Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Spring Clean - 6 Hour Kirtan at the Swiss Church, London (Album with photos)
Our Spring Clean 6 Hour Kirtan was truly wonderful! Thank you to all who came along and joined us!
See them here: http://goo.gl/kG0DM2
Bombay High Court Upholds Beef Ban in Maharashtra
MUMBAI: Bombay High Court on Wednesday upheld the Maharashtra government’s decision to ban sale and consumption of beef in the state. A division bench comprising Justice V.M. Kanade and Justice M.S. Sonak gave the verdict in a bunch of PILs challenging the state government’s move to ban sale and consumption of beef, said one of the petitioners, Mutton Butchers Union Sarvashramik Sangh secretary Vijay Dalvi. “We have opposed the ban as it affects not just the consumers, but also farmers, traders, the leather industry and many other stakeholders. We shall take out a rally in south Mumbai next week to highlight their plight,” Dalvi said.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/tcHTph
Mvt - Guesthouse And Restaurant In Vrindavan Begins Go-puja (Album with photos)
On Akshaya Tritiya our MVT Manager Prem Kishore Das inaugrated the auspicious go-puja for Saraswati our MVT cow. There on, everyday MVT staff, residents and guests participate in this wonderful offering to GO-Mata. Prem Kishore Prabhu mentioned, the importance of go-puja with chanting of Krishna’s Holy Names cannot be stressed enough. In this times of stress, troubles and turmoil only these will give relief to the distressed. He also mentioned it would be wonderful if temples with farm communities could do this everyday. Haribol!
See them here: http://goo.gl/r0YdD1
http://www.sivaramaswami.com/en/?p=21897
The post It has finally happened. Yes, they are finally available. appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
VG – Venu-gita, NPH – Na Paraye’ham, SBC – Sudha Bhakti Cintamani, KS – Krsna-sangati.
US itunes store (these books are available on every itunes store but the links here are pointing to the US store) https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/sivarama-swami/id588116422
VG: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/venu-gita/id926918617?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
NPH: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/na-paraye-ham/id973186752?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
SBC: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/suddha-bhakti-cintamani/id973186533?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
KS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/krsna-sangati/id973186849?mt=11
Amazon.com
VG: http://www.amazon.com/Ve-x1E47-u-g-x12B-x101-ebook/dp/B00PH9OM08/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430246831&sr=8-1&keywords=sivarama+swami
Kobo
SBC: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/suddha-bhakti-cintamani
VG: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/venu-gita
NPH: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/na-paraye-ham
KS: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/krsna-sangati
Barnes & Noble
SBC: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/suddha-bhakti-cint-257-ma-7751-i-sivarama-swami/1121339890?ean=9786158019729&itm=1&usri=9786158019729
KS: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/k-7771-7779-7751-a-sa-7749-gati-sivarama-swami/1121717958?ean=9786158019712&itm=1&usri=9786158019712
NPH: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/na-p-257-raye-ham-sivarama-swami/1121339888?ean=9786158019705&itm=1&usri=9786158019705
VG: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ve-7751-u-g-299-t-257-swami-sivarama/1120512759?ean=9789638986672&itm=1&usri=9789638986672
Google Play
KS: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7D_yBwAAQBAJ
SBC: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sivarama_Swami_Suddha_bhakti_cint%C4%81ma%E1%B9%87i?id=AVTnBgAAQBAJ
VG: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sivarama_Swami_Ve%E1%B9%87u_g%C4%ABt%C4%81?id=IyW5BAAAQBAJ
NPH: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sivarama_Swami_Na_P%C4%81raye_Ham?id=3FPnBgAAQBAJ
The post SRS: Hare Krsna, here are the links where devotees can purchase ebooks of the following titles appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Rev. Peter Panagore's book trailer.
Devotees in the movies :-)) (5 min video)
…unxpected turn of events!!
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/PuDFft
Hare Krishna! Lord Nrisimhadeva’s Appearance (Hiranyakashipu’s Disappearance) Day!
In this narration about Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, various expansions or incarnations of the Lord have been described, and the killing of the two demons Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu has also been described. This narration describes the characteristics of the great and exalted devotee Prahlada Maharaja, his staunch devotional service, his perfect knowledge, and his perfect detachment from material contamination.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17067
The post April 29th, 2015 – Chandan yatra Darshan- Day 9 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
How can deaf people chant Hare Krishna (8 min video)
Chant & Be Happy :-)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/oQ9M5c
Lessons From the Sand
Radhanath Swami: “I was sitting on the sand, thinking this sand was so cool and it’s giving me such shelter. Then I was analyzing the nature of sand. That the same sand that’s now so cool and so comfortable to sit, earlier in the day, it was burning hot, I couldn’t tolerate it. And then in another place the same kind of sand, was sucking me down to suffocate me and kill me. How sand is so influenced by it’s surroundings….and isn’t that like human nature, according to the company we keep, according to the experiences we have and the circumstances we have in our lives, how it can make us envious or proud of somebody. How it can make us angry or forgiving. Mean or kind. Just due to circumstances, like the sand.”
