45 Down, 3 To Go
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We have just 3 days left on our summer festival tour in Poland. Our bodies ache, but our souls hanker for even more ….
45 Down, 3 To Go
The 5242th birthday of Krishna celebrated in Khabarovsk, Russia (Album 25 photos)
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The celebration took place in the temple of the Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Khabarovsk. Followers of the Bengali Vaishnava tradition come together to celebrate this day, hold public rituals and offerings, and then arrange a holiday feast. Read more › Radha Syamasundara’s (Iskcon Hungary) Altar renovation: At The stone-carver (5 min video)
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We say that if Krishna is truth, the world is also truth because the world is a manifestation of Krishna's energy. So if Krishna is true, how His energy can be false? The Mayavadis preach so-called monism, but they always distinguish brahma and maya. They say brahma is true, maya is false. We say maya is true, and because it is Krishna's energy, she must be employed in Krishna's service. Letter to Gopal Krishna, June 5, 1969. Read more › Humility and qualification as the means to enter into Radha-Krsna’s pastimes
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The post Humility and qualification as the means to enter into Radha-Krsna’s pastimes appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Vedic Janmastami-Abhishek ceremony in Mayapur (Album 150 HR photos)
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The sound of the spiritual world is nectarean and eternal, whereas the sound of the material world is hackneyed and subject to end. The sound of the Holy Name - Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
- everlastingly increases the enthusiasm of the chanter. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.21.22 Purport) Read more › Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja Celebration in SJMKL
→ ISKCON Malaysia
BY SJMKL EDITORIAL BOARD
KUALA LUMPUR - In Caitanya Mangala (Sutra-khanda, song 12, texts 564-565) Lord Caitanya says:
ebe nama sankirtana tiksna khadga lanaantara asura jivera pheliba katiyayadi papi chadi dharma dura dese yayamora senapati-bhakta yaibe tathaya
‘Taking the sharp sword of the congregational chanting of the Holy Name, I will root out and destroy the demoniac mentality in the hearts of the conditioned souls. If some sinful people escape and give up religious principles
go too far off countries, then My commander in chief (Senapati Bhakta) will appear to chase them and distribute Krsna consciousness’.
Nandotsava: The auspicious ceremony of the appearance day of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada (Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja), the Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was celebrated at Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Headquarters of ISKCON Malaysia grandly with the participation of 400 devotees and guests.
The celebration commenced with daily morning puja followed by Abhisheka ceremony for Srila Prabhupada, followed by dedication of homages by devotees and guests present that morning. The devotees of Sri Jagannatha Mandir Kuala Lumpur were very fortunate to listen to the glories of Srila Prabhupada directly from HH Bhakti Vrajendranandana Swami Maharaja, the President of ISKCON Malaysia. Some of the homages that were read to Srila Prabhupada were by HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja and Amoga Prabhu ACBSP.
This was then followed by Santi Homa ceremony that was performed by the Gurukulis of Mayapur at the guest area in front of the temple hall. Upon completing the Santi Homa ceremony, the crowd assembled for the Puspanjali ceremony. Next, Simheswara Prabhu led Sri Guruvastakam prayer ecstatically, which made all devotees and guests to sing and dance joyfully in pure devotion. There was also song dedication to Srila Prabhupada written by HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja: Yadi Prabhupada Na Hoito; the song was melodiously led by a Gurukuli from Mayapur that induced so much happiness and love towards Srila Prabhupada who has through his guidance, books and lectures transformed so many lives to goodness, towards Lord Krishna.
