Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Appreciations from guests (Iskcon, Dallas)
Our good friend Woody Winn, a teacher at Brewers High School, a public school in Fort Worth always holds Krishna dear to his heart. He is a wonderful Christian teacher who engages his students in a 3 week study of the sacred philosophical text, the Bhagavad Gita. Last week we had a superb visit with 40 of his students.
http://goo.gl/0DNqlh
Kartik 2014: Nandagram and Prem sarovara!! (Album 71 photos)
By once chanting the holy name of the Lord, which consists of the two syllables ha-ri one guarantees his path to liberation. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 6.2.7 purport)
http://goo.gl/BORtUc
Ratha Yatra 2014 in SKCON Laguna Beach (Album 14 photos)
If one chants the holy name of the Lord, even in a helpless condition or without desiring to do so, all the reactions of his sinful life depart, just as when a lion roars all the small animals flee in fear. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 6.2.7 purport).
http://goo.gl/g9LsSj
A visit to ISKCON temple in Denpasar, Bali (Album 28 photos)
All glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krishna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship. When somehow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name awards him liberation. The holy name of Krishna is the highest nectar. It is my very life and my only treasure. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 4.71 purport).
http://goo.gl/SzjeP5
Thailand 2014 Nov, “Nitay-Gauranga Harinam yatra” (50 photos)
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 ones having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krishna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 4.71 purport).
http://goo.gl/Y33czu
(25 February 1988 – 12 November 2014)
This letter is to all who were close to Visnujana – his parents, his family, his friends and the devotees in Pretoria. I am sharing grief with you all.
Today we are confronted with the unexpected departure of Visnujana. I wish I could have done something to avoid this situation.
Moeketsi, also known as Bhakta Given, came to the Pretoria temple when he was still a schoolboy. He moved in to the temple when he was fifteen years old with permission from his parents on the condition that he would finish school. In those days, I was also often staying in the Pretoria temple. Bhakta Given didn’t like school very much and many times I had to personally encourage him to go. In some ways, we had to act like his parents, because he was still very young. The devotees started calling him Mahajana, the great man, and later I gave him initiation with the name Visnujana, a man of God.
There was no doubt that he was a man of God, a devotee of Krsna, throughout his life. When he was young, he always had a dream to start a temple in Mamelodi, the place where he was from, just outside of Pretoria. I encouraged him about that and told him later, one day I would give him that opportunity. As time went by and he became more mature, he would like to lead kirtan and sometimes he would give the Sunday feast lectures. Partha Sarathi dasa, from America, trained him in book distribution and gradually he became expert. He did nice service that way. Once we were on hari nam and some devotees including Visnujana were distributing small books on the side, at the end there was only one Bhagavad Gita left, which is a Maha-big Book, a little more difficult to distribute. I told the devotees, we are not going home before this Gita is distributed. It took Visnujana, a couple of minutes and I could see, that he really knew what he was doing.
He liked life in the temple. However he also began to develop a strong desire to be with a woman and eventually that took him away to a life in the world. Still a devotee but struggling, he got married and had a child, but the marriage didn’t last and then he tried again with another, but that also didn’t work out. All that brought him to a state of despair and finally this final unfortunate act.
According to the Krsna conscious philosophy when a man takes his own life, he gets entangled in severe reactions of karma. He will have to remain in a subtle body and he will be denied a new body of flesh and blood for quite some time. However Visnujana was a devotee he gave his life to God, to Krsna. He chanted Hare Krsna for years, he stood on the street to sell holy scriptures; I am sure that the Lord recognizes his sincere service. I pray that the Supreme Lord may pardon him and that he will be allowed to continue devotional service in his next life. Maybe then he can one day open a preaching centre in Mamelodi.
Yours in service to Srila Prabhupada
Kadamba Kanana Swami
Performing kirtan in other traditions
St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco is home to a 3,000-square-foot icon of ninety dancing saints (and four animals), who wrap themselves in two large rings around the rotunda as they follow the lead of Jesus, the Lord of the Dance. This monumental work is by iconographer Mark Dukes, who is also an ordained deacon at St. John Coltrane Church in San Francisco.
