Planet ISKCON

1970 April 21: "How the art department should be organized, that is up to them. The only thing is that the artists must always be engaged fulltime in their painting work, that will satisfy me, and that will gradually make them experienced for making good paintings."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 April 21: "I am glad you are always alert to any offense. In rendering service to Lord Krishna and His representative the Spiritual Master, we should always maintain this fearful attitude which means careful attention. This attitude will advance you progressively in Krishna Consciousness."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 April 21: "For cheap circulation we can print small Penguin size paperbacks of KRSNA Book which can be sold at 75 cents, each book about 250 pages, so that KRSNA Book may come in three for a combined price of $2.00. Then we can print cheaply KRSNA Book for large circulation."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1971 April 21: "You needn't spend $10,000 for machinery. That is not required. Do not depend on machines. We are not going to be large-scale business. We are more interested still in distributing our books."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1974 April 21: "Yes, by all means you may print my morning walk speaking about 'Life comes from Life'; this argument should be spread. So go on printing and distributing as many of my books as possible; this is your real work and your personal success."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

Verse 4.33: O chastiser of the enemy, the sacrifice performed in knowledge is better than the mere sacrifice of material possessions. After all, O son of Pṛthā, all sacrifices of work culminate in transcendental knowledge.

I read a beautiful blog post by a teacher today. He was speaking about how important school is, but not for the reasons a student might think. He spoke of how every mundane activity such as going to class, studying for an exam or listening to a teacher's advice actually has a much deeper meaning. In particular, when it came to discussing the need to study, he emphasized how it isn't the mark you get that's the "win". It's about taking advantage of of an opportunity to practice a life skill - that of sacrificing time and effort to master something that may seem impossible without succumbing to distractions, or worse yet the feeling of "I can't do it".

How fitting that it ties in so well with today's subject where Krsna is telling Arjuna that sacrifice performed in knowledge is a much better way to act! Or in other words:

Doing something with understanding is much better than just doing it

This may seem ridiculously intuitive to some, but I'll be the first to admit, I struggle with this for a couple of reasons. For one thing, society doesn't really encourage us to question and look deeper than what meets the eye. Secondly, if one does attempt to look deeper, in some cases that understanding may not come right away and could require an investment of time and effort and who wants to do that! In a world where we want things immediately, it doesn't satisfy persons such as myself.

That said, in those instances where I've sought to understand why I'm doing something before doing it, I've noticed that I get a much more holistic picture of life. No longer does that simple action stand separated from everything else, but instead I gain insight into how my actions in one area of my life can be reflective of those in another.

When I started writing, I didn't just start writing. I sat down and clearly figured out what I wanted to accomplish which was pretty simple - I wanted to share my own love and appreciation for the Gita in a way that made it practical and relevant to everyday life. Now, whatever I write, I filter through that lens and if it doesn't meet that intention, I don't publish it. This theme of practical and relevant has now seeped into all other spheres of my life. Whoever I speak to, whether it's giving a workshop or offering advice to a friend, practical and relevant has become my motto.

All of us do things on a regular, if not daily basis. But have you ever really asked yourself why you do it? If you haven't, I extend the invitation to you to ask. You might be surprised by what you find if you understand first and then act with that understanding.

(If you'd like to read the article I alluded to in the beginning, please find it here: http://affectiveliving.wordpress.com/2014/03/08/what-students-really-need-to-hear/)

Ordinary men wish to perform good work in order to be recognized and achieve some higher status of life in this world or in heaven, but more advanced men want to be free altogether from the actions and reactions of work. Intelligent men well know that both good and bad work equally bind one to the material miseries. Consequently they seek that work which will free them from the reactions of both good and bad work. Such liberating work is described here in the pages of Sri Isopanisad.

- Srila Prabhupada, Sri Isopanishad Mantra 2

"Nueva Vrajamandala" community. Read more ›

Sinead O'Connor appears in Episode 4 of our new series Guth na nGael on RTE1: April 11th @ 7.30pm. The series investigates the recurring themes in Irish songs and Episode 4 is titled 'Spirituality & the Gods' and asks is there a dearth of spiritual singing in the Irish tradition. Read more ›

 

Spring is in full swing this week in the gardens. The Apothecary Teaching Garden across from the temple is getting a beautiful make-over. Marty Wach a volunteer from Wheeling has designed the garden and already has 15 of the beds cultivated and ready for planting. The Apothecary Teaching Garden will be the home to many medicinal herbs, flowers both perennial and annual, as well has greens for the temple and restaurant. A new fence will also be installed in the next few weeks.

In the Garden of Seven Gates we are preparing beds for new asparagus plants and awaiting the first delicious shoots to break through the ground from the previous year’s plantings. Lots of spring clean up and weeding is being completed as well. Rhubarb will be planted this week along the fence line near the asparagus. Both plants are hardy perennial vegetables that grow well in our climate. The long term goal for the Garden of Seven Gates is to line the lower fence line with perennial vegetables. This will give us a ample spring vegetable harvest in a few years.

