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Today the Bhaktivedanta Archives has released the 2015 update for the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase. The updated database files are a free download. Also released: new unedited audio files for 1973.
The post Bhaktivedanta Archives releases 2015 VedaBase update appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.
Jhulan Yatra 2015
Each year the Mayapur Vaisnava Senior Youth organize the Jhulan Yatra festival for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Madhava under the guidance of H.G. Jananivas Prabhu and H.G. Pankajanghri Prabhu. The festival runs for five days and it has become one of the highlight festivals of the year. Daily about 5000 devotees and pilgrims come to swing Their Lordships from around Mayapur, Navadvipa and other localities. The festival also features kirtans, bhajans, offering of lamps, fireworks, acrobatics, stage programs, children’s activities, special activities on Balarama Purnima, as well as distributing thousands of plates of sumptuous prasadam.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17163
The post May 2nd, 2015 – Chandan yatra Darshan- Day 12 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
New Releases from the Bhaktivedanta Archives
On this auspicious day, May 2nd, Nṛsiṁha-caturdaśī,
the Bhaktivedanta Archives offers two new releases:
the VedaBase™ 2015 update and the original unedited
audio of Śrīla Prabhupāda for the year 1973.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17160
Hare Krishna! Differentiating material and spiritual attachments
Shivananda Sen, he was taking all the 200-300 devotees from Bengal to Puri. They were walking so many days. And a little dog just started following. And that dog… he wasn’t a kind of pedigree, beautiful kind of dog. He was just the kind of dogs that you find in the streets of India. He followed. He followed. And Shivananda Sen just saw with such compassion – “If this spirit soul in this dog, if he sees Lord Chaitanya, how much he will benefit! I must serve him nicely.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17157
Hare Krishna! Material and Spiritual – What’s the balance?
You have to tear yourself between what you think is real life and your spiritual application. But that’s only because you’re in the illusion that whatever you’re doing is real because you feel you need to do it, not because it’s connected to Krishna. And this is an illusion because that’s not true – it’s that simple. So if you want to progress, it means that whatever you’re doing now – it doesn’t matter what it is – you have to see Krishna in it. That’s the only definition of Maya: that which you think that functions without Krishna.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17154
They Like Our Prasad! (Album with photos)
“We got Khichadi that is distributed by other organizations. We ate first spoon. The taste of the Khichadi is vast different from the Khichadi distributed by Hare Krishna Hare Rama. The Khichadi distributed by other organization is like rice and daal mixed together. But Hare krishna hare rama’s Khichadi is very delicious, nutritious and energetic.”
Hare Krsna devotees in Nepal continue with their efforts
Day 6, 1st May 2015
ISKCON FOOD FOR LIFE distributed FOOD for about 3,500 earthquake victims people at new different places of Bhaktapur on 1st May 2015, Friday.
This Day these places of Bhaktapur are distributed FOOD by ISKCON FOOD FOR LIFE:
-Yaacheen
-Naagpokhari
-Muni Bihar
-Decocha
-Golmadhi
-Jagananth Mandir Tripura-sundari
-Maha Laxmi
-Sarada school
ISKCON FOOD FOR LIFE is Distributing earthquake victims who are homeless and who are not able to have nice food to eat.
Words from People-
“We got Khichadi that is distributed by other organizations. We ate first spoon. The taste of the Khichadi is vast different from the Khichadi distributed by Hare Krishna Hare Rama. The Khichadi distributed by other organization is like rice n daal mixed together. But Hare krishna hare rama’s Khichadi is very delicious, nutritious and energetic.”
They Like Our Prasad.
Thank you everyone for your help/praying/supports/donations.
We are grateful to all of you and to our friends who are helping in voluntering.
See them here: http://goo.gl/t89xKC
Sri Prahalad-Nrisimhadev in Mayapur.
Skeptical when it comes to accepting other people’s mystical experiences as truth?
Just too many things started happening recently, not to sit up and take notice….