Dancing Saints
http://goo.gl/2ZpxGG
When Hell Became Heaven For Me
Radhanath Swami: “I was telling the story sometime back, of when I was in a train in India. It was so crowded. It was third class train.
This was in the 1970 and the capacity said something like 60 people and there were probably 300 people in that train….
http://goo.gl/lhKhq7
Govardhan Puja Celebration at Giridhari Mandir (Album 22 photos)
Bhakta Bharath: 5000 years ago, Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead lifted Govardhana Hill to rescue the residents of Vrndavana from Indra. Commemorating this sweet pastime, an occasion of great joy for His devotees, Govardhana Puja was celebrated with opulence and gaiety at Sri Narasimha Giridhari Mandir. Sri Narasimha Giridhari Kshetra is a beautiful place in Bangalore. Its bountiful gardens, goshala accompany an exquisite temple graced by Deities of Lord Krishna and His eternal consort, Radharani. The formal name of the Deities, Sri Sri Gandharvika Giridhari, honors the lifter of Govardhana. To reciprocate with His devotees, Krsna protects them in the most astonishing ways, such as lifting a huge mountain. Although apparently a helpless boy, Krishna is actually the only shelter for everyone. Devotees at Narasimha Giridhari Mandir were very excited to offer different services to their only beloved Giridhari. A huge replica of Govardhana mountain was prepared out of sweets. Different delightful delicacies were offered to Sri Giriraj. As the arti was offered to Their Lordships, the devotee’s soared in resonant tones chanting Hare Krishna maha mantra accompanied with various musical instruments. Higher and higher the kirtan rose announcing the all-protecting nature of the Lotus Feet of Lord Sri Krishna, the factual Refuge for all in this miserable world. HG Shyamsundar, HG Varada Krishna Prabhu, HG Vijaya Venugopal Prabhu, HG Chitranga Chaitanya Prabhu and other senior devotees inspired the devotees with their kirtans and association. A grand feast was served to all the devotees, the temple was decorated with hundreds of lamps. Devotees displayed colorful fireworks for the pleasure of Their Lordships offering their gratitude to engage them in Their service.
http://goo.gl/4qIYLJ
Book distribution and Harinama in Tel Aviv, Israel (Album 93 photos)
Simply by taking prasada and taking part in chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, ordinary persons are being considerably elevated. Saubhari Muni regrets that he had bad association even in the deepest part of the water. Because of the bad association of the sexually engaged fish, he fell down. A secluded place is also not secure unless there is good association. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.6.51 Purport).
http://goo.gl/bA2QfP
Let’s Wrap The World In The Holy Name!
Premium handblock printed Holy Name shawls.
Lovely And Lovingly Made. They Arrived In Vrindaban At The Tail End Of Karitk And Are A Super Hit You Know You Want One Or Two Or… Vegetable Dye And Hand Block Printed. Accept No Substitute!!!
http://goo.gl/Fx6561
TULASI CARE
Dhanesvara dasa has been looking after New Govardhana’s tulasi plants for some years. He was very happy to share his experiences with our readers. When asked to outline the care and maintenance of tulasi, Dhanesvara listed the following main points. 1. Attitude of the carer: It is very important that the care and maintenance of tulasi is performed with devotin, love and respect. 2. Essential needs: Regular watering, nutrients, pruning, etc., must not be neglected. Tulasi plants should be treated with the same care as your own body. 3. Fertiisation. The plants should have the recommended doses of suitable fertiisers. For example: potash; iron philite; liquefid seaweed fertiiser; and liquifid cow dung….
http://goo.gl/UdBPpE
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Mr Frog appreciates the book distributor’s service and gets Srila Prabhupada’s mercy.
