
Preaching program in Prague, Nitai Navadvípacandra Mandir (Album 92 photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/CHg2CX
Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Preaching program in Prague, Nitai Navadvípacandra Mandir (Album 92 photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/CHg2CX
Story by Jananavisa das
A musical adventure in Berlin….. With Kadamba Kanana Swami.
My purpose of visiting Berlin, besides meeting friends and having a good time, was to finalise the latest music CD for my very good friend and spiritual teacher Kadamba Kanana Swami. Luckily some friendships are beyond time and space so good fortune allowed that two of my old band members also happen to live and work in Berlin. My friends Pete & Simon are professional musicians and expert in recording and producing music. So this was a excellent opportunity to finish the CD with their musical experience.
Pete and Simon have their own band project called “Potwhale“. They compose music within their self defined genre that they call “Transcendental Space Metal” and they were kind enough to invite us to their studio.
Kadamba Kanana Swami and me set foot in their studio to refine his upcoming CD. The CD needed a good intro, interludes and a good exit track. Kadamba Kanana Swami provides vocals and Pete played the Zen Tambour. Additionally i was dubbing in some piano tracks that Simon arranged into a master session during recording.
Both Pete and Simon expressed that they were honoured by Kadamba Kanana Swami’s visit, and it certainly was an honour for me as well. I was astounded by Pete and Simon’s service mood and how they are able to remain aloof from material circumstances, even when they have to work with dissident musician’s all the time. Please like their facebook page if you are interested in their music.
We all had a great time, it all came out pretty good, and we very much thank Potwhale for their support, making all this happen….
Elevated and dear to all, surrendered devotee of Lord Krishna, Ananda Vrindavana devi dasi, mother of Matsyavatara prabhu from Italy left her body to enter the eternal realm of Goloka Vrindavana.
Hare Krishna! NASN February 2015 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of February. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16115
NBS # 8 - *Rama Navami* special edition - Part one
Dear Devotees, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga! For the upcoming appearance day of Lord Ramachandra, we are pleased to present the Part one of this special edition.
NBS # 8 Features: - The Form Of The Lord With Six Arms His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada - Appearance Of Sri Ramayana - Sri Ramachandra and Lord Parashurama - Meeting of Bharata and Lord Ramachandra Sri Valmiki Ramayana - Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the mood of Lord Ramachandra Sri Lochan Das Thakur
You can view and download it here: http://goo.gl/vc4M12
KK Bindu #346: Glories of Lord Ramachandra, Continuation of Gopal Campu and More
Issue 346 of Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu was just released. This issue focuses on Lord Ramachandra in honor of the upcoming festival of Rama-navami. Topics include: * ANYONE WHO CHANTS — Comments from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada * THE MAINTAINER OF VEDIC ETIQUETTE — Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja speaks about the special ontological positions of Lord Ramachandra, Krishna, and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. * Nama-tattva: OTHER NAMES BECOME EMBARRASSED — An amazing verse from Sri Hari-bhakti-vilasa. * THE FIRST ATTRACTION - PART 12 — Continuation of a fresh translation done especially for Bindu from Srila Jiva Goswami’s Gopala Campuh, speaking about how Radha and Krishna first met. * PRAYERS TO SRI RAMACHANDRA — A rare stotra composed by Srila Murari Gupta.
It can be downloaded here: https://archive.org/details/bindu346
Kardama’s daughter Kalā (The Refiner) and her husband Marīci (The Lightray) had a boy named Kaśyapa (The Sunray) and a girl named Pūrṇimā (The Moonlight). Kaśyapa had many children; we will discuss this later. Pūrṇimā had two sons, named after two important qualities of light: Viraja (The Illuminator – primarily a quality of sunlight) and Viśvaga (Ever-present – primarily a quality of moonlight, for moonlight brings illumination everywhere, even into the night). Pūrṇimā also had a daughter named Devakūlya (The Divine River) who would become a divine river and wash Hari’s feet.