There are many volunteer opportunities in both of the gardens for either groups or individuals. On the weekends volunteers are welcome anytime during the day and we are also available through the week. My office is the first door on the right as you entire the far side of the temple (closest to the road). I am in the office each day from 9-9:30, if you would like to come later just come join us in the garden. I can also be contacted by email at Korr.ecov@gmail.com. Volunteer hours can also be tailored to individual interests such as: flowers, vegetables, greenhouse, landscaping, organic methods, agro-foresty, fruits, and many more. We are also open to groups coming to work and enjoy the gardens. May-July we will be planting regularly and can always use the extra help, no experience necessary. Robert Rodale once said, “The best crop of a garden, year after year, is hope.” We hope to see many new faces in the garden this season.

Talk Podcast

Talk Podcast

Talk Podcast

Talk Podcast

Talk Podcast

INDIA acronym:

I – Internationalization

N – Non-discrimination

D – Development

I – Infrastructure

A – Appreciation

Talk Podcast

The boat festival marks the symbolic event occurred between Radha and Krishna before 5000 years at Rajghat in River Yamuna. The Gopis often carried the milk products from Vrindavana and sold at Mathura to earn their living. Srinivasa Acharya says, “Krishna started the boat festival from this Raj Ghat with the beautiful Radha and Her associates to cross the River carrying pots of milk products. See the amazingly beautiful face of Krishna. On the riverside remained Krishna on a worn out boat. Radha and Her associates urged to Krishna, “Please take us to the other side of River Yamuna.” Krishna rowed them down to some distance with great pleasure. Let us describe Krishna’s playful pastimes with them.” When the old boat floated in violent waters, the Gopis said, “You are troubling we young girls. O Madhava, You reap the seed of all troubles and You alone can make us cross this River.” Krishna said, “All food you carry will be drowned. Please throw away all you carry in water including your unwanted clothing.” Even at this dreadful moment, Krishna was cutting jokes at the Gopis and clapped hands showing no worries. The Gopis said, “We desperately throw water from the sinking boat with our bare hands. Even if we escape from here, we will not surrender to You.” Read more ›

Beautiful video depicting the love of the Gopis for Lord Krishna with classical music as background. Read more ›

The post April 21st, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

samsara-vriksha agha-bijam ananta-karma

shakha-yutam karana-patram ananga-pushpam

aruhya dukha-phalinam patitam dayalo

lakshmi-nrisimha mama dehi karavalambam

The tree of samsara, or material existence, is sprouted from the seed of sinful desire. The unlimited reactions to fruitive activities are its branches, the senses are its leaves and its flowers is Cupid’s attraction of sex desire. O merciful one, I climbed up this tree but I have only obtained the fruit of misery and am now fallen. O Lakshmi-Nrisimha, please bless me with the touch of Your lotus hands.

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

Mangala Arati of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath, ISKCON Temple,Chowpatty,Mumbai;14th April. 2014

I will not leave the company of the saintly devotees. I will not speak to my old friends and relatives. I will not even show my face to them. I am intent on residing in Vrinda?vana.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, Sataka-2, Text-18, Translation.]

Please click hare for more photos

Yesterday in the Japa Room we heard a summary of the Alachua Japa Workshop with Mahatma dasa. He also talks with Badaharidas dasa and answers questions on the Japa workshop.
Emails subscribers please click the big blue link above to see the video.

Durban, South Africa

From Tent to Tent

I had paid a visit to the unsung heroes who are doing all the cooking outdoors for the hungry festival goers.  It’s impressive!  Just shy of the golden number 100, are these sizeable pots under fire that are burning and crackling away.  Beryani, a South African favourite, is on the boil for this second day at the Chariot Festival which is held at the old Durban drive in theatre.

Food is one of the major features of festivals.  Apart from the stage where our group brought down the house for the standing ovation performance of Little Big Ramayan, my like at the event is a tent called the Bhakti Cloud.  Here the youth organize presentations of various sorts.  On the program schedule, I’ve been dubbed as The Dance Master, so the expectation is for me to pull off a dance to the sound of half a dozen djembes. 

So much for being The Walking Monk.  Now there’s the expectation that I’m Fred Astaire.  Anyways, our half hour stint went well.  We got everyone up to dancing out and enacting the ten Avatars. 

Another highlight for me was an hour session given to talking at Tent A, about walking experiences.  I wasn’t sure that my Tails on Trails would carry an appeal, yet the tent filled up and interest in pilgrimage was generated.  My final word was actually a question, “How many of you anticipate to do more walking now that you hear how fun and freeing it is?”  The response was, “Lakker”, which in Afrikaans means, “Good”.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Durban, South Africa

Round and Around and Round We Go

The smart path for walking on the Chatsworth temple grounds is essentially a concrete walkway running as a concentric formation around the building.  If you were to look from the bird’s eye view, you might see a spot on the rim of a wheel circling about over and over again.  That spot would be a group of chanters moving constantly for at least an hour or more. 

