Planet ISKCON

Lecture on 3G – Ganga, Gomata & Gita by HG Radha Gopinath Prabhu and HG Gaura Gopal Prabhu at Colaba

Hare Krishna! ToVP Newsletter: April – June 2015
Never before seen design sketches! The artists and architects have been hard at work designing the temple to make it look more beautiful than any other in the world. Their sketches fill the art room walls with color and wonder, sastric books are stacked high on the large conference table for reference and drawing materials are strewn about as if a tornado hit the room. We have been anxiously waiting for some approved sketches to show all of you what ‘out of this world’ progress is being made, and now, for your pleasure, we have some.
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Now the boy would want to know how to coronate this All-Attractive form in his heart. So Nārada explained, “Prince, now hear me tell you the most confidential japa. Anyone who carefully recites it for seven nights will directly realize its sound vibration.

Comment 1: Nārada previous defined the rūpa (form) of Hari, but said that the means of visualizing this form in the heart depended on a worshipful coronation. The means of that coronation is the mantra.

Comment 2: Nārada is going to give Dhruva a powerful and confidential mantra, even though he was a kṣatriya and had no upayana, dīkṣa, etc.

Comment 3: Viśvanātha Cakravartī comments that even recitation will be so effective, what to speak of silent enunciation or entirely mental meditation on the mantra – those methods are even more effective.

Then Nārada revealed the mantra, “oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya,” and said, “A wise person should worship the All-Attractive divinity with this mantra, and supplement it by worshipping a physical representation of Hari with materials and systems appropriate in consideration of the specific time and place.”

Comment 1: Nārada revealed a sacred mantra beginning with Oṁ. The rule is that such mantras may not be given to people who are not twice-born (recieving dīkṣa). But this action of Nārada demonstrates that Vaiṣṇava mantras are not restricted by this rule.

Comment 2: Meditation on the form of Hari is founded on chanting a Vaiṣṇava mantra and worshipping a physical representation of Hari. It’s interesting that the means of worshipping (or constructing) this deity is not absolute, it is relative to time and place.

To explain the materials to use in deity worship, Nārada said, “Worship with water, forest-necklaces, roots, fruits and so on, grasses and sprouts, cloth, and especially with Hari’s beloved Tulasī leaves. All the things should be pure and clean.”

To explain how to create the physical representation, Nārada said, “Create the worshipable physical representation from materials you can obtain, especially from moist clay.”

Nārada explained how to live while conducting this worship and mantra meditation, “Be self-sufficient, sage-like, and tranquil. Speak and eat minimally. Eat what grows in the forest.”

“Meditate on the Subject of the Greatest Poetry,” Nārada continued, “whose adventures unfold his own desires, by his own inconceivable power. Let that meditation occupy your heart. Try to realize that he is the very personification of the mantra upon which you meditate. Use that mantra to serve him in your heart, in a way similar to how great devotees serve him.”

Comment: The final paragraph above is a description of the principles Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī termed “Rāgānugā-Sādhana.” Firstly we should meditate, with feeling (“let the meditation occupy your heart”, hṛdayaṅgama), on Krishna with desires and adventures. Next, we should meditate on serving Krishna “in a way similar to how great devotees serve him.” This establishes Śrī Rūpa’s principle of rāgātmikām anuśrita, as well as his concept of seva done not only in sādhaka-rūpa but also in siddha-rūpa. 

We should note that the mantra is the central focus of the practice, and the service and object of service exists within the heart of the mantra. 

“Keep your mind on the All-Attractive by engaging your body, mind, and voice in this devotionally surcharged worship. He nourishes divine emotion and grants the ultimate goal to anyone who unpretentiously and wholly worships him. He grants the morality and other goals desired by embodied souls.

Comment: The way to keep the mind fixed in meditation is to also engage the body and words in the object of meditation.

“Indifferent to sensual affections, worship him by serious bhakti-yoga with incessant, unyielding affection. This worship will grant you a unique liberation.”

— Śrī Bhāgavata 4.8.53 ~ 61

Vraja Kishor dās

VrajaKishor.com

Tagged: Deity Worship, Mantra, Meditation, Raganuga

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

Continued from Sexual entanglement

So now, let us shift to the soul. If we invest in the soul, then we invest in spirituality, in spirit, then we invest less energy into the body and less for the material energy.