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/DZvU8J
Hare Krishna! Lord Nrisimha: Protector of Devotees
Prahlada challenged his power. The arrogant Hiranyakashipu cursed him and inquired, “Where do you obtain the power to defy my supremacy?” “The source of my strength is Lord Vishnu,” replied the fearless Prahlada. “He is the source of everyone’s strength, including yours.” To hear that his strength was the grace of Vishnu, his worst enemy, was the greatest insult for Hiranyakashipu, who challenged Prahlada, “O most unfortunate Prahlada, you have always described an all-pervading supreme controller beyond me. If He is everywhere, then why is He not present before me in this pillar? If he does not appear from this pillar, then today your head will be severed with my sword.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17151
Hare Krishna! Lord Nrisimha: Protector of Devotees
Prahlada challenged his power. The arrogant Hiranyakashipu cursed him and inquired, “Where do you obtain the power to defy my supremacy?” “The source of my strength is Lord Vishnu,” replied the fearless Prahlada. “He is the source of everyone’s strength, including yours.” To hear that his strength was the grace of Vishnu, his worst enemy, was the greatest insult for Hiranyakashipu, who challenged Prahlada, “O most unfortunate Prahlada, you have always described an all-pervading supreme controller beyond me. If He is everywhere, then why is He not present before me in this pillar? If he does not appear from this pillar, then today your head will be severed with my sword.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17151
Hare Krishna! Where Lord Nrsimhadeva Came To Wash The Blood From His Hands After Killing Hiranyakasipu
“Sri Nrsimhapalli” Or Devapalli At “Sri Godrumadvipa“ Island Of Navadvipa-mayapur Dhama The Place Where Lord Nrsimhadeva Came To Take Rest And Wash The Blood From His Hands After Killing Hiranyakasipu. Sri Nrsimhapalli is located on the eastern and southern boundaries of Navadvipa Dhama and is known by the names Nrsimha Puri and Devapalli. This temple is famous since Satya-yuga when Lord Nrsimhadeva came here to take rest and wash the blood from His hands after bestowing His mercy on Prahlada by killing his demoniac father Hiranyakasipu. Next to the temple is a lake left behind by the Mandakini River that flowed here at that time. When Lord Nrsimhadeva arrived here, He drank the sweet water of this river to refresh Himself and also washed the blood of Hiranyakasipu from His hands. Knowing that Lord Nrsimhadeva had come to take rest here, all the demigods followed Him, constructed large palaces and worshipped Him with great opulence. The changing course of the Mandakini River covered the demigod palaces and destroyed them and all that remains of them now are the hills that surround this area. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates used to come here regularly to discuss Lord Nrsimha-katha and perform Harinam Sankirtana.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17143
Hare Krishna! Where Lord Nrsimhadeva Came To Wash The Blood From His Hands After Killing Hiranyakasipu
“Sri Nrsimhapalli” Or Devapalli At “Sri Godrumadvipa“ Island Of Navadvipa-mayapur Dhama The Place Where Lord Nrsimhadeva Came To Take Rest And Wash The Blood From His Hands After Killing Hiranyakasipu. Sri Nrsimhapalli is located on the eastern and southern boundaries of Navadvipa Dhama and is known by the names Nrsimha Puri and Devapalli. This temple is famous since Satya-yuga when Lord Nrsimhadeva came here to take rest and wash the blood from His hands after bestowing His mercy on Prahlada by killing his demoniac father Hiranyakasipu. Next to the temple is a lake left behind by the Mandakini River that flowed here at that time. When Lord Nrsimhadeva arrived here, He drank the sweet water of this river to refresh Himself and also washed the blood of Hiranyakasipu from His hands. Knowing that Lord Nrsimhadeva had come to take rest here, all the demigods followed Him, constructed large palaces and worshipped Him with great opulence. The changing course of the Mandakini River covered the demigod palaces and destroyed them and all that remains of them now are the hills that surround this area. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates used to come here regularly to discuss Lord Nrsimha-katha and perform Harinam Sankirtana.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17143
Chandan Yatra, wonderful Darshan in Mayapur Dhama (Album with HR photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/gNkAXf
Harinama in Moscow, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Once can be free from all sinful reactions after reaching a place of pilgrimage, but one can have the same benefit at home or at any other place simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord. (Srimad Bhagavatam 2.7.15)
See them here: http://goo.gl/F2gHn7
Jagannath Swami Nayana patha gami bhaba tume at ISKCON Juhu Rathyatra Festival
Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:
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by Sankirtan das
It’s been a hectic six weeks for Sankirtana Das, New Vrindaban’s resident storyteller and college liaison. During this time, he hosted a half dozen student groups visiting the community. Sankirtana Das explained, “One of the student groups who visited New Vrindaban were from a Christian College here in West Virginia. I thought they would be a little skeptical, but I was delighted when they danced with such enthusiasm during the arati. All the devotees at the kirtana did a great job of engaging them in the service. ” (read student comments below).
