by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi

The Latest ISCOWP Newsletter “The Year in Review”
In this age, hearing is more important than thinking, because one’s thinking may be disturbed by mental agitation, but if one concentrates on hearing, he will be forced to associate with the sound vibration of Krishna. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.24.35)
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/hSA66y

Kirtan Course 2015 (5 min video)
The yuga-dharma for this age is kirtanad eva krsnasya (Bhag. 12.3.51): kirtan of Krishna’s holy names. Thus it is important and relevant to teach people (in ISKCON and society in general) about kirtan. Over a period of three months the course will be facilitated by qualified kirtaniyas. The course covers the history, theory and practice of kirtan (singing, harmonium, karatals and mrdanga). Vision statement The Kirtan Course prepares students for a genuine kirtan experience, which they can have again and again and also impart to others.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/uRE69p

The anniversary of the day on which Lord Krsna spoke the Bhagavad-gita
The following verses from the Bhagavad-gita (10.8-11) are known as the “nutshell” verses of the Gita, because they contain the essence of Lord Krsna’s teachings in that great transcendental work.
aham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravartate
iti matva bhajante mam
budha bhava-samanvitah
I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.
mac-citta mad-gata-prana
bodhayantah parasparam
kathayantas ca mam nityam
tusyanti ca ramanti ca
The thoughts of my pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.
tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te
To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.
tesam evanukampartham
aham ajnana-jam tamah
nasayamy atma-bhava-stho
jnana-dipena bhasvata
To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.

If you ever wondered where he came from and why.

The post A Prabhupada story appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Gita verse-by-verse study

Gita verse-by-verse study

Recipe - Tomato Soup (4 min video)
Tomato (Tamatar)
Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
Mustard Seeds (Rai)
Asafoetida Powder (Hing)
Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
Salt (Namak)
Ghee
Sugar (Sakkar)
Finely Chopped Coriander (Dhaniya)
Curry Leaves
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/YaDKFG

What would you see during an early morning walk in Vrindavana? (Album 98 photos) Indradyumna Swami takes you for a tour in Krishna’s holy abode.
See them here: http://goo.gl/MqFXTs

Gita verse-by-verse study

Gita Jayanti,Vrindavan dham (Album 9 photos)
Those who are advanced and highly qualified and are interested in the essence of life know the good qualities of Kali-yuga. Such people worship the age of Kali because in this age, simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one can advance in spiritual knowledge and thus attain life’s goal. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 11.5.36)
See them here: http://goo.gl/4vaDXs

Gita verse-by-verse study

Invitation to Gita Jayanti Festival (1 min video)
Invitation to Gita Jayanti Festival
by HG Vaisesika Prabhu
President, ISKCON Silicon Valley Temple
http://goo.gl/pUhZXt

Gita verse-by-verse study

Gita verse-by-verse study

Gita verse-by-verse study

Gita verse-by-verse study

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. [...]

   

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.

 

HH Kadamba Kanana Swami at ISKCON Mayapur on 2014-12-01, Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 06 01 50

“Here our Lord herded the calves, and here He played the flute. I pray that I may pass my days shedding tears as I speak these words on the Yamuna’s shore.” [Sri Raghupati Upadhyaya, from Rupa Goswami's Padyavali ].

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.

1968 December 4: "In these hymns they have no definite idea of what is God. But we are directly praying to Krishna for the highest benediction of eternal devotional service so we do not require to repeat the Christian hymns."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 December 4: "One person is appreciating water while another person is tasting the water. When we taste, appreciation is automatically there and when we have taste for chanting, automatically appreciation for God is there."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 December 4: "Anything which will remind one of Krishna is spiritual, and anything which will make one forget Krishna is material. Actually, everything is of spiritual nature because everything is coming from Krishna."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1972 December 4: "You can write songs about Krishna, but one cannot take it very seriously. They should be perfectly from the transcendental platform, without any tinge of mundane influence or nonsense imagination."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1973 December 4: "Regarding Bombay project, the foundation should be dug immediately. Regading Government loan, ask for at least 1 crore. If we construct a very attractive hotel many tourists will come just like the Holiday Inn."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 December 4: "Regarding money for the Vrindaban project, I have written for a report, and as soon as it comes, I will reply you. You must be satisfied how the money is being spent."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 December 4: "The reports are very encouraging. Keep me informed. There is tremendous field for selling books. In every home there should be at least one of our publications."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 December 4: "Yes, managing the temple is not so important. I am pleased that you are selling my books, this is superior engagement, so please continue and increase it more and more."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975