Hare Krishna! ISKCON Nepal Assisting Earthquake Victims – Updates
(Also, instructions about how to make free phone calls to and from Nepal. Big tech companies are waiving fees on calls to and from the country in hopes of helping people get in touch with loved ones.)
The World Heritage Sites within Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur have been completely damaged. The ISKCON Temple in Kathmandu and Dharan, however, remain unscathed but the BBT building in Kathmandu has suffered cracks on the walls. Though many temples and deities within Bhaktapur Durbar Square have been reduced to rubble, the Jagannath Temple, which is under ISKCON management, has stood firm in the face of the earthquake, with minor damages to the roof.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17059
2015-04-26 Sunday Feast – Madhavendra Puri’s Devotion – Shyam Charan Prabhu – ISKCON Chowpatty
Getting out of the car to begin my walk today, I found myself before a white picket gate leading to a small, beautiful garden. The gate was flanked on either side by the most lovely rose bushes, but the flowers were past their prime and were falling apart. I thought, “They would have made such a beautiful offering to Lord Krishna, which would have perfected their lives as roses, but instead they are wasting away on the bush.
“How many human beings are wasting away without offering their lives to Krishna?” I thought. “We should help them realize their purpose.”
—Giriraj Swami
Bhāgavatam 4.7.16 ~ 25
With forgiveness from Generous Śiva, and permission from Wise Brahmā, Dakṣa set his priests and experts once again upon completing his endeavor. First they had to re-establish sanctity in the arena, which had been destroyed by warfare, so the topmost brāhmaṇas offered three pots of Soma to Viṣṇu as the priest offered grains and butter-oil into the fire, and Dakṣa, the leader of the sacrifice, meditated on Hari with a completely purified mind.
Then a great brilliance illuminated all ten directions at once, outshining every other brilliance. Tarkṣya’s Son, the great eagle Garuḍa, approached with Vedic mantras resounding from the movement of his wings. Śyāma Hari was atop Garuḍa, his dark black complexion beautiful like monsoon clouds, highlighted by the dazzling sunshine of his golden cloth and crown. The buzzing bees of jet-black curls, and the humming birds of swaying earrings surrounded his blossoming lotus-like face. His eight gold-bedecorated hands held a conchshell, lotus, discus, arrow, bow, mace, sword, and shield. His beloved bride and a necklace of forest-flowers embraced his chest. The instants of his affectionate, joyful smiles and glances made the universe delightful. At his sides white cāmara fans swayed like royal swans. Above his head rose a white umbrella, as beautiful as the moon.
Seeing him approach, Wise Brahmā, Three-Eyed Śiva, and all the divine hosts led by Indra stood up to offer respectful praṇām with folded hands atop their heads. They tried to glorify him, but their tongues had become timid and afraid; his brilliance stole their own luster. Yet somehow Self-born Brahmā and the others became inspired by his compassionate beauty to express a few prayerful words of glorification, as well as they might.
Dakṣa was delighted to take the very best of all the pots of Soma and give it to the Master of Sacrifices, who is superior to all Creators and gurus, and to his beloved associates like Sunanda and Nanda, who always accompany him. With folded hands and meek humility, he began to glorify Hari.
“First they had to re-establish sanctity in the arena, which had been destroyed by warfare, so the topmost brāhmaṇas offered three pots of Soma to Viṣṇu”
During Rudra’s attack, the arena was desecrated to the extreme. Before the sacrifice could be completed, the desecration had to be purified. This was done by invoking Viṣṇu, the supreme purifier (the phrase which means “three pots” – tri-kapāla – also means “three worlds”, indicating that Viṣṇu can purify any situation, anywhere).
It is significant that the presence of Brahmā and Śiva did not purify the arena. Viṣṇu had to be invoked.
“the priest offered grains and butter-oil into the fire, and Dakṣa, the leader of the sacrifice, meditated on Hari with a completely purified mind. Then a great brilliance illuminated all ten directions at once, outshining every other brilliance.”
Dakṣa is the performer of the sacrifice, but it is impossible for one person to do everything, so other persons assist. Just like the thousands of microbial living beings in our body cooperate with the will of the predominant living being in the body, similarly the dozens of persons involved in performing a sacrifice (or any effort) are considered extensions of the main person in charge.
