Scenes from New Dwarka, Iskcon Los Angeles temple (Album 90 photos)
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jive daya name ruci vaisnava sevana Iha chara dharma nahi suna sanatana "Hear, Sanatana! Kindness to all living beings, taste for the holy name, and service to Vaisnavas - apart from these there is no other dharma." (attributed to Lord Caitanya, often quoted or alluded to by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, e.g. in Caitanya Bhagavata Adi Khanda 1.1 purport) Read more ›

Rathayatra in Wroclaw, western Poland (Album 76 photos)
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"As a result of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates and he receives love of Godhead. The holy name of Krishna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches." (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.28) Read more ›

Devotees in Kiev, Ukraine, perform Holy Name Retreat to counteract the evil of the war (Album 35 photos)
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The Krishna consciousness movement supplies materially stricken people with the medicine of the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, and the diet of prasadam. The centres of the Krishna consciousness movement are the only established hospitals that can cure man of birth, death, old age and disease. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 10.51 Purport) Read more ›

World Holy Name Week: Day 4
→ ISKCON Malaysia

BY HH KAVICANDRA SWAMI

Haridasa appeared in the village of Budhana. By his mercy, the holy names of Krsna were preached in that area. On the pretext of living on the bank of the Ganges, Haridasa first came to Phuliya and then went to the house of Advaita Acarya in Santipura, where he became intoxicated by chanting the holy names of Krsna in the association of Advaita Acarya. Being maddened with love of Krsna in the form of chanting His holy names, Haridasa was, more than anyone, free from the least inclination for things other than Krsna. Seeing His pure transformations of ecstasy, the brahmana community of Phuliya began to show him special respect. At that time the most sinful Kazi complained against Haridasa to the Mohammedan king that although Haridasa was born in a Mohammedan family he followed and preached the names of the Hindu's God.

When men came to take Haridasa to the king, he fearlessly accompanied them to his court. Considering, "If we get darsana of Haridasa in the prison house then our pains of miserable prison life will be vanquished," the prisoners humbly and submissively informed the prison guards about their desire to see Haridasa Thakura. Sri Haridasa also informed the prisoners that their present condition of freedom from material enjoyment was favorable for worshiping Lord Sri Hari and instructed them to always engage in all conditions in Krsna's service, which is the soul's real independence.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => CBP 16: The Glories of Sri Haridasa Thakura

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-09-08 03:05:00 →

1965 September 8:
"Today at about 8 o'clock in the morning and near about Gibraltar we had a first experience of fog impediment. It was all dark round the ship and she stopped moving completely. She was whistling now and then to protect herself from other unseen ships being collided with. We started at about 11 again. At about 2/30 p.m. we passed over Gibraltar Port. The strait is wide about seven miles across. We are in the Atlantic."
Jaladuta Diary :: 1965

World Holy Name Week: Day 3
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BY GAURAVANI DASA

Sacidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Appearance day
Kabe Ha'be Bolo (from Saranagati) - Bhaktivinoda Thakura

1) When, oh when will that day be mine? When my offenses ceasing, taste for the name increasing, when in my heart will your mercy shine, when, oh when will that day be mine?

2) Lower than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree. When will my mind attain this quality? Respectful to all, not expecting their honour, then shall I taste the name’s nectar sublime. When, oh when will that day be mine?

3) Great wealth or followers, feminine beauty, I won’t care for them or the comforts of my body. Birth after birth give me, Oh Lord Caitanya, causeless devotion to Your feet divine, when, oh when will that day be mine?

4) When will I utter Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, with words choked up and shivering body? When will I be trembling all over, lose bodily color, tears pouring from my eyes, when, oh when will that day be mine?

5) When in Navadvipa along the Ganges bank, shouting ‘Gaura-Nityananda’ as a surrendered soul,dancing, chanting, running everywhere, when will I become half mad of mind? When, oh when will that day be mine?

6) When will Lord Nityananda show mercy upon me, when will I reject the world of maya? Bestow unto me the shade of Your lotus feet, let the right to preach the name be mine. When, oh when will that day be mine?

