A Morning In Vrindavan
→ travelingmonk.com

After setting up our 2015 festival tour in Maharashtra, I am back in beloved Vrindavan for a few days before proceeding to Australia. This morning I woke up to the cooing of peacocks, the mooing of cows, temple bells and sadhus chanting. I quickly showered and with camera in hand, set off on Vrindavan parikrama. [...]

New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 12/04/2014
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

New Vrindaban TBT 12-04-14 (1)   New Vrindaban TBT 12-04-14 (2)

We share two photos of the same event; one featuring women and the other featuring men. Between them there 11 people who can be identified.

This week’s challenge: How many people can you ID? What are they doing? When and where were these photos taken?

Bonus challenge: Can you name the person who appears in both photos (who’s not a Deity)?

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

 

New_Vrindaban_ISKCON_Logo_Small

Can a “Guru” Preach Something That Isn’t In Śāstra?
→ The Enquirer

Can a “Guru” Preach Something That Isn’t In Śāstra?

In case you are wondering if a “Guru” is so “holy” and “spiritual” that he or she can say anything, and we should just believe them… here is a short extract from the first chapter of a summary study of Nāma Cintāmaṇī by Śrī Kānupriya Goswāmī, which I am blessed to be working on.

Powerful, charismatic people create new religions from time to time. If their goals and methods are founded on the eternal principles revealed in Superhuman Sāstra, their new religion and scripture can be accepted as valid.

The more thoroughly a new religion aligns with eternal principles the more it will be decorated with success and fulfillment. These eternal principles include faith in God, non-violence, truthfulness, purity, philanthropy, renunciation and sense control — fundamental principles universally acknowledged as virtues by all cultures throughout history. The faiths of the world are based on these principles, expressed in different ways according to qualifications and circumstances of the culture in which they are founded.

The less a new religion aligns with eternal principles, the less beneficial it is. The main tenant of Indian theology since time immemorial is that, no matter how impressive and extraordinary a saint or prophet may be, his philosophy will not be accepted as valid if its foundations cannot be substantiated in the words of śāstra. Thus a new book or religious system that fully agrees with śāstra will be happily embraced and itself granted the status of śāstra. But new theories that contradict the conclusions of śāstra, regardless of how erudite they may otherwise be, are respectfully excluded from the Vedic umbrella and their texts are never granted recognition as Human Sāstra.

Buddhism is an excellent example. Sāstra states that Bhagavān Śrī Buddha-deva is an avatāra of Vishnu — like Śrī Rāma, Nṛsiṁha, Matsya, Kūrma, Vāmana, Paraśurāma and Kalkī — and all Indians accept it. But because his teachings and the teachings of his followers do not concur with many of the eternal Vedic principles, Buddhism is respectfully excluded from Vedic umbrella and its texts are not considered śāstra.

Buddha is Vishnu Himself, but even His teachings are unacceptable because they are not in harmony with śāstra. What to speak of the ease with which we should reject the teachings of ordinary people that are disconsonant with śāstra! In modern times ordinary people have concocted so many whimsical religious and moral ideas. Those who are not educated about the need to reject these ideas, or who lack knowledge of śāstra and thus cannot evaluate the merit of new ideas, are mislead and soon betrayed and frustrated by such concoctions. This causes the reigns of social disciple to slacken and permits society to veer into dissatisfaction, wantonness, bullying, and general anarchy.


”Bhāgavatam says that Women are Māyā!”
→ The Enquirer

”Bhāgavatam says that Women are Māyā!”

Śrī Bhāgavata 3.31.33 ~ 42:

“How can we recognize the ‘bad road’?” Devahūti would surely wonder.

Kapila explained, “The ‘bad road’ consists of things that destroy truthfulness, purity, compassion, quietude, thoughtfulness, beauty, modesty, renown, tolerant forgiveness, patient neutrality, self-control, and dignity.”

“What things destroy these good qualities?” Devahūti would ask.

Kapila explained, “To avoid the bad road, avoid becoming close with two types of people: (1) vile, aggressive idiots who are divorced from their own true selves, and (2) pitiful slobs who are the puppet-dogs of women.”

