Planet ISKCON

Hare Krishna! Returning Home to Freedom
“What’s it like to go back home to Krishna?” wondered ten-year-old Kiran at the weekly gathering for children from our congregation. I responded by speaking about Goloka Vrindavana, our real home, where we aspire to go after our tenure in this world. “The spiritual world of Goloka is free from all school exams and home assignments,” I told the kids. “It’s all fun, day and night—no interruption in play!” “Wow!” Kiran replied. “But,” he probed, “since we’ve been away for so long, will Krishna recognize us when we get back?”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17367

Hare Krishna! Lord Parashurama’s Revolution
Sectarian and political disputes are common not only today but occurred even during the time of Sri Parashurama, an empowered incarnation of the Supreme Lord who appeared several ages before Lord Ramachandra, millions of years ago. The kings at that time, proud of their strength and fighting for absolute power, revolted against the spiritually advanced sages, who generally guided government. Since these kings had offended the devotees of Lord Krishna and deviated from the path of righteousness and care of the citizens, they had to be punished. Sri Parashurama fulfilled that mission.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17364

HG Pankajanghri Prabhu at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-05-11

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After Nārada had spoken, Dhruva showed his respect and gratitude by circumambulating him before departing to Madhuvana, the sacred place decorated with Hari’s footprints.

Comment: Krishna had not yet appeared in Madhuvana at this point in history, so how could Madhuvana bear his footprints? VCT explains that Vṛndāvana is eternal and not destroyed at dissolution or created on Brahmā’s awakening. Therefore the footprints from Krishna’s avatāra in the previous mahā-kalpa persisted.

After Nārada had spoken, Dhruva showed his respect and gratitude by circumambulating him before departing to Madhuvana, the sacred place decorated with Hari’s footprints.

Nārada went into Uttānapāda’s palace, where the king greeted him respectfully and seated him comfortably. “King,” Nārada said, “Why the long face? Are you thinking about something sad? Have you lost your happiness, along with your wealth and morality?”

“Oh wise man,” The king said, “Because of my wife, I have been cruel to my little boy. I allowed him to run away from home even though he is only five years old, and I neglected his mother who is a great and learned person. He is in the forest, with no one to protect him. I am worried that the wolves might devour that helpless little boy. I am worried that his lotus face must have withered and become emaciated from hunger. Aho, all this is just because of my vile cruelty towards him, instigated by the manipulation of that woman. I am the worst father. My boy loved me and wanted to climb into my lap, but I shunned him!”

“Don’t worry. Don’t worry,” Nārada consoled. “Your son is in the divine care of the world’s protector. His majesty, currently unknown, will soon become famous throughout the world. That prabhu will perform deeds difficult even for the masters of the world. He will return soon, King, and your family’s fame will overflow.”

When the king heard Nārada’s words, he lost all interest in royal opulence (including the goddess-like queen Suruci), and cared only about his son.

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.8.62~70

Vraja Kishor dās

VrajaKishor.com

When we ask a non-flattering question (or even a flattering question) about something happening ISKCON, we are very likely to soon hear, “Prabhupāda wanted this!” followed by a series of quotes from his recorded conversations and collected letters.

I am a dad. That’s something somewhat like being a guru and head of an institution, on a very small scale. As a dad, I want my son to take a shower regularly, every day would be swell. Now let’s say my son starts spending all day in the shower, saying, “My dad wanted this.” Yeah, I wanted him to take a shower, but I sort of expected that he would keep that desire in the context of all the other things I want for him, many of which are a lot more important than taking a shower. You know, things like eating, sleeping, getting out the door on time, doing some homework every once in a while, etc.

There’s certainly no question that Prabhupāda wanted a lot of things from us, but its equally certain that we are likely to mess up the context and screw up the implementation of what he wanted, and maybe THAT’s what the unflattering questions are about. For example, he wants people to become legitimate gurus. You can quote this and that till the end of the month on this topic. So what did we do, we got 11 zonal-ācāryas with daily guru-pūjā and gold plated bathroom fixtures. Yes, Prabhupāda wanted gurus, but…

See, the main thing that Prabhupāda wants is to serve Krishna and Rādhārāṇī. To do that, he wants newer and newer friendships for them.That means the main thing he wants to do is expose people to the beauty of Rādhā-Krishna’s vraja-prema. The primary way of doing that is Śrī Krishna Saṁkīrtan – which is primarily done with karatala and khol, and secondarily done with spoken and written words (ie “books”). That’s the MAIN MAIN MAIN thing our Guru wants. He also wanted a bunch of other things, but when people sense that we pay too much attention to the other things and neglect the main thing, that’s when we start to ask unflattering questions about what everyone is doing in the name of “fulfilling Śrīla Prabhupāda’s desires.”

