Planet ISKCON

1970 May 3: "George has rendered some valuable service, so we must try to do some good to him. This is our duty, anyone who has rendered a little service to Krishna should be given all facilities to take it up seriously."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 May 3: "In one day they recruited fourteen new devotees. So you all also recruit members. Our Movement is a declaration of war against Maya, that you can understand very well, so we have to recruit many fighting soldiers - so do it vigorously."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1972 May 3: "All members should be strictly observing the brahminical standards, such as rising early, cleansing at least twice daily, reading profusely, attending arati, like that. The whole world is full of sudras. We need a class of men purely brahmanas. That is the main work of GBC."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 May 3: "We have to examine whether the person who is presenting himself as our Guru is actually in knowledge of the science of Krishna. Please go on reading my literatures and pray to Krishna to give you the right direction from within how to approach a bona fide Spiritual Master for advancing in spiritual life."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

Govardhan Eco Village (GEV), a project inspired by Radhanath Swami, illustrates 'Simple Living & High Thinking' -- a principle which is so succinct, yet profound, and formed the basis of life in the bygone age of wisdom. Life in the Vedic times was focused on service, and not on exploitation; this was the cardinal rule of living and the very essence of people's dealings -- with each other and that with Mother Nature. With the concepts of eco living being innate, the Vedic lifestyle was truly an eco friendly way of living life as instanced in the timeless Vedic scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-Gita. Read more ›

With Sivarama Swami Read more ›

This short video shows breathtaking aerial views of Sridham Mayapur, including the construction site of the largest Radha-Krishna temple in the world. Read more ›

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjXQkN2U

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The post May 3rd, 2014 – Darshan – Chandan Yatra – Day 2 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

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06-02-2014 The Personality of Sri Advaita Acarya, ISKCON Durban, South Africa.mp3

This spectacular four-minute video from BhakTV shows a massive crane lifting a one-ton stainless-steel panel onto the center dome of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Sridham Mayapur, India. The crane is accompanied by a remote-controlled miniature helicopter with an on-board HD video camera. With complementary footage from a second camera on the ground, "Another Panel On The Dome" presents a view of how the constuction of this immense dome will proceed, panel by panel. Two hundred fifty panels will be fitted into place to form a massive glittering steel dome with a base measuring over fifty meters across (150ft) at a height of 70 meters (200ft) above the ground. And this is only stage one. The steel dome will act as a base for a layer of concrete poured on top of it. The present stage is the most critical in this momentous project -- a double-width dome on a world-class religious structure, the largest Hindu temple to be built in decades. Read more ›

Please worship the land of Vrndavana, where a dark youth, who is the personified wonderful treasure of supreme transcendental bliss, plays in waves of eternal transcendental amorous love with a golden young queen who is the personified sweetness of love.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, Sataka-2, Text-29, Translation.]

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Jahnavi Dasi Kirtana

Comment by Yashvini on

The purpose of humility is to foster neediness, not helplessness

humility (less than straw on the street) sometimes puts us in a dilema whether to tell another person if he or she is wrong,maybe even just giving advice to him(who are we to?) but still, you find it necessary to do so. what is to be done?

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Comment by Rajesh on

Can devotees do abortion if it is favorable for their bhakti?

Bhakti is, working towards giving pleasure to Krishna. Anything which doesn't give pleasure to Krishna is not Bhakti.

Chanting & going to temple, if not directed towards Krishna's pleasure then it is not bhakti.

Simple.

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Alachua, Florida

It’s May Day, Eh?

It’s rare to see anyone on foot in this area, but that’s what I saw on this ultra quiet sandy road.  The sun was just making its appearance when I came to a stretch with Spanish moss dangling from giant trees.  Coming my way was a young black girl in reddish, but humble attire.  Before I had a chance to utter any greeting, she uttered a clear, “Hare Krishna, it’s May Day.”

“Yes,” I replied, “and you have a good one.”  I turned around after we crossed each other wondering about her destination and also her connection to that Divine personality we know as Krishna. 

