Websites from the ISKCON Universe
New Books for Christmas
The UK Book ordering committee, headed by Titiksu prabhu, recently ordered 2 new titles for mass book distribution in the UK. By the end of November, 40,000 copies of ‘Science of Self Realisation’ and ‘Veda: Secrets of the East’ will be available to all devotees!
http://goo.gl/QoNv2n
At 60, Mahattama Dasi, a former preschool teacher and caregiver for terminally ill devotees, has found a new way to give back to the community. The Mexican native has leased a two-storey house on six-acres of private land in Alachua, Florida, home to the largest ISKCON community in North America. It will serve as an “Arts and Languages Center,” as well as offering many other services to the community.
Book distribution door to door in UK
Different groups of devotees have been visiting homes in their local area. For many sanga groups and Bhakti Vriksas this has become a monthly effort.
http://goo.gl/O2QbZn
A visit to Govardhan (Album 42 photos)
The Vedic scriptures say: “Even if one distributes ten million cows in charity during an eclipse of the sun, lives at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuma for millions of years, or gives a mountain of gold in sacrifice to the brahmanas, he does not earn one hundredth part of the merit derived from chanting Hare Krishna.” (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 3.79 Purport)
http://goo.gl/TJuAeo
ISKCON News Spreads Across Spanish-Speaking World
Since it was launched in January 2014, readership of ISKCON News’ Spanish language sister website ISKCON Noticias (noticias.iskcon.org) has increased rapidly, now reaching around 7,000 every week, and growing.
Readers are more far-flung, too. Although most hailed from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay when the site was first launched, today there are also readers in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Spain, as well as Spanish-speakers in the USA.
http://goo.gl/4Cysdh
Ukulele Hare krishna mahamantra - kirtan in the park (5 min video)
One should never consider the chanting of the holy name of Godhead equal to pious activities like giving in charity to brahmanas or saintly persons, opening charitable educational institutions, distributing free food and so on. The results of pious activities do not equal the results of chanting the holy name of Krishna. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 3.79 Purport)
http://goo.gl/PkMVbE
Gita Project Success in UK
The Gita Project aims to distribute and donate sponsored books to various institutions including prisons, hotels, airports, hospitals and more. Many books have already been donated to different hospitals across London, and Homerton University Hospital is one amongst many to receive copies of the Bhagavad Gita. The Lead Chaplain, Robin Pfaff, expressed her appreciation for receiving these books by immediately placing several copies in the spiritual books stand outside the chapel for others to access easily.
http://goo.gl/eSmnK2
Ladies Sankirtan Party in UK
The ladies ashram recently launched an exciting initiative of traveling sankirtan. For one week every month, they travel to different cities around the country, distributing books and holding street sankirtan. If you would like to join the party contact Jagat Priya dd (jagat.priya@gmail.com). Below are some of their experiences and realisations: We are being invested with so much mercy living here, in the community of Vaishnavas, that not to share it with other conditioned souls is just miserly. Going out and trying to reach out to people giving them this sublime knowledge and giving our service to Srila Prabhupada, that is what makes book distribution such a blissful experience. And it is such a training ground for us to become more humble and surrendered. (Bhaktin Jurgita)
http://goo.gl/4aBcAz
State houses, traditionally meeting places of United States' governors, legislators and decision makers, rarely host gatherings related to religious expression or discourse. However, for the third year in a row the Massachusetts State House, amidst the majesty of its Hall of Flags & Grand Staircase, hosted a Diwali opening ceremony.
Boston, october 23, 2014.
Since it was launched in January 2014, readership of ISKCON News’ Spanish language sister website ISKCON Noticias (noticias.iskcon.org) has increased rapidly, now reaching around 7,000 every week, and growing. Readers are more far-flung, too. Although most hailed from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay when the site was first launched, today there are also readers in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Spain, as well as Spanish-speakers in the USA.
Meet the lively devotees of ISKCON Helsinki and hear about their project.
Metaphorically, prominent acaryas in Lord Caitanya’s line laid the foundation for the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium
by Ajita Nimai Dasa
The construction of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) – the biggest Vedic temple in the world – is well underway in the holy town of Mayapur, West Bengal. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Sri Krsna Himself in the role of His own devotee, appeared in Mayapur in 1486 CE and inaugurated the sankirtana movement of the congregational chanting of God’s names.
