Visitor to New Vrindaban’s Palace of Gold takes inspiration.
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Have you read the Science of Self Realization?

By Krishna Bhava dasi

Sometimes with his mother and sometimes with his son, Herbie has been visiting NV for a decade, “Under the radar” as he likes to say.  Originally from Kent, Ohio, he moved to West Alexander, WV.

Ten summers ago he decided to take a camping vacation near the Palace of Gold.  One day while driving to his campsite, he discovered the Palace. He had always been interested in different religions and was very attracted.

He went into the Palace gift shop, Krpamaya das shared with Him some passages from the Bhagavad Gita and he bought a Science of Self Realization. After reading the Science of Self Realization he became inspired.  He works for a large corporation and teaches customer relations to thousands of people.  While teaching them customer relations he now tries to incorporate principles from Srila Prabhupada’s  Science of Self Realization.  In his work place he has inspired over 40 workers to download the Science of Self Realization and they have discussions on it.

Last summer I was very enlivened when he shared his story with me and the last thing he said to me was “Have you read the Science of Self Realization?”

Srila Prabhupada's book, "The Science of Self Realization"

Srila Prabhupada’s book, “The Science of Self Realization”

The author of this article, Krishna Bhava das,i has lived in New Vrindaban for over 30 years, having done lots of different services, while raising two children as well. She now runs the Palace Gift Shop at Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold.

kb                                                                                             Krishna Bhava with her daughter, Krishna Priya.

Harinama and prasadam distribution in Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England (Album 20 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, about 2 miles west of Amesbury and 8 miles north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Around 37 000 people attended this year's Stonehenge Summer Solstice, Parasurama Prabhu and his team arrange a Midnight Ratha Yatra and the distribution of thousands plates of Prasadam. Afterwards MahaVishnu Swami with the Harinam Party was rocking the stones till sun rise Read more ›

We invite you to chant 64 rounds of Hare Krsna Maha Mantra with us this Saturday at ISKCON Scarborough
→ ISKCON Scarborough

Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

We are pleased to announce that our 4th annual 64 round chanting day will take place coming Saturday - June 28th 2014 from 8 am to 6 pm. Sumptuous free breakfast, lunch & dinner prasadam will be served on this day.

The program for Saturday- June 28th 2014:
8 am to 8.30 am- Arti
8.30 am to 9 am - Breakfast prasadam
9 am to 6 pm- chant 64 rounds of Hare Krsna Maha Mantra
7 pm to 8 pm - Tamil Bhagavad Gita class

Every year over 50 devotees take part in chanting 64 rounds at ISKCON Scarborough- the weekend before Canada day.
We invite you, your family and friends to ISKCON Scarborough coming Saturday to take part in this auspicious event.

Importance of Chanting the Holy names of the Lord:

Srimad Bhagavatam: 6.3.31:

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, the chanting of the holy name of the Lord is able to uproot even the reactions of the greatest sins. Therefore the chanting of the saṅkīrtana movement is the most auspicious activity in the entire universe. Please try to understand this so that others will take it seriously.


Caitanya Bhagavat Adi Khanda 16.94 – Namacarya Srila Haridas Thakur

“Even if my body is cut into pieces and I give up my life, I will never give up chanting the Lord’s holy name.”

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.32/Caitanya Caritamrta Adi Lila 3.52/ Caitanya Caritamrta Madya Lila 6.103/ Caitanya Caritamrta Madya Lila 11.100/ Caitanya Caritamrta Madya Lila 20.342/ Caitanya Caritamrta Antya Lila 20.10

In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.

Padyavali- Srila Rupa Goswami:

O Supreme Personality of Godhead, when someone desires to chant Your holy name, sins tremble in fear, the glory of material illusion faints unconscious, Yamaraja’s scribe Citragupta becomes happy and gazes at the chanter’s toenails with awe and reverence, and Lord Brahma prepares madhu-parka to worship him. O Lord, what more can we say than this?

Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.51:

My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Krsna Hama-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom

Padyavali- Srila Rupa Goswami:

May Krsna's holy name, which is a reservoir of all transcendental happiness, the destruction of Kali-yuga’s sins, the most purifying of all purifying things, the saintly person’s food as he quickly traverses the path to the spiritual world, the pleasure-garden where the voices of the greatest saints, philosophers, and poets play, the life of the righteous, and the seed of the tree of religion, bring transcendental auspiciousness to you all.



When we chant 64 rounds, we chant over 100,000 names of the Lord!

1 Hare Krsna Maha Mantra(HKMM)= 16 names of the Lord - consisting of 3 transcendental words of Hare, Rama and Krsna (“Hare” is internal energy of the Lord which is non-different from the Lord, “Krsna” means all attractive and “Rama” means reservoir of all pleasure)

1 round in a japa mala =108 Hare Krsna Maha Mantra= 1728 names of the Lord (16 names of the Lord in 1 HKMM X 108 times in a japa mala)

16 rounds = 27,648 names of the Lord(16 names of the Lord in 1 HKMM X 108 times in a japa mala X 16 rounds)

64 rounds = 110,592 names of the Lord(16 names of the Lord in 1 HKMM X 108 times in a japa mala X 64 rounds)

Why chant 64 rounds of Hare Krsna Maha Mantra?


