Planet ISKCON

1971 August 12: "GBC does not mean to control, GBC means to see that the activities of a center go on nicely. I do not know why he is exercising absolute authority. That is not the business of GBC. The president, treasurer and secretary are responsible for managing the center. GBC is to see that things are going nicely."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

The post August 12th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The chanting of the holy name is the best form of devotional service. Without sufficient piety a person can neither acquire a taste for chanting nor have adequate faith in its results. Those who are attached to just one section of the scriptures (i.e. karmakanda) cannot perceive the essential meaning of the scriptures. There is no appeal to selfishness in the methodology of the holy name Read more ›

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Gitas for Radha-Syama

http://bit.ly/1pMlkpi

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(Automatically translated from Russian). Rare astronomical phenomenon was accompanied by a holiday of Lord Balarama, held August 10. In Sanskrit, the celebration of phenomena called Balarama Purnima, and "Purnima" - means "full moon". But the current full moon scientists called it superluniem. The fact that on the night of August 11, when actually noted Appearance of Lord Balarama, the moon was not only the most round, but as close to the Earth. Read more ›

Lord Balarama is the original spiritual master of all. By always remembering that he is pure spirit soul, part and parcel of the Absolute Whole, that he has a transcendental original form that is all perfect, that he has forgotten his perfect spiritual state and come under the clutches of maya, that he is offensive to Lord Krsna, being inebriated with the false designations of his gross body, but by the mercy of his spiritual master he can regain knowledge of his real self the method for the reawakening of the disciple's original identity can be quickly accomplished. Read more ›

Among the sacred cities of the world, Vrindavana is probably the least well known. Yet this small town in northern India ranks with Rome, Jerusalem, and Mecca as a center of worship. It was in Vrindavana that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, displayed His transcendental pastimes during His appearance on this planet some five thousand years ago. Over the course of centuries, the places of Krishna’s pastimes were lost to human memory, until they were rediscovered in the sixteenth century by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krishna Himself in the role of His own devotee. Read more ›

According to the Mayavadis, Lord Krsna's name, form, qualities and pastimes are all illusory, false, temporary and contaminated. They mistake prema or pure love of Godhead for sentimentalism. Mayavadi philosophy characteristically contradicts the devotional path of bhakti at every turn. Therefore, Mayavadis are the greatest offenders. Read more ›

Any person who is seriously desirous of achieving real happiness must seek out a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation. Read more ›

Killing of Arishtasura & appearance of Radha & Shyama Kund Radhanath Swami

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes – 07/20/2014

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes a simple, sustainable lifestyle centered on the care and protection of cows, local food production and the loving service of Lord Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Members of the ECOV Board of Directors: Chaitanya Mangala, Madhava Gosh, Krpamaya, Navin Shyam, Anuttama, Bhima and Ranaka.

Advisors present: Jaya Krsna

Recording Secretary: Jordanna Rock-Garden

1. Follow Up on a Rammed Earth Housing Request

The ECOV board decided to require a formal proposal from the devotee interested in building a house in New Vrindaban in order to make a more informed decision.

It was discussed in the meeting that Madhava Gosh and Krpamaya would meet with the devotee and show him the prototype earth sheltered house at the G7G, then report back to the Board any information they obtain. Navin Shyam will then follow up with him with additional questions.

2. Bahulaban Barn/Ox Project

WHEREAS: The ECOV Board wishes to support cow protection and ox training initiatives in the New Vrindaban community.

RESOLVED: The Board authorizes funding up to $60,000 (including the $10K already allocated) for the deconstruction/reconstruction of the Bahulaban barn.

The condition on this resolution is that before the work begins on this project, a more detailed budget and plan should be presented to the Board.

3. Housing for New ECOV General Manager/ECOV Investment in New Housing

ECOV now has committees for both of these items. These committees will work on recommendations for ECOV General Manager housing as well as ways to increase available housing in New Vrindaban.

4. ECOV Brickyard Building Restoration

Ranaka reports that the old cement mixer has been pulled out and they are in the process of removing the other equipment. Next report should be in six months.