His movement has since spread all over the world through the unyielding dedication of His devotees. The most notable recent devotee was His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. While the movement he founded, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), continues to expand the sankirtana movement’s enlightening influence in various ways, the TOVP is its biggest construction project today.
The TOVP is far from complete, and the same can be said of the astronomical mission of the sankirtana movement. But their current state points to a magnificent future for both. The future rests on the past, and deep appreciation of the past Vedic culture can inspire a stupendous future for Vedic projects today. The Vedic literature asserts that the Vedic tradition is not only old, but timeless. When introducing to Arjuna the topic of transcendental knowledge, Lord Krsna tells him:
imam vivasvate yogam
proktavan aham avyayam
vivasviin manave priiha
manur iksviikave ‘bravit
“I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Iksvaku.” (BG 4.1)
Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport that this knowledge has been extant in human society for at least two million years. The sacred system of parampara (disciplic succession) keeps the knowledge flowing from one generation to the next. But this current of spirituality must not be taken for granted. Its carriers at any time in history are always up against the opposing undercurrent of materialism that characterizes the material world. Time and again this untiring, sinister current sidelines the spiritual current and becomes prominent in the world, creating tough times for the bearers of the parampara system.
To set things right, sometimes Krsna descends to reveal spiritual knowledge. About five thousand years ago He spoke the Gita to Arjuna in the dramatic setting of a world war
sa eviiyam maya te ‘dya
yogan proktali puriitanah.
bhakto ‘si me sakhd ceti rahasyam
hy etad uttamam
“[Because it has been lost in the course of time,] that very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told by Me to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend and can therefore understand the transcendental mystery of this science.”(BG 4.3)
And then five hundred years ago Lord Caitanya revealed the same knowledge once again by teaching and exemplifying the practical message of devotion. At other times, the acaryas, prominent links in the parampara chain, keep the message alive and distribute it profusely. The TOVP is a tribute to the glorious acaryas of Lord Caitanya’s Gaudiya Vaisnava parampara.
It’s not easy to keep a flame burning in turbulent winds. It’s tougher still to light more lamps in the process. While all links in the parampara are praiseworthy, those who operate in turbulent anti-spiritual times to create a blazing spiritual movement are extra special.
After Lord Caitanya and the Six Gosvamis of Vrindavan left this world, by an inconceivable arrangement of the Lord the sankirtana movement gradually disintegrated. By the 1700s, the ruling Moghul invaders had wantonly destroyed many temples in Vrindavan. Devotees were living under the constant threat of Moghul cruelty. During these oppressive times, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura held the fort for Gaudiya Vaisnavism in Vrindavan. Despite the times, he produced literary works full of deep spiritual realizations about Vrindavan. When the very authenticity of Gaudiya Vaisnavism was under attack, Visvanatha’s ardent follower Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusana produced a landmark commentary on the Vedanta-satras: the Govinda Bhiisya: Despite determined opposition, these acaryas not only kept the tradition alive, but also produced literature that is today a signature of Gaudiya Vaisnavism.
By the 1800s, the British were ruling India. Their goal was to obliterate Vedic literature and culture. The British-run educational system taught that the Vedic literature is full of fantastic mythological narrations with no connection to reality. This message encouraged many young Indian intellectuals to reject Vedic schools of thought, including Gaudiya Vaisnavism, then in a pathetic state. Many groups proclaiming to be Gaudiya Vaisnavas had cropped up. But their behavior and philosophical understanding were far removed from the pure teachings of Lord Caitanya. Like the mud-born lotus, amidst such harsh, filthy, anti-spiritual circumstances appeared Srlla Bhaktivinoda Thakura. He struggled hard against the strong opposing currents to establish the pure original teachings of Gaudiya Vaisnavism. He wrote extensively, preached door-to-door in villages, and published authentic philosophical works of the Six Gosvamis. His son Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura carried forward his father’s mission with fiery zeal, establishing sixty-four Gaudiya Matha temples all over India. His foremost disciple, Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, established ISKCON. Volumes of books describe his monumental life and spectacular success. But we must not forget the hardships he underwent to serve his spiritual master and Lord Caitanya, driven by his compassion for us.
