Planet ISKCON

Vrajamandala temple where we stayed was beautiful. Secluded in the mountains, the atmosphere was serene. There were many beautiful moments I wanted to capture and share with you during my stay, but having no phone, I guess on this occasion, the memories were meant to be captured in my heart. Devotees of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) always openly encouraged me to be part of their events. They have always approached me with such sincerity and open hearts. This is what led me to sign up – I wanted to repay with the same open-heart, open mind and sincerity. Read more ›

Eger is the county seat of Heves, and the second largest city in Northern Hungary. “Chanting is the greatest act of piety and the supreme refuge. Even the words of the Vedas do not possess sufficient power to its magnitude. Chanting is the highest path to liberation, peace and eternal life. It is the pinnacle of devotion, the heart's joyous proclivity and attraction and the best form of remembrance of the Supreme Lord. The holy name has appeared solely for the benefit of the living entities as their Lord and master, their supreme worshipable object and their spiritual guide and mentor. Read more ›

Lord Krishna said to Arjuna, 'O Arjuna! Listen attentively. When the living entity chants My name, whether out of devotion or indifference, I never forget this act. It remains always close to My heart. There is now vow like chanting the holy name, no knowledge superior to It, no meditation which comes anywhere near it, and it gives the highest result. No penance is equal to it, and nothing is as potent or powerful as the holy name. Read more ›

Dharmatma das: All told over 30 devotees joined us on this years Tour. Lord Indra blessed us with near perfect weather and more and more conditioned souls received Lord Jagannatha and Srila Prabhupada's mercy. We began with a small festival in Arhus, Denmark, then Copenhagen , Gotenberg, Oslow, Malmo, Stockholm and finished in the pouring rain in Allborg, Denmark. This was the 9th annual Tour organized by Parasuram prabhu. Though little in stature he is a giant in devotion to Lord Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. He drove the van, magically prepared sumptuous Prasadam from ingredients that manifested from who knows where. He is the architect and general. Organizing and guiding us all in this wonderful service. The Kirtans were blissful. Let by stalwarts, Maha Vishnu maharaja, Giridhari, Govinda, Sadbhuja, Nataraja, Chaitanya Chandra, Janardhana, Harinamananda, Parasuram, Hari dasi and other. We were all in ecstasy. Thousands of books were distributed by the brahmacaries from the Manor, Soho Temple and Copenhagen Yatra along with an equal amount of Krishna Prasadam. What I appreciated the most was the adherence to Srila Prabhupada's simple process of Harinama, book and Prasadam distribution. The camaraderie amongst the devotees was heart-warming. Maha Vishnu swami led us in morning programs and inspiring stories of Lord Jagannatha. Maharaja was ever blissful even in sometimes trying and difficult situations. Read more ›

“One who chants Krishna's name and constantly remembers Him, even though living in this material ocean of nescience, is like the lotus, which is born in the water but is untouched by it: it's position is transcendental. This great soul is capable of liberating all the suffering residents of the hellish planets. (Varaha Purana) Read more ›

Answer Podcast

Transcribed by: Krishna Dhan das

Question: Does one has to give up his family life on becoming an Iskcon member if one doesn't become a bhramachari?

