Planet ISKCON

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.

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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

The Name On A Full Stomach (10 min video)
Today the Mayapur harinam party goes out chanting. It’s been doing so for 3 to 4 hours everyday since March 2006; every week, and every month of every year.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/d6O2fK

May 20^th, 1969 – A small cluster of devotees waited at the entrance to the rural West Virginia property, hearts beating with anticipation. As the Lincoln town car turned the corner, they hit the gravel driveway in obeisance. Srila Prabhupada stepped out of the car. “Oh, there are many waiting here,” he said, looking around with a smile that lit up his entire face. “Jai Sri Krishna!”

Programme organised by Manthana and Mythic Society, Bengaluru.

Srila Prabhupada Murti Worship (14 min video)
This fourteen-minute video shows the daily puja of a small brass deity of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The performer of the puja is Hari Sauri Das, well known in ISKCON for acting as Srila Prabhupada’s personal servant for a period of sixteen months, from November 1975 to March 1977. The running commentary is provided by Hari Sauri Prabhu himself, clarifying details of the proceedings as they unfold in the video. The full-length daily puja and arati, lasting around 25 minutes, was edited down to fifteen minutes for best viewing results. Produced by BhakTV, at the request of Srila Prabhupada Position Committee (SPPC), in service to The GBC Strategic Planning Team (SPT).
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/mxSV4N

It was Star Wars, with its theme of a transcendental “force”, which opened up mainstream American culture to Indian esotericism more than anything else.

Krishna Mountain (Trailer, 7min video)
Finally the awaited trailer has come. The final draft will be premiered in February 2015 at Sri Mayapur in India.
It’s a feature-length documentary on the spectacular upsurge of visitors to the Govardhan Hill, in Braj. Why do millions of people go around this sacred hill? Why only now?
Attention!! Finding this out could lead you to join a crowd of high-spirited pilgrims on the 21km trail around the hill :-)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/LP6t6D

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi SJMKL - Ratha Yatra 2015

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi SJMKL - Ratha Yatra 2015

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi SJMKL - Ratha Yatra 2015

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi SJMKL - Ratha Yatra 2015

In Mattur ordinary shopkeepers and agricultural labourers speak in Sanskrit - or at least understand it. Most children too speak the language fluently.

Music: S.K.M BEATS - Yuga Dharma (featuring Aindra Dasa). Filmed, edited: Sim

Swansea istagosti.

The post The nectar and the challenges of book distribution (Part 1) appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The Dhal, Batti And Churma - Winter Festival In Braj! (Album 11 photos)
All over Braja, locals are celebrating winter with the famous winter feast…..dhal, batti and churma feast. According to tradition this feast heats up the body and keeps the locals warm for the rest of winter. The excess use of ghee is the secret. Everything tasted divine except for the hot chillies in the chutney!! But the brajabasi’s loved it!!
See them here: http://goo.gl/Ajr2aW

Devotees perform Harinama distribute books and prasadam at Metro Centrum Warszawa, Poland (Album 49 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: These are the symptoms of one who chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Although he is very exalted, he thinks himself lower than the grass on the ground, and like a tree, he tolerates everything in two ways. When a tree is cut down, it does not protest, and even when drying up, it does not ask anyone for water. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 20.22-23)
See them here: http://goo.gl/Dw2GG2

Marco Zaror, Actor and best martial artist of Chile receives transcendental literature!
Srila Prabhupada: One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor but is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 20.21)

ISKCON Ipoh, Malaysia - Sri Vaikuntha Ekadasi 2015 (Album 30 photos)
Hare Krishna Food for Life Centre, Buntong, Ipoh where Sri Srinivasa Govinda deity has been installed.
See them here: http://goo.gl/GIDBAb

This week’s challenge: Who is this?

Bonus challenge: What’s he doing and when was the photo taken?

What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the New Vrindaban Facebook page.

A short video to give a people a taste of kirtan. For more videos please visit www.enoughmagazine.org. This video was produced by Bhakti Lounge - www.bhaktilounge.org.nz.

Though we act as spiritual doctors, we are undoubtedly patients as well.  After a month of sharing spirituality with others, now comes an opportunity to do some soul-searching and reflect on whether I’m walking the talk.

