Planet ISKCON

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"It is so much better to chant early in the morning, when the mind is calm and the atmosphere is quiet. It’s the best time of the day to chant. You’re usually alert and awake for an early-morning burst. The mind is willing to go along with attentive chanting for a stretch."

From Bhajana Kutir #105
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Alana Dalya Fernando Gopi Gandharvika Janmastami Kunjapriya Sabina Sananda Svarupananda Syama-mohita Tatjana  Padmavati Visakha

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Today, April 25, Jhanu Saptami, is the disappearance anniversary of Arca-vigraha dasi, a renowned artist from South Africa who left her cancer-ridden body in Vrindavan twenty-one years ago. Her desire that other devotees also have a proper facility to spend their last days in the beautiful spiritual atmosphere of the dhama inspired the creation of Bhaktivedanta Hospice, which is serving both local devotees and disciples and followers of Srila Prabhupada from throughout the world. To honor the occasion—and the service of the devotees connected with the hospice—I quote from a talk by Sri Bhakti Bhrnga Govinda Swami

—Giriraj Swami

 The work of the hospice is really such an important thing, and such a valuable gift to ISKCON.

I had the good fortune of assisting Mother Arca-vigraha in Vrindavan, and it was such a rewarding experience. Her previous name was Angel Lipkin. And her name, Angel, indicated her nature. She was actually an angel. She had breast cancer, and it got into the lymph nodes, and the lymph nodes were strangling her esophagus and nerves, and it was quite painful. Arca was a bit of a hardhead. She was one of those natural-type people who would never want to take the pain medication, and she would take some homeopathic pain tablets that were less strong than even aspirin. Sometimes I would see her in the depths of pain, but people would come to her door and say, “Arca, I have a problem.” They would come in, and she would speak to them with such nice Krishna consciousness.

We were neighbors, so I would also pop in—morning, noon, and night. One night I came into her place and she was alone, sitting on her bed crying. I went over and said, “I have to give you some medicine.” She said, “No, I don’t take medicine.” I said, “No, I have to give you some medicine.” I opened the Krsna-bhavanamrta and sat and read to her about Krishna, and hearing about Krishna, even in that painful condition, she became totally transformed. By nature she was an energetic person. And after hearing for some time, she would become animated and exclaim, “Ooh! Ooh!”

Arca attracted so many nice devotees to come and be with her. Devotees would come just to speak to her about Krishna and read to her about Krishna and have kirtana with her. Tamal Krishna Maharaja used to visit her. Sometimes we would sit around her bed and read Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Vidagdha-madhava. We would play different roles, each of us—Sivarama Swami, Kesava Bharati Maharaja, Giriraj Maharaja, Tamal Krishna Goswami, and I—reading the parts of different characters. It was so nice. And she was always so sweet and so humble; she was wonderful.

[Bhurijana Prabhu would come every day and read to her. And the year she left her body, in 1994, he wrote about her in his Vyasa-puja offering to Srila Prabhupada.]

Over time, Arca-vigraha’s condition became worse. And she made a specific request to her spiritual master, Giriraj Swami Maharaja, and to me, that we should think of establishing a hospice. In the course of time, I have been pulled in another direction, to the other side of the Himalayas. But it is just wonderful that Giriraj Maharaja has taken up this project and that you all have formed a committed and dedicated team to see that it actually takes shape. It is the fulfillment of a wish, the wish of a Vaishnavi.

It is so wonderful that people actually create facilities like this for terminal patients—what to speak of doing it for Vaishnavas, what to speak of doing it in Vrindavan. So it is a very important service, and I am sure that by this service you will all be blessed by Srila Prabhupada—and certainly by Vaishnavas throughout the world—for taking the burden and carrying the activity of helping Vaishnavas peacefully depart this world. And I am sure that you will receive an abundance of mercy from the angel Arca-vigraha as well, because she was really an angel. She really was an angel.

