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On behalf of Mayapur Management I share the first update on the Flood situation in Mayapur. With the heavy rainfall for the past one week and the following release of water from Farakka dam, flood waters have started to enter into Mayapur and surrounding areas. Since yesterday, Ganges water has been overflowing off Bhakti Siddhanta road, […]
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Everywhere Was Ecstasy! (7 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: All throughout the Woodstock festival Krsna’s Village of Peace was teeming with tens of thousands of people exploring all we had to offer: kirtan, dramas, books, yoga, shops, exhibits and a tent where they could inquire from senior devotees. Our Ratha Yatra Cart traversed the entire Woodstock site numerous times each day. Colourfully dressed, devotees seemed to be chanting and dancing everywhere in ecstasy. Over 150,000 plates of delicious prasadam were distributed. We cooked more than 38 tons of foodstuffs! As the festival drew to a close I meditated on a verse by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati:
“The fortunate town of Navadwip remains on the earth. The seashore remains. The city of Jagannath Puri remains.The holy names of Lord Krsna remain. Alas! I do not see anywhere the same kind of festival of pure love for Lord Hari. O Lord Caitanya! O ocean of mercy! Will I ever see Your transcendental glory again?“
[ Sri Caitanya Candramrta, Chapter 12, text 140 ]
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/F4gGZs
Hare Krishna! New Book: Vraja-mandala Darsana
“Through the spellbinding pages of Vraja-mandala Darsana, Lokanath Swami will take us on the traditional parikrama of Vraja-dhama, following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya and our beloved acaryas. We will hear, see, smell, taste and feel the twelve timeless forests of Vrndavana” – HH Radhanath Swami
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18751
New Book: Vraja-mandala Darsana
“Through the spellbinding pages of Vraja-mandala Darsana, Lokanath Swami will take us on the traditional parikrama of Vraja-dhama, following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya and our beloved acaryas. We will hear, see, smell, taste and feel the twelve timeless forests of Vrndavana” – HH Radhanath Swami
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18751
This is video from two years ago where Guru Maharaj Kavicandra Swami came to Baras, West Sulawesi to meet all the devotees there.
When a wealthy patriarch dies, leaving behind a huge inheritance, frequently succession conflicts break out. While each conflict may have its specific dynamics, they all usually have a common denominator: selfishness. Everyone related with the deceased wants a share of the pie, with the progeny often wanting the biggest piece, if not the whole pie.
The Ramayana depicts a succession conflict between two princes after the death of their father. Strikingly however, this conflict is caused not by selfishness, but by selflessness. Rather than two brothers arguing to get the inheritance for themselves, they argue that the other should accept it. And no, the inheritance is not a white elephant – it is the flourishing kingdom of Ayodhya, one of the most powerful kingdoms in ancient India. As intriguing as the conflict is, just as endearing is its resolution.
A series of shocks
This narrative begins in the prosperous kingdom, with its climactic conflict occurring in the forest of Chitrakuta and the denouement on the outskirts of the capital. The ageing monarch Dasharatha prepares for his eventual retirement by deciding to appoint his oldest son Rama as the prince regent. His youngest wife Kaikeyi, being misled by her maid, sees this succession as an attempt to sideline her and her son Bharata. So using two boons that the king had promised her long ago, she compels him to send Rama on exile for fourteen years and have Bharata declared the prince regent. While the kingdom sinks into an ocean of horror and agony, Rama graciously departs for the forest with his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshmana. Within days the heartbroken king breathes his last. Bharata who was in a relative’s kingdom while this tragedy unfolded is summoned to perform the last rites of his father and to take over the reins of the kingdom.
When Bharata returns, he is struck by a series of shocks – first that his father is dead, second that his brother is in exile, third that his mother is the cause of both these horrors, fourth that his mother has misunderstood him so much that she thinks he will be pleased by her machinations, and fifth that many people, both courtiers and citizens, suspect him to be a co-conspirator with his mother. Steeling himself, he performs for his deceased father the elaborate funeral rites befitting a monarch, while resolving throughout to somehow set right at least some of the grievous wrongs. He decides to go personally to the forest for beseeching Rama to return and accept the throne.
