How could a brahmana be so illiterate as to to not be able to read the Gita?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

In the pastime of Lord Chaitanya with a South Indian brahmana at Sri Rangam, the brahmana doesn't know enough Sanskrit to read the Gita. How is that?

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TOVP Tour Diary Day 32 – Arrival in Montreal, Canada, Prasadam at the Home of Madan Kishore, and the Evening TOVP Program at the Temple
- TOVP.org

Montreal is the North American city where Srila Prabhupada opened the third ISKCON temple. At one point in time he even wanted to make it the Headquarters for his North American centers due to the historic fact that it was to McGill University in Montreal that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur sent his first English book, The Life and Teachings of Lord Caitanya.

On the morning of Sunday, March 12th we drove from Ottawa to Montreal, arriving just in time for the Noon arati of the Deities Gaur Nitai, Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra and Radha Manohara, known for being some of the tallest Radha Krishna Deities in ISKCON North America. We then left with the Lord’s Padukas for Madan Kishore’s home where many devotees had gathered for kirtan, abhisheka and lunch prasadam. Afterwards, we returned to the temple to prepare for the TOVP presentation the same evening. Many devotees and guests arrived and participated in the greeting ceremonies of kirtan, abhisheka, flower offerings and arati to the Padukas. The temple Vice President, Gokulananda das, introduced the TOVP Team with great respect and honor and the program was turned over to Radha Jivan prabhu. Speaking, as usual, from their heart and soul, he and Jananivas prabhu infused the devotees with the significance of the TOVP and the need to be a part of this historic event. By the end of the program $426,000 in pledges was raised and all the devotees were ecstatic. Prasadam was then served.

The post TOVP Tour Diary Day 32 – Arrival in Montreal, Canada, Prasadam at the Home of Madan Kishore, and the Evening TOVP Program at the Temple appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

What does “our senses are meant for Krishna’s satisfaction” mean?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Jagat Singh P
my friend once while reading the srila prabhupada’s book as it is ,quoted the statement about srila prabhupada ,which stated ” we are meant for the enjoyment of krishna ” he continued ,why prabhupada says that our senses are meant for satisfaction of krishna?. and he argued on that point.He was new to krishna consciousness ,and this kind of statement was never heard by him before , i understood that srila prabhupada there was trying to say something very intimate and devotional ,but i failed to properly explain him .could you please explain this matter in detail .what does it mean when we say that we are meant for satisfaction of krishna senses ,as prabhupada tells in purports

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What can we do in a relationship when the other person doesn’t want clarification?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Shadbhuj gaur P

Based on the Gita-daily article: Don’t just talk about the other – talk with the other
But what if the other person doesnt want to listen to clarification and impose his own assumptions and conclusions by word jugglery, heavy words and shouting(banging in iskcon term) so that the one clarifying bows down to him and accept whatever he says…what if the person doesnt accept a neutral mediator…isnt it best then to avoid such persons….than to patch up…

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What is the difference between goodness and pure goodness?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Jagat Singh P
could you please explain the difference between the goodness and transcendental goodness.srila prabhupada often differentiates between this,what exactly is transcendental and material goodness. is simply being materially good, not enough for progress in the life.

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Visible Form Of Krishna
→ Japa Group

"The relationship between sound and form is particularly relevant to chanting japa. Just as material sound vibrations produce visible forms, similarly, the transcendental vibration of Krishna’s name produces the visible form of Krishna in the heart of a devotee. When chanting the holy name of Krishna, one will eventually see the form of Krishna. This is because the sound of Krishna’s name carries within it the trancendental form of Krishna as well as His abode, associates and pastimes."

From Art Of Chanting Hare Krishna

Srila Prabhupada’s Third Visit to New Vrindaban – 1974
→ New Vrindaban

Strengthening The Vision:  Prabhupada’s Third Visit to New Vrindaban

 Written by Madhava Smullen. Archival Research by Chaitanya Mangala.