If we deeply appreciate what these exalted acaryas have done for Krishna, the world, and us, we will always worship them within our hearts with gratitude and affection. The TOVP will express these highly elevated spiritual feelings by placing fifteen acaryas – from the Six Gosvamis to Srila Prabhupada – on the main altar. This will be the first time in Gaudiya Vaisnava history that so many past acaryas reside on the main altar of a temple. Dedicated artists are using the latest technology and careful research to create lifelike deities portraying the mood and personality of each acarya. Unlike the Lord, who can accomplish everything effortlessly, these acaryas toiled unimaginably hard. They used their spiritual acumen while depending on the Lord’s mercy alone. They accomplished what is ordinarily impossible. The TOVP is a salute to their sacrifices and contributions. Indeed, the TOOVP and the sankirtana mission are growing all over the world on the philosophical, institutional, literary, and cultural foundation they laid.
Phase One of the TOVP construction is near completion. It consists of the RCC (reinforced cement concrete) framework of columns, the brickwork, and the massive domes that will be the most striking feature of the temple. The RCC framework is complete. The spaces are now well defined, the structure’s immensity apparent. The brickwork is defining the edges of the building, which has started looking more like a temple than a construction site. The third ring of concrete and steel forming the central dome is under construction. The domes will be ready by the first quarter of 2015.
The best waterproofing company in the world is using the best technology to protect the superstructure against cracks and water seepage. The goal is to construct a building that will last for at least a thousand years without needing renovation. The massive structure of the TOVP is already visible from miles away. Residents of the area, who could already see Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi, can now see his gift to Lord Caitanya.
Phase Two will be all about the finishing, interior and exterior. There will be at least twenty-two types of finishing work, including carpentry, woodwork, flooring, doors, and windows. Also included are the astonishing gold work and marble cladding, and the kalasa (“pitcher”) on top of each of the three domes. Apart from the gold inlays inside the temple, the domes will be decorated on the outside by a mesh of gold work. Spotless white marble for the interiors and the exteriors of the temple has started arriving from Vietnam. Exquisite, rare dark-blue marble has arrived from Bolivia for embellishing the gorgeous altar in the central dome.
Work has started on the design of the kalasa, which symbolizes abundance, growth, and new life. The kalasa on top of the central dome will be four stories (sixty-eight feet) tall. It will be coated with the extremely hard ceramic material known as titanium nitride (TiN), which looks like gold, lasts very long, and will make the kalasa maintenance free.
A team of artists considers every detail of the various aspects of the design. Each component gets pains-taking attention before getting finalized. The temple site is clean. The construction work is of the highest quality, ensured not only by strict monitoring of the work but also by inspiring the workers. Recently all the workers attended a class on the importance and significance of the project.
From the top of the central dome will hang the world’s largest chandelier, one of Srila Prabhupada’s most cherished ideas for the temple. It will depict the structure of the universe as described in the Shrimad-Bhagavatam, as well as the spiritual world beyond, up to the highest spiritual planet, Goloka Vrndavana. Visitors will be able to study the universe from multiple levels. Galleries and exhibits at each level will explain the purpose of the universe and its various aspects. The highest level will take visitors on a tour of the spiritual world.
Prabhupada’s Desire Srila Prabhupada used to say that Bombay was his office, Vrindavan his home, and Mayapur his place of worship. On Lord Caitanya’s order, the Six Gosvamis discovered and excavated many holy places in Vrindavan, Krsna’s town. Similarly, recent Gaudiya acaryas contributed immensely to Mayapur, Lord Caitanya’s town. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura discovered Lord Caitanya’s birthplace. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura discovered many pastime places of Lord Caitanya and founded the Gaudiya Matha, with a prominent branch – the Sri Caitanya Matha – in Mayapur. Similarly, the TOVP will be Srila Prabhupada’s most striking contribution to Mayapur, his place of worship.
Centuries ago, devoted kings built grand temples. For example, the massive temple of Ranganath Swamy (a reclining form of Lord Visnu) in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, was built between the eleventh and seventeenth centuries CEo During this period, the rulers of the region changed, but all of them gave paramount importance to the temple’s construction. Times have changed. The rulers of the India don’t build temples anymore. Temples are now built by raising funds from the public. Mayapur is the international headquarters of ISKCON. Consequently, the TOVP is not a local temple of Mayapur or even India. Due the interconnected nature of modern times, and the international outreach of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON, the TOVP is an international temple for the entire population of the earth.