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:

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Hare Krishna! Prison Ministry Update
The program starts with a ten minute “warm up,” where the prisoners have a chance to share and discuss any pressing issues. Then there is a short kirtan, where all are standing and some dancing and jumping very happily. Outside prisoners who are walking by sometimes look in and watch in wonder. Then Bhagavad Gita is read, guided by their questions. At the end prasadam is served in the form of energy bars, since there are heavy regulations about bringing anything in; every food item must be factory sealed. Everyone feels greatly enlivened by the end of the two hours.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16978

Hare Krishna! Prison Ministry Update
The program starts with a ten minute “warm up,” where the prisoners have a chance to share and discuss any pressing issues. Then there is a short kirtan, where all are standing and some dancing and jumping very happily. Outside prisoners who are walking by sometimes look in and watch in wonder. Then Bhagavad Gita is read, guided by their questions. At the end prasadam is served in the form of energy bars, since there are heavy regulations about bringing anything in; every food item must be factory sealed. Everyone feels greatly enlivened by the end of the two hours.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16978

Harinama Sankirtana in Moscow (Album with photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/wqqOvZ

April 24th, 2015 – Chandan yatra Darshan in Mayapur (Album with photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/2XV4B8

Harinam sankirtana in Tallinn city (Album with photos)
Tallinn, Estonia
See them here: http://goo.gl/zTb0aj

From Geeta Mataji:

Can you answer this question of my Christian friend?

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Iskcon Nepal update.
Dear devotees, Please accept my humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! By now many of you must have heard and read about the earthquake in Nepal. The tremor was felt even in Mayapur Dham. HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj was trying to reach out to the devotees in Kathmandu to get update on the situation of our temples and devotees there in Kathmandu and Pohkara. Since morning we were not able to reach anyone as all the mobile network were down. Fortunately, the temple president of Iskcon Kathmandu, HG Rupesvar Gaura Das, called us just now and reported that the situation in Kathmandu is very bad. Our temple building and guest house building in Kathmandu and Pohkara are safe. But the BBT building has suffered some severe cracks. Many houses surrounding our temple area are also badly affected. This including our temple president’s house. So far our temples and devotees in affected areas are safe. No injuries or loss of live reported as of now. But some devotees around the villages of the epicentre (Lamjung) reported that their houses are flattened. The government had issued a warning to expect another major earthquake around 2am Nepali time. So, HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj is requesting devotees all around the world to offer your prayers for the safety of the devotees, since there could be another severe hit expected at 2am Nepal Standard time.
Your servant, Maha Varaha D

From Geeta Mataji:

Can you answer this question of my Christian friend?

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From Geeta Mataji:

Does the poverty of Hindus not show that Lakshmi is a false god? Can you answer this question of my Christian friend?

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From Geeta Mataji:

 Can you answer this question of my Christian friend?

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From Geeta Mataji:

I am hindu by religion. I have one very good brother like Christian friend of mine. He is a very good person with nice heart,  also very patient and god loving person ……. but I feel  very bad  when  he says bad for my hindu religion.  Can you please answer the questions he asks.

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Relevant Quote of Christian scholar and pioneering Sanskritist, Sir William Jones:

“I am no Hindu but I hold the doctrine of the Hindus concerning a future state to be incomparably more rational, more pious and more likely to deter men from vice than the horrid opinions inculcated by the Christians on punishment without end.”

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From Upendra P
if Krishna acted so that people dont follow his path of non-action, thus abandon their duty and end up creating Varanasankara then why did Krishna perfrom Rasa-lila which anyway has inspired many superficial observers to enjoy with multiple partners under the guise of "following Krishna". thus creating the same Varnasnakara which krishna wanted to prevent ?
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A massive earthquake struck central Nepal on Saturday, April 25, affecting Kathmandu and he city of Pokhara. The tremors could also be felt in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. According to international new agencies hundreds of people had been killed across Nepal. Rescuers are digging through the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kathmandu trying to reach survivors. A number of historic buildings have been destroyed.

Disciples Course Required for Initiation by September 5th
From the holy day of Janmastami – September 5th – this year, devotees wishing to take initiation from an ISKCON guru will be required to first pass the ISKCON Disciples Course. The course grew from the ISKCON Guru Seminar, created by the GBC Guru Services Committee in 2008 to educate those taking up the service of guru in how to be effective in caring for their disciples. A course for disciples was a natural follow-up. It was developed in 2011 under the Guru Services Committee, the Mayapur Institute, and ISKCON Communications, with the input of senior devotees, diksa and siksa gurus, and educators from around the world.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/gAv3Cp

The post Ihara paramahamsa, gaurangera nija-vamsa, tadera carana mama gati appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

25 April,2015 Ganga-saptami or Jahnu-saptami appears in the month of Vaisakha (Vaisnava month of Madhusudana-April/May) on the 7th day of Sukla-paksa, or the waxing fortnight of the full moon. After the Ganga descended onto the Himalayas, the river entered the sacrificial arena of Jahnu Rsi and disturbed his meditation. This pastime is stated in the […]

