Can grihasthas who want to preach make preaching as their source of livelihood?
The religious rural culture of India is being replaced by materialisitc culture. What can we do to counter this?
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Should we preach to make people ISKCON devotees or to make them better human beings?
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How can we understand which mode we are in?
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How can we stay in the mode of goodness?
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If one doesnt practice raganuga bhakti then how will one get the realizations needed to return to our svarupa?
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Does one have to practice raganuga bhakti to go BTG or is just departing in devotional circumstances enough
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Hearing Krishna’s pastimes with the gopis is said to remove lust, but it often induce lust. How do we understand
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Is it that we have to come to the stage of ruchi to hear these pastimes?
An Auspicious Beginning
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This summer we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our Festival of India tour along the Baltic Sea coast in Poland. It began auspiciously yesterday with our first program in Kolobrzeg. As always, thousands of people came and were introduced to Krsna consciousness in a most attractive way. The festivals continue every day through the [...]
Why Not More?
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Srila Prabhupada - Questions and Answers
Chicago, July 4 1974
Ideal worship, not idol worship
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 22 June 2014, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-Lila 8.63-66)
When Krsna left Vrindavan and entered the wrestling arena in Mathura, which was all staged by Kamsa, it is described that different people in the audience were perceiving Krsna in different ways. Some were seeing Krsna as paramatma; the ladies in Mathura were very attracted to Krsna and saw him as cupid personified but it was also said that there were some people in the audience who saw him just like stone because when one’s heart is made of stone then one thinks that the deity is made of stone.
The Caitanya Caritamrta describes how Lord Caitanya left West Bengal and went to Jagannath Puri. It is described that when he went to Jagannath Puri, on the way he stopped in a few places – one place was Remuna and another place was just outside of Puri, at the temple of Saksi-gopal. Then we get to hear both those stories – the story of Ksira-cora-gopinath in Remuna and the story of Saksi-gopal.
In the story of Ksira-cora-gopinath, Lord Caitanya remembered how previously Madhavendra Puri was there and how Madhavendra Puri had heard about the sweet rice which they offer in Remuna to the deity of Gopinath; it is known as amrta-keli – a play of nectar. It was very famous. So when he saw this offering that was going on, he developed a desire to offer a similar preparation to his own deity, and therefore he desired to know the taste. Then he was thinking, “I am such a sinful wretch. I am desiring to taste things when the offering is not even completed!” He left that place seeing himself as an offender but later that night, the pujari had a dream.
In his dream, the pujari saw the deity of Gopinath who told him that he had reserved a pot of sweet rice for his devotee Madhavendra Puri and the deity ordered the pujari to make arrangements to deliver that sweet rice. So, the pujari immediately got up, first took his bath and then went onto the altar to take that sweet rice and deliver it to Madhavendra Puri although he had no idea who Madhavendra Puri was or where he was! But he just took the sweet rice and went calling out loud, “Is there some called Madhavendra Puri? The Lord has kept some sweet rice for you… Oh, Madhavendra Puri!” Eventually, Madhavendra Puri identified himself and got that sweet rice.
The other story of Saksi-gopal, is of two brahmanas is Vrindavan. One is elderly and wealthy and the younger other one was quite poor. The younger one served the elder one very nicely and as a result, the elder one was so pleased that he said, “You should marry my daughter.” The younger brahmana said, “Sir, you are an aristocratic brahmana and I am just a simple person. I am not a suitable match! Your family will not approve.” The elderly brahmana replied, “No, you must marry my daughter! I am the boss in my house.” But when they returned home, it wasn’t quite so. The family was very upset and threw a major tantrum. His wife was saying that she would commit suicide and the rest of the family said that they will take poison and kill themselves! Finally the elder brahmana asked, “What do I do? I made a promise!” His eldest son said, “Just say that you don’t remember…”
So the situation came when the young brahmana asked for the promised to be fulfilled and the elder brahmana said, “I cannot remember!” As is customary in India, when there is some disagreement, then a crowd of people get involved and they pass judgment. So the whole village was called and they heard the story from both sides and they were in doubt.
The young brahmana said, “I have a witness. The deity is my witness!” and he went to Vrindavan and he brought that deity. He went before the deity and said, “Gopal, you have to come as a witness.” Gopal said, “I am a deity. How can I walk?” The young brahmana said, “If you can talk, you can walk!” So subsequently, the deity walked across India and came to the village to testify and then everyone believed the younger brahmana.
Both the stories are interesting because they show that the deity is Krsna. In both stories, the deity becomes active and does things. In this way, there is no doubt… it takes it beyond doubt, “Is he really God?” The stories prove that the deity is really the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
If One Chants Japa Regularly
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Hari Bhakti Vilasa
09 July 2014 – Sayana Ekadashi
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There Is No Secret
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From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
Why does the mind develop bad habits more easily than good habits?