5. INV Bahulaban Utility Building Roof & Window Repair

ECOV asked for an update on repairs to the Utility Building at Bahulaban. Jaya Krsna reports that INV will soon have funds that can be used to secure the Utility Building. The next report should be in about two months

6. Prabhupada’s Palace Renovation Update

Jaya Krsna prabhu shared news that Gopisa is the new Palace Restoration Project Manager.

7. INV “Reduce/Reuse” – Water Filling Stations

There are plans to install an outdoor water filling station near the playground, next to the lodge.

8. INV “Reduce/Reuse” – Signs

The committee working on this project needs to write literature on reducing waste, using water filling stations and the availability of water bottles for purchase. Currently, more efforts need to be made toward sales of water bottles. This project requires a manager.

“When one desires Krishna, the Lord takes special care and encourages one to desire in such a way that one can attain to Him and be eternally happy” (Bhagavad-gita 5.15 purport).

- Srila Prabhupada

"Therefore, in the beginning they are not appreciated by our materially conditioned senses, but as we go on chanting Hare Krishna with service mood and attitude, the Name, Qualities, etc., become revealed as reality."

Letter to Gurudasa
August 24, 1967

Bhakti Lounge will be closed this Sunday 17 August and Tuesday 19 August.

We will be open on Monday 18 August, but please note there will be no 6pm Yoga class. Instead there will be a 5pm Yoga class & then 6 Hour Kirtan that will run from 6pm.

Monday 18 August is the biggest day of the year on the Bhakti Calendar, Krishna’s birthday, so there is lots of chanting, dancing and laughing to be had!

We will be open on Thursday 21 & 28 August for two special workshop evenings with world traveling monk Devamrita Swami.

 

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 11 April 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Lecture at House Program)

Srila Prabhupada, as an old man, did so many things. Yes, he pulled it all together, everything! He knew where to find all the information and whatever he got from the Gaudiya Math, from various sources and experiences; it all came together and that made him most wonderful! We can glorify Srila Prabhupada for being the special acharya, more than a spiritual master. We can glorify him for being especially empowered by Krsna to do a mission which happens only once in a day of Brahma. Only once in a day of Brahma, Lord Krsna appears in the dwarpa yuga. Once in a day of Brahma, Lord Caitanya appears in the kali yuga after that and then the mercy of Lord Caitanya is taken from East to West; that is done once in a day of Brahma. Then you get like the golden age all over the world. So Prabhupada did that, he took this knowledge from East to West! And not just artificially but by thoroughly establishing it. Not just by giving some lectures, but he brought it from East to West by planting it into people’s hearts and making a change – making a real change!

However, not everyone maintained everything he gave. Some fell back but whatever happened they could never leave Prabhupada, that they could not do! They could never forget; they could never leave Krsna consciousness. Some maintained faithfully – those were the glorious ones, those were the fortunate ones because those who carefully and faithfully carried on, they are surely going back to Godhead,

tat te ’nukampāṁ su-samīkṣamāṇo

bhuñjāna evātma-kṛtaṁ vipākam

hṛd-vāg-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te

jīveta yo bhakti-pade sa dāya-bhāk (CC Madhya Lila 6.261)

 

It is said that those who tolerate the difficulties, the pushing of the senses, the temptations of the material energy, the difficulties that come on the path and that create like truly impossible situations tat te ’nukampāṁ su-samīkṣamāṇo – one who faithfully endures, they become dāya-bhāk – the rightful heir to the mercy of the lord and they go back to Godhead. So the faithful ones –that is what we must be, that is something one must contemplate!

 

Dear Devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Glastonbury Festival is one of our biggest festivals of the year. People come from from all over the world to experience something new and fresh, and generally go home disappointed, as everything is over priced, and well chewed.

Glastonbury used to be the centre of spiritual life for Christianity in the Middle Ages and home for King Arthur and his knights.