Drumila Dasa: This man below, who’s first name is Frog (I think its a nickname) approached me (usually I approach people), and he said,” your a good salesmen.” I said,” Thank you.” He said, I’ve been watching you from my truck.” I said, “Oh, so your stalking me.” He said, the last 4 different groups of people all gave you donations. And the last couple both hugged you. Everyone seemed so happy.” I said, Well, do you want to hear my punchline?” He said,” Sure.” I proceeded to do my little comedy routine, and he was very reciprocal, giving a nice donation for our Food for Life program. Then of course I gave him a couple of Srila Prabhupada’s books. I preached to him for about 20 minutes. He listened seriously and intensely. He was very intelligent and kind. I asked him if I could take his picture and do a little ‘write up’ for Facebook, and he said,”Sure.” He said, I was also thinking of taking your picture too. He drives a truck that hauls around movie equipment for the movie industry.
Mad Harinama in Spain (5 min video)
Bhajananandi refers to one who is satisfied to cultivate devotional service for himself, and goshty-anandi is one who is not satisfied simply to become perfect himself but wants to see others also take advantage of the holy name of the Lord and advance in spiritual life.
(Sri-Cantanya-Caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.92)
http://goo.gl/ZlSqEF
Ratha Yatra in Guadalajara,Mexico (Album 78 photos)
The Hare Krishna movement is also an incarnation of Krishna in the form of the holy name (name-rupe). Every one of us who is actually afraid of the asuric rulers and politicians must welcome this incarnation of Krishna. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.3.21 Purport)
http://goo.gl/zKo0Hr
The post November 18th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
ECO-Vrindaban On-Site Board Meeting Minutes 11/2/2014
Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes a simple, sustainable lifestyle centered on the care and protection of cows, local food production and the loving service of Lord Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.
Participating Members of the ECO-V Board of Directors: Anuttama, Chaitanya Mangala, Krpamaya, Navin Shyam and Ranaka.
1. Radha-Krsna Devi dasi as Advisor
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to cultivate potential future directors in advance of vacancies on our Board.
RESOLVED: The Board appoints Radha-Krsna Devi Dasi as an advisor, with an initial term of one year.
2. INV Bahulaban Utility Building Roof & Window Repair
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to increase the allocation for repair of the Bahulaban utility building to be able to install a new roof and gutters.
RESOLVED: The Board votes to increase the allocation to $30K.
3. General Manager Candidates
The ECO-V Board decided to move ahead with hiring Mukunda prabhu. Ranaka and Chaitanya Mangala are delegated to work out details of the contract.
4. Construction of INV Apartment Building
WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to invest a significant portion of the proceeds from the Utica Shale gas lease to fund an endowment for the future care of the cows, and simultaneously support the growth of the INV community.
RESOLVED: The Board approves a loan to INV for the construction of a new apartment building and proceeds from the loan will be used to start a cow protection endowment.
Mayapur. Distributing Prasadam by Boat (4 min video)
This prasadam distribution was sponsored by Paul and Margot from New Zealand.
Prasadam and Hari Nama..What more can you ask for..Srila Prabhupada ki jai!
http://goo.gl/oVzKHW
The meaning is immediately evident to anyone who knows any of the thousands of śāstric statements like “The All-Attractive himself is Krishna” (kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam). It is immediately clear to anyone who has been able to hear Krishna’s glories described by a realized paramparā. It is even immediately obvious to anyone who has heard about Krishna from countless conventional sources. As soon as we hear this name, “Krishna,” the object that immediately becomes manifest in our mind (i.e. the person, Krishna) is the primary meaning of the word. As soon as we pronounce even the first syllable of this name, “Krishna,” our minds immediately comprehend the direct and obvious meaning.
