Planet ISKCON

Answer Podcast:

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Answer Podcast:

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Answer Podcast:

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Sunday Feast Lecture at Radha Gopinath Temple with QA
Lecture Podcast:
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Here are audio recordings taken during Kadamba Kanana Swami’s visit to Cape Town. Apologies for the poor quality of some files. You may listen online by clicking the “play” button. To download, right-click and “save target as“.

 

Audio

KKS_CPT_15 April 2015_CC_Evening_Lecture

KKS_CPT_16 April 2015_SB_1.1.6

KKS_CPT_16 April 2015_CC_Evening_Lecture

KKS_CPT_17 April 2015_SB_1.1.7

KKS_CPT_17 April 2015_Lunar Appearance Day_Lecture

KKS_CPT_17 April 2015_Lunar Appearance Day_Kirtan

KKS_CPT_18 April 2015_Pringle Bay_Kirtan

KKS_CPT_19 April 2015_JRM_Bhajan

KKS_CPT_19 April 2015_CC_Adi_17.295

KKS_CPT_19 April 2015_Initiation_Lecture

KKS_CPT_19 April 2015_Sunday Feast_Bhajan

KKS_CPT_19 April 2015_Sunday Feast_Kirtan

 

 

“This kachori has created havoc”
Srutakirti dasa, January 25-31, ISKCON Calcutta
Calcutta was definitely Śrīla Prabhupāda’s hometown. The temple, which had a relaxed atmosphere, was situated on the second floor with a modest-sized temple room. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s room was at the end of the building. The nicest part of the facility was a marble verandah that ran the width of the building. It overlooked a pond that was across the street.
While in Calcutta, we could not stop the flow of guests entering Śrīla Prabhupāda’s room. It was different from other temples where there was much more control. When Śrīla Prabhupāda rested in the afternoon I would lie down in front of the doors of his room so no one could enter. It was one of my favorite services, getting the chance to be his guard dog.
Śrīla Prabhupāda knew it was the hometown crowd so he was especially gracious. There were always a few boxes of milk sweets in his room that had been purchased at the local sweets shop. Sandesh of many varieties were the best tasting in the world. Śrīla Prabhupāda always emphasized, “All guests should be given prasadam”
One day I noticed that a box of sweets was covered with ants. I thought if I showed them to Śrīla Prabhupāda he would tell me to discard them. Then I could dust off the ants and keep them for myself. I lustfully walked into his room and offered my obeisances. I told him of the dilemma. He smiled at me, no doubt reading my mind.
“That’s all right,” he told me. “They don’t eat very much. Go get a thali (a plate with a one” rim around it) and put water in it. Then you can put a pot in that upside down and put the sweets on the pot. That will make a moat so the ants can’t get at the sweets.“
One of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s transcendental characteristics was he never, ever wasted anything. This quality manifested itself in many pastimes.
One afternoon while lying outside his room I heard him moaning. I didn’t know what to do. A few times I looked in and saw him tossing and turning on his bed. He didn’t call for me, but I couldn’t take it any more. Finally, I rushed into his room.
"Śrīla Prabhupāda, what’s wrong?” I asked.
“My stomach, very painful,” he said. “It must have been something I ate. It’s very, very painful.”
He didn’t ask for any assistance. I remained in the room and gently rubbed his stomach.
Later he said, “It must have been that coconut kachorī my sister made me for lunch. It was not cooked. The coconut was very difficult to digest. It is causing me very much pain.”
Throughout the evening different devotees took turns rubbing his body. The pain continued all night. With each breath he took he would let out a sigh. In the morning the kaviraja came. He confirmed what Śrīla Prabhupāda had said. I entered Śrīla Prabhupāda’s room at 4:00 a.m.
“This kachorī has created havoc,” he told me. “All night I have not been able to rest. It has created havoc in my life.”
Śrīla Prabhupāda, please forgive me. Because of voluntarily accepting the reactions to my sinful activities, you had to endure suffering. I watched as you were quiet and never complained. I am forever indebted for what you have done for me.
–Srutakirti dasa

This is the glorious Sally Agarwall (here participating in the Festival of Inspiration which is taking place right now in New Vrindavana). She & her husband sponsored Srila Prabhupada to come to America in 1965. Prabhupada stayed with them for three weeks. Thank you Bhaktin Sally!
See the photos better here: https://goo.gl/wbHYzp

The Great Gift Of Krsna’s Holy Names (5 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Myself, Bada Haridas and Chaturatma had been looking forward with great expectation to our visit to St. Petersburg. The devotees there are especially sweet. The first evening program satisfied all our desires. The holy names had everyone chanting and dancing in great ecstasy. In the midst of it all I remembered the words of Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya in glorification of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu:
“His name calms the mind and subdues the senses. He gives the great gift of Krsna’s name. He is the ultimate mercy, for He protects those who are fallen and lowly. His beautiful body shines brilliantly and He reveals Krsna’s confidential pastimes in the bowers of Vrindavan. May Lord Gauracandra, the best of dancers, reveal Himself within the midst of our hearts.” [ Susloka Satakam, verse 57 ]
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/K4n6BS

