Planet ISKCON

Разъяренному Маха-Вишну
самосветящемуся вездесущему
Нрисимхе в явлении страшному и всеблагому
как смерть самой смерти – поклоны.

[ Нарасимха-анустубха мантра ]

When Bhṛgu heard these curses upon the twice-born Brāhmaṇas, he retaliated with the Brāhmaṇa’s weapon: an inescapable curse of punishment: “Heretics and hypocrits shall be they who follow the ways of Śiva! Far-wandered be they from the true path of scripture! Lost be their cleanliness! Dulled be their minds! By tangling their hair and wearing bones and ashes they will think themselves Śiva’s disciples, but their true god will be rum! Indeed, what need is there for my curses? You are already such heretics, since you so vehemently criticize the Veda and the Vedists who uphold it for humanity. The Veda are the true “Śiva” – the true and eternal auspicious path. These paths were established in antiquity, and their authority rests directly upon Janārdana, Viṣṇu. There is no need for my curses, because heresy is the natural result of blaspheming the eternally valid paths of the supremely pure Veda. It is in such heresy that you will consider the Śiva, Lord of Monsters, as your god.”

Blessed Bhava listened to Bhṛgu’s curses, but when he heard the mention of Viṣṇu he meekly stood up without a word and left, followed by his followers. Even in the absence of Śiva, Dakṣa, and all their followers, the other creators of the cosmos carried out their elaborate ceremony for a thousand years, keeping Hari as the foremost object of worship.

 – Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.2.27~35 [end]

Shiva sat quietly, humbly through the entire debacle of curses leveled by Dakṣa, Nandīśvara, and Bhṛgu – but when he heard Bhṛgu try to claim that Viṣṇu was solely on their side he wanted to end the situation immediately, to avoid the chance that his followers might respond in a way that depreciated Viṣṇu.

The sacrifice went fine in the absence of the Brāhmaṇas headed by Dakṣa and also in the absence of Shiva and his followers, because those who remained were not a party to either side of the argument, but were simply intent on worshipping Hari by performing this elaborate Soma ceremony.

- Vraja Kishor dās

www.VrajaKishor.com

Tagged: Bhagavata Purana, Shaivite, Shiva, Srimad Bhagavatam

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 02 January 2015, Simhachalam, Germany, Caitanya Caritamrta Antya 7.16)

It is because we are proud, because we claim to know everything, because we are lazy, because we have no tolerance and everything disturbs us, and because we are addicted to enjoying our senses all the time, that we condemn others and cannot forgive them. So forgiveness is a big point, therefore I am emphasizing it a lot. So let us take this principle of forgiveness as a meditation. It is something that deeply affects us.

Question: How can we forgive in a case of vaisnava-aparadha, the greatest offence of offending a vaisnava? Lord Caitanya said that he would forgive everything but not a vaisnava-aparadha.

Still forgive! Because a vaisnava does not take an offence. There was this person who had put paraphernalia for worshiping goddess Kali, including wine and meat, on the doorstep of Srivas Thakur and the person who did that became afflicted with a horrible disease, leprosy, all over his body and worms were eating his body. So this person went to Caitanya Mahaprabhu and fell at his feet, saying, ‘You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, please relieve me from this suffering – please!’  But Caitanya said, ‘You are an offender of Srivas Thakur, so I will have you eaten by these worms for millions of lifetimes!’  But Mahaprabhu also told him that he could go to Srivas and beg for forgiveness. So he went to Srivas and Srivas replied, ‘That was no problem, I took no offence.’  Srivas just forgave like that and that is what vaisnavas do – they forgive!

But in case of someone else being offended, we object. We will defend others, but for ourselves we feel, ‘Who am I?’ If someone screams at me, I will think, ‘Yes, I have deserved it. Whatever they do to me, I have deserved it.’  When Haridas Thakur was beaten at twenty-two marketplaces, he still remained the well-wisher of the people who were beating him. That shows that devotees always forgive. If anyone is mistreating us – externally it may look like a mistreatment but actually for the internal reasons, it is totally right as we deserve it. We have to think like that. When I got shot me in the back, I tried to think like that, ‘What did I do to deserve this?’  I was trying to see that Krsna is kind to me, by giving me this special attention. We have to learn to think in this way when people mistreat us.

Srila Prabhupada has commented many times that we simply need to hear the Maha mantra properly with full concentration and attention, so that we can keep our minds fixed on the vibration of the Holy names:

"....Concentrate fully on the sound vibration of the mantra, pronouncing each name distinctly.....most important is the hearing."

From a letter to Radhaballabah dasa
6 January, 1972

Gita daily Podcast

Download by "right-click and save content"

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.7.23.

