Websites from the ISKCON Universe
The Age of Stupid is a 90-minute film about climate change, set in the future. Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite (In The Name of the Father, Brassed Off) stars as a man living alone in the devasted world of 2055, looking back at archival footage from 2007 and asking: why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?
English translation of the lyrics is in the video. The original Benglali is by Krsnadas Kaviraja (from Caitanya Caritamrta Antya.14.43-51), on behalf of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu who Krsnadas says composed and sang this song to his confidential friends Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara.
Love and relationships in this world are not the source of bondage. Selfish desire is the source of bondage, and selfish desire hijacks our love and relationships.
Hare Krishna! Please pray for HH Jayapataka Maharaja’s health currently in a critical situation
The GBC: Dear Devotees around the world, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. As you may know HH Jayapataka Maharaja’s health is not so good, indeed we have to unfortunately inform you that he is currently in a critical situation. He is in the ICU of the ILBS hospital in New Delhi. Our simple request to all of you is to kindly pray to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna for Maharaja’s well being.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17620
Happy Pandava Nirjala Ekadashi! (8 min video)
Nirjala ekadashi is considered as the most austere and hence, most sacred of ekadashis. Nirjala means without water and thus, Nirjala Ekadashi means complete fasting. One who observes this by strictly abstaining from not only beans and grains, but from all foods, even water, becomes free of all sinful reactions.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/yw74hc
The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine was just released. This issue includes: * BE CONVERSANT WITH OUR PHILOSOPHY – Some collected instructions of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. * SRIDHAR SWAMI’S SPIRITUAL MASTER – From a lecture by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada. * THE FIRST ATTRACTION — PART 17 – The final installment of a series of fresh translations done especially for Bindu from Srila Jiva Goswami’s Gopala Campuh, speaking about how Radha and Krishna first met. * Nama-tattva: NOTHING COMPARABLE TO KRISHNA’S NAME – A first time translation for this issue of Bindu from the Bhagavan-nama-mahatmya-samgraha. It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu351 All back issues of Bindu are available for free download. Go to: http://www.gopaljiu.org/bindu For a free subscription to Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu write to: minimag@gopaljiu.org or go to www.gopaljiu.org
Read the entire article here: https://goo.gl/1EFEx3
CC daily Podcast:
Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:
New Ekacakra, Harinama in Slovakia, (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: These four principles: Always think of Krishna, become Krishna’s devotee, worship Krishna and offer your respect, obeisances to Krishna. That’s all. This is Krishna consciousness. Hyderabad, November 17, 1972.
See them here: https://goo.gl/vGqCsM
And Zoltai Lujza asks where the Dandaka sages were in the intervening 2,000,000 years before they appeared as gopis in Krsna’s lila.
The post Back home again appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Jayapataka Swami’s Health Update 28/05/15
Dear Devotees and well-wishers,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Jayapataka Maharaja’s health is relatively critical at this stage. He had to be placed on a ventilator due to his ongoing difficulty breathing. He is in the ICU Ward and the doctors are working to stabilize his condition.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/eqTpdl
Chanting Hare Krishna in a Ramanuja temple (4 min video)
We had gone for a trip to Kumbakonam. We entered this temple and when we came out the priest requested us to lead Kirtan. They had been having kirtan praying to Lord for rain. We had a small kirtan there and all the people there happily participated. Sri Vaishnava priests there also joined us in Kirtan and at the end they also chanted “Ramanuja Ramajuja” which touched everybody’s heart.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/z2Ntrr
The post After operation appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
The post Before operation appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Los Angeles Prabhupada Festival 2015 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Philosophy is the highest, but even higher than philosophy is the practice of philosophy. So if you simply remain pure, your preaching will have effect. Letter to Brihaspati, November 15, 1971.