The post Our new Govinda’s restaurant and cultural centre in the historic city of Eger appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Brisbane Ratha-Yatra (Album with photos)
Taking Lord Jagannath through the streets of city.
See them here: https://goo.gl/Ebw12I

Spiritually Deepening Experience: The International Vaishnavi Retreat
The principle of gratefulness grew clearer in my heart during the seminar given by Urmila Devi, another ISKCON veteran. She gave the example of the gopis, who didn’t give up on Krishna. With His flute He invited them to the rasa dance. But when they arrived, He told them to return home – even though they had performed severe austerities for millions and millions of years, intensely longing for Krishna to reciprocate with their desire for intimate loving exchanges. When the time finally arrived to meet their dear beloved who had invited them to the rasa dance with His flute song, Krishna told them to return home. I looked disapprovingly at my own faith.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17256

The Authority of the Puranas
Sri Tattva-sandarbha is the first of Srila Jiva Goswami’s Bhagavata-sandarbha, or Shat-sandarbha, six treatises that firmly establish the philosophy of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. In the texts leading up to this section, the author has discredited direct perception and inference as valid means to acquiring perfect knowledge. He has concluded that only the eternal Vedas can fill that role. Now he argues for the need to turn to the Puranas for understanding the unified message of the Vedas.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17253

Mukunda Goswami’s New E book Spirit Matters Released (2 min video)
Mukunda Goswami’s new book Spirit Matters has been released by Torchlight Publishing is now available as e-book for free download for 3 days only on dates May 11-13.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/1WpBzU

Harinama in Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Chaitanya, however, has recommended only one yajna, or sacrifice, called the sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of Hare Krishna, in which everyone can take part. Thus both devotees and fruitive workers can derive equal benefit from the performances of sankirtana-yajna.
See them here: https://goo.gl/sa9Waz

Israeli soldier joins the Harinama (7 min video)
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)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/opJCuA

Hare Krishna! Even if we can’t get over things, we can still get on with things
Certainly, we have a right to our emotions – we are sentient beings and we can’t just do away with our emotions. Still, our life is too precious to be dissipated by living in the past, wallowing in self-pity, sighing about the way things could have been and begrudging the way they have turned out. The Bhagavad-gita (18.28) cautions that such morose living characterizes the ignorant. Thankfully, Gita wisdom counters such ignorance with an empowering insight: we are bigger than our present material emotions.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17250

Nrsimha Chaturdashi 2015 – Morning Class – HG Kripamoya Dasa – 02.05.2015

CC daily Podcast:
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Gita Verse-by-verse study Podcast:
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Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:
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"I was lucky in that I was wide awake and chanted at a steady, rapid pace. My mind wandered sometimes, but I brought it back under the control of the mantra."

From Bhajan Kutir #52
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

“In 1976 Srila Prabahupada came to Detroit. We had just purchased the Fischer Mansion and opened it as a temple. We had put a couple of million dollars into refurbishing it and making it first class. My parents were freaking out that I had become a Hare Krishna and was spending so much money. So, Srila Prabhupada was making his only visit to Detroit and he was talking about building a fantastic temple in Mayapur that would attract the whole world to come and be introduced to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and chanting Hare Krishna. He was describing the whole project with the planetarium and chandeliers then he turned to me and said. ‘So, Ambarish Maharaja what do you think?’ Even though I didn’t know where Mayapur was I said. ‘It sounds like a great idea Srila Prabhupada.’ Then Srila Prabhupada said.’Oh. You also like it? So, you can finance!’ It was at that moment that he planted the seed to help with this project.”

—Ambarish Dasa
————–
Jananivasa Dasa
Ambarish Dasa
Giriraj Swami
Radha Jivan Dasa

Hare Krishna! Program with leading industrialists about simple living and high thinking
On April 15, 2015, over 100 industrialists, investors and corporate leaders converged at the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai for a conference organized by Artha Forum Dubai Chapter, a community dedicated to providing healthy work-life balance and holistic world view to entrepreneurs, and business and thought leaders. Held in the Al Falak Ball Room, the event was entitled “Simple Living High Thinking”. It was attended by the Indian Ambassador to The United Arab Emirates His Excellency T. P. Seetharam who spoke of how the building, seminar room and the lifestyle are the antithesis to the concept of simple living, and he was looking forward to hear from the swamis. This was followed by a keynote address by His Holiness Radhanath Swami and Mr. Ajay Piramal, leader of The Piramal Group. Radhanath Swami explained how the idea of Simple Living High Thinking is actually a state of consciousness. “When I was looking around I was thinking ‘what am I supposed to say here’. But actually, simple living is a state of consciousness, and one can apply this principle by living without duplicity and with the values of compassion rather than values of selfishness, arrogance and greed” he said.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17247