Sankirtan das
Sankirtana also traveled to two colleges to present “Why & How the Hare Krishna Movement Came to America,” his media presentation of 130 pictures commemorating the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in America. “The program was well received,” Sankirtana said, “and more colleges have scheduled the program for the fall.”
Another trip took him and his wife Ruci dd to Shepherdstown, WV. There, Sankirtana offered a program of Vedic Stories (katha) for an audience of almost 70. Afterwards, the audience (many affiliated with the college in town) enjoyed cookies made at Govinda’s, our vegetarian restaurant, and received Palace of Gold brochures. Ruci was surprised when about a half dozen people told her that they had already been to the Palace. “That’s almost ten per cent of the audience,” she said, “and others promised to visit.” The town is the oldest in West Virginia and home to Shepherdstown University. From there, Sankirtana and his wife journeyed to the Philadelphia ISKCON Temple where he did an evening program for a group of thirty.
Besides all this, Sankirtana Das is working on writing and researching material for a new book, as well recording and editing his soon to be released audio CD on stories of Hanuman. For info about Sankirtana’s award-winning book Mahabharata: The Eternal Quest see www.Mahabharata-Project.com
*****
College Student Experiences of New Vrindaban
Overall I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit the Hare Krishna center and see how Hindus live their lives. It was really neat that they welcomed us so energetically and that they were truly happy to show and tell us about their religion and culture. The people at the Islam and Jewish centers weren’t nearly as welcoming as the Hindus were.
I’ve never known much about the Hindu religion until this class and this experience, but the extravagant artwork at the palace was definitely my favorite part. Something we talked about in class was that Hindus claim to live simple, non extravagant lives, yet they have this huge golden palace in their community, and they put so much time and effort into their shrines to the gods. While I understand how this could confuse people, I also kind of understand it. Worshipping their gods is the most important thing to Hindus and they believe the best way to do this is to dedicate shrines and temples that are heavily decorated to show their love and devotion.
A really interesting thing I find about this religion is all of the interesting stories and tales they have as their history. The stories remind me of Greek and Roman mythology and it was really interesting to listen to some of them as we were getting a tour of the Palace. I would really like to read some of the accounts in the Bhagavad Gita and learn more about what Hindus think really happened in history. I respect their religion because they are open to all other religions as well. They don’t discriminate or hate like many other religions do and that’s a rare quality for a religion.
During their worship service it was intriguing to watch the members and how they participate. There was a lot of dancing and chanting for a solid thirty minutes; it almost looked like a workout. They were really passionate and devoted in their service and I almost felt like I was at some type of party or ceremony. This type of worship, to me, is much more interesting and fun than sitting down and listening to someone talk.
I enjoyed this visit to the Hare Krishna center and I would definitely say that it was my favorite experience of the three trips we went on. It’s something that I would like to take my younger brother and sister to as a cultural learning experience and as just something fun to experience on the weekend.
This was by far my favorite trip that the class has taken so far. The Hindu community is beautiful and very interesting. From the architecture of the buildings to the homes of those who live in the community every single part was beautiful. The spirituality that was present was very strong and exciting. Each follower was very welcoming and passionate about their religion.
The thing that caught my eye was the Palace. It is amazing to think that it was built by people who did not have any knowledge about construction. The detail that was put into the building was phenomenal. I knew that the Palace was designed to be a home for Prabhupada, but I did not realize how practical the structure was. It is so big and extravagant on the outside but so practical on the inside, which is what amazed me the most. The rooms were rather small inside I almost felt as if I was in an apartment instead of a palace. I really enjoyed the tour of the Palace it was as beautiful as I had imagined it to be.
I enjoyed the worship service. I was not sure what to expect when I walked into the temple. I kept thinking about how we had to take off our shoes at the Mosque and how this custom made Hinduism similar to Islam. The temple was absolutely beautiful, the altars were amazing and very interesting. The amount of detail that went into all of the altars was mind blowing and I do not believe I have ever seen anything like it. I found it very interesting that the altars were actually changed for seasons and events. It is similar to how my home church changes the decorations on the altar for the season or holidays, so it was cool to have that comparison.
