Planet ISKCON

1974 December 25: "So one who gives class must read and study regularly and study the purport and realize it. Don't add anything or concoct anything - then you can preach very nicely."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 December 25: "The qualification for leading class is how much one understands about Krsna and the surrendering process. Not whether one is male or female. Of course, better she has heard nicely then she will speak nicely."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 December 25: "We can collect a lot of money for ISKCON Food Relief program with this film. But not a single farthing of that money should be used for any other thing. It should all go to our ISKCON Food Relief fund, nothing else."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

Today is the disappearance day of Srila Jiva Gosvami, one of the Six Gosvamis of Vrndavana, direct disciples of Lord Chaitanya. Srila Prabhupada writes, “Srila Jiva Gosvami composed and edited at least twenty-five books. They are all very much celebrated . . . After the disappearance of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami in Vrndavana, Srila Jiva Gosvami became the acarya of all the Vaisnavas in Bengal, Orissa, and the rest of the world, and it is he who used to guide them in their devotional service. In Vrndavana he established the Radha-Damodara temple, where, after retirement, we had the opportunity to live from 1962 until 1965, when we decided to come to the United States of America.” (Cc Adi 10.85 purport)

In London I am staying in the home of Ramanuja dasa and Shyama Sakhi dasi, and their son Varun. In Vrindavan Varun did some service to restore and preserve Srila Jiva Gosvami’s chanting beads (japa-mala), and in reciprocation, the Goswami in possession of the beads gave one to Varun. Today I chanted japa on that bead, remembering Srila Jiva Goswami’s exalted qualities and activities—and love. And in response to a prayer to him, I felt that he instructed me, “Just serve your gurudeva. By the service of your gurudeva you will get everything.”

In his purport to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 4.71), Srila Prabhupada writes, “Srila Jiva Gosvami Prabhu gives the following directions in his Bhakti-sandarbha (270): ‘Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on one’s having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krsna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. Therefore if one becomes very humble and meek, he can easily attain the lotus feet of Krsna in this Age of Kali. That is the fulfillment of all great sacrifices, penances, and austerities, because when one achieves ecstatic love of Godhead, he attains the complete perfection of life. Therefore whatever one does in executing devotional service must be accompanied by the chanting of the holy name of the Lord.’ ”

Hare Krishna.

Christmas is a religious holiday where the birth of Jesus is glorified. On this day, traditionally, believers of Christ attend mass and sing songs of glory unto him. Unfortunately, only a handful take up christianity in a mood of prayer and worship while the majority lot are interested mainly in wrapped merchandise.

I want to share with you my realization of Jesus Christ and modern day christianity.

My introduction to Jesus happened rather at a very young age say about 7 or 8 years. I had two friends (both of them brothers) who were devout Christians. I and my brother used to visit their home regularly as they were our school mates. I remember them and their family as being loving, compassionate and very devout Christians. Every day, around evening time, the entire family come to gather to pray to the Lord. If I and my brother were there at that time, we would join the prayers as well. This sincere service to Jesus impressed me. Besides, their parents were more attached to their children than my own father were to me and my brother. I attributed their togetherness to their faith in Jesus. This positive experience opened up within me to know more about Jesus.

In India, Jesus is a minority. So it takes some effort to know him. Whenever i got the opportunity i learnt and appreciated the personality called Jesus mostly through popular media such as movies or television.

After taking up God consciousness seriously, i made efforts to understand christianity little more seriously. I read few books on christianity, watched documentaries etc. The more i exposed myself to Jesus and christianity, the more i realized that my naive understanding of the religion is not what it is in reality. Christians, today, are taught by the church to believe that there is no path to God but only through Jesus. Other religionists are simply destined to hell no matter how pious they may be, on the other hand, Christians are destined to heaven regardless of how they live. This philosophy i think does not fit with reality. This dogmatic approach to religion is why many relinquish it. Another aspect of the religion i found unsettling is to do with the scripture itself - The Bible. First of all there are so many variations of the Bible. Also, the four current gospels which tell the story of Jesus were handpicked by some scholars in the first century AD. Who were these scholars and who gave them the authority to pick certain gospels is not sure? Another interesting point is that the authors themselves (of the four selected gospels) are unknown to modern man. To me the divinity of the story teller is as important as the divine subject itself. Otherwise, there is no difference between the Bible and a mundane book.