Day 12 FOOD FOR LIFE NEPAL 7th May 2015 Nuwakot. (Album with photos)
Our Volunteers from FOOD FOR LIFE Nepal went to Thanapati VDC ward no 1 & 2 Chanju Narayan Nuwakot on 7th May 2015, Thursday to distribute Khichadi cooked by FFL NEPAL’s Volunteers. We Packed almost 2400 Kg of Rice, Daal, Clothes in Luggage carrier bus and Left for that earthquake affected Village. After reaching there We distributed clothes to about 150 critical conditioned people. There we cooked Khichadi and fed almost 600+ victims. They were very happy to have hot, nutritious Khichadi. This Continued on the next day also and remaining Sacks of Rice were distributed to 204 families at Thanapati VDC Ward 1 and 2 Chanju Narayan- Nuwakot.
See them here: https://goo.gl/sZWbDo

Pilgrimage in Vrindavana by Iskcon Russian devotees (Album with photos)
See them here: https://goo.gl/jLEk7b

Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam Glorification Song (16 min video)
This is very melodious Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam (CC) glorification song with 12 stanzas uploaded today, 9th May 2015 on the very special occasion of 400th compilation year (1615 – 2015) of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam by Srila Krishna das kaviraja Goswami. Melodious karnatic tune, excellent video presentation and English subtitles for meaning should make this glorification song a nice feast to your ears, eyes, mind and soul on the occasion of the wonderful 400th compilation year. Srila Prabhupada’s CC translation work was made available to the readers in 1975 as 17 volumes series in English. Thus Srila Prabhupada’s translation work also completes 40 years of its appearance!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/5mzgIH

Hare Krishna! 2015 VIHE Sanskrit Course
This is in relation to our upcoming 2015 VIHE Sanskrit Course at our Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education.
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17243

Hare Krishna! 2015 VIHE Sanskrit Course
This is in relation to our upcoming 2015 VIHE Sanskrit Course at our Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education.
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17243

Preaching program in Israel (Album with photos)
See them here: https://goo.gl/YIJtK9

Hare Krishna! A free new website to help devotees enter grihastha ashram
For everyone, the site offers guidance and advice that is consistent with Srila Prabhupada’s instructions on grihastha ashram and Vedic marriage. The Advisory Council consists of senior ISKCON devotees (including gurus and sannyasis) who are experts in this area.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17240

Hare Krishna! CC Compact – Free E-Book!
Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami’s Chaitanya-Charitamrita is considered the most accurate, authentic, and philosophical biography of Shri Chaitanya. At present, however, it remains a relatively unexplored literature. Since the studies of Bhagavad-Gita and Shrimad-Bhagavatam are vast in and of themselves, many neglect the opportunity to bathe in the delightful narrations of Shri Chaitanya’s life. CC Compact does not fully describe each episode of the Chaitanya-Charitamrita, since Shrila Prabhupada’s translation does that perfectly.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17237

The post On this day, 400 years ago Kaviraja Goswami completed Caitanya-caritamrta appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

A few pictures taken at the Western Outreach Seminar held at ISKCON Chicago
See them here: https://goo.gl/s2sfrp

Over the years my idea of victory has changed somewhat. In my younger days, filled with the naïve certainty of youth, I saw myself conquering the world, acquiring vast riches, fame and all that sort of thing. That ambition has been rather tempered by reality, as it tends to be, but thankfully I no longer see world conquest as even a desirable victory.

How I see success depends of course on  my values and as a young man material achievements were high up on my list. This tends to be the paradigm instilled in us by modern living, earn more, have more, and find more happiness. As I’ve grown older I’ve come to understand that having more things in this world –whether possessions, fame or fortune — will never make me happy.  That seems to be the case for many of us, and indeed our consumer society is built upon this fundamental fact.  If I am satisfied with the phone, or car, or clothes, or whatever it is I own then so many industries would pretty quickly dry up and die.  But thankfully for them we are not so easily contented. In the universal search for that bit more happiness, we crave the latest, newest and better model of everything and business is booming.

But will it ever make us happy? Lao Tzu, a great Chinese philosopher, said, ‘he has the most who wants the least’. In other words, what we really want is contentment and peace of mind. We’re hoping that our acquisitions will somehow satisfy us and make us happy, but it never seems to happen. For this reason the ancient spiritual treatise Bhagavad-gita says that only one who subdues the ever-demanding senses can be peaceful, not one who strives always to satisfy them. It goes on to say that one whose mind is not controlled won’t be happy even owning the entire earth and all its wealth.

For this reason I now see victory as conquering over my own material wants, turning them away from the things of this world and inwards towards the spirit within.  That to me would be the greatest possible victory.