After such a marvelous glorification ceremony, the grand celebration finally concluded with sumptuous prasadam feast prepared by Bengali devotees. Flavored rice, paneer sabji, pakora, puris, halwa and many more items were offered and distributed out. The guests were also served with lots, lots and lots of Maha Prasadam offering, which was a special preparation for Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja celebration. All devotees and guests, through this celebration were fortunate to have had the opportunity to dedicate their gratitude, love and pay homage to Srila Prabhupada, the Guru who connected us to Lord Sri Krishna and teached us Krishna Consciousness. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
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A visit to the wood-carver responsible for the amazing new altar of New Vraja-dhama, Hungary (5 min video)
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With Sivarama Swami Read more › Devotees perform Harinama in Tel Aviv’s central bus station and distribute Krishna prasadam (Album 88 photos)
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A devotee is not afraid of going to hell if he has the opportunity to hear the glories of the Lord constantly. This is the advantage of chanting Hare Krishna. One may be put in any condition, but God gives him the prerogative to chant Hare Krishna. In any condition of life, if one goes on chanting he will never be unhappy. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.15.50 Purport) Read more › Hare Krishna Festival in Poland still working miracles! (Album 56 photos)
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Indradyumna Swami: We have just 3 days left on our summer festival tour in Poland. Our bodies ache, but our souls hanker for even more .... Read more › HH Kadamba Kanana Swami – Nrsimhadev prayers + Jai Radha Madhava, 21.07.2014
→ Gouranga TV - The Hare Krishna video collection
HH Kadamba Kanana Swami – Nrsimhadev prayers + Jai Radha Madhava, 21.07.2014
Srila Prabhupada Identifies a Possible 8th Temple for His Grand Vision of New Vrindaban – November 1975
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit
Srila Prabhupada seated outdoors on his Vyasasana at Madhuban, June 1976.
“According to our program we will have to construct seven temples, Govindaji, Gopinatha, Madana-Mohana, Syamasundara, Damodara, Gokulananda and Radha-Ramana. And later on if possible, Rangunatha also.”
– Excerpt from a letter Srila Prabhupada wrote, November 1975.
—————————————————————————–
Click here to read the rest of the letter.
Thanks to Vanipedia for the source material.
The holy name’s potency is not meant to justify perpetuating our sinful mentality
→ The Spiritual Scientist
“The chanting of the holy name is so auspicious that it can free everyone from the reactions of sinful activities. One should not conclude that one may continue to sin with the intention of chanting Hare Krsna to neutralize the reactions. Rather, one should be very careful to be free from all sins and never think of counteracting sinful activities by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, for this is another offense. If by chance a devotee accidentally performs some sinful activity, the Lord will excuse him, but one should not intentionally perform sinful acts”(SB 6.3.31 purport).
Thursday, August 21st, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Toronto, Ontario
Tiny Spirit
Hanuman is a Columbian visiting us for some time in the ashram. He and I, and Praveen, took a stroll before Surya (the Sun) poked his head over the horizon. We were in the downtown on Yonge Street, so you couldn’t actually very well see that ball of glory beyond all the buildings unless you peeked east at a street running longitudinally.
There are a number of men who work at the waste management plant nearby. They are getting accustomed to seeing us on our devotional daily walk. While they carry huge coffee cups in hand, they make a point to greet us with a, “Good morning”.
I had a humbling thought, “I am waste, I’m garbage. Maybe they can manage me.” It’s not for you to worry about a perceived low self-esteem issue, but I’m definitely not made of all clean stuff. I’ll be the first to admit to the refuse within me. I’m working on it though, I stay in positive company, hear positive sound, and eat positive prasadam(food that’s blessed). I try to stay positively engaged in Krishna’s service. I had the good fortune to deliver a class each day this week, it’s very purifying for me. We have been speaking about the progenitors of the world, their rule and their counsel. Reading and teaching from the ‘Bhagavatam’ reminds me of the smallness that I’m in and putting things in the real perspective. I am a tiny spirit set in this universe. I am a servant trying to get clean.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Wednesday, August 20th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Toronto, Ontario
Spook Trail
It was an obscure trail and it lead me upwards under welcoming shade. It meandered a bit up to the ridge’s ascension along Bayview Avenue. “No one comes here,” I figured, and then I doubted my conclusion, “Well, someone has to, otherwise, it wouldn’t be here.” It was just by chance I spotted this path in the first place. It’s totally off the beaten path. I trekked it and started to question the trail’s direction. I went up and then it indicated that it’s descending already.