“If we try to enjoy the property of God without God, we will be vanquished, sooner or later. Once, Srila Prabhupada compared the Western countries to Ravana, who was in possession of Sita, or Laksmi, the goddess of fortune. He said that just as Lord Ramachandra crossed the ocean to get back Sita, similarly, he also crossed the ocean—to reclaim Laksmi. And just as Lord Ramachandra was assisted by so many monkeys, he was assisted by us. The idea was to get back Sita, or Laxmi, from Ravana and reunite her with Rama. In other words, he wanted to get the wealth that was being kept captive by the people in the Western world and engage it in the service of Lord Rama, or Krishna consciousness.”

SB 2.7.23, Rama-navami Evening

Bhaktin Sakshi Donates Scholarship for TOVP Construction (2 min video)
Bhaktin Sakshi from Delhi, India decides that the scholarship money she received from her college would best be spent on “higher education” by helping to build the TOVP to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desire to bring millions of people to Mayapur, and ultimately back to Godhead. This is truly the best use of intelligence in the Lord’s service and a wonderful example of sacrifice.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/6ArFfr

You are invited. We’ll be going on a hike to Slot Canyon in Anza Borrego on Saturday, April 4th, 2015. It takes about two hours to get to the canyon from San Diego. Meet up at the Krishna Lounge on Saturday, April 4th, at 9:30am, or at the Slot Canyon trailhead at 12pm. Address for […]

Hare Krishna! Sannyasa initiation of HG Ganganarayan Prabhu at ISKCON Ujjain
His Holiness Bhakti Prema Swami received initiation from His Holiness Bhakti Caru Swami Maharaj . He came in Krishna Consciousness in 1994. Since 1994, when he was 27, he is serving in the mission of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. He sings Vaishnav Bhajans melodiously and beautifully explains their purports. He focuses on establishing loving relationship with devotees and everyone else. He preaches in English, Hindi and Bengali in Ujjain and many other places of Madhya Pradesh especially to college students.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16557

Hare Krishna! Real Knowledge Changed My Life
It was at a tent program in the center of Mumbai during a warm March evening in 1971 that I first encountered actual knowledge. Srila Prabhupada was speaking, and although I missed much of what he said because of his accent, I sensed that I was hearing something worlds apart from all that I’d ever heard before. The experience was scary but exhilarating, and something in me that had been sleeping began to stir. Because Prabhupada was noble, learned, and gentlemanly, despite myself (I was an atheist at the time) I respected and had some faith in him and wanted to understand what he was saying. So I listened to him and his followers.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16552

2015 International Vaishnavi Retreat (312 photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/MhNIXT

Hare Krishna! “Surrender Unto Me”—Krishna’s Loving Invitation
Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes the six practices of those serious about dedicating their lives to Krishna: accepting things favorable to devotional service, rejecting things unfavorable to devotional service, accepting that Krishna is our only maintainer, accepting that Krishna is our only protector, developing a deep sense of humility, and fully giving ourselves for the purpose of guru and Krishna.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16547

Hare Krishna! Govardhana’s Festival of Joy –Insights into the International Vaisnavi Retreat 2015
Held in a spacious açrama, far away “from the madding crowd,” the retreat bestowed upon us many blessings. I was happy to leave behind computer, internet, phone, and the comforts of my daily life, and just be absorbed in bhajana. As Praçäntä Devé had explained in the opening ceremony, “To go on a retreat means to get away from all our pressures and worries to simply become absorbed in cultivating our relationship with Kåñëa and the devotees, so we may return to our life strengthened and enlivened.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16544

The post Last kirtan in Vraja – it’s one of those appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post It was a wonderful day yesterday, full of spiritual activities and one wet and muddy incident appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Rama Navami Festival and Parade in ISKCON Berkeley! (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Even a faint light from the holy name of the Lord can eradicate all the reactions of sinful life. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.63)
See them here: http://goo.gl/A5lPLs

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Rama Navami - Sg Petani

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Rama Navami - Sg Petani

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Rama Navami - Sg Petani

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Rama Navami - Sg Petani

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Rama Navami - Sg Petani

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Rama Navami - Sg Petani

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Rama Navami - Sg Petani

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Rama Navami - Sg Petani

Hare Krishna! Service positions at ISKCON Simhachalam
Join the Simhachalam team! ISKCON Jandelsbrunn Simhachalam is a medium temple and farm community of dedicated and experienced devotees in beautiful Bavarian forest, Germany, under the shelter of Sri Sri Prahlad Laksmi Narasimha Deva. Beside the temple, we are also running a guest house (with yoga outreach), an organic farm and a small goshala. We have one of the world’s top sankirtana team and wonderful festivals and events throughout the year.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16539

The post March 31st, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Hare Krishna! Mayapur Retirement Village as an International GBC Project
Whereas the desire of the international GBC is that a retirement village be created in Sridham Mayapur that would operate under the direction of the international GBC Resolved: That the Retirement Village/Elders’ Enclave is under the exclusive direction of the international GBC Body. There is no direction or control from any other ISKCON entity. A committee will be formed to oversee the operation of the Retirement Village once the construction phase has been completed. Badrinarayan Swami will work with the Mayapur GBCom to select that committee and to establish the guidelines under which the management committee and the Retirement Village project will operate. Badrinarayan Swami is appointed as the GBC Body’s agent for this project. Badrinarayan Swami will report to the Mayapur GBC committee as needed and will seek their prior approval for major decisions.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16535