“What is wrong with men who are ‘puppets of women’?” Devahūti would ask.

“They are sure to become vile, aggressive idiots, divorced from their own true selves,” Kapila explained, “because, for a man, there is no stronger bondage to bewilderment than that which arises from the desire to enjoy a woman. That is why we must not become close with men who are engrossed in trying to enjoy women.”

“Are men really so weak?” Devahūti would wonder, “Are they so susceptible to the beauty of women?”

“Yes,” Kapila answered. “Even the Forefather Brahmā, the noblest man, saw the beauty of his own daughter and began to push himself upon her. Even when she took the form of a deer and fled, he shamelessly took the form of a stag and ran after her! Among all the descendants of descendants of descendants of Brahmā, no man except Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi can avoid having his intellect completely diverted by the magic of a woman’s allure.”

“How is a woman’s beauty so powerful?” she would ask.

“You can see the strength of my own allure,” Kapila explained, “in the allure of women. She is so powerful that men who have conquered the world will crawl at her feet if she merely moves her eyebrows!

“This is why I say, and sages say, that a man who has not yet attained the topmost spiritual unity and who desires to gain his true self as my intimate servitor should under no circumstances drink the intoxicant of a woman. That is why they describe her as the ‘gate to hell’ for such men.”

“Do spiritually progressive men really need to be so serious, so strict about this?” Devahūti would ask.

“Yes.” Kapila explained. “Laxity will not avert the calamity, it will only allow it to approach calmly and quietly. Destiny has established the world in this way. A wise man would regard his attraction to a woman as the death of his true self. He should see her like a pit covered with grass.”

“What if the spiritualist is a woman,” Devahūti would wonder. “Is she free from this huge obstacle?”

“Not at all!” Kapila explained. “The person she thinks of as her ‘husband’ is nothing but my bewildering magic coming to her in a male form. Because she is a woman, her nature is to develop prosperity, and she thinks this man will bestow her the necessary ingredients: finance, children, and a home. But a wise woman would regard her husband, children, and home as fate’s trap meant to keep her ensnared in mortality. She should she a man and all he offers in the way a deer should hear the calming song of a hunter.”
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Mayapur, November 2014: Recordings Part 2
→ KKSBlog

jalakeli (8)Kadamba Kanana Swami’s stay in Mayapur continues. His service with the Mayapur Master Plan and teaching in the Bhakti Sastri Course keeps him busy. Apart from that, he gives Srimad Bhagavatam classes and takes devotees on parikrama whenever possible.

Recordings and photos are presented below.

Audio

KKS_Mayapur_01 December 2014_ SB_6.1.50

KKS_Mayapur_November 2014_ SB_6.1.32_Russian

KKS_Mayapur_November 2014_ Youth Class_Kirtan Part1

KKS_Mayapur_November 2014_ Youth Class_Kirtan Part2

KKS_Mayapur_November 2014_ Youth Class_Lecture

KKS_Mayapur_November 2014_Parikarama_Nrsimha Palli _Kirtan Part1

KKS_Mayapur_November 2014_Parikarama_Nrsimha Palli _Kirtan Part2 

KKS_Mayapur_November 2014_Parikarama_Nrsimha Palli _Lecture

KKS_Mayapur_November 2014_Parikrama_Harihara Ksetra_Kirtan

KKS_Mayapur_November 2014_Parikrama_Harihara Ksetra_Lecture

 

Photos

To see more photos, please visit flickr.

We would like to acknowledge the following devotees for the taking pictures: Ganesh, Jalakeli dd, Sanatani dd and Tukaram das!

 

jalakeli (14) mayapur_nov2014 (6) jalakeli (17) jalakeli (11) 01 December - Mayapur

 

In the spirit of “Throwback Thursday”, we present recordings and photos from Kadamba Kanana Swami’s stay in Mayapur in January 2014, which were not posted before. Apologies for the delay!