Answer: No it's not about giving up your material life but it is integrating and harmonizing our material life with our spiritual life that is what is required. So the key thing is that to recognize our goal of life is Krishna because International society of Krishna Consciousness is meant to bring us closer to Krishna. So how do we come closer to Krishna? By committing ourselves to him. So that committing to Krishna involves certainly at one level investing significant amount of time in directly devotional activities there is study of scripture, association of devotees, chanting of the holy names, going on pilgrimages but along with that it also includes spiritualizing our material life. So sometimes in some places some immature devotees may give a perception that to be a devotee means one has to renounce his material life but Iskcon is based on the example and teachings of Bhagvad Gita and example in it is that of Arjuna, he did not renounced his material life but spiritualized his material life. So that means the important thing is whatever spiritual wisdom, spiritual insights, spiritual impressions we get by doing our directly devotional activities we carry them in our heart and then we use them to infuse spiritual motives spiritual purpose even in our worldly activities. For eg somebody is a student then student definitely shouldn't give up studies he can study seeing as a service to Krishna that Krishna has put me into this situation and by studying I am doing my service which Krishna has given me and for doing it for Krishna's pleasure I am actually integrating study as a part of my Bhakti. So how do we do it for Krishna's pleasure? Firstly we do it because it is what Krishna has put us in a situation to do and doing that is essentially a devotional service. Secondly if we are having adequate spiritual connection through our sadhna then even our material life helps us deepen our connection with Krishna. We understand that in Bhagavad Gita Krishna Says (Karmana cha abhyar tha...) Worship me through your work. So we study and excel in our studies for the sake of Krishna and he is satisfied even if we excel or don't excel because Krishna sees the endeavor and not the result and just working for Krishna's pleasure can give us deep fulfillment whatever we do and that is satisfaction and fulfillment is missing for those who are working just for worldly results of success or fame. Beyond that we also need to recognize that Krishna is our greatest well wisher he is our ultimate goal in everything that we do. So if I am having a family and if I take care of my family responsibilities then I do it understanding that these are not just my family members, they are all precious parts of Krishna who have been entrusted in a relation with me. So by serving them, taking responsibility of them I am going closer to Krishna and in that way we will all be able to spiritualize our activities. now sometimes it may see that a devotee is giving up his material life because a devotee may give up many of the frivolous activities that are standard in material life today. For eg a devotee may not spend time in ideal gossip, chit chat, watching tv, reading newspapers and going for mundane parties and things like that. We don't have to equate material life with today's stereotype of what material life means. If we see what is considered to be fashionable or cool today that was not the case 50 yrs ago or 100 years ago and that is not the case in many parts of the world. There are material activities which weaken or wreck our connection with Krishna. so there are regulative principles viz, no meat eating, no gambling, no intoxication and no illicit sex. So if we indulge in these activities then that weakens our connection with Krishna so devotees give it up. So now for those who are in these activities a lot for them it may seem as devotee is giving up material life itself but the point is that devotee is not giving up material life but devotee is giving up peculiar conception of material life which has become mainstream today. So a devotee can have respectable and feasible material life in terms of having a family in terms of having a career and pursuing the family and career responsibilities diligently but without necessarily confirming to today's stereotype of what a successful person needs to be. So devotees can be performers in their field and even successes in their field in terms of their productivity their competence but they don't have to conform to all the things that go on in the name of being cool. So that does not mean giving up material life. There are people, though they may be few, because of their principles they decide for eg that they will not eat non vegetarian food even if everyone else around them is eating and in today's mutli-cultural society although there may be a little bit pressure to conform but over a period of time there is also a respect for diversity and people are left alone so to do what they feel is right. So there are many people who have active material life but even in that they chose how they are going to live their material life. They may chose to avoid eating non vegetarian food. There are even few people in society who are teetotaler's, they refuse to drink although they may be having their career's also and if people make these kind of choices they should be respected for that. So they are respected in the sense that their individuality and their freedom of choosing how they wish to live must be respected. So same with this also. As devotees we shouldn't be neglecting or evading our material responsibilities in the name of devotion. That sort of thing is actually renunciation in the mode of passion or ignorance and that doesn't lead to spiritual advancement. So if some devotees has done like that then we should know that it is not the right example and we should look at those devotees who are having healthy balance between their material and spiritual life and we follow their example and that way we can grow steadily in our spiritual life. So becoming a devotee doesn't mean that we have to give up our material life, we may have to give up certain conceptions of what it means to pursue a material life and we pursue a material life in Krishna's terms that by doing our responsibilities family, professional and various others diligently and competently but integrating them within the framework of our Krishna Bhakti. Thank You.

Answer Podcast

Transcribed by: Krishna Dhan das

Question: Is Iskcon an organization for rich people?