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Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-07-06 14:25:00 →
1966 July 6: "Chaturthi. In the meeting at 26 Second Street Store, it is settled that the Society shall be incorporated and the name of the Society shall be: International Society for Krishna consciousness. Eleven Trustees were agreed."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1966
Prabhupada Letters :: 1966
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-07-06 14:23:00 →
1968 July 6: "To do business for sense gratification is the cause of material bondage but to act for Krishna is the cause for opening the door of liberation. So, I shall not implicate you in business if you are not ready to award the profit for Krishna's benefit."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-07-06 14:21:00 →
1968 July 6: "If somebody adopts me as a child I can get the permanent visa but what you will do with an old child who is going to die very soon? But if there is possibility then you can try for it."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-07-06 14:18:00 →
1971 July 6: "The restaurant proposal is very nice. In the center should be Guru Gauranga altar. Everything prepared should be offered and kept on a table and the guest should come and take prasadam on a plate to his full satisfaction."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-07-06 14:16:00 →
1971 July 6: "The menu items are kachori, luglu, samosa, sweet balls, simply wonderful, vegetables, chutneys, puspana, halava, etc; Anyone who pays more than $5.00 can be presented with a small book and a copy of our magazine."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Be the change! Friday Harinam in Brisbane, Australia (Album 117 photos)
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Sri-KRSNA nama is the sweetest among all things that are sweet, and it stands supreme amongst all that is auspicious.It is the eternal, fully ripened spiritual fruit of the wishfulfilling tree of the Vedas. O best of the Brighus, if anyone even once offenselessly chants Sri-KRSNA nama, either with faith or indifference, Sri-KRSNA nama immediately delivers that person from the ocean of material existence. Read more › Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-07-06 14:10:00 →
1971 July 6: "All these initiation beads should be kept very carefully and protected. You should be careful and instruct others also. So keep your beads in a bag and keep the bag around your neck. Then you won't lose."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-07-06 14:08:00 →
1973 July 6: "Thank you for appreciating my humble efforts on behalf of my Spiritual Master. Whatever I have done it is due to His potency in Krishna Consciousness. My only achievement is that I have not changed what He has taught."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-07-06 14:06:00 →
1975 July 6: "By chanting and giving prasadam you will get so many devotees. Purity is attractive. Our only asset is our purity. You cannot reach Krsna without being pure, because He is the supreme pure."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
Saturday Maha Harinama in New York (Album 18 photos)
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“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 › Vrindavan in the past (Album 22 photos)
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On this earth, the place known as Vrndavan in the district of Mathura, ninety miles southeast of Delhi, is a replica of that supreme Goloka Vrndavana in the spiritual sky. In all of India, that eighty-four-square-mile tract of land is considered to be the most sacred place of pilgrimage because Krishna sported in it, and many devotees still linger there in ecstasy in search of Krishna and His childhood associates. Srila Prabhupada has explained that "It is not that such devotees meet Krishna face to face in that tract of land, but a devotee's eagerly searching after Krishna is as good as his seeing Him personally. How this is so cannot be explained, but it is factually realized by those who are pure devotees of the Lord." Read more › Jaya Gopala, Orosz Edina, B Anon and Dekan Eva ask about
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Lord Siva as the deliverer, carving a deity of Krsna, guidance for keeping pets and the creation of souls.
The post Jaya Gopala, Orosz Edina, B Anon and Dekan Eva ask about appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Kirtan Yoga with Sri Prahlada – ISKCON New Govardhana – Australia 06 July 2014 (Album 28 photos)
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Even if in the beginning one chants the Hare Krishna mantra with offenses, one will become free from such offenses by chanting again and again. Papa-kshayas ca bhavati smaratam tam ahar-nisam: one becomes free from all sinful reactions if one chants day and night, following the recommendation of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Read more › Yet an other year of the famous Festival of India tour along the Baltic Sea coast in Poland! (Album 40 photos)
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Indradyumna Swami: This summer we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our Festival of India tour along the Baltic Sea coast in Poland. It began auspiciously yesterday with our first program in Kolobrzeg. As always, thousands of people came and were introduced to Krsna consciousness in a most attractive way. The festivals continue every day through the summer up until August 29. Srila Prabhupada, it is all for your pleasure. Please give us your blessings! Read more › Sunday program in the new temple of Iskcon in Moscow, Russia (Album 76 photos)
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‘Pure devotional service in Krishna consciousness cannot be had even by pious activity in hundreds and thousands of lives. It can be attained only by paying one price—that is, intense greed to obtain it. If it is available somewhere, one must purchase it without delay.’” Padyavali quoted CC Madhya 8.70 Read more › Srimad Bhagvatam Class – His Holiness Candramauli Swami – 27th June 2014 – 6.05.25
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Srimad Bhagvatam Class – His Holiness Candramauli Swami – 27th June 2014 – 6.05.25
Srila Prabhupada Sees Deity Worship in New Vrindaban as Being of “the Highest Standard” in ISKCON – December 1974.