“Krishna: (1) His complexion is blue-black like the Tamāla tree, he is breast-fed by Yaśoda, and he is the Supreme Spiritual Substance.” — Nāma Kaumudī
“Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Vaikuṇṭha express the same meaning… Kṛṣṇa is Vasudeva’s son.” — Amara-kośa
“Kṛṣ is a word that means ‘existence.’ Ṇa means ‘carefree.’ Taken together, as Kṛṣṇa, they denote the Supreme Spiritual Substance.” — Gopāla-tāpanī Upaniṣada, Pūrva 1.1
[The above is translated from Tattva-Sandarbha 47.2. Amara Kośa and Gopāla-tāpanī references are given in the commentary of Śrī Satyanārāyaṇa dāsa Bābājī.]
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 15 September 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Evening Lecture)
To always see Krsna everywhere and never forget him for a moment, to see everything connected to Krsna, is Krsna consciousness! In that way, we see Krsna’s energy and we see Krsna behind it. It may be that we see Krsna everywhere but that is not satisfying to the heart because that does not fulfil the relationship. We want to see Krsna in person so we can personally serve him because it is devotional service that is the essence. The key is devotional service! Therefore Krsna consciousness means to accept a service and to, somehow or other, just take that service and dedicate oneself to that service with full energy, with all one’s personal might and ability. That is the spirit to taking up a service!
The amazing Food For All feeding the poor team have touched so many lives over the years with a small team of amazing hard working and humble devotees; who reach out and touch so many people with simple wholesome prasadam
So when approached by one of the UK dynamic comedians who wanted one thing at his book launch, the devotees and plates and plates of prasadam; their was only one thing to do.
It shows how when people see the sincerity and loving care of the devotees they immediately become attracted, so HG Parsharam Das has again asked me to help share this with a beautiful small video.
Enjoy, and we hope to see you soon at one of the many Food For All events were free nutritious prasadam will be waiting; and if you feel the desire come and join the team.
Hare Krishna
”This time, the FFL went to the picturesque town of … Cavan in Ireland.
(Album 13 photos)
Wroclaw FFL - thanks to the hospitality Krishna devotees from ”Krishna Island” - had occasions to become a part of this event. Initiator and organizer was Bhakta Dado. & Gopalacarya Prabhu( tempel president) . We distributed 26 plates. Prasadam distribution : Dado, Madhava Krishna Prabhu Ji and Mata Trisakti, Vishnupatni Dasi. Books: Madhurya Gauranga Mata Ji, Madhava Krishna Prabhu, Trisakti Mata Ji. Bhajan Ananda Da;blin Nitai Prabhu, Bhakta Matthew Vishnupatni Dasi.
Sold 28 books: Hare Krishna !
http://goo.gl/fUkl7G
Bliss In Bali (Album 116 photos)
Indradyumna Swami: On our way to Australia and then Hong Kong, Bada Haridas and myself have stopped off in Bali, Indonesia for a short break. But we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go on harinam with the local devotees and yesterday joined them for a massive 3-hour kirtan along one of the beautiful beaches than adorn this island. Though Indonesia is typically Muslim, people in Bali are mainly Hindus. So the reception was wonderful. Many tourists also joined in the chanting and dancing!
http://goo.gl/t3hsiH
Sri Sri Radha Londonisvara’s Servants on Samkirtan (15-11-2014)
(2 min video)
Bhajahari das: Last Saturday the Harinam was wonderful. It seems that we have now finally figured out a really great way to get the best out of the powerful little sound system that was gifted to the weekly Kirtan group by His Grace Vasudeva prabhu.
In the short video clip below you will see over 50 devotees, along with quite a few members of the public, joyfully chanting and dancing in the arcade just besides Coventry Street.
Next week promises to have even a bigger turnout as there will be a festival at Matchless Gifts in Kings Cross on the Saturday afternoon to celebrate the birthday of the much missed and most inspirational devotee of our Yatra, His Grace Tribhuvantha Prabhu.
This will be followed by a Maha Harinam throughout the West End commencing at 7.30 from Soho Street.
Please come along and help make the celebration a great success.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
http://goo.gl/h1Yrp2
Srimad-Bhagavatam class in Mayapura. (English/Bengali)
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