The most important task is reserved for the leader. The most important part of yañja is not the fire or the priests or the offerings or the charity, etc. The most important part is the meditation upon Viṣṇu. (smartavya satatam viṣṇuḥ, vismartavya na jātucit, sarva vidhi-niṣedha-syāt etarād eva kiṅkaraḥ).
As a result of the meditation (not the other stuff) Hari appeared.
We should realize that this is the truth for kīrtan-yajña as well. Hare Krishna will appear as they are, in full spiritual potency, not as a result of everyone having the right tiloka, or having bathed properly, or wearing the right hairdo, or belonging to the right quasi-brāhminical unions and leagues. Hare Krishna will appear (illuminating all ten directions simultaneously) only when our concentration and meditation upon them is pure and unmixed with thoughts that embrace ulterior interests and ambitions.
ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na-bhavet-grāhyaṁ indriyaiḥ, sevonmukhi hi jihvādau svayaṁ-eva sphuratyadaḥ
“Dakṣa was delighted to take the very best of all the pots of Soma and give it to the Master of Sacrifices, who is superior to all Creators and gurus, and to his beloved associates like Sunanda and Nanda, who always accompany him.”
Kṛṣṇaṁ smaran janam ca — This is the principle of real bhakti. Krishna is not worshipped in isolation. We worship Krishna along with the people who delight Krishna and who Krishna adores. If the pot of Soma were offered to Krishna and not to his associates this would be aparādhā, a lack of love, a love without depth or sensitivity.
Vraja Kishor dās
ISKCON devotees in Nepal are trying their best to help their fellow citizens in the wake of the great earthquake. An update about the situation as of April 27th, 2015.
With the help of 350 Food for Life volunteers, the FFL team is daily serving five thousand people in Kathmandu and seven thousand people Bhaktapur with fresh nutritious meals. Over the next few days, the number of meals being served by the FFL volunteers are expected to double from twelve thousand to twenty four thousand per day.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 19 March 2015, Pretoria, South Africa, Evening Lecture, Bhagavad-gita 1.1)
At the end of the eleventh chapter (of Bhagavad-gita), we have all the knowledge and we know there is no other thing to do in life than to surrender to Krsna. But, then comes chapter twelve which is the chapter for the failures. Chapter twelve is for the ones who know what to do but who still do not get it together. That is chapter twelve. So anybody that is a twelve can like put twelve on his shirt (laughter), you know, a big twelve on the back. A twelve. If you are a twelve, what can be done?
There are a number of verses in this twelfth chapter which point out that if you cannot follow the rules and regulations, that is a difficulty. There are many rules and regulations. If one cannot follow those, then Krsna says, “Then work for me.” But sometimes that is not possible due to family conditions. They will not allow it. You want to work for Krsna but they will not allow it. Then what? Then we can meditate on Krsna. We can do that. We can try and meditate on Krsna. Well, like that, there is chapter twelve.
Bhagavatam-daily Podcast
Download by "right-click and save content"
Devahuti’s choice vs Your Choice of a Potential Husband (7 min video)
The Srimad Bhagavatam gives us the example of Princess Devahuti.She was the daughter of King Manu who was the governor not of a village , or a state , or a country, or a planet - but he was the governor of the entire universe. She grew up with incomparable opulence, with many jewels, maidservants, royal palaces and loving parents. She was one of the most beautiful women of the world. She was seeking a suitable husband in terms of age, character and good qualities. The moment she heard about the sage Kardama Muni she set her mind and heart on him. Not because she saw him as the knight in the shining Armor who would rescue her from her emotional and mental problems and not because she saw him as someone who would meet her needs. Her view of marriage was aligned to the principle of marriage elucidated by her spiritual masters,her spiritual guides and the scriptures of the Bhakti Tradition - i.e. husband and wife serve Lord Krsna nicely and help each other advance in spiritual life. In this way both the husband and wife become true benefactors for one another.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/NlyyLS
Hong Kong Students Learn About Sanatana Dharma
On April 8th, 2015, forty management students from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Business School, who are on a study tour in India, visited Radhanath Swami at Radha Gopinath Temple, Mumbai.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/TeUtbn
(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
[This blog was originally written on Saturday May 5, 2012. This year this appearannce/disappearance day is also on Saturday, but on May 2, 2015]
I am only half kidding with today’s blog title, yet I am trying to make a point, as you will see. Specifically, this is the day we celebrate the devotion of Prahlad, his constant remembrance of Krishna, and Krishna’s assuming the fearsome, though ecstatic, form of Lord Nrisimhadeva to protect and glorify His pure devotee. However, we can also feel a kind of gratitude to Hiranya-kashipu, for without his demoniac nature, and trying to kill his son, we would have never heard of Prahlad, or seen the practical demonstration of the Lord’s love for his devotees. Great souls are glorified by their struggles and victory over adversity. In every great life story there must be an antagonist which allows the hero to shine. Although unimaginably powerful, Hiranya-kashipu also represents our tiny selves, or our personal rebellion against God, and—to put it nicely—those less than ideal qualities in our heart that we as devotees, or sadhakas, struggle with. Thus, in our material conditioned state, we can think of our dark side like a mini-Hiranya-kashipu, and pray that the Lord slay our “anarthas” or our unwanted conditioning, such as lust, anger, greed, enviousness, etc. We are fortune to have both good and bad examples in the scriptures, so we will know our ideal, and what we want to rise above. Everyone can be our teacher!