Hare Krishna! Iskcon Mumbai Celebrates Rath Yatra in more than 25 places each year!
This is only possible due to causless mercy of Srila Prabhupada and all Guru Maharaj. Thank to devotees from Mumbai ISKCON temples and Mumbai preaching centers. This Rath Yatra festival is celebrated in more than 25 places in Mumbai City. These Places include Juhu, Mira Road, Kharghar, Dadar, Colaba, Nagpada, Ghatkopar, Mulund, Thane, Charkop, Kandivali, Borivali, Malad, Goregaon, Bandra, Bhayander, Vasai, Nalasopara, Kalyan, Mahalaxmi, Worli, Andheri, Dahisar, Dombivali, Palghar, Wada, Vashi etc
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16112
Hare Krishna! Letter from an Indian Clerk
The great sage Narada Muni while advising his disciple, the great Vyasa Maharaja says, “Learned circles have positively concluded that the infallible purpose of the advancement of knowledge, namely austerities, study of the Vedas, sacrifice, chanting of hymns and charity, culminates in the transcendental descriptions of the Lord, who is defined in choice poetry.” This means even a field like pure mathematics should be used to make others aware about the greatness of God.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16109
Hare Krishna! Spiritual Unworthiness
Yes, Krishna does miss us. Let’s stop putzing around. Krishna is waiting for us! Depression and feelings of unworthiness are usually associated with failures and setbacks in life. An unsuccessful person, struggling to survive in a competitive world, feels doubtful about his or her competence and may feel depressed and unworthy. In fast-paced cities like Mumbai, work pressure and the race to the top are making people a clinically depressed lot, say psychiatrists. The increase of mental disorders and suicide is testimony to this phenomena.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16104
Hare Krishna! Winning Life’s Battles
Perhaps we should begin by defining religion. Dictionaries usually describe it as a system of belief in some supernatural power. That is where the conflicts tend to arise. My beliefs may well be different to yours, and human nature is such that we identify with these to the point where we create divisions based upon them. Hence we have many religious communities going under different names Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, etc. In most people’s minds this is what is meant by religion, all these various designations. The Gita however gives a broader definition.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16101
Harinama during the St Patrick’s Day Parade, UK (Album 37 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One is understood to be an eternal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead if he considers himself a servant of the holy name and in this spirit distributes the holy name to the world.
(Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.16 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/8d3JMT
Vrindavana to become more clean and secure.
Vrindavan, March 14, 2015: The District administration of Mathura has become sensitive towards the tourists after the Chief Minister’s visit. It is working on a plan to make Vrindavan clean, beautiful and a secure destination. The town will be transformed into international standard as the international tourists and the devotees from different parts of the country come here for spiritual tourism. The roads leading to the famous temples will be improved and will be given an international look. The CC TV will also be installed near the temples and on the junctions of the main roads.
According to the wishes expressed by the Chief Minister during his visit to Vrindavan, the District Administration has begun the exercise on the cleanliness of the town, security and availing other necessary facilities to the visitors. In the follow up action of the Chief Minister’s visit, the Divisional Commissioner Shri Pradeep Bhatnagar visited Vrindavan on Friday. He presided a meeting with the district authorities organized in the Iskcon Guest House. The Iskcon Temple Authorities were also present in the meeting.
Talking to the media after the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner said, “Keeping in view of the large number of domestic and international pilgrims, the CCTV cameras will be put in the temples and the junctions of the main roads for their safety. The tourism police will be deputed to help the tourists.” “Both the approach roads to Vrindavan will be broadened and beautified. The drain near the Prem Mandir will be repaired to deal with the water logging in the area, said Shri Pradeep Bhatnagar.
He said that a proposal was being prepared by the District Authorities. The Chief Minister desired that the roads of Vrindavan should be maintained like the temples. The District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar, SSP Manzil Saini, MVDA Vice chairman Nagendra Pratap, MVDA secretary S.B. Singh, U.P. Jal Nigam’s engineer Nizamuddin Siddiqui was present in the meeting.
