Planet ISKCON

Smashed religious imagery in Utrecht

Iconoclast:

Today, the former head man at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Giles Frazer, writes in the Guardian that both the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists and the Islamists shared a common conception that false gods and man-made religions and objects of veneration have to be smashed.

 

We hear so much about people converting from one religion to another. Srila Prabhupada in his introduction to the Bhagavad Gita says that conversion of faith is material where as the dharma of all living entities is eternal. In other words, even if a person converts, still his dharma remains constant and eternal.

If a person is seeking God to serve God, then there is no need to convert from one religion to another.But if a person is seeking happiness (material or spiritual) in God, then such a person will convert. To serve God with no motive and no break in time is the ultimate dharma for mankind. Such selfless and timeless service can be conducted under any religious banner be it Christianity, Islam, Judaism or Krishna.

Most often than not, the institutional form of religions do not teach such selfless service to God, but however, propagate self-preservation and self-happiness in the name of God as the ultimate goal of life. Because there is lot of customer base for self-preservation and happiness in this world, institutionalized religions are competing with each other using mundane tactics to pull these customers to their institutions. This competitive pulling of customers from one religion to another is called conversion. Such conversions have no real basis in true dharma. It is an illusion!

Real dharma for all living beings is to serve God without any ulterior motive and without any break in time. One can do this in any setting any where!

Hare Krishna

Padayatra Guyana 2015 (Album 195 photos)
with H.H. Bhakti Marg Swami and The Major Of Georgetown (H. Green)
Wed, Jan 7, 2015
See them here: http://goo.gl/AQS0rB

Harinama at Byron Bay - 07 January 2015 (Album 14 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We should not forget the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra under any circumstances. It will help us in the greatest danger, as we find in the life of Gajendra. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 8.3.1 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/A2fB0h

Prabhupada’s Books Sold Through Russian Bookstore Chain
Moscow Vaisnavas have prepared a gift for all the Russian readers. Now A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s books are available in one of the leading bookstore chains in the country. All BBT books can be bought in 204 stores of the chain in 80 Russian cities.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/t9x9Vd

Auckland NZ Chant,Chant,Chant! (Album 35 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra without offences, all of one’s sinful actions are surely atoned for immediately, but one should not commit such deeds again, for that is an offence. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.16.14 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/n2r4hB

Has New Govardhana got talent?……Sure has! 09 January 2015 (Album 17 photos)
What a great evening of singers, dancers, poets and actors.
See them here: http://goo.gl/MgdqCT

It's that time of the year again where we muster up the strength and courage to make resolutions for ourselves that will allow us to improve and grow. 

The ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM-India) has announced its official launching of the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign, a 12 years initiative invoking “global auspiciousness” centered on the Surabhi Cow, the Universal Mother. The message they wish to convey is simple yet profound: the urgent need to give total and absolute care and protection to Mother Cow.

Moscow Vaisnavas have prepared a gift for all the Russian readers. Now A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's books are available in one of the leading bookstore chains in the country. All BBT books can be bought in 204 stores of the chain in 80 Russian cities.

ISKCON now has an official website on its founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The website is full of information on Prabhupada's accomplishments and teachings, and it includes a graphic timeline of Prabhupada's life, photos, videos, and links to Srila Prabhupada's books.

Malaysian Ratha Yatra 2015 (Album 197 photos)
The first ever “Festival of India” organized by Sri Jagannatha Mandir, ISKCON Malaysia National Head Quarters in Little India, Brickfields. The festival included Jagannatha’s “mercy ride” on the chariot along with Lord Baladeva & Subhadra Devi, dance, traditional music, and lot of kirtan. Prasadam was distributed to more than 3000 people and needless to say the festival attracted a big crowd.
See them here: http://goo.gl/r77NbL

Lecture Podcast:

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The post Salva performs austerities to attain an ariel city with which to destroy the Vrsnis appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Behind The Scenes: ACHARYA (Album 31 photos)
Welcome to the exclusive behind the scenes shoot of ACHARYA. A team of young professionals from around the world embarked in October 2014 to film and re-create the world of Srila Prabhupada’s childhood and life from Kolkata, to Mayapur and all the way to Krishna’s birthplace in the mystical land of Vrindavan. Stay tuned for more updates…
See them here: http://goo.gl/C00ETd