Hare Krishna.

Recently I did something unusual and made a Facebook post about a super-huge project in ISKCON. One of the responses was basically, “Why do you care?”

The lady who made that comment is right, I shouldn’t care. In fact most of the time, maybe even “99%” of the time, I don’t. Why not? Because it has nothing to do with me.

On the other hand, sometimes I do care what ISKCON is doing. Why? Because it does have something to do with me.

The nature of ātmā is to, naturally, always care about itself. This is the inherent nature of being an individual entity. The enlightened ātmā cares primarily about paramātmā, the super-self. We care about things that are related to us. That’s why most of the time I don’t care what’s going on or off in ISKCON, because it doesn’t have all that much to do with me. But sometimes I do care, because, like it or not, ISKCON does have something to do with who I am.

I care a little bit about what goes down on my block, because I live here. I care about stuff that happens to human beings in nepal etc, because I’m a human being too. Etc. So I care about what goes on in ISKCON because ISKCON is a society of people into Krishna, and I am a person who is into Krishna.

I hope that explains why I care a little bit, and sometimes voice my opinion about ISKCON things – but usually don’t care much and keep to my own studies and practices.

Hare Krishna.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 April 2015, Durban, South Africa, Ratha Yatra Lecture: Sexuality and Spirituality)

Continued from Wake up, sleeping souls

You know, you fall in love and then you want a child. Yes, it is nice but then you have to think, “What about school? Oh my god, there isn’t the right school for my child. What do I do now? But if we move to this other place, then there my child will get a proper education.”
“Yeah, but darling, we just put down a payment on the house!”
“Yeah, I know, but the child…”
“If we have to move then we will lose some money but anyway, we will move to the other location.”

So, it is a chain of action and reaction that entangles us more and more, and it binds us. As you grow old and grey, the kids are growing up and then you think, “Oh gosh, how am I going to put them through university! And these rascals, they are not serious about university!”

So much struggle! It is a whole network of entanglement. So therefore, the more we take to spirituality and the stronger we get spiritually, the less these material things mean to us. Therefore, we chant every day a minimum of sixteen rounds. Without these sixteen rounds, we cannot follow four regulative principles. Therefore, it begins with chanting Hare Krsna and then comes following four regulative principles.

They go hand in hand but you know, if someone says, “I am following the four principles but I am not chanting,” then all I can say is that it cannot last. It cannot last. It is okay. Nice, but it cannot last. If you do not chant, it cannot last because it is the chanting that lifts us up above the bodily platform. Without the chanting, we stay on the bodily platform and then your resolve to follow four principles is happening in the mind. If you are not chanting and following the principles, then it is a mental decision.

That is weak, balavan indriya-gramo vidvamsam api karsati (Srimad Bhagavatam 9.19.17). It says the senses are so strong that even someone who is learned is struggling. Even when you know, you are struggling. But when you are spiritually surcharged by devotional service, you get mercy. So when you are chanting, you get mercy. That is why the chanting is so important!

Hare Krishna! Sannyasa Initiation of HH Gaur Krishna Das Goswami
Gaur Krishna Das Goswami started his preaching in villages of Bihar and Jharkhand since 1984. He was also a part of Pada Yatra Sankirtan Party which was led by HH Lokanath Swami. He has given his considerable services in Vrindavan, Juhu (Mumbai) and currently he preaches in Jhansi. He started his Bhagavat Katha in Hindi language in year 1998 since then he was invited to various places in North India including Pune, Belgaum, Mumbai, Mayapur, Surat and many different cities of India.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17359

These are my notes for a recent class given,

In ISKCON’s incorporating document, Srila Prabhupada imparts the “Seven Purposes of ISKCON”:

(1) To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

But gradually, as the basic principles of brahminical culture, namely austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness, became curtailed by proportionate development of pride, attachment for women and intoxication, the path of salvation or the path of transcendental bliss retreated far, far away from human society. With the progression of the age of Kali, people are becoming very proud, and attached to women and intoxication. By the influence of the age of Kali, even a pauper is proud of his penny, the women are always dressed in an overly attractive fashion to victimize the minds of men, and the man is addicted to drinking wine, smoking, drinking tea and chewing tobacco, etc. All these habits, or so-called advancement of civilization, are the root causes of all irreligiosities, and therefore it is not possible to check corruption, bribery and nepotism. Man cannot check all these evils simply by statutory acts and police vigilance, but he can cure the disease of the mind by the proper medicine, namely advocating the principles of brahminical culture or the principles of austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness. Modern civilization and economic development are creating a new situation of poverty and scarcity with the result of blackmailing the consumer’s commodities. If the leaders and the rich men of the society spend fifty percent of their accumulated wealth mercifully for the misled mass of people and educate them in God consciousness, the knowledge of Bhagavatam, certainly the age of Kali will be defeated in its attempt to entrap the conditioned souls. We must always remember that false pride, or too high an estimation of one’s own values of life, undue attachment to women or association with them, and intoxication will divert human civilization from the path of peace, however much the people clamor for peace in the world. The preaching of the Bhagavatam principles will automatically render all men austere, clean both inside and outside, merciful to the suffering, and truthful in daily behavior. That is the way of correcting the flaws of human society, which are very prominently exhibited at the present moment.
SB 1.17.24

(2) To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.

Therefore one has to work for the satisfaction of Visnu. Any other work done in this material world will be a cause of bondage, for both good and evil work have their reactions, and any reaction binds the performer. Therefore, one has to work in Krsna consciousness to satisfy Krsna (or Visnu); and while performing such activities one is in a liberated stage. This is the great art of doing work, and in the beginning this process requires very expert guidance. One should therefore act very diligently, under the expert guidance of a devotee of Lord Krsna, or under the direct instruction of Lord Krsna Himself (under whom Arjuna had the opportunity to work). Nothing should be performed for sense gratification, but everything should be done for the satisfaction of Krsna. This practice will not only save one from the reaction of work, but also gradually elevate one to transcendental loving service of the Lord, which alone can raise one to the kingdom of God.
BG 3.9

(3) To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus to develop the idea, within the members, and humanity, at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).

Regarding lecturing by woman devotees: I have informed you that in the service of the Lord there is no distinction of caste or creed, color, or sex. In the Bhagavad-gita, the Lord especially mentions that even a woman who has taken seriously is also destined to reach Him. We require a person who is in the knowledge of Krishna, that is the only qualification of a person speaking. It doesn’t matter what he is. Materially a woman may be less intelligent than a man, but spiritually there is no such distinction. Because spiritually everyone is pure soul. In the absolute plane there is no such gradation of higher and lower. If a woman can lecture nicely and to the point, we should hear her carefully. That is our philosophy. But if a man can speak better than a woman, the man should be given first preference. But even though a woman is less intelligent, a sincere soul should be given proper chance to speak, because we want so many preachers, both men and women.
Letter to: Jayagovinda
Los Angeles
8 February, 1968

(4) To teach and encourage the Sankirtan movement of congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

“Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that krsna-varṇam means Śrī Krisna Caitanya. Krsna-varṇam and krisna Caitanya are equivalent. The name Krisna appears with both Lord Krsna and Lord Caitanya Krsna. Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but He always engages in describing Krsna and thus enjoying transcendental bliss by chanting and remembering His name and form. Lord Krsna Himself appears as Lord Caitanya to preach the highest gospel. Varnayati means ‘utters’ or ‘describes.’ Lord Caitanya always chants the holy name of Krsna and describes it also, and because He is Krsna Himself, whoever meets Him will automatically chant the holy name of Krsna and later describe it to others. He injects one with transcendental Krsna consciousness, which merges the chanter in transcendental bliss. In all respects, therefore, He appears before everyone as Krsna, either by personality or by sound. Simply by seeing Lord Caitanya one at once remembers Lord Krsna. One may therefore accept Him as visnu-tattva. In other words, Lord Caitanya is Lord Krsna Himself.
“Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī cites a verse from the Vedic literature that says that there is no necessity of performing sacrificial demonstrations or ceremonial functions. He comments that instead of engaging in such external, pompous exhibitions, all people, regardless of caste, color or creed, can assemble together and chant Hare Krsna to worship Lord Caitanya. Krsna-varnaṁ tvisakrsnam [SB 11.5.32] indicates that prominence should be given to the name Krsna. Lord Caitanya taught Krsna consciousness and chanted the name of Krsna. Therefore, to worship Lord Caitanya, everyone should together chant the mahā-mantra — Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. To propagate worship in churches, temples or mosques is not possible because people have lost interest in that. But anywhere and everywhere, people can chant Hare Krsna. Thus worshiping Lord Caitanya, they can perform the highest activity and fulfill the highest religious purpose of satisfying the Supreme Lord.
SB 11.5.23

