Planet ISKCON

Chanting with devotion, chanting attentively the names and then the Lord appears. This is the point we were making. So Draupadi called out in all helplessness and the Lord appeared. So when the mood like Draupadi is there, mood of the chanter, then the Lord appears.

~Lokanatha Swami

TKG Academy Upper Elementary students held a Car Wash Fundraiser in the temple parking lot on Saturday, September 6th.    The weather was perfect, and guests visiting the restaurant were eager to shine up their vehicles by the enthusiastic students.    For almost 3 hours students worked hard,  polishing and brushing, all the while raising funds for their upcoming camping trip to Cleburne Park.  Covered in soapy bubbles, and laughing with their friends, they learned valuable lessons, such as teamwork, responsibility and finances!   Take a look at some pictures.

 

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Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Bhagavad-gita 8.5.

“Where does the atma [soul] go when it leaves the body? That is something that we all should consider, because we don’t know how long we will be in this body—100 years, 100 days, 100 hours, 100 minutes, 100 seconds—we don’t know how long we have. Sooner or later we must leave this body. And the duration of our life within this body is much less than the duration of our life after we leave the body, because we are eternal and will continue to live, forever, after leaving this body. So that is a question we have to ask: ‘Where do we go after we leave this body?’ And here Krishna explains that according to our thoughts at the time of death, we attain to our next position.”

Bhagavad-gita 8.5

The world Holy Name week continues in Nanda Gram Temple Nigeria. As the celebration entered day 5 today. A leading Newspaper in the state also carried the event in their paper. Devotees never relent in gathering every day to chant the holy name. By Mahavrata Devi Dasi Read more ›

• Why does the Bhagavatam, a Vaishnava book, state that Kashi is the greatest of all holy places?
• When Dhruva Maharaj was going BTG and had got a spiritual body, how could he remember a material relationship such as that with his mother?
• Can we preach without using technology as such use can distract one from Krishna?
• During preaching, how important is it to provide relevant material information in addition to the paramapara’s message?
• If the son practices bhakti, then will his non-devotee parents’ get a good next-life destination due to their son’s bhakti?
• How is Draupadi’s polygamy justified especially when it involves the same man being required to see her alternately as wife and as sister-in-law?
• How does attachment to result make us the cause of action, as the Gita 2.47 purport states?
• How do see spiritual organizations that are largely Vaishnava except for considering their founder as an incarantion?
• If someone is following an Abrahamic religion, should we encourage them to follow that religion or to take up Krishna consciousness?
• If Prahlada learnt bhakti by hearing from Narada in his mother’s womb, why did Narada say to the devatas before this that the child in the womb is a great devotee?
• Did Hiranyakashipu not know that Vishnu lived in the Kshira-sagara? Why did he ask Prahlad where Vishnu was and whether he was in the pillar?
• Narasimhadeva told Prahlad that 21 generations of his family had been delivered, then how did Bali become such a demon that Vamanadeva himself had to come to deliver him?
• We hear so much in various classes, but apply very little from it. How can we change this?
• We often feel like doing different things in bhakti at different times – how can we steadily maintain interest in one thing?
• When scriptures usually refer to Vishnu, do they refer to Maha-vishnu, Garbhodakshayi Vishnu or Kshirodakshayi Vishnu?
• What is the relationship between Sadashiva, the Shiva born from Brahma and the eleven Rudras?
• What is the difference between brahma of Mayavadis and shunya of voidists?
• What is the difference between hatha-yoga, dhyana yoga and ashtanga yoga?
• If our svarupa happens to be in dasya, how will be satisfied in that svarupa now that we know madhurya is highest?
• When envy is the cause of our material bondage, how did Shishupala’s envy lead to his liberation?
• While using a talent such as music for Krishna how can we transfer our attachment from that talent to Krishna?
• How can we avoid frustration at our inability to follow the standards of devotional service?
• How is Draupadi’s polygamy be justified especially when the Pandavas have to sometimes see her as a wife and at other times as sister-in-law?
• Is conscience always the voice of the Supersoul? Does everyone’s conscience tell them that meat-eating is wrong?

Conversation with guests from the UK.

