Pictures from a Bhagavad-gita reading event held in Bali,…
→ Dandavats.com



Pictures from a Bhagavad-gita reading event held in Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, the 23rd of November 2014. Hindu religious organisations, such as ISKCON, participated in the reading of all 700 slokas of the Gita with another 8,000 people, breaking a national record. The event was organised by the Tabanan Regency government, the Bhagavad-Gita Movement of Indonesia and the Hindu Youth Association of Bali. (Pictures by Guru Gauranga dasa)
http://goo.gl/GW781O

A very exalted state
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 15 September 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Evening Lecture)

Radharani_HungaryLove of Krsna is a very exalted state. For us, there is first the need for purification, for overcoming desires to enjoy the material world. When these gross desires are conquered, then there is a need to overcome the second level of desiring more subtly all kinds of recognition in spiritual life.

One must be ready to think only of Krsna’s pleasure and nothing else, without desiring any pleasure for oneself. That is love. Love means that the pleasure of the other person is first. So that is a very exalted state.

Spend New Year’s Eve in New Vrindaban Dhama-Bhakti Retreat
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Bhakti Retreat: New Year’s in New Vrindaban Dham

January 1st  – 4th 2015

Spend this New Year’s Eve in the scenic, rolling hills of West Virginia, getting spiritually re-charged.  Listen to enlivening Krsna Katha and Prabhupada Katha.   Attend enlightening devotional workshops/seminars, soothing bhajans, ecstatic kirtans, and enjoy sumptuous, healthy prasad.  Does life get any better than this?

snow temple.cropped

Special guest speakers include:

-Malati Prabhu

– Havi Prabhu

– Gopal Hari prabhu

-Yugal Kisore prabhu

- Many of the older Brijabasis                                     

tree.GN

Festival registration is free, but donations to help cover costs are, of course, welcome during the retreat.

We have limited rooms available- please book your room today!  To book your room, please either call or email the Palace Lodge directly at palacelodge108@gmail.com or 304-843-1600 ext.111

We look forward to seeing and serving you. Hare Krishna.

cabin1

Bhagavad-gita recital
→ Ramai Swami

IMG_1058IMG_1057IMG_1060

The Tabanan Regency, Tabanan Youth Association and the Indonesian Bhagavad-gita Movement arranged a recital of all the verses of Bhagavad-gita by 6,000 high school students.

This was observed near the famous Tanah-lot temple in Bali. Nearly 1000 of our devotees were there reciting from Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita as it is.
The Minister of Religion and other speakers gave speeches appreciating the event and hopeful to have more in the future. Devotees also spoke emphasising the importance of Bhagavad-gita to the world.
IMG_1056IMG_1053IMG_1050

Kirtan Mela Malaysia is On
→ ISKCON Malaysia

BY SJMKL YOUTH


KUALA LUMPUR - The Youth of Sri Jagannath Mandir Kuala Lumpur are organizing the maiden debut kirtan mela in Malaysia. Sweet nectarean voices of HH BB Govinda, Mayapur Chandras, Ojasvi Prabhu are all lined up for this exciting event that will take place on the 29/Nov/2014 to 30/Nov/2014 from 10am to 10pm at Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Kuala Lumpur. Join us to drown yourself in the ecstasy of the magic from the spiritual world.

ISKCON 50th Anniversary Gratitude Coin Announcement
- TOVP.org

2016 marks the Fiftieth Anniversary celebration of ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada’s great movement to spread Krishna consciousness throughout the world and bring the teachings of Lord Caitanya and the yuga dharma, chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, to all the conditioned souls on this planet (and perhaps beyond).

We are extremely fortunate to be living at this most auspicious time in the history of this universe when the Lord appears on Earth to freely distribute love of God, the ultimate attainment in the soul’s spiritual journey, prema pumartho mahan. And Srila Prabhupada was the Lord’s instrument to help complete His mission by creating ISKCON, the house in which the whole world can live.

“I have given you instruction, it will never stop; it will go on. At least for ten thousand years it will go on.”

Srila Prabhupada; July 21, 1976

“My senapati bhakta (Commander in Chief) will come, preach in distant countries and flood the world with the chanting of Hare Krishna.”Lord Caitanya, Caitanya Mangala

“After 5,000 years My mantra upasaka (worshiper of the holy name) will appear and spread the chanting of the holy name everywhere.”

Lord Krishna, Brahma-vaivarta Purana

We have all been blessed with this great opportunity to go back to Godhead by the mercy of the Lord’s servant and representative, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Our prayers, efforts, and money are insufficient to fulfill our indebtedness to Srila Prabhupada for the gift of ISKCON which he has given to us, but try we must in the mood of humility and gratitude.

