Websites from the ISKCON Universe
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 22 June 2014, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-Lila 8.63-66)
It is mentioned in the Hari Bhakti Vilasa that if one accepts the worship of a deity then, not only should one worship that deity very nicely during his lifetime, but one is also responsible to make sure that the seva puja goes on after one’s lifetime! So we see that it is a major responsibility to worship a deity.
Krsna is very kind when he manifests himself in his deity form. Krsna descends from the spiritual world in that particular form and manifests himself here. When Krsna manifests himself in the deity form, the spiritual world is also manifest. Therefore in a way, one can say that our temples are non-different from Vrindavan because wherever Krsna is, the entire spiritual world is also manifest! That is the nature of Krsna.
In this way, we can appreciate the mercy that is manifest through the deity of the Lord. Just like here at the Bhaktivedanta Manor, it would have no meaning without the deity. It is a beautiful Manor but the deity is the centre of the entire property. Srila Prabhupada, as the principle servant, is leading all of us in service to the deity. Everything is going on very nicely. Whatever is here is an asset of the deity and whatever we develop, is offered to the deity. In that way, wherever the deity is manifest, automatically life begins to centre around Krsna. Therefore, deity worship is a very important and powerful element of the bhakti process.
Ratha-Yatra: Festival of India is fast approaching on July 12th- 13th, 2014! Festivities begin with a colorful parade down Yonge Street with three 40-foot tall floats hand-pulled by thousands of participants amidst drumming, chanting and dancing. The main festival continues for the remainder of the weekend, on the beautiful Centre Island (please visit www.festivalofindia.ca for more information on the festivities). We’re always committed to make our festivals better each year. Over 30,000 plates of free prasadam (sanctified vegetarian food) are distributed during this festival. In order to make this happen we need support from our community, every bit counts so please help us make this happen! Here are some of the ways you can help:
Their was an interesting point raised at the end of giving a class and opening it up to questions that of listening and being listened.
What happens if this doesn’t happen?
The point from what I understand was that everyone needs to feel that they are being heard and have a voice, problems arise when we silence or sideline a person or group and this increases resentment.
For some the internet becomes the place to have our voice heard, a tweet or Facebook page can quickly go global and it won’t be long before you have a following of like minded individuals; validation of a point of view or feeling.
Indeed we can see the success of campaign’s for change in government policy or government injustice and even micro campaign’s based on organisation or injustice against group’s or individuals.
As some celebrate the way the internet has opened up discussions given a voice to those who previously didn’t have one, others view it with some irritation viewing anything published that they disagree with with some disdain.
Which brings me to a small note and disclaimer:
This firstly is my own personal blog a way of me sharing my thought’s, realisation and frustrations and should be read with this in mind.
Secondly I make every effort to be open and allow for replies and comment’s, this also allows for e-mail response.
Thirdly in some cases I will end or ask what is your view or thought, this reflects that either I’m still formulating ideas or thought’s or interested in how others feel about a situation or posting. If your view is diversely different to mine don’t get hot under the collar let me know (I may have a bit of a bark at times but don’t bite)
Fourthly I do include posting by third parties as part of my blog, most include their names or under the heading postings by other’s; I will pass on any comments to them and post any response
My blog is my voice because like many few ask or speak directly to me and at times this is the only way to be heard,
BG 08.23 Concentrate On Something Eternal 2014-30-06
Lecture – Bhagavad Gita 8.23 Concentrate On Something Eternal 6/30/2014 Ljubljana
(Automatically translated from Russian)"This is a very ancient festival, which is celebrated for thousands of years - sends word Govinda Swami. - Today the Lord Jagannath took to the streets of Saratov to bless us all that we are finally starting to understand that we are not the body, but the soul"
June 28 Kirov Avenue on the holiday turned into a little India, with its unrestrained dances and songs. Hindu deities who came for a walk after the annual holiday, traveling in a chariot accompanied by the most delicious fruits and the most beautiful flowers. Front of the car, with live music, vytantsovyvalas beautiful girls in saris, luring this holiday circle more and more passers-by, the TV channel STRC Saratov.
On the feast of the deity Jagannath attended by people from all over the Volga region: Samara, Togliatti, Penza, Kazan, Izhevsk, Kamyshino. And even came a spiritual teacher from India Bhaktibhringa Govinda Swami and sang a few mantras for the audience at the festival. Read more › Bhagavatam class in Romania.