 From July 18th to 23rd 1974, Srila Prabhupada visited New Vrindaban for the third time, to further establish his vision for it as a sacred place known worldwide for five primary things: cow protection, simple-living, holy pilgrimage, spiritual education, and above all, loving Krishna.

In a letter one year earlier, the ISKCON Founder-Acharya had written to encourage the expanding farm community: “Yes! Go on acquiring the surrounding lands, and in this way we will establish a local self-governing village and show all the world a practical example of spiritual life as Krishna Himself exhibited in Vrindaban.”

As his arrival date fast approached, New Vrindaban residents were whipped up in a flurry of activity. Meanwhile a letter from the editors of Brijbasi Spirit magazine reminded them, “Although we are all engaged in preparing the outward appearance of the community for Srila Prabhupada’s arrival, we must even more so develop the proper consciousness to receive such a great personality.”

And so it was that all the New Vrindaban devotees absorbed themselves in a rip-roaring kirtan as they waited outside their Bahulaban farmhouse temple on Thursday July 18th, every passing car eliciting from them a sharp intake of breath. When Prabhupada finally arrived, he was followed by a river of devotees, calling “Jaya Srila Prabhupada!” as he walked regally into the temple, offered his respects to Sri Sri Radha-Vrindabanchandra, and took his seat on his vyasasana.

Srila Prabhupada sitting in front of the "grey house".

In the Brijbasi Spirit, devotees describe “sheer spiritual force” permeating the temple room when Prabhupada began leading “Jaya Radha Madhava.” As Lord Krishna Himself states in Srila Prabhupada’s book Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead, “A pilgrimage site becomes a holy place because of the presence of the saintly persons there.”

After his short but blissful kirtan, Prabhupada then delivered his arrival address, giving devotees an example of the kind of spiritual education he wanted New Vrindaban to be known for.

“So you are all very lucky in this far remote place, that is New Vrindaban,” he began. He talked about how Bhaktivinode Thakur, who had the idea to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world, had been a householder just like the residents of New Vrindaban; and about how they had the chance to provide the essential spiritual education that none of the country’s universities, colleges and schools did.

“I am very happy in this remote village,” he concluded. “You have got… Vrindaban Chandra. Vrindaban Chandra means the full moon light of Vrindavana... So worship the Deity and send missionary men from village to village and preach then gradually this center will be developed… So I thank you very much for your activities here. Hare Krishna.”

With another ecstatic kirtan following him, Prabhupada was then chauffeured to his residential quarters at the “Grey House” in Guruban, which had been renovated from top to bottom by an enthusiastic crew of devotees.

The next day, he toured the Bahulaban barn, to see how his cow protection vision was practically manifesting. He expressed his approval as devotees showed him their Harvestore silo, demonstrated its feeding system, and pointed out the lettering at the top that read “New Vrindaban -- Founder and Acharya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.”

Initiation Ceremony Bahulaban

Later the same day, Srila Prabhupada visited his under-construction Palace, which was being built for him to reside and translate his books in. He beamed as Kirtanananda showed him where his bedroom, bathroom, Deity room and study would be, tapping the walls with his cane to make sure they were solid.

As Prabhupada inspected the Palace – nothing more than a construction site at the time -- Bali Mardan asked if it would be illuminated with jewels on the wall, like Lord Krishna’s Palace in the Krsna book.

Srila Prabhupada looked over at Soma and Gostabihari, two construction workers on the job at the time. They had been toiling hard on a building site that had neither electricity nor running water. “These devotees,” he said, “Are my jewels.”

When Kirtananda told Prabhupada the Palace would be ready soon and asked him to be patient with them, Prabhupada said, “I already am,” and added, “If you want, I am already living here.”

As he got into his car to leave, he looked up at Soma and Gostabihari through the open window. “So, you are working here?”

“Ghostabihari answered, ‘Yes Srila Prabhupada,” Soma recalls. “And then Prabhupada looked straight at us and said, ‘Thank you very much.’ It made me feel so good that he personally thanked me for working there.”

