TOVP 2023 Online Calendar Now Available
- TOVP.org

We are pleased to announce the release of the TOVP 2023 online calendar for both North America and India. Focusing on the opening of Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Wing in October, 2023, each calendar month displays a beautiful photo of Mayapur Nrsimhadeva by photographers Thakur Saranga das and Aradhya Gauranga das.

Using our state-of-the-art flipbook service, the calendars are available to view online, download, share and bookmark as a service to all devotees at no cost. To view the calendars, please use the links below:

North America Calendar: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/69520424/
India Calendar: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/70124187/

Please visit our flipbook collection.

 

 

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Meeting with His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami
Giriraj Swami

Last night I was blessed to visit with my dear godbrother His Holiness Partha Sarathi Das Goswami at his residence at Govardhana. Upon my arrival, he graciously greeted me with the verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.13.10)

bhavad-vidha bhagavatas
  tirtha-bhutaù svayam vibho
tirthi-kurvanti tirthani
  svantah-sthena gadabhrta

“My Lord, devotees like your good self are verily holy places personified. Because you carry the Personality of Godhead within your heart, you turn all places into places of pilgrimage.”

For two and a half hours we had intimate talks about Krishna consciousness, which reminded me of Srila Prabhupada’s purport to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi 1.50):

tesam satata-yuktanam
  bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
  yena mam upayanti te

“To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.”

Purport: “This verse of the Bhagavad-gita (10.10) clearly states how Govindadeva instructs His bona fide devotee. The Lord declares that by enlightenment in theistic knowledge He awards attachment for Him to those who constantly engage in His transcendental loving service. This awakening of divine consciousness enthralls a devotee, who thus relishes his eternal transcendental mellow. Such an awakening is awarded only to those convinced by devotional service about the transcendental nature of the Personality of Godhead. They know that the Supreme Truth, the all-spiritual and all-powerful person, is one without a second and has fully transcendental senses. He is the fountainhead of all emanations. Such pure devotees, always merged in knowledge of Krsna and absorbed in Krsna consciousness, exchange thoughts and realizations as great scientists exchange their views and discuss the results of their research in scientific academies. Such exchanges of thoughts in regard to Krsna give pleasure to the Lord, who therefore favors such devotees with all enlightenment.”

Hare Krishna.

The Most Amazing God … Krsna!
→ Dandavats

By Brajanath Dasa The Lord is known as Bhava-grahi Janardana because He accepts service in devotional emotion if we are sincere, humble, and fully surrendered at His lotus feet (Bhagavatam: 8.23.2). The Lord is most pleased by the attitude of service rendered by a devotee, with unalloyed devotion. Devotion is a process that attracts Krsna
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Citraketu, Parikshit and Pastoral Abuse
→ Dandavats

King Parīkṣit inquired from Śukadeva Gosvāmī: O learned brāhmaṇa, demons are generally sinful, being obsessed with the modes of passion and ignorance. How, then, could Vṛtrāsura have attained such exalted love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa? (6.14.1) Parikshit had heard a number of amazing things from Sukadeva regarding Indra’s cycle of follies that
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Official GBC Statement on Former BVP, Anirdesya Vapu Dasa
→ ISKCON News

ISKCON Governing Body Commission Society Under the Societies Registration Act, West Bengal Registration Number: S/74662 Regd. Office: Sri Mayapur Dist. Nadia, West Bengal, INDIA 741313 EC@pamho.net Official Statement of the Governing Body Commission Regarding Abuse in Mayapur and the CPO Decision Against (the former) Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami, aka Anirdesya Vapu dasa November 24, 2022 […]

The post Official GBC Statement on Former BVP, Anirdesya Vapu Dasa appeared first on ISKCON News.

Give me Hope!
→ Dandavats



Give me Hope!
Today he sits on the sidewalk, in minus degree temperatures, holding a ragged sign which reads “give me hope.” It’s a familiar sight that I’ve become somewhat desensitized to; I don’t think I can truly understand his situation. Seeing him sleeping rough, a few people throw in some coins, someone else gifts him a Costa coffee, while an occasional passer-by stops to offer a few comforting words. All nice gestures. But, my heart says, what he really needs is hope. In that sense we are all beggars – we all need hope. Without the conviction of a brighter future what drives us to continue on in life? Hope, faith, inspiration and enthusiasm, which give us the hunger for life, are perhaps our most precious assets – if we have those, we have everything.


