Planet ISKCON

As The Phoenix From The Flames, A Grand, Beautiful New Temple Is Rising From The Debris!
When Cyclone Hudhud raged through the province of Andhra Pradhesh on India’s East Coast on October 12th 2014, it caused serious damage to ISKCON Visakhapatnam, leaving devotees feeling demoralized.
But like the proverbial phoenix from the flames, a grand, beautiful new temple is rising from the debris. Construction began on the auspicious day of Gaura Purnima on March 15th this year, and the monumental 67,000 square foot temple is expected to be completed by Nityananda Trayodasi in Feburary 2018.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/fQ1mnX

Hare Krishna! Religion of Non-envy
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
So the Krishna consciousness movement is not for the persons who are envious. It is a movement to train people how to become non-envious. Yes, it is very first-class scientific movement not to become envious. Any religion system, if there is jealousy, it is not religion. We should understand what jealousy is. Jealousy means that you are rightful owner of something; I won’t allow you to take it. This is jealousy; try to understand it.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16417

Hare Krishna! Some Confusion in ISKCON Regarding Fasting
Bhanu Swami: In ISKCON, there is some ambiguity in the term “fasting”. This ambiguity is reflected in the VCal computer program, and it is often perpetrated in many printed calendars produced by ISKCON centers. Sometimes “fasting” means fasting from grains all day, as on Ekadasi. Sometimes it means not eating anything, even non-grain prasad, until a certain time, as in the phrases “fasting till noon on Ekadasi” (which is mentioned for the Ekadasis that occur before Vamana and Varaha Dwadasis) or “fasting till moonrise” (which is mentioned for Gaura Purnima).
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16413

Glorious 40th Anniversary of ISKCON Vrindavan (Album 95 photos)
HG Deena Bandhu prabhu welcoming guests for the opening of the 40th Festival Entertainment with the beginning of manasa Vrndavana Parikrama, along with a slide show of Vrndavana photos on large screen with Krsna Balarama’s classical musicians
Parividha prabhu presenting his KRSNA cultural cabaret.
Madhura Theatre from Moscow presenting Agni and Butterfly
Manipuri dancers presenting the six Seasons of Rasa Dances and their Martial Arts
See them here: http://goo.gl/Ht8ASq

The Indian government has finally agreed to restore the Yamuna’s ecological flow through several steps demanded by protestors, beginning with bringing the sacred river under the Environment Protection Act within two to three months. The move is a huge victory for the Free Yamuna Campaign of Braj (the land of Lord Krishna’s pastimes), which has been fighting for years now to restore the beleaguered river.

“Forms of Devotion: The Spiritual in Indian Art” at New Delhi’s prestigious Lalit Kala Akademi on March 21st.
The exhibit features about 400 works by nearly 200 artists, selected from the Museum of Sacred Art’s (MOSA’s) permanent collection of over 1,600.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/eHhae6

The post Would you like Krsna to build you a house in Goloka? appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

When Cyclone Hudhud raged through the province of Andhra Pradhesh on India’s East Coast on October 12^th 2014, it caused serious damage to ISKCON Visakhapatnam, leaving devotees feeling demoralized. But like the proverbial phoenix from the flames, a grand, beautiful new temple is rising from the debris. Construction began on the auspicious day of Gaura Purnima on March 15^th this year.

Over 500 people attended the inauguration of the exhibit “Forms of Devotion: The Spiritual in Indian Art” at New Delhi’s prestigious Lalit Kala Akademi on March 21^st. The exhibit features about 400 works by nearly 200 artists, selected from the Museum of Sacred Art’s (MOSA’s) permanent collection of over 1,600.

ISKCON Paris, France (5 min video)
With beautiful deities: Sri Sri Radha Parisvara
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/4r4mqP

In the consumer culture of marriage,one's commitment of wife-hood or husband-hood lasts as long as the spouse is meeting one's emotional and monetary needs. People want it out as soon as they see their needs not be met.  It is fascinating to contrast the current measurement of success in marriages with Vindhyavali's view of her husband Bali Maharaja losing everything and becoming completely poverty stricken.

