Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Mongolian Krishna Mandir Receives Official Religious Status, New Temple on the Way
The names of Krishna are truly being heard in every town and village. This month, after a long waiting period, devotees’ “Krishna Mandir” organization just outside the capital of Mongolia, Ulan Bator, was given official religious status by the government.
According to leader Bhaktivaibhava Swami, that means a beautiful new temple is on the way.
Krishna consciousness first came to Mongolia in 1999 when Lakshmi Narayana, a senior devotee from East Siberia, began holding public programs there.
http://goo.gl/QQM2AO
Please view the following galleries: Community gathering Temple abhishek Darshan In the western coast of India, in the island of Salmali, lived Dronachala, the king of the mountains. Once a sage by the name of Pulastya Muni, came to him to take his son Giriraja with him to Kashi (Varanasi). After offering some initial resistance, […]
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Respects all Vaisnavas and is completely dependent on Krsna.
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ISKCON Organizes First Diwali at Rome City Hall
Devotees headed by ISKCON Communications director for Italy Parabhakti Das organized and participated in the Diwali celebrations at Rome’s City Hall on October 23rd, with positive results.
“If Brussels is the diplomatic capital of Europe, Rome is its capital from the religious and cultural point of view,” Parabhakti says. “So it is important that our movement is well represented and clearly visible in this world-famous city.”
While he has pondered this need at various national and international ISKCON meetings over the years, Parabhakti has found it difficult to plan events of major impact due to the small number of devotees in Rome.
“The recommendation of Srila Prabhupada to ‘focus on the big catch’ motivated me to think more broadly and out of the box,” he says.
http://goo.gl/UY8Edv
Another New E-book from the BBT: Sri Isopanisad in Albanian
BBT Media has announced that Sri Isopanisad by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is now available in Albanian at bbtmedia.com.
The 108 Upanisads are considered the essence of all the Vedas, and Sri Isopanisad is foremost among them. The readers can discover the distilled essence of all knowledge in these eighteen enlightening verses.
For thousands of years, people on a spiritual quest have consulted the mystical, intensely philosophical Upanisads. As the name implies (upa-near; ni-down; sad-to sit), one is advised to sit near a spiritual teacher to learn. To learn what? This Upanisad’s name gives the clue: Isa means “the supreme controller.”
The readers are invited to sit near the spiritual guide to learn about the supreme controller: God.
http://goo.gl/33kfXE
Article by Hari Parshad Prabhu that compiles and analyzes a dozen acharyas commentaries on Gita 9.32
Prabhupada quotes using papa-yonayah as a fourth category, to refer to those outside varnashrama (compiled by Revati Vallabha P)
Päpa-yoni means muci, less than the çüdras. If he takes to Kåñëa consciousness, te 'pi yänti paräà gatim, they are also eligible to go back to home, back to Godhead. So even a muci or a päpa-yoni born in the low grade family, if he takes to Kåñëa consciousness, he becomes a devatä. This is also confirmed in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam by Çukadeva Gosvämé, kiräta-hüëändhra… - Bhagavad-gétä 16.7 — Sanand, December 26, 1975
Päpa-yoni, low-born. Päpa-yoni. There are... They are mentioned in the çästras, kiräta-hüëändhra-pulinda-pulkaçä äbhéra-çumbhä yavanäù khasädayaù [SB 2.4.18]. They are considered as caëòäla, less than the çüdras. - Bhagavad-gétä 16.1-3 — Hawaii, January 29, 1975
Kåñëa says that "Anyone who takes shelter of Me, even he belongs to the päpa-yoni..." Päpa-yoni means the caëòälas, less than the çüdras. Striyo vaiçyäs tathä çüdräù... Again He mentions. Te 'pi yänti paräà gatim. So they are eligible to go back to home, back to Godhead. There are so many instances. Kiräta-hüëändhra-pulinda-pulkaçä äbhéra-çumbhä yavanäù khasädayaù, ye 'nye ca päpäù: [SB 2.4.18] "Lower than them, still more sinful," çudhyanti, "they can be purified," prabhaviñëave namaù, "if he becomes a Vaiñëava." Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.26.27 —Bombay, January 4, 1975
Kåñëa says in the Bhagavad-gétä, mäà hi pärtha vyapäçritya ye 'pi syuù päpa-yonayaù [Bg. 9.32]. Päpa-yoni means to take birth in low class family or demonic family. So päpa-yonayaù. Kåñëa says openly, ye 'pi syuù päpa-yonayaù. Anyone, it doesn't matter, even if he is born in a päpa-yoni Päpa-yoni means generally less than the çüdras. Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.6.1 — Våndävana, December 2, 1975
From Hari Parayana P
From Hari Parayana P
Is the BBT just money grabbing always looking for an opportunity to charge?