Caitanya Bhagavat(by Sri Vrindavan das Thakur)- Antya Khanda- chapter 9 verses 116 to 125:

“As the devotees invited the Lord (Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu)to take His meal in their houses, the Lord took the opportunity to teach them all this topic.

When invited to take a meal, the Lord smiled and said, “First you should become a laksesvara [The word laksesvara is a combination of laksha (“hundred thousand”) and isvara (“master”). In common usage it would refer to someone who possessed a hundred thousand rupees.].

“I take meals only in the house of a laksesvara.” Hearing this, the brahmanas became worried.

The brahmanas offered prayers to the Lord, “O Gosaani, what to speak of a hundred thousand, none of us possess even a thousand.

“If You don’t accept meals from us, then let our entire household be burnt to ashes.”

The Lord replied, “Do you know who is a laksesvara? He is someone who daily chants a hundred thousand holy names.

“I call that a person a laksesvara. I take meals in only such a person’s house, not in the houses of others.”

Hearing this merciful statement of the Lord, the brahmanas gave up their anxiety and became joyful.

“O Lord, we will chant a hundred thousand names. Please therefore take Your meals in our houses. It is our good fortune that You are teaching us in this way.”
All the brahmanas then began to chant a hundred thousand names everyday so that they could offer food to Lord Caitanyacandra.


With best wishes from,

ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7

Email Address: iskconscarborough@hotmail.com
website: www.iskconscarborough.com

The value of a vaisnava
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, November 2011, Mayapur, India, Lecture: Caitanya Caritamrta Part 3)

Bhaktivinoda-Thakur-Jaiva-DharmaA puzzling topic is that vaisnavas consider themselves as most fallen. They spend time in presenting themselves as having no qualifications and so on. But Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s song Bhakti-kalpataru basically clarifies the matter,

‘I have received this wish-fulfilling desire tree from my spiritual master but by my harsh behaviour, I’ve covered it’s potency and therefore, the full power is not manifested now from the tree. But the tree itself can be restored in the association of the devotees.’

This is a very important concept of seeing how on the one hand, we have received the mercy, how we have something to give, how a vaisnava has a valuable contribution to make to the world; and at the same time can see himself as being totally unqualified, as the most fallen, as a fool, as an ignorant child, as having no intelligence and all these things…

It all makes sense if you think, ‘Yes, I am absolutely not qualified but it is from the mercy of the Lord and my guru that gives me the most valuable jewel!’

This is a very important point about humility, about how vaisnava humility works. How one can see himself as the most fallen but still living in great happiness because of the great and unlimited mercy!

Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s contributions 4 – The Eastern Savior offers the zenith of religious experience among all the world’s religions
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Special Day Meditation Podcast

"People from Europe and the Americas have not been satisfied with beauty of the rasa of parental affection (vātsalya) that Jesus propagated. By God’s grace, the hope is that they get addicted to the mature wine of the rasa of sweetness in the near future. It is observed that the rasas that appear in India first gradually spread to the West . . . just as the sun first rises in India and then gradually lights up the countries of the West. Similarly the incomparable rays of spiritual principles spread across in Western lands, after first manifesting in India."

- Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Krishna Samhita

Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s contributions 3 – The sara-grahi redefinition of Panchopasana as progressive modes of comprehending the divine
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Special Day Meditation Podcast

5 levels outlined in Bhaktivinoda Thakura's essay "On the Pure Religion of the Bhagavata":

1. Shaktism - Worship of nature

2. Sauryaism - Worship of sun

3. Ganapatyaism - Worship of consciousness manifested in animals

4. Shaivism - Worship of consciousness manifested in humans

6. Vaishnavism - Worship of the Supreme Person

Rising Moon
- TOVP.org

On the glorious and auspicious hundredth anniversary of the disappearance day of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur, this brand new video about the TOVP project, which was so dear to Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur has been released. Many of our prominent leaders in ISKCON have spoken very well to encourage participation from all members of ISKCON society.

This video was produced by a young devotee, resident of Sridham Mayapur, as a seva for the new Sri Mayapur Chandradoya Mandir. Congratulations to all the devotees who have dedicated themselves to this glorious project, that will for sure establish Shri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as the Yuga Avatar for delivering people in Kali Yuga.

Please take time to watch this video and circulate it amongst your friends: https://vimeo.com/99032748

In rural West Bengal, in the tiny village of Mayapur, a monumental temple is rising—monumental both in scope, and significance. According to preceptors of the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage, the erection of this Mayapur-candradoya Mandir marks the onset of a golden age of light and wisdom. Nityananda Prabhu, Bhaktivinoda Thakur, they saw it coming—a confluence of factors, a spiritual trifecta to inundate the world in ecstatic devotion. The person: Srila Prabhupada. The phenomenon: the global sankirtan movement. The place: the adbhuta-mandir of Sridham Mayapur, Sri Caitanya’s birthplace.

