Planet ISKCON

Food For Life - Nepal: Today, 15th Aug 2015, Food For Life Nepal fed hot meals to 100 more students of Panchakanya school. (Album with photos)
The innocent children enquired if they could have such meals everyday. By now FFL Nepal is feeding total of 350 students in this school. The teachers expressed their heartfelt gratitude seeing their satisfied students.
All together, FFL Nepal is serving three different schools and one orphanage. Total of 520 students are provided their mid day meals everyday.
See them here: https://goo.gl/jiX139

Gurukuli Archives: 7 min video of New Vrindaban Gurukulis from sometime around 1980. Footage courtesy of ITV archives. Compiled and edited by Manu dasa. Songs “Oh Govinda” and “There is a Light” courtesy of Mangalananda dasa (Michael Cassidy).
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/xhmXVi

Hare Krishna! Bhaktivedanta Hospice: Aid for the Journey Home
Shortly before passing away in Vrindavan, a devotee requested her spiritual master to establish a “Back to Godhead” clinic there for Srila Prabhupada’s followers. The land is adjacent to the parikrama road trod by pilgrims during their devotional walks around Vrindavan. It is a sacred grove of mostly kadamba and tamala trees known as Giriraj Bhag (“Giriraj’s garden”). For five generations it belonged to the family of Sri Padmanabha Goswami, hereditary priests and caretakers of Vrindavan’s Radha-ramana Temple.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15967

Hare Krishna! Spiritual Need, Pain and Care: Recognition and Response in ISKCON
In this presentation, Hari-dhama dasa discusses an important social issue for the Society: that of providing care for the terminally ill in the movement. Since Vaisnava hold very dear the hope of dying in the association of devotees and at a place of pilgrimage, ISKCON faces a challenging task in providing this facility and care for its members. The author argues that both spiritual care and medical care should be available to patients, be they in a secular hospice or in a religious institution. He goes on to present some possible methods of approach to both carers in ISKCON and the caring profession in general.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19180

Hare Krishna! How Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar and Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Manifested in Jaipur
Sitala devi dasi, a resident of Mayapur Dham, had been ordering deities for ISKCON since 1975. Many temples around the world have used her services to obtain their deities. In the 1990’s the devotees of New Raman Reti asked her to order deities in India for our Temple. “It took a while for consensus to be reached among devotees here as to who should be the Lords of New Raman Reti,” she says. “Once the decision was made, Radha Shyamasundar manifested pretty quickly – about a year from order.” Sitala prabhu’s main service was to place the order with the murti wallah and ensure that the carving was in accordance with the desires of the Temple community. The Pandeys of Jaipur were Yamuna devi dasi’s choice for deity sculptors. She had ordered ISKCON’s first deities herself from them.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19175

The post To be or not to be appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Scenes from Jacksonville Rathayatra -Festival of Chariots - August 15, 2015 (Album with photos) ( Thank you Mahattama Rahla for the great photos)
See them here: https://goo.gl/aXLTiQ

Tulsi Gabbard’s (the first Krishna conscious member of the United States Congress) message for Srila Prabhupada’s Journey to USA. (5 min HD Video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/pI93zm

Hare Krishna! Resources From Girls Home Science Camp.
Among the various areas that the Bhakti Women team serves women in, we are also very inspired to support mothers in empowering their daughters and to honor and value their role as women. We wish for them to excel and shine in their roles as home- makers , caretakers of the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of their families, in raising emotionally and spiritually sound children and in maintaining relationships within society. With this purpose in mind we offered a ten session Girls Home Science Camp in Seattle during June-July 2015. The camp was well appreciated by all girls and parents from the devotee and secular community.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19148

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2004, Melbourne, Australia, Lecture)

Chastity is very essential. It is very important and not only for a woman but also for a disciple. It is said that disciples should be totally chaste, totally dedicated and focused on the spiritual master. So rather than taking the angle of chastity of women and say a lot about that, I will put that on the shelf and rather open up the topic of chastity of a disciple because both men and women are disciples after all and therefore it is maybe more relevant to us to look at chastity as a disciple.

