New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 08/28/14.

Each week we highlight an earlier era of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

This week’s challenge: In addition to Srila Prabhupada, there are at least seventeen recognizable faces in this photo. How many can you identify?

Extra credit: What’s the cow’s name and do you know the special relationship between Srila Prabhupada and the cow?

Extra, extra credit: When and where was this photo taken?

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.

Seventeen hundred people flooded into ISKCON Italy’s Villaggio Hare Krishna on the outskirts of Milan to celebrate Krishna’s birthday, and to catch their first glimpse of the stunning new painted ceiling of the community’s Radha-Ramana temple. The one-hundred square meter (1,076 sq ft) oil painting is divided into two distinct sections, one depicting Sri Chaitanya’s pastimes, the other Lord Krishna’s.  

Good advice is easy to give but hard to take. As soon as we’re offered those words of wisdom, the defence systems kick in and the mind reels off a thousand justifications.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 07 July 2014, Serbia, Summer Camp, Caitanya Candramrta Seminar Part 1)

Sri Caitanya-candramrta by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati

Chapter 1, Verse 7

“What benefit did the world attain when Lord Rama, Lord Nrsimha and many other incarnations of Godhead killed so many raksasas and daitya demons? How important is it that Lord Kapila and other incarnations revealed the paths of sankhya and yoga? How glorious is it that Lord Brahma and other guna-avataras create, maintain and destroy the material universes? How auspicious is it that Lord Varaha lifted the earth from the Garbhodaka Ocean? We do not consider any of these activities to be very important. The most important thing is that Lord Caitanya has revealed the great splendor of pure love of Krsna. Let us glorify that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu!” 

Whenever we read this verse for an Indian audience, they are shocked! This sounds practically like a blasphemy. What benefit did the world attain when Lord Rama killed so many raksasas? What benefit!? So many raksasas he killed in the forest of Dandakaranya – in a single fight, he killed 14 000 raksasas! Then, he wiped out practically the major raksasas, man eaters, of Lanka. The point here is that killing of the raksasas certainly has made this world a better place even for pious souls, who would then get a chance to continue with pious activities, such as yajnas and sacrifices to the Supreme Lord Sri Visnu. In this way, they became free from the entangling nature of samsara, birth and death. All this became possible through the gift given by Lord Ramachandra, by him killing these raksasas – he actually gave facility for yajna to carry on. But what is the point of such yajna if it is not aimed at pure, unalloyed love for Krsna, such as that which is found in the residents of Vrindavan?

When Akrura had taken Krsna to Mathura, at that time, Krsna killed Kamsa and he was ready to return to Vrindavan. Still, he did not go. Why did Krsna not go? He wanted to but the Yadus said, ‘No! You cannot go, you have to stay because now that Kamsa is killed, so many of his allies will come to attack Mathura! And who will protect us?! Ugrasena is old, he cannot do it. So you have to stay!’

But Krsna said, ‘Sorry, I have to get back to Vrindavan – I am going home!’ Then again the Yadus said, ‘No, no. There was a heavenly voice who said that the eight son of Vasudev and Devaki would kill Kamsa. And who killed Kamsa? That is the proof that you are the son of Vasudev and Devaki! Then it is your duty to stay here and protect your parents!’

Krsna was really thinking about that one, ‘This is too much, too much!’ But how can you argue against such celestial voices, akash vani, that never speaks a lie? So what to do now!? Thus Krsna was forced to stay in Mathura. After some time, he decided to send Uddhava as a messenger to Vrindavan with instructions and many gifts. When the residents of Vrindavan received these gifts from Krsna, they were very upset, ‘Now he thinks that we want such things? He thinks that we can be satisfied, that we can be purchased by some gifts?! By some mundane opulence!?’ The residents of Vrindavan did not want anything other than Krsna. Nothing else would do.

Where is such kind of bhakti to be found? Lord Ramachandra did not give that unalloyed bhakti and none of the other incarnations also; not Lord Nrsimhadev either! Lord Kapila certainly explained the path of sankhya and yoga and with that, the path to liberation from material existence but not the path of pure unalloyed love. Somehow or other, amazingly so – it has reached us! We know about it! Even in India, some of the most pious of the pious do not know.

But somehow, we got the knowledge of that unalloyed devotional service of the associates of Krsna in Vrindavan. Not that we are in any way like them, oh no, far from that! We are still impious, still irreligious, still not committed at all to service…

But in spite of all that, we have the knowledge and that cannot be taken away, that is not so easily forgotten. Once the eyes are opened - om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya - it is not easy to close them again – that is our predicament! So, we can see how we have actually received the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and knowledge of the topmost. Although we are not yet qualified nor willing to dedicate ourselves to the topmost, still we are attracted to it and it is hard to leave it, so this is why we are still here, somehow or other.