There, along this super attractive trail was the secret home, a cylindrical tarpaulin structure to a not totally homeless person. I assumed vacancy at this time of day, 5 PM. I forged ahead and then decided to retrace steps. The direction it went was north and I wanted south.
When I came back to this secret lodge, if you will, I noticed a pair of hands at one end of the person’s plastic home, just inside the aperture. Anticipating some clear directions from the person inside, I said, “Hello, hello?” a few times. Only the hands were visible, the rest of the body was bundled up and in darkness. One hand pulled in at the sound of my voice, and the remaining one was jittery. It was thin and bony and light skinned, and it was moving in a jittery way over a small game board of sorts. The utter silence spooked me a tad, but rather, helped me to think of Krishna. I was hoping that at least I’d here a caveman’s grunt.
With zero answer I was compelled to let instincts guide me, and so I eventually found myself hobbling over the hill into sunshine and stepping right into a healthy patch of poison ivy. Too late! I’m done! I’m susceptible to this ornery plant. That’s what you get for being slightly adventurous and leaving a main trail. It’s all fun. You just keep rolling fingers on the beads and moving your lips to the mantra.
May the Source be with you!
6 KM
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:45:00 →
1965 Tuesday, August 24:
"Today at about 1/30 p.m. I enquired from wheel-room that we have come only 400 miles off the Indian coast. My sea-sickness is still continuing. I take my meals once only but today I could not take my full meals although I was fasting yesterday."
Jaladuta Journal :: 1965
"Today at about 1/30 p.m. I enquired from wheel-room that we have come only 400 miles off the Indian coast. My sea-sickness is still continuing. I take my meals once only but today I could not take my full meals although I was fasting yesterday."
Jaladuta Journal :: 1965
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:43:00 →
1968 August 24: "Follow this Kirtan process and things will be all right. That is my opinion. If you call one or two other devotees to join you in Kirtan in the park and in your apartment, it will be successful, people will gradually come."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:38:00 →
1968 August 24: "Keep your good faith in your Spiritual Master and Krishna and everything will be all right. The whole world is in necessity of Krishna Consciousness. My Guru Maharaja used to say that there is no scarcity of anything in this world, save and except Krishna Consciousness."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:37:00 →
1968 August 24: "Chanting in the parks and on the streets is our new movement and it is successful - in San Francisco, in New York, and in Montreal. The more we struggle for advancing our Krishna Consciousness movement, the more we become advanced on the path."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:32:00 →
1972 August 24: "Recruit many devotees in Australia and send them to the outlying areas and build up strength in Manilla, Hong Kong and Djakarta; otherwise, the one or two devotees in these places will become discouraged."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:29:00 →
1972 August 24: "Better to forget the past. Persuade him to engage with his previous enthusiasm for becoming once again a great devotee. Do not drive him away, that will be a discredit to all of you leaders. If there is difficulty, he may come and live with me, I have no objection."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:25:00 →
1972 August 24: "In principle, the black devotees who wish start their own Center independent of the white devotees, it is alright, birds of a feather. We should not discourage them in any way but I want you to go there and see that the standard of Krishna consciousness is being maintained at the highest level."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-08-24 00:21:00 →
1973 August 24: "I have sent your nice Vyasa Puja offering for printing in BTG. Writing is a very important part of our work. You have a nice talent for writing, practice makes perfect, so continue, it will be appreciated."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
Janmastami event – 08/23/14
→ Mayapuris.com
| Who | Janmastami event |
| When |
Saturday, August 23, 2014
8:00pm
-
All Ages
|
| Where |
(map)
|
| Other Info | Join us in Houston, Texas at the George R Brown Convention Center on Saturday, August 23rd. We'll be performing at 8pm at the 25th Anniversary Janmastami celebration. |
Our Default Japa Setting
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What is reality and what is the dream?