I wonder if like me how many use the eBook or app to access Srila Prabhupada books whilst on the go, do we show due diligence to check the source, or is the cheaper the better and what beats that is free.
Were living in a society which is slowly loosing the true understanding of real value, captivated by slick adverts for product’s often made in sweatshop in far off countries or special offers with a promise of free this free that; we remain captivated and bound to materialistic nature.
So we now have Srila Prabhupada books the cure for this disease, but contaminated the same wanting something for nothing mentality prevails wanting all of the books for as little as possible no matter what the source.
The question is how much do we love Srila Prabhupada?
Enough to purchase the books from the BBT the custodian who are charged in caring for printing and distribution of Srila Prabhupada books or do we feel well it doesn’t matter after all the words are the same, right!
Before we press the download or install button do we check the source, or make sure the correct royalties are being made, this protects the intellectual property and ensures that Srila Prabhupada books can be distributed for many many years to come.
After all everything has a value, we should show our appreciation and pay the true asking price for Srila Prabhupada books and if you take in the real value the words held within it still remains at this price as cheap as chips
So think BBT first when purchasing Srila Prabhupada books its not money grabbing its supporting ISKCON the institution Srila Prabhupada set up; by doing this we show our true love and appreciation
Srila Prabhupada Disappearance @ New Vrindavan (Album 56 photos)
Srila Prabhupad residing in the holy Dham of Sri Vrindavan, on Monday November 14th, 1977, at 7:30 pm., which fell upon the Caturthi of the Gaura (Sukla) Paksa, Mula nakshatra, gave up this mortal frame surrounded by loving disciples engaged in ‘Harinam-sankirtan’, the congregational chanting of the Holy Name.
Translating Srimad Bhagavatam up until the very last breath, in a peaceful condition, and with the Holy Name on his tongue, Srila Prabhupada passed from this world in Sri Vrndavana Dhama to rejoin his worshipful Lords Sri Sri Nitai Gaura, Sri Sri Krsna Balarama, and Sri Sri Radhe Syamasundara in Their eternal abode.
http://goo.gl/X9MEaF
Srngar Vat oct 13 HG Bada Haridas Prabhu’s Kirtan
The original Harinama Sankirtan Party
The “golden avatara” of this age of Kali Yuga, Lord Chaitanya, spoke these words: “Glory to the Sri Krishna sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.”
Devotees at New Vrindaban have begun to go out regularly to both Pittsburgh, PA and Wheeling, WV to give the opportunity to the people in general of hearing the sublime sound of the Lord’s Holy Name:
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Everyone is invited to join. Meet at the temple at 10:00 A.M. Wednesdays and Fridays, or meet them at Schenley Park, Oakland, Pittsburgh. Call 304 843 1600 ext 106 for information.
And please mark your 2015 calendar for Sat. Sept. 12 – New Vrindaban and Ohio Valley’s 4th Annual Festival of Colors!
The main Pittsburgh newspaper tells the story:
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE–SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2014
(Rebecca Droke/Post Gazette)
Olliva Pasoazl, a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, dances in Oakland on Friday with members of the Hare Krishna movement from Moundsville, W.Va.
The Hare Krishnas come every Wednesday and Friday to Forbes Avenue and Schenley Drive to
“spread the consciousness of God so that we can all be happy,” said Autumn Radii Dasi, right.
Harinama near Schenley Park, the university district, Oakland, Pittsburgh.
I am older than all of you, so I have some old songs in my head. John Lennon is still in my head, “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one!” That is a fact.
We need dreams in this world. We need people who have idealism and who say, “We are going to do something different! We are going to try to do it anyway, in spite of the system!”
So find a creative way, instead of just slotting in. It is pretty depressing if you just go into a slot that is ultimately waiting for you and that is your life and you know exactly what you are going to be doing when you are fifty-three. Exciting!?
"Actually we do not want to disturb the law and order of the state, that is not our business, but the Vedic principle to receive contribution from the devotees has to be allowed."
Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita 28 May 1970
I am always humbled and amazed at being asked to give class and the compassion of the devotees who overlook my inadequacy and see the good points in what is presented.