Answer: In no Iskcon temple is income certificate is required as an entry pass. All Iskcon temples are free for anyone and everyone to enter and to avail up the spiritual facilities there. So it's definitely not restricted to rich people. People from any financial bracket are most welcomed to temple take darshan, take prasad, participate in the kirtans and overall benefit from the mercy of Krishna that is available. At the same time, as far as the institutional focus is concerned the idea is that we would like to reach as many people as possible and for that, because our resources, our time, our manpower is limited we focus on reaching people with influence. So that through them the message can be reached to large number of people and this not actually only Iskcon's strategy but Krishna's strategy. We see in the Bhagvad Gita when he talks about sharing spiritual knowledge, he gives that knowledge to Arjuna, who is a king who is a person with influence it's not just wealth but power, leadership qualities, intelligence etc. He has them all and it is not that Krishna does that once. That is been the tradition. Evam parampara praptam...So he says that this knowledge is given in parampara to saintly kings. The idea is if the kings are god conscious then that knowledge can be shared with citizens in general by the kings. Today we don't have kings but we have different kinds of social leaders. There may intellectual leaders, political leaders, financial leaders, cultural leaders.So what Krishna indicates by his own example as well as traditions example i.e. by his sharing the knowledge with Arjuna is creating the system of knowledge generation after generation through the kings is that the knowledge if it spiritual knowledge is given to people with influence then they can share it with many other people also. So thats why Iskcon in and of itself its focus may target people with influence that can include financially well to do people but that can also include intellectually well to do people. For eg the youth outreach Iskcon may go more to colleges where students are more of intellectual nature more intelligent may be engineers, doctors or other kind of people. So it's not that it goes only to wealthy people. Anyone who has influence naturally through message the message will reach larger number of people and they also have the capacity to understand and share. Now this does not mean that others don't have capacity but the point is that Prabhupada would give an example that if there is a red cross on the war front and there are finite number of doctors and large number of casualties. so what do the doctor do at that time? They would like to treat everyone but they know that it is not humanly possible to treat everyone. Therefore they focus on treating those who have reasonable chance of living. If some people are extremely severely wounded its unlikely that they could be quickly recovered then in trying to battle with them others who are slightly wounded may become further wounded and their condition may also become irrecoverable but those are slightly wounded and if they are quickly treated and they specially if those who are treated like this are capable of treating others then such people can help many more people after recovery. So idea is not to discriminate but to disseminate as widely as possible. Disseminate the treatment, medical facilities. So for that whatever is effective is done. In some cases if there is abundant manpower available then most critically wounded people would also be treated first and others can be treated afterwards. Strategies may vary but principle idea is not to discriminate but to be effective. So similarly when Iskcon is doing its educational outreach or cultural outreach at that time it may focus on people who are intellectually or financially or in other ways who are influential to the society because through them larger number of people could be reached eventually but when Iskcon even undertakes humanitarian relief so at that time poverty stricken people are helped especially. So for eg when Iskcon has food for life program, midday meal program for food relief and in these initiatives devotees go to people who are struck worst by calamities and those who are extremely poor extremely afflicted and offer them relief. So it is definitely not true that Iskcon is an organization meant only for rich people but it is meant for all of humanity. Because Krishna's message of love is meant for all of humanity and while trying to reach as many people as possible different strategies may be used but that doesn't mean that someone is intentionally neglected or rejected. the principle is of reciprocity. So at one level it is effectiveness. How can Krishna's message and wisdom can be shared as effectively as possible to as many people as possible. But at an individual level the principle is essentially reciprocity. So even if somebody is coming from a financially challenged background if that person is serious and sincere in inquiring about philosophy and understanding and applying in life then that person will also be given whatever attention is required whatever facilities are required and that person can also grow spiritually and the movement will facilitate that. So there is no deprivation of anyone because of their financial status. The important point is that everybody is encouraged to practice spiritual life and sometimes when there are yatras or other spiritual programs where some financial input is required and some devotees are not able to offer that input then there are other devotees who may sponsor or subsidize and that way facilities are provided. So the key point is from broad social point of view the goal is to discriminate but to disseminate effectively and at an individual level it is not financial level that is considered primarily but what is considered is individual interest and seriousness and based on that all facilities are provided. So sometimes the perception may come that wealthy people are given more attention or focus but it is not that it is something non scriptural because Krishna himself does that and most important thing is it does not mean that others are not provided facility where the important thing is to share Krishna's message and if somebody is seriously interested then facilities for learning Krishna's message or living Krishna's wisdom are provided adequately. Thank you.

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26 July ’14 Sringar Darshan at ISKCON Juhu

1958 August 4: "My Dear Pandit Sri Jawaharlal Nehru, Was Mahatma Gandhi, your political Guru, actually poverty sticken on account of his plain living with the primitive charkha? Spiritual knowledge makes a man truly rich and not the radio set or the motor car."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64

1958 August 4: "As I am your old friend from Allahabad, my humble advice is that you should now take leave of your present responsibility as Prime Minister and engage the rest of your most valuable life in this spiritual movement. Think over this proposal very seriously and if you can spare a little time, I am sure to convince you about its importance more quickly."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64