In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna tells Arjuna, “Fight or don’t fight—it matters little. Your foes are already slain by me, the battle is won. You, however, can take the credit.” In similar fashion, by the desire of Sri Caitanya, Krishna’s most munificent Kali-yuga avatara, this Temple of the Vedic Planetarium is already done. Contribute or don’t contribute, give or don’t give, it’s going to happen. Will you take credit?

To donate, visit: tovp.org/news/fundraising/donate-a-golden-brick-campaign/

Film by: Kriyate
Aerial Shots by: Prananatha Dasa
Music by: Zero Bedroom Apartment, The American Dollar, Talvin Singh

Ys

Radha Jivan

Vraja Vilasa das

The post Rising Moon appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Ratha Yatra in Jakarta, Indonesia
→ ISKCON News

Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia celebrated its 487th anniversary on Sunday, 22 June 2014. On this occasion, the city hosted the Jakarnaval, a cultural parade from the National Monument to the Central Business District of Jakarta. Hare Krishna devotees took this opportunity to organize their third annual Ratha-Yatra festival.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s contributions 2 – See the unity of purpose underlying the diversity of religions
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Special Day Meditation Podcast

“When we have occasion to be present at the place of worship of other religionists at the time of their worship, we should stay there in a respectful mood, contemplating thus: 'Here is being worshiped my adorable highest entity God, in a different form than that of mine. Due to a different practice of a different kind, I cannot thoroughly comprehend this system of theirs. But seeing it, I am feeling a greater attachment for my own system. God is one. I bow down before His emblem as I see here and offer my prayer to my Lord who has adopted this different emblem so that He may increase my love toward Him in the form that is acceptable for me.”

- Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Chaitanya Shikshamrita

6-Hour Kirtan for Bhaktivinoda Thakur! – Saturday, Jun 28, 2014 **UPDATED**
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

This Saturday, June 28, 2014, the Hare Krishna temple welcomes you to join us for a special 6-Hour Kirtan honouring Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and his divine legacy as we commemorate 100 years from his disappearance. 

This non-stop six hour kirtan, starting at 3:00 pm, will mark the culmination of various events that are happening throughout this month! 

Here is the schedule *subject to change*:

3:00pm - 3:30pm: Chaitanya Nimai das
3:30pm - 4:00pm: Bhakta Sahil
4:00pm - 4:30pm: Nandini Radha devi dasi
4:30pm - 5:00pm: Sukhavak das
5:00pm - 5:30pm: Bhakta Nipun
5:30pm - 6:00pm: Bhaktin Shastyna
6:00pm - 6:30pm: Bhakta Keshav
6:30pm - 7:15pm: Rukmini devi dasi
7:15pm - 8:00pm: Bhaktin Tara
8:00pm - 9:00pm: Dhira Grahi das
 



Please mark the date in your calendars, and we hope to see you this Saturday!


Stockholm, June 2014 – Part 3
→ KKSBlog

Report by Harivilasa das*

FU3_6627In Sweden, the 20th of June was a big day, as the country celebrated Midsummers Eve. For Maharaj, it was also a special day, as he took a break from writing and dedicated the day to devotee association. First on the agenda was a disciple meeting. About eight disciples gathered at the home of Ananta Prabhu in Stockholm, where they spent a few hours with Maharaj just speaking informally and doing a little kirtan. It was a very personal gathering, without the cameras and recorders of more official programs. After a light lunch, everyone headed off toward New Brahmakund, an apartment building where only devotees reside. Many devotees assembled in the basement temple for a pumping kirtan and a wonderful class on the importance of sharing Krsna consciousness, especially if our own sadhana ever gets dry.

Maharaj’s sojourn in Sweden also came to an unexpected end on Saturday (21 June), when Maharaj left for England to attend to some urgent issues. He will be in England until Thursday 26 June, when he will depart for Amsterdam.

*Harivilasa is editing Maharaj’s first draft of the book before it is sent to the reference group for reading and then for final editing

 

Photos

Please click here to view photos taken by Uffe and Raya.

Audio

KKS_Stockholm_20 June 2014_Bhajan_Maha manta

KKS_Stockholm_20 June 2014_Lecture_CC Madhya 22.75

 

 

 

Harinama in Tel Aviv, Israel (Album 18 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is performed in the paramparä system; that is, it is conveyed from spiritual master to disciple. Such glorification is relished by those no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of this cosmic manifestation. Descriptions of the Lord are the right medicine for the conditioned soul undergoing repeated birth and death. Therefore, who will cease hearing such glorification of the Lord except a butcher or one who is killing his own self? SB 10.1.4 Read more ›

Kitchen Religion Cookbooks Reveal Secrets of Quantity Cooking
→ ISKCON News

The first in the new “Kitchen Religion Series” of cookbooks, Rice: 65 Recipes From Around the World doesn’t just offer an astonishing amount of sumptuous ways to prepare that simplest of staple foods. It’s also the first ever ISKCON cookbook to focus on how to cook in large quantities, an extremely valuable resource for its target audience of ISKCON devotees.