So in more ways than one, i was disappointed to know how modern day Christianity evolved, is taught and practiced. Having said this, the personality called Jesus - i am still very much attached to. Although the veracity of Jesus can be questioned as i believe the current version of the Bible does not portray him in truth, i still believe Jesus was and is a divine person who came upon this earth to deliver mankind from his materialistic ways. To me he is a messenger of God who sacrificed his life to speak the truth about spiritual values. I see Jesus as a savior in the sense that he tried to enlighten and elevate people to a sublime state of consciousness. His sermon on the mount is a testament to this.

While the American and perhaps the world's notion of Jesus may be one of resurrection and salvation, I approach Jesus as my guide to a spiritual way of life. On his holy appearance, I offer respects unto him and pray unto him to give me the proper consciousness by which I can attain the Father In Heaven with great awe and reverence.

Hare Krishna

We wish you a Merry 2015, etc etc….

Did you know?

• We had 12673 views per month! (last years average was 8510)
• South Africans visited the blog the most with 18288 views this year
• We published 338 articles, with 846 images and media files,
• This is almost 650 MB in one year, with a total of 40.6 GB

Top 16

Top “ten” lists are flooding the internet at the end of the year, so here is  a spiritual top 16! You can make your own interpretations on this list. We just wonder why “Strong medicine” is still on top?! Check out the list from last year.

1. Strong medicine
2. Sex in Vedic culture
3. The lonely vaisnava
4. To be or not to be… vegan?
5. A farewell to my disciple Visnujana
6. The brahmachari and the grhasta
7. Tightening the screws
8. Visit Brahmananda
9. Friendship is important
10. The opening of Iskcon Noida Temple, Delhi
11. Kirtan Mela Mayapur, 2014
12. The perfect soul mate!?
13. Kartik vows
14. Offering potato chips!?
15. Service in Serbia – Fruska Gauranga Summer Camp, 2014
16. Sex: Is that all there is?

What was your favorite post? Let us know!!!

Who made this possible?

• Ragalekha dd – 80 posts – our stalwart chief editor
• Harsarani dd – 61 posts
• Amrtavani dd – 55 posts
• Ananda Vrindavan dasi – 49 posts
• Nicole Moodley – 44 posts
• KKSBlog – 34 posts – general account for posts 
• Uddhava das – 17 posts – the nerd who didn’t change much this year
• Kristin Kallas – 13 posts
• Nama rupa dd – 6 posts
• Candrasekhara das – 4 posts
• Yamuna dd – 4 posts
• Yadurani dd – 2 posts

Our team is, of course, much bigger. We get content from our readers and our regular contributors that are published under the general kksblog author account. We are not forgetting you!!

Fundraising

Next to our contributors, editor and other staff, we have our devoted financial backers. They support us with the much needed funds to keep this website running and going forward. In 2014, we changed our fundraising technique. Now you can buy an audio album, hard-drive or other goodies and support us at the same time. So, you get something wonderful and support KKSBlog simultaneously.

2014 is almost over but you may still visit our support page

We acknowledge the following people who have supported KKSBlog:

• Aashish Sharma
• Jyestha dd
• Rachael Huang
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• Nadia Mani dd
• Govardhanesvari dd
• Astasakhi dd
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• Mark Davison
• Doyal Govinda d
• Tony Perkins

 2015 already?

Yes, welcome to the new age. You missed some stuff. And new content is coming daily. Join our newsletter so you won’t miss out. You can also be social on facebook or tweet away.

The Kingsday & Vyasa-puja festivals are coming!! Read more…

 

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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I have been thinking about this today....we can create in our mind the right mood for chanting. Before we start our Japa can pray to the Lord for assistance and re-affirm the basics so we can avoid offenses to the Holy names.
An example could be something like this: "I won't do anything else"...by this positive affirmation we can create a goal in our minds and we can make our minds ready to overcome this obstacle....and we can pray to Krsna "Please help me chant your Holy names attentively".
We need to make the effort ourselves and we also need to ask the Lord for assistance to overcome our obstacles in Japa

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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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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Holy Name Meditation Podcast:

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The Initiative is currently focusing on the Munda and Sauntala tribes of the state of Orissa, the Karbi and Dimasar tribes of Assam, the Riang and Tripuri tribes of Tripura, the Mizo tribes of Mizoram, and the Naga tribes of Nagaland.