ISKCON Malaysia Youths Bhakti Groove Program (Album 6 photos)
KLANG - The second Bhakti Groove Youth gathering for this year was held on 21st March 2015 hosted by the ISKCON Klang Youth. It brought together more youth from the state of Selangor together. Around 30-35 youths attended the program which lasted about 3 hours. After a short kirtan, one of the youth members, Gauravani Dasa gave a half an hour talk in conjunction with the upcoming Rama Navami festival. Interestingly he spoke about the manifestation of lust, greed and anger which is represented by Ravaana, the evil character in the Ramayana. And to curtail this, we need to dovetail all our activities and thoughts to be Krishna Conscious centric.
See them here: http://goo.gl/RM6Szi

Hare Krishna! Kali-yuga loses: River Yamuna to come back to Braja Vrndavana!
Bhaktisiddhanta Swami: A most positive event within the century, and unprecedented victory in the age of Kali; a new government supports the saints and sadhus in their concerns for preservation and restoration of the Yamuna, the wife of the Supreme, the cynosure of cultural India. As stated in the Skanda Purana the prediction of disappearance of the Yamuna after 5,000 years of entrance into the Kali-yuga; has been temporarily delayed because of the presence of the devotees of the Lord.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16409

The post March 26th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

2015 03 22 SB 10 59 43 Accepting Krishna’s Mercy By Purity Of Self Within Dayanand Swami Maharaj

Hearing celestial sounds like wind chimes but with ethereal notes of cavernous resonance and depth that gave me goose bumps, I wondered if I was dreaming, or in some heavenly place. Rising up from bed, I was wide awake—at least I felt super awake, yet strangely for me, fascinated and enlivened. The unusualness and loveliness of the reverberations were quite astonishing, as was the fact that I couldn’t make out a direction from where it was coming from. I felt like I was wearing surround sound headphones or in a room with speakers in every direction, included up and down.
Feeling joyfully confused I was curious if I was hearing through my physical ears, or from within? I couldn’t tell, though I knew this was an extraordinary, other worldly experience. Every cell in my body was also vibrating to the all-pervading concert.

I rose and turned on the light. Looking around, it was my room alright, yet it seemed it was breathing, or moving to the music. Everything was pulsating, contracting and expanding. I saw the room and its contents as moving flecks, atoms, I guessed, and the particles of air seemed like flowing, effervescent mist. No, I wasn’t on drugs—I know what that’s like from my past. This was not a chemical hallucination. I was so sure of that—as sure as I live and breathe and experience, but even more than that, as I was hyper alert, yet in the most natural way possible.

I went into the bathroom and turned on the light. There were no mirrors, but just the bare unpainted walls where mirrors had been. Instead of a mirror image, I could sense myself as a conscious being. Wow, that was quite an improvement! Actually everything seemed divine and in harmony. Every part fit with every other part. Nothing was separate from the Source, yet each thing had its own existence, but in perfect cooperation. I thought, “This is how life should be.”

read more

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast

Download by "right-click and save content"

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast

Download by "right-click and save content"

“Great sages, please hear me,” Dakṣa exclaimed. “Divinities and fire-gods please listen, too. I will speak about the ways of good conduct.”

Seeing Dakṣa staring intensely at Śiva while saying this, everyone became nervous. Dakṣa did not want them to interrupt, so he said, “I will not speak out of hatred, but I cannot ignore the facts.”

Glaring continuously at Śiva, Dakṣa declared, “This one shamelessly ruins the glories of those who protect the worlds! His pride pollutes the paths of good behavior! He accepted a position as my dependent by pretending to be a good man and taking the hand of my daughter in a proper marriage performed by learned priests, with sacred fire and mantra – but this was all a sham! His deceitful, monkey-eyes stole the hand of my honest, doe-eyed daughter! It is obvious that he does not truly accept me as his father-in-law, for he refuses to show me any honor by rising from his seat or even saying anything at all to welcome me!

“I did not want to give my dear daughter to him – for he breaks all rules, follows no norms, and is proud and filthy. Giving my daughter to him was like giving philosophy to a construction worker! He lives amidst corpses, surrounded by horrible ghosts and spirits. He wanders naked, laughing and crying like a lunatic with disheveled hair. He ‘bathes’ in the ash of funeral pyres, and ‘dresses’ in a necklace of bones and skulls from the dead. His name is the only thing ‘auspicious’ (śiva) about this inauspicious creature! Only lunatics would love this lunatic, who protects the most insane creatures! He is dear only to those whose own soul is as dark as his!

“I only gave my superb daughter to him – the ill-hearted, impure master of madness – only because our Supreme Leader, Brahmā, ordered it.”