Srila Prabhupada taught his followers to desire big for the service of Krsna. The TOVP was one of Srila Prabhupada’s grandest desires. The desires of pure devotees are fulfilled by the Lord Himself. For example, years before Srila Prabhupada started ISKCON he had a desire to build a grand temple in Juhu, Bombay. Years later the landmark Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari Temple manifested. The TOVP team would like to move the deities – the Pancha Tattva, Sri Sri Radha-Madhava and the Eight Gopis, and Lord Nrsimhadeva – into the TOVP by 2022. When devotees of the Lord come together and cooperate in the spirit of gratitude and love, anything is possible.
The post TOVP in the last issue of Back to Godhead magazine appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Is it a fairy tale of the past or something Srila Prabhupada wanted ISKCON to establish today? See Srila Prabhupada in the Video section.
The post Varnasrama appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
The post Today’s visit to the TOVP – Nov 13th appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
The post Srila Prabhupada speaking Varnasrama on his deathbed appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Sacred Conversation between Narada & Vyasa :-) (4 min video)
This is a video presentation for our mentee group homework based on Srila Vyasadev’s despondency and the visit by Narada Muni.
http://goo.gl/O3K1cE
HH Maha Vishnu Swami Srimad Bhagavatam 10 74 19- 24
This week’s challenge: There are five devotees visible in the photo. One is clearly identifiable. Who are they, what are they doing and where & when was this photo taken?
What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the Brijabasi Spirit website.
There seems to be a lot of interest in my previous article on the subject, and some discussion has cropped up, which makes me realize there are many other misconceptions about Rāgānugā-Sādhana that gradually have to be addressed before anyone can gain a clear, confident, and wise understanding of Śrī Rūpa’s blessings to the world.
The biggest misconception is that Vaidhi follows rules, but Rāgānugā doesn’t. That’s just wrong. BRS 1.2.296 and 1.2.101 prove that it is a misconception. The difference between the two sādhanas in this regard is simply that Vadhi is motivated by the desire to follow God’s rules, where Rāgānugā is motivated by desire to love God in a very intimate way – and it utilizes rules and methodologies as tools to attain that intimate love.
Any so called bhakti that doesn’t follow śāstra is “bogus-bhakti”, not ”rāgānugā-bhakti.”
A similar misconception is that the execution of rāgānugā is “spontaneous” (and therefore doesn’t follow rules).
It is true that rāgānugā is svabhāvikī (natural, spontaneous). But it is bhāva-bhakti which begins to be svabhāvikī in execution. Rāgānugā-bhakti is svabhāvikī (spontaneous) in its motivation, not in its execution. This is proven by BRS 1.2.291 and 292 as well as by Śrī Viśvanātha Cakravarti’s explanation of ŚB 3.25.32.
“Spontaneous motivation” specifically means that you have a natural, undeniable interest in pursuing a specific type of intimate relationship with Krishna. You don’t get this interest because you theoretically know its a good thing to have, or because someone says you are supposed to have it – you just have it naturally (as a result of having heard a particularly beautiful līlā which awakens your specific attachment to the love demonstrated in that līlā)
One should note carefully that all the original archetypes of rāgānugā-sādhana — for example the six goswāmīs — rigidly observed vratas and vidhis, like counting a certain number of recitations of mahāmantra on beads daily, daily offering a certain number of praṇām to people, limiting very strictly their sense-gratification, and so on. ”saṁkhya pūrvaka nāma… Not that they just did whatever they wanted whenever they felt spontaneously inspired to do it.
Rāgānugā is based on spontaneous motivation, but it also differs from vaidhi-sādhana in the ways described in BRS 1.2.294 and 295: that the focus is on the internal significance of ones external deeds.
Basically, in vaidhi-sādhana we see the external deed as the whole package. “OK I did 16 rounds today.” Or, “OK I offered the chapattis to Krishna.” But in rāgānugā-sādhana we are mainly focused on the internal significance of the deeds. While chanting 16 rounds we are praying to become freed from our imperfections that keep us from attaining a specific intimate loving relationship with Krishna. Externally we may be sitting in front of an altar with marble deities, but internally we are sitting in our rooms, behind locked doors with mother-in-laws and husbands blocking all the exits so that we cannot leave and answer the flute’s call, so we are chanting the name, because that is all we have, and the fire the name ignites in us, will burn the impurities that cause us to be so blocked.
