Planet ISKCON

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Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Sri Caitanya caritamrta madhya-lila 1.55 during the Ratha-yatra morning program.

TRANSLATION
Having shown the verse to Svarupa Damodara with great wonder, Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked him how Rupa Gosvami could understand the intentions of His mind.

PURPORT
We had the opportunity to receive a similar blessing from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami when we presented an essay at his birthday ceremony. He was so pleased with that essay that he used to call some of his confidential devotees and show it to them. How could we have understood the intentions of Srila Prabhupada?
—Cc Madhya-lila 1. 171 purport

GIRIRAJ SWAMI: “So, this is a very good question Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asks Swarup Damodar Goswami. ‘How could Rupa Goswami have understood my mind?’ And, Srila Prabhupada asks the same question; ‘How could I have understood the mind of Srila Prabhupada?’ (His spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur). The basic answer comes in a verse quoted in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu.

atah sri-krishna-namadi
na bhaved grahyam indriyaih
sevonmukhe hi jihvadau
svayam eva sphuraty adah
—Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.234

“Everything about Krishna — His name, forms, qualities and pastimes — is transcendental. So, how can we understand Him? By engaging in service beginning with the tongue Krishna reveals Himself. By selfless service Krishna reveals Himself.”

Ratha yatra morning class, Juhu

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:
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Dramatic increase for the third year in a row for book distribution in USA!!
Distribution of ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada’s books in North America has made another dramatic increase for the third year in a row!
And there’s no sign of stopping. At the North American GBC and Temple Presidents’ meetings in Dallas, Texas this past weekend, leaders again set a goal of another 10%.
With Vaisesika’s encouragement, temple presidents and leaders have assembled ISKCON North America’s centers together as one team with one common goal over the past three years. In 2012 they set a goal of a 20% increase, in 2013 a goal of another 20% increase on top of that, and in 2014 another 10% increase. Despite the challenge of reaching percentage increases from higher and higher base numbers, North American devotees have smashed their goals each year. In 2012 they reached 26.5%, in 2013, 28%, and in 2014, 11.5%.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/zilDPR

India’s next gift to the world could be Vedic mathematics!
Vedic mathematics, a set of supposedly ancient techniques that help even the most numerically challenged to conquer difficult sums, is surging in popularity as government ministers claim that they could hold the key to better education. From next month, three Indian universities will begin to offer courses in Vedic calculations while home-learners can watch an entire television channel devoted to the subject on one of India’s digital networks. Several thousand teachers have been recruited for private college courses. Its supporters believe Vedic maths could become a major export like yoga and curry. The rising popularity of Vedic maths is partly because of a renewed campaign by the nationalist prime minister, Narendra Modi, to lay India’s claim to the cornerstones of human knowledge. He marked India’s successful mission to Mars last year by claiming its ancient Vedic scientists had conceived of air travel thousands of years before the Wright Brothers made their first flight. It was a reference to a disputed ’veda’ which described ancient air travel between Indian cities and to other planets.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/JwlS1M

Brief Memorial Service in Honor of the 30thAnniversary of the passing of Her Grace Sankara dasi

 

Sankara dasi-January 5th, 1946 – January 25th, 1985

When:                 Sunday Jan. 25, 2015

Time:                   1:30 PM, Before the Sunday Feast

Where:               RVC Temple Room

If you had the honor of knowing this very sweet Brijabasi, Sankara dasi, or just want to get inspired by hearing a bit about her, please attend this short talk in her memory.

Holy Name Meditation Podcast:

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Sri Mayapur International School students speak about what makes a good teacher (6 min video)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/lHQpxm

A 90-minute dance drama from Srimad Bhagavatam in Mumbai (Album 40 photos)
Indradyumna Swami:By popular demand we held two showings of ‘Usha and Aniruddha’ on the 1st day of our program in Mumbai; one in the morning for high school students and the other in the evening for a number of Mumbai’s elite personalities. A total of 1,200 guests. I only had time for a few photos, as I was busy overseeing the production.
See them here: http://goo.gl/Usmnvg

Vedic mathematics, a set of supposedly ancient techniques that help even the most numerically challenged to conquer difficult sums, is surging in popularity.

6 Hour Kirtan in London - Feel Your Heart Smile!
Russell Brand does it. So does Jennifer Aniston. Oprah can’t get enough. - Have you tried mantra meditation?
On the 14th February we’ll celebrate our first 6 Hour Kirtan of 2015!! Join us from 1pm-7pm for another unforgettable experience.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/w6ZG9P

Distribution of ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada’s books in North America has made another dramatic increase for the third year in a row. At this point, says Sankirtan Strageist Vaisesika Das, “It’s no fluke.” According to Vaisesika, the increase in book distribution has resulted not only in new people becoming devotees, but also in a renaissance of programs to care for these new devotees.

“Burritos are perhaps the most 'addictive' thing that we are distributing. People become ecstatic, overwhelmed and attracted to Krishna. They are made so well that it is hard to give them out because our devotees might eat them even before we distribute them. So we need to lock our burrito box until we get to the site,” Hari Vilas Das said.

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

Download by "right-click and save content"

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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"After a lifetime of jobs, family, responsibilities and social interaction, they live as lone mendicants in this holy land, probably with a vow to never leave."

Empathy, respect, trust, courage and gratitude are the five values representing the heart of the University of Cambridge primary school.

