Websites from the ISKCON Universe
To de-stress employees, corporates take Iskcon route!
Hare Krishna! International book distribution award ceremony
An international book distribution award ceremony was held on 3rd March during the Morning lecture. HG Vijaya Prabhu and HG Pragosh Prabhu facilitated the award distribution ceremony. HH Jaya Pataka Maharaj was the guest of honor and he enlightened the audience with his words before distribution of awards. He told about the amazing potency of Srila Prabhupada’s books as just by reading them, people have taken to chanting Hare Krsna Mahamantra and practice of devotional service.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15903
March - April AFFCAP newsletter.
Dear Friends of AFFCAP, Please find attached our March – April newsletter. We hope that you find something interesting in it. Please read the exciting news that the Government of Rajasthan has appointed a Minister dedicated to Cow Protection (Gopalan). This is big step in the right direction and let us pray that Govinda blesses Minister Otaram Devasi in his wonderful task. Subsequently, we have begun a discussion with the Government of Rajasthan’s Gopalan on working together protecting Rajasthan’s cows. There is still much to discuss but we are happy that a dialogue has begun. We are always happy to include new names on our mailing list and if you know someone who is interested in these topics, please send their email address to info@affcap.org
View it here: http://goo.gl/ZQIvXr
Proposed Design for ISKCON Baltimore’s New Temple Project
Hare Krishna! The Logician and Lord Caitanya
Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, as the greatest logician of his day, was the professor of many sannyasis. He was an elderly gentleman, about the age of Lord Caitanya’s father, and so he felt some paternal affection for Lord Caitanya. He was also greatly struck by the personal beauty of the Lord, and he thought that it would be very difficult for such a beautiful young man to follow the strict rules and regulations of the renounced order of life. He therefore desired that Lord Caitanya hear from him the teachings of the Vedanta-sutras, the elevated philosophical codes which summarize the essential spiritual truths of all the Vedic literatures. Lord Caitanya tacitly agreed to this proposal.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15898
Divine handwriting of His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur!
Hare Krishna! Early Miracles Of Caitanya Mahaprabhu
When Sarvabauma denounced himself as an offender and took shelter of Lord Caitanya, the Lord wanted to show him His mercy, so He manifested His four armed Visnu form. Then, just after this, He manifested His original two-armed Krsna form, with a blackish complexion and a flute near His lips. When Sarvabauma Bhattacarya saw this, he prostrated himself before the Lord. Then he arose and with folded palms offered Lord Caitanya prayers of glorification. By the Lord’s mercy, all truths were revealed to him, and he could understand the importance of chanting God’s holy names and distributing love of God everywhere.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15895
Hare Krishna! The Glories of Lord Caitanya
Revealing the Land of Krsna. Among the sacred cities of the world, Vrndavana is probably the least well known. Yet this small town in northern India ranks with Rome, Jerusalem, and Mecca as a center of worship. It was in Vrndavana that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krsna, displayed His transcendental pastimes during His appearance on this planet some five thousand years ago. Over the course of centuries, the places of Krsna’s pastimes were lost to human memory, until they were rediscovered in the sixteenth century by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna Himself in the role of His own devotee.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15892
Hare Krishna! Lord Caitanya’s Mercy
God has decided to give an offer to uplift ourselves from this miserable condition of life. How? By giving personal loans of His special mercy. God is our father, our best friend, and our ever well-wisher. He is supreme, so He can give unlimitedly—so much that you can’t take it all with your limited potential. This is the offer from that Supreme Person who owns and controls everything. When we take a loan from any bank of this material world, we undergo tension and suffer mental disorders.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15889
Hare Krishna! Teachings of Lord Chaitanya
Srila Prabhupada: The philosophical sections of the Vedic hymns are meant to enable one to distinguish the Supreme Personality of Godhead from Maya. After indicating the position of Maya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is approached in pure devotional service. That is the purpose of philosophical speculation. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad Gita in the 7th Chapter, Bahunam janmanam ante… “The philosophical speculators and empiric philosophers, after speculating for many, many births, ultimately come unto the Supreme Lord Krishna, and accept that Vasudeva is everything.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15886
An international book distribution award ceremony was held on 3rd March during the Morning lecture. HG Vijaya Prabhu and HG Pragosh Prabhu facilitated the award distribution ceremony. HH Jaya Pataka Maharaj was the guest of honor and he enlightened the audience with his words before distribution of awards. He told about the amazing potency […]
The post International book distribution award ceremony appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Hare Krishna! Lord Chaitanya and the Renaissance of Devotion
