Websites from the ISKCON Universe
ECO-Vrindaban (ECOV), the self-sufficiency wing of ISKCON’s New Vrindaban community in West Virginia, USA, is on the lookout for a general manager to oversee its steadily expanding operations. Today ECOV has a herd of 48 cows, oxen, and calves, in contrast to the 300 it started with at its inception. This may at first seem like a step back, but it’s actually an intentional move towards a far more sustainable model.
The search for meaning lies at the essence of being human. Like other non-human beings, we too struggle for existence. Like them, we too are driven by our biological drives to eat, sleep, mate and defend. But we also have at our core a need to make sense of it all: “Why do I exist? Why does anything exist? What is the purpose of it all?”
What usually swallows us is not incomprehension but distraction.
Art, literature, science – these are all ways in which we try to find meaning. Through them, we create islets of comprehension amidst the pervasive ocean of incomprehension that threatens to swallow us. Of course, what usually swallows us is not incomprehension but distraction. Desires for petty pleasures keep us from seeking lofty insights. We sometimes look for meaning, but when we catch sight of pudding, the body drags us towards it and buries us in the oblivion of momentary sensory stimulation.
Pudding of course is a metaphor for all superficial indulgences that keep us from pursuing meaning. The Bible phrases this human vulnerability well: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Our perennial weakness is presently further aggravated by our technology-powered culture of mass distraction.
Perhaps the greatest impetus to seek meaning is the reminder of our mortality: “How can I sit salivating over a pudding when death is swooping down on me relentlessly?” Unfortunately, the culture takes away that impetus too by offering us yet another new-looking pudding: browse a new channel, surf a new site, try a new game. Gita wisdom compares our situation to goats that despite being on a slaughter line stay docile because they are given some grass to munch.
The tragedy of our settling for pudding is that we miss the meaning - and mess the pudding.
The tragedy of our settling for pudding is that we miss the meaning - and mess the pudding. Despite our frenzied pursuit of material sensations, we are increasingly miserable even materially with rising rates of stress, anxiety disorders, depression, addiction and suicide – maladies that animals don’t suffer from.
If we wish to seek meaning, Gita wisdom stands ready to assist us. In fact, it (07.03) welcomes us by lauding us as cutting edge thinkers, one among millions who have had the courage to seek meaning. The Gita explains that our quest for meaning attains fulfillment in love, a love that trumps our mortality. We are at our core undying souls meant for immortal love. And the perfect object for our love is the all-attractive, all-loving Supreme Person, Krishna. All of existence is meant ultimately to prompt us to open ourselves to his love and to offer him our love.
When we learn to love him by practicing bhakti-yoga, the meaning we relish is so fulfilling we can’t but wonder why we settled for pudding for so long.
The first day of the conference at Kanpur was indeed a day of inspiration and planning for the near future. Prominent ISKCON leaders addressed the audience which consisted of communication personnel from different parts of the Indian subcontinent. Devotees were also given the opportunity to give detailed reports on their communications efforts at their respective centers.
2060 cardiac patients were closely examined during the experiment for 4 years before the scientists published their research in journal Resuscitation.
Seekers often ask, “Meditation is supposed to be rejuvenating, but I sometimes find it boring, even tiring. Why is that?”
In India, Africa and other traditional cultures women do all their daily routine with their babies attached to their bodies. Here, an orchestra with Western professional musicians perform Ode to Joy by Beethoven wearing Nati Notes wraps.
Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead: A Summary Study of Srimad-Bhagavatam’s Tenth Canto by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
For most of us the term ‘Supreme Personality of Godhead’ is somewhat unusual. I know when I first encountered it I was bemused, wondering just who or what is a ‘Godhead’? Why not just God? Consulting the dictionary I discovered that Godhead means the ‘essential being of God’. This is precisely what Prabhupada intended to convey with his use of the term. There may be many names and forms of God, but Krishna is the original. He is the Supreme Being, the source of all other beings and indeed everything else in existence. One might take issue with this assertion, but a careful analysis of the facts should put the mind at rest. The Sanskrit word Krishna (Krsna) simply means ‘all attractive’, which surely must be God’s main attribute. All beauty, power, wealth, knowledge, wisdom and whatever else we find attractive have their source in him. This is what it means to be great, which most people will agree is the right word to apply to God.
Prabhupada’s book ‘Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead’ shows that greatness in all of its splendour. A summary of the tenth canto of the Bhagavata Purana, it chronicles the activities of Krishna when he appeared on earth 5000 years ago. From his mystical ‘birth’ in the sacred township of Mathura, to his life in the celestial city of Dvaraka lying within the ocean, we hear of many wondrous deeds. Great demons are slain, barbarian armies of many millions are destroyed, and the hand of many a beautiful princess is won. But over and above all of this are the divine displays of love between Krishna and his devotees. It is said that God will reciprocate with us in whatever way we desire, and this is demonstrated by Krishna as he takes on his many roles. Whether acting as a delightful infant, a perfect son, a dear friend, a dashing lover or a mighty hero, Krishna’s focus is always on pleasing his devotees. Although he is God he makes it clear that nothing gives him more pleasure than to serve his own servants. In these accounts we discover that God is not some old bearded man sitting in heaven, passing judgment on us sinful wretches. Far from it, he is eternally youthful, the very essence of grace and beauty, of gentility, humility, kindness, sweetness and love. Of course, he can also be pretty fierce and unassailable. It all depends on how one approaches him. He is ready for anything. Those who want to fight with him will get the opportunity. Krishna will go along with that quite happily, but don’t expect your head to remain on your shoulders for very long. God’s greatness includes very great power.
I have read this book many times and found something new each time. Deep, transcendental knowledge fills every page. I won’t say it is not a challenging read. Prabhupada laces the narrative with much philosophy to help us understand the profound significance of Krishna’s activities. Really Krishna has no interest in material enjoyment or politics or anything else that generally moves us mortals. His only interest is divine love, giving it to us and receiving it back. This is the secret of understanding Krishna. Each of us are meant for that love and we can begin to experience it as we turn these pages. Gradually our envy of God is dispelled as we realise that better than trying to take his place is to become his loving servant. Then he gives himself to us. It is true that God cannot be conquered by any power, but he agrees to be conquered by love, the greatest power.
This is a truly wonderful work, but to better understand the philosophical concepts it espouses I would also recommend that you read Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Then you can dive deeply into the divine ocean of Krishna’s transcendental pastimes, and leave behind this mundane sphere of struggle and pain.
С большой радостью мы встретили самый чудесный и самый благоприятный месяц Картика. С легкой руки Радха Дживаны прабху, команда сбора пожертвований для ТОВП подготовила лампадки для предложения Божествам от имени тех, кто пожертвовал «Золотые Кирпичи».
Мы составили список, в котором уже есть около 700 имен и полагаем, что к концу Картики список расширится. Митра Вринда дд и Ниргуна дд, две веселые сестры, которые неустанно принимают и фиксируют все пожертвования согласно с требуемыми законом нормами, пошутили, что во время «Дамодараштаки» мы будем петь «Донорс Сахасра Наму». («Тысяча имен спонсоров» – прим пер.).
Преданные объясняют, что предлагая лампадку Господу мы выражаем свое горячее желание служить Ему, лишь с помощью которого можно подчинить Кришну. И мы предлагаем лампадки от имени Золотых спонсоров Радха-Дамодаре, Шри Шри Радха-Мадхаве, Ашта-сакхи, Господу Нрисимхадеву, Шри Панча-таттве, Туласи деви и Шриле Прабхупаде. Искренне надеемся, что все Они дадут нам веревочку любви, которой мы свяжем Кришну в нашем сердце.
Пожалуйста внесите свой вклад, примите участие в кампании “Золотой Кирпич”: http://tovp.org/news/fundraising/donate-a-golden-brick-campaign/
The post Подношение на Каритку appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
We happily welcome this most miraculous month of Kartik! As was announced by HG Radha Jivana Prabhu, the TOVP fundraising team prepared lamps for offering to the Lord on behalf of the Golden Brick donors.
We made list with around 700 donor’s names and are expecting this to increase. Our two cheerful sisters, Mitra Vrinda Devi Dasi and Nirguna Devi Dasi, who restlessly accept and fix all donations according to required legal procedure, both said simultaneously in a lively mood, “Along with ‘Damodarashtaka’ we will chant ‘Donors Sahasra Nama'”.
Devotees explain that by offering lamps to the Lord, this means that we offer our eager desire for devotional service, which is the only thing that can conquer Krishna. So we offered lamps on behalf of our Golden donors first to Sri Sri Radha-Damodar, then to Sri Sri Radha-Mahhava and Ashta-sakhis, Lord Nrisimhadev, Sri Pancha-tattva, Tulasi Devi and finally to Srila Prabhupada. We have a sincere hope that all of Them will give us a rope of love, by which we tie Krishna in our hearts.
Please donate for a Golden Brick here: http://tovp.org/news/fundraising/donate-a-golden-brick-campaign/
The post Kartik-Offering appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
The post Radhanatha Swami’s Bhagavatam class in Tirupati appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
The post Lord Ramacandra’s vow and on set backs really being service opportunities appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
The post October 16th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
The aged and wise are special – irreplaceable constituents of any family or society, what to speak of a spiritual movement. While many may have knowledge, the seasoned spiritualists bring something special to the table.
"Even while engaged in various activities, devotees whose minds are completely absorbed at Your lotus feet, and who constantly hear, chant, contemplate and cause others to remember Your transcendental names and forms, are always on the transcendental platform, and thus they can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.37) Read more › 
On the eighth day of the waning phase of the damodara month the appearance day of Radha Kunda is celebrated by the residents. Bathing in Radha Kunda is especially benefical on this day. By this one gains the favor of Radha, by which one gains the favor of Krsna. Radha Kunda appeared at midnight. People go to Radha Kunda and offer prasadam, garlands and pumkins (gords) into the water, then at midnight take bath in Radha Kunda and then bathe in Syama Kunda. Many people like to bathe at a ghat where Lord Nityananda's sakti, Jahnava Mata used to bathe. But wherever you go you better get there early as thousands of people/devotees will be there. And bring some warm clothing for afterwards, as it is sooooo "cooling". Read more › 
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday we went to Gokula, in the Vrindavan countryside near the Yamuna river. There we heard the pastimes of Krsna killing the Putana witch and sereral other demons. But mostly we focused on Mother Yasoda binding the Lord with her love. Hearing the Damodar pastime in the very place that it happened had a special significance. And the kirtan afterwards? It was out of this world! Read more › Sundar Nitai Prabhu Srimad Bhagavatam 10 72 41 46
With their backs to the camera, it’s difficult to see who the two devotees are. Same with the horses. Hopefully someone can ID them.
This week’s challenge: Where and 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.
Please note on Sunday 26 October there will be no 5pm yoga class.
The arrival of devotees from around the world - among them senior devotees like Niranjana Swami, Radhanath Swami and Malati devi dasi has added to the already spiritually sweet, enlivening atmosphere of ISKCON Tirupati. ISKCON News readers able to read the highlights of initiatives adopted through these meetings over the next few days.
Cyclonic Storm Hudhud raged through the province of Andhra Pradesh on India’s East Coast on October 12th with wind speeds of 109 mph, causing what initial estimates say could be as much as 70,000 crore rupees (11 billion US dollars) in damages and killing at least 84 people.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 September 2014, Durban, South Africa, Sunday Feast Lecture)
Question: Please tell us the best way to please Srila Prabhupada and our spiritual master?
In any given situation, and at anytime, add Krsna and put him in the forefront. That is the most pleasing thing to our spiritual masters!
Indradyumna Swami: Two days ago we celebrated the disappearance day of Srila Narottam das Thakur. What better place to observe the event than in Vrindavan, where he lived for many years studying under Srila Jiva Goswami with his dear friends, Srinivas Acarya and Syamananda Pandit. Emotions were running very deep in the devotees hearts during the celebrations. Read more ›