Audio

KKS_Mayapur_12 January 2014_House Program_Lecture and Bhajan

KKS_Mayapur_13 January 2014_Kirtan Academy_Lecture 1

KKS_Mayapur_13 January 2014_Kirtan Academy_Lecture 2

KKS_Mayapur_13 January 2014_Kirtan Academy_Bhajan 1

KKS_Mayapur_13 January 2014_Kirtan Academy_Bhajan 2

 

Photos

To see all the photos of the January 2014 visit, please visit flickr.

 

Gita Jayanti
→ Ramai Swami

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Five thousand years ago, on the battlefield of Kuruksetra, the Supreme Lord Krsna delivered the most confidential and topmost knowledge of devotional service in the form of the Bhagavad-gita to His dearmost devotee Arjuna, and to humanity at large.

Every year this event is celebrated. Sometimes a “Gita-yajna“ is performed at ISKCON centres while devotees recite verses from Bhagavad-gita. In many countries a Bhagavad-gita “book marathon” takes place and devotees actively distribute Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita to the people of the world.

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Department Head Presentations Invigorate the Community-Joint Board
→ New Vrindaban

New Vrindaban Fall Board Meetings 2014

By Madhava Smullen

ISKCON New Vrindaban and Eco-Vrindaban’s second annual board meetings, held from November 1st to 2nd this year, shone a light on the rejuvenating rush of energy currently flowing through the New Vrindaban community and were invigorating for all the participants.

With the entire meeting open to all community members, there was a buzz of excitement as devotees bustled into the community hall at 10:00am to see what the first part of the meetings – a four-hour presentation of New Vrindaban’s 22 departments – would hold.

In his introduction, president Jaya Krishna Das reminded everyone of Srila Prabhupada’s vision for New Vrindaban as a sacred place known for cow protection, self-sufficiency, holy pilgrimage, spiritual education, and above all, loving Krishna.  He said that the transformational process the community began in 2011 has now past the ‘survival’ phase and entered the phase of improvement, and spoke of the need to develop a strong and healthy relationship between the temple and the broader community.

Kicking off the presentations, Lilasuka Dasi from Communications spoke about sharing news on New Vrindaban’s website and Facebook page, the Palace of Gold Facebook, Brijbasi Spirit blog, and monthly physical newsletter “News From the Holy Dhama.” Next year she’ll continue to focus on internal communications while Vrindavan Das connects with the media.

The Deity Dept., led by Abhinanda Das, reported a more stable, punctual operation with a reliable team of pujaris and good team spirit. Visitors were inspired by the beautiful festivals including the new Pushpa Abhiseka. In 2015 the dept. will renovate the Deity kitchen and pujari rooms, build a new Tulasi Devi greenhouse, and raise worship standards by hosting the ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry’s pujari training seminar.

Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, managed by Tripad Das, had a good tourism season with lots of prasadam and books distributed to visitors from Pittsburgh and beyond.

The Palace Rose Garden, run by Gopalasyapriya Dasi, has “gone green” and plans in 2015 to develop a “Srila Prabhupada Rose” for ISKCON’s 50th.

Palace Restoration manager Gopisa Das reported one chattra renovated; black granite being laid on the upper steps; a new fountain and benches at the lotus pond; a new drainage system; and an emergency connection to city water for the community. 2015 will see the upper steps completed, lower steps started, parking lot extended; and the railing up to the Palace renovated. There are also plans underway to renovate the Palace’s boundary wall.

In Construction and Maintenance, previously overseen by Gopisa and being led from November 2014 by new resident Bhakta Paul, the temple guest rooms were renovated; the parking lot elephant restored; attractive signs posted everywhere to direct guests; and all temple doors and windows are being replaced to keep in warmth. Next year Paul will renovate the swan boat house, build a new kids’ playground, and complete many other departments’ construction projects.

Next Jayarama Das spoke about Congregational Development, where nine congregation members were initiated, 3,000 japa beads and 5,000 books were distributed, and donations are up 25%. Jayarama takes guests on a guided pilgrimage of New Vrindaban, while Gaura Nataraja Das visits the local prison weekly and his online Gita classes are watched by 500. Next year, the dept. plans to start a kids’ Sunday School and increase Palace of Gold entrances by 20%.