The next day, Saturday July 20th, about 400 devotees from all over North America including GBCs, sannyasis, travelling book distributors, and ISKCON Press staff gathered for a huge festival. Prabhupada attended guru-puja and gave Bhagavatam class in the morning. During the day there were ecstatic kirtans led by visiting devotees, and a delicious feast “with more preparations than anyone could eat,” according to Brijbasi Spirit.

In the evening, Srila Prabhupada spoke to a rapt audience, concluding his lecture by asking the devotees to all cooperate together “and then everything will go nicely.”

The next day, he initiated thirteen devotees, including Madhava Gosh, Tapanacarya, Advaitacarya, Rasalila, Nirmala, and Meghamala. He also awarded brahmana initiation to six candidates, including Parasara and Kashyapa (who would later become Varshana Swami).

In his talk, Prabhupada spoke about the simple-living aspect of his vision for New Vrindaban. He called the race for sense gratification unnecessary and praised living peacefully in a little cottage, growing vegetables and food grains, and getting milk from the cows. “We are trying to introduce in this New Vrindaban colony this simple life,” he said.

Later during his stay Prabhupada personally saw the Brijbasis’ efforts at this simple life. In 1973, he had written a letter instructing them how to build small cottages with wooden beams and tile roofs. “This design is especially suitable for grhasthas, who can feel very comfortable there,” he wrote.

Now he visited one of these cottages, dubbed “Prabhupada houses,” that had been built at New Vrindaban. Set in the Madhuban section of the community, it was home to Daivata Das and his wife Parayana Dasi.

When Prabhupada arrived, he appreciated the gardens where many householders were cultivating vegetables together, as well as the just-harvested vegetables on Daivata’s porch. “I do not want to eat anything unless it is grown here,” he said. “You should not buy, you should grow vegetables.”

He thoroughly inspected the cottage he himself had provided the design for with some interest, tapping the walls with his cane in his endearing way. Inside, he sat on a rocking chair, looking at everything and saying, “You should make thousands of these nice houses.” He then asked Daivata, “You are happy here?”

“Oh yes Srila Prabhupada, very happy. Thank you very much,” Daivata said.

Prabhupada continued chatting and laughing with Daivata for some time, asking about his four-month-old daughter Devahuti and commenting on how active she was. “I am very pleased to see this place,” he said before he left.

Prabhupada’s warm, personal interaction with Daivata was exemplary of all the interactions he had during his visit, with many devotees remembering his care and love in different ways.

Varshana Swami was impressed at how concerned Prabhupada was about making sure there were oxen and men working in the fields. “It really touched me that Prabhupada was attentive to what was being done in the agricultural realm,” he says.

Mahadevi Dasi will never forget the time that Prabhupada was giving out milk sweets to a huge crowd of devotees, and she worried that she wouldn’t get one. “As if he just read my heart, he looked directly at me, pointed his finger and held up the milk sweet that he had just bitten,” she recalls. “And it was passed through the devotees, right to me.”

And Gopalasapriya Dasi recalls how when Srila Prabhupada was talking to a group of devotees outside on a chilly evening, he stopped, looked at her and asked, “Are you alright? Such a thin cloth. Haven’t you got a cloth?” He then told one of the leaders, “You must find out if they have everything they need… the women need to be protected. They will not ask. You must ask them once a month and make sure that they are having everything they need.”

“I remember afterwards a few of the devotees were crying and feeling like he was so observant and concerned and he really does care about all of us,” she says.

For his part, Srila Prabhupada, like a proud parent, was very glad to see his first farm community growing into a wonderful realization of his vision.

“Regarding New Vrindaban I was very happy when I was there,” he wrote a few months after his visit. “Not only myself but all devotees and GBC members all enjoyed the atmosphere of New Vrindaban, especially the cow protection scheme. May Krishna give more facilities to advance the cause of New Vrindaban, and I am expecting very soon to go there and live in my proposed palace at least for some time.”

New Vrindaban Community President Jaya Krsna on Sabbatical
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Dear Residents and Well-Wishers of New Vrindaban,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We are writing to inform you that Jaya Krsna prabhu is on a leave of absence from his role as ISKCON New Vrindaban President. As many of you know, Jaya Krsna became ill after his trip to India a few months ago and he has even been hospitalized since then. Although he’s under appropriate professional medical care he has not recovered as quickly as hoped. Thus, with our complete support, he decided to take some time off to rest and recover.