(5) To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.

It is therefore recommended that initiated devotees follow the principles of Narada pancarata by worshiping the deities in the temple, especially the householder devotees, an opulant householder devotee who does not engage his hard earned money in the service of the lord is called a miser.
SB 5-23-24

(6) To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.

The fourth canto similarly states “in this age, distribution of prasadam has replaced distribution of money. No one has sufficient money to distribute but if we distribute Krsna prasadam as far as possible, this is more valuable than the distribution of money
SB 4.9.24

Somehow or other everyone can manage to perform such a yajna (sankirtana) and distribute prasadam to the people in general
Iskcon communication journal 1.1 January/June 1993

(7) With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.

“A person acting in Krishna consciousness (or, in other words, in the service of Krishna) with his body, mind, intelligence and words is a liberated person even within this material world, although he may be engaged in many so-called material activities.” Because of constantly engaging in devotional service, in any condition of life, a devotee is free from all material bondage.
SB 7.10.14

The mind is the original cause of material bondage. It is followed by many enemies, such as anger, pride, greed, lamentation, illusion and fear. The best way to control the mind is to engage it always in Krishna consciousness (sa vai manah krishna-padaravindayoh). Since the followers of the mind bring about material bondage, we should be very careful not to trust the mind.
SB 5.6.5

Festival of Inspiration 2015 @ New vrindaban (Album with photos)
Filled with inspiring lectures, seminars, workshops, entertainment, and dramas, the Festival of Inspiration was the most spiritually inspirational and motivational event. A uniquely wonderful opportunity to share chanting of the holy names in the association of vibrant and fascinating souls from all over the three worlds.
See them here: https://goo.gl/gve3AN

“Suddha-nama retreat” in Irkutsk 2015 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Although the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is powerful in itself, a disciple upon initiation receives the mantra from his spiritual master, for when the mantra is chanted by the spiritual master, it becomes more powerful. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.32 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/BqrWSe

Japa & Kirtan retreat in Kemerovo 2015 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: By the grace of the Lord, if a devotee, at the time of death, can simply chant Hare Krishna, he immediately surpasses the great ocean of the material sky and enters into the spiritual sky. He never has to come back for repetition of birth and death. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.10.30 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/DMltpI

Two unique opportunities have arisen in New Vrindaban, West Virginia, USA. ECO-Vrindaban, a non-profit organization that promotes Prabhupada’s ideals of simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, is searching for managers for its ox care and garden programs.

One of the catchiest kirtan albums you're likely to hear, "Bhakti Without Borders" is immaculately produced by Dave Stringer, and features creator Madi Das and eleven Vaishnavi singers including legendary kirtaniyas and new arrivals. The best thing about it? 100% of the proceeds go to Food For Life Vrindavan’s Sandipani Muni Schools.

The ISKCON-devotee-run student club VOICE made an impact on students’ consciousness on April 21^st when they organized the first ever Veg Fest at the University of Texas (UT) in Dallas.

