Planet ISKCON

1970 September 26: "Some analyst or priest or lover may widen the consciousness from this to that, but only Krishna is without limit and therefore He can widen the consciousness infinitely. Only Krishna is without limit, and if we desire ananda, bliss unending, we must go to Krishna."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1972 September 26: "I want to see how the things are going on, and how it is going depends on you. Now I cannot tax my brain so much from such distant place, therefore I am relying completely on you, my trusted senior disciples."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 September 26: "So many letters you are sending and still nothing is settled. Take bank mortgage and use it for construction. I just want to see that things are done, that's all."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 September 26: "Hanuman Prasad Poddar will give us 25 bighas. So immediately go and see the land, and if suitable then immediately take it. They want to see that the land is used for cow protection. If you can manage this land nicely, they can give more."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

Recently, there was a successful test landing of an 11 seater Pavanhans helicopter in the parking lot near the Vamsi Bhavan guest house.

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction message and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108 ::_::{.at.}::_:: gmail dot com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

Giriraj Swami spoke during the Sunday program in Tucson.

“We got to Harvard Square and I let the devotees out the car. Then I suddenly realized. ‘I don’t know how to find them. I don’t know where their ashram is’. So I stopped the car, jumped out and caught up with the devotees. As the group was walking away the last devotee was Patita Pavana dasa. He looked at me and said. ‘Just look at all these people. They are like sleepwalkers, they don’t even know who they are or where they are going.’ It was like everything the devotees were saying was so captivating. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of horns honking and I realized my car was blocking the intersection and all these angry motorists were honking their horn’s waiting for this red Rambler station wagon to move out the way.”

Sunday Program, Tucson Arizona

It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another’s duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, for to follow another’s path is dangerous.
BG3.35

Fault finding

Quoting scripture is easy, the vedabase makes it even easier to find and use scriptures to justify an action or point of view, quote re-quote even quoting hear say; surrounding ourselves with those who agree with our own point of view.

Faultfinding is one of the most dangerous paths to take, especially when it becomes bark and sinister and the path or looking at getting the person removed. We find fault the single fault becomes a double fault before very long all we can see is the persons fault and not the hard work they also do.

Belief we can also do better than them, fault finding turns to ridicule, the mind becomes agitated our own joy and service begins to suffer and suffer some more.

Knowing scripture, quoting scripture I wonder why pacifically the opening statements in this Gita first reminds us of our duty; each has a duty a service to perform that helps in one way or another in increasing Krishna Consciousness throughout the world.

Interestingly the second statement is revealing “even though faultily” whether we like it our not being under the modes of material nature despite our greatest efforts their is going to be some fault; even of this is small.

Thirdly “than another’s duties perfectly” Yes we could maybe be much better than another at doing a pacific duty but in the material world whilst we focus on pointing out this our own duty could become faulty. Worse our own spiritual well-being could suffer, and rather than removing the person we are finding fault with being removed we run the risk of fall down and removal yourself.

Humble like a straw in the street

Humbly look not at the faults in others service but see the beauty and dedication, as we focus more and more on the perfection of service we see more perfection and any fault pails into insignificance.

Not only does it improve our dealings with others but also improves the quality of our own service; well that has been my experience.

Neglected

Feelings of being neglected, we all went to feel appreciated; life is complicated and it is a rare soul that has the opportunity to do seva so engagement in service is the perfection of life. Just a quick word of encouragement makes the biggest difference, a word of displeasure or faults immediately discouragement.

Avoid actions that lead to others discouragement for ultimately overtime our own discouragement will set in; encourage support and be their for others will increase not only your love for the person but your love and desire to increase your own seva.

Well that is my few thought’s
And as always I look forward to hearing from others their own thoughts and realisations

Hare Krishna

Another well-known title, Beyond Birth and Death, by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is now in e-book form and available at bbtmedia.com. In this small yet profound book, Srila Prabhupada tells readers how the soul travels from one body to another and presents startling evidence of its incredible journey after death.

Almond farmers in California's Central Valley, where about 80 percent of the world's supply of almonds is grown, are desperate for water.

On September 18^th a special art exhibition opened at the Cultural Center of the Indian Embassy in Budapest, Hungary. The “Blossoming of Vedic Life in Rural Hungary” exhibition displays over 40 original drawings from ISKCON-guru and author Sivarama Swami’s new book the Nava Vraja Mahima, a monumental work in glorification of New Vraja Dhama (or Krishna-valley), a rural Vaishnava community in Hungary.

If you’d like a dose of soothing meditation and kirtan to start the weekend, join us for Mantra Lounge. In the intimate setting of Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden, we meet twice a month to sing together. Each session is led by a different kirtan artist and often features guided meditation, beautiful musicians and visuals. Read more ›

24-09-2014 How to Make Wise Decisions and Stick with Them, ISKCON Pretoria, South Africa.mp3

Ayurvedic wisdom teaches that our bodies can respond to this food-touch by producing the needed enzymes and digestive juices before the food even meets our lips.

