Planet ISKCON

 Bolivians feel for a meal to be a good meal that it must be prepared "with love, dedication and proper cook time."

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Srila Prabhupada in Saint Moritz, a popular ski resort!
By the standards of many it was breathtaking, but not to Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada was very regulated. It never mattered where we were. His life continued like clockwork and his schedule remained constant. One morning Srila Prabhupada put on his warm saffron-hooded coat and prepared for his morning walk. “We will go for a walk,” he said. “Shall we see how cold it is?” Since we were on the ground floor, His Divine Grace opened the sliding glass door to walk onto the verandah which led to the great outdoors. Suddenly a whistling blast of ice cold air filled the entire condominium. It was blizzard-like. “Ooohhh, this is much too cold!” Srila Prabhupada exclaimed with his eyes opened wide. Whenever I witnessed these childlike expressions, my heart melted with joy. Srila Prabhupada exuded the innocence of a child.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/m7iGGm

The Bhaktivedanta Academy - Living Vedic Culture & Philosophy
Photography By H.H. Indradyumna Swami. A Traveling Monk. The following pictures depict the sacred place I was fortunate enough to grow up in the one and only Gurukul in Sridham Mayapur lead by one of the purest, most genius intellects of the world H.H. Bhakti-vidya-purna Swami. A disciple of the founder Acharya for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. This is an offering unto Him, by whose grace we can go back home back to Godhead (Sri Goloka Vrindavan).
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/K03nvW

Holi D.C. – Not Just Another Color Festival!
With a profusion of secular “color runs” and “color festivals” everywhere these days, it’s hard to find one that stands out. But Holi D.C., beginning with its conspicuous moniker – it purposely retains the festival’s original spiritual name rather than calling itself “Festival of Colors” – is decidedly unique. “We don’t want to water down the spirituality behind the festival,” says media coordinator Christy Freer, a kirtan singer, yoga teacher and lawyer who has been part of the ISKCON community in Potomac, a suburb of Washington D.C., for about two years.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/hfZPck

Memories of Srila Prabhupada narrated recently at Iskcon Vrindavana (video)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/OZjaio

The post April 24th, 2015 – Chandan yatra Darshan- Day 4 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

19.04.2015 H.G. Bhurijana Prabhu_SB-5.19.13 PART 2

From Sushant P
Answer Podcast:

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[One of my earliest blogs and contained in my book Give to Live originally published on Fri September 14, 2007] No it is not a new dance step, but a process. I first heard the term from a devotee scholar who used the term to indicate the process of taking the best from any situation--in his case his educational pursuits. Prabhupada gives the example of the swan that can draw out the milk from a mixture of milk and water. We have to look for the nectar or the essence which can be used for Krishna's service.

A famous quote in Prabhupada's purport from the first Canto of the Bhagavatam [1.5.11] gives the same idea:

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Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.6.42 ~ 53 [end]:

With a happy face, Brahmā offered his respectful praṇām to Moon-Crowned Śiva, and then began to speak. “I know you as the Master of the Universe, the womb and the seed of everything, Śakti and Śiva. And beyond this I know you as Supreme Eternal Spirit. Your intrinstic form, the Śiva-Śakti unit, is certainly the All-Attractive one who creates, maintains, and destroys everything, like a spider spinning, using, and retracting her web.

It’s clear that the Śakti-Śiva unit, “Sadāśiva,” is non-different from Viṣṇu. As such it “might” be wise for those who want to be Vaiṣṇava to abandon phobias and aversions to Shiva, his glorification, and his glorifiers.

“It is you who utilizes Dakṣa to establish sacrifices as the best method of attaining prosperity in a moral way. It is you who create the social regulations that Brāhmaṇas believe in and follow very strictly. Auspicious Master, you reward these auspicious deeds with heaven, liberation, and your own association; and you reward inauspicious deeds by covering them in darkness. I don’t know why you have suddenly decided to do just the opposite – punishing Dakṣa and the Brāhmaṇas who were engaged in sacrifice.”

Śiva might simply reply, “I was angry.”

So Brahmā said, “I know it was not due to anger. Anyone who gives themselves wholly to your feet clearly sees you in all living beings and sees that no living being is really different from you. So they almost never experience animalistic anger.”

It doesn’t seem to be clearly resolved yet why Shivajī responded with such intensity. I think the reason is love. He tolerated every insult, but when they caused his beloved wife to kill herself, his rage erupted out of love. Maybe Shiva will explain this, or something esle, in the next chapter.

Śiva might reply, “Is there not sometimes need to be angry with fools?”

So Brahmā said, “People who see differences between living beings become obsessed with selfish ambitions. When other people prosper, anger consumes the hearts of these cruel-hearted misers, and they say vile things to hurt those they envy. You don’t need to punish these misers, because their own deeds create their own doom. The minds of these separatists embrace the bewildering magic of Viṣṇu. When they say and do their vile, selfish things, good souls feel compassion and show forgiveness, knowing the fools are merely in the powerful grip of their own destinies.”

Śiva might ask, “What would you have me do now?”

So Brahmā said, “Your mind does not embrace the bewildering magic of Viṣṇu. Your intellect sees everyone equally. Prabhu, you should show compassion to these soul-less fools obsessed with their own ambitions. The faulty man who conducted that sacrifice did not dedicate a portion of it to you, who are the one who bestows the results of all sacrifices. Respectable One, you should show compassion to him by restoring the sacrifice you destroyed and accepting whatever remains there as an offering unto you.