The work of spreading Krishna consciousness is far from done; we still have much to do. Foremost is Srila Prabhupada’s last remaining temple project, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium at ISKCON’s World Headquarters in Sridhama Mayapur. Through his far-reaching and spiritually powerful vision, Srila Prabhupada could see that this unique temple, the fulfillment of many divine prophecies, would be pivotal in the establishment and longevity of the Krishna consciousness movement, and in the dissemination of Krishna consciousness throughout the world. And he gave very specific orders and detailed instructions for its completion.

In order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, as well as to show our combined gratitude to its Founder/Acharya for this wonderful, transcendental gift he has given to us, the TOVP Fundraising Team has created a special Gratitude Coin Program for those who are able to offer a large amount of financial support. Three coins are being provided to these donors; Silver ($11,000), Gold ($108,000), and Platinum ($250,000). The collection/pledges from the available coins, $34 million, along with all other contributions (Golden Brick, Nrsingha Tile, and Square Foot) will be offered to Srila Prabhupada on Gaur Purnima in Sridhama Mayapur in 2016 as our combined guru dakshina to help with the completion of the construction by 2022. To facilitate this, Gratitude Coin donors may pay in installments over the course of several years. Their names will also be included on the Devotional Wall of Fame in the TOVP, and they will be offered various other facilities at Sridhama Mayapur.

During the year 2015 our TOVP Team will be traveling to major ISKCON Temples throughout the world with His Holiness Bhakti Purushottama Maharaja, carrying the holy shoes of Lord Nityananda with us, and appealing to our worldwide congregation to come together and serve His lotus feet by helping to manifest this great temple. We hope every devotee, whatever their position or service, will welcome Lord Nityananda (in the form of His holy shoes) and enthusiastically participate and offer their financial might to help make this a reality. This cooperation will greatly please Srila Prabhupada.

For more information, go to the Seva Opportunities link and make a pledge today for one of the three Gratitude Coins and become part of history in the making by helping to fulfill this remarkable prophecy. You and your family will most certainly be blessed beyond your imagination.

“Now you all together make this Vedic Planetarium very nice, so that people will come and see. From the description in Srimad Bhagavatam you prepare this Vedic Planetarium. My idea is to attract people of the whole world to Mayapur”

Srila Prabhupada

The post ISKCON 50th Anniversary Gratitude Coin Announcement appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Join us this Sunday, November 23rd, 2014 from 11.00am to 2.00pm & hear from His Grace Kratu Prabhu to experience the bliss.
→ ISKCON Brampton


Sunday Love Feast

When?
Sunday,Nov 23rd,2014
Program starts at 11 am

Where?
6 George Street South
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 1P3, Canada
Park underground(free) @ City Hall
Phone:416-648-3312

New! Listen
Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog
Make a Donation
 Bhagavad Gita As It Is 9.2
raja-vidya raja-guhyam
pavitram idam uttamam
pratyaksavagamam dharmyam
su-sukham kartum avyayam
TRANSLATION
This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.
Program Schedule
11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja                                          
11.15 - 11.30     Guru Puja                                           
11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                      
11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                 
12.00 – 1:00     Vedic discourse
  1:00 –  1:30      Closing Kirtan
About His Grace Kratu Prabhu
Kratu Prabhu was born in aristocratic Gujarati Gaudiya Vasihnava family on July 5, 1944.
His first exposure to ISKCON happened in 1970, at St. Louis. He later joined full-time in 1974, in Toronto. He met his Guru, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada in 1976, from whom he received a direct order for preaching Krishna consciousness. He and his wife were initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1977 in Toronto, Canada.

While in West, he worked as professional engineer for five years in Toronto In Chicago he worked for Chicago temple as director of congregational preaching. He then became temple President of Vancouver temple in 1987. In 1993, he moved to Baroda, Gujarat and conducted college and school preaching. He also started a book distribution program by Bullock Cart for every town and village. In 1997, he became temple President of ISKCON, Delhi and continued house and pandal preaching programs.

In 2002, he became an initiating spiritual master in ISKCON and is ever since vigorously traveling and preaching all over the world and regularly visiting USA, Canada, UK, Europe and continuously preaching in India, conducting pandal programs, educational programs and devotional tours.
COMING UP AHEAD
Moksada
Fasting.....................onDec 2nd,2014
Breakfast................. on Dec 3rd,2014 b/w 7.33am-9.39am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.


Advent of Bhagavad Gita
Celebration on Dec 7th (Please note: we do not have a separate program on Dec 2nd,2014)
His Grace Uttama Sloka Dasa will be our special guest.

Sponsor/Purchase a box of Gita
Charity of  knowledge is the best charity
"Print books, distribute profusely, and that will be the best preaching work. What will your three minutes preaching work—But if they buy one book, it may turn their life. "
(Srila Prabhupada Letter to Bhagavan, 5th November, 1972).

