Bhagavatam-daily Podcast

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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast

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“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

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CC daily Podcast

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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:

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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

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue and is one of the most common diseases among the population. 

The post Yesterday during the evening class I was struck by what I heard… appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Hare Krishna! The Holy Names Saves Us All
Indradyumna Swami: The skinheads moved quickly into the crowd of dancing young people and stood there for a moment, as if waiting for a signal. The security men moved toward them. Sri Prahlada and the band, oblivious to the danger, were singing another song which contained the maha-mantra and the drummer played a driving beat. I jumped onstage—it would be a good vantage point if there was a fight—when to my amazement, I saw some of the skinheads begin to tap their big black boots to the music. Then, as our powerful sound system carried the maha-mantra far and wide, some of the skinheads stood there as if dazed, then slowly but surely repeated the words of the mantra.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16392

Paul McCartney Congratulates Food for Life Global (1 min video)
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.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/w4Abha

Hare Krishna! News from Iskcon Cambodia
World Alliance of Religion’s Peace Dialogue was conducted on Monday 23/03/2015 in Pannasastra University of Cambodia Siem Reap Campus. The meeting was attended by different faiths as Buddhism represented by a number of monks from monks from pagoda in Siem Reap, some Moslem, Baha’I Community, and ISKCON Cambodia represented by HG Kala dasa Vanacari Prabhu. HG is Srila Prabhupada disciple from Canada who has been preaching in Cambodia since 2013.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16389

His Holiness Giriraj Swami Speaks About the TOVP (22 min video)
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.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/NywV4W

2015 03 22 Sunday Feast Childhood Pasttimes Of Krishna Jagnnath Prabhu ISKCON Chowpatty

The post March 25th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Vaishnava Song meaning Podcast:

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Song ppt

"Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love." - Albert Einstein

Spiritual Reflections on Scientific Quotes Podcast

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BY SUKANYA RADHA DEVI DASI

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.

To show the importance of association, Gadadhara Pandit Dasa paired the youths and got them to interact as the Supersoul and Soul within us. He gave them two scenarios where the Supreme Lord reacts differently to each scenario. The pair took turns to be Supersoul and had to give an explanation as to what they felt the Supersoul would answer.

A short and simple skit was done next and it gave an exaggerated version of how one should not chant. It was hilarious as we saw the very common mistakes we do while chanting and not concentrating on the holynames. Very often chanting is taken for granted and the seriousness is not applied.

The program ended with Patitapavana Dasa leading the kirtan with a beautiful song, Sakhi Vrnde Vijanpti by Narottama Thakur Dasa. He also gave a short story of Surdas, Surdas whose name literally meant the servant of melody was a 15th-century blind saint, poet and musician, known for his devotional songs dedicated to Lord Krishna. Surdas attained fame for his purity of devotion towards Lord Krishna. In one incident, Surdas falls into a well and is rescued by Lord Krishna when he calls him for help. Radha asks Krishna why he helped Surdas, to which Krishna replies it is for Surdas' devotion. Krishna also warns Radha not to go near him. She, however, does go near him, but Surdas, recognizing the divine sounds, pulls her anklets off. Radha tells him who she is but Surdas refuses to return her anklets stating that he cannot believe her as he is blind. Krishna gives Surdas vision and allows him to ask for a boon. Surdas returns the anklets saying he has already got what he wanted (the blessings of Krishna) and asks Krishna to make him blind again as he does not want to see anything else in the world after seeing Krishna. Radha is moved by his devotion and Krishna grants his wish by making him blind again thus giving him everlasting fame.

Prasadam included nasi lemak, nasi ayam and pizza was specially cooked and served by the ISKCON Klang youth.

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With lots of exciting and fun activities coming up for the youths in future, we hope more and more youths join us!

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast

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Vaishnanva Song Meaning Podcast

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"An equation for me has no meaning unless it represents a thought of God." - Srinivas Ramanujan

Spiritual Reflections on Scientific Quotes Podcast

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Question

maha-prasade govinde
nama-brahmani vaisnave
svalpa-punya-vatam rajan
visvaso naiva jayate

My Reply

The idea of this verse is “Please don’t eat what you about to eat in the same way you eat ordinary food. This is not ordinary food.”

Naturally, one will ask, “What’s so extraordinary about it, besides the fact that it probably tastes pretty good?”

The answer is, “It is Govinda’s mahā-prasāda – it is food that you have gotten directly as a result of feeding Govinda.”

Next, the natural instinct is to feel, “Oh… really… well, so what?” So the rest of the verse addresses the “so what?” feeling by saying, “People who say ‘so what’ about Govinda’s mahā-prasāda tend to be the same people who say ‘so what’ about other things directly connected to Govinda: his name, those who teach about him, and those who adore him. These people feel this way because they have very little faith in, very little devotion for Govinda. Try not to be like them, they are very unfortunate people.”

So the translation:

Oh King
Only the most unfortunate people
Have such meager devotion to Govinda
That they consider his name, his philosophers, his devotees, and his gifts
[like this food]
To be just like any other ordinary thing.

Govinda’s name is not an external word, it is a spiritual word; Govinda’s philosophers are not ordinary thinkers and scientists; Govinda’s devotees are not ordinary sentimentalists; Govinda’s gifts are not ordinary trinkets and morsels – but unfortunate people cannot experience this, because they don’t care enough to pay enough attention to Govinda, with their inner, spiritual mind and senses.

Tagged: Bhakti, maha prasada, prasadam