Planet ISKCON

It was a Friday, August 13, 1965. At 9 in the morning, a lonely, elderly gentleman, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami boards a ship at Calcutta Port sailing to New York. The black cargo ship, small and weathered, was anchored at dockside. Sailors curiously saw the elderly saffron dressed sadhu as he spoke last words to his companion in the taxi and walked determinedly towards the boat. Music and video by Dr. Sahadeva Dasa.

Varnasrama series.

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Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival in US – Markine Bhagavata-dharma
50 years back, Srila Prabhupada landed in Boston, USA (September 17th, 1965) Before Srila Prabhupada was our Srila Prabhupada, he was a sannyasi struggling alone, trying desperately to fulfill the desire of his spiritual master to share Krishna Consciousness in the west in the English language. He struggled tremendously to single-handedly write, publish, and distribute his Back to Godhead magazine. He established the League of Devotees in an attempt to begin a worldwide movement in India. However, his attempts were unfruitful; India simply was not accepting the message of Lord Caitanya on the scale that he was imagining.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18969

Hare Krishna! ISKCON Golden Jubilee Event Highlights…
This event is a tribute to His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of ISKCON who embarked on the mission of inundating the world with Indian heritage, love in devotion and happiness through loving service to the divine. He left from Kidderpore dock on the 13th of August, 1965 heading to Boston harbour in United States. He triggered the Hare Krishna Movement that has touched and transformed the hearts and lives of millions of people in 100+ countries around the world. Today ISKCON has: 650 Temples in 100+ countries 100 Rath Yatras Round the Globe 100 Spiritual Books translated to 70+ languages 600,000 plates of prasad meals distributed everyday to poor children round the globe 100+ Ecovillages, Farm Communities, Schools, Hospitals and Vegetarian Restaurants around the world
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18964

Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada’s Journey Song – Video
Here is our Video offering on the historical occasion of the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s departure for America by Jaladuta ship…… This is not only Srila Prabhupada’s journey, this is also your, mine and everybody else’s journey. Imagine if Srila Prabhupada would not have gone on this perilous voyage, where would I, you and many others be today! There is a need for ISKCON members to be aware of this song as this profoundly presents the mood of our beloved founder Acharya. The extraordinary mood of surrender, presented herein, forms the basis of our institution. This might be one of the most underrated songs in ISKCON. Let us try not to loose the connection with our roots. The force of time is overwhelmingly powerful and let it not cover up these beautiful memories. At least once in his/her life time, an ISKCON member needs to put him/herself in Srila Prabhupada’s lotus shoes and see what it means to travel all the way to America, at a ripe old age, in a cargo ship with frail health and only 40 rupees.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18961

Holy Name Tour in Croatia (Album with photos)
The chanting of the holy name of Krishna expands the blissful ocean of transcendental life. It gives a cooling effect to everyone and enables one to taste full nectar at every step.
See them here: https://goo.gl/GPPylw

Hare Krishna! Do You Want To Know A Secret?
Chapter nine of the Bhagavad Gita is referred to as: “The Most Confidential Knowledge” and in the first two verses Lord Krishna tells Arjuna: “The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, because you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you this most confidential knowledge and realization, knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence. This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18958

Hare Krishna! On “Society, Friendship and Love”
For Srila Prabhupada, the term “Society, Friendship and Love,” was used to refer to the primary allurement which keeps us shackled in the material world of illusion and suffering. The following excerpt is indicative of his general usage of the term: Persons who are conditioned in the society, friendship, and love, this is the attraction for material life. “Society, friendship and love,” they think, “divinely bestowed upon man.” But that, it is not divinely bestowed upon man. From spiritual point of view, it is the gift of maya. Society, friendship and love is the gift of maya, illusion. (SB 3.25.23, Lecture, Nov 10 1968)
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18952

Janmastami Lila 2015 - SadhusangaOnline Trailer (3 min video)
Teacher: Dhruva Maharaja dasa, Samapriya dasi
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/zNeQEV

Question: What is the purpose of God? Why has he created all the living beings and the spiritual world?

Dasya Bhava From The Example Of Maharaj Parikshit And Hanumanji -Vraj Bihari Prabhu

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For details go to http://iskconboston50.org/, September 19-20, 2015, Boston, MA, USA.