If you would like to purchase/sponsor a box/boxes of Bhagavad Gita,please do contact at the front desk or call 416.648.3312.

**More details of the program will be posted shortly**
 

ON GOING EVERY SUNDAY
Indian Classical Dance Classes
For more info please do contact Syamesvari Devi Dasi at the temple or write to syamesvaridasi@yahoo.com.
The dance is performed mainly with the theme of Infinite love of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.

Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).

Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment in order to support those with allergies. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy!

Nama-Yajna, 22.11.2014, Krasnodar Yatra, Russia (Album 40…
→ Dandavats.com



Nama-Yajna, 22.11.2014, Krasnodar Yatra, Russia (Album 40 photos)
Others, who are not devotees, may think, “How can people devote so much time simply to talks of God?” The chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is simply the repetition of three words, Hare, Krishna, Rama, but still devotees can go on chanting this Hare Krishna mantra twenty-four hours a day without feeling fatigued. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.13.1Purport)
http://goo.gl/DbtV53

Improving skills in Mayapur Academy (Album 18 photos) Muci haya…
→ Dandavats.com



Improving skills in Mayapur Academy (Album 18 photos)
Muci haya suci haya yadi krsna bhaje. It is said that even a cobbler or person born in the family of a cobbler can be elevated to the position of a brahmana (suci) if he takes to Krishna consciousness. Any person who is purely Krishna conscious and who engages in chanting the Hare Krishna mantra is the purest in the whole universe. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.12.37 Purport)
http://goo.gl/tBQ3Xo

Devotion is the culmination of our aspiration for liberation
→ The Spiritual Scientist

We all aspire to be free, to be liberated from external limitations to our pursuit of happiness. The Statue of Liberty appeals to many because it symbolizes this human aspiration for freedom. This same aspiration makes many countries celebrate the achievement of independence as a defining moment in their national history.

Such forms of liberation, however desirable, don’t free us from the most fundamental limitation – the limitation of our inevitable mortality. Nothing limits our pursuit of happiness as much as death. And what subjects us to the sentence of death is our material shell, which is temporary and destructible.
Recognizing the fetter of matter, most Eastern wisdom-traditions have equated liberation with disentanglement from matter. Yet even while seeking liberation from matter, many Eastern conceptions of liberation have still remained matter-centric.

For example, among the six systems of Indian philosophy, the Nyaya-Vaisheshika schools hold that consciousness emerges when the soul contacts samsara through the mind. So liberation occurs when the soul is uncoupled from the mind. Such liberation involves attainment of eternity but without consciousness or happiness, that is, sat without cit or ananda.

The Sankhya-Yoga schools accept consciousness or Purusha to be eternal. They hold that bondage begins when the Purusha becomes attached to prakriti (material nature) and thereafter starts perceiving the duality of subject and object. So liberation involves dissolution of this duality, leading to consciousness without any observer or observed, just content-less consciousness. Such liberation features sat and cit, but no ananda.

Vedanta recognizes that sat, cit and ananda are innate features of the soul, features that are obscured due to absorption in matter. So liberation, which occurs when the soul becomes detached from matter, leads to the experience of sat, cit and ananda. But Vedantic liberation is sometimes misconceived in impersonal terms, wherein the conception of personality is dissolved to attain cosmic consciousness. The attainment of such consciousness is deemed to be liberation. Though impersonalists claim this liberation to be blissful, the prospect of an eternity without personality or reciprocity is bankrupt of emotional richness and tangible happiness.

The problem with all the preceding conceptions of liberation is that they are incomplete – they focus on the removal of outer obstacles to happiness such as foreign rule or worldly entanglement or personal existence. However, Personalist Vedanta, which is essentially the path of devotion, sees liberation positively, as an inside-out process, as the revival of what lies within. Complete liberation is the fulfillment of our core longing – the longing for love. When misdirected towards matter, this longing causes bondage; when directed purely towards the Supreme Absolute Truth, Krishna, it brings liberation. Such liberation is a life of immortal love that is permeated through and through with sat-cit-ananda.

The Bhagavad-gita establishes this liberation as the summit of the spiritual quest. The Gita (18.54), after delineating the conventional notion of impersonal liberation, declares pure devotion to be the zenith attained as the post-graduate stage of such liberation. The next verse declares that such pure devotion reveals Krishna as he is, in his full transcendental glory. He is seen not as a product of mythological human imagination or as a transitional tool for spiritual meditation, but as the transcendental Supreme Person, the embodiment and fulfillment of our heart’s deepest longing for love, the bestower of the supreme liberation. The eternal life of love with him fulfills our longing for happiness, perfectly and eternally.

Thus the life of devotion comprises the culmination of our aspiration for liberation.