Jaya Krsna Prabhu

Jaya Krsna Prabhu

His well-needed and well-deserved break began on April 10th, 2015 and is expected to last for about three months. He plans to return to New Vrindaban, and his services, by mid-summer.

In the interim, Jaya Krsna prabhu entrusted a team of capable managers to continue in his absence. He will regularly communicate with them and offer his guidance while he is away. Also, our GBC representatives, Tamohara and Anuttama prabhus, will offer their support by visiting New Vrindaban several times over the next few months.

Please be assured that the Joint Board Members and GBCs fully support Jaya Krsna’s decision to take this leave and give proper attention to his health. We look forward to his full recovery. And, we humbly ask everyone to pray for Jaya Krsna’s health to improve soon so he can return with renewed strength and enthusiasm to continue serving in the New Vrindaban community for many years to come.

Thank you. Hare Krishna.

Your servants,

ISKCON New Vrindaban Board of Directors

Tamohara dasa, co-GBC

Dayavira dasa, Chair

Laxmi Honest dasi, Secretary

Ananga Manjari dasi

Chaitanya Mangala dasa

Gopisa dasa

Keval dasa

Ranaka dasa

ECO-V Board of Directors

Anuttama dasa, co-GBC

Bhima dasa, Chair

Jordanna Rock-Garden, Secretary

Chaitanya Mangala dasa

Kripamaya dasa

Madhava Gosh dasa

Radha-Krishna dasi, Advisor

Ranaka dasa

Sri Tulasi Manjari, Advisor

 

 

Bhagavatam-daily 183 – 11.10.25 – Infatuation with gratification induces oblivion of impending tribulation
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast

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Strengthening The Vision: Prabhupada’s Third Visit to New Vrindaban
→ ISKCON News

As ISKCON approaches its 50th anniversary in 2016, ISKCON News is increasing its coverage of both the latest plans for the 2016 celebrations, as well as looking back on the early years of ISKCON and how Srila Prabhupada's worldwide society developed. This article is part of a series connecting New Vrindaban, ISKCON's first farm community, to the grand visions by Srila Prabhupada.

ISKCON Toronto’s Looking for Preschool Teachers
→ ISKCON News

Toronto's Hare Krishna Centre (ISKCON Toronto), has always been the hub of a rich, vibrant and enthusiastic community. Whether it be grand festivals, programs at local universities and yoga studios, philosophical discussions, cooking sessions, or singing and dancing on the streets, there are events taking place for everyone's interest.

Hare Krishna! What is the relationship of the small group of…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! What is the relationship of the small group of devotees to ISKCON?
The original roots of an organisation – the regional headquarters or a national office – serve its branches and the branches serve the head office, or in our case the head temple or national ISKCON structure. If the head office provides nothing for the branches, they become weak and stop growing. If the branches provide nothing for head office it also becomes weak, or in many cases, begins to conserve valuable resources for itself. It gets weak all the same; it just takes a little more time. Only by each part of an organisation performing mutual service for the other parts can natural growth happen. How do they work together?
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16888

Hare Krishna! What is the relationship of the small group of…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! What is the relationship of the small group of devotees to ISKCON?
The original roots of an organisation – the regional headquarters or a national office – serve its branches and the branches serve the head office, or in our case the head temple or national ISKCON structure. If the head office provides nothing for the branches, they become weak and stop growing. If the branches provide nothing for head office it also becomes weak, or in many cases, begins to conserve valuable resources for itself. It gets weak all the same; it just takes a little more time. Only by each part of an organisation performing mutual service for the other parts can natural growth happen. How do they work together?
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16888

Famous Indian Yoga Teacher Swami Baba Ramdev Visits ISKCON Melbourne
→ ISKCON News

As part of ongoing efforts to establish good relations with the wider Hindu Community, ISKCON’s Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir Temple was honoured to welcome Swami Baba Ramdev, the famous yoga teacher from India, on Friday 10th April. It was just a short visit (part of an official welcome to Melbourne) as Swami Ramdev gave his yoga programs elsewhere.

