Websites from the ISKCON Universe
The GBC College for Leadership Development started its first day of its first year of operations today, 8 March 2015, at the Govardhana Ecovillag on the outskirts of Mumbai. The College’s primary focus shall be on contributing to prepare devotees to serve in crucial leadership roles within ISKCON. The hand-picked selection of about 25 devotees traveled from different parts of the world to attend the course.
Hare Krishna! Taking care of Krishna’s devotees
It is about the implementation of the Counselor System as introduced by His Holiness Radhanath Maharaja at Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir in Chowpatti, Mumbai. Using quotes from Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura, Srila Prabhupada, and parts of lectures and presentations, including letters and istha-gosthis with devotees in and around Russia, it highlights the importance of the Counselor System to developing vibrant and caring communities.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16012
ISKCON has been active in Finland for more than 30 years but there has never been a fixed location to serve as a temple. In 2012 the devotees had to vacate the previous temple due to the termination of the lease. Devotees have been working since then to find a temple for Srila Prabhupada and a suitable base for the Vaishnava community in Finland.
Food For Life in Poland - 09.03.2015 (Album 22 photos)
Prasadam distribution and Harinama.
See them here: http://goo.gl/ogq3gp
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Hare Krishna! Gaura punima celebrations in Nanda gram temple, Nigeria
This year gaura punima was celebrated in grand style as devotees gathered early in the morning, chanting, fasting and singing devotional lyrics. it was later followed by fire sacrifice, abhiseke and prasadam in the night. It was repeated on Sunday in a bigger way for the India community and workers who could not meet up during the week. It was all fun as devotees took turn to chant, children performances, Bhajan, fire sacrifice, abhiseke, varieties of prasadam for guests and devotees.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16009
The post Since March 8th was International Women’s day… appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Hare Krishna! All The Way from Galway
Here are two short video clips. The first is only 9 seconds long and overflows with genuine enthusiasm for Harinam Samkirtan, expressed by Mother Maharani. Maharani Dasi was in London with her husband for a brief visit from Galway, on the West coast of the Ireland. They came in order to experience directly the nectar of The London Saturday Night Harinam Party.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15999
Answer Podcast:
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Answer Podcast:
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Lecture Podcast:
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Lecture Summary:
People mold their life according to their culture’s definition of success
Eg. Indian youth “Engineer or doctor”
Eg. Kings would build magnificent temples
Purification means changing our definition of success, otherwise we check and choke our spiritual progress because what we desire internally undermines what we do externally
Krishna in Vrindavana transcends prevailing definition of success and simply demonstrates reciprocation of love, whereas outside Vrindavana he demonstrates prevailing definition of success by being a peerless kshatriya
The purpose of spiritual life is to make spiritual life the purpose of our life, not to use it as a shock-absorber for our material life
Sports can be integrated into skills useful for one’s life duties
Eg. Cricket hasn’t got anything with one’s main life
But kshatriya skill exhibition such as svayamvara demonstrates their competence in skills valuable for their duties
Krishna exists in different times at the same time
Time is not just the fourth dimension in space-time continuum, but is a manifestation of Krishna that predates space
“I can’t know” is different from “I don’t know”
Contradiction is a cause of confusion, but of celebration
Purpose of Pandavas’ Rajasuya-yajna – SB: to glorify Krishna; MB – to elevate Pandu to Svarga from Yama’s abode (not Yamaloka – difference betw prison and prison warden’s home)
Lord Chaitanya demonstrates and transcends prevailing definition of success
As brahmana-grihastha – Topmost pandita – gave it up for bhakti
As sannyasi – Advaita sannyasi to bhakti
SP translates CC’s definition of success to our level – share KC with the whole world
SP told George Harrison “Use your intelligence”
SP “My devotees are perfect gentlemen”
Preaching means to be intelligible to people – focus where the devotional definition of success intersects with the prevailing definition of success
Success in bhakti – not just drop out of the world and join the temple, but also penetrate into the world and be exemplary
Hare Krishna! “I do not have to pay?”
Kadamba Kanana Swami: Even when I joined, at that time, the Sunday feast was still fifteen incredible preparations. I mean absolutely incredible. Every single one of them was like, “Whew!” You know, I mean the rice was loaded up with cashews and paneer balls and what not. Oh! What to speak of the other preparations. Everything was ecstasy. There was abundance and nobody paid. It was all for free. The guests would just come and would eat to the max.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15995
Seberang Jaya, PENANG, Malaysia - Temple Construction Update 9/3/2015
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/ZgO3W6
Harinama in Venice, Italy (2 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: By chanting the Hare Krishna mantra one immediately concentrates on the sound vibration and thinks of the lotus feet of the Lord, and very quickly one is elevated to the position of samadhi, or trance.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.8.44 Purport)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/hGe3tq
BY SIMHESWARA DASA
KUALA LUMPUR - We have now started a small weekly Sunday morning farm produce and fresh harvests table at Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Kuala Lumpur which includes guavas, star fruit, chillies, sugar cane juice and others.
Opens from 9.00am to 11.00am. Other sales include freshly baked breads and ahimsa milk.
by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi BCC - Temple Building Progress 
by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi BCC - Temple Building Progress 
by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi BCC - Temple Building Progress 
by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi BCC - Temple Building Progress 
by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi BCC - Temple Building Progress 
by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi BCC - Temple Building Progress 
by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi BCC - Temple Building Progress 
by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi BCC - Temple Building Progress 
by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi BCC - Temple Building Progress 
by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi BCC - Temple Building Progress The post March 10th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.7.10 – HG Urmila Devi Dasi
BY SIMHESWARA DASA
SEBERANG JAYA, PENANG - I was at the temple project site for the last week and had a series of meeting on many aspects of the project.