Why should God have to appear over and over again? After all, if God is perfect, shouldn’t He be able to establish religion perfectly? Shouldn’t once suffice for all? It is, however, the nature of the material world that all things decay in time, and while God is infallible, the human beings who receive and transmit God’s instructions are fallible. Consequently, the religious traditions God establishes become compromised and undermined by a worldly spirit, and so in time they disintegrate. When religion thus declines, and irreligion consequently rises, God descends to rectify the imbalance and restore the principles of righteousness.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15878
(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
[I am reposting this blog from 3-6-12 which includes not only a general introduction to Shri Chaitanya, but also, in the comments section, many prayers and pastimes.]The appearance day of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has come upon us with the rising of the full moon. Those unfamiliar with the significance of Lord Chaitanya, and/or who want to gain a deeper appreciation for Him—not just intellectually, but practically, personally, and factually within themselves, are recommended to not only study about His life and teachings, but to also chant the Hare Krishna mantra very intently in personal meditation (japa), or with others in loud, melodious song and dance, sankirtan. The ideal environment for this is with those of faith and spiritual standing in the practices Shri Chaitanya taught. If this is not available, you can create a sanctified area in your home, dedicated solely for spiritual practice, praying for good association. The real fruit of knowledge is receptivity, and inspiration to engage in loving devotional service, and chanting brings about both, as it is the means and end of perfection. My teacher, Shrila Prabhupada, using the idea of science to verify theories by experiment, often encouraged us to experiment with chanting.
Prabhupada personally experimented with the holy name when he came first came to the United States in 1965, by chanting with those who had no background in Krishna consciousness, or the Vedic conclusions. Due to his spiritual purity, desire to help others, empowerment by Lord Chaitanya, and full faith in the power of the holy name, his experiment with the Hare Krishna mantra succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.
The post Asit Krsna Prabhu speaks on Lord Jagannatha from tradition and personal experience appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Hare Krishna! From Sri Mayapur Chandradoya Mandir: HH Bhakti Raghava Swami
Srila Madhavendra Puri who is one of our major acaryas in the Madhva Gaudiya sampradaya that we belong to, he was one of the first personalities who actually developed the seed of pure love of Radha and Krishna. And the story is narrated in the Caitanya Caritamrta, how he was feeling very sad because so few people in the world were Krishna conscious. That is one of the most important characteristics of a Vaisnava. He is titiksavah karunikah (SB 3.5.21) full of mercy and compassion for the fallen condtioned souls.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15875
Holy Name Meditation Podcast
HH Bhakti Raghav Swami gave the lecture on 2nd March 2015. Below is the transcript of the lecture. (Invocation prayers) So we would like to welcome everyone to our class this morning. We have chosen something from the Caitanya Caritamrta and also we will be reading something from the Sri Caitanya Bhagavata, since today is a […]
The post Lecture by HH Bhakti Raghav Swami on CC Madhya 4.110-111 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
On 28th Feb, HH Dhira Santa Goswami gave lecture on SB 6.9.24. Below is the transcript of the lecture. So in these instructions Lord Caitanya to Sanatana Goswami mentions that our eternal relationship with Krishna is real, jivera svarupa haya krsnera nitya dasa, that we are all eternally parts and parcels of Supreme Personality of Godhead and […]
The post Lecture by HH Dhira Santa Goswami on SB 6.9.24 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
The post March 4th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Chapter One of Bhāgavatam’s Fourth Canto can read like a boring, irrelevant family tree. But if we dig into the names of all these parents and children – amazing revelations and wisdoms unfold. Here is an example of what unfolds from the simple family tree described in 4.1.34 & 35
Trust (Śraddhā) first bore four daughters for her husband, Acceptance (Aṅgirā). These daughters were like phases of the moon and are the four conditions that result from trusting and accepting something. The first daughter, named Unornamented (Sinīvālī), is like the new moon, when the sky is without ornament. She is the condition that arises when trust and acceptance are misplaced: nothing good results. Or, she is the first stage of trust and acceptance, which is somewhat “blind.” The second daughter, named Deceptive (Kuhū), is like the night after the new moon, during which we are told the moon is waxing, but it is still invisible. She is the condition that arises when we are uncertain about what we should trust and accept, and feel very vulnerable to deception and trickery. The third daughter, named Opulence (Rākā), is like the full moon, the night in which the sky has her greatest opulence. She is the condition that arises when trust and acceptance are well placed and generate the promised rewards. She is the condition attained when well-placed trust and acceptance survive their initial challenges and endure to produce good results. The fourth daughter, named Agreement (Anumati), is like the night after the full moon. She is what happens after we experience the tangible positive results of trusting and accepting something worthy: we then become agreeable to following that person or ideal even into further situations we may not yet be able to understand.
