Planet ISKCON

ISKCON Kolkata Sringar Darshan Arti 19th August 2014

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From Subhash P

In the example of monozygotic twins You have quoted if one is of cruel nature and one is of loving nature does this mean the soul of one has a cruel personality. Isn’t the cruelty due to Ajnana obscuring the pure soul as in chapter 5.

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This is a view of the TOVP from Nabadvip Ghat. We can see how wonderful and immense the TOVP looks from a greater distance.

In this photo we have captured a beautiful monsoon cloudy day. Also you can see the fourth ring of the main dome coming up. One can imagine how beautiful the TOVP will look with the main dome fully completed.

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HH Devamrita Swami SB 3.1.26

We hear excited shrieks coming out of the Middle Elementary Classroom today.  A “spotted leopard gecko” has visited the classroom.  His name is “Gil-Phil”.  He’s climbing up the students and has even leapt to the ground!

Gil-Phil was adopted by the Kelley family from Mathuranath Prabhu.  He had almost died, but TKG Academy student, Gopal Chandra, age 8 and his family, rescued him and nurtured him back to life.

Why has he come to visit?  The students have begun the year with a Desert Unit.  They are studying different features of desert animals; behavioral and physical adaptations.  How is it that they survive in such a hostile environment?

Krishna loves each and every living entity, in such a personal way, that he has made every living entity different and unique.  Each of these differences are for a very specific purpose.  These traits protect each animal in this intense environment.

Did you know?  Geckos have sticky feet to help them stay on the sandy ground, during a sand storm.  Elephants have large ears that flap, to keep themselves cool in the desert heat.  Meercats have dark circles around their eyes to cut down the sun’s glare and enable them to see.  Zebra’s have stripes to confuse predators, like lions, when in a group.

Students researched, re-wrote, illustrated and compiled their list of facts about fifteen desert animals.  They created Mini Books.  Take a look!

When Gil-Phil arrived, Gopal lovingly placed the timid lizard in each willing child’s lap.  We saw camouflage, feet, and other physical traits up close and in person.  We chanted Hare Krishna to it and students felt the Unit literally come to life.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 06 August 2012, Ljubljana, The Balkans, Lecture on the Pastimes of Krsna)

When Krsna walks in Vrindavan as Madhava, carrying his flute tucked in his belt, then the trees which have branches laden with fruits and flowers, are trying to touch Krsna’s feet. The bees are just singing the glories of Krsna. Bhagavatam says that these bees must have been great devotee sages in their last life, to be bees in Vrindavan.

The trees are thinking, ‘We are so unfortunate. It is due to our sinful activities that we have taken birth as trees and therefore we cannot follow Krsna on his pastimes in the forest.’

Of course, Bhagavatam points out that Lord Brahma is praying to become a tree in Vrindavan. So, how can it be that they have committed sinful activities and offenses? Rather, these trees are the most fortunate because, after all, one moment of association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one moment of devotional service to the Supreme Lord, is such great fortune!

Even if Krsna walks past these trees only sometimes, still, they are in the forest of Vrindavan! They may not be able to walk behind him, but they can hear him. It is stated in the Mahabharat that trees have eyes and ears. It is said that trees can see and hear. So these trees are hearing and seeing Krsna! Quite auspicious, actually! They are better off than we are.