7) I will beg, borrow, or steal the nectar of the name. By the name’s effect I will feel paralyzed. Oh! Enjoyer of the nectar of the name, When will I touch your lotus feet till the end of time? When, oh when will that day be mine?

8) When kindness to all beings will be appearing, with free heart forget myself comforting, Bhaktivinoda in all humility prays, "Now I will set out to preach Your order sublime." When, oh when will that day be mine?

Gopinatha
Krishna Dharma

Gopinath

By Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur

Part One

1.
gopinath, mama nivedana suno
visayi durjana, sada kama-rata,
kichu nahi mora guna

Gopinath, my Lord, please heed my humble plea.
Self-serving and shameless, immersed in sinfulness,
no virtue will you find within me.
2.
gopinath, amara bharasa tumi
tomara carane, loinu sarana,
tomara kinkora ami

Gopinath, I have no other hope than you,
I fall down at your feet, your shelter do I seek,
Your service ever to pursue.
3.
Gopinath, kemone sodhibe more
na jani bhakati, karme jada-mati,
porechi somsara-ghore

Gopinath, I do not see how you will free me,
bereft of all bhakti, dulled by cupidity,
fallen in fearful misery.
4.
gopinath, sakali tomara maya
nahi mama bala, jnana sunirmala,
swadina nahe e kaya

Gopinath, all I see here is illusion.
No knowledge I possess, completely powerless,
controlled by worldly conditions.
5.
gopinath, niyata carane sthana
mage e pamara, kandiya kandiya,
korohe karuna dana

Gopinath, at your feet forever keep me.
Weeping incessantly, a sinner though I be,
I pray and plead for your mercy.
6.
gopinath, tumi to’ sakali paro
durjane tarite, tomara sakati,
ke ache papira aro

Gopinath, you can act completely freely.
All sinners can you save, your grace I therefore crave,
no other shelter do I see.

7.
gopinath, tumi krpa-parabara
jivera karane, asiya prapance,
lila koile subistara

Gopinath, ocean of complete compassion.
Your pastimes you display, to free us from the sway,
of ignorance and illusion.
8.
gopinath, ami ki dose dosi
asura sakala, pailo carana,
vinoda thakilo bosi’

Gopinath, what evil does exist in me?
That though the demons rose, into your own abode,
I fail to find my liberty.

Part Two

1.
gopinath, ghucao samsara jwala
avidya-jatana, aro nahi sahe,
janama-marana-mala

Gopinath, please free me from the fierce inferno,
of birth and death again, the ignorance and pain,
through which I can no longer go.
2.
gopinath, ami to’ kamera dasa
visaya-basana, jagiche hrdoye,
phadiche karama phasa

Gopinath, lust has now become my master.
forever do I find, such sin within my mind,
binding me in bonds of karma.
3.
gopinath, ami to’ kamera dasa
visaya-basana, jagiche hrdoye,
phadiche karama phasa

Gopinath, when will I wake from my slumber,
to slay this enemy, dwelling deep inside of me,
so in my heart you may appear?
4.
gopinath, ami to’ tomara jana
tomare chariya, samsara bhajinu,
bhuliya apana-dhana

Gopinath, I am your servant, that is sure,
but turning far away, toward the worldly sway,
I turned from an untold treasure.
5.
gopinath, tumi to’ sakali jano
apanara jane, dandiya ekhano,
sri-carane aeho sthano

Gopinath, you know all this undoubtedly,
and as your property, you should please punish me,
and shelter me eternally
6.
gopinath, ei ki vicara taba
bimukha dekhiya, charo nija-jane,
na koro’ karuna-laba

Gopinath, how this is just I cannot see.
For having been averse, to you it seems I’m cursed,
shunned and shorn of all your mercy.
7.
gopinath, ami to murakha ati
kise bhalo hoya, kabhu na bujhinu,
tai heno mama gati

Gopinath, I am a fool most certainly,
for never do I see, what will be best for me,
thus I remain in misery.
8.
gopinath, tumi to’ pandita-bara
mudhera mangala, tumi anvesibe,
e dase na bhavo’ para

Gopinath, wisest and most learned person.
You can thus ascertain, what is my greatest gain.
Accept me always as your own.