See them here: https://goo.gl/2iaaib
The post Daily Darshan – May 28th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Vraja katha in the capital of America (Album with photos)
Visit to Washington DC & Baltimore
See them here: https://goo.gl/lthi3J
Shayan Darshan Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath;25th May 2015
Hare Krishna! 50th Anniversary Website launched
The website will be the hub for all communications, resources and news about the 50th anniversary which will be celebrated in 75 countries across 600 cities from August 2015 to December 2016. “The website is an important resource for our worldwide celebrations,” explained Romapada das, the International Coordinator for the 50th Anniversary. “It will feature the latest announcements, list key events, provide branding and marketing resources, link up to our special projects and become the hub for all our communications. We urge devotees all over the world to visit the site and check how they can participate and get involved.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17617
Dhruva’s brother Uttama was unmarried when a powerful god from the mountains killed him while he was hunting. His mother searched after him and met a similar fate. When Dhruva heard that his brother had been killed, he gave himself up completely to revengeful anger and grief. On his victorious chariot, he went to the realm of those powerful gods.
King Dhruva went north into the lands of Rudra’s followers. There, in a snowy Himalayan valley, he saw a city full of mysterious beings. Dhruva blew mightily on his conchshell, filling all the directions with its roar. The mysterious sub-gods were alarmed and shocked. Angered by the conch’s declaration of threat, the sub-gods came out from their city in armies, armed with weapons and prepared for war.
Dhruva, an excellent warrior and fierce bowman, began killing them; shooting each one with three simultaneous arrows. Seeing these arrows marked straight and sure for their foreheads, they knew they were doomed and thought highly of Dhruva’s skill.
Like trampled serpents, they struck back at him – each one shooting six simultaneous arrows. Then, the loosed thirteen ten-thousands of clubs, blades, spears, lances, pikes, and other weapons, like arrows with amazing feathers. They ferociously wanted to drench him, his chariot, and his charioteer, in a downpour of death. Uttānapāda’s Son could not even be seen in that incessant shower of weapons, like a mountain hidden by incessant storms.
The Siddha Gods had gathered in the heavens to see what was going on. They began to cry, “No! No!” when Mānu’s grandson disappeared like the Sun setting into the ocean.
The gods shouted in victory, but then, from amidst all their destruction, Dhruva’s chariot charged forward, like the sun bursting through the mist. They tried to attack him again, but the twang of his bow routed their confidence, as his arrows destroyed their weapons like the wind destroys clouds. Those arrows pierced their armor and viciously stabbed the bodies of those Rakṣa-gods – like thunderbolts smashing into mountains.
The battlefield overflowed with rent and torn bodies: heads with precious earrings, legs like golden palm trunks, arms with fancy bracelets… very valuable necklaces, armlets, crowns and turbans, which had delighted the heroes who wore them, were now strewn everywhere. The Rakṣa soldiers who somehow survived the onslaught of the greatest Kṣatriya fled from the battlefield, almost dead, like wounded elephants fleeing from a victorious lion.
Comment: Its strange how Dhruva had previously been so purified that he lost all anger and enmity. But about 10 years later became so uncontrollably enraged that he attacked a whole city. In the next chapter, his grandfather Svāyambhuva Manu will chastize him sternly for this.
Translation of Śrī Bhāgavata 4.10.1 ~ 20
by Vraja Kishor dās
Some time ago an amazing devotee contacted me via Twitter and was asking me a number of questions, at first it was simple to answer within the 140 character requirements. However at one point the questions became so complex I asked for their email so I could answer more fully.
Today the same devotee sent a text I looked pondered and lamented as it couldn’t be answered in a straight forward Yes/No and was a little more complex; “You know when you listen to your Guru Maharaja classes do you feel different compared to any other maharaja you listen too?”
Hum?
I love my guru maharaja and long for the day I can sit in person listening to his classes it has been such a long time, thankfully now the internet and very thoughtful devotees allow me to hear and see my guru maharaja.
But I also remember that on one occasion I fell asleep during his class, 13 hour nights and then staying awake till start of class and a subject matter I wasn’t quiet following meant I was inattentive and for a small part asleep.