The Hare Krishnas offer something real, along with free prasad (sanctified food) you may be lucky to get a real yoga class from Radha Londonisvara Prabhu.

Enjoy the movie:

Harinam in Glastonbury:

Hare Krishnas chanting around Glastonbury Festival – 28 June 2014

All glories to HG Tribhuvanath Prabhu and his festival team,
Your servant
Parasuram Das

From Swapnil Mani

if krishna is said to be all attractive then the bhakti for him must be fake, because attraction arises due to senses, for e.g i see a beautiful girl on street i get attracted. so how can attraction be defined a word for krishna..please describe what is attraction and why it arrises

Answer Podcast

Iskcon Munich, Germany congregation celebrated Lord Balarama Jayanti and Shravan Purnima by singing kirtan, maha-abhishek, listening to the pastime shared by HH Kavichandra Swami and last but not least by relishing the transcendental prasadam. All the guests were happy to participate and engaged their senses by pleasing Lord Balarama whose blessings are necessary while attaining the love and mercy from Lord Krsna. Read more ›

As we come close to the middle of summer here in Poland we are getting an experience of what it’s like to be in the spiritual world; where all walking is dancing, all talking is singing and there’s a festival every day.

Drops of Nectar

Devotional scenes from Vrindavana. Read more ›

The post August 11th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Every year many of the Temple's greatest financial supporters are treated to a special evening of annual reports, entertainment and, of course, a three course meal Read more ›

1970 August 11: "The Deities are not as opulent as when They were being taken care of by you so if you want to come back here and take care of Them I have no objection. Does the democratic management not allow you to go to the Deity room? What is the difficulty?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 August 11: "If they are interested in us being there, then the clear idea should be that they should construct a temple according to our design and we shall have a half dozen men for keeping the Deity nicely and eventually organize an ashram. They should give us proper facility. How else we will work?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1972 August 11: "As I have been traveling all over the world for the past few months, I don't know if I will be able to visit. I am thinking to sit down for a while for translating work, but if I get opportunity I shall certainly come there. I am very glad to hear that everything is expanding there in Krsna consciousness spirit."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 August 11: "Since you have asked me, this is my advice. You and your family, sit down and chant daily some japa and have kirtana. Then you may order my books, hold class all together daily at least one hour. After you have practiced these things for a few months' time, then we can see to your formal initiation."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 August 11: "Stop this fighting. Now do something tangible for Krishna and always cooperate with each other. Have a European preaching center and try to engage all the hippies and tourists who come to Vrndavana. Give them nice prasadam, engage them in chanting, cleansing the temple, reading our books, and give them all facilities for becoming devotees."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 August 11: "We are never alone in Krishna consciousness; the Spiritual Master is always there in his instructions, and Krishna is there within your heart. This spot life is merely a platform to make progress toward going back to home, back to Godhead. So never mind there may be some inconvenience in family life. Make Krishna your husband and always think of Him."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1975 Augsut 11: "My Dear Sripada Bon Maharaja: It is a great pleasure for me to know that you saw our Toronto and Montreal temples. Next time you come to Europe or America please kindly visit all our temples, especially Los Angeles, Detroit, London, and Paris."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 August 11: "That you are expecting 30,000 people for Jhulana Yatra is wonderful. You should distribute liberally prasadam. Let each man be given prasadam. That is our special program."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

"As a determined follower of Srila Prabhupada from the very beginning, Madhudvisa Prabhu accepted many roles of responsibility in the growth of ISKCON worldwide. Posts he held include: President of the ISKCON temple San Francisco, President of the earliest residence for the devotees in Bombay , an original member of the international Governing Body Commission, and the initial Governing Body Commissioner for Australia." 

The post 49 years today appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

'A thousand names of Lord Visnu is equal to one name of Lord Rama, and three names of Lord Rama are equal to one name of Lord Krsna': thus the holy name's transcendental nature is ever glorified in the scriptures. Read more ›

The post Sunday evening kirtana and Sri Rupa-manjari padan appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Kalachandji's Hare Krishna Temple in Dallas Read more ›