Fifty years ago, on August 13, 1965, a lone elderly pilgrim and teacher, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami boarded the cargo ship Jaladuta in Calcutta for the one month sea voyage to New York City. While it was not unusual for immigrants from India to head to the US, what separated Bhaktivedanta Swami was the mission that urged him onward.   

When I am not able to chant in the morning, my quality usually goes down. When you have less time available, good chanting is a challenge but on the other hand you become more appreciative for good time and a place for nice chanting.
After a busy day, in the late evening when you can just sit down and chant for 20 minutes, you immeadiately feel your mind becoming peaceful and satisfied.
Chanting the Maha-mantra is the greatest blessing - chanting is a privilege.

Muniraja dasa

The other week I had the privilege of driving HH Mahavishnu Swami between Cardiff, Brighton and London it has been a long time since I’ve been able to do this.
During one of the journeys we analysed the reasons people leave ISKCON or withdraw from devotional association, I put forward different arguments and maharaja defeated each one. It came to two factors:
We have lost faith
We have lost love
We have lost faith in Srila Prabhupada writings or the institution Srila Prabhupada set up
We have lost the love needed to follow sincerely the instructions of Srila Prabhupada.
It did however give me the opportunity to reveal my mind based upon experience, we bring into Krishna consciousness baggage it influences our perceptions and understanding.
My fear is that the institution that is ISKCON is starting to feel like the institution of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, I’m half expecting to see a sign outside saying “kingdom hall of Krishna Consciousness” quick run away.
You see I was attracted to the devotees because they were quirky, their was a vast difference in personalities and Background’s, we could sit and discuss sections of the Gita the answers were diverse but no one appeared to fall out. ISKCON was a home for everyone I found that somehow or another I fitted in.
Now we have standardisation, for me from one view point it’s a good thing on another it scares the life out of me, I said to a senior Prabhupada disciple that this standardisation means I feel alienated that I no longer have a place in Srila Prabhupada home.
I discussed with HH Mahavishnu Swami the mentor system, in principal I like it, but I have one major concern the impersonal aspect; how can a member on a committee decided I’m unsuitable if they have never sat with me, talked with me or taken prasadam. Somehow by a bit of paperwork they can make this judgement. I can’t help but feel this is unjust, impersonal and against the personal nature of Srila Prabhupada dealings with all those he met. At least even the Jehovah’s witnesses don’t have such an impersonal system came my rant (all part of the discussion on why leave ISKCON just to give context)
You see to be baptised their is a book you have to study, then each of the elders would visit your home and take you through each chapter, yes a personal touch; they would meet discuss and then a conclusion would be given, no forms but a personal discourse.
Srila Prabhupada wanted recommendations from the temple president, but as we know it is not always practical indeed it could be impossible for the temple president to know everyone personally. So yes mentors senior grounded devotees who take time to get to know the person, then once they are satisfied the person is suitable recommend to temple president and then actions taken.
I expanded on this standardisation
I explained that no matter were I went in the world then their are several things I could guarantee
The format in the kingdom hall
Songs sung (only piano music that is authorised no band or other music instruments)
Which book or scriptures would be used, I could even tell you what the answers would be
Yes everyone sings from the same hymn sheet, the same answers to the questions, even the same type of dress, suit and tie or modest dress.
What makes ISKCON so unique is that each centre/temple has a different flavour even integrating cultural vibes, music and dance; variety?
I didn’t even mind if sometimes questions couldn’t be answered for at some stage I’ll meet someone who can, somehow it all works somehow each person can find their place.
My fear is that standardisation will kill what makes ISKCON ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada knew he would have variety so he asked for us to get on with each other and learn how to accommodate each other and in many ways ISKCON has been successfully in this because their is no standardisation but simple principles we all try to follow.
Everyone could find a home even odd ball outsiders like me could feel at home.
My fear is that over standardisation and the impersonal nature of committees who can have great influence on progression in Krishna consciousness of without even once sitting down and getting to know the individual fills me with the greatest fear.
HH Mahavishnu Swami suggested I share this with you all, I simply don’t want ISKCON to loose that sparkle that made me feel so much at home.
But I am also reminded of the conclusion of our discussion that no matter how impossible things way appear or feel if we truly love and have faith in Srila Prabhupada one will never leave the institution he set up

Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia



Now that the longhouses breed superstition
You force us to send our toddlers away
To your schools where they're taught to despise their traditions.
Forbid them their languages, then further say
That American history really began
When Columbus set sail out of Europe, then stress
That the nation of leeches that conquered this land
Are the biggest and bravest and boldest and best.
And yet where in your history books is the tale
Of the genocide basic to this country's birth,
Of the preachers who lied, how the Bill of Rights failed,
How a nation of patriots returned to their earth?
And where will it tell of the Liberty Bell
As it rang with a thud on a tinsel of mud
And of brave Uncle Sam in Alaskathis year?

My country 'tis of thy people you're dying

Hear how the bargain was made for the West:
With her shivering children in zero degrees,
Blankets for your land, so the treaties attest,
Oh well, blankets for land is a bargain indeed,
And the blankets were those Uncle Sam had collected
From smallpox-diseased dying soldiers that day.
And the tribes were wiped out and the history books censored,
A hundred years of your statesmen have felt it's better this way.
And yet a few of the conquered have somehow survived,
Their blood runs the redder though genes have paled.
From the Grand Canyon's caverns to craven sad hills
The wounded, the losers, the robbed sing their tale.
From Los Angeles Countyto upstate New York
The white nation fattens while others grow lean;
Oh the tricked and evicted they know what I mean.

My country 'tis of thy people you're dying.

The past it just crumbled, the future just threatens;
Our life blood shut up in your chemical tanks.
And now here you come, bill of sale in your hands
And surprise in your eyes that we're lacking in thanks
For the blessings of civilization you've brought us,
The lessons you've taught us, the ruin you've wrought us
Oh see what our trust in America's brought us.

My country 'tis of thy people you're dying.

This stuff written and sung by Ms Ste-Marie should be thought about.

Hare Krishna! Popcorn
Srutakirti dasa: One evening, Srila Prabhupada spoke at the University of California in Berkeley, the heart of the hippie capital. The San Francisco devotees enthusiastically received him and relished his lecture. They prepared barrels of popcorn and distributed it following Srila Prabhupada’s lecture. “What is that?” His Divine Grace asked. “Popcorn, Srila Prabhupada,” Jayananda explained. “Would you like some?” “Yes, give me some,” Srila Prabhupada said. The devotees gave him popcorn which was being distributed in little bags printed with the Hare Krsna mantra. Srila Prabhupada ate the fluffy, spiced kernels with great relish. “Oh, this is nice,” Srila Prabhupada told them. All the devotees, especially those who had cooked and distributed the prasadam, felt so much pleasure. Now they were certain their offering had been accepted and their lives were successful.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18944

“In the early hours of the morning, we have come to worship You and praise Your golden, lotus-like feet. Born are we in the cowherd caste. You should not decline our service and homage. O Govinda! Not only today do we seek the drum, but for ever more, seven times seven births, that we would [...]

A Nice Bird Is Saying Hare Krishna (2 min video)
A bird does not surely know the meaning of life yet it is saying “Hare Krishna” so nicely!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/zgYhKh

ISKCON Kolkata
Ramai Swami: It’s been quite a few years since I last visited Radha Govinda Mandir, Kolkata. The temple has developed quite a lot since then. There are 73 brahmacaris and more than half of them are university graduates. Govindas restaurant has been renovated and business is booming. The guest house out the back is always full. Sri Sri Radha Govinda, as always, are divinely exquisite.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/YcxAqf

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Hare Krishna! “Plain Living and High Thinking”: An English Lesson with Srila Prabhupada
Ravindra Svarupa dasa: Any student of Srila Prabhupada will at once recognize the phrase “plain living and high thinking.” It occurred frequently and memorably in his discourse. It functioned as kind of motto or slogan to epitomize Prabhupada’s vision of a natural spiritual culture, an alternative to our modern, “soul-killing” industrial civilization. Prabhupada had made use of the phrase even before he journeyed to America in 1965. In an essay (published much later by the BBT as the second chapter of the booklet Message of Godhead),
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18940

Travel Adventures of a Krishna Monk
Chanting at a London Rally, Stonehenge, Paris Ratha-yatra and More
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From Vraja Bhava Prabhu
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