Hare Krishna! Tamil Bhagavad Darishanam Festival 2015, Vellore
The 4th Annual Tamil Bhagavad Darishanam, or Tamil edition of Back To Godhead Festival took place in Vellore on Saturday, 9th May 2015 at the Jayaram Chetty Hall in Vellore city, Tamil Nadu. This festival is held every year to present a forum where the Magazine production team and distributors can motivate the members of the Tamil devotee community to spread this magazine more and more in terms of subscriptions and readership. The past year is reviewed, discussions on overcoming obstacles and strategies made on how to increase the readership.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17355

Hare Krishna! Tamil Bhagavad Darishanam Festival 2015, Vellore
The 4th Annual Tamil Bhagavad Darishanam, or Tamil edition of Back To Godhead Festival took place in Vellore on Saturday, 9th May 2015 at the Jayaram Chetty Hall in Vellore city, Tamil Nadu. This festival is held every year to present a forum where the Magazine production team and distributors can motivate the members of the Tamil devotee community to spread this magazine more and more in terms of subscriptions and readership. The past year is reviewed, discussions on overcoming obstacles and strategies made on how to increase the readership.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17355

The post Psychology in Krsna consciousness appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post Daily Darshan – May 14th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

What it Means to be Detached, by Radhanath Swami
Question: I am married and have a family with certain responsibilities. Recently I took up the spiritual practice of Bhakti-yoga and heard about ‘detachment’ as one of the principles. With so many responsibilities how can I practice this principle? Radhanath Swami: We have to understand from Bhagavad-Gita, what it means to be detached. To be detached means that you are attached to the service but you are detached from the results of the service for your personal enjoyment. Arjuna was a warrior and his duty was to fight. Lord Krishna told him, “You must fight. You must fight better than anyone else. You must fight with care, with conviction, and with all your intelligence, strength and energy; but fight for me. Do not fight according to your own will, but according to my directions. This is the responsibility that I am giving you.” It is detachment that Krishna is herein teaching Arjuna. For instance, if you have a child, that means God is giving you that child. You are the secondary father but God is the primary father and he has the ultimate proprietorship. You are only a father on his behalf but he is the father. Therefore, you have a great responsibility to be a father on behalf of God and to raise that child according to His will and not according to your whims. If you neglect your duty and your responsibility, you are not on the path of God consciousness.

Harinam in ancient Prague, Czech Republic (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, channels of distribution for japa, kirtana and preaching.
See them here: https://goo.gl/vcNK8s

Heaven On Earth (6 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: It was ‘heaven on earth’ as myself, Bada Haridas and Chaturatma spent our last day in St. Petersburg chanting Hare Krsna and dancing in ecstacy with all the wonderful devotees in the temple. Special moments that we will remember and cherish until we return again.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/qJrNBE

Hare Krishna! Second Ratha Yatra at Surabaya, Indonesia
Ratha Yatra on Narasimha Caturdasi, a wonderful coincidence or two pastimes on the same day. On the auspicious day of Lord Narasimha’s appearance day, a flood of mercy swept out the second biggest city of Indonesia, Surabaya. Lord Jagannath, His brother Lord Balarama, and His beloved sister Subadra Devi on his ratha yatra chariot bestowed Their causeless mercy to the citizens of Surabaya on this year’s Flower and Cultural parade commemorating the anniversary of Surabaya city on May 3, 2015. This being the second Ratha Yatra in Surabaya.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17350

Hare Krishna! Second Ratha Yatra at Surabaya, Indonesia
Ratha Yatra on Narasimha Caturdasi, a wonderful coincidence or two pastimes on the same day. On the auspicious day of Lord Narasimha’s appearance day, a flood of mercy swept out the second biggest city of Indonesia, Surabaya. Lord Jagannath, His brother Lord Balarama, and His beloved sister Subadra Devi on his ratha yatra chariot bestowed Their causeless mercy to the citizens of Surabaya on this year’s Flower and Cultural parade commemorating the anniversary of Surabaya city on May 3, 2015. This being the second Ratha Yatra in Surabaya.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17350

On Tuesday evening, April 28th, Jananivas, Samik Rsi and Sunanda prabhus attended a program at the home of Sanatan Sundaram, Gandharvika Radha and their daughter Priya Kishori.

The small home was packed with devotees enthusiastically chanting and dancing while the Padukas and Sitari were bathed, offered arati, and adorned with flowers. The 3 TOVP Team devotees each spoke and prasadam was served to the Vaishnavas. The devotees concluded by chanting Nitai Pada Kamala in joy to the Padukas.

The post TOVP Daily Tour Day 48 – Ecstatic Evening Program at the Home of Sanatana Sundaram and His Family appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.