Websites from the ISKCON Universe
On its recent annual meetings in Mayapur, India, ISKCON's Governing Commission has declared 2015 to be the "Year of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium." This documentary is Part 1 of the series capturing the major milestones and aspects of the ambitious ToVP project.
This video is faturing Rasika-nam Das, a well-known Russian kirtaniya just after joining ISKCON. Rasika-nam left his body on February 24th, 2015 in Sarapul, Volga region, Russia. He felt unwell during harinam which he was leading, was taken to a hospital and passed away in a few hours.
The 8th ring of the TOVP has started up! (Album 4 photos)
In these photos you can see that the eighth level of the main Dome is going up. Two segments have been already installed. The ninth level, the only one, is remaining to finish the biggest dome in the world. The Temple of Vedic Planetarium is attracting and delighting pilgrims from all over the world. Especially those who have come for the up coming Gaura Purnima festival.
See them here: http://goo.gl/Rk4ukR
One of the main problems of life we all face is filling our bellies. We have to eat and this hard fact forces most of us out of bed and off to work every day.
Hare Krishna! What happened in Kathmandu, Nepal? World Sankirtan Newsletter – January 2015
What happened in Kathmandu, Nepal? Kathmandu is in the Small Temple category, but you wouldn’t know that by looking at its book score for January: 14,356 book points. For the first time, Kathmandu is the No. 3 temple in the world! The regional secretary is Patri Prabhu, an extremely enthusiastic devotee who wants Krsna consciousness spread all over Nepal. And he does just that. All over the country, people are getting a chance to hear about Krsna and chant the holy names.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15782
Recently an announcement by Pragosha das, the new GBC Chairman, celebrating 2015, the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the Western world, as The Year of the TOVP was posted.
A list of suggestions as to how to actively facilitate this concept by all ISKCON Temples and devotees is forthcoming, but the first is easily implementable: a TOVP photo for your altar. Please copy and print this beautiful drawing of the TOVP for your Temple and/or home altars. Use the link below to download the photo.
Download high resolution TOVP Photo for Your Altar here (ZIP file 7.2MB in size)
The post TOVP Photo For Your Altar appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Krishna Ksetra Swami at ISKCON Mayapur on Jan 12th 2015, SB 06.03.01.05
Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:Holy Name Meditation Podcast:
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I don’t usually write about events because they don’t attract me as much as concepts, on which I write extensively. Yet there are some events that impel me to write. The inauguration of the new temple in Pune, the departure of the devotee-mother of two brahmachari brothers who are my close friends and then the departure of their devotee-father are the few events that I have written about.
The sight on a youtube video of His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaj leading kirtans during the recent kirtan mela in Mayapur was one such event that I couldn’t not write about. The devotional intensity with which he was singing the holy names was heart-rending. Through that youtube video, the spiritual potency of the kirtan could still be felt days later and hundreds of miles away. While the kirtan’s potency was exceptional, what struck me was the sight of Maharaj singing robustly despite his obvious physical difficulties. Those of us who have had serious diseases know that for every visible health challenge, many more are the invisible challenges that need to be combated in the privacy of one’s own mind.
In sports, players who get sidelined due to injury and then return successfully are celebrated for their comebacks. The tennis player Rafael Nadal is called the comeback king of tennis for having returned to the top from a career-threatening injury. His Holiness Jayaptaka Maharaj deserves the title of a comeback emperor.
To survive a devastating stroke of the kind that hardly anyone survives is special. To not just survive, but also walk determinedly the long recovery road to a normal life is even more special. To return not just to a normal life but also to the center of the battlefield as a commander leading thousands of troops is supremely special. That was how I saw Maharaj on that video – as the comeback emperor in Lord Chaitanya’s army, dissipating illusion and distributing ecstasy by releasing the weapon of the holy name with every mantra that he sang. It was clear, painfully clear, that singing each mantra took him much effort. And yet what was even more undeniably clear was that he was relishing divine ecstasy, which was flowing out through him to everyone who was fortunate enough to hear him sing. The agony and austerity he has gone through to recover till this stage is something that we can never know – the details that one of his servants once told me were heart-wrenching.
That Maharaj has tread the comeback track not for his personal glory as do sports players, but for glorifying the Lord and for benefitting all of us makes him the undisputed comeback emperor. His comeback narrative is itself incredible enough to be etched in golden words in ISKCON history. And his comeback is just one part of a life of superhuman dedication and tireless sacrifice.
I haven’t had the fortune of getting much personal association of Maharaj, though I have received his blessings indirectly through the association of many of his illustrious disciples. The only occasion when I got his close association was during a youth festival in Kolkata when he was to give a talk on Recession, which was a burning issue the world over at that time. I had written a book on that topic and prepared a ppt, which I showed to Maharaj. He asked me to shorten the ppt as he wanted to elaborate on the slides. I removed some slides and then operated the slide show as Maharaj spoke. Using the slides as takeoff points, he drew on his multi-decade global preaching experience to brilliantly expose the falsity and futility of greed’s promises. Even more amazing for me was that he remembered three slides that I had deleted – he quoted their content and elaborated insightfully on them too. The clarity of his consciousness and the accuracy of his recollection were simply astonishing.
Whoever doubts the possibility of miracles needs to just look at His Holiness Jayapataka Maharaj to behold an undeniable living miracle.
Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast
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Lesser consumption of animal products is necessary to save the world from the worst impacts of climate change, UN report says.
Radha Krishna Records presents an enthralling journey into the epic Mahabharata. Dramatic contemporary music combined with meaningful ancient Sanskrit lyrics.
Hare Krishna! From Sri Mayapur Chandradoya Mandir: HH Bhakti Dhira Damodar Swami
Service for the pleasure of Lord Krishna. That is devotion and that is the only process Krishna can reveal Himself. Because the process of bhakti purifies the heart from all the contamination of the heart. Our minds are contaminated by the desires the living entites has, which has nothing to do with Krishna, both gross and subtle, they are material. Physcially we have gross material desires and we also have subtle desires. Both of them are contaminations of the soul. Bhakti has the strength to destroy all the contaminations of the heart.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15779
You explained that it was a result of condensation, but Jananivas Prabhu has stated that it is a miracle.
Answer Summary in text followed by a detailed audio answer:
I called His Grace Jananivas Prabhu to discuss this. I have great respect for him; he has been a shiksha-guru for me, answering many of my questions with his profound erudition and devotion. In our discussion, he essentially said that he has no problem with different devotees taking different positions on this issue – why make such a big hue and cry about it?
In fact, he confirmed to me that his own brother His Grace Pankajanghri Prabhu has taken the position that the moisture was due to condensation. When I was asked to comment on this issue, I had read the available statements of Vaishnavas at that time and the only statement from someone in authority was the below mail of Pankajanghri Prabhu that was circulated on social media:
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[2/21, 6:22 PM] +91 75082 70259: Dear Vilasini Mataji,
Hare Krishna. Greetings from the Holy Dham. Please accept my respects and good wishes. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Due to so many people being together in the temple room during the kirtan mela, a lot of heat is generated and this causes condensation on the Deities. We have to wipe them with towels in the evening to dry it off.
That does not mean that the Deities can't cry, or perspire with ecstacy, but condensation is a simple explanation.
Your servant,
Pankajanghri dasa.
[2/21, 6:50 PM] +91 75082 70259: Once i had asked one Brajvasi in Nandgaon whether he has seen Krishna Balram. He had a very honest and practical answer for this. He said "jinko dikhte hain woh kehte nahin aur jo kehte hain unko dikhte hi nahin"
***
This position was what I elaborated systematically in my answer, using a logical three-point analysis for evaluating those miracle claims where there is no explicit scriptural verdict.
How do we understand such contradictory positions among senior Vaishnavas?
To conclude, the kirtan of the Lord is supremely potent, eminently capable of inducing miracles without and within. So rather than agonizing any more on an issue where different positions are possible, let us dedicate ourselves to the thing we all agree on: glorifying the Lord of our heart.
Answer Podcast:
Are we losing the fight against terror? (2 min video)
A Krishna conscious perspective and solution by Madanmohan Dodeja!
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/i7kYDC
After a worldwide search, the Executive Committee for ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations has appointed Romapada Das as its International Coordinator. The 50th anniversary celebrations will see a series of global and local events across six continents and 75 countries throughout 2015 and 2016.
After the Radhadesh Mellows festival (24-25 January), Kadamba Kanana Swami stayed for two weeks in Amsterdam. Coming from Radhadesh, he was still recovering from the pain in his back and neck which had already started in England but became fully manifest in Radhadesh. While in Radhadesh, Maharaj had to keep his back straight because of the pain and he had difficulty in moving and sleeping.
For Nityananda Trayodasi (01 February) in Amsterdam, Maharaj led an ecstatic kirtan for almost two hours and gave a wonderful talk in Dutch, explaining the glories and pastimes of Lord Nityananda. The following Sunday, again Maharaj led kirtan and it was difficult for him to stop singing the glories of Krsna. After one and a half hours of kirtan, he started the lecture.
During his stay in Amsterdam, Maharaj did not do any other programs. He was busy preparing a presentation for the GBC about the Master Plan in Mayapur. So his main activities were to recover from the problems with the back, office work and to encourage the devotees!
Before Kadamba Kanana Swami left Amsterdam, for a one day stay in Germany where he did a program in Weimar, he did a program at the home of Uddhava and Visakha. Again, he could not stop singing, being absorbed in the sweetness of the holy name in a joyful kirtan. On 14 February, Maharaj left Europe for Mayapur.
Photos
Visit flickr to see all the pictures.
Videos
Courtesy of Asta Sakhi dd
KKS – Kirtan – 01 February 2015 – Nityananda’s Appearance Day
KKS – Kirtan – 08 February 2015 – Sunday Program
The Nature of the Mind.
Radhanatha Swami: It is the not the nature of the mind to pursue selfishness and egoism and thus experience frustration and depression in due course of time. It is the nature of the mind to pursue the needs of the soul and thus find peace, compassion, happiness and ecstatic enlightenment. It is the actual nature of the mind to always be filled with transcendental pleasure. This happens when it is connected to the will of the atma, the eternal soul. But it is the nature of the mind to be implicated in material bondage and suffering when we forget our real nature and pursue the desires of the false ego under the misconception that “I am this mind, I am this body, I am the controller, the proprietor and the enjoyer”.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/EyaiDV
Why We Are Not God (and what to do about it) (Recent Sunday Feast Lecture in Washington DC by Ravindra Swarupa Das)
God seems to have it all. All power, all wealth, all everything! Who wouldn’t like to be God? In fact, the Bhakti scriptures describe that our desire to be God seems to have gotten us into this material mess of a world in the first place. Are we God? Can we become God or return to being God?
Listen to it here: http://goo.gl/hF4i35
Hare Krishna! Sri Lankan Government awards honorary degree to ISKCON devotees
On 20th of Feb 2015, the National Peace Association of Sri Lanka awarded honorary degrees to Vasudeva Datta das and Caitanya Tirtha das. The convocation ceremony was held in the Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo in the presence of Hon’ble cabinet minister H.M. Upali Kodikara and reverent members of the Buddhist Sangha. Although Sri Lanka is predominantly a buddhist country, it values genuine spiritual practitioners and appreciates their service. Vasudeva Datta das was acknowledged for his continual dedicated service of spreading Sanatana Dharma and human values in Sri Lanka.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15776
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Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Day 4 (Album 26 photos)
Hare Krsna! Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama ki jay!
We visited Campahatti and Vidyanagar, these are very special places. HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami, HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami and HH Bhakti Nityananda Swami gave speech at Campahatti about Gaura Gadadhara deities and Jayadeva Goswami’s lila, At Vidyanagar HH Bhakti Vigna Vinas Narasimha Maharaj spoke about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s lila in this very specia place for Gaura Bhaktas! We were at Jahnudvipa where we bhought last year our own very land. Our land is so beautiful, so peaceful, the devotees like very much the campsite in this land. Thank you!
See them here: http://goo.gl/P45clz
Hare Krishna! From Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir: HH Kadamba Kanana Swami
Srila Prabhupada was approached by a journalist who had done some homework before starting the interview. The journalist prefaced his question and said, “I have heard that the pure devotee knows the answers to all questions. Is this correct?” Srila Prabhupada said, “Yes.” Then, the journalist said, “Then how many windows are there in the Empire State Building?” Srila Prabhupada said, “How many drops of water in a mirage?” In that way, giving the perfect answer from the pure, spiritual platform. One who is situated in transcendental knowledge, indeed, has the answer to all questions. He knows everything because he sees everything in its relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15767
Hare Krishna! From Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir: HG Anuttama Das
In this way, we do follow Daksa marga. Not to offend anyone, but generally, we tend to make a lot of mistakes. We tend to still maintain some material desires in our hearts. Sometimes we even offend Sri Sri Radha Govinda, Radha Madhava. But Srila Prabhupada explains in the Krishna book that the most important quality of Krishna is His forgiveness, His mercifulness. He is so kind that He picks us up from the lowest stages of existence and has brought us to the shelter of His lotus feet. We have made so many mistakes in this life and in countless previous lives. Still, He allows us to serve Him.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15764
Hare Krishna! Mayapur Gaura Purnima 2015 update
Devotees are being tossed in the waves of ecstasy and Gaura- prema as they traverse the places of pastime of Lord Caitanya and His associates in Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama. Around 5000 devotees in five different groups which also contains Russians is jubilantly enjoying with transcendental singing and dancing , engaging in nine process of devotional service . They are doing the parikrama covering the seven islands in their footsteps from one island to other and staying overnight in the holiest islands with the association of sadhu’s and vaishnavas – a truly transcendental experience & a perfect setting to enter into the faultless mood of celebrating the appearance of Lord Gauranga.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15761
Answer Podcast:
Jananivas Prabhu at ISKCON Mayapur on Jan 16th 2015, BG 11.09.11
Dear Brijabasis,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
As we do twice a year, the board members of ISKCON New Vrindaban and ECO-Vrindaban are organizing a weekend of open presentations, discussions and tours.
We humbly invite all New Vrindaban residents and well-wishers to participate.
Weekend schedule:
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 (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)
We would be honored if you join us throughout the weekend and look forward to seeing you then.Hare Krishna!
Your servant,
Jaya Krsna das
ISKCON New Vrindaban Community President