The service was very interesting and exciting, I had never experienced anything quite like it. The atmosphere of the ceremony was very intense and inviting at the same time, and it seemed to keep me engaged and interested. When I think of worship I think of sitting and hearing a lesson or prayer, I most definitely do not think about dancing. When everyone started dancing, jumping, and yelling I was caught off guard. I knew that the ceremony was definitely different and there would be a lot of dancing and chanting but I was not ready for how intense it was. Once I relaxed and started participating in the service I understood why it was so fulfilling to Hindus. It was exciting and fun to be dancing with everyone while worshiping. Of course I was not worshiping Hare Krishna, but as others were I could see how passionate they were. The ways that they were dancing or jumping showed how much they love their religion and how thankful they are for Hare Krishna.
After experiencing Hinduism first hand I have a deeper understanding for the religion. I always thought it was the typical worshipping of idols and cows, but it is most definitely more than that. It is a true religion just like Christianity. Each Hindu strongly believes in Hare Krishna just like every Christian believes in Jesus Christ. Hinduism is a very welcoming, loving, and fun religion that I believe is misunderstood.
Of all the places we have visited so far, I think that the Hare Krishna Center in New Vrindaban was the most entertaining. Their buildings were exquisite and their service was energetic. The people were all incredibly friendly, especially the gentleman giving us the tour. I liked hearing Hinduism explained by someone who actively practices the religion. I think it helped make it a little less confusing. There were several wax figures of the great Hindu teacher. This particular branch of Hindus follows Prabhupada as their guide and example, and they specifically worship Krishna as their personal god.
I would like to visit the Hare Krishna Center again sometime, and hopefully gain even more insight about Hinduism. After our tour guide’s explanation of various concepts, it was starting to make a little more sense, but there is still a lot about Hinduism that is different than Christianity and even American culture. It was a lovely and interesting experience, although a bit strange.
Our Major World Religions class went to visit the Palace of Gold, a Hindu center in Moundsville, WV. Seeing as the last visit to the mosque and the previous visit to the synagogue had gone really well, I looked forward to our visit to the Hindu center. At the temple, we were invited to participate with the Hindu believers as they worshipped their gods. Some people found this uncomfortable, while others viewed it as more of a cultural experience. Sacrifices of food were offered to the idols. That day was very chilly, and I noticed that while there were no heaters to keep the people warm, there were heaters in each of the idols’ rooms. The people at the Hindu temple were extremely friendly. As they worshipped, the Hindu believers recited the Maha Mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Throughout the service they chanted this in a sing-songy manner, while dancing. There were also people playing the drums and other instruments to accompany the singing.
I enjoyed the dancing during the service. They pull individuals, who were standing on the side, into the center of the floor. Though some did not participate, I decided to join in. It was actually really fun! I also wafted the incense over my head. After a group of girl students had formed a large enough circle, the older Hindu women brought some of their little girls into the center of our circle, the younger girls creating a dance circle of their own within ours. Even though I do not believe in Hinduism, I still admire their spirit as they praised their gods. I could really tell that they were enthusiastic about being there and excited to have us joining them.
Bhagavatam-daily Podcast
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Conversation in the Womb – A Parable of Life After Delivery
In a mother’s womb were two babies.One asked the other: “Do you believe in life after delivery?”The other replied, “Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery. Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what we will be later.”
“Nonsense” said the first. “There is no life after delivery. What kind of life would that be?”
The second said, “I don’t know, but there will be more light than here. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths. Maybe we will have other senses that we can’t understand now.”
The first replied, “That is absurd. Walking is impossible. And eating with our mouths? Ridiculous! The umbilical cord supplies nutrition and everything we need. But the umbilical cord is so short. Life after delivery is to be logically excluded.”
The second insisted, “Well I think there is something and maybe it’s different than it is here. Maybe we won’t need this physical cord anymore.”
The first replied, “Nonsense. And moreover if there is life, then why has no one has ever come back from there? Delivery is the end of life, and in the after-delivery there is nothing but darkness and silence and oblivion. It takes us nowhere.”
“Well, I don’t know,” said the second, “but certainly we will meet Mother and she will take care of us.”