Later, in the Svārociṣa Period of history, Trust (Śraddhā) also gave Acceptance (Aṅgirā) two very famous boys. The first, named Ascent (Utathya), was an expansion of the All-Attractive himself. The second boy, named Expansive (Bṛhaspati) was an extremely learned person. These two sons illustrate that mature trust and acceptance allow us to rise higher that our individual limitations, and vastly expand our minds.
SB 06.02.15 by Bada Hari Prabhu at ISKCON Juhu on 2015-02-10
Answer Podcast
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 26 January 2010, Cape Town, South Africa, Lecture)
The more we are enter into a relationship with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the more we will be able to actually have self confidence. Because, maybe our biggest struggle in spiritual life is not that we do not believe in Krsna consciousness, we do, but our biggest problem is that we do not believe in ourselves. Krsna consciousness, we believe is true, but can we really follow it? This doubt is much stronger than any other one – our lack of faith in our own ability to follow Krsna consciousness. But, the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is really meant for making up in what we are falling short…
Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast
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New Vrindaban Bahulaban Utility Building – 2014.
Utility Building roof replacement – 2014.
Ya, I know, it doesn’t look like much now…but it has “Great Potential.”
Great Potential @ New Vrindaban
by Vyasasan das
In some of my previous posts entitled Ox Barn Project and the Eco-Village I have been chronicling some of the positive changes that are beginning to happen here at the New Vrindaban Farm Community in West Virginia. Although there is so much that needs to be done, some of the improvements that are taking place, are beginning to change the atmosphere, and enliven some of its residents and the locals as well. For too long, New Vrindaban was caught in some kind of ‘time warp’ where things were simply neglected and had fallen into a state of disrepair and abandonment. Roofs were leaking, floors were caving in, post and beams were beginning to rot, and the elements of Nature were reclaiming the land once again.
Which was sad to witness, because New Vrindaban has so much history, and so much infrastructure, which was mostly a product of bhakti (devotional service) that it was sad to see it fall into ruin. But as it is in nature after a storm, the sky again clears, and the sun reappears, so it is with New Vrindaban, that there were dark days and the hope is beginning to return, a glimmer at a time. This I attribute to a small circle of devotees who remembered that two of the main purposes of New Vrindaban is agriculture and protecting the cows. And as one famous devotee here pointed out “that cows come in two sexes” and thus the Oxen Project was re-born.
“Agriculture and protecting cows, this is the main business of the residents of Vrindaban, and above all simply loving Krishna.”…..Srila Prabhupada, July 1973.
Young bulls in New Vrindaban.
The second of New Vrindaban’s purposes is to create an ideal village, a Vedic or Eco Village. This topic has been openly discussed and greeted with enthusiasm by some of the residents and outside supporters of the plain living concept. The Eco Village is a hot topic at the moment.
“It may be an ideal village where the residents will have plain living and high thinking.” – Srila Prabhupada, June 1968
Example of Eco-Village type housing.
I have maintained since the beginning of these discussions, that it is of topmost importance to establish “Cottage Industry” (i.e. small business’s such as a woodworking shop, blacksmith, pottery, candle/soap making, agricultural products etc., just to name a few) to support such a communal ideal.
This is where the Utility Building at New Vrindaban can come into play. It is a monumental building, that at one time housed devotee businesses and many devotee residences. It is well built and surprisingly, it is in very good shape structurally! It has Great Potential!
Some time back I was asked to give an estimate on a new roof as ISKCON New Vrindaban was in a position to put a new roof on half of the building to stop the water damage. It was decided we would ask some local Amish workers to do the roof repair, and they put on a new metal roof on the one half of building.
