Planet ISKCON

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, July 2009, Serbian Summer Camp, Lecture)

Question: I was thinking if I should ask this question. A confession goes along with it. I started Krsna consciousness twenty-one years ago and in spite of all my deficiencies, devotees have been very nice to me. After many years, finally I think that I am getting some taste and for hearing and chanting also. But, I feel that I have hit a wall or a ceiling. Upon analysing, I have discovered that I still have doubts which are preventing me form getting the real nectar in Krsna consciousness. Upon further analysis, to my horror, I have discovered that apparently I am not so happy with the idea that Krsna is controlling everything in my life. Even though I have begun to enjoy very much the association of devotees and the whole process of Krsna consciousness, I am constantly, no matter how hard I try, I am hitting this wall which prevents me from going further. I would very much like to know why this is so. So Maharaj, please tell me, what is wrong?

It is a fact that we have to give up all sense of proprietorship. At one point, we just have to accept that nothing is ours. In the Caitanya Caritamrta, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu tells to Sanatana Goswami that even his own body was not his. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “You have surrendered unto me. Therefore, your body is my property!”

We have to gradually come to this point when we say, “All right, all Your property!” We have to let go of the tendency to control our own destiny, to really say, “Okay Krsna, whatever You want!” Because, whether we have that mood or not, it is anyway going to be like that. Krsna will do what he wants. So, we are all struggling like that.

Yesterday, I used the analogy of Krsna being in the inner-chamber in our heart. We can think of our heart as a palace with many rooms. Slowly, we open more rooms and we have to turn all these rooms into temples. But as long as we have any ideas of wanting material things, that means that we still lock out some rooms from Krsna – that is where our obstacles are. Everyone has some barriers otherwise we will all be ecstatic prema bhaktas, rolling on the ground in ecstasy. So, we may be struggling with these limits, we may bump into the walls that you described but, if step-by-step, we try to surrender more, if we try to accept whatever Krsna wants, still in subtle ways we may have some personal agenda but we minimize it more and more.

Like in my case, I was a grhasta but I did not have kids, it did not happen. Then at one stage, I began to wonder what are we going to do – grow old together… hand-in- hand, bone-in-bone. I thought what would the point be? So, I began to develop the desire to take sannyasa. I remember the ceremony at the Bhaktivedanta Manor and as I was sitting at the fire sacrifice, I had a moment of doubt. (Audience: Ohhhh!) No, doubt is a sign of intelligence, Kapiladeva says. I had a moment of doubt! I was thinking, “Why am I doing this to myself? I am forty-four years old. This is relatively young. I could have waited ten more years. Why do I want to do this now? Is it personal ambition or is it really the desire to serve Krsna?”

Anyway, since I was sitting in the sacrifice, I just carried on with it. What do you do? Then after I took sannyasa, some television crew came and they immediately put the microphone under my nose and said, “Do you feel any different?”

And I said, “If you would ask that question to a man who just got married, what would he say? He would say yes. I feel different now because I feel the weight of the responsibility.” So, I felt the weight of the responsibility there and then. So, this is the way that we gradually try to increase our commitment. First, we make an external commitment and then in order to survive that commitment, you have to fill it in. A sannyasi has to walk around with these heavy vows, such heavy vows – not to enjoy in this world, no sense gratification at all. It is quite strict! So, then I could see, “I will never survive this unless I really fill it in with some genuine attraction to Krsna.”

If we want to break out of a stagnated situation then we must make a commitment that is greater than where we are now. It does not have to be sannyasa but the commitment in service to Krsna must increase. That commitment in service to Krsna will force us to also make a greater internal commitment. And if again we find a wall then again, we must make a fresh commitment which is even greater which will force us to grow internally. It is in this way that we increase our surrender to Krsna and not so much by mental or intellectual adjustment. We cannot do it that way, we are just not strong enough but if we make a commitment, that will force us. If we take responsibility, responsibility will force us.

So, when there is stagnation, make more commitment in the service of Krsna. It can be in different directions – it can be in sadhana, in practical service; it can be in ashram; it depends on our individual situation. Then in the end, if at the end of our life, if there are still such walls and we still have not fully become perfect then there is this hope, it is called asa bandha, it is translated as “hope against hope”!

It basically means that even if there is no reason to have hope, you still have hope. We may have no reason to think that we will be successful, that we will go back to Godhead, and that we will get Krsna prema because we have not surrendered enough. You know it and I know it; we know it about ourselves. But we “hope against hope” that we may still get the mercy of Lord Caitanya because if he sees that we are really trying then he is very generous. So, this is the crux, we have to really try and if Lord Caitanya sees that we are really trying, then he will give us mercy, if he wants to…

So that is my meditation, that is why I took sannyasa. It is a risky business. Still, I hope that Lord Caitanya, at the end of my life, will say, “Well, he tried!” Everyone else will say, “He did not do very well. It was not very impressive. Maybe it will be better for him to do it one more time.” But someone will also say, “This is one of Prabhupada’s men.” So I also want to be a Prabhupada man. Prabhupada has prayed to Krsna that we can go back to Godhead. So I try to serve Prabhupada, I hope that he will also help.