This means that a disciple must try to understand that the spiritual master is a person who is functioning on a very elevated, exalted platform and that therefore, the considerations of the spiritual master are taking place on a much more refined and elevated level than our own. Our own thinking is happening on the gross platform; our thinking takes place in different moods and modes.

So the sentiments of the spiritual master, the thoughts of the spiritual master and the considerations of the spiritual master, are of a much higher level of refinement than ours and therefore we should try as much as possible to capture and penetrate into the mood of the spiritual master. The mood of the spiritual master is that sum total of his way of thinking and his way of dealing. It is not just the way in which he says things but also how he says it and how he does it. One must not only hear the words but one must also see how the spiritual master acts; this is very important!

Sometimes when we watch videos of Srila Prabhupada, we may encounter a particular episode which we have already read about. It may happen that you have read something about a particular episode in Prabhupada’s life or a particular interview or a particular discussion but when you see the expressions with it as well, it adds a whole different dimension! Like in one particular interview, Prabhupada was saying very heavy things. He was speaking about women and how they are less intelligent, and he was saying that in Chicago. But he was not saying that with a very serious face, he was laughing and chuckling at the same time when he was saying it. When you see him, he says it sort of like grandfatherly, but if you just read the text, it may not come across like that. If you read the text, it comes across like BANG, BANG, BANG! But if you see his facial expressions and his mood with it, then it is totally different.

So a disciple who is chaste tries to absorb the mood of the spiritual master and tries himself to act in a similar mood. He tries to take on this mood and not by imitating but by trying to understand the nature of that mood and trying to understand how the spiritual master is expressing trnad api sunicena (Siksastakam 3), how he is fully expressing humility, how he is expressing tolerance, how he gives respect to others and how he manifests vaisnava qualities. We can learn a lot from how someone manifests vaisnava qualities.

So chastity of a disciple means that the instructions of the spiritual master are siromani, are like jewels on the head! They are carried like a jewel, like a great treasure. Whatever the spiritual master has said is siromani; it is not a casual thing at all. It is never to be taken as a light thing. It is always to be taken as something very important – everything that the spiritual master says! So every moment with the spiritual master is a precious moment even if nothing much transpires, even if no big dramatic statements are made still it is a precious moment. One has to contemplate, “Did I have the right attitude within this moment? Did I really take the proper position of a disciple?” and so on. These are is all symptoms of the chastity of the disciple who is really deeply thinking about what it means to be a disciple and to fully make himself available as the servant of the spiritual master. And that must be such a meditation…

UAE allocates land for Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple.
The Indian government has lauded a decision by the United Arab Emirates to allocate land for the building of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.
Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, currently on a two-day trip to the UAE, said on Sunday, that he was thankful to the UAE government, describing the move, “a great step”.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/gmDSCb

Vancouver Rathyatra 2015 (Album with photos)
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)
See them here: https://goo.gl/0n4gak

16.08.2015_H.G.Pancagauda Prabhuji_SB – 06.01.16

There is a very popular and important Mantra which is an important part of Devī Mahātmya:

सर्वमऩ्गलमऩ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधके ।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरी नारायणी नमो स्तु ते ।।

sarva-maṅgala-maṅgalye
śive sarvārtha-sādhake
śaraṇye tryambake gaurī
nārāyaṇī namo’stu te

This mantra is about “devī” – which means it is about “śakti,” ALL śakti – Śaci, Kali, Durga, Parvatī, Lakṣmī, and Śrī Rādhā. But it is especially about śakti named nārāyaṇī, which, since the context of the mantra is as the culminating glorification of śakti, we should take as denoting the ādi-śakti (the original śakti who is the origin of all śakti) – Rādhā, the original Lakṣmī.