Utility Building new roof installation – 2014.
New roof on the Utility Building!
This was a great decision on behalf of the current administration, because it saved the building. Without immediate attention, the building was sure to decline rapidly as the following pictures will testify. The water damage was becoming so severe that a whole section of floor caved in, and this was sure to lead to more damage if it was not addressed.
Example of internal damage.
Close up of damage.
With the new roof, in essence saving the building from further decline, it opened up the possibility of reclaiming the building again, for use by members of the community.
The Second floor has a woodworking shop, some office type rooms, and 19 residence type rooms down main hallway, plus an area for bathrooms and shower facility. I personally see that it has great potential for either guest housing (retreats, festivals, etc.) or devotee housing.
*Now of course this is just my vision, and ISKCON New Vrindaban Management will of course have their own ideas on what should be done and where, but for me, I believe that renovation and remodeling old buildings is a better use of the resources, than tearing down structures and building new building from scratch. I like to save buildings and resources…maybe this is my understanding of “reuse reduce recycle.” Or maybe it is just a good practice. Hare Krishna!
His Grace Lalita Krishna Prabhu (ACBSP) passes away
Dear devotees, last night March 3rd 2015 at 12:46 am, His Grace Lalita Krishna Prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada left his body in Durham hospice, North Carolina, USA. Her Grace Sangita Mataji (ACBSP) was personally chanting in his ears and he opened his mouth and very peacefully left. He had been struggling with cancer for over three years now. He served Srila Prabhupada’s mission in various cities all over the world. He met devotees in Singapore during 1970 and met Srila Prabhupada in Malaysia in 1971. In the “Following Srila Prabhupada,” video series one can see him leading kirtan during the Juhu ISKCON temple ground breaking ceremony. In the last decade, he served in Dallas temple, New Vrindavan temple and New Goloka Hillsborough temple communities.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15872
CC-daily Podcast
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Nimai and the Thieves
Written by Nishant Sura
Grade 3, Age 8
Middle Elementary
Five hundred years ago, baby Nimai lived with his mother, Saci Mata and father, Jagannath Mishra. He lived in a peaceful village place called Navadvip Dham. Nimai is actually Lord Krishna who came down to the material world to save everybody from suffering. One day, He was playing with Saci Mata in the courtyard. Mother Saci said, ”You play here; I will go and cook your lunch.” Nimai said, ”Yes mother.” Saci Mata went inside to cook knowing that Nimai was safe.
Meanwhile two thieves passed by Nimai’s house. One said, ”Hey, look over there!” The other said, ”I only see a little boy playing in the courtyard.” The first said, ”Look at what the boy is wearing.” Nimai was wearing gold bracelets and gold earrings. The thieves plotted to kidnap Nimai and steal all the valuable jewels that he was wearing. Since Nimai’s courtyard had no fence, the thieves just walked up to Nimai and said, ”Hello, we are your dad’s friends. Would you like to go visit your dad? We can take you to him. We can also give you barfi on our way there.” Nimai loved barfi, so He agreed to go with them. The thieves thought they tricked Him. Actually Nimai is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and knows everything.
The thieves carried Him on their shoulders and took Him far away from home. They took Him deep into a forest. At that time Mother Saci finished cooking and came outside in the courtyard but she did not see her Nimai. She thought that Nimai went to play with His friends. She asked Nimai’s friends where He was, but they didn’t know. Saci Mata began to become frantic. The sun started setting but still Nimai was nowhere to be found!
Finally Nimai thought: “Enough is enough. My mother is very sad and worried. I will need to turn these thieves around.” Suddenly Navadvip Dham was right in front of Nimai and the thieves. The thieves were confused to see that Navadvip Dham was there in all four directions! Magically, they had left the deep forest! The thieves had no option but to put Nimai back in the courtyard. Mother Saci saw them and asked them who they were but they were speechless. At that moment, Nimai spoke, ”I went to the river to take a bath but I got lost. These nice gentlemen found me and brought me back home.” The thieves were amazed at what Nimai said. Mother Saci invited them for lunch but they said politely declined. Then they quickly raced out of there!
In this way, Nimai showed that He was very merciful. He didn’t get the thieves in trouble, and he let them get darshan of His lotus feet, and to carry Him on their backs! I wish I was one of those thieves because I could also carry Nimai on my back.
Answer Podcast