The post “No more Radharani Carana-darsana?” appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Once can be free from all sinful reactions after reaching a place of pilgrimage, but one can have the same benefit at home or at any other place simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord. (Srimad Bhagavatam 2.7.15) Read more ›

https://flic.kr/s/aHsk3bueNW

The post Scenes from Radha-kunda dd’s final departure ceremony – placing her ashes in the Yamuna appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

DEARBORN –On Friday August 1st His Holiness Radhanath Swami made a visit to Ford Motor Company – sponsored by the Ford Asian Indian Association and coordinated by Guru Palaniappan, PVT Advisor Ford Auto Alliance Plant in Thailand. H.H. Holiness Radhanath Swami was cordially welcomed to the Ford event by Ms.Felicia Fields Group Vice President Human Resources, Mr.John Sakioka Director Research Engineering, Ms.Shirleen Holland CAE Manager and Mr.NandKochar Chief Engineer Safety. It was a gala event with more than 450 people in attendance at the Ford PDC showroom and 60 people online. Read more ›

Please view the full gallery here: Srila Bhaktivinoda’s Appearance   The Revelation in a Dream to Bhaktivinoda Thakura For the Discovery of Sri Caitanya’s Birth Site In the year 1887 Thakura Bhaktivinoda thought within himself, “Quickly taking leave from government service I will go to some forest in Vraja on the sandy banks of the Yamuna […]

The post Appearance of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur appeared first on Mayapur.com.

A recording of John Richardson from the Rubettes before he joined ISKCON and got initiated as Jayadev Das. 

HG Sauri Prabhu at ISKCON Mayapur on 2014-09-08, Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 05 23 01 02

1965 September 9:
"Today we have crossed over the Atlantic Ocean. The whole day was clear and almost smooth. I am taking my food regularly and got some strength. But I am struggling and the nectarine of my life is Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita the source of all vitality."
Jaladuta Diary :: 1965

1967 September 9: "I am negotiating with the Revenue Minister. I am old man. At the same time sick. It is not possible for me to look after the affairs of the American House. I want to remain free, being taken care of by all of you and that enjoyment is liking to me in this old age. "
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1968 September 9: "I experimented with my harmonium, and of course, it is just an experiment, still all liked the tune very much. I can give so many verses and explain them in English, so we can produce records in so many ways."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 September 9: "You write to say that each book I write is greater than anything written previously, but I must also inform you that each book you print is nicer than the previous printing. So I will give you better writing and you will produce better books."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1972 September 9: "So eternally I want to remain your guide provided you want to accept me. I can kick out all those stumbling blocks immediately, provided you accept my guidance. With one stroke of my kick I can kick out all stumbling blocks."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 September 9: "Krishna is the background, this is a fact. Unfortunately people have become demoniac, Krishna is not realized. He is not exposed to the non devotee. Our mission is to turn the people to become devotees so that they can see Krishna. So we have got a great mission."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 September 9: "Cow protection is one of the items of the Krishna consciousness movement: krsi goraksya vanijyam. raksya means protection. It is especially mentioned. You have done a great service. You can hold the day after Diwali the Anakut Govardhana ceremony. There should be heaps of prasadam."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 September 9: "I am in due receipt of your letter with enclosed photos of the farm. I like that place and wish to go there. As soon as you call me I will come. N.B. I wish to make an experiment in preaching by bullock cart. One cart can hold 6-8 men sitting and 2 men for sleeping."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

BY GAURAVANI DASA

KUALA LUMPUR - "Even if my body is cut into pieces and I loose my life, I will never give up chanting the Lord's holy name. O Krsna, please be merciful upon these poor souls, kindly excuse them for their offense of torturing me." - Haridasa Thakura

Maintaining this type of determination and being compassionate to all living entities while always chanting the holy name of Krsna is the path of devotional service exhibited by the previous mahajanas. A path cannot be manufactured. Whatever path is there should be accepted by sadhus. Those who are proud and want fame try vigorously to discover new paths. Those who have good fortune from past lives give up pride and respect the established path. Those who are unfortunate promenade on a new path and thus cheat the world.” -Tat-tat-karma-pravartana, Bhaktyaloka by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

When we chant, we should enunciate clearly. If we are speaking to some important man, we take it as an important occasion; we don’t mumble to him. “What are you saying?” So similarly, Krsna knows what you are saying, what you are thinking.