The post The breakup of brahminical culture and how it led to the downfall of Vedic society appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
by Iskcon Malaysia - Creator Kuching - Ratha Yatra June 2014 
by Iskcon Malaysia - Creator Kuching - Ratha Yatra June 2014 
by Iskcon Malaysia - Creator Kuching - Ratha Yatra June 2014 
by Iskcon Malaysia - Creator Kuching - Ratha Yatra June 2014 
by Iskcon Malaysia - Creator Kuching - Ratha Yatra June 2014 
by Iskcon Malaysia - Creator Kuching - Ratha Yatra June 2014 
by Iskcon Malaysia - Creator Kuching - Ratha Yatra June 2014 
by Iskcon Malaysia - Creator Kuching - Ratha Yatra June 2014 
by Iskcon Malaysia - Creator Kuching - Ratha Yatra June 2014 
by Iskcon Malaysia - Creator Kuching - Ratha Yatra June 2014 BY VISHAKHA SUSEVINI DEVI DASI
KUCHING - Amid Visit Malaysia Year 2014, ISKCON Kuching organized for the seventh consecutive time the Jagannath Ratha Yatra festival in Sarawak Land of Hornbill, East Malaysia on 21 st June 2014. The beautifully decorated chariot and colorful float carrying Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhatra Maharani were pulled by devotees with ecstasy while full force of dancing, singing and chanting the Holy Name of The Lord clouded the whole atmosphere along the routes of the yatra.
Hundreds of devotees thronged the city streets across the route amid security right from 5 p.m. in the evening to witness the majestic Ratha Yatra. The procession followed the traditional route which started from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple and halted at Hare Krishna Multipurpose Hall, where a grand mass of fireworks and Lion Dance by the Chinese Association welcomed the glorious deities. They were then seated in the center of the grand stage as the presiding deities.
As official declaration of this festival, His Holiness Janananda Goswami Maharaj, YB Senator Dato Dr Loga Bala Mohan Jaganathan @ Loka Bandhu Gauranga Das (Deputy Minister of Federal Territories, Malaysia), Simheswara Prabhu (General Secretary of ISKCON Malaysia), Kripa Sindhu Krishna Prabhu (Chairman of ISKCON Kuching), Mr. Lo Khere Chiang (Local Councilor) and other leaders from political associations, NGO and other organizations joined hands and officiated this grand event.
As a welcoming speech, the Chairman of ISKCON Kuching, Kripa Sindhu Krishna Prabhu welcomed and thanked everyone for participating in this annual Borneo Island Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra. He also thanked all devotees who were involved tirelessly in organizing and making the event a huge success. He also showed his gratitude to the Malaysian Government for giving freedom to the citizens to practice different religions in the country. Lastly, he wished well and prayed that the Lord of Universe bless everyone with good health and prosperity.
In addressing the crowd, the Deputy Minister of Federal Territories YB Senator Dato Dr Loga Bala greeted everyone with well wishes and highlighted the current social problems faced by the youngsters in the country, where all religious bodies should always attempt to involve youths in religious activities to help form the character positively from the beginning which would subsequently help to prevent their involvement in crime activities. This is deemed as very important to the society as the youths today are the future of the nation.
His Holiness Janananda Goswami Maharaj in his speech narrated the wonderful pastime of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu during Sri Jagannath RathaYatra in Puri. The Lord in golden form is so merciful because by dancing He can wake our Love of God and His tears that spread on everyone is as spray of Krishna Prema on everyone. That is the beauty of this festival of Chariot.
More than six hundred people from local communities and sixty visitors from other states in Malaysia and other countries such as England and India joined this festival to be fully absorbed in devotion for the sweet Lord. After the official declaration ceremony, the program for the evening featured variety of performances including 1 Malaysia dance performance by Ministry of Social Development and special performances on the Past Times of Lord Krishna by ISKCON children and youths.
This was followed by serving of Prasadam to the huge crowd of people. Prasadam was prepared for 700 guests and various types of pure vegetarian food and sweets were distributed out.
With the Prasadam distribution and grand finale of performances, the seventh annual Jagannath Ratha Yatra festival organized by ISKCON Kuching Malaysia came to an end. This year’s festival was yet again a huge success and the celebration has been so intense, joyful and had all the devotees involved completely immersed in the love for the Lord. This celebration has been organized for the pleasure of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhatra Maharani and may everyone be blessed immensely by the merciful Lord.