Update from the efforts of Iskcon Nepal devotees to help the afflicted people (5 min video)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/dEGX6F
ISKCON NEPAL Food For Life in Kathmandu 26th April 2015 (Album with photos)
ISKCON NEPAL Food For Life in Kathmandu 26th April 2015 and some of the destruction Photos From Bhaktapur and Kathmandu.
Food For Life ISKCON Nepal
Together we can make a difference.
#helpnepal #foodforlife #fflnepal
See them here: http://goo.gl/o7wXgq
Preaching program with Radhanatha Swami in Bologna, Italy (Album with photos)
Centro Yoga Bologna
See them here: http://goo.gl/zvJELx
Great to hear that more guys are getting into Yoga, in this article on New Zealand’s Stuff news website: Broga Yoga – more macho, less mantra.
According to the article: “Because men typically have less flexibility than women in the hamstrings and hips, Broga eases them into the hip-openers and hamstring sequences required for postures.”
Yo, I can definitely relate to that – and with three male teachers at Atma Yoga, we’re no strangers to the physiological differences between male and female bodies when it comes to Yoga practice.
Manflow Yoga is another male-oriented Yoga system. A little too testosterone-fuelled for me, but whatever floats your boat!
Our classes are designed to be applicable for men and for women, and are designed to integrate the best of thousands of years of Yoga tradition with the cutting-edge of modern science.
If you have a physical sports background, you might also be interested in Yoga for Crossfitters.
Hare Krishna! ISKCON Online launched
“So go on with your organization for distribution of my books through press and other modern media and Krishna will certainly be pleased upon you. We can use everything—television, radio, movies, or whatever there may be—to tell about Krishna….” In service to Srila Prabhupada, we are very happy to let you know about the launch of the ISKCON Online project and our web site ISKCONOnline.com, on the auspicious day of Aksaya Tritiya, April 21st.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17050
Debbie Steingesser writes over at Tabata Times “10 Reasons why Crossfitters should start practicing Yoga”.
Great article, and here are the ten reasons (read the article for more details):
The latest issue of Sri Krishna-kathamrita Bindu was just released. It includes: * EVERYTHING EMANATES FROM SOUND – Some collected teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. * THE CONTRIBUTION OF SRI VALLABHACHARYA – From a lecture by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada. * Nama-tattva: VEDIC STUDIES ARE COMPLETE – A first time translation done especially for this issue of Bindu from the Bhagavan-nama-mahatmya-samgraha. * THE FIRST ATTRACTION — PART 15 – Continuation of a fresh translation done especially for Bindu from Srila Jiva Goswami’s Gopala Campuh, speaking about how Radha and Krishna first met. * THE FINAL MOMENTS OF HIRANYAKASHIPU – In honor of his upcoming disappearance day, we present another first-time translation done for this issue, which describes the last words of the famous demoniac father of Prahlad Maharaja.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17047
Kingsday Maha Harinam in Amsterdam, Holland (Album with photos)
Since more than 10 years Kadamba Kanana Maharaja has been organizing a Mahaharinama on the Kingsday, the biggest Streety Party of the World. Thousands of people come from all over Holland to celebrate looking for the Party in Amsterdam. Maharaja puts his Vyasapuja Celebration just before the Kingsday so that as many devotees as possible come out for Harinam. This year again more than 200 devotees have brought the spirit of Chaitanya Mahaprabu into the city which you can recognize by its smell. Ecstatic Harinam with great kirtanieros draw many people to join, many got a deep spiritual experience and some even followed us for the whole way. All together we went out for 7 hours with a break and lunch in between. Hope next year you will join the party, an unforgettable event for all who take part in it.