So May has begun with a day that will not be repeated ever again according to the calendar for planet Earth.  “Cherish it, then,” I thought, “and contribute to making it unique.”  That uniqueness began for me with sitting side by side with a friend  and delivering this morning’s message from the Bhagavatam together.  Tamohara is a very respected brahmin in the community.  He was scheduled, according to a roster, to give the class, but by his kindness, me being a guest, the idea came up that we share the teaching.  The fact that we broke from routine makes the start of this day different.

What were some of the bullet points, or sutras that summarized our message on this May day?  (In my own words)

1)      Improve your sravanam (listening)
2)      Don’t take provocation or argument so seriously
3)      See the God factor in whatever occurs
4)      At least mentally register the little miracles of the day
5)      Adjustment and change cures the disease we call stubbornness

One more item that I would like to add about uniqueness on this day has to do with a visit to an old Canadian friend, Mahavir.  We enjoyed brunch together and at that time I became an honourary member of the Hare Krishna Motorcycle Club.  Yes, indeed, I got plopped on top of one of those mean machines, and I’m sure he snapped a few shots to promote the worthy mission of Hare Krishnas on motorcycles.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Comment on this article:

For him, Back to Godhead was both the means and the end

Dear Mr. Das,

This article (as well as the linked article) of your clearly shows how the ISKCON brahmacharis do not practice what they preach. A new practicing devotee is told not to be too attached to his/ her parents; but, here we find that two senior brahmacharis are leaving their responsibilities and taking care of their father. Moreover, they say that it is because of Srila Prabhupada that they are doing this- but, why then only their father? Why not take care of everyone who is suffering? Or at least, take care of all the ISKCON followers who are ill? Do they go and take care of all the ISKCON followers who are ill and on the verge of dieing?

This kind of articles may appreciated by fools who cannot see the reality of ISKCON and the double standards that they follow. But, anyone with a little intelligence can understand that although ISKCON says not to be attached to parents, they are themselves very attached.

"PLEASE PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH."

Yours truly,
Sharad Agarwal.

P.S.: I understand that Mr. Das will never post this comment. But, I would really like to hear from his end just to see how he uses his intelligence to make a fool out of the innocent public.

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"I like to remem­ber Srila Prabhupada’s empha­sis on the impor­tance of chant­ing the Hare Krishna mantra. When Srila Prab­hu­pada teaches that the top­most stage of God real­iza­tion can be attained sim­ply by chant­ing the holy names, we are pleased and con­vinced. Even though I can’t take up the chant­ing prop­erly, still it is a solace and inspi­ra­tion to hear Prab­hu­pada tell us about it."

From Viraha Bhavan #169
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Social Studies TEKS require students to be able to understand and explain the different variety of land formations, and how they are formed.  Older students are required to give a historical background of famous landforms around America and locate them on a map.

This last project of the year was one of our most exciting!  We watched the Tall Tale of Paul Bunyan, and his Giant Family trekking through America, creating mountain ranges, canyons, rivers, and more!  We read books from the Library on canyons, valleys, mesas, peninsulas and more!

Yes, there were FOURTEEN different types of landforms that were studied, with a Landform Scavenger Hunt and an illustration book on all the Landforms.  Yellow Cards were placed all around the building, hidden behind doors and taped onto counters.  Students raced to find them, looking for answers to questions on the Landform sheets.

For the Landform end of Unit Project, they used silly string, construction paper, play dough, and clay to create a world of their own, complete with all the different types of Landforms and labeled.

Learning becomes concrete when they’re having fun!  All students aced the Landforms Test on 14 different types of Landforms at the end of the Unit.  Ask one of them the difference between a plain and a plateau is the next time you see them!

1964 May: "On the conclusion of the All Religious Conference held recently, nothing practical has come out of it for uniting the different faiths of the world. The practical solution is lying in the transcendental message of Sri Krishna the Personality of Godhead as given by Him lately in the Bhagavad-gita."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64

1966 May 2:
"Trayodasi. Today I did not go out the whole day I was engaged with my typewriter. In the evening there was meeting only five gentlemen attended. Mr. Carl brought his Tape recorder the appearance gorgeous but action is very poor."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

"A cowboy, cooking beans somewhere in the desert at sunset, is remembering a mantra he received from his guru. He starts to sing it, and experiences pleasure, a spiritual bliss that gets him higher and higher, beyond time and space." http://redrockrishis.com.