→ KKSBlog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 23 July 2014, Prague, Czech Republic, Lecture at Govindas)
Imagine! Imagine that we had no other duties, only one duty. Imagine that we would be free to just serve Krsna. What would it be like?
It would be amazing, wouldn’t it? So, that is possible in Vrindavan. That is the most amazing thing about Vrindavan. You can just go there and worship Krsna and people will help you. There, it is possible to do just that. No need for any compromise.
“Yeah, but that is a dream! Nice dream but not realistic!”
I understand.
Or, is Prague the dream and Vrindavan the reality? Are we now in the dream and will we wake up in Vrindavan? What is reality and what is the dream? What if you wake up one day and you are in Vrindavan?
“My God! Prague was only a dream! I never thought of that!”
Actually, that is the truth but who will believe me? But, if you chant Hare Krsna, one day you will see that Vrindavan is the reality and Prague is the dream. So, all I will say is chant Hare Krsna and one day you will wake up in Vrindavan.
i-Gnore
→ Tattva - See inside out
So why is it so hard to humbly receive the sincere feedback of others?
We can’t see – it’s difficult to see the picture when you’re inside the frame. Entangled in our own emotions, perceptions, habits, and opinions, we struggle to go beyond. A neutral observer can clearly see things that we are completely oblivious to. Our modes of functioning, however, become so engrained that we convince ourselves we must be right, and conveniently disregard any opinions to the contrary.
We don’t want to see – success, we feel, is to be ‘perfect,’ and when that perfection is questioned, our pride awakens to defend. More important than perfection, however, is progress. A spiritually successful day is one where we improve, refine and develop ourselves, and how is that possible if we’re unaware of our shortcomings? Stagnate in the illusion of perfection or progress in the reality of struggle – the choice is ours.
Constructive critics actively craft our spirituality. Why not take their words seriously and embrace the opportunity to improve? Even when their feedback is out-and-out wrong, we’d do well to avoid disregarding it completely. Can we still learn a principle from what is being said? Even if the details are wrong, could the feedback apply to us in a different way? Can we see it as a warning of what not to do? Can we use their seemingly inaccurate analysis as an opportunity to exercise humility? All high ideals, I know, but that’s what makes a sincere spiritualist so special. The great saints demonstrated how even the harsh criticism of a faultfinder can enrich our spiritual growth, what to speak of the earnest words of concerned friends.
Vyasa-puja Homages, August 18, New Dvaraka, Los Angeles
Giriraj Swami
“Srila Prabhupada said that even if the disciple cannot follow all the regulations strictly, simply by the spiritual master glancing favorably on him, the disciple can make spiritual advancement. The best offering we can give to Srila Prabhupada and the predecessor authorities is that we actually become advanced in Krishna consciousness, and become empowered to do the impossible—because to spread Krishna consciousness around the world is virtually materially impossible for people with our backgrounds. But by the unlimited mercy of such a close associate of Krishna as Srila Prabhupada, it becomes very possible.”
—Banabhatta dasa
The following Devotees shared their heartfelt remembrances and realizations during Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja (birthday) celebrations.
- Naikatma dasa
- Balai dasi
- Drutakarma dasa
- Kriyashakti dasi
- Satyanarayana dasa
- Devadahiti dasi
- Mriganatha dasa
- Jagajannani dasi
- Bhargava dasa
- Mukunda Datta dasa
- Banabhatta dasa
- Gopal Ananda dasa
- Punyattama dasa
- Narahari dasa
- Bhojadeva dasa
- Arcita dasa
Lord Balaram Appearance @ New Vrindavan.