The first replied “Mother? You actually believe in Mother? That’s laughable. If Mother exists then where is She now?”
The second said, “She is all around us. We are surrounded by her. We are of Her. It is in Her that we live. Without Her this world would not and could not exist.”
Said the first: “Well I don’t see Her, so it is only logical that She doesn’t exist.”
To which the second replied, “Sometimes, when you’re in silence and you focus and you really listen, you can perceive Her presence, and you can hear Her loving voice, calling down from above.”
After being officially affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in Delhi in July 2014, the Bhaktivedanta National School at ISKCON’s headquarters in Mayapur, West Bengal continues to expand its operations. The school has ensured that teachers’ qualifications and salaries meet with CBSE requirements, and is now undergoing a series of physical improvements and additions.
Saraswati Vidya Niketan in Assam was founded in 2011 as an adult educational program where ISKCON devotees educated, local village youth who were previously working in nearby towns and cities as a labourers. Most of them were suffering from alcohol abuse, addiction to gambling, which severely affected their economy, ecology and cultural roots.
The Sacred Arts Festival in New Delhi brings together different styles of spiritual art and explores the confluence of art forms and spirituality. Forbes India interviews Martin Gurvich (Mahaprabhu Das) the founder of the Museum of Sacred Art in Radhadesh, Belgium, who says, "this is what the project is about: a dialogue between different faiths, styles of art, taking out judgements that we have about different art forms."
TOVP update (Album with photos)
Concreting for the Main and Nrshimha Dev domes has begun.
Layers of cement will be added to the now present stainless steel structure to reinforce the grand cupola.
With a total of 34 layers, each of 1.2 M tall, the concrete work should be completed by December 2015.
See them here: http://goo.gl/WaoghA
Harinama in Estonia 2015 (Album with photos)
Sri Harinam Mandir Traveling Temple: Our 2015 Euro Tour started from Estonia, we visited with Harinama Sankirtana Tallinn, Rakvere, Kohtla-Jarve, Narva, Tartu, Ahtme, Sillamae. Hare Krishna!
See them here: https://goo.gl/lndY4d
Rasikanam Das, a young Russian kirtaniya who was well known for his dedication to chanting Krishna’s Holy Names, passed away at the age of 32 due to heart trouble after he felt weak while leading a Harinam in the town of Sarapul, Russia. The details of his extraordinary life and passing have just come into ISKCON News through an interview with his widow Narasimhi Dasi.
Hare Krishna! ISKCON Nepal Update
By Jayapataka Swami I, along with other TOVP Exhibit members were in the Lotus Building attending TOVP exhibits conference on April 25th at 1.00 pm in Sridham Mayapur when the ?building began to shake. We quickly left our conference room and moved to Prabhupada’s park. While we were there, I was informed that a massive earth quake had struck Nepal. My heart immediately went out to the devotees in Nepal. I was anxious to know about their well being. I know you all must be feeling the same. Later I was informed that although our temple was saved and although the devotees were mostly safe, some of them suffered loss of property, some lost their near and dear ones, some suffered other damages.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17132
Kanai Thakur Departs
Bhakti Raghava Swami: Many will remember Kanai Thakura prabhu from his many years of service at ISKCON Juhu in Mumbai. He was involved in Fund Raising both in India and in America in those earlier days. I only came to know him when he relocated in the district of Udupi and decided to get some piece of land in Hanja not far from our ashram at Sahyadri Sri Krishna Balarama Ksetra (SSKBK) near the small town of Hebri. There he build himself a small kutir and began serving Mother Surabhi by keeping cows in a small Goshala next to his kutir. He passed away this morning at 9:30 am at his residence in Hanja. Some of his family members are on their way to help complete the final rights for him.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17129
Once again we have the opportunity to get the association of His Grace Rohini Priya Dasa at ISKCON Brampton. His Grace Rohini Priya Dasa is a senior Brahmachari at ISKCON's Sri Radha Gopinath mandir at Chowpatty,Mumbai,India. He is currently serving as the Vice President at ISKCON Chowpatty in Mumbai. Rohini Priya Das graduated as a doctor of Medicine from Mumbai university but decided to dedicate his life in the service of Lord Krishna.
Narasimha Caturdasi
Help Nepal Suffered in Earthquake
Apara
Nectar of Instruction Course
Gift Shop