My guru maharaja was somewhat kind and didn’t mention it at the time but did bring it up some time later (saving me from embarrassment), “sorry” didn’t cut the mustered and after I had surrendered to give the full reason he made a suggestion: “If your so tired the body needs rest then best take it, it is more important you are able to listen with attentiveness than just be their”; Sound advice indeed.
My first response then would be it depends on my physical and mental disposition, any unbalance their means even if it is my own guru maharaja their can be an epic failure in appreciation and no benefit is gained.
My second response is subject matter, the more personal to the situation your in the more attentive I become; if the mind decides the subject matter is little relevance then anything but what is being said becomes important. Our biggest battle as always is with our own tiny mind’s which will lead us astray at any turn.
But that doesn’t answer the question.
In a previous blog posting I sat in some young devotees class who were giving their first class, it was not mind boggling in content but the sincerity and humbleness in delivery made it a wonderful experience. Most important it opened up discussion and I left the room floating on air one of those amazing spiritual highs.
It has been the same for Srimad Bhagavatam class certain devotees just somehow connect with me in what they say and how they present; I leave feeling wow time went by so quickly curse the overseer of time why couldn’t class be that much longer.
However I have to admit some devotees as soon as I see their name impending doom descends, their amazing devotees. But either the presentation is dry or their on a much higher level and my simple brain can’t grasp quiet what their saying (usually the fault lies close to home).
Sadly due to a hearing problem some devotees I struggle to hear, even with hearing aid insitue and one or two just at the pitch that causes some discomfort and pain; so I listen in very short spurts.
My third response is how the person presents the subject matter, tone of voice and humour for me and a little eccentricity is a definite winner.
My fourth response as long as it’s not over complicated or the subject matter switches a lot.
But that doesn’t answer the question
I love the varied and variety of presentation’s and listening to class no matter who gives is important, the individual person giving class has a different relationship with us, but each has if we or should I say “I” listen intently the ability to inspire, challenge, answer our doubts and send us into a frenzied spiritual high.
My guru maharaja classes are very precious, we have a unique relationship of guru disciple, yes I want to hear from him.
But I’ve been inspired by other maharaja’s and I wouldn’t want to have to choose listening to one over the other, each has a unique flavour each one I’ve learnt from and several have inspired and helped me.
The mistake would be to see one as more important than the other, that listening to one has a more uplifting flavour (my guru is better than your guru); I love my guru based on his ability to deal with me outside of his class on a personal level, he takes non of my nonsense sees through it cuts to the chase and even if it means crushing my false ego speaks what I need to not what i want to hear.
Each is a representative of Sri Krishna, their unique souls who have taken up the mission in helping Srila Prabhupada in spreading krishna consciousness throughout the whole world. Why would I not want to listen and leave with a glow that is natural? That of a spiritual high?
Ow yes I was inattentive sleeping at the back of the temple should I not be surprised I gained nothing, No!
I’ve left many maharaja’s classes with the same feeling of jubilation and ecstasy ready to continue battling against my mind and forging ahead in devotional service; and this is the feeling other devotees instil in me when they give class.
And this is for me they way it should be.
My relationship with my guru maharaja is personal his dealings with me personal (and thus his classes leave me enthusiastic)
My relationship with class (Srimad Bhagavatam, Gita, or other) is another unique relationship and thus also leaves me enthusiastic.
Both the same both equal keeping me on track and focused on what’s most important spiritual progression.
So does that answer the question?
