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[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!

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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

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

The post The transition from regulated devotion to spontaneous devotion by serving and remembering Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

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

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! 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

The post April 28th, 2015 – Chandan yatra Darshan- Day 8 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

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From Pawan P

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From Pandurang Charan P:
From the below purport from Srila Prabhupada. Could you please explain how can one work in office where one is absorbed in work and with people around him to at the same time not associate with work and the workers.
Text from the purport.
"A man working in Kṛṣṇa consciousness in a factory does not associate himself with the work of the factory, nor with the workers of the factory. He simply works for Kṛṣṇa."

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Śrī Bhāgavata 4.7.13 ~ 15:

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“Aho! What great affection you have shown to me, despite my insults,” Dakṣa exclaimed to Śiva. “Your punishment has corrected me.

“I am not truly a brāhmaṇa, I merely claim the title by some formality. Yet, Your blessed self and Hari never neglect to show affection to anyone related to a brāhmaṇa. What can be said, then, about how you care for the dutiful brahmaṇas themselves?

“You created the learned brāhmaṇas first, to protect knowledge of self-realization by their qualities of scholarship, discipline, and religious practices. Your punishment protects those brāhmaṇas from all deviations, like a shepherd herding his flock with a stick.

“I am one of your animals, but since I know and see only ignorance I injured you with arrows of cruel words in front of everyone. You did not mind, but my insults of the most exalted person made me fall from my haughty heights. After all this, you saw me with compassion and lifted me back up. I hope your Blessed Lordship will find the act of compassion satisfaction in and of itself, for I think I could never repay you or thank you properly.”

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Comment

“Your punishment has corrected me.”

Śiva’s punishment utilized the vehicle of anger but was not motivated by hatred, and therefore is not really “anger” in the way we usually experience it. His punishment was, like punishment given to a student or child, an effort to help. When we insult someone and they react, we should not fault them for it. The reaction is their compassion on us, to help correct us. If our hand is inadvertently over a flame, we should not fault the pain we feel, rather we should be thankful that the pain alerts us to the danger and inspires us to move our hand to a safer position.

The daṇḍa (punishment) is not the first method of correction, it is the last. First one tries to use reason, rewards, and other techniques. If these fail, punishment is the last resort. Parents and teachers should not immediately and constantly recourse to punishment, this merely shows a lack of patience, the result of too much selfishness and not enough love. Similarly we should not immediately punish insults. Like Śiva, first we should tolerate them for a very long time, and see if there is any way they might resolve on their own.

“I am not truly a brāhmaṇa, I merely claim the title by some formality.”

Here I am expressing the meaning of Brahma-bandhu. Dakṣa identified himself as such.

“You created the learned brāhmaṇas first,”

This identifies Śiva as identical to Brahmā, for it is Brahmā who created the Brāhmaṇas from his first (Eastern) mouth (as explained in Canto Three). Śrī Viśvanātha Cakravarti mentions this in his comments. Atreya’s experience of Śiva, Viṣṇu, and Brahmā confirms it, also (See Canto Four Chapter One). The three guṇa-avatars are identical to one another because they are all expansions of Nārāyaṇa.

“[they] protect knowledge of self-realization by their qualities of scholarship, discipline, and religious practices. “

The way the brāhmaṇas protect brahmātma-tattva is by cultivating vidya, tapa, and vrata. Not necessarily by “preaching” or posting to facebook or debating, they protect the science of self-realization by practicing and perfecting self-realization themselves.

“Your punishment protects those brāhmaṇas from all deviations, like a shepherd herding his flock with a stick.”

The word for punishment is daṇḍa, which is the same word for “stick.” (Because a stick / staff / rod is used to inflict punishment). So the analogy is very poetic in the original language.

“You did not mind, but my insults of the most exalted person made me fall from my haughty heights. “

This is important, and Śrī Viśvanātha also talks about it in the sādhu-ninda section of Mādhurya-kadambinī. We tend to think, “Man, I was lucky, I insulted her but she didn’t mind. Now I don’t have to apologize.” BIIIIIG MISTAKE! If a person doesn’t mind your insult, you are in even worse trouble, because it shows that the person really doesn’t at all deserve your insult. If someone minds our insult we should apologize a few times, but if someone doesn’t mind an insult, we should apologize forever.