The post August 27th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The post This human form of life, so rare, is our golden opportunity and one not to be risked or missed appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The Merciful Glance of Rādhā — Rādhā Kṛpa Kaṭākṣa Stava, from Ūrdhvāmnāya-tantra, sung by Lord Śiva

(1)
munīndra-vṛnda-vandite — triloka-śoka-hāriṇi
Hosts of the best sages pray to her — She removes everyone’s sadness.
prasanna-vaktra-paṇkaje — nikuñja-bhū-vilāsini
Her smile is like a blossoming lotus — She dwells in the pastime forest groves.
vrajendra-bhānu-nandini — vrajendra-sūnu-saṅgate
Resplendent daughter of Vraja’s Bhānu — Companion of the son of Vraja’s king.
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ — kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam
When will you look upon me — with the corner of your merciful glance?
(2)
aśoka-vṛkṣa-vallarī — vitāna-maṇḍapa-sthite
In an expansive pavilion of Aśoka trees, embraced with vines…
pravāla-vāla-pallava — prabhā ’ruṇāṅghri-komale
…your soft feet shine with the color of rising sunlight, newly sprouted leaves, and coral.
varābhaya-sphurat-kare — prabhūta-sampadālaye
Your hand grants benedictions of fearlessness —
You are the storehouse of good fortune and divine power.
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ — kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam
When will you look upon me — with the corner of your merciful glance?
(3)
anaṅga-raṅga-maṅgala — prasaṅga-bhaṅgura-bhruvāṁ
During cupid’s auspicious battles, your curved eyebrows…
sa-vibhramaṁ sa-sambhramaṁ — dṛganta-bāṇa-pātanaiḥ
…suddenly unleashing a beautiful flurry of arrows —
Shot from the corners of your glances.
nirantaraṁ vaśī-kṛta — pratīti-nanda-nandane
Forever conquering Nanda’s son into humble submission.
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ — kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam
When will you look upon me — with the corner of your merciful glance?
(4)
taḍit-suvarṇa-campaka — pradīpta-gaura-vigrahe
Your fair complexion outshines campaka flowers, gold, and even lightning.
mukha-prabhā-parāsta — koṭi-śāradendu-maṇḍale
The luster of your face surpasses an assembly of countless autumn moons.
vicitra-citra-sañcarac — cakora-śāva-locane
Your restless cakora-eyes express myriads of amazing feelings.
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ — kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam
When will you look upon me — with the corner of your merciful glance?
(5)
madonmadāti-yauvane — pramoda-māna-maṇḍite
Your exquisite youthfulness is intoxicating — decorated with delightful sulking.
priyānurāga-rañjite — kalā-vilāsa-paṇḍite
Your beloved’s love delights you — You are the Paṇḍit in the affairs of romance.
ananya-dhanya-kuñja — rājya-kāma keli-kovide
In cupids kingdom of peerlessly blessed groves — You are the expert in the art of Krishna’s delight.
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ — kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam
When will you look upon me — with the corner of your merciful glance?
(6)
aśeṣa-hāva-bhāva — dhīra-hīra-hāra-bhūṣite
Endless emotions decorate you like a pearl necklace.
prabhūta-śāta-kumbha — kumbha-kumbhi kumbha-sustani
Your breasts are like effulgent golden waterpots.
praśasta-manda-hāsya — cūrṇa-pūrṇa-saukhya-sāgare
You display a gentle smile — perfumed with scents from the ocean of happiness.
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ — kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam
When will you look upon me — with the corner of your merciful glance?
(7)
mṛṇāla-vāla-vallarī — taraṅga-raṅga-dor-late
Your arms are like lotus-stalks — gently swaying in the water’s currents.
latāgra-lāsya-lola — nīla-locanāvalokane
Your restless blue eyes move like a vine in the breeze.
lalal-lulan-milan-manojña — mugdha-mohanāśrite
Meeting him, your playful charms comprehend his mind — casting him into a bewildered and intoxicated joy.
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ — kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam
When will you look upon me — with the corner of your merciful glance?
(8)
suvarṇa-mālikāñcita — trirekha-kambu-kaṇṭhage
Your neck is smooth as conch, decorated with three lines and a golden necklace…
tri-sūtra-maṅgalī-guṇa — tri-ratna-dīpti-dīdhiti
…the three threads of a married woman — and three brilliantly sparkling jewels.
salola-nīla-kuntala — prasūna-guccha-gumphite
Your bouncing blue-black locks are decorated with clusters of flowers.
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ — kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam
When will you look upon me — with the corner of your merciful glance?
(9)
nitamba-bimba-lambamāna — puṣpa-mekhalā-guṇe
Around your heavy, round hips is an exquisite belt of flowers…
praśasta-ratna-kiṅkiṇī — kalāpa-madhya mañjule
…held together by jeweled bells that dangle and tinkle between the flowers.
karīndra-śuṇḍa-daṇḍikā — varoha-saubhagoruke
Your beautiful thighs descend in a taper like an elephant’s trunk.
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ — kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam
When will you look upon me — with the corner of your merciful glance?
(10)
aneka-mantra-nāda-mañju — nūpurā-rava-skhalat
As you move, the tinkling of your ankle-bells is more sonorous than countless mantras…
samāja-rāja-haṁsa-vaṁśa — nikvaṇāti-gaurave
…and destroys the pride of countless flocks of the most melodious birds.
vilola-hema-vallarī — viḍambi-cāru-caṅkrame
Your gentle gestures defeat the grace of swaying, golden vines.
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ — kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam
When will you look upon me — with the corner of your merciful glance?
(11)
ananta-koṭi-viṣṇu-loka — namra-padmajārcite
Lotus-born Lakṣmī, goddess of infinite billions of Viṣṇu’s realms…
himādrijā-pulomajā — viriñcajā-vara-prade
Parvatī (born from the Himālaya), Śaci (born from Puloma), and Sarasvatī (born from Brahmā)… all offer you prayers.
apāra-siddhi-ṛddhi-digdha — sat-padāṅgulī-nakhe
Because multitudes of incomparable perfections sparkle from the mere nails of your toes.
kadā kariṣyasīha māṁ — kṛpā-kaṭākṣa-bhājanam
When will you look upon me — with the corner of your merciful glance?
(12)
makheśvari kriyeśvari — svadheśvari sureśvari
Sacrifices, pious deeds, mantra, gods…
triveda-bhāratīśvari — pramāṇa-śāsaneśvari
Knowledge of the three Veda, understanding of authentic philosophy…
rameśvari kṣameśvari pramoda kānaneśvari
Love, forgiveness, and delighted playfulness…
vrajeśvari vrajādhipe śrī rādhike namo ’stu te
And even Vṛndāvana itself…
O queen of Vraja, you are the supreme mistress of all these.
I offer my respectful obeisance unto you.