This time although hours of research was done I forgot to use the Srimad Bhagavatam quotes as I looked deep into the four regulative principles and how they are actually four protective principles that protects both devotee and society.
My own conclusion was that by replacing these four materialistic endeavours with four simple spiritual ones: Kirtan, prasadam, devotee association and association with Srila Prabhupada by reading his books.
These simple changes make the biggest difference in our emotional welfare and brings greater joy and lasting bliss.
So here was my notes although most do overlap in their ability to degrade the individual and corrupt society.
Sex Life
London Harrow statistics 2013 (department of health)
1,136 abortions of which 131 were repeat abortions (under 25 years old)
Age 15-24 std Chlamydia 334/100,000 Genetal warts 209/100,000 Genetal herpies 119/100,000
Underwent HIV testing 3,030 women 2,701 men
Divorces 39% end in divorce 47% for unreasonable behaviour whilst 15% due to infidelity Divorce is highest between 3-6 years decreases for each year thereafter
Translation
Sometimes, as if blinded by the dust of a whirlwind, the conditioned soul sees the beauty of the opposite sex, which is called pramada. Being thus bewildered, he is raised upon the lap of a woman, and at that time his good senses are overcome by the force of passion. He thus becomes almost blind with lusty desire and disobeys the rules and regulations governing sex life. He does not know that his disobedience is witnessed by different demigods, and he enjoys illicit sex in the dead of night, not seeing the future punishment awaiting him.
Purport
In Bhagavad-gita (7.11) it is said: dharmaviruddho bhutesu kamo ‘smi bharatarsabha. Sex is allowed only for the begetting of children, not for enjoyment. One can indulge in sex to beget a good child for the benefit of the family, society and world. Otherwise, sex is against the rules and regulations of religious life. A materialistic person does not believe that everything is managed in nature, and he does not know that if one does something wrong, he is witnessed by different demigods. A person enjoys illicit sex, and due to his blind, lusty desire, he thinks that no one can see him, but this illicit sex is thoroughly observed by the agents of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore the person is punished in so many ways, presently in Kali-yuga there are many pregnancies due to illicit sex, and sometimes abortions ensue. These sinful activities are witnessed by the agents of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and a man and woman who create such a situation are punished in the future by the stringent laws of material nature (daivi hy esa guna-mayi mama maya duratyaya [Bg. 7.14]). Illicit sex is never excused, and those who indulge in it are punished life after life. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (16.20):
asurim yonim apanna
mudha janmani janmani
mam aprapyaiva kaunteya
tato yanty adhamam gatim
“Attaining repeated birth among the species of demoniac life, such persons can never approach Me. Gradually they sink down to the most abominable type of existence.”
The Supreme Personality of Godhead does not allow anyone to act against the stringent laws of material nature; therefore illicit sex is punished life after life. Illicit sex creates pregnancies, and these unwanted pregnancies lead to abortion. Those involved become implicated in these sins, so much so that they are punished in the same way the next life. Thus in the next life they also enter the womb of a mother and are killed in the same way. All these things can be avoided by remaining on the transcendental platform of Krsna consciousness. In this way one does not commit sinful activity. Illicit sex is the most prominent sin due to lusty desire. When one associates with the mode of passion, he is implicated in suffering life after life.
SB 5.14.9
Alcohol concern/NHS
Misuse of alcohol costs England approximately £21billion per year in health care, crime and lost productivity
2.6million children live with parents who are drinking hazardously 705,000 living with dependent drinker’s
Alcohol is the causing factor in more than 60 medical conditions including mouth, throat, stomach, liver and breast cancer. High blood pressure, cirrhosis of the liver and depression
1.2million alcohol related hospital admission in England 92,200 under 18 years of age 1.6million dependent on alcohol in England
9990 people casualties of drink driving 280 fatal 1290 serious injuries 47% of all violent incidents 917,000 offences were under the influence of alcohol
Translation
Once this brahmana Ajamila, following the order of his father, went to the forest to collect fruit, flowers and two kinds of grass, called samit and kusa. On the way home, he came upon a sudra, a very lusty, fourth-class man, who was shamelessly embracing and kissing a prostitute. The sudra was smiling, singing and enjoying as if this were proper behavior. Both the sudra and the prostitute were drunk. The prostitute’s eyes were rolling in intoxication, and her dress had become loose. Such was the condition in which Ajamila saw them.