Do you know that story about the horse race? The horse race is getting ready to start. Ladies and gentlemen, all the horses are lined up! Start sign and they are all are running. And it is material desire that takes the lead! Envy and greed are close behind. And they are storming down the tracks, storming down the tracks… and it really looks like material desire is going to win the race. Number one, material desire, is in the lead… in the lead! But then… look, look, look! From behind, from the left field, there it is – Prabhupada’s mercy, Prabhupada’s mercy coming down the side! And yes, yes, yes! Prabhupada’s mercy is moving on. Prabhupada’s mercy is, I tell you ladies and gentlemen, Prabhupada’s mercy is going to finish the race!!!

Somehow or other, hang in there!

General update on the Domes
The TOVP domes are coming up very fast! On the main dome, the 9th and last ring is now 50% completed. The 3rd ring on the planetarium dome is almost finished and for Nrshimha Dev dome, the 3rd ring just commenced!
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/f0X0Kr

TOVP Plumbing System Underway
While in and of itself plumbing is not a glorious activity, when used in the Lord’s service it becomes a glorious detail to the TOVP project and an essential and important element in its all-around long-term preservation.
Piping work on the temple started last June, 2014 under the guidance of Gammon Construction. Recently, plumbing work started on the domes. This is to insure that, due to the impending approach of the rainy season, all excess water can be removed to prevent any damage to the temple structure. Using HPDE (High Density Polyethylene), a material with a high density-to-strength ration, this will be accomplished in a short time. On the temple floor workers are also closing/sealing piping within layers of brick.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/Lj7IbN

Vivaha samskara (Album with photos)
Thank Ilay Boyko for helping us keep this day in memory :)
See them here: https://goo.gl/g65rZv

Harinama in Moscow, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Let there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Krishna, which can cleanse the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing fire of material existence. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 20.12)
See them here: https://goo.gl/ZLzWb0

A grove of Indian sandalwood trees

Once, a long time ago in India, there was a poor man who lived with his wife in a small cottage deep in a forest. Every day the man would pick up sticks from the forest floor, make them up into bundles then stack them carefully in a circle. Covering them over with earth he would burn them slowly until the wood had charred black. The result was charcoal – a fuel that was very light to carry but excellent for cooking. He made very little money from this trade but was satisfied with what he had. Not many visitors came into the forest because it was filled with wild animals, so sometimes the man and his wife felt lonely, but the forest was peaceful and they were happy.

One afternoon a stranger arrived at the door of the cottage. He was visibly exhausted and his brow was damp with sweat. “Can you help me please?” he asked the man, “I was out hunting and my horse galloped off – I’ve been walking for miles and I’m lost.” The charcoal-maker immediately gave the stranger a place to rest and some water to drink. His wife set about cooking a meal and the stranger began to feel at home, so much so that he fell asleep and spent the night as the guest of the man and his wife.

The next morning the stranger asked to be escorted to the edge of the forest. It was quite a distance to walk, but the charcoal-maker happily obliged. As the dense forest gave way to a path, the stranger revealed his identity. “What I did not tell you, my friend, is that I am actually the king of this region. I could see that you didn’t recognise me, and that all the kind hospitality you offered was from your heart. I am very grateful and I would like to offer you a gift. Please walk another mile with me.”

Walking on, they came to a forest from which came a wonderful fragrance. “This is my sandal-wood grove,” explained the king, “fifty of the oldest and finest trees – and I want you to have it.” The charcoal-maker was astonished that his guest had been the king, and even more surprised that he was being given his own personal wood. He thanked the king profusely and they parted company.

One year later, the king visited the sandalwood grove and discovered, much to his surprise, that all the trees had gone. Not one tree was left standing. Curious, he went deep inside the forest to visit the charcoal-maker. “So I see that you have made good use of the sandal-wood?” he asked the man. “Oh yes,” replied the man, “I made all of the fifty trees into charcoal.”

“But did you not realise,” exclaimed the king, quite aghast, “that just one twig of a single sandal-wood tree can be sold for the price of a hundred bags of charcoal? That the fragrant oil inside the tree is worth much more than the wood that contains it?” “No,” replied the man, “I’m a simple charcoal-maker…”

Moral: In ordinary consciousness we attribute a greater value to the body than the soul within. Not even knowing the value of the soul, we use our body as fuel and burn through it in seventy years, never capitalising on the sweet fragrance that could have been ours. The guru is the teacher who explains the difference between body and soul; then shows us how to obtain the real value of life.

Hare Krishna! Raga-bhakti
“In the beginning one has to render service strictly according to the regulative principles set forth by the revealed scriptures and spiritual master. By continuously rendering service through the process of vaidhī bhakti, one’s natural inclination is gradually awakened. That is called spontaneous attraction, or rāgānugā bhakti”. (CC Madhya-lila 22.153 purport)
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17692

The post Remembering the disappearance of Mukunda-datta appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Hare Krishna! Exploring Love
True love is not casual but is an act of will that requires the lover’s concentration on and commitment to the beloved (in Sanskrit called asakta-manah — “mind attached”). In other words, love is about my beloved’s—and not my own—thoughts, feelings, and desires. True love is selfless. One who would love is concerned with and alert to the beloved in every sphere of life. In fact, one who would love sees everything in relation to the beloved and sees the beloved everywhere. This does not mean losing oneself in the infatuation of love, but finding oneself. Those who truly love understand their own identity (vijnana — “realized knowledge”), and they act in accord with that understanding.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17689

With only one extra day in New Orleans, the many eager devotees there could not get enough association with Jananivas prabhu.