You know, the problem is that the world is oversexed. They make too much of it. It is not that good! It does not bring that much happiness. We may have some attachment there but happiness, fulfilment? No. Fulfilment only comes on the spiritual platform. That is why we are here, at this festival. We would not have come to this festival if there was not something in us that got sparked, that got touched because we feel a need for something deeper, something more meaningful than just the things that the world has to offer. Even if sexuality takes places in love, which it is like the highest material manifestation of it, it still entangles us more and more into bodily existence.

Spiritual life – spirit is eternal. The soul is eternal and the soul has an eternal relationship with Krsna. When the soul enters into a material body, that soul enters into a dormant state. The soul falls asleep and lends some energy to the body but the soul is not really part of it because the soul cannot enjoy matter so the soul cannot enjoy the body. The mind enjoys the body. But when we do some service for Krsna, then the soul awakens and taste develops; and the more service we do for Krsna, the less interest we have in the material affairs.

Therefore, between spirituality and sexuality, we have to put weight on the spiritual side by doing service for Krsna, then gradually the other becomes smaller. If we put all the weight on sexuality, then the spiritual side becomes small and we get more and more into the body and then gradually that side gets all the weight, and as we get more and more into the body, we get selfish and then it is about ME and MY enjoyment! Then others are to be used by ME for MY enjoyment. So bodily consciousness like that!

Hare Krishna! Why to become fan of lesser mortals who shatter our emotions?
Stars of this world are mortal beings, they are infinitesimal. Their name and fame stays with them for a limited period of time. In fact Krishna is the original superstar because he has all beauty, all strength, all intelligence, all wealth, all renunciation and all fame. No one other than the Supreme Lord can possess all these qualities in totality. And along with this the Lord has the most important quality and i.e. he is Bhakta Vatsal i.e. he is very kind, very magnanimous, very loving and very caring to all his devotees.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17332

Hare Krishna! Sri Bhishma-Stuti: A Prayer from the bed of arrows
NBS # 12: This edition is in honour of Sri Bhishmadeva, the pure devotee of the Lord who conquered Him on the battlefield of Kurukshetra! 1) Lord Krishna And Bhishmadeva 2) An Exchange Of Transcendental Pleasure 3) Yudhisthira’s Sorrow 4) Various Rishis Assembled To Witness The Passing Of Bhishmadev 5) Bhismadeva’s Prayer To Lord Krishna 6) Why Was Bhishma So Dear to Krishna?
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17329

Hare Krishna! TOVP Tour Daily Diary: Day 45-47, Programs in Portland, Boise and San Jose, Silicon Valley
The San Jose Temple (ISV) is home to some of the biggest book distribution scores in North America. This dedicated team of grhastha devotees living outside the temple, under the inspiration and guidance of His Grace Vaisesika prabhu, distributes almost as many books as some of North America’s full-time book distributors. On the weekend before our arrival they had distributed 14 full sets of Srimad Bhagavatams, along with many other books, and they now have over 150 youngsters going out weekly in teams.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17322

1. They make smart decisions - they do not engage in self-destructive behavior
2. They learn from their mistakes - they do not continue to enjoy in this world despite experiencing and seeing misery all around
3. They don’t have all the answers - they do not pretend to be self-righteous. They are humble and constantly seek the truth.
4. They surround themselves with smart people - they seek the truth by surrounding themselves with elevated souls such as pure devotees of the Lord and revealed scriptures and make decisions accordingly
5. They are resourceful. - they always chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra
6. They can reason - they always introspect from life incidences through reason, logic and guidance from a higher authority
7. They don’t follow fads - they do not engage in modern day fashionable vices like eating meat, consuming alcohol, gambling and illicit sex
8. They don’t live beyond their means - they follow simple living and high thinking i.e. material minimalist

ISKCON Manchester, UK: Hare Krishna event and free food festival returns to city
Hundreds of Hare Krishna devotees will parade through a Sheffield park when a festival returns for its second year. The Sheffield Rathayatra is taking place from 1pm in Endcliffe Park next Sunday, featuring a stage show celebration, dance perfomances and stalls selling memorabilia.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/WgRRzy

The San Jose Temple (ISV) is home to some of the biggest book distribution scores in North America. This dedicated team of grhastha devotees living outside the temple, under the inspiration and guidance of His Grace Vaisesika prabhu, distributes almost as many books as some of North America’s full-time book distributors.

On the weekend before our arrival they had distributed 14 full sets of Srimad Bhagavatams, along with many other books, and they now have over 150 youngsters going out weekly in teams.

On Monday, April 27th we arrived in San Jose and were brought to the home of Sri Lalitha mataji where we remained for our 3 day stay. In the evening we attended a program at the home of Hansa Priya dasi, a second generation ISKCON devotee. During kirtan the Padukas and Sitari were bathed and worshiped with arati, and Jananivas spoke on Mayapur, after which prasadam was served.