A video by Conservation International.

These memoirs seek to supplement formal hagiographies, in Hare Krishna parlance, they are “nectar books”—devotional testimonies that are to be savored like a sweet dessert, rather than merely read.   

If we continue with our inattention, some benefit is there but we are chanting shadow Japa, or the outer form of the Holy names. The inner form is the Lord's deep spiritual energy - when we really make an effort, then this energy is perceived by us (higher taste, sense of peacefulness and maybe some spiritual emotions).

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player is needed; works best with Firefox or Explorer; if you are using Google Chrome it will automatically play, so if you don't want to listen, mute your speakers.)

From my youth during the 60’s I remember tests of the Emergency Broadcasting System on TV, where the regular programing was interrupted. A certain symbol was flashed on the screen with a jarring sound to wake you up and get your attention. After a few minutes, we were told that that this was only a test. If there had been a real emergency we would have been given appropriate instructions—like to go to bomb shelter or something. I thought about this idea of tests and being prepared—or not—for personal emergencies in relationship to my wife and my current illness of about a week now.

I have been thinking that this flu, or whatever respiratory infection it is, is only a test, not a nuclear attack, or earthquake—something that may cause death (which is like our lifetime’s final exam—because our consciousness, attachments, and good or bad actions determine our next birth). If I am still alive, that means I have more time left to be Krishna conscious or to go deeper into my spiritual path. No, our illness likely isn’t life threatening, though still plenty miserable. However, at some point in the near future, we will have to move on and out of our current bodily apartment—we are renters here, not owners. Had I died yesterday, save some special arrangement, I would be taking birth again still full of anarthas (unwanted mentalities or habits) and petty desires.

So my lack of spiritual standing is sobering, but mainly when confronted with the possibility of my death at this moment—which is one reason we are meant to keep death—or the temporariness of our body—before our eyes! Otherwise, hey, I could live another 20 or 30 years, so no worries Mate, still plenty of time for spiritual progress, mañana! Could I use this as a new lease on the remaining days of my life? That would be a great outcome of feeling crappy. Still, I have to choose that outcome, as we tend to forget, getting absorbed in our regular life, job, and family.

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We are two continents behind in reporting Kadamba Kanana Swami’s travels! We will catch up over the next few days. Maharaj stayed in Mayapur until 19 December. During his time there, he was heavily engaged in various services: the Mayapur Master Plan, teaching in the Bhakti Sastri course, giving initiations, morning lectures, leading kirtan, doing parikrama, etc.

The Bhakti Sastri group to whom Maharaj taught the “Nectar of Devotion” (NOD) were a very lively bunch. Some interesting exchanges and discussions ensued. You can experience the classroom vibe by listening to the audio recordings which are presented below.

On Saturday, 20 December, Maharaj arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, where he spent nine days. Thereafter, he traveled to Germany to participate in the Sankirtan Festival and do other programs. This weekend, he heads-off to the United Kingdom. Detailed reports will follow…

 

Photos

Please visit flickr to see all the pictures

 

Audio – NOD Lectures

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_NOD_seminar_Part1a

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_NOD_seminar_Part1b

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_NOD_seminar_Part2a

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_NOD_seminar_Part2b

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_NOD_seminar_Part3

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_NOD_seminar_Part4

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_NOD_seminar_Part5

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_NOD_seminar_Part6

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_NOD_seminar_Part7

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_NOD_seminar_Part8

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_NOD_seminar_Part9

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_NOD_seminar_Part10

 

Audio – Other

KKS_Mayapur_04 December 2014_SB 6.1.50_Russian

KKS_Mayapur_14 December  2014_SB 6.2.3

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_Parikrama Lecture_Bhaktivinodha

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_Parikrama Lecture

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_Kirtan1

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_Kirtan2

KKS_Mayapur_December 2014_Kirtan3

 

My old friend Ilan Chester has begun an exciting project to bring India’s spiritual tradition to western theatres. The songs are Sanskrit, the orchestras classical, the stages international. Let’s applaud his enthusiasm and creativity – and support his work.

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