Amazing experience in Vraj Village Padayatra (Album 110 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Dharmatma Das Acbsp: Eight days in and over 10,000 small books and 1500kg banana Prasad distrubuted. Wonderful and blissful experience and service. Had to trade in one of the bulls, did amazing school program, whole villages turns out for Krishna movies, do madhukari from villagers, they offer us delicious bhoga to offer to our Garua Nitai, walking in the dust of Vraja, mile after mile and chanting, chanting , chanting the Lord's Holy Names..... Read more ›

Ecstatic vaishnavas become accepted as disciples in a transcendental initiation ceremony in Vraja’s sweet atmosphere (Album 191 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Indradyumna Swami: Two days ago we formally welcomed a number of devotees into our Gaudiya Vaisnava family - Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON - by accepting them as disciples. The joy of the occasion was evident on the candidates faces and captured most expertly by our Kartika parikrama photographer, Ananta Vrindavan dasa. The ceremony took place near ISKCON's gosala, with the cows mooing in the background. Read more ›

Unique “Naimisa” iPhone app launched to serve the devotee community
→ Dandavats.com

You all know that Naimisaranya (Naimisa forest) is the spiritual hub where sages of the past once gathered to consider how humanity could best be served in Kali-yuga. And you all know that it was there that the one and only Suta Goswami spoke the epic philosophical and literary classic Srimad-Bhagavatam to those very sages. Well, in creating the Naimisa app, our intention was to serve you, the bhakti practitioner, in a way to engage your senses in daily spirituality. Start your day by taking darshan of deities from around the world! After, you can dive into your daily japa in our unique "japa section". Our latest feature include an internet radio exclusive with talks and kirtans from various speakers from our world community. Read more ›

Изготовление Золотого Кирпича
- TOVP.org

Иногда нас спрашивают, откуда берутся Золотые Киопичи и кто их делает? Они изготавливаяются Его Милостью Шриманом Диной Чайтаньей прабху непосредственно в Маяпуре, в мастерской Вишвакарма. Каждый кирпич требует длительной и кропотливой работы, чтобы быть достойным для нового алтаря. Изготовление происходит в несколько этапов, которые завершает нанесение имени спонсоров на них.

Посмотрите это небольшое видео, которое показывает пошаговый процесс работы. И постарайтесь увидеть преданность, которая пропитывает все, что проектируется в Маяпуре. Каждый Кирпич будет положен под новый алтарь Шри Панча-таттвы.

Чтобы пожертвовать Золотой Кирпич, в особенности на Картику, самый благоприятный месяц, пройдите по ссылке: http://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post Изготовление Золотого Кирпича appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Fabricação do Tijolo de Ouro
- TOVP.org

Às vezes, nos perguntam de onde vêm os Tijolos de Ourto; quem os fabrica? Bem, eles são fabricados exatamente aqui em Sridhama Mayapur na Oficina Vishwakarma que é administrada por Sua Graça Sriman dina Chaitanya prabhu. Cada tijolo passa por um processo demorado e exaustivo para que se torne apropriado para uso no novo altar Pancha Tattva, sendo submetido a vários estágios de produção incluindo o jateamento de areia dos nomes de seus doadores sobre suas superfícies.

Assista este curto vídeo para obter uma explicação passo-a-passo de como eles são fabricados e, como tudo mais é construído em Mayapur, observe a devoção por trás de cada tijolo que fará parte da camada superior que ficará por baixo do mármore do novo altar Pancha Tattva.

Para patrocinar um Tijolo de Ouro, especialmente durante o auspicioso mês de Kartika, visite: http://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post Fabricação do Tijolo de Ouro appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

The Making of the Golden Brick
- TOVP.org

Sometimes we are asked where the Golden Bricks come from; who makes them? Well, they are made right here in Sridhama Mayapur at the Vishwakarma Workshop run by His Grace Sriman Dina Chaitanya prabhu. Each brick goes through a time-consuming and painstaking process to make it suitable for use on the new Pancha Tattva altar, undergoing various stages of production including sandblasting the names of donors onto them.

Watch this short video for a step-by-step explanation of how this is all done and, like everything else being built in Mayapur, watch the devotion behind each and every brick that will create the top layer underneath the marble of the Pancha Tattva’s new altar.

To sponsor a Golden Brick, especially during the auspicious month of Kartika, go to: http://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post The Making of the Golden Brick appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Is sensitivity the same as sentimentality?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Whenever I tell a devotee-friend to be sensitive, he replies, "You are just being sentimental. We should just speak the philosophy straight." I get confused: what I consider as sensitivity he dismisses as sentimentality. I feel we are talking about two different things, but I can't put it in words properly. Can you please explain the difference between the two?

Answer Podcast

Is birthday celebration non-Vedic?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

When something is not Vedic, why do we need to even consider celebrating it? If we are faithful followers of the Vedas, we shouldn't even be considering it, leave alone trying to somehow rationalize it.