40th Anniversary Festival of Prabhupāda’s Visit (Album with photos)
The assembled devotees in front of the Bergstrasse temple for the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s visit to Switzerland
See them here: http://goo.gl/pWSRpv

SB class by Kavicandra Swami yesterday in Vrindavan (video)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/StfZnw

Tulsi Arati Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath;23rd Mar 2015

CC daily Podcast:

Download by "right-click and save content"

CC daily Podcast:

Download by "right-click and save content"

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:
Download by "right-click and save content"

Agastya Muni das and his wife Gaurangi devi dasi have been devotees in Bali since the early 80’s.

As Srila Prabhupada’s secretary and more than once in any case, I sat before Srila Prabhupada chanting my japa.
Sometimes we hear people, and myself, saying, "Hare Ram, Hare Ram, Ram Ram, Hare Hare".
Srila Prabhupada would stop me, and more than once, said to me:

"Chant the entire mantra" and he would proceed to do so. "So it is, Ra-ma.”

Pusta Krsna dasa
Former secretary to Srila Prabhupada

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.10.20.

There are two kinds of strength — daiva and purusakara. Daiva refers to the strength achieved from the Transcendence, and purusakara refers to the strength organized by one’s own intelligence and power. Transcendental power is always superior to the power of the materialist. Depending on the mercy of the Supreme Lord, one must fight one’s enemies even though one may not be equipped with modern weapons. Therefore Krsna instructed Arjuna, mam anusmara yudhya ca: “Think of Me and fight.” We should fight our enemy to the best of our ability, but for victory we must depend on the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. — SB 9.10.20 purport

Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.10.20

Report by Nicole

Kadamba Kanana Swami left Amsterdam on Wednesday, 18 March and arrived in Johannesburg on the 19th. Maharaj welcomed the warmth of South Africa after the harsh wintery weather in Europe. On the day of his arrival in the country, he did a program at the Pretoria temple. He got to the temple early where he spoke with a few devotees. The evening started with incredible kirtan and then Maharaj gave a lecture summarizing the Bhagavad-gita by chapter. Many newcomers, from surrounding universities, visited the temple and Maharaj answered questions expertly. Maharaj then took leave for the night, to rest after his long flight.

On Friday, 20 March Maharaj travelled to Newcastle (a small town that is sort of halfway between Johannesburg and Durban) to attend the Ratha Yatra that was being held the next day. It was a blistering hot day in Newcastle and the festivities began with a group of local high school children performing an African dance for the pleasure of Lord Jagannath. After the traditional breaking of coconuts and an opening ceremony, Bhakti Caitanya Swami gave a short welcoming speech. He mentioned that Newcastle now joins some of the biggest cities in the world such as London and Paris in pulling Lord Jagannath’s chariot down the main streets of their cities.

Kadamba Kanana Swami led kirtan from the start of the procession. In previous years, the procession went through the residential area in Newcastle however, this year, for the first time, the procession went through the city centre where there were many more people and this is where the Ratha Yatra became magical. People could not believe their eyes and almost could not hold themselves back. Maharaj danced and sang with such enthusiasm in kirtan that it seemed to turn time (the internal mechanism of his watch came apart!) and he had everyone in ecstasy. Bhakti Narasimha Swami took over kirtan towards the end of the procession. The festival concluded at the festival site with prasadam and a tent where people could take darshan of Lord Jagannath.

Later, Maharaj joined the evening program in Newcastle. The gurukul there is now very active and they performed a wonderful play on the appearance of Lord Jagannath featuring about thirty-five actors. The youth also performed two plays which included some Michael Jackson dance moves and an impersonation of a local politician which was thoroughly enjoyed by Bhakti Narasimha Swami. Kadamba Kanana Swami was quite impressed by the energy put into the entire festival by the Newcastle devotees and called it “very special”.

The next day, 22 March, Maharaj travelled back to Johannesburg for the Sunday feast program in Midrand where he was received by a temple room which was bursting at the seams. Maharaj led a long kirtan while the rain pelted down outside. The kirtan was enjoyed by all and it helped everyone to forget about the weather. Maharaj gave an engaging lecture on the limits of our love for Krsna and the importance of service.  After the program, Maharaja spoke to many devotees outside the temple room. The next day, 23 March Maharaj travelled to Durban where he spent the rest of the week.

Visit flickr to see all the photos.

 

Recordings

KKS_SA_Pretoria_19 March 2015_JayaRadhaMadhava

KKS_SA_Pretoria_19 March 2015_EveningLecture_BG1.1

KKS_SA_Midrand_22 March 2015_SundayFeast_Kirtan_Part1

KKS_SA_Midrand_22 March 2015_SundayFeast_Kirtan_Part2

KKS_SA_Midrand_22 March 2015_SundayFeast_Lecture