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George Harrison Changed My Life!
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George Harrison Changed My Life. “Well my time in Berlin was just starting, I hadn’t made many friends yet, so I was all by myself. All that I had to my name in possessions was a stereo and my Beatles records. So I played them nonstop. I started to get into the lyrics and not just the beat. I started wondering what was the meaning to the songs that George was singing, because they were much more than just songs. For instance when he sings, "My Sweet Lord,” he mentions Hare Krishna and Rama, I wanted to know what that was. I naturally went to the Krishna Temple in Berlin, talked to the devotees and got it straight in my mind what George meant. the devotees became my friends and when summer came they told me about the “Bhaktivedanta Manor” and their spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, was coming to England July 20, 1976 and would I be interested in going. I said yes.


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A Closer Look at Thanksgiving
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Mayesvara Dasa

But what was even more disturbing was that according to the Bible accepted by the priests as the “Word Of God”, it was recorded that God had specifically told Moses it was impossible for humans to see his face! How then could Michelangelo have the audacity to splash a Technicolor rendition of what he though God must look like across the front of their new church! Michelangelo convinced the priests to allow the paintings to stay by reasoning that God had also said he made man in his image and therefore if the Universe was very old, then God who created it must a very, very old man. It all seemed to make sense at that time but nobody would disagree that just because Michelangelo painted what he thought God looked like, his spectacular rendition of the Supreme Lord was still his own fanciful guess at what He looked like. Continue reading "A Closer Look at Thanksgiving
→ Dandavats"

Thanksgiving and the TOVP Giving Tuesday Campaign. Give thanks to Srila Prabhupada!
- TOVP.org

Dear U.S. TOVP Donors and Supporters,

Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Hare Krishna!

Today is Thanksgiving in the United States, a holiday set aside to give thanks to God. This country has always attempted to have God as an essential part of the lifestyle and culture. Even U.S. currency has “In God We Trust” emblazoned on its front side declaring a National trust in the Creator. Srila Prabhupada appreciated this sentiment, but added that we must also learn to love God, and unless we know who God is neither love or trust are possible to the fullest extent.

What Srila Prabhupada gave us is a God we can both love and trust, Sri Krishna. He showed us who God is, what His name is, who His associates are, where He lives and what He does there, and so much more. And most importantly, Srila Prabhupada delivered to us the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu who is the most merciful incarnation of the Lord freely distributing the highest achievement of love for God, Krishna prema.

It is quite befitting, therefore, that we also use this time to give thanks to Srila Prabhupada, the emissary and senapati bhakta (commander in chief) of Lord Caitanya. Of course, we try to do that every day, or rather every moment in our hearts. But this time of Thanksgiving is unique in that in a few days the official worldwide day of giving, Giving Tuesday, November 29, will be upon us.

We humbly request all our readers to kindly consider this day as another opportunity to give thanks to Srila Prabhupada by helping to complete his most important and world-changing project, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium at ISKCON’s World Headquarters in Sridham Mayapur, India. You can sponsor another seva option, make a pledge payment, complete your pledge or just make a general donation. There is even an opportunity to have your donation matched on Facebook. Below are the different means to do this:

GIVING TUESDAY: NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Giving Tuesday Donation Methods

1. Facebook
To make a donation on Facebook that will be matched, you must go to the TOVP Foundation Facebook Page and be ready to enter your donation no later than 8am EST on November 29. There is $8 million in matching funds available, but the competition for that is stiff, so the timing is crucial. A few minutes after 8am EST the matching funds will be gone and your donation won’t be matched. I suggest you visit our Facebook Page in advance to read the full guidelines.