Sankirtan, led by Bhakta Trevor, reported distributing books and holding congregational chanting of the Holy Name every week in Wheeling, Morgantown, and Pittsburgh. 2015 plans include attracting new devotees and distributing prasadam at West Liberty University.

Sukhavaha Dasi reported that new dept. Devotee Relations opened an office in the temple with regular hours for devotees to express concerns; ran a pilot course on empathic communication; and offered counseling and conflict resolution. Next year it will open a Holistic Community Center, offer a free course to help second-gen devotees heal, and develop various support groups.

Govinda’s Restaurant, run by Vasudeva Das, hosted many tourist groups and students, and dramatically increased use of New Vrindaban’s own organic vegetables and cows’ milk. In 2015 it plans to use no commercial milk, finish its new décor, install a book display, reach out more to tour groups, and introduce popular dishes like lasagna, pie, breads and salads.

Under Vasudeva’s son Gaura Bhakta, the Guest Lodge finished seven more room renovations and replaced furniture in the cabins. Next year, it will add four new rooms with attached bath; update the cabins; introduce a uniform with name tags; start promotions and discounts; and add a desk that provides newcomers with information about Krishna consciousness.

Vrindavan Das of Festivals talked about Festival of Inspiration’s successes and challenges, increased attendance for 24 Hour Kirtan and Festival of Colors, and the first-ever Pittsburgh FOC drawing 6,000 students. Next year, the highest profile speakers in ISKCON will be invited for FOI’s 15th anniversary; 7,000 are expected at the NV FOC; and the dept. will add a public Rathayatra festival, a New Year’s Retreat and a retreat with Bhakti Charu Swami.

Gopal’s Garden, the Homeschool co-op run by Ruci Dasi, reported its students learning computers, Deity worship, art, and poetry as well as standard subjects, and doing service and kirtan together. Ruci, who has been teaching at NV for over thirty years, is encouraged by the enthusiasm of the students and parents, and looks forward to having many more students.

Among other departments’ achievements, Tejomaya Das at Water and Waste Water installed a new well that doubles capacity for festivals; Vyapi Das at the Apartments upgraded three apartments and will hand over his service to Hrishikesh Das in 2015; Varshana Swami at Land Management completed the parking lot at Bahulaban and finished the Parikrama path around Lalita Kund; and the aptly-named Laxmi Honest in Accounting is improving relationships with the bank, streamlining bookkeeping processes and saving thousands as she does so.

Eco-Vrindaban’s department head presentations followed. In his introduction, chairman Navina Shyam Das outlined how the organization covers the cow protection and self-sufficiency elements of Srila Prabhupada’s vision. He showed its brand new logo, and reported how in the past year ECO-V had officially changed its name from GEETA, refined its mission statement and become an integrated auxiliary of ISKCON New Vrindaban. He also spoke about its search for a manager, and introduced Mukunda Das, who was visiting from Alachua and participating in the weekend’s activities, as a strong candidate.

Next, Ananda Vidya and his wife Lalita Gopi spoke about the Cow program, which cares for 41 cows with nine milking cows and five new male calves. The milking barn has been extended to include a ‘loafing area’; cows are receiving first-class medical care; and the temple is being supplied with milk, yoghurt, panir, and butter. Next year the dept. will use non-GMO feed for the cows; cultivate nicer grasses in the pasture; and start a program to reduce flies.

For Ox Care, Daivata Das, who worked with oxen in Srila Prabhupada’s time, showed photos of the lively young oxen Harichand and Amani working with a yoke, and said that he hopes to have them pulling a cart next year, and living in their rebuilt ox barn at Bahulaban.

Kacey Orr at the Gardens reported a fully-planted high tunnel and hothouse greenhouse; harvesting many varieties of vegetables; a much better relationship with the temple kitchen; a new pergola with seating in the Teaching Garden; and regular guest tours. In 2015, she wants to double vegetable production; sell produce to guests on the weekends; offer internship programs for local students; and open the Garden of Seven Gates’ new rose garden for the Deities.

All presentations were deeply inspiring and reflected the progress New Vrindaban has been making lately.

“Visitors have already been saying they feel the change,” said Jaya Krishna Das, citing the need for deeping relationships and a Brijbasi mood of community spirit and unity moving into the future.

