Planet ISKCON

"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 ›

Kirtan by H.H Lokanath Swami Read more ›

The Puranas (smritisastras) say that anyone who chants the holy name, whether with faith or neglect, attracts the mercy of Lord Krsna. The holy name is the purest form of knowledge; it is the best of all vratas or vows and the highest meditation; it gives the most auspicious fruits; it is the greatest renunciation; it gives incomparable peace; it is the most pious of holy works; it is the supreme path of self realization; it is the greatest liberation and goal; it is the topmost destination; it is the best devotional service; it is the purest inclination; it gives love of Godhead and is the essence of remembrance of the Lord; it is the cause of all causes, the Supreme Absolute Truth; it is the most worshipable object and acts as the supreme spiritual master. Read more ›

"O Lord Gauranga! The fifth namaparadha is to think that the glories of the holy name are exaggerated, as for example when one thinks, 'The scriptural presentation of the glories of the Lord's holy name is not entirely true, because hyperbole has been employed to increase the readers' faith in the chanting of the name.'" Read more ›

For live darshan please visit our website http://vrindavan.tv/ Read more ›

King Indradyumna’s search for Krishna – Radhanath Swami

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

Such a setting can be easily misused by those wanting to provoke violence in the name of religion

Answer Podcast

A Progressive Community Dialogue

On Wed. July 30, 2014 Jaya Krsna Prabhu invited all the residents of the New Vrindaban Community to come together for a dialog.

He opened the evening by asking the devotees for their concerns, input or feedback on topics of their choice.

A discussion ensued on the topic of the need to reduce waste at the temple, and to recycle materials. Sukhavaha dasi and Bhakta Michael agreed to build a sub-committee to come up with proposals.

Then, Jaya Krsna presented Srila Prabhupada’s five-fold vision for New Vrindaban, including cow protection, self-sufficiency, a holy place of pilgrimage, spiritual education, and above all developing our love for Krsna.

Jaya Krsna concluded that New Vrindaban is currently in phase number four of the six phases of the transformation of a spiritual community. He feels that the painful transition phase is over; the current phase is the process of stabilization.

Different community members arriving since the last Community Dialog were officially introduced to everyone present. We very gratefully welcome Lakshmana Isvara das (Lakshman Poddar’s initiated name), Brihat Kirtan das, Mangala Carana dasi, Vrindavanesvari dasi, Daivata das (one of the very early Brijbasis), Premarani dasi, Rajesvari dasi, Pundarika Vidyanidhi das, his wife Janaki dasi, and their daughter Harina. We are glad to have Bhakta Trevor back from Denver, as well as two new bhaktas: Bhakta Michael and Bhakta Andre.

Six additional devotees have been helping out for the summer, doing a lot of nice service, namely Bhaktin Autumn, Bhaktin Rose, Madhava Kanti dasi, Madhavanta das, Premarani dasi and Sri Nama das.

Jaya Krsna has observed that many of our annual festivals have become even deeper this year than ever before, such as the Snana Yatra, Ratha Yatra and Puspha Abhishek, to name a few. New Vrindaban’s number of visitors is increasing year over year. He has also noticed that the cooperation amongst the devotees is increasing, as people are making more endeavors to work out their differences. The department heads are moving in the direction of solving challenges more on their own, supported by the devotee relations dept.

He went on to share some of New Vrindaban’s many successes. The monthly Palace sangams have been going on steadily. There is an official new department for devotee relations. And, interestingly, since the arrival of our new temple commander, it seems as though Krsna has reciprocated by sending some new bhaktas.

Overall, Jaya Krsna feels that the challenges this year have been minor, compared to some previous years.

To give an overview, we can start with reporting one very nice improvement at the Palace. The beautiful and unique Palace Rose Garden is entering an exciting new phase.   Great progress is already being made on its way to going “green” and sustainable.

Meanwhile, down at the temple area, fresh, organic vegetables have been delivered regularly throughout the summer to Krsna’s kitchen from our organic gardens. Fresh home-grown flowers can be seen in all the Deities’ garlands and vases as well.

The devotees who attended a recent workshop at the Lodge, on healthy diet have become encouraged by the move to decrease the use of sugar and oil in the devotee kitchen, and to increase the overall use of healthy produce.