20 August ’14 Sringar Darshan at ISKCON Juhu, Sri Sri Radha Rasabihariji Temple

Lecture Podcast

The United States Department of Agriculture has listed ISKCON’s Gita- nagari Farm in Port Royal, Pennsylvania as one of the most important success stories of preservation and sustainability in 2013. 

A ban on soliciting donations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) does not tread on Hare Krishna members' free speech rights, the 9th Circuit ruled Wednesday. A city ordinance forbids the immediate solicitation of money at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), including the terminals, the parking lots, and adjacent sidewalks.

"The International Society for Krishna Consciousness for Indonesia has been celebrating Ratha-yatra festival for twelwe years,” Bala Krishna das head of this year’s Ratha Yatra committee says. "Every year the festival changes its location, moves from regency to regency within Bali. Now, after twelwe years, we have reached a full circle, and the festival arrived back in Bali's provincial capital Denpasar."

Govindas Restaurant in Adelaide in situated in the temple itself to the left as you walk in. At the moment it is open only three nights a week but it is proving so popular that the devotees want to increase to more days.

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player is needed; works best with Firefox or Explorer; if you are using Google Chrome it will automatically play, so if you don't want to listen, mute your speakers.)

Stuck in an airport with a delayed flight I struck up a conversation with a business person:
“You want to know a secret?’
“Maybe?”
“I’ll take that as a yes. You are often your own worst enemy.”
Getting his attention, he turned toward me and said: “I think many people know this.”
“True, but there is another part to this secret: Most people don’t do anything about this, and aren’t motivated to change, or believe they can.”
Reaching into my computer case I take out some writing I did.
“What papers do you have there?”
“I wrote a blog on the topic of being our worst enemy, and what to do about it…want to read it?”
“Sure, looks like we have a few hours to kill, and besides, [the clincher, I guess] the Wi-Fi is down.”
“Let me know what you think.”

Our Own Worst Enemy

As I was thinking of the topic for this blog I found a graphic illustration to demonstrate what I wanted to say. Every week I go shopping to pick up organic veggies at a garden supply shop about 20 minutes from here. Sometimes there is a beautiful, young, though full grown, German Sheppard dog. Though he used to lazily lie around the shop, and then come closer wagging his tail to get petted, now he has taken up the startling, and for some, frightening, habit of barking loudly at shoppers—which hasn’t been real good for business. As a result he is now kept in a cage in the corner.

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