Websites from the ISKCON Universe
On 19th February evening, there was a grand celebration of Siva ratri festival at ISKCON Jagannath Temple, Rajapur. More than hundred devotees gathered for the event. Many resident and visitor devotees went from Mayapur Chandrodaya Temple. First of all, there were lectures by HH Candramauli Maharaj and HH Bhakti Vighna Vinasa Narasimha Swami. Both of them glorified […]
The post Sivaratri celebrations at ISKCON Rajapur appeared first on Mayapur.com.
The post How the GBC will holistically deal with two important topics on guru-tattva appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
The post The talks and mantras for Krsna-jivani’s anaprashna (see pictures) appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
The post Pictures of Krsna-jivani’s anna-prashna ceremony appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Hare Krishna! Affcap Meeting With Rajasthan’s Minister Of Cow Protection
Presently, AFFCAP is formulating a proposal for a Pilot Project with the goal of identifying this region’s registered cows. According to Ministry records, there is presently over one and a half million cows officially registered in government programs throughout the State. Of course, the devil is in the detail, but we will report back regarding our success or failure in designing and implementing the Ahimsa Verification Program throughout these first 284 gaushalas.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15638
Mystical and blissful Kirtan Mela day 3 in sacre Mayapur (Album 18 photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/N4Hycb
Now available Mayapur Kirtan Mela in 720p High Definition on Livestream.com
(You may need to sign up with Livestream for an account to watch)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/gru3qF
Hare Krishna! ‘‘To raise one soul to Krsna consciousness is counted by Krsna as a very great service, so you do this duty very carefully and Krsna will certainly bestow His blessings upon you.” (Srila Prabhupada letter to Krsna dasi November 2, 1969)
http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15632
Hare Krishna! Farewell to uncle Jnanagamya prabhu
A writer, speaker, movie maker and fighter of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON is no more with us. The cremation took place in the all auspicious holy dham Mayapur yesterday the 17th of Feb at the Ganga, while some 150 devotees sang the holy name. His desire to leave his body in Sridham Mayapur was fulfilled and his inspiring association will be greatly missed. A few months ago on the Mayapur Forum there was discussion on devotees getting sick, their health care and death; Jnanagamya prabhu, in his usual combination of utmost sincerity and witty mood, wrote “Do Not Remove from the Dham!
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15629
The post Siva ratri – 19 Feb appeared first on Mayapur.com.
The post February 19th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Mangla Arati Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath;15th Feb 2015
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.24.30 on Sivaratri day in Vrindavan.
“Why did Lord Rama worship Lord Siva? Srila Prabhupada gives the answer that Krishna likes to worship and serve His devotees. Krishna drove the chariot of Arjuna — it doesn’t mean that Arjuna is supreme but, it means that Krishna likes to serve His devotees. Krishna worshiped the feet of Sudama Brahmana — it doesn’t mean that Sudama Brhamana is supreme but, it means that Krishna likes to serve His devotees. So, if even the Supreme Lord Himself is eager to serve and worship His devotees, then why should not one devotee be eager to serve and worship another? This is really the mood of gaudiya vaisnavism and Caitanya Mahaprabhu — Gopi-bhartur pada-kamalayor dasa-dasa-dasanudasah: I am not a brahmana, I am not a kshatriya, I am not a vaisya or a sudra. Nor am I a brahmacari, a householder, a vanaprastha or a sannyasi. I identify myself only as the servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna, the maintainer of the gopis of Vrindavan. That is our actual identity.”
Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast
Download by "right-click and save content"
Bhagavatam-daily Podcast
Friday, February 20: 8:00pm – 8:30pm & 9:30pm – 10:00pm http://sched.co/1D30k3F
Saturday, February 21: 11:45am – 12:30pm http://sched.co/1yTI
Hare Krishna! The Book Under My Pillow
One morning in the glittering city of Mumbai, India, a small girl, barely seven years old, woke up without knowing that on that day she would make a journey she had been awaiting for many millions of lifetimes. That afternoon, in 1984, she held her grandfather’s hand and walked into the complex of a gorgeous temple. Under a beautiful clear sky, she beheld sprawling gardens and heard strange yet sweet-sounding chants. She walked around the gardens, holding her grandfather’s hand and looking curiously at every passerby.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15626
6 Hour Kirtan in the heart of London - Feel Your Heart Smile (Album 7 photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/Lxs8Ke
Hare Krishna! Wrestling for Krishna: A Meditation Teacher’s Journey
How inspiration to become a devotee of Krishna came from two unlikely sources: an interest in wrestling, and words from the founder of Transcendental Meditation. As a student, I competed in the sport of wrestling for eight years, from 1963 to 1971, but happiness eluded me. In high school, even when I won the California Interscholastic Federation championship at 123 pounds, I felt strangely empty inside. At the University of California at Berkeley, wrestling was a diversion, but I couldn’t forget the Vietnam War and the countless problems that hung over my generation.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15622
BY SIMHESWARA DASA
LANCANG, PAHANG, MALAYSIA - It was sheer delight when a new calf was born to Satyavati at our New Godruma Dhama farm this morning which coincided with Shiva Ratri. He has been aptly named "Nandi" by Gopesa Dasa a brahmacari who works at the farm. Perhaps we can have bullock cart rides at our farm once he grows and trained to pull carts.
