Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Andrey about the skyscraper temple being built in Vrndavana, Natabara Gauranga about the effect of hearing different kirtaneers, Karuna-mayi why women dont have upavita and Manjari why I ask men not to wear hats in the temple.
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North American GBC and Temple Presidents Speak About the TOVP (12 min video)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/P6IqrE
Hare Krishna! Annual Global Meetings in Mayapur, Day 5: GBC Plans for ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary
Pancaratna Dasa, a member of the 50th Anniversary International Steering Committee, presented an elaborate report on the progress made so far along with the list of events being planned. As this year also marks the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s departure to the West, devotees in Kolkata and Mayapur have been working on organizing ‘Srila Prabhupada’s Legacy Night’ in a stadium in Kolkata along with a mega Padayatra from Mayapur to Kolkata. Similar preparations have begun in Cochin, the South Indian city where Srila Prabhupada picked up the boxes containing Srimad Bhagavatam. The Zonal Secretary for the region, Bhakti Vinoda Swami, would be organizing a cultural festival involving the eminent personalities of Kerela who would participate in the launch of Malayalam translation of Srimad Bhagavatam.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15718
The post February 22nd, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Arrival in London
After the Sankirtan Festival and having spent a few days afterward in Germany, Kadamba Kanana Swami traveled to England. It was a crisp, cold evening when Maharaj arrived at Bhaktivedanta Manor on Saturday, 10 January 2015. Needless to say, the devotees were jubilant and Maharaj was in good spirits.
That evening, Maharaj began the much anticipated ‘Kirtan Fiesta’ program. The lights were dimmed and the audience was in a mellow mood. Then bit-by-bit, devotees from nowhere started coming into the room and within fifteen minutes, the room was packed. Maharaj started to build up the intensity; the kirtan beat became more powerful and heavy. Maharaj then switched it up a gear, segueing the groove into a more upbeat style rhythm and kept it at this momentum. The volume went up and the mrdanga players upped the ante! The whole temple room became a tidal wave of sound and as the night carried on, the kirtan became more exuberant, rising to a magnificent crescendo which then reached its musical peak just at the moment when the curtains opened for the dazzling darshan of the exquisite Sri Sri Radha Gokulanda deities of the Bhaktivedanta Manor temple. What a tremendous start it was of Maharaja’s visit to England at the beginning of 2015!
Visit to Leicester
The next morning, Maharaj went to the Leicester temple for an initiation ceremony. Maharaj started off with a beautifully sweet kirtan and then spoke on the value of initiation.
Maharaj mentioned that we are getting the gift of the holy name through initiation. Even though we may have been chanting before, now we are receiving the holy name with prayers from the spiritual master and with that, come the prayers of the acharyas. The Guru will be praying on our behalf. Just before initiating Kalpana Mataji, Maharaj asserted the key point that initiation is not a karma kanda ritual! Happiness and distress will always be there. We chant to attract the mercy of Krishna and we must go into the initiation consciously knowing the value of it. Kalpana Mataji is now HG Krishna Rupa Mataji. Jai!
That evening Maharaj went to the evening youth program at Vishal Prabhu’s house. It was a devotionally filled evening of rip-roaring kirtans. Many individuals who came to that program were completely new to Krishna consciousness and Maharaj’s kirtan completely blew them away and in the end, they were dancing like it was the last party on earth!! Near the end, Maharaj also took time to speak on the potency of the holy name, followed by a short question and answer session.
At Bhaktivedanta Manor
On Tuesday, 13 January, Maharaj returned to the Manor where he gave a special two and a half hour seminar to the new bhaktas that are doing the sabbatical course there. The topic was ‘Learning to live with conflicts and differences of opinion’. It was an extensive and very comprehensive seminar which lots of issues covered.
Maharaj made it very interactive by involving the young men in discussion and inferring various solutions out of the young men to various conundrums related to the topic. Maharaj also brought forth many examples from his own life in devotion to press upon certain points. It was a powerful talk and Maharaj finished off with saying that the success of this movement is not based on management but by deeply appreciating each other as vaishnavas and having deep, spiritual relationships.
On the morning of Wednesday, 14 January, Maharaj gave an insightful Srimad Bhagavatam class on the simultaneous inconceivability and accessibility of Sri Krishna. He gave the example that trying to figure out Sri Krishna is like an ant trying to figure us out. And yet despite being the Absolute Supreme, Krishna agrees to give up his omniscience when he is with his loved ones, for example – getting defeated by his friends in wrestling matches.
A day at Soho Temple
In the early hours of Thursday, 15 January, Maharaj set out with his disciples for the Central London Soho Temple, home of the famous Sri Radha London Isvara deities. The whole day was spent with Maharaj giving three classes, a special Q & A session, a spontaneous harinam, and finished off the day with a marvelous evening kirtan. In the Srimad Bhagavatam class, Maharaj spoke of how a former ANC mayor of Durban, South Africa was imprisoned for three years and all he asked for whilst in prison, was a copy of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is… the book changed his life forever. Maharaj then emphasized that power is not the goal of life; power is short-lived. The whole world is based on power which is related to fear. Instead, one should do something eternal, like diving deeper and deeper into Srila Prabhupada’s books.
Matchless Gifts
The next day, Maharaj gave the morning Srimad Bhagavatam class at the Manor in his classic inimitable style; full of deep, profound messages but also laced with rib-tickling humor. In the evening, Maharaj went
to the Matchless Gifts program in Central London. Whilst Maharaj did speak a few words, it was essentially a full-blown kirtan extravaganza. Bearing in mind that it is a generally bohemian crowd of free thinkers and free spirits, Maharaj really ‘laid down the groove’ with some seriously jazzy beats and rocking melodies.
As the night progressed, it seemed that everyone had lost all sense of time and space, and was completely in the moment. Each note, each beat, each syllable of the mantra was sending people into higher and higher levels of euphoria. At one point, Maharaj got everyone to harmonize their singing, so the whole effect sounded like a transcendental orchestra. By the end of the night, everyone was riding a wave of pure, exhilarating Krishna conscious joy. A truly magical evening!!
Japa Retreat
Early on Saturday, 17 January, Maharaj traveled with his disciples to Crawley for the much awaited japa retreat. It was a two day event with Maharaj giving insightful seminars on the significance of the holy name, the importance of Vrndavana in our spiritual lives and in chanting ‘Sri Nama’, as well as how to make the most of our daily chanting. Needless to say the seminars were interspersed with deep, soulful kirtans led by Kadamba Kanana Maharaj, Amala Harinam Prabhu and many others.
The evening of the 17th was magical, with Maharaj presiding over a Gaur Nitai deity installation ceremony. Maharaj beautifully narrated pastimes relating to Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his relationship with Advaita Acharya. Maharaj was so expressive in conveying the deep emotions of the pastimes that they came alive for everyone present.
Departure to Radhadesh
On Monday, 19 January, Maharaj’s UK trip was unfortunately coming to a close. Maharaj finished off with a Srimad Bhagavatam class on the demise of Ravana at the hands of Lord Ramchandra. Maharaj made 
some great points such as how Ravana, despite all his learning, could not understand that all his qualities were simply gifts from Krishna and that he himself had no claim to fame. Maharaj went on to talk about the differences between Sudratmas (those who are petty minded and partial only to their own kind) and the broad minded Mahatmas. He went on further and gave a powerful realization on how misers want to hold on to their wealth and thus are only depriving themselves, whilst our movement is one of extraordinary generosity and will only move forward on generosity. And giving does not just mean giving what you have, it means giving yourself. Exactly what Maharaj is doing in his own life… HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaj ki Jai!
Please visit flickr to see all the pictures.
2015 02 11 Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 06 04 05 by HG Vaisesika Prabhu at ISKCON Mayapur
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From Goutam Paul P
Sometimes the same story has different endings in different Sastras. For example, in Siva-puran, there are stories where Siva defeats Vishnu and in the description of the same story in Visnu-purana, Vishnu
defeats Siva. Some scholars interpret this as deliberate injections of devotees of Siva and Visnu, so as to protray one's beloved form of God to be superior than others. But how should we interpret it? Sastra should not be contradictory.
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From Goutam Paul P
Sabda-praman is the aural reception of spiritual knowledge in disciplic succession. That is also processed through our senses. Then how Sabda-praman is free from the four defects?
There is scope for misunderstanding of the speaker, of the listener and there is scope for addition of noise in different written versions.
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From Ankur P
My name is Ankur. I’m pursuing PhD in Iowa State University, US. I organize a weekly Bhagavad Gita discussion session which is attended by 4-5 of my Indian friends. The aim of these sessions is to study the message of Bhagavad Gita and seek out ways to apply it our own lives. We study from Prabhupad’s Bhagavad Gita As It Is. However, to have an open discussion, I’ve provided the participants with the option of bringing some other version which they might want to discuss. So some of us also refer and share from Sadhak Sanjivani (Hindi) from Gitapress by Ramsukha Das ji maharaj.
You have very nicely described Prabhupad’s strategy in presenting the purports - why they are centered around the conclusion from the very beginning. Since bhakti yoga is the conclusion of Gita and readers might not read all the 18 chapters to come to that conclusion, I agree with the need for such a strategy. However, I’m faced with the following question - is Prabhupad’s Gita an appropriate version to *read from* when discussing with intellectuals like the participants of the abovementioned Bhagavad Gita session most of whom are pursuing PhD?
I’ve observed that some of them have a liking for Sadhak Sanjivani over Prabhupad’s Bhagavad Gita because the author goes with the flow of Gita whereas Prabhupad emphasizes bhakti even where Krsna does not refer to it. How can such participants relish the Bhaktivedanta purports? Sometimes I answer myself by trying to appreciate the unparalleled compassion of Srila Prabhupada, but then again I get thoughts… may be for these discussions at least, its not the right book to directly read from.
I’m eagerly awaiting for an answer to this dilemma. I’ll be very grateful if you can help in this regard.
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From Promila Mataji
In one of the purports in BG chapter 2, Srila Prabhupada cites a comparative example that how Lord Shiva was agitated by Parvati whereas Hari Das Thakur wasn't even moved a bit by the prostitute who came to allure him. This was in the context of establishing that devotional service is superior to any other path on the yoga ladder.
SB say Shiva is the best of all vaishnavas. So in a way the comparison is between two vaishanvas. And despite being the best vaishnava Shiva was agitated. Please could you shed some light on this?
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From Pandurang Charan P
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The full GBC body met over a period of seven days for their annual meeting in Sridham Mayapur.
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An ecstatic Kirtan Mela took place in Mayapur this past week with many of our great Iskcon kirtan leaders having participated. Hundreds of devotees traveled to India to be part of the experience while thousands from all over the world watched online.
Kadamba Kanana Swami brought down the house a few times. As he mentioned in the intro to his kirtan yesterday (20 February), “Peacefully chanting is something I am not famous for…”
Here are the videos in case you missed out or if you would like to relive the experience!
Videos
KKS Day 1 – Kirtan Mela – Mayapur
KKS Day 2 – Kirtan Mela – Mayapur
KKS Day 3 – Kirtan Mela – Mayapur
KKS Day 4 – Kirtan Mela – Mayapur
KKS Day 5 – Kirtan Mela – Mayapur
Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast
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Bhagavatam-daily Podcast
Hare Krishna! Sannyas ceremony at ISKCON Mayapur
While others are forced to renounce belongings at death, sannyasis do so voluntarily for Lord Krsna and attain Him. A sannyasi in bhakti cult is characterized by having full absorption in hearing & preaching glories of Lord Krishna. He emphasized that sannyasis in our movement following Srila Prabhupada are parivrajkacarya meaning they constantly travel and preach. Whereas a mayavadi sannyasi tries to give up activities and may engage in study of vedanta/ sankhya philosophy.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15712
Our two new sannyasis. Dhira Shanta Das Goswami to the left of Bhakti Chaitanya Swami and Bhakti Swarup Chaitanya Swami to the right. Srila Prabhupda ki jaya!
Transcendental Kirtan Mela Final Day in Mayapur (Album 13 photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/sy568P
Evening harinam in Bangalore together with the local bhakti vriksha devotees (Album 43 photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/wyPsfh
First Time Ever Ekadashi Cook Book By BBT Mumbai
Dear Devotees, Hare Krishna This is to announce the release of a first time ever Ekadashi Cook Book by BBT Mumbai. The book is written by Krishna Priya Devi Dasi and features 260 Ekadashi Recipes. It’s a 454 page four color book that is beautifully designed. The book can presently be obtained from temples in India and also from www.indiabbt.com Bhima Das
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15709
On 21st February morning, a sanyas acceptance ceremony was held at Panca Tattva Hall. Two devotees namely HG Dhirasanta Prabhu (a disciple of Srila Prabhupada in England, http://dhirasanta.com/) and HG Ananda Caitanya Prabhu (from Lithuania) received sanyas from HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami. Many devotees including sanyasis were present on this occasion. First of all, […]
The post Sanyas ceremony at ISKCON Mayapur appeared first on Mayapur.com.
The post Sanyas ceremony on 21st Feb appeared first on Mayapur.com.
On whatsapp, photos of Pancha Tattva Deities with some moisture are being circulated. How do we know whether this is an authentic miracle?
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HG Bhaktisiddhanta Das: his involvement with the conceptual designs of the TOVP (10 min video)
Bhaktisiddhanta prabhu (ACBSP) explains his personal journey to becoming a devotee and eventually ending up in India for 37 years as a diorama and murti-maker, manager of Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi, to his involvement with the conceptual designs of the TOVP. He deeply believes that the building of the TOVP is under the direct guidance of Srila Prabhupada. We are just his instruments and he is with us at every moment.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/Yx9Eu9
Hare Krishna! Huge Mayapur Sankirtan award ceremony for Mayapur book distributers
A Sankirtan award distribution ceremony took place in Temple on 19th February morning. This year Mayapur Temple enjoyed a special success by securing the first position worldwide for annual distribution in 2014. The ceremony took place to honor top book distributors connected to Mayapur.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15705
The post Conversation about Srila Prabhupada as founder, acarya and person (English/Russian) appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
From Nailesh P
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From Nailesh P
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From Pandurang Charan P
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From Anuj A P:
For example, why is the nasal Nrsimha pronounced as Narasimha?
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On 18th February, HH Bhakti Charu Swami gave a lecture on disappearance day of HH Tamal Krishna Goswami. Below is transcript of the lecture. Hare Krishna. When Srila Prabhupada went to the West, Krishna actually created the perfect arrangement for Srila Prabhupada. The United States of America, at that time, was in a perfect situation […]
The post Lecture on disappearance day of HH Tamal Krishna Goswami appeared first on Mayapur.com.
A Most Sacred Place (Album 99 photos)
Indradyumna Swami: The famous temple of Trimbakeshwar is situated 25 kilometers from the city of Nashik, in the state Maharashtra. Inside the ancient temple is one of the 12 famous Jyotirlingas, self manifested deities of Lord Siva, found in India. It has been a place of pilgrimage since time immemorial. The Pandavas stayed there for sometime during their exile and Lord Caitanya visited the temple during His tour of South India. While there He bathed in Kusa-varta, a small kunda which is formed from the waters of the Godavari, considered one of India’s most sacred rivers. By the causeless mercy of Srila Prabhupada we were also able to visit this holy place. While in the temple I prayed to Lord Siva to be kind and grant me eternal residence in Sri Vrindavan Dhama.
See them here: http://goo.gl/08rw28
Monthly Sankirtan Festival
Amalaki
Gaura Purnima
Sunday School
Gift Shop