I am one of several in that group that makes the spot.  Unofficially we have become by chance a japa team.  Our group began as one.  One became two.  Two became three and so on. 

Jabs from Pretoria joined us.  He is a relative new comer to Krishna Consciousness and bhakti yoga.  There are several paths leading to the temple which cross our walking path.  Jabs happened to be walking on one of those paths, he spotted our group and I nodded that he should join our japa walking team.  So I suggested to Jabs, which is short for Jambavan, “If you join us you just concentrate on the mantra, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare .  You’ll be happy to know that while chanting at this time, and you keep with our pace, you’ll be going at 5 kilometres an hour.”  I implied to him that with chanting and walking simultaneously you get double mercy.  Jabs was sold on the idea and he joined our group as it grew and grew.  Everyone on board seemed to enjoy the power of joint chanting and joint walking.  In addition to there being a moat around the temple with a constant flow of H2O that hugs the edifice, it creates a very pleasant atmosphere.  It just so happens that Nelson Mandela had stepped and walked on our circular path more than once, giving our trail an extra significance. 

Congratulations to Jabs and other members of our South African based drama troupe who pulled off a great rendition of Big Fish Little Fish on the first day of the great festival.

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Durban, South Africa

On Anger

SB 1.7.34

I was asked to give the class from Bhagavatam, SB 1.7.34.  This I did after a brisk walk.  Here are points we came up with on this interesting subject.

ANGER

1)      A product of passion
2)      It breeds bewilderment and blocks the brain
3)      It’s a beast that can be tamed
4)      An explosive that blows up in your face
5)      It’s what’s behind 4
6)      It means you’re not appreciating
7)      It could mean you didn’t get enough sleep
8)      A temper tantrum triggered by the tempter/temptress
9)      It becomes a great opportunity for picking up a drum and creating nice music (kirtan)
10)   Controlling it is a great victory
11)   It’s a big expenditure to check, and for clean up after damage is done
12)   When you keep a lid on it, it turns into a nice prep
13)   It does have its place (as in anger over abuse issues).  Know when to use it.

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Durban, South Africa

Couldn’t Be Sweeter

The pathway has puddles.  The ground under the parking lot has waves.  The sky is wet and air is still.  Not exactly the best conditions.  I am moved to an amphitheatre where I can chant and walk simultaneously.  But, the narrow shelter above the amphitheatre does little to block out the drizzle.  Normally, I’d be trekking round and round the mandir (temple).  It’s safe staying on temple grounds.  You can’t risk meandering through the streets nearby.  Crime is really high.  In the past though, I ventured around.  You are at some advantage if you are male, and being a monk helps, I imagine.  It’s unfortunate that in the past people within the community have been murdered under circumstances.  The cause?  Myriad reasons. 

But life in South Africa is not always great.  It has it’s bubbly moments.  A monkey perched on a branch near my window was looking for opportunity.  I threw him an orange, boy did he get excited.  He left me his peels. 

Our rehearsals for the weekend entertainment have been exhilarating.  Cast members have got all this rhythm, they can dance and they can act.  A good chunk of the troupe are from the Zulu community.  Performance is up their alley. 

The chariot festival always brings out the best in people.  Bhakti practitioners come from other parts of South Africa to join in for a mixed reverence and fun.  Guests are arriving from other continents.  I’m one of them.  This is my 14^th year.  I’m always given warm and great food – avocados and sandwiches especially.

The day couldn’t be sweeter really. 

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Special Day Meditation Podcast

..altruism, socialism, communism, nationalism and humanitarianism. These "isms" are certainly very attractive forms of karma-bandhana (karmic bondage), but the Vedic instruction of Sri Isopanisad is that if one actually wants to live for any of the above "isms," he should make them God-centered. There is no harm in becoming a family man, or an altruist, a socialist, a communist, a nationalist or a humanitarian, provided that one executes his activities in relation with isavasya, the God-centered conception.

- Srila Prabhupada, Sri Isopanishad Mantra 2

Hare Krsna Parade of the Chariots By Gary LeVeille posted by the newspaper on the StAugustine.com website. Read more ›

Answer Podcast

Hare Krishna everyone,

This short film has just been released of the festival in Maidenhead which took place on 10th April.
The event was very well attended and went smoothly.
Thanks to everyone involved.
It was a great example of enthusiastic cooperation between Local devotees, The Manor Sankirtan team, Food for All and the Festival group.

see Maidenhead HKF short film made by Sandi Hume..:

Remember the next Hare Krishna Festival is in Reading Irish Centre on Thur 8th May.
There will be Harinams and flyer distribution to promote this on Sat 26th April and Sat 3rd May. plus on the festival day Thur 8th May.

ys Ratnavali