At least one hundred Prabhupada disciples, including several who helped build Krishna Balarama Mandir, are expected to attend the epic five-day celebration of the Vrindavan temple’s 40^th anniversary from March 24^th to 28^th 2015. They’ll be recalling the even grander original opening festival from April 16^th to 27^th, 1975, attended by 1,000 devotees.

On the first Saturday of every month the devotees at Urban Yoga, Melbourne, advertise a big kirtan night followed by wonderful prasadam.

Happy Christmas Harinam in Sydney (Album 26 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: A pure devotee cannot forget the Supreme Lord for a moment, and similarly the Supreme Lord cannot forget His pure devotee for a moment. This is the great blessing of the Krishna conscious process of chanting the maha-mantra. (Bhagavad-gita 9.14 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/nttOV6

Daily-Bhagavatam Podcast:

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Here in Hong Kong we will spend Christmas Eve chanting the holy names of the Lord in the old part of the city from 9pm until midnight. Traditionally, hundreds of thousands of Chinese people take to the streets to celebrate at that time. Though the city authorties are still wary of large demonstations, they have [...]

HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami – CCM 19.147 24.12.2014

With love from Hawaii.

Hare Krishna, Dear devotees!
We have good news! One brahmachari from our team, bhakta Pavel was initiated today in Shri Vrindavan dham, his new name is Pranata-Karuna das.
Lets bless him for non-stop Harinama Sankirtana yajna till end of his life.
Hari Hariboool!

Krsna’s, all glorious, photogenic Kirtana party… Tonight, Krishmas Eve, Melbourne Australia….
Bathing in the nectar of devotion to “the God” Lord Sri Krsna.
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare !!
love is the only Recommended retail price… All Glories To Srila Prabhupada

Harinama in Moscow!
Srila Prabhupada: Bhajanti means “He’s always engaged in My service” That is mahatma. Laziness is not bhakti. There must be some activity. If somebody says, “I’ll chant sitting down. Who will notice? I’ll doze and people will think I am chanting,” this kind of cheating will not do. (Bhagavad-gita 9.14 Purport)

Cultural Program by ISKCON Russian Dance Group Mayuri (40 min video)
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)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/nQEKQq

A little story about respecting others by Radhanath Swami (8 min video)
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)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/FOJXsW

ISKCON Hungary Celebrates Christmas With Massive Food Distribution
During the month of December, ‘Food For Life Hungary’ ISKCON Hungary’s charity program has been distributing 30 tons of dry food (rice, flour, oil, pasta, canned vegetables) as well as 30,000 plates of hot meal to the needy all across the country. The ‘Christmas packages’ that the volunteers have been giving out in 12 locations and cities represent the only source of food for many families during the cold winter and the holiday season.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/AFve9F

During the month of December, ‘Food For Life Hungary’ ISKCON Hungary’s charity program has been distributing 30 tons of dry food (rice, flour, oil, pasta, canned vegetables) as well as 30,000 plates of hot meal to the needy all across the country. The ‘Christmas packages’ that the volunteers have been giving out in 12 locations and cities represent the only source of food for many families during the cold winter and the holiday season.

ISKCON News wishes a happy holiday season to all its readers with ''Jingle Bells' with a Gujarati twist.

Festival of the Holy Name 2014 at Iskcon Alachua (Album 110 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/jv3Ujj

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s Personal Diary (Album 12 photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Hari Sauri prabhu’s Bhaktivedanta Research Center in Kolkata recently procured a copy of the personal diary of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati from the early 1900’s. It was copied from the original by a close disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, who’s family donated it to the research center. Pranava dasa, the academic director of the center, plans to publish the diary with English translation by the end of 2012.
See them here: http://goo.gl/E1ar1a

1967 December 24: "All these changes of lives one after another are considered to be dreams. Less intelligent persons are very much interested in dreaming life, but one who is intelligent enough he searches after eternal life."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1968 December 24: "The idea of prasadam distribution is long standing, and I suggested this from the very beginning of my missionary activities but it has never come to any practical shape till now."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 December 24: "If you can start a Prasadam distribution program, it will be very very nice. But it is to be done in the temple premises, do not start a separate restaurant for this purpose."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 December 24: "When the husband advances, automatically the wife shares in his success. So a good wife is a great boon to her husband and to her children so please continue in this way."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 December 24: "Chestnuts and pomegranates take time to fructify. So Krishna Consciousness is the greatest of all good fruits. We must therefore have necessary endurance and enthusiasm to get the result."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968