Sincerity removes suspicion
When Bharata expresses his noble resolve to the courtiers, their lingering suspicions about his complicity are dissipated. His selflessness enlivens them, as does the possibility of their beloved Rama’s return. They desire eagerly to accompany Bharata to the forest. He consents gladly, knowing that their presence will reinforce his request. The royal priest Vashishtha goes too, as does the chief minister Sumantra and the three recently widowed royal mothers: Kaushalya, Sumtira and Kaikeyi. Understandably, Bharata has reservations about letting Kaikeyi accompany him. But she has had a change of heart, primarily because Bharata had reproached her and rejected her scheming. Seeing that she was sincerely repentant, he allows her to come, hoping that since she had asked for Rama’s exile, maybe her request would influence him to end it too. When the citizens hear of Bharata’s righteous resolve, they too are delighted, and many of them desire to go with him. Hoping that the gigantic show of strength will persuade Rama to return, Bharata orders that a road be constructed to take the huge procession into the forest.
Once the road is constructed, Bharata strives to retrace Rama’s path, seeking the help the tribal king Guha and the sage Bharadwaja. Both of them initially express apprehension about Bharata’s going to search for Rama with such a huge contingent. Their barely concealed suspicion about his intentions towards Rama shreds Bharata’s heart. Controlling his pain, he expresses his fealty to his older brother with disarming sincerity, not only removing their suspicion but also winning their heart. They gladly show the way that Rama has taken.
Far from angrily resorting to royal power, Bharata humbly wins them over with his heart’s power.
Normally, we feel angry when we are accused even when we are guilty, what then to speak of when we are not. Bharata was repeatedly subjected to false accusations – and he had the royal power to silence his accusers. But far from angrily resorting to such power, he humbly wins them over with his heart’s power. By the sincere outpouring of his anguished heart, he fervently expresses his utter ignorance of, even revulsion with, the conspiracy against his mother and disarms those who had doubted him.
Love wins – and so does duty
After a long journey through the dense forest and up the scenic mountain at Chitrakuta, Bharata breaks into a clearing with a simple cottage. Seated outside the cottage are Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. Bharata is anguished to see them all dressed in tree-bark instead of the familiar royal robes. Falling at the feet of his brother, he grieves over the fate that has reduced them to such destitution. After initial greetings, Rama enquires about their father’s well-being, giving voice to the grave doubt that had been troubling him since he had seen the royal elephant Shatrunjaya riding in the procession without any ruler atop it. Bharata, with a heavy heart, breaks the news of their father’s demise.
Rama is grief-struck. Somehow he stoically pulls himself together and goes to the nearby river for offering the oblation of water to his deceased father. His shock and grief subside slowly, and his responsible royal mind turns to the problem of the empty throne, and the concomitant threat of invasions from without and disruptions from within. Seizing the moment as opportune, Bharata fervently implores his brother to return and assume kingship.
Rama gently refuses, saying that now the only service he could render their deceased father was to honor his memory by fulfilling his word. Bharata had already anticipated that Rama would not agree so easily, so he offers to himself stay in the forest in Rama’s place – thus, one son of Dasharatha would live in the forest, and his word would be honored. Seeing Bharata astonishingly selfless offer, Rama smiles, but replies that each person has to bear one’s own karma and no one can take anyone else’s place. Indeed, if people arbitrarily experimented with karmic surrogacy, they may well throw the universal order into chaos.
Despite their prolonged discussion, both remain unrelenting: Bharata in his request and Rama in his renunciation.
Their loving yet intense discussion goes on for hours, with both brothers quoting scriptural and traditional precedents in their attempts at persuasion. The citizens are amazed and proud to see the brothers’ erudition, which impresses and pleases even the assembled brahmins and sages. Despite their prolonged discussion, both remain unrelenting: Bharata in his request and Rama in his renunciation.
Seeing Bharata unable to make any headway, the elders try to persuade Rama. Vashishtha, the queens, Sumantra and the accompanying brahmins all give various reasons why Rama should return. Rama responds to their arguments with respect, but without swerving from his position.
