, Rose Forkash received the name Rajani-priya dasi. Rajani is a name of Durga, an expansion of Srimati Radharani, who is the divine, universal mother. Rajani was also the name of Srila Prabhupada’s mother. Priya means “dear” or “dear to,” and dasi means “servant” or “servant of.” During the ceremony, Rtadhvaja Swami, Niranjana Swami, and especially Indradyumna Swami encouraged Rajani-priya via Skype with words of appreciation, affection, and instruction.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19223

15.08.2015_H.H.Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaj _B.G – 17.01

With the help of a European Union grant for building youth relations, about 175 European youth received an immersive experience of Krishna consciousness on the Senagataway retreat at ISKCON’s beautiful Radhadesh community in Belgium from August 1^st to 10^th. The event was organized by the Pandava Sena, a UK-based youth organization.

Taking place just days after the formal inauguration of ISKCON's 50th anniversary celebrations in Kolkata, the eight hour kirtan event brought together top kirtaneers from all over country, which really embodied the spirit of a whole UK yatra.

In today’s  ‘motor car civilization’, one of the most profound thing to ask would be, ‘who owns the world’s biggest and the most exotic car?’ To get an answer to this question, you would have to go to the Eastern part of India, to Jagannath Puri.