Or we may be meditating that Rādhā and Krishna have come to sit privately with us and hear us privately express our love for them by reciting their names with attention and focus. In this way, whatever the specifics, there is some internal significance to the external deed, and the internal significance is nourishing to the particular mood one aspires for. These are example of Rāgānugā relevant to mādhurya-rati. Every individual Rāgānugā-sādhaka will have different internal significance in their external practices. But the key is that the rāgānugā-sādhaka is focused FIRST of all on the internal aspect, and the external aspect is facilitating the internal meditation.
Kāmānugā is the variety of Rāgānugā inspired by the the hope of attaining a love for Krishna like the gopīs have. Sambandhānugā is the variety of Rāgānugā that is inspired by the hopes of attaining other relationships. So, one inspired by the hope of attaining a motherly relationship with Krishna could offer capatis to the deity just like any vaidhi-bhakta, but the internal activity going on which externally offering chapatti on an altar may be that she has taken chapati that Rādhārāṇī cooked on Yaśodā-devī’s request, and is carrying it into the dining area where Krishna is seated with his father and brother and some of their friends, and is serving the chapati to them as they joke, etc.
So, Rāgānugā is not just about having a spontaneous motivation to attain a particular loving relationship with Krishna, it is also about practicing the vidhis in a way that facilitates achieving that relationship.
I think this is a useful thing to explain to someone who is overly zealous to imitate rāgānugā-sādhana when factually they have no inclination to love Krishna in any mood, but are only inclined to be loved and adored by others. It is useful because it puts the person “in his place” and makes him focus on more honest bhakti. However it is not an objective philosophical fact that Vadhi leads to Rāgānugā.
The objective fact is that Vaidhi-sādhana leads to vaidyottara-bhāva-bhakti which blossoms as maryāda-prema. On the other hand rāgānugā-sādhana leads to rāgottara-bhāva-bhakti which blossoms as kevala-prema. The two paths don’t cross at any time.
If you don’t have spontaneous inspiration to love Krishna in a particular way, and you want to get it, you won’t get it by “following vaidhi-sādhana — but you can get it by following BRS 1.2.296, which means to adopt an approach to rāgānugā-sādhana which relies very heavily on the vidhis common to vaidhi-sādhana but under the guidance of a rāgānugā-guru who aims your vidhi towards exposure to kīrtan of the nāma, rūpa, guṇa and līlā of Krishna in a genuine, pure way. By that exposure we soon get the initial spark of spontaneous inspiration, and then be able to proceed more towards BRS 1.2.294 and 295.
This is exactly the system our Guru, Śrīla Prabhupāda, set up as the ideal for ISKCON, but a lot of his followers seem not to understand it, and mistake his program as vaidhi-bhakti.
As shown in BRS 1.2.309 the ultimate cause is the mercy of Krishna’s devotee who has some spontaneous love, or aspiration for spontaneous love, at least. For its really only when we hear kīrtan of the nāma, rūpa, guṇa and līlā by someone who really loves Krishna that we stand any chance of any of that love inspiring us to attain something similar.
Thus we are very fortunate to have Śrī Bhāgavata (spoken by Śuka, who is full of prema), and we are very fortunate to have explanations of the Bhāgavata by the Goswāmīs and their followers. We are very fortunate that Śrī Bhaktivinoda prepared the way for sharing this loving access to Krishna-līlā with the modern, Westernized world. And we are very fortunate that Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta and Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Swāmī Prabhupāda have furthered that work. Especially we are lucky for all the writings Śrīla Prabhupāda left for us. Because its by hearing about Krishna from someone who really loves Krishna that we hope to catch the spark of spontaneous inspiration to also love Krishna.
We should always be looking everywhere and anywhere for someone who can speak about Krishna with genuine love. Finding such person we should open our ears wide! I am most fortunate to have been able to meet pure devotees in this very lifetime, and to hear from them with open ears. I don’t know how this was possible.