North East side of temple almost painted. Scaffolding removed
View of the temple from the North East before removal of scaffolding
We had discussions on paintwork, sound and acoustics, wiring for sound, sound systems, altar works and some adjustments on height of altar, purchasing of materials, granite selection for floor, deity dress designs, etc.
Sound and acoustics team in meeting
There is till much to do and time is ticking.
On rounds selecting Granite materials
We are happy that the Bhaktivedanta Cultural Centre devotees are in high speed in enrolling donors for the gold painted ornaments @RM108/** each. And on Gaura Purnima on well wisher pledged RM150,000/** donation.
Granite selected for temple floor
Mr. Peter Quest who came to volunteer at our farm is also helping with video work for temple project.
Herlinde from Belgium and Peter from England helping us in communications
Similarly many things are happening and we again appeal to you to also join us and consider helping in any way you can.
Well wishers visiting project site
Project vice chairman, Kalesa prabhu had taken leave for a few days and was with me at the site. Seems time is really the issue now. Mr. Tikendra Singh our sound & acoustics consultant was with us for a week to sort out pending issues.
Sound & Acoustic consultant Mr Tikendra (in blue) checking out air exhaust fan noise levels. Mr. Surinder Singh (in white shirt) is our Calcium Silicate board supplier
Granite works for floor is expected to begin early April and end middle May while ceiling installation will begin around May and end in June. We have yet to decide on lighting and this needs to be firmed up.
Amalaka in gold colour
Till then, please chant Hare Krishna and pray that we achieve our August 29, target which is 2 days before MERDEKA! (Independance Day)
Amalaka over glass dome
Chattris in front of temple
Granite installers at site
Dasavatara teak altars
Taking Care of Krishna’s Devotees (video)
Mentor Preaching by Niranjana Swami at Gopal’s garden school on 21 Feb 2015
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/bjzH4T
The board members of ISKCON New Vrindaban and ECO-Vrindaban humbly invite all New Vrindaban residents and well-wishers to participate in the upcoming weekend activities.
Weekend schedule:
Friday, March 13th.
7:00 to 8:00 pm: Dinner Prasadam with Board Members & GBCs (at Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s Temple)
Saturday, March 14th.
9:45 am to 1:30 pm: Department Head Presentations for 2015 (under the Lodge)
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm: Lunch Prasadam (at Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s Temple)
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm: Community Dialog (under the Lodge)
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm: Srila Prabhupada Sangam & Prasadam (at his Palace)
Sunday, March 15th.
10:00 am to 1:00 pm: New Vrindaban Parikram Tour (various locations around the Community)
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Sunday Program & Feast (at Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s Temple)
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm: Community Service Appreciations (under the Lodge)
CC daily Podcast:
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CC daily Podcast:
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Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:
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Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:
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CC daily Podcast
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Arundhatī is also known as Ūrjā. She gave her husband Vasiṣṭha seven spotless spiritual sages named Citraketu, Suroci, Virajā, Mitra, Ulbaṇa, Vasubhṛdyāna, and Dyumān. Thus, when we apply our skills (vasiṣṭha) with great enthusiasm (ūrjā), the results are sure to be powerful (dyumān), helpful (vasubhṛdyāna), abundant (ulbaṇa), endearing (mitra), without defect (virajā), sparklingly beautiful (suroci) and illuminatingly clear (citraketu).
Arundhatī also gave Vasiṣṭha other sons, headed by Śakti. Thus, if we desire empowerment (śakti) we must apply our skills (vasiṣṭha) with great enthusiasm (ūrjā).
– Bhāgavata 4.1.40~41
When I was stuck in the snow last week and described my thoughts about it, someone joked that such things were happening to me only because I’m always looking for topics to write about. I agree that this is true on one level, and yet Krishna—or “The Universe,” if you like—serves many purposes in any situation we encounter—I just happen to write about mine. All our lives are full of situations and encounters with others that we can learn from by reflection and prayer. Writing is one way to take the time to think and ponder meaning. Much of a successful life is to show up, be conscious, notice the lessons, have the awareness that there are no accidents, and to accept that there are multiple layers of meaning. A very important fact is that our attitude will determine the meaning we find—whether we are angry or depressed, or can find humor and blessings in any situation.
On Gaura Purnima—Shri Chaitanya’s full moon appearance day— as I was returning from a shopping expectation, after I dropped off some supplies at a devotee’s home, I found myself spinning my wheels in mud (how’s this for a metaphor?) in her driveway—or what I thought was her driveway. We have had weeks of snow, and it was raining heavily. I tried every trick I knew to free the car, but to no avail, other than becoming very “muddied up” and causing me to wonder why I wore these good shoes—now mud shoes! As with my snow adventures, I had to call a tow truck, and wait for an hour. Wiping the mud off my hands I sat in the car and wondered how to use the time. I had been given an hour to “stop and smell the roses,” or in this case, notice the mud and being stuck in it. In my mind I compared the spinning tire with the soon to rise full moon. Hmmmmmm.
We may not always know exactly why things happen, but we can always ask what we are supposed to learn, believing that there is a positive intent, amidst many reasons. I had to turn off the engine as I was low on gas, and thus the windows became fogged. I was really alone with my thoughts and the inside of my car and mind. I wasn’t in the mood to read, and I had been listening to spiritual talks, so guess what? I got out my journal and began to think through the pen, so to speak.