Hare Krishna! TOVP Tour Daily Diary: Day 26-30, Arrival in…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! TOVP Tour Daily Diary: Day 26-30, Arrival in Ottawa, Canada and Home Programs
On Wednesday, March 8th Jananivas and Sunanda prabhus visited the home of Shyamakund and Ananda Rupa prabhus for prasadam and darshan of their Deities, after which they departed from New Jersey with the Lord’s Padukas for the first stop in Canada, Ottawa, the Nation’s capital. On Thursday, April 9th Jananivas, Vraja Vilas and Sunanda prabhus brought the Padukas to the home of Vanamali prabhu and his family where they also had prasadam. In the evening the Temple President, Shankar prabhu, arranged a program in his home for darshan of the Padukas and a lecture by Jananivas prabhu…
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16885

Hare Krishna! TOVP Tour Daily Diary: Day 26-30, Arrival in…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! TOVP Tour Daily Diary: Day 26-30, Arrival in Ottawa, Canada and Home Programs
On Wednesday, March 8th Jananivas and Sunanda prabhus visited the home of Shyamakund and Ananda Rupa prabhus for prasadam and darshan of their Deities, after which they departed from New Jersey with the Lord’s Padukas for the first stop in Canada, Ottawa, the Nation’s capital. On Thursday, April 9th Jananivas, Vraja Vilas and Sunanda prabhus brought the Padukas to the home of Vanamali prabhu and his family where they also had prasadam. In the evening the Temple President, Shankar prabhu, arranged a program in his home for darshan of the Padukas and a lecture by Jananivas prabhu…
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16885

TOVP Tour Diary Day 31 – Ottawa, Canada TOVP Presentation
- TOVP.org

On the evening of Saturday, March 11th we went to the small Ottawa temple and restaurant in the heart of the city, the Nation’s capital, for the main TOVP presentation.

After arati and abhisheka of the Padukas Shankar das, the Temple President, enthusiastically welcomed and introduced the TOVP Team to the temple. Radha Jivan prabhu took over and, along with Jananivas prabhu, feelingly encouraged the small, yet wonderful group of devotees to make pledges for the TOVP. The response was overwhelming with Shankar himself pledging 4 Silver Coins ($44,000) and a Gold Coin ($108,000) from the temple. By the end of the program this dedicated group of devotees pledged $310,000. Prasadam was finally served to all the Vaishnavas.

The post TOVP Tour Diary Day 31 – Ottawa, Canada TOVP Presentation appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Gita Lessons to be Included in School Syllabus: Haryana…
→ Dandavats.com



Gita Lessons to be Included in School Syllabus: Haryana CM
GURGAON: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said that lessons from ‘Gita’ and other holy books would be included in the syllabus of schools for imbibing moral values among students while also declaring that a university will be set up in Gurgaon. According to an official statement released here, Khattar made these announcements while addressing a gathering at a function organized in Government College for Women, Sector 14.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/B1YmEa

Hare Krishna! Water: A Meditation Water is one of the categories…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Water: A Meditation
Water is one of the categories of Krishna’s energy, as described in scripture such as Bhagavad-gita and Brahma-samhita. Krishna always exists as a transcendent person apart from His energy, while at the same time He is present in that energy. Therefore, while water is not Krishna, Krishna is water. In what ways can we appreciate Krishna in water? He is the taste or the essence of water, the quality that quenches our thirst and brings satisfaction
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16880

Hare Krishna! The Science of Knowing God God: The Evidence; The…
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Hare Krishna! The Science of Knowing God
God: The Evidence; The God Delusion; God: The Failed Hypothesis; The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief. Apparently, writing about God is the latest rage among scientists, both theistic and atheistic. Many of these authors have also been invited to speak to college crowds, and they are causing quite a stir. But is this really the best way to approach the question of God’s existence?
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16876