TOVP: Alachua Iskcon devotees pledge more than 1 million dollars (Album 30 photos)
But the devotees in Dallas pledge even more!
See them here: http://goo.gl/AhWDEH
In early morning hours on Tuesday (March 10th) in Mayapur, Jananivas prabhu and myself (Vraja Vilas), to the nectarine sound of Krishna Kirtan, departed for the U.S. in a grand procession carrying with us the divine Padukas of Lord Nityananda and Sitari of Lord Nrsinghadeva. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in […]
The post Jananivasa Prabhu in America appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Brahma Samhita followed by Story of Vrtrasura by HG Vaisesika Prabhu, 03-14-15 (video)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/PF40gU
The post March 16th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Dhanesvara prabhu Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 19 178
Recently a quote of Srila Prabhupada on rape went viral. How do we understand this statement?
Download by "right-click and save content"
Statement by Anuttam Prabhu, ISKCON Communication Director:
Recent media coverage has brought the world’s attention to the horrors of abuse and rape of women. The film “India’s Daughter” tells the story of the terrible rape and murder of a woman in New Delhi in 2012, and demonstrates the urgent need for increased activism against criminals—and perhaps cultures—that perpetrate, promote, or foment such crimes. ISKCON strongly condemns any violence against women and advocates that care and protection for women is one of the essential qualities of a civilized society.
In the effort to address social sources of the abuse of women and the misogyny that sometimes accompanies it, a few have selectively quoted from the writings and conversations of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977), the founder-acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), to suggest that his teachings lead to the exploitation of women. A quote regarding rape has been widely circulated the last few days and will be addressed below. First some facts:
1. Srila Prabhupada, who spread the Vaishnava tradition, or monotheistic devotional Vedic (Hindu) teachings, to the west in 1965, was noted for providing full facilities and opportunities for women within his organization. In India—against the social norm of the day—Srila Prabhupada regularly arranged for women to be the primary speakers and leaders of kirtan/chanting sessions at large ISKCON sponsored public events.
2. Unlike the standards of many orthodox Hindu traditions, Srila Prabhupada formally initiated women into the Krishna movement and accorded them with the same rights and privileges as men. He often remarked that in his movement, women “are as good as their brothers”.
3. In ISKCON in Prabhupada’s time and today—unlike many Hindu, and even Christian, Muslim and other religious communities—women perform the full functions of priests, pujaris, temple presidents, and also sit on ISKCON’s highest ecclesiastical body, its Governing Body Commission. For example, women serve as Community Presidents at ISKCON’s Washington, D.C. community, and at Alachua, Florida, the largest ISKCON community in North America.
4. Direct testimonies of women disciples of Srila Prabhupada who personally interacted with him consistently document his concern, respect, and grandfatherly care of his female followers.
Regarding Srila Prabhupada’s recently circulated quotes on rape, it should be understood that Srila Prabhupada was born in Calcutta, India in 1896 and raised in Victorian India. His use of the English language was founded in that era, and the words he uses and the meaning of those words should be seen in that context.
His statement that women “like to be raped,” is questionable, if not horrific, using today’s connotation of rape, that is, forced sexual intercourse against one’s will and often at
knifepoint or gunpoint. However, the word rape in the context of Prabhupada’s 19th Century English has a much different meaning. According to the Chambers English Dictionary, rape had several different connotations in the past.
“Rape rap, (noun) rapine, plunder, seizure (obsolete); unlawful sexual intercourse (by force) with another person without that person’s consent; violation, despoliation,— verb transitive to seize and carry off (obsolete); to commit rape upon; to ravish or transport, as with delight (obsolete); to violate, despoil. (adjective) ra’ping tearing prey (heraldry); ravishing, delighting (obsolete).”
Of relevance within this definition is the historical, or “obsolete” meaning to “ravish or transport, as with delight,” or “ravishing, delighting.” With this understanding, Prabhupada’s comments make more sense.