Answer Podcast

My thanks to Hari Parshad Prabhu for providing the below compilation of quotes on birthday celebration:

Ayuvardhapanam (birthday celebration) quotes compilation

The Radha-kunda’s Appearance — and Reappearance, October 15, Dallas
Giriraj Swami

Radha-kundGiriraj Swami read and spoke from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta and The Nectar of Instruction.

“Why is Radha-kunda so exalted? The lake is so exalted because it belongs to Srimati Radharani, who is the most beloved object of Sri Krishna. Among all the gopis, She is the most beloved. Similarly, Her lake, Sri Radha-kunda, is also described by great sages as the lake that is as dear to Krishna as Radha Herself. Indeed, Krishna’s love for Radha-kunda and Srimati Radharani is the same in all respects. Radha-kunda is very rarely attained, even by great personalities fully engaged in devotional service, not to speak of ordinary devotees who are only engaged in the practice of vaidhi bhakti.”

—Nectar of Instruction 11

Appearance of Radha-kunda

This Is Actually Krsna
→ Japa Group

"So while you are chanting, you don’t have to get to something else or go somewhere else or wait for "it" to happen, but you just have to realize that this is actually Krsna. Then, as you realize Krsña more, you get more into the chanting."

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Potency personified
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 29 September 2014, Pretoria, South Africa, House Program)

15389369616_01fbfbe0d4_kTonight, we will perform this kirtan-yajna. It is the recommended yajna for this age. It is more potent than any other form of sacrifice. The Ādi purāṇa explains that by chanting, Krsna is directly present and we are directly associating with him. So, we should not think that the chanting is some kind of ritual where the mantra is invested with power which then creates a spiritual atmosphere. No, the chanting, as it is said:

nāmnām akāri bahudhā nija-sarva-śaktis
tatrārpitā niyamitaḥ smaraṇe na kālaḥ
etādṛśī tava kṛpā bhagavan mamāpi
durdaivam īdṛśam ihājani nānurāgaḥ (Siksastakam, verse 2)

The chanting is bringing us to associate with Krsna directly. In the beginning, we cannot see it. Although we are hearing the name, we can actually not see that the name is non-different from Krsna. That takes time. Therefore in the beginning, we may relate to the mantra in a different way. We may say, “Oh, nice music… auspicious… very nice,” but we will not fully appreciate that actually, Krsna is here! That takes time in chanting but those who persevere and receive the mercy of the vaisnavas, they can gradually realize that actually, Krsna and his name are non-different.

nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś
caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ
pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto
‘bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ (Caitanya Caritāmṛta Madhya 17.133)

Krsna is non-different from his name. So with that mood, we are chanting this evening and Krsna is here and we get the chance to be with him. Although we are lacking the capacity right now to transform ourselves in that way but still… Actually, we are as much with Krsna as Arjuna was with Krsna in Kurukshetra, on the same chariot. We also are with Krsna on the same chariot, the chariot of the body but we cannot realize how close Krsna is. Through this chanting, it is possible. Gradually, we see this process!

Join us for a Sunday Feast (11.00am-2.00pm)with our Special Guest His Grace Visvakarma Dasa
→ ISKCON Brampton



Sunday Love Feast

When?
Sunday,Oct 19th,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
Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.11.35
yasya yal laksanam proktam
pumso varnabhivyanjakam
yad anyatrapi drsyeta
tat tenaiva vinirdiset 
TRANSLATION
If one shows the symptoms of being a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra, as described above, even if he has appeared in a different class, he should be accepted according to those symptoms of classification. 


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 Visvakarma Dasa
HG Visvakarma prabhu joined the movement in Jan. 1971 in Hamilton.He was initiated in Detroit in July by Srila Prabhupada in Detroit and was given second initiation(Brahminical) in New York by Srila Prabhupada in 1972.
1971 – 1985- Temple President at Iskcon Toronto, Regional Secretary Canada, Chairman Temple Presidents World Wide, Chairman Temple Presidents North America.
He has also been associated with Opening and managing of Govinda’s Restaurant in the Yorkville district in Toronto.
1978-He was Chairman of the Global temple Presidents.
1978, 79-He was Chairman of the North American Temple Presidents.
He helped organize Travelling Rathayatra Festivals across North America, which have been attended, by millions of people over the last 30 years.
1975-1979- He appeared as a guest 5 times on the Toronto City TV show the Morton Shulman file.
He was interviewed by Canadian media icon Barbara Frum on CBC coast to coast.
1981-He hosted and co-produced 18 - 1:1/2 hour TV shows for Cable Vision Toronto.
He has been instrumental in the organizing of the fundraising programs and distribution of millions of magazines and books.
He Organized the manufacture and sale of 400,000 record albums for fund raising drives.
He also organized a radio telethon that raised $75,000 in 4 hours.
He was appointed Regional Director for Eastern Canada and was in charge of 300 people within the organization and a greater membership of 4000.
He also Led group trips to India 10 times.
 