In my mind it does, if I’m attentive any and all classes leave me with the same great feeling one of pure ecstasy which has increased my love for Sri Krishna and those amazingly awesome devotee’s.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 26 April 2015, Radhadesh, Belgium, Vyasa Puja Morning Lecture, Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya 24.124)
We wish to come to the stage of pure, unalloyed devotional service so that our heart can become completely satisfied with serving Krsna. Serving Krsna is our only aim – our only pleasure, our wealth and our single possession. Nothing else do we possess. We have an illusion that we possess many things, ‘This land is mine and these things are mine, so many things are mine…’, but that is the illusion. Time will definitely sever relationships that we have with anything material. Even our body is not really ours, even that belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
There is a passage from Caitanya Caritamrta which is to be highlighted, when the body of Sanatana Gosvami, in Jagannath Puri, has been contaminated by sores and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was touching his body, embracing him and Sanatana Gosvami was thinking, ‘That is too much!’ Sanatana Gosvami thought he was making the greatest offence by allowing this to happen and wanted to give up his body. But Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu pointed out, ‘No! You have already surrendered to me and that means you surrendered your mind, body and words. Therefore, your body is now my property, not yours.’
So yes, we are all the property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The spiritual master is sometimes called the postman and sometimes called a messenger of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Of course, the spiritual master, on behalf of Krsna, is also considering us his property and he can do anything and everything with us…
I remember, I was in New Vraja Mandala (Spain) one time and in the middle of the temple room, there is a pillar which is a perfect danda parking! To sannyasis, danda parkings are attractive places! So I noted the place that perfectly supports dandas and I had my danda parking there – it was close-by whenever I wanted it. It was a very convenient place. However, Jayadvaita Maharaj was also visiting there with his danda and then at one point, he took my danda. I had left it parking there although I was still in the temple room and Jayadvaita Maharaj walked around with it for a while. For a moment, I was thinking, ‘Is he going to give it back?!’ That is how it is, you know.
So, I definitely got the message that it was still his property and not really mine, and that he simply allows me to carry it. So he walked passed, handed it to me with the gesture saying, ‘Have a danda!’ It was an enlightening moment because I could understand that everything I have is his property. He allows me to use it, that’s all, and I better use it properly. I could see it clearly and that is our situation.
So, those in this room who are my disciples, everything you have is mine – just so you know that! (laughter) I am allowing you to use it but I can take it back at anytime! (laughter) But for now, I am happy that you are using it and not me, because the spiritual master does not desire to take all these things, with the mindset, ‘Yes, it is all mine!’ And have large quantities of different goods that are piling up. No, better you keep all those things and then you use them in Krsna’s service, and you do something with them for Krsna. But only for Krsna and not for sense gratification, that is not allowed, for sense gratification is strictly forbidden. So these things definitely help the guru-disciple relationship unfold.
Srila Prabhupada: If Krishna does not supply you this light, sunlight, you will die. But he does not charge anything. But because you are human being, you should try to repay: “Oh, Krishna is giving us so much facilities. Let me render some service unto him.” This is Krishna Consciousness. This is to acknowledge, “Oh God, You are so kind. You are giving so many things. So I have collected this fruit. It is Your fruit, I know. Still, please accept.” Columbus, May 9, 1969.
Harinama and book distribution in Tel Aviv, Israel (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Padma Purana, Krishna says, mad-bhakta yatra gayanti tatra tisthami narada: “O Narada, I am present wherever My devotees are chanting.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 17.132 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/9rbDpk
Hare Krishna! Hatha Yoga and the Bhagavad-gita
The process of Krishna consciousness is practical dharana, or spiritual concentration. By seeing paintings of Krishna, we use our sense of sight for God; by chanting and hearing we engage the tongue and the ear; by offering incense to Krishna we engage our sense of smell. All the senses can help us engage in dharana, leading to advanced states of meditation and absorption. The holy name is particularly effective in this regard. That’s why Krishna says that of austerities He is the austerity of japa, private chanting, especially while counting on beads.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17613
Visit to Prabhupada Village (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The soul already has a spiritual body, which the material body covers. My material body grows upon me - my spiritual body – but my material body is unnatural. The real body is spiritual. I am accepting various bodies that are unnatural to my constitution. My real, constitutional position is to be the servant of Krishna. Los Angeles, May 13, 1973.