Graham Hancock's "Quest For The Lost Civilization" (1998)

“Aha! I’ve got a name for our festival!” Citralekha Dasi called to ISKCON Communications Director Anuttama Das from her office across the hall. And she told him what it was. He grinned. “It’s perfect." The first annual Festival of Inspiration, held in 2001, quickly lived up to its name. It put New Vrindaban, which had recently rejoined ISKCON, back on the map as an important place of pilgrimage for North American devotees.

Many communities around the world celebrated Earth Day this April 22^nd. But on Saturday April 19^th, several days early, They Call Us Friends -- a non-profit organization run by ISKCON devotees -- staged its own Earth Day event at Atlanta’s Historic Fourth Ward Park for the first time.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjXRr15h

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On the day of Aksaya Tritiya in Vrindavan, all large Goswami Temple Deities are covered with chandan Paste and not a bit of cloth used to cover the deities in the afternoon. The festival is also celebrated in our ISKCON Vrindavan temple and it usually continues for 21 days with the Utsava Vigrahas covered in chandan. The Deities are covered completely with chandan (sandalwood paste), which provides the Lord relief from the scorching heat of summer in the month of Vaisakha/Jyestha (May/June). [ Photo courtesy : iskconvrindavan.com] Read more ›

The UK Hare Krishna Festival team coordinated a hugely successful event at the University of Essex in Colchester. With the support of a devotee run local Student Society, Bhaktivedanta Manor and Food for All, over 180 people had an evening to remember. From the widely diverse audience of students and public - young and old, from English Buddhists to Lebanese Muslims - everyone deeply appreciated the music, dance, philosophy and Prasad. The local Mayor and other dignitaries also attended and spoke very favourably of the devotees' contribution to the community. Read more ›

"He who thinks that the living entity is the slayer or that he is slain does not understand. One who is in knowledge knows that the self slays not nor is slain."  [Bg. 2.19]

“For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.”  [Bg. 2.20]

So, in different ways, Krsna is trying to convince us how the soul is immortal. Different ways. Ya enam vetti hantaram [Bg. 2.19]. When there is fight, so if one is killed or... So Krsna says that if one thinks that "This man has killed this man," so, or "This man can kill this man," this kind of knowledge is not perfect. Nobody kills nobody. Then the butchers, they may say that "Then why do you complain that we are killing?" They're killing the body, but you cannot kill when there is injunction "Thou shall not kill." That means you cannot kill the body even without sanction. You cannot kill. Although the soul is not killed, the body is killed, still you cannot kill the body without sanction. That is sinful. For example, that a man is living in some apartment. So some way or other you drive him away from that, illegally, you drive him away. So the man will go out and will take shelter somewhere. That's a fact. But because you have driven him away from his bona fide position, you are criminal. You cannot say, "Although I have driven away, he'll get some place." No. That's all right, but you have no power to drive him away. He was in his legal position to live in that apartment, and because you have forcibly driven him away you are criminal, you should be punished.

"Dogs And Cats Don't Need Freud"

73/08/25 London, Bhagavad-gita 2.19-20

Chanting Hare Krishna with the musical arrangement of a symphonic orchestration. Read more ›

With Vaisesika Prabhu. Read more ›

Material affairs have been compared to an ocean of poison. They have been described in a similar way by Srila Narottama dasa thakura in one of his songs: samsara-visanale, diva-niSi hiya jvale, judaite na kainu upaya "My heart is always burning in the fire of material existence. and I have made no provisions for getting out of it." golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana, rati na janmila kene taya "The only remedy is hari-nama-sankirtana, the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, which is imported from the spiritual world, Goloka Vrndavana. How unfortunate I am that I have no attraction for this." (Srimad Bhagavatam——5:1:22——-purport). Read more ›