Part Three

1.
gopinath, amara upaya nai
tumi krpa kori’, amare loile,
samsare uddhara pai

Gopinath, there is no other hope for me
But that by your mercy, your servant I may be.
From birth and death forever free.
2.
gopinath, porechi mayara phere
dhana, dara, suta, ghireche amare,
kamete rekheche jere

Gopinath, I’m fallen in a worldly whirlpool
With wealth and family, ever entangling me,
I’m under lust’s complete control
3.
gopinath, mana je pagala mora
na mane sasana, sada acetana,
visaye ro ‘yeche ghora

Gopinath, my mind is seized with insanity.
It sees itself as free, from all authority,
absorbed in sensuality.

4.
gopinath, hara je menechi ami
aneka jatana, hoilo bifala,
ekhano bharasa tumi

Gopinath, I must at last accept defeat.
My every endeavour, has found only failure
My only hope your lotus feet.
5.
gopinath, kemone hoibe gati
prabala indriya, bosi-bhuta mana,
na chare visaya-rati

Gopinath, how can I attain perfection?
My senses are so strong, they drag my mind along,
always to worldly attraction.
6.
gopinath, hrdoye bosiya mora
manake samiya, laho nija pane,
ghucibe vipada ghora

Gopinath, within my heart forever stay,
And thus my mind subdue, to bring me unto you,
and drive all danger far away.
7.
gopinath, anatha dekhiya more
tumi hrsikesa, hrsika damiya,
taro ‘he samsrti-ghore

Gopinath, seeing me to be so helpless
You are the Hrisikesh, take hold of my senses
Oh save me from this dark abyss
8.
gopinath, galaya legeche phasa
krpa-asi dhori’, bandhana chediya,
vinode koroho dasa

Gopinath, I’m wrapped in ropes of worldliness,
With the sword of your mercy, please quickly cut me free,
And place me in your loving service.

Mission Impossible
→ Tattva - See inside out

People have a romantic idea of spirituality: escape worldly distraction, access higher states of consciousness, and settle into an internal serenity. The dedicated (and honest) practitioners, however, will frankly admit that it doesn’t always work like that. There are good days and bad days. Sometimes we experience a sweet pleasure from simple and sublime spiritual practices. On other days, however, it feels mechanical, burdensome, monotonous and uninspiring. Thousands of thoughts whiz through the mind and disturb our focus. But if spirituality is so natural, why does it sometimes feel so artificial? If we are connecting with our true nature, why does it seem so alien?

Before reaching spiritual maturity, one goes through the stage of anisthita bhakti – unsteady devotion. Here, the ebbs and flows of enthusiasm and dry patches are inevitable. The great spiritual preceptors therefore recommend that one take vows, committing themselves to a regime that will sustain their progress over a lifetime. Honouring vows in the early stages is easy since there is freshness and novelty. Honouring those promises in the mature stage is effortless since there is natural attraction and relish. In between, however, spiritual life can feel like a taxing struggle - freshness has worn off, and the ‘higher taste’ is a distant reality. This interim zone is the proverbial graveyard of numerous sincere spiritualists; they started, but just couldn’t continue.  Fear not, however, since this is also the zone where the beautiful principle of commitment can shine through. The depth of any relationship is proportionate to the commitment shown – husband and wife, friend to friend, parent and child, guru and disciple… and also the individual soul and God.

Spirituality is about experience, taste, inspiration and feeling. But another major aspect is too often neglected – discipline, duty, determination and doggedness. There is much to be said about “getting on with it,” despite how you feel. If we could fortify this unglamorous aspect of our spiritual life we could grow to unimaginable heights. The vows of the great saints were like lines in stone; once uttered, there was no question of retraction. Their vows were planted in the heart and watered for many years, eventually manifesting wonderfully sweet fruits. Thus, this point of commitment should become a deep meditation. Spiritual life is undoubtedly a joyful process, but, uncharacteristic as it may sound, we may have to shed some blood, sweat and tears to make it work. Difficult, but not impossible.