Planet ISKCON

Harinama-sankirtana 31/12/2014 in Chisinau, Moldova (Album 42 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Padma Purana, Krishna says, mad-bhakta yatra gayanti tatra tisthami narada: “O Narada, I am present wherever My devotees are chanting.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 17.132 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/GbGhFy

ISKCON-Delhi, New Year Cultural Program: 31-12-2014 (Album 21 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one chants the holy name of God-Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-eventually he will see Krishna’s form, realize Krishna’s qualities, and remember Krishna’s pastimes. That is the effect of the pure chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. (A Second Chance, 16)
See them here: http://goo.gl/ZjEYbc

The post Book distribution festival kirtana appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Answer Podcast:

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Radhakunda Seva - December 2014 Photos and Updates (Album 86 photos)
Happy New Year, dear friends! A Baba from Badrinatha is celebrating the New Year in Radha Kunda with an offering of 108 tons of food preparations for Srimati Radharani! 2015 is being welcomed with fireworks, heaps of prasad laid out along Radha Kunda’s stairs, and brilliant décor draped from Radha Kunda’s temples. Tomorrow, January 2nd, the Badrinatha Baba plans to feed all the villagers in the thirty or so villages surrounding the Radha Kunda area. It brings us great happiness to witness Vaishnavas doing such wondrous service at Radha Kunda.
See them here: http://goo.gl/477kdN

New year’s eve harinam in New Zealand (Album 28 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/yGoq14

Midnight-Harinam in Stockholm, Sweden (Album 13 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We can chant Hare Krishna, and Krishna will immediately become available. Krishna is available in this easy way, for which there are no hard and fast rules. We can chant at any time and immediately get Krishna. Just see the mercy of Krishna! (Teachings of Queen Kunti, 8, Purport).
See them here: http://goo.gl/oCusQN

Surfers Paradise Bhakti Centre New Years Eve Harinama!! with Harinama Ruci and New Govardhana devotees.
Srila Prabhupada: It is not that one must chant at a certain time. No. At any time one may chant. Furthermore, Krishna’s name is identical with Krishna Himself. Therefore the holy name of Krishna is Krishna. (Teachings of Queen Kunti, 8, Purport).

Joaquín Lavin, Education Minister of Chile receives Srila Prabhupada books.
Srila Prabhupada: One who is interested in chanting the holy name of Krishna or who by practice likes to chant Krishna’s names should be accepted as a Vaisnava and offered respects as such, at least within one’s mind. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 15, 111)

Sweet and melodious kirtan by devotees from China using local musical instruments (8 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: If one hears a person say even once the word “Krishna” that person should be accepted as the best man out of the common group. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 15, 106)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/x2WyGN

Festivities and New Year Eve Celebrations @ ISKCON Punjabi Bagh.
Lecture By HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja, Drama on “The Power of Holy Name” from life of Ajamila, Performances by Bhakta Prahalad School followed by Dancing and Kirtan..(Album 29 photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/gkcGfq

Sankirtan Festival in Budapest, Hungary for the 2014 book distribution Marathon (Album 18 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The name Krishna and the Personality of Godhead Krishna are identical. There is no difference in the absolute realm between the name, form or person of the Absolute Truth because in the absolute realm everything is transcendental bliss. (Srimad Bhagavatam, Introduction)
See them here: http://goo.gl/GfSZQE

Gita verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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New Year Message from His Holiness Jayapataka Swami (11 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: By chanting Hare Krishna one fixes his mind always on the Supreme Lord. One example often given is that of the caterpillar that thinks of becoming a butterfly and so is transformed into a butterfly in the same life. Similarly, if we constantly think of Krishna, it is certain that at the end of our lives we shall have the same bodily constitution as Krishna.
(Bhagavad-gita, 8.8 Purport)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/y3Z1aQ

New Dvaraka, Los Angeles, Kirtan Mela - New Year’s Eve 2014 (Album 41 photos)
There’s no better way to send of the old year and ring in the new than congregational chanting of the Maha-mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishn, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare!
See them here: http://goo.gl/oe7Qce

Huge Harinama in Budapest, Hungary on the eve of 2015 (2 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: One 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)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/UYmZ7S

Santa, 3 penguins & a Banana - 2014 December Marathon :-) (4 min video)
This video is about Bhava Bhakti dd’s mentee group sankirtan adventures in London during the December Marathon …. !
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/vb5cYY

Thoughts for the New Year by Radhanath Swami.
“A new year is a land mark in our lives and a time for reflection on where we have been, where we are and where we want to go. It’s also time to ponder on our failures and mistakes in our spiritual lives. In the path of Bhakti every occasion and every thing is for the purpose of transformation. If the previous year bought sufferings in our lives we can take solace in the fact that all sufferings and punishments in this world are for our healthy rectification. Today we need to meditate on what I really want in life.”
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/lnrSza

This week’s challenge: Who are these pioneer New Vrindaban Brijabasis?

Bonus challenge: What’s the occasion 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.

Krishna Wants To Remove Foolishness Of Rukmi – Hare Krishna prabhu

Gita verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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Holy Name Meditation Podcast:
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I went from the concrete world of New York City to the emerald world of New Gokula. I'm breathing in jasmine, cow dung, the river, and now the rain. I can feel it all on my skin, in my lungs. The day was hot and sweet, and now the night and rain is falling and it's cool and sweet.

Here in my room, I can hear sashes of kirtan from the temple wind down the hill and tickle my ear. My life has boiled down to one directive: chant the holy name. For someone who has been religiously tending to her agenda, juggling a dozen duties every day, I find myself unarmed.

