Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.17.
“Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead. SB 2.3.17.
Giriraj Swami: “One may raise the question that by rising and setting the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone but it also decreases the duration of life for those who utilize their time chanting and hearing about Krishna. But, the Bhagavatam says it does not decrease their duration of life. How is that so? Because chanting and hearing about the glories of the Lord prepares one for eternal life with Krishna. And the rising and setting of the sun does not decrease the devotees duration of life but it brings them closer to their eternal life with Krishna. So, this is how we should use our time.”
A new addition to the Blog in 2015 is Featured Posts on Jayadvaita Swami. Posts in this category have been selected as they have proven to be very popular and well viewed over the years. Also included are articles that have very good quality content like special quotes or transcripts and super-quality audio or video recordings. See more in “Featured Posts on Jayadvaita Swami”.
Here is the first post of many to come:
Kirtan Standards
Jayadvaita Swami has been promoting standards on kirtan for a decade already. He started in March 2004 with a three day Kirtan Reform Workshop and he has continued ever since. You can listen to the recordings below. Recently, in October 2014, he gave a two day seminar on Kirtan Standards in Mumbai, ISKCON Juhu.This seminar was recorded by ISKCON Desire Tree and they have published both videos on Youtube.
1) Kirtan Standards Seminar – October 2014
Day 1
If you cannot view the video below then visit Youtube
Day 2
If you cannot view the video below then visit Youtube.
2) Kirtan Reform Workshop – March 2004
The Kirtan Reform Workshop is part of the official seminar series by Jayadvaita Swami. Audio recordings are presented below.
A look at the trends within modern ISKCON kirtan and hearing about Srila Prabhupada’s standards and instructions for kirtan. Kirtan is one of the most important limbs of devotion service, and getting it right is crucial. A must for all kirtaniers, temple leaders and devotees who want to know what makes good kirtan.
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:
Around the world people celebrate New Years Eve by partying and fireworks. The devotees taking advantage of this situation usually go out on harinama, book and prasadam distribution.
The world harinama party, consisting of brahmacaris who travel around from country to country, headed up a big New Years harinama at Surfers Paradise. They were joined by local devotees who chanted and danced in ecstasy.
So far, “Sixth Rainfall” has been a hidden kirtan gem, with only a few homemade copies making the rounds amongst its creator’s friends. But the word is starting to spread about the unique project – an epic eight-hour boxset that was born in Gopagana Das’s home studio near the lake island temple of Govindadvipa in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
A husband and wife devotee couple are trying to live a simple life on Canada’s Prince Edward Island according to ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada’s instructions – with inspiring results. Gaura Nitai Das, originally from Scotland, and Lala Gopala Dasi, a Cree native from the White Bear reservation in Saskatchewan, Canada, were both initiated by Srila Prabhupada at Bhaktivedanta Manor near London in 1976.
31st night The New Year Eve Fest in Mayapur (Album 36 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/WmUpcq
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
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
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
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.17.
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