At this point, Bharata could have been justified in giving up. He could well have said that he hadn’t caused Rama’s exile and had done his best to get him back: “If Rama isn’t ready to listen, what can I do but accept the kingdom?” Most people would have accepted a kingdom that had been providentially dropped into their laps.
But Bharata was not most people. Seeing his hopes of Rama’s return dissipating, he makes a last-ditch plea. He sits on the forest floor declaring that he would sit there fasting till Rama accepted the kingdom. Everyone watches transfixed, waiting for Rama’s response. After a momentous pause, Rama picks up Bharata, pulls him into an embrace and tells him that his love has won. As Bharata’s face blossoms in joy, Rama adds with a sweet smile that he accepts the kingdom, but since he wants to honor his father’s word, he was now entrusting the kingdom to Bharata for the fourteen-year exile period. Thus, Rama sagaciously resolves the dilemma, honoring both Bharata’s love and his own duty.
Sandals as symbols of selflessness
Bharata is disappointed, but he knows that there’s nothing more he can do to persuade Rama. Still, his selflessness finds another endearing expression.
Often our ego makes us want to appear better than what we are – for example, people may use bombastic words to sound more learned than what they are or they may claim greater proximity with a famous person than their actual connection. Or a caretaker-ruler may commandeer all the trappings of royalty to appear like the actual ruler. In contrast, Bharata wants everyone to know his position: caretaker, not ruler. So, he requests Rama to give his sandals, which he will place on the throne. Bharata intends to sit on a humble seat below the throne, thus ensuring that the court’s positions reflected his heart’s disposition: Rama is the actual ruler and Bharata, his servitor.
Bharata intends to sit on a humble seat below the throne, thus ensuring that the court’s positions reflected his heart’s disposition: Rama is the actual ruler and Bharata, his servitor.
After Rama obliges by offering his sandals, Bharata places them on his head. He beseeches Rama to return as soon as the exile period ends and declares that he wouldn’t be able to maintain his life for even one day beyond that – fourteen years of separation from Rama would be painful enough. Rama reassures that he will return, and Bharata takes tearful leave.
On returning to Ayodhya, Bharata enthrones Rama’s sandals. Sandals on a throne –such a symbol of selflessness will probably have few, if any, parallels in world history. What brother would ask for his brother’s sandals? And if a brother offered them anyway, the other brother would probably place them on the head – not his own head, but on his brother’s head to hit a blow of affronted honor.
For the next fourteen years, Bharata shoulders all the responsibilities of the king, but refuses all the privileges – quite the opposite of many present leaders who enjoy privileges without executing responsibilities. Bharata lives in a hut outside the city at a place called Nandigram. Indeed, Bharata adopts a diet and dress similar to what Rama has adopted, thus performing in the kingdom the austerities Rama is performing in the forest.
A test passed with delight
Bharata’s selflessness is also evident at the end of the exile, in his eagerness to welcome Rama back. Rama knows that time has a dangerous power to erode even the noblest of resolves. So he wants to check if over the fourteen years Bharata’s feelings have changed, if he has become attached to the kingdom. If Bharata desires to stay on as its sovereign, Rama decides that he will not reclaim it. Accordingly, he sends Hanuman as a messenger and observer. The astute monkey is to deliver to Bharata the message that Rama will return soon, and observe whether Bharata evinces any displeasure at this news. Ever eager to serve, Hanuman flies ahead, lands at Nandigram and conveys Rama’s message. The news fills Bharata with unrestrained jubilation. His face is a study in delight. He embraces and thanks Hanuman for bringing such great news, and offers him profuse thanks and abundant gifts. Bharata’s facial and verbal expressions of joy leave Hanuman in no doubt about the unreserved affection that the prince has for Rama.
Bharata rushes to arrange a majestic welcome for Rama. Soon, a huge congregation of courtiers and citizens assembles at the outskirts of Ayodhya, eagerly awaiting Rama’s return. When they see Rama with Sita and Lakshmana and a large number of monkey warriors high in the sky aboard the celestial airplane Pushpaka, they gasp in astonishment and delight. As the plane descends, Bharata starts offering articles of worship to the airborne Rama. After Rama disembarks, Bharata rushes forward and falls at the feet of his brother. Rama lovingly lifts and embraces him, their hearts joined together not just by proximity but also by the intensity that comes from the love that has withstood the toughest of tests.