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Srila Prabhupada greets Sri Radha Vrindaban Natha at the original New Vrindaban farmhouse – June 1976.
Srila Prabhupada Sees Deity Worship in New Vrindaban as Being of “the Highest Standard” in ISKCON – December 1974.
From a series of letters written by Srila Prabhupada outlining his vision for New Vrindaban.
Thanks to Vanipedia for the source material.
———————————————————————-
Bridesville, Canada
My dear Bahudak,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated Dec. 3, 1974 and have noted the contents.
The pictures of your newly installed Deities are very very nice. And you can name them Sri Sri Radha-Madan Mohan. The Deity worship should be done very carefully and nicely. Sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana, srngara-tan-mandira-marjanadau, yuktasya bhaktams ca niyunjato’pi, vande guroh sri-caranaravindam. You should make sure that there is nice arati program; six arati daily at least. You should make sure that there is nice fresh, clean dress every morning, nice bathing ceremony every morning, nice offerings of prasadam. You should see that the Deity is tended for and cooked for only by the duly second initiated brahmanas. The Deity should have nice flowers everyday etc., etc. You should try to bring Them up to the highest standard, such as we have in Los Angeles or New Vrindaban. Sri Sri Radha-Madan Mohan have kindly descended in Their arca vigraha form now you must receive Them with that consciousness. And by serving Them you will all develop pure love of Krsna.
Thanking you for helping me in my mission. Occasionally send me report of how things are going on there. I hope this meets you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/ps
Mahabharata characters 48 – Arjuna 11 – The divine heart calls the human heart to the path of love
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This talk is a part of the "Fascinating Mahabharata Characters" series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com
Thursday, July 3rd, 2014
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Toronto, Ontario
Reflections Of
In my afternoon stroll, a break from desk work, the most prominent and endearing thoughts and words of that walk with Patrick, I thought I would share.
· Gratitude for the unpaved trails in the city.
· Let’s keep in the shade as much as possible on this steamy day.
· There are hundreds of berry trees in this city, Saskatoons and mulberries, ripe and ready, and we sample them.
· People are darned friendly on the trail. The green brings out the best.
· Thoughts of gratitude for Daruka and Karuna who were with me in the just completed 4 th walk across Canada.
· A park bench so inviting that can lead to a 7 minute lie down while Patrick chanted some mantras.
· I have hardly a clue what’s going on socially and politically in the world due to being away from it all – walking. No regrets – in fact, ignorance is bliss.
· I find myself fortunate when occupied in soft chanting. Others on this trail don’t have this experience.
· Upon seeing me, a runner offers pranams (palms together). This I accept on behalf of guru. I reciprocate with his gesture on the same point.
· Patrick’s joke: What did the one cannibal say to the other when he showed up late for dinner? Answer – Everyone’s eaten.
May the Source be with you!
8 KM
Reflections Of
In my afternoon stroll, a break from desk work, the most prominent and endearing thoughts and words of that walk with Patrick, I thought I would share.
· Gratitude for the unpaved trails in the city.
· Let’s keep in the shade as much as possible on this steamy day.
· There are hundreds of berry trees in this city, Saskatoons and mulberries, ripe and ready, and we sample them.
· People are darned friendly on the trail. The green brings out the best.
· Thoughts of gratitude for Daruka and Karuna who were with me in the just completed 4 th walk across Canada.
· A park bench so inviting that can lead to a 7 minute lie down while Patrick chanted some mantras.
· I have hardly a clue what’s going on socially and politically in the world due to being away from it all – walking. No regrets – in fact, ignorance is bliss.
· I find myself fortunate when occupied in soft chanting. Others on this trail don’t have this experience.
· Upon seeing me, a runner offers pranams (palms together). This I accept on behalf of guru. I reciprocate with his gesture on the same point.
· Patrick’s joke: What did the one cannibal say to the other when he showed up late for dinner? Answer – Everyone’s eaten.
May the Source be with you!
8 KM
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Bhagavad Gita Classes(New Session)
Kirtan Etiquette Workshop
IB's 2ND Festival of Chariots
ISKCON Brampton Yoga and Wellness
Tell Me Something About Krishna…
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Over a year ago, I received a random text message from my friend Balaram:
"Tell me something about Krishna."
