Websites from the ISKCON Universe
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
Kirtan by HH Lokanath Swami at Srila Prabhupada’s Journey to USA Kolkata
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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!
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
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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
Please forgive the sound quality – wasn’t the technicians dharma. https://youtu.be/TehQlZKbGXg
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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).
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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 1st to 10th. 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.
Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:
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.
At he
r 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.
Rajani-priya has deep attachment to the holy name, and even now, at almost ninety-five years of age, she continues to induce people from all different backgrounds and walks of life to chant and read Srila Prabhupada’s books.
As Srila Prabhupada wrote to Rose in 1977, “If the parents of our devotees study the philosophy of Krishna consciousness, there is not doubt they will benefit equally as their children.”
Rajani-priya’s daughter, Lila-sakti dasi, who was initiated by Srila Prabhupada forty-five years ago, left her body in late June. Just days before her departure, Lila told her mother, “Whatever happens, don’t stop chanting Hare Krishna.” The accompanying photo shows Rajani-priya holding Lila-sakti’s image shortly after her initiation. “I wish Lila could have been here,” Rajani said. “She would have been so proud and happy.”
Hare Krishna.
—Giriraj Swami