1967 August 4: "My declaration of war against maya is certainly a great battle. Maya saw me as very successful within one year and therefore took advantage of my old age and gave me a death dash. But Krishna saved me; therefore we should thank more Krishna than eulogize maya."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1967 August 4: "It is good that you had kirtana at the home of the Consul General. But whoever you meet you should strictly speak the Truth without any consideration of future material gains. If we are sincere servants of Krishna, our material necessities will never be hampered."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1970 August 4: "Some of Lord Caitanya's followers were Sannyasis but not all of them. It does not matter what we are, Grhasthas or Sannyasis, the point is to be paramahamsa - completely surrendered to Krishna."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1975 August 4: "Sannyasis may take maha-prasada but not to overeat. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was taking, but on principle he was avoiding. Guests should not be given so much prasad that there is waste. Give them a little, and then if they like, you can give them more. This system should be introduced everywhere."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 August 4: "All over the world we are training men to live in the country and produce their own food, milk, and cloth. The attraction is Krishna consciousness, spiritual enlightenment. If the inhabitants will be satisfied with their bare necessities then their attention will be diverted towards spiritual development, the aim of human birth."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 August 4: "GBC must see that no one is taken away by maya. They should be instructor gurus. I am in the initiator guru, and you should be instructor guru by teaching what I am teaching and doing what I am doing. This is not a title - you must actually come to this platform. This I want."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 07 July 2014, Serbia, Summer Camp, Caitanya Candramrta Seminar Part 1)

Sri Caitanya-candramrta by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati

Chapter 1, Verse 4:

 “Let us glorify the boundlessly merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead, the prince of Vrindavan. To taste the intoxicating, sweet waves of the nectar of the transcendental love for Krsna, as well as to give that nectar to others, he has now appeared in the transcendental abode of Navadvip as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. One who is untouched by any piety, who is completely absorbed in irreligion or one who has never received the merciful glance of the devotees, or been to any holy place sanctified by them, will still ecstatically dance, loudly sing and even roll about on the ground, when he becomes intoxicated by tasting the nectar of the transcendental mellows of the pure love of God given by Lord Caitanya. Let me therefore glorify that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.”

So, yes, piety! Such a thing – piety! Where is piety? All we know is hypocrisy, in this age. Pious prayers, holy faces – but what is behind it? A masquerade, a show for the general public. Who in the world is pious, really pious? Piety means purity. Piety, as explained in the eleventh canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, is steadiness in one’s devotional practices. When we are pious that means that we can actually serve Krsna without interruption. Can we? Not so easily. Yes, sometimes we are so inspired but at other times so down. Sometimes thinking, ‘I am almost on the platform of ecstasy!’ And at other times, ‘I am on the edge, maybe I am over the edge! Maybe I am gone, I am doomed. Maybe there is no hope – I might as well give up!’

Piety, where is piety? Anyway, this verse addresses those who have not been touched by any piety, even worse, those who are completely absorbed in irreligion as their normal activity. The bar around the corner, you know what I mean!? The casino that is advertised at the airport; the prostitutes that are found everywhere, along the highway to serve truck drivers and in the city and wherever else you want; next to expensive hotels so that high class businessmen in fancy suits, who fly business class, would not have to spend a night alone, deprived of comfort. Like that, irreligion is everywhere, what shall we say!? It is just our second nature.

So this verse speaks of the persons who have no piety, who are completely absorbed in irreligion, who have never even received the merciful glance of the devotees. Yes, that glance makes all the difference! In the middle of our lives, suddenly a devotee appears who somehow or other leaves some transcendental mercy with us. Ajnata sukriti, the unknown spiritual benefit, is attained by the association of devotees and those who are going further and are getting purified even more, they will actually knowingly take up devotional service and by the mercy of devotees, they will be able to continue. But what if you have never met a devotee, then what? No piety – one stays absorbed in sinful activities! Then what is the case? What if you have never been to a holy place sanctified by the vaisnavas? It is said that it does not matter! Even that person will still ecstatically dance, loudly sing and even roll about on the ground. Because even that person will become intoxicated by tasting the nectar of the transcendental mellows of pure love of God given by Lord Caitanya.

In other words, somehow or other, Lord Caitanya’s mercy will reach the fallen, conditioned souls and somehow or other Lord Caitanya will purify such souls and bring them very quickly to the ecstatic platform. 