The post TOVP Daily Tour Day 47 – Arrival in San Jose, ISKCON Silicon Valley (ISV), and home program at Hansa Priya Mataji’s Home appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Harinama in the central park of Moscow (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: When a Vedic mantra is chanted within the mouth so that only the chanter can hear, the chanting is called japa. But when such mantras are chanted loudly it is called kirtana. Hare Krishna can be chanted both softly to oneself or loudly; therefore it is called the maha-mantra, or the great hymn. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.14.32 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/pAe3o8

The day following Portland, Sunday, April 26th, we caught an early flight to nearby Boise, Idaho where another growing congregation of devotees is developing under the leadership of Anantarupa das.

However, while going through the airport security Lord Nityananda decided to give his darshan to a security officer who opened the Lord’s carrying case and thoroughly inspected His shoes and crown, touching, lifting and otherwise handling Them with great care and attention. The mid-day program was attended by over 150 devotees, which included devotees from nearby Salt Lake City, Nevada. During Radha Jivana and Jananivasa’s presentations an anonymous donor pledged towards a Gold Gratitude Coin for $108,000, and, along with all the other pledges, the total pledges reached $180,000. Prasadam was served to all the devotees.

The post TOVP Tour Diary Day 46 – Arrival in Boise, Idaho And TOVP Program appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Hare Krishna! Vaishnava Etiquette
Folding his hands, Sanatana Gosvami said, “My Lord, You ordered me to write a directory about the activities of Vaishnavas. I am a most lowborn person. I have no knowledge of good behavior. How is it possible for me to write authorized directions about Vaishnava activities?” Sanatana Gosvami then requested the Lord, “Please personally tell me how I can write this difficult book about Vaishnava behavior. Please manifest Yourself in my heart. If You would please manifest Yourself within my heart and personally direct me in writing this book, then, although I am lowborn, I may hope to be able to write it.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17318

On Saturday, April 25th we left Vancouver on a short flight to Portland, Oregon, to bless a small, budding community of devotees under the guidance and care of Jaisacinandana Das with the mercy of Lord Nityananda.

75 devotees attended the TOVP program presented by Radha Jivan and Jananivas prabhus, along with kirtan and darshan of thee Padukas and Sitari. Jaisacinandana prabhu led the way and set an example by pledging a Gold Gratitude Coin for $108,000, and the room of enthusiastic devotees all pledged a total of $187,000. The program concluded with prasadam.

The post TOVP Tour Diary Day 45 – Arrival in Portland, Oregon And TOVP Program appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

You most surely never have seen a bus like this before! (Album with photos)
Check this new look of the traveling Harinam Sankirtan bus from the devotees of the Shri Harinam Mandir in their 4th year of traveling!
See them here: https://goo.gl/HNv78s

Hare Krishna! The Extra Plants
Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita metaphorically describes love of God as a creeper, or vine. The following story is based on that metaphor. I reared my head like a cobra, not to strike at someone but to catch the sun. Holding a jumbo glowing flower at the top of my green leaves, I dominated the garden with my presence. My name is False Prestige, and I call myself an Extra Plant (which sounds more flattering than Weed). I never wanted to be extra, or unwanted. How could I, False Prestige, not deserve the space I took in the garden? My roots dug down to grip the earth that bore my weight. Each root I sent into the soil contended with many others. Still I retained my big red bloom.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17315

Hare Krishna! Questions and answers about the Sannyasa Asrama in Iskcon
This is the audio recording from a Lecture by Prahladananda Swami – SB 2.7.18 “Questions About Sannyasa Asrama” at Radhadesh (Celibacy) with interesting questions and answers about the sannyasa asrama in Iskcon. How, when and why one devotee should enter the sannyasa asrama. Includes also some history about how the sannyasa asrama was established in Iskcon and some of its results.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17310

Hare Krishna! Ramayana Festival 2015 by Lil’ Krishna Kidz (ISKCON of Silicon Valley)
I would like to bring to your notice regarding the current event “Ramayana Festival 2015″ conducted at Scott Lane Elementary School, Santa Clara, California. More than 120 kids participated in this event, we have a Lego competition about the Ramayana theme. INDTV covered the whole event for live telecast.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17305