Greeting from the New Vrindaban Gardens: Fall/Winter 2014 The…
→ Dandavats.com



Greeting from the New Vrindaban Gardens: Fall/Winter 2014
The fall season has come and gone quickly this year in the garden. Many projects were completed in the Teaching Garden and the Garden of Seven Gates. An early frost drove our attentions into our new high tunnel for winter greens and building a new rose garden to be planted in the spring.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/xnk8Ru

Questions and Answers, Home Program, November 29, Los Angeles
Giriraj Swami

prabhupada_pointing“One disciple asked Srila Prabhupada that we have to follow the authority so does it mean that the authority is right? Srila Prabhupada answered that you may still maintain the conviction that on a particular point you were right but you still have to follow the authority. Then he gave the example that if someone is driving a car and you think that there is a better way to get to the destination, you may tell the driver that, ‘I think it is better to go this way’. The driver may or may not agree to follow your suggestion. You have to accept it because he is in the drivers seat. You can still maintain the view that if he had gone the way that you said it would have been better. That is not wrong. But still you have to go along with the driver because the driver is behind the wheel.”

11.29.14 Home program, LA

R.I.P
→ Servant of the Servant


When someone dies, it is popular culture today to say "RIP" or as I understand it "Rest in Peace". In other words, RIP points to the resting of the dead individual inside a tract of land. This is a practice created in the western hemisphere mostly within the Judeo-Christian traditions, I believe.

RIP also points to a more philosophical idea - that - the dead person is actually resting peacefully. This is ignorance. Why? because the person is not resting but the body of the person is laid to rest. But this ignorance is natural because people think the real individual/person and the body of that person is the same or identical. So arising from this bodily concept of life comes the term RIP.  RIP also points out to the materialistic culture we live in -about how the body is glorified as the epitome of culture, civilization, religion and ultimate happiness.

According to the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says at the time of death, the soul gives up the old body and  immediately takes up a new one. Now, it sounds like the soul is given the freedom to choose bodies after death. Actually, the soul is "forced" into another body according to one's previous actions. There is no free choice for the soul to pick bodies. If this scenario, according to the Gita is true, then there is no question of "resting" after dying. It is all action. One body, death, and then another body...and the saga continues!

So instead of saying RIP which is a sign of illusion, we should pray for the departed soul so his/her next destination is favorable in his/her journey towards God.

Hare Krishna

This Method Is So Simple
→ Japa Group

"By deliberately hearing the sound of each syllable, your mind will be occupied, and if you do this vigorously, there will be no chance for the mind to wander to other realms of thought. This method is so simple that chanters may overlook it, but if you apply it, it is very effective."

From Japa Transformations
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Temple opening ceremony in Vladivostok, Russia (2 min video) One…
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Temple opening ceremony in Vladivostok, Russia (2 min video)
One should take shelter of Krishna-Balarama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose protective power is so great that it cannot be equaled in the material world. However powerful the reactions of one’s sins, they will immediately be vanquished if one chants the name of Hari, Krishna, Balarama, or Narayana. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.16 Purport)
http://goo.gl/Sh55v8

Harinama and book distribution in Tel Aviv, Israel (Album 75…
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Harinama and book distribution in Tel Aviv, Israel (Album 75 photos)
“Authorities who are learned scholars and sages have carefully ascertained that one should atone for the heaviest sins by undergoing a heavy process of atonement and one should atone for lighter sins by undergoing lighter atonement. Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, however, vanquishes all the effects of sinful activities, regardless of whether heavy or light.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.16)
See them here: http://goo.gl/Rf37Fe

Balinese style kirtan ISKCON, SAKKHI, Indonesia (4 min…
→ Dandavats.com



Balinese style kirtan ISKCON, SAKKHI, Indonesia (4 min video)
“Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail.” If one practices chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, he is naturally expected to chant Hare Krishna when he meets with some accident. Even without such practice, however, if one somehow or other chants the holy name of the Lord (Hare Krishna) when he meets with an accident and dies, he will be saved from hellish life after death.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.15 Purport)
http://goo.gl/jgJaiw