Lord Shiva becomes Gopi - Gopisvara Mahadev
Once while in deep meditation on Mount Kailash, Lord Shiva heard the sweet vibration of Krishna playing His divine flute. Mesmerized, He entered samadhi.
He followed that transcendental sound until He came to Vrindavan, where Lord Gopinath was getting ready to start the Maha Rasa-Lila with His gopis.
Desiring intensely to join the maha-rasa, when He came to the entrance of the rasa-sthali, He was stopped by Yogamaya, who told him, "No males except Krishna are allowed entry. First you must have gopi-rupa, the form of a Vraja milkmaid, a gopi, only then can you enter."
Lord Bholanath asked "How can I get gopi-rupa?" Yogamaya replied, "Seek the shelter of Vrinda Devi. She will grant you the form of a gopi."
Vrinda devi asked Lord Shiva to take a dip in the waters of Manasarovara in Vrindavana. After bathing there, Lord Shiva emerged from the lake with the form of a beautiful gopi.
Vrinda devi then took Lord Shiva in her gopi form to one corner of the rasa sthali. Lord Shiva stood there and prayed to Sri Sri Radha Krishna for getting prema-bhakti.
Then the rasa started. Lord Krishna danced with all the gopis. He also danced very elegantly with Lord Shiva disguised as a gopi.
Then after some time, when they rested, the Lord said ‘I’m not getting the usual pleasure from our rasa. Something is not right. I think there is another man in our midst." Then He asked Lalita devi to check all the gopis and make sure no man was lurking amongst them dressed as one of them.
Lalita devi went around and lifted the veils of all the hundreds of gopis but couldn’t find any man disguised as a woman. She came and reported to Krishna, "I have not found any man, but there is one gopi with three eyes." she said puzzled.
Lord Krishna asked her to bring her to Him. When the Lord saw the Shiva gopi, He laughed heartily and addressed him, "O Gopisvara, I am very pleased to see you in the form of a gopi. But you know that this rasa is not for grhastas (householders). Therefore, since you have already participated and fulfilled your desire, now I offer you the post of rasa dwara pala (gatekeeper of the rasa). I also give you the blessing that henceforth, all the gopis will offer respect to you and seek your blessing to get gopi bhava."
( This pastime is described in the Garga Samhita )
Moral of the story:
Gopisvara means Lord Shiva as the controller (isvara) of the gopis. Krishna told him to guard the entrance of the rasa dance and that no one would be allowed to enter the rasa-mandala (place of the rasa dance) without his permission.
“The gopis worshiped Lord Shiva in Vrindavan, and the lord is still staying there as Gopisvara. The gopis, however, prayed that Lord Siva bless them by giving them Lord Krsna as their husband. There is no harm in worshipping demigods, provided one’s aim is to return home, back to Godhead.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 4.30.38 purport)
“A Vaishnava’s visit to the temple of Lord Shiva is different from a non devotee’s visit. A Vaishnava sees Lord Shiva as being simultaneously one with and different from the Supreme Lord, like yogurt and milk. The Absolute Truth, God, is everything, but this does not mean that everything is God. It is said, "Vaishnavanam yatha shambhu", or that “Lord Shiva is the highest Vaishnava.”
vrindavanvani pate jaya soma soma
maule sanandana sanatana naradeya
gopishvara vraja vilasi yuganghri padme
prema prayaccha nirupadhi namo namas te
“O Shiva, O gatekeeper of Vrindavan! O you who are accompanied by Uma! O you who carry the moon in your hair! O lord worshiped by Sananda-kumar, Sanat-Kumar and Narada Muni! Ov, the worshipable deity of the gopis! Desiring that you bestow upon me love for the divine couple, Sri Sri Radha Madhava, who perform joyous pastimes in Vraja, I offer my obeisances unto you again and again.”
Hare Krishna! Kirtan mela in Mayapur attracts devotees globally
After sravan utsav, kirtan mela is the next big event happening in Mayapur. Kirtan mela adivas took place on 15th evening. HH Loknath Swami led kirtan. Devotees danced along with kirtan. HH Sacinandana Swami and HH Kadamba Kanana Swami were also present on the occasion. The venue for the kirtan mela (Panca tattva hall) has been specially decorated with a blue tent covering the ceiling. Also, Deities of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati and Srila Prabhupada are placed with flower decorations.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15619
The notion of having power over others may provide a temporary gratification, but it starts to unravel pretty soon.