 Damodar Arati Home Program
 From Oct 8th to Nov 6th,2014

If you or your friends are interested in hosting Damodar arati home program,please do call us on # 416.648.3312 in advance to reserve a date,you'll get connected with our team of devotees who're holding those programs in your specific area(Etobicoke,Mississauga,Brampton,Milton etc).Having those programs at your place is very very auspicious during the holy month of Damodar/Kartik.
 
Kartik (Damodar) is the best, the purest of purifiers, and most glorious of all months. Kartik month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krishna. This month is full of bhakta vatsalya. Any vrata, even the smallest, will yield huge results. The effect of performing a Kartik Vrata lasts for one hundred lifetimes, Kartik or the festival of offering lamps to Lord Krishna, glorifies Lord Krishna’s pastime of being bound with ropes by Mother Yashoda.One should daily offer a ghee lamp to Krishna and sing the Damodarastakam, meditating on meaning.
Check this link out for Damodarastakam http://www.krishna.com/damodarastakam
 
COMING UP AHEAD
 
Rama Ekadasi
Fasting.....................onOct 19th,2014
Breakfast................. on Oct 20th,2014 b/w 7.38am-11.14am

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.

Govardhana Puja(Celebration)
Celebration on Oct 24th,2014 @ 7.00pm

Volunteering: If you're looking for service opportunity for this event please do contact Radha Gopinatha Dasa.

Sponsorship:If you are looking for an opportunity to finance the event please do contact Krishna Smaran Devi Dasi( kavitabalram@yahoo.com) for details.

**Details of the program will be posted shortly**

ON GOING EVERY SATURDAY
 
Bhagavad Gita Classes(New Session)
Started on Sep 6th,2014

Course fees: $125.00 per Student and  $75.00 for family members of Student(Prasadam and study material included).Mone is payable to ISKCON Brampton....tax receipts will be provided.
Join our new session of  Bhagavad Gita Course with His Grace Vaisnava Dasa from 8.45am-12.00pm and get certified from Bhaktivedanta College at the completion of this course towards Bhakti Sastri Degree.The course duration is approximately 10 weeks.To register please contact Vaisnava Dasa Prabhu in person or via email[vaishnavadas@icloud.com]


ON GOING EVERY SUNDAY
ISKCON Brampton Yoga and Wellness(Appointment needed)

Empower your mind and strengthen your body as you move through a series of meaningful poses.Mother Rashmi Ahuja will be conducting Yoga Classes every Sunday from 10am-11am before our Sunday Feast Program at ISKCON Brampton.These classes will be focussed on promoting our physical and mental well being.(Please bring your yoga mat)
Please Register here:
Email:rashmis.yoga@facebook.com 
Facebook page:Yoga and Satvic Nutrition with Rashmi
Contacts:416.569.6373 or 905.488.7272
Nutrition Help & Diet Tips(Appointment needed)

Mother Rashmi Ahuja is offering free one to one consultations and development of Individualized Nutrition Plans on Sundays between 1:30 - 3pm. Please contact (416)569-6373 or (905)488-7272 to book an appointment.

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!

A Schoolgirl’s Odyssey – Malala Yousafzai Story
→ ISKCON News

A documentary follows a Pakistani girl, Malala Yousafzai, through a perilous six months as she loses her education, is forced into exile and faces an uncertain return back home in Swat, Pakistan. Later on, in October, 2014, for her achicievents in fighting for the girls' right to eductaion, Malala becomes the youngest Nobel-prize laureate.

Mississippi Kirtan Mela to Promote Cow Protection
→ ISKCON News

Seven hundred people including animal lovers, environmentalists, alternative medicine enthusiasts and ISKCON devotees are expected to turn out for this year’s Save The Cow Kirtan Mela at New Talavana, Mississippi from October 24th to 26th. The event will raise awareness for New Talavan’s cow protection program – one of the largest in the US – which has cared for a steady 100 cows or more since 1976.

ISKCON’s Governing Body Meetings Continue in Tirupati
→ ISKCON News

The local ISKCON temple, Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir, a picturesque project shaped in the form a temple on top of a lotus is the host for this year’s meetings. More than seventy ISKCON devotees from different parts of the world were greeted upon arrival with flower garlands and rapturous kirtan by the resident devotees. The GBC Strategic Planning Network (SPN) meetings continue upto October 18th.

Harinama in Kaunas, Lithuania (Album 8 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

The Hare Krishna movement is present in every millennium of Lord Brahma's life, and the holy name is chanted in all the higher planetary systems, including Brahmaloka and Candraloka, not to speak of Gandharvaloka and Apsaroloka. The sankirtana movement that was started in this world five hundred years ago by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is therefore not a new movement. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.7.15 Purport) Read more ›