Purport
While traveling along the public way, Ajamila came upon a fourth-class man and a prostitute, who are vividly described here. Drunkenness was sometimes manifest even in bygone ages, although not very frequently. In this age of Kali, however, such sin is to be seen everywhere, for people all over the world have become shameless. Long ago, when he saw the scene of the drunken sudra and the prostitute, Ajamila, who was a perfect brahmacari, was affected. Nowadays such sin is visible in so many places, and we must consider the position of a brahmacari student who sees such behavior. For such a brahmacari to remain steady is very difficult unless he is extremely strong in following the regulative principles. Nevertheless, if one takes to Krsna consciousness very seriously, he can withstand the provocation created by sin. In our Krsna consciousness movement we prohibit illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling. In Kali-yuga, a drunk, half-naked woman embracing a drunk man is a very common sight, especially in the Western countries, and restraining oneself after seeing such things is very difficult. Nevertheless, if by the grace of Krsna one adheres to the regulative principles and chants the Hare Krsna mantra, Krsna will certainly protect him. Indeed, Krsna says that His devotee is never vanquished (kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati [Bg. 9.31]). Therefore all the disciples practicing Krsna consciousness should obediently follow the regulative principles and remain fixed in chanting the holy name of the Lord. Then there need be no fear. Otherwise one’s position is very dangerous, especially in this Kali-yuga.
SB 6.1.58, SB 6.1.59, SB 6.1.60, SB 6.1.58-60
Gambling commission
Gross gambling yeald £6.3billion 73% of the adult population participate in some form of gambling No “gold standard” for measuring problem gambling 64 out of 7,756 gamblers were categorised as problem gamblers
Reasons for gambling Chance of a big win 83% Fun 78% To make money 53%
The NHS puts rates of depression and attempted suicide at double that of the national average, and are more likely to go to prison as a result of criminal activity
BBC found that the average online gambling debt in Britain was £25,000
Translation
Bhagiratha had a son named Sruta, whose son was Nabha. This son was different from the Nabha previously described. Nabha had a son named Sindhudvipa, from Sindhudvipa came Ayutayu, and from Ayutayu came Rtuparna, who became a friend of Nalaraja. Rtuparna taught Nalaraja the art of gambling, and Nalaraja gave Rtuparna lessons in controlling and maintaining horses. The son of Rtuparna was Sarvakama.
Purport
Gambling is also an art. Ksatriyas are allowed to exhibit talent in this art of gambling. By the grace of Krsna, the Pandavas lost everything by gambling and were deprived of their kingdom, wife, family and home because they were not expert in the gambling art. In other words, a devotee may not be expert in materialistic activities. It is therefore advised in the sastra that materialistic activities are not at all suitable for the living entities, especially the devotees. A devotee should therefore be satisfied to eat whatever is sent as prasada by the Supreme Lord. A devotee remains pure because he does not take to sinful activities such as gambling, intoxication, meat-eating and illicit sex.
SB 9.9.16, SB 9.9.17, SB 9.9.16-17
Slaughter of cattle UK
September figures 46,060 cows 53,634 heifers (cows which have not born or only had one calf)
2013 thousand tons Beef & Veal 846.7 Mutton & lamb 289.5 Pig meat 833.1
Translation
A devotee must execute his prescribed duties, which are glorious, without material profit. Without excessive violence, one should regularly perform one’s devotional activities.
Purport
Another significant phrase in this verse is natihimsrena (“with minimum violence or sacrifice of life”). Even if a devotee has to commit violence, it should not be done beyond what is necessary. Sometimes the question is put before us: “You ask us not to eat meat, but you are eating vegetables. Do you think that is not violence?” The answer is that eating vegetables is violence, and vegetarians are also committing violence against other living entities because vegetables also have life. Nondevotees are killing cows, goats and so many other animals for eating purposes, and a devotee, who is vegetarian, is also killing. But here, significantly, it is stated that every living entity has to live by killing another entity; that is the law of nature. Jivo jivasya jivanam: one living entity is the life for another living entity. But for a human being, that violence should be committed only as much as necessary. SB 3.29.15
Final Notes
Translation
In the age of Satya [truthfulness] your four legs were established by the four principles of austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness. But it appears that three of your legs are broken due to rampant irreligion in the form of pride, lust for women, and intoxication.