North York, Ontario

Watch Where You Sit


Everyone was very careful where to plop their buttocks.  Those Canada geese do a fairly good job at leaving their droppings on the campus grass. 

York University was the venue near what everyone calls, ‘The Fountain’.  Some students, some monks and I received full approval via the Krishna Club to help ourselves to the green grass for chanting, drumming and schmoozing.  One of our monks, Hayagriva, took his bag of bhakti books around trying to interest students in the sublime philosophical outlook of bhakti¸devotion.  There were takers.

There were also takers to our kirtan.  One young Ethiopian student sat with us, with care, on the grass, soaking in the sound.  Many other students very indifferently walked by and some even nonchalantly helped themselves to the grass, with prudence, to sit or lie down near us.  I believe that in their own way they were expressing interest in our sound. 

I particularly enjoyed when some students, two guys and a gal, came armed with djembes and one dundun.  This thumping lent itself to our musical efforts.  It’s always great to have back up to the sound of  Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Our drive home was crazy.  There was so much traffic and construction, all in preparation for next year’s PanAm games.  You have to watch the traffic like you do the geese dung.  Frankly, I would rather come face to face with organic bird mush over oncoming metal monsters in the form of cars. 

May the Source be with you!  Watch where you drive, sit, stand, walk, run and lie down.

6 KM

Toronto, Ontario

Loss Versus Gain


Officially for a day or so now, it’s fall.  The temperature dip proves it.  Nevertheless, Karuna, Wade and I, took to the ravine.  Colours are starting to show like only autumn can do.  You’ve got red sumac, blue chicory, orange touch-me-nots, black choke cherries, purple asters, goldenrod, and all kinds of greens.

Our First Nations people for thousands of years enjoyed this colour festival within nature’s pharmacy – the forest.  Medicinal properties were known to them, and also, to some degree, the European settlers.  Are we as enlightened today?  No.  We must be honest and claim ignorance.  Furthermore then, are we forest wise?  Are we able to survive?  No. 

Our indigenous people were gurus when it came to knowing how to survive in natural surroundings.

Wade hastened to say, “But it’s almost too late.  Some Native elders may have the wisdom, but once they go…”  Fortunately some of that wisdom is recorded.  I guess you could say that such classic concern regarding lessons on life, which get lost, are a reality.  In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna gives mention of the science of the self being buried in time.  It was then necessary to reestablish this ancient science.  This was then taught by Krishna, Himself, to Arjuna, in order that humankind would benefit. 

Lost wisdom is the greatest loss.  Wisdom revived is the greatest triumph. 

On the topic of the ultimate science we may ask, “Do I have a good grip on my own identity?  Who am I after all?  What is my real purpose in being in this world?  Do I just live to die?”  Explore the answers and gain some freedom.

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

By chanting the Hare Krishna mantra without offenses, one increases his love for Krishna. As stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, preme pum-artho mahan: one's main concern should be to increase one's attachment to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and to increase one's love for Him. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.3.24 Purport) Read more ›

The scheme is expected to be rolled out by October. It will allow holidaymakers to pick up a 30-day visa at the airport upon arrival.

Pierre Edel (Premamaya Vasudeva Das) a beautiful soul carrying French and Russian origins started his journey at the Russian 'The Voice' programme.  Having Lord Jagannath upfront and kanthimala on his neck, he started sharing his loving heart with hundreds of thousands of people.

Over fifty children from Varaha Ghat and Goghat organised a maha harinam and shobha yatra in glorification of the holy names this past Sunday. Brajabasi Roti and Subji sponsored the festival with the Namahatta Department of our Krishna Balaram Temple. Under the able leadership of His Grace Radheshyam Sundar Das, who lead the harinam, the children danced and sang in ecstasy. This was the temple's first outreach program with the local residents. The parents of some of the children also attended the program and were enthralled and repeatedly asked to have it every Sunday. Our visiting guest Rasa Vilasini DD from Brazil loved the kids so much that the next day she sponsored soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste for them all. And our Zaritsa Mataji, from America on holiday with her children, also sponsored some clothing for them. Her son's were playing the mrdanga. The brijbasi girls in their sari's and gopi dots had the visitors in our temple mesmerized by their beauty. After the procession they were treated to a sumptuous feast cooked in our temple devotee kitchen. We are planning to have bhakti vrksha programs for the children in the future. The preaching program started in these area's nine months ago by devotees living in the area. Read more ›

“Spiritual Leadership: Being a Guru in ISKCON” seminar wiill be offered once in 2015, at Mayapura from February 22-25. Per ISKCON Law this Seminar is mandatory for devotees who take up the service of diksha guru and for sannyasa candidates. The GBC also “highly recommends” it for siksa gurus, senior managers and other ISKCON leaders.

 “Long Lost,” a new 25-minute short film about a young man encountering Krishna consciousness as he searches for answers in life, is being well-received at film festivals and other events internationally. In August at the Russian film festival “I See God,” which features different film-makers’ interpretations of how they perceive the Almighty, Long Lost was chosen for third place out of 65 shorts by the audience themselves.

'Long Lost' explores the anxieties, the hope, the questions that arise within us all including, 'what is love? - as in, REAL love?' This film is attempts to encourage others to also delve deep within. Watch Long Lost and share Tim's ordinary night out and the extraordinary (re) connection. Directed by Shaktyavesa Avatara Das. 

Answer Podcast

In the sastras it is said that if a person only once chants the holy name and completely surrenders unto the lotus feet of the Lord, the Lord immediately considers him His ward and is always inclined to give him protection. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.49 Purport) Read more ›

http://youtu.be/HmM0zCQN5T0

The post Video answer to Bhakta Cedric on the difference between sins and offenses and their results appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Answer Podcast

Indradyumna Swami: The rural community of New Vraja Dhama in Hungary, with 207 devotees and 50 cows, is Sivarama Swami's offering of love to his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. Over two decades of selfless hard work by the Hungarian devotees has produced one of the finest projects in ISKCON. The presiding deities, Radha Syamasundara, are worshipped with one of the highest standards I have seen in our movement. Read more ›

He said that there is no scientific evidence of any of the astras described in scripture.

Answer Podcast

If a devotee once utters the holy name of the Lord, or if it penetrates his mind or enters his ear, which is the channel of aural reception, that holy name will certainly deliver him from material bondage, whether vibrated properly or improperly, with correct or incorrect grammar, or properly joined or vibrated in separate parts. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.60) Read more ›

The post September 25th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Dear Devotees, The daiva varnasrama ministry, promoting rural development in INDIA, in association with Mayapur Institute, are conducting various courses during the next few months, the details are below, For registration you can write at Ram.lakshman.brs@pamho.net or visit our website www.iskconvarnasrama.com Varnasrama Training Courses 2014-15 Course 1 –  Cow Care Management – By Dr. Sreekumar 13th […]

The post Varnasrama Training Courses appeared first on Mayapur.com.

God's another name is ajita. A means "not," and jita means "conquered." Nobody can conquer God. He conquers everyone. But devotee can conquer. Although God is ajita, He becomes jita, conquered by His devotee. New York, March 5, 1975. Read more ›

This has been on my Bucket List for a long time and it wasn't disappointing. 24/7, 365 days a year, six hours a day, rain, snow or shine, Rama Raya prabhu has a wonderful group of sweet and sincere devotees and friends that are totally absorbed in this blissful service. It was very enlivening for and old crudgeon as my self to be in the association of these very serious and sweet young devotees. It was also ecstatic having Vishnujana, Harinamananda and Gaura Karuna from the World Samkirtan Party there during my visit. If in NY do yourself a big favor and sit in and be captivated. Read more ›

While dying, Ajamila chanted the holy name of the Lord, intending to call his son Narayana. Nevertheless, he attained the spiritual world. What then to speak of those who chant the holy name with faith and reverence? (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.49) Read more ›

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.23.

“Srimati Radharani is a tenderhearted feminine counterpart of the supreme whole, resembling the perfectional stage of the worldly feminine nature. Therefore, the mercy of Radharani is available very readily to the sincere devotees, and once She recommends such a devotee to Lord Krsna, the Lord at once accepts the devotee’s admittance into His association. The conclusion is, therefore, that one should be more serious about seeking the mercy of the devotee than that of the Lord directly, and by one’s doing so (by the good will of the devotee) the natural attraction for the service of the Lord will be revived.”

—SB 2.3.23 Purport

How to Become Free, SB 2.3.23

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.4.18.

“Anyone from any part of the world who becomes well conversant in the science of Krsna becomes a pure devotee and a spiritual master for the general mass of people and may reclaim them by purification of heart. Though a person be even the most sinful man, he can at once be purified by systematic contact with a pure Vaisnava. A Vaisnava, therefore, can accept a bona fide disciple from any part of the world without any consideration of caste and creed and promote him by regulative principles to the status of a pure Vaisnava who is transcendental to brahminical culture.”

—SB 2.4.18 purport

Comemmorating Srila Prabhupada’s Arrival, SB 2.4.18

HH Bhakti Vidyapurna Swami at ISKCON Mayapur on 2014-09-21, Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 05 24 25

1969 September 25: "Dress has to be accepted according to the taste of others and foodstuffs accepted according to the eater's taste. So if you think this kind of dress will attract more people, you can dress yourself in that manner. But our real dress is the tilaka and sikha."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969