“You should restore life to the conductor of that sacrifice. You should restore sight to Bhaga. You should restore growth to Bhṛgu’s beard. You should restore teeth to Puṣa. Respectable One, you should restore the bones of the gods and priests, broken by your stones and weapons. Then, let Rudra, who destroyed the sacrifice, accept whatever remains there, considering it his sacrificial portion. Let us do this now,” Brahmā urged, “without delay.”

— Vraja Kishor dās

VrajaKishor.com

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

Many devotees, after they have been active in Krsna consciousness for a while, will start connecting to a spiritual master and that is very nice because the spiritual master is very much engaged in devotional service. His whole life is about devotional service and therefore he has a deep absorption in devotional service. It is explained that this absorption is sometimes called bhava. Bhava is explained as deep absorption in the ecstasy of serving Krsna.

So, one who is so deeply absorbed, he can give inspiration to others, just by his presence. It is said that there is chaya bhava, the reflection of bhava, or that the consciousness of a pure devotee reflects on others and in his presence, they also suddenly become enlivened about serving Krsna; they become motivated, “Yes, spiritual life is what I want, I agree with that!”

But then, it looks different when we are back with everyday life because that shadow reflection wears off. We borrow inspiration of the more mature vaishnava but when we are out of their association then it will run out. But, if we stay in that association for a longer period of time, it is like when you borrow something for a long period of time, then it becomes yours. When the ecstasy of a devotee is borrowed for a long, long time; if we serve the devotee for a long, long time; then it becomes ours and that is a key to develop devotional service.

CC-daily Podcast
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Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:

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Life of Hare Krishna devotees (20 min video)
Learn about the daily life of Hare Krishna Devotees
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/eDDFiY

Street Jam with Hare Krishna (3 min video)
Oxford street, London 2015, musicians and Hare Krishna devotees
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/BTQGdx

Hare Krishna! H.H Jayapataka Swami to visit New Vrindaban’s Festival of Inspiration
(New Vrindaban, West Virginia)- 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!
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16960

Hare Krishna! H.H Jayapataka Swami to visit New Vrindaban’s Festival of Inspiration
(New Vrindaban, West Virginia)- 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!
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16960

During my last few visits to The Manor I’ve had the privilege of sitting in on some amazing young bhakta’s giving their first Gita class. Their humility and sincerity was beautiful and their realisation from their short time staying at The Manor was for me personally very humbling.

Although the classes were short the discussion was very lively, and as those in attendance was a small group it was a very intimate and open discussion. One recurring question was about continued progress in Krishna Conscious one leaving the secure regulated environment which comes from being at The Manor.

My realisations was example and being the example that inspires other’s.

As all faces turned in my direction can you share with us how you manage, gulp I simply came to listen and be inspired.

I feel that in many ways the answer is simple, basic a bit like me.

Firstly, make sure you have lovely deities with deities in your home comes responsibility, I have to care for them, cook, provide flowers and perform arti

Secondly, japa and kirtan

Thirdly, read Srila Prabhupada books and listen to classes every day

Indeed take the temple program and as far as possible make it part of your own daily routine.

But more importantly and for me most crucial

Association, Association, Association

Were would I be without the association of devotees, most definitely I wouldn’t be chanting, reading or doing anything Krishna Conscious.

Indeed I spoke about how each and every month a short stay at the manor is planned, thankfully the devotees always find a place on the floor for me. Then make the most of it with plenty of seva opportunities, find what inspires you and surround yourself with devotees who are serious about Krishna consciousness and inspires others too.

Concerning this, the Lord states in the Vedic literature:

mam anaradhya duhkhartah kutumbasakta-manasah

sat-sanga-rahito martyo vriddha-seva-paricyutah

“A person who does not worship Me, who is unduly attached to family and who does not stick to devotional service must be considered a most unhappy person. Similarly, one who does not associate with Vaishnavas, or who does not render service to his superior, is also a most unhappy person.”

There is also the following statement in the Brihad-bhagavatamrita (1.5.44):

sva-jivanadhikam prarthyam sri-vishnu-jana-sangatah

vicchedena kshanam catra na sukhamsam labhamahe

“Out of all kinds of desirable things experienced in the life of a living entity, association with the devotees of the Lord is the greatest. When we are separated from a devotee even for a moment, we cannot enjoy happiness.”

In my closing comments I ended by saying give more classes, this always focuses the mind and in truth I get more out of it them I think those listening, distribute prasadam, and when the opportunity arises share love of Krishna with those you meet.

Indeed if we put Krishna first everything else falls into place

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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A desire to live life on one’s own terms, expecting people around to accept their way of living, never compromising attitude and carrying tonnes of emotions on the sleeves are some of the attributes which characterise people today.

Preaching program in one of the “toughest” cities of Russia, close to Ukraine’s border (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Rostov-on-Don is known as one of the toughest cities in Russia. Add to that the constant flow of military vehicles, Russian troops and weapons across the nearby border with Ukraine and you have a very volatile situation. As a result, Krsna consciousness has great appeal amongst many of the people of Rostov, who gather together regularly to take shelter in the chanting of the holy names of Krsna.
See them here: http://goo.gl/GBKnXg

With a profusion of secular “color runs” and “color festivals” everywhere these days, it’s hard to find one that stands out. But Holi D.C., beginning with its conspicuous moniker – it purposely retains the festival’s original spiritual name rather than calling itself “Festival of Colors” – is decidedly unique.