Gauḍīya śāstra says: Rādha pūrṇa-śakti, kṛṣṇa pūrna-śaktimān – “Rādhā is the complete original śakti (energy), and Krishna is the complete original śaktiman (possessor of energy).”

Now the meaning of the mantra:

sarva-maṅgala-maṅgalye = “to the auspiciousness of all auspiciousness.”

śive sarvārtha-sādhake = “to the auspicious means to attain any goal.”

śaraṇye = “to the refuge / protector / shelter”

try-ambake = “to the mother of three”

If we think of śakti as Durgā, “mother of three” means “the mother of heaven, earth, and hell.”

If we think of śakti as Parvatī, it means, “mother of the three guṇa – sattva, rajas, tamas.”

If we think of śakti as Lakṣmī, it means, “mother of cit, jiva, & maya – the conscious world, individual consciousness, and illusion.”

If we think of śakti as Rādhā, it means, “mother of sandinī, saṁvit, & hlādiṇī – existence, consciousness, joy.”

In all cases this really means, “to the mother of all that exists.”

So far all the words end with “e” – maṅgalye, sādhake, śaraṇye, ambake – meaning “to…” now we get to the words with other endings, gaurī and nārāyaṇī, these are the nouns.

gaurī = “beautiful, fair, golden lady”

Śakti emits light, brilliance, dazzle, sparkle – that is its nature, It is energy.

nārāyaṇī = “She in whom humans reside / by whom humans are supported”

So far the mantra says that we are giving something to adī-śakti nārāyaṇī Rādhā. But what are we giving? The final phrase indicates that we are giving our very selves [na + mama / na + aham = nama].

namo ‘stu te = “I dedicate myself to you.”

The translation, then:

To the Auspiciousness that makes all auspicious things auspicious…
To the most auspicious means of attaining every goal…
To my true protector, and the mother of all that exists…
To the beautifully golden repose of all beings, Gaurī Nārāyaṇī [Śrī Rādhā]…

I dedicate myself.

• by Vraja Kishor
  VrajaKishor.com

Watch how this nice painting of Radhanath Swami was done, step by step (4 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/rZhSyx

Sanskrit to be made compulsory in govt schools.
Himachal Pradesh Chief minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday announced that Sanskrit will be introduced as a mandatory subject in all government schools in the state.
Presiding over a meeting at Himachal Sanskrit Academy, the Chief Minister urged the academy officials to make earnest efforts to promote Sanskrit.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/aUzfx9

TOVP’s North American Tour - HG Jananivas Das (4 min video)
His Grace Jananivas Das describes his experiences during the TOVP North American fundraising tour.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/Bq7Jbz

Hare Krishna! Visitor From Calcutta
I first see him just after crossing the Bowery at Houston Street. As he passes before the iron-mesh fence of a playground, I distinctly glimpse the aura of saintliness. I watch him through the rushing traffic and stumbling derelicts. He strolls almost jauntily down the sidewalk. He is an old man whom age has never touched. Aloof from the people and bustle about him, he walks proudly, independently, his hand in a cloth beadbag. He wears the saffron robes of a sannyasi, and on his feet are quaint, pointed white shoes. Only seven months ago, I had seen many saffron-robed monks and holymen walking the dirt roads of Hardwar and Rishikesh, and stopping beside the Ganges to bathe. For me, that had been a futile journey to the mystic East in search of the all-knowing guru. But now—what’s this?
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19143

https://youtu.be/8KrngIB_t4w

The post Varnasrama series: The current goal appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Harinama in Moscow, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: When there is large-scale congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, we keep our temples open for everyone to join, and by the grace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu this policy has given good results. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 17.35 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/kFXhjV

Kidsstorytime videos from LightOfGodhead
Recently we started kids story time in an innovative way. We pick three stories weekly and let kids read/summarize and have engaging discussions with kids on Krsna conscious concepts. As we call “storytime” we break the barrier kids may have and this concept is creating magic. They have become very interested to these sessions and actively participate.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19140