[Bhāgavatam 4.2.9 ~ 16]

Vraja Kishor dās – www.VrajaKishor.com

Report by Klara

Kadamba Kanana Swami arrived in Prague on Thursday, 12 March, in the late afternoon. He traveled from Berlin by train and there were about twenty-five devotees waiting for him at the railway station, with enthusiastic kirtan.

In Friday morning’s lecture, Maharaj spoke mainly about pure devotional service. During the day, he gave his association to some devotees through darshans and in the evening, he presented a very deep and serious lecture. Maharaj said that we should work on ourselves to become better people and that we have to WANT to change ourselves – it is not automatic. He went on further to say that our duty is to develop the qualities of a devotee and to become pure devotees, and anything that impedes us in achieving this goal, we should kick out from our lives.

The next morning’s lecture, was about paying respects to all living-beings, about being creative in giving out mercy and about all of us having to be real well-wishers. In the afternoon, Maharaj went to Harinam Mandir, which is a preaching center in downtown Prague. There, he led a really ecstatic kirtan and gave another very inspiring lecture. He spoke about the transcendental boat which is now anchored in Prague and which we should not let sail away. Also, we should not wait too long to buy tickets because we do not know how much time we have and there are not enough tickets for everyone. The temple room was totally packed that some devotees even had to stand in the hallway but the spiritual atmosphere was nice.

Sunday was the last day of Maharaja’s stay and he started the day with leading sweet kirtan at mangala arati – just like the previous days. Then he spoke about the sixty-four aspects of devotional service, that we should be eager about service and that the essence is not to convince people but to engage them in service. Again, he mentioned the point of creativity. The kirtan at the Sunday feast was amazing and surely pleased the presiding Deities Sri Sri Nitai-Navadvipacandra who were beautiful and luxuriously dressed. During the afternoon lecture, Maharaj touched on almost all chapters of Bhagavad-gita and inspired the audience to read the book and to those who did not have a copy yet, to buy one. Maharaj left just after the lecture and traveled to Leipzig, Germany.

He stayed in Leipzig for two nights at the house of Mahibharta Prabhu and his wife Jana. On Monday afternoon, he attended a public program, with kirtan and a lecture, in the new Leipzig temple. Early on Tuesday morning, he departed for Amsterdam where he took his flight to South Africa on Wednesday (18 March).

As usual, it was really wonderful to spend time with Maharaj and we can hardly wait for his association, deep scriptural explanations and sense of humor during his next visit which should be at Czech Summer Camp in the beginning of July.

All glories to HH Kadamba Kanana Swami!

Visit flickr to see all the photos.

Naam Ramayana Podcast

Download by "right-click and save content"

CC daily Podcast

Download by "right-click and save content"

Upcoming Events from ISKCON-London (5 min video)
This video is about upcoming events from ISKCON-London March to June 2015
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/sJa8yj

Hare Krishna! Krishna Balarama Citra-kavya
O Krishna, sanctifier of the world! You are always favorable to the inhabitants of all the planets of the universe, including the demigods, who are able to give all sorts of material favors, and You bring happiness to everyone. O Lord of time, protector of the devotees! The whole existence rests within You, the Cupid of Vrindavana. Please remain dwelling happily here, being present before our eyes according to Your own will
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16402

Vaishnava Song meaning Podcast:

Download by "right-click and save content"

Museum of Sacred Art
The Museum of Sacred Art- MOSA at Radhadesh, Durbuy about 100 Km from Brussels opened in 2009 with a dedicated focus on the traditional and living arts of India revolving around the theme of devotion.
Set within the campus of a beautiful nineteenth-century chateau near the historic town in the Belgian Ardennes, it has now expanded its brief to include contemporary Indian art from across different spiritual traditions and faiths. The museum has also opened a branch in Italy at Villa Vrindavan near Florence where a magnificent heritage building is getting restored to house MOSA.
Funded primarily by Martin Gurvich, its founding director, the MOSA collection has been diligently built during his various visits to India over the years. The museum makes a unique platform for exposure of Indian art in the West. It features work that artists of the sub-continent have continued to create over the centuries with renewed vigour and in new presentations. With work by masters and young artists, MOSA has over one thousand artworks in its collection. There are paintings, sculptures, photography,installations, digital, and video art creations, representing major spiritual traditions of the world. This it is hoped will encourage interfaith dialogue through the arts. In the two galleries at Radhadesh, exhibitions of works from the collection are held from time to time. And when the new purpose-built museum, currently on plans, is ready, it will house the main collection. Meanwhile a selection of the works that makes the Forms of Devotion exhibition and project will be touring select museums around the world.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/NCiKzt