Any casual viewer of modern movies or novels sees such a psychology played out in story after love story, where women are portrayed as delighting in men’s attention, and seeking to be swept off their feet, in their paramours’ ravishing embrace.
This is far from the misperception of thinking that Srila Prabhupada meant that women wish to be raped in the current violent connotation of rape. In fact, Prabhupada taught that civilized communities protect and provide for women as an essential test of decency and morality.
Just one of many examples of the need for men to not abuse women is given in his book “Dharma—The Way of Transcendence” where he writes: “Indeed, human life is meant for self-control. The more you control yourself, the more perfect a human being you become, and the more you allow your senses to run loose, the more of an animal you are.”
Dr. Thomas J. Hopkins, Professor of Religious Studies (Emeritus) at Franklin and Marshall College wrote about Srila Prabhupada: "He was a genuine holy person with enormous integrity and compassion, and he had a powerful impact on those who met him. He never claimed authority and respect for himself; what he said and did was always in the name of Krishna [God]."
Understanding the historical facts of how Srila Prabhupada respected and cared for women, his use of language in the proper context, and the appreciation he drew from scholars who studied his life and work, helps us to understand the reality of this saintly person’s nature and intentions.
**
Statement by Vishaka Devi, author of many books on Vedic wisdom:
While my husband remained in Los Angeles editing a documentary film, as a photographer I was part of Prabhupada’s personal entourage when he traveled in America during the summers of 1974 and 1975. Prabhupada’s Bhaktivedanta Book Trust paid for my airline tickets, my camera, my film, and arranged for all my accommodations and meals.
From the moment I’d met Srila Prabhupada, all I’d experienced—and continued to experience while traveling with him—was his encouragement. He evoked in me a spirit of voluntary, enthusiastic service. He generated an atmosphere of fresh challenge, and I enthusiastically agreed to rise and meet it. He drew out my spontaneous loving spirit of sacrificing my energy for God, Krishna. He appreciated my efforts. He wanted me to be all I could be for Krishna. I never sensed a smidgen of male chauvinism or misogyny, superiority or self-righteousness, hubris or haughtiness in him. Neither a whiff of desire to exploit, oppress or repress women or anyone else.
Regarding the recent concerns over Srila Prabhupada’s statements on rape, I recall my god sister telling me, “During a brief stay over in Delhi, my husband was Prabhupada’s secretary and I was his cook. We were on a rooftop where Prabhupada, while getting a massage, was reading mail that had accumulated during our travels. I was preparing lunch in a corner of the roof. Prabhupada, holding a letter in his hand, called me over and with tears in his eyes told me that Saradiya had been raped by five men (this was in Trinidad where she had gone with her husband to open a center). Srila Prabhupada was visibly distressed over this unfortunate incident.” Hardly the reaction of someone who views women as inferior or thinks that they like to be raped.
Let no one be under the misimpression that Srila Prabhupada in any way condoned rape in any form. This idea is thoroughly and completely mistaken.
*
Statement by HH Jayadvaita Maharaj:
Now, the question on the table is not whether SP *condones* rape. Nowhere does he say he does. By modern community standards, his sexual standards are conservative or ultra-conservative: "No sex outside of marriage." "See every woman but your wife as being like your mother." No "boyfriend and girlfriend." No dating. "Women should always be protected."
So what *is* the question? It seems to be the rather narrow issue of whether women "sometimes" (SP's word) enjoy rape.
Okay, no one is willing to argue that women enjoy being mugged and beaten and raped. But do women sometimes enjoy protesting "No, no!" and having a man insist, "Yes! Yes!"?
A generally understood answer is "yes." The open question is: When is "no" a genuine refusal, and when is it a come-on, a part of the game?
That is not a settled question. Even psychologists, sociologists, and courts of law sometimes have a hard time drawing a clear line.
That aside, when SP refers to the clever lawyer who got his client acquitted by arguing that the woman enjoyed pleasure, is SP saying that women should be fair game -- open targets for rape -- because they "want it"? Hardly.