Place relations over possessions
Valuing relations over possessions is foundational for the sustenance of family, society and humanity at large. Bharata considered the affection that he relished in his relationship with Rama far more meaningful and fulfilling than the gratification of ruling the kingdom. Even if we can’t be as selfless as him, still a slight increase in selflessness in our relationships can significantly improve them and substantially decrease conflicts.
The evolution of selflessness thus progresses from valuing people over things to ultimately cherishing God over everything.
And the Ramayana’s lessons run deeper than teaching us how to improve our relationships. Rama is not just a venerable elder brother – he is God himself descending to play the role of an ideal human being. Emotions directed towards him have the capacity to purify and elevate us, eventually granting the supreme liberation. The more we imbue our practice of bhakti-yoga with selflessness, the more our devotion becomes stronger, deeper and sweeter, propelling us on the path to eternal spiritual fulfillment.
The evolution of selflessness thus progresses from valuing people over things to ultimately cherishing God over everything.
Selflessness is enriching, not impoverishing
A materialistic vision makes selflessness seem like self-deprivation. If matter and material things are the only source of enjoyment, then being selfless means depriving oneself of those things. Consequently, being selfless often equates living with less.
Though materialistic people may tout the word ‘love’ frequently, what actually goes on in the name of love is often an arrangement for mutual material gratification – when the gratification stops, the love too disappears. In contrast, a spiritual worldview helps us understand that our relationships are meant not for our material gratification, but for our spiritual evolution. That is, our relationships are meant to give us the realizations necessary for us to expand the scope of our love till it reaches the supreme spiritual reality God. And loving him is not an isolated activity; he is, after all, the Lord of everyone, including our loved ones. So, the more we learn to love him, the more our love for our loved ones also becomes spiritualized and selfless – based not on the gratification they provide us, but on their connection with the One whom we aspire to love.
Our relationships are meant not for our material gratification, but for our spiritual evolution. That is, our relationships are meant to give us the realizations necessary for us to expand the scope of our love till it reaches the supreme spiritual reality God.
Moreover, the Lord is the source of all happiness, as the very name Rama indicates. We can access this happiness by cultivating his loving remembrance. The greater our love, the more relishable becomes his remembrance. So, we start seeing love itself as life’s supreme treasure – it is the greatest source of fulfillment, a fulfillment that becomes increasingly accessible through selflessness. Thus, we understand that selflessness is not impoverishing, but enriching.
Happiness – Byproduct, not product, of love
Someone may argue, “When love is offered because it provides one happiness, then how is it actually selfless? Isn’t it a form of selfishness too?”
Not necessarily. Initially we may strive to love the Lord with the hope of happiness. But even such less-than-selfless connection with the Lord purifies us, thus raising our love to a higher level. And for the purest love, happiness is not the motive, but its natural result – happiness is not the product, but the byproduct. We don’t love the Lord to be happy – we love him simply because he is so lovable. And by loving him purely, selflessly, wholeheartedly, we naturally relish the highest happiness. Pertinently, the Srimad Bhagavatam (1.2.6) states two significant characteristics of pure love for God as unmotivated and uninterrupted, conveying its selflessness; and as granting fulfillment to the heart, conveying its joyfulness. Thus, this sublime love is simultaneously selfless and joyful
The post A succession conflict caused by selflessness (Ramayana Reflections 4) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Mangal Arati Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath; 27th July 2015
Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:
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The post When later never comes, why tell people to postpone spiritual life for material life? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
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Hare Krishna! When people danced to ‘Hare Rama, Hare Krishna’ in Beijing
The “prasadam” were fresh grapes, cookies and tiny condiments in wrappers. The devotees were mostly young Chinese. And, it was a rare interactive session held by senior members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Beijing on the Bhagvad Gita combined with insights into yoga on Saturday afternoon. On sale outside the auditorium was a new version of the Gita in Chinese. Copies of the “Bu Jian Fan Ge” in Chinese or “Bhagvad Song” sold rapidly from the counter as visitors picked up their copies for the price of an entry ticket at 200 yuan (Rs 2000). In the auditorium, musicians from India played the mridangam, flute and harmonium as trained singers sang “bhajans” and the well-known tune of “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna” associated with devotees of Krishna.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18748
Vasusrestha and Dhanistha have returned to live at New Govardhana after living at Woolgoolga for many years. She works as a nurse at Tweed Hospital and he manages the day to day activities at the farm.