The post January 23rd, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Students will be awarded with a certificate by successfully completing the course. Attendees can experience devotional lifestyle at Bhaktivedanta Manor amongst devotees and likeminded students. They learn to build up a regular sadhana (devotional practice), attending daily morning and evening program at the temple.

Kirtan band Krishna Sambandha were invited to hold a Krishna conscious outreach program for inmates at the San Miguel women’s prison in Santiago, Chile on January 19^th. The band plays concerts regularly all over Chile at prestigious theaters, cultural events and massive yoga retreats with audiences of 5,000 to 7,000 people. They also hold programs in hospitals, nursing homes, children’s homes, and of course prisons.

Iskcon Temple Presidents and members of the Governing Body Comission meet at the Old Sanctuary, Radha-Kalachandji Temple, Dallas, Texas, 22 January 2015 to plan how to spread Lord Chaitanya’s movement.

The North European BBT is happy to announce that "Prabhupada: Your Ever Well-Wisher" by Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami is now available at bbtmedia.com. The narrator is Michael Scherer.

Bhakta Josh Joins Our New Raman Reti Iskcon Temple in Alachua, USA.
Bhakta Josh has been with us for some months now, after reading Srila Prabhupada’s books for three years prior. Inspired by the philosophy and a transcendental lifestyle, he came to us eager to participate more deeply in devotional life. He appreciates and is always deepening his understanding of the philosophy, and is particularly enlivened by book distribution and preaching - sharing with others the treasure he has received.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/OQsNeZ

Festivities at ISKCON Sydney (Album 22 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Once can be free from all sinful reactions after reaching a place of pilgrimage, but one can have the same benefit at home or at any other place simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord. (Srimad Bhagavatam 2.7.15)
See them here: http://goo.gl/Ce0Xmb

Bhakti Yoga and Vegetarian Cooking Retreat at Hare Krishna Valley, Winchelsea
Winchelsea is a town in Victoria, Australia.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/KMaEgk

How to maintain appreciation for devotional gifts and what does it mean that the practice of bhakti manifests all good qualities.

The post Conversation appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The TOVP World Tour 2015-2016
A special TOVP World Tour is now being organized, carrying with it Lord Nityananda Prabhu from The Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir in the form of His divine shoes, accompanied by His Holiness Bhakti Purushottama Swami, His Grace Jananivas prabhu, His Grace Radha Jivan prabhu, and His Grace Vraja Vilas prabhu.
TOVP Chairman Ambarisa prabhu will also be present at some of the programs.
The Tour will begin Spring 2015 in North America from April through July.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/N14iMK

Bhagavad Gita – Karma Yoga (Chapters 1-6)
Bhagavad Gita – Karma Yoga (Chapters 1-6). The time is 5000 years ago; the place: Kuruksetra; the circumstance: the biggest battle the world has ever known. So the stage is set, and Lord Krishna has arranged a most dramatic build-up so everyone’s attention is on what happens next. And when all eyes and ears are ready, Lord Krishna arranges that an intimate friend falls under the influence of His internal energy to act as a conditioned soul, bewildered by the most basic questions: ‘Who am I?’ ‘What am I meant to do?’ Lord Krishna , in response, explains to Arjuna the process of yoga and the basic transcendental knowledge needed to act in spiritual consciousness.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/SbJw6n

ISKCON-guru Giriraja Swami speaks about the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium and the astounding thing Srila Prabhupada said to him about what would happen if we build this temple.

Sunday Feast One Spark of Krishna’s Opulence – Jayadvaita Swami Maharaj BG10.42

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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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:

rasa108@gmail.com

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Rasa Rasika dasa

Krsna is not dry, not boring. He is not working. There are unlimited energies emanating from Krsna, but Krsna has no work to perform. Krsna is the Supreme Controller, but Krsna does not need to push buttons or pull strings to control things. Things are simply going on by his desire and he himself is engaged in unlimited blissful pleasure pastimes. That is Krsna!

The devotees are seeing and appreciating all these unlimited qualities of Krsna. Therefore, the devotees glorify Krsna. That is their business.

Brampton/Toronto, Ontario

What Is Family


ISKCON Brampton was a tad more quiet than usual according to one of the members.  Though their turn out of 80 people was low due to pilgrimages to India and the absenteeism of some of the youth on drum lessons, I thought the attendance was quite fair. 

It is Sunday, after all, and it’s a day that families are available for spiritual charge-up.  Hey, I’m proud to say that there are a lot of families, good family folks that form the major body of attendees at this midday gathering. 

I brought pilgrim, Manu, with me and he gave the talk citing many references to the family unit.  It got me thinking.  There’s one way we might describe the word family, it is a group of souls that share biological karma together.  Then, let me try something else, it is a network of souls that have the opportunity to serve each other over and over again.  I thought further on, a family could be viewed as a group of beings who can evolve or devolve together. 

We’ve heard of family feuds such as in the case of the Pandavas vs. the Kauravas, as found in the epic, The Mahabharat.  It’s sad, but all blood relations don’t always get along.  Evidently, genuine spiritual discharge has proven to help in damage control.  Somehow we need to see beyond the bodily platform and come to appreciate that as spirits, we belong to a one universal family. 

I was glad to catch a glimpse of this concept being put into practice.  A young drum teacher, Devala, by name, came to our ISKCON Toronto branch, where youths from Brampton and other areas took some lessons from him.   Devala created an atmosphere of family just with the thump of the mrdanga drum.  With his 30+ students, a powerful heartbeat of drums made you want to march, if not dance into the world of synchronicity. 

It was great!

May the Source be with you!

6 KM