On Monday, May 18th we visited the homes of devotees with the Padukas and Sitari for kirtan, Krishna katha and prasadam. For breakfast we went to the home of Satya Gaura das, for lunch to the home of Guru das, and for dinner to the home of Pracheta das. To these devotees, being of Bengali origin and having their roots in devotional service in Mayapur Dhama, it was like Mayapur coming to their home.

The post TOVP Daily Tour Day 68: Visits to Devotee Homes in New Orleans appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Auspicious celebrations in Alachua, Gainesville & Orlando (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Krishna, one can be freed from all undesirable habits. This is the means of awakening all good fortune and initiating the flow of waves of love for Krishna. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 20.11)
See them here: https://goo.gl/KybxKe

Snana yatra (7 min video)
Today i.e. 2nd June 2015 is Snan Yatra, the Bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannath wherein the Deities are taken out for Royal Bath, Please, if you want, go through the video for knowing more about Snan Yatra Celebration
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/UpW8Ri

Answer Podcast:

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Srimad Bhagavatam class at ISKCON Melbourne
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The post Daily Darshan – June 2nd, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Srimad Bhagavatam class at ISKCON Melbourne
Lecture Podcast:

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Hare Krishna! 50th Anniversary briefing pack launched to help local temples plan celebrations
“There are five features that have been identified for the fiftieth anniversary,” said Pancharatna Das, a member of the Executive Committee of the 50th Anniversary. “They are: celebrate events, educate the world, accelerate our mission, appreciate ISKCON and motivate achievements. The briefing pack provides different ideas and celebrations that can be organised against each of these five features. Hopefully, local temples can pick and choose what they want according to resources available with them, so that every centre can feel a part of the global celebrations.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17686

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:

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Our school here in New Zealand is situated in beautiful, peaceful surroundings just 100 metres away from the Radha Giridhari temple in North West Auckland. 

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 27 May 2015, Sydney, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 7.10.23)

This morning, I listened to the sankirtan scores being announced. It was very nice. I was very happy to hear that books are going out. But, what if I get a little cynical or sceptical, and I say, “Well, how many people are there in Sydney and how many books did you distribute? If you go at this pace, it is going to take forever to get books out to all the people of Sydney! How are we going to make an impact? Are we actually changing the city… and what about the country? So, is our mission successful?”

We have to take it that our mission is successful and that it does not depend on material calculations! This kind of material calculation does not apply – so many books going every day and the population is this number therefore mathematically, it would take an average of so many days before we can finally reach the people of Sydney, and then we hope that they all surrender! No, it is not like that because the ancient story of the sparrow who had lost her eggs in the ocean, applies. The sparrow had threatened the ocean, “If you do not return my eggs, I will drink your water!” The ocean did not care but Garuda cared! Garuda was attracted by the sincerity of that sparrow, and then Garuda threatened to drink the water of the ocean.

So this ‘Garuda principle’ is there. If we endeavour to spread Krsna consciousness, that attracts the causeless mercy of Krsna and then Krsna will do it. Ultimately, Krsna will do it! When the Lord is attracted by the service of the devotees, the Lord intervenes and then it starts happening!

Maha Harinam in Ljubliana-Slovenia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krishna-sakti vina nahe tara pravartana:unless one receives special power of attorney from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he cannot preach the glories of the Hare Krishna mantra. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.83 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/FJ1zmh

Hare Krishna! Daytona Beach, FL Festival of Chariots – Rathayatra
Last Saturday, May 23rd, we had another wonderful Rathayatra festival at Daytona Beach. We started at the Holiday Inn with kirtan led by Vishvambara Prabhu. Bhadra Prabhu then spoke to all of the assembled devotees about how important it was for each one of us to engage as many people in pulling the Rath cart and joining the kirtan as possible in this Rathayatra since so many devotees had other engagements that day. He inspired us by reminding us that we are all preachers in this Krsna consciousness movement, so it is our duty to bring people to this Krsna consciousness movement
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17681

Hare Krishna! First Jagannath Ratha Yatra in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
The annual Isen Mulang cultural festival or the New Year festival in Palangka Raya is held to commemorate the anniversary of city. The festival highlights the cultural diversity of the different communities from various part of Central Kalimantan (Borneo). This year on May 18, 2015 Palangka Raya celebrated its 58th anniversary and received special Mercy from Lord Jagannath. Lord Jagannath along His brother Balaram and Their beloved sister Subadra Devi on the Ratha yatra participated in the Isen Mulang Festival. The Ratha Yatra gave special colour to the festival because of the beautifully decorated chariot and the fired up melodious Hare Krishna Maha Mantra kirtan.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17678