It is not the anger of the offended person that ruins us. The anger of the offended person saves us. It is the insulting attitude itself, lodged in our so-called heart like an emotional cancer, which ruins us.

Jai Śrī Hari.

Vaiṣṇavāparādhī,

Vraja Kishor dās

VrajaKishor.com

Tagged: Anger, Aparadha, Forgiveness, insults, Offenses, Vaishnava aparadha

Kadamba Kanana Swami gives deep insights into achieving the higher taste during chanting. Email subscribers please click the big blue link to hear the audio.

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Hare Krishna! Knock of an uninvited guest
As humans too we are subjected to trials and tribulations of life. The three forms of sufferings which constantly punish us are: Adhibhautika klesha: Miseries caused by people who are inimical to us. They can be our foes or even our family members and relatives. Adhidaivika klesha: Miseries caused due to natural calamities like earthquake, tsunami, floods, heavy rain, famine etc. Adhyatmika klesha: Miseries caused by our own mind, senses and body. Mind and senses can ruin our life if they are not properly controlled. However the silver lining is that as humans we have been gifted with the ability and opportunity to not just get rid of all types of sufferings but also have the chance to put an end to the cycle of birth and death forever. And the process to do this has been explained in Vedic books. In Gita 8.15 & 8.16 Krishna says that this world is full of sufferings so he asks us to return back to him to the spiritual abode from where we will never return again to this mortal world.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17037

ISKCON NEPAL Food For Life 26th, 27th April BKT (Album with photos)
We are trying to Distribute Prasad to the most destructed area where people lost their homes and its still danger to go to there home for cooking and eating. So we are distributing those parts more. We are trying our best to expand Our Food For Life Prasad Distribution all over places. People are happy to get Khichadi Prasad.
So Please everyone Pray/ Help/ Support Us…
Thankyou everyone for ur Prayers wishes n Help. Hare Krsna.
See them here: http://goo.gl/YrR9sW

Devotees in Nepal emgaged in prasadam distribution accompanied with Harinama (Album with photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/pdu3q9

Iskcon devotees from Nepal recorded this 6min video-message for you. Watch it here: http://goo.gl/8zEUE6

We can see all these symptoms today. It was predicted 5000 years ago but these things are considered fashionable.

In Kali-yuga, wealth alone will be considered the sign of a man’s good birth, proper behavior and fine qualities. And law and justice will be applied only on the basis of one’s power. Men and women will live together merely because of superficial attraction, and success in business will depend on deceit. Womanliness and manliness will be judged according to one’s expertise in sex, and a man will be known as a brāhmaṇa just by his wearing a thread. - Srimad Bhagavatam 12.2.2-3

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Bhakti Shastri Graduation in England.
The graduation ceremony for the 2013-14 cohort of Bhakti Shastri students took place on last February with an impressive twenty one students successfully completing the course. The Bhakti Shastri course provides an opportunity to systematically study four key texts – the Bhagavad Gita, The Nectar of Instruction, Sri Isopanisad and The Nectar of Devotion. The interactive sessions not only equip students with knowledge of the scriptures but also explain how to assimilate and apply those lessons to their own lives. One of the graduates, Harsha Parmar, explained ‘ Studying Srila Prabhupada’s books in the association of devotees enabled a greater depth of understanding, it was an enriching and transformative experience!’ The course is entering its tenth successful year this September, with around 300 students having participated since its launch in 2006.

From Prathamesh P:

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From Prathamesh P:

You mentioned that the Brhad-aranyaka upanishad comes before Isopanishad and the samhitas are before the aranyakas, etc. Is this order based on increasing spiritual realizations or suggested order of study of these books?

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From Prathamesh P:

How is the living entity able to experience infinite happiness when he is limited? I have heard that pure devotee experiences more happiness by serving Krsna than Krsna experiences in being served. Could you kindly elaborate on this. Thank you.

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Giclee Prints of TOVP Drawing by Award Winning Artist
Kishori Radha, a talented young artist from Mayapur, is working on a project to help raise funds towards the construction of the TOVP.
Read more: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17007