Hare Krishna! She Won, I Lost!
My wife showed an equal disinterest in religious matters. Although she would attend religious functions held in her village, her main purpose was to entertain herself with some singing and dancing that’s all. But one day, in 2008, she met an ISKCON devotee who hailed from our village. This devotee was trying to establish Krishna consciousness here, and my wife was very much influenced by him. She immediately adopted the devotional principles whole heartedly and repeatedly urged me to take up too.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16399

Auckland New Zealand: Huge Holi Festival 2015 (Album 98 photos)
Lots of the guests were saying it was one of the best festivals they have ever been to!
See them here: http://goo.gl/jrj57B

BY SIMHESWARA DASA

Peter with Tyaga Caitanya Dasa at Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR - During the past month we had the fortune to associate with 60 year old Peter Quest (not Richard Quest of CNN) from Darlington, England. He has been staying at our New Godruma Dhama farm and travelling with me around the country to help make video clips of our ISKCON Malaysia activities.

Peter interviewing Adi Purusha Krishna Dasa. A video clip on Srila Prabhupada is in the making

Daily Srimad Bhagavatham class in Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Kuala Lumpur. A team of 14 Russian devotees have been with us helping to spread the Lord's message throughout Malaysia

Srila Prabhupada gave a lecture in May 1971 at Mariamman temple, Teluk Intan

Sri Sri Doyal Nitai Gaura Hari in ISKCON Teluk Intan

Log onto www.lovelyplanettv.com/travel-resources.html to view his clips on the ISKCON Malaysia activities.

ISKCON in Indonesia with its strong roots in Vaisnava culture, but it also grasps on the Balinese culture, adopting its music, dance, art, flavors and dress.

BY SIMHESWARA DASA

LANCANG, PAHANG, MALAYSIA - A few days ago I read that the Meteorological Department is preparing for extreme weather such as cyclones and hurricanes brought about by climatic change and global warming. At the same time the head of the department said they cannot predict dates as Malaysia does not have the expertise.

For the past three years we were hit with such strong winds at Lancang. Our farm suffered some building damages which we got repaired within 14 days. However we lost about 3 Jackfruit trees. Some pictures of last year's damages can be seen here.

Jackfruit tree uprooted

So we pray for the protection of Their Lordship again and prepare ourselves as well.

Roof of our bungalow was blown off

BY SIMHESWARA DASA

We are working as much as possible to schedule to.complete the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple building project.
Today 1st load of granites arrived, hence the mezzanine floor works will commence soon.

HH Janananda Goswami is at the project site and said that the temple is looking stunning and he also raised some positive concerns which we will be addressing.

Vindhyavali’s Wifehood vs the Consumer Culture of Marriages
Instead of seeing marriage as a committed partnership where spouses help one another in their advancement, marriages have been reduced to mundane material partnerships.In the consumer culture of marriage,one’s commitment of wife-hood or husband-hood lasts as long as the spouse is meeting one’s emotional and monetary needs. People want it out as soon as they see their needs not be met. It is fascinating to contrast the current measurement of success in marriages with Vindhyawalli’s view of her husband Bali Maharaja losing everything and becoming completely poverty stricken. Bali Maharaja was the grandson of Prahlada Maharaja and the king of the daityas and he had also conquered the heavenly planets. However he had given all his wealth and possessions in charity to Lord Vamana Deva and he was held captive by Him.Having nothing and no one he had just surrendered his head to the lotus feet of Lord Vamana.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16395

The Centre may have assured the protesters that the "ecological flow" will be restored, but this can't be done without revisiting the water sharing agreement between five states. 

Giriraj Swami recalls the TOVP project during Srila Prabhupda's time and relates many pastimes with him in this regard. He believes that ISKCON is now ready for this project and encourages all devotees to take it seriously. It will be one of the great wonders of the world and people from all over the world will come to see it.

Chemical farming is the norm, but it does not have to be.

Paul McCartney endorsing the fabulous work of Food for Life Global volunteers all over the world for their dedicated work over the last 40 years. www.ffl.org