Purport
But gradually, as the basic principles of brahminical culture, namely austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness, became curtailed by proportionate development of pride, attachment for women and intoxication, the path of salvation or the path of transcendental bliss retreated far, far away from human society. With the progression of the age of Kali, people are becoming very proud, and attached to women and intoxication. By the influence of the age of Kali, even a pauper is proud of his penny, the women are always dressed in an overly attractive fashion to victimize the minds of men, and the man is addicted to drinking wine, smoking, drinking tea and chewing tobacco, etc. All these habits, or so-called advancement of civilization, are the root causes of all irreligiosities, and therefore it is not possible to check corruption, bribery and nepotism. Man cannot check all these evils simply by statutory acts and police vigilance, but he can cure the disease of the mind by the proper medicine, namely advocating the principles of brahminical culture or the principles of austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness. Modern civilization and economic development are creating a new situation of poverty and scarcity with the result of blackmailing the consumer’s commodities. If the leaders and the rich men of the society spend fifty percent of their accumulated wealth mercifully for the misled mass of people and educate them in God consciousness, the knowledge of Bhagavatam, certainly the age of Kali will be defeated in its attempt to entrap the conditioned souls. We must always remember that false pride, or too high an estimation of one’s own values of life, undue attachment to women or association with them, and intoxication will divert human civilization from the path of peace, however much the people clamor for peace in the world. The preaching of the Bhagavatam principles will automatically render all men austere, clean both inside and outside, merciful to the suffering, and truthful in daily behavior. That is the way of correcting the flaws of human society, which are very prominently exhibited at the present moment.
SB 1.17.24
Well I hope it all makes sense and helps focus the minds on how liberating the regulative principles are and increase our desire to keep them and develop our spiritual life more fully
Hare Krishna
The 108 Upanisads are considered the essence of all the Vedas, and Sri Isopanisad is foremost among them. The readers can discover the distilled essence of all knowledge in these eighteen enlightening verses.
Devotees used to hold programs in a traditional yurt, often packing it up and moving locations in true nomadic style.
On September 8th, award-winning flutist Luis De La Calle opened his own music academy in Geneva, Switzerland, where students aged four through seventy-five can learn the transverse flute, recorder, pan flute, and Japanese, Bansuri, and Peruvian bamboo flutes. But his lessons come with added spiritual nutrition. Because Luis, also known as Bhadra Rupa Das, is an ISKCON devotee.
Devotees headed by ISKCON Communications director for Italy Parabhakti Das organized and participated in the Diwali celebrations at Rome’s City Hall on October 23rd, with positive results. “If Brussels is the diplomatic capital of Europe, Rome is its capital from the religious and cultural point of view,” Parabhakti says. “So it is important that our movement is well represented and clearly visible in this world-famous city.”
Communications secretary for the temple, Radha Mohan Das, said: "The day was a really big success, everyone had a lot of fun. There was a great atmosphere, particularly in the lead up to the fireworks." The day also saw two drama perfomances, which told parts of the story behind Diwali. Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil, which is told in the ancient Indian text, Ramayana.
The festival was greatly anticipated, as students in Patna have lesser opportunities to attend youth events, compared to youth of metro cities of India. The event was aimed at providing Krishna-conscious philosophy to youngsters as an alternative solution to practical problems faced by contemporary society.
Luxuries have become necessities, without which, we just can’t function. Modern-day spiritualists, it seems, are faced with a unique challenge: the art of living is not how big we can make it, rather how small we can keep it!
The Sahyadri Varnasrama College (SVC) is now accepting applications for its one-month course to be given from January 1 to 31, 2015 on the campus of Sahyadri Sri Krishna Balarama Ksetra (SSKBK) located near the small town of Hebri in the district of Udupi, South Karnataka, India
Representatives of the Global Village Initiative Committee (GVIC) from three continents (Asia, Europe and North America) met at the ISKCON Tirupati temple along with members of various global committees from October 14th to 18th to share insights and prepare strategies to further the purpose of the initiative committee.
Into the Villages of Vrindavana - Vraj Padayatra (Album 118 photos)
Dharmatma Das: Sad to say the 22nd was my last day on Padayatra. Returned to Vraj with food poisoning and a bad stomach infection. Spent a day at the Bhaktivedanta Hospital getting rehydrated and pumped full of antibiotics and now recovering. Had my first real meal in 8 days today at MVT, lets see if it stays down. The Padayatra was an incredible experience thanks to Parasuram and his wonderful crew. Who would have thought that at 71 I’d be able last as long as I did. Anyone who wants to experience the real Vraj and interact with villagers and not just take photos of them sign up for next years trip. You should be young, fit and have not lived too cushey of a life style and you’ll do just fine.
http://goo.gl/OTWddh