See them here: https://goo.gl/TfuFgF
Hare Krishna! A Call to Spiritual Heroism
Our society fosters neither love nor fear of God, but glamorizes godless, selfish materialism instead. Consequently nowadays many people are extremely selfish in their relationship with God. They don’t give even a few moments to the person who has given them their entire life. In a family, if a son doesn’t care for his father, who is his link with his brothers, soon he will stop caring for them too. In fact, he may even become malevolent toward them because they become his competitors for inheritance. Similarly, selfishness toward God is the origin of all evil. We have all sown that evil seed in our own hearts and are now force-feeding each other its bitter fruits—terrorism, corruption, crime, exploitation—all born from fighting with each other for the world’s resources, God’s inheritance for us.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17603
The post Off to the hospital and don’t forget about Nirjala-ekadasi coming up appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Dear Friends,
Please allow me to beg for whatever financial assistance you would kindly provide.
Many of you know that I have written the book A Simple Gītā, and it has been very warmly recieved. I live in Japan and am now working with a Japanese lady who is a longtime devotee (Tapasvinī devī dāsī) to translate A Simple Gītā into Japanese. We have successfully translated to the end of Chapter Seven so far. Tapasvinī is a responsible woman with modest financial needs, and I happily give her donations for the vast amount of time and energy she is devoting to this work. My financial situation recently changed, however, leaving me unable to continue doing so.
This is why I am turning to you for help. Please use this page {www.VrajaKishor.com/donate.php } to contribute to this project. No donation would be too small or too big.We expect the project will be completed in 5 months.
Please “like” and “share” this post, that is another type of “donation.”
Thank you for considering this petition for your causeless kindness.
Your servant,
Vraja Kishor das
On Tuesday, May 12th we departed from SanDiego and flew to Phoenix, Arizona. The temple there is presided over by Sri Sri Radha Madhava Hari, Gaur Nitai and Srinathji. We spent the rest of the day catching up with office related work.
On the morning of Wednesday, May 13th we visited the landsite of the newly proposed Lotus Temple in Phoenix with Lord Nityananda’s Padukas to give Their blessings. We returned to the temple and made preparations for the TOVP program later that evening. Devotees started arriving and during the Gaura arati an abhisheka was performed. The Temple President, Premadhatri devi dasi, introduced the TOVP Team and Radha Jivana and Jananivas prabhus spoke about the TOVP project to a crowd of about 75 devotees. Pledges started coming in and by the end of the program almost $50,000 was pledged. A puspa abhisheka was then done by all the devotees and Jananivas placed the Sitari on everyone’s heads. Prasadam was served.
The post TOVP Daily Tour Days 62 and 63 – Arrival in Phoenix, Arizona and TOVP Program appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
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!
The post General update on the Domes appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Hare Krishna! Prayer for the Mayor – Dallas City Council Hare Krishna Invocation
Prayer for the Mayor – Dallas City Council Hare Krishna Invocation – by Nityananda Dasa Adhikari, temple president of Iskcon Dallas (video)
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17596
Hare Krishna! ISKCON UK’s First National Convention
Dear Devotees, Friends and Supporters,In celebration of the glorious 50th Anniversary of ISKCON, we are holding the first ever UK National Convention. This will be a free one day event on Saturday the 22nd August 2015 and the main theme will be glorification of Srila Prabhupada. The venue will be Granby Street ISKCON Leicester. We see this as a great opportunity to bring devotees together in a mood of unity, cooperation, trust and positive communication with each other. However we desperately need your help to pay for this event. We still need to raise £8000, in order to cover all the cost of this 1st ever ISKCON UK convention.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17593
The post Daily Darshan – May 27th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Shayan Darshan Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath;11th May 2015
Sorry, the Loft will be closed on Sunday (31st May 2015) and Monday (1st June 2015) On behalf of the Loft staff, have a nice and safe Queen’s Birthday long weekend. THE LOFT
The post Closed coming Sunday & Monday appeared first on The Loft Yoga Lounge Auckland.