KK Bindu #350: The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu e-magazine was just released. Gour Govinda Swami on sex in grhastha ashram.
* EATING HABITS DURING EMERGENCIES – Some collectedinstructions of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
* NOT FOR SENSE ENJOYMENT – Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swamispeaks about sex-life in devotee marriages.
* THE FIRST ATTRACTION — PART 16 – Continuation of a fresh translationdone especially for Bindu from Srila Jiva Goswami’s Gopala Campuh, speakingabout how Radha and Krishna first met.
It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu350

The post Daily Darshan – May 13th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

20150510 Sunday Feast Information Satisfaction Purification Conviction-Four Benefits of Hearing

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Hearing this, blessed Nārada was pleased. He compassionately replies to the boy with good words. “The path your mother set before you will certainly bring you the highest goal, so follow her advice and completely engross yourself in devotion for the All-Attractive Son of Vasudeva. Those who seek the goals of morality, prosperity, pleasure, and liberation have only one certain technique: to worship the feet of Hari. My dear, go for that, with my blessings.

“Hari forever dwells on the immaculate shores of River Yamunā, in the auspicious forest of honey, Madhuvan. Go there. Bathe regularly in the auspicious water of that Kālindī-Yamunā. Make an appropriate dwelling for yourself, where you can sit properly. Control your breathing with regulated inhalation, exhalation, and holding. This will gradually remove the soil from your thoughts and perceptions and enable you to carefully contemplate the supreme guru.

Comment 1: Madhuvana is part of Vraja-dhāma, and is also a synonym for Vṛndāvana – the forest of sweetness/honey. Rāsa-līlā takes place on the shores of Yamunā in Vṛndāvana. Many other wonderful pastimes also do. Nārada spoke to Dhruva many many ages before Krishna would appear in Vṛndāvana, but Krishna-līlā is eternal and sages the caliber of Nārada are aware of it.

Comment 2: Dhruva had no dīkṣa, no upayana, no samskara, etc. nor was a Brahmana. Nor was even a grown-up adult. No such things are required for bhakti-sādhana. Only the compassionate guidance of sad-guru (here, Śrī Nārada) is required.

Comment 3: Without controlling the breath, the senses are impossible to regulate. The senses are empowered by oxygen and other subtleties in the air we breathe. If we control the breath, the senses also come under control. When the senses are under control, the mind becomes clear. When the mind is clear, meditation is possible. Therefore it is advisable to breathe deliberately before and during mantra-meditation.

The boy would surely want to know some details about how to contemplate the supreme guru, so Nārada described him, “His beauty is divine! His endearing forehead, sweet eyebrows, lovely nose, and gracious smiling glances forever overflow with generosity. His body is romantically youthful, and his glance seems to blush as red as his lips. He is delighted to accept anyone who comes to him, for he is the ultimate refuge, an ocean of kindness.

“His thickly black complexion offsets the golden streak of Goddess Śrī’s mark on his chest, which is surrounded by a necklace of forest leaves and flowers. His four arms manifest a conch, discus, mace, and lotus. His crown, earrings, armlets and bracelets sparkle. Around his neck is the Kaustubha jewel. Yellow silk dresses his hips. A belt of tinkling bells slopes down from those hips. Swaying golden anklets adorn his feet.

Comment: Clearly the description is highly romantic. Nonetheless Nārada describes him with four arms, which is not as romantic as it is majestic. We should not think that Viṣṇu is not romantically attractive. In comparison to Krishna he is majestic, but in comparison to anything else he is extremely romantic and sweet.

“Envisioning him fills us with peace, and delights our mind’s eye! The nails on his toes are like dazzling jewels. Take those feet and enthrone them firmly on the whorl of your lotus-heart! Coronate them with worship!

“Carefully contemplate his smile, which glances over everyone with so much affection.

“That is how you should practice making your mind have only one object: the very best bestower of benediction. This All-Attractive Beauty is the most auspicious subject for the mind to contemplate. Such meditation with quickly grant you an unequalled experience, from which you will never turn away. You will easily give up all distractions.”

Comment: When the mind has many objects, our energy is divided and weakend. bahu-śākhās. Yoga proposes to give the mind only one object. eka-bhūta. The most wonderful, efficacious object is the All-Attractive Form of Hari. Why is it so efficacious? Because it is delightful. The mind naturally attaches itself to a delightful object. When meditation is directed towards Hari-Rūpa (the beautiful form of Hari), it is relatively easy [provided one first purifies the thoughts and perceptions by prāṇāyāma (controlled breathing).

One whose mind is fixed on Hari never turns away from Hari (na nivartante). This contradicts the mistaken interpretation that a soul in illusion was at one time fixed in a relationship with Hari.

— Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.8.39 ~ 52

Vraja Kishor dās

VrajaKishor.com