The post Jahnu Saptami appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Hare Krishna! Nepal Iskcon Temple with severe cracks after massive earthquake. No injuries for devotees
Indradyumna Swami: A massive earthquake of 7.9 magnitude has just struck central Nepal, affecting Kathmandu. Many buildings are damaged and there are numerous injuries. I just spoke with Patri das, ISKCON’s regional secretary in Nepal, who told me our temple in Kathmandu is basically OK. But there are severe cracks in a number of buildings on our property. The Deities have been moved outside from the main temple. No devotees were injured at the temple complex, but he stressed that many houses in the area collapsed and he cannot say at this point if all our devotees are safe. So please everyone pray for the safely and lives of our members living in and around the affected area.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16972

Hare Krishna! Nepal Iskcon Temple with severe cracks after massive earthquake. No injuries for devotees
Indradyumna Swami: A massive earthquake of 7.9 magnitude has just struck central Nepal, affecting Kathmandu. Many buildings are damaged and there are numerous injuries. I just spoke with Patri das, ISKCON’s regional secretary in Nepal, who told me our temple in Kathmandu is basically OK. But there are severe cracks in a number of buildings on our property. The Deities have been moved outside from the main temple. No devotees were injured at the temple complex, but he stressed that many houses in the area collapsed and he cannot say at this point if all our devotees are safe. So please everyone pray for the safely and lives of our members living in and around the affected area.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16972

Gita Verse-by-Verse Study Podcast:

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The post April 25th, 2015 – Chandan yatra Darshan- Day 5 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

May 8th – 10th, 2015

The countdown has begun! New Vrindaban’s Festival of Inspiration is only two weeks away, and it’s a big one — the 15th anniversary! Get ready for exciting and inspiring presentations by ISKCON’s best speakers; top-quality entertainment from dramas to stand-up comedy; rip-roaring kirtans; and mouth-watering prasadam, and much more!

So don’t miss this priceless opportunity to have the association of advanced devotees like H.H Jayapataka Swami, H.H. Jayadvaita Swami, H.H. Bhaktimarga Swami, and H. H. Varsana Swami. There will also be many senior devotees including Deena Bandhu dasa, Ravindra Swarup dasa, Dravida dasa, Urmila dasi, Malati dasi, world famous kirtaneer Agnideva das, Havi das, our hometown girl, Karnamrita dasi, ISKCON’S renowned comedian Yadunatha das, and many more. We are also expecting a special visit from Sally and Gopal Aggarwal, the family that sponsored Srila Prabhupada’s travel to America and hosted him in their home.

Good news: there is still accommodation available. You can register today at the Festival of Inspiration website or call us at 304-843-1600 ext. 135.

We look forward to serving you. Hare Krishna.

In Melbourne there are 14 Bhakti Vrksa groups who regularly meet in various parts of the city.

Association of devotees is so important for making changes in our sadhana....by seeing other's good example of how we should chant and chanting in their association we can automatically make progress.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 06 April 2015, Durban, South Africa, Ratha Yatra Lecture: What is devotional service)

Having a spiritual master is not a casual thing! One should really dedicate himself to the spiritual master and to the desire of the spiritual master; that is very important. Sometimes, we may feel that our spiritual master is not really giving us a lot of instruction and he is not really telling us something special. That means, he just wants us to do the regular things like daily chanting sixteen rounds of japa and following four regulative principles – no meat, fish or eggs; no gambling; no intoxication; no illicit sex. It means that he wants us to learn the regular principles of prescribed practice for every devotee. It means that he wants us to rise early in the morning, preferably during Brahma-muhurta. It means that he wants us to study especially Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. It means that he wants us to be kind and merciful. It means that he wants us to become very respectful to the vaishnavas and to see that every vaishnava is worthy of my respect and to see that every vaishnava is my teacher!

 

Giriraj Swami spoke at Nilamadhava dasa and Madhuri Radha dasi’s wedding.

“I will quote one authority on marriage who said that marriage is not meant to make you happy—marriage is meant to make you married. Once you are safely and wholly married, you have a structure of security and support from which you can find happiness. And, our only real and enduring happiness comes in our relationship with God or Krishna. However nice another person is, no matter how compatible we are, ultimately our desires can only be satisfied in relationship with Krishna. And so the family and friends all encourage each other in their relationship with Krishna.”

03.21.15, Marriage Ceremony, Houston