Websites from the ISKCON Universe
22 Jun Bhakti Vedanta Youth Trust, Mayapur organized a Summer Camp for Mayapur community’s children on 20th and 21st, June. The camp gave the children an opportunity to come together and engage in spiritual practices like chanting, hearing, Harinaam, aratis and of course, honoring wonderful prasadam feasts. The children were enlightened with spiritual knowledge through […]
The post Mayapur children’s Summer Camp appeared first on Mayapur.com.
The post Watch out for irreligion and falsity, the two causes of all other sinful acts and qualities appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
The post Daily Darshan – June 22nd, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
HH Bhakti Vidyapurna Swami at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-06-14, Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 06.09.45
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 12 May 2015, Melbourne, Australia, Personal Address)
We have grown up in a particular situation; we have integrated into the world and then in the middle of that, suddenly there is Krsna consciousness with a whole new system of values! These two kind of clash, though in some ways they mix fine together but you have to figure out a balance.
In due course of time, we have to come to a natural way of life in Krsna consciousness. It cannot be artificial. We are what we are! To an extent, we can change. You know, somebody with a hot temper can learn to count to ten and keep cool… to a degree, until it gets really TOO MUCH! (laughter)
So we can adjust our character a bit but basically we have a nature and we have to engage that nature in devotional service. Of course, devotional service is not only about doing according to our nature, it is also about doing the needful for the movement. Like no-one might say, “It’s my nature to clean toilets,” and then no-one will clean them, until someone comes who says, “Okay, I will do the needful.”
But still, we do have a nature and we engage that nature in the service of Krsna because those are the things we will be good at. We have to find some natural engagement, some natural service in Krsna consciousness and if we are good at it, it is also more satisfying.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 12 May 2015, Melbourne, Australia, Personal Address)
We have grown up in a particular situation; we have integrated into the world and then in the middle of that, suddenly there is Krsna consciousness with a whole new system of values! These two kind of clash, though in some ways they mix fine together but you have to figure out a balance.In due course of time, you have to come to a natural way of life in Krsna consciousness. It cannot be artificial. We are what we are! To an extent, we can change. You know, somebody with a hot temper can learn to count to ten and keep cool… to a degree, until it gets really TOO MUCH! (laughter)
So we can adjust our character a bit but basically we have a nature and we have to engage that nature in devotional service. Of course, devotional service is not only about doing according to our nature, it is also about doing the needful for the movement. Like no-one might say, “It’s my nature to clean toilets,” and then no-one will clean them, until someone comes who says, “Okay, I will do the needful.”
But still, we do have a nature and we engage that nature in the service of Krsna because those are the things we will be good at. We have to find some natural engagement, some natural service in Krsna consciousness and if we are good at it, it is also more satisfying.
Today I think of Srila Prabhupada’s letter to a disciple, “You have accepted me as father, so I have also accepted you as my dear and real son. Relationship of father and son on spiritual platform is real and eternal; on the material platform such relationship is ephemeral and temporary. Although I cannot give you anything as father, still I can pray to Krishna for your more and more advancement in Krishna consciousness. Your sincerity and service mood will always help you in advancing your genuine cause.”