Dec 2014 Book Distribution Marathon in Iskcon Maraimalai Nagar (Album 8 photos)
The first ever book distribution marathon by the ISKCON Maraimalai Nagar yatra. Here is our humble offering for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. Total books distributed:
3836 Maha Big Books, 499 Big books, 6 Medium Books, 652 Small Books, and 3315 Back to Godhead magazines !!!
We thank all the 50 devotees who so enthusiastically participated in this most pleasing service to His Divine Grace. We pray Srila Prabhupada and all the Vaishnavas are pleased with our effort. Please bless us that we may do much much more in the service of Lord Caitanya.
Srila Prabhupada transcendental book distribution ki jaya!!
See them here: http://goo.gl/pdWPzO

Kirtan Fest in Nova Gokula, Brazil (Album 125 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The demigods are pleased when sacrifices are performed, just as prison officers are satisfied when the prisoners are turned into obedient subjects. Lord Caitanya, however, has recommended only one yajna, or sacrifice, called the sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of Hare Krishna, in which everyone can take part. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1.6.20 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/JWLz0S

Donation of Iskcon books to a popular library in Lagos (Album 8 photos)
Iskcon devotees yesterday January 7,2015. donated different titles of Srila Prabhupada’s literatures to a famous library in Lagos, known as,”National Troupe library,” at National Theatre Lagos. A female librarian who received the spiritual books was enthusiastic to say, “I have read one of your literature before and it talk of ‘Duties’ she said.” I got the book from a class mate some years back though, the book was taken by a friend of her. But, “It really inspired my thought patterns, she said”! One devotee ask if she could still identify the book,she said Yes! It was Srila Prabhupada Bhagavad Gita as it is. Srila Prabhupada Ki jaya!
See them here: http://goo.gl/KhN2YD

A visit to the ancient Vedic Temple of “Handsome Kesava” which took 103 years to construct (Album 186 amazing photos)
Indradyumna Swami: The town of Belfur, in the southern state of Karnataka in India, is set on the banks of the Yagachi river. It was chosen as the capitol of the Hoysala dynasty which ruled much of South India between the 11th and 14th centuries. The saintly kings of the Hoysala dynasty were great patrons of art and architecture during their 300 years of rule. The main temple in Belfur took 103 years to construct. The presiding Visnu deity is called Chenna Kesava, which means “the handsome Kesava.” It took us many hours to explore the entire ornate complex, with it’s many structures, described by local people as, “heaven on earth.” During our visit the citizens held a festival in honor of “handsome Kesava” that included a large parade. It was wonderful to see that after 1,000 years the deity is still loved and worshipped so nicely by the people.
See them here: http://goo.gl/ZmpBzu

A visit to ISKCON Baroda (Album 108 photos)
Bhakti Charu Swami visited ISKCON Baroda for lectures on Wednesday, Jan 7 and Thursday, Jan 8, 2015
See them here: http://goo.gl/P9nQF2

The post January 9th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Meaning Of Receiving Dust Of Pure Devotees – Giriraj Swami Maharaj

 

Make 2015 a year of Kirtan Bliss this Sunday 18 January! An evening of music, mantra and meditation, interwoven with words of wisdom, amazing food and amazing people! Hosted by Jayadeva Kavi.

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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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

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 29 April 2013, Radhadesh, Belgium, Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi Lila 9.46)

by Lilasuka dasi

New Vrindaban’s 1^st New Year’s Bhakti Retreat from Wed. evening Dec. 31, 2014 to Sun. Jan. 4, 2015 was lively and family friendly. Devotees came in from many places outside West Virginia. His Grace Gopal Hari Prabhu came from Boise, ID. Several families from Detroit, MI mandir also came to participate. His Grace Jambavan das and his wife, Samvit dasi, and their 8 children came along with some others from the Detroit crew. There were also 12 devotees from Columbus, OH.