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit
Lord Balarama was incarnations of Lord Krishna glorified in the Vedic Puranas and Itihasas. Krishna is the spiritually manifest Supreme Person, whose internal spiritual energy is the all-pervading Brahman. He is glorified as Narayana, Vasudeva, Mahavishnu, Hari, Vishnu, and many other names. Shiva and Brahma are said to be His qualitative expansions. He is the Supreme Lord, the Lord of all universes. Everything emanates from Him and dissolves back in Him. He is the cause of creation, maintenance, and dissolution of everything and every living entity.
Please click here for more photos
Janmasthami-Samskaras at Iskcon Mayapur (Album 44 HR photos)
→ Dandavats.com
As soon as you offer yourself to be enjoyed by Krishna as servant, according to His order you serve, then immediately you are in the spiritual world. If you want to remain in the spiritual world, this temple is the spiritual world. We are not living in Melbourne. This temple is not Melbourne. It is Vaikuntha. It is Vrindavan. So if you stick to this temple service, Krishna's service, then you are not in this material world. Melbourne, June 25, 1974 Read more › Meet the glorious crew of GOVINDA Cafe in IRKUTSK, Russia (Baikal lake) (Album 9 photos)
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To say nothing of the spiritual advancement of persons who see the Supreme Person face to face, even a person born in a family of dog-eaters immediately becomes eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices if he once utters the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or chants about Him, hears about His pastimes, offers Him obeisances or even remembers Him.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.33.6 Purport) Read more › Vrindavan Iskcon temple gets improvements (Album 8 photos)
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This is the first of several beautiful inlaid stone paintings which are placed on the outside of the temple. Also the deity kitchen gets larger. Read more › https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARNfP_oUSuE
→ Mahavishnu Swami
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARNfP_oUSuE Continue reading
Recent Galleries
→ Mayapur.com
Please view our recent galleries: Jhulan Yatra Janmastami Day Dress Janmsatami Night Dress Janmastami Abhishek Janmastami Samskaras Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasapuja
The post Recent Galleries appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Harinama in Vienna, Austria (Album 20 photos)
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By chanting the holy name of Krishna one is cleansed of the dirt that accumulates in the mind. One can purify the mind either by the breathing process or by the chanting process, just as one can purify gold by putting it in a fire and fanning it with a bellows. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.28.10 Purport) Read more › Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasapuja
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The post Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasapuja appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Janmastami Samskaras
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The post Janmastami Samskaras appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Janmastami Abhishek
→ Mayapur.com
The post Janmastami Abhishek appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Historical Pics of ISKCON Toronto (Album 38 photos)
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The best policy to control the mind is to desire how to spread Krsna consciousness. This is the best. Kamah krsna-karmarpane. Narottama dasa Thakura has said that you cannot be free from desire. That is not possible. This is useless attempt. They say that "You become desireless." No, that is not possible. How can I...? If I become desireless, I become dead. So long I am living entity, I must desire. I cannot check it. Therefore kama means desire. So at the present moment, we are desiring how to become happy in this material world, how to acquire so much money, how to acquire this, how to acquire this, how to get this, how to get that. This is kama. So this brain taxation, if you engage in Krsna's service -- how to spread Krsna consciousness, how to convince people about Krsna, how to take them to the Krsna's desire, sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66] -- and in this way, if you go on making plan for spreading Krsna consciousness, then your mind is controlled. Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.27 -- January 4, 1975, Bombay Read more › We’re in Houston!!!
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Check us out on the radio. We have an interview at Rice University for a local radio station. Tune in and listen to the interview at 10:30am (central).
http://ktru.org/on-the-air/listen-now
Atlanta Krishna Camp
→ Dandavats.com
This year ISKCON Atlanta hosted its first ever summer camp, “Atlanta Krishna Camp,” attended by 16 enthusiastic kids. The week long camp was from July 20th – 27th and was held on the temple premises. The camp was possible by the vision, dedication, and commitment of a core team of devotees headed by Vedasara Prabhu, the temple president, and a few of the local youth, namely Purna Chandra Nitai Das, Rangadevi Chakraborty, Dina Dayal Madhava Das, and Nandapriya Devi Dasi. Read more ›