And, clinically speaking, that women sometimes feel sexual pleasure during rape is well established. Even when they feel utterly disgusted by the experience, they sometimes feel sexual arousal and even orgasm:
https://www.4shared.com/
According to the clinical literature, instances of this are likely to be underreported. And the victim may feel conflicted, confused, and even guilty because she simultaneously hated the experience yet felt sexually
stimulated and aroused.
So Srila Prabhupada's lay psychological observation that women during rape "sometimes enjoy pleasure" seems reasonably consistent with modern psychological understanding -- or at least not terribly far off.
So then again: What's the point that so upsets us?
From Srila Prabhupada's perspective, even the ordinary, socially approved instances of sexual intercourse that go on regularly on all but the most conservative college campuses constitute a form of
reprehensible exploitation of young women.
So when reading the "notorious" purport, the casting of SP in a stereotypical "anti-woman" role seems hasty and unwarranted. Our understanding would benefit from a more thoughtful,
better-contextualized reading.
In an interview in the Times of India, a prominent Hindu spiritual leader that ISKCON propagates cultural Hinduism and by restricting Hinduism a particular culture, we harm its universality.
What is your response to this?
Podcast:
CC daily Podcast:
Download by "right-click and save content"
Giriraj Swami presented a seminar titled ‘Secrets of Success — and Failure — in Devotional Service’ based on the Nectar of Instruction.
“Mercy means the Lord can give mercy or not give as He pleases. But, our business as devotees is to make ourselves fit candidates to receive the Lords mercy. One of the main qualifications is to be eager for the Lords mercy. Being eager requires us to be humble and realize we cannot be successful without the Lords mercy. Whatever sadhana we perform can only be successful with the Lords mercy. So, feeling completely helpless and dependent on the Lord, we can beg for His mercy, pray for His mercy and chant in the mood to receive His mercy.”
Secrets of Success part 1, Bhaktivedanta Manor
Secrets of Success part 2, Bhaktivedanta Manor
Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast
Download by "right-click and save content"
Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:
Visit flickr to see all the photos
Lectures
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_04 March 2015_CC Adi 9.10
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_05 March 2015_CC Adi 13.19_Gaurapurnima
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_05 March 2015_Gaurapurnima Lecture
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_NRK_06 March 2015_SB 3.1.1
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_06 March 2015_CC Adi 16.24
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_07 March 2015_CC Madhya 1.183
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_NRK_08 March 2015_SB 3.1.4
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_08 March 2015_Sunday Feast Lecture
Kirtans
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_04 March 2015_Bhajans_Mahamantra
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_05 March 2015_Bhajans_Mahamantra_Gaurapurnima
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_05 March 2015_Bhajans_Mahamantra_Gaurapurnima_Abhisek
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_06 March 2015_Bhajans_Mahamantra
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_07 March 2015_Bhajans_Mahamantra
KKS_SWE_Stockholm_08 March 2015_Bhajans_Mahamantra
From Dinabandhu P:
Answer Podcast:
Download by "right-click and save content"
From Dinabandhu P:
Answer Podcast:
Download by "right-click and save content"
Hare Krishna! Life Membership Meeting In Iskcon Patna
Prior to his speech followed a mesmerizing and enchanting cultural program performed by artists from Vrindavan, they depicted the performed pastimes of Lord Krishna and left everyone speechless. Afterwards everyone was assembled for the aarti and celebrated holi festival with flowers and love for each other.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16097
Hare Krishna! From “I am” to “God is”
The recognition of our dependence on a higher source for our very existence is also central to Srila Prabhupada’s argument. This higher source is referred to as intelligence: “Intelligence gives one direction like some higher authority, and the living being cannot see or move or eat or do anything without the use of intelligence” (SB2.2.35, purport). But this intelligence is beyond our control, and refers, in this context, to a super self, a portion of God that maintains our existence.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16094
The post More remembrances from Govinda Swami appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
The post The cat that ate Krsna-Balaram’s sandesh appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.