See them here: http://goo.gl/4ag6tH
For the pleasure of Their Lordships Sri Sri Pancatattva, Sri Sri Radha Madhav, Lord Nrsimhadev, HDG Srila Prabhupada and all devotees, Mayapur Local Preaching (MLP) organized a sankirtan at Dharmada village on 19th April. This place is located close to Dhubulia town, Belpukur and Rukunpur (one of the pastime places within Nabadwip dham area). Dharmada […]
The post Dharmada Nagar Sankirtan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Hare Krishna! The unalloyed devotion of Bhakta Prahlada
NBS 11: This edition is glorifying the maha-bhagavata devotee, Bhakta Prahalad on the auspicious appearance day of Lord Narsimha Dev. The goddess of fortune could not get mercy similar to that which was offered to Prahlada Maharaja, for although she is always a constant companion of the Supreme Lord, the Lord is more inclined to His devotees. In other words, devotional service is so great that when it is offered even by those born in low families, the Lord accepts it as being more valuable than the service offered by the goddess of fortune.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17043
Hare Krishna! The unalloyed devotion of Bhakta Prahlada
NBS 11: This edition is glorifying the maha-bhagavata devotee, Bhakta Prahalad on the auspicious appearance day of Lord Narsimha Dev. The goddess of fortune could not get mercy similar to that which was offered to Prahlada Maharaja, for although she is always a constant companion of the Supreme Lord, the Lord is more inclined to His devotees. In other words, devotional service is so great that when it is offered even by those born in low families, the Lord accepts it as being more valuable than the service offered by the goddess of fortune.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17043
The highlights from the visit of HH Radhanath Swami to Villa Vrindavan, Italy (2 min video)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/OH0rbu
Hare Krishna ,
Dear Devotees,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila PRabhupada.
As all of you know already we are the oldest cow protection program in North America. We care for our cows in the best possible way.
Our dear cow mother Anjani became sick due to a nerve disorder and stopped eating. Because she stopped eating in the next two days she could not move anymore and was lying down on the ground.
Anjali lying down on the ground.
Devotees tried their best to comfort mother Anjani and pray for her. The doctor came in and diagnosed it as metal ingestion and said that this is life threatening. So devotees started praying fervently for mother Anjani.
Devotees praying for Anjani
All the devotees became so concerned that finally devotees got together and in freezing rain on the 22nd of April managed to lift her and load her on to a trailer to be carried to the hospital.
Anjani being carried into the trailer.
After taking her to the hospital the hospital said that she was given IV and she is being treated now. The doctors are trying their best to save her. But the chances are slim. However we are trying our best.
Anjani in the hospital
To keep her in the hospital everyday is costing us atleast 400$/day. So we are appealing to everyone to help us cover the costs of Anjanis medical expense. “Gavo Rakshati Rakshitah”. IF we protect mother cow then mother cow will protect us. So we are appealing to all our well-wishers and Go-Bhaktas to please help us save mother Anjani by contributing generously.
Our total expenses are about 12,000 – 15,000 for hospitalization and treatment and we need to raise this amount in a weeks time. So our request to you is please contribute as mush as you can and as early as you can.
Because of this issue with mother Anjani the devotees want to ensure none of the other cows have any little symptoms of any other health care. Hence we have decided to have a complete medical check up of each of our cows calves and bulls. Hence we are requesting you to please help us get this done ASAP so that we can save our cows from such happenings in the future.
Donation options
Sahasra Anjani seva : 1001$
Transporation and miscellaneous - $2500
Cover hospitalization costs 3500$
Complete medical checkup of one cow 751$
Adopt a cow (45 cows in total) – 1500$
Anjani Cikitsa seva – 501
Anjani mula seva – 251
Anjani seva – 108
Hare Krishna! Xenophobic Crisis – A Spiritual Perspective
There has been an unfortunate resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Leaders condemn these; Media outlets sensationally convey coverage to the world and people become more sceptical. Nations whose citizens are affected by xenophobic attacks voice loud concerns through channels such as the African Union. Yet in spite of the condemnation, the important questions to ask are ‘Why is this happening?’ Why here in South Africa? Is there a solution? Is there a quick fix?’
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17040
Hare Krishna! Xenophobic Crisis – A Spiritual Perspective
There has been an unfortunate resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Leaders condemn these; Media outlets sensationally convey coverage to the world and people become more sceptical. Nations whose citizens are affected by xenophobic attacks voice loud concerns through channels such as the African Union. Yet in spite of the condemnation, the important questions to ask are ‘Why is this happening?’ Why here in South Africa? Is there a solution? Is there a quick fix?’
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17040