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

There may be so many impediments for a person who is chanting Hare Krishna. Nonetheless, tolerating all these impediments, one should continue to chant so that at the end of one's life one can have the full benefit of Krishna consciousness. Bhagavad-Gita 8.5 Purport. Read more ›

Our centers are like the oasis in a vast desert. In the desert there is no water, but occasionally if one is fortunate he may come in contact with an oasis and he is saved. Similarly in this material world we are drying up due to a lack of spiritual knowledge. Our ISKCON centers are meant to give relief to the dried up conditioned souls who are searching after the nectar of joyful life. Letter to Bhagavan, December 18, 1970 Read more ›

I’ve written a book, which is set to be launched in mid April. It’s a commentary on Ecclesiastes, “the strangest book in the Bible,” from the point of view of a follower of the Bhagavad-gita. The book will be published by the BBT.

And I could use some help. In fact, I could use a lot of help. Help with marketing and promotion, help with social media, and — right now — help with setting up two websites: one for the book, another for the author.

These will be WordPress sites, built on Genesis themes. For the engineering side I have a capable devotee who has volunteered his time and expertise and has the matter pretty well under control.

But I need help with the graphic design — coming up with a good, professional-quality design, and then working to implement it.

Ideally, we’d like to get this work wrapped up before the end of the month.

If you have expertise in such matters and would like to volunteer to help, please get in touch with me. (You can use click “Contact” on the main menu.)

Thank you. Hare Krishna.

PS: If you have other ways you might like to help, please feel free to contact me about that too.

The post Book project: Help wanted appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

There is a need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Srimad-Bhagavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of the entire human society. Delhi, December 15, 1962. Read more ›

The spreading of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra in the West has become successful because the young people were not offenders. We therefore conclude that the so-called mlecchas and yavanas of the Western countries are more purified than offensive Mayavadis or atheistic impersonalists. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 17.145 Purport) Read more ›

The devotees gathered and celebrated Sri Radhastami, 2014 at the Radha Krishna Cultural Centre here in Australia, Southport. Read more ›

We have been having wonderful festivals lately please take the time to view our galleries of Radhastami, and Vamanadev’s Appearance. Please view the following galleries: Radhastami Darshan Radhastami Abhishek Radhastami Festivities Vamana’s Appearance

The post Galleries of Radhastami and Vamanadev’s Appearance appeared first on Mayapur.com.

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ISKCON Bhakti Centre Gold Coast Australia devotees, Madhavananda Das and Lochananda Das, both disciples of HH Janananda Swami, have been doing Nama Hatta programs regularly in the homes of Gold Coast Australia residents. They attend the home and give Gaura Nitai happy dolls to the hosts plus have Kirtan and Prasadam. They have become well known in the area as friendly representatives of Iskcon Bhakti Centre. They have also distributed many of Srila Prabhupads books at the programs. Many of the hosts have now become regular members of our congregation thanks to the efforts of these devotees. This week was their 50th program. They are hoping to reach 108 programs by 2015. Please bless them to achieve their goal. Read more ›

Conversation in Moscow, Sept 1st.

The post On trusting devotees, following the guru’s orders and what to do while chanting Hare Krsna appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

During the September/October, 2014, NRR Board elections, there will be two vacancies on the NRR Management Board to be filled. We are calling for candidates to run for the two vacancies. To be eligible to run, all candidates must chant 16 rounds daily, follow the four regulative principles, and be residents of Alachua County. The elections will be held on the following three days at the Temple: Sunday, September 21, 2014; Sunday, September 28, 2014; and Sunday, October 5, 2014. Read more ›

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The post Farewell to Her Grace Radha-kunda Devi Dasi appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Though born in a Muslim family, when he became a Vaisnava, even brahmanas would eagerly smear their bodies with the dust of his feet. The Supreme Lord Anantadeva Himself praises Haridasa Thakura, "Even Lord Brahma and Lord Siva always desire to associate with such devotees as Haridasa. And the demigods desire to touch the transcendental body of Haridasa. Simply by saying his name, Haridasa, one will be promoted to Krishna's abode." (Caitanya Bhagavata) ''Srila Haridasa Thakur Ki Jai!'' Read more ›

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