I was taken aback. How often do I get asked that kind of question?? I wanted to just write back, "Um, He's God." But I took some time to deeply reflect, and then I sent him back a meditation.
Over the past year, Balaram and I have taken turns in writing the random text message: Tell me something about Krishna. Usually Balaram will ask me, and it always catches me off guard. Sometimes we share something silly, sometimes something profound.
Some time ago, I asked Balaram to tell me something about Krishna. Several weeks later, he finally responded.
"Krishna is in the rare moments when I truly connect with a person who is also in the pursuit of simultaneously living and understanding what it means to be alive.
That's one thing I can say about Krishna."
I can't help but feel that if you, dear reader, are in the pursuit of living and understanding what it means to be alive, then Krishna is alive and present in this very moment, as you read the words off this screen. I am honored to be in your association. Thank you.
It's your turn: tell me something about Krishna. Or better yet: tell the world something about Krishna.
"Tell me something about Krishna."
I was taken aback. How often do I get asked that kind of question?? I wanted to just write back, "Um, He's God." But I took some time to deeply reflect, and then I sent him back a meditation.
Over the past year, Balaram and I have taken turns in writing the random text message: Tell me something about Krishna. Usually Balaram will ask me, and it always catches me off guard. Sometimes we share something silly, sometimes something profound.
Some time ago, I asked Balaram to tell me something about Krishna. Several weeks later, he finally responded.
"Krishna is in the rare moments when I truly connect with a person who is also in the pursuit of simultaneously living and understanding what it means to be alive.
That's one thing I can say about Krishna."
I can't help but feel that if you, dear reader, are in the pursuit of living and understanding what it means to be alive, then Krishna is alive and present in this very moment, as you read the words off this screen. I am honored to be in your association. Thank you.
It's your turn: tell me something about Krishna. Or better yet: tell the world something about Krishna.
Lecture – BG 8.26-27 Devotee Pro & Tennis Fanatic 7/3/2014
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BG 08.26-27 Devotee Pro & Tennis Fanatic 2014-07-03 LJUBLJANA
Lecture – Bhagavad Gita 8.26-27 Devotee Pro & Tennis Fanatic 7/3/2014
There Is No Secret
→ Japa Group
From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
The time is now
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 11 April 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Lecture at House Program)
I remember a Vyasa puja offering from Bhurijana, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada. He joined in 1968 and then around 40 years later, Bhurijana wrote an offering to Prabhupada. In the offering he wrote, “I do not really have anything to report. I did not really do anything extraordinary this year. I did not distribute many books. The only thing I can say is that I am still here.”
I liked that offering because he made a deep point – 40 years and still here! That is something. There are many who have been around for more than 40 years and are still here. If we are still here that makes all the difference. At the end of the day, we can try to convince the world but are we ourselves convinced?
We have to be convinced; we have to really dedicate ourselves and to give everything we have. It has to come to that, we can take some time to get there, no problem. It is not that we have a burnout program where everyone has to push themselves beyond their limits, but for how long are we going to drag our feet? A few more grey hairs and still dragging our feet! How many years do we have anyway. Actually, what guarantee do we have that we are going to get old so how long can we postpone? This is not only for you – it is for me also. How long can I postpone? So many things I am postponing. How long can I postpone?
I have books I want to finish. I always find a reason why I cannot do it – too busy, too tired, health, this that, always reasons not to finish and I was thinking, “Yeah, but Srila Prabhupada just focused. He just focused.” So if we focus, it will be done. If we focus, so many things will be done. If you really focus then I think so many things become possible! So when will we focus?
Those kinds of thoughts we have and we think, ‘Yeah, but I also want some happiness in this world.’ All right, have some happiness in this world but understand that it is going to be ‘some’. Have a piece of cake with lots of cream, and it is tasty, but then afterwards you have to deal with the thing, you know. Once you have swallowed it, the fun of it is over. Once it has passed the tongue then the fun of the cake is over. It blows up in the stomach like a sponge, ‘That was a heavy cake!’ Oh God, how many heavy cakes is it going to take? How much enjoyment? Have some but it is over in a snap.
‘I want some love.’ Okay have some love in the world. Love, love, love and then it gets down to business. It is not only love but it is also bills, it is also duty, it is also responsibility! There is also maintenance and taking care, and when you do not want to then it is not so romantic at all. Fine have all these things but when are we going to focus on Krsna and on going back to Godhead, and making that a priority? That is the question?
July 3rd 2014 Krishna Lounge Kirtan & Talk
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Kirtan lead by Vrndavana dasa:
Kirtan lead by Giriraj Gopal dasa:
Talk by Giriraj Gopal dasa: