Websites from the ISKCON Universe
A visit to Maan Sarovar - Bhandirvan - Belvan - 29.01.2015 (Album 125 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Age of Kali, there is no religious principle except chanting Krishna’s name. It has been ascertained from all the scriptures that Krishna’s holy name is the essence of all mantras. (Renunciation Through Wisdom, 5.1 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/0B4x9f
Early Mayapur Food For Life program. Circa 1975-76.
Jayapataka Swami in the middle of the path with his arms outstretched.
More photos here: http://goo.gl/yiKO9C
Mayapur Retrospective
Early days in Mayapur. Pre Long Building days.
Appearance Day of Lord Varahadev
Lord Brahma and the other demigods quickly arrived at that spot, to see the slain body of the demon close up. Still biting his lip, Hiranyaksha’s bodily luster had not faded, in spite of the absence of the soul, because the Lord’s lotus foot remained touching it. Lord Brahma admiringly said, “Oh, who could meet with such a blessed death? This fortunate demon was struck by the lotus foot of the Lord, upon Whom yogis meditate in mystic trance in the hopes of gaining liberation from their unreal, material bodies.”
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/R22nE1
HG Pankajanghri Prabhu at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-01-24, Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 06 03 23
Srila Prabhupada visiting Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Nath at the original New Vrindaban farmhouse, June 28th 1976.
“To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna.” Seven Purposes of ISKCON – Srila Prabhupada, 1966
Click here to read the other purposes at the ISKCON.org website.
One of my main points over many months of writing is that personal growth can be very favorable to our steadiness in spiritual practice. Such work is certainly not an end in itself, but can be helpful along with our sincerity of purpose and prayer in sorting out our life issues, and accessing our personal power for our service to Guru and Gauranga, and for the people in general. We can judge a thing by its results (phalena pariciyate) and if through such personal growth work one is more enthused in bhakti and in one's life, this is proof of its value.
All change begins with knowing we have a problem, sometimes the most difficult awareness. However, this still isn’t sufficient to create change without working and praying to remove our shortcomings, and replacing them with better qualities or habits. Expert guidance in doing this work is indispensable. My understanding is that assisted introspection (as I have coined it) with experienced mentors will be helpful in rising to the stage of nistha (steadiness), an interim goal on the long road to prema (pure love of God).
The Gita teaches us that to not follow our nature is artificial and unsustainable. So our spiritual practices should be in sync, not just with our work (as important as that is), but with our sense of personal mission. Our power, or empowerment, in life comes from connecting our personal mission to our spiritual mission, making them one, if you will. Some teachers today say that just doing our personal mission, or being a balanced human being, is spiritual. While this is a crucial part of the equation, it is only part of it, and remains incomplete without addressing the needs of the soul.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 January 2010, Cape Town, South Africa, Lecture: Nityananda’s Appearance Day)
When we are reaching out to people who have no transcendental knowledge, then we relax the rules and we look at spontaneous service. In this way, we can engage so many people and bring them closer and bring them into our movement. This is the movement of Nityananda, to bring everyone in. It is an all-inclusive movement of great kindness. Lord Nityananda is the emblem of kindness, the emblem of positiveness!
Just like, sometimes you see parents, mother’s with their children, and they are completely positive! I see this little, squeaky monster which is ugly like anything, all red and spotty, the eyes are puffy, hardly any hair on the head and all wrinkled. Then, it makes hellish noises and things like that… So from the male perspective, sometimes it is something not appreciated. The kid is just like hammering on things and then the mother comes and says, “Awh… he loves it so much!” You see this totally positive, parental mood, so positively disposed towards that child. That same mood is in Lord Nityananda! So positive, “Look, how nice! He wants to do a little service, how nice!”
So this is the mood of this movement, so it is therefore a very liberal movement. Nityananda is the main preacher, Nityananda sets the pace! Nityananda is the one who is showing what the mood should be of our endeavours and activities. A mood of just great kindness and seeing the good in everyone. Prabhupada said to find the spark and fan it! Find a little spark of bhakti and fan it – that is the mood of Lord Nityananda…
Giriraj Swami and Radhanatha Swami accepted disciples for first and second initiation.
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[Please note: CC daily 7 was accidentally posted earlier, so for maintaining the sequence, we are re-posting it today; and for providing fresh content daily, we are also posting CC daily 8]
Bhagavatam-daily Podcast
Harinama in Auckland NZ: Chanting our way Back To Godhead! (Album 45 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “If one’s heart does not change, tears do not flow from his eyes, his body does not shiver, and his bodily hairs do not stand on end as he chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, it should be understood that his heart is as hard as iron This is due to his offenses at the lotus fee of the Lord’s holy name.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.24)
See them here: http://goo.gl/3jovb0
WSN December 2014 – World Sankirtan Newletter – best year since 1996!
Good news about the Prabhupada marathon: Although we hardly ever see a score from Govindadvipa, an small island temple in Ireland, the devotees there went for the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and did 10,226 book points. Also, Bhaktivedanta Manor did a huge marathon, with 74,253 book points, fired up by Visvambara Prabhu and Sutapa Prabhu. In the USA Bhrgupati Prabhu was pouring out the books. Although he’s 63, he scored 13,326 book points. Amazing!
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15302
Hare Krishna!
Devotees Remember Sankara Dasi on 30th Anniversary of Her Passing
“Sankara was easy to do service with; having an insightful and creative nature,” says Rupa Dasi, who worked with her on a sewing project. “She had a keen sense of focus for the project and really put all her heart into the service. She also was always very concerned for the welfare of her children. And this was a frequent topic of her talks. She knew her time was limited, and she was determined to use it to the very best advantage she possibly could on their behalf.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15297
Devotees Remember Sankara Dasi on 30th Anniversary of Her Passing
By Madhava Smullen
Friends and family are remembering Srimati Sankara devi dasi -- known for her deep love of her children and quiet dedication to Krishna’s service even in the face of adversity -- as the 30th anniversary of her passing approaches on January 25th, 2015. On that day, the Sunday Feast program at ISKCON New Vrindaban will be held in her honor.
Born Sylvia S. Walker on January 5th, 1946, Sankara dasi was raised in Michigan. She first met ISKCON devotees in Haight Ashbury, San Francisco in 1969, two years after the first ever Rathayatra there.
Moving back to Michigan, she lived near the Detroit temple with her young family and visited often. In the early 1970s, she and her then husband regularly invited devotees to hold weekend festivals at their farm in Ann Arbour.
In 1978, tragedy struck. Sankara was diagnosed with acute hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), an extremely rare form of leukemia. She wanted to use whatever time she had left delving deep into her Krishna consciousness. So she moved into the Detroit temple full-time.
“When I first met Sankara and her children, in Detroit, she was a happy introspective person who held an extrordinary ability to see God everywhere,” recalls her friend Mrigaksi Dasi.
In 1980, when her five children had grown too old for the school in Detroit, Sankara moved to ISKCON’s New Vrindaban farm community near Wheeling, West Virginia, which she felt would be the best place for them.
Her own children weren’t the only ones Sankara cared for. From 1980 to 1983, she watched fifty children aged up to five years old at the New Vrindaban nursery. From 1983 on, she taught kindergarten and first grade at the community’s Nandagram School to over 200 children from all around North America. Her former students remember her fondly as patient, sweet and caring.
Sankara also sewed for New Vrindaban’s presiding Deities Sri Sri Radha-Vrindabanchandra and made their garlands daily, which was her favorite service.
“Sankara was easy to do service with; having an insightful and creative nature,” says Rupa Dasi, who worked with her on a sewing project. “She had a keen sense of focus for the project and really put all her heart into the service. She also was always very concerned for the welfare of her children. And this was a frequent topic of her talks. She knew her time was limited, and she was determined to use it to the very best advantage she possibly could on their behalf.”
During this time, Sankara had to go for heart surgery more than once due to leukemia enlarging her heart. She also suffered from asthma. Yet Vidya Dasi, who lived and worked with her – both in the nursery and in garland-making – says that no matter how sick she got, Sankara always did her service with devotion and dedication.
“I don’t think we understood at the time how her failing health must have made her feel,” says Vidya. “And I’m thinking back, ‘Oh my God, how did she not complain, how did she keep up with us?’”
Even on the morning when Sankara went to the hospital for the last time, devotees remember her making sure her daily garland-making service would be covered and that her children would be looked after. It was this mood that encapsulated her life.
At the Intensive Care Unit, when doctors declared they couldn’t do anything more and invited her devotee friends in, Sankara’s vitals stabilized as she heard them chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. When the doctors saw this and returned, she finally left this world, due to heart failure. It was January 25th, 1985. She was the first female New Vrindaban resident to leave her body.
Sankara Dasi is survived by her five children, Chaitanya Mangala, Makara, Veena, Sesa and Bhima; her five grandchildren, Airavata, Kalindi, Lauren, Hayden and Daniel; and her former husband, Danakeli Das.
Her family had her remains cremated, and scattered her ashes among the flower beds at Prabhupada’s Palace Rose Garden. In 2005, on the 20th anniversary of her passing, they dedicated a Nama Samadhi in the form of a granite memorial bench in her honor at New Vrindaban.
The bench is situated along the scenic walkway that winds around the Kusum Sarovara Lake at the lotus feet of Gaura Nitai and in the shadow of Srila Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold. It serves as a place for people to relax and appreciate their surroundings as they follow a parikrama path through the holy dham.
Etched into the bench are the words: “In loving memory: Sylvia S. Walker - Sankara devi dasi. January 5th, 1946 - January 25th, 1985” and a quote from Sankara herself – “I am surrounded by the radiance, glory and richness of the Creator. In the final analysis, all things come from the same Source. We are all related; even the rocks are our brothers.”
“My mother was a sensitive, thoughtful and highly spiritual person who quietly and determinedly performed her services despite whatever obstacles were placed in her path,” says her eldest son, Chaitanya Mangala, who is a board member of ISKCON New Vrindaban. “To me, that’s a sign of a genuine devotee.”
“Moreover,” he continues, “She cared deeply for her children and was totally convinced that the fledgling Hare Krishna Society, and more specifically New Vrindaban, was the best place to raise us. Despite the hardships and shortcomings, I do appreciate the sincere attempts made by my mother and others of her pioneer generation. And, as we honor the 30th anniversary of her passing, I humbly dedicate my community building efforts in her memory.”
A new program to assist and inspire communities to increase their public kirtan programs!
Vaisesika Das launched a new program along with an accompanying e-newsletter and website, kirtanparty.com, to assist and inspire communities to increase their public kirtan programs.
Vaisesika is inviting ISKCON community leaders and members all over North America to join the Kirtan Party Google group through www.kirtanparty.com and begin reporting every two weeks on how many times they’ve sent kirtan parties out to chant publicly.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/Kn1BmG
“What gets measured gets improved,” says Vaisesika Das, quoting leadership expert Robin S. Sharma. “Just by becoming aware of how many times they’re doing it, and how many times others are doing it, devotees will naturally become encouraged to do it more.” The Kirtan Party program isn’t just interested in increasing the quantity of kirtan parties going out, however.
According to the most recent American Diabetes Association report, 29.1 million Americans are diabetic.
Majority Says Publishing Cartoons Was ‘Okay,’ But About Half of Non-Whites Say ‘Not Okay’.
ISKCON Detroit Sunday School children wond second place at the Future City Competition held at the Suburban Showplace in Novi, Michigan, USA. These youth competed with 23 other groups. Their city called as Vaikuntaville won five other special awards as well.
The post The Vaisnava community in Marfino and our trip from Budapest to Mayapura appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
As plans for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary in 2016 ramp up, thel 50th Anniversary Committee is on the lookout for a new international coordinator.
The post January 30th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Bhaktivedanta Manor - Sanctuary for the Soul (13 min video)
In the Hertfordshire countryside just north of London, Bhaktivedanta Manor, complete with its farmlands, beautiful gardens and temple is a real sanctuary for the soul. Open all year round to visitors and students of ancient wisdom, the temple offers a great experience with tours of the shrine, gardens and compassionate farm. See the rooms of the famous Hare Krishna guru Srila Prabhupada, to whom George Harrison gifted this iconic mock Tudor mansion. Visitors may participate in inspirational talks, yoga classes, mantra meditation, vegetarian cooking classes and various retreats.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/yBMDLd
ISKCON Adelaide - Ratha Yatra 2015 (Album 543 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: People should be given the chance to hear the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, but in the beginning they should not be instructed about the glories or the spiritual significance of the holy name. By constant hearing of the holy name, their hearts will be purified, and then they will be able to understand the transcendental position of the holy name.
(Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.21 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/cQF1f1
Harinama at the Kuznetsk bridge, Moscow (Album 24 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one somehow or other come in contact with the Hare Krishna movement, without consideration of his being a sudra, vaisya, Jagai, Madhai or even lower, he becomes advanced in spiritual consciousness and immediately develops love of Godhead. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.21 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/nTr9wT
Religion in Utah - Hare Krishna (17 min video)
Recorded at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, Caru Das discusses the Hare Krishna religion as it exists and is practiced in the State.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/Dp6qh4
Radhadesh Mellows 2015 (Album 49 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One must engage his tongue in the service of the holy name. Our Krishna consciousness movement is based on this principle. We try to engage all the members of the Krishna consciousness movement in the service of the holy name. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.16 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/zy0r3N
Hare Krishna! Nityam Bhagavata Sevaya # 5 Nityananda Trayodasi - Special Edition
On the most auspicious occasion of Nityananda Trayodasi, we have put together this special edition of NBS. In this issue, we have covered:
1) Nityananda Prabhu - The most munificent incarnation
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
2) If you do not believe in Lord Nityananda, you will fall down
Srila Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami
3) The Divine Command of Çré Godruma-Candra”
Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur
4) The Glories of Lord Nityananda
Srila Vrindavana Das Thakur
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15276
Iskcon London Darshan Guru Puja
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 February 2013, Vrndavan, India, Caitanya Caritamrta Seminar 3)
So, we are looking at mercy. Lord Caitanya is very merciful. Lord Nityananda is described to be more merciful because he is intoxicated with love of God. He is tasting the nectar of serving. By serving Lord Caitanya, Lord Nityananda becomes so intoxicated. So, this is the key. Devotional service is the key to mercy; there is no doubt about it. Mercy does not seem to be free; that is true.
ye yatha mam prapadyante
tams tathaiva bhajamy aham, (Bhagavad-gita 4.11)
“As you surrender unto me, I reward you accordingly.” As we are engaging in service, then there will be reciprocation from Krsna and that of course, is our saving grace. So, our main connection is service. That service attitude. Servitude is truly our path.
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:
HH Radhanath Swami is invited by US President Baraka Obama, Indian PM Narendra Modi and President Shri Pranab Mukherjee for dinner tonight!