Rādhā and Krishna’s morning pastimes follow immediately after their pre-dawn pastimes. They have returned to their homes and caught a little sleep. Then…
राधांस्नात विभूषितां व्रजपयाहूतां सखीभिः प्रगे
तद्गेहे विहितान्न पाकरचनां कृष्णावशेषाशनाम्
कृष्णं बुद्धमवाप्त धेनुसदनं निर्व्यूढ गोदोहनं
सुस्नातं कृत भोजनं सहचरैस्तां चाथ तं चाश्रये
rādhāṁ snāta vibhūṣitāṁ vrajapayāhūtāṁ sakhībhiḥ prage
tad-gehe vihitānna pāka racanāṁ kṛṣṇāvaśeṣāśanām
kṛṣṇaṁ buddham avāpta dhenu sadanaṁ nirvyūḍha godohanaṁ
susnātaṁ kṛta bhojanaṁ sahacarais tāṁ cātha taṁ cāśraye
To recite this, use the same meter as the first verse of Śikṣāṣṭaka:
| rā | dhāṁ | snā | ta | vi | bhū | ṣi | tāṁ | vra | ja | pa | yā | hū | tāṁ | sa | khī | bhiḥ | pra | ge |
| tad | ge | he | vi | hi | tān | na | pā | ka | ra | ca | nāṁ | kṛṣ | ṇā | va | śe | ṣā | śa | nām |
| kṛṣ | ṇaṁ | bud | dham | a | vāp | ta | dhe | nu | sa | da | naṁ | nir | vyū | ḍha | go | do | ha | naṁ |
| su | snā | taṁ | kṛ | ta | bho | ja | naṁ | sa | ha | ca | rais | tāṁ | cā | tha | taṁ | cā | śra | ye |
At dawn, summoned by the leader of Vraja, the sakhī’s bathe and dress Rādhā
and goes to the leader’s home, where Rādhā cooks a wonderful breakfast and eats what Krishna leaves.
Krishna had woken up and gone to the cowshed in time to milk his fortunate cows
Then, after his bath, he enjoyed Rādhā’s breakfast with his friends.
My mind dwells on this.
The “leader of Vraja” is Yaśodā. She summons Rādhā to come to her house and prepare an amazing breakfast for Krishna. So, Rādhā’s friends bathe, dress and decorate her (and themselves), and go with her to Yaśodā’s house, where they cook wonderful things.
Krishna, meanwhile, had woken up in time for his cows. There is a particular time of day that the cows should be milked, and so as not to disturb their schedule Krishna wakes up in time for it, although tired. Then, his friends and servants bathe and dress him, and he sits down to eat the breakfast Rādhā and her friends had cooked. He sits with his father, brother, and several of his friends.
After they have eaten, Yaśodā, Rādhā, her friends, etc. enjoy the meal. Rādhā specifically acquires the food left on Krishna’s plates, because it tastes like Krishna’s kisses. Some of the fortunate sakhī’s serve this meal to Rādhā and her other friends. Then they also eat.
The mind must dwell on these pastimes.
This verse summarizes chapters 2 – 4 of Govinda-līlāmṛta.
Vraja Kishor
(this blog is recorded on the full blog page: quick time player is needed; works best with Firefox or Explorer; if you are using Google Chrome it will automatically play, so if you don't want to listen, mute your speakers.)
[originally posted on 1-08-15]
Sometimes we experience great surprise and intense sadness at the unexpected departure from the bhakti path of a devotee we may have been inspired by or respected. Or even if the devotee struggled to follow the basic devotional practices and disciplines, we can still be unnerved when they leave, and then denounce and attack what is still our faith, reinterpreting their stay in an ashram in terms of cultic manipulation and brainwashing. “What really happened?” me may wonder, and how could I have helped prevent this? Sometimes in the aftermath of such a sudden departure, some devotees worry and wonder if it could happen to them, as it brings up their own doubts. This scenario recently happened in a circle of devotees I know, and it caused me to reflect on what it takes to stay on the path, and the various reasons people leave.