The “cool” and “advanced” club is well outside the umbrella of pure devotional service, and far below the feet of even the simplest sincere vaidhi-bhakta. You can’t get anywhere near Vṛndāvana Krishna by feeling smarter, better, more advanced than other people.
The person who debates more forcefully or with more bravado then the next, is not the person we want to align ourselves with, unless we want to follow them into their karmic spiral.
As your servant and a mere sweeper in the gutter of the Gauḍiya Paramparā, I offer whatever feeble services I can to any and all who request or avail of it. There is no need to debate with hotheaded people who already feel convinced they know everything there is to know. Better to sign a document consenting defeat to such persons, and assemble sincere seekers of Krishna in a private place, and carefully discuss the teachings of our guides and exemplars.
To purify myself I have taken this opportunity to discuss the wonderful subject of Rāgānugā Sādhana. Holding to my chest and on my head the stones from the places where followers of Śrī Rūpa have walked, I tend to remain a fool.
BY SANTI VARDHANA CAITANYA DASA
KUALA LUMPUR - We are happy to announce Gita Jayanti celebrations at Sri Jagannatha Mandir, ISKCON Malaysia on 2 December 2014. Gita Jayanti is the day when Lord Sri Krishna spoke Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the Battle field of Kurukshetra 5000 years ago.
“The devotee wants only one thing which is to always remember Krishna and to never forget Krishna. In happiness or distress, in good health or illness, in riches or poverty. In that state one is satisfied. It doesn’t mean that if one becomes a devotee the dualities of the material world will stop. They will continue. Pleasure and pain, heat and cold, happiness and distress, sickness and wellness—when one is in the material world these things will go on. A devotee doesn’t mind. He just wants to have the benediction that whatever happens—no matter what the situation—that he will always remember Krishna. Let whatever comes come. This state can be achieved through the grace of Krishna and guru.”
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 29 September 2014, Pretoria, South Africa, House Program)
Another story that I have about Brahmananda – once in Vrindavan, Madhudvisa, another sannyasi, arranged that a picture would be taken. This picture was a group photo of devotees in ISKCON and Madhudvisa organized it all, with everybody nicely in the right position.
Brahmananda stood right in the middle next to Prabhupada…naturally. Madhudvisa was behind the camera but what Madhudvisa had done is that he had put a timer on the camera. So he put the timer, he clicked and then he ran over and stood right in front of Brahmananda, right next to Prabhupada.
So Brahmananda said, “Get out of here,” in a deep voice, sort of like in a way that Prabhupada could not hear but that Madhudvisa could. Right in his ear, “Get out of here.” Madhudvisa did not move an inch. So then Brahmananda, being a big and powerful wrestler, pinched Madhudvisa as hard as he could in the back. Pretty hard! Madhudvisa, you can see on the photo, Madhudvisa was just standing there with the biggest smile on his face and Brahmananda was pinching as hard as he could (laughing), but Madhudvisa, for nothing in the world, you know, would stop smiling.
Harinama Party in Lima, Peru (Album 53 photos)
The holy name of Kṛṣṇa is so attractive that anyone who chants it — including all living entities, moving and nonmoving, and even Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself — becomes imbued with love of Kṛṣṇa. This is the effect of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra
http://goo.gl/d0oqO8
Moments of Spiritual Joy (Album 32 photos)
These past few years, I have followed the Hare Krishna movement with my camera. Doing so has changed my whole perspective and understanding of the world and of life. This spiritual tradition has geared me towards a new genre of candid, raw, emotional and real photography. Through this experience I have learnt to anticipate and photograph beautiful expressions of love, joy and relationship between the soul and the divine.
http://goo.gl/AFqJj9
Moods of Devotion (Album 33 photos)
Over the past few years, I have been so fortunate to have observed and captured deep moods of devotion within the spiritual culture of Gaudiya Vaishnavism (popularly known as the Hare Krishna tradition). This time old tradition first touched my heart in 2007 and inspired me towards a new genre of candid, raw, emotional and real photography. It is through this experience, whereby I have learnt to anticipate and photograph beautiful expressions of love, longing, prayer, meditation and contemplation of the soul towards the divine.
http://goo.gl/n2WmbU
The Beauty of Srimati Radharani
by Vrindavan Das
(In the photo: Sri Sri Radha Gopaljiu, the beloved Deities of Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja )
http://goo.gl/fozKkz