Both resident Brijabasis and the guests eagerly participated in all aspects of the weekend, from leading kirtans to making garlands. Attendance for this 1^st Bhakti Retreat was low, but there were many high points. The children enthusiastically and expertly (sometimes spontaneously) lead kirtans throughout the weekend. New Vrindaban’s own Gauranatraj Prabhu gave an uplifting Srimad Bhagavatam class early on Friday morning. His Holiness Varsana Maharaj mesmerized and enlivened everyone with his Gaura katha late on Saturday morning. Gopal Hari Prabhu (Boise) led a soothing bhajan on New Year’s Eve and at other times, and gave a very nice Srimad Bhagavatam class on Saturday morning. He also led a couple of workshops on “Ethics in the Mahbharata”. Jambavan Prabhu gave a nice Srimad Bhagavatam class on Sunday morning. New Vrindaban’s Sankirtan Prabhu also presented his special “Voyage to the West: Why & How the Hare Krishna Movement Came to America” in preparation for 2015, commemorating the 50^th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s Journey to America.

Jagannatha Kirtan Prabhu led a wonderful kirtan and Malati Prabhu’s Prabhupada Katha session was very popular. Radha devi (NV) and Sundari (Pgh) prepared sumptuous prasadam for everyone throughout the retreat.

Many who participated in the New Vrindaban Bhakti Retreat assured us that they will come back to next year’s Retreat and bring their friends. They commented that this was the best way imaginable to bring in a new year – by associating intimately with the Lord’s devotees in the beautiful Radha Vrindaban Chandra Mandir, and by hearing Krsna katha to their heart’s content.

A few days ago, the first Hindu was sworn in as a Member of Congress for the second time. An American national from Hawaai with a military history, she took her oath by laying her hand on the Bhagavad Gita, the ‘As It Is’ version with extensive commentary by Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Tulsi Gabbard, the first ever Hindu lawmaker, took her oath on the Bhagavad-gita as the 114th session of the US Congress began. She was administered the oath of office by the Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner.

A new Pew Research Centre study said there is relatively little change in the overall religious makeup of Congress.

More than nine-in-ten members of the House and Senate (92 per cent) are Christian, and about 57 per cent are Protestant, roughly the same as in the 113th Congress (90 per cent and 56 per cent, respectively). About three-in-ten members (31 per cent) are Catholic, the same as in the previous Congress.

Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus combined represent roughly two per cent of American adults and one per cent of Congress.

Bhagavatam-daily podcast:

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Holy Name Meditation Podcast:

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Penang Ratha Yatra (Album 38 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Nowadays people are very much inclined to the meditational process, which is not practical in this age, but if anyone practices meditating on Krishna twenty-four hours a day by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra round his beads, he is surely the greatest meditator and the greatest yogi.
(Bhagavad-Gita, 9.27 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/Qem0dG

Mayapur Local Preaching Picnic
For the pleasure of their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhav, Pancatattva, Prahlad-Nrisimhadev and Srila Prabhupada, Mayapur Local Preaching held its annual picnic festival on 28th December, 2014. We had 350 participants, namely, Bhakti Vriksha members, and well wishers. The program was held at Sri Rajapur Jagannath Temple (ISKCON). This years picnic program was focused on the Bhakti Vriksha members reciprocating between themselves with spiritually enthusiastic entertainment. Srila Prabhupada personally desired this type of reciprocation, as is mentioned in his credence of the seven purposes of ISKCON, one of the seven being “to bring the members of the society more closer….” Regarding that purpose, the program had been designed with various events as follows: Starting at 10:45 AM with Mangalacaran, Harinam and Gaudiya bhajan giti, followed by a short lecture and certificate distribution by the director of MLP department His Grace Sankarsan Nitai Prabhu. Then under the guidance of His Grace Ananda Bardhan Prabhu, we had a ‘quiz contest’. This was an interesting, encouraging and spiritually brain warming program for all the Bhakti Vriksha members. The quiz lasted around 1 hour and in between there was short dance program by a young girl from Caitanya Bhakti Vriksha Gosthi.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/EW9bjE