My only agenda is to chant. Eat, sleep, then chant more. And dance.

When I'm in kirtan, I just want to stay, stay, stay. I am discovering an addictive peace. I have to tear myself away to eat. Life literally melts way and I am right here, right now.

A couple hours remain in 2014. Dear reader, I'm glad we got to spend the year together. I pray that wherever life takes you, life takes you to love.

The ticklings in my ear are getting so insistent!! Oh my God. I must run up the hill and dash into the templeroom because I know some crazy dancing is going down.

Gotta go party with God.

Happy New Year ;)

Part 1
In the midst of my sneezing and a hacking cough this morning I discovered a fantastically beautiful sunrise—breathtakingly inspiring for me—when I went downstairs to wake our home Deities. These days I am very taken by the natural world, the sunrise and sunset, phases of the moon, and my favorite for super variety, the ever-changing clouds. These daily occurrences are often missed in our hectic world, and thus it is no wonder that people are ever more depressed and lonely, feeling the cities are like a fast paced void. Behind Nature, and within it (and our hearts), is the Presence of the Almighty, patiently waiting for us to turn to him.

And when we are in the peace that nature can afford (if we can turn off our phone) we can feel closer to the Source of Everything, who for Gaudiya Vaishnavas, is the charming, extraordinarily gorgeous, irresistible flute player and cowherd, Shri Krishna. So I felt inspired and happy in the midst of a distressful condition—which gives a clue on how to be happy. This is the opening for today’s topic on happiness.

My wife and I gave a class last week titled, "Is Happiness a Choice?" guided by the 14th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita on the three modes, or qualities, that govern the material world. Our answer to this question was a conditional yes, since happiness is really an attitude toward life, and not the result of our material adjustments or attainments. Another way of thinking of happiness is that it is not a “thing” but a by-product of a state of consciousness. Thus we might reframe the question to read, “What state of mind is required to choose to be happy?”

From a higher spiritual perspective, one of the qualities of the soul is happiness, so the closer we come to the spiritual platform, the more joy we will naturally feel, and the less we will be searching for happiness in the world of ephemeral things. The potentiality of material goodness (sattva) is that it is the portal, or gateway, to the soul, since it can bring wisdom and spiritual illumination. The downside of material goodness—and all material qualities or things have shortcomings—is that one can become attached to being a happy, virtuous, and wise person, and remain materially bound.

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"As far as controlling the mind, two senses engaged are sufficient. If we engage the process of hearing and the process of chanting with the tongue, then these two senses can capture the mind on the Hare Krsna mantra."

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

From the KKSBlog Team, we wish you a Krsna conscious, devotional-service-filled 2015! This year, the Blog enters its tenth year of existence! Initially, a mailing list was created where devotees shared with each other the latest news and updates about Kadamba Kanana Swami. In 2005, at the request of Nama-rupa, Uddhava created the blog in an attempt to widen the reach of our audience and formalize the KKS media library. From humble beginnings, by the efforts and dedication of some devotees, the KKSBlog has developed over the years to its current format.

Thank you to our readers, financial backers and transcribers for your support. Our appreciation to those who take photos and recordings. Finally, our gratitude to our dear Kadamba Kanana Swami for being the main inspiration behind the existence of the KKSBlog.

 

Even in cold winter, Srimati Radharani’s home in Varsana teems with locals and pilgrims alike visiting the holy places of that sacred abode. A day before leaving Vrindavan we joined them, all the while begging Radharani to bless our upcoming festival programs in Maharashtra. “I emphatically say to you, O brothers, you will obtain your [...]

New year eve Harinam: Queen st Auckland New Zealand (Album 3 photos) Srila Prabhupada: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-these sixteen names composed of thirty-two syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of Kali-yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience there is no alternative to the chanting of the holy name.” (Kali-santarana Upanisad)
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When devotees of ISKCON preach, most often than not, it will be categorical in the sense that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and everyone else is subservient to Krishna. In fact, sometimes, you will hear that the Gaudiya vaishnava siddhanta as Lord Caitanya is the supreme refuge for all living beings. In this, there seems to be an apparent implication that other paths perhaps are not correct or bonafide. For the untrained ear, this might sound sectarian and even fanatic hence offensive.

Our acharyas actually present Gaudiya siddhanta as the supreme occupation for mankind. In other words, they recognize other valid spiritual paths but simply focus their energy on the ultimate fruit of the soul. Of course, not all will be interested in the supreme fruit of the soul. We are all living entities with free will, so not many will be interested in the highest dharma. In fact only few will be interested in the highest dharma of love of God in a mood of separation as Srimati Radharani exhibited as Lord Caitanya. True love even of this world is the sweetest in separation than in meeting.

So the Gaudiya philosophy inspires the soul to love God in a mood of sweetness. This does not mean other paths are not bonafide. There are so many paths beginning from pure materialism to material religion to nihilism to sayujya mukhi to personalism. If you imagine these paths to be the different rungs of a ladder of dharma (material to spiritual), the Gaudiya vaishnava siddhanta of pure love in separation is the top rung after which there is nothing more for the soul to aspire. The spiritual journey of the soul is complete and hence ends in that topmost rung. Anyone aspiring for the highest fruit of life will ultimately take refuge in Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

As I am writing this, perhaps it is already New Year 2015 in parts of the world. I wish everyone a Happy 2015! Of course there is no steady state happiness in material endeavors. Only pure love of God will nourish the soul and bleed unending happiness. So in that mood to seek unending happiness, I wish everyone a Happy 2015!

Hare Krishna