When I was a new devotee I experienced one of my friends leave the temple. I didn’t see him again for three weeks until he came to the Sunday feast. Though I recognized him, I was startled to see his expression. He looked like a shadow of his former self when he had a bright faced countenance. Now he had a dark gloomy appearance and seemed unfocused and dazed. I wondered what had brought this about, as if he had just entered a self-created prison.
Hare Krishna! Kinds and degrees of illicit sex
Urmila Devi Dasi: Certainly we Gaudiya Vaisnavas, members of ISKCON, should know what is sinful and what is not. In the ultimate sense, “sin” is anything that is not done 1) for Krishna, 2) with a desire to please Him without wanting anything in return, and 3) without any interruption in the service. Such pure bhakti is the nature of the soul, and anything contrary to that, or less than that, is untruth and sinful. But sin is of different kinds and degrees. Just as one cannot say that because a cat is an animal and a dog is an animal that a cat is a dog, so one cannot say that because two things are both sinful that they are the same kind of thing, or to the same degree. Murder is a different kind of sin than is stealing, and there are degrees of both, with different types and severity of consequences. First degree murder is of a different degree than manslaughter; and manslaughter is a different kind of sin than armed robbery with a deadly weapon, which is of a different degree than burglary.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=3269
This past week Vilasini, Head Architect for ToVP, and Parvata Muni visited the fabrication plant of McCoy Industries. A mock-up of a section of the Kalash, constructed full size, was to be shown.
[See image gallery at tovp.org]
This mock-up is made from polished stainless steel, coated with titanium nitride and would give an idea of which fabrication methods would be used. This coating is a ceramic gold like substance which i weather resistant.
A skeletal structure behind the sheeting holds everything in the correct position and is connected to the tubular structure at the top of the dome.
[See image gallery at tovp.org]
There are 24 segments and 24 lotus leaf shaped petals that are formed and riveted to the facets to give a faceted look.
In this drawing we can see the size of the mock up section in proportion to the rest of the Kalash.
The overall height of the Kalash from this level is about 49 feet (15 meters), and at a height of 80 meters above the ground level, the engineering and structural integrity is of paramount importance.
[See image gallery at tovp.org]
The post Real Size Scale of The Kalash Mock-up appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Hare Krishna! A Philadelphia Invocation
Ravindra Svarupa dasa: It began with an answered phone in my office on an otherwise ordinary day in 1973. A woman addressed me in the distinctive vowels and consonants that revealed her to be a native of Philadelphia—or “Fluffya,” as it’s called in the local dialect. She asked if I were the head person of the Hare Krishna temple. She pronounced “Hare” as “hair.” “Ha-ray Krishna temple,” I responded. “Yes, I am.” “Are you,” she continued, “a priest, minister, or rabbi of your religion?” She had a raspy smoker’s voice. “A priest,” I affirmed. “OK, then. I’m calling you from the Philadelphia City Council, office of Councilman Kelly.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18743
Vital Yoga: Preaching program with Devamrita Swami (Album with photos)
See them here: https://goo.gl/6zxpFf
Hare Krishna! Lord Jagannath appears on the shore of Brahma Putra @ISKCON Jamalpur, Bangladesh
Jamalpur is a district in Dhaka Division, Bangladesh. It has a total population of around 2,300,000. On the bank of the serene Brahma Putra River, surrounded by lush green forests beholding the most fragrant of flowers, it was the perfect location for the Lord of Universe to reside. It is very meaningful that this holy river, being connected with our Brahma Madhava Gaudiya Sampradya will play host for our most worshipable Lord. On 31st July, 2015, hundreds of devotees from all over Bangladesh gathered to celebrate in officially opening ISKCON Jamalpur and this being the day of Guru Purnima, it made the event even more special.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18735
Thousands chant and dance with the devotees as the Polish Woodstock festival begins. (8 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: The main organizer of Woodstock, our good friend Jurek Owsiak, opened our village on our big stage, amidst the tumultuous cheers of 8,000 young people. Later he invited us to the main Woodstock stage for the official opening of the festival itself. It was quite a sight looking out at a sea of 500,000 people eagerly waiting for the event to begin. Afterwards we returned to Krsna’s Village of Peace, for our signature activity of endless kirtan as thousands of people wandered around the site enjoying the wonderful world of Krsna consciousness.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/7aYmg5
Here Lord Brahma pray to the Lord so that he can not become puff up when he given this order to created the universe. But us when given even small order we become proud, Here the proper attitude was given.