Exactly echoing a message found in the Bhagavad-gita, a UK senior judge recently declared that “almost all of society’s social ills can be traced directly to the collapse of the family life.”
ISKCON Youth Forum India organizes "Umang" festivals in all over India. For registration and more information please contact rukmini.mohana.das@gmail.com.
With using a few simple tips, you can protect yourself and your family from the raw food poisoning.
The “source of all strength” revealed!
Bhaktimarga Swami: The best of lunch are the chapatis that are pulled up by way of a device from one floor below. Perhaps these flat-bread circular wonders are offered optimally with and without ghee (clarified butter). We usually lunch in the Lotus Building. Wheat, a chappati’s main ingredient, is not indigenous to the area of Bengal like its’ popular rice - but it is loved. With it, you tear off with right hand a portion of it, and with that, you scoop up almost any or all of the delectables on your plate. It might be the air that touches these chapatis as they ascend from one veranda to the other that enhances the flavour. They come out as soft and tasty fibrous edibles. I know that I couldn’t live without tortillas (similar to the chappati but larger) that hold in place my raw slices of veggies to form a wrap. It’s my morning mainstay. When I see a chapati, whether on a temple kitchen grill, or on a shelf wrapped in a plastic zip-loc bag from an Indian shop, or one that’s handed to me lovingly from my support person on one of my walks - I relish those guys. It can be a labour-intensive ordeal rolling out the dough, transferring it to a grill, and then properly exposing it to a flame. Such is the methodology as executed by an incredible devotional crew, consisting of men and women, who put devotion to the task. I’ve been walking trails in the area with rice paddy field on both sides of me but I have special preference to the wheat fields that produce those delicious chapatis or rotis worthy of being offered to the deity of Krishna with love and devotion. May the Source be with you!
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/NLk7OX
Srila Prabhupada, founder acharya of ISKCON, navigated through the tumultuous ocean on a cargo ship, Jaladuta on 13th August 1965 (50 years ago), to the western world with a mission to propagate Krishna Consciousness in the western world. Today the Hare Krishna movement has spread all over the world and millions of people have become part of it.
Bhakti Lounge will be open on Thursday 5 March to celebrate a very special and auspicious time of the year , it’s the birthday of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder and gifter of Kirtan! Come for Mystic-Mantra-Madness starting off at 5pm and running till 10pm.
A New Book: ‘Vanity Karma.’
One of my monk friends, my senior actually, showed up the other day. He came down the trail near the brahmacari kitchen. He has that distinct build, rather thin, and walks with a grave smoothness. Jayadwaita Swami by name, is an American-born early pioneer to Krishna Consciousness in New York. He was glowing in presence when we met after a reasonably long time not having seen each other. Offering a warm smile he stretched his arm to hand me his book, an advanced copy called ‘Vanity Karma.’ “Thank you, Maharaja!” I said with genuine gratitude. I dashed off to my room in order to take that sneak peek. In the forward by Graham M. Schweig, he writes, “‘Vanity Karma’ invites us into an exploration of the meaning of life through deep philosophical reflections and a richly layered dialogue. To do this it places the book of Ecclesiastes (from the Hebrew Bible) in dialogue with the Bhagavad-gita (from the Hindu epic poem the Mahabharata) and we quickly find that this is not only an external dialogue but an inner one as well.” The author, Jayadwaita Swami, talks of his early years at Temple Sinai in New Jersey for Jewish instructions. He relays how the term ‘vanity’ was discussed based on Ecclesiastes and is generally understood as a sort of pride. Upon further deliberation of this word one teacher expressed that it refers more to the meaningless or pointlessness of the world. As Jayadwaita put it, “a man works his whole life, and what does he get for it?” Somehow Jayadwaita gingerly brings the message of the Bhagavad-gita to the fold as a person’s stepping incremental growth to finding life’s rich purpose. I’ve begun reading it. I love it.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/HBwdC8
The Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula School (New Gorvardhan, Australia) is currently seeking to employ Primary School Teachers for the continuation of 2015 academic year.
After sravan utsav, kirtan mela is the next big event happening in Mayapur. Kirtan mela adivas took place on 15th evening. HH Loknath Swami led kirtan. Devotees danced along with kirtan. HH Sacinandana Swami and HH Kadamba Kanana Swami were also present on the occasion. The venue for the kirtan mela (Panca tattva hall) has […]
The post Kirtan mela attracts devotees globally appeared first on Mayapur.com.
A film about the Hare Krishna School at New Govardhana Community, Australia.
Reading from Bhakti Tattva-viveka.
The post Bhakti-abahasa appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