Hare Krishna! Rose Forkash (FOLK) soon a member of the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Sampradaya
Giriraj Swami: By Srila Prabhupada’s causeless mercy, Rose Forkash, who developed the Friends of Lord Krishna (FOLK) program with Srila Prabhupada’s direct encouragement and guidance, will receive initiation at my ashram in Carpinteria on Wednesday, August 19, between 10 a.m. and noon. She is four weeks away from her ninety-fifth birthday. Please bless her that she achieves complete success in Krishna consciousness in this very lifetime.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19137

Seventh Annual Ratha Yatra At Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Devotees of the Harrisburg, PA nama hatta (Institute of Higher Understanding, IoHU, under His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada) cordially invite you to the seventh annual Ratha Yatra at the river front (305 South Front Street) in down town Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19134

Invitation to Farm Conference Novelle Mayapura FRANCE 16th, 17th, 18th Sept 2015
The Conference is open to those who have an interest in or are actually practiced in rural development, agriculture, handicrafts, horticulture, protected dairying, ox draft and other similar topics and will propose the building of a network for the devotees interested in this field. The community at Novelle Mayapura will be hosting the 2015 farm conference in September in this charming castle embraced by 83 ha of enchanting forestry and production grounds of grains, fruits and vegetables, with pasturing grounds for cows. This location offers a great setting for those interested in rural sustainable development and wish to know more, share what they know or meet the people doing it.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19131

Hare Krishna! Krishna Kirtan’s Continued Journey
For those of you who read the previous Iskcon Prison Ministry news, you will remember that inmate bhakta, Richard Chase—affectionately nicknamed “Krishna Kirtan”by Sarva-drik prabhu—was very well situated in a prison in Petersburg, Virginia where he had started what became a very successful and popular Hare Krishna program at the chapel library. Last year, however, he was transferred to a prison in Lisbon, Ohio where the chaplains were quite inimical toward Krishna Consciousness and who prevented him from starting a Hare Krishna program at their chapel. However, after some tribulations in Lisbon, Krishna Kirtan has been transferred back to the Petersburg prison, back in the swing of things! Sarva-drik prabhu is still visiting and leading amazing programs, which are enthusiastically attended by many inmates! Below Krishna Kirtan recounts the first dream he had of Prabhupada, in 2006.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19128

Hare Krishna! Mercy and Compassion Flows through our Sampradaya
Lord Chaitanya predicted that the glories of the Holy Names of the Mahamantra would take place in every town and village throughout the world. This energy was reflected in the person of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur who wrote of the Bhagawat and sent a copy of this book to Canada around the time of our Srila Prabhupad’s appearance. The great carrier of that mercy was illuminated by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad. He gave the order to Abhay Charan De, later known as His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, to present the teaching of Krishna consciousness in the English language. Our Srila Prabhupad passionately and methodically took this order to heart and both translated Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition into English, and inaugurated the Back to Godhead magazine.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19124

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Untitled Lecture)

My spiritual master was in New York dressed like a monk and a policeman said, “So, you are a monk, what is it that you have to give up?” and his answer was, “Suffering!” That’s it! Sometimes people ask us, “What do you have to give up?” All you have to give up is suffering! Nothing more! Very simple actually; because if you become Krsna conscious, you become free from suffering. It may take a little time but eventually you will become free from suffering. Thus this Krsna consciousness movement is very important and valuable. This is an amazing movement and it does not matter who you are; this movement gives you a chance; this movement offers you an opportunity to go to the spiritual world…

Mangal Arati Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath; 17th August 2015

Some 195 miles from my home is Croydon, the high street their could easily take the whole of my village it’s also a wonderful place for Rathayatra.

The simplicity and humble nature made this rathayatra have a feeling of intimacy so entering into the spirit of dance and song for Sri Jaganatha was easy.

come join in next year
hare krishna