ISKCON NV is about to acquire the land at Govardhan from Varsana Maharaj, with the aim of supporting its ongoing development, under the inspiration of Maharaj.

Renovations and improvements are taking place all around town. There is the elephant’s new facelift, the temple guest wing renovations, the upgrading of cabin two, and an extension on the small cow barn. You have probably also noticed all sorts of new signage around the community to help guide the guests. You may have also detected the quantities of mint sprouting up around the temple and lodge buildings.

In response to the requests of many residents, there are various new projects in the works. There will be an ox barn at Bahulaban, sponsored by ECOV. The basketball court down by the apartments will be fixed. Renovations on the swan boat house have already begun. There will be one or two apts. reserved as assisted living quarters for future hospice patients, to be overseen by Yasoda dasi.

The many projects to be financed by the Uttica lease bonus were presented during the meeting.

Jaya Krsna then spoke about some of the preaching in ISKCON from which New Vrindaban can take inspiration. He explained that throughout ISKCON, some of the Western preaching is being adjusted to appeal to the current new age scene. This is, of course, in line with Krsna consciousness and Srila Prabhupada’s vision. He is referring to such topics as expanding to deal with animal rights, not just cow protection; and focusing on the ECO movement, which considers four main necessities for success: water, energy, food and waste.

Jaya Krsna reminded everyone of a deep understanding offered in a workshop recently given in NV by Gauranga Prasad das from Mumbai. He warned us of the three “cancers” to be avoided in relationships in Kali Yuga.

They are:

• Comparing
• Blaming &
• Criticizing.

In the mood of avoiding these three “cancers”, Jaya Krsna is urging devotees who have any concerns, input or feedback to consider several options. They may feel free to approach the New Vrindaban Advocacy Sanga, which is not a management group, but rather a group of concerned residents available as potential advocates for any other residents. Its members are Caitanya Bhagavat dasa, Gaura Shakti dasa, Jesse, Lilasuka dasi, Lokadrsti dasi, Nityodita dasa, Pritha dasi, and Vyasasan dasa. Sukhavaha in the devotee relations department is also available, as is Jaya Krsna himself.

On the subject of gas drilling, Jaya Krsna informed the community members that Chesapeake is planning to drill at Bilvaban (dump field) in December 2014. Fossil informed the community informally that they do not plan to drill on our land due to the many limitations of the Uttica contract.

Some devotees who attended the community dialogue gave some feedback.

One devotee commented that New Vrindaban is “not just another Hare Krsna farm”. They wanted people to remember that in addition to a farm’s duties of protecting cows and practicing self-sufficiency, Srila Prabhupada made it clear that he very much wanted the NV devotees to keep NV a holy place of pilgrimage.

Sankirtan expressed his concerns about the imminent coal mine shaft that the coal company intends to put up on the Rose property right behind the temple

One devotee visiting from another temple asked for a copy of the overview of this community dialog. She exclaimed, “We never have such nice gatherings like this at our temple, so I’d like them to see what you are doing here at NV, to encourage them to also have such conversations.”

 

 

 

“You cannot kill the human propensities, but they can be changed for higher purposes. You said of annihilation of desire or vasana. But you can think on it very wisely if vasana can be stopped at all. No. Vasana can never be stopped. The vasana is an eternal function of the soul and as the soul is eternal or sanatana so also is the vasana. Therefore vasana can be changed only from one object to another. The mind is always a thinking and feeling organ. It does not matter what does it think but it is a fact that it thinks. I am sure that you cannot probably put the mind completely at rest without thinking something. So the quality of thinking, feeling, and willing has to be changed but we may not attempt to kill the mind altogether. That is an impossible fact because the mind acts even after the so-called death or after the annihilation of the material body” (SP Letter to Ved Prakashji,).

- Srila Prabhupada

"The bona fide teacher of religion is neither any product nor the favorer of any mechanical system. In his hands no system has likewise the chance of degenerating into a lifeless arrangement. The mere pursuit of fixed doctrines and fixed liturgies cannot hold a person to the true spirit of doctrine or liturgy.

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