yadā tu sarva-bhūteṣu dāruṣv agnim iva sthitam praticakṣīta māḿ loko jahyāt tarhy eva kaśmalam
You will see Me in all living entities as well as all over the universe, just as fire is situated in wood. Only in that state of transcendental vision will you be able to be free from all kinds of illusion. Srimad Bhagavatam 3.9.32
http://www.vedabase.com/en/sb/3/9/32
The post When dharma becomes adharma and adharma becomes dharma appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Gauranga 2015 - International Bhakti Vriksha Festival, N.Novgorod (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The mantra delivers the conditioned soul from his bondage; so simply by chanting the mantra Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, one can gain deliverance from any condition. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.42 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/Y6Po4b
The qualification of a guru.
Once, someone asked Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, “Are you the guru of the whole world?” Srila Prabhupada humbly replied, “I am not anyone’s guru but I am everyone’s servant.” This is the perfection and qualification of a guru.– Radhanath Swami
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/wsXT1E
Food For Life Nepal serving Mid Day Meal to one more school. (Album with photos)
Today 30th July 2015, Food For Life Nepal started Mid Day Meal at Sri Sri Ram Nimna Madhyamik Vidhyalaya, Vishnu Buddhanilkantha-5, Pasikot, Kathmandu for 120 students.
These wonderful children will be served Mid Day Meal on daily basis additional to 300 students from different schools. The nutritious mid day meal ensures good health & keep them in school.
Lets eliminate classroom hunger TOGETHER.
Join Us.
If you have an idea that you would like to share with us, or if you wish to collaborate with us for volunteering, fundraising and other activities:
Write to us— info@fflnepal.org
See them here: https://goo.gl/zw4ZEY
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The last previous days excessive rains have flooded Mayapur. Now there are fears for an inundation from the Ganga river. (Album with photos)
See them here: https://goo.gl/UH4Pek
Srimad Bhagavatam 4.3.24 ( Ujjain@26.10.2012 )
~ HIGH “ FLOOD ’ ALERT POSTED ( just now from Mayapur ) FOR SRIDHAM MAYAPUR / NAVADVIP , and all of NADIA ~PLEASE - PRAY & CHANT ~
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Guru Maharaja say we should be carefull of our thinking about Vaishanva, some pseudo devotee will blaspheme Junior Haridasa but what given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu actually a mercy.
Sri Caitanya mercy sometimes hard to be seen and what happens to Junior Haridasa is he got the mercy, not otherwise.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chastise Junior Haridasa to give an example how an ideal Vaishnava should be. A Vaishnava should be simple and free from any sinful activity, even if its tiny sinful activity.
If we read the Lila, Junior Haridasa not actually "in" maya, he only have a glimpse of something in his mind. But, to correct him and give him a lesson and mercy Lord Caitanya chastise him.
The result of that chastisement is Junior Haridasa receive constant personal association with His subtle body. So junior haridasa personally singing for Lord Caitanya and Lord Caitainya is the only one who hear it. which is a great mercy.
Guru Maharaja gave some stories in real life, how sometime devotee get sick, have problem, have baby that unhealthy and doesn't live long. Then Maharaja tell a story about a devotee with baby that doesn't live long, but the soul just need it a few moment and get to higher position.
Some devotee have baby that died after birth and Prabhupada said that baby only need to be in a womb of a devotee and doesn't need to live long to go to higher position.
Its hard to see but everything is Krishna mercy.
Please hear this lecture more, Guru Maharaja narrate a lot of interesting real life story.