I also think of my godbrother Mukunda Datta Prabhu’s account of the the first time he heard Brahmananda Prabhu speak, at the Mayapur festival in 1978, on the following verses:
“O My sons, you should accept a highly elevated paramahamsa, a spiritually advanced spiritual master. In this way, you should place your faith and love in Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You should detest sense gratification and tolerate the duality of pleasure and pain, which are like the seasonal changes of summer and winter. Try to realize the miserable condition of living entities, who are miserable even in the higher planetary systems. Philosophically inquire about the truth. Then undergo all kinds of austerities and penances for the sake of devotional service. Give up the endeavor for sense enjoyment and engage in the service of the Lord. Listen to discussions about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and always associate with devotees. Chant about and glorify the Supreme Lord, and look upon everyone equally on the spiritual platform. Give up enmity and subdue anger and lamentation. Abandon identifying the self with the body and the home, and practice reading the revealed scriptures. Live in a secluded place and practice the process by which you can completely control your life air, mind and senses. Have full faith in the revealed scriptures, the Vedic literatures, and always observe celibacy. Perform your prescribed duties and avoid unnecessary talks. Always thinking of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, acquire knowledge from the right source. Thus practicing bhakti-yoga, you will patiently and enthusiastically be elevated in knowledge and will be able to give up the false ego.” (SB 5.5.10–13)
After reading the verses and purport, Brahmananda Prabhu began to explain them slowly and thoughtfully. He said something to effect that “Rsabhadeva gave theses very deep instructions to his one hundred sons. My father never gave me such important instructions.” After a pause, he added, “Then I met my real father.” With this, Brahmananda Prabhu broke down and began to sob uncontrollably, which ended the class.
“The Lord is directly concerned with the twice-born or civilized men. A civilized man is one who has taken his birth twice. A living entity takes birth in this mundane world due to the union of male and female. A human being is born due to union of the father and mother, but a civilized human being has another birth by contact with a spiritual master, who becomes the actual father. The father and mother of the material body are so only in one birth, and in the next birth the father and mother may be a different couple. But the bona fide spiritual master, as the representative of the Lord, is the eternal father because the spiritual master has the responsibility to lead the disciple to spiritual salvation, or the ultimate goal of life.” (SB 3.5.7 purport)
Hare Krishna.
Your eternal servant,
Giriraj Swami
The Hare Krishna Community Marks Its Annual Chariot Festival In Nairobi (3 min video)
The Hare Krishna Community on Saturday took to the streets of Nairobi to mark its annual Chariot Festival. Hundreds of devotees thronged the streets of Nairobi in song and dance in a peace procession aimed at bringing together various communities. Our reporter Anjlee Gadvi-Noorani joined the procession and files this report.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/HkcUOP
Harinama in the rain… (Album with photos)
Harinama Sankirtana, June 20, 2015, Krasnodar city, Russia
See them here: https://goo.gl/f26Sgz
Harinama in Brasil (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Chant Hare Krishna as many times as possible and be liberated. Thank you very much. Vrindavana, November 14, 1976
See them here: https://goo.gl/OjuS5x
Hare Krishna! TOVP: Sandstone Work in Jaipur
Currently, work is ongoing at a manufacturing unit in Jaipur, aiming to begin installation on site by August. Buddharam Stone Industries in Jaipur, Rajasthan is one of the foremost carvers available in India, following traditional methodologies, and very meticulous work practices. Vilasini devi dasi (Head Architect) and Anupama Shah (Team Lead – Architects) visited their factory to review the work in progress on Sunday, 14 June 2015 and were very much satisfied with their remarkable work.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18024
Hare Krishna! Cultural Conquest in Moldova (9 min HD video)
Indradyumna Swami: Srila Prabhupada would sometimes refer to the spreading of Krsna consciousness as a “cultural conquest.” Certainly we conquered the hearts and souls of many thousands of people in Moldova with our festival program here in Chisinau this weekend. As I walked around the festival site I would stop and ask people what part of the festival they liked best. Many of them would smile and reply, “Everything.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18019
Hare Krishna! 9 WAYS OF DEVOTION, 9 LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION – Pledge Your Support for the TOVP Today!
With the announcement by the GBC Chairman, Praghosa das, of 2015 as the Year of the TOVP, and the coming of ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary in 2016, along with the overwhelming success of the current North American TOVP Tour, a new and effective fundraising plan has been devised to collect the required funds for its completion. This is the Pledge Program whereby you can make a pledge from one of 9 different donor options and pay it off over the course of 3, 5, or even 7 years, leading up to the Grand Opening in 2022. Anyone can participate and make a substantial pledge, paying it off in small monthly amounts.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17223
Hare Krishna! Announcing DevoteeJobs.com
Searching for jobs just got easy for devotees! DevoteeJobs.com is a place for devotees to find paid jobs and unpaid service opportunities, be they full-time, part-time, freelance or temporary. It’s easy to search for jobs by location, type, category and skills. And you can post your confidential resume to be viewed by devotee employers. Are you looking to recruit a devotee? Post your opportunity for free! Any devotee employer in good standing can post a job and browse candidates’ resumes. The site is not limited to devotional jobs – any job can be posted as long as it does not directly harm our movement.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18013
Prabhupada boards the Jaladhuta.