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At various places around the world there are those who are working to provide the most ethically produced milk in an atmosphere of care and lifelong protection for the cows, calves and bulls. This comes from an understanding of the message of Lord Krishna and explained by Srila Prabhupada and these initiatives are a dedication to the founder of the ISKCON society. These milk and products will cost significantly more than the modern dairy milk as more cows are cared for with more personnal interaction with the cows and produced in a more natural and sustainable farm system. Would you choose this milk and products if it was available at a higher cost? Read more ›

"I am not in Vaikuntha nor in the hearts of the yogis. I remain where My devotees engage in glorifying My activities." It is to be understood that the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not leave the company of His devotees. Padma Purana Read more ›

Published July 29, 2014 Read more ›

Ecstatic Kirtan by HG Madhava das- Toronto Rath Yatra 2014

1967 August 3: "Go on playing your guitar and make it successful for Krishna kirtana. You do not require to learn freshly about sitar. We have to engage whatever talents we have already got. Our life is short but any type of education is great and long; so best to utilize properly whatever qualifications we have got for the service of the Lord."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1968 August 3: "His Holiness Pope Paul VI: The Krishna Consciousness movement is meant for overhauling the world. We are creating men of character to become Lovers of God. If you think a meeting will be beneficial for the human society, I shall be very much pleased."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 August 3: "Our Krishna Consciousness Movement is a declaration of war against the activities of Maya. So your idea of marching 300 soldiers all over the world with the Hare Krishna Mantra is very encouraging to me. I am always dreaming of a world Sankirtana Party."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1972 August 3: "Today we are looking at a very nice place near London with Mr. George Harrison, who has found the place and wants to have our asrama there. He is coming to see me daily and he is a very nice boy and I like him very much."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1973 August 3: "There is nothing in the world can compare to our Movement of chanting and dancing. This is our actual solid preaching work all over the world. If we go on preaching vigorously as we have been for another twenty-five years then all other religions will disappear."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1975 August 3: "They have made these modern cities as hell. I wish to introduce this village ideal now. Then if we are successful this cheating civilization will stop. If people do not cooperate with them, then how will the hellish factories run on?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 August 3: "The village organization is that the local people produce their necessities like grain, vegetables, milk, and cloth; and for recreation they have the chanting of Hare Krishna. They should live there comfortably and have spiritual recreation. They should not come to the cities."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 August 3: "So many men are there and you are all simply writing letters to me. Without my personal presence you cannot do anything. Simply correspondence. Why there is so much delay?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

The forms of Radha’s maidservants are wonderful bubbles from the particles of foam from the effulgent spiritual ocean of sweet transcendental love that flows from the beauty of Radha’s lotus feet. These young girls are filled with all artistic skill, and their wonderfully beautiful limbs are decorated with splendid garments and ornaments. O friend, please become the follower and servant of these maidservants of Sri Radha.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, Sataka-2, Text-86, Translation.]

Please click here for more photos 

I write this in Brooklyn, New York in a room with white walls, high ceilings, and bright wooden floors.  My suitcases are lined up against the wall, slightly open.

I look around at this small yet lovely room and breathe in deep. This place shall be my home for the next one to two years.

Today I moved from my temporary home in upstate New York to this room. There is something profound for me to call a room MY room. I have been flying from room to room over the past two years. Now, like a bird that has circled and circled a particular perch, I have come in to land.

Wondrous things shall unfold over the next 1-2 years while I live in this very room, like a bird who constantly flies off to adventures during the day and then returns to rest upon her perch. Tonight is my first night in this place, may many adventures take wing.

Thank you for sharing in this moment with me.

As devotees, we should know our limits of spiritual purity. We should not imitate pure devotees in terms of eating, sleeping and other mundane bodily functions. Srila Prabhupada enforced minimum rules such as four regulative principles, chanting 16 rounds and honoring prasadam. If we practice this sincerely and diligently, we can advance towards Krishna. But out of false-pride and duplicitous nature, if we make a show of advancement of sleeping irregular hours, eating little, engaging in bhajana etc, then such show will eventually pull us down. Therefore we have to be humble in progressing towards Krishna.

What does that mean? It means we have to wait till Krishna allows us to get to the next level of purity whatever it may be. We have to perform to our current capacity with sincere diligence and wait for Krishna to give us confidence within us to go to the next level. Either that or we advance purely based on our attachment to our Guru. This is not so common. Intense attachment to Guru can enable one to disband material hankerings instantly and take up to deep levels of Krishna consciousness.

However, those who are not at that level of attachment can however practice vaidhi bhakti gradually till they receive higher taste from Krishna and in that way progress towards spontaneous bhakti. But for all of this to happen, we have to acknowledge our insignificant nature, and in that mood practice our sadhana (whatever we have committed to) strictly every day and beg for Krishna’s mercy to make progress towards Him.

Patience, confidence and enthusiasm is the key.

Hare Krishna