Today, Ramaraya Das leads parties of twenty-five or more devotees in chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra at Union Square Park in Manhattan, New York City, every day without fail. Hitting the streets from their very own Harinama Ashram, they chant and dance enthusiastically, passing out books by ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada and drawing passersby to join in the fun. But things weren’t always so easy for Ramaraya.
There is a growing interest today in learning about different cultures and ways of life. In schools, in the workplace and in society in general, more and more people are sharing their traditions and different aspects of spirituality with each other. This year, two primary schools in Tavazzano and Sordio, in the province of Lodi, Italy, presented the culture of India.
If you have ever thought sincerely about the phrase: “you are what you eat”, well we have a new one for you –“you are what you listen to”. With that in mind why not make a conscious effort to decide: what is the soundtrack to my spiritual life? Radha Krishna Records, ISKCON London’s own record company has released it 10th album: “Mantra Lounge” on May 28th, 2014.
Udmurtia, or the Udmurt Republic is a federal subject of Russia. Its capital is the city of Izhevsk. (Automatically translated from Russian) "The Hare Krishnas - and next Orthodoxy, musicians - and then poets, folk - and on the same stage rock" - notices, for example, Sarapul.net
Journalists are very surprising in scale and size "Grandma's garden." Inspired everyone else: a sense of vast space - not only spatial, but also social and creative, first, and second, the fact that there are all experiencing kinship. "The Hare Krishnas - and next Orthodoxy, musicians - and then poets, folk - and on the same stage rock" - notices, for example, Sarapul.net.
"This festival is held for the 19th time, and every year the number of visitors increases. This year the first day of the festival in the ski base Bolgury, where the "Grandma's cottage," Reaching more people than it was in 2013. Traditionally, people involved in it Votkinsk, Izhevsk and Tchaikovsky come participants and guests from Moscow, Perm, Yekaterinburg, Kirov and other cities of our country ", - quotes the words of Sophia's Bogatyryova, assistant to the deputy of the State Council of Udmurtia Yuri Bychkov. Read more › 
On the evening of June 30th, a Rath Yatra program was being held within the premises of ISKCON Dhaka, Bangladesh, when a group of people, believed to be local miscreants, began throwing stones over the boundary wall, into the temple.
New Vrindaban’s Palace Rose Garden Decides to Switch to Sustainability Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold at New Vrindaban didn’t always have the stunning, bursting-with-color rose garden that every visitor now gets to enjoy. Twenty-six years ago, in 1988, Betty Hickey, a horticulturalist, and a good neighbor of New Vrindaban, from a nearby farm, and someone who appreciated the devotees, had the idea to establish the rose garden for the Palace. So she created and even maintained it herself, with the devotees’ blessings and help. Read more › 
‘In this Age of Kali there is no religious principle other than the chanting of the holy name, which is the essence of all Vedic hymns. This is the purport of all scriptures.’ CC Adi 7.74 Read more › 
“In this Age of Kali, the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, is the incarnation of Lord Krishna. Simply by chanting the holy name, one associates with the Lord directly. Anyone who does this is certainly delivered.
CC Adi 17.23 Read more › 
Deity worship, even in the simplest form, puts Krishna in the center of one’s home and existence; all activities revolve around the Lord by working for Him, cooking for Him, singing for Him, etc. In this way there is a natural, continuous thought which keeps devotees in constant transcendental connection via His devotional service. Read more › 
While suffering at the time of death, Ajamila chanted the holy name of the Lord, and although the chanting was directed toward his son, he nevertheless returned home, back to Godhead. Therefore if one faithfully and inoffensively chants the holy name of the Lord, where is the doubt that he will return to Godhead? SB 6.2.49 Read more › Srimad Bhagavatam 4.4.33 Bhakti Caru Swami
New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 07/03/14.
Each week we highlight an earlier era of ISKCON New Vrindaban.
This week’s challenge: There are more than 50 devotees in this photo. How many can you identify?
Extra credit: What’s the celebration?
What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the New Vrindaban Facebook Page.
Technical stuff: We share a photo Thursday and confirm known details Sunday. Let’s keep it light and have a bit of fun!
Special request: If you have a photo showing New Vrindaban devotees in action, share it with us and we’ll use it in a future posting.