If you would like to sponsor a new seva option, visit the TOVP website Seva Opportunities page first to see the options available: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/ . You can pay in installments. Facebook donations are also transaction free and they provide the legal donation receipt. Please contact us afterwards about the amount donated towards a new sponsorship or pledge payment: (tovpfoundation@gmail.com).

https://www.facebook.com/tovpfoundation

2. PayPal Giving
If you are unable to donate on Facebook or prefer not to, you can use our PayPal Giving account. If you would like to sponsor a new seva option, visit the TOVP website Seva Opportunities page first to see the options available: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/ . You can pay in installments. PayPal Giving is also a no transaction fee donation, and provides the legal donation receipt. Please contact us afterwards about the amount donated towards a new sponsorship or pledge payment: (tovpfoundation@gmail.com).

https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2036619

3. TOVP Website
You can also make your donation/pledge payment or new seva option payment right on the TOVP website: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/ . The TOVP Foundation office will provide the legal donation receipt.

On behalf of Ambarisa and Braja Vilasa prabhus I want to thank you for your continued support and prayers for the successful completion of the TOVP.

Your servant,
Sunanda das
TOVP Communications Director
443-6217940
tovp2016@gmail.com

 

 

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TOVP Gift Store

 

 

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Gratitude for God’s Gifts – Giving Thanks
Giriraj Swami

If we are at all aware of how dependent we are on God—for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and our very ability to eat and drink and breathe, to think and feel and will, and to walk, talk, and sense—we will feel grateful and want to reciprocate God’s kindness. We will want to do something for He (or She or They) who has done, and continues to do, so much for us.

We often take things for granted until we lose them. I use my right hand to chant on meditation beads, and one morning I found that I had severe pain in my hand and could no longer use it for chanting. I had taken the use of my hand for granted, but when I lost its use, I resolved to never take it for granted again and to always use it in the best way in God’s service.

How can we attempt to return some of God’s favor, some of God’s care and love for us? My spiritual master, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, gave one answer:

“Whatever you have got by pious or impious activities, you cannot change. But you can change your position, by Krishna consciousness. That you can change. Other things you cannot change. If you are white, you cannot become black, or if you are black, you cannot become white. That is not possible. But you can become a first-class Krishna conscious person. Whether you are black or white, it doesn’t matter. This is Krishna consciousness. Therefore our endeavor should be how to become Krishna conscious. Other things we cannot change. This is not possible.

tasyaiva hetoh prayateta kovido
  na labhyate yad bhramatam upary adhah
tal labhyate duhkhavad anyatah sukham
  kalena sarvatra gabhira-ramhasa
      [Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.18]

Kalena, by time, you will get whatever you are destined. Don’t bother about so-called economic development. So far as food is concerned, Krishna is supplying. Eko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman. He is supplying even cats and dogs and ants. Why not you? There is no need of bothering Krishna, ‘God, give us our daily bread.’ He will give you. Don’t bother. Try to become very faithful servant of God. ‘Oh, God has given me so many things. So let me give my energy to serve Krishna.’ This is required. This is Krishna consciousness. ‘I have taken so much, life after life, from Krishna. Now let me dedicate this life to Krishna.’ This is Krishna consciousness. ‘I will not let this life go uselessly like cats and dogs. Let me utilize it for Krishna consciousness.’ ”

I pray that I will dedicate this life and everything I have—everything God has given me—fully in God’s service, following His pure devotees.

manasa, deho, geho, yo kichu mora
arpilun tuya pade, nanda-kisora

“Mind, body, and home, whatever may be mine, I surrender at Your lotus feet, O youthful son of Nanda!” (Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Saranagati)

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Odana Sashti – Lord Jagannath Accepts A Winter Cloth
→ Mayapur.com

The Lord’s mercy comes in many forms and the story behind Odana Sashti is one amongst many to tell. Once, Sri Gaurasundara accompanied by all His devotees came to see Lord Jagannatha on Odana Sasthi. Musical bands with numerous instruments, mridangas, conch shells, bells, etc. echoed all around and the entire town wore a festive […]

The post Odana Sashti – Lord Jagannath Accepts A Winter Cloth appeared first on Mayapur.com.

CPO NA Restrictions on BVP
→ ISKCON News

The ISKCON North American Council (NAC), headed by five members of the Governing Body Commission (GBC) with geographical responsibility in the United States and Canada, fully endorses and will comply with the 28th October 2022 ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection (ICOCP) restrictions on ISKCON’s relationship with Alan Ross Wexler, also known as Bhaktividya Purna, […]

The post CPO NA Restrictions on BVP appeared first on ISKCON News.