The post First UK ISKCON’s 50th celebration appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Looking for a full time pujari for ISKCON Lenasia, Johannesburg, South Africa
ISKCON Lenasia, Johannesburg, South Africa, is desperately looking for a full time pujari. Our Deities, Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari, are the first Deities installed in South Africa, and are being served since late 70’s in various place around Johannesburg. Unfortunately recently due to various reasons we are lacking at least one steady pujari to serve the Deities. The service would include all kind of services, dressing the Deities, cooking etc. We can offer a simple accommodation and basic needs covered plus we can take care of arranging for visa extension. Most countries residents are given 3 months tourist visa after their entry to South Africa.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18010
Hare Krishna! Pratapana Prabhu and Jayasri Mataji Pledge $500,000 to the TOVP
In Vrindavan in 2014 we inaugurated the Gratitude Coin program to help fund the TOVP project. Our first presentation was at Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day festival during Kartik. At that time Jayasri mataji and Pratapana prabhu from Sydney, Australia pledged two Platinum coins, a total of $500,000, in the service of the TOVP construction. With so many other services and responsibilities they have taken up in their local temple, they have come forward to serve this International project and the world headquarters of ISKCON. Their seva is exemplary and motivates all of us to also make a big sacrifice and serve Srila Prabhupada by making a pledge to build this temple.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18007
Hare Krishna! Arabic Perfection of Yoga Stuns Syrian Actor
…then he says “Oh well if this book is in your language or English it’s the same to me” (meaning he can’t understand either). Paramatma then gave me intelligence that he speaks Arabic. I always carry a Gita and a few small Arabic books in my hand, but I had just finished distributing the last Arabic book that I was holding to another nice gentleman from Saudi Arabia. So I asked him “Can you read Arabic”? he replied with a smile “Of course i can that’s my language”. So i reached into my book box and pulled out a Perfection of Yoga in Arabic and handed it to him. His eyes went wide and he was in a total shock that I had a book on ancient yoga teachings of India in his own beloved Arabic.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18004
14.06.2015 H.G.Deenabandhu Prabhu_SB-5.24.21-22
With the announcement by the GBC Chairman, Praghosa das, of 2015 as the Year of the TOVP, and the coming of ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary in 2016, along with the overwhelming success of the current North American TOVP Tour, a new and effective fundraising plan has been devised to collect the required funds for its completion.
This is the Pledge Program whereby you can make a pledge from one of 9 different donor options and pay it off over the course of 3, 5, or even 7 years, leading up to the Grand Opening in 2022. Anyone can participate and make a substantial pledge, paying it off in small monthly amounts. Go to the TOVP website page below and find out how you can participate:
The post 9 WAYS OF DEVOTION, 9 LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION – Pledge Your Support for the TOVP Today! appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
In Vrindavan in 2014 we inaugurated the Gratitude Coin program to help fund the TOVP project.
Our first presentation was at Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day festival during Kartik. At that time Jayasri mataji and Pratapana prabhu from Sydney, Australia pledged two Platinum coins, a total of $500,000, in the service of the TOVP construction. With so many other services and responsibilities they have taken up in their local temple, they have come forward to serve this International project and the world headquarters of ISKCON. Their seva is exemplary and motivates all of us to also make a big sacrifice and serve Srila Prabhupada by making a pledge to build this